delawareliberal--2020-10-18--Song of the Day 10/18: The Avett Brothers, “Early in the Morning”

Song of the Day 10/18 : The Avett Brothers , “ Early in the Morning ” HBO is running a “ West Wing ” reunion show with an interesting twist — the cast assembles for a stage reading of a highly-regarded episode that originally aired in February 2002 .
The actors slipped into their old roles easily , but IMO the most interesting part was the way director Thomas Schlamme adapted the TV script for the stage ( it was filmed in an empty LA Orpheum ) .
Of the incongruously utopian fantasy it depicted — a chess-playing president who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his smart , selfless , public-spirited aides — I will say no more .
Advance publicity for the special promised a live-on-tape performance by the Avett Brothers as a finale , probably as a lure for millennials .
With barely a minute and a half left in the hour-long special , they appeared , playing a spirited but obscure tune from the days of the Great Folk Music Scare .
At first I wondered how the Avetts settled on a song written by Noel “ Paul ” Stookey and released as the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mary , ” the group ’ s 1962 debut LP .
Then I came across this 1965 appearance by the trio on the BBC .
The arrangement is identical to the one the Avett Brothers used , and so is the duration — 1:32 .

HBO is running a “West Wing” reunion show with an interesting twist — the cast assembles for a stage reading of a highly-regarded episode that originally aired in February 2002. The actors slipped into their old roles easily, but IMO the most interesting part was the way director Thomas Schlamme adapted the TV script for the stage (it was filmed in an empty LA Orpheum). Of the incongruously utopian fantasy it depicted — a chess-playing president who exhibits wisdom in a crisis, and his smart, selfless, public-spirited aides — I will say no more.
Advance publicity for the special promised a live-on-tape performance by the Avett Brothers as a finale, probably as a lure for millennials. With barely a minute and a half left in the hour-long special, they appeared, playing a spirited but obscure tune from the days of the Great Folk Music Scare.
At first I wondered how the Avetts settled on a song written by Noel “Paul” Stookey and released as the first track on “Peter, Paul and Mary,” the group’s 1962 debut LP. Then I came across this 1965 appearance by the trio on the BBC. The arrangement is identical to the one the Avett Brothers used, and so is the duration — 1:32.


delawareliberal--2020-10-18--DL Open Thread: Sunday, October 18, 2020

Trump-Packed Appeals Courts Destroying Voter Access .
The minority is firmly in charge of the country .
Add a shitload of judges , or simply accept it .
An Exhaustive List Of Trump Norm-Shattering .
An absolute must-read ( set aside some time for this one ) .
The next President is gon na have to unwind a whole lot of these to get back to anything approaching normal .
You ’ ll be amazed at how many of these you ’ ve forgotten under the sheer weight of this toxic presidency .
Federal Deficit Explodes .
Gee , wonder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January…wash , rinse , rethug… Wilmington To Get Police Body Cameras .
Yes , this is progress .
But , on this , I agree with Sam Guy : “ Watch what happens everybody once we all get to see the policy .
Their object is to implement it without it being able to be looked at by everybody…it matters who can look at it .
Some places , the public can see what ’ s captured by the camera , some places they can ’ t .
This is going to matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this but the game ain ’ t over yet–we ’ ve got some more details that haven ’ t been addressed , and they ’ re trying to do it in secrecy , ” he said .
The FOP ain ’ t going down w/o a fight over every single detail .
Delaware Democratic Party Files Complaint Over Chris Kenny ’ s Dark Money Organization .
Nothing ’ s gon na happen with the Department of Elections .
But , the AG ’ s office should be the next stop–even if it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Blue Delaware : Boycott Shop-Rite if you can .
BTW , I hear that Kenny has produced a TV spot for Cathy Cloutier–they ’ re trying to repackage her as a progressive .
Somewhere , Colin Bonini and Dave Lawson , who own her in that caucus , are doing coffee spit-takes and laughing uproariously .
After all , you can ’ t be an ‘ independent voice ’ when you are representing their interests as a member of the Republican leadership team .
Absolute liars lie absolutely .
What do you @ @ @ @ @

Trump-Packed Appeals Courts Destroying Voter Access. The minority is firmly in charge of the country. Add a shitload of judges, or simply accept it.
An Exhaustive List Of Trump Norm-Shattering. An absolute must-read (set aside some time for this one). The next President is gonna have to unwind a whole lot of these to get back to anything approaching normal. You’ll be amazed at how many of these you’ve forgotten under the sheer weight of this toxic presidency.
Federal Deficit Explodes. Gee, wonder who will scream for fiscal responsibility come January…wash, rinse, rethug…
Wilmington To Get Police Body Cameras. Yes, this is progress. But, on this, I agree with Sam Guy:
“Watch what happens everybody once we all get to see the policy. Their object is to implement it without it being able to be looked at by everybody…it matters who can look at it. Some places, the public can see what’s captured by the camera, some places they can’t. This is going to matter. So I’m voting for this but the game ain’t over yet–we’ve got some more details that haven’t been addressed, and they’re trying to do it in secrecy,” he said.
The FOP ain’t going down w/o a fight over every single detail.
Delaware Democratic Party Files Complaint Over Chris Kenny’s Dark Money Organization. Nothing’s gonna happen with the Department of Elections. But, the AG’s office should be the next stop–even if it’s after the election. I agree with Blue Delaware: Boycott Shop-Rite if you can. BTW, I hear that Kenny has produced a TV spot for Cathy Cloutier–they’re trying to repackage her as a progressive. Somewhere, Colin Bonini and Dave Lawson, who own her in that caucus, are doing coffee spit-takes and laughing uproariously. After all, you can’t be an ‘independent voice’ when you are representing their interests as a member of the Republican leadership team. Absolute liars lie absolutely.
What do you want to talk about?


delawareliberal--2020-10-19--America’s TRUE unemployment rate vs the OFFICIAL unemployment rate

A person who is looking for a full-time job that pays a living wage — but who can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ .
If you accept that definition , the true unemployment rate in the U.S. is @ @ @ @ @ according to an important new dataset shared exclusively with “ Axios on HBO.
” Why @ @ @ @ @ unemployment rate is artificially depressed by excluding people who might be earning only a few @ @ @ @ @ also excludes anybody who has stopped looking for work or is discouraged by a lack @ @ @ @ @ demands of child care during the coronavirus crisis .
If you measure the unemployed as @ @ @ @ @ who isn ’ t earning a living wage , the rate rises even further , @ @ @ @ @ Black Americans , it ’ s 59.2 % .

This is eye opening:
A person who is looking for a full-time job that pays a living wage — but who can’t find one — is unemployed. If you accept that definition, the true unemployment rate in the U.S. is a stunning 26.1%, according to an important new dataset shared exclusively with “Axios on HBO.”
Why it matters: The official unemployment rate is artificially depressed by excluding people who might be earning only a few dollars a week. It also excludes anybody who has stopped looking for work or is discouraged by a lack of jobs or by the demands of child care during the coronavirus crisis.
If you measure the unemployed as anybody over 16 years old who isn’t earning a living wage, the rate rises even further, to 54.6%. For Black Americans, it’s 59.2%.


delawareliberal--2020-10-19--Song of the Day 10/19: The Beach Boys, ” ‘Til I Die”

Song of the Day 10/19 : The Beach Boys , ” ‘ Til I Die ” Mike Love is still adding to his resume as rock ‘ n ’ roll ’ s biggest asshole , this time by headlining a Trump fund-raising concert in Orange County without telling Brian Wilson and Al Jardine beforehand .
That duo quickly disavowed any connection with Trump , and you can tell they wish they could cut their connections with Love as well .
There ’ s never been any love lost ( sorry ) between Love , who leads a touring band under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The two have butted heads since Wilson began to write songs more sophisticated than the adolescent surf-and-hot-rods music Love still hasn ’ t outgrown .
This song from their 1971 “ Surf ’ s Up ” LP , for example , is widely admired as one of his most sublime inventions .
Brian said it was inspired by a nighttime walk on the beach : “ I struggled at the piano , experimenting with rhythms and chord changes , trying to emulate in sound the ocean ’ s shifting tides and moods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
“ I wanted the music to reflect the loneliness of floating a raft in the middle of the Pacific .
I wanted each note to sound as if it was disappearing into the hugeness of the universe.
” Producer Don Was said he asked Brian how he came up with the chords .
“ He told me that he was sitting at a piano , creating geometric patterns with his fingers , trying not to move the fingers on the outside of the patterns , but limiting changes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a shape that both looked cool and sounded good , he wrote it down .
So , essentially he created this masterpiece by contorting his fingers into really groovy shapes .
… I ’ ve absolutely no idea whether this story has any basis in truth or whether he was just making it up on the spot to entertain me.
” Whatever the case , the result is gorgeous .
According to Brian Wilson , Mike Love ’ s first reaction upon hearing it : “ What a fucking downer.
” Brian also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I Just Wasn ’ t Made for These Times.
” It illustrates just how dispensable Mike Love was .

Mike Love is still adding to his resume as rock ‘n’ roll’s biggest asshole, this time by headlining a Trump fund-raising concert in Orange County without telling Brian Wilson and Al Jardine beforehand. That duo quickly disavowed any connection with Trump, and you can tell they wish they could cut their connections with Love as well.
There’s never been any love lost (sorry) between Love, who leads a touring band under the Beach Boys name, and Brian. The two have butted heads since Wilson began to write songs more sophisticated than the adolescent surf-and-hot-rods music Love still hasn’t outgrown.
This song from their 1971 “Surf’s Up” LP, for example, is widely admired as one of his most sublime inventions. Brian said it was inspired by a nighttime walk on the beach: “I struggled at the piano, experimenting with rhythms and chord changes, trying to emulate in sound the ocean’s shifting tides and moods as well as its sheer enormity,” he said. “I wanted the music to reflect the loneliness of floating a raft in the middle of the Pacific. I wanted each note to sound as if it was disappearing into the hugeness of the universe.”
Producer Don Was said he asked Brian how he came up with the chords. “He told me that he was sitting at a piano, creating geometric patterns with his fingers, trying not to move the fingers on the outside of the patterns, but limiting changes to internal movements. When he landed on a shape that both looked cool and sounded good, he wrote it down. So, essentially he created this masterpiece by contorting his fingers into really groovy shapes. … I’ve absolutely no idea whether this story has any basis in truth or whether he was just making it up on the spot to entertain me.”
Whatever the case, the result is gorgeous. According to Brian Wilson, Mike Love’s first reaction upon hearing it: “What a fucking downer.”
Brian also recorded the song for his 1995 album “I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times.” It illustrates just how dispensable Mike Love was.


delawareliberal--2020-10-19--DL Open Thread: Monday, October 19, 2020

Does This Look Familiar ?
Propaganda masquerading as local news .
This wasn ’ t an idea that Chris Kenny cooked up all by his lonesome .
He ’ s just part of a Rethuglican network .
Judge Strikes Down Trump Plan To Cut Food Stamps For 700,000 .
Trump-packed court to reverse in 3-2-1… The Neutered Coronavirus Task Force .
So .
Where did Trump find this batshit-crazy Scott Atlas ?
That ’ s right .
Fox News .
Coons Grows Half A Pair .
Says he ’ s open to expanding the courts , including the Supreme Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it ’ s progress .
First step : Dump the filibuster .
Fauci Comes Close To Torching Trump .
I hope he ’ s writing a memoir on this bleak time .
‘ Citizens For Transparency & Inclusion ’ Merely A Front For TransPerfect PAC .
By now , you ’ ve probably seen their political ads attacking the Delaware Way .
I ’ m all for attacking the Delaware Way , but this is merely an exercise in misinformation .
Hey , if they want to piss money down the drain… @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America .
A Biden presidency would almost certainly shift enforcement efforts towards stopping these groups .
Scalia ’ s Son Destroying Worker Protections , One Outrage At A Time .
He ’ s dangerous , partly because he ’ s competent in a lizard-like fashion .
What do you want to talk about ?

