Tuesday, June 07, 2005

Whither Medical Marijuana?   The Supreme Court's 6-3 ruling allowing the federal government to prosecute users of medical marijuana illustrates the point I made last week in my remarks about Janice Rogers Brown, that both political parties have tended to appoint judges who aggrandize federal power at the expense of the rights of the states and at the expense of the individual's civil liberties.  This ruling falls into that rich tradition:  3 Democratic appointees and 3 Republican appointees ruled for this expansion of federal power, and two of the three Republican votes against were appointed before Bush 41, when this trend gained force. 10 states have legalized or decriminalized medical marijuana.  This ruling may be a blessing in disguise for those backing liberalization of marijuana law.  Congressional efforts to block federal authorities from punishing the infirm for using medicine are likely to get greater scrutiny, and the issue is liable to arise in some Congressional races now, but likely only in those districts where the voters will favor legalization...providing Democrats in some swing districts with a wedge issue and making Republicans look intolerant of the mortally ill.  Further, voters in states where medical marijuana has been legalized may elect to rebel against this government overreach, and vote for outright legalization of marijuana.  Okay, the latter is a long shot, and would probably depend on financing from George Soros, the chief financial backer of most (if not all) medical marijuana voter initiatives, but it could happen. 6:50:04 PM    comment []

The Live 8 Concerts   All over the Internet, people are offering their opinion of who they would have invited to perform at the Live 8 concert series, and who they wouldn't.  Well, far be it from me not to pile on.  A good overview of opinions is found on Salon.com (Building a better Live 8). By and large, anyone who wants to donate his time to helping raise money to cure AIDS should be allowed.  However, a minimal standard of quality is not unreasonable.  Sir Elton John's contribution to the realm of music had clearly ended when his mind became so addled he mixed up the Euro-trash chasing Princess Di with Marilyn Monroe.  And why Sir Paul McCartney was invited to perform is similarly unclear to me.  Isn't he the guy who sucked at the Superbowl?  It says he was in Wings, but while I remember Tony Shalhoub and Tim Daly, I don't remember Paul McCartney.  Was he funny?  Coldplay should only be onstage if they are being executed.  They're the best argument I know of for Great Britain to bring back hanging.  And as to Velvet Revolver, Muse, Dido:  is that the best you can do?  Really???  All of the above-named artists, if they really want to help get a cure for AIDS, should quit music and go back to school and train as research scientists.  Maybe they wouldn't advance the cure much, but by getting off the stage, they'd still be doing their part to alleviate suffering. Many are complaining about the lack of rap artists.  I'm not.  Okay, so a few rap bands that feature actual musicians, whose cultural contribution extends beyond sampling other's sounds (which is the musical equivalent of a bird stealing another bird's next), should be invited...which would not greatly increase the number of rap acts performing; though that standard would certainly eliminate P Diddy, which would be nice. As to who I'd have invited:  I'm with just about everyone else in thinking Prince should be playing.  He's caught a creative second wind lately, and is an electrifying live performer (or maybe a third or fourth?).  The Pixies have reunited; they should be playing.  Dinosaur Jr. has reunited; so should they.  I'd like to see Ani DiFranco get a shot at a world audience.  A Husker Du reunion would be nice.  Sir Bob Geldof should have gotten down on his knees and begged ABBA to play, simply because it would have been a very big deal.  PJ Harvey, Wilco, Radiohead, Nick Cave, Elvis Costello, Rilo Kiley, Bob Dylan, Lou Reed, Tom Petty, Fountains of Wayne, Billy Bragg, Beth Orton, the American Music Club, Tom Petty, Yo La Tengo, and Pulp would all have been worthy additions. As to the concert I'd want to be at?  The one in Berlin.  It has the most interesting mix of performers, including Die Toten Hosen, Brian Wilson, Lauryn Hill, and a-Ha (?!). 12:20:34 PM    comment []

The Fairer Sex   Clearly, when people talk about women as the "fairer sex", they must be talking about justice, because I think you'd agree, women are more likely to have put in the time in getting a good tan than men. 10:53:31 AM    comment []

Quote for the Day, 6/7/2005   "Restaurants, they don't impress women as much as we think they do, and food always tastes good on the first date.  You're not in Vegas, and you're not in L.A.  You are in the most magnificent city in the world.  It's the city of Gershwin and Cole Porter, Damon Runyon and Fiorello LaGuardia.  Surprise her, but make her feel comfortable.  Make it different, but make her feel at home.  But mostly, make it some place that you like."   -Josh Charles, Sports Night, "The Head Coach, Dinner and the Morning Mail" 2:00:13 AM    comment []