Corrosive Material

Corrosive Material

Mostly music, most of the time.

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DVD Review: King Corn

August 31, 2009

King Corn – a documentary by Aaron Woolf (director), Ian Cheney, and Curtis Ellis

I watched this movie last night.  I cannot underestimate how moved I still am by it.  I’m not sure if it’s a “watershed” moment in my life yet….but this morning I got up and looked at my option for breakfast.  I’m realizing I will never look at my food, or anything at the grocery store, the same – ever again.

The doc starts out with two recent college graduates (Cheney and Ellis) that hear that, for the first time in generations, our current generation could be actually have a lower lifespan than the one before it, because of what we ate.  They get with a scientist at the University of Virginia, who tests their hairs, and find that they are quite literally turning into corn – as the saying goes, “you are what you eat.”  They guys set out to move to Iowa for a year, purchase an acre of land, and become corn growers.  They find that they aren’t growing the corn you pop out of your Green Giant can.

I don’t really want to start giving away a lot of this documentary, but in the talks they have with scientists, professors, and the corn growers themselves, a lot of things about food are brought to light.  A particularly interesting conversation with Earl Butz puts a LOT of perspective on why corn, specifically commodity corn, is the primary staple.  The history of the migration, modification, the very real and present health implications (on the human and beast) of the corn is very telling as well.  (Sidenote:  I’ve had Michael Pollan’s Omnivore’s Dilemma for a while.  I believe I will be reading this book, directly after I finish The Family.  Dave, nice pickup.)

A must see documentary.  I can honestly say it’s probably going to change how I feel about food, and what I choose to eat, forever.

The Invisible Crisis: Part II – Why you need to close your Facebook account.

August 31, 2009 — 2 Comments

I don’t have a Facebook account.  I have a Twitter account that I’ve barely used, and I’ll probably close it as soon as I feel like logging in to kill it.

It’s not because I’m cooler than everyone else, or anything of the sort.  Prior to a little thought, the only reason I hadn’t fixed one up was because of my time constraints – I just didn’t have time to really get into Facebook, when I could just email/text/IM/call whoever I really wanted to talk to.  As I began to investigate a little more, and asked myself (once I had time) why it would even be worthwhile to have one.  I suppose I could catch up with people…I could find new friends…connect with old ones…and so on, and so forth.  I’ve even had a little pressure/teasing on why I didn’t have one.  Then, I thought back to my short MySpace experience – and since Facebook is just a better MySpace, I quickly started to realize and recall the epic failures of this sort of media, to include Twitter (and sites like these.)

Information:

I’m basically convinced that the information you put on the pages are going to be used against people at some point.  There have been numerous studies on privacy/infosec issues.   I suppose the “Big Brother-government” could be an issue, however my real concern is toward how Facebook, Twitter, and other private entities, can use your information.  If you look at the terms of service you agree to for your account usage, you will see that they can basically keep and use your content, your name and likeness, and images literally forever.   On top of it, you end up disclosing all kinds of information to corporations, corporate criminals, and the regular “I’m going to find your daughter, and trick her into meeting me, and rape her” criminals as well.  Data mining has always been an issue, as anyone can find a way to gather all sorts of information, including those 3rd party add-ons and advertising sucking up info.

There is also the stupidity clause that has to be used.  Please read the following (from a wikipedia entry):

In December 2006, campus police at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington were investigating the theft of two PlayStation consoles, which had been stolen by the two perpetrators of a beating and robbery on campus. They planned to raid the rented house of Peyton Strickland, an 18-year-old student at nearby Cape Fear Community College. They discovered that the other alleged robber, Ryan Mills, had posted photographs of himself on Facebook in which he posed with guns. Expecting “heavily armed resistance” at Strickland’s house, the officers called in a SWAT team for backup to raid Strickland’s house. When they arrived at the residence, which three students rented, they were not immediately let in. As one officer began to break down the door with a battering ram, another officer mistook the sound of the battering ram for gunshots and shot into the door, killing the unarmed Strickland.[19] The officer, Christopher Long, was not charged with second-degree murder by two different grand juries.

…where do I begin?

And apparently, you can actually do too much on Facebook, to where they can shut down the account – for example, if the big computer thinks you post too much, or you add too many people….they can shut you down for whatever reason.  Kind of totalitarian, no?

Time to get stupider:

There is a study that basically say collegiate holders of Facebook accounts do worse in school than those who don’t have them.  Now that doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re dumber for using Facebook.  But the study obviously suggests some sort of negative relationship between learning and Facebook.  I believe that there is definitely a negative connotation – if you use Facebook/Twitter/MySpace, you’re dumbing yourself down.  You’ve read that clearly:  you and I are regressing by use of short burst media.

