that interview with the photographer was super fascinating to me, because I’m 50 years old, grew up in the Punx scene in New York City, and moved to Culver City. Two years ago. With my Family for work, and there is very little that is punk out about Culver city and Santa Monica. Mountain place. Keep up the good work, thanks for letting me think about the ghosts.
Great interview. As a person who grew up in rural America, far from where these pictures were taken, I really appreciate the nostalgic access I’m given. I was hearing records two years after they were released in the 80s and now I’m getting to see images 40 years later. Glorious.
Isn't it though? Nostalgia is a big part of the appeal but the book also has pics from bands that are less lauded and presents a fuller picture of the scene that so many of us are obsessed with!
The other thing I would mention is the timing of the shooting; for most of us Open Enrollment had just ended, and we were once again reminded that we’ll be paying more and getting less in return. That sting is fresh in many people’s minds—certainly mine, anyway.
Thanks, Kevin. Good point about open enrollment! I think the remarkable thing about all this is that it's dragged private shame into the open. It's embarrassing to admit that we can't afford the basics, but when it comes to healthcare the basics are a scam to enrich a handful of people. That's bullshit and people are finally talking about it.
Did everyone see the longest perp walk in history with police and swat teams escort him from court or to court . There were like a dozen of them ! He was shackled hands and legs. Where the fuck was he going to go? I suppose because he had slipped away once they couldn’t face it if he managed to do so again.
This episode clearly shows some people are worth more, like this CEO.
The governor of MY coming up with a “ special “ system for CEO’s to call if they feel threatened shows CEO’s value too. We get 9-1-1 if they are not busy saving a CEO maybe they’ll get to us.
"The CEO was many things: a father, a husband, a son, etc. but one thing he was not was innocent."- Agreed. And he knew exactly how he made his money which is why all his peers (ex-peers?) scuttled for the nearest bodyguard to hide behind while they continue to do what they do. Even the worst criminals have families and we can all feel for the wife and children left behind. But as your post so eloquently says, we also feel for those who have suffered in private against crushing soul-lessness of corporate decision makers. And it's not a question of if we will ever suffer at the hands of our non-healthcare system -- it's a question of when.
Luigi is no one's idea of a true hero. That would be an executive that stunned the world by taking only a salary that was fair, making sure his employees had decent wages and healthcare in return for a workday that left them time for themselves and their families. That would be a health insurance executive who led the charge for universal and affordable healthcare. Luigi was just another guy with a gun and a lot of pain. The country is filled with them thanks to the heroes leading the NRA, the weapons manufacturers, and every CEO who views his fellow citizens as fodder.
I had to re-read what you wrote three times before I could understand what you are saying. I get what you mean, and all that, but I don't exactly agree. It's so complicated.
As someone who has amassed over $3 Million (yep, it's almost at $3.5m now) in medical bills, I have a strange relationship with the medical community. I get that they (those on the frontline) actually care deeply about their patients, and it takes a shitload of patience to deal with the gen pop. I have thanked every single one of them who attempted to help me, regardless of the outcome.
Those workers have always tried to do the right thing, while at the same time just trying to cash a check. It's rough out there, lol.
As far as this specific case, it's an odd one. Does our healthcare system need a major change? Of course. Did a guy that was pretty good at his job deserve to die, just because that was the best profession for him to cash his own checks? No, and no.
I didn't ask for some dude (who also seemingly had his shit together in other aspects of life) to be my vigilante or savior. I'd rather wish he didn't kill a man. That would have been better. It's not like he exposed some great hidden secret. He was just a selfish asshole.
At the end of the day, the whole event is nothing to celebrate. I have never pointed a gun at another human, although I have had more than one pointed at me. (Thanks, Detroit. lol) The reality is that this murder had little to do with a grander morality, but more so a selfish asshole who took another man's life. And, that is wrong. No one is the judge, jury and executioner. For that goofball NYC dude to think he was given that power summarily...fuck him.
