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In the Sun

Michael Stipe has started the In The Sun Foundation that's providing help to the people displaced by last year's gulf coast hurricanes. He has this to say about the project:

I wanted to do something to help the displaced people of the gulf coast. So many people feel that we are living in divisive times, and I wanted to do something that might help unite all Americans to recognize that these are our people who are victims of hurricanes katrina and rita. I believe that in joining together we can begin to heal the trauma that has changed so many of their lives forever. We are a great people, and it is in unity that we reach greatness. I hope that this song helps.

Michael recorded six versions of Joseph Arthur's song "In The Sun" and has made it available as a downloadable EP from iTunes. The different versions are collaborations with Chris Martin, Will.I.Am, Justin Timberlake, Adam Schlesinger, James Iha, and Joseph Arthur himself. Head over to iTunes to get some good music and help out an ongoing cause. There's also a short interview with Michael at Boston.com today.

I heard on NPR this morning that housing benefits for displaced families will be expiring over the next few weeks. The head of FEMA said something to the effect that they would assume that those who hadn't called to "register a code" to extend their benefits had obviously found alternate accomodations. I can't believe that the rebuilding (of both buildings and lives) of the gulf coast isn't a more pressing issue in our nation now. This is a full-scale ongoing distaster that's happened within our borders. How can we be expected to help people overseas if we can't even take care of our own?

Jerad posted this in Music | Comments (0)

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   jerad _at_ driveblind _dot_ net