Citizentube

Liberal comedian comes out of the closet as former insurance spokesperson

2009-11-06T19:06:00.000-08:00

If you keep up with the lighter side of YouTube politics, the name Andy Cobb might ring a bell. Andy is a comic who has made a name for himself on the site for last three years, with videos that lampoon conservatives and generally parody politics in America. His Karl Rove rap, his Godfather IV parody of Alberto Gonzales, and his parody of the Washington Post are all popular hits on YouTube.

Now Cobb has revealed a secret from his past as a commercial actor, and is using it to push for health care reform. Turns out he used to work as a spokesperson for the insurance industry in Florida (specifically, Blue Cross Blue Shield), a job Cobb claims required him to say things he didn't really believe in TV commercials. In an act that one might consider half activism, and half Internet video catharsis, he's now teaming up with Brave New Films on their "Sick for Profit" initiative to highlight what he calls, "the lies of the insurance industry."

Cobb's efforts are getting attention... he went on the Ed Show earlier today with Robert Greenwald of Brave New Films to tell his story.

Media surrounds Fort Hood, developments continue to unfold

2009-11-06T07:27:00.001-08:00

In addition to the citizen reactions we've been posting to the Tragedy at Fort Hood, official sources are beginning to post footage.

Here's the press conference at the Scott and White hospital in Fort Hood last night:

And here's a good interview with Lt. Robert Cone, on the rumor that the Major Malik was yelling "Allahu Akbar" during the shooting.

Fort Hood resident captures atmosphere immediately after shooting

2009-11-05T18:30:00.000-08:00

This video was posted in the last hour by a Fort Hood, Texas resident who was at home when the shootings occurred across the street at the Fort Hood army base. You can hear a loud city-wide emergency broadcast announcement in the background telling people to "take shelter immediately" as the resident peers out of his or her door to see what's going on outside. Sirens are blaring loudly in the background as police arrive on the scene.

Soldiers and veterans reacting to Fort Hood shootings on YouTube

2009-11-05T16:43:00.000-08:00

Several videos have been posted by current soldiers and veterans, reacting to today's Fort Hood shootings.

Raw footage from the scene at Fort Hood shooting

2009-11-05T16:28:00.000-08:00

Raw footage from the scene at Fort Hood from Austin News channel KXAN:

Fort Hood Citizen Reacts to Shooting

2009-11-05T15:36:00.000-08:00

Citizens from across the country are reacting to the recent shooting at Ft. Hood military base, where it has been reported that 12 were killed and 31 wounded. User americalatina07, a Fort Hood resident, just posted her first YouTube video ever because her house in under lock down and she has no way to communicate with the outside world. She also mentions that YouTube and Twitter are her only sources of information, as she doesn't own a television. Watch her account of what's happening here:

For more citizen reaction videos from around the country, see this playlist, which we'll be updating:

PBS Probes the Issue of Hunger in America

2009-11-05T11:22:00.000-08:00

This month, as Thanksgiving approaches, YouTube is shining the spotlight on hunger in America. This video from Bill Moyers and PBS digs into food bank shortages in the United States and provides excellent context around the hunger issue. If you can spare 13 minutes, it's worth a watch:

Iran protests turn violent (again) on 30th Anniversary of U.S. Embassy Invasion

2009-11-04T16:52:00.000-08:00

A slew of videos were uploaded to YouTube again today documenting protests on the streets of Tehran. This time, the protests marked the 30th anniversary of the United States embassy takeover by Iranian students on November 4, 1979. Many protesters used the opportunity to both commemorate the anniversary and voice their dissent of the current Iranian government led by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Familiar scenes were documented on camera as police forces clashed with members of the opposition movement, releasing tear gas into the crowds.

This footage, captured by a witness from a window above, shows riot police forces assaulting some protesters on the street:

This video shows a man reportedly injured during a protest:

And here's a playlist of other videos that were supposedly taken in Tehran today and uploaded to YouTube:

Reactions to Maine's same-sex marriage decision on YouTube

2009-11-04T16:09:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, Maine voters passed "Question 1" to repeal the new state law to allow same-sex marriages. The measure, which passed with 53% of the vote, delivered a major blow to equal rights activists pushing for the legalization of gay marriage around the country.

We've seen dozens of people turning to YouTube to share their reactions and reflections.

Here's a playlist:

Post-Election Day, Citizens React Through YouTube

2009-11-04T10:01:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, American citizens headed to the polls to cast their votes. Today, the results are in, and citizens are voicing their opinions about election outcomes through YouTube.

