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Nadir Omowale

Former Vol QB Shuler Fumbling in Bid to Challenge Pelosi

What former Tennessee Vol QB Heath Shuler (D-NC) and his fellow Democrats in the House of Representatives don’t realize is that they didn’t lose this last election big because they aren’t “moderate” enough. The Democrats simply didn’t get enough done for the American people in the last two years.

They championed Wall Street over Main Street, big insurance companies over patients, war over peace. They lost because they didn’t do enough to excite the Democratic base after their history-making victory in 2008. If anything, they should have been MORE liberal, MORE different from the GOP.

I agree that Pelosi should step aside, but not for a more moderate minority leader. She should step aside for a BETTER leader – someone who can GET THINGS DONE for the American people. And if his decision-making as a Washington Redskin and his failure to understand the will of the electorate are any indication, Heath Shuler isn’t that leader either.

Huffington Post: Heath Shuler: If Nancy Pelosi Runs I’ll Challenge Her, And Lose

Former Vol QB Shuler Fumbling in Bid to Challenge Pelosi

What former Tennessee Vol QB Heath Shuler (D-NC) and his fellow Democrats in the House of Representatives don’t realize is that they didn’t lose this last election big because they aren’t “moderate” enough. The Democrats simply didn’t get enough done for the American people in the last two years.

They championed Wall Street over Main Street, big insurance companies over patients, war over peace. They lost because they didn’t do enough to excite the Democratic base after their history-making victory in 2008. If anything, they should have been MORE liberal, MORE different from the GOP.

I agree that Pelosi should step aside, but not for a more moderate minority leader. She should step aside for a BETTER leader – someone who can GET THINGS DONE for the American people. And if his decision-making as a Washington Redskin and his failure to understand the will of the electorate are any indication, Heath Shuler isn’t that leader either.

Huffington Post: Heath Shuler: If Nancy Pelosi Runs I’ll Challenge Her, And Lose

Man to TSA: ‘If You Touch My Junk I’ll Have You Arrested’

Flying is starting to become a pretty horrible experience. Between oppressive baggage check fees, ever eroding customer service and being subjected to privacy invasion just to get on the plane, it’s easy to understand why I prefer to drive on most long trips.

Case in point: The TSA’s new backscatter x-ray machines.

Check out this account by blogger John Tyner of his recent encounter with TSA. He was forced to leave the San Diego airport after refusing to enter the TSA’s backscatter x-ray machine (see below for a sample image from a similar machine), and refusing to have his genitals touched during a pat down.

I want to be as secure as the next person on an airplane, but why are we asked to submit to sexual assault or to having our privates viewed by TSA agents in the name of security? How can I feel secure if I’ve just been violated?

Johnny Edge chose to fight back. Here is an excerpt:

We both stood there for no more than probably two minutes before a female TSA agent (apparently, the supervisor) arrived. She described to me that because I had opted out of the backscatter screening, I would now be patted down, and that involved running hands up the inside of my legs until they felt my groin. I stated that I would not allow myself to be subject to a molestation as a condition of getting on my flight. The supervisor informed me that it was a standard administrative security check and that they were authorized to do it. I repeated that I felt what they were doing was a sexual assault, and that if they were anyone but the government, the act would be illegal.

Click HERE to read the entire post.

Have you ever been groped by TSA? Have you experienced the backscatter x-ray machine? Would you be willing to miss your flight in the name of fighting for your rights?

Man to TSA: ‘If You Touch My Junk I’ll Have You Arrested’

Flying is starting to become a pretty horrible experience. Between oppressive baggage check fees, ever eroding customer service and being subjected to privacy invasion just to get on the plane, it’s easy to understand why I prefer to drive on most long trips.

Case in point: The TSA’s new backscatter x-ray machines.

Check out this account by blogger John Tyner of his recent encounter with TSA. He was forced to leave the San Diego airport after refusing to enter the TSA’s backscatter x-ray machine (see below for a sample image from a similar machine), and refusing to have his genitals touched during a pat down.

I want to be as secure as the next person on an airplane, but why are we asked to submit to sexual assault or to having our privates viewed by TSA agents in the name of security? How can I feel secure if I’ve just been violated?

Johnny Edge chose to fight back. Here is an excerpt:

We both stood there for no more than probably two minutes before a female TSA agent (apparently, the supervisor) arrived. She described to me that because I had opted out of the backscatter screening, I would now be patted down, and that involved running hands up the inside of my legs until they felt my groin. I stated that I would not allow myself to be subject to a molestation as a condition of getting on my flight. The supervisor informed me that it was a standard administrative security check and that they were authorized to do it. I repeated that I felt what they were doing was a sexual assault, and that if they were anyone but the government, the act would be illegal.

Click HERE to read the entire post.

Have you ever been groped by TSA? Have you experienced the backscatter x-ray machine? Would you be willing to miss your flight in the name of fighting for your rights?

