Barack Obama learns from history. He obviously looked at the last two Democratic Administrations and was determined not to follow their mistakes. Carter and Clinton can both be described as failed administrations for different reasons. Carter refused to play nice with his own party. Clinton made several tactical errors in 1993 and 1994 which negated much of his legislative program and led to the Republican Revolution. Obama is determined to avoid such errors.
Carter came to Washington as the white knight aboard his high horse. He treated Congressional Democrats with contempt as they were the establishment. Carter was anti-establishment and would not play the game. He ended up angering his own party and Ted Kennedy challenged him in 1980 for the presidential nomination. Barack Obama plays nice with his party has a good relationship with congress. If they balk at his program, Rahm Emmanuel is there to mail dead fish to dissenters. Things may be moving too slow for Obama, but that is Washington and he understands that.
Unlike Carter, Clinton had good relations with the Democratic Congress. However, he decided to tackle social issues like gays in the military upon taking office. He ended up off message and reaffirming the belief that he was another out of touch liberal. Unlike Clinton, Obama has avoided social issues much to the chagrin of gay marriage advocates.
Clinton struggled to stay on message in the early days, but eventually put forth his legislative program. However, people did not like that program and revolted. The best example is Hillarycare. Clinton gave his opponents time to read the bill and it frightened people. Opposition formed and it was defeated. Obama is determined to avoid a Hillarycare rerun. The Democrats have changed their strategy and now ram through potentially controversial legislation before anyone can read it. Obama won't even post bills online as he promised.
Obama has learned from history. That means his legislative program has a good chance of passing. Success may end up Obama's Achilles heel. Ridiculous deficits and policies formulated in the 19th century will be Obama's undoing.
Monday, June 29, 2009
#40 Elton John
Only Madonna and the Beatles have charted more often than Elton John. Elton began as a songwriter with his partner Bernie Taupin. However, no one wanted to record their stuff. So, they did it themselves. “Your Song” broke Elton John. John Lennon claimed the song was the best thing to hit the airwaves since the Beatles.
Throughout the 70s, Elton scored hit after hit. His flamboyant costumes and great melodies wowed audiences. Like Billy Joel, Elton’s music centered around the piano. That would come in handy when the two toured together.
Elton John is also known for his public battles with drugs, alcohol, and bulimia. He’s also an outspoken AIDS activist. He has attacked people for being homophobic, but also defended Eminem against the same charges. He continues to tour and record and score hit records.
Rock n Roll Moment: Elton is part owner of an English soccer team.
Essential Elton John:
Elton John (1970)
Tumbleweed Connection (1970)
Madman Across The Water (1971)
Honky Chateau (1972)
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973)
Greatest Hits (1974)
Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy (1975)
Greatest Hits Volume 2 (1977)
Two Low for Zero (1983)
Lion King (1994)
Elton John’s Top 10:
Your Song
Levon
Tiny Dancer
Crocodile Rock
Saturday Night’s All Right For Fighting
Candle in the Wind
Bennie and the Jets
The Bitch is Back
I Guess That’s Why They Call it the Blues
Can You Feel The Love Tonight
Throughout the 70s, Elton scored hit after hit. His flamboyant costumes and great melodies wowed audiences. Like Billy Joel, Elton’s music centered around the piano. That would come in handy when the two toured together.
Elton John is also known for his public battles with drugs, alcohol, and bulimia. He’s also an outspoken AIDS activist. He has attacked people for being homophobic, but also defended Eminem against the same charges. He continues to tour and record and score hit records.
Rock n Roll Moment: Elton is part owner of an English soccer team.
Essential Elton John:
Elton John (1970)
Tumbleweed Connection (1970)
Madman Across The Water (1971)
Honky Chateau (1972)
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973)
Greatest Hits (1974)
Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy (1975)
Greatest Hits Volume 2 (1977)
Two Low for Zero (1983)
Lion King (1994)
Elton John’s Top 10:
Your Song
Levon
Tiny Dancer
Crocodile Rock
Saturday Night’s All Right For Fighting
Candle in the Wind
Bennie and the Jets
The Bitch is Back
I Guess That’s Why They Call it the Blues
Can You Feel The Love Tonight
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Presidential Legacies: The Next Generation 1825-1849
As the Founders' generation died off, people were leery of the next generation. Could America stay America without the Founding Fathers around to guide them? Here's the next generation of presidents starting literally with the next generation asJohn Quincy Adams takes office.
