The Fantastic "Stagecoach BBQ & Blues"
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Saturday --- BBQ & Blues -----Ukulele Man & his Prodigal Sons - and Bob Sauls too!
Hey Folks!
Check us out Saturday in South Bloomfield at the Stagecoach BBQ & Blues (www.stagecoachbbq.com).
The extraordinary Bob Sauls breaks loose at 8:00. We'll follow into the late evening!!
This is your last opportunity to join us before we leave to tour Manhattan & Boston! - See you at the BBQ!!
- Uke Man
Check us out Saturday in South Bloomfield at the Stagecoach BBQ & Blues (www.stagecoachbbq.com).
The extraordinary Bob Sauls breaks loose at 8:00. We'll follow into the late evening!!
This is your last opportunity to join us before we leave to tour Manhattan & Boston! - See you at the BBQ!!
- Uke Man
Letter to the "Dispatch"
To the Editor,
On Sunday (Aug. 28) the editorial "Tough love" reported that a "school for the unruly," the establishment of which "many observers" had desired "for years," had been thwarted, in part, by "a high price tag" and "competing priorities."
Three days later on Wednesday (Aug.31), the editorial "Giving smart" states: "By now, most observers agree that throwing money at public schools won't solve their many problems."
Who's minding the store?
- Uke Man
On Sunday (Aug. 28) the editorial "Tough love" reported that a "school for the unruly," the establishment of which "many observers" had desired "for years," had been thwarted, in part, by "a high price tag" and "competing priorities."
Three days later on Wednesday (Aug.31), the editorial "Giving smart" states: "By now, most observers agree that throwing money at public schools won't solve their many problems."
Who's minding the store?
- Uke Man
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Intelligent Design?
Ok! I'm calling my attorney!!
It's time for a class action suit against Pat Robertson!! Failing to stop a crime when one has foreknowledge of it is a crime in itself, and CERTAINLY Pat had foreknowledge of Katrina's advance upon the Southland!
According to dKosopedia, Robertson "claims to have used the power of prayer to steer hurricanes away from his companies' Virginia Beach headquarters. He took credit for steering the course in 1985 of Hurricane Gloria, which caused millions of dollars of destruction in many states along the east coast. He made a similar claim about another destructive storm, Hurricane Felix, in 1995."
Where was his holiness when THIS hurricane hit?
Pat must have had some score to settle with all the unfortunate souls in the path of destruction - strange, though, since Katrina seemed intent on beating the shit out of only red states. I wonder what "sin" the victims committed to earn such intelligently designed wrath?
A few years ago when the Mississippi flooded and caused extensive mayhem, sky-pilots like Robertson claimed it was the retribution of God against a sinful world - - until they heard that the churches in the flood plain were devastated, and the bars and brothels on the hillsides were untouched.
And the so-called "Reverend" Phelps says our soldiers are dying in this insane, imperialistic war because America doesn't "hate fags" enough - like God does.
Yeah, right. It seems to me that Reverend Phelps is the deranged idiot that he is because he is a deranged idiot - made such by intelligent design. He can't blame "fags" for that! Maybe it's Pat Robertson's fault - or Satan's - but I repeat myself.
Yep! All of you out there who have been hurt in ANY way by this hurricane, just hang in there. Pat's loaded (with dough and psychotic chemicals [naturally produced by his dysfunctional body chemistry]). When the suit comes to fruition, we'll all be on Easy Street, with enough money to start our own personal tabernacles and start spouting psychotic clap-trap.
- Uke Man
It's time for a class action suit against Pat Robertson!! Failing to stop a crime when one has foreknowledge of it is a crime in itself, and CERTAINLY Pat had foreknowledge of Katrina's advance upon the Southland!
According to dKosopedia, Robertson "claims to have used the power of prayer to steer hurricanes away from his companies' Virginia Beach headquarters. He took credit for steering the course in 1985 of Hurricane Gloria, which caused millions of dollars of destruction in many states along the east coast. He made a similar claim about another destructive storm, Hurricane Felix, in 1995."
Where was his holiness when THIS hurricane hit?
Pat must have had some score to settle with all the unfortunate souls in the path of destruction - strange, though, since Katrina seemed intent on beating the shit out of only red states. I wonder what "sin" the victims committed to earn such intelligently designed wrath?
A few years ago when the Mississippi flooded and caused extensive mayhem, sky-pilots like Robertson claimed it was the retribution of God against a sinful world - - until they heard that the churches in the flood plain were devastated, and the bars and brothels on the hillsides were untouched.
And the so-called "Reverend" Phelps says our soldiers are dying in this insane, imperialistic war because America doesn't "hate fags" enough - like God does.
Yeah, right. It seems to me that Reverend Phelps is the deranged idiot that he is because he is a deranged idiot - made such by intelligent design. He can't blame "fags" for that! Maybe it's Pat Robertson's fault - or Satan's - but I repeat myself.
Yep! All of you out there who have been hurt in ANY way by this hurricane, just hang in there. Pat's loaded (with dough and psychotic chemicals [naturally produced by his dysfunctional body chemistry]). When the suit comes to fruition, we'll all be on Easy Street, with enough money to start our own personal tabernacles and start spouting psychotic clap-trap.
- Uke Man
Monday, August 29, 2005
Identity Theft
"Our foreign policy should support American interests" - John Bolton
Folks like John Bolton are always running off at the mouth about "American interests." This or that needs to be done or left undone because of "American interests."
