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    Identity Plagiarism

    A blogger steals someone else's life story and calls it her own.

    By Ashley Harrell

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    Fuel's Gold

    How William Orr's quest for better, cheaper gas became a crime.

    By Alan Prendergast

  • Miami New Times

    Mold Over Miami

    The family of a dead judge blames a creeping fungus in the federal courthouse.

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  • The Pitch

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Ben Harper

Are you gonna go his way?

By Michael Alan Goldberg

Published on August 10, 2006

Poor Ben Harper. No matter where he goes, no matter what new songs he brings, he always gets slapped with either the "poor man's Lenny Kravitz" or the "thinking man's Lenny Kravitz" tag (depending on the graciousness of the critic). Of course, that's probably what Harper deserves for so similarly and blatantly cribbing from the songbooks of Hendrix, Mayfield, Plant 'n' Page, Bobs Dylan and Marley, and myriad other icons on each of his half-dozen or so albums, even if his persona is more reticent soul-hippie than flashy retro-rocker. But once Harper takes the stage and begins tearing through his catalogue, it's hard for even the most cynical naysayer to deny the guy's singular power and sincere, charismatic aura. It's then that he transcends all associations and becomes his own man. It's a moment well worth witnessing for yourself.



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