Legend

People still line up and pay money to get an autograph from Pete Rose even though he has been banned from baseball for years. The memory of how he played the game so exquisitely has endeared him to many a fan and his membership in the Big Red Machine still lines them up wherever he goes. Muhammed Ali can hardly even speak now and walks with a shuffle instead of dancing with the Ali Shuffle. Those fantastic, legendary bouts with Joe Frazier make him “The Greatest” in the minds of many boxing aficionados. In light of these instances can we agree that people just don't go see Willie Nelson just to hear him sing.

Willie is some eighty years old now and his voice, like many of ours, has just taken a trip along the river of time and is not quite what it used to be. In all honesty, he was never a great singer anyway. He was, however, a great songwriter and performer. The tales of his exploits and encounters with the law are legendary. People still pay the bucks to line up and press the stage for his concerts.

At our own Master Musician's Festival this year Willie Nelson was the headline star. Rumor has it that he was paid far more than any other performer we have ever had. It was a bid to drive attendance up and, from all accounts, it was a successful one. From a musical standpoint it left a little to be desired. Willie spoke most of the lines, breaking into tune only sporadically. There were a lot of people present who were there to enjoy hearing the legend sing his classics. We wondered would he sing Red Headed Stranger? Or Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain? Or maybe Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground.

After shooting some photos up close I made my way back through the crowd that was pressing at the retainer fence to a spot in the clear a little farther back where I could see the panorama and, to be truthful, enjoy the music a bit more. A not so well known fact is that the sound is not the best up near the stage. One does not get the full benefit of the sound engineers and the pounding of those big speakers and the monitors drown out the nuances. While I was at the back I noticed quite a few of the older set leaving. From my conversations with them it seems they actually expected to hear Willie sing and were somewhat disappointed that his vocal performance was not up to their expectations. My opinion is that they expected too much from an outdoor open air concert format. You just aren't going to get a studio sound in that environment but you are going to make up for that with the excitement and participation generated. Let's just face it. A lot of times as we age excitement and participation are not exactly first on our list of priorities. However, I am delighted to say that there were many of my generation still digging on the vibe of the performer's interaction with the crowd. In a performance such as this the crowd is a distinct part of the whole thing.

As for Willie's vocals, I have heard some reference his age but I don't know about that. From time to time when he broke into song he seemed quite capable of hitting the notes. Perhaps he couldn't sustain it or perhaps he just didn't want to. At this stage of his life and career I suppose he can do whatever he wants to do. But, as for the goal of increasing excitement and attendance I have to say this year's festival was a rousing success that validates the axiom that you must spend money to make money.

Other circumstances helped to make this year's festival a successful one. Chris Knight was likely at the best I have ever heard him. He reminded me of some of the more legendary singers of his type of music. Robert Earl Keen came to mind. One person remarked that he sounded somewhat like a weird version of John Mellencamp. I could see that. His ability to tell a story with his music is formidable and getting better all the time. I don't know if a person could say enough about how good The David Mayfield Parade is. He tries his best to obscure his musicality with hilarious antics but he is very good. I got some good photos but the one I have seen with the blonde girl up on the doghouse is poster material. I think we should just put him on retainer for future festivals.

This was the first year for beer sales at the festival and that was a big hit judging from the length of the lines. Festival goers were not allowed to bring any adult beverages into the festival and so were limited to what was on sale there. People who attend these things are remarkably creative when it comes to smuggling so I am certain that some amount was sneaked past the vigilant eyes of those responsible but it wasn't a lot. I remarked to a friend that the crowd was much better behaved than usual to which she replied, “compared to what?” Well, compared to past festivals. For the most part it was a civil and mannerly crowd.

Legions of men and women in military uniform were visible and the Somerset City Police force was there on the Somerset Police Force golf carts and Segways. I wondered what would happen if they needed to give chase since the terrain would not be that favorable to going fast in a golf cart but I did notice that the Segways had the off road tires. A few years back the police force did crowd control on bicycles and that seemed to be more appropriate but what would be better still is for the officers to be on foot, using the opportunity to relate to the festival goers and to foster good will. It is difficult for me to take Segways seriously as a law enforcement tool. I keep thinking of the guy that owned the company that manufactures them plunging to his death off a cliff on one of the devices.

Well, I had promised my readers there was another festival column coming and here it is. From my viewpoint it appears that the festival was a huge success and lays the groundwork for more success in the future. It looked back to the humble beginnings of our festival and brought it forward to the present. The occasions that it gives unknown talent a stage on which to perform are what I would call one of the best aspects of the festival.

My take on the festival is that I am already looking forward to next year. Put it on your calendar.