John Quincy Adams (1825-1829): Adams came into office under a cloud. The 1824 election was thrown to the House of Representatives. Adams won with the help of Henry Clay. Although no candidate won a majority of votes, Adams won less than Andrew Jackson. As a result, Adams felt he could not initiate any major policies since he did not think he had a big enough mandate and faced a very hostile Jacksonian Congress. Adams had no real accomplishments as president. George W. Bush used Adams as the example of what not to do in 2001. Bush decided to go after tax cuts, education reform, and a prescription drug benefit as opposed to sitting around like Adams. President Adams real legacy came after leaving office. Although, he was an accomplished diplomat, negotiated the Treaty of Ghent, the purchase of Florida, and the Monroe Doctrine, Adams should be remembered for his war on slavery. John Quincy Adams was the best ex-president in U.S. history.
Andrew Jackson (1829-1837): Jackson created the modern presidency. His detractors called him "King Andrew." Jackson vetoed more bills than any president to that point. He launched a war on the Bank of the United States and killed it. When South Carolina threatened to leave the union, Jackson threatened to destroy them. He also removed Native Americans from Georgia in violation of a court order. Jackson dramatically expanded executive power like no one before.
Martin Van Buren (1837-1841): Van Buren considered the presidency his reward for years of hard work. He worked his way up and helped form the modern Democratic Party. He maneuvered himself into the Vice Presidency by ingratiating himself with Jackson. Once he moved into the White House, he was as paralyzed by events as Jimmy Carter 140 years later. A major depression, sectional strife, and an inept chief executive marked Van Buren's stewardship. As a result, people began calling him "Martin Van Ruin" with the same contempt people in the 1930s appropriated Herbert Hoover's name for all things poverty.
William Henry Harrison (1841): Harrison ran the first modern presidential campaign complete with songs, spin, modern packaging of candidates, and a catchy slogan "Tippecanoe and Tyler too." Once elected, Harrison gave a ridiculously long speech in bad weather, caught pneumonia, and died one month later.
John Tyler (1841-1845): Virginian John Tyler was added to the 1840 ticket for regional balance. Although Harrison was a Whig, Tyler was a Jacksonian Democrat. This was strange since Whigs and Democrats were opposites on important economic issues. However, no Vice President had ever become President and they were supposed to disappear into a black hole for four years. Harrison's death created a crisis. Who's president? Tyler assumed the office himself and asserted the right of all Vice Presidents to become President when the Chief Executive dies. Additionally, Tyler opposed his new party's programs and began vetoing their legislation. He was evicted from the Whigs and the Democrats refused to have him back. He became a man without a party. The Tyler Years demonstrate the importance of having a president and vice president on the same page ideologically. After leaving office, Tyler supported the Confederacy during the Civil War.
James K. Polk (1845-1849): Polk took the U.S. to War with Mexico. Polk attempted to bully the Mexicans into surrendering California and the American Southwest. They refused and attacked American troops at the Texas border. The United States won the war handily and conquered all or part of California, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming. This made up 42% of Mexico at the time.
John Quincy Adams (1825-1829): Adams came into office under a cloud. The 1824 election was thrown to the House of Representatives. Adams won with the help of Henry Clay. Although no candidate won a majority of votes, Adams won less than Andrew Jackson. As a result, Adams felt he could not initiate any major policies since he did not think he had a big enough mandate and faced a very hostile Jacksonian Congress. Adams had no real accomplishments as president. George W. Bush used Adams as the example of what not to do in 2001. Bush decided to go after tax cuts, education reform, and a prescription drug benefit as opposed to sitting around like Adams. President Adams real legacy came after leaving office. Although, he was an accomplished diplomat, negotiated the Treaty of Ghent, the purchase of Florida, and the Monroe Doctrine, Adams should be remembered for his war on slavery. John Quincy Adams was the best ex-president in U.S. history.
Andrew Jackson (1829-1837): Jackson created the modern presidency. His detractors called him "King Andrew." Jackson vetoed more bills than any president to that point. He launched a war on the Bank of the United States and killed it. When South Carolina threatened to leave the union, Jackson threatened to destroy them. He also removed Native Americans from Georgia in violation of a court order. Jackson dramatically expanded executive power like no one before.
