The Morning Brief: Vol. VI, Year 2003
 

Positive Ends

THE MORNING BRIEF, Vol. VI, #14 (April 14, 2003) --- Do they justify negative means?

TOPICS

Means and ends
A slap on the wrist
War criminals
More Bad Ideas Dept.
Loose Cannons Division
Propaganda Quiz
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Let it be, Paul
In case you missed her
Gaper block
Stock Characters, Inc.
Bloom offf the Rose Ceremony
Snack Tech
Musical Artist Name of the Week
FLICKAGE: "Better Luck Tomorrow"
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SIX DISK CHANGER
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CONTRIBUTIONS 

@ @ @ The Morning Brief @ @ @

MEANS AND ENDS >>> As time marches on, it appears less and less likely that Iraq had a substantial cache of chemical weapons. If they didn't, and we go on to "win" the war, free the Iraqis, and get our oil, is it OK? Is it OK to have misrepresented the facts, broken international law, and entered a war unprovoked, as long as the end result is positive? If the answer is "yes," it is OK, then that means the ends do justify the means.

And if that's the case, how do you reconcile this logic with a Republican Party that initiated impeachment proceedings against Bill Clinton for having an affair with an intern and lying about it? The U.S. broke international law to enter a war against Iraq under false pretenses. You can't reconcile one vs. the other. Bill Clinton was an exemplary U.S. President for 8 years, and if his tiny peccadiloes merited that shabby treatment, what do Bush et al deserve? Character is not a one way street. Either improper means are justifiable, or they're not.

A SLAP ON THE WRIST >>> For the unlawful precipitation of the 2003 War on Iraq, for the manufacture of evidence and for initiating the war with unsubstantiated or falsified evidence, the United States should be condemned by the General Assembly of the United Nations. There's no point of bringing up the matter to the Security Council because the U.S. would veto. But the United Nations should send a strong signal to America, Americans, and other nations who would wage war under similar circumstances, that this is inappropriate behaviour and will not be tolerated by the civilized countries of the world.

With virtually no credibility to stake its name on, the United Nations is unlikely to support such a measure. And this is precisely why they do not have credibility in the first place. Stand up for what's right. Cite the U.S. for illegal activities. We cannot have wars breaking out all over the place just because George Bush, Dick Cheney, or any other politicians feel like it. The U.S. reason was weapons. If there weren't any, we broke the law.

WAR CRIMINALS >>> Donald Rumsfeld et al's eagerness to nail everyone who's fighting on behalf of Iraq as a "war criminal" further exemplifies the self-righteousness of America's leadership. The U.S. violated international law to enter the war, and is breaking much of the Geneva Convention right now (see Guantanamo prisoners). So it might want to hold off on the outrage for at least a bit. This willingness to not only crush enemies but to grind them into dust is, for me, entirely representative of the character of the Republican Party.

MORE BAD IDEAS DEPT. >>> Who had the brainstorm of holding the Bush/Blair summit in Belfast, Ireland? You think they could have found something a little more...touristy/neutral...in Europe?

LOOSE CANNONS DIVISION >>> More Rummy in the spotlight: last Monday, in Rumsfeld's regular morning propaganda parade dogmatically prescribed to by even NPR, the erstwhile militarist dropped the inuendo that Iraqis had killed prisoners of war. When a reporter asked if he could confirm that Iraqis had killed American prisoners of war in "Operation Let's Pretend We Care About Iraqi Freedom," Rumsfeld replied that he did not state the prisoners were American, or that they'd been killed in this war. So Iraqis killed some prisoners in some war...once. Nice of him to clear this up for us.

PROPAGANDA QUIZ >>> This week's Prop Quiz is sponsored by the Ministry of Perceived Truth:

1) A statue of Saddam Hussein was pulled down by:

a) The Iraqi People
b) American Soldiers

2) While the statue of Hussein was being pulled down, a crowd of how many Iraqi civilians watched and cheered:

a) 20
b) 200
c) 2000
d) 20000

For more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6404-2003Apr11.html

@ @ @

LET IT BE, PAUL >>> Did you know that Paul McCartney has changed the Lennon/McCartney credit to McCartney/Lennon? Aside from the fact that Lennon/McCartney sounds better, is historically consistent, and is every bit as wonderful an institution to be a part of as Lennon/McCartney, what the fuck kind of an ass must this guy be? This is why Paul is known as the wimpiest Beatle and the biggest sell-out of a Beatle. Ringo doesn't count.

