Spitball Army

In true “cross the aisle” fashion – and fashion meant to apply here in two distinct definitions – the two Democratic former Presidents wore red ties, and the Republican Presidents Bush wore blue ties.

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Ten-year-old Damon Weaver wants to interview Barack Obama during Inauguration Week.

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What an odd year for me and music. By that I don’t mean that it was an odd year for music (which it may have been), or an odd year for me, necessarily (though I might say that was true, as well). It was an odd year for me and music, together. For the first time in about twenty years, I wasn’t around the music “scene” every day, 24/7. All of the new music that I encountered, I had sought out, after reading about it online or in the news, or it was recommended to me by friends and former colleagues…you know, the way that music discovery is supposed to happen.

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This morning, friend Mae Robertson e-mailed me a link to a column authored by Mary Chapin Carpenter in The Washington Times. In her column, Chapin writes about the Liberty Mutual TV commercial that features Hem’s “Better Days,” and draws parallels between the subtle messages of the commercial and the ideology of the current political season, specifically Barack Obama’s oratory at the Democratic National Convention.

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The singer/songwriter sued McCain in August after the Republican candidate for the highest office in the land used his song, “Running on Empty,” in a campaign commercial that targeted Obama’s energy plan.

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Before he arrives at the White House, he will probably be forced to sign off. In addition to concerns about e-mail security, he faces the Presidential Records Act, which puts his correspondence in the official record and ultimately up for public review, and the threat of subpoenas. A decision has not been made on whether he could become the first e-mailing president, but aides said that seemed doubtful.

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Chili in a bowl

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Speaking of No Depression, I was really sad when they “folded” late last year. Not only was their bi-monthly publication consistently interesting and well-written and filled with good humor and enthusiasm, but the small staff was a joy to deal with, from a retailer’s viewpoint.

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So, the election is over, and you’re watching the results. Or you’re eager to put two years of presidential politics behind you, but wonder how much of it is still stuck in your giant brain. How does a quiz sound?

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I thought I’d get to the polling place by 6:00 a.m. and be the first in line, or close to the first. Then, last night, it dawned on me that I would have the privilege of waiting just as long at the #1 position as I would at #56. So I take my time getting to the community school polling place, arriving at around 6:20. Coffee mug in hand, I step into the line. I am indeed #56.

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