By Jack Brummet
1
There are pockets of sanity
Scattered among us
And light years between those
Shimmering Seas of Tranquility.
2
The puzzle we face
Is keeping the tiller
Aimed away from
The Sea of Madness.
3
The silver rain
Is drawn
Like a curtain
Between us and God.
---o0o---
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Rumored Closeted Republican Politician of The Week: Richard Nixon!
By Jack Brummet, Presidents Editor
This article was just sent by reader Dean Ericksen: Rumored Closeted Republican Politician of The Week: Richard Nixon!
This is a mind-effer of all mind-effers. As a long-time Nixon student (see our articles on him, below), I'd never caught even a whiff of this one before. Yeah, we knew Bebe and The Trickster had a close friendship, but Hoover-Tolson close? Sure, the evidence is pretty flimsy, but it torques the mind to even consider that bright, but thoroughly mean-spirited misanthrope holding hands under the table with Bebe Rebozo! Unfortunately, neither Bebe or Tricky Dick are around anymore to ask. . .
This article was just sent by reader Dean Ericksen: Rumored Closeted Republican Politician of The Week: Richard Nixon!
This is a mind-effer of all mind-effers. As a long-time Nixon student (see our articles on him, below), I'd never caught even a whiff of this one before. Yeah, we knew Bebe and The Trickster had a close friendship, but Hoover-Tolson close? Sure, the evidence is pretty flimsy, but it torques the mind to even consider that bright, but thoroughly mean-spirited misanthrope holding hands under the table with Bebe Rebozo! Unfortunately, neither Bebe or Tricky Dick are around anymore to ask. . .
Other ATIT articles on Richard M. Nixon:
Fun with Richard Nixon's Ghost
Nixon's Back Pocket speech in case of a space disaster
RMN's Comedy of Errors
The photographer who stole Richard Nixon's Soul
Lying and Contractions
POTUS 37, or, the comedy of errors
Presidents it was fun to vote against
Nixon's Back Pocket speech in case of a space disaster
RMN's Comedy of Errors
The photographer who stole Richard Nixon's Soul
Lying and Contractions
POTUS 37, or, the comedy of errors
Presidents it was fun to vote against
The image Wonkette used in their story, hearkening back
to this year's Rick Perry and Michele Bachmann memes
---o0o---
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Poem: [The Streetlight’s Blue Shadows]
by Jack Brummet
The streetlight's blue shadow
Pools on the macadam of 24th Avenue NW
As stars coruscate through a nebulous fog.
I tilt my head to see The Big Dipper,
Polaris, Ursa Minor, Cassiopeia, and Andromeda.
The streetlight's falling shadow
Marks a twilight world I take for granted.
The bats' sonar
And the muffled bark of sea lions
Are the songs I hear
When I go outside to see the stars
Twinkling in the briny air.
---o0o---
The streetlight's blue shadow
Pools on the macadam of 24th Avenue NW
As stars coruscate through a nebulous fog.
I tilt my head to see The Big Dipper,
Polaris, Ursa Minor, Cassiopeia, and Andromeda.
The streetlight's falling shadow
Marks a twilight world I take for granted.
The bats' sonar
And the muffled bark of sea lions
Are the songs I hear
When I go outside to see the stars
Twinkling in the briny air.
---o0o---
Ernest Hemingway's shortest story?
By Jack Brummet, Literary Editor
Ernest Hemingway famously wrote this, to prove an entire story could be written in six words:
Some people say Hemingway called his his best work. Others claim that it's nothing more than a literary folk tale. No one really seems to know for sure.
In 2008, inspired by this story, Smith Magazine published a book of six word memoirs inspired by this story. It's pretty good--with examples from both famous and obscure writers. The book is called "Not Quite What I Was Planning" (Harper Perennial Books, 2008). I found a copy in my local Value Village, and am enjoying. If you have a short enough attention span, I guess this book could provide you a year's worth of stories. . .
Ernest Hemingway famously wrote this, to prove an entire story could be written in six words:
"For Sale: baby shoes, never worn."
Some people say Hemingway called his his best work. Others claim that it's nothing more than a literary folk tale. No one really seems to know for sure.
In 2008, inspired by this story, Smith Magazine published a book of six word memoirs inspired by this story. It's pretty good--with examples from both famous and obscure writers. The book is called "Not Quite What I Was Planning" (Harper Perennial Books, 2008). I found a copy in my local Value Village, and am enjoying. If you have a short enough attention span, I guess this book could provide you a year's worth of stories. . .
