JTM now has a new online voter registration form that you can fill
in right from your computer. It tells you exactly where to send the form to
ensure that you are properly registered. Please feel free to put
this linkable voter registration button on your site to help us register a
record number of voters this election. We will be partnering with several
youth voter organizations this election that will be using this form and we
will add those names here as they join with us.
POWER SHIFT ACTIVISTS
USE RECYCLED MATERIAL
TO CALL FOR CLEAN ENERGY
Participants at the Power Shift 2011 Clean Energy Summit used banners extensively in the rally and march. Some of the banners read, "We the People", "Grow Power", and "Justice".
Power Shift 2011 calling for protection of the environment in front of US Chamber of Commerce
JTMP interviewed one of the activists, and found they were using recycled and re-used materials to construct their banners. Old hotel bed sheets were re-used for the cloth, along with paint from a paint recycling center to paint the slogans. For ties they used reclaimed bicycle tires that were cut up, and bamboo was used for the poles. Bamboo has been embraced by the sustainability crowd, due to its very rapid growth and other qualities. Pictures of the materials are below. Find even more pictures on JTMP's Facebook Site! Search for "Justice Through Music".
Reclaimed or "re-used" bed sheets discarded by hotel. The "wings" on the helmets represented myhtology and bringing a mesage to the people. Used bike tires were cut up to use as ties Bamboo was used for the poles, a highly sustainable resource.
ENERGY SERVERS CREATE
CLEAN ENERGY IN A SMALL
SIZE USING CHEMICAL PROCESS
JTMP has discovered an awesome new technology recently aired on 60 minutes that has a promising future. Bloom Energy has created a product called "Energy Servers", which are solid oxide fuel cell technology, that uses a clean and green electro-chemical process to not only generate but also store energy. Bloom Energy says they are "committed to changing the way people generate and consume energy". Founded in 2001 by KR Sridhar, he used his experience at NASA developing technology that could use solar energy and water to provide air for breathing and fuel for transport.
The materials used are common sand-like powder, instead of precious metals or corrosive acids. They are also high-efficiency converting twice the rate of some legacy technologies. The Energy Servers provides 100kW of power, enough to meet the demand of 100 average homes or a small office building, with the footprint of a standard car parking space. Many companies, like eBay and Google, are already using this technology.
JTMP urges our elected officials to support funding for green technology development like this, and we urge our supporters to contact their representatives and urge them to support green, renewable energy!
For more information on Energy Servers, please check out Bloom Energy's website by clicking here, or going to: http://www.bloomenergy.com/
PRESIDENT OBAMA MEETS WITH
POWER SHIFT 2011 ORGANIZERS
JTMP TO ATTEND ALL 3 DAYS
JTMP is attending the Power Shift 2011 here in DC, where thousands of young people are coming together to organize and mobilize for climate protection. They will attend workshops and breakout groups on how to bring about climate change legislation, listen to motivational speakers, and network. Please check back for videos and more on this event, as JTMP will be there through Monday.
The first day also saw Al Gore and Van Jones speaking, and we will post those speeches shortly. Also, Power Shift 2011 young leaders were at the White House, which included a surprise visit by President Obama.
President Barack Obama drops by a meeting with Power Shift Leaders in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, April 15, 2011. Seated next to President Obama are Nancy-Ann DeParle, Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, and Jon Carson, Director of the Office of Public Engagement. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
For more information, Check out the Power Shift 2011 Website, and make sure you connect on Social Media to network and organize!
DAVID BYRNE DEMANDS AND
GETS APOLOGY FROM GOV.
CRIST FOR USING HIS SONG
David Byrne has settled his lawsuit with ex-Florida Governor Charlie Crist, who used the Talking Heads hit "Road to Nowhere" in a 2010 political ad without gaining authorization or permission from the band. According to reports, Crist and his ad agency must pay an unspecified amount to Byrne. Video of apology is below.
NASA Astronaut Cady Coleman, Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson Perform First Space-Earth Flute Duet
From Nasa.gov:
WASHINGTON -- Harmony reached new heights recently as NASA astronaut Cady Coleman, circling Earth aboard the International Space Station, and musician Ian Anderson, founder of the rock band Jethro Tull, collaborated for the first space-Earth duet.
Coleman, an amateur flutist, and Anderson played a portion of the song "Bourree," an arrangement of which Anderson and Jethro Tull performed during their 1969 U.S. tour as Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin stepped on the moon. Coleman played her part from 220 miles above Earth late last week. Anderson played his part while on tour in Perm, Russia, during the weekend. The two parts were then joined.
