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ANDREW BARBANO
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Je Suis Charlie
"Our republic and its press will rise or fall together." — Joseph Pulitzer

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Photo: Debra Reid, Sparks Tribune

 


   Everybody knows the dice are loaded.
Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed.
   Everybody knows the war is over.
Everybody knows the good guys lost.
   Everybody knows the fight was fixed.
The poor stay poor, the rich get rich.
   That's how it goes. Everybody knows...
Everybody knows the scene is dead
   But there's gonna be a meter on your bed
That will disclose
   What everybody knows...
   Everybody talking to their pockets.
Everybody wants a box of chocolates
   and a long red rose.
   Everybody knows. Everybody knows.
That's how it goes. Everybody knows.

By Leonard Cohen (1934-2016) & Sharon Robinson
© 1988 CBS Records, Inc.


I hope you understand I just had to go back to the island.
— Leon Russell, 1942-2016


BLACKLASH in Trumpsylvania West
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 2-28-2024 / Updated 3-5-2024 GMT / Expansions in blue


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The Dean's List

   The Dean of Reno Bloggers could very well be Andrew Barbano, self-described "fighter of public demons," who started putting his "Barbwire" columns online in 1996 and now runs 10 sites.

RENO NEWS & REVIEW, 11-9-2006

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The New Messiah warned us: After the election, unnamed blackguards will rename Pennsylvania.

To what? Trumpsylvania, of course, on the day His Wonderfulness returns as third-term presidential dictator for life.

Viruses spread. A gentleman named Jeff Jacobs has vacuumed up much of Reno's West 4th Street, now pockmarked with vacant lots where once stood old motels housing the least among us.

The Jacobeans say they did the lowly renters a favor. Even the streets would be more humane. Them buildings was unfit, infested with mold and vermin and even (gasp) Democrats! Old Fred Trump would be proud.

The Jacobeans eventually trumpeted they would help relocate some of the dispossessed descamisados [1], even giving them a few bucks to help find new lodging.

They also announced ambitious construction projects, including that rare endangered species low-cost housing. I wonder if employees at Mr. Jacobs' rechristened "J" Hotel-Casino will earn enough to afford rent. It used to be called the Sands, then the pretentious Sands Regency, but let j-offs be j-offs.

At least he won't demolish the venerable Gold 'n' Silver Inn coffee shop he bought. At least not yet. Can the day be far when he starts affixing his name in huge gold — and silver — lettering throughout downtown, emulating He Who Must Not Be Named?

All this leads to my religious epiphany, an e-mail from the Rev. Dr. Debra A. Whitlock-Lax, Pastor of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Sparks. Her church also owns its progenitor near JacobsWorld.

There goes the neighborhood.

"Dear Friend of Bethel: I'm urgently reaching out to you about a critical matter threatening the very fabric of our community. Jeff Jacobs of Jacobs Entertainment is orchestrating maneuvers that imperil the historic Bethel AME Church. His efforts to persuade the City of Reno to designate certain streets as abandoned, thereby facilitating the expansion of his company's property line to encroach upon ours, are deeply concerning.

"Let's be clear: our property is not abandoned. It is home to a longstanding church that has served our community faithfully for years. Jeff Jacobs' actions threaten to displace this sacred institution, erasing an integral part of our cultural heritage and the African Methodist Church's historical presence of more than 119 years.

"We cannot stand idly by as Jacobs Entertainment seeks to undermine the integrity of our neighborhood and erode the rich tapestry of our history. That's why I implore you to join me and fellow Bethel members at (Reno) City Hall on Wednesday, February 28, 9:45 a.m.

"Your presence and voice are crucial in this fight to protect Nevada's oldest Black/African American church. We need passionate advocates like you to (defend) the preservation of our community's soul (and) speak out against Jacobs Entertainment's unchecked expansionism.

"Please consider lending your voice for three minutes to underscore why we must resist Jacobs Entertainment's attempts to seize control of downtown. Together, we can safeguard our heritage and ensure that future generations continue to benefit from the invaluable contributions of Bethel AME Church.

"Jeff Jacobs has moved other historically registered property and wants to move our building, currently being rented to a church. We plan to create a Black Cultural Center in the future. Please — stand with me. Stand for justice."

Mama mia.

Opposition to council agenda item C-1 may be entered at <publiccomment@reno.gov> (No hyphens)

I e-mailed this:

"Black History Month BLACKLASH: Once again, Reno City Hall has demonstrated its endemic moral obtuseness — scheduling this hearing at the end of Black History Month.

"Comedian Chris Rock got it right when he asked 'has anyone noticed that they gave us the shortest month of the year?'

"I have searched the council agenda and the 59-page staff report. There is nary a mention of the AME Church or its jeopardy."

One noted Nevada historian responded: "Reno has over 70 National Historic Register properties (including Bethel AME), many near Jacobs developments.

"They tell the story of architecture, commerce, institutions, civic life — subjects important to share with succeeding generations so that emergent leadership can understand the context of decisions made, of issues confronted, and of the panorama that shaped the community they inherit. Educated and informed citizenry create cohesive communities."

