Remember Phil Donahue? This is the guy that started it all in talk show land. During our conversation he turned the tables on Russ and started interviewing him. I guess it’s something you never stop doing. This interview was a reminder of why we do this thing issue after issue. The subject matter was his documentary about a young man wounded in Iraq. We are much in debt to Mr. Donahue for the wisdom he imparted. Enjoy.

AUSTIN DAZE: First time in Austin?

PHIL DONAHUE: No. Ellen Spiro is our cinematographer and she teaches at UT. I came here three years ago when we started this—this film has been in the making for three years. Ellen knows me more than she ever wanted to. It’s been a very, very emotional experience if you must know. People see you in a wheelchair and think, “Oh poor baby, he can’t walk.” It’s a lot more complicated than that. I’m embarrassed to think about how uniformed I was. Read the rest of this entry »

[fa:p:a=72157594267830938,id=235358561,j=r,s=s,l=p]A quickie with future governor of Texas Kinky Friedman:

AUSTIN DAZE: How’s the signature drive going? We heard it’s been the lowest turnout for the primaries ever.

KINKY FRIEDMAN: That’s right. And we take credit for the very low turnout because we think a lot people are saving themselves for Kinky so they could sign the petition. Of course it could be that if God wanted us to vote, he would have given us candidates. Read the rest of this entry »

[fa:p:a=72157594267830938,id=233541961,j=r,s=s,l=p]Kinky Friedman has a presence. the presence is a mixture of greatness and humility. with a cigar in hand at the austin daze office, he set us at ease.
KINKY FRIEDMAN NEEDS TO BE THE NEXT GOVERNOR OF THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME WE HAD A GOVERNOR THAT MADE US CRACK A SMILE WHILE WE DID SOMETHING GOOD FOR THE STATE? FOR THAT MATTER, WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME WE DID SOMETHING POSITIVE FOR THE COLLECTIVE CONSCIOUSNESS OF OUR FAIR STATE? WITH ALL OF THIS REDISTRICTING MESS GOING ON, IT HAS BEEN HARD TO TAKE PRIDE IN STATE GOVERNMENT. LOCAL GOVERNMENT NOW ADAZE IS THE ONLY HOPE WE HAVE. IF WE LOOK TOO FAR BEYOND THAt, WE WIND UP BEING EMBARRASSED BY THE DECISIONS OF AN EVIL ADMINISTRATION. I WON’T GO INTO THAT HERE, BUT YOU KNOW WHAT i MEAN. Read the rest of this entry »

WE HAD BEEN TOYING WITH THE IDEA OF TALKING WITH THE MAYOR FOR AWHILE. I REALLY DIDN’T KNOW MUCH ABOUT HIM OTHER THAN THE FACT THAT HE HAS THE GREATEST NAME A POLITICIAN COULD EVER WANT. WITH A NAME LIKE THAT, HOW COULD YOU LOSE? FORTUNATLEY, THERE WAS MUCH MORE TO HIM THAN A GREAT NAME. WE DISCUSSED MANY OF THE PROBLEMS AND ADVANTAGES OUR CITY IS FACING. WE ARE GLAD TO HAVE GOTTEN THE CHANCE TO HEAR WHAT HE THOUGHT ABOUT BEING THE LIVE MUSIC CAPITAL OF THE WORLD. Read the rest of this entry »

[fa:p:a=72157594267830938,p=2,id=241710724,j=r,s=s,l=p]OK, WE ARE SITTING IN OUR OFFICE AND A FRIEND WALKS IN AND STARTS TALKING ABOUT BIODIESEL. “BIO-WHAT” I SAY. WHAT FOLLOWS IS AN INTERVIEW WE CONDUCTED WITH THE PRESIDENT OF Austin Biofuels, SHORTLY THERE-AFTER.. I LOVE OFFICE HOURS, YOU JUST NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GONNA COME ACROSS. Read the rest of this entry »

[fa:p:a=72157594267830938,p=2,id=241711045,j=r,s=s,l=p]I had the opportunity to share words with Mr. Palast before his visit to Austin for the screening at the Paramount Theater. His answers are hardcore and very alienating, but maybe that is what it takes to get people to pay attention and think.

AD: Why do you think Kerry just didn’t fillet Bush on TV with the air force record or any of the other shattering discoveries you made?

GP: Democrats don’t stand up for the same reason as jellyfish, they’re invertebrates.

AD: Did you receive any threats during or after uncovering the information in this film?

GP: In the last year, our file of death threats is up to about 150. The ones I take seriously are coming out of Venezuela where I’ve been covering the rolling coup d’etat organized by the White House against the elected president there. Read the rest of this entry »

[fa:p:a=72157594267830938,p=2,id=241712944,j=r,s=s,l=p]MR. NADER IS GOING TO BAT FOR ALL OF US AGAINST ALMOST INSURMOUNTABLE FORCES. HE IS STANDING UP FOR THE PEOPLE AGAINST THIS CHOICELESS TWO PARTY SYSTEM. THERE IS HOPE AND THINGS CAN CHANGE IS THE MESSAGE I TOOK FROM THE INTERVIEW.I’M NOT ASKING FOR ANYTHING, BUT FOR YOU TO BE OPEN MINDED, WHEN YOU READ THIS INTERVIEW. WE ARE ALL SCARED OF BUSH, AND WHAT WE DO ABOUT IT WILL MAKE A MARK ON HISTORY. Think about what would happen if they let him into the debates. I would love to see those discussions. WHATEVER YOU DECIDE, PLEASE VOTE YOUR HOPES AND NOT YOUR FEARS. THANK YOU MR. NADER FOR TAKING THE TIME OUT TO SPEAK WITH US. Read the rest of this entry »