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Jet Lag Reminiscences

October, 2003

October, 2003, LONDON - I apologize for the tardiness of this month's installment of my report. September was a hectic month with two out-of-town trips - one to San Francisco and the other to Honolulu - again. It was only two months ago that I was in Hawaii, and, now, here I am on the opposite side of this planet.

I write this report to you from London, through the fog of jet lag. This travel woe called jet lag is a curse suffered uniquely by our generation. Through the vast span of history, only we are afflicted by this technologically created nuisance. Whether by horseback, stagecoach, train, or car, people a generation ago traveled at a pace in rhythm with the natural movement of the sun. Whether by canoe, three-masted schooner, or ocean liner, voyages then were made in cadence with the regular lapping of the waves. Now, technological advances have made it possible for us to hurtle through time zones and international date lines. For this abuse of the normal rhythm of nature, we are punished. We feel dazed and sleepy at the most inconvenient times and wide awake in the middle of the night, alert and utterly unable to sleep. So, through this bleary, modern-day travel fog, I will do my best to briefly recap some of the highlights of my September.

The trip to San Francisco was to campaign for a candidate for Mayor of the city, Tom Ammiano. This campaign is the second time up for Tom. He came in second by a heartbreaking margin the last time around, almost knocking out a grizzled, old politico, the former Speaker of the California Assembly. People have asked me why I campaign for a candidate for mayor of a city not my home. First, Tom Ammiano, the current President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, is a dedicated public servant with proven leadership qualities. A former schoolteacher, he is a passionate advocate for improved education. He is a strong voice for the voiceless underprivileged. And, having had a career as a stand-up comic in San Francisco clubs, Tom is a hilariously engaging campaigner. Most of all, I love the city by the bay - my father's hometown. I want San Francisco to have an outstanding Mayor to help make it an even more wonderful city. So, to all you voters in that endlessly fascinating city - vote for Tom Ammiano for Mayor.

Campaigning for Tom was also a great excuse for enjoying one of my favorite cities. San Francisco is a great eating town - almost like Paris. Restaurants are a good measure of the greatness of a city and San Francisco has more than its share. And, like all great cities, San Francisco is constantly changing. It is a dynamic urban organism.

New landmarks are built and old ones restored. The latest transformation is the spectacular renovation of the historic Ferry Building at the foot of Market Street. Just over a hundred years old, the distinctive structure with its iconic clock tower was a busy transportation center of cross-bay traffic in the early part of the last century. With the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge in the mid 30's, traffic fell off and the building went into decline. Then, to add injury to insult, during the roadway building mania of the 1950's, the massively grotesque, double decked, elevated, Embarcadero Freeway was built right across the face of this graceful landmark obliterating it from view. We don't like earthquakes in California. There is, however, on some blessed occasion, good that can come from a disastrous earth shaking. The 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake caused extensive damage to the freeway requiring its demolition. The Ferry Building and the shining waters of the bay were once again visible. Work commenced on the restoration of the Ferry Building and the roadway in front of it. I had read in the newspaper that the work had just recently been completed. My visit to the restored Ferry Building on a Sunday morning was thrilling. There, where the ugly freeway had stood, was an urbane, palm lined roadway vibrant with people. There was a bicycle race going on along the embarcadero. Inside, the sensitively restored Ferry Building was filled with shops, markets and, of course, wonderful restaurants sending out savory aromas. On the side facing the bay, tables spilled out onto the wharf for waterside dining. It was exhilarating.

The Ferry Building of old was back, handsomer and more effervescent than I ever remembered it. The historic mosaic of the seal of the State of California had been moved but it was gloriously restored and happy in its new location basking under a bright sunny skylight. As I have done so often, I again left my heart in San Francisco - with my fingers crossed that when I return, I'll be able to call Tom Ammiano, "Mr. Mayor."

The trip to Honolulu was for a Board of Trustees meeting of the Japanese American National Museum. Because our trustees come from all over the nation, we move our meetings around the country to be fair to all members of the Board. Our last one was in Chicago. For some mysterious reason, our Honolulu meetings always seem to get outstanding attendance. The torturous part of a meeting in Honolulu is the meeting itself. To be confined in a windowless hotel conference room discussing policy, strategic planning, and fund raising, knowing that beaches, pools, and fun activities are just outside was tormenting. But we soldiered on valiantly. The meetings were productive and, after the business was concluded, I was able to enjoy the spectacular tropical sunsets from my hotel room window. In the evening, I threw myself into the fun. The "aloha" hospitality of the Hawaiians was, true to legend, leis, hulas and delicious food. It was delightful. But, alas, my Hawaii stay had to be abbreviated so that I could catch another flight - this one to England.

So here I am, in foggy London - not the misty, pea soup kind for which London is justly famous but the jet lag induced kind. Somehow, even in this addled state, I've been able to produce a report on my September activities. My next report on this sojourn in England will be from Los Angeles and, hopefully, fully recovered from this jet-age nuisance.

Scotland Tackles Transphobia and Homophobia In Brilliant New Billboard Ads ❤️
(OneScotland)

The Scottish government has had enough of hate crimes and is moving forward with a gutsy campaign.

According to Pink News, Scotland is launching a new initiative to combat intolerance with messages respectively addressing "bigots," "disablists," "homophobes," "racists," and "transphobes" in a series of ads circulating across the country.

Each message is signed on behalf of Scotland.

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Feminists Slam Man Telling Them They Can't Have Both Chivalry And Equality
(GettyImages)

A man on Twitter informed feminists they had to choose between chivalry and equality.

