Americans Want More Than Rhetoric And Reports on The NSA.

On the 53rd anniversary of President Eisenhower's warning about the military-industrial complex, President Obama spoke in defense of massive government spying programs. During the much-anticipated speech, the President claimed that he will reign in our government's wide net of surveillance, and give the public “more confidence” in the National Security Agency's spying programs. However, most of the reforms that the President offered focus on data storage, mining, and sharing. They do not put limits on bulk data collection, make FISA Court rulings transparent, or do anything to protect the privacy rights of Americans.

These so-called signal intelligence directives simply call for reports, reviews, and future policies, instead of defining concrete measures to protect Americans' civil rights. Fifty three years ago, President Eisenhower warned us about the power of “the potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power,” and we only need to look at the influence our intelligence agencies have to understand that warning. Despite the fact that there is no evidence that these government spying programs have saved American lives, our President, and our national security officials continue to claim that these violations of our civil rights are necessary to keep us safe.

Americans don't want rhetoric and reports about government surveillance, they want their personal information to remain private in the absence of a warrant. There is a legitimate role for our national intelligence agencies, but we should not be asked to sacrifice our essential liberty in the name of national security.

Comments

sandlewould's picture
sandlewould 9 years 9 weeks ago
#1

I can’t imagine Pres. Obama has any interest in doing anything functional to change the current state of affairs re. Government warrantless surveillance of Americans’ personal info..if in fact he even has the practical power to do so. The only thing more terrifying than the Government engaging in this activity is the notion that a private corp. would be ‘sanctioned’ to do it for the Gov. (as if they aren’t already). A private corporation would have no accountability to the people!

Although more subtle, covert and thus more insidious than Nazi Germany, thanks to carful control of reporting by the corporate media that partner with the richest most powerful milt-nationals, we have allowed our nation to be carefully “crafted” into the most aggressive empire in the history of the world. Whistleblower Sibel Edmonds, formerly with the FBI, is under a permanent gag order with regard to her case. She has since dedicated her life to helping other whistleblowers via her blog/pod Boilingfrogspost.com. Many whistle blowers like Russel Tice, formerly with Air Force Intelligence, Office of Naval intelligence and the NSA, have tried to tell the media what they know. In his case, on June 19, 2013, before an interview he was told the following by an MSNBC producer:
“We Don’t Want a Word on Your Allegations Pertaining to NSA Wiretapping of Obama, Judges & Activists”
Tice was quoted on Boiling Frogs Post as saying;
“When they were placing the ear-phone in my ear with less than ten minutes left till my air time, the producer in New York said that their lawyers were discussing the material, and at this time, they did not want me to mention anything about the NSA wiretaps against all the people and organizations that I mentioned. That is how it went down. I did say on the air that I know it is much worse and would like to talk about that some time.”

http://www.boilingfrogspost.com/2013/06/21/msnbc-censors-nsa-whistleblow...

Snowden is trying to tell the world because the whole world is at stake, not just the Unites States of America.

http://www.boilingfrogspost.com/2013/06/19/podcast-show-112-nsa-whistleb...

Aliceinwonderland's picture
Aliceinwonderland 9 years 9 weeks ago
#2

Candidate Obama promised more transparency in government. President Obama brings the proverbial sledge hammer down on whistleblowers - not the criminals they're exposing - and justifies unconstitutional warrantless spying on us. So... before the next election, we must ask ourselves yet again: who can we trust? THAT is the $100,000,000 question. - Aliceinwonderland

stecoop01's picture
stecoop01 9 years 9 weeks ago
#3

Aliceinwonderland - you are so right about the two faces of Obama; only a few months into his first term I began to see changes from his candidate face. I've come to the conclusion that he, or any president, is is not really in control of the presidency. It would not surprise me to hear that he was brainwashed right after his inauguration.

As for the NSA, the next time I get a colonoscopy, I'm going to think of the NSA, and send them my best wishes.8-))

Aliceinwonderland's picture
Aliceinwonderland 9 years 9 weeks ago
#4

Yeah "stecoop", I'd sure like to see those fascist scumbags try brainwashing Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren... (Hah!) If the Dems can't come up with a candidate as good as Elizabeth, I'll just vote for the Green Party or Justice Party candidate, and hope for the best. - Alice I.W.

sandlewould's picture
sandlewould 9 years 9 weeks ago
#5

I wrote Sen. Warren to ask her to run just to force SHillary to debate her...and then, she can hand her the nomination if she wants to stay in the Senate, I'm afraid they would kill her, to be frank...

