Psyche, Science, and Society

Liam Clancy, RIP

Liam Clancy was one of my first loves from folks music. For years I listened over and over again to his first album. Today brings news that he has passed away. You know you’re getting old when your early love’s die.

Here’s a reminder of what he brought to us. The first two songs are performances of songs from from that great first album. [BTW, that album was one of those that never sounded as good when put on CD]

The Rocky Road To Dublin (with Luke Kelly):


Royal Canal


The Band Played Waltzing Matilda:

Girl From North Country

The Leaving

December 5th, 2009

Lawrence Wilkerson on strategic interests in Afghanistan

Col. Lawrence Wilkerson (Ret.) has an interesting perspective on the varied strategic interests involved in the Afghan conflict:

December 5th, 2009

Sanda Thanivela: Music from Sri Lanka

Lovely music from an 11-year old girl from Sri Lanka:

Here is what AmericaBlog says about it:

Our cousin told us about his step-daughter’s great success in Sri Lanka’s equivalent to The X-Factor called “London Star.” “Shanu” is only 11 years old and has made it through the semi-finals of the show. It’s quite a different musical sound than we’re used to in the west but she has a very sweet voice that anyone can appreciate. I can’t even begin to imagine how I might have done at such a young age. Besides being on the TV show, she’s also had a few interviews with Sri Lankan TV. Shanuka is singing in Sinhala, which is her mother tongue. She also speaks perfect English.

December 5th, 2009

Elizabeth Warren: Balout fundamentallychanged system for the worse

A month old, but well worth watching. Elizabeh Waren on the way the financial bail-out fundamentally changed the system to screw us:

[H/t Crooks and Liars.]

December 5th, 2009