h/t MoveOn.org

There is a widespread false and misleading chain email circulating about Obama, McCain and their tax policies. Fackcheck.org below concludes it is almost entirely false:

"Alert readers may already have noted that this chain e-mail does not provide links to any of Obama's actual proposals or cite any sources for the claims it makes. That is because they are made up.This widely distributed message is so full of misinformation that we find it impossible to believe that it is the result of simple ignorance or carelessness on the part of the writer. Almost nothing it says about Obama's tax proposals is true. We conclude that this deception is deliberate."

Full line by line debunking is here:
http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/would_obama_tax_my_profits_if_i.html

h/t Todd Smyth who sent this via email

If you have a moment - pop on over and give it a quick read. Would love to hear any thoughts you may have!

The Pookie  looking on,thinking everyone had completely lost their mind. ...yet debating joining in.

Oh...there is music,too but I have pictures from every single year where there is dancing and mud combined. Who could forget the year that the infield was flooded and we were actually diving in the mud and doing our own version of the Slip-n-Slide without the plastic mat? Good times,good times.

See? Music.

This would be IY, whom my pre-teenage daughters love. I think I may have pre-determined that I would not like them but much to the glaring judgment of my oldest child who is the resident music snob (next to me) in our house, I kind of like them too.

You can listen to them here

I lack decent photographic evidence of the rest of yesterday's events, but I can tell you that The Evil City Stringband was awesome,especially with their rendition of  "Hurt"...different from NIN's ,more akin to Cash's version, yet still unique.

If you're wondering why they're called The Evil City Stringband, it's because  Ithaca is also known as The City of Evil. It was also known as Sodom when it was a pioneer town because it was so unruly and gosh-darn crazy. More reasons Why Ithaca is The City of Evil <---there.

(Sidenote: I've really never hid the fact that Ithaca is the general area I reside in but if you're just learning this, don't stalk me. If you're already stalking me, stop now.Yes,YOU.)

I was sad that I missed Gunpoets but they played at the same time as Lucinda Williams, who is a goddess and could not be missed.

Surely you have pictures and videos of Lucinda!, you say. That would be a negative. Dammit.

All I have to say is, Lucinda is categorized as country-rock/folk and I say fuck that...Lucinda has a voice made for punk and a bit of the attitude that goes with it.So, there you go- Lucinda Williams is punk rock.

Not that those genre definitions mean anything. Music can't and shouldn't be defined by a genre label.

Even though "Drunken Angel" is probably my fave Lucinda song, this one might be one of my new faves

..and definitely this new one:

"Honeybee". But then ,you know...I have a thing about bees so I was apt to like it anyway.

I have such a strange relationship with bees. I think I might get a bee tattoo on my hand. They always land on me ,travel the length of my arm and settle on my hand to just hang out for a bit. Yesterday it happened with a little honeybee, who would not leave for anything. The only times I've ever been stung is when I stepped on them barefoot and you can't really blame the poor bee. I'd be pretty pissed off if someone stepped on me,too.

Other upcoming events:

Campaign for Liberty rally in Minneapolis, September 1st and 2nd

Operation St. Paul

Combo-Vote for Change Voter Registration /Tabling
Saturday, July 12 at 9:00 AM Giant Parking Lot across from IHOP (Stafford, VA)
Please join us in the Giant parking lot as we register new voters and spread Sen. Obama's message of hope
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/voterregistrationdrive/4b3d

Combo-Vote for Change Voter Registration/Tabling
Sunday, July 13 at 11:00 AM Giant Parking lot (Stafford, VA)
Please join us after church in the Giant parking lot as we register new voters and spread Sen. Obama's message of hope
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/voterregistrationdrive/4b32

Haircuts for OBAMA/ Voter Registration Stafford (Fundraising)
Saturday, July 19 at 9:30 AM Positive Image Barbershop (Stafford, VA)
Positive Image Barbershop is joining us in our fundraising efforts by donating 2.00 from each haircut to the Obama campaign
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/fundraising/4gdyf

Monthly Strategy Meeting (Meeting)
Thursday, July 24 at 7:00 PM John M. Porter Library (Stafford, VA)
Monthly strategy meeting for fundraising, volunteer projects and presenting our plan for change

... and From David James:

In case you have not heard, we will be running a number of canvassing and voter registration points across Stafford, Spotsylvania and Fredericksburg on Saturday and Sunday of this weekend. This is an invaluable opportunity to come together as one party and work together as a team, co-ordinating our efforts to ensure that we penetrate neighborhoods that have never had their doors knocked and reach people who have never considered registering before. I know many people may be on holiday or busy, but November is swiftly creeping up on us. If we do not make sacrifices now, we will regret it in the fall. So please seriously consider coming out and helping your party and your fellow countrymen and women this weekend.

