"A day without disappointment is like a day without sunshine." Well, maybe not--but very few days in this city are without their disappointments. (Sunshine in Utica is altogether another matter--we are Seattle without the latte.) Uncle Charlie really disappointed me today--I don't mean MY Uncle Charlie, but OUR "Uncle Charlie." (Truckers of a certain age will get my meaning.) The airwaves are to be further prostituted to the highest bidder, as the Head Pimp, "Malignant Polyp" (son of General Colon Polyp), has intended. No matter that millions of Americans protested this action--what is the limited "focus group" of the citizenry of America compared to the Will to Monopolize of the Truly Greedy? That's okay. I don't watch television, listen to commercial radio, or even read newspapers when I can possibly avoid it. (I used to read the N.Y. Post, but just for the Times of London Crossword.) (Right now I am listening to archives of The Big Broadcast, Rich Conaty's magnificent show on wfuv.org--the REAL STUFF. Check it out!)

Seriously, the new media ownership rules really, really suck. You've heard of "word processors"--the new monopoly papers/TV/radio stations will be employing meat grinders. Whether the great American public will notice a difference in the consistency of their daily tripe, I cannot say. It will certainly encourage that "unity" that everyone is trying to whip up--the bland leading the blind. All I can say is: if you want the truth, stick to the Internet.

(Conaty's playing Bennie Moten's 1932 recording of "Moten Swing"--one of the best records ever recorded! You won't hear THAT on Clear Charnel.)

I am still somewhat in denial about my novel being turned down YET AGAIN. I only spent a year writing that sucker--in blood. Despite what all standard authorities may think, it really IS very funny. (I wrote it on a 1937 Underwood Standard--a very funny typewriter.) Right now I am far too depressed by the FCC (et al.) to be much dented by my own puny concerns.