There is a very negative trend happening in America specifically that has been here since the advent of television.  Since the introduction of TV to the American household, the attention spans of its citizens has dwindled.  We no longer read newspapers, certain magazines, or books as much as we used to even 5-10 years ago.  The home and portable computer pushed this trend even further forward.  It was all so, and still is, very “instant.”  You can have it right now.  You don’t have to read a book/newspaper anymore to get a gist of thing that happen, because it’s been cut up for you in nice bite-size, summarized nuggets.  TV meals were invented for the 30 minute segments of shows that would come on – you would get your basic food groups covered: a meat, a veggie, a starch, and a dessert of some kind, to be mostly consumed by the time you finished watching The Bob Newhart Show.

There is an inherent issue in short burst media – the gist has become the end all, be all.  The most important aspect of learning something – understand the background and genesis of this new item – is no longer needed.  Not only is it not needed, it’s no longer asked for.  The gist is basically now good enough to not just get by, but to thrive.  Our sense of time, and our aversion to using any prolonged amount of it, feeds into this, because while we want to know what’s happening int he world, or we want to laugh, or we want to drop a quick note to someone, there is no real context.  And this goes especially with Twittering.  You end up dropping lines, filling up the 140 character quotas, and it sort of defines the state of you – at that particular moment.

Think about that.  That short burst of you, represents your essence.  It is you, not who you really are, but what you typed out that is cemented in people’s minds.  The person have no background of you, and will automatically use what you’ve written as the baseline for your being present, not just online, but in reality.  And that’s enough for them, because their attention spans cannot really handle a whole lot more.  I know for certain, where someone thought this posting was good or not, in 2009 – it’s not going to be read all the way through.  I read Tom Friend’s articles on ESPN.com.  I love his work, even though he seems to post small novels on the site.  In the comments sections, or here at work, I’ve listened/read that people loved his articles….but some of them readily admitted that they hadn’t read it all of the way through – even though they also admitted they had gotten emotional about the subjects and subject matter Friend poignantly writes about.  Hell, I’m guilty of not reading the books I purchased in it’s entirety, not because the subject is boring, but because of my use of time.  “I have so much to do…so little time to do it all.”

Thus the short burst media of today – the media of the out-of-context gists.  You have celebrities believing they have a connection with the masses through these Twitters, while the masses are in turn hoping they themselves become gist-famous enough for people to track them.  Michael Beasley was admitted into a mental institution following some disturbing Twitters he made, although the empty baggies in the photo should’ve been the tale-tell sign.  I’m willing to bet he’s not the only person who knows what he had in the baggie – why was a Twitter the signal and sign that he needed help.  Are we depending on Twitter for mental evaluations as well?  I really hope that wasn’t the case.

Who are your friends really?:

The last thing I want to cover in this thing is the social-ness of these sites.  It is of my belief, that these sites helped you learn to eat each other, a type of social cannibalism that permeates real life.  The perfect example stems from the first sentence of this posting, or rather a question:  I don’t have Facebook.  What? Why?

You sees how that works?  The implication is that you’re missing out on some huge happening in the world, standing on the sidelines while the games are being played.  It suggests you’re not in tune with everyone else, and that by (me) asking why you don’t have it – you should sign up today.  There is a clubby, cliquey feel to Facebook, and within it.  I think my experience with MySpace really informs me, as I found myself cannibalizing other people in order to make sure I had the right feel in my page.  I had to make it a certain color….play these songs….and then I’d only add in people I thought were cool.  Now, you’re thinking, that is something everyone does.  But you really have no clue about anyone you’ve decided to add or disapprove as a friend (unless you know them in real life.)  You’ve decided to contour your page, your piece of space in the cyber universe with shorts bursts.  You’ve heard a song from a new artist, and you love the song – you go and add this person.  But you have no clue if the person is a complete douchebag.  You listened to that 3 minutes, 42 seconds, and you’ve invited this person into your party, even if he’s just going to play the wall and talk shit about all of you and your friends in secret.  This is becoming more real everyday – I’ve heard of MySpace and Facebook parties….so in actual real time, you can have a look at all your online “friends” with your real eyes.  I’ve heard funny stories from people who participated in these (Trendy Brand X sponsored) parties, and they say they came away feeling a bit strange about the eye-opening experience.  The main thing they said was that no one there were exactly as portrayed.  Now what if like 500 people showed, you have 500 different people with this same odd feeling.  I suppose they work through it and party (read: “medicate”) it out, but it’s like the club – in two contexts.  You’re in a club AT a club, where you recognize everyone, and you know nothing about them.

In summation – I believe these sites create unreal realities, and shortening up of attention spans necessary to learn and kills the downward spiral of stupidity people are sliding into.  (I also realize I’m not perfect.  YouTube is definitely eating my brain….iTunes as well – which a whole other posting…coming soon.)

