Life Is Just A Moment

2011-09-06T17:38:00.000-04:00

I'd love it if someone can explain to me this obscene preoccupation people have with being "the first" to get shit.

Yeah, I have an iPhone 4, but I wasn't on line @ the Apple store at 4am on the day it was released.

What's the damn rush to buy (not free btw) a piece technology that will surely see several iterations before it reaches it's prime performance capacity?

In China an Apple reseller is already accepting pre-orders for the iPhone 5 without so much as an official announcement for iPhone 5 from Apple.

Don't get me wrong. I get that most Apple products are great and that Apple's iPhone can be credited with bringing consumers technology that they didn't know they couldn't live without. However, the constant need to overload our already saturated media with pre and post Apple-ware propaganda is unnecessary at the very least.

So in theory, can I start a rumor in the blogosphere claiming to be in possession of a most coveted iPhone 6 prototype, then sell a faux mock up to a technology publication?

I think that would make an interesting case study and highlight the lunacy behind society's collective irrational desire to be the first to acquire stuff and when's enough enough?

Whatever Carl!

2010-11-03T10:56:00.003-04:00

Haha! As most New Yorkers could have guessed, Carl Paladino's campaign bites it.

It's pretty awesome when arrogant politicians have to publicly face their defeat and try to do it with dignity.

Why can't they ever master a dignified departure? --Because they're arrogant pricks.

But that's just one of many Carl Paladinos in the political arena today and yet to come. Rest assured, if there are any Paladino supporters out there, there is a final resting place for Carl awaiting him with open arms--the 1950s.

You can catch his undignified concession speech here:

NYC Official, Really?

2010-10-11T13:28:00.004-04:00

It's abundantly clear that Carl Paladino's campaign manager is doing a shitty job of managing his public speaking engagements.

Do you need to be a campaign manager or political pundit to assess that Paladino is a tool and is blowing any chance of being elected governor of New York?

Making any kind of judgement against gay lifestyles in the state where you hope to be elected, which happens to be where a huge gay voting population resides, is political suicide, and pretty damn funny.

Like all the other disgraced public figures (pastors, senators, evangelists), I'm looking forward to the video expose of Paladino committing some form of adultery or engaging in a public act of gay sex. One thing that's consistent with political figures like Paladino, is that they always follow the script of hypocrisy that compels them to publicly speak against whatever act or lifestyle they desire the most.

Marfa NYC

2010-05-08T10:48:00.003-04:00

It's been a while since my last post, so I wanted to share this Lower East Side bar find with you.

It's a bar/restaurant joint called Marfa where the nosh is decent, the happy hour is until 9p and the bartender is friendly.

The nachos and soft pork tacos are nothing to sneeze at either.

Good times and the occasional sequined drag queen breezes through from Lucky Chengs, which is just upstairs.

Laid back and it wasn't a Friday night village bar mob scene.

Merisca Mom News

2010-01-18T13:03:00.012-05:00

Dear Friends:

We are all pleased to announce that the U.S. Embassy in Port au Prince, Haiti flew my mom to Miami on Sunday and then to Baltimore, MD.

As we expected she's in shock from the devastation and worried about the family she left behind. She occasionally watches the news to look for her neighborhood, friends and relatives, but we try to temper that with lighter television viewing and getting her to talk things through.

She is extremely greatful and thanks all the family and friends who have donated and continue to make contributions to our family. She continues to offer prayers of thanks for you, your efforts, and for those who are still in the grips Haiti's crisis.

Again, many thanks to you for all the information, support and generosity you're extending to my family. Beyond our family there are other ways you can donate towards rescue efforts in Haiti.

Sincerely,Vladimir Merisca & Family

Mom's Update in Haiti

2010-01-16T15:20:00.010-05:00

Dear Friends:

Here's what's happening with my mom:

We just got word that my mom is waiting in line at the US Embassy in Port au Prince
We got her registered with the New York State Registry for New York Citizens in Haiti
We emailed her info and medical needs to the U.S. Department of State
We reserved flight out to Haiti on 1/24, airports permitting
We emailed CNN to get the word out about her situation and medical needs; and monitoring news feeds out of there also, so you if spot any video footage from the embassy, or think you've seen her, please post here or send links to vnimix@yahoo.com

We are hoping that flying out to Haiti to get her back to the U.S. will not be necessary, as that would only be a deterrent to rescue efforts at this point, but if we must we will.

We heard from a cousin that they felt a large aftershock this morning, so their anxiety level has heightened again. My mom is carrying her medication with her and is taking it regularly. She's got enough to last her about a week.

Your donations are still coming in for which we are extremely grateful. As I mentioned in the last post, this fund will remain open to help with all related costs of bringing my mom to the U.S. and securing emergency supplies to the relatives with whom my mom is staying. We'll continue to do as much as we can for them and other Haitian residents as well. As you can imagine, the decision for my mom to leave them behind because they are not U.S. citizens, is not an easy one.

The other encouraging news is that a floating hospital left Baltimore, MD this morning, carrying 5oo doctors is heading to Haiti. The arrival estimate is next week.

Again, many thanks to you and all the information, support and generosity you're extending to my family. Beyond our family there are other ways you can donate towards rescue efforts in Haiti.

Sincerely,
Vladimir Merisca & Family

Family and Friends in Haiti

2010-01-14T16:15:00.016-05:00

Dear Friends:

I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their concern about my mom, Dulia Merisca, the other loved ones I have in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and your generous offers to help.

As of today, I still have not been able to speak to my mom directly, but we are hopeful as we got word that she is ok.

Our next steps are to go to Haiti, as soon as flights from U.S. are permitted, locate my mom, assess the damages to our home in Port-au-Prince, and fly her back to the U.S.

Additionally, we have other relatives on my mom's side of the family, and extended family members, like Francois Paul (Papa DouDou), who lives closer to the National Palace, where the damages are even greater, and we will also try to locate.

That being said, we've set up a fund and a payment process that should make it fairly simple and secure for anyone to make donations thanks to Paypal and the generous customer service of JP Morgan Chase Bank personnel. Just click the 'Donate' button below to contribute.

