tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post8338739453826396282..comments2024-03-28T20:04:20.286-07:00Comments on One Cʘsmos: War, What is it Good For? Absolutely Everything (7.30.10)Gagdad Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249005793605006679noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-57257279515122819562007-09-04T18:45:00.000-07:002007-09-04T18:45:00.000-07:00Julie;Your pix left me rapt -or slt. ;) :)stu;abo...Julie;<BR/>Your pix left me rapt<BR/> -or slt. ;) :)<BR/><BR/>stu;<BR/>about pitching it all and going for it, check out patdollard.com, read his background. Dumped a millionS$ Hollywood agent career, home, family to front-line report from the ME.Brian Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17895289104798325252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-15572557244562322332007-08-31T09:58:00.000-07:002007-08-31T09:58:00.000-07:00I am certain that a fair amount of Rock, Soul, Gos...I am certain that a fair amount of Rock, Soul, Gospel, Country, Jazz and R & B will be listened to forever, but on its own terms, not in comparison to Bach or Beethoven. <BR/><BR/>The greatest worry of the record industry -- at least prior to digital downloading -- was that most of their money was made from their back catalogue, and they knew full well that contemporaty artists were not creating a catalogue that anyone would be interested in in 20 or 30 years. But we shall see.... <BR/><BR/>As I've said before, I don't make a big musical distinction between "1927" and "2007," as it's all part of one continuous stream. Likewise, few people say they prefer the music of 1780 or 1806. Rather, they just like 18th or 19th century music. <BR/><BR/>I guess you could say I'm a big fan of 20th century American black-derived music from, say, 1927 to 1977 or so... A big part of the problem is the deterioration of recording techniques since then. <BR/> Most digital music just doesn't sound right....<BR/><BR/>I think I'll carry this over into the new thread and start a big argument.....Gagdad Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14249005793605006679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-17881860422458850792007-08-31T09:17:00.000-07:002007-08-31T09:17:00.000-07:00Yes, well F*ck me Pumps is none too subtle, howeve...Yes, well F*ck me Pumps is none too subtle, however you have to bear in mind that the UK today is a vastly coarser place than Detroit was in 1973. Hell, much of the UK is coarser than Detroit is now.<BR/><BR/>Blues and soul are all about pain, and Ms. Winehouse certainly knows from pain. <BR/><BR/>I don't see the Gladys Knight/Amy Winehouse thing as an either/or proposition. I listen to the oldies as much as ever. However I am also interested in music which is being created today. Your point re not knowing what will be considered great in the long term is well-taken, however I don't really consider any of the genres of popular music to be truly great in the way <I>An die Fruede</I> is universally, cosmically great. I suppose some jazz may come close, but I certainly would never put any blues or rock in the same category as Bach or Beethoven. <BR/><BR/>Who was it that said: "Rock & Roll is about f***ing"?<BR/><BR/>Bach wasn't about that.Stephen Macdonaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13474300559219020772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-36014105838975232612007-08-31T08:24:00.000-07:002007-08-31T08:24:00.000-07:00Also, some of the lyrics are too subtle, like "F*c...Also, some of the lyrics are too subtle, like "F*ck Me Pumps." What's she really saying?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-51423147658634939082007-08-31T08:09:00.000-07:002007-08-31T08:09:00.000-07:00I dunno -- I listened to some samples -- which I a...I dunno -- I listened to some samples -- which I admit is not a very fair test -- and I hear the form, but not the substance. I think the difference is that most of the classic soul singers were steeped in the gospel experience, and received their training before a live audience of fervent believers, whereas these young ladies are just copying the form from the outside, but not from the spiritual inside. I can hear that they possess good instruments, but they draw attention to themselves with technique, instead of the technique being in service of the song. Frankly, even Aretha at her best was sometimes overwhelmed by her own technique -- as was sometimes true of Ray Charles as well. <BR/><BR/>I'll keep my ears open, but I still prefer Etta James, Gladys Knight, Mavis Staples, or Dusty Springfield. I don't see how Dusty in Memphis can be surpassed.... <BR/><BR/>That's my admittedly superficial two cents....Gagdad Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14249005793605006679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-81499090020336777962007-08-31T07:23:00.001-07:002007-08-31T07:23:00.001-07:00Lisa,The LAT was fairly positive about Joss. I rea...Lisa,<BR/><BR/>The LAT was fairly positive about Joss. I really, really like Joss Stone, however to be frank I wouldn't put her quite in the same category as Winehouse. Joss is still more about "covering" the old soul sound--which she does with great success-whereas Winehouse simply IS that sound, and it's not all because she's a tempestuous junkie either.