A grand jury just indicted Lewis "Scooter" Libby on four accounts of perjury in relation to the Valerie Plame-CIA leak.
This is of no consequence to those from all over the world whose lives have been in upheaval or lost due to the war in Iraq.
This is of no consequence to the American people, who long ago lost the majority of the respect and trust for government agents.
This is of no consequence to Ari Fleischer, who was not indicted for his part in the scandal due to his ratting Libby out, nor to Karl Rove and Dick Cheney, rumored to be the actual masterminds of the affair but who will never be indicted because their identities will forever act as a cushion against the crimes they've committed while in power.
This is of little consequence to Libby himself, who if not released after numerous appeals will probably get out of prison early for "good behavior," because he doesn't know how to behave otherwise, and who will be etched into history as a professional scapegoat for an unworthy and unpopular regime.
So what does this verdict mean? Does it mean anything?
Justice is never served, and this is not even the most futile of symbolic victories. This, like the conviction of Martha Stewart for insider trading, is pure smokescreen--it's a delicious morsel for the media to project, and it's a killer way to skirt the real issues involved. Because this trial and resultant media circus was not about lying under oath, or endangering the life of an important government agent working in a volitile area, or about protecting American lives. It was and shall remain about war, the way we perceive and deal with war in this decade, and it is ultimately to our detriment.
Long live the criminal justice system, let freedom reign supreme.
50 comments:
Well everyone gets a G Gordon Liddy or Oliver North for their era.
I just hope Lewis' radio show in 17 years is better than those other idiots.
Ron has sure gotten greater.
is it true the van halen tour has been canceled?
Of all the books Nora Roberts has written this one is by far my favorite. Deanna is a reporter trying to make her way into her own talk show. Deanna finds herself being stalked, with friends by her side to help her through it they embark on a journey of murder and deceit. With all the twists and turns you find yourself anticipating how they will catch Deanna's stalker while discovering each other. They manage to do it with only a few bumps along the way. I would give this book 7 stars if I could.
Tim, yes the Van Halen tour is OFF. Alos, today is the day when I find out just how much Ron has improved. Im pretty excited.
Ron? As in Asheton? Or is there something I'm missing here?
No youre not missing a thing. Ron as in Asheton.
As in Liz worked late last night and I'll be playing the Stooges when she gets home with it in hand.
It? As in your penis? Or is there something I'm missing here?
did the new stooges album come out yesterday? i'm out of the loop.
Yes, but Rich is really excited for the new Arcade Fire record. It's so PASSIONATE.
yeah the new stooges album is upon us
yeah the arcade fire, and that new bright eyes ep. cant wait!
Funny, I took you as more of an Apostle of Hustle guy.
what is apostle of the hustle? some sort of christian rap?
Yes, they rap about drinking wine because Jesus did.
so how is everyone getting their tickets for the stooges show? what's the best to go about it?
Here.
it may be 6 degrees outside, but it sure is pretty.
Hey, it warmed up enough to snow today...so I'm happy.
i can't wait to get a job, i'm so ungodly bored.
sadie benning exhibit at 6pm at saic auditorium. it's only $7 or so... just an fyi in case anyone is bored tonight.
Oh yeah, the woman who made Le Tigre GOOD. Is it only tonight?
....and she's from wisconsin! yeah!
ummm, i don't know. i think she might be there in person only tonight. i don't know, my documentary media instructor sent us an e-mail about it. do find out, d!
http://www.saic.edu/event_calendar/saic_2days.php
It is just tonight, and it's $5. I don't think I can go, though, I have to run home after work and grab stuff, and I don't think I'd be back downtown in time.
so if i had to choose record store to go to while i'm in chicago this weekend, which one is the best choice?
Dave's
Honestly, it depends on what you're looking for.
But Dave's is awesome, I will agree.
deanna, i will be needing your assistance in a photo project soon.
Okay, let me know when...I also still owe you guys dinner.
And I'm having my crown or root canal (depending on the dentist's final decision) next Friday, so that weekend might be out.
Rich or Tim, Reckless is showing cheap remastered import versions of Syd Barrett's solo albums. Would you guys just happen to have those? Fuck it, I should just go ahead and buy them sight unseen/sound unheard.
i think i'll need you this weekend, like on sunday and/or monday (after i get home from work and school). i have some things i need to buy and test first, though.
D- The Madcap Laughs is FAR superior in every way (songwriting, production, musicians et al). I think its completely brilliant.
Barrett though is alot weaker, but still has incredible stuff (especially Baby Lemonade, Gigilo Aunt, the Wined & Dined suite). And Syd's cover painting is beautiful.
Opel is out-takes. Some uninteresting and rather pointless some (Swan Lee, Opel, Word Song) vital and brilliant and essential.