We don't know exactly what we're up against until we get there, but hopefully we'll raise enough to cover our costs to travel there and assist them however we can.

Of course, after we secure the safety of our family and friends, we plan to expand this fund to address aide for Haitians in Haiti on a broader scale.

Again, thank you for your kind offers. Me and my entire family thank you for your concern and donations.

If you experience any difficulties with the Donate button or have questions, suggestions, contacts in Haiti that could expedite our efforts, you can contact us at help2haiti@gmail.com.

Sincerely,
Vladimir Merisca and Family

Keep It In Your Pantski Polanski

2009-09-28T17:10:00.003-04:00

But Mr. Polanski, you've been evading the law since the early 70s for having it off with a 13-year-old girl when you were in your 40s.

Since then, you knew you were a wanted man and yet you skated while ding some solid globe-trotting and collecting numerous accolades for your work as a filmmaker.

Seriously, it's time to pack it in and step up.

What Drug Problem?

2009-03-25T10:33:00.002-04:00

A drug problem in this country? Who knew?
Today's NY Times reports that Mexico is being torn apart by drug trafficking fueled mainly by American drug addicts.

Where's the surprise here. Our economy is in the crapper. American's are losing jobs at a significant rate, knee-deep in debt encouraged by Bush administration, and GWB made a clean get-away prosecution-free.

Consequently, the collective American behavior points in the direction of what is typical of disoriented, and depressed people do...anesthesize with reckless behavior, and even the extreme, suicide (we've seen news of those too).

So yes, drug trafficking in Mexico will continue to be a expansive problem as long as the supplies are available (drugs and guns), the demands will be met, if the monetary returns show more promise than what this country's retirement funds and health care benefits are willing to provide to American citizens.

Not rocket science NYT.

Shoe Smack Down, A Farewell Tribute

2008-12-14T18:06:00.004-05:00

In a visit to Iraq (why?) this week, lame duck president George W. Bush, got his comeuppance when an Iraqi journalist flung, not one, but two shoes at him, in protest.

It was beautiful.

In case you missed it you can watch it all here (the beauty of our instantaneous digital age):

What Now O?

2008-11-20T12:43:00.003-05:00

It's certainly going to take a lot magic to fix what years of White House corruption and greed cultivated.

You'd be hard pressed to find political leaders who envy the task that lies ahead for President-elect Barack Obama.

Is there a magic potion to restore this nation's economy crisis? Unlikely, but Americans are hopeful. As this country preps for a grim holiday shopping season, so are the bill collectors.

I'm fixin' to do my holiday shopping online on Black (ha, ha 'Black') Friday, and it includes several sacks of coal for a select few.

Oooo-BAMA!

2008-11-05T00:49:00.007-05:00

Thank you Democrats and bloggers. You finally got your sh%*t together!

Can you stand it? It's almost too much that a black man will be sauntering into the White House with his personal belongings...to run the show, and not to clean up after the Republicans.

I am amazed and grateful for voting today. Well worth the effort and the wait.

Soak it in America. It's official Barak Obama is our president and can take his rightful official dump in the White House crapper. First the Cosby Show, now this.
History books will be re-written for disillusioned children of color in this country. Thank God!

Let's push forward and see this throughout his term, in good times and in bad.

Ok, Oprah and Bill Cosby, we're ready for your address to a nation in awe. This is the "shock and awe" we can be proud of.

Now for the victory speech:

Econ-O-My

2008-10-30T11:42:00.007-04:00

At the risk of sounding like a downer, today's report from the U.S. Deptartment of Commerce, reflects what we've been living for quite some time now--we aren't spending US dollars like we used to.

Historically, when the economy is shakey the average blue collar American does not respond with bold spending. Long gone is the dot-com bubble of the 90s where 20 and 30-somethings in the tech industry were generating six figure salaries right out of college, and credit card spending flowed like champagne.

According the U.S. Dept. of Labor report, unemployment is rising steadily and economic experts can't get a handle on which way the economy is going from one day to the next.

From the looks of things, it is not likely that Americans will go into thousands of dollars in credit card debt this holiday season, but that remains to be seen.

Just what will Black Friday yield this year? Will spending reflect the outcome of the presidential elections? Credit card bureaus, economy experts and political pundits are standing by.

One sure fire way to not get entangled in that web of intrigue is to not charge it. If you're not working, or living hand-to-mouth, don't spend what you don't have.

But if this post is raining on your parade, here is some pre-election/Halloween humor to pick up your spirits.

The Other Big "O"

2008-10-24T11:35:00.003-04:00

The story of a vastly influential African-American fanning the flames of change in this country is not new.

What's new is that this ray of hope that we can now call nationalism can be linked to the Democratic party.

Not since JFK has there been such a collective consciousness and urgency to correct something that went horribly wrong in our U.S. government for two consecutive terms.

Let's not kid ourselves by thinking that somehow this economy will somehow miraculously recover overnight if Barak Obama is elected president.

Yes, we know there are tough financial times ahead, no matter who gets the presidential nod. Yes, we're aware that Obama will not answer the cries of every citizen in this country, nor does he pretend he will fill that void.

What we do know is that Obama's success story, on top of meeting a long awaited need for an American role model of color, has started to restore some degree of credibility for his party, despite years of Democratic figures "flip-flopping" and ceremoniously crumbling under the pressures mass media and public opinion.

The international stigma of "democracy" being a dirty word infested with double standard rhetoric, unexamined war crimes, and corruption, stands a chance for turn-around.

Fortunately, there seems to be a collective awareness (my un-scientific assessment) that Obama's hard work will not end with his nomination to the White House. He's still gotta PROVE he can run this country without its citizens kicking up a coup.

If you know any of Haiti's history, you'll know that Haitians are no strangers to revolt and physically removing self-serving presidents, even at the expense of their own socio-economic well-being. If you're appointed to that kind of position of power you MUST represent.

Are Americans sick and tired of being sick and tired? No matter what the outcome, I don't anticipate anything less than folks in the streets after this election.

And if you haven't seen it yet, you can check out Ron Howard (li'l Opie) and the Fonz (I didn't think he was around anymore) giving Obama his props.
Anyone hear from Bill Cosby yet?

