[ Friday, June 28, 2002 ]
This is the funniest thing I've ever seen a sock puppet do.
Peter Palermo [3:33 PM]
Semen acts as an anti-depressant
no further comment required.
Peter Palermo [3:19 PM]
[ Thursday, June 27, 2002 ]
more pledge idiocy...
this whole thing is stupid. If our elected officials spend more than 10 seconds working on this problem, then they need to have their hat handed to them and shown the door. This country has a multitude of emergencies to deal with, but this the kind of devisive issue that politicians love to sink their teeth into.
Speaker of the House, Hasstert: Obviously, the liberal court in San Francisco has gotten this one wrong. Of course, we are one nation, under God. The Pledge of Allegiance is a patriotic salute that brings people of all faiths together to share in the American spirit.
and what if I am person of no faith? Is my Amercian Spirit null and void? Or, am I just not welcome to the party?
Peter Palermo [4:01 PM]
The divergent paths that my country and I are on grow ever more real.
From CNN - Speaking Thursday at the G-8 summit in Canada, Bush said the ruling was "out of step with the history and traditions of America," and said it highlighted the need for "common sense judges that understand that our rights are derived from God."
Not since Reagan declared that the missiles were on their way has a President said something that chilled my marrow quite this thoroughly. Do I understand the President to mean that countries that are not America live in Godlessness? Does he mean to say that the Framers had some sort of oracular ability to penetrate the Mind of God and that our Constitution was passed to us from on High ala Charleton fucking Heston!
I want to move to New Zealand.
Peter Palermo [10:23 AM]
[ Wednesday, June 26, 2002 ]
I LOVE THIS TOWN!
Peter Palermo [4:10 PM]
Saw "minority report" last night. Terrific! Of our mega movie makers, Spielberg remains the only one with a sense of fun and a sense of humor. Lucas has had all the fun drained out of him, and now he makes pretty pictures with digital puppets. But the man who made Jaws still wants to thrill you and he does so here. It's creepy, funny, and exciting. My favorite movie critic, Anthony Lane, writes a spot on review in The New Yorker.
Peter Palermo [9:46 AM]
[ Tuesday, June 25, 2002 ]
very funny Tom Tomorrow
Salon.com Comics | This Modern World
Peter Palermo [2:26 PM]
[ Thursday, June 20, 2002 ]
Worst songs to make love to on Tower of Hubris.
Peter Palermo [1:27 PM]
[ Tuesday, June 18, 2002 ]
The Boston Phoenix posted a link to the video of Daniel Pearl’s beheading. I feel soiled just having seen the link on my monitor.
I don't think anything would be accomplished by watching this horrible thing. I know it is grotesque and evil without seeing it. I know these madmen would love to see millions of decapitated American heads on spikes. I know this. I also know that his murderers want me to watch it, that's why they produced it. Perhaps, by not watching, I foil their plans in an infinitesimal way.
Apparently, Pearl was working the fringe. He was swimming in extremely dangerous waters (investigating the connections between the Pakistani Secret Police and al Queda) and he paid for this with his life. Brave? Foolhardy? I'm not to say.
Ten minutes into writing this post, I still feel squeamish. I suspect the most disturbing fact is the apparent resurgence of global anti-Semitism. What does Danny Pearl have to do with Israel's defense policies? Why should he die for the sins of Sharon? I have friends in the pro-Palestine camp, they actively protest against Israel. And I agree with everything they say and support them. But I'd like to go march for Danny Pearl, an American journalist risking his life to learn the truth. Truth is something worthy of a martyrdom.
Something hateful and murderous swells within me when I even think about this video. Keeping this hatred at bay may be the best reason not watch this accursed thing.
Peter Palermo [1:50 PM]
[ Friday, June 14, 2002 ]
The Justice Department, making its case in a closed meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the United States can hold Padilla until President Bush decides the war against terrorism is over.
Adios, constitution - hello, dictatorship.
Peter Palermo [1:03 PM]
The Morning News - Behind the Scenes: The Minority Report Trailer
Peter Palermo [9:47 AM]
[ Thursday, June 13, 2002 ]
Nice article in today's Chronicle about my gig. Our concerts begin Sunday, and today was spent high pressure hosing away a lot of hawk guano from the dressing rooms. That's right. Hawk guano.