So what are my solutions?  After all – I must have something to fix the issues I’m presenting.

Next – Part III:  Stop twittering (and texting) the people you’re sitting next to.

Jordan broke a backboard…with one hand?

August 29, 2009

I’m a huge sports fan.  But as said before, I have to keep the sports talk to a minimum here (or I’d get carried away.  Might need to sports blog….hmm.)

I heard something on Bill Simmons’BS Report podcast that had me intrigued.  Just when I thought I’d seen every highlight on MJ, Kevin Wildes says there’s a video of Jordan breaking a backboard.  So I looked it up on YouTube, and sure enough there was some footage to a exhibition Mike played back in 1986, in Italy (……enjoy):

ONE HAND??!!??!?

An Invisible Crisis: Part 1 – Why you should turn off your TV.

August 28, 2009 — 1 Comment

I know I haven’t been writing much on the political tip. This is four fold: 1. I’m busy. 2. I’m busy at a place that puts me at odds with a lot of the things I believe. 3. It’s hard to write cohesively on opinion based topics….and have time to organize my thoughts (see first two points.) 4. I hate putting a lot of work into pieces that like 8 people will see. I know this is probably my fault, because I’ve slacked off in writing and promoting the site.

But I’m looking for a resurgence of sorts, and I’ve decided to just go forward with it anyways. So here is goes, my series on what I feel is an invisible crisis: the destruction/deconstruction of information. This is such a wide ranging topic, that can stretch into such giant octopus-like proportions, that I really feel a bit undereducated to speak to it. But I feel that I’m in a unique POV to talk about it. This will not be a specific government is evil piece, because, I believe it’s really about even more than that. There is a base reason I will build to if you bear with me, and excuse my typos and whatnots.  I don’t know all the answers.  If it sucks, I’m sorry.  (…not really.)

I read some recently that puts a lot of what I’m going to say on Part I into a closer focus. From the Rolling Stone‘s James Bamford:

“According to the Pentagon documents, the Rendon Group played a major role in the IOTF. The company was charged with creating an “Information War Room” to monitor worldwide news reports at lightning speed and respond almost instantly with counter-propaganda. A key weapon, according to the documents, was Rendon’s “proprietary state-of-the-art news-wire collection system called ‘Livewire,’ which takes real-time news-wire reports, as they are filed, before they are on the Internet, before CNN can read them on the air and twenty-four hours before they appear in the morning newspapers, and sorts them by keyword. The system provides the most current real-time access to news and information available to private or public organizations.”

The top target that the pentagon assigned to Rendon was the Al-Jazeera television network. The contract called for the Rendon Group to undertake a massive “media mapping” campaign against the news organization, which the Pentagon considered “critical to U.S. objectives in the War on Terrorism.” According to the contract, Rendon would provide a “detailed content analysis of the station’s daily broadcast . . . [and] identify the biases of specific journalists and potentially obtain an understanding of their allegiances, including the possibility of specific relationships and sponsorships.”

Now, this is JUST for the Iraq war. And this is what I want to discuss today: the destruction through deconstruction of information, with a specific focus on news coverage.

Usually, the news is taken at face value, by basically anyone who sees it. You get your Starbucks coffee/sugarccino and pick up today’s local or national paper, or flip on CNN/Fox/MSNBC/BBC/etc. and you get a steady stream of seemingly informative tidbits. Some of them with stay with you long enough that you’ll go around having conversations about at later times and locations, with others. This is basically where news, especially mainstream news, really works. You disseminate out, casting the widest net possible to blanket everyone, then you let THEM push forward your agenda. It’s actually a beautiful plan because, at this point, the reader is now the authority, with an article as his co-sign. If the person is influential, even under the best pretenses and intentions, he/she will end up bending the news. I don’t believe this should be underestimated because it is at this point, not at the initial dissemination, in which ideals and morals are developed and truly ingrained. It’s come to the attention to an attentive few, through studies, that people just aren’t reading as much as before. This activity has been in steady decline for decades. If you haven’t watched the news that day, you are hearing about it second-hand. Even if you’ve heard the news second hand, and then went back the web or TV to get the full story, you’ve just decided to take what’s been said at face value.

Moving backward, what is the problem with “news”?: The entire set-up and concept of it being new, and the deception of what is said as being complete. First of all, you’re not present during the event, so automatically, you’re being told second hand. Not only is it second hand, it’s been flowed and vetted through so many channels, that it’s usually not, if it ever was, the whole truth or factual. Even worse, the story could’ve been an outright lie to begin with. This is the inherent issue with the news: because it’s doesn’t tell a complete, objective story, it’s basically a lie. Simplistic – yes. There is literally no way to be objective. The stories are being fed through and written by human beings – human beings with feelings, agendas, motives, etc. On top of it, there is no interest in giving a person the complete story, in that they can draw their own conclusions. If you have the conclusion created for them, fed that conclusion as the news – you leave the reader/watcher to try to figure out how something could’ve happened.