Does This Look Familiar? Propaganda masquerading as local news. This wasn’t an idea that Chris Kenny cooked up all by his lonesome. He’s just part of a Rethuglican network.
Judge Strikes Down Trump Plan To Cut Food Stamps For 700,000. Trump-packed court to reverse in 3-2-1…
The Neutered Coronavirus Task Force. So. Where did Trump find this batshit-crazy Scott Atlas? That’s right. Fox News.
Coons Grows Half A Pair. Says he’s open to expanding the courts, including the Supreme Court. Cautiously, of course. Hey, it’s progress. First step: Dump the filibuster.
Fauci Comes Close To Torching Trump. I hope he’s writing a memoir on this bleak time.
‘Citizens For Transparency & Inclusion’ Merely A Front For TransPerfect PAC. By now, you’ve probably seen their political ads attacking the Delaware Way. I’m all for attacking the Delaware Way, but this is merely an exercise in misinformation. Hey, if they want to piss money down the drain…
White Supremacist Groups Biggest Terror Threat To America. A Biden presidency would almost certainly shift enforcement efforts towards stopping these groups.
Scalia’s Son Destroying Worker Protections, One Outrage At A Time. He’s dangerous, partly because he’s competent in a lizard-like fashion.
What do you want to talk about?


delawareliberal--2020-10-19--Did Coons Signal a Change in Biden’s Approach to Court Expansion?

Not sure if Coons is going rogue here , or he is signaling a change in the Biden campaign .
either way , this is going to come up in the “ debate ” on Thursday , so I hope Biden has a good response locked down .
The first question Tapper asked Coons was whether he would vote to “ expand the number of justices on the Supreme Court , ” to which Coons said he was in line with Joe Biden ’ s position that this nomination process was bad all across the board , and that Amy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her extreme judicial philosophy.
” He made sure to specify that this move on the part of Republicans was an attempt to destroy millions of Americans healthcare coverage in the middle of a pandemic .
Coons finished by saying he was ready along with the Democratic Party to help re-balance the “ federal judiciary ” however that may look over the next few weeks .
Jake Tapper then asked what passes for a gotcha question against Democratic officials these days in traditional media minds , asking “ So you are open to expanding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big .
When traditionalist Democrats like Coons are open to expanding the court , and publicly saying as much just weeks before election , that means the political will is clearly there to make that happen .
It also means that Sen. Coons ’ internal polling is showing that the will of the people is there as well .

Not sure if Coons is going rogue here, or he is signaling a change in the Biden campaign. either way, this is going to come up in the “debate” on Thursday, so I hope Biden has a good response locked down.
The first question Tapper asked Coons was whether he would vote to “expand the number of justices on the Supreme Court,” to which Coons said he was in line with Joe Biden’s position that this nomination process was bad all across the board, and that Amy Coney Barrett was unqualified “because of her extreme judicial philosophy.” He made sure to specify that this move on the part of Republicans was an attempt to destroy millions of Americans healthcare coverage in the middle of a pandemic.
Coons finished by saying he was ready along with the Democratic Party to help re-balance the “federal judiciary” however that may look over the next few weeks. Jake Tapper then asked what passes for a gotcha question against Democratic officials these days in traditional media minds, asking “So you are open to expanding the court?”
“Yes.”
That’s big. When traditionalist Democrats like Coons are open to expanding the court, and publicly saying as much just weeks before election, that means the political will is clearly there to make that happen. It also means that Sen. Coons’ internal polling is showing that the will of the people is there as well.


delawareliberal--2020-10-20--Song of the Day 10/20: Jeff Bridges, “Maybe I Missed the Point”

Song of the Day 10/20 : Jeff Bridges , “ Maybe I Missed the Point ” Actor Jeff Bridges tweeted out some news yesterday by quoting his most iconic movie character : “ As the Dude would say , new shit has come to light.
” That was his way of announcing that he ’ s been diagnosed with lymphoma .
Though “ The Big Lebowski ” might be his best-remembered role , it ’ s not the one that earned him his Oscar .
That distinction goes to “ Crazy Heart , ” the 2009 film in which he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the decline .
Bridges did his own singing in the movie , which led Blue Note to sign him to a recording contract that resulted in a self-titled 2011 album , produced by T-Bone Burnett .
Bridges made media appearances like this one to promote it , and it sold fairly well , debuting at No .
25 on the Billboard album chart .
Most of the songs on the LP , which got only middling reviews , are by professional songwriters , but Bridges wrote a couple of them himself .
@ @ @ @ @ @

Actor Jeff Bridges tweeted out some news yesterday by quoting his most iconic movie character: “As the Dude would say, new shit has come to light.” That was his way of announcing that he’s been diagnosed with lymphoma.
Though “The Big Lebowski” might be his best-remembered role, it’s not the one that earned him his Oscar. That distinction goes to “Crazy Heart,” the 2009 film in which he played an aging, alcoholic country singer on the decline. Bridges did his own singing in the movie, which led Blue Note to sign him to a recording contract that resulted in a self-titled 2011 album, produced by T-Bone Burnett. Bridges made media appearances like this one to promote it, and it sold fairly well, debuting at No. 25 on the Billboard album chart.
Most of the songs on the LP, which got only middling reviews, are by professional songwriters, but Bridges wrote a couple of them himself. This is one of them.


delawareliberal--2020-10-20--Big Pharma Front Group Touts Carper’s Loyal Service to the Industry

The beleaguered US Postal Service brought me a mailer yesterday from something billing itself the American Life Sciences Innovation Council announcing that Sen. Tom Carper has received “ the 2020 Champion of Health Care Innovation Award.
” I found this puzzling , given that Carper just won re-election in 2018 , and wondered what this outfit was and why it would bother .
I still can ’ t answer the second question , but the mailer itself answered part of the first — it ’ s an obvious Big Pharma political front .
This 2018 article about the organization lays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never explains what Carper has done to earn this award , other than claiming he has “ led the fight for new vaccines and cures , ” without offering any evidence or explanation of how he has led that fight .
He ’ s also “ fighting to protect innovation and make drugs more affordable , ” a claim that ’ s an obvious lie considering what the group says about drug prices in Europe : “ Some in Washington are playing politics by importing Europe ’ s failed Socialist [ note the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to set prescription drug prices for seniors.
” These “ failed policies , ” it should be noted , have produced prescription drug prices that are lower in every European country than they are in the United States .
So what could this phony organization be talking about ?
Carper “ is leading the fight against radical policy changes , ” a claim again made without supporting evidence .
But the message isn ’ t hard to figure out : He ’ s doing Big Pharma ’ s bidding .
This might have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DuPont was still trying to get its foot in the pharmaceutical door and AstraZeneca was still a major player .
Now it ’ s clearly not about protecting jobs in Delaware , because there are practically no pharmaceutical jobs left in the state .
Now it ’ s just about sucking up campaign contributions from the industry , which runs behind only the insurance and banking industries in subsidizing Carper ’ s campaigns .
Carper , in turn , has served the industry well .
Again , this would make more sense if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but I would like to thank this bogus organization for reminding me that all Tom Carper ’ s “ fighting ” has been to protect Delaware ’ s special interests at the expense of its citizens .

The beleaguered US Postal Service brought me a mailer yesterday from something billing itself the American Life Sciences Innovation Council announcing that Sen. Tom Carper has received “the 2020 Champion of Health Care Innovation Award.”
I found this puzzling, given that Carper just won re-election in 2018, and wondered what this outfit was and why it would bother. I still can’t answer the second question, but the mailer itself answered part of the first — it’s an obvious Big Pharma political front. This 2018 article about the organization lays out the damning details.
The mailer never explains what Carper has done to earn this award, other than claiming he has “led the fight for new vaccines and cures,” without offering any evidence or explanation of how he has led that fight. He’s also “fighting to protect innovation and make drugs more affordable,” a claim that’s an obvious lie considering what the group says about drug prices in Europe: “Some in Washington are playing politics by importing Europe’s failed Socialist [note the use of a scare-capital letter] policies to set prescription drug prices for seniors.” These “failed policies,” it should be noted, have produced prescription drug prices that are lower in every European country than they are in the United States.
So what could this phony organization be talking about? Carper “is leading the fight against radical policy changes,” a claim again made without supporting evidence. But the message isn’t hard to figure out: He’s doing Big Pharma’s bidding. This might have made sense 20 years ago, when DuPont was still trying to get its foot in the pharmaceutical door and AstraZeneca was still a major player. Now it’s clearly not about protecting jobs in Delaware, because there are practically no pharmaceutical jobs left in the state. Now it’s just about sucking up campaign contributions from the industry, which runs behind only the insurance and banking industries in subsidizing Carper’s campaigns. Carper, in turn, has served the industry well.
Again, this would make more sense if Carper were actually running for office, but I would like to thank this bogus organization for reminding me that all Tom Carper’s “fighting” has been to protect Delaware’s special interests at the expense of its citizens.


delawareliberal--2020-10-20--How Cathy Cloutier Sold Her ‘Independent Voice’ To Her Senate RWNJ Colleagues For A Few Extra Bucks

How Cathy Cloutier Sold Her ‘ Independent Voice ’ To Her Senate RWNJ Colleagues For A Few Extra Bucks Chris Kenny and Cathy Cloutier are trying for a political makeover .
They are portraying Cloutier as an ‘ Independent Voice for Brandywine Hundred ’ and even , wait for it , a ‘ progressive ’ .
As is always the case with Cathy Cloutier , the ‘ nice lady who can ’ t stop lying ’ , the truth is the diametric opposite .
FACT : Her colleagues in the Senate Republican Caucus chose her for that position .
FACT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ position , Cathy Cloutier needs to keep her RWNJ colleagues happy .
That is the ONLY requirement for the job .
FACT : Cathy Cloutier gets paid extra for holding this position .
Not only is Cloutier not an ‘ independent voice for Brandywine Hundred ’ , she is a captive voice ( by her own choice ) for her Senate Rethuglican colleagues .
If she had at any point been an independent voice , she sold out for a few extra shekels to the following senators : Anthony Delcollo-2nd Amendment absolutist .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sportsmen ’ s Association ( Delaware ’ s mini-NRA ) .
Dave Lawson-Ex-state cop and gun range owner .
Fierce opponent of ‘ Sharia Law ’ .
Fierce opponent of any regulations on firearms sales .
Colin Bonini-Has he ever even voted for a state budget ?
Yet he never repays the state for meetings he didn ’ t attend .
David Wilson-A longstanding legislative zero on progressive legislation .
Not to mention , a marble-mouthed auctioneer from Lowest Slowest .
Brian Pettyjohn-Another official legislative zero on progressive legislation , Fierce opponent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a plane with a gun .
Gerald Hocker-Opposed marriage equality , equal rights for the LGBTQ community , and , of course , any form of gun control .
Surprisingly low-key , we ’ ve hardly written about the guy .
Cathy Cloutier had a choice .
She could try to claim the mantle of ‘ an independent voice for Brandywine Hundred ’ , or she could sell out to the menagerie of miscreants highlighted above .
She sold out .
She sold out her constituents .
All for a few bucks that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Which she can , and should , start collecting the day after the election .

