Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
On File "Breaking Rules" Review
On File "Breaking Rules" 84 Records/Step-1
well, one my favorite moments of the last 4 years has happened...a new On File lp!!! "Breaking Rules" has been in my hand since it came out. I am surprised (delightfully, so...) at they heavier sound that these guys have incorporated. This album is produced with a tough, clean crisp balanced feel between each instruments. No more low-fi (a la Acre Studio) sound. This maybe due to member changes or the lp being released on 84 records.
This is my nuanced detail - see, i love these guys and pay close attention. But this is not Razorblade or Bakers Dozen heavy. This is still fantastic mid-tempo, catchy, sing-along still based sticking with their traditional sound, but moving away from the Evil Conduct/Templars production. And adding harder riffs.
A non-PC list of lyrics fill this giant. Topics are typical fare - but the specifically, they are not. Meaning that the subjects are the expected UK Oi! talk - but stellar storytelling and a unique perspective elevate this lot to a better echelon. Songs about growing up skin will never get old to me especially when they are done with flare and style. On File does this well. These Scots are of the older ilk, from the early '80s - and their tales get better each time.
Some hard drums and guitar punch to these tunes separate them from the previous releases. "Real McOi!" will always have a place in my heart - but this album really helps distinguish itself and keep these lads fresh in my ears. A nostalgic tone permeates these songs, as usual for these guys. Wisdom, wit, and reverence are the foundation for tales of yore about birds, beer, mates and football. Self-deprication keeps these guys down to earth; i wish i could sit for a pint (or 13!) with these fellow skins. They seem quite approachable and humble. This band continues to be one of my favorite present day and all-time bands.
"Football vs...", "First Bird", and "Breaking Rules" are gritty and catchy with those unique storytelling attributes i talked about - "Multi-Cultural" stands out to me as the best song.
While - they do speed it up and up the gruff with scorching rock 'n' roll tunes like "Guilty" "Live to Work" and "Sick Society" to boast a new venture done well for On File.
Well-written songs keep this Oi! powerhouse rolling.
Fine job, lads. Thank you.
For Fans of: Templars, Superyob, Evil Conduct, Patriot (esp, ADG,)Condemned 84, Red Alert, The Strike, Murphy's Law
http://www.myspace.com/onfileskinheads
http://www.step1music.com/hardlp18.html
http://www.interpunk.com/item.cfm?Item=175690&
Friday, March 26, 2010
new thick as blood video
exclusive at noisecreep
Thick as Blood
eulogyrecordings.com
noisecreep.com
http://www.noisecreep.com/2010/03/25/thick-as-blood-all-or-nothing-video-premiere/
When worlds Collide; Refuse Resist "Socialized" II
Thought in conjunction with the "Socialized" review, i would throw this passage in from Jaron Lanier (the man who coined the term ""Virtual Reality 25 years ago and was at the forefront of the digital revolution.)
"I know quite a few people, mostly young adults but not all, ho are proud to say that they have accumulated thousands of friends in Facebook. Obviously, this statement can only be true if the idea of friendship is reduced. A real friendship ought to introduce each person to unexpected weirdness in the other. Each acquaintance is an alien, a well of unexplored difference in the experience of life that cannot be imagined or accessed in any way but through genuine interaction. the idea of friendship in data-based-filtered social networks is certainly reduced from that."
Jaron Lanier, "You are Not a Gadget".
i would also direct you to my song, "Image"
http://www.emptyhandspvd.com/2010/01/image-song.html
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Refuse Resist "Socialized" Thorp Records
Refuse Resist "Socialized" Thorp Records
So this came out 6 weeks ago. Why so long to review it? Too damn busy listening to the fucker! And I want to give this stellar release the attention it friggin deserves. This shit is wicked good, kid.
Hodge-podge of Boston influences – the vocals sound like Mike Cahill – Most of the opening riffs are like a “Best of” Slapshot library. The opening song sounds like a runaway variation of The Bruisers covering Blitz’s “Nation on Fire”; and that Bruisers sound continues throughout. As well as Ducky Boys (1st), Toe Tag, Mung, FUs, Vigilantes all creep in here. This is awesome.
All that said – nuthin here is a rip-off. There are undeniable influences, as the Boston sound is bound to mold, but it does not form the total package. Other punk and hardcore elements come into play (from Patriot to The Forgotten to Vision to WIC) and finally Refuse Resist sculpt them into a unique, fresh sound. And let’s just say it – finally a fucking Boston punk band that is not adorned in goddamn shamrocks. Sweet.
I loved the first release and this only improves on their sound. They are tighter and fiercer. They are more confident and more enraged. Just when I decide that they are more ‘hardcore’, a punkier sound pops up. This is a perfect blend of the two styles; a time-tested sound that solidify the tradition of the Boston scene for the past 30 years. Carry the torch left by The Trouble, A Poor Excuse, and Bluebloods for that contemporary Boston borderline oi!/hc.
Lyrically, they bring it home. There is plenty of fodder in this asinine society for a punk band – and these dudes harvest all of the ridiculous components that factor into this mess of a country we are striving in currently. Societal and personal struggles are all presented here. Not a wasted or generic breath.
I would like to say, that these dudes deserve this Thorp release and that I hope that they reap the benefits of prior Thorp Bands. I mean, they continue to pound away doing shows and putting all into their live set. (Now, with Steve Risteen, ex-Slapshot) Plus, I have seen Shawn Refuse at every show in Boston and Providence. This is more than a hobby – these dudes are living this shit. This ain’t no image or poster decoration. This is what these guys wake up every day to do. Thank god. Proud to have these guys waving Boston’s flag.
Stand Out Tracks: “Comeback” by far! The opener, “Middle America”, “At A Dead End”, “Shoulda Been Aborted”, and “Pick up the Pieces”. While “Socialized”, “IRS”, “Sunday Matinee” crush too. Every song is a great piece of punk – nothing should have been cut.
http://www.refuseresistband.com/
http://www.myspace.com/refuseresistband
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Refuse-Resist
http://thorprecords.com/bands/refuseresist
Offensive Weapon - CD Review - Pure Impact/Crowbar Records
Offensive Weapon - CD Review - Pure Impact/Crowbar Records
NYC Oi here. Members of Oxblood and Fed Up! Tough, hard, gritty Oi!; Think Cold As Life, Razorblade, Condemned 84, Oxblood, (later) Discipline; Sped up Verleone Jungs, Retaliator; also a good Japanese Oi on energy shots influence. *(Just say RAC already…geeze!)
This is fucking solid NYC shit here. I like this a lot. Lyrics are streetwise, working class; calling out biased media, drug dealers, and terrorists. Non-waivering stances – standing tall and proud with their heart on sleeve. Music is fast, heavy – with a good Oi! Bouncing beat. Gang chants peppered through make me want to see these guys live. I am sure it would be exhausting. Drink, Mosh, point, repeat.
This gets a definite recommendation. A great mix of oi and punk and a dash of hardcore – a good mix of ‘80s influence and Japanese/Euro/american oi. This is great. Hope to here more. Unfortuneately, it looks like a one off side project. Who knows….
http://www.myspace.com/offensiveweapon
http://www.myspace.com/crowbarrecords
http://www.pure-impact.com/
Purchase:
http://www.angelfire.com/indie/unitedriotrecords/frameset.html
http://www.pure-impact.com/
“The best skinhead band to come out of New York in a long time! Tough, hard skinhead Oi with a shot of hardcore that takes you right back to the glory days of US Oi!, the late 80's / early 90's. Not PC, no weak shit, just the way it's gotta be. 'Es por tu nacion' is a redo of the Spanish band Klan's cover of the Böhse Onkelz song 'Wir ham noch lange nicht genug'. A Pure Impact release!”
