Random Notes from a Crank

I discovered a new word that I need to employ more often in my vocabulary: Blatherskite. Its definition is "a person who talks at great length without making much sense." 

That's a solid description of Moscow Don. 

I got it from an article in the May issue of Harper's by Thomas Frank: "The Pessimistic Style in American Politics: And Its Eternal War on Reform." 

For someone like me who is rather particular about the type of toilet paper his family uses, people hoarding TP angers me. I'm a regular user of Cottonelle and Quilted Northern, but those brands are rarely in stock at my local supermarket unless I go early in the morning. The highbrow Aldi brand TP gets the job done, but it is not as comforting on the nether regions as the aforementioned brands. 

This weekend apparently was one that The Spectrum on SiriusXM featured Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks songs. Fleetwood Mac is highly regarded band from critics, but it was never a group I got into. 

Their tunes are all right, but they are not one of those bands or artists that make me turn the channel like Aerosmith, the Eagles, and Journey. 

In an interview in Esquire, Jason Isbell mentioned Neutral Milk Hotel, a band that made two highly acclaimed indie rock albums in the 90s. That's a band that I need to check out, which sent me to Amazon Music to listen to the album In the Airplane Over the Sea. 

Music Friday: "No Good"

Since I recently posted some ramblings about SiriusXM radio, I might as well present a song I heard on The Spectrum channel that made me buy a band's album. I had never heard of them before that time.  

Check out Kaleo's "No Good." 

Random Notes from a Crank

In a recent Grist "Briefly" article, I learned that Volvo is going to be the first big automaker that is getting rid of the internal combustion engine. In two years, the only new cars the company will roll out will be electric. 

In other good news featured in "Briefly," an appeals court is at least slowing down MoscowDon's EPA decision to gut regulations about methane. 

James Hohlman in The Washington Post shows how MoscowDon's asinine "Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity" is not only nonsense but also an attack on the values of some real Republicans: "Principled Conservatives Show Federalism Is More Than Just a Talking Point by Rejecting Voting Data Requests." 

Our new car, a family edition (has a third row if desired) Nissan Rogue, came with SiriusXM radio, so when I get to drive the car (it is Mrs. Nasty's primary car), I like to explore the radio stations they offer. For the most part, I've settled into a number of "Rock" stations that I alternate among: The Spectrum, Lithium, Alt Nation, First Wave, Pearl Jam, E Street, and Underground Garage. I also listen to Real Jazz, Bluesville, Outlaw Country, and Bluegrass Junction from time to time. 

I wish they offered some kind of "Americana" music station.