Chris Kenny and Cathy Cloutier are trying for a political makeover. They are portraying Cloutier as an ‘Independent Voice for Brandywine Hundred’ and even, wait for it, a ‘progressive’.
As is always the case with Cathy Cloutier, the ‘nice lady who can’t stop lying’, the truth is the diametric opposite.
FACT: Cathy Cloutier is the Senate Minority Whip.
FACT: Her colleagues in the Senate Republican Caucus chose her for that position.
FACT: Cathy Cloutier SOUGHT that position.
FACT: In order to hold such a position, Cathy Cloutier needs to keep her RWNJ colleagues happy. That is the ONLY requirement for the job.
FACT: Cathy Cloutier gets paid extra for holding this position.
Not only is Cloutier not an ‘independent voice for Brandywine Hundred’, she is a captive voice (by her own choice) for her Senate Rethuglican colleagues. If she had at any point been an independent voice, she sold out for a few extra shekels to the following senators:
Ernie Lopez-NRA Lackey–and a chicken. Sound familiar? Voted against marriage equality.
Anthony Delcollo-2nd Amendment absolutist. On the board of the Delaware State Sportsmen’s Association (Delaware’s mini-NRA).
Dave Lawson-Ex-state cop and gun range owner. Fierce opponent of ‘Sharia Law’. Fierce opponent of any regulations on firearms sales.
Colin Bonini-Has he ever even voted for a state budget? Yet he never repays the state for meetings he didn’t attend.
David Wilson-A longstanding legislative zero on progressive legislation. Not to mention, a marble-mouthed auctioneer from Lowest Slowest.
Brian Pettyjohn-Another official legislative zero on progressive legislation, Fierce opponent of gun control, even tried to board a plane with a gun.
Gerald Hocker-Opposed marriage equality, equal rights for the LGBTQ community, and, of course, any form of gun control. Surprisingly low-key, we’ve hardly written about the guy.
Bryant Richardson. Forced birther. Uses ‘Jesus’ to justify far-right positions.
Cathy Cloutier had a choice. She could try to claim the mantle of ‘an independent voice for Brandywine Hundred’, or she could sell out to the menagerie of miscreants highlighted above.
She sold out. She sold out her constituents. All for a few bucks that will also increase her legislative pension.
Which she can, and should, start collecting the day after the election.


delawareliberal--2020-10-20--DL Open Thread: Tuesday, October 20, 2020

Trump Loses It Over Fauci .
That bleeping Fauci .
Doesn ’ t he realize that people are sick of the coronavirus ?
The Ad Race Is Over .
Trump Lost .
To paraphrase ex-Iggles coach Rich Kotite , don ’ t ‘ leave anything in the locker room ’ .
Mute Trump ?
Debate Commission to mute microphones during 2-minute statements .
Will he show up ?
Will he stomp off the stage at some point ?
After all , he doesn ’ t like the moderator , doesn ’ t like the rules , doesn ’ t even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tough guy , he ’ s a big crybaby .
Biden Considering Rethugs For Cabinet ?
Could just be the chattering class , but the names , um , don ’ t fill me with confidence .
Jee-zus , these bleeping ‘ centrists ’ … Your One-Stop Shop To All Of Trump ’ s Financial Mysteries .
I suspect we ’ ll be getting some answers assuming Trump loses .
75 ( ! )
Ways Trump Made America Dirtier And The Planet Warmer .
We desperately need a climate czar .
Gim me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to talk about ?

Trump Loses It Over Fauci. That bleeping Fauci. Doesn’t he realize that people are sick of the coronavirus?
Supreme Court Permits Counting Pa. Mail-In Ballots Received After Election Day. 4-4 vote allowed lower court ruling to stand. A soon-to-be-rare victory.
Krugman: Biden Must Spend Big. Deficits be damned.
The Ad Race Is Over. Trump Lost. To paraphrase ex-Iggles coach Rich Kotite, don’t ‘leave anything in the locker room’.
Mute Trump? Debate Commission to mute microphones during 2-minute statements. Will he show up? Will he stomp off the stage at some point? After all, he doesn’t like the moderator, doesn’t like the rules, doesn’t even like the topics. For a self-styled tough guy, he’s a big crybaby.
Biden Considering Rethugs For Cabinet? Could just be the chattering class, but the names, um, don’t fill me with confidence. Jee-zus, these bleeping ‘centrists’…
Your One-Stop Shop To All Of Trump’s Financial Mysteries. I suspect we’ll be getting some answers assuming Trump loses.
75(!) Ways Trump Made America Dirtier And The Planet Warmer. We desperately need a climate czar. Gimme Jay Inslee.
What do you want to talk about?


delawareliberal--2020-10-21--Song of the Day 10/21: Gen X, “Dancing With Myself”

Song of the Day 10/21 : Gen X , “ Dancing With Myself ” The jokes about Jeffrey Toobin , the CNN pundit and New Yorker writer who was suspended for exposing himself during a Zoom meeting , pretty much write themselves , but that hasn ’ t stopped people from taking their shots — I particularly liked the wag who declared that Toobin shouldn ’ t resign , he should stick it out .
Far be it from me to resist the temptation , so here ’ s a song whose title has become slang for masturbation , despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Broad , better known as Billy Idol — that it was inspired by seeing Japanese teenagers pogo-dancing in front of mirrors at a Tokyo club .
Idol first recorded it with his band Generation X in 1979 , but it wasn ’ t released until 1981 , by which point the band had changed personnel and shortened its name to Gen X .
“ Dancing With Myself ” was released as a single in the UK but it stiffed ( heh ) , topping out at No .
62 .
By the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Idol remixed the song to kick off his solo career and entry into the U.S. market , where it became a dance-club and MTV hit .
The Donnas covered it for the soundtrack of the 2004 movie “ Mean Girls .
”

The jokes about Jeffrey Toobin, the CNN pundit and New Yorker writer who was suspended for exposing himself during a Zoom meeting, pretty much write themselves, but that hasn’t stopped people from taking their shots — I particularly liked the wag who declared that Toobin shouldn’t resign, he should stick it out. Far be it from me to resist the temptation, so here’s a song whose title has become slang for masturbation, despite the claim by its composer — William Broad, better known as Billy Idol — that it was inspired by seeing Japanese teenagers pogo-dancing in front of mirrors at a Tokyo club.
Idol first recorded it with his band Generation X in 1979, but it wasn’t released until 1981, by which point the band had changed personnel and shortened its name to Gen X. “Dancing With Myself” was released as a single in the UK but it stiffed (heh), topping out at No. 62. By the end of the year Gen X was history and Idol remixed the song to kick off his solo career and entry into the U.S. market, where it became a dance-club and MTV hit. The Donnas covered it for the soundtrack of the 2004 movie “Mean Girls.”


delawareliberal--2020-10-21--How long have you waited in line to vote?    10 Minutes?  20 Minutes?

The Vault The Vault Select Month August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 0


delawareliberal--2020-10-21--DL Open Thread: Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Trump Paid Taxes–In China .
We should have known .
He accused the Biden ‘ crime family ’ of hoovering up money from China .
Meaning , it was the real crime family that had its tentacles in China .
DeJoy Weaponizes Post Office To Promote Voter Suppression .
Eliminates Postal Police .
Bars Congress From Postal Facilities .
If Biden wins , he will have overcome the most concerted effort to suppress the vote in history .
McConnell Administers Death Blow To COVID Relief .
Rethugs are terrified of having to vote .
You know , to help the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Boards Of Anti-LGBTQ ‘ Christian ’ Schools .
I know it won ’ t matter , but it should .
Trump : ‘ I ’ d Rather Be In Philadelphia ’ .
Or Mar-A-Lago .
Anywhere but in Erie , which is where he was .
‘ Relational Organizing ’ .
An addition to the progressive toolbox .
They ’ re using it in Alaska .
I know that one Delaware legislative campaign is adopting it .
Pretty simple when you think about it .
Key Vote-Counting Win In North Carolina court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ service slowdown .
How Bloomberg ’ s Florida Investment Is Forcing Trump To Cut Spending Elsewhere .
Too many lumps popping up in his political mattress ( my new goal : one horrible analogy every day until the election ) .
The People Of Praise Cult That The Democrats Unilaterally Declared Off-Limits .
Can we get real Democrats to replace Chuck Schumer and Dianne Feinstein please ?
Lower Slower Delaware Experiences COVID Spike .
Mouthbreathers not wearing masks .
What could go wrong ?
What do you want to talk about ?

