Opinion
Click, Print, Gun: The Inside Story Of The 3D-Printed Gun Movement (Video)
September 23, 2013
Cody R. Wilson is a 25-year-old University of Texas law student working to build semiautomatic weapons using 3D printers. VICE recently produced the above video profile of Wilson, his efforts to 3D-print guns, and his views on fighting gun control.
“Whatever your thoughts on gun control, it’s impossible to deny that the 3D-printed gun movement is something that doesn’t fit into the current legal framework. It’s either exciting or scary–or perhaps both–and that polarity is something Wilson recognizes, and which he knows how to bend to his advantage.”
– VICE
READ: CLICK, PRINT, GUN (FULL ‘VICE-MOTHERBOARD’ ARTICLE)
Posted in Human Interest, Opinion, Politics, Videos | 
Tags: 3D-Printed Gun, Click, Gun, Gun Control, Print, The Inside Story Of The 3D-Printed Gun Movement | 
1 Comment »
Jalen Rose Speaks The Truth On College Recruiting (Video)
September 17, 2013
FINALLY! Someone who knows speaks on it! Everybody’s coming down on recruitment programs at colleges like Oklahoma State University as though no other Division I school does the exact same thing. Watch as Jalen Rose gives you the real deal on what goes down during college athletic recruiting visits. As a member of Michigan’s famed ‘Fab Five’ who went on to play in the NBA… let’s just say Rose knows.
DJ Mister Cee Opens Up About His Sexuality In New Public Service Announcement (Video)
September 17, 2013
The controversy surrounding famed NY radio host DJ Mister Cee had less to do with his sexuality than it did with him lying to himself, his family, & his fans. I believe most people will accept you for who you are if you are just honest about it, but you can’t expect the media & fans to leave you alone when you’re a very public figure who has been arrested repeatedly for soliciting male prostitutes in the news. The most powerful thing DJ Mister Cee has done up to this point is this new public service announcement encouraging people to get tested. There are many women who become at risk because guys like DJ Mister Cee choose not to be honest with their significant others in their lives. Many of us understand his reasons for not being forthcoming, but there are literally thousands of people contracting STD’s simply because their partners weren’t honest about their behavior.  At least now we can applaud DJ Mister Cee for being honest with his friends, fans, & supporters & for making the right moves to help save lives & bring about more awareness. FREESTDCHECK.ORG
Young, married women are the fastest-growing group of #HIV positive people http://t.co/vrfgjHbBF4 via @USAIDGH @CherrellRene
— Jay Force (@jayforce) September 16, 2013
Comedy: Members Of U.S. Congress ‘Representing’ In Egypt (Video)
September 17, 2013
VOTE DAMMIT! Okay… no this is not going to turn into a PSA by @ojones1 (this time). This Daily Show with Jon Stewart clip is a comedy post (but watching ELECTED members of our U.S. Congress “represent” us could send me off on a rant). What’s really funniest though is the portion BEFORE the comedians (Samantha Bee, David Cross, Bob Odenkirk) come in. Just watch…
– @ojones1
Posted in Comedy, News, Opinion, Politics, Television, Videos | Tags: Bob Odenkirk, David Cross, Jon Stewart, Louie Gohmert, Michele Bachmann, Samantha Bee, Sketch, Skit, Steve King, The Daily Show, The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | No Comments »
The Full Questlove Interview With ‘Democracy Now’ – An Hour Of Politics, Hip-Hop and More (Video)
September 9, 2013
Remember the clip we posted of Questlove (of The Roots) speaking with Democracy Now? That was just a piece of a hour-long conversation covering his book, The Roots’ beef with Notorious B.I.G., Hip-Hop history and MUCH more. We have that for you to view above.
EARLIER POST: QUESTLOVE SPEAKS ON HIP-HOP’S 40TH BIRTHDAY…
Posted in Book, Hip-Hop, History, Opinion, Politics, Videos | Tags: ?uestlove, Democracy Now, Questlove | No Comments »
Politics: Secret Spy Courts, Secret Decisions and You (Video)
September 6, 2013
Why is it important to vote? Because of the heroism of Civil Rights Activists like Representative John Lewis… because celebs say you should… because of the bad things that might happen if you don’t? That last one is closer; except the word to use is not “might.” See, among other things, the U.S. President nominates Supreme Court Judges to replace those who are done serving. Those appointments are for life. Remember President George W. Bush? Well, you should remember his nominee/appointee, Chief Justice John Roberts. He’s the guy in charge of the U.S. government’s secret Spy Court, established by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) of 1978.
