Dems in the ditch

John Edwards, Democratic ex-Senator from North Carolina, is on trial for a big complicated mess involving alleged misuse of finances, a mistress, their baby, his bodyguard buddy, and I don’t know who else, on what would have been his deceased wife Elizabeth’s 62nd birthday. Democrats sure do know how to weave a tangled web.

Today I heard a very unflattering story about outgoing U.S. Representative Barney Frank. He was disrespectful to an important man who I respect and admire greatly, and to whom I owe a great deal. Later, Frank attempted to apologize, only to end up being insulting to the man’s wife. For me it illustrated why I’m glad Barney Frank isn’t my Congressman (Jim McGovern is), and why I’m glad he isn’t running for re-election.

Conservatives shouldn’t attempt to be clever

A friend sent me a bunch of mini-posters that came from a relative who’s far right of center. I’m always amused by these things, because they’re all so outrageously stupid. Here’s one that made me roll my eyes.

Even ignoring the fact there are a lot of gay soldiers in the military, it’s way too easy to turn this sentiment on its side. Here’s my edit.

Fans in the fold-in

There was a 2-day comic book con in Boston this weekend. Three stalwarts of MAD Magazine were there — Al Feldstein, Al Jaffee, and Paul Coker. After writing and/or drawing many memorable stories for Bill Gaines at EC, Feldstein was MAD’s editor for almost 30 years, throughout its heyday.

Jaffee is famous for his fabulous back cover fold-ins. Click here to see some interactive Jaffee fold-ins, presented by the NY Times. Jaffee is also known for his Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions.

Prolific Paul Coker’s unmistakable drawings appeared in many pages of MAD, but he’s perhaps best known for designing the animated Frosty the Snowman cartoon.

I spent most of my time at the convention today sitting at Joltin’ Joe Sinnott’s table, helping with requests for autographs and sketches, while his son Mark made the rounds and Denro procured old comics, including one from 1951 that he found, with Joe’s second ever appearance in a Marvel (then Atlas) comic book. This scan is of Joe’s inking on Steranko’s famous centerfold splash page in Captain America #111 (March ’69).

Having a ball with the Wrecking Crew

Friday on WBUR in Boston, Robin Young talked with legendary session drummer Hal Blaine, who is himself from Massachusetts.

[audio:http://audio.wbur.org/storage/2012/04/hereandnow_0420_musicians-wrecking-crew.mp3|titles=WBUR – Robin Young on Here and Now]

There’s a new book about the Hollywood studio musicians of the 60’s and 70’s who were collectively and informally called The Wrecking Crew.

http://youtu.be/jvXvTySfWMU

Elsewhere, at the same time that Blaine & Co. were plying their trade, in another recording studio there was a totally different but equally good sound being created. Having been a kid in the Sixties I’m prejudiced, but no other period of time has ever approached, let alone equaled, its variety and quality of music.

http://youtu.be/cu023iV_atg