READER COMMENTS ON
"Shocking Television Moment of the Moment!"
(94 Responses so far...)
COMMENT #1 [Permalink]
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Savantster
said on 5/3/2005 @ 11:52 pm PT...
Well, it's listed on NBC's site.. and a brief sound bite of the song.. Not sure if it fully aired or not (I don't like Leno)..
Sure was a pretty harsh (and seemingly spot on) assesment, if you ask me..
COMMENT #2 [Permalink]
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Teresa
said on 5/4/2005 @ 1:01 am PT...
I believe the tide has turned and we are going to see more and more of this. Public ridicule of the President. Very good sign.
COMMENT #3 [Permalink]
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Savantster
said on 5/4/2005 @ 1:09 am PT...
we don't need public ridicule, we need public flogging..
COMMENT #4 [Permalink]
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Teresa
said on 5/4/2005 @ 1:19 am PT...
I would settle for his removal from office.
COMMENT #5 [Permalink]
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Savantster
said on 5/4/2005 @ 1:23 am PT...
well.. I suppose I could settle on that
COMMENT #6 [Permalink]
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supersoling
said on 5/4/2005 @ 3:24 am PT...
I'd like to see him tied to a chair in the middle of a stark, featureless room and forced to listen to the ghostly voices of every murdered Iraqi, and Afghan child. I want him to hear the screams of Mothers as they find their children torn and dead from his bombs, and his bullets. I want him to feel what this father is feeling as he closes his daughters lifeless eyes and kisses her for the last time. If there is a God, I hope he causes George to have a broken heart.
COMMENT #7 [Permalink]
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supersoling
said on 5/4/2005 @ 3:30 am PT...
If there is a Hell, it is my wish that he burn in it eternallyfor his crimes.
COMMENT #8 [Permalink]
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lies
said on 5/4/2005 @ 5:17 am PT...
everyone should buy the new Bright Eyes (Digital Ash...) not only cause it's great AND his best work, but also cause he's the featured artist over at ADbusters right now.
He's said no to ClearChannel as well..
COMMENT #9 [Permalink]
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KestrelBrighteyes
said on 5/4/2005 @ 5:38 am PT...
Oh man this is GREAT!
It's ironic, I just told my husband a few weeks ago that we are about to see a bunch of new artists with something to say burst upon the music scene, modern versions of Dylan and Baez - and I hold out hope that there is a record company brave enough to sign them up. I've seen it at peace rallies and benefit concerts, I've heard it from musicians in the coffee houses, and it's been awhile since I've walked around downtown Nashville, but I'm hoping the street musicians have picked up the cause as well - the revolution is happening, loud and clear.
Shannon, you're in Nashville - have you been around Second and Broadway lately? What's the word downtown?
I don't watch Leno either, but I'm going to send him and NBC a note and tell them I caught the clip on internet, and thanks for allowing this artist to perform.
And at this point I'll buy any CD Bright Eyes records!!
As far as George W Bush - karma works.
COMMENT #10 [Permalink]
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maxie
said on 5/4/2005 @ 6:35 am PT...
WOW,I just watch the clip,great is all I can say and boy,is Leno in for a hard time over this. I don't watch ABC,can't get it,but I will email them a thank-you also.Get those thanks into them and buy that kids CD,he did a great job.
COMMENT #11 [Permalink]
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Blow Me, I'm Irish!
said on 5/4/2005 @ 6:52 am PT...
Can anyone confirm this ACTUALLY AIRED? On all affilliates? If not on all - who didn't run it??
My proudest moment as a father yet - my daughters are huge Bright Eyes fans - volunteered with me for Kerry in Michigan too!
COMMENT #12 [Permalink]
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Adrift on the Cosmic Sea
said on 5/4/2005 @ 7:12 am PT...
According to the that entry on DailyKos, it did in fact air. There are a pile of comments about it as well over there on Kos. Comment #5 has the link.
COMMENT #13 [Permalink]
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Rosencrantz
said on 5/4/2005 @ 7:17 am PT...
I can confirm that I accidentally caught this bit last night on leno. The whole performance was played and I normally hate Leno but I was amazed that it was happening.
Then again, I'm Canadian so maybe some stations didn't play the whole thing...but I doubt that would happen.
COMMENT #14 [Permalink]
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Torqued
said on 5/4/2005 @ 7:46 am PT...
From a fellow Irish Michigander, Blow Me, Welcome!
COMMENT #15 [Permalink]
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Dr. Alan H. Levinson
said on 5/4/2005 @ 8:32 am PT...
This is part of a statement from MSN regarding the capture of Al-Qaeda's 3rd in command:
"Interior Minister Aftab Khan Sherpao said the U.S. government was offering a $10 million bounty for information leading to al-Libbi’s arrest, though al-Libbi does not appear to be on the FBI’s list of the globe’s most-wanted terrorists."
So now, as announcement after announcement proclaims Bush's numbers to be spiraling downward, out comes the administration with an "important" capture. "The war are terror is succeeding"...says the administration. Yet somehow this man, the #3 man in Al-Qaeda, is not on the FBI 10 most wanted list.
Watch as the administration comes out with capture after capture of irrelevant, lower level people, yet claim "mission accomplished" again.
A-holes!!
Alan
COMMENT #16 [Permalink]
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GWN
said on 5/4/2005 @ 9:13 am PT...
