Thursday, July 31, 2014
Bessie Smith (Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out, 1929) Jazz Legend
Bessie Smith (Vocal)
Ed Allen (Cornet)
Garvin Bushell (as)
Greely Walton or Arville Harris (ts)
Clarence Williams (Piano)
Cyrus St-Clair (tu)
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Monday, July 28, 2014
Friday, July 25, 2014
Oklahoma Candidate Says Gays Should Be Stoned
Welcome to the 21st century -- starting to look a lot like the 16th. Let me say again ------- THERE IS NO RELIGION OF PEACE!!!!!
Follow link to original.
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http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2014/06/11/3447597/oklahoma-candidate-says-gays-should-be-stoned/?icamp=recirc&iref=gravity&imed=rr1x4
Oklahoma state house candidate Scott Esk wrote on Facebook last summer that gay people are “worthy of death” and should be stoned, later claiming that violence against gays is “in the old testament under a law that came directly from God.”
The messages originated as Facebook commentary on a story about Pope Francis asking “who am I to judge” gay priests. Esk responded by posting Old Testament scripture that allegedly condemns homosexuality. After a commenter asked, “So just to be clear, you think we should execute homosexuals (presumably by stoning)?” Esk answered in the affirmative.
“I think we would be totally in the right to do it,” he wrote. “That goes against some parts of libertarianism, I realize, and I’m largely libertarian, but ignoring as a nation things that are worthy of death is very remiss.” “If men wink at such perversions, God may have no choice than to judge such nations with calamities.”
Asked to clarify his remarks by a local magazine editor, Esk explained that while the law was handed down from God, he has “no plans to, you know, reinstitute that in Oklahoma law.” “I do have some very huge moral misgivings about those kinds of sins,” he added.
Esk describes himself as “100% pro-life” and “100% Traditional Family Values” on his campaign website and says, “I look forward to applying Biblical principles to Oklahoma law.”
Esk would not comment on his statements to news channel KFOR.
Follow link to original.
--------------------------------------------------------------
http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2014/06/11/3447597/oklahoma-candidate-says-gays-should-be-stoned/?icamp=recirc&iref=gravity&imed=rr1x4
Oklahoma state house candidate Scott Esk wrote on Facebook last summer that gay people are “worthy of death” and should be stoned, later claiming that violence against gays is “in the old testament under a law that came directly from God.”
The messages originated as Facebook commentary on a story about Pope Francis asking “who am I to judge” gay priests. Esk responded by posting Old Testament scripture that allegedly condemns homosexuality. After a commenter asked, “So just to be clear, you think we should execute homosexuals (presumably by stoning)?” Esk answered in the affirmative.
“I think we would be totally in the right to do it,” he wrote. “That goes against some parts of libertarianism, I realize, and I’m largely libertarian, but ignoring as a nation things that are worthy of death is very remiss.” “If men wink at such perversions, God may have no choice than to judge such nations with calamities.”
Asked to clarify his remarks by a local magazine editor, Esk explained that while the law was handed down from God, he has “no plans to, you know, reinstitute that in Oklahoma law.” “I do have some very huge moral misgivings about those kinds of sins,” he added.
Esk describes himself as “100% pro-life” and “100% Traditional Family Values” on his campaign website and says, “I look forward to applying Biblical principles to Oklahoma law.”
Esk would not comment on his statements to news channel KFOR.
Satellites show major Southwest groundwater loss Satellite study indicates groundwater losses putting Southwest supply in jeopardy
Happy nice time people.
I wonder how the climate change deniers will spin and handle this news?
I KNOW --- become even MORE anti-science. These folks who use ALL the latest technology - without having a clue how it works, will just deny any damn thing THEY WANT ------- damn the consequences!
Please follow link to original.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
http://news.yahoo.com/satellites-show-major-southwest-groundwater-105431089.html
I wonder how the climate change deniers will spin and handle this news?
I KNOW --- become even MORE anti-science. These folks who use ALL the latest technology - without having a clue how it works, will just deny any damn thing THEY WANT ------- damn the consequences!
Please follow link to original.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
http://news.yahoo.com/satellites-show-major-southwest-groundwater-105431089.html
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) --
Groundwater losses from the Colorado River basin appear massive enough
to challenge long-term water supplies for the seven states and parts of
Mexico that it serves, according to a new study released Thursday that
used NASA satellites.
Researchers
from NASA and the University of California, Irvine say their study is
the first to quantify how much groundwater people in the West are using
during the region's current drought.
Stephanie
Castle, the study's lead author and a water resource specialist at the
University of California, Irvine, called the extent of the groundwater
depletion "shocking."
"We didn't realize the magnitude of how much water we actually depleted" in the West, Castle said.
Since
2004, researchers said, the Colorado River basin — the largest in the
Southwest — has lost 53 million acre feet, or 17 trillion gallons, of
water. That's enough to supply more than 50 million households for a
year, or nearly fill Lake Mead — the nation's largest water reservoir —
twice.
Three-fourths of those losses were groundwater, the study found.
Unlike reservoirs and
other above-ground water, groundwater sources can become so depleted
that they may never refill, Castle said. For California and other
western states, the groundwater depletion is drawing down the reserves
that protect consumers, farmers and ecosystems in times of drought.
"What happens if it isn't there?" Castle said during a phone interview. "That's the scary part of this analysis."
The
NASA and University of California research used monthly gravity data to
measure changes in water mass in the basin from December 2004 to
November of last year, and used that data to track groundwater
depletion.
"Combined with
declining snowpack and population growth, this will likely threaten the
long-term ability of the basin to meet its water-allocation commitments
to the seven basin states and to Mexico, Jay Famiglietti, senior author
on the study and senior water-cycle specialist at NASA's Jet Propulsion
Laboratory, said in a statement.
The
Colorado River basin supplies water to about 40 million people and 4
million acres of farmland in seven states — California, Arizona,
Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming — as well as to people
and farms in part of Mexico.
