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  • The Music of Life for the Jewish New Year 5771
    By Michael Medved
    Thursday, September 09, 2010

    GUEST BLOG BY DIANE MEDVED 



    This eve of the Jewish New Year 5771--that's five thousand, seven hundred seventy-one years since Adam spoke--is an emotionally precarious time.

    In Jewish terms, it's just moments before God evaluates our behavior and decides whether or not we're worthy of another year--and if so, what type of year it will be.

    In personal terms, it's a transitional period for me, with children newly launched and no more excuses for procrastination on writing projects. Time to clear out the clutter, the kids' toys, the stacks of fading construction paper and notebooks that now only remind me of past Septembers.  Time to clarify directions, re-invent, and engage.

    More immediately, it's pressure to bake eight round challahs (loaves of egg bread) for our celebrations, cook five formal meals for twelve (there are six sit-down gatherings over the next three days, but we're invited to friends' for one of them), prepare for the arrival of my daughter and soon, my son, on their school holiday breaks, finalize the guest lists and go into full holiday-entertaining mode.

    I'm really not ready.

    So, I asked my husband, who is a connoisseur of classical music, for help.  It's a near-secret that he has been obsessed with classical music since well before middle school.  He asked for specific record albums for his bar mitzvah gifts.  Instead of carrying photos of his parents and siblings in his pre-teen wallet, he carried portraits of the classical masters.

    And he memorized music.  Play four notes of any classical piece and he can instantly recite the composer, the opus number, the key, the conductor, the year composed and the record label and date of release.  Obscure composer? No problem.  Not only will he spell and pronounce his name, complete with umlauts, but provide a short biography--embellished, if you choose, with histories of illegitimate children and venereal diseases.

    What I asked for was some "happy music."  I needed encouragement; I needed optimism; I needed something external and catchy and instantly accessible.  My request made him smile ear-to-ear.

    What is it about music that connects to the soul, that can provide "happy" with just a succession of tones?  Similarly, a series of sounds can bring tears and melancholy, recreate memories, or provide the stuff of fantasy flight.  Rosh Hashana and the Jewish holidays include liturgy with distinctive tunes that are heavy, as weighty as the decision of who will live and who will die.  We're inspired to repent, all right--hearing those melodies feels like a hammer about to crash down, at times.

    This is balanced with the strong, shrill blare of the ram's horn shofar, the symbolic sound of this time of year.  When God gave the ten commandments, the sound of the shofar stirred the hearts of the Jews with an understanding of the importance of the moment; similarly, we feel that same piercing, emotional force when the ram's horn is blown in the synagogue.  Babies stop crying; nobody moves; the visceral grip eliminates verbal thoughts.

    Such is the power of a single sound.  Equally affecting is the human construction of sounds into phrases, with syncopation and rhythm and harmony.  Give me "happy music" to make this transition into productivity, into dedication and appreciation and repentance.  Music to motivate gratitude and ongoing enjoyment; attention not to take one moment for granted.

    Here is a partial list of my "happy music" from the expert.  Perhaps some piece from this list will add to your excitement and earnestness about the new year.  May it be one of health and sweetness and soaring song.


    Brahms: Serenade #1 In D, Op. 11 - 1. Allegro Molto 12:57 Yoel Levi: Atlanta Symphony Orchestra



    Brahms: Serenade #1 In D, Op. 11 - 6. Rondo: Allegro 5:30 Yoel Levi: Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

    Haydn: Symphony No. 88, IV. Finale: Allegro con spirito 3:28 Fritz Reiner: Chicago Symphony Orchestra Reiner - Haydn Symphones 101, 95, 88

    Walking Tune 3:34 Percy Grainger, Music of Percy Grainger

    Molly on the Shore 3:53 Percy Grainger; Music of Percy Grainger 


    Grainger: Handel In The Strand 4:46 Kenneth Montgomery: Bournemouth Sinfonietta, Music of Percy Grainger


    Dvor?k: Symphony #6 In D, Op. 60, B 112 - 1. Allegro Non Tanto 12:37 Stephen Gunzenhauser: Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra Dvor?k: Complete Published Orchestral Works [Disc 5]


