Here are the instructions my wife was given when asked how to re-establish her Facebook account after it was "disabled" by Facebook for no apparent reason and with no warning whatsoever.  

It is always awkward, when someone dies.  I knew him, but in a kind of "sometime I might know this guy a lot better" kind of way.  He's joined my band on the stage once or twice.  I've seen him spit unbelievable, funny, crazy, meaningless, pertinent, mind blowing raps while double-fisting a mic and a Pabst.  We talked, toked, and sipped outside the Turf Club, and talked about how ironic life is.  He was one of the few true poet rappers who was able to cause me to earnestly contemplate life, death, and the space in between, but not in a Buddhist way, or any other dogmatic way, but for what it really is.  His poetry had a way of making you look into the mirror, with all the makeup of life stripped away, left with only the grime and the common suffering among men.  Beautiful is ugly, and ugly is beautiful, he once said during a freestyle.  The first time I actually talked to him one on one, was in the basement, and back stage area, of the Nomad World Pub, when Junkyard Empire was releasing Rise of the Wretched.  I thought to myself, "wow, this cat is really intense, but in a sort of detached, cool way."  I wrote that in my little journal book I keep in my back pocket.  A few moments later, Joe from No Bird Sing (then a member of Hyder Ali) came down, and a freestyle battle broke out.  I almost didn't want the show to start, because I was having so much fun hanging out in the basement with all these wild poets.  It was, for a brief moment, like a Beat lounge. 

This is how I will remember Michael Larsen, a.k.a. Eyedea, a.k.a. all the other names he went by.  Let's keep his spirit alive by dropping all the bullshit this music scene has to offer, and instead focus on really paying constant homage to the talent that is here now, before it moves on, like Michael did.  Let's attack our instruments, our pads of paper, our minds, and our lives the way Michael did.  There's no time to waste!  Take no damn prisoners, rhyme if you can, and most importantly, .......  Well, life is short, and I have some things to plan. 

R.I.P. Michael Larsen. 

please circulate and distribute widely

 

Yesterday, WAMM board co-chair and long time peace activist, Sarah Martin was also served with a subpoena. She is to appear before a grand Jury, in Chicago, on October 12, as part of the FBI investigation that is trying to tie local peace groups to terrorism.

 

Sarah is innocent of terrorism or connection to organizations that condone terrorism.

 

This is part of a nationally coordinated action, surely approved by the director of the FBI and probably at higher levels than that. There has been considerable national media attention. It appears that our Twin Cities peace community has been thrust into the middle of something much larger. The affected activists will need a lot of our support as they resist increasing repression and "terrorism" hype from the Obama Administration.

 

The people targeted have several things in common which give an insight to the nature of this investigation. Locally, all have been connected to the Anti-War Committee and/or WAMM. I believe all are connected to Freedom Road Socialist Organization. All were deeply involved in organizing the mass marches at the RNC in 2008. I believe all have been involved in the efforts to stop the DNC from coming to Minneapolis in 2012. All or nearly all have traveled to Colombia and/or Palestine for international solidarity work.

 

Please join us at the first meeting of a new solidarity and defense committee, Thursday, September 30, 7:00 p.m. at Walker Methodist Church, 3104 16th Avenue South, Minneapolis. Feel free to invite friends, neighbors, lawyers, church members and leaders so that we can organize to keep this malignant FBI investigation from spreading further through out our community.

 

Democracy is indeed under a terrifying assault! Sadly enough, it is coming from the hands of our own government, directed at some of the best, brightest, and most conscientious of our own citizens. For those of us who hold the constitution and the Bill of Rights near and dear to our hearts, we must stand up to this new assault on American freedom.

 

Kim Doss-Smith, Executive Director, Woman Against Military Madness (WAMM), 612-827-5364.

