Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Get Ready to Never Do Another Thing at Your Computer (MTV Videos online)

Prepare to never do anything at your computer again... ever.

MTV just went live with their new music video database. Watch any music video ever made.

Oh, my.

I just finished watching: Oingo Boingo's "Private Life," Dire Straits' "Money for Nothing," Andrew Bird's "Imitosis," u2's "One," Daft Punk's "Around the World," and I'm just getting started!

Have fun kids!

http://www.mtvmusic.com/

Monday, October 27, 2008

The Republican Party is Promoting Racism (don't believe me? read on)

Just so you don't think I'm simply making things up, let's start off with this:



My parents received the flier in question while I was visiting them last week at their home in Indiana.

Go ahead. Click on the images to the left. These are scans of a mailing being sent out by the Indiana Republican Party.

Yes, the Republican Party is promoting racism as a campaign tactic.

This is absolutely unacceptable.

I realize the gloves come off at election time. If you're on the ballot, expect them to go through your trash and closets with a fine-tooth comb.

However, making things up is way out of line. Furthermore, making things up that promote and inflame racial tension is not only irresponsible, but should be punishable by law (hate crime is illegal). Yes we've all heard about people shouting things like "terrorist" and "kill him" at McCain/Palin rallies. Obviously there are idiots everywhere, and not everyone has the benefit of education and an informed world view on their side.

However, when Government Officials start participating, we need to take a step back and re-examine what we're going to call "fair play."

Repute the claims however you want, but the fact of the matter is that Obama is certainly not a terrorist, he was 8 years old when Ayers was doing the things that have gotten him labeled a terrorist, and someone does not become a terrorist simply by proximity. Yes Obama lives in a neighborhood near Ayers' current location (Hyde Park in Chicago), and yes Obama served on a board that Ayers was also on. Obama has refuted any ties to Ayers (especially and emphatically the claims that they are "friends"), and unless there is any more "proof" of binding ties to bring to the table, that should be that.

Instead, The Republican Party, in what I would posit has become a "typical" method of preying on fear and hatred, is continuing to stretch any sort of truth far beyond breaking point.

The first page of this flyer puts an uncredited Ayers quote [10/28/08: looking at that quote again, I don't think it's even an Ayers quote --I think it might be from one of the 9/11 terrorists; wtf?!], poignantly dated 9/11, next to a photograph of Obama looking over his shoulder. Also in bold text: "Terrorist. Radical. Friend of Obama."

I'm not sure that there's any reason to further explore the mailing itself, but I think people need to be aware of what is being put into play, who is doing it, and what the repercussions are.

This behavior is simply disgusting. I'd like to say I can't even believe it, but I guess I need to come to terms with the fact that we live in a new era of fear-mongering and hate.

Let's change that.

Please get out there on November 4th and make your voice for truth, honesty, fairness, equality and love for your fellow citizens heard loud and clear. We simply can't take much more of this before the whole thing goes down the tubes.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

PAY ATTENTION: this is NOT change

I thought it was funny when McCain simply stole Obama's "Change" slogan. Obama was using it long ago, but OK, if people want to look the other way while McCain proves he can't come up with his own slogan and has to just steal one from his opponent... whatever. I think it just emphasizes the fact that McCain is following Obama's lead (the "experienced" one stealing from the "inexperienced" one... that irony alone should raise a million red flags).

What I do have a major problem with is the fact that it's a lie. McCain promises change, a move away from the current administration, but unless you were hit over the head and have been in a coma for the past month (or longer), it's impossible to ignore the fact that McCain is using the same tactics of fearmongering and hate promotion that the Bush administration has relied so heavily upon for the past 8 years.

Here is an open letter to John McCain that Frank Schaeffer published in the Baltimore Sun:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.mccain10oct10,0,7557571.story

It's very short and definitely worth reading, but if you're not going to follow the jump, at least read this excerpt:
John McCain, you're walking a perilous line. If you do not stand up for all that is good in America and declare that Senator Obama is a patriot, fit for office, and denounce your hate-filled supporters when they scream out "Terrorist" or "Kill him," history will hold you responsible for all that follows.

John McCain and Sarah Palin, you are playing with fire, and you know it. You are unleashing the monster of American hatred and prejudice, to the peril of all of us. You are doing this in wartime. You are doing this as our economy collapses. You are doing this in a country with a history of assassinations.

Change the atmosphere of your campaign. Talk about the issues at hand. Make your case. But stop stirring up the lunatic fringe of haters, or risk suffering the judgment of history and the loathing of the American people - forever.

We will hold you responsible.

Racism and Stupidity is Alive and Well in America

I guess I'm aware that it's out there, but did you realize there are people this... I hesitate to say it, but "stupid" is the only word that seems appropriate, living here in America in this day and age?

Please, please, please don't let this kind of hatred and bigotry represent our great country.


Monday, October 6, 2008

Don't Let Hate and Fear Win: Volunteer to Keep America Beautiful

Everywhere I go I hear people worried , nay terrified, about the serious detriment that would be caused by the unthinkable travesty of McCain and Pallin becoming the next "leaders" of this great country. More of the same. More of a few selfish individuals using their power by wealth to prevent equality and growth among so many wonderful people.

"But what can I do?" is the constant cry. Well, let me tell you. It's easy to volunteer for change in a great number of ways.


The easiest way I've found is by going to BarackObama.com and signing up to make phone calls. They will provide you with a call list and a script. You can select from registered Democrats, persuadable undecideds, etc... It's extremely easy, and it's actually pretty fun!

Everyone we've spoken with has been friendly (I expected more annoyed people worried about their privacy and free time, but everyone has seemed interested and definitely willing to talk).

You can also find out where your local Barack Obama headquarters are and simply walk in and volunteer. Whether it's making phone calls, stuffing envelopes, hanging signs, etc., you can do your part to make a huge difference, and make sure this country gets back on track as a beacon of hope for people around the world.

(click the two images to the left to see actual call sheet screen shots)

Whether you want to make phone calls for Barack, or go around to your neighbors knocking on doors, click here to get started!

(http://my.barackobama.com/page/votercontact/landing)

ROCK THE FREAKIN' VOTE!!!