auctioneer69

Taking a 20,000 feet many view, I think you have to still think this is a center-right country founded over two centuries ago on a grave fear and mistrust of government which continues. Coming from Europe originally I am always struck by how Americans will automatically blame the Government for problems and in Europe the blame always usually goes to private enterprise. Here in the USA, private enterprise is considered virtuous which feeds an environment in which sometimes big business gets a freer pass than it deserves. In Europe it's the exact opposite. The very similar problems that the

Seriously, charity as a healthcare option for the wealthiest country and biggest economy in the world at the start of the 21st century? Pitiful. Let's bring back the workhouse for debtors who can't pay their medical bills at the same time. As a man of science you might prefer a more reasoned approach. Take your pick of umpteen different health-care models that work well in any number of different countries and based on their results add the best parts to what is offered here. Of course that would force you to take of your ideological blinders.

You should be happy because those people who don't have insurance in this are in affect charity cases. I know someone who has taken extended leave from their job recently to become a full-time care-giver and case-worker for her father who is in his mid-fifties, has cancer and has no insurance. Her main job is being his health-advocate finding doctors and other health professionals to treat him and finding ways to get his care for free or paid for by charities. Also in your ideologically-driven fog you've forgotten that those under Medicare are indeed treated by private healthcare. It is merel

After a very depressing morning, I am now hopeful that Obama and the Democrats will go back and fashion a more modest plan (although goodness knows its modest enough as stands.) At that point they could truly call the Republicans bluff. This truly is too important an issue not to be left untouched any longer. One thing that has impressed me about Obama is that he has maintained that this is about both increasing access to coverage and finding ways to decrease costs. Both are essential to the health of individuals and the nation. To those who continue to harp on about the false fears of socia

I think health-care in it's current form is dead. Let's face it the Republicans have zero-interest now in anything apart from lower taxes and smaller government. They certainly have no interest in health-care reform. If anything, they will swing further to the right to meet the populist mood. As for the idyllic necessity of health-care for all, why are we the only country in the Western Hemisphere without it? I come from Britain whose NHS isn't perfect but still provides a superb safety net for every person in the country. Fox loves to lambast it yet never mention the fact that while priv

Terribly depressing to say the least. A protest vote but one that might stop the best chance of health-care reform in my lifetime dead in its tracks. I have a good friend who is a Republican and who is also uninsurable if he ever loses his work-based insurance. I could say nothing to convince him that the putative health-care bill might be good for him and millions of others. I saw someone recently I work with who has largely been absent from her own business for the last 18 months. Why? Because her father has cancer and has no insurance. She spends most of her time working with hospital

That's a fantastic line-up. Crying in my cornflakes as there is no way I can go. Would love to see the Specials, Sly and the Family Stone, Pavement, Vampire Weekend, LCD Soundsystem, Gorillaz, Thom Yorke, Spoon, Grace Jones, MGMT, Hot Chip and above all Orbital who are renowned for their legendary festival appearances. At first glance an amazing musical smorgasbord of talent. Plus lots of great up-and-coming bands.

Stone Temple Pilots. Euuccchh. (For that matter Grunge was the 90's equivalent of heavy metal. Nirvana were Led Zeppelin and most other bands were somewhere between abysmal and terrible.)

Must be my day to be contrary: stuck Paul Simon on. No reasonable similarity ( I mean Paul Simon is so distinctive). Agreed: nice to be compared on a classic on your debut. I like this new one but think that a la Franz Ferdinand or the Strokes, the second one may pale in public and critical response to the first.

That's a wee bit of a simplification or simply quite wrong. There's a definite Afro-pop influence in some songs but there's also a lot more going on. They definitely have a sound unlike anyone else just now.

Not out until next week officially.

http://pitchfork.com/tv/#/episode/2092-vampire-weekend/7 Pitchfork have a nice preview for the album out next week in the form of several live performances. I was very late to the Vampire Weekend party but really dig their songs and sound. Looking forward to getting "Contra" next week.

An amazing list for two reasons. So much insipid music and also looks at how few CD's were from the second half of the decade and indeed the last two years. The sales of CD's are in a free-fall. (Also not to be be too pedantic English or England refers only to that country. Britain comprises England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.)

Coming up from Seattle for one weekend. Excited but appalled at the exorbitant ticket prices. (I won't go into the details but the organization of the Winter Olympics especially in how tickets are distributed is a complete outrage. If you are interested google Seattle based journalist Ron Judd). Going to the Victoria show and in half a mind about the outdoor Vancouver show. Think it might be a zoo. As a native of Scotland originally I am most interested in the premier winter athletic competition: curling! You can keep your ice-hockey and freestyle skiing - curling is where it's at

Maybe a better question while the climate summit is taking place in Copenhagen is how has this monstrosity cost the planet in carbon emissions? Hypocrites of the highest order especially in light of Bono's efforts on behalf of the population of Africa. The very continent that the UN report on climate change will face the biggest threats because of CO2 and other greenhouse gases. I know U2 have bought carbon offsets but on the symbolic level of changing behavior to lessen climate change this tour is an affront to common sense.

http://www.youtube.com/user/nunoalpi#p/u/4/mtnDsW53Ack Some of you may have seen this before. If like me you are stuck inside because of cold weather - enjoy. Perhaps the best Wilco TV perfomance I have seen online. Great sound, camera work and brilliant Spanish crowd. (Hope I haven't broken any etiquette about youtube)

Surprised nobody has made a plug for "Marquee Moon" by Television. (Best solo this decade Stephen Malkmus and the The Jicks "No More Shoes" on "Face The Truth".)

Brian Eno - good person to trust? Someone whose income has been tied to his contribution's to U2's work for 25 + years now. More now than at any time since he actually gets writing credits on this album. I am someone who loves "The Joshua Tree" and "Achtung Baby", whose first gig was seeing U2 in 1983. I think "All That You Can't Leave Behind" is a decent album easily the best of the three they have released this decade. But #13 this decade? And I am always baffled by this notion that U2 are given a hard time by the music press or critics. Certainly not be the Rolling Stone or their Brit

But the decreasingly relevant Rolling Stone need to keep their head up U2's arse as far as they can in the vain hope that yet another magazine cover for the Dublin has-beens will sell a few more copies of their magazine.

This whole list sucked. Rolling Stones sycophancy towards U2 knows no bounds (likewise Springsteen). "All That You Can't Leave Behind" made it into the top twenty albums of the decade. Incredible. Even more astounding was making "Moment of Surrender" song of the year for 2009. 7 + minutes of the most boring music U2 have ever done. I was also blown away that the Fleet Foxes eponymous debut didn't make it at least to the top twenty albums. A far better and more original album than many that made that level.

Usually reunions are strictly about the dough. When bands have enough of it or aren't money-hungry whores they usually refrain from trying to recreate something that was special at the right time and place. I enjoyed seeing Dinosaur Jr this year but though the Pixies were piss poor in 2005. Thank god, Robert Plant has some self-respect. A Led Zeppelin would be a horrible nostalgia trip. Better to leave the memory of a younger, more vital band in people's minds and hearts.

Mine haven't appeared yet either.

I have friends who will be in New Zealand about the same time. Here's hoping Wilco make it there too.