Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Cowboys . . .


Why don't you grow up
just as fast as you can
All of your innocence 
Is a flash in the pan
It's overrated you say
Tryin' to be a nice guy
It's so much easier this way
So why even try 
Too many cowboys

Everyone's watching
So you think all the time
Maintain the image
But it's all in your mind
What's so damned special about
Being hard as a nail
Banishing subtlety
Sets yourself up to fail
Too many cowboys

Just too many cowboys
Not quite enough men
Who will listen 
Rather learn than
Only just pretend

You wear a big hat
It's a Stetson of course
Chew some tobacco 
Take a ride on your horse
You've got some buddies I see
Just a little hard-boiled
They've got some dirt on their hands
They all dabble in oil
Too many cowboys

Can't say you're sorry 
Can't say you're wrong
God is on your side
He's been there all along
It doesn't matter to you
If they're hurt or they're dead
You've been above it so long
I'll stick by what I said
too many cowboys

Just too many cowboys
Not quite enough men
Who will listen 
Rather learn than
Only just pretend

Only if we knew back then
The things that we know now
You'd have stayed back there
And we'd be better off and how

Get in your big truck
And just drive away
You have no interest
in the things that I say
Nor did you ever
Listen that much at all
You set yourself up
For some big kind of fall
Too many cowboys

And just like a cowboy
Just the kind that you are
Virile and macho
But without a guitar
Into the sunset you rode
And the credits did roll
Not a regret did you feel 
But you've taken your toll
Too Many Cowboys

Just too many cowboys
Not quite enough men
Who will listen 
Rather learn than
Only just pretend



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erfrr

Tuesday, April 6, 2021

Recap . . .

. . . or retread (on the former occupant of the White House)

(from https://www.mankatofreepress.com/opinion/letters_to_the_editor/my-view-trump-may-be-first-to-be-indicted/article_5aa84ba6-8d77-11eb-8f05-072a3eb7b06b.html)
". . . (1) Attorney General Karl Racine has opened a criminal investigation into Trump’s actions on Jan. 6, when his supporters sacked the Capitol to try to stop Congress from certifying Biden’s win. . . 
(2) Cyrus Vance Jr., the Manhattan District Attorney, is investigating potential tax crimes, insurance fraud and other financial crimes under state law. . . 
(3) There are two investigations in Georgia, one where Trump pressured Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R) to “find” enough votes to let him win. . . 
(4) At the same time, Leticia James, the New York attorney general, is conducting a civil investigation of the Trump organization’s alleged fraudulent real estate practices. . .
(5) In addition, two Democratic congressmen and the NAACP have filed lawsuits over the insurrection under the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871 which bars violent interference in Congress’s constitutional duties. . .
(6) Trump’s niece, Dr. Mary Trump, has filed a lawsuit alleging he cheated her out of part of her inheritance. . . 
(7) Trump is also fighting lawsuits by E. Jean Carroll and Summer Zervos, who allege that Trump sexually assaulted them and then defamed them when they called him out. . . 
(8) He is also accused of paying hush money to two other women, Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal. . . 
(9) Twenty-four other women have accused Trump of sexual assault or harassment (https://twitter.com/postcards4USA/status/1317560278100463616/photo/1). . . 
(10) He is also facing fraud charges with respect to a hotel in Panama, another hotel in Chicago, and misuse of 2017 inauguration funds. . . 
(11) The AP has suggested that his Seven Springs country mansion may be one of his biggest problems. He has claimed tax deductions for a conservation easement that exceeds the value of the estate by more than double the cost. . . 
(12) Trump is reportedly personally responsible for repaying $300 million in loans over the next four years, according to a New York Times analysis of his tax records. . . 
(13) He has also issued a statement ordering the GOP to stop using his image and name to raise money; He wants it all to come to him, which could leave the Republican National Committee strapped for cash and affect some individual campaigns. . .
(14) Attorneys have sent cease-and-desist letters to GOP committees demanding they stop using his name in fundraising appeals, but the RNC has rejected the order.



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Monday, April 5, 2021

Fire . . .


