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--INCITING REVOLUTION, ONE MIND AT A TIME--
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"Whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends [Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness], it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness." -- Declaration of Independence
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Seamus the Skald*

Tony Staples


Last Updated: 6/21/2009

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Gender: Male
Status: Married
Age: 43
Sign: Taurus

City: OLYMPIA
State: Washington
Country: US
Signup Date: 6/24/2005

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June 21, 2009 - Sunday 

Current mood:  disappointed
Category: Music
Rock ‘N’ Roll Homicide:
The Music Business is Fucked
James Staples
 
Back Alley Kicks is a band I have actively promoted.  They just made a dick-move, and now they’re trying to lie to make it seem like less of a dick-move, which makes it even more of a dick-move.  Their announcement is posted verbatim, and my reply follows it.
 
----------------------B.A.K.’s Announcement:-------------------------
 
Friday, June 19, 2009 
Line-up change
Category: Music
 
So due to some differences between band members Paulie has decided to quit Back Alley Kicks. Paulie had decided to move to Sacramento CA. After that news came about, there was a lot of confusion as to what should happen with the band. The rest of us had decided to stay in WA, at least for the time being. Paulie had made the decision to leave after the tour and then there was confusion as to him leaving after we play our show in Portland w/ The Greatest Hits and The Spurts on July 5th. So w/ this is mind we had decided as a band that we should part ways even before that, so as to be able to showcase our new line-up before the tour. We still respect and love Paulie; the decision was in no means meant in ill will. It was a hard decision but it was one we needed to make. Due to the fact that Paulie was already planning on leaving anyway, we made the decision that we felt better for the band and it's longevity. We still love everyone that has supported us along the way and we hope that this does not change any of your opinions of us and we hope to see you out there as we continue to rock on. 

Much love, Back Alley Kicks.
 
 
---------------Here is my reply:----------------
 
Paulie didn’t quit Back Alley Kicks; you kicked him out. You deleted his comment, and you’ll probably delete this one.  That’s why I’m copying it into a blog of my own.  I never thought I’d say this to all of you, especially to you, Kevo, but you guys are chumps.  I hope you get exactly what you bargained for, because you paid a very high price: sacrificing your most precious friendship.  In all your years spent as misunderstood musical geniuses, did any of you ever come across the term, “Intellectual property?”  How about “misrepresentation?”  What do you think will happen when this piss-ant, 5-band-having, 1-album-released-so-far little company that signed you finds out that the demo they heard was of a different band, playing songs written by a guy who isn’t with you?  That’s going to be a short meeting. 

Oh, well....  Long live rock ‘n’ roll ...I guess.  At least there are still people out here trying to:
 
-THINK TRUTH.-
 
Currently listening:
Loyalty and Betrayal
By E-40
Release date: 2000-10-10
June 13, 2009 - Saturday 

Current mood:Sororital
Category: Religion and Philosophy
Mormon Propaganda Translated:
Comments on the “Young Women Theme”
James Staples
 
“The only difference between a religion and a cult is that a religion owns property.” –Frank Zappa
“Woman is the nigger of the world.” –John Lennon
“Let fury have the hour.  Anger can be power.  Do you know that you can use it?” –Joe Strummer
 
            A friend of mine, who lives on a fixed income, was approached by members of the local Mormon congregation.  They offered to help her by paying her rent for six months, on the condition that she attend their Sunday services for that time.  She agreed.  Since then, they’ve come by her apartment in ones and twos, making Bible-themed pleasantries and handing her little bits of church propaganda.  One such tract was given to her by a woman who headed up the “Relief Society,” which is in essence the women’s auxiliary in a highly male-oriented institution. 
            The one-page piece is entitled “Young Women Theme” and it is anonymous.  It came from the Lacey, WA; 2nd Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  It is reprinted below, verbatim, except that the lines have been numbered.  This enables me to render each line in plain speech, according to my interpretation, line by line. 

