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We're skipping Tune Day today as there are more important things to cover. Primarily, I'm discussing Arlen Specter's shift to the Democratic Party. I will let Sen. Specter's statement start us off: "Since my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent, the Republican Party has moved far to the right. Last year, more than 200,000 Republicans in Pennsylvania changed their registration to become Democrats. I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans." And there it is. What I've been saying for the past two years, in essence. The GOP has moved extremely far to the right. Taking hard-line stands on social issues such as banning gay marriage, abortion, all manner of drugs, safe sex education and countless others while, at the same time, closely aligning itself with ultra-conservative, evangelical Christianity has created a party that cares very little for any sort of compromise. Honestly, there is nothing in current R

One thing they teach you in PR... the news sets the agenda. And, I am of a mind that we should think of that more when we consumer the news. Please bear in mind that I hold all types of journalism in high regard. By seeking out a variety of news outlets and viewpoints, I feel like I gain a better understanding of the world and the view of others. Today's richly diverse media world - with an emphasis on user-generated content - offers more opportunity than ever. All this said... I cannot believe the sudden furor over swine flu. And I think it's all because of the news. Friday is a notoriously slow news day. And this past Friday, the Drudge Report - possibly the most comprehensive news-gathering outlet that throws all judgment aside simply for sensationalism and right-wing pandering (and to great success, to Matt Drudge's credit) - threw up big red-letter panic about swine flu spreading... clearly to kill us all. The only surprise was that it didn't blame Obama for

Have you driven from Baltimore to Delaware lately? No? Good for you. Because they have JACKED the tolls on I-95 to a point where I think I may bike the 90 miles or whatever next time. The Maryland toll is up to $5 a car and the one at the Delaware line, easily the worst tollbooth in the country is now $4. This is what it feels like: I find myself very suddenly hoping the NC Turnpike Authority concentrates on Raleigh for many, many, many years before touching my Charlotte highways.

I'm not very smart, so it took me until Daft Punk's Discovery for me to see the similarities between "techno" and classical music. Songs with a variety of layers, instruments (and by that I mean anything making a noise) and themes- counterthemes that established by songs. I've often been surprised how some who love traditional classical music don't get into electronic music more. I guess, for some people, it's more about how the music is being played than how it sounds. That said, I can absolutely understand that it is something of an acquired taste to sort through the tweaks and bleeps and train your ear on the themes and melodies in the music of someo ne like Dan Deacon. I have read very little on Mr. Deacon. I know he's based in Baltimore. Apparently, his live performances are quite the spectacle. What I know for sure, is that his new album Bromst is absolutely one of the better records I've heard this year. And it's every bit comp

You know, I'm all for being served now and then. Especially at hotels. I love picking up the phone, calling the front desk and having someone address me with a "Mr." in front of my name. I can totally understand why Matt Damon used to check into hotels under the false last name "President." After all, every room service call was answered by someone going "Yes, Mr. President?" That said, there is a line between where others must serve us and where we must roll up our shirt sleeves and make some things happen. For instance, the airport this morning: Flustered Man, running up to gate: I'm not sure where I need to go, I'm flying to Chicago. Gate agent: Well, what's your flight number? Flustered: Umm ... (gets boarding pass) I... oh no! I gave them the Chicago boarding pass when I got on my first plane this morning! How could she have missed that?! Agent: Well, what's your reservation number? Flustered: I don't know, you figure it o

Apparently, Delta, Continental, Southwest, JetBlue and a handful of others are already doing this, but I didn't know... United Airlines will begin charging obese passengers for two seats if they get bumped from a full flight due to not being able to fit into one seat. This is absolutely and interesting bit of news. After all, take it from a seasoned traveler: this is an issue. But don't take my word for it... according to a United spokesperson: "Last year we had 700 complaints from passengers who had to share their seats." Meaning you're enjoying your window seat when suddenly your thigh is being used as a supplemental cushion by some large person. Yes, I know... airline seats are small. But no smaller than seats in a stadium. And most airplane seats I've encountered are bigger than those on public buses/subways. So let's not blame seat size. So, how will the determination be made? You can tell United has lawyers, put it that way: Under the new po

Since the 1990s are cool again (see: re-release of Pearl Jam's Ten ), I bring you a track that has been missed by the Seattle-scene historians. Just consider: You've got Alice in Chains in one of their mostly-acoustic EPs You've got Chris Cornell offering a guest vocal You've got Mark Arm, lead singer of Mudhoney You've got a song like none other from any of these bands Here's "Right Turn:" Right Turn - Alice In Chains

...this blog is here for you. Even when I haven't had time to blog, zombie news is news of importance and must be noted. CNN , please take us away: Woody Harrelson defended his clash with a photographer at a New York airport Wednesday night as a case of mistaken identity -- he says he mistook the cameraman for a zombie. Uh, huh. Go on... "I wrapped a movie called ' Zombieland ,' in which I was constantly under assault by zombies, then flew to New York, still very much in character," Harrelson said in a statement issued Friday by his publicist. "With my daughter at the airport I was startled by a paparazzo, who I quite understandably mistook for a zombie," he said. I'm not sure what to believe. Every time I'm at LaGuardia , I think I see a zombie. Anyhow, keep this in mind the next time you plan a surprise party for Woody Harrelson .