The Imperial March is kick ass

You know John Williams "stole" that musical theme, right?

"Stole" is kind of a rough word.  There's a LOT of precedent for composers "borrowing" each other's themes and "improving" on them (one of Mozart's favorite tricks). 

But if you ever have the chance, listen to Dvorak's "New World Symphony" and tell me you don't hear "Star Wars" in it... ("Jaws," too...)  I'm not busting on the man -- he already got booed off-stage from the Pops, he doesn't need any help from me -- but there it is.

The other one that gets a lot of play is his ET theme, from Dvorak's (there he is again) "Dumky" piano trios.

That New Yorker cover is just plain awful and embarrassing. I have no idea what the editors there were thinking.

Well, maybe that's just it -- they weren't thinking. Because I have no idea how they could believe putting such an inflammatory image on their cover was a good idea.

To his credit, McCain immediately denounced the cover as "tasteless and offensive."

Hey Jodi - smart move - I'm doing the same - it's been a fun and civil discussion, but in the interest of moving this election forward, I'm going to spend time doing things in the community - working phone banks and voter registration, etc.  Debating on the internet is a pretty low priority in making sure Barack Obama gets elected.

Mike:

Boy, that is a bummer! I've enjoyed your contributions.  Hope you reverse that decision before the election is over.

Edited to add:

If you choose not to return to the discussion, thanks for your part in keeping this a civil, enjoyable and informative thread.  We've had a lot of debate where people disagreed but its been respectful and courteous.  And a big reason was guys like you who have strong feelings but never got so lost in those feelings to fail to consider that others feelings were equally valid or passionate.  America is a better place with folk like you in it Mike.  So thanks for that! 

Maria supports Obama, Al.  Happy wife, happy life . . . .