Well... not lookin' particularly good for an afternoon of music in Central Park. Maybe tomorrow. What d'ya think?

Y'know... it's gonna be a long, sweet summer. We're gonna have a lot of fun out there this year. We're just gettin' a late start. It's cool. I'm usually out there until October. So, it's just gonna take a little patience before I really start the season. If it dries up and warms up here in New York City tomorrow, I'll probably go out to "The Hill" for a few hours.

In the meantime... listen, I wanna make AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT.

I realize that alot of people have been wondering what the content of this website is gonna be like this summer... I mean, it's not an election year. (HA! America already embarrassed itself with that one!) So, what do we do now? What does a singer/songwriter like me do now? Do I write more songs like "Common Ground"? Do I write more songs like "Where's the Voice"? Do I continue to update the News from Iraq in the "Forum" everyday?

NO!

It's time for a completely new look!!!

That's it! I was watching CNN this morning, and then I switched over to MSNBC. I even monitored FOX for a little while. Y'know... the American television "news" media, all of them are still running stories about this unfortunate... and, um... obviously unbalanced woman in Georgia.

Pictures like these have been put in front of our faces for weeks now. Well, I for one am grateful! The efficiency and professionalism with which people like Wolf Blitzer and Paula Zahn and Lester Holt have aggressively and doggedly pursued this important story of a woman who... um... uh... wigged out about... uh... her wedding...

... has been remarkable and inspiring.

And, because of their dedication to bringing America news that really matters... I FOUND IT! My new thing. My new signature. MY NEW LOOK! It's gonna be a great summer. I'm gonna still do my songs like "Common Ground" and "The People on the Hill" and "OBI". But, this year... I'm giving America what it wants!

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THE NEW LOOK

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What d'ya think?

It works for me.

If you have anytime today, even if you're reading this in another part of the country or another part of the world, would you let me know what you think of the new look? You can either jump in the "Forum" (message board) over there, or just send me an email.

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Okay now... seriously.

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Check back tomorrow and I will let you guys know if there will be a concert in the park in the afternoon.

AND... could you pass the address for this page on to a few of your friends today... right now? Y'know, one small thing you can do today (Don't tell Mr. Blitzer) ... and it might be fun... might feel good... is to start to form a little internet community of your own around this website... just a community of fun, commonality, awareness... where people are kind, smile at each other, laugh more than they don't, sing every chance they get... but, also pay attention to the war and other things that are really going on in this world. Y'see, with your help I will continue to do my best to try my best to update the New from Iraq every day.

Maybe this'll be good place to meet, for laughs, community, friendship... and maybe the time to begin is... um... right now!

Maybe today... copy the link to this website and send it to several people you know who are feeling caring human beings. Then ask them to pass it on to a few people they know. Perhaps you and your friends can make a point of talking about the things you find here at this website and in the "Forum". Maybe you can talk about the things you agree with, and the things I write that you have a problem with, and the times you think I'm completely full of shit. But... y'know, start the discussion. Talk about things that are real and that matter.

Not...

Maybe one day, by the end of the summer, we can all plan a HUGE concert to get together. A concert for... "It's Just Us". Or, the "I LOVE THE COMPANY" concert.

Hey, living with your eyes open doesn't hafta be depressing. Believe me... I know.

Like so many wonderful people have taught me over the years, I actually feel GOOD when I pay attention. It's a good feeling. As I've always said... "Anger can be a cancer, or it can be a motivator." I think Thomas Aquinas wrote something about the "virtue of anger". Something that maybe much of humankind has forgotten. Y'know, I'm still writing funny songs! I'm still writing songs about Love. But, I'm certainly gonna continue to write whatever songs want to be written... songs that might make the tiniest of differences for the better in this world.

So, also... please be sure everyday, to stop in the "Forum" for the News from Iraq.

We owe it to ourselves. We owe it to the hundreds of thousands of people who have died so far in this reprehensible war our nation started on false pretenses. We owe it to the 1,595 American kids who have been killed so far. We owe it to their families who are living with the pain.

Y'know? We really do.

Listen, whatever you're doing today, be cool to each other. Smile at a stranger. Enjoy the things you love. Hey... maybe I'll see you in the park this weekend.

Thanks for taking the time to read all this. Make this page your meeting place.

Pass this link on, okay?

Thanks again.