From the (fake) AP Style Book

A Christmas Carol, of sorts

It was the night before Christmas, and all through the Senate
the right held up our health care bill, no matter what was in it.
The people had voted a mandated reform
but Republicans blew off the gathering storm.
“We’ll clog up the Senate,” they cried with a grin.
“and in the midterm elections, we’ll get voted in.”
they knew regular folks needed help right this second
but fund-raisers lobbyists and politics beckoned.
So try as they might Democrats could not win
because their majority was simply too thin
Then across every state there rose such a clatter,
the whole Senate rushed out to see what was the matter.
All sprang up from their desk and ran from the floor,
straight through the cloakroom and right out the door.
And in what in the world would be quite so raucous,
but a mandate for change from the Democratic caucus.
The president, the speaker, of course leader Reid
had answered the call in our hour of need.
More rapid than eagles, the provisions they came
and they whistled and shouted and called them by name:
better coverage, cost savings, a strong public plan
accountable options, we said “yes, we can.”
No exclusions or changes for preexisting conditions.
let’s pass a bill that restores competition.
The Democrats all came together to fight
for the American people that Christmas eve night.
And then in a twinkle, I heard under the dome
the roll call was closed, and it was time to go home.
Despite the obstructionist tactics of some,
the filibuster had broken, the people had won
And a good bill was ready for President Obama,
ready to sign and end health care drama.
Democrats explained as they drove out of sight,
better coverage for all, even our friends on the right.
And I say to all of my colleagues in this season, merry Christmas and a happy, happy new year.

More Freddie - Papa's Got a Brand New Bag

GREAT instrumental cover of this classic James Brown soul hit! 
Dig it. (thanks, Dreebo!)

Freddie King doing Big Legged Woman - Live

Great tune from one THE legends of the blues, Master Freddie King, from the DVD "The Beat" (thanks, Peerhome!)

Amazing Photographs of Earth

Check out these pictures of our Earth from satellites! The images in this compilation are from the Landsat 7 satellite.  60 images released, all stunning.  Top, Yukon Delta, Bottom, Lena Delta.

See more  Here!

Zappa on Crossfire '89 - re: Free Speech

Listen to the Wisdom of Saint Frank!

Roxy Perry - "You Cried For Me"

one of the finest blues singers, certainly under-rated, but once you hear Roxy, you'll be smitten. Truly she rocketh! (thanks, NYBQ!)

Otis Redding live in Monterey '67

Includes "Respect" as it was originally written and performed! This guy was the BOMB, yo!

More Animation from David Ellis and BLU

COMBO a collaborative animation by Blu and David Ellis (2 times loop) from blu on Vimeo.
Here's a link to MORE!

Charlie Hunter playin If 6 was 9 with 8 strings

well, I call it a "bass-tar" but he's amazing, and could put a bassplayer out of bidness!  this ROCKS. I think Jimi would approve.  (thanks, gtr67!)

Fishin Blues

Check out this tiny selection of veteran fisherman Bill Dance's classic bloopers. These are F.A.S!! (thanks ratbanjos!)

Three Group Shows featuring work by TheBassGuy (fine-art photographs)

Three Group Shows!!


1. Surrealism Art Show, Ave A Sushi, Lower East side, Manhattan - opens 12/17 - (reception 12/17) Come for the sushi, stay for the Surrealism!

2. "Art Connections #6" - Montclair (NJ) State University's George Segal Gallery, opens 1/17 (reception 2-5pm), runs through 2/13/09.

3. "Found on Facebook" - Manhattanville College's Arthur Berger Gallery, Purchase, NY. - Opens 1/19, runs through 2/18. (reception 2/3 5-7pm)

NEW Genesis blog - Genesis 4 U

For all you Genesis and 70's prog rock fans, this blog's for YOU - it's HERE!

Genesis in Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Finally!

I KNOW WHAT I LIKE - live, with Peter Gabriel, early 70's.

Today, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation announced ABBA, Genesis, Jimmy Cliff, The Hollies and The Stooges as its 2010 artist inductees. Congratz to all, especially Genesis, Iggy & Jimmy!

