Talk About Heads Exploding…
By Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy on January 8, 2009 at 10:20 AM in Bamboozling, Barack Obama, CNN, Media Bias
Oh, brother. More in the “payback for shilling for me department” from the Obama Camp. First, we get the homophobic, anti-choice, Pro-Iraq war Kaine getting the plum position of DNC chair. Now, I cannot believe I have to even type this, a TV personality on a network that pushed Obama down our throats, who is also a doctor, is going to be appointed Surgeon General! Oh, hell no, I am not making this up. Sanjay Gupta, of CNN fame, is going to be our new Surgeon General. See, you just can’t make crap like this up, can you?
I’m practically speechless about this and its brazenness, so I’ll let this piece by Paul Krugman speak for me:
“The Trouble With Sanjay Gupta”So apparently Obama plans to appoint CNN’s Sanjay Gupta as Surgeon General. I don’t have a problem with Gupta’s qualifications. But I do remember his mugging of Michael Moore over Sicko. You don’t have to like Moore or his film; but Gupta specifically claimed that Moore “fudged his facts”, when the truth was that on every one of the allegedly fudged facts, Moore was actually right and CNN was wrong.
What bothered me about the incident was that it was what Digby would call Village behavior: Moore is an outsider, he’s uncouth, so he gets smeared as unreliable even though he actually got it right. It’s sort of a minor-league version of the way people who pointed out in real time that Bush was misleading us into war are to this day considered less “serious” than people who waited until it was fashionable to reach that conclusion. And appointing Gupta now, although it’s a small thing, is just another example of the lack of accountability that always seems to be the rule when you get things wrong in a socially acceptable way.
Uh, yeah. No frikkin’ kidding.
So, just this week, we have the Senate barring the doors to a man who was LEGITIMATELY selected for a Senate seat by someone who, in the past, would have been presumed innocent until proven guilty, and who is STILL the governor. He would be the ONLY African American in the entire Senate. But no, they kept him out. Barred him.
Then we have Nancy Pelosi turning back the clock to pre-Jeffersonian times so that the majority CAN tyrannize the minority with rolling back the Fairness Rules (”Say WHAT, Nancy?“), and making a mockery of our democracy and our laws (read the post – it’s eye-opening).
And the Tim Kaine thing. And that is just in the past few days. It’s enough to make my head hurt. Well, I guess this IS change, just not the “change” the Obots expected!
Okay. I need a break from this insanity. You might, too. So, allow me to share another one of my favorite musicians with you, Eva Cassidy. There are very few actual videos of her, though. Unfortunately, she died in 1996 at the age of 33 from skin cancer (melanoma) that metastasized to her bones and lungs. She was a singer, a musician (largely self-taught), and an artist. She was a shy woman, and had a hard time singing in public, often not making eye contact with the crowd. Thank heavens she made herself do it, though. Cassidy’s rendition of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” is the most beautiful version I have ever heard. The following video was taken at the Blues Alley in Washington, DC (you can check out the recording of this song at YouTube, too):
Wow, right? Cassidy, a talent taken too soon from us, played all different styles of music, from jazz to country to Mo-Town to Gospel-style. This next song is one she co-wrote with Chris Biondo, entitled. “Somewhere”:
And last, but not least, Cassidy’s version of “Field of Gold”:
I hope Eva Cassidy’s music helped to keep your head from exploding, at least for now.
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I love Eva Cassidy. They played an audio of Soemwhere over the rainbow on a late night tv show shortly after her death, with a story of how she was too shy to be famous and now was selling more records after her death than when she was alive. Her family said she would like the success without being in the public eye. I got chills and teared up listening to it, her voice is so beautiful!
oowawa wept.
But I’m getting that way. After Judy Garland’s celebration of “Over the Rainbow,” it takes a lot of nerve to even attempt to reprise the song. But Eva Cassidy took charge with the first “Somewhere,” and she never let go for a second; she owned it. Now that’s soul. I wasn’t aware of this vid: thanks very much for sharing Rev. Amy.
