Remember when I posted a while ago about Stephanie Miller on Hannity & Colmes? Link: (Stephanie Miller Explains “Journalism” to Fox News) Video:

BradBlog wrote up a post on some Right-wing nutjob Hannityite that sent her a death threat:

A man from Centerville, Ohio, identifying himself as “Sock” Sokolowski has sent a death threat to radio host Stephanie Miller after a recent appearance on Fox “News’” Hannity & Colmes.

On her popular Stephanie Miller Show this morning, the radio host telephoned “Sock” — who included his address and phone number with the letter — to confront him live and on air about the letter. You can now listen to this morning’s phone call here [MP3]. Larry Johnson of NoQuarter has identified this man and posted another letter which “Sock” apparently sent to a local newspaper. Given the text of his letter to Stephanie, this passage from his LITE railing for the importance of “conservatism” in America strikes at our irony bone:

As proven in the Bush v. Kerry presidential race, [Americans] want the candidates to offer their agenda for the nation rather than simply hate and venom for the opposition. They want to consider alternatives on a range of issues, but all the left offered was a hatred toward our president.

As well, KamaAina at DU has located another laugher of letter from “Sock” to the Dayton City Paper from last year headlined “CONSERVATISM IS WINNING THE WAR” which calls for, among other things, the ascendency of George “Makaka” Allen and Condi Rice as our next President and VP.

Here now, “Sock’s” not at all “hate and venom” filled death threat to Stephanie in full:

Bush Moves Toward Martial Law

In a stealth maneuver, President Bush has signed into law a provision which, according to Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont), will actually encourage the President to declare federal martial law (1). It does so by revising the Insurrection Act, a set of laws that limits the President’s ability to deploy troops within the United States. The Insurrection Act (10 U.S.C.331 -335) has historically, along with the Posse Comitatus Act (18 U.S.C.1385), helped to enforce strict prohibitions on military involvement in domestic law enforcement. With one cloaked swipe of his pen, Bush is seeking to undo those prohibitions.

[…]

For the current President, “enforcement of the laws to restore public order” means to commandeer guardsmen from any state, over the objections of local governmental, military and local police entities; ship them off to another state; conscript them in a law enforcement mode; and set them loose against “disorderly” citizenry - protesters, possibly, or those who object to forced vaccinations and quarantines in the event of a bio-terror event.

The law also facilitates militarized police round-ups and detention of protesters, so called “illegal aliens,” “potential terrorists” and other “undesirables” for detention in facilities already contracted for and under construction by Halliburton. That’s right. Under the cover of a trumped-up “immigration emergency” and the frenzied militarization of the southern border, detention camps are being constructed right under our noses, camps designed for anyone who resists the foreign and domestic agenda of the Bush administration.

DETENTION CAMPS?????

Had enough yet?

hat tip to

This Mortal Coil was not a band. Nor were they a clever Shakespearian moniker for a solo artist. Rather it was a unique collaboration of musicians recording in various permutations, the brainchild of 4AD kingpin Ivo Watts-Russell. The idea was to allow artists the creative freedom to record material outside of the realm of what was expected of them; it also created the opportunity for innovative cover versions of songs personal to Ivo. An example of this was the Cocteau Twins-starring version of Tim Buckley’s “Song to the Siren” which became the first This Mortal Coil release in 1983. Originally intended as a B-side for the “Sixteen Days” 12″, the result was so powerful that it was decided it should be the A-side of a 7″ single.

This Mortal Coil’s full-length debut, It’ll End In Tears, arrived in October 1984 and was a long-term feature at the top of the UK Indie charts. In addition to the Cocteaus, this brilliantly-woven aural tapestry featured members of 4AD artists Colourbox, Dead Can Dance, Modern English, Xmal Deutschland and The Wolfgang Press, plus ex-Magazine/Buzzcocks frontman Howard Devoto and celebrated cellist Martin McCarrick (who has worked with everyone from Marc Almond to Therapy?).

