Wednesday, December 03, 2025

EXPLOSIVE BACKLASH: Cook County, Illinois pushes cash giveaway as city CRUMBLES

Paying people for doing nothing. Cook County, which is dominated by Chicago is doing that.

The president of the Cook County Board, Toni Preckwinkle, who is also chairman of the Cook County Democratic Party, is up for reelection next spring.

Saturday, November 29, 2025

Monday, November 24, 2025

Chicago tree lighting takes DEADLY turn as 300+ riot, attack cops

It was not a "mostly peaceful" Christmas tree lighting in Chicago.

But don't worry, the local media tells us. Crime is way down in the city.

Last Friday night, 8 teens were wounded, and another was fatally shot in a riot at Chicago's Christmas tree lighting.


Thursday, November 20, 2025

'HORRIFIC' train attack results in terrorism charges

This 'horrific' crime occurred on the Chicago el train. The accused was released from jail on an ankle monitor. Afterwards he set a woman on fire. 

Chicago is a twisted place. 

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Property tax hikes in Chicago drive out businesses

Apologists for Chicago's decline have longed claimed that the city is not hollowing out. They're wrong.

 

Monday, November 17, 2025

Seattle businesses are in a 'PANIC' following the election of a socialist mayor

Two years ago, Chicago voted in Brandon Johnson, a socialist in all but name, as mayor.

Things are going poorly.

Now New York City, in Zohran Mamdani, and Seattle, with Katie Wilson have elected out-of-the closet socialists to lead their cities.

As Milton wrote in Paradise Lost, "Abandon hope all ye who enter here."

Saturday, November 15, 2025

Cheap Trick: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

Cheap Trick, one of the greatest bands Illinois ever produced, released a new album today, "All Washed Up." 

They're not.

Here are the boys from Rockford a few years ago performing live the title track from the Beatles greatest work, "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band."

Cheap Trick is another band that we've known all these years.

Thursday, November 13, 2025

John Stossel: How rent control hurts renters

This video is three years old. And this is not meant to show disrespect to John Stossel, but many people, particularly leftists, are slow learners.

Rent control hurts poor renters the most. 

Wednesday, November 12, 2025

'Rent free': Chicago CBP agent responds to Illinois Gov. calling him out | Rob Schmitt Tonight

Gov. J.B. Pritzker's stealth presidential campaign will end if Illinois voters deny him a third term as governor. 

Do it!

Monday, November 10, 2025

Saturday, November 08, 2025

Van Morrison: Memory Lane

Here's a Van Morrison song where autumn and the month of November play a part.

And I suspect this ballad is about his hometown of Belfast, which as you will notice in the below link.


Related post:
 

Friday, November 07, 2025

Thursday, November 06, 2025

Douglas Murray predicts mass number of New Yorkers will flee because of Zohran Mamdani

“When there have been exoduses of people from for instance progressive states, liberal states like California in the past, you see a phenomenon,” author Douglas Murray tells Sky News' Rita Panahi, “where people end up leaving a place where the policies they have effectively voted for most of their lives come into effect, make their lives worse and then some people who can flee, flee to a place that has more conservative politics, but they bring their liberal politics with them.”

“In Texas, where many people from California, fled California, they go to places like Austin, Texas, and they keep voting Democrat.”

That last part needs to change.

Saturday, November 01, 2025

Steve Earle: Feel Alright

I'm a little late on this story, I want to bring up the recent passing of Chicago artist Tony Fitzpatrick.

He was a local rarity who had friends on both sides of the political aisle.

I might be wrong, but I believe Fitzpatrick designed the artwork for every Steve Earle album cover since I Feel Alright from 1996.

Here's the title track, minus the "I," from that work--a very good work--from Earle, "Feel Alright."

 

Friday, October 31, 2025

Greg Kelly: 'Let's not lose track of what Joe Biden got away with'

The hangers-on who enabled Joe Biden need to be exposed.

Greg Kelly of Newsmax starts with Mike Donilon.

Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Saturday, October 25, 2025

David Bowie: Scary Monsters (live)

Here's a Halloween tune that deserves more love than it gets, David Bowie's "Scary Monsters."

Friday, October 24, 2025

Watch J.B. Pritzker lie on live TV about Chicago's top murder rate

Illinois' big mouth governor, J.B. Pritzker, was caught lying about Chicago's murder rate by Fox News' Bret Baier.

When Baier brought it up, Pritzker replied, referring to other cites, "We're not even in the top 30."

Baier than presented a map showing America's ten-most populous cities. 

Chicago is tops.

Sadly, Chicago's weak-kneed media never challenges Pritzker on his lies.

 

Wednesday, October 22, 2025

Monday, October 20, 2025

Gutfeld calls bluff on 'big fat gamble'

Illinois' lying governor--what happened to that 'no gerrymandering' promise--won over $1 million playing poker. Which means Pritzker, a billionaire, took money from people who are not as rich as he is.

That is, if Pritzker is telling the truth about his gambling escapades.

Saturday, October 18, 2025

The Kinks: Sleepless Night

There's a Halloween feel on much of the Kinks' Sleepwalker album.

And it carries over into this song from that collection, "Sleepless Night," a rare song written by Ray Davies but with his brother, Dave, singing on lead.

And there is a "wicked lady" here.

Friday, October 17, 2025

Mamdani under fire at first NYC mayoral debate

Zohran Mamdani took some hits last night but there are too many stupid people in New York City. He'll be NYC's next mayor.

Saturday, October 11, 2025

Ride My See Saw - Moody Blues

John Lodge, the bassist for the Moody Blues, died yesterday.

Rest in peace.

Here's one of my favorites from that band, a Lodge-penned tune, "Ride My See Saw."

Friday, October 10, 2025

Ex-federal prosecutor warns Letitia James may be in trouble: Seems like a ‘clean case’

Johnathan Fahey, a former federal prosecutor, discusses yesterday's indictment on fraud charges of Letitia James, the rabid anti-Trump New York attorney general.

