Omodaka - Electronica and Animation

I've been listening to Jpop, in an attempt to dose the holiday blues with some Japanese "cute." In the process, I've discovered an interesting new project that pairs really artistic animated graphics with electronica and occasionally the sound of traditional Japanese folk music. Very unusual. Very cool. Omodaka.



Jpop, electronica, animation Omodaka

Blue Cross/Blue Shield Makes Woman Go Blind

And then, the insurance giant made her watch her daughters as they follow down her path. Disgusting. Can anybody at all tell me why we need greedy, profit-driven, third-party insurance companies like Blue Cross/Blue Shield in the health care delivery system in the first place? No? I didn't think so. If you still believe your in better hands with these capitalist insects than in the hands of your very own government, watch this. If you're still not convinced, do us all a favor and jump off a bridge.


HEALTH CARE
BLUE CROSS
REFORM
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Will Ferrell Sticks It

Sure, there needs to be a greedy middleman in the healthcare equation. It's the American way. We want to give our hard-earned cash to Insurance giants who really, really care about us. Not like the evil government, oh no. I can count on my Insurance company to: raise my rates and my deductible on an annual basis like clockwork; to meddle in my private health care decisions; to contest virtually every claim; to pay only a percentage of costs leaving the rest for me to cover; and finally, to dump my sorry butt as soon as they are able. But that's who I want administering my health care program, deciding on my treatments, drugs and end-of-life care. Uh-huh. What can I count on the government for? What? National defense? Transportation infrastructure? Medicare? Pell grants for my college students? The court system? Air traffic control? You get the picture. Now watch this:

Protect Insurance Companies PSA from Will Ferrell

HEALTH CARE
INSURANCE
WILL FERRELL
HC09

The Conservative Argument for the Public Option

Okay, let's make it simple. The public option in the current debate refers to proposals to have a single-payer national health insurance program included as an "option" in health care reform. The public option is more efficient; it has lower administrative costs; it is fair, and it is cheaper than any of the alternatives. That's right. Folks scream about Medicare, but it works and works for less than all other private insurance schemes. Makes sense. Private companies are all about profits, not service, not care, not your health and well-being. Get it? This video presents the "conservative" argument for the Public Option. It makes a clear and compelling case, don't you think? Leave me your comments.



HEALTH CARE
PUBLIC OPTION
REFORM
HC09

Help Reform Health Care

Help "Change Congress" put this ad on the air in Arkansas, where a blue-dog Democrat named Mike Ross is standing in the way of health care reform. Time to put our $$ to work getting the insurance giants and vested health care industrial complex sorts off our collective backs. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We've been trying, without success, to get this done since Teddy Roosevelt (a well-known Republican) put it on his agenda about a century ago. This add feature Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow. It is phat, a totally hard-hitting, fact-filled shot across the bow. Time somebody called these small-minded jerks out. Thanks Keith, thanks Rachel. Now do *your* part and match or one-up my $35 donation to the cause.



HEALTH CARE
REFORM
HC09
Mike Ross

Why We Loved Teddy Kennedy

The liberal lion passes. Teddy Kennedy RIP. A tireless crusader for the poor, underprivileged, and the average American worker, Kennedy showed the nation what true, Senate leadership looks (and sounds) like.

We loved Teddy, with all his flaws and imbroglios, he was a giant of American politics and the last little bit of Camelot in the US. Though wealthy, he spoke with the voice of the common man, confident and empowered to speak truth to authority. He was a champion, and now he is gone. We remember him with great affection and respect. Why? Just watch the video below. Kennedy at his best on the Senate floor.



Teddy Kennedy
RIP

Small Press Expo Poster

If you're going to be in Bethesda, Maryland in late September, you may want to consider attending this exposition. If you do, you're sure to see some fantastic graphic novels and other mind-bending eye-candy. Co-sponsored by my favorite purveyor of fine comic titles, FantaGraphics, this show is where independent comic books live. 2009's expo features legendary cartoon artist Gahan Wilson as the keynote. Just check out the poster. You knew it was going to be killer.
COMICS
FANTAGRAPHICS

Town Hall Meeting Madness

You know, my favorite Sri Lankan proverb is sometimes point on. The proverb: The Higher a Monkey Climbs, the More it Exposes its Ass. To wit: the gaggle of conservative wing-nuts that are part of the vast right-wing conspiracy to derail health care reform, hand the insurance companies a victory, and embarrass the president. After the spectacles we've seen at the town-hall meetings of our legislators, this crew has their rosy-reds pretty damn exposed. Not a pretty sight. Thanks to Markos at Daily Kos for producing this video shocker. Just look at these fools. Makes a thinking person worry.


Technorati Tags: Health, politics, Teabaggers

Health Care Reform Lies - Email Alert

There is a detailed, well-written email circulating today that you may have already received from a family member or co-worker. It looks to be a thoughtful critic of health care reform and it is alarming. Trouble is, it is full of lies and deceptions.

It relies on mis-interpretation and deceit. Arm yourself with the truth and beware of the well-funded propaganda pieces being authored and paid-for by special interests including the current health insurance companies. I've included below a point-by-point response and rebuttal provided by Health Care for America Now.

