Dave Winer on Bernie Sanders:

Sanders is a nice guy for sure, but he can’t do the organizing we need to do (see below). It’s not something you can delegate.

Not sure how Dave came to this view on Sanders (he did mention his age and the fact that he doesn’t have apps on his phone), but Bernie’s campaign epitomizes grassroots, democratic organizing. The Intercept had an article on his campaign app and that app is translating into volunteers and donors at record numbers. It’s a big part of why I donated to his campaign. Of course, Sanders may waste all of this like Obama did, but I am willing to take that risk.

Volume 1, Issue 1: Run-DMC’s Raising Hell

Run DMC Raising Hell

7 Day Music Club

Note: This post was published elsewhere initially. I am moving my 7-Day Music Club efforts from that domain to my main blog. Enjoy!

As we start this new journey on 7-Day Music Club, I felt the best place to start was at the beginning. For me, the true joy of music, discovery, and finding my own taste started with Run-DMC’s Raising Hell.

Not only was was Raising Hell the first cassette I bought with my own (10th birthday) money – purchased at K-Mart in Lockport, NY shortly after release in 1986 – but it was the first album I listened to repeatedly, memorizing all of the lyrics. It was also the first record I bonded with friends over: my friend Alex and I would listen repeatedly in his bedroom or while playing Sega Genesis – we’d each take turns being Run or DMC, nailing our parts as we went through each song.

The love of Run-DMC evolved creatively as well – we eventually started writing our own raps as Run-PVD (as creative a name as you could expect from a 10-year old) with our friend Eric. We even performed in the hall for our 5th grade student teacher the following school year.

The discovery of Hip-Hop was universe expanding for me in many ways – especially after a childhood of exposure to classic and yacht rock via my parents. Run-DMC led me to LL Cool J’s Bigger and Deffer, the Beastie Boys’ Licensed to Ill, and the Fat Boys’ Crushin’. From there: Public Enemy, Slick Rick, A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Erik B. & Rakim, Nas, BDP, 3rd Bass, Black Sheep, Digital Underground, the D.O.C., Geto Boys, Ice Cube, Young MC, and Digable Planets. I was hooked.

My love for Hip-Hop has only grown over time. Today my faves include: Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Jay-Z, Run the Jewels, Joey Bada$$, Saba, Schoolboy Q, Earl Sweatshirt, A$AP Rocky, and many more.