Retribution

It will make you want to go to Scotland.

And speaking of traveling, you might have caught the story about Norway refraining from drilling for oil off the Loften Islands. That’s important news, but even more staggering is the picture that accompanied said news, see it here:

Norway won’t drill in Arctic archipelago for billions of barrels of oil

Now if that does not make you want to go there…

So I’ve run out of sure bets on Netflix and Amazon.

Oh, let me throw down some criteria. I don’t watch movies. Well, I don’t watch non-fiction movies, just like I do my best not to read non-fiction books. If it’s based on a true story…well, I’d rather just read the story. I’m looking for a series, something I can dig my teeth into. And after finishing “Mrs. Maisel,” we pulled up “The Kominsky Method,” and after three episodes turned it off. There was some good word of mouth, but could anything by Chuck Lorre be worth watching? You know, the guy who did “Two and a Half Men”? Hopefully this kind of entertainment will die with network television. You know, lowbrow trying to appeal to the masses. It’s kinda like music, that which is unique, that takes itself seriously, is usually the most appealing. I’m not a big fan of Radiohead, but it fits this paradigm.

Now I’m not lacking for recommendations. My inbox is full. But it’s kinda like music recommendations, people don’t understand the concept, it’s not what YOU like, but what you think I will like. Believe me, when I’m recommending music I don’t start off with Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers, even though I love that initial LP.

Then again, there’s the issue of having the light shined upon you. (“Shone”? Who knows!) Like the NYT Sunday “Book Review.” They ask people what they read and they proffer the most obscure stuff, in order to make themselves look cool. Or maybe you should check out the WSJ’s best albums of the year

The Best Music of 2019: In an Age of Short Attention Spans, the Album Is Alive and Well

Oh, they mention Billie Eilish, Brittany Howard, Lana Del Rey and even Justin Howard/Bon Iver. You’ve probably heard of all those. But how about the first LP mentioned…the Brooklyn band 75 Dollar Bill, with their big hit album “I Was Real.” You’ll be glad to know none of the cuts on the LP reach six digits on Spotify, one doesn’t even reach five! Then there’s the famous Angel Olsen, and her album “All Mirrors.” Five of the tracks actually reach seven figures on Spotify, but with all this talk of hip-hop/pop concentration at the majors, the label is…Jagjaguwar, same as Justin Vernon/Bon Iver. Or how about Big Thief’s “U.F.O.F.”? A bunch of tracks in low seven figures, but have you even heard of the band? Oh, there is a rapper, Polo G. And at this point, most people have heard of FKA Twigs, at least those paying attention to the scene, but how about Jessica Pratt and her LP “Quiet Signs”? Actually, one cut does have four million streams, but the rest don’t break six digits.

And the point is not that the music featured in the WSJ list is bad. Who knows, I haven’t heard a bunch. But it certainly isn’t what you’re seeing on the “Billboard” chart. Used to be a limited number of projects were released per year, now it’s virtually endless. And almost nothing worth listening to is on a major label, and all the hype is only about what’s on major labels, and if this doesn’t make you feel overwhelmed and want to check out, you’re a better person than me, and one with more time.

That’s the problem with TV shows, they take a lot of time. You could click through a playlist of the above, but watching a number of TV shows? And as for playlists, we’re inundated with them, and after you skip through a bunch of bum tracks you beg off. Yup, music distribution has been figured out, but not music marketing. Used to be you could rely on the deejay, when the deejay could choose what to play, now you’re on your own, good luck!

As for short form video… Did you read the story in the WSJ about creators being burned out?

YouTube Created a Generation of Young Stars. Now They Are Getting Burned Out.

How many articles have we read about the YouTube stars being the future? The same wankers writing this are the same ones pontificating about the election and swaying it. Now even PewDiePie is taking a break. Want some good advice? Go to college, get an education, preferably one in the humanities, then you’ll be able to navigate the future.

Which brings us back to…

“Retribution.” A four part miniseries shot in Scotland and released by the BBC in 2016.

That’s what I love about today, art is a time bomb, just waiting to be discovered. You don’t have to be first, you don’t have to be hip, you can wend your way and find the good stuff eventually, it’s like a glorified board game and you’re the only one playing it.

So…

At first “Retribution” seems a bit hokey.

No, not at first, at the end of the first episode, when the construct is revealed, you think you’ve seen it before, you might even wince.

