Great, I’ll be listening then!It’s funny I added my initial comment because Matt’s writing just struck me and I had to comment while it was fresh. I had no idea that the tie in was a documentary made by you. I saw you liked the comment and immediately clicked on your profile and remembered your appearance on EconTalk. And now I have a new documentary to watch with my wife. I’ll have to wait to it’s available for streaming, but I’ll be waiting! It’s funny, this may seem like nothing, but it made my day 😊
I have really come to look forward to this newsletter every week. Thanks Matt. And thanks for sharing your amateur performance debut! That takes courage. Make it weekly!
Here’s a thing bugging the crap out of me in all the “poor Saint Fauci” defenses - why do they put emphasis that he is a “public servant?” Is this is a sacred priesthood, beyond reproach? You know who else was a “public servant”? (Had to say it…)
He was an extremely-well paid, self-serving individual riding a protected sinecure into fame and greater fortune. His stolen diaries? Clearly written on public time, on government equipment and backed up onto government/public storage. Not his diary - our record of his thoughts and writings - our property, as those he “served.” He’s not entitled to them. And what I haven’t seen discussed - they’re clearly written as memory points for the book I’m sure he intends (or intended) to publish with no-doubt a healthy upfront advance - compensation for his “service.” I think he’s so obtuse that he didn’t even think twice about whether it was proper to do so and that it was getting backed up.
The ire description was apt for me. I’m struggling to determine if I’m more pissed off at him or those who would defend him. He fucked up - badly, so very badly - and won’t admit it. Doubles down on it, in fact. “I am Science.” For this, he’s irredeemable.
I thought the same thing. Whenever anyone uses the term “public servant”, you know utter nonsense is about to be spewed. ( Like getting paid handsomely from taxpayers is some sort of heroic selfless act.) I mean, the sheer amount of reality bending by those in the media to see Fauci as victim is shameful. Fauci is one man, but those still defending his actions from which we still have not recovered is truly unforgivable.
If I didn't already know we were of the same generation, your breakdown of the evolutionary relationship GenX has with Freebird would've certainly done the trick. Spot. Fucking. On.
I agree, Matt, the movie “Once” stays with you. Almost 20 years later, and still remember the feel of it- a nuanced and understated movie with beautiful music and haunting scenes.
I could talk about Skynyrd and their catalog until the cows come home. The songs were never as ham-fisted as they seem at face value. Ronnie Van Zant was a treasure. Such a tragedy that he never got to grow old.
Those first two albums, in particular, are incredible. I mean- their debut album has Tuesday’s Gone, Simple Man, and Free Bird. That’s astonishing! And what a tight band. The musicianship is off the charts
Used Free Bird live as the finale for my radio show featuring seventies hard rock and couple of weeks back. And, yeah, Miami Blues, book and movie are great and need to better known.
I remember watching Once when it came out with a girl I had a crush on. She just broke up with her boyfriend, and thought my movie pick was too heavy handed and was visibly annoyed the entire movie - mostly by looking at her phone. I remember being annoyed at her distracting me from the movie, became my movie choice want so strategical. I just just a college kid who liked to watch artsy things lol. Anyway I would for years play “Falling Slowly” after a night of drinking at parties. It still puts me in a trance. RIP Glen Hansard.
Great edition of the firehouse. “That’s just too much fuck-yeah to possibly contain.” So true.
And regarding Glen Hansard- similarly, I’ve admired him for years (since Once) but never done a deep dive on his catalog. I was aware of his cover of “Drive All Night” and had made a mental note that the dude must have great taste in music, because it’s one of Springsteen’s best (and most overlooked) songs. Definitely top ten for me. And its placement in the sequence of The River, right before Wreck on the Highway which closes the album- it’s absolutely devastating.
There are also the Van Morrison covers, including Astral Weeks which really demonstrate that Hansard was channeling something otherworldly.
But I was unaware of much of Hansard’s own writing. I’m starting to catch up now. This one got me pretty good-
That Maher monologue needs to be broadcast non-stop in every city with a DSA candidate on the primary ballot. Wake them Democratic voters up to what the insurgents are doing to their party.
So many truth bombs. Kat, even Prasad (who is wrong about a lot of things but absolutely spot-on about this).
I think it’s important to remember that Fauci’s tapestry of missteps were all in the service of *obfuscating that his minions were funding research they shouldn’t have been doing.*
More than a million people likely died BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY WERE DOING.
Pol Pot might have directly executed more. Mao and Stalin might have starved more, but they’re all historical monsters.
I always appreciate Robby’s work, but you can easily lose the bigger picture.
How many Iranians did the IRGC execute for coming into the streets before Israel killed The Ayatollah, et. al.?
Wow. Just wow, at using Free Bird as the build up or lead into the documentary piece. Beautiful writing!
Penny Lane I loved your interview on EconTalk and your documentary about Kenny G!
thank you Jake, I can't wait to talk to Russ about the movie. He is obsessed with owls!!!!!!!!!!!!
That's true, he had Jennifer Ackerman on about her book "What an Owl Knows", well worth reading (or listening to, as I did).
You would be a fine guest here on TFC.
