Category: Potpourri

American Forces Begin “Operation Hastings” in Vietnam -July 15,1966 – Music from Phil Ochs!

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imageOn July 15th of 1966,  US forces began “Operation Hastings” an operation to drive North Vietnamese forces from the demilitarized zone between North and South Vietnam. From Wikipedia….

Operation Hastings was an American military operation in the Vietnam War. The operation was a qualified success in that it pushed the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) forces back across the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). As the NVA clearly did not feel constrained by the Operation Hastings was an American military operation in the Vietnam War. The operation was a qualified success in that it pushed the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) forces back across the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). As the NVA clearly did not feel constrained by the “demilitarized” nature of the DMZ, US military leadership ordered a steady build-up of U.S. Marines near the DMZ from 1966 to 1968.

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I was 15 in 1966 and on the cusp of caring about what was happening in Vietnam, but over the next few years, as I approached draft age, my concern would obviously, grow. Eventually, I ended up on the side that thought the war was wrong, and wanted to bring our troops home.

When I think about this period of my life, the musician who comes to mind is Country Joe McDonald….”and it’s 1, 2, 3 What are we fighting for….”  No really, it’s Phil Ochs and the song that comes to mind and really sums up for me,  why we were destined to fail in Vietnam, and with a change in colors Iraq, is “White Boots Marching in a Yellow Land”….

PS – You know just because we were against the war, it doesn’t mean we were not for the men who fought the war. What everyone wanted more than anything was for those men to come home and no more to be sent there to die in what had become a senseless war. There’s  a scene in the classic show Taxi .

When Tony angrily confronts Jim with the bitter accusation that he fought in Vietnam so that burnouts like him could stay home and get loaded at protest rallies, the philosophical Ignatowski can only stammer a heartfelt, and utterly sincere, “Thank you.” Read More

and while I did not get loaded at Protest Rallies I also say – Thank You!

Alexander Butterfield Reveals the Existence of the White House Taping System – July 13, 1973!

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The White House TranscriptsSo as I sit here, I just opened the book Subversives: The FBI’s War on Student Radicals and Reagan’s Rise to Power to continue reading, the paragraph that I began with started: H.R. Haldeman was having a dinner party... That took my mind quickly back, to what I had read earlier, about famous events that happened on this date in 1973.

The existence of the White House taping system was first confirmed by Senate Committee staff member Donald Sanders, on July 13, 1973, in an interview with White House aide Alexander Butterfield. Three days later, it was made public during the televised testimony of Butterfield, when he was asked about the possibility of a White House taping system by Senate Counsel Fred Thompson.

On July 16, 1973, Butterfield told the committee that Nixon had ordered a taping system installed in the White House to automatically record all conversations; it was possible to concretely verify what the president said, and when he said it. Only a few White House employees had ever been aware that this system existed. Special Counsel Archibald Cox, a former United States Solicitor General under President John F. Kennedy, asked District Court Judge John Sirica to subpoena eight relevant tapes to confirm the testimony of White House Counsel John Dean.

The revelation of the presence of these tapes consumed the nation for the next two years, leading us to things like: the 18 1/2 minute gap, the Stennis Compromise, and the Saturday Night Massacre. Of course, the whole tragedy came to an end after the release of the “smoking gun” tape on August 5th of 1974, which lead to Nixon’s resignation three days later. The smoking gun” tape was among  42 tapes subpoenaed by the House Judiciary Committee in April of 1974

In late July 1974, the White House released the subpoenaed tapes. One of those tapes was the so-called “smoking gun”[17] tape, from June 23, 1972, six days after the Watergate break-in. In that tape, Nixon agrees that administration officials should approach Richard Helms, Director of the CIA, and Vernon A. Walters, Deputy Director, and ask them to request L. Patrick Gray, Acting Director of the FBI, to halt the Bureau’s investigation into the Watergate break-in on the grounds that it was a national security matter. The special prosecutor felt that Nixon, in so agreeing, had entered into a criminal conspiracy whose goal was the obstruction of justice.
Once the “smoking gun” tape was made public on August 5, Nixon’s political support practically vanished. The ten Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee who had voted against impeachment in committee announced that they would now vote for impeachment once the matter reached the House floor. He lacked substantial support in the Senate as well; Barry Goldwater and Hugh Scott estimated no more than 15 Senators were willing to even consider acquittal. Facing certain impeachment in the House of Representatives and equally certain conviction in the Senate, Nixon announced his resignation on the evening of Thursday, August 8, to take effect noon the next day. Read More

I can still remember being in a Political Science class at the University of Florida, when the tapes were first released. My professor came in slam the paper on his desk and said “Damn the son of a bitch knew all along. I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, but that’s gone now!”