As the Democrats told us multiple times a few years ago, "No one is above the law."

 

Wednesday, October 08, 2025

Pritzker the taxer

While nationally Gov. J.B. Pritzker of Illinois is known for his knee-jerk opposition to President Trump, the Chicago billionaire is known here as a taxer.

From Diana Rickert in the Daily Caller.

Illinoisans pay the single highest state and local taxes in the nation, according to WalletHub. With each year of Pritzker’s tenure, it gets worse. 

 According to the Illinois Policy Institute, Pritzker has enacted more than 50 tax increases since taking office in 2019, many of them affecting low and middle-income residents. This summer, the state’s second highest-in-the-nation gas tax is set to increase, again. The most recent state budget paves the way for higher property taxes, higher municipal grocery taxes, taxes on short-term rental properties like Airbnb and Vrbo, as well as new taxes on sports betting and businesses. Pritzker personally orchestrated the tax hammer dropped this year on nicotine pouches like Zyn and Rogue, per a Republican consultant and longtime tobacco harm reduction advocate who worked in opposition to it. 

Not only are taxes on nicotine-delivering products very regressive (and Pritzker purports to speak for the poor). In other blue states that have pursued those kinds of taxes, scientists who study tobacco harm reduction have plainly stated that driving prices up—especially while leaving taxes on traditional, combustible cigarettes alone—drives people to smoke. Let’s be real: these aren’t the type of taxes that are going to hurt the Pritzker family budget. And if a Pritzker develops a chronic disease from choices that stem directly from pricing dictated by Pritzker taxes, they’ll have no problem paying all the best doctors and nurses to fix it. He can tax his way from here to oblivion and have the money to cover it. Not so for your average Illinoisan.

Monday, October 06, 2025

Saturday, October 04, 2025

Elvis Costello - "45"

Last week I attended my 45th anniversary high school reunion. 

It was a great time with great friends.

This song, "45," by Elvis Costello, was going through my mind. Written for his 45th birthday, it's juxtaposed with the year 1945, and how the world changed--and his world.

Same for me.

Friday, October 03, 2025

Thursday, October 02, 2025

Wednesday, October 01, 2025

Chicago's 'peacekeepers' adding to city's crime problems | Wake Up America

Of all the bad ideas that have emerged from the left in the last decade--and there have been many terrible ones--the use of so-called "peacekeepers" to fight crime is one of the worst.

It seems these "peacekeepers" are also part of the criminal scence.

Here's a scene from Chicago.

  

Saturday, September 27, 2025

Belle & Sebastian: Piazza, New York Catcher

MLB's playoffs begin next week, so I thought a baseball song should be featured. 

This tune is a rarity; it's a baseball tune from a Scottish band, Belle & Sebastian.

Friday, September 26, 2025

Mark Dice on Comey: Finally they get a taste of their own medicine! 😂

James Comey, a swamp creature of the highest degree, flaunted the law and now he's paying a price for it.

Good. 

Mark Dice explains.

Thursday, September 25, 2025

Border Czar Tom Homan: Not going to shut me up

The insane rhetoric used by leftists about ICE is killing people.

Border czar Tom Homan discusses that and more.

Wednesday, September 24, 2025

Acting ICE director reveals alarming details of migrant crime in Chicago: It's "mayhem"

Meanwhile, Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor J.B. Pritzker insist on protecting criminal illegal aliens.

  

Monday, September 22, 2025

‘No violence, no riots’: Conservatives react to Charlie Kirk’s murder and memorial

Sunday's memorial service for the great Charlie Kirk was a moving experience. 

Sky News Australia discuss that and Kirk's legacy. 

Saturday, September 20, 2025

Van Morrison - Back to Writing Love Songs (Official Video)

Van Morrison's 80th birthday last month was celebrated with a series of concerts in his hometown of Belfast. 

Here's a performance from one of those gigs, "Back to Writing Love Songs," from his latest album, Remembering Now.

  

Related post: 

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Saturday, September 13, 2025

Bob Walkenhorst: Autumn Song

Autumn is here. Well, almost.

Here's a song about fall, by the great Bob Walkenhorst, called appropriately enough, "Autumn Song," from his 2021 album, A Thousand Words.

Walkenhorst is the frontman of the great Kansas City band, the Rainmakers--who are one of my favorites.

While the Rainmakers are a raucous Americana band, Walkenhorst's solo work is more instrospective.

"Autumn Song" is a shimmering ballad.

 

Friday, September 12, 2025

'Crossed the line’: J.B. Pritzker's reaction to Charlie Kirk’s death slammed

First the good news. The alleged assassin of the great Charlie Kirk, Tyler Robinson, has been arrested.

But some hate remains. 

Illinois' useless governor, J.B. Pritzker, blamed Donald Trump for Kirk's murder.

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

God bless Charlie Kirk

Charlie Kirk was assassinated this afternoon at a college campus in Utah. 

About ten years ago we exchanged a few emails about his efforts to build up support for the Republican Party on college campuses when he still lived in the Chicago area---about 10 miles from my home.

Now he's gone. 

But the best way to memorialize him is to fight for conservatism.

Rest in peace. God bless Charlie Kirk.

Here's why media covers SOME crimes but refuses to cover others like the Charlotte murder

Megyn Kelly, along with Rich Lowry and Charles C.W. Cooke of the National Review, discuss the media blackout of the murder of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska. 

Members of the media: say her name.

Tuesday, September 09, 2025

Monday, September 08, 2025

Saturday, September 06, 2025

Van Morrison - Golden Autumn Day

Here's another Van Morrison song, in honor of the Belfast Cowboy's 80th birthday, which was last Sunday.

The weather is unseasonably cool here in the Chicago area, so fall is on my mind.

Here is Van's "Golden Autumn Day" from Back on Top.


Related post:

Van Morrison at 80, his Belfast in words and photos

Friday, September 05, 2025

'Kids are carrying GUNS!': Chicagoans deliver reality check on crime crisis

Here's an honest look at crime from real Chicagoans--not blabbermouths with a police detail like Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson boasting about "safe" Chicago downtown.

