Parody – Politics Plus

Open Thread April 27 2025

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:00 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Apr 272025

Yesterday, the radio opera was Mozart’s “Le Nozze de Figaro,” usually translated “The Marriage of Figaro,” but more accurately “Figaro’s Wedding.” I didn’t know a soul in it – usually I know someone. I went to school with a Liz Bishop, but it can’t be the same. Yes, the character has to be old enough to be Figaro’s mother, because the is Figaro’s mother, but the Liz Bishop I knew would be 80, old enough to be his grandmother or maybe even great grandmother. Plus, this Elizabeth Bishop was raised in North Carolina, not California. In any case, it doesn’t matter. The opera, like the play on which it was based was scandalously revolutionary at the time, and Mozart needed special permission from the Emperor to stage it. Servants objecting to the wishes of a nobleman? And outwitting him in the end? Horrors! One of the plot points is the jus primae noctis, which was an actual thing in European history (one could apparently pay to get out of it. But it’s also a plot point that Figaro didn’t have money.) I don’t know exactly when it was abolished so it could have still been customary at the time the story is set. In any case, it’s tough to go wrong with Mozart. One aria from this opera became the Macarena of its day – so overplayed that even Mozart joked about it. His sense of humor may not have been very sophisticated, but he certainly had one and it was robust. Then, later in the day, Theater of War streamed a live event (and recorded audio available any time,) and then after that there was the “NOT the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.” And I took in a grocery order which was over an hour late. It’s a wonder I managed to get this posted.

I would like to have “biglier” good news than the revocation of previous bad news to share. But this is a pretty consequential revocation, and I’m very relieved to see it.

In regard to the new contract for the Chicago Teachers Union, you may have to take my word for it that this is a huge (yooge?) win for teachers – and therefore for everyone. I was alerted to this by an email from “The Labor Force” which said (among other glowing praise) “This victory proves that even in times like these, we can fight, and we can win.” It also pointed out that CTU is spearheading a “May Day Strong” day of national action which you can learn about at this link, and find events near you. May Day, of course is Labor Day everywhere in the world except here. For a city that so much of what you hear about it is “violent crime,” I continue to be impressed by how progressive Chicago can be.

Open Thread April 20 2025

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:09 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Apr 202025

Yesterday, the radio opera was “L’Assedio di Corinto” by Rossini. This is the first opera Beverly Sills sang at the Met – and in fact we heard a recording of that debut on April 19th of 1975, exactly fifty years earlier. Fifty years. I wasn’t there, but I had heard Ms. Sills a few years earlier, at the Kennedy Center, in recital, on the tour, which was famous at the time, when she was so ill she requested no encores, but people demanded them anyway, unable to believe that anyone could sing like that but have something wrong with her voice. It wasn’t until she asked the audience in her own speaking voice to refrain from requesting encores that she was believed and her request respected. I have this opera on vinyl with her and also with Norman Treigle, who is not in this performance (Justino Diaz is.) But that’s OK – Shirley Verrett is in this performance but was not on the vinyl. The opera is not really about Corinth (which has been through some sieges) but about Missolonghi which was under siege in 1826 by Turkey. I’m pretty sure none of the main plot (about a love triangle, a domineering father, and mistaken identity) happened at either siege. or at any siege ever), but it’s Rossini, so it’s listenable, even without the shining stars of this production. Sigh. I remember some opera opera lovers and I used occasionally to refer to Sills as “Silverly Bells” – a Spoonerism, but it intended as a tribute to that voice. Now I’m feeling old. But it was worth it. Also yesterday, Wonkette reported that Barbara Lee has won her special election to be the Mayor of Oakland, CA. I don’t believe it’s been officially announced, but the numbers are clear. I can only compare what that will be like for Oakland to South Bend, IN, who had Mayor Pete for 8 years. I certainly hope they keep her in office as long as they legally can. Now, let’s help make Kasie Porter Governor of California, and I’ll think about forgiving Adam Schiff. And one more thing – At 1:00 AM EDT yesterday, the Supreme Court issued an opinion – and it was a good one. This video from the Contrarian is almost 45 minutes. But it took me less than 10 minutes before my jaw dropped. If you already know about it, fine, but if you don’t you need to. Off to see Virgil now, will comment upon return.