Sarah Pain-lin

2008-10-14T16:05:00.005-04:00

I'm confused by the following scenario:

Fact: Republican VP candidate, Sarah Palin was found guilty, last Friday, of unlawfully abusing her authority, by firing the Alaska's public safety commissioner.

Fact: The Bush Administration have exhibited numerous acts of power abuse in the White House, which consequently, was a major contributor to the recent surge in the collapse of major financial institutions and instability of our economy.

Opinion: Wouldn't Americans (including conservative Republicans) grasp by now that the epicenter of our economic demise and decline in national morale ARE corrupt politicians who continue to rule unopposed and from a place of privilege (that privilege being uncontested nominations handed over by the people)?

I'm amazed when I see convicted government officials like Sarah Palin still spreading her political "I love small town America" BS to crowds and potential voters still accepting this as a legitimate political platform...enough to hold a seat in the White House.

To quote someone in today's NY Times:
“She’s intelligent, she’s adorable and she has the audacity to speak her mind,” said Ray Gilson of Corapeake, N.C., who attended the Virginia Beach rally. “I’ve never loved a politician like I love her. I want her to be president someday.”

Um...wha...? So if Miss Sarah continues to kiss enough small town American babies and preaches enough "Gee-whizims" from their church pulpits, she's in?

It's that kind of unexamined rhetoric that got us 8 years of George W. Bush folks.

If anyone out there in the red states care to examine the unexamined, start with Palin's interview with Katie Couric on foreign policy. Then think about the possibly of Sarah Palin negotiating foreign policy with neighboring countries with a low tolerance for Americans:

And on a lighter note:

Disgrace On Your Face

2008-10-02T10:27:00.010-04:00

In the wake of "The Incredible Shrinking Superpower" that is America, comes a social response to our economic woes.

Historical events like the World Wars, the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Reagan Years gave rise to numerous social phenomena like Aryan ideology and Euro-centrism, women joining the work force, the Hippie, the Black Panthers, and the tearing down of the Berlin Wall.

Now that we are well deep into the economic consequences of the U.S. starting the never-ending illegal War in Iraq, two terms of a Dumb-ass President, the serial collapse of national banks and sub-prime mortgages, inflated gas prices, and the dreary prospect of the remote chance of voting into office the dastardly dim duo, McCain and Palin, how are New Yorkers reacting?

Well in Brooklyn at least, namely neighborhoods like Park Slope and Williamsburg, for every over-priced condo that's erected, there are 3 or 4 lame ass bars, where hipsters can anesthetize with an $8 glass of wine. That's one of the reasons why we got out of that vicinity and purchased a home in a section of Brooklyn that will remain undisclosed. Gentrification will eventually hit there too (and we'll gladly reap the financial benefits from it), but I'd rather not expedite it by exposing it in this forum.

The other visible social act of regression I've noticed, much to my personal amusement, is the steady rise of the handlebar mustache on the mugs of 20-30-something year-old men. Yes, the handlebar stache is here and it's Queer. Now speaking from the perspective of an urban gent who has plead guilty on several occasions for my own fashion NOTS, it is with a sense of familiarity that I can spotlight this latest urban grooming violation.
Over the past year I've enjoyed seeing the hip-hop thugs, wiggas, and skater boys walk (or trying to walk) around with their pant waistlines down to their knees as if it looks good and NOT at all GAY!? I even enjoyed seeing straight guys wearing the "skinny" pants and still try to pull off masculinity.

But seriously guys, if you are not a cartoon villain or over 65 years old, there is simply no reason to adopt the handlebar mustache and not expect me to laugh my ass off. That is some funny sh*T! I saw it on the F train just this morning on my way to work.

My assumption here is that this latest collective rebellious grooming trauma is linked to the steady decline of our country's economic stability. If my thesis rings true, may I humbly submit the following prescription for what ales you:

Vote November 2008
Check out a mirror after reading this, then try to tell me it aint funny
If you're getting some, ask your bed-mate if they really like the stache and are not ashamed of you
If McCain and Palin are elected, then KEEP IT. We will all need a good laugh.

If not there, then where?

2008-04-16T15:36:00.003-04:00

Apparently, it's not just Park Slope Brooklyn Realtors quaking in their boots over the housing bust.
The tragic yet predictable consequences of urban sprawl and a once cocky U.S. economy has infected the housing situation outside the U.S.

Now potential home buyers in bubble-bursted zones can confidently clutch their check books a little longer and wait for housing prices to plunge to their desired purchase price. It's especially import for first time home buyers to know that this news, although not great for the overall U.S. economy, affords them some leverage when it comes to dealing pushy real estate agents trying to get them to jump on unreasonable asking prices. What hard working person in the U.S. wants to be tied down to an unmanageable mortgage for 30+ years in this country? Or in Europe? Not me.

Who knows where this housing jig will end up? I'm inclined to believe that the future is looking bright for those who are planning to live out their golden years in the comfort of a tropical third world country.

As I read more and more about foreclosed homes in New York City the idea sounds less far-fetched.

In Other News...Hunger in Haiti

2008-04-15T11:34:00.008-04:00

It's unfortunate that Haiti has made news in the U.S. again because of it's devastation.
The usual standard western media coverage applies: Brief, Sensationalized, then Forgotten.

The only time the "world", that being U.S. mainstream media, notices is when there are large death tolls, pictures of extreme violence and the opportunity for the poorest nation in the western hemisphere to appear to the world to be a hopeless cause. Of course, if Haiti were to be sitting on an endless supply of untapped oil, an expedient rescue effort towards economic reform would be priority #1 for the United States government.

The irony with Haiti is that the parts of Haiti that experience the most corruption and civil unrest are the densely populated are cities like the capital, Port-au-Prince. Whereas the countryside (like Northern Haiti--Cap Haitian), for the most part, are quite peaceful and one can truly appreciate Haiti for what it is--a tropical island rich in history, art and culture.

It's Almost A New Year!

2007-12-21T17:00:00.000-05:00

It's been a VERY great year! I have no complaints, so Seasons Greetings and good riddance to old rubbish!

Now enjoy some Eartha Kitt and I'll try to update my blog more often for the new year.

