Dirty Nails, Dirty Wheels

I saw these folks a couple weeks back—late off of work I only caught the end of their set, but it was still one of the best concerts I’ve ever seen. The music was powerful, the music was fresh, the music had a point.

In the face of PRISM, in the face of the knowledge that 56% of the U.S. population is okay with the phone surveillance part of the program, in the face of the context this information has come to us in—remote-control war, continuing assaults on this earth and the life on it to prop up capitalism and other ways rich people make themselves richer, a presidential administration that bills itself as progressive while mounting the most ferocious program of whistleblower persecution ever seen in this nation—it is imperative that we keep up our spirits, and keep up our fighting strength. Music is one way I do that. When I’m feeling overwhelmed by the scope and gravity of the problems we have to solve, music that is good and that matters helps me stay strong.

Fear Nuttin Band, Rebel. (Be warned: the video has a lot of graphically violent shots from protests.)

According to the AP, a federal appeals court decided Tuesday that the government can continue to refuse to release photos of Osama bin Laden’s dead body being sunk in the ocean because it “could trigger violence against American citizens.”

You know what could trigger violence against American citizens?

When the U.S. arrogates to itself the right to use violence as revenge for violence, that’s what.

Have fun on your merry-go-round.

Oh, yes!

Artist Jay Shells says “Who it’s for is… for me. And for people like me: just other hip hop heads that would dig this project,” but I don’t think that gives the project enough credit. It’s for the emcees, as a public declaration of respect and their work’s importance. And it’s for everyone they’ve spoken for, whose lives and history have been ignored and shit on by most of the people who would have the authority to put up more “official” placards drawing attention to sites of cultural significance.

Jay Shells, “Rap Quotes.”

I’m sitting next to some folks who are talking about Christianity, and they were discussing their belief that once they’ve accepted god as their savior or whatever it is their particular denomination says they’re supposed to do, they’re forever guaranteed to go to heaven. Happily marveling at this, one of them said:

“Isn’t that crazy? Isn’t that crazy?”

Good song—with some totally amazing parts—and a very skillfully executed video, too. It combines narrative with scenes of the band playing in a way that feels not just natural, but inventive.

I think I’m going to cover this song.

Semisonic, Closing Time.

knowhomo:

LGBTQ* History You Might Have Missed

Trans* Religious History 101

(Catharina Margaretha) Linck - FTM Transgender Person, executed for sodomy in Prussia in 1721

Above Graphics from Words Without Borders

A selection of art from the biography of Catharina Margaretha Linck

by Elke R. Steiner 
Translated by Edna McCown

 

*Note:

At this time the KNOWhomo team is digging deeper into the story of Linck. There have been too many opposing stories to share any accurate information at this time. We wanted to share the graphics above and start a conversation about how we research and compile information for our posts. If you have more information on Linck, please pass it our way. 

Keep On, Keeping On!

-Rebecca

(via ejlandsman)

Pump up state ability to spy on citizens with no accountability?

FUCK THAT.

This legislation is fucking heinous. It’s quite nakedly about increasing government surveillance powers and includes clauses that make it difficult if not impossible to fight back. Kill this shit dead.

Back in Portland, I was skating home from work, and just as I swept up the ramp back onto the sidewalk after crossing a street, my board threw me and rocketed out to the left, into traffic. It was run over by one car, putting a nasty snap in the deck and flinging it into the air. No joke, it seemed to spin in slow motion, throwing off a swirl of sawdust as it rose. Falling to earth, it bounced with a rude, clattering thock off the hood of a car traveling in the opposite direction before hitting the pavement. A truck stopped short, narrowly avoiding a second run-over. I zipped out into the street to reclaim it before anything more befell my poor dear. I took the bus home, but between stops I found it was still rideable, as long as I stayed off the nose.

That was months ago, maybe nearly a year ago now, but I never did anything with the picture I took, so here it is.

I friggin’ love this song!

I don’t really know what it’s about. But it’s really good!

One OK Rock, 完全感覚 Dreamer. (Kanzen Kankaku Dreamer, which means “Full Sense” Dreamer according to an online translator.)

lillezzie:

Emer O’Toole on women, body hair and why she’s stopped shaving

Great to hear this from a femme perspective. This might be the motivation I need to go all in this year!

Well put, Emer O’Toole.

(via ladydanger7)