"Good Night, Moon"

December 23, 2012

Waxing Gibbous

84.5 % lit

Christmas Sky Show (click here)

Dec. 21, 2012:  Just when you thought Christmas was over: At the end of the day on Dec. 25th, a pair of holiday lights will pop out of the deepening twilight. Jupiter and the Moon are having a Christmas conjunction.

It’s a beautiful apparition, visible all around the globe. Even city dwellers, who often miss astronomical events because of light pollution, can see the show. Separated by less than 2 degrees, the bright pair will beam right through urban lights.

...But I heard him exclaim 'ere he drove out of sight,"Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!" 

Pennsylvania

( Matt Slocum / Associated Press )

Have a Colt with your cheesestake; Philly's got a plentiful supply of guns. Pennsylvania has 3.69 gun killings for every 100,000 residents. Coincidentally, it also ranks No. 10 on on the Brady Center score card, with 26 points for the strictness of its gun laws.

Below is an article about guns in Philadelphia due to a FLORIDA loophole.

On Route 95 there are 1,351.0 miles between Key West, 
Florida and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

A Florida Loophole to allow guns in 
Philadelphia and it is tolerated.

That is all drug related. The guns flowing into states along the I-95 corridor 
is all drug related. And it is tolerated.

The current Governor and then AG never raised the issue as something 
important enough to discuss. Why? The NRA, that why. How much of the drug 
economy in the USA is enforced by political pressure of the NRA? Why isn't it 
racketeering? Why isn't the gun lobby considered racketeers for the drug 
economy in our cities? That is a serious question. The NRA enforces political 
free flow of weapons in the USA. Why is that not a racketeering issue?

Gun issue raised in Pennsylvania governor's race (click here)

June 19, 2010
By Tom Infield, Inquirer Staff Writer

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dan Onorato called on GOP rival Tom Corbett to use his power as state attorney general to end a "Florida loophole" that has increased the ranks of people with the legal right to carry a concealed handgun on Pennsylvania's streets.

Corbett declined, and said Onorato was playing politics by trying to make a big deal of a nonissue.

The exchange Friday came at a time when in past campaigns, candidates might have been lying low. Each needs to rebuild his war chest and regroup for intense battles this fall.

But Onorato, behind in polls, has been pounding away at the Republican nominee with hardly a break since the May 18 primary....

Arkansas

( Danny Johnston / Associated Press )

The home state of former President Clinton is also the site of a lot of gun violence, with a per-capita firearm homicide rate of 3.74. Like a lot of other states on this list, it gets only 4 points from the Brady Center, which means its gun laws are extremely lax, tied for 39th nationwide.

LITTLE ROCK, AR --(Ammoland.com)- The Arkansas Wildlife Federation (click here) recognizes the importance of habitat improvement and development to ensure the future of wildlife populations in Arkansas. The Federation, in cooperation with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and Cooperative Extension Service, each year sponsors an awards program for participants in the Acres for Wildlife Program who performed an outstanding service through the program.

Governor Mike Beebe presented the award this year to the winners during a ceremony at the state capitol on April 28. For their efforts in promoting the AFW Program and wildlife habitat on private lands in Arkansas, Governor Beebe recognized four individuals for outstanding service in establishing and protecting wildlife habitat in Arkansas. A landowner (cooperator), wildlife biologist, wildlife technician and wildlife officer were recognized for their efforts in preserving wildlife habitat in Arkansas. Wayne Shewmake, president of the Arkansas Wildlife Federation also attended....

Why do I worry about our Park Service Officers? I am sure it is irrational.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has announced that new rules allowing the possession of firearms on National Wildlife Refuges and National Parks will take effect on Feb. 22, 2010. (click here)

"After this date (Feb. 22, 2010), the law allows an individual to lawfully possess a firearm within the boundaries of a national wildlife refuge in accordance with federal, state and local firearms laws," stated the FWS in a press release. "Visitors will be allowed to possess firearms on National Wildlife Refuges provided they comply with applicable provisions of federal, state and local law."...

Shooters cannot drink while dining in Georgia.

Georgia

( Joey Ivansco / Atlanta Journal Constitution )

Georgia's gun murder rate of 3.77 per 100,000 residents isn't too peachy. It's tied with Tennessee in the Brady rankings, with 8 points and a tie for 22nd by state.

Shooters can carry their guns into restaurants, but, they can't drink while shooting there.

