Take the Pledge or Shut Up

I would like all of the baby-boomers who were indoctrinated by the cold warriors of the 1900's to believe that communism was the same as socialism to stand up for what they believe and take a pledge.

If you believe that socialism is wrong, you must pledge to refuse your social security payments as well as any medicare coverage you might qualify for as you enter your golden years.

(And you might also want to refrain from using or supporting other socialized programs in the USA such as libraries, schools, the VA, roads & bridges, food stamps, unemployment benefits, buses, trains, parks, police & fire services, etc.)

Otherwise, shut the fuck up about socialism.

Long Past Due, with Heartbreak

Recognition of Mark Mulcahy's heartbreaking genius has finally arrived in the form of an all-star tribute. Unfortunately the circumstances include earth-shattering sadness.

Found on remhq:

An all-star cast, including Michael Stipe, has contributed songs to Ciao My Shining Star: The Songs of Mark Mulcahy, a compilation of the Miracle Legion front man's songs which serves simultaneously as a tribute to the songwriter (whose wife Melissa passed away recently, leaving him with three-year old twins) and a benefit. Ciao My Shining Star - The Songs of Mark Mulcahy, will be released on September 7th in the UK and September 29th in the USA.

01. Thom Yorke - “All for the Best”
02. The National - “Ashamed of the Story I Told”
03. Michael Stipe - “Everything’s Coming Undone”
04. David Berkeley - “Love’s the Only Thing That Shuts Me Up”
05. Dinosaur Jr. - “The Backyard”
06. Chris Harford and Mr. Ray Neal - “Micon the Icon”
07. Frank Black - “Bill Jocko”
08. Vic Chesnutt - “Little Man”
09. Unbelievable Truth - “Ciao My Shining Star”
10. Butterflies of Love - “I Have Patience”
11. Chris Collingwood of Fountains of Wayne - “Cookie Jar”
12. Frank Turner - “The Quiet One”
13. Rocket From the Tombs - “In Pursuit of Your Happiness”
14. Ben Kweller - “Wake Up Whispering”
15. Josh Rouse - “I Woke Up in the Mayflower”
16. Autumn Defense - “Paradise”
17. Hayden - “Happy Birthday Yesterday”
18. Juliana Hatfield - “We’re Not in Charleston Anymore”
19. Mercury Rev - “Sailors and Animals”
20. Elvis Perkins - “She Watches Over Me”
21. Sean Watkins - “A World Away From This One”

There are some real gems in there.

Water on Fire

I've been quiet for a long time. Maybe I was drunk on Obamania. Passed out on hope. But now the anger is seeping into me like natural gas in the water supply. Our former leaders are getting away with it. Our current leaders are impotent. People die every day to support our easy lifestyle. And in an effort to find new sources of "clean" energy, soon they will start pumping a dangerous mix of chemicals deep into the earth beneath north-central Pennsylvania and south-central New York, and our water will become flammable.