I love Eva Cassidy, have every single one of her CDs. A phenomenal voice!
Excellent! I hope you enjoyed seeing her – the video from Blues Alley is the only one I can find of her actually playing. She is amazing, isn’t she??
RRRA – What a beautiful way to start the day! I had never heard of Eva Cassidy, but I shall certainly try to find all her other work. What a pity her life was cut short so early. Talent, a lovely voice and the feeling to go with it.
Isn’t Dr. Gupta another Oprah protege?
I think that you might be referring to Dr. Mehmet Oz. Dr. Gupta advised HRC as FL when she was trying to put together her health care plan…THAT NOBODY WANTED!!!!! What a difference 10 or 15 years makes!
I’m surprised Obama didn’t pick Dr. Oz. I guess if he would have, Oprah would have had to find a new doctor.
Hi Amy,
I discovered Eva Cassidy years ago when Ted Koppel brought her to national attention on Nightline. She had the voice of an angel. She sang Fields of Gold more beautifully than Sting could ever imagine.
Amy, take a pill and also try listening to early Joni and Ella. Works for me!
CNN was just gushing over Gupta the other day, unfortunately I had to watch while working out! Yuck!
That isn’t even the end of it. They said the CEO of their own Time-Warner parent company might be the Secretary of Commerce since Richardson withdrew!
I could not believe it. Exactly my first thought was, Oh, that explains alot. Here come the paybacks. I wonder what Blitzer will get??? Or Roland Martin, Donna Brazile, and what’s that brunette chick? Not Campbell, but yeah, what’s her new job?
Yep. The ultimate pay to play scheme happened nationally right under everyone’s noses!
Don’t be surprised about the ceo of Time Warner being named Commerce Secretary.He was one of Obama’s largest corporate financial backers. Why do you think CNN’s editorial content was so ridiculously fawning of Obama during the primary?
Or the head of GE. It would seem that GE owns NBC and MSNBC and the Fraud promised them a big huge bailout of their financial troubles. Therefore the lies and omission for the Fraud.
Well, “one hand washes the other.” But that’s phrasing it too nicely. How about “You dance with the one who brought you to the dance.” Nope, that’s too nice too. “He who pays the piper may call the tune.” Closer. “If you’ve enjoyed the dance, pay the musicians.” There are already lots of musicians standing around with their hands out, and we’ve got about 20 inaugural balls to go just for starters.
I have no opinion one way or the other about Gupta in particular, but when I heard that announcement, it just struck me that on the 20th someone is going to have to yell “scene 1, take 1, action!”. It’s like a show.
A few weeks ago Access Hollywood was imagining the Obama cabinet: Angelia Jolie as UN Ambassador, Bono as Secretary of State, Oprah as Sec of Interior, Leo DeCaprio as Sec of Energy, Donald Trump as Treasury.
They were joking…I think…weren’t they?
Nate Berkus as Secretary of Interior…
With regards to Bono’s being Sec’y of State, yeah, that was a joke. (There’s no disqualification on the basis of birthplace for Sec’y of State–though it DOES exclude you from the Presidential Succession line–but you DO have to be a citizen of the United States to hold a Cabinet post. Bono’s still officially a citizen of the Republic of Ireland.)
…but not to hold the office of president?
Perfect choices for the new American Idol President.
Awesome talent and awesome voice. Thank you.
Thanks RRA. She has an absolutely beautiful voice! I agree both renditions are gorgeous. What a beautiful way to start my day.
The appointment of Gupta (sounds like ‘dupa’) just sounds like pay back to me. What a surprise, more payback. But what about the news piece of Obama overhauling SSA?
Obots, what SUCKERS you are!
I was really hoping for Dr Phil. or maybe Marcus Welby.
or maybe Dr. John.
Thank you for the stress release to do with this REALITY nightmare with O-shit.
