Newsletter 19/09/12

Ahoy, mateys! It be Talk like a Pirate Day! This is an experiment in a newsletter format. It'll have pieces on world news and popular music, and newer installments may have film reviews, internet content columns, and maybe-just maybe-an MLP column. Don't get your hopes up, I'm not going to forcibly talk like a pirate the whole way through.



Let's start with world news.

First up we have the Muslim attacks on U.S. embassies. Basically, Muslims are upset that one guy made an offensive film in his mother's basement and decided to blame it on the entire U.S. I don't even need to tell you what's wrong with this, everyone else already has. It's more than stupid, it's offensively stupid. They're not even trying to show that the film is wrong! Protest a film showing you as a violent mob by forming violent mobs! I am offended by how they are taking offense!

Actually, an interesting hypothesis that I have heard is that this is caused because of the horrible conditions in the Middle East. Because of brainwashing and poor education, they don't know what freedom of speech is. They actually think that one person could represent the thoughts of an entire country.

THEN WHAT WERE THE REVOLUTIONS FOR?

I'm not going to go on any further about this, so on to the next one!

Our other story delves into the horrifying soap opera that is U.S. politics. Specifically, the Romney tape. You know, if Romney really wanted to help the middle class, then he would cooperate with Obama towards it. Perhaps the same could be said about Obama, but Clinton's speech at the DNC implied that he has actually tried to cooperate. Maybe the argument is that he doesn't think that Obama will cooperate. More on the point, I don't really support Romney because I don't like his party. I think that most people don't like his party. If you vote Romney, you vote for his party to control the White House. Think: Do you want that? If the answer is yes, then feel free. Maybe I don't know what I'm talking about; I mean, I'm not even from the U.S.! Either way, enjoy some DNC speeches. They're pretty cool.

You've probably already seen them, but they're still awesome.
Popular music time!

First up, we have Gangnam Style by PSY, now at #16 on the Hot 100. It even got to #1 in South Korea. You've seen it. You know it's awesome. Enjoy it's fame.

Second, we have Too Close by Alex Clare, a victory for dubstep. It's only at #34 in Canada, and I hope for more, but it's a sleeper hit at #10 in the United States, and even got to #1 a while back in Germany. I personally love it. I hope it gets higher in Canada, but this year several songs simply didn't cross over, such as Mercy by Kanye West and his crew. There were also some awful ones, but I am hoping for Too Close, because we aren't getting Mercy.
Here's Too Close:

Here's Mercy:

Next let's talk about Hurt Me Tomorrow by K'Naan, at #17. This is his masterpiece. The hook initially seems fairly genuine and heartfelt: He doesn't want to break up immediately, because it would hurt too much, and he really does want to talk about their problems, but he's afraid to. He promises to talk about it tomorrow. Then the verses hit, and his promises get less and less sincere, until it ends in his girlfriend actually walking out on him in the song. This isn't a flaw, this is a feature. The satire isn't even black and white, either, because the hook still makes him sound like he does care, but he's just too afraid. It's simply a wonderful, wonderful song.

Finally, let's look at this week's number one hit: We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together by Taylor Swift. Musically, it's leagues above her previous hit, Eyes Open, but lyrically it lags behind. It would be fine if it weren't for the fact that she sets herself up as being a bit flaky, stating that she in fact did get back together before their fight. I still like it much better than Eyes Open, though, which I think might  be one of the worst songs of her entire career.
Listen to We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together here:

Remember, this is an experiment in the style. Maybe it needs some cleaning up, maybe it is perfect as it is, but I won't know without feedback. Tell me what you think.