Trump Paid Taxes–In China. We should have known. He accused the Biden ‘crime family’ of hoovering up money from China. Meaning, it was the real crime family that had its tentacles in China.
DeJoy Weaponizes Post Office To Promote Voter Suppression. Eliminates Postal Police. Bars Congress From Postal Facilities. If Biden wins, he will have overcome the most concerted effort to suppress the vote in history.
McConnell Administers Death Blow To COVID Relief. Rethugs are terrified of having to vote. You know, to help the American people.
Amy Coney Barrett Served On Boards Of Anti-LGBTQ ‘Christian’ Schools. I know it won’t matter, but it should.
Trump: ‘I’d Rather Be In Philadelphia’. Or Mar-A-Lago. Anywhere but in Erie, which is where he was.
‘Relational Organizing’. An addition to the progressive toolbox. They’re using it in Alaska. I know that one Delaware legislative campaign is adopting it. Pretty simple when you think about it.
Key Vote-Counting Win In North Carolina court. This will help counteract the postal service slowdown.
How Bloomberg’s Florida Investment Is Forcing Trump To Cut Spending Elsewhere. Too many lumps popping up in his political mattress (my new goal: one horrible analogy every day until the election).
The People Of Praise Cult That The Democrats Unilaterally Declared Off-Limits. Can we get real Democrats to replace Chuck Schumer and Dianne Feinstein please?
Lower Slower Delaware Experiences COVID Spike. Mouthbreathers not wearing masks. What could go wrong?
What do you want to talk about?


delawareliberal--2020-10-19--Song of the Day 10/19: The Beach Boys, “‘Til I Die”

Song of the Day 10/19 : The Beach Boys , “ ‘ Til I Die ” Mike Love is still adding to his resume as rock ‘ n ’ roll ’ s biggest asshole , this time by headlining a Trump fund-raising concert in Orange County without telling Brian Wilson and Al Jardine beforehand .
That duo quickly disavowed any connection with Trump , and you can tell they wish they could cut their connections with Love as well .
There ’ s never been any love lost ( sorry ) between Love , who leads a touring band under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The two have butted heads since Wilson began to write songs more sophisticated than the adolescent surf-and-hot-rods music Love still hasn ’ t outgrown .
This song from their 1971 “ Surf ’ s Up ” LP , for example , is widely admired as one of his most sublime inventions .
Brian said it was inspired by a nighttime walk on the beach : “ I struggled at the piano , experimenting with rhythms and chord changes , trying to emulate in sound the ocean ’ s shifting tides and moods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
“ I wanted the music to reflect the loneliness of floating a raft in the middle of the Pacific .
I wanted each note to sound as if it was disappearing into the hugeness of the universe.
” Producer Don Was said he asked Brian how he came up with the chords .
“ He told me that he was sitting at a piano , creating geometric patterns with his fingers , trying not to move the fingers on the outside of the patterns , but limiting changes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a shape that both looked cool and sounded good , he wrote it down .
So , essentially he created this masterpiece by contorting his fingers into really groovy shapes .
… I ’ ve absolutely no idea whether this story has any basis in truth or whether he was just making it up on the spot to entertain me.
” Whatever the case , the result is gorgeous .
According to Brian Wilson , Mike Love ’ s first reaction upon hearing it : “ What a fucking downer.
” Brian also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I Just Wasn ’ t Made for These Times.
” It illustrates just how dispensable Mike Love was .


delawareliberal--2020-10-23--DL Open Debate Thread: Oct. 22, 2020

DL Open Debate Thread: Oct. 22, 2020


delawareliberal--2020-10-22--Best Pro Rasslin’ Segment In ForEVER!

Best Pro Rasslin’ Segment In ForEVER!

As many of you know , my El Somnambulo monicker comes from my fictitious lucha libre background , featuring my legendary but totally made-up feud with the dastardly Teletubbymundo .
I love pro rasslin ’ s zaniness , which WWE has excised from its product as Vince McMahon falls deeper into senility .
Fortunately , a new alternative , AEW ( All Elite Wrestling ) , premiered about a year ago , and is bankrolled by Tony Khan .
What distinguishes AEW is that the wrestlers play a much bigger role in developing their characters and writing their storylines .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ there .
Plus , there ’ s a lot of winking going on between the talent and the audience .
Anyway , the storyline leading up to the segment I ’ m about to post is this .
Chris Jericho plays a smarmy heel , and he is the leader of the primo heel stable in AEW , The Inner Circle .
MJF ( Michael Jay Friedman ) plays an equally-smarmy , but much younger heel .
They are the two best at their gimmicks in pro rasslin ’ .
Anyway , MJF @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Inner Circle .
The other members smell ( their sense of smell is not misplaced ) a rat looking to enter their sleeping quarters .
But Jericho is intrigued .
Last week , MJF , in a hilarious segment , asked Jericho to let him join .
Jericho said that they ’ d talk about it over a steak dinner .
Which leads us this week to ‘ The Dinner Debonair ’ .
Watch the whole thing , you will not be disappointed :

As many of you know, my El Somnambulo monicker comes from my fictitious lucha libre background, featuring my legendary but totally made-up feud with the dastardly Teletubbymundo.
I love pro rasslin’s zaniness, which WWE has excised from its product as Vince McMahon falls deeper into senility.
Fortunately, a new alternative, AEW (All Elite Wrestling), premiered about a year ago, and is bankrolled by Tony Khan. What distinguishes AEW is that the wrestlers play a much bigger role in developing their characters and writing their storylines. And they have some incredibly creative minds there. Plus, there’s a lot of winking going on between the talent and the audience.
Anyway, the storyline leading up to the segment I’m about to post is this. Chris Jericho plays a smarmy heel, and he is the leader of the primo heel stable in AEW, The Inner Circle. MJF (Michael Jay Friedman) plays an equally-smarmy, but much younger heel. They are the two best at their gimmicks in pro rasslin’. Anyway, MJF is trying to insinuate himself into The Inner Circle. The other members smell (their sense of smell is not misplaced) a rat looking to enter their sleeping quarters. But Jericho is intrigued. Last week, MJF, in a hilarious segment, asked Jericho to let him join. Jericho said that they’d talk about it over a steak dinner. Which leads us this week to ‘The Dinner Debonair’. Watch the whole thing, you will not be disappointed:
.


delawareliberal--2020-10-22--Song of the Day 10/22: Audience, “Indian Summer”

This week might have been too damp to qualify as actual “ Indian summer ” weather , but I ’ m not going to let that stop me from resurrecting the only charting single ever released by the British band Audience during its five-year original existence from 1969 to 1973 .
Though usually lumped in with the progressive-rock movement , Audience ’ s blend of rock , jazz , blues and R & B was impossible to pigeonhole because the band neither lead guitar nor keyboards .
Singer and main songwriter Howard Werth played an electrified nylon-string classical guitar while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woodwinds ranging from sax to flute to oboe .
The instrumentation wasn ’ t as unusual at the time as it seems today ; Chris Wood gave Traffic a similar if more conventional sound .
Audience ’ s first two albums were released only in the UK , and though they gained a cult following they didn ’ t sell well .
In 1971 the band brought in producer Gus Dudgeon and set its sights on both America and the pop charts , releasing its best-known LP , “ The House on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Indian Summer , ” which was released separately as a single in the UK .
The song briefly touched the American chart at No .
74 , but by the end of 1972 Gemmell quit , and the group fell apart soon after .
They reformed in 2004 for a decade-long swan song .

This week might have been too damp to qualify as actual “Indian summer” weather, but I’m not going to let that stop me from resurrecting the only charting single ever released by the British band Audience during its five-year original existence from 1969 to 1973.
Though usually lumped in with the progressive-rock movement, Audience’s blend of rock, jazz, blues and R&B was impossible to pigeonhole because the band employed neither lead guitar nor keyboards. Singer and main songwriter Howard Werth played an electrified nylon-string classical guitar while Keith Gemmell filled out the sound with woodwinds ranging from sax to flute to oboe. The instrumentation wasn’t as unusual at the time as it seems today; Chris Wood gave Traffic a similar if more conventional sound.
Audience’s first two albums were released only in the UK, and though they gained a cult following they didn’t sell well. In 1971 the band brought in producer Gus Dudgeon and set its sights on both America and the pop charts, releasing its best-known LP, “The House on the Hill.” The American version included “Indian Summer,” which was released separately as a single in the UK. The song briefly touched the American chart at No. 74, but by the end of 1972 Gemmell quit, and the group fell apart soon after. They reformed in 2004 for a decade-long swan song.


delawareliberal--2020-10-22--DL Open Thread: Thursday, October 22, 2020

Pope Francis Expresses Support For Same-Sex Unions .
I can only hope that he has seeded the College Of Cardinals with like-minded individuals .
Two Weeks Inside The Trump Campaign Bubble .
Wonder if Ryan Lizza has access to any of Hunter S. Thompson ’ s stash .
Would come in handy .
Demographics As Destiny ?
How Trump ’ s base is sinking , inexorably and inevitably .
If Biden wins this , the demographics are our friend moving forward .
Obama Kills It In Philly .
I wonder where else he ’ s gon na campaign .
Feds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Of Justice ’ .
According to state attorneys general .
Blatant Voter Suppression In South Carolina .
Courtesy of the Supreme Court ’ s evisceration of the Voting Rights Act .
An even more destructive blow to democracy than Citizens United .
How Trump Successfully Hid His Chinese Bank Account .
Coming soon : How Trump successfully hid his Saudi bank accounts .
WTF ?
Delaware Voters Don ’ t Need To Wear Masks To Vote ?
That ’ s a bad decision right there .
Carney Seeks To Throw Election Ad Off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maybe the ad is misleading , and the group behind it is hinky , but politics ain ’ t beanbag .
A little thin-skinned , don ’ tchatink ?
What do you want to talk about ?

Pope Francis Expresses Support For Same-Sex Unions. I can only hope that he has seeded the College Of Cardinals with like-minded individuals.
Two Weeks Inside The Trump Campaign Bubble. Wonder if Ryan Lizza has access to any of Hunter S. Thompson’s stash. Would come in handy.
Demographics As Destiny? How Trump’s base is sinking, inexorably and inevitably. If Biden wins this, the demographics are our friend moving forward.
Obama Kills It In Philly. I wonder where else he’s gonna campaign.
Feds’ Purdue Pharma Settlement A ‘Mirage Of Justice’. According to state attorneys general.
Blatant Voter Suppression In South Carolina. Courtesy of the Supreme Court’s evisceration of the Voting Rights Act. An even more destructive blow to democracy than Citizens United.
How Trump Successfully Hid His Chinese Bank Account. Coming soon: How Trump successfully hid his Saudi bank accounts.
WTF? Delaware Voters Don’t Need To Wear Masks To Vote? That’s a bad decision right there.
Carney Seeks To Throw Election Ad Off Air. I’m sorry, maybe the ad is misleading, and the group behind it is hinky, but politics ain’t beanbag. A little thin-skinned, don’tchatink?
What do you want to talk about?


delawareliberal--2020-10-23--Song of the Day 10/23: The Spencer Davis Group, “Gimme Some Lovin'”