IN CASE YOU MISSED HER >>> That mega-media blitz over the last week was in support of Lisa Marie Presley's latest enterprise. After playing house with Michael Jackson and Nicholas Cage, Lisa Marie - with the aid of a lot of studio magic and vocal processing - has released an album. Just like her daddy. Except that unlike daddy Elvis, Lisa Marie isn't musical. No real love or joy in her music. You could almost hear her voice buried in one of the songs. I hope America's poorest little rich girl is at least having fun. Because it's not that fun to watch.

GAPER BLOCK >>> Speaking of wreck on a highway, the first five minutes of Cher's Goodbye Special were like checking the wreckage for blood. If you watched any long than that, you have a grisly taste for the morbid. Cher, you did it one special too late, but thanks for hanging up your Mackies.

STOCK CHARACTERS, INC. >>> Evidently, in Fiction World, all sidekicks are annoying, little androgynous thingies.

BLOOM OFF THE ROSE CEREMONY >>> It's the fourth edition of The Bachelor (including the -ette edition), and the party is over. The drama isn't so dramatic as it is sloppy melodrama. The new Bachelor isn't so much a bachelor as a Super-Rich Not Very Interesting Otherwise Guy. The girls are getting more aggressive (I saw one woman actually blocking out), and more pathetic. And the announcer (still can't tell you that guy's name) is so pedantic and corny and classless - "Which incredible, gorgeous woman will our Wealthy Bachelor choose, and who will be sent home broken-hearted forever after our most dramatic rose ceremony ever...?"

The only thing that sucks worse than that guy is that ABC would choose someone so disgustingly vanilla to narrate their cash cow. Aside from some tremendous disses yet to come - she bailed before the rose ceremony, shocking! - I'm interested to see which woman manages to pull back her claws enough to be a friend and cool person to the rest. Thus far, that's Tina from Tennessee. Who will never win. ABC's show has taken one small step toward Joe Millionaire. And that's one giant step toward mediocrity. Think Amber will boot again this week?

SNACK TECH >>> In case you've seen it around and have been wondering, Pom Juice (short for Pomegranate) is really yummy. A little like cranberry juice with less edge. And a great source of anti-oxidants. Worth a try.

MUSICAL ARTIST NAME OF THE WEEK >>> Shesus.

FLICKAGE: "Better Luck Tomorrow" >>> There's so much to like about MTV's first feature film venture "Better Luck Tomorrow," a film about Asian-Americans by Asian-Americans. I love a film that takes me into a new world. A world I could never experience on my own. This film took me into the suburbs for a glimpse into the world of drugs, thugs, gangs, treachery, unscrupulous business practices, and morality plays. AKA, high school.

The performances are fresh and natural. The story is beautifully paced, and artfully told. And the substance of the film and its voice was so winning and appealing that I was almost wanting more as the story ends. It's a fine story, and I won't give anything away. I will say it left me with a feeling of joy that in a world of corporate glop posing as Cinema, you're only ever one movie ticket away from an engaging story, an original voice, and a new world.

@ @ @

SIX-DISK CHANGER >>> 7 fresh and lean.

1. Bent, "The Everlasting Blink" - Sounds like house, songs like pop. Import only. Get it while it's fresh.

2. United Future Organization, "V" - Wow! Gorgeous instrumentals from real jazz to acid jazz to downtempo house. Some with vocals, some orchestral, some just romps. Beautifully blended and paced. A recording to revere and savor from the finest DJ/Producers in Japan.

3. Fabric 07: Hipp-e and Halo - Incredible house dance mix with deepness, soul and originality. Comes in a cool aluminum tin.

4. Aphex Twin, "26 Mixes for Cash" - Two disk retrospective of slices and dices by a true master. The man makes amazing music, and makes other's great sounds sound even better. A real team player.

5. Bobby Hughes Combination, "Nhu Golden Era" - With the Propellerheads not quite ready to launch their sophomore excursion, Bobby Hughes Combination merges the phat jazz sound, big horns, and a booming voice a la Shirley Horn with their Nhu Golden Era.

6. Zero 7, "Simple Things" - Didn't have to play it this week because I kept hearing it everywhere: the store, the radio, at a friend's. If this is life's new soundtrack, things are looking up.

THE 7TH DISK

7. Mice Parade, "All Roads Lead to Salzburg -- So fresh it's practically improvised. Blending natural sounds, lush percussion, and soothing beats, Mice Parade is a sweet breeze on an already gorgeous day. So nice.