Monday Roundup: New Yorker’s Blind Spot

Monday Roundup: New Yorker’s Blind Spot


Not just the tree huggers opposing this project.  Also those farmers who get their water from the aquifer the pipeline would cross
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Let's Hear That Again

I am often left nearly (but not completely) speechless at comments I run across that castigate President Obama. From the wide spectrum of comments I can only conclude that people really don't have a clue about what is really going on in our country. Facebook is alive with posts that do more than border on ignorance of public affairs. I am under no illusion that those people read this column but I am going to address just a few. I am going to try to do it without using the profanity of the posts.

Recently there was a group of motorcyclists that went to DC to parade in protest against something. Take your pick. They had a permit to parade on such a date but just to poke their fingers in President Obama's eye they weren't going to do it that day. They were going to exercise their right of assembly and do it on another day. A group calling itself “Breaking Obama's ----s” posted on Facebook and the number of likes is in the thousands. Now, do these people think that the President rules DC the way Putin does Russia or what? Is there really someone who thinks that President Obama sits around all way thinking of ways to diss the nut jobs? Guess there is.

Locally the taxpayer just spent abut $10 million to tear up bypass 80 and then put it back. This after using last year to tear the intersections out and redo them. Obama did that. I remarked that the money would have been better used to finish another leg of our beltline but I found out that Obama is responsible for that too. I suggested that Congressman Rogers, who chairs the Appropriations (that's money) Committee may be too timid to fund that since the Tea Party is showing what it can do to Republicans that are too profligate. Just ask Mitch. I also reminded this person that if the President had his way we would be building roads, bridges and just about anything that could qualify as a public work but the Party of No just said no.

The people who say that our national budget is just like your checkbook are screaming that we just can't afford to feed people who have fallen on hard times. They point out that they really don't mind those that REALLY need it to get it but those people who just waste the money because they are spending all their money on drugs need to be tested. That'll weed them out. Where testing has been implemented the results are in. Less than 2% of those tested are using non-prescribed drugs. The cost of the testing far outweighs any money saved by cutting those people off.

I have never seen an issue weld the left and right together they way the prospect of attacking Syria has. It is plain that the American people have had enough of war. But I hear that Obama keeps trying to take us to another war in the Middle East. I would have been ecstatic if that reaction had been around when we blundered into Iraq. But Obama wants to help the radical Muslims who are defying the Assad government. Now, let me get this straight. Is this the same President who has spent the past year resisting calls from the Neocons including Senators McCain and Graham who take vacations to Syria to see what the rebels are up to? Are they talking about the guy who stuck his foot in his mouth with the “red line” thing and has been looking for a way out ever since? The same guy who decided that “hey, let's ask the American people?” Now, exactly what is he doing wrong? And what can we say about those stalwarts of the GOP, McCain and Graham? Are they trying to help the radical Muslims also?

Bumper stickers excite me. They are so creative. I saw one that read “if Obama is the answer, how stupid was the question?” Either the creators of that sticker didn't think that through or they just knew that the people that would put that on their cars wouldn't either. Maybe the question was, “what should we do if the people we elected keep getting us in places we don't like?” My guess is that would make Obama the smart answer. Doing the same thing wouldn't be too bright.

And now for the closer. Obamacare begins to enter the markets next month. An ad claimed by the Conservative Senate Republicans are all over Mitch over not doing enough to defund Obamacare. Positive aspects of the Affordable Care Act are already in effect and benefiting Americans across the country. I personally know people who will be able to afford insurance they lost when the corporate banks took down Wall Street and threw Middle Class America into the ditch. I can understand what some businesses are wailing about but it befuddles me as to why what used to be Middle Class America is whining about. It is nothing but good for them. I sometimes wonder if it would be different if it were called RomneyCare or BushCare. After all, Romney installed it in Massachusetts and Bush gave us Medicare D. Attach Obama to the name and it is a whole different thing.

I don't mind disagreement on issues. As a matter of fact I welcome it because that is a sign that people are paying attention. It is just that it is so rare to find someone who understands the issues enough to discuss them without resorting to pejoratives.

What is my take on this irrational behavior? It is irrational, I just don't get it. Understand the issues and let's talk.

The Real Deal

So, here's the real deal that no one is really talking about yet.  The thing to strike or not strike Syria over its use of chemical weapons is not really about Syria.  Sure, that was a really nasty thing to do and something that the nations of the world agreed to never do again.  I'm not really sure what those nations were prepared to do about it if someone did.  Apparently nothing.

But the real deal is about Iran.  Iran sits on Syria's border and is providing arms and soldiers to assist the Assad regime in remaining in power.  Iran doesn't want any kind of government on their border that could either compete with or against them.  In additon, Iran wants to develop nuclear power and the United States and its protectorate, Israel, don't want that to happen.  The US has spent the last ten years trying to use sanctions and diplomacy to persuade the Iranians to forgo development at the risk of attack to neutralize that threat.  If the United States and the rest of the world do not stop Syria here then why should Iran think they will be stopped either instantly rendering the sanctions and threats moot.