Aliceinwonderland's picture
Aliceinwonderland 9 years 9 weeks ago
#6

Elizabeth can hand SHillery the nomination, but that warmonger-with-lipstick ain't gettin' my vote.... ever.

Pointofgrille's picture
Pointofgrille 9 years 9 weeks ago
#7

The biggest winner if Hillary gets the nomination and wins will be...................wait for it......CITICORP! and of course a few other too big to fail outfits. Not the People. I just gathered all of my Obama "Change Is" posters, window stickers, invite to inaugeration (embossed and guaranteed to be within a couple of miles of the podium), and the Christmas cards with picture of "Bo" running in the White House snow, and placed them all in bottom drawer under my old underware. On second thought, I'm taking the card with"Bo" back out and putting over the wall beside my dog "Chewy's" bed. I think he kind of thought that was his card, and he's a smart Jack Russell.....so he'll let me know when to take it down. I'll keep you posted on Chewys decision.

sandlewould's picture
sandlewould 9 years 9 weeks ago
#8

Agreed

Pointofgrille's picture
Pointofgrille 9 years 9 weeks ago
#9

Some sort of implant on inaugaration eve, makes more sense in explaining OBummers performance than any other explanation that comes to my mind.

sandlewould's picture
sandlewould 9 years 9 weeks ago
#10

HA! Maybe you should put them in the laundry...under your dirty underwear...

Aliceinwonderland's picture
Aliceinwonderland 9 years 9 weeks ago
#11

Pointofgrille, thanks for the belly laugh. I needed that...

chuckle8's picture
chuckle8 9 years 9 weeks ago
#12

I think the meeting in the Caucus Room restaurant on inaugaration eve is a much better explanation.

bobbler's picture
bobbler 9 years 9 weeks ago
#13

After observing bill Clinton and later obamas, I'm convinced s democrats might as well be the same party as republicans (except for a very few like Elizabeth warren,, and I believe Frankin bad sanders are independents)..

So I WILL NOT VOTE FOR A REPUBLICAN, EVEN IF THEY ARE LABELING THEMSELVES DEMOCRATS!

ANYONE, know how to follow discussions on this forum? After a day oy two I can't find the discussion.. And I don't see a way to get notified of activity in a discussion I might wish to follow. Seems ADD, LOL to me.. Intelligent, quick, and hey we've moved on.. Not everyone likes that mode.

bobcox's picture
bobcox 9 years 9 weeks ago
#14

See Chkris Hedges comments about why the present governor of New Jersey would be dangerous as a president.

Palindromedary's picture
Palindromedary 9 years 9 weeks ago
#15
Quote bobbler: ANYONE, know how to follow discussions on this forum?

Do you mean: Community? If you click on "Community", just to the left of "Thom" it will get you to a lot of discussions on various issues.

Quote bobbler:So I WILL NOT VOTE FOR A REPUBLICAN, EVEN IF THEY ARE LABELING THEMSELVES DEMOCRATS!

I certainly agree...and a good way of saying it!

Palindromedary's picture
Palindromedary 9 years 9 weeks ago
#16

Sandlewould: Thanks for those links...I used to listen to Sibel Edmonds on the "Boiling Frogs" podcast all the time. I need to get back to it again.

MontanaMuleGal's picture
MontanaMuleGal 9 years 9 weeks ago
#17

Sandlewould - Thank you for bringing Sibel's work onto this forum. The podcasts that she and Peter B Collins record will give the listener information they won't get anywhere else.

I learned about Peter B when he used to fill in as a guest host for Thom.

As to Warren... yes, her plane would probably crash or her brakes would fail (etc) if she were elected.

Alas, as to voting... we American citizens need to step back from the myth that our votes count. Voting has been totally corrupted by electonic / computerized voting machines.

We also need to re-frame our needs away from left-right, Dem or Repub. As Thom pointed out several years ago, the conflict is between those at the top and the rest of us. It's funny that Thom still beats the ol' Dem-Repub two-party system drum.

Palindromedary's picture
Palindromedary 9 years 9 weeks ago
#18

bobcox: do you mean Chris Hedges article in Truthdig?
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/the_trouble_with_chris_christie_2014...
-------------------------
NSA collects millions of text messages daily in 'untargeted' global sweep

• NSA extracts location, contacts and financial transactions
• 'Dishfire' program sweeps up 'pretty much everything it can'
• GCHQ using database to search metadata from UK numbers

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/16/nsa-collects-millions-text-...