 

Thursday, September 04, 2025

Nigel Farage has HEATED exchange with US Congressman during free speech hearing

Watch Nigel Farage, the leader of Great Britain's Reform Party, school the dumbest person in Congress, Hank "Guam" Johnson.

Johnson, who once feared Guam would tip into the ocean, asked him questions that had nothing to do with free speech, the reason the hearing was called.

Wednesday, September 03, 2025

Monday, September 01, 2025

Chicago's mayor announces $1.15 billion budget crisis, schools face additional $734 million deficit

Chicago faces huge deficits--yet it had plenty of money for illegals when they arrived.

And then there are Chicago's pensions--which are poorly funded.

Seriously, a bankruptcy in all but name is coming to America's third-largest city.

Saturday, August 30, 2025

Van Morrison - The Only Love I Ever Need Is Yours (Official Visualiser)

Van Morrison turns 80 tomorrow. 

And he's still making great music. 

Here's a gorgeous song from his latest album, "The Only Love I Ever Need Is Yours."


Related post:

Van Morrison at 80, his Belfast in words and photos

Friday, August 29, 2025

Rob Schmitt: Democrats are stoking fear and rage

And tragedies like this week's mass shooting in Minneapolis keep happening. The Dems--as well as their media allies--are enraging unstable people.

Sunday, August 24, 2025

Van Morrison at 80, his Belfast in words and photos

The great Van Morrison will celebrate his 80th birthday on August 31 with a concert at Waterford Hall in his native Belfast. 

This spring, Mrs. Marathon Pundit and I visited Ireland, and we spent two days in Belfast. One of our stops was the Van Morrison Trail in East Belfast. 

A map of the trail can be found on the Belfast Cowboy's official website. Morrison, however, is now a bit of a non-person in his hometown, his anti-COVID lockdown stance drew the ire of the local government. The trail is not marked. It should be. 


Behind the Volkswagen hatchback is 125 Hyndford Street. The rowhouse in the Bloomfield neighborhood is George Ivan Morrison's birthplace.

The Belfast Blues Appreciation Society placed a plaque next to the front door of the rowhouse.

Streets in Belfast are often marked by large signs, often on brick walls. 

A few hundred yards away I found a car-free stretch of Hyndford Street. Oh, it's pronounced HINE-ford street. I was corrected by a resident when I inquired about the location of HINN-ford.

In the light blue is Mrs. Marathon Pundit.

With mixed success I used Waze to find my away along the Van Morrison Trail. Waze did manage to take us to the Hollow. 

Is this a familiar lyric?

Hey, where did we go, days when the rains came, down in the Hollow, playing a new game.

That's from Morrison's biggest hit, "Brown Eyed Girl."

The Hollow is a tiny park roughly a block from 125 Hyndford Street. It's almost certain that the young Van spent a lot of time here.


The stone bridge at the Hollow, believed to be one of the oldest in Ireland, crosses the Connswater River, known locally as the Beechie. "Connswater" is an instrumental from the Belfast Lion's Inarticulate Speech of the Heart album.

In the 1980s, Morrison's work, often called his New Age phase, often had a Celtic flavor.

The river and this bridge gets its name from Conn O'Neill, a 16th century chieftain.


From the Hollow it was on to Orangefield Park. Belfast is a city of murals, many are strongly political. It shouldn't surprise you that a lot of these wall paintings focus on "the Troubles," the Catholic versus Protestant violence that plagued Northern Ireland from 1969 until 1998. This one, I believe, honors men from Ulster who perished in World War I.


Much larger than the Hollow is Orangefield Park. On Van's 1989 album, Avalon Sunset, is this reflective song, "Orangefield." Morrison is a graduate of Orangefield High School, which I couldn't locate. I believe it has been razed. The school closed in 2014. After it was shuttered, Morrison performed there--ten years later he released an indispensable album, Live at Orangefield. The collection is the second release from Van's Orangefield Records.

Rightly or wrongly, Morrison has developed a reputation as a curmudgeon, but there's no evidence of that on this record. Many of the tracks on this album, including "Into the Mystic," "Got to Go Back," and the spoken word "On Hyndford Street" reach deep into Morrison's past.

Also on this collection is "Cleaning Windows." Prior to becoming a fulltime musician, Morrison worked as a window washer.


Astral Weeks, from 1968, is generally considered Morrison's greatest work. One of its cuts is "Cyprus Avenue," and a second song, "Madame George," mentions this street in its opening verse.


Cyprus Avenue is located in a wealthy part of East Belfast. Visiting it offers me a bit more insight into Morrison's work. Pictured again is Mrs. Marathon Pundit.


Van Morrison's first place of education was Bloomfield's Elmgrove School. It closed last year, but it will soon re-open as a special education school.


After he achieved stardom, Van spent most of the 1970s living in California. But he returned to Northern Ireland in the 1980s. Recorded in 1983 and released a year later, his Live at the Belfast Grand Opera House is dominated by his New Age work.

Oh yeah, the photo sucks. I was never able to capture the opera house at a good angle in the two-and-a-half days we spent in Belfast. Hey, it didn't rain in the four days we spent in Northern Ireland, so I should count my blessings. 

Next to the opera house is the Hotel Europa, a frequent bombing target during the Troubles. Several times the opera house was damaged in those attacks.


On a side note, the day we visited East Belfast and the Van Morrison Trail was a public holiday, May 8, V-E Day. That particular day marked the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. It was a festive day.


Yes, that's me, a typical American tourist in green, on Cyprus Avenue.

On a final note, Van's latest album, Remembering Now, looks back at his storied past. The opening track, "Down to Joy," was featured in Kenneth Branagh's superb film, Belfast, which is about the Troubles. The soundtrack contains many songs from Morrison's early career.

And in a second final note, I may have gotten a thing or two wrong about Belfast. If so, tell me what's incorrect in the comments.