Fed Up! "Live at CBGBs" Review United Riot Records
FED UP! “Live @ CBGBs” (2003) United Riot Records
Sounds great for a live cd. Wish the bass was a touch higher, though. Vocals are clear and discernable. Band is tight and clean. Anyway – lots of energy and spite – straight nyhc – really reminds me of Downlow. Sounds like NRSV, Breakdown (incl. is an “All I Ask” cover) and Killing Time; or a heavier version of Warzone or Against the Grain.
Short songs, good mosh parts; fast punky verses with chunky/sludgy breakdowns. Heavy riffs that push through a frenzied, angry set. Tough lyrics about the street and crews and the scene, with some humor here and there. Unity!
NYHC at its best. The Live set catches the energy well.. Good Stuff. Hoist a pint and get those boots stomping. Oi!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Cheech - People Against Goodness And Normalcy to be released by NGS
Cheech - People Against Goodness And Normalcy to be released by NGS
ngsrecords
Cheech - P.A.G.A.N. Pre-orders!
WRITTEN BY DANNBOMB 2000
FRIDAY, 19 MARCH 2010 01:16
Cheech - People Against Goodness And Normalcy CDep
Six new tracks and 5 old hits from Boston's biggest headache. Fans of Blood For Blood and Wisdom in Chains should be all over this. Even has guest vocals by the Rev. Paul Bearer of Sheer Terror. Their best outing to date, but don't just take my word for it...
"CHEECH's vocals and tuff-but-catchy riffs reminded me of BLOOD FOR BLOOD... worth checking out if you're the type of person who goes to hardcore shows to let off some pent-up aggression in the pit. Looks like Boston is back on the map" -Maximum Rock N' Roll.
"Heavy hardcore sees the Boston dudes progressing even more so than on "Ante Up". An amazing blend of Hardcore, metal, punk and thrash. Straight gruff vocals are placed perfectly over pummeling drums, brilliant bass lines and heavy thrashy riffs." -EmptyhandsPVD
"CHEECH play metal-tinged NYHC reminiscent of BLOOD FOR BLOOD, MADBALL and with a touch of GANG GREEN – it’s heavy and forceful but melodic and catchy too. Paul Bearer from SHEER TERROR makes a guest appearance on their second track which is a seal of approval for sure" -No Front Teeth Zine
Unless you're new around here, you know that Maximum Rock n' Roll hates us, and we hate them. So that's a pretty good stamp of approval right there.
Pre-order package contains:
Cheech - People Against Goodness and Normalcy CD
Cheech/Milo's Syndicate split 7", with a special cover just for this pre-order, ltd. to 20
(courtesy of our good friends at United Riot Records)
A ltd 7x7 mini-poster of the original Cheech/Milo's Syndicate 7" cover
and a few stickers, patches, and pins to round things out nicely.
$20.00ppd (USD)
ngsrecords
Cheech - P.A.G.A.N. Pre-orders!
WRITTEN BY DANNBOMB 2000
FRIDAY, 19 MARCH 2010 01:16
Cheech - People Against Goodness And Normalcy CDep
Six new tracks and 5 old hits from Boston's biggest headache. Fans of Blood For Blood and Wisdom in Chains should be all over this. Even has guest vocals by the Rev. Paul Bearer of Sheer Terror. Their best outing to date, but don't just take my word for it...
"CHEECH's vocals and tuff-but-catchy riffs reminded me of BLOOD FOR BLOOD... worth checking out if you're the type of person who goes to hardcore shows to let off some pent-up aggression in the pit. Looks like Boston is back on the map" -Maximum Rock N' Roll.
"Heavy hardcore sees the Boston dudes progressing even more so than on "Ante Up". An amazing blend of Hardcore, metal, punk and thrash. Straight gruff vocals are placed perfectly over pummeling drums, brilliant bass lines and heavy thrashy riffs." -EmptyhandsPVD
"CHEECH play metal-tinged NYHC reminiscent of BLOOD FOR BLOOD, MADBALL and with a touch of GANG GREEN – it’s heavy and forceful but melodic and catchy too. Paul Bearer from SHEER TERROR makes a guest appearance on their second track which is a seal of approval for sure" -No Front Teeth Zine
Unless you're new around here, you know that Maximum Rock n' Roll hates us, and we hate them. So that's a pretty good stamp of approval right there.
Pre-order package contains:
Cheech - People Against Goodness and Normalcy CD
Cheech/Milo's Syndicate split 7", with a special cover just for this pre-order, ltd. to 20
(courtesy of our good friends at United Riot Records)
A ltd 7x7 mini-poster of the original Cheech/Milo's Syndicate 7" cover
and a few stickers, patches, and pins to round things out nicely.
$20.00ppd (USD)
Monday, March 22, 2010
Sexual Suicide "Old School Rules" United Riot Records
NYC Punk the way it should be: fast, dirty and noisy. Not the catchy Krays style, this is aggressive and snotty. The title refers to this band's love of early '80s punk and hardcore. They blaze through some solid tunes, putting a lot of energy on a small piece of wax.
Oxblood "Thug Rock" 7" Clockwork Street Records
Oxblood "Thug Rock" 7" Clockwork Street Records
It's been a long time - but these NYC skins still stay true. They deliver a 4 song 7" that is exactly what you's expect it to be, from these guys. Awesome! We find no Mac, but OGOB, Frank Bruno on vox. Kevin and Paul still holdin ity down with a new 2nd guitarist ALex.
Tough, solid, tight Streetcore Oi!. The 1st two songs are tough, heavy Oi! They have a more rock 'n' roll feel than past efforts, but heavier too. A good rockin' stomp feel. Side B begins with my favorite. This song is the perfect blend. The last song is faster, spunky oi!.
For fans of...Oxblood! Condemned 84, Wretched Ones, good music.
This has been out for months and i am just getting to it - and unfortuneately as i write this... the guitarist Kevin has passed. That sucks. SOryy to his friends and family. i hoist my glass to you.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Gang Starr Rapper In Coma After Heart Attack
1 person liked this
by Will Butler
Billboard.com reports this morning that rapper Guru, whose real name is Keith Elam, is in a coma. The MC is one half of the pioneering underground New York rap duo Gang Starr, that's been releasing critically acclaimed albums since the early '90s. Elam apparently suffered a heart attack over the weekend, and in a blog entry, the duo's producer, DJ Premier, said that MC Guru was "fighting for his life." Elam, 43, is scheduled to undergo surgery this week.
Kurosawa Celebrated at Brattle Theatre
March 21 - April 15th!!!!!!
Repertory Series!
The Warrior's Camera: Akira Kurosawa Centennial
Repertory Series!
The Warrior's Camera: Akira Kurosawa Centennial
This year marks the 100th birthday of Akira Kurosawa, undoubtedly one of cinema’s most renowned, accomplished, and influential directors. In conjunction with the Coolidge Corner Theatre who are screening new restorations of his masterpieces Ran and Rashomon, the Brattle is thrilled to celebrate this amazing filmmaker. Our series includes 16 features with highlights including new 35mm prints of STRAY DOG, KAGEMUSHA, and the rarely screened DODES’KA-DEN. Descended from actual samurai and the son of an educator, Kurosawa studied painting before apprenticing at what was to become the great Japanese studio Toho. His artist’s eye allowed him to create the amazing visuals that populate his films, but it was his sensitivity to actors and performance that made his work indelible. We take the title for our series from Stephen Price’s exhaustive study of Kurosawa’s films, and we direct you to that book as well as Kurosawa’s own Something Like An Autobiography to learn more about this monumental figure.
This repertory series includes films playing Wednesday, March 24 through Thursday, April 15. See individual film and event listings below for details on today's screenings, or click the Calendar link below to see the complete line-up for this series.
“One thing that distinguishes Akira Kurosawa is that he didn't make a masterpiece or two masterpieces, he made, you know, eight masterpieces.” – Francis Ford Coppola
RELATED LINKS
Calendar for the 'Warrior's Camera: Akira Kurosawa Centennial' repertory series
Repertory Series!
The Warrior's Camera: Akira Kurosawa Centennial
Repertory Series!