Sounds good, but . . . in WHICH Americans' interest is it? And WHAT makes it "interesting" to those Americans who actually ARE interested?
We might also ask, WHY aren't more Americans interested in determining WHICH Americans' interests are being pawned off as THEIR interests?
Could it be, SATAN!!??
Not unless you think G.W. Bush is the anti-christ and the Neo-Coneheads are his minions. They (but not Satan) ARE a large part of the problem, but they are just the inevitable scum that ferments to the top of a cesspool system dedicated to the advancement of the few at the expense of the many.
Remember the "80/20" rule taught in business school! You make 80% of your profit from the top 20% of the population. The focus is on the TOP 20% - the 80% are irrelevant and expendable.
Sadly, when we hear "American interests" we are hearing about the interests of the folks on top, the 20%.
According to the "American interests" crowd, the economy is doing great! The war is succeeding. Democracy is on the march. Taxes for the wealthy need to be cut even more. Social Security needs to be cut back. Layoffs are good. etc., etc., etc.
Follow the money, and you will see that whatever happens - if it enriches, advances, maintains, or protects the precious high rollers and their immediate flunkies - it is in the AMERICAN INTEREST !
But how is it that in a "democracy," the interests of the top 20% determine "American interests" for everyone ?
Well, it's not REALLY a democracy; they just tell us that it is (but that's a long story for another time).
- Uke Man
Folks like John Bolton are always running off at the mouth about "American interests." This or that needs to be done or left undone because of "American interests."
Sounds good, but . . . in WHICH Americans' interest is it? And WHAT makes it "interesting" to those Americans who actually ARE interested?
We might also ask, WHY aren't more Americans interested in determining WHICH Americans' interests are being pawned off as THEIR interests?
Could it be, SATAN!!??
Not unless you think G.W. Bush is the anti-christ and the Neo-Coneheads are his minions. They (but not Satan) ARE a large part of the problem, but they are just the inevitable scum that ferments to the top of a cesspool system dedicated to the advancement of the few at the expense of the many.
Remember the "80/20" rule taught in business school! You make 80% of your profit from the top 20% of the population. The focus is on the TOP 20% - the 80% are irrelevant and expendable.
Sadly, when we hear "American interests" we are hearing about the interests of the folks on top, the 20%.
According to the "American interests" crowd, the economy is doing great! The war is succeeding. Democracy is on the march. Taxes for the wealthy need to be cut even more. Social Security needs to be cut back. Layoffs are good. etc., etc., etc.
Follow the money, and you will see that whatever happens - if it enriches, advances, maintains, or protects the precious high rollers and their immediate flunkies - it is in the AMERICAN INTEREST !
But how is it that in a "democracy," the interests of the top 20% determine "American interests" for everyone ?
Well, it's not REALLY a democracy; they just tell us that it is (but that's a long story for another time).
- Uke Man
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Manhattan Ukulele Noir
The Ukulele Noir Cabaret (http://noir.ukulelecrazy.com)
invades Manhattan September 22 at the Bowery Poetry Club (http://www.bowerypoetry.com/),10:00 p.m. until forever.
"Ukulele Noir" is the concept of Bostonian Craig Robertson
(www.robertsonstudio.com) and has played to raves at the Sky Bar (www.skybar.us) regularly for almost a year.
Craig will emcee the review and perform as well, teamed up with Karen Langlie - together billed as "Scotch & Ginger." Langlie is one of the "Sob Sisters"
(www.sobsisters.com), and her sibling - Renee Rogers - will be teaming up in turn with the "Ukulele Crooner" and Noir regular, Rick Russo
(www.jazzukes.com/crooner/friends.html) .
Joining the Mass.-ive uke talent will be Manhattan's own "Sonic Uke" (www.sonicuke.com) the team of Jason Tagg and Ted Gottfried, happy residents of the "Murray Spaceshoe" building on West 10th Street near Greenwich Avenue, where they regularly offer "uke on the stoop" for any and all free ukulele spirits (http://www.sonicuke.com/nytimes.php).
They also produce the popular "Midnight Ukulele Disco" every other week on Manhattan public access TV - also streamed live on the net. Their site (www.ukuleledisco.com) is loaded with delicious archives as well. New Yorkers should also check out their monthly "Ukulele Cabaret" at Julius in the Village.
In addition!!! The irrepressible and totally cheeky Ukulele Lloyd – stealer of the show at the Fez anti-W show- (http://www.ukulelelloyd.com/ukulele) will get you up and at it with his inimitable shenanigans!
Last but not least, the City will once again feel the weight of Tom Harker, the "Ukulele Man" ( http://www.ukuleleman.net/blog.html) who helped organize ukulele marchers and an anti-"W" show at the Fez during the last Republican National Convention. Only this time it will be "Ukulele Man & his Prodigal Sons," a six-piece band that will abet the Uke Man in striking your fancy.
All the songs are original, and the lyrics are in keeping with the venue: the Bowery POETRY Club. Peter English on guitar, Bob Hite on accordion and slide whistle, Bob Starker on saxophone, Ty Barnes on bass, Karen Greene on trombone and snare, and Jon Dilgard on harmonica will have you dancing on the roof!
There might even be some unexpected, mystery guests as well !!!
Come join the merriment!! The Bowery Poetry Club, Thursday, September 22,
from 10:00 p.m. until the last dog dies.
- Uke Man
invades Manhattan September 22 at the Bowery Poetry Club (http://www.bowerypoetry.com/),10:00 p.m. until forever.
