David Adler
Nir Rosen, propagandist
[Cross-posted at Z Word.] Glenn Greenwald links, with some caveats, to this piece by Nir Rosen as a “must-read” on the Gaza conflict. “…[Rosen’s] generalized explanation about how the concept of ‘terrorism’ is distorted and exploited by stronger countries can’t be emphasized enough.” What can’t be emphasized enough is that Rosen’s case is sophistry from start to finish. I’ve profited
Gaza: escalation
Early reports have it that Israel has launched a ground invasion of Gaza. I don’t agree with every word of this Johann Hari piece, but hand it to him for getting this exactly right: Israel’s leaders have convinced themselves the harder you beat the Palestinians, the softer they will become. But when this is over, the rage against Israelis will
Six Picks: January 2009
My monthly list of recommended CDs, as published in All About Jazz-New York, January 2009: Interplay, Apology to the Atonists/Tritone Suite (Porter) Jim McAuley, The Ultimate Frog (Drip Audio) Tony Malaby, Cello Trio (Songlines) Chico Pinheiro & Anthony Wilson, Nova (Goat Hill) Ben Schachter, Omnibus (ind.) Mark Sherman Quartet, Live at the Bird’s Eye (Miles High)
Gaza
My remarks on the Gaza crisis are up at Z Word. [Update: Eamonn’s response.]
First principles
Marc Cooper has posted some New Year hopes and reflections, one of which touches on a theme dear to my heart: why it’s important for staunch liberals to attack authoritarian thinking on the left, and not care about the grief they catch for it. And so, dear reader, the question is not why I expend time and energy railing against
Freddie Hubbard
In the late ’80s I got caught trying to walk out of the Blue Note without paying. I had hoped the $18 in my pocket was enough, but it wasn’t. But that’s how badly I needed to see Freddie Hubbard. It wasn’t just Hubbard’s ferocity on the trumpet that got me. It was his bands. And at that time I
On Mario Pavone
My preview of Mario Pavone at the Iridium (Wednesday, Jan. 7), in the current Time Out New York. [Note: An error on my part. Notwithstanding his ample catalog on Playscape, Pavone does not help run the label, although he contributed cover art for a number of years.]
Village Voice poll
I participated in Francis Davis’s annual Village Voice jazz poll, the results of which are in. Francis’s reflections here; plus 79 individual ballots, A-O and P-T.