Episode 65 – Current Events, GOP Theocracy!

In this brand new episode of the podcast, Rob goes over a little bit of feedback that he received since the last which takes the show through Kansas Speaker’s Bible verse for Obama’s assassination, Christian hate speech getting a pass, Progressive Podcast Australia, climate change, Durban Climate Change Conference, carbon offsets, environmental tipping points, climate deniers and more. Then Rob goes on to discuss some current events making the news like Sarah Palin’s latest example of climate change ignorance, a possibly triggering story of rape culture being worsened by Lad culture, UniLad, victimizing victims further, Rep. Allen West tells Dems to get the hell out of America, no place for equality and justice, politicians out of touch with reality, Obama’s divisive rhetoric of fairness, unprecedented plumes of Methane being released due to Arctic sea ice melting, global warming, increased atmospheric pollution, Arctic Shelf, Anonymous hackers find ties between Ron Paul and white Supremacist group A3P, American Third Position, Nick Griffin, British National Party, Sen. Marco Rubio introduces bill to reverse Obama’s birth control coverage mandate, The Religious Freedom Restoration Act, Catholic Advocate PAC, Catholic Advocate Candidate Fund, separation of church and state, Romney not concerned about the poor, middle class America, safety net solutions, Pink Slime on Public School Lunch Program menu, ammonia washed processed meat, e-coli cleansing, Jamie Oliver, Taco Bell, McDonalds, Burger King, welfare drug testing bill pulled because amended to test lawmakers, legislative hypocrisy, poor cannot spend money as they want, Rep. Jud McMillin, Rep. Ryan Dvorak, Rick Santorum says people feel obligated to free health care, people will pay for iPad but complain about high cost of prescription meds, stifling innovation by asking for fair prices, Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation cuts funding to Planned Parenthood for being under federal investigation, but keeps funding Penn State through theirs, playing politics with cancer, Nancy Brinker, Karen Handel, shortsighted solutions, Republicans push for Theocracy, quotes from Thanksgiving Family Forum and GOP candidates, CitizenLink, Family Leader, what brand of Christianity do they want to install, abolishing non-compliant courts, homeless citizens in US outnumbered 24 times by number of empty homes, anti-Westboro Baptist Church protesters using group to raise money for GLBTQ causes, poetry, and more.

Episode 65

Links Promised in the Podcast

Kansas Speaker O’Neal Asks House GOP to Pray for Obama’s Death – From Marc

Progressive Podcast Australia – great show that’s definitely worth checking out!

Rep. Allen West Tells Democrats to Get the Hell Out of America

Vast Methane Plumes Seen in Arctic Ocean as Sea Ice Retreats

Anonymous Hacks White Supremacist Site, Finds Direct Links to Ron Paul

Sen. Rubio Introduces Bill to Overturn Obama Birth Control Decision

Romney ‘I’m Not Concerned About the Very Poor’

‘Pink Slime’ Still on the Menu at Public Schools in the US

Welfare Recipient Drug Testing Bill Pulled When Amended to Include Law Makers in Random Drug Testing

Santorum Tells Sick Kid Not to Complain About 1 Million Dollar Drug Costs Because People Pay 900 for an iPad

Komen Foundation Gave 7.5 Million Dollar Grant to Penn State Now Violating Own New Policy

Picture of the GOP’s Christian Theocracy

Episode 64 – Current Events, Bullies with Badges!

In this brand new episode of the podcast, Rob takes a look at some e-mails and the stories attached to them which touch on stressing the financially depressed, collection scams, credit card debt, rape as a tactic of war, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti earthquake relief results, no relief in site, cholera epidemic, shady humanitarian efforts, disgusting displays of greed and corruption before moving on to the topics that were set aside to discuss. Those current events cover pro-life hypocrisy, pubic executions, death penalty, Rep. Larry Pittman, SOPA, PIPA, OPEN, new anti-piracy legislation, corporate sponsored legislation, protecting profits from artists, ICE, Dallas teen deported to Colombia, failure in government systems, victim blaming, racist bullying in US military leads to suicides, fuck hazing of any kind, Army Private Danny Chen, Marine Harry Lew, need mandatory military screenings for racism in cadets, Age of Thirst, droughts and high temps lead to records in wildfire devastation, water shortages, climate change, NYPD COBRA Unit plays Anti-Muslim propaganda film for trainees, The Third Jihad, DHS agent hands off film, accountability and awareness of government, East Haven’s Millers Boys, FBI arrest four East Haven CT cops for discrimination, targeting Latino population of community for violence and abuse, East Haven Mayor Maturo defends police with racism, systemic racism in police force, US police bullies with badges towards people of color, police brutality, TN Rep. John Ragan, homophobia and bullying allowed on moral and religious basis, LGBTQ teen suicides, Philip Parker, ignorant politicians, Ron Paul vs Republicans, write-in vote of no confidence on POTUS election, voting no evils, Emilie Autumn and the Bloody Crumpets, Newt’s moonbase, music, poetry, and more.

