Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Pessimism assures that nothing of any importance will change.

Jesus, Mary, & Joseph how is that election even close?

Prediction: the GOP will rethink its strategy of boycotting future committees.

Presidents are not kings, and Plaintiff is not President.

We are aware of all internet traditions.

I’ve spoken to my cat about this, but it doesn’t seem to do any good.

A thin legal pretext to veneer over their personal religious and political desires

“Squeaker” McCarthy

It may be funny to you motherfucker, but it’s not funny to me.

… riddled with inexplicable and elementary errors of law and fact

🎶 Those boots were made for mockin’ 🎵

rich, arrogant assholes who equate luck with genius

Not all heroes wear capes.

It’s the corruption, stupid.

Fuck these fucking interesting times.

Proof that we need a blogger ethics panel.

Only Democrats have agency, apparently.

All your base are belong to Tunch.

“More of this”, i said to the dog.

I was promised a recession.

The words do not have to be perfect.

I did not have this on my fuck 2022 bingo card.

Let there be snark.

Anyone who bans teaching American history has no right to shape America’s future.

You are here: Home / Music / Sunday Morning Open Thread: Musical Interlude

Reader Interactions

105Comments

  1. 1.

    eclare

    Good morning everyone! Has anyone heard from Quinerly lately? It’s been a while since she posted, and I miss hearing about Poco, Ivan, and John Lennon.

  3. 3.

    West of the Rockies (been a while)

    I hope Red Shirt is okay. Hasn’t been around since the election.

  5. 5.

    West of the Rockies (been a while)

    @eclare

    Could be. I woke up randomly and everything is a little fuzzy anyway. It’s west coast time here.

  8. 8.

    Chet

    Off to run a half marathon. It’s over 70 degrees already, so not excited about my chances for a personal best. It’s my third race in 18 months, and they’ve all had above average temps.

  9. 9.

    NotMax

    Tracking a priority letter sent from the east coast this past Tuesday.

    So far it has made it to Honolulu and then stopped off at two separate post offices on Maui, one on Friday and the other Saturday – neither of which is the correct one for delivery to me – and now is back in Honolulu again.

    Too bad can’t get frequent flier miles.

  12. 12.

    Betty Cracker

    Might go see Blade Runner 2049 today. That’s the only agenda item, and it’s tentative.

  16. 16.

    Cermet

    Mostly house cleaning; I do hope to upgrade my 60 kilo-volt high current power supply (its extremely lethal) to 120 kilo-volts (ironically, to a not lethal supply (it will then have a very reduced current output)) but that requires adding some voltage multiplier stages; and while I have the parts, I have to be willing to reorganize my lab room in the house and worse, tackle a few minor electronic side projects first – ugh. Oh, maybe wash the Saint Bernard but looks to rain today so that is not something that is fun to do in rain.
    I am getting far too lazy of late for my own good (health-wise.) Need to reverse that.

  17. 17.

    OzarkHillbilly

    The rain came thru yesterday and left us with a fair soaking. So now I can mix and pour another slab of concrete in the new front walk. I’ll spend some time cleaning up the garden too. Got my hairy vetch seed last week and I need to get it in for the cover crop this winter.

  18. 18.

    NotMax

    9 episodes in to Charlie Jade thus far.

    Firmly in the “Why didn’t someone tell me about this series before” category.

  20. 20.

    Steeplejack (phone)

    @mai naem mobile:

    Have not seen a thing from Betty, and several of us have been looking. It has been hard for me even to find news about the situation in Dominica.

  21. 21.

    delk

    Today is the Chicago Marathon.

    Mile 14 is a block away then it comes back two blocks away for mile 16 which means my neighborhood is a mess this morning. All north and south traffic will be shut down on two major streets making the area a huge parking lot of traffic.

    I’ll go out 2-3 times and cheer for a bit but the crowd and the noise will freak my dog out and he’s already pretty freaked out because my husband is out of town.

  22. 22.

