Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Talk About Heads Exploding

Oh, brother. More in the "payback for shilling for me department" from the Obama Camp. First, we get the homophobic, anti-choice, Pro-Iraq war Kaine getting the plum position of DNC chair. Now, I cannot believe I have to even type this, a TV personality on a network that pushed Obama down our throats, who is also a doctor, is going to be appointed Surgeon General! Oh, hell no, I am not making this up. Sanjay Gupta, of CNN fame, is going to be our new Surgeon General. See, you just can't make crap like this up, can you?

I'm practically speechless about this and its brazenness, so I'll let this piece by Paul Krugman speak for me:
"The Trouble With Sanjay Gupta"

So apparently Obama plans to appoint CNN’s Sanjay Gupta as Surgeon General. I don’t have a problem with Gupta’s qualifications. But I do remember his mugging of Michael Moore over Sicko. You don’t have to like Moore or his film; but Gupta specifically claimed that Moore “fudged his facts”, when the truth was that on every one of the allegedly fudged facts, Moore was actually right and CNN was wrong.

What bothered me about the incident was that it was what Digby would call Village behavior: Moore is an outsider, he’s uncouth, so he gets smeared as unreliable even though he actually got it right. It’s sort of a minor-league version of the way people who pointed out in real time that Bush was misleading us into war are to this day considered less “serious” than people who waited until it was fashionable to reach that conclusion. And appointing Gupta now, although it’s a small thing, is just another example of the lack of accountability that always seems to be the rule when you get things wrong in a socially acceptable way.

Uh, yeah. No frikkin' kidding.

So, just this week, we have the Senate barring the doors to a man who was LEGITIMATELY selected for a Senate seat by someone who, in the past, would have been presumed innocent until proven guilty, and who is STILL the governor. He would be the ONLY African American in the entire Senate. But no, they kept him out. Barred him.

Then we have Nancy Pelosi turning back the clock to pre-Jeffersonian times so that the majority CAN tyrannize the minority with rolling back the Fairness Rules ("Say WHAT, Nancy?"), and making a mockery of our democracy and our laws (read the post - it's eye-opening).

And the Tim Kaine thing. And that is just in the past few days. It's enough to make my head hurt. Well, I guess this IS change, just not the "change" the Obots expected!

Okay. I need a break from this insanity. You might, too. So, allow me to share another one of my favorite musicians with you, Eva Cassidy. There are very few actual videos of her, though. Unfortunately, she died in 1996 at the age of 33 from skin cancer (melanoma) that metastasized to her bones and lungs. She was a singer, a musician (largely self-taught), and an artist. She was a shy woman, and had a hard time singing in public, often not making eye contact with the crowd. Thank heavens she made herself do it, though. Cassidy's rendition of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" is the most beautiful version I have ever heard. The following video was taken at the Blues Alley in Washington, DC (you can check out the recording of this song at YouTube, too):



Wow, right? Cassidy, a talent taken too soon from us, played all different styles of music, from jazz to country to Mo-Town to Gospel-style. This next song is one she co-wrote with Chris Biondo, entitled. "Somewhere":



And last, but not least, Cassidy's version of "Field of Gold":



I hope Eva Cassidy's music helped to keep your head from exploding, at least for now.

14 comments:

SFIndie said...

Wow is right! What an amazing voice. Her version of "Fields of Gold" brought tears to my eyes.

And yet, still not enough to keep my head from exploding. Actually, my head exploded quite awhile back, and I've yet to find all the pieces. All The One's horses and all The One's men can never put my head back together again.

Although, I finally understand (I'm a bit slow, probably because of the exploded head thing) why Nancy, Harry, and their gang, made sure Hillary lost. I expect they knew she wouldn't have put up with their shenanigans, and The One could care less what they do, as long as it doesn't keep him from the White House. Personally, I'd like to see him in "the big house".

Just waiting to see what cabinet posts George Clooney and Oprah get.....

And how's Jordan doing?

Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy said...

Hey, SFIndie!

I hear ya abt the exploded head thing. Mine isn't back together, either.

I think you are RIGHT ON abt Hillary and the Senate. I am surprised and impressed that Feinstein is speaking up, though. What a shame that that is surprising - what s shame that this is happening PERIOD. This country really has become a banana republic, hasn't it?

Honestly, SFIndie, I was thinking this morning as Obama was saying we're going to have a $1.2 TRILLION budget deficit that I am kinda glad Hillary is not the prez. The Obots and Repubs would be hammering away at her the whole time, and it is quite a mess Obama is inheriting (and to which he contributed with ACORN, Fannie, and Freddie). Frankly, I think it's some karma payback...

And Eva - she was also a small woman, and for that voice, with so much power and range, to come out of this shy woman is just amazing. It's almost like the planet couldn't hold someone with so much talent in one person, you know? Her talent was just staggering. Can you imagine if she had actually had musical training (beyond her dad teaching her a little bit before she was 9)?? And that voice - wow. Then there is her artwork and sculptures - amazing!

Jordan is much improved, thanks for asking! He is on several small meals a day, so I go over mid0-morning and give him his mash, and hay soaked in water. His affect is much, much better. He is slowly becoming more regular...

How is YOUR beautiful boy?

SFIndie said...

Hi, RRRA,

It IS crazy AND surprising that Feinstein, of all people, is the one with the common sense right now. And, as you said, sad that we have to be surprised. I don’t know what’s going to happen to this country. The next 4 years could be so damaging I don’t know who will be able to dig us out!

I agree, I’m glad Hillary isn’t going to be on the receiving end of what would be, for her at least, never-ending assaults on her abilities to run the country. It’ll be interesting to see to what standards Obama will be held, especially, as you say, since he contributed in great part to the problem. Karma IS a bitch!

