Pop Culture Moments by Mo: Obama shakes off O’Reilly and Glen Beck

Originally posted here: http://theundergroundsite.com/index.php/2009/08/pop-culture-moments-by-mo-obama-shakes-off-oreilly-and-glen-beck/

    Pop Culture Moments by Mo: Obama shakes off O’Reilly and Glen Beck

    Posted: 14 Aug 2009 04:34 PM PDT


    obama_shakes-off_beck-and_oPresident Obama has been under a lot of pressure from vociferous right-wing pundits including Glen Beck and Bill O’Reilly. Beck even lost advertisers after calling Obama a racist.


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    Like Rock Band? Don’t bother with latest Christian version, JAMband

    Originally posted here:
    http://theundergroundsite.com/index.php/2009/08/like-rock-band-dont-bother-with-latest-christian-version-jamband/




      Like Rock Band? Don’t bother with latest Christian version, JAMband

      Posted: 14 Aug 2009 05:58 PM PDT


      I know that after some people see the commercials for JAMBand, Cloud 9’s upcoming video game release, they are going to run out and buy it.

      I imagine the commercial will go something like this:

      Announcer: Does seeing your heathen friends rock out to songs on Rock Band by Jimi Hendrix and Tokio Hotel make you upset?

      Kids: Yeah!

      Announcer: Don’t fear, a Christian replacement will soon be here. It’s called JAMband.

      Kids: JAMband? Cool. Mom, can we get it? Please???!!!!

      Okay, maybe the commercial will be a little different, but the underlying message will be the same: “Attention all Christians, we have “Christianized” Rock Band, so you should go out and buy it.

      Kind of ridiculous, don’t you think?

      First of all, we’ve been there and done that with Guitar Praise, the Christian clone of Guitar Hero.

      Why are Christians always coming out with Christian methadone—a substitute for something that world has?

      From the clip I saw of JAMband on the Cloud 9 Games Web site, it looks identical to Guitar Hero or Rock Band–faux instruments, rainbow frets and all.

      The only differences that I see are that the game is only available for the PC and it features the usual lineup of Christian rock stars — Toby Mac, Audio Adrenaline, Rebecca St. James, Chris Tomlin.

      Yep, this game features the same old songs by the same old people.

      Since Rock Band is all about “rocking out in a band.” Wouldn’t some old school Larry Norman, Petra or even some U2 have been more appropriate for JAMband?

      Then there’s the game’s setup.

      I don’t know about everyone else, but playing a Rock Band clone on my PC is not going to work for me.

      I know some people keep their computers in their living rooms, but I’m not wheeling mine out of my office just to play along to Christian rock standards.

      Even the name of the game itself is problematic. MTV Games is also coming out with a game for Guitar Hero around Christmastime called Jam Band.

      It may be a coincidence, but it draws attention to the heart of the matter: Christians need to stop trying to be like the world.

      If the developers and programmers at Cloud 9 really wanted to, I’m sure they couldn’t have come up with something so excellent that it would have eclipsed that which is in the world—Rock Band.

      But as it stands now, JAMband is “just alright.” It’s at the level of mediocrity to which we Christians have become accustomed.

      Since it’s “just alright,” I’m just going to leave it at the store and wait for some Christian to come out with something better.

      For more information:

      From a Cloud 9 press release: JAMband is software designed for Windows personal computers with Windows 7, Vista or XP. With an MSRP of only $49.95, JAMband provides a positive and entertaining alternative to some of the mainstream video games with disturbing content, so parents can relax while their kids have a blast. JAMband will hit the stores August 25th, and pre-buys are currently available at selected Christian retail stores. North American retailers can contact EMI CMG Distribution at 1-800-877-4443. For international sales, please contact Cloud 9 Games, Inc. directly at Info@cloud9games.com.



