Labor, Environment, and the Green New Deal

I attended a fascinating discussion today at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Detroit. The program was led by Aaron Mair, former national president of the Sierra Club. Panelists represented Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition, Soulardarity and Blue Green Alliance.

All of the panelists provided fascinating perspectives not only on climate change but also on climate justice. There is a song in 2020: The Musical about climate change, "Simple Times Gone By" (https://youtu.be/hAImCZK6B4c), but it does not cover climate justice. I will have to write one on that topic sometime soon. Climate justice warns us that it is essential that good jobs and a better environment are part of tackling climate change.

The Green New Deal provides a solution to global warming. But we must also address who benefits from the transition to green technologies. Labor unions and other groups must ensure that the benefits of new infrastructure do not fall solely to the rich. All people and communities must benefit from this massive change.

As a delightful aside, I had the chance to visit with Marty Habelewsky, a veteran PR professional and friend of many years who I had not seen in some time. His wife, Ruth, took this photo of us.

Uncle Sam Arrested

Uncle Sam was arrested by U.S. Capitol Police during a "Fire Drill Fridays" protest  on Friday, November 1st when she joined 44 other people including Jane Fonda at a sit-in protest inside the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill. 

Uncle Sam says we need climate solutions now. She says we must among other things stop deforestation, improve agricultural practices, stop using fossil fuels and develop more renewable energy sources.

Uncle Sam aka Carol Dunitz has written and recorded a climate protest song, "Simple Times Gone By" (https://youtu.be/hAImCZK6B4c), which is part of a new show, "2020 The Musical." She says everyone must do everything they can to save our planet.  #GreenNewDeal #NoNewFossilFuels #FireDrillFridays #2020TheMusical

Uncle Sam is Running for President

Uncle Sam is running for president. In an interview on CTN Access Ann Arbor on Thursday, October 24th, Uncle Sam aka Carol Dunitz announced she is throwing her hat in the ring. Interviewer Laurajeanne Kehn asked, "Why?" and Dunitz said she wanted to interject music with poignant lyrics into the campaign to educate the public and get people out to vote. Dunitz said music is an International language that has the potential to create more interest and spark excitement. 

 "Everyone needs to understand the issues and commit to action. Each and every citizen needs do what they can to get others involved and out to VOTE." The half hour interview is punctuated with numerous political song segments from 2020:The Musical and can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNCoe7S3NJU&feature=youtu.be  

Woohoo! "Happy Birthday Baby" - 5000 Views on Youtube

“2020: The Musical” has 19 political songs and one novelty song. The novelty song, “Happy Birthday Baby” was released in advance of the other songs. Today "Happy Birthday Baby" reached a special mark. The song has over 5000 views on youtube! Who do you know that’s having a birthday? ‘Bet they’d like to receive “Happy Birthday Baby” as a virtual birthday card. https://youtu.be/dtI0lj1JCT0 (Click link to view)

I Want to Play with You

Lots of sexual innuendo in "I Want to Play With You," one of 20 songs in 2020: The Musical. But it's really about the indecent, corrupt practices between our legislators and the lobbyists who they too often succumb to. This is not the only area of government where there is an abundance of corruption but it is certainly one where it is very obvious. 
https://youtu.be/UezrGxeFaC8 (Please click on link for video)

Hands Down Better -- In the Studio

Yesterday my friend, Yael Ganet, helped me videotape some of the numbers from "2020: The Musical." Here is "Hands Down Better." It is a song about discrimination -- slightly veiled by attributing human qualities to instruments in the orchestra. https://youtu.be/sdrO82Xd-io (Please click on link for video)

New Studio Videos!

New Video is now available for six songs from 2020: The Musical. 

Stack the Deck  https://youtu.be/8NAXyvcF2wE (Click on Link)
I Want to Play with You https://youtu.be/UezrGxeFaC8 (Click on Link)

Hands Down Better  https://youtu.be/sdrO82Xd-io (Click on Link)

Simple Times Gone By https://youtu.be/hAImCZK6B4c (Click on Link)

My Body, My Choice https://youtu.be/8eiDnXAf2Yg (Click on Link)

This Life Shared in Poverty  https://youtu.be/ZDtiGs9bjpY (Click on Link)

We were also able to complete a segment of a seventh song.

Let’s Take Out the NRA https://youtu.be/4V5g0-3XCLY (Click on Link)

My friend, Yael Ganet, operated the video camera while I went through some of the songs. I really appreciated the assistance. Having studio recordings is helpful until live performance video is available.