The Warrior's Camera: Akira Kurosawa Centennial
This year marks the 100th birthday of Akira Kurosawa, undoubtedly one of cinema’s most renowned, accomplished, and influential directors. In conjunction with the Coolidge Corner Theatre who are screening new restorations of his masterpieces Ran and Rashomon, the Brattle is thrilled to celebrate this amazing filmmaker. Our series includes 16 features with highlights including new 35mm prints of STRAY DOG, KAGEMUSHA, and the rarely screened DODES’KA-DEN. Descended from actual samurai and the son of an educator, Kurosawa studied painting before apprenticing at what was to become the great Japanese studio Toho. His artist’s eye allowed him to create the amazing visuals that populate his films, but it was his sensitivity to actors and performance that made his work indelible. We take the title for our series from Stephen Price’s exhaustive study of Kurosawa’s films, and we direct you to that book as well as Kurosawa’s own Something Like An Autobiography to learn more about this monumental figure.
This repertory series includes films playing Wednesday, March 24 through Thursday, April 15. See individual film and event listings below for details on today's screenings, or click the Calendar link below to see the complete line-up for this series.
“One thing that distinguishes Akira Kurosawa is that he didn't make a masterpiece or two masterpieces, he made, you know, eight masterpieces.” – Francis Ford Coppola
RELATED LINKS
Calendar for the 'Warrior's Camera: Akira Kurosawa Centennial' repertory series
stupid day
My neighborhood (wedged between two colleges and many bars) and my city is littered with asshole college kids. WTF do they need whiskey for? with their green shirts, daddy's money, a future, and a hot chick non their sleeve? They still drinking is about fun! Not an ounce of misery on these fools.
"$4 Bud Lights" signs across from me, as idiots in their Guinness shirts stumble by. Yeah, yeah, yeah… I am wearing a Pogues shirt and a "BOSTON" embedded hoodie (DBD) – all black and grey, not a touch of f'in green! ("I see St Patrick and i want to paint him black...") The difference is that I dress like this everyday and will wear this shirt often and this hoodie is a staple.
This stupid day makes me NOT wanna drink. and if i wasn't an alcoholic, i might follow through on that.
Um….word up to Matt brotka – in RVA “You can’t even tell it’s St Patty’s Day here.” God bless that Polish prick.
Ah, well – I drink guiness and smithwicks and have a Jameson neat every night I go out. So we get the rest of the year….
"$4 Bud Lights" signs across from me, as idiots in their Guinness shirts stumble by. Yeah, yeah, yeah… I am wearing a Pogues shirt and a "BOSTON" embedded hoodie (DBD) – all black and grey, not a touch of f'in green! ("I see St Patrick and i want to paint him black...") The difference is that I dress like this everyday and will wear this shirt often and this hoodie is a staple.
This stupid day makes me NOT wanna drink. and if i wasn't an alcoholic, i might follow through on that.
Um….word up to Matt brotka – in RVA “You can’t even tell it’s St Patty’s Day here.” God bless that Polish prick.
Ah, well – I drink guiness and smithwicks and have a Jameson neat every night I go out. So we get the rest of the year….
Monday, March 15, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
Big Dick of the Week
Boys and Girls Club Execs' $1M Pay Probed
who the hell gets into Boys and Girls Club to make money? I get AIG people being awful, greedy monsters. But what has to happen to a person to make them want to steal directly from disadvantaged kids? like, not from a person who may have saved to give to charity - round-a-bout way - DIRECTLY. Other BAGCs in the vicinity had to CLOSE from underfunding. And this person took $1,000,000 as a salary per year!
You can't stop at $200,000? Which is extravagant for an annual income, but at least $800,000 could still got to help kids.
this bitch is crazy:
"Roxanne Spillett, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, received a total compensation of $988,591 in 2008, according to the charity's tax filings. She got a base salary of $360,774, a bonus of $150,000 and other compensation of $83,152, for a total of $593,926. She also received $385,500 in deferred compensation, most of which went to a retirement plan, and $9,165 in nontaxable benefits. "
i do find it ironic that US Senators are probing into it - for indulgent expenses and extravagant travel expenses and misappropriation of funds, though.
DICK! DICK! DICK!
------------------------------------
(AP) A group of Republican senators is questioning high salaries and expensive travel bills for executives at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, raising issues that could jeopardize millions in federal funding for the national charity.
The four senators said they were concerned that the chief executive of a charity that has been closing local clubs for lack of funding was compensated nearly $1 million in 2008. They also questioned why in the same year officials spent $4.3 million on travel, $1.6 million on conferences, conventions and meetings, and $544,000 in lobbying fees.
"The question is whether or not a very top-heavy organization might be siphoning off federal dollars that should be going to help kids," said Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee.
The senators sent a letter to the head of the charity's board of governors Thursday seeking detailed financial information about executive compensation, travel and lobbying expenses, and how the national charity awards grants to local clubs.
The issues they raise could threaten the reputation of a popular charity that supports 4,300 local Boys & Girls Clubs serving about 4.8 million children. The timing threatens a bill moving through the Senate that would provide up to $425 million in federal money to the national organization over the next five years.
"That bill isn't going anywhere until we get the answers to these questions," said Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla.
Along with Grassley and Coburn, the letter was signed by Republican Sens. Jon Kyl of Arizona and John Cornyn of Texas.
Community Boys & Girls Clubs are all locally governed, but most receive tens of thousands of dollars each year from the Atlanta-based national charity. In 2008, the national charity reported receiving $41 million in government grants and $51 million in other gifts and contributions.
Roxanne Spillett, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, received a total compensation of $988,591 in 2008, according to the charity's tax filings. She got a base salary of $360,774, a bonus of $150,000 and other compensation of $83,152, for a total of $593,926. She also received $385,500 in deferred compensation, most of which went to a retirement plan, and $9,165 in nontaxable benefits.
Evan McElroy, senior vice president of communications for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, said the charity would respond to the letter before the March 29 deadline set by the senators. He declined to answer questions about the charity's finances when contacted Thursday but said in an e-mail that Spillett's base salary has not increased since 2006.
In the e-mail, McElroy said the charity's compensation committee follows Internal Revenue Service guidelines for nonprofit organizations. He said Mercer, a human resources consulting firm, analyzed executive compensation and found it was "appropriate for a large, national, tax-exempt, youth organization."
Despite recent closings, Spillett has overseen significant growth in the number of local Boys & Girls Clubs since becoming president of the national organization in 1996. During that time, the number of local clubs grew from 1,850 to 4,360.
Experts were split on whether Spillett's pay was excessive for a charity with revenues of $107 million in 2008, the latest year available.
"It's certainly not unusual to see people leading major charities, which after all, are very large, complex operations, making substantial salaries," said Brian Vogel, a senior principal with Quatt Associates, a management consulting firm in Washington.
Vogel said "$500,000 or $600,000 wouldn't be outside the marketplace. ... Remember, these are organizations that can be as hard to manage as a major for-profit business."
Annual compensation averaged $462,000 last year for the CEOs of charities with expenses of more than $100 million, according to a compensation study by Charity Navigator, a Web site that evaluates charities.
"The people who use our site, donors, would be appalled by a salary like this," Ken Berger, president and CEO of Charity Navigator, said of Spillett's compensation. "If you want to be a millionaire, go and work in the for-profit sector."
who the hell gets into Boys and Girls Club to make money? I get AIG people being awful, greedy monsters. But what has to happen to a person to make them want to steal directly from disadvantaged kids? like, not from a person who may have saved to give to charity - round-a-bout way - DIRECTLY. Other BAGCs in the vicinity had to CLOSE from underfunding. And this person took $1,000,000 as a salary per year!