The state of the Olympic bombing and the arrest of an innocent man.

Georgia governor honors multi-eventer Bill Daprano (click here)

Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue likes guns and geezerjocks. This month, he gave the NRA another popsicle.

“With Perdue’s signature, restaurant patrons will be permitted to carry a firearm, but would be barred from drinking while doing so,” reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “Violations would be a misdemeanor. Concealed weapons will now be allowed in state and local parks. Guns in purses or under jackets will also be allowed on public transportation.”

Tennessee

( Brandon Dill / The Commercial Appeal / Associated Press )

In Tennessee, they like their guns nearly as much as they like their Jack Daniel's whiskey. Could that explain the state's 3.81 per-capita murder rate? Tennessee gets 8 points from the Brady Center, tying it for 22nd.

To left: Police officers comfort each other during a candlelight vigil in Memphis in honor of Officer Martoiya Lang, who was shot and killed while serving a warrant.

All this mess about special legislation to PERMIT guns here, there and everywhere is nothing more than political grandstanding.

Gov. Haslam expects passage of Tennessee guns in parking lots bill (click here)

See, the parking lot thing is vital to carrying guns. It might be legislated you can carry guns at work, at school, at the gym and in public parks, BUT, if you are caught in the parking lots of all these places - THEY GOTCHA.

It is pure moronity.

Does anyone believe police are going to line citizens up in a parking lot to take away their guns?

I mean for real now. Amazing the stupid junk that goes on surrounding this topic.

I'll tell you how stupid the language and discussions are on the Right. This has nothing to do with guns. This was during the culture of fear days of Bush, Jr. The segment was on a FOX news broadcast. Rove was asked about cyber security. His response was something like this: "We have been able to conquer the threat of the internet and computers. We can tell as the person is typing what they are typing. It is very important to the Patriot Act. However, if a person is typing and 'back spacing' to remove letters, we cannot tell what letters they are removing. We haven't conquered the back space yet."

I mean if you want a good laugh, just listen to the idiot of the Right Wing talk political focus. Then people wonder why Speaker Boner can't get his act together on anything. He simply hasn't learned how to decipher what letters when typing on a computer anyone is removing when they back space. Otherwise, I am sure his efforts would be successful.

Mississippi

( Los Angeles Times )

What is it with states beginning with "M"? Mississippi's per-capita gun-slaying rate is 4.46 and, like Missouri, it rates only 4 points on the Brady score card, tying it for 39th.

Mississippi has gun laws? Not in my opinion.

A person indicted or charged with carrying a (concealed) firearm may show as a defense:

• That he was threatened, and had a good and sufficient reason to apprehend a serious attack from an enemy and that he was apprehensive.
• That he was traveling or setting out on a journey and was not a tramp.
• That he was a law enforcement or peace officer in charge of his duties.
• That he was discharging his duties as a mail carrier on duty.
• That he was transporting valuables for an express company or bank.
• That he was a member of the armed forces of the United States, National Guard, State Militia, Emergency Management Corps, or that he was a guard or patrolman in a state or municipal institution while in the performance of his official duties.
• That he was in lawful pursuit of a felon or,
• That he was lawfully engaged in legitimate sports. It is incumbent on the accused to place himself within any one of these exceptions.

These aren't laws, they are excuses to prevent laws from being effective. I really love the tramp thing. That was inspired.

The Governor is a crackpot. Mississippi, citizen as conception mess. Mississippi IS right wing extremism. 

Pro-Choice People Dream of a World Where All Babies Are Aborted, Says Ridiculous Governor (click here)

Pro-Choice people must fall in somewhere with tramps owning guns, don't you think? Yes, indeed, Pro-Choice must be tramps and not on a journey.

Michigan

( Carlos Osorio / Associated Press )

Maybe this is why Robocop was built to patrol the streets of Detroit: Michigan has 4.55 gun homicides for every 100,000 people. It's tied for 11th on the Brady Center ranking, with 25 points.

Best Place to Raise Kids in Michigan: Saline (click here)

Population: 8,786
Great Schools city score: 9
Median family income: $98,125
Housing costs as a percentage of income: 22%
County unemployment rate: 4.6%
Nearby city: Ann Arbor
Along with its sister city Brecon, in Wales, Saline hosts an annual Celtic Festival, full of traditional music and dance. The town particularly prides itself on being close to Ann Arbor, where the University of Michigan provides athletic spectatorship and an arts scene.

