Congress is debating FISA today. Will Dems bow down to their Telecom masters? (We need not ask about the Repugs: they are proud subbies, but the Dems sometimes flirt with Constitutional principles.)

While we wait, here's "The Blinding," by Babyshambles. No one stateside gives these guys -- okay, Pete Doherty -- much respect. If he is discussed at all, it is the usual hipster snark about his drug habits (will they be laughing if he actually overdoses?) or facile comparisons to fellow drug fiend Amy Winehouse (likewise). At best, his current band will be compared unfavorably to his previous one, the Libertines, who, admittedly, did kick ass.

The Libertines, by the way, just might get back together, and that would be exciting. But, damnit, Babyshambles has had some fine moments. As this song shows, Doherty has an impeccable ear for a hook. He actually manages to make thrashing garage band bar chords sound fresh and new. I am also fond of this video because it shows brief flashes of the Corpus Christi portrait of Christopher Marlowe, who not only influenced a generation of playwrights (Shakespeare included) but  also invented rock 'n' roll (one of these days I'll explain). Enjoy!