So I’ve been working on this during my vacation time from work. It’s been good to finally play the violin again for a fun project like this. Matthias is a relatively popular Youtuber who created this music video for an online reality TV show called Internet Icon (Season 2). This was the final challenge to determine the winner of the show, and I was really impressed by what an amazing song and video he was able to create in such a short amount of time. It inspired me to push the boundaries of where I’ve gone before in music, singing, and video.
Hai Tech Eric
eclectic musings
In the 1990s, it had been the right wing—particularly the far right—that was up in arms over police militarization. Recall the outrage on the right over Waco, Ruby Ridge, and the raid to seize Elián González. The left had largely either remained silent or even defended the government’s tactics in those cases. But the right-wing diatribes against jackbooted thugs and federal storm-troopers all died down once the Clinton administration left office, and they were virtually nonexistent after September 11, 2001. By the time cops started cracking heads at the Occupy protests, some conservatives were downright gleeful. The militarization of federal law enforcement certainly didn’t stop, but the 9/11 attacks and a friendly administration seemed to quell the conservatives’ concerns. So long as law enforcement was targeting hippie protesters, undocumented immigrants, suspected drug offenders, and alleged terrorist sympathizers, they were back to being heroes.
Just because legal and ethical overreach might coincide with your personal beliefs does not justify tolerating extrajudicial behavior.
The ends do not justify the means
Ironic this quote comes from the very man scorned for his disagreements with popular opinion, and yet it is incredibly appropriate for the situation.
“America’s intellectual community has never been very bright. Or honest. They’re all sheep, following whatever the intellectual fashion of the decade happens to be. Demanding that everyone follow their dicta in lockstep. Everyone has to be open-minded and tolerant of the things they believe, but God forbid they should ever concede, even for a moment, that someone who disagrees with them might have some fingerhold on truth.”
—Card, Orson Scott (2009-11-30). Shadow of the Hegemon (The Shadow Series) (p. 176). Tom Doherty Associates. Kindle Edition.
I say long live the first amendment! Long live the true free exchange of ideas, opinions, and thought!
What frustrates me most about the religion of popular intellectualism
Singing with the Men’s Chorus
I know it has been forever since I last posted anything of note, but hopefully I can make up for it with exciting new posts over the next few weeks. There is something extremely powerful about the music of the human voice. Though I never had any formal training in singing, my exposure to church choir along with studying the violin since I was six resulted gave me confidence in any sort of vocal endeavors.
This past weekend, I was able to participate in a Stake Conference, singing the 1st tenor part in the Men’s Chorus for an intermediate hymn and the closing song. While these are raw recordings, I really enjoyed the a cappella introduction to God Be With You ‘Til We Meet Again. Great music with inspirational speakers made for a good weekend overall. Enjoy!
Come, O Thou King of Kings: [sc_embed_player fileurl=”http://haiensheng.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Come-O-Thou-King-of-Kings.mp3″]
God Be With You ‘Til We Meet Again: [sc_embed_player fileurl=”http://haiensheng.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/God-Be-With-You.mp3″]
A Biking Adventure
Yesterday was the nicest weather we’ve had in a long time after a series of cold snaps, rain/snow showers, and flip-flopping conditions. So naturally, I wanted to take advantage and go out on the neighborhood trails with a friend from the ward. And with what do I go out on the trails? Why, my new street-legal Honda CRF 230L enduro motorcycle, of course!
My new ride!