You know, it seems like Eva was too gentle a soul for this crazy world. I think perhaps she was given her amazing talent (which, with training, would have blown every other artist out of the water!) as a way to help her try to be in the world, but even that wasn’t enough to sustain her spirit. I’ve no doubt that her soul has found serenity where she is now, and she’s making beautiful music for the angels! (Yeah, I know, that sounds corny….)

I’m so glad Jordan is doing better. My kitty Raymond seems to be about the same. He’s always been a picky eater, and it’s worse now so I’m struggling to find foods that he’ll eat AND keep down. Poor thing is on 3 different meds right now, which stresses him out and which I’m not sure are really doing that much for him, so I think after his next vet appointment in a couple weeks, I’m going to pull the meds and start holistic care. There’s a lot of anecdotal evidence that herbs and vitamins will work to boost his immune system better than the meds he’s on now. There are a couple good holistic vets here in the Bay Area, so I’ll check in with them. Thank you for asking!

Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy said...

Hey, SF -

Oh, poor Raymond - the whole cat and med thing is DIFFICULT. I do hope the holistic meds will be a help to him.

I agree abt Eva - that's what I was TRYING to get out there. Such a gentle soul, with so much to offer, not just potential, but realized talent. I think you hit the nail on the head - her lack of formal training kept her on close to the plane with mere mortals. I think she was an angel who walked among us (hey, I can be corny, too, but I think you are right - she is making beautiful music somewhere...).

Karma is a bitch, that's true (and it can be beautiful, too, but we are talking politics here after all). I hope Obama and those who shoved him down our throats get everything they deserve. And I hope Clinton doesn't get swept up in all of the payback.

Speaking of - can you believe the pundits are already targeting HER abt the Israel/Hammas thing??? They just could not wait until they could make up something on which they could go after her, even though it isn't HER decision what the policy will be. But hey - why bother with details now??

And WHY has no one mentioned the connection between Hammas and TUCC??? Just wondering...

Thanks for coming by, SF - I enjoy your comments!

Logistics Monster said...

Where to start - my head hasn't exploded only because I have applied numerous layers of duct tape and hot glue - wonderous inventions they are!

I am very glad to hear that Jordon is doing much, much better.

Rev - it is a banana republic and I am still waiting to see what the "trigger" is going to be that causes millions of Americans to march (armed) on D.C. to clean up this mess - because it is coming.

As for The Resident Evil - if my theories are correct - he is the fallguy for The Fed and The CFR making sure that another Black Person is never elected President - might go along with the racist senate?

1.2 Trillion Deficit? I don't give a flying squirrel's bushy tail - I'm concerned with the $14 Trillion we owe right now and the $7 TRILLION that Paulson gave away to his buddies - not $770Billion.

That's the reason for the duct tape and hot glue.

Keep writing - it's the only way I keep up on stuff that doesn't concern "money".

You are Awesome!!

Logistics Monster said...

one more thing -when it comes to the good doctor - (what an idiot) I have only one thing to say and it is what I always used to say during a masssive clusterf*** of a restaurant shift.

F.M.runningwearingameatsuitbeingchasedbydobermans!

Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy said...

And I meant, Hamas...

Anonymous said...

Regarding Sanjay Gupta for Surgeon General... I mean, what else could you expect? We've got an American Idol President-Elect, and now we're going to have a TeeVee Doctor for Surgeon General.

Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy said...

BlueLyon, you said it. American Idol president indeed...

LM, I just love that image of the hot glue and duct tape wrapped all around your head...

But yes - excellent point abt the gazillion bajillion buckaroos the US owes everybody in creation. It is just a TAD bit of a problem.

I caught a minute of Obama speaking abt the whole economic thing, sitting in his big leather chair in-between two flags (with a flag lapel pin on), reading from a prepared text, trying to pretend he actually knew what the hell about which he was talking.

You know damn well that Hillary would not have needed any prepared text to speak to the press. She would just KNOW the material already.

What a poser. Love the restaurant saying, LM!

Thanks for the good wishes for Jordan! His affect was so much better today, thank heavens.

Great comments, y'all!

Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy said...

And LM, thank you so much for the compliment! You know that means a lot coming from you!

PuppyDogMom said...

I had a "head exploding" kind of day. Fortunately, before I went to work, I found Eva on iTunes and downloaded a couple of songs to my iPod. And on the way home from school tonight (I'm a HS assistant principal), I listened to Eva.

Thank you, Amy, for bringing this beautiful artist into my life. Such a shame that she died so young. Anyhoo...thanks to you, Eva, a little vino, my girlfriend, and my velcro dog, my head did not explode.

Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy said...

Hey, PuppyDogMom -

I am sorry to hear you had a head-exploding day! Unfortunately, I am afraid we are in for more of those...

So glad that Eva, the wine, your girlfriend, and velcro dog (lol at that one) are helping! Eva really is remarkable, isn't she? Her voice totally soothes the soul.

Here's another one of my favorites by her, "I Know You By Heart": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISipJs6I1w4

And, "Songbird," which is the first song I heard by her. She does all of the harmony in this song - beautiful: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFFo1pu4q7Q

PuppyDogMom said...

Wow...a couple of other great, soul-quieting pieces. Thanks for those.

There is a bright side to the nearly exploding head day. The completely full moon isn't until today, so yesterday could have been a whole lot worse!

Thanks again...I'm off to iTunes once more to see what I can pick up. Oh, and by the way, I do so enjoy your writing. Thanks for that as well...

Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy said...

Thanks, Puppy Dog Mom! I appreciate thtat!

Glad you liked the additional songs. She really was an amazing woman...

Good point abt the moon!! :-D