To put it very simply, Greece's Bloody Sunday was November 17th, 1973.  An armed struggle followed, among many other things.  The November 17 Group disbanded in 2002, and Dimitris Koufontinas has been in prison ever since.  He has now been on hunger strike for 24 days, in protest against the new governing administration in Greece, which has been singling him out for torture in prison.

To put it very simply, Greece's Bloody Sunday was November 17th, 1973.  An armed struggle followed, among many other things.  The November 17 Group disbanded in 2002, and Dimitris Koufontinas has been in prison ever since.  He has now been on hunger strike for 24 days, in protest against the new governing administration in Greece, which has been singling him out for torture in prison.

New song:  "November 17"

I'm at a loss for words.  There will be a demo in Portland tonight (Peninsula Park at 8 pm), and more across the country, I assume.  This track is a track called "Say Their Names" from my upcoming album, Rebel Songs.  It's the song I wrote just after Jacob Blake was shot.  This version is a rough mix with drums and bass.

I'm at a loss for words.  There will be a demo in Portland tonight (Peninsula Park at 8 pm), and more across the country, I assume.  This track is a track called "Say Their Names" from my upcoming album, Rebel Songs.  It's the song I wrote just after Jacob Blake was shot.  This version is a rough mix with drums and bass.

BREAKING NEWS: No Charges Against Kenosha Police for Shooting of Jacob Blake

Today a judge in London decided against extraditing the Wikileaks founder to the US, where he would face a potential 175-year prison sentence.  Julian Assange is a journalist who has done more in the service of humanity than perhaps anyone you'll ever meet.  This song, "Behind These Prison Walls," is a rough mix version from the first few recording sessions of what will ultimately be my next album, to be titled Rebel Songs.

Today a judge in London decided against extraditing the Wikileaks founder to the US, where he would face a potential 175-year prison sentence.  Julian Assange is a journalist who has done more in the service of humanity than perhaps anyone you'll ever meet.  This song, "Behind These Prison Walls," is a rough mix version from the first few recording sessions of what will ultimately be my next album, to be titled Rebel Songs.

BREAKING NEWS:  Julian Assange US Extradition Denied

The US is a nation with amnesia, with a population generally ill-equipped to do any independent thinking as a result.  And if you think this problem only exists among the Proud Boys, then you are also a victim of misinformation -- just from a different source.

The US is a nation with amnesia, with a population generally ill-equipped to do any independent thinking as a result.  And if you think this problem only exists among the Proud Boys, then you are also a victim of misinformation -- just from a different source.

New song:  "Pawns (The Great Divide)"

In the past 2 days, 2 trains in the state of Washington have had accidents.  One of them involved train cars full of crude oil, that then burned.  Is another Lac Megantic, 2013 here in the Pacific Northwest virtually inevitable, as things are going?  Yes.

In the past 2 days, 2 trains in the state of Washington have had accidents.  One of them involved train cars full of crude oil, that then burned.  Is another Lac Megantic, 2013 here in the Pacific Northwest virtually inevitable, as things are going?  Yes.

Oil Train Derails

Christmas in Bethlehem this year is extremely difficult for yet new reasons, on top of the usual brutal military occupation.

Christmas in Bethlehem this year is extremely difficult for yet new reasons, on top of the usual brutal military occupation.

Christmas Eve in Bethlehem

I have, over the years, written nearly an album's worth of Christmas songs, but the one about Pirate Santa is my favorite. Very 2020, I'd say. 

I have, over the years, written nearly an album's worth of Christmas songs, but the one about Pirate Santa is my favorite. Very 2020, I'd say.

Pirate Santa

When I learned in the course of an interview with Abigail Disney that actors and other Disney employees are paid so badly that some of them are living in their cars, I had some musical commentary to contribute to this stark vision.

When I learned in the course of an interview with Abigail Disney that actors and other Disney employees are paid so badly that some of them are living in their cars, I had some musical commentary to contribute to this stark vision.

New song:  "Cinderella"

A budget is, as is often said, a moral document.  This may be more true than ever, with regards to whatever new stimulus package the Congress may or may not pass this month.

A budget is, as is often said, a moral document.  This may be more true than ever, with regards to whatever new stimulus package the Congress may or may not pass this month.

New song:  "Just Life and Death"

British troops slaughtered gold miners in Australia who were refusing to pay taxes they couldn't afford to pay anyway.  29 people died in the massacre.  The miners continued their resistance afterwards, and thus terrified the authorities into giving in to all of their demands.

British troops slaughtered gold miners in Australia who were refusing to pay taxes they couldn't afford to pay anyway.  29 people died in the massacre.  The miners continued their resistance afterwards, and thus terrified the authorities into giving in to all of their demands.

1854:  The Eureka Stockade

Either a song for this date in history, with a little bit of context thrown in, or a song I just wrote.

This is a solid podcast and great format for music.

Great songs!

