“America’s a melting pot. When you bring it to a boil, the scum rises to the top. Maybe there’s hope for you yet, Jack.” — The pimped talking to the pimp (John Laurie’s) character in Jarmusch’s *Down by Law*.

This is not about Alexander Cockburn. No more than it’s about Rosalind Russell, or Holly Golightly. [1a]

But…what is he doing selling T-shirts?

And if he must hawk haberdashery, why compound ignorance with ignorance… selling the notion that those who disbelieve the NYTimes *ensemble* constitute any kind of solidarity?

MAY 16TH, LONG BEFORE… Judy Garland became a star… the movie rights to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz were sold.
May 15th, 1856… its creator Lyman Frank Baum was born. He’s the guy who urged the wholesale extermination of all America’s native peoples:
“The nobility of the Redskin is extinquished, and what few are left are a [...]

Special note: Here’s hoping readers will not get into this if they haven’t read the “Drakes” piece yet. Generally, from now till June 1st (not counting weekends)… we should have something new up each day.

“We don’t need no….” — Pink Floyd

When an auto manufacturer discovers it’s sold something that’s dangerous… they’re compelled, by law, to recall the vehicle. What if our public school system had to abide by the same principle? What have we bought that’s faulty, and how should it be made right?

Friday the 13th, 1995… a singular individual died quite a mysterious death. There’s a DVD available titled “How to Draw a Bunny,” which –to quote the jacket notes– “explores the fascinating, often hilarious and always enigmatic world of artist and underground icon Ray Johnson. The fact that it was January 13th shouldn’t deter us from [...]

“They’ll all know you were here when you’re gone.” — prophetic line from Nick’s “Fruit Tree”

“The songs may be sad but they’re never self-indulgent because Drake’s deep, smooth vocal never betrays anger, remorse, irony or anything that stamps his own personality on the recordings. He remains aloof throughout, precisely articulating the words, yet somehow detached from their meaning…. Drake was never showbiz… leaving just the music and the message.” — Steve Taylor words on Nick, nicking notches of Mike Leigh thoughts vis-a-vis his artistry.

“The works of writers of genius… give us, in the guise of fiction, something equivalent to the actual density of the real, that density which life offers us everyday but which we are unable to grasp…. ” — Simone Weil

In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May 12, 1985, 11 people were killed by police, when authorities dropped a bomb on a house containing members of MOVE, including five children, and it’s founding member, John Africa (Vincent Leaphart). Ramona Africa was the only adult member to survive this brutal attack on civilians. The U.S. government and its federal [...]

“Universal healthcare? We can do way better than any other country on earth here. The potential for Congress to move on meaningful legislation overnight is clear. We just have to threaten the criminals with unprecedented public humiliation…as we shove our progressive and conservative neighbors into the notion that it’s in their own enlightened self-interest to take care of others. I had a dream last night that American mothers had decided to funnel the $11 billion spent on Mother’s Day to the the needy. And, of course, that’s not the only source.” — The author’s inspiring neighbor

“The amount of money that federal agencies lose track of annually –goodbye bucks that can’t be traced by auditors– could provide Universal Healthcare for everyone, including migrants and their families. Great health care. Bucks that will never be recovered, never accounted for…no one held responsible for their loss. Our loss.” — Aunt Torchy II

Yesterday, the 8th, was Thomas Pynchon’s birthday. I spent all day scouting the local candle shops hoping to run into him, but…. You’ll be the first to know if I ever get lucky. May 9th is the anniversary of the FDA approving the Pill in 1960…which is related to the Nick Drake and [...]

May 6th, on the surface, seems like quite an anniversary day for blacks:
In ‘94, Nelson M & his ANC are confirmed winners…in their electoral fight.
Same day, same year… Lennox Lewis TKO’s Phil Jackson (not the fake Zen basketball guru)…for a victory in his fight, taking the World Heavyweight Championship.
Eugene Antonio Marino settles into his new [...]

“1950- Ernie Kovacs makes a quantum leap from radio to television. During the next 12 years, he will poke, prod and rewrite the rules, literally knocking on America’s TV screens.” — excerpt from online’s Great Moments In Multimedia History, serendipitously noticed by the author… as many Kovacs-related anniversaries took place in early May.

“Life is a Limbo Dance, but…it’s a question of where you get down…not how low you can get.” — written on the wall adjacent to Tom Waits’ first appearance in Jarmusch’s Down By Law.

Dedicated to William & Mary, the sweet parents of one of my readers…. May they rest in peace. With memories of Ernie… passed on.