I have to chuckle. Hearing the news of CNN’s Sanjay Gupta…and then being topped with Time Warner’s CEO Parsons to possibly be the Commerce Scty-that was just so perfect lol, anyhow, the first thought about GUPTA, was Michael Moore. I have to laugh at that slap to Moore by O. How many do these SUCKERS need before they SNAP OUT OF THE FOG from drinking the KOOLAID that they were merely HUSTLED. lol
And in case you don’t realize, Moore is like those gullable puppies. He ended up endorsing Wesley Clark for Pres, because Clark stood up for him ON CNN-btw, because of his comments about Bush and the War at the Awards show. And he was trash talking Gov Dean’s candidacy. Of course, we remember him in 2000 calling Al Gore the same as Bush, because his friends Bill Maher and Ralph Nader told him so. So, maybe he does deserve this after all.
“They were joking…I think…weren’t they?”
except for Oprah
This isn’t spam.
Thank you for the stress release to deal with this REALITY nightmare with O-shit.
I have to chuckle. Hearing the news of CNN’s Sanjay Gupta…and then being topped with Time Warner’s CEO Parsons to possibly be the Commerce Scty-that was just so perfect lol, anyhow, the first thought about GUPTA, was Michael Moore. I have to laugh at that slap to Moore by O. How many do these SUCKERS need before they SNAP OUT OF THE FOG from drinking the KOOLAID that they were merely HUSTLED. lol
And in case you don’t realize, Moore is like those gullable puppies. He ended up endorsing Wesley Clark for Pres, because Clark stood up for him ON CNN-btw, because of his comments about Bush and the War at the Awards show. And he was trash talking Gov Dean’s candidacy. Of course, we remember him in 2000 calling Al Gore the same as Bush, because his friends Bill Maher and Ralph Nader told him so. So, maybe he does deserve this after all.
Dear Reverend Amy:
Thank you so much for Eva Cassidy’s music.
What bothered me about the incident was that it was
This in part why THAT aspect of Washington failed the nation, and will continue to fail the nation, under Obama. Bourgeois white trash, enamored of itself.
Things won’t get better.
But I think the smart people see it, and understand it.
In some ways, reminds me of Larry’s posts in regard to the management problems at the CIA.
moore irritates me often, but there are times i have to admit the points he makes are right on the money. i have gone out of my way to see his work.
In this movie, though, he was spot on — truthfully, I can’t always watch him, either, though I agree with some of his positions.
I had a hard time understanding how ANYONE of ANY SENSE could defend the financial practices of the healthcare industry, given how they harm not only Americans, but the nation’s economy.
And if Gupta doesn’t get it, he’s not smart enough for his job.
The Sanjay Gupta thing is bizarre. It did make me wonder whether Obama was going to appoint Oprah to some major post soon.
FWIW, many in the natural health community are pissed off about the appointment because of the Moore slam. They feel it is politics as usual and does not bode well for healthcare under an Obama administration.
I agree, I think, at that time, even the posters on DK were angry about Gupta, and his attacks on Moore.
HJealthcare is a psychic albatross around the necks of Americans, too bad Obama doesn’t get it.
this is like taking a bad ride in disney world…
hold on folks this is sure going to be interesting..
Everytime I hear the name Sanjay Gupta I think of this guy: http://thewowjonesreport.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/sanjaya1.jpg
I take it they aren’t the same person? hehe
ROTFLMAO – good one, American Girl!! (Sorry to be late back to the party – had to go take care of my horse and run errands.)
So glad y’all are liking Eva (and oowawa, I know what you mean…).
arent they seriously talking about Oprah as ambassador to England?
or did I dream that?
I am pretty sure I heard that on some cable news show.
well captain howdy, that would get her off the tv. and the british wouldn’t take her seriously. so there might be a silver lining there. i am so sick of oprah. and frankly i don’t give a dang what her weight is. let her get it off privately. have a little pride oprah!
