BP Oil Disaster

Myself like most people hate seeing the millions of gallons of oil gushing up from the seabed polluting the Gulf coast. I even hate reading about it. There is a lot of blame to go around, and it looks like BP should carry the most; how in the hell did they not have some kind of contingency plan? An explosion causing a disruption in the pumping would seem to be something you would plan for. It is amazing that they are only trying the 'top kill' initiative now, a month later. In all project management you always assess risk and devise a strategy to deal with it if the risk becomes an issue. And this disaster is a big fucking issue.

However Krauthammer has an interesting point: no one is blaming the environmentalists about this. The reason why this spill is so difficult to contain is that is it being in done in a mile-depth of water. The oil platforms are that far out is because of the enviro lobby pushed them out to deep waters; therefore if a catastrophe happens it is harder to lessen. Also, why not allow drilling in the Arctic Refuge which is ON LAND and has no tourism, fishing, or other industries that could be impacted. Of course they always get off scott free.

Law of Unintended Consequences

Obamacare will not be a medical nirvana: it is all about control. This law will involve extreme redistribution and mandates that will ultimately lead to higher premiums, lower quality care, fewer doctors and fewer jobs.

We don't have the money to pay for it, Medicare is already bankrupt.

Jobs will go away as businesses can't afford new taxes or pay higher insurance rates. Physicians will limit new patients and hours. Insurance companies will pass costs to healthier customers. Prepare for the ultimate example of the Law of Unintended Consequences.

The Law

"It is not because men have passed laws that personality, liberty, and property exist. On the contrary, it is because personality, liberty, and property already exist that men make laws." - Bastiat - The Law

Rightfully so. No only if our elected representatives in government would deem those words and pass that sentiment.

Constitutional Wonderland

1. Formulate a bill behind closed doors.
2. Vote on the bill without reading it.
3. Ignore the American people's will
4. Use sleight of hand and un-Constitutional tactics to ram it through.
5. Proclaim an "historic moment".
--Now that's Change We Can Believe In....

Book Review: Under The Dome by Stephen King

King's Under The Dome is a massive Senate health care sized tome, that pits what King does best: the trials of tribulations of a large cast from everyday USA against an unseemly occurrence that brings out the best and worst of society. Set in his fictional Maine universe, the small town of Chester Mills suddenly finds itself encapsulated by an impenetrable force field, that cuts through everything causing at once multiple deaths, car crashes, a plane crash, and many dead birds.

King wastes no time in bringing on this event, and most of the characters are developed after 'Dome Day'. It is an interesting premise, and I found that the people on both sides of the dome somewhat accept it a little too easily. Yes they are perplexed on why a force field was dropped on them, but they quickly realize what it is and prevent any other cars from crashing into it or other accidents (although the field is electric, so anyone with a pacemaker should stay away from it).

As compared with The Stand, King also delineates the Good vs. Evil teams as well. The 'Good' team is led by former Iraqi war hero Dale 'Barbie' Barbara who has turned into a nomad and is a short order cook. However he uses his officer skills and begins directing and helping the town in controlling some of the near term disasters. Unfortunately this outsider has also run afoul of the 'Bad' team, led by Selectman and used-car dealer, Big Jim Rennie and his sadistic son Junior. Big Jim is by far the best character in the novel; a devout Christian with multiple criminal tendencies, Rennie sees the Dome to his advantage; to take control of the town. He justifies his numerous transgressions in a perverted Christian ethos and that he is trying to 'save the town', somewhat reminiscent of the current problem with radical Islamicists.

King is as his best building the characters of this dysfunctional town. What occurs over the next week is multiple acts of violence, destruction, and the overall breaking down of society that King can describe so well. Smalltown USA can devolve into a Third World country when faced with a major disaster in King's eyes, and the book can be very brutal. But also fun; this is why you're reading a King book in the first place right?

With the US Government unable to help the town, they are left to their own devices and the overall tyranny of Rennie and his new police force mostly made up of his son's criminal thuggish friends as they terrorize multiple citizens in the name of 'protection'. Rennie even goes so far to incite violent riots to cement his role as the necessary leader. Rennie has also been leading a criminal conspiracy which its facts add to the overall uneasiness of this small town which has disastrous effects towards the end of the book.

The Good team eventually finds out what is causing the Dome, and this is where the book falls somewhat short in its description. I don't want to spoil the cause, but King tries to tie in the philosophical failings of human nature as an overall metaphor for the Dome. Of course the story is inexplicable anyway; a Dome has surrounded a small town. But the rest of the characters and plot are very realistic so the reader somewhat expects are more 'plausible' explanation. King cannot be at fault in this regard, as the characters both inside and outside of the Dome have believable reactions about what caused it and what to do about it.

It is a very long book, but written easily so one can plow through it quickly, and at times it is hard to put down. The number of characters can get at first confusing, but the story solidifies (since most of the characters introduced dies) and the problem dissipates. It is a fun book that King can write well: a terrifying predicament that affects normal people in the USA, and how they react and what the consequences will be, for better or for worse.

Corporate Money In Politics Oh No!

Obama and many people are decrying the Supreme Court's Citizens United vs. Clinton which removed limits on corporate spending on elections. I believe that it is a victory for free speech, that there shouldn't be any limits but full disclosure. It is a double-edge sword: if a certain company or interest group you do not like donates money to Candidate A, then that could harm the candidate in the eyes of some voters.

But the McCain's and Obama's of the world just think this will open the floodgates to corporations and special interests controlling government (even though Obama received more corporate donations than any other candidate in history). But is this so? Steve Chapman doesn't think so.

