Let's talk bigotry
Have you ever read one of those articles on a minority's struggle in a major sport? I just finished a nice piece on Sandy Koufax in the September 9th Sports Illustrated. I have read many similar articles and have seen documentaries on the tube. Usually on Classic Sports. Most of these stories that I have seen and read have focused on the exeriences of black American baseball players. The reason for this is simple, I love to read about baseball and the history of the people of prevalantly African descent in this country is unique. Oh sure, you may say that all history is unique. Nobody asked you. I'm writing this, now get your own blog if you want to complain.
I have noticed that the writers of these stories never interview or mention by name those that treated people like Sandy Koufax, Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron and Bookpimp badly. They are known as "certain guys" or "a couple of the fellas." Who were these people? Why won't they 'fess up? I do remember one player from the Dodgers of Jackie Robinson's era was interviewed once and he was known as a Robinson hater. I wish I could remember who it was. I do remember that he shrugged his attitude off to his upbringing. Just once I would like to see some guy interviewed who once harrassed a minority player and have him say something like "Yeah, I called him a (insert favorite racial epithet here) and I still hate all (pluralize previous epithet) and I think they have ruined (whichever sport we are discussing)."
I do know that the name Dixie Walker often comes up when Jackie Robinson is discussed. Supposedly he circulated a petition among the Brooklyn Dodgers players during Jackie Robinson's rookie season in an effort to get Jackie thrown off the team. Obviously it failed.
Out of all this mess comes one of my favorite baseball stories. It concerns Pee Wee Reese, Jackie Robinson and a screaming mob. You can read about it here. It's definately a better story than the one about Ty Cobb beating to death the guy that tried to steal his wallet. Now there would be a funny beer commercial. After Cobb beats the guy to death he could go home and discover his wallet on his table and realize he had killed another human being for no reason at all. Then he could tell the story to his friends and they could all laugh about it over a nice cool Ham's.
Friday, September 13, 2002
Thursday, September 12, 2002
Funniest Video Ever
Nope, not that Michael Jackson video where he smashed a bunch of cars and grabbed his nutless crotch. Not that one. Oh sure, it was funny. Funny as W. Bush reading a speech but that's not the one I mean. I am referring to 'Smoking Banana Peels" by the Dead Milkmen. Give it a shot, it'll put a smile on your face.
I saw the Dead Milkmen a few times at the old 1313 club here in Charlotte. It was the first place I ever saw a band in this town way back in the summer of 1990. The first band I saw there was a band that, I think, was from the Chapel Hill area, Johnny Quest. They were a P-Funk band. Not too original but loud and fun. I went because I won free tickets from a radio station. It was probably 95.7 back when it was called 'The Rock.' I will always remember the Dead Milkmen for having the only slam pit that I ever really participated in. You will never meet a nicer but of slam dancers than you will at a Dead Milkmen show. It was more like a kindergarten recess than a punk show. If you fell, you got picked up and no one ever tried to jack you. Peace and love while slam dancing. They had a lightheartedness along with an ability to attach very funny and often astute lyrics to catchy melodies. They did, honest.
I don't even consider the Dead Milkmen a guilty pleasure. KISS is a guilty pleasure, the Dead Milkmen are cool.
Just in case you were wondering here is a graphic from a Johnny Quest T-shirt and tape cover. That's right, tape cover. This is some old school shit. Bands used to hawk tapes at shows, not CD's.
There is a reference to Johnny Quest in this article about mid 90's Carolina bands here.
Nope, not that Michael Jackson video where he smashed a bunch of cars and grabbed his nutless crotch. Not that one. Oh sure, it was funny. Funny as W. Bush reading a speech but that's not the one I mean. I am referring to 'Smoking Banana Peels" by the Dead Milkmen. Give it a shot, it'll put a smile on your face.