Palindromedary's picture
Palindromedary 9 years 9 weeks ago
#19

I just watched the new movie "Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit" in the theater. And the whole time I was wondering if this was a movie funded by the NSA. No, it wasn't about the NSA..mostly the CIA...Jack Ryan was recruited by the CIA but the whole movie seemed like propaganda. It glamorized and seemed to be trying to justify our government being able to quickly spy on anyone they wanted all for the purpose of defeating a dastardly evil foe that was trying to destroy the US.

Movies have shifted, over the years, from one evil enemy to another. First it was the Soviet Union...then China..then drug kingpins....then Arab countries...and now they are back to evil Russia. The original Red Dawn was about Russians invading the US. The latest Red Dawn were Chinese invaders. It's always been some evil outside force that we all are made to believe is our enemy.

I sure couldn't get into cheering for the "good guys" this time because I believe that Wall Street is the root of all evil or at least a very big part of it. My take away is that the US doesn't need any help in creating a 2nd major economic crash and depression...they do just fine all by themselves.

And as for having the ability to spy on anyone ostensibly for the purpose of protecting us from the bad guy...they haven't done very well. We had plenty of high tech abilities (Echelon)...even plenty of outside help (many countries warned of an attack)..and 9/11 happened anyway. Same thing more than a decade later...with the Boston bombings. So, the mass spying on Americans has nothing to do with preventing terrorism unless you consider massive civil unrest as terrorism. And I'm sure that is largely what the spying is all about. The ruling elite know that they cannot continue unopposed in their current economic war against the majority without massive unrest.

Palindromedary's picture
Palindromedary 9 years 9 weeks ago
#20

Aliceinwonderland: "SHillary" very good! And can you imagine how the Repuglicans will keep SHillary's hubby in the spotlight the whole time?

Aliceinwonderland's picture
Aliceinwonderland 9 years 9 weeks ago
#21

Hey PD, I was about to compliment your last post when you sent this brief response to one of mine. And as much as I appreciate the compliment, I can't take credit for "SHillery". If I recall correctly, I picked that up from one of Sandlewould's posts.

And Sandlewould, I got the "Trans Pacific Pirate Ship" off someone else's (can't remember who).

While I'm loathe to accept credit not owed me, I'm not averse to repeating what resonates with me. - Aliceinwonderland

Palindromedary's picture
Palindromedary 9 years 9 weeks ago
#22

Thank you for your honesty, Aliceinwonderland. And my pardons to Sandlewould...I must have read it when reading Sandlewould's posts. My old synapses, axons, and dendrites aren't what they used to be. I'm afraid my telomeres just keep getting shorter and shorter...pretty soon... apoptosis of the whole organism. Back into the primordial soup!

Palindromedary's picture
Palindromedary 9 years 9 weeks ago
#23

Boiling frogs demonstration...put a frog in room temperature water and he is just fine. Slowly turn up the temperature and he'll never notice the danger until it is too late....kind of like what is happening to the majority of people in the US...actually in the world.

Sensitive people may not want to watch this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyBKz1wdK0M

Well, this video claims that no frogs were injured and that a "stunt" frog was used but I swear I saw the eyeballs move under the skin when the water was boiling...and where did all those bubbles come from...certainly not from a rubber frog.

Although, Snopes disagrees...the frog will jump out when it gets too uncomfortable in the heat...I wonder if the masses will do the same. I think history has proven over and over again that they have....and they will again.

http://www.snopes.com/critters/wild/frogboil.asp

Aliceinwonderland's picture
Aliceinwonderland 9 years 9 weeks ago
#24

Palin- I can't count the number of times I've said the exact same thing about that boiling frog metaphor; how perfectly it fits our predicament in 21st Century America.

bobbler's picture
bobbler 9 years 9 weeks ago
#25

Thanks PD,

I clicked community, then spent the next 20 minutes looking for this thread,, its like a wild goose chase for me. I looked under message boards too.

If I don't keep these discussions up Ina browser, i can never find them again.

I really with the Hartman crew would make their stuff more user friendly.

