STOP THE FEAR MONGERING

The Republican National Committee is paying attention to Dennis Kucinich's leadership against the war and occupation, and has launched a TV ad aimed at frightening people. It begins with President Bush saying "It would take one vial, one canister, one crate slipped into this country to bring a day of horror like none we have ever known."

Here's what Dennis said yesterday in response: "The Republican National Committee is using money that derives largely from the wealthiest few in America to pay for advertisements aimed at keeping all Americans scared. We will not be frightened into submission. We will not forget the lies we were told about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. We will not forget that Iraq had nothing to do with 9-11. We will remember that for the hundreds of billions we are spending on an unjust and destabilizing occupation in Iraq, we could have an investment in American education that would include free pre-kindergarten and free college tuition. We need to get our priorities straight and not give in to the fear-mongering. I offer America the hope of a new approach and a clear choice in the next election." VOTE FOR KUCINICH ... HE IS THE RIGHT CHOICE!!!!

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[Note ... Review from Internet on Pearl Jam latest DVD release of MSG show I saw back in July 2003.]

DVD PROVES PEARL'S GREATNESS

By MARK S. KRZOS
mkrzos@news-press.com

Pearl Jam's new DVD proves that the band deserves mention alongside other legendary rock acts such as The Who and Led Zeppelin. Pearl Jam no longer sounds like the band dozens of others have copied since its 1991 debut, "TEN." Nor does Pearl Jam fly around the stage like crazed hummingbirds anymore.

What Pearl Jam does do on their new DVD, "Live at the Garden" (recorded July 8 at Madison Square Garden), however, is prove it's one of the greatest rock bands in the world. Not to take anything away from other bands that can make great music in the studio and on stage, but Pearl Jam runs the gamut of musical extremes.

"Live" (4 stars of 4) gives fans a slew of punk rockers like "Save You" and "Last Exit," the sailor song "I Am Mine" and some soft, melodic tunes like "Black" and straight-forward rock songs like "Faithful."

What truly makes this DVD special are the close-ups of the band as well as special guest appearance by the Buzzcocks and Ben Harper, who walks out on stage as Pearl Jam's lead vocalist Eddie Vedder adds Harper's "My Own Two Hands" to the end of "Daughter."

But what's most impressive about "Live" is the sound. It's powerful, challenging, fearless and explosive — and a more accurate representation of a Pearl Jam concert than any one of the 72 CDs of the concerts the band performed this year. Since Pearl Jam decided to step out of the spotlight by refusing to make videos, award-show appearances or music that caters to specific rock radio formats, they've secured their place among the greatest bands in rock history.

Don't believe me? At one point on "Live," Vedder tells the audience the band was frightened during their song "Do the Evolution," because the stage was shaking. A Madison Square Garden official then walks up to Vedder and says that's only happened three other times — once during a Grateful Dead concert, another during an Iron Maiden performance and once during a Bruce Springsteen concert.

Unlike the band's Florida performances earlier this year, which seemed to lack energy and precision, Pearl Jam is tight and flawless in its execution on stage at MSG. Covers of Mother Love Bone's "Crown of Thorns" and The Who's "Baba O'Riley" are played to perfection. And Vedder's singing and smoking during "Crazy Mary" is sure to conjure up images of, dare I say, Frank Sinatra.

While grunge-lite bands like the Stone Temple Pilots, Bush, Creed, Staind and Nickelback have become stars by ripping off the Pearl Jam sound found on "TEN," Pearl Jam has evolved into something much more than the Seattle sound of the early 1990s. They're true rock musicians who deserve a place right alongside rock gods such as Neil Young, The Who and Led Zeppelin.