COMMENT #17 [Permalink]
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Laura
said on 5/4/2005 @ 9:24 am PT...
I'm sacred we will have some terrible EVENT coming soon to a city near you! I'm in Chi town and caught a clip on our local news about the sirens in the city that were always used for severe weather notification.They said they will now be used for any catastrophic emergency notification and that there were 37 in and around the city. Polls are saying bushits numbers are down, so we are ripe for a new terrorist happening; to scare the sheeple back into providing the administration with adulation! I saw the clip but on the net and thought it was great.I will definitely support this young man.What courage! hope to see many more like him!
COMMENT #18 [Permalink]
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vdres
said on 5/4/2005 @ 10:15 am PT...
Damn, and I watched Letterman (I enjoyed his edited Bush clip) who featured a boring Snoop Dog. Sounds like young Connor Oberst is growing up nicely. His influence among the intelligent youth is enormous. He has completely opted out of the corporate machine and still opened up no. 1 on the charts earlier this year. Maybe the next grass roots youth movement will emerge from places like Coachella and Bonneroo.
COMMENT #19 [Permalink]
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deltaverde
said on 5/4/2005 @ 10:24 am PT...
I watched the clip earlier this morning, but when I went to show a co-worker, the clip doesn't come up any more. I'm hopeful it's because of high traffic and not because it's been pulled. Does any one know which?
COMMENT #20 [Permalink]
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Peggy
said on 5/4/2005 @ 10:42 am PT...
Will America be saved by it's young people? I hope so! And not with guns and bushit...but with brains and soul! Thanks for this blog and all the posts. I never heard of Conor Oberst before...I'll be listening for him from now on!
COMMENT #21 [Permalink]
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Robert Lockwood Mills
said on 5/4/2005 @ 10:52 am PT...
The new Bush administration tactic for scaring people into submission is phony terrorist captures. They bring some guy in (or say they're about to), claim he's part of one terrorist cell or another, and this proves the war on terrorism is being won.
No. It proves you can find dark-skinned men from central casting, willing to play whatever role they're asked, for Actors Equity scale. I suspect this new guy will be shipped off somewhere, while the press release says he's "in custody."
COMMENT #22 [Permalink]
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Savantster
said on 5/4/2005 @ 11:32 am PT...
deltaverde #29
There is a note saying it's down from bandwidth.. there is a low-res version (it says)..
I think that site is a subscription site.. not sure how/where to find the low-res version
COMMENT #23 [Permalink]
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Kira
said on 5/4/2005 @ 11:39 am PT...
Hahah! Cooool! Lots & lots of traffic!
We love ya, Bright Eyes!!!
COMMENT #24 [Permalink]
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sojo
said on 5/4/2005 @ 12:07 pm PT...
I've just watched the clips and its still working for me. In fact, I just finished capturing the audio so now I can listen to it w/my ipod:]
COMMENT #25 [Permalink]
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Steve
said on 5/4/2005 @ 12:09 pm PT...
I echo Savantster's thoughts. If it did air, it's surely telling that a conservative show like Leno's on a conservative network like NBC is willing to air something that provocative and NARY A BOO IS HEARD!
COMMENT #26 [Permalink]
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Peg C
said on 5/4/2005 @ 12:12 pm PT...
Soryy, I can't view. A bit of descriptive prose would be mightily appreciated by the Kbs-challenged.
COMMENT #27 [Permalink]
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Janice Heslop
said on 5/4/2005 @ 12:22 pm PT...
Download available from itunes. Don't watch TV.
COMMENT #28 [Permalink]
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Savantster
said on 5/4/2005 @ 12:33 pm PT...
Basically, Bright Eyes is saying that the President "talks to god" and ponders some of the things god must be telling him.. like raping womens rights, instead of fixing poverty one should open more liquer stores and push more dirty crack on the streets of ghetos.. Hand pick which Muslums to save, kill the rest..
Not sure how to get the lyrics.. but they were pretty poigniant (sp).. and direct and harsh.. and asks at one point "does he smell the bull shit he's talking" (in reference to what Shrubman spews forth)
I'll see if I can find the lyrics.. not gonna be easy I don't think..
COMMENT #29 [Permalink]
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Kira
said on 5/4/2005 @ 12:48 pm PT...
Here ya go, Peg C.
From Daily KOS
Jay Leno Leaning Left?
(Includes a comment by PBnJ who caught it purely by chance.)
The Lyrics:
When the president talks to God
Are the conversations brief or long?
Does he ask to rape our women's' rights
And send poor farm kids off to die?
Does God suggest an oil hike
When the president talks to God?
When the president talks to God
Are the consonants all hard or soft?
Is he resolute all down the line?
Is every issue black or white?
Does what God say ever change his mind
When the president talks to God?
When the president talks to God
Does he fake that drawl or merely nod?
Agree which convicts should be killed?
Where prisons should be built and filled?
Which voter fraud must be concealed
When the president talks to God?
When the president talks to God
I wonder which one plays the better cop
We should find some jobs. the ghetto's broke
No, they're lazy, George, I say we don't
Just give 'em more liquor stores and dirty coke
That's what God recommends
When the president talks to God
Do they drink near beer and go play golf
While they pick which countries to invade
Which Muslim souls still can be saved?
I guess god just calls a spade a spade
When the president talks to God
When the president talks to God
Does he ever think that maybe he's not?
That that voice is just inside his head
When he kneels next to the presidential bed
Does he ever smell his own bullshit
When the president talks to God?
I doubt it
I doubt it
XX END OF LYRICS XX
COMMENT #30 [Permalink]
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Savantster
said on 5/4/2005 @ 12:48 pm PT...
When the President talks to god
Are the conversations brief or long
Does he ask to rape our women's rights
or send our poor farm kids off to die..
Does god suggest an oil hike
When the President talks to god..
When the President talks to god
are the consonants all hard or soft
Is he resolute all down the line
is every issue black or white
Does what god say ever change his mind
When the President talks to god
When the President talks to god
does he fake that drawl or mearly nod
Agree which convicts should be killed
where prisons should be built and filled
which voter fraud must be concealed
when the President talks to god
When the President talks to god
I wonder which one plays the better cop
we should find some better jobs, the ghetto's broke
No, the're lazy George, I say we don't
Just give them more liquer stores and dirty coke
That's what god recomends
When the President talks to god
do they drink near-beer and go play golf
While they pick wich countries to invade
which Muslum souls can still be saved
I guess god just calls a Spade a Spade
when the President talks to god
When the President talks to god
does he ever think maybe he's not
that that voice is just inside his head
when he kneels next to the presidential bed
does he ever smell his own bull shit
when the President talks to god
I doubt it
I doubt it
fill mish mish
fill mish mish (eh?)
-while Leno is saying his hellos at the end, a caption comes up that says "Lost" clip provided by Touchstone Television
I'm guessing it didn't run everywhere.. and the clip on NBCs site might have cut off after the first 2 sentences and not aired the rest on most affiliates? no idea..
COMMENT #31 [Permalink]
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Savantster
said on 5/4/2005 @ 12:49 pm PT...
heh.. Kira beat me, and didn't have to transcribe it all by hand
COMMENT #32 [Permalink]
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Kira
said on 5/4/2005 @ 12:49 pm PT...
Haha! There's an echo in here, Savanster!
COMMENT #33 [Permalink]
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Savantster
said on 5/4/2005 @ 12:51 pm PT...
well.. I broke it up messier.. and spelled Muslim wrong.. I guess I should leave the leg work to people who will do a better job :blush:
COMMENT #34 [Permalink]
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Kira
said on 5/4/2005 @ 12:54 pm PT...
Well - Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes) is our little Dylan! I'm thoroughly pleased.
From the Montreal Mirror:
Bushy tales
"In the ear of every anarchist who sleeps but doesn't dream, we must sing, we must sing, we must sing," sings Conor Oberst, getting personal and political on "At the Bottom of Everything." The darkly jubilant tune opens I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning, one of two Bright Eyes LPs to be released on January 25."
COMMENT #35 [Permalink]
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Peg C
said on 5/4/2005 @ 12:57 pm PT...
TU, both of you good, kind souls! Enlightenment is slow with dial-up...
COMMENT #36 [Permalink]
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Phaed
said on 5/4/2005 @ 1:24 pm PT...
I'm simply stunned! I'm a 60's child and Conor reminds me of the heroes of those days. Rock on young man, rock on!
COMMENT #37 [Permalink]
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G.
said on 5/4/2005 @ 2:38 pm PT...
Important-
Call your local country and western stations and request that song. Call several times ....over many, many days ..... over many weeks !!! Make those calls!!!
Request- "When the President Talks to God" ...by Bright Eyes.
Buy it, play it and request it!!!!
COMMENT #38 [Permalink]
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Peg C
said on 5/4/2005 @ 3:04 pm PT...
Hope I get to hear it sometime soon. I too remember the sixties' "protest songs" with great wistfulness. It's about time for the same phenomenon to recur!
COMMENT #39 [Permalink]
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Peg C
said on 5/4/2005 @ 3:13 pm PT...
BTW, Amy Goodman did a retrospective on Kent State this AM. I was in grad school in Columbus when that went down. There was National Guard with tanks and guns and tear and pepper gas all over the OSU campus as well; a helicopter followed a group of us walking to dinner and lobbed a cannister. The next day the graduate dorm tower was flown over and tear gas lobbed into its ventilation shafts. We had to put wet bandannas over our faces to cross campus to pick up paychecks, then leave. Covered bodies on stretchers were furtively removed. What memories!
COMMENT #40 [Permalink]
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Teresa
said on 5/4/2005 @ 3:20 pm PT...
The problem with such things as the phony terrorist captures is not with the administration. Power hungry people have always done these things. The problem is that the people keep falling for it. As long as that happens, these tricks will continue no matter who is in power.
We've got to get to the source. Putting too much emphasis an these "perpetraitors" only stalls the process.
THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY HAVE GOT TO WISE UP.
COMMENT #41 [Permalink]
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BUSHW@CKER
said on 5/4/2005 @ 4:14 pm PT...
COMMENT #42 [Permalink]
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jpentz
said on 5/4/2005 @ 4:30 pm PT...
I truly truly appreciated that.
There are musical groups writing about what is going on right now . . . I have in particular enjoyed Green Day's "American Idiot" album.
I am nearing 42 years old, a musician, and a lot Green Day has written is all about dumbing up the media, and propaganda and all that is going on right now.
I hear Nine Inch Nails has also written anti Bush admin music.
Thank god for this new generation of writers speaking truth to power.