He points to Obama's home state of Illinois. Corporations there already have no limits on donations to state candidates. Has this bought them undue influence? Think again. Illinois is one of the most unfriendly business states. Unions are very powerful, there are no limits on punitive damages, and businesses are leaving in droves. Doesn't sound like their unlimited donations have won them any favors with Illinois pols.

Maybe Obama should look back to his home state.

Le Tub - Hollywood, FL

It is hard to live up to hype as being the best burger in the world. And honestly, how could any place have that? There are great burgers, good burgers, and awful ones. The one at Le Tub was great. The place itself is fantastic, a throwback to old Florida. Cheap beer, funky decor, and a beautiful view of the Intercoastal. I've read about the wait for the food and the servers, but both were fine. Our waitress was no nonsense but wasn't rude, and our drink orders came quickly. She did point out that the food can take some time, but our orders of salad, fries and two cheeseburgers came out as normal as you'd expect.

We ate at 6:30pm on a Sunday and there were plenty of tables. The burgers are very big, and were cooked perfectly. Fries were awesome; cooked in peanut oil. Honestly though, only share a small as the burgers are huge. Both of us loved the burgers. Are they the best in the US? I have no idea, but if you want a great burger in a funky place on the water with cheap beer, it is a good spot for South Florida,

Mt. Vernon Statement - Highly Suspect

The reuniting of the Right produced the Mount Vernon Statement signed by many leader conservatives such as Ed Meese and Brent Bozell. I agree with the statement and its ideals, but I really doubt a lot of these 'signers' bona fides.

They claim to support the Constitution and want smaller government action in America. But where were these guys during the Bush administration's obvious growth of the Federal government? Bush was the biggest spender since LBJ and created horrible and wasteful Federal entities such as No Child Left Behind and Homeland Security. Why didn't they sign something then? Why did they support an un-Constitutional war? Iraq and Afghanistan were never declared and in the Founders eyes would be deemed illegal. It is a political sideshow. These guys aren't libertarians who believe in the Founders' limited government, they are only embracing the ideals since Obama and the Dems are in power. They did NOTHING during the Bush years to complain about its abuses. It definitely wasn't convenient to sign a Mount Vernon Statement when the GOP was in power. Once again this is political grandstanding, not an actual ideal.

State's Health Care

With all the debate about having National Health Care where the government guarantees insurance for everybody to reduce the uninsured, why haven't policies wonks and Congress looked to the states? The Jan 2010 issue of Reason discusses how NY, WA, MA and TN have all implemented some form of government health care to reduce the amounts of uninsured. MA famously implemented even imposed the dreaded individual mandate where all citizens are required to purchase health care. The result? The amount of uninsured have not dropped but insurance premiums have skyrocketed. Another example of government involvement with unintended consequences.

Point being, government run health care in the US is not new; it has been tried and failed in the states already. Why try again for everyone?

Is health care constitutional?

One of the main questions I have been asking, and surprisingly no one in the GOP noise is. We can always argue IF Congress should vote to drastically increase government control in health care, but what if the question is CAN Congress vote on this legislation? I am unsure how the Commerce Clause can be pulled to have governmental involvement in health care (especially since it still doesn't handle the buying of out of state health care which would be interstate commerce), or where in the Constitution the government can force you to purchase something. So if this bill does get passed and signed, can't & shouldn't the Supreme Court jump all over it? Not likely. The Supreme Court has not been very pro-Constitution lately (albeit the Heller DC gun ban overturn). With McCain-Feingold and Kelo the court has upheld governmental abuse of power over the mandates and protections of liberty in the Constitution.

Congress took an oath to defend the Constitution, this bill tramples it. But why isn't anyone in the opposition arguing against it based on the fundamental rules of US governmental power?

Detailed explanation on why this health care reform bill is illegal here.

Climate Change

Once again the environmental lobby and their pals in the Socialist/Communist Left have proven what a shame 'climate consensus summits' are. Copenhagen is a farce that will accomplish nothing in the realm of actually improving the environment. Rather it will be a wealth transfer of BILLIONS of dollars from Western governments to dictators. How else to explain the standing ovations from speeches by Chavez, Morales and the African butcher Mugabe? Climate change activism isn't based on an environmental outcome or science; but a political end orchestrated by the anti-capitalism/pro-statism movement. Since they didn't "win" 20 years ago, they have adapted environmentalism of as their new mantra of punishing the West and capitalism; a system that has produced a better life for more people than anything else.

Does global warming exist? I don't know. Is it man-made? Maybe. But that is not the reason for the circus in Denmark. The reason is the same any time the 'world powers' come together it is too denigrate the ideas of freedom and liberty in the name of social justice. Which usually embodies the fact that free countries send money to fascist ones, and atone for our collective guilt.

Socialism and other statist policies have reduced the citizens who are ruled under Chavez, Morales and Mugabe into serfs who have no political or economic freedom. Now the West (including a pledged US $100 B a year) will transfer money into the hands of these dictators.

Environmentalism is the new fascism. It's ends are political.

December

Wow I can't believe it has been this long since a blog post. I guess I can't blame much other than 2009 has been a very turbulent year for me both personally, politically and professionally. On the negative front I lost a close family member, lost/regained/lost a job, am witnessing the growth of governmental power in the US unheard of for the last 60 years, and have been dealing with a debilitating back injury for ab almost 6 months.

On a brighter note I met a wonderful girl who has made my life fantastic, is witnessing a very strong growth of libertarianism, and am more positive about working with the idea that a great gig will be forthcoming. After being depressed for much of the year, it is better to keep a positivity. Good things tend to come that way.

Still listening to tons of music, reading, and following politics and want to keep that going for December as well as 2010. I hope to keep this blog somewhat regular as I do believe we are currently living in the most important time of human history.

