Lefty Supreme Court Official May Say “Adios”
Though officially unconfirmed, it seems likely that Supreme Court Justice David H. Souter will retire at the end of June. This provides the first opening on the Supreme Court for President Obama to fill. Though appointed by former President Bush, a moderate Souter moved further and further left as his term continued. There is talk of Obama appointing…
Guilt-Free, Free Music
Wilco has released a cover of Woody Guthrie's "The Jolly Banker" for download on their website. While you can download it for free (with the stipulation that you will "make it up" to them later) there is a suggested $2 donation with every download that goes to The Woody Guthrie Foundation, a foundation devoted to…
Don’t Burn the Pig
When I read a post few days ago on Dave Matthews’ Twitter about how he had just read a CNN article regarding “a deadly strain of swine flu,” it was the first I heard of the disease. I immediately began scanning different news sites to find out more. For about four days now, swine flu…
The End of Organic Farming?
H.R. 875, the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009 has become the subject of some heated conversation among small farmers and sustainable food system advocates. The bill, if passed, would essentially establish a new government agency to oversee and regulate ‘food production facilities’ and farms. All included farms would be required to register with the…
100 Days of Change
Today marks day 100 since the inauguration of President Obama and his accompanying administration. Few president's have been faced with such adversity and high expectations as our current, number 44. The 100 days is a presumed indicator by the public and media of the overall success a president will have during his term. It is tough…
Rock The Earth Awards 2009 Planet Defender Awards
Rock the Earth announced their 2009 Planet Defender Award winners on Thursday. In three different categories, Artist, Community Leader and Grassroots Activism, winners included the band, Incubus, for their interaction with the Make Yourself Foundation, Green For All founder, Van Jones and Energy Action Coalition Executive Director, Jesse Tolkan. In response to his award, Jesse…
Summer Sunshine Tease
With this sudden (and hopefully not temporary) departure from dreary spring to optimistic sunshine, I am now impatiently awaiting the official summer months and the associated festival season. I am not the only one. Here's Ben Harper's Guide to Summer Festivals. I don't know if he is more qualified than any other regularly touring musician or…
Oklahoma Legislature Fights Over State Rock Song
Oklahoma state beverage: Milk, state amphibian: Bull frog, state folk dance: Square Dance, state rock song: "Do You Realize??" by the Flaming Lips. Or at least that is what was voted as the state rock song by the Oklahoma public as requested by Oklahoma state legislature. The Lips beat out nine other songs written or…
Theta Means: Be Careful With Our Environment
On April 22, 1864, the US Congress passed the Coinage Act, mandating the inscription of "In God We Trust" on all coins minted as US currency. On this day in 1870, Lenin was born and in 1954, the Army-McCarthy Hearings began. In 64', New York World's Fair opened for its first season and in 1970, April…
Health Care Reform Comes Before Climate Change in Congress
Even after the announcement by the EPA this past Friday confirming the dangers of green house gases, The Wall Street Journal reports today that Congress is more likely to act on health care reform before climate change. While the administration continues to work on climate change reform, health care is "a way of delivering major…