Use The Tubes
Flaming Lips And Flaming Libs.
Do you realize? That on Tuesday, the Flaming Lips will release The Soft Bulletin in a reasonably priced DVD-Audio-disc-plus-regular-CD set including the album in 5.1 surround sound? After my reacquaintence with the disc on last fall's drive to Nashville, this could be my first "new release" DVD-A purchase. Since I'm easily susceptible to the power of suggestion and I was in need of a selection, seeing that news led me to go give side two of Yoshimi a spin. ("Side two" ... there's some old-school for you.) The news also reminded me that Yoshimi is already out in 5.1, so onto the wishlist it goes.
It's time to talk the talk. I've been frustrated for a while now at the Alito process. Even the math regarding the country's polling on choice and the lack of rancor over this selection is befuddling on its own. Throw in that the real crimes will be committed thanks to Alito's pro-corporation, anti-individual philosophy, and mix with the GOP's mastery of word games to control perception of what is fair and unfair dialogue about a nomination, and I've frankly been too pissed to post.
The last straw may have been trying to figure out how pro-choice Senator Specter can remain pro-choice while voting for a nominee that the anti-abortion crowd sees as their savior. Or maybe it's the disgusting resignation from much of the Democratic side of the aisle. Or maybe it was Senator Biden's blowhardiness.
Regardless, it's been a small silver lining to see Senator Kerry stay faithful to his promise of a couple years ago and raise the filibuster flag, followed by support from Senator Kennedy. Using a maneuver allowed by the rules in an unprecedented application sure seems pretty white bread compared to some of the other things we've seen in the last few years. Or few weeks. They should run a disclaimer: "Warning -- No payoffs, lies, guns, or wiretaps were used in the creation of this filibuster."
Sure, it might fail. But in the immortal words of Lyle Lovett, and in the most serious reference ever to a lyric about ordering a cheeseburger: "Look, I understand too little too late / I realize there are things you say and do you can never take back / But what would you be if you didn't even try? / You have to try ..."
This is not the time to worry about short-term political fallout. This is not merely about an important election. Seven more Presidents could come and go, with one or two enjoying dual terms, and Justice Alito could still be making critical and far-right decisions on the Supreme Court.
(And when you hear from certain conservatives about how Alito must have an up-or-down vote, wonder where their devotion to that sentiment was for nominee Miers.)