The Washington establishment suffers a serious defeat

Mark November 19, 2009 on your calendars because on that day the interests of the people actually triumphed (temporarily) over the cynical manipulations of the "political establishment."

I hope my fellow citizens, no matter your political party, contact your Congressional representatives and let them know that you support the truly bi-partisan Paul/Grayson amendment that mandates a REAL audit of the Federal Reserve. To see the details about this important amendment please read the excellent Glenn Greenwald column below.

The Washington establishment suffers a serious defeat

Posted using ShareThis

* Let's finally wise up and stop letting the corporate controlled Democrats and the corporate controlled Republicans fool us into thinking that they actually represent our interests because they don't.

* Let's start supporting Republicans and Democrats ONLY when they support the interests of the people.

* Let's stop looking at each other as enemies because one of us is a Democrat and the other a Republican. As citizens we have far more in common with each other than we do with the corporate controlled politicians from either Party.

* Let's finally begin to take our country back from the entrenched interests that are running her into the ground just so they can hold onto power and add to their own personal bank balances.

Remembering Tenor, Mario Lanza - The Man and "The Voice"

I was watching The Great Caruso on Turner Classic Movies this morning and I was reminded about how much I enjoyed Mario Lanza's voice while I was growing up. He was one of my mother's favorites and he's always been one of mine. On one hand it's a shame that his Hollywood career prevented him from having the opera career that I think he deserved but on the other hand if it hadn't been for his Hollywood career many people like me might never have developed a love for opera. Evidently a lot of opera singers felt the same way as me about Lanza's voice. Here is an interesting passage about Lanza's influence on others from Wiki.

A highly influential artist, Lanza has been credited with inspiring successive generations of opera singers, including Plácido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, Leo Nucci and José Carreras, as well as singers with seemingly different backgrounds and influences, his RCA Victor label-mate Elvis Presley being the most notable example. In 1994, tenor José Carreras paid tribute to Lanza in a worldwide concert tour, saying of him, "If I'm an opera singer, it's thanks to Mario Lanza."[2] Carreras' colleague Plácido Domingo echoed these comments in a 2009 CBS interview when he stated that, "Lanza's passion and the way his voice sounds are what made me sing opera. I actually owe my love for opera thanks to a kid from Philadelphia."[3]

More praise for Lanza came from Enrico Caruso, Jr.

In 1951, Lanza portrayed Enrico Caruso in The Great Caruso, which proved an astonishing success, though it did not adhere to the facts of Caruso's life. At the same time, Lanza's increasing popularity exposed him to intense criticism by some music critics, including those who had praised his work years earlier. Nevertheless, Lanza's performance earned him compliments from the subject's own son, Enrico Caruso Jr., a tenor in his own right. Shortly before his death in 1987, Enrico Jr. wrote in Enrico Caruso: My Father and My Family (posthumously published by Amadeus in 1990) that, "I can think of no other tenor, before or since Mario Lanza, who could have risen with comparable success to the challenge of playing Caruso in a screen biography. [...] Mario Lanza was born with one of the dozen or so great tenor voices of the century, with a natural voice placement, an unmistakable and very pleasing timbre, and a nearly infallible musical instinct." He went on to praise Lanza's tempi and phrasing, "flawless" diction, and "impassioned" delivery, adding that, "All are qualities that few singers are born with and others can never attain." In conclusion, he wrote that, "Lanza excelled in both the classical and the light popular repertory, an accomplishment that was beyond even my father's exceptional talents."

Here is my all time favorite Mario Lanza recordings of Vesti la giubba. I wore out my mother's 78 record of Lanza singing this aria from the opera Pagliacci written and composed by Ruggero Leoncavallo. What a voice! What emotion! What power!

Another one of my favorite Lanza performances was of him singing the popular song Be My Love. Although it's not opera it shows that Lanza was just as comfortable singing the songs of the day as he was an aria. This song, like Vesti la giubba, sends chills up and down my spine. What a shame he died so young (he died 50 years ago today at the age 38.).

Mario Lanza singing another one of my favorites - Una Furtiva Lagrima (L'elisir d'amore).



Here's Lanza singing Questa O Quella from Rigoletto

And finally Lanza singing La donna e mobile.

Thank you Mr. Lanza for the many, many years of enjoyment you gave us. We only wish you could have stayed with us a little while longer. But, while you may longer be with us, as we would like, thanks to the recordings and movies you did - the voice lives on.

**If you're a Mario Lanza fan like me you will want to stop by the Lanza Legend website and post a comment on their message forum or just go there to read all of the interesting comments that others are making about him today on the 50th anniversary of his death. They also have many other Lanza related items on this site that are well worth checking out.