"Ukulele Noir" is the concept of Bostonian Craig Robertson
(www.robertsonstudio.com) and has played to raves at the Sky Bar (www.skybar.us) regularly for almost a year.
Craig will emcee the review and perform as well, teamed up with Karen Langlie - together billed as "Scotch & Ginger." Langlie is one of the "Sob Sisters"
(www.sobsisters.com), and her sibling - Renee Rogers - will be teaming up in turn with the "Ukulele Crooner" and Noir regular, Rick Russo
(www.jazzukes.com/crooner/friends.html) .
Joining the Mass.-ive uke talent will be Manhattan's own "Sonic Uke" (www.sonicuke.com) the team of Jason Tagg and Ted Gottfried, happy residents of the "Murray Spaceshoe" building on West 10th Street near Greenwich Avenue, where they regularly offer "uke on the stoop" for any and all free ukulele spirits (http://www.sonicuke.com/nytimes.php).
They also produce the popular "Midnight Ukulele Disco" every other week on Manhattan public access TV - also streamed live on the net. Their site (www.ukuleledisco.com) is loaded with delicious archives as well. New Yorkers should also check out their monthly "Ukulele Cabaret" at Julius in the Village.
In addition!!! The irrepressible and totally cheeky Ukulele Lloyd – stealer of the show at the Fez anti-W show- (http://www.ukulelelloyd.com/ukulele) will get you up and at it with his inimitable shenanigans!
Last but not least, the City will once again feel the weight of Tom Harker, the "Ukulele Man" ( http://www.ukuleleman.net/blog.html) who helped organize ukulele marchers and an anti-"W" show at the Fez during the last Republican National Convention. Only this time it will be "Ukulele Man & his Prodigal Sons," a six-piece band that will abet the Uke Man in striking your fancy.
All the songs are original, and the lyrics are in keeping with the venue: the Bowery POETRY Club. Peter English on guitar, Bob Hite on accordion and slide whistle, Bob Starker on saxophone, Ty Barnes on bass, Karen Greene on trombone and snare, and Jon Dilgard on harmonica will have you dancing on the roof!
There might even be some unexpected, mystery guests as well !!!
Come join the merriment!! The Bowery Poetry Club, Thursday, September 22,
from 10:00 p.m. until the last dog dies.
- Uke Man
Saturday, August 27, 2005
"I'm the President and I'll do whatever I goddamned please!"
Note for fellow paranoids: this WAS posted here earlier! A friend even commented in response to it (I double-checked - yep, she did!). Suddenly it was gone! Go figure. Maybe "Whoreland Security" was just asserting itself!!
From: Capitol Hill Blue
Bush Leagues
Bush's Obscene Tirades Rattle White House Aides
By DOUG THOMPSONAug 25, 2005, 06:19
While President George W. Bush travels around the country in a last-ditch effort to sell his Iraq war, White House aides scramble frantically behind the scenes to hide the dark mood of an increasingly angry leader who unleashes obscenity-filled outbursts at anyone who dares disagree with him.
“I’m not meeting again with that goddamned bitch,” Bush screamed at aides who suggested he meet again with Cindy Sheehan, the war-protesting mother whose son died in Iraq. “She can go to hell as far as I’m concerned!”
Bush, administration aides confide, frequently explodes into tirades over those who protest the war, calling them “motherfucking traitors.” He reportedly was so upset over Veterans of Foreign Wars members who wore “bullshit protectors” over their ears during his speech to their annual convention that he told aides to “tell those VFW assholes that I’ll never speak to them again is they can’t keep their members under control.”
White House insiders say Bush is growing increasingly bitter over mounting opposition to his war in Iraq. Polls show a vast majority of Americans now believe the war was a mistake and most doubt the President’s honesty.
“Who gives a flying fuck what the polls say,” he screamed at a recent strategy meeting. “I’m the President and I’ll do whatever I goddamned please. They don’t know shit.”
Bush, while setting up for a photo op for signing the recent CAFTA bill, flipped an extended middle finger to reporters. Aides say the President often “flips the bird” to show his displeasure and tells aides who disagree with him to “go to hell” or to “go fuck yourself.” His habit of giving people the finger goes back to his days as Texas governor, aides admit, and videos of him doing so before press conferences were widely circulated among TV stations during those days. A recent video showing him shooting the finger to reporters while walking also recently surfaced.
Bush’s behavior, according to prominent Washington psychiatrist, Dr. Justin Frank, author of “Bush on the Couch: Inside the Mind of the President,” is all too typical of an alcohol-abusing bully who is ruled by fear.
To see that fear emerges, Dr. Frank says, all one has to do is confront the President. “To actually directly confront him in a clear way, to bring him out, so you would really see the bully, and you would also see the fear,” he says.
Dr. Frank, in his book, speculates that Bush, an alcoholic who brags that he gave up booze without help from groups like Alcoholics Anonymous, may be drinking again.
“Two questions that the press seems particularly determined to ignore have hung silently in the air since before Bush took office,” Dr. Frank says. “Is he still drinking? And if not, is he impaired by all the years he did spend drinking? Both questions need to be addressed in any serious assessment of his psychological state.”
Last year, Capitol Hill Blue learned the White House physician prescribed anti-depressant drugs for the President to control what aides called “violent mood swings.” As Dr. Frank also notes: “In writing about Bush's halting appearance in a press conference just before the start of the Iraq War, Washington Post media critic Tom Shales speculated that ‘the president may have been ever so slightly medicated.’”