Subject: URGENT! STAND UP AGAINST FBI INTIMIDATION

***FORWARD WIDELY****

University of Minnesota SDS Stands Up to FBI Intimidation
September 2010

Friends and Allies - Please stand with activists throughout the cities on MONDAY, SEPT. 27TH @ 4:30 PM @ THE FBI OFFICE (111 Washington Ave S. Minneapolis, MN - Downtown) to protest the FBI raids on activists in our community. There is also a community meeting this THURSDAY @ 7 PM @ WALKER CHURCH (3104 16th Ave S) to form a defense committee for affected individuals.
Responsible citizenship means criticizing our government, we will not be criminalized for our ideas!

On Friday, Sept 24, the FBI raided the homes of anti-war activists throughout the country, including the home of our own University of Minnesota SDS member, Tracy Molm. Her cell phone, laptop, and political materials were stolen, and she was issued a subpoena. The other activists being harassed by the FBI are members of several of our ally organizations across the nation: Twin Cities Anti-War Committee, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, the Palestine Solidarity Group, and the Colombia Action Network. These activists, our friends, have done NOTHING wrong. The FBI is clearly waging a war against the ideas of anti-war activists and those who stand in solidarity with people's movements throughout the world.

U of M SDS stands with our member and sister, Tracy Molm--she is a dedicated fighter in the struggle against US imperialism, and she has nothing to hide. We recognize that when a government tries to repress the dissent of its own citizens, it’s not the citizens that are criminals. We see that our tax dollars are funding the same military powers being used to oppress the peoples of Colombia and Palestine, and we ask, who are the terrorists? We know that we are effective at pointing out the hypocrisies and injustices of our government, or else they would not bother trying to silence us.

SDS has a message for the FBI: your scare tactics do not frighten us. Your swat teams won’t quiet us, and your subpoenas can’t stop us from fighting. We will keep shouting louder than ever, down with US imperialism! We will continue to stand in solidarity with the oppressed peoples of this world, because their rights are being stolen by the same forces that broke down our doors on Friday. And we will always unite with the communities and organizations and people that resist imperialist wars and occupations. University of Minnesota SDS calls for all of our allies in the struggle to raise your voices with us in protest of the FBI's criminal attacks against us.

Solidarity forever!

The Hipness of the Underground in Saint Paul?
-Chris Robin Cox

Yeah, that's right, I said the words "hipness" and "Saint Paul" in the same line.  While my friends and I like to call Frogtown "the new Northeast" and all that, the truth of the matter is that most Minneapolitans think of Saint Paul as a second class city, the red headed pimply step sister of the prettier, more modern, more happening city of Minneapolis. 

Well, whatever.  On Monday and Tuesday nights in the basement of one of the great rock clubs in the Twin Cities, SAINT PAUL'S Turf Club, there lies one of the hippest underground haunts you are likely find in either of the Gemini Cities.  I'm speaking of none other than the Clown Lounge.  It's like putting a jazz club, or maybe even more accurately a speakeasy, in the basement of your grandpa's 1950's rambler.  With wood slatted walls, neon beer signs, fish on boards, and a bar that looks exactly like Anthony Cox's work in progress (sorry Anthony, just was too easy), it simply hugs you the minute you round the stairs down to the door and pay the measly $5 cover charge. 

Made quasi popular by the one and only Fat Kid Wednesdays routine weekly performance there every Monday night - at least when one or all of the members of that punky jazz trio are not playing gigs in the four corners of the Universe - the Clown Lounge, now offering live jazz on Tuesdays as well (headed up by Zacc Harris of the Atlantis Quartet), is where you will find all the 20-something, finger snapping, jazz head hipsters, many of whom travel from the other city, to get a feel for the real underground - not the hipster overpriced hangs offered in Uptown. 

Sure, it can be a little annoying and "trendy" feeling at times, especially for those of us who have been real jazz heads our whole lives, even when it wasn't hip to be.  But let's not look a gift horse in the mouth, as the saying goes.  As a jazz musician myself, I am truly grateful to those who have worked so hard to keep the Clown Lounge going after all these years.  And to be truly honest, the kids in there could use some older folks, who know how to hoot and holler a little when someone takes a bangin' solo, so don't leave em' hanging.  You know, a little "go on, get it mothafucka!", or "come on with it!"  Sometimes I like to sneak into that place, grab myself a deep whiskey shot - something you will surely get served up - and be nice and loud, make the kids feel a little uncomfortable, dig? 

