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When You’re Strange

There are few bands that sell over a million albums a year nearly 40 years after they stopped making music. The Doors are among them, a band that cut only 6 studio albums and were together for less than a decade. With their controversial lead singer Jim Morrison, their unconventional music, and their unpredictable stage performances, The Doors sold more than 30 million albums in the US alone, and changed the face of rock n’ roll at a tumultuous time in American history. With Jim Morrison’s death in 1971 in Paris, the remaining trio of members, Ray Manzarek, Robbie Krieger and John Densmore continued playing as the Doors for a few years before closing the doors, so to speak. In 1991 film maker Oliver Stone directed a bio-pic about the band called simply …

“Expose yourself to your deepest fear; after that, fear has no power, and the fear of freedom shrinks and vanishes. You are free.” — Jim Morrison

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The leaders of the Group of 20 countries or G20 met in Toronto last week to adopt what they call austerity measures in response to the global financial crisis. Discussions focused around deficit reduction rather than relief for ordinary citizens. After intense lobbying by the financial sector, the governments meeting in Toronto postponed plans for tough banking regulations. G20 leaders also failed to tackle climate change issues. Meanwhile, Canadians and others from all over the world sent a message to G 20 leaders organizing, and demonstrating in the streets. Police presence was severe and more than 900 protesters were arrested. On June 25th thousands of activists gathered at Massey Hall in Toronto for a rousing event featuring music and speakers like Naomi Klein, Vandana Shiva, Maude Barlow, and our very own Amy Goodman. The event was …

“We must remember that one determined person can make a significant difference, and that a small group of determined people can change the course of history.” — Sonia Johnson

“A little knowledge that acts is worth infinitely more than much knowledge that is idle.” — Kahlil Gibran

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Noam Chomsky is an MIT professor of Linguistics and a harsh critic of American domestic and foreign policy. His wide-ranging criticisms have made him an enemy of the powerful, and a beloved intellectual for generations of progressives. In his eighties, he continues to travel extensively, lecture widely, and write prolifically. Chomsky’s latest book, Hope and Prospects, explores a range of issues including the financial bailouts, Iraq and Afghanistan, American-Israeli policies, and the growing gap between North and South. Chomsky not only offers readers keen insight into the most pressing issues of today, he also looks at current movements and political developments that give him hope for a better tomorrow. Recently KPFA programmer Sasha Lilley sat down with him to explore his personal philosophy and how it applies to his work. Sasha Lilley also spoke with …

Our weekly edition is a nationally syndicated one-hour digest of the best of our daily coverage.

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This week on Uprising:

* U.S. Ranks Dismally Low in New Health Care Study
* Black Agenda Report about Fascism and the “War on Terror”
* In and Out of Crisis: The Global Financial Meltdown and Left Alternatives
* The US Social Forum Brings Together Tens of Thousands of Organizers

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U.S. Ranks Dismally Low in New Health Care Study

The United States has once again ranked dead last overall in a recent comparative study of the health care systems of industrialized nations. Released Wednesday by the Commonwealth Fund, “Mirror, Mirror on the Wall” …

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A charter boat captain in Louisiana who shot himself to death yesterday is being considered the 12th human casualty of the BP oil spill in the Gulf. Fifty five year old William Allen Cruse was standing on the bridge of his boat when he aimed his gun at his own head after weeks of being distraught watching his 20 year charter boat business be destroyed by the spill. The Deepwater Horizon rig explosion killed 11 workers on April 20th of this year, followed by enough oil damage to earn the title of the ‘worst environmental disaster in US history.’ Cruse had been hired by BP to help with the clean up efforts two weeks ago. Meanwhile, yesterday one of the underwater robotic submarines deployed to clean up the spill knocked out a cap releasing hundreds …

“Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect.” — Chief Seattle, 1855

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Shop ‘Til You Drop

A recent Gallup poll split consumers found that consumer spending this month is returning to what they call a “new normal” or what essentially lower levels of consumer spending. The poll split people surveyed into three categories, Upper, Middle, and Lower Income, and a report accompanying the poll found the obvious result that middle and lower-income consumers do not have a lot of money to spend. This is not surprising with national unemployment at 9% and national underemployment at 18%. But retailers are still courting the less than wealthy consumer through new advertising campaigns and branding strategies. Wal*Mart dropped its tag-line “Always Low Prices” in favor of, “Save Money. Live Better.,” hoping the new slogan conveyed a higher quality of life through shopping. Instant coffee companies are appealing to lower income people by …