The Republican Definition of Democracy is not Inclusive

The Republican Party knows that it will not get any votes from the left and even many independents. Thus it is their strategy to win elections by keeping as many of those voters on the sidelines as they can. They do this in two ways: first, by framing the "other guy" as not being worthy of the vote or portraying them in a way that causes voters in that base to give up. Since most liberals would not vote for a Republican under any circumstance, keeping a liberal vote on the sideline is still a vote for them. The other way, of course, is preventing voters from even being eligible to vote. Their main tool are these ludicrous voter ID laws that are passed on the wholly unfounded premise that voter fraud exists, and also their efforts to stymie voter registration. How can you support a party that wants to make our country less of a democracy?

Do You Have the Courage to Watch This?

If you think you are unshakable in your beliefs, then I dare you to watch this. Let me know how it turns out.

George N. Parks 1953-2010

You cannot overstate the impact that George N. Parks had on tens of thousands of young musicians during his 35 year career. His brilliance as a performer was eclipsed by his passion for education, becoming the director of the University of Massachusetts Marching Band at age 26 and leading that band to the Sudler Trophy. But he never stopped there. His clinics and academies touched thousands. He worked with high schools all over the country. I had but a one week exposure to George at his drum major academy in 1981. It was there that I saw the Garfield Cadets and put my name on their mailing list, leading to two seasons of amazing experiences. It was my drum corps experience that enabled my membership into the Penn State Blue Band. So, indirectly, I have George to credit for opening up musical experiences I had only dreamed of.

George passed last night at the far too young age of 57. The entire music community will miss him.

As Only Carl Can

It's 9 minutes very well spent. You just can't beat the logic.

Terry Pratchett on Religion - 'I'd Rather Be a Rising Ape Than a Fallen Angel'

Carl Sagan - 'A Glorious Dawn' ft Stephen Hawking (Cosmos Remixed)

There's not much to say except this is a fantastic video for all Carl Sagan fans.

Like Tears In Rain

P W Fenton is a talented story teller and musical historian whose Digital Flotsam podcast has been my favorite for over 4 years. An offhand comment one day resulted in a most remarkable collaboration, and a tribute to my greatest influence - my father.

Radio Free Radio's - Digital Flotsam Blog » Blog Archive » Digital Flotsam #74 – Like Tears In Rain

AirVenture 2009

This is the best independent video of AirVenture 2009 I've seen so far. And since the airshow was canceled on the day I was there, this will have to suffice.

And Like That, A Once Proud Airline is Gone

What started as a corporate flying department for a paper products manufacturer, then grew into a first-class, high service business airline, is now but a ghost of its former self. What Republic Airways Holdings completed this week was the culmination of a 5+ year self destruction process by a once proud airline into nothing more than a brand name. Forget all the talk of opportunity, this was a very sad day for the industry, and for Milwaukee.
.:: Aero-News Network: The Aviation and Aerospace World's Daily/Real-Time News and Information Service ::.
Technorati Tags: midwest airlines, republic airways, travel, aviation

This is Quite Depressing

Whether you came down for or against Keith Olbermann, at least there was some semblance of journalism in his reportage. Well, turns out not so much. It really is impossible anymore to take anything from a news outlet as completely transparent. The revolution in journalism continues...
GE's silencing of Olbermann and MSNBC's sleazy use of Richard Wolffe - Glenn Greenwald - Salon.com