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      Harvey Milk, Mary Robinson most controversial of medal of freedom recipients

      Originally posted here: http://theundergroundsite.com/index.php/2009/08/harvey-milk-mary-robinson-most-controversial-of-medal-of-freedom-recipients/

      Harvey Milk, Mary Robinson most controversial of medal of freedom recipients

      Posted: 13 Aug 2009 02:42 PM PDT


      Yesterday, President Obama awarded the nation’s highest civilian award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to late gay rights advocate Harvey Milk. Harvey_Milk_at_1978_Gay_Freedom_Day

      "His name was Harvey Milk, and he was here to recruit us – all of us – to join a movement and change a nation," Obama said during of Milk during the presentation.

      “In the brief time in which he spoke – and ran and led – his voice stirred the aspirations of millions of people. His message of hope – hope unashamed, hope unafraid – could not ever be silenced.”

      Milk’s selection as a medal of freedom recipient comes on the heels of mounting criticism from gay rights organizations, who say that Obama has failed to fulfill campaign promises such as the repealing of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” policy.

      Critics, such as Randy Thomasson, president of SaveCalifornia.com, said that Milk didn’t deserve the award because he was a sex addict "who did dishonorable deeds and does not deserve a medal or a statewide ‘day of significance.”

      Another controversial medal recipient was former Irish President Mary Robinson.

      Pro-Israel groups, such as the AIPAC and the Anti-Defamation League, criticized Obama for choosing Robinson because of her failure to halt expressions of anti-Semitic hatred during the 2001 Durban conference over which she acted as the United Nations high commissioner of human rights.

      In addition to Milk and Robinson, other honorees included physicist Stephen Hawking, Sen. Ted Kennedy, retired civil rights leader Rev. Joseph Lowery, Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, Chita Rivera and Sidney Poitier, geneticist Dr. Janet Rowley, economist and micro financier Mohammed Yunus, Dr. Pedro Jose Greer, Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow, South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Komen Foundation founder Nancy Brinker and former Tennis pro Billie Jean King.

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      Showdown at the Creation Museum

      Originally posted here: http://theundergroundsite.com/index.php/2009/08/showdown-at-the-creation-museum/

        Showdown at the Creation Museum

        Posted: 13 Aug 2009 03:45 PM PDT


        On Friday more than 280 atheists and agnostics converged on the Creation Museum in Petersburg, KY.

        creation museum adam and eve

        creation museum adam and eve

        The Creation Museum is a museum dedicated to the Biblical creationism, and is an arm of Christian apologetics ministry Answers in Genesis.

        The purpose of the trip according to the Secular Student Alliance, a network of more than 145 student groups atheist and agnostic student groups, was to explore “a worldview with which they largely disagree,” not to cause a disturbance or disrupt the museum’s usual operation.

        “It should be great fun. I’ve got a long list of questions to ask,” said PZ Myers before going on the trip. “I’m going to have to prune it down a lot.”

        When the 285-strong SSA arrived at the Creation Museum, they were indeed well-behaved though some members of the group mocked several of the museum’s displays and astrophysicist Dr. Jason Lisle’s lecture at the museum.

        “We frequently come across blog comments from atheists and agnostics who visit the museum with

        their minds already made up and prepared to mock,” said Creation Museum co-founder and chief communications officer Mark Looy.

        “But we note that they scoff at anyone who believes in a god, whether that person accepts the historicity of the Bible or not,” he said.

        “These are people who would probably not even think about attending church, and here, they got the Gospel message. We are grateful for the opportunity to share with them.”

        Harvey Milk, Mary Robinson most controversial of medal of freedom recipients

        Posted: 13 Aug 2009 02:42 PM PDT


        Yesterday, President Obama awarded the nation’s highest civilian award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to late gay rights advocate Harvey Milk. Harvey_Milk_at_1978_Gay_Freedom_Day

        "His name was Harvey Milk, and he was here to recruit us – all of us – to join a movement and change a nation," Obama said during of Milk during the presentation.

        “In the brief time in which he spoke – and ran and led – his voice stirred the aspirations of millions of people. His message of hope – hope unashamed, hope unafraid – could not ever be silenced.”