Lance Ong - a Musician's Musician - RIP

Julius Dilligard, Lance Ong and Nicole Hart

Lance & Nicole onstage

Lance and Rion Ong

Lance Ong has left the building. Lance, who passed away Dec.7th after a fight against cancer, was an amazingly talented and hardworking musician, and will be missed by friends and fans in the NY/NJ area. I had the priviledge of playing in Lance's band a couple years back. Great guy, great keyboardist, composer, and music director. Condolences go out to his wife, singer Nicole Hart and his son Rion. Hope folks will show support for the family during this tough time by downloading tracks by NRG & Nicole Hart.
Read his Music Bio page

Those Crazy Creationists - still crazy after all these years!

Dr. Eugenie Scott's presentation at the AAI 2009 Convention in Burbank, California. (thanks Sensuous Curmudgeon and National Center for Science Education)

Bob Hope Xmas Special circa 1967

Watch the WHOLE thing! (thanks PublicResource.org)

RIP "Flight of the Conchords" - Brett & Jermaine will be missed

one of my fave FOC tunes! HBO has decided to cancel FOC after 2 seasons. This is a shame, as the show was as unique as their act is.

Reformed British Alien appears in Raisin Bran ad

(thanks AdFreak & BoingBoing.net)

Health Insurance is a big Scam

OK, I said it.  The middleman/gatekeeper/deathpanel/monopoly gang that keeps a stranglehold on doctors, hospitals and clinics has gotten out of control.

And since we can't actually REGULATE or apply ANTI-TRUST laws, looks like a huge problem that only spending billion$ can address, right?  WRONG, and here's why.

IF we could only have the 'big bad' Government control some of the activities and profitability of the industry, to the benefit of consumers and providers, we might have a inexpensive fix.  But NO.  Because of the hundreds of million$ given to congressfolk and senators to run their campaigns and to shill for the healthcare industry. 

Most folks have no problems paying for 'coverage,' but that has proved to be a joke, especially for those who get really sick or injured, and therefore cannot work.  I'd rather pay into a fund that pays caregivers directly, be it public or non-profit, or even small-profit.  Why not just give a couple hundred a month to the local hospital, so when I must go there, I'll be covered, instead of giving to Aetna Blue Cross United Oxford so they can reward shareholders and public officials. 

Maybe I'm just un-American, but this debate has gone on too long and all 3 parties (Dem, Repub & Tea)
are afraid to upset their paymasters.  Sorry, just had to vent!  Now tell me why I'm wrong.

Does Mom (or Dad) need a Nursing Home?

Watch CBS News Videos Online  (thanks to Dr. Jon LaPook, CBS News & HuffPo)

The climate denial industry is out to dupe the public. And it's working

by George Monbiot from The Guardian

"When I use the term denial industry, I'm referring to those who are paid to say that man-made global warming isn't happening. The great majority of people who believe this have not been paid: they have been duped."  READ THE REST  

Tasteless but Funny Products? Are these for real?

Just in time for the Holiday gift-giving season!!

White Folks with Lotsa SOUL! Janis J & Tom J perform...

X-Ray videos of people Talking!

THIS is cool! Say what?
WHAT?

The SUN Song!

We all know that the sun is a mass of incandescent gas, but this song--performed by The Chromatics, an acapella group that includes three astrophysicists from the Goddard Space Flight Center--gets a little more in-depth.

(thanks Goddard Space Flight Ctr, Mark Day & boingboing.net)

Jeff Beck with Buddy Guy at R&R HoF concert at MSG

how coool is this?

Liu Bolin's Human Camouflage photographs

Amazing work - thanks to Eli Klein Fine Art!

Global Heating and What the Science Says

Still think global warming's a crock....then please read THIS!

Skeptics insist that:
It's the sun
Climate's changed before
There is no consensus
It's cooling
Models are unreliable
Temp record is unreliable
Ice age predicted in the 70s
It hasn't warmed since 1998
We're heading into an ice age
Antarctica is gaining ice



Skeptic Argument vs What the Science Says

1 "It's the sun" Solar activity has shown little to no long term trend since the 1950's. Consequently, any correlation between sun and climate ended in the 1970's when the modern global warming trend began READ EACH POINT AND COUNTERPOINT HERE.

Charles Johnson of LGF Takes a Stand!!

Why I Parted Ways With The Right| Mon, Nov 30, 2009 at 6:49:45 pm PST

1. Support for fascists, both in America (see: Pat Buchanan, Robert Stacy McCain, etc.) and in Europe (see: Vlaams Belang, BNP, SIOE, Pat Buchanan, etc.)