Dr. Frank explains Bush’s behavior as all-to-typical of an alcoholic who is still in denial:
“The pattern of blame and denial, which recovering alcoholics work so hard to break, seems to be ingrained in the alcoholic personality; it's rarely limited to his or her drinking,” he says. “The habit of placing blame and denying responsibility is so prevalent in George W. Bush's personal history that it is apparently triggered by even the mildest threat.”
From: Capitol Hill Blue
Bush Leagues
Bush's Obscene Tirades Rattle White House Aides
By DOUG THOMPSONAug 25, 2005, 06:19
While President George W. Bush travels around the country in a last-ditch effort to sell his Iraq war, White House aides scramble frantically behind the scenes to hide the dark mood of an increasingly angry leader who unleashes obscenity-filled outbursts at anyone who dares disagree with him.
“I’m not meeting again with that goddamned bitch,” Bush screamed at aides who suggested he meet again with Cindy Sheehan, the war-protesting mother whose son died in Iraq. “She can go to hell as far as I’m concerned!”
Bush, administration aides confide, frequently explodes into tirades over those who protest the war, calling them “motherfucking traitors.” He reportedly was so upset over Veterans of Foreign Wars members who wore “bullshit protectors” over their ears during his speech to their annual convention that he told aides to “tell those VFW assholes that I’ll never speak to them again is they can’t keep their members under control.”
White House insiders say Bush is growing increasingly bitter over mounting opposition to his war in Iraq. Polls show a vast majority of Americans now believe the war was a mistake and most doubt the President’s honesty.
“Who gives a flying fuck what the polls say,” he screamed at a recent strategy meeting. “I’m the President and I’ll do whatever I goddamned please. They don’t know shit.”
Bush, while setting up for a photo op for signing the recent CAFTA bill, flipped an extended middle finger to reporters. Aides say the President often “flips the bird” to show his displeasure and tells aides who disagree with him to “go to hell” or to “go fuck yourself.” His habit of giving people the finger goes back to his days as Texas governor, aides admit, and videos of him doing so before press conferences were widely circulated among TV stations during those days. A recent video showing him shooting the finger to reporters while walking also recently surfaced.
Bush’s behavior, according to prominent Washington psychiatrist, Dr. Justin Frank, author of “Bush on the Couch: Inside the Mind of the President,” is all too typical of an alcohol-abusing bully who is ruled by fear.
To see that fear emerges, Dr. Frank says, all one has to do is confront the President. “To actually directly confront him in a clear way, to bring him out, so you would really see the bully, and you would also see the fear,” he says.
Dr. Frank, in his book, speculates that Bush, an alcoholic who brags that he gave up booze without help from groups like Alcoholics Anonymous, may be drinking again.
“Two questions that the press seems particularly determined to ignore have hung silently in the air since before Bush took office,” Dr. Frank says. “Is he still drinking? And if not, is he impaired by all the years he did spend drinking? Both questions need to be addressed in any serious assessment of his psychological state.”
Last year, Capitol Hill Blue learned the White House physician prescribed anti-depressant drugs for the President to control what aides called “violent mood swings.” As Dr. Frank also notes: “In writing about Bush's halting appearance in a press conference just before the start of the Iraq War, Washington Post media critic Tom Shales speculated that ‘the president may have been ever so slightly medicated.’”
Dr. Frank explains Bush’s behavior as all-to-typical of an alcoholic who is still in denial:
“The pattern of blame and denial, which recovering alcoholics work so hard to break, seems to be ingrained in the alcoholic personality; it's rarely limited to his or her drinking,” he says. “The habit of placing blame and denying responsibility is so prevalent in George W. Bush's personal history that it is apparently triggered by even the mildest threat.”
Grandpa AGAIN!!!
Hey!! Hey!! Hey!!
I'm a Grandpa again!!
This time it's Frances Katherine Harker, daughter of my son Aaron and his wife Libby.
I bought her a book, "Bread and Jam for Frances." She's learning to read as we speak.
Smart AND Cute!!!
- Uke Man
I'm a Grandpa again!!
This time it's Frances Katherine Harker, daughter of my son Aaron and his wife Libby.
I bought her a book, "Bread and Jam for Frances." She's learning to read as we speak.
Smart AND Cute!!!
- Uke Man
Ass-ass-in-the-nation ........Seeking Ass Assignation
"You know, I don't know about this doctrine of assignation, but if Anne Coulter is trying to assignate me, I think Jesus would say, 'Go ahead, Pat, you old pecker wood!! Go ahead and do it,' " Robertson said. "She's a whole lot cheaper than a hooker! Ask Jimmy Swaggert!!"
Friday, August 26, 2005
Sorry
Hey Folks!
A transformer in my neighborhood blew up and wiped out my computer.
I'll be getting back at it soon!!
- Uke Man
A transformer in my neighborhood blew up and wiped out my computer.
I'll be getting back at it soon!!
- Uke Man
Monday, August 22, 2005
Up-coming Shows
Hey Folks!
We’re getting ready for:
Saturday, September 3 at Stagecoach BBQ and Blues –
...................................................Bob Sauls starts it off at 8:00 !
Thursday, September 22 at the Bowery Poetry Club – Manhattan
Friday, September 23 at the Sky Bar – Boston
Saturday, September 24 – to be announced . . .
- Uke Man
We’re getting ready for:
Saturday, September 3 at Stagecoach BBQ and Blues –
...................................................Bob Sauls starts it off at 8:00 !
