Memo to Stephen Hadley...

...Dude, you got WAY too much fuckin' time on your hands. Beyond belief - Fred Kaplan of Slate sums it up nicely:
http://slate.msn.com/id/2123412/

JAG Memos

Do yourself a favor and read these memos - recently declassified (originally classified for no obvious reason whatsoever) - submitted by various JAG offices from each branch of the military. Before we go assuming that the military has been complicit in the Administration's promotion of questionable interrogation techniques, it's worth giving these a look. Interestingly, the withholding of these kinds of documents has in many ways implicated the military rank & file in the formation of these policies. In fact, it seems just the opposite (though they would have nothing to be ashamed of right?).

This excerpt says it all:

"4. I accept the premise that this group of detainees is different, and that lawyers should identify legal distinctions where they exist. It must be conceded, however, that we are preparing to treat these detainees very differently than we treat any other group, and differently than we permit our own people to be treated either at home or abroad. At a minimum, I recommend that decision-makers be made fully aware of the very narrow set of circumstances-factually and legally-upon which the policy rests. Moreover, I recommend that we consider asking decision-makers directly: is this the "right thing" for U.S. military personnel?"

What has become clear over the last few months is this: what was originally shrugged off as rogue behavior in one remote prison is, in fact, the result of policy that has been carefully put in place during Bush's term, at the behest of the Executive Branch.

What is also clear is that the Senate is going to step in and start trimming back this authority, whether Bush likes it or not.

Interesting how consistently this Administration, full of non-veterans and draft dodgers, has consistently ignored the recommendations of military commanders and, indeed, been willing to tarnish their image to promote their own ends.

Congrats, Lance Armstrong

Okay, so I called Lance Armstrong an asshole (right here, on this very site, for all the world to see!), but that doesn't mean I don't respect his accomplishment. Amazing.

Of course, I also saw him on the Today show rambling on about his newfound "freedom" from racing, etc. Lance, buddy, you pretty much had it made, long before you graced us with your retirement. You are king of a sport that pretty much every non-French human being on earth cares nothing about, except for the fact that French people hate you. That makes you an American hero but in no way indicates that Americans like or care about your sport. It is, almost by its nature, a non-spectator sport, thus you technically deserve about three cents of income from it. You also like to use your kids as props to mask the fact that you're kind of a prick, who abandoned his own wife to date an aging rock star.

BUT -- Armstrong has raised a lot of cash on behalf of cancer research and has used his celebrity more for good than evil. Frankly, he's entitled to be as arrogant a prick as he'd like cause he's earned it. Now, about this idea that he might run for Texas governor -- ouch, my gut hurts from laughing so hard.

I think the real future for Lance is in television commentary for bike racing, which will consist of this basic theme: "Yeah, that guy pretty much sucks compared to me. I rocked, and these guys all suck. And French people suck." He can say anything he wants on it because NOBODY WILL BE WATCHING IT!

Barf

Sheryl,

I really, really want to like you, but you're so fuckin' cheesy that you're perfectly suited to your cheesedick boyfriend. I know that statement violates both my credentials as an American and a Texan, but that dude is an asshole. However, it's not his fault that his girlfriend is an embarrassment to music:

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/_/id/7499698/sherylcrow?pageid=rs.Home&pageregion=single1

O Brothers & Sisters, Where Art Thou?

Well, with the hot fall release months - September and October - nearly upon us, I'm starting to wonder what all my favorite artists are up to. Here's a few examples:

• Joe Henry
  Last release: Tiny Voices (2003)
  What he's been up to: Joe's pretty much excused, since he's produced no fewer than three releases this year (Ani DiFranco, Aimee Mann, upcoming Betty LaVette).
  Prediction: He still apparently has a relationship with Anti Records so I'm still hopeful that we'll see his next record this year or very early next. It's probably done and just depends on his own busy schedule.
  
  
• Emmylou Harris
  Last release: Stumbling Into Grace (2003)
  What she's been up to: Emmylou is always busy - she's touring with Elvis Costello right this second. She's apparently broken ground on some new songs, but I've not heard any rumblings about any serious progress.
  Prediction: She's got lots of touring on her schedule. Nothing this year for sure, though her deal with Nonesuch seems secure for the moment.
  