So on this day, I like to thank Mr Butterfield for letting us know about those tapes! You know, the sad thing is that the whole mess really didn’t even have to happen. While I wished it could have been otherwise George McGovern never really had a chance to win that election anyway. H.R. Haldeman, John Ehrlichman and the rest of Nixon’s staff had though had just created an “Us against Them” mentality in the White House opening the doors for this type of action, that eventually led to their downfall.

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Newly Released Tapes Show Nixon Maneuvering as Watergate Unfolds

40 Years Ago: A Very Popular Paperback Book

Kathy’s Korner – More Magical Photos from My Wife’s Camera!!

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If you watch my wife take pictures, many times she’s bent over, with the camera focused on something small. She can really capture the details of life, like these three shots of a spider and its victim!

 

 

Then of course there’s the ubiquitous squirrels in the neighborhood – What me? I have no acorn!

Finally, there are times that she’ll just take a picture that is magical, like this one of Delaware River at Amico Island!

Magical did I say Magical, hum maybe it’s a Magical Connection that my wife and I have!!

Thoughts about Abiyoyo and grandbaby Oliver Edward Karn

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Abiyoyo - Pete Seeger

So sometime this month, my wife and I will become grandparents for the first time, when my son Andrew and his wife Meaghan have their baby, Oliver Edward Karn!!

Well, it’s actually Meaghan doing all the work right now and Andrew just gets the congratulations!! A couple of weeks ago, they had Meaghan’s baby shower.and Oliver’s gifts from Andrew’s brothers and sister and my wife and I were books and not just any books, but ones that were special to us.

The kids picked ones that were read to them and my wife and I picked either ones that were read to us or ones that we read to the kids! After my wife, whose idea it was first announced the idea. Peter immediately said “I’ll get Where the Wild Things Are” – though Bossy Boots may have been a better choice! What surprised my wife and I, was the first book that Elizabeth picked, which was Abiyoyo! The picture book based on the Pete Seeger song….

Four out of the five books that I gave Oliver were ones that I read to the kids. The only one that I could think of from my childhood was The Little Engine that Could. I remember that my mother’s mother always read that one to me!! Here’s my other four….

In the Night Kitchen - Maurice Sendak

In the Night Kitchen – Maurice Sendak –  I always loved to read this one to the kids and I think that the controversy over the nudity of Mickey is ridiculous!

Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola – I always enjoyed the mayhem created by Strega Nona helper Big Anthony when he does what he is not supposed to do!

The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher – Beatrix Potter –  I had to include a Beatrix Potter book on my list I think we wore out all the copies of the many books that we had!! This one was always a favorite but they are all great!!

Runaway Bunny –  Margaret Wise Brown – Now this pick was a little controversial only in that when my wife told me that it was one of the books I had on my list. I didn’t believe her. I thought that the fifth book on my list was Ezra Jack Keats’ Maggie and the Pirate and it wasn’t until she showed me my list that I believed her!! But I’m glad it is on the list because it’s a great book that talks of parental love!!

Other books included Ezra Jack Keats. The Snowy Day from Elizabeth. Gregory the Terrible Eater and The Tomten from Nick and Noisy Nora, Max’s Toys, and The Tale of Miss Moppet another Beatrix Potter favorite!

So Oliver we hope you enjoy these books, which are the start of a library that I know will get bigger and bigger, because you know Oliver, you can never have too many books!!

Now the reason that this all came to mind today is that I was looking at videos of Doc Watson’s music because today is his birthday (video to come soon) and while I was thinking about Doc – the other folksinger that came to mind was the late ( I hate to write that) Pete Seeger and I went and found this video taken from the show Reading Rainbow with Pete telling his tale of Abiyoyo!!1

Postscript, 2025: My daughter recently read In the Night Kitchen to my granddaughter Emma — and, true to form, Emma didn’t bat an eye at Mickey’s lack of clothes! Some things age better than the headlines.

“Into the Morning” with blues from Kara Grainger!

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kARA gRAINGERAs I surfed around the Internet yesterday, I came across this great female blues artist!

