JonMichael is Neither Jon nor Michael

Bush Makes Lipsynching Mistake

Inspiration.

YOUNGSTOWN - Political fans were shocked this week when George W. Bush appeared to have been caught lip-synching to one of his speeches at a "live" political event. Political analysts wonder if this will impact his chances at keeping his job.

Bush, speaking on the subject of America's presence in Iraq, was about to launch into an indictment of John Kerry's vacillation on the issues when instead came a speech about increased taxes because of health care. Bush looked around confused at first as his mouth movement resembled that of a kung-fu movie. Then he stormed off the stage. Bush's fans in the audience applauded, thinking he was done. The members of cabinet tried to back him up but a local Ohio Republican pulled the plug on the show and sent the ticket holders home.

"This is so retarded," said some random 14-year-old girl breaking from the political correctness that they try to teach her in school. "Bush was like cool and then he lip-synchs? How lame."

The Kerry camp have pointed to this. Even Sen. Kerry himself said, "More of the same. More of the same. More of the same," before he made a cut motion with his hand.

Bush has since claimed that he had acid reflux and that "chili peppers burn my gut." Meanwhile, America holds its breath and waits for the stench of this presidential election to pass.

Short Fat Fannie by Larry Williams (#5 in 1957)

Invoking other people’s hits by stating their titles is not a good basis for a pop song. So since he didn’t try neither will I: When we were growing in the 80s, Little Richard seemed like a novelty act. “Heartbreak Hotel” is a good song, not great. The first side of Elvis’ biggest single, “Hound Dog” is a great song for so many reasons that it seems pointless to list them. You gotta feel sorry for Carl Perkins. Three out of the last four songs I’ve written about have been instrumentals. Fats Domino’s biggest hit; his most memorable song.

Send For Me by Nat "King Cole (#6 in 1957)

Artists like Perry Como and Nat “King” Cole don’t belong in our rock and roll time.  They were great in their era but their songs don’t translate to ours. Horse hockey. In this song, Nat shows a flair for the beat and a more modern sensibility than a lot of the early rockers.  Sure he’s signing before an orchestra, but its playing is good.  And if you need more proof, look at the content:  “King” Cole is singing about a booty call -- granted it’s couched in 50’s vocab like “caring” and “protection”, but we know what’s really going on.

Atlantic Puzzler Reviews 1999

Dec 1999 -- Windup A
Nov 1999 -- Downsizing A
Oct 1999 -- Cycles A-
Sep 1999 -- Shakedown A
Aug 1999 -- At the Movies A
Jul 1999 -- Family Reunion A
Jun 1999 -- Mismatches A-
May 1999 -- Lawbreakers A
Apr 1999 -- Mystery Box A-
Mar 1999 -- Hide and Seek A
Feb 1999 -- Central Square A
Jan 1999 -- Cross-Training B+

I Like Your Kind Of Love by Andy Williams (#10 in 1957)

Andy Williams' career started slowly on the singles side. Sure his “Days of Wine and Roses” was a big albums of the time, but that doesn’t matter as few bought albums. But this, the lowest of all top tens (tied in a three-way tie for #10 at its peak and listed third), is actually my favorite fifties track of his. First, it is not a competing version. Second, it just exudes gushiness. The female response part is crazy/funny, and Andy found something of a beat. It sounds like sock-hoppin’ music and, from a cardigan-wearing rock and roller, that means something.

Bloglines 10/04

Top 50 RSS feeds of those over 5,000 subscribers on Bloglines
October 2004
1. Slashdot
2. Wired News
3. Boing Boing
4. Dilbert
5. Gizmodo
6. Google's Blog
7. The New York Times (Main Page)
8. The Register
9. Quote of the Day
10. CNet
11. Scientific American
12. Joel on Software
13. Salon
14. A List Apart
15. Kuro5hin
16. BBC News (Technology)
17. Techdirt
18. Engadget
19. BBC News (World Edition)
20. The New York Times (Technology)

Biggest Gainer: A List Apart rose from #14 to #16
Biggest Faller: BBC Technology fell from #16 to #14
Top Ten Trends: Quote of the Day and CNET swapped for #9 and #10
Biggest Debut: Techdirt at #17

Nichole also posted a link on last month's list that is probably worth checking out.

Over The Mountain; Across The Sea by Johnnie & Joe (#9 in 1957)

This song borders on being a classic.  It was reprised later because of its inclusion in a movie and charted again.  And yet, it is the perfect early rock one-hit wonder type recording.  Why?  Because it sounds like it was recorded at a high school talent show.  Johnnie & Joe and their backing musicians sound competent enough, fer sher, but they also sound like the mic was in a different room. Maybe their girl is holding it, and she’s waiting for them to finish.  Either way, this is a good song when you can hear it.

Jenny, Jenny by Little Richard (#10 in 1957)

“Jenny, Jenny” is classic rock and roll from when it mattered.  One wonders why Little Richard didn’t have more hits. Even his most classic song “Good Golly Miss Molly” was never a top ten for him or Pat Boone.  In this one, he is entreating a girl to come go with him. Maybe his lyrics are shaky but his piano is so rockin’ that in the nearly 50 years since, no one has rocked a keyboard like Little Richard.  (Maybe Jerry Lee Lewis but he was more of a contemporary.)  And of course, there’s the “Wooo!”

Five-State Math

Looks like its down to five battleground states: Florida, Ohio, Wisconsin, Iowa and New Mexico.

Here's how the math shows the info.

Kerry: To win
1. FL and (OH, WI, IA or NM).
2. OH and WI
3. OH, IA and NM

Bush: To win
1. FL and OH
2. FL, WI and (IA or NM)
3. OH, WI, IA & NM

The other battlegrounds appear to be breaking this way:
Dem - PA, MI, WA, MN, OR, NH
Rep - MO, TN, AR, NV
Maine looks to give at least 3 to Kerry and maybe 1 to Bush.
I think it's interesting that Kerry brought Ohio onto the table.

Atlantic Puzzler Reviews 1998

Dec 1998 -- Criss-Crossing A-
Nov 1998 -- Back in the Labyrinth A
Oct 1998 -- Rite of Passage A
Sep 1998 -- Service With a Smile B+
Aug 1998 -- In Common A-
Jul 1998 -- Nine-Hole Course A
Jun 1998 -- Guidelines A-
May 1998 -- Picnic A-
Apr 1998 -- Three-Ring Circus A
Mar 1998 -- Marching Orders** A
Feb 1998 -- Step by Step A
Jan 1998 -- Celebrating the First B+

**Available in "The Atlantic Monthly Cryptic Crosswords"