Please cut-and-past the body copy and forward it to anyone who may send you the email. You'll know it when you see it. And remember through all the barrage of bullshit, we really don't *need* insurance companies at all in the equation. They're the ones that have been raising our premiums annually, eliminating older and infirm citizens from their roles, increasing deductibles while reducing coverage, then denying needed coverage to loyal clients. Ask yourself this: Are you happy with your health insurance coverage and rates? If the answer is no, then you agree we need reform. Let's get it done.

---begin pasted text ---

The contents of the email I am replying to are patently false. If the anonymous writer of this email had actually read the bill, he or she would know better.

Here are the facts. Anyone can verify them by reading the bill at http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h3200/text

Actual itemized contents of the Health Care Reform Bill:

"Page 22: Mandates audits of all employers that self-insure!"

TRUTH: This is not an "audit," it's a study. Moreover, the bill states (pp. 22-23) that the report will "include any recommendations the Commissioner deems appropriate to ensure that the law does not provide incentives for small and mid-size employers to self-insure or create adverse selection in the risk pools of large group insurers and self-insured employers." This is almost directly the opposite of the email's claim.

"Page 29: Admission: your health care will be rationed!"

TRUTH: Page 29 continues to define the "essential benefits package" and discusses limits on what Americans will have to spend on health care under this minimum standard. In no way does this section stipulate the rationing of care.

"Page 30: A government committee will decide what treatments and benefits you get (and, unlike an insurer, there will be no appeals process)"

TRUTH: Page 30 begins to describe the Health Benefits Advisory Committee which establishes certain minimum standards for health insurance plans. In no way does this committee deny treatments and benefits to Americans with health insurance.

"Page 42: The 'Health Choices Commissioner' will decide health benefits for you. You will have no choice. None."

TRUTH: Page 42 begins to describe the Health Choices Commissioner's duties. The idea that this person will decide what benefits Americans receive is patently false, given that most Americans will keep their current plans under reform, and Americans within the exchange will have the choice of purchasing many different kinds of health plans. Rather, the Commissioner will establish minimum standards to protect Americans.

"Page 50: All non-US citizens, illegal or not, will be provided with free healthcare services."

TRUTH: Pages 50-51 contain a provision stating that discrimination will not be allowed in the provision of health care services. Nowhere does the bill state that non-US citizens will be provided free health care services. The bill prohibits federal dollars from being used for undocumented immigrants.

"Page 58: Every person will be issued a National ID Healthcard."

TRUTH: Page 58, in the context of a discussion of administrative standards, mentions that "determination of an individual's financial responsibility at the point of service and, to the extent possible, prior to service, including whether the individual is eligible for a specific service with a specific physician at a specific facility...may include utilization of a machine-readable health plan beneficiary identification card." In no way does the bill state that such a card would be national, or that it would be issued to every person, or that it would, in fact, be used at all.

"Page 59: The federal government will have direct, real-time access to all individual bank accounts for electronic funds transfer."

TRUTH: Page 59 continues the discussion of administrative standards, and authorizes electronic transfers of money within the government. In no way does this provision grant the government access to individual bank accounts.

"Page 65: Taxpayers will subsidize all union retiree and community organizer health plans (read: SEIU, UAW and ACORN)"

TRUTH: Here's what page 65 says: "Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall establish a temporary reinsurance program to provide reimbursement to assist participating employment-based plans with the cost of providing health benefits to retirees and to eligible spouses, surviving spouses and dependents of such retirees." No mention is made of unions or community organizations.

"Page 72: All private healthcare plans must conform to government rules to participate in a Healthcare Exchange."

TRUTH: That's true! Plans have to have a minimum standard of benefits, bat can offer other plans as well. But that's fair, isn't it? Private insurers can continue to operate outside the exchange if they wish - should the government establish no standards for the exchange? In that case, how could reform end insurance industry abuses and help to control costs?

"Page 84: All private healthcare plans must participate in the Healthcare Exchange (i.e., total government control of private plans)"

TRUTH: This section says is that if private health care plans want to operate in the Exchange, they must provide a basic benefit package.

"Page 91: Government mandates linguistic infrastructure for services; translation: illegal aliens"

TRUTH: Some American citizens are more comfortable speaking a language other than English, especially in a sensitive situation like a consultation with their doctor. This provision in no way opens the door for coverage of undocumented workers.

"Page 95: The Government will pay ACORN and Americorps to sign up individuals for Government-run Health Care plan."

TRUTH: Page 95 makes no mention of ACORN and Americorps; all it says is that the Commissioner can conduct outreach to vulnerable populations, making them aware of their options.

"Page 102: Those eligible for Medicaid will be automatically enrolled: you have no choice in the matter."

TRUTH: People who are eligible for Medicaid will not have to face the burdens of paperwork and other bureaucratic struggles. Far from depriving people of choice, this measure will ensure coverage.

"Page 124: No company can sue the government for price-fixing. No 'judicial review' is permitted against the government monopoly. Put simply, private insurers will be crushed."