<BR/><BR/>Joss's band is awesome. With Amy it's all about that searing voice. You can hear the pain in her eyes...<BR/><BR/>Every time I hear Winehouse intone "what kind of f***ery is this?" in Me & Mr. Jones I get this major flashback to my own torrid relationship with a dark-eyed, firebrand, self-destructive and intensely beautiful young woman some 15 years ago. This girl used that exact same expression, which I've never heard anywhere else until Winehouse came along.<BR/><BR/>Fortunately the young woman in question pulled through and is married with kids in Boston today, and leads a life devoid of divaesque drama for the most part.<BR/><BR/>I have another darker story about a girl I knew even before that who did not fare so well (who also reminds me of Winehouse). I may relate that on today's thread if you're interested.Stephen Macdonaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13474300559219020772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-81106866161505087142007-08-31T07:23:00.000-07:002007-08-31T07:23:00.000-07:00I've been considering taking a hiatus from my care...I've been considering taking a hiatus from my career in order to become a Marine Corps officer. <BR/><BR/>It is a very tough decision to make.<BR/><BR/>I wonder if my desire has anything to do with extending the spiritual war into my temporal existence...<BR/><BR/>Any thoughts?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-19141666938900824792007-08-31T07:06:00.000-07:002007-08-31T07:06:00.000-07:00Abba, Father - indeed.Abba, Father - indeed.NoMohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01100042056270224683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-35385477445906147532007-08-31T07:01:00.000-07:002007-08-31T07:01:00.000-07:00Van and Leslie – So does our Maker delight in the ...Van and Leslie – So does our Maker delight in the lives and growth of us, His children. Simply being, we are a joy to Him. I can only imagine His Ecstasy at each step we take towards Him – arms outstretched - and His Grief at every turning away. It is exactly this reminder that I needed after pondering the recent posts and comments about the valleys and dark nights of the soul. In so very many ways, our children are to us as we are to Him – as above, so below.NoMohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01100042056270224683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-2863057353826169092007-08-30T22:20:00.000-07:002007-08-30T22:20:00.000-07:00Anonymous said-"For me its out of character too, I...Anonymous said-<BR/>"For me its out of character too, I like to be aggresive but for some reason or another I got it in my head that to develop spiritually I had to abandon all aggresive qualities and surrender. I believe that I flirted with Buddhism too much. In any case I'm ready to bust out of my funk with a whole lot of striving."<BR/><BR/>Unfortunately, there are some "christians" (little c) who believe that pacifism is what God wants, and they think that by spreading this nonsense they'll somehow stop evil or be martyred.<BR/><BR/>They couldn't be more wrong, as even the shallowist of Bible reading would show.<BR/><BR/>God, Jesus, a pacifist? Yeah right. Sheesh!<BR/><BR/>BTW, I'm glad your motivated by Bob's post. Don't give up and you'll do okay! :^)USS Ben USN (Ret)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07492369604790651538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-83047049170691638912007-08-30T22:11:00.000-07:002007-08-30T22:11:00.000-07:00Julie said-"I used to (still do, actually) have a ...Julie said-<BR/>"I used to (still do, actually) have a theory that life is, in some ways, like a great big game. It must be hard, it must be mysterious, and it must challenge us, because otherwise what's the point?"<BR/><BR/>Indeed. <BR/>Btw, don't Angels have free will?<BR/>They must, or we wouldn't have demons.<BR/>Is Petey really sayin' that the boring part is that Angels cannot transcend?<BR/>From what I have read, Angels have a hierarchy, so it appears as if Angels can transcend, at least in a limited sense. <BR/>And they are always ready to do battle.<BR/>Sorry, I've always been curious about Angels.<BR/><BR/>Jesus said that Heaven is better than we can imagine, so therefore there must be more challenges (for humans anyway) or, as Julie says, what would be the point?<BR/><BR/>Perhaps that's also why man will be higher than the Angels. <BR/>I'm glad most of them aren't jealous or envious, at any rate.USS Ben USN (Ret)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07492369604790651538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-11123686349868973262007-08-30T22:02:00.000-07:002007-08-30T22:02:00.000-07:00Jehu said-"No wonder they then translate this cowa...Jehu said-<BR/>"No wonder they then translate this cowardice outwardly and hate the warriors in our society."