And this in, of all places, Tennessee. And Dolly Parton wasn’t even there.

Colorado Public Radio published this on Good Friday, so I can share it on actual Easter. Nice not to be late, for once.

Wonkette doesn’t mention this, but I would like to point out, if you made phone calls or sent postcards or did anything at all to help keep the Supreme Court election in Wisconsin fair and prevent Republicans from getting the vote overturned in favor of the Republican candidate, give yourself a big pat on the back (just don’t break your arm.) Because you did this. Your work helped make it possible for the cOurt to rule this way. And this is an example of why I try to bring attention to special elections, recall elections, or any disputed or might-be-disputed, no matter where.

Founders

Dog

Open Thread April 13 2025

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 5:56 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Apr 132025

Yesterday, the radio opera was Mozart’s “The Magic Flute.” – or I should say “Die Zauberflöte,” since it was the full opera and in German – except for a few interpolated jokes by Papageno. Such as, in the second act when he and Tamino were supposed to be refraining from food, drink, and even speech, he whistled and then sang a snippet from “New York, New York,” quoting “These little=town blues,” to be exact. I think Emanuel Schickaneder, who wrote the libretto and was the first to play Papageno, would have loved it (he was quite the card himself, and an improviser.) Today’s audience certainly did. Also yesterday, ProPublica reported that both Leonard Leo and Charles Koch are among plaintiffs (both as parts of groups) suing the the Mango Monster over tariffs. Did you ever expect to be grateful to either of those two for anything – anything at all? I certainly didn’t. Also, I chose the video I did because virtually everyone is riffing on “Who Shot The Sheriff” – besides Don Caron, the Riccardis, Founders Sing and Patrick Fitzgerald have all covered it – with slightly different lyrics, but the same issue – tariffs.

I’d call this very good news indeed. Colorado appears to contain some very courageous people – and, more importantly, have at least some of them in positions where it is needed.

I don’t want to post a single-source open thread, so I’ll need a third one. But this one even CPR marks as good news – which they can’t do on political stories very well.

Here’s some good climate news from Wonkette. “Doktor Zoom” is the writer there who is most into climate change news, though all are to some degree.

Open Thread April 6 2025

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:05 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Apr 062025

Yesterday’s radio opera, “Ainadamar” (“fountain of tears”) by Osvaldo Golijov, is based on the lives of Federico Garcia Lorca amd Margarida Xirgu, who is sometimes referred to as his muse. It was performed in 2005 at Tanglewood and revisedin 2003, this in Los Angeles and revised again, before having its official premiere in Santa Fe in 2005. In 2005, I was working at USAA and had recently been promoted, which put me at the bottom of the vacation request list. So I was not able to see it then, and became resigned to not ever seeing or hearing it. So this broadcast was an unexpected gift. The plot is kind of muddy, taking place as it does – or at least as it does in flashback – in Spain in the tome leading up to the Spanish Civil War. That was a place and time where and when, an nearly as I can tell from a not very deep dive into the history, when there were multiple political parties in Spain, and, though they ran the gamut left to right, all apparently were authoritarian, and all were violent. And none were tolerant of homoeroticism. Not a good time or place to be a gay playwright with opinions. The opera pins his death on the Falangist party (one of the Fascist parties.) It also calls his death an execution. His body was never found. Since 2005, the opera has been performed all over the world to critical acclaim, but last October’s run was the first time at the Met. What we heard this week was a recording from then. It’s short – only a bit under an hour and a half total – and very listenable, even if it’s a bit tough to follow the action. Also, today, it’s Pat B’s wedding anniversary. Happy anniversary, Pat! And it’s Tim Walz’s birthday. He is 61 (just a kid.) Happy birthday, Gov! Off to see Virgil now – will post my return in a comment as always.

Good news – Democrats will be Doing Something. Several Senators who are no strangers to fights are mentioned in the article from Axios.