TRUTH: This section describes rate-setting under the public health insurance plan option, which will compete with private insurers, who can set their own rates. Because of inherent advantages like their established administrative and provider frameworks, private insurance companies will not be "crushed" by government competition.

"Page 127: The AMA sold doctors out: the government will set wages."

TRUTH: The government will negotiate rates with providers under the public health insurance plan option. However, private insurers will continue to pay their own rates.

"Page 145: An employer MUST auto-enroll employees into the government-run public plan. No alternatives."

TRUTH: This is simply not true. Employers with more than 20 employees aren't even eligible to participate in the exchange, let alone the public plan, until several years after the exchange launches in 2013. Moreover, no employer will be forced to participate in the public plan.

"Page 146: Employers MUST pay healthcare bills for part-time employees AND their families."

TRUTH: Employers are required to pay some benefits for part-time employees on a basis proportional to what they pay for full-time employees. No language on this page or the next stipulates coverage for the families of part-time employees.

"Page 149: Any employer with a payroll of $400K or more, who does not offer the public option, pays an 8% tax on payroll"

TRUTH: The payroll penalty applies to employers with payroll over $500,000 who do not provide insurance to their employees. The percentage for employers with payroll from $500,000 - $750,000 is 6%. Employers do not have to offer the public option to avoid this penalty, they can offer private insurance if they wish.

"Page 150: Any employer with a payroll of $250K-400K or more, who does not offer the public option, pays a 2 to 6% tax on payroll"

TRUTH: This is false, see above.

"Page 167: Any individual who doesn't' have acceptable healthcare (according to the government) will be taxed 2.5% of income."

TRUTH: Pages 167-173 detail what "acceptable health care" means (basically, insurance coverage) and also allow for many different kinds of exceptions to this rule.

"Page 170: Any NON-RESIDENT alien is exempt from individual taxes (Americans will pay for them)."

TRUTH: Non-resident aliens do not have to pay the penalty for not having health insurance, nor will the receive federal assistance, because they are not required to purchase health insurance. They are not exempted from individual taxes generally.

"Page 195: Officers and employees of Government Healthcare Bureaucracy will have access to ALL American financial and personal records."

TRUTH: This is a gross overstatement. For the purposes of determining affordability credits for Americans who need financial assistance in purchasing health insurance, employees of the Health Choices Administration will have access to tax information that the federal government already keeps. As is clearly stated on page 196, "Return information... may be used by officers and employees of the Health Choices Administration or such State-based health insurance exchange, as the case may be, only for the purposes of, and to the extent necessary in, establishing and verifying the appropriate amount of any affordability credit described in subtitle C of title II of the America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 and providing for the repayment of any such credit which was in excess of such appropriate amount.''

"Page 203: "The tax imposed under this section shall not be treated as tax." Yes, it really says that."

TRUTH: This quote is taken out of context, and is in fact referring to a calculation used in the bill. Full context of quote: "'(4) NOT TREATED AS TAX IMPOSED BY THIS CHAPTER FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES.-The tax imposed under this section shall not be treated as tax imposed by this chapter for purposes of determining the amount of any credit under this chapter or for purposes of section 55.''

"Page 239: Bill will reduce physician services for Medicaid. Seniors and the poor most affected."

TRUTH: This section has nothing whatsoever to do with reducing services. It makes much needed changes to the way in which physician reimbursement is recalculated every year. The bill will, in fact, create much more opportunity for seniors and the poor to receive necessary care.

"Page 241: Doctors: no matter what specialty you have, you'll all be paid the same (thanks, AMA!)"

TRUTH: Page 241 does not say this. Nowhere does it say this. It does say that physicians will be grouped into certain categories regardless of specialty. These categories merely determine if the physician is engaged in primarily therapeutic or preventative care.

"Page 253: Government sets value of doctors' time, their professional judgment, etc."

TRUTH: There is no good response to this assertion as it appears to have been made up completely. The section deals with 'misvalued codes' meaning that the government is potentially not paying an acceptable rate for a specific service. This will allow the government to, for example, pay more for services that require more payment, such as high-overhead procedures. The author of these criticisms separately attacks the bill for paying the same rate to all doctors, then attacks again for paying different rates.

"Page 265: Government mandates and controls productivity for private healthcare industries."

TRUTH: This section amends the Social Security Act to include productivity measures. There is no mandate or control of anything. This merely updates the way in which doctors and hospitals are paid through Medicare.

"Page 268: Government regulates rental and purchase of power-driven wheelchairs."

TRUTH: This is simply not true. This slightly amends existing guidelines for payments for medical equipment, in this case power-driven wheelchairs. This section introduces no 'regulations' that are not in the Social Security Act.

"Page 272: Cancer patients: welcome to the wonderful world of rationing!"

TRUTH: Overusage of the hot-button word "rationing" is a way to deflect attention away from the actual language of the bill and incite unjustified fear. This section only compares costs incurred by cancer hospitals to costs incurred by similar hospitals, and adjusts payments to reduce the possibility of fraud and abuse.