Martin Van Buren (1837-1841): Van Buren considered the presidency his reward for years of hard work. He worked his way up and helped form the modern Democratic Party. He maneuvered himself into the Vice Presidency by ingratiating himself with Jackson. Once he moved into the White House, he was as paralyzed by events as Jimmy Carter 140 years later. A major depression, sectional strife, and an inept chief executive marked Van Buren's stewardship. As a result, people began calling him "Martin Van Ruin" with the same contempt people in the 1930s appropriated Herbert Hoover's name for all things poverty.
William Henry Harrison (1841): Harrison ran the first modern presidential campaign complete with songs, spin, modern packaging of candidates, and a catchy slogan "Tippecanoe and Tyler too." Once elected, Harrison gave a ridiculously long speech in bad weather, caught pneumonia, and died one month later.
John Tyler (1841-1845): Virginian John Tyler was added to the 1840 ticket for regional balance. Although Harrison was a Whig, Tyler was a Jacksonian Democrat. This was strange since Whigs and Democrats were opposites on important economic issues. However, no Vice President had ever become President and they were supposed to disappear into a black hole for four years. Harrison's death created a crisis. Who's president? Tyler assumed the office himself and asserted the right of all Vice Presidents to become President when the Chief Executive dies. Additionally, Tyler opposed his new party's programs and began vetoing their legislation. He was evicted from the Whigs and the Democrats refused to have him back. He became a man without a party. The Tyler Years demonstrate the importance of having a president and vice president on the same page ideologically. After leaving office, Tyler supported the Confederacy during the Civil War.
James K. Polk (1845-1849): Polk took the U.S. to War with Mexico. Polk attempted to bully the Mexicans into surrendering California and the American Southwest. They refused and attacked American troops at the Texas border. The United States won the war handily and conquered all or part of California, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming. This made up 42% of Mexico at the time.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
#41 Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath is the first true metal band. They formed in the middle of flower power and decided to incorporate a horror movie shtick into their act. Dark themes and heavy riffs separated them from other bands. While other bands were into peace and love, Sabbath was into blood. The early 1970s witnessed Sabbath's halcyon years. Then came the drugs.
In 1979, Ozzy Osbourne was fired and replaced by Ronnie James Dio. Ozzy embarked on an extremely successful solo career. Meanwhile, Sabbath trudged on with various lineups throughout the 80s and 90s. The originals reunited in 1997. In 2006,the Dio lineup changed their name to Heaven and Hell.
Rock n Roll Moment: When Sabbath formed, flower power was the rage. They decided to do music designed to scare the hippies.
Essential Sabbath:
Black Sabbath (1970)Paranoid (1971)Master of Reality (1970)Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (1973)Heaven and Hell (1980)
Sabbath’s Top 10:
Black Sabbath
War Pigs
Iron Man
Paranoid
Children of the Grave
Snowblind
Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
Heaven and Hell
Rock n Roll Doctor
Changes
In 1979, Ozzy Osbourne was fired and replaced by Ronnie James Dio. Ozzy embarked on an extremely successful solo career. Meanwhile, Sabbath trudged on with various lineups throughout the 80s and 90s. The originals reunited in 1997. In 2006,the Dio lineup changed their name to Heaven and Hell.
Rock n Roll Moment: When Sabbath formed, flower power was the rage. They decided to do music designed to scare the hippies.
Essential Sabbath:
Black Sabbath (1970)Paranoid (1971)Master of Reality (1970)Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (1973)Heaven and Hell (1980)
Sabbath’s Top 10:
Black Sabbath
War Pigs
Iron Man
Paranoid
Children of the Grave
Snowblind
Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
Heaven and Hell
Rock n Roll Doctor
Changes
#42 Nirvana
It’s hard to believe that Nirvana’s recording career lasted only 5 years. They released their debut, “Bleach” in 1989 and their final album, “Unplugged in New York”, came out in 1994. However, their impact was huge. Nirvana is considered the flagship band of Generation X. They just happened along at the right time. People were tired of the old 80s scene and were moving toward Hip Hop and Country. Then, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” came out and that spelled the end of the plastic 80s. Their album, “Nevermind” beat out Michael Jackson on the pop charts and quickly became the most important album in years. The band was not sure if they liked being successful and it took it’s toll on front man Kurt Cobain. In 1994, he committed suicide.
Rock n Roll Moment: Smells Like Teen Spirit launched the 90s Rock Revolution.
