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Around the Tubes: 7/12/07

  • The subversive site Jam Band Fan or Taliban? posts several low-resolution pictures of hazy-eyed, bearded men and asks readers the simple question: Jam Band Fan or Taliban? Guessing correctly is surprisingly difficult -- although, to my defense, Phish and The Grateful Dead predate my lifetime -- and members of both groups have gone days without showering. Definitely check it out for a laugh.
  • In response to the recent New York Times/ CBS News/ MTV poll that described the more liberal tendencies of young voters (which we previously covered here and here), the highly trustworthy show Fox & Friends interviewed Jason Mattera, a spokesman from the Young America's Foundation, who challenged the poll’s results.

    Mattera -- a fast-talking man with catch-phrases that rival those of Tony Snow -- asserts that "young people, as opposed to the general public, are more conservative on the issue of abortion and racial preferences. ... [T]hey'd rather ban abortion and they are opposed to racial preferences. Media Matters systematically disproves both of Mattera’s contentions, once again proving the reliability of Fox News.
  • Articles about Obama’s “viral marketing campaign” are everywhere, from Time Magazine to the blogosphere. He seems to be covering all of his bases -- both large and modest contributions from all generations. Karen Tumulty of Time notes that “more than $10 million of Obama's second-quarter contributions were made online, and 90% of them were in increments of $100 or less.” While Sasha Issenberg of Boston Magazine describes Obama’s ability to capture Boston’s biggest political networkers and invest their money in youth fundraising.
  • Al Gore introduces Live Earth as a hologram. While he still uses his infamous monotone, he is definitely less stiff in hologram form.


  • Apparently, Myspace, in conjunction with Mark Burnett, the reality show guru behind "Survivor" and "The Apprentice,” is planning to launch an interactive political show. MySpace users will select a candidate who they feel best represents the collective voice of Americans. The winner then wins one million dollars to donate to a political candidate. HUH? The whole thing sounds a little convoluted to me. Why don’t we all actually vote in 2008 rather than partake in a Rupert Murdoch nonsensical ploy?
  • Check out Living Liberally on Open Left for interesting cultural and political anecdotes. Recent posts focus on Michael Moore’s Sicko. Today’s joke of the day, for example, warrants both a cringe and a chuckle:

    Michael Moore was on CNN arguing with Dr. Sanjay Gupta about Sicko, claiming that Americans shouldn't be hurried along the path of bankruptcy and death because of a horrible health care system. Gupta argued that in Canada and England, people have to wait in line to die ... And after all, who wants to wait in line?

  • Mobilize.org is recruiting 435 young activists, one from each Congressional District, to attend The Party for the Presidency in December. At the party, which sounds like an amazing opportunity to schmooze with motivated millennials, the “Declaration of Our Generation” will be unveiled. To contribute to the declaration click here
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July 12th, 2007 4:12pm
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