Grant Manship

The 44th President of the United States of America

I try to keep my viewpoints on subjects other than music to a minimum around here but the election of the next President of the United States feels like an obvious topic worthy of discussion.  I'm not the greatest writer but I feel like saying something about this so here are my brief thoughts on what has just happened.

I was watching CNN when they called the election for Senator Obama and it felt so surreal.  Regardless of your political viewpoint, this is a truly remarkable event in our nation's history.  Maybe the biggest I have ever witnessed during my life.  I don't think it's a stretch to say that seeing an African American be elected President of the United States certainly wasn't guaranteed to happen in the years to come or even during my entire lifetime.  Not when you consider all the pages of history that are filled with embarrassing stories of despicable hatred and racism.  But now, what an amazing thing to witness our nation's greatest attempt to put that ever-lingering history of racism behind us.  To think that the dream of Martin Luther King, Jr. we've all learned about in school and have heard countless times might actually have become a reality is truly incredible.  To see that unbelievable mass of people in Chicago celebrating is beyond uplifting.  Seeing Americans of all ages and races with tears streaming down their faces after hearing the news is an incredible image I know I'll never forget.  Knowing that our nations image in the world has immediately done a 180 is beyond comforting.

I don't know if President Obama will be a good president.  I certainly hope that he is.  I think we all know our country needs a great leader in the worst way.  I believe in my heart he has the ability to do great things for this country.  I can say that I'm proud to have voted for him and truly believe it was the right vote to cast.  Here's to hoping that he brings the change we're looking for.

Esquire

I passed the bar.  That's all for now.

P.S.  Now that I've had a little time to comprehend the fact that I actually passed the bar I just want to say thanks to everyone who has called, texted, emailed, etc. over the last few days congratulating me.  I really appreciate the well wishes and support before, during and after the bar.  It certainly wasn't easy but now that it's over and I passed, I can definitely say it's been a gratifying experience.  More importantly, it wouldn't have been possible without the aforementioned support.  I guess I owe all of you some free legal advice in the future when/if you ever need it ;-)

Richard Wright - R.I.P.

As I'm sure many of you are aware of by now, founding member of Pink Floyd Richard Wright passed away yesterday.  My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Here's a cool video of one of the songs Richard wrote for Dark Side of the Moon.

The Day Has Come

As the Cowboy notes in The Big Lebowski, "Sometimes you eat the bar and sometimes... The bar eats you."  With that said, here is to eating the bar. Hopefully I, along with all my friends, will pass this thing and move onto the next stage of whatever life has in store for us.

Good luck everyone and to my loyal readers, I'll be a little busy for the next few days so it might be a little slow around here.  I promise to make it up to you when I get back.

Free Tibet

Students for a Free Tibet story.

'Tis the Season...

Happy Holidays and my best wishes to everyone for the New Year.

The Inevitable Rise and Liberation Of Musicians

Saul Williams has decided to follow in the footsteps of Radiohead, as well as his heart, and will be releasing his new album The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of NiggyTardust! as a free download of 192Kbps MP3's or offering fans a choice between 192Kbps, 320Kbps,  or FLAC lossless MP3's if they pay $5 to support the cause.  The following letter, or prose, was posted by Saul as a way to express his feelings and reasons for pursuing this avenue of dissemination.   

My Dearest Friends and Fans,

It is my greatest honor to present to you The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of NiggyTardust!, my new album produced by Trent Reznor and mixed by Alan Moulder. The wall of sound that we've created is tagged with such graffiti that a passerby would seek out doors and ways to ENTER. Once inside a world defined by dreams come true they'd find aligned with the simplest act of sharing what we treasure. Most people aren't aware of the world of art and commerce where exploitation strips each artist down to nigger. Each label, like apartheid, multiplies us by our divide and whips us 'til we conform to lesser figures. What falls between the cracks is a pile of records stacked to the heights of talents hidden from the sun. Yet the energy they put into popularizing smut makes a star of a shiny polished gun. The ballot or the bullet for Mohawk or the mullet is a choice between new times and dying days. And the only way to choose is to jump ship from old truths and trust dolphins as we swim through changing ways. The ways of middlemen proves to be just a passing trend. We need no priests to talk to God. No phone to call her. And when you click the link below, i think it fair that you should know that your purchase will make middlemen much poorer...

NiggyTardust!

love,

Saul

Here is the link that Saul spoke of in the letter.  I hope his efforts are as succesful as it appears Radioheads were.  I strongly suggest supporting his and Trent's efforts, I for one already have!

Two Years And Counting...

So I've been rambling about music on here for two years!?!  The two year mark was spent hanging with some friends here in Cincinnati in anticipation of the annual fireworks display.  I like to think that the fireworks were intended to honor the site more than Labor Day but I'm not 100% sure that's correct.  As always, I'd like to thank everyone who stops by for humoring me and my little side-project.  It's been fun so far and even more amazing how quickly time has passed. 

Internet Radio Needs Your Help Now!!!

If you haven't heard, royalty rates for webcasters have been drastically increased by a recent ruling of the Copyright Royalty Board and are due to go into effect in just a few days.  You can read about recent hearings on the matter that featured members of Cincinnati's radio community here.  Basically, the fees will be too high for Internet radio stations like LoudCity, the much beloved Woxy, and even large Internet streamers like AOL, Yahoo, Live 365 and Pandora to continue operating.

A bill has been introduced in congress called the Internet Radio Equality Act that will fix the problem but the clock is definitely ticking.  In order to show your support for the Act everyone needs to contact your Congressional Representatives today and ask them to support the Internet Radio Equality Act.

I've included the following text of an email I received from the good people at LoudCity with information on what you can do to help.

IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED

The U.S. Court of Appeals DENIED the emergency stay requested by webcasters.

UNLESS CONGRESS ACTS BY JULY 15th, it is the end of the road for Internet radio.

This situation is grave, but that makes the message all the simpler and most serious. CALL YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES RIGHT AWAY and urge them to support the "Internet Radio Equality Act." Even if your senator or representatives have already co-sponsored it is urgent that you call. If they've already co-sponsored, thank them and tell them to fight to bring the bill to the floor for an immediate vote. If the line is busy, call back. Call until you know your voice has been heard. Your voices are what have gotten us this far -- Congress has listened. Now, they are our only hope.

TELL THEM.

We are outmatched by lobbying power and money but we are NOT outmatched by facts and passion and the power of our voices.

http://www.savenetradio.org

(please disregard this if you're outside the U.S.)

The Uniform Commercial Code

No, The Uniform Commercial Code isn't some hip new band.  It's what has been taking up all my time lately.  I have a final in my Sales and Secured Transactions class tomorrow and have been stuck with my nose in a book or two.  I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm sorry it's been a little slow around here but I've got a bunch of stuff to write about so just bear with me!

In the meantime, be sure to check out this track from St Vincent's album Marry Me, due out next week:

• St. Vincent - "Now, Now" from Marry Me