Song For Today

On March 26th, 1978, Tvindkraft, the world's biggest windmill, went online, after years of research and construction. A crowdsourced project involving thousands of participants, once the technology was proven effective, the patents were made open source for anyone to use. Thus the Danish windmill industry was born.

On March 26th, 1978, Tvindkraft, the world's biggest windmill, went online, after years of research and construction. A crowdsourced project involving thousands of participants, once the technology was proven effective, the patents were made open source for anyone to use. Thus the Danish windmill industry was born.

The Biggest Windmill Went Online

On March 31st, 1492, the new Catholic monarchs of the kingdom of Spain, now that they had consolidated power and had some form of Catholic control over the entirety of Spain.  The first thing they did was to announce that the Jews of Spain had three months to leave the country or be killed.  What happened to them?  I'll tell you.

On March 31st, 1492, the new Catholic monarchs of the kingdom of Spain, now that they had consolidated power and had some form of Catholic control over the entirety of Spain.  The first thing they did was to announce that the Jews of Spain had three months to leave the country or be killed.  What happened to them?  I'll tell you.

1492:  The Alhambra Decree

PAPER

If you've ever traveled to the Middle East then you have seen how the more civilized societies have been maintaining personal hygiene in a way far superior to the comparatively grimy European diaspora -- water. If you don't have a hose attached to your toilet like they do all over the Arab world, you can use a simple plastic squeeze bottle.

If you've ever traveled to the Middle East then you have seen how the more civilized societies have been maintaining personal hygiene in a way far superior to the comparatively grimy European diaspora -- water. If you don't have a hose attached to your toilet like they do all over the Arab world, you can use a simple plastic squeeze bottle.

The Solution to the Toilet Paper Shortage

There are various causes of deadly new novel viruses, as I have recently learned, along with many of you. One of them is climate change, so we can be sure we'll be seeing more of them. But whatever the reasons for the fatality rate of Covid-19, we do know why the last global pandemic, the so-called "Spanish Flu" in 1918 was so extremely deadly. It was a pandemic caused by the particular conditions of the trenches of World War 1, and the movements of troops around the world at the end of the war. This war virus ultimately killed more human beings on planet Earth in six months -- in every corner of the globe -- than the carnage of World War 1 caused in four years.

There are various causes of deadly new novel viruses, as I have recently learned, along with many of you. One of them is climate change, so we can be sure we'll be seeing more of them. But whatever the reasons for the fatality rate of Covid-19, we do know why the last global pandemic, the so-called "Spanish Flu" in 1918 was so extremely deadly. It was a pandemic caused by the particular conditions of the trenches of World War 1, and the movements of troops around the world at the end of the war. This war virus ultimately killed more human beings on planet Earth in six months -- in every corner of the globe -- than the carnage of World War 1 caused in four years.

The Pandemic of 1918

On March 30th, 1976, Palestinians held a rare protest against ongoing theft of their land by Israelis. For daring to hold a peaceful protest, they were massacred by Israeli troops. This was the sort of response they thought likely, which is why such protests were so unusual back then.

On March 30th, 1976, Palestinians held a rare protest against ongoing theft of their land by Israelis. For daring to hold a peaceful protest, they were massacred by Israeli troops. This was the sort of response they thought likely, which is why such protests were so unusual back then.

1976:  Land Day

If you walk around on the empty streets of Portland, in every neighborhood you will find discarded couches littering the sidewalks. Where did they all come from? Largely from people who are moving out of their homes because they can't pay the rent -- despite the fact that there is currently a suspension on evictions, no one has told them about it. #rentstrike

If you walk around on the empty streets of Portland, in every neighborhood you will find discarded couches littering the sidewalks. Where did they all come from? Largely from people who are moving out of their homes because they can't pay the rent -- despite the fact that there is currently a suspension on evictions, no one has told them about it. #rentstrike

New song:  "Each Couch By the Street"

On May 15th, 1919, during a global pandemic that was in the process of taking even more lives than the World War that had recently ended, the Winnipeg General Strike began.

On May 15th, 1919, during a global pandemic that was in the process of taking even more lives than the World War that had recently ended, the Winnipeg General Strike began.

1919:  The Winnipeg General Strike

New song:  "Precipice"

Francis Hughes

The second of ten Irish Republican prisoners to die on hunger strike in 1981 was a legendary figure named Francis Hughes.

The second of ten Irish Republican prisoners to die on hunger strike in 1981 was a legendary figure named Francis Hughes.

1981:  The Death of Francis Hughes

Mostly about how the term "social distancing" seems very appropriate most of the time, much as we'd like to hope that all we're doing is distancing ourselves from each other physically.

Mostly about how the term "social distancing" seems very appropriate most of the time, much as we'd like to hope that all we're doing is distancing ourselves from each other physically.

