Bits and Pieces: Ongoing, Reversal and a Reunion

I'll try to keep this short. But I always start off with that goal.

The Myanmar (Burmese) dilemma is escalating into a violent confrontation. From New York Times reports, several deaths are being reported. As one quote suggests:

A government announcement said security forces in Yangon, the country’s main city, fired at demonstrators who failed to disperse, killing one man. Foreign news agencies and exile groups reported death tolls ranging from two to eight people.

It doesn't seem the ruling military junta, the Chinese/Thailand diplomatic efforts or the meager words of George W. Bush has much of a chance to change the course of this military-ruled society. Which isn't a shock considering that much of the "inside information" is coming to us via the Democratic Voice of Burma, located in Oslo, Norway. As people use cell phones, illegal internet uplinks to broadcast the brutality of the ruling party, this voice has to be responded to by those who actually support the idea of democratic Burma.

Second story from NYT: Seems according to NY Times reports, that a "9/11 survivor" wasn't quite that or the embellishments to that tragedy leave one wondering exactly where she was, who did she work for and know, and what was she actually about before and after this event. Tania Head has "lawyered up," meaning that she knows the inconsistencies to her tale will eventually all come about as this quote suggests from the Times:

She has retained a lawyer, Stephanie Furgang Adwar, to represent her. Also
on Tuesday, in response to a question about the accuracy of Ms. Head’s account,
Ms. Adwar said in an e-mail message, “With regard to the veracity of my client’s
story, neither my client, nor I, have any comment.”

No one has suggested that Ms. Head did anything to profit financially
from her position as an officer with the Survivors’ Network, the nonprofit group
for which she helped to raise money. But the organizations with which she has
been affiliated have also questioned her account after learning of the inquiries
from The Times.

Third One from the NYT: Genesis, a band I grew up with and learned the history of quite a bit, is on tour. "Turn it on Again" does sound like a phrase a 50-something musician(s) would say in response to their musicial chops and vision of world rock domination, but I suppose for Genesis, whose lineup and stylistic direction has move with money, fame and longevity, the answer lies in just playing again.

Seeing them in concert isn't as, many reviewers suggest, about them bringing some new vision to the stage. They rehearsh their old bits, play the favorites of pop and hodgepodges of 1970's art rock with state of the art equipment. They are like a '57 Thunderbird with dents - a classic that needs work - but loveable with the character-building dents.

As this quote reflects:

the progressive-rock band of the 1970s, playing suitelike songs filled with
odd meters, elaborate scenarios and speedy filigree, and the pop hit-makers of
the 1980s, with shorter, hook-laden songs about personal matters like
love.

For a real tribute to them, I hope an Invisible Touch will Follow You, Follow Me as I Can't Dance because No Son of Mine will be Home By The Sea searching for his Mama or The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway. A Firth of Fifth comes before Seconds Out, yet an Illegal Alien will be caught beyond the Silver Rainbow. Inside the Congo, it is impossible to be Driving the Last Spike.

And That's All.