I thought I'd get Snoop's thought on the State Of The Union Address.
Click on the picture of Gizzogle for the results.
Thursday, February 10, 2005
"When you see me in the street solider, salute me!"
Foli Tricks
I have become more and more interested in politics in the last few years. I bore all my friends with political talk until I'm blue in the face or they tell me to shut the hell up and put the needle on the record. I don't want to bore you either, but sometimes you have to press pause on the IPod and read the newspaper.
As you know, Son of a Bush delivered his State Of The Union speech a few days ago. I watched most of it (maybe 90%, a new record for me) and was amazed. The division between the Dems and Republicans was very visible. At times it looked like the parting of the Red Sea. Bush looked like he was ready to give the Dems a reaming in front of America. He didn't get in that azz as bad as I thought he would, but it was a sight to see.
One of the things that got my attention (and several boos from Barack's side) was the President's statements on Social Security Reform. I could try to translate what this means to you, but you might as well hear it from the Bush’s mouth.
Taken from C-Span.com
"The system, however, on its current path, is headed toward bankruptcy. And so we must join together to strengthen and save Social Security." "So here is the result: Thirteen years from now, in 2018, Social Security will be paying out more than it takes in. And every year afterward will bring a new shortfall, bigger than the year before.
For example, in the year 2027, the government will somehow have to come up with an extra $200 billion to keep the system afloat -- and by 2033, the annual shortfall would be more than $300 billion. By the year 2042, the entire system would be exhausted and bankrupt. If steps are not taken to avert that outcome, the only solutions would be dramatically higher taxes, massive new borrowing, or sudden and severe cuts in Social Security benefits or other government programs.
Fixing Social Security permanently will require an open, candid review of the options. Some have suggested limiting benefits for wealthy retirees. Former Congressman Tim Penny has raised the possibility of indexing benefits to prices rather than wages. During the 1990s, my predecessor, President Clinton, spoke of increasing the retirement age. Former Senator John Breaux suggested discouraging early collection of Social Security benefits. The late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan recommended changing the way benefits are calculated. All these ideas are on the table. I know that none of these reforms would be easy.
But we have to move ahead with courage and honesty, because our children's retirement security is more important than partisan politics. (Applause.)
I will work with members of Congress to find the most effective combination of reforms. I will listen to anyone who has a good idea to offer. (Applause.)
We must, however, be guided by some basic principles. We must make Social Security permanently sound, not leave that task for another day. We must not jeopardize our economic strength by increasing payroll taxes. We must ensure that lower-income Americans get the help they need to have dignity and peace of mind in their retirement. We must guarantee there is no change for those now retired or nearing retirement.
And we must take care that any changes in the system are gradual, so younger workers have years to prepare and plan for their future. As we fix Social Security, we also have the responsibility to make the system a better deal for younger workers. And the best way to reach that goal is through voluntary personal retirement accounts. (Applause.)
Here is how the idea works. Right now, a set portion of the money you earn is taken out of your paycheck to pay for the Social Security benefits of today's retirees. If you're a younger worker, I believe you should be able to set aside part of that money in your own retirement account, so you can build a nest egg for your own future.
Here's why the personal accounts are a better deal. Your money will grow, over time, at a greater rate than anything the current system can deliver -- and your account will provide money for retirement over and above the check you will receive from Social Security. In addition, you'll be able to pass along the money that accumulates in your personal account, if you wish, to your children and -- or grandchildren. And best of all, the money in the account is yours, and the government can never take it away. (Applause.) " Bold type mine.
The question remains. What the hell is he talking about? Private savings accounts that the government can NEVER seize? It all sound too good and I don't trust that m*th@f*ck@r (For all I know he’s the guy who set me up and had my buddy Angel Fernandez killed …sorry, Montana moment). So I did what all good Democrats do...Fact Checked it.
Here is the breakdown from FactCheck.org.
Bush made Social Security the centerpiece of his Feb. 3 State of the Union address. He gave more details of how he proposes to change the system -- but left out facts that don't help his case.
Social Security "Headed Toward Bankruptcy?"
