Podcast #26 - May 3, 2007 Immigration and Darfur After a long, and unexpected delay, Indirect Democracy is back. On this Podcast, I will cover a personal story involving a friend’s final step towards citizenship. It is important to remember all the people who come here to work and struggle to attain the American dream and be part of our collective experience as a nation. Sharing that moment with her is something I will not soon forget. I received an essay regarding Darfur that I am proud to share. It coincides with the Global Day for Darfur that passed on April 29. The writer, named Maria Halyna, runs a website dedicated to the educating us all about the tragedy of Darfur – tragedy seems like such a small word when you consider this living horror. I encourage you to visit her site and learn more: http://blog.myspace.com/mariahalynal    The music from this Podcast is entitled, “Still Waiting,” by the Greyboy All-Stars. You can find their music at: www.greyboyallstars.com Podcast #27 - May 17, 2007 Michael Moore and Cuba "For the firefighters and police officers who ran toward the fiery World Trade Center towers and breathed in the air on Sept. 11, the attacks are not just in their hearts or minds.  For them, 9/11 is in their lungs, their blood." That was my favorite quote from an ABC article entitled, "9/11 Responders Gravely Ill."  For all the controversy surrounding Michael Moore and his trip to Cuba, we have to remember that he also took 10 of our first responders from 9/11 to get treatment for their health problems.  Despite your beliefs about Mr. Moore (good or bad), he is forcing us all to take a larger look at a healthcare system that leaves behind the people we claim to be Heroes.  Listen to their stories and ask yourself what is the larger crime. The music from this podcast is "Freedom," by the DTs from their album, "Filthy Habits."  You can find their music via their MySpace account at: www.myspace.com/thedts. A special Thank you again to Maria Halyna for her support of Indirect Democracy.  Again, I just read your words - I am the grateful one.  And to all the sites including Indy In-Tune that have promoted Indirect Democracy - a big Thank You, as well. 'Sicko' the Controversy http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/mikeinthenews/index.php?id=9811 Michael Moore slams US govt over Cuba probe http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070512/en_afp/entertainmentusfilm_070512161819   Study Links Lung Disease to WTC Work http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/ATTACKS_HEALTH?SITE=KFWB&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT    9/11 First Responders Gravely Ill http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=2409716&page=1   Cop Pays for His 9/11 Effort With Kidney http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=2407898&page=1    Firefighters Went From 'Heroes to Zeroes' http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=2407850&page=1    Documents Suggest Doubt About 9/11 Air Quality http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=2408206&page=1    Cuba: Michael Moore a victim of censorship and U.S. embargo of the island http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20070511-1322-cuba-moore.html   Director Moore says broke no laws with Cuba trip http://in.today.reuters.com/News/newsArticle.aspx?type=entertainmentNews&storyID=2007-05-12T011130Z_01_NOOTR_RTRJONC_0_India-297841-1.xml   Michael Moore catches heat for Cuba trip http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/entertainment/somethingmore/article_1690656.php   Cuba Travel Restrictions http://www.usacubatravel.com/restriction.htm  http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/  http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/programs/cuba/cuba.shtml   U.S. aggressively enforcing Cuba travel restrictions http://www.cnn.com/2004/TRAVEL/02/09/cuba.travel.ap/    OxyContin maker pleads guilty http://www.kansascity.com/136/story/102759.html   Limbaugh admits addiction to pain medication http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/10/10/rush.limbaugh/    World mayors to meet over global warming http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/World-mayors-to-meet-over-global-warming/2007/05/12/1178899143138.html   Podcast # 28 - Sept. 10, 2007 Impeachment "It is wrong, I suggest, it is a misreading of the Constitution for any member here to assert that for a member to vote for an article of impeachment means that that member must be convinced that the President should be removed from office." Those were the words of Congresswoman Barbara Jordan as she spoke regarding the Impeachment of President Richard Nixon. They are words that have changed my stance on impeachment and I invite you to listen to more of this speech to the House. Although this is a long episode of Indirect Democracy, I invite you to enjoy the music and produced pieces for this episode.  The Research and Archive pages will be edited this week.  Until then, the lyrics for "Resignations." I am not trying to detain you. Work for me, I am the Presidente. Most of my staff now has gone away To be with family, make more money Or flee to a non-extradition country Think for me...Speak for me And if I'm bad you'll take the blame for me Whatcha gonna do about all these resignations? It's not like you ever had that much imagination Your approval's tanking and you screwed the occupation. Hey Resignation             Whatcha gonna do about all these resignation? Karl Rove and Tony Snow went on permanent vacation Even Gonzo can't help you run the nation. Hey Resignations! Now don't you worry about my V.P. The one they call Chenerino He's still in charge...the boss of me. So I had to send him to an undisclosed location. What was I supposed to do? The guy kinda creeps me out and he keeps telling me what to do all the time. It's not like I am qualified to do anything Work for me, I am El Presidente If you go in front of Congress You can shout executive privilege all day Think for me...speak for me. Oh, I'm screwed. Podcast #29 - Feb. 8, 2008 Primary Season & Stimulate This! Super Tuesday has come and gone and we are now left with History in the making. Barack Obama versus Hillary Clinton in a campaign I never thought I would see in my lifetime.   When this podcast was recorded, Mittens (Mitt Romney), was still in the race. He has dropped out but it does not change my opinion about the conservatives' view of McCain and how independents will look on it.       As well, I will review why the current economic stimulus plan will not save us unless we invest in ourselves and not continued debt.   I would like to thank Dan Coyle for allowing me to use his song, “Break Me Into Pieces,” as the featured song for this episode. You can find his music at: www.myspace.com/dancoyle   You can also purchase his music at: http://dancoyle.com/purchasemusic.html Congratulations to LaLaDumont.  She is the first winner to receive a copy of "Briar Street - The Acoustic Sessions." LaLa is a longtime subscriber and fan of Indirect Democracy. She is also linked to the Frapper Map below.  Please join if you would like to leave a posting. Meet her beloved pet, Chiquita Nuve.           Podcast # 30- July 14, 2008 George Carlin & Marriage When George Carlin died, I knew that after a long hiatus to plan my wedding that only one topic would be worth discussing.  Carlin changed not just how I perceived comedy but the importance of language....and how it shapes thought.  "Because we do think in terms of language." As well, I will discuss my current nuptials and thoughts about how the issue of Gay Marriage has affected my marriage - here's a hint:  Has NOT and guess what...if you are married, your vows are still in tact. Plus there will also be a Global Warming Update, the President's "Love" Horoscope (made an oopsie), and two "What a Weinie Awards." The Sponsor ads will be provided by the Great George Carlin. Bush Sidesteps Court Ruling on Warming http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25641109/ Global Warming is a Cause of this Year’s Extreme Weather http://www.newsweek.com/id/143787 California Supreme Court overturns gay marriage ban http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-gaymarriage16-2008may16,0,6182317.story California Gay Marriage: What it Means for You and Me Legally http://www.gaywired.com/Article.cfm?Section=165&ID=19318 Joe Horn cleared by grand jury in Pasadena shootings http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/hotstories/5864151.html Finstuen v. Crutcher http://ca10.washburnlaw.edu/cases/2007/08/06-6213.htm Foreclosure Phil: Journalist David Corn on How McCain Campaign Adviser Phil Gramm Helped Create the Subprime Mortgage Crisis http://www.democracynow.org/2008/7/9/foreclosure_phil_journalist_david_corn_on