NUCLEAR WEAPON ABOLITIONIST
TAD DALEY SPEAKS AT FORUM
AT INTERNATIONAL HOUSE
Tad Daley, J.D., PhD., writing Fellow with the Nobel Laureate group, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, and a former speech writer for US Senator Alan Cranston and Congressman Dennis Kucinich spoke at The International Forum at International House in New York on January 11, 2011. He spoke about his book, "Apocalypse Never: Forging the Path to a Nuclear Weapon-Free World", and took questions from the audience. Susan Storms, director of Programs at International House helped put it together and introduced Tad, and we give a special thanks to her for letting us post video of the event.
Justice Through Music fully supports the nuclear weapon-free movement, and urges you to contact your representatives and tell them you support the START Treaty and any legislation ridding the world of nuclear weapons.
For more information, watch the videos below and please visit:
NEW VIDEO BY PROGRESSIVE
CAUCUS USES RADIOHEAD
MUSIC IN NEW VIDEO
The Congressional Progressive Caucus has released a new video criticizing the House GOP budget that attacks and is attempting to kill Social Security and Medicare as we know it in a new dark atmospheric video. Watch the video below.
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN WRITES
LETTER IN SUPPORT OF
HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER
EXPOSING CHRISTIE'S ASSAULT
ON THE POOR IN NEW JERSEY
Bruce Springsteen has written a letter in support of an article written by his hometown newspaper, Asbury Park Press, in which they detailed the negative impact that his cuts would have on not only the poor, but also those at the lower edges of the middle class. The letter is below.
"Thank you for your March 27 front-page story by Michael Symons, "As poverty rises, cuts target aid." The article is one of the few that highlights the contradictions between a policy of large tax cuts, on the one hand, and cuts in services to those in the most dire conditions, on the other.
Also, you've shone some light on anti-poverty workers and analysts such as Adele LaTourette, Meara Nigro, Cecilia Zalkind and Raymond Castro, among others, all of whom have something important to add to the discussion: real information and actual facts about what is happening below the poverty line.
These are voices that in our current climate are having a hard time being heard, not just in New Jersey, but nationally. Finally, your article shows that the cuts are eating away at the lower edges of the middle class, not just those already classified as in poverty, and are likely to continue to get worse over the next few years. I'm always glad to see my hometown newspaper covering these issues."
Directed by Alan Ferguson, the band went to New Orleans and shows from the eyes of a family the ordeal they are going through following the natural disaster.
"It's about a dangerous time in civilization, the end of life," says vocalist-guitarist Tim McIlrath about 'Endgame,' Rise Against's sixth studio album. "What if the world we created is a place that is so unnatural and ugly that it needs to come to an end, so that we could have a world that is better for everybody? It sounds very Utopian, but it's not about a perfect place. Maybe some of these things we're doing, they need to come to an end."
The band said in a statement, "As a band, we opted out of being a part of the piece for fear our role might diminish the importance of this video and skew its reception. What follows is another video we are proud to put our name on."
SOPHIE B. HAWKINS POLTICAL
SONGS HAVE A EMOTIONAL EDGE
DailyBreeze.com
By Stephanie Cary Staff Writer
Sophie B. Hawkins is getting political with her new single, "Betchya Got a Cure." The Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter recently released the single from her upcoming album, "The Crossing," which she hopes to have out in the next few months. But South Bay residents don't have to wait to hear it.
The Venice Beach resident - who is best known for her hits "As I Lay Me Down" and "Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover" - will be performing at 7 p.m. Saturday at Brixton South Bay in Redondo Beach. Hawkins was involved with Hillary Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign, which is what inspired her to write "Betchya Got a Cure." "I fell in love with her as a politician. And then I got really upset when I saw what was going on in the country," Hawkins said.
12 music teachers from a LA school, who have been the victims of reckless state budget cuts, may not be back next year for the school's music program. Activists are organizing and trying to motivate parents to get involved and save their music program for the kids. Music and arts have shown to be an integral part of an education and is critical in learning mathematics and problem solving skills.
Governor Peter Shumlin (D) and the Democratic-led state house in Vermont are moving forward with a single-payer health care system for their state. Even a Republican Mayor, Mayor Chris Louras, pointed out that health care costs compromise more than a third of their city's payroll, and it is unsustainable. Preliminary legislation just passed the Vermont House by a vote of 89-47, and will head to the senate, and Gov. Shumlin promises to sign it.
