This entry will be quite serious because, well, there’s some serious shit happening in our world, and we rarely have all the facts. Last weekend marked the third anniversary of the “War on Terror,” and I think we’re all more fearful as a result.
What scares us?
Is it that we know too much now? There’s no more innocence in our youth, no playing outside without fear of being kidnapped, no cigarette lighters allowed on airplanes and no more elevenths of September without mourning.
Or, are we more scared now of the things we do not know? Is civil war rearing its ugly head in Iraq? Are Iraqis better off today than they were five years ago?
And one of the most important questions I think a person can ask today – What really goes on at Guantanamo Bay? Why is our government so persistent on keeping prisoners for years without charging or trying them? Why are we so adamant about keeping it open when the UN Human Rights Committee has demanded its closure because of its atrocious violations of the Geneva Convention and Habeas Corpus?
I know it’s a downer of a topic and it’s a long audio file, but it should be required listening in all high school civics courses – or all American living rooms. Please listen to this episode of NPR’s
This American Life, at least for a few minutes. It’s easy to be distracted by the indulgent fun of “American Idol” or the rumored wedding of Brad & Angelina; it takes more time to care about something you’re not sure how to fix.
As a child, I wondered how the whole world could allow the Holocaust to happen. I don’t pretend to be a historian in the least, but I didn’t get it. How could a government get away with so much evil without a revolt of its own citizens?
What will the next generation say when they open their history books? Will they wonder why we were silent? Will they read about it at all?
I’m not comparing our government to Nazi Germany because I know that’s ridiculous – and I know I could lose my job and have the FBI listening to my telephone conversations. I love America. I love this country because I have the freedom to think and to question and to speak out. I just think we should take advantage of that right more often, at least as much as those wacky Charlton Heston followers spout off about their right to bare arms.
Read more and understand what’s happening.
Human Rights Watch -- http://hrw.org/english/docs/2006/03/16/usdom13015.htm
Amnesty International -- http://web.amnesty.org/pages/guantanamobay-background-eng
UPDATE! I don't know why these links are crapping out on me, so please copy and paste the links above.
In honor of Sufjan's well-deserved achievement, here are some fun downloads from the folkster.
To Die By Your Side has a series of Bjork songs remixed by the likes of Beck, Beastie Boys and Portishead. Right under that post is a photo of Conor Oberst -- how lovely! I'm thinking, I feel so lucky to have found a blog that covers some of my favorite artists! Scroll down a little more, and you'll see a post about Jeff Buckley. Whoa! Who's been reading my diary?
Run, don't walk, to m3 online for some leaked tracks from Snow Patrol's new album -- including one that features vocals from Martha Wainwright! Get them before the record company jails the Web master for posting them.
Did The Lovely Feathers release their new album without the fanfare it deserved? The band opened for Metric a few months ago and immediately became one of those opening bands that are worth the ticket price of the whole show. (Even if the evil Ticketmaster charged its insane service charges!) The band totally rocked! I read that they had a new album coming out in April, but SKATTERBRAIN talks about the album as if it's already out. I'm not sure, but one thing is clear. You can download a track from the album at SKATTERBRAIN. Enjoy!
The power of cat! Download live tracks from Cat Power's set in Paris.
Here, calm yourself and tune in to the new KCRWmusic.com. You can listen in iTunes, Real Player or Windows Media. According to the radio station itself, "This new stream features original programming along with some of your favorite music shows from the airwaves at KCRW. It is designed for the adventurous music fan -- all-music, commercial free, 24/7." 
This entry will be quite serious because, well, there’s some serious shit happening in our world, and we rarely have all the facts. Last weekend marked the third anniversary of the “War on Terror,” and I think we’re all more fearful as a result. 
Dear Jon Stewart,
You can also stream a recent show from Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and upcoming Coachella darlings Clap your Hands Say Yeah.
Check out the Art of the Motorcycle, at the Orlando Museum of Art.
Start planning your mode of attack for the upcoming Florida Film Festival! The legend himself, John Waters is actually going to be here, and you can join in the naughty fun for only $18. He'll be at the Enzian on April 1.
I'll admit, I am sure I am way behind on this, but I figured that if I am, maybe you have been working too much lately and have missed this fun clip! Real Life Simpsons is exactly what it sounds like -- and it's hysterical! It's the live version of the opening credits to "The Simpsons" down to the identical twins in Lisa's music class and Homer's butt crack. Enjoy!
Pearl Jam has finished its new album (Woo hoo!) and released a new single "World Wide Suicide" that's a free legal download on the band's Web site. The new eponymous CD will be released on May 2. Hmm, right after Coachella. Maybe I'll start a rumor that they're going to play the campgrounds.