Moriarty

2007-10-15T16:56:00.000-04:00

I think I found a hot new band, Moriarty. Their music makes me happy. I know it's a bitch to find their album in NYC now, but you can probably find it in Europe. They also get plenty of air-time on this French radio station.

I also found a video. Check it out:

Moriarty - "Jimmy" live
Uploaded by naiverecords

That's Entertainment

2007-09-30T23:17:00.000-04:00

Today was one of those lazy Sunday's in Brooklyn. Hung out, had some coffee and enjoyed the annual Atlantic Antic here in good ole Boerum Hill. The weather was perfect, lots of great food and fun.

I was also took some time to organize some of my video footage, and bought a new iPod at Apple Soho store. I almost didn't get it when I saw the huge line that reeked of tourists, but the Apple guy was carrying one of those mobile wireless cash registers around his neck (I'm not kidding), happily swiped my card and I was out of there in less than 10 minutes. My receipt was waiting for me in my email inbox...unbelievable.

So I'm here playing with my new 80GB iPod transfixed by the color screen and mobile video feature. I had to finally let go of my 3-year-old black-n-white screen, 20GB iPod, which is strategically no longer updateable when I plug it into my macbook pro.

Here's an Amy Winehouse video since I'm also surfing Youtube. She's quite the powerhouse talent, but Miss Winehouse, get off the crank. She and Mr. Hardtimes are good good friends. Hope she gets better and eats some potatoes. Poor old gal. But she could sing though! Very cute.

Put OJ out of his misery...please!

2007-09-18T21:51:00.000-04:00

Is it me or is OJ's subconscious begging to do long overdue hard time in the clinker?

This fool just cannot keep a low profile. Do we need to waste any more public tax dollars on a trail for OJ?

First murder and now armed robbery. Pretty serious charges when last I checked.

Talk to the Animals

2006-12-28T21:10:00.000-05:00

It comes as no surprise that research is proving how connected animals are to the earth.

China has now developed an earthquake prediction system that relies on the behavior of snakes.

Apparently snakes can sense earthquakes coming from up to 70 miles away.

This falls in line with the behavior of all animals when severe weather approaches. Birds behave erratically when thunder storms or tornadoes approach.

Before giant waves of the Sri Lanki tsunami hit the coastline, eyewitness accounts reported elephants screaming and heading for higher ground and dogs refusing to go outdoors.

If only we humans payed more attention to the animals, and our intuition, global fatalities would definitely minimize when natural disasters hit.

Witness the few instances where human logic and suppressing our fight-or-flight instincts can be hazzardous to our health.

Kreyole Mande Chanje

2006-12-25T12:37:00.000-05:00

As another holiday season rolls by and we approach a new year, regretfully, not much in terms of progress is forseeable for the people of Haiti.

It always saddens me when I encounter news of more dis-repair and devastation in Haiti, where my mom still lives, who remains hopeful that things will get better.

At least five people were killed this past weekend in a slum raid targeting armed gang members in the Haiti's capitol, Port-au-Prince.

In the poorest region of the Western hemisphere, one has to wonder what could armed gang members possibly seek to gain from terrorizing the poor and keeping them in a constant state of desperation and fear?

It's not like there's any natural resources left that could sustain the economic interests of foreign governments, especially the U.S.
History has already shown that U.S. occupation and interest in the people of Haiti lasted only as long as there were resources to be drained.

Now that deforestation, corruption and social devastation has left Haiti bone dry, what possible interest could the United States have in saving a nation of poor African descendents?
So why do random civilian kidnappings and violence prevail? What government will defer to the ransom demands of Haitian gang members using other impoverished Haitians as collateral?

Why are the few remaining peacekeepers (the ones outside of the realm of corruption) still targets for violence and no significant head-way has been made?
It's still a massive social crisis that appears to have no resolution, at the cost of the existinction of a nation's very rich cultural and spiritual history.

Bush Does It Again...

2006-12-21T13:05:00.000-05:00

Why is it that each time there's a photo op of George W. Bush signing a treaty, I piss my pants?

That may be because Bush has yet to commit this nation to a long-term agreement that's political, social, or environmentally sound.

Here we see him signing a nuclear bill will India, which allows U.S. companies to profit from selling nuclear reactors and material to India.

Now, he'll push this as an effort to boost our economy, but in the likely event that the U.S. government manages to piss them off, this policy may indeed bite the U.S. in the ass, as India has refused to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Crazy, but true, our government has signed another treaty with self-destructive potential.

Profit first...political ramifications and long-term contigency planning last, seems to be the foundation for our current administration's mode of operation.

Covert Operations=Conservative Pervs

2006-10-04T11:45:00.000-04:00

Can't the citizens of this country have just one scandal-free year?

It seems that everytime Republican big whigs, like this fool, Florida Congressman, Mark Foley, are left to their own devices, like what we believe is running the damn country, they're doing some crazy ass bullsh*t on tax-payers' buck.

What's worse is, instead of taking ownership of the fact that Foley was chatting up teenage boys, he now conveniently medicalizes his vice by saying he was molested by a clergyman in his youth in order to garner sympathy.

Ah, the comfort of using victimhood as a scapegoat for personal perversions.
The sanctity of running to the religious right for protection.

Mess! My question is, with that mug, what teenage boy was he actually trying to tempt?
And with what?

Jesus for Jihad

2006-09-15T13:19:00.000-04:00

Why is it that the Catholic Church has a natural talent for making tense situations tenser by spewing out unregulated inflamatory statements, based on antiquated texts?

The one time we hear from the ancient Pope Benedict XVI, he's out to start another Crusade based on his recent mindless speech, in Germany, no less.

Now you know it only took one misappropriated cartoon charicature from a tiny Swedish publication to tip off civil unrest and riots from Muslims worldwide.
Now, as the Pope, you're gonna comment at all about Jihad from 14th Centry text? Is the Bush administration writing speeches for the Pope now?

I hope at least Christian missionaries are keeping up with current events enough to know that the Middle East and the Muslim community is not your safest or smartest destination, at the moment, for the conversion agenda. If you're going out there for real peacekeeping or charitable purposes, do it unconditionally.