A native of Australia, Kara Grainger draws inspiration from the blues of America. On Shiver & Sigh, her third solo album, the guitarist and singer/songwriter also incorporates elements of rhythm and blues and soul music in the mix.

I think Kara will have a place in my blues library! Let’s go “into the morning” watching her perform live!

Books that “Rocked Your World”!

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Narcissus and Goldmund

This morning is was thinking about reading and books that “Rocked your world”, well maybe not rock your world, but those that opens your eyes, maybe make you see the world in a new light.

Books that touch you! One of the first books of mine that came to mind was, Jonathan Kozol’s Death at an Early Age. It’s been a long, long time since I’ve read but I remember at the time, this book revealed conditions that I really didn’t know existed and I remember being so touched by Kozol’s actions!

Just recently that’s what Stones into Schools did for me. It smacked me in the face with the conditions that people live under in both Pakistan and Afghanistan and their need for and their thirst for education particularly for their daughters!

The Imperial Cruise did it, too, by opening my eyes to US actions both in Hawaii and the Philippines!

As I thought about this topic two other books that came to mind were Herman Hesse’s Siddhartha and Narcissus and Goldmund. While I loved both books, I remember that Narcissus and Goldmund was my favorite. For those of you who don’t know the book, here is a synopsis from Wikipedia:

Narcissus and Goldmund is the story of a young man, Goldmund, who wanders around aimlessly throughout Medieval Germany after leaving a Catholic monastery school in search of what could be described as “the meaning of life”, or rather, meaning for his life. Narcissus, a gifted young teacher at the cloister school, quickly makes friends with Goldmund, as they are only a few years apart, and Goldmund is naturally bright. Goldmund looks up to Narcissus, and Narcissus has much fondness for him in return. After straying too far in the fields one day, on an errand gathering herbs, Goldmund comes across a beautiful Gypsy woman, who kisses him and invites him to make love. This encounter becomes his epiphany; he now knows he was never meant to be a monk. With Narcissus’ help, he leaves the monastery and embarks on a wandering existence. Goldmund finds he is very attractive to women, and has numerous love affairs. After seeing a particularly beautiful carved Madonna in a church, he feels his own artistic talent awakening and seeks out the master carver, with whom he studies for several years. However, in the end Goldmund refuses an offer of guild membership, preferring the freedom of the road. When the Black Death devastates the region, Goldmund encounters human existence at its ugliest. Finally he is reunited with his friend Narcissus, now an abbot, and the two reflect upon the different paths their lives have taken, contrasting the artist with the thinker. Full Wikipedia Article

Now as I think about the book and read the reviews at Goodreads: Narcissus and Goldmund I think I want to read the book again. I’m sure it would be interesting to read after all the life experiences that have occurred since that first reading!

So the question of the day is: What Book “Rocked Your World” and why??

Oh, another book that popped into my mind that I read in college at the height of the Vietnam War that had an impact was Dalton Trumbo’s Johnny Got His Gun

Current Reads: Kofi Annan, Andrew Johnson and the Amistad Rebellion

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Ok so this year I am making a very concerted effort to read more non-fiction books. I will be concentrating on history and politics with some of the other aspects of Social Studies thrown in to the mix. Currently, I have myself spread between three books. They are:

InterventionsInterventions: A Life in War and Peace Kofi Annan with Nader Mousavizadeh.

I must confess that I knew little about Kofi Annan prior to starting this book. I knew he was at one point Secretary General of the United Nations but that was about all. So far and I’m not that far into the book it has been enlightening. I didn’t realize that Kofi was the first Sub-Saharan African to serve as Secretary General. Here’s what others say about the book:
“In this thought provoking new memoir, Kofi Annan describes the peaceful and more equitable world that is within our grasp and offers his candid perspective on the challenges we must overcome to get there. Interventions is a powerful reminder that the United Nations still matters-and must continue to matter if we want our new century to be more free, peaceful and prosperous than the last” – President William J. Clinton

“Behind the velvet tones of Kofi Annan’s dulcet Ghanaian voice, there’s a fearsome, fearless iron will, intent on finding solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems“ – Bono

ImpeachedImpeached: The Trial of President Andrew Johnson and the Fight for Lincoln’s Legacy  David O. Stewart

On February 24, 1868 – Accusing Johnson of violating the tenure of Office Act, the House approves an impeachment resolution by a vote of 126-47. When I read this on the day of the anniversary, I realized that I either knew little about the impeachment or like many things I had forgotten whati  did know! Anyway, I wanted to learn more about the Impeachment and maybe compare it to Bill Clinton’s (there is no comparison) I found David O. Stewart’s book and having liked his book on Aaron Burr this would be a good read. I was correct so far like the Annan book it has been enlightening. I have a new respect for the Radical Republicans and Thaddeus Stevens, though I still have a hard time thinking of them as the “Good guys”!

