Spotify is proving that everyone, no matter who you are or what you do, can take action in the fight against neo-Nazis and white supremacists. The streaming music company has banned music by hate groups. It's a big step in refusing to normalize these views. On Monday, Digital Music News published a report highlighting 37 white supremacist bands that were currently available on Spotify. The Southern Poverty Law Center had attempted to call attention to the hate-mongering music back in 2014, when they highlighted the bands' appearance on iTunes. The list included bands with names like Kill, Baby… Kill!, Battlecry and Blood Red Eagle. Three bands I will never interview here on the Phile. In response, on the heels of a violent racism-fueled weekend in Charlottesville, the company acted fast to remove the groups. Speaking to VICE, the company released a statement revealing that it “takes immediate action to remove any such material as soon as it has been brought to our attention.” Similar to the business leaders resigning from Trump's panels and the aides attempting to distance themselves from the administration, the move speaks volumes. Spotify users... a.k.a. almost everyone with a computer and headphones... are cheering the decision. Other tech companies, like Twitter, Paypal, and Google, have refused to ban white supremacists on "free speech" grounds. As VICE reports, Spotify and Deezer, a France-based streaming company, are the only music services to enact bans. Apple Music still retains contracts with bands like Resistance 77 and Offensive Weapon. The move is a reminder that you can find ways to stand up for your values in everyday life... even if your job is something as seemingly neutral as sharing music. Expect to see more and more artists taking a stance here. In the meantime, feel free to listen to Spotify playlists like Patriotic Passion, which the brand calls "a soundtrack to an America worth fighting for."
When Donald Trump gave that incendiary press conference on Tuesday in which he said that the people who protest Nazis are as bad as the Nazis themselves, not to mention the fact that he said that some of them were "very fine people," Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner were conveniently tucked away in Vermont. Ivanka and Jared have a habit of fleeing the scene whenever things get bad, but people wondered if the parents of three JewishThe Uno Pizzeria and Grill chain fired one of its Vermont employees, Ryan Roy, for attending the rally that turned violent in Charlottesville, VA on Saturday, the Burlington Free Press reports. Another jobless white supremacist. They're losing their jobs left and right (no pun intended, ugh).children would interrupt their trip to the Ben & Jerry's factory to find some WiFi and use their power as senior advisors to have the administration take a firm stance against the people who chanted "Jews will not replace us!" and other anti-Semitic slogans in Charlottesville. But good news, y'all! The Fair Feminist Voice of Reason has returned to social media to be heard! While Jews and people of color might feel shaken in the wake of the president's inability unequivocally condemn Nazism, former Democratic donor Ivanka Trump has a message for the haters and losers...
Oh. That's it? She emerged from the woods of Vermont in the midst of a national crisis to congratulate the New Mooch? People noticed. Welcome back, Ivanka!
One of the white nationalists who was photographed at the tiki torch-lit rally held in Charlottesville, Virginia on Friday night has been fired from his job. According to the "New York Post," Cole White of California was let go from his job at a hot dog restaurant just hours after he was identified by the Twitter account @YesYoureRacist, which has been calling out the white supremacists who were present at the violent protests in Charlottesville all weekend.
On Sunday, @YesYoureRacist provided an update that White had been fired from his job at Top Dog. The restaurant thanked the account for bringing White's actions to their attention. They said they'd make an official statement to their website on Monday, but thought it was important to let everyone know that White had been fired from his position.White's termination was confirmed in a sign posted to the establishment's door in Berkeley...
Bye, Cole.