        Milk’s selection as a medal of freedom recipient comes on the heels of mounting criticism from gay rights organizations, who say that Obama has failed to fulfill campaign promises such as the repealing of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” policy.

        Critics, such as Randy Thomasson, president of SaveCalifornia.com, said that Milk didn’t deserve the award because he was a sex addict "who did dishonorable deeds and does not deserve a medal or a statewide ‘day of significance.”

        Another controversial medal recipient was former Irish President Mary Robinson.

        Pro-Israel groups, such as the AIPAC and the Anti-Defamation League, criticized Obama for choosing Robinson because of her failure to halt expressions of anti-Semitic hatred during the 2001 Durban conference over which she acted as the United Nations high commissioner of human rights.

        In addition to Milk and Robinson, other honorees included physicist Stephen Hawking, Sen. Ted Kennedy, retired civil rights leader Rev. Joseph Lowery, Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, Chita Rivera and Sidney Poitier, geneticist Dr. Janet Rowley, economist and micro financier Mohammed Yunus, Dr. Pedro Jose Greer, Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow, South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Komen Foundation founder Nancy Brinker and former Tennis pro Billie Jean King.

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        Rock the Universe, RevGen among last chances for Christian music festivals

        Originally posted at: http://theundergroundsite.com/index.php/2009/08/rock-the-universe-revgen-among-last-chances-for-christian-music-festivals/


          Rock the Universe, RevGen among last chances for Christian music festivals

          Posted: 13 Aug 2009 04:04 PM PDT



          Crowd rocks out at RevGen 2008 (Image courtesy of RevGen).

          Summer is great. It’s a time for festivals, family and fun.

          Now that it’s almost over, you’ve probably had your fill of family, but if you haven’t gotten your fill of festivals and fun, consider these upcoming festivals.


          Rock the Universe 2009

          Orlando will become a Christian music mecca on Sept. 11 and 12 as Rock the Universe 2009 takes place at Universal Studios.
          Tickets are on sale now for the two-day event and include live performances by 14 of the biggest names in Christian music including Switchfoot, Jeremy Camp and The Afters.

          Guest speakers include Donny Robinson, Mark Stuart of Audio Adrenaline and Barlow Girl.
          Those who purchase “Rock your Weekend” tickets will also have access to bonus concerts on Sept. 13.
          Tickets start at $49.99 and include admission to Universal Studios.

          Lineup:

          Sept. 11

          Switchfoot, David Crowder Band, Jeremy Camp, Pillar, Fireflight, Remedy Drive,Seven Stories Up

          Sept. 12

          Third Day, Casting Crowns, tobyMac, Hawk Nelson, The Afters, Group 1 Crew, New Method

          Sept. 13
          Barlow Girl, Plumb, pureNRG, hip-hop band Group 1 Crew and Sidewalk Prophet

          For more information about Rock the Universe 2009, visit www.rocktheuniverse.com or call 1-866-RTU-INFO (1-866-788-4636).

          Revelation Generation
          Revelation Generation, the premier summer festival in the greater New York and greater Philadelphia area takes place Sept. 4 and 5.
          This year, the festival held at Revelation Farms in Hunterdon County, has teamed up organizations such as To Write Love On Her Arms (TWLOHA), the Drug Awareness Resistance Program (D.A.R.E.) to benefit the entire region.
          More than 25,000 people attended the multi-city event last year. Organizers expect even more attendees this year.
          In addition to musical acts, Revelation Generation will also feature guest speakers, children’s activities, games, extreme sports, incredible local food, a massive merchandise tent and state of the art sound and lighting.

