When the War Hits Close to Home

I’ve stayed away from politics on this blog deliberately. But I got this in an email today from an emerging LA alt-country musician named Kristy Kruger, whose set I caught a number of months ago at the Mint and enjoyed enough to join her mailing list, and whose email announcements have (until now) always been strikingly upbeat and personal:

. . . my show, Friday, Dec. 8th at the Hotel Cafe, 11pm, in honor of my brother Lt. Col. Eric John Kruger, who I sadly, am reporting was killed in Iraq Nov. 2nd. My brother loved music and the only thing I know to do from here is to share music in his spirit. Please join us if you are free, to see the loving faces of my friends is all I can think that would help me bring a little joy back in my life during this tragic and sad time.

I just can’t imagine. Or understand why this is good for the country, democracy, or the world.