"Page 280: Hospitals will be penalized for what the government deems preventable re-admissions."

TRUTH: This is almost correct. The section is one of the first efforts at targeting excessive readmissions. Excessive readmissions are physically and emotionally damaging to patients, while simultaneously putting them, and the health care system, in far more financial risk than is necessary. The American Hospital Association recommended reduced payments for avoidable readmission in testimony to Congress.

"Page 298: Doctors: if you treat a patient during an initial admission that results in a readmission, you will be penalized by the government."

TRUTH: This is patently false. The section is about possible methods that the Secretary of Health and Human services might consider in order to address the growing problem of patient readmission. This section does not, in any way, create a penalty, nor does it even mandate policy. It merely provides examples of recourses that might be considered.

"Page 317: Doctors: you are now prohibited from owning and investing in healthcare companies!"

TRUTH: This provision only limits Doctor's investments in health care facilities that they refer patients to The effort to limit self-referral has been ongoing for many years as an effort to reduce fraud and abuse. This is, essentially, the medical community equivalent of insider trading. Limiting this incentive works to put the patient's health above all other considerations. Doctors remain free to engage in investment opportunities in areas that don't create a significant conflict of interest.

"Page 318: Prohibition on hospital expansion. Hospitals cannot expand without government approval."

TRUTH: This section regulates physicians' investment in hospitals to make sure that physicians are not unfairly benefiting from their power to refer patients to hospitals they have a stake in. The section does not prohibit hospital expansion.

"Page 321: Hospital expansion hinges on 'community' input: in other words, yet another payoff for ACORN."

TRUTH: In the ongoing effort to demonize community-based groups such as ACORN, every instance of the word "community" has become associated with that group's efforts. In reality, this provision allows for anyone to provide input. This includes homeowners, religious leaders, neighborhood groups, and others. There are no payoffs. There is no money exchanged in any way.

"Page 335: Government mandates establishment of outcome-based measures: i.e., rationing."

TRUTH: This provision is included in order to allow the government to base payments on practices that work. Nowhere does it say health care will be rationed. The attempt to isolate what works and what does not work in Medicare Advantage plans only benefits the health care system in general.

"Page 341: Government has authority to disqualify Medicare Advantage Plans, HMOs, etc."

TRUTH: The government can disqualify some Medicare Advantage Plans from receiving some additional payments, but only if those plans are not meeting necessary requirements.

"Page 354: Government will restrict enrollment of SPECIAL NEEDS individuals."

TRUTH: This section only deals with how to handle special needs individuals who need to enroll outside of the open enrollment period. Almost every type of plan operates with open enrollment periods. This section does not create more restrictions.

"Page 379: More bureaucracy: Telehealth Advisory Committee (healthcare by phone)."

TRUTH: This section merely expands existing Telehealth programs, which supplement but do not replace other health coverage, and provide a vital resource to Americans in rural and remote areas.

"Page 425-430: More bureaucracy: Advance Care Planning Consult: Senior Citizens, assisted suicide, euthanasia?; Government will instruct and consult regarding living wills, durable powers of attorney, etc. Mandatory. Appears to lock in estate taxes ahead of time; Government provides approved list of end-of-life resources, guiding you in death; Government mandates program that orders end-of-life treatment; government dictates how your life ends; Advance Care Planning Consult will be used to dictate treatment as patient's health deteriorates. This can include an ORDER for end-of-life plans. An ORDER from the GOVERNMENT; Government will decide what level of treatments you may have at end-of-life."

TRUTH: All of these hysterical claims have been debunked elsewhere. HR3200 provides for the reimbursement of a voluntary session of end-of-life counseling with your physician once every five years. This in no way means the government will make decisions for patients or encourage doctor-assisted suicide. Counseling simply makes patients and their families aware of their options.

"Page 469: Community-based Home Medical Services: more payoffs for ACORN."

TRUTH: ACORN is not a Community-Based Medical Home.

"Page 472: Payments to Community-based organizations: more payoffs for ACORN."

TRUTH: This is clearly still referring to community health groups, not ACORN.

"Page 489: Government will cover marriage and family therapy. Government intervenes in your marriage."

TRUTH: Covering marriage and family therapy, as many private insurance plans do, does not mean that the government "intervenes in your marriage." The types of individuals who are recognized as therapists are clearly defined on page 491; in brief, professionals only, not bureaucrats.

"Page 494: Government will cover mental health services: defining, creating and rationing those services."

TRUTH: This section expands government coverage for mental health services under various government programs, and ensures that all mental health services will be offered by qualified professionals.

Technorati Tags: Health, reform, Congress

Author Frustrated - Starts Pirate Party

Pirate Party of Oregon
A Draft Manifesto

We are driven in extraordinary times to take extraordinary actions to protect our Union and preserve our rights and way of life.

The Country was founded at such a moment, and we find ourselves gripped by historic challenges and opportunities once again.