California,
one of the nation's largest agricultural producers, is three years into
drought. While the state has curtailed use of surface water, the state
lacks a statewide system for regulating — or even measuring —
groundwater.
Tell me more about "The Religion Of Peace"
Here's a little something from "Atheist Oasis" -- quotes from The Koran:
http://atheistoasis.wordpress.com/
“fight and slay the Pagans, seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem” (9:5);
“slay or crucify or cut the hands and feet of the unbelievers, that they be expelled from the land with disgrace and that they shall have a great punishment in world hereafter” (5:34);
“kill the disbelievers wherever we find them” (2:191).
Isn't that fun? Sounds like "ISIS" is just doing what "radical fundamentalist believers" elsewhere want to do --- but do not dare.
By the way, in case some are confused -- there is NO "Religion Of Peace" -- anywhere.
http://atheistoasis.wordpress.com/
“fight and slay the Pagans, seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem” (9:5);
“slay or crucify or cut the hands and feet of the unbelievers, that they be expelled from the land with disgrace and that they shall have a great punishment in world hereafter” (5:34);
“kill the disbelievers wherever we find them” (2:191).
Isn't that fun? Sounds like "ISIS" is just doing what "radical fundamentalist believers" elsewhere want to do --- but do not dare.
By the way, in case some are confused -- there is NO "Religion Of Peace" -- anywhere.
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Iraqi Christians in Mosul told by Isis to convert to Islam or be executed
According to many Muslims the word "crusade" is a serious insult. How dare the West, those Christians, speak of the attempts to REGAIN "The Holy Land".
The fact Islam swept across North Africa and The Middle East converting with the sword, the fact they invaded Europe, held much of what is now Spain, and were constantly invading from the east is forgotten.
If the much maligned Westerners were as "sensitive" as are many Muslims we would consider the very word ISLAM as an attempt to invade, colonize, and control us all here in the much maligned West.
In any case, here's a little tid-bit from "The Guardian" -- please follow link to original.
------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/24/iraqi-christians-mosul-isis-convert-islam-or-be-executed
Iraqi Christians who were forced to flee the northern city of Mosul under threat of forced conversion or execution by jihadists have spoken of their terror as churches were turned into mosques and their homes and property confiscated.
The expulsion of one of the world's oldest Christian communities provoked condemnation and anguish from figures as diverse as the pope and Iraq's prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, who lambasted the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Isis) for its "criminality and terrorism".
Last weekend Isis gave the city's Christians a stark choice: convert to Islam, pay a religious tax, or face death. "They said there is no place for Christians in the Islamic state," one distraught refugee said from the safety of Bashiqa, 16 miles from Mosul. "Either you become Muslim or you leave." Mosul's last 1,500 Christian families were reportedly robbed at Isis checkpoints as they fled.
Hundreds have found shelter in areas between Mosul and Irbil – the capital of the Kurdistan regional government – that are controlled by Kurdish Peshmerga fighters – but they face an uncertain future.
"If Isis stays, there is no way the Christians can return," Father Boutrous Moshi told the Guardian from Qara Qoosh, a Christian area southeast of Mosul. "It is up to God whether we return or not. They have not burnt the churches but they did set fire to the pictures, the books and broke the windows."
Monks at the 4th century Mar Behnam monastery, a major pilgrimage site run by the Syriac Catholic Church, were allowed to take only the clothes they were wearing.
Sarab Hazem, from the Zehoor neighbourhood of Mosul, said that initially there were no attacks on Christians when Isis took the city in a lightning offensive in June, though Isis fighters did capture and take away police, security agents and soldiers. "No one knows what becomes of them," he said. Then, statues of Christ and the Virgin Mary were destroyed. "They are savages," Hazem said. "This is oppression for no reason. I believe it is no longer possible for Christians to live in Iraq."
Bashar Nasih Behnam, 52, who fled with his two young children last Friday, told a similar story: "They (Isis) threatened us and said you can't stay in Mosul and you have to leave," he said. "They said we have conditions: either you comply with them or you leave. So we left."
Deprived by Isis of Iraqi government rations (a legacy of the sanctions imposed in the Saddam Hussein era) they were too frightened to go out to their church, where the jihadis took down a statue of the Virgin Mary and put their black flag in its place. A monastery was turned into a mosque. Two nuns who were looking after three orphans were kidnapped but later released. The Arabic letter "N" for Nasrani (Christians) was daubed on the doors of houses – to show that they had been seized as the property of the Islamic state declared by Isis.
"There is not a single Christian family left in Mosul, Behnam said. "The last one was a disabled Christian woman. She stayed because she could not get out. They came to her and said you have to get out and if you don't we will cut off your head with a sword. That was the last family. There is not a single family that left and was not robbed. They took our money, gold, even the earrings from their [women's] ears. They took everything, even mobile phones.
"We don't know if we are going to go back. Until now we have no idea if there can be a return. We don't know what our destiny is. They have even taken our houses in Mosul."
Bassem Fadel Zarghit, a shopkeeper from Mosul's Al-Rifa'i neighbourhood, said the city's Christians had felt doomed despite initial reassurance from Isis. "There is no one left," he said. "It's not just the Christians. It's also the Shia that are being targeted."
Mosul, the largest city in northern Iraq, was once among the country's most mixed. Waves of attacks on Christians since the 2003 US-led invasion to topple Saddam eroded its once sizeable Christian population, mainly from the Assyrian and Chaldean denominations.
The decree issued by Isis in Mosul mirrored one that its fighters issued in the north-eastern Syrian city of Raqqa in February, demanding that Christians pay the "jizya" levy in gold and curb displays of their faith in return for protection.
Human Rights Watch has condemned Isis for its vicious campaign against minorities in the Mosul area.
The fact Islam swept across North Africa and The Middle East converting with the sword, the fact they invaded Europe, held much of what is now Spain, and were constantly invading from the east is forgotten.
