One complaint about the film is that Michael Moore is making money off of it (?!?). It's his film and he's not supposed to attempt to profit from it? Let's see, he makes a stinker film. It bombs. He loses his investment. He loses his credibility as a filmmaker. If it doesn't bomb, he makes money. he gains credibility as a filmmaker. All filmmakers run this risk. It looks like Moore made a winner and so deserves his rewards.

Go see the film or wait for the DVD. For a $3 rental you can make up your own mind instead of blindly bleeting what some Rightist power freak wants you to spew.

Trial of Hussein
"Let the sideshow begin...hurry, hurry / step right on in / can't afford to pass it by / guaranteed to make you cry" or "Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends..". The trial will be most interesting because the U.S. is pre-emptively saying that Hussein won't be able to call Bush (or likely any other U.S. officials - (cough)Rumsfeld(cough)) as witnesses. Pity. I bet a lot of dirt would come out. My guess is that either the trial will be open-and-shut against Hussein with execution all happening before November, or if it looks like too much information is coming out that makes Bush look bad, the U.S. will stall until after November when Bush loses. In other words, politics as usual. Whatever Hussein says on the stand will see comments from the Bush Administration to the contrary (and without chance for Hussein to counter). Talk about propaganda.

And I noticed that the charges against Hussein are all 1990 or older. Nothing about placing Iraq in jeopardy by (1) pursuing WMDs, (2) consorting with terrorist groups, or (3) threatening the United States. Neat huh?

Perfect Albums
A complaint against buying CDs has been that most CDs have only 1 or 2 songs worth buying, hence the tendency to download. That got me thinking about the albums I have that I consider "perfect" - every song a gem. My list tends towards ancient rock but please comment in your suggestions for newer possibilities - I welcome to hear something new and complete. Remember the criteria: every song a gem and no "Best of.." cheats. Note that many of the albums below were remastered for CD and may include new tracks. I can't vouch for the new additions in that I still listen to my original vinyl editions.

Here goes (and it is a work in progress):

Kate Bush - "The Kick Inside": Kate's inaugural album was spectacular. With a voice that soar, swoop, cut glass, and knock bats out of flight, this album from 1978 had me locked in my room, staring at the cover, listening, drooling. It's magic.

Steely Dan - "Can't Buy A Thrill": another debut album. Steely Dan set a high standard with this album from 1972, one I think they never matched with any of their later releases.

Pink Floyd - "The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn": Of course the Floyds' "Dark Side of the Moon", "Animals", and "The Wall" easily qualify for the list but this album, their first, from 1967 is special. This was when they had guy named Syd Barrett writing most of their material before he succumbed to the effects of too much Vitamin L. Look him up on the Net if you want more info but get this album and discover genius of the "crazy diamond". Warning: do NOT listen to this album while under the influence of anything.

Flogging Molly - "Drunken Lullabyes": A recent group! I'm not entirely out of it and punk rock refuses to die. Irish punk at it's absolute best and shows that Los Angeles can still turn out a decent band. Singin' drunken lullabyes.

Black Sabbath - "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath": The album name alone could get you grounded for a month but this is Black Sabbath's best work period. This is the definitive monster rock album.

Cat Stevens - "Tea For The Tillerman": This album could easily double as his "Best of" - it's that good. Not quite Easy Listening, more than simply Folk Rock, it's I dunno. It's a shame that too many people are willing to judge this work based on Cat Steven's, now Yusuf Islam, current politics and religion.

Elvis Costello, oh he of large glasses and dubious look, started off his career with IMHO three (3) - yes three, tres, trois, drei, tri - perfect albums. I haven't been impressed with his works since then. Anyway here are the big 3 - "My Aim Is True", "Armed Forces", and "This Year's Model". Get one; get them all - you can't go wrong.

Led Zeppelin - "In Through The Out Door": This may be blasphemy but I consider this their only perfect album. Their other albums had one or two songs that just weren't quite high enough but this album is wall-to-wall gems. Stop throwing rocks! Led Zeppelin is still the second greatest rock group ever (see below).

Jethro Tull - "Thick As A Brick" and "Aqualung". Two albums to make you "start away uneasy". These are the best examples of what I'd call Renaissance Faire Rock which included King Crimson and lesser beings. "Thick As A Brick" is essentially a 45-minute song, famous not only for it's length but for the record cover and insert. The album was a piece of art that tragically didn't transfer from vinyl to CD, though the CD has extra tracks.

Fleetwood Mac - "Rumours": Way too easy to have this on the list. It sold a bazillion copies, won a bazillion awards, and deservedly so. Very close to perfect was the previous album Fleetwood Mac - "Fleetwood Mac" showing the first incarnation of the superstar lineup - Fleetwood, McVie, McVie, Buckingham, and Nicks.

Beatles: They have too many perfect albums to list. Any one care to disagree when I say the the Beatles were The Greatest Rock Group? Didn't think so.

I'm stopping now but this list isn't done. Expect "more, more, more" - how d'you like it? ("Gosh, Mahatma, no disco?!?" - yeah, I may be old but I'm not stupid.)

OK, not done yet. I have to mention a group that didn't have perfect albums though a few came darn close. They didn't stay together all that long and they had a tendency to switch lead guitarists. Their music however was unbelievable. Their influence undeniable. Give you a hint: their lead guitarists were Eric Clapton (AKA God), Jimmy Page (Led who?), and Jeff Beck (who?). The group: The Yardbirds. Find an album like "Over Under Sideways Down" and hold on for a great ride. Pity that the guitarists never amounted to anything.

Saturn And Mars
Stupid politics aside anyone notice the incredible achievements of exploration? Mars is ours and now Saturn. Unbelievable! Seeing the amazing photos and reading about the technology keeps my spirit high that the blinders the Bushies and Rightists want us to wear will not fit. You cannot contain soaring imagination combined with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Kudos to JPL, NASA, and ESA for yet another stupendous achievement.