    Dvor?k: Symphony #6 In D, Op. 60, B 112 - 4. Finale: Allegro Con Spirito 10:41 Stephen Gunzenhauser: Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra Dvor?k: Complete Published Orchestral Works [Disc 5] 


    Symphony No. 3 ("Espansiva") Carl Nielsen, FS60: 1. Allegro espansivo 10:38 Herbert Blomstedt: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra Symphonies 2 & 3 


    Holst: Suite #1 In E Flat - March 3:12 Dallas Wind Symphony Holst: Suites #1 & 2, A Moorside Suite 


    Holst: Suite #2 In F -Song Of The Blacksmith 1:20 Dallas Wind Symphony Holst: Suites #1 & 2, A Moorside Suite


    Suite #2 in F: 4. Fantasia on the "Dargason" 3:21 Dallas Wind Symphony. Holst: Suites #1 & 2, A Moorside Suite


    Rodeo - Buckaroo Holiday 7:19 Aaron Copland. Aaron Copland: Prairie Music - JoAnn Falletta, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Classical


    Rodeo - Hoe Down 3:26 Aaron Copland. Aaron Copland: Prairie Music - JoAnn Falletta, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Classical


    Rodrigo: Concierto Serenata - 1. Estudiantina 8:34 Enrique B?tiz: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Rodrigo Orchestral


    Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Guitar Concerto #1 In D, Op. 99 - 1. Allegretto 6:26 Pepe Romero; Neville Marriner: Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields Villa-Lobos;Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Guitar Concertos


    Wiren: Serenade - Marcia: Tempo Di Marcia, Molto Ritmico 4:48 Richard Studt: Bournemouth Sinfonietta Scandinavian String Music


    Symphony No. 4 Op 90 - Allegro Vivace 10:30 Felix Mendelssohn Symphony# 4


    Handel: Alexander's Feast - Harp Concerto In B Flat: Allegro Moderato 6:06 Maxine Eilander; Stephen Stubbs: Seattle Baroque Orchestra Handel's Harp


    Beethoven: Symphony #1 In C, Op. 21 - 4. Finale: Adagio, Allegro Molto E Vivace 5:16 David Zinman & The Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich Beethoven: Symphonies [Disc 1]


    Beethoven: Symphony #2 In D, Op. 36 - 4. Allegro Con Brio 6:13 David Zinman & The Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich Beethoven: Symphonies [Disc 1]


    Bach: Jauchzet Gott In Allen Lande, BWV 51 4:32 Helmuth M?ller-Br?hl: Cologne Chamber Orchestra, Dresden Chamber Choir Favourite Bach Arias & Choruses


    Mendelssohn: Piano Concerto #1 In G Minor, Op. 25 - 3. Presto 6:09 Rudolf Serkin; Eugene Ormandy: Philadelphia Orchestra Mendelssohn: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 and Violin Concerto, Op. 64.

    If you've read this far, you're ready to go listen. And be happy you can!


    Diane's Blog:  http://www.brightlightsearch.blogspot.com/
  • Now It's About Appeasement
    By Carol Platt Liebau
    Thursday, September 09, 2010
    The "pastor" planning to burn the Koran on 9/11 is nothing but a disgusting troublemaker, whose fixed insistence on abusing his First Amendment rights reveals an ugly, unhelpful agenda catering to the most extreme fringes.

    And you know what?  That makes him the perfect correlate to Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, who has come up with a new rationale for going ahead with construction of a Ground Zero mosque, according to the NY Daily News:  Not doing it, he claims, would anger Islamists:

    The imam of the mosque conceded Wednesday he would have changed sites if he knew how controversial it would become - but he now believes a switch would anger the radical Muslim world.

    "If we don't do this right, anger will explode in the Muslim world," said Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf on CNN's "Larry King Live."

    Let's hope this removes all doubt from the minds of those who wonder where Rauf's preoccupations and interests lie -- and who the strongest proponents of the Ground Zero mosque are.

    Now we are supposed to accede to a Ground Zero mosque in order to appease the Islamists?  Imam Rauf, I DON'T THINK SO.