Saturday, August 23, 2025

Van Morrison - Pretending

Because Van Morrison spoke the truth about the COVID lockdowns--they were an overreach and an abuse of government power--his What's It Gonna Take? album was savaged by critics.

And not all of the songs were about the lockdowns. 

"Pretending" is a wondrous ballad.

The Belfast Lion turns 80 at the end of this month.


Related post:

Van Morrison at 80, his Belfast in words and photos

Monday, August 18, 2025

Saturday, August 16, 2025

Van Morrison: Stomping Ground

Van Morrison turns 80 at the end of this month.

I had the pleasure to visit his old neighborhood, Bloomfield, East Belfast, this spring.

Look for a post on that soon.

Here the Belfast Cowboy looks back on the 'hood, in a song from his latest album. Remembering Now, titled "Stomping Ground."

Friday, August 15, 2025

Monday, August 11, 2025

Saturday, August 09, 2025

Bonnie "Prince" Billy: I See A Darkness

If "I See a Darkness" sounds familiar, it is probably because you heard Johnny Cash's interpretation of it on his American III--Solitary Man album.

But the original version is by Bonny "Prince" Billy, who has recorded under various names over the years, including Will Oldham--his real name--as well as Palace Songs, Palace Brothers, Palace Music, and as well as Palace.

Obviously, Bonny "Prince" Billy is a bit of an eccentric. 

As for the music, Bonny is hard to classify but think of the Lumineers crossed with early Tom Waits as well as Cash. Only Oldham sings with a high tenor.

He's on tour now, and he'll be in my neck of the woods in a month.

Oldham is also an actor, most prominently, he played a teen preacher in Matewan.

Shall I see him?       

  

Friday, August 08, 2025

KING OF LATE NIGHT: Greg Gutfeld joins Jimmy Fallon on 'The Tonight Show'

Jimmy Fallon, host of the Tonight Show, was joined by the king of late night yesterday evening--Greg Gutfeld.

 

Thursday, August 07, 2025

Wednesday, August 06, 2025

Stephen Colbert confronts Illinois governor on bizarre district map

Illinois does not and free and fair elections because of Gov. J.B. Pritzker and his Democrats' gerrymandering.

Saturday, August 02, 2025

I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better - The Byrds {Stereo} 1965

The Byrds had a great run in the 1960s and early 1970s. Here's a rousing tune that is often overlooked, "I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better" from 1965.

Friday, August 01, 2025

Gutfeld: Kamala Harris hasn't held a book in years

Most leftists are fairly adept at agitprop stunts. Governing? No way.

Then there is Kamala Harris, who sucks at both.

Thursday, July 31, 2025

Saturday, July 26, 2025

Squeeze: Walk a Straight Line

After a brief mid-1980s breakup, Squeeze got back together. It wasn't as good until the first time around.

However, in 1991, when hope was lost, they released Play.

Instead of trying to recreate their past glories, they used a subtle but magical approach.

Here's one of my favorites from that album, "Walk A Straight Line."


 

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Rob Schmitt examines why Colbert 'had to go'

The leftists are still moaning about Stephen Colbert's Late Show getting axed.

So regular people need to be reminded that the alleged comedy program had low ratings and it was losing money. Lots of it.

   

Saturday, July 19, 2025

The Kinks - Around the Dial (Official Audio)

As I posted last week, the Kinks released their final installment of their Journey series. The output from the 1980s doesn't get a lot of love. But here's a definite highlight from the latter end of their career, "Around the Dial" from Give the People What They Want.

This cut harkens back to the time when radio disc jockeys were a force in popular music.

Pay close attention to the radio chatter at the beginning of the cut. 

"By killing the pope, he'd become a hero in the Muslim world."

Try that today!

That bit is about that man who shot Pope John Paul II, Mehmet Ali AÄŸca, as is the song, "Killer's Eyes," which is also a track on Give the People What They Want.


My related Da Tech Guy posts

Thursday, July 17, 2025

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Biden's chief of staff reportedly approved last-day clemencies

The details continue to roll in regarding the Joe Biden senility scandal.

Open-minded people, meaning conservatives, always knew the lights were out for Sleepy Joe.

We just didn't know the who, what, and where.

Monday, July 14, 2025

'DIVERSITY HIRE': Biden's Supreme Court pick exposed as pure identity politics

DEI sucks. Years ago, I endured, barely, my first diversity-hire boss. She was incompetent and I suspect she had mental problems.

Qualifications matter.

Saturday, July 12, 2025

The Kinks - Destroyer (Official Video)

The Kinks' The Journey Part 3 has been released.

To celebrate, the band released an animated video of "Destroyer," where "Lola" meets "All Day and All of the Night."

God Save the Kinks!

Saturday, July 05, 2025

Brian Wilson – Heroes And Villains (Official Music Video)

Last month the great Brian Wilson, the creative force behind the Beach Boys, passed away.

Today, the day after Independence Day, is the perfect time to honor this American genius with "Heroes and Villains," from his long-lost Smile album.

Wednesday, July 02, 2025

'He's a lab rat': Forensic accountant exposes money trail behind Zohran Mamdani

Zohran Mamdani, the Marxist Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City, has a campaign money trail that needs to be looked at.

 

Tuesday, July 01, 2025

Faker AOC called out for claiming she grew up in the Bronx but actually lived in tony Westchester County

Not only is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) a dangerous leftwing radical, but she is a fraud too.

The self-described "Bronx girl" actually grew up in suburban Westchester County--a very wealthy area.

I've visited the Bronx and Westchester County--the differences are as stark as the ones between to old East and West Berlin.

Megyn Kelly has more.

 

Saturday, June 28, 2025

The Clash - Time Is Tight

Topper Headon, the drummer for the Clash for most of their career, loved soul music.

He pushed the band, a bit, into that direction. 

One of the recordings that resulted from that push was their cover of Booker T and the MGs' "Time is Tight."

  

Monday, June 23, 2025

More than 1,500 Iranians caught at border under Biden

It will take many years for America to clean up the mess Biden and Mayorkas left for us.