George Bush's family nor the Catholic Church will be going out there to retrieve you if you're kidnapped.

Warm, Strong and Creamy

2006-08-16T10:53:00.000-04:00

Forget the fact that George W. Bush has pitted multiple nations of the free world in the compromising position of keeping the Middle East from blowing up the entire world.

Forget that in his classic facist sensibility, proclaimed that Israel has "won" their civil war with Hezbolah.

Today, I just want to share this light, fluffy video I found on the Yahoo pages.

One of my all-time favorite comfort foods, coffee, in all its frothy glory.

It's OK to say it, "Israeli Terrorists!"

2006-07-28T12:04:00.000-04:00

Before you completely surrender to the overwhelming power of the corporate media floodgates, and accept your prescribed position of the disenfranchised US citizen, please note that there are others among you who choose empowerment.

The mainstream media whores would like us all to believe that all Palestinians and Hezbollah are the sole aggressors of the current mideast tensions, which is rapidly expanding into an all out World War III.

This weekend (Sat., July 29, 2006) there's a massive rally planned across the Brooklyn Bridge that touts the contrary. The voice of opposition will be heard--at least by residential citizens and independent news sourses.

The predominant outcry will not be the scripted refrain of how Israelis are the perpetual victims that merit the unconditional support of all US citizens. Rather, New Yorkers will dare to tell Israel to stop your fucking parasitic, war-mongering greed for land at the risk of the lives of thousands of non-Jewish bystanders. Simply because George W. Bush is secured in the pockets of Israel, does not presume that we all follow suit.

In an all too costly civil war, millions of US citizens want the major news networks to discontinue its collective role in the pro-Israeli war propaganda. So the United States president, New York's Mayor Bloomberg happen to be stinking rich, part of the ruling class and will never have any criticism for the massive terrorist acts inflicted by Israel because of their personal interests.
So what? Although America has regressed to McCarthyism, I think we can still salvage ways to freely express opposing views without being arrested (I am fully aware that this statement is dangerously to being dated material by the time you get to read it).

Yes...it's okay to say Israeli and US troops are collectively active participants in terrorism also.
I make no apologies for saying so. I know that Israel has been carrying the victimhood flag for as long as I can remember there being mideast conflicts. All throughout, the US government has fully backed their misappropriated yelps, "misfired" missiles, and other military abuses. Historically, many African-Americans have and still do hide behind the disabling crutches of victimhood, asking for reparations. Do you see our government pouring billions of dollars into it? Hell no! If the US government is gonna waste billions of American citizen dollars, at least be consistant squanderers. But I guess the Black Christian churches don't carry enough monetary clout in this country to sustain the interests of George W.
Is it so surprising that the global reaction to the US (like Russia and Germany) is one of sheer mockery and disgust?

I'm not saying that doing your part means that you need to be at the rallies and pepper-sprayed by cops to legitimize your beliefs. But you can spread your own blogs, email corporate networks like Fox News, Bill O'Reily's show, and let them know that you, your friends and family members refuse to watch their corporate-sponsored yellow journalism. Then be on the asses of those flip-flop democrats in Congress to make sure that they do their part (if they're indeed the only legitimatized representative for everyone outside of George Bush's regime) to keep public broadcasting alive.

We can either do our parts as free-thinking citizens by spreading the word so that the inculcated collective consciousness will snap out of this mass cultural hypnosis, or join the mainstream snooze...until of course, you're woken up by missiles landing on your American doorstep.

U.S. "Progress" Report: Dumb-Ass Moves 101

2006-06-02T10:20:00.000-04:00

In addition to the numerous testimonials of Iraqi civilians and military police (including the morally-aligned US military officers who are really trying to do the right thing), accusing US troops of last April's civilian massacre in Haditha, there are now reports of a 3rd civilian killing administered by US troops.

The United States's notorious reputation for imperialistic invasions, plundering, bloodshed and dictatorial inculcation with disasterous consequences is now commonplace and anticipated when it comes to the agenda that drives US foreign policy.

Is it any wonder that the US is a primary terrorist target?
The Bush administration has clearly gotten this country (and the UK) into something it clearly cannot get out of without considering the significant long-term physical and psychological reprocussions.

Here are some more dumb-ass moves the US has initiated, which continues to compromise national security. Within the past 6 months alone, we've seen the Bush administration:

Drag their feet in prosecuting US troops accused of heinous war crimes, George Bush, Jr. repeatedly appoint underqualified multi-millionaire friends, former corporate executives, and media moguls to high profile cabinet positions that have significant impacts on the lives of working class American citizens (and global citizens).
United Nations international laws are repeatedly broken or ignored by the Bush administration.
US troops are exempt from facing war tribunals.
Prisoners of war and people captured under the Patriot Act are essentially imprisioned and guilty until proven innocent, or until the war against the axis of evil is over.
As if our military and financial resources aren't compromised enough, the US continues to administer bold threats to Iran if they do not agree to suspend their uranium enrichment program. What nation has ever imposed its desire to enforcement containment standard on the United States when it comes to our government's nuclear arms supplies?
Homeland Security Funding is cut significantly(Could it be the enormous multi-billion-dollar costs of this war?)

Let's face it folks, our nation's track record is deplorable. As George W. Bush's public opinion polls steadily decline, the rate at which neighboring countries are getting pissed off, steadily rises--not to mention the increased vulnerability the US faces in terrorism exposure.
Wasn't the point of this war to catch Bin Laden and secure our borders, airports and ports?

Still Confused,
Me.

Ayatollah to US: Don't Start None, Wont Be None

2006-04-26T10:15:00.000-04:00

I'm no U.S. Embassador, but it's abundantly clear to me that Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is conveying a blunt warning to the Bush administration to step the F*@K off Iran's ass, otherwise, brace yourself for what's coming.

The bungling gnat of person this nation has "elected" president of the United States, is once again setting this nation up for another war based on trumped up evidence of weapons of mass destruction.

While the US economy is a mess, Americans can no longer afford to purchase homes in this country, corporations are phasing out retirement plans and American troops (mostly the poor working-class) are being maimed or killed in record numbers from the current war, GW Bush is again prepared to further deplete American resources to fight another war WITH OTHER PEOPLE'S BLOOD.