Thursday, September 22 at the Bowery Poetry Club – Manhattan
Friday, September 23 at the Sky Bar – Boston
Saturday, September 24 – to be announced . . .
- Uke Man
Sunday, August 21, 2005
You Always Hurt the One You Love
Fellow Consumers,
I heard on the radio yesterday that WAL-MART had reported much slower growth this month, and blamed it on the price of gasoline, saying that its customers have only so much disposable income, and that they are spending it on fuel.
Yeah, when you work at WAL-MART and gas is at $2.50+ a gallon, you can’t afford to buy much of ANYTHING else.
But we still gotta keep those everyday low prices down so poor people can buy shit they don’t need! And to keep those everyday low prices down, we have to make every WAL-MART worker poorer - and every other worker who creates shit that WAL-MART pushes poorer - so that the everyday low prices can be reduced even more - so even poorer people can get a bargain on shit they don’t need.
And the spiraling saga of the race to the bottom continues.
Or does it?
Maybe Bush & Co & his Oil Buds are at least leaving a little something on the dresser for us for whenever they’re done getting their rocks off.
Maybe, without knowing it, they’re fucking WAL-MART too!
- Uke Man
I heard on the radio yesterday that WAL-MART had reported much slower growth this month, and blamed it on the price of gasoline, saying that its customers have only so much disposable income, and that they are spending it on fuel.
Yeah, when you work at WAL-MART and gas is at $2.50+ a gallon, you can’t afford to buy much of ANYTHING else.
But we still gotta keep those everyday low prices down so poor people can buy shit they don’t need! And to keep those everyday low prices down, we have to make every WAL-MART worker poorer - and every other worker who creates shit that WAL-MART pushes poorer - so that the everyday low prices can be reduced even more - so even poorer people can get a bargain on shit they don’t need.
And the spiraling saga of the race to the bottom continues.
Or does it?
Maybe Bush & Co & his Oil Buds are at least leaving a little something on the dresser for us for whenever they’re done getting their rocks off.
Maybe, without knowing it, they’re fucking WAL-MART too!
- Uke Man
Saturday, August 20, 2005
Monkeys looking for a savior have an excuse. WE need to SAVE OURSELVES!! Resist! Protest!! Drive Bush Out!
The Red Badge of Stupidity
If Stephen Crane, author of “The Red Badge of Courage,” were alive today and was asked to explain the mess in which we find ourselves, he would open his book of poems and recite:
A learned man came to me once.
He said: “I know the way, - come.”
And I was overjoyed at this.
Together we hastened.
Soon, too soon, were we
Where my eyes were useless,
And I knew not the ways of my feet.
I clung to the hand of my friend;
But at last he cried: “I am lost.”
Apparently even in the late 1800’s there were self-appointed geniuses not unlike our Neo-Coneheads; as well as moronic, messianic clods who would lead us to self-destruction at the bidding of their personal god. More disturbingly, even then there were vast numbers among the populous begging to put their FAITH in any handy psychopath – for no better reason than to escape the responsibility of actively THINKING.
No wonder Twain called us “The Damned Human Race”!
- Uke Man
A learned man came to me once.
He said: “I know the way, - come.”
And I was overjoyed at this.
Together we hastened.
Soon, too soon, were we
Where my eyes were useless,
And I knew not the ways of my feet.
I clung to the hand of my friend;
But at last he cried: “I am lost.”
Apparently even in the late 1800’s there were self-appointed geniuses not unlike our Neo-Coneheads; as well as moronic, messianic clods who would lead us to self-destruction at the bidding of their personal god. More disturbingly, even then there were vast numbers among the populous begging to put their FAITH in any handy psychopath – for no better reason than to escape the responsibility of actively THINKING.
No wonder Twain called us “The Damned Human Race”!
- Uke Man
Friday, August 19, 2005
Standing up to the Posturing Pooh-Bahs of Positive Propaganda #1
Hey! Spiro Agnew would call me a Nattering Nabob of Negativity, but SOMEBODY has to stand up to the Posturing Pooh-Bahs of Positive Propaganda.
(Note: This is the first of an anticipated continuing series of attacks upon Posturing Pooh-Bahs of Positive Propaganda)
It’s always the “Big Money Dilberts” (BMD’s) who prattle endlessly about how things are just so hunky-dory!! Wall Street folks cheer when thousands are laid off from living-wage jobs. They cheer again when “new jobs” that pay half of what the “old jobs” paid are created. They brag when the number of these new, half-assed jobs is higher than they themselves had predicted – even though these lower-paying jobs are far fewer than what they themselves had said earlier were necessary to replace the number of good jobs lost. They cheer when “productivity” improves – because higher “productivity” means more work has been squeezed out of fewer workers, bringing higher profits and/or celebratory layoffs. They cheer an economy that is doing well – for THEM (it doesn’t matter that they are doing well by doing us in).
The insufferable Thomas Friedman, the darling of globalization and the spreading of democracy, isn’t hurting financially and isn’t likely to even KNOW anyone who SWEATS at WORK . He definitely isn’t close to anyone who WORKS in a SWEAT-shop! Nevertheless, he’s ebullient over the capitalistic, market-based accumulation of wealth (by the few) in China, while dismissing as expected and as unimportant that the teeming populace is displaced and hurt by this – not to worry about THEM. In his mind, eventually (not in their or Friedman’s lifetime, but “someday”) it will all work out splendidly.
