You Are So Relevant

I'm Not Giving Up

2009-01-25T01:31:00.003-06:00

I'm not giving up on this blog but I think I will be taking a little hiatus. I have a little side project that I've been working on since September that has taken up more and more of my blogging time. The life of a music blogger can be lonely but I imagine that I will return shortly as my love of music has not diminished one bit...I'm just at a loss for words right now.

Things Learned Tonight

2008-11-04T22:13:00.002-06:00

--Chuck Todd nailed his audition for the Meet the Press hosting gig.

--No matter what a person has done in their life, they are still allowed to give their opinions on election night [e.g. Tom DeLay]

--Next to Obama winning, I am most happy that the buses will continue to run in Lawrence! YES!

--Hologram reporters rule!

--You know, re-watching that last John McCain appearance on Saturday Night Live, I feel really bad for John McCain...If only he could have been like that the entire time...full of humor, the ability to laugh at himself. I wish it could have been different for him...if he just could have beaten Bush in 2000.

President Barack Obama

2008-11-04T22:02:00.001-06:00

The Worst Possible Outcome

2008-11-04T10:50:00.002-06:00

I have been tossing this idea around in my head: three major twists of political history from 2000 until 2008 have worked to keep John McCain out of the White House.

Consider the following counterfactuals:

Al Gore wins Florida in 2000 in a disputed recount: Now conservatives are angry. Just when they have a decent shot at the White House, Rove/Bush screw it up. Another four years in the wilderness. And they have the feeling they were robbed. 9/11 still occurs, because the biggest failure was the lack of imagination to see what al-Qaeda could do and that failure crossed party lines. In the months that follow 9/11, Republicans begin the drum beat for investigations, etc. But unlike actual history, the attack is blamed almost entirely on the Democrats. There is no "My Pet Goat" moment for the Republicans. President Bush didn't receive the August 16, 2001 PDB briefing -- President Gore did. And the inability to turn the tragedy into a bipartisan failure -- President Gore had been a top government official since 1993 -- dooms the Democrats on national security issues. (This counterfactual shows that most of the blame arguments post-9/11 were nothing more than political CYA; I have no doubt that this counterfactual world has Sean Hannity mentioning the PDB every 8.2 seconds). The Republicans turn to McCain, who has the national security credentials to credibly and savagely attack Gore. With the full backing of the base, he could have run to the center and been the relaxed candidate that nearly took down Bush in 2000. And McCain is not facing the loose, relaxed Gore we see today. He is facing the wooden Bill Clinton-lite who is barely able to get out of his own way.

John Kerry squeaks out a win in Ohio in 2004: Again, you have to remember that the President Kerry that would be running for re-election in 2008 is not the John Kerry you saw on Meet The Press this weekend. Think about the awkward politician who votes for it before he votes against it. As Iraq deteriorates -- because there is no way that President Kerry doubles down in Iraq with a surge in 2007 the way President Bush did -- the blame game begins. Right now, Iraq can be squarely laid at the feet of the Republicans. Beyond the initial authorization vote, Democrats can escape all political repercussions for how well/poorly Iraq goes. But in this counterfactual world, the election of President Kerry gives the Democrats a political stake in the matter. And the question rings out, 'Who lost Iraq?" (Again, it is assumed that counterfactual Sean Hannity will claim that we were doing fine in 2004, President Kerry cut and ran, Democrats are weak on national defense, Democrats favor surrender, etc.). The huge Democrat gains of the 2006 election? Since they were a reaction to President Bush's leadership, they are gone. While President Kerry would not have been quite as incompetent on Katrina, I doubt that he would have had enough time (roughly 8-9 months) to make substantial changes to the Bush-era disaster preparedness scenarios. And he would have been hamstrung by the Stooges-like leadership of Blanco and Nagin. The Republicans turn to McCain, who has the national security credentials to credibly and savagely attack Kerry. With the full backing of the base, he could have run to the center and been the relaxed candidate that nearly took down Bush in 2000.

Hillary Clinton beats Obama in the primaries: This would be a far different race if it was McCain v. Clinton. McCain would have never needed to shore up his base. Almost everything that has turned off open-minded voters about John McCain has been an effort to shore up the base and guarantee that they come out to vote. Sarah Palin, William Ayers, the constant attack ads, socialism, etc. Steve Schmidt, Nichole Wallace, etc. are the JV team of the Bush/Cheney 04 campaign. BC04 won by getting out more Republicans than Kerry got out Democrats. KE04 hit every metric a D would want to hit in Ohio and still lost. But they are trying to replicate that magic in a campaign where it is doomed to fail. They haven't sufficiently scared the base about Obama and have turned off voters in the process. But with Hillary, the base would be sufficiently scared. They may not especially like McCain, they may not like the idea of an Obama presidency, but the idea of President Hillary Clinton sends chills down the spine of every Republican. I think a lot of the Hail Marys (Palin, suspending the campaign, etc.) wouldn't have been necessary, because you don't need to give the base any more reasons to vote. With the full backing of the base, he could have run to the center and been the relaxed candidate that nearly took down Bush in 2000. And Hillary would have had to spend time repairing a war within her base as the Obama supporters threaten to vote McCain or stay home. That would have forced her to the left, playing into McCain's hands.