At the same time, we recognize that powerful special interests, like the banking & investment giants, large Pharma, and the insurance companies have accumulated richly funded war chests with which they’ve purchased vast amounts of influence. Just check out the lobbying reports around the current attempt to reform health care. Special interests are spending billions to buy our democracy right out from under us. Congress is clueless and out-of-touch; and, when they’re not, our legislators are hopelessly deadlocked and unable to lead. The net result is government by special interest. Top-down, prescribed by CEOs, Lawyers, Bankers and members in good standing at the local country club. Do you really think *this* is what the founders had in mind?

So with this backstory, and an enormous amount of impatient frustration with both political parties, Pirates everywhere are taking action. Aarrrrgh.

The Pirate Party of Oregon, as The Author imagines it, will be built on a commitment to reform, transparency, and, bottom-up governance. That's right, bottom-up. What a concept. Think of us as Open Source politicians. The party was founded by techies in Sweden and The Netherlands around copyright & patent reform, net neutrality and personal freedom…with a focus on privacy protection & open technology standards and systems. That sounds about right to a lot of Oregonians as well. The European Pirates just won several seats in the EU parliament, so the movement is for real. New Pirate Parties have already started-up in Germany and Switzerland. Not a joke.

The Pirate Party of Oregon believes in citizen-moderated State involvement in regulation, ensuring basic rights & basic services, health, education & safety.

Pirates believe Government needs to be out of everything else, especially the “social” issues like individual choice in marriage, reproductive and end-of-life matters. In a Pirate Party world, Govt. stays out of herbal and minor drug enforcement, while maintaining vigilance over criminal cartels pushing dangerous, hard drugs until such a time as a general consensus has been reached on how to move forward. Legalization is on the table. We believe that government functions best when it facilitates freedom and the pursuit of happiness. And we don't believe that the federal government has any business spying on American inside US borders, so we have trouble with the wholesale interception of voice and text communication of average citizens by the NSA.

Pirates pick their fights carefully and stay out of foreign wars whenever possible. So the Pirate Party believes in reduced military spending and a changed focus in public and foreign service to planetary renewal, combating climate change and reducing our footprint. But don't even think about taking our guns away from us. That doesn't mean we feel comfortable with our current status as the No. 1 weapons producer and seller to the world.

Pirates demand sustainability…and accountability. Hey, it takes a Pirate to steal back our country from the special interests. Make no mistake about it, that is just what we need to do and it will be a long and hard fight. Just right for a band of angry Pirates. That said, Pirates are techies and the Party has a commitment to continued space exploration specifically, and to unfettered scientific investigation in general.

Government’s legitimate role is to safeguard and promote individual rights & liberties; protect citizens; provide health, education & basic safety-net services; and, act as the voice and authority of the people in dealings with mega-corporations and sovereign, foreign nations.

Pirates recognize that it takes money to run the state, and believe that a fair and equitable system of taxation, subject to regular review and renewal, is a legitimate mechanism for our elected authorities to employ as a funding mechanism. In general, Pirates believe that taxation should be progressive, not regressive; and that the tax code must be simple and non-punishing. The Party believes that tax breaks, exemptions and loopholes are often complex, difficult to understand, and tailored for a select few – so they would be subject to review and re-configuration. No more millionaires who pay no taxes or corporations receiving public subsidies and tax exemptions. All should pay their fair share, and the authorities must be accountable for the expenditure of our funds. Or we'll make them walk the plank.

Pirates also understand commerce, and we know thievery and exploitation when we see it. There’s a lot of that going on right now, in creative fee structures, unexpected charges, and a variety of bank-driven financial manipulations. So ironically, Pirates are strong supporters of vigorous regulation and enforceable transparency. We’re not big on closed-door deals that don’t stand the light of day. Pirates allow that currency and the exchange of goods is the foundation of commerce, and that commerce is a source of creativity, value and growth. But we’ve seen too graphically in the last few years what rampant greed in an unregulated environment can bring – the damage it can do. Don’t want to go there again anytime soon. So Pirates want to see the masters of the financial universe constrained, supervised, and only then cut-loose to do what it is they do that feeds the star-maker machinery behind business.

And you may have noticed that Pirates come in all sizes, shapes, colors and sexual orientations. Not a mistake, that. Our tent is really, really big – so you need no special doors to enter. If you’re mad as hell and you just won’t take any more, consider becoming a Pirate. If you’re frustrated with both the Republicans and the Democrats, think about the Pirate Party. No really. Our fellow pirates in Europe have set an example, hooked-up and got stuff done. Not a revolution, but a great start. We can do that. America’s got talent, and lots and lots of pirates. Join now.

Technorati Tags: Pirate, Politics, Manifesto

A Normal Day. Not.

Mark Frauenfelder finds the neatest stuff. Nuff said. Here's a video he posted to Twitter today. Yeah. Uh-huh.

Heap's Been Busy. New Album in August.

Imogene Heap is a personal favorite. The edgy and brilliant Brit has been under the radar for a spell, and now we know why. She's been working on a serious new album, Ellipse, due out in August of this year. Can't wait. When Heap says she's working on an album, she really means it. She crafts her soundscapes with intricate design; plays practically every instrument, mixes, adds electronica magic and serves up totally mesmerizing, unique tunes. Way creative. Way good. Here's her recently uploaded trailer for the new release.