But as you power on…

Everyone’s got complications. No one is pure. And that reflects real life. Go under the surface and everybody’s got issues, even if they don’t reveal them to you. And life isn’t fair even though you want it to be and do you go along with the group or your own way and end up ostracized?

You’ll recognize John Lynch from “The Fall” (watch that before this) and “In The Name Of The Father.”

Lynch is calm, and then he’s intense. And just when you think he’s gonna hit someone, when he’s in their face, he doesn’t. And that’s a big issue… Could you ever hit your wife or husband? Don’t immediately say no. It may be you’ve never been put in certain situations, you might not know about certain situations, and if you do…

As for Laura Fraser, the DI…you’ll recognize her from “Breaking Bad” (which you should binge, you get hooked, but I’d say to binge “The Americans” first).

And you’ve seen Gary Lewis (not the one with the Playboys) and Juliet Stevenson and Joe Dempsie but the star is Joanna Vanderham, who is constantly confronted with crises of conscience.

So who did it?

That’s one of the things I hate about mysteries, there’s always a twist at the end, to a great degree it’s why I don’t read them. But unlike mystery books, the miniseries made from them are often fleshed out to the point where the conclusion is not the most important part.

So the two families are living in the middle of nowhere, what happens when you know everybody and everybody knows you?

And are you a weak person, can you endure the twists and turns of life?

And can you trust anybody but yourself. I know, I know, that sounds extreme, but you’d be surprised how the most loyal are not.

And are you listening, or are you alone together?

We watched the first hour and I wasn’t so sure about going back. But last night we marathoned the final three episodes, we couldn’t turn “Retribution” off.

Now I don’t like how they explain things. I prefer when you can infer, from what happens, what is said. Then again, is everything true?

Now “Retribution” is not light. It’ll change your mood. And that’s a change from so much of today’s disposable art.

And it’ll make you wonder about your own choices, your own life, it’ll set the wheels turning, and isn’t that what we want art to do?

Most voters did not watch it.

Politics is show business for ugly people. Donald Trump knows this.

The RNC and DNC do not.

Come on, Trump was promoting himself using a fake name. That’s what Trump knows, fame. And his image was cemented by the Mark Burnett produced “Apprentice.”

At this point, we all know that reality TV is a creature of editing. You can look good or bad, depending upon the storyline the producers want to convey.

Donald Trump was depicted as a brilliant businessman, a hands-on billionaire who made quick decisions, who was all about the Benjamins.

And that message was conveyed week after week on network television, before it was eclipsed by Netflix and YouTube.

The issues don’t matter!

The people watching tonight already know who they’re going to vote for.

It’s just the non-watchers who don’t.

News trickles down to those not paying direct attention. Oftentimes it’s inaccurate, but they don’t want to take the time to watch, to read, to research…they have other priorities.

And that’s fine.

But what they’re looking for is a star. Someone to believe in. Someone to follow. Someone to dedicate their life to.

Like musical artists.

Not actors, they play roles.

But musical artists? Their message is embedded in their songs. You believe they are these people.

But if you’re privileged enough to get up close and personal with these artists, in most cases you’re disappointed. They’re narcissistic, nonverbal and usually they are not interested in you.

But the image prevails.

Talk to any macher in the music business, one who signs talent, and they’ll tell you they’re looking for stars. I’m not a huge fan of the self-congratulatory Clive Davis, but he got this right.

Doesn’t matter who is the best player, it’s all about image. If you can write your own material, fine, but if you can’t, we’ll tailor some for you.

Want to talk about a star?

Harry Styles. His dates sell out immediately. He’s got rabid fans. He’s good-looking, generous and doesn’t self-promote, at least not compared to most people. Hit records are irrelevant, Harry’s fans believe in him.

Kind of like Oprah. She’s not the most beautiful person on television, but she’s one of the most honest, who radiates intelligence, who refuses to get in the gutter just for ratings. Hell, Oprah lifted her program up and became an icon! Yes, it’s those who break the mold who lead us into the future, they are stars.

Want to talk stars? How about John Lennon. He said what he thought, and it had gravitas because of his talent and success. He poured his passion into efforts like peace, and was willing to say the uncomfortable.

Now I could go through the history of show business and point out more stars, but one thing’s for sure, the Democrats will only win if they run one.

Tom Steyer?

