Politics

For those of you who might be interested, and can afford it, Presidential candidate John Edwards will be in New York City next Wednesday, April 18th. Details below:

WHAT: Young Professionals Event with John Edwards
WHERE: Strata, 915 Broadway
WHEN: Wednesday, April 18th, 7:30 - 8:30 PM
MONEY: $100
RSVP: Alicia Brown, EdwardsNYCYPs@gmail.com, (212) 260-8813 or online

And if you haven't heard, New York State has moved up their Presidential primary election date to February 5th, 2008. New York now joins major electoral point states California, New Jersey, Texas and Illinois on what is being dubbed Super Duper Tuesday. This will be fourth week of primary elections, following voting in Iowa, Nevade, and New Hampshire, and roughly nine months before the Presidential election........

"Major combat operations in Iraq have ended."
- President George Bush, May 1, 2003

As we mark the anniversary of when Commander-in-Chief George W. Bush announced that major combat operations in Iraq have ended, I want to urge every to take time out of their busy lives to watch Bill Moyers' brilliant documentary, "Buying the War," which is now airing on PBS (check for times).

"Buying the War" looks at the absolute failure of the media in the lead-up to the invasion of Iraq and how they continue to do a poor job of researching and investigating for actual facts. Moyers slams the press, especially those so called liberal media outlets, for failing to do there job. This is a must watch............

Last Bjork post for a bit I promise. I am really enjoing Volta , which officially comes out on May 8th. I'm kind of surprised that it seems to be getting such mixed reviews.........

DOWNLOAD: Bjork - "Declare Independence" (album version)

Sasha Frere-Jones for New Yorker:
"Björk has no obligation to make her politics explicit, but it’s a shame that she keeps her anger cloaked......Björk’s collaborators on “Volta” are eclectic to a fault.....This musical solicitude is a testament to Björk’s fearless curiosity, but her restlessness can be wearying. When disparate teams of musicians attempt to realize one musician’s ideas, every song becomes yet another stone turned over rather than one put in place. On “Volta,” melodic motifs rarely repeat the way they do in most songs, and many of Björk’s vocal performances feel like improvisations."

Rolling Stone:
.Volta is arguably Bjork's loosest and most ruminative record, and though it touches on everything she's ever done, it's not as gripping or coherent as her best stuff, notably 2001's Vespertine

Newsweek:
Less than 10 minutes into “Volta,” her sixth full-length album, the snow globe’s glass is broken, its content spilling in every direction.....several new tracks that finds Bjork vaulting out of her comfort zone into the territory of the political provocateur. Although Bjork insists “Volta” is not an angry record, merely an extroverted one—she’s never sounded more defiant.

NME:
The monolithic, electro-tribal Pac-Man music of 'Earth Intruders' signals dark times for us all (well, like, der), but as always, it's executed in typically jaw-dropping style. Astounding.

The first debate between Republican presidential hopefuls was last night. The gang of ten only mentioned their party leader, President George Bush, a total of one time. There was a whole of gay-bashing, Clinton-bashing and war talk. It seems this group is ready to go to war with Iran immediately. Anyway, here are two lowlights:

All Republicans, including Giuliani, are for overturning Roe V Wade:

Three Republican candidates for President DO NOT believe in evolution:

And Ron Paul (R-TX), who I thought won the debate, on Iraq:

The owner of adult stores in Alabama asked the Supreme Court on Monday to throw out a state ban on selling sex toys, calling it an unconstitutional intrusion into the bedroom..........

The near-civil war between Hamas and Fatah continues to worsen. Mere hours after a ceasefire was signed between the two leading Palestinian organizations, Hamas gunmen ambushed Fatah forces, killing eight people in the deadliest battle yet in three days of factional fighting.............

Iraqi police prevented news photographers and camera operators from filming the scene of a bombing Tuesday under a new policy limiting coverage of the devastating explosions that have become a hallmark of the violence in the country. Got to love the freedoms and democracy we're bringing to Iraq........

Two Iranian pro-reform newspapers that had been banned resumed publishing in Iran this week in an apparent sign of hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's decreasing popularity. Meanwhile, Iran is pushing their newfound power in the Middle East to force other countries in the region from housing U.S. army bases....

A Syrian court sentenced four pro-democracy campaigners, including one of Syria's most respected writers, to prison terms Sunday as part of President's Bashar Assad's latest crack down on dissent..........

Rev. Jerry Falwell is dead at the age of 73. May he burn in hell. Disagree with my harsh words? Well then, read some of his quotes..........

"AIDS is the wrath of a just God against homosexuals. To oppose it would be like an Israelite jumping in the Red Sea to save one of Pharoah's chariotters."
-Rev Jerry Falwell

"The Jews are returning to their land of unbelief. They are spiritually blind and desperately in need of their Messiah and Savior."
-Jerry Falwell, Listen, America!

