Sic Semper Tyrannis

"Georgia on my mind"

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has launched investigations into several groups, including one founded by former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, for seeking to “aggressively” register “ineligible, out-of-state, or deceased voters” before the state’s Jan. 5 Senate runoff elections.

Raffensperger’s office on Wednesday said the investigations are into groups including America Votes, Vote Forward and The New Georgia Project — which was founded by Abrams and previously chaired by Democratic Senate candidate Raphael Warnock.

GEORGIA SENATE RUNOFF SPURS ELECTION PROBE OF GROUPS TRYING TO REGISTER OUT-OF-STATE VOTERS

Raffensperger for weeks has issued warnings against efforts to register individuals who are ineligible to vote in Georgia’s runoff elections or to encourage people to come to Georgia with the sole purpose of casting ballots.

“I have issued clear warnings several times to groups and individuals working to undermine the integrity of elections in Georgia through false and fraudulent registrations,” Raffensperger said in a statement Wednesday. “The security of Georgia’s elections is of the utmost importance.”

Raffensperger said Wednesday that his office has “received specific evidence that these groups have solicited voter registrations from ineligible individuals who have passed away or live out of state.”

“I will investigate these claims thoroughly and take action against anyone attempting to undermine our elections,” he vowed.  foxnews

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Raffensberger stated in a TeeVee presser yesterday that his household has received three absentee ballot application forms addressed to his son who has been dead for two years.  These invitations to voter fraud were sent by Stacy Abrams' group, the New Georgia Project.  Raffensberger held up the post card style application forms for all to see.

It looks like it will be a rainy day in Georgia.  pl

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QL3EZwSJAh0

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/voter-group-founded-by-stacey-abrams-under-investigation-seeking-out-of-state-dead

Musick has Charms to sooth a savage Breast, To soften Rocks, or bend a knotted Oak.” - Walrus.

The title is a quote from a play by Congreve (1697). Despite their politics, which I think go with the territory, there are wonderful American singers and musicians that the whole world has grown to love and I would like to hope that their music may indeed sooth rather than inflame current politics.

“Go with the territory“ is the subject of countless essays and thesis since popular music derives from the poor and dispossessed. I do not expect many artists to identify as conservatives. Country music and perhaps religious works being the possible exception but I am not even sure about that; the hymn “Jerusalem” is not conservative.

Anyhow, despite politics, some music sticks in your brain and reminds you of time, place, feeling. Reminds you of your embarrassing crass stupidity, to the time when you discovered something new and wonderful, to the time everything went right.

I still recall my sense of wonder, delight and perhaps homecoming when I made my first business trip to L. A. circa 1979 to attend an Aviation conference, hosted by Lockheed, I think. What I remember most was the “West Coast Sound” at the time, Jackson Brown, etc. I was coming from a protected, inward looking, Australian economy and the coast just blew me away. Anyone remember Chesneys? I bought a second suitcase for the records and Levi’s, but I digress.

A not particularly good recording of the genre but not of that time is Sheryl Crows rendition of Dylan’s “Mississippi” which just gets into my brain as does Tom Petty and many, many others.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiGMqbXb8J8A 

The Canadian warblers? They seem to sing songs of depression and loss. Sarah Mclachlan being the chief mourner.

P.S. Like most five year olds I was very proud when my mother taught me to spell “Mississippi “.

Music - An Escape From This Crazy World By Walrus.

After listening to what passes for a Presidential Debate yesterday, as well as the overwhelming quantity of fake news, it is necessary to cleanse the mind of this rubbish and try and focus on what is important in life.

In my opinion, two pieces of music among many that have the capacity to promote calm reflection are

‘Brahms Symphony number 3, 3rd movement.  reasonable Youtube performance is here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tB2SLLnPZg

The second is the Adagietto from Mahlers 5th Symphony which always brings back memories of Venice to me and images of my father as an 89 year old on his last trip there before he died. I think he first went as a child in 1923. He adored that city and so do I.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Les39aIKbzE

The opening scene from Viscontis masterpiece “Death in Venice”, with Mahlers music, the steamer arriving at dawn across the lagoon. There is nothing to compare with arriving in Venice for the first time, by car, train or preferably by water. It is one of life’s ultimate beautiful assaults on all the senses.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeSiNpVK_RM

And Now For Something Completely Different By Walrus.

I am an occasional devotee of music with somewhat eclectic taste. As a child I sang in a reasonably well trained choir - well enough to be offered a scholarship.

My tastes have moved past the sublime Mozart towards Mahler (a distant relative) and on to the British composers; Elgar and later Vaughan Williams. Once you get past the jingoistic popularities there are hidden gems.

I commend what I consider to be one to you: Vaughan Williams “A Sea Symphony” (1909) - inspired by American Poet Walt Whitman’s “Leaves of Grass” (1855).

The link below is to a Youtube video of the BBC Proms performance (2013) with a stunning choir including the Halle and orchestra conducted by Sakari Oramo with Roderick Williams and Sally Mathews soloists.

If anything it should convince you that genius is not a new phenomenon and perhaps give you some enjoyment in these dark times. I would be overjoyed if it provoked musical exploration at SST.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lp4G5vtdSWc