I can easily envision a conversation around trusting your audience as a film maker and a journalist
Great, I’ll be listening then!It’s funny I added my initial comment because Matt’s writing just struck me and I had to comment while it was fresh. I had no idea that the tie in was a documentary made by you. I saw you liked the comment and immediately clicked on your profile and remembered your appearance on EconTalk. And now I have a new documentary to watch with my wife. I’ll have to wait to it’s available for streaming, but I’ll be waiting! It’s funny, this may seem like nothing, but it made my day 😊
i'm glad! if you enjoyed the kenny g doc you might also enjoy happy and you know it, or hail satan, also on HBO :)
I have really come to look forward to this newsletter every week. Thanks Matt. And thanks for sharing your amateur performance debut! That takes courage. Make it weekly!
Well, not exactly a *debut*, but thanks!
Here’s a thing bugging the crap out of me in all the “poor Saint Fauci” defenses - why do they put emphasis that he is a “public servant?” Is this is a sacred priesthood, beyond reproach? You know who else was a “public servant”? (Had to say it…)
He was an extremely-well paid, self-serving individual riding a protected sinecure into fame and greater fortune. His stolen diaries? Clearly written on public time, on government equipment and backed up onto government/public storage. Not his diary - our record of his thoughts and writings - our property, as those he “served.” He’s not entitled to them. And what I haven’t seen discussed - they’re clearly written as memory points for the book I’m sure he intends (or intended) to publish with no-doubt a healthy upfront advance - compensation for his “service.” I think he’s so obtuse that he didn’t even think twice about whether it was proper to do so and that it was getting backed up.
The ire description was apt for me. I’m struggling to determine if I’m more pissed off at him or those who would defend him. He fucked up - badly, so very badly - and won’t admit it. Doubles down on it, in fact. “I am Science.” For this, he’s irredeemable.
I thought the same thing. Whenever anyone uses the term “public servant”, you know utter nonsense is about to be spewed. ( Like getting paid handsomely from taxpayers is some sort of heroic selfless act.) I mean, the sheer amount of reality bending by those in the media to see Fauci as victim is shameful. Fauci is one man, but those still defending his actions from which we still have not recovered is truly unforgivable.
Well said.
If I didn't already know we were of the same generation, your breakdown of the evolutionary relationship GenX has with Freebird would've certainly done the trick. Spot. Fucking. On.
I agree, Matt, the movie “Once” stays with you. Almost 20 years later, and still remember the feel of it- a nuanced and understated movie with beautiful music and haunting scenes.
I could talk about Skynyrd and their catalog until the cows come home. The songs were never as ham-fisted as they seem at face value. Ronnie Van Zant was a treasure. Such a tragedy that he never got to grow old.
Those first two albums, in particular, are incredible. I mean- their debut album has Tuesday’s Gone, Simple Man, and Free Bird. That’s astonishing! And what a tight band. The musicianship is off the charts
Gimme Three Steps is also great on that album! I like a few other songs on there too but none quite have the staying power that the hits do.
This is gorgeous writing. Thank you!
Glen was also my favorite Commitment
Used Free Bird live as the finale for my radio show featuring seventies hard rock and couple of weeks back. And, yeah, Miami Blues, book and movie are great and need to better known.
I remember watching Once when it came out with a girl I had a crush on. She just broke up with her boyfriend, and thought my movie pick was too heavy handed and was visibly annoyed the entire movie - mostly by looking at her phone. I remember being annoyed at her distracting me from the movie, became my movie choice want so strategical. I just just a college kid who liked to watch artsy things lol. Anyway I would for years play “Falling Slowly” after a night of drinking at parties. It still puts me in a trance. RIP Glen Hansard.
Play Freebird! I knew a punk band that did a 2 minute version of freebird that was awesome! I’ve enjoyed your nature doc vignettes this week, too.
Great edition of the firehouse. “That’s just too much fuck-yeah to possibly contain.” So true.
And regarding Glen Hansard- similarly, I’ve admired him for years (since Once) but never done a deep dive on his catalog. I was aware of his cover of “Drive All Night” and had made a mental note that the dude must have great taste in music, because it’s one of Springsteen’s best (and most overlooked) songs. Definitely top ten for me. And its placement in the sequence of The River, right before Wreck on the Highway which closes the album- it’s absolutely devastating.
There are also the Van Morrison covers, including Astral Weeks which really demonstrate that Hansard was channeling something otherworldly.
But I was unaware of much of Hansard’s own writing. I’m starting to catch up now. This one got me pretty good-
https://youtu.be/2m--2G1Yq2c?is=1MBy8fuvC_SeSWVv
Nice version Matt. Jeff Conolly of Lyres and DMZ fame died this weekend if you want to go 60's garage/psychedelic next time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyGYzf4EBVU&list=RDvyGYzf4EBVU&start_radio=1
You linked the wrong Free Bird video - the classic is the 1977 live performance at Oakland Coliseum.
https://youtu.be/s_fHzTO4cH0
That Maher monologue needs to be broadcast non-stop in every city with a DSA candidate on the primary ballot. Wake them Democratic voters up to what the insurgents are doing to their party.
So many truth bombs. Kat, even Prasad (who is wrong about a lot of things but absolutely spot-on about this).
I think it’s important to remember that Fauci’s tapestry of missteps were all in the service of *obfuscating that his minions were funding research they shouldn’t have been doing.*
More than a million people likely died BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY WERE DOING.
Pol Pot might have directly executed more. Mao and Stalin might have starved more, but they’re all historical monsters.
I always appreciate Robby’s work, but you can easily lose the bigger picture.
How many Iranians did the IRGC execute for coming into the streets before Israel killed The Ayatollah, et. al.?
Nono. War. Of. Choice.