The President has followed a path I strongly endorse in his treatment of Iran and Syria.  His reluctance to provide arms to the Syrial rebels is motivated by what has happened when we provided arems to rebels in Libya and in Afghanistan when the Soviets were there.   They ended up using them against us.  It is far better to let the occupants of countries fight their own civil wars.

We could be far more effective in using the model we have used with the Chinese of engagement and cooperation in order to influence behavior.  Even though the Chinese are a formidable economic rival we are not contemplating hostilities.  Perhaps we should just try to use that model with other countries.

But now the whole metric is changed with the Syrians violating international law and the Iranians threatening to upset the balance of power in the Middle East.  Were it not for Israel our choices would be much simpler.

So you see, it is what is not happening that is what is important.  The President wisely threw the ball into the hands of Congress which never expected to have to do anything really important and have largely forgotten how.  The American people have had enough of war and just don't want to do it.  It is up to the President to make his case.  Tell the people the real deal.  Don't just show rows of dead children, it isn't going to work.  The American people want some attention paid to the problems at home and recognize that the past decade of war has not been kind.

There is a case to be made.  For example, in the late 1930s everyone who saw events internationally knew that the US had to enter the war, President Roosevelt knew it and even circumvented Congress with his lend/lease program.  Even the attacks on Britain and Poland didn't do it and it took a Japanese attack on US assets at Pearl Harbor to start the war frenzy.  This is pretty much where the people are now.  The President needs to make his case and state his goals to get the people to go.

I have been opposed not as a matter of thinking it doesn't concern us but as a matter of going it alone.  We have done much too much of that.  It is time for some others, notably the Arab League, to lead the charge.  We have the luxury of time and the Atlantic Ocean.  The European countries have almost eliminated their military budgets because they know we will do it.  If NATO decides to jump then I will go along with them, as a participant, not the one to carry the mail.

Someone needs to do the deed to keep the Iranians in check a while longer.  The new leadership seems to be not quite so antagonistic.  But, make no mistake, the US is not planning just a few cruise missiles and smart bombs.  We are looking to change the regime.

Why should we be the ones?

Best of the Web Today - WSJ.com

A pretty good op-ed from the Wall Street Journal, a paper I seldom agree with and this instance is no exception.  However, they do a passable job of laying out an argument in favor of the air strikes on Syria.  My objections are several.  Firstly, why should the US undertake this action when much of of the Western World will not join us?  Why should we act in the absence of international agreement?  Secondly, why should we do this when the America people are so doubtful? Thirdly, and mainly, to me.  Why is the Arab League not leading this charge?  Why is it not Saudi, Jordanian or Egyptian planes in the air?  This is their neighbor and they have the most to lose.  Why should we be in the forefront of an action that is assured to foment more hatred of the US?

Just ask the right questions, for crying out loud.  We know we CAN do it.  We know Assad is despicable.  We say we know he is the one that did it.  Just, why us?

Political Cover is not forthcoming

NATO Shunning Military Role in Syria Highlights Divisions - Businessweek

Can we suppose that the day when the US could command NATO action is past?

The Odd Alliance

Debate begins on question of a strike on Syria - Chicago Sun-Times


A very odd alliance of liberal left and reactionary right is poised to challenge the President's choice to intervene in Syria in response to the chemical attacks on the Syrian population.  So, who are those who promote these attacks as well as further action to assist the rebels with regime change?  Well, many are the same who believe the United States should impose its will on the Middle East through force even though that policy has brought us to the brink of ruination in Iraq.

The GOP is struggling for a way to make this seem to be a failure of the administration while many of their members are of a different mind.  It is almost comical to see the parsing of words to try to find a way to disagree with the President while agreeing.  The GOP hawks want a more significant intervention and will try to force the President's hand.


There are no good options and the choice is between doing nothing and assisting the Assad regime or attacking and helping rebel groups such as Al Qaeda assume power.  Truth be told, as far as National Security goes we and Israel were much better off with Assad in power but his willingness to maintain an inoffensive position may now be lost.  Assad has not helped his case in Congress with his taunting of the United States since quite a few may be swayed just to put him in his place and demonstrate decisiveness with a few cruise missiles.

The use of chemical weapons is horriffic but tens of thousands have already been killed by conventional means that have not distinguished combatant from non-combatant.  Perhaps in another time the United States could afford the consequences of striking but this is not the time.  The President is seeking cover from Congress and well he should.  While he must be able to quickly authorize military force Congress should not be as willing as it has in the past to abdicate responsibility for committing the nation to such action that is indistinguishable from war.