I was really hoping that a new presidential administration might make our leaders in Washington stop the petty wrangling on important issues and get to serious work in fixing the worsening state of our economy. With thousands of people losing their jobs every day, I was optimistic that the president and congress would roll up their collective sleeves and get to work together to fix this mess. The administration introduced a stimulus bill to hopefully jump start the process. The republicans in Congress disagreed with several points in the bill as written. The President went to them in the spirit of compromise and changed and deleted several measures in the original proposal. Even after significant alterations at the request of the Republican Congressmen, not a SINGLE one voted for it. It passed of course, and it would have passed as originally written. I suppose bi-partisanship or post-partisanship does not enter the minds of republican congressmen. What is apparent is that some people are very sore losers.
My big sister Doreen gave me a birthday gift. It was Bill O'Reilly's latest book "A Bold Fresh Piece Of Humanity". Doreen and I are not fans of Bill O'Reilly but the fact remains that my two sisters (Ellen is the other one) and I went to the same grammer school as Bill. It was and is St. Brigid School in Westbury, Long Island, New York. I have many memories of the 8 years I inhabited the place and Bill's book was primarily about his recollections of the 8 years he was there. He talks about many of the same people I knew and the places and experiences we shared growing up in middle class Long Island. I must admit, the book brought back a flood of memories. That was cool.
Unfortunately, the story unfolded into a self serving advertisement for Bill's TV show. He expounded on how noble he is and how his cause is righteous and the precise ways his staff investigates everything that he spouts about (or bloviates as he calls it).
Today, Mr. O'Reilly was exposed as the unintelligent fraud that he really is. He attacked, of all people, the ACTRESS, Jessica Alba for making an off handed comment to some reporter that he should be neutral like Sweden. O'Reilly called her a "pinhead" for this remark and said that everyone knows Switzerland is the neutral country.
Ms. Alba responded on her blog:
“Last week, Mr. Bill O’Reilly and some really classy sites, i.e.TMZ, insinuated I was dumb by claiming Sweden was a neutral country, It’s so sad to me that you think the only neutral country during WWII was Switzerland.”
" I appreciate the name calling and the accurate reporting. Keep it up!!”
The fact is Sweden proffessed neutrality and has remained neutral since 1814. Their stance on this is recognized by the U.N. and all countries. I guess the well educated Bill O'Reilly and his crack staff missed this one.
The point is, stupid people can make a pile of money by bloviating to other stupid people. Bill O'Reilly certainly has. It is refreshing that a 27 year old actress is smarter than a 60 year old man who went to Harvard, Marist, Chaminade, and St. Brigid.
DD
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
A TIME TO REJOICE!
As I watched the concert for President Obama's inauguration, I was touched by the performances and the exuberance of the massive crowd. It paled however to the throng over 2 million strong who witnessed the oath of office. This was truly a great day for America!
The concert had many high points including a personal one. When John Mellencamp took the stage, Magge wondered if Andy was there. As soon as I heard the lead guitar, I said "that's Andy!" My friend Andy York was playing at The Lincoln Memorial! Andy York is the lead guitar player in Ian Hunter's Rant Band. He produced Ian's last few CDs. He does the same for John Mellencamp. I first met him in 2001 outside of Mulcahy's which is a bar in Wantagh, NY. We've talked several times since then and although he is a "rock star", he has always been gracious and very nice. It was cool to see him rocking for America!
The highest point was Pete Seeger leading the crowd on a Woody Guthrie song that we all know. "THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND" should be our national anthem. Pete Seeger wrote some amazing songs too. I believe his finest was "Turn, Turn, Turn" which was taken almost ver bat um from ECCLESIASTES.
"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under Heaven"
We are witnessing a time in which the purpose is to take our battered and troubled union into the new millennium and forge a greater place for our children and grand children to have a happy, peaceful, and useful existence.
" I perceive that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his own works"
ECCLESIASTES: 22
I believe that finally, ALL are included in our great country. We walk together as one nation at last. The greatest accomplishments are still to come. Today was truly a day to celebrate the greatest nation the world has ever known.
There is nothing WE can not do.
Let us all rejoice.
DD
The concert had many high points including a personal one. When John Mellencamp took the stage, Magge wondered if Andy was there. As soon as I heard the lead guitar, I said "that's Andy!" My friend Andy York was playing at The Lincoln Memorial! Andy York is the lead guitar player in Ian Hunter's Rant Band. He produced Ian's last few CDs. He does the same for John Mellencamp. I first met him in 2001 outside of Mulcahy's which is a bar in Wantagh, NY. We've talked several times since then and although he is a "rock star", he has always been gracious and very nice. It was cool to see him rocking for America!
The highest point was Pete Seeger leading the crowd on a Woody Guthrie song that we all know. "THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND" should be our national anthem. Pete Seeger wrote some amazing songs too. I believe his finest was "Turn, Turn, Turn" which was taken almost ver bat um from ECCLESIASTES.
"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under Heaven"
We are witnessing a time in which the purpose is to take our battered and troubled union into the new millennium and forge a greater place for our children and grand children to have a happy, peaceful, and useful existence.
" I perceive that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his own works"
ECCLESIASTES: 22
I believe that finally, ALL are included in our great country. We walk together as one nation at last. The greatest accomplishments are still to come. Today was truly a day to celebrate the greatest nation the world has ever known.
There is nothing WE can not do.
Let us all rejoice.
DD
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
50 years!
On December 30, 2008, I became 50 years old. Just the thought of that number makes me cringe. When my Dad turned 50, he was ancient. I was only 10 at the time in 1969 and we were already worlds apart.
By then I had already discovered Rock and Roll. My parents were more enamored with the music they grew up with and they couldn't fathom the new music that was pervasive everywhere. I actually tried, many times, to turn them on to my favorites like The Beatles, Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, The Who, The Byrds, Bob Dylan, and other performers that I thought they might enjoy. They wouldn't even listen.
My parents were supportive though, so when I was 13, they bought me an electric guitar (a Univox) and a small amp. They paid for my lessons. They had sent me earlier to accordion and clarinet lessons as well which ultimately failed. The guitar lessons proved to be a bit more successful.
My guitar teacher was a man named John Wynn. He taught out of his mother's basement in Carle Place, Long Island, New York. He played profesionally in wedding type bands and made a decent living playing and teaching music. I went there religiously every Tuesday after school and learned the basics of playing guitar.
There was a student who had the lesson right before me. I would sit in the basement waiting room and hear amazing sounds. I must admit, that after hearing this kid, I was very intimidated. He was a chubby kid and he was about 11 years old. We eventually met and hung out a few times. We went to Matthew Music, which was a store in the old Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City, NY. This kid played every great guitar in the store and completely floored the staff who were all great players too. His name was Steven Vai. He was my friend.
Tonight there was a ceremony at The Kennedy Center in Washington honoring several great artists. Among them was The Who. It was a moving ceremony which included their rich history, some comic moments by their presenter Jack Black, homage's by several artists, and a loving tribute by the NYC Finest and Bravest. In the days following 9/11/01, The Who were the first band to pay tribute to our heroes of that day.
I took my daughter Jessica to her very first rock concert. It was The Who playing their revival of possibly the greatest album of all time, Quadrophenia. She was 15. I was 36. I told her that she was ruined for all time because she would never see a concert as good as this. I took all my kids to see The Who, including Dylan, who saw them at Madison Square Garden when he was 9!
Music has always been a big part of my life. On my 50th birthday, My wife Magge, all 5 of my kids, David, Jessica, Ian, Alison, Dylan, plus my daughter in law Diana, got up on stage and played and sang "Teach Your Children" for ME!!!
So I guess I'm 50. In my head I will always be 18.
I Hope I Die Before I Get Old!!!!!
DD
By then I had already discovered Rock and Roll. My parents were more enamored with the music they grew up with and they couldn't fathom the new music that was pervasive everywhere. I actually tried, many times, to turn them on to my favorites like The Beatles, Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, The Who, The Byrds, Bob Dylan, and other performers that I thought they might enjoy. They wouldn't even listen.
My parents were supportive though, so when I was 13, they bought me an electric guitar (a Univox) and a small amp. They paid for my lessons. They had sent me earlier to accordion and clarinet lessons as well which ultimately failed. The guitar lessons proved to be a bit more successful.
My guitar teacher was a man named John Wynn. He taught out of his mother's basement in Carle Place, Long Island, New York. He played profesionally in wedding type bands and made a decent living playing and teaching music. I went there religiously every Tuesday after school and learned the basics of playing guitar.
There was a student who had the lesson right before me. I would sit in the basement waiting room and hear amazing sounds. I must admit, that after hearing this kid, I was very intimidated. He was a chubby kid and he was about 11 years old. We eventually met and hung out a few times. We went to Matthew Music, which was a store in the old Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City, NY. This kid played every great guitar in the store and completely floored the staff who were all great players too. His name was Steven Vai. He was my friend.
Tonight there was a ceremony at The Kennedy Center in Washington honoring several great artists. Among them was The Who. It was a moving ceremony which included their rich history, some comic moments by their presenter Jack Black, homage's by several artists, and a loving tribute by the NYC Finest and Bravest. In the days following 9/11/01, The Who were the first band to pay tribute to our heroes of that day.
I took my daughter Jessica to her very first rock concert. It was The Who playing their revival of possibly the greatest album of all time, Quadrophenia. She was 15. I was 36. I told her that she was ruined for all time because she would never see a concert as good as this. I took all my kids to see The Who, including Dylan, who saw them at Madison Square Garden when he was 9!
Music has always been a big part of my life. On my 50th birthday, My wife Magge, all 5 of my kids, David, Jessica, Ian, Alison, Dylan, plus my daughter in law Diana, got up on stage and played and sang "Teach Your Children" for ME!!!
So I guess I'm 50. In my head I will always be 18.
I Hope I Die Before I Get Old!!!!!
DD
Saturday, December 6, 2008
December 7th and 8th...Days that will live in infamy
I asked a young man I work with if he knew the significance of December 7. He didn't know. I then asked him if he knew the significance of September 11. Of course he knew. He was alive when that happened. I was not alive on 12/7/41 but I know what happened. I know because my parents lived it and it changed their lives in astounding ways as it affected our entire country and the world. They passed it on to their children just as we must pass our recollections to our children.
There are few left who remember 12/7/41. Old World War II Veterans die at the rate of 851 per day. There were 2,402 Americans killed that Sunday morning in Hawaii. Thousands more were injured. It was the event that brought America into the bloodiest conflict in human history. Young men and women should know this and remember. Teach your children well.
On December 8, 1980, I was in my apartment in Roslyn, NY. I was listening to some music and had the Monday Night Football game on the TV. I got a phone call from a friend who told me John Lennon had been shot. I turned down the music and turned up the TV just as Howard Cosell told the nation that John Lennon had been murdered outside of his home in New York City. It took days before it sunk in that a great man who literaly changed the world through music had been taken from us. It is a uniquely human trait to remember vividly where you were and what you were doing at moments like these.
Every December, I recall the stories my parents told about Pearl Harbor. I Imagine a world where John Lennon is still with us. I dream about a future when no man kills another. Sadly, I will probably never see that dream come to fruition.
"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope some day you'll join us, and the world will live as one" - Lohn Lennon
DD
There are few left who remember 12/7/41. Old World War II Veterans die at the rate of 851 per day. There were 2,402 Americans killed that Sunday morning in Hawaii. Thousands more were injured. It was the event that brought America into the bloodiest conflict in human history. Young men and women should know this and remember. Teach your children well.
On December 8, 1980, I was in my apartment in Roslyn, NY. I was listening to some music and had the Monday Night Football game on the TV. I got a phone call from a friend who told me John Lennon had been shot. I turned down the music and turned up the TV just as Howard Cosell told the nation that John Lennon had been murdered outside of his home in New York City. It took days before it sunk in that a great man who literaly changed the world through music had been taken from us. It is a uniquely human trait to remember vividly where you were and what you were doing at moments like these.
Every December, I recall the stories my parents told about Pearl Harbor. I Imagine a world where John Lennon is still with us. I dream about a future when no man kills another. Sadly, I will probably never see that dream come to fruition.
"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope some day you'll join us, and the world will live as one" - Lohn Lennon
DD
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
The Price Of Oil
For several years I have played a great song written by Billy Bragg called "The Price Of Oil". Ever since we were involved in the Iraq War, the price of gas and home heating oil increased as the war dragged on but spiked about a year ago. It reached its zenith last May when the price of gas topped out at about $4.50 per gallon. The residual effect was an increase in prices for any goods that were delivered by truck, train, or plane. We were all affected in many ways.
The price of gas and oil is currently back under $2.00 per gallon. What was the real reason for this spike? Did OPEC go wild with their prices? Did Hurricane Katrina hurt our oil production in the Gulf of Mexico? OR...was it artificially inflated to give the big corporations an even bigger profit in the last days of the Bush administration?
Whatever the answer may be, one thing is certain. Our "leaders" were asleep at the wheel at best and were co-conspiritors at least. I believe the latter.
"Voices on the radio, tell us that we're going to war. Our brave men and women in uniform want to know what they're fighting for. The generals want to hear the end game, the allies won't approve the plan. But the oil men in the white house, just don't give a damn.....
It's all about the price of oil....
Don't give me no shit about blood, sweat, and tears, and toil....
It's all about the price of oil".
-Billy Bragg, 2003
"The profiteers dance, their pockets are filled. They don't give a damn about my brothers or sisters they've killed"
-Dave Drew, 2006
Please...Think, use your brain! and at the very least... Question authority!!!!
DD
The price of gas and oil is currently back under $2.00 per gallon. What was the real reason for this spike? Did OPEC go wild with their prices? Did Hurricane Katrina hurt our oil production in the Gulf of Mexico? OR...was it artificially inflated to give the big corporations an even bigger profit in the last days of the Bush administration?
Whatever the answer may be, one thing is certain. Our "leaders" were asleep at the wheel at best and were co-conspiritors at least. I believe the latter.
"Voices on the radio, tell us that we're going to war. Our brave men and women in uniform want to know what they're fighting for. The generals want to hear the end game, the allies won't approve the plan. But the oil men in the white house, just don't give a damn.....
It's all about the price of oil....
Don't give me no shit about blood, sweat, and tears, and toil....
It's all about the price of oil".
-Billy Bragg, 2003
"The profiteers dance, their pockets are filled. They don't give a damn about my brothers or sisters they've killed"
-Dave Drew, 2006
Please...Think, use your brain! and at the very least... Question authority!!!!
DD
Sunday, November 23, 2008
The RFK Bridge
On November 19, 2008, The Triborough Bridge was officially re-named The Robert Francis Kennedy Memorial Bridge. It was forty years ago this past June when Bobby Kennedy was gunned down by an assasin after winning the California Democratic presidential primary. We can only guess at what would have happenned if Bobby Kennedy faced Richard Nixon in the 1968 election. Perhaps some close friends would be alive today. Perhaps there would be peace.
After the assasination of Martin Luther King in April of 1968, Bobby predicted that in 40 years we would elect a black man to our highest office.
The tribute on 11/19/08 at the RFK Bridge included many speakers. This is what Mayor Bloomberg said:
Robert F. Kennedy is a perfect match in both regards. He climbed mountains — literally. In fact, there’s one in Canada named for him. But he also scaled plenty of mountains in his political career, cracking down on organized crime, helping his brother resolve the Cuban Missile Crisis, and fighting for equal opportunity for all Americans — from Bed-Stuy to Birmingham.
As United States attorney general, a U.S. senator from New York, and later, as a candidate for president, Robert F. Kennedy thought on a grand scale and achieved what many thought impossible.
He stood at the summit and saw the true soul of America. And like the great bridge that stretches above us, he tied us together: people of every color, every class, every creed. He united us — as New Yorkers and Americans — in the common cause of social justice. He devoted his life to the belief that America should be a place where any child — regardless of race or religion — has an equal shot at realizing the American dream of getting a good education, and of being elected to our nation’s highest office. He knew that day would come. And it has.
His most famous quote is:
"There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why... I dream of things that never were and ask why not."
We miss you Bobby!
DD
After the assasination of Martin Luther King in April of 1968, Bobby predicted that in 40 years we would elect a black man to our highest office.
The tribute on 11/19/08 at the RFK Bridge included many speakers. This is what Mayor Bloomberg said:
Robert F. Kennedy is a perfect match in both regards. He climbed mountains — literally. In fact, there’s one in Canada named for him. But he also scaled plenty of mountains in his political career, cracking down on organized crime, helping his brother resolve the Cuban Missile Crisis, and fighting for equal opportunity for all Americans — from Bed-Stuy to Birmingham.
As United States attorney general, a U.S. senator from New York, and later, as a candidate for president, Robert F. Kennedy thought on a grand scale and achieved what many thought impossible.
He stood at the summit and saw the true soul of America. And like the great bridge that stretches above us, he tied us together: people of every color, every class, every creed. He united us — as New Yorkers and Americans — in the common cause of social justice. He devoted his life to the belief that America should be a place where any child — regardless of race or religion — has an equal shot at realizing the American dream of getting a good education, and of being elected to our nation’s highest office. He knew that day would come. And it has.
His most famous quote is:
"There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why... I dream of things that never were and ask why not."
We miss you Bobby!
DD
Sunday, November 16, 2008
The Struggle Continues (No on 8)
My friends, as we rejoiced in the fact that our beloved America finaly boldly announced to the world that we are truly free, the cause of liberty was sadly silenced in some quarters on November 4, 2008. California passed Proposition 8 which disallowed marriage between persons of the same sex. A small victory occurred when Connecticut joined Massachusetts as the only 2 states that allow such unions.
On November 15, 2008, there were rallies in every major city in America to raise awareness to the fact that there are currently about 30 MILLION Americans who are not allowed to wed. In 1968, there were 16 States where it was illegal for people from different races to wed.
The other night, I watched a movie that was made that year (1968). It was "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" starring Spencer Tracy, Katherine Hepburn, Sidnet Poitier, among others. It featured some pretty dated dialogue concerning a "colored" man marrying a white woman. The subject was taboo at that time 40 years ago. I wonder if Derek Jeter's parents saw that film!
When President Clinton passed the law that would not exclude gay men and women from the military, there were some people who were upset by that. Some were afraid that this would affect them adversely. Perhaps their fears were based on misconceptions and lies. It did not adversely affect the military but allowed young patriotic Americans who happened to be gay, to proudly serve their country as they had all along but no longer under a shroud of secrecy and false shame. My Dad once told me that when he and his comrades were under fierce attack on Anzio Beach, he couldn't care in the least who they slept with at home. When they came home in boxes, they were no less heroes because they happened to be gay.
So why are people so afraid that gay men and women could marry? How does this hurt anyone? Are our archaic religious beliefs so pervasive that an entire segment of our population can be legally discriminated against? Love is good. Please remember that a public affirmation of love serves us all and does no harm.
I suppose that fear of one's own sexuality probably plays a role. Another is the fear that your child may be gay. Once we understand that being gay is not an affliction, but another diversity to be celebrated, we will never get out of this cycle of hate and fear.
We are all diminished by our acceptance of legal prejudice. If your anti gay feelings are solely based on your religious beliefs, I offer you a few words:
"Judge not, that ye be not judged" Matthew 7:1
If you are unable to accept the truth, then please get out of the way.......or be judged.
DD
On November 15, 2008, there were rallies in every major city in America to raise awareness to the fact that there are currently about 30 MILLION Americans who are not allowed to wed. In 1968, there were 16 States where it was illegal for people from different races to wed.
The other night, I watched a movie that was made that year (1968). It was "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" starring Spencer Tracy, Katherine Hepburn, Sidnet Poitier, among others. It featured some pretty dated dialogue concerning a "colored" man marrying a white woman. The subject was taboo at that time 40 years ago. I wonder if Derek Jeter's parents saw that film!
When President Clinton passed the law that would not exclude gay men and women from the military, there were some people who were upset by that. Some were afraid that this would affect them adversely. Perhaps their fears were based on misconceptions and lies. It did not adversely affect the military but allowed young patriotic Americans who happened to be gay, to proudly serve their country as they had all along but no longer under a shroud of secrecy and false shame. My Dad once told me that when he and his comrades were under fierce attack on Anzio Beach, he couldn't care in the least who they slept with at home. When they came home in boxes, they were no less heroes because they happened to be gay.
So why are people so afraid that gay men and women could marry? How does this hurt anyone? Are our archaic religious beliefs so pervasive that an entire segment of our population can be legally discriminated against? Love is good. Please remember that a public affirmation of love serves us all and does no harm.
I suppose that fear of one's own sexuality probably plays a role. Another is the fear that your child may be gay. Once we understand that being gay is not an affliction, but another diversity to be celebrated, we will never get out of this cycle of hate and fear.
We are all diminished by our acceptance of legal prejudice. If your anti gay feelings are solely based on your religious beliefs, I offer you a few words:
"Judge not, that ye be not judged" Matthew 7:1
If you are unable to accept the truth, then please get out of the way.......or be judged.
DD
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