Michael Moore continues to stay ahead of the curve and adding a great video from a recently discovered brilliant director

Documentary filmmaker Michael Moore stepped up to the podium to receive his Oscar for Best Documentary, Bowling for Columbine. Instead of the typical speech you hear delivered praising all those surrounding him, he attacked President Bush over our invasion of Iraq. The so-called Hollywood liberals were offended and responded with a chorus of boos. Where was he wrong?

I've enjoyed his documentaries and his most recent one, Sicko, received high praise. There were some broad generalizations made I knew weren't accurate. For example, he walked into a hospital in England where there wasn't a cashier asking for money like our country. He was elated. Their system isn't perfect either and here's why.

There's an ongoing debate in the United Kingdom over prescription drug costs. People who are milking the system and needlessly receiving the drugs are driving costs up for the lower and middle class. They practice that evil SOCIALIZED MEDICINE (translation: the government provides all the plans and options for the people and there isn't a single private company involved). This was really the only qualm I had with the film. Otherwise, he delivered another powerful punch, having those affected by greedy insurers tell their heartbreaking stories.

Moore's latest documentary will expose how our wealthiest top 1 percent literally stole from the rest of us. Some I've spoke to on here are under the impression I'm a hypocrite and yes, I changed my opinion over the first TARP phase for bailing out the banks. Why? Naturally, I didn't read the entire bill. What I did learn from multiple sources was a band aid treatment to the problem. There was still no oversight involved or strings attached to hold these greedy, incompetent buffoons accountable. Here's an article from USA Today on Moore's latest project:

http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2009-06-10-michael-moore-inside_N.htm

Check your area for VNV Nation shows at vnvnation.com and what this video says about nature, humanity, and our continuing relationship throughout history with technology for better or worse

There are few bands I've heard who strike the right chords through their music and lyrics that nurture my soul. VNV Nation is one of those special bands. One friend is more open-minded to their sound, while everyone else says, "I'm not into techno." Personally, I really can't pinpoint a genre they represent, and everything I've heard presents different soundscapes.

This particular video was posted with clips from an innovative film director, Ron Fricke. I highly doubt I can check these films out at my local video store or On Demand. Reading up on Fricke, he was praised by one genius director, Francis Ford Coppola, and contributed to one of the Star Wars prequels with legendary director and visionary, George Lucas. I like Fricke's concept to integrate multiple themes in his works, greatness and destructiveness of humanity, and our continued relationship with technology.

VNV Nation will be playing at The Masquerade in Atlanta on July 23. It's in an unsavory part of the city with crack dealers nearby (based on my last experience nearly a decade ago coming from The Afghan Whigs' concert) but uniquely structured in its interior. From the outside, it appears to be an old, rickety three-story building. It was formally used as a firehouse. Once inside, certain rooms still have long, thick wooden beams at ceiling level. The bars have a postmodern appearance with long, glossy countertops and neon lit shelves containing multiple bottles of liquor and mixers. I was impressed and would love to sit down, have a Guiness or two, with these guys. There seems to be common approaches we take on humanity. Trivia question: This female pop artist earns more than any other musician. What video of hers is influenced by Fricke's work? Here's the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUJ6UMhMguY