          Lineup:

          NEW YORK STAGE – Pop and rock:

          Friday: Mercyme, Jars of Clay, Delirious, Matthew West

          Saturday: Switchfoot, Relient K, BarlowGirl, NeedToBreathe, The Fold, Seabird

          PHILADELPHIA STAGE – Alternative, metal, and underground bands:

          Friday: Underoath, Emery, Haste The Day, The Glorious Unseen

          Saturday: Flyleaf, The Devil Wears Prada, Norma Jean, August Burns Red, Fireflight, And Then There Were None, Before Their Eyes

          NASHVILLE STAGE – Some of the finest acoustic artists and groups influenced by the Music City:

          Saturday: Paul Colman, Jon Foreman, Bethany Dillon, Derek Webb

          COME AND LIVE STAGE – Up and coming bands in a quick, fast-paced environment:

          Saturday: Mychildren Mybride, Impending Doom, I Am Alpha And Omega, The Ember Days, Nothing More, Kronicles

          URBAN STAGE – Top talent from the hip-hop, R&B, and rap worlds:

          Saturday: Lecrae, Group 1 Crew, Trip Lee, RUNAWAY, Carmen Michelle, Bengie, Heesun Lee

          For more information, visit www.revgen.org.

          Also posted here:



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          Flickering Friends: A Far Cry from a Fast Fix



          Flickering Friends: A Far Cry from a Fast Fix

          Posted: 11 Aug 2009 10:04 AM PDT


          Watching more TV is not the answer to building healthy relationships in children, teens, or adults.

          Watching more TV is not the answer to building healthy relationships in children, teens, or adults.

          Parasocial Relationship Research Not What it Appears to Be

          These days you can’t go anywhere without seeing a television, an advertisement for a television program, or someone watching TV on their laptop or cell phone. We are very much a culture driven by our desire to be entertained and our need to be emotionally and relationally fulfilled. Unfortunately, it seems these areas are becoming increasingly merged together and all the more difficult to distinguish.

          Recent psychological research covered by Scientific American cites the latest attempt by scientists to alleviate symptoms of depression and loneliness in patients by promoting and increasing their regular television viewing. Many psychologists support their position by asserting that the parasocial relationships viewers often form with regular television show characters, particularly in reality TV programs, can be used to satiate relational needs altogether. In other words, there may be no need for real-world interpersonal interaction.

          Let’s face it. Everyone has their favorite TV programs. My own family of five is a diverse group made up of Trekkies, Outdoor Channel lovers, comedy fans, and romantics. While there is nothing wrong with television-viewing for entertainment purposes, wielding it as a “mental and emotional medicine” of sorts may be treading in dangerous waters. Besides the obvious dangers in social isolation, there are a slew of social, ethical, psychological, and even spiritual ramifications to be weighed and considered.

          Pastor Stan Givens of Northside Bible Church in Mobile, AL has been counseling and encouraging individuals struggling with depression and loneliness for more than twenty years. He recently voiced his perspective and thoughts on the issue:

          “If you get into a habit of letting television, or any kind of media, create a false sense of relationship and relational security and stability, you are deceiving yourself. People need to be in a healthy community. Whether it’s young people, children, young families, or adults, they need to be in a community full of people with diversity of relationships, so that they can learn relational skills through that community. They won’t learn relational skills by watching 22 minutes of a television show that’s meant to be entertaining and humorous.”

          Oftentimes Christians are guilty of elevating leading men and women of the Bible to places of lofty grandeur and supremacy. How quickly we forget that even the godliest of Scriptural saints struggled in many of the same areas we do. Perhaps there is no better example of a depression-laden, fear-filled, lonely man than the Bethlehem-born shepherd boy David. I know what you’re thinking: ‘Surely he isn’t referring to the Psalm-writing King of Israel, the ‘man after God’s own heart.’” Yes, the very same.

