Inappropriate Conversations

Playlist from IC_#124

The Tubes - "I Was a Punk Before You Were A Punk (Live)" The Accused - "Have You Never Been Mellow" Scatterbrain - "Down With The Ship (Slight Return)" Cycle Sluts From Hell - "I Wish You Were A Beer" Genitorturers - "Force Fed" Life, Sex & Death - "Fuckin' Shit Ass" Carcass - "Exhume To Consume" Old Lady Drivers - "Colostomy Grab-Bag" One Minute Silence - "A More Violent Approach" Saigon Kick - "My Dog" Last Exit - "My Balls, Your Chin" Kronos Quartet - "Cat O' Nine Tails (Tex Avery Directs The Marquis De Sade)" (John Zorn) Itzhak Perlman / London Symphony Orchestra - "Polonaise in D Op.4" (Henryk Wieniawski) Curved Air - "Ultra-Vivaldi" Doctors Of Madness - "Out (For Mitzi)" Krista - "Temporary Insanity" The Uninvited - "Box Of Nails" The Uninvited - "What God Said" Severed Heads - "Brassiere, In Rome" Butthole Surfers - "Jimi" Einsturzende Neubauten - "Schmerzen Horen" Happy Flowers - "I Said I Wanna Watch Cartoons" Merzbow - "Electric Salad" Nurse With Wound - "Blank Capsules Of Embroidered Cellophane" Scraping Foetus Off The Wheel - "I'll Meet You In Poland, Baby" Ice T - "Body Count" Ed O.G. & da Bulldogs - "Speak Upon It" Bone Thugs-N-Harmony - "Body Rott" Cypress Hill - "Cock The Hammer" TLC - "This Is How It Works" Little Jackie - "Cock Block" Javelin - "Oh! Centra" Black Flag - "Six Pack" Henry Rollins - "The Virtue Of Black Sabbath" The Tubes - "Drum Solo (Live)" Circle Jerks - "Paid Vacation" Dead Kennedys - "I Kill Children" Geza X - "Isotope Soap" The Vandals - "Oi To The World!" Los Reactors - "Dead In The Suburbs" Crass - "Shaved Women" The Weasles - "Beat Her With A Rake" Louisiana Red - "Sweetblood Call" Mississippi John Hurt - "Nobody's Dirty Business" Flipper - "Flipper Blues (Live)" Violent Femmes - "Girl Trouble" The Residents - "Die In Terror (Live)" The Residents - "Golden Goat (Live)" Christian Lunch - "Joke's On You" Deaf School - "Don't Stop The World" The Fall - "Crap Rap 2 / Like To Blow" King Missile - "Double Fucked By Two Black Studs" Guadalcanal Diary - "Cattle Prod" Bongwater - "The Power Of Pussy" Fetchin' Bones - "Love Crushing" Shonen Knife - "Twist Barbie" Trouble Funk - "Part A (Live)"