ANONYMOUS TAKES DOWN
WARNER BROTHERS WEBSITE
PROTESTING COPYRIGHT CLAIMS
The hacktivist group known as "Anonymous" recently took down the website of the copyright protection agency UK Copyright Service also known as Copyright Witness with DDoS attacks. The attack is Anonymous' way of speaking out against a lawsuit brought against "Limewire", a popular file-sharing program. One of the points they took issue with is the outrageous amount of damages sought by Copyright Witness, with Manhattan Federal District Court Judge Kimba Wood describing the damages sought by the recording companies as "absurd."
The judge went further to say, "If plaintiffs were able to pursue a statutory damage theory predicated on the number of direct infringers per work, defendants' damages could reach into the trillions," she noted. "As defendants note, plaintiffs are suggesting an award that is 'more money than the entire music recording industry has made since Edison's invention of the phonograph in 1877.'"
UNION MEMBER WRITES
RAP SONG FOR LABOR RIGHTS From mark273026 on YouTube:
"This is kind of amazing, so just wanted to share with all of you. One of our LA (UFCW) members, who writes and performs pro-labor hip hop stuff from time to time, wrote, performed, and produced this song, "Fight On," about what's happening around the country. The pictures are a nice visual but really the song is the star here."
GWEN STAFANI DONATES
$1 MILLION DOLLARS TO
JAPAN RELIEF EFFORT
No Doubt singer and fashion designer aligns herself with Save the Children’s relief efforts for Japanese children while creating a multi-tiered giving program
March 23, 2011
"I've been inspired by Japan for many years and have a true love, appreciation and respect for the Japanese people and their culture. The disaster in Japan is beyond heartbreaking and I want to do anything I can to help. I would never be able to make a gesture like this without the love and support of all the fans over all these years.”
– Gwen Stefani
Gwen has not only made a personal donation but created a mechanism whereby her fans will be able to participate in her efforts. A charity auction will be announced next week where fans can bid on the chance to join Gwen at a special fundraiser in Los Angeles. Also available next week, a limited edition Harajuku Lovers T-shirt designed by Gwen will be available through nodoubt.com with 100% of proceeds benefiting the relief effort in Japan. Plans for further fundraising initiatives are also in current discussion.
MICHAEL STIPE, DANIEL ELLSBERG
AND OTHERS DEMAND OBAMA
INVESTIGATE TREATMENT OF
PFC BRADLEY MANNING
Musicians Rosanne Cash, Tom Morello, Michael Stipe, and others from groups such as Amnesty International and Center for Constitutional Rights have written a letter to President Obama asking he investigate the treatment of Pfc. Bradley Manning. The group points out that Pfc. Manning is being forced to endure isolation and humiliation, which no other detainee at Quantico is subjected to.
ANONYMOUS HACKTIVISTS SIEZE
CONTROL OF BMI WEBSITE
Claiming that companies like BMI prevent creativity and art from reaching the public, and speaking out against legislation that favors production companies and not the artists themselves, the hacktivists Anonymous took down their website, and then posted their message:
"Too long have the music and cinema industries, among others, abused copyright for their own gain. Legislation serves to protect artists not the companies managing them and should never attempt to prevent the spread of creativity to the general public.
We have seen BMI consistently copyright legislation and consequently have decided to take action against it to show that the people will not stand for its crimes against the public. As of the time of the writing of this letter BMI.com has been taken down by our successful attack. This is a message to you and other corporations like you, we cannot stand this abuse anymore."
Read more here.
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has signed legislation that abolishes the death penalty at the state capitol in Springfield. "If the system can't be guaranteed, 100% error-free, then we shouldn't have the system," Quinn said. "It cannot stand."
LADY GAGA CANCELS RELATIONSHIP
WITH TARGET OVER POLITICAL ISSUES
Lady Gaga has cancelled her relationship with the media giant Target, which she had teamed up with them for a deluxe edition of "Born This Way". But when LGBT groups began revisiting certain donations that the store had made, they found Target donated corporate funds to MN Forward, a political action committee that supported antigay candidate Tom Emmer in his 2010 run for governor of Minnesota. When Lady Gaga heard about this, it made her revisit her committment to the company. She has often made many stances on issues in her career, for she is not afraid of embracing a supposed "controversial issue".
TOM MORELLO COMING TO
WISCONSIN: MADISON IS
THE NEXT CAIRO
Huffington Post
MADISON, WIS. - For the past week, the protests outside of the Wisconsin statehouse have had a background soundtrack of Bruce Springsteen, Journey and even the Beastie Boys blasting from speakers as marchers walk around chanting "Kill the bill!" and "Recall Walker!" But on Monday, Madison will get some live music -- a concert headlined by Tom Morello, the guitarist for Rage Against the Machine.