          Some of David’s darkest days are recorded in the book of 1 Samuel. Here we find him at rock bottom: he is jobless, homeless, wifeless, friendless, and to make matters worse, he is on the run. After his identity was revealed to his enemies the Philistines, David was forced to fake insanity and subtlety sneak out of the city of Gath (the hometown of a well-known giant named Goliath, by the way). Prior to these events, David had been living in the city of Gath and working for the king of Gath. Obviously, this behavior was not exactly becoming of a God-empowered leader and king. And out of his fear and depression, David chose to hide and ultimately isolate himself:

          “So David departed and escaped to the cave of Adullam…” 1 Samuel 22:1 (Amplified Bible)

          It would be here in this cave that God would reveal Himself to David in amazing ways, preparing him for the ultimate destiny that still lay ahead of him. But to do so, he had to send people into the cave; people for David to help and lead. To David, this would not have initially seemed like the answer to his life’s problems. He just wanted to be alone, remember? But David needed to be reminded of his gifts and passions and God knew it. He needed real, interpersonal relationships to pull him out of the deepest, darkest depression he had ever faced.

          Subconscious, parasocial relationships with television characters is certainly not the answer to the depression and loneliness issues faced by so many people the world over.

          “We already have a generation of young couples who prefer to spend more time chatting on the computer, rather than sitting in person and getting to know each other,” says Pastor Stan. “We also have a generation of young people who use the electronic world to keep them from having closer, interpersonal relationships. So, as long as the scientific community is promoting that, we are just making the problem much worse than it already is. We are going to end up with families that cannot last or stay together. We will see higher divorce rates, much more disturbed children, and parents who cannot even relate to their own families.”

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          Black, White & Gray All Over: A Conclusion


          Black, White & Gray All Over: A Conclusion

          Posted: 08 Aug 2009 08:00 AM PDT


          More than Skin Deep

          Few things in this life are what they appear to be. We live in a world of mind-bending camera tricks and bedazzling computer-generated realities. Many Hollywood professionals have built lifelong careers on the practice of cinematic trickery and mesmerizing “movie magic.” And, often times, people are not always who they appear to be. Dishonest and unethical car salesmen work to become masters at disguising a vehicle’s defects, often masking them with a superior exterior. Deceitful politicians sweep major issues under the rug, while working to present a crisp and sparkling public image. In this world where the line between right and wrong, good and bad, is becoming all the more undistinguishable, it is all the more imperative that God’s children practice healthy discernment in the gray areas of life and of Christianity.

          Our journey thus far has brought us through the intricacies of many such gray areas, while highlighting the critical need for Christians to refrain from senseless squabbling over these issues and to practice healthy spiritual eyesight. We will depart from the series with one final thought, a caution: be wary of and attentive to your judgment of fellow believers when traversing the meandering roads and slippery slopes of gray area territory. It is not our place to look down upon a believing Christian who attends a rated “R” movie. Or to speak badly about a fellow church member who drinks an occasional beer. Watch out for the manifestation of such thoughts, presumptions, and assumptions, keeping in mind that everyone has different convictions in life’s gray areas.

          Once again we find the words of the apostle Paul so relevant, this time in the book of Romans:

          “Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge the servant of another?…Why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written: ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me and every tongue shall give praise to God.’ So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.
          Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this – not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way.” Romans 14:1-4, 10-13 (NASU), emphases added

          It is widely noted by many Biblical commentators that there were several considerable misunderstandings between the Jewish and Gentile Christians in Rome, “relative to certain customs which were sacredly observed by the one and disregarded by the other.” (New Testament Commentary by Adam Clarke: British Methodist theologian, 1762-1832). Sound familiar? Feel familiar? Indeed, we have seen this before in regards to the historical controversies over eating idol meat. However, Paul’s charge and challenge continues to be one of exercising a genuine love and nonjudgmental heart towards our brothers and sisters in Christ, regardless of any such disagreements.

          Finally, Paul understands well that such convictions are spiritually personal, existing between the believer and God alone. How can we truly profess to know the intentions and motivations of another’s heart? Heaven forbid that we would ever instigate tension and strife within the body of Jesus Christ, His church, by exercising an ungrounded judgment.

          The call remains the same for believers today: walk in love, relate in love, and speak in love. Keep an eye on the judgmental thoughts of your heart, remembering that “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick. Who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9, NASU).