New song:  "As I Walk On By"

Fifty years ago, on May 4th, 1970, after Governor Ronald Reagan and other prominent politicians compared student protesters to Nazis, National Guard troops on the campus of Kent State University in Ohio opened fire on them, killing four -- from a distance of several hundred feet.

Fifty years ago, on May 4th, 1970, after Governor Ronald Reagan and other prominent politicians compared student protesters to Nazis, National Guard troops on the campus of Kent State University in Ohio opened fire on them, killing four -- from a distance of several hundred feet.

1970:  The Kent State Massacre

75 years ago today, the Red Army was fighting its way across Germany, heading towards Berlin.  On their way there, they liberated hundreds of former concentration camp prisoners while they were on a death march from Ravensbruck to Berlin.  When the international group of women who had just been liberated realized they were now free, they spontaneously began singing "The Internationale."

75 years ago today, the Red Army was fighting its way across Germany, heading towards Berlin.  On their way there, they liberated hundreds of former concentration camp prisoners while they were on a death march from Ravensbruck to Berlin.  When the international group of women who had just been liberated realized they were now free, they spontaneously began singing "The Internationale."

1945:  The Soviet Liberation of Europe

It's a crazy world getting exponentially crazier, but it keeps spinning very reliably.

It's a crazy world getting exponentially crazier, but it keeps spinning very reliably.

New song:  "And the Earth Spins Round Again"

San Patricios

At this time in 1846, two nations were at war. One, a massive, slave-based economy. The other, a free nation, where slavery had recently been abolished. Among the soldiers of the invading army, many deserted. Some went further than desertion. They were called the San Patricios -- the St Patrick Battalion.

At this time in 1846, two nations were at war. One, a massive, slave-based economy. The other, a free nation, where slavery had recently been abolished. Among the soldiers of the invading army, many deserted. Some went further than desertion. They were called the San Patricios -- the St Patrick Battalion.

1846:  The San Patricios

The doomed rebellion of the surviving fraction of Warsaw's once-massive Jewish population known as the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising began on April 19th, 1943.  Over the course of the following four weeks, the uprising was only put down after the entire ghetto was burned to the ground by the Nazis.

The doomed rebellion of the surviving fraction of Warsaw's once-massive Jewish population known as the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising began on April 19th, 1943.  Over the course of the following four weeks, the uprising was only put down after the entire ghetto was burned to the ground by the Nazis.

1943:  Warsaw Ghetto Uprising

At least ten million renters in the US began the month of April, 2020 by withholding their rent -- for most of them, because it was either pay rent this month, or eat. Those among the now teeming ranks of the unemployed and housing insecure in the US who qualify for it are now anxiously awaiting the money the federal government says it will start disbursing in the coming week.

At least ten million renters in the US began the month of April, 2020 by withholding their rent -- for most of them, because it was either pay rent this month, or eat. Those among the now teeming ranks of the unemployed and housing insecure in the US who qualify for it are now anxiously awaiting the money the federal government says it will start disbursing in the coming week.

Waiting For Their Checks to Come

I have had a lot of birthdays where I happily spent the day hanging out with my family at home. This one is a bit more than a slight variation on that theme.

I have had a lot of birthdays where I happily spent the day hanging out with my family at home. This one is a bit more than a slight variation on that theme.

I Turned 53 in Quarantine

"Those who lack imagination cannot imagine what is lacking." (Paris '68) These are times that call for thinking outside of the box -- or at least outside of the failed, broken, capitalist box.

"Those who lack imagination cannot imagine what is lacking." (Paris '68) These are times that call for thinking outside of the box -- or at least outside of the failed, broken, capitalist box.

Our Imagination

John Prine

When I heard that John Prine had died (of COVID-19), I started messing around with this song, one of the first I ever played on a guitar, long ago. You could call this a very pared-down version. The original is probably better.

When I heard that John Prine had died (of COVID-19), I started messing around with this song, one of the first I ever played on a guitar, long ago. You could call this a very pared-down version. The original is probably better.

Paradise Revisited (RIP John Prine)

There's a 90-day ban on evictions, late fees, and eviction proceedings in Portland that began on April 1st, 2020. That means we have 90 days to make this pretend rent strike a REAL rent strike. Spread the word. Spread the strike. This song has two chords and a four-word chorus. Please sing a version of it. Let's make a video.

There's a 90-day ban on evictions, late fees, and eviction proceedings in Portland that began on April 1st, 2020. That means we have 90 days to make this pretend rent strike a REAL rent strike. Spread the word. Spread the strike. This song has two chords and a four-word chorus. Please sing a version of it. Let's make a video.

PDX Rent Strike Song

The best philosophy podcast episodes. Asking questions about how to live a better life, what it means to be and do good, to the idea of God. This topic includes episodes that bring about important questions that everyone should be asking themselves. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Episodes on Practical Philosophy & How To Live

The best self improvement podcast episodes. From improving productivity, to finding purpose in your life to what constitutes freedom, this topic is on anything and everything that can help people to improve their lives. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!