I saw the Dead Milkmen a few times at the old 1313 club here in Charlotte. It was the first place I ever saw a band in this town way back in the summer of 1990. The first band I saw there was a band that, I think, was from the Chapel Hill area, Johnny Quest. They were a P-Funk band. Not too original but loud and fun. I went because I won free tickets from a radio station. It was probably 95.7 back when it was called 'The Rock.' I will always remember the Dead Milkmen for having the only slam pit that I ever really participated in. You will never meet a nicer but of slam dancers than you will at a Dead Milkmen show. It was more like a kindergarten recess than a punk show. If you fell, you got picked up and no one ever tried to jack you. Peace and love while slam dancing. They had a lightheartedness along with an ability to attach very funny and often astute lyrics to catchy melodies. They did, honest.
I don't even consider the Dead Milkmen a guilty pleasure. KISS is a guilty pleasure, the Dead Milkmen are cool.
Just in case you were wondering here is a graphic from a Johnny Quest T-shirt and tape cover. That's right, tape cover. This is some old school shit. Bands used to hawk tapes at shows, not CD's.
There is a reference to Johnny Quest in this article about mid 90's Carolina bands here.
Wednesday, September 11, 2002
Mr. Big Shot
I see 42short guy has a letter in today's Creative Loafing. Defender of the rights of rock girls everywhere, he is.
I also noticed that our prez, in his speech in front of the Pentagon, pledged for a record 100th time since last November 11th to win the war on terrorism. I believe he said something about heroes not victims, this will not stand, great country, freedom, yada yada yada yada no substance no substance empty rhetoric empty rhetoric, smile and wave a flag.
Warmongering on the hallowed ground
"As long as terrorists and dictators plot against our lives and our liberty they will be opposed by the United States Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force and Marines!" Bush II
I see 42short guy has a letter in today's Creative Loafing. Defender of the rights of rock girls everywhere, he is.
I also noticed that our prez, in his speech in front of the Pentagon, pledged for a record 100th time since last November 11th to win the war on terrorism. I believe he said something about heroes not victims, this will not stand, great country, freedom, yada yada yada yada no substance no substance empty rhetoric empty rhetoric, smile and wave a flag.
Warmongering on the hallowed ground
"As long as terrorists and dictators plot against our lives and our liberty they will be opposed by the United States Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force and Marines!" Bush II
Tuesday, September 10, 2002
Busy day, so far
Came across Ted Rall. I have seen his stuff before but I forgotted about him. He's capable of more bile than Tom Tomorrow.
Saw the
Came across Ted Rall. I have seen his stuff before but I forgotted about him. He's capable of more bile than Tom Tomorrow.
Saw the
Monday, September 09, 2002
The Cabarrus County Fair
I love fairs. I went to the Cabarrus County Fair with Jessica and Ms. Sachs. We got there in the late afternoon on my suggestion. I like to get there while the sun is still up so we can be there as darkness descends on the fair grounds.
We did all the usual fair stuff. We walked around, ignored the carnies and their crooked games, drank sugar-filled drinks, ate deep fried food, gazed upon cow butts, petted the goats, watched the piglet races, watched people scream their lungs out on creaky rides, oggled teenaged girls dressed like Britney, road the bumper cars twice and saw about ten cops haul away some skinny redneck guy for fighting.
The piglet races had a new twist this year. They had two groups of four pigs that did one lap around a fenced in track. Each group participated in two races. The second time they came out they were forced to swim through a shallow pool of water about fifteen feet long. The crowd screamed. I saw the show twice and each time one of the pigs in the first group just had no interest in the water and had to be coaxed in. He was a crowd favorite each time which caused me to wonder if they purposely included a pig that was terrified of water so the monkeys in the bleachers could have a good laugh? Did you know that pigs aren't really dirty, that we just force them to live that way? Sounds like our country's attitude toward the third world, don't it?
I was disappointed in the low redneck turnout. There were more last year. Maybe Concord is slowly losing its redneck population like south Charlotte did over the years. Kinda sad, they add color to any event.
The fair will be up and running through the 14th and anyone in the area should go. County fairs are unique and local. Two better reasons exist they do not.
I love fairs. I went to the Cabarrus County Fair with Jessica and Ms. Sachs. We got there in the late afternoon on my suggestion. I like to get there while the sun is still up so we can be there as darkness descends on the fair grounds.
