It’s always sad when one of the good guys is gone, and Paul Newman was certainly one the finer good guys.  While many of the roles he played were anything but good, in his role as a fellow human, there are very few who were any better.  His charitable work has not only improved the lives of thousands of people, he actually made salad taste better.  Just an average day in the office for him I suppose.  For today’s list, my favorite films he was involved with, in not particular order.

1)  Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid -  number one if for no other reason than his camp for kids got its name from the movie.

2)  Slap Shot – pure comedy from an actor otherwise not known for this aspect of his work. 

3)  Absence of Malice – A good guy with an edge.

4)  The Verdict  – could easily be my favorite on some days.  Watch for Bruce Willis and Jerry Seinfeld in the court room!

5)  The Sting – light hearted scam, who can resist?

6)  The Hudsucker Proxy – how can you go wrong with a Coen brothers film with Mr. Newman?

7)  Road to Perdition -  Where we see Paul playing the Piano, who would have ever imagined?

8)  Cars -  While we never see him, its always good to hear his voice.

9)  The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean -  “I know the law. And I have spent my entire life in its flagrant disregard.” 

10)  Hud -  Just goes to show, everyone seems to love the bad boys sometimes.

Here is hoping the Hole in the Wall Gang keeps up its fine work!

When I first heard the song Kryptonite, my mind immediately started putting together this list of songs I like that are about Superman, but I just needed a good reason to do it.  Well,  with today being Brad Arnold’s (Singer and Drummer from 3 Doors Down)  Birthday and all, I felt its only appropriate to share the list today.  Of course, my list is in no way completely, according the to Superman Home Page there are 444 songs that are about Superman and another 30-40 that reference him but not by name.  I’ve included the link at the bottom of this post.  My list is just a subset of that list, the ones I’ve heard and liked for the most part.  However, it should be noted that while Shaq did not make my list, 7 of his songs are about Superman.  What a surprise.  Soulja Boys added another 5 to this list and Enimen, 50 cents, and Travis Tritt have all written multiple songs about Superman.  Feel free to post your own rankings.

1) In honor of the Birthday boy, we’ll put “Kryptonite” on top.  Its a fun song with a good beat that really kick started 3 Doors Down fame.

2)  “Jimmy Olsen’s Blues” – The Spin Doctors put an interesting twist on the Superman theme by creating a song with a plan.  Jimmy trying to get a date with Louis because, as the song is more widely known as, he has a pocket full of Kryptonite.

3)  “Superman’s Song” – Crash Test Dummies – Another lead singer named Brad singing about Superman.  One day I might have to do all the Brad sung songs.  This song is so slow and mournful, it doesn’t get played on the radio nearly as much as I think it should.  Thank goodness for CD’s and IPOD’s though.

4)  “Land of Confusion” – Genesis -  This song could have easily been left off, as I tend not to like too much politics in my music.  But its still a great song.  Interestingly enough, a former member of Genesis, Peter Gabriel also has a song mentioning Superman.

5)  “White Wedding” – Billy Idol  -  Can’t help but to like this song, even though it can wear on you if heard in large doses.

6)  “Superman (It’s Not Easy)” – Five for Fighting  -  One of the softer songs on the list.  Absolutely amazing piano work and some of the best lyrics on this list.  While I like Rush’s “Time and Motion” it doesn’t come close to this song.

7)  While not a big fan of Rap or hip hop, this list could not be complete without something from the genre.  Enimen has done 5 songs about Superman, and the one I found most catchy and in theme, was appropriately named Superman.

8)  “Superman” -  Alanis Morissette, Bush,  Barbra Streisand  -  Easy to add more than 10 songs to the list when several artists all use the same name for their songs.  Me?  I am partial to Bush, but I don’t mind the Morissette song either.  While Streisand has a great, even classic voice, this is not what I like hearing by her, even if it was featured in one of the movies.

9)  I better toss in a country/western song as well, as Superman is represented well across all types of Music.  Hank Williams Jr’s “Man of Steel” seems to be a good representative of this, although Tritt’s song could have been used as well.

10)  While I am dying to include Jimmy Buffet’s “I can’t be your hero today”, I would let you down if number 10 wasn’t “I can’t get started” by Frank Sinatra.  Either one makes a good ending to the list but how can ignore Frank on any list.

Of course, there are so many others.  I struggled to find a way to include AC/DC but they fell just a little bit short.  Maybe Angus’s Birthday is coming up and we can do a list on their songs.  Who knows.  Here is the link I promised you -  Superman Songs! Enjoy.

Debates, obviously, were nothing new to Americans, but until 1960, there really had been no formalized debates between the candidates.  Sure, Lincoln and Douglas debated seven times, but back then, they were running for the Senate and only later did they become nominees for the Presidency.  Finally, Nixon and Kennedy broke the ice and had a polite debate on television and radio.  Nixon had been sick, campaigning hard while Kennedy took a little time off to catch some sun and rest.  He came across more relaxed and healthier looking on TV.  The debate was still almost too close to call, with those watching on Television giving the nod to Kennedy while those who tuned in via the radio thought Nixon had won it.  Of course, we all know who won the election. 

I remember in grade school, hearing the magic words ring out after school, “a fight, a fight” and we’d all come running to watch.  So its not surprising that a debate would be well watched, I mean, after all, isn’t a debate nothing more than a fight with words?  Before television, debates could be a little more, heated shall we say.  The English had a “debate” that lasted from 1455-1487.  They refer to it now as the War of the Roses (the Roses being the badges of the families hailing from York and Lancaster).  Of course, there debate was more suited to a Mel Gibson movie than TV.  So today, our list is some of the great “debates” of all time.

