Category: Politics, Religion & Money

A Randy Newman Moment or Two

Among the records I was obsessed with in high school was Randy Newman’s Sail Away.

I was especially taken with his song “Political Science.”

The song influenced me to such an extent, I even quoted it for my high school yearbook picture, not caring what anybody would think of it, or of me.

I was thrilled when hearing the announcement on WBCN that Randy Newman would be appearing at Boston’s Symphony Hall. Immediately, I mailed in my order for two tickets.

One ticket for myself, and one for my girlfriend, a truly amazing person named Gael, whose confidence in me and my potential transformed my life. This picture of us was taken by my sister Jean on prom night, a month after the concert.

We took the commuter rail to North Station in Boston, then the subway to Symphony Hall for my first visit to the venerable venue. I knew of Sandy Denny from her time with Fairport Convention, and she got the evening off to a nicely subdued start.

Gonzo comedic performance artist Martin Mull provided quite a contrast. I remember laughing so hard at his “Ukulele Blues” that my sides hurt.

The main event, Randy Newman at the piano, didn’t disappoint. I was enraptured as he played most of Sail Away, while offering a very funny running commentary between the songs.

Why am I rhapsodizing about these memories from more than fifty years ago? I’m getting there!

Randy Newman appeared in the finale of The Colbert Report in 2014, playing piano for a singalong of “We’ll Meet Again” with a large number of friends and past guests.

Newman’s Facebook page had a picture of him with Stephen Colbert after the finale. I commented, “I saw Randy at Boston Symphony Hall in April, 1973, before Colbert’s eighth birthday.”

Here’s what triggered me. Yesterday, a notification popped up on Facebook that someone on Randy Newman’s private chat had “loved” that comment I made ten years ago. You’ll have to expand this image to see what I’m talking about.

Was it actually Randy Newman who liked my comment while searching through old posts on his Facebook page? I doubt it, but it’s nice to be noticed.

I have one more Randy Newman memory to offer here. While taking Econ 101 in college, the professor played a song as an example of political economy. The faces of the other kids in class were blank, so I spoke up and offered, “That’s ‘Political Science’ by Randy Newman.”

Grinning with a sort of “we’ve got a live one here” expression, Dr. Darrow was obviously pleased that I knew the song. He invited me to attend an upcoming lecture he had arranged with John Kenneth Galbraith, and Economics became my major.

A Bloomin’ Onion

This has gotta make Alex Jones’ eyes sting and water up.

https://news.yahoo.com/onion-says-bought-alex-jones-142338329.html

Satirical publication The Onion said it has bought Alex Jones’ Infowars at a bankruptcy auction for an undisclosed price, with the backing of the Connecticut families of eight victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting and one first responder.

Republicans are so worried about the books that kids might read, but where’s the concern they could be shot to death in class? I won’t live long enough to see Gen Z reach middle age. How many from the generation of school shooting kids will fight to restrict access to guns? How many will follow the example of Trump, who has made it okay to bully and lie your way through life?

My Obsession

Michael Lewis is featured in this old 60 Minutes piece about The Big Short. Lewis should be undergoing a self-imposed writer’s rehab for not immediately being suspicious of Sam Bankman-Fried.

Have I used that video before? Doesn’t matter, because the Financial Crisis of 2008 is always worth another visit, especially now that anti-regulatory Republicans have once again seized power. Maybe Trump will pardon fellow felon SBF and put him in charge of the Fed.

What Goes Up Must come Down

In 1993, Clinton inherited a recession from Bush Sr. Eight years later, he left office with a budget surplus. In 2009, Obama inherited the Great Recession from Bush Jr. Eight years later, he left office with a solid economy. Four years ago, Biden inherited Trump’s Covid recession. He’s now handing Trump the economy that’s “the envy of the world.”

https://www.economist.com/special-report/2024-10-19

In four years, will Trump continue what has become a Republican presidential tradition, of leaving office with the economy in a mess (assuming he’s willing to leave office)? Liberal economist Paul Krugman weighs in with his concerns about Trump’s economic policies. Krugman is usually good about admitting when his predictions turn out wrong.

The Bearded Truth

Considering how the chemotherapy turned my facial hair thin and gray in a few weeks, now that it’s been two months since the treatments ended I wondered if the change was permanent. After keeping myself clean-shaven, I’ve been letting my beard grow back in and, so far, it pretty much looks and feels like it did before the chemo. I don’t really care one way or the other, except that it’s significant as a possible indicator of my recovery.

And now, this other bearded man has something to say. He’s wearing Audio-Technica ATH-M20x headphones. I have a pair, and I can tell from Jon’s headband that my cranium is a lot bigger than his.