We will be canvassing from 702 Cornell St at 10am and 2pm on Saturday and noon on Sunday. If canvassing is not your thing, then you are more than welcome to participate in one of our three Giant store voter registration drives (Plank Rd, Jefferson Davis and Celebrate Virginia Parkway). Please do not hesitate to call me on 540 429 3646 if you have any questions, and I really hope you will be able to spare a few hours of your time this weekend to help make sure we turn Virginia blue.

I look forward to meeting you
David James
Obama Organizing Fellow
540-429-3646

At Ella Jo Baker Co-op
2552 University Pl
Off Euclid b/w 14 & 15, Columbia Heights Metro
Backyard - enter through rear alley
If raining, go to community room, basement of 2548 University Pl
The People’s Property Campaign represents residents from all 8 wards who have united to demand an end to the giveaway of schools, libraries, parks and other public properties. Among our successes is the introduction and recent hearing on legislation our members drafted, to save public property! Please come help us celebrate our successes, meet and mingle with other DC residents who share your concerns, share some food and drink and watch video footage of our activities over the last year.

RSVP to EMPOWER DC (202)234-9119 or Parisa@empowerdc.org

In recent days, leading news organizations around the country have reported on the housing policies of Senator Barack Obama, following a feature article published in the Boston Globe which highlighted the example of the Grove Parc Plaza Apartments, a subsidized housing complex in Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood that we call home.

The Globe Article, while rightly raising concerns about the failure of the private sector to adequately provide for the housing needs of the poor, unfortunately leaves out half of the story. Grove Parc is not just an example of the failures of past policies, but a beacon of hope for the way forward. Tenants have not only stopped foreclosure and the displacement of some 500 low income families, but also brought in new management committed to working with the tenants to rebuild affordable and quality housing for all residents. In so doing, we have highlighted two fundamental principles that both presidential candidates would do well to heed as they finalize their housing policy platforms,-- first, the full participation of tenants, who have the biggest stake in housing policy, and second, the guarantee of quality housing for all as a human right and social responsibility.

In the wake of massive housing cuts, privatization, and foreclosures that have left millions without a stable home – problems for which both major political parties must take responsibility - it is time for both candidates to tell the American people how they will ensure quality housing as a human right and reality for every American family. In short, the new administration must ensure a roof over the head of all American families.

Never has it been clearer that government has to play an active role in ensuring that America’s families have safe, decent housing. Millions of home-owners are facing foreclosure. Gas, food and utility prices are sky-rocketing. Thousands of units of public housing are being torn down from New Orleans to Miami to Chicago and close to 500,000 families - including many elderly and disabled - may soon be put out on the streets due to Congress under-funding HUD’s subsidized housing program by $2.8 billion this year. Homelessness and poverty will continue to rise until we treat housing as a human right rather than a source of profit for speculators and developers. In Chicago, for example, a recent study published in the Chicago Tribune shows that a minimum wage worker would have to work 97 hours a week, 52 weeks a year to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment. Low-income communities of color, in particular, are being ravaged by this crisis, which extends far beyond housing. Displacement weakens our communities and in so doing makes problems like youth violence and unstable schools even worse. The promise of “mixed-income” communities has been a smoke screen for a set of policies that have involved tearing down lots of housing and replacing very little of it. The people affected by these policies are never at the table when they are created.

While the Globe article raises important points about the problems in both public and subsidized housing, it fails to highlight the role played by massive budget cuts to HUD, which has created a lack of oversight over all HUD programs. These cuts have been carried forth by both parties, and their effects have been made even worse by rampant corruption in the last HUD administration, whose Bush-appointed National Secretary, Alphonso Jackson, recently stepped down amidst allegations of contract steering.

But there is another way forward. Our nation needs to guarantee the Human Right to Housing for all of its citizens, regardless of income and race, and to ensure that the people affected by policies are active participants in creating them. As a start we call on both candidates to commit to:

· Fully fund HUD

The 2008 HUD subsidized housing budget was under-funded by $2.8 billion dollars, threatening to triple the rents of 500,000 families overnight (40% of whom are the elderly and disabled) unless Congress acts fast.

· Support tenant empowerment and oversight

Grove Parc is turning around because as tenants we are taking control of our housing. We chose a new management company, stopped HUD from foreclosing on our complex, and have won awards around the country for our efforts. Grove Parc is proving that when the people who live in housing finally have a voice in how it is run another future for subsidized housing is possible.