<

Saturday, June 21, 2025

Johnny Cash ~ 'Forty Shades of Green' (Live)

Almost two months ago, Mrs. Marathon Pundit and I visited Ireland. In Bushmills, in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, we saw a Johnny Cash street banner, with the words "Forty Shades of Green."

Of course, I had to investigate. In 1961, as the B-side to "The Rebel–Johnny Yuma," The Man in Black released this song. Written by Cash in Ireland, it's about the Emerald Isle.

Here is The Man in Green, in Ireland, in 1993, with June Carter at his side and the audience singing along. 

Friday, June 20, 2025

Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Lefties Losing It: Undercover reporter’s shock findings at No Kings protest

Undercover reporter Ami Horowitz deserves a Pulitzer Prize for learning that the No Kings protesters are in fact looking to overthrow "the system."

He won't get one because leftists hand out these awards.

Monday, June 16, 2025

Mark Dice: Democrats meltdown over "King Trump" at weekend protests across the country

If Donald Trump really was a king, or better yet, a tyrant, he would not have allowed these No Kings rallies to take place.

Despite the media cheering the spectacle on, Saturday's marches were just an agitprop tantrum.

Saturday, June 14, 2025

Van Morrison - Remembering Now (Official Visualiser)

On Friday Van Morrison, who turns 80 in August, released his 47th studio album, Remembering Now.

But this is the Belfast Cowboy's first collection of original music since 2022's anti-lockdown masterpiece, What's It Gonna Take.

Morrison in a few tunes on this new album looks back at his long career as well as his youth in Northern Ireland. 

The title track is one of those songs.

On a related note, two legendary performers who also began their careers in the 1960s, Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys and Sly Stone of Sly and the Family Stone, passed away this week. 

Rest in peace.

Thursday, June 12, 2025

Lefties Losing It: ‘Utterly unhinged’ The View sides with LA rioters

And I supposed that Whoopi and her sycophants would have a different opinion on rioting if the leftst hordes chose the Hamptons as their tantrum spot.

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Monday, June 09, 2025

Lefties Losing It: Democrats stand with violent LA rioters

The Republicans are the party of law and order. 

The Democrats are the party of the rioters.

Saturday, June 07, 2025

Bob Dylan - Someday Baby (Official Audio)

Kast year's movie, A Complete Unknown, starring Timothée Chalamet, gives a stirring account of Bob Dylan's early career up into his mid-1960s artistic turn to electric music. 

But Dylan, who is still an active artist, continued to produce groundbreaking music for decades--although there have been many notable failures, particularly his Self Portrait album.

One of the notable highlights from Dylan's 21st century output was his Modern Times collection. 

Here's a standout track from that album, "Someday Baby."

 

Thursday, June 05, 2025

Lefties Losing It: CNN host called out for misleading the audience

CNN, the wife of an MSNBC host, and the Dems trying to win back young male voters. So much is packed in here.

Wednesday, June 04, 2025

Monday, June 02, 2025

Saturday, May 31, 2025

Rory Gallagher--Bad Penny (Rockpalast 1982)

Earlier this month Mrs. Marathon Pundit and I visited Ireland. We went, not everywhere--I wish--but we did see many places. 

One stop was Ballyshannon, in County Donegal, where Mrs. MP purchased a bouquet from a floral shop. 

Ballyshannon was the birthplace of blues-rock guitar great Rory Gallagher. If you love Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, and Jimmy Page, then you'll also enjoy Gallagher's work.

Rory several years younger than those guitarists, and styles had changed by the time Gallagher reached adulthood. And the stage was crowded. He didn't achieve the level of success he deserved.

Still, he was fairly popular in the British Isles and Europe, but less so in America. However, and I'm sure this pleased Gallagher, he enjoyed a solid following in Chicago--the home of the blues. WXRT and WLUP had Gallagher on their playlists in the 1970s and 1980s.

Sadly, the thirtieth anniversary of Rory's passing will be on June 14. 

Before Thin Lizzy and U2, there was Gallagher.

To celebrate his legacy, here is Rory pounding out "Bad Penny" in 1982.

Friday, May 30, 2025

Anthony Bernal’s role in Biden White House raises eyebrows

Until Richard Nixon's Watergate scandal broke wide open in 1973, few Americans had heard of Charles Colson, H.R Halderman, or John Ehrlichman.

Right now, few Americans know about Anthony Bernal. But the chief of staff for Jill Biden was one of Senile Joe's puppet masters.

As for Bidengate, it is the biggest presidential scandal in American history.

Yes, it's bigger than Watergate.

   

Thursday, May 29, 2025

NO 'COMMON SENSE': Chicago resident blasts mayor over Trump comments

Chicagoan Cara Truss of the Community Roundtable discusses the many failures of Mayor Brandon Johnson.

 

Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Lefties Losing It: Wacky Hollywood star thinks Trump will strip women of the right to vote

The unhinged Kyra Sedgwick, who I'm told is a Hollywood actress, believes Donald Trump will take away women's right to vote.

 

Saturday, May 24, 2025

Johnny Cash: Galway Bay (with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra)

Earlier this month Mrs. Marathon Pundit and I vacationed in Ireland. It was our first visit. Our longest stay was in Kinvara, which sits on Galway Bay. 

Here's Johnny Cash, with strings added by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, singing "Galway Bay."

Thursday, May 22, 2025

Police Chief: Suspect In Killing Of 2 Israelis Chanted 'Free Palestine' ID'd as Elias Rodriguez from Chicago

Two Israeli diplomats were fatally shot last night in Washington. The alleged killer, Elias Rodriquez, is from Chicago.

"Free Palestine" was shouted during the crime.

 

Monday, May 19, 2025

Mark Dice: Biden's cancer coverup!

Mark Dice reminded me of something I completely forgot about. His handlers said it was a misstatement, but in 2022, not even halfway into his disastrous presidency, Joe Biden said he had cancer.

