Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Monday, October 17, 2011

Who's got time to Blog?

Well, obviously not me...Working 60 hours a week, trying to put together a Reggae podcast every 2 or 3 weeks, and various other distractions online and in real life. Besides, if you've seen me type, it can be slow torture. Just to make things easier, I'm going to post a few links from my favorite political podcast 'The Best of The Left' and my Rastaman Vibrations reggae podcast.

Last week, Jay Tomlinson at Best of the Left, put together a show about the Death Penalty after the Troy Davis execution. Between that and the Republican Debates, it really made me wonder about the people who cheer for Executions, many of whom also would support the killing of abortion doctors, or prevent a woman from getting a life saving abortion in a hospital.

Rachel Maddow Show:Examining the death penalty in the run up to Troy Davis' execution
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfmFXQWNVws
Rachel Maddow Show: John McCain on Torture, Interview with an Executioner
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=801ANWMTNAY
Give me an actual number - Matthew Filipowicz Show
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZ5FVbvsBPo

Here's a couple about elections from BOTL.
Obama Speaks at Black Caucus;
http://shar.es/bfwca
Lee Camp's Moment of Clarity;
http://shar.es/bfwdu

And, of course, BOTL episode on Occupy Wall Street;
Keith Olbermann reads first collective statement of Occupy Wall Street
http://shar.es/bs55n

World Economy Going to Hell - Dan Carlin
http://shar.es/bs5jJ

But, hey Reggae Rob...Where's the Reggae???
Well, Podomatic wanted $50/month to upload podcast #15...WTF?? Ok, I can get unlimited bandwidth for a fraction of the cost at PodBean instead, but this month is kind of crazy as it all gets switched over. By the end of the month will have paid subscription all set at PodBean, and we'll see what's left on a free service from Podomatic, mostly just to keep contact with other podcasters there. So head to http://rastamanvibrations.podbean.com/  for the latest Rastaman Vibrations podcasts. Also check Google Feedburner for the Reggae links.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Rastaman Vibrations Podcast #13

A tongue-in-cheek message to George Clooney who said in an interview that American music didn't have any good protest songs. Perhaps we've outsourced them to Jamaica?

Started with a request for Dezarie's "Gracious Mama Africa" and put together what I thought was a really good mix of new and old Reggae music. Check it out and let me know what you think.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/179908372046974/
http://reggaerob.blogspot.com/

Rastaman Vibrations Podcast #13 Playlist

Anti-Klan Dub(intro)-Mad Professor,
Gracious Mama Africa-Dezarie,
Hello Mama Africa-Garnett Silk,
Take Me Back To Africa-Desmond Dekker,
Africa Wants To Be Free-Tiken Jah Fakoly,
Bun Di Ganja-Chezidek,
Strange Things-John Holt,
Long Sentence-The Upsetters,
Study Yuh Book-Ras Manasseh,
In Danger-Ken Bob,
Love Is My Religion-Ziggy Marley,
Zion Is Home-Pressure,
Hard Time Reggae-Trinity,
So Wrong-Prince Malachi,
The Sun-Burning Spear,
Trod On-Dennis Brown,
Hills and Valleys-Luciano,
Sax of Tomorrow-Dean Fraser,
We'll See Tomorrow-Jack Radics

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Where have all the protest songs gone?

"In the sixties, when I was growing up, one of the greatest elements of American culture was the protest song. There were songs about the civil rights movement, the women's rights movement, the antiwar movement... Now you can only find two or three bands that'll do that. I think it's just part of the corporate world."
--George Clooney (Nov.2005)
Maybe America has outsourced its protest songs, or just become apathetic. Perhaps Mr.Clooney should listen to more Reggae music. Bob Marley set the standard for protest songs, and now a second generation has come forward. Ziggy Marley's "Love is My Religion" is an excellent anthem. Prince Malachi has a great message in "So Wrong", stating "Put down your weapons brother man, divide and rule is the wicked man's plan."
When we elected Barack Obama as our first African-American President of the USA, I expected him to try to use the support of a Democratic controlled Congress to try to push through as much of his Blueprint for America as he could. Instead he got trapped in a Healthcare debate with a very uncooperative Republican party, I like to call them the Republican't party. Congress became embroiled in arguing every petty issue from opposite sides, instead of trying to follow a liberal agenda to try to rebuild America after the economic downturn, and the Republican'ts used the perceived opposition of their base created by the "Birthers" and outright racists, whose only goals have been to stop anything Obama tried to do.
I had hoped to see a President who was interested in restoring America's image, and role as an ally to peaceful nations. By ending the conflicts in the Middle East, shutting down Guantanamo Bay, and stopping torture of prisoners, we could have held ourselves to a higher standard of morality, and set an example to follow worldwide. Our goals should be to protect life on Earth, stop global conflicts, and destruction of our Planet, People, and the Ecosystem. We should be rebuilding our countries to live in a sustainable manner, with clean energy, water and food supplies, and cooperation among nations. As Ziggy Marley sings, "I don't condemn, I don't convert. Yeah, this is a calling, have you heard? Bring all the lovers to the fort. 'Cause no one is gonna lose their soul.  Hey, love is my religion...

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Where has the Hope and Change gone?

Yes, I voted for Obama, and I expected some degree of change to take place. So far,...disappointing. Fighting for Health Care, but not willing to stand up for a Public Option. Extending unemployment benefits was a trade for continuing Bush Tax Cuts? Whose side are you on? At this point in time Obama's idea of compromise resembles a mineshaft collapse.

More to follow as time permits. Be sure to check out my Rastaman Vibrations Reggae Podcast on Google Feedburner.  http://feeds.feedburner.com/RastamanVibrationsReggaePodcast