New Gonzo

This sort of back-to-center thinking, the opposite of the polarization we've seen, is echoed by Matt Taibbi (kinda) in his new book. He's being tabbed as the new Gonzo journalist (not by me) and I'm not sure anyone could fit that bill. That's like being the next Michael Jordan (Taibbi = Harold "Baby Jordan" Minor). The Rolling Stone reporter and now author watches the polarization happen and does nothing but throw fuel on the fire. Not my kinda guy. Thompson had a certain amount of yearning for the political to work. I don't see that in Taibbi, though. I think he likes the division. Still, he has called out folks for their various transgressions against the people of America, and for that I stand behind him. But he's no Gonzo.

Runningmate

So McCain goes on the Daily Show, dodges a few questions, then refuses to consider rethinking the "Obama is Hammas' Candidate" thing, but gives us this bit of info: his running mate will be Dwight Shrute, Assistant to the President. Does this mean he has a sense of humor or just a writer who thinks he/she understands the "Daily Show" crowd? I'll never know. But it sure kept him from answering real questions. He even alluded to the Lake County pseudo-saga for the Dems to waste a bit more time. Like a great magician, misdirection is everything. Same page: actor Rainn Wilson reads Dwight's list of demands on Leno. Flamethower is a deal breaker. McCain also said that he would not consider taking Hilary Clinton as his runningmate, which I assume, means that he really wouldn't take Obama.

Great Music... in Commercials

Right after the clip, a Dockers commercial played. This commercial stops me in my tracks everytime. I love the tune, "California Soul" by Marlena Shaw. Here's the ad, and here's the full version of he song (I think I like the shortened ad version better, though). While I'm at it, here's a badass Nike commercial that gets me too. And the full version of the song, "List of Demands" by Saul Williams, who is a Slam poet. Awesome fit for both of the ads. If I had liked the songs before I saw the ad, I would consider it a bit of a travesty; but since I didn't, they are pure genius.

Source of News

On the topic of the "Daily Show:" a new study shows that people don't get their news from the mainstay, which is not a surprise. The study suggests that people would not get the jokes if they did. That makes sense. For me, the show is another voice saying, "What is going on?" Sometimes I worry that belittling the problem makes it worse, but it is a necessary outlet for pent up aggression toward a government that overtly does not care. They just have no understanding of the problems they cause. Like when Bush recently said that he gave up golf as a form of solidarity with the troops. Ahhh! What? Is Jon listening? Always.

Studies that make Sense

Italian scientists say that music is good for you. Yes! They said that the right kind of music offers a "three-point drop in the patient's average systolic blood pressure and a four-point drop in the diastolic blood pressure." Nice. Also: "(L)istening to music could also slow breathing, which helps reduce the patient's pain and anxiety."
Finally: "(M)usic is a safe, effective and non-pharmacological treatment or a complementary one for hypertension." Why didn't we know this already? As a commenter on the Current.com link mentioned: Bob Marley said it first. "One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain."