I have been reading a new book this week called “And Party Every Day” by Larry Harris. It tells the story of Casablanca records and how they went from nothing to becoming one of the most powerful labels in the music business. Casablanca, as you may recall, is the label that brought KISS to the world, although they were somewhat of an anomaly to the label. Casablanca became known as the “disco” label at a time when disco was king of the charts. Being a lifelong enlistee in the KISS Army it was inevitable that I would be drawn to this book written by the late Neil Bogart’s second in command. It is a very revealing read.
IDEALISM AND THE IRAQ CONUNDRUM
Much is being made of the recently released Iraq study group findings here in America. This is a blue ribbon panel of mostly ex-statesmen of extremely high repute. Their words portray a bleak assessment of Iraq, describing the situation as “grave” and “deteriorating.” It is easy to not see the silver lining in the clouds, especially while it looks like its raining and the rain will never stop. The words “grave” and “deteriorating” could easily describe many situations in the history of our country. Washington’s winter predicament at Valley Forge, the cause of Texas freedom after the battle of the Alamo, the Union of the United states after Lee routed the Army of the Potomac at Chancellorsville and, since this is the 65th anniversary of the Pearl harbor attack, the period from Dec 7, 1941 to the June 1942 battle at Midway, all these were “grave” and “deteriorating” situations that our country has faced. In every instance, and so many more, this was also a time when the American spirit of independence, perserverance and resourcefulness rose to the occasion and led to some of the greatest moments in American history. Which is to say, some of the greatest moments in the history of the world. It is an unfortunate reality that the media is not looking for that certain triumph that is necessarily born out of “grave” and “deteriorating” situations, but instead wishes to assist the enemies of freedom throughout the world by trying to convince the American people that the hand of certain, inevitable doom is upon us and we are bound to fail. Worse, the media often try to portray America as deserving to fail. But failure is not an American concept.
The Prophet Of Wrath 