‘The FISA court that handles government spying is a secretive institution that is made up of judges hand-picked by Supreme Court Justice John Roberts?’
– TheLipTV Channel
I originally read the U.S. Spy Court in Businessweek recently. But Buzzsaw’s Tyrel Ventura (yeah, son of Former Governor and Pro Wrestler Jesse ‘The Body’ Ventura) and Tabetha Wallace offer a harder slant that relates my downside posit; as if I even have to say anything…
But I will… get informed and VOTE, DAMMIT! Vote in EVERY election federal (presidential, congressional) AND state/local elections (and fight ALEC)!! The people who take office and the policies they push affect your lives!!
THE SECRET FISA COURT RULES ON WHO THE U.S. SPYS ON…
…AND ONE JUDGE APPOINTS ALL THE JUDGES WITHOUT ANYONE ELSE’S CONFIRMATION…
…AND WE ELECT THE PERSON WHO APPOINTS THAT JUDGE!
HELL, WE ELECT CONGRESSMEN WHO MAKE LAWS THAT ESTABLISH ‘SECRET COURTS’ IN THE FIRST DAMN PLACE!
VOTE, DAMMIT!
(Alright… I’m off it… breathing… I’m off it. Just saying.)
– @ojones1
VICE: Chicago’s Gang Problem & The Inequitable Sharing Of Nigeria’s Oil Resources (Video)
August 28, 2013
YES! Damn smart move by VICE: posting its HBO shows online for their fans who don’t have premium cable.
“Don’t nobody wanna talk no more. It’s so easy to get a gun out here. Everybody wanna shoot it out.”
Wow. Remember how we posted on ‘Chi raq’ (Chicago being a war zone akin to Iraq)? Well, VICE addresses that in this episode’s first half. For the last half, VICE documents Nigeria’s oil industry – oil theft, financial and social costs, and more.
Posted in Cover Story, Human Interest, Opinion, Politics, Television, Videos | Tags: Chi Raq, Chiraq, Gang Violence, Gangs, Gun Violence, HBO, Nigeria, Oil Industry, VICE, VICE on HBO | No Comments »
California Cleared To Start Force-Feeding Inmates On Hunger Strike (Video)
August 27, 2013
You’d think once folks saw the atrocity that is force-feeding of inmates on hunger strike they’d stop the practice, right? But you probably guessed that officials would do just the opposite. But that was just at Gitmo – a military prison in Cuba. The United States would NEVER allow such to happen on its soil… right? Right…? WRONG! A California judge just cleared the way for force feeding of the state inmates on hunger strike given ‘certain conditions.’
‘US District Judge Thelton Henderson is allowing prison doctors in California to force-feed inmates who are participating in a hunger strike. According to the ruling, if a prisoner is near death then a doctor is allowed to step in and intervene in the matter. As of now, 136 inmates are protesting living conditions and policies in place at facilities in the Golden State.’
Sorry, Yasiin. It doesn’t seem that publicity surrounding your courageous effort was enough to change the hardliners’ hearts and minds. We posted the gruesome Yasiin Bey force-feeding demo on here a while back.
– @ojones1
Posted in Cover Story, Human Interest, Opinion, Politics, Television, Videos | Tags: California, Force Feeding, Force Feeding Procedure, Hunger strike, inmate, Prison | No Comments »
Lebron James Names His Top 4 NBA Players Of All-Time (Video)
August 23, 2013
Ah! The Force is strong with this one. Lebron James actually demonstrates the type of skill on the mic during interviews that one might expect of someone who is already a color commentator at courtside… or in the TV studio. Watch King James go through an “appropriate struggle” in naming his Top 4 NBA players of all time. Most noteworthy is who he left off the list. Hmmm…
Nas Talks Hip-Hop’s Presence In Fashion & Culture and Gives His Response To Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Control’ Verse (Video)
August 21, 2013
Check out Nas’ response to Kendrick Lamar…
‘My response is “Wow, I love Hip-Hop right now.’
Miss Info, as an adept interviewer, tries to pull more from Nasir on the current “Control” verse controversy. But Nas is appropriately terse. Answers on that topic, and Hip-Hop’s influence and place in fashion and culture, were pointed and polite. You get the feeling that, toward the end of the clip, Nas is more ready to party than to answer more questions. Let’s go, Miss Info!
