Bill Hicks was the best there ever was!

Holy crap! I found the Oracle!!!

Likewise, dude. Loving the variety on display. Propagandhi and Bad Religion alongside Thelonious Monk and Miles Davis. Avail and Hot Water Music alongside Tom Waits and Johnny Cash. Way cool.

thanks man! be welcome there whatever you want

oh wait nevermind, you like atmosphere :)

oh thanks. nothing much.. just messing around on irc a lot lately.. i like your variety... though i don't see any hiphop ;p

Greetings to you comrade and great library. ¡No pasarán!

fuck yea man wintersleep is the shit. Yea doug is hilarious i met him in vegas would love to see his show.

thank ya thank ya!

back at you.

who is that as your avatar

And I know the Israel/Palestine situation is just one of many instances of abuses of power committed by Western states. I never denied that or said anything that might be portrayed as singling out this issue as the one area where there is an imbalance. I even talked about how the US media won't dare portray its country as a tyrannical, barbarian force that supports anti-democratic forces in countries such as Nicaragua or Vietnam. Anyway, I apologise if I ended up sounding like a dogmatic prick, or anything of the sort. That was honestly not my intention. You sound like a very human guy to me and my impression hasn't changed. I commend you for your intrinsic curiosity about world affairs, and I hope you continue to research these things for yourself rather than give much credence to my own thoughts.

While I don't believe there is a conspiring Zionist hegemony tightly controlling the US media, it's impossible to deny that pro-Israel lobby groups such as AIPAC have an influence. The dialogue on the major networks and on the Hill is clearly one-sided, as is evidenced by their pussy-footing around the issue whenever it comes up, and the Democrats in power are largely influenced by their rhetoric (search YouTube for vp Joe Biden saying "You don't have to be a Jew to be a Zionist. I'm a Zionist"). My views apropos of Israel/Palestine are pretty mainstream and uncontroversial. I too support a two-state settlement along the pre-1967 borders, something overwhelmingly advocated by international consensus (by all but the US & Israel). I also never meant to imply that you weren't aware of the abuses of civil rights taking place in the Occupied Territories, as you're clearly well-informed about a lot of these issues.

Well, I certainly didn't mean to come off as antagonistic. We are more congenial in our interests than conversely, however I do feel the need to try to depict what I've learned where it seems appropriate. Maybe it's wrong or some of my own impressions don't have much foundation, but I do try to think things through. I can only speak from observation, after all. I definitely did not accuse you from solely extracting your news from US cable, I simply questioned the validity of placing too much faith in Rachel Maddow and others of her ilk.

>_> I truly apologise for spamming your shoutbox, my friend, but just one final example I want to show in order to illustrate my point: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0R-_dzOR9w - here is a clip from Hardball on MSNBC, hosted by Chris Matthews (a well-known centre-left host) - a journalist called Reza Aslan comes on the show to discuss Iran's supposed ambition for nuclear weapons. Notice how he crosses a line: he points out that Israel has nuclear weapons pointed at Tehran to fire when ready, and Matthews, realising that Aslan has deviated from the rigidly controlled dialogue that is permitted when discussing these matters, reacts critically and in disbelief, accusing him of "doubletalk" and what have you. It's a perfect example of how issues on this liberal network are so tightly constrained and ideologically skewed. See if he's ever invited onto that show again. Hah.

And, as you brought it up, Democracy Now! is an excellent example. If you're looking for an audacious, radically independent news journalist/compere - Amy Goodman is indeed it. The work she does is simply outstanding, unparalleled, and incredibly consistent. Rachel has *nothing* on her. She is simply part of their game. Although as you correctly point out, DN reaches a far smaller audience as it's not available in most basic cable packages. But just look at their coverage of Israel/Palestine, as well as having ultra right-wing anti civil rights apologists such as Martin Indyk or Alan Dershowitz on their show, they also allow their antithetical and (in my view) far more impartial counterparts, Normal Finkelstein, Noam Chomsky, and Richard Falk on to assess the humanitarian and political situation in Israel and the Occupied Territories. They allow the truth to manifest itself through healthy and vigorous debate between opposing views, allowing the viewer to make up their own mind.

there are far narrower constraints on what can & can't be said than on Fixed News and the conservative talk radio shows. How else do you think they're able to get away with saying completely unconscionable things ad nauseam? MSNBC & NPR (and even CNN) tolerate absolutely no criticism of Israel or the portrayal of the US as a tyrannical imperialist nation that inflicts terror and supports brutal right-wing regimes on the level of the Communists. Maddow is so limited in what she can say - and that often leads to inaccuracies on her part. I'm just so fed up of tedious partisan hackery on both sides - she's guilty of playing a part in this, and Olbermann/Ed Schulz(pretty much a "liberal" Rush) are even worse. They almost stoop to their level by going on about Rush Limbaugh all the time as if he ever intended to be a serious political analyst. I would go so far as to say that censorship is so much more prevalent in the liberal media outlets than conversely.