Some of the gun laws in Michigan have merit though. I have to wonder how a police officer approaches an intoxicated person in possession of weapons.

...To purchase a handgun (click here) from either a dealer or private individual, the buyer must obtain a license to purchase from the chief of police if the buyer lives in a city, or the county sheriff if he lives in an area without an organized police department.

The buyer must be 18 years of age, a U.S. citizen, a resident of Michigan, have no felony conviction, have never been adjudged insane (unless later restored by court order), and score 70 percent on a basic pistol safety review questionnaire.

The license to purchase must be filled out in triplicate at the time of purchase. The license shall include a description of the handgun sold and the signatures of both the buyer and seller. The seller may retain one copy and the buyer retains the other two.

After purchase and delivery of the handgun is completed, the buyer must return the license to purchase along with the purchased handgun, unloaded and encased or trigger locked, to the local licensing (law enforcement) authority within 10 days.

The buyer (licensee) will then be issued a safety inspection certificate (registration) for the handgun. One copy of the license will be held by the local authority for six years and the remaining copy shall be forwarded to the Commissioner of State Police.

The license, once issued, becomes void if not used within 10 days. A valid Michigan CCW holder is exempt from license to purchase requirement, however is still subject to the registration requirements and a criminal background (NICS) check....

The inspection of the gun purchased prevents fraud. Besides being a safety check on the gun, it matches the buyer to the purchase license and the serial number of the gun.

Can you tell Michigan has been disgusted with its gun issues? At least they are trying. There are immediate seizure laws in Michigan as well.

Pistol Free Areas (click here)

Please refer to MCL 28.425o for the complete statutory text

1. Schools or school property but may carry while in a vehicle on school property while dropping off or picking up if a parent or legal guardian
     
2. Public or private day care center, public or private child caring agency, or public or private child placing agency.
     
3. Sports arena or stadium
     
4. A tavern where the primary source of income is the sale of alcoholic liquor by the glass consumed on the premises
     
5. Any property or facility owned or operated by a church, synagogue, mosque, temple, or other place of worship, unless the presiding official or officials allow concealed weapons
     
6. An entertainment facility that the individual knows or should know has a seating capacity of 2,500 or more
     
7. A hospital
     
8. A dormitory or classroom of a community college, college, or university
     
9. A Casino

"Premises" does not include the parking areas of the places listed above.

The fall in favorability of Snyder has nothing to do with gun laws.

LANSING -- A poll by the Democratic polling firm Public Policy Polling (click here) finds support for Gov. Rick Snyder has plummeted since he changed his position on right-to-work legislation Dec. 6 and backed its fast-track approval in the lame-duck Michigan Legislature.

The poll, released Tuesday, found 38% of Michigan voters approve of Snyder and 56% disapprove, PPP said.

That marks a significant drop from PPP’s last poll on Snyder, the weekend before the Nov. 6 election, when 47% of voters surveyed approved of Snyder and 37% disapproved.

“There’s not much doubt that it’s the right-to-work law and his embrace of other actions by the Republican Legislature that are driving this precipitous drop in Snyder’s popularity,” the polling firm said....

Missouri

( Whitney Curtis / Bloomberg )

The per-capita murder rate in Missouri: 4.59. The Brady Center rating: 4 points, tying it for 39th in the nation on strong gun laws. If you're going to St. Louis, you might want to go armed.

by MidwayUSA 
October 25, 2011

Columbia, MO - MidwayUSA, (click here) a catalog and Internet retailer offering JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING for Shooting, Reloading, Gunsmithing and Hunting, is pleased to welcome Missouri Governor, Jay Nixon, and Executive Director of the Conservation Federation of Missouri, Dave Murphy, to the MidwayUSA Campus on Tuesday, November 1, to kick off the 2011 Share the Harvest program with the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Share the Harvest is a state-funded program that distributes donated venison to families in need with the help of organizations and businesses across the state of Missouri. The program is administered by both the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Conservation Federation of Missouri in collaboration with local food banks. Governor Nixon will visit MidwayUSA to talk about the importance of the program and businesses that support hunting in Missouri....

I really don't believe a venison give away program justifies lack of gun laws. That is all very interesting. A deer is a large mammal with considerable muscle on its skeleton for distribution to others, but, there is no feel good program that should pre-empt gun laws.

PURCHASE (click here)

No state permit is required for the purchase of rifles, shotguns or handguns.

