American Taliban? That seems a little harsh, but I understand your point of view. However, I stand by my original statement. Many artists have refused to make "clean" versions of their albums available, which they know means Wal-Mart won't carry them. Their recordings still sell very well at all of the other retailers, and even though selling through Wal-Mart would certainly make their recordings more readily available to the average consumer, those who want to buy it still pick it up somewhere else, so there really is no financial loss to the artist. In fact, it is Wal-Mart who actually loses potential profit by not carrying the artists music. Not that they really care about it...they certainly make enough profit on everything else to not bat an eye over not carrying anyone's new release.
Bottom line...I still say they are doing the right thing, and the artists who make family-friendly versions of their releases are not being "forced" into anything. The only way Wal-Mart could be considered the "American Taliban" would be if they were the only place ANYONE could buy music and THEN they forced artists to edit their music.
Since that isn't the case, I think your comparison to the Taliban smells more like anti-Wal-Mart propaganda than actual fact.
"Musicians are at the mercy of Wal-Mart’s stringent content rules, forcing many to create “sanitized” versions of their albums specifically for the discount chain."
...let's get real here. If the best you can do lyrically is to fill your songs with cursing, violent thoughts and sexual innuendo, then perhaps your music isn't worth being listened to in the first place. As a country we've stooped way too far to accommodate these so-called "artists" and their verbal garbage under the banner of "free speech."
It is Wal-Mart's right as a family-oriented business to require "sanitized" versions of an artist's works. This is why so many people who are actually good parents purchase their kid's music there.
If you are someone who enjoys the non-sanitized versions there are more than enough places to purchase them.
Space Station: Uh...Ground Control? Ground Control: Go ahead. SS: Uhhh...yeah. We have a slight, um...problem...here. GC: What is the nature of the problem? We show no negative readings here, go ahead. SS: The nature of the problem is that we CAN'T go. IN the head, over. GC: Say again? SS: Ground Control, we can't go. As in TO the BATHROOM. Over. GC: Are the laxative supplements not working, over? SS: That's not the problem Ground Control. The problem is that the toilet has ceased functioning. GC: Well ain't that a pisser! SS: Affirmative, Ground Control. Literally. There was a loud noise and the fan ceased working. There is no way to clear the liquid waste. (Sounds of snickering from GC) SS: Ground Control? GC: Sorry guys...temporary static. You say you are unable to urinate? SS: No. WE can urinate fine. We just can't flush. GC: You say this event began with a loud noise? SS: Affirmative. GC: Was this "noise" accompanied by any "odor?" (More snickering) SS: Negative. Is that laughter we are hearing, Ground Control? GC: Uh...no. Just atmospheric interference. Sun spots or solar flare or something. SS: This is serious, Ground Control. What is your recommended course of action? GC: Hold... SS: Roger that. We'll hold. GC: No. Seriously. Hold. As in "Hold it in." SS: You've GOT to be kidding. For how long? GC: Long enough the folks at Guinness will be interested. We have to send up a repair crew. SS: How long will THAT take? GC: Well, let's see...we'll have to gather a crew, move the shuttle to the launch pad, fuel her up, do system checks...you know the usual. I'd say about three or four days. SS: Say again? GC: You heard me. Now buck up guys...this can be done. Just collect your, um, by-products as best as you can, and we'll do the rest. You may want to cut down on the liquid intake too. SS: What should we use to collect the liquid waste? GC: You'll figure something out. You're astronauts, which is right up there with rocket scientists. SS: But you guys ARE rocket scientists! GC: Yeah. Pretty sweet, huh? (More snickering) SS: We heard that, Ground Control! You're laughing at us! GC: Sorry. But it IS pretty funny, you gotta admit. SS: Yeah, REAL funny. GC: maybe you could just open the window and... SS: NOT funny! (snickering) SS: Look, we'll do our best. But please get things moving. It could get pretty ugly up here. GC: Not to mention wet and smelly. SS: No shit. GC: Hey...don't invite trouble! SS: Wha...oh yeah. Right. Let's hope THAT keeps working. GC: Hope nothing. Pray! SS: Amen brother. Amen.
I agree about the camera work, and the name. Still, the guy radiates charisma and has a wonderful sense of humor, and his act is absolutely great! I hope he wins/won!
Truly stunning work, Patrick. Outstanding use of colors! I hope that this will be seen by countless others around the world! Yes, you are an inspiration, but more than that you are an example of how ANY obstacle can be overcome, since an obstacle is only an obstacle if you see it that way.
I am honored to have seen this, so thank you, and I hope you'll contribute more!
Interesting how many of you seem to be qualified medical experts, leaving comments about "hallucinations" and "bad dreams" and such.
You're merely parroting what you hear from other people you agree with, rather than having any ACTUAL medical training or experience to back up your claims.
I am friends with two people who have had Near-Death Experiences, and they will tell you that they were certainly NOT hallucinations or dreams. They don't even like talking about them because of the severely negative reaction many people give them, such as the ones you all have given regarding Mr. Storm
You guys are no different than any average bully...unspeakably arrogant and so certain that you have the right answer and anyone who DARES to think otherwise is simply an idiot.
I agree that religion has caused many, MANY of the worlds problems. But is it really religion, or men who claim to be religious and become drunk with power and a desire to force their religious views on others?
You are all missing the point. Religious people have been the source of more GOOD works in this world than bad works. You just don't hear about it in the press because good news never sells.
Please take a broader look at this issue and stop being so closed minded.