I cancelled my cable (as some of you know), and have real bad reception.
HEADS UP On C-SPAN2 on THIS SATURDAY, at 2:30pm there will be aired a lecture given regarding Bush Admin involvement in 9/11. Heard it announced on Mike Malloy's show on Air America last night.
COMMENT #43 [Permalink]
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jpentz
said on 5/4/2005 @ 4:50 pm PT...
Oh, and I would like to see the bastard and all his crony's tried as war criminals and jailed. I am sick and tired of people like them being above the law and the regular citizen has to bend over and take it.
Sorry for my crudity but I am sick of these people. And I am mad as hell. I did like Torqued's idea too.
COMMENT #44 [Permalink]
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Teresa
said on 5/4/2005 @ 5:10 pm PT...
The regular citizen DOES NOT HAVE TO BEND OVER AND TAKE IT. That's why it happens. Because you believe this.
COMMENT #45 [Permalink]
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teresa
said on 5/4/2005 @ 5:22 pm PT...
If you think that punishing Bush will set you free you are mistaken.
Revenge is fine as long as you understand what it can and cannot do. If the reasons these people get in power are not addressed, when they are put away aothers just as bad or worse will come in.
I don't mind what anybody thinks or wants to do except where it impacts me. If my friends in this country who are so outraged at these specific people could put this energy into something productive just think what could be accomplished.
Look at Torqued, who completely understands the situation and our responsibility. And how so many factors have led us to this. While others are crybabying and wanting to lynch Bush, Torqued actually went out and did something when he turned those folks on to David Ray Griffin. Revenge has its place, but reaching people with the word is tops.
COMMENT #46 [Permalink]
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BUSHW@CKER
said on 5/4/2005 @ 5:23 pm PT...
COMMENT #47 [Permalink]
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jpentz
said on 5/4/2005 @ 5:31 pm PT...
I'm sorry Teresa but I disagree. It's not revenge. Either you or I would be put in jail for such crimes and otrocities. It's not revenge it is law. And some people are above it. While others are jailed without even being allowed to see a lawyer.
Bottom line is, IF you have money or a family name you can get away with anything.
And I do not believe that someone who was AWOL should get a free pass because of his daddy's name. Others are being charged and court martialed as we speak for being conscientious objectors.
Furthermore, the grunts are being court martialed and convicted for Abu-Ghraib, and taking the fall for the officers above them. There is a chain of command and NO one should be above the law.
It's not revenge. It is justice. The grunts are being made to bend over and take it for the officers above them, and most likely Alberto Gonzales, who gave the orders to torture. Those are war crimes and against the geneva convention.
COMMENT #48 [Permalink]
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jpentz
said on 5/4/2005 @ 5:37 pm PT...
And, as far as being a whiner, I add, I too am actively doing things such as working for voting reform in my state and have written my senators, my congressmen and called them regularly. I have spoken before our senators and delegates at the our State House to get legislation passed. It's not like I am sitting around "crying" and doing nothing.
JUSTICE for ALL. THAT includes a president and his cabinet who lied and sent people to die for profiteering and business. That includes Alberto Gonzales and his torture memos, and those officers who gave the command to soften up prisoners by making them masturbate and have sex with one another and stacking them in a pyramid. JUSTICE not revenge.
COMMENT #49 [Permalink]
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teresa
said on 5/4/2005 @ 5:38 pm PT...
Yes, Jpentz. Of course you are right about justice. But I still say that we have to go back to the root of the problem. How we got this unjust system. Punishing criminals has so far done almost nothing to erradicate crime.
COMMENT #50 [Permalink]
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Teresa
said on 5/4/2005 @ 5:44 pm PT...
It's a big project. You have to look at anthropology, sociology, history, psychology, politics, and probably more to come up with a solutions as to how to deal with criminal behavior in societies. It has been experimented with throughout history, and we have not gained much success. As long as the behavior keeps returning, we have to keep learning and come up with a solution.
The hardest thing of all is for each and every one to look at his own wrongdoings. I belive that's the start.
COMMENT #51 [Permalink]
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teresa
said on 5/4/2005 @ 6:03 pm PT...
I can't help but believe the rise of George Bush to power is partly my fault, however infinitessimal.
COMMENT #52 [Permalink]
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Kira
said on 5/4/2005 @ 6:51 pm PT...
Teresa - JPentz is very aware of what's going on. It's obvious you didn't catch how astute she is. Her father worked very closely with the Pentagon for much of her life. She has quite a lot of knowledge about what's going on and how wrong it all is. Not only is she educated in the military machinations of our country, she's also a very highly evolved individual.
JPentz has a great point. By the *cartel's own rules, they should be put in jail. So be it. Give them what they want --- give them what they insist on for the average citizen who DOES have to bend over and take it. However, if we're quick enough, we can whip around and kick 'em in the nutz.
As far as evolving goes, not much has changed since biblical times. Evolution is a very long, slow, drawn-out process.
We can each make our own situation better by meditation and/or other metaphysical practices --- and we can continue to have faith that a greater power will prevail for us over them, (although, I still see it as being kind of like the 2 teams praying that God will help them win and make the other team lose), but in the end --- we are spiritual beings learning to live as humans. It's just another lesson on the path.
I happen to know how active JPentz has been in this fight of ours. She doesn't deserve to be called a "crybaby."
COMMENT #53 [Permalink]
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Peg C
said on 5/4/2005 @ 6:52 pm PT...
