"An Cat Dubh" - U2
A selection inspired by one of our discussions the other day. I think that part of their great appeal among young people at this time was their unabashed joy in performing and being rock stars. Many of the important acts who were slightly ahead of them or contemporaries had complex relationships with their audiences and stardom -- acts like the Clash, Elvis Costello, Talking Heads, Graham Parker and contemporaries like REM and the Smiths were sometimes angry, sometimes enigmatic, and often seemed less than fully welcoming despite being great live acts. U2 pretty much wore their hears on their sleeves and seemed fully prepared to both be adored and adore in return.
- One of the great dangers of politics is its ability to reduce people to abstractions in such a way that "sending a message" is deemed more important than say letting children die of disease. Last night former Congressman Robert Wexler (who I have always liked) gve a graphic illustration of this phenomenon on the Daily Show discussing the American decision to cut off funding UNESCO because it has admitted Palestinian representatives. John Oliver, who is really amazingly good at this kind of devatating humor, just handed Wexler his ass. It was pretty disturbing to watch but watch it you should.
- Speaking of the world of vicious political abstraction, how do you explain opposing the Violence Against Women Act in a way that doesn't make you sound like an asshole?
Alright must get to work -- I leave the discussion in your capable hands for a while. .