Song of the Day 10/23 : The Spencer Davis Group , “ Gim me Some Lovin ' ” Note : This is a guest post by Nathan Arizona .
Spencer Davis , who died this week at 81 , was one of the most important pioneers of British electric blues-rock and the whole British Invasion .
He ’ s not one of the most famous , but maybe he should be .
Davis led the Spencer Davis Group , formed in Birmingham in 1963 .
The group ’ s best-known hits were “ I ’ m a Man ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” which they wrote at a time when cover songs were the rule .
Two other tunes , “ Keep on Running ” and “ Somebody Help Me , ” reached the top of the British charts .
Later groups had successful covers of the band ’ s songs , including Chicago with “ I ’ m a Man ” and the Blues Brothers with “ Gim me Some Lovin ’ .
” As with other early blues-rock and R & B-flavored bands like theYardbirds and the Animals , the Spencer Davis Group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rock ’ n ’ roll elements with an electric blues sound that had been kick-started in England by visits from Muddy Waters and other Chicago-style bluesmen .
Like the Beatles , the Spencer Davis Group came from outside London .
They and another Birmingham band , the Moody Blues ( before they got fancy , ) were the main groups in what was called Brum Beat .
Davis was dating the future Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac around this time .
Guitarist Davis had no problem turning the vocals over to a teen-aged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Winwood , one of the best British Invasion singers even at that age , left the group after the four big hits , soon to start Traffic and then forming Blind Faith with Eric Clapton .
Winwood ’ s brother Muff , the group ’ s bassist , went on to become a well-regarded producer .
The group broke up soon after Steve Winwood left .
Davis revived it with different people a few times but became more important as a producer .
He and Muff Winwood worked with Island Records , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chris Blackwell .
Davis played a role in crafting Bob Marley ’ s sound for Island .
The band ’ s two earliest hits had been written by British ska musician Jackie Edwards , although there wasn ’ t much Jamaica left in its versions .
Some might say all this should add up to membership in the Rock ’ n ’ Roll Hall of Fame for Davis .
Alas , it hasn ’ t happened , though the band regularly gets some votes from the nominating committee .
The Hall ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this .
The producers of the TV show “ Mad Men ” were happy to use “ I ’ m a Man ” for an extended scene of Don Draper arriving at the L.A. airport to be picked up by the fetching Megan , Don ’ s second wife on the show .
The “ Mad Men ’ scene is posted below , after videos of the group ’ s two best-known songs ( performed in Finland ) .

Note: This is a guest post by Nathan Arizona.
Spencer Davis, who died this week at 81, was one of the most important pioneers of British electric blues-rock and the whole British Invasion. He’s not one of the most famous, but maybe he should be.
Davis led the Spencer Davis Group, formed in Birmingham in 1963. The group’s best-known hits were “I’m a Man” and “Gimme Some Lovin’,” which they wrote at a time when cover songs were the rule. Two other tunes, “Keep on Running” and “Somebody Help Me,” reached the top of the British charts. Later groups had successful covers of the band’s songs, including Chicago with “I’m a Man” and the Blues Brothers with “Gimme Some Lovin’.”
As with other early blues-rock and R&B-flavored bands like theYardbirds and the Animals, the Spencer Davis Group mixed some pop, soul and early rock ’n’ roll elements with an electric blues sound that had been kick-started in England by visits from Muddy Waters and other Chicago-style bluesmen. Like the Beatles, the Spencer Davis Group came from outside London. They and another Birmingham band, the Moody Blues (before they got fancy,) were the main groups in what was called Brum Beat. Davis was dating the future Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac around this time.
Guitarist Davis had no problem turning the vocals over to a teen-aged Stevie Winwood, who also played keyboards. Winwood, one of the best British Invasion singers even at that age, left the group after the four big hits, soon to start Traffic and then forming Blind Faith with Eric Clapton. Winwood’s brother Muff, the group’s bassist, went on to become a well-regarded producer.
The group broke up soon after Steve Winwood left. Davis revived it with different people a few times but became more important as a producer. He and Muff Winwood worked with Island Records, owned by former Spencer Davis Group manager Chris Blackwell. Davis played a role in crafting Bob Marley’s sound for Island. The band’s two earliest hits had been written by British ska musician Jackie Edwards, although there wasn’t much Jamaica left in its versions.
Some might say all this should add up to membership in the Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame for Davis. Alas, it hasn’t happened, though the band regularly gets some votes from the nominating committee. The Hall’s anti-British bias might play a role in this.
The producers of the TV show “Mad Men” were happy to use “I’m a Man” for an extended scene of Don Draper arriving at the L.A. airport to be picked up by the fetching Megan, Don’s second wife on the show. The “Mad Men’ scene is posted below, after videos of the group’s two best-known songs (performed in Finland).


delawareliberal--2020-10-23--DL Open Thread: Friday, October 23, 2020

Trump Campaign Spying On Philly Drop Boxes .
It ’ s voter intimidation , pure and simple .
I can not overstate the degree of voter suppression going on this year .
Court Rules That Uber And Lyft Drivers Must Be Classified As Employees .
Something tells me that the Supreme Court will get hold of this issue , and the results won ’ t be pretty .
Could Phasing Out Oil Cost Biden ?
I give him props for saying it .
It could cost him politically , though .
BTW , we had two marble-mouthed speakers on that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not the only one who benefits from low expectations .
Legalizing Marijuana On Several States ’ Ballots .
It ’ s time for John Carney to take the blinkers off and support legalization .
Yo , John , two-thirds of Americans support legalization .
‘ The Militia That Fox News Built ’ .
Real fake news is now firmly ingrained in America .
Not a good thing .
Why Primary Challenges To Incumbent D ’ s Are Necessary .
Dianne Feinstein sucks .
Royally .
We ’ ve thankfully finally learned this lesson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ putting together a post-election list of Delaware D ’ s who need to be challenged in 2022 .
US Sets Record For Most Daily New COVID Cases .
77,000 .
Around that corner is…an oncoming train ?
What do you want to talk about ?

Trump Campaign Spying On Philly Drop Boxes. It’s voter intimidation, pure and simple. I cannot overstate the degree of voter suppression going on this year.
Court Rules That Uber And Lyft Drivers Must Be Classified As Employees. Something tells me that the Supreme Court will get hold of this issue, and the results won’t be pretty.
Could Phasing Out Oil Cost Biden? I give him props for saying it. It could cost him politically, though. BTW, we had two marble-mouthed speakers on that stage last night. Trump’s not the only one who benefits from low expectations.
Legalizing Marijuana On Several States’ Ballots. It’s time for John Carney to take the blinkers off and support legalization. Yo, John, two-thirds of Americans support legalization.
‘The Militia That Fox News Built’. Real fake news is now firmly ingrained in America. Not a good thing.
Why Primary Challenges To Incumbent D’s Are Necessary. Dianne Feinstein sucks. Royally. We’ve thankfully finally learned this lesson in Delaware. I’m already putting together a post-election list of Delaware D’s who need to be challenged in 2022.
US Sets Record For Most Daily New COVID Cases. 77,000. Around that corner is…an oncoming train?
What do you want to talk about?


delawareliberal--2020-10-24--DL Open Thread: Saturday, October 24, 2020

Trump Signs Executive Order To Destroy Civil Service .
While nobody was looking .
Pure evil .
Biden had better have his transition team prepare about a thousand Executive Orders for him to sign on Day One .
Whether He ’ s Reelected Or Not , Trump ’ s Debt Collectors Are Pounding At His Door .
His post-presidency could well be a living hell for him .
Sad .
Trump ’ s ‘ Charitable Giving ’ , Um , Wasn ’ t .
It was mostly getting tax breaks for land he promised not to develop : But the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York Times , show that Mr. Trump did not have to reach into his wallet for most of that giving .
The vast bulk of his charitable tax deductions , $ 119.3 million worth , came from simply agreeing not to develop land — in several cases , after he had shelved development plans .
Three of the agreements involved what are known as conservation easements — a maneuver , popular among wealthy Americans , that typically allows a landowner to keep a property ’ s title and receive a tax deduction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fourth land deal , Mr. Trump donated property for a state park… …In response to questions from The Times , Amanda Miller , a spokeswoman for the Trump Organization , said : “ President Trump gives money privately .
It ’ s impossible to know how much he ’ s given over the years.
” We can all take a pretty good guess .
Does Trump Have The Long Knives Out For Lindsey Graham ?
If Lou Dobbs says it , it must ’ ve come from his Puppetmaster .
Interesting .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Everyone Could Vote Safely .
And vote they have .
This is great .
Maybe Texas can flip after all… 29 Different Ways Rethugs Are Making It Harder To Vote This Year .
The blatant voter suppression is , IMO , the single most underreported story of the election .
Here ’ s some great reporting on it .
Finger-Pointing In Trumpworld .
That ’ s a ‘ dog-bites-man ’ headline if ever there was one .
Somebody ’ s Making $ $ ’ s Off Of Trump ’ s Ad Budget .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in all that many…ads .
A Hotel For The Homeless ?
New Castle County is exploring the option .
Who greenlighted the original hotel project ?
It made no sense then , and it inevitably failed .
What do you want to talk about ?

Trump Signs Executive Order To Destroy Civil Service. While nobody was looking. Pure evil. Biden had better have his transition team prepare about a thousand Executive Orders for him to sign on Day One.
Whether He’s Reelected Or Not, Trump’s Debt Collectors Are Pounding At His Door. His post-presidency could well be a living hell for him. Sad.
Trump’s ‘Charitable Giving’, Um, Wasn’t. It was mostly getting tax breaks for land he promised not to develop:
But the long-hidden tax records, obtained by The New York Times, show that Mr. Trump did not have to reach into his wallet for most of that giving. The vast bulk of his charitable tax deductions, $119.3 million worth, came from simply agreeing not to develop land — in several cases, after he had shelved development plans. Three of the agreements involved what are known as conservation easements — a maneuver, popular among wealthy Americans, that typically allows a landowner to keep a property’s title and receive a tax deduction equal to its appraised value. In the fourth land deal, Mr. Trump donated property for a state park… …In response to questions from The Times, Amanda Miller, a spokeswoman for the Trump Organization, said: “President Trump gives money privately. It’s impossible to know how much he’s given over the years.”
We can all take a pretty good guess.
Does Trump Have The Long Knives Out For Lindsey Graham? If Lou Dobbs says it, it must’ve come from his Puppetmaster. Interesting.
How Houston And Harris County Ensured That Everyone Could Vote Safely. And vote they have. This is great. Maybe Texas can flip after all…
29 Different Ways Rethugs Are Making It Harder To Vote This Year. The blatant voter suppression is, IMO, the single most underreported story of the election. Here’s some great reporting on it.
Finger-Pointing In Trumpworld. That’s a ‘dog-bites-man’ headline if ever there was one.
Somebody’s Making $$’s Off Of Trump’s Ad Budget. Too bad it’s not resulting in all that many…ads.
A Hotel For The Homeless? New Castle County is exploring the option. Who greenlighted the original hotel project? It made no sense then, and it inevitably failed.
What do you want to talk about?


delawareliberal--2020-10-25--Song of the Day 10/25: Jerry Jeff Walker, “Mr. Bojangles”

