Comments by salsipuedes
Posted on December 21 at 10:39 a.m.
There's something we must revisit here on the word "Latino." Latinos, like their North American counterparts, are a coming together of descendants from Europe, Africa, and indigenous or, better, proud pre-Columbian societies. So Latinos are a mix, for that cultural reason. If the term is used to connote Spanish speakers, then might I point out that Africa has a nation of people who are neither Hispanics nor Latinos, wherein Spanish is the national language, Equatorial Guinea. Therefore, I had always thought the better term for this cultural amalgam would be "hispanoparlantes."
Posted on December 21 at 10:08 a.m.
Interesting, the power of suggestion. "One spiritual leader predicting the end was nigh urged her followers to euthanize their pets." Those poor animals!
But closer to home, I found myself questioning the suggestion in early Bible studies the need for Abraham to "sacrifice" his son, for whatever abstraction. It was an imagery better suited to those pagan rituals created in Hollywood themes on developing societies populated by followers of animism.
Posted on December 17 at 4:35 p.m.
Has a poll been taken that would probe the "dwindling local interest" in a sport seemingly well suited to Santa Barbara? On a wider level, it's being said that once the Williams sisters retire, US tennis will take a major hit since no dynamic replacements of their stature and influence are on the horizon. As it stands now, the "ova's" have taken ova tennis!
Posted on December 16 at 8:24 p.m.
No, this is not an intended filibuster on my part. But might I add one more comment consistent with that posted by hrmon. College bound high school students might find it a feather in their nests should their application package include summer volunteer work with humanitarian groups in Santa Barbara.
Posted on December 16 at 8:17 p.m.
Thank you, please, hrmom! It seems mean spiritedness is getting the better of the country. So my responsibility to this beleaguered country is certainly not to contribute anything to deepen the social malaise besetting us. But I do suggest that we widen the medical net solely as a preventive measure and not in any manner witchhunt a down on their luck demographic. Thank you once more for your understanding!
Posted on December 16 at 12:17 p.m.
Bravo! "...everyone who comes to us in the park will receive free medical care." And in a nod to other harsh realities of life being brought to our attention almost daily, let this humanitarian assistance extend over mental health issues to bolt down the possibility of any violence of the sort coming from the East Coast. So as not to misunderstand my post, I do not identify or associate any demographic with violence.
Posted on December 8 at 9:54 a.m.
There's an irony here. I have been listening all week to R. L. Burnside (Miss Maybelle) and Woody Guthrie (So Long It's Been Good to Know You) and find Mr. Collier's heartwarming life's story consistent with the music I've been listening to. His story is a success in miniature.
And it's equally interesting that a state with such a troubled social history Mississippi has produced some of America's most notable African American citizens. Delta bluesman John Lee Hooker (Boogie Chillun) achieved a fame in music that has been hailed by peers Bonnie Raitt and Eric Clapton. Ironically, considering his humble beginnings in Mississippi, this bluesman found his final address on earth where he departed in the exclusive Los Altos Hills, a bedroom San Francisco community.
Just around the corner in the same neighborhood, football immortal, Jerry Rice, a son of Mississippi, retired and found himself equally distanced from his beginnings, now a resident of Atherton, California, another bedroom community. Media mogul Oprah Winfrey went very far in life and quite distant from her place of birth in Mississippi and now a property owner here in Santa Barbara. Last but not least is Robert Johnson, another billionaire media mogul (BET) and prominent figure in the Democratic party.
Kinda looks like Mr. Collier's in mighty fine company!
Posted on December 6 at 8:57 a.m.
It is my opinion that if ever there was a word which should be relegated to the dustbin of history, it's the word "needy." It just does not capture the Judeo-Christian intent of mercy that the more appropriate and dignified "humanitarian" does. No one seeking emergency and temporary assistance should be referred to by the dehumanizing term "needy."
On Gift Baskets For the Needy Assembled By Local Association
Posted on December 4 at 7:04 p.m.
Woo Woo, I find the life and death of Hypatia of Alexandria equal to those males you listed in the pantheon of ill-fated heroes/sheroes! So dynamic is her place in history that I can only submit this link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypatia
Now back to an important discussion on an important historical event, with apologies that I digressed.
Previous Month
Posted on December 28 at 8:56 a.m.
Be careful, Bruce. Very careful. There are serious students of jazz out here who have differing points of view. You state, "...outliving his early critics in much the same way that his music will almost certainly outlive that of the majority of his contemporaries." There's a history here in jazz that antedates the coming of either Brubeck or Bebop. Then, too, there are the expatriates who are largely unknown to an American audience, Elizabeth Welch, Bricktop, and Josephine Baker, for starters. A serious look at jazz must begin with the Harlem Renaissance of the 20s and the great jazz movements of New Orleans. Overlooked in this history are Teddy Wilson, Florence Mills, and even Ethel Waters, all powerful influences. This list is long.
We all admire Brubeck. Still, however much we admire him, Brubeck cannot steal the thunder of those pioneers of the jazz form, without whom there would've been no Brubeck! We've gone over this unpleasant undercurrent in the 20s with Paul Whiteman, who attempted to "Anglicize" jazz, and later Stan Kenton. Metaphorically speaking, as fine an artist as Andy Warhol was, he cannot possibly overthrow DaVinci. Likewise, the role of the pioneers of jazz are etched in stone!
I might add that I personally have received communication from the English biographer of expatriate Elizabeth Welch. And when last heard from an Australian was compiling biographical work on a little known but greatly influential singer Florence Mills. So influential was Mills, even the great impresario Flo Ziegfeld made her an offer which Mills refused. Both artists are not known by an American audience. So be careful, then, Bruce. American musical tradition is a large theme and sometimes unpleasantly racially tinted. And there are many narrators out here on the subject, most European, oddly enough. History is funny that way.
On Dave Brubeck: 1920 – 2012