When it comes to sacrificing the blood, labor and livlihood of the poor working-class, we are privy to the overwhelming generousity of GW.
Meanwhile, generous six-figure salaries await his two bitch-slag daughters right out of univeristy. Must be nice.

Do we really need to mix it up with Iran right now? Does anyone else feel like working-class whores for this administration, consumed by corporate media parlor tricks?

Tired of bitching and moaning about it while our little American dictatorship beats your ass red?
Here are some ways to empower yourself and take steps towards being proactive:

Impeach Bush
Haliburton Watch
RealChange.org
Truth Out
FailureIsImpossible.com
Michael Moore
Democracy Now
Wake Up Call Radio

Bill Tells It Like It T-I-IS!

2006-04-03T11:51:00.000-04:00

Again, I must applaud Bill Cosby for his outstanding stance on insisting that African-Americans be held accountable for their own moral decay. He remains unapologetic when it comes to stepping up to the plate and magnifying core issues behind social corruption, racial and class breakdown in African-American communities.

This past weekend, Cosby participated in a march in New Orleans with Reverends Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson rallying for the rights for Blacks to return to hurricane-devestated New Orleans and disenfranchised Black voters.

Faithful to his agenda, Bill Cosby held the mirror up to the collective consciousness of African-Americans who use the Katrina disaster, and the governments response to the poor, as a platform to cry victimization, and examined the collective actions (or rather inaction) of the community BEFORE hurricane Katrina hit. He points out that the moral fiber of the community was already in crisis and does not pretend to imply that the rash of victimization following the diaster excuses the pre-existing crime rate in these impoverished areas.

He insists, "It's painful, but we can't cleanse ourselves unless we look at the wound," Cosby told the rally of around 2,000 people. "Ladies and gentlemen, you had the highest murder rate, unto each other. You were dealing drugs to each other. You were impregnating our 13, 12, 11 year-old children."

I couldn't have put it better myself. Bravo Mr. Cosby!

Although it may hurt some folks to hear, the fact still remains, that going to Sunday services alone and dragging your kids or grandkids, kicking and screaming, is not enough to remedy the chronic tendancy for poor Black folks to gravitate towards a life of crime and idolizing designer clothes and rap lyrics riddled with mysogenous, homophobic, racist (i.e., nigga this or nigga that--not ok when black folks say it either) because they're either surrounded by it or take an active part in it under the guise of being 'underpriveledged'. Hey, someone's gotta point it out. Otherwise, we'll keep treating the consequences and not the root of the problems.

You can download Bill Cosby's entire speech online at: http://wakeupcallradio.org/
Monday, April 3rd archive.

Onward Christian Soldiers

2006-03-22T23:27:00.000-05:00

These days George W. Bush has got a new bee in his bonet over Afghan authorities who are trying 41 year-old Abdul Rahman for converting from Islam to Christianity.

During a speech in West Virginia, Bush said the United States expects Afghan authorities "to honor the universal principle of freedom."

I REALLY don't understand why our lame-ass president simply cannot mind his wn damned business and focus on the numerous social and economic roblms that riddle the United States.

Again I submit the question, how did Lucifer's spawn get elected to be president of the United States?

The lies have not stopped, his friends at Haliburton are accumulating millions of dollars a year, the body count of American soldiers continues to rise, and social security in this country has faded. Am I the only person on this planet tired of seeing the Bush administration use God to justify all of his illegal activities?

How many more fraudulant claims and illegal activites have to be uncovered before this clown can be impeached?

New Orleans to France?

2006-02-11T11:35:00.000-05:00

Due to insufficient funds provided the U.S. government, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin is now courting foreign dignitaries for relief aid.

While George W. Bush continues to court his wealthy financial cohorts in the oil industry over in Iraq, reality settles with the dust of Katrina's ruins in the streets of New Orleans.

Leveled property still awaits the barren fruits of George Bush's billion dollar pledge five months after the hurricane devasted the New Orleans community and former residents are now scattered throughout U.S. in displaced shelters with expired hospitality funds.

George W. Bush can handle war-mongering, but when it comes to his 'homeland's security', much is left to be desired and to the imagination.

While Jordan's King Abdullah and delegates of the French government, survey New Orleans and the job left undone by the U.S. government, Nagin employs some common sense as he now weighs his international options.

"France can take Treme. The king of Jordan can take the Lower Ninth Ward," he said, referring to two of the city's neighborhoods.

Now that's rich. I'm sure George W. Bush's Napoleanic ego will most certainly have problem with this.

Fidel..bring us your doctors AND your construction workers too!

Blatant US Propaganda? Hmmm....

2006-01-27T18:51:00.000-05:00

Are we at all surprised to find that the Pentagon is constantly feeding American propaganda materials in a war-torn country?

The U.S. has a well-documented history of invasions and colonialization. Why would should we pretend that these this country has evolved behind Cold-War intimidation tactics?

In a "secret" US document, "Information Operations Roadmap," obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, the document lays out the Pentagon's "need" to "administer electronic warfare and military deception."

With an invasion comes aggressive inclucation.

Yaaaawn...what else is new? There's another shocking revelation exposing the U.S. government as liars and misappropriators of power.

The Formation of Man's Attitudes: Driven by the Bush Regime

2005-11-04T11:39:00.000-05:00

If Americans are being sucked dry from the outrageous gas price hikes and our economy is crap, what the F#*K does George W. Bush think he's got to tell Latin America about improving their economy? Can someone help me out with this one? I'm thoroughly confused!

It's a comfort to know that foreign media institutions, not contractually bound by the Bush regime, have the critical capacity to cover the overwhelming sentiments of disgust for the Bush administration.

Protesters in Argentina gathered by the thousands to rally against Texas's missing village idiot, George W. Bush, to voice their opposition to the viral expansion of the Bush administration's imperialist ideology. Yes, free thinkers can exercise free speech and not be persecuted as
anti-American or a card-carrying member of the Axis of Evil.

Congratulations and Kudos to the Argentinians who have made it their business to unify under an enlightened collective consciousness. Any pointers on how to get Americans
(including the spineless Democrats in Congress) to move to impeach our Jr. imperialist dictator? Unapologetically, boldly, and innovatively without pandering to the popular sentiments of corporate-driven pollsters?