  
• Gillian Welch
  Last release: Soul Journey (2003)
  What she's been up to: Gillian spent the first half of this year in Nashville, playing occasional dates at The Station Inn and presumably recording.
  Prediction: She owns her own record label. So if the record is ready, I'm sure it will be out this year. With no big record company lead time, it is probably still reasonable to assume that it is forthcoming.
  
  
• Ryan Adams
  Last release: Cold Roses (May 2005)
  What he's been up to: Ryan and Lost Highway made a big splash about releasing three records this year. So far, Cold Roses made it out of the gate on time and the second release (September) is slated for a Sept. 13 release (though nothing official has materialized).
  Prediction: Lost Highway is going to look pretty silly if they get cold feet about this scheme. Cold Roses was very well received, and Adams appears to be ready to tour for a while to support all of the records. For once, it appears Adams is going to get his way.
  
  
• Julie Miller
  Last release: Broken Things (1999)
  What she's been up to: Not much. Julie Miller has been racked by family tragedy and health problems for the last few years. At one point, her husband Buddy declared her new solo record about two-thirds complete, and presumably she was signed to a deal with New West, along with Buddy. He has spent some time back in Nashville lately, taking a break from his usual breakneck pace and hopefully working on her record.
  Prediction: 50/50 for this year. New West has been juggling a lot of artists, but they have yet to release any information on their fall line-up. Could still happen.
  
  
• Lucinda Williams
  Last release: Live at the Fillmore (May 2005)
  (Last studio release: World Without Tears (2003))
  What she's been up to: Lucinda is currently touring behind her oft-delayed live record. There were some rumblings about dissatisfaction with her record label, Lost Highway.
  Prediction: No new studio material on the horizon. Lucinda may be returning to her former glacial pace.

So except for Adams, 2005 has been pretty devoid of A-List releases, from my standpoint. 2004 was pretty much a banner year (Patty Griffin, Allison Moorer and Sam Phillips released new records within three weeks of each other) so I guess it could be expected. Anyway, it has forced me to dig a little deeper for cool new albums, and there have been some surprises along the way.

Here is my current Top 5 for '05 (so far):

1. Aimee Mann - The Forgotten Arm
2. Ryan Adams - Cold Roses
3. Bright Eyes - I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning
4. Spoon - Gimme Fiction
5. Rodney Crowell - The Outsider

Karl Rove - Poor, Pathetic Victim

Just to keep updated: now "sources" are claiming that Rove found about Valerie Plame's identity from journalists (oh, hilarious irony!). Based on the alleged communication with Robert Novak and Matt Cooper, that actually seems pretty reasonable.

But here's my two issues (same as before):

• The Administration claimed to have talked directly with Rove about the whole affair and publicly cleared him from any "involvement." Now with each minor revelation, we find that he was ass-deep in this mess, even if he was just stuck in the middle of it. Not illegal surely. But someone in the White House is being VERY dishonest, and THAT is the overriding issue.
  
  
• Also, I just can't help thinking that if ol' Dubya was as pissed off about this leak as he originally claimed, he'd just walk down to Karl's office and say, "Hey, Turd Blossom. Listen good buddy, this whole thing is just getting out of hand, and let's face it -- we can't have these kinds of leaks. I took a firm public stand against this behavior, and I need you to just go ahead and tell the Special Prosecutor who told YOU about Valerie Plame. I ain't gonna fire you or nuthin', but I need ya to help us out here."

Because after all, Rove is not a journalist so why is he protecting his source? Sometime today, it was slipped into the press (what a coincidence!) that Rove doesn't actually remember which journalist told him ("I do remember it was a journalist, though."). Oh, how fuckin' convenient! Why didn't he just tell this story publicly two years ago? It would have incriminated neither him nor anyone else.

No, I don't think Rove is going to jail. But when exactly does the Bush Administration start acting like there are absolute standards for behavior, rather than just this soft moral relativism that has become the golden rule?

In the meantime, a new major report was released this week revealing direct and compelling links between Abu Ghraib and techniques taught and fostered at Gitmo. The media is too obsessed with the Rove sideshow to notice.