Ivo turned his attention to the follow-up record shortly after It’ll End In Tears was released. Work began at Palladium in Edinburgh, with Martin McCarrick and studio proprietor Jon Turner, and the record was finished with John Fryer at Blackwing in London. Named after a song by the ’60s band Fever Tree, Filigree And Shadow was intended from the start as a double album; Ivo spent a considerable amount of time structuring the music so that it would have the right flow. As before, he drew on a large pool of musicians - Simon Raymonde made important contributions, as did members of Colourbox, Dif Juz and The Wolfgang Press - but this time the bulk of the vocalists came from outside 4AD’s orbit. The selection of cover versions included material by Tim Buckley, Gene Clark, Tom Rapp, Judy Collins and Colin Newman. Filigree And Shadow was issued in September 1986, preceded by a limited edition 10-inch single coupling striking interpretations of Van Morrison’s “Come Here My Love” and Talking Heads’ “Drugs.” Model Pallas Citroen became the cover star once again after actress Maria Schnieder rebuffed Ivo’s overtures. (Trivia factoid: although his name is misspelled in the credits, Les McKeown of the Bay City Rollers, a friend of Palladium’s Jon Turner, is part of the choir on “Strength Of Strings”.)

A reflection of a turbulent period in Ivo’s life, 1990’s Blood was always intended to be the collective’s final recording. Once again, John Fryer, Jon Turner and Martin McCarrick all played significant roles in shaping the music, while the vocals came from This Mortal Coil newcomers such as Caroline Crawley, Heidi Berry, Kim Deal and Tanya Donelly. Cover versions this time out included songs by Chris Bell, Syd Barrett, Rain Parade, Rodney Crowell and Mary Margaret O’Hara, while Ivo’s own lyrics graced several of the album’s originals.

this mortal coil - sixteen days - gathering dust ep

1983

TRACKLIST: Sixteen Days - Gathering Dust LABEL: 4AD (BAD310) NOTES: «Sixteen Days - Gathering Dust» is a combination of the the Modern English tracks. Featuring Michael Conroy (Modern English), Elizabeth Fraser (Cocteau Twins), Robin Guthrie (Cocteau Twins), Gary McDowell (Modern English), Gordon Sharp (Cindytalk) and Martyn Young (Colourbox). Sleeve by 23 Envelope. Recorded at Blackwing. «Sixteen Days - Gathering Dust» written by Modern English. [4 MB]

this mortal coil - it’ll end in tears

1984

TRACKLIST: 1. Kangaroo (Big Star) 2. Song To The Siren (Tim Buckley) 3. Holocaust (Big Star) 4. Fyt 5. Fond Affections 6. The Last Ray 7. Another Day (Roy Harper) 8. Waves Become Wings 9. Barramundi 10. Dreams Made Flesh 11. Not Me 12. A Single Wish LABEL: 4AD (CAD411, CADC411, CAD411CD) NOTES: Featuring Elizabeth Fraser (Cocteau Twins), Gini Ball, Martin McCarrick (Siouxie and the Banshees), Lisa Gerrard (Dead Can Dance), Simon Raymonde (Cocteau Twins), Brendan Perry (Brendan Perry), Robbie Grey (Modern English), Manuela Rickers (Xmal Deutschland), Robin Guthrie (Cocteau Twins), Gordon Sharp (Cindytalk), Steven Young (Colourbox), Howard Devoto (Buzzcocks) and Mark Cox (The Wolfgang Press). Sleeve by 23 Envelope. The run-out grooves read «Heavens just a memory away» (CAD411). Released on LP in the US (Valentino 90269). «Kangaroo» written by Alex Chilton (Big Star). «Song To The Siren» written by Tim Buckley. «Holocaust» written by Alex Chilton (Big Star). «Fond Affections» written by Rema-Rema. «The Last Ray» cowritten by Simon Raymonde (Cocteau Twins) and Robin Guthrie (Cocteau Twins). «Another Day» written by Roy Harper. «Waves Become Wings» written by Lisa Gerrard (Dead Can Dance). «Barramundi» written by Simon Raymonde (Cocteau Twins). «Dreams Made Flesh» written by Lisa Gerrard (Dead Can Dance). «Not Me» written by Colin Newman (Wire). «A Single Wish» written by Simon Raymonde (Cocteau Twins), Steven Young (Colourbox) and Gordon Sharp (Cindytalk). [101 MB]

