The Daily Show - News That Didn't Make the News

It's amazing how much power the media holds on us. They pick and choose what's worthy of news coverage to the average American. Again, Jon Stewart uses satire to make this point.

Obama And Abortion

There's a movement called 95 / 10 which "strives for a 95% reduction in abortion over 10 years." The issue here is if and when Obama discusses abortion, who will he alienate? This is from Andrew Sullivan's blog. Just giving you some political info. Nothing to argue about.

Obama And Abortion
28 Jun 2008 01:23 pm

Ross considers the evangelical vote:

If [Obama] moved to the center on abortion, a knowledgeable religion journalist remarked to me last week, he could win half of evangelicals under 40. But can he move to the center on abortion - by flip-flopping on partial-birth abortion, say, while making a big deal about embracing the (largely-symbolic) abortion-reduction plan being pressed by Democrats for Life -- after a bruising primary campaign in which he barely beat out a feminist icon with unimpeachable pro-choice bona fides? I've assumed that the answer is no and no again, not least because he's already ahead in the polls, and doesn't need to look for potentially gamechanging maneuvers that might blow up in his face. But if Obama wants a historic mandate, rather than a narrow win -- if he wants to cut the heart out of the GOP coalition and leave the Republicans for dead -- then breaking with his party's abortion orthodoxy to go hard after the evangelical vote is one obvious way to do it.

I do think Obama needs to explain why being pro-choice need not imply moral indifference to abortion and complacency about its frequency. A big speech on this would help the Democrats and Obama. - ANDREW SULLIVAN

Eddie Vedder - Rise

This is from the INTO THE WILD soundtrack. One of my favorites from the soundtrack. Even better live! Enjoy. . . And go rent the movie!

George Harrison Serenades Ringo

The Daily Show - A Terror Lesson

JON STEWART BREAKS DOWN THE RIDICULOUS NOTION THAT A TERROR ATTACK WOULD BENEFIT A REPUBLICAN. FUNNY STUFF. . .

World Health Organization: 1 in 10 diseases caused by unsafe water

World Health Organization: 1 in 10 diseases caused by unsafe water
Thursday June 26, 2008 8:09 am
Source: Agence France Presse
Published: http://www.afp.com/english/news/stories/newsmlmmd.0d2258b7b78b8f303aaabcb7f61718c4.41.html

GENEVA (AFP) - Unsafe water leads to one in 10 diseases and six percent of deaths worldwide, according to estimates in a report to be published by the World Health Organization on Thursday.
While the UN agency estimates that problems relating to water cause 9.1 percent of diseases recorded yearly, the report highlights this disproportionately affects the world's poorest countries.
"In the 35 most affected countries, over 15 percent of diseases could easily be prevented by improved water, sanitation and hygiene," report author Annette Pruss-Ustun told the press.
In developed countries, water causes less than one percent of deaths. In developing countries, the toll leaps to an average eight percent -- with the extreme case being Angola, at 24 percent.
Illnesses like malaria, dengue fever, or diarrhoea can be transmitted through the water supply.
The problem particularly threatens children. An unsafe water supply is to blame for 22 percent of illnesses in those under 14 years of age, and one quarter of young deaths.
As a solution, Pruss-Ustun encouraged governments to invest in this area. Every dollar invested would bring an additional benefit of eight dollars in healthcare savings and productivity, she said.

New Dubai Tower Will Change Shapes

This would be the world's first moving building, an 80-story tower with "revolving floors giving a shifting shape."

Rilo Kiley - I Never

An AVA fave! She knows most of the song. And don't interrupt her during the I NEVER, NEVER, NEVER NEVER NEVER AND NEVER NEVER. . . or she'll rip your head off. . . Good song! Good band!

Band Of Horses - No One's Gonna Love You

Here's a new band that has a lot of potential. Discovered them through itunes. A sign of the times.

Bad Escalator Fall

What an idiot.

Vampire Weekend - A-Punk

AtomicTata introduced these guys to me while we were working on that damn swing set. It definitely changed the mood to a more positive one.

WIKIPEDIA:
"They were declared "The Year's Best New Band" by Spin magazine in the March 2008 issue, and were the first band to be shot for the cover of the magazine before releasing their debut album." - http://www.spin.com/articles/vampire-weekend-graduates

ZAK IS DIGGING THIS SONG!