It is unlawful to knowingly sell, lease, loan, give away or deliver a firearm or ammunition to any person who is not lawfully entitled to possess one. It is unlawful to recklessly sell, lease, loan, give away or deliver a firearm or ammunition to a person who is intoxicated. It is unlawful to knowingly sell, lease, loan, give away or deliver any firearm to a person who is not eighteen years old without the consent of the custodial parent or guardian.

I am confused. It requires no state permit to buy the darn things so why say in the law "...not lawfully entitled to possess one."

The Missouri gun laws are virtually non-existent. And I found this pre-emption statute absolutely amazing.

2. No county, city, town, village, municipality, or other political subdivision of this state shall adopt any order, ordinance or regulation concerning in any way the sale, purchase, purchase delay, transfer, ownership, use, keeping, possession, bearing, transportation, licensing, permit, registration, taxation other than sales and compensating use taxes or other controls on firearms, components, ammunition, and supplies except as provided in subsection 3 of this section.

So, basically, if St. Louis has a gun problem; let's say similar to Washington, DC; it could not legislate anything different than the state legislates. Is that constitutional? Can a state impose lack of law legislation on a city? Snyder is trying that with state conservation laws. There cannot be any stricter laws on the books than what the federal laws provide. It is very similar to North Carolina baloney. It doesn't matter if the state bird is failing in Michigan, unless it is endangered or threatened on a federal level. 

Amazing.

But, I believe there is a real challenge to the constitutionality of such limiting laws on cities.

Maryland

( Patrick Semansky / Associated Press )

Maryland's rate of 4.67 firearm slayings per 100,000 residents ranks it the third likeliest place to be shot in the nation. Despite that, the comparatively liberal state has relatively strong gun laws, ranked No. 7 on the Brady Center score card with 45 points.

Governor Martin O'Malley Convenes 'Maryland Forward' Policy Forum on Guns and Gang Violence

Governor introduces new major technologies for Maryland law enforcement

BALTIMORE, MD (March 10, 2011)–Governor Martin O’Malley convened the latest in his series of “Maryland Forward” policy forums today in Baltimore, focused on guns and gang violence.  Joined by Mayor Rawlings-Blake as well as law enforcement and public safety stakeholders, Governor O’Malley facilitated a discussion on progress and opportunities for collaboration in the areas of guns and gang violence.  During the presentation, Governor O’Malley introduced a new, comprehensive warrant database supplying a searchable collection of all open warrants in Maryland, accessible by law enforcement agencies statewide....

Line of Duty Deaths: 298 (click here)

Gunfire: 132
Gunfire (Accidental): 5

The percentage of police deaths due to gun fire is lower, but, still the most predominant reason for their deaths. The other number that struck me funny were the number of automobile accident deaths.

Automobile accident: 36

Maryland in square miles is not that big. Why the high speed chances when there are cameras available to track 'the speed demons and law breakers. Isn't the damage to police cars something to consider when this goes on. Those cars are expensive. The officer's lives are irreplaceable.

High speed chases never made sense to me. There are good substitutes that actually give the criminal the idea they have made a clean get away while police knew where they were all the time and can find them easy enough.

I find the effort to stop gun violence admirable, but, the approach is very weak. 

This is a pet peeve of Mayor Bloomberg. There are states making it difficult for the NYPD to do their jobs because they have lack guns laws and an interstate highway system that runs from Florida to Maine.

The states along the I-95 corridor need their own association to bring them together for a common purpose to stop the flow of weapons in the USA. 

Maryland needs to tighten it up.

Ranked Number Two on the LA Times top ten list.

South Carolina

( Lindsay Semple / thestate.com / December 20, 2012 )

South Carolina had 4.76 gun killings per 100,000 residents in 2011. Its Brady rating is 8, making it tied for 22nd in the country, or roughly average when it comes to gun control laws.

Above: A statue of legendary governor and senator Ben Tillman outside the South Carolina State House.

South Carolina has this provision in the gun laws. Applause, right?

SECTION 16-23-230. (click here) Unlawful storing, keeping, or possessing of machine gun, military firearm, or sawed off shotgun or rifle.

It is unlawful for a person to store, keep, possess, or have in possession or permit another to store, keep, possess, or have in possession a machine gun or firearm commonly known as a machine gun, military firearm, sawed off shotgun, or sawed off rifle, except as provided in Sections 16 23 250 and 23 31 330.
A person who violates the provisions of this section, upon conviction, must be punished pursuant to Section 16-23-260.

