DEBRIS.COMgood for a laugh, or possibly an aneurysm

I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Peter Phillips, director of Project Censored, at the fundraiser last weekend. He spoke with passion about the lesser-known evils of the world, and particularly within the Bush administration, given that this was a Kerry rally.

I wrote about Project Censored recently. I mentioned the “censored” item that most grabbed my attention: a Salon.com story about the reinstatement of a military draft: Oiling up the draft machine? (local mirror).

Since then, President Bush stated clearly during the debates that there would be no draft:

I hear there’s rumors on the Internets (sic) that we’re going to have a draft. We’re not going to have a draft, period. The all-volunteer army works.

See additional analysis of the draft issue.

My band performed at a Kerry fundraiser last Friday. I like this picture for the warm wood tone of the back wall, and because I am completely obscured by the bassist.

No matter what your perspective is, I’ll be behind someone. That’s the reality of having six guys in a band. The other reality of having six guys in a band is that the per-person fee split is usually about $10. Oh, and one more: in rehearsal, someone always has gas, although I guess that’s usually also true even in smaller bands.

Eyeing the width of our setup on this shallow stage, the bassist and I joked that rather than playing in a six-man band, we’d rather play in two power trios.

Rummaging through an old box of cassettes for a little aural gold… the heaviest tune in the JAR canon (or even cannon). I so dig odd time signatures.

Bleed (Copyright © 1995 JAR)

This is pretty amazing: Jon Stewart of Comedy Central appeared on CNN’s show Crossfire and told the hosts they’re hurting America. “You have a responsibility to the public discourse, and you fail miserably.”

See the video clip at iFilm: Stewart on Crossfire video or check for additional sources at boingboing.

CNN provides a transcript.

Home electricity bills from Pacific Gas and Electric Co. could rise 4.1 percent in January under a proposal the company sent state regulators Friday.

And that might not be the only rate increase PG&E’s residential customers face next year.

The company also wants to shift more of its costs from business customers to residential customers and could receive permission to do so next fall.

Anyone who is surprised, stand up and repeat after me: since 1970, electricity rates have climbed an average of 6% per year.