· Declare a moratorium on demolition of public housing and foreclosures

Most of the public sees housing subsidies as hand-outs to the poor, not realizing that the vast majority of HUD subsidies go to first time home buyers. Ironically, now both groups are in the same boat, unsure of where to look for housing as banks are bailed out but homeowners are left hanging while the few safety nets that exist continue to be decimated by the current administration.

· Create a comprehensive plan to ensure the human right to housing for all

We hope that the both campaigns will see this as an opportunity to take a strong stand for Housing as a Human Right and to take a critical look at the failure of privatizing housing and the need for strong public oversight and tenant control. Some will undoubtedly use the stories of wasted money and failed housing in the Globe article as justification to further cut these programs. Cutting badly needed subsidies in any housing program, especially in economic times like we are in, is irresponsible, unethical and inefficient, creating many unforeseen costs to society. With better oversight and regulation, an expansion of all housing programs and tenant inclusion in policy-making, the Human Right to decent and safe housing can become a reality for all.

And already this chart is out of date: There are now 12,732 members of the anti-FISA Amendments Act group!

Barack Obama is facing a full-blown revolt within his own campaign.

It's time to admit your mistake, Mr. Obama. Keep the promise you made in February. Vote against the FISA Amendments Act.

On June 30, Cary joined the Chinatown Revitalization Council as they discussed several issues of importance to the community. Participants discussed the impending sale of the Wah Luck House. Cary is closely monitoring the situation and has alerted the DC Tenants' Advocacy Coalition (TENAC) to ensure that the elderly tenants' rights are fully protected. Residents are in the process of forming a tenants association, a necessary step to exercising their rights to purchase the building.

I don't know enough about this to have an opinion, save that it is the sort of thing we need to keep our eye on.

(RED) is a brand created by Bono and Bobby Shriver to eliminate AIDS in Africa. What we do is partner with major companies like GAP, Apple, Dell, Windows, Armani, Motorola, Hallmark, Converse, American Express and others to produce special products with the (RED) label. When those products sell, the companies donate a portion of their profits directly to the Global Fund, a UN non-profit, which is then used to fight AIDS in Africa. Pretty cool, huh?

So, back to the training. They flew me and the 5 other interns out to LA, and we spent a few days at their offices in Santa Monica. Besides walking around and seeing the (RED) product line up close, we also got to meet with a lot of the (RED) team and talk about our ides. We also started talking about ideas on how to turn our campuses (RED), so if you go to Sacred Heart, be prepared. (RED) is the new ONE as far as I’m concerned – it’s going to be everywhere.

Unfortunately Bobby, who is a long-time hero and role model of mine, was off travelling…but I hope our paths cross soon!

So, what’s the real question here? I want you to shop (RED) every chance you get. Whether it’s a new pair of Converse shoes (that you can design yourself) or an Apple iPod Shuffle, remember to buy (RED). That’s the beauty of our business model. Number one, we WANT the companies to make profits. That’s what keeps consumers buying these high-quality products, and the retailers remain motivated to keep them in stock. Second, it doesn’t cost you anything extra to buy (RED). For example, an iPod nano is $199 in an Apple store. Whether you buy a Product (RED) one or a white, blue, green, or black one, they are all the same price. The only difference is that with one of them, you legitimately save a life. Don’t say no to something like that.

Want more updates on Product (RED) endeavors? Join the mailing list at www.joinred.com. I’ll also be posting a separate Blog (for many different reasons) about (RED) happenings at SHU – the link will be posted here when I have it up and running.

You can find this now, sometimes, with friends who make mix CDs for each other--but who has the time anymore? The era of the mixtape died with CDs, with internet radio, with iTunes and iPods and MP3 players. Or did it?

Enter Muxtape. Since March 2008, Muxtape has been slowly growing, gaining word of mouth via link-sharing sites like Tumblr and Digg. This is what Muxtape has to say about itself:

"Muxtape is a living music platform in its early stages. Our goal is to redefine the mixtape on the internet as a model for music discovery and social interaction, and to do so in the most elegant way technology allows. We believe that music is better when it’s presented to you by a person with care."

I agree. Let's get back to that--carefully picked out songs and tracks, something special that someone has meant for you to hear. Muxtape's homepage is a table of mixes created for you by someone who thinks you'll love them. You can play particular songs by clicking on the tracklist, listen to the whole mix by starting at the top, become a fan of a mix and even add it as a feed. If you adore the song, there is a quick link under the title that will lead you to buy the MP3. They couldn't make it more simple and indeed elegant.

Check out Muxtape and start sharing your favorites and finding some new ones. Right now I'm listening to a mix called "Boys who can hit the high notes". Go, join, create.

