Food > Biofuel

Maybe …..food is more important making fuel? :\

Click on picture for article.

I do have one thing/suggestion to say:  Not trying to be novel here….or think I’m the smartest guy in the room (obviously I’m not - I can’t get more than a handful of people interested in this blog.)  But I don’t understand why we are trying to make NEW fuel.

Wouldn’t it be much more productive to produce fuel, that we already have, and make a thinner, but just as effecient, fuel?  Could we not make cars with altered engines that wouldn’t need as much oil and gas to run it?

Would it not be more productive to stretch out what we have?  Like…no joke….a crack dealer (which is a propos, according to Mr. We’re Addicted to Oil).  A crack dealer has XXX amount of cocaine….but then he cuts it…with baking soda…or whatever, and you make 10 to 100x more than just selling the coke straight.

I know we put additives and stuff to the oil/natural gas….to either fortify or strip something out of it - but let’s say (hypothetically) that we have a barrel of oil…and it powers 10 cars.  Would it not have been more beneficial to find a way for that one barrel to power 20 cars…………instead of financing a wholly NEW (even somewhat questionable/flimsy) system, in which you have no idea how it will turn out AND is actually now being shown to actually be hurtful?

Where are the efforts on this?  This is my thing…..is it me….or it is obvious we are going to have issues when you ask farmers (and pay them exorbenant amounts of money) to plant corn for fuel - instead of food?  Where’s the natural hierarchy here?  Feeding people is more important that fueling up a car?

Right?

Another article on the same page

Selections of the Week

I’m (Kahron) back once again with some (hopefully) quality selections.  This week’s picks will be a decidedly upbeat, because, more than anything, I just felt like listening/finding upbeat stuff.  Here we go:

Sleeper of the Week:

Last Shadow Puppets - The Age of the Understatement

First of all, it’s a collaboration with Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys), Miles Kane (The Rascals), and James Ford (Simian Mobile Disco).  Second of all, I do know this album was actually released in April - but I’m certain most of you didn’t know….so it’s on the chopping block here.  First of all, it’s an ideas album - not so much in the “I want to do some COMPLETELY different” mold, but in…”I think we could make a different, but cool album” mold.  And I think they succeeded.

They wanted an orchestra juxtaposed to the indie feel, and they got it……the lead single and title track let’s you know everything you need to know.  It almost sounds like an indie band doing song written by Ennio Morricone.  Most of the album is a lot more layered than you would expect, and sometimes a little too much….but overall, it’s a good look.

4 out of 5

Various Artists: Baile Funk 2: Agora E Moda

Usually I’d put something like this in the “throwback” pocket, but it’s new to me - as is the Brazilian Beat label this came out of (which I will definitely be looking for more on one of the dopest site around - turntablelab.com).  This is different from the current ‘Funk’ coming out of Rio de Janeiro these days….this is actual Jorge Ben flavor, 70s funk.  I mean this is KILLIN’ it, right up there with the best funk in the states.  “Agora E Moda” by Rita Lee is basically the “jam” as your parents might’ve said back in the day.  No matter your age, if you can’t feel this ENTIRE album, you have big problems. Definite sample material for you beatheads out there.

4.75 out of 5

Air France - No Way Down EP

This is hella nice.  As Pitchfork noted, it’s very…..you know what?  I’ll let Pitchfork tell it here.  Just go buy the download.

No grades for EP….but looking forward to the long play.

2562 - Aerial (photo above is not actual cover)

I bought this out of the recommended albums from another one of my trust sites for electronic music, specifically dubstep - the UK based Boomkat.  Loving this album - sounds like a Saturday night at home in your London flat, right as you’re getting ready to hit the club.  It pulsates, yet it stays smooth and somewhat dubby.  Futuristic, but not too far out, as to leave you to catch up.  Quality dubstep here.

4 out of 5

Throwback of the Week:

Inner City - Big Fun (this is the US title; it is called Paradise in the UK)

For some reason, as few days ago, I was humming the song “Good Life” from a video as a kid.   I found it on iTunes and bought the album…turns out, as far as late 80s/early 90s techno goes, it’s pretty good.  Apparently, this group was at the forefront, and one of the groups at the foundation, of the much lauded Detroit House/Techno scene.

This album brought me back to when you would actually hear Dance music on mainstream radio, i.e. Snap…”I’m as serious as cancer, when I say Rhythm Is A Dancer”…LOL……Technotronic - who doesn’t like Pump Up The Jam?…..Black Box….C+C Music Factory….etc.  Prolly won’t hold your attention too long, but it’s harmless, nostalgic fun….and a good pick up for a music collector like myself.

