Check out the banter below between two villains, (one of which is off-screen), in a recent first-issue (reboot) of Venom [click on pics to enlarge]:
Usually it's some "communist" cold-war era super-villain talking about the evils of capitalism in comic-books. Here we have two villians talking, though in a bit sarcastically, about their love of capitalism. This is from the first issue of Venom, that came out a little over a month ago. Of course, we can't expect more, as the anti-hero of this book actually works for the U.S. military, but that was a breath of fresh-air in that dialogue and the main reason why this blog was created!
You might have heard about a poetry reading going down tonight at the White House, and the commotion it has stirred among right-wing conservatives. They have gone so far as to call Common, a "vile rapper" and "thug." Those accusations are laced in ignorance and racism. To most people, he's known as a "politically conscience hip-hop artist." I wish I could say that he had some radical politics, but not really. He did do a an anti-war piece when Bush was in office, (see video after the jump), but last year he was opening for Obama (at a Democratic rally).
Needless to say, I don't think Common has much of a radical edge these days. As one writer for the Huffington Post said: "I'm not trying to diss Common here, but I'm pretty sure his last two albums were sold in Starbucks." Of course, I'm not excusing the actions of the cons here: Just saying.
Below is Common doing a good political piece (back in the days).
A new video was released last week for a track on Lupe Fiasco's latest album, Lasers. The song, "Words I Never Said," hold nothing back. In fact, the very first line is, "I really think the war on terror is a bunch of bullshit." The rest of the song goes hard against the U.S. government, including the President. Lupe even dares to say that he did not vote for Obama and wont vote for him in the next elections. Besides touching on other issues like home foreclosures, the dumbing-down of the media, racism, Palestine, and even the pharmaceutical industry, Lupe even has time to throw in some criticism against non-action: "Just listening to Pac aint gone make it stop/ A rebel in your thoughts, aint gon make it halt."
I'm posting the video below and, after the jump, the lyrics for the first verse, which I consider the strongest in the song. The video, itself, shows images of people being taken by, what could only be considered, government agents. It's not as graphic or as strong as M.I.A.'s "Born Free," but still very good!
I really think the war on terror is a bunch of bullshit Just a poor excuse for you to use up all your bullets How much money does it take to really make a full clip 9/11 building 7 did they really pull it Uhh, And a bunch of other cover ups Your childs future was the first to go with budget cuts If you think that hurts then, wait here comes the uppercut The school was garbage in the first place, thats on the up and up Keep you at the bottom but tease you with the uppercrust You get it then they move you so you never keeping up enough If you turn on TV all you see’s a bunch of “what the f-cks” Dude is dating so and so blabbering bout such and such And that aint Jersey Shore, homie thats the news And these the same people that supposed to be telling us the truth Limbaugh is a racist, Glenn Beck is a racist Gaza strip was getting bombed, Obama didn’t say shit Thats why I aint vote for him, next one either I’ma part of the problem, my problem is I’m peaceful And I believe in the people.
My favorite band that you might not have heard of: Outernational. They are currently working on releasing their first album, but they need our help! Check out some of their tunes on YouTube and you will see that they are all about helping to create a revoltionary culture. I just pledged $50, and you all should do the same--even more, if you can!
