Blog Spotlight: Sex and Politics and Screeds and Attitude, Elaine on Bully Boy and much more

We've noted Mike's take on Democracy Now!'s Wednesday headlines in our blog spotlight, now we'll note Elaine's. We have edited her entry. Elaine quotes Kat's latest album review in full. We agree it's great and we've spotlighted here so we've noted where we've edited the entry. Elaine's done a wonderful job filling in for Rebecca at Sex and Politics and Screeds and Attitude and she's also been a huge help here at The Third Estate Sunday Review.


3 items from Democracy Now! and Kat's review of The Complete Cass Elliot Solo Collection 1968-1971

Elaine here with you for the rest of August while Rebecca is on vacation.
Mike (Mikey Likes It!) and I are going to hit the same three headlines from Democracy Now! again today. This time, we planned to because we were wondering how we might look it the same and might look at it differently.

The first item reminds me of a song from the sixties.

200 Protest Bush in Tiny Idaho Town of 130 (Democracy Now!)
In Idaho Bush is staying at Tamarack Resort, known for its world-class ski mountain, its professional golf course and the beautiful Lake Cascade. Meanwhile anti-war protesters met Bush in Idaho. Even though the tiny town of Donnelly only has a population of 130, some 200 protesters took to the streets Monday night. Protests were also held in Boise. There were reports protesters planned to issue a citizen's arrest warrant for the president. Laura McCarthy, whose son is in Iraq, said at a rally "President Bush probably breathed a sigh of relief when he landed in Idaho last night. But no matter where he goes, he's going to find a Cindy Sheehan in every community across the United States. The name is going to be different, but the message is going to be the same."

Calling out around the world
Are you ready for a brand new beat?
Summer's here and the time is right
For Dancing in the Street

Martha Reeves and the Vandellas had the hit with that song and the Mamas and the Papas also do a strong version of it. But Martha Reeves and the Vandellas also have "Nowhere to Run, Nowhere to Hide" and doesn't that seem like the theme of Bully Boy's summer vacation?
When he gets back to the White House and Dick Cheney makes him write up a "What I Did This Summer" paper, that should be the theme: I ran from the people, Dick, because they don't trust me.
He's hiding out with hand picked audiences again. Kelley O'Donnell (or Kelly - I honestly don't care whether I get an inept reporter's name correct) was beaming broader than Norah O'Donnell as she went into the Bully Boy's performance. The footage and KD's smile were supposed to uplift us. If a real reporter had been doing that report (for NBC's Nightly News), don't you think serious issues about the crowd, how they were selected and shots of the protestors at the end would have been utilized? Instead KD wants to launch Operation Happy Talk all by herself. "Stooge" is the nicest word that comes to mind.

Bush: Sheehan Is Advocating a Policy to "Weaken" The Country (Democracy Now!)
President Bush has dismissed the ongoing anti-war vigil in Crawford Texas initiated by Cindy Sheehan. He claimed she was advocating a policy that would weaken the country. "I think those who advocate immediate withdrawal from not only Iraq but the Middle East would be -- are advocating a policy that would weaken the United States," Bush said. "So I appreciate her right to protest. I understand her anguish. I met with a lot of families. She doesn't represent the view of a lot of the families I have met with. And I'll continue to meet with families." Bush's comments came during a last-minute trip to the Idaho resort town of Donnelly. The trip was scheduled after hundreds of military families, veterans and anti-war protesters began camping outside his 1,600 acre estate in Crawford Texas.

Cindy Sheehan is weaking the country? She was in charge of national security when 9/11 happened? No that job was Condi Rice's and Bully Boy appointed her. And Bully Boy wants to lecture about weakening the country while he's in the midst of a five week vacation while we're "at war?" The only thing that Cindy Sheehan is weakening is the media created myth of "Bush at War." People are catching on the lies they've been told and that they were sold a war based on lies.

Bush's Approval Rating Plummets to New Low of 36% (Democracy Now!)
Meanwhile opinion polls show President Bush's approval rating has dropped to a new low of just 36 percent -- according to the latest survey from the American Research Group. Bush's approval rating is now lower than Richard Nixon's was at the height of the Watergate scandal.

It it any wonder? He's hiding out on resorts, after leaving his estate, and the "common man" act just doesn't play anymore. After five years, the pass would probably be pulled anyway -- the "isn't it cute how he stumbles and bumbles." He's never grown into the office or found a way to seem presidential. Now people catch on to reality, the body counts, the lies, and there's nothing to back up his empty words.
Now I need to note Kat's latest review at The Common Ills.

"Kat's Korner: The Complete Cass Elliot Solo Collection 1968-71" (The Common Ills)
Gather round, kiddes, we got a history lesson.Oh quit moaning! History can be fun sometimes. And this is musical history so even better.Quick, long before Joan Rivers sat behind Johnny Carson's desk on The Tonight Show what female singer performed the same duties? Not sure. Okay, try this one: who was the first woman to sit down for The Rolling Stone Interview?Are you guessing Janis Joplin? Wipe off your self-satisfied smirk because you're wrong. You in the back, the guy shouting "Grace Slick! Grace Slick!" You're wrong too.
[. . .]
Cass is a treasure, not "was." I think Kat writes about music like no one else and that The Common Ills community has been lucky to have her as the in-house music critic since December. She always manages to find something that might be overlooked and to say it in a way that no one else can. If Kat's reviews were gathered together and printed in a book, I'd not only buy it, I'd ask her to autograph a copy for me.
She perfectly captures what Cass offers, real artistry and compassion.

"Peace Quotes" (Peace Center)
It is easier to lead men to combat, stirring up their passion, than to restrain them and direct them toward the patient labors of peace.
Andre Gide