Open Letter to Congress and Legislators

Dear elected official considering "legislative solutions" to reduce the abortion rate ... well, not really the rate because there is no indication you have thought that through at all, being more focused on passing laws that make it look like you are "doing something" about abortion when you are missing the point entirely ... yeah, you: We are on the wrong course in our interactions with courts, the legislative process, and specifically the women in our society. Lowering the abortion rate to astonishingly low levels is possible, and it starts (STARTS) with ending the expensive and wasteful process of trying to force people into making the choice most of us want them to make. Let's do this the way Jesus demonstrated. Listen to people, love them as they are, intervene personally and directly; not with laws that attempt to control them without listening to them or even knowing who they really are (much less loving them as much as so many conservative Christians "say" they love the unborn child ... an anonymous and cheap form of "love" at best). There is a simple test that we should apply when someone in a debate talks about "low levels" of pregnancy due to rape and incest or life-threatening situations like we've heard about in the past year from Ireland and elsewhere. (Think it couldn't happen here? I think it could in a rural part of states like Oklahoma, Mississippi, or others). None of that even includes women living with other sorts of threats, like domestic violence or health situations that could lead to serious consequences like sterility or conditions that would shorten life ... but just not drastically enough to satisfy the kinds of legislation being proposed by so-called conservatives. No the test here is really easy: whenever you call a number of women small, then your job is to pull out pen and paper and write down (you, personally, not a bunch of pages or interns) the names and phone numbers of all the women you have met for the first time in the past year. You see, the same women aren't typically pregnant from rape in consecutive years. For some women -- thankfully -- it is only a once in a lifetime experience if at all. But if you think it is a small number, go ahead and set a timer for an hour or two, and write down all your new female associates. It's a small number, right? Of course, if it is physically impossible for you to write that many names (thousands of women each year) in a short span of time, then it isn't a small number at all. We should have the intellectual integrity to challenge people who use language so inappropriately. On the other hand, you also may have -- despite being in a position of power -- simply avoided meeting that many of your constituents, choosing instead to remain in a very narrow field of influence for some arguably political reasons. That would be a lack of ethics and/or moral integrity ... if we are serious about the use of terms like "small number" to refer to such a large and important part of our society. Jesus would speak with those women. With the woman at the well in John 4 as an example, he would empower her or them to be his advocate with others in the community, not only other women. He would never adopt a "there there little lady, I know what's best for you" philosophy and he certainly wouldn't legislate such an approach through the power of human government. People who do that are not following Jesus; they are opposing his example. Please, don't empower the anti-Christ forces that you are forced to brush elbows with, whether they identify themselves as some sort of Christian voting bloc or moral majority or not. The only real "moral majority" is Jesus. Try doing things his way for a change, or take this prompting to challenge peers who are and have been taking the Lord's name in vain on this issue (and numerous others). Sincerely and admittedly, Someone who loves Jesus more than power (I'm not alone here, my fellow Christians, and you are welcome to join us)

Poem: 'Tithe'

Some poems, like this one, work better visually. "Tithe" can be read in multiple ways -- two of them, crucially. You can read it directly, or as a hymn. Lyrics: @ic_greg Melody: Traditional Season: Pentecost

Jesus woke me up

I thanked him anyway,

He wished me well and

Sunday morning - much to my surprise.

Seeing that my sins

Confused me,

He told me that

Had been quite a burden.

Because He didn't want me

He died for my sins,

We talked about old times,

To build a church

In my shock, I did not

I guess for ten minutes

Or seek people who

Know what to say,

Or more,

Would donate their money.

Initially,

Subsequently,

Ultimately,

(Refrain) This relaxed me and Convinced me that the Times really don't change.

Meaning of 'Ministry'

For many years, the bulletin in my church would provide name and title for several people involved in worship services. Calling out the organist and lay reader, for example, is just as important as identifying the choir director and pastor. That list also had an entry for minister as "every member of the congregation." At least from a Protestant Christian perspective, all of us are ministers. The term is not a synonym for someone who pastors a local church. I mention this to provide some context for a statement that I feel compelled to make. It might be obvious. Then again, maybe not. Among other things, Inappropriate Conversations is, for me, a ministry. Am I "preaching" the notion that strict separation of politics, religion, and aspects of popular culture (including sexuality) has not served us well? Perhaps. If so, this post is not a signal that things are changing in any way. On the contrary, I anticipate the tone and approach remaining the same. It may be enough to say, for now, that I am reaching out in several directions, intentionally.

• * I'm asking Christians to view Jesus as something more than a celebrity they follow with an "I like this" or even an "I'm like this" mentality.
• * I'm correcting or even rebuking those who seem to worship their Bible, whether they realize it or not, without actually having a full understanding of what it says.
• * I'm also reaching out to people who have left the church or bypassed it completely because they have been either marginalized or harmed by what I call "politically active Christianity" but is more commonly known by terms like "the religious right."
• * Finally, I'm delighted to know that I'm also speaking (literally, from a podcast perspective) with like-minded Christians. Almost without exception, these are followers of Christ who have felt the Holy Spirit move them, either in a completely different direction or simply out of complacency.

