ballad of mary magdalen

Nice shots there ... and they match up well enough with the song. :)

late song blues

courtesy of yours truly

What else have you got!?

Every waking moment of my life there’s been a tune running through my head. I think it’s a blessing.

Indeed, it is!

That link doesn't work. Hope this is the one you were referring to ...

The Temptations - Ball of Confusion

Thanks, Gurl you have a good one as well! :D

Yay! I normally don’t spend much time on Facebook but now that we’re friends I just might check in more often. Years ago I used to bag on my BFF because he liked FB so much. Then one day I checked it out and spent…20 hours straight on it. Got up to pee and that’s about it.

I like it! Have a great rest of the evening ...

Absolutely! And, we have some indigenous artists, too!

Such as Ball of Confusion by the Temptations.

Anyway, while Randy was tuning his guitar he stumbled onto a riff that perked up the audience and band members. They called Burton back in and said, hurry man, we don't want to forget this riff - just sing some words to it, any words ... and American Woman was born ... and put my hometown on the map, sort of. :)

Anyway, here is American Woman - all 14 minutes of it! A version of this video has already been removed from Youtube so watch this one while you can!

Guess Who - American Woman (2000!)

And, then, another Fil analysis video ...

Wings of Pegasus Analysis - American Woman

Like, say, Supper’s Ready by Peter Gabriel-era Genesis. It clocks in at 23:06.

Andelman’s Yard by Mike Gordon of Phish.

The Endless Enigma by Emerson, Lake and Palmer.

Eagles BBC '73

Eagles - Take It To The Limit (1977)

That Prince original is interesting!

Naw, I’d nominate Good Vibrations or perhaps Suite for Judy Blue Eyes as the greatest pop song ever.

Tony Bennett - For Once In My Life (Songs in the Key of Life)

Wings of Pegasus Analysis Video - Tony Bennett at 88 was STILL a MASTER at work

First up, the Prince original followed by Sinead's version and, then a very interesting analysis video of Sinead's cover by Fil from Wings of Pegasus where he explains how Sinead transformed Prince's original through chord changes ...
Prince - Nothing Compares 2 U

Sinead O'Connor -Nothing Compares 2 U

Wings of Pegasus Analysis Video - Sinead O'Connor covering Prince

No theme this evening ... just play what you feel!

I'll start things off with a song that is, arguably and without any logical fallacies on or off the panda list, the best song ever!

Boston - More Than A Feeling

That makes a lot of sense. Still think the TP needs to somehow dispel the myth that Republicans are the better stewards of the economy.

Bidenomics — yes! Reaganomics — no!

While technically correct it doesn’t flow very well, it’s kind of clunky. Also, reachable voters who usually vote red might be a little sensitive about the word “cult” nowadays so it may be more off putting than persuasive.

I like Reaganomics is for the already wealthy — Bidenomics is for the REST of us!

Or,
Bidenomics is more fair than Reaganomics!

And also both times with a President of the United States that was a Democrat and also both times with Biden as a major player in the administration... so not exactly an optimal talking point with which to criticize your political opponent when it can easily be thrown right back in your face.

By this logic if you were in two auto accidents and both times the other party was at fault, YOU are the common denominator, the one person who was present at both accidents. Does that make you a bad driver?

actually i think that IS a better term: the death cult of voodoo economics

Indeed. But, don't we need to tie that to Republican policy, notwithstanding who coined the term?

Hence, the Republican cult of voodoo economics ... whatever will change the notion in most peoples' heads - including here in my country - that says Republicans (perhaps, read: conservatives?? - sounds so quaint, nowadays...) are the best stewards of the economy.

All the polls I have come across still say that a majority of Americans think Republicans, generally speaking, have better economic policies!

I've never been a fan of "talking points" but, my time here has begun to change my mind about that. An effective talking point that begins to change how most voters think about what party is best for the economy would be a good start, no?

No theme sounds good to me. Just like you, this place helped me through the pandemic lockdowns, too. Not sure how I'd have managed without it. In fact, it was because of the lockdowns that I became immersed in music. Music had always been a part of my life but it has become huge over the last few years. It was during this time that I opened up a FB account for the first time - never would have thought I'd ever do that! I have used it primarily to chat about music and discover new music. My favourite FB group is Vancouver Rock Groups from the 60s to 80s and, aside from this place, it is THE best place on the internet(s)! By the way, still waiting for that friend request - how ever did you find me there!?

The Magic 8-Ball idea was hysterically funny. Thank you.

(I didn't comment yesterday because I think I used up my daily quota, ha ha!)

argumentum ad populum

@[23]
my suggestion would be for republicans (as well as allegedly "conservative" dems and indies) to get a better fiscal policy, like perhaps one that's actually conservative rather than mathematically impossible - and for anyone else with more than half a brain to tell them so. as a matter of fact, i believe it was george h.w. bush (41) who called it "voodoo economics" was he a democrat?

JL

Yeah, I miss those Sunday nights, too. What do you say that we try out a no theme Sunday? We can shoot selections back and forth — FYI I never heard of Prism before making your acquaintance here in Weigantia — so, why not? I mean, come on, you surely must get a tune stuck in your head, sometimes for days.

Would you be surprised if I confided that Weigantia really helped me get through the social isolation that Covid caused? Even with Don and Michale it was my cool online family aaand even if we’ll never agree about Ukraine I still aim to meet your blonde/or whatever version over coffee/wine in Vancouver.

I was just reading about the Republican strategy Re. global boiling and it is familiar: Drill baby, drill!

Of course, just like with economic policy, the Democrats aren't doing all that needs to be done, either, on environmental policy. But, also just like the economy, there is one party that doesn't care about climate change and one that is at least doing something right.

Given the great disparity between the two parties on these two critical issues, it shouldn't be too hard to formulate effective talking points that distinguish one party from the other without inviting blowback that hits its mark. Of course, on both issues, Democrats would necessarily have to come clean on their own shortcomings.

"No US foreign policy can be long sustained without the informed consent of the American people."

Majority of Americans oppose more aid for Ukraine

I see your point and, I've made it myself ... on more than one occasion. Ahem.

I once wrote in these pages that Dems need to own up to their part of the failure if they are going to have any hope of changing the false Republican narrative that Republicans have the best pro-growth tax and fiscal policies. Republicans most decidedly do not.

From your comment and from what I know about Democrats' ability to set any narrative, let alone the correct one, and from what I know about the collective knowledge of the electorate, I do not anticipate that an effective talking point on the economy will ever be implemented by Democrats.

And, mark my words ... if Republicans win the WH next November, the narrative will be that voters were thinking about the economy - theirs and that of the country. And, they will have, once again, voted against their own economic interests, not to mention against any number of their other interests.

And, the cycle will continue.

What's your remedy?

That makes crafting a talking point about the Republican cult of economic failure a complicated proposition but hardly impossible.

Yeah, it also occured to me that the oxidized Italian is on pretty shaky ground there on his credit rating thing, and it further ilustrates the proclivity of Dems to give credit for absolutely every last good thing that happens during a Dem president's admin to him, while all the bad stuff is somebody else's doing.

Talk about a missed opportunity: zero talking points noted that the U.S. government's credit rating has suffered only twice, both times with a GOP-controlled Congress.

Yes, that Fitch downgrade was unsurprising. But, the steady deterioration in standards of governance that they cite dates back well more than two decades to at least David Stockman and the Reagan era when the Republican cult of economic failure finds its roots.

A talking point about this is tricky business, to be sure. But, it can be done. And, Chris is certainly the one who could do it!

Democratic administrations are not blameless, after all - not in the deterioration of standards of governance nor in the failure to change the mistaken narrative that Republicans are the better stewards of the economy.

Biden is the Democratic president who has come the closest to rectifying this situation but, sadly, I am sure he won't get it done. For many reasons - and his age ain't one of them. Ahem.

It has taken decades for the false Republican narrative to take shape and it will take as long to correct it, if that is even possible, given the state of the electorate.

As for the point you've read about backfiring talking points - well, that is always possible. But, there are also ways to prevent that and a big part of the answer lies in straightforward communication and a laser focus on policy.

You know who was brilliant at laying out the effect of the Republican cult of economic failure on the US economy? Former treasury secretary Timothy Geithner, that's who! Yeah, seriously! He nailed the talking point at an event held by the Centre For American Progress back during the Obama administration.

He's also the guy who was very largely responsible for saving Main Street and steering the US economy out of great peril in the aftermath of the financial crisis that began in 2008/09. Unfortunately, and despite all of his heroic efforts, he is still pretty radioactive as far as the average ill-informed voter is concerned and therefore not the greatest messenger even though he could be one of the best!

Talk about a missed opportunity: zero talking points noted that the U.S. government's credit rating has suffered only twice, both times with a GOP-controlled Congress.

And also both times with a President of the United States that was a Democrat and also both times with Biden as a major player in the administration... so not exactly an optimal talking point with which to criticize your political opponent when it can easily be thrown right back in your face.

When I'm reading your seemingly requisite weekly rants against Chris and his FTPs, I find myself frequently wondering if you actually understand the purpose of talking points. If the political opponent to which you're talking can easily turn your point back on you... not a good talking point. If your opponents' response is easily recognizable as total fabrication or it's deflection like "but, but, Hillary" and/or "but, but, Hunter Biden's laptop" or all manner of other whataboutism... good talking point. :)

Forgive me if it seems heartless to say: dying doesn't make one 'impressive' that week.
For those interested in learning more about her impressive PAST accomplishments (which oddly Chris NEVER mentioned in a single FTP column that I recall):
https://www.politico.com/news/2023/08/02/new-jersey-lt-gov-sheila-olivers-legacy-a-progressive-champion-and-ideal-public-servant-00109429

“This view is more than controversial; it’s incorrect,” Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) posted on X. “As a government official, I welcome the American people holding me accountable—why doesn’t Justice Alito?”'
https://www.politico.com/news/2023/07/29/democrats-alito-scotus-ethics-00108873

The two first-term lawmakers were expelled in April after they joined demonstrators in calling for stronger gun control following a Nashville school shooting that left three children and three adults dead.'
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/2-tennessee-house-dems-win-back-legislative-seats-after-expulsion-for-gun-control-protest_n_64cbc2c1e4b03ad2b89d6443

"Republicans INCREASE the government's deficit with their political games" perhaps?

'Fitch Ratings has downgraded the United States government’s credit rating, citing ... a “steady deterioration in standards of governance” over the past two decades.
...
It’s only the second time in the nation’s history that its credit rating has been cut. In 2011, the ratings agency Standard & Poor’s stripped the U.S. of its prize AAA rating after a prolonged fight over the government’s borrowing limit. The Government Accountability Office, in a 2012 report, estimated that the 2011 budget standoff raised Treasury’s borrowing costs by $1.3 billion that year.'
https://apnews.com/article/credit-rating-downgrade-deficit-68fb6c578190d8361b6639e603714e5a

Also, is that your blonde Facebook profile? If so I’ll send you a friend request. FB simply eats too many hours (like Twitter) but it’d be cool to interact with you on that platform. No worries if you’re not into it, K?

In fact FYI I almost voted for Jill Stein in 2016 and I knew that TFG’s upset win would energize the Democratic Wing of the Democratic Party.

I ignore the polling on Dark Brandon because it wasn’t reflected in the 2022 election results. Joe’s results in his first midterm in office was more successful than any President since Saint Ronnie? The polls are vastly overrated, it seems.

You picked the right headline for this Friday’s column and I want you to know that I may have enjoyed reading it almost as much as I suspect you had writing it. I get the impression that quite a bit of this simply flowed out of you with a minimum of friction. Having said that I find that writing well is a struggle. I’m an endless font of words, trust me. It’s the cutting out and consolidation of words and concepts that most challenges me. Good job, Amigo!

And nice to see you Kick — you and Elizabeth are most intriguing!

I’m as prone to hand-wringing as all my Fellow Travelers, okay?

But Joe crushed it in 2020 and with each passing day Trump is losing any chance at winning the swing voters needed to be re-elected. TFG NEVER hit 50% approval rating and that’s before Covid and J6. So where is he going to find the votes to win the general?

I predict epic bloodbath next year. Yes, we can’t be complacent and we must bust ass to get the job done but the good guys in Murica are energized against the threat that we faced and will face.

I predict that Joe will trounce TFG bigly and resign the office after two years. This will allow Kamala to show Murica that a girl is just as good as a boy.

The real question is how speedy the trial will be.

Oh, Magic 8 Ball!

Will it happen before the election?

Most likely.

Will it happen before the primary season?

Outlook not so good.

Or will Trump prove to be the master of legal delays and successfully push it all out after the 2024 election?

Very doubtful.

These are crucial questions, for the sake of American democracy.

Hence, the Magic 8 Ball. :)

But in the new case, Trump will now make a motion to move the venue to someplace other than D.C. -- and this motion will fail.

The perpetually aggrieved Righties are whining incessantly that Defendant Donald can't get a fair trial in D.C., the same BS that multiple of the other January 6 Defendants have claimed who tried and failed to get a change of venue from the place where they committed their crime(s).

Public Service Announcement

If you feel like you cannot get a fair jury trial for committing crime(s) in Washington, DC, forget about a small town, you best not try that in a federal district; however, if you do get indicted by the United States District Court for the District of Columbia for [allegedly] perpetrating crime(s), simply waive a trial by jury, choose a bench trial wherein you argue your charge(s) before the bench and throw yourself on the mercy of the Court.

Thoughts to ponder. :)

Heh. Seriously, I doubt that Biden would have ever decided such a thing. And, why the Hell should he!?