You can't stop at $200,000? Which is extravagant for an annual income, but at least $800,000 could still got to help kids.
this bitch is crazy:
"Roxanne Spillett, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, received a total compensation of $988,591 in 2008, according to the charity's tax filings. She got a base salary of $360,774, a bonus of $150,000 and other compensation of $83,152, for a total of $593,926. She also received $385,500 in deferred compensation, most of which went to a retirement plan, and $9,165 in nontaxable benefits. "
i do find it ironic that US Senators are probing into it - for indulgent expenses and extravagant travel expenses and misappropriation of funds, though.
DICK! DICK! DICK!
------------------------------------
(AP) A group of Republican senators is questioning high salaries and expensive travel bills for executives at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, raising issues that could jeopardize millions in federal funding for the national charity.
The four senators said they were concerned that the chief executive of a charity that has been closing local clubs for lack of funding was compensated nearly $1 million in 2008. They also questioned why in the same year officials spent $4.3 million on travel, $1.6 million on conferences, conventions and meetings, and $544,000 in lobbying fees.
"The question is whether or not a very top-heavy organization might be siphoning off federal dollars that should be going to help kids," said Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee.
The senators sent a letter to the head of the charity's board of governors Thursday seeking detailed financial information about executive compensation, travel and lobbying expenses, and how the national charity awards grants to local clubs.
The issues they raise could threaten the reputation of a popular charity that supports 4,300 local Boys & Girls Clubs serving about 4.8 million children. The timing threatens a bill moving through the Senate that would provide up to $425 million in federal money to the national organization over the next five years.
"That bill isn't going anywhere until we get the answers to these questions," said Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla.
Along with Grassley and Coburn, the letter was signed by Republican Sens. Jon Kyl of Arizona and John Cornyn of Texas.
Community Boys & Girls Clubs are all locally governed, but most receive tens of thousands of dollars each year from the Atlanta-based national charity. In 2008, the national charity reported receiving $41 million in government grants and $51 million in other gifts and contributions.
Roxanne Spillett, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, received a total compensation of $988,591 in 2008, according to the charity's tax filings. She got a base salary of $360,774, a bonus of $150,000 and other compensation of $83,152, for a total of $593,926. She also received $385,500 in deferred compensation, most of which went to a retirement plan, and $9,165 in nontaxable benefits.
Evan McElroy, senior vice president of communications for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, said the charity would respond to the letter before the March 29 deadline set by the senators. He declined to answer questions about the charity's finances when contacted Thursday but said in an e-mail that Spillett's base salary has not increased since 2006.
In the e-mail, McElroy said the charity's compensation committee follows Internal Revenue Service guidelines for nonprofit organizations. He said Mercer, a human resources consulting firm, analyzed executive compensation and found it was "appropriate for a large, national, tax-exempt, youth organization."
Despite recent closings, Spillett has overseen significant growth in the number of local Boys & Girls Clubs since becoming president of the national organization in 1996. During that time, the number of local clubs grew from 1,850 to 4,360.
Experts were split on whether Spillett's pay was excessive for a charity with revenues of $107 million in 2008, the latest year available.
"It's certainly not unusual to see people leading major charities, which after all, are very large, complex operations, making substantial salaries," said Brian Vogel, a senior principal with Quatt Associates, a management consulting firm in Washington.
Vogel said "$500,000 or $600,000 wouldn't be outside the marketplace. ... Remember, these are organizations that can be as hard to manage as a major for-profit business."
Annual compensation averaged $462,000 last year for the CEOs of charities with expenses of more than $100 million, according to a compensation study by Charity Navigator, a Web site that evaluates charities.
"The people who use our site, donors, would be appalled by a salary like this," Ken Berger, president and CEO of Charity Navigator, said of Spillett's compensation. "If you want to be a millionaire, go and work in the for-profit sector."
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Black Breath "Razor to Oblivion" Southern Lord Review
Black Breath "Razor to Oblivion" Southern Lord Review
i picked up this cd - for the "fans of sticker" and cuz it was Southern Lord. Then i noticed it was only 4 songs. i put it back. I am a complete moron. really, hutch? like if it was $7.50, that would a made it ok? $2.50 won't even buy me a beer. (I said it is not enough to buy "ME" a beer, not you. You settle for that piss yellow slightly skunk flavored water crap in can!)
and this shit is priceless.
RECIPE for the Perfect blend of speed metal, hardcore, and whatever hodge-podge og heavy music you can muster.
Take two Medium measures of Motorhead and Metallica, vintage 1983.
Add a dash of Discharge
Add a pinch of Poison Idea, a la "Feel the Darkness"
Add a hint of aged hardcore breakdowns.
Let simmer with a stew of early Slayer, early Sepultura, and Mayhem.
Let this settle and watch it appeal to everyone from UK82 to Reign Supreme and Forfeit and Trap Them to underground metal.
Seriously, you'll be hooked from the first bite. Notice the angry mid-eighties hardcore on the back of the tongue, while hints of thrash metal accent on the front of the tongue.
enjoy. tell your friends. remember though, this is only an hors d'ouvre to when Southern Lord releases their main course in May, prepared by executive chef, Kurt Ballou. Prepare to indulge.
http://www.myspace.com/blackbreath
http://www.southernlord.com/
http://www.allthatisheavy.com/
New Sick of it All Track - unleashed
Not unveiled like a bird in a cage under a magician's cloth. Not revealed a new recipe from a top chef. That is too docile. too passive. This is unleashede like ravenous, unsated dog. "Watch your butt!" Nathan Huffhines would say.
http://www.lambgoat.com/news/view.aspx?id=14125
http://www.myspace.com/sickofitallny
this song is intense. Continuing with the vicious, dark Classic sound that Armand penned for "Death to Tyrants" - which yielded the best SOIA album since "STS" and the best hardcore album in a decade. hands down. can't wait for more.
http://www.lambgoat.com/news/view.aspx?id=14125
http://www.myspace.com/sickofitallny
this song is intense. Continuing with the vicious, dark Classic sound that Armand penned for "Death to Tyrants" - which yielded the best SOIA album since "STS" and the best hardcore album in a decade. hands down. can't wait for more.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Anthony Drago Interview
KILLING TIME INTERVIEW: Anthony Drago (Breakdown, Raw Deal, Killing Time)
By Hutch13
Well. Here it is. This was definitely the coolest that I have been a part of in awhile. Thanks go out Anthony Drago, for being patient and cool and generous; Brian Rocha for hooking this up and keeping an open dialogue and being a cool dude. Thanks to Dead City and John for hooking me up with this, too. More to come come from that guy….
Go buy the new album “Three Steps Back”. It is classic, straight-up NYHC. It has been put out on Dead City records. Buy shirts, catch a show. Support these true blue, old-school New York guys. Think of all the time you have spent listening to their music over the years and getting pumped off of it. Give back.
What have the members of Killing Time been doing since "The Method"?
After the release of The Method we all decided to take a break from the band for a while. Carl and Rich went on to record and tour with other bands. Anthony and I concentrated more on our careers. The reunion shows in Brooklyn really woke us up to the fact that this band is a huge part of each of us and something that was worth continuing.
Why a new LP? Why 2010? Was one of you more of the propelling force? Did someone say, "Hey, I have 15 riffs? Let's make an album"?
My favorite part of being in this band is the songwriting process and recording. Playing live is an all together different kind of thrill. Writing and recording is an incredible outlet for me and one that doesn’t come around as often as I’d like. So when Carl and Chris started discussing it while on tour in Japan, I was all over it. We decided to start working on it as soon as we got back. Carl and Chris came prepared to that first practice in the garage with the beginnings of “Inheritance” and “Mingus”. I had already started working on some ideas for lyrics.
Did you guys have a certain sound in mind going into this?
Not really. Between the five of us there are a lot of influences. Everybody brought something to the table. Over 10 years of pent-up hardcore aggression made its way onto this thing. We’re really happy with how the record turned out. I think each of the songs are unique however they all sound like they belong on the same album. It’s a real raw and powerful recording. Simple and honest, like hardcore ought to be.
One cannot deny the pre-dominant lyrics of NYHC when "Brightside" emerged amongst it. How are the lyrics of "Three Steps Back"? How has 20 years molded the band members' perspective?
