Every so often, you come across a musician who not only produces great music, but has great substance and politics behind their music. The Coup are one of these artists. California based socially conscious hip-hoppers Boots Riley (vocals) and Pam the Funktress (tables) amazed me from the first time I heard their 06' release 'Pick A Bigger Weapon.' Then I read the liner notes. They state....
We are in a daily struggle against a soulless system. For many of us, that struggle is a solitary one- with the never ending rent race as a tactic, daily survival as strategy, and guaranteed food, clothes, and shelter as a long-term goal. Our weapons in this war are usually pitiful paycheques, hope-drenched hustles, mind-numbing medications, or frustrated fury that crashes and burns. We wage these battles indiviudually, all the while undertsanding that most of the human beings in the known universe are going through this struggle and have a common enemy- The Ruling Class: That group of wealth-and-power-mongers who are able to command decisions on such varied things as how many people the U.S. Military will kill in the Middle East, the price of coffee beans in South America, to how many hours you're going to have to work to put food in your family's bellies.
We all have to up the ante. These indiviudal daily struggles need to be fought collectively. Then we can win. Until then we will choose inadequate weapons, tactics, and strategies.
The name of this album (Pick a Bigger Weapon) came about while me and my woman were at a restaurant with the poet/publisher/all-around-bad-ass Jessica Care Moore. Dawnelissa was on her 3rd Grey Goose Martini and trying to order a 4th one when Jessica stopped her, saying "C'mon girl, pick a bigger weapon." Yeah, there it is. That's what we need to do. Pick a bigger weapon.
Pick up this CD if you haven't already. Good lyrics, good beats, great politics.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Union Decertification
Today I was on a tour of the factory my dad works at, one that used to employ about 1 200 people, but is now down to 389, with 150 on layoff and another 150 on salary. This is an all too familiar situation at manufacturing facilities in Southern Ontario. On the way out, I passed a bulletin board, stopped and was saddened by what I found hanging upon it. Enclosed in a locked glass case was a poster printed by the Government of Ontario at the Queen's Printer (printed on our dime) entitled 'How to Decertify A Union.' The poster affirmed that workers could indeed decertify their workplace, and proceeded to list the steps one would take to do just that. Of course, this poster can be legally displaced in all unionized facilities- thanks to the Harris Tories- but a 'How to Certify Your Unorganized Workplace' poster can't be displayed in unorganized facilities. Common Sense? I think not.
Such a poster highlights the contempt that both the government and management have for trade unions. Imagine walking by that poster everyday on your way to working, knowing that those who you slave away for couldn't care less about you and want the only thing protecting to be done away with. It's sad really. The contempt that these entities hold for trade unions the and working class is patheticic.
Now I long for the morning that they realise
Brutality and unjust laws can not defeat us
But who'll defend the workers who cannot organise
When the bosses send their lackies out to cheat us?
Money speaks for money, the Devil for his own
Who comes to speak for the skin and the bone
What a comfort to the widow, a light to the child
There is power in a Union
Remember that. THERE IS POWER IN A UNION!
Such a poster highlights the contempt that both the government and management have for trade unions. Imagine walking by that poster everyday on your way to working, knowing that those who you slave away for couldn't care less about you and want the only thing protecting to be done away with. It's sad really. The contempt that these entities hold for trade unions the and working class is patheticic.
Now I long for the morning that they realise
Brutality and unjust laws can not defeat us
But who'll defend the workers who cannot organise
When the bosses send their lackies out to cheat us?
Money speaks for money, the Devil for his own
Who comes to speak for the skin and the bone
What a comfort to the widow, a light to the child
There is power in a Union
Remember that. THERE IS POWER IN A UNION!
And the winner is...
Jim Flaherty, who was recently named business newsmaker of the year by the Canadian Press and Broadcast News. He announced earlier this year that the government would tax income trusts the same way they would corporations (which of course isn't enough to begin with, but it's a start, at least until the government nationalizes all industry). Now, I'm pretty happy anytime that the Bay Street boys get their tighty whities in a knot, and this time was no exception. After all, this move will bring up to an additional $1 billion to the government pool, which is good, until the Conservatives do something stupid with it. But a good politician? Hell no. Let's not forget the real Jim Flaherty, the politician who, among other things...
- supports tax breaks for parents who send their children to priavte school (yay, let's help the rich get rich and create an even bigger gap between rich and poor)
- wants to remove teachers legal right to strike
- supports the criminalization of homelessness (I'm serious, he's this wacky. When they refuse medical treatment of a shelter placement, he supports tossing them in jail out of 'compassion')
- stated that he's 'pro-life' and that if he became Ontario P.C. leader (and thankfully he didn't), he wouldn't authorize any new abortion clinics
- has advocated selling off both TV Ontario and the LCBO
Yikes! What a resume. And that folks, is the real Jim Flaherty.
- supports tax breaks for parents who send their children to priavte school (yay, let's help the rich get rich and create an even bigger gap between rich and poor)
- wants to remove teachers legal right to strike
- supports the criminalization of homelessness (I'm serious, he's this wacky. When they refuse medical treatment of a shelter placement, he supports tossing them in jail out of 'compassion')
- stated that he's 'pro-life' and that if he became Ontario P.C. leader (and thankfully he didn't), he wouldn't authorize any new abortion clinics
- has advocated selling off both TV Ontario and the LCBO
Yikes! What a resume. And that folks, is the real Jim Flaherty.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Best of 2006
As many music junkies do at this time of year, I have compiled a 'Best Of' list of my favorite discs released in the past 12 months. Now, this list isn't exhaustive, as I've likely failed to pick up a few awesome releases. Some of you keeners may say, 'but wait, this disc was released in 05.' Yes, there are a few 05' releases on the list if you'd like to be technical, but all 05' releases were in the last few months, and due to a lack of/inexistant label support and/or distbution, they didn't hit store shelves until early 2006. Enjoy...
Top Twelve-In no specific order....
Cadence Weapon- Breaking Kayfabe
The Meligrove Band- Planets Conspire
Strike Anywhere- Dead F.M.
The Decemberists- The Crane Wife
Pretty Girls Make Graves- Elan Vital
Brand New- The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me
Raising the Fawn- The Maginot Line
Lupe Fiasco- Lupe Fiasco's Food and Liqour
TV on the Radio- Return to Cookie Mountain
The Early November- The Mother, The Mechainc, and The Path
The Coup- Pick a Bigger Weapon
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!- s/t
And an honourable mention to K-Os, The Killers, The Rapture, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Mars Volta, and Attack In Black, who would have been top 12 had they not released two EPs instead of a full length. And likely a few that I've missed.
The Top Single of the Year, and a contender for song of the decade, hands down......
Nelly Furtado f/ Timbaland- Promiscuous
Top Twelve-In no specific order....
Cadence Weapon- Breaking Kayfabe
The Meligrove Band- Planets Conspire
Strike Anywhere- Dead F.M.
The Decemberists- The Crane Wife
Pretty Girls Make Graves- Elan Vital
Brand New- The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me
Raising the Fawn- The Maginot Line
Lupe Fiasco- Lupe Fiasco's Food and Liqour
TV on the Radio- Return to Cookie Mountain
The Early November- The Mother, The Mechainc, and The Path
The Coup- Pick a Bigger Weapon
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!- s/t
And an honourable mention to K-Os, The Killers, The Rapture, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Mars Volta, and Attack In Black, who would have been top 12 had they not released two EPs instead of a full length. And likely a few that I've missed.
The Top Single of the Year, and a contender for song of the decade, hands down......
Nelly Furtado f/ Timbaland- Promiscuous
Sunday, December 24, 2006
My Hometown
Recent reports suggest that Toyota may take over General Motors as the world's number one auto manufacturer in the year 2007. This is bad news for North American workers, their families, and their communities. It is likely that such a move will lead to even more layoffs and General Motors may seek concessions in future bargaining. If you plan on buying a car this year, or anytime in the future, buy domestic. Support those who support you. Unionized jobs pay workers a better wage then their non-unionized counterparts, they provide better benefits, and the last thing we need are more hard-working men and women laid off from their jobs. While we need to press our government on the trade imbalance and its unfair trade policies, and especially prevent free trade with South Korea, we also need to take things upon ourselves.
They're closing down the textile mill across the railroad tracks
Foreman says these jobs are going boys and they ain't coming back to your hometown
Don't less this become your hometown, or my hometown. Support those who support you. Buy domestic, drive domestic.
The full article can be found here: http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2006/12/22/toyotaproduction.html
They're closing down the textile mill across the railroad tracks
Foreman says these jobs are going boys and they ain't coming back to your hometown
Don't less this become your hometown, or my hometown. Support those who support you. Buy domestic, drive domestic.