In with the new / Revamped Stern Grove Festival has a little bit of everything
Just a little tid-bit... I went up to the local police precinct to make nice with the captain, and while we were talking about what I sort of police presence I preferred, he asked "okay, pot smoking. You want us to cuff 'em or give 'em the glare?"
You're asking me? You're leaving this up to me?
"Glare."
I love this town.
Peter Palermo [6:24 PM]
[ Monday, June 10, 2002 ]
Go read This Modern World by Tom Tomorrow. He raises good points about this new terrorist being held. Namely, this guy is a US citizen, and we were promised that the Military Tribunals would not be used for citizens. More lies from the Bushites.
Here's the proof
Peter Palermo [11:36 AM]
[ Sunday, June 09, 2002 ]
Okay, so like this is best review I've read in months. Seriously. For real!
Brittney in Oakland
Peter Palermo [5:21 PM]
Maybe God will strike me dead for what I'm about to write. I hate the Make-A-Wish foundation. I work for a non-profit. We, and every other arts group in this God for-saken country, have to spend a massive amount of monetary resources and a majority of our human resources, to cover our nut every year. And schools are slashing arts budgets all over the country leaving artists and non-profits to pick up the slack with less and less money. We're out there, trying to convince corporate America that it is their DUTY to give to the communities in which they A). employ citizens or B). make a lot of stinking cash. Let me tell you, it's a tough sell. Corporate America doesn't see much of a point to the Arts. They also want big time visibility for there bucks. More and more, the foundations or charitable giving departments are being absorbed into the Marketing Department. They give to charities based upon things like: deliverables, market reach, impressions, and demographics. They don't give based upon need or good works. That concept is totally alien.
And so, along comes Make-A-Wish. It's the perfect feel good charity. Perfect for rock-stars and multi-nationals who want to be SEEN making a charitable donation. Little Billy is dying of cancer, and all he wants in this world is to touch Brittney Spears exposed navel. Perfect, Brittney gets her picture taking with a beaming child (who we all know is weeks away from making that long call from the wooden phone booth) and we all think "Gosh, Brittney is such a great person to do that for Billy." Guess what, she spent 6 minutes with little Billy and then it was "hey, you wanna get this little rug-rat outta here? He's creepin' me out." Little Billy has just been exploited. Meanwhile, thousands of other sick kids don't get crap, mostly because their families lack health-care. And a whole generation of kids grow up culturally illiterate.
Did I just blame the end of civilization on the Make-A-Wish foundation? Well..... sorry. I just long for the days when philanthropy was done for its own sake and not for the photo-op it presented or how many extra "impressions" your brand scored as a result of it. Giving away money is hard work and should be done with care.
Peter Palermo [1:03 PM]
[ Wednesday, June 05, 2002 ]
Sorry for the lack of interesting introspection, tidbits, rants, puns, homilies and sermons. The concert season is fast upon me and there just aren't enough hours in the day. Bear with me, I'll be back soon.
Peter Palermo [3:44 PM]
[ Monday, June 03, 2002 ]
from today's Morford column.
**Blood On The Beef Jerky**
Customers continued their business at a convenience store, stepping over a man dying on the floor with a gunshot wound to the head. Pablo Lopez Jarquin, 23, was shot in the back of the head at Rosy's Market & Taqueria in Santa Cruz, in what police believe was a gang-related slaying. He died later that night at a hospital. Surveillance tape shows two men cornering Jarquin and a third shooting him with a handgun. The tape also shows people stepping over Jarquin to get to the counter because, you know, who the hell has time for a bloody gang-related convenience store fiasco when all you want is some Chicklets and a pack of Camel Menthols and some hemorrhoids cream and what, you're supposed to stop everything just to help some bleeding guy who probably just smashed your car window earlier that day and stole your Walkman? Is there a reward in it or anything? Is he cute? Did the surveillance camera catch me swiping that box of Lemon Heads? Do these jeans make my ass look big?
Peter Palermo [4:15 PM]
[ Saturday, June 01, 2002 ]
Gone to San Diego. Sarah's going to walk in the Rock'N Roll Marathon tomorrow and I'm going to cheer her on. See you Monday.
Peter Palermo [7:55 AM]
