Frank Zappa — Cynic, Satirist, Social Anthropologist

Frank Zappa had been referred to as a lot of things throughout his thirty year career – some complimentary (genius, iconoclast, family man) and some not so complimentary (misogynist, anti-semite, misanthropist) – yet all one need do is listen to some of the myriad of interviews Zappa gave during his life (beginning with an excerpt from the Mark Radcliffe BBC Radio 1 Interview, above) and evidence becomes overwhelmingly clear: besides being a musician and composer, Zappa was a life-long cynic, satirist, and a social anthropologist:
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Zappa on School Beat, 1986

Frank Zappa debates and discusses rock censorship, the PMRC, the PTA code, the “non-binding nothingness” which the record companies and the then Washington Senator’s wives perpetrated on the American public with the assistance of the media) with Christian rock DJ, Jim Hodson (Producer/Host of Real Videos), Norma Downs (California State PTA Communications Commission), and School Beat host, Roberta Weintraub.
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Sarah Barracuda

Sarah Palin

I’ve been meaning to post an entry on Sarah Palin, but honestly: I do not know where to begin.

I’m not American and so strictly speaking this is none of my business, but let me just tell you this: if you’re going to vote the McCain/Palin ticket into office, you, Sir, Madam, will be scaring the shit out of the rest of the civilized world.

Jesus Thinks You’re…

A Guide to Christian Clichés and Phrases:

“He is risen!”
Translation: “It’s Easter! Let’s eat!”
Acceptable Response: “He is risen indeed!”
Unacceptable Response: “Where? I don’t see him.” Or, “Do you have any evidence for that statement?” Or especially, “Like yeast?”

New Sins

Meanwhile, here’s what Pope “Look into my eyes, look into the center of my eyes” Benny and his crazy boys over at the Apostolic Penitentiary have been up to:

Thou shall not pollute the Earth. Thou shall beware genetic manipulation. Modern times bring with them modern sins. So the Vatican has told the faithful that they should be aware of “new” sins such as causing environmental blight.

Catholics. Italians. Waste management.

Which reminds me we’ve been holding a Sopranos marathon at Barry Towers, late to the party as ever. Pure brilliance! Aah, the inimitable James Gandolfini — although this guy gets pretty close