“Anyone who thinks that American politics has lately been at a high level of viciousness should read this gripping story of Andrew Johnson’s impeachment trial. There are fewer angels than we have thought, and more political hatred and knife work – all with the underlying issue of justice and race” – Anthony Lewis former NY Times columnist and author of Gideon’s Trumpet

Amistad RebellionThe Amistad Rebellion: An Atlantic Odyssey of Slavery and Freedom – Marcus Redeker

Unlike the above books I really didn’t seek this book out, rather it was at the library one day a couple weeks ago and I couldn’t pass it up. Back on January 13th to be exact I read about the verdict of the trial:

 Judge Judson announced his decision on January 13, 1840, after a weekend of deliberation. He ruled that the Amistad captives were “born free” and kidnapped in violation of international law. They had mutinied, he said, out of a “desire of winning their liberty and of returning to their families and kindred.” He ordered that the Amistads be “delivered to President Van Buren for transport back to Africa.” He ended his opinion with the observation, “Cinque and Grabeau shall not sigh for Africa in vain. Bloody as may be their hands, they shall yet embrace their kindred.” The Grampus sailed out of New Haven harbor without its black passengers. Van Buren was described as “greatly dissatisfied.” Full Story

So when I saw this book I thought it was a good time to jump in and learn about the Rebellion!

“Marcus Rediker writes that after completing The Slave Ship he felt the need to look into a ‘hopeful counterpoint to this gruesome history’; the successful Amistad rebellion. What a radiant, many-fingered dawn of hope he has discovered!” Staughton Lynd

So far I have learned a lot about the background of the amazing men who won their freedom in this rebellion! I’m sure that the rest of the book will be just as packed with interesting nuggets of knowledge!

“Into the Morning” with Blues from The Suitcase Brothers!

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So finishing second at the International Blues Challenge in the Solo/Duo Category were brothers Pere and Victor Puertas who together form The Suitcase Brothers. They represented the Barcelona Blues Society and boy can they play the blues. I listened tonight to their first album Living with the Blues and I am in awe of Victor’s harp playing! Here’s some information about the brothers from their Myspace page:

THE SUITCASE BROTHERS is a dynamic country blues duo formed by two brothers: Pere Puertas, guitar and vocals, and Victor Puertas, harmonica, piano and vocals.

Pere was born on W.C Handy’s birthday (November 16th) and Victor was born on Sonny Terry’s birthday (October 24th), so it looks as if these two brothers have been predestined to dedicate their talent to the blues.

PERE PUERTAS, the elder brother, got his first guitar at the age of 12 although he didn’t pay much attention to it until high school. He formed his first band in the mid 90’s, and soon invited his 14 years old brother to play harmonica with his band. Two years later Victor was playing all Gary Primich songs and solos on harmonica.

Pere has a powerful and soulful voice, and a deep knowledge of fingerpicking guitar techniques, particularly the Pre-War and Piedmont Blues styles. His main inspiration comes basically from recordings by Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, Paul Rishell and Annie Raines and John Cephas with Phil Wiggins.

VÍCTOR PUERTAS, is a powerful harmonica player, who also plays piano, Hammond organ and guitar. Nevertheless, harmonicas are his love at the first feel, and he plays them with deep emotion and sensibility. He is one of the top five favourites in Jerry Portnoy’s, Annie Raines and Joe Filisko’s list.

“Thick resonant tone, perfect attack, lovely vibrato and a beautiful flow of ideas that are just right for the song you’re playing. You’ve really got it and, by the way, your brother plays great guitar too.” Jerry Portnoy

So let’s go “Into the Morning” with The Suitcase Brothers and the classic – “Walk On”

I was right to be amazed wasn’t I!

He’s Just Sayin’ – Andrew’s 2012 Prog Rock Favorites

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Ok so now you’ll have it from a ProgRock expert and not someone who’s still learning about the genre! Here’s an abbreviated list of some of his favorite albums of 2012. This post is cross-posted from  his blog I’m Just Sayin’…

I have kind of let my blog slide a bit, so I wanted to kick 2013 off with a list of some of my favorite albums from 2012.  I’m a little behind with new releases this year, but I wanted to share some of the albums that have stuck with me throughout the year.  Hope you enjoy!

