Greg Mitchell's Blog, page 76
June 24, 2014
Landing Gentry
Forty-seven years ago this summer tens of millions asked the question, still unanswered. No, not, "Why are we in Vietnam?" Or: "If you're going to San Francisco, why wear flowers in your hair?" No, it was, "What did Billie Joe McAllister and his girlfriend throw off the Tallahatchie Bridge?" If you were young enough you really had no idea. A little older and you might guess, "a fetus" or even "a baby." A Hollywood movie based on the song suggested Billie Joe was gay. And so on.
The song, of course, was "Ode to Billie Joe," written and sung by Bobbie Gentry, who sadly did not have a very long hot career after that. Here's a story from last year that probes the meaning of it all. And the song below. Dylan did a kind of takeoff, still unreleased from the Basement Tapes. Of course, more interesting: Why did Bobbie suddenly quit the biz and what happened to her?
The song, of course, was "Ode to Billie Joe," written and sung by Bobbie Gentry, who sadly did not have a very long hot career after that. Here's a story from last year that probes the meaning of it all. And the song below. Dylan did a kind of takeoff, still unreleased from the Basement Tapes. Of course, more interesting: Why did Bobbie suddenly quit the biz and what happened to her?
June 23, 2014
American Exceptionalism?
Moyers and Bacevich this weekend on Iraq and more. Enough said. Get to it.
Oliver's Army
Well, not exactly an army of viewers yet, but this Salon piece argues that his HBO show has supplanted the Stewart and the Colbert as the "hardest-hitting" and effective (though once a week). Half of last night's, with focus on Dr. Oz.
June 22, 2014
Media Still 'Wrong' on Iraq?
Brian Stelter at CNN's "Reliable Sources" referenced my book--and even held it up--on Iraq and the media,
So Wrong for So Long
, at start of show this morning leading in to segment on the (new) war with the great Jonathan Landay and others. Here's the segment:
June 21, 2014
Message for Us All
Grandson Jules takes 20 minutes to enjoy small ice cream cone during our recent visit. Unusual but: why don't we ALL do this? Or as Warren Zevon advised near the end of his life: "Enjoy each sandwich."
The 'Loving' Cup
A guide to who is having sex at the World Cup--preferably not during the game--or in any case what coaches are allowing. Love restrictions on "acrobatics" and big shout for masturbation.
Maher Debate Over Snowden
Things got heated on Bill Maher's HBO show when Glenn Greenwald and longtime vet leader Paul Rieckhoff squared off over question of whether Edward Snowden may have put Americans in danger or even got a few killed.
June 20, 2014
Presbyterians Vote 'Yes' on Israel Divestment
Proud of my childhood church, in closely watched move, voting tonight to divest (three companies that supply Israel) in very tight balloting, 310-303.
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) — one of a handful of historic mainline Protestant denominations and the church of many American presidents — is the largest yet to endorse divestment at a churchwide convention, and the vote follows a decade of debate — and a close call at the assembly two years ago, when divestment failed by only two votes.
The measure that was passed called not only for divestment but also reaffirmed Israel’s right to exist, endorsed a two-state solution, encouraged interfaith dialogue and travel to the Holy Land, and instructed the church to undertake “positive investment” in endeavors that advance peace and improve the lives of Israelis and Palestinians. It also said the motion was “not to be construed” as “alignment with or endorsement of the global B.D.S.” movement by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The language was written by the church’s 65-member Middle East committee.
Wrecking Ball for 'Deep Throat' Limited Hangout
They've paved paradise and tore down...a parking lot? And one of the most famous one ever--the place where Bob Woodward allegedly meet Deep Throat for hints on where he should direct his Watergate-era queries, and made famous in the famous Redford/Holbrook scenes in the flick.
June 19, 2014
Gerry Goffin Gone
Very moving, if sad, moment just now--Carole King announced the death of her former husband and writing partner Gerry Goffin on Twitter with this: "Gerry Goffin 1939-2014 There are no words." It had just moved over the AP wire so she was announcing it pretty much to the world. Of course, what most people may know of as "all those Carole King songs" were actually "Goffin-King songs," at least up to Tapestry. Making Goffin one of the greats. Yes, that was Goffin with everything from "Locomotion" and "One Fine Day" to "Up on the Roof" and Aretha's "Natural Woman." Not to mention the controversial "He Hit Me (and It Felt Like a Kiss)."I was a big Gene Pitney fan as a kid and bought this much more obscure single, "Every Breath I Take." Another song not often associated with the pair: The Animals' "Don't Bring Me Down." Also obscure "Goin' Back" for Dusty Springfield and the Byrds. Then there was another great song from a Byrds album that was long forgotten until it ended up in Easy Rider. They even wrote the only good Herman's Hermits tune, "Something Tells Me I'm Into Something Good."