Look at every news story you’ve read or watched. How is it led? Conclusion first, every time. There is no beginning, middle, end….like a police investigator getting a person story for their case. The end is a given, but the backtracking of information literally runs into a sort of wall, and you are not allowed behind this wall. if you believe the New York Times is the beginning and end of what it puts out – you are very sadly mistaken and naive. I read a lot of independent news, like Democracy Now! or The Raw Story, and others. But even then, there is an invisible wall to where the reader has no context on the genesis of the story. You heard stories of drugs in America, but you never heard about HOW they were initially brought in. Story: a drug dealer is arrested —- they find drugs in his apartment in a wall —- he got them from who/where??? —- the drugs where shipped from where? — the drugs were wholesale bought and shipped by who?, and so on. If you are interested enough, you can trace the story back a decent ways, but you still run up against some walls, in that now you’d have to venture into the world of drug trafficking. Who really wants to do that? So you take the story as is, and you vilify the drug dealer, an action to which he is deserving, and move on. But you have failed to gain a complete perspective because they’ve neutered the sense of the bigger issue. You’ve taken to the very temporary feeling of justice being served (he will be out in a year anyways), instead of looking for the more important and rather convoluted reasons it happened to begin with. You’re cut off from the source before you realize that there must be one, somewhere.

The news is just the easiest example. The media, at large, obviously knows you literally don’t have the time to run down a story they’ve given you to ponder. You ARE just supposed to take it. The big issue is that they is being done at every single turn, from the news, to what you buy, to the church you go to (a fertile topic in and of itself). You purchase things based on the influence you’ve gotten through your senses, and usually it’s through sight. The fashion police on TV says that Nicole Kidman’s outfit is lovely, and that Kate Winslet’s eyes look baggy. The automatic reaction/conclusion is also fed to you because they always have those people in 2-3 person teams to synthesize the information into (usually) one voice that says Nicole Kidman = stylish, Kate Winslet = worn out. I could splinter into all kinds of directions on this alone, but I will attempt to stay on course. My point, in this instance, is that the media is really trying to spoon feed you what they believe you need to like and dislike, and also HOW and WHY.

Going back to the story I have leading this, which says a public relations company used/uses a program that vets, shuffles, and orders article before they can be put out, so that a counter story can be run with it, it’s easy to see how this can happen in every piece of information put out. This takes it a step further, in the race to control hearts and mind. Now that the men behind the curtains can’t always control the flow of information, because of, again, human emotions, (self) righteousness and personal motives. They have decided to give themselves “top cover” by putting out disinformation, paralleled against stories that could hurt the overarching agenda. The interesting thing about Stars and Stripes is that it’s a paper devoted to information dedicated to military activity. I saw them all over the place in various locations in places I’ve been in my travels, and soldiers and civilians take to them like flies on shit. If the military doesn’t want a reporter, from what’s supposed to be THE pro-agenda paper, to be embedded because they are afraid of the slant that maybe be used in future reporting, then you see why they would want to get a public relations firm involved.

This would seem to be a subtle win. Maybe, in a way, it is. But then the media heads know this as well, which is why they’ve moved on to, or endorsed, the viral types of media: these short, power packed, bursts of bullshit information.

Next – Part II: Why you need to close your Facebook account.

Tunes: a bit of everything, and Radiohead deluxe reissues

August 27, 2009

This post will be another beast – a lot of ground I want to cover today:  a little bit of hip hop, some jazz, some Indian funk….plus my take on the new Arctic Monkeys, and on the (cash driven, but) very well done Radiohead deluxe reissues that are now out.

Arctic Monkeys – Humbug

What if Josh Homme produced an Arctic Monkeys album?  What would you think about that?  Well, for those who don’t know, that is precisely what’s happened here.  Obviously, this is the hardest and easily darkest album they’ve made.  The songwriting is definitely still there and maturing, but the music is definitely a lot more bassline driven.  The Homme signature sound is clearly present, i.e. the progressions, drumming, the ghostly/airy effects, etc.  On first listen, it’s not as good as the first two album, but I think that my opinion will change because of the grower feeling I have about this go-round.  Quality look right here.