Whether or not you read this before the council meeting, send an e requesting inclusion of your opinion in the official record. Contact your officials. It's an election year.

GOWABUNGA, I'm famous. I don't know how he got it, but I got an e from Jacobs lawyer Gordon Garrett who stated "The information outlined in the emails is completely false. I would appreciate the opportunity to provide you with correct information."

Gee. I must have even mis-spelled my own name if everything therein was false.

I thanked him for his response and asked that he send the info. You'll know more when I do. Stay tuned.

UPDATE —> JUICED JACOBS JIG JUNKED! CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OPPONENTS. The anti-church item was pulled from the city council agenda on Feb. 27. People power won a round. It ain't over 'til it's over. Stay tuned.

MAILSTROM, PART DEUX. I used to get prescriptions overnight from Sparks to Reno. Now it takes two days and sometimes more. Some February primary ballots took four or five days to get across town.

MAGA Postmaster Generalissimo Louis the Clueless DeJoy is trying to make matters worse by moving local mail sorting to West Sacramento — everything from northeastern California, northern and central Nevada.

Most voted by mail this month. Washoe voter registrar Cari-Ann Burgess told the Reno Gazette-Journal that this Donner Pass delaying tactic puts ballots in jeopardy of invalidation.

She will advise voters not to use mail if the DeJoy debacle devolves.

Sacramento currently has one whole person trained to postmark Nevada-style ballots. One sick day can tilt elections toward MAGA moonhowlers more likely to vote in person. Which is the idea.

This raises serious constitutional voting rights issues.

If you get this column on or before the Feb. 28 commentary deadline, register your objection at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/mpfr-reno-nv/

A cosmetic public hearing will be scheduled but insiders say this looks like a done deal. Dammit. So much winning, indeed.

This proposal will do nothing save producing manufactured Giuliani-style "evidence" that the postal service should be privatized, Mr. DeJoy's pet project.

As Yogi Berra might say, if Ben Franklin was alive he'd be turnin' over in his grave.

MORE: BARBANO OBJECTION FILED WITH USPS.

¡Sí se puede!

Vaxx up, stay safe, pray for Ukraine and almost 100 other currently war-torn lands.

Be well. Raise hell. / Esté bien. Haga infierno. (Pardon my Spanglish.)
être bien, élever l'enfer (Pardon my French.) Stammi bene. Scatenare l'inferno. (And Italian.)

___________________
Andrew Quarantino Barbano is a 55-year Nevadan and editor of NevadaLabor.com, SenJoeNeal.org, DoctorLawyerWatch.com, BallotBoxing.US, ConsumerCoalitionv.org, ChantalCoalition.org, Rentvolution.org, MIssissippiWestNV.org and CesarChavezNevada.com among others. He is a longtime member of the Reno-Sparks NAACP and Sparks-based Communications Workers of America Local 9413/AFL-CIO. As always, his comments are entirely his own. Barbwire by Barbano has originated in the Sparks Tribune since August 12, 1988.

[1] "descamisados" is Spanish for the "desperate poor;" literally "shirtless ones"; "camisa" is Spanish for shirt. (I took a lot of Latin American history in college and occasionally remember bits and pieces.)

Breaking News —> Masks work!


 

 

Just win, baby
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 2-21-2024
"The only crime is getting caught."

Taylor triumphs, T-Rump teed off
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 2-14-2024 / Updated 2-15-2024 GM

Siren princesses traumatize trolls
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 2-7-2024 / Updated 2-8-2024 GMT

Betty J. Barbano
2-7-1941 / 12-27-2005
 Remember her laughter

Larry Barbano, Frater Mei
1947-2023

To Die For
My daughters were born 65 years ago yesterday. Alas, their youth was cut in twain.
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 1-17-2024

MEMENTO AMORE: ANDY & BETTY CODA FROM MANY DECADES AGO

Commissar T-Rump Serves Czar RasPutin
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 1-31-2024

Ben Franklin's bleary bifocals
Guest-starring Peter Sellers & The Muppets
And a true story: Song from the streets of San Francisco
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 1-24-2024 / Updated 1-26 & 1-27-2024 GMT / Expansions in blue

Cigareetes and whusky and wild, wild women
They'll drive you crazy, they'll drive you insane — Sons of the Pioneers*
MEMENTO AMORE: ANDY & BETTY CODA FROM MANY DECADES AGO

* Lyrics by Tim Spencer. The 1947 song has been recorded by not only Roy Rogers' favorite backups, The Sons, but also Jim Croce and Buck Owens. My all-time favorite came with a killer production number between Peter Sellers and The Muppets. (I'm not making this up) from the "The Muppet Show," largely produced in the UK in the early 1980s. The late great Sellers (aka Dr. Strangelove and so many other characters) is at his best as a tipsy preacher. Enjoyjoy!

Cigareetes, Whisky & Wild, Wild Women
Song by Sons of the Pioneers
Ben Franklin would like this jingle. He lived it.

SELLERS: Old John Barleycorn and the threefaces of Eve...

