A Moment of Clarity.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Up in Smoke?
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Real Talk.
A Moment of Clarity.
Words.
"Several tax cuts are slated to expire at the end of the year, which means that the lame-duck Congress will face several tough decisions come November. To hear campaigning lawmakers tell it, however, the only tax issue out there is whether to extend the Bush-era tax cuts for the rich. The debate and the work can’t end there.
Voters need to hear more about where their representatives stand on extending far more equitable, and economically sound, Obama-era tax cuts.
...The country needs a full debate on all the pending tax decisions — the benefits and costs of each. If the politicians keep talking solely about tax cuts for the rich, whether for or against, everyone will be shortchanged."
THE NEW YORK TIMES: One-Note Tax Debate
Words.
"Several tax cuts are slated to expire at the end of the year, which means that the lame-duck Congress will face several tough decisions come November. To hear campaigning lawmakers tell it, however, the only tax issue out there is whether to extend the Bush-era tax cuts for the rich. The debate and the work can’t end there.
Voters need to hear more about where their representatives stand on extending far more equitable, and economically sound, Obama-era tax cuts.
...The country needs a full debate on all the pending tax decisions — the benefits and costs of each. If the politicians keep talking solely about tax cuts for the rich, whether for or against, everyone will be shortchanged."
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
A Wolf at the Door.
A Moment of Clarity.
Words.
"...In describing the big-business group as "us," Beck (annual revenue: $32 million) provided an unintended moment of clarity into the power behind the Tea Party movement. These aren't peasants with pitchforks; these are plutocrats with payrolls.
There is genuine populist anger out there. But the angry have been deceived and exploited by posers who belong to the same class of "elites" and "insiders" that the Tea Party movement supposedly deplores. Americans who want to stick it to the man are instead sending money to the man..."
THE WASHINGTON POST: A Tea Party of populist posers
Words.
"...In describing the big-business group as "us," Beck (annual revenue: $32 million) provided an unintended moment of clarity into the power behind the Tea Party movement. These aren't peasants with pitchforks; these are plutocrats with payrolls.
There is genuine populist anger out there. But the angry have been deceived and exploited by posers who belong to the same class of "elites" and "insiders" that the Tea Party movement supposedly deplores. Americans who want to stick it to the man are instead sending money to the man..."
TELEVISION TELEVISION!
Another morning. Another workout. Another viewing of a music video from an act getting its feet wet/trying to grab our attention/stand out in the crowd. Worthy of a repeat listen? Press play and find out...
New flava in MY ear!
Mindless Behavior.
My Girl.
New flava in MY ear!
Mindless Behavior.
My Girl.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Rage, Against the Machine.
"[Carl] Paladino is no anomaly in American politics in 2010. He’s just the most clownish illustration of where things have been heading for two years and are still heading. Like the farcical Christine O’Donnell in another blue Northeastern state, he’s a political loss-leader, if you will, whose near-certain defeat on Nov. 2 allows us to indulge in a bit of denial about the level of rage still coursing, sometimes violently, through our national bloodstream.
That wave of anger began with the parallel 2008 cataclysms of the economy’s collapse and Barack Obama’s ascension. The mood has not subsided since. But in the final stretch of 2010, the radical right’s anger is becoming less focused, more free-floating — more likely to be aimed at “government” in general, whatever the location or officials in charge. The anger is also more likely to claim minorities like gays, Latinos and Muslims as collateral damage. This is a significant and understandable shift, if hardly a salutary one. The mad-as-hell crowd in America, still not seeing any solid economic recovery on the horizon, will lash out at any convenient scapegoat.
...Don’t expect the extremism and violence in our politics to subside magically after Election Day — no matter what the results. If Tea Party candidates triumph, they’ll be emboldened. If they lose, the anger and bitterness will grow. The only development that can change this equation is a decisive rescue from our prolonged economic crisis. Not for the first time in history — and not just American history — fear itself is at the root of a rabid outbreak of populist rage against government, minorities and conspiratorial “elites.”
So far neither party has offered a comprehensive antidote to our economic pain. The Democrats have fallen short, and the cynics leading the G.O.P. haven’t so much as tried. We shouldn’t be surprised that this year even a state as seemingly well-mannered as Connecticut has produced a senatorial candidate best known for marching into a wrestling ring to gratuitously kick a man in the groin."
Saturday, October 16, 2010
"REAL TALK!"
