here's a story from the buffalo news that gives a bit of context to the whole bush/van impe story i was chasing last week, saying that van impe's outline of prophecy was sent in lieu of the televangelist attending a meeting of religious leaders in washington on july 14th, 2003. here's one interesting series of paragraphs:
National Security Council spokesman Sean McCormick said the White House did not ask Van Impe to make a presentation. McCormick said the meeting is one of many the White House conducts to meet with leaders in various walks of life. He denied it was held to sell evangelists on the peace plan.
However, a official for another group with strong links to evangelicals and Jewish conservatives said, "The meeting was an attempt to sell us the peace plan, and it failed."
i highlight this section because it casts doubt on the the office of the national security advisor's characterization of this meeting, and this is certainly not the first time that the official line coming out of Condi's office hasn't been exactly, or even remotely, accurate. the NSA's version of "the fight for the 16 words" is the most glaring example, of course, but this meeting, and its purpose, seems to me like something that they didn't need to hide. The Bushies were trying to get support from leaders of a group that overwhelmingly voted for them (Evangelicals) for a piece of policy (the road map for peace) that was at odds with the interests (fulfillment of biblical prophecy, in this case through a unified state of israel) of that constituant group. and they failed, it seems.
the picture of W that accompanies the article is priceless. looks like he could save a few souls himself.
cem and el never cease to amaze me. good, safe travels to you both.
st. christopher smiles.
i received the master for the CD version of the recoys record today, which means that it should be in stores within 6-8 weeks if everything goes smoothly. it includes 3 songs that weren't on the vinyl: 2 recoys studio recordings (including 'Look Out the Window,' which some of you might know from the Walkmen/Calla split) and the Lil' Fighters song "The Recoys," the story of the band told from the perspective of guitarist Peter Bauer and written and sung by Walter Martin. exquisite additions, I assure you.
speaking of pete, he's more than a nascent rock god. he's also a cat breeder. he's currently looking to rid himself of four kittens and one two year old. if you're in the nyc area and want to pick up some free felines, e-mail him.
and, actually speaking of pete again (this is getting awkward), i'm tour managing the walkmen on their september west coast tour, so get your tickets now or you'll just have to read about it here.
sunday night bruce springsteen was at Dodger Stadium. the boss rules. stadium beers are expensive.
i'll mention it again: tues., Aug. 26th my friend Al and I are spinning at The Echo. the night will be free and the beers will be cheap and honestly, if you live in LA and consider youself my friend i am requiring you to go to this. i really don't ask much of you people, you know?