  • Muslim World Lumping Americans in Same Category
    By Katie Pavlich
    Thursday, September 09, 2010
    Talk about lumping all Americans together.

    The State Department has just released a global travel warning for all Americans due to plans one "pastor," Terry Jones,  in Florida has to burn a bunch of Koran's on 9/11 in protest of Islam. Now because of his plans, we are getting warnings that the Muslim world may react violently.

    The Department of State is issuing this Travel Alert to caution U.S. citizens of the potential for anti-U.S. demonstrations in many countries in response to stated plans by a church in Florida to burn Qur'ans on the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Demonstrations, some violent, have already taken place in several countries, including Afghanistan and Indonesia, in response to media reports of the church's plans. The potential for further protests and demonstrations, some of which may turn violent, remains high.  We urge you to pay attention to local reaction to the situation, and to avoid areas where demonstrations may take place. 

    Terry has a very very small following and in the grand scheme of things is completely irrelevant, but now it seems that the Muslim world is lumping and stereotyping all Americans together under the actions of one man, leaving us all "at risk," and characterizing all Americans as Muslim hating bigots. The Ground Zero Mosque controversy is a perfect example. Americans are constantly being accused of putting Muslims in the same category as terrorists, when in reality, Americans are the most tolerant people on Earth.  Talk about a double standard. Burning the Koran is not a good idea in an circumstance, however the reaction from the Muslim world is also very disappointing.




  • Arianna Huffington: Burning Koran Is Like Opposing Mosque
    By Greg Hengler
    Thursday, September 09, 2010
    A Huff took lefty hyperbole a wee too far here and it appears that she realizes it; take a look at her face at the end of the clip. It does not matter, though. Being on the Left means never having to say you're sorry.

    HT to VHABEEB.

  • Another Day, Another Shattered Obamacare Promise
    By Guy Benson
    Thursday, September 09, 2010
    Yesterday we found out that millions of Americans will face increased health care premiums thanks to Obamacare, and today there's this:

    The health-care overhaul enacted last spring won't significantly change national health spending over the next decade compared with projections before the law was passed, according to government figures released Thursday.

    The report by federal number-crunchers casts fresh doubt on Democrats' argument that the health-care law would curb the sharp increase in costs over the long term, the second setback this week for one of the party's biggest legislative achievements.

    It's nearly impossible to keep pace with the deficiencies of this dreadful behemoth, but the indefatigable crew over at Obamacare Watch is doing its level best.

    UPDATE: The AP story on the uptick in national health care spending levels is up on our homepage.
  • 4 Minutes of Imam Rauf's Highlights: I'm Building Mosque Out Of FEAR Of Muslim World!
    By Greg Hengler
    Thursday, September 09, 2010
    This highlight reel from last night's interview is chilling. The way he talks out of both sides of his mouth reminds me of someone....

    Although this Imam did his best to obfuscate his real intentions for building the mosque, this four minute version from his hour long interview says it all.

    Be afraid... Be verrrrrrry afraid.

    HT: Benjamin Rush.

  • The DCCC Strikes Again
    By Helen Whalen Cohen
    Thursday, September 09, 2010
    It looks like Nancy Pelosi is gearing up for a fight. She sent this message to her supporters at the DCCC:

    The truth is we know when we have the resources to get our message out and turn out the vote -- Democrats win. That's why I need your urgent help to raise $500,000 for our Emergency Rapid Response fund before Friday's media buy deadline.
    Good thing conservatives are prepared to meet this challenge. Here's an interesting idea from Smart Media Group, a conservative media firm.

    One point made over and again at CPAC was that we have used many different media sources successfully. With Democrats preparing for war, this might be one more worth considering.
  • Why is Meg Whitman Outperforming Carly Fiorina Among Young Voters?
    By Guy Benson
    Thursday, September 09, 2010
    Young voter trends have fascinated me ever since the Obama-McCain bloodbath of 2008.  As bleak as the statistics were two years ago, I've been building a case that Obama's youth landslide did not, and will not, guarantee permanent electoral and ideological doom for conservatives among Millenials. 

