VOTE

I was once assured that Uncle Sam was a U.S. president.
he wasn’t in case you’re wondering.



Yesterday’s Obama blog sparked a conversation with a friend. We were commenting about the majority of people do not frequent cable news and do not vote. He said that it is sad that those who vote are influenced by the cable news networks and how their bias is hurting America, not helping. We continued to discuss what we wanted to see from America.

He went on to admit that he was in the minority; people who follow the news, develop opinions and yet don’t vote. I threw my hands up. We had discussed his need to register a few times. It was silly for him to pontificate, to complain, yet to not exercise his freedom and fulfill his responsibility.

So, I am calling him out, in fact I am calling out anyone that reads this but doesn’t vote. Here are some reasons you should vote.

1.People died so you can vote.
2.It is your responsibility to make your country better by choosing the leaders you believe are best.
3.You will not be able to share your opinion with any integrity if the candidate you prefer looses.

I know there are more, but these are what came to my mind. Now, registering to vote gives you the opportunity to participate. This doesn’t mean you have to tune in to cable news from now until November. In fact, I would avoid doing that completely. Take 45 minutes a few weeks before the election. Look at a chttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifomparison of the candidate’s opinions and plans on the issues and cast your vote. Hey, you can even vote by mail if you don’t want to go to a polling location. You will miss out on the cool “I voted” sticker, but it’s an option.

So, I would love to have some comments on this post about registering new voters. It would not only make my day, but make you a better citizen. I made it so easy, all you have to do is click here.
(If you just happen to live in, let’s say, Oklahoma…Click Here.)

Go register and comment. God Bless America.

In Politics, it takes an elitist to know an elitist.

This video is the comments in their entirety,
feel free to listen at your leisure.



These words from Senator Obama have had the media in a frenzy the last few days…
You go into these small towns in Pennsylvania and, like a lot of small towns in the Midwest, the jobs have been gone now for 25 years and nothing's replaced them...And they fell through the Clinton administration, and the Bush administration, and each successive administration has said that somehow these communities are gonna regenerate and they have not.

And it's not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations.

People are not discussing the first paragraph and its accusations against republicans and democrats...no no no… that would involve a debate of the issues. Instead they take comments in the second paragraph to attack Obama. There are two things that bother me about this situation. First of all, let’s take a look at what his comments are really saying. People are devastated when jobs leave their communities by the thousands and many of these people are bitter. Their bitterness finds solace in unhealthy passions. Do I think Obama is saying that all guns and religion are always unhealthy? Absolutely not. Look at his other comments about faith and how he has personally embraced religion.

I think that Obama is saying that at there are people who don’t allow faith to be a healing and positive transformation in their hearts and lives. They use it as a way to gain social acceptance and identity. Rather then allowing God to change their hearts, they take on a judgmental spirit. He is not saying that this is the case of everyone who goes to a church, or owns a gun.

People who have been devastated economically are hurting people, and rather than pursuing healing they often pursue hate. Instead of hearing this message the sound bite media and other ‘down to earth’ candidates are taking it as a chance to slam Obama. Is Hilary Clinton really going to try to give off the impression that she isn’t an elitist? Is she really going to call out Obama?

This woman epitomizes what she is criticizing. Is she really going to present herself as a pro-gun, pro-religion candidate? Her comments in the last few days are evidence of how out of touch she is with her own history. Now I am not a Hilary-Hater. I will not allow a simple distaste to cause me to spew venom when her name is uttered. But, it makes me sad that she is playing the game and trying to come across as if she loves Smith-Wesson & Jesus.

Here is an idea, let’s stop trying to vilify people based on a few words. Let’s take a look at their past and their plan. Let’s make judgments based on positions not parties. Let’s take the economic situation in Pennsylvania and give a plan for change rather than a justification of their hate. Stop kissing voters butts and validating their unhealthy response to circumstances. Start to tell them why you are the candidate that will create opportunity for new circumstances and prosperity. This is just an idea.

Idol gives SHOCK!

We knew you wouldn’t win,
but still, you left us too quickly.



When the announcement came this last Thursday, my jaw dropped. I thought to myself, “What is America smoking? It clearly must me the same stuff Jason Castro is smoking.” (Did you notice how baked this guy looked again. It made me laugh the way Ryan didn’t even interview him after his performance. Yeah pothead musicians!) Michael Johns being voted off was a reminder that while the voters had been doing better, this is still a popularity contest. Michael Johns will go the road of Chris Daughtry, get a band and sing some good songs. But he didn’t have what it takes to make it as an idol.

I knew he wasn’t going to make it to the end, but this week was his first time in the bottom three and BOOM he’s gone. I am sure that is making all the other contestants feeling uneasy. You could see the surprise on his face when he was announced as the loser. It seemed so clear that he was trying to figure out how it is that Kristy Lee Cook remains and he is gone! I was trying to figure it out too, but again I need to see Idol as a popularity contest.