With big wins in New Jersey and Virginia, many are saying that it was a good day for the Republican party. User tailgatetalk, a conservative, disagrees, saying that people came out to support smaller government, not a particular party:

On the other side, Jared from Portland, Maine, woke up at 3:47 this morning to post this vlog, bemoaning the passage of Proposition 1, which outlaws gay marriage:

And user SuzannahArtist, a New York City resident created artwork to express her misgivings about Mayor Bloomberg's third-term win:

Shot for news?

2009-11-03T13:41:00.000-08:00

Reporters Without Borders, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting freedom of the press around the world, has posted a provocative new video to their YouTube channel as part of a campaign to raise public awareness around the importance of press freedom.

The video, which is meant to be shocking, shows a man get shot while reaching for a newspaper on a city street. According to Reporters Without Borders, 850 journalists have lost their lives in the last 15 years over seeking and providing access to information.

Take a look at the video, and visit www.rsf.org for more information.

Election Day in VA and NJ: A YouTube wrap-up

2009-11-03T06:46:00.000-08:00

With the nation's political radar focused on the gubernatorial races today in Virginia and New Jersey, here's a last look at the YouTube campaigns run by the candidates in each race.

Virginia

Democrat Creigh Deeds: 74 total videos

Most viewed video: "Fired Up" (23,900 views). A clip of President Obama's rally for Deeds, uploaded on October 21.

Toughest moment on YouTube: Getting his tounge tied on taxes.

Republican Bob McDonnell: 75 total videos

Most viewed video: "Sheila" (8,596 total views.) Famous billionaire CEO and Democrat Sheila Johnson makes a surprise endorsement of the GOP candidate in the race.

Toughest moment on YouTube: When Sheila Johnson attacked Creigh Deeds ability to "articulate" in a campaign rally for McDonnell; many said her attack went over the line.

New Jersey

Democrat Jon Corzine: 205 videos

Most viewed Video: "If" (122,500 views). An attack ad on opponent Chris Christie, claiming he got off easy on traffic charges and used his power to skirt punishment.

Toughest moment on YouTube: Well, this isn't a YouTube challenge in the strictest sense, but this comedic parody depicting Corzine as "The Tax Man" got some traction (17K views).

Republican Chris Christie: 120 total videos

Most viewed video: "A message for President Obama" (19,800). Christie takes his anti-tax message straight to the President with a YouTube video direct straight at Obama during a visit he made to New Jersey.

Toughest moment on YouTube: A DNC attack piece using footage from the Hill and a townhall, depicting Christie as a loose cannon.

Vodka Perishes in Tragic Warehouse Accident

2009-11-02T11:59:00.001-08:00

Via Gizmodo, an unfortunate incident involving a warehouse employee, a forklift, and the destruction of about $250,000 worth of Russian vodka:

Help the Hungry This Thanksgiving

2009-11-02T11:48:00.000-08:00

On World Food Day, we asked you to donate to feed the billion hungry people in the world and your response was incredible: over 140,000 children got meals because of you. Thank you.

Now, we're looking at the facts close to home: one in eight Americans don't have enough food to eat, a fact that becomes even harder to digest at this time of year, as we prepare for Thanksgiving, a celebration of food and family.

Through Video Volunteers, we're hoping you can make a video for any nonprofit tackling the issue of hunger in America. You could create a video profiling the work your local food bank is doing or even volunteer to serve a meal at a shelter and record your experience. Hear more from David Arquette, our guest curator for this month's edition of Video Volunteers:

The top three videos submitted on the YouTube Video Volunteers channel will be featured on the YouTube homepage around Thanksgiving, alongside a video from our partner in this effort, Feeding America. Videos must be submitted by November 21 for consideration.

Drew Blames Cancer, Beats Cancer

2009-11-02T11:28:00.000-08:00

Drew Olanoff, who created the site "Blame Drew's Cancer" (where citizens can blame Olanoff's cancer for their problems) skyrocketed to techno-stardom when Drew Carey offered him $100,000 for his @drew Twitter handle. Afterwards, Carey offered to match up to 1 million dollars in donations to the LiveStrong Foundation, Lance Armstrong's cancer research org.

Today, Olanoff announced that he had his final chemo today and beat cancer. See the video:

British Taxman heads to YouTube to chase down the scallywags

2009-11-02T08:10:00.000-08:00

The UK's tax agency, HM Revenue and Customs, is using YouTube to chase down those who think they can skit paying taxes. Dave Hartnett, the agency's permanent secretary for tax, puts it bluntly in the 2 minute video.

"For some people, offshore bank accounts and tax havens typically conjure up images of exotic and faraway places, well out of the reach of the taxman at home... well, life's just not like that any more. And here's a blunt message from HM Revenue and Customs: times have changed. The taxman now has more powers and more information."