The Day of Visibility was last Monday (I posted a logo for it), but it’s good to know that state legislators are going beyond that. Colorado, like the nation, has two legislative houses, and since I moved in 23 years ago, both my representatives have been Republicans. But not now. My assemblyperson is still Republican, but my State Senator is a Democrat. And there is a Democratic majority in the Assembly, even though mine is not part of it. So I’m looking to see this bill pass.

This may not be the happiest song, but the selected founders, and their presentations, are so good I wanted to share it. And at least it ends with hope.

Open Thread March 30 2025

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:01 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Mar 302025

Yesterday, The radio opera was Jake Heggie’s “Moby Dick.” I was a little deflated that two of the six main singers has been replaced, but it’s really more of an ensemble piece than a star turn, plus the other four were still there. Heggie and his librettist chose to call the narrator “Greenhorn” until the very end – but uses the same music for when he does sing “Call me Ishmael” at the end to open it. Twelve years ago (Wikipedia gives the date as 2013), I saw this opera on TV performed in San Francisco in, quite possibly, the same production, one which used a vertical cyc which could be climbed to suggest the depths of the sea. That’s probably not a technically correct description. but this photo from the Met’s web page surely looks like what I remember.

It was that production which is on the DVD – I think even the same performance. And very powerful both then and now. Also yesterday, I was finally able to confirm that today is in fact Eid al-fitr, and not tomorrow. It depends on the sighting of the moon which can’t be done in advance. I can’t reference any dates, as the entire Muslim calendar is so dependent on the sightings of the moon that Ramadan and Eid al-fitr can be literally at any time of the year. Also yesterday, Steve Schmidt called the Mango Monster’s administration “the Trump** Regime” and will refer to it by that term from here on out.

https://www.getty.edu/news/medieval-feminist-manuscript-getty-acquisition-christine-de-pizan/
I’d say it’s good news that the Getty Museum is putting this book from the 15th century by Christine de Pizan on display in Women’s History Month, which some of us still celebrate despite the barbarians in the palace. But maybe not so much for the obvious reason. Rather, because it’s good to be reminded of just how deep misogyny has always run, still runs, and will coninue to run unless we take the right steps to oppose it – if it’s even possible to make a dent. Yes, a few people will “just come around.” But the vast majority will never come around, although they may shut up for a while if pushed to the wall. But they will still vote. It’s barely 70 days into the Jsckfruit Jackass’s regime, and already Democrats are talking about nominating a strong woman in 2028. Apparently they still cannot see that this would be the surest way to seal and deliver permanent authoritarianism to the United States. I hate that that is true. But when did good ever come of refusing to see truth?

https://contrarian.substack.com/p/publishers-roundup-11
I’d call this very good news indeed from Norm Eisen, cofounder and publisher of The Contrarian, and a colleague. You might find the information elsewhere, but probably in bits and pieces – and it’s the roundup which makes it so inspiring, at least to me.

Open Thread March 23 2025

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:00 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Mar 232025

Yesterday, the radio opera was a double bill of Ravel’s “L’enfant et les sortilèges” (on the one hundredth anniversary, to the day, of its premier) and Poulanc’s “Les Mamelles de Tirésias.” The former “is the story of a rude child who is reprimanded by the objects in his room, which he has been destroying. After being scolded by his mother in the beginning of the opera, the child throws a tantrum, destroying the room around him and harming the animals nearby. He is then surprised to find that the unhappy objects in his room come to life.” (Wikikpedia) The latter is absurdist, in the literary sense, which was written and performed right after the first World War. It takes off on the idea of Tiresias having been “the only human ever to have experienced being a man and also being a woman” (without surgery – since Tiresias was a mythical character dating from about 1000 BCE). Its premise is to convince French people to be as fertile as possible in order to replenish the population losses of the Great War. It has a plot, but that plot is so absurd I’m not going there. Off to see Virgil now – will check back in in a comment.

Yes, I’m having to go to sites like Good New Network to find anything calm enough for Sundays. And, while current, this story harks back to history – not just the obvious WWII history, but back to the Middle Ages. Take that, “Monument Men.”