    Steeplejack (phone)

    When I woke up a little while ago I found a text from three hours ago from my friend in Alaska, saying that she was through security and waiting to board her flight in Fairbanks. She’s got a long travel day! She doesn’t arrive here at Dulles until 4:00 p.m. EDT. I had been focusing on that and haven’t really looked at her whole itinerary.

    Guess I don’t have to worry so much about entertaining her tonight. She’ll probably want to check into her hotel, maybe have something to eat and then collapse.

  23. 23.

    JMG

    Golf this morning, then a few chores, then playoff baseball, I guess. Alice and I going out to one of our favorite restaurants tonight. Last night was the first bay scallops of the season here on the Cape. Even I can be a top chef with those, since they cook for about 90 seconds.

  24. 24.

    NotMax

    @Steeplejack

    That’s a long freakin’ flight. All the more for some who is 80.

    Still have time to send some flowers or something to her hotel (hint, hint).

  27. 27.

    OzarkHillbilly

    @NotMax: Heh. That’s the name I should have used for my ‘coming out’ for a buddy’s 30th. (I looked smoking hot in a red miniskirt with thigh highs)

  28. 28.

    satby

    Good morning everyone! I’m bummed that the scent on my second batch of frankincense and myrrh soap is as faint as the first, it must flash off in the soap temperature. Frustrating, I was really pleased with how nice this batch came out when I poured it too.

  30. 30.

    NotMax

    @satby

    Long ago in practically another lifetime used to make candles. There was a particular candle scent called New Mown Hay which was a perennial best seller.

    Dunno if it would also work in soap.

  31. 31.

    Steeplejack

    @NotMax:

    Fairbanks to Seattle—​just that leg is 3½ hours—​two-hour layover, then 5¼ hours to Dulles. Jeez, I get tired just doing Dulles-Las Vegas nonstop.

    Thanks for the tip on flowers, but historically she is not a flowers person. More like flinty artist.

    ETA: Hmm, maybe a nosh basket.

  33. 33.

    donnah

    Somebody help me! I’m out of town in Georgia getting ready to teach a workshop. I’m with other teachers and we’ve all known each other fairly well for a while. We normally don’t discuss politics, which is good because they’re all Republicans and I want to still like them.

    Last night at dinner however, they started with the Civil war statues and “erasing history” and that spun into Football players taking the knee, which none of them could “wrap their heads around”, and then some support for Trump, who’s “interesting”.

    I ate quietly without comment because I truly didn’t want to get into it with them. Cowardly, I admit, but my level of anger over this administration can rocket from zero to a thousand in a nanosecond and I just didn’t want to turn these women against me on the first day we spent together.

    I just spent another workshop a week ago in Omaha with another couple who are Trump supporters and I did finally tell them that I can’t discuss politics because I disagree with everything they stand for. They were shocked.

    There are many, many Republicans who actually support this disgusting president and the Republican agenda. I hear the same things everywhere I’ve traveled: Trump is shaking things up, he’s teaching North Korea and the rest of the world some tough lessons, he’s wrongly accused of mishandling Puerto Rico (those people live like primitive savages and think they deserve handouts from us), and he’s never gotten a break from the press to let him show what he can do without being criticized all of the time.

    It’s frightening to me. I can’t believe how often I’m hearing support for this moron from so many people. It makes me feel disheartened and discouraged. But it also tells me that I can’t give up, that I can still get out the vote where I live and call representatives and donate to political supporters.

    It’s ugly out here.

  34. 34.

    OzarkHillbilly

    @NotMax: An Arkie friend and his wife had quite the candle making business for years, traveling to various fairs all thru the Ozarks. Then their candle shop caught fire, no saving it once it started. That would have been bad enough but it spread to his machine shop too. Starting over from scratch they built it all back up over several years. Then their house caught fire and mostly burned up. They gave up the candle business after that. For some reason or other, RC became extremely fire averse.