Posted in EVENTS, Fashion, Hip-Hop, Lifestyle, Opinion, Radio, Videos | Tags: Control, Control Verse, Kendrick Lamar, Miss Info, Nas, Nas talks with Miss Info about Kendrick Lamars control verse | No Comments »
Comedy: The Daily Show’s Take On NYC’s ‘Stop & Frisk’ Issue (Video)
August 21, 2013
Who said hot women aren’t funny? Well, don’t say that anymore. Jessica Williams is hot… and hilarious in her skit on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show. The Show is currently being anchored by John Oliver while regular host Jon Stewart is on break working on his movie. This ‘Frisky Business’ segment comes to us from ‘Wall Street’ (aka ‘Business Harlem’), as Jessica gives hardline on-site commentary about the need for MORE stop-and-frisk in this crime-ridden area. Boom!
Posted in Comedy, Opinion, Politics, Television, Videos | Tags: Jessica Williams, John Oliver, Jon Stewart, New York, NYC, Stop & Frisk, Stop-and-Frisk, The Daily Show | No Comments »
Business: How Worker-Owned Companies Operate (Video)
August 20, 2013
I was speaking with a friend who is also an Oakland Raiders fan like myself. The Raiders have major financial obstacles in their attempts to get a new stadium built in Oakland or anywhere else in Northern California. The Oakland Raiders have also recently been ranked by Forbes magazine as the least valuable NFL franchise despite having a huge global fanbase. The Raiders have one of lowest amount of operating dollars of all the 32 teams in the NFL. Fans may not be able to help the stadium situation, but they can definitely change the value of the team. I have said on numerous occasions it would be great if the Raiders adopted a similar ownership system like the Green Bay Packers in which the fans of the team can become shareholders. The Green Bay Packers are the only NFL franchise that operates in this manner. Current NFL rules require an owner to have no less than a 30% majority share of the team. I feel this could work for the Raiders if owner Mark Davis offered a 49% or less share to the fans. Our discussion then turned to the corporate aspect of worker owned companies. Ironically I ran across this interesting short documentary on the topic while surfing the web that goes to further illustrate the point that collective ownership is the key to win in many instances.
READ MORE ABOUT HOW WORKER OWNED COMPANIES OPERATE AT MOYERS & COMPANY
Posted in Business, Cover Story, Human Interest, Opinion, Opportunity, Sports | Tags: Green Bay Packers, How Worker-Owned Companies Operate, NFL, Oakland Raiders, Ownership, Raiders | 1 Comment »
Questlove Speaks On Hip Hop’s 40th Birthday, ‘Stop & Frisk’, the Zimmerman Verdict, and His Experience With Racial Profiling (Video)
August 15, 2013
Amir “Questlove” Thompson is on video talking about all kinds of stuff for a hour… that ought to be enough, knowing that The Roots co-founder is an insightful societal and music industry commentator.
Questlove talks with DemocracyNow.org about his musical upbringing, stop and frisk, Hip-Hop’s 40th, his book “Mo’ Meta Blues” … and there’s more. Got a clip above. More video footage after the jump below….
Posted in Book, Hip-Hop, History, Human Interest, Opinion, Politics, Videos | Tags: ?uestlove, Amir "Questlove" Thompson, Amir Thompson, DemocracyNow, Questlove | No Comments »
9th Wonder & Young Guru Debate Kendrick’s “Control” Verse (Video)
August 15, 2013
Wooo! 9th Wonder said ‘Kendrick Hall-of-Famed’ them in his verse on Big Sean’s joint we posted, “Control.” Later in their discourse, Young Guru declared that the rhyme will make emcees go to their people and ask, ‘Is this tight enough?’ BEFORE putting rhymes out …like they should always be doing anyway! Watch the clip above. Engaging conversation between two of today’s Hip-Hop heavyweights.
When answering the question, ‘How historical is an emcee’s verse?’ …the way to answer is plain and simple: Who does it get talking?
9th Wonder and Young Guru speaking on it… Score for Kendrick Lamar!
‘…came at y’all n!ggas on the sh!t that y’all complaining hasn’t been in the game… This is LYRICS! What he shot at you was LYRICS!’
– Young Guru
Posted in Hip-Hop, Lifestyle, Opinion, Producers, Videos | Tags: 9th Wonder, Control, Debate, Kendrick Lamar, NODFACTOR, Young Guru | 3 Comments »
Inmates and Prison Officials Agree: “The House I Live In” Documentary Exposes The Failures of The U.S. War On Drugs Policy (Video)
August 15, 2013
HEADLINE: Inmates and Prison Guards AGREE on Failures of the Drug War!
Above is a behind-the-scenes teaser for a screening for Eugene Jarecki’s documentary “The House I Live In.” The venue: Joseph Harp Correctional Center (Lexington, Oklahoma, USA). Making a documentary at a jail… sure. But viewing it there, that’s different. But you know drug enforcement policy is more than a bit *messed* up if the C.O.’s and the prisoners can agree that it is!
