Playing The Music That I Want To Hear

I was going to post a playlist via Spotify for all of you to enjoy while you were reading, knitting, or any other quarantine sanctioned endeavor.

I  came across a sharing issue that stopped me from doing so.

Censorship is a big issue. When it comes to art, I am not a big censorship sort of guy.

This brings me to the song, 'This Land,' by Gary Clark Jr.

It's a great song. 

The album is also titled, 'This Land'. Its version uses the 'N' word. It can be argued that the use of the word makes the song more forceful. More poignant. The song is about racism after all.

For my cd version of this playlist, I found the CBS Late Show version. It was what some people would claimed to be cleaned up for broadcast.

This version did change the song somewhat. 

I am not necessarily into censoring other people,  but I have no problem self censoring when I feel the need.

 I suppose, of copyright issues, Spotify wouldn't let me play the version of 'This Land', that I wanted to hear.

Therefore...do I play the version that I don't want to play? I love the song. But I don't want to play a version that I feel uncomfortable playing.

On my cd mixes, I sometimes shorten a song, lengthen one, add something or otherwise edit. I can't do that with Spotify (can I? )

I used to love handing out what I called my K-Tunes( I am on K-Tune 214!), first on 8-tracks, then cassettes, and cd's.

No more. I can't find a single way to share the music that I want to hear.

Not the way I want to share them.

I don't even know if I should be sharing. I don't want to take money out of artists, nor, record companies' pockets.

But, Spotify is a sharing platform, right?

Turing friends and family on to good music can only be a good thing? Right?

For now, I won't be sharing playlists on line.

I suggest finding some of your friends playlists. One nice diversion during or solidarity confinements.

Need For Strong Federal Leadership During The Coronavirus Crisis

Ohio governor Mike Dewine has been a shining example of bold leadership during the coronavirus crisis. This post is not about him.

This post is about Florida governor, Ron Desantis. His laissez-faire attitude was at first very puzzling to me until he stated, "When I talked to the president. "

Ah, there it was.

I love how the gov'nor tried to blame the city of New York for the influx of new cases of the virus into his state.

...says the man that singlehandedly allowed thousands upon thousands of spring breaker to party hardy on his Florida beaches for weeks before sending them merrily home potentially carrying their newly acquired Corona back with them...

According to Governor Desantis there are 190 flights from New York City to Florida every day. Each one with at least one coronavirus carrier on it.

What he conveniently left out is that the carrier is just as likely to be someone from Florida coming back home. I say this because there are twenty some large airports in Florida. That wasn't mentioned. People coming home.

And, since he did not say commercial flights. Some flights could be Fed-Ex, UPS, military.

Why mis-lead when you can lead?

Governor Desantis also pushed the idea that Shelter in Place is asinine. Granted, it is the Sunshine State and perhaps he feels that two thirds of the counties having the virus isn't enough to justify Shelter in Place.

But Ohio has initiated Shelter in Place with only a little of over half (46 of 88) counties with coronavirus cases.

Just saying.

While I personally believe Ohio has won the battle of the 'De' governors, others might believe just the opposite.

This is the exact reason that Federal leadership is so important. Some states are vigorously fighting the war on the virus, while other states seem like they are being forced to take any action at all.

The line is drawn on president Trump.

As he has repeatedly stated, he - while stating no facts (the statement that he is a smart man seems to be contrary to his other statements on the virus outbreak) - pushes his agenda that the coronavirus is clearly closer to media hoax than real.

Every pro- this is serious- comment that comes out of mouth seems like he is being prodded by his mom to speak.

Now, it seems, come hell or high water, Trump is pushing for the start of return to work starting April 7th.

Is this the strong Federal leadership that we need, or the beginning of the Walking Dead?

How Trump will be remembered will be based on the answer to that very question very soon

But like any good con man, Trump instead of leading us through this coronavirus crisis is hedging his bet. He is betting that everything is going to ok.

Eventhough I believe even if everything turns out alright it will be inspite of Trump's leadership.

I also believe he'll take credit for it.

Another Episode Of Paranoid Theater

The Republican said: This virus thing is just a ruse to try to take down Trump.

The Democrat said: How so?

R:Everyone thinks America is just getting the virus. Suppose that bad flu we had between Thanksgiving and Christmas where everyone got sick...you remember, schools were closed...what if America got it first? That's why most people will get a mild case. They got immunity. So the only people we have to worry about are the people that didn't get it the first time with compromised immune systems.

D: Er...what?

R: Come on. Do you know anyone that is actually sick? See. It's all to try and take out Trump.

D: That's ridiculous.

R: Oh, yeah? If Trump already knew that the worse was already over, why would he prepare test kits? Why wouldn't he say that it's overblown? And then, bam, he gets blamed for being unprepared.

D: The flaw in your plan is, yes, Trump would look bad at first, but as more people test positive, even with everyone and everything in quarantine, and very few people die, Trump could be considered a national hero for saving lives. In fact, this way, as has already been suggested, this quarantine could last until or past August.
Now, think of this. Just who benefits from the nation not being able gather together in August?

R: Don't tell me?

D: Trump. If you can't have a national convention how can you nominate a presidential candidate? If you can't nominate a candidate, how can you have an election? Can't you just see Trump delaying the election claiming a need for a fair election? Poof! Trump instantly stays president forever.

R: Finally, something we can agree on.

D: What?

R: A man that singlehandedly stops a pandemic is right to delay the election if it can't be run fairly and safely. What else is he supposed to do? What is more important, your Constitutional rights or the people's health and safety?

D: You're kidding right?  "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."

R: Of course you would say that. Delaying an election isn't the same thing as taking away our guns. 

D: It's much worse. Way worse. 

R: I don't see it that way. Trump is protecting us from the virus. If we can't protect ourselves how can we live in nothing but fear? If we are constantly afraid, how can we be free? Live free or die!

D: Most all businesses are shut down. How can you live free if you are locked in your house without a paycheck?

R: President Trump, the greatest president ever (the only thing that makes sense right now), is going to take care of us. He is going to cut each and every one of us an emergency survival check.

D: Oh, you mean that socialism redistribute the wealth check?

R: If you don't believe in Mr. Trump, just send your survivor check back.

D: Bernie Sanders doesn't look so bad now, does he?

R: Desperate times calls for desperate measures. I blame Obama. 

D: Bernie! Bernie! Bernie! 

R: I give up. You'll never be on the glorious Trump train.

D: Amen to that, brother.