***I would also recommend reading a wonderful piece about Lanza that appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer this past Sunday.

Mario Lanza still has the greatest high C

A South Philadelphian is as enthralled today as he was more than 50 years ago

The piece was written by Orlando R. Barone. Evidently Mr. Barone and I were both introduced to Lanza through his Vesti la giubba recording. Here is a snippet.

Aside from a handful of movie musicals, Lanza left us a vast recorded legacy, and in the YouTube era you have no excuse for not having heard this astonishing tenor.

Search "Lanza, 'Golden Days,' " and experience the sweetest voice that can fairly be called masculine, along with the most masculine high notes you'll ever hear.

Follow it up with that million-seller, "Be My Love," and learn what a high C should sound like. By now you'll notice his English diction is as good as Ella Fitzgerald's, his voice is placed perfectly, and the excess of talent is very nearly unimaginable.

Now, try these: "Song of India," "The Lord's Prayer," and "Because." Next, listen to "Vesti la Giuba," my introduction to Mario. By then, quite possibly, the sheer power and beauty of Lanza's incomparable voice will have enthralled you as it did that awestruck 8-year-old boy more than a half-century ago.

Graceful Butterfly

This post is only for Graceful Butterfly. We are communicating on a project and this is the easiest way I found to do so.

Most of the hats here I could wear as is with other outfits (they are all beautiful). My comments are specifically in reference to what I want on a hat when wearing the two dresses that I showed you. The first few photos are just some art deco styles that I like to give you a better idea of my style. Showing you these photos does not mean that my hat has to have something from these photos it is just to give you a better idea of some things that I like. You may have some materials that are similar in style that you think might work. If you have any questions, please feel free to comment on this blog or send me an email.

I love the designs on these elevator doors.

The statue above shows the style of some of the geometric patterns and lines that I like.

I like this art deco hat pin that looks like a feather.

I'm a big fan of art deco. I like the geometric lines that are frequently used like those in this 1920s dress. I don't know if that's anything that can be incorporated into a hat but it gives you a better idea of what I like.

I would really like to have some type of feathers included in the hat. I'm not a feather expert so I don't know which ones would look the best but I would like to include some feathers. I don't want the whole hat covered in them but just a tasteful inclusion of some. I also like solid colors more than patterns (although some geometric patterns are ok). The guinea feather above is one of my favorites. The flower they use with this arrangement is ok but it's not why I added this photo. Even though I like the guinea feathers I don't necessarily have to have guinea feathers on the hat if you find something more appealing. I also don't necessarily have to have feathers at all if you find something that is even more appealing.

Hat #1

I thought these first two style of hats might look good with the Edwardian plum dress. When I say style of hat I'm just talking about the shape of it not necessarily the color.

Hat #2

I liked the flower on this hat and I may like the style of the hat but I'd have to see more angles of it. Actually the more I look at it the more I like it.

Hat #3

I like the style of this next hat but not the style or color of this flower.

Hat #4

This one is my favorite style of hat but I prefer different ornamentation.

Hat #5

I like this hat style. I also like having feathers on the hat (depending on the type of feather). These feathers look good on this hat.

Hat #6

This hat style I'm not sure about(I like it on the head model but I don't know what it would like on me) but I like the texture of the hat.

Hat #7

I like the style and texture of this hat but not the ornamentation. I do like the way the string hangs down.

Hat #8

I love the style and texture of this hat. I also like having the ornamentation on the side. I don't know if I like this particular adornment.

Hat #9

I like the style of this hat.

Hat #10

I added this hat because I like the texture and style of the hat. I don't like the ornamentation but I love the dress clip! LOL I love art deco.

Hat #11

I like everything about this hat.

Hat #12

I like the ornamentation on this hat and I think I like the style but I'd have to see the front.

Hat #13

Remembering our Friend Tim Krekel October 10, 1950 - June 24, 2009

Partying w/Tim Krekel and the unforgettable Mary. Sadly for us all they are both with the angels now. New Years Eve 2007

Last night I got some bad news about our friend, Tim Krekel. Tim was diagnosed with cancer back in March of this year and unfortunately he passed away yesterday. Tim was only 58 years old but in his short life he touched so many people with his gentle ways and his glorious music. The local Louisville newspaper, the Courier-Journal wrote a nice piece about Tim that the Tennessean newspaper also picked up. Here's a snippet from the newspaper story.

