With Bob's agreement I've posted a couple of his currents from his website He also will be answering and responding to your questions and comments...
Mid May 2003
I have been assailed by waves of what could be called "common sense" lately. Let's see, we invade Iraq but no Weapons Of Mass Destruction. Surprised? Not me. Paper tiger from the outset, but lies by big people get believed. You and I fork over shitloads of money to pay for the invasion, many, many innocents are killed and we bomb the hell out of the country, MEANING -- of course, you and I have to fork over more dough to rebuild all the stuff we destroyed. Halliburton to the rescue! Halliburton was Cheney's last boss (45 mill a year -- he gave THAT up to work with Bush)? and just maybe he put a good word in. Now Bechtel is going to be involved and THEY appear to be involved with the Bin Laden Family -- yes, THAT Bin Laden Family. Curious? OH, for the inquiring mind. It's out there to see. Democracy takes time and effort!
The Business of business has nothing to do with Patriotism, unless it proves profitable. Homeland Security -- business. Tax "relief" -- pure business (for the rich only). Medical Care -- not good business -- too many old people and poor people and they don't really count any more, so let's reduce or emasculate Medicare and Social Security. We NEED that dough to keep the World safe from Democracy!!! Or is it "Safe For Democracy?" I forget, with all these wars planned and making the USA THE dominant force in the world. You know, I guess, that a plan was formulated some 20 years ago to control the Middle East (oil) and become the biggest MF in the valley. Of course, in Iraq, we will control the oil with "supervision" but the money goes here. As a story, it's either laughable or tragic. As a result of the American Public's ignorance, laziness and Big Brother, the DC dudes are getting away with bad, bad stuff. Anyone care?
With all the war hoo-ha (VERY good for a sitting President-sort-of) nobody is looking at the ECONOMY, stupid. We are going broke -- again -- Reagan almost did it and now we are trickling down again -- the trickle will soon turn into a flood. States are broke -- I know teachers in the West who cannot find work -- health care workers laid off -- social services disintegrating. Here in NH, Dartmouth College (a RICH school) is cutting back, eliminating jobs and suffering the Endowment hit that the "Bubble" bursting caused. No secret -- Bush and the guys are making us poor again. If you can't read beyond the headlines, we all will suffer. Cheney gets $150K tax relief -- other higher ups the same. HE needs the cash? Only if he's gambling. SO, read Alternet.org and the sources it leads you to or -- type in "radical politics" and see what happens. At worst, you will be a pissed off Conservative.
On the good news side, I have been appointed Stanley Knowles Distinguished Professor for the second straight year at Brandon, U. -- in Manitoba. It is very unusual to be awarded to one person 2 years running, so I am flattered and the good will up there is amazing. Also, we have a nesting bird on the lower deck (where I am) -- 2nd year in a row. We had them in Goshen, NY and I have heard that it's some kind of avian compliment. The joys of country life are simple and focussed -- watching the activity around a bird feeder is something to behold. In NYC, July 1-6 with Slide, Watrous and Bennie Powell (and a GOOD rhythm section) so -- if a rich uncle dies -- drop by. The bird feeder doesn't have a cover and 2 drink minimum.
P.S. Just wanted you to know that I seem to have slipped into a new category in Spam Land. They are easing up on getting me a bigger Johnson and increasing my breast size and concentrating on getting me out of debt and solving my septic tank woes. Once in a while "Vanessa" whispers that she misses me, where have I been, etc. -- but, I like my wife a lot and I would have to get a shower, buy some new clothes, etc. -- fuck it. I like it where I am. Sorry, girl.
May 2003
Walking by the front door yesterday, I realized the man-sized snow bank, in residence since October, had vanished! Buds on our forest, warm enough to be on the deck and look out and see nothing but hills and trees. It ain't Iraq, but we'll make do. I have been internalizing so much -- worries, mainly -- that I fail to look up. It's hard not to be frightened now and probably will not change, except to get worse. The "democrats" are fighting internally so 2004 likely goes to the Commander in Chief. I'll send a postcard.
Last month the Cape May Jazz Festival honored Clark Terry. I was invited to play with Slide Hampton, Hal Crook, Bennie Powell and a nice rhythm section. Never get a chance to go at it with other trb. players so we all had fun and sounded good. James Moody was there and is playing SO good that I wonder where he is getting his stuff -- always a player, he has found some new mother lodes and is as sweet and loving as ever. Faddis could take some lessons -- his deportment on stage was rude and childish and, without the high notes, he'd be playing 3rd trumpet somewhere. Grow up, kid! There's REAL musicians around.
Being there was an experience I wish that could be repeated daily -- I am surrounded by white people here and that was never my aim. NH IS a pretty lonely place for non-Caucasians but even at NEC, still too much pale. I grew up in black clubs, bands and it didn't change in NYC when I arrived in 1952. So -- many hugs and kisses exchanged and my hero (CT) had a great time. Now THERE'S a role model for everyone. Me included.
Will continue at Brandon U. -- visiting Prof. and go to a "full time" contract 9/04, as things stand now. I want to stay involved at NEC, so we are having some meetings this summer to figure out the scenario. At the NEC Big Band concert last week, I played a piece (recorded by the NAO) called "American Tragedy" -- written after the Supremes anointed Georgie -- there were (and remain) large questions about conflict of interest (Scalia) and a general queasy, politicized and very uncomfortable series of events -- from Jeb to Harris to Olsen to DC. SO -- I always explain why the piece was written and this time an audience member wrote to NEC, complaining that the forum was improper for these remarks and that it ruined the rest of the concert for him. I got an email from the PR dept., which included his name and tel. #, and I called him. We had a civil but very dry exchange. The school and President Steiner came down on my side, saying that my views were just that -- NEC didn't have to agree or disagree. Haven't met you yet, Prez, but good on you!! A first -- usually when I mention Bush, they laugh. True. I don't laugh, however. No more to say, so you are free to move about your house. Southwest Airlines are very optimistic -- "you are free to move around the country." BB
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