"And, I know that I'll hear from them for this. But, throwing God out successfully with the help of the federal court system, throwing God out of the public square, out of the schools. The abortionists have got to bear some burden for this because God will not be mocked. And when we destroy 40 million little innocent babies, we make God mad. I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People for the American Way -- all of them who have tried to secularize America -- I point the finger in their face and say, "You helped this happen."
-Rev Jerry Falwell, blaming civil libertarians, feminists, homosexuals, and abortion rights supporters for the terrorist attacks of Tuesday, September 11, 2001, quoted from John F Harris, "God Gave US 'What We Deserve,' Falwell Says," The Washington Post (September 14, 2001)

"I hope I live to see the day when, as in the early days of our country, we won't have any public schools. The churches will have taken them over again and Christians will be running them. What a happy day that will be!"
-Rev Jerry Falwell, America Can Be Saved, 1979 pp. 52-53, from Albert J Menendez and Edd Doerr, The Great Quotations on Religious Freedom

"AIDS is not just God's punishment for homosexuals; it is God's punishment for the society that tolerates homosexuals."
-Jerry Falwell (attributed: source unknown)

"The ACLU is to Christians what the American Nazi party is to Jews."
-Rev Jerry Falwell

"The idea that religion and politics don't mix was invented by the Devil to keep Christians from running their own country."
-Rev Jerry Falwell, Sermon, July 4, 1976

"There is no separation of church and state. Modern US Supreme Courts have raped the Constitution and raped the Christian faith and raped the churches by misinterpreting what the Founders had in mind in the First Amendment to the Constitution."
-Jerry Falwell

"The Bible is the inerrant ... word of the living God. It is absolutely infallible,without error in all matters pertaining to faith and practice, as well as in areas such as geography, science, history, etc."
-Jerry Falwell, Finding Inner Peace and Strength

"I listen to feminists and all these radical gals - most of them are failures. They've blown it. Some of them have been married, but they married some Casper Milquetoast who asked permission to go to the bathroom. These women just need a man in the house. That's all they need. Most of the feminists need a man to tell them what time of day it is and to lead them home. And they blew it and they're mad at all men. Feminists hate men. They're sexist. They hate men - that's their problem."
-Jerry Falwell

"Laura and I are deeply saddened by the death of Jerry Falwell, a man who cherished faith, family, and freedom. As the founder of Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia, Jerry lived a life of faith and called upon men and women of all backgrounds to believe in God and serve their communities. One of his lasting contributions was the establishment of Liberty University, where he taught young people to remain true to their convictions and rely upon God's word throughout each stage of their lives."
-President George Bush

"Today, America has lost a true spiritual leader and a man of great faith in Jerry Falwell. His great words and actions will never be forgotten by the hundreds of thousands of people around the world that his life has touched. Jerry's moral character and principle will forever be remembered deep within my heart and those whose lives were so blessed to be touched by him."
--Senator Brownback, Republican Presidential Candidate

"The secular-progressive far left movement in the USA is not free speech friendly. If you disagree with those people, many of them will try to hurt you. Far left intolerance is off the chart....And there is no better example than reaction to the death of Reverend Jerry Falwell. Within hours of his demise, the far left hate machine cranked up.....even if you dislike Falwell, let his family and friends grieve for a few days, OK? There's no reason to kick his dead body....As for Jerry Falwell, he was an American who spoke his mind. I disagreed with him on many issues, I told him so to his face, but he had the courage to come in here and debate. I believe the Reverend was wrong in singling out homosexuals for scorn. I believe only God has the power to judge people's personal behavior."
--Bill O'Reilly

“I’ve known Dr. Falwell since the mid 1970’s. I’ve been to his church and spoke at the university last fall. He was one of Christendom’s great leaders who stood by his convictions and never lost his common touch. Many did not know about his sense of humor and compassion for people from all walks of life.Dr. Falwell helped spark a conservative movement that renewed our belief in our core values and a new confidence in what is good about America. His efforts helped elect one of America’s greatest leaders, President Ronald Reagan, in 1980. We are deeply indebted to his service to our nation.”
--Senator Huckabee, Republican Candidate for President

"Falwell was a perfected Christian. He exuded Christian love for all men, hating sin while loving sinners. This is as opposed to liberals, who just love sinners. Like Christ ministering to prostitutes, Falwell regularly left the safe confines of his church to show up in such benighted venues as CNN."
--Ann Coulter

A suicide bomber in Iraq hit a police recruiting center in Fallujah, killing as many as 25 people. In related news, U.S. military commanders are talking with Iraqi militants about cease-fires and other arrangements to try to stop the violence. I hope this plan works, especially after the Democrats wimped out on the war funding bill...........

Turkey looked like they're about to invade Iraq. For the last few weeks, Turkey has reinforced its border with Iraq with large contingents of soldiers, tanks and armored personnel carriers as it urged the U.S. to crackdown on what they believe are Kurkish rebel bases there and debated staging a cross-border offensive..............