---o0o---
Monday, December 26, 2011
Donald Trump, the man without a party (Run, Donald, Run!) re-reconsiders, and a suggestion for running mate
By Pablo Fanque, National Affairs Editor
illustrations by Jack Brummet
First, The Donald tantalized us earlier this year, and his polling numbers went--briefly--through the roof. Then he dropped out, but left the door open just a crack. Over the last few months, many of the Republican Presidential wannabes have made the trek to his office (for what--money? his blessing?). The Washington Post had a great piece on their blog in early December titled "2012 Republican are kissing Donald Trump's ring. But why?"
It seems that Donald Trump, like most of the rest of the American electorate, has found Republican Clown War sorely lacking in substance, in a viable candidate, a rational platform--lacking in just about everything. Now, Trump has switched his political affiliation to "Independent," and is possibly considering running again. At least that is what some staffers and a spokesperson say. No word on how this would affect his reality show, which could be subject to equal time provisions from other candidates if he did decide to run.
From today's Christian Science Monitor:
If you do run, Mr. Trump, may we suggest that you sign up your old friend, the Ex-Governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin, as your running mate? With a double whammy like that, what could possibly go wrong?
illustrations by Jack Brummet
First, The Donald tantalized us earlier this year, and his polling numbers went--briefly--through the roof. Then he dropped out, but left the door open just a crack. Over the last few months, many of the Republican Presidential wannabes have made the trek to his office (for what--money? his blessing?). The Washington Post had a great piece on their blog in early December titled "2012 Republican are kissing Donald Trump's ring. But why?"
It seems that Donald Trump, like most of the rest of the American electorate, has found Republican Clown War sorely lacking in substance, in a viable candidate, a rational platform--lacking in just about everything. Now, Trump has switched his political affiliation to "Independent," and is possibly considering running again. At least that is what some staffers and a spokesperson say. No word on how this would affect his reality show, which could be subject to equal time provisions from other candidates if he did decide to run.
From today's Christian Science Monitor:
Given his not-too-shabby polling numbers, deep pockets, and new-found status as a registered independent, business mogul Donald Trump is in a decent position to launch a third-party run for president of the United States.
The snark on the street is that Mr. Trump, a temperamental fellow who has toggled his party affiliation before, dumped the Republican Party on Thursday in anger after only two in the large field of GOP presidential candidates agreed to attend a debate he was slated to moderate. Some Republican hopefuls had questioned whether it was ethical for Trump to host a debate while considering a potential presidential run himself.
A Trump spokesman, however, said his boss dropped out of the debate and changed his party affiliation "to preserve his right to run for president as an independent."
If you do run, Mr. Trump, may we suggest that you sign up your old friend, the Ex-Governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin, as your running mate? With a double whammy like that, what could possibly go wrong?
Photo: source unknown
---o0o---
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Holiday decorations and Alien Lore
Thanks to our friend Teresa Thiessen for sending this along. The photo somehow reminded her of ATIT.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
ATIT Reheated (from 2005): Remembering the 1980 NYC subway strike
By Jack Brummet, NYC Metro Editor
Contract talks broke off between New York transit and union negotiators last night [ed's note: we published this in 2005] without an agreement (just before the midnight strike deadline). 34,000 workers have gone on strike. Seven million people a day need to find another way to get around.
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced a "comprehensive emergency plan" to help mitigate the effects of the strike with more ferry service, only car pools allowed into Manhattan, several major streets, including Fifth Avenue, clear of all traffic except buses and emergency vehicles. I believe taxis are also required to pool riders (as they did in 1980).
We lived in Manhattan during the 1980 strike. It started on April Fool's Day and lasted 12 days.
According to nycsubway.org, the absentee rate during the strike was around 15-20%. That may be true, but those of us who actually showed up for work didn't make it in until very late, and everyone left early. It was basically a circus atmosphere all over town. Employers were glad to have us show up for even a few hours a day. Even the most skinflint of employers (and that would include mine, Carl Fischer music publishers) paid people to share cabs in to work. The cab ride from the Upper West Side to the East Village took about two hours...barely faster than walking. It was a total zoo, with gridlock everywhere, and thousands of cops on traffic duty to contain the honking, chaos, and (literally) millions of pedestrians.
Heading to work on The Brooklyn Bridge
I don't remember road rage, or riots, or people being particularly angry. In fact, it was like anytime things went wrong: New Yorkers pulled together; they griped and kavetched, and they lived with it, and had a pretty good time doing it. I remember the endless commutes, schlepping back and forth from uptown to downstown. I remember sharing cab rides with Arthur Cohn (the cranky, funny composer and conductor known for his books on contemporary music, The Collector's 20th-Century Music in the Western Hemisphere and 20th-Century Music in Europe), Susan Lurie, a friend and excellent flautist, and at least one other person, possibly Pinky Rawsthorne. . .although if she was in the cab I think I would have remembered it, because there would have been a lot more laughter.
