Hello there, how ya doin’?  I’ve got all these thoughts just floatin’ through my brain.  They bump, and they collide and cause a flurry of confusion, and it’s gettin’ on my nerves.

–Motion City Soundtrack – “Where I Belong”

I don’t even know where to start with all this.  I guess I’ll just start here…

Last night I got a call from a union rep about my blog.  It was only a CYA call because she didn’t want to have to represent me in a meeting with management should I find myself in hot water due to my semi-coherent babblings.  She recommended that I keep my blog 100% anonymous, and after we hung up I did just that because I got just bit worried that I could get a good friend in trouble because of an earlier post should someone with the power to fire me read it.

Part VIII of our Information & Technology Policy states:

Prohibition on Presenting Yourself as an Employee of the Company on the Internet – Company employees are prohibited from identifying themselves as Company employees when posting comments on the Internet or on other on-line services.  This rule applies even if a statement is included that clearly states that the user is expressing his or her own ideas and not necessarily those of the Company. This rule also applies where such posting is done from the user’s personal equipment. Internet traffic sent via Company resources is identifiable as being from an employee with the Company.  Therefore, participation in Internet newsgroups and the like via Company facilities is prohibited.

So after rereading that section and deleting the potentially problematic post (I do like my alliteration) I decided that I was comfortable having identifying markers on my blog.  Maybe that’s a bad idea, but I was in a funk all day because of the changes I made.  Now I’m in a better mood with my name and what not back up.  Let me know if you think that’s a dreadful idea.

This is Chávez, not the passenger.

Tonight I had a passenger on the way to HSV who looked like Hugo Chavez, only 20 years younger.  I’m talking spittin’ image of the despot.  I wish I could have gotten a picture of the guy, but how do you ask someone, “Can I take your picture?  You look exactly like a douchey dictator.”  He seemed like a quiet and reserved guy, but for all I know he was Chavez’s nephew going to HSV to investigate our great and powerful space program, and if I had asked he would have had to straight regulate on me.  That’s no way to end a pleasant evening, being regulated on.

This is how I found my galley drain tonight.  I think the FO did it when he was being an asshat.  I could be wrong, though.  Yeah, that’s fat and grease and grossness that dried that I had to clean up.  The only reason I think it was the FO is because I saw him drain his Marie Callender’s steamy something or other in the drain right after he asked me if it was functional.  It was and remained so despite his best efforts.

Finally, after seeing 101 Goals in 1001 Days, I’ve decided to start my own little list of goals.  I’ve only got about 20 so far – it’s much harder than you might think to come up with 101 goals you want to accomplish – but when I get them all I’ll add a new page on here so you can keep up with them if you want.  As you can probably imagine they will be as epic as I am so 1001 days might not be nearly enough time.  In the meantime I’ll also be thinking of some snazzy new title for it to keep the symmetry in tact.

” När ni sålunda format idekedjan i era medborgares huvuden, kan ni skryta med att kunna styra dem och vara deras härskare. En korkad despot kan tvinga slavar med järnkedjor, men en riktig politiker binder dem mycket starkare med kedjan av deras egna idéer. Det är på förnuftets fasta mark han fäster kedjans ände, en boja som är desto starkare som vi är okunniga om dess uppbyggnad och som vi tro den vara vårt eget verk. Hopplösheten och tidens tand gnager på bojor av järn och stål, men förmår intet mot idéernas vanemässiga förening, knyter dem bara ännu fastare samman; och på hjärnans mjuka fibrer vilar den orubbliga grunden för de mest stabila imperier.”

- J. M. Servan, 1772

One of the big stories I’ve been trying to keep track of and just haven’t had time to blog about until now is Honduras vs. Zelaya and Obama – a story that just keeps going on and getting more interesting. While most of the press (can’t let anyone realize how much Obama’s helping prop up a tyrant), and even the blogosphere has let the story go relatively unmentioned, this is one story that I Think Link has stayed on top of. So what notable things have happened since I posted last on the subject?