<BR/><BR/>And the Warriors can see right through the left's psychotic cowardice, Jehu.USS Ben USN (Ret)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07492369604790651538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-46942402680843226202007-08-30T21:58:00.000-07:002007-08-30T21:58:00.000-07:00ximeze said... "Raccoon Alert!The 'childishly redu...ximeze said... <BR/>"Raccoon Alert!<BR/><BR/>The 'childishly reductive C. Hitchens' (tw-Will) is scheduled for a 3 hr live session on CSPN2 this Sunday's "In Depth" (repeats Monday & 9/8). <BR/><BR/>Booktv.org is taking questions for him right now.<BR/><BR/>Here's our chance: Go gettum!" <BR/><BR/>Man, I hope they use some Raccoon questions! I enjoy watchin' Hitchen's squirm. Heh!<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the Raccoon alert, Ximeze. :^)USS Ben USN (Ret)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07492369604790651538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-58426188517018094852007-08-30T21:54:00.000-07:002007-08-30T21:54:00.000-07:00Alan said-"I think spiritual battle is a way to ma...Alan said-<BR/>"I think spiritual battle is a way to make men see a manly path in religion."<BR/><BR/>Good point, Alan.<BR/>Men aren't built to play harps in the clouds for eternity.<BR/>I mean, sure, a good tune every now and then, but we need those battles, those challenges, to evolve and grow.<BR/><BR/>And, as Walt mentioned on his blog a few days ago: To preserve Good character while honing it.USS Ben USN (Ret)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07492369604790651538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-72220910542662302722007-08-30T21:48:00.000-07:002007-08-30T21:48:00.000-07:00River said-"As they used to say,"Steel yourselves!...River said-<BR/>"As they used to say,<BR/><BR/>"Steel yourselves!"<BR/><BR/>Amen to that! BTW, we're still sayin' it. :^)USS Ben USN (Ret)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07492369604790651538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-33063007228000150772007-08-30T21:46:00.000-07:002007-08-30T21:46:00.000-07:00Van said:"(BTW, they won)"So did you, Van! :^)Van said:<BR/>"(BTW, they won)"<BR/><BR/>So did you, Van! :^)USS Ben USN (Ret)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07492369604790651538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-37930720235325399402007-08-30T21:44:00.000-07:002007-08-30T21:44:00.000-07:00Will said:"I think that in assuming the role of sp...Will said:<BR/>"I think that in assuming the role of spiritual warrior one honors the very privilege of having to suffer - at which point, suffering per se actually ceases. One can actually embrace one's suffering - not masochistically as the childishly reductive C. Hitchens would probably think - but as a necessary component in the human drama, which a gift beyond reckoning."<BR/><BR/>Well said, Will! <BR/>When we accept these "gift's beyond reckoning", we can, by <BR/>G-d's grace, and our determination through realization, transform a curse into a blessing.<BR/><BR/>Will, I'm sure glad you're able to comment again. <BR/>I love your Willisms! :^)USS Ben USN (Ret)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07492369604790651538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-41567071730697304072007-08-30T21:34:00.000-07:002007-08-30T21:34:00.000-07:00Will said:"As the purpose of life is to become mor...Will said:<BR/>"As the purpose of life is to become more conscious, more creative, more of an individual, shrinking from the battle renders one more unconscious, less of an individual, less open not only to the life's trials, but to life's joys and wonderments."<BR/><BR/>With great pain comes great Joy!USS Ben USN (Ret)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07492369604790651538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-44598819606355714102007-08-30T21:25:00.000-07:002007-08-30T21:25:00.000-07:00Thank you Leslie."I love that you are happy that h...Thank you Leslie.<BR/><BR/>"I love that you are happy that he is doing what he's supposed to be doing, not thinking of you at all."<BR/><BR/>You'll see, there's trully nothing finer. When you are able to glimpse them be themselves... not of course in some flighty sense, but being themselves in the sense of doing what they see by their own lights they should do, that you've brought this person into the world and they can remain here with you or without you... well, Oscars and Noble prizes are disposable jack in the box prizes by comparison.<BR/><BR/>"I love it when Tristan is doing his boy thing, riding his "motorcycle" (ie, tricycle) around the living room and practicing falling off like the guys doing the big tricks do at the X-games... I hope T can be that boy someday. "<BR/><BR/>Heh, in just the few pictures Bob has shared here, I've seen <I>that gleam</I> in his eyes... I don't think you'll find trait that in short supply at all!<BR/><BR/>"Please do share more about this when the mood strikes you."<BR/><BR/>Funny you should mention that [pulls out wallet, six foot roll of snapshots spills out to the floor...]