Candidates You Should Know

From AAA-Fund:

Tim Kaine, Former VA Governor, Military Veteran
Running for US Senate in Virginia
KaineforVA.com
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Tammy Duckworth, Former Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs in the Department of Veterans Affairs, Military Veteran
Running for the US House of Representatives from Illinois' 8th CD (Lake, McHenry and Cook counties)
TammyDuckworth.com
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Dr. Ami Bera, Physician and Educator
Running for the US House of Representatives from California's 16th CD (Folstom, Elk Grove, Eastern Sacramento)
BeraforCongress.com
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Mark Takano for Congress, School Leader and Educator
Running for for the US House of Representatives from California's 41st District (Riverside, Jurupa Valley, Moreno Valley, Perris)
MarkTakano.com
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Nate Shinagawa, Tompkins County Legislator
Running for the US House of Representatives from New York's 16th CD (Tompkins County; Seneca, Yates, Schuyler, Chemung, most of Tioga; Steuben, Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties; eastern half of Ontario)
NateShinagawa.com
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Jay Chen for Congress, Schoolteacher, Military Servicemember
Running for the US House of Representatives from California's 39th CD (Brea, Buena Park, Chino Hills, Diamond Bar, Fullerton, Hacienda Heights, La Habra, La Habra Heights, Placentia, Rowland Heights, Walnut, Yorba Linda)
ChenforCongress.com
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Dr. Manan Trivedi, Physician
Running for the US House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 6th CD (Berks, Chester, Lebanon, Montgomery Counties)
TrivediforCongress.com
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Tulsi Gabbard, Honolulu City Councilmember, Military Veteran
Running for the US House of Representatives from Hawaii's 2nd CD (Honolulu)
VoteVulsi.com
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Otto Lee, Patent Attorney, Military Veteran
Running for the US House of Representatives from California's 22nd CD (Fresno, Clovis, Visalia, Tulare, surrounding San Joaquin Valley)
OttoforCongress.org
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Grace Meng, New York State Assemblywoman
Running for the US House of Representatives from New York's 6th CD (Queens)
GraceforNewYork.com
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Dr. Jennifer Ong, Optometrist
Running for CA State Assembly from District 20 (San Lorenzo, Cherryland, Ashland, Fairview, Hayward, Castro Valley, Sunol, Union City, North Fremont to Mowry exit)
DrJenniferOng.org
Donate

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Albert M. Chan, WatchAdopteeFilms.com, Boston Asian American Film Festival, MNTRFF, And The Commitment

One post about two projects with mildly related topics: Asian American, Interracial Gay Couple, and Adoption.

And a couple of film festivals.

The first project is on director/actor Albert M. Chan's new film, The Commitment, which will be presented down at the Boston Asian American Film Festival about an interracial gay couple who looks to start a family through adoption and is chosen by the mother Kerri Patterson, to adopt her baby to.

The second project is on watchadopteefilms.com started by two Asian Americans, both adoptees, who have started out a site to stream films dealing with adoption and adoptee related narratives. The site is also a part of the Minnesota Transracial Film Festival now in its third year.

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Elaine Chang: A TIME Disrupter With Teeth

In case you missed it check out TIME.com's feature on Elaine Chang, 24 year old CEO of Social Teeth, who's mission is to crowdfund media plans for political ads.

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Last Chance Concert

October 13
5:00pm - 7:00pm at
706 North 1st Street
Minneapolis, MN
55401

Featuring Tou Saiko Lee, Chili Lor, Cody Lee, and more.

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Takei + Obama

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David James Said What?

Don't take the title of my post as knowing a lot about the football on the other side of the pond but I just thought it was interesting what former English goalkeeper David James said on racism:

I think that some people have an agenda to keep themselves in existence and, as a player, I don't see the racism issue - anywhere, personally. Maybe people just don't want to aim it at me - I don't know.

Remember - if it doesn't happen to you, it doesn't happen to anyone.

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Sad Simon Cho

You might have heard about this already, and you may also not even care, but in case you do, or haven't, or just want some interesting news to talk about at the next dinner you might be attending:

He was 18 when won his Olympic medal in Vancouver as the youngest member of the short-track squad. He’s now the reigning world champion at 500 meters. On Sunday, he turned 21. But now Mr. Cho has admitted to secretly tampering with the skates of a Canadian athlete before a race last year, an unthinkable act of sabotage that the sport’s governing body, U.S. Speedskating, called “an egregious breach” of its code of ethics.

Winning is great, but it's not everything.

Second and third and just being there is also good enough.

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VP Debate: Words And Phrases Of The Night

Stuff.

Malarkey.

Grinnin' like your winnin'.

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Robin Lung + Finding Kukan + Kickstarter

Got this sent in by Robin Lung, producer and director of Finding Kukan. Check out the kickstarter campaign.