I'm certainly glad you have a passionate intellectual curiosity which drives you to learn more about the world and the diversity (or lack thereof) of political theory which drives policy and government. It's certainly evident in the tenacious way you conduct yourself and are willing to go up against people who might passionately disagree with you. But I think I have a slightly different perspective on Rachel Maddow (and MSNBC and the liberal media in general) than you do because I'm currently stationed here in the states and am able to analyse these various outlets in context. I don't mean to be po-faced or derogatory about that, as obviously you have access to these things too, but unless in Australia you can get access to US cable channels, I wouldn't be wrong in assuming you watch Rachel via the video casts on the main website. Yes? Outlets such as MSNBC and NPR (National Public Radio in case you don't know) are far more ideologically driven than their right-wing counterparts so

well our bill of rights is just for show. in reality, it's a list of several privileges that can and will be taken away whenever those privileges are used to threaten the government's status quo. It's used to make us feel better, so we say "look, we have rights." And i think less religious morons will eventually lead to the acceptance of homosexual marriage

yeah, i don't think it could be worse than the US though.

thank you kind sir. i always wondered, how is australia?

Hah, I heard about the Motorcade. My brother showed me something to do with it a while back. Didn't they also do a parody of Osama Bin-Laden? I think parallels can be drawn between this comedy show that was subject to censure of approaching a topic consecrated by corporate/political powers and the so-called 'pro-life' movement in the US. They only stick to their guns and faux 'moral outrage' when it suits their ends politically. The same people are totally fine with capital punishment and the murder of abortionists. They couldn't care less about human life, just as those who got the Aussie satire troupe suspended from air couldn't care less about obscene treatment of sensitive subjects - it's all about hegemony of the human mind. A push towards a method of puritanical totalitariansim based on statist and religious fundamentalism. The so-called "left" in these English speaking 'developed' countries are working in closer complicity with these groups than most people realise.

Re. the media - I'm impressed by your knowledge of the media in the UK and especially the USA. Not just by your nods to PBS and the BBC, but also the fact that you appear to be a Rachel Maddow fan and aware of the sensationalist Televangelist ramblings of Bill O'Reilly. Though I have to ask you, what to you is so great about Maddow? The way I see it, she's just another mainstream 'liberal', and, just like her 'conservative'(i use this world loosely, as what I consider conservative is so far removed from what in reality is extreme fundamentalist nationalism) counterparts, she is heavily biased and gives certain issues more coverage than others. Case in point: she gets into a moral furore over gay marriage, but apropos of the Israel/Palestine conflict she gives lazy, unsubstantive, inaccurate treatment and totally fails to assess the situation from a humanitarian point of view. She's smart, no question, but she sticks to the mainstream media game too rigidly. I guess she has no choice.

Mr. Liberal Rug-Muncher - that the Dems do indeed have a large so-called progressive base is only further evidence of the fact that the party is quite far to the right of the population on so many issues, and only seem to change their stances on things when the big business backing them change their own interests. The way your election system in Aussieland works is quite interesting - not sure if it is the same in the UK & USA, somehow I doubt it very much. I have to say it's quite funny to me that you refer to the 2000 election debacle as "Gore/Nader/Bush" seeing as Nader will never have anywhere near the political and mainstream clout the candidates of the other two corporate behemoths conjure up. Even if he was elected he wouldn't be able to do anything. Your view on it is too technical. XD The reality is a more staid affair. Is Aussie "Green" the equivalent of some sort of libertarian party?

Oh, it's nothing. I'm a derivative hack, nothing more, nothing less. XD You however display a profound and intimate concern for the state of play in your region and elsewhere with regards to the political and social facts. And, as ever, it is heartening to see a contemporary so interested in global affairs and engaged in a vigorous pursuit of truth and knowledge, whatever those two concepts seem to entail, elusive as they may sometimes be. I understand very little about Australian politics and social make-up, I would like to learn more though. One of the few things I know is that apparently mainstream television and media is uncensored. XD At least that's what I heard some time ago, I'm unsure as to the veracity. Sounds like your "Labor" party is akin to the Democrats here in the US, a remarkably weak opposition to the radical fundamentalism of the right that in many ways complements them. I'm tired of politics always functioning as a pendulum between two mediocrities everywhere!