Slaughterhouse – (self-titled)

In a capsule, a B level supergroup (Royce the 5’9”, Joell Ortiz, Joe Budden, and Crooked I) that’s made a decent album.  If you enjoy a straight banger album, specifically in the old school Beatnuts era mode, you’ll enjoy this.  Every song tries to top the next one in how hard to bangs.  That is the first thing.  The second, and more important, item is the group itself.  They are definitely talented guys, nice lyrical skill and flows….very witty to boot.  I don’t know if any of them will ever “blow”, but then again….it doesn’t matter to me, and it shouldn’t matter at all.  Sometimes, you just have to take things at face value.  And this is for the lovers of banger-style hip hop.  Word to JuJu and Psycho Les (and sometimes Fashion….” We Got Props Over Here!!!)

cover for Volume 1

cover for Volume 1

Various artists – Sitar Beat! Indian Style Heavy Funk, Vol. 1 -4

Ill.  I’ve actually covered this album is an old blog I used to run a few years ago, but I’ve been giving it a lot of run (due to some brainstorming on some Mumbai-based movie ideas I’ve had.)  So I want to give it some more shine.  It’s basically Indian funk from the 60s, 70s, and 80s.  If you’re a fan of film, specifically of the Indian variety, chances are that you’ve heard some of the songs, but the tracks weren’t released or are just recently restored.  Definitely a revelation.  Serge Gainsbourg was – he’s the only NON-Indian among the volumes…that tell you a bit about how big of a deal he was/is.  Lots of material for DJs and producers here.

Blitz the Ambassador – Stereotype

Hip hop and instruments, AND the dude is nice.  Good shit.  It’s not going to be played on any radio station that isn’t located on college campus, or in someone’s basement.  That being said, this is exactly what should be getting played – which is starting to become so common, that’s it cliche in my eyes.  Back to Blitz – this Ghana-born cat is nice, not Lupe or Elzhi or Blu nice….but very listenable.  He’s got a very mature, knowledgeable flow, a person with a valuable world view, which is a nice addition to the hip hop pot.  Mix that with the help from his producing partner Optiks, and the instruments of one of my favs, Hynoptic Brass Ensemble (I need to put heads up on these cats ….hmm..I think I just did.), and you have something people should really be paying attention to.  Quality album, all the way around and good replay value as well.

Skyzoo – The Power of Words (mixtape)

This is the DJ Drama-less iTunes version.  Sky is ill, if workmanlike.  I have to admit that sometimes, I’d get a little bored.  Not because he’s not dope, but it’s just the tone, I think and the beats weren’t always top notch.  I don’t know if he’ll ever be a big name, but for what it’s worth – the mixtape/album is nice, even managing to shine over some of the questionable parts of certain collabs.  He’s got some nice co-signs (via Wale, Talib Kweli) and good beats (via 9th Wonder, Jake One, Khrysis, etc.)  This is that joint to ride out to the barber shop to and then let it play for a minute, before you go in to get your taper fade right.

Robert Glasper (Trio and Experiment) – Double Booked

I’m definitely a long time fan of this guy, so I’m happy to see more work.  The concept of this album is that Rob is double booked for a show with his more traditional “Trio” group at one spot (through co-sign/voice mailer trumpeter Terrance Blanchard).  But then he has an engagement at another spot at ?uestlove’s jam session with his larger aptly named “Experiment” outfit, later that evening.  It’s a cool little way to get both of your acts cohesively on one album, and it make sense….as he is a versatile jazz pianist.  And it completely works.

Radiohead – Capitol/EMI’s deluxe reissues for every album (except apparently The Bends…hmm)(except In Rainbows…which just came out…in Radioheadian scale)

If you do not know me well, know that my favorite musical act PERIOD is Radiohead.  I’m not the t-shirt wearing, make it to every concert, W.A.S.T.E board veteran that you would think I would be.  I’m just a huge fan of the music.  It’s like I enjoy the San Antonio Spurs – my fav. NBA team – but I don’t actually own any gear….it’s just…not that cool to go that far.  However, as any other massive Radiohead fan, new music is always welcome any time I can get my hands on it – even if it’s old music.  What?  Yes…new old music.  It’s very obvious Capitol is basically reissuing their albums, en masse, to help with the wavering bottom line.  At the same time – this is one cash grab I’m taking full advantage of.  All of the reissues feature a ton of dope-ass B-sides, unreleased stuff, and live sessions in various locations, like the Canal + Studios in Paris, or in other international spots like Berlin, or BBC Radio One.  The best thing for me – someone who have all of the albums and EPs….you can purchase the stuff you don’t have individually, via iTunes, specifically the live and the BBC sessions.  I have to admit….Capitol/EMI sorta deserves a pat on the back – they’ve managed to appease fans, and fatten up the shrinking wallet (and Radiohead’s too….they are probably the biggest winners of all).

Radiohead – Pyramid Song…enjoy, heathens.

