The Great Oil Leak of 2010 Poster Project: We’re graphic designers, illustrators, web designers and artists from all around the world who’ve come together to do what they can to provide support to the Gulf Coast Fishermen. A nice little poster project from John Gibby and Jeff Lush. In partnership with Gulf Aid of Acadiana to use art to bring aid to the local fisherman affected by this disaster.

Some very nice posters here:

Rowboat - by Erin Olcsvary

Stuck - by Alyssa Rose

Save the Gulf - by David Vogin

Addicted - by Jude Landry

Get your yard sign.

A COMMUNITY COLLABORATION

Here’s one for you: a designer, a programmer, a community organizer, a communications task force and a group of committed peace and justice types ranging from well-seasoned academics to bright-eyed progressives get together to advocate for a better world. It’s a collaboration of the first order with high-minded goals concerning matters of crucial importance.

The focus is how to make a peace and justice organization more effective at making peace and justice happen. In the back of a local coffee shop, huddled over the local paper with some veggie sandwiches and fair trade coffee, the plotting and scheming goes strong once a week for many months. Usually in good spirits, with lively discussion and debates about how a little non-profit organization moves forward, what has come out of the effort has been something quite remarkable. We certainly accomplished a streamlining our communications efforts, developing a new website, creating several media campaigns to stoke the political fires and training key staff members on technology that can be used to keep things current. But there’s also been a rejuvenation of the collective spirit. I saw what I thought was glowing from several people at one of the last meetings. It could be because we’ve finally seen the sun out here in the Midwest, but I like to think it’s been this whole “working together” thing that’s the root cause of the newly intense hues.

A bumper sticker for every bumper in Nebraska

Hang out in Lincoln long enough, especially downtown, and you’ll come across several deep blue bumper stickers reading “Nebraskans for Peace.” It’s probably one of the most successful bumper sticker campaigns in American history. And a nice visual mark of identity in the community. (If anybody needs one, I’m sure I can get a couple dozen by the end of the day to whomever’s asking.) In the back of that local coffee shop, a rag tag bunch of liberal peaceniks responsible for those stickers got together to grow this organization. And in between deep conversations about the sad state of affairs for America’s foreign policy, I’d say success has been had. We set out many months ago to make Nebraskans for Peace the best damn peace and justice group it could be, building on the old school tactics of political organizing while embracing some 21st century digital activism. And today, we are moving ahead as planned. (more…)

"The Suburbs"

Let’s hear it again for 2010. Out in August. Available to pre-order now. Arcade Fire’s new album “the Suburbs” has quite a lovely cover design and adds to what will be one of the best years ever for new music.

http://www.yeasayer.net/

2010 will be quite a year for new music. My favorite thus far is the new Yeasayer. I will not comment further. Just listen.

What's next in 2010? All of the above please.

This morning I received an email from my good friend Dan Schreiber. It was his response to the folks at barackobama.com as to why he was unsubscribing from their email list. I loved it. Such a small form of protest, but so significant. I’d say it captures a particular mood a lot of us are feeling: “Well yeah we’re still with you, but damn man, I’m not so sure you’re with us.” It’s hard to rally around compromise, and it’s even harder to enthusiastically back things that make the corporate interests smile. So. Now that 2010 is really rolling, we’re of course in for throwin’ down. And for all-of-the-above. (Getting at the structural problems that if not addressed will make the next 50 years non-too-pleasant.) Just remember, those of us with punk rock sensibilities aren’t too keen on sellouts. It’s time to lead with a little less COM-PRO-MISE and a little more YES WE CAN. 

For the time being, I’ll be unsubscribing as well. And here is Dan’s response, with the following disclaimer: Those of you who know me best will know where I’ve bridled the appropriate profanities. 

‘Handing MA voters that awful woman was an insult. You are reaping what you sowed. I support President Obama, but we need to follow through. PUSH. RECONCILIATION. Let blue dogs know that they fall in line or fall out. We – President Obama, Congressional Democrats and I – are most certainly not too far left. We are too centrist. Let’s show the world that we have the [golly darn gumption] to give our people what they deserve – real health care reform. We must offer all we have to our neighbors, brothers and sisters in Haiti right now. If we are to continue fighting at home during this period, it must be worth the effort. Unless we move to make real change happen, I won’t blame the American voters for electing another Scott Brown in 2012. For crying out loud – MASSACHUSETTS elected the male Sarah Palin. Please make me believe again that you know what the hell you’re doing in our name. Thanks.’ Dan Schreiber