Episode 64

Links Promised in the Podcast

**Trigger Warning – Graphic discussion of rape as a tactic of war in the Congo and the stigma and aftermaths of the attacks** Ms. Magazine’s Spring 2005 story on Rape in the Congo (as I said in the podcast, this is an important story, but an extremely difficult one to read)

Truth Behind Aid Sent to Haiti After Earthquake of Jan. 2010

Pro-Life NC Rep. Calls for Return to Public Hangings for Abortion Providers

SOPA and PIPA Not Dead Yet, And They Have a New Partner in Crime, OPEN

Dallas Teen Mistakenly Deported to Colombia by the ICE, Who Blames Her

**Trigger Warning – Story of Racist Bullying Leading to Suicide of US Soldiers** US Troops Charged After Fellow GI Hazing Victim Danny Chen Found Dead

Age of Thirst

NYPD Played Anti-Muslim Propaganda Film on Loop at COBRA Training Center

FBI Arrest 4 East Haven CT Police Officers for Alleged Racial Discrimination and Violence Carried Out Against Latino Citizens

Mayor Maturo of East Haven Defends Cops Who Were Arrested by Making Racist Statement of His Own

Episode 63 – End of 2011 / Start of 2012 Rant-up

In this brand new episode of the podcast, Rob takes a ranty look at some stories that wrapped up 2011 and a few that have kicked off 2012. Ranting on about Obama signing the NDAA into law, the way we combine legislation that should fail with others so it won’t, SOPA, PIPA, ACTA, internet piracy, more profits for artists less for the labels, Megaupload seized by FBI, Anonymous responds, Operation Global Blackout, GOP debates, Mitt Romney’s tax rate, envious OWS, economic inequality, elitist education system, Rick Santorum, Ron Paul’s racism, Ron Paul’s sexism, reasons not to vote for Ron Paul, warmonger Rick Perry, Iran’s nuclear scientist assassinations, Newt Gingrich versus child labor laws, Newt wants more money in politics, ideas for fixing our political system, Bernie Sanders’ Save American Democracy Amendment, more fighting in Libya, protests and violence continue in Egypt, Afghan forces step up killing of Allied Forces, unwarranted US occupations, Cops Gone Wild moment of 2011, Dayle Long, off-duty cop shoots man in bar argument because he can, JoPa dies, sports fan mourn while proponents of child safety rest easier, idolizing celebrities, scientist genetically modify goats to produce spider silk, and compassion. With a little Jay Smooth commentary, music, life lessons, and more.

Episode 63

Links Promised in the Podcast

Jay Smooth’s Campaign Doctrine Video Newt vs Romney

Obama signs NDAA into law

Infographic on US Military Spending

Romney says OWS movement envious of 1%

Romney’s tax rate same as those living at poverty line

Rick Perry would send troops back into Iraq right now!

Why Ron Paul Sucks!…and you shouldn’t vote for him

Bernie Sanders Save American Democracy Amendment to the Constitution Senate petition

Afghan Soldiers Step Up Killings of Allied Forces

Off-Duty Cop Shoots Man in bar over dart game…because he’s a cop and do what he wants

WTF Moment Story on Genetically Modified Spider-Goats

Recently I listened to the Sunscreen Song again released under Baz Lurhman, which was based on a graduation speech that had been around the internet for a while in the 90′s. It got me thinking, and then well, writing my own bit of advice to the public. And while I always liked the song before, now upon rehearing it, I recognize some problematic and privileged statements being made.

So I put on my Angry Hippie hat and wrote this piece modeled after the song and my Not Quite Deep Thoughts works. Then I put on my DJ Mydnyt hat, and set this music. Below is the link to the song, and below that are the words.