this mortal coil - filigree and shadow

1986

TRACKLIST: 1. Velvet Belly 2. The Jeweller (Pearls Before Swine) 3. Ivy And Neet 4. Meniscus 5. Tears 6. Tarantula 7. My Father (Judy Collins) 8. Come Here My Love (Van Morrison) 9. At First, And Then 10. Strength Of Strings (Gene Clark) 11. Morning Glory (Tim Buckley) 12. Inch-blue 13. I Want To Live (Gary Ogan & Bill Lamb) 14. Mama K¹ 15. Filigree And Shadow 16. Fire Brothers 17. Thaïs¹ 18. I Must Have Been Blind (Tim Buckley) 19. A Heart Of Glass 20. Alone (Colin Newman) 21. Mama K² 22. The Horizon Bleeds And Sucks Its Thumb 23. Drugs (Talking Heads) 24. Red Rain 25. Thaïs² LABEL: 4AD (DAD609, DADC609, DAD609CD) NOTES: Featuring Dominic Appleton (Breathless), Deidre Rutowski, Louise Rutowski, Simon Raymonde (Cocteau Twins), Richard Thomas (Dif Juz), David Curtis (Dif Juz), Jon Turner, Alison Limerick, Jean, Peter Ulrich, Keith Mitchell, Nigel K. Hine, Anne Turner, Les McKuen, Richenel (Richenel), Chris P ye (Press Gang), Martin McCarrick (Siouxie and the Banshees), Caroline Seaman, Alan Curtis (Dif Juz), Mark Cox (The Wolfgang Press), Andrew Gray (The Wolfgang Press), Steven Young (Colourbox), Tony Waerea and Gini Ball. Engineered by John Fryer and Jon Turner. DAD609 is a double album. «Velvet Belly» written by Martin McCarrick (Siouxie and the Banshees). «Velvet Belly» sampled on One Dove’s «Why Don’t You Take Me» «The Jeweller» written by Thomas Rapp (Pearls Before Swine). «Ivy And Neet» written by Simon Raymonde (Cocteau Twins). «Meniscus» written by D. Curtis. «Tears» written by Simon Raymonde (Cocteau Twins). «Tarantula» written by Martyn Young (Colourbox). «My Father» written by Judy Collins. «Come Here My Love» written by Van Morrison. «At First And Then» written by Peter Ulrich. «Strength Of Strings» written by Gene Clark (The Byrds). «Morning Glory» written by Tim Buckley. «I Want To Live» written by Gary Ogan and Bill Lamb. «Firebrother» written by G. Duncan. «I Must Have Been Blind» written by Tim Buckley. «Alone» written by Graham Lewis (Wire) and Colin Newman (Wire). «The Horizon Bleeds And Sucks Its Thumb» cowritten by Mark Cox (The Wolfgang Press). «Drugs» written by David Byrne. «Red Rain» cowritten by Simon Raymonde (Cocteau Twins). [101 MB]

