Friday Random Ten: Courtesy of Pandora

I'm loving on Pandora here. I'm in the middle of cooking up a combination wedding anniversary dinner for both my cousin and his partner and my sister and her husband (19 and 18 years together respectively). My cousin has been staying with me all this week while he recuperates from his ceremony. It's been so nice to have him here. I love having someone to spoil at my place.

Menu to be published later.

Here's the first ten off of Pandora's lineup. If anybody requests it I will give the link to my Pandora station, I have to figure out how to do it, but I promise I will. It is getting cooler as I tweak the feedback loops.

Long Lost Feelin's - - - Buckwheat Stevenson (usually the favorite songwriter whose songs you've hummed for years without knowing who this genius is)

Empire State Express - - - Son House
Painfull Hearted Man - - - Blind Boy Fuller
Girl In Saskatoon - - - Johnny Cash
Hard Travelin' - - - Pete Seeger
Salty Dog - - - Mississippi John Hurt
Island In The Sun - - - Wheezer
Hallelujah - - - Leonard Cohen (Live in Montreal)
Home Is Anywhere You Hang Your Head - - - Elvis Costello
Black Comedy - - - Bright Eyes
Summer Wages - - - Ian & Sylvia


Bonus Next Track:

Maple Leaf Rag - - - Dave Van Ronk

A Gesture Nonetheless

Which is a line from Archibald MacLeish's brilliant play "JB" where a character talks about "pissing at the stars to put out their fire, a meaningless gesture, but a gesture, nonetheless."

I received this email from VoteVets this morning. I have been holding off on the political donation, in part, because I haven't made my mind up about who I will support, or even if I will bother to vote at all. My disillusionment runs that deep lately.

I kicked down for this though. I encourage you to do the same.

Dear VoteVets.org Supporter,

As you know, the next month is critical in terms of where we go on the war in Iraq. Next week, General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker will be testifying about the White House report on Iraq, and shortly after, Congress will again vote on whether we change course, redeploy troops from Iraq and take the fight to al Qaeda in Afghanistan, or if we're going to just do more of the same.

We are going to take our message directly to politicians and pundits in Washington, but we need your help.

Donate to send an Iraq veteran to Washington, DC, here

The week after General Petraeus testifies, we plan to bring 40 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans to Washington, DC. Among our activities are plans to blanket Capitol Hill and stress that the troops and veterans know it's in America's best interest to change course in Iraq, and hold a press conference to talk about the disastrous effect this war is having on our military. That's not all, though. Our veterans will receive media training and a crash course in how to effectively talk to lawmakers, from top professionals in the field. In this way, VoteVets.org will have even more ability to take our message to local town halls and media outlets, from coast to coast.

We're planning to bring in some of our best and brightest veterans. But, because they are scattered across the country, this is going to take a lot of airline and train tickets. As you can imagine, accommodations in Washington aren't cheap either. Add to that the costs to properly train our best guys to do media and lobbying, and this effort will take $25,000.

Don't doubt, we're being as stingy as possible with the money you give, and are working to keep costs at a bare minimum. So, not a single dime you donate will be wasted. And, therefore, every dime counts.

Can we count on you to help bring an Iraq and Afghanistan veteran to Washington, DC? Donate here.

This is a make or break time for the country, and for VoteVets.org. Your donation will help ensure that when we do this trip to DC, we do it right, and we do it professionally. Your donation will have a long-lasting impact, as well, because the skills, training, and experience that our veterans gain on this trip will be used in the days, weeks, months, and years ahead, as we fight for the Voice of America's 21st Century Patriots!

Thanks for all of your support.


Sincerely,

Peter Granato
Iraq War Veteran
Vice Chairman

I have been a contributing member to these guys since they started up. They are having an impact. I admire the calm and unruffled manner that their main spokesperson Jon Stoltz displays in his appearences. I'd be ripping out throats and lungs. I'm glad they found these guys. I support their work. I hope you find a way to do the same. This is a great idea.

3B's

The Group News Blog Nails It

Do You Understand Where You Are?

A brilliant, scathing work by Lower Manhattenite. Touching a harsh surface that touches us all.

Don't forget to read the comments.

3B's

A Song For Labor Day(playing it as written this time)

This is a great old labor song. It is very appropos today.

Here's the tune: Click here

Here's Pete Seeger:


Sing folks, it's not illegal. . . . .yet.

Which Side Are You on?
(Florence Reese, 1946)

Come all of you good workers,
Good news to you I'll tell,
Of how that good old union
Has come in here to dwell.

cho: Which side are you on?
Which side are you on?
Which side are you on?
Which side are you on?

My daddy was a miner,
And I'm a miner's son,
And I'll stick with the union,
Till every battle's won.

They say in Harlan County,
There are no neutrals there.
You'll either be a union man,
Or a thug for J.H. Blair.

Oh, workers can you stand it?
Oh, tell me how you can.
Will you be a lousy scab,
Or will you be a man ?

Don't scab for the bosses,
Don't listen to their lies.
Us poor folks haven't got a chance,
Unless we organize.

Copyright Stormking Music, Inc.
RG

3B's