  37. 37.

    satby

    @NotMax: I have a couple of requests for Sweetgrass, the Native American herb, and that’s a really nice scent that I think will flash off too. The light ones are tricky, I put too much in yesterday to try to retain some fragrance, but this morning I don’t smell it at all. Of course, I also lose my the sense of smell working with them and things I think are barely there other people really like, so it could be that.
    I’m just going to make this over in a glycerin bar, it’ll be strong then. A customer asked for a really strong frankincense and myrrh soap

  38. 38.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @eclare:

    Wow, I was literally just coming to ask that question! Haven’t heard or seen a peep from her in a couple of weeks.

  39. 39.

    satby

    @donnah: the common thread in all of that support from Republicans is that it’s all “getting tough” with non-white people. They’re racists supporting a racist agenda. They may seem more genteel, but they’re racists. Appalling that they’re also teachers.

  40. 40.

    JPL

    @donnah: Every republican candidate running for governor in GA supports a religious liberty bill. Since local races here are non partisan, we have a rule not to discuss politics, beyond the local race. That’s how I survive.

  41. 41.

    satby

    @SiubhanDuinne: ok, I confess that we’re friends on FB and I may have seen it there. She was driving solo so I think she’s just busy and probably tired. Bet she checks in soon once she gets there.

    Edited to add: I think a lot of us are backing away a bit from political stuff. I know Watergirl is taking a break too, because it’s all so relentlessly depressing to see the evil that people are ok with. As donnah above can attest.

  42. 42.

    father pussbucket

    @donnah: I tell myself that a lot of people just can’t imagine being anything but Republicans and just wall off that part of their brain. Not just because I don’t want to make enemies but because it’s so baffling that so many people fail to notice Trump’s a moron.

  43. 43.

    Dorothy A. Winsor (formerly Iowa Old Lady)

    @donnah: I see you were in Georgia and Nebraska. Were the Trump supporters from there too? It’s truly depressing that people who look intelligent can support this stupid, destructive man, but maybe it’s just local tribalism. Those are red areas.

    I’m still in Brainerd where it’s supposed to be a nice fall day once it gets light.

  44. 44.

    OzarkHillbilly

    @donnah: I always wear my politics on my sleeve/truck/whatever. That way if people don’t want to get blasted they don’t even bring the topic up. If they bring the topic up, then they must want to get blasted and I give it to them hard.

  45. 45.

    NotMax

    @OzarkHillbilly

    It was a hobby/sideline in my case, not a primary income stream. Did wangle a few agreements to refill those candles in the red glass containers ubiquitous in some restaurants. Had to learn a bit about glass staining/painting as well, as the red color was a film that tended to slough off over time.

  46. 46.

    Just One More Canuck

    Canadian Thanksgiving weekend, so getting ready to go to my in-laws and stuff my face

  47. 47.

    Dorothy A. Winsor (formerly Iowa Old Lady)

    @satby: I’ve really come to appreciate Maddow’s mantra which is ignore what they say and watch what they do. Trump says bewilderingly evil and stupid things on an hourly basis. Sometimes it’s satisfying to notice how stupid and evil they are and let the outrage fly. But if I can manage to ignore them and find reports on what’s actually happening (not easy), it’s still terrible but it’s less exhausting.

  48. 48.

    Betty Cracker

    @donnah: It is frightening and disheartening. I understand exactly what you mean when you say your anger level can rocket from zero to a thousand in a nano-second; that’s what prompted me to enter years-long “no talking politics” agreements with family members who would otherwise spew poisonous ideas in my presence.

    But I don’t think we have that luxury anymore. These people are emboldened because they assume everyone agrees with them. I think it’s important to challenge that assumption.

  49. 49.

    satby

    @Betty Cracker: I agree that it’s important that they hear that people they like or respect don’t agree with them. Most live in a cocoon of ignorance: they don’t really follow politics, they know more about the Kardashian clan than they do about the real policies that Republicans want, and they’re seldom challenged by other viewpoints. I let people know where I stand pretty clearly in discussions and on FB. But I’m Irish, we love a good brawl.

  50. 50.