Essential Nirvana:
Bleach (1989)
Nevermind (1991)
In Uetero (1993)
Unplugged (1994)
Nirvana’s Top 10:
Sliver
Smells Like Teen Spirit
Come As You Are
Lithium
In Bloom
Heart Shaped Box
About A Girl
Pennyroyal Tea
All Apologies
Rape Me
Rock n Roll Moment: Smells Like Teen Spirit launched the 90s Rock Revolution.
Essential Nirvana:
Bleach (1989)
Nevermind (1991)
In Uetero (1993)
Unplugged (1994)
Nirvana’s Top 10:
Sliver
Smells Like Teen Spirit
Come As You Are
Lithium
In Bloom
Heart Shaped Box
About A Girl
Pennyroyal Tea
All Apologies
Rape Me
Sunday, June 21, 2009
The Revolutionary Presidents: 1789-1825
Nowadays, every President obsesses over their legacy. Some of this is media driven and the desire for the press and the public to sum up a presidency as simply and as quickly as possible. Many presidents can claim multiple legacies which further confuses the public and the press. Here is the crib notes version of each president's main legacy beginning with the Revolutionary generation. These five presidents were shaped by their experiences in the Revolution.
1. George Washington (1789-1797): The first George W's legacy is as Father of the Country. His policies kept the country from fracturing. He upheld Federal Supremacy over localism by putting down the Whiskey Rebellion. He kept the country out of the European conflict between France and Britain. His foreign policy became the basis of American foreign policy for a century. As a result of his prudence, instead of falling into civil war or being torn apart by foreign invaders, the United States survived into the next century. Washington's other major legacy is the presidency itself. He was the model the framers had in mind. He set many precedents followed to this day and established the two term limit which only Franklin Roosevelt broke (although U.S. Grant, Theodore Roosevelt, and Woodrow Wilson wanted to break).
2. John Adams (1797-1801): Many historians would claim the Alien and Sedition Acts as Adams' legacy. This is more a reaction to the imagined abuses of the Bush Administration. However, Adams' real legacy is the Peace with France that cost him the presidency. The Anglophobic Democratic Party thought he was a monarchical tyrant while his own party thought he was soft on France and clamoured for war. With the exception of the Civil War era, this was the most divisive political period in American history. Adams' fought his own party as well as the Democrats. He resisted war, achieved peace with the French, and lost his re-election bid.
3. Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809): Jefferson was personally miserable as president. He was very unhappy in the White House. His second term was a disaster. However, his first term was spectacular. The Louisiana Purchase and Lewis and Clark Expedition not only symbolized the young republic, but serve as Jefferson's Presidential Legacy. Interestingly, Jefferson's biggest legacy is the Declaration of Independence which he wrote a quarter of a century before becoming president.
4. James Madison (1809-1817): For better or worse, the War of 1812 is synonymous with James Madison's presidency. Today, some people consider the war a failure, America's first defeat in a war, and needlessly divisive. The War of 1812 might be the most divisive war in U.S. history as New England threatened to leave the Union and celebrated British victories. Some consider the war a draw and a national distraction. However, most Americans at the time considered it a victory for liberty and the war that secured American independence. In many respects, this last interpretation is the most accurate. Like Jefferson, Madison's greatest legacy occurred before his presidency. James Madison is considered the Father of the Constitution.
5. James Monroe (1817-1825): The Federalist Party died and the Democrats had the political world to themselves. Being Democrats, they fought amongst themselves. However, Monroe's legacy unites most Americans to this day and is often invoked by his successors. The Monroe Doctrine bars European colonization and interference in the Americas. It legitimized American involvement during the Cuban Missile Crisis, Invasion of Grenada, and many other activities. Some have been positive while others have been questionable. However, the anti-colonial principles within the doctrine influence American thinking to this day.
1. George Washington (1789-1797): The first George W's legacy is as Father of the Country. His policies kept the country from fracturing. He upheld Federal Supremacy over localism by putting down the Whiskey Rebellion. He kept the country out of the European conflict between France and Britain. His foreign policy became the basis of American foreign policy for a century. As a result of his prudence, instead of falling into civil war or being torn apart by foreign invaders, the United States survived into the next century. Washington's other major legacy is the presidency itself. He was the model the framers had in mind. He set many precedents followed to this day and established the two term limit which only Franklin Roosevelt broke (although U.S. Grant, Theodore Roosevelt, and Woodrow Wilson wanted to break).