For all those British tax dodgers logging into YouTube from a Cayman Island Internet cafe... watch out. This message is meant for you.

Lengthy Congressional bills...a frightening prospect?

2009-10-30T15:18:00.001-07:00

From the Sunlight Foundation, a spooky send-up on Congressional bills, just in time for Halloween:

Supermodels strip to combat global warming

2009-10-30T14:43:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, on the International Day of Climate Action, nonprofit 350.org helped organize over 5000 events where activists made their voices heard on climate change. 350 put together this really nice mash-up of these worldwide events:

A group of supermodels were so impressed with the video footage of the day's events, that they felt compelled to make a video of their own, which is quickly becoming a viral hit (shocker!):

For much more excellent footage from the global climate action events, please visit www.youtube.com/350org.

Kiwi cop sensation: "You must always blow on the pie"

2009-10-29T07:53:00.000-07:00

This clip from one week ago is getting some pretty funny traction down under: a New Zealand police officer pulls over a young criminal whose excuse is that he's hungry and heading to the gas station for a piece of pie. The cop's bizarre response, "always blow on the pie", was intended as a mock "safety warning" to prevent the young man from burning his tongue, but he doesn't seem to get the joke:

The clip has spawned a series of mash-ups on YouTube and has made the officer something of a local celebrity. Here's a rap re-mix, and after that a South Park mash-up. For more on the chuckle the Kiwi's are having over this clip, search "always blow on pie" on YouTube, or read this bit from news.com.au.

Madonna for Malawi

2009-10-28T16:43:00.000-07:00

Madonna has issued an impassioned plea to the YouTube community to donate to her foundation, Raising Malawi, which will use the funds to create an all-girls boarding school in Malawi:

Madonna is committed to matching up to $100,000. This video could benefit from a call-to-action overlay to drive donations (a perk of the YouTube Nonprofit Program) but you can still contribute at www.raisingmalawi.org/madonnamatch

Laid-off French worker pens rock anthem in retaliation

2009-10-28T16:15:00.001-07:00

With thousands of industrial jobs cut, the recession has hit France in a big way. In retaliation, French workers have protested, marched, gone on strike....and written viral rock anthems?

Christian di Mitri, laid off from his steel plant in Lorraine, France in March, penned this ditty to cope with his rage (warning for non-French speakers: there are no subtitles but the graphic imagery helps di Mitri get his message across):

The video has over 18,000 views and climbing...

Honey, Can We Shrink the Impacts of Climate Change?

2009-10-28T09:58:00.000-07:00

This morning, hundreds of miniature tents were placed in key locations across Europe. The tents are part of a huge activist art installation created by German artist Hermann Josef Hack, to model what developing countries will look like if we don't face the impacts of climate change now. Here's video of how Londoners interacted with the exhibit on Millennium Bridge:

The installation is timed to coincide with the European Union Heads of State and Government Summit this week.

Pieces of Bay Bridge snap, commuters capture scene on camera

2009-10-27T22:59:00.000-07:00

Three pieces of infrastructure snapped on the Bay Bridge this evening, causing an emergency closure of the highly trafficked through-way between Oakland and San Francisco. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the pieces that snapped were two sturdy steel rods and a cross beam that had been installed during an emergency repair job to the bridge over Labor Day.

The closure of the bridge in the middle of rush hour caused massive traffic delays, and several commuters -- trapped in their cars for hours trying to get home -- captured the scene on camera.

Here's a playlist:

Fake meteor crater fools some YouTube viewers in Latvia

2009-10-27T12:32:00.000-07:00

On the surface it looks pretty compelling - a Latvian citizen journalists comes upon a recently created meteor crater, still smouldering from impact. You don't have to speak Lettish (Latvia's national language) to catch the excitement of this "discovery" by the mystery cameraman:

But not so fast... authorities are saying this is a hoax. As the BBC reports, the hold crater is "too tidy" to have been created by an actual meteorite impact, and there were no eyewitnesses of the event. Learn more from Russia Today:

DNC Health Care Contest Picks Its Top 20

2009-10-27T11:53:00.000-07:00

Earlier this fall, the Organizing for America and the Democratic National Committee asked citizens to create 30 second ads supporting health care reform for the chance to have their video aired on television.

Many submitted videos through YouTube. Now, they've picked their 20 finalists, and are asking you to vote to select the winner.

You can cast your vote at http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/hrvcratings. Citizen votes and the opinion of their judges, including will.i.am, Seth McFarlane and Tim Kaine, will decide the ultimate winner.