Andrew Sullivan has some compelling analysis.

The Superficial

He's on a roll today -- make sure to get your daily dose:
http://www.thesuperficial.com/

I don't just go passing out the term "genius" like it's candy, but that dude is a genius.

And Miles Davis.

And Billy Joe Shaver.

And that guy that invented the creamcicle.

And Steven Colbert seems pretty bright - okay, a genius.

And sometimes my cat can figure out how to push the bathroom door open so he can get a fresh, tasty drink from the toilet. I'm not sayin' he's a genius, but I mean for a cat - well, he's pretty fuckin' smart.

Grey De Lisle - 'Iron Flowers'

I've been listening to Grey De Lisle's second album Iron Flowers quite a bit lately. It opens with a cover of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" which captures all the fragile beauty of the original (and leaves out the baroque mid-section entirely). Otherwsie, this record is a good deal more accessible than her last record The Graceful Ghost, which is terrific but is so soft and delicate that you have to really pay close attention. Iron Flowers retains the intimate charm of its predecessor but dares to rock a bit more ("rock" being a relative term here). Husband Murray Hammond (from The Old 97's) contributes a ton to the proceedings, as does producer Marvin Etzioni (both were the predominate collaborators on Ghost).

You have to be in just the right Sunday-morning-mood to sit through the whole thing, but the reward is substantial. And besides, do you know anyone else who looks that cute holding an autoharp? That's for real, by the way - she actually plays that thing.

(BTW, my wife would look really hot holding an autoharp, but she doesn't have one and apparently doesn't think taking it up as a hobby would be "totally Appalachian-vibe 1890's sexy" like some people might. I mean, I don't really know anything about it, but it pretty much plays itself, just like the name implies, right? Whatever - Grey De Lelisle actually married nerdy Murray Hammond so all women who play autoharps are from here on out very sweet and hot. Of course, my wife married geeky me so she's awfully sexy, too.)

Cooter hates 'Dukes' movie!

So Ben Jones, who played "Cooter" on The Dukes of Hazzard, has mounted a publicity campaign to badmouth the film version of the show. I sort of agree - not only does the film look definitely not-family-friendly, it looks pretty fuckin' stupid.

While Jessica Simpson is no Catherine Bach, she does apparently walk around in a bikini for half the movie (trailers don't lie, do they?). So I suppose I'm obligated to go see it. But I'm right there with ya, Cooter!

(Cue Waylon Jennings theme...)

Karl Rove - Turd Blossom

Timothy Noah at Slate writes a coherent and factual rebuttal to the Republican talking points regarding Karl Rove (sorry Wall Street Journal). It's worth noting that Noah doesn't in any way defend Joe Wilson but still does not excuse Rove's behavior.

Basically, the conservative line has morphed into this: Karl Rove had to expose Wilson and his wife to discredit Wilson's Op-ed in the NYTimes. If he broke the law, so be it. Again, we see the sliding scale to which all actions in the Administration are held. The ends always, always, always justify the means.

Karl Rove - Conservative Martyr

So let me see if understand the emerging defense of Karl Rove (courtesy of WSJ, NRO, etc):

Karl Rove should be commended for leaking Valerie Plame's identity (though not her name) to the press. However, it's not clear from Matt Cooper's email that he, in fact, did it, which isn't a crime anyway. So what's the big deal?

Well, for starters:

• Scott McClellan, speaking on behalf of the Administration and the President, claimed that there was absolutely no inolvement of Rove in the leak (which didn't happen, is not illegal, but still very commendable, by the way). Now, we know that - commendanble, legal, or otherwise - Rove was at the very least "involved" in this matter. So either Rove lied to the Administration (best case scenario) or they knew about his involvement and chose to deny it anyway.
  
  
• Rove and the White House have let this matter languish for nearly two years while Fitzgerald has gone about his business. Now that the first piece of evidence (or non-evidence) is revealed, conservatives come rushing to Rove's defense (which is not necessary because what he didn't do was very commendable). Where was the Administration's commitment to clearing this whole thing up in 2003? And if this whole thing is such a farce, why have we been wasting tax-payer dollars on it for so long?
  