Young Women Theme
1. We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us and we love Him.
2. We will stand as witnesses of good at all times, in all things and in all places,
3. As we strive to live the Young Women Values, which are:
4. Faith, Divine nature, individual worth, knowledge,
5. Choice and accountability, good works, integrity and virtue.
6. We believe as we come to accept and act upon these values we will:
7. Be prepared to strengthen home and family,
8. Make and keep sacred covenants,
9. Receive the ordinances of the temple
10. And enjoy the blessings of exaltation.
 
Churches typically couch their “instructional” writing in this kind of quasi-biblical language for two reasons.  First, it makes prosaic tripe sound important and esoteric.  Second, since no one actually talks that way, what is written is obscure.  Its meaning is not apparent to the sort of Joe Average people who read it.  If the Big-Beard-in-the-Sky elements are removed and the piece is written in common parlance, it sounds pretty dreadful:

Rules of Conduct for Women
1. This is a PATRIARCHY, and women are subject to it.
2. Every moment of a woman’s life is to be spent in devotion to the Patriarchy.
3. What follows are the Rules of Conduct for Women.
4. Respect yourself, BUT...
5. Obey and answer to the Patriarchy.
6. Obeying the Rules of Conduct for Women means behaving as follows:
7. Be a mother and a housewife – the only place you have strength.
8. Trust your leaders and DO NOT DECEIVE THEM.
9. Obey the Rule of the Patriarchy.
10. Go to church often and pray often.
 
Regardless of the teachings of Jesus, who was actually a pretty relaxed and insightful guy, the institutions of “organized” Christianity exist – and have existed – for one reason: to subjugate the working class by manipulating its collective senses of fear, guilt and helplessness.  One of the most important elements of enslaving the minds of the masses is to disempower women.  Time and again, history teaches that the fastest and most reliable way to decrease infant mortality, teen pregnancy, abortion, drug abuse and violent crime is to empower women.  Give women education, reproductive freedom and liberty to function in the workplace on par with their male coworkers, and you will find your society growing healthier and wealthier by the year.  The medieval, knee-jerk-reactionary way women are characterized in institutional Christianity, as exemplified above, has a lot to do with the fact that church roles are dwindling and Wiccans and heathens abound.
 
Ladies, Jesus may love you, but the church doesn’t give a wet slap about you.  As long as your hubby gets dinner every night and sex whenever he wants it, your two-cents-worth has been spent and you may now sit demurely in the corner with your hands in your lap.  Speak when spoken to and mind your manners.
 
Imagine how easy it would be for you to put acid in the cookies you’re bringing to church next Sunday.
 
Gods bless America.
 
-THINK TRUTH.-
Currently listening:
Women
By Women
Release date: 2008-10-07
May 29, 2009 - Friday 


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4QKiYar9pI

There's Braille on the key-pads at drive-up-only ATMs. There's 24-hour drive-thru taxidermy. Some guy's living in a refrigerator crate and he's never seen a refrigerator. A world leader of a starving nation has his own cooking show! People make cars and can't afford to buy one. 1st Lady in a soup kitchen in 600-dollar sneakers!

May 28, 2009 - Thursday 

Current mood:Verbalicious
Category: Writing and Poetry

Beat Slap

[Alan Ginsburg Meets Dr. Seuss]

James Staples

 

Recant the scant revenant revenuer for residential president.

Reticent revenuer: recalcitrant? Reluctant instructor,

Deducting the “flux capacitor,” detracting wretched happenstance.

Distraction wracks the massive black cracks in a fragile back-tracker’s

Back-packing fact-checker – a home-wrecker! Ask the hectic Mexican

Sweat-speckled deck-stacking attack hackers.   Heck, they say,

A brazen stray can stay awake and pray the day’s not far away

When any ten-a-penny parlor game you want to play is nothing but

A shade of gray, as strong a song as the day is long.  It belongs to the dawn.

Hong Kong’s a really wrong wrung to ride in the long lane inside,

If you just let the Pride-Ride glide on high tide.  Tilt from side to side,

But do not chide the children’s challenge to channel big change

In the way strange rangers hasten daily to gain the pain

That they arrange themselves – the fools, the utter fools.

Cruel rules imbrue the tools we use to choose

A ruse too crude to prove true news ensues.