There are a bunch of states in the middle of our country. Most of us fly over these states, cities and towns not realizing that there are a lot of folks living here. They are likely to love the story of Kristy selling her horse, and want to keep her around. I should have known that these people had the power to sway a nation wide vote. For additional evidence, notice who is the resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. So with that staying power in mind, I have adjusted my predictions below.

7. Syesha Mercado
6. Kristy Lee Cook
5. Carly Smithson
4. Jason Castro
3. Brooke White
2. David Archuleta
1. David Cook

Care to comment? What is your prediction?

David Ryan Harris

Go to this Show Recommendation:
Saturday April 12th 9:00
@ The Temple Bar in Santa Monica

His vocals are amazing, his songs tell great stories...
ok, I admit it, I’m a super fan!

This last week a friend of mine mentioned my blog and how she was shocked that I hadn’t written a blog about one of my favorite artists David Ryan Harris. As I thought about it, I realized that I have tried multiple times to sit down share my thoughts on this artist. Every time I wrote about it, I felt like I was gushing and didn’t feel like what I wrote was up to DRH standards.

Today when I looked at my Google Calendar for the upcoming week I realized that David Ryan Harris had a show this weekend. It was time to get over trying to write the perfect blog and just post about this guy. This last March he played three times at the Hotel Café in Hollywood. This is a treat, as he usually only plays out here once a year. Because of other commitments I could only make it out to one of those nights. I would have been at all three if possible.

When we arrived to the club, my anticipation was building. I had been talking about DRH for years and my friend was happy to be there but not as excited as me. I went straight into the main room to get a good spot and she made a stop at the bathroom. I stood in the back of the club, a good spot for tall people who want their own space. Soon my friend came over with friends of her own. “I went to High School with her, and this is her dad.” Before I could process the strange scenario of Father/Daughter night at hip nightspot, the dad chimed in. “I’m a musician and manager, my name is Bud.” If my dad was a record producer, I would totally hang out with him on a Saturday Night. I later found out that Bud had worked as an executive with a major label and is currently starting his own management firm.

Bud asked me what I thought of David Ryan Harris before. Masking the fact that I am a super fan, I shared how DRH hasn’t caught the well-deserved break in the industry. He has great vocals and a cool bluesy style, like a mix of Donny Hathaway and Stevie Wonder (great mix, I KNOW!) But besides opening for John Mayer and playing in Mayer’s band, he’s never made it big. I went on to share my opinion about his career and why it had stalled. I talked about how he is great live but most of his work in the studio just isn’t up to par. I said that he hadn’t been put together with the right producer yet and it’s set him back.

After pontificating for a couple minutes Bud gave an affirming touch to the shoulder and said “You’re absolutely right, that is the problem.” I looked over at my friend and she gave me a knowing look. She later said she knew I was going to let that go to my head. She was right. Bud and I talked more about music and he left me with the encouragement that I had a good ear and mind for music. I spent the rest of the night wondering if I should be a producer…I decided to be an amateur blogger instead.

Still, to hear these words from a producer of his caliber was not only a victory for myself, but for David Ryan Harris. This guy is an amazing talent and just hasn’t been able to catch the lightening in a bottle and make a great record. Until then, I will continue to see him live every chance I get. And you should too! If you like John Mayer, Gavin Degraw then I’d encourage you to check out David Ryan Harris. If you are going to buy a CD, then get “The Bittersweet” that’s the only one worth listening too. But before going to itunes, I’d encourage you to go to the Temple Bar and listen to him for yourself. You will not regret it.

I hope to see you there this weekend. Message me and let me know if should look for you.


Saturday 4/12/08 9:00
Hotel Café Santa Monica

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Please Note: This is a 21+ show. I am not encouraging underage peoples to attend, give me a break!

I am glad millions of people agree with me.

Ramiele, you knew it was coming…right?



First, I am sorry for the delay in posting. Last week was nuts with school, work and sister's wedding. Thanks for the messages about the blog. Nice to hear you're reading. I don’t say good job enough, so this blog is my chance to say GOOD JOB AMERICA! (rising out of my chair, initiating the slow clap, others join in, it’s beautiful.) It was time for Ramiele to go, we all agreed and she left. Now it’s time for us to keep on making good choices.

This week, Kristy Lee is due. I know that my last post said she should stick around because of the pretty factor, but I am into justice and it is her turn. I was looking at the American Idol website and it was SO clear, that she is now the weakest link.

I was going to end my blog here, but I decided to go out on a limb and list who I think deserves to be voted off. I have a pretty good track record when it comes to this. My friend called me the Sam Seaborn of American Idol Predictions. That is a HUGE compliment for a West Wing fan!

8. Kristy Lee Cook

7. Syesha Mercado

6. Michael Johns

5. Carly Smithson

4. Jason Castro

3. Brooke White

2. David Archuleta

1. David Cook


Now Remember this is not a list of who I think deserves it, or is most talented, it’s my predictions based on voting patterns, swing votes and other factors. A whole lot can happen in 7 weeks, but if things continue as they are…I’m pretty confident about my predictions.

Care to comment? What is your prediction?