Dan Cioper: News/Journal

I've been hard at work in the studio for the past six months working on this album. Courtney Audain of Coinhead Studios is producing is and it's gonna be PHAT!
Expect it in time for S/SW 2010.

After she got back from the RIFD protest in San Marcos, 3/3/09, she did a show about it where she played some of my song, written, upon Will T. Massey's prompting, by Will and myself. Go to her website and click on "show archives" and scroll down to hour 1 of the March 4th episode. Will's on back-up vocals and Richard Bowden smokes the fiddle.


http://www.katherinealbrecht.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3044:wed-march-04-2009&catid=20:show-archives&Itemid=44

Barak Obama And Faith-Based Voting
By Daniel Cioper 10/31/08
www.danielcioper.com

I have come to the conclusion that the movement of Barak Obama's candidacy is faith based. Not that Barak himself bases his decisions on faith, rather it is the voters who support him who base their vote for him on faith -- faith in him that, if elected, he will act in a positive way for change and truth. However, while Senator he has done almost everything to appease the status-quo in Washington. He votes to fund the war every time, he votes for the renewal of the liberty-choking Patriot Act, he voted for the bailout, the telecom-immunity and on and on and on. So it is my opinion that if you don't agree with these votes and you vote for Obama then you are betraying your principles (and the Constitution) or engaging in faith-based voting. There is this glare in the eyes of liberals and, well... Americans these days and I think it is no less than the look of a starving rabbit when presented with a carrot. They do not see the stick that it is dangling from because of the glare on the lens but it is there. Maybe we will get to eat it, but at what cost?
I find it curious that after seven years of rampant corruption, fascist overhauls, and inane but calculated misadventures abroad we get rewarded with a sensible progressive candidate. Even though we watched the constitution erode before our eyes and the expectations we hold dear that come with it, such as privacy from government spying, and simply went about our daily hum-drum (not all, but most of us), now as a reward for all that non-people power we get true change. Isn't democracy in America nice and comfy?
Maybe Obama is going bring us renewed prosperity. I would hope that it's not in a bubble, but it probably would be. Maybe he will restore some of the privacy from government spying that our constituion entitles us, but he hasn't seemed to stand for that so far (And maybe you would accept an Obama government spying on you?). Maybe he will restore our standing in the world, but how does he stand on the usurious World Bank and the corporate greed-driven NAFTA. "So," you say, "he can only do so much." Ah, see now we're doing that thinking and analysis thing and that's not what American politics is about. We feel the candidate -- with glossy eyes. And as long as Obama looks good and says sensible, passionate things with a smile and motivating cadence, people are going to fall in love because love means carrot. And even though the carrot moves forward each time they move foreward, they are going to try it one more time, and on and on, because it is their hearts desire that they get that carrot. Seems rather harmless? Well, I ask you, where are we hopping to with that carrot on-a-stick on our back?
My main point is that if you think Barak Obama is going to change U.S. policy from what it has been consistently for the last fifty years, then it is based on your belief or hope in him as a person. And that's fine -- you could be right, but again; his U.S. Senate record doesn't show it, and again; you are voting by faith, not evidence.
So, go progress! But what did we/will we sacrifice by letting the most criminal administration in American history serve out it's full term for the purpose of electing Democrats? Please spare me your attempts at changing my mind. I'd be betraying my own intelligence and life experience to support this “lesser” of evils after all I've seen in the run-up to this election and the jaw-dropping, all-pervasive, atrocious seven years that preceded it.
At 29 now, I wasn't very politically conscious during the Clinton years so my politically formative years are all of the Bush administration. Go figure. But I don't want the Clinton years either. All things are connected and as we reap so shall we sow. So the karma of this country under Clinton is the same karma under Bush. When does good bring bad and bad bring good? Well, really, it's that we are pirates. And it's a jolly joy when the spoils are good but there is a big price to pay when the captain (whoever/wherever he is) and his savage crew need more.
These are the thoughts and conclusions I've come to with an open mind. I wanted to throw them out, not to change anyone's mind but rather to put my beliefs in print at a time when a lot of our ideas are being challenged. I don't withhold my opinions when it matters most and I hope this gives some hope to the people who expect more from the leaders of this world. I say: Don't vote thinking some magical transformation will take place in the person where there is no evidence -- only vague promises and perceived potential. Vote for the person based on their ideas, now and always. Vote for Ralph Nader because he is one of the wisest statespersons this country has to offer. He is for getting U.S. forces and corporations out of Iraq immediately. He is for an even-handed approach to the Israel-Palestine conflict, not, as Obama is, for an undivided Jerusalem for Isreal. He is for universal not-for-profit single payer health care. He is for the re-institution of Habeas Corpus and the Constitution.
See we know what we need. How do we get there if our votes betray this?

Scott Horton of "Anti-War Radio" is guest also-- it was intense!
I played "Empower Me", "Fascist Dictator", "I Don't Need No Democrat", and the new "Whole Lotta Wakin' Up To Do".
Go here and click play on the 10/21/08 show:
http://www.kaosradioaustin.org/station/archives/25

They caught me on tape at the Nader rally in Austin on 7/20/08.
I re-wrote the Phil Ochs song
"Love Me I'm A Liberal" to reflect today's issues and it went over well. Watch:
(They also got me singing my original "Good Sherherd")
ttp://www.newtexasradical.org/content/view/89/1/#josc87
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n5nFrWxv0I


"Love Me I'm A Liberal"
by Phil Ochs and Daniel Cioper

I cried when they shot John Lennon
tears ran down my spine.
I cried when they offed Diana
as though I lost a sister of mine.
But Tupac got what was coming.
He got what he asked for that time.
So love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal.

I go to the anti-war rallies
and tell Ralph Nader to drop out.
I love Stewart, Colbert and Bill Moyers,
All opinions should be allowed.
But don't talk about 9/11 (inside job)
or I'll send you to the loony house.
So love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal.

I cheered when Obama was chosen
my faith in the system restored.
I'm glad Impeachment was thrown out
to the House Judiciary Floor.
I love punk rockers and rappers
as long as they don't live next door.
So love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal.

The generals of Abu Ghraib
should all hang their heads in shame.
I can't understand why they torture.
Don't they know it doesn't work anyway?
But if you go talking 'bout Muhammed
I'll have to call the NSA.
So love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal.

I read The Observer and Nation.
I've learned to take every view.
I've read Hightower and Chompsky.
I'm really no different than you.
But when it comes to Hugo Chavez
I know nothing of this U.S. backed coup.
So love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal.

I vote for the Democratic Party.
They still want the U.N. to be strong.
I go to Michael Moore movies
he sure makes me want to move on.
I'll send all the money you ask for
but don't ask me to come on along.
So love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal.

Once I was young and impulsive.
I smoked every conceivable thing.
Even went to John Denver concerts,
sang all the old Beatles hymns.
But now I've grown older and wiser
and that's why I'm turning you in.
So love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal.

I spent all day putting up flyers for my Pipes Plus thingy. Visualize the Bush administration going down! It is happening. I have resolved to keep my music radical and never again hide my passion. I think this can work.

Well the birthday bash at The Parlor was a phenomenal success thanks to all my wonderful friends. More shows are in the works. Please comment on anything. If you aren't on my e-mail list, then get on it. Go to CD Baby and review my albums too so I got some credits.
Peace.