Words.
"...it's hard to deny that religious voices denouncing LGBT people contribute to the atmosphere in which violence against LGBT people and bullying of LGBT youth can flourish.
...The news is filled with the tragedies of teenaged boys who were gay and decided to end their living hell by committing suicide. Maybe they weren't even gay, but merely perceived to be by their peers, who harassed, taunted, and threatened them unmercifully.
These were real kids with real names.
...Despite the progress we're making on achieving equality under the law and acceptance in society for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people, why this rash of bullying, paired with self-loathing, ending in suicide? With humility and heartfelt repentance I assert that religion -- and its general rejection of homosexuality -- plays a crucial role in this crisis..."
Friday, October 15, 2010
The Darkness.
Words.
"Spiritual bullying is deadly. Children are listening when religious leaders call gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people sinners. Children hear them when they shout "abomination" from the pulpit, when they scream, "Thou shalt not!"
There is no turning back when a child has heard he or she is evil one too many times. No prayer, no line from a book written by men, will undo a child's last prayer for help.
...My heart is heavy. My eyes are tired. I can not read another story about a young person taking his or her life because of bullying in any form. I want the world to be truly holy. I want the world to be a place where all people are loved and cherished for who they are. I want us to have compassion for one another and to help each other in times of need. I want a world where we find the Spirit in truth, not through the manipulations of power hungry men and women.
Do you agree?..."
Thursday, October 14, 2010
"GET UP! STAND UP!"
A Moment of Clarity.
"GOOD TIMES!"
Words.
"Constant repetition of anti-government rhetoric in our political echo chamber has dulled Americans into overlooking an important and perhaps surprising fact: We have just lived through one of the more notable successes of government intervention in modern times -- the auto and bank rescues that almost surely saved the country from another Great Depression.
...It's one thing to denounce government when it fails to achieve its goals. But to ignore government's achievements in times of crisis is willfully stupid. Especially when, as in the auto and bank bailouts, government was coming to the rescue of private companies that had endangered the country.
...here's the point that nobody in politics seems to get: The government interventions worked. The companies were saved. Most of the money that taxpayers invested is likely to be repaid. Many politicians talk as if the whole process was a disaster, but it wasn't. Private actors made bad decisions, but public officials generally made good ones.
...President Obama and the Democrats should stop running scared on this one. The truth is that the government rescue of the auto and finance industries was a success and a necessary condition for the economic recovery that's slowly gathering steam. Stop apologizing; start taking credit for policies that worked."
THE WASHINGTON POST: Bank, auto rescues aren't getting the credit they deserve
EARLIER:
RESPECT YOURSELF!
Words.
"Constant repetition of anti-government rhetoric in our political echo chamber has dulled Americans into overlooking an important and perhaps surprising fact: We have just lived through one of the more notable successes of government intervention in modern times -- the auto and bank rescues that almost surely saved the country from another Great Depression.
...It's one thing to denounce government when it fails to achieve its goals. But to ignore government's achievements in times of crisis is willfully stupid. Especially when, as in the auto and bank bailouts, government was coming to the rescue of private companies that had endangered the country.
...here's the point that nobody in politics seems to get: The government interventions worked. The companies were saved. Most of the money that taxpayers invested is likely to be repaid. Many politicians talk as if the whole process was a disaster, but it wasn't. Private actors made bad decisions, but public officials generally made good ones.
...President Obama and the Democrats should stop running scared on this one. The truth is that the government rescue of the auto and finance industries was a success and a necessary condition for the economic recovery that's slowly gathering steam. Stop apologizing; start taking credit for policies that worked."
EARLIER:
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Paper Trail.
Words.
"The emergence of the neo-populist "tea party" has been the big story of this election cycle. After the votes are cast in November, we may realize that the political resurgence of big business and great wealth was far more significant in determining election outcomes.
To an extent not seen in generations, companies and wealthy investors with a naked economic interest in influencing election results are pouring money into races.
Big money's reassertion of its interests is the result of two recent game-changing events. One was the Supreme Court's 5-4 decision in Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission...The other was emendation of the tax code to allow creation of so-called 501(c)(4) political action committees to which donors can contribute anonymously. Such organizations are supposed to make less than half of their expenditures for political purposes. But the definition of "educational" activity is extremely squishy, and organizations are able to lump a lot of things that look like blatant politicking under that umbrella.