Have a great week.

Your pal,
David.
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Only one thing worse than a cheat, and that's a hypocrite.

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The Morning Brief is written and published by David Loomstein.

You can find previous editions of The Morning Brief at www.morningbrief.net if you've got the time. Or load it up from www.avantgo.com and get 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!

CONCERT CALENDAR

Notable shows in and around Southern California.
Highly recommended shows this color.
Red alert; must see!

4.15.03 - Lisa Germano @ Amoeba Music
4.16.03 - Keb Mo @ House of Blues Sunset Strip
4.16.03 - Apples in Stereo @ Knitting Factory Hollywood
4.16.03 - Afrika Bambaataa @ Zanzibar
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4.22.03 - Frank Black and the Catholics @ El Rey Theatre
4.23.03 - Strunz & Farah @ The Conga Room
4.23.03 - The Funk Brothers @ Wiltern Theatre
4.23.03 - Daniel Lanois @ Amoeba Music
4.24.03 - McSweeney's vs. They Might Be Giants @ Royce Hall
4.24.03 - Groove Armada w/Supreme Beings of Leisure @ The Palace
4.26.03 - Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (Beastie Boys, Groove Armada, Badly Drawn Boy, Amon Tobin, Masters at Work and more)
4.26.03 - Atmosphere @ Henry Fonda Theatre
4.26.03 - The Skatalites @ Knitting Factory Hollywood
4.27.03 - Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Underworld, Thievery Corporation, Interpol, Primal Scream)
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4.29.03 - Annie Lennox @ Royce Hall
4.29.03 - Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks @ El Rey Theatre
4.29.03 - Cat Power @ Henry Fonda Theatre
4.30.03 - David Sedaris @ Royce Hall
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5.03.02 - The Gluey Brothers @ 14 Below
5.06.03 - Throwing Muses @ Knitting Factory Hollywood
5.06.03 - Martin Gore @ The Mayan
5.07.03 - Throwing Muses @ Knitting Factory Hollywood
5.15.03 - Cracker w/ Camper van Beethoven @ House of Blues Sunset Strip
5.16.03 - Richard Thompson @ House of Blues Sunset Strip
5.17.03 - Bob Weir & Ratdog @ Wiltern Theatre
5.23.03 - Ray Charles / Buddy Guy @ The Greek
5.29.03 - Pete Yorn @ Wiltern Theatre
5.30.03 - Damien Rice @ El Rey Theatre
5.31.03 - Coldplay @ Hollywood Bowl
5.31.03 - Flaming Lips w/Starlight Mints @ Hollywood Palladium
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6.02.03 - Pearl Jam @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
6.03.03 - Pearl Jam @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
6.06.03 - Mike Watt @ Knitting Factory Hollywood
6.14.03 - Jungle Brothers @ The Roxy
6.14.03 - Nina Hagen @ Key Club
6.18-22.03 - All Tomorrow's Parties (Yo La Tengo, Cornelius, Jah Wobble, more) @ UCLA
6.25.03 - Al Green / Susan Tedeschi @ The Greek Theatre
6.29.03 - Cesaria Evora, Morcheeba, Natacha Atlas @ Hollywood Bowl
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7.06.03 - Paul Oakenfold @ Hollywood Bowl
7.09.03 - Etta James, Keb Mo @ Hollywood Bowl
7.11.03 - Fleetwood Mac @ Staples Center
7.11.03 - Harry Belafonte @ The Greek
7.12.03 - Fleetwood Mac @ Staples Center
7.12.03 - Crosby, Stills & Nash @ The Greek
7.14.03 - Santana w/Angelique Kidjo @ Hollywood Bowl
7.20.03 - India.Arie; Red, Hot & Riot Live @ Hollywood Bowl
7.22.03 - Neil Young & Crazy Horse @ The Greek
7.23.03 - Neil Young & Crazy Horse @ The Greek
7.24.03 - Mark Knopfler @ The Greek
7.26.03 - Jackson Brown @ The Greek
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8.09.03 - Metallica, Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park @ L.A. Sports Arena
8.24.03 - Jimmy Cliff, Toots and the Maytals @ Hollywood Bowl
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9.06.03 - Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band @ Universal Amphitheatre
9.07.03 - Allman Brothers Band & Karl Denson's Tiny Universe @ The Greek
9.27.03 - James Brown @ Hollywood Bowl
9.28.03 - Robert Cray, John Hiatt @ The Greek
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12.20.03 - Brian Setzer Orchestra @ Universal Amphitheatre

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CONTRIBUTIONS

HAVE YOU seen something amazing? HAVE YOU figured something out? HAVE YOU found a new haven? HAVE YOU changed your mind recently? HAVE YOU experienced art or passion?

