How Soon is Now?
THE MORNING BRIEF, Vol. IV, #22 (May 29, 2001) -- Are the Democrats Ready?
CONTENTS
Senatorial
Switcheroo
How Soon is Now?
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Nutraclean
Sunset Blvd. Moment
My cool Nikes
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Lakers cannot be beat
FLICKAGE: "Startup.com"
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SIX DISK CHANGER
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UPCOMING
CONCERTS
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CONTRIBUTIONS
SENATORIAL SWITCHEROO >>> A poem.
Truer words are seldom spoken:
Politicians with character are token.
Some get high, some get laid,
A piece of the pie and the pork they get paid.
Last week something new beneath our cloud-covered sun --
An independent senator proves the power of one.
Political words are seldom few,
The Senate to the Democrats...Woo-hoo!
IS IT REALLY SUCH A GOOD THING? >>> Yes, it is. Republicans were acting as if they had a mandate to ram their entire agenda right through the system. They were running at a strong gallop to get it done. After buttressing religion, military, and energy interests, poised to pillage the environment, they had finally gotten down to doing the one thing people really do support: the tax cut, even though the biggest windfall goes to the wealthiest constituents.
Interesting how quickly the wheels of government can turn when there's a reason. What might have been another month in process - getting the tax bill to President Bush for signing - took about three days once word came that Sen. Jeffords was going to make his move. We'll find out this week if they carried the ball over the goal line. Regardless of its fate, the real challenge for Democrats will be to prevent Americans from growing impatient once a split Congress grapples on the issues. It's entirely possible that Democrats will take the heat for "gridlock," a condition otherwise known as balance generally in play since WWII.
If lower-to-middle class Americans don't get the tax cut they voted Bush et al in on, token though it may be, or if other issues make people feel that a split government is all talk and no action, the cries of gridlock could give rise to an even greater majority for the Republican party in 2002. A week ago, the Democratic party appeared to have at least a year to find some sort of vision to share with American voters. This week, next year becomes now. Let's hope the Democratic party is ready to make the most of this historic opportunity.
CLEAN AND TASTY >>> Shopping at Ralph's today I was delighted to hear over the loudspeaker that the produce is treated with Nutraclean, an absolutely smashing new chemical that makes fruits and vegetables clean and better tasting.
Perhaps we could check the lab results first, see how the mice turned out.
SUNSET BLVD. MOMENT >>> It reminded me of the time that this woman who was dating her psychiatrist tried to suck me into what was clearly the third act of her tragic screenplay...
MOST TALKED ABOUT SHOES >>> The most remarked about shoes I've worn in my entire life are gracing my peds at this moment. They are Nikes - I'm sorry, I supporting barbarians - but they're cool to look at, and absolutely the most comfortable things imaginable. They're all, black, spongy lining caged in by a silver, plastic web with a very thick running shoe sole. Prestos come in about a dozen colors, many sizes, and you can even design a pair to-order on-line (although not the slip-ons, yet). Sorry, but they kick ass and everyone's going to want them so make your feet happy and write a letter to your Senator. :)
LAKERS ON A ROLL >>> Hard to imagine anyone being able to win a single game against the Lakers in the playoffs this year, much less beat them in a series. They've simply been the best team, every day for over a month. Impressive to watch.
FLICKAGE: "Startup.com" >>> A totally absorbing film, both for its portrait of the rise and fall of the Internet Economy, and for its insight into the people chasing the dream. In this case, filmmakers D.A. Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus focus their gaze on the evolution of govWORKS.com, and the devolution of its founding fathers, Kaleil Isaza Tuzman and Tom Herman. They're not geniuses, they're not even really likable, but boy are they human. It's their humanity that gives the film ballast, setting up the almost melodramatic twists and turns. We see the complete arc of a business cycle in Internet Time, a bite-size 90 minutes. The result is a story rich with heroic and tragic elements, loads of character, and a glimpse behind the curtain of the New American Dream. A must-see.
@ @ @
SIX DISK CHANGER >>> It's OK to wear white now.
