Reunion, more political fallout, torture, new Rules
Forthcoming: TSA, assorted updates, more concerts, 4th Amendment

Reunion

I recently attended my high school reunion and actually had fun. I like many people there, was trepidatious about going. I wasn't even sure I wanted to go. I half expected a lot of reminiscing or one upmanship on careers and success. That really wasn't there. Additionally, few people changed physically. Some did, but not many. What was really nice, though, was that most people changed mentally. I really didn't see the high school cliques too much. Granted there were some people with whom I avoided saying hello and they did likewise but for the most part it was a genial time aided by an open bar.

More political Fallout

To all my Libertarian friends who razzed me on my stance regarding the new Wal-Mart - there is now proof that the city of Westminster (or at least its agents) signed a deal in spring of 2004 to give Jordan Perlmutter a minimum of $6M. Lets talk about that corporate welfare and how little money the new Wal-Mart will bring to the city!

As for C and D - I'm not sure if it is the best of both worlds or the worst. As many of you know I decided how to vote on those measures very late in the campaign (and still will not reveal how I voted because I believe in secret ballots). Also, Gov. Owens followup has not been real honest. It seems he is set on turning Colorado into Los Angeles with a view no matter what. This is not only evidenced by his recent ideas for spending but based upon his signature for the Tollway in the eastern plains that will displace homeowners.

Torture

Bush continues to take a disgusting stance in this regard. There is no excuse for torture because not only is the information we receive dubious at best, but it lowers us to a level we should not condone and encourages others to do the same onto our soldiers and people. Torture is an abomination that should have been banished long ago and holds no place in our society (and as a caveat, I do not see lethal injection as torture or cruel and unusual - though torture would be cruel and unusual).

As someone noted in the Denver Post this morning, based upon reports of kidnapping Italians to Egypt and secret prisons outside of the U.S., President Bush can honestly claim that we don't torture - like other jobs in America we contract overseas.

New Rules

New Rule: If you bore us publicly with your engagement - you do not need to also bore us with your divorce. Really Nick and Jessica - part, makeup, create a couple of children dumber than you, whatever. Just get it over with - there are so many other worthless couples for the media to fawn over that you're just taking up newsprint.

New Rule: Only two measurements are needed for jeans - waistline and leg length. I don't want jeans that are relaxed fit, or tight fit, or low waist, or high waist or big cuffs, or other ridiculous decisions. If I wanted to make that many decisions when buying clothes - I'd buy a dress.

And finally New Rule: If you say you're going to fund something - fund it! I'll have more on this one later but let's just say a certain group is acting like a cheap magician with "now you see the quarter, now you don't".

- Russell Weisfield

Tull, Rock and Roll thoughts, Film Fest Films, Car Reparis

Coming Soon: torture, updates, new Rules

Jethro Tull
So the Jethro Tull concert I saw on Thursday (the second one played in Denver) was quite good! Granted I am a little biased being a huge fan but other people have likewise said as much. The setlist is available at the ministry of infomration (searching on Jethro TUll setlist on Google will easily land it). I have to say that the highlight of the evening was when Lucia Micarelli played with the band especially on a cover of Led Zeppelin's Kashmir! It was phenonmenal. I have never seen such passion behind a violinst before. Now I will grant that saying the highlight of Tull concert was a cover of Zeppelin song in a way that not even Zeppelin would do seems kind of weird. This is not to say that the rest of the set was bad. Its been a long time since some of the songs from the Aqualung album were played live and on this tour they have played all of them!

Mind you, the days of a big screen Tullavision are long gone. Also gone are the days of Ian Anderson twirling the flute and throwing it in the air - I haven't really seen that since the 25th anniversary tour. What one sees now on the tour is a musical tour de force performance with some gags (for example right before playing Boris Dancing Ian explained that it was a tribute to Boris Yeltsin for being so strung out on Vodka that he would never be able to find the button to eliminate us all). Quite a fun show if that's what you want to see in a live rock and roll performance.

