THURSDAY, 24 JULY AD 2008

1618L MDT

When I go anywhere today, I always look for concerts that have the musicians that I love. I enjoy a wide range of music, from classical to the music of the 21st century. The music I love the most is bluegrass. What? That didn't surprise you? You think I'm a hick anyways? That maybe so, Chowderhead, but let me tell you that the late Deadhead hisself, Jerry Garcia, was a masterful BLUEGRASS performer. Put that in your pipe and smoke it!

Where was I? Oh, yeah. I have been listening to a great deal of bluegrass. I have seen a few of them live in concert, too. From Ralph Stanley to Cherryholmes to Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder  to The Bluegrass Patriots to Uncle Earl to Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper, I think the state of Bluegrass in 2008 is alive and well and just getting better as the days go by. I still listen to the legends of bluegrass (Bill Monroe, Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, Jimmy Martin, et cetera) as much as I can, via the LP, cassette, CD, or the wonderful world of the world wide web. Their music is as alive as it was when they played it. The musicians of today are continuing the tradition of great bluegrass. If you get a chance, go to Courtney Pitre's awesome show, Bluegrass Highway, and hear for yourself. Take a look at YouTube and type in bluegrass.

SEMPER EXCUBITUM

MICHAEL B. SMITH

That's cool. I never got the chance to appreciate Bluegrass. What is so great about it? I'm not going to fall into a pile of brainless sponge when I hear it because you think it's cool...

What is going on here?
I want to give my take on this presidential contest. I know mine is an one of a million opinions but I think getting it out is what really matters. I live in South Dakota, an interesting enough state that seems to never get it right when it comes to politics. Wow...every four years its as if the people who live here seem to vote as if there was only one party running...the Republicans. Hey, if you want to live in a state of denial that believes that everything is hunky-dory when a Republican is voted in, then you need to be institutionalized.
I consider myself a moderate. I don't believe in abortion because when a baby is first concieved I consider it human, but I think it is the woman's right to make her own decisions. I believe that people convicted of the most heinous of crimes should be put to death. I do not believe in gun control because it is an inalienable right for one to protect themselves and the government should not make the decisions for people. I believe in the institution of marriage and that it strictly be considered between a man and a woman, but I believe that everyone deserves fair and equal treatment. I mean, this is America, right? And most people believe in the golden rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you", right? Right.....
However, I am strongly pro-Barack Obama for president. John McCain is just a George Bush clone that went tragically awry. He is everything this country doesn't need. I have watched the debates, he banters at best, elsewise his blank stare resembles pretty much what he is all about..."ooh, people will vote for me because I am a maverick"...one dimensional. And come on, we have heard about his being a POW for way too many times now and his behavior is becoming asinine at best and horrible at worst because he is so transparent...we can see right thru him. At first I applauded his selection of a woman for his running mate, but come on...her blank stare is just as bad as McCain's,