 

Get loose!  Vamoose! Spruce up your get-up and let up

On every last Brat-Pack facsimile from imminently similar

Circumstances.  The chance is, this mystic is briskly kissing

The system equivalent of simulated ambivalent heaven-sent pensive senators,

Resentful of mending the fence for every gent’s bent two-cents-worth

Of mirth on Earth (for what it’s worth).  It’s just a dearth of girth, but I digress:

Let’s stress less guesswork.  Redress the better blessing of success.

What’s best is estimating the brace of graceless cages facing the nation.

Say the way to play Belabored Savior strays away from some dumb

Slum-running scum-bum.  That hag drags a shaggy rag-bag,

Some flag-draped date-rapist who takes the shape of your basic big-wig

Radiant maze-gazer, placated by 31 flavors of X-rated crepe-paper shape-changers.

Make way for the hay-day in the shade of the gray-scale pacemaker.  She’s no faker!

Mistake her faith for a free-fall fast-ball.  Hey, now!  If the last-chance roll call

Is the “Be-All” and “End-All,” then why try to wall-crawl your way out of the log maul?

There’s no more to shoot for.  It’s over.  That’s all, y’all. 

...Groove.

 

[27 May 2009, Underbridge, Olympia, WA

Dedicated to my blood-brother, Siddiq]

Currently listening:
Indian Summer
By Dave Brubeck
Release date: 2007-08-07
May 25, 2009 - Monday 

Current mood:Verklempt
Category: News and Politics

The Second Sacrifice:

A Memorial Day Reminder

James Staples

 

“Greater love hath no man than this: that he lay down his life for his friends.”  - The Gospel of John

 

It is right and fitting that Americans pause to honor and remember those men and women who have died in service to their nation.   To give up one’s own stake in a brighter future so that others may inherit it is as selfless an act as a person can commit.  Shouldering great risk in the face of one’s own fear is admirable.  Doing this for the sake of others is the essence of heroism. 

 

The clearest example of this is, of course, found in military service.  In my lifetime alone, hundreds of thousands of men and women have donned the uniform and lost their lives, in the name of justice, freedom and the never-ending struggle against tyranny.  The scope, passion and drama of these sacrifices is astounding, but it also causes most of us to forget all of the other Americans who have made the same sacrifice without serving in the military.  We easily take for granted the sacrifice of thousands, without whom this nation would not exist.

 

Over the 223 years of this nation’s sovereignty, and especially since the dawn of the twentieth century, countless lives have been lost in the construction of railroads, bridges, highways, skyscrapers and all the other edifices of infrastructure.  Police, firefighters and other first responders have also shown that love for one’s fellows may be worth one’s own life.  Without these courageous men and women, all the military might and sacrifice would be in vain.  Without them, this nation would not exist, let alone need defending.  Let us remember, too, the orators and statesmen who were cut down as they spoke up, reminding us that, unless there is justice for all, there is justice for no one.  People like Martin Luther King, jr., Malcolm X, Harvey Milk and Rachel Corrie were murdered because greed, bigotry and insecurity forever seek to keep freedom and justice in the hands of a privileged few (Privilege means ‘private law).  It is shameful that people have to die for a cause so self-evidently correct, but we are honored and fortunate that there are those who are willing to do so.

 

Greatness does not wear a uniform.  Just as some individuals in uniform act in such a way as to disgrace and diminish this nation, there are also those who perform great acts of heroism without wearing fatigues or wielding a gun.  This nation is literally full of heroes.  Whenever tragedy strikes, this fact becomes clear.   When horrors like Hurricane Katrina or the 9/11 Massacre beset us, ordinary men and women, people with families and hopes for the future, appear on the scene, ready to prove the truth of the apostle’s words.  America is a nation of unassuming greatness.  In the home of the brave are many people who will give up everything to ensure it remains the land of the free.

 

To everyone, in uniform or out, who has made this sacrifice:  Our eternal gratitude is yours.

 

-THINK TRUTH.-

 

Currently listening:
No Sacrifice, No Victory
By Hammerfall
Release date: 2009-03-24
April 12, 2009 - Sunday 


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPNfGpY4uaA

This guy frickin' KILLIFIES me!!!