At some point one NEEDS to venture into buying Syd/Pink Floyd bootlegs (they all pretty much have the same thing, theres not tons of stuff)--- important songs to look for
Scream Thy Last Scream
Vegetable Man
Apples & Oranges
Milky Way (electric guitar version)
Reaction In G
Lucy Leave
Rhamadan ((hey you might be the one to find it)
DO NOT be fooled into buying anyting from the "1974 Sessions". Its either lame or totally fake and I dont even think Syd is on it. Same with demos from his short lived band Stars. Its a lie!
Also, Syd has one song on the 2nd Floyd album. Album title- A Saucerful Of Secrets
song title- Jugband Blues. Its essential, you need it.
If you see a bootleg of Jugband Blues, dont trust it, especially if it claims it has John Lennon playing on it. Its true Syd and John (and Paul too) all hung otu frequently (especially with Pepper and Piper were recorded in opposite rooms at the same time), they never played on each others records.
Also, speaking of Piper, Syd only recorded one full album with Pink Floyd. Piper At The Gates Of Dawn. Tremendous, right up there with Strange Days, Velvet Underground, Sgt Pepper etc as one of those incredible 1967 albums.
Finally..."See Emily Play" & "Arnold Layne" were singles recorded at the same time as Piper. Theyre both as perfect as perfect gets.
Oh, Bob Dylan Blues & Two Of A Kind on Peel Session or BBC Session or whatever its called. Those are both real good. Last stuff Syd really ever recorded (I dont count the '74 stuff).
Well, I already have Madcap, but Reckless claims that the import version has 6 bonus tracks. So that was more or less what I was interested in, if you guys had heard that stuff or knew anything about it. Amazon UK doesn't show anything of the sort on their website. I guess I'll make the trek to Wicker Park this weekend and see.
Thanks for the list, though, I'm sure I'll need it along the way. (And I'm so in love with Madcap right now, I've been listening to it obsessively these days.)
yeah the version I have has the bonus tracks, and umm I think I liked them all. Usually when i have an album with bonus tracks i make a copy with just th album, cuz I like ALBUMS AS ALBUMS. You should just get the box set, it has all the solo stuff except bob dylans blues & two of a kind. all the floyd stuff (plus bootleg songs mentioned above) have to be hunted down.
In regards to Pink Floyd Syd bootlegs, Prindle (as ever) gives a decent basic rundown of whats what, Id say based on personal experience Magnesium Proverbs is the best bet (i did it all the old fashioned way! trial & error)
Yeah, I always stop listening to Plastic Ono Band at the last chord of "My Mummy's Dead," before "Power to the People" can leap through my speakers and ruin the ambience.
well don't i feel musically retarded right now? sure do!
Oh and D i forgot Candy & A Currant Bun! How the fuck did I forget its one of my absolute favorites. Stupid me. Of course in a way you already have that song cuz its the first song on the first falling deep.
no one thinks yr tard-y jackie. just read the above and youll know as much as i. which is all anyone can ever aspire to of course.
bow before me gracefully
What, bowing before you awkwardly isn't enough?
exactly
actually I was referencing a 14 year old beavis & butthead episode
where they are making fun of a death metal song and they sing
bow to me gracefully
bow to me happily
bow to me splendidly
and beavis goes "splendidly, thats stupid" and it was. and it was.
Indeed
Oh, Kill Rock Stars, you do your job too well! You spend years building up a band's career, and then BOOM!, the band leaves you for a bigger label. Happened with Elliott Smith. Happened with Sleater-Kinney. Happened with the Decemberists.
And now, it's happened with firebrand punk trio the Gossip, who have signed to the Columbia subsidiary Music With a Twist.
According to a press release, Music With a Twist is "the first major music label dedicated to identifying and developing lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and trans gendered (LGBT) artists." ("Identifying"? What does that mean?)
The Gossip contributed their breakout tune "Standing in the Way of Control" to the Music With a Twist compilation Revolutions, due out April 17. A new Gossip album is coming later this year. In the meantime, the band has a few shows scheduled for March and April, including, of course, SXSW.
Oh christ almighty, make it stop!
One hour till tix time!
Three hours till Chicago time!
You're coming into town? Whoo!
Not to put a damper on the fun, but I'm starting to get really tired of saying good morning and being friendly and no different than I've always been, and having people who had always been nice to me in the past outright ignore me. I'm not sure what I "did", since I exist outside of their little rumor mills, but this shit needs to stop.
Ive been there Deanna. I always smile and sdtart awkward conversation just for kicks
oh and D dont worry about putting damper on anything, I for one am happy we have our very own wet blanket!
Yeah, anything wet is sexy.
Lightning Bolt is definitely playing somewhere in Hyde Park on 03/31, and I for one am about to wet myself. It totally makes everything else seem so much better.
Also, I had green tea this morning, which is the first caffeine I've had in four days. Man, that shit makes me paranoid.
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