"I didn't know anybody still went to see Jethro Tull in 2005" - Fred Bramhall
"Would you go see Bob Dylan if he came around for a concert?" - Mary Clark
"Yes, but that's different" - Fred Bramhall

On an interesting note, I was sitting next to someone who is good friends with guitarist Martin Barre. Apparently the band is making a lot more now than in their days of selling out Madison Square Gardens - and that's inflation adjusted. Something about more efficiency and not wasting money on such things as two first class plane tickets - one for himself and one for his guitar.

Rock and Roll Thoughts

I'v been thinking a bit on Rock and Roll performances, bands, etc. this past week. In fact I've been thinking back to a lot of the concerts I've seen in the past few years and most of the bands (that were the reason for my attendance as opposed to just an opener) were around prior to 1990. Many more were around prior to 1980. The Young Dubliners, Pat McCurdy (his first solo album was right around 1990) and The Offspring tend to be the exclusion. Not that I didn't try and get tickets to other shows - I just didn't get them. I've heard that some of the shows have been really phenonmenal - and I like some with special effects. In fact I think it can enhance a concert and I sometimes feel cheated when a band simply stands on stage and runs through their power songs (Fleetwood Mac comes to mind as a lousy live show these days). Yet at the same time, the bands are musicians and as John Dover believes, they should make their money playing music and not simply living off the royalties of one or two songs. Heck, as musicians they should probably also look to expand their musical talents and not get stuck in a particular sound or just playing the same songs. This may not be as commercially viable but certainly could be indicative of better musicianship. Just some stream of conscious thoughts.

Film Fest Films

This week I have seen "Hidden Blade", "L'Amant", "Homeland: Four Portraits of Native America", "The Matador", and I will soon see "Amongst White Clouds" skipping "Wal-Mart the High Cost of Low Prices". OF these films, Hidden Blade was decent. It had pretty colors, a decent love story, and some nice comic relief. It was not stellar but certainly worthy of watching to see what all is going on in the film world.

"L'Amant" was fairly dreadful. I'm trying to get it out of my mind. I won't bore anyone with details but even though the director (Hiroki) and actress were present I left. Fred said his other film being screened - Girlfriend - was also pretty bad. At one point the person with whom he saw it said he had looked down only to look up and wonder which boring Japanese Actress was now on screen.

Homeland was a fairly standard documentary. Recognize it for something of propaganda about Native American issues. It wasn't as blatant as a Michael Moore film and certainly showed why some of the enviorment issues that tribes on reservations across the country are facing are of more national importance. In fact, most national media have ignored these issues. It is something that should be discussed more - and alas something that the movie did not do. This was especially true on the Uranium mining on the Navajo reservation. There were many issues skipped that I would like to have known more about before feeling like I could form an educated opinion.

"The Matador" is a film funded by and starring Pierce Brosnan. It is quite a performance by him. The movie tells of an assassain whom you kind of like. Oh he's got some reprehensible traits as he swallows Greg Kinnear into his world but he still has a charm. The director afterwards added some nice anecdotes explaining in part that Bronsan pushed back the start of the film so he could star in some other tripe. In fact, Brosnan figured it would be bad but it was paying him enough to lose money on "The Matador". Greg Kinnear also made an interesting quote about being worreid about crime in Mexico City. As the director said, the only people who had to worry about kidnappings were American Business Men. Kinnear's retort - "I'm playing an American Businesseman". Its a worthwhile film for an evening of fun. Catch it when it comes - though I would try and get a cheap ticket and not pay $10.00 or whatever.

"Amongst White Clouds" has been selling out. I am not sure why though the scenery of Tibet should be pretty striking. I will find out soon enough.

Car Repairs

I wanted to thank BR&D Landscaping. The driver who hit my car while it was parked left all the information I needed (insurance agent, policy number, company contact information, etc.). The company then worked with me to make sure that my car was fully fixed the way I wanted, by the mechanic I wanted, and that I had a car in the interim. B,R, and D Landscaping paid for everything and was pretty easy to work with. While such actions should be occuring, so many places are dishonest. BR&D Landscaping gave me no problems about any of hte costs or repairs. This, for example, is a striking discrepancy from that piece of drivel cable company I have known as Comcast which STILL has not apologized for the installation man who urinated on my house - even after I called and wrote them again (including other issues I needed to deal with them about).