Teresa -
I believe that the bottom-line problems lie in our growing acceptance of the deification of material goods, "wealth," and the gradual erosion of our spiritual underpinnings thereby. For good or for ill, this world-view is about to face its most serious, and ultimately final, challenge: the finite nature of planetary resources and the impossibility of human survival if the species continues to espouse the insane notion that infinite "growth" is possible, let alone desireable. In other words, humans must either evolve very quickly, right now, or face dire physical hardship, perhaps even extinction.
Of course, this evolution must address law and equitable dealings amongst the existing population. Because none of us lives in a vacuum: we need each other and gross inequities in the distribution of limited goods and opportunities will have to be addressed, sooner rather than later. The corporate model cannot survive much longer, IMO, because it is "autivorous" (a coined word). Imagine yourself (I think Stephen King wrote something about this?) trying to survive by eating yourself. You might last a month or so. Corporations need US, not the other way around; and without our loyal feedings, they will shrivel and go extinct.
COMMENT #54 [Permalink]
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Peg C
said on 5/4/2005 @ 6:56 pm PT...
COMMENT #55 [Permalink]
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jpentz
said on 5/4/2005 @ 7:28 pm PT...
Thanks Kira liberal huggles !
I personally, have boycotted certain corporations.
Silly me, believed that justice would prevail and that good would overcome evil. Silly me, believed in our constitution and that people would follow it, including the one who claimed a "mandate" when he was not legitimately elected anyway.
I did nothing but believe in goodness and trust what was supposed to be an America I could be proud of.
I even trusted the media . . until I stopped watching it less frequently and then noticed, when I sporadically watched, how the words of politicians changed and then how things were NOT making sense and what was being shown was NOT logical. I believed the media was being truthful and was lead like many americans are, until I stopped watching it as much and saw the lies.
I will not blame myself for being a person who loves and trusts my country, as we should be able to do. I work hard, and I was taught to believe growing up that if you work hard, you can get ahead.
Also, aside from actively tryiing to get legilsation passed, speaking in front of groups of people to do so, here is a film short I made, because I realize that independent people have to be the media. Teresa this is created and made by me (another project to help increase awareness)
Counter Inaugural - Media by JPentz
It made the front page at BushFlash. And I took some of the DC pictures as I was there covering the event by taking pictures to show the world what our dumbed up lying sack of garbage corporate media will not. I was there with all these people making my presence known.
COMMENT #56 [Permalink]
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Peg C
said on 5/4/2005 @ 9:47 pm PT...
Jpenz -
I must say that agree with you about the necessity for conviction and punishment - if only for the example, precedent and image they set and project. For Americans, the reminder that "blind justice" works without prejudice; for the micreants and would-be followers of miscreants, the example of inexorable, unimpeachable integrity; and for the world, proof that our words and deeds are congruent.
Let's all pitch in and see that justice is not only nodded to but administered!
COMMENT #57 [Permalink]
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Emily
said on 5/4/2005 @ 10:17 pm PT...
I liked it. Does he have a cd out? I assume so since he's on Leno.
COMMENT #58 [Permalink]
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Torqued
said on 5/4/2005 @ 10:58 pm PT...
Ooh, I love this thread! None of you need to prove yourselves to me. Much of everything I have learned about citizen responsibility, our problems and how we can fix them, has come directly from what you all have openly shared. In fact, one could argue that my hungry-howie views and solutions, are indeed YOUR collective intellectual properties. Keep it coming please, don't hold anything back now!
COMMENT #59 [Permalink]
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Peg C
said on 5/4/2005 @ 11:23 pm PT...
Oh, Torqued, I love this thread and you, too. And yes, WE are responsible for the state of our world! We MUST TAKE CHARGE. If we don't, the field (of life) is lost. There is no alternative strategy or fallback position. There is NO room for compromise. The human race is choosing an unnecessary "armageddon" or a true awareness, a doorway to peace and continued life.
COMMENT #60 [Permalink]
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Teresa
said on 5/4/2005 @ 11:27 pm PT...
Peg C #53
> > I believe that the bottom-line problems lie in our growing acceptance of the deification of material goods, "wealth," and the gradual erosion of our spiritual underpinnings thereby
Very well put. I agree.
I am so sorry Jpentz. You are probably doing much more than I. I am not much of a whiner but I found myself falling into the fear trap these last couple of years and I'm tired of it. So this is my issue. I have always taken full responsibility for myself and my life, and if I have ever felt oppressed, I have looked to what is wrong with what I am doing to be in that situation. Then I usually get out. I rebel against victimization and feelings of entrapment. That gives the other too much power. If I find how I have contributed to any situation in my life, I feel I have a start as to how to extricate myself.
I don't worry much about justice because I believe it always comes at the right time. We all do a lot of wrong things in our lives. While we have to look at what others do wrong, I think we have to keep it under control while we are always looking at ourselves. If we learn to police our own selves , eventually we will have better societies and better governments. But it starts at home.
Unfortunately, as Torqued has so eloquently suggested, we need this situation in order to get our personal sovereignty and strength. I am impatient and want it to be over with, but the clamp on us will continue until we have had enough and realize that we must protect ourselves from this kind of government. So it must remain until the pressure is great enough. They will meet justice. I think everyone does.
COMMENT #61 [Permalink]
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Teresa
said on 5/4/2005 @ 11:41 pm PT...