If the much maligned Westerners were as "sensitive" as are many Muslims we would consider the very word ISLAM as an attempt to invade, colonize, and control us all here in the much maligned West.
In any case, here's a little tid-bit from "The Guardian" -- please follow link to original.
------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/24/iraqi-christians-mosul-isis-convert-islam-or-be-executed
Iraqi Christians who were forced to flee the northern city of Mosul under threat of forced conversion or execution by jihadists have spoken of their terror as churches were turned into mosques and their homes and property confiscated.
The expulsion of one of the world's oldest Christian communities provoked condemnation and anguish from figures as diverse as the pope and Iraq's prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, who lambasted the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Isis) for its "criminality and terrorism".
Last weekend Isis gave the city's Christians a stark choice: convert to Islam, pay a religious tax, or face death. "They said there is no place for Christians in the Islamic state," one distraught refugee said from the safety of Bashiqa, 16 miles from Mosul. "Either you become Muslim or you leave." Mosul's last 1,500 Christian families were reportedly robbed at Isis checkpoints as they fled.
Hundreds have found shelter in areas between Mosul and Irbil – the capital of the Kurdistan regional government – that are controlled by Kurdish Peshmerga fighters – but they face an uncertain future.
"If Isis stays, there is no way the Christians can return," Father Boutrous Moshi told the Guardian from Qara Qoosh, a Christian area southeast of Mosul. "It is up to God whether we return or not. They have not burnt the churches but they did set fire to the pictures, the books and broke the windows."
Monks at the 4th century Mar Behnam monastery, a major pilgrimage site run by the Syriac Catholic Church, were allowed to take only the clothes they were wearing.
Sarab Hazem, from the Zehoor neighbourhood of Mosul, said that initially there were no attacks on Christians when Isis took the city in a lightning offensive in June, though Isis fighters did capture and take away police, security agents and soldiers. "No one knows what becomes of them," he said. Then, statues of Christ and the Virgin Mary were destroyed. "They are savages," Hazem said. "This is oppression for no reason. I believe it is no longer possible for Christians to live in Iraq."
Bashar Nasih Behnam, 52, who fled with his two young children last Friday, told a similar story: "They (Isis) threatened us and said you can't stay in Mosul and you have to leave," he said. "They said we have conditions: either you comply with them or you leave. So we left."
Deprived by Isis of Iraqi government rations (a legacy of the sanctions imposed in the Saddam Hussein era) they were too frightened to go out to their church, where the jihadis took down a statue of the Virgin Mary and put their black flag in its place. A monastery was turned into a mosque. Two nuns who were looking after three orphans were kidnapped but later released. The Arabic letter "N" for Nasrani (Christians) was daubed on the doors of houses – to show that they had been seized as the property of the Islamic state declared by Isis.
"There is not a single Christian family left in Mosul, Behnam said. "The last one was a disabled Christian woman. She stayed because she could not get out. They came to her and said you have to get out and if you don't we will cut off your head with a sword. That was the last family. There is not a single family that left and was not robbed. They took our money, gold, even the earrings from their [women's] ears. They took everything, even mobile phones.
"We don't know if we are going to go back. Until now we have no idea if there can be a return. We don't know what our destiny is. They have even taken our houses in Mosul."
Bassem Fadel Zarghit, a shopkeeper from Mosul's Al-Rifa'i neighbourhood, said the city's Christians had felt doomed despite initial reassurance from Isis. "There is no one left," he said. "It's not just the Christians. It's also the Shia that are being targeted."
Mosul, the largest city in northern Iraq, was once among the country's most mixed. Waves of attacks on Christians since the 2003 US-led invasion to topple Saddam eroded its once sizeable Christian population, mainly from the Assyrian and Chaldean denominations.
The decree issued by Isis in Mosul mirrored one that its fighters issued in the north-eastern Syrian city of Raqqa in February, demanding that Christians pay the "jizya" levy in gold and curb displays of their faith in return for protection.
Human Rights Watch has condemned Isis for its vicious campaign against minorities in the Mosul area.
How’s California Doing?
This from Dr. Krugman's blog - please follow link to original.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/
-----------------------------------------------------------------
http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/
The states, said Louis
Brandeis, are the laboratories of democracy — although that may not
work as well as it used to now that the “I’m not a scientist” wing has
taken complete control of the GOP. Still, state experiences can tell the
rest of us something. There’s been a lot of talk lately about how the
great Kansas tax-cut experiment is doing, namely very badly. But what
about the anti-Kansas — California? It’s a state with a Democratic
supermajority. Its policies aren’t left-wing in the way Kansas’s are
right-wing, but it’s enough of a liberal agenda to have the right
frothing at the mouth. So how is it going?
I wrote about the California comeback more than a year ago, to much vitriolic scorn from the usual suspects. But how’s it going now?
Well, David Cay Johnston
tells us that job growth remains fast despite predictions of doom from
tax hikes. I found myself wondering, however, whether this was just
bounceback from an especially severe slump — after all, California was a
major housing bubble state, suffered for it, and you would expect a
period of relatively fast growth thereafter even if overall performance
was lagging the nation.
If you look at the
numbers, however, what you see is that while fast job growth has indeed
largely reflected recovery from an especially deep slump, at this point
California’s performance (blue) since the Great Recession began has
fully matched that of the nation (red); that is, there is no sign of
growth being hurt by liberal policies or whatever:
Meanwhile, the budget is in good shape, with room for some much-needed spending increases.
Oh, and California — which enthusiastically went about implementing health reform — appears to have cut the number of uninsured by half in the first year of Obamacare.
Is it a miracle? No —
or at any rate not unless you consider any deviation from supply-side
predictions miraculous. But it’s looking like a pretty solid record.