 (from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/30/opinion/biden-stimulus-infrastructure.html)
". . . Michael Gerson, the former George W. Bush speechwriter and now columnist for The Washington Post . . . (wrote) “One of the United States’ venerable, powerful political parties has been overtaken by people who make resentment against outsiders the central element of their appeal. … Elected Republicans who are not bigots are generally cowards in the face of bigotry. And that is a shocking, horrible thing.” . . . The key to winning that fight is for Joe Biden to succeed well enough and long enough for this antidemocratic Trump version of the G.O.P. to flame out and be replaced by a new, principled, center-right Republican Party . . . (by ensuring). . .  the success of Biden’s two gigantic spending bills and deal a knockout blow to this pathetic dumpster fire called the Trump G.O.P. That would be a gift to both liberals and principled conservatives — and to Lady Liberty. . ."



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Sunday, April 4, 2021

One . . .

. . . thing


Everything really is negotiable,
Though your initial look may betray.
So big and frightening they may appear.
Your dedication and intellect take the day.

There's one thing you have to remember,
You mean so much to me.
That's one certainty.
When concerns become burdens
Please know I'm the one you need to see.
I will always be available,
No matter how far life removes you from me.

There's no necessity for extreme bravery.
All your good qualities I admire.
There's no embarrassment and there's no shame
If you accept someone's helping hand when you tire.

Any other time,
Any other place,
Nothing between us will be any different.
You don't have to hide
Feelings deep inside.
I'm here to help you so please let me try.

You may not understand.
You may not care.
I know you'll realize what's to bear.
I always felt that my responsibility
Is to make sure you find happiness anywhere.




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Saturday, April 3, 2021

Again . . .

. . . an opportunity to hear some current work from the guys in OHO, this one entitled 'The Hours'. The concept of hours, days, years; or time in general has been the topic of countless songs and other entertainment vehicles.  As we mature, we tend to appreciate the value of what used to be called 'quality time', which I employ to mean time applied to a substantial activities that result in something positive. When you accept the fact that your time is finite, you tend to want to make every bit of it count. 

". . . party's only what you make it. Make it into the BEST you can . . . "






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Friday, April 2, 2021

Credit . . .

 

. . . where credit is due

Seems there are more and more You Tube videos of bands playing cover versions of older music. They're playing it very well. The technical quality of both audio and video is impeccable. It sounds damned good. But they're playing it just like the record (like the original recording). Sometimes the arrangement, instrumentation and vocal is exactly like the record. If you close your eyes, you might think you're listening to the original. BUT IT'S NOT! 

Essentially, it's 'Full-Body Karaoke.' Right? After I've heard several of these, I get a yen for the original. Let's face it, with digital remastering the original comes very close to the young, new cover version on a technical basis. Why go to all the trouble?

I only ask the question, and this is my rant for today. But as an original musician, who (maybe, just sometimes) feels under-appreciated and under-supported, I cringe at the number of highly-recommended cover music videos presented to me. 

Make no mistake, I completely appreciate any and all musical efforts. I am a firm believer that MUSIC IS MAGIC. The talent, skill, time and financial investment in these videos is, I'm sure, substantial. Kudos. But on a purely personal level, I prefer an original composition, original approach to a genre or a blend of multiple genres, because there really is no limit to the twists and turns an original artist can employ to create something new and possibly different.  

That's what I'm talkin' about.



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Thursday, April 1, 2021

Tribalism . . .

 


Mother always told us it's not nice to hate.
She'd been practicing that golden rule for years.
If we'd only treat each other how we want to be ourselves
God will love us.

When I first met you I was quite impressed.
So much more than pretty face among the crowd.
And it didn't happen overnight but the curtain slowly fell
And the colors of your rainbow were revealed.

You are the tribis hippocriticus.
We don't like you,
Just trying to be honest.

From your position of authority on that lofty height.
You looked down, and not across, our great divide.
With a smile upon your face and hands placed firmly on controls,
The truth is evident and there for all to see.

'Cause that's the way we all should be.
We're not islands. 
We're not stones.
And just what will it take
To make you see this truth?

Let me make it so crystal clear just how strongly that I feel 
'Bout the way you take advantage for yourself.
If you took the power devoted to your cold conniving ways
And you simply turned it totally around.




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