For those inclined, I'd recommend checking out the Grateful Dead's long waited release of their historic shows performed at the Giza Pyramids in 1978.

Highlights include the "Ollin Arageed->Fire on the Mountain" the Dead performed with percussionist Hamza El Din and the Nubian Youth Choir.

There's also a cool DVD highlighting some of the performances; you'll catch Ken Kesey and Bill Walton among the guests of the Dead (with Ken Kesey leading an expedition to plant a Dead flag on one of the pyramids).

It certainly is a trippy visual: the Good Ol' Grateful Dead jamming in the shadow of the Pyramids with the Sphinx looking over their shoulder. To top it off there was a lunar eclipse on the night of the last show.

On a side note, the day after the Dead's last Giza show, Begin and Sadat signed the Camp David Peace Accords. Hey, I'm just sayin'! :) :) :)

Next Monday the Allman Brothers and The Dead will be playing a benefit for Obama at Penn State. Warren Haynes will be pulling double duty on guitar for both the Dead and the Allmans. If you haven't heard the guitar team of Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes, you should.

Derek Trucks is the frigging second coming of Duane. See for yourself:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vuadh1o0yC8

Wave that flag! Wave it wide and high!

"So the kids they dance and shake their bones/

and the politicians are throwing stones/

and it's all too clear we're on our own/

singing ashes, ashes, all fall down/

ashes, ashes, all fall down..."

I just started a unit, in my 11th grade English classes, on Arthur Miller's "The Crucible." The play's message of what fear does to society, and how an intolerant minority can hold a community hostage is certainly relevant. Witch hunts, of course, take on many guises; from the Holocaust to Rwanda and Sudan, from the McCarthy hearings and the red scare to Guantanamo and the "Patriot" Act. We're on the cusp of turning the page, but fear is always there, seething under the surface.

I began the unit by having my students write about the following quote by Bertrand Russell: "Collective fear stimulates herd instinct, and tends to produce ferocity toward those who are not regarded as members of the herd."

I have hope that the fear peddling of the McCain/Palin campaign won't work this time, but, of course, John Proctor initially didn't think anything would come of the witch hysteria either.

Don't worry, I won't assign the play for you guys to read.(If you want I have some great graphic organizers and guided reading questions for you guys to complete :) ). I do highly recommend Nicholas Hytner's (mostly) faithful film version starring Daniel Day Lewis and Joan Allen. Check it out!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115988/

Equal time?

Public financing?

What are you, some kind of SOCIALIST?

You do know the definition of 'irony,' don't you?

Of course the interrogation "experts" at Abu Ghraib, Rumsfeld, and the other thugs at the Pentagon should be held responsible. And it's clear he's been scapegoated. But that does not mitigate or excuse the actions taken by Spc. Graner and his fellow "soldiers" at Abu Ghraib.

It was his DUTY to refuse unlawful orders. Let me say that again so I am clear: it was his DUTY to refuse an unlawful order, regardless of the consequences. That is what soldiers do, they make hard decisions. Spc. Graner is a coward. That's the best thing I can say. Either he and his comrades enjoyed what they were doing (I do not believe that) or they took the easy coward's way out.

Being a soldier is more than just wearing the uniform. It is a responsibility. Real soldiers hold themselves to a higher standard.

Look, Rumsfeld belongs in prison. Of that I agree. But given the extent of Graner's crimes, perhaps he should worry more about his own complicity and failure to do the right thing. Take some responsibility. Following an unlawful order is against the law. Graner is in prison because of this. I have sympathy for his family. That's about all I can say.

Consider the Army Core Values. Take note of the last two. Graner and his comrades, apparently, did not.

Loyalty

Bear true faith and allegiance to the U.S. constitution, the Army, and other soldiers. Be loyal to the nation and its heritage.

Duty

Fulfill your obligations. Accept responsibility for your own actions and those entrusted to your care.

Respect

Rely upon the golden rule. How we consider others reflects upon each of us, both personally and as a professional organization.

Selfless Service

Put the welfare of the nation, the Army, and your subordinates before your own.

Honor

Live up to all the Army values

Integrity

Do what is right, legally and morally. Be willing to do what is right even when no one is looking. It is our "moral compass" an inner voice.

Personal Courage

Our ability to face fear, danger, or adversity, both physical and moral courage.

You are 100% correct. There should be a long line of NCOs and officers from Abu Ghraib in prison along with Graner (not to mention higher ups at the pentagon).

Perhaps the problem is mine; it's hard for me to rationally consider this issue. Even thinking about it now, I can detect the white hot anger and disgust growing inside. The gross dereliction of duty and shameful cowardice displayed by Graner is just completely beyond the pale. I just worry that this guy will be made into some kind of martyr.

Oh, and don't get me started on soldiers forgetting gear from their rucks or not having their canteens filled! LOL

I love the Criterion series, and I own a bunch. Must haves for any cinephile.

Anyway, I understand someone wanting, say, "Bottle Rocket" on Blu-Ray, but is a film like "The Third Man" going to benefit much from Blu-Ray or is my original Criterion release as good as it gets?