The penalty for breaking the law is somewhat more interesting than the law itself.

SECTION 16-23-260. Penalties.
A person violating the provisions of this article is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than ten thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both.

Short and sweet. It is a felony with a fine for breaking the law. The fine cannot be more than $10,000. So, for first time offenders, a slap on the write and court costs?

It gets more interesting, though.

SECTION 16-23-270. Article not applicable to antique firearms.
The provisions of this article shall not apply to antique firearms.

SECTION 16-23-280. Manufacture and sale of machine guns by licensed manufacturer.

Notwithstanding is an interesting word. It's synonym is despite.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this article, machine guns or military firearms manufactured by a firm licensed by the federal government and subject to the Federal Gun Control Act may be legally manufactured, transported, possessed, and sold within the State by the manufacturer thereof.

So, does that mean only the military is buying these guns manufactured in South Carolina, or does it mean citizens of South Carolina are exempt from the laws if they purchase it from a manufacturer within the state? I am not really clear on that one.

There will never be pictures of these Governors with a gun(s). And never with an assault weapon.

Louisiana

( Alex Brandon / Associated Press )

Louisiana doesn't just lead the nation in gun killings, it's No. 1 with a bullet: 8.8 firearm murders per 100,000 residents were reported in 2011, roughly double the number of the next-highest state. Louisiana's gun laws are also extremely permissive. The Brady Center gives it 2 points on its rating of the scope of state gun laws, making it tied for 47th in the country on gun control. Coincidence? You decide.

Rifles and Shotguns (click here)

• Permit to purchase rifles and shotguns? No
• Registration of rifles and shotguns? No
• Licensing of owners of rifles and shotguns? No
• Permit to carry rifles and shotguns? No

Handguns

• Permit to purchase handgun? No
• Registration of handguns? No
• Licensing of owners of handguns? No
• Permit to carry handguns? Yes

Purchase

No state permit is required for the purchase of a rifle, shotgun, or handgun. It is unlawful to sell or deliver firearms or other dangerous weapons to anyone under the age of eighteen. Lack of knowledge of the minor’s age is not a defense.

Possession

No state permit is required to possess a rifle, shotgun, or a handgun. It is illegal for any person who is a national of a country with whom the United States is at war to own, possess, have custody, or use any firearm.

It is unlawful for anyone who has been convicted of certain crimes of violence to possess a firearm for a period of ten years from the date of completion of the sentence, probation, parole or suspension of sentence.

It is unlawful for any person under seventeen to possess a handgun on his person, but this does not apply to any person under seventeen who is attending a hunter’s safety or firearms safety course; engaging in practice in the use of a firearm or target shooting at an established range; hunting or trapping pursuant to a valid license; or traveling to or from one of the above activities.

Carrying

No person shall carry a concealed firearm intentionally without a permit (I really love that part. Intentionally without a permit. Is that a get of jail free card or what?) unless one is a peace officer in performance of his or her official duties. The Deputy Secretary of Public Safety Services of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections shall issue a concealed handgun permit to any citizen who qualifies for a permit.

Peace officer? A peace officer in a state where guns flow like water? 

Speaking of water, do those oil rigs actually need guns on them? I mean all those folks work on a platform isolated from crime. Do they actually get pirates on them?

So, what is the excuse for free flowing guns in Louisiana. 

Louisiana Line of Duty Deaths: 431 (click here)

Gunfire: 244
Gunfire (Accidental): 15

There is even two canine deaths in the line of duty. Police dogs.

One of the arguments coastal states will give for liberal gun laws, is the drug trade and how they can assault sailboats and the like. 

Has anyone seen what the drug trade is using to move drugs into the USA? They are using submarines and narco subs. (click here)

But, certainly boat owners should be allowed to carry weapons to protect themselves, especially ocean going vessels. 

I would think people that send money on ocean going vessels for fishing and pleasure would be serious enough to apply sincere security to the very guns they hope will save their lives if boarded by hostile entities. We all now there are dangers 'at sea.' We know there have been nightmares. I just don't remember those nightmares from being prevented by guns on board. 

What do young men from wealthy white America have in common with young men from poor black America?

