Pandemic still ongoing. Still no justice for victims of systemic racism carried out by police officers against Black Americans and other persons of color. Still no answer to the real problem of privilege in our country. The COVID-19 problem is, alarmingly, growing. as the world wide number of estimated infections crosses the 10 million persons infected threshold this should give us all pause to think about the rapid acceleration of the virus. The numbers are accelerating world wide. Last week the WHO reported 183,000 new cases - the single largest number of new cases reported in one day. On average, there are approximately 150,000 new cases per day worldwide. The U.S. which accounts for 25% of those cases recorded the largest number of daily reported cases since April 23 - the peak of the New York infection. There is little doubt that the lack of leadership at the federal level is the greatest threat to the safety of our country. The response is an abysmal failure. So, as I try to be positive with these notes, here are some suggestions Continue reading →

A Father's Day edition of Tales From The Drop Box amidst continuing national unrest in the wake of a growing number of police shootings of Black Americans following the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, increases in COVID-19 cases across America, and the release of the John Bolton book confirming what the nation suspected about the corrupt unhinged troll living in the White House. I wish this was a world created in a fantasy novel but, unfortunately, we are living this fantasy as reality. We must not lose the plot though. The fight for change is a daily struggle. It is much like fatherhood with some challenges scattered among the many joy filled days. When we look back on the challenges we are now facing I hope that enough time will have passed that these troubling times are but a blip on a road filled of hope and joy. For those of you are fathers, I wish you all a very happy Father's Day as our children are truly our greatest blessing. .. .

Here is what you will find in Episode 164: Continue reading →

If you don’t want to read the political venting this week, skip the second paragraph of these notes. While I think the topic of Black Lives Matter is important enough to publish as a reminder that things must change, I … Continue reading →

As mentioned in the last episode, COVID-19 was replaced last week as the topic du jour by a resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement in the wake of the tragic execution of George Floyd by a police officer. After two weeks of protests, yesterday's demonstrations in support of change in police use of force policies disproportionately impacting Black Lives were the largest of this current cycle. Peaceful demonstrations in cities and towns worldwide to support changes to systemic race based policing policies which disproportionately impact Black Lives are an important first step in creating an environment for change. Perhaps now is the time for actual change that matters. Talk - Action = 0. Continue reading →

Sad week in America. COVID-19 deaths increasing, George Floyd's senseless death, and violent protests against police brutality exposing a systemic failure of leadership and a culture of racism nationwide. All this against a backdrop of civil unrest, looting and destruction, in many cities demonstrating just how thin the line between good and evil is in this country. The politics of outrage will not be a satisfactory response to the wounds of racism ripped open this week fanned by the occupant of the White House. Regardless of your political affiliation certainly you should be able to see the injustice institutionalized in the militarized police forces against persons of color. Certainly you should be able to see that George Floyd's death was wrong. The data is shocking and disturbing. Police violence is also not isolated. As this week's George Floyd protests have highlighted, police violence is a nationwide problem and it is multi-generational. NWA's "Fuck tha Police" (August 9, 1988) was not the only song pointing out the obvious, the Dead Kennedys, eight years earlier, identified the police as a criminal gang in "Police Truck" (May 1980). "Police Truck" was inspired by an incident in Los Angeles in the late 1970s in which two police officers performed illegal activities such as drinking on the job, beating up drunks, and raping prostitutes. Continue reading →

We are going to get to the music, but as tomorrow is Memorial Day in the United States, I have a few thoughts. As we observe Memorial Day amidst a pandemic that has killed, as I write these words, 100,000 Americans (THIS IS A REALLY BIG NUMBER) , I am reminded of the powerful words of General John Logan about the importance of this day and what it means as we honor the lives of those who sacrificed for a "free and undivided Republic": Continue reading →

Episode 159 of Tales From the Drop Box is a no-frills affair. As will become evident to you at some point in the program this episode is just the usual assortment of awesome music packaged into about an hour. I … Continue reading →

Happy Mother’s Day! It is always a special day as we take time to appreciate for most of us the primary source of nurturing and love that gave us life. This is not to say that father’s don’t provide nurturing love, they almost certainly do, but fortunately for most of us, mom’s are the endless fount of love. So, for all of you mom’s who have given their unwavering love, support and care for your child(ren) enjoy your day. This episode is for the mom's in my life and for my children's mom who has raised some awesome children and put's up with this overgrown child every single day! For those of you listening to this episode, why not share it with your mom...

Typical of this podcast, Episode 158 of Tales From the Drop Box is not a celebration of Mother’s Day. It is a little softer at the beginning but it slowly builds to that unpredictable chaotic diversity you’ve come to expect. So, as always rock the crap out of this one.

Here is what you’ll find in Episode 158 Continue reading →

Hmmmm…..I am in an aggressive mood today so Episode 157 of Tales From the Drop Box is going to be far more up-tempo than the last couple of episodes of these pandemic versions of your favorite podcast. I’m telegraphing a few things in that last sentence. Yup, it is a punk rock episode! You should also note that I’ve also upped significantly the caloric content of this episode with a couple of extra tracks (okay - it's 10 extra tracks) so you can enjoy these short songs longer.

Hopefully all of you are staying as safe as you can, keeping others safe by physically distancing yourself from people in the wild, and doing your best to try to control the spread of COVID-19. I offer these wishes because in case it skipped your news feed - there is no cure yet, there is no treatment that reduces the lethalness of the virus, and real people are still dying - in large numbers.... Continue reading →

And the Pandemic continues ... . I never thought I’d ever have to use the word "pandemic" in a sentence. As some areas of the country begin to open up their businesses and try to gain some economic activity, I find it somewhat distressing to discover that I am curious about how willing our politicians are to engage in a potential lethal social experiment.  Certainly some citizens will lose their lives as we move forward, the unaddressed question being - "How many?" Hopefully the death rate from this latest virus declines and the country, which has been largely cast adrift by the staggering incompetence of the White House, somehow finds not only relief from the deadly virus but also rediscovers its soul. I'm not so confident about the last statement. COVID-19 deaths have converted individuals into mere numbers uprooted from the tragedy of each individual's death.

Hopefully, you’ll find some joy in this episode – Episode 156 of Tales From the Drop Box. Take care my friends. Stay safe.

Here is what you’ll find in Episode 156: Continue reading →