I chose the incomparable John Coltrane's poignant memorial, composed in tribute of the three little girls, who were blown up in the church bombing in the 60's in "Alabama," the title of the cut.

The Sea Meets the Shore

This photo intrigues me,  in the sense of what appears to be an exquisite sense of an eye for the dramatic. The photographer, has done precisely what the textbook says a photographer should do. He/she has created a work that speaks tons! The composition is inspired! The conflict between the NATO protestors and "Chicago's Finest" is clearly emphasized, and the line drawn. If we read none of the story, we would understand the gist of this story. Great composition.

Tesla Roadster Sport VS Porsche 911

Think an electric car is for aging baby-boomers and eco-minded extremists who wouldn't know a good time if it bit them in the ***? Then you clearly don't know Tesla. Check out this head-to-head test drive, and if you aren't convinced that you need a Tesla in your life, don't go out into the sunlight, 'cause you definitely don't have a pulse!

Jazz Lives!

Ken Burns is undoubtedly one of, if not the most, prolific and successful documentarist on the planet. However, I must challenge a famous conclusion he voiced, in his ten part series on jazz. You see my father schooled me in all things jazz, as he dandled me on his knee, and I can quote chapter and verse from the jazz bible, in my sleep. The point is, I strongly disagree with his statement that jazz is not a black or African-American art, but an American art. If I travel to Japan, and make a baby there with my wife, who is black as am I, our child will not be Japanese. Likewise, our art-forms are an expression of our very souls and jazz, blues, ragtime, hip-hop, R&B, etc, are black musical forms, just as classical music is a European art form. The fact that other peoples can excel at those various forms, does not change their point of origin, or the identities of their originators. As a testimony to the spiritual power of jazz, and it's greatest proponent, John Coltrane, the above portrait hangs in a church where he is the patron saint.Go here, to listen to some of his music.

Super Cars

In all the world, there is no greater example of the perfect blending of beauty and technology than the automobile. Just imagine, the ability to travel 1/4 mile in less than 10 secs., all the while cradled in the softest leather known to man, listening to a stereo system that would rival Bang and Olufsen, with looks that make you the envy of all but the wealthiest one percenters of the world, and all that, plus no fossil fuel carbon signature. Not possible you say? Join me in the world of Tesla. It's green. All the other supercars are green with envy.

Origin of the Cosmic Heretic

Hello, World! My name is Tony Thornton, and I suppose that the first thing I should do, is explain my blog title. Some years ago, my best friend (who was happily married at the time), invited myself and another friend to meet a woman he was considering as a second wife. Forget that it's illegal, there are various groups and individuals in America, practicing polygamy. I was once apprentice to a rabbi, who had three beautiful and intelligent wives. As a matter of fact, they were all pursuing higher degrees at the time, but I digress. 
This brother took us over to the sister's house, for a casual evening, in which we could check her out, and give our opinions, as to her suitability for his "situation." Which was sticky to say the least, and he didn't want it to blow up in his face.
Well, the sister was a gem. Beautiful, a great cook, and a witty, very adroit conversationalist. She no doubt knew that she was being graded, but she was wholly at ease and thoroughly captivating. We enjoyed a wonderful meal, and a great bottle of wine. We talked about everything under the sun, all the things that dedicated pan-Africanists talked about in the 70's.
Malachi was a devout Hebrew brother, Simpson a dedicated Kemetian, and I was, well, a devoted seeker, let us say.
I think it fair to say that we were, all of us menfolk, smitten with this beautiful, vivacious creature. And for my part, I dare say that my repartee was witty, indeed. I demonstrated formidable skill and knowledge in any and all topics that arose.
As Malachi and Simpson defended their respective positions, I danced philosophically from point to point, in a non-committal way. In the shank of the evening , our hostess turned to me, mesmerizing me with her dazzling smile, and laughing eyes, and with her pleasingly melodious voice said, "Bro. Tony, I know what these two brother's believe, but it seems that you don't believe in anything." To which I replied, "I believe in everything." Deep, right?
And then, she said, "To believe in everything, is the same as believing in nothing. You are a heretic. A heretic of cosmic proportions!" She had nailed me. Neatly, sweetly, and petitely. If she had been a he, I would have objected to that characterization. But I couldn't argue with this very feminine creature. And, after all, she was 100% correct.