4,417 American military casualties as a result of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
31,929 wounded with over 100,000 suffering mental health issues related to the war.

"no one could doubt President Bush's support for our troops, or his love of country and commitment to our security" - President Obama, Tuesday August 31 2010

Video: Former President Bush greets troops returning from Iraq at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport.

"The memo also shows that the president and the prime minister acknowledged that no unconventional weapons had been found inside Iraq. Faced with the possibility of not finding any before the planned invasion, Mr. Bush talked about several ways to provoke a confrontation, including a proposal to paint a United States surveillance plane in the colors of the United Nations in hopes of drawing fire, or assassinating Mr. Hussein." - Bush Was Set On Path To War British Memo Says, The New York Times, March 27 2006 via Mother Jones

Support:
JPHRO
and
Doctors Without Borders
Partners In Health

New from Banksy.

It's The Very Best with a special news flash to let you know how they're rolling out of summer 2010!

First, a free download for the DJ's and the fans - it's  Johan Hugo's remix of "Angonde" featuring Mo Laudi ( cop that at the link below). Second, if you don't have tix yet - get moving right now so you can see TVB on the road with Vampire Weekend. Big sounds and big stages - Hollywood Bowl in LA to set off the tour!!!  Wait there's more - Green Owl and The Very Best have teamed up with Gold Coast Trading to produce a special capsule line. This is way more than merch - this is a real line that's already catching the attention of boutiques with custom created apparel designed by Emeka Alams. Stay tuned for the upcoming look book and launch party info. Big things - stay cool!!

Download: The Very Best "Angonde" (Johan Hugo Remix feat. Mo Laudi)

Download the debut single "Saturn Returns" from Grandchildren.

"Rad track from a cool new band" - The Fader

Ninjasonik will take to the stage of the Mercury Lounge this Thursday (8/26) with Team Facelift, Star City, Johnny Nelson and Jasmine Solano joining them on the bill. Telli, JahJah and Roofeeo have been steadily cooking up new tunes this summer so we're looking forward to a couple of new jams included in their usual energy-cranked-past-ten-blacked-out-tear-the-roof-down show. Tix are $10 at The Bowery Presents site. 

Photo above by Faith Kalemochi from a dope article on the trio in 21-7 Magazine.

Our friends in the band Teachers had a big debut last week, catching spins on Zane Lowe's show on the BBC Radio 1. If you don't know, this is the most important radio program dealing with new music in the world right now. It's Zane Lowe playing the roll of a modern-age Casey Kasem - letting listeners know what records, regardless of genre, are the biggest and best in the pop culture at this very moment. So for Teachers to get this kind of set-up by Lowe is like when Funkmaster Flex would drop some bombs on a new joint back in the '98 era Hot97 - basically, you're official kids! Not bad company after both the Fader boys and Kanye tipped the single earlier in the summer.

Download the new Teachers single "Gold" at teachersoftheworldunite.com

Green Owl's dub and bass specialist CHLLNGR played the Trailerpark Fest in Copenhagen, joining a line-up including Toro Y Moi, Renaissance Man, We Have Band, DJ Hell and Caribou for three days of music and art put on by the Art Rebels organization with proceeds from the fest going to their Heart Rebels non-profit. 

Remember the words I am saying to you now.
"So he sang, and so we do. Chllngr, aka. Steve Borth, delivered bass and rhythms to be remembered."
Trailerpark Festival Review, Aug 01 2010

BP Hires Prison Labor To Clean Up Spill While Coastal Residents Struggle, The Nation, July 21 2010

War Games Lure Recruits For The Real Thing, NPR, July 31 2010

Twin Shadow 'Slow' (NSFW) from Twin Shadow on Vimeo.

Classic rockers for your weekend as selected by the MRE.

Posted by US&THEM

"Shoot The Lazer" from triggerhappy on Vimeo.

To mark their upcoming performance at the Stop Making Sense Festival in Croatia, The Very Best chop it up with Dazed Digital and spin an exclusive set for the site. Dazed Digital / Stop Making Sense: The Very Best