So please check out this fantastic write-up of my friend Sam's band The Flying Change in the The New Yorker.

LA Burgers - Apple Pan

Apple Pan harkens back to the old days of Los Angeles burger consumption, when the main thoroughfares were lined with burger joints. Dating back to the 1930s when this area was pretty rural, and located on Pico Blvd, it still is housed in the original space with a horseshoe counter, griddle in the middle, the servers are all old men in paper hats and aprons, and drinks are served in paper cups in a metal holder.

The slogan of the joint is “Quality Forever”, beckoning all from their neon sign. The menu is limited: two types of burgers, fries, tuna sandwich and 3 types of pies.

The burger offers are the Steakburger (which is just a regular burger) and their famous Hickory Burger with their homemade BBQ sauce. I went with the Hickory, opting for a slice of cheddar which is supplied from the same farm that they get their meat from. The meat is ground fresh and delivered everyday, I guess keeping up with the mantra of quality forever.

I started with some fries. The fries were standard frozen variety, not too much to talk about. As with In-N-Out you can order them “rare” or “well done”, I just went with a regular order with a mix of both I guess. The one interesting point with the fries, is that when the server asked if I wanted ketchup, he pulled a Tom Cruise-Cocktail flip of the Heinz bottle and poured a perfect amount of ketchup on an adjacent plate.

In a few moments my burger came out, served old school style wrapped in wax paper. It was bigger than I thought it was going to be, I’d estimate a good 1/3 lb. patty. It was cooked a fine medium (I prefer med rare but I didn’t have a choice), on a nice toasted bun. I was worried that the BBQ sauce would be too overpowering, but it wasn’t too strong (more tangy than sweet) and my first bite allowed me to enjoy the good beef flavor and the nice mild cheddar. The lettuce and pickles were under the meat, which allowed for me to get the meat/cheese bite right at the top, and kept the burger from getting too messy. The last few bites were the best though; nice and soggy from the sauce and juice from the meat, with the bun good and soft. I quickly devoured it; one hand holding the burger in the wax paper, and the other hand dunking the fries.

I was seriously considering ordering another burger, but the server talked me into going for a piece of pie (it is called the apple pan). Their pies and when the recipes were made are listed on the back of the menu (the apple pie recipe originated in Ohio, and was brought to LA in the 1920s). I went a la mode, and a nice steaming hot piece of apple pie with two huge scoops of French vanilla ice cream came out. Honestly I should’ve gone with the banana cream. I was raised on my grandmother’s apple pies, and nothing still compares to those. However it was clearly homemade, and with the quickly melting ice cream it still tasted great.

So in the superficial land of trendy LA it is still good to know that a place like Apple Pan still exists (and is very popular; the crowd was thick with many people waiting for an open stool). So quality forever!

Fantastic Documentary

20 min documentary on The Winstons "Amen Brother" drum break; one of the most widely used samples in history. Goes into great details of the birth of sampling, copywright laws, and the use of drum breaks in particular.

Amen Brother Documentary

Bloc Party - Intimacy

So today I downloaded(legally - I paid for it) the new Bloc Party record, Intimacy. I've given it only a cursory once over, and I have to say it is great. I think it is more put together than the haphazard Weekend In The City, giving more hard hitting guitars, vocal hooks and of course the fantastic "drum machine" drumming of Matt Tong. My first impressions are that this is a pretty hard record with a raw sound, the guitars are much more in the fore front than their previous releases, and this record seems less "danceable". Which is striking as there is more of an electronic footprint on some of the songs, with synth drums and lines that go in and out through most of the tracks, notable on "Signs" and the single "Mercury". "Mercury" is pretty classic Bloc Party and the most "dancey" track so far, that I'm sure will have about 150 dance remixes of. However they have married the rawness of their style of rock with minimal electronic flourishes that mesh nicely. A difficult task to say the least, as many bands in the past 5 years have tried to do this but didn't reach this level. I'm sure it is attributable to the production work of Jacknife Lee and Paul Epworth.

One of the producers, Jacknife Lee, who has worked with such artists as Weezer, U2 and Snow Patrol came from the "big beat" sound of late 90s Britain. The sound is evident on some of the tracks here, with large drums surrounding most of the tracks. He is a welcome addition to Bloc Party's boards.

So I will have to listen to the record a few more times, but for a first listen I am impressed and like it more than their last record. They have definitely grown as a band, with Kele Okereke's vocals even more confident and powerful. Bloc Party are definitely one of the more interesting and great sounding bands currently out there.

Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage - Cambridge, MA

Mr. Bartley’s is a Harvard institution, located right across the street from Harvard Square since 1960. It is a very small, loud yet friendly place. The walls are covered with political bumper stickers, a few long tables, and a bar where you can order directly to the soda jerk making all the old-fashioned drinks such as egg creams, frappes, and lime rickeys. Being by myself, I chose the latter.

Bartley’s grinds its beef fresh everyday, for a solid 7 oz. patty. They have about 30 different burgers on their menu named for politicians past and present, as well as Boston area figures. Each burger supposedly has something to do with the personality (the George W. Bush is a “Texas” burger; two patties, cheddar and BBQ sauce). They have many toppings you can put on your burger (garlic, peppers, 5 kinds of cheese, etc), or you can order one of the specialized “personality” burger. Since it was my first visit I wanted to keep it simple so I could enjoy the overall beef flavor.

The Burger Supreme is just a regular burger with the standard toppings, and I added American cheese. The “supreme” means that it comes with a side order of fries and their “famous” onion rings. You can also order sweet potato fries, which I love, but I wanted to keep my first order basic.