ABOUT THE FILM:

When I discovered a full copy of the lost Oscar-winning film KUKAN, I was ecstatic. But what really captivated me were the stories of the two novice filmmakers behind the making of the movie – a Chinese American author from Hawaii named Li Ling-Ai and a freelance photographer from the Midwest named Rey Scott. Each braved War, Prejudice and Financial Hardship to make a color film of war-torn China that helped change history. Now the world has forgotten them. I’m asking for your help to change that.

FINDING KUKAN will be a feature documentary targeted at a national PBS broadcast that chronicles my quest to restore the badly damaged print of KUKAN and the untold story of its makers to their rightful place in history. It’s a story that has taken me from Hawaii to the mainland and from one coast to the other. It’s also a story that has been winning over friends, colleagues, and complete strangers who have donated time and resources to get us to where we are now -- two thirds of the way through production. Now, at the difficult juncture between production and post-production, WE NEED YOUR HELP TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD.

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Myx TV: Press Play

When music is your life, a big break is all you need. For 10 independent artists around the country, that break is already within reach. Myx TV’s Press Play kicks off the voting period for its second episode of the show’s second season. Based on total fan votes, the winner’s original music video will get premiered and played on the nationwide cable channel. The music act will also perform at the network’s state-of-the-art studios in California and experience a full launch as a break out artist. Check out the network’s greatest finds and vote! The polls are open from October 8 til October 15, 12pm pacific time on Myx TV and the winner will headline the premiere episode on November 9.

Check out the original songs and music videos from artists like Matt Almodiel of Oxon Hill, Maryland with his single, “Nothing To Lose.” This R&B pop musician debuted into the scene through the Kollaboration DC stage in 2011. No stranger to entertainment, having played a small role as Sean Kingston’s “High-fiver” on an episode of Disney’s The Suite Life, Chicago’s TrakBoss premieres his track “Act Like You Want It.”

California comes in strong this week with a number of artists including JB of Brentwood with “2AM (Original).” The multi-genre acoustic artist was recognized as California’s Best Unsigned Artist at the 2012 Apollo Night in Stockton. Former starting point guard of a division one basketball team, the self-taught pop musician Alex Carbonel of San Jose with her single “I Can’t Wait” moves from the hard court to the entertainment scene. Also check out sultry soul songstress Tracy Cruz of San Jose with “Love’s Galaxy” and versatile popstar Morgan Ashley’s “Never Get Enough.”

The best lyrics tell life stories and that’s how “When You Come Home” was made by Alaskan hip hop artist Blaack. “I wrote half of this song while I was deployed, the other half once I was out of the military,” he says of his recent stint serving overseas. “Choose me coz it’s for the troops.”

At its core, Press Play continues to search for unique voices like San Francisco’s KOOL GUY w/ EazE. His hip hop electronic single, “It’s Going Down” speaks to his style. “I dare to be different.” This week also features street famous hip hop artist J Slick ft. Samyell of Sacramento with “Lookin at You.”

Krystle Tugadi brings “Sunshine” from Buena Park, California. She says, “All I’ve ever needed was one shot to prove myself as an artist.”

So check out these videos and vote for your favorite through October 15. Get your favorite artist “played.”

“The search for independent music artists has been a remarkable revelation of the talent we have in the United States,” said Nicki Sun, Associate Producer for Myx TV Press Play. “Each artist brings incredible sound, unique story-telling lyrics, and a soul that truly reflects our generation.”

All videos and voting happens on Myx TV where YOU choose who gets played and who gets famous. See the winning videos premiere on nationwide TV on the network that brings the best entertainment, Myx TV.



##

ABOUT Myx TV®:

Myx TV is the premier Asian American entertainment and lifestyle cable network in the United States. Dedicated to airing the best in entertainment, Myx TV’s programming is a unique combination of original and syndicated shows, including magazine talk shows, interactive music video countdowns, independent film and Asian cinema, and animation, airing 24/7 in English. Broadcast in over 10 million households across the country it provides a platform for Asian Americans on mainstream television and is also represented on its official website by a community of bloggers from coast-to-coast. To find Myx TV in your area and for exclusive content online, visit www.myx.tv.

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Music Speaks

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In Case You Missed It: Glee, 3, And Jenna Ushkowitz

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AJ Rafael + Cathy Nguyen: (U Drive Me) Crazy (Glee)

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18 Million Rising And Registering To Vote

You know what time it is.

No.

Not time to make yourself a sandwich and sit down in front of the TV or your computer watching the latest YouTube videos of people going Gangnam Style.

Well - there's probably always time for that.

But I'm talking about voting.

I'm talking about making sure that your voice is heard in a process that does indeed make a difference no matter how many cynics might tell you different.

And On Every Post From Now Until The Election

You will see a couple of links pointing you to:

1.Register2.rockthevote.com - If you're not already registered, follow the link and get yourself registered. If you are registered but you know people that aren't - push them to the link or to the site, and help them get registered. If you want to get them registered another way - do that too.