1)  The previously mentioned War of the Roses.  While the Kathleen Turner/Michael Douglas movie might be more recent, it certainly did not have the treachery, foreign mercenaries, and a complete change to the way England was ruled.  With so many Nobles killing each other, the upper class was weakened, and with the new rulers, from the Tudor family, banning individual armies, it put an end to the violent clashes between the various parties in England.

2)  The Hatfield’s and McCoys.  There are various reasons why this feud started, some involving a murder, a girl, a pig, and land boundaries.  I am sure they were all worth fighting for.  The feud lasted nearly 20 years and about a hundred years after the fighting ended, a peace treaty was drawn up. 

3) The Capone – Moran debate lasted a mere 5 years, however it attracted the interest of Americans who were stunned at the brutality of the crime lords battle when Capone arranged for the execution style murder of several key members of the Moran gang on Valentines Day.  The crooks were even dressed as cops.  Afterwards, the public outcry caused the government, to renew their effort to stop organized crime and within a few years, both gangs were effectively out of business.

4) The Clanton – Earp debate.  Two successful groups in Tombstone were at the opposite sides of nearly every issue in town gathered a few advisers and met at the OK corral for their untelevised debate.  While Wyatt Earp was widely regarded as merely trying to uphold the law with Doc Holliday’s help, you really need to read the Wiki article about what was going on to fully get a grasp at how deep their debate really extended.  Check it out here!

5) The Scottish Clans knew how to debate.  Their history is filled with warring families and deep rooted animosity.  Sir Walter Scott’s novel, The Fair Maiden of Perth describes one sanctioned debate, to the death no less, of 30 combatants.  I guess you had to be there.

6)  Of course, how could we forget some of the fictional feuds.  The Montague – Capulet feud has given us more movies, songs, and books than any non religious event in History.  In fact, Romeo and Juliet have already made an appearance on this blog, and I am sure they will time and time again.

7)  The Corleone/Tattaglia debate gave us one of the best movies ever made, and two others that weren’t bad. The Godfather movies are mentioned highly and often on most lists of all-time great movies, and with good reason, we all like to watch a fight.

8)  Would we have like to watch the head of the Treasury Department duel the Vice President?  Ok, maybe Paulson and Cheney aren’t clearing underbrush for their debate but there was a time when Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton mixed it up with Burr clearly winning.  Hamilton died the next day.

9) There are too many hip-hop feuds to list, but most the most famous has to be the Tupic/Notorious BIG feud ended with them both getting killed.  Since then, if you want to be someone, you have to be fighting with someone.  So far, it seems to be working.

10)  We could go on for days and days, Shaq/Kobe, David/Goliath, Potter/Voldermart, Bush/Hussein but I’d never get around to writing tomorrows list.  But for more, check out CelebrityFeuds.com

In 1775, William Dawes, Samuel Prescott and, more famously, Paul Revere made the Midnight Ride that was immortalized by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.   Granted, the British were already on the Colonies, the warning had more to do with the “regular” soldiers making a move and in what direction they were moving.  The riders let other riders know what was going on and word quickly spread, allowing the militia in Concord and Lexington time to assemble and get the war started.  After a little skirmish in 1812 we have not minded the British invading our country to much.  Some of my favorite invaders are:

1) The Beatles -  What more could I say than has already been said.  Their tour resulted in the term, British Invasion.

2)  Princess Di - Dazzled, charmed, and captivated us as well.

3) Rolling Stones - Cannot argue with their success or their far reaching influence in music

4) David Beckham - While I shed no tears when I miss a soccer (futball?  football?) game, I would not turn the station from Sportscenter if they had highlights of David Beckham. In addition, he brought along Victoria, sort of a like a package deal, how could we say no?

5) Monty Python - The only way they could have been better is if Benny Hill was a part of their troupe.  Thanks to them, I could never own a parrot.

6) Eric Clapton - Keeps getting better and better with every new direction he takes.

7) Pink Floyd -  Dark Side of the Moon alone gets them on this list.  Everything else is just a bonus.

8 ) James Bond -  Ian Flemings super-spy blows away our entire CIA, NSA, and Jack Ryan combined.  Although, with James Bond making the list two days in a row, I am worried you might think I am a James Bond fanatic.  I am merely a casual fan of the series but with him showing up on two consecutive lists, I will have to pick my topics better during the rest of the month to keep Mr Bond off them.

9) Sting/The Police - I have to admit, while they may not have been as groundbreaking as Dusty Springfield or The Kinks, their catchy music and layered melodies have always caught my ear.  Even though they were formed by an American, Sting dominates the band and they caught their big break in London, so we’ll count them here.

10) I gave a lot of consideration to Sir Elton for number 10, but in the end, his meddling in our politics offsets his good work in the area of Aids research.  While Naomi Campbell is hot, so is her temper, and her attitude.  Maybe JK Rowling?  She would be a good choice for number 10, but she may catch wind of it and sue me for not listing her ahead of the Beatles.  Rolls Royce had a spot on this list sewed up, until they were sold to a German Company. Virgin Records would be here, but they sold out to a US firm.  While I am a big fan of Coldplay, they are right behind my choice at number 10, Andrew Lloyd Weber or should I say, Baron Lloyd-Weber.  His overwhelming success on Broadway and in Hollywood makes his invasion enjoyable for most of us.

We miss you already,  Danny Federici, from the E Street Band.  For something completely different, I hope he gets a chance to jam with the Lawrence Welk’s Band  that he watched growing up.

Also on this day, we get a reminder that the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco occurred on this date with a little shake near Chicago.