Egg creams are rare these days, so I had to order one. With the choices of vanilla or chocolate, I went with vanilla. It was excellent; not as filling as a milkshake but had lots of flavor. I compare it to a frothy cream soda. It seemed like the perfect drink for the place.

I will get the bad review out of the way first: the fries were standard operating procedure; frozen fries cooked in the fryer. Nothing to write home about. The fries didn’t bring me down for long however, since the onion rings were fantastic. Nice and thin, and lightly covered with batter, they are the type of onion rings that you can eat by the handful. I love good onion rings, and now I see why Mr. Bartley’s are famous. Definitely homemade (opposed to the fries) they should be the only side you should consider. They give you a good heaping pile too. I basically stopped eating the fries concentrating on the rings, until I discovered a large pickle spear underneath fries! The fries adjacent to the pickle then were covered in dilly goodness, so I had to gobble those up. I love dill potato chips, so the taste was like that.

The burger looked fantastic. A nice sized patty that didn’t look like it lost any of that 7 oz. size from cooking. The toppings looked fresh: green iceberg lettuce, red onion slices (not too big to be overpowering, but a perfect size) and deep red tomatoes. The whole artwork had to be held together by a toothpick, right through the sesame bun. I went in for a bite. The beef was perfect for a burger; just the right consistency, cooked a perfect medium rare (with clear juices streaming out), and I managed to get all the toppings (including cheese) in my first bite. This burger needed no condiments. The melted cheese mixing with the juice from the meat was all you needed. I was happy with the quality of the meat; I should have asked what beef they used for grinding. I do not think they are Angus otherwise they would have advertised that. But I don’t think it was straight chuck either, it had to be some mix of sirloin and chuck. Since the patties are made in-house I assume that they have good control on the meat being used, and since the place has been serving burgerheads for almost 50 years that their recipe is legit.

Good times at Mr. Bartley’s. The burger was excellent, and you have to add in the atmosphere of a crowded, old-school college restaurant where you can just feel the history and energy, and wonder how many burgers Ted Kennedy has scarfed down here. Added bonus: after a rib-sticking meal, it was nice to walk off the meal around Harvard Square and Cambridge soaking up the history and beautiful old New England homes. Right before you know it, you don’t feel as full and it is time to duck into a friendly bar for a pints and to watch the Sox game, which of course I did.

Eric B & Rakim - Follow The Leader

1988. I remember that year well, as that was the year that hip-hop really blew up as an art form and popular music across the United States and was the first year of a period of unparalleled creativity that spawned the best hip-hop releases. A white kid like me living in suburban Northern VA didn’t have much access to hip-hop, I got most of my fix from my next door neighbor who moved there from NYC and had a bunch of mix and radio tapes. I was already into Run-DMC (as a lot of American kids were), but in 1988 MTV started Yo! MTV Raps! which brought numerous videos of artists I’ve never seen, dancing around in the Puma sweats and the super dookie rope chains, with the MCs jumping and dancing, and the DJs looking cool as shit just nodding with the headphones on. The one I remember that summer was the video for Rob Base & DJ E.Z. Rock’s “It Takes Two” which I thought was the greatest song ever created and that tape NEVER left my walkman, and was the anthem of the summer from the baseball fields, the pool, and playing it on my friend’s boom box when we would hang out in someone’s yard as I was trying to kiss Ginger Bennet. So 1988 was the start of myself taking a huge interest in girls, and the real beginning of a love affair with hip-hop. It is kind of cool that a music shares the same age and maturation as yourself. Hip-hop and I were born around the same time, and both evolved to that next level in 1988. There are different opinions but most will claim that hip-hop’s Golden Age was 1988-1995 and I would tend to agree. 1988 saw the breakaway of goofy party raps and focused on fierce lyrical delivery and vocabulary, coupled with extremely innovative production techniques involving sampling, stereo mixing and additions of effects into the music. Gone was the days of a MC rapping over a TR-808 beat, producers like Marley Marl, Eric B, Ced Gee, and the Bomb Squad were weaving tapestries of complex beats that still sound fresh today. 1988 saw such incredible albums released as Public Enemy’s It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back¸ Ultramagnetic M.C.s Critical Beatdown, Big Daddy Kane’s Long Live The Kane, and of course the record in question Eric B & Rakim’s Follow The Leader. It was one of those years in musical history where everything just came together, and came out at the right time.

A common feeling of hip-hop from this time period is that many listeners are worried at first that it will sound jaded and elementary. However I would point out that EARLY hip-hop from 1979 to 1983 (the year when Run-DMC came out and changed the face of the game) sounds pretty silly these days. The beats are basically 2 bars from a disco record played over and over and the rhymes are about the party. But by the time 1988 came around, hip-hop had evolved to a more complex definitive art form; a parallel of 1988 vs. 1981 hip-hop would be like comparing 1967 to 1961 rock. Both latter periods obviously were influenced by the previous music, but then extended it and made it more complex. Which is why I think Follow The Leader is such a ground breaking record.

Now before I go into the production and rhyme techniques I would like to point out that this record, is a prime example where Side A is considerably better than Side B, almost to the point where it would have been better to be an EP. Aside from the sucka MC diss track with the unique (at that time) beat in reverse production “No Competition”, the rest of the tracks on the second part of the record don’t hold up well to the first part. Now that I got some negative comments out:

The triad of “Follow The Leader”, “Microphone Fiend”, and “Lyrics Of Fury” may be one the greatest openings of a hip-hop album ever. All three tracks hit you in the face with a 4-finger ring that spells MIKAR on your forehead when you look in the mirror.