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Gerry Mulligan Quartet - Nights at the Turntable / Frenesi
Gerry Mulligan Quartet - Nights at the Turntable / Frenesi (1952)
1) Nights at the Turntable (Gerry Mulligan)
2) Frenesi (Alberto Dominguez, Leonard Whitcup)
Personnel: Chet Baker (trumpet), Gerry Mulligan (baritone sax), Bob Whitlock (bass), Chico Hamilton (drums)
Bernie's Tune - Gerry Mulligan Quartet with Chet Baker
Gerry Mulligan Quartet
Chet Baker (trumpet)
Gerry Mulligan (baritone sax)
Bob Whitlock (bass)
Chico Hamilton (drums)
Recorded at Phil Turetsky's House
Los Angeles, CA
August 16, 1952
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Chinese city sealed off after bubonic plague death 30,000 residents of Yumen are not being allowed to leave and 151 people have been placed in quarantine after man's death
Is we hasing fun yet?
----------------------------------
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/22/chinese-city-yumen-sealed-bubonic-plague-death
----------------------------------
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/22/chinese-city-yumen-sealed-bubonic-plague-death
A Chinese city has been sealed off and 151 people have been
placed in quarantine since last week after a man died of bubonic plague,
state media said.
The 30,000 residents of Yumen, in the north-western province of Gansu, are not being allowed to leave, and police at roadblocks on the perimeter of the city are telling motorists to find alternative routes, China Central Television (CCTV) said.
A 38-year-old man died last Wednesday, the report said, after he had been in contact with a dead marmot, a small furry animal related to the squirrel. No further plague cases have been reported.
CCTV said officials were not allowing anyone to leave. The China Daily newspaper said four quarantine sectors had been set up in the city.
"The city has enough rice, flour and oil to supply all its residents for up to one month," CCTV added. "Local residents and those in quarantine are all in stable condition." No further cases have been reported.
Bubonic plague is a bacterial infection best known for the Black Death, a virulent epidemic that killed tens of millions of people in 14th-century Europe. Primarily an animal illness, it is extremely rare in humans.
The US Centres for Disease Control (CDC) says modern antibiotics are effective in treating plague, but that without prompt treatment the disease can cause serious illness or death.
The 30,000 residents of Yumen, in the north-western province of Gansu, are not being allowed to leave, and police at roadblocks on the perimeter of the city are telling motorists to find alternative routes, China Central Television (CCTV) said.
A 38-year-old man died last Wednesday, the report said, after he had been in contact with a dead marmot, a small furry animal related to the squirrel. No further plague cases have been reported.
CCTV said officials were not allowing anyone to leave. The China Daily newspaper said four quarantine sectors had been set up in the city.
"The city has enough rice, flour and oil to supply all its residents for up to one month," CCTV added. "Local residents and those in quarantine are all in stable condition." No further cases have been reported.
Bubonic plague is a bacterial infection best known for the Black Death, a virulent epidemic that killed tens of millions of people in 14th-century Europe. Primarily an animal illness, it is extremely rare in humans.
The US Centres for Disease Control (CDC) says modern antibiotics are effective in treating plague, but that without prompt treatment the disease can cause serious illness or death.
Climate Headlines
Here are some HEADLINES to further ruin your day.
------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------
Poll: U.S. Leads The World… In Climate Denial
Just Before Hosting Major U.N. Climate Talks, Peru Slashes Environmental
Regulation
Florida Utilities Move To Slash Energy Conservation Programs
Planet’s Hottest June On Record Follows Hottest May
Multiple Wildfires Burn Through Washington, Leaving One Dead And Destroying
150 Homes
Endangered Florida Forest Will Be Destroyed To Make Room For Walmart And Chick-Fil-A
etc., etc., etc., etc.
RUSSIA: St. Petersburg Court Rules That Local LGBT Group Is A Spy Organization
How is THIS for INSANITY?
Please follow link to original
----------------------------------------------------
http://joemygod.blogspot.com/
A court in St. Petersburg today ruled that Coming Out, a local Russian LGBT rights group, is a de facto spy organization because it receives funding from outside the country. Via Buzzfeed:
Please follow link to original
----------------------------------------------------
http://joemygod.blogspot.com/
A court in St. Petersburg today ruled that Coming Out, a local Russian LGBT rights group, is a de facto spy organization because it receives funding from outside the country. Via Buzzfeed:
The group is one of hundreds of human rights organizations that has had this label slapped on them or been taken to court by government officials for failing to register voluntarily under a 2012 law that requires NGOs who receive funding from abroad to declare themselves “foreign agents.” The Justice Ministry registered five new groups as foreign agents this week alone. Coming Out had been fighting the designation in court for 16 months. “[Printing] the label ‘foreign agent’ on all the public materials of the organization would be a sign for wider society that the idea of protecting the rights of LGBT people is something ‘foreign,’ and, therefore unnecessary and even harmful,” said the group in a statement on its Facebook page.The judge's ruling reportedly declares that Coming Out violates the rights of "persons with a traditional sexual orientation." Coming Out plans to appeal the decision.
NC pastor kills self in front of deputies as they try to arrest him on child sex charges
I wonder what his Jesus will do with him now? Please follow link to original.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/07/22/nc-pastor-kills-self-in-front-of-deputies-as-they-try-to-arrest-him-on-child-sex-charges/
A North Carolina pastor shot himself to death over the weekend as deputies were trying to arrest him on child sex charges.
According to WCOC-TV, Michael Mullis, the former pastor of Near Calvary Baptist Church in Concord, knew that he was being investigated for indecent liberties with a child before Rowan County deputies showed up on Saturday to serve warrants on him.
The sheriff’s office said that when deputies arrived to arrest him, he went to the bathroom to put on his shoes, and shot himself with a pistol.
“I’m sure he knew because our investigators had talked to him about this incident,” Concord Police spokesperson Maj. Gary Hatley told WSOC. “Or attempted to talk to him anyway — he knows we were investigating.”