2.18 Million Rising - I could tell you about 18 MR but I might as well just let them tell you about it because who knows you better than yourself.

There are approximately 18 million Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States, representing nearly 6% of the total population and growing faster than any other racial group (!) Despite that, Asian Americans remain one of the most politically under–organized, under–engaged, and under–represented constituencies: only 55% of Asian American citizens of voting age are registered to vote -- the lowest rate of all races.

18MillionRising.org was founded by Jee Kim and Ian Inaba (Citizen Engagement Lab) to promote APIA civic engagement by leveraging the power of technology and social media. 18MillionRising.org (18MR) is a campaign composed of a broad coalition of partners, ranging from community based organizations and print magazines to Asian American blogs and YouTube channels. Throughout the 2012 election cycle, 18MR will promote online voter registration tools, run social media-fueled civic engagement campaigns and contests, and provide up–to–date information and analysis on all things political that Asian (and all!) Americans should know about.

Ultimately, 18MR is about you, your friends, your cousins, your aunties, your whole community. It’s about making our voices heard...on Election Day, when a Sikh gurdwara is attacked, when an Asian American soldier or student is viciously bullied, when we’re misrepresented in the media or mainstream culture, when Jeremy Lin is called a “chink” (and when he registers his first triple double!), and when one of our APIA elected officials does us proud. 18MR is about us, all 18 million of us.

Who Made You The Voting Police?

No one dumbass. I'm just trying to help spread the word and if you read this post and that's the best question you have, I probably have even stronger words for you, but I'll just say this:

Even though I support a person's right not to vote (because that is your right as well to exercise), I think this election is even more important than the last and I hope you do vote - especially as APIAs because we're a force to be reckoned with - and I'll keep on reminding you of that right up until the election.

Okay.

That's it.

Now I'm hungry and feel like watching some YouTube videos...

Register To Vote | 18 Million Rising. Activating Asian America

Last Chance For 2013 SFIAAFF Entries

Just in case you needed that push.

You still have 8 days to submit your film or digital and interactive media project for the 31st San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival (March 14-24, 2013)! Don’t miss out on the opportunity to have your work included with CAAM’s incredible line-up of films, videos and digital and interactive projects.

This is your chance to have your work seen by sophisticated, diverse, and enthusiastic audiences from all over the world who converge in the San Francisco Bay Area each March to participate in the world’s largest festival devoted to bringing to light stories and projects by and about Asians and Asian Americans.

There are two more submission deadlines:

TONIGHT, October 1st by 11:59 PM PST ($35 submission fee)
Next Monday, October 8th by 11:59 PM PST ($40 submission fee available only through Withoutabox).
See the Festival submission guidelines and instructions here: http://caamedia.org/festival/call-for-entries

Submit online: https://www.withoutabox.com/login/1392

All CAAM members can submit for free! Limit one waiver per member. Join CAAM today to receive the amazing benefit of submitting your SFIAAFF31 entry for free.

Members also receive fantastic benefits throughout the year including:

Invitations to year-round events, exclusive members-only screenings & receptions and sneak preview screenings of theatrical releases
Discount on tickets to the festival
Visit our membership page or call (415) 863-0814, ext. 102 or more information.

Help CHINK Get That Final Push On To The Screen (Big And Small)

CHINK teaser from People Pictures on Vimeo.

Contribute.

Justin Chon + David So = Heart To Heart

You're A First: Justice Randall Eng

From Reuters:

Justice Randall Eng will become the first Asian-American presiding justice to sit in the Appellate Division, after Governor Andrew Cuomo named him to head the Second Department on Monday.

Eng, who was born in China and raised in New York City, said in an interview Monday that he was "very honored" to receive the appointment.

An associate justice in the Second Department since 2008, Eng was one of seven Appellate Division appointments announced by Cuomo.

"I am proud to appoint such an accomplished and diverse group of jurists to the Appellate Division," Cuomo said in a statement. "I am also pleased to appoint Justice Eng to serve as New York's first Asian-American presiding justice and lead one of the busiest appellate courts in the country."

In an interview, Eng said he became the first Asian-American judge in New York history when he joined the New York City Criminal Court in 1983.

In the nearly three decades since, he noted, the number of Asian-Americans in the legal community has grown, although perhaps "not as many as it should be on the bench," he said. "I hope this gives encouragement."

Get Your Video On: When White People Get In The Way Of POC With Spray Paint

Caught this video from the The Huffington Post and while the arrest isn't funny - and the White woman was the one that actual pushed Mona Eltahawy and I didn't see her get arrested (or hear about her getting arrested for anything - but then again I'm slow...) this video just made me laugh because the White woman is just bat-shit crazy and echoes the cries of Clueless White People who she obviously likes to quarterback for (in her own bat-shit way).

Free Speech For Everyone Including Clueless White People.

Yay.

Rent Money: Can I Call A Video By Bambu Ft. Rocky Rivera Cute (Kind Of Like In Cuddly Cute)? Yes...I Think I Can