<BR/><BR/>;-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-61387628067184652232007-08-30T21:21:00.000-07:002007-08-30T21:21:00.000-07:00Walt said:"The starkness of the choice, the clarit...Walt said:<BR/>"The starkness of the choice, the clarity of defining (declaring) the "enemy," and the de-termination to do what is necessary -- these qualities produce an effect on one's character."<BR/><BR/>Bravo Zulu for that insight, Walt!USS Ben USN (Ret)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07492369604790651538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-44088574940219849612007-08-30T21:17:00.000-07:002007-08-30T21:17:00.000-07:00"Real warriors understand the spiritual nature of ..."Real warriors understand the spiritual nature of combat -- you might say that they have heroically transposed the unseen combat of the spirtual world to the material plane -- which, I might add, is hardly less spiritual: "War by nature involves the ultimate sacrifice of soldiers, usually of a rare segment of the general population willing to die for an idea, an order, a good or bad cause, to inflict havoc or save humanity."<BR/><BR/>You said it so well, Bob! <BR/>When enough folks "get it" (and incidently, it always seems to be 25-30% or so), the entire culture evolves along with individuals, except for that 20-30% who "deny it", and any stragglers who cling to the fence, seemingly unable to decide, one way or another, and thus condemning themselves by their own indecision.<BR/><BR/>Like a chess player in a big tournament, if you don't move before the clock runs out it's game over man, and it doesn't matter how talented you are.<BR/>Indecision...freezing up, is the same as forfeiting.<BR/><BR/>Gotta make a stand and fight fight fight!<BR/>It really is a simple Good vs Evil thing, if you're fightin' for Noble Causes.<BR/><BR/>That's what True Honor is: willing to give your all for the Highest PurpOses.USS Ben USN (Ret)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07492369604790651538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-82084571207048338882007-08-30T20:57:00.000-07:002007-08-30T20:57:00.000-07:00"You don't really discover who you are or "what yo..."You don't really discover who you are or "what you're made of" until you're up against it. Therefore, to deprive man of adversity is to deprive him of the opportunity to grow and evolve, which is apparently the reason why we are here. Or so we have heard from the wise, the merciful, the obnoxious."<BR/><BR/>Precisely! <BR/>As Will said, it's an opportunity.<BR/>Between the big fights we hone our skills, our awareness, training like Van's son for the Big Game.<BR/><BR/>Fighting as a team, and fighting on our own, all at the same time.<BR/>Listening to the cOach, and refusing to quit, no matter what happens. <BR/><BR/>I believe the Priest and the Warrior have much in common when it comes to warfare. <BR/>It's like a juxtaposition of two different castes, when fightin' for the same cause. <BR/><BR/>As above, so below. <BR/><BR/>Outstanding post, Bob!USS Ben USN (Ret)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07492369604790651538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-75934773509802043382007-08-30T20:46:00.000-07:002007-08-30T20:46:00.000-07:00"The time of the battle is our whole life."I think..."The time of the battle is our whole life."<BR/><BR/>I think that is a key idea, for there is simply no way to avoid the battle of a lifetime. Or, to be perfectly accurate, you can opt out of the battle on pain of squandering the purpose of your life."<BR/><BR/>That's good. <BR/>The only way to lose is to quit or surrender, implicitely or explicitely...doesn't make a difference.USS Ben USN (Ret)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07492369604790651538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-23559187899388176952007-08-30T20:29:00.000-07:002007-08-30T20:29:00.000-07:00Van,I'm really moved by your description of seeing...Van,<BR/>I'm really moved by your description of seeing your son at the game. I love that you are happy that he is doing what he's supposed to be doing, not thinking of you at all. I love it when Tristan is doing his boy thing, riding his "motorcycle" (ie, tricycle) around the living room and practicing falling off like the guys doing the big tricks do at the X-games. <BR/><BR/>I hope T can be that boy someday. Please do share more about this when the mood strikes you.<BR/><BR/>Mrs. GAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-54610105405908399812007-08-30T20:28:00.000-07:002007-08-30T20:28:00.000-07:00Will said "The key, the weapon to bear is attentiv...Will said "The key, the weapon to bear is attentiveness. Take the hit and be aware of it. By doing so, consciousness is honed, fine-tuned. Deal with it NOW because this opportunity may not come again in a million years."<BR/><BR/>Yes! That active awareness, not so much with a nearly unconcsious skill, but the direct application of <I>You</I> to the challenge at hand, Reasoning (with a capital R) through the fray - such a loss to have avoided the battle.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com