Thursday, December 18, 2008

props to Obama and The White Stripes

So I'm going to visit politics again. I really want to address this article about gay leaders being angry with Obama for choosing evangelist Rick Warren to lead the invocation at his inauguration.

Here's how I am looking at the situation. Say, for instance, Obama had chosen a super liberal pro-homosexual-agenda pastor to lead the invocation. I don't doubt that people from the religious right would be talking about how terrible of a decision that would be, and they would be labeled as bigoted and closed-minded (probably rightly so). How is this not the same situation, the groups just reversed?? Rick Warren may hold beliefs about homosexuality that many do not agree with, but that doesn't make him any less worthy of making an appearance at an inauguration that is supposed to mark change and promote the coming together of America. It seems like we always hear about one side of closed-mindedness, but not when it's coming from the minority group involved. Why is it always assumed that Christians are judgmental and hateful towards the LGBT community? I know we haven't made the best reputation for ourselves, but lumping all of us in the same category of discriminatory bigots doesn't do anything for compromise. Just because I disagree with someone doesn't mean I'm not able to still respect them and their differing opinions. And on that note, I don't assume that everyone in the LGBT community feels the same way about Obama's choice.

I always enjoy reading comments from readers at the end of news articles, and here are a couple from that article that I completely agreed with:
"So, because Pastor Warren doesn't endorse gay marriage, he somehow becomes unfit to offer the invocation? That doesn't really seem all that tolerant of different points-of-view now does it? Imposing a "party line" isn't exactly going to win over anyone on the fence on any issue; rather, it simply alinates everyone who might share other views and essentially says, "my way or the highway." That's a sure-fired way to make sure nothing you support goes anywhere."
-Mike

"Solmonese (one of the gay leaders involved) wants to be inclusive as long as he likes who is included. Just because people that disagree with you are at Obama's enormous table, doesn't preclude you from being an equally valuable guest. Human Rights are not the exclusive territory of any minority."
-Oddball (their username I presume)

That pretty much sums up my feelings on the situation, and we'll end it there. Although I might not be in line with all of Obama's ideas, I sincerely do hope his presidency is successful in bringing together people with different views and beliefs.

In lighter news, I am on a White Stripes kick. Jack White is a genius. So just fyi, here's a list of some of my all-time favorite Stripes songs:
1. Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground
2. I Want To Be The Boy To Warm Your Mother's Heart
3. Ball and Biscuit
4. There's No Home For You Here
5. My Doorbell

Any readers care to share your favorites (coughcoughCarey I know you're a fancoughcough)?

Most of those are pre-Get Behind Me Satan era, because I didn't really get into that album or Icky Thump. There are many more favorites as well, the list is interchangeable based on my moods.

other random things worth mentioning:
I've decided that "I Think We're Alone Now" by Tiffany is one of my favorite 80's songs. I have video blackmail of a certain best friend of mine clogging to that song circa 1991 in a metallic purple outfit. awesomeness.

Well, Christmas is just around the corner now! I feel that my 40-hour work week has impeded by ability to fully enjoy the season. Thanks a lot Real World. But I hope you all enjoy your holidays. :)

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

middle of the week nothingness

blaaah. Nothing too exciting this week. Just enjoying the most recent Killers album, Day & Age...good stuff. The single "Human" is good but definitely not the only good one on the cd. "Spaceman," and "Losing Touch" are two of my faves. I didn't ever get into Hot Fuss but I loved (and still love) Sam's Town. The latter being another one of those few albums where I actually like every single song, hands down. I think they are a creative band, you don't really hear anything like them. And I like Brandon Flower's voice. Speaking of that- at the Mates of State concert, a band called The Winter Sounds played and the lead singer's voice kind of made me think of The Killers. I haven't really listened to them since the concert because, low and behold, I can't remember what songs they played at the concert. None of their songs on itunes sound like what they played. ugghh hate it when that happens. But they were good and I plan on making a trek back to Greenville if they play there again. I am living in the WRONG TOWN. Shelby=complete lack of taste in anything good.

BUT that brings me to the Mates of State concert...it was totally great. I, of course, love their music in general but the organ sounds really great in concert. I guess it just has a loud, full sound that you can't really get out of car speakers or ipod player speakers. But I guess it's a well known fact that you can't capture the awesomeness of bands on a record. Live just equals awesome (as long as the band is actually good). I also loved that my MOM loved the concert. haha. She ended up going with me and really liked it. She's a music teacher so obviously she already has an appreciation for music in general, but I wasn't sure if she would actually like it. But she did. I'm glad I had the opportunity to expose her to fabulous music she wouldn't otherwise have ever really listened to. :)

In other randomness, I'm getting more and more into the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Karen O (lead singer) just embodies the term "kick-ass." There just aren't a lot of those kinds of female lead singers. Not ones who have the energy like she does. One of the things she is known for are the outlandish outfits she wears on stage, which I think is awesome. I mean, if I were a rock star, I think I'd wear completely crazy glittery nonsensical clothes too. Because rock stars can do whatever the f$#@ they want and get away with it...and I would take full advantage of that in the crazy-clothes-wearing department. Besides Karen O, the drummer and guitar player are both really talented. Or at least I think so. Need a gift idea for me? Any of their cd's. In cd format, because itunes isn't cutting it.

And I think I mentioned in my previous post that I was going to see Twilight...total disappointment. I mean, I did my best to go in without high expectations, but for real it was bad. The soundtrack is probably the only good thing about it (and I'm not really crazy excited about it either). I'll leave it at that.

I suppose I'll end this with a list of songs I'm most likely listening to in my car this week, just fyi.
1. "Spaceman" -The Killers
2. "Sweet Talk" -The Killers
3. "I'm With You" -The Stills
4. "These Days" -Mates of State
5. "Y Control" (Live at the Fillmore) -Yeah Yeah Yeahs
6. "How to Be Dead" -Snow Patrol
7. "The Old Apartment" -Barenaked Ladies
8. "Bette Davis Eyes" -Kim Carnes
9. "Maps" (Live at the Belfast Empire) -Duke Special (sidenote: This is a really great cover of one of my favorites from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. This guy has a thick Irish accent that's almost humorous in the song, but his piano interpretation of it is really pretty.)
10. "When I Was Dreaming" -Tori Amos