I think we have a broader look on life at this stage. The glass is still half empty though. We had the opportunity to say a lot of things that have been on our minds for the last ten years. I personally got to share a lot of myself through the lyrics on this album. Our lyrics have always been very personal. We’ve never discussed politics or social causes. I think there’s a place for that in music, but not in this band.
Not really. Between the five of us there are a lot of influences. Everybody brought something to the table. Over 10 years of pent-up hardcore aggression made its way onto this thing. We’re really happy with how the record turned out. I think each of the songs are unique however they all sound like they belong on the same album. It’s a real raw and powerful recording. Simple and honest, like hardcore ought to be.
One cannot deny the pre-dominant lyrics of NYHC when "Brightside" emerged amongst it. How are the lyrics of "Three Steps Back"? How has 20 years molded the band members' perspective?
I think we have a broader look on life at this stage. The glass is still half empty though. We had the opportunity to say a lot of things that have been on our minds for the last ten years. I personally got to share a lot of myself through the lyrics on this album. Our lyrics have always been very personal. We’ve never discussed politics or social causes. I think there’s a place for that in music, but not in this band.
Any significance to the title "Three Steps Back"?
Rich actually came up with the “Three Steps Back” concept. It really just means a return to our roots, our return to the old garage and to the music that has kept us together all these years.
Rich actually came up with the “Three Steps Back” concept. It really just means a return to our roots, our return to the old garage and to the music that has kept us together all these years.
Do you guys hate questions about the '88 era?
No. I’ll share as much as I can remember with whoever is interested. A lot of younger bands we play with hit us up with questions. Usually Anthony will do the talking. He’s got the best stories. It’s fun to hear him talk to the kids. They really look up to him. They’re all interested in what he has to say. I imagine that they look and sound just like me when I first met him.
No. I’ll share as much as I can remember with whoever is interested. A lot of younger bands we play with hit us up with questions. Usually Anthony will do the talking. He’s got the best stories. It’s fun to hear him talk to the kids. They really look up to him. They’re all interested in what he has to say. I imagine that they look and sound just like me when I first met him.
Do you look back fondly to those days?
Of course. They were great times. Being on the road with the band, making new friends everywhere we went. I didn’t like to go back home.
How did you get into hardcore and punk in the first place? How did it grow into forming a band?
I grew up in Westchester and I used to hang around a small mom & pop record store in Hartsdale called the Record Stop. One of the owners, Tony Pradlik, turned me onto so many great bands. Tony was also the guy who told me about a group of guys from Yonkers who were starting a hardcore band and needed a drummer. I met Carl shortly after in my parent’s garage, where they auditioned me for Breakdown. Less than a year later, I was 16 and we were playing CBGB’s.
Of course. They were great times. Being on the road with the band, making new friends everywhere we went. I didn’t like to go back home.
How did you get into hardcore and punk in the first place? How did it grow into forming a band?
I grew up in Westchester and I used to hang around a small mom & pop record store in Hartsdale called the Record Stop. One of the owners, Tony Pradlik, turned me onto so many great bands. Tony was also the guy who told me about a group of guys from Yonkers who were starting a hardcore band and needed a drummer. I met Carl shortly after in my parent’s garage, where they auditioned me for Breakdown. Less than a year later, I was 16 and we were playing CBGB’s.
Where were all you guys from (parts of NY)? If you guys lived in, say Wichita or Idaho, do you think you would have found some outlet? Art, music; punk, hardcore?
Anthony grew up in Astoria, Queens. Carl, Rich and Chris are all Yonkers natives and I grew up in White Plains which is a little north of Yonkers. I think that I would have fell in love with art, music and literature anywhere, especially the subversive type.
Anthony grew up in Astoria, Queens. Carl, Rich and Chris are all Yonkers natives and I grew up in White Plains which is a little north of Yonkers. I think that I would have fell in love with art, music and literature anywhere, especially the subversive type.
When reading your website's BIO page, it credits Breakdown as being the first 'tough guy' band. Was that intentional when writing that music? Unavoidable? (like "My Reason") Did you guys welcome or shun that title to BD/KT at the time?
I didn’t feel tough at the time but I think that statement is pretty accurate. Jeff was writing some real tough guy lyrics. I always enjoyed screaming “Coward, Faggot, Pussy, Dick”, but I wanted to write lyrics myself. The break from Breakdown offered me that opportunity. I think the lyrics on “Brightside” are a little more mature than the Breakdown stuff. I think they’re more introspective. I would never shun being considered a “tough guy”.
I didn’t feel tough at the time but I think that statement is pretty accurate. Jeff was writing some real tough guy lyrics. I always enjoyed screaming “Coward, Faggot, Pussy, Dick”, but I wanted to write lyrics myself. The break from Breakdown offered me that opportunity. I think the lyrics on “Brightside” are a little more mature than the Breakdown stuff. I think they’re more introspective. I would never shun being considered a “tough guy”.
What was your relationships to In Effect, Blackout!, Victory, Revelation?
In Effect was an exciting time. I was only 18 years old. We pissed them off fairly quickly with the recording expenses and the running time of the album. It had to be specially priced because it didn’t run long enough. We proceeded to piss them off when Anthony decided to go back to school and screw over any tour to actually promote “Brightside”. We met a great bunch of people there though and they were actually pretty understanding of the situation. Bill Wilson of Blackout! is one of our oldest friends and we had quite an easy relationship while putting out “The Method”. A great record in the band’s opinion but maybe not what the fans were looking for at the time. Victory and Revelation were strictly business. Not much to report there.
Can you describe the release of "Brightside" and how it affected your lives? In the BIO page, says you did one show in Cali; so - did you get to do outside NY area shows? Outside US? How did you guys like it? How were you received?
We didn’t tour on “Brightside” because of Anthony’s return to college. There was nothing at the time that any of us could do to deter him from that goal. The rest of us were all pretty bummed. It was cool to have a great record out that was getting awesome reviews but it didn’t mean much listening to it on my parent’s stereo. We did take a trip to California for one show. It was a good time but over all too quickly. We did play on weekends around the east coast but never made it further south than Virginia. We did a European tour without Anthony in 1993. It was probably one of the worst experiences of my life. We didn’t take it seriously so of course no one took us seriously.
In Effect was an exciting time. I was only 18 years old. We pissed them off fairly quickly with the recording expenses and the running time of the album. It had to be specially priced because it didn’t run long enough. We proceeded to piss them off when Anthony decided to go back to school and screw over any tour to actually promote “Brightside”. We met a great bunch of people there though and they were actually pretty understanding of the situation. Bill Wilson of Blackout! is one of our oldest friends and we had quite an easy relationship while putting out “The Method”. A great record in the band’s opinion but maybe not what the fans were looking for at the time. Victory and Revelation were strictly business. Not much to report there.
Can you describe the release of "Brightside" and how it affected your lives? In the BIO page, says you did one show in Cali; so - did you get to do outside NY area shows? Outside US? How did you guys like it? How were you received?
We didn’t tour on “Brightside” because of Anthony’s return to college. There was nothing at the time that any of us could do to deter him from that goal. The rest of us were all pretty bummed. It was cool to have a great record out that was getting awesome reviews but it didn’t mean much listening to it on my parent’s stereo. We did take a trip to California for one show. It was a good time but over all too quickly. We did play on weekends around the east coast but never made it further south than Virginia. We did a European tour without Anthony in 1993. It was probably one of the worst experiences of my life. We didn’t take it seriously so of course no one took us seriously.
Being from the Boston scene, I grew up on Slapshot. I loved hearing Roger on AF: "Last Warning" give Choke a shout out. And I rock the KT shirt where the Slapshot shirt is clearly seen. How did you guys fit into the whole Boston/NYC beef thing? Well, I guess the beef was early '80s and in the late '80s, the beef was Slapshot vs. YOT/Bold/etc.?
