If our country, when pressed with wrongs at the point of the bayonet, had been governed by its heads instead of its hearts, where should we have been now? Hanging on a gallows as high as Haman's.

Here's the launch of Discovery, blasting off from Cape Canaveral just before dawn this morning.
Look at her go!

I don't know who Robert L Kocher is, other than a writer with an Objectivist bent, but I find him to be incredibly sharp at analyzing American political culture.

"This is his death poem. What is his sorrow: not that he was unjustly condemned, although he was. Not rage that there is no afterlife, although there is not. It is that in a few moments he will not be able to feel his love for the world and the woman he loves." [John Donahue on the "Happy Birthday Mario" thread.]

Merry Christmas Soloists!

Thanks largely to those bloody Catholics, here is some good Christmas music.

My favourite offering from Handel's Messiah:

One of my all time favourites from the Pearl Fishers.

Last-night Kasper took my daughter and I to a live performance of Bach & Mozart at Holy Trinity Cathedral.

I've been addicted to this all week - absolutely beautiful! A great example of the Romantic style. Lush, melodious and dripping with feeling.

I'm just loving this gem from Camille Saint Saens at present - it overflows with sumptuous melodies and movement.

This was in my inbox this morning. Food for thought if ever I've read it:

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?

This is a documentary about Jacqueline Du Pre, the protégé cellist who at the age of four heard a cello playing on the radio and asked her mother for “one of those.”

To a wonderful chap, so full of promise, sparkle, good looks and fine tastes.
Happy birthday to you Darling Kasper. Why haven't you come over with your girlfriend and a bottle of wine??!

this is a fabulous new counter-tenor from France named Phillippe Jaroussky. I've just been introduced to him today by a friend. He sings Vivaldi's aria.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zQX2X...

In light of Obama’s European tour, Christopher Hitchens has written an article in Slate titled “Don’t Be So Sensitive, Mr. President” – Truth comes before reconciliation.

Is an Israeli strike on Iran imminent?

31st March - Jeffrey Goldberg writes:

Do you remember how often President Obama stated that a "nuclear Iran was unacceptable" during his election campaign speeches?

This is Bruch's delightful Romance in F, played by the lovely Janine Jansen. To me, it evokes a happy world so benevolent in nature that love for existence completely swells my heart today.

This is a stunning version of O Come O Come Emmanuel. I love the 12th Century chant-like melody.

I found this trailer to the gorgeously artistic film The Red Violin.
The film spans the life of one violin across oceans and centuries, all to the accompaniment of some very passionate music.

I love Christopher Hitchens, don't get me wrong, but his comment really irritated me and I wondered how much of Rand he has truly read.

If Shakespeare’s words, “This above all: to Thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man,” have any poignant significance to your life, then the film Chariots of Fire will resonate deeply within your heart.

Regarding Shay's Rebellion in Massachusetts:

"God forbid we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion.

I'm not sure what's in the air these days but I'm feeling quite chipper!
So I want to celebrate on Solo with some light, comedic fun. If it makes you laugh... please post it on this thread.

The USS New York (LPD 21), made from World Trade Center scrap.

Here is a bold poem unequalled in its glorification of earthy romanticism and penned by the hand of the great American, Walt Whitman (1819-1892).

A Woman Waits for Me

15 year old Lizzie Palmer made this simple yet effective project. As of today it has achieved 24, 522,435 hits! According to the comments that she has now disabled, some of these people never came home. link

Here's another sweet little Nocturne by Chopin - one of my many favourites.

When you have moment, sit back and enjoy.

I've decided to kiss my alter-ego Claudia goodbye and just be known on Solo by my rightful name. Olivia it is and shall be from now on.

This is a lovely interview with Ayaan (despite its terrible title).

Islam, Ayaan and her conscience.

I was pleased to find these both on You Tube. Enjoy.

Je Crois Entendre Encore