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Monthly Archives: February 2018
Birmingham’s ‘People Power’ Movement Wants To Turn Europe’s Biggest Council Upside Down
Birmingham’s ‘People Power’ Movement Wants To Turn Europe’s Biggest Council Upside Down
“It’s like Prime Minister’s Questions but no one is watching,” is how Sunny Sangha describes meetings of the Birmingham politicians that his campaign wants to replace.
People Power Brum (PPB) aims to field 101 “everyday heroes” to fight for every seat in the city council elections in May, in a bid to win a “people’s majority” in Britain’s second largest city, by casting out party politics and completely redrawing it.
To drum up interest and find recruits, PPB has been taking people to the monthly council meetings, explaining its functions and then talking through what they have seen.
“People have been stunned by the playground politics,” Sangha says. ”The councillors are playing the spectacle of politics… personal attacks, insults trading, booing, hissing. Tories on one side. Labour on the other.
“Regular Brummies just come to that and they’re gobsmacked.”
It’s not the people, he says, it’s the system. PPB is looking for revolutionaries.
From Monday until the deadline for nominating candidates in April, it is holding weekly meetings to recruit people to be independent candidates.
One 27-year-old woman who attended the council meeting trips has put herself forward. Another applicant is a middle-aged Black Carribbean women who used to work for the council.
If elected, the councillors would have no whip and be only held to the “People’s Pledge” that says they should “return power to the people, by making Birmingham the first city in the world to implement liquid democracy, where everyone is included and empowered to drive society forward.”
“Liquid democracy” is a model of representation where voters have far more say in what authorities do and elected officials are more like delegates than representatives.
Sangha envisages a system where citizens, not politicians, propose ideas and initiate referendums and even give their votes to other people they trust to make the right call.
He advocates this political earthquake with broad statements. It’s fitting as its genesis was at the embodiment of broad statements: a TED talk.
Sangha, 27, spoke in front of 1,400 people at Birmingham’s TEDx event in October, preaching liquid democracy and saying: “The way power flows in the world right now is very similar to the way water flows in the canals of Birmingham, not very much.”
People excitedly came up to him in the lobby afterwards, discussing his speech.
From this and other events, the core of PPB emerged. They are all volunteers like Sangha, who works on it in his spare time around working for a migrants and refugee charity.
Sangha’s analogies are lofty. He talks about the campaigns of Barack Obama and Emmanuel Macron, who founded a party to make himself President of France, but says PPB will take things “one step further” by electing candidates on the specific platform of changing the body they’re joining.
The precedent for the campaign is more modest. In 2011, a group of independents stood for election to the council in Frome, Somerset and won a majority on their first go. They still control it now. They called it “flatpack democracy” and wrote a book that Sangha has poured over.
Frome is a town of 27,000 people. Birmingham is a city of 1.1 million people, the biggest population of any local government district in Europe.
Britain’s centralised government limits the freedom of its local authorities. Sangha knows this is an obstacle but says: “Birmingham being more participatory would certainly do no harm to the city in terms of getting more power from London.”
When asked for examples of party politics holding Birmingham back, Sangha says he doesn’t know any.
“People don’t need examples to see how party politics gets in the way… When they see people arguing with each other, the whole vibe is not one of constructive problem solving.”
The detail of what this revolution would look like is scant for now.
Sangha says they will hold workshops to help their newbie political candidates learn how to campaign. If they win, he wants to use the volunteers who are coming forward to share the loaf of their work.
He concedes there’s no established way of doing this: “We’re looking to help forge that path.”
“You never know how things go,” Sangha adds. “This hasn’t been done before at this scale.”
When asked if there is a minimum number of seats he hopes PPB will win, Sangha says their achievements so far, “getting people thinking about how democracy can be done better, revealing how the current system is dysfunctional”, is enough.
He adds it would be “miraculous” if a brand new group contested every seat and won a majority on its first attempt in a council where Labour has two thirds of the seats.
“It’s definitely possible but we just don’t know. We’re putting something out there and we just don’t know how ready people are for this.”
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/birmingham-people-power-brum_uk_5a7da918e4b044b3821c80d9
Spotify kicks off Secret Genius video series spotlighting songwriters with Justin Tranter episode
Spotify kicks off Secret Genius video series spotlighting songwriters with Justin Tranter episode
Digital music service Spotify has launched Secret Genius: The Series to shine a spotlight on the unsung voices behind today’s biggest hits. Each episode, available in the service’s new audio-visual Spotlight format, will feature one songwriter revealing the creative process behind one of their hottest songs, recorded and made famous by another artist. At the climax of each episode, the featured songwriter will put their own unique spin on the chart topping tune they penned.
