Leave Them Singing
By Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy on April 7, 2009 at 1:40 PM in AIG, Barack Obama, Current Affairs
This is my last post for a couple of weeks. I thought of writing up this sad story from Baghdad, “Six Gay Men Shot Dead By Tribe Members,” but I just couldn’t do it. It is a brief article, if you want to read it, and sad, needless to say, especially since the men were murdered after a tribal meeting. Sigh.
But that’s not how I want to leave you for two weeks. Rather, I would like to leave you with a smile on your face, and a song in your heart.
First for the smile, this very funny piece by Andy Borowitz (which might put a song in your heart, too): White House Replaces ‘War on Terror’ With Symbol, Acquires Cryptic Icon From Funk Rocker Prince
The White House today announced today that it would no longer use the phrase “war on terror” and would instead replace it with a cryptic symbol once used by the funk rocker known as Prince.
The new symbol made its first appearance today at a White House press conference in which spokesman Robert Gibbs answered a question about the war on terror by holding up a picture of the newly acquired icon.
Mr. Gibbs said that the White House had decided to replace the phrase with the symbol after determining that its first-choice euphemism, “overseas contingency operations,” was too much of a mouthful.
“In the years that Prince used the symbol, it was totally confusing and no one knew what it meant,” he said. “It should work perfectly for us.”
To acquire the rights to the symbol, however, the White House had to outbid an unlikely suitor, the insurance giant AIG.
The embattled company, which recently stripped its corporate headquarters of its logo in the hopes of throwing protesters off its scent, had intended to replace it with the mysterious icon coveted by the White House.
It was hoping to rebrand itself as “The Insurance Giant Formerly Known as AIG,” a company spokesman said.
AIG Chairman Edward Liddy was philosophical about being outbid by the White House for Prince’s symbol: “All of our efforts were a total and abject failure, but on the plus side, that means we’re entitled to a bonus.”
I realize this would be funnier if it weren’t so plausible. Ahem. But it is pretty funny, I think.
And now for a few tunes from some of my favorite singers. First up is Dar Williams. I just love this song:
It was a circuitous route that led us to this Swedish singer, but wow, what a song from Titiyo:
For a real toe-tapper, here is Moanin’ Michelle Malone, and “Tighten Up The Springs”:
And last, but certainly not least, one of my all-time favorite groups, the Indigo Girls and “One Perfect World”:
There are so many more artists I would love to share with you, but this will do for now.
Before I go, thank you all again for coming here, for your comments, for caring (especially about my beautiful puppies, Jordan, and other pets), and for your generosity of time. It is much appreciated.
Stay well and safe. See you in a couple of weeks!
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Have a great trip RRRAmy. Be safe and enjoy! Thanks for sharing the babies…I’m still sad I couldn’t take them all LOL. Also, thanks for all the great writing. Some of us would go insane without this place to share with each other. Bon Voyage!!!!!
Ok, I admit I’m an “old girl” but when I look at this symbol what came to mind was the big O (for Obama) – the symbol underneath it appearing to me to be a trumpet (like an announcement of jubilation) and the final symbol of a cross with the arrow going down (as in being defeated.)
I was not a fan of Prince and admittedly most rock stars, and many of you I am sure are more informed and have a more sophisticated “take” on it – but that is what I saw when I looked at it.
The Borowitz piece is a real kick. And it made me laugh. Enjoyed the music vids as well. Have a great [and safe] trip!
I enjoyed the vids so much I forgot to post.
Have a great vacation and come back safely!
enjoy..Amy..we will miss you..
Bon Voyage! Wishing you wonderful, memorable experiences!
Thanks for the heads up on the new symbol for the War On Terror. Too bad about AIG, but they will have some comfort knowing it is for a good cause. Thanks for the beautiful music too. Have a safe and enjoyable vacation.
You leave me singing just by being you. The world is a better place with you in it RRRA.
Amy…
Have a good time…We know you Relaxed but all..”REVVED UP”…and ready to “Rumble” when you get back..
About your Lead article…The Symbol is OK I guess…bout as Confusing as it can get…Which fits the Obama administration…I wouldnt want to wear that as a Unifrom Patch…or on My Beret..
The New slogan Obama is Using go’s along with Desire to Let any and all Muslims know Its NOT about them..since They make up Most of the Terrorist overseas..and we wouldn’t want to offend the Gandland terrorists in Africa or South of our Border either..
So, to be more generic and Inoffensively Correct without and Hint of Discrimination …I can understand OBAMA in Particular wanting a Sanitized Term like…
“Overseas Contingency Operations”
It Still needs the Typical Government Acronym..so I Porosed something Simple like “COCOO”..
“Combined Overseas Contingency Operations Obamanized”
Amy…Have a good trip…Come back rested..and all
“REVVED UP”….for some more of your Great writing..
In regard to your Article…That Black Prince Symbol Looks OK…Fits…The Big Black “O” on Top..
Under that is a “Black REAPER”
Under that is a “Black MAX”
And Its all Driving a Black “Pointed Spike”
Or Black “Sword Point”…or “Dagger Point:”
You call all Use Your own Imaginations as to Who Obama is Driving the Dagger in to…
I wouldnt want to wear it on My Uniform or beret tho..
I’m not surprised that Obama wants to end the
“WAR ON TERROR”…
Might be taken as Offensive by some Groups..especially Muslims..or African terrorists..
or Latin American Terrorist..
So I can understand Obma wanting to sanitize the whole Term..Make it Generic..like..
“Overseas Contingency Plan” like “Peace Corps”..
It still needs the Typical Government Acronym to so I propose something Like
The “COCOO” Plan..
“Combined Overseas Contingency Plan Obamanized…”