It almost has the certainty of scientific law : Any hell-raising musician will reach his commercial peak with a song that ’ s slow and sentimental .
It certainly proved to be the case for Ronald Clyde Crosby , better known as Jerry Jeff Walker .
Like Townes Van Zandt , another Texas outlaw-country legend , he managed to become famous despite never having a hit record of his own .
He came closest with this song , recorded in Memphis in June 1968 .
It reached No .
77 .
He recorded it again a month later for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time in New York with different musicians , including David Bromberg , who backed Walker on tour for a couple of years .
The song didn ’ t become a standard until the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band recorded it for their album “ Uncle Charlie and His Dog Teddy ” in 1970 .
It was released as a single and caught fire , reaching No .
9 on the Hot 100 in early 1971 , highly unusual for a release by an old-timey folk/country band .
The song was preceded , both on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an interview with the eponymous Uncle Charlie and contributions from his dog Teddy , which might be why the line “ after 20 years he still grieves ” hits like a harpoon .
This nameless pooch has drawn forth more tears than any dog since Ol ’ Yeller .
That version opened the floodgates .
It been recorded by well over 100 artists , including Nina Simone and Bob Dylan .
Sammy Davis Jr. made it a signature song , performing it as a concert tearjerker for more than 20 years .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Finnish .
You ’ ll notice that you don ’ t need to understand the lyrics for the it to sound sad and sentimental , which also explains the dozens of instrumental covers .
Everyone knows Walker wrote the tune after meeting a street dancer in a jail in New Orleans , and that the person wasn ’ t the real Bill “ Bojangles ” Robinson .
But most people don ’ t realize that the guy in the drunk tank with Jerry Jeff was actually white — the New Orleans jails were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was briefly incarcerated .
Wilmington ’ s own David Bromberg has been explicating it for audiences for nearly 50 years , varying the stories in his spoken interlude over the years .
This version was included on his “ Demon in Disguise ” album from 1972 .
In more recent live performances , he notes that Walker used “ minstrel shows ” because it fit the meter better than “ medicine shows , ” and that he left out the fact that the title character was a three-time widower — but became an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Walker ’ s fame wasn ’ t based only on this song — once he made Austin his home in the early ’ 70s he became one of the founding fathers of the outlaw country movement and Austin ’ s now world-renowned music scene .
But odds are his addition to the American songbook will be his longest-lasting legacy .

It almost has the certainty of scientific law: Any hell-raising musician will reach his commercial peak with a song that’s slow and sentimental. It certainly proved to be the case for Ronald Clyde Crosby, better known as Jerry Jeff Walker. Like Townes Van Zandt, another Texas outlaw-country legend, he managed to become famous despite never having a hit record of his own. He came closest with this song, recorded in Memphis in June 1968. It reached No. 77.
He recorded it again a month later for the LP of the same name, this time in New York with different musicians, including David Bromberg, who backed Walker on tour for a couple of years.
The song didn’t become a standard until the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band recorded it for their album “Uncle Charlie and His Dog Teddy” in 1970. It was released as a single and caught fire, reaching No. 9 on the Hot 100 in early 1971, highly unusual for a release by an old-timey folk/country band. The song was preceded, both on the LP and the original, by an interview with the eponymous Uncle Charlie and contributions from his dog Teddy, which might be why the line “after 20 years he still grieves” hits like a harpoon. This pooch has drawn more tears than any dog since Ol’ Yeller.
That version opened the floodgates. It been recorded by well over 100 artists, including Nina Simone and Bob Dylan. Sammy Davis Jr. made it a signature song, performing it as a concert tearjerker for more than 20 years.
The song has been translated into German and Finnish. You’ll notice that you don’t need to understand the lyrics for the it to sound sad and sentimental, which also explains the dozens of instrumental covers.
Everyone knows Walker wrote the tune after meeting a street dancer in a jail in New Orleans, and that the person wasn’t the real Bill “Bojangles” Robinson. But most people don’t realize that the guy in the drunk tank with Jerry Jeff was actually white — the New Orleans jails were still segregated in 1965, when Walker was briefly incarcerated. Wilmington’s own David Bromberg has been explicating it for audiences for nearly 50 years, varying the stories in his spoken interlude over the years. This version was included on his “Demon in Disguise” album from 1972. In more recent live performances, he notes that Walker used “minstrel shows” because it fit the meter better than “medicine shows,” and that he left out the fact that the title character was a three-time widower — but became an alcoholic only after the dog died.
Walker’s fame wasn’t based only on this song — once he made Austin his home in the early ’70s he became one of the founding fathers of the outlaw country movement and Austin’s now world-renowned music scene. But odds are his addition to the American songbook will be his longest-lasting legacy.


Non-Predictions Thread

In a normal year I ’ d have probably put up an electoral college prediction post about now .
I @ @ @ @ @ it this year .
I hope the country turns out to be filled with sane @ @ @ @ @ the DEGOP gets kicked in the balls by voters vigorously and repeatedly .
I guess @ @ @ @ @ of that happening , but that ’ s as far as I ’ ll go @

In a normal year I’d have probably put up an electoral college prediction post about now. I’m just not feeling it this year. I hope the country turns out to be filled with sane people. I also hope the DEGOP gets kicked in the balls by voters vigorously and repeatedly. I guess there is a fair chance of that happening, but that’s as far as I’ll go.


delawareliberal--2020-10-26--Which Delaware Statewide candidate is going to post the biggest win vs their entirely execrable DEGO

Which Delaware Statewide candidate is going to post the biggest win vs their entirely execrable DEGOP opponent?

Which Delaware Statewide candidate is going to post the biggest win vs their entirely execrable DEGOP opponent ?
True .
@ @ @ @ @ is a train wreck , and Coons is strangely popular – but she got 350 @ @ @ @ @ ( on average ) to her campaign .
I ’ d put Witzke at about @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m thinking Carney is going to win by the gaudiest margin .
He @ @ @ @ @ of the Gov ’ s office ) .
Also , who is he running against @ @ @ @ @ even field a candidate in that race ?

True. Witzke (sp?) is a train wreck, and Coons is strangely popular – but she got 350 people to donate $950 (on average) to her campaign. I’d put Witzke at about 38% right now.
I’m thinking Carney is going to win by the gaudiest margin. He is a wartime Resident (of the Gov’s office). Also, who is he running against again? Did the DEGOP even field a candidate in that race?


delawareliberal--2020-10-26--DL Open Thread:  Monday, October 26, 2020

Meadows Admits It : Pandemic ’ s Out Of Control : Further complicating Trump ’ s campaign-trail pitch was an extraordinary admission Sunday from White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows that the administration had effectively given up on trying to slow the virus ’ s spread .
“ We ’ re not going to control the pandemic , ” Meadows said on CNN ’ s “ State of the Union.
” “ We are going to control the fact that we get vaccines , therapeutics and other mitigations.
” Give him props : At least he stated the obvious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak in the Pence camp .
Rethugs Will Force Barrett Onto The Supreme Court Today .
I have no words that wouldn ’ t be censored on TV .
Scumbag Dies .
He exploited coal miners , then asked for black lung benefits for himself .
Hope he didn ’ t vote absentee .
The True Rioters In Portland Were The Police .
They are the criminals .
Treat them as such .
Wisconsin ’ s Elections Commission An Exercise In Partisan Gridlock .
An exercise in what ‘ is ’ is .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump is campaigning as the desperate challenger .
I do wish that Biden and Harris would hold more campaign events , though…I don ’ t like this Wilmington Rose Garden strategy at all .
Study : Rethugs Resemble Autocrats In Turkey And Hungary .
They were headed in this direction even before Trump .
Read this , it ’ s important .
What do you want to talk about ?

Meadows Admits It: Pandemic’s Out Of Control:
Further complicating Trump’s campaign-trail pitch was an extraordinary admission Sunday from White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows that the administration had effectively given up on trying to slow the virus’s spread. “We’re not going to control the pandemic,” Meadows said on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “We are going to control the fact that we get vaccines, therapeutics and other mitigations.”
Give him props: At least he stated the obvious before the election…although he covered up the outbreak in the Pence camp.
Rethugs Will Force Barrett Onto The Supreme Court Today. I have no words that wouldn’t be censored on TV.
Scumbag Dies. He exploited coal miners, then asked for black lung benefits for himself. Hope he didn’t vote absentee.
The True Rioters In Portland Were The Police. They are the criminals. Treat them as such.
Wisconsin’s Elections Commission An Exercise In Partisan Gridlock. An exercise in what ‘is’ is.
Biden ‘Flips Script’ On Trump. Trump is campaigning as the desperate challenger. I do wish that Biden and Harris would hold more campaign events, though…I don’t like this Wilmington Rose Garden strategy at all.
Trump’s Political Appointees Fleeing Washington. Addition by subtraction.
Study: Rethugs Resemble Autocrats In Turkey And Hungary. They were headed in this direction even before Trump. Read this, it’s important.
What do you want to talk about?


delawareliberal--2020-10-27--DL Open Thread: October 27, 2020

DL Open Thread: October 27, 2020

Rethugs Lock In Minority Government .
The will of the people will be thwarted by the Supreme Court–unless Democrats do something bold .
Which would be , what ’ s the phrase , out of character .
McConnell : ‘ They Won ’ t Be Able To Do Much About This For A Long Time ” .
Dems should take him up on this thrown-down gauntlet .
A Plan For The Democrats .
It ’ s bleak , but not totally bleak .
How Trump And Bolsonaro Destroyed Latin America ’ s Defenses Against COVID .
A must-read .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Bolsonaro were would-be autocrats though .
Kushner : Black Americans ‘ Need To Want To Be Successful ’ .
Thus said the poster boy for white privilege .
Tone deafness is a family trait .
2020 Is Nothing Like 2016 .
Read this and feel better .
I ’ m feeling better .
Clip ‘ n save .
How To Tackle Joblessness And Hunger At The Same Time .
The kind of creative thinking we need .
Let ’ s put it into action .
The Rust Belt Jobs Boom That Wasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help Trump .
Tiny Islamic School In Newark Serves Over 1 Million Meals To Needy .
A tremendous feel-good story .
What do you want to talk about ?