  
• Someone told Rove that Valerie Plame was a) a CIA operative and b) had recommended Wilson for the Niger assignment. He won't reveal who that was. So the White House is on record deploring this behavior, while Rove sits tight and protects his own source. Does Rove work for the President, or is it the other way around?
  

There's a lot of lefty fantasies about Rove going to jail. Forget it. Fired? Fat chance. The conservative talk machine has already dug its heels in to defend Rove. Bush has never acknowledged one mistake ever made in Iraq, or during his entire Presidency for that matter. Does anyone really think that he's going to get worked up about a few glaring inconsistencies in this case?

The Revolution Ends... Now

So I'm just idly (and I do mean idly) watching bits of the All-Star Game when I get a commercial for Chevy trucks featuring Steve Earle's "Revolution Starts... Now" from his recent album of the same name.

Everybody knows I love Steve Earle, despite the fact that he never leaves me messages asking for my advice. And I don't really care one way or the other which artists sell what songs to whatever commercials or TV shows. But seriously - you're gonna let your big protest song from your big protest album be used to sell trucks? Whatever, Mr. Big "Borderline Communist".

Now, if Steve needs the money to buy Allison Moorer an awesome wedding ring, he can be forgiven. Frankly, an old geez like Steve should sell his soul and those of his children for someone as hot as Allison. Or maybe he didn't read the fine print in his contract with Artemis Records. Or maybe he's back on crack and needs the dough (I'll be super-pissed if he turns sweet Allison into a crack ho).

In any case, I suppose you can look on the bright side -- now Ford vs. Chevy is sorta like Toby vs. Steve. Objections aside, if I'm ever shopping for a new pickup, it'll be a Chevy (probably).

That's Hot - week of July 11

1. White House Press Corps
   Giving Spokesman Scott McClellan the bidness yesterday for playing "no comment" all of a sudden regarding Karl Rove's involvement in outing Valerie Plame to reporters. Guess they finally got tired of being lied to.
2. "One's A Couple" by Lee Ann Womack
   Standout track on a standout album.
3. Rodney Crowell
   Seriously digging his new CD (see below) as well as his other recent albums. I learned to Travis pick "I Know Love Is All I Need" (from The Houston Kid) on my guitar last night.
4. Shannon McNally - Geronimo
   Seriously cool record. McNally has a sultry, bluesy voice but applies it to arrangements that sound a lot like The Band in their heyday. Charlie Sexton's production and playing nicely complement her songs.
5. Firefly - The Complete Series DVD
   I recently finished all 13 episodes in a single day (yeah, bitch!), and I gotta tell ya, it's good stuff. I've dug through all of the extras and am now going back to the commentaries. The final episode does leave you hanging somewhat (damn you, Fox!), but the film promises to resolve a good deal of the loose ends. I never thought there would be another great cult series on TV, and alas, it did not last long. But it is really something special.

Rodney Crowell MP3's

You can download four MP3's from Rodney Crowell's forthcoming album The Outsider here. The page also features an insightful conversation between Rodney and noted music writer Chet Flippo (who I did not realize is also from Texas).

Rodney Crowell - 'The Outsider' (Aug. 16)

You really have to admire Rodney Crowell, whether you dig his music or not. After a lengthy period of hibernation, he reinvigorated his recording career with 2001's The Houston Kid, an intimate portrayal of growing up on the rough side of Houston. He followed that critical success with Fate’s Right Hand, an album that was a lot more concerned with the travails of middle age than childhood. Following the same musical path of its predecessor (which would be more accurately called “folk rock” than “country”), Fate’s Right Hand was a philosophical affair that showcased Crowell’s growth as both a songwriter and a person.

