April is not always the cruelest month. Around here I think that title should go to August with its heat and humidity. I think April may be cruel for tempting us with how good life in North Carolina can be.
The 2012 Merlefest is over. Now that is cruel. Because Merlefest puts you in the mellow place without the use of any external drugs. It is a natural high.
As with my tradition, Merlefest weekend started with a visit to Raffaldini winery in Rhonda, NC. There moniker states, this is "Chianti in the Carolinas" with a fine Italian-styled winery overlooking what could be a Tuscan valley, all right in Wilkes County. The day was overcast so the view was more mysterious on this visit that he clear vista days of the past, but the wine and the visit was still enjoyable.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Jazz in April
I wanted to do a play on April in Paris as the Triangle
really lights up for jazz performances in April. But really it is a great time to talk about
the most hidden jazz festival – the 22nd NCCU Jazz Festival in
Durham from April 16-21.
Take 6 and Cyrus Chestnut headline this fine jazz festival
this year, but there are events of every price and style that any jazz fan can
enjoy. I plan to attend Wednesday’s
Faculty Jazz Group sessions featuring the Faculty Jazz Groups of NCCU and
UNC. Sounds like the making of a real
battle of the collegiate bands. Check
out their website and try to get out and hear some live music.
I have really enjoyed listening to Cyrus Chestnut’s work as
a result of him coming to the area and if I can find a way I will try and make
the Saturday night show on April 21. I
would suggest you try and find so Cyrus and take a listen. Christian McBride plays on his Soul Food
album. He plays with the NCCU Jazz
Ensemble Orchestra and it is only $20.
 |
| Lost in the Trees |
April 20 is the Lost in the Tree’s CD release party. While this indie group is not jazz in the
traditional sense, they have jazz elements.
This is at Cat’s Cradle Friday Night.
Just give me an excuse to go to Carrboro. The new CD is called A Church that Fits Our
Needs, which is a great title, but I am still trying to get accustomed to the
music.
Peak City Blues Project, one of my bands, plays Deep South
this Saturday, April 14 at 8:00 PM. It
will be a great throw down, but there will be very little jazz. Just a lot of blues. Still only $5.
 |
| Peak City Blues Project |
Now about that April in Paris Song. I think Monk’s version is the best even
through Count Basie’s performance was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Monk has that funky Monk beat and Basie’s is
just too smooth and city-fied for me.
Not bluesy enough. But then there
is that chorus from the Orchestra that shouts “One More Time,” that gives Basie
a little edge.
April is a great month to get out and hear some music. And as the Orchestra shouts “One more time!”
Friday, April 6, 2012
Obamacare v. Roseveltcare, It Ain't Broccoli
Having been tasked for over twenty years with buying and administrating health insurance for small businesses, the health care debate and Supreme Court case and arguments have been of close interest to me.
Something must be done about US health care. The cost is too great when compared to health care systems in other countries. That is the premise. But what can be done?
With one in eight US employees employed by the health care industry, the stakes are high and the chance for a true political answer low, as Hillary Clinton found out in the early 90's when she attempted to reform healthcare as a part of a promise from her husband's first campaign. So I applaud the Obama administration for passing ANYTHING regarding improving health care.
But with so many interest involved, the Affordable Care Act is not perfect. But it is all we got and maybe our only chance to turn the cost of health care around.
Buying health care is not like buying broccoli. Why would learned Justices even make such a comparison? You might not like broccoli or paying for heath care, but you don't show up at the emergency room needing broccoli to live. And that is the rub. Until we endorse letting those people who need heath care but do not have coverage simply die instead of receiving care, our current system of paying for health care will be flawed and wrong. No civilized society can endorse such a poor moral solution. So we have profit v. the good of all debate.
Buying health care is more like buying retirement. As some point, if you live long enough, you are going to need health care. You are going to need retirement. You are not going to need broccoli.
The Affordable Care Act tries to address this issue by mandating that all persons purchase health care. The act has done this, not by a tax that creates a large federal agency to run heathcare, but by using the private health care market.
So is this the real debate? The US Government can force us all to pay a tax that creates a large government bureaucracy (Social Security) but can't force us to buy a product in the free market? If that is the Supreme Court ruling then look for the new era of Big Government.
How could conservative justices endorse such a ruling?
Something must be done about US health care. The cost is too great when compared to health care systems in other countries. That is the premise. But what can be done?
With one in eight US employees employed by the health care industry, the stakes are high and the chance for a true political answer low, as Hillary Clinton found out in the early 90's when she attempted to reform healthcare as a part of a promise from her husband's first campaign. So I applaud the Obama administration for passing ANYTHING regarding improving health care.
But with so many interest involved, the Affordable Care Act is not perfect. But it is all we got and maybe our only chance to turn the cost of health care around.
Buying health care is not like buying broccoli. Why would learned Justices even make such a comparison? You might not like broccoli or paying for heath care, but you don't show up at the emergency room needing broccoli to live. And that is the rub. Until we endorse letting those people who need heath care but do not have coverage simply die instead of receiving care, our current system of paying for health care will be flawed and wrong. No civilized society can endorse such a poor moral solution. So we have profit v. the good of all debate.
Buying health care is more like buying retirement. As some point, if you live long enough, you are going to need health care. You are going to need retirement. You are not going to need broccoli.
The Affordable Care Act tries to address this issue by mandating that all persons purchase health care. The act has done this, not by a tax that creates a large federal agency to run heathcare, but by using the private health care market.
So is this the real debate? The US Government can force us all to pay a tax that creates a large government bureaucracy (Social Security) but can't force us to buy a product in the free market? If that is the Supreme Court ruling then look for the new era of Big Government.
How could conservative justices endorse such a ruling?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