We did all the usual fair stuff. We walked around, ignored the carnies and their crooked games, drank sugar-filled drinks, ate deep fried food, gazed upon cow butts, petted the goats, watched the piglet races, watched people scream their lungs out on creaky rides, oggled teenaged girls dressed like Britney, road the bumper cars twice and saw about ten cops haul away some skinny redneck guy for fighting.
The piglet races had a new twist this year. They had two groups of four pigs that did one lap around a fenced in track. Each group participated in two races. The second time they came out they were forced to swim through a shallow pool of water about fifteen feet long. The crowd screamed. I saw the show twice and each time one of the pigs in the first group just had no interest in the water and had to be coaxed in. He was a crowd favorite each time which caused me to wonder if they purposely included a pig that was terrified of water so the monkeys in the bleachers could have a good laugh? Did you know that pigs aren't really dirty, that we just force them to live that way? Sounds like our country's attitude toward the third world, don't it?
I was disappointed in the low redneck turnout. There were more last year. Maybe Concord is slowly losing its redneck population like south Charlotte did over the years. Kinda sad, they add color to any event.
The fair will be up and running through the 14th and anyone in the area should go. County fairs are unique and local. Two better reasons exist they do not.
Thursday, September 05, 2002
White Stripes on Bob Dylan
In an article about the White Stripes in Mojo Magazine they allowed the white stripes to do a list of musicians that influenced them and this is what they said about Bob Dylan: "Important: do not trust people who call themselves musicians or record collectors who say that they don' t like Bob Dylan or the Beatles. They do not love music if those words come out of their mouths. They love record sleeves and getting attention for their hobby but they do not love music." Amen, brother.
By the way, if you have never read an edition of Mojo magazine you should if you love music. It's printed in the UK and since Spin and Rolling Stone have sucked for a very long time now, Mojo is the best out there right now. You can buy it at Borders. It's not cheap since it's imported but they know they're shit.
In an article about the White Stripes in Mojo Magazine they allowed the white stripes to do a list of musicians that influenced them and this is what they said about Bob Dylan: "Important: do not trust people who call themselves musicians or record collectors who say that they don' t like Bob Dylan or the Beatles. They do not love music if those words come out of their mouths. They love record sleeves and getting attention for their hobby but they do not love music." Amen, brother.
By the way, if you have never read an edition of Mojo magazine you should if you love music. It's printed in the UK and since Spin and Rolling Stone have sucked for a very long time now, Mojo is the best out there right now. You can buy it at Borders. It's not cheap since it's imported but they know they're shit.
Ah, Autumn
Or almost Autumn or not quite the dead of summer or the sun's aspect is not so much like the head of Satan's cock as it has been since late June.
I see that the big ole Greek fest started today. My bus route goes by the Greek Orthodox church and traffic is already picking up. The Caburrus county fair starts this Saturday and Festival in the Park in coming soon. Autumn in Charlotte is wonderful, it features breathable air and mild temperatures and fun things to do. I can go outside again! Ah, joy.
Or almost Autumn or not quite the dead of summer or the sun's aspect is not so much like the head of Satan's cock as it has been since late June.
I see that the big ole Greek fest started today. My bus route goes by the Greek Orthodox church and traffic is already picking up. The Caburrus county fair starts this Saturday and Festival in the Park in coming soon. Autumn in Charlotte is wonderful, it features breathable air and mild temperatures and fun things to do. I can go outside again! Ah, joy.
Wednesday, September 04, 2002
Another reason to hate the recording industry
I was going to add this rant to my michaelspasm article but I had sent in a few updates already and I don't want to stress him out.
Anyway, how many CD's do you buy a month? I know there are some wackos out there that buy ten or more but I usually limit my purchases to about 4 a month. I usually buy less. More like one a payday. Now, how many CD's do you pirate a month? Way more than 4 if you are any good. So, if you only buy 4 cd's a month and pirate 30, how is the recording industry losing money? You are actually building more interest and will, in the long run, spend more money on shows and CD's. If I buy 4 and pirate 30, I am merely getting more involved. Sounds like a good reason to lower prices to a reasonable level and another way the industry is twisting words.
