This, from the fall of 1977, is probably the worst recording I’ve got. The original was done on a tape recorder that was running too fast (defective or possibly voltage fluctuations in the local power supply), so it sounds low and sluggish when transferred to a normal machine.

That isn’t the only thing wrong with it, though. I (unintentionally, I think) plagiarized part of it. Exactly from where I wasn’t sure, but I knew I’d heard part of the chord progression in the chorus. It wasn’t until I got back to Canada and my record collection that I could track it down. The Dutch rock band Golden Earring had had a major hit a few years before with “Radar Love.” So naturally everyone went out and bought their second (at least their second North American released) album, Switch. It was a pretty good album as I recall, even if it didn’t have “Radar Love - the Sequel” on it. It did have a song called “Ce Soir,” that must have caught my attention because I’m pretty sure that it’s the scene of the crime. Here’s Golden Earring performing it on a TV show:

I wasn’t terribly upset about it — as far as I was concerned it just showed I had good instincts. I would later go on to steal greater songs from even greater bands. But a boy always remembers his first.

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Enviroloon and undeserving Conservative PPC (because he has never done anything for the Conservative Party and just joined to become a PPC) Zac Goldsmith has been exposed as a non-dom. Now being a non-dom is a good idea if you want to save yourself taxes, but surely its not a clever idea to do so if you are going to be a member of Parliament.

Iain Dale thinks that this is not that big of a deal, while begs to differ.

This is just another reason why Zac Goldsmith should not be a PPC.

Update: It seems the Conservatives are big on freedom in other arenas either.

Update II: Guido has more as does the First Post.

Warning: A shocking lack of professionalism.

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Up over at PJM for your reading pleasure. Thanks to all those who contributed to such a successful relay and final event in Fresno.

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Here are some of the highlights.

Watch the interview… and see for yourself. One wag opined she might be waiting for a bribe “incentive” like Mary Landrieu.

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Some of the highlights of the event in Fresno on Sunday. More to come.

As I am on the road heading back from this epic journey I have had scant chance to post much of anything. I have a day off the road so I figured I would put one up.

Why not also check out the new Britblog outing. Please check out Fausta’s collection of Latin American blog posts. There is a great Haveil Havalim up as well.

Holy Taco:

Joseph Ducreux was a French painter, who, in 1793, made this pimp-ass self portrait. 216 years later, his internet meme exploded on the scene.

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NASCAR seems to be going down the F1 route with one team & driver dominating. When one driver Jimmy Johnson wins four championships in a row its bad for the race series. Why bother watching when the outcome, like this year’s chase, was a foregone conclusion? I stopped watching F1 when Schuie dominated and never went back.

Congrats to Jimmy, but it he wants to help the sport he so loves, he needs to retire (or leave the series) now.

NASCAR is supposed to be exciting and when one driver dominates so totally it isn’t.

Channelling my inner Robert Johnson; or more likely, my Johnson. Yes, it’s mean-spirited, violently misogynistic, etc., etc. — but hey, it’s the blues. Being sexist isn’t a bug. It’s a feature.

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A great event happened in Fresno with lots of speeches, money raised and farmers helped. Central Valley showed us a great time and let us know they appreciated our efforts.

More pics, video and tales to come.

Check out pics @ Save the Valley.

United We Stand
(Dodge)

United We Stand
Across this land
United We stand
Across this Land

From Portland to Fresno
Worchester to Spokane
Across this great land
We all want to know

Shut off the water
Kill off the crops
All for a smelt
Not a drop

We care for the farmers
They provide for us
We care for the farmers
A matter of trust.

Stand up right now
Or next it will be you
Not some petty row
To take what you do

The land of the free
A right for you and me
Stand up for the valley
Join our American rally

United We Stand
Across this land
United We stand
Across this Land

United We Stand
Across this land
United We stand
Across this Land

________

The song’s logo on shirts here.

It was cold, for Napa, but about 10 showed up to cheer us on. They gave generously to the cause and helped make sure we were pointed in the right direction for tomorrow.

Larry and I spoke to the Redding event to a large room with am enthusiastic crowd. The event that is going on still brings the area tea parties together. We left as a covers band entertained the audience.

Or just a sign of the Apocalypse?

Norman Geras is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Government at the University of Manchester, and a well-known UK blogger who’s been on my blogroll for a couple of years now. His politics are approximately 180 degrees opposite to mine; but he has a generosity of spirit and openness to argument that you don’t often find these days among partisans of any stripe. He and Christopher Hitchens were some of the prime drivers behind the Euston Manifesto (full details at his site in the right sidebar) a plea to Britain’s Left to, you know, GROW UP already. Being a jew-hating, Yank-bashing ass-clown has its moments, but it’s no way to go through life, son. (A similar effort in Canada failed when they couldn’t find any leftists with a mental age > five.)

Apart from all that, Norm has a little hobby; namely, profiling the world’s great bloggers, from Glenn (Instapundit) Reynolds to Kate at SDA to our very own Andrew Ian Dodge to, um, me. (Full list here.)

He’s got the easy part: He sends out fifty questions with an invitation to answer thirty that catch your fancy. I had more fun than I expected writing them, and hope you’ll enjoy reading them too. And thanks again to Norm for the platform.

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On trip south to California we made one last stop in Washington State. Its cold and clammy but people still turned out. Press were here too which is nice.

TPP and Larry from CA had the pleasure of being hosted in a pub called McCoy’s Firehouse by the Seattle TPP, Sally & Crystal. Good beer, food and company has made our drive to the Pacific Ocean worthwhile. The relay has made the end of 90 or bust so much fun, as a result of our wonderful hosts.

Many thanks to great folks of Washington. They inspired us to endure the various passes on the drive here.

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Larry from San Diego is along to help spread the word about the Central Valley. Jenny Beth is briefing all about the TPP. We got some horns for the cause.

Thanks to the organiser Kirk & all who turned out.

cognac.com:

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As we ready ourself for Washington State we rest in Idaho. My is this place gorgeous. The bald eagle shadowing us was a lovely touch. 75mph speed limits, great company, fascinating chat and a great cause… what not to like?

Music Reviews: Defiance, Insomnium, Secrets of the Moon, Leave’s Eyes, Imperial Vengeance

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All seats are filled on a Tuesday night in Great Falls, Montana. A nice room of concerned patriots wanting to learn about the fate of cental valley farmers.

Thanks to all those who turned out and the impressive organisation by Jack & his team.

Here is the report on the local news. While positive mostly, its pretty pathetic and short.

Go listen and then head over at read the latest Haveil Havalim.

There is a Britblog collection as well.

Of course, Fausta has her carnival up as well.

Metro.co.uk:

A Ugandan government official has said that the bodies of people who die from drinking an illicit local gin should be caned six times before burial as an example to the living.

District commissioner Edwin Komakech advocated the corpse-punishing on Saturday at a security meeting in the Amuru district.

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