In 1980, the subways were dirty, dangerous, smelled, tended to catch on fire at times, had no air conditioning, and were covered with tags and graffiti. And boy, did we miss them. After returning home at night, you stayed in your neighborhood, or within walking distance anyhow. Somehow they settled it all in a couple of weeks. Good luck New York!
Contract talks broke off between New York transit and union negotiators last night [ed's note: we published this in 2005] without an agreement (just before the midnight strike deadline). 34,000 workers have gone on strike. Seven million people a day need to find another way to get around.
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced a "comprehensive emergency plan" to help mitigate the effects of the strike with more ferry service, only car pools allowed into Manhattan, several major streets, including Fifth Avenue, clear of all traffic except buses and emergency vehicles. I believe taxis are also required to pool riders (as they did in 1980).
We lived in Manhattan during the 1980 strike. It started on April Fool's Day and lasted 12 days.
According to nycsubway.org, the absentee rate during the strike was around 15-20%. That may be true, but those of us who actually showed up for work didn't make it in until very late, and everyone left early. It was basically a circus atmosphere all over town. Employers were glad to have us show up for even a few hours a day. Even the most skinflint of employers (and that would include mine, Carl Fischer music publishers) paid people to share cabs in to work. The cab ride from the Upper West Side to the East Village took about two hours...barely faster than walking. It was a total zoo, with gridlock everywhere, and thousands of cops on traffic duty to contain the honking, chaos, and (literally) millions of pedestrians.
Heading to work on The Brooklyn Bridge
I don't remember road rage, or riots, or people being particularly angry. In fact, it was like anytime things went wrong: New Yorkers pulled together; they griped and kavetched, and they lived with it, and had a pretty good time doing it. I remember the endless commutes, schlepping back and forth from uptown to downstown. I remember sharing cab rides with Arthur Cohn (the cranky, funny composer and conductor known for his books on contemporary music, The Collector's 20th-Century Music in the Western Hemisphere and 20th-Century Music in Europe), Susan Lurie, a friend and excellent flautist, and at least one other person, possibly Pinky Rawsthorne. . .although if she was in the cab I think I would have remembered it, because there would have been a lot more laughter.
The New York Post Transit Survival
Guide - Click to enlarge
In 1980, the subways were dirty, dangerous, smelled, tended to catch on fire at times, had no air conditioning, and were covered with tags and graffiti. And boy, did we miss them. After returning home at night, you stayed in your neighborhood, or within walking distance anyhow. Somehow they settled it all in a couple of weeks. Good luck New York!
---o0o---
Friday, December 23, 2011
Six years ago on ATIT: Poem - The World Seems Especially Calming And Verisimilitudinous Today
By Jack Brummet
Swim run fly crawl creep
The animals don't kill time
And time loves them back
Threading high fidelity cirrus
The sun unloads the last of its rays
And blesses the mountain palisade
So much depends upon
Keeping this up
(And a red wheel barrow).
---o0o---
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Charlie Chaplin's memorable speech from "The Great Dictator"
Seventy years ago, Chalie Chaplin made this memorable speech in one of his best films—The Great Dictator. What a fantastic performance, and what a touching speech! It seems shockingly prescient, shining a light right here, right now, on us and our Situation. Thanks to Tony Ravo for sharing this. I haven't seen this movie for a few years, and it's good to remember.
---o0o---
Ronald Reagan talks about the Democrats (Pre-politics of destruction in U.S.)
By Jack Brummet, Two-party system editor
This video clip of a good natured speech by President Ronald Reagan reminds me of the days before the politics of destruction took over. It reminds me of Adlai Stevenson's famous quote about Republicans: "I have been thinking that I would make a proposition to my Republican friends... that if they will stop telling lies about the Democrats, we will stop telling the truth about them.”
[Thanks to Guy Brummet for sending this along].
This video clip of a good natured speech by President Ronald Reagan reminds me of the days before the politics of destruction took over. It reminds me of Adlai Stevenson's famous quote about Republicans: "I have been thinking that I would make a proposition to my Republican friends... that if they will stop telling lies about the Democrats, we will stop telling the truth about them.”
[Thanks to Guy Brummet for sending this along].
---o0o---
The last U.S. crate shipped out of Iraq
Just in time for Christmas, the USA has now pulled out all of its troops from Iraq, ending the long war. A photographer caught the last crate to be shipped out, back to the USA.
---o0o---
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Three-time Senate candidate Christine O'Donnell
Digital Art by Jack Brummet
I was inspired to revisit Candidate O'Donnell after her hilarious "endorsement" of Mitt Romney (see Christine O'Donnell endorses Mittens, pouring salt on his festering flip-flop wound).
I was inspired to revisit Candidate O'Donnell after her hilarious "endorsement" of Mitt Romney (see Christine O'Donnell endorses Mittens, pouring salt on his festering flip-flop wound).
click to enlarge
---o0o---
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