Monday, April 17, 2006

What sphinx of cement and aluminum bashed open their skulls?

Uh oh, literary beef!

My friend sent a note about the Howl Counterreading. April 17th is the date Columbia has chosen to celebrate both Allen Ginsberg’s poem “Howl” and the publication of an anthology on the effect of the poem fifty years later. And basically, a group called the Underground Literary Alliance does not like the admission fee ($15), stating that this event caters to the rich elite.

Are you establishment?

Are you underground?

Do you want to know what happened at the first reading of Howl in December 1955, back when San Francisco wasn’t just a rich person liberal haven?

Do you just want to read the poem?

More about Allen Ginsberg?

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Giuliani Time (Perhaps the Beginning of a Series?)

A post and comment string on the upcoming movie Giuliani Time (the movie's title is taken from the line a cop supposedly said before broom-sticking Mr. Abner Louima) from Gothamist. The site has some interesting quotes from and around Giuliani. I put in a comment also, stating:

I was born in New York, lived through Koch, Dinkins, Giuliani. I was even in
diapers for Beame. It's important to note that some of the turnaround the
Giuliani took as his was a result of nationwide prosperity. And perhaps because
of changes Dinkins made in the NYPD to respond to his being soft on crime. Not
like he sat on a tennis court and frittered his days away.

Giuliani was a tough image of New Yorkers but certainly did a lot to alienate the minorities (racial and orientation-wise) in the city who, yes, tend to be a poorer
demographic. They also are a large percentage of the city; a good mayor wouldn't have to piss off 60-65 percent of the people to appease tourists and fat cats.

Rudy knew how to kiss tourists' and republicans' tails even though that was not where the concerns lay; he made the middle of the city a pretty place (and I applaud him for that) while entirely ignoring the hard questions of income disparity in the poorer areas. His heavy-handed treatment of the extremely large NYC arts community. Louima and Diallo. Donna Hanover. Berating the press and detractors. Et cetera.

Prince, Inarticulate??

A letter to EUR on Prince not making an appearance on American Idol:

Sharon W., Indianapolis, IN:
"Regarding 'Prince Declines Appearance
on American Idol' (04-11-06 EUR) -- after
reading the article, I said, 'and WHO
is surprised by that?'
Prince is an exceptionally gifted person.
BUT, all of us who have followed him since
the mid-80s remember when he could (or
would) barely make a complete sentence
in public. You may also recall the
'embarrassing' acceptance speeches
for his 'Purple Rain' album when he
mumbled into the mic while looking
at the FLOOR. So, when I heard that
they wanted him to appear on 'American
Idol' (which I watch regularly) I couldn't
help but laugh.
C'mon people, can you imagine PRINCE
giving advice to the kids, or letting one of them
HUG him, or interacting with them in any way.
Oh PLEASE! I have enjoyed many years
of his music ('Thieves in the Temple' is one
of my favorites) but Stevie Wonder and
Barry Manalow [sic] did all they could for the
contestants. Kenny Rogers gave HORRIBLE
advice to them and having Prince on the
show would have been just plain BAZAAR [sic]!"

EUR response: Sharon, only Prince knows why
he won't appear on "AI," but we can assure
you it is not because he is inarticulate. Back
in the day, we suspect, he was just playing
games. Trust us, he is very articulate and
he doesn't hesitate to speak his mind.