The Uno Pizzeria and Grill chain fired one of its Vermont employees, Ryan Roy, for attending the rally that turned violent in Charlottesville, Virginia on Saturday, the "Burlington Free Press" reports. Another jobless white supremacist. They're losing their jobs left and right (no pun intended, ugh). After Vice News published a report on the Charlottesville rallies, people identified Roy, who appeared in the video wielding a torch and chanting white supremacist slogans like "Jews will not replace us!" Um, guys? That's actually not how Judaism works.Skip Weldon, the chief marketing officer for Uno told the Free Press on Tuesday evening, "Ryan Roy has been terminated." In an emailed statement, Weldon wrote, "We are committed to the fair treatment of all people and the safety of our guests and employees at our restaurants." Roy spoke to the "Free Press" via telephone on Tuesday night. He said that he attended several Charlottesville rallies over the weekend, one of which was a rally to protest the removal of a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. Roy stated the results of his participation in the rally "proved" his beliefs about the "liberal left." He was fired, and on top of that, someone allegedly called the Vermont Department for Children and Families, to try to get his kid taken away from him. Roy explained, "I think it kind of just proves my point, proves a lot of what I think, not that I needed further proof. I think it’s group think." He admitted that he's for racial separation, and added, "Obviously I would advocate for racial separation and racial nationalism or repatriation or even a return to... our country was a white country up until the 1965 Hart-Celler Immigration Act." Of course, Roy obviously has some very fucked up ideas about this country and race, and deserves to be named and shamed for them. But the whole getting fired thing has given more that just white supremacists pause. As Gillian B. White wrote in the "Atlantic," "Of course, the consequence of this dynamic is that taboo political ideas of all stripes can lead to workplace sanctions. While many on the political left are now lauding firings as a way to hold white supremacists accountable, it’s also worth remembering that pressuring employers to sever ties based on political activities, or social and racial beliefs, has historically been targeted in the other direction." In the same article, White spoke to Katherine Stone, a UCLA law professor with a focus on labor law. According to Stone, it's not "uncommon or illegal" for private-sector workers (such as Roy) to get fired for activities in which they partake during their non-working hours, if it "reflects poorly on their employer." Employers in the private sector are not required to employ people who exercise their right to free speech, according to Stone. Most reasonable people can agree that neo-Nazis are terrible and their beliefs are unAmerican. That they're repugnant and should lose their jobs. The ethical and legal aspects of the situation, meanwhile, are just food for thought. Food that racist Roy will definitely no longer be serving at Uno's Pizzeria.
Among the many horrifying images coming out of Charlottesville this past weekend was this ironic one: a white supremacist doing the KKK salute while sporting the name of an elite paratrooper unit that fought Nazis during World War II.
The 82nd Airborne Division is an infantry unit nicknamed the All America Division, which played a critical role in the Allied win of the 1944 D-Day invasion. D-Day's the one from Saving Private Ryan. It's a big deal. The All American made a point to actively condemn the white supremacist who bought a hat and betrayed its values." Anyone can purchase that hat," the All American unit declares. "Valor is earned." The unit made sure that everyone knows that the white supremacist does not represent their Nazi-fighting values. Truly, they do what the Trump won't... beyond fighting in a war, which we know President Bone Spurs couldn't do. They unequivocally state that supporting America's enemies in World War II is absolutely un-American. The 82nd Airbone will keep fighting fascists... but this time, they don't need to jump into Europe to do so.
Man, you gotta love New Yorkers... On Monday when Trump showed up in New York they told him fuck you in a lot of creative ways. Here's one way they told him...
It's Trump Rat, kids. Hey, you know I love Star Wars and football, right? Not as much as this guy...
So, if you are thinking about cheating on your loved one you might wanna think twice after seeing this...
Yikes! One thing you might know about me is I like to obey the rules... but not as much as this guy does.
Do you see the sign? Haha. Hey, you know I work at the Star Tours ride at Disney's Hollywood Studios, right? Well, they have recently changed the name of it. Here is the new name...
Speaking of Disney... I have breaking news! Toy Story Land and Star Wars Land are completed earlier than expected...
Hahahaha. I just cracked myself up. Here in Florida some people are very creative with their license plates. Check this one out...
Clever, right? Hey, have you seen what the White House looks like now? No? Take a look...
Sheesh, that's scary. So, one good thing about the Internet is you can look at porn for free. The problem with that though is you might end up looking at porn and not read the Phile. So, I thought I should show something pornographic here. But the problem with that is you might get in trouble if you're reading the Phile at work. Well, I came up with a solution. Check it out, and you're welcome...
Hmmm. Why is there a toilet in the hamster's cage? Haha. By the way, just in case you are a Nazi and don't know what the "alt-left" looks like let me give you a demonstration...
Capeesh? Hey, it's Thursday, so you know what that means, right?
A Queens, N.Y. man sued his local Subway restaurant after he made a frightening discovery that gives new meaning to his former favorite, the Italian cold-cut trio: a knife baked right into the bun. John Agnesini, 27, was shocked to find the surprise ingredient, and a large one at that, in his sandwich. The design director of "HX" magazine was sitting at his computer doing work and not looking at what he was about to put into his mouth. Agnesini said he didn't bite into the knife's blade and wasn't cut, but a few hours later, he said he felt sick to his stomach and went to his doctor. That's not too disgusting, right?
Hmmm... I was sitting on this Mindphuck for a long time. I think I should of sat on it longer. Hahaha. If you spot the Mindphuck let me know. Okay, so, wanna seem wise when you go on a date or back to work? Well, I am here to help you with a pheature simply titled...