    OzarkHillbilly

    @NotMax: They had quite the line up of products. Many different scents, colors, and shapes. Really beautiful stuff in looks as well as smells. I’m down to my last few and don’t burn them cause when they’re gone, they’ll be gone for good.

  51. 51.

    Dorothy A. Winsor (formerly Iowa Old Lady)

    @satby: I hate a brawl, and I was just thinking I could use Donnah’s tactic of saying she couldn’t talk about this because she disagreed with the Trump supporters so strongly.

    If someone is willing to discuss politics with Trumpers, a poster here says they press the other person to say more. What do they mean by “shake things up” frex or what is he doing about NK. I thought that was useful too.

  52. 52.

    RedDirtGirl

    Sorry to drop this here, bit this community gives such solace in dark times, both global and personal. The husband of a dear friend killed himself this week. I am devastated.

  55. 55.

    Betty Cracker

    @RedDirtGirl: That’s horrible. Wishing strength and courage to the survivors, including you. It’s good that your friend has a caring friend like you to lean on. That will be so important in the tough days ahead.

  56. 56.

    RedDirtGirl

    Thank you. Wish I was closer. I’m in NY, she’s in Maine. But as soon as she’s up for it I will go see her.

  63. 63.

    A Ghost to Most

    White nationalist figurehead Richard Spencer led a crowd of three dozen supporters to the statue of Confederate general Robert E. Lee in Charlottesville, Virginia on Saturday night, local NBC reporter Matt Telham reported on Twitter.

    Police stood by as Spencer and his ilk chanted “we will be back!” They soon after vacated the park, Telham tweeted.

    Afterwards, Spencer took to Twitter himself to say that the rally was a “success,” and that they alt-right were “badly mistreated” in August.

    Silence is no longer an option.

  64. 64.

    MattF

    @RedDirtGirl: Caring for the survivors is the main thing. It’s hard and everyone’s stressed beyond what they expected– keep doing your best.

  65. 65.

    MomSense

    @RedDirtGirl:

    I’m so sorry. My son’s housemate’s dad did the same this week and they are all hurting and devastated. I wish I had the right words, but I think this is just about the toughest grieving there is. Sending giant hugs to you. I hope in time you can find peace and remember all the things you loved about your friend. His family will long for those memories and cherish sharing them with you.

    @donnah:

    Oh god. That sounds horrible. I bet you want to shake them up. Maybe you can say that you’d rather not discuss politics with them because you don’t agree and find some of their comments too upsetting. If they needle you after that – game on.

  66. 66.

    eric

    @RedDirtGirl: you and others never need to apologize for dropping “that” here. Vocalizing pain is the first step to admitting its depth and coming to terms with it. I am terrible about speaking of other’s tragedies, but hope that life circles back to the light for you and your friend.

  67. 67.

    MattF

    @Betty Cracker: I’m putting off Blade Runner until next weekend. It’s gotten very good reviews, so I’m hopeful. Otherwise off to the farmer’s market as long as it’s not too rainy.

    Since the OP has an MCC song, I’ll post a link to one of my favorites, The Last Word. An interesting thing about the song is that you have to know the title to make sense out of it.

  68. 68.

    Tenar Arha

    @donnah: I’m so sorry. It’s the post-election social crapshoot.

    It feels post-election like there’s no good choices in these situations anymore. Like we’re living this scene from Gentleman’s Agreement over and over again. And for each unexpected or expected social situation, we’re forced over and over to choose. We’re all either Kathy now, trying to decide how much social or professional death we’re willing to endure to stop people from thinking that what they’re saying is okay. Or we’re Dave, trying to decide how much we want to draw a line for everyone who comes after us.

    I’m not sure there’s one consistent answer to how to deal with colleagues starting to criticize fellow citizens when you need these professional contacts. Even a polite and frosty refusal to talk politics during a meal might be difficult to enforce once a group starts. Best I’ve found is making sure everyone agrees up front to not talk politics. This ground rule may then be used to shut down those conversations before they start. (Unfortunately that doesn’t solve the conundrum of actually making the point that their “observations” aren’t acceptable discourse in polite company anymore).