Cigareetes and whusky and wild, wild women
They'll drive you crazy, they'll drive you insane
Cigareetes and whusky and wild, wild women
They'll drive you crazy, they'll drive you insane

Once, I was happy and had a good wife
I had enough money to last me for life
I met with the gal and we went on a spree
She started me smokin' and drinkin' whusky

Cigareetes and whusky and wild, wild women
They'll drive you crazy, they'll drive you insane
Cigareetes and whusky and wild, wild women
They'll drive you crazy, they'll drive you insane

Cigarettes are a blight on the whole human race
A man is a monkey with one in his face
Take warning dear friend, take warning dear brother
A fire's on one end, a fool's on the t'other

Cigareetes and whusky and wild, wild women
They'll drive you crazy, they'll drive you insane
Cigareetes and whusky and wild, wild women
They'll drive you crazy, they'll drive you insane

Now, I am feeble and broken with age
The lines on my face make a well-written page
I'm leavin' this message, how sad but how true
On women and whusky and what they can do

Cigareetes and whusky and wild, wild women
They'll drive you crazy, they'll drive you insane
Cigareetes and whusky and wild, wild women
They'll drive you crazy, they'll drive you insane

Write on the cross at the head of my grave
For women and whusky, here lies a poor slave
Take warning, dear stranger, take warning, dear friend
Then write in big letters, these words at my end

Cigareetes and whusky and wild, wild women
They'll drive you crazy, they'll drive you insane
Cigareetes and whusky and wild, wild women
They'll drive you crazy, they'll drive you insane

From The Muppet Show Season 2, Episode 18 with Peter Sellers; initially aired 2-25-1978.
Sellers and Muppets did not sing all verses. Ad libs are hilarious.
Lyrics sources: Musixmatch and Genius.com
Songwriter: Tim Spencer
Modified slightly in Buck Owens version on Genius.com
Cigareetes, Whisky and Wild, Wild Women lyrics © Unichappell Music Inc.


ANDY & BETTY CODA FROM MANY DECADES AGO

One evening long ago, my wife and I were walking thru downtown San Francisco when something caught my eye, perhaps a marquee or a sign in a bar window.

I started singing "Cigareetes and whisky and wild wild women..."

"Two outta three ain't bad!" responded one of two guys walking together across the narrow street.

Ah, summer in The City.

 

 

Control freaks and crackerjacks
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 1-3-2024


Hope you and yours enjoyed Happy High Holly Days
Christmas/Kwanzaa/Solstice/Festivus/Chanukah/Thanksgibleting
Feliz Navidad, próspero año y felicidad
HAPPY NEW YEAR / Feliz Año Nuevo / Felice Anno Nuovo
Frohe Weihnachten und beste Wuensche fuer 2024\

Betty J. Barbano
2-7-1941 / 12-27-2005
 Remember her laughter

Larry Barbano, Frater Mei
1947-2023

T-Rump raps America
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 12-27-2023
Donald Trump's campaign goes hip-hop

An eye for an eye
A tooth for a tooth
Vote for me
and I'll set you free.
Rap on, brother, rap on
                                        — The Temptations 1970

The greatest movie never made
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 12-20-2023


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Why the science is clear that masks work
By Zeynep Tufecki / The New York Times / 3-10-2023

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$75 dead or alive: Still crazy after all these years
A mass murderer becomes famous on TV a century later
How come nobody noticed 'til now?
Barbwire by Andrew Barbáno / Expanded from the 2-21-2018 Sparks Tribune

Triangle Shirtwaist Factory owners Max Blank and Isaac Harris. Is not Mr. Harris eerily familiar to television junkies?
From the Emmy-winning opening slate of the blockbuster "Cheers" television series. Combined with its "Frasier" spinoff, it lasted 20 years.
The "shirtwaist kings" immigrated from Russia and made a fortune manufacturing "Gibson Girl"-style blouses. (Photo, "The American Experience"/PBS)
 The Emmy-winning opening slate of the "Cheers" television series before the "slate" of creators is superimposed. Looks like Mr. Harris' dead ringer (at left) is having a bloody good time.

"Who ya gonna believe, me or your own eyes?" — Chico Marx disguised as Groucho Marx in "Duck Soup" (1933)
Back to the story of the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist holocaust

Triangle tragedy recalled as requiem
"The Fire in My Mouth," a new oratorio by Pulitzer honoree Julia Wolfe, premiered with the New York Philharmonic Jan. 24
By Michael Cooper / The New York Times 1-23-2019

Wasting workers where everybody knows your name
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 10-18-2023

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Copyright © 1982-2024 Andrew Barbano

Andrew Barbano is a 55-year Nevadan, editor of NevadaLabor.com and SenJoeNeal.org; and former chair of the City of Reno's Citizens Cable Compliance Committee. He was the longtime executive producer of Nevada's annual César Chávez Day celebration and a quarter-century member of the Reno-Sparks NAACP. As always, his opinions are strictly his own. E-mail barbano@frontpage.reno.nv.us.

Barbwire by Barbano moved to Nevada's Daily Sparks Tribune on Aug. 12, 1988, and has originated in them parts ever since.
Whom to blame: How a hall-of-famer's hunch birthed the Barbwire in August of 1987
Tempus fugit.

Betty J. Barbano
2-7-1941 / 12-27-2005

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