1. Dimitri from Paris,
"Sacrebleu"
2. Mogwai, "Rock Action"
3. The Smiths, "Hatful of Hollow"
4. Calexico, "Even My Sure Things Don't Come Through"
5. Tindersticks, "Simple Pleasures"
6. Steel Pulse, "Smash Hits"
7. David Gray, "White Ladder"
@ @ @
HERE'S THE THING >>> I know they call them lap-top computers, but I kind of like to have an extra layer of business between my computer and my nads (like a thick pillow) just to keep the critters fresh and de-magnetized. Gotta take care of them fellers.
Take care of all your fellers, please.
Your pal,
David.
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Somebody please get these jelly beans away from me!!!
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The Morning Brief can be read each wwweek @ www.smmirror.com -- in the Web Stuff section.
You can also find prior Briefs at www.morningbrief.net if you've got the time. Or load it up from www.avantgo.com and take your Briefs to go.
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DISCLAIMAGE >>> Please feel free to forward The Morning Brief to whomever you like. If you do, in part or in segments, or if you'd like to re-publish, please copy me or just let me know. Thanks for reading!
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Notable shows in and around Southern
California.
Highly
recommended shows this color.
Red
alert; must see!
5.30.01 -
Calexico @ El Rey Theatre
6.01.01 - David Byrne @ El
Rey Theatre
6.02.01 - Les Paul & His Trio @ House of Blues
6.02.01 - James Brown w/Tower of Power @ Greek Theatre
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6.06.01 -
Buddy Guy @ El Rey Theatre
6.08.01 -
Kristin Hersh @ Knitting Factory Hollywood
6.08.01 -
Tortoise @ Royce Hall
6.09.01 - Spain @ Knitting Factory Hollywood
6.10.01 -
Mogwai @ El Rey Theatre
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6.11.01 -
Mogwai @ El Rey Theatre
6.12.01 - Paul Simon and
Brian Wilson @ Greek Theatre
6.13.01 - Paul Simon and Brian Wilson @ Greek Theatre
6.14.01 - Pete Yorn @ Roxy Theatre
6.14.01 -
Doves @ The Palace
6.15.01 -
Widespread Panic @ Wiltern Theatre
6.15.01 -
Tricky @ The Palace
6.16.01 - Dido w/Travis @
Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
6.16.01 -
Widespread Panic @ Wiltern Theatre
6.17.01 - Widespread Panic @ Wiltern Theatre
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6.19.01 -
Stereo MCs @ Whiskey a Go-Go
6.20.01 - Guided by Voices @ House of Blues
6.21.01 - Robert Earl Keen @
The Roxy Theatre
6.22.01 -
Mark Eitzel @ Knitting Factory Hollywood
6.23.01 -
Thomas Mapfumo & Blacks Unlimited @ House of Blues
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6.27.01 - Phil Lesh @ Greek Theatre
6.29.01 - Red House Painters @ The Troubadour
7.01.01 - Ani
DiFranco @ Universal Amphitheatre
7.01.01 - Cesaria Evora &
Bebel Gilberto @ Hollywood Bowl
7.01.01 - DJ Spooky @ The Troubadour
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7.07.01 - Dick Dale @ Roxy Theatre
7.11.01 - Air
@ The Mayan
7.12.01 - Air @ The Mayan
7.15.01 - Buena Vista Social
Club @ Hollywood Bowl
7.19.01 - Craig David @ El Rey Theatre
7.20.01 - Sade @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
7.22.01 - Sade, Youssou N'Dour, Rachid Taha @ Hollywood Bowl
7.23.01 - Sade @ Hollywood Bowl
7.30.01 - Yes @ Hollywood Bowl
8.01.01 - The String Cheese Incident @ The Greek Theatre
8.03.01 - War @ The Greek Theatrez
8.04.01 -
Neville Brothers/Steel Pulse @ House of Blues
8.04.01 - Brian Setzer w/Joe
Strummer @ Greek Theatre
8.05.01 - Area:One (Moby, New Order, Tmo Maas) @ Glen Helen
Blockbuster Pavilion
8.06.01 -
Roxy Music @ The Greek Theatre
8.07.01 - Roxy Music @ The Greek Theatre
8.12.01 -
Baaba Maal, Angelique Kidjo @ Hollywood Bowl
8.14.01 - Depeche Mode @
Staples Center
8.17.01 - Eric Clapton @ Staples Center
8.18.01 - Yellowman @ House of Blues
8.18.01 - Eric Clapton @ Staples Center
8.19.01 - Erykah Badu @ The Greek Theatre
8.20.01 - Aerosmith @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
8.22.01 - Aerosmith @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
10.06.01 - James Taylor @ Hollywood Bowl
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HAVE YOU ever reconsidered? HAVE YOU done something on the spur of a moment? HAVE YOU eaten anything extra yummy? HAVE YOU found a haven? HAVE YOU considered moving to a new climate? HAVE YOU got an axe to grind? HAVE YOU taken a deep breath lately?
