Month: May 2005

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The Smoking Gun….Ignored.

Imagine a world where “Deepthroat” went public, and the evidence behind Watergate was there for all to see…

…but the media decided not to report it.

It didn’t happen in the 1970s, but it sure as hell is happening right now.

There is a “smoking memo” that confirms that the Bush Administration went to war on false pretenses. It has been validated, and, although the memo generated huge pre-election headlines in Britain, its existence has hardly been mentioned by the American media.

On May 1, the Sunday Times of London published the confidential minutes of a meeting held almost three years ago, in July of 2002, between Tony Blair and members of his Cabinet. They discussed the British government’s ongoing consultations with the Bush administration over Iraq. Those in attendance included the defense secretary, the foreign secretary, the attorney general, the intelligence chief and Blair’s closest personal aides.
The full text of the minutes of that meeting, set down in a memorandum by foreign policy advisor Matthew Rycroft, is available here.

Example quotes (comments and emphasis in bold added by me):

“C (the codename of the head of MI6) reported on his recent talks in Washington. There was a perceptible shift in attitude. Military action was now seen as inevitable. Bush wanted to remove Saddam, through military action, justified by the conjunction of terrorism and WMD. But the intelligence and facts were being fixed around the policy. The NSC had no patience with the UN route, and no enthusiasm for publishing material on the Iraqi regime’s record. There was little discussion in Washington of the aftermath after military action.“

and:

“The Foreign Secretary said he would discuss this with Colin Powell this week. It seemed clear that Bush had made up his mind to take military action, even if the timing was not yet decided. But the case was thin. Saddam was not threatening his neighbours, and his WMD capability was less than that of Libya, North Korea or Iran. We should work up a plan for an ultimatum to Saddam to allow back in the UN weapons inspectors. This would also help with the legal justification for the use of force.”

Months after this meeting, when Bush signed the congressional resolution authorizing the use of military force against Iraq on Oct. 16, 2002, he was lying when he assured Americans and the world that he still hoped war could be avoided. “I have not ordered the use of force. I hope the use of force will not become necessary,” he said at the time. “Hopefully this can be done peacefully. Hopefully we can do this without any military action.”

Yet the memo clearly shows that the invasion was a fait accompli, months earlier, and that the “intelligence and facts were being fixed around the policy.”

So, where is the American media on this story? Why is this not the headline of every major newspaper and filling hours of TV time?

Is anyone else terrified by the implications of the silence?

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Friday Music!!

I swear ta god….I have had the worst luck in the past couple of weeks. This is the second time that I’ve had to completely re-type my Friday Music entry because of my browser locking up. Sheesh.

I am glad to see, though, that this weekly experiment is doing what I had intended. Not only am I introducing you folks to some music that I think is nifty, but occasionally, it works the other way as well. For example: Last week, requested that I post some Reggae. I told her that I didn’t have any, mostly because I never really got into it, thanks to one too many run-ins with Frat assholes who had co-opted the whole “we be jammin'” vibe. Well, because of her comment, I took a listen to some recent reggae, and found this brilliant track from Capleton’s latest album. He does a mix of roots reggae, dancehall and ragga, and it comes off as very bright and poppy. If this song ever managed to get radio play here in the US, I could easily see it becoming one of this summer’s inescapable anthems. (Oh, and from the “my god, they’re everywhere” file, the vocal hook for this track is by Stephen Marley….one of Bob’s sons.) Capleton (feat. Stephen Marley) – “Sunshine Girl”

A few weeks back, I posted a track by The Scissor Sisters–one of their uptempo numbers, channelling the spirit of 70s Elton John. Here’s one of their slower tracks, which hearkens back to Ziggy-Stardust-era Bowie: Scissor Sisters – “Return to Oz”. I said it before, and I’m saying it now: if you haven’t picked up this CD, do so. The tracks I’ve posted are just a sample of how good this album is.

In keeping with ‘s request for things chill and trip-hoppy, here’s Zero 7 – “I Have Seen”. Usually, this style of music features female vocalists, but Zero 7 (a collaboration between UK producers Henry Binns and Sam Hardaker, which features a mix of electronics and soulful orchestral arrangements) switches from track to track between a male vocalist (Mozez), a female vocalist (Sia Furler) and pure instrumentals. This track features Mozez, and when the bassline changes subtlely when his lyrics kick in, I get chills (which, I suppose, is appropriate for the genre). The only way to describe this is “lush.”

Here’s one of ‘s faves: Brit crooner Robbie Williams, inspired by the success of his cover of “Have You Seen Ms. Jones” from the Bridget Jones soundtrack, released a CD of Rat-Pack-era vocal standards, called Swing When You’re Winning. This track, which features Nicole Kidman warming up for her turn in Moulin Rouge was the single from the album, and was a minor radio hit pretty much everywhere except in the US (where the album was never released). They do a cover of an old Frank Sinatra/Nancy Sinatra duet: Robbie Williams (feat. Nicole Kidman) – “Somethin’ Stupid”

Something a little more odd, now: this track features jazzy, almost stream-of-consciousness narration layered over a processed beat (complete with vinyl crackle), and tells the tale of an average LA resident. Soul Coughing – “Screenwriter’s Blues.” “It is Five A.M., and you are listening….to Los Angeles.”