2. Support for bigotry, hatred, and white supremacism (see: Pat Buchanan, Ann Coulter, Robert Stacy McCain, Lew Rockwell, etc.)

3. Support for throwing women back into the Dark Ages, and general religious fanaticism (see: Operation Rescue, anti-abortion groups, James Dobson, Pat Robertson, Tony Perkins, the entire religious right, etc.)

4. Support for anti-science bad craziness (see: creationism, climate change denialism, Sarah Palin, Michele Bachmann, James Inhofe, etc.)

5. Support for homophobic bigotry (see: Sarah Palin, Dobson, the entire religious right, etc.)

6. Support for anti-government lunacy (see: tea parties, militias, Fox News, Glenn Beck, etc.)

7. Support for conspiracy theories and hate speech (see: Alex Jones, Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Birthers, creationists, climate deniers, etc.)

8. A right-wing blogosphere that is almost universally dominated by raging hate speech (see: Hot Air, Free Republic, Ace of Spades, etc.)

9. Anti-Islamic bigotry that goes far beyond simply criticizing radical Islam, into support for fascism, violence, and genocide (see: Pamela Geller, Robert Spencer, etc.)

10. Hatred for President Obama that goes far beyond simply criticizing his policies, into racism, hate speech, and bizarre conspiracy theories (see: witch doctor pictures, tea parties, Birthers, Michelle Malkin, Fox News, World Net Daily, Newsmax, and every other right wing source)

And much, much more. The American right wing has gone off the rails, into the bushes, and off the cliff.

I won’t be going over the cliff with them.

BRAVO, John! (and Thanks LGF.)

Hard Bargain's Tunecore Widget is HERE!

Running

Seating Feet

Alcohol 'protects men's hearts'

DRINK UP!

Drinking alcohol every day cuts the risk of heart disease in men by more than a third, a major study suggests. (READ the REST! - thanks, BBC)

STS Launch to Space Station- great NASA VID!

IF you've never watched a shuttle launch thru NASA's camera's it's a treat, espec the shots looking down at Earth! (thanks, NASA!)

More amazing Larry Carlson video: "Contact the Star People"

CONTACT THE STAR PEOPLE from Larry Carlson on Vimeo.

Happy Birthday LSD!

LSD was first synthesized on November 16, 1938 by Swiss chemist Dr. Albert Hofmann at the Sandoz Laboratories in Basel, Switzerland."

YELL from Larry Carlson on Vimeo.

(Thanks, Mike and BoingBoing!)

In New Book, Palin Says She Doesn’t Believe In Evolution

I wonder how she feels about the theory of Gravity!!
(In her new book)....she talks about creationism, saying she 'didn’t believe in the theory that human beings — thinking, loving beings — originated from fish that sprouted legs and crawled out of the sea' or from 'monkeys who eventually swung down from the trees.' (READ the rest at Alan.com!)

Sense of Scale: The Very Very Small

CLICK HERE to LEARN HOW SMALL STUFF REALLY IS! Go to the Link, then Slide the Slider to see smaller and smaller things! Check out the University of Utah's great "Learn Genetics" pages!

My PC Desktop @ Work

yep, it's a wonder anything gets done at all!

Animation: pitcher Dock Ellis's no-hitter while on LSD

Amazing story, and some cool Rufus Thomas in the background ("Push,Pull") - (thanks Dangerous Minds and BoingBoing)

Vegetables are all your body needs

love this pic!
thanks, BoingBoing.net and...
Advertising Agency: JWT Kuwait
Creative Directors: Alessandro Antonini, Mark Makhoul
Photographer: Tommy Morris
Retoucher: Nabil Kamara
Published: August 2009

One of my Fave Internets- - Spider Action!

Want to PLAY WITH THIS SPIDER??

The Wisdom of Mitch Hedberg (RIP)

(check out his NEW CD of prev unreleased shtuff...it's FUNny!)
"Someone asked me if I wanted to see a picture of them when they were younger. I said, 'Isn't every picture of everybody ever taken of when they were younger?'"

-Mitch Hedberg

The Uniqueness of Humans by Robert Sapolsky

You can skip to 04:50 where Robert begins his lecture!

Stanford primatologist and anthropologist Robert Sapolsky scores big with this grad lecture on "The Uniqueness of Humans," a humbling, inspiring and sweet 30 minutes on what it is about humans that makes us unique from our animal cousins, and how many of the seemingly unique features of humanity can be found elsewhere.