These things do not last long people.  Remember Brilliant Corners?  Remember Kimball's West in San Francisco?  Remember...Well, you see where I'm going with this.  Live, modern, pure unadulterated jazz is hard to come by without paying a significant chunk of change, so take advantage of this scene while it's still here.  Can't afford it?  How bout telling Starbucks to kiss your ass for a day and spend the $5 on some live jazz instead?  And so what if it's a Monday, or a Tuesday, tell your coworkers that you are tired this Wednesday, because you you were out drinking whiskey and beer with your friends, in the basement of the Turf Club.  Trust me, they will be jealous. 

This Tuesday will be an especially great show, featuring the debut performance of a duo called von Stimulator (that's all I'll say about that) and one of the tightest and most well respected jazz quintets in the Twin Cities, the Atlantis Quartet.  Music starts at 10pm and goes until about 1am.  21+, $5/door, hoots and hollers requested.

As I sit here at work, completely unable to focus and full of a kind of fuzzy angst, I am reminded of what a writer friend told me about what he called "the writer's haze".  That is, whenever a writer is actually working on a project, he seems distant, preoccupied, and not much able to focus on anything in particular.  I'm there. 

Last night was my first class at the Loft Literary Center, and it came at the end of a four or five day writing frenzy.  An idea for a book has been simmering in my mind for a very long time, ever since I wrote more than 300 pages of notes for a book I never went with while I was living in Hungary back in 2002.  It was the class that left me in a haze, but more the process of preparing for the class.  On the bright side, I think I have the beginning of a very good basic story going, and it's really different than anything I have ever tried to write before.  First off, it's a novel, not a short story, essay, opinion editorial, or journalistic piece, which is usually what I am writing.  Second, it's based in the future, which is a real challenge to write.  I'm not prepared to share the basic story yet, but when I am I'll start doing that so that I might get some additional feedback from people.

Geez, as in example of my haze, I can't even string together my thoughts enough to make this post meaningful!  I have a strange urge to have a very strong mid-day shot of whiskey, long, with just a cube or two.  I'm starting to also understand why writers get into self medication just like musicians do.  But, as a lifelong musician, I can say with some authority that I don't really go into a haze when I'm making a record or writing new music.  In fact, I'd say I'm more conscious and aware when I'm involved in a new music project than I am now.  And what is strange about that is I've been writing, journaling at least, practically since I can remember, so I can't say this is just me adjusting to being a writer.  I've always been a writer.

I was talking to my mom on the phone the other night, and she said that she thinks I started writing for real when I was in the 3rd grade.  At the time I was living in Oklahoma City with my dad.  We were very poor, and other circumstances made life difficult for me there.  One of the really bright lights in what was otherwise a fairly dark period, was the nearly constant letter writing I was engaged in with my mom for that whole year.  It was in fact when I first realized the healing power of writing; that just the simple act of writing down one's thoughts, no matter how painful, boring, or insignificant can rid one of the funk we often get into.  It's like a psychiatrist without the bill. 

Then comes the stage when a writer decides he wants to actually write a book.  Wow, that's when shit really changes.  So many people say "I'd write a book if I had the time."  One of my teachers from last night's class, Kathleen Eagle, said in response to that so commonly thrown around statement, "No you won't.  You'll find the time IF you are going to write a book."  She's right.  It's not about the time, it's about the intention and the follow-through.  It's also about learning to live in the story while you are working on it and in your own life when you are not working on the story.  I guess I have to figure out the second part.

Well, that was pretty pointless, wasn't it?  I feel better though.  Until next time, peace be unto those who bring the revolution.  

My comrades at the Twin Cities Socialist Alternative chapter sent this story to me.  Pretty much hits the nail on the head.  I'd like to hear some right wing trickle-downer answer the questions presented by this article.  