Big Big Train – English Electric Part 1

This album may very well be my favorite of the year.  It sounds to me like it could be a follow up to Genesis’s Selling England By The Pound.  The album has a very English feel to me, full of great melodies.  I enjoyed their previous album The Underfall Year but it really didn’t click with me like this one did.

Beyond The Bridge – The Old Man And The Spirit

I believe in one of my few posts over the past year I mentioned this album, it is probably my favorite progressive metal album in a long time.  It’s big, bombastic, full of amazing vocals and musicianship.  It has everything that I love.

The Night Flight Orchestra – Internal Affairs

This is just a fun, fun album.  Formed by the singer from Soilwork and bass player from Arch Enemy, one would expect a heavy album, and that couldn’t be further from what this is, a straight up classic 70’s rock album with some of the catchiest melodies I have heard in a while.

Thank You Scientist – Maps Of Non-Existent Places

This album literally has everything jazz, funk, prog, metal, alternative, horns & strings.  It’s just everything thrown together, but it works and it works extremely well.  This album got a lot of play by me throughout the summer..

Jess And The Ancient Ones – Jess And The Ancient Ones

This is a more recent addition, but it catapulted to one of my favorites of the year very quickly.  Very retro sounding, great female vocals, songs about satan, how can you go wrong.

That’s 5 for now, I’ll post a few more in the coming days.  Hope you check some of these out and maybe find something new to enjoy!

Christmas Books to Add to My To Be Read Pile! Oh Boy!

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The Boy in The Suitcase - one of my Christmas Books

So as we start 2013 let’s take a look at the boat load of wonderful Christmas books that I received. ! First there’s the book I received from my daughter Elizabeth, that I am currently reading The Boy in the Suit Case by Lene Kaaberboll and Agnete Frillis. This is the first book in a planned three book series featuring Red Cross worker Nina Borg. Elizabeth picked the book because, I told her after I picked up book two of the series a month or so ago for her at the library, that it said on the cover “Fans of Nordic crime fiction rejoice”,and that I was a fan of Nordic crime fiction, so the book sounded good to me! So far I was right!

 Two Joe Hill Books from Uncle Jim

Two books came from Kathy’s Uncle Jim and wife Nathalie both by Joe Hill Horns and Heart-Shaped Box. I’ve never read any of his books but I was a big fan of his dad, Stephen King’s early books! They also gave me a Book Light that will come in handy when I am staying up late to finish one of Joe’s books!

 A Thriller and Three Mysteries and A Civil War History book from My Wife

Four books came from my wife – Deep Sky by Patrick Lee. This is the third book featuring Travis Chase and The Breech an anomaly that is the governments most carefully guarded secret. I’ve really enjoyed the first two books in this series The Breech and Ghost Country and there’s no question that this one will be just as good!

One of the non-fiction books I received was Jeffrey D Wert’s new book about the Civil War A Glorious Army: Robert E Lee’s Triumph 1862-1863. This one has two things going for it Wert’s writing and Robert E Lee! I know I’m going to love it!

The last two books from my wife are from two of my favorite authors. The first is The Silent Girl a Rizzoli and Isles novel from Tess Gerritsen The Silent Girl. I’ve really enjoyed all the Rizzoli and Isles novels. It will be interesting to see how I like this one now that I’ll have the TV actors who play Rizzoli and Isles in my head when I read it!

The second book is the 19th book in the great Dave Robicheaux series by James Lee Burke. I’ve read every one of them but Book 8 Burning Angel. I think I will make it a goal to read that one this year, then I can say I’ve read the complete series!!

A History Book From Andrew and Meaghan

Son Andrew and daughter-in-law Meaghan gave me the other non-fiction book that you readers will read more from: Events that Changed the World. I bet you didn’t know that on November 20, 1917 the first tank battle was fought in Cambrai, France! On that day a large number of tanks were incorporated into a battle plan for the first time : they were used in a full scale assault on the Hindenburg Line in Northern France! Bet you can’t wait!!

Oops finally I also received Boyd Morrison’s latest book The Vault, which came disguised as Ruth Rendell’s book The Vault, because my wife says she couldn’t read my writing, but since she already had read the book I don’t know!!

So thanks everyone for setting up my reading for the first part of 2013!! Now it’s time to get back to The Boy in the Suit Case.!