This is a good song! WARNING - the 'f' word is used.
VAMPIRE WEEKEND - OXFORD COMMA

Obama and the issue of meeting with adversaries

Knowing your history gives context to these important issues.

This is from CNN's Fareed Zakaria -

Quote of the Day

President Bush met with Filipino President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo today at the White House. And this is what the President of the United States said to her:

"And I reminded the President that I am reminded of the great talent of the -- of our Philippine-Americans when I eat dinner at the White House."

-George W. Bush

The Beatles - The Evolution of "Something"

Taken from The Beatles "Anthology 3." Here's George recording a demo of one of the most popular Beatles' songs "Something". This was recorded during the "White Album" sessions (1968). This is George Harrison singing (just in case!)



Here's the original version and actual video of the song. You can find this song on their LAST AND WHAT MANY PEOPLE CONSIDER THEIR BEST album "Abbey Road" (1969). By the way, this is the second most covered Beatles' song after "Yesterday".

Pearl Jam - Given to Fly (sign language)

Another reason why I've seen Pearl Jam 50 + times -- PURE EMOTION!

This is from the "Touring Band 2000" DVD. The tour where I met my wife :)

The Office (Japanese Version)

You'll enjoy this if you're a fan. . .

Flight of the Conchords - The Most Beautiful Girl (In the Room)

Too funny . . .

The Volt

THIS IS WHAT AMERICA IS ALL ABOUT! INNOVATION. NOT EASY SOLUTIONS LIKE DRILLING FOR OIL!



THE ATLANTIC MAGAZINE

By Jonathan Rauch

Electro-Shock Therapy

When one of the world’s mightiest corporations throws everything it’s got at a project, and when it shreds its rule book in the process, the results are likely to be impressive. Still, even for General Motors, the Volt is a reach. If it meets specifications, it will charge up overnight from any standard electrical socket. It will go 40 miles on a charge. Then a small gasoline engine will ignite. The engine’s sole job will be to drive a generator, whose sole job will be to maintain the battery’s charge—not to drive the wheels, which will never see anything but electricity. In generator mode, the car will drive hundreds of miles on a tank of gas, at about 50 miles per gallon. But about three-fourths of Americans commute less than 40 miles a day, so on most days most Volt drivers would use no gas at all.

Youn can find the rest of the article here - http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200807/general-motors

Save Trestles Beach - Kelly Slater Foundation Benefit w/ Eddie Vedder

Visit this website for more info. http://www.surfrider.org/savetrestles/blog/

Dropkick Murphy's - Walk Away

Marriage + Kids = Work. Don't get married and have kids if you don't like to work. . . This song is for my 2 buddies! You're not alone. . .

Sting - Shape of My Heart (live)

Love and morality . . .

This a great live version of a great song from an awesome album, "Ten Summoner's Tales" (1993).

By the way Sting's real name is Gordon Sumners.

I know that the spades are the swords of a soldier
I know that the clubs are weapons of war
I know that diamonds mean money for this art
But that's not the shape of my heart

Tribute to George Harrison - Something

There's not much to say here. . . Enjoy.

Paul McCartney and Wings - Mull of Kintyre

I thought this was an appropriate video for our week in Cayucos. Now I need to learn how to play the guitar so we can sing this around the campfire :). By the way, this was the most succesful single for "Beatle" Paul internationally (1977). It bombed in America!

This was a tribute to the Kintyre peninsula in Argyll, Scotland. I guess Paul owned a home there. . . Great song!

The Daily Show - Baracknophobia

Funny stuff!

"City of Shadows" by Alexey Titarenko

These are long exposure shots of crowds in St. Petersburg, Russia. They were taken by Alexey Titarenko for a project called "City of Shadows."



"I suppose this is what the world would look like if we could see the residue of everyone who's ever passed through – a vast, multi-limbed creature made of tens of thousands of human bodies, winding its way through streets and buildings, looking for some place to go."

Michelle Obama's "Whitey" Video

Oh man! Here's the video so many people have been talking about - Michelle Obama saying the word, "whitey" in a speech. I'm devastated! It's over for Obama!