Back to what Peg said about the deification of material goods. I think this is so important. Our own greed has led to the growth of these monstrous corporations. I think we must understand this. They could not exist without our demand for their cheap products. We've demanded and consumed and they have provided and grown out of control. We are ALL complicit in this.
Now, as Peg said, it's time to make decisions about our preservation. But we can't "whine" about the corporatocracy while we are still madly and blindly consuming their goods. It's a huge job to get out of this gothic horror of a trap, but it can be done.
BTW, Jpentz, I'm on dialup so I don't think I can get your video, but I am going to see right now. I am very anxious to check it out. I almost went to film school, so I am really interested.
COMMENT #62 [Permalink]
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Teresa
said on 5/4/2005 @ 11:51 pm PT...
And one little final thing on crybabying. I didn't single anyone out. It is a collective addiction, and probably a very human characteristic. It's an often used coping mechanism. But my word, sometimes the collective agonized cry overwhelms me. I want to do something to relieve it, and also not let it scare me and get me down. Life is daunting and there is plenty to cry about. And I should be a bit more flexible.
COMMENT #63 [Permalink]
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Peg C
said on 5/4/2005 @ 11:52 pm PT...
"Justice" does not always come into being, miraculously, at the right time. For one thing, "justice" must be recognized and sought after. In an era when it is softened and redefined for reasons of self-aggrandizement, justice must be defended in her original, classical sense: the consequence by law of a transgression of the law.
In other words, we must hold the outlaws accountable, prosecutable and jailable or we have abnegated our duty to the human race.
COMMENT #64 [Permalink]
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Bob Bilse
said on 5/5/2005 @ 1:59 am PT...
That video was breath-taking! What warmed my heart was the people in the audience reacting.
I was reminded of the time when Pete Seeger appeared on The Smothers Brothers TV Show in 1967, after being blackballed since the McCarthy era. What did they do? They edited out the song, "Waist Deep In The Big Muddy, And The Big Fool Says To March On" (a thinly veiled reference to LBJ and The Vietnam War). Due to the Smothers Brothers' pushing for it, the clip finally appeared on a later, less publicized, episode.
Frankly I'm surprised this was left on the air, and it does give me hope, which has been a bit difficult to come by, particularly after reading the tripe spewed by Mr. Wycliff in The Tribune.
Bright Eyes is in the Seeger/Dylan tradition, and I'm going to support him by buying his releases.
COMMENT #65 [Permalink]
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supersoling
said on 5/5/2005 @ 4:01 am PT...
JPENTZ #55
Excellent video, and thank you for ALL that you do. I've paid close attention to your posts here and at VR because you are actively engaging your state govt. in Maryland, something all of us should be doing in our respective states. It's doubly interesting to me since I lived in Maryland, where my wife is from, for ten years. Maryland is a good example of the diversity of the country as I learned from all the different places in Maryland that I lived like Gaithersburg, (generally liberal), Germantown, (same as Gsburg), Walkersville and Frederick, (definetily conservative), and Emmitsburg, where there is a large and active contingent of the KKK. This last fact hit home at a time when my wife and I were seperated and I was dating an black woman from Uganda. I had invited her up to Emmitsburg and she flatly refused because of the presence of the KKK. That was a real eye opener and gave me a better insight to the feelings of truly oppressed people.
Anyway, here's the deal, I love all you guys and I love all the different ways that you fight back. You people are amazing and courageous. I feel proud to know a little about each of you and I am honored to be in your presence.
Peace
COMMENT #66 [Permalink]
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Teresa
said on 5/5/2005 @ 5:20 am PT...
Jpentz #47...
"I'm sorry Teresa but I disagree".
You don't have to be sorry about that!
Heavens!
COMMENT #67 [Permalink]
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Alison
said on 5/5/2005 @ 8:57 am PT...
I just watched the Bright Eyes video, wow.
I always thought Jay Leno was such a tool. But how awesome of him to put on this performance. I got chills watching it, and I too was moved by the audience reaction. Wow.
COMMENT #68 [Permalink]
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Joan
said on 5/5/2005 @ 9:30 am PT...
This is a great thread. I salute all you 6 or 7 patriots and I send you all a big sloppy kiss, haha!
Gonna buy Bright Eyes' cd & send Leno a thank you message & ask him to have the lad on again.
To #21 Kudos to your daughters! but are they aware of your name on this site, lol? I mean, dude...!
COMMENT #69 [Permalink]
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Jamie Foxer
said on 5/5/2005 @ 9:44 am PT...
The Clip AIRED. My father watched it on TV, and sent me an email about it. He lives in Amherst, Massachusetts, so at least that area of the country saw it.
GOOD!
COMMENT #70 [Permalink]
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Mike Oxbigg
said on 5/5/2005 @ 10:14 am PT...
My father tapes the show each night and i would think that he would have called me the second he heard that. but he lives in San Antonio, so who knows if they aired it. He has it now because i sent him the link with the lyrics. I loved it.
COMMENT #71 [Permalink]
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jpentz
said on 5/5/2005 @ 10:36 am PT...
#68 Supersoloing - I am truly happy you enjoyed the video and we have that kinship of Maryland. I live north of Baltimore, but since DDay (nov 2) I have been down in Takcoma Park & Rockville and DC a lot, participating in all kinds of activist events.
