Realm of the Wombat

Hüsker Dü’s AllMusic bio begins:

“Hüsker Dü and R.E.M. were the two American post-punk bands of the ’80s that changed the direction of rock & roll. R.E.M. became superstars; Hüsker Dü never was more than a cult favorite.”

I’m not sure AllMusic has a line that would get me more interested in a band than that. After picking up New Day Rising, I had only one thought: Soul Asylum. But not Grave Dancers Union or Let Your Dim Light Shine that most people know. More like The Horse You Rode in on. Not surprisingly, both bands hail from Minneapolis, Soul Asylum trailing the elder Husker Du by four years (formed in 1983 vs. 1979). With respect to New Day Rising, it’s a good album overall, but no songs really stand out. If the price is right at Amoeba, maybe I’ll check out another one of their 5-star albums, but they’ve certainly moved down the list.

Next piece of Americana Odie and I will visit: 45th Parallel Markers

A collection of sculptures built from Yugos

In a recent press conference, the President clarified his opinion on the connection between Iraq and 9/11:

BUSH: The terrorists attacked us and killed 3,000 of our citizens before we started the freedom agenda in the Middle East.
QUESTION: What did Iraq have to do with it?
BUSH: What did Iraq have to do with what?
QUESTION: The attack on the World Trade Center.
BUSH: Nothing. Except it’s part of — and nobody has suggested in this administration that Saddam Hussein ordered the attack. Iraq was a — Iraq — the lesson of September 11th is take threats before they fully materialize, Ken. Nobody’s ever suggested that the attacks of September the 11th were ordered by Iraq.
[ThinkProgress.org]

I wonder how he explains the results of this recent CNN survey:

Do you think Saddam Hussein was personally involved in the September 11th terrorist attacks, or not?
43% - Yes
52% - No
6% - Unsure

It’s a funny thing to believe if nobody has suggested the connection…

As long as we’re dispelling myths, mice don’t like cheese.

I’ve often told people that the brontosaurus wasn’t really a dinosaur. Here’s the Wikipedia that explains it.

How to simplify airport security, from Toothpaste for Dinner

On the way back from lunch, there’s this sign:

Ok, I’ll try one more time.

Ay.

Is there nothing David Wright can’t do?