Death Panel

August 25, 2009

Truth-vs-Hysteria

Sarah Palin and “Obama’s Death Plan:” The truth about Healthcare Reform and the Lies Palin Tells

Consider the day when your parents are too old to take care of themselves. Perhaps dementia has rendered them at risk to themselves or others. Would you want their doctor to understand their options for continuing care and to advise you when they would be safer living with you or in assisted living or a nursing home? Or that other options are available for them to remain in their own home with a health care provider to take care of them 24-7?

Consider the day your ninety-year-old mother is tethered to a hospital bed by the tangle of tubes stuck in her veins. She will never recover from the stroke that ravaged her brain, her body and her spirit. Do you leave her there to die in the company of strangers who already have too many other “healthy” patients to care for? Who do you consult to understand the healthcare options available for your mother and can you afford to pay for such a consultation? Under the new healthcare reform bill, Medicare will cover this consultation with her physician. Under the new healthcare reform bill, the Medicare & You Handbook will address these and other concerns online.

Ironically, information is the “death panel” Sarah Palin rails against when she says: “The America I know and love is not one in which my parents or my baby with Down Syndrome will have to stand in front of Obama’s “death panel’so his bureaucrats can decide, based on a subjective judgement of their “level of productivity in society,’whether they are worthy of health care. Such a system is downright evil.” Palin says Obama’s health care plan is ‘evil’by Mark Thiessen, Associated Press Writer. OrPalin’s Facebook.

It’s difficult to read this statement of Sarah’s and understand how she formed her opinion when it is so at odds with the actual content of Health Reform Bill HR3200. “Obama’s death panel?” How do these health insurance reform requirements translate to Palin’s death squad rhetoric: ensuring quality care for all Americans, reducing healthcare costs, guarantying Americans freedom to choose their plan of insurance which includes a public insurance option? How does empowering people with information translate to Palin’s death squad rhetoric? These are some of the actual-in-official-print points covered in HR3200, Section 1233, page 425:

  • Advance care planning consultation to be covered by Medicare
  • National and State-specific resources to assist consumers and their families with advance care planning
  • Living wills for a patient to communicate his/or her advance care wishes
  • Responsibilities wills for a patient to communicate his/or her advance care decisions
  • Explanations of orders regarding life sustaining treatment
  • Training for health care professionals

Check the sites listed below for more information and to read the actual HR 3200 bill, Section 1233, Advance Care Planning Consultation, page 425, that explains how Medicare will cover consultation for end of life care.

Do any of the HR3200 provisions translate to Sarah Palin’s rhetoric that people such as Sarah Palin’s parents and her special-needs child must stand before “Obama’s death panel’so his bureaucrats can decide, based on a subjective judgement of their “level of productivity in society”?”

Big words for Sarah. Are they her own? I hope not. Perhaps Sarah is too busy to read HR3200. Either way, by ignorance or intent Sarah perpetuates one more fear mongers’lie intended to block progress of healthcare reform in a shady attempt to elevate the ambitions of her party over the good of the people.

Another expected misstep for Sarah Palin. She loves fame more than she does her dignity. It unfortunate that people like her get all the attention while there are women out there breaking glass ceilings and changing the world for the better, rather than playing on facebook.

So you want to be president, Sarah Palin? Shame on you for holding your ambitions higher that the needs of those people you profess to serve. Sarah, people arm themselves with facts, not lies to win their position. Step up to the plate, and shut the fuck up!

Check these sites for information on healthcare reform:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/health-insurance-consumer-protections/

http://www.whitehouse.gov/realitycheck/faq

http://www.whitehouse.gov/realitycheck/

http://www.healthreform.gov/

http://my.barackobama.com/page/content

GOP Senators: US Faces Terrorist Attack if Holder Probes Bush’s Torture Program

August 25, 2009

Senate Republican Whip Jon Kyl of Arizona is one of nine senators who signed a letter sent to Attorney General Eric Holder on Wednesday urging him not to appoint a special counsel to investigate torture.

Nine Republican lawmakers sent a letter to Eric Holder on Wednesday saying the US could face a terrorist attack if the attorney general appoints a special prosecutor to investigate the CIA’s use of torture against “war on terror” suspects.

Holder is under pressure to resist launching a criminal probe, even one limited to rogue CIA interrogators. At the same time, he is facing mounting pressure from some prominent Democrats and civil liberties and human rights groups to not only sign off on a criminal investigation, but to expand it to include top Bush administration officials.

The latest correspondence came on Wednesday in a letter to the attorney general that said an investigation into the CIA’s interrogation practices, no matter how limited in scope, would jeopardize the “security for all Americans, chill future intelligence activities,” and could “leave us more vulnerable to attack.”

The senators resorted to fear-mongering, invoking the terrorist attacks on 9/11 to try and dissuade Holder

“We are deeply concerned by recent news reports that you are ‘poised to appoint a special prosecutor’to investigate CIA officials who interrogated al Qaeda terrorists. Such an investigation could have a number of serious consequences, not just for the honorable members of the intelligence community, but also for the security of all Americans,” the letter said.