Urban states with heavy gang populations (click here) such as California and New York aren't particularly high up on the list of per-capita gun killings, though of course in terms of absolute numbers they look like murder capitals because of their big populations. Mid-size Southern states seem to be the places people are trigger-happiest -- and where, of course, political opposition to gun control often runs strongest. Perhaps that's because most of the bloodletting happens in Southern cities, and it's in rural areas -- where gun violence is slight -- that gun rights are held most sacred. --Dan Turner

It takes money to own a gun. So, how is it that city gangs have guns? They are poor. The white guys are somewhat understandable. They have money available to them and they have parents with money, too. So, what is this mess in the inner city?

Money. There is plenty of money in both places, but, the reasons for the killing is different.

In rich, white America young men are angry and lacking self identity, except, for the violence the gun culture provides. 

In poor, black America young men are violent because their drug economy demands it. Their gangs are a function of their economy. The young poor black American has done something no one else could for decades. They found money in an economy the white folks didn't want.

So, there is no color barrier here. The reasons are different to some extent, but, the fact the rich white guys lack a masculine identity that works for them are right along side of the poor black guy that lacks a masculine identity that works for them.

The American Gun Culture. Violent and a facade to sincere and wholesome self -esteem built on values that work for men of all ages.

Cradle to grave, do American men have self-identities that actually work for them, their communities and their families. 

I was trying to figure out what made young men so angry.

11/2/2012 3:25 PM ET 

Men who have been rendered infertile (click here) after developing testicular cancer as boys may be able to produce sperm using stem cells, says a new study from researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and the Magee-Womens Research Institute.

For the study lead researcher Dr. Kyle Orwig and his team harvested sperm stem cells from twelve adult male monkeys before exposing them to chemotherapy. After the treatment the stem cells were reinserted into the monkeys and nine of the twelve were able to successfully produce sperm once again....

And then I thought, I hadn't a clue. I know what makes young women angry and it has something to do with old white men in Congress. But, the guys? Other than not having sex because of old white men in Congress, I didn't have a clue.

So, rather than try to figure out something men and young men should be doing for themselves, I though I'd take a look at the top ten gun states in the USA. The LA Times did some interesting stuff about that, so I'll follow their lead.

It is Sunday Night.

Soundgarden - Gun live. Gun written by Chris Cornell (click title to entry for website)

Militant they said. Angry young men.


I got an idea of something we can do with a gun 
Sink load and fire till the empire 
Reaps what they've sown 
Shoot shoot shoot till their minds are open 
Shoot shoot shoot till their eyes are closed 
Push push push till we get some motion 
Push push push till the bombs explode 

I got an idea 
We can do it 
All on our own 
Nothing to worry 
Regret must weigh a ton 
Kick kick kick till the laws are broken 
Kick kick kick till the boots are worn 
Hit hit hit till the truth is spoken 
Hit hit hit till the truth is born 

I got an idea of something
we can do with a gun

Soundgarden is a classic Seattle band. It isn't their fault. They weren't only ones. It is the message of the society. The theme of masculinity in the USA. I don't recall any music like John Denver lately. You know. Hug a tree. Rocky Mountain High. All that kind of silly stuff. Calypso. Hug a whale.

I don't even see reruns of Lassie come home. But, there are scads of reruns of shoot 'em up - bang, bang pictures. I think there is an entire cable station dedicated to it.

Soundgarden -- Matt Cameron, left, Kim Thayil, Chris Cornell and Ben Shepherd -- in Seattle in October. (Kevin P. Casey / For The Times)

By Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times

November 27, 2012, 6:00 a.m.

Of all the bands that emerged from Seattle's so-called grungescene in the early 1990s — think of the moody, flannel-clad likes of Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains — none was harder to pin down than Soundgarden.

Brutish but thoughtful, muscular yet deeply melodic, the group's music resisted easy classification, just as frontmanChris Cornell seemed to defy attempts to parse his densely allusive lyrics. Even the band's biggest hit, "Black Hole Sun," which cracked the top 10 of Billboard's pop-radio chart in 1994, remains a mystery from its opening couplet on: "In my eyes, indisposed / In disguises no one knows."

Here was an outfit — one that broke up in 1997 — fully in touch with the value of obscurity.

It came as something of a surprise, then, to hear Cornell describe Soundgarden's new reunion album as an attempt to "demystify" the group's attack.... (click here)

I had to debate with myself to do this of not. This is a lousy subject to discuss this time of year. But. Then I remembered there were people dead this time of year. So, no time like the present.