Well, Obama started revoking Honduran visas, and the Honduran government has demanded the restoration of Illinois’ governor Rod Blagojevich – because that’s how absurd Obama’s demands are. Amazing the thugs that Obama will let in the country, while he attempts to punish a Democracy following it’s own rightful laws. It kind of makes Obama’s apologies for U.S. villainy self fulfilling, doesn’t it? At least our neighbor still has some spine to stand for human rights. Meanwhile, the other democracies of our hemisphere are taking notice, and acting accordingly.

What else? well, we’re also apparently raiding Honduras consulates. Wonderful.

Meanwhile, Zelaya’s managed to make it back into Honduras, and is hiding in the Brazilian embassy raving like an idiot – and probably trying to recover his embezzled money – while his supporters ransack the capital.

Obama, of course, has declared that he won’t recognize the next Honduras election to appoint Zelaya’s successor, even though Zelaya should have been out by a similar election very shortly. Amazing.

Is this the type of Smart Diplomacy Obama promised us?

… necessarily. I’m all for free music, but I’m mixed on the ethics of just taking artists’ music for free without their expressed approval. I can see the argument and obviously the old model has failed, but it seems too convenient to find it ethical. But these days with the prevalence of mp3 blogs and mixtapes, it’s easy to find free and legal music online if you know where to look. Here’s some stuff I’ve picked up lately, all free, all legal. Enjoy.

First is the new single off the upcoming Felt 3 album. Felt is Murs of Living Legends and Slug of Atmosphere with a rotating producer. In version 3, it’s Aesop Rock. If the rest of the album is like the first single, Protagonists, then this might be the best one yet. It’s unclear as of yet who this album is a tribute to, but the rumor is Sarah Palin. For real.

I don’t know Ratatat as well as people who are really into that stuff, but this track (Look Alive) with Despot is solid. It sounds like standard Ratatat but with some good rhymes on top. Whip it out at a party and lie to your friends about where you found it.

For non-hip-hop fans, here’s a song (Blanchard) from Hope Sandoval & The Warm Inventions. Fans of warmfemale vocalists with acoustic guitars should enjoy it. And let’s face it, who’s not a fan of warm female vocalists with acoustic guitars?

Lastly in the more experimental category is Black Moth Super Rainbow with Born On A Day The Sun Didn’t Rise. Ethereal vocals and seriously over-produced guitar lines. Despite the title, it sounds like it belongs in a trailer to an indie movie that involves young people running around in a field with sun glaring off the camera.

If you liked the last two of these tracks, check out 3Hive, a really excellent music blog. And let me know if y’all are listening to these tracks and I’ll keep putting posts like these up.

i once saw despot open for a free ratatat show at rice university about 2-3 years back, and i remember being impressed at the time. considering i haven’t listened to him since then, it’s safe to say he was forgettable. anyway, i stumbled on this song produced by none other than ratatat, and i feel bad for marking him as forgettable. this is a new joint set to be released on a def jux records compilation, so look out for that in the new future.

despot on myspace

download:

despot – look alive (prod. by ratatat)

-grizzly

Okay, so it seems most of the features on the tentative list have been cut, and the tracklist has been divided into acts. Hit the jump for more and also a little bonus for your troubles…

ACT 1 – THE END OF DAY
1. In My Dreams (Cudder Anthem)
2. Soundtrack 2 My Life
3. Simple As…

ACT 2 – RISE OF THE NIGHT TERRORS
4. Solo Dolo (nightmare)
5. Heart of A Lion (KiD CuDi Theme Music)
6. My World f. Billy Cravens

ACT 3 – TAKING A TRIP
7. Day N Nite (nightmare)
8. Sky Might Fall
9. Enter Galactic (Love Connection Part 1)

ACT 4 – STUCK
10. Alive (nightmare) f. RATATAT
11. CuDi Zone
12. Make Her Say f. Kanye West & Common
13. Pursuit of Happiness (nightmare) f. MGMT & RATATAT

ACT 5 – A NEW BEGINNING
14. Hyyerr f. Chip Tha Rapper
15. Up Up & Away (The Wake & Bake Song)

Seeing as RATATAT is featured on the album more than once, why not bring you the latest from Despot produced by RATATAT.

Bonus: Look Alive (Prod. RATATAT) – Despot

Prima mea caseta ever era o compilatie pe care gaseam Mafia,La Familia si Ilegal Non-stop(sau ceva gen,erau o niste baieti din Vitan).

