enemies, public and private

The One About Chuck D

In July 1990 at the P.E. show.
He made a speech about the groups of people in America, a big list.
Mentioned the mentally ill.
Somehow I knew he was right, but I didn't share it with anyone.
Scared of Peter Gabriel's 'Lead a Normal Life,' maybe.
Then, at the December 1990 P.E. show.
It was his gutsy from-the-hip speech about what a disaster President Bush and his looming Gulf War were.
I KNEW that was right.
Got kicked off the street by the cops after the riot, but you know what?
He was right.

about Trayvon Martin

     “There’s disconnect in America,” lamented Fat Guy. “Disconnection.”

     “Right,” said Jack Bronstein. “Like, when you don’t pay your phone bill. Right?”

     Fatty answered, “No. I mean, the way some Americans rot, while the big shots sit there and pamper themselves. There’s no compassion!”

     Jack nodded, “I see what you mean. Are you familiar with the name George Zimmerman, Fatty?”

     Fatty raised an eyebrow.

     Jack said, “Zimmerman wanted to be a policeman. It seems that he shot and killed a man named Trayvon Martin back in February of this year.”

     “Why?” asked Fatty.

     Jack answered, “Zimmerman claims he was defending himself. But eyewitness accounts say otherwise.”

     “See?” sighed Fatty. “No compassion.”

     Jack agreed, “If you have no compassion for people, of course you’ll attack a stranger.”

     Fatty shook his head woefully.

     Jack concluded, “It’s happening everywhere. In a land without compassion, people smile upon murder.”

Jack talks smack

"My features form with a change in the weather," announced John Methuselah Bronstein.
"Yeah, yeah," growled overweight ombudsman Fat Guy Genuine Article. "I'm working on the ultimate music mix. It's a tribute to the greatest."
Jack queried, "The greatest?"
Fatty nodded smugly.
"the greatest WHAT, Fatty?" said Jack.
"THE greatest," Fatty beamed.
Jack sighed, "Fatty, I don't want to have to make any phone calls on you this early in the week."
"Phone calls, Jack?" said Fatty.
Jack said, "Yeah. Phone calls. You've already used up your smart-ass points for March. And Casimir Pulaski Day or NOT? It's only the fifth. By my reckoning, you're on probation for the next 26 days. The spotlight's on you! Shape up."
Fatty bellowed, "You can keep the comments about my weight to a MINIMUM...and you can keep them to YOURSELF. In case you haven't noticed, I'm on diet. Damn straight! I'm going to slim down. Three weeks from now, the FAT JOKES will be on YOU. Heed me well."
Jack shrugged, "Heedwell, indeed. Just remember, this ain't Fat Guy Films. At least, not yet. This is Bronstein Studios. And make no mistake: That's how it is. Did you see anybody named Fat Guy in Tim Burton's 'Ed Wood'? Heh? Did you? No. No, you didn't. Get it right!"
"You're all talk, Jack," scoffed Fatty. I'll hit the big time soon enough. My time will come. So take heed. Heed."

truth

Mother let her prodigal son come back to her.

oceanic

Now and again, the tide turns.

Float me down the river and the windmill stops.

I headed for the turret but i landed near the copse.

Tournament of roses seems to say everything's fine.

Rat me out for pennies when the going rate's a dime.

Grabbing hands over fist with the pound.

Something tells me that the world is spinning round.

Fools on the hill tumble down and take a break.

I loaded up on sugar and I stole a slice of cake.

Toothache Schmoothache

I could always skip a meal.

Something deep inside tells me don't forget to feel.

Fat Guy tips the scales;

His boss Jack Bronstein sips Burfresca.

The government and business make an incomplete trifecta.

One's man hero is another woman's rake.

Nelson Algren says Chicago is a city on the make.

gears grinders

what the

Encased in a block of ice, Emperor Palpatine Sidious sighed, "What is WRONG with me? I should have taken that position at George Costanza's Jerk Store!"