The letter was sent to Holder by Senate Republican Whip Jon Kyl of Arizona, Sen. Kit Bond (R-Missouri), vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Alabama), ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and was also signed by Sens. Richard Burr (R-North Carolina), Saxby Chambliss (R-Georgia), Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah).

“The 9/11 Commission emphasized that keeping our country safe from foreign attack requires that the Justice Department work cooperatively with the intelligence community, but the appointment of a special prosecutor would irresponsibly and unnecessarily drive a wedge between the two …

“We will not know the lost opportunities to prevent attacks, the policies to protect the nation left on the table, due to fear of future policy disagreement being expressed through an indictment. It is hard to imagine how the Justice Department could take that risk after September 11, given that the foremost duty of the Department is to protect Americans.”

Read article here

DVD Review: Big Man Japan

August 22, 2009

I’m going to start doing more of these, since I still watch a lot of DVDs and bootlegs of movies.

Big Man Japan – directed by (and starring) Hitoshi Matsumoto

This mockumentary is about a middle aged man who’s lineage has put him in charge of handling the apparent monster issue that is a thorn in Japan’s side.  Daisato is Big Man Japan, a man/monster that he transforms into via electric current through his nipples.  That aforementioned lineage affords him a few things: a salary unfit for a monster tamer, an agent who seems to be doing well despite Daisato’s low ratings (..oh…he’s got a show that chronicles his battles with various , highly unusual funny ass monsters), and lots of hateration on his being a supposedly bad hero.

Daisato is being documented on by a person interested in why his life basically sucks so badly, and how he got into the family business.  What ensues is a pretty good satire, making fun of documentaries, monsters flicks, hero worship and the psychology and commercialization of it, and of Japan’s historical and sociopolitical itself.  The ending is as funny, as odd, and as intelligently telling as it gets.  This was as much first rate Monty Python, as it was 3rd rate monster movie.  (Clue/hint to getting the movie: You need to know your Japanese foreign relations.  That’s all I’ll say.)

I recommend taking a Netflix flyer on this….or better yet, see you local non-big business movie shack, if your city has one.

You have been warned…by Greenpeace

August 21, 2009

8.09.70
//

Kevin Grandia

Kevin Grandia

Managing editor, DeSmogBlog

Posted: August 13, 2009 06:24 PM

Oil Lobby’s ‘Energy Citizens’Astroturf Campaign Exposed

An internal memo obtained recently by Greenpeace USA details polluting interests’ plans to launch a nationwide astroturf campaign attacking climate legislation at public events scheduled throughout the final weeks of recess before the Senate returns to debate the issue in September.

The email memo (download a PDF copy), which appears to come from the desk of American Petroleum Institute president Jack Gerard, asks API’s member companies to recruit employees, retirees, vendors and contractors to attend “Energy Citizen” rallies in key Congressional districts nationwide in the closing weeks of the August recess.  The campaign plan places a special focus on 21 states picked by API for having “a significant industry presence” or “assets on the ground.”

Taking a page from the playbook of astroturf campaigners currently crashing health care town hall events across the country, API hopes to similarly sully productive communications between Congress members and their actual constituents at public events scheduled for the coming weeks.  Gerard states that API is ready to bus in company members and provide logistical support, and reveals that API has retained “a highly experienced events management company that has produced successful rallies for presidential campaigns, corporations and interest groups.”

Gerard’s email states that API is partnering on the rally campaign with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers, confirming that the groups are staging a coordinated effort to attack climate legislation despite the fact that several prominent members of these groups have stated support for strong Congressional action to combat climate change.

Read rest of Huffingtonpost Article here

Tunes: old, new, a retrospective, and an opinion.

August 21, 2009

These are some random joints I’ve been on lately….some old, some sorta new, some in between.  Side note:  I will be putting together a (somewhat uniquely themed) podcast (relatively) soon.  Look out for that. (apparently…there’s fees….RIAA….etc….not happening.)  (I had to add in a few to grow on.)  Without further ado…

Super700 -Lovebites

This chick will prolly end up making Dave’s hot singer chick list (and everyone else’s too.)  Ibadet Ramadani is definitely a talent to be reckoned with, and this album, too, is a force – she’s not a one woman band.  Her bandmates show quite a bit to be happy with.  For my money, the basslines and drumming are where the album shines in the music.  Nice pick up.

Malakai – Ugly Side of Love

You might dig this if you like the Black Keys…which is amazingly lazy to use, but….it’s true.  This yet another iTunes find is hard rock of the scratchy throated old school soul variety, with emphasis on soul and instrumentation (and samples…seems a little trip hoppy, but not corny).  Honestly, it’s a rather beautiful album really.  One of the most listened to albums I’m on right now – very dense…but overly so.  A complete album.

