The Machine’s Pump Volume 18 – #5 – May 2015

THE FIVE FREEDOMS. FARM ANIMAL WELFARE DEFINED
1. Freedom from hunger and thirst, meaning easy access to water and a healthy diet.
2. Freedom from discomfort, meaning shelter and a comfortable area to rest.
3. Freedom from pain, injury or disease, meaning prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment.
4. Freedom to express normal behavior, meaning sufficient space with proper facilities and the company of animal’s own kind.
5. Freedom from fear and stress, meaning that conditions and treatment avoid mental suffering.

So, guess who most recently made these recommendations to factory farms. Not the Dalai Lama or PETA. It’s Walmart! Yes, THAT Walmart! This is so significant, even if these guidelines were originally established by the Farm Animal Welfare Council almost 50 years ago. Walmart, who provides the majority of goods to 25% of Americans has made a huge “animal rights” step forward. At the very least, the company acknowledges that farm animals have feelings and emotions, just like their customers and employees, and, at best, this statement will start a trend that will improve the lives of millions of animals. I’ve been saying this for awhile, but I’m convinced many normal, everyday, meat eaters are becoming increasingly uncomfortable with the knowledge that, most likely, their meal is the result of horrific suffering. Some people are no longer able to deal with this contradiction in their lives. They believe they’re caring humans, yet they continue to eat the flesh of trapped, terrified creatures, who were, most likely tortured before being brutally slaughtered. That’s what did it for me three decades ago. I could no longer bear to be a part of the plight of the doomed cows, pigs and chickens I would see crammed in trucks passing the Brave Combo van on the highway. Anyway, check it out and if you are one of those people who has waves of guilt and shame when you bite into that hamburger or chicken nugget, just give it up and stop worrying about it. It’s easier now than ever. Meat-free options are everywhere, for the first time in history! This is a healthy choice for you, personally, and for the environment. In fact, if you claim to be concerned and passionate about clean water and environmental issues, yet continue to eat factory farmed meat, you might be, well, um, you know, a hypocrite. Sorry to be so blunt, but think about it. Animals are the true innocents. Compassionate and loving humans should, in my twisted mind, stop exploiting them and stop supporting their misery. Otherwise, it’s hard for me to see those humans as anything but self-centered and weak, which isn’t exactly attractive. Okay, I probably lost a few friends and fans with this little bit of soap boxing, but, you know what? Who cares? I didn’t start Brave Combo to be well-liked, so I know how it feels to run against the grain. But, of course, I do accept this is a personal choice for each of us to make and I will continue to smile and try to be encouraging, rather than just ol’ Cranky Carl.

TROUBLE IN DENTON
In November, the citizens of Denton voted overwhelmingly to ban fracking in the city limits. The whole state of Texas freaked out, especially the oil and gas folks, and the state legislature hurriedly signed, into law, HB 40, which limits the control towns and cities have over their own destinies. This was in direct response to Denton’s bold, but logical, move. To add insult to injury, our own local representative voted to support the bill. So now, the local anti-fracking coalition seems to be gaining strength, rather than quietly going away. They’re blocking access to well sites, preventing trucks and equipment from entering. They’re staging demonstrations and plan to, once again, overwhelm the next city council meeting. There is now serious talk of impeaching the above-mentioned local representative who seems to be more interested in chumming up to big business, rather than standing up for the will of her constituents. Bad Myra Crownover! By the way, our new, “worse-than-even-Perry” governor, Greg Abbott, while campaigning, thought it would be a good idea to have Ted Nugent join him for his stump in Denton. This turned out to be a bad plan. At the rally, Ted called President Obama a mongrel. Abbott swiftly distanced himself from Nugent, but it obviously rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. The upside of Abbott’s stupidity, however, was that Ted Nugent lost a ton of gigs. Even seriously right-wing conservative towns like Marshall, in East Texas, didn’t want him around and canceled his scheduled appearance at a county fair. Jeez, this is pathetic on many levels. Whatever, the Denton anti-fracking group is far from finished making noise and Brave Combo plans to help ’em be as loud as possible. I am riled up! Can you tell?

Speaking of music, I will be a guest performer at a GDAC (Greater Denton Arts Council) celebrity karaoke benefit at Dan’s (in Denton) on Friday, June 5. My one song will be, I hope, “7 and 7 Is,” by the band Love. If the DJ doesn’t have that, I’ll do “Don’t Be Afraid Little Darling” by Steve Lawrence or, perhaps, “Blue On Blue,” by Bobby Vinton or maybe, “Charms,” by Bobby Vee. If he doesn’t have any of those, I’ll do “Talk Talk,” by the Music Machine, though I would rather do their more obscure minor hit, “Masculine Intuition.” If he doesn’t have either of those, I’ll do “The Beat” or “Lipstick Vogue,” by Elvis Costello. Surely, he will have one of those. But, if not, I’ll do “Life Is Life,” by Laibach or “Venus In Blue Jeans,” by Jimmy Clapton. Those are both good songs. I hope to be entertaining as hell, by the way. I might even dress up or I might not.

We are still hard at work on the video for our song, “The Everything,” (THE LIMINAL ZONE) and it’s coming along very well, even if it’s taking three times longer than I thought it would. We hope to have it finished, ready to premiere, by the end of June. Of course, we’ll keep you informed and plan to make a lot of noise when it’s ready to go. Tonight I have to go to the studio and empty the juice out of the reservoir on the fog machine. You’re not supposed to leave the unused fog juice in the machine. It gets gummy. Did you know that there are different kinds of fog juice, depending on what effect you’re after? Some of it is heavy and sticks close to the ground. Some of it is more hazy, than foggy. Just thought you might like to know.

May, 2015, has been the wettest month ever in North Texas. Ever! My yard is soft and squishy.

Okay, I have no more ranting in me, for now. Do your best at whatever it is you might do at whatever time. Polka loves you!