UN ‘regrets’ Zimbabwe election

Huh?!  The United Nations - a collection of countries - regrets the fortunate circumstance that allows a dictator to intimidate and threaten voters, and rig up an election?  You can’t just let Mugabe do that in plain view - you have to at least be smarter about rigging elections and dominating the massive…like in America, for example.

In all seriousness, this is example A-1234infinity of why Africa can never get on track as a continent.  I’m very confused on why the UN, including the US, is not willing to step in and just oust Mugabe?  I mean, isn’t there something the multinationals can take, like here in the Middle East?

Click on the picture for the BBC article.

U.S. and Europe Near Agreement on Private Data

From the article:

WASHINGTON — The United States and the European Union are nearing completion of an agreement allowing law enforcement and security agencies to obtain private information — like credit card transactions, travel histories and Internet browsing habits — about people on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean.

The potential agreement, as outlined in an internal report obtained by The New York Times, would represent a diplomatic breakthrough for American counterterrorism officials, who have clashed with the European Union over demands for personal data. Europe generally has more stringent laws restricting how governments and businesses can collect and transfer such information.

Negotiators, who have been meeting since February 2007, have largely agreed on draft language for 12 major issues central to a “binding international agreement,” the report said. The pact would make clear that it is lawful for European governments and companies to transfer personal information to the United States, and vice versa.

This is truly some wild shit here.

Fears of an ‘October surprise’

McCain adviser may have struck a nerve

Candidate distances himself from terror comment, but does it ring true?

 

 

Sen. Barack Obama and his surrogates continued to criticize Charles R. Black Jr., a top adviser to Sen. John McCain, on Tuesday for saying a terrorist attack before the November election would help the presumptive Republican nominee. But behind their protests lay a question that has dogged Democrats since Sept. 11, 2001: Was Black speaking the truth?

“I don’t think anyone knows the answer to this question,” said Tad Devine, a senior strategist on Sen. John F. Kerry’s 2004 presidential campaign, which confronted the same internal debate. “On the one hand, Republicans say they made America safe. That argument goes by the wayside if there’s an attack. On the other hand, an attack would change the entire framework of this election.”

Black’s comment to Fortune magazine that a terrorist attack “certainly would be a big advantage” roiled the presidential campaign for a second straight day. Obama — who has made a determined effort to shore up his credentials on national security since clinching the Democratic nomination, arguing that the United States is less safe now than before President Bush took office — wasted no time in trying to counter Black’s statement. Obama dispatched Richard Ben-Veniste, a member of the bipartisan 9/11 Commission, to hold a conference call with reporters in which he called Black’s comments “a candid and very disappointing glimpse into the thinking of one of McCain’s closest advisers.” He did not directly call for Black to step aside.

 

Rest of Washington Post article here…

George Carlin, 1937 - 2008

NY Times article.

Big Brother is (”legally”) listening.

The audacity has to humor you.  Click on the pic for the BBC article.

This is actually some of the biggest news in a good minute.  But my guess is that no one will care.  THAT, more than anything, scares me the most.  

Big Oil Returns to Iraq

The byline says the following:

“The return of the four major Western oil companies will be greeted with dismay by many Iraqis who fear losing control of their vast oil reserves.”

…really?  You think that they are in Iraq for a vacation?  I mean, from the start, did anyone really truly believe coming here was a altruistic venture?  What oil company…..or ANY large scale corporation has altruism in mind?  I’m not bagging the article, which you can read here, but this really shouldn’t be news.

And two-year no bid agreements for all of them, I’m surprised they didn’t come sooner.  (LOL @ two years.  Has to be an inside joke of some kind)

Why We’re Suddenly Paying Through the Nose for Gas

I just read a decent article on this here at alternet.org.  I think the only real issue with it, for me, is the constant insistance that the Bush administration made mistakes.  I think this goes to a long-standing assumption that plenty of people have fell for, or fallen back on, on numerous occasion:  The assumption that because of what we’ve heard, seen, or read about in the news, that the Bush administration is a) a group of screw-ups and b) that because of it, it MUST be time for a new face in the White House.

But back to oil - using the above to accentuate my issue with this article.  While it does point out some truths - what would make you believe they’re making mistakes?….a lot of them….over and over again…

I’m not going to get into some C.T. dissertation on this, you can read and decide for yourself.  But if you ask me - the transparency is there (read: big oil and White House = Big Black House)…..you just have to want to see it.

Right?

Even more music….when does it end?