Listen to the song

People of the all classes, here in 2012,
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, ‘question everything’ would be it. The longterm benefits of questioning everything have been proven by anti-establishment and free-thinking individuals who’ve changed the very courses of history itself. Whereas the rest of my advice, has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience…I will dispense these life lessons now.

Enjoy any time of innocence and trust that you have; Oh nevermind; you will not understand or appreciate the time of innocence and trust that you have until it shatters. And believe me, it will shatter. There will come a day when a truth that you have clung to all your life, for it was imparted by those whom you trusted the most that they would never lie to you, will be revealed as the falsehood it really is…None of this, is your fault!

Everyone has an agenda. even if that agenda is pure and built of good intentions, it’s there. This agenda may in fact skew the advice that they dispense to you. Take me for example…huge fucking agenda! To make the world a better place. Biases that will indisputably be reflected in this exposition.

Be cynical…to a point. Don’t let that point cross the line where you no longer enjoy the simple pleasures that life does have to offer…like xbox.

Your life may become an internet meme. (sigh)

Read.

Laugh….when you can. And when appropriate. That’s generally never at someone else’s expense.

Don’t give up on the future; together, we can all act to shape and steer exactly where our collective tomorrow goes. But it won’t be easy. It will be like trying to solve a logic problem by skimming some random verse from the Christian Bible for any clues. Instead, just know that it will take each of us when able to be living as we believe the world should be. And possibly fighting to make it so.

Everybody poops.

Never be dismissive of someone who is telling you that you have privilege. Instead use it as a learning experience and attempt to grow from a new place of understanding. Privilege exists. And if you feel unfairly berated because of yours, then imagine how those who’ve been victimized for years by that privilege feel…and in the end, just get over yourself.

Don’t let your environment control you and be allowed to determine who you become. Instead, try to control your environment and make it fit who you are. If you succeed on doing this, please tell me how.

Peaches come from a can, they were put there by a man, in a factory downtown. If I had my little way, I’d eat peaches everyday. Sun soakin bulges in the shade.

Keep everything you’ve ever written…oh wait….

Write.

Keep everything you’ve ever written, words are not as disposable as you might think.

Don’t let others make you feel like your voice is invalid. The most inspirational people I know had many outside forces trying to silence them. The most inspirational people who’ve shaped the world still do.

The food supply is not safely regulated.

Be kind to the bees, we’ll miss them when they’re gone.

Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t be allowed because of some biblical and irrational bigotry that has gripped a segment of the populace preventing politicians from doing their jobs and honoring the traditions of equality and full freedom for all people by claiming to be protecting some outdated idea of the sanctity of marriage from gay people. But hey, maybe you’ll get to dance the funky chicken at some straight couple’s wedding reception one day only to watch them divorce a few years later.

Get outside…everyday, even if you have nowhere to go and no way to do it but in your mind or through a window. A bit of peace can often be found in the fresh air.

Ask for directions, it’s not going to hurt you.

Give someone a hug at least once a week, even if it is only yourself.

Get to know someone so truly, you are comfortable enough to share yourself fully…even if it doesn’t last…in the long run, you’ll be glad you did.

Be nice to your siblings…but feel free to cut them out if they deserve it. Like with any relationship, they can become as toxic as your friends or lovers…. p.s. have friends and lovers.

Understand that politicians come and go, but it’s the system in which they operate that needs the focus. If we can fix the system, then those who would be willing to participate in said system will have to either change with it or exit stage left. The longer the system stays broken, the worse the participants in it will become.

Live wherever you must and are able. But always try to find a way to make or uncover a comfortable, safe space for yourself. No matter where you are.

Listen.

Accept certain inalienable truths…I do not know what inalienable truly means…okay I just looked it up. huh….corporations will lie, well most people will. The most important thing you can do is to be honest with yourself.

Respect until disrespected even if they’re your elders…then try to breath and proceed as necessary.

Expectations set at any height can fail to be met. But if you are trying, and sometimes that’s all you can do, that’s what matters. After all, failure is merely a chance to begin anew. Unless that failure is something finite like failing to hold on to a ledge or rail keeping you from falling to your death…but how often is that the case?

Don’t mess with Texas…I don’t know I read that somewhere once. Seemed sensible at the time. I mean, there’s a lot of ignorance and armed people there, so, maybe avoid when able?