Will somebody (especially George Bush supporters) read up on the French philosopher,
Jacque Ellul? Propaganda: The Formation of Men's Attitutes is a great start to realizing that the masses are mere puppets for the Bush regimes inculcation --driven by the cowering corporate media.

I hate to have to steal a quote for Spike Lee's "School Daze," but America, "Wake Up!"

Heinous Skullduggery

2005-10-11T13:14:00.000-04:00

Do people not recognize a gratuitous photo opportunity when they see it? It pains me to think that there are folks out there who might actually misconstrue this strategically choreographed photo of George Bush, Jr. "caring" about the fate of New Orleans refugees for genuine.

How many more media frenzies do the American people need to be fed until they can declare themselves satiated and reject constant flow of corporate mediated bullshit that we're being force fed. Indeed it's nausating to know that this president is, at the very least, impeachable for his less-than-honest business affiliations and blatant abuse of power, yet here he still is
re-shaping America's checks and balances system to benefit he and his close friends and personal attorneys.

Bush's lates line of defense is that his latest visit to Louisiana is not to try to repair the very real glimpse of corruption and un-preparedness that this president exudes (measured by his record low approval ratings), but that he's there to convince the rest of the world that the morale of the American people are on an up-swing, and in no way in dis-repair--much like the famous photo op of him swooping down to visit the troops in full fighter pilot regalia. Same tactic here...look at me, I'm in a hard hat and putting in some televised time with the proletariats.
Therefore, I am in touch with the socio-economic sentiments of all Americans.

I don't think so.

Pride & Stupidity...BUSH*T!

2005-09-21T12:53:00.000-04:00

So let me get this straight. Our resident bafoon president George W. Bush refuses Fidel Castro's offer to send 1,600 well-trained Cuban doctors to help Katrina victims because of his huge ego?

Bush's ongoing internal battles with facing the reality that world leaders like Castro and Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez are intellectually superior to him, continues to reap havoc on American citizens and nations he chooses to wage war against.

How many more foolish decisions that threaten American lives, failed national security efforts, and fallen corrupt officials under Bush's administration (GOP official who resigned on money-laundering charges, and underqualified former FEMA director Michael Brown) does this nation need (to be made public) in order to render this president impeachable?

There's nothing like the power of old money in this nation of ours.

Just another load for free-thinking individuals of the world to bear. You think as a nation we'll ever collectively stop electing dangerous dumb-asses to represent us as a people?
I hope we're not dead from the backlash of angered neighboring countries by then.

A Bad Spike Lee Movie?

2005-09-02T11:47:00.000-04:00

How best to assess the monstrosity that's transpiring in New Orleans??
Disgusting for starters. There used to be a time when people of color, especially in times of need and desperation, still sustained a thread of morale that drove their will to survive while gaining the compassion and respect of bystanders world-wide. What would the wise late Ossie Davis say?

Now we have a devastating natural disaster like Katrina being used as an excuse for morally bankrupts individuals with guns, to capitalize on material accumulation at the cost of life preservation. Reports and video of blacks--mainly black men--looting and raping vulnerable citizens. These same looters have boldly declared that just want federal aide and then left on their own---them being Blacks, on their own without the non-blacks. They are under the illusion that in an isolated utopian society, these same self-serving, opportunistic blacks, who for many years have been able to live comfortably on unemployment, will avail themselves to rebuild their own community. Right.

Alas, behold the curse of a collective social consciousness with a short-term memory.
Already, they've forgotten the LA riots. To this day there are parts in that section of LA this are uninhabitable because the US government let "them" destroy themselves. Do these looters really think George W. Bush gives a damn about some black people running amuck killing eacheacher and risking their lives everytime they venture out in the filthy waters to steal dvd's or a major electrical appliance?

My heart goes out to the Blacks in New Orleans who are law-bidding citizens and are sticking it out waiting to be rescued. We all know that historically, trained military snipers will not likely try differentiate you from your neighboring looters who share your color skin.

Ratings vs. Dignity: The Cost of Reality TV

2005-06-20T13:12:00.000-04:00

Just when you thought reality TV couldn't get any more grotesque, enter "Welcome To the Neighborhood," which premiers on ABC next month.

This latest display of gross exploitation features three white self-described "Christian" families who get to pick their new neighbors from among a group of minority families--including a gay couple with an adopted child of color (that kind of exposure should do wonders for this child's self esteem, huh?).

So which is more disgusting? The fact that ABC show producers signed off on this or the people who actually subjected themselves to this kind of exposure--competing to impress opinionated neighbors to win a house? In the end, predominant social biases will continue to thrive if the ratings are high enough.

What's next, compete to impress "new-and-improved" Ku Klux Klan members to win their approval? Is this the same America that proposes to be the beacon of moral standards for the rest of the world?

Anyone else care to chime in on this latest train wreck?

Is Sympathy Reserved for A Certain Group of Crime Victims?

2005-06-07T12:54:00.000-04:00

I'll make this short and simple.
Missing white, blonde American girl (18) on vacation, two Black men suspected of her abduction, and the FBI are involved. Do we really need a trial to conclude that these men are as good as dead--trial or not?

How often are FBI agents in this country called in to find missing Black or Latino girls?
Will there ever be a point when mainstream journalists will pick up on the obscene, inequitable reporting standards set up to draw national attention towards white upper-middle-class crime victims, while the same crimes committed against poor people of color fade in comparison when it comes to media attention.

As if somehow justifying that crime should be stay within the limits of the poor working-class.
Although this may not be the intention on a conscious level, but it certainly perpetuates the ugly collective consciousness.

Dumb Asses...You Voted For Him!

2005-05-24T16:07:00.000-04:00

Here's a shocker. Bush's approval rating for "handling" our economy has fallen to the lowest levels since his re-election according to a USA Today/CNN/Gallop Poll taken last Friday through Sunday.

Bush's overall approval rating was 46%, down 4 percentage points since early May but higher than the 45% low in March. On specific issues, 40% approved of his handling of Iraq and the economy, 33% of his handling of Social Security.