Rethugs Lock In Minority Government. The will of the people will be thwarted by the Supreme Court–unless Democrats do something bold. Which would be, what’s the phrase, out of character. McConnell: ‘They Won’t Be Able To Do Much About This For A Long Time”. Dems should take him up on this thrown-down gauntlet.
A Plan For The Democrats. It’s bleak, but not totally bleak.
How Trump And Bolsonaro Destroyed Latin America’s Defenses Against COVID. A must-read. I learned something. Already knew that Trump and Bolsonaro were would-be autocrats though.
Kushner: Black Americans ‘Need To Want To Be Successful’. Thus said the poster boy for white privilege. Tone deafness is a family trait.
2020 Is Nothing Like 2016. Read this and feel better. I’m feeling better. Clip ‘n save.
How To Tackle Joblessness And Hunger At The Same Time. The kind of creative thinking we need. Let’s put it into action.
The Rust Belt Jobs Boom That Wasn’t. This won’t help Trump.
Tiny Islamic School In Newark Serves Over 1 Million Meals To Needy. A tremendous feel-good story.
What do you want to talk about?


delawareliberal--2020-10-27--Phil Shawe setting piles of money on fire in Gov race

Phil Shawe setting piles of money on fire in Gov race If you are a regular reader of caribbeannewsglobal.com you already know that John Carney “ has fueled ‘ The Delaware Way ’ where a few elite and mostly white men stay in power while communities of color and low-income residents lose ground , ” You know that because TUSK STRATEGIES spokesman , Chris Coffey , is working overtime to attack “ the underhanded process where Andre Bouchard ’ s Chancery Court can charge companies millions to assign old colleagues new court fees .
John Carney has presided over and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has tipped his hand .
As Alby pointed out , these attacks have nothing to do with Carney and everything to do with crybaby sore loser , Phil Shawe ’ s jihad against Chancery court .
The anti-Carney ads are another prong from the prick Phil Shawe of TransPerfect , whose goal is to wreck Chancery Court because a chancellor ruled against him and the wahmbulance wouldn ’ t pick him up .
Republicans are supposedly pro-business .
Chancery Court is the linchpin of Delaware ’ s pro-business incorporation law , so one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
But they ’ re so brainlessly opposed to Democrats that they ’ ll get in bed with a vengeful businessman whose proxies are pretending that they want a more balanced racial makeup of Chancery Court .
TUSK STRATGIES seems to pride itself on multiple prong , “ relentless ” attacks that continue until “ we win ” so this campaign may be a preview of the money bonfires warming up the prospects of the DEGOP well into the future .

If you are a regular reader of caribbeannewsglobal.com you already know that John Carney “has fueled ‘The Delaware Way’ where a few elite and mostly white men stay in power while communities of color and low-income residents lose ground,”
You know that because TUSK STRATEGIES spokesman, Chris Coffey, is working overtime to attack “the underhanded process where Andre Bouchard’s Chancery Court can charge companies millions to assign old colleagues new court fees. John Carney has presided over and encouraged this despicable behavior”
So Coffey has tipped his hand. As Alby pointed out, these attacks have nothing to do with Carney and everything to do with crybaby sore loser, Phil Shawe’s jihad against Chancery court.
The anti-Carney ads are another prong from the prick Phil Shawe of TransPerfect, whose goal is to wreck Chancery Court because a chancellor ruled against him and the wahmbulance wouldn’t pick him up. Republicans are supposedly pro-business. Chancery Court is the linchpin of Delaware’s pro-business incorporation law, so one might think Republicans would try to protect it. But they’re so brainlessly opposed to Democrats that they’ll get in bed with a vengeful businessman whose proxies are pretending that they want a more balanced racial makeup of Chancery Court.
TUSK STRATGIES seems to pride itself on multiple prong, “relentless” attacks that continue until “we win” so this campaign may be a preview of the money bonfires warming up the prospects of the DEGOP well into the future.


delawareliberal--2020-10-27--Song of the Day 10/27: Fleetwood Mac, “Dreams”

These are strange times in America , and not just because one of our political parties has gone full fascist .
We live in a country where a 42-year-old song can re-enter the pop charts just because an Idaho warehouse worker posted a video of himself lip-synching the song and drinking cran-raspberry juice as he skateboarded down a highway .
Nathan Apodaca ’ s Tik-Tok video has been viewed more than 16 million times , helping boost the song to the top of the iTunes download chart and the “ Rumours ” album it appeared on back into the Top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ written and sung by Stevie Nicks , was the only Fleetwood Mac single to reach No .
1 .
Though Nicks is the band ’ s most popular member , I always found her the least interesting of the its songwriters .
Both Christine McVie and Lindsay Buckingham wrote more melodic pop tunes .
Granted , Nicks had a good voice before cocaine turned her into Muddy Mudskipper , and she had a talent for mesmerizing crowds with her trance-like compositions , but they ’ re musically simple .
She wrote “ Dreams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Christine McVie said , “ It was just three chords and one note in the left hand .
I thought , ‘ This is really boring.
’ ” But it wasn ’ t boring when Nicks sang it in concert .
Less appreciated by the public is Lindsay Buckingham ’ s skill at arranging her raw material ( not to mention his ability to soldier on while Nicks stood right next to him on stage and sang what ’ s basically a “ hey , asshole ” note to him night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ band ’ s sound for decades until his recent dismissal , and you can glimpse his process through the demo tapes and early takes included on extra-track re-releases of some of their classic albums .
*Apodaca has prospered , too — Ocean Spray gave him a new truck ( he was skateboarding to work in his video because his car had broken down ) , and he ’ s gotten $ 10,000 in donations , surely a boon to a guy who lives in a trailer with no electricity .
The most impressive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Apodaca didn ’ t post the video to ask for a handout — he was just rocking his vibe .
Such resilience in the face of calamity deserves all the recognition he ’ s gotten .

These are strange times in America, and not just because one of our political parties has gone full fascist. We live in a country where a 42-year-old song can re-enter the pop charts just because an Idaho warehouse worker posted a video of himself lip-synching the song and drinking cran-raspberry juice as he skateboarded down a highway.
Nathan Apodaca’s Tik-Tok video has been viewed more than 16 million times, helping boost the song to the top of the iTunes download chart and the “Rumours” album it appeared on back into the Top 10.*
“Dreams,” written and sung by Stevie Nicks, was the only Fleetwood Mac single to reach No. 1. Though Nicks is the band’s most popular member, I always found her the least interesting of the its songwriters. Both Christine McVie and Lindsay Buckingham wrote more melodic pop tunes. Granted, Nicks had a good voice before cocaine turned her into Muddy Mudskipper, and she had a talent for mesmerizing crowds with her trance-like compositions, but they’re musically simple. She wrote “Dreams” in 10 minutes in the studio, and Christine McVie said, “It was just three chords and one note in the left hand. I thought, ‘This is really boring.’” But it wasn’t boring when Nicks sang it in concert.
Less appreciated by the public is Lindsay Buckingham’s skill at arranging her raw material (not to mention his ability to soldier on while Nicks stood right next to him on stage and sang what’s basically a “hey, asshole” note to him night after night). Buckingham crafted the band’s sound for decades until his recent dismissal, and you can glimpse his process through the demo tapes and early takes included on extra-track re-releases of some of their classic albums.
*Apodaca has prospered, too — Ocean Spray gave him a new truck (he was skateboarding to work in his video because his car had broken down), and he’s gotten $10,000 in donations, surely a boon to a guy who lives in a trailer with no electricity. The most impressive thing about his moment of zen is that Apodaca didn’t post the video to ask for a handout — he was just rocking his vibe. Such resilience in the face of calamity deserves all the recognition he’s gotten.


delawareliberal--2020-10-27--Schumer and Ocasio-Cortez Respond to GOP Court Packing

Expand the court .
Republicans do this because they don ’ t believe Dems have the stones to play hardball like they do .
And for a long time they ’ ve been correct .
But do not let them bully the public into thinking their bulldozing is normal but a response isn ’ t .
There is a legal process for expansion .
I want to be very clear with my Republican colleagues , You may win this vote … but you will never , never get your credibility back .
And the next time the American people give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you will have forfeited the right to tell us how to run that majority .
You may win this vote , but in the process , you will speed the precipitous decline of faith in our institution , our politics , the Senate and the Supreme Court .
My colleagues may regret this for a lot longer than they think .
Here at this late hour , at the end of this sordid chapter in the history of the Senate , the history of the Supreme Court , my deepest and greatest sadness @ @ @ @ @ @ @

AOC:
Expand the court. Republicans do this because they don’t believe Dems have the stones to play hardball like they do. And for a long time they’ve been correct. But do not let them bully the public into thinking their bulldozing is normal but a response isn’t. There is a legal process for expansion.
Schumer:
I want to be very clear with my Republican colleagues, You may win this vote … but you will never, never get your credibility back.
And the next time the American people give Democrats a majority in this chamber, you will have forfeited the right to tell us how to run that majority. You may win this vote, but in the process, you will speed the precipitous decline of faith in our institution, our politics, the Senate and the Supreme Court.
My colleagues may regret this for a lot longer than they think. Here at this late hour, at the end of this sordid chapter in the history of the Senate, the history of the Supreme Court, my deepest and greatest sadness is for the American people,”


delawareliberal--2020-10-27--A: Republicans Aren’t Hobbled By Having Chris Coons on Their Team

A : Republicans Aren ’ t Hobbled By Having Chris Coons on Their Team Q : How do Republicans get @ @ @ @ @ Black at Eschaton makes a good point : There ’ s something to be learned @ @ @ @ @ re just doing this ” way Republicans go about things .
A way to stop @ @ @ @ @ “ controversial ” is to just assert that it isn ’ t .
Of course @ @ @ @ @ t burdened by having to drag around Chris Coons .
A Senator who is , @ @ @ @ @ , and at his worst , working for the other side .

Q: How do Republicans get away with it?
Duncan Black at Eschaton makes a good point: There’s something to be learned from the “we’re just doing this” way Republicans go about things. A way to stop something from being portrayed as “controversial” is to just assert that it isn’t.
Of course, the GOP isn’t burdened by having to drag around Chris Coons. A Senator who is, at his best, deadweight, and at his worst, working for the other side.


delawareliberal--2020-10-28--El Somnambulo Predicts Some Of ‘Em For You: The State Senate

