My husband and I were diehard fans of Don Imus's show, and we bemoan the fact that he is not here to comment on today's "events". Kinky was a frequent guest on the show, thanks for bringing back some fond memories.
In 1951 the Giants and Yankees were in a three game baseball playoff series. Tied a game apiece, 4 to 2 in the bottom of the ninth, Bobby Thompson comes to the plate. With two on, he hits "the shot heard round the world". A home run that ends the Yankees season. I read this story as recounted by an 87 year old newspaper man in AARP. He claims he still resents the Giants to this day. Old disappointments may die hard. 72 years and still going in this case. Trumps loss was a serious disappointment to half of the Country. Could be awhile. Did not know of Kinky Friedman until this article, Matt. Sounds to be genuine, honest and sincere. No hope whatsoever as a politician.
I like the way you vented briefly and effectively about the Maryland election, then used it as a springboard to move the piece in a different direction. "I'd rather light a candle than curse the darkness" is a good impulse, Matt -- sometimes easier said than done. Glad it's such a big part of your game.
Jul 21, 2022·edited Jul 21, 2022Liked by Matt Labash
The subject of Friedman is fertile ground for comment, for sure. But the idea and vision of ol' Sip-Sip pouring Maker's into his Grape Nuts is sort of holdin' sway here at the moment, with perhaps the blue smoke of a good cigar hanging in the air afterward as he pounds out another Tide filling out the picture rather nicely.
Can usually count on *something* to smile about for a while after the Tide rolls in. Today no exception.
Loved this one the first time in TWS. Thank you for reprising it. A profile of Kinky almost writes itself but would be missing a lot without the Labash touch, e.g., “glossolalial audience.” Oh, and having dealt with it, I hope the septic tank/leach field reboot went well.
I see that you are still a Republican. Question: Since the Dems won't be nominating Karl Marx for Governor or Attorney General in Maryland, are you planning on voting for the Democratic nominees?
Unless the Dem comes out in advance for tax hikes and confiscating firstborn children, there's about a 98 percent chance that I will. Otherwise, I'll just go with my default no-good-choices move - writing in my brother-in-law. Whatever happens, though, the best Cox can hope for from me is that I abstain.
P.S. I always enjoy the parts of your newsletter where you write about the fun or uplifting things you do to get away from the depressing political situation of our country.
Right now, I am having a great time reading the Mercy Thompson series by novelist Patricia Briggs. Mercedes Thompson is a VW mechanic in Washington state who is a were-coyote, whose boyfriend is the alpha of the local werewolf pack, and who is good friends with a grumpy old fae guy who taught her how to be an auto mechanic. Anyway, entering that world is great when I want to temporarily escape this one. I recommend it!
I read the essay on Kinky in your book, but I was happy to read it again. I'm a lifelong Texan and Kinky is one of my favorites, along with Willie and Kyle Lovett
There have been enough comments affirming your feelings ( and mine) about far right whack jobs, so I'm going to zero in on frisbees in Borneo. I have a lawyer friend in Houston (yes, it is possible to have friends who are lawyers) who was a CIA agent prior to going to law school (yes, it is possible to have friends who were CIA agents, and I apologize for my overuse of parentheses). Assigned .to some of the most dangerous places in Africa in the "80s, he always carried a frisbee with him. When he encountered child soldiers, drugged up and armed with AK's, he would bring out the frisbee and get them playing with it. He is sure that it saved his life more than once.
Texas now allows open or concealed carry without training or certification. I think I might start carrying a frisbee.
A national mandate for frisbee carry. I can see it. My only other qualification for public office is that I'm two weeks younger than President Biden, and I don't think that that would carry the day.
I opened your message and you had me with “Kinky”. I would’ve given a lot to have your time with him. I was a college freshman in New Orleans and I bought a ticket to something called the Rolling Thunder Review. It was at a place called the Warehouse, so named because it was…a warehouse. Maybe 3K people and you sat on the floor. Dylan and Baez were great. Then some fellow comes up on the stage and announces himself as Kinky Friedman. He had me in stitches and I never forgot him. The darn security people wouldn’t let us smoke pot in there that night, which turned out to be a good thing because I remember the show.