Technorati Tags: music, Heap, new release

Ethiopian Man Feeding Hyena Pack

Another Google Blogger Play find, this blog is in an Eastern European language that I don't read or understand. I'm guessing Polish or some Balkan tongue. Doesn't matter. This blogger's pictures of Africa are stunning. This one particular set, of a man feeding meat to wild Hyenas, really caught my eye. So I included it below with credit to the blog and blogger cited.

Dude, Hyena's are known for their bone-crushing jaws. And just look at the size of them. Uh-huh. They're more Tiger than Wolf, however, being part of the feline-like carnivore family. Not canines as many believe. And I thought the Cobra snake charmers outside the Souks at the Medina in Marrakech were impressive. Check this guy out. He sure looks casual and chilled-out for being surrounded by a pack of hungry, wild animals. Must know them well. Maybe talk their language.















Technorati Tags: Africa, Hyena, Photo

Feed Me!

Gypsy Festivals in NYC - Preview Video

Got this from Link TV's new World Music Blog. So the network I love the most now has an awesome music blog. Yeah. I'm aware that Pop Impulse has been a little video-intensive recently. I blame Twitter for taking so much of my time. But I'm addicted, truth be told. So though some long, insightful posts for readers are in the works, I had to share this video of the premier NYC Gypsy Festival. Hope you enjoy it.



Related posts
Gypsy Music - Origins of Improvisation?
Gypsy Art & Music
Balkan Gypsy Tango
Movie Madness (featuring Gypsy movies)


Technorati Tags: Gypsy, music, NYC

Credit Card Company Comeuppance

New Credit Card Laws - watch more funny videos

Technorati Tags: Credit, Banks, Finance

Former Interrogator Rebukes Cheney

Thanks to the crew at Brave New Films for this professional and responsive bit of journalism. And let this serve as a warning to those who would re-write history. It's not going to happen. Not this time. Not ever again. This kind of instant "truth squad" will make sure of it. And you've got to admire the quick turn-around. This is what the Internet is all about. Cross-posted from World Impulse.

cheney
torture

Ten Things You Didn't Know About Orgasm

Mary Roach, author of "Bonk," delivered this almost 20 minute presentation for the TED conference. TED videos never cease to wonder and amaze. Just when The Author figured orgasm was already well understood and documented, this comes along. There's some new information here, guaranteed. And it is so funny and engaging - if you're a bit of a brainiac and unencumbered by primitive moral taboos. Watch and enjoy. Or don't. That's the thing about choice.



Technorati Tags: Orgasm, TED, Video

Tingeling Goes Russia

Uh-huh. Scandinavian-Russo sounds from Sweden's Tingeling. European music madness.

Off to Da Big Island

The Author is taking a brief hiatus, vacationing with partner and resident friends on the big island of Hawaii. Ten days of Aloha. Taking "The Divine Husband" as reading material, the laptop, iPhone & iPod. Our friends in Na'alehu have graciously offered their guest room, and we're flying thanks to frequent flier miles. Our final four days will be at a beachfront condo in Kona, so we're going low stress, low budget. Sweet.


Thanks again to the Favara family for their hospitality. As you can see, their home is a suitable destination in paradise. Tastefully decorated with vintage Chinese and Balinese touches inside, and a to-die-for view from the Lanai. So if the VOG will stay away for a few days, all will be perfect. Plans call for a dinner at Hilo's Seaside restaurant and the usual visit to the fabulous Hawaiian Botanical Garden. I'll post a note from the south Pacific if I'm able, or inclined.

Moralism Sucks - Authority Abused Again

Thanks to Mark at Boing Boing for bringing this disturbing video to our attention, via "The Agitator." The piety of fundie moralists is sickening, and it seems, potentially lethal. But we all knew that. Problem is: religious fundamentalism has slowly infiltrated virtually all aspects of American life and infrastructure. No where is this more the case than in local police departments. Sure, this girl has a bad mouth. But really!



Policing
9-1-1

Not All Teenage Divas Sing Pop

Montreal's Nikki Yanofsky, at 15 years old, aspires to a more sublime sound. Wow. Confident and composed, this Diva-in-training has the energy, technique and style to be around for a while. A good thing. Regular readers know that Canada has some fine musical talent and fantastic annual festivals. This is an artist we'll be looking for on our next trip north. Enjoy.



Jazz
Nikki Yanofsky

End Addiction to Plastic Water Bottles

It just doesn't make sense. On so many levels. Not the least of which is the phenomena is a clear prelude to corporate ownership of potable water. Now that's a horrifying prospect. Today's Daily Kos features a wonderful and comprehensive piece by MCJoan, one of the Internet's clearest voices. Her piece, which starts out with a thorough review of Sam Bozzo's new film: Blue Gold: World Water Wars, is point-on as usual. So read it. You won't be disappointed.