          “…God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7, NASU)

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          ‘Sin bins’ not the answer for Britons behaving badly



          ‘Sin bins’ not the answer for Britons behaving badly

          Posted: 06 Aug 2009 03:13 PM PDT


          For the past few years, some families in the UK have been living in “sin bins.”

          In sports, a sin bin is a penalty box, but in the UK, it’s sort of like a fishbowl.

          Through the Family Intervention Project, the British government subjected about 2,000 of its “worst” families to round-the-clock monitoring, making sure children in the union jackfamilies went to school on time, to sleep at decent hours and ate nutritious meals.

          Security guards carried out home checks, and parents with drug and alcohol problems received help to fight their addictions.

          The purpose of Family Intervention Projects, according to the British government is to quell to swell of anti-social behavior in Britain. The thought behind the program is that a stable home life leads to future societal stability.

          According to initial reports, the program has been successful thus far.

          Ed Balls, the UK’s Children’s Secretary even laid out a plan to integrate 20,000 more problem families into the program over the next two years at a cost of £5,000 to £20,000 per family.

          “This is pretty tough and non-negotiable support for families to get to the root of the problem,” said Balls.

          “There should be Family Intervention Projects in every local authority area because every area has families that need support.”

          Critics of the project, such as Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling say the project is too little too late, and try to blame the current ruling party for problems.

          “This government has been in power for more than a decade during which time anti-social behavior, family breakdown and problems like alcohol abuse and truancy have just got worse and worse.”

          However, I don’t think that’s being fair to the Labour Party.

          Societal ills can’t be pinned on one ruling party. I’m sure the same things went on when the Conservative Party was in charge.

          The real reason there has been a rise in truancy and delinquency in the UK is the moral breakdown of British society.

          Though most people settle into their beliefs as they age, they learn their core beliefs or morals from their parents.

          Usually that morality sticks with a person, unless there is a concerted effort to rid oneself of it.

          Where does morality come from?

          Depending on who you ask, morality can come from society via an unwritten social contract, be inherent in each person or it can come from that which is transcendent.

          In the UK’s case, as British society was influenced by Christianity until the 19th century, I think it’s okay to go with the latter.

          As in the United States, British society was so heavily influenced by Christian thought that Christianity ended up in the social conscience of the masses.

          Since the UK has rejected Christianity as the philosophy du jour, other often-competing worldviews are trying to fill the vacuum.

          At the same time, however, people are living with a hazy remembrance …a “shadow” of their former Christian-influenced morality.

          Since British people have rejected the basis for their morality, people are confused; they don’t really know how they should live.

          Confusion begets the breakdown of the family unit, which leads to hooliganism and anti-social behavior.

          The British government, seeing the end result of this confusion, has tried to pick up the pieces, which is laudable.

          However, instead of dealing with or even acknowledging the real root of the problem—the decline in morality– the government is planning to spend gobs of money on hand-holding.

          The problem with this is that it’ll never work.

          Unless people know why what they are doing is wrong, they’ll continue to do the wrong thing.

          Why should children go to bed on time? Why should they eat nutritious meals? Why is substance abuse wrong? Why is anti-social behavior wrong?

          If the British government, having taken on the role of supreme parent, is not answering these philosophical questions, it is really just telling its “children,” “Because I said so.”

          That never flies with children, and it’s not going to fly with this social experiment.

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          Homeless, poor among losers in “Cash for Clunkers” deal

          Originally posted here: http://theundergroundsite.com/index.php/2009/08/homeless-poor-among-losers-in-cash-for-clunkers-deal/

          Homeless, poor among losers in “Cash for Clunkers” deal

          Posted: 05 Aug 2009 01:18 PM PDT


          People are lining up for the “Cash for Clunkers” program.

          The Cash for Clunkers program offers vouchers of up to $4,500 to vehicle owners to trade in their old, gas-guzzling cars and trucks for newer, more fuel efficient vehicles.

