Shut Up And Sing: Dixie Chicks Documentary

In 2003, The Dixie Chicks, were one of the top American recording acts when during a concert in England, Natalie Maines made comments critical of President Bush and the Iraq war. This movie documents the controversy that arose out of what of a singer speaking her mind. Bush's popularity numbers were at record heights as the country at the time was stirred up by the events of 9/11. In addition Karl Rove was very much in charge of White House PR and a spin campaign was on to keep the radical right in charge of all parts of the the government. It was easy to paint the "Chicks" as unpatriotic. As a result, they were basically blacklisted.
The movie shares some down home moments with the Dixie Chicks, and gives a glimpse in their personalities. Without a doubt, the salty Maines is the driving force in the group.
The movie also shows that it was not the original intent of the Chicks to start a controversy. I admired them however for speaking out when no one else in the mainstream really did. The DVD "Shut Up And Sing" is available at Amazon.

McGraw Fan Tells His Side

Another Northwesterner gets his 15 minutes of fame. Marcus Nirschl tells his version of why he got a personal invitation to rumble with Tim McGraw.

If Anyone Thinks It's Dull In South King County

I would not normally post a link from a Tim McGraw Concert, but at the White River Amphitheatre in Auburn, not more than 20 miles from here, this incredible video shows McGraw in a tussle with a fan and still finishing his song.

George Carlin In Prime Time

I found it, which is no surprise. Everyone that has happened since the age of video is filed somewhere on "YouTube" This is the clip of George Carlin on the Flip Wilson show. Flip Wilson was a commedian who's show on Thursday nights on NBC featured the best in entertainment.

It's Felix Hernandez In Historical Win And Loss

Mariner pitcher Felix Hernandez hit the first grand slam homerun by an American League pitcher in 37 years also making him the first Mariner pitcher ever to hit a home run in in a 5-2 victory over the New York Mets last night.
The feat was dampened when Hernandez was injured covering homeplate in an atttempt to stop Carlos Beltran from scoring. The ensuing collision left Hernandez with a sprain ankle and he had to leave the game. His prognosis is uncertain at this time.

More On George Carlin

George Carlin passed away today. Not only was he entertaining, but very enlightening. I remember him as a guest on the Flip Wilson show in the 70s, and although I cannot find the clip, this one clip of him off the cuff at a booksigning at Borders.

Good Bye George Carlin!

Comedian George Carlin is dead at 71

Michelle Obama Does The View

An inside look someone who may live in the White House. The beautiful articulate Michelle Obama.

Seattle Sports Fans Rally To Protest Proposed Sonics Move

Seattle does care about the Super Sonics!

Chicago Is Where It's At For Baseball

Unlike here in Seattle, Baseball has got to be fun in Chicago. The Cubs and White Sox are leading their respective divisions, both teams have fiery managers in Ozzie Guillen and Lou Piniella who will not except anything but the best from their players.

I have been a lifelong fan of the Cubs since watching their AAA farmclub in Tacoma on Cable Channel 11 as a boy. That was when the Cubs had Ernie Banks and Ron Santo. They were probably the best team to never go to a World Series. 30 years later Safeco Field opened , my wife and I attended an outdoor Major League baseball game for the first team in Chicago's legendary Wrigley Field (that was a month before Safeco Field opened for the Mariners) and wouldn't you know, the game was stopped because of a terrible rainstorm. What happened afterward is a story for a different time.
The White Sox and Cubs will face each other this weekend for a series in Wrigley.

Boeing Wins First Round On Super Tanker

A Congressional oversight committee has upheld Boeing's protest of a 35 billion dollar Air Force Contract awarded to Northrop Grummond Corp, they recommended that the contract be rebid.

Sonic Fans Rally In Seattle

Photo is courtesy of Seattle Times.

Mariners Fire Bavasi

Newspaper reports have been saying that this Mariner season has been as gloomy as the June weather. As the sun has come up the temperatures have warmed, Mariner fans seem to feel some optimism as Bill Bavasi has been replaced as general manager. Bavasi had been under fire for what has been seen as some poor free agent signings and the team's lackluster play. Lee Pelekoudas, Vice President of Baseball Operations, will take over as interim GM.

Sonic Stars And Fans To Rally At The Courthouse

You can show the world that you care about NBA basketball in the Seattle area by coming to a rally at the Federal Courthouse tomorrow (Monday June 16th) at 4:30pm. Sonic legends Gary Payton and Xavier McDaniel will address the crowd and Sean Kemp (pictured above) will be in attendance.

The federal legal proceeding attempting to keep the Sonics in Seattle are scheduled to start tomorrow at the courthouse in Downtown Seattle, 700 Stewart Street.

If the Sonics succeed in breaking their lease, who is to say that the Mariners or Seahawks would not try to do the same in the future.

It's This Weekend!

Maple Valley Days is happening this weekend (June 13-15) at Lake Wilderness Park. There will be food, arts and crafts, entertainment and much more at the annual festival.

Chelsea Grown Up

The only winner in the Clinton family, in my opinion was daughter Chelsea, who showed grace and poise on the campaign trail.

Veep In Tennis Shoes?

Blogger Chris Bowers has reported that Washington Senator Patty Murray may be under consideration for a spot on the Obama ticket. The three term US Senator has been a Hilary Clinton supporter throughout the campaign and the Obama camp may be thinking of her as a means to pick up support from working class women.
This is not the first time a Washington senator has been considered for Vice President, the late Scoop Jackson was reportedly promised a spot on the Kennedy ticket, but was dumped because Lyndon Johnson brought Texas and more votes into the Democratic ticket.

Iconic Sports Announcer Jim McKay Dies

Barack Obama Represents New Generation

Barack Obama, born in 1961 will be the first nominee of a major political party to be younger than I am. I was born in 1957.

UW Law School To Receive A Generous Contribution

The Puget Sound Business Journal Reports that the University Of Washington Law School has received a generous pledge from Stan and Alta Barer. The money will be used to establish the Barer Institute Of Law And Global Human Services.
University Of Washington President Mark Emmert said
"This gift ensures that the UW will continue to produce leaders in the international human rights arena and provide a comprehensive, interdisciplinary, and, most importantly, global legal education. We're very grateful to Stan and Alta for their vision and generosity."
Stan is the chairman of the University Of Washington Board Of Regents. A Walla Walla High School graduate, he is, I believe, the 4th of 7 members of the Barer family to attend the University Of Washington.

Naveen Haq Case Declared A Mistrial

Naveen Haq, who two years ago next month, shot 6 female workers at the Jewish Federation in downtown Seattle, killing one has been granted a mistrial. Haq's legal team played their only card, the insanity defense. King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg has stated that Haq will be retried at a later date.
Thanks to the Seattle Times for the photo.

Since the weather is cold and rainy in the middle of June, this song by the ClassicsIV seems appropriate.

The 2008 Nominees Are.....

The fight has begun.

Speaking Of Bo--Do It!

Bye Bye Bo Didley

Rock and Roll Pioneer Bo Didley dies at 79.

Spokane is often seen as the "Rodney Dangerfield" of the Northwest,meaning it does not always get the respect that it deserves. When Spokane's Jr Hockey team won the championship of it's league, it was this incident that made the headlines. The upside is that Marvelous Marv Throneberry would have been proud.