“My Heart Was Set Free By the Funk…”

On Friday, October 8, after attending an inspiring tribute to Michigan photographer and painter, Jack Whitehead in Ferndale, Chinonye Nsofor – who writes about Earth healing, tantra and music on her blog Calabar Theatre, caught our set in Royal Oak, Michigan.

“I headed uptown to trendy Royal oak for some Funk Vibrations of Nadir Omowale and his band Distorted Soul. Memphis Smoke was the name of the space…”

Chinonye offered some very kind words about us in a post called “Creativity breeds Transcendence.”

Says Nsofor:

What I enjoyed most about this group is the synergy that so easily flowed from them. All the instruments blended together seamlessly creating the perfect funk stew! Continue reading

Are Albums Still Relevant?

I’m currently in the studio working on songs for two new albums. I’m writing and recording my own record with my band and several collaborators, while I’m also executive producing a debut album by Nashville-based emcee, poet, singer Iayaalis.

It seems natural to me to work on an album at a time, but when I see publications like Fast Company ask “Should Albums Cost $1.50?” I have to pause.

We live in a sound byte driven, instant gratification seeking society where grabbing a listener’s attention for 3 minutes can be difficult. So asking audiences for an hour to listen to recorded music almost seems like an imposition. In a world of iPods and YouTube, are albums still relevant?

When we look at sales charts like the one Tom Silverman of Tommy Boy Records presented at the New Music Seminar, we have to ask that question again.

Continue reading

Punk Democrats Will Screw Up a Sure Thing

The Democrats got their wish!

Tea Party victories in key elections have all but guaranteed that the right will be split in November. The selection of extremist right-wingers in the GOP primaries should force independents and moderate Republicans over to the Democratic side in the general elections.

Of course, we have all the faith in the world that the Punk Democrats will find some way to screw up a sure thing. Jon Stewart and the correspondents at The Daily Show were reading my mind.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c
Tea Party Primaries – Beyond the Palin
www.thedailyshow.com
http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:cms:item:comedycentral.com:359140
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party

Punk Democrats Will Screw Up a Sure Thing

The Democrats got their wish!

Tea Party victories in key elections have all but guaranteed that the right will be split in November. The selection of extremist right-wingers in the GOP primaries should force independents and moderate Republicans over to the Democratic side in the general elections.

Of course, we have all the faith in the world that the Punk Democrats will find some way to screw up a sure thing. Jon Stewart and the correspondents at The Daily Show were reading my mind.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c
Tea Party Primaries – Beyond the Palin
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party

Battle Creek Enquirer: Forks Fest Rocks World of Sound

Originally Published at BattleCreekEnquirer.com

[singlepic id=43 w=320 h=240 float=right]

They call it “The Sounds of Albion,” but reading the list of bands set to play this year’s “Festival of the Forks” is like globetrotting.

The annual fest kicks off Friday in downtown Albion and runs through Saturday. Sixteen musical acts are booked to play four stages over the two-day event. Jazz, oldies, reggae, blues, funk, soul, tejano and the sounds of the Middle East will be performed by acts from around the Albion area and around the state.

Wrapping up the Saturday set on Center Stage is Detroit’s Nadir Omowale and his Distorted Soul, a confluence of sound on his own.

Click HERE to Read The Entire Article

Saturday, September 18, 2010
Nadir
44th Annual Festival of the Forks
Center Stage
Corner of Superior and Center St.
207 S Superior St.
Albion, Michigan
Nadir’s Showtime: 7:45pm
FREE ADMISSION
For more info please visit:
FestivalofTheForks.org

SoulFood Quest: Motor City Soul Food

Being a small town boy who grew up in the country, one thing I don’t think I’ll ever get used to about the inner city retail experience is bulletproof glass.

I first experienced this phenomenon as a pre-teen visiting my cousins in Chicago. I’m aware that it’s a normal part of life in the city, but the thick, cold windows create a discomforting atmosphere in any retail environment, especially in restaurants.

While the offerings at Motor City Soul Food, 12700 West 7 Mile Rd in Detroit, were pretty decent, the glass box that surrounds the cafeteria table and workers detract from the overall customer experience. At least for a country boy like me.

I went to Motor City on the recommendation of a fellow traveler who shared my quest for good chicken and collard greens. We had both been examining the menu at a newer restaurant a few blocks down 7 Mile, but decided to exit that establishment and go for something more familiar.

I was pleased to see my friend, Oya Amakisi of Detroit Women of Color International Film Festival, in the line when I arrived. Oya shares many of my dietary idiosyncrasies, so I felt even better about my decision.

“I’ve been eating here since I worked at Aisha Shule,” Oya informed me. She had already ordered and was waiting for her whiting to cook, so she stood in line with me for a moment to catch up. I explained my soul food quest and that I was tired of mediocre food and bad service.

“Well, the food here is good,” she said, “but the service is another story.” Continue reading

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