And if it doesn’t, who cares – as the BMD’s relish saying, “Life isn’t fair” (translation: “tough shit!”).
Well screw them. All the positive cheery/cherry talk by the BMD’s notwithstanding, for most people here and around the world, life is just a bowl of pits.
- Uke Man
(Note: This is the first of an anticipated continuing series of attacks upon Posturing Pooh-Bahs of Positive Propaganda)
It’s always the “Big Money Dilberts” (BMD’s) who prattle endlessly about how things are just so hunky-dory!! Wall Street folks cheer when thousands are laid off from living-wage jobs. They cheer again when “new jobs” that pay half of what the “old jobs” paid are created. They brag when the number of these new, half-assed jobs is higher than they themselves had predicted – even though these lower-paying jobs are far fewer than what they themselves had said earlier were necessary to replace the number of good jobs lost. They cheer when “productivity” improves – because higher “productivity” means more work has been squeezed out of fewer workers, bringing higher profits and/or celebratory layoffs. They cheer an economy that is doing well – for THEM (it doesn’t matter that they are doing well by doing us in).
The insufferable Thomas Friedman, the darling of globalization and the spreading of democracy, isn’t hurting financially and isn’t likely to even KNOW anyone who SWEATS at WORK . He definitely isn’t close to anyone who WORKS in a SWEAT-shop! Nevertheless, he’s ebullient over the capitalistic, market-based accumulation of wealth (by the few) in China, while dismissing as expected and as unimportant that the teeming populace is displaced and hurt by this – not to worry about THEM. In his mind, eventually (not in their or Friedman’s lifetime, but “someday”) it will all work out splendidly.
And if it doesn’t, who cares – as the BMD’s relish saying, “Life isn’t fair” (translation: “tough shit!”).
Well screw them. All the positive cheery/cherry talk by the BMD’s notwithstanding, for most people here and around the world, life is just a bowl of pits.
- Uke Man
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Barnes & Noble Report
Hey!
I had a great time at Barnes & Noble!! Met some nice folks, a young Chinese man who loved my stuff – his uncle lives in Paris (lucky dog!) – and a bunch of young men who – like moi – are in a band ( “Nex Level” check ‘em out at: www.nexleveljazz.com - nice, polished sound! You’ll like it!!).
AND I was able to purchase a number of weird post cards suitable for mailing to my good Pal in the UK – Mr. James!! Not to mention an icing device suitable for decorating the next cookie in the series (yes!! Pope Cookies rule!! But time marches on!! A NEW cookie is in the works – better, tastier, and more appropriate than even the Pope Cookie!!).
More on that in time!
-Uke Man
I had a great time at Barnes & Noble!! Met some nice folks, a young Chinese man who loved my stuff – his uncle lives in Paris (lucky dog!) – and a bunch of young men who – like moi – are in a band ( “Nex Level” check ‘em out at: www.nexleveljazz.com - nice, polished sound! You’ll like it!!).
AND I was able to purchase a number of weird post cards suitable for mailing to my good Pal in the UK – Mr. James!! Not to mention an icing device suitable for decorating the next cookie in the series (yes!! Pope Cookies rule!! But time marches on!! A NEW cookie is in the works – better, tastier, and more appropriate than even the Pope Cookie!!).
More on that in time!
-Uke Man
"Hubris" is not a spread made of chick-peas
According to Eric Boehlert of “Salon.com”: “Bush aides once welcomed reporter Ron Suskind into the West Wing, invited him to attend some meetings, gave him lengthy interviews and even found him his own desk to work at inside the White House.”
That was in 2002; Suskind has since reported on one of his Whitehouse conversations: “The aide said that guys like me were ‘in what we call the reality-based community,’ which he defined as people who ‘believe that solutions emerge from your judicious study of discernible reality.’ I nodded and murmured something about enlightenment principles and empiricism. He cut me off. ‘That's not the way the world really works anymore,’ he continued. ‘We're an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality. And while you're studying that reality -- judiciously, as you will -- we'll act again, creating other new realities, which you can study too, and that's how things will sort out. We're history's actors . . . and you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do.”
Now it’s 2005, and according to “The Washington Post,” a “senior [Bush Administration] official involved in policy” says, “We are in a process of absorbing the factors of the situation we're in and shedding the UNREALITY that dominated at the beginning.”
Well, ain’t that just dandy!!!
Bush, Cheney, Rummy, Condy, and the Neo Coneshitheads were partly right. They couldn’t make their empire real; they couldn’t make themselves the “benevolent,” “democratic” dictators of the world; BUT they certainly DID create reality for the thousands of Americans and Iraqis whose deaths they caused. They DID create the reality of suppressing the Bill of Rights and the ignoring of international agreements such as the Geneva Accords. They DID create the reality of a rollback of the people’s standard of living. They DID create the reality of huge war profiteering by the their pals. They HAVE created a hellish reality not only for the majority of Americans, but for the world as well.
The reality they’d hoped for themselves, though, is falling apart!! Hence the statement: “We are in a process of . . . shedding the unreality that dominated at the beginning.”
Well, these mangy dogs can “shed” all they want, but the chickens are coming home to roost and they’re hungry for meat!
- Uke Man
That was in 2002; Suskind has since reported on one of his Whitehouse conversations: “The aide said that guys like me were ‘in what we call the reality-based community,’ which he defined as people who ‘believe that solutions emerge from your judicious study of discernible reality.’ I nodded and murmured something about enlightenment principles and empiricism. He cut me off. ‘That's not the way the world really works anymore,’ he continued. ‘We're an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality. And while you're studying that reality -- judiciously, as you will -- we'll act again, creating other new realities, which you can study too, and that's how things will sort out. We're history's actors . . . and you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do.”