Phact 1: Although pancreatic cancers are usually deadly, Steve Jobs had the kind of cancer that was treatable and curable, but for nine months, he refused treatment and instead tried a vegan diet, acupuncture, herbal remedies, psychics, juice fasts, and bowel cleansings. Many experts think it cost him his life.
Phact 2: In 2007, a group of college students drove the speed limit (55mph) on I-285 and backed up traffic for miles.
Phact 3: When Charles Whitman began his shooting rampage at University of Texas in 1966, a lot of locals grabbed their rifles and started shooting back. They kept him pinned down until the police could sneak up the tower and kill him.
Phact 4: In California, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, "Ladies Nights discounts" are against the law because they are gender discrimination.
Phact 5: During the 2011 earthquake in Japan, 50 workers at the Fukushima nuclear power plant did not leave even though 750 others had been evacuated. For four days they kept the reactor from melting down until backup arrived, saving countless lives.
I don't understand that pic at all.
President Donald Trump's usual morning tweet-storm veered straight into tweet-tornado territory this morning. The man tweeted eight times before 10am and I could barely keep up. He started out by trash-talking Senator Lindsey Graham, who on Wednesday made a statement saying that Trump "took a step backward by again suggesting there is moral equivalency between the white supremacist neo-Nazis and KKK members who attended the Charlottesville rally and people like Ms. Heyer." He was referring to Heather Heyer, the 32-year-old woman who was murdered by a white supremacist last weekend. A former reality TV star mocking someone else for being attention-seeking is sheer perfection (if you find his hypocrisy funny). Trump goes on to say that "the public is learning (even more so) how dishonest the Fake News is. They totally misrepresent what I say about hate, bigotry, etc. Shame!" What Trump doesn't seem to realize is that the media can't "misrepresent" words that all of America heard Trump actually say. Once our attention-deficit president tired of that line of tweeting, he switched over to talking shit about "Flake Jeff Flake" (we see what you did there, Trump), whom he called "WEAK" on borders and crime and characterized as "toxic." This is fine, everybody. This is how a president should talk. To remind everyone that he is indeed working, Trump tweeted about his meetings today, and threw in a quick shout out to his favorite topic (besides Hillary's emails): jobs!
Jobs jobs, jobs jobs jobs jobs jobs jobs. But Donald Trump just couldn't help himself, and he had to keep tweeting. He was on a roll, and he was ready to double down. He tweeted about how removing monuments of the Confederacy was ripping the history and culture of the country apart (right, not the racism). He reiterated his belief that taking down statues is a slippery slope, because if we take down Robert E. Lee's monument, soon we'll be taking down statues of Washington and Jefferson. (Quick aside: Lee didn't even like statues or monuments, according to PBS.) It's okay, Donnie. No one's even going to notice the statues are missing after a while. In fact, many people will be thrilled that the statues are gone, whichever ones are successfully taken down. We could even put new ones up, of more modern heroes! Life will continue, and statue-inflicted wounds will heal. Will the country heal? That remains to be seen.
The 65th book to be pheatured in the Phile's Book Club is...
One of the author's, Mike Stoller, will be a guest on the Phile in a few weeks. Pretty fucking cool, right?
Ku Klux Klan
The Ku Klux Klan is a U.S. terrorist group devoted to the cause of white supremacy despite its members being the best argument against it.
Today's guest is a Phile Alum whose new EP "1" is available right now on iTunes. Please welcome back to the Phile, the lovely... Lio Nicol!
Lio: I’ve been busy and fantastic thank you! Hope you’ve been well also!
Me: I'm hanging in there. I have to say, since I started interviewing people on this blog about 9 years ago you have been one of the most talented and one of my favorite guests I had here. You're so young and so talented... you're gonna go far. Do you ever think where you're gonna be in the future? Do you plan on making music for a long time?
Lio: Wow, thank you! I appreciate all your positive support. I always think about where I will be in the future and I hope it’s somewhere by a nice body of water in a modest house filled with instruments and family. I absolutely plan on making music for a long time. My biggest goal for myself is writing songs with and for other people, which is a timeless career if you can build and grow with the industry.
Me: I love your new EP, "1." That makes me think of your making music in the future... "1" and then "2" til about "100." Haha. What made you decide to name the EP "1"?
Lio. Haha. I like the sounds of that! I chose the number 1 because this was my first project I felt completely myself in. So it’s like the beginning of me.
Me: Did you have a good time recording this EP, Lio?
