Month: March 2012

Senators Who Voted To Protect Oil Tax Breaks Received $23,582,500 From Big Oil

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Senators Who Voted To Protect Oil Tax Breaks Received $23,582,500 From Big Oil | ThinkProgress: “– The 47 senators voting against the bill have received $23,582,500 in career contributions from oil and gas. The 51 senators voting to repeal oil tax breaks have received $5,873,600.
– The senators who voted for Big Oil’s handouts received on average over four times as much career oil cash as those who voted to end them.
– Overall, Senate Republicans have taken $23.2 million in oil and gas contributions. Democrats received $6.66 million.
– Since 2011, Senate Republicans have voted seven times for pro-Big Oil interests and against clean energy three times.”

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Mike Kelley obituary: L.A. contemporary artist dies at 57 – latimes.com

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Mike Kelley obituary: L.A. contemporary artist dies at 57 – latimes.com: “Mike Kelley, an influential Los Angeles artist whose physically messy and psychologically complex projects laid the groundwork for present-day installation art, has died. He was 57.

He was found dead Tuesday evening at his home in South Pasadena in what several friends described as a suicide following a serious depression. “We can’t confirm a suicide pending an autopsy or coroner’s report,” said one of the estate’s trustees, art historian John Welchman.

Paul Schimmel, the chief curator of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, called Kelley a “great advocate for artists as well as a great artist,” noting his role teaching at the Art Center College of Design.
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Punk rockers defy the world’s most repressive regimes

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Punk rockers defy the world’s most repressive regimes | The Raw Story: “First, then, to Iraq, and news that will surely warm the heart of anyone who still believes the US and Britain attacked that country to introduce it to the wonders of democracy and tolerance. Last weekend, Reuters reported that at least 14 young people had recently been stoned to death in Baghdad, thanks to “a campaign by Shi-ite militants against youths wearing Western-style ‘emo’ clothes and haircuts”.”

McConnell: Marijuana use causes death | The Raw Story

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McConnell: Marijuana use causes death | The Raw Story: “Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) recently replied back to one of his constituents to declare that marijuana usage leads to death, according to the Huffington Post.

McConnell sent a response letter to the constituent, who posted it on the pot supporting website grasscity.com Tuesday morning. The Kentucky senator candidly expressed his disagreement and concern over legalizing marijuana in the February 14th letter, citing a medical marijuana bill introduced by Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) in 2011.”

 

BBC News – French comics artist Jean Giraud – Moebius – dies at 73

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BBC News – French comics artist Jean Giraud – Moebius – dies at 73: “Jean Giraud, one of France’s leading comics artists, has died in Paris at the age of 73 after a long illness.

He drew for more than 50 years, under various names, but was most widely known as Moebius.

He was popular in the US and Japan, working with legend Stan Lee and manga artists, as well as in his homeland

He also worked on design concepts and storyboards for a number of top science fiction films, including Alien, Tron, The Abyss and The Fifth Element.

Giraud trained at art school and turned to comics after working as an illustrator in the advertising and fashion industries.

His best known work in his native country was probably the Lieutenant Blueberry character but he also worked on the Silver Surfer with Stan Lee.

The Cartier Foundation for Contemporary Art staged a major Giraud retrospective in 2010.”

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Partners in ‘slime’ – WWW.THEDAILY.COM

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Partners in ‘slime’ – WWW.THEDAILY.COM: “The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s continued purchase of so-called pink slime for school lunches makes no sense, according to two former microbiologists at the Food Safety Inspection Service.

“I have a 2-year-old son,” microbiologist Gerald Zirnstein told The Daily. “And you better believe I don’t want him eating pink slime when he starts going to school.””

 

Pat Robertson: Marijuana ‘absolutely’ should be legalized

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Pat Robertson: Marijuana ‘absolutely’ should be legalized | The Raw Story: “Conservative televangelist Pat Robertson says he has become a “hero of the hippie culture” by calling for marijuana to be legalized.

“I really believe we should treat marijuana the way we treat beverage alcohol,” Robertson told The New York Times on Wednesday. “I’ve never used marijuana and I don’t intend to, but it’s just one of those things that I think: this war on drugs just hasn’t succeeded.””

 

Ronnie Montrose Dead: Rock Guitar Legend Passes Away At 64

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Ronnie Montrose Dead: Rock Guitar Legend Passes Away At 64: “SAN FRANCISCO — Rock guitarist Ronnie Montrose, who formed the band that bore his name and performed with some of rock’s heavy hitters, has died.

His booking agent, Jim Douglas, says Montrose died Saturday at his home in Millbrae, Calif. He was 64.

Douglas says Montrose had been in declining health for some time, battling prostate cancer and what Douglas termed “personal demons.”

In addition to forming his own band in 1973, Montrose performed with a number of rockers, including Sammy Hagar, Herbie Hancock, Van Morrison, Boz Scaggs and the Edgar Winter Group. Douglas says Montrose was working on releasing a DVD and starting a tour that would have taken him across the U.S.

Montrose is survived by his wife, Leighsa, as well as a son, a daughter and five grandchildren.”

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