Be careful whose drugs you buy, but be open to those who supply them freely. Okay, that kind of feels like bad advice, but it has a real resonance with some of the experiences in my own journey. Perhaps it will have some meaning in yours…

But trust me, on the question everything!

(1/10/12)

Podcast Special Follow-up : Occupy the Truth!

In this lengthy special podcast follow-up, Rob takes a further look at the growing opposition to this important socio-political movement, the underhanded tactics being used against it, and the implications of how the overall silence from the administration is speaking louder volumes than they think. With lobbying groups, mayors, Faux News Outlets and government agencies all conspiring and devising ways that they can undermine and derail this movement, Rob felt the truth could use a little light shone on it. With more violence being cruelly and unusually unleashed upon the masses gathering across the country, more light is also directed towards these increasingly brutal injustices. From iconic heroes to dastardly villians, the ups and downs of this movement fill another hour and a half’s worth of rants and rages!

MiniCast 7 Follow-up: Occupy the Truth Special Podcast Presentation!

Some Links from the Show

City Claims OWS Protesters Were Stockpiling Weapons

Crackdown on Occupy Protests Coordinated Among Mayors/FBI/DHS (DHS Advisory Council Link Mentioned in post and podcast)

Photo and story of 84-year-old Dorli Rainey’s Seattle PD Abuse

Photos of Former Philadelphia Police Captain Ray Lewis Arrested at OWS

UC Davis write up on Mother Jones

The officer who pepper-sprayed UC Davis students is Lt. John Pike. Give his PD a call. 530-752-1727 / also call the Chancellor’s office (530) 752-2065

Open Letter to UC Davis Chancellor

Political Notebook (Blog where images of Lt. Pike’s UC Davis Shame are on display)

Petition to Tell Obama to Condemn Police Actions Around the Country

Rep. Ted Deutch Proposes OCCUPIED Amendment to Constitution to Remove Corporate Imbalance in Political System

99% Occupying Vacant Buildings

Video Surfaces of Oakland PD Beating Iraq Vet During Occupy Protests

Pregnant Woman Hit and Pepper Sprayed by Seattle PD Has Miscarriage

Lobbying Group Encourages Banks to Buy In on Plan to Undermine Occupy Movement

Fox News Links Occupy Movement to Attempted Assassination of Obama

BoingBoing Interview with Occupy’s ‘Bat-Signal’ Creator

As many of you may know, the podcast just celebrated the 5th anniversary of our inaugural episode. It was on November 9th 2007 that the very first episode went live. So many rants and rages later, I stand with fresh ink on my arm to commemorate five amazing years of podcasting and reaching out to anyone around the globe who is willing to listen to this angry hippie screaming into a microphone for an hour, hour plus often. With jokes though…

The show has really come along way and I feel I too have grown through this journey right along with it. So today, thanks to the extremely talented Sylvia Meza of Area 51 tattoos in the Springs, I was able to immortalize this 5 year feat in a very personal way. Sylvia designed me a tattoo that is more breathtaking and awesome than I had envisioned in my head.

Given that I have always felt that the show was sort of reporting from the trenches of the culture/class wars in this country in a Guerilla Broadcasting type of journalistic style, I wanted to have a Gorilla swinging off of a radio tower (leaning to the left of course ) outfitted and ready for combat with a megaphone in his hand! Naturally the long hair and hippie glasses are nods to me, and the five sound waves emanating from the tower signifies the five years of the show.

What a long, strange (and often infuriating) trip it has been! But I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. Now it is apart of me in a whole new, and non-metaphoric way…and I wouldn’t trade this stunning ink for anything in the world either. Though some painkillers would be nice…

Episode 62 – Current Events, Half Baked Legislation!

In this anniversary episode, Rob responds to some listener’s feedback that deals with the UN’s plans to honor Qaddafi for human rights efforts, real reasons behind US intervention in Libya, JP Morgan’s 4.6 Million Dollar donation to NYPD, and vegans working in fields that are less than vegan. Then Rob goes on to cover some stories about tax funded CPC’s threatening non-christian women with damnation, funding frauds, Oakland PD breaking their own rules, Occupy violence, police brutality, SIM use on nonviolent protesters forbidden, Brooklyn PD detains shooting victim, illegal detention, criminal cops, Takesha Griffin, Congressional Heckler’s veto, breaking the balance, bullies on the hill, REINS Act, CA registers sex offenders as care givers, discarding the vulnerable, White House proves it’s only posturing, calls for Marijuana reform from public ignored by Obama, LEAP, burn pits sickening our soldiers, Pentagon denying accountability for illnesses, US toxifying Iraq and Afghanistan environ, NYPD undermining Occupy movement, acting out, fearing the movement, Personhood amendments, Alabama beats Antis, legislation lacking thought, FOIA revisions, Justice Dept wants freedom to lie, public misinformation. With voicemails, poetry, music and more.