That last group describes me as well. Examples are sprinkled throughout these podcasts -- sporadically, by design, to avoid becoming preachy. Make no mistake, though, ministry can and does happen in a variety of ways. It doesn't require a worship service, and certainly not a sermon. Is there some risk in speaking up, in exercising my freedoms of religion and speech in this manner? There shouldn't be, politically, for reasons that go back to the founding of this country. I believe there is greater risk in silence. Why, and what does that have to do with ministry or God? "It's far better to say something that should not be said, than not to say something that should be said." I attribute those words to the Holy Spirit at 1:37 a.m. CST on February 7, 1987. How would you remain willfully silent after hearing that? I haven't and I won't.

Tolerance And Identity

Here is a view that I have heard before, and it was presented to me again this week: "You say that you want tolerance and despise, hate, but if I don't agree with everything you say, you call it intolerance and hate. Explain to me again just how that works." Now, it is quite possible that this conservative friend was trying to discuss a contentious issue with someone who isn't very open-minded about their "progressive" ideas. That happens. On the other hand, it seems more likely that the discussion wasn't really about issues at all. What if the focus was really on identity instead? At the very least, I can imagine my friend referring to a person as a sinner, making a lifestyle choice, or asking for "special rights." Sad to say, that happens as well. I have a response that asks Christians to consider when it may be important to tell someone that disagreeing with them is, inherently, inappropriate. It is usually intolerance when people tell me that I cannot possibly be a Christian because Jesus isn't real and therefore I couldn't actually have a relationship with him as my Lord. We can argue that it is hypocritical to call someone intolerant for forcing us to believe everything they say; but, like it or not, a larger group than just Christians would and should label someone like that as "intolerant" and perhaps hateful if they layer in a bit of verbal abuse, too. They don't have to agree with me about everything I think or believe. However, when it comes to questions of who I am, whom I love, and how that most important of relationships works in my life, that isn't a matter of opinion or an issue for public referendum or debate. Anyone who treats me harshly or dismissively on that basis deserves to be taken to task for it. Most of the time when questions like this are raised about tolerance, I find that the issue isn't about questions of opinions where disagreements can easily be managed with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15-16). It tends to be about judgments that cut to the very core of who a person is. If we don't respect persons' understandings of who they are (Christian, in this example), then we rightfully should be accused of failing to love in the same measure that we fail to listen. Here is the problem: I wasn't really talking about Christianity. It is true that I have been dismissed, on occasion, for being a Christian. Both courts and society would quickly leap to my defense, though, if that became a basis for denying me a job, or access to medical treatment, or the right to -- for example -- get married. Religion isn't the only thing that cuts to the core of who a person is. So, no, we aren't entitled to agree or disagree with someone's sexuality, whether it be a matter of identity or preference. You don't get to "disagree" with whether someone is gay or straight. It's just that simple. Hopefully, I've fully explained just how this question of tolerance works.

What's Good about CTC Music? Chris Rice

Some discussions online and among friends have included questions of whether Contemporary Christian music is actually either good music or good Christianity. I have been both a critic and an apologist for CTC music, going all the way back to when I managed the allocation and replenishment of those artists in the 1990s. I see it both ways, I suppose. One artist that answers both questions with an emphatic Yes is Chris Rice. I have backed that opinion by purchasing every one of his albums and seeing him in concert twice. Given the opportunity, I'd see a show again tonight. Here are just a few examples, if you were looking for the adult contemporary singer-songwriter format of music with solid theology and a truly personal storytelling style: "Love Like Crazy" from Amusing (2005) "Thirsty" from Past The Edges (1998) "Go Light Your World" from Short Term Memories (2004) "Me and Becky" from Run The Earth, Watch The Sky (2003) "The Face Of Christ" from Smell The Color 9 (2000) "Smile" from Run The Earth, Watch The Sky (2003) "The Final Move" from Amusing (2005) I'll have more to say about Chris Rice in an upcoming Different Drummer segment, no doubt.