A timeline provided by the victim indicated that Mullis was still serving as pastor at Near Calvary Baptist during the years of sexual abuse. The abuse allegedly ended in 2004, and Mullis resigned from the church in 2011 after 20 years as pastor.
Near Calvary Baptist Church has since changed its name.
“They knew each other and had a relationship I guess, but there’s no indication of any other victims” Hatley said, adding that the victim had been surprised by the pastor’s death.
Mullis’ wife was also reportedly at home at the time of the shooting. Investigators said that the case was now considered closed.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/07/22/nc-pastor-kills-self-in-front-of-deputies-as-they-try-to-arrest-him-on-child-sex-charges/
A North Carolina pastor shot himself to death over the weekend as deputies were trying to arrest him on child sex charges.
According to WCOC-TV, Michael Mullis, the former pastor of Near Calvary Baptist Church in Concord, knew that he was being investigated for indecent liberties with a child before Rowan County deputies showed up on Saturday to serve warrants on him.
The sheriff’s office said that when deputies arrived to arrest him, he went to the bathroom to put on his shoes, and shot himself with a pistol.
“I’m sure he knew because our investigators had talked to him about this incident,” Concord Police spokesperson Maj. Gary Hatley told WSOC. “Or attempted to talk to him anyway — he knows we were investigating.”
A timeline provided by the victim indicated that Mullis was still serving as pastor at Near Calvary Baptist during the years of sexual abuse. The abuse allegedly ended in 2004, and Mullis resigned from the church in 2011 after 20 years as pastor.
Near Calvary Baptist Church has since changed its name.
“They knew each other and had a relationship I guess, but there’s no indication of any other victims” Hatley said, adding that the victim had been surprised by the pastor’s death.
Mullis’ wife was also reportedly at home at the time of the shooting. Investigators said that the case was now considered closed.
The Rise of the Non-Working Rich
This from Robert Reich - please follow link to original
------------------------------------------------
http://robertreich.org/
------------------------------------------------
http://robertreich.org/
In a new Pew poll,
more than three quarters of self-described conservatives believe “poor
people have it easy because they can get government benefits without
doing anything.”
In reality, most of America’s poor work hard, often in two or more jobs.
The real non-workers are the wealthy who inherit their fortunes. And their ranks are growing.
In fact, we’re on the cusp of the largest inter-generational wealth transfer in history.
The wealth is coming from those who over the last three decades earned huge amounts on Wall Street, in corporate boardrooms, or as high-tech entrepreneurs.
It’s going to their children, who did nothing except be born into the right family.
The “self-made” man or woman, the symbol of American meritocracy, is disappearing. Six of today’s ten wealthiest Americans are heirs to prominent fortunes. Just six Walmart heirs have more wealth than the bottom 42 percent of Americans combined (up from 30 percent in 2007).
The U.S. Trust bank just released a poll of Americans with more than $3 million of investable assets.
Nearly three-quarters of those over age 69, and 61 per cent of boomers (between the ages of 50 and 68), were the first in their generation to accumulate significant wealth.
But the bank found inherited wealth far more common among rich millennials under age 35.
This is the dynastic form of wealth French economist Thomas Piketty warns about. It’s been the major source of wealth in Europe for centuries. It’s about to become the major source in America – unless, that is, we do something about it.
As income from work has become more concentrated in America, the super rich have invested in businesses, real estate, art, and other assets. The income from these assets is now concentrating even faster than income from work.
In 1979, the richest 1 percent of households accounted for 17 percent of business income. By 2007 they were getting 43 percent. They were also taking in 75 percent of capital gains. Today, with the stock market significantly higher than where it was before the crash, the top is raking even more from their investments.
Both political parties have encouraged this great wealth transfer, as beneficiaries provide a growing share of campaign contributions.
But Republicans have been even more ardent than Democrats.
For example, family trusts used to be limited to about 90 years. Legal changes implemented under Ronald Reagan extended them in perpetuity. So-called “dynasty trusts” now allow super-rich families to pass on to their heirs money and property largely free from taxes, and to do so for generations.
George W. Bush’s biggest tax breaks helped high earners but they provided even more help to people living off accumulated wealth. While the top tax rate on income from work dropped from 39.6% to 35 percent, the top rate on dividends went from 39.6% (taxed as ordinary income) to 15 percent, and the estate tax was completely eliminated. (Conservatives called it the “death tax” even though it only applied to the richest two-tenths of one percent.)
Barack Obama rolled back some of these cuts, but many remain.
Before George W. Bush, the estate tax kicked in at $2 million of assets per couple, and then applied a 55 percent rate. Now it kicks in at $10 million per couple, with a 40 percent rate.
House Republicans want to go even further than Bush did.
Rep. Paul Ryan’s “road map,” which continues to be the bible of Republican economic policy, eliminates all taxes on interest, dividends, capital gains, and estates.
Yet the specter of an entire generation who do nothing for their money other than speed-dial their wealth management advisors isn’t particularly attractive.
It’s also dangerous to our democracy, as dynastic wealth inevitably accumulates political influence.
What to do? First, restore the estate tax in full.
Second, eliminate the “stepped-up-basis on death” rule. This obscure tax provision allows heirs to avoid paying capital gains taxes on the increased value of assets accumulated during the life of the deceased. Such untaxed gains account for more than half of the value of estates worth more than $100 million, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
Third, institute a wealth tax. We already have an annual wealth tax on homes, the major asset of the middle class. It’s called the property tax. Why not a small annual tax on the value of stocks and bonds, the major assets of the wealthy?
We don’t have to sit by and watch our meritocracy be replaced by a permanent aristocracy, and our democracy be undermined by dynastic wealth. We can and must take action — before it’s too late.
In reality, most of America’s poor work hard, often in two or more jobs.
The real non-workers are the wealthy who inherit their fortunes. And their ranks are growing.
In fact, we’re on the cusp of the largest inter-generational wealth transfer in history.
The wealth is coming from those who over the last three decades earned huge amounts on Wall Street, in corporate boardrooms, or as high-tech entrepreneurs.