For nearly a decade, Morello has also been playing political folk music -- inspired by people like Woodie Guthrie and Mother Jones -- under the alias The Nightwatchman. On his Facebook page, fans had been urging him to come out and support them in Madison before he made his announcement.
"Hey Tom, could you please come to Madison?" read a message by a fan named Mike Loew. "As I'm sure you're aware, Scott Walker is trying essentially to de-unionize."
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On Saturday, Morello said he also received an e-mail of encouragement from one of the principle organizers of the protests in Cairo, Maor Eletrebi. "Madison is the next Cairo," observed Morello. He said Eletrebi wanted him to share his message with the protesters, which was addressed to "our friends in Madison, Wis."
TUCSON BENEFIT CONCERT
JACKSON BROWNE, ALICE COOPER
GRAHAM NASH TO PLAY
Jackson Browne in 2008
Huffington Post
TUCSON, Ariz. — Jackson Browne, Alice Cooper, David Crosby and Graham Nash will perform in Tucson, Ariz., to benefit a charitable fund established after the shooting there that killed six people and wounded 13 others.
Other acts at the March 10 concert that Browne and Cooper announced this week include Sam Moore, Nils Lofgren, Keb' Mo', Jerry Riopelle, Dar Williams, Ozomatli and Calexico.
REPUBLICAN IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
WANTS TO BAN STUDENTS FROM
VOTING AT COLLEGE TOWNS
New Hampshire State Capital
New Hampshire State Representative Gregory Sorg (R-Gafton), has introduced HB 176, a bill that would bar college students from voting in college towns. Current law allows students who spend a major part of the year in a town to vote and even hold town office positions. HB 176 would ban a student from voting in a college town, because they, "shall be presumed to have departed from such other place for a temporary purpose with the intention of returning". The bill is slated to be voted on in the March session.
It has been met with widespread condemnation, and most say it is completely unconstitutional. One wonders if a CEO agrees to a one year job at a company in New Hampshire, and doesn't sell his house because he has the intention of returning one day…does that person lose their right to vote?
When touring South America, the band Rush witnessed the plight of the trapped Chilean miners, and got caught up in it, even dedicating "Stick it Out" to the miners at one show, with a photograph of "Los 33" on the rear screen. They started a funding drive, and now $10,000 has been raised and sent to Roja Chilena, the ones that were on the ground with tents, water and food and facilitated the rescue.
Left to right: Jamie LeSueur, Andres Gutierrez, Brutus
Photo by Tracie Moore
In addition, Rush has announced they are donating one dollar for each ticket sold in their current leg of their "Time Machine Tour" to the relief effort in Haiti, and the band pledges to contribute even more proceeds at the culmination of the tour. Way to go guys, nice work, and keep up the good stuff and the good music!
REAL GRASSROOTS RALLY
AT MD STATE CAPITOL
TO LOBBY FOR EQUALITY
MarylandEquality.org, Maryland's largest LGBT civil rights group that advocates for equality for LGBT Marylanders, and empowers ordinary citizens "to become extraordinary activists", held a "Stories at the Statehouse: Why Equality Matters Day" in the state capital, Annapolis.
The rally was at the steps of the Maryland State Capitol Building, and at the feet of the Thurgood Marshall Memorial, one of our greatest Supreme Court Justices. Citizens were supplied with information on their state delegates and senators, and given advice on how to engage with their state representatives. In light of the "astroturf orgs" that we witnessed the last few years during our health care debate, it was very refreshing to actually see real grassroots efforts at the ground level; ordinary American citizens exercising their right to be heard by their representatives in our government. No corporations being represented here, it was real people; our neighbors and community members.
ANONYMOUS TAKES DOWN
MADISON, WIS. - For the past week, the protests outside of the Wisconsin statehouse have had a background soundtrack of Bruce Springsteen, Journey and even the Beastie Boys blasting from speakers as marchers walk around chanting "Kill the bill!" and "Recall Walker!" But on Monday, Madison will get some live music -- a concert headlined by Tom Morello, the guitarist for Rage Against the Machine.
In addition, Rush has announced they are donating one dollar for each ticket sold in their current leg of their "Time Machine Tour" to the relief effort in Haiti, and the band pledges to contribute even more proceeds at the culmination of the tour. Way to go guys, nice work, and keep up the good stuff and the good music!
