It’s springtime in Texas, and everything seems possible.
For the first time in several years, we mostly sat out SXSW, though we’ll probably to be back next year – the only SW-related performance was a live soundtrack to some footage shot by Scottish filmmaker David Mackenzie on the remote island of Tristan da Cunha last year.
We’ve just started work on a new and very different album, about which we’ll have some major news soon.
Available now at your friendly local record shop, on your favorite internet music service, and/or at the Sub Pop Mega Mart.
I'll stop reposting Mr. Katz when he stops being the urgent, thoughtful, passionate voice of reason I wish we all could be. He nails it here. (JM)
katz.substack.com
Welcome back to The Long Version by Jonathan M. Katz. Subscribe for free using the button below: The raids are scheduled for Sunday. What more can you say beyond that?...This article sums up our problem very nicely. But what genuinely baffles me is this: Why, if DT wields this kind of power, doesn't he quietly steer his fan base toward policies and priorities he knows would be good for the country? He—alone—could take them there, and there'd be no penalty for him; he could have as many steaks and parades as he likes in the meantime, and tweet vitriol to his heart's content. (JM)
What Donald Trump got right, and Justin Amash got wrong, about conservatives
vox.com
Conservatism is an identity more than an ideology, and Trump knows it.
Actually improving the world would get him a place in history - barring any potential Ministry of Truth plans - far removed from the infamy he is currently headed for. Given that he doesn’t seem to care about what policy is as long as it excites his base, and that he is pathologically sensitive about how he is perceived, you’d think it would be an easy sell for moderate advisers (who are all gone now, of course). But you have to remember the influence of his father and Roy Cohn. The cruelty remains the point. It’s what his fans really want. It’s what HE really wants.
He's fundamentally selfish and lacking in empathy. Low work ethic and not a lot of interest in policy (what's best for the country) unless it affects his political messaging or relates to his hatred for Obama.
He's a heartless human being who has chosen to surround himself with heartless human beings. I think these people think that fame, power, and money always come at the direct expense of others - I'm not sure they can see how these things could ever exist for them in parallel with improvement of the world. So, they fight to retain as much power, fame, and money as possible by also making policies that stifle and suppress. It's all based on the fear that others will take what they have. He (they) could totally be good people and have their steaks too... but they won't.
An excellent article, my take on Trumpists is they see him and his policies as their chance to roll back what they see as decades of erosion of what they perceive to be true American values. They are almost a party within a party. Republicans have seen the way the base have whooped it all up and they realise if they rock the boat (even though they see what is happening as against what they believe in) they will be voted out. Sadly I feel this has paved the way for more populist politicians who will follow pandering to people's prejudices... In the UK you see that with Boris Johnson too, in other countries too...
Funny, I was going to post this link earlier today with essentially similar commentary. DT's interest in actually helping anyone is zero -- he's that horrible of an excuse for a human being.
This is a good timelime of GOP transition from Abe To Trump https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8VOM8ET1WU
I'm only observing from afar but, as far as I can surmise, it's because he's a Complete Fucking Stable Genius.
Force of habit? Game of take and take?
What cares the narcissist or the sadist for what's "good for the country"?
Thanks - I’ve wondered this. Even if you’re truly a cynical, power-hungry, hateful, racist misogynist... Why not look good, if you’re also a narcissist?
I don’t like prescription sunglasses, so I ordered some cheaper ski goggles to wear over my regular specs. But I think I overshot the mark. (JM)
I am going to pretend that they are not oversized, but that you just shrunk slightly.
I do that, though have small lenses on the regular ones, so that the sunglasses can be closer to normal size.
Oh come on, that could be part of your new look for Shearwater!
So the same. As in ...
C'mon guys, he's obviously aiming to channel a little Daft Punk on the new record!
If you could do it without blinding yourself, I'd suggest combining these with your laser gloves from the live shows for some truly bizarre imagery.
up all night to get lu- live that animal life
After Spider-Man - we have Bug-Boy! Good luck with the film rights 😎
You look like a fly!
Jonathon, you look like Fly Man!
Totally safe (Y)
Bigger than bono. But then you always were. 😁
Reminds me.of an ad that used to be on the back of 1980s comics
Maybe so. On the positive side, you’ve got The Fly Bono look settled if you ever decide to do an extended U2/ZooTV cover set... 😎
You look like an e.t. or bumblebee
Getting some serious Daft Punk vibes. 😆
I think Jeff Goldblum already did a pretty good remake of that film, man.
You are the fly 😂 https://youtu.be/OnIXXe83fe4
sharp!
So shearwater meets daft punk?
You look like a fly