Musician Tim Krekel dies

By Paula Burba

pburba@courier-journal.com

Tim Krekel, a musician whose career started in Louisville before he was a teenager and soared to two stints as lead guitar for Jimmy Buffet's band and a reputation in Nashville as a hit songwriter, died Wednesday afternoon at his Louisville home. He was 58.

Krekel died of cancer, which he had been fighting since a diagnosis and surgery in March, according to his family.

"He had a major, successful career, but he was still based here. He's just a hometown boy," said friend John Gage.

Krekel "had a way of writing and performing and singing that just put people in touch with a more spiritual sense. He was all about that," Gage said.

Stacy Owen, program director at WFPK-FM, where Krekel was a perennial favorite of listeners, said Krekel "did so much to champion the local music scene."

"I'm sure if you talked to a lot of local musicians here in town, they would consider Tim a mentor," Owen said.

Owen said the station would "spend the day (Thursday) playing his music and celebrating his life."

"I think the wonderful thing about Tim is, he shared himself in his songs," Owen said.

Because of our financial situation we weren't able to go out to the clubs to see Tim play for quite some time but we followed what was happening with Tim through email. We also played our Krekel cd's almost every weekend and I even posted some of his videos here on two occassions. The last time we saw Tim he teased me about the check off list of his songs that I'd printed so that I could more easily request songs while he played.

He was such a good man. I never heard him say anything bad about anyone and I never heard anyone say anything bad about him. We are going to miss him terribly and we hope wherever he is now that he's making music.

Here are a few videos of Tim playing the music he and the rest of us just loved.

For Tim, Love is what it was all about. Here he is at Zena's playing with Terry Adams of NRBQ

Unfortunately this next video doesn't have the video and soundtrack in sync so you don't want to watch the video but you will want to listen to the song. It's truly a beautiful song. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

And here's one of my all time favorites - All Night Radio

Farewell Tim. We hope that we get to see you again in another life.

WFPK has a page set up on their website for condolences that is full of personal stories from friends of Tim. WFPK will also be playing Tim's songs all day. You can tune in here.

Update: There will be a Memorial Service at the Vernon at 4 p.m. for friends and family.

Happy Father's Day, Dad

Photo: Father and child 1915 George Eastman House Collection

On August 5, 2007 my father passed away. He was 86 years young.

Today on Father's Day, in honor of Dad, I'm posting video of a few songs that he introduced me to and one that I introduced him to. Dad liked a variety of music but he talked a lot about "growl trumpets" so my selections today are heavy on the growl trumpets.

Happy Father's Day, Dad. Thanks for turning me onto such wonderful music and thanks for being such a great Dad.

I Love You Dad and I miss you.

Another song Dad introduced me to was Cab Calloway singing Minnie the Moocher

Duke Ellington's Black and Tan Fantasy from 1927 with the legendary Bubber Miley on trumpet.

Duke Ellington East St. Louis Toodle-Oo

Duke Ellington at the Cotton Club playing Echoes of the Jungle 1931

Duke Ellington - Shout "Em Aunt Tilly

Dad was a big fan of Muggsy Spanier and Jack Teagarden. Here's a great Muggsy Spanier tune.

Here's a cool video tribute to Jack Teagarden

Duke Ellington song - It Don't Mean a Thing if it Aint Got That Swing. I remember playing this song on the portable organ my parent's bought me for Christmas one year.

In addition to the "growl trumpets" and "growl trombones" Dad liked the "sound" of Glenn Miller. Here is Moonlight Serenade.

And not to leave the women out, here is Ella Fitzgerald doing Bei Mir Bist Du Shoen.

The Queen of the Blues, Bessie Smith singing Send Me to The "lectric Chair.

And who could forget Benny Goodman and Gene Krupa doing Sing Sing Sing

I'll close out today's music selections with this Django Reinhardt/Stephane Grapelli song. It's one of my favorites (as are the other tunes posted here). When I first played it for Dad he said he hadn't heard it before but said he liked it a lot. It was nice to be able to play a song for him from his own era that he hadn't heard before.

More Secrecy from the "Most Open and Transparent WH in history"

Corona of the Sun During a Solar Eclipse 1900

On the White House website the Obama administration makes the following claim:

Transparency -- President Obama has committed to making his administration the most open and transparent in history, and WhiteHouse.gov will play a major role in delivering on that promise. The President's executive orders and proclamations will be published for everyone to review, and that’s just the beginning of our efforts to provide a window for all Americans into the business of the government.