Now comes The Outsider, a record sure to be known as his “protest album,” though that’s a pretty broad brush to describe it. Perhaps more in tune with the current American public than the spate of so-called protest records last year, The Outsider makes his points more subtly than, say, Steve Earle might, and Crowell wisely eschews casting dispersions on any political figures or parties. For instance, in the album’s most pointed song “Don’t Get Me Started”, Crowell adopts the stance of a barfly philosopher who’d much rather have a few beers than get on a tirade about the state of the world (though the song clearly reflects Crowell’s own feelings). On the other hand, “The Obscenity Prayer” skewers rampant materialism with irony and wit, two of Crowell’s strong points as a songwriter. If there is a controversial song on the record, it would likely be “Ignorance Is The Enemy” – though it is more controversial musically than lyrically. Sandwiched between an elegiac chorus are spoken-word verses from Emmylou Harris, John Prine and Crowell. It is an interesting experiment, but as the clear centerpiece of the record, I’m not sure how well it works. Still, I give Crowell major props for trying to do something a little radical (though the song is far less political than the title would imply).

Another pleasantly surprising aspect of The Outsider is how fully Crowell has embraced his inner rock ‘n’ roller. On both The Houston Kid and Fate’s Right Hand, I felt the strongest songs were also the most rocking, and Crowell practically dares his older fans to get on the wagon with the opening one-two punch of “Say You Love Me” and “The Obscenity Prayer”, both of which are anchored by meaty guitar licks (it’s refreshing to hear such frisky and invigorating guitar work from Nashville session players, including Crowell’s longtime sideman Will Kimbrough). Occasionally, the production on The Outsider (like the previous two records) slips into the realm of slickness – for instance, Crowell tends to favor compressed vocals in the background, though his own vocals always sound quite natural. And sometimes his more interesting production ideas (“Beautiful Despair”, for example) overshadow the song itself. Yet songs like “Things That Go Bump In The Day” revel in their own simplicity and are certainly no less enjoyable for it.

One treat for longtime fans is the inclusion of a duet with Emmylou Harris on Dylan’s “Shelter From The Storm” (originally recorded for, but not included on, the soundtrack for the TV show Crossing Jordan). Crowell and Harris give the song an inspired, and surprisingly uptempo, reading, and any excuse for the two former bandmates to get together is a welcome one (plus the song works quite well in context with the rest of the album).

The Stoic philosopher Epictetus once wrote:
“Don't regard what anyone says of you, for this, after all, is no concern of yours.”

Crowell echoes this sentiment on “Dancin’ Circles Round The Sun (Epictetus Speaks)”:
“Disregard what don't concern you/ Don't let disappointment turn you/ Avoid adopting other people's view.”

So sums up the revitalized career of Rodney Crowell. With reckless disregard for the expectations of critics or fans (this one included), he has once again walked out on a limb and delivered a unique record. The Houston Kid was so good that it will likely remain the standard for all of his subsequent albums. But it’s an unfair comparison because, like Fate’s Right Hand, most of the songs on The Outsider are valuable additions to a quickly evolving collection of essential works that will forever mark Crowell as not just an important songwriter but a vital recording artist.

(NOTE: The Outsider is currently available in the UK and will be released Stateside on August 16.)

Lee Ann Womack - 'There's More Where That Came From'

Take me at my word when I offer high praise to Lee Ann Womack's new record, despite the following dubious facts about Womack:

1. She is currently on tour with Toby Keith.
2. She appeard at the Republican National Convention.
3. Her last studio record contained a lot of cheesed-up drivel that pretty much invalidated (and betrayed) a fairly respectable catalog up to that point.

So look past those substantial objections and know this: you're not likely to hear a more classic "Nashville record" (in the most positive sense) this year, possibly this decade. To be honest, I was fairly sure that Music City was incapable of churning out such a commercial masterpiece anymore. Full of double fiddle stops and weeping pedal steel (and other assorted stringed instuments in all their glory), Womack fulfills every ounce of potential she's ever shown to possibly save the Country music from the Gretchen Wilsons of the world. Maybe it was the total indifference that greeted her last record, the mostly mediocre (and occasionally wretched) Something Worth Leaving Behind. Womack has always had the pipes, but following the massive success of I Hope You Dance, MCA seemed hellbent on turning her into a dreaded crossover diva, and the strain has shown on her records. Now she's back in the saddle with the best mainstream Country album I've heard since Allison Moorer's debut album. Here's hoping she'll continue to mine this territory and maybe return to handpicking edgier material, such as the Buddy and Julie Miller songs that she has so often championed. Either way, There's More Where That Came From is a winner.