    Sorry, guess I’m kinda down this morning.

  69. 69.

    OzarkHillbilly

    @A Ghost to Most:

    Afterwards, Spencer took to Twitter himself to say that the rally was a “success,” and that they alt-right were “badly mistreated” in August.

    If he thinks they have it bad now, he should see what we did to Nazi’s back in the ’40s.

  70. 70.

    Lyrebird

    @donnah: Glad you posted. Until we moved a couple months ago, that was the kind of neighborhood we were in, and quite frankly I didn’t feel safe speaking up outside of the campus where I worked.

    It frustrates me when purity putschists are spending time and effort making mean posters about Sen. Kamala Harris when the reality you’re around every day is still going on. A favorite staff member where I used to work trusted me enough to let on that she thought “Black Lives Matter” was orignially intended to mean “Only…” rather than “…too.” I couldn’t think of anything more coherent to say than that I had always understood it to mean “…too” and that excess use of force does still kill more non-white than white people. (The fact that she even had the conversation with me, an obvious outsider, was something in itself.) Do you ever watch Liberal Redneck?

  71. 71.

    MattF

    @Tenar Arha: My sister and BIL report that they’re enforcing a ‘no politics’ rule in order to stay civil with their lifelong friends. Hard to do, but…

  72. 72.

    Steeplejack

    @donnah:

    I feel your pain. I am very lucky in that I run across very few Trump supporters. (Not that they’re not out there, I’m just not out and among them.) It’s easy to dismiss my RWNJ brother in Las Vegas, because he is a nut, and after I “reply all” Snopes’ed his ass many times on bullshit that he forwarded he now pretty much sticks to family matters and Michigan State football, which I don’t care about, but he’s an alumnus and rabid, rabid fan.

    From the times I have looked at his Facebook page, I think he may be a little embarrassed about Trump. There’s very little explicitly pro-Trump stuff, mostly the usual passive-aggressive “humor” about stupid libtards, etc. Interesting note: he hasn’t said a word about the Las Vegas massacre, which is strange for someone who lives in Las Vegas and is a bona fide gun nut. Makes you think.

    My problem is sort of the reverse of yours: I feel like when I’m out in public everybody looks at me and assumes I’m a Trump voter—​white, male, mid-60s, resting scowl face (since Election Day). I live in a very ethnically diverse part of very blue Fairfax County, Virginia. I need to figure out the middle-aged, non-ironic version of a Che Guevara T-shirt for these times.

    But I digress. To your specific problem, I would consider saying to your tablemates (at a meal) or workshop colleagues something like: “Can we please not talk about politics, because I strongly disagree with President Trump and do not want to get into an argument.” And accompany it with the Zoolander blue steel gaze to let them know that you’re not being a wuss, that if they go there it’s on.

    And maybe you need to be prepared to let it be on, at least a little, if someone persists. Maybe have a short paragraph memorized so you don’t get flustered. “He’s trying to roll back health care and environmental protections, he’s trying to push through a massive tax break for the very rich, and so far he has done very little to bring back jobs or fix our infrastructure problems. I really don’t want to get into a lengthy debate about all of that. Do you?” Concentrate on “positive” issues—​”Infrastructure? Jobs? The environment? Who could be opposed to those?”—​and if someone pushes back make them give you specifics. Most of them will back off at that point, because thinking is hard and they’re not used to doing it.

    And, finally, you might have to face the prospect of removing yourself from these people’s presence, either physically or by mentally tuning them out. That’s hard to do, but I really have come around to the belief that silence is no longer an option for our side.

    . . . What I wrote feels very unsatisfying. I thought about not posting it, but what the hell. Work in progress.

  75. 75.

    debbie

    @delk:

    My city’s marathon is next week. My apartment is on the route (about the 5th mile). I love watching from my second floor window. You wouldn’t believe how many different running styles there are!