You touched on many memories from Texas I have. I’ve been withering in my criticism of Texas recently, but it didn’t used to be like that. My best memories might be wandering through Luckenbach when few knew about it. That’s the Texas I hold on to. Not the one that’s being run into the ditch. You want to secede? Are you sure? I just tell them that didn’t work out so good the last time you did it…just saying. Oh, almost forgot, I was really impressed by Larry Hogan during the plague. He did a good job.
Yes, Stephen - there's tons of reasons to criticize Texas lately. But I used to live there, and loved it too. Thank God they finally exported bbq brisket to the world. When I first moved back east, nobody knew what it was. Now I can get it anywhere, and don't even have to endure Greg Abbott to get my fill.
You touched on another of my good memories. When I came up here I had a hard time understanding why people in our mid-Atlantic area wouldn’t order bbq brisket when it was available…just puzzling.
So many great laugh-out-loud lines in this post, Matt. And some of them were yours! Seriously, this piece was the perfect combination for an excellent read-- funny, thought-provoking, touching.
Politics are angry because rage wins primaries. If it didn't work it wouldn't be done. Not real complicated. The wing nuts in both parties punch far above their weights in the primaries because of low viter turn out.
At a certain level we may get the candidates we deserve through apathy.
My husband and I were diehard fans of Don Imus's show, and we bemoan the fact that he is not here to comment on today's "events". Kinky was a frequent guest on the show, thanks for bringing back some fond memories.
and i thought i knew things about kinky friedman
Matt, you have a way with words, or maybe words have a way with you. Wordsmithing is hard work. And that's why I subscribe to Slack Tide.
In 1951 the Giants and Yankees were in a three game baseball playoff series. Tied a game apiece, 4 to 2 in the bottom of the ninth, Bobby Thompson comes to the plate. With two on, he hits "the shot heard round the world". A home run that ends the Yankees season. I read this story as recounted by an 87 year old newspaper man in AARP. He claims he still resents the Giants to this day. Old disappointments may die hard. 72 years and still going in this case. Trumps loss was a serious disappointment to half of the Country. Could be awhile. Did not know of Kinky Friedman until this article, Matt. Sounds to be genuine, honest and sincere. No hope whatsoever as a politician.
Ain't that the truth.
Here is another problem. Memory. It was the Dodgers playing the Giants. Arrrgh!!
I like the way you vented briefly and effectively about the Maryland election, then used it as a springboard to move the piece in a different direction. "I'd rather light a candle than curse the darkness" is a good impulse, Matt -- sometimes easier said than done. Glad it's such a big part of your game.
Friedman/Labash in 24.
I can hear the jokes now.
"A Jew and a Born Again Christian walk into a bar after being elected....."
An excellent writing back then. Aged perfectly like Bourbon till now Matt.
That is all for now.
The subject of Friedman is fertile ground for comment, for sure. But the idea and vision of ol' Sip-Sip pouring Maker's into his Grape Nuts is sort of holdin' sway here at the moment, with perhaps the blue smoke of a good cigar hanging in the air afterward as he pounds out another Tide filling out the picture rather nicely.
Can usually count on *something* to smile about for a while after the Tide rolls in. Today no exception.
Loved this one the first time in TWS. Thank you for reprising it. A profile of Kinky almost writes itself but would be missing a lot without the Labash touch, e.g., “glossolalial audience.” Oh, and having dealt with it, I hope the septic tank/leach field reboot went well.
Thanks, Dennis. It's an ongoing saga.
I see that you are still a Republican. Question: Since the Dems won't be nominating Karl Marx for Governor or Attorney General in Maryland, are you planning on voting for the Democratic nominees?
Unless the Dem comes out in advance for tax hikes and confiscating firstborn children, there's about a 98 percent chance that I will. Otherwise, I'll just go with my default no-good-choices move - writing in my brother-in-law. Whatever happens, though, the best Cox can hope for from me is that I abstain.
Thanks!
P.S. I always enjoy the parts of your newsletter where you write about the fun or uplifting things you do to get away from the depressing political situation of our country.