Mark Saulys's picture
Mark Saulys 9 years 9 weeks ago
#26

There is nothing a modern American politician, especially a POTUS, is more terrified of than to have another 9/11 happen on their watch. Until that changes they aren't likely to change their attitude on the matter. Their behavior will have to be forced by acts of Congress, courts or enough public pressure.

There may also be pressure from private, big business entities to keep a massive spy network active to keep a leash on dissent against big business' behaviors (Occupy Wall Street, ELF, Raiinforest Action Network, etc.) as the Strattford emails have shown.

In any case, any president or politician will continue spying as long as they can reasonably assume that they'll catch more flack for not doing it than for doing it.

Same for drone strikes, as long as a majority of the American public favors them and until the people of the United States make clear, in no uncertain terms, that they want drone strikes to stop, even if that means Al Queida will have a safe haven in Pakistan, they will continue.

The target of our persuasive undertakings must always be less the president and political leaders than the American public as a whole.

Kend's picture
Kend 9 years 9 weeks ago
#27

Wow it sounds like you are talking about China, Cuba or Russia Are you really talking about the United States of America And a democratic President? Kinda scary. Did Obama ever show is birth certificate? Just kidding don't get all crazy on me.

Alice be careful voting green or justice party that's what happens here in Canada and the left splits the vote and the conservatives get in. I think you need to get the right people in the Democrate party like the tea party did and take it over. Hold it why am I saying this I am a righty.

As far as the Clinton's and Obama jumping the fence once they get in I think Obama is now thinking about his legacy and doesn't care about anything else. Although he will always be know as the ACA president they jury isn't out on if it will be any good yet. if it fails Obama will always been know as the President that spent 10 trillion dollars and he certainly doesn't want to be known for that. The last two years of the president term are the scariest.

bobbler's picture
bobbler 9 years 9 weeks ago
#28

Is there a relationship bt NSA "illegal" problem activities specifically, and keeping us safe? I feel like americans are also in danger from domestic enemies that ave made america fascist; namely big money (that controls republicans and democrats).

SteveS's picture
SteveS 9 years 9 weeks ago
#29

Yesterday, Kevin Gozstola (spelling?) on Firedoglake.org and Glenn Greenwald in the Guardian wrote the best articles I've read on President Obama's speech about the NSA. Both articles were reprinted on Common Dreams' website. Gozstola showed how Obama was lecturing us, and Greenwald showed how Obama's arguments were sorely lacking in force.

michaelmoore052's picture
michaelmoore052 9 years 9 weeks ago
#30

If the founders of the United States had had no privacy, we'd all still be doing the minuet.

And that's the bottom line. That's the point. That's the lesson.

sandlewould's picture
sandlewould 9 years 9 weeks ago
#31

Can't take vredit for SHillary...got it from the chat room :)

Palindromedary's picture
Palindromedary 9 years 9 weeks ago
#33

Well, Sandlewould, thank you for passing it along! ;-}
SHillary, SHillary, SHillary....no they couldn't! No they didn't!

Palindromedary's picture
Palindromedary 9 years 9 weeks ago
#34

Sandlewould: good point! #33

The White House has a phrase called "Strategy of Tension" which means blow up a building and say your enemy did it...ie: "false flag operation" but they like to call it "Strategy of Tension".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vka7Da6e9LY&feature=youtu.be
And this shows how Google and YouTube suppressed this video on 9/11 (2013):
"Search Engine Manipulation. Google and YouTube Suppress Controversial 9/11 Truth?"
http://www.globalresearch.ca/theme/9-11-war-on-terrorism

And I know that Wikipedia does the same thing. I've tried to edit Wikipedia a few years ago with information that they lacked. My information stayed up there for only about 10 minutes before it was deleted. I only wrote a simple little fact that everyone now is aware of but it was glaringly omitted so I tried to set the record straight...and I did for about 10 minutes.

Aliceinwonderland's picture
Aliceinwonderland 9 years 9 weeks ago
#35

You know Thom, I can't speak for everyone but I've said all I have to say on the NSA, the TPP, the ACA, Too-Big-To-Fail, Chained CPI and austerity ad nauseam. I wish more attention could be given this mean-spirited war against women, waged so relentlessly by our so-called "representatives". This revolting misogynist freak show is just another piece of a larger picture showing what tyranny and fascism look like. Misogyny has always been a common characteristic of fascist regimes. Now we get to see the American version of this age-old theme: keeping women down! You know this as well as I, and you've acknowledged it repeatedly on your talk show, yet it is rarely mentioned here. So I hope you'll pardon me for getting off topic for a spell.