But transparency is not what we are getting from the Obama administration. In fact, we are getting just the opposite. Just this week alone we found out that the administration argued that the WH visitors logs should be kept secret just like the Bush administration argued. We also found out that the Obama administration's Department of Homeland Security is using the old standby excuse of national security to prevent government officials from telling the public the location of coal ash dumps.

There are 44 sites deemed by the Environmental Protection Agency to be high hazard, but Boxer said she isn't allowed to talk about them other than to senators in the states affected.

"There is a huge muzzle on me and my staff," she said."Homeland Security and the Army Corps [of Engineers] have decided in the interests of national security they can't make these sites known," she said.

and then yesterday they did this:

A federal judge yesterday sharply questioned an assertion by the Obama administration that former Vice President Richard B. Cheney's statements to a special prosecutor about the Valerie Plame case must be kept secret, partly so they do not become fodder for Cheney's political enemies or late-night commentary on "The Daily Show."

U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan expressed surprise during a hearing here that the Justice Department, in asserting that Cheney's voluntary statements to U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald were exempt from disclosure, relied on legal claims put forward last October by a Bush administration political appointee, Stephen Bradbury. The department asserted then that the disclosure would make presidents and vice presidents reluctant to cooperate voluntarily with future criminal investigations.

But career civil division lawyer Jeffrey M. Smith, responding to Sullivan's questions, said Bradbury's arguments against the disclosure were supported by the department's current leadership. He told the judge that if Cheney's remarks were published, then a future vice president asked to provide candid information during a criminal probe might refuse to do so out of concern "that it's going to get on 'The Daily Show' " or somehow be used as a political weapon

Sadly, the Obama administration has consistently been more secretive than transparent. Glenn Greenwald did an excellent blog post the other day, Here is secrecy creep in action, where he documented the long string of Obama administration decisions where they chose secrecy over transparency. It's a MUST READ.

Today the Obama administration is scheduled to release the 2004 CIA Inspector General Report about interrogation techniques (torture). However, it was reported in the Washington Post on Wednesday that some in the CIA were pressing the administration to keep most of this report classified. Once again President Obama has an opportunity to prove to the American people that his administration is truly interested in government transparency. Will the report be heavily redacted as the CIA wants or will the Obama administration let sunlight help disinfect this sorry chapter in our history? Stay tuned.

Upate: Greg Sargent writes that the 2004 CIA Inspector General Report will not be released today. Looks like we will have to wait until next Friday for release of this report - maybe.

65th Anniversary Normandy Invasion June 6, 1944 - June 6, 2009

Front page of the New York Times, June 6, 1944

Today on the 65th anniversary of the Normandy Invasion (June 6, 1944) I thought it was appropriate to post the following assorted images and historical accounts to honor those who bravely fought and died to help defeat Nazi fascism.

German Propaganda Video

In addition to the above videos you can view D-Day photos and other documents at the Navy Historical Center. You can also read an eyewitness account from a French citizen here. And you can read about another eyewitness account from 89 year old veteran Bob Winer, one of the few surviving veterans from the D-Day invasion.

For a history of the Normandy Invasion you can go here.

You can also watch the excellent film The Longest Day. Here is the movie trailer.

Here is part of the Wikepedia description of the movie, The Longest Day.

Many of the military consultants and advisors who helped with the film's production were actual participants in the action on D-Day, and are portrayed in the film. The producers drew them from both sides; Allied and Axis. Among them are Günther Blumentritt (a former German general), James M. Gavin (an American general), Frederick Morgan (Deputy Chief of Staff atSHAEF), John Howard (who led the airborne assault on the Pegasus Bridge), Lord Lovat (who commanded the 1st Special Service Brigade), Philippe Kieffer (who led his men in the assault on Ouistreham), Pierre Koenig (who commanded the Free French Forces in the invasion), Max Pemsel (a German general), Werner Pluskat (the major who was the first German officer to see the invasion fleet), Josef "Pips" Priller (the hot-headed pilot) and Lucie Rommel (widow of Erwin Rommel).

One thing that sets the film apart from most films set in the Second World War is that all characters speak in their own languages, with subtitles in English wherever the characters speak either French or German. A separate version exists, shot simultaneously, in which all the actors speak their lines in English, which is why the trailer has the Germans delivering their lines in English. This version saw limited use during the initial release, but saw extensive use during a late 1960s re-release of the film. The English-only version was featured on the "flip side" of an older single disc DVD release. The usual Nazi stereotypes are avoided, and mostGerman characters are portrayed as human beings. The words "Sieg Heil", for instance, are not uttered even once in The Longest Day, although they are seen written on a bunker wall in Ouistreham.