It’s going to their children, who did nothing except be born into the right family.
The “self-made” man or woman, the symbol of American meritocracy, is disappearing. Six of today’s ten wealthiest Americans are heirs to prominent fortunes. Just six Walmart heirs have more wealth than the bottom 42 percent of Americans combined (up from 30 percent in 2007).
The U.S. Trust bank just released a poll of Americans with more than $3 million of investable assets.
Nearly three-quarters of those over age 69, and 61 per cent of boomers (between the ages of 50 and 68), were the first in their generation to accumulate significant wealth.
But the bank found inherited wealth far more common among rich millennials under age 35.
This is the dynastic form of wealth French economist Thomas Piketty warns about. It’s been the major source of wealth in Europe for centuries. It’s about to become the major source in America – unless, that is, we do something about it.
As income from work has become more concentrated in America, the super rich have invested in businesses, real estate, art, and other assets. The income from these assets is now concentrating even faster than income from work.
In 1979, the richest 1 percent of households accounted for 17 percent of business income. By 2007 they were getting 43 percent. They were also taking in 75 percent of capital gains. Today, with the stock market significantly higher than where it was before the crash, the top is raking even more from their investments.
Both political parties have encouraged this great wealth transfer, as beneficiaries provide a growing share of campaign contributions.
But Republicans have been even more ardent than Democrats.
For example, family trusts used to be limited to about 90 years. Legal changes implemented under Ronald Reagan extended them in perpetuity. So-called “dynasty trusts” now allow super-rich families to pass on to their heirs money and property largely free from taxes, and to do so for generations.
George W. Bush’s biggest tax breaks helped high earners but they provided even more help to people living off accumulated wealth. While the top tax rate on income from work dropped from 39.6% to 35 percent, the top rate on dividends went from 39.6% (taxed as ordinary income) to 15 percent, and the estate tax was completely eliminated. (Conservatives called it the “death tax” even though it only applied to the richest two-tenths of one percent.)
Barack Obama rolled back some of these cuts, but many remain.
Before George W. Bush, the estate tax kicked in at $2 million of assets per couple, and then applied a 55 percent rate. Now it kicks in at $10 million per couple, with a 40 percent rate.
House Republicans want to go even further than Bush did.
Rep. Paul Ryan’s “road map,” which continues to be the bible of Republican economic policy, eliminates all taxes on interest, dividends, capital gains, and estates.
Yet the specter of an entire generation who do nothing for their money other than speed-dial their wealth management advisors isn’t particularly attractive.
It’s also dangerous to our democracy, as dynastic wealth inevitably accumulates political influence.
What to do? First, restore the estate tax in full.
Second, eliminate the “stepped-up-basis on death” rule. This obscure tax provision allows heirs to avoid paying capital gains taxes on the increased value of assets accumulated during the life of the deceased. Such untaxed gains account for more than half of the value of estates worth more than $100 million, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
Third, institute a wealth tax. We already have an annual wealth tax on homes, the major asset of the middle class. It’s called the property tax. Why not a small annual tax on the value of stocks and bonds, the major assets of the wealthy?
We don’t have to sit by and watch our meritocracy be replaced by a permanent aristocracy, and our democracy be undermined by dynastic wealth. We can and must take action — before it’s too late.
Friday, July 18, 2014
Johnny Winter
What follows is just a sample. Go to youTube and listen for yourself. Mr. Winter was an awesome "guitar slinger" who influenced many -- including SRV.
Don't ever sell him short.
We are lucky his music will live on. How insane is that? We can listen and learn even after these masters are long gone.
RIP Johnny Winter.
Don't ever sell him short.
We are lucky his music will live on. How insane is that? We can listen and learn even after these masters are long gone.
RIP Johnny Winter.
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Rest In Peace
Johnny Winter has died. He was on tour and died in his room. First reports say it was from health problems -- he was 70.
A tribute Fri.
A tribute Fri.
Gunther Schuller - Variants on a Theme of John Lewis (Django)
John Lewis presents contemporary music " Jazz Abstractions "
Eric Dolphy (fl), Robert DiDomenica (fl), Jim Hall (g),
Eddie Costa (vib), Bill Evans (p), Scott Lafaro (b), George Duvivier (b)
Sticks Evans (ds), The Contemporary String Quartet
rec. 20/12/1960 NYC
Charlie Mariano - Chloe
rec. 21/12/1953
Charlie Mariano (as), Stu Williamson (tp), Frank Rosolino (tb)
Claude Williamson (p), Max Bennett (b), Stan Levey (ds)
Dial 202 Charlie Parker.
Dial 202. Charlie Parker plays Cool Blues, Relaxing at Camarillo and Bird's Nest.
Kenny Dorham plays Blue Friday
Sidemen are Paul Chambers on bass, Tommy Flanagan on piano, Art Taylor on drums
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Grant Green - It Ain't Necessarily So (1962)
Musicians: Grant Green (guitar), Sonny Clark (piano), Sam Jones (bass), Art Blakey (drums)
Friday, July 11, 2014
Charlie Haden is gone.
Charlie Haden has died. If you do not know who he is -- well, he was one of the greatest bass players that ever lived. Progressive Jazz, Avant-garde Jazz, progressive politics, etc., etc.
He was one of the original members of Ornette Coleman's ground breaking group.
Please follow link for more information
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/07/11/1313352/-A-Great-Tree-Has-Fallen-Charlie-Haden-1937-2014-R-I-P
The bass intro is Charlie Haden. He was also the founder of "The Liberation Music Orchestra".
Go to YouTube. Listen to all the VERY different music he embraced. Then bow your head.
We have lost another master.
He was one of the original members of Ornette Coleman's ground breaking group.
Please follow link for more information
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/07/11/1313352/-A-Great-Tree-Has-Fallen-Charlie-Haden-1937-2014-R-I-P
The bass intro is Charlie Haden. He was also the founder of "The Liberation Music Orchestra".