Former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson has quit Law & Order and has started an exploratory committee to run for President of the United States of America. The conservative Republican (anti-choice, pro-war, anti-gay) will spend the next month on a fundraising blitz, where, if he collects enough scratch, he'll announce his intention to run on July 4th.........

New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch signed into the gay civil unions law......

"But do you understand what the New York Times wants, and the far-left want? They want to break down the white, Christian, male power structure, which you’re a part, and so am I, and they want to bring in millions of foreign nationals to basically break down the structure that we have."
-Bill O'Reilly discussing immigration with Senator John McCain

I wonder how Dick Cheney feels about the religious right furor over his lesbian daughter, Mary Cheney, having a baby with her partner of twenty years. Or does that imply that Dick has the capacity to care about anyone........

The State Assembly passed a bill legalizing medical use of marijuana Wednesday. The bill allows caregivers and seriously ill patients with diseases like cancer or aids to register with the state to purchase up to two and half ounces of marijuana and grow up to a dozen plants.

The Republican-lead State Senate will now take on the bill and they're expected to pass a slightly altered version. Governor Spitzer has said he would sign a bill into law.......

DOWNLOAD: Cypress Hill - "I Wanna Get High"

After two weeks of serious fighting, coming on the heels of two years of minor incidents, the conflict between Hamas and Fatah has escalated to full on war.

President Abbas has declare a state of emergency and dismantled Fatah's governing coalition with Hamas.

Hamas has cut most of the Gaza's electricity and telephone lines, as well as taking over three of Fatah's main headquarters.

Fatah has reached out to Israel for help, but the Israeli's have been weary of getting involved in this civil conflict. No one has asked or offering help from Iran, Syria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, etc.........

In a related story, Hamas has rejected the idea of an international force deployment along Gaza's border with Egypt, saying it would treat such a body as an occupying power. The plan, which was proposed by Abbas and Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, was supported by UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon and Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif.....

On Thursday, June 21st, Cooper Union will begin hosting "The Cooper Union Dialogue Series," in which Presidential candidates will be invited for an in-depth policy discussion.

The first even will feature Senator John Edwards. He will be speak after former New York Governor Mario Cuomo and Cooper Union President George Campbell Jr. After Edwards' speech, he will sit down for a moderated discussion with WNYC's Brian Lehrer.

The event is FREE. Tickets will be given out - first come, first served - starting at 4pm. The event will start at 6pm at Cooper Union's The Great Hall (7 East 7th Street at Third Avenue).

The July "The Cooper Union Dialogue Series" will feature Mayor Rudy Giuliani and be moderated by Tim Russert........

SENATOR BARACK OBAMA | Hammerstein Ballroom

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has left the Republican party. The lifelong Democrat, who switched parties in 2001 to avoid the crowded field on the left, has registered as an Independent.

Of course, the party switch probably has something to do with those rumors that Bloomberg is going to run for President on an Independent ticket with Republican Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska. Either that, or he was just embarrassed of being in a party affiliated with President George Bush.

He shares the cover of this week's Time Magazine with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.....

On Friday, June 22nd at Strata (915 Broadway at 21st St, NYC), former Senator and Presidential hopeful John Edwards will hold a "Small Change for Big Change" fundraiser. While most candidates charge lots of money to get into one of these shindigs, Edwards is asking for a cheap $15 donation!

By comparison, later that evening Senator Barck Obama is holding an event at the Hammerstein, where tickets cost between $100 and $500.

You can get tickets to the John Edwards event at Strata here......

JOHN EDWARDS | June 21st at Cooper Union
SENATOR BARACK OBAMA | Hammerstein Ballroom

"The president does not believe it's appropriate to put an end to human life for research purposes."
-Tony Snow on the Presidents decision to veto the Embryonic Stem Cell Bill

I truly thought that stem cell research was a completely non-partisan issue. The only folks that are against stem cell research seem to be fundamentalists who think that a discarded embryo is a functioning child (Strangely, a majority of fundamentalists support legalized death sentences and keeping suffering people alive via respirators and other machines). It's so sad that our shameful President continues to disregard the will of the people. And why are the Democrats - and the majority of Republicans - so scared to challenge the President on this issue? Shame......

While the U.S. military searches for an American soldier missing in Iraq, kidnapped by insurgents, his wife back home in Massachusetts may be deported by the U.S. government. The story goes like this:

Army Spec. Alex Jimenez, who has been missing since his unit was attacked by insurgents in Iraq on May 12, had petitioned for a green card for his wife, Yaderlin Hiraldo, whom he married in 2004.

Their attorney, Matthew Kolken, said 23-year-old Hiraldo illegally entered the United States in 2001 to reunite with her husband, whom she had met in her native Dominican Republic and later married at his New York State Army base in 2004.

What is wrong with our country that they would treat a soldiers wife this way. This is heartbreaking......