Hahaha... pom! Wow. I haven't been referred to that in AGES. XD But no, I've never heard of this idyllic Bryon Bay which you mention. I'd love to traverse the Aboriginal continent at some stage in my life, hopefully while wearing offensively gaudy Bermuda shorts and flash eye-sore tees that contain more hue variations than a seizure-inducing colour drone. Re. your prime minister - take your country back, man! What is man-made will always pale in comparison to that which is intrinsic. So what's the name of the seaside province where you're located? I've always wanted to take a ride in a wallaby, that is if I could. Immerse myself in the slime, in the griiime....

Thanks.. the avatar can't be *that* controversial, seeing as 99% of the people who feel fit to comment on it have complimented me for having it up. I guess knowledge of Israel's barbaric murderous actions must be more widespread than I had initially suspected! You obviously think hard about these issues and are an astute observer. I am therefore honoured that you want to be my friend!

Aye, it certainly does seem that way apropos of the tools who buy into fear-mongering propaganda-circulating ideology-driven right-wing nonsense. To even enter in a debate with most of them is tantamount to an utter waste of time and mental resources, I think. But you do a good job at marginalising the lot. I'm currently in the US, but I'm from England. You're patently from the good ol' outbacks!

Thanks for the kind words! I like your opinions too - seen the post you made in Mr. Moral Crusader's (aka. Bill O'Reilly) group. Good stuff. Though I'm curious, what from me did you read that you liked? =)

Thanks for the recommendations. I'll have to check them out. (: I haven't heard of Sage Francis. <3 Dead Prez. I'll check out the Coup.

thanx, yours aren't bad either

PS; Your avatar is great.

This is my third incarnate on LAST.FM in three years. I admit. :) Anyway, you're definitely not. Now let's round them all up. :P

Why thank you sir. You are doing pretty well yourself.

Good fuckin God man. Dont be suprised if i pop out of the bush one day! Im headed that way my friend.

hell yes, i love mr hicks!

Are you fucking serious man?! What the fuck i didnt even know that place exsisted. What the hell am i doing here!?!? Tell me more man...

How you been man?

i like your username, and that photo is pretty funny, too : )

A goldfish left lincoln logs in me sock drawer!

Its disgusting man, it all gives me weird creepy feelings, i mean monitoring internet surfing. Reminds me, we have this whole thing going on where the state went from analog and digital t.v. to just digital. So anyone who had the old school t.v. still, was able to get a govt issued converter box. Welllllll i have personally come across two different people who both say they found a microphone in the converter box. Scary. But Anyways man i guess by seeing Obamamania here in the states i got a different taste in my mouth then most. To me it seemed like Obama was selected specifically to make people feel this way. He's just what dumbed down Americans needed, a handsome, ethnic man, you know just like the flashy ppl on the tube. And so now the ppl are fixated on the man and his gleam rather then his work. Its like a big reality show. Now were even more so sheep, just following our new handsome shepherd.

And of course now our messiah Mr. O. No faith in him or anyone who will come in later years. Its a system that we have incorporated every single thing on this planet in. Everything has a price tag and our human rights are being stripped away day by day. Texas wants to start a similar idea to the Read I.D. which would give us tracable identification cards. The nerve of these people.

Thanks. All I need to know about your taste is that you have a picture of Bill Hicks on your page and Naomi Klein on your charts. I'm convinced...

I envy you completly. Ever since i was a kid i always wanted to be a high school history teacher. Reason i didnt pursue was the school system here really sucks! I really do need some guidance on what i do want to pursue. I know exactly what you mean about planting seeds. I mean thats why im so attracted to teaching, nothing gives me more pleasure then filling minds with knowledge and truth.

I was, i went to a 2 year trade school and graduated. Problem is im having trouble finding a job and am already discouraged on the field already. So Im working now saving money to actually attend school in austin. Get this, the trade school i went to was in Houston, i got to visit Bills old home and saw a comedy show in club he started out in. I just imagined him up there the entire time. But how about you? You hitting the books?

Most exciting when it does happen, though! Yay Jim! I should watch some of his stuff again - i never seem to tire of it

Im in San Antonio, Tx. Its ok, im super close to Austin Tx which is one of my favorite places to be. But were a big city so its crowded, hot, and up to our necks in fast food places. My nomadic life will soon begin.

so whats your story? are you as well jack the ripper? How is life in australia? would love to be where you are.

right after my pussyholics class.

can you believe that i havent heard the whole alubm yet? i'm overseas now and i just can't afford to buy it... hahah.