February 18, 2009 - Wednesday 


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gc94kG5Sw1w

13.5 minute interview with my favorite author, discussing his recent diagnosis of early-onset hind-brain Alzheimer's Disease. He is a man of rare courage and humor.

February 6, 2009 - Friday 

Current mood:Bereaved
Category: Life


Oliver the Cat, 2001-2009, Rest in Peace

James Staples

My wife, Tinsa, and I were married (handfasted actually) in April of 2003.  One month later, we got a pug named Bruno.  That meant we had one dog, one cat and one turtle.  About five months later, we received a call from Tinsa’s aunt, who was having a problem with her Snowshoe Burmese cat, Oliver.  In fact, it was her husband with whom she was having the real problem.  She loved the cat very much, but her husband was allergic, not a fan of cats in general, and is just basically kind of a prick.  Anyway, he was making her get rid of the cat.  She called Tinsa and said that she would have to take Oliver to the pound unless she could find a home for him, and she asked if Tinsa could help. 

Tinsa could not think of anyone she knew who could adopt a cat, so she asked me what I thought about taking him in.  My response, not to put too fine a point on it, was, “Hell, no!”  With a new baby, a new dog and a house that seemed to be getting smaller by the day, I said we just couldn’t do it.  My wife cunningly pointed out that her aunt had to get rid of Oliver immediately and asked if he could at least stay with us for a day or two until we found a home for him.

Thirty minutes later, I met Oliver.  Thirty-one minutes later, Oliver was a member of our family.  I have lived with cats for literally my whole life and I have never known a cat as lovable and affectionate as Oliver.  Strangely, though, he almost never purred.   Even stranger: Oliver had a natural smell like fine cologne.  Seriously!  He always smelled like he had just had a bath with jasmine-and-sandalwood soap.  He also had a pink patch on his lip that made him look like he was wearing lipstick.  As if these things were not endearing enough, he was also very beautiful and very gentle with our children.

So, what was the problem that made Tinsa’s aunt’s goon-of-a-husband want to be rid of him?  Well, there were two things.  First, Oliver was pretty dopey; definitely not the sharpest cheese in the pantry.  His natural prettiness combined with his dingbat goofiness caused Tinsa and me to think of him as the feline Derek
Zoolander.  Far from being a problem, we thought his DUH-quotient was charming.  The other problem was that he had a tendency to pee just outside his litter box.  The only way we could find to obviate that was to let him go outside occasionally.  That was his undoing.


Ollie just didn’t have the sense to be appropriately afraid of cars.  On Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009 (the fiftieth anniversary of the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper), Oliver was hit by a car.  He survived with a fractured pelvis. He died two days later, aged eight years, while recuperating at home.  We will always love him and we will never forget him.

Rest in Peace, Oliver.  May flights of angels wing you to your rest.

-THINK TRUTH.-




Currently listening:
Cats: Complete Original Broadway Cast Recording (1982 Original Broadway Cast)
By Andrew Lloyd Webber
Release date: 2006-05-23
February 4, 2009 - Wednesday 

Current mood:Mournful
Category: Music
....................

Fifty Years Ago Today:

Not Fade Away

.. ..

James Staples

.. ..

Jiles had the flu.  It was cold
and cramped on the bus, and on the day after Groundhog Day, the weather in Iowa,
where they were, was bad enough, but the weather in Minnesota, where they were
going, was bound to be even worse.  He
really wanted to take the plane instead, but it was a single-engine Beechcraft
Bonanza.  All three of its passenger
seats were full.  He gave it some thought
and decided Jennings would be easiest to cajole into giving up his seat to
Jiles.

.. ..

“Come on, man,” Jiles wheedled. 
“In my condition, I just can’t take another long ride on that damn bus!
Just let me take the plane; just for this one leg of the tour.”

.. ..

“Listen,” Jennings drawled, “as stuffed up as you are, you think
flying that plane is gonna be any more comfortable?  Your head’s gonna just about pop at twenty
thousand feet.”

.. ..