See clips from the film (executive producers: Brad Pitt, John Legend, Russell Simmons and Danny Glover) after the jump. VERY interesting…
DOCUMENTARY: THE HOUSE I LIVE IN (ITUNES)
TWITTER: @DRUGWARMOVIE
FACEBOOK: DRUG WAR MOVIE
Posted in Cover Story, Film, History, Human Interest, Opinion, Politics, Videos | Tags: Brad Pitt, Danny Glover, Eugene Jarecki, Find Agreement, Inmates & Prison Guards Watch A Documentary On The Failed War On Drugs Together, JOHN LEGEND, Russell Simmons, screens for inmates and prison staff in Oklahoma, The House I Live In | 1 Comment »
Murs Speaks On How The Hip Hop Industry Needs To Grow Up (Video)
August 8, 2013
My nephew Cezanne is fan of Vans & we ran across this interview of Murs. In this interview, Murs discusses his career & the problem between the Hip-Hop & the rap music industry. One of the key things Murs mentions is how the hip hop music “industry” needs to grow up. Can’t say I don’t disagree.
Dice Raw Documentary: “Jimmies Back” (Video)
August 2, 2013
“The war on drugs is not a war on drugs. It’s a war on thugs.”
Words from Dice Raw, who is providing some of the ‘thug combatants’ from his hometown (Philly) a tool and a platform with and from which they can counterattack – a LP and documentary. Shout to OK Player for bringing this important work from this down-for-the-cause artist to light. Check out the documentary short above and how you can get involved. Check out the wisdom from OKP, too:
1. Stay out of prison – Crime never pays–and street life will eventually catch up with you.
Posted in Book, Film, Hip-Hop, Human Interest, Opinion, Politics, Videos | Tags: Dice Raw Documentary, Jimmies Back, Jimmy's Back | 1 Comment »
MSNBC: Cord Jefferson Discusses The White Culture Of Violence (Video)
August 1, 2013
Above: Gawker’s West Coast Editor Cord Jefferson with scathing commentary on this clip of an episode of All In With Chris Hayes. Cord spoke with host Hayes about his controversial essay, the roots of White violence, and his deep ties to the White community.
‘The story of White criminal culture is not a story the mainstream media will tell you. Though once you scratch the surface, the stories are everywhere you look.’
You gotta watch!
Professor Noel Sharkey Speaks On the Advances and Ethics of Unmanned Drone Technology (Video)
July 29, 2013
Noel Sharkey, PhD is a noteworthy in the fields of psychology, cognitive science, artificial intelligence, computer science, engineering and robotics. Best known to the public as a robot expert, his current research passion is on the ethics of robot applications including care, policing, military, crime, sex, transport and medicine.
In his TED talk (above), Sharkey speaks on his lifelong love of robotics. And he brings up the ethics and realities modern society faces in deploying automated/remotely-controlled combat robots (e.g. drones) that allow us to kill from a distance; enabling so-called bloodless wars. But are “bloodless wars” really bloodless? Not for everybody; especially not for the folks who are ultimately killed by unmanned drones! What about when the “drone arms race” gets underway… and we have robot armies fighting each other? Anyone else see a HUGE risk for “collateral damage” and loss of innocent life (more so than already)?
What happens when we start using drones for civilian applications? Sharkey has predicted that – like drones programmed to make life/death decisions on the battlefield autonomously – in peacetime, drones could be carrying out tasks that include asking for ID… even tasering and arresting suspects, as well as crowd control, with no human say-so required. But do we really want that?
Spike Lee Speaks On His New Kickstarter Project, Gentrification In Brooklyn, & School Daze 2 (Video)
July 27, 2013
Got three clips’ worth of good watching on vanguard filmmaker Spike Lee. In the first clip, above, Vibe interviews Spike on the challenges of fundraising for filmmaking via his Kickstarter campaign for his next film and the criticism it will bring. Innovative approach though: Spike invites all levels of participation (from even 5 bucks to those that can chip in $10,000)… and offers some interesting prizes can win (including signed Nikes, dinner with Spike and courtside seats at a Knicks game).
See two more clips after the jump: on his views regarding gentrification of his hood and on revisiting a classic.
Posted in Film, Hip-Hop, History, Human Interest, Opinion, Politics, Videos | Tags: Brooklyn, Gentrification, Kickstarter, School Daze 2, Spike Lee | 1 Comment »