...(Mark)Hanna once remarked: "There are two things that are important in politics. The first is money and I can't remember what the second one is."
It will be a tragedy if we can't remember either."
A Moment of Clarity.
It only lasted for a minute and some change, but it hit me like a breath of fresh air. Completely unexpected, yet accepted -and needed-completely. In a month and a time period in which homosexual youths are succumbing to the voices in their heads telling them to give it up, end it here, it’ll never get better. At a time in which the word of God is used by some to denounce those they deem deviant, while (allegedly) indulging in the whims and wants of those so called miscreants. At a time in which certain politicians stumble, fall, and trip all over their words while offering up half hearted apologies for the hate speak and negativity they espoused while blatantly speaking their minds unfiltered and appealing to a base, it’s nice and refreshing to see us still living. It’s nice and refreshing to see us accepted. It’s nice and refreshing to see us be who we are and wanna be, unfiltered. It’s nice and refreshing to have some solidarity, this enthusiasm; allies, comrades, FRIENDS(!)...
It only lasted for a minute and some change, but it hit me, it hit US, like a breath of fresh air.
And for that I must say, ‘Go on Antoine, I ain’t mad at cha!’
It only lasted for a minute and some change, but it hit me, it hit US, like a breath of fresh air.
And for that I must say, ‘Go on Antoine, I ain’t mad at cha!’
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Words.
A Moment of Clarity.
"The last two weeks have been ugly for gay men and lesbians -- and for America. In addition to the violence in the Bronx, there have been attacks on homosexuals in other parts of New York City and suicides of gay teenagers across the country who were literally bullied to death.
Where do bullies get their ammunition, the hurtful slurs that eat away at the self-esteem of those who are gay or lesbian? What makes someone feel it's okay to verbally and physically harass, maim or even kill?
One source is politicians such as Mr. Paladino who continue to espouse their belief that being gay is an immoral or unnatural "lifestyle" choice that can be changed at will. As long as such dehumanizing ignorance and intolerance go unchallenged, the horrors and suicides will continue."
THE WASHINGTON POST: Politicians' intolerance help fuel climate of hate against gays and lesbians
"The last two weeks have been ugly for gay men and lesbians -- and for America. In addition to the violence in the Bronx, there have been attacks on homosexuals in other parts of New York City and suicides of gay teenagers across the country who were literally bullied to death.
Where do bullies get their ammunition, the hurtful slurs that eat away at the self-esteem of those who are gay or lesbian? What makes someone feel it's okay to verbally and physically harass, maim or even kill?
One source is politicians such as Mr. Paladino who continue to espouse their belief that being gay is an immoral or unnatural "lifestyle" choice that can be changed at will. As long as such dehumanizing ignorance and intolerance go unchallenged, the horrors and suicides will continue."
Monday, October 11, 2010
Money Talks.
Words.
"The 2010 election is turning into a class war. The wealthy and the powerful started it.
This is a strange development. President Obama, after all, has been working overtime to save capitalism. Wall Street is doing just fine, and the rich are getting richer again. The financial reform bill passed by Congress was moderate, not radical.
Nonetheless, corporations and affluent individuals are pouring tens of millions of dollars into attack ads aimed almost exclusively at Democrats. One of the biggest political players, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, accepts money from foreign sources.
The chamber piously insists that none of the cash from abroad is going into its ad campaigns. But without full disclosure, there's no way of knowing if that's true or simply an accounting trick. And the chamber is just one of many groups engaged in an election-year spending spree..."
Saturday, October 09, 2010
Friday, October 08, 2010
TELEVISION TELEVISION!
Another morning. Another workout. Another viewing of a music video from an act getting its feet wet/trying to grab our attention/stand out in the crowd. Worthy of a repeat listen? Press play and find out...
New flava in MY ear!
Auburn feat. Iyaz.
La, La, La.
New flava in MY ear!
Auburn feat. Iyaz.
La, La, La.
Thursday, October 07, 2010
Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic!
You can get with this:
Or you can get with that:
PITCHFORK: Caribou: "Leave House (Motor City Drum Ensemble Remix)"
Or you can get with that:
Wednesday, October 06, 2010
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
Monday, October 04, 2010
Lucky 1.
A "New flava in ya ear!" Production.
PITCHFORK: Listen: New Single From Animal Collective's Avey Tare
Sunday, October 03, 2010
Saturday, October 02, 2010
Friday, October 01, 2010
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