:) Teresa I know you are upset and frustrated too. Sometimes it feels like I am living in Stepford, or a Stephen King novel. I guess my philosophy is forward looking. What actions can we take from this point forward and correct things. The past is done and cannot be changed, but the future can be changed.
"Even the smallest person can make a difference." (one of the most inspiring lines ever written). I have made this my motto. We all must. An army of ants can move that rubber tree plant. Together.
I have cancelled my cable tv as I realized I was paying 55 dollars a month to be show pacifying crap by corporate media. And I told them exactly this "My taxes are already paying for government propaganda and i will not pay your corporation for it twice."
I did keep my high speed internet and i was so angry in my call to comcast that they dropped my rate by 20 dollars per month for internet. I advised them that IF my internet started to be controlled as well I would cancel them so fast that the would not be able to blink.
Teresa IF possible, I suggest getting at least DSL, because there are all kinds of video clips of REAL news on the internet, such as the one in this subject thread. I DO hope you got to see my film short, and if you do have dial up, take the time to download it, I promise its worth it. It will open up a lot for you. DSL can be affordable.
THE last place for REAL information is the internet. IF you can see video of REAL actions, or can stream something like air america or Brad/RawStory Radio, it DOES make a difference.
I hope you got to view my video because I created it for ALL of us to help everyone recognize we are MANY and NOT as alone as we are being made to believe. We are all in this together . . united.
COMMENT #72 [Permalink]
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Peg C
said on 5/5/2005 @ 11:03 am PT...
Jpentz -
DSL is, unfortunately, not available here. But we're very seriously considering a DirecWay installation. I hate missing these things!
COMMENT #73 [Permalink]
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Peg C
said on 5/5/2005 @ 11:32 am PT...
Teresa #65 -
I am as much of a non-consumer as I can be. I wish I could claim that as a virtue, but I've never actually cared about things for their own sakes. And capitalism as practiced since WWII has always been repellant.
COMMENT #74 [Permalink]
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czaragorn
said on 5/5/2005 @ 11:33 am PT...
I hate how that guy minces his words...
COMMENT #75 [Permalink]
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Peg C
said on 5/5/2005 @ 12:04 pm PT...
Teresa -
We're all crying. And fighting.
COMMENT #76 [Permalink]
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Teresa
said on 5/5/2005 @ 12:22 pm PT...
Very true, dear Peg. But if we put just half of the energy into controlling consumption as we do in trying to put these people in jail, we would profit. They may very well be incarcerated, but it will take a minute. Meanwhile, there are a lot of other things to do.
COMMENT #77 [Permalink]
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jpentz
said on 5/5/2005 @ 12:35 pm PT...
hug Peg C meant to address you as well but I had written several books on this thread and did not wish to make anyone go blind.
Peg, take the time to download the movie, I promise it will be worth it. I do hope you are able to get higher speed internet soon. without it I would go insane. It is definitely worth it.
Czaragorn, hate how who minces his words?
COMMENT #78 [Permalink]
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Torqued
said on 5/5/2005 @ 12:41 pm PT...
Responsibly responsible responsibility. LOL.
COMMENT #79 [Permalink]
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Lowman
said on 5/5/2005 @ 1:28 pm PT...
:D I just finished watching the clip and reading all your posts. I'm so grateful to have found you people. Our country is in trouble, and it's nice to know I'm not the only one who cares.
Lowman
COMMENT #80 [Permalink]
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Mixter
said on 5/5/2005 @ 2:21 pm PT...
That was a great song, whether it aired or not. I'll buy it, just to support its message.
Mixter
COMMENT #81 [Permalink]
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Teresa
said on 5/5/2005 @ 3:31 pm PT...
Jpentz # 74
You cannot imagine my joy at hearing you cancelled your cable. As I've said so many times, I threw my TV in the dumpster 30 years ago, and this has probably been my greatest crusade. To encourage people to stop watching television. It steals creativity, will, and life force, and I don't see how we can become a good and strong society until people start being the heroes of their own lives. I wish with all my might they would stop worshipping others. And fearing them.
I lived in my own creative world until just recently when I connected to the Internet. I was reluctant at first because I expected more boring crap and hucksterism. I was quite surprised and amazed at the intelligence and creativity I found.
This is what I want to foster. The confidence in our autonomy and significance. The belief in our power and greatness.
A lot of what others are doing can be successfully ignored in favor of inspired thought and action.
I must see your video.
COMMENT #82 [Permalink]
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Teresa
said on 5/5/2005 @ 3:58 pm PT...
Also, Jpentz. I have cut back on Air America because of the hysterical, somewhat breathless shrieking. I can still tolerate the Majority Report. I have been listening to Brad who has a calm and even delivery and I prefer that.
Even though there is a goldmine of information on AA, the delivery weakens the power. The pacing is bad. Good radio is hard to pull off. Last night I had a major realization when I heard Mike Malloy screaming ad nauseum about the Nazi fascist pig bastards, etc., and decided I didn't want that put into my head anymore. For me, that's not the best way to deal with a very serious problem. I'd rather use my mental energy to come up with creative solutions. So no more Mike Malloy for me. He really is just using the audience for self gratification in spewing his personal hatred.
Fighting hate with more hate probably will not work in the end. One thing I have gained from this experience is learning to control my own overreactions to the horrors I witness. Still working on it.
