Tag: Martin Luther King

Only Following Orders

Did you see former Attorney General John Ashcroft’s op-ed in this morning’s New York Times? My blood began to boil.

This is one of those stories where a very limited subset of the full facts are known to mere mortals like you and me. It seems the federal government asked the major phone companies for all sorts of data on phone customers. That would be people like you and me.

The phone companies rolled over like a collie waiting for a treat.

What kind of data? Who knows.

Did they allow the government to listen in? I wish I knew.

Whatever it was, it was probably illegal. The phone companies are now sweating because they’re being sued.

When the White House asks you to help in surveillance, do you say yes in spite of the law? What if you’re a big business and feel a significant portion of that will go away if you say no?

I say, “no.” Our personal liberties are among the most important rights granted in the Constitution.

Here’s what Ashcroft said:

Whatever one feels about the underlying intelligence activities or the legal basis on which they were initially established, it would be unfair and contrary to the interests of the United States to allow litigation that tries to hold private telecommunications companies liable for them.

You’ve got to suspect these telecom giants are lawyered to the teeth. They knew what they were doing. I was only following orders doesn’t work here… at least it doesn’t work for me.

I lived through the sixties and seventies. I still have a bad taste in my mouth about government surveillance, whether it be against Dr. Martin Luther King or war protesters.

Our government has worked so well for over 200 years because our rule of law is based on what’s written, not who is elected.

Oh… did I mention, John Ashcroft is now a lobbyists for the telecommunications industry?

James Brown

James Brown has died. He was the Godfather of Soul. It’s a helluva title and no one disputes it.

It is claimed, his gesture of appearing live and unscheduled on Boston TV the night of Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassination, saved that city from rioting.

In more recent times there have been ugly mug shots, some jail time and other outward signs of a life out-of-control.

Here’s what I’ll remember most:

I FEEL GOOD

James Brown

Whoa-oa-oa! I feel good, I knew that I would, now

I feel good, I knew that I would, now

So good, so good, I got you

Whoa! I feel nice, like sugar and spice

I feel nice, like sugar and spice

So nice, so nice, I got you

{ sax, two licks to bridge }

When I hold you in my arms

I know that I can’t do no wrong

and when I hold you in my arms

My love won’t do you no harm

and I feel nice, like sugar and spice

I feel nice, like sugar and spice

So nice, so nice, I got you

{ sax, two licks to bridge }

When I hold you in my arms

I know that I can’t do no wrong

and when I hold you in my arms

My love can’t do me no harm

and I feel nice, like sugar and spice

I feel nice, like sugar and spice

So nice, so nice, well I got you

Whoa! I feel good, I knew that I would, now

I feel good, I knew that I would

So good, so good, ’cause I got you

So good, so good, ’cause I got you

So good, so good, ’cause I got you

Hey!

—

One of James’ signature moves was to collapse on stage as his band continued to play. After a few seconds James would slowly, shakily, rise and with a cape thrown over his shoulders, be led off stage.

He never made it all the way to the wings!

At some point James would spring erect, throwing off the cape and brushing away any assistance. The crowd would go wild.

I wish it could happen one more time.