I wouldn’t even want to have breakfast with him, I’d be fearful of being bored to tears.

Andrew Yang? A nerd who struck it rich whose heart is in the right place but seems out of touch with reality, at least that which is involved with running for President.

Amy Klobuchar? Like the girl running the bake sale. You know, like Paige Hardaway on “Atypical,” she’s always involved, always doing the right thing, but clueless as to how others perceive her.

So write those three off.

Let’s go to Pete Buttigieg.

He started off with star power, but somehow he’s lost it.

A star appears not to play the game. A star tests the limits, doesn’t shy away from them. A star, at least in the old days, is not a member of the club, but singularly in their own club. Pete hanging with billionaires, raising money from the fat cats? Who can get behind that except for those donating?

Biden?

Now listen people, we’ve been through the movie before. John Kerry? Supremely qualified. And was Swiftboated to defeat. That’s right, a war veteran was beaten by someone who didn’t go.

Same deal with Hillary Clinton. A wonk’s wonk. Who doesn’t even know how to read society, and no one around her did either. Big stars have instinct, and lesser ones have managers who tell them what to do. Neither Hillary nor her handlers had a clue as to how she came across.

Biden is no star. He’s the uncle you avoid at parties. Who tries to be hip and ends up looking clueless.

So none of the above-listed candidates can win. IMPOSSIBLE! They lack the magnetism of a star. Once again, Buttigieg had it, but he squandered it, like a hit act that puts out an album contradictory to their image.

So that leaves us with Bernie and Elizabeth.

Now I’m not saying they are the biggest stars, I’m just saying they’re the only stars presently running, at least those with any traction.

Michael Bloomberg? Anybody who knows him knows he’s brilliant, but boring. Steve Jobs was a star. Bill Gates never was. You might be interested in what Bill Gates reads, but you don’t want to take personal advice from him, he seems out of touch. Rich, but clueless.

Bill Clinton was a star.

Barack Obama too.

Clinton was like Trump, the slings and arrows kept coming but he kept ducking and soldiering on. You see every star is subject to blowback. The key is not to cave.

Kind of like elite athletes. Skill is one thing, performance under pressure, when the trophy is on the line…that’s a separate quality that is developed with experience.

So I’m not against the Democrats putting up a star not presently in the race. A superstar, hopefully. Someone who may not be perfect, but can lead. Kinda like musicians. There’s a good chance there will be a brokered convention, we may not have seen the last candidate.

Elizabeth Warren is a star. Because she switched parties, because she pulled herself up by her bootstraps, because she stands up to the man. But she’s only learning now how to stand up to pressure. You double-down, you don’t re-evaluate, that’s what they’re looking for, the gotcha moment.

Which brings us to Bernie Sanders. He’s Kurt Cobain. Deep into democratic socialism when no one was paying attention, just like Kurt was into punk. You have no doubt where Bernie is coming from, he’s got credibility, as in he walks the walk and talks the talk, he sticks to his guns (and lives in Vermont and can’t be too against firearms).

You react to Bernie. You either love him or hate him.

And Bernie’s message is loud and clear… The working man got screwed and I’m going to level the playing field.

Come on, give me one sentence about everybody above other than Warren. Joe…I’ve been there and will bring back normalcy? Who can get excited about that? That would be like David Bowie saying he was going to remake “Let’s Dance.” I’ll give you a more recent example… U2 went on tour playing the entire “Joshua Tree,” and they instantly became an oldies act. Sure, their fans loved it, but the rest of us put them permanently in the rearview mirror. Come on, an artist doesn’t kowtow to his fans, and never does it solely for the money, who can believe in that?

Now Bernie Sanders is not Michael Dukakis and it’s not 1988 anymore.

Tell me exactly what Dukakis was promising, boil his message down to one sentence. Utterly impossible! As for 1988… Many people thought things were going pretty well, a lot of people don’t think things are going so well today.

So there it is Democrats. Your only choice is Sanders or Warren. They’re the only ones who have the star power. I’m not saying they have the best star power, the most star power, but of those running, they’re the only ones who can compete with Trump.

Trump was his own man during the whole election cycle. He didn’t care about the pundits, the news, your perception of him, he was playing to a base that existed in his mind, but no one in the Beltway’s…and he won!

So let’s boil it down.

Only a star can win. Trump is definitely a star. Who is the Democrats’ star?

Think about that.

He created AOR, the album-oriented rock radio format. He designed the original XM channels. Legendary radio programmer Lee Abrams is just not another consultant, listen to glean his insights.

Howard Stern talks to Hillary Clinton about Lee Abrams (start at 15:20):

Hillary Clinton on the Howard Stern Show Pt. 5

You can also read some of Lee’s musings here:

Lee Abrams

iheart

apple

spotify

stitcher

At what point does America break?

There’s this canard that the Constitution will keep us together.

Ironically, it’s the Constitution that’s keeping us apart.

I thought it would be the unavailability of abortion. But despite one clinic in states, despite all the anti-abortion laws, the left has been strangely silent.

I guess that’s because you can still easily get an abortion in elite, blue states.

And there you have it right there, the elite.

When the hoi polloi start denigrating education, you know we’ve lost.

Not that the elite are blameless. They embraced the inevitable globalization but left those negatively affected by it without a safety net.

Ironically, those who lost their jobs are anti-safety net. If you can explain that to me…

Up is down and down is up.

I was for impeachment. How many times can Trump break the law and disregard the Constitution.

But I know the right doesn’t see it that way. I know that primarily because of what comes into my inbox.

So, where’s hope?

Why obey the law?

Then again, with cameras everywhere, it’s the poor who get nailed while the rich go scot-free with their white collar crimes.

It wasn’t supposed to be this way. The Wall was supposed to fall and harmony and democracy were supposed to reign. But now Trump can’t stop lauding Putin and for those of us who grew up in the fifties and sixties, when Russia was our mortal enemy, we’re left scratching our heads at best.

So…

Let’s say Trump loses in 2020. Bill Maher keeps positing that he won’t leave office. Sounds ridiculous until you look at that governor in Kentucky who refused to accept the vote, and when he did pardoned the unpardonable, in volume.

As for the election process itself…every day sees a new article questioning the integrity of voting machines. So, if you lose, and you have power, and control the military…

The right has defined the debate and circled the wagons while the left has been nearly asleep. Raising their hands and shaking their fists while doing next to nothing.

Yup, the right wing used the Federalist Society to groom right wing judges and right wing administrations installed them.

As for McConnell refusing Obama a Supreme Court pick…there you go, the black man afraid of looking angry didn’t go bonkers, unlike the white man Trump.

Then the right wing politically assassinated Hillary Clinton. And now Joe Biden. Biden’s the loser in this whole Ukrainian kerfuffle. Trump will go free and Biden, if nominated, starts with one foot already in the grave, and I’m not talking about his age.

But let’s say a Democrat wins the Presidency, then what? Do you think Trump, Fox News and Redville are going to accept this? NO!

If you think the big issue is Newsom standing up to Trump, as BTO said, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.

But BTO is from Canada, which is dealing with its own right wing insurgence, but it was fought off and there’s national health care and more freedom than in the U.S. and…

Down here we must be free. Free to starve, free to go broke from medical bills, free not to help our neighbor, free to live the American Dream even though statistically it exists more in Canada and Europe than it does in the U.S.

So, tribalism rules.

Contrary news has been neutered. Talk to someone on the right, if it’s in the “New York Times” or the “Washington Post” it must be disregarded.

So if you can’t agree on the facts…

And we haven’t been able to agree on those facts for a long time.

So how did we get here?

Well, income inequality, which was a result of Ronald Reagan’s policies and the right wing anti-tax strategy. Trickle down my ass.

But Reagan is a national hero! Yup, the Republicans went on a campaign to name every edifice and highway in his name. Talk about disinformation.

And then you have the increase in anti-Semitism, all that white nationalism…they love Trump, he’s one of them and he speaks for them. At what point does the left crack and stand up?

Not after they shoot up a pizza parlor.

Not after they kill a woman in Charlottesville.

The left stands by as if the rule of law will save them, ain’t that a laugh.

The right has circled the wagons, gotten behind Trump even though he doesn’t represent traditional Republican values. Meanwhile, the left is busy arguing amongst itself, while the Electoral College allows those with a smaller share of the popular vote to become President.

I think the crack will come from the right. As it did during the Civil War.

And it took the south’s defense of slavery for Lincoln to act.

As for the announcement of the Lincoln Project…read the comments, they’re not swaying those on the right.

We keep on hearing that it can’t happen here.

But it will.