This is totally awesome and sooo inventive! Lovely music too. I was thoroughly enchanted! Why can't American advertising companies come up with a work of art like this? Seems like all they can do is have a half-naked woman draped across the hood and call it an effective ad!
Neatorama Lolcats, XXL
It's like he never died...
American Taliban? That seems a little harsh, but I understand your point of view. However, I stand by my original statement. Many artists have refused to make "clean" versions of their albums available, which they know means Wal-Mart won't carry them. Their recordings still sell very well at all of the other retailers, and even though selling through Wal-Mart would certainly make their recordings more readily available to the average consumer, those who want to buy it still pick it up somewhere else, so there really is no financial loss to the artist. In fact, it is Wal-Mart who actually loses potential profit by not carrying the artists music. Not that they really care about it...they certainly make enough profit on everything else to not bat an eye over not carrying anyone's new release.
Bottom line...I still say they are doing the right thing, and the artists who make family-friendly versions of their releases are not being "forced" into anything. The only way Wal-Mart could be considered the "American Taliban" would be if they were the only place ANYONE could buy music and THEN they forced artists to edit their music.
Since that isn't the case, I think your comparison to the Taliban smells more like anti-Wal-Mart propaganda than actual fact.
"Musicians are at the mercy of Wal-Mart’s stringent content rules, forcing many to create “sanitized” versions of their albums specifically for the discount chain."
...let's get real here. If the best you can do lyrically is to fill your songs with cursing, violent thoughts and sexual innuendo, then perhaps your music isn't worth being listened to in the first place. As a country we've stooped way too far to accommodate these so-called "artists" and their verbal garbage under the banner of "free speech."
It is Wal-Mart's right as a family-oriented business to require "sanitized" versions of an artist's works. This is why so many people who are actually good parents purchase their kid's music there.
If you are someone who enjoys the non-sanitized versions there are more than enough places to purchase them.
I'm thankful that Wal-Mart has this policy!
Ground Control: Go ahead.
SS: Uhhh...yeah. We have a slight, um...problem...here.
GC: What is the nature of the problem? We show no negative readings here, go ahead.
SS: The nature of the problem is that we CAN'T go. IN the head, over.
GC: Say again?
SS: Ground Control, we can't go. As in TO the BATHROOM. Over.
GC: Are the laxative supplements not working, over?
SS: That's not the problem Ground Control. The problem is that the toilet has ceased functioning.
GC: Well ain't that a pisser!
SS: Affirmative, Ground Control. Literally. There was a loud noise and the fan ceased working. There is no way to clear the liquid waste.
(Sounds of snickering from GC)
SS: Ground Control?
GC: Sorry guys...temporary static. You say you are unable to urinate?
SS: No. WE can urinate fine. We just can't flush.
GC: You say this event began with a loud noise?
SS: Affirmative.
GC: Was this "noise" accompanied by any "odor?"
(More snickering)
SS: Negative. Is that laughter we are hearing, Ground Control?
GC: Uh...no. Just atmospheric interference. Sun spots or solar flare or something.
SS: This is serious, Ground Control. What is your recommended course of action?
GC: Hold...
SS: Roger that. We'll hold.
GC: No. Seriously. Hold. As in "Hold it in."
SS: You've GOT to be kidding. For how long?
GC: Long enough the folks at Guinness will be interested. We have to send up a repair crew.
SS: How long will THAT take?
GC: Well, let's see...we'll have to gather a crew, move the shuttle to the launch pad, fuel her up, do system checks...you know the usual. I'd say about three or four days.
SS: Say again?
GC: You heard me. Now buck up guys...this can be done. Just collect your, um, by-products as best as you can, and we'll do the rest. You may want to cut down on the liquid intake too.
SS: What should we use to collect the liquid waste?
GC: You'll figure something out. You're astronauts, which is right up there with rocket scientists.
SS: But you guys ARE rocket scientists!
GC: Yeah. Pretty sweet, huh?
(More snickering)
SS: We heard that, Ground Control! You're laughing at us!
GC: Sorry. But it IS pretty funny, you gotta admit.
SS: Yeah, REAL funny.
GC: maybe you could just open the window and...
SS: NOT funny!
(snickering)
SS: Look, we'll do our best. But please get things moving. It could get pretty ugly up here.
GC: Not to mention wet and smelly.
SS: No shit.
GC: Hey...don't invite trouble!
SS: Wha...oh yeah. Right. Let's hope THAT keeps working.
GC: Hope nothing. Pray!
SS: Amen brother. Amen.
Spiritually: 20/20!
Truly stunning work, Patrick. Outstanding use of colors! I hope that this will be seen by countless others around the world! Yes, you are an inspiration, but more than that you are an example of how ANY obstacle can be overcome, since an obstacle is only an obstacle if you see it that way.
I am honored to have seen this, so thank you, and I hope you'll contribute more!
You're merely parroting what you hear from other people you agree with, rather than having any ACTUAL medical training or experience to back up your claims.
I am friends with two people who have had Near-Death Experiences, and they will tell you that they were certainly NOT hallucinations or dreams. They don't even like talking about them because of the severely negative reaction many people give them, such as the ones you all have given regarding Mr. Storm
You guys are no different than any average bully...unspeakably arrogant and so certain that you have the right answer and anyone who DARES to think otherwise is simply an idiot.
I agree that religion has caused many, MANY of the worlds problems. But is it really religion, or men who claim to be religious and become drunk with power and a desire to force their religious views on others?
You are all missing the point. Religious people have been the source of more GOOD works in this world than bad works. You just don't hear about it in the press because good news never sells.
Please take a broader look at this issue and stop being so closed minded.