(thanks Avi and Cory D!)

Great Blues Art from Stephen Dell'Aria

(nice work, thanks Steve!

Color Film of London taken in 1927 !!

amazing color footage! (thanks London Screen Archives!)

Buddy Whittington does Freddie King's Big Legged Woman

One of my fave guitarists doing one of my fave Freddie songs! From May '09. (Thanks Tripsybon!)

Best un-Official Johnny Winter pages!

CLICK HERE FOR LOTS OF JOHNNY INFO!

(photo unrelated - thanks Internet!)

Joe Bonamassa plays the blues!

from a 2005 show in Germany. Joe rocks, yo! Check him out and go see him perform!

Scary Halloween Murder & Disembowlment!

One Pumpkin's Grim Tale....
(thanks to Farnsworth68 and One Pissed Off Veteran!)

PHOTO Blog- "What Light Does When Nobody's Looking"

a new photo blog for showcasing selections from my body of work called "What Light Does When Nobody's Looking" LINK

Man in White with Flowers

Firenze, along the Arno River...

What Religion Should You Be? (a Flowchart)

loved this:

Carl Sagan Sings about the Cosmos

R.I.P. Carl!

Luther Allison, Otis Rush, Eric Clapton Live

Everyday I Have the Blues

This Modern World by Tom Tomorrow

Ain't it da troof!(thanks to Salon.com!)

Marsalis: Racism and greed put blues at the back of the bus

Jazz master Wynton Marsalis says the blues is the true American music -- the heartbeat and unifying principle of jazz, country, R&B, gospel and other styles -- but it's been relegated to the back of the bus by greed and the legacy of racism.

EXCERPT from Interview with CNN -
CNN: Why was blues not regarded as something of value in this country?

MARSALIS: It came from who we didn't like. That's what it was -- it wasn't that we couldn't see it. Who it came from, we did not like them.

CNN: So do you include African-Americans in that? So black people didn't appreciate it?

MARSALIS: They didn't appreciate it. They don't now. That's part of the whole kind of self-hatred that comes from that type of slavery that the black American still labors under. That racism was heavy.

The legacy of it -- it wasn't just 50 years. It was seven generations, and if a generation is 33 years, ... seven or eight [generations]. That's a long time. And to recover from it has proven to be very difficult. READ THE WHOLE INTERVIEW
(thanks to Wynton and CNN.com!)

Heart Disease: A Toothless Paper Tiger That Need Never Exist

So says Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, who was a researcher and clinician at the Cleveland Clinic for over 35 years.

"...by changing our diet - eliminating that which causes havoc in the body (animal protein) and adding in plant based proteins and eating lots of vegetables, legumes, beans, and whole grains, we can not only prevent disease, but also heal from it once it is already in motion. Following is a fascinating conversation I had on diet and heart health. " READ THE REST!

Article by Kathy Freston -Author, Health and Wellness Expert. Thx to HuffPo!

Hard Bargain and Gracious Hosts at Picatinny Arsenal

Great crowd and great performance by Hard Bargain at the Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey...

new Body of Work SLIDESHOW!

What Light Does When Nobody's Looking

Left Wing vs. Right Wing - what's the difference?

I think this sort of explains it...or does it?

Albuquerque Balloon Festival '09 360 Panorama

zoom and pan if you'd like -
Balloon Fiesta in USA if you haven't been to the Balloon Fest, it's well worthwhile. Especially if you can go up in one of the balloons!

Willy Kaemena took this 360° panorama of the 2009 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Hot air Balloons have certainly gone a long way in terms of shapes. Oh, and as far as I know, no Balloon boy hoax is involved in this event!

The panorama is meant to be exprienced at full screen so head on over to 360 Cities for a much better view: Link

Posted by Alex in Travel & Places on October 18, 2009 - thanks to Neatorama!

UCLA Study: The Internet Is Altering Our Brains

UCLA scientists have found that for computer-savvy middle-aged and older adults, searching the Internet triggers key centers in the brain that control decision-making and complex reasoning. The findings demonstrate that Web search activity may help stimulate and possibly improve brain function.

The study, the first of its kind to assess the impact of Internet searching on brain performance, is currently in press at the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and will appear in an upcoming issue.

"The study results are encouraging, that emerging computerized technologies may have physiological effects and potential benefits for middle-aged and older adults," said principal investigator Dr. Gary Small.......READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE (thx to Dave Barry!)