Live Album by The Residents would be Wonderful

Album reviews are not a regular part of Inappropriate Conversations, despite the large number of musicians I've identified as Different Drummers, so this is unusual. Then again, so is the album: "Demonic! The Residents Live in Oslo!" "Demons Dance Alone" is my favorite work by the experimental/alternative band The Residents. Written in the aftermath of 9/11/2001, it is almost less experimental in a way that makes it stand out from their catalog. In fact, when I saw the DVD for the first time (before I heard the album), it seemed obvious that the disorienting visual style was far more experimental than the music itself. The performances on that DVD led me to the studio album, but even the combination seemed insufficient. For a work as important as "Eskimo" or "The Mole Trilogy" (enter the joke about 4+ parts here) or "Gingerbread Man" (CD-R), something was missing. With "Demonic!" released last year, The Residents have given this material the second look and second listen that it deserves. First, the negatives. The 2 CD version that I purchased has track listings that don't line up well on disc 1. The first track is actually an overture of sorts, even before the band is introduced to the live audience, and that throws off all the other song names. For a new listener, the last thing you need is for the relationship between track number and song title to be off. Also, one of the highlights of the live experience is their remake of the Snakefinger song "Golden Goat" but here is it buried with two other songs in a single track as if the song was the centerpiece of a medley. Each of those songs stands alone, though, and deserved individual tracks on the CD. What's missing? Since the concert is a live performance of the "Demons Dance Alone" opus, it makes sense that there are very few additions from other albums. "Make Me Moo" is the only track from the studio album that could have been added.  I suspect the studio version would be superior, all the same. Now, the good news and an answer to the obvious question. If I have all of these songs in an excellent studio album, why such enthusiasm for the live version? There are two answers.

1. With the exception of "Weather Man" these live versions equal or surpass the originals. This new release, together with individual downloads of "The Weatherman" and "Make Me Moo" from the 2002 release would cover the complete experience.
2. The 2 CD set, as any live album will, provides slightly different takes on each song including more direct storytelling. More importantly, this set includes a couple of songs that were only available via video before. They are also among the best of the band's weird and wonderful catalog.

Randy's lead vocals are both a distinctive and derided trademark. Many of their songs wouldn't be the same without his swampy redneck drawl. While many of The Residents' legendary works function largely as instrumentals or sound collages, others like "Gingerbread Man" or "God In Three Persons" depend heavily on his voice. All the same, the inclusion of female voices is crucial to my favorite songs by the band. "How To Get A Head" (Wormwood) needs a young girl to relate John The Baptist's fate from Salome's perspective. Even friends who despise The Residents have to admit that "Harry The Head" (Freak Show) is a love song told by a woman who is emotionally committed to a disembodied head. In this performance, the crucial tracks are "Golden Goat" and "Wonderful 2." The latter was identified as "Mrs. Wonderful" on the original DVD. The same childish mixture of excitement and fear that drives "How To Get A Head" makes "Golden Goat" such in interesting interpretation of the song written by both Snakefinger and The Residents. "Mrs. Wonderful" has some of the most heartbreakingly harsh yet subtle lyrics I've ever heard. "If the father of the baby that I know I'll never have wasn't married to the lady whose house I cleaned when I was fat, life would be wonderful ... life would be wonderful ... life would be wonderful." I suppose the impact of the entire "Life Would Be Wonderful" suite depends entirely on your tolerance for the intentional inconsistency in their sound. "Demonic!" is dreamlike and disturbing for a reason. It is also far more melodic than most of The Residents' previous output. Lyrically, though, the band is as bizarre as ever. Like most of their albums, this one is produced by The Cryptic Corporation. Nothing ironic about that. "Demonic!" is a limited release. One pressing is available with a supplemental DVD, but I cannot imagine it would replace the original DVD release based on the songs mentioned in descriptions I have seen. When I first saw the original video, I dismissed it completely with an "I guess you had to be there" shrug. It haunted me, though, and called for a second look. I had the same response to the studio album, which features the "female resident" on several tracks but omits "Mrs. Wonderful." "I have seen the Golden Goat, and he would like to lick my throat. I know his mane. I know his spoor. I know he waits outside my door." Haunting. With this 2012 offering, The Residents have made things right. Life may be wonderful after all.