this mortal coil - blood

1991

TRACKLIST: 1. The Lacemaker 2. Mr Somewhere (The Apartments) 3. Andialu 4. With Tomorrow (Gene Clark) 5. Loose Joints 6. You And Your Sister (Chris Bell) 7. Nature’s Way (Spirit (8)) 8. I Come And Stand At Every Door (The Byrds) 9. Bitter 10. Baby Ray Baby 11. Several Times (Pieter Nooten & Michael Brook) 12. The Lacemaker II 13. Late Night (Syd Barrett) 14. Ruddy And Wretched 15. Help Me Lift You Up (Mary Margaret O’Hara) 16. Carolyn’s Song (Rain Parade) 17. D. D. And E. 18. ‘till I Gain Control Again (Emmylou Harris) 19. Dreams Are Like Water 20. I Am The Cosmos (Chris Bell) 21. (Nothing But)Blood LABEL: 4AD (DAD1005, DADC1005, DAD1005CD) NOTES: Coengineered by Jon Turner. Featuring Caroline Crawley (Shellyan Orphan), Deidre Rutowski, Martin McCarrick (Siouxie and the Banshees), Jocelyn Pook, Sally Herbert, Sonia Slaney, Tim Freeman (Frazier Chorus), Jon Turner, Alison Limerick, Kim Deal (Pixies), Tanya Donelly (Throwing Muses), Louise Rutowski, Gini Ball, Ikuko Kozu, Jim Williams, Pieter Nooten, Anne Garrigues, Rain Parade, Dominic Appleton (Breathless) and Heidi Berry. Sleeve by Vaughan Oliver, Nigel Grierson and Claire Lazarus. «The Lacemaker» cowritten by Martin McCarrick (Siouxie and the Banshees). «Mr. Somewhere» written by Paul M. Walsh. «With Tomorrow» cowritten by Clark and Davis. «Loose Joints» cowritten by Martin McCarrick (Siouxie and the Banshees). «You And Your Sister» written by Chris Bell (Big Star). «Nature’s Way» written by Randy California (Spirit). «I Come And Stand At Every Door» written by Hikmet and Waters. «Several Times» written by Pieter Nooten. «The Lacemaker II» cowritten by Martin McCarrick (Siouxie and the Banshees). «Late Night» written by Syd Barrett. «Help Me Lift You Up» written by Mary Margaret O’Hara. «Carolyn’s Song» written by David Roback (Opal/Mazzy Star/Rain Parade). «’Til I Gain Control Again» written by Rodney Crowell. «I Am The Cosmos» written by Chris Bell (Big Star). [134 MB]

Interviews & Articles

• This Mortal Coil - ‘93 interview with Ivo

• Interview w/ Ivo from American Music Press, 1993
• Article on Ivo (long, but worth it)

Sometimes, there just aren’t enough rocks.

Marilyn Neoma Musgrave, American politician, has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 2003, representing the 4th District of Colorado. The district takes up most of eastern Colorado outside the Denver and Colorado Springs-Pueblo metropolitan areas, but most of its vote is cast in Fort Collins and Greeley.

She is best known nationally as the main sponsor of the Federal Marriage Amendment. Her proposed Amendment to the United States Constitution would ban any state from recognizing same-sex marriage. She was quoted in the New York Times and Fort Collins Coloradoan as stating, “As we face the issues that we are facing today, I don’t think there’s anything more important out there than the marriage issue.”

Really Marilyn? Nothing more important? How about you tell that to one of the children sitting in front of their parent’s coffin, having been blow apart in Iraq. Add insult to injury, Clinton left office and a $400 billion surplus for Bush - and now the deficit is swelling exponentially, currently at $8.5 trillion - $2 billion a week going in Iraq. That child whose parent was consigned to a grave will end up being one of those holding the receipt for the dead parent. We’re approaching 3,000 dead American soldiers in this sham of a war, and hundreds of thousands of dead Iraqi innocents. Same sex marriage is more important than the lives of soldiers enabling her right to spout this kind of rhetoric. Watch as she runs like a fucking cockroach when the lights come on and a reporter calls her on it:

“But rest assured, if I catch him, I will find him. I’m not gonna put all my eggs in one biscuit. I know there’s an enemy out there who wants to kill theirself, so my message to the suiciders is WE WILL HUNT YOU DOWN AND KILL YOU. For those of you who say we don’t need the Patriot Act, I say I question your patrionism. OUR CHILDREN MUST BE LITERIZED! I’m against hunger, I’m against that… (*crickets*) …

While this is one of the most hilarious things I’ve ever seen, it is also one of the scariest. Consider how accurate this is, consider what role this moron plays in the world community - let alone for this country. Hell, consider the guys doing Cheney over his right-shoulder & Hastert over his left for fuck’s sake! It’s embarassing that this Administration was elected once, let alone twice. I see things like this and I only stop laughing long enough to want to indiscriminately stab a conservative in his nutless sack.

