The most recent Glenn Beck and Republican furor with the Obama administration involved Tayyib Smith of Little Giant Media and co-founder of 215 Magazine. On August 10th, the National Endowment for the Arts participated in a call with art organizations around the country encouraging them to use their talents to encourage people to participate in the United We Serve initiative headed by the first lady. Since then a post appeared on Big Hollywood questioning the initiative and their motives. This was subsequently picked up by Glenn Beck forcing the communications director for the NEA to be moved into a new position. Beck characterized the call as an attempt to encourage propaganda similar to those efforts by Nazi Germany. I asked Tayyib what he thought of the call and the ensuing hype around it.
The call was an attempt by my colleagues and I, to use our talents to galvanize people young and old to participate in United We Serve, a call to action to encourage more Americans to volunteer. We were acting as citizens - not representing our companies, or positions, but instead concerned stakeholders in the creative community discussing how we could garner awareness and traffic to http://www.serve.gov/
Glenn Beck and the gentlemen who choose to deceitfully record the call are simply engaging in sensationalist journalism for their own benefit.
I am more committed than ever before to using my talents, experiences, and social network to do what I feel is right as an American citizen. Fox News has about the same journalistic integrity as the WWF
Meistro did it on this one. Killer mix of chicago house, classic NY trax, and its got some new school flare. Great selection, killer on point mixing, seamless transitions, great listen from end to end. Also got some excerpts of Obama’s speachs. Can’t believe dude has only been in the office for like 8 days. Gotta post more pics and shit.
P.S. Great meeting you at the pyinz party and in DC. We gotta get up soon.
p.s.s. damn you must have been on the myspace game early to get the Dj Meistro sig. I know like 4 other meistro’s. good looks.
No, I’m not going to the inauguration like some of the other crazy 51:51 bloggers (ahem di1 casi g ahem). However, I do have some hometown pride that D.C. is not just going to be the political center of the world, but also the party center, at least for this one weekend. The city council is even letting the bars stay open later (first 5 am, now 4). But if you don’t have any luck at the bars, be careful: downtown is a prostitution-free zone.
For anyone who might be taking the train, bussing, driving, or shit even walking down to D.C. this weekend, here’s a what it do for the city’s biggest weekend ever.
Saturday
Shift at the Warehouse Loft: Ron Trent bringing Chicago’s other great export — house. $15 before midnight/$20 after.
Obamarama Pre-Inaugural Party by the DC Blues Society. Surf Club Live in Hyattsville, MD, $15.
Caps vs. Bruins. Seriously, my Deadskins lived up to their worst nickname, the Nats 2008 season is still an ugly memory of a summer gone horribly wrong, and the Wizards are a jaw-droppingly bad 8-31. The Capitals boast arguably the best player in the world in Alex Ovechkin and are in first place in the southeast division, as are the Bruins in the northeast. This is the only real sports in town this weekend. Sold out, but I’ve got tickets, sucker.
Sunday
Inauguration Concert on the National Mall featuring Beyoncé, The Boss, Bono, Shakira, will.i.am and Stevie Wonder. 2:30 pm, public entry begins at 8 am. In front of the Lincoln Memorial. Free.
Inauguration Feast of Flesh — sword swallowers, burlesque dancers, fire eaters, and daredevils from noon to 4 am on Monday and Tuesday. The Palace of Wonders, $5.
Jewish Community Inaugural Reception, Capital Hilton. Uhh, that’s where I’m going and my friend got me a ticket because her office is sponsoring it. Mmm, kosher hors d’oeuvres.
Tuesday
Low 30s with a chance of snow. Dress warm and wear your Depends. Also heard a rumor that cell phones will be jammed. Stay close to your bros.
The People’s Inauguration Ball at the Rock and Roll Hotel featuring Blaqstarr, Scottie B, Meistro, Deep Sang (Dirty Bombs), Stereofaith, and Nacey (Nouveau Riche DJs). Hosted by Senari. ONLY $10. Probably the cheapest good party on inauguration night.
Funk 4 Peace Ball with Afrika Bambaata and Fort Knox Five. Modern, $15 advance/$20 at the door.
The PW went out to the rally today with Jay Z, Diddy and Mary J Blige and came back with some video. On the 1’s and 2’s, the man Brendan Bring’em!!!
Some photos from Jim MacMillan.
More photos from Brendan after the jump. This so huge, we’re talking jumbotrons! More video from WHYY after the jump too. (more…)
In case you’re not sure who to vote for as of yet….Gossip Girl’s Blake Lively & Penn Badgley might be able to help you and your parents. And you know, Gossip Girls are NEVER wrong.
Jay Z, Diddy and Mary J Blige will all be speaking today in an effort to remind everyone to vote tomorrow. Gates are open now, entrance is on North Broad Street, between Susquehanna and Dauphin. RSVP here