Lunch sighting
A guy who's voice sounded like a transistor radio turned up too loud.
I was going to add this rant to my michaelspasm article but I had sent in a few updates already and I don't want to stress him out.
Anyway, how many CD's do you buy a month? I know there are some wackos out there that buy ten or more but I usually limit my purchases to about 4 a month. I usually buy less. More like one a payday. Now, how many CD's do you pirate a month? Way more than 4 if you are any good. So, if you only buy 4 cd's a month and pirate 30, how is the recording industry losing money? You are actually building more interest and will, in the long run, spend more money on shows and CD's. If I buy 4 and pirate 30, I am merely getting more involved. Sounds like a good reason to lower prices to a reasonable level and another way the industry is twisting words.
Lunch sighting
A guy who's voice sounded like a transistor radio turned up too loud.
Monday, September 02, 2002
Ah, the Penguin
Many of us know of the Penguin. Such a cool little diner on Thomas Street here in town. Someday I am going to have to go there and not get the Boss Hogg sammich that I usually get. Hard to pass up though, grilled onions, ham and mayo. Mmmm, mmmm.
The usual cast of oddballs were there, the tall flabby guy in glasses drinking 24 ounce Budweisers, playing songs on the jukebox, peeing every ten minutes and apologizing to the waitress for the loud Stooges song that came on.
The awesome and friendly wait staff. Former and current goth girls one and all.
The Gwyneth Palotrow look alike having a Corona or two.
The family in the corner booth.
The regular drunks in the front corner hugging each member of their group that came in.
The skinny girl with nice legs, huge honker and sunken eyes drinking booze with the regulars.
The rockabilly lookin' guy with the black t-shirt and black hair.
The three year old boy screaming in delight after figuring out the cd jukebox will flip the cards with the songs on them if he smacked enough buttons. He was unable to discern which button did the flipping so he hit as many of them as he could. Each flip was a delight which he expressed loudly.
The two young girls at the side bar with all the piercings and a wardrobe very carefully assembled at thrift stores except for the shoes. The shoes were new. One had her toenails painted robin-egg's blue.
And Wendell.
Hell no, we won't go.
I am starting to think, no matter how badly our prez wants to kill kill kill and kill some more, that we may actually not attack Iraq. Colin Powell, in an interview I read today, very carefully laid down a most oblique line of opposition. Or was it reserved concern? Either way, it gives me hope.
Many of us know of the Penguin. Such a cool little diner on Thomas Street here in town. Someday I am going to have to go there and not get the Boss Hogg sammich that I usually get. Hard to pass up though, grilled onions, ham and mayo. Mmmm, mmmm.
The usual cast of oddballs were there, the tall flabby guy in glasses drinking 24 ounce Budweisers, playing songs on the jukebox, peeing every ten minutes and apologizing to the waitress for the loud Stooges song that came on.
The awesome and friendly wait staff. Former and current goth girls one and all.
The Gwyneth Palotrow look alike having a Corona or two.
The family in the corner booth.
The regular drunks in the front corner hugging each member of their group that came in.
The skinny girl with nice legs, huge honker and sunken eyes drinking booze with the regulars.
The rockabilly lookin' guy with the black t-shirt and black hair.
The three year old boy screaming in delight after figuring out the cd jukebox will flip the cards with the songs on them if he smacked enough buttons. He was unable to discern which button did the flipping so he hit as many of them as he could. Each flip was a delight which he expressed loudly.
The two young girls at the side bar with all the piercings and a wardrobe very carefully assembled at thrift stores except for the shoes. The shoes were new. One had her toenails painted robin-egg's blue.
And Wendell.
Hell no, we won't go.
I am starting to think, no matter how badly our prez wants to kill kill kill and kill some more, that we may actually not attack Iraq. Colin Powell, in an interview I read today, very carefully laid down a most oblique line of opposition. Or was it reserved concern? Either way, it gives me hope.
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