I strive to compose themed posts, and not just schizophrenic spatterings. But sometimes there’s no choice. So please forgive my indulgence in the arbitrary. I’m only human.

Cleveland has been popping up on my radar a lot lately. First there’s the school shooting, which, while not as casualty-heavy as other recent massacres, is yet another indicator of our sad society. Also, I got a semi-random inquiry as to whether or not I’d consider taking a Music Editor position at that city’s alt-newsweekly. I know next to nothing about Cleveland, other than it "rocks" and it’s in Ohio. But if the folks CNN has interviewed on camera are any indication, I think I know about as much as I want to. OK, that’s not really fair. I’m sure there’s lots to recommend it. Like maybe the R & R Hall of Fame?

This morning I was e-mailed two, count ‘em, two separate articles on the jackboot business practices of Victory Records. Both were published in the Cleveland Scene, and both are by the same author. I’ve done some independent research into Tony Brummel‘s paranoid and self-serving leadership style, so I merely skimmed them. But if you don’t already know the story, it’s worth checking out, if only to marvel at the dude’s utter cretinousness: "Victory at All Costs," "Hollow Victory." 

Did anyone catch Lynne Cheney on "The Daily Show" last night? I thought she fared pretty well, actually. I loved it it when she gifted Jon Stewart with an "old family heirloom" — an oversized Darth Vader figurine. "Does it have a microphone in it?" Stewart quipped.

Cheney was remarkably forthcoming about her opposition to a constitutional amendment on gay marriage. She claims both she and her husband have been vocal about their opinions all along, which, despite their daughter’s open lesbianism, strains credulity. Nevertheless, "The Daily Show" is a loud megaphone — perhaps her appearance will embolden homosexual Republicans (or as Boy George calls ‘em, vegetarian butchers) to come out of the bathroom stall.

Excuse the fact that Lynne Cheney is married to one of the most despicable men on the planet, and she seems like a decent enough woman. Everybody’s got their blind spot, right? Stewart, for his part, was exceptionally polite throughout the interview. Especially in comparison with the douching he gave Chris Matthews. But who is more complicit in our country’s moral and intellectual decline? I’d say Cheney, even if by proxy. C’mon Jon, grow a pair.

Have a look, while the embed lasts.

Part One:

Part Two:

This is old, but still somewhat amusing: French Vogue’s Satanic Fashion Spread.

Ronnie James Dio has a reputation as a sweet guy; kinda like your heavy metal grandpa. But mention ex-Dio axeman Vivian Campbell (currently of Def Leppard), and the horns come out. And we’re not talking about his patented gang sign, either. Check it:

End Transmission.

Share This

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

About the author

Casey Rae-Hunter
Casey Rae-Hunter is a musician, public policy wonk and the editor/publisher of The Contrarian Media. An in-demand speaker, he gives frequent talks at conferences and campuses on issues at the intersection of creativity, technology, policy and law, and is a go-to source for major media outlets from NPR to the New York Times. Casey works alongside leaders in the music, arts and performance sectors to bolster understanding of and engagement in key policy and technology issues, and has written dozens of articles on the impact of technology on the creative community. Casey is an adjunct professor at Georgetown University and the Deputy Director for Future of Music Coalition. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Media & Democracy Coalition and the National Alliance for Media Arts and Culture. The Contrarian does not necessarily represent the views of the organizations to which he belongs.

4 Comments for Random Mutations.

Neil Cleary

C’mon Jon, grow a pair.

But in all fairness, she’s not responsible for all the terrible things that he does. Why harsh on her?

casey

That’s why I said complicit by proxy. It’s not that he should harsh on her, but why did he take such a tack with Matthews? Is he responsible for the SCHIP veto or the war in Iraq?

Murf

I have no problem with Stewart being tough with either Lynne Cheney or Matthews. Lynne Cheney is a political figure. She’s not just a wife of a VP. She goes out and makes stump speeches and is a member of a conservative think tank. She’s completely fair game.

As for Matthews, I think he’s fair game because he wrote a book that Stewart strongly disagreed with. Stewart wasn’t attacking him; just the philosophy presented in Matthews book.

Here’s the weird thing, I’m more interested in Matthews book now than I was when I saw a fluff interview with him about the book. Now, I’m curious as to what he said that annoyed Stewart so much.

However, I think the reason why authors go on TDS and TCR, despite knowing the audience is politically opposed to them, is that they know the book will get bump in Borders and B&N to the special shelf for TDS & TCR. That’s worth the public flogging for them.

casey

I pretty much agree with you, except for the idea that Matthews’ and Stewart’s “philosophies” are in any way incompatible.

I’m pretty sure Stewart has implemented a lot of the strategies in Matthews’ book, whether he cares to admit it or not.

Matthews’ strategic/professional outlook as I see it is this: 1. If you don’t have the stomach for it, and don’t want to win, don’t bother. 2. Be genuinely interested in what people, even your opponents, have to say. 3. Understand and embrace the essential absurdity of it all. 4. But don’t let that stop you from following through on your goals.

Seems like Jon might already have some familiarity with those concepts.