The dude that got murdered, no matter what his profession is/was, has now left a literal wake in his path in the form of a ruined and forever fucked up family. Anger begets anger and all that.
Fuck that Luigi guy, and (while it's basically against my life's mantra), I kinda hope he gets his ass kicked daily until he dies.
Also, totally separate, Merry Christmas to you and yours!
I respect your opinion and wish I could take away your 3.5 million dollar debt. No one should owe that much money for healthcare. I think we both agree that it's wrong to shoot people and that the healthcare system is broken. But to reduce the CEO of UnitedHealthcare as someone who was "good at his job" feels intentionally obtuse. Does this system cause more harm than it should? I think most people would say, "Yes," which is why we are where we are today.
As far as my medical debt, that has been paid by the State of NY in the form of taxes levied to cover State employees. It's an insane amount of money, regardless.
I'm not sure what else to say about the CEO guy. I don't think it's obtuse to say that he was collecting a check. Who knows if he was "passionate" about screwing people over, but i would imagine it wasn't the most favorite part of his job. I dunno. Never met him. Even if it was...
Man, if I had money invested in that racket, I'd be thrilled. But, I don't, nor do I approve of it.
Either way, I also pay taxes for a whole bunch of other worthless shit I don't approve of.
What are we gonna do? Nothing and like it. There is no utopia forming before our great grandkids die of old age.
It's only a matter of being a good person while here and hopefully be helpful to others. That's it. Well, that and fucking around on the side a bit for fun.
GBH is like Motörhead with liberty spikes! Love them.
that interview with the photographer was super fascinating to me, because I’m 50 years old, grew up in the Punx scene in New York City, and moved to Culver City. Two years ago. With my Family for work, and there is very little that is punk out about Culver city and Santa Monica. Mountain place. Keep up the good work, thanks for letting me think about the ghosts.
Thanks, Sascha. You'd be surprised. The ghosts of LA's punk rock past are everywhere! Have you checked out the Museum of Jurassic Technology?
Great interview. As a person who grew up in rural America, far from where these pictures were taken, I really appreciate the nostalgic access I’m given. I was hearing records two years after they were released in the 80s and now I’m getting to see images 40 years later. Glorious.
Isn't it though? Nostalgia is a big part of the appeal but the book also has pics from bands that are less lauded and presents a fuller picture of the scene that so many of us are obsessed with!
I think you nailed it here, Jim.
The other thing I would mention is the timing of the shooting; for most of us Open Enrollment had just ended, and we were once again reminded that we’ll be paying more and getting less in return. That sting is fresh in many people’s minds—certainly mine, anyway.
Thanks, Kevin. Good point about open enrollment! I think the remarkable thing about all this is that it's dragged private shame into the open. It's embarrassing to admit that we can't afford the basics, but when it comes to healthcare the basics are a scam to enrich a handful of people. That's bullshit and people are finally talking about it.
On Luigi: have you listened to the Trevor Noah podcast on Luigi—your take and Trevor’s parallel.
I haven’t but I will!
Did everyone see the longest perp walk in history with police and swat teams escort him from court or to court . There were like a dozen of them ! He was shackled hands and legs. Where the fuck was he going to go? I suppose because he had slipped away once they couldn’t face it if he managed to do so again.
This episode clearly shows some people are worth more, like this CEO.
The governor of MY coming up with a “ special “ system for CEO’s to call if they feel threatened shows CEO’s value too. We get 9-1-1 if they are not busy saving a CEO maybe they’ll get to us.
Right on the money. There’s two systems one for the rich and one for the rest of us.
"The CEO was many things: a father, a husband, a son, etc. but one thing he was not was innocent."- Agreed. And he knew exactly how he made his money which is why all his peers (ex-peers?) scuttled for the nearest bodyguard to hide behind while they continue to do what they do. Even the worst criminals have families and we can all feel for the wife and children left behind. But as your post so eloquently says, we also feel for those who have suffered in private against crushing soul-lessness of corporate decision makers. And it's not a question of if we will ever suffer at the hands of our non-healthcare system -- it's a question of when.