Go to YouTube. Listen to all the VERY different music he embraced. Then bow your head.
We have lost another master.
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Beliefs, Facts and Money Conservative Delusions About Inflation
This from Dr. Krugman this past Monday. Please read.
Follow link to original
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http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/07/opinion/paul-krugman-conservative-delusions-about-inflation.html?_r=0
Follow link to original
-----------------------------------------------------
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/07/opinion/paul-krugman-conservative-delusions-about-inflation.html?_r=0
On Sunday The Times published an article
by the political scientist Brendan Nyhan about a troubling aspect of
the current American scene — the stark partisan divide over issues that
should be simply factual, like whether the planet is warming or
evolution happened. It’s common to attribute such divisions to
ignorance, but as Mr. Nyhan points out, the divide is actually worse
among those who are seemingly better informed about the issues.
The
problem, in other words, isn’t ignorance; it’s wishful thinking.
Confronted with a conflict between evidence and what they want to
believe for political and/or religious reasons, many people reject the
evidence. And knowing more about the issues widens the divide, because
the well informed have a clearer view of which evidence they need to
reject to sustain their belief system.
As
you might guess, after reading Mr. Nyhan I found myself thinking about
the similar state of affairs when it comes to economics, monetary
economics in particular.
Some
background: On the eve of the Great Recession, many conservative
pundits and commentators — and quite a few economists — had a worldview
that combined faith in free markets with disdain for government. Such
people were briefly rocked back on their heels by the revelation that
the “bubbleheads”
who warned about housing were right, and the further revelation that
unregulated financial markets are dangerously unstable. But they quickly
rallied, declaring that the financial crisis was somehow the fault of
liberals — and that the great danger now facing the economy came not
from the crisis but from the efforts of policy makers to limit the
damage.
Above all, there were many dire warnings about the evils of “printing money.” For example, in May 2009 an editorial
in The Wall Street Journal warned that both interest rates and
inflation were set to surge “now that Congress and the Federal Reserve
have flooded the world with dollars.” In 2010 a virtual Who’s Who of
conservative economists and pundits sent an open letter to
Ben Bernanke warning that his policies risked “currency debasement and
inflation.” Prominent politicians like Representative Paul Ryan joined the chorus.
Reality,
however, declined to cooperate. Although the Fed continued on its
expansionary course — its balance sheet has grown to more than $4
trillion, up fivefold since the start of the crisis — inflation stayed
low. For the most part, the funds the Fed injected into the economy
simply piled up either in bank reserves or in cash holdings by
individuals — which was exactly what economists on the other side of the
divide had predicted would happen.
Needless
to say, it’s not the first time a politically appealing economic
doctrine has been proved wrong by events. So those who got it wrong went
back to the drawing board, right? Hahahahaha.
In
fact, hardly any of the people who predicted runaway inflation have
acknowledged that they were wrong, and that the error suggests something
amiss with their approach. Some have offered lame excuses; some, following in the footsteps of climate-change deniers, have gone down the conspiracy-theory
rabbit hole, claiming that we really do have soaring inflation, but the
government is lying about the numbers (and by the way, we’re not
talking about random bloggers or something; we’re talking about famous
Harvard professors). Mainly, though, the currency-debasement crowd just
keeps repeating the same lines, ignoring its utter failure in
prognostication.
You
might wonder why monetary theory gets treated like evolution or climate
change. Isn’t the question of how to manage the money supply a
technical issue, not a matter of theological doctrine?
Well,
it turns out that money is indeed a kind of theological issue. Many on
the right are hostile to any kind of government activism, seeing it as
the thin edge of the wedge — if you concede that the Fed can sometimes
help the economy by creating “fiat money,” the next thing you know
liberals will confiscate your wealth and give it to the 47 percent.
Also, let’s not forget that quite a few influential conservatives,
including Mr. Ryan, draw their inspiration from Ayn Rand novels in which the gold standard takes on essentially sacred status.
And
if you look at the internal dynamics of the Republican Party, it’s
obvious that the currency-debasement, return-to-gold faction has been
gaining strength even as its predictions keep failing.
Can
anything reverse this descent into dogma? A few conservative
intellectuals have been trying to persuade their movement to embrace
monetary activism, but they’re ever more marginalized. And that’s just
what Mr. Nyhan’s article would lead us to expect. When faith — including
faith-based economics — meets evidence, evidence doesn’t stand a
chance.
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
To Hell With Them!
Read this cartoon. Now, perhaps you will understand why a 75 year old woman really does not even want to READ the "news", never mind post it on her blog. The current "backlash" against women's rights, the dismissal of woman as human beings - outside their status as wives, daughters, or some other creature attached to some "all powerful" MAN, disgusts me. This regression, this move back to the way it was in my youth is doomed to failure simply because when these supposed "men" get what they THINK they want from women, they realize it's just not enough, is not satisfactory, and does not address what ails them today -- their lack of autonomy, their lack of agency. When most men can no longer support their family on what they earn, when their wife HAS to work outside the house to support the family, perhaps a more equitable division of labor is inevitable. That may be one reason there are more divorces in "red states" than there are in "blue".
Anyway, just understand there is little difference (to women) between "Radical-Right-Wing-KKKonservative-Christians" and "Muslims" - of the current "fundamentalist" variety.
Please follow link to original
------------------------------------------------------------
http://cabdrollery.blogspot.com/
Anyway, just understand there is little difference (to women) between "Radical-Right-Wing-KKKonservative-Christians" and "Muslims" - of the current "fundamentalist" variety.
Please follow link to original
------------------------------------------------------------
http://cabdrollery.blogspot.com/
Friday, July 4, 2014
Texas Tenors -- NO, not the singers -- Tenor Sax players. Look them up.
There is a group of Jazz Tenor Sax players who were/are dubbed the "Texas Tenors". Here is a sample of their music. Enjoy.
