Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Josh Haden's Guide To The California 26th State Senate District Special Primary Election, March 24, 2009



Last night my wife Lisa and I rented Gus Van Sant's film entitled Milk.

After it finished, for about fifteen minutes I decided to give up my music career and go into politics.

Where are the politicians today who inspire, who gather the masses under a legitimate common cause and bring them marching en masse into the streets, not just for a day-long CNN photo-op to sell advertising spots? Where are the politicians who aren't already entrenched in politics, who don't already come from a political family or a political history, where are the politicians who are so passionate about their beliefs they grab a soapbox, a megaphone and set up on a street corner, starting from a grass roots effort, until thousands of people rally around them and effect real change, not just the kind of change politicians call change.

Is Obama the closest we can get?

All I've received from the candidates in this latest L.A. election are 13 one-sheet and small pamphlet mailers and two oven mitts.

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the oven mitts, but I was expecting a little more.

If the number of mailers I've received are any indication, Curren Price will be the clear winner of this race (I've received eight mailers from him). Robert Cole and Jonathan Friedman (two mailers each, although they did include said oven mitts with one of their mailers) will tie for a distant second.

However, I endorse Saundra Davis, for the mere fact she is endorsed by Congresswoman Diane Watson, and you can't go wrong with Diane Watson, at least not yet. Lots of politicians have been disappointing me lately.

Harvey Milk would never have disappointed me. Rest In Peace, Courageous Man.

For a full list of candidates for the 26th State Senate District Special Primary Election, see my previous post here.

Friday, March 20, 2009

God Created Capitalism

God Created Capitalism

If there is a God

And God
Is the creator of everything
Seen and unseen

Then it logically follows that

God created Capitalism
God created Fascism
God created Communism
God created Socialism
God created Anarchism

It logically follows that

God created Democracy
God created Aristocracy
God created Oligarchy
God created Monarchy
God created Theocracy

God created dictatorship
God created authority

God created submission
God created conformity

God created ignorance
God created indifference

God created resistance
God created revolution

God created enlightenment
God created evolution

God created a way up
God created a way down

God created a way in
God created a way out

God created Capitalism

© 2009 Josh Haden

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Watch Tanned Tin Documentary On-Line

From the A Short Distance Myspace page.

The documentary about the Tanned Tin festival features footage of Spain performing live along with an interview.

Hi,

We have uploaded our documentary about Tanned Tin festival called “A short distance. A film about Tanned Tin” to Dailymotion.com.
....
A short distance emerged from a personal project of a number of Audiovisual Comunication students from the University Jaume I (....Castellón.., ..Spain....) in an attempt to make a documentary capable of transmiting the essence and history of one of the most reputable and intimate music festivals in our country. In the middle of the battle between music festivals, the Tanned Tin stands out amongst the rest and configures as a cultural event that wants to attract international independent musicians. This year will see the celebration of the first decade and is stirring grand interest between musicians and audience alike.

Through a number of interviews, the documentary spans the history and the backstage moments of the festival, focusing on the 2007 edition.....
.. ..
If you want more information you can visit our myspace webpage or contact us at: ashortdistance@gmail.com....
.. ..
Many thanks.....
.. ..
Adam Brenes....

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Tindersticks + Spain Photos From Henry Fonda Theater 13 March 2009

Here are some photos of Tindersticks I took from the show at the Henry Fonda Theater in Hollywood 13 March 2009. The first two photos are from their soundcheck. The photos of my band Spain were taken by Andrea Morgenstern.










Saturday, March 14, 2009

Spain Set List Henry Fonda Theater 13 March 2009

Tindersticks were incredible last night. I took some photos from the side of the stage which I'll try to post tomorrow.

Here's my band Spain's setlist (by request):

I Lied
Before It All Went Wrong
I Love You
I'm Still Free
Sevenfold
Dreaming Of Love
Waiting For You To Come
Untitled #1

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Tindersticks, Spain Friday the 13th

Tomorrow night, Friday, March 13, Tindersticks and my band Spain will be performing on the same stage at the Henry Fonda Theater.

This is Tindersticks' first L.A. show in over five years and one of only a handful of dates they are playing in the U.S. to support their latest CD, The Hungry Saw.

This show also marks the debut of Spain's new lead guitarist, Perry Smith.

Please come and support if you can. It would be great to see you.

Friday March 13, 2009
Tindersticks
Spain
Henry Fonda Theater
6126 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, CA
All Ages - $28
323-464-0808

Monday, March 9, 2009

Woo hoo! Another election! California 26th State Senate District Special Election

Just when you thought it was safe to bask in the glory of another completed Los Angeles election, here comes another one that's sure to bring everyone out to the polls.