“Follow The Leader” starts out with it a devastatingly liquid bassline setting the tone of gritty dreams, and a very eerie string sample weaved in and out L to R. To be honest if an instrumental version of this could come out today with Amon Tobin'’s name attached to it and no one would blink. Ever time I hear this track I’m amazed about how inventive this was for 1988 (and probably 2007). The samples flow incredibly well around the simple drum loop, pushed harder by the horn stabs that grow in strength through the bars. In fact this is one of the first examples I can think of a hip-hop beat using volume in the stereo mix, and it totally compliments the overall menacing tone. And why should it be menacing? Because Rakim at this time would straight up MURDER any MC that would try to come his way. NO ONE sounded like this, and his place in the MC hall of fame cannot be understated. His rhyme delivery is very quick but he makes a point that you hear ever word he says. True in 1988 braggadocio was still the name of the game, but Rakim does it better than anyone else.

But my favorite track is “Microphone Fiend”, as this was the first video I saw and my first glimpse of Eric B & Rakim. It opens up with the badass guitar sample of Average White Band’s “Schoolboy Crush” with some “ahh” vocals under the mix. When Rakim comes on its just…..

COOL! Cause I don’t get upset, I kick a hole in the speaker pull the plug and I JET!

(btw this is the first instance I know of when a recording studio is referenced as the lab…..worthy of recognition in and of itself). Rakim is at his best for the rest of his track, and many of these verses have been sampled in a lot of places. It’s too difficult to even write about his rhyme technique for this song, just listen to it.

Then comes the riot starter, b-boy circle former, the infamous “Lyrics of Fury”. Now a lot of producers in 1988 were using “Funky Drummer” but I think this is the best usage of it. They either sampled it off of a copy they found in a sewer, or just twisted the filter knob just so to give it that distance-dirty sound to it. Plus that hard guitar thrown over it? This shits on that Sinead O’Connor remix. Replay the instrumental at 130 BPM and it’s an instant killer jungle track. Rakim never sounds like a happy person, but he is straight up ANGRY on this track. He seems to be jumping at you, punctuating his rhymes perfectly syncopating ontop the right snare hits off the drum loop. His rhymes are so strong that he even pleads that that he killed someone with them. ‘Nuff said.

An honorable mention goes to “Eric B Never Scared” the DJ track. The beats aren’t as inventive except for the delay effect, but I just how he scratches a sample stating “God is a living man…” Can’t really argue with that…..

In summary I will just state that 1988 was the year when hip-hop really grew up and broke out as an art form, and that this record is a testament to that. Sure more complex records with better MCs have been released since this one, but listening to Follow The Leader either in 1988 or 2005 you can’t help but nod your head.

Kansas City BBQ

Kansas City, MO - Home of jazz and blues, Arrowhead, the George Brett Super Highway, and of course mouth-watering, cholesterol-laden, smoky barbecue! Now I have been to Kansas City before and have tried about 6 different joints, so I’d like to think I have a pretty good idea of what to expect. But first some background:

Since KC is smack in the middle of the U.S., and was once a main stopping point for shipping goods to/from west and east, it has incorporated its unique take on BBQ by combining many aspects and flavors from other parts of the country. Many workers from the South who came up north to work in factories and meat packing industry in Chicago, stopped in Kansas City. Many stayed and brought their cooking techniques with them. BBQ is thought to have originated in the South created by African-Americans, and it is they who through their migrations in the early 20^th century brought it to Memphis, Texas, and Kansas City. Music, along with food also emigrated here. KC was considered a jazz and blues mecca in the 1920s and 1930s with such greats as Count Basie and Charlie Parker being leading musicians there playing in many clubs in the now-historic 18^th & Vine District.

Before the review I’d like to go over some primers on KC BBQ and how it differs from other American smoked meat bastions, namely Texas and Carolina, which are two of the more popular American BBQ variants.

o Sauce: Texas is known for their spicy tomato based sauce made with chili peppers, and Carolina is known for their tangy vinegar based sauce. KC is primarily known for a sweet & spicy tomato based sauce, with a heavy molasses flavor. While all establishments have their own sauces, and make variations, the standard sauce is the molasses & tomato based one.

o Meat: Again the middle of the road. Texas is known for ONLY smoking beef and Carolina known for ONLY smoking pork. Well KC does BOTH, as well as turkey, chicken, salami and if you are lucky to find it…bologna. One great meat option that is only found in KC is burnt ends. Burnt ends are the end pieces of the beef brisket which are chopped up and either served on top of white bread or in a sandwich. They have a slightly charred skin, but are very succulent and tasty as they are from the fatty ends of the brisket.

o Sides: As in other BBQ Kansas City establishments also serve an array of sides, including BBQ beans, cole slaw, and French fries. Most places also offer pickle slices and/or dilly beans (pickled green beans). For either sandwiches or as a side to a platter, Wonder bread is served. It goes great with sopping up the juices from the meat and extra sauce.

I have been to 7 or 8 BBQ eateries in Kansas City, and all are fantastic with different sauces, preparations and meat varieties. But since I was only there for a weekend, I would have to limit my BBQ experience to two of the most well known establishments: Gates and Arthur Bryant’s.

Gate’s BBQ

Gates BBQ is a small chain with six locations around Kansas City founded in 1946. Their menu is classic KC, serving beef, ham, pork, turkey, burnt ends, and the lauded sausage. They are also well-known for their BBQ sauce and rubs, which I read are looking to have national distribution but can also be ordered off their website. Pulling into the parking lot you can see the smokestack protruding from the roof spewing wonderful hickory smoke, coming from their huge smokers. You can just picture the racks of ribs, beef brisket, ham and turkeys aging and slowing cooking in all the woodsy goodness.