Illinois Jacquet
Stompin at the Savoy by Milt Buckner (organ), Buddy Tate (tenor sax) and Wallace Bishop (drums).
James Clay (ts), David "Fathead" Newman (ts), Wynton Kelly (p),
Sam Jones (b), Art Taylor (ds)
recorded April 26, 1960, NYC
From King Curtis & Champion Jack Dupree Live from Montreux June 17th 1971 with Cornell Dupree on guitar, Jerry Jemmott on bass and Oliver Jackson on drums.
Next, perhaps the mentor of them all: Buster Smith - alto sax (usually). He was one of Benny Motens "Blue Devils", and was reputed to be one of Charlie "Bird" Parker's teachers.
So, there they are -- Illinois Jacquet, Arnett Cobb, Buddy Tate, David "Fathead" Newman, King Curtis, and Buster Smith. Go to youTube, look them up, listen to their music, play some other stuff -- you'll be amazed at what you find. It's a treasure trove. Broaden your horizons -- amaze your friends -- and listen to some great music.
Illinois Jacquet
Stompin at the Savoy by Milt Buckner (organ), Buddy Tate (tenor sax) and Wallace Bishop (drums).
James Clay (ts), David "Fathead" Newman (ts), Wynton Kelly (p),
Sam Jones (b), Art Taylor (ds)
recorded April 26, 1960, NYC
From King Curtis & Champion Jack Dupree Live from Montreux June 17th 1971 with Cornell Dupree on guitar, Jerry Jemmott on bass and Oliver Jackson on drums.
Next, perhaps the mentor of them all: Buster Smith - alto sax (usually). He was one of Benny Motens "Blue Devils", and was reputed to be one of Charlie "Bird" Parker's teachers.
So, there they are -- Illinois Jacquet, Arnett Cobb, Buddy Tate, David "Fathead" Newman, King Curtis, and Buster Smith. Go to youTube, look them up, listen to their music, play some other stuff -- you'll be amazed at what you find. It's a treasure trove. Broaden your horizons -- amaze your friends -- and listen to some great music.
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Just an aside
I recently watched a World Cup game between Algeria and Germany. Nothing odd about that, a lot of folks watched it. A tough, hard fought game, with Germany coming out on top, 2-1.
All during the game they had crowd shots. Celebrations, dancing, waving flags, etc., etc., etc. Both sides were doing it. Both the Germans and the Algerians. There was one glaring difference. On the German side both men and women celebrated. The Algerian side was only MEN. I did not see ONE WOMAN! Believe me, I was looking.
So, what the Algerians seem to be saying is that women are not allowed out at a sporting event, where their "evil sexuality" would tempt the innocent, wholesome men. Those poor men who would not be able to deal with the innate sexual nature of women -- especially if a bare arm, a calf, or (shudder) a shoulder were "exposed".
These wholesome men seem unable to control themselves -- and, it appears our Muslim friends do not expect them to.
Come to think of it, all our "Conservative Christians" seem to believe the very same things. In fact, it appears any woman who is INDEPENDENT in any way risks being labeled a SLUT -- whatever that is.
We MUST NOT allow our nation, or any CIVILIZED nation to regress to the 15th, 16th, 17th or 18th century. Women are HUMAN BEINGS and are entitled to all the EXACT SAME RIGHTS AS ALL OTHER HUMAN BEINGS (MEN).
I know I'm old, but at the same time, I no longer want to live in a time where women were seen as "lesser", the way it was when I was young, and still is to some extent today.
All during the game they had crowd shots. Celebrations, dancing, waving flags, etc., etc., etc. Both sides were doing it. Both the Germans and the Algerians. There was one glaring difference. On the German side both men and women celebrated. The Algerian side was only MEN. I did not see ONE WOMAN! Believe me, I was looking.
So, what the Algerians seem to be saying is that women are not allowed out at a sporting event, where their "evil sexuality" would tempt the innocent, wholesome men. Those poor men who would not be able to deal with the innate sexual nature of women -- especially if a bare arm, a calf, or (shudder) a shoulder were "exposed".
These wholesome men seem unable to control themselves -- and, it appears our Muslim friends do not expect them to.
Come to think of it, all our "Conservative Christians" seem to believe the very same things. In fact, it appears any woman who is INDEPENDENT in any way risks being labeled a SLUT -- whatever that is.
We MUST NOT allow our nation, or any CIVILIZED nation to regress to the 15th, 16th, 17th or 18th century. Women are HUMAN BEINGS and are entitled to all the EXACT SAME RIGHTS AS ALL OTHER HUMAN BEINGS (MEN).
I know I'm old, but at the same time, I no longer want to live in a time where women were seen as "lesser", the way it was when I was young, and still is to some extent today.
Happy Birthday USA --- and Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong always claimed to have been born on July 4th 1900. Doesn't matter if it's true or not --- it's fitting.
Happy Birthday to the USA and Happy Birthday "Satch".
Even if you hate "Dixieland Jazz" you just HAVE to listen to "West End Blues" -- an ALL TIME CLASSIC if there ever was one.
Happy Birthday to the USA and Happy Birthday "Satch".
Even if you hate "Dixieland Jazz" you just HAVE to listen to "West End Blues" -- an ALL TIME CLASSIC if there ever was one.
Louis Armstrong Hot Seven - Wild Man Blues (1927)
Louis Armstrong (cornet), John Thomas (trombone), Johnny Dodds (clarinet), Lil Armstrong (piano), Johnny St. Cyr (banjo), Pete Briggs (tuba), "Baby" Dodds (drums). Originally recorded on Okeh 8474.
Louis Armstrong - Struttin' With Some Barbecue
Louis Armstrong - Struttin' With Some Barbecue. 9 nov, 1927. Armstrong (tp); Kid Ory (tb); Johnny Dodds (cl); Lil Armstrong (p); Johnny St. Cyr (bj).
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
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