I must second Mark Spencer's music critique, especially regarding Frank Zappa.

I was fortunate enough to see FZ twice, first in NYC in the late 70s and then in Colorado up in the hills. The composition of talent in his bands -- the Mothers of Invention, etc. -- was unmatched. And then there were his guitar licks. He is often mentioned as one of the greatest guitarists ever.

His lyrics and song titles are unique. "I Promise Not to Come in Your Face" is quite an instrumental. "Lumpy Gravy"(mid sixties), "Almost Chinese," and his later works, "Joe's Garage," "Fine Girl," "1Valley Girl," and "Muffin Man" were standouts. His 30-plus albums addressed social issues and poked good fun at stereotypes. No, he was not politically correct!

Finally, his stage shows were intriguing. The space ship launch, a la David Bowie, really made one feel as if he were taking off across the Rockies. Did someone say mushroooms$%@^

Another.

( In reply to Joe McQuade )

Bravo! An excellent re-reflection of Austin. Although I've never been there, I've heard great reports. Brought me back to Boulder,'76. However, I think we have really grown up a little too big there now.

This U.S. Chamber of Commerce press release contains pointed arguments from both the Chamber and Congress about how to help fix the system of scoundrels referred to in this discussion.


Chamber Praises Passage Of Class Action Reform Bill By House Judiciary Committee

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Chamber of Commerce praised the House Judiciary Committee for favorably reporting out the Class Action Fairness Act, by a vote of 16 to 10, and urged the full House to act swiftly.

"Those who voted for class action fairness have the vision necessary to bring about real change in a legal system greatly needing repair," said James M. Wootton, president of the Institute for Legal Reform, an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber. "This action is welcome news for consumers, shareholders and businesses of all sizes."

H.R. 2341 - a bi-partisan bill introduced by Congressmen Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Rick Boucher (D-VA), Jim Moran (D-VA) and Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) - could be considered by the full House within the next few weeks.

A key provision of the bill moves large, multi-state class action lawsuits from state to federal court, preventing the widespread "venue shopping" by trial lawyers. Key reforms that protect consumers include requiring class action settlement notices to be written in "Plain English"; prohibiting settlements in which class members actually lose money to pay attorneys' fees; ensuring the fair and even distribution of damage awards to all plaintiffs; and protecting class members from getting coupons of little or no value while attorneys make millions of dollars.

The U.S. Department of Justice recently endorsed H.R. 2341 and its Senate companion, S. 1712, the Chamber noted. In a March 1, 2002, letter to Judiciary Committee Chairman Sensenbrenner, Assistant Attorney General Daniel J. Bryant called the legislation "an important step in reforming class action litigation."

"Advocates of class action reform have two new victories - gaining the administration's support and today's House Judiciary Committee vote," Wootton said. "Momentum is building, bringing needed reform within reach."

The mission of the Chamber Institute for Legal Reform is to make America's legal system simpler, fairer and faster. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.