Kicking off the series is a moving episode featuring Justin Tranter, an out pop-songwriting powerhouse and GLAAD board member behind hits like “Centuries” by Fall Out Boy, “Believer” by Imagine Dragons, and “Good for You” and “Hands to Myself” by Selena Gomez.
In the episode, Tranter talks about growing up facing bullying and the outright discrimination he received at the hands of his school’s administration. For his breakout hit “Centuries,” Tranter says he drew inspiration from the legendary trans activist Marsha P. Johnson, who he calls the “godmother of the movement” and whose legacy the songwriter sought to enshrine via the Fall Out Boy hit that eventually became the theme song for ESPN’s college football season.
Check out the episode on your mobile device now!
This is the latest example of Spotify using its huge global platforms to spotlight LGBTQ issues and out music artists. Last year, the digital music service launched its Pride hub and worked with GLAAD to create a Spirit Day playlist.
Other featured songwriters in Secret Genius: The Series include another out artist, country music star Shane McAnally (“Follow Your Arrow,” Kacey Musgraves), as well as Poo Bear (“What Do You Mean?”, Justin Bieber), RuthAnne (“In the Name of Love,” Martin Garrix and Bebe Rexha), Savan Kotecha (“What Makes You Beautiful,” One Direction), Priscilla Renea (“Timber,” Pitbull and Kesha), Hit-Boy (“Backseat Freestyle,” Kendrick Lamar), Dave Bassett (“Fight Song,” Rachel Platten), Ali Tamposi (“It Ain’t Me,” Kygo and Selena Gomez) and Ricky Reed (“NO,” Meghan Trainor).
A recognized and respected songwriter, Tranter recently received a Golden Globe nomination for writing “Home” (performed by Nick Jonas for the animated movie Ferdinand) and a Grammy nomination for Song of the Year for co-writing Julia Michaels’ “Issues.” He was named one of Rolling Stone’s “20 Biggest Breakouts of 2015” for his songwriting contributions to that calendar year’s pop charts.
At every step of his continued rise to the top, Tranter has not shied away from speaking out about LGBTQ inclusion in the industry. Accepting his Songwriter of the Year award at the 65th Annual BMI Pop Awards, Tranter made a call for inclusion of LGBTQ people and women of color in writing rooms. On red carpets for high-profile events like the Grammy and Golden Globes, Tranter is donning the ‘&’ pin and spreading the message to millions about the symbol for the GLAAD-launched Together Movement, which represents the power of the voices of marginalized communities uniting and standing together.
A post shared by justin tranter (@tranterjustin) on
In addition to pushing for LGBTQ inclusion in the industry, he is outspoken about the music business’ role in accelerating LGBTQ acceptance and equality. In 2017, he released a compelling video urging more LGBTQ visibility in music and highlighting its importance for trans people — who too often do not see themselves reflected in media – as part of Transgender Awareness Week. The video, released by GLAAD, featured RuPaul, McAnally, and the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles.
That same year, he also hosted a Spirit Day concert with performances by Courtney Love and Adam Lambert to raise funds in support of LGBTQ youth. Among the special guests were Carly Rae Jepsen, JoJo, Haliee Steinfeld, Gigi Gorgeous, Chris Colfer, Tinashe, Betty Who, and Darren Criss.
In 2016, Tranter along with Julia Michaels and Blood Pop co-wrote GLAAD’s song “Hands,” released with Interscope Records to remember the 49 lives taken in the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting. The musical tribute to the victims of Orlando, featuring over 20 artists including Mary J. Blige, Britney Spears, and Adam Lambert, benefited Equality Florida, the GLBT Community Center of Central Florida and GLAAD.
Watch Justin Tranter’s episode now on your mobile device and stay tuned for an upcoming episode featuring out country songwriter Shane McAnally!