Now it’s 2005, and according to “The Washington Post,” a “senior [Bush Administration] official involved in policy” says, “We are in a process of absorbing the factors of the situation we're in and shedding the UNREALITY that dominated at the beginning.”
Well, ain’t that just dandy!!!
Bush, Cheney, Rummy, Condy, and the Neo Coneshitheads were partly right. They couldn’t make their empire real; they couldn’t make themselves the “benevolent,” “democratic” dictators of the world; BUT they certainly DID create reality for the thousands of Americans and Iraqis whose deaths they caused. They DID create the reality of suppressing the Bill of Rights and the ignoring of international agreements such as the Geneva Accords. They DID create the reality of a rollback of the people’s standard of living. They DID create the reality of huge war profiteering by the their pals. They HAVE created a hellish reality not only for the majority of Americans, but for the world as well.
The reality they’d hoped for themselves, though, is falling apart!! Hence the statement: “We are in a process of . . . shedding the unreality that dominated at the beginning.”
Well, these mangy dogs can “shed” all they want, but the chickens are coming home to roost and they’re hungry for meat!
- Uke Man
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Uke Man @ Easton Tomorrow (Thursday)
Hey Folks!
The Ukulele Man will be appearing solo this Thursday at the Easton Barnes & Noble in the Café (614-476-8480) from 7:00 to 8:30 P.M.
If you’re shopping, stop by.
- Uke Man
The Ukulele Man will be appearing solo this Thursday at the Easton Barnes & Noble in the Café (614-476-8480) from 7:00 to 8:30 P.M.
If you’re shopping, stop by.
- Uke Man
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Outsourcing Reaches Top Levels *
* (thanks to Linda B.)
The House of Representatives today announced that the office ofPresident of the United States of America will be outsourced overseas as of August 31st.
The move is being made to save not only a significant portion ofthe President's $400K yearly salary, but also a record $521 billion in deficit expenditures and related overhead.
"We believe this is a wise move financially. The cost savings will be significant," stated Congressman Thomas Reynolds (R-Wash.), a member of the Budget Committee. Reynolds, with the aid of the Government Accountability Office, has studied outsourcing of American jobs extensively. "We cannot expect to remain competitive on the world stage with the current level of cash outlay," Reynolds noted.
"We do not believe there will be any reduction in performance as a result of the outsourcing," Reynolds said.Mr. Bush was informed by e-mail this morning of his termination.His older daughter read and printed off the important e-mail for him.Preparations for the job change have been underway for some time.
INDIAN NEXT PRESIDENT
Sanji Gurvinder Singh of Indus Teleservices, Mumbai, India, was chosen to be his successor by the Electoral College in secret balloting and will be assuming the office of President as of noon August 31. Mr.Singh was born in the United States while his Indian parents were vacationing at Niagara Falls, thus making him eligible for the position.
Mr. Singh is a graduate of Mother Teresa Junior College with a major in public communication. His strong communications skills were cited as a reason for his hiring. "He already knows how to pronounce'nuclear' correctly," Rep. Reynolds said.
Singh will receive a salary of $320 (USD) a month but with no health coverage or other benefits. It is believed that Mr. Singh will be able to handle his job responsibilities with only a small support staff. Due to the time difference between the US and India, he will be working primarily at night, when few offices of the US Government will be open.
"Working nights will allow me to keep my day job at the AmericanExpress New Dehli call center," stated Mr. Singh in an exclusive CQ interview. "I am excited about this position. I always hoped I would be President someday."
SCRIPT TREE BEARS FRUIT
An anonymous spokesperson for the House of Representatives noted that while Mr. Singh may not be fully aware of all the issues involved in the office of President, this should not be a problem.
Mr. Singh will rely upon a script tree that will enable him "to respond effectively to most topics of concern without having to understand the underlying issues at all."
"We know these scripting tools work," stated the spokesperson."Mr. Bush has used them for years."
Mr. Bush will receive health coverage, expenses, and salary until his final day of employment. Following a two-week waiting period, hewill be eligible for $240 dollars a week unemployment for13 weeks, unless he obtains a job or his benefits are extended by theRepublican-controlled Congress, but that is unlikely, considering the size of the current national indebtedness, the independent Cook Report reports.
Mr. Bush will not be eligible for Medicaid, as his unemployment benefits will exceed the allowed limit. He will be provided the outplacement services of Manpower Inc. to help him write a résumé and prepare for his upcoming job transition. According to Manpower, Mr.Bush may have difficulties in securing a new position due to "limited practical or successful work experience."
LT. BUSH TO IRAQ?
One possibility is re-enlistment in the Air National Guard. Should Mr. Bush choose this option, he would likely be stationed inIraq, a country he has visited.
"I've been there! I know all about Iraq," stated Mr. Bush, who gained invaluable knowledge of the country in a visit to the Baghdad Airport.
Sources in Baghdad and Fallujah say Mr. Bush likely would receive a very warm reception from local Iraqis. They have asked to be provided with details of his arrival so that they might arrange an appropriate welcome.
The House of Representatives today announced that the office ofPresident of the United States of America will be outsourced overseas as of August 31st.
The move is being made to save not only a significant portion ofthe President's $400K yearly salary, but also a record $521 billion in deficit expenditures and related overhead.
