Music

Lawrence Lessig & Jack Abramoff

Jack Abramoff is a former lobbyist who pleaded guilty in 2006 to charges of fraud, tax evasion, and conspiracy to bribe public officials. Abramoff also worked as businessman, movie producer and writer. Abramoff's lobbying and the scandals and investigation are featured in a documentary movie "Casino Jack and the United States of Money" and a political satire movie titled "Casino Jack".

Lawrence Lessig is a law professor at Harvard. He has been the lead counsel in important cases concerning copyright laws for digital content. His current work concerns institutional corruption.
Source: Lawrence Lessig interviews Jack Abramoff

Play Program or Download(below the fold)

Catherine Crier

Catherine Crier, former judge and Emmy-winning journalist, argues that partisan politics are hurting the United States. She advocates reducing legal corruption in Washington, D.C. She has been television personality for CNN, ABC, Fox News and ESPN.
Source: Patriot Acts

The Other Scott Horton

Scott Horton Interviews The Other Scott Horton

The Other Scott Horton is an international human rights lawyer and contributing editor at Harper’s magazine and no relation to the interviewer. They discusses the U.S. government's refusal prosecute torturers. Also how WikiLeaks exposed high-level U.S. efforts to squash previous Spanish investigations of American political and military figures. Included is the contrast of U.S.’ repudiation of international law and universal jurisdiction, after helping establish them after WWII. The National Defense Authorization Act's indefinite detention provision also part of the conversation.
Source: Scott Horton Interviews The Other Scott Horton

Play Program or Download(below the fold)

1st, a study shows how the atmosphere above Japan heated rapidly before the M9 earthquake. Then, the galaxy may swarm with billions of wandering planets. Then, researchers find that quiet places on Earth’s Crust are core-meltingly hot underneath. Then make sure to scroll all the way down for an award winning picture of the Aurora Borealis over a glacial lake in Iceland. The song is "Beneath a Phrygian Sky" by Loreena McKennitt

Atmosphere Above Japan Heated Rapidly Before M9 Earthquake

They're not Jimi Hendrix, but still good

Monterey Next Generation Festival performance - Sacramento State Jazz Singers.

April 11, 2010.

Arrangement by Ian Brekke.

The singers, from left to right: Valerie Dickinson, Ian Brekke, Casey Lipka, Natalie Geeter, Kalin Walling, Melissa Fulkerson, Karen Cacho, Tim Stephenson, Gaw Vang. Under the direction of Kerry Marsh.

Ted Rall

Jason Leopold

Will Durst

From the Peter B. Collins' Show
Jason Leopold on Obama’s contradictory positions on torture.
Peter B. Collins' memo to Obama.
Ted Rall talks about his new book, "The Anti-American Manifesto".
Will Durst on Democratic whiners.
Source: Obama’s Hypocritical Positions on Torture; PBC says “I’ll Stop Whining If….”; Ted Rall’s Anti-American Manifesto; Will Durst

Music includes Earth Anthem, How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live, We'll Meet Again

Play Program or Download below the fold

Dropkick Murphys’ New Song Backs Wisconsin Workers

by Mike Hall, Feb 22, 2011

Progressive, working-class Irish rockers, the Dropkick Murphys, have joined the fight for middle-class jobs and workers’ rights in Wisconsin, with an early release of their song “Take ‘Em Down” from their upcoming album “Going Out in Style.” They also have made the song available to be played at solidarity rallies across the country.

Click here to stream the song.

The band, which has a long history of supporting workers’ rights and union causes, released the following statement:

Dropkick Murphys would like to take a moment to acknowledge the struggles of the working people of Wisconsin and to pledge our support and solidarity by releasing the song ,”Take ‘Em Down” from our upcoming album. We think it’s appropriate at the moment and hope you like it….We’ll see you in Wisconsin in a few days! The Dropkick Murphys Stand With Wisconsin!!!!!

More bands need to take after Green Day and become politically active. Many people "hoped" for "change" last year, but it doesn't look like we are going to achieve it. It's up to us, to make the change we desire. Music (and art) have always been a reflection of our society. It would be nice to see more music reflect the political realities that we live in, just like music did a few decades ago.

You must be the change you wish to see in the world.
Ghandi

Green Day's Arco fans seize the moment
cmeyer@sacbee.com - Published Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009

Soon into Monday night's Green Day concert at a mostly full Arco Arena, guitarist and singer Billie Joe Armstrong ordered audience members to "put away your (expletive) cell phones!"

The command, though on the surface impolite, helped create a sense of shared experience. The fans need not use their picture phones, Armstrong told them, because "We have this moment right here."