February 9, 2018
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RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 3 Episode 3 | Reaction
RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 3 Episode 3 | Reaction
HRC Exclusive Interview with Adam Rippon, First Out American Olympic Figure Skater
HRC Exclusive Interview with Adam Rippon, First Out American Olympic Figure Skater
California Politician Accused of #MeToo Hypocrisy After Allegedly Groping Male Staffers
Gay (2363)
The writer of a gay cult classic outsmarted Hollywood 20 years ago; now he’s cashing in
The writer of a gay cult classic outsmarted Hollywood 20 years ago; now he’s cashing in
Broadway may have found its next drag hit.
Jamie Dornan, Olympics, Billy Porter, John Kelly, Logan Paul, Mike Pence, Zachary Quinto: HOT LINKS
Jamie Dornan, Olympics, Billy Porter, John Kelly, Logan Paul, Mike Pence, Zachary Quinto: HOT LINKS
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE DAY. Billy Porter “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair”.
“DOG AND PONY SHOW”. State Department criticizes North Korea’s military parade.
TURMOIL. Trump calls previous chief of staff Reince Priebus to vent about Chief of Staff John Kelly: “The idea that the president would confide grievances over Mr. Kelly with the person he pushed out to hire Mr. Kelly is yet another indication of how upside-down Mr. Trump’s world can be. In the West Wing, various characters fall in and out of favor with such rapidity that it is never entirely clear who has the president’s ear.”
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT HAMSTER. Miami Beach student may sue airline for facilitating her decision to flush it down an airport toilet.
LOGAN PAUL. YouTube punishes “suicide forest” vlogger Logan Paul after he returned to the platform, tased a rat and promised to eat laundry detergent: “After careful consideration, we have decided to temporarily suspend ads on Logan Paul’s YouTube channels. This is not a decision we made lightly, however, we believe he has exhibited a pattern of behavior in his videos that makes his channel not only unsuitable for advertisers, but also potentially damaging to the broader creator community.”
FULL FRONTAL. Jamie Dornan discusses rumors he was offered $1 million to show it all in Fifty Shades Freed.
CAN’T READ. Trump prefers his daily intelligence briefing read to him: ‘Trump has opted to rely on an oral briefing of select intelligence issues in the Oval Office rather than getting the full written document delivered to review separately each day, according to three people familiar with his briefings. Reading the traditionally dense intelligence book is not Trump’s preferred “style of learning,” according to a person with knowledge of the situation.
NEW HAMPSHIRE. Wife of Education Commissioner urges lawmakers to kill bill banning gay conversion therapy: ‘In the email, Edelblut says the bill would interfere with clinical relationships and undermine parental rights. The bill’s prime sponsor, Democratic State Rep Ed Butler, who is gay himself, flatly denies those claims. “I wondered how it was that the Education Commissioner’s wife could be as poorly educated on this issue as the email indicates.”’
OPENING CEREMONIES. Trump and Kim Jong Un impersonators tossed out. “The unlikely duo — the real-life versions of whom are at odds politically — wandered through the lower section of the crowd near the media seating section shortly after the United States team finished its walk in the Parade of Nations.”
Trump and Kim Jong Un (impersonators) meet at the Olympics! Hilarious. #VPinASIA pic.twitter.com/jf9rCQUsTK
— Josh Rogin (@joshrogin) February 9, 2018
OLYMPICS. Mike Pence avoids North Korean offical at reception: “Ahead of the reception, hosted by South Korean President Moon Jae-in, South Korean media said Pence was expected to be seated opposite Kim Yong Nam, North Korea’s nominal head of state, at the 12-seat head table. But South Korea’s presidential Blue House said Pence had a meeting scheduled with U.S. athletes and had only planned to stay briefly to greet other officials. Pence shook hands with other leaders, including close ally Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, but not Kim Yong Nam, according to a Blue House pool official.”
RODRIGO DUTERTE. Philippine dictator says he’d rather be shot than jailed for crimes against humanity: “However, the firebrand leader notorious for his defiance of international pressure questioned whether the ICC had jurisdiction to indict him over the deaths of thousands of Filipinos in his war on drugs. He denied ever giving an order to police to kill drug suspects.”
SUPER BOWL SELFIE FOLLOW UP OF THE DAY. A phone call from JT.
LIP SYNC OF THE DAY. Johnny Weir does Lady Gaga.
TRAILER OF THE DAY. Zachary Quinto in Aardvark.
FRIDAY FLASH. Austin.
The post Jamie Dornan, Olympics, Billy Porter, John Kelly, Logan Paul, Mike Pence, Zachary Quinto: HOT LINKS appeared first on Towleroad.