Back again….with Kahron’s music selections of the week.  I have an interesting arrays of newbies, sleepers, and a throwback for everyone to check out.  Let’s get started:

Coldplay - Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends

I’ve been trying to wrap my head around this album.  For the record, it doesn’t suck - in fact, it’s good.  The issue is that….I think I understand why Chris Martin has been wildin’ out lately in interviews.  It’s because the album has firmly placed them at a real crossroads that every big, arena type of band goes through - there’s a pronounced angst/self doubt…. in trying to be creative….making sure you make the numbers you are expected to push out of the Best Buys and Virgin Megastores and iTunes around the world……making the critics happy….making yourselves happy with your own product……and even just dealing with being famous on a level that is completely suffocating.

I wonder if Chris thinks sometimes, “I think all of this is just too much…I think I might be going crazy.”  Not that I feel ‘bad’ for him - he did CHOOSE this.  This is what he asked for, for better or worse.  I really couldn’t begin to imagine living his kind of life - it really isn’t natural, to be honest.  I think it’s manifested in this album.  It’s hard to tell what to make of it……you have a mish mash of ideas……Brian Eno in the studio - a good thing…..trying to step into another vein of musical expression.  It’s just hard to grade.  I do know one thing with certainty - this is either the beginning of the end, or a new beginning in the history of Coldplay.

I give it a very tentative 4 out of 5.  (I mean look at the title even….they couldn’t decide on that….they could’ve called the album “?” or “Confused State of Affairs or What Direction Are We Going In Now?”, and it would’ve made just as much sense)

The Notwist - The Devil, You + Me

I actually hadn’t heard of this band prior to a few weeks ago, when I listened to snippets of their most recent album, 2002’s Neon Golden.  I have to say I’m impressed.  This German band has a lot of creativity - they blends art rock, elements of ambient and drum based electronics (they know how to correctly use a beat machine/program, which is evident in prior albums as well), and even a little jazz, and classical.

I bought Neon Golden with this album and enjoyed it as well.  They fall in a weird spot…maybe like Postal Service with a dash of Radiohead sprinkled in.  I do believe I will work my way backwards with this band and see how far they’ve come.  They were actually a metal/punk band very early on - so it should be very interesting.

4 out of 5.

Adrian Quesada and Ocote Soul Sounds - The Alchemist Manifesto

This ESL release is actually the second collaboration between of the two, Adrian and Martin Perna (Ocote…is his stage name).  It’s mainly an instrumental Afro-Latin album with 70’s jazz/funk influences.  It sounds like if Super Fly was set in 1970’s Buenos Aires or Spain.  ESL usually comes through with good stuff, and this one’s no slouch either.  This one of the favs right now.

4 out of 5.

Natalia Clavier - Nectar

I actually bought this when I got the album reviewed above.  Nice Spanish vocals….she has “a weekend in Barcelona and I’m rich, bitch” sound.  It’s super chill and relaxing….reminds me of how I’ve felt about Federico Aubule’s releases of the last few years.  “Azul” is a stand out for sure.

4 out of 5

Sleepers of the Week

Kidz in the Hall - The In Crowd

I have to say that while Naledge needs to definitely learn to dominate on the mic more, this MC/producer (Double O) duo is nice.  Naledge sounds a little like preppy Smooth B/Jay-Z hyrbid, which makes sense the duo met at the University of Pennsylvania.  He makes good use of his Ivy League flow and Double O’s much improved beatmaking skills.  Even tho they are from Chicago, they don’t try to press the hard button - they use the school boy thing to their advantage and utilize a nice variety of sounds.   I personally feel they have too many collabs; but at this point in their career, it’s probably for the best, especially with the wide range of styles between the guests.  I’m impressed and looking forward to more.

4 out of 5

Disrupt - Foundation Bit

I love dubstep….but man, I’m beginning to realize I can’t keep up with all the releases - it’s no wonder electronic artists/listeners (or even Jazz or classical or math metal folks) tend to stay in a particular corner, because you almost need to immerse yourself in the world, especially sense they have so many singles and albums coming out all at the same time.  For me, that will be very difficult.  Yet, once again, here I go.  This album illustrates the DUB in dubstep, staying true to the dub (for those unfamiliar with dub music - check, check it out right here) rhythms and samples.  This album just flows nicely from track to track….you could prolly just put it on and let it go.  Enjoyed this album.

4 out of 5.

Throwback for the Week

Gil Scott-Heron - Winter In America

This was his second collaboration with jazz pianist Brian Jackson.  The title track is live for whatever reason, but no less powerful.  Crazy talented…..it’s sad that he’s now HIV positive and a recovering drug addict.  But you know what?  Big up to one of the original, super political MCs.