Au trecut anii si recunosc ca nu mai ascult cu atata pasiune muzica lor,care la vremea aceea era pt. mine ceva magic.

Astazi,BUG Mafia lanseaza clipul mult asteptat la piesa”Cu talpile arse”,videoclip ce promoveaza “Viata noastra Volumul 2″,partea a doua a aniversarii trupei,aniversare ce s-a intins pe cativa ani buni .

Mai jos am pus clipul si un interviu pe doua parti:

E praf tanti!Ah!Unde-i Despot?

Doc Scott

I can’t really recommend this mix highly enough, every track is absolutely superb – absolute proof of the fact that 2009 is proving to be a massive year for dnb….. Check it out!

Doc Scott - 2009 Part 5

1. D Bridge – Inner Disbelief [EXIT]
2. ASC – Starkwood [NON PLUS+]
3. System – El Sunrise [DIGITAL SOUNDBOY]
4. KDC – Selfless [NU DIRECTIONS]
5. SpectraSoul – Insignia [EXIT]
6. Mindmapper – Resurrection Hub [BROKEN AUDIO]
7. ASC – Porcelain [NON PLUS+]
8. Data – Dead Rising [???]
9. ASC & Method One – Deadlock [???]
10. Blu Mar Ten – Believe Me [BMT]
11. Survival – Sky [EXIT]
12. Jubei – Entrapment [METALHEADZ]
13. Bop – Ataraxia [MED SCHOOL]
14. Consequence – 11 Circles [EXIT]
15. Raiden – Roentgen [ARCHITECTURE]
16. Jynx – beating me (31 RECORDS)
17. Instra:Mental – Watching You [NON PLUS+]
18. Despot – Concert [N/A]

http://soundcloud.com/docscott31/02-doc-scott-2009-part-5

NOTHING TO LOSE

Incredible, how a nation wallowing in poverty is able to hold at bay, at least for the moment, the mightiest nation on earth with its belligerence.

Indeed, inconceivable, how North Korea is able to instill fear in the hearts of neighboring nations in the region resorting to, almost always, an offensive maneuvering that tends to annoy and unsettle feelings of peace and stability.

But, what nation would not be perturbed and tense when instead of feeding the impoverished and malnourished civilian populace, resources are being channeled into the buildup of sophisticated, lethal weaponry, as if there has always been an arms race going on around the world.

What is this nation that strictly follows the ideology of self-reliance up to?

How does one perceive a nation to be when its founder and so-called Great Leader Kim Il Sung, dead for 15 years now, is not only considered, until now, North Korea’s “president for life, but has also been elevated to the status of god in a state where religion is practically non-existent?

What does one make out of a nation that has forcibly shut themselves out totally from civilization, ruled by a dynastic cult of despots who have the penchant of provoking the U.S. and infuriating the democratic countries in the region.

But no matter. For the North Korean people, have been brought up to believe that their impoverished state is a Communist paradise. Any imperfections are blamed on the “hostile” Americans, with whom the country is still technically at war.

It points out that “the country suffered the worst-ever economic difficulties due to growing US moves to isolate and stifle it since the 1990s”.

North Korea’s nuclear preparations are therefore necessary: “To shelter oneself from the rain, one must spread the umbrella.”

But here’s the paradox. Despite years of misery, even the U.S. Government admits the vast majority of North Koreans remain loyal to their leadership – proud of their government.

Why? Because they simply don’t know any other way.

During their 50 years of communist rule, Kim Il Sung, and now his son Kim Jong Il, have sealed off North Koreans from the outside world. Their radios and TVs are specially made to receive only government stations.

The government publishes all newspapers and magazines. No foreign media. No internet. Only loudspeakers everywhere praising Kim Jong Il.

The constant indoctrination demands rigid conformity. Ideologically, everyone must be in lockstep – especially at those massive outdoor performances that honor their leader.

It is appalling that this cult of tyrants put the country’s resources into a million-member military, and developing nuclear weapons, and ballistic missiles when they can’t provide basic necessities for his people.

Food goes first to the military and the elite. For everybody else, Kim force-feeds them propaganda.