Jamie Dornan, Olympics, Billy Porter, John Kelly, Logan Paul, Mike Pence, Zachary Quinto: HOT LINKS
Nicht einmal die SPD nimmt die SPD noch ernst
Nicht einmal die SPD nimmt die SPD noch ernst
- In der SPD herrscht an diesem Freitag Ratlosigkeit
- Die Partei hat mit einem beispiellosen Posten-Zank viel Vertrauen zerstört
Die Sozialdemokraten mussten in den vergangenen Monate viele schwarze Tage durchstehen. Mittlerweile erscheint sogar der Wahltag im September im Angesicht der darauffolgenden Chaos-Wochen eher dunkelgrau.
An diesem Freitag hat die SPD-Schlingerfahrt ein zumindest kurzfristiges abruptes Ende genommen. Für Steuermann Martin Schulz endete sie in der Leitplanke.
Trotz Verhandlungserfolgen in den GroKo-Gesprächen verzichtet Schulz auf den Posten des Außenministers. Die Parteiführung hatte ihm das Vertrauen entzogen. Blöd nur: Die zweite logische Wahl für den Posten, den ohnehin geschäftsführenden Außenminister Sigmar Gabriel, hatte man da schon vergrault.
Das SPD-Theater schien am Freitag zeitweise so lächerlich, dass selbst eingefleischte Sozialdemokraten Häme und Frust nicht mehr verbergen konnten.
Ex-Juso-Chefin Uekermann: “Ich hab’s satt”
Johanna Uekermann, ehemalige Chefin der Juos und Vorgängerin des No-GroKo-Durchstarters Kevin Kühnert, resignierte völlig. Bei Twitter schrieb die 30-Jährige: “Sagt Bescheid, wenn dieser Männerzirkus vorbei ist. Ich hab’s satt.”
Sagt Bescheid, wenn dieser Männerzirkus vorbei ist. Ich hab’s satt. #ausGründen
— Johanna Uekermann (@j_uekermann) February 9, 2018
Ihre Berliner Parteikollegin Sawsan Chebli, immer wieder vorsichtig für ein Ministeramt in der GroKo gehandelt, konnte ihre Enttäuschung über den Zustand der Partei ebenfalls nicht verbergen. Sie schrieb: “Ja, wir geben gerade ein desaströses Bild ab. Es ist tragisch.”
Mehr zur GroKo:
Immerhin erklärte sie: So leicht sei die SPD nicht totzukriegen.
Ja, wir geben gerade ein desaströses Bild ab. Es ist tragisch. Aber die SPD ist so leicht nicht tot zu kriegen. @spdde@spdbtt.co/Uv85NAv3QP
— Sawsan Chebli (@SawsanChebli) February 9, 2018
Auch Juso-Chef Kühnert spottete in einer Kurznachricht über den “politischen Karneval in Berlin”.
Habe meine #NoGroko-Tour soeben in #Pirna begonnen. Drei Stunden Gespräche mit Initiativen und (Nicht-)Mitgliedern über Arbeit, Rente, Infrastruktur, Integration, Rechtsruck und #spderneuern. Jetzt weiter nach Leipzig. Politischer Karneval in Berlin ist weit weg. #Jusos
— Kevin Kühnert (@KuehniKev) February 9, 2018
Der SPD-Stadtverband Neubrandenburg landete derweil einen Twitter-Hit mit seiner Kapitulationserklärung. “Wir stellen hier über das Wochenende das Twittern ein. Wir müssen auch erstmal rauskriegen, was die Genossinnen und Genossen im SPD-Bundesvorstand aktuell vorhaben.”
Wir stellen hier über das Wochenende das Twittern ein. Wir müssen auch erstmal rauskriegen, was die Genossinnen und Genossen im @spdde-Bundesvorstand aktuell vorhaben. pic.twitter.com/2UOSzCTATC
— SPD Neubrandenburg (@SPDNB) February 9, 2018
Und der SPD-Bundestagsabgeordnete Detlef Müller stimmte trocken einer Analyse der “Welt” zu, die Martin Schulz vorhielt, sich “völlig verzockt” zu haben.
“Leider eine gute Analyse”, so Müllers trauriges Fazit.
Leider eine gute Analyse. t.co/uxNGLR3QG9
— Detlef Müller (@MuellerChemnitz) February 9, 2018