More Classic Internet! "They're Made Out of Meat"

one of my alltime faves!

This Never Gets Old! Guy Shoots Himself Everyday for 6 Yrs

this is a few yrs old, but classic internet!

some Old Classic pics

Many more at MichaelCohenImages.com

Some new Pictures posted for Oct 09

see all the latest at thebassguy.com!

Peter Cook & John Cleese CLASSIC!

don't click the pic - click HERE TO SEE VIDEO!

Picatinny Arsenal Benefit (NJ) - Motorcycles & Music

Plan to attend! Benefit for Veterans and Toys-for-Tots - bring a toy - music starts at NOON! Soul, blues and R&B powerhouse band, Hard Bargain will perform.

Want some Head? Meet Quique The Head!

and you thought YOU had it tough!

3 more from Sept 2009 postings!

MORE from last month's shooting:

New works from Last Month's shooting

Ozzy Gets his Driver's License! yay

Past his test, but "some examiners would say, 'I'm not even f***ing getting in the car with you'."

Read ALL ABOUT IT HERE! (thanks to Dave Barry!)

Guitars as Art

(thanks to White Water Melon!)

Hard Bargain CDs & Downloads Available!

If you love blues and soul music, you can still get Hard Bargain at iTunes or buy and sample CD tracks at CD Baby. Here are the Linkages...dig IN!

Link 1 - Debut CD "Hard Bargain"

Link 2 - "More Than You Bargained For"

Let it FLOW! Royal Gardens revisited....

& now, your moment of Zen: click HERE to GO WITH THE FLOW! (video link)

Royal Gardens subdivision, Hawaii (9/09) Caution...HOT STUFF! click HERE FOR VIDEO action.

More vintage Hard Bargain from Atlanta festival 2007

Opening song, "RESPECT" featuring "King Arthur" !

Hard Bargain live at Buck's Co. R&B Picnic

"Blues Hammer" written by Rafik Cezanne 2006 show, which featured Michael Powers, Bryan Lee and Chubby Carrier.....Thanks to "King Arthur" Canady & Hard Bargain!

Hard Bargain live from Atlanta (2007)

Hard Bargain's finale from the Atlanta Blues & Music Festival - July 07
Johnnie Taylor's "Who's Making Love" - as sung by "King Arthur" Canady

Original version of Nel Blu di Pinto di Blu (Volare)

Domenico Modugno 1958 classic

Nel Blu di Pinto di Blu (volare) by McCartney

"Now, a song especially for Roma...." How cool is this? Eccellente, Signore McCartney!

Evolution Controversy? Nope.

Scientists tend to agree on theories of Evolution, Gravity, etc. Part 1 of 2

Pyramid in Brooklyn

Light in a Bottle!

Kaleidoscopic Treatment

Boarding in Capri

Setting Sun near NYC

Awesome Robotic "animal" - eeery to watch!

noisy lil bugger, but look at 'im go, eh?

the Amazing Barak Obama's Bionic Smile

Barack Obama's amazingly consistent smile from Eric Spiegelman on Vimeo.

Something Else to Play With...Magic Dots

THIS Fun flash app doesn't do anything but shrink and multiply the dots you pass over with your mouse cursor. wheeeee!

Magic Dots (from Neatorama via BoingBoing.net)

Mapping America's Vices...the 7 Deadly Sins

MAPPING VICE IN AMERICA - from Wired By Kristina Shevory

People of WalMart (need i say more?)

http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/

My Photographs UPDATED - see latest work!

HERE's the Latest Sept 09 posting

HERE's the Italia posts - 3 pages so far!
(many more to come, of course!)

NJ Free HARD BARGAIN Show- Wed Oct 7th 6-9pm

This band is SMOKIN! (somethin?) Check us out Oct 7th for sizzlin soul & blues
oh, and bring ALL your friends - it's FREEEEEE ! Just a few minutes from NYC.

Honda U3-X: self-balancing unicycle - coming SOON

I already WANT ONE!
The Honda U3-X may look like a post-modern stool for yuppies, but it’s something even more out there: it’s a self-balancing, motorised unicycle with 360 degree movement. Read THIS find out how it works and see it in action. (thanks to Ben Sillis and Electric Pig)

Love those Whacky Wingnutty Cartoons!

(thanks to Zaius Nation)