Because of this, there is chronic malnutrition throughout the country. Tuberculosis and other diseases are also spreading, but doctors are practically powerless to treat them.

Facilities and basic necessities are just not there.

People are everywhere foraging for food. They kill whatever can run and whatever can fly. Leaves and special herbs are delicacies, if they are still growing.

But most of all, it is the brutality of the regime that make the populace blind followers.

Their fear is understandable. It is said that North Korea has a dozen of slave-labor camps that together contains perhaps over a million people.

Any sign of disloyalty can get anybody sent to slave labor, which according to former inmates who say that if one member of a family is arrested, the whole family often has to go, too. Many inmates work 18-hour days in hazardous coalmines.

In some camps, one out of five prisoners die each year from exhaustion or starvation. Others die from being used as guinea pigs for chemical and biological weapons. And guards are encouraged to be brutal and utilize punishment cells.

North Korea has nothing to loss if war erupts. Only despots like their leaders can come up with different baits to start a deadly confrontation. It’s the only way they know how to get recognized.

Luckily, cooler heads still prevail and nobody is biting.

This is the best megafest going, forget Bonorpaloozer.  I believe we are playing on Sunday for 20 minutes.

This is a fresh, and likely accurate, view of Obama.  Ikenga couples her knowledge of the complexities and history of the continent that is Africa with the mindset of Obama and his African family history.  Very compelling and thought-provoking. 

To me it also sheds light on how unlike most Americans Obama really is…namely how little he resembles the black Americans in this country.  I have more thoughts on this after the excerpts.

Excerpts below….but read the entire piece at American Thinker.

Had Americans been able to stop obsessing over the color of Barack Obama’s skin and instead paid more attention to his cultural identity, maybe he would not be in the White House today. The key to understanding him lies with his identification with his father, and his adoption of a cultural and political mindset rooted in postcolonial Africa….

…The tropes of America’s racial history as a way of understanding all things black are useless in understanding the man who got his dreams from his father, a Kenyan exemplar of the African Colonial.

and

My friends, despite what CNN and the rest are telling you, Barack Obama is nothing more than an old school African Colonial who is on his way to turning this country into one of the developing nations that you learn about on the National Geographic Channel.Many conservative (East, West, South, North) African-Americans like myself — those of us who know our history — have seen this movie before. Here are two main reasons why many Americans allowed Obama to slip through the cracks despite all of his glaring inconsistencies:

First, Obama has been living on American soil for most of his adult life. Therefore, he has been able to masquerade as one who understands and believes in American democratic ideals. But he does not. Barack Obama is intrinsically undemocratic and as his presidency plays out, this will become more obvious. Second, and most importantly, too many Americans know very little about Africa. The one-size-fits-all understanding that many Americans (both black and white) continue to have of Africa might end up bringing dire consequences for this country.

and regarding what Ikenga dubs as the African Colonial (AC) and the African Colonial Politican (ACP):

The African colonial (AC) is a person who by means of their birth or lineage has a direct connection with Africa. However, unlike Africans like me, their worldviews have been largely shaped not by the indigenous beliefs of a specific African tribe but by the ideals of the European imperialism that overwhelmed and dominated Africa during the colonial period. AC’s have no real regard for their specific African traditions or histories.  AC’s use aspects of their African culture as one would use pieces of costume jewelry: things of little or no value that can be thoughtlessly discarded when they become a negative distraction, or used on a whim to decorate oneself in order to seem exotic. (Hint: Obama’s Muslim heritage).

The African colonial politician (ACP) feigns repulsion towards the hegemonic paradigms of Western civilization. But at the same time, he is completely enamored of the trappings of its aristocracy or elite culture. The ACP blames and caricatures whitey to no end for all that has gone wrong in the world. He convinces the masses that various forms of African socialism are the best way for redressing the problems that European colonialism motivated in Africa. However, as opposed to really being a hard-core African Leftist who actually believes in something, the ACP uses socialist themes as a way to disguise his true ambitions: a complete power grab whereby the “will of the people” becomes completely irrelevant.

Barack Obama is all of the above. The only difference is that he is here playing (colonial) African politics as usual.

Also, understand this: the African colonial who is given too much political power can only become one thing: a despot.