In this space I'm focusing on just one aspect of her piece, which I'm reproducing below. It addresses a particular, personal irritation: Plastic water bottles. I confess to drinking my share of San Pelagrino, from glass. What is so inscrutable is the willingness of the masses to fork-out hard-earned cash for "processed" city water. Consider:

The energy used each year making the bottles needed to meet the demand for bottled water in the United States is equivalent to more than 17 million barrels of oil. That's enough to fuel over 1 million cars for a year.

• If water and soft drink bottlers had used 10% recycled materials in their plastic bottles in 2004, they would have saved the equivalent of 72 million gallons of gasoline. If they had used 25%, they would have saved enough energy to electrify more than 680,000 homes for a year.

• In 2003, the California Department of Conservation estimated that roughly three million water bottles are trashed every day in that state. At this rate, by 2013 the amount of unrecycled bottles will be enough to create a two-lane highway that stretches the state's entire coast.

• In 2004 the recycling rate for all beverage containers was 33.5 percent. If it reached 80 percent, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions would be the equivalent of removing 2.4 million cars from the road for a year.

• That bottle that takes just three minutes to drink can take up to a thousand years to biodegrade.

Sources: Earth Policy Institute, As You Sow, Container Recycling Institute.

Water Portal: Wikipedia

water

Music Machine - Fantastico

Seven views and no comments? How could that be possible? Doesn't anybody else like this video?

Technorati Tags: Music, Machine

Chai Masala - Hot or Cold

The Author is very fond of tea. Black, green Oolong, and Chai. Masala Chai is best prepared with fresh spices at home. The following recipe, culled from countless hours of undocumented internet surfing, is the basic and a personal favorite. One adjusts the ingredients to taste. Vanilla Bean may be added for denizens of the Pacific Northwest who are used to it in their Chai.

Make and use your Chai spice mix by weight. For best results, use whole or broken spices, not ground! To make 3 ½ ounces, start with about an ounce of shelled green or black cardamon and a half ounce of cinnamon bark. Then be sure you use some clove and ginger, and make up the weight from your favorites from this list:

• Allspice, cracked
• Black pepper, cracked HOT!
• Cardamon, hulled
• Cinnamon
• Cloves
• Coriander seed
• Ginger HOT!
• Mace and Nutmeg
• Star anise
• Fennel
• Bay leaf

Crack, hull and otherwise prepare your spices. Once blended, the spices can be placed in a cheese cloth bag or large, easy-fill tea filters. Brew a traditional pot of strong, black tea. The Author prefers single-estate Assam or an East Freisen blend. To the tea, add an equal part of milk and the bag of spices. Slowly bring to an easy boil then reduce immediately to a simmer and steep until the aroma is just right. Add sugar or Honey to taste. Remove spice bag and serve.

Technorati Tags: Chai, Tea, Recipe

50 Cars to make One Bus

So take the bus already. Or at least, share a taxi. Part with the car to reduce carbon emissions and your footprint on the planet. Check out this Swedish news cast covering one creative communications campaign.



transportation
green vehicles

Mexico Reeling after Combination Punch

Cross posted from World Impulse.

Mexico is the populous, next-door neighbor to the United States. “El Norte,” the Mexicans say when referring to the US. The United States of Mexico (Estados Unidos Mexicanos), as the country is properly labeled, is the fifth largest state in the Americas and the 14th largest independent nation in the world, according to Wikipedia.

With a population of over 109 million, Mexico is now reeling from three hard blows in succession. First, Mexico is losing the drug war against well-armed, internal narco-gangs. They seem to have co-opted all levels of authority and operate with considerable impunity around the country. Not surprising. Even when The Author was originally learning El Espanol, living and traveling in Mexico, the central government was largely seen as the authority on the borders and the Plateau – and not much else. The Mexican plateau, with a majority of the country’s population and three of its most important cities: the Federal District (DF, Mexico City); Guadalajara; and, Pueblo, (with the addition of Monterrey in the north) has long been the focus of the central government’s attention and funding. The same appears to be true for the administration of president Calderon. Rural areas, especially those in the south, have gone without similar attention or funding and are abjectly poor and feudal. Crime remains a serious and growing problem throughout the country, especially kidnapping and murder.

Second: The economic crisis in the US, coupled with punitive and restrictive immigration laws, has resulted in a significant decrease in remittances by Mexican workers to their home villages. Adding to this blow, Mexican laborers are being forced by rising unemployment in the US to return to Mexico at an inopportune moment for both the families of the workers and the government of the state.

Third: The new Swine flu, A: H1N1, appears to have originated in Mexico and is now on its way to being the first major global pandemic in years. So tourism, Mexico’s trustworthy source of foreign currency, has dried up and commerce is slowing dramatically as the country shutters to avoid spreading contagion. Evidence is mounting that the contagion is not only viral, it is economic as well. And Mexico's economy will continue to suffer.

Technorati Tags: Mexico, Economy, Flu

CALPERS to Vote Against Lewis at BofA

Today, the powerful California Public Employee Retirement System (CALPERS) announced that it would vote against the re-election of all 18 members of the Bank of America board of directors and would actively oppose the reappointment of Ken Lewis as the bank's CEO. Since CALPERS owns some 22 million shares, this is a big deal. Lewis, as The Author's previous post indicates, is under fire from all sides. With this last volley, his survival at the institution is in question to say the least. As it should be. Pop Impulse is impressed.

news
banking

Fire Ken Lewis

The Bank of America should fire its CEO, Ken Lewis. He is an enemy of the people, in the simplest of terms. The predatory practices of his bank, both before and after the economic crisis, require nothing less. If you're feeling the effects of this depression, or if you or someone you know has lost a job, this man is in some way responsible. At the very least, he's a good place to start pointing the finger of blame. Then, the middle finger of anger.

B of A used to be a great bank. A really great bank. The company rebuilt San Francisco after the devastating earthquake at the beginning of the last century. It made loans to working-class Americans when other institutions wouldn't. It was the bank for the common fellow. No more. Now it raises rates on its best customers, pushes credit cards on the unqualified, and exacts fees for just about any imaginable event - while handing out bonuses to its crew of clueless executives. Just take a look at the video below (after taking your blood pressure or anti-anxiety meds).



Related Posts
Don't Blame Consumers for Bad Loans
Predatory Business Practices
Classism & Corporate Greed Devalue America
Is the US Becoming a Third World Nation?

news
economy
banks

Happy Earth Day

Let "The Guide Girls" show you how easy it is to be green. Thanks to Parneet, a fellow tweeter, for the link. How is your garden growing? Leave me a note.



Earth Day
Guide Girls

Who Are These People?

My, my. We do these silly thing, it seems, because we can. Makes me celebrate the cynical skepticism of the Vienna Circle and the Linguistic Analysts.

religion

Le fumeur de cigare

I love the music of Richard Galliano. It provides the perfect audio track for this delightful, French animation celebrating the joys of a fine cigar.

more about "Le fumeur de cigare", posted with vodpod

Imogen Heap - Diva with a Difference

The Author is fond of female vocalists, as any regular reader knows. A favorite playlist of late features the tunes of Imogen Heap and Frou Frou. Heap has definite nerd appeal, as she taught herself sequencing and audio engineering at a very young age on an Atari system. Very impressive, in a geekilicious way. Her musical compositions are unique, textured treasures - often multi-layered with just the right amount of electronica. Her voice is mesmerizing. Check out her personal site. Or, you can follow her on Twitter.

A comment on a review site summed it up for me. "She may not be good looking, in a traditional sense, but when this girl sings I just want to lay my head in her lap and disappear into the music." Yeah. That's got it. Another reason that reading (and leaving) comments is a good thing.

Heap has had a varied career: a notable album with the short-lived Frou Frou, a full discography of solo work; and, a number of tracks composed for TV and movies including tunes developed for Heros and the Chronicles of Narnia. The video below is The Author's personal favorite Heap tune.



Music
Imogen Heap

Sticky. Liquid. Art.

Technorati Tags: Art, Coke, Mentos

Mayra Andrade - Cape Verde's New Diva

The music of the Cape Verde islands, located off the coast of Angola on the west coast of Africa, is distinct. Cape Verde, like many shipping stops, was a Portuguese colony for a spell and the sons of Portugal left behind their language and musical sensibilities. This post is all about Mayra Andrade, a new Cape Verdian voice and an undeniable Diva in training. Wow.


Something magic happens when you mix old Portuguese tunes with mainland African rhythms. Cape Verdian singers are also of note. Rich, throaty songs full of tonal nuance and ethnic variation require much from would-be singers. Great, historic names like Cesaria Evora come to mind. The Author was lucky enough to see the Diva herself, at a stop in rural Medford at the Craterian Theatre some time ago.

Mayra Andrade, fresh and young, is the heir apparent to the legendary Evoria. (official web site) She captures the somtimes mellow, sometimes humorous, but always seductive rhythms of the genre with perfection. It's no wonder, she's been singing forever. Born in Havana, Cuba, Andrade moved to the Island at an early age and immediately took up singing and musical instruction. Well, the results are spectacular.



music
Mayra Andrade
Cape Verde

Dato's Award-Winning Music Video

Georgian pop singer Dato Khujadze has won prizes and awards in his native Southwest Asian country as well as at international festivals and competitions. Described as a "transcontinental" country, Georgia is kind of like Central Europe's "South Central" neighborhood.

So Dato has performed duets with Coolio, mastered hip-hop, and produced an award-winning music video since his debut in 2000 and his first album in 2002. (official site). The video speaks for itself. Some of the most artistic free-hand sand painting The Author has ever seen. A treat.

Makhinji Var


Dato Music Georgia

Breaking News: Captain Phillips Freed

The BBC and other newswires are reporting the rescue of American Captain Phillips who had been held hostage by Somali pirates for several days following the abortive boarding of his vessel last week. His crew rallied and re-took the vessel from the heavily armed Somali privateers, but the Captain was taken hostage in the process.

News is that he jumped from his captors lifeboat, flinging himself overboard so that Navy Seals could do the rest. Reports indicate he is safe and sound. Hoo-Yah! Dudes, don't tread on us. Ever.

news