A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass div

I occasionally paddle with a guy from Galax, VA - -  way out in the "toe" of western Virginia. He was surprised when we met that I knew where it was. Anyway ......
Cute video and not too bad a song: "Pretty Little Girl From Galax."



IIIrd Tyme Out: Russell Moore (lead vocals and guitar), Steve Dilling (vocals and banjo), Justen Haynes (vocals and fiddle), Wayne Benson (vocals and mandolin) and Edgar Loudermilk (vocals and bass).
Note: Mandolinist Wayne Benson is married to Kristin Scott Benson, Banjo player with the Grascals.

Debate Div (Firearms subsection)

Seems like there's no end to the current debate on sale, possession, carry and display of any and all sorts of firearms. (Caveat: I'm a gun owner).
My in-box is lately the repository of all manner of screeds about how Obama "is gonna come and take our guns" ..... and our babies and our cars and, ........ well you get the picture.

Thing is, this debate is nothing new. I heartily recommend Adam Winkler's GUN FIGHT for a pretty comprehensive discussion of gun control throughout American history. A shorter version can be found here in his article for The Atlantic.

Lately we've seen all kinds of totally irresponsible behavior from those advocating support of (their version thereof) the Second amendment:

 Two guys in Portland cause a lock-down of a day-care center and numerous 911 calls by parading through a neighborhood (legally) carrying AR-15 type rifles. Note that the article makes reference to California law (see Winkler's article for how this came about).

A Tennessee firearms instructor has had his concealed carry permit revoked because of his statements regarding his possible response to gun control measures.

A father in Texas is arrested for conducting a "security drill" at his child's school  - -  unannounced,
unofficial and unsolicited.

So, on it goes ..............

And I'm not sure that Frazz would want to participate in the program, eh ?

Carbon Footprint Div (workplace subsection)

I think all the cliches have already been used - -  butt, (oops) I spit out my coffee when I saw this one.

                                                           

Apparently, clearer heads have prevailed and this problem won't be stinking up the courts.

Road Music .... Div

The only problem with this song is that when it plays, my foot pushes harder on the gas pedal !!!

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass div

Might as well start off the new year with a murder, eh ??

In case nobody recognizes the players  - -  Doc Watson, guitar and lead vocal; Ricky Skaggs, mandolin and harmony vocal; Earl Scruggs, banjo; and Alison Krauss, fiddle and harmony vocal.

An old standard,  "Banks of the Ohio."

What If ??? div (civics subsection)

Probably ain't gonna happen, but what if the President doesn't sign the "fiscal cliff relief act" just passed by the House ??

Article I, Section VII, subsection 2 of the Constitution deals with the procedure for bills to become law. The President must either sign the bill or return it (veto) to the congress within ten days of passage. Congress has the power to override the veto with a two-thirds majority of each house. However (and this is the tricky part):

 "If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law."


In political parlance, it's called a "pocket veto."

So, I guess the President could just go up to Camp David, kick back and watch TV while the press, pundits and poobahs spin themselves into ever decreasing circles, eh ???

HAPPY NEW YEAR ....... DIV

May the best parts of the old year be the worst parts of the new year for you and yours.

Enjoy  - -  Bear

Another Bluegrass Loss div

When I was adding the addendum of 2012 losses to Saturday's Bluegrass post, I  didn't know that Mike Auldridge was passing away at his home in Silver Spring.
I've enjoyed his gentle style and superb musicianship for many years. He'll be missed.
This morning's obit from the Post really says it all.



RIP Mike.

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass .... div

Rawhide by Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys circa 1971 -



Addendum - -  Was a sad year for Bluegrass with the loss of the banjos of Earl Scruggs, Doug Dillard and Joe "Snuffy" Smith. Also passing were guitarist Doc Watson, mandolinist Everett Lilly and radio personality Tom "Cat" Reeder.
The music will live on, RIP.

St. Stephen's Day div

My favorite carol of the Christmas season (maybe because it's not religious). A fun version by the Irish Rovers.
Heed especially the final quatrain:

Therefore Christian men be sure,
Wealth or rank possessing.
Ye who now will bless the poor
Shall yourselves find blessing.