Episode 62

Links Promised in the Podcast

Google search results on UN honoring Qaddafi from Marc

JP Morgan Donates millions to NYPD before dam broke on OWS

CPC’s telling women to convert to Christianity or burn

PDF of Oakland PD’s codes of conduct

Brooklyn PD illegally holds shooting victim for 5 days

Heckler’s Veto coming to Congress (REINS Act)

Registered Sex Offenders Caring for the Vulnerable in CA

White House continues to ignore calls for Marijuana reform

Burn Pits in Iraq and Afghanistan making our soldiers sick

NYPD encouraging law breakers to head down to Occupy protest to stir trouble

Half Baked Legislation from the Anti-Choice movement

Freedom to Lie About Information Requested via FOIA

Episode 61 – Current Events, Death of a Dictator

In this new episode, Rob checks in on July’s terrorist attacks in Norway with the awesome assistance of one of our listeners from Oslo giving us a rundown of the the day and aftermath of the attacks. Many thanks, Thor! Rob also briefly touches on the Occupy Oakland brutality and the overall instances of brutality once more before moving on to the current events portion of the podcast where he covers slavery in Alabama, racism in the south, the corrupt corporate prison system, rape culture, asshats of Hot Girls of OWS, fuck Steven Greenstreet, misogyny in the OWS movement, sexual objectification of women, Catholic Church baby theft, destroying lives through Jesus, H.R. 2250, deregulating the EPA, trading lives for jobs, environmental damage, Pro-Life House good with premature deaths, inventing our enemies, Iran’s bizarre assassination plot of Saudi Ambassador according to US, US Attorney General Eric Holder, lying to incite, misleading the public on purpose, Bush-era tactics still employed by White House, Qaddafi toppled, political assassination, murder of a despot, Obama & Clinton elated at killing, blinding justice, poor voters, Vadum the vacuous voice of voter registration reason. With voicemails, poetry, music and more.

Episode 61

Links Promised in the Podcast

Alabama Slavery

Fuck Steven Greenstreet!

Catholic Church Baby Theft

Pro-Life House Okay to Kill Thousands

Inventing Our Enemies

Clinton Jokes About Murder of Qaddafi

Sadistic Triumphalism

Minicast 7 : Occupy the Planet!

In this somewhat lengthy special podcast presentation, Rob takes a look at various aspects, overtures, and reactions to the Occupy Wall St. Movement that has taken hold in the US and is now spreading abroad. From the humble beginnings, to the somewhat grandiose and growing mission statements coming from the General Assemblies at the front lines, Rob shines his angry hippie light and perspective on this movement with so much potential, throwing in his own two cents where he feels it helpful. Also taking on the opposition and their various views and criticisms of the movement, from anonymous privileged douchebags online to US officials like Rep. King and Herman Cain, Rob examines the need for legitimization of the movement and some of the obstacles currently in their way. And of course, with the flagrant and promising to be unpunished brutal use of force against peaceful protesters exercising their Constitutionally guaranteed First Amendment rights in numerous cities around the US, the angry hippie gets his rant on good and proper. Hope you enjoy this ranty movement exploration!

MiniCast 7 : Occupy the Planet!

Some Links from the Show

Pantsless Progressive rundown of police violence in early days of protest

Occupy Boston blog Keep up to date with happenings on the Boston front.

Peter King’s comments on dangers of legitimizing the movement

Minicast 6 : Culture of Death!

In this shortened, somber and somewhat subdued special podcast presentation Rob examines the weight, connections, and potential outcomes of the US’s current Culture of Death. From the death penalty to the wars we wage abroad and at home, our cruel indifference is turning more deadly than our collective conscience should stand for. Considering the way vegan’s have viewed the masses obsession with death for the sake’s of their palettes, Rob also calls out the connections vegans have been drawing for years to this devaluing of lives we view as different from our own. With a poem for Troy Anthony Davis, this short cast wraps up this look at this Culture of Death.

MiniCast 6 : Culture of Death!