When entering you are greeting with a friendly “How ya doin? Can I take your order?” from the woman behind the counter. Behind her you can see the cooks pulling meat out of the smoker then chopping to precision. I went for the basics:

o Ham on bread – actually a double-decker sandwich

o BBQ beans

o Side of pickles

o Extra slices of bread

o Mug of MGD ($2!!!)

o Sides of sauces:

o Original

o Extra Hot

o Sweet & Spicy

Gate’s puts a minimal amount of their Original sauce on the sandwich itself; which I approve as I like to taste the true smoky flavor of the meat without the sauce overpowering. However, one shouldn’t discount the sauce at Gate’s. You can serve yourself the sauce with little dishes, which provided myself the full gamut: Original, Extra Hot and Sweet & Saucy. The Original has a great smoky flavor, and not too sweet. Definitely more of a classic barbecue sauce. My favorite is the Sweet & Spicy, which provides the same smokiness, but with a molasses aftertaste. It was perfect for dunking the sandwich and extra bread in.

The beans were perfunctory; good size beans with chunks of bacon simmering in the Original sauce. BBQ beans are always a great side for BBQ.

The ham on bread can never go wrong at Gate’s. Actually I went for the burnt ends first, but they were out that day. I wouldn’t be able to return to Gate’s so I went for my #2 which is the ham on bread. The ham itself was juicy and smoky, and was loaded between the Wonder bread. As I wrote, the Original sauce was applied sparingly, but I loved dunking the corners into the Sweet & Spicy. Just fantastic honest BBQ

Arthur Bryant’s

Claimed by many foodies to be not only the best BBQ, but also the best restaurant in the country. Definitely the most famous BBQ join in Kansas City, Arthur Bryant’s is located right in the 18^th & Vine historic area. Walking in through the screen door is entering BBQ mecca: sparse dining room, pictures on the wall of celebrities and politicians eating at Bryant’s, and the long line. Bryant’s is known for their somewhat gruff ordering procedure: walking in a line you yell what you want to the people on the other side of the glass, where you can see some of the smokers and cooks working. Once you make your order you grab a tray and utensils; the cooks take the meat (ribs, turkey, ham, beef, etc) and then chop it up. Throw it on a plate and then give you about 6 slices of Wonder bread. Then you call out your sides and drink.

• Meat Combo
• Sausage on bread
• Burnt ends
• Fries
• Pitcher of Bud (shared with my brother; and it being only 12pm was served with a big smile from the cashier)
• Bunch of pickle slices from the big jar by the register

First thing first: the portions are HUGE. A regular order of fries can easily be shared, and when the guys carving up the meat they give you generous portions, and of course the requisite Wonder bread.

While I prefer Gate’s Original sauce, Bryant’s is also great in the KC tradition. Smoky and sweet, with a nice sharp tang. It can be somewhat strong so they don’t use too much on their meat (other than burnt ends, where the sauce compliments the charred bits).

Burnt ends from Bryant’s may be one of the best food items in America. As mentioned they are unique to Kansas City, and Arthur makes the best. Nice huge chunks of charred brisket thrown on top of white bread, with Bryant’s sauce slathered over. It can be eaten as a sandwich, but it is too large that a fork is necessary. While this part of the brisket isn’t as tender as what is cut for the regular beef plate, those in the know jump for the burnt ends. You can definitely taste a good amount of smoke in the meat, and while it isn’t soft, the charred ends give so much flavor coupled with the sauce that you don’t mind chewing and savoring every bite.

The sausage may not be the most popular, but it is still an item to get. Like a smoked or Italian sausage, a BBQ sausage is pork but isn’t formed in casings. Rather the sausage is made with meat and spices, ground together and then smoked as a whole item. When served it is sliced and served on bread (as a double-decker sandwich), resembling a cold cut. The flavor is divine. The combination of the spiced pork flavor, hickory smoke and sauce is just a wonderful creation of the Food Gods. The texture is somewhat flimsy and light (picture bologna) but very tender and juicy. If only ever deli would serve BBQ sausage as a sandwich item, we would be in a happier world.

Arthur Bryant’s, the king of the meat. Easily the most famous BBQ joint in Kansas City, and the meats and sauce live up to the reputation. There is a large blow-up copy of an editorial cartoon published by the Kansas City Star the day after Bryant died. Bryant himself is standing before the pearly gates with his suitcase, with St. Peter’s arm around him asking the one important question: “Did you bring the sauce?”

Luckily he left some of it to us here.

Jay-Z - "99 Problems"off The Black Album
produced by Rick Rubin

Why wasn't this the lead single? Definitely the best banger for the buck off Jiggy's claimed last LP, "99 Problems" should be the party stomper and circle former of 2004. Proving that today's hip-hop doesn't need the minimal drum programming, synth lines, and guests that plague the modern world, Jay-Z rips it ontop of hard drums and blaring noise. DJ Double R (aka Rubin) comes correct with his copies of Ultimate Breaks & Beats sampling two classics for hip-hop production: Billy Squire's "Big Beat" and Wilson Pickett's "Get Me Back On Time", and it sounds fantastic. Rick stop wasting your time with Americana production and do another rap record please? We need these loud sounds back again and prove that we can still do "fresh for '86" and sound modern. I know sampling laws have severely killed great sounding popular hip-hop instrumentals, but Jay-Z can afford it! The samples on this track alone were stale back in 1991 and the royalty game was built on the sample usage of those days. Bring them back! They are worth the payouts! Compare the drums on this track with some of the others on the record. Can producers do drum programming more intricate than kicks on 1 and snares on 2? God it gets so boring. Yes everyone is sweating 9th Wonder these days, but he should have gotten some tips from Rubin (peep "I Need A Beat" by LL for some fantastic Def Jam Rubin production) on how to lay a backbone. Breath of fresh air, thanks Jay-Z for tapping Rubin for this. And you know Jay went nuts in the mic booth he had fun in the mic booth when Rick put this though his headphones. I know I did when they came though mine.

Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart 7"
Factory Records 1980 (produced by Martin Hannett)

Maybe its because I just saw 24 Hour Party People but I really have been getting back into Joy Division and New Order. I guess I have always been a casual fan: I own Unknown Pleasures and think "Blue Monday" is one of the greatest songs ever recorded, but I guess I was too busy with other music to really grasp the beauty of these two bands.

So I went out and got Substance which includes all of Joy Division's singles that aren't on their two official LPs. And fell in love with "Love Will Tear Us Apart". I'm not the only one who is moved by this song. It is the anthem of some people; its even singer's Ian Curtis' epitaph. Often called his swan song (he committed suicide a month after its release), it is one of those classic tracks that you hear and picture a time of your life as a movie where everything is changing, not necessarily for good or bad, cause you really don't know. The whole song that draws you is the melody played by three sounds: Curtis' chorus, the synth line, and Peter Hook's incredible bassline. As in most Joy Division/New Order songs Hook's bass is out in front playing the melody and rhythm at the same time, strummed close to the pickups to achieve that high pitch. He has become one of my favorite bass players, with an instantly recognizable sound that doesn't rely on mastrubatory playing a la Flea or Les Claypool. Bernard Sumner doesn't play his guitar on this track but brought in the synthesizer; probably with pushing from producer Martin Hannett, and you could hear the future transformation to New Order from post-punk. What else can I write? It is just a perfect song that doesn't get old but you grow more endeared to it after every listen.

The B-side is "These Days" where you can hear the same direction of incorporaing more of an electronic new wave sound, but definitely not New Order yet. While this song isn't as powerful as "Love Will Tear Us Apart" (which is why it isn't the A-side) i still appreciate it. It is Joy Division, it is good Joy Division with all the trimmings of moody Ian Curtis, punchy Bernard Sumner guitar, syncopation of drummer Stephen Morris, and of course Hooky's bass.

This came out back in the time when good bands released singles, an art lost these days (pardon the pun). Make an album. Make some singles. Make another album. I love that format and could picture myself getting giddy walking into the record store in Manchester to see that Joy Division released a new 7". And what was cool is that it wasn't a pre-single from a future album; this was it and wouldn't be on any future album. Aside from certain indie hip-hop, a lot of music isn't done in this format anymore. Alas. Even if you remotely like New Order you will love this single (c'mon you know you have Bizarre Love Triangle on one of your 80s Greatest Hits cds). Even if you think Joy Division is too dark you will still like this single. Trust me after a listen you will be humming the line to "Love Will Tear Us Apart" on the subway. Just like Mort Zimmerman I guarantee it.

Duran Duran – Rio
EMI Records 1982 (produced by Colin Thurston)

Ah the 1980s. Rising like a phoenix out of the depressing blackness of the 70s, the world of Reagan and Thatcher destroying the vestiges of socialism and communism bringing forth the glory of freedom and the idea that the world has something to look forward to. The crushing welfare state in Britain is dismantled; America is trying to forget and forgive itself their nadir of electing Jimmy “Malaise” Carter. Now this is probably the first record review you’ve read that praises Reagan and Thatcher, and I’m sure the BRGCs (for a definition see this ) are getting their turtlenecks and copies of Chomsky all over the place in Village coffeehouses. But the sunshine of the early 1980s coming from the Seattle weather of the 1970s is a great introduction to one of the best records of the “greedy” decade: Duran Duran’s second album Rio.

The people wanted something new to listen to, something that came out of punk but wasn’t gloomy nihilistic post-punk. Don’t get me wrong, the kids just three years before this record were listening to The Clash, Joy Division, and Television. But come on! Isn’t it time for some pretty euphonic music to grace the world? While some punks turned into The Cure, these guys became New Romantics. Maybe it was to get hotter chicks or to get on TV. Duran Duran, who at one time were punks, embraced the positive outlook of the 1980s. At this point the boys from Birmingham with model good looks, were jet setting around the world partying with goddess on yachts in the most esoteric tropical ports where the coke mounds didn’t disappear. Ah the 1980s.

Everyone who grew up in this period could not have escaped Duran Duran. MTV, just getting started, loved them. Their videos were movies, totally encapsulating their images with “Rio” and “Hungry Like The Wolf”. Who couldn’t like Duran Duran? The girls wanted them and the boys wanted to be them. And we haven’t even gotten to the music yet.

Colin Thurston’s production (he was the engineer for Bowie’s “Heroes” and produced many of the big new wave records) is crystal clean. The songs are pop masterpieces. Every instrument is just where it should be, from Nick Rhodes’ sweeping synth lines, John Taylor’s incredible and complicated basslines, and Andy Taylor’s guitar accentuating the right moments neither too much nor too little. Simon LeBon with his veiled sexual reference lyrics seduces you into their world. The album is an easy listen, and while it embodies the spirit of the early 80s with the Sonny Crocket white jacket over a turquoise shirt, it is still fresh today like a menthol cigarette covered in Gold Bond.

Sure awful bars like Applebee’s or Chili’s probably have “Hungry Like The Wolf” on their stereo’s rotation, but have you ever really listened to the song? From the opening hot girl’s laugh to the “Do do do do” refrain the song is absolutely sexy. But it still rocks. Andy Taylor’s guitar is the tour guide pulling the listener through, crashing in perfect syncopation with the drums, and using a sustain that pulls a see-through curtain over the whole track. It is easily one of the best songs of the 80s.

