Eric Blumrich is pissed off. Last March the 32 year old graphic designer from New Jersey decided he wasn't taking Bush's BS anymore and started making politically themed videos to expose the truth about the current administration. He put them on his own website, BUSHFLASH and much to his surprise the first one got a huge amount of notice. Over the last seven months Eric has spent a lot more time putting together flash videos that document the record of Dubya, his cronies and their warlike ways. Lately his flash video of NoFX's "Idiot Son Of An Asshole" has been getting his highest numbers of hits yet and that's what brought him to our attention.

---

Cosmik: When did you make your first political piece?

Eric: I saw this war coming, and felt like a German Jew watching the tanks roll into Poland. I KNEW, at the deepest part of my soul, that this was going to be a disaster with generations of consequences. However, as an individual, I felt powerless. I went to the anti-war rallies in NYC, here in Montclair [NJ], but felt that it just wasn't enough. One day, I decided to create a bit of flash that captured a bit of the spirit I felt in the air during those anti-war actions. [Ed. Note: This needs a strong stomach: www.bushflash.com/antiwar2.html] It was featured in Buzzflash - and heck - ever since then, it's been a white-knuckle ride... I never thought I'd be doing more of them, but the first turned out to be so popular, I've had no choice but to continue.

Cosmik: So were you always politically minded?

Eric: I grew up in a southern county of Tennessee, where football was god, and Reagan was God's gift to man. I was always sorta of an outsider at school. I couldn't help but wonder why these folks put so much energy and effort into a sport, when they remained happily ignorant and somnolent about politics - which I considered to be of a far more supreme importance.

Cosmik: Where did you learn to do web design and video programming?

Eric: I'm pretty much self-taught. I took graphic design in college - but never graduated. It's just as well that I did not, as, when I was in college, we were still using stat cameras, photocopiers, scissors, paper, and glue to put together our projects. I think there was one single computer in the entire department - and it wasn't used for the creation of graphics. The first video I worked on was an animated cartoon about a rabbit and a coke machine, back in the late 90's. It was a cute piece of work - but I'm assuming you're asking which of my videos came first on the site? "Terror, democracy, and Liberation" was the first video I did for the site. The site grew out of it, in fact. And no I've never done anything for a band - I'd love to do a video (I've just recently gotten somewhat conversant in After effects), but for now, I'm getting practice - my most recent commission will be my first totally video presentation.

Cosmik: How do you support your website and computer costs?

Eric: By the generous contributions of my visitors. However, sometimes, their contributions fall short of the obligations, and I shell out a few bucks out of my own pocket. I consider it worth it...

Cosmik: How do you go about finding the next song you want to work with, for example how did you hook up with NOFX for Idiot Son Of An Asshole?

Eric: I usually use songs that I like. I own a lot of techno/industrial CDs, and have a number of favorite songs amongst them - although I'm quickly using them up. The NOFX song ["Idiot Son Of An Asshole"], was a chance find. I was doing a search for anything about Bush on Kazaa lite, and just out of curiosity, downloaded a bootleg recorded somewhere in the Netherlands. I hadn't heard any of their music before, but was totally blown away by the song. I wrote to NOFX, asking for permission to use the song in a flash animation. I never heard back, but, in the spirit of the "Fair Use Policy" and Punk rock in general, I went ahead and put the song to flash.

Cosmik: What's been the response?

Eric: The response has been overwhelmingly positive. I get a few angry e-mails from neocons, but they are inarticulate screeches of rage, and hardly worth mentioning. The most popular video, by far, has been "Idiot Son Of An Asshole." Next in line: "Grand Theft America." Third, "Memorial."

Those who write hate mail are offended by the site, in general, and haven't even bothered to watch a single animation.

Cosmik: If John Ashcroft knocked on your door and demanded to know what hell you were up to, what would you tell him?

Eric: I would say, "My, you're a disgusting little man." Then, I would offer him and his buddies a drink, laced with a few drops of Visene, and refuse them use of the bathroom, as they are suddenly seized with an attack of explosive diarrhea.

Cosmik: I imagine a lot of people turn to your work for solace and inspiration in this Fox-Spews world we live in, so in turn where do you go for inspiration?

Eric: I go to places like www.whitehouse.org, www.commondreams.org, and www.buzzflash.com.

Also, I listen to a lot of right-wing Christian talk radio while I work, just to keep me angry... The best place to find the sort of stuff that pisses me off is at www.inforadionet.com.

Cosmik: With all that's been going on in this country, do you still have hope we can get out of this downward spiral?

Eric: Absolutely, it all hinges on the next election.

(C) 2003 - Rusty Pipes