Yesterday Biden's office revealed that the former president has a very aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread to the bone. Medical experts--none of whom, to be fair, have examined him--have cast skepticism that this bad news. They believe it's probably not a recent development.

If this announcement was about anyone else, I'd give that person the benefit of the doubt. But Biden, his wife Edith Wilson, and his staffers, lied to us--repeatedly--about his senility.

 


Friday, May 16, 2025

Mark Dice: The "Squad" is BACK - and Dumber than ever!

The lunatic fringe of the crazy Democratic Partym the Squad, is back. And of course they are calling for slavery reparataions. 

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Fake Jake Tapper: THE MOST SHAMELESS MAN IN MEDIA!

CNN's Fake Jake Tapper co-authored a book about the coverup of Joe Biden's mental decline. Apparently there is not a chapter in it about Tapper's role in it.

Sunday, April 27, 2025

Saturday, April 26, 2025

Van Morrison - Why Must I Always Explain? (Official Audio)

When you have a long career, you can rip yourself off.

Which is what Van Morrison did two decades after he cut "Tupelo Honey."

Here is, with a Celtic feel, "Why Must I Always Explain?"

It's a foreshadowing of Van the Man's pushback against the COVID-19 lockdown insanity.

Thursday, April 24, 2025

Justice Gorsuch grills Maryland public schools attorney over ‘drag queen’ book for pre-K students

While the "Dick and Jane" books were dated by the time I went to school, they are 1,000-times better even now than the filth being forced fed to small children today.

 

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Judge resigns after alleged TdA member discovered in home

An alleged Tren de Aragua thug in your home? New Mexico can do better than that for judges.

Monday, April 21, 2025

Biden’s return confirms worst kept secret

Joe Biden is at stage 4 dementia, and he has been for a while. Don't believe, as always, the mainstream media. His Chicago speech was another disaster.

A note to Biden's handlers: He is supposed to speak after the music fades out.


Saturday, April 19, 2025

XTC - Easter Theatre

An underheard masterpiece, XTC's "Easter Theatre" is where XTC meets the Beatles. And Phil Spector. And Brian Wilson.

This song would be perfect for Easter, except that Andy Partridge, who wrote this song, is an atheist.

Perhaps he'll find Jesus before God calls him home. 

Thursday, April 17, 2025

Gayle King humiliates herself by lashing out at critics after cringe over 11-minute space flight

Katy Perry, along with Gayle King and a few other women, rode--I'm sorry flew--on an 11-minute Blue Origin space mission this week.

The reception they received shocked them.

Monday, April 14, 2025

Saturday, April 12, 2025

The Clash - Clampdown (Official Audio)

With a tweak here and there with the lyrics, "Clampdown" by the Clash could be seen as a contemporary commentary on the anti-Semitic protests on college campuses and downtown city streets. 

It's a song that has aged quite well.

And Happy Passover to my Jewish friends.

Friday, April 11, 2025

‘Our voice has been silenced': Chicago resident slams sanctuary policies

Danielle Carter-Walters of Chicago Flips Red speaks about how the Democrats' open borders policy has hurt her city.

Thursday, April 10, 2025

Wednesday, April 09, 2025

Biden’s inner circle now ‘running like rats’ to the media to expose Biden's mental decline

Megyn Kelly discusses what we all knew--Joe Biden was senile as president.

While the Democrats and their media allies lied about it.

But the media was part of the coverup too.

Tuesday, April 08, 2025

‘She fails upwards’: Kamala Harris the ‘cringiest phenomenon’ in US politics

After their humiliating defeats at the hands of Republican presidential candidates, for the most part, Walter Mondale and especially Michael Dukakis, faded away.

Then there is Kamala Harris.

Monday, April 07, 2025

Radio host reveals 'awful' story under Biden that nobody is talking about

Hugh Hewitt discusses here the 448,000 unaccompanied minors who crossed our border during Joe Biden's disastrous presidency.

Saturday, April 05, 2025

The Seeds - Pushin' Too Hard

Before there was punk rock, there was, well, proto-punk. 

I can easily see the Ramones or the Sex Pistols recording something like this gem in 1977. 

But the Seeds cut this track in 1966.

Friday, April 04, 2025

'GIGANTIC CONSPIRACY': Shocking new claims on Biden's 'startling' decline

We all knew that Joe Biden was senile, and he wasn't running the country. But the mainstream media refused to report on it.

They're doing so now--only because they believe they can make money on books about it.

These propagandists--starting with CNN's Fake Jake Tapper--should never be trusted.

Thursday, April 03, 2025

Wednesday, April 02, 2025

Lefties Losing It: Democrats’ devastating poll numbers

Leftists are not only losing their minds, but they are obsessed with comedians who aren't funny.

Saturday, March 29, 2025

The Clash: This Is England

The Clash as a band ended badly.

"The Only Band that Matters" disintegrated after the popular Combat Rock album.

But then drummer Topper Headon, who was undergoing substance abuse problems quit the band. Mick Jones, the lead guitarist and the co-frontman, was kicked out.

That left the other frontman, Joe Strummer, and bassist Paul Simonon. 

Three years after Combat Rock was cut, Cut the Crap, the final Clash collection, was released. And Simonon doesn't even play on it. In all but name, this is a Joe Strummer solo album.

Combat Rock is an embarrassment--along with Creedence Clearwater Revival's swan song, Mardi Gras--it's one of the worst albums ever released by a major act. I paid full price when this well, crap, was issued. Man, I was pissed when I played it for the first and only time.

However, there is diamond in this debacle, "This Is England." 

But that song should have been released as a Strummer single.

Friday, March 28, 2025

Robert De Niro just received the worst news of his career 😂

As they say, when you go woke--you go broke. With the flop of Robert De Niro's latest movie, "The Alto Knights," here is more proof. 

Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Lefties Losing It: Democrat’s disgraceful comments against wheelchair-bound Texas governor

US Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) called Greg Abbott, Republican governor of Texas who is confined to a wheelchair, "Governor Hot Wheels." 