The GOP's latest assault on my gender is the "No Taxpayer Funding For Abortion Act", or HR 7, said to have "dramatic implications" for the tax code and the private insurance market. This piece of legislation includes a provision so sick and twisted, it takes my breath away. It's a provision requiring the IRS to conduct audits of rape victims. That's right! This "law" eliminates medical-expense deductions for abortion care, for everyone except rape victims, thus sticking survivors of rape with the added burden of having to show the tax man they "deserve" a deduction for the cost of an abortion.

Where does the abuse stop?!! Is this the United States of America or Saudi Fucking Arabia?!!! Bad as it's been, Thom, I never could have imagined anything like the loony tunes "laws" passing thru Congress these days. So I have spent the better part of today on the blog accompanying this article (by Tara Culp-Ressler, on ThinkProgress). What follows are samples of (ahem) choice exchanges I had with one or two of the more piggish and disgusting male bloggers. Starting with this gem from John Stroka:

Victims? You mean like defenseless babies, yeah, how can you libs be so mean... I guess you were born and you don't want to afford that right to others... NICE! - John Stroka

John, why don't you just pop open a can of beer and catch a football game, and mind your own goddamn business? Let us women worry about what to do with our "lady parts", and decide whether or not we want to bring new life into the world. It's not your decision to make; sorry "charlie". This is not a complicated issue, except for those who might be, uh, "mentally challenged" to put it politely. - AIW

Next, take a load of this doofus's version of "Morality 101":

Abortion for any reason is still murder which is a capital offense. The fact that people want to justify the murder of an innocent because of a crime committed by the father is sickening. Furthermore, using money taken from people apposed to such a crime to mutilate children? Really now? Sick fucks. - Johnathan Bonnette

We're not your field to plow. Stick it in your ear, arrogant know-nothing prick! - AIW

Posted the next day:

LOW-LIFE arrogant know-nothing prick! You clowns take SO much for granted. Your sense of male entitlement is simply breathtaking. You know, there's a device on the market one can insert up her snatch and it's a wienie shredder. So ya better watch out, pal. Violate the wrong gal and it won't be pretty, you'll wish you were never born. - AIW

I'm somewhat befuddled by your responses. Are you familiar with the English language? Because you seem to feel as though I am doing something wrong be defending the lives of the unborn, and are being very offensive. - Johnathan Bonnette

O tal vez el español es su idioma y que debe comunicarse a usarlo. Usted es cómplice de asesinato y una perra amargada. vete a la mierda. ¿Qué mierda te pasa? Ni siquiera puedes llamarme con cualquier tipo de argurment por lo que me atacas? - J.B.

Mr. Bonnette, oh befuddled one, have YOU ever been raped? Has anyone you care about ever been raped? You defend the unborn while showing no regard for the subjects of this discussion: women who have been impregnated by force, against their will. By showing utter disregard for those who have been so outrageously and cruelly violated, you reveal yourself to be a SANCTIMONIOUS, LOW-LIFE, ARROGANT, KNOW-NOTHING PRICK!

I've got a news flash for you, pal: what we do with our "lady parts" is none of your goddam business. Got that? So please, spare me all your crocodile tears over those unborn babies you love so much. Behind this pretense of compassion you jerks claim to have for the unborn, all I see is envy and jealousy because WE can create new life, an ability you lack. Penis envy?!! Hah-hah. WOMB ENVY is more like it. Brings to mind a favorite old quote: "If men could get pregnant, ABORTION would be a SACRAMENT". Hey if you love babies so much, why don't you take some estrogen pills, grow some titties and try your hand as a "wet nurse"!

Hah-hah! I love stirring up shit. It's what I do… Aliceinwonderland

Palindromedary's picture
Palindromedary 9 years 9 weeks ago
#36

This is certainly not new to those of us who try to keep up with 9/11 but some people may not be aware of this glaring "anomaly" (cover up). Besides,

BBC reporter Jane Standley reported that the Solomon Brothers Building (WTC-7) collapsed 25 minutes before it actually did. WTC-7 building was clearly pictured behind her as she was reporting live from NYC. Someone at BBC must have finally realized what was wrong with this picture because the broadcast was interrupted unexpectedly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltP2t9nq9fI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnbMjAN7Bws

Palindromedary's picture
Palindromedary 9 years 9 weeks ago
#37

Aliceinwonderland: Way to go! And that jerk couldn't even spell "opposed" correctly. He is obviously a grade school flunky!