Luigi is no one's idea of a true hero. That would be an executive that stunned the world by taking only a salary that was fair, making sure his employees had decent wages and healthcare in return for a workday that left them time for themselves and their families. That would be a health insurance executive who led the charge for universal and affordable healthcare. Luigi was just another guy with a gun and a lot of pain. The country is filled with them thanks to the heroes leading the NRA, the weapons manufacturers, and every CEO who views his fellow citizens as fodder.
Well said, Betsy! A corporation that views its customers as fodder deserves neither sympathy nor respect.
attaboy
I had to re-read what you wrote three times before I could understand what you are saying. I get what you mean, and all that, but I don't exactly agree. It's so complicated.
As someone who has amassed over $3 Million (yep, it's almost at $3.5m now) in medical bills, I have a strange relationship with the medical community. I get that they (those on the frontline) actually care deeply about their patients, and it takes a shitload of patience to deal with the gen pop. I have thanked every single one of them who attempted to help me, regardless of the outcome.
Those workers have always tried to do the right thing, while at the same time just trying to cash a check. It's rough out there, lol.
As far as this specific case, it's an odd one. Does our healthcare system need a major change? Of course. Did a guy that was pretty good at his job deserve to die, just because that was the best profession for him to cash his own checks? No, and no.
I didn't ask for some dude (who also seemingly had his shit together in other aspects of life) to be my vigilante or savior. I'd rather wish he didn't kill a man. That would have been better. It's not like he exposed some great hidden secret. He was just a selfish asshole.
At the end of the day, the whole event is nothing to celebrate. I have never pointed a gun at another human, although I have had more than one pointed at me. (Thanks, Detroit. lol) The reality is that this murder had little to do with a grander morality, but more so a selfish asshole who took another man's life. And, that is wrong. No one is the judge, jury and executioner. For that goofball NYC dude to think he was given that power summarily...fuck him.
The dude that got murdered, no matter what his profession is/was, has now left a literal wake in his path in the form of a ruined and forever fucked up family. Anger begets anger and all that.
Fuck that Luigi guy, and (while it's basically against my life's mantra), I kinda hope he gets his ass kicked daily until he dies.
Also, totally separate, Merry Christmas to you and yours!
I respect your opinion and wish I could take away your 3.5 million dollar debt. No one should owe that much money for healthcare. I think we both agree that it's wrong to shoot people and that the healthcare system is broken. But to reduce the CEO of UnitedHealthcare as someone who was "good at his job" feels intentionally obtuse. Does this system cause more harm than it should? I think most people would say, "Yes," which is why we are where we are today.
Fair.
As far as my medical debt, that has been paid by the State of NY in the form of taxes levied to cover State employees. It's an insane amount of money, regardless.
I'm not sure what else to say about the CEO guy. I don't think it's obtuse to say that he was collecting a check. Who knows if he was "passionate" about screwing people over, but i would imagine it wasn't the most favorite part of his job. I dunno. Never met him. Even if it was...
I guess it’s all how we think about what murder is. I think that’s CEO had a lot more plug on his hand, even though he never pulled the trigger.
Murder is wrong, no matter the scenario. No human is so omnipresent to validate taking the breath away from another. Ever.
And yet you pay taxes to a government arming a genocide in Gaza.
Ha!
Man, if I had money invested in that racket, I'd be thrilled. But, I don't, nor do I approve of it.
Either way, I also pay taxes for a whole bunch of other worthless shit I don't approve of.
What are we gonna do? Nothing and like it. There is no utopia forming before our great grandkids die of old age.
It's only a matter of being a good person while here and hopefully be helpful to others. That's it. Well, that and fucking around on the side a bit for fun.