RE: THE GLUEY BROTHERS >>> The Gluey Brothers unique style of funk-rap-blues-collision descended on LA Saturday night, for a two-hour set at 14 Below in Santa Monica. In addition to entertaining its loyal and eclectic hometown following, The Glueys made instant fans of the crowd that had filled the room to see the next act, the Dave Wakeling Band (the former lead singer of English Beat).

A group of childhood friends from North Hollywood, The Gluey Brothers pay homage to their posse and their youth, celebrating life and the everyman underdog in none-too-serious fashion. While many of the lyrics recreate their own experiences at Walter Reed Junior High School, they are oddly familiar to anyone from Generation X.

Lead singers "King Hummus" and "M.C. Tahina" direct the antics, with their tight rap lyrics and hip-hop harmonies. With stage personas like "Emilio Earhart" on bass, and "The Enigmatic Beekeeper" on drums, The Gluey Brothers present a continuous flow of musical talent, each with their own costume get-ups.

The Gluey Brothers have been described as "the Marx Brothers meets Public Enemy." Irreverent but endearing, the Glueys engaged the audience with story-telling and pure performance art. But don't be fooled by the flashy costumes and interactivity. They are just the icing on a cake filled with rich layers of tasty musical rhythm and depth.

"Grandpoop" Michael Sherwood, who produced The Gluey Brothers' latest album "Stiff for the Elders," took the stage to sing on "Orange Monster," along with the band's webmaster, "Mamma Bates Browning" (MBB) in full face paint and a bright yellow raincoat. The double-trumpet playing technique of the Aggressive Fireman (formerly known as the Passive Aggressive Fireman) on "Money Tree" was a tribute to the San Fernando Valley jazz club. And the evening also commemorated the 65th birthday of "Juice Boogie," for whom the Glueys performed their song by the same name to honor their songwriter friend.

The juxtaposition of their humor and theatrics against some seriously funky grooves give The Gluey Brothers an eccentric bent that has earned them a growing fan base throughout the Southwestern United States. Definitely catch this scene the next time the Glueys come to your town. Log on for a taste at The Gluey Brothers: Room 102 (http://www.glueybrothers.com).

-- Tony Winders.

RE: HUMMERS SUCK >>> I too loathe the monstrosity that is the Hummer. One or two have infiltrated my small burg. I'm thinking of adopting this great idea from adbusters.org website and issuing a ticket to the next one I see.

http://www.stayfreemagazine.org/suv/ticket.pdf

-- Michelle Davis.

RE: REAL URLS >>> Great article on deciphering the media:

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/ED03Ak02.html

And more on the "mission" to Iraq:

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/special_packages/iraq/5554317.htm

Test your knowledge of Middle Eastern geography:

http://www.rethinkingschools.org/just_fun/games/mapgame.html

-- forwarded from the Internet.

RE: THE LAST WORD >>> Thanks for your level headed words on the war in Iraq.  I sometimes feel like this whole country has gone mad.  This morning's headlines show a crater where a neighborhood block used to be that supposedly decimated Saddam and his family.  My god who is the butcher here?  This political assasination is disgusting.

There are so many tyrants running countries around the world since absolute power corrupts absolutely.  Juntas mistreating their people for personal gain.  Some make it look bad and some good, but it isn't our duty to kill them all, especially when our administration is one of those leaderships bending the facts for personal gain (which I could write a book on but won't just now).  Why did we jus f**k up the lives of thousands of innocents?

I fear this war is far from over, and every minute the war machine moves there is a problem. What is it about nationalism that craves our overwhelming force against other countries?  I am perplexed as to why americans are getting off on all this death and destruction when a better end result is not guaranteed.  And as you mentioned no WMD have been found (I'm sure a few canisters of something will turn up in the papers soon though).  I am still convinced diplomacy could have solved this.

Perhaps it is good that Saddam will/has been deposed.  Yet the eroding of our morality and Truth itself has been disturbing.  As you so amply noted about the bodies found in the warehouse, our media will once again sugar coat the facts to reinforce this myth of us 'liberating' Iraq.  It's Orwell's 1984 all over again, where there is this constant mediation of our troops killing foreign enemies to galvanize the homefront.

When will we learn?

-- Geofrey Collins.

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