He was promptly raked over the coals for even assuming an antiquated concept would be considered as a viable option.

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Katy Perry, P!nk, Paul McCartney And More Sign Letter Threatening To Boycott SiriusXM Radio
Photos by John Shearer-Direct Management-Christopher Polk-Gary Gershoff-WireImage

Hundreds of artists have signed a letter threatening a boycott if SiriusXM's parent company, Liberty Media, doesn't back down from opposing the Music Modernization Act.

The act, which was expected to pass through Congress, streamlines royalty payments in the new age of digital technology, but it seems SiriusXM is objecting to a small section that would have the satellite radio company paying royalties on recordings dating before 1972.

That's a whole lot of songs and a whole lot of money the company is hoping to skip out on paying, but not if stars like Paul McCartney, P!nk, Stevie Nicks, Sia, Carly Simon, Gloria Estefan, Mick Fleetwood, Don Henley, Max Martin, and Katy Perry can help it.

The letter read, in part:

I'm writing you with grave concern about SiriusXM's opposition to the Music Modernization Act (Classics Act included).

We are all aware of your company's objections and trepidation but let me say that this is an opportunity for SiriusXM to take a leadership position. As you are aware, 415 Representatives and 76 Senators have already cosponsored the MMA along with industry consensus. It's SiriusXM vs all of us. We can either fight to the bitter end or celebrate this victory together. Rather than watch bad press and ill will pile up against SiriusXM, why not come out supporting the most consequential music legislation in 109 years? We do not want to fight and boycott your company but we will as we have other opponents. Stand with us! Be brave and take credit for being the heroes who helped the MMA become historic law! Momentum is building against SiriusXM and you still have an opportunity to come out on the right side of history. We look forward to your endorsement but the fire is burning and only you can put this out.

SiriusXM resoponded with a letter of their own:

Over the past several weeks, we have been the subject of some stinging attacks from the music community and artists regarding our views on the Music Modernization Act. Contrary to new reports and letters, this is really not about a SiriusXM victory, but implementing some simple, reasonable and straightforward amendments to MMA. There is nothing in our "asks" that gut the MMA or kills the Act. So let's talk about the substance of the amendments we propose, because we truly do not understand the objections or why these concepts have incited such a holy war.ontrary to the accusations, SiriusXM has proposed three simple amendments to the MMA.

First, SiriusXM has asked that the CLASSICS Act recognize that it has already licensed all of the pre-1972 works it uses. This amendment would ensure that artists – the people who are supposed to be at the heart of the MMA – receive 50% of the monies under those existing licenses. Is that unfair? Just today, Neil Diamond wrote in the LA Times that: "I receive a small amount of songwriting royalties, but no royalties as the recording artist." How can that happen? To date, SiriusXM has paid nearly $250 million dollars in pre-'72 royalties to the record labels. We want to make sure that a fair share of the monies we have paid, and will pay, under these licenses gets to performers. Without this provision, artists may never see any of the money SiriusXM paid, and will pay, for the use of pre-1972 works. Artists not getting paid hurts our business!

Second, Sirius XM thinks that the fair standard to use in rate setting proceedings is the standard that Congress chose in 1995 and confirmed again in 1998 – which is called the 801(b) standard. However, we are willing to move the "willing buyer/willing seller" standard contained in the MMA. In exchange, we have asked for the same concession that the MMA grants to other digital music services, but we were left out of — simply that the rates that were set last year for five years now apply for ten years. We thought this was a fair compromise when we read the "new" MMA that was released this weekend by the Senate, and are willing to live by that compromise.

Third, SiriusXM is asking the simple question: "Why are we changing the rate court evidence standard for musical compositions in this legislation so that it gives another advantage to broadcasters over satellite radio and streaming services?" There is no policy rationale for this change to tilt the playing field further in their favor, and frankly no one has been able to explain it to us. It is only fair that we debate why the change to Section 114(i) is in the MMA.

Did you all catch that? It sounds like lawyer speak for "we don't really want to say where we stand."

media.giphy.com

It seems all the letters were for naught. The Music Modernization Act passed in the U.S. Senate.




It was time to celebrate and dance in the streets.









As the saying goes, honest pay for honest work.

media.giphy.com


H/T: Variety, Spin

Some Residents Of Uranus, Missouri Are Not Happy About The Name Of Their New Local Newspaper 😆
CBS Philly/YouTube, @ShirtlessKirk/Twitter

There's nothing like a good pun about human anatomy. Really gets the juices flowing!


Owners of the new Uranus Examiner must have been snickering as they announced the paper's name. Apparently, it's caused quite the controversy in the small town of Uranus, Missouri, over the last few days.

Residents are divided over whether the pun is an embarrassment or perfectly snarky:


Folks on the internet responded with maturity and composure after learning about the Uranus Examiner.

Oh, wait. No they didn't.





If you think about it... there might actually be a method to the madness here. The brand new paper's name has received widespread media coverage over this past week. Simply put... everyone's talking about Uranus.

In terms of publicizing their new venture, the owners of the Uranus Examiner have actually done a pretty sweet job!


In the video above, a woman suggests the paper should have been called "The Pulaski County Examiner."

If you ask me, that's TOTALLY BORING, and wouldn't have generated as much interest and publicity for the paper. So while the name might be cringeworthy to some, you can bet Uranus that it'll stick around. Who knows, Uranus might even grow as a result!

H/T: Indy100, The Kansas City Star