Spread The Word to End the Word

Spread The Word to End the Word Spread the Word to End the Word is a United States national campaign to encourage people to pledge to stop using the word retard. End the "R" word advocates believe the use of the word “retard(ed)” in colloquial and everyday speech is hurtful and dehumanizing to individuals with intellectual disabilities. They advocate for the use of language that respects the dignity of people with mental disabilities. Advocates believe individuals with cognitive disabilities and other developmental disabilities are capable of enjoying life’s experiences and that causal references to the words retard or retarded makes a person with intellectual disabilities feel "less than human." By calling it the r-word, they draw an analogy to socially unacceptable racial terms, especially nigger.

http://tinyurl.com/kwzt3lh

Teen Who Killed Four People Got Off On Probation Because He's Rich

A 16-year-old boy who drunkenly killed four people got probation this week because the judge — with no apparent irony — agreed with the boy's defense that he was a victim of "affluenza," whose parents taught him wealth and privilege shield consequences. The teen had faced up to twenty years in prison.

Sixteen-year-old Ethan Couch admitted to four counts of manslaughter after he and seven other boys stole alcohol from Walmart, piled into his car and struck and killed four pedestrianswhile going 70 miles per hour in a 40 zone. One of his passengers remains in the hospital with severe brain damage, and nine other bystanders were also injured.

Couch's BAC was a .24 and he also had Valium in his system. According to reports, he was belligerent at the scene, at one point saying, "I'm outta here." Prosecutors were hoping to get up to 20 years.

Couch's defense was that he was a victim of his parents' wealth and privilege; in that he never had to face consequences, which an expert summarized prior to sentencing.

He said Couch got whatever he wanted. As an example, Miller said Couch's parents gave no punishment after police ticketed the then-15-year-old when he was found in a parked pickup with a passed out, undressed 14-year-old girl.

Miller also pointed out that Couch was allowed to drive at 13. He said the teen was emotionally flat and needed years of therapy. At the time of the fatal wreck, Couch had a blood alcohol content of .24, said Tarrant County Sheriff Dee Anderson. It is illegal for a minor to drive with any amount of alcohol in his or her system.

The victims' families sort of agree with the reasoning, in that they too feel that Couch's privilege helped him avoid consequences.

Couch is now being sent to a $500,000-a-year counseling center. There are apparently five civil wrongful death suits pending against him totaling tens of millions of dollars.

Sean Cotton Christmas Seasonal Concert

Sean Cotton is appearing at Sutherland Hall in Huntsville, Ontario for an intimate Christmas Concert -Wednesday December 10th at 7:30 pm.

In a short interview, Sean had this to say about his Christmas seasonal concert...
"The songs are a collection of songs that I've written over the past 18 years that only feel
relevant one or two times a year, each written to serve a different purpose for me creatively. It turns out that each one represents the challenges of winter in different ways. It is interesting to put them all together and see the common thread and message between them, especially for songs written about different things from over such a long period of time."

"There will be songs for families looking for some real perspective to share with their kids about why we celebrate this time of year, couples looking to celebrate their bond through these cold months, single people looking for a voice during this time of year and a little bit of a surprise for the ones young enough to believe in Santa and still think they can get away with being naughty. Mmmmwahahahha! "

$10 for adults and $5 for kids. It is at Sutherland Hall with a 7:30pm show time. 

You can buy tickets at the door, Cripple Creek Music, Treasures and Trophies

Jamie Clarke has joined Tree Ring Records

Jamie Clarke is Canadian singer/songwriter currently based in Muskoka, Ontario. He currently fronts the band “Myrle” and co-fronts the band “Lewis & Clarke”. He is a lyrically driven songwriter, who attacks his guitar with confidence. His unique voice sets him apart from others, with its baritone rasp, often compared to an early Tom Waits or “Bruce Springstein with a new set of spark plugs”

He is currently supporting the release of his first full length album, produced by fellow musician Shannon Lyon. www.shannonlyonmusic.com

“Like Dylan, Earle and all the great troubadours that came before him, Jamie’s songs are steeped in true emotion and will stand the test of time.” SL
Lewis & Clarke are preparing for their release of their first Album “Rock and Roll is Broken” with Tree Ring Records.

Jamie has been writing, performing and recording music for over 15 years. He has lived, performed and traveled Canada for well over a decade. His songs are inspired by loss, hope with the backdrop of a country he has gotten to know and love intimately.

You can get his disc here: http://www.indie-pool.com/order/cart.asp?showCompany=1

Visit his website here: www.myrle.ca