Instead, McCain has to wait until 2008 and draw the worst possible opponent for his style. Politics is a lot like boxing -- styles matter when it comes to matchups. McCain's political style has been to vote with the party on plenty of issues, but when he doesn't agree, he makes sure everyone knows about it. He always tries to position himself as the non-ideological crusading independent. In all three counterfactuals, he would have been able to position himself as the Washington outsider, condemn business as usual in the capitol and keep his normal style without losing the base. But instead, he faced a candidate who was well-positioned to move to the center, had a strong committed base behind him and who didn't enter the race with the Republican base ready for blood. McCain faced a boxer with similar skills in a match where all of the externals of the political environment were for the other guy. And he is going to go down in a Bob Dole-like defeat as a result.

Matt's Predictions

2008-11-04T09:40:00.004-06:00

Writing this post is like putting on your favorite shirt after its just out of the dryer...I haven't really posted recently because of my level of frustration with the election reached critical and I also needed to find some steady employment and I felt bad writing my days away living off my fiance...

But now that both of those problems have been corrected, let's get down to business...

Some predictions:

1. Obama will win Georgia but lose North Carolina. I'm reaching on the George bit here but it will be interesting based on the huge amount of early voting that occurred there.

2. Pennsylvania will prove to be nowhere near as close as the reports from last week made it seem.

3. In my adopted home state of Kansas, Pat Roberts is going down baby!

4. A rising tide lifts all boats and Franken wins by 2%...and the independent candidate gets over 20% of the vote.

5. And to get hyper-local, Proposition 2 in Lawrence which would keep the City Bus service opperating by increasing the sales tax will pass with 70% of the vote. It makes me laugh when people talk about communism-this and socialism-that and I live in a major metro area that might get rid of its bus service.

6. Obama cracks 320 electoral votes and this "blue/red state" shit is over for eight years.

7. After the election http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/ will become the standard barrer for poll coverage and predicting the future.

8. Tim Russert's chalk and slate will be missed tonight.

9. Michelle Bachman in Minnesota will keep her seat in Congress.

10. Prop 8 will be defeated and California will fall into the ocean.

11. The Dems end up with 57 seats and Lieberman loses his chairmanship.

12. Ted Stevens will be re-elected even though he can't vote for himself.

13. Montana goes for Obama...so does Arizona.

Election Day has arrived

2008-11-04T08:36:00.002-06:00

Long time no talk, etc., blah, blah, blah.

Matt didn't post about the election for the sake of his mental health. I didn't post because I didn't have anything new to say. But now that ~~Christmas~~ Election Day is upon us, time for some predictions.

In the 7 key Senate races:
Alaska: Begich by 6
Georgia: Martin wins with less than 50%, forcing a December runoff that Chambliss wins.
Kentucky: McConnell by 4
Minnesota: Coleman by 1
New Hampshire: Shaheen by 9
North Carolina: Hagan by 9
Oregon: Merkley by 2

I'd love to hear Matt's predictions.

As If We Didn't Need Another Reason To Vote For Him

2008-10-14T18:05:00.003-05:00

But he gives us one anyway...this is the kind of calm we need in our leadership...

More Swift Kids

2008-10-08T00:19:00.003-05:00

Here is the new one about Sarah Palin and I think it is the best one yet:

Get the latest news satire and funny videos at 236.com.

And just to show they are equal opportunity, here are videos about Hilary and Obama:

Get the latest news satire and funny videos at 236.com.

New Logo

2008-10-08T00:13:00.000-05:00

One quick question

2008-09-26T22:42:00.002-05:00

After the first 2000 debate, which Al Gore won on substance but committed hari-kari on style, did the "dial" groups that the networks love reflect that?

By comparison, the first 2004 debate was a complete knock out for Kerry in every possible way.* Bush's debate coach considered the worst beatdown in presidential debate history as it was occuring.

* The two biggest victories in terms of just annihilating your opponents were Kerry v. Bush I in 04 and Mondale v. Reagan I in 84. Notice that neither "victor" won the ultimate prize.