Lio: I had a great time! My friend Wesley Switzer recorded these songs in his home studio, Milestone Studios, in Burbank. The EP reminds me of my last days living in San Diego and moving to Los Angeles because I was in that transition when this EP was being recorded.
Me: You play keyboards and guitar, right? Which one do you prefer and which one came first?
Lio: I taught myself piano first so that comes easier to me for sure, but I started to learn guitar over the last couple years and now I really like to play both equally. Although it’s easier for me to write on piano because I’ve been playing it longer.
Me: I love the video and the song "They Sent You Back Down." Is that meaning heaven or somewhere up north? Am I thinking too much into it? Haha.
Lio: HA! I mean I am Canadian and from Montana so your thinking is pretty on point, BUT technically it’s heaven. The concept is that someone is just too good to be true they must have been sent back down from heaven to be your soul mate.
Me: What was the inspiration for the song, Lio?
Lio: I was actually just sitting at my piano in the living room (that I lived in at the time) of my friend Ali’s house, who is absolutely one of my soul mates, and it just came to me. I know that sounds cheese, but I started with the first line and it all just came out. Sometimes our better songs just sneak out of you when you least expect it.
Me: The video looked so much fun and I was jealous of your friend having a fun time with you. Haha. Did you know the other woman in the video beforehand? It looks like you two are really the best of friends.
Lio: YES! Katherine and I have known each other since 6th grade I believe. We are like sisters. After years of going to different schools and being in different states, we finally ended up in the same place and I was so excited to have her in my video as my actual soul sister!
Me: Was everything in the video planned out or was it improvised?
Lio: Only the locations were planned by Riley (the videographer), the rest was kind of thought up on the spot by Riley and then he just let us be goofy with each other like we do.
Me: There's a few things in the video I would never do that you did... one was throw colored sand or dust or whatever it was at somebody, or have it thrown at me. It could get in your eyes. I have a screenshot of that here...
Me: What was that stuff anyway?
Lio: I think it’s just dry paint? It was so much fun though and it washed out very easily. I get you about the eyes thing though! I kept closing my eyes and missing Katherine so by the end of that shoot I was covered and she was fine... haha.
Me: The other is riding on a shopping cart... haha. Did the supermarket know you were filming?
Lio: They did not! We did it on the side in this little small lot and nobody really saw us so that was fun.
Me: Anyway, the video is perfect for the summer. Was that the plan?
Lio: Well, we released it on the 28th and so it’s out for the world to see!
Me: Will you be making videos for the other songs on the EP?
Lio: I will not be making any more videos from this EP but I am working on new songs currently and will definitely be putting a video out with a couple of the new songs.
Me: I like the song "Day Job." What is that song about? You don't have a day job, right?
Lio: Haha... correct, I go to school at UCLA at night and set up writing sessions during the day. I actually wrote the song about the producer and his wife, Wes and Amy. They are such awesome people and he does the music career and she has the day job life and they do a really great job of making it work so I was inspired to write a song about it!
Me: So, last time you were here I mentioned I love your version of the John Hiatt song "Have A Little Faith In Me" and that I want it played at my funeral. I still do. Is there any other covers you like to do?
Lio: I remember you saying that. I actually covered “Tiny Dancer” which you can find on my YouTube channel as well. That one seems to be a crowd pleasure for sure.
Me: I can't remember if I mentioned this before, but you should record my dad's song, "Third Time Lucky." He was the lead singer in Foghat.
Lio: Oh. Awesome! I will have to check it out ASAP and get this on the list! I love suggestions because I can’t possibly know every great song!
Me: So, what's next for you, Lio? You know, you should come to Orlando, play a show here, and I'll take you to Disney.
Lio: Well, I love Disneyland and have been wanting to come to Florida so who knows! As far as what’s next I am currently writing with lots of other people and working on a few new singles to pump out for you guys!
Me: That's cool! Go ahead and mention your website and everything. Please come back on the Phile sometime. I'm a huge fan, Lio. All the best.
Lio: Thank you, Jason. I would love to and I always love interviewing with you! You can find me at LioNicol.com and through there you are easily connected to all my social medias! Have an amazing life everyone and I’ll talk to you soon, Jason!
That about does it for this entry of the Phile. Thanks to Lio for a great interview. The Phile will be back on Monday with singer Travis Crowley. Spread the word, not the turd. Don't let snakes and alligators bite you. Bye, love you, bye.
Not if it pleases me. No, you can't stop me, not if it pleases me. - Graham Parker
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