She buying a $50 million house in the DC area for some reason.
the brits will laugh her out of town LOL now that is funny…
some here have had dig at the brits but they see a laugh coming before it hits the airwaves!
What a waste of money. Fifty million is a ridiculous amount to spend on a house. Apparently, she can give us tips on how to save our money, but she can spend whatever ridiculous amounts she wants. I was already getting tired of her before she endorse BO, but after she did, I never watch any of her shows. She definitely had an impact on this election. I think it may have been different, if she hadn’t come out in support of “that one”. I think karma is biting her in her big fat a##.
Thank you for the stress release to do with this REALITY nightmare with O-shit.
I have to chuckle. Hearing the news of CNN’s Sanjay Gupta…and then being topped with Time Warner’s CEO Parsons to possibly be the Commerce Scty-that was just so perfect lol, anyhow, the first thought about Gupta, was Michael Moore. I have to laugh at that slap to Moore by O. How many do these SUCKERS need before they snap out of the fog from drinking the koolaid that they were merely hustled. lol
And in case you don’t realize, Moore is like those gullable puppies. He ended up endorsing Wesley Clark for Pres, because Clark stood up for him ON CNN-btw, because of his comments about Bush and the War at the Awards show. And he was trash talking Gov Dean’s candidacy. Of course, we remember him in 2000 calling Al Gore the same as Bush, because his friends Bill Maher and Ralph Nader told him so. So, maybe he does deserve this after all.
Thank you for the stress release to do with this reality nightmare with O-shit.
I have to chuckle. Hearing the news of CNN’s Sanjay Gupta…and then being topped with Time Warner’s CEO Parsons to possibly be the Commerce Scty-that was just so perfect lol, anyhow, the first thought about Gupta, was Michael Moore. I have to laugh at that slap to Moore by O. How many do these suckers need before they snap out of the fog from drinking the koolaid that they were merely hustled. lol
And in case you don’t realize, Moore is like those gullable puppies. He ended up endorsing Wesley Clark for Pres, because Clark stood up for him ON CNN-btw, because of his comments about Bush and the War at the Awards show. And he was trash talking Gov Dean’s candidacy. Of course, we remember him in 2000 calling Al Gore the same as Bush, because his friends Bill Maher and Ralph Nader told him so. So, maybe he does deserve this after all.
No comment yet on Moore’s website on all of this.
no surprise there, huh?
did not imagine it:
http://www.nowpublic.com/world/oprah-us-ambassador-britain
Oprah US ambassador to Britain?
you still make me laugh. i do miss the good times we used to have at talk left. i posted under another name.
actually the thought of oprah representing the usa anywhere leaves me saying wth!
hey stodgie
those were the days
btd still makes some good points but the rest are hopeless. i read an article there where he said that the dims have a chance and if they screw it up, they won’t be a force down the road. looking at reid and pelosi the last few days says to me that 2010 will not be the winner 2008 was for them and rightly so.
When I first read about Gupta over at HillBuzz, I thought it was a joke and I was laughing. The next day, there it was, on the news, Gupta is a serious nominee for Surgeon General. If we’re supposed to be fighting terrorist attacks, which might include germ/bio attacks, poisoning of water/food, epidemics of one sort or another, how does Gupta, a brain surgeon turned t.v. commentator, qualify for the job? Shouldn’t we have someone in that office who can handle public health emergencies/disasters, either caused deliberately by an enemy or caused by some natural disaster (hurricane/tsunami/earthquake, etc.)? Obama continues to create an all-star team for a cabinet but I’m not laughing anymore.
The fact that Gupta would trash Moore’s facts makes him seem like someone shilling for anybody BUT the American citizens in need of proper health care. We don’t need a surgeon general on the side of corporate interests.
Ahh for that tingly was so desesperated for a senator post. He wanted his part. Now I understand it
either Sanjay Gupta is there to pre-emptively corral the Indian/South Asian voters before Bobby Jindal tries for the GOP nod in ‘12…or TV is where we need to look for ALL our Cabinet appointees…
How about the Guy who played the Equalizer running Homeland Security?