El Somnambulo Predicts Some Of ‘ Em For You : The State Senate Let ’ s face it .
A monkey typing Hamlet could get most of these races correct .
( I told you I ’ m adding bad analogies to my repertoire . )
I ain ’ t gon na play that game .
We all know that there are only a handful of competitive races , and they ’ re the only ones I ’ m gon na pick .
First of all , some ramblings .
We owe Network Delaware , the Working Families Party , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Delaware Democratic Party some serious kudos .
For organizing , recruiting , training and providing the best group of insurgent challengers all the support they could ever have asked for .
We have progressives , many of whom I had never heard of before the beginning of this year , poised to join the Delaware General Assembly , and to move that ‘ body at rest ’ in an exciting new direction .
Marie Pinkney , Madinah Wilson-Anton , Larry Lambert , Eric Morrison and Rae Moore .
Whenever one of them chalks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just remember who they ’ re replacing : Dave McBride , John Viola , Ray Seigfried , Earl Jaques , and Quin Johnson .
We ’ ve got Sarah McBride , a leader on the national stage , joining the Delaware State Senate .
I ’ m not sure how long she ’ ll be there b/c she has statewide-and-beyond potential , but she ’ ll be essential from the very start .
I want to give a shout-out to Lisa Blunt Rochester , who has assumed the role of den mother for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ female candidates .
She has really taken to the task , and I can now see her being more assertive in Congress .
My kind of synergy .
OK , let ’ s talk only the close ones , at least two of which will not be so close : Back in 2006 , Ardentown ’ s Pat Morrison challenged Cathy , and got 47.4 % of the vote .
At that time , the district had an R plurality .
Pat was a great candidate , and was relentless at doing door-to-door @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manager w/o portfolio for this mom-and-pop campaign .
One day Pat said to me , more in astonishment than in anger , “ Cathy lies.
” She was correct .
Cathy has kept office largely by making people feel sorry for her and by flat-out lying to people .
About ‘ not really being a Republican ’ ; about either being pro-choice or anti-choice , depending on who she ’ s talking to ; about supporting LQBTQ rights while disappearing when her vote is needed the most ; about supporting ‘ common sense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislation to ban military-style assault weapons .
She is now lying about where she lives .
Which I think is why she ’ s running a campaign that is doomed to fail : She can ’ t afford to win and then lose her seat b/c she doesn ’ t live in the district .
It could put her pension at risk .
One final lie from Cathy Cloutier .
That ’ s OK. She wasn ’ t going to defeat Kyle Evans Gay under any circumstances this year .
There are now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ R ’ s in the district .
Kyle ’ s campaign is a juggernaut .
I ’ ve been volunteering on this campaign pretty much exclusively since Marie Pinkney ( you ’ re all gon na love Marie Pinkney ) won her primary .
Kyle is better-funded , and has a large and enthusiastic volunteer brigade , something that Cathy doesn ’ t .
I think that Kyle wins easily , something like 60 % -40 % .
Senate District 7 : Ernie Delcollo ( R-Incumbent ) vs. Spiros Mantzavinos ( D ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ loss to Delcollo back in 2016 for what it was : political malpractice .
Blevins was always a bit of a political lightning rod , she spent too much time in Dover , and she ran afoul of a traffic controversy in the district .
I also think there was a streak of anti-feminism among a not-insignificant percentage of the male voters in SD 7 .
That resulted in a 206 vote win for Delcollo .
Kinda reminds me of Nancy Cook ’ s loss to Dave Lawson , which was even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be bothered to extricate herself from the Controller General ’ s office in the Leg Hall basement to spend even the minimal amount of time in her district , which was less than 10 minutes away from the Hall .
Those unique circumstances aren ’ t present this year .
Allow me to stipulate that , other than his absolutist defense of the Second Amendment , Delcollo has been a pretty decent senator .
He will certainly outperform the registration in the district .
That registration , however , is as follows : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I .
Factor in the turnout to elect Biden , who is popular in this district , and to defeat Trump .
Factor in the fact that Mantzavinos has outraised Delcollo , and has the full party behind him , and I ’ m hard-pressed to see how Delcollo survives .
I ’ m calling it 54 % to 46 % for Mantzavinos .
Which is a pretty conservative prediction .
Senate District 14 : Bruce Ennis ( D-Incumbent ) vs. Craig Pugh ( R ) .
As this district has grown with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the right of many D ’ s in the district .
However , Pugh is far to the right of Ennis .
Sure , Ennis has lost a lot off his fastball , and there are D ’ s just waiting in the wings to succeed him .
But , in a district with 18,533 D ; 10,726 R ; and 10,080 I , Ennis is not getting knocked off this year .
BTW , a significant majority of this district is in New Castle County .
I hope that Ennis retires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make it easier for D ’ s to redraw these districts w/o having to worry about the fact that Ennis lives near the southernmost border of the district .
I ’ ll go 61-39 Ennis .
Senate District 15 : David Lawson ( R-Incumbent ) vs. Jaci Hugg ( D ) .
I think this will be the year ’ s most competitive general election State Senate race .
Yes , the electorate is generally more conservative than the registration figures , which are as follows : 15,469 D ; 12,793 R ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other downstate districts , the 15th has retained its D registration edge , which is something .
There has been quite an influx of money into Hugg ’ s campaign , and she had a lot more cash to spend in the closing days , significantly more than Lawson had .
Even for a Republican , Lawson is to the right of his party .
Obsessing over Sharia Law is not generally something the General Assembly does , but nobody told Dave Lawson .
I think that Hugg has picked up late momentum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind her .
The question is : Are there enough Dead-End Trumpers to reelect Lawson ?
Because that ’ s his base .
He almost lost to an unknown ( Kathleen Cooke ) in 2012 .
He ’ s hardly unstoppable .
A couple of other points : Donald Trump edged Hillary Clinton by about 3500 votes in Kent County in 2016 .
Biden is bound to run much stronger there this time , and it will likely have some down-ballot impact .
And , and I ’ ve been there , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost always win or lose all the close ones .
This is a tsunami .
I think Jaci Hugg pulls it out , 51-49 .

Let’s face it. A monkey typing Hamlet could get most of these races correct. (I told you I’m adding bad analogies to my repertoire.) I ain’t gonna play that game. We all know that there are only a handful of competitive races, and they’re the only ones I’m gonna pick.
First of all, some ramblings. We owe Network Delaware, the Working Families Party, Leftward Delaware and, yes, our Delaware Democratic Party some serious kudos. For organizing, recruiting, training and providing the best group of insurgent challengers all the support they could ever have asked for. We have progressives, many of whom I had never heard of before the beginning of this year, poised to join the Delaware General Assembly, and to move that ‘body at rest’ in an exciting new direction. Marie Pinkney, Madinah Wilson-Anton, Larry Lambert, Eric Morrison and Rae Moore. Whenever one of them chalks up a victory on Election night, just remember who they’re replacing: Dave McBride, John Viola, Ray Seigfried, Earl Jaques, and Quin Johnson.
We’ve got Sarah McBride, a leader on the national stage, joining the Delaware State Senate. I’m not sure how long she’ll be there b/c she has statewide-and-beyond potential, but she’ll be essential from the very start.
I want to give a shout-out to Lisa Blunt Rochester, who has assumed the role of den mother for this year’s class of incredible female candidates. She has really taken to the task, and I can now see her being more assertive in Congress. My kind of synergy.
OK, let’s talk only the close ones, at least two of which will not be so close:
Senate District 5: Cathy Cloutier (R-Incumbent) vs. Kyle Evans Gay (D):
Back in 2006, Ardentown’s Pat Morrison challenged Cathy, and got 47.4% of the vote. At that time, the district had an R plurality. Pat was a great candidate, and was relentless at doing door-to-door. I was sort of her campaign manager w/o portfolio for this mom-and-pop campaign. One day Pat said to me, more in astonishment than in anger, “Cathy lies.” She was correct. Cathy has kept office largely by making people feel sorry for her and by flat-out lying to people. About ‘not really being a Republican’; about either being pro-choice or anti-choice, depending on who she’s talking to; about supporting LQBTQ rights while disappearing when her vote is needed the most; about supporting ‘common sense gun control’ while voting to bury legislation to ban military-style assault weapons.
She is now lying about where she lives. Which I think is why she’s running a campaign that is doomed to fail: She can’t afford to win and then lose her seat b/c she doesn’t live in the district. It could put her pension at risk. One final lie from Cathy Cloutier.
That’s OK. She wasn’t going to defeat Kyle Evans Gay under any circumstances this year. There are now 5000-plus more registered D’s than R’s in the district. Kyle’s campaign is a juggernaut. I’ve been volunteering on this campaign pretty much exclusively since Marie Pinkney (you’re all gonna love Marie Pinkney) won her primary. Kyle is better-funded, and has a large and enthusiastic volunteer brigade, something that Cathy doesn’t. I think that Kyle wins easily, something like 60%-40%.
Senate District 7: Anthony Delcollo (R-Incumbent) vs. Spiros Mantzavinos (D). Let’s call Patti Blevins‘ loss to Delcollo back in 2016 for what it was: political malpractice. Blevins was always a bit of a political lightning rod, she spent too much time in Dover, and she ran afoul of a traffic controversy in the district. I also think there was a streak of anti-feminism among a not-insignificant percentage of the male voters in SD 7. That resulted in a 206 vote win for Delcollo. Kinda reminds me of Nancy Cook’s loss to Dave Lawson, which was even more inexcusable since Nancy couldn’t be bothered to extricate herself from the Controller General’s office in the Leg Hall basement to spend even the minimal amount of time in her district, which was less than 10 minutes away from the Hall.
Those unique circumstances aren’t present this year. Allow me to stipulate that, other than his absolutist defense of the Second Amendment, Delcollo has been a pretty decent senator. He will certainly outperform the registration in the district. That registration, however, is as follows: 15,258 D; 7021 R; 8661 I.
Factor in the turnout to elect Biden, who is popular in this district, and to defeat Trump. Factor in the fact that Mantzavinos has outraised Delcollo, and has the full party behind him, and I’m hard-pressed to see how Delcollo survives. I’m calling it 54% to 46% for Mantzavinos. Which is a pretty conservative prediction.
Senate District 14: Bruce Ennis (D-Incumbent) vs. Craig Pugh (R). As this district has grown with recent new development, Ennis finds himself to the right of many D’s in the district. However, Pugh is far to the right of Ennis. Sure, Ennis has lost a lot off his fastball, and there are D’s just waiting in the wings to succeed him. But, in a district with 18,533 D; 10,726 R; and 10,080 I, Ennis is not getting knocked off this year. BTW, a significant majority of this district is in New Castle County. I hope that Ennis retires after this two-year term. It will make it easier for D’s to redraw these districts w/o having to worry about the fact that Ennis lives near the southernmost border of the district. I’ll go 61-39 Ennis.
Senate District 15: David Lawson (R-Incumbent) vs. Jaci Hugg (D). I think this will be the year’s most competitive general election State Senate race. Yes, the electorate is generally more conservative than the registration figures, which are as follows: 15,469 D; 12,793 R; and 10,226 I. However, unlike other downstate districts, the 15th has retained its D registration edge, which is something. There has been quite an influx of money into Hugg’s campaign, and she had a lot more cash to spend in the closing days, significantly more than Lawson had. Even for a Republican, Lawson is to the right of his party. Obsessing over Sharia Law is not generally something the General Assembly does, but nobody told Dave Lawson. I think that Hugg has picked up late momentum as the entire party has come together behind her. The question is: Are there enough Dead-End Trumpers to reelect Lawson? Because that’s his base. He almost lost to an unknown (Kathleen Cooke) in 2012. He’s hardly unstoppable.
A couple of other points: Donald Trump edged Hillary Clinton by about 3500 votes in Kent County in 2016. Biden is bound to run much stronger there this time, and it will likely have some down-ballot impact. And, and I’ve been there, when there’s a tsunami, you almost always win or lose all the close ones.
This is a tsunami. I think Jaci Hugg pulls it out, 51-49. Despite 11, count’ em, 11 mail pieces from Chris Kenny. Shop-Rite is dead to me.