We never had any beef with Boston at all; in fact it was a home away from home. We played with Slapshot, Wrecking Crew and Eye for an Eye frequently. Met some awesome people up there. Wrecking Crew was a real crazy group of guys to be around.
We never had any beef with Boston at all; in fact it was a home away from home. We played with Slapshot, Wrecking Crew and Eye for an Eye frequently. Met some awesome people up there. Wrecking Crew was a real crazy group of guys to be around.
Why still make music? Why still make hardcore?
Like I said before, writing music is a great outlet for me. I would assume the same for the other members. When I am deprived of that release, I’m a pretty morbid asshole. When I’m dormant I think too much. I create trouble for myself. We play hardcore because that’s what we do well. That’s all we want to do well. I don’t think there’s any greater scene for self-expression.
Is this more to put out an album of music (like, for 'art's' sake) or to put out a punk album to vent the frustration of the world? a.k.a. - are you guys 'musicians' and you will always make music - or are you hardcore dudes who can play, and wanted to put out a hc album?
I would say we’re a bit of both. Putting out a punk album is art to me.
Like I said before, writing music is a great outlet for me. I would assume the same for the other members. When I am deprived of that release, I’m a pretty morbid asshole. When I’m dormant I think too much. I create trouble for myself. We play hardcore because that’s what we do well. That’s all we want to do well. I don’t think there’s any greater scene for self-expression.
Is this more to put out an album of music (like, for 'art's' sake) or to put out a punk album to vent the frustration of the world? a.k.a. - are you guys 'musicians' and you will always make music - or are you hardcore dudes who can play, and wanted to put out a hc album?
I would say we’re a bit of both. Putting out a punk album is art to me.
What do you want to get out of it?
We already got what we wanted out of it. We set out to make a great album and I think we did just that. The idea was simple. The music was raw and untamed and we said a great deal of what we wanted to get across. The fact that it has been received so well is just a bonus.
What do you the listener/crowd to get out of it?
I just hope that they think the new songs kick ass and they want us to make more.
How do you feel about Dead City?
Dead City has been awesome. John Franko is an old friend of the band who was really excited about putting this album out for us. The label has really just been an extension of the band.
Touring plans?
We plan on playing as much as possible to promote its release. Upcoming shows are always posted on our web site. We will keep you posted.
Local shows?
We just played the record release show in Brooklyn on Feb. 27th. It was a great night and great turn out. We’re playing with the Cro-Mags in Baltimore in March and we will soon be in Philly and Boston.
How has it been, the last few years, playing as Killing Time on the old material? How does it feel to be Killing Time with a new album?
It’s always a fun time playing the old material but we really needed to make this new record to keep it interesting. To tell you the truth it feels fucking amazing to be Killing Time with a new album.
If you're fathers, what do your kids listen to? What do they think of their dads? Are wives into hardcore? Do they make fun of you for putting out a 'punk' album at your age? What were you thinking?
I’ve got two kids. My son Luke is closing in on 5 years old and my daughter Mia is 15 months. Luke digs the fact that his dad plays drums in a band. He loves to watch videos of us playing live and he was pretty bummed that my wife and I wouldn’t take him to the record release show. He asks me once in a while to put on the music “with your friend screaming”. He also digs the fact that I wrote the song “Lookout” about me and him. He’ll request it once in a while when were in the car. But I know that I would lose hands down to the likes of Laurie Berkner, The Backyardigans or Dan Zanes, if you asked him his favorite. Anthony’s got three kids. His oldest Christopher sang along with him when he was practicing at home for the record. He told me that Chris loves “24” and knows a lot of the lyrics. It’s pretty funny because I think Chris is only about 7 years old. Anthony and I were joking around saying that we should let Chris and Luke re-record “24” as a duet.
No there is not. But sometimes if you search hard enough you’ll find a less shitty side.
************
The Philly show is a Hardcore Festival happening in August. We are already slated to play but I don’t have the exact date yet. Boston is still up in the air, but we definitely want to be there this summer.
http://www.killingtimenyhc.com/
http://www.deadcityny.com/
http://www.fresnomediausa.com
http://www.myspace.com/killingtimenyhc
http://www.myspace.com/deadcityny
We already got what we wanted out of it. We set out to make a great album and I think we did just that. The idea was simple. The music was raw and untamed and we said a great deal of what we wanted to get across. The fact that it has been received so well is just a bonus.
What do you the listener/crowd to get out of it?
I just hope that they think the new songs kick ass and they want us to make more.
How do you feel about Dead City?
Dead City has been awesome. John Franko is an old friend of the band who was really excited about putting this album out for us. The label has really just been an extension of the band.
Touring plans?
We plan on playing as much as possible to promote its release. Upcoming shows are always posted on our web site. We will keep you posted.
Local shows?
We just played the record release show in Brooklyn on Feb. 27th. It was a great night and great turn out. We’re playing with the Cro-Mags in Baltimore in March and we will soon be in Philly and Boston.
How has it been, the last few years, playing as Killing Time on the old material? How does it feel to be Killing Time with a new album?
It’s always a fun time playing the old material but we really needed to make this new record to keep it interesting. To tell you the truth it feels fucking amazing to be Killing Time with a new album.
If you're fathers, what do your kids listen to? What do they think of their dads? Are wives into hardcore? Do they make fun of you for putting out a 'punk' album at your age? What were you thinking?
I’ve got two kids. My son Luke is closing in on 5 years old and my daughter Mia is 15 months. Luke digs the fact that his dad plays drums in a band. He loves to watch videos of us playing live and he was pretty bummed that my wife and I wouldn’t take him to the record release show. He asks me once in a while to put on the music “with your friend screaming”. He also digs the fact that I wrote the song “Lookout” about me and him. He’ll request it once in a while when were in the car. But I know that I would lose hands down to the likes of Laurie Berkner, The Backyardigans or Dan Zanes, if you asked him his favorite. Anthony’s got three kids. His oldest Christopher sang along with him when he was practicing at home for the record. He told me that Chris loves “24” and knows a lot of the lyrics. It’s pretty funny because I think Chris is only about 7 years old. Anthony and I were joking around saying that we should let Chris and Luke re-record “24” as a duet.
Lastly, of course, I got to ask - after 20plus years, is there a "Brightside'?
No there is not. But sometimes if you search hard enough you’ll find a less shitty side.
************
The Philly show is a Hardcore Festival happening in August. We are already slated to play but I don’t have the exact date yet. Boston is still up in the air, but we definitely want to be there this summer.
http://www.killingtimenyhc.com/
http://www.deadcityny.com/
http://www.fresnomediausa.com
http://www.myspace.com/killingtimenyhc
http://www.myspace.com/deadcityny
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Cheech/Milo's Syndicate Split 7" United Riot Records.
Cheech/Milo's Syndicate Split 7" United Riot Records.
Boooom! United Riot adds another tough punk, hard oi!, gritty hardcore (whatever name you need to apply to it) to its impressive roster. This slab blazes through 4 songs of Boston Hardcore.
The multiple layers of Cheech's sound keeps impressing everyone who listens. ...with two big surprises. Milo's brings the fury with mad speed and an ill breakdown before they leave.
destruction ensues.
CHEECH:
"Whiskey Strength" An ode to the booze...again. The brown, amber liquid drained directly from God's veins takes center stage here. A sweet metal riff opens before crashing into a short, quick song of fast-paced hardcore with a gallop breakdown at the end. Gang chants end this beauty. Prepare to sing along to this heavy stomp about the social lubricant responsible for riots, regrets, and repeating, "What happened last night?".