It’s to the point where everytime someone from this administration opens their mouth to say ANYTHING, I hear The Hamster Dance playing in my head. And now, to wrap it all up:

So.

This morning I stood on a sidewalk as the love of my life was hurling through the sky on a flying metal tube getting smaller and smaller until it was completely gone from view, and I cried and thought to myself how I couldn’t remember feeling so alone in all my life, which only made me cry more. I had to stand there for a few minutes so I could get myself together, then came back to the loft where I’ve been since. This is the part of being in love with someone that really sucks, when you have to be away from them and it is the last thing you want. I’m okay now, but until he called me the second time to say he’d landed in Phoenix I was six different kinds of FEH. Just big, fat, FEH.

Let me tell you, you’d never know how big and empty and lonesome a place this is until you’re in it all by yourself, and while I’m not scared or anything like that I just miss him and want Friday to hurry up and get here so he can be home with me - where he’s supposed to be. I really hate it when he has to go away for work, particularly when he has to go to the other side of the country.

It was a good day for completely ridiculous television, though! There was a Roseanne Halloween marathon followed by Mommie Dearest, the first ever comedy on child abuse. Now there’s a marathon of Scariest Places On Earth, which is just amusing as hell to me for some reason - I suppose because that whole paranormal thing is just lost on me. The episode airing at 9PM is on Čachtice Castle, site of the infamous Blood Countess, Erzsébet Báthory who is said to have torture-murdered over 600 young girls and bathed in their blood to keep herself young. I read the novel The Blood Countess many years ago and have had a bit of fascination with her, so it’ll be interesting to see actual footage of the castle remains. I’m interested in it from an architectural standpoint, and the way the show is presented will no doubt entertain once the stupid Americans sent to investigate paranormal activity there start freaking out at everything. To top it iff, the show host is Linda Blair of The Exorcist fame (a film from which Damien got his name, after the proest Father Damien Karras) and narrated by Zelda Rubinstein (Tangina the Clairvoyant from the Poltergeist films, which I loved). “THIS CASTLE IS CLEAN…” I love it.

Then at 10, my beloved Dexter. What a man, what a man, what a mighty good man. He’s no D, but damn. So back I go to having my brain sucked out by this ridiculous talking box against the wall, and hoping that everyone has a good night and a great tomorrow.

From AmericaBlog:

BREAKING: George Bush endorses civil unions and legal benefits of marriage for gay couples

Okay, this isn’t “breaking” news because it happened two years ago, but the mainstream media seems to have forgotten. So in an effort to remind them, and get them to do their job, here is the original ABC footage from two years ago in which George Bush specifically endorses civil unions, and the legal benefits of marriage included therein, for gay couples. This guy couldn’t give a damn about “family values.”

Bush Backs Civil Unions
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qL5qSiW3LUQ

Here’s what I haven’t gotten so far for upcoming music posts:

Dif Juz
• Extractions
• Vibrating Air
• Huremics
• Soundpool

  Bauhaus

• Live in the Studio 1979
• Swing The Heartache: The BBC Sessions
• Gotham

  Love And Rockets

• Sweet F.A.

  Daniel Ash

• Foolish Thing Desire
• Daniel Ash

  Peter Murphy

• Should the World Fail to Fall Apart
• Love Hysteria
• Deep
• Recall EP
• Holy Smoke
• Cascade
• Unshattered
• Dust
• Alive Just for Love

  Dali’s Car

• The Waking Hour

  Lisa Gerrard (Dead Can Dance)

• The Mirror Pool
• Duality
• Whale Rider
• A Thousand Roads [Original Score]
• Immortal Memory

  Brendan Perry (Dead Can Dance)

• Eye Of The Hunter
• The 13 Year Itch
• Rare On Air

Anything you guys can help me with would be appreciated and anything I can reciprocate would be a given.

I’ve used all of the following file host/upload services, so take your pick or use your favorite and send to jude@thedigitalghost.com:
YouSendIt | MegaUpload | RapidShare | SendSpace