The March 3 election actually isn't over yet, Amendment B is too close to call and it'll be several weeks before the result will be definitive. Hopefully it won't pass muster. You can see my previously posted endorsements here.

The upcoming election, which takes place March 24, is a "special primary election" ordered by California Governor Schwarzenegger to fill the vacancy in the 26th district of the State Senate left by now-L.A. County Board of Supervisors member Mark Ridley-Thomas.

The contenders are:

Democratic Party: Obama delegate and a senior state director for the Barack Obama for America campaign Robert Cole; California State Assemblyman Mike Davis ("California's First State Legislator to endorse Barack Obama for President"); Vice President of the Board of Education for the Culver City Unified School District Saundra Davis (endorsed by one of my favorite politicians, Congresswoman Diane Watson); Mervin Leon Evans ("the only Candidate that Says No to Gay Marriage"!); "Chartered Financial Analyst" Jonathan Friedman; and California State Assemblyman Curren D. Price, Jr.

Republican Party: Rabbi, surfer, author Nachum Shifren.

Peace and Freedom Party: Cindy Variela Henderson.

Green Party: semi-retired computer specialist Alex Walker.

California's 26th State Senate district is decidedly Democratic, but this is Los Angeles after all, and anything goes!

I just wish Zuma Dogg could somehow be involved in this election as it might make it a little more exciting.

Speaking of Zuma Dogg, after his fourth place finish in last week's mayoral run he has decided to take a break from his daily appearances at L.A. City Council fighting corruption. Visit his new blog and wish him luck on his new endeavors whatever they may be!

I'll have my endorsement for this election soon. Check back often!

Friday, March 6, 2009

Spain Tomorrow Night March 7

Spain goes on at 8:30pm so get there early!

Saturday March 7, 2009
Create:Fixate Art Event
Premiere Events Center
613 Imperial St. LA, CA 90013
All Ages - $15/$20

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Josh Haden's Guide To The March 3 Los Angeles Municipal Elections

I wanted to write a much longer blog entry on today's Los Angeles election, in which we Los Angeleans, amongst other things, get to vote on a new mayor, but I simply didn't have the time!

Its frustrating because this is a very important election for Los Angeles, even though probably most registered voters will be ignoring it.

An incredibly fascinating article about the corrupt and out-of-control politics of our city was published last week in the L.A. Weekly, I encourage everyone who's interested to read it.

Every city's political machine is corrupt to a certain extent and Los Angeles is no exception. Watch the movie "Chinatown" with Jack Nicholson to see how twisted it is and how far back the corruption goes.

Anyways, I love my city no matter what!

Please note this guide only applies to my voting district. There are many offices and candidates I won't be covering here, a great source to check out for other districts is the Young Progressive Majority.Org Voter's Guide.

My picks for the election, without fanfare and very little if any explanation:

Mayor: David "Zuma Dogg" Saltsburg

City Attorney: None

Controller: None, there really is no good candidate running for this important office, and that's sad because this office oversees audits of city government operations and financial disbursement programs, amongst other things. The apparent front runner, council district 2 representative and council President Pro Tempore Wendy Greuel is so much a part of the problem in L.A. city government I don't know how anybody could expect her to have a proper neutral perspective to do a good job. Her television advertisements are so disingenuous (me paraphrasing: "such and such office hired a firm to teach its employees Zen meditation! Horrible! With me in office there will be no governmental funding of Zen meditation on L.A. city property!"). I'm not sure we should trust her. I hope she proves me wrong.

Los Angeles Community College District:
Member Of The Board Of Trustees, Seat No. 2: Angela J. Reddock
Member Of The Board Of Trustees, Seat No. 4: None
Member Of The Board Of Trustees, Seat No. 6: Toss-up between Robert Nakahiro & Nancy Pearlman.
Member Of The Board Of Trustees, Seat No. 7: Miguel Santiago

Measure A: YES
Measure B: NO (A good article about this measure can be found here.)
Measure C: YES
Measure D: YES
Measure E: NO

Happy voting!

I'm going to sleep now!

Monday, March 2, 2009

Photos From Charlie Haden Family & Friends At The Grand Ole Opry

On Feburary 28, 2009 Charlie Haden Family & Friends played at the legendary Grand Ole Opry. What an honor!



From left, Mark Fain, my brother-in-law Jack Black, my father Charlie Haden, my sisters Tanya, Rachel, and Petra rehearsing backstage.

Sam Bush, my father's wife Ruth Cameron, and Charlie backstage.



Charlie, Mark Fain, Stuart Duncan, Bryan Sutton, Ricky Skaggs, Sam Bush on stage at Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman.





Rachel and esteemed Opry announcer, radio DJ, and country music historian Eddie Stubbs.



Me and Ricky Skaggs backstage.



Thank you to everyone at the Opry who made this show possible, and especially to the audience, you were the best!