          So many people have lined up that the program is running out of money and needs another $3 billion dollars to keep going strong.

          Though cash for clunkers seems like a good thing—and it is—stimulating and boosting the sales of the United States’ automotive industry, there are some down sides.

          The most obvious being the affect of the program on independent auto repair shops, used car lots and junk yards.

          As people trade in their clunkers, there won’t be an immediate need for non-warranty repairs, so that counts the mom and pop shops out.

          And if people can get a new car with government help, why buy a used one? 

          As people trade in old cars for new, car dealerships have to render the clunkers inoperable, often by using sodium silicate to lock up the engine.

          Neil Kopit, of Criswell Chevrolet in Gaithersburg, Md., told NPR that, even if they are used cars, it’s hard to get rid of your bread and butter.1156584_34104549

          "We sell [cars] for a living," he said. "It’s like shooting a horse; you don’t feel good about it, but sometimes that’s what’s got to be done."

          After the auto dealerships disable the cars, the junk yards get them.

          These places often have those hard to find parts that allow people to keep patching up their clunkers to get from A to B.

          But under Cash for Clunkers, the mandate to disable a clunker’s engine and transmission decreases the salvage value of a vehicle by as much as 60 percent, according to the Automotive Recyclers Association.

          Bruce Luther of Rock And Roll Auto Recycling in Pleasanton, Calif. told Jalopnik.com that “the current scrap value is $140 a ton, which means a two-ton vehicle is only worth $280 as scrap. Subtract out the estimated cost of $200 to detox the vehicle as required by law and the total value is only $80 per car if nothing can be sold on it.”

          Besides these obvious short-term losers in the Cash for Clunkers program, there’s another group that will lose out—the homeless.

          "One man’s clunker is another man’s coat" said Ron Marlette, executive director of Mission Solano.

          Mission Solano operates a charitable car lot on North Texas Blvd. in Fairfield, Calif.

          In exchange for tax write-offs, people donate their old vehicles to the organization. The mission then sells the cars to fund its homeless outreach.

          "It is too early to know how much we will be hurt by the Cash for Clunkers program, but we know we can’t compete with the government’s checkbook" said Marlette.

          "Our donations were already down due to the economy as people are driving their old cars longer or brokering a sale themselves. The Cash for Clunkers program could shut us down."

          In addition, Marlette pointed out that since the Cash for Clunkers requires that donated "clunkers" be destroyed, options for cash-strapped buyers looking for low-priced transportation will be lessened.

          "We often sell our cars to individuals who cannot afford anything else,” he said.

          “In some cases these are men and women who have been helped off the streets by the mission. Now they have a job and need cheap wheels to get there. They can’t buy a new car. What are they supposed to do?"

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          Pop Culture Moments by Mo: I regret listening to Sotomayor regret her comments

          Originally posted here: http://theundergroundsite.com/index.php/2009/08/pop-culture-moments-by-mo-i-regret-listening-to-sotomayor-regret-her-comments/

          Pop Culture Moments by Mo: I regret listening to Sotomayor regret her comments

          Posted: 05 Aug 2009 02:53 PM PDT


          sotomayor

           

          During her confirmation hearing, Judge Sonia Sotomayor didn’t do much in my opinion. I think that frustrated the senators at her confirmation. All she said repeatedly was that she regretted her comment that a Latina lady would’ve made a quicker decision than a white male justice. Because of that comment,to protect her slip of the tongue she just would say she wasn’t aware of certain state-laws that were proposed to her as examples to rule on by senators.

          From Reuters:

          Republicans are expected to vote overwhelmingly against Judge Sonia Sotomayor in the Supreme Court confirmation vote set for Thursday with an eye toward a potential next pick from President Barack Obama, according to party lawmakers and strategists.

          Republicans say the show of party unity will discourage Mr. Obama from choosing a more liberal candidate in future picks and that the arguments they developed against Judge Sotomayor set a precedent for rejecting what they see as "activist" judges.