Palindromedary's picture
Palindromedary 9 years 9 weeks ago
#38

Aliceinwonderland: You kill me..."So please enlighten us "libtards"; what is the TRUE meaning of this bill? How would you justify the tax collector's nose up your..." ;-}

Kend's picture
Kend 9 years 9 weeks ago
#39

This abortion stuff just never goes away. I am with you Alice a women should have the right to do with here body as she wishes but up to a certain amount of weeks. I would have thought the morning after pill would have solved a lot of this.

Canada doesnt really have any laws against abortion. Some provinces fund it and some don't. There is about 100,000 abortions here a year Out of a population of 33 million. Which seems high to me. I guess birth control costs about $10.00 a month and with the morning after pill I don't see how there can be that many. But then again what do I know. all I know is no one should judge.

Aliceinwonderland's picture
Aliceinwonderland 9 years 9 weeks ago
#40

Finish the sentence, Palin: SNATCH! The tax collector's nose up her snatch.

"You kill me..." sez Palin. Reminds me of that old classic "Killing me softly..." Lah-lah-LAH! (One of those old songs from the sixties, played to death on musak stations...you know, with all those simpering violin choruses....) - AIW

Aliceinwonderland's picture
Aliceinwonderland 9 years 9 weeks ago
#41

Kend, I know this will shock you, but I agree with damn near everything you've said on this "abortion stuff". Wow. And there's not all that much you really need to know except that it is a private matter between a woman, her spouse and/or family, and her doctor. It concerns no one else. As you assert so forthrightly, no one should judge. I tip my hat to you... this time! (Heh-heh...)

Good job Kend! Much appreciated. - AIW

P.S. Now be careful; don't say anything to spoil it! (Yuk-Yuk)

Palindromedary's picture
Palindromedary 9 years 9 weeks ago
#42

Aliceinwonderland: I blush! But, yes, I love those golden oldies...as well as classical music. Not too keen on rap music though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSYq0sNSAkA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_w2dixRT3m8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMMxcgXp658
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KpeCk6NyZU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V43roLjtvd8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fcz3EZUhh1Q

I like the 1st one and the last 3 the best. Lyrics on the last with great video.

Aliceinwonderland's picture
Aliceinwonderland 9 years 9 weeks ago
#43

Oh my, Palin... That last one you like is the ONLY rendition of Killing Me Softly I have liked since hearing Ms. Flack's original version. Most arrangements I've since heard on musak stations spoiled it for me, with all those simpering violins... tantamount to embalming fluid. This arrangement is a virtual reincarnation, like giving it another shot at life. Bravo! - Aliceinwonderland

Palindromedary's picture
Palindromedary 9 years 9 weeks ago
#44

Aliceinwonderland: Not only was Roberta Flack's voice and tempo right on but the instrumentals were fantastic. And put together with that video and the lyrics made it really great. I'm glad you approved.

Aliceinwonderland's picture
Aliceinwonderland 9 years 9 weeks ago
#45

Ohmygod Palin... I just listened to Lori Lieberman's version and WOW. I am blown away. She's about my age, born in '51, and appears to be a solo artist. What a talent!

Here's the amazing part... check this out! I'd no sooner finished listening to Lori's version (the one with her accompanying herself on acoustic guitar), before I spotted something on the sidebar that sparked my curiosity. It was of a much earlier performance of this same song, Killing Me Softly, done by Lori way back in 1973; forty years ago, while she was in her early twenties. It was a stunning performance. From the interview that followed, I learned this song was not written by Roberta Flack; it was actually written for Lori and performed by Lori, before Ms. Flack ever heard of it! In fact, it turns out Roberta Flack learned this song from Ms. Lieberman!! Ain't that a trip. Wow-wee.

I'm a composer and I'm really into music, so this stuff fascinates me. I'm pretty opinionated though, and I don't impress that easily. But this woman knocks my socks off.

Anyway Palin, be sure to check that out. She is so drop-dead gorgeous in that early one; sings like an angel. Why this gal didn't wind up as famous as Judy Collins, Joan Biaz or - (tsk!) - Carole King is beyond me. But that's the music buiz for ya...