The President painted a dire picture of Social Security's finances: Bush: The system, however, on its current path, is headed toward bankruptcy . And so we must join together to strengthen and save Social Security. "Bankruptcy" is a scary term that Democrats have used too, when it suited them, but it could easily give the wrong idea. Nobody is predicting that Social Security will go out of business the way a bankrupt business does. It would continue to pay benefits -- just not as many.
The President was a little more specific about that later in his address, while repeating the word "bankrupt": Bush: By the year 2042, the entire system would be exhausted and bankrupt . If steps are not taken to avert that outcome, the only solutions would be dramatically higher taxes, massive new borrowing, or sudden and severe cuts in Social Security benefits or other government programs. But how severe would those benefit cuts be?
In fact there are two official projections -- one by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and a somewhat less pessimistic projection by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The President referred to the SSA projection, which calculates that the system's trust fund will be depleted in 2042. After that, the system would have legal authority to pay only 73 percent of currently promised benefits -- and that figure would decline each year after, reaching 68 percent in the year 2075.
So there is the other side. I will need time to digest all this and give my 2 cents. Just wanted to share that with you party people.
A couple of days ago, I proclaimed it to be EPMD day here at Canhead. I didn't go overboard with the links but I did forget to put one major link. The Hit Squad is back on the road, doing it for the real hip-hop heads. So are Nervous Records.
The one time home of underground NY hip-hop, the company is back in action, ready to make history again with the new crop of hungry emcees. (Hey Mr. Weiss, don't forget about the house music!)
Check the link for more on the story.
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
It's a club banger!
You got to love how hip hop is dominating the entire music industry right now. Sure R&B has some input too, but since R&B is basically hip-hop now, it all adds up to love.All the Grammy talk these days ends up focusing on hip-hop.
I caught the “Charlie Rose Show” last night. His guests were Kanye West , Mimi Valdes, Jon Pareles and Doug Bord. I had to re-hook the television outs to the mixer and missed the Kanye interview, but I did manage to record this roundtable discussion. Quote of the day: “Club banger? What’s a club banger?”
All in all, good show. Check the link for the 2nd part of the interview which has the round table discussion and the quote of the day.
http://s35.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=0F841LL3MWMAM0V756PBDO0KCF
You should have heard the Kanye interview; I will try to catch it if they replay it. Among other things, Kanye admits to never shooting a gun in his life, and that he does in his songs because he thought it made him sound cool.
He also refers to “Jesus Walks” as a subliminal trick, referring to the second line that goes like to radio programmers radio who say you can rap about anything other than Jesus and how that was planned to make radio programmers play the song. I’m sure this interview will fan the flames of the ghostwriting debate. He goes on to say “I put a lot of punch lines in songs, to gets your attention, like in “Jesus Walks” and “I used to sit there and umm come up with lines to help people out.”
WMHT Monday night 11:30pm/Tues. 1:30pm
Monday, February 07, 2005
Stereo Synthesis Selections
The Grammy's are coming! And guess who's going?
It Never Rains (or snows) in Southern California—they tell me—
I’m going. ..going…back…back…to Cali..Cali…
California….knows how to party….(repeat once)
Ok, let me not hype this up more than necessary because nothing is etched in stone yet, but it looks like it's a G-O for your boy. One of my patnas from waaaaaaaaaayy back lives in "L.A. L.A. big city of dreams" and has been telling me to get my lazy azz out there for a long while now. He has a business proposition for me.
Without putting "my business in the street" (like I haven't done that before), I'll just say that this sounds like a pretty good idea. Plus he might be able to scoop up a couple of tickets to the big show next Sunday night. I'd go just for the vacation, but the chance to catch up with an old friend, talk business, and star gaze at the Grammy's is just too much for me to pass up. If we don't get in the Grammy's, f’ it. You know how the after parties are. Mind you, I don't really care much for the Grammy's. But it's LA. Do I need an excuse to go to LA?
I'll keep you posted.
-----------------------------------------
News
~A moment of silence for the passing of a great man
~Another moment of silence of the passing of an American Institution.
~Say What? ~
"Yao Ming" -Use it instead of yanowImean? (Hashim is the first one I heard say it)
ex. CanheadRecords.blogspot.com is the sh!t, yaoming?"