My Mid-Debate Thoughts

2008-09-26T21:21:00.003-05:00

Yes! Two mentions of Latvia!

Things aren't going as well as I hoped for Obama...I hadn't really expected that we would talk so much about cutting spending after both candidates pretty much agreed they would support a $700 billion financial crisis bill...if cutting spending actually matters to voters then McCain will benefit from that based on his debate showing...

My mid-debate reaction

2008-09-26T21:15:00.002-05:00

John McCain is either winning, ala John Kerry in the first 2004 debate, as being forceful, pointed and sharp. Or he is losing, ala Al Gore in the first 2000 debate, with his devilish grin, interrupting and hectoring. Right now, I can't figure out which.

The Wire: Seasons 2 & 3

2008-09-24T23:30:00.000-05:00

I didn't post a review of Season 2 of the Wire because there wasn't the single moment that jumped out at me like in Season 1...But right away in Season 3 we have drug dealers using Robert's Rules of Order and as a former Parliamentarian I am simply in love! You can see the scene at the 1:57 mark in this video:

Parliament -- Handcuffs

Parliament -- Give Up the Funk [Tear the Roof Off the Sucker]
Both songs are from the Mothership Connection album.

This Blog Is Being Suspended

2008-09-24T23:10:00.000-05:00

I am suspending this blog until the end of my financial crisis [which is semi-serious...I need a job, like, yesterday]...thanks John McCain for the great idea[I say half jokingly]...CS, I hope that you prove able to stand up to this financial crisis and continue to blog...be strong!

New York Dolls -- Personality Crisis
This is the fundamental New York Dolls track as it is Track #1 of Album #1.

Teenage Fanclub -- Personality Crisis [New York Dolls Cover]

The Go! Team -- Milk Crisis
This track could be found on the Proof of Youth bonus CD.

Bonus Track:

Placebo -- 20th Century Boy [T.Rex Cover]
This song, as well as the Teenage Fanclub cover, are from the Velvet Goldmine soundtrack.

"John Edwards Is A Total Loser"

2008-09-23T14:03:00.003-05:00

You know whenever John Edwards pops into my mind I get angry...I don't know if it will ever go away but I think each month that goes by makes it easier...after watching this I feel a bit better:

The Button

2008-09-23T13:52:00.002-05:00

I hope you take this in the light-hearted manner in which it is intended...

Songs of the Future: September 20th

2008-09-20T20:30:00.001-05:00

1. Secret Machines -- Atomic Heels
This is the first track from the new Secret Machines album which will be released October 14th.

2a. Watcha Clan -- I Mean Diaspora
2b. Watcha Clan -- Eli
Recommended if you like a mixture of "North African, Spanish, Arabic, Hebrew, and French influences along to a strong dance beat." These tracks are from the Diaspora Hi-Fi album.

3. Portugal The Man -- New Orleans
From the Censored Colors album that came out last Tuesday.

Cold War Kids

2008-09-19T23:42:00.003-05:00

Next week's release of Loyalty to Loyalty has got to be one of the most anticipated of the year especially with the great first single "Something Is Not Right With Me."

God, I hope that this album is great.

Cold War Kids -- Something Is Not Right With Me

Cold War Kids -- Golden Gate Jumpers
This track has a laid back Tom Waits feel to it.

Relevant Review: Ben Folds "Way To Normal"

2008-09-19T22:25:00.006-05:00

Artist: Ben Folds
Album: Way To Normal
Ranking: William Howard Taft

My first impression is that I'm afraid Ben Folds will never make another album as good as anything from the Five discography. But then again isn't that worry just stupid nearly 10 years after their breakup? I am just going to have to get over it I guess.

In terms of solo albums, I would put this squarely between Rockin' the Suburbs [my favorite] and Songs for Silverman [better than 97% of all other albums but you know...not quite...you know...] in likability. The finest track is Folds latest addition to his "Bitch" trilogy" [after "Song for the Dumped" and "Bitches Ain't Shit"] with "Bitch Went Nuts." The song title tells you all you need to know about the song's content.

The opening track, "Hiroshima," takes a couple of listens to appreciate and at first you might think you have stumbled upon another Ben Folds live album but instead it turns into the funniest opening track since "One Angry Dwarf..."

Ben Folds -- Bitch Went Nuts

Ben Folds -- Hiroshima [B B B Benny Hit His Head]

In Case You Wanted To Know

2008-09-19T10:19:00.000-05:00

47 seconds

Songs of the Future: September 18th

2008-09-18T21:31:00.006-05:00

Hellsingland Underground -- Shadow of the Old You

I was sent this by a member of the band through SoundCloud. It's not quite the music you would expect from a band with a poster like that.