What is overlooked is that Crockett--a leftist loon--made these comments at a Human Rights Campaign event.

And the clapping seals in the audience--our betters, of course--cheered her hateful comments.

 

Monday, March 24, 2025

Bernie Sanders tries to leave interview after refusing to answer AOC question

It appears socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders is turning into a Biden-esque cranky old man.

It's time for a lie-down, comrade.

Sunday, March 23, 2025

Strawbs - Autumn: Heroine's Theme / Deep Summer's Sleep / The Winter Long

Strawbs is one of those English bands, like the Move, that never caught fire in America.

If you enjoy folk rock and progressive music, then Strawbs just might be for you. Think Fairport Convention meets Peter Gabriel-era Genesis.

"Autumn: Heroine's Theme / Deep Summer's Sleep / The Winter Long" is the opening track of their 1974 album, Hero and Heroine.

If the Beatles were still together in the mid-1970s, they might have released stuff like "Autumn."

Friday, March 21, 2025

Thursday, March 20, 2025

‘Real men stand up for women’: Charlie Kirk hits back at Tim Walz

Tim Walz is an embarrassment and he should leave public life, for his own sake, once his term as governor of Minnesota ends.

Monday, March 17, 2025

Mark Dice: Elon haters got even more unhinged over the weekend than ever before! Haha

If you don't like Elon Musk--or Tesla cars--then don't drive one. But as usual, leftists take things way too far.

Saturday, March 15, 2025

Van Morrison, The Chieftans - Irish Heartbeat (Official Audio)

St. Patrick's Day is here in two days. And to celebrate here is Van Morrison and the Chieftains with the Belfast Cowboy's "Irish Heartbeat."

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

InfoWars reporter Jamie White ‘brutally murdered’ near Austin residential area

Had the murder victim worked for a mainstream media outlet, the killing of InfoWars' Jamie White would be a lead story nearly everywhere.

The complete story will likely be public soon.

Rest in peace, Jamie.

Monday, March 10, 2025

Saturday, March 08, 2025

Slowhand & Van - The Rebels (Eric Clapton, Van Morrison)

The five-year anniversary of the COVID-19 lockdowns will be here later this month. The tragic time in history was the most surreal and unhappy time in my life.

Sadly, the "experts," many self-appointed, were wrong on the severity of COVID. 

In 2022 and 2024 I contracted COVID. Yes, I was vaccinated. So yes, COVID was real.

A few bright minds, not "experts," stood up against the madness. Two of them, Van Morrison and Eric Clapton, who only had the British version of a high school education, knew better. 

These two septuagenarians were rebels when our youth failed us.

Here is Van and Slow Hand performing "The Rebels."

Friday, March 07, 2025

Darin LaHood throws down with Mayor Brandon Johnson over crime in Chicago

Because of Democratic gerrymandering, Illinois has only three Republican members of Congress. Even though J.B. Pritzker, Illinois' lying governor, promised to veto unfair maps. One of them is Darin LaHood, from the central part of the state.

See him scold Chicago's leftist mayor, Brandon Johnson, about crime in the city.

Thursday, March 06, 2025

"Who elected you?" | Mayor Johnson grilled over Chicago's sanctuary status

Watch US Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) hammer Mayor Six-Percent, aka Brandon Johnson of Chicago, over sanctuary city policies.

Democrats and their media allies are praising Johnson's performance as he testified in front of a congressional committee over illegal immigration.

Just because he did better than Joe Biden did in his June debate doesn't mean Johnson won the day.

He didn't.

Wednesday, March 05, 2025

Mark Dice: TRUMP HUMILIATES DEMOCRATS IN SPEECH TO CONGRESS - BEST SPEECH OF HIS LIFE?

President Donald J. Trump was brilliant last night during his speech to a joint session of Congress last night.

As for the Democrats, the not-so-loyal opposition, they made fool of themselves holding up auction-style as the president spoke. Even hardened leftists were probably rolling their eyes over that sophomoric stunt.

 

Monday, March 03, 2025

Speaker Johnson suggests Zelenskyy steps down | Sunday Agenda

It appears that Volodymyr Zelenskyy's blow up in front of President Trump and Vice President Vance was not the victory for him the left is claiming it to be.

Saturday, March 01, 2025

The Kinks - Scattered (acoustic)

By the early 1990s, the Kinks were a decade away from their last hit, "Come Dancing." Phobia, the band's last studio album, was released in 1993.

The arena rock era of the band began in 1979, and it gave the British Invasion legends newfound popularity.

But by Phobia, the Kinks were all about "the sound," but not music that sounded good. 

But standing out on Phobia is the closing track, "Scattered."

Ray Davies, the principal songwriter, and his brother, Dave Davies, produced this swan song, and by 1993, the Kinks were in need of an intervention. They should have hired a star producer, such as T-Bone Burnett, Rick Rubin, or Chris Thomas. 

They would have dumped the multi-track vocals of "Scattered" and used an Americana approach--although that term hadn't been coined yet.

Here are the Davies brothers with an acoustic take of "Scattered," which is much better than the studio take.


 

Friday, February 28, 2025

Thursday, February 27, 2025

‘Major scandal’: TV host slams journalists for ‘lying’ about Joe Biden cover up

CNN's Fake Jake Tapper, one of Joe Biden's enablers regarding the cover up of his cognitive decline, is the co-author of a book chronicling the former president's senility. Children: The word for today is "hubris."

Wednesday, February 26, 2025

Tiffany Henyard suffers landside loss in Dolton mayoral primary

America's worst mayor, Democrat Tiffany Henyard of Dolton, Illinois, was soundly defeated in her reelection attempt.

The self-described "Super Mayor" was anything but that.

 

Mark Dice: Brian Stelter tries and fails

What remains of the leftist media is collapsing.

Monday, February 24, 2025

'Jesse Watters Primetime' unpacks the drama behind Obama's presidential museum

Ten years after Barack Obama announced that his temple to his wonderfulness, his presidential library, would be built in Chicago, construction hasn't been completed.

