Bob Dylan to get Presidential Medal of Freedom

Posted on April 28, 2012 by Stephen Pate

Famed artists who sang ‘don’t follow leaders’ will accept the highest civilian honor from President Obama, the leader of the free world

"Don't follow leaders, watch your parking meters" - Bob Dylan 'Subterranean Homesick Blues'

The US White House announced that singer songwriter, writer, and actor Bob Dylan will receive the the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

To followers of the iconic leader of baby boomer counter culture, the award has some irony. But then we were all younger then, we’re older than that now. Continue reading →

Lady Danville – Better Side video

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Stephen Pate

Party night with a twist

Lady Danville – Better Side by BlastroNetworks

The LA indie band Lady Danville has released their official video for ‘Better Side’ from the new EP “Operating”.

It’s an easy poppy song helped along by the carefree night out video with a twist. Bingo night at the seniors club meets Cocoon.
Continue reading →

Why did Ellen pull Cory Booker video

Posted on April 26, 2012 by Stephen Pate

Ellen’s inflated crime reduction claims may have deep six’d otherwise fun episode

Everyone was thrilled by the exploits of Newark Mayor Cory Booker when he saved his neighbor from a burning building.

Well perhaps his Republican opponents were less than enthused by the Super Hero Mayor.

Ellen did a video interview with Mayor Booker, posted it on her website and on YouTube then pulled it. Continue reading →

Cory Booker Superhero Mayor of Newark NJ

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Stephen Pate

Mayor Cory Booker was already a super mayor – now he is a super hero by saving a woman from a burning house

NY Post

Newark Mayor Cory Booker appeared on Ellen today to talk about his adventure saving his neighbor from her burning home.

Update – for some reason the “Ellen” clip was removed from YouTube.

There are some men who are heroes and Cory Brooker is one. Continue reading →

Windows 8 Preview coming in 1st week of June and SkyDrive apps now

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Stephen Pate

Microsoft President Steven Sinofsky drops news of Windows 8 Preview at Japan’s Windows 8 Dev Days along with new SkyDrive apps

Microsoft President Steven Sinofsky announces June Windows 8 Preview

The Windows 8 Operating System just got another page written when Microsoft President Steven Sinofsky dropped the shoe in Japan at Windows 8 Dev Days.

The new and hotly anticipated operating system will get another preview in the first week of June 2012.

There was not press release, no blog entry – just this photo posted on Twitter and the usual short Twitter message “Announce…Windows 8 Release Preview first week of June. Here’s the announce from Japan’s Windows 8 Dev Days.” Continue reading →

Noah Wyle arrested marching for disabled

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Stephen Pate

Popular celebrity Noah Wyle is arrested at D.C. protest by disability rights group ADAPT

Noah Wyle is pictured in handcuffs at a protest by the disability rights group ADAPT in Washington, D.C. on April 23, 2012. - (photo National ADAPT)

Hollywood stars are coming out for social activism and the ER cast is leading.

Noah Wyle, who played medical student John Carter in ER, was arrested and taken away in handcuffs at the ADAPT disability rally in Washington. DC.

George Clooney was recently arrested for civil disobedience at the Sudanese embassy in Washington, DC protesting the humanitarian crisis in the Sudan.
Continue reading →

Would Wildrose have shut down Alberta’s Human Rights Commission

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Stephen Pate

Election win by Conservatives puts issue to rest but for how long?

Alison Redford, Alberta Premier on the phone jubilant at election win(photo credit - Todd Korol / Reuters)

Against the odds and Canada’s top pollsters and media predictions, Conservative Alison Redford has won a decided victory in Alberta’s provincial election.

Canadian human rights advocates can breathe a sigh of relief that Wildrose didn’t take the government. Wildrose leader Danielle Smith announced plans to close down Alberta’s Human Rights Commission, replacing it with a branch of the court system to weed out “frivolous” human rights complaints. Continue reading →

Please this side is better

Posted on April 23, 2012 by Stephen Pate

Photo – Flickr The American Robin is one of the easiest birds to spot in spring, with the bright red orange chest and sides. Robins winter in Florida and Mexico, are found year round throughout the United States, except the north, and coastal BC and Nova Scotia. Please see range map on the next page. They breed throughout Canada and the United States even into the North West Territories and Alaska. They are naturally attracted to fruit bearing trees and bushes. Continue reading →

Remembering Levon Helm

Posted on April 22, 2012 by Stephen Pate

Bob Dylan, Elton John and me – remembering the Great Levon Helm

Levon Helm at Newport Folk Festival 2008 (photo credit WFUV Flickr Creative Commons non commercial)

Rock musician, actor and author Levon Helm is being remembered by many people since his death last week. Some are of those people famous and some like me, not. When I saw Levon Helm in The Last Waltz, it changed my live forever.

But the memories are strong. Share your remembrance of Levon if you like. Continue reading →

NY Times comes out swinging against access for disabled

Posted on April 22, 2012 by Stephen Pate

The ADA is 21 years old but the New York Times wants us to feel pity for businesses that are still inaccessible

Carr Massi, who uses a wheelchair, has sued five businesses in Manhattan for violations of the Americans With Disabilities Act. (photo Jennifer S. Altman for The New York Times)

The New York Times came out swinging against compliance with the ADA in the story Disabilities Act Prompts Flood of Suits Some Cite as Unfair.

It’s the “White’s Only Lunch Counter” and Selma, Alabama all over again, only this time blacks are escaping the discrimination backlash and the bigots are in New York. The New York Times thinks lawyers who sue for compliance under the Americans With Disability Acts are “ambulance chasers.” Continue reading →

Rock musician Levon Helm passes away

Posted on April 19, 2012 by Stephen Pate

Famed member of The Band and Bob Dylan touring rock band dies from complications of cancer

Levon Helm (b. 1940 - d. 2012) famous rock musician Fredericton Harvest Blues Festival 2011 (photo Stephen Pate)

His family posted this brief message on Facebook

“Levon Helm passed peacefully this afternoon. He was surrounded by family, friends and band mates and will be remembered by all he touched as a brilliant musician and a beautiful soul.”

He had suffered from throat cancer which has been in remission, although his singing voice never fully recovered.

Update – Remembering Levon Helm

Continue reading →