2. John Adams (1797-1801): Many historians would claim the Alien and Sedition Acts as Adams' legacy. This is more a reaction to the imagined abuses of the Bush Administration. However, Adams' real legacy is the Peace with France that cost him the presidency. The Anglophobic Democratic Party thought he was a monarchical tyrant while his own party thought he was soft on France and clamoured for war. With the exception of the Civil War era, this was the most divisive political period in American history. Adams' fought his own party as well as the Democrats. He resisted war, achieved peace with the French, and lost his re-election bid.
3. Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809): Jefferson was personally miserable as president. He was very unhappy in the White House. His second term was a disaster. However, his first term was spectacular. The Louisiana Purchase and Lewis and Clark Expedition not only symbolized the young republic, but serve as Jefferson's Presidential Legacy. Interestingly, Jefferson's biggest legacy is the Declaration of Independence which he wrote a quarter of a century before becoming president.
4. James Madison (1809-1817): For better or worse, the War of 1812 is synonymous with James Madison's presidency. Today, some people consider the war a failure, America's first defeat in a war, and needlessly divisive. The War of 1812 might be the most divisive war in U.S. history as New England threatened to leave the Union and celebrated British victories. Some consider the war a draw and a national distraction. However, most Americans at the time considered it a victory for liberty and the war that secured American independence. In many respects, this last interpretation is the most accurate. Like Jefferson, Madison's greatest legacy occurred before his presidency. James Madison is considered the Father of the Constitution.
5. James Monroe (1817-1825): The Federalist Party died and the Democrats had the political world to themselves. Being Democrats, they fought amongst themselves. However, Monroe's legacy unites most Americans to this day and is often invoked by his successors. The Monroe Doctrine bars European colonization and interference in the Americas. It legitimized American involvement during the Cuban Missile Crisis, Invasion of Grenada, and many other activities. Some have been positive while others have been questionable. However, the anti-colonial principles within the doctrine influence American thinking to this day.
#43 Metallica
Metallica emerged as a reaction to LA’s glam scene. They despised hair metal and wanted to concentrate on the music as opposed to their look. The band helped create trash metal which centers around speed and aggression. Their first album, “Kill ’Em All”, created a following. Their next album, “Master of Puppets” established them as the leaders of the trash movement and is their Magnus Opus. In the late 80s, the release and video for “One” made them stars and in 1991, they became superstars with the “Black” album which included “Enter Sandman.” The 90s saw Metallica become more of a radio friendly rock band and less trash. They changed their sound with the terrible, “St. Anger”, but returned to their roots in 2008 with “Death Magnetic.” They were inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in 2009.
Metallica has had it’s issues throughout their history. Their original bassist, Cliff Burton, was killed when a tour bus crushed him. In the early 2000s, the band nearly disintegrated on camera as they filmed a documentary. Burton’s replacement, Jason Newsted, left the band and vocalist James Hetfield came off poorly. The band also attacked file sharing and Napster which hurt their popularity. In the long run, Lars was right.
Rock n Roll Moment: St. Anger saw the band nearly disintegrate. It also qualifies for a wussy moment.
Essential Metallica:
Kill Em All (1983)
Ride the Lightning (1984)
Master of Puppets (1986)
Metallica (1991)
Metallica’s Top 10:
Seek and Destroy
Fade To Black
For Whom The Bell Tolls
Master of Puppets
Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
One
Enter Sandman
The Unforgiven
Wherever I May Roam
No Leaf Clover
Metallica has had it’s issues throughout their history. Their original bassist, Cliff Burton, was killed when a tour bus crushed him. In the early 2000s, the band nearly disintegrated on camera as they filmed a documentary. Burton’s replacement, Jason Newsted, left the band and vocalist James Hetfield came off poorly. The band also attacked file sharing and Napster which hurt their popularity. In the long run, Lars was right.
Rock n Roll Moment: St. Anger saw the band nearly disintegrate. It also qualifies for a wussy moment.
Essential Metallica:
Kill Em All (1983)
Ride the Lightning (1984)
Master of Puppets (1986)
Metallica (1991)
Metallica’s Top 10:
Seek and Destroy
Fade To Black
For Whom The Bell Tolls
Master of Puppets
Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
One
Enter Sandman
The Unforgiven
Wherever I May Roam
No Leaf Clover
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