COMMENT #83 [Permalink]
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Peggy
said on 5/5/2005 @ 4:15 pm PT...
Hi, Teresa - the question of the source(s) of the problem: unfortunately, there are always SOME people appearing continuously on this earth who are willing to pervert and abuse anything and everything for their own power and pleasure: the BAD SEEDS. This is the root of evil in all societies.
COMMENT #84 [Permalink]
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Teresa
said on 5/5/2005 @ 4:21 pm PT...
Yup, Peggy, #83.
That is just the force that good works against to build strength. And the truly bad seeds are few. But for now, they will be there. And I believe they can be dealt with.
COMMENT #85 [Permalink]
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Peggy
said on 5/5/2005 @ 4:40 pm PT...
The power-mongers tell us that all fertilized eggs have the "right to life". But the "life" they are offering often includes not being wanted or not having parents, poor housing, poor education, poor nutrition, working 24/7 at minimum wage, no opportunity or inability to afford university, working at a job that may be cut to increase profits or the multi-million dollar salaries of the corporate execs, a MSM that lies and disseminates government propaganda, a government that lies and sends poor, uneducated people to their deaths, while killing other poor, uneducated, malnurished suppressed people, who are a consequence of the lying power-mongers. The situation is the twisted, evil, deceiving face of mankind. And who can change mankind, but only mankind himself.
COMMENT #86 [Permalink]
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Peggy
said on 5/5/2005 @ 5:05 pm PT...
Like the Nazis, the "Bushites" are a numerous army of "believers" marching across the country with their "doctrine". The German people allowed the Nazis to grow in power, and as a result, country after country was swallowed up in war. Until it became a World War.
The American people cannot continue to stand aside and allow the "Bushites" to continue to grow in power, and to initiate wars using WMD's against less powerful countries. It WILL culminate in a World War, and America TOO will suffer the severe consequences of condoning this insanity thru its unwillingness to stop the "Bushites". And be sure, it IS THE RESPONSIBILITY of AMERICANS to stop this Administration NOW, to spare innocent lives starting NOW, rather than later.
COMMENT #87 [Permalink]
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Kira
said on 5/6/2005 @ 1:42 am PT...
Oooo --- follow this LINK--- listen to Bright Eyes sing another of his songs. (It's a video.)
Bright Eyes: First Day of My Life (2005)
Underground overdog Conor Oberst is midway between Paul Simon and Paul Westerberg on this fingerpickin' good love song
(3 min 11 sec)
This is great --- I'm definitely going to pick up his CDs.
COMMENT #88 [Permalink]
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Teresa
said on 5/6/2005 @ 4:02 am PT...
Lowman #79...
Welcome, man. You are most definitely not alone. There is quite a big crowd, actually.
COMMENT #89 [Permalink]
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Shannon Williford
said on 5/6/2005 @ 11:24 am PT...
#19
Yup, I'm in Nashville. No don't cruise around listening to the street guys play too much any more. Lots of folks here are writing protest songs of one kind or another. I know I'll sing some of my (less radical, but getting more so all the time) political stuff at The Bluebird Cafe next week.
I just heard a tune called "We've been Bushwhacked" the other night. It was an older writer, a friend of Paul Stookey, they did some stuff together that nite. It was the guy who wrote "I Dig Rock & Roll Music."
Here's to all the new and old protest singers. I'll buy the Bright Eyes record just to support the boy.
Nashville songwriters are paying attention. Now, to get somebody to cover the tunes is a bigger deal.
COMMENT #90 [Permalink]
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Jim Cirile
said on 5/6/2005 @ 11:20 pm PT...
Just bought the Bright Eyes CD. Only ten bucks on Amazon! I'm wish all of y'all. Let's definitely support this guy.
COMMENT #91 [Permalink]
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loretta
said on 5/8/2005 @ 9:06 pm PT...
Jpenz;;saw your movie,it was great..Keep on doing what ,we need to make people realize,we,are in this fight together.Love the line about the ants,i'll be stealing that one,,Thanks for all you do..
COMMENT #92 [Permalink]
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Thom
said on 5/8/2005 @ 10:36 pm PT...
This song is great. It was actually one of the free weekly iTunes songs given out a few months ago (perhaps February?).
I'd never heard of him before then, but he sure does have a way with words!
COMMENT #93 [Permalink]
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Paul
said on 5/17/2005 @ 6:26 am PT...
As a singer, drummer, clarinet, piano, and guitar player, Bright Eyes "sucked." He is no Dylan.
> Good radio is hard to pull off
Yes, Rush and Hannity do it so well along with local radio conservatives across the country
> a government that lies and sends poor, uneducated people to their deaths
The military is voluntary. Are you criticizing the military as poor and uneducated?
> The American people cannot continue to stand aside and allow the "Bushites" to continue to grow in power
Ahhh, we voted for them!!
If it weren't for the big "evil" coorporations, there would be no cars, no computers, no TV, no cable, no DSL, no cell phones, no Internet...
COMMENT #94 [Permalink]
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tim kerrick
said on 8/8/2005 @ 6:10 am PT...
this aired and was cut into by an needed news clip...it didn't show in it's entirety untill the episode made it over seas. NBC from I understood thought he was going to do a song off his two new albums...not the 3rd released single he wasn't holding up. Once again Conor Oberst suprised them all...if you saw it on tv you'll notice NBC didn't know what had hit them. and for that..I am proud.