Category Archives: arts

At Berkeley, a literal meaning for ‘Beat Poets’

Posted on November 20, 2011 by oddmanout215

Robert Hass, former poet laureate of the U.S., describing how non-violent students and teachers were brutalized by UC Berkeley cops on the very site where the Free Speech Movement was born 50 years ago: … None of the police officers … Continue reading →

Posted in arts, economic collapse, Great Recession, New York Times, Politics, The New Depression | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Me and the devil and a Dallas church

Posted on November 20, 2011 by oddmanout215

Blues great Robert Johnson’s songs include “Me and the Devil Blues,” “Hellhound on My Trail” and “Cross Road Blues.” The latter explains how he sold his soul to Satan in return for guitar-playing prowess. It looks like some Christians in … Continue reading →

Posted in arts, economic collapse, food, Great Recession, health care, humor, livable cities, New York Times, pop music, The New Depression, unemployment | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Robitussin and elderberry wine

Posted on November 19, 2011 by oddmanout215

Robo and wine sounds like a recipe for disaster, but add nostalgia to the mix and it becomes an elixir and a rallying cry for outlaws. Moby Grape was the epitome of outlaw energy and erratic creativity in 1960s rock … Continue reading →

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Nature’s way of telling you

Posted on November 19, 2011 by oddmanout215

This won’t faze the current crop of Republicans, because they don’t believe in science. But it might be of interest to thinking people: Top international climate scientists and disaster experts meeting in Africa had a sharp message Friday for the … Continue reading →

Posted in arts, climate change, environmentalism, pop music | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

From dystopia to reality, via NYPD

Posted on November 18, 2011 by oddmanout215

At what point does the near-future depicted in a novel stop seeming dystopian and become more-or-less realistic? This is from Super Sad True Love Story, the bestseller by Gary Shteyngart, who read Wednesday at Rutgers-Camden: An armored personnel carrier bearing … Continue reading →

Posted in arts, Camden, economic collapse, fiction, globalization, Goldman Sachs, Great Recession, humor, mainstream media, Occupy Wall Street, Politics, The New Depression, unemployment, Wall Street | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Camping without tents or tarps

Posted on November 17, 2011 by oddmanout215

Cold ground was my bed last night, And rock was my pillow, too.

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We love you, Joe Pa

Posted on November 12, 2011 by oddmanout215

Here we are again, wondering where to draw the line between fans and fanatics, admirers and cultists, loyalty and blind obedience to the great leader. The issue came up after hundreds of students rioted to protest the firing of long-time … Continue reading →

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Veterans Day Beefheart

Posted on November 11, 2011 by oddmanout215

I cry but I can’t buy Your Veteran’s Day poppy It don’t get me high It can only make me cry It can never grow another Son like the one who warmed me my days After rain and warmed my … Continue reading →

Posted in arts, Politics, pop music | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Great lit to great film? Well, there’s ‘The Dead’

Posted on November 6, 2011 by oddmanout215

How often have great literary works been made into great movies? Certainly more often than the Eagles have won the Super Bowl (never), but only slightly more often than the Phillies have won the National League championship (seven times). What’s … Continue reading →

Posted in arts, fiction, movies | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

The Marx Brothers, still in their prime

Posted on November 2, 2011 by oddmanout215

How cool that one of the greatest comedic movie scenes can be downloaded and watched with the click of a mouse. A few minutes of screwball perfection, more than 75 years old, as fresh as any skit you could name. … Continue reading →

Posted in arts, humor, movies | Tagged , , | 2 Comments