But don't fret. This will not stop Bush from forging ahead with his personal agenda. Those who got him into office because he "he shares my values," (actual soundbite I heard from a Bush supporter), get to handle to the shit he continues to pile up on our backyards and face the reality of who George W. Bush really looks out for--himself!

Those of you who voted for this goof from behind rose-colored glasses, take 'em off and smell the shit that the rest of us are smelling.

Who Gets To Beat the Runaway Bride?

2005-05-02T13:26:00.000-04:00

Okay, who needs her ass beaten right now? Jennifer Wilbanks, infamous runaway bride, who instead of giving her pathetic fiance the proverbial "No," decides to fake her own kidnapping, and was tax-payers' dollars on a police search for the dumb-ass bitch!

Sorry, no sympathy here! Especially since her fiance was in custody (and if he takes her back, he also needs his ass beaten). And what really burns my ass hairs is that her fake kidnapping call accused a fictitious couple, a white woman and a Latino male.

Why does it have to be a person of color who has to be falsely accused? And God forbid, if the accuser is some crazy-ass white woman who can't face her reality and carelessly misdirects her county police and community's anger and racism at innocent people (i.e., Susan Smith-mommy-killer who falsely accused a black man for the death of her children).

Just pisses me off--to no end! This chick needs to do jail time and fined for the cost of her police search. That time could have been better spent trying to find a real missing person.

Theocracy: The Untold Stories

2005-04-18T11:09:00.000-04:00

Whenever I see a particularly moving socially conscious film that forces its audience to critically analyze the world around them and do some introspection, I'm compelled to use this forum to promote it.

Director/Writer Todd Solondz's Palindromes is just that kind of film that challenges social conventions and escapist rationale that infests our contemporary theocracy.
the story of 12-year-old Aviva, who's solution to her self-esteem issues is to have a baby of her own to love all the time, as it's told here, transcends race and class barriers.

12-year-old Aviva is played by 7 different actors, of different ages and ethicities, who deliver Aviva's character development with great sensitivity and hard-core realness that forces everyone to weigh in their level of complacency for fundamentalist consciousness--especially the ones that veil inner demons and hypocracy that some people try to extinguish.

If you're looking for politically correct dialogue, squeemish about abortion issues and need your plots neatly resolved, this movie is not for you. So be told.

Haitian Identity in the US

2005-04-14T10:21:00.000-04:00

Leave it to the ignorant and arrogant, who are put in positions of authority, to perpetuate racial bias in our "United" States of America. Earlier this week angry parents demonstrated outside a Queens elementary school where Assistant Principal, Nancy Miller, dehumanized a group of Haitian students.

After a scuffle broke out between two students on March 16, Miller apparently forced the all-Haitian class to eat on the floor with their hands. Miller, who has since been reassigned to another school, was heard saying, In Haiti, they treat you like animals, and I will treat you the same way here."

Growing up in this country as a first-generation Haitian-American often made me wonder if Haitians are the most reviled ethnicity in the land. I defer to the well-documented history of the mistreatment and abuse of Haitian immigrants under the "care" of US officials, the Abner Luima police sodomy case, and the initial blaming of Haitians for the AIDS epidemic in the 80s.
Contrast that with the with the huge humanitarian outreach and global attention given to little Elian Gonzalez in the 90s, when the light-skinned Cuban immigrant was found abandoned on a raft headed to Florida.

It's no secret that President Bush despises the poor, combined with the fact the Haiti has no oil resources the US can capitalize on, put Haiti and it's people at a disadvantage when it comes to garnering mass humanitarian sympathizers from Americans.

For now (at least partially), the strength of Haitians lie in self-empowerment through education and spiritual independence. Once we can carry on without depending on US moral support and psychological oppression, Haitians have a fighting chance at renewal and reform.

Evangelics: Mind Your Business

2005-03-31T15:15:00.000-05:00

It never ceases to amaze me when I see perfect strangers to the Shiavo family rallying outside of Terri's hospice (since it's become a popular media frenzy) violently imposing their moral convictions on the world, yet not willing to share in her medical expenses, I'll bet.

Now that Terri's been given a reprieve from 15 years in a vegetative state, will these protest continue to take their fight to Congress or go home to tend to their own families and local community affairs?

I sometimes wonder how on earth does a parent not know when their own children are doing drugs, spreading HIV and other STDs through promiscuous sex to other kids, or ordering rifles with their credit cards on the Internet.

Well, it's very likely that these "concerned" self-appointed moral watchdogs (they're likely the evangelical Christians that the Bush administration is so eager to pander to) are probably busy minding other people's business instead of their own.

Lil Kim and Martha Stewart: A Comparative Analysis

2005-03-18T10:14:00.000-05:00

Two public figures, both wealthy, and both haved lied to federal prosecuters under oath.
Any guesses on who will do hard time in a real women's prison?

Martha Stewart does five months in "prison", comes out of prison richer than she ever was from lucrative business deals conducted while she was in prison (a violation of the conditions laid out for her during her conviction), and is currently complaining about her "uncomfortable" house arrest ankle bracelet that she must bear during her confinement within the luxury of her 153-acre home.

Lil Kim, despite her sex vixen mass appeal and successful hip-hop career, is still a BLACK WOMAN convicted of a crime in America. She now faces up to 20 years in federal prison.

I'm curious to see what her sentence turns out to be compared to what Martha, the now celebrated ex-convict (who's now starting up her appeal--cause she can), got.

Ruling class, white corporate America continues to celebrate the obscenely rich white-collar criminal. They overlook their checkered and conditional moral convictions for the sake of power and revenue. If the white-collar criminal continues to generate wads of cash a-la Donald Trump, the public accolades know no limits. Their "trump" card obsolves them from upholding the Christian right moral convictions that currently sweeps the nation--backed by the Bush adminstration. The corporate media-driven collective consciousness methodically eradicates their documented unconventional (and often lawless behavior), then re-writes history to justify their wrong-doing as if their financial success is somehow altruistic by becoming a symbol of America's economic strength. Often, if the white-collar criminal happens to be white, with the inherent character flaw of a false sense of personal entitlement, which I find most endearing, it boