Three Rights Make a Left

It's not easy to get a grip on this "debt ceiling" thing, but here's a thought experiment. Suppose you're the CEO of a corporation. In many ways, the buck stops at your desk. But, you answer to a board of directors and there are certain decisions that must be made with the consent of the directors. Business has been tough in the recession. Though you've done your best to control costs, there are some expenses which have resulted from investment in equipment and facilities while business was brisk. Like all busniesses, you financed expansion by borrowing. The payments on the loans are still due regardless of your current business level. The problem right now is that you're up against the credit limit that's been established. You need to fulfill current orders and to receive the revenue for these orders which will allow your business to continue, and hopefully to weather the current storm. But, you can't pay for the raw materials, front the pay...

1. Play the song, not just your instrument. 2. Know the melody and HOW to play it. If you don’t know the melody, you don’t know the song. 3. Know the lyrics and what the song is about. 4. Listen to the other players, particularly the drummer and bass player. 5. Participate in the groove. 6. Pay attention to the band leader. 7. Give it 100% from load in to load out. 8. Don’t denigrate your band mates. For sidemen, make the front person sound good. For front persons, make the sidemen sound good. 9. Load your gear for money… play for the love of music. 10. Always eat the free food. 11. Never believe that any complex topic can be summed up in ten rules!

Question recently asked on Facebook: Do you agree that most of the important white pop music of the 20th century has been based on white musicians imitating black musicians? This is a complicated question because it comprises several nested questions, each of which is complex in its own right. Question 1: What is “imitation” and what is influence. In my life, it has been a de facto assumption that Elvis fashioned his vocal style from Otis Blackwell (“Don’t Be Cruel”), Little Junior Parker (“Mystery Train”), Arthur Cruddup (“That’s All Right Mama”). Led Zepplin went so far as to copy a Willie Dixon tune and claim authorship (“Whole Lotta Love”). And fergit about Vanilla Ice, fer cryin’ out loud! However, the lines are not clearly cut. For example, Jimmie Rodgers undoubtedly heard and admired early rural delta blues performers. But, conversely, great bluesmen such as Muddy Waters and Chester “Howlin’ Wolf” Burnett professed to be fans of Rodgers’ music, the latter even suggest...

This is a comment on a blog with appears in a related blog at this URL: Big Thick Glasses Blog Mr. Thick-Glasses (or may I call you just Big?) I have just a few additional notes, both elaboration and extension. Many religions posit an interactive deity -- one to whom you can pray (talk), a creator, an overseer, punisher of evil. Clearly this common, naive concept of “God” is an extension submission to human royalty, supplication to a king – evidenced by the use of the term “Lord” to refer to god. This god is omniscient and omnipotent; eternal, yet temporal; loving but swift and unwavering in justice. The problem – if not a logical contradiction – in these positions is that all attempt to a circular dodge to the examination of faith and reality: you have to believe because the religions authoritative document(s) (Quran, Bible, Vedas, etc.) say you must! If you can’t believe – you’ll go to HELL! Yikes… better safe than sorry, right? It’s these “isms” that I find “offensive”. They...

The United States was founded on the premise that "...governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." (Declaration of Independence) There should be no "rulers" -- dictators, monarchs, emperors, etc. -- but, instead, elected officials should represent the will of the governed. Hence, such principles as "one person, one vote" have been established and perpetuated. However, there is evidence that large corporations are exerting ever increasing control over government by means of large contributions to campaigns, the pressure of powerful lobbying groups, lucrative consulting and other employment offers to retiring legislators, not to mention possible out and out coercion and blackmail. The outgrowth of this corporate intervention has been termed " Corporatocracy ." Corporatocracy has no party . Businesses hedge their bets by contributing to candidates of both major parties. Citizens complain ...

This is the first installation of my Vital Issues -- that is, issues that are too important to allow our politicians a free pass. These are NOT answers... just questions with some footholds for comments. Please... contribute your comments, get your friends involved ... TALK ABOUT IT NOW. Write your opinions -- and then send a copy to you congressman or congresswoman. The rules -- no name calling, no finger pointing, no buzzword, no talking points. Let's work together to solve some problems and demand that out legislators do the same! OK... here goes: The problem: Our mounting national debt . We would not run our personal lives this way -- why do we allow our government to operate with this incredible debt, currently $13.3 TRILLION and growing. We spend over 9% of the Federal Budget servicing the interest on the debt. Do you think this is only the Democrats? Republican talking points would have you believe this. But when George Bush inherited a budget surplus, the Republi...

Are you one of those who believe the mid term congressional election doesn't matter? Folks... believe me... it is potentially the most important event in our lives . You might be like me -- I have a hard time being enthused by the likes of Harry Reid. He's condescending, two-faced -- in other words, a professional politician. However, if you find yourself believing what Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Sarah Palin and the other Fox minions continuously spout, then you have a very short memory, and you're allowing yourself to be dangerously deluded. I just want to help you remember... here's some of the dangerous myths being circulated. MYTH #1: President Obama is responsible for the TARP bailout. REALITY: 100% false. TARP was proposed in September 2008 by Henry Paulson, George W. Bush's Secretary of the Treasury . Congress passed the Emergency Stabilization Act on October 3, 2008. The intent was to allow the Treasury to buy troubled, mortgage-backed securities, thus ...