On Funky Side of Town

The Hardest Working Man in Show Business, The Godfather of Funk has left us to dwell in the realm of the super heavy Funk. I can't thank you enough for making the world we know so funky, but you couldn't help yourself. May God bless your Funky soul. And you know it's always on the One. RIP James Brown.

History

LAST NIGHT I HAD EXPLAIN TO SOMEONE WHO MAO ZEDONG WAS.

I was wearing this T-shirt which is a black and white portrait of Mao done in benday dots. The shirt is unique in that its an off kilter portrait of Mao head (including the back of his head). A friend bought it for me as a birthday when she went to China and I like to think of it as more of a nod to Andy Warhol than to Chairman Mao (And yes, I once had to explain to someone who Andy Warhol was). Mao Zedong! The Little Red Book! Here we have a man whose very name stirred up controversy. He changed the course of China History and caused the deaths of many of its citizen. I can go on but the thing that last night impressed upon me was strange new world I live in. Granted I probably can't recall a Member of Harding's Cabinet or Union generals other than Grant or when the White house was rebuilt but I actively seek knowledge of that which created our nation and the world which within we live. With the understanding that each successive generation has a need to focus the most pressing concerns and issues I can accept the ignorance with regard to the Cultural Revolution or the Great Leap Forward. But this is the Cold War I'm talking about. It isn’t ancient history. Oblivion was only a kiss away. I don't need jingoism or catchphrases or propaganda from either side but this is our history, a time that can be reasonable documented with the tools that Internet (Google, Wikipedia, Chinese History website anyone?). The very internet I write this missive into now, can offer vast amount mind numbing information.

As a student of Frank Herbert and George Orwell, I realize That History (a product of Memory) can be quite mutable in the hands of adept historian, demagogue or drunken party guest. But now having said that, how can we command so many vast bits of data that no one has the time to regard? Take in account that again one’s own interests, preoccupations and desires frame their point of reference I don’t expect you to know EVERYTHING but how can you not aware of recent history. I was both disturbed and amused. With no more that Library books, print media and hearsay I still possessed a catalog of information far great than some who claimed to be on the net all the time