Barack Obama's Speech on Father's Day

My dad and I sat around my laptop listening to this speech. It was a definitely a cool moment. Especially on this wonderful day.

This is probably one of his greatest speeches. . . Enjoy.

Why I've Seen Pearl Jam 50+ times Part 2

2. Every Pearl Jam show has a different setlist.

You sit and wonder with other fans "Which song will they open up with?" Will it be OCEANS, GO, CORDUROY, or maybe a new song? But, the one song any Pearl Jam fan would love to hear first is always RELEASE. There's nothing more exciting than watching them walk across the stage and suddenly hear the opening guitar of RELEASE. Excitement is in the air. Fans are high-fiving each other. They're hugging one another. You get the point. But, it's not until you hear Eddie sing, "Ohhhhh. Ohhhhh. . . " that you realize you are at a Pearl Jam show. And you are about to experience something very cool. Well here's a video from Santiago, Chile (2005) that I feel captures that moment. Enjoy.

Cat Stevens -Here Comes My Baby

Ava and Mia have been digging this song! Staying British tonight - 1967.

The Verve - Lucky Man

British rock is hitting me hard tonight. . . This is from the Verve's "Urban Hymns" album (1997). Here's the live version. Great song!

The Beatles - Hey Bulldog

"Hey Bulldog" was recorded on February 11, 1968, when the Beatles were at Abbey Road to make a promotional film for "Lady Madonna." It was Paul who suggested that they should tape something new instead of pretending to record "Lady Madonna." John was able to produce some unfinished lyrics he'd written for the "Yellow Submarine" soundtrack. And here it is . . . Good stuff!

Pearl Jam - Come Back (live)

Taken from Pearl Jam's latest DVD "Immagine In Cornice" (2007). The song "Come Back" is from Pearl Jam's last album, "Pearl Jam" (2006). Great song.

Eddie Vedder w/ My Morning Jacket - A Quick One

This is an EXTRA from Pearl Jam's latest DVD "Immagine In Cornice" (2007). The song is a cover of The Who's, "A Quick One, While He's Away" (1966). Yeah, it's quite depressing watching this since Pearl Jam starts their east coast tour tomorrow! I'll be putting together a swing set from hell . . . :) I guess you can say that Eddie has nothing on my kids smiling when Tata and myself finally put that together. . . Enjoy this one!

By the way this is the song that inspired Pete Townshend to write two "Rock Opera" albums ("Tommy" & "Quadrophenia").

And another thing - - -My Morning Jacket kicks some serious you know what here!

The Dilemma of a Catholic

ANDREW SULLIVAN MAKES SOME INTERESTING POINTS:
It is indeed not open to debate whether Catholics believe abortion is wrong. It does strike me as open to debate how best to prudentially reduce and end it, as this blogger explains. And it is open to debate whether a Catholic can vote for a pro-choice candidate, when the broader spectrum of issues is taken into account, as even Lopez concedes. But to my mind, it does make a difference whether a particular position is about other citizens committing a moral evil or whether it's about the political leader himself committing a moral evil. Barack Obama is not going to perform an abortion on anyone as president. But president Bush has directly and personally authorized the execution of prisoners (AS GOVERNOR OF TEXAS) in such a blanket and unreflective way as to make Catholic support for him highly problematic. He mocked one execution victim, something that would, one imagines, render him anathema to any conscientious Catholic voter.
But more important: this is a president who has directly authorized the torture of prisoners. He has not allowed others to torture; he has personally authorized torture himself. He is a torturer. What does Benedict XVI say about this?
This is non-negotiable:

"Public authorities must be ever vigilant in this task, eschewing any means of punishment or correction that either undermine or debase the human dignity of prisoners. In this regard, I reiterate that the prohibition against torture “cannot be contravened under any circumstances”.

There is no way that someone can say that a politician allowing abortion in a free society is on the same moral plane as directly authorizing, monitoring and covering up the torture of prisoners. No way. And any Catholic who voted for Bush in 2004, after the full evidence of his complicity in the torture of prisoners was well known should examine his or her conscience before examining anyone else's.

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/06/abortion-tortur.html#more

The Sopranos - A Year Later

THIS WAS JUST A GREAT ENDING!!!

AFI - Just Like Heaven (live)

An Yvette fave. Here's AFI paying tribute to The Cure on MTV's "Icon" show (2004). This is definitely one of my favorite AFI cover songs. You might have to download this version in a "different" manner :).

Interesting McCain Video

I DON'T THINK THE MCCAIN PEOPLE HAVE ANTICPATED THE POWER OF YOUTUBE. . . THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING. . .

-CUELLAR

The Obama Effect

Excitement in France over Obama victory
By Katrin Bennhold
Published: June 6, 2008
Kama Des-Gachons, a 28-year-old Frenchwoman, was one of about 600 young men and women flocking to a panel discussion in Paris on Tuesday about the "Obama Effect in France." Her eyes lit up when she spoke about Obama. Not because he is a Democrat or because he opposed to the war in Iraq. But because his father was an African immigrant, like hers.

"He makes me dream," said Des-Gachons, whose parents came to France from Mali. "I even bought a T-shirt with the American flag. America is the country where you can make it."

Here's the rest of the article: http://iht.com/articles/2008/06/06/europe/obamania.php

Billy Preston - That's The Way God Planned It

This was filmed in 1971 at George Harrison's charity concert for Bangladesh. Many consider Billy Preston to be the "other" fifth Beatle. He definitely made his mark on the Beatles "Let It Be" album.

Anyway, this should fire you up a little bit. Good stuff here. . . Enjoy this Arod!

The Beatles -Two of Us

One of my all time favorite Beatles song. Here you get a rare look at Paul and John singing together during the "Let It Be" sessions (1969). This was the first song AVA heard on her "way home!" Good stuff. . . You can find this song on the "Let It Be" album (recorded in 1969).

This Is Spinal Tap - Bread Backstage

"This Is Spinal Tap" (1984). Hilarious!

Wilco - Far, Far Away

A random Wilco video from youtube. Also, a great song for my hyper-hypo kid! Good stuff.

This is from Wilco's second album, "Being There" (1996).

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Bob Dylan - Positively 4th Street

"Positively 4th Street" comes from his fifth album, "Highway 61 Revisited" (1965). A fitting song for Obama to . . . well you get the point. . .

This was my "first" Dylan album. A good start for you Arod!

You got a lotta nerve
To say you are my friend
When I was down
You just stood there grinning

You got a lotta nerve
To say you got a helping hand to lend
You just want to be on
The side that's winning

YOU CAN FIND THE REST OF LYRICS HERE http://www.bobdylan.com/songs/positively.html

Barack Obama vs. John Bush McCain Victory Speech Mashup

Hey, I know the election is not won on speeches. But, c'mon . . . this is pretty revealing, politically!



Even FOX news was critical of McCain's speech. Funny stuff.

389 years later. . .

A reader writes to Andrew Sullivan:

Tomorrow I will go to the African American cemetery outside of Chicago where my great-grandparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, neighbors, and my mother and father are buried. And I will tell them that they were right -- that if we studied hard, worked hard, kept the faith, fought for justice, prayed, that this day would come.

And it has.

Obama 08! Paul McCartney & Kylie Minogue - Dance Tonight

I'm feeling this! Obama 08 baby!

Face of the Day

Half way there!


Near Union Square, Manhattan.

Posted on Andrew Sullivan's blog.

Cop Gets High on Stolen Weed

Funny stuff. . .

Flight of the Conchords - Think About it

A CUELLAR FAVORITE! MIA DIGS IT. AND AVA HARMONIZES TO THE CHORUS. FUNNY STUFF.

A man is lying on the street, some punk has chopped off his head

And I'm the only one who stops to see if he's dead, aaoohhh

Turns out he's dead

John Lennon - "India" and "Real Love" (Rare Home Recording)

This is part of Lennon's home recordings dubbed the "Dakota Recordings." Lennon was in "exile" from late 1975 to the early part of 1980. During that period he would often record demos that never saw the light of day. You can hear these demos through the "Lost Lennon Tapes" (Itunes podcast) or purchase the "Lennon Anthology."

I consider this song to be a "Jewel in Lennon's Crown." :) By the way, India played a huge role in what many consider to be their best album (White Album). I'll write about that later. . .



Here's another home recording: Real Love. This is classic Lennon!

Flight of the Conchords - Jenny

Classic stuff here.