New website

Hi.
Aside from trying to finish recording, I've developed the beginnings of a website:

www.seankane.us/

as well as a myspace account:
www.myspace.com/seankmusic

Check them out if you get a chance.

Thanks.

Do You Speak American?

I just watched the PBS special "Do You Speak American?" hosted by Jim McNeil of News Hour fame. One of the many fascinating points was that our language is becoming more localized rather than less localized. I thought for sure in the age of television and instant communication that our language would become more homogeneous. It has not. In fact, African-American speech has started down the pathe to becoming a separate true language (according to the findings of the guests on the show). The flat Midwestern accent has become "high American" in the sense that it is the common English we can all use to communicate.

I had an easier time understanding some foreigners speaking English than I have understanding some Americans speaking English- and this was in New England, mind you. Listen to a Texan and a Mainer and tell me they are speaking the same language!

Last Minute Gig Tonight

Hello.

Tim FitzPatrick asked me if I would sit in for him this evening at the seisiun at the Irish Cultural Centre in Canton. Happy to!

8pm-?

ICC
200 New Boston Drive (off rt 138)
Canton, MA 02021
ICC

Mr. President is an Enemy of the People

This is a personal post, not representing the views of Traveler, and not related to theme of the blog.

I feel I have to post about what is going on in this country. I have never felt such a sense of urgency. It goes beyond my usual hyperbole in political ranting. Currently I don't care about the usual left or right arguments, about individualism, or the welfare state, or social justice, or hawks and doves, or gays, or abortion. Something is more important at this moment in history.

Nothing here is hyperbole:

Bush and his administration are threatening the fabric of our democracy, and the fabric of our environment.

NPR's On Point aired an interview with NASA's scientist and climate-watcher, James E. Hansen. Here's the blurb:

The lead story on page one of the New York Times last Sunday read: top NASA climate scientist says the Bush administration is trying to stop him from speaking out on global warming.

I listened to the show. Bush and administration have politicized scientific and government agencies. Conforming to their message is dictated to rank and file. Hansen is not a crack-pot. He was ultimately allowed to be interviewed because many rank and file members and scientists privately support him.

His 'tipping point' theory claims we need to radically alter our emissions within ten years or bring about inevitable and catastrophic change.

Bush stifles scientific truth.

What else?
Bush politicizes FEMA prior to Hurricane Katrina.

What else?
Bush wiretaps Americans and glibly defends it.

What else?
Two Republican "reformers" in the Senate propose, well, reform. Their prescription? Create rules without enforcement. If a senator stumbles, then the voters can throw the bum out. This: the height of cynicism. Senators enjoying 90%+ rates of re-election base an ethics policy on being voted out of office.

What else?He wants your internet records.

What else?
He is ruining our armed forces.

My frustration stems from my desire to do something now. Today. How can we stand two more years? The administration is cynical and thuggish. Forget the utter failure of its policies.

Where is the outrage?

Impeachment. Right. Now.

Where are the inept Democrats? Where are ethical Republicans. Are you out there?

Here's an ominous thing: I can't respect the opposing viewpoint. I am experiencing a profound, bitter disgust as soon as someone volunteers his or her support of Bush or anything he does. I find it harder to maintain polite difference, or silence. These are issues of intelligence and self-respect. More, the opposition is ruining my country, while painting itself red, white, and blue. And, friend or family member, you are a scoundrel.

Thanks Traveler

Hello!
Thanks for carrying this blog! I have been swamped with a new job, and with any free time, I have been recording a new cd. I have about 20 minutes of it mastered, with another 20 to go. Sorry for absence of posts. I will try to get back on the stick. I have been reading however.

Hope you don't go all Southern (completely) on us!

I wish you could come out tonight: We are playing at Brennan's--Great Irish Ballads and Reels.

I will sing a rebel song in your honor.

True Fright

Yesterday my daughter pointed out, “Mommy’s black, you’re white, and I’m tayen.”

“What,” I asked, “are you?”

“Tayen,” she replied.

“What is tayen?” I further inquired.

“Tayen is a color between black and white. Like brown but not as brown,” she said.

A shock of fright went through my body like a bucket of ice water thrown over me as I realized that she was saying “tan”, but had drawn it out into two syllables with a long a. I should have seen this coming. I should have been better prepared. Some days ago we were discussing the flavor of her vitamin gumballs, and I asked her if the red one was cinnamon or raspberry or what, and she told me that it was “chair-y”

Until she went to preschool she had a West African accent. Now she goes to school with kids whose parents are military and originally came from Alabama and Georgia and more remote parts of the South. Her teachers don’t have pronounced drawls, but they do have Virginia country accents.

My sweet, darling little girl is starting to talk like a rebel. Either I have to go running home or get used to it.

I don’t know. I just don’t know.