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Forasmuch as Fresh Pics Chat

During the summer, there is a veritable explosion of music in the area, much of which is outdoors and FREE! I can think of very few things that can hold a candle to the idea of packing a picnic lunch (or grabbing one from your favorite eatery) and heading out to Taughannock Falls State Park or the Ithaca Commons to hear a live and often local band play. I know what some of you may be thinking, that a local music scene is just not your cup of tea and that you have a "local music scene" at home in which you rarely partake...but I beg of you, give it a chance! You will NOT be disappointed. The local musicians are exceptional (and not every concert around the town is by a local band or artist), the crowds are friendly and easy-going, the price is right, the locations are easy to find and you're outside enjoying the beautiful, albeit brief, summer weather in our part of the world.

To give you an idea of what you can find (and enjoy), here is a list of live music events in and around Ithaca for this summer:

• Ithaca Commons Summer Concert Series - Thursdays, 6:00pm (some start later, and all are free)
• Taughannock Falls State Park Summer Concert Series - Saturdays, 7:00pm ($5.00 per car parking fee)
• Summer Concerts on the Cornell Arts Quad - Fridays, 7:30pm (only run through the first week of August, but also free)
• Myers Point Park (in Lansing, our neighbors to the north) - Thursdays, 6:30pm (free...isn't a great word!?)
• Concerts at the Ellis Hollow Community Center (just east of the downtown)- Tuesdays, 6:00pm (also free!!)
• Watkins Glen Concerts at Clute Park (just about 40 minutes to the west) - Tuesdays, 7:00pm (you guessed it: free!)
• Montgomery Park in Dryden (just 25 minutes to the northeast) - Wednesdays, 6:00pm (still free)
• Wagner Vineyards Concert Series - Fridays, 8:00pm ($3.00 cover - still, not bad)

As you can see, there really is no reason not to go to a concert while you're in Ithaca (visiting or permanently), as there is an abundance of free and inexpensive concerts that are just ripe for the picking (pardon the seasonal metaphor). If you already enjoy the music scene or you really love music and want as much of it as you can possibly find, I would also suggest the Finger Lakes Grassroots Festival that takes place in Trumansburg (a scant 20 minutes from Ithaca) every year. The festival is coming up this weekend (July 18-20) and promises to be one of the best ever, with performances going on almost around the clock, a huge variety of big-name and local bands as well as on-site camping (for those of you who need to be close to the music 'round the clock!). Grassroots is not a free concert, but it is well-worth the money for all the bands you can see in one place, on one of the four stages, the creative works of the crafters and artisans, as well as some fantastic foods from more than 20 multicultural food vendors.

So, in conclusion, I simply must encourage you to take advantage of the free, inexpensive, and even the reasonably-priced concerts in and around Ithaca during the summer. That's not to say that the music scene hibernates during the cooler weather (there are just as many, if not more, events in fall and winter), but this is the only opportunity to enjoy great music and fantastic weather at the same time - so don't miss it!

[dailymotion id=x53cjr]

Video Clip : 1,2,3

Singer : 311

As an American who has, at times, found himself in Paris, the last thing I would have deemed wise would be to give a ‘lecture’ (even within the hallowed halls of Sciences Po) on something as quintessentially American as a half-Kansan, half-Kenyan Senator from the great state of Illinois. But there was Dave, speaking in English to a crowd of French students, journalists and whoever else could fit in the auditorium – and they couldn’t get enough.

No disrespect to Dave, who is a fantastic and encaptivating speaker and presented wonderful material, but the crowd was there because Barack Obama transcends America – he speaks to the rest of the world as much (if not more) than he does to his own countrymen. Is it his message or his method?

As Dave’s presentation (materials to come soon) shows – the methods that Obama is using to communicate his message are as revolutionary as an old populist named Andrew Jackson used in 1828. While Jackson’s novel use of a new creation – the postal service – probably weren’t noticed on this side of the Atlantic, Obama’s use of digital communications platforms like youtube and facebook certainly are.

With America’s recent past of ignoring everything beyond its own borders, it feels good to be connected again. But why does Europe feel such a strong connection to Barack? Without detracting from both his message and the man himself, the simple answer is, because they are connected to him – 24 hours a day at 256k bps.

- Coverage of Dave's speech appears in this article on the online edition of the French daily Le Monde

Camp Bisco VII kicks off in Mariaville, NY at the Indian Lookout Country Club. There you can catch the insane lineup that is the Disco Biscuits, Snoop Dogg, DJ Shadow & Cut Chemist, MSTRKRFT, LA Riots, and others. We'll be there and hopefully catch up to some of those wonderful people. (Those people are the tripped-out festival people. Hopefully not-so-smelly this time around, as there are promises of working showers)