~~Triple Play~~
"Carnival Town"-Norah Jones
"Another Star"-Stevie Wonder
"Harder, Better, Faster, Strong"-Daft Punk
~MP3 Review~
"Dance Monkey" Sage Francis
This is a busy next level track from Mr. Francis. The album is out now. I'm trying to get a copy to review for ya.(vinyl please Hilary...one copy is fine but Q really needs 2) Make sure you check him out when he comes through your town. It looks like the enitre label is hitting the road this month so try and catch a show. This track "Dance Monkey" is pretty ill. Fans of his should not be disappointed, but he might get a few new heads with beats like this one. I'll let you kow when I hear the CD but click that MP3 up there and tell them I sent you.
Late Record Review
The Game-The Documentary CD
I didn’t want to review this at first. Only because every fool and their momma has something to say about duke. But I gotta speak my peace. This is a tight CD. Yeah, it’s not the classic that they are hyping it to be, but on the other hand, it is one of the hottest albums out in 2004 (that’s right, it deserves to be in the 2004 list, since we all heard half of the album online a little after Jive Turkey Day.) Game has a nice flow, but it could be a little tighter at times. I know many of you, haters and non-haters alike, will try to blast my opinion on this matter. But I am one of those who will give a emcee a pass if he has a decent flow and is just getting in the game. No unnecessary hate from El Q (not when I’m going…going..back..back..to Cali..Cali in a week)
First off, the intro is aiight. I am one of the few who like album skits. (Remember Pun’s MacinthebackoftheAc ? Hell even Pharcyde did it up with “Quins’ on his way” only to get the whole idea jacked and crunked up by Lil Jon and the Eastside Boyz on “Weed Man”) This one is quick. The bangers are "Church For Thugs", “Higher”, “No More Fun and Games”, "Start From Scratch" w/ Marsha of Floetry, “Hate It Or Love It” w/ 50 and “Running” w/ Tony Yaro (Hi Tek)and the radio cuts. The thing that kills this CD is the collabos. “We Aint” and “Like Father, Like Son” would have been totally off the meter if it wasn’t for Slim and Mr. Rah Rah Rhymes. “Don’t Need Your Love” w/ Faith is typical radio shhh, but this joint does nothing for me. "Don't Worry" w/ Mary is cool but still feels kind of off point, yaoming?
Regardless, Game does stand out from the rest of the Aftermath crew. I wasn't on point in FYE and picked up the CD without the DVD. So now I have to go buy that joint again. (Look on my sales on E-Bay, I’ll dump off the CD only copy for mad cheap) The CD flows pretty smooth for the most part, with only a few fast forward joints. Cop that.
Heres a few links on the kid.
The Game aims to revive West Coast rap
Rapper the Game Is Player of the Week
BIG DAVE MIXTAPE-NIGGAS FOR LIFE-EAZY E & GAME
Aftermath site
~~Mixtape Review
DJ Kay Slay-“2005 Live” Hosted by Papoose and Jim Jones.
Tight! Kay Slay does his thing as Jim Jones and Papoose hold him down. Papoose is a problem, check out that crazy freestyle on Track 17. “Terrorizing everything!” Jim Jones reps Dip Set and flips sh!t on with Papoose on the first freestyle. Cd also has new heat from Geto Boys, Game, 50, Remy Ma, JR Writer, freestyles from Canibus, Hell Rell and Styles P.. “2005 Live” also has that joint by Juelz “Ya’ll Done Fucked Up” and “The Whole Hood” by Bun B. Kay Slay brings lots of fire as usual.
Sports:
Don't cry kid. Deep down we all knew the outcome.Come on, Stevie saw NE taking Philly last night. I can't talk sh!t about it because I HAD TO WORK LAST NIGHT! Its a small thing really. You know, the whole LA thing this weekend..... So I didn't see a thing. But I knew it. I told you.
Yo E, you lucky I didnt bet you last night. I would not have let you off the hook with a little 5 dollar bet either.(Dude wanted to bet against me and Frat that TO would score a touchdown. Easy money.)
So that's that. It's over. Let the Madden tournaments begin!
PS-Un4tuneknitlee, I am da king of typos, so if yo see 1...holla.
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