Narcotourism And Decriminalization In The Americas
I haven’t found anything in the American press as incisive on the issue as this Guardian analysis of Mexico’s and Argentina’s decriminalization of recreational drugs for personal use in relation to our very own war on (some) drugs. it suggests that decriminalization’s consequences for both governments and nonusers may not be pretty in the short…
Interview: Political Strategist and Obama Campaign Media Adviser John Del Cecato
Ever wonder who actually wrote most of the Obama campaign ads that were filling the airwaves this time last year? It was a thirtysomething Deadhead named John Del Cecato, who managed to mesh gears with his favorite band while also helping get his candidate elected. He was then named one of Politics Magazine’s “Rising Stars”….
Pnuma Trio Giving Away Show For Conscious Alliance
Pnuma Trio is drawing attention to Conscious Alliance’s food-distribution efforts by offering a free download of their set from STS9‘s “Day Out of Time” celebration at Red Rocks Amphitheater in July. I was at the DOOT show and Pnuma threw it down, as always. The set includes new tunes “DAB,” moresamples,” and “avid” from their…
Van Jones Resigns
Van Jones, the Obama Administrations Special Adviser for Green Jobs at the Council on Environmental Quality–AKA the “Green Jobs Czar”–resigned from his position late Saturday following increased criticism for authoring The Green Collar Economy and for his ties to groups like the Apollo Alliance, ACORN, STORM, Color of Change, and the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights….
Motown Turns 50
It’s the 50th anniversary of the founding of Motown records, and some of the biggest household names in American music are talking about the impact the Detroit-based record label has had on their lives. Patti LaBelle, Wynonna Judd, Ted Nugent, Anita Baker, and President Bill Clinton all share their stories. Clinton has the coolest by…
Montana And The Right To Die
This week the Montana Supreme Court hears oral arguments for and against allowing doctor-assisted suicide for terminally ill state residents. The hearing follows a December 5, 2008, ruling by Judge Dorothy McCarter, who said the Montana constitution guaranteed its citizens this right. Since the issues arise solely under the state constitution, no further appeals are possible…
Dave Matthews Band Expands LeRoi Moore’s Philanthropic Legacy
In honor of the late saxophonist’s September 7 birthday, and a year after his death, the Dave Matthews Band has announced new scholarship and charitable programs to continue LeRoi Moore’s own legacy of giving. The LeRoi Moore Fund, which was established prior to the founding DMB member’s death in 2008, will make contributions to the…
Ticketmaster Tried To Undermine Live Nation With Ticket Scalpers
Prior to its decision to marry Live Nation, Ticketmaster tried to crush the rival ticket agency by striking deals with several large regional ticket resellers. The Wall Street Journal reports that “Project Showtime” involved buying six of the largest ticket brokers, at up to $25 million each, and then funneling hundreds of prime seats to…
AFL-CIO Study Finds Young Workers Facing ‘Lost Decade’
The news ain’t good. An AFL-CIO-commissioned study has found that young workers (18-35) face low wages, inadequate health insurance, and minimal chances of retirement benefits for at least the next decade. “Young Workers: A Lost Decade” derives from a July survey of 1,156 people conducted by the Peter D. Hart Research Associates. The study is…