    Virginia offers a case in point.  In 2008, voters 18-29 in Virginia backed Obama over McCain by a 21-point margin.  One year later, the same cohort supported conservative Republican Bob McDonnell for Governor by ten points--a 31-point (D) to (R) swing.  

    Last week, the New York Times ran a piece describing younger voters' disenchantment with the Democratic Party.  The lede captured the story's message:
    The college vote is up for grabs this year — to an extent that would have seemed unlikely two years ago, when a generation of young people seemed to swoon over Barack Obama.
    As we approach the 2010 elections, some polls are vindicating the Times' report and my instincts.  We recently noted Kentucky Republican Senate candidate Rand Paul's enormous lead among the youngest age bracket, and a survey in liberal California offers some encouraging news for a top Republican statewide office-seeker.

    Survey USA's poll of California voters conducted in late August and early September reveals a 7-point lead for Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman over Democrat Jerry Brown, and a narrow 2-point advantage for GOP Senate hopeful Carly Fiorina over incumbent Barbara Boxer.

    Delving into the survey's internals, Whitman and Fiorina track fairly closely among all age demographics except one: 18-34 year-olds.  In the Governor contest, Brown holds a statistically insignificant 3-point edge over Whitman among young voters, whereas Boxer is dominating the same group by 24 points.  Put another way, Whitman is outperforming her Republican counterpart by 21 points among younger voters, which partially explains her stronger overall poll position.

    Why?

    California Republican Party Vice Chairman, Jon Fleischman--who also operates the popular Flash Report blog--says the disparity boils down to two related factors: Quality of outreach and money.  "Meg Whitman has spent a huge amount of money on ads and other voter contacts," he explained,  "So she's been able to define herself and her candidacy forcefully and on her terms.  Carly doesn't have the same level of resources, so she's been defined more by the media's coverage of her campaign."

    Fleischman marveled at the breadth of Whitman's outreach campaign and her ability to reach such a wide spectrum of voters.  "She's spent tons of money on the web, in social media, and on aggressive micro-targeting of different groups, including young people" he said.  "She even published a booklet for young voters and college students explaining why she's the best choice."

    Whitman's youth-oriented web page, 'Gen-M', is a sophisticated online resource for Millenial voters in California.  The page is broken down into two subsections: "Students for Meg" and "Young Professionals for Meg," aimed at older twentysomethings.  The pages include profiles and photos of young Whitman supporters, links to Whitman's twitter, facebook, youtube and flickr accounts, and user-friendly invitations to text the campaign, volunteer, donate, start a Gen-M chapter, or request a ballot.  Users are encouraged to join other online Whitman-for-Governor coalitions, including those for women, Latinos, and African Americans. 

    Fiorina also offers a coalitions page, but it's fairly generic and not nearly as intricate.  That's not a knock on Fiorina; it's a testament to the astonishing level of resources Whitman is pouring into her race. Based on her poll position, her approach seems to be bearing fruit.

    Sleek online tools, fresh-faced coalition leaders, and facebook friends aside (although it's worth pointing out that Whitman dwarfs the state's three other major Gubernatorial and Senate nominees with nearly 105,000 facebook supporters), 26-year-old California based columnist and author Ben Shapiro believes Whitman's advantage among young voters can largely be attributed to strong name recognition. 

    "Whitman spent an enormous amount of money in the primary, and now in the general [election] to get her name out there.  People my age have seen her ads and billboards, and know who she is," Shapiro said.  "It's been 30 years since Jerry Brown was Governor in California, and young people don't remember that.  We weren't even born yet." 

    The name recognition effect is also boosting Boxer, Shapiro contends.  "People just know who she is.  Younger voters tend to be lazy, so they gravitate toward a name they recognize."

    Granted, few--if any--candidates will ever come close to matching the former eBay CEO dollar-for-dollar in self funding. But Whitman's campaign can still serve as a template for successful outreach techniques, even if they're executed on a significantly smaller scale.  Team Whitman is effectively modernizing two well-worn campaign principles: Reach voters where they are, and don't be afraid to state your case and ask for their vote.

    It appears that quite a few young Californians are saying yes.
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