The full article can be found here: http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2006/12/22/toyotaproduction.html
Help Save the Youth of America
Billy Bragg felt America's youth needed help during the Reagan years. They still need some help. Do you notice that pattern of Republicans being in office?
A recent survey of high school students done by USA Today on the effects of learning about the Constitution, and specifically the First Ammendment, which guarantees that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridg[e] the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances," finds some pretty scary results. Well, scary if you value the right to free speech (or free blogging).
The study finds that 45% of students, up from 35% in last years survey, feel the First Ammendment goes too far in the rights it guarantees. We're not talking about much here kids, simply the right to free speech and assembly. Is this really that much a problem? The survey also reports that 30% of students think the press has too much freedom and it also finds that only 54% of students think the press should publish without government approval. Yikes! This is practically Orwellian. The scary part is that this last category is actually up from 51% last year. Boys and girls, do we really want to crush these freedoms and censure the press. Isn't this the same nation fighting for democracy in Iraq?
Only 69% of these students feel that musicians should be able to sing songs that others finds offensive. I'm not much of a fan of the Dixie Chicks music, but let's leave these poor girls alone. The only consolation from the survey- and it's not a big one- is that the number of high school students that feel their high school papers should be able to report on controversial topics without consent from school authorities has increased form 58% to 64%. I'd call that progress, but there is still along way to go. There was a time not that long ago when students were actually progressive and fought for their rights. Is this really the type of world that American youth want to live in?
Bragg realized America's youth needed help in the eighties. They still need help.
Help save the youth of America
Help save them from themselves
Help save the sun-tanned surfer boys
And the Californian girls
If anyone is interested, the article can be found here: http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2006-09-17-amendments_x.htm
A recent survey of high school students done by USA Today on the effects of learning about the Constitution, and specifically the First Ammendment, which guarantees that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridg[e] the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances," finds some pretty scary results. Well, scary if you value the right to free speech (or free blogging).
The study finds that 45% of students, up from 35% in last years survey, feel the First Ammendment goes too far in the rights it guarantees. We're not talking about much here kids, simply the right to free speech and assembly. Is this really that much a problem? The survey also reports that 30% of students think the press has too much freedom and it also finds that only 54% of students think the press should publish without government approval. Yikes! This is practically Orwellian. The scary part is that this last category is actually up from 51% last year. Boys and girls, do we really want to crush these freedoms and censure the press. Isn't this the same nation fighting for democracy in Iraq?
Only 69% of these students feel that musicians should be able to sing songs that others finds offensive. I'm not much of a fan of the Dixie Chicks music, but let's leave these poor girls alone. The only consolation from the survey- and it's not a big one- is that the number of high school students that feel their high school papers should be able to report on controversial topics without consent from school authorities has increased form 58% to 64%. I'd call that progress, but there is still along way to go. There was a time not that long ago when students were actually progressive and fought for their rights. Is this really the type of world that American youth want to live in?
Bragg realized America's youth needed help in the eighties. They still need help.
Help save the youth of America
Help save them from themselves
Help save the sun-tanned surfer boys
And the Californian girls
If anyone is interested, the article can be found here: http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2006-09-17-amendments_x.htm
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Forget about Santa Claus
Who needs him anyways? His purpose is redudant, especially when you can vote yourself a $22,000.00 per year raise. It's Christmas year around if you're an Ontario's MPP! The decision- a simple majority vote by, who else, Ontario's MPPs- increases their base salary from $88,771.00/yr to $110,775.00/yr; an increase of over $20,000.00 or a whopping 25%. Things are even better for cabinet ministers, whose increase of $31,000.00 will see them make $157,633.00/yr, while McGuinty's $39,000.00 raise gives him an annual salary of a whopping $198,620.00/yr. Keep in mind that the average Ontarian makes just better than $35,000.00/yr., according to the most recent census data.
But such an increase is justified, right? After all, "it's still well less than the federal ministers that we are compared to," said Liberal MP Richard Patten. "I think it's time to be fair," added our wonderful premier. How does this logic possibly work? Why are provincial MPs comparing themselves to federal MPs? And what was McGuinty smoking when he added that people in municipal politics are making more than MPPs? I have a friend who is a city councillor (actually, her patriarchical city still calls her an alderman) who makes just over $16,000/yr. If Ontario's MPs want to make the same money their federal counterparts do, then they ought to run federally. I, for one, won't miss many of them. But McGuinty claims that Ontario MPPs do the same work as federal MPs, and they're willing to do it for 25% less. Hooray! What a steal!