"Whiskey Strength" is an awesome song - a pure hardcore live song to get the crowd amped (especially with the line, "Do I abuse the booze i choose? My liver's bruised..."). But, it has the misfortune to share the A side of this slab with
"No Love" - This song is amazing. It's based around a big riff, that has a chomping feel, while has an open rock swing to it. The lyrics are incredible; great hardcore, staunch isolation lyrics. This song has that crisp '90s HC feel; but the rolling drumming maintains the anxiety and anticipation building throughout this goliath. Gang vocals throughout will inspire many a pile-on. Oh, and as if all that i have praised is not enough to ensure it's place in hardcore history - it has fucking horns!!! This ain't no ska-punk, fool. This a hardcore song with horns. Poison Idea did it. Sheer Terror did it. Wait? Sheer Terror, the legendary hardcore band that fueled much enmity, disdain, and contempt for the fools that litter this world? The same Sheer Terror that filled my speakers as an endless soundtrack to laborious, isolated nights of rejection? That same Sheer Terror that nurtured my wounded, embarrassed heart when torn loves of my life discarded my thoughts; exposing my heart to be lied to again? That Sheer Terror? Yeah. Well, as if this song wasn't epic enough, The Rev. Paul Bearer fucking sings on it. Yeah. That's right. The best lyricist in punk for 25 years. The most independent frontman with a-fuck-less of a care to give about you; the truly balanced pipes of spite. The guy in Joe Coffee that cradles my lonely nights alongside Jameson, Old Thumper, and resentment. B-Rad and Paul exchange croons and growls throughout this monster. We get the operatic vocals from Paul that make me melt and recoil into a self-indulgent buzz and the gritty growls to propel the drunken, bitter angst. This song is monumental. Big ups to Cheech (for honing this tune through the years); Paul for delivering the performance of the year; and the horns of Drunk Robb, John Frazee, and John Woodward for putting the icing on the goddamn cake.
MILO's SYNDICATE:
"Micro Marine" Frenzied metallic punk - true old BHC; think DYS, SSD, Out Cold and Fit fir Abuse. Thick heavy and fast.
"30 Second Fight" a touch more metal crunch - but 95% straight hardcore - fast and furious at mind blowing speed until we finish a vicious breakdown at the end. Headwalks and picking up change like i was 15 again. sweet.
I love these guys live and it comes across on the wax. Piss and vinegah in barrels, kid. classic. And considering the spoogefest i gave the Cheech side, these dudes do more than hold their own with 2 tunes that destroy.
Shout out to United Riot Records. They have a great discography and this only adds to it. Thanks for having the balls to put this out.
So, please buy this (like 4 color versions of this) and some Fed Up! or Brazilian Oi or Oxblood while you are at it.
http://www.angelfire.com/indie/unitedriotrecords/
http://www.myspace.com/milossyndicate
http://www.myspace.com/cheech
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
GUT INSTINCT 002:
i was asked to respond to this: http://article.nationalreview.com/426405/when-responsibility-doesnt-pay/mark-steyn?page=1
so....
first of all - - i call bull shit: " We hard-hearted small-government guys"....since 1980 - we have a Rep Pres for 20 of the 30 years - a republican led house for the enitrity of Clinton's terms - my taxes have only increased, individual freedoms, civil rights have been reduced and constrained - and corporations have a bigger role in politics - religion in my country's laws have expanded and PACs and Privtization of politics - financial influence from big biz - still only two parties to vote from, no campaign finance reform, no exclusion of lobbyists. seems government has its hand in my personal life in every aspect. and they are still puppets of corporations, with whom my meager budget cannot compete.
and i still can't smoke herb.
A man who is decorated with medals, fluent in 7 languages, and adept at a job that only 10 people hold - patriotic and loyal - can't serve in the military cuz he likes dudes?
my 20 yr old brother can go die in in a desert for oil money that citizens' will never see and who's initiative was founded on fear and lies....but he can't have a beer.
and i still can't sleep with a willing 16 year old ( i am positive there must be at least one out there...).
oh, but obama wants 42 million unemployed or underemployed people (a lot of kids; a lot of working people - for shit jobs) to have some form of health care - that the average individual can opt out of if uninterested?!?!?
I worked my ass off my whole life. for years at 2 jobs - and i was at my last one for over 2 years - which i lost as a result of the elected government not watching its citizens' money and they ways it was invested - or watching how the financial institutions handled the propagation of loans - and then how they took our money and gave it to those same greedy assholes instead of returning it to us to nix our debt? so i got unemployment benefits. but my only option to see a doctor was some $80.month COBRA bullshit?
he continues: "But, as the Greek protests make plain, nothing makes an individual more selfish than the socially equitable communitarianism of big government: Once a chap’s enjoying the fruits of government health care, government-paid vacation, government-funded early retirement, and all the rest, he couldn’t give a hoot about the general societal interest"
i quote Jello Biafra "kill the poor" (1979):
"The sun beams down on a brand new day
No more welfare tax to pay
Unsightly slums gone up in flashing light
Jobless millions whisked away
At last we have more room to play
All systems go to kill the poor tonight "
just strip them of healthcare, and they'll dwindle off the radar.
And so this is Greece? I love that since some small country - excuse me, where some minuscule section of a small percentage of that population - mishandled a benefit - it should serve as a blueprint of how we should structure our laws? YET when we bring up countries that allow Gays to openly serve in the military, allow legal prostitution, legal consumption of minor substances, and have nationallly funded healthcare - all with a stable culture, population and economy - all countries that truly embrace freedom more than we do; these same hypocrites say "Now, now - this IS America! we don't follow others!"
I he calls it a "an Obama-sized stimulus": you dick. it's a congress who pushed; pushed for that much - and it was all republicans and their constituents who said they needed that much - and only Obama said we have to issue with with the caveat of us monitoring and defining how it was spent.
this dude continues:
" Over 30 percent of German women are childless; among German university graduates, it’s over 40 percent....And that’s before the EU decides to add the Greeks to your burdens. Germans, who retire at 67, are now expected to sustain the unsustainable 14 monthly payments per year of Greeks who retire at 58."
This is legit - and it is happening in Spain. But i think he extrapolates and over-dramatizes it to illicit shock - when it is not accurate. and not realistic. Spain is enforcing the same laws, as are other EU countries. When 30-40% of your population is childless, there is a drastic decrease in a taxable workforce. so some can't retire at 58. AND speaking of these 2 countries - they live off a Mediterranean diet - which is proven to prolong a healthy, long, vital, energetic life. So, retire at 55 - you got 30 to 40 years to live - add that to the first 16, you spent more than half your life jobless. - so yeah, taxes go up. people have to work longer year (67?!?! o god - not the same age we are allowed to retire in the US - kinda kills his point. and those of us with no savings or 401k - we will work long after 65 anyway).
"Think of Greece as California: Every year an irresponsible and corrupt bureaucracy awards itself higher pay and better benefits paid for by an ever-shrinking wealth-generating class"
Yeah - point out the liberal leaning Cali - with beach bums and lazy kids and gangs - to exaggerate your point -AND ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!?!?!
"an irresponsible and corrupt bureaucracy awards itself higher pay and better benefit" do not picture Cali - picture OUR FUCKING CONGRESS AND MAJOR CORPORATIONS AND Wall ST!!!! that is a perfect definition -you dick.
"And think of Germany as one of the less profligate, still-just-about-functioning corners of America such as my own state of New Hampshire: Responsibility doesn’t pay"
yeah no trailer trash in NH.....absorbing welfare. i mean, their toothless ass can be your poster boy for "No Healthcare", not mine.
"The problem is there are never enough of “the rich” to fund the entitlement state, "
i am not even going to respond.
Finally, i would like to say - i do not endorse a universal healthcare - Canada has some issues. But there needs to be a compromise. We need medicare for people under 65 and unemployed - if you got HC with your job, opt-out, bitch!
It needs to be thought out by economists truly smarter than I.
i do not love Obama as a president - i trust him as a person, though. and republicans are dicks now - with no interest in the nation's people; just sensationalizing this crippling chasm in our congress. they want to point out flaws, as if they have no or only to distract us from their flaws. And what the fuck would anyone do inheriting the myriad of desolate situations of this country.