“Save A Prayer” opening up with the bending minimalist synth line, conjures up the images of lovers lying in bed with the windows opened allowing the cool night breeze to blow in. The song is about love quickly attained that will not last, so while it is beautiful, it is forlorn enough for the listener to sense the reality that it must end. “Some people call it a one night stand but we can call it paradise”, hold onto for what it is, worry about the world tomorrow.

But don’t skip over the album tracks either. “My Own Way” may be one of my favorites as it is pure Duran Duran with LeBon’s vocals following the melody perfectly. It is upbeat, sunny, and you will definitely be humming it while you are driving to work thinking about going to a club that Saturday night. You may be surprised by “Lonely In Your Nightmare”, which sounds different from the other tracks on the album. Its more of a ballad, but still has that Duran Duran field surrounding your head as you hear the guitar and bass go in different directions but at the same time compliment the keyboards.

Don’t dismiss Duran Duran as another faceless Hits Of The 80s band, which is totally unfair. They were talented musicians with great ideas of sound and song. They may get written off as another goofy 80s group like Men Without Hats or Spandau Ballet, but their music on this record is pure sonic enjoyment. These days with Osama tapes, “Orange” level threats, and duct tape running out of hardware stores it is nice to grab a record that makes you feel good. We all need to still party. We all need to feel like we are hanging out on white sand beaches sipping umbrella drinks looking for romance. While listening to this record won’t affect the geo-political situation, at least you will feel good for a while. Now who wants to go out Saturday night?

Missile batteries surround D.C.

So jeeps outfitted with Avenger anti-aircraft missiles are surrounding the Nation's Cap. I'm in Kansas City right now to fly home to D.C. tomorrow night; maybe I should stay in the Heartland where I guess the chance of getting hit by a terrorist is less. But I haven't been home in two weeks, and I have a lot of records I need to listen to and I have this party to go to on Saturday. And Grand Theft Auto 3. If I can't play Grand Theft Auto 3 then They've already won.

I remember my mom telling me stories about how it felt to see the Capitol surrounded by machine gun nests back in the turmoil in the late 60s. Fear, unbelief, and a general sensation of how did it come to this? I wonder which is worse, seeing the machine guns nests or the missile batteries. Does it matter? God I hate these damn terrorists.

The Conflict

"These are the times that try men's souls". I am opening my blog with a quote from Thomas Paine's The American Crisis written in December 1776. At that time the Revolutionary War was just underway, but the movement to American independence was not universally supported by the colonies. Even though General George Washington led his fellow patriots into battle against the British, other colonists remained loyal to the crown or supported appeasement to the oppressive regime to avoid war. American blood had already been spilled at Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill, but still many thought that if the Americans would give some concessions, and liberties to the British, violence could be adverted. Morale for the independence movement was low. These patriots, hunkered down in camps in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, cold and hungry, thought of their homes back in Massachusetts and Virginia, sitting around the fire with their families. Wouldn't it be so easy to surrender? Give in to British demands? Paine sensed this feeling swarming around the ranks, and penned his eloquent and straightforward writing, reminded the patriots what they were fighting against, and what they were fighting for: "The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value". In the American patriot's mind, liberty and freedom were worth the price of war. Diplomacy with the Crown was tried and failed, only a resort to arms would prevent oppression and grant liberty. Paine's words were well received with the troops and colonists, and in the next years American resolve strengthened and key battles won. The American Crisis convinced many Loyalists and would-be appeasers that war with Britain was the only chance to save human liberty, the ultimate sacrifice was necessary for the good of mankind.

227 years later once again human liberty is threatened, in ways that are more dangerous than the founding Americans faced. America and the rest of the free world is under attack by Islamic fascists that seek to destroy our civilization, namely a society that believes in liberty and the advancement of mankind. We are a threat to their revolution, to make the world dominated by Islamic fundamentalism and ruled by caliphs, much like the Arab world in the 8th century. They do not want peace; their view is to destroy the infidel, all "non-believers" who do not share their religious and political views. But while their political vision is stuck in the 8th century, their means are in the 21st. Communications and weapons will be and are used to inflict as much murder and damage as possible. Right now in 2003, there is a correlation with us and the patriots of 1776, but our fight is on a greater scale. The freedom of the modern world is not safe with these terrorists and rogue nations aiming to arm themselves with weapons of devastating consequences. But even in this balance of civilization there are people and nations who believe appeasement to the evil will solve the problem. France, Germany, and Belgium are thwarting every move the the US and its allies make to try to cripple Iraq's maniacal advancement. Many in the Left believe that America and Israel are to blame for the Islamic terrorism and we should listen to their demands before we take action, even though many Americans have trouble sleeping at night, for fear of waking up the next morning and hearing that a horrendous calamity struck Washington, Miami, or Denver. We can not reason with this enemy. Diplomacy has been tried by the UN many times and has failed. These are indeed the times that try men's souls, and is why we must resort to arms to once again protect the civilized world.

With this space I wish to discuss these trying and historic times, and offer my and other viewpoints regarding the Conflict. Much like Thomas Paine, I would like to convince many neutrals and appeasers that their way cannot work, and in the end may help our destruction. The world must open their eyes and become vigilant to the evil that is spreading; I hope that Cato's Letters will help that cause. Everything won't always be completely serious, even in serious times life must go on. Music, books, and films are the products of a free society too, and comment and review about them will also be published here.

So I invite you to come back here often and peruse my rants. While they may not always will be agreeable, I hope they will be interesting.