RE: BUSH = RUSTY NAIL >>> You will recall our conversation in January at the Victorian when I told you there was an old Japanese saying: 'a nail that stands up will be pounded down'. The context of our earlier conversation was that retailiation would come against Bush's pursuit of an extreme right wing agenda so out of step with the moderate populace. Though it materialized in a unique and unexpected fashion, the nail just got pounded down today.
-- Jim Rea.
RE: ENERGY OPTIONS >>> In response to Alice Zorthian's idea that solar panels are the way to electric freedom - she's absolutely right - even without the $5 per watt rebate that DWP Los Angeles is offering to anyone smart enough to install photovoltaic (PV) panels on their property AND connect it to the grid in order to sell back that pricey wattage to the DWP at retail prices. DWP is wise enough to act on the understanding that if, one day, we all have about 3 kilowats of electricity production behind every electic meter, they can conceivably supply their entire customer base and sell electricity to to anyone who doesn't have PV.
One of my clients is currently installing a 3+ kW system on his house roof as a result of doing some very easy number crunching and determining his payback period will be about 7 years after which his electricity bill will be about 10% of anyone without such a system. Fortunately he's in for a big surprise, because he didn't include tax benefits that are currently active and more tax deduction legislation that is in the works at the state and federal level. SO GET WITH IT EVERYONE - PV IS THE WAY TO GO! Call DWP for more information or call a PV specialist for a chat and possibly a review of your property's PV potential. If you don't own property then let your landlord know.
Not a referal - just a place to start: Bilt-Well Roofing and Solar, Dennis Vance, 310-670-3767.
-- Glen Irani.
RE: NEW VIRUS??? >>> VIRUS WARNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you receive an email entitled "Bad times," delete it immediately. Do not open it. Apparently this one is pretty nasty. It will not only erase everything on your hard drive, but it will also delete anything on disks within 20 feet of your computer. It demagnetizes the stripes on ALL of your credit cards. It reprograms your ATM access code, screws up the tracking on your VCR and uses subspace field harmonics to scratch any CD's you attempt to play. It will program your phone auto dial to call only 900 numbers. This virus will mix antifreeze into your fish tank. It will drink ALL your beer.
FOR GOD'S SAKE MAN, ARE YOU LISTENING?!!!! It will leave dirty socks on the coffee table when you are expecting company. It will replace your shampoo with Nair and your Nair with Rogaine, all the while dating your current boy/girlfriend behind your back and billing their hotel rendezvous to your Visa card. It will cause you to run with scissors and throw things in a way that is only fun until someone loses an eye. It will rewrite your backup files, changing all your active verbs to passive tense and incorporating undetectable misspellings that grossly change the interpretations of key sentences. If the "Bad times" message is opened in a Windows 95/98 environment, it will leave the toilet seat up and leave your hair dryer plugged in dangerously close to a full bathtub. It will not only remove the forbidden tags from your mattresses and pillows; it will also refill your skim milk with whole milk.
**WARN AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN.** And if you don't send this to 5000 people in 20 seconds you'll fart so hard that your right leg will spasm, shoot straight out in front of you, sending sparks, that will ignite onto the person nearest you. Send to everyone.
-- forwarded by Art Loomstein (Dad!).