Food, football, and…oppression. That’s what Thanksgiving has come to mean to many Americans. Back in 2007, Seattle public school officials made national news by describing the holiday as a “time of mourning” and a “bitter reminder of 500 years of betrayal.” This new narrative describes the Pilgrims as arrogant oppressors who fled persecution only to become persecutors themselves, depriving Native Americans of their land and their lives. But this is wrong on every count.
Should Americans celebrate Thanksgiving as a day of gratitude? Or should they mourn it as a day of guilt? Michael Medved, author of The American Miracle, shares the fascinating story of the first Thanksgiving.
In 1932, Franklin Roosevelt ran against incumbent President Herbert Hoover for the presidency, hence the caricatures, and there are hints about the repeal of Prohibition in this cartoon. Hoover first shows up at 0:45. “Mr. Nobody” (1:12) probably refers to the other six candidates, including 3rd runner-up Socialist Party candidate Norman Thomas. Roosevelt’s nose and chin appear at 2:12.
The depiction of Congress at 2:28 is relevant today (as is Betty Boop twerking, promising everything for free). [Video found via here.]
Yep. That’s Penn Gillette (of Penn & Teller) on bass ca 1991. I first saw it in a movie theater as part of “Animation Celebration” or something, but I couldn’t find a link.
Clarence Gatemouth Brown (1924-2005) didn’t use a pick, and his calluses were tougher than woodpecker lips. Here’s his take on Bill Doggett‘s classic 1956 hit “Honky Tonk.” Brown was a speed blues artist as well. (If you doubt me, check out “Pressure Cooker.“)
RIP Roy Clark (1922-2018) What a great musical talent.
See you back here tomorrow for more extraneous arbitrary extrapolations.
Pray for those who lost loved ones, homes and businesses in the California fires, and don’t fall for the soulless scammers asking for donations. Donate directly to trusted charities only.
Awesome lineup, that. Recorded on August 27, 1974 at KCET in Hollywood, California.
Frank Zappa—guitar, percussion, vocals;
George Duke—keyboards, finger cymbals, tambourine, vocals;
Napoleon Murphy Brock—sax, vocals;
Ruth Underwood—percussion;
Tom Fowler—bass;
Chester Thompson—drums.
Awesome lineup, that. Recorded circa 1989
The Tonight Show Band Snooky Young – Trumpet
[That excellent video was sent down the memory hole just days ago for some unknown reason. What black-hearted soul would do such a thing? Let’s do this instead.]
Awesome lineup, that. Recorded circa 2010. The Tom Stormy Trio featuring Rhythm Sophie
Sophie – vocals
Tom Stormy – drums
Gábor Kiss – guitar
Buddy Benkey – double bass
Have a great weekend, folks. See you back here tomorrow and we’ll do stuff.
Stop-motion pumpkin carving is awesome. Many gourds sacrificed their lives [via].
“If you steal the kill, and nobody is hurt, that’s when you can relax.”
Hunting without killing is ballsy as all get out. Psych out the predators and steal their stuff before they figure out what’s going on and they kill you [via].
The Growlers is an excellent name for an excellent semi-retro band. I love ’em.
Bite The Buffalo is an excellent name for an excellent semi-retro band. I love ’em.
Have a great weekend, folks, and we’ll do something different tomorrow. Or not.
Okay 1502 AD is technically the 16th Century, but the engineering was already in existence.
VERY cool – You can build it on the spot if there’s available timber, no connectors required, and you can knock it down and take it with you once your army has crossed the stream, arroyo, ravine or ditch. Here’s one in use (with planks installed):
This kid constructed one without notches or connectors, using friction and compression only.
[Top image from Da Vinci. 2nd image from here, video from here, links found in here.]
“Check out the Prancercise Website Here: http://www.prancercise.com This video shows the 4 modes of Prancercise® .You can visit me at http://www.prancercise.com where you can learn more about Prancercise®: “A springy, rhythmic way of moving forward, similar to a horse’s gait and is ideally induced by elation.” copyright 1989, taken from my book Prancercise®:The Art of Physical and Spiritual Excellence, now available to the public for the first time!”
I don’t care about Mick Fleetwood either, but he was/is one hella talent.
Cadillac in the Swampis a torrid, steaming album, powered by the gutsy, powerful songwriting and singing of harpist Anthony Thompson. Smokehouse reworks the deep, swampy groove of New Orleans and Delta blues, adding the electric energy of Chicago blues. Thompson is a raw, greasy harmonica player, evoking the classic licks of Little Walter. He’s not as good a singer — his range is quite limited — but he is a forceful and emotional vocalist and he’s one hell of a songwriter; unlike many of his contemporaries, he is not afraid of tackling big social issues. Guitarist Robert Thomas is equally impressive, spitting out firey solos and muscular riffs throughout the record. That musical dexterity and sinewy energy shines throughout Cadillac in the Swamp, a first-rate modern blues album. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, AMG Enjoy !!!
I don’t know where that recording came from, but it sounds a lot like Howlin’ Wolf to me. Nasty blues with a very cool video.
Have a great weekend, folks, and we’ll be back here tomorrow.
Fishbone was, and is, one of the tightest high-speed ska bands I ever heard. [The above is dedicated to Professor Christine Ford, whose evil testimony under oath has been proven to be fabricated in order to impune the character of an innocent man.]
One of the best slide guitar players in the business. Ry Cooder‘s 1988 swamp rock take on Elvis‘ “All Shook Up” was awesome.
Killer stuff from Justin Johnson. Turn it up. It’s the musical equivalent to stress on the 405 through L.A. at rush hour and I love it.
Have a great weekend, folks, see you back here after I tear up my kitchen tomorrow.
Then there’s this, and I like it. The Wrecks jam it.
The worst sin in the world is to bear false witness against an innocent person. In my case, it made the local papers. I’ve been there, been accused of horrible crimes with no evidence. I couldn’t leave my apartment, didn’t have money to defend myself, and all the allegations were EVENTUALLY determined to be false, made up by some school girls for kicks. Their story broke down under interrogation.
Have a great weekend, folks, and I hope you’re never accused of crimes you never comitted.
Tacky Raccoons 