"We believe this is a wise move financially. The cost savings will be significant," stated Congressman Thomas Reynolds (R-Wash.), a member of the Budget Committee. Reynolds, with the aid of the Government Accountability Office, has studied outsourcing of American jobs extensively. "We cannot expect to remain competitive on the world stage with the current level of cash outlay," Reynolds noted.
"We do not believe there will be any reduction in performance as a result of the outsourcing," Reynolds said.Mr. Bush was informed by e-mail this morning of his termination.His older daughter read and printed off the important e-mail for him.Preparations for the job change have been underway for some time.
INDIAN NEXT PRESIDENT
Sanji Gurvinder Singh of Indus Teleservices, Mumbai, India, was chosen to be his successor by the Electoral College in secret balloting and will be assuming the office of President as of noon August 31. Mr.Singh was born in the United States while his Indian parents were vacationing at Niagara Falls, thus making him eligible for the position.
Mr. Singh is a graduate of Mother Teresa Junior College with a major in public communication. His strong communications skills were cited as a reason for his hiring. "He already knows how to pronounce'nuclear' correctly," Rep. Reynolds said.
Singh will receive a salary of $320 (USD) a month but with no health coverage or other benefits. It is believed that Mr. Singh will be able to handle his job responsibilities with only a small support staff. Due to the time difference between the US and India, he will be working primarily at night, when few offices of the US Government will be open.
"Working nights will allow me to keep my day job at the AmericanExpress New Dehli call center," stated Mr. Singh in an exclusive CQ interview. "I am excited about this position. I always hoped I would be President someday."
SCRIPT TREE BEARS FRUIT
An anonymous spokesperson for the House of Representatives noted that while Mr. Singh may not be fully aware of all the issues involved in the office of President, this should not be a problem.
Mr. Singh will rely upon a script tree that will enable him "to respond effectively to most topics of concern without having to understand the underlying issues at all."
"We know these scripting tools work," stated the spokesperson."Mr. Bush has used them for years."
Mr. Bush will receive health coverage, expenses, and salary until his final day of employment. Following a two-week waiting period, hewill be eligible for $240 dollars a week unemployment for13 weeks, unless he obtains a job or his benefits are extended by theRepublican-controlled Congress, but that is unlikely, considering the size of the current national indebtedness, the independent Cook Report reports.
Mr. Bush will not be eligible for Medicaid, as his unemployment benefits will exceed the allowed limit. He will be provided the outplacement services of Manpower Inc. to help him write a résumé and prepare for his upcoming job transition. According to Manpower, Mr.Bush may have difficulties in securing a new position due to "limited practical or successful work experience."
LT. BUSH TO IRAQ?
One possibility is re-enlistment in the Air National Guard. Should Mr. Bush choose this option, he would likely be stationed inIraq, a country he has visited.
"I've been there! I know all about Iraq," stated Mr. Bush, who gained invaluable knowledge of the country in a visit to the Baghdad Airport.
Sources in Baghdad and Fallujah say Mr. Bush likely would receive a very warm reception from local Iraqis. They have asked to be provided with details of his arrival so that they might arrange an appropriate welcome.
Sunday, August 14, 2005
I'm Going!! YOU Come Too!!!
Women in Black (WIB) and the Progressive Peace Coalition are calling for a solidarity rally in support of Cindy Sheehan and the solidarity rally in New York City on Monday, August 15th (tomorrow!) at the corner of Broad and High St. from 5:00 to 6:00 PM. Please bring signs in support of Cindy and her cause which is to end the war and bring the troops home. We are urging everyone (men and women) to join us in supporting this heroic woman. Please be there as close to 5:00 PM as possible so we can get the homeward bound traffic.
Larry's Saturday Night!!
Hey!!!
A great time at Larry's as always!!
Parker Paul broke me up. So creative. My head was spinning trying to mentally grasp the complex simplicity of the act. Keyboard Dali playing Las Vegas Lounges? The Handsome Family on Prozac? Wonderful!!!
Then the band and I did a GREAT set!!! (including the numbers we'll do in NYC & Boston come September). What a WONDERFUL BAND!!!
Then the old one did some solo stuff until closing time.
Fun! Fun! Fun!
We'll do it again Saturday, Sept. 3 at the Stagecoach BBQ & Blues in S. Bloomfield (good food at good prices and GREAT beer) - check the website: http://www.stagecoachbbq.com/ (and hear the jingle we wrote and recorded for them).
AND Mr. Bob Sauls (who is allowed to call me "You Crazy Nut!!") will open with his slide guitar and original songs. See you there.
Love - Uke Man
A great time at Larry's as always!!
Parker Paul broke me up. So creative. My head was spinning trying to mentally grasp the complex simplicity of the act. Keyboard Dali playing Las Vegas Lounges? The Handsome Family on Prozac? Wonderful!!!
Then the band and I did a GREAT set!!! (including the numbers we'll do in NYC & Boston come September). What a WONDERFUL BAND!!!
Then the old one did some solo stuff until closing time.
Fun! Fun! Fun!
We'll do it again Saturday, Sept. 3 at the Stagecoach BBQ & Blues in S. Bloomfield (good food at good prices and GREAT beer) - check the website: http://www.stagecoachbbq.com/ (and hear the jingle we wrote and recorded for them).
AND Mr. Bob Sauls (who is allowed to call me "You Crazy Nut!!") will open with his slide guitar and original songs. See you there.
Love - Uke Man