- Russell Weisfield

Veterans Day post - quick tribute, CIA and torture, Comcast, Film Fest, Halloween songs, Carrie's book, stupid comments, and . . . New Rules


Tribute

On Veterans Day I find it only appropriate to take a quick moment and thank our soldiers. In fact, I will take a little extra time to honor my favorite soldier, Mr. Julius Sfarti a WWII veteran who died on April 26th this year and whose flag I am proud to have. Love You Grandpa!

THANKS TO ALL TO VETS

CIA

Dave wrote, appropriately on Guy Fawkes Day (Nov 5), about his outrage regarding CIA prisons outside of the U.S. I couldn't agree with his statements more. The Washington Post should indeed publish where they are. It has been said that national security would be compromised if they publish where, is that not the classic answer from the government when telling a "free press" what to publish and what not to publish? The fact is these prisons should not be secretive. Its not as if they are a military unit planning an assault (at least I hope not). Remember, in WWII the Red Cross visisted prison camps (ok some were kept hidden by various forces because of the utmost cruelty being done to prisoners - and I am referring to concentration camps as well as POW camps). Why should we not let the Red Cross visit prison camps? Why do we have any outside of the U.S. without the foreign country's oversight? More intestingly, as the Libertarian Party is asking why the Republicans are more concerened with who leaked the information rather than why these prisons exist.

Torture

As Reggie Rivers notes in his column today, how can the President say we are abiding by laws when some of these allegations are going on - well as Reggie points out the "we" is subjective. Bush probably is not torturing the prisonser (he might be torturing the rest of us but he is not torturing the prisoners). Why would the first thing he vetoes be a bill banning torture? There have been so many things he could veto and now he wants to veto a humane measure? I think you really have to wonder if he has that kind of mentatlity.

Comcast
Comcast is on my list of companies to disparage. When they first installed my high speed internet access the tech urinated on my house. No seriously. To date, Comcast has YET TO APOLOGIZE to me. Now, just a week ago they deleted some of my subaccounts. How does that happen. They continue to blame me. I'm sorry guys, but you all flubbed this one. One day they were working and the next they were not - they didn't even exist. While it may be possible someone got the password and deleted them, why would that unscrupulous person do more interesting things like send spam and steal my other email. Comcast, you're a bloated uncaring conglomerate that excels in annoying the customer. To that end, any high speed internet providers who wish to spam me feel free to do so for the next month - I will probably buy your product.

Film Fest

The Denver International Film Fest has started and I will be sitting in front of many movies. Last year CSA was one of my favorites. The current site offers an eSlave auction site and insight about where this fantastic movie will be showing. This year I intend to see a new Samurai movie (Japanese film is being highlighted this year), The Matador, a movie from a Native American Perspective, and a potentially a handful of others including one that interviews some fugitive perpetrators of bombings in Lebanon in the 80s. Not showing at the film fest but one that ought to be interesting and is coming out soon involves Wal-Mart

Halloween Songs

I knew someone who once said that he was sick of The Monster Mash and Purple People Eater being the only songs played around Halloween. I therefore have compiled this list (in no particular order) to help in your Halloween listening next year:


1. Werewolves of London (Warren Zevon)
2. The Number of the Beast (Iron Maiden)
3. Purple People Eater
4. Night of the Vampire (Grim Reaper)
5. This is Halloween (from Nightmare before Christmas)
6. The Monster Mash
7. Sympathy For the Devil (Originally by The Rolling Stones)
8. Casper The Friendly Ghost (hey I was brainstorming and not Googling)
9. Auntie Purple's House (Pat McCurdy - mentions many Halloween creatures)
10. Medusa (Anthrax)
11. The Thing That Should Not Be (Metallica - about Cthulu)
12. Beastie (Jethro Tull)
13. Little Shop of Horrors
14. Slime Creatures From Outer Space ("Weird" Al Yankovic)
15. Until It Sleeps (Metallica - about the monsters at night)
16. Enter Sandman (Metallica - about the beasts under the bed)
17. Misery Loves Company (Anthrax - about Stephen King's Misery)
18. Ghost Riders in the Sky (I like Johnny Cash's version)
19. Feed Me Seymour (from "Little Shop of Horrors")
20. Battle of Evermore (Led Zeppelin's song from the Lord of the Rings)
21. Science Fiction (from Rocky Horror Picture Show)
22. Among the Living (Anthrax - about Stephen King's The Stand)

And for a really scary song: "Can I Move In With You" - Pat McCurdy

Carrie's book

A friend of mine named Carrie Vaughn has written a book published on November 1st called "Kitty and the Midnight Hour". I've started reading it and its not bad. Its a werewolf book that reminds me a lot of Kelley Armstrong's books. The protagonist has been likened to Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake. Thankfully Carrie has promised not to go down Hamilton's path which was to start with a good series and just let it decay into nonsensical, irrelevant, sexual misadventures.


Stupid and Amusing Comments

From my Daily Calendar: "There is one word that can sum up the Vice President's responsibility and that is to be prepared" - Dan Quayle

A commercial I recently heard advertising to guys that buying an engagement ring should be an extremely fun experience. Why do I think that most guys are just thinking about the big investment on the ring, the commitment, and all that money for a small item he'll never wear.

Its Federal Employee's Open Season - that means its legal to hunt them.

New Rules

I just finished reading Bill Maher's book "New Rules". This is mostly a compilation of his previous New Rules read on the show but they're still funny - especially if you remember the original context. The Taxatana line is still classic! Regardless here are my new rules:



New Rule: You can't criticize tax increases if you screwed up spending when you were in the legislature. John Andrews, former Speaker of the House in Colorado and current Denver Post columnist has continued to attack the passage of Referendum C. Oh please, the last time Republicans couldn't get over the oncoming of a Bill they disliked was when Monica was on her knees in the Oval Office. Really John, during the campaign you attacked Ref C. simply so you could cuddle up with your still in the closet Republican buddies. You didn't mind distancing them when you were in office but now that you were term limited you're looking for new ways to induldge in self promotion. I have an idea, why don't you just buy a forehead ad from some yutz on Ebay instead.


New Rule: Free press is not generated for antagonizing your teammates. The amount of air time and press coverage given to Terrell Owens almost makes the time given to Baby Jessica miniscule. We get it T.O., your a loud mouth egomaniac. Now can everyone just shut up about him and write the important things like how many cathes he's made, how many touchdowns he's dropped, and how many minutes in a 3.25 hour football game is really comprised of commercials?


And finally, New Rule: Former backup NFL quarterbacks need to stay retired. First we had Tommy Maddux lose a game for the Steelers and now there is a former backup on CBS's survivor. He was a backup years ago and he'll be a backup in this competition too. Americans really need to get their T.V. watching straight and watch important shows like "Celebrity Blackjack."


- Russell Weisfield

Quick Highlights - World Series of Poker, Election

Its late and I haven't written in a while so I just want to put in a few quick updates. First, I'll Be going to the WORLD SERIES OF POKER! After entering a tournament sponsored by IRSA, an organization endorsed by Juila Roberts that works towards finding a cure for Retts Syndrome (Not Turretts) I won a 5K seat at the World Series of Poker in Vegas in the summer. I'm stoked.

It looks like the Wal-Mart measures will fail so the store will be built. Having just come from the election party, the group is a little distraught but not completely morbid. C is passing and D is failing - a most interesting situation. Doug Anderson looks like he'll be the first Libertarian elected to a council seat in metro Denver. Congrats to him. Congrats also to Mark Kaiser on getting the nod for Westminster city council.

I'm tired so not a whole lot else coming out now though I will mention my Guy Fawkes party seems to be falling through. Oh well. So much to do so little time.

- Russell Weisfield