  80. 80.

    debbie

    @donnah:

    I’ve been in a couple of conversations like that. A great way to cut off all discussion is to tell them that it’s the monuments themselves that are the Erasing of History. That generally shuts them up.

  85. 85.

    OzarkHillbilly

    @Lyrebird:

    that she thought “Black Lives Matter” was orignially intended to mean “Only…” rather than “…too.”

    You mean she hadn’t noticed that the BLM movement was in response to police shooting unarmed black people??? That’s the part of the whole “All lives matter” and “Blue lives matter” response that pisses me off. It’s purely racist BS. All lives Matter is just an attempt to paper over the racist reality that is America so that white people can continue top pretend that they don’t have to do anything.

    Blue Lives Matter? DUUUUUHHHHHH! Of course Blue Lives Matter. That’s why we as a society give them semi-auto hand guns and fully auto rifles, and bullet proof vests, and radio cars and tasers and pepper spray and nonstop training and ad infinitum. When was the last time you ever heard of a person complaining about the over the top response every time a cop gets shot? Never in my knowledge. Of course they are going to react like that. I would too if I was a cop.

    But to say “Blue Lives Matter” in response to “Black Lives Matter” is to really say “Blue Lives Mater More”.

  86. 86.

    Tenar Arha

    @MattF: Actually the “no politics” rule, recently anyway, has been deployed the most within my family of mixed Democrats & Never Trumpers. We get loud, & have to go to our corners way too much. I’ve a cousin I 75-90% totally agree with yell at me to GTFO at a major holiday, & I’ve literally done so rather than stick around to continue arguing. The rule was necessary because we were all brought up to assume that arguing at the top of one’s lungs at the holidays was normal. It was scarring the spouses.

    On the other hand, I have dumped a friend over voting for Trump and their simultaneously refusing to talk politics at all. I’ll admit I was blindsided by an old friend on their vote. I probably could have guessed otherwise based on their Facebook if I bothered to have an account. But their expression of happiness & refusal to discuss politics meant to me that I didn’t know them, and also that I had no way to find out why they voted as they did. And I’ve respected their wishes and stopped talking to them, at all.

    (I have not yet had to deal with the can of worms of professional considerations because I was primary caregiver for my father through his death and that ate my life).

  87. 87.

    Denali

    @Steeplejack,

    Thanks for your suggestions. I am off to my family reunion this week, and really do not want to get into uncomfortable political discussions with my southern relatives. Even among my own friends I am so upset over the shameful, scary, ignorant(don’t get me started) head of our country and his corrupt administration that I don’t raise the subject. Of course, this silence implies consent, and things just get worse. But petitions and marches have not yet made a difference. People are so tuned in to their own reality that everything they do not want to believe they dismiss as fake news. I hope that some strong leaders in the Democratic Party will emerge. If they continue to allow Republicans to set the agenda, we will lose again in 2018.

  88. 88.

    debbie

    @OzarkHillbilly:

    Unsurprisingly, this yard sign popped up all over my neighborhood shortly after Trump’s election. A few weeks later, red, white, and blue signs with lots of small print began appearing. They were all up by the houses and my eyes weren’t good enough to read them. I figured it being Ohio and all, they were Trumpian.

    A couple of weeks ago, i walked by a home with the sign a couple of feet from the sidewalk. This I could read. Nice!

  89. 89.

    Betty Cracker

    I had a “no politics” rule with my wingnut father for decades. No more. Fuck his feelings. As for friends, anyone who voted for Trump is no friend of mine. Fuck them. I triage relationships with Trumpers as I would if I’d found out any other horrible thing about them — that they belong to a hate group, for example, because they do.

  92. 92.

    Baud

    @Denali:

    If they continue to allow Republicans to set the agenda, we will lose again in 2018.

    Thanks is a nonsense comment that is based in the fallacy that only Democrats have agency.

  95. 95.

    OzarkHillbilly

    It’s the ship that made the Kessel Run in 12 parsecs, and now we’ve got it! Behold: the Lego UCS Millennium Falcon.