“Aw, look,” Jiles pleaded, “At least it’ll be over a lot quicker, then
I can get some rest at the motel, and I’ll be a lot more fit to go on
stage.  Do me this one favor, man.  Please?”

.. ..

“Okay, okay,” Jennings said with mock exasperation, “If it’ll stop ya
whinin’ at me, I’ll give up my seat to you. 
Just remember: you owe me for this one.”

.. ..

“Ah, thanks, cat!”  Jiles said
with his great big trademark-smile.  “I
knew I could count on you.”

.. ..

Just then Holly came by and asked the two men what they were talking
about.  When they explained, Holly seemed
incredulous of Jennings.  “Man, you’re
gonna freeze your ass off on that fool bus. 
It’s heater’s shot!  That’s the
whole reason I rented us a plane, man. 
We’ll be nice and warm!”

.. ..

Jennings laughed and pointed out that, at least he wouldn’t have to
sit next to the sick guy.

.. ..

“Yeah?” Holly retorted, “Well, I hope that old bus freezes up!”

.. ..

“Huh!” Jennings shot back.  “Well,
I hope your dang plane crashes!”

.. ..

With perfect timing, Roger Peterson walked into the terminal and said,
“Hey, boys, we’re ready to take off.  Let’s
get you three on board.”

.. ..

“Waylon ain’t goin’,” Holly told him. 
“He gave his seat to the Bopper.”

.. ..

“No problem,” the pilot replied. 
“He’s a little heavier, but not enough to make a difference.”

.. ..

It was fifty years ago today. 
The plane took off from Clear Lake, Iowa at 1:00 a.m. in a light snow
storm.  Peterson was the pilot.  His three passengers were Ritchie Valens (17),
Charles ‘Buddy’ Holly (22) and Jiles Richardson (28), better known his fans as
The Big Bopper.  Waylon Jennings was
touring as one of Buddy Holly’s bandmates. 
The tour was a grueling one: “The Winter Dance Party” was scheduled for
twenty-four cities in three weeks.  Buddy
booked it to make money after the recent break-up of his band, The Crickets.

.. ..

The plane crashed and all four people on board were killed.  Only the pilot’s body was recovered.  The three passengers were all thrown clear
and their remains were never found.

.. ..

The tragedy affected rock’n’roll the same way Kennedy’s assassination affected
politics.  After that plane crash, the
sock hops, roller skates and poodle skirts fell by the wayside.  For rock music, the age of innocence died
with those three giants, and an angry and disgruntled adolescence followed.  It is fair to say the sixties started a year
early.  February 3rd, 1959 has
been known as “the day the music died” ever since.  Fifty years later, Waylon Jennings says he is
still haunted by the memory of that joking remark he made.

.. ..

Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, Big Bopper:  “Love forever, not fade away.”  Rest in peace.

.. ..

-THINK TRUTH.-



Currently listening:
Not Fade Away (Remembering Buddy Holly)
By Various Artists
Release date: 1996-01-02
November 17, 2008 - Monday 

Current mood:Hopeful
Category: News and Politics
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"Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?"

Lyrics by Yip Harburg, music by Jay Gorney (1931)

 

They used to tell me I was building a dream, and so I followed the mob,

When there was earth to plow, or guns to bear, I was always there right on the job.

They used to tell me I was building a dream, with peace and glory ahead,

Why should I be standing in line, just waiting for bread?

 

Once I built a railroad.  I made it run, made it race against time.

Once I built a railroad; now it's done.  Brother, can you spare a dime?

Once I built a tower, up to the sun: brick, and rivet, and lime;

Once I built a tower; now it's done. Brother, can you spare a dime?

 

Once, in khaki suits, gee, we looked swell,

Full of that Yankee Doodley Dum.

Half a million boots went slogging through Hell,

            And I was the kid with the drum!

 

Say, don't you remember?  They called me Al; it was 'Al' all the time.

Why don't you remember?  I'm your pal!  Buddy, can you spare a dime?




Written 77 years ago, this piece is topical right now.

-THINK TRUTH.-

 

Currently listening:
Brother Can You Spare a Dime? Songs of the Depression
By Various Artists
Release date: 1993-09-01