While I was observing a moment of silence yesterday for the tragedy of Iraq, Lieberman was shooting his mouth off with Norah O’Donnell on his opposition to withdrawal timetables. I think most of us see this issue as a choice between two highly undesirable positions, so I think the guy is certainly entitled to his opinion. Yet feigning flexibility while assigning unattainable conditions is hollow politicking both unworthy and insulting to the messy reality from which we must extricate ourselves. Willful ignorance is no substitute for a plan, no matter how many times he may wish upon a star.

Oh, and don’t forget to stick it out until the end where, despite vehement campaign promises to the contrary, Lieberman refuses to rule out switching to the GOP and/or endorsing a Republican for president in 2008. But then again, I suppose he owes this entire term to his republican support. 

The RIAA issued a statement defending their targeting of college students in file-sharing lawsuits:

Yet this is about far more than the size of a particular slice of the pie. This is about a generation of music fans. College students used to be the music industry’s best customers. Now, finding a record store still in business anywhere near a campus is a difficult assignment at best. It’s not just the loss of current sales that concerns us, but the habits formed in college that will stay with these students for a lifetime. This is a teachable moment — an opportunity to educate these particular students about the importance of music in their lives and the importance of respecting and valuing music as intellectual property. 

Yes, of course.  This has nothing to do with a once-powerful industry lashing out against its own mortality and failure to adapt.  No, this is about preserving and protecting the morality of our impressionable youth.  From the organization who made billions off Gansta Rap. 

On a related note, David Byrnes (arguably one of the greatest musical artists of his generation) gave a presentation at SXSW (oh Austin, I heart you!) on the future of record labels.  Or perhaps I should say the lack thereof.

Bush impressionists don’t typically make it onto the site – the guy is just so easy to make fun of that I normally don’t bother.  But I have to admit that this gave my ulcer-ridden throat a good, albeit premature, stretching:

Well, I appear to be slowly clawing my way back into some semblance of my old self.  Ironically, the surgery went fine and I would have likely recovered within a few days.  But before leaving the hospital I contracted a series of nickel-sized ulcers on the roof of my mouth, uvula, both tonsils, and my upper esophagus which made breathing/talking/eating/drinking/sleeping nearly impossible.  But on the plus side I managed to lose a dozen pounds! 

Anyway, after three more hospital visits, I am up and around for the most part and will start posting new (non-Libby) content shortly, though it may be next week before I am back to 100%.  Big thanks to everyone who sent emails during my absence!