This expensive project is the perfect symbol of leftist politics.

And DEI is one of the reasons the museum is still being built.


 

Saturday, February 22, 2025

Wednesday, February 19, 2025

‘Shame on you’: Megyn Kelly torches Tom Hanks for SNL skit performance

Not only has Saturday Night Live not been funny for decades, but it's also now culturally irrelevant.

Monday, February 17, 2025

'NOT HAVING IT': CBS host under fire for 'bizarre' Holocaust claim

CBS News propagandist Margaret Brennan stooped to Brian Stelter level stupidity on Face the Nation when she told Secretary of State Marco Rubio that free speech caused the Holocaust.

 

Saturday, February 15, 2025

Frank Zappa - Joe's Garage

The title track of Frank Zappa's Joe's Garage was one of Little Marathon Pundit's favorite tunes when she was an elementary school student.

The rest of Zappa's rock opera is not for the little ones. Or even some adults.

Joe's Garage Parts I, II, and III continued a late 1970s career resurgence of this musical genius that began with Sheik Yerbouti.

Friday, February 14, 2025

Thursday, February 13, 2025

The Left's new anti-DOGE protest song will leave your jaw on the floor!

The Left, which is now the far-Left, has become a parody of itself.

Actually, no. They're a parody of a parody, imitating the acts in the mockumentary, A Mighty Wind.

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Saturday, February 08, 2025

Van Morrison: Choppin' Wood

Last autumn Van Morrison released yet another brilliant studio album, New Arrangements and Duets.

On "Choppin' Wood," which was originally recorded in 2002, the Belfast Cowboy sings about his father time in Detroit. Van's dad didn't return to Belfast empty handed. He brought a lot of R&B albums home, which Van listened to--and learned from them.

 

Friday, February 07, 2025

Congresswoman Ilhan Omar roasted for script mishap

Natalie Winters, the co-host of "Steve Bannon's War Room," discusses a lot here, including ulta-left congresswoman referring to World War Eleven.

 

Thursday, February 06, 2025

Jesse Watters: CBS chopped Kamala's babbling answer

If you were having dinner last night during Jesse Watters' show, you had a word salad added to your meal.

Tuesday, February 04, 2025

Sunday, February 02, 2025

John Fetterman: Migrant criminals ‘need to go’

The morning after the brutal details of the torture and killing of George Levin of Chicago by two illegal aliens were made public, US Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) said the migrant criminals "need to go."

Saturday, February 01, 2025

Stop This Game - Cheap Trick - Chicagofest '81

What's the most amazing thing about this performance of "Stop This Game" by Cheap Trick at Chicagofest in 1981? 

I was at this show! 

Friday, January 31, 2025

Reagan air traffic control tower reportedly understaffed at time of crash

It's still too early to make definite conclusions, but the news out of Washington is pointing to some level of human error. 

Thursday, January 30, 2025

Plane crash a ‘shock to the system’ in DC amid frantic search and rescue efforts

Tragedy struck Washington DC last night when a passenger plane was struck by a helicopter--killing dozens. 

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Thornton Township meeting ends in brawl involving Mayor Tiffany Henyard

Tiffany Henyard, the mayor of Dolton, Illinois--and America's worst mayor--is also the well-paid supervisor of Thornton Township. 

Last night there was a township meeting. Someone got the nerve to criticize the Democrat.

Predictably, a brawl broke out. 

Such outrages are what you find in the Third World.

Saturday, January 25, 2025

The Primitives - Crash

Here's some stirring power pop from the 1980s, "Crash" by the Primitives.

Friday, January 24, 2025

‘Guilty’: Biden crime family exposed

Anyone with an open mind knew the truth years ago.

The Biden family, from Joe on down, is very corrupt.

Thursday, January 23, 2025

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

Mark Dice: They're not taking it very well 😂

There are loads of great bits in this Mark Dice clip. My favorite is leftist influencer Harry Sisson, who makes a fool of himself. Again.

   

Saturday, January 18, 2025

I've Returned - Glenn Tilbrook

In honor of the historic inauguration of Donald J. Trump on Monday, here's Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze performing that band's "I've Returned."

Friday, January 17, 2025

‘Good riddance’: Joe Biden remains a ‘bully’ despite mental decline

Despite is obvious cognitive decline, Joe Biden is still “angry, bitter," a "bully," and a "jerk," Sky News James Morrow says.

He's right

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Saturday, January 11, 2025

XTC - All Of A Sudden

Some major league philosophy from XTC's Andy Partridge here. 
Life's like a jig-saw
You get the straight bits 
But there's something missing in the middle.

Friday, January 10, 2025

Mark Dice on LA Fire Department DEI: It's WAY WORSE than we thought!

The goal of any fire department is to, wait for it, prevent and fight fires. Then there's Los Angeles, which is currently on fire.

Wednesday, January 08, 2025

Mark Dice on Meta dropping fact-checking: They can't believe it's happening! 😂

Fact-checking, a leftist scam to promote their idea of neutrality, is ending at Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram.

We are winning!

Monday, January 06, 2025

Joe Biden snaps at reporters before attacking Donald Trump

Joe Biden may have Stage 5 dementia. A reporter asked Biden about Social Security and he snapped back with an answer that had nothing to do with the question. 

It's not too late to invoke the 25th Amendment.

Sunday, January 05, 2025

Hosts break down in laughter over KJP's farewell message

Karine Jean-Pierre is the worst liar since Baghdad Bob. Although she is less entertaining.

Saturday, January 04, 2025

Chris Hillman, Roger McGuinn, Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives: Hickory Wind

Seven years ago, Chris Hillman and Roger McGuinn of the Byrds teamed up with Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives for a fiftieth anniversary tour celebrating the release of the Byrds' Sweetheart of the Rodeo.

Here Hillman and McGuinn tell the story of how Gram Parsons ruined, at least in the eyes of the people in charge of the Grand Old Opry, their appearance there.

 

From my post at Da Tech Guy