Monday, May 29, 2006
The best long-running roots music radio show: American Routes on NPR stations. Nick Spitzer's show is one of the best, most eclectic radio shows on roots and American music, but they don't archive full shows, just interviews. So if you want to know when it's playing now on the web, click on the American Routes webcast link I've added. One recent show: Jews and Blues, featuring an interview with super-producer Jerry Wexler, who worked with Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin. American Routes: radio show from New Orleans
Hear Dylan live from New Orleans Kwaya Na Kisser: Bob Dylan: Live at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Fair Grounds, Acura Stage, April 28, 2006.
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Another look at the new Congressional concerns over liberties. The Blog | Art Levine: Duke Cunningham to Gitmo? New Congressional outcry | The Huffington Post
Saturday, May 20, 2006
See and hear Billie Holiday on www.youtube.com. Bilie Holiday reunites with Lester Young, and this classic live jazz performance is one of thousands of performers and news events -- along with silly videos -- you can see on this website by using their search engine. Enjoy! YouTube - Billie Holiday - Fine and Mellow (1957)
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
What will happen to New Orleans when it's no longer a black city? MoJo Blog: Fade-Out: Jazz Fest and the African-American Future of New Orleans
Give your view: can the Dems find a populist candidate who can win? The Blog | Art Levine: Can Economic Populism Save the Democrats? Maybe... | The Huffington Post
Thursday, May 04, 2006
The untold story: How Democrats undermined reform.How the Democrats Played at Reform
As I reported on the weak House bill passed Wednesday:
As I reported on the weak House bill passed Wednesday:
Part of the blame falls on the Democrats and their sometimes feckless response to the ethics crisis, according to some watchdog groups and even a few pro-reform Congressional staffers. Melanie Sloan, the head of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), among others, argues, “The Democrats’ behavior has been absolutely appalling. They want the public to think that they’re pushing ethics reform but nobody really wants to give up the perks of their office. They bungled the opportunity and they snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.”
Indeed, on the political front, “Democrats haven’t done a great job drawing a sharp distinction [on ethics] between themselves and the Republicans,” says Norman Ornstein, the resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute.” They’re missing a bit of an opportunity. But it’s a risky business: They don’t want to call for the toughest imaginable restrictions and then have to live under them.” The Democrats also haven’t yet effectively convinced the public that there’s a connection between sleazy practices in the Republican-led Congress, and the pocketbook issues of skyrocketing gas prices and the chaotic Medicare prescription drug progam, although they’re now trying to do so. Matt Hogan, an analyst with the progressive public polling firm Democracy Corps, observes: “There’s an opportunity for Democrats to gain traction with corruption if they show how it relates to people’s lives” – but that message hasn’t really registered yet.
Monday, May 01, 2006
The genius behind George Bush. Badmash