I HATE ALL POLITICIANS!!!!! i want ten relevant people on ballots, not to parties. i want people to think beyond red & blue. We need a true revolution tat puts the power back in peoples' hands. we less laws. less government - and honest, hardworking people in those government roles. they sit and point at each as polar opposites, but they bleed together and evade any real radical change.
burn down DC and wall t and let's start over.
http://article.nationalreview.com/426405/when-responsibility-doesnt-pay/mark-steyn?page=1
so....
first of all - - i call bull shit: " We hard-hearted small-government guys"....since 1980 - we have a Rep Pres for 20 of the 30 years - a republican led house for the enitrity of Clinton's terms - my taxes have only increased, individual freedoms, civil rights have been reduced and constrained - and corporations have a bigger role in politics - religion in my country's laws have expanded and PACs and Privtization of politics - financial influence from big biz - still only two parties to vote from, no campaign finance reform, no exclusion of lobbyists. seems government has its hand in my personal life in every aspect. and they are still puppets of corporations, with whom my meager budget cannot compete.
and i still can't smoke herb.
A man who is decorated with medals, fluent in 7 languages, and adept at a job that only 10 people hold - patriotic and loyal - can't serve in the military cuz he likes dudes?
my 20 yr old brother can go die in in a desert for oil money that citizens' will never see and who's initiative was founded on fear and lies....but he can't have a beer.
and i still can't sleep with a willing 16 year old ( i am positive there must be at least one out there...).
oh, but obama wants 42 million unemployed or underemployed people (a lot of kids; a lot of working people - for shit jobs) to have some form of health care - that the average individual can opt out of if uninterested?!?!?
I worked my ass off my whole life. for years at 2 jobs - and i was at my last one for over 2 years - which i lost as a result of the elected government not watching its citizens' money and they ways it was invested - or watching how the financial institutions handled the propagation of loans - and then how they took our money and gave it to those same greedy assholes instead of returning it to us to nix our debt? so i got unemployment benefits. but my only option to see a doctor was some $80.month COBRA bullshit?
he continues: "But, as the Greek protests make plain, nothing makes an individual more selfish than the socially equitable communitarianism of big government: Once a chap’s enjoying the fruits of government health care, government-paid vacation, government-funded early retirement, and all the rest, he couldn’t give a hoot about the general societal interest"
i quote Jello Biafra "kill the poor" (1979):
"The sun beams down on a brand new day
No more welfare tax to pay
Unsightly slums gone up in flashing light
Jobless millions whisked away
At last we have more room to play
All systems go to kill the poor tonight "
just strip them of healthcare, and they'll dwindle off the radar.
And so this is Greece? I love that since some small country - excuse me, where some minuscule section of a small percentage of that population - mishandled a benefit - it should serve as a blueprint of how we should structure our laws? YET when we bring up countries that allow Gays to openly serve in the military, allow legal prostitution, legal consumption of minor substances, and have nationallly funded healthcare - all with a stable culture, population and economy - all countries that truly embrace freedom more than we do; these same hypocrites say "Now, now - this IS America! we don't follow others!"
I he calls it a "an Obama-sized stimulus": you dick. it's a congress who pushed; pushed for that much - and it was all republicans and their constituents who said they needed that much - and only Obama said we have to issue with with the caveat of us monitoring and defining how it was spent.
this dude continues:
" Over 30 percent of German women are childless; among German university graduates, it’s over 40 percent....And that’s before the EU decides to add the Greeks to your burdens. Germans, who retire at 67, are now expected to sustain the unsustainable 14 monthly payments per year of Greeks who retire at 58."
This is legit - and it is happening in Spain. But i think he extrapolates and over-dramatizes it to illicit shock - when it is not accurate. and not realistic. Spain is enforcing the same laws, as are other EU countries. When 30-40% of your population is childless, there is a drastic decrease in a taxable workforce. so some can't retire at 58. AND speaking of these 2 countries - they live off a Mediterranean diet - which is proven to prolong a healthy, long, vital, energetic life. So, retire at 55 - you got 30 to 40 years to live - add that to the first 16, you spent more than half your life jobless. - so yeah, taxes go up. people have to work longer year (67?!?! o god - not the same age we are allowed to retire in the US - kinda kills his point. and those of us with no savings or 401k - we will work long after 65 anyway).
"Think of Greece as California: Every year an irresponsible and corrupt bureaucracy awards itself higher pay and better benefits paid for by an ever-shrinking wealth-generating class"
Yeah - point out the liberal leaning Cali - with beach bums and lazy kids and gangs - to exaggerate your point -AND ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!?!?!
"an irresponsible and corrupt bureaucracy awards itself higher pay and better benefit" do not picture Cali - picture OUR FUCKING CONGRESS AND MAJOR CORPORATIONS AND Wall ST!!!! that is a perfect definition -you dick.
"And think of Germany as one of the less profligate, still-just-about-functioning corners of America such as my own state of New Hampshire: Responsibility doesn’t pay"
yeah no trailer trash in NH.....absorbing welfare. i mean, their toothless ass can be your poster boy for "No Healthcare", not mine.
"The problem is there are never enough of “the rich” to fund the entitlement state, "
i am not even going to respond.
Finally, i would like to say - i do not endorse a universal healthcare - Canada has some issues. But there needs to be a compromise. We need medicare for people under 65 and unemployed - if you got HC with your job, opt-out, bitch!
It needs to be thought out by economists truly smarter than I.
i do not love Obama as a president - i trust him as a person, though. and republicans are dicks now - with no interest in the nation's people; just sensationalizing this crippling chasm in our congress. they want to point out flaws, as if they have no or only to distract us from their flaws. And what the fuck would anyone do inheriting the myriad of desolate situations of this country.
I HATE ALL POLITICIANS!!!!! i want ten relevant people on ballots, not to parties. i want people to think beyond red & blue. We need a true revolution tat puts the power back in peoples' hands. we less laws. less government - and honest, hardworking people in those government roles. they sit and point at each as polar opposites, but they bleed together and evade any real radical change.
burn down DC and wall t and let's start over.
http://article.nationalreview.com/426405/when-responsibility-doesnt-pay/mark-steyn?page=1
Monday, March 1, 2010
"Nothing's ever gonna work for me..."
my day was absolutley horrendous.
i got a new job - which i can work from home. i did last week, checked last night all good. woke up this a.m. and the net connect kept booting me off. i plug it into my home pc - works fine. gotta use the ladies car to drive 45min south to work office - and i can only put in a half day - which dominoes a slew of factors the royally fuck up my whole week and plans i had to actually be productive. then i lose my girls' keys - she wants to figure out why these things happen to me constantly (That makes no sense! its not logical!")- missing web development class, best part of my week; and of course it some wicked fancy shit to it, so AAA can do nothing. got to get it owed to a dealer or get dealer to make a new on ($$$$$$$).
then at work, went to print out a list of close by dealers - can route my cpu to the printer ("it works on mine - i just do this step - this escapes all logic").
then i find out dj night - probably cancelled - no 'entertainment license' - we sit in a corner with fuckin iPods, not a DJ booth and lights and shit! what? wicked stupid. the i went to check out emptyhandspvd.libsyn.com - seems i uploaded 65 minutes (123mbs) of silence. and iTunes rejected it.
THE COMMON THREAD IS ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
if i don't end it tomorrow and save the world from my disease and my self from crippling, unfixable frustration; i am getting the Matt Brotka razor blade flash "Do It!" next to a vein. And to balance my "RFA", getting : "RTD" (...ready to die).
this sucks. fuck.
the immortal words of the greatest hardcore song:
"You try to make things work and gain something
It's all no use, it's all worth nothing
Complete satisfaction is too impossible to believe
Nothing's ever fucking gonna work for me
Tomorrow seems so hopeless can't keep it off my mind
Another day of nothing I'm running out of time
I've got nothing I can look forward to
I'm always left with nothing
I'm always told things I don't want to hear
My destiny's become quite clear
Life's never fucking given nothing to me
It's just stood by and watch me bleed "
- Negative Approach, "Nothing"
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