The Ettes -- I Get Mine

This is the 2nd single from Look At Life Again Soon.

The Coral Sea -- I Know You'll Find A Way

From the upcoming album Firelight which is out October 7th.

Vic Chestnutt, Elf Power, and The Amorphous Strums -- And How

From the upcoming album Dark Developments which will be out October 28th.

Readymade Breakup -- Talking to Myself

From the Alive on the Vine album.

Relevant Video:

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin -- Pangea

Watch the full concert at baeblemusic.com

In Memory of Norman Whitfield

2008-09-17T23:51:00.005-05:00

Song writer Norman Whitfield passed away today and he will be greatly missed around the YASR offices. He wrote some of the greatest R&B songs ever and was responsible for the psych-R&B trip that The Temptations went on in the late '60s and early 70's. In particular, I absolutely love "Ball of Confusion"...get yourself a good pair of headphones, put that song on, and turn it up as loud as you can stand and just listen to all that is going on on that track...if for nothing else you will understand that the problems we face today in America are from original.

In my opinion, here are his greatest hits:

1. The Temptations -- Ball of Confusion (That's What the World is Today)

2. Marvin Gaye -- I Heard It Through the Grapevine

3. The Temptations -- Papa Was a Rolling Stone

4. The Temptations -- Cloud Nine

5. The Temptations -- I Wish It Would Rain

6. Edwin Starr -- War

7. Marvin Gaye -- Too Busy Thinking About My Baby

8. The Temptations -- Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)

Andrew Sullivan has gone off the deep end

2008-09-17T20:57:00.006-05:00

I agree with everything said in this blog post, but wanted to add one point.

Andrew's Palinophobia officially insulted and offended me with this post.

She is a long-time member of the Assemblies Of God. That's all you need to know.

In Sullivan's mind the conversation would be similar to this.

Sullivan: That's racist.
Someone else: I'm not sure. I think there is an innocuous point there.
Sullivan: David Duke said it. That's all you need to know.

In one easy swoop, Sullivan outed himself as a religious bigot. I understand that as a proudly gay man, Sullivan probably hasn't had the greatest experiences with evangelicals. But what he is practicing here goes directly against what he extols in his book. He praises the Oakeshottian view that faith rests on doubt, not certainty. The point is inarguable: faith requires doubt. There is no need for faith to believe in incontrovertible facts.

Look at Sarah Palin's prayer:

“That our national leaders are sending them out on a task that is from God, that’s what we have to make sure we are praying for, that there is a plan, and that plan is God’s plan.”

Because Sarah Palin never expected Andrew Sullivan to fisk her faith, she probably didn't worry about the wording. But the intent is clear to any reader who is not trying to denigrate her or her faith. She is making one of the most simple prayers any Christian can make: thine will, not mine, be done. It's a prayer I have uttered countless times myself. It's a prayer of uncertainty: Lord, I do not always know what you will is, but I ask that it be done. I ask that you give me guidance and wisdom. Or in this case: I ask that your will be done in Iraq. I am sending my son there and I ask that the plans of our leaders are your plans. Your will, not ours, be done.

Instead of showing the work behind his tortured logic, Sullivan dismisses it with the wave of a hand. "There is no need to for me to explain Sarah Palin's relationship with God. She goes to an Assemblies of God church, ergo she is a misguided fundamentalist bigot who thinks the Iraq war is a mission from God, Blues Brothers-style."

There can be no other way to put it: Andrew Sullivan is just as bigoted as the people who would deny him the love he feels for and from his husband.

Songs of the Future: September 17th

2008-09-17T19:14:00.008-05:00

1a. Vancouver -- Penalty Box

1b. Vancouver -- Shape of Your Knees

If there is one band that I've found that shares the intensity and lyrical gusto that Ted Leo & The Pharmacists have it is Vancouver. That is very evident in "Penalty Box" while "Shape of Your Knees" calmly strums along for nearly three minutes until the lyrics kick in. It is a prime example of a band that is comfortable with their own song structure. Both tracks are from Even My Winters Are Summers.

2. So Many Dynamos -- Search Party
From the Flashlights album.

3. The Dears -- Money Babies
This is from the upcoming album Missiles out October 21st.

4. Brass Bed -- BBC Midnight Broadcast

From the Midnight Matinee album that came out yesterday.

5. Mystery Jets -- Half In Love With Elizabeth [Delorean Remix]
The Mystery Jets are my "unknown in the United States" British band and that might all change if their album 21 ever gets released on this side of the Atlantic.

¿Habla Español?

2008-09-17T19:14:00.001-05:00

I don't know what it says but it's pissing off some conservatives.