For the Duran Duran fans out there, here’s something that you probably don’t have. Duran Duran – “Virus”, which is a bonus track from the newest album, Astronaut, only available when you get the album via Apple’s iTunes Music Store. I love this track…even more than a couple of the regular tracks on the album. I’m a bit surprised that they made this one the bonus.

I had thought about posting a Spanish-language song, in honor of Cinquo de Mayo, but instead, I’ve chosen an English-language song with a Spanish name. Morphine – “Buena”. This is from their album Cure for Pain. I’ve always been amazed by what these guys can do with a band that was entirely comprised of drums, a two-string bass and a baritone sax. This is my favorite Morphine track, with “Thursday” off the same album coming in a close second.

For our last track this week, we have one of those things where a bizarre combination ends up making a really amazing song. Take the eldest son of cheesey TV sitcom dad Alan Thicke, and have him lay down some downright Timberlakean vocals over the 1970s disco instrumental version of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, “A Fifth of Beethoven.” The result? Absolutely brilliant. Thicke – “When I Get You Alone.” I like this track probably way more than it deserves, but damn if it doesn’t make me want to dance my ass off.

There ya go, kids. Enjoy.

Posted on

Friday Music!!

I swear ta god….I have had the worst luck in the past couple of weeks. This is the second time that I’ve had to completely re-type my Friday Music entry because of my browser locking up. Sheesh.

I am glad to see, though, that this weekly experiment is doing what I had intended. Not only am I introducing you folks to some music that I think is nifty, but occasionally, it works the other way as well. For example: Last week, Val requested that I post some Reggae. I told her that I didn’t have any, mostly because I never really got into it, thanks to one too many run-ins with Frat assholes who had co-opted the whole “we be jammin'” vibe. Well, because of her comment, I took a listen to some recent reggae, and found this brilliant track from Capleton’s latest album. He does a mix of roots reggae, dancehall and ragga, and it comes off as very bright and poppy. If this song ever managed to get radio play here in the US, I could easily see it becoming one of this summer’s inescapable anthems. (Oh, and from the “my god, they’re everywhere” file, the vocal hook for this track is by Stephen Marley….one of Bob’s sons.) Capleton (feat. Stephen Marley) – “Sunshine Girl”

A few weeks back, I posted a track by The Scissor Sisters–one of their uptempo numbers, channelling the spirit of 70s Elton John. Here’s one of their slower tracks, which hearkens back to Ziggy-Stardust-era Bowie: Scissor Sisters – “Return to Oz”. I said it before, and I’m saying it now: if you haven’t picked up this CD, do so. The tracks I’ve posted are just a sample of how good this album is.

In keeping with Yosa’s request for things chill and trip-hoppy, here’s Zero 7 – “I Have Seen”. Usually, this style of music features female vocalists, but Zero 7 (a collaboration between UK producers Henry Binns and Sam Hardaker, which features a mix of electronics and soulful orchestral arrangements) switches from track to track between a male vocalist (Mozez), a female vocalist (Sia Furler) and pure instrumentals. This track features Mozez, and when the bassline changes subtlely when his lyrics kick in, I get chills (which, I suppose, is appropriate for the genre). The only way to describe this is “lush.”

Here’s one of Laura’s faves: Brit crooner Robbie Williams, inspired by the success of his cover of “Have You Seen Ms. Jones” from the Bridget Jones soundtrack, released a CD of Rat-Pack-era vocal standards, called Swing When You’re Winning. This track, which features Nicole Kidman warming up for her turn in Moulin Rouge was the single from the album, and was a minor radio hit pretty much everywhere except in the US (where the album was never released). They do a cover of an old Frank Sinatra/Nancy Sinatra duet: Robbie Williams (feat. Nicole Kidman) – “Somethin’ Stupid”

Something a little more odd, now: this track features jazzy, almost stream-of-consciousness narration layered over a processed beat (complete with vinyl crackle), and tells the tale of an average LA resident. Soul Coughing – “Screenwriter’s Blues.” “It is Five A.M., and you are listening….to Los Angeles.”

For the Duran Duran fans out there, here’s something that you probably don’t have. Duran Duran – “Virus”, which is a bonus track from the newest album, Astronaut, only available when you get the album via Apple’s iTunes Music Store. I love this track…even more than a couple of the regular tracks on the album. I’m a bit surprised that they made this one the bonus.

I had thought about posting a Spanish-language song, in honor of Cinquo de Mayo, but instead, I’ve chosen an English-language song with a Spanish name. Morphine – “Buena”. This is from their album Cure for Pain. I’ve always been amazed by what these guys can do with a band that was entirely comprised of drums, a two-string bass and a baritone sax. This is my favorite Morphine track, with “Thursday” off the same album coming in a close second.

For our last track this week, we have one of those things where a bizarre combination ends up making a really amazing song. Take the eldest son of cheesey TV sitcom dad Alan Thicke, and have him lay down some downright Timberlakean vocals over the 1970s disco instrumental version of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, “A Fifth of Beethoven.” The result? Absolutely brilliant. Thicke – “Alone.” I like this track probably way more than it deserves, but damn if it doesn’t make me want to dance my ass off.

There ya go, kids. Enjoy.

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