Ingrid Michaelson

I’m a little behind in pop music (or just music in general) as I’m sure many have heard of Ingrid Michaelson since last year but listening to her live concert on the NPR web site makes a fan out of me. Not that I need much convincing after my then fiancée picked out “The Way I Am” as our first dance song. Grant it, some of her songs have been commercialized but that isn’t anything new in the advertising industry that has used songs from Aerosmith, Lenny Kravitz, and many other popular artists.

Some say that she reminds them of Fiona Apple or Regina Spektor. Personally, I think she sounds a little bit like Feist. After listen to her live, I have hope that she would breakout and be known for her voice, talent, and an artist with great showmanship. Her interaction with the audience was warm, entertaining, and yet, she wasn’t shy about letting them know how she feels about people who criticize her for "letting" her songs be used in the Old Navy commercial and some TV shows (Grey’s Anatomy, One Tree Hill, etc).

If you get a chance to listen to the live concert, don’t miss the last song at the end where she beautifully sang “Fools Rush In”.

Ingrid Michaelson in Concert

Her official web site

Sean Penn’s take on Kucinich: Electibility VS Idealism

Sean Penn has just written a piece that expresses eloquently what I'd attempted to say in my previous post.

Piano Wire Puppeteers: The Constitution, Media & Dennis Kucinich

I'm torn. I'm torn between the conventional wisdom of what we all keep being told is electibility and the idealism that perhaps alone can live up to the challenges of our generation.

Of the democrats running for President, only Congressman Dennis Kucinich's candidacy is backed by a voting record of moral courage and a history of service to our country that has fully earned our support and our gratitude. And when I say support, I am not speaking to democrats alone, but rather to every American who would take the time on behalf of their children, our planet, and our soldiers to educate themselves on the Kucinich platform.

Wolf Blitzer asked each candidate if they would support the other should they themselves not be the nominee. One after another, the answer, yes. One exception: Dennis Kucinich, who with the minimal time allotted him, once again rose up beyond the sound bite and put principal ahead of party; argued policy rather than politeness. He has been the dominant voice of integrity on issues of trade, labor, education, environment, health, civil liberties, and the one endlessly determined voice of peace. But is he too short? Does his haircut not appeal? Is he not loyal enough to a cowardly democratic platform? Does he not appeal to the cult of personality? And what if the answer is yes? What if Dennis Kucinich, the most deserving and noble of candidates, the most experienced in issues of policy and the least willing to play into the politics of personal power? What if we can't elect a man simply on the basis of the best ideas, the most courage, and the most selfless service?

Why not Kucinich?

If you’re a true liberal, why would you not like Kucinich? He’s about as ideal candidate as you can get. And I bet you he’s anti-spanking, too!

On the issues:

* He’s environmental friendly and has shown great interest in the sustainable development. He also voted against drilling in Alaska.

* He has voted against authorizing the war in Iraq and against funding its continuation.

* He has a plan for a Universal, Single-Payer, Not-for-Profit health care system.

* He is the only candidate who supports same-sex marriage.

* He has a pro-gun control voting record.

* He support the women’s right to choose on abortion.

* He's a strong advocate on Animal's rights.

Dennis Kucinich's Web Site

Biography

Kucinich on treehugger

Kucinich on grist