Federal politics is different from provincial politics. No better, no worse, just different. So shouldn't our MPs compare themselves to other provinces in the federation? If they did, they'd find that the $88,771.00 they were making before their raise was a hell of a lot better than the $36,689.00 made by PEI's MLAs, better than the $76,100.00 made by BC's MLAs, and better than the base salary of every other sub-national entity in Canada, with the exception of the NorthWest Territories (and Quebec, if you include the tax free allowance that members of the national assembly earn). So, what seems 'fair' now? I'd say that earning over $88,000 a year- about 2.5 times the annual income of the average Ontarian- ain't too bad after all.
I'd have to say the most disturbing part of this entire situation is the audacity of the Liberal Party and its members. McGuinty's comments, urging us to grab some popcorn for the NDP's performance in attempting to delay the bill's passage, pales in comparison to Labour Minister Steve Peters pulling on a Santa hat with 'bah humbug' written across it prior to the vote. Let's see how generous the provincial government and its Labour Minister are when Ontario's public servants seek any sort of raise, let alone a 25% increase.
If Peters, McGuinty and others fear that Ontario's MPPs will jump ship for "greener pastures" if they are under paid (hah, under paid...try living on minium wage for a while), then I say see you later. Ontario won't miss you.
I think Peter Kormos put it best when he said that "at the end of the day it's chicken for MPPs and feathers for the rest of Ontario." I'll try and enjoy my feather dinner for Christmas; I'll also keep my fingers crossed that Saint Nick brings me a 25% wage increase.
But such an increase is justified, right? After all, "it's still well less than the federal ministers that we are compared to," said Liberal MP Richard Patten. "I think it's time to be fair," added our wonderful premier. How does this logic possibly work? Why are provincial MPs comparing themselves to federal MPs? And what was McGuinty smoking when he added that people in municipal politics are making more than MPPs? I have a friend who is a city councillor (actually, her patriarchical city still calls her an alderman) who makes just over $16,000/yr. If Ontario's MPs want to make the same money their federal counterparts do, then they ought to run federally. I, for one, won't miss many of them. But McGuinty claims that Ontario MPPs do the same work as federal MPs, and they're willing to do it for 25% less. Hooray! What a steal!
Federal politics is different from provincial politics. No better, no worse, just different. So shouldn't our MPs compare themselves to other provinces in the federation? If they did, they'd find that the $88,771.00 they were making before their raise was a hell of a lot better than the $36,689.00 made by PEI's MLAs, better than the $76,100.00 made by BC's MLAs, and better than the base salary of every other sub-national entity in Canada, with the exception of the NorthWest Territories (and Quebec, if you include the tax free allowance that members of the national assembly earn). So, what seems 'fair' now? I'd say that earning over $88,000 a year- about 2.5 times the annual income of the average Ontarian- ain't too bad after all.
I'd have to say the most disturbing part of this entire situation is the audacity of the Liberal Party and its members. McGuinty's comments, urging us to grab some popcorn for the NDP's performance in attempting to delay the bill's passage, pales in comparison to Labour Minister Steve Peters pulling on a Santa hat with 'bah humbug' written across it prior to the vote. Let's see how generous the provincial government and its Labour Minister are when Ontario's public servants seek any sort of raise, let alone a 25% increase.
If Peters, McGuinty and others fear that Ontario's MPPs will jump ship for "greener pastures" if they are under paid (hah, under paid...try living on minium wage for a while), then I say see you later. Ontario won't miss you.
I think Peter Kormos put it best when he said that "at the end of the day it's chicken for MPPs and feathers for the rest of Ontario." I'll try and enjoy my feather dinner for Christmas; I'll also keep my fingers crossed that Saint Nick brings me a 25% wage increase.
Friday, December 22, 2006
Hello
Hello. Hello and welcome to The Daily Dissidence. I apologize in advance, as the title is likley misleading. While the use of the word 'daily' appears in the title, suggesting I'll post at least once a day, in reality this blog will be updated less than daily. I liked the alliteration that The Daily Dissidence provided and I think it sounded better than 'As Often As My Schedule Allows Dissidence.' Anyways, I hope you enjoy.
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