Colorado Public Radio often has good news, but I’m behind (surprise, surprise!) on reading their newsletters. I found this story from Grist by searching sites which specialize in finding good news – a particular site which additionally specializes in finding happy stories written by proven, experienced, real journalists. It’s about what locals are doing to speed recovery from the devastating wildfires in California so recently.

Open Thread March 9 2025

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:00 am Politics

Mar 092025

Yesterday, the radio opera was Puccini’s “La Boheme” – a very short and very tragic opera which was the first vinyl recorded opera I ever bought – and then within ten years bought again with a different cast afer the lead tenor in the second recording died – because he – Richard Tucker – was such a legend I was afraid if I didn’t buy it right away it would sell out. It’s short – without intermissions it’s under two hours – but it packs a punch. Also, as is only to be expected at my age, during the broadcast I learned of the death of someone else I cared about – bass Paul Plishka, who I mentioned in passing a while ago while talking about the Kennedy Center. At least he didn’t die young -he had a 51 year career, and left a legacy which includes a reputation for kindness to all but particularly to young (nervous) singers. Rest in peace, Paul. Next week I’ll gave more to say about the opera, which will have the theme of courageous opposition to political corruption (and political revenge.) Also yesterday I was (and still am) coping with changing my email address – and preparing to visit Virgil today. But I’ll manage to check in in a comment as always. Also, I put in a substitute for Belle today – Rocky Mountain Mike – to keep it upbeat. I hope he gives you a chuckle.

This from Colorado Public Radio is a bit on the old side, but since it’s still in the early stages I don’t think that matters. I kind of hope to be around to see the finished project. One thing, no one on this project would censor a military history photo of the “Enola Gay,” which the current administration is doing, for heaven’s sake.

This comes from Democratic Underground, and it’s not exactly news – in fact it’s from prehistory – but it is hard evidence (literally hard) that love transcends time. The farther I read into it, the more deeply I was touched. And you can see from the comments that that was a common response.

Open Thread March 7 2025

Posted by Joanne Dixon at 6:00 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Mar 072025

Yesterday, as if I needed another problem, Yahoo Mail decided to change its format to onw which is completely unacceptable. So, if you have me in your contacts, please change my email address to jvdix@tutamail.com. I’ll have to have the yahoo account open for a while because for at least some things I subscribe to the only way the change the address is subscribe under the new address and unsubscribe under the old one – and there doesn’t seem to be any simple way to transfer contacts. Because I work ahead you can expect new posts for a few days at least – and if I need to take some days off, I recommend checking at one of the following – Talking Points Memo, The Contrarian, or ProPublica. The first two are good at looking at and picking up a wide spectrum of news. The last is strong on doing its own investigations and digging up the dirt. Y’all mostly also have your own sources and may not need to come here, and that’s fine. I’m subbing a Randy Rainbow for Belle today to give myself an extra day’s time – I have started it just after the advertising – but his sponsor, Ground News appears to be another good general source, so there’s that.

Steve Schmidt has a daughter who is a career skiier. After JD Vance went skiing, she sent this rant to her dad, who published it Wednesday. (When I saw the title, I thought of “jerry” as being the World War II term for Nazis among English speaking allied countries. But it is a skiing term and apparently unrelated to the WWII usage.) I find a righteous rant cathartic – if you don’t, feel free to skip this one.

I didn’t watch the State of the Union address Tuesday. I have enough trouble watching speeches by people who are competent. I also figured if I was encouraging my Dem Senators to boycott it (which they didn’t), I was more than justified in doing so myself. I did, after the fact, hear about Al Green, though not in as much detail as here in The F* News, including the details of the consequences and/or lack thereof for comparable acts historically. I think it’s important to give him credit for the courage which so many of our elected representatives in both Houses seem to lack. Of course they have voted to censure him. Barf.

And speaking of attention – certainly any honest outlet (which Axios more or less is) which came upon this information is doing the right thing to release it immediately. But I can’t help but wonder how much of it will disappear in the fallout from the SotU and other distractions.

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