Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia

Tip o’ the space helmet to ViceZilla.

In 1938 one of the most important influences in my life was discovered by Sandoz Pharmaceutical’s chemist Alfred Hoffman. On April 16, 1943 Mr Hoffman accidentally absorbed some through handling it and took that famous bicycle ride. LSD was off to a good start.

I have enjoyed this wonderful concoction many times over the years. By encouraging free thought it shaped the future of an entire generation. It was a blast at parties and concerts too. Wow!

Albert Hoffman died today at 102 years old. Thanks Al.

Wonder if Albert imagined things like this when he was going home that wonderful night.

Queen “Bicycle Race”

33 years ago today the United States officially disengaged from the conflict in Viet Nam I celebrated  my 17th birthday that day as well. I celebrated many things that day from the fact that our boys were all going to be home as well as relief that I wouldn’t be forced to go fight a war I didn’t believe in.

Lets all take a moment to remember the 4058 US lives lost  in Iraq without forgetting the “50,000 Names Carved In The Wall”.

George Jones

A 20 year old high school dropout I know was talking to his mom the other day discussing the one class he would need to graduate. A simple credit that would allow him to attend college and somehow through education be a more productive adult citizen. A person who may make a bigger difference in the world someday. If nothing else he would have the opportunity to make more money and live a more comfortable life. His response was heartbreaking and somewhat predictable. Made me think a little. Why would a bright kid ask, “Whats The Use?”

Besides the pat answers of “lazy, unmotivated or too dumb” there are a lot of reasons I could come up with that would make the kids of today want to give up. I mean, look at the shit they are facing here. An illegal war in Iraq. Threats of more war in Iran. At least 2 of the front runners in the presidential race bowing up to the rest of the world with threats of nuking or somehow else destroying their nations. Promises from the Republicans to stay in Iraq at least 50 more years. Democratic candidates who are so sidetracked attacking each other that they can’t answer the important questions of how they would deal with the war and other problems that have been brought on by the present administration.

The fact that so far the DOD has a casualty list of at least 4058 US soldiers. The horror of knowing their peers who have lost life or limb in Iraq. The realization that the failed lying policies that our country used destroyed an entire nations infrastructure with no progress in rebuilding it. Knowing that at least a million are dead and even more millions have been displaced from their homes all in our name. The utter sense of hopelessness.

I guess that makes sense. If I were still that age I may feel the same.

Suzanne Vega 8/7/07 Cornbury Festival. “Gypsy”

Jerry musta been feeling good this day.

Grateful words to live by ’til you are Dead.

Short and to the point.

Led Zeppelin. Earls Court Arena, London. Mat 25, 1975.

Acoustic  shows kick ass. We were all so young then.

Grateful Dead “Tons Of Steel” 7/26/87 Anaheim, CA

Animal Logic

“Rose Colored Glasses”

George McBush and Robert Gates have put together a plan to continue their “success” in the Middle East. Georgie has nominated General Petraeus for the position of commander of the American troops in the Middle East, replacing General Fallon who resigned in disgust just last month. I guess he wanted a man who will do his bidding without question, no matter the consequences. Petraeus is just that guy.

As we were reminded a couple of weeks ago the General sees things through rose colored glasses. Harry Ried has said the General will face tiugh questioning before his appointment. The Washington Post report.

With so many choices for this song I went with Willie.

“The Harder They Come”

Monkeyfister posted this a few days ago. Although I am not sure about his statement about church and state during his song Griffin House brings a strong message in “I Remember (it’s happening again)”.

Jethro Tull. “A New Day Yesterday”

Hillary’s New Scare Tactic Ad

Using Osama bin Laden and Pearl Harbor Hillary took the old Bush administration “scared yet?” tactic to try to show how she and Truman are the only two viable candidates in this race. Since ol’ Harry is long gone I guess she thinks she is the one for the job. Like the Bushit that comes from the current resident of the White House she also comes with world domination threats.

“I want the Iranians to know that if I’m the president, we will attack Iran,” Clinton said. “In the next 10 years, during which they might foolishly consider launching an attack on Israel, we would be able to totally obliterate them.”

That came from a “Good Morning America” interview with Chris Cuomo this morning.

She scared me for sure. Scared me so badly that I ain’t gonna vote her way. I’ll just keep reminding folks how totally like the current administration she is. Very McCain like.

Happy Earth Day. If Clinton is elected how long will it be before we are recognizing Scorched Earth Day?

Alex over at Army Of Dude is the most important of all of the bloggers I read daily. That isn’t to say that the other voices I listen to each day aren’t important, just saying this guy has served us in Iraq and his blog takes the hands on approach to opposition of this situation we all are involved in. He brings us things he feels are important on a regular basis and also lets us see, through photos, what our troops are going through while serving in the middle east.

He and his best girl are now in the process of moving from Washington state to Austin, Texas.  (thats why his last post was a week ago) I wish them the safest of moves and the easiest acclimation that Austin can offer.

His move made me think about the good times I have had in both Washington and Austin. In my opinion the Austin music scene sooooooo outshines any of the music scenes in Seattle or anywhere else the great state of Washington have to offer.

One of my favorite blues/country/rock bands currently playing with Austin as their home is The Mother Truckers. Here is a vid of their view of the “Human Condition”.