Scully and Mulder @ CIA?
the mind (or what is left of it)reels…
“I’m practically speechless about this and its brazenness…”
Preach it, Rev Amy! I went almost 24 hours thinking the post I saw about this elsewhere was a joke.
If Oprah is made an ambassador, I suggest Hungary.
Or Turkey.
Or maybe to Africa, she can watch her weight, there, perhaps the AIDS and starvation can give her weight loss incentive!
I too, am bored to tears with Oprah, and her problems.
After the first time Oprah, you’re simply projecting your pathological self absorption on the world, as with any other narcissistic tool, you’re a bore.
All you see is you ~~
harpO would make a great ambassidor to the Duchy of Grand Fenwick.
Oprah and Gupta are just more symptoms of this Max Headroom empty and shallow administration.
When the country needs heavy hitters and patriots we get the TV fantasy team.
The sham just gets more idiotic by the hour.
Gupta is perfect for the job of Surgeon General. The Surgeon General job is to educate people on issues concerning their health. That’s what he does on Good Morning America and CNN. It’s not like this is a cabinet post or something. In fact, the Surgeon General reports to a deputy secretary in HHS.
The anouncement suggested Gupta would have input with Daschle on solving the health care crisis.
Based on some of his past remarks and reports, he doesnt seem to understand the issues, or he doesn’t care, on the side of the corporations.
I would imagine there might be a conflict of interest, the CNN host perhaps receving many perks from interests within the health industry.
Like Bush and Cheney’s people did, you know?
Evidently, then, it’s not like educating people on issues concerning their health can’t be done in sound bites, either.
The new day dawns. Let the slogans begin.
Every single time I go to a thread about another Fraudbama appointment, like
Taco Bill, Oprah, etc. I get an immediate flash in my head of Annette Funicello and the Mickey Mouse Club/Fraudbama Cabinet.ADMINISTRATOR: The crossed-out term is racist, and will not be allowed on this blog.
Ah, sweet dear Annette. I grow wistful thinking of the days when all of us elementary schoolboys fell in love with her . . .
Test.
For some reason my comments are getting eaten under Buzz Latte. Hmmm.
Anyway, the Oprah Gupta gang is just symptomatic of the empty TV quality of this whole election and now administration.
We need strong leaders and instead we get the after school TV show bunch.
Hey, Buzz, if your comments aren’t showing up, PLEASE email SusanUnPc at gmail dot com and let her know. The spam filter has been VERY sensitive recently…
And thanks for the tip abt Emma Wallace, too!
Sorry, I meant to say that Eva Cassidy is one of my favorite artists to listen to when I’m in a contemplative mood.
For fun, try Emma Wallace – she’s available on itunes and maybe you-tube. Great lyrics and original songs.
I was hoping for Dr Kildare.
Or Ben Casey.
Instead of Ben Dover.
Maybe nobody told Obama that you don’t have to be a
“surgeon” to be Surgeon General??!?? In fact, a surgeon is exactly the WRONG kind of person for this public health position — Gupta or any surgeon. It needs to be someone with an MPH (Masters in Public Health) or an Epidemiologist (Ph.D. or an MD with MPH). Just being a doctor isn’t enough.
This is about population health, not where to make an incision! Chronic diseases, immunizations, clean water and air, obesity, safe food, etc., etc. Gupta is SUCH a bad choice!!
[...] Others: NO QUARTER [...]
This is the first I’ve been to this blog, so I’m not sure whether you’re a liberal, or whether you’re a conservative being sarcastic.
(Then again, many of the “conservative” bloggers are not really conservative… It’s unfortunate, as I’ve said before, it’s troubling how the neoconservative/neoliberal geopoltical philosophy still seems to have such a strong hold on the Blogosphere).
It is neither. Regulars here just refuse to become part of the herd.
I wish people didn’t have to be labeled with this stuff. It’s WHY people went out and voted party over country.