    I doubt I or anyone I know will pop the $799 for the 7,541 piece behemoth that comes with a 494 page, spiral bound instruction book, but thanx to the geeks at space.com I was still able to watch one get assembled over 36 hrs compressed into a 3:15 video.

  96. 96.

    Laura

    Today is the last of Hardly, Strictly Bluegrass. Instead of roaming over hill and dale, the music friend and I plan to park it at one stage all day-which means missing John Prine and the perenial closing set with EmmyLou.
    But I’m stocked to see Randy Newman and the son of Jazz great Ornette Coleman leading a tribute band covering his dad’s work.
    The festival is in Golden Gate Park, the weather is mild and generally a golden autumn under clear skys, occasionally punctuated with a Blue Angel fly-over because it’s Fleet Week to boot.
    If I can get a few good shots, I’ll send them in for On the Road.
    Friday, Billy Bragg did a great set and included “The Times, They are a-changing….back” and spoke about Trump as a symptom (and how Woody Guthrie had Fred Trump’s number way back in the day) and the struggle is to not lose hope.
    If anyone’s interested, the entirety of the show is online and today streams live through the hardly, strictly Web site.

  97. 97.

    NotMax

    @rikyrah

    Sf-ish TV series. Watching it free on Amazon Prime, but it might be available through other outlets. Canadian/South African production from several years ago.

    There’s a Wikipedia page but hesitate to link as it does have spoilers. One thing I appreciate about the show is that the producers keep the stories within the story going at their pace regardless of necessary but relevant confusion and put trust in the audience to keep up. trailer

  98. 98.

    schrodingers_cat

    @donnah: If I were you I would speak up. Silence == Consent. For the most part I think these people have always been with us, they feel emboldened to wear their hate on their sleeve, liberated from having to hide it. There may have been other people in the group who thought like you did but decided to keep quiet to keep the peace. When we speak up we give others a chance to disagree as well.

  100. 100.

    Miss Bianca

    @a href=”#comment-6584037″>RedDirtGirl: i am so sorry to hear that. I hope you are able to visit your friend soon, and that your visit brings her some comfort.

  102. 102.

    Mnemosyne

    @donnah:

    I think Steeplejack and Momsense have the best advice so far — prepare a list of your disagreements ahead of time so you don’t get flustered, and say that you don’t want to discuss politics because you disagree with them. If they persist and try to bully you into agreeing with them, then they’re jerks and they deserve to get blasted.

    I think they’re jerks anyway for talking about controversial politics in a professional setting where other people can’t easily disagree with them, but anyway …

  103. 103.

    Mnemosyne

    @RedDirtGirl:

    I’m so sorry. Please try to be gently persistent about keeping in touch. Your friend’s first instinct may be to withdraw because there’s a lot of shame that goes along with the grief, and other people will withdraw from her because they feel awkward, so it can quickly turn into a spiral.

  104. 104.

    J R in WV

    Back on topic, for a change, especially for me!

    Judy Collins is a masterwork in progress. We were able to see her in a small club in NYC, 5 or 6 years ago, just her with a guitar and a pianist to accompany her. Wonderful musical performance, but also a great stage presence, telling stories from her long and storied career, tales of Bob Dylan as a 20-y-o trying to break out in Greenwich Village, making people laugh.

    And still that wonderful musical voice, as though preserved in amber. If you get a chance to see and hear her (she’s touring right now! at her age!) do not pass it up. A beautiful experience I will never forget. Live music is always a great experience, sometimes it is sublime.

  105. 105.

    bemused senior

    Went to see Randy Newman in concert in Napa on Friday night with my husband. Still crazy good after all these years! His music winds its way through my 39 years of marriage. First gift from my husband was Little Criminals, with Short People (I am one). Live concerts over the years. Inspired husband to take piano, and eventually performed Political Science at a fundraiser for a DFA endorsed local candidate for CA leg. His new album has some great new songs, inspired by the recent politics, and of course the old ones are apropos yet again.

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