The times are a-changin' honey, and those old record label honchos are now history. Good riddance to them! They didn't go out gracefully; it got pretty ugly for awhile, with all these poor souls getting sued for huge piles of $$$ over reproductions made only for private use, that nobody made one thin dime on... Anyway now that they're gone, it's the MUSICIANS in the drivers' seat! Thanks to innovations and advancement in recording technology, we can easily produce our own albums and sell our music online. About flippin' time.

Anyway, enough said. Been a great day boppin' around ole "Blog Land"! Damn, I think I'm hooked. Down the road I may need to find, or establish, something like AA for blog addicts, just to get this impulse under control. But in the meantime, I'm engaging and debating and venting and having a friggin' blast. Sure has been fun. Now, where the hell is Marc?! - Aliceinwonderland

Palindromedary's picture
Palindromedary 9 years 9 weeks ago
#46

Aliceinwonderland: I think the first link I gave was of the younger Lori Lieberman back in 1972. Yes, she had a very beautiful voice and still does. By the way, I don't think she is doing too badly..she's got a lot of albums on the market:
http://www.lorilieberman.com/store.html

I didn't know the history behind it but that was very interesting. I never did spend much time, when I was younger, accumulating trivia about music. I certainly remember the music though...

Are you composing some good anti-LNG or anti-fracking songs? I used to listen to songs on Jamendo...found some really talented artists there...mostly into new age now...Tunguska...used to be mostly classical...rather enjoy Mongolian Throat Singing and overtone singing...I've been doing that for some years now...sometimes I amaze myself at some of the tones I can produce.
Are you still recording?
It's kind of fun to explore on Jamendo all the different kinds of music there:
Lilac Music by Pianochocolate:
http://www.jamendo.com/en/list/a126331/lilac-music#

I've also got a huge collection of CDs of meditation music and "brainwave hemi-sync" music. OOOOOmmmmmm!!
It's certainly not for everybody ;-}
This guy's pretty good:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zZainT9v6Q
And so is this guy..Amazing Grace:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPu9XMMY1Y8
But here's a man/woman duet: she's fantastic..like a bird:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMFf5gYQYmQ
And here she is by herself and her Tambura:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvN5C_-rKMI

I think DAM is probably on vacation...that would be my guess. but then again he may just be taking a little respite from blogging.

Aliceinwonderland's picture
Aliceinwonderland 9 years 9 weeks ago
#47

Palin, I'm much more a composer than songwriter. It's always been strictly piano & keyboards for me. I've composed literally dozens of pieces, mostly for piano, in many genres through the years. I've recorded most if not all of it (and to answer your question, am continuing to do so), and I have several albums put together. Seems kinda funny because I love to write, and most of my material is very melodic; yet joining or combining those two mediums of expression hasn't come as easily to me as I'd hoped. I think I'm just not quite "wired" for it, never having actually done it... with one or two exceptions. Did manage to create a lyric for Broomstick Boogie a few years back, so I've got at least one song to my name.

Anyway maybe a year ago, my hubby purchased a 24-track mixer, which opened up a world of possibilities for me. I already was hearing three vocal parts in my head, two back-up parts along with lead. I'm no seasoned vocalist, but I've an excellent ear and can certainly carry a tune, so I recorded all those vocal tracks with overdub; and if I do say so, came up with something pretty decent. (Love that mixin' board!) I just wish I could write some killer anti-LNG protest songs, because there sure seems to be the need for that, here and now. From my perspective, songwriting (along with cartooning) is he most powerful political tool - or weapon - any artist can have. - Aliceinwonderland

sandlewould's picture
sandlewould 9 years 9 weeks ago
#48

Alice/Palin,

Wow...As a young singer/sonwriter back in the 70's, I remember being told, that whoever wrote 'killing me softly' wrote it about Don McClean of 'American Pie' fame......all these musicians...I have a backgroung in choral/vocal music and folk accoustc...SO nice to know of all these cool folks! ...Does anyone knoe if it's possible to send someone a private message here?

Sandle

Kend's picture
Kend 9 years 9 weeks ago
#49

Alice my lips are sealed. Yahooooo we finally agree on something.

Aliceinwonderland's picture
Aliceinwonderland 9 years 9 weeks ago
#50

Sandle, I've had the same thought, about sending private messages. Frustrating isn't it! I haven't been able to think of a way around the security barrier (which, I'll acknowledge, is there for good reason). Lacking technical smarts, I'm ill equipped to do this anyway. That's where these thoughts always leave off... same dead end. - AIW

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