Right now, I am having a great time reading the Mercy Thompson series by novelist Patricia Briggs. Mercedes Thompson is a VW mechanic in Washington state who is a were-coyote, whose boyfriend is the alpha of the local werewolf pack, and who is good friends with a grumpy old fae guy who taught her how to be an auto mechanic. Anyway, entering that world is great when I want to temporarily escape this one. I recommend it!
I read the essay on Kinky in your book, but I was happy to read it again. I'm a lifelong Texan and Kinky is one of my favorites, along with Willie and Kyle Lovett
There have been enough comments affirming your feelings ( and mine) about far right whack jobs, so I'm going to zero in on frisbees in Borneo. I have a lawyer friend in Houston (yes, it is possible to have friends who are lawyers) who was a CIA agent prior to going to law school (yes, it is possible to have friends who were CIA agents, and I apologize for my overuse of parentheses). Assigned .to some of the most dangerous places in Africa in the "80s, he always carried a frisbee with him. When he encountered child soldiers, drugged up and armed with AK's, he would bring out the frisbee and get them playing with it. He is sure that it saved his life more than once.
Texas now allows open or concealed carry without training or certification. I think I might start carrying a frisbee.
That would make a great platform. Fewer whackjobs, more Frisbee. I'd vote for you.
A national mandate for frisbee carry. I can see it. My only other qualification for public office is that I'm two weeks younger than President Biden, and I don't think that that would carry the day.
And I meant Lyle Lovett.
Parentheses are structurally helpful, facilitate brevity and so make the world a better place. No apology necessary.
(Agreed.)
I opened your message and you had me with “Kinky”. I would’ve given a lot to have your time with him. I was a college freshman in New Orleans and I bought a ticket to something called the Rolling Thunder Review. It was at a place called the Warehouse, so named because it was…a warehouse. Maybe 3K people and you sat on the floor. Dylan and Baez were great. Then some fellow comes up on the stage and announces himself as Kinky Friedman. He had me in stitches and I never forgot him. The darn security people wouldn’t let us smoke pot in there that night, which turned out to be a good thing because I remember the show.
You touched on many memories from Texas I have. I’ve been withering in my criticism of Texas recently, but it didn’t used to be like that. My best memories might be wandering through Luckenbach when few knew about it. That’s the Texas I hold on to. Not the one that’s being run into the ditch. You want to secede? Are you sure? I just tell them that didn’t work out so good the last time you did it…just saying. Oh, almost forgot, I was really impressed by Larry Hogan during the plague. He did a good job.
Thanks for the piece.
Yes, Stephen - there's tons of reasons to criticize Texas lately. But I used to live there, and loved it too. Thank God they finally exported bbq brisket to the world. When I first moved back east, nobody knew what it was. Now I can get it anywhere, and don't even have to endure Greg Abbott to get my fill.
You touched on another of my good memories. When I came up here I had a hard time understanding why people in our mid-Atlantic area wouldn’t order bbq brisket when it was available…just puzzling.
Loved KF comment on Buddy Holly; thanks for the song.
First dance at my wedding - my wife picked the tune - Buddy Holly's "True Love Ways."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjFRHIhSvwc
So many great laugh-out-loud lines in this post, Matt. And some of them were yours! Seriously, this piece was the perfect combination for an excellent read-- funny, thought-provoking, touching.
What a great interview! I laughed more reading it than I have in a while. Long live Kinky Friedman! Thanks, Matt.
P.S. Willie Nelson's 'Spirit' album released just before 'Teatro' is just about as good, featuring just two guitars, a piano and a fiddle.
How'd I miss that? Fantastic, John. I will check it out.
Politics are angry because rage wins primaries. If it didn't work it wouldn't be done. Not real complicated. The wing nuts in both parties punch far above their weights in the primaries because of low viter turn out.
At a certain level we may get the candidates we deserve through apathy.
As a native Texan, I’ve always loved Kinky. As a Democrat, however, I voted for Chris Bell in that gubernatorial election.
You poor thing. But your heart was in the right place!