Who.Am.I.

 

I sweep your floors, open your doors, serve you Coors.

I entertain you and say thank you when you underpay me.

I sculpted the model that was to be the Statue of Liberty. I paint the walls, cook the food, and mop the floors at your restaurant, where I will never be able to afford to eat.

 

I chop your meat, scoot in your seat, and iron your precious pleats.  I bled out my last dollar for you television programming and lightening fast Internet, only to be advertised to by companies that, by design, care not for anything but the acquisition of a few more pennies.

 

I drink your coffee, not knowing where it comes from, but trust that nobody has died for it. I force myself to vomit, so that I can model your clothes with the proper draping. I endure the raping, the pillaging, and the occupation of foreign lands in my name, so that I may not be called unpatriotic.

 

As a child I cried when you savagely reveled in the death of my friend John Lennon, but I didn't retaliate because it was so God damned important that I cooperate. I freely give you my airwaves, so that you can endlessly propagandize me for free.

 

I accepted tens of thousands of dollars of debt, so that you could educate me about everything other than how to stop you from killing me, one day at a time.

 

I have done so many things for you, yet you don't know who I am! You must not, because you simply keep going as though I have given nothing to you, that you owe nothing to me.

 

I am the wretched child born of your fattened loins. I am the mirror to all the horror you have unleashed in my name. I am the one you profit from. I am the one you steal from. I am the one you kill with cars, tars, bars, and bullshit talk of trips to Mars.

 

I am the one who will kill you America, and then rebirth you in my image through the scars on my miraculously

still

open

arms.

This is a massively important issue, and we really should not let it pass us by.

Public News Service-MN

August 19, 2010

Future of the Internet: Public Hearing with FCC in Minneapolis Tonight

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Minneapolis will host the nation's first public hearing tonight on the future of the Internet. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has organized the town hall event in the wake of a high-profile proposal from tech giants Google and Verizon. The companies propose to leave "wired" Internet free and open, but allow corporations to manage the data flow on fast-growing wireless networks.

Often referred to as the "net neutrality" issue, proponents believe the current Internet system works best, which is to allow users equal access to any information without restriction. Under the proposed rules, Internet service providers could discriminate by providing faster access for their paid content and put other non-paying content in the "slow lane."

Amalia Deloney, grass roots media policy director for the Center for Media Justice, says with everyday lives so connected to the Internet, there's too much at stake to give that much power to the service providers.

"We need to be able to have an experience online that's really open and unfettered; where we don't have to worry about paying more for a certain premium service. Is content being discriminated against, or a tool being discriminated against, or an application, because a certain Internet service provider isn't profiting from it?"

Deloney says the United States is fast becoming a divided nation of technological "haves" and "have-nots," and those without access to the Internet or without the education or skills to utilize online tools have no shot at competing with their more tech-savvy 21st Century counterparts.

"It's important that we close this digital divide in a real way, and that people understand that many of us have very different experiences, and different communities are being left out. It's absolutely crucial that their voices are heard."

Steven Renderos, media justice organizer for the Main Street Project, says more and more people are pushed online because their very livelihoods depend on it.

"The easiest way to access unemployment is by filing online. To apply for jobs here in the Twin Cities, many of the lowest-paying jobs, even those jobs, you have to apply online."

While the issue of access is critical, ensuring an "open internet" needs to happen first, says Renderos.

"The Internet should remain, and always be, an open communications platform, where any idea, and any user cannot be discriminated against. But, it makes no difference if you have access to an Internet that's no longer an open platform."

The townhall-style hearing starts tonight at 6:00 p.m. at South High School in Minneapolis. Featured speakers include FCC commissioners Michael Copps and Mignon Clyburn, and Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie. The hearing will be streamed live online at www.theuptake.org.

Click here to view this story on the Public News Service RSS site and access an audio version of this and other stories: http://www.publicnewsservice.org/index.php?/content/article/15549-1