The xx – xx

That isn’t a typo.  That is the name of the band (and title) giving us the debut of 2009.  (That also isn’t the true cover – the album actually has a plain white ‘X’, but I didn’t see it online.  This is for one the singles.)  There are no tricks to them, besides the double man/woman vocals (which isn’t that much of trick.)  I’ve seen some talk about comparing this to Arcade Fire’s debut, and I can see the similarities in scale, I suppose. (Although, it was be said and I have to admit, I slept on the AF debut when it first came out…..hey, I’m not perfect.)  This is my recommendation of the moment.

Jack Penate – Everything Is New

Very appropriate title.  I kind of stumbled into this, as I usually do, on iTunes.  I read up and listened to the first album (which got reviewed as a subpar album….which is mostly true.)  I decided to go ahead and check this one out, after all I like redemption stories.  I have to say that if this is his re-starting block, we might have something here with this Jack guy.  Good voice, good lyrics, nice drive in the low-ends of the music.  He sounds like a natural.  “Tonight’s Today” is the star, with the nice Afrobeat feel.

The Antlers – Hospice

Another iTunes find.  A very sad album, but not the kind of sad that makes you cry….but the sad that make you wonder where the songwriter (Peter Silberman) was writing from.  Very understated, and as warm as an empty room at the top of a swanky hotel – yet you’re drawn in and intrigued at what this man is looking out his window at.  Well written album about life and how change can affect you.  (I read that Silberman’s move to NYC was the catalyst for this album.)

Venetian Snares – Rossz Csillag Alatt Szuletett (Born Under a Bad Star)

Basically classical horns and strings with a little glitch/breakcore thrown in for flavor.  Nothing serious going on here.  :/.  The star here is “Szerencsetlen”.  By the way, the title and the track names are not misspellings (sp? Lol); they are Hungarian.  I would love to see this be played in a live set at the MET or something.

…a retrospective:

Kool & The Gang – 3 albums (Wild and Peaceful/Light of Worlds/Spirit of the Boogie)

I was basically raised on this, from birth – at least the softer 80’s, JT Taylor fronted version of the band.  But these are the amazing albums in their catalogue.  Obviously “Summer Madness” is the big winner, if you need a dominant track in the bunch.   Crucial junctures in the funk/jazz fusion of the ‘70s.  This is basically the K&G trinity, as far as I’m concerned.

Bill Withers – Live at Carnegie Hall

One of the greatest (sort of unsung) singer/songwriters in music history.  This live set really puts you into the greatness of this man, the impeccable lyrics and instrumentation…..the deep-rooted soul that everyone could feel.  I would’ve slapped your mother for tickets to this performance.  “Use Me” – I heard they played this for Stephen Hawking.  They reported a slight head bob and movement in his hips.

…something about me eating crow:

MuteMath – Armistice

I claimed they would be the next U2/Coldplay but the American version.  I don’t make many, but this was a bad call.  At least for now.  It’s not that the album sucks, they are talented…..it’s just not the “anthemic” breakout I was anticipating.  It’s like a U2 album with just the songs surrounding “Sunday, Bloody Sunday”, or “With or Without You”, etc.  I personally wished they led a little more with the percussion – that is where they shine.

My (long overdue) take on:

Drake – Comeback Season and So Far Gone (mixtapes…and now album..see below)

Never mind that he used to be on some Canadian teeny bopper show.  Putting that aside, and the unusual symbiotic relationship he has with Weezy…he’s actually pretty nice on the vocals – rapping and singing.  I’d actually say he’s dope.  I think he’s somewhat over-hyped, but the praise is deserved.  He doesn’t go around talking about street shit, he keeps it narrowed down into his lane – so it’s hard to say he’s fake, because it’s not.  But he’s an unusual spot – given his genre is one that requires at least some authenticity of the street variety, and his Banana Republic vibe are somewhat at odds with that fact.

It would seem that he’s come along at the right time though.  It’s starting to come back around the lyrics – and he really excels at that, which the one thing he cannot be questioned on.  What will get him over the top is his singing skills….they are up to par to the point to where he really could do excellent well-written singing-only albums.

If you haven’t heard “Ignant Shit” off So far Gone…do so.  You can hate….but then you need to love it… then embrace this dude.  I’ve been bumping this for a few months.  Even Weezy, who’s starting to win me over, gets retarded on this track.  (Although….if you believe some the rumors, Drake might’ve “helped” Weezy improve.  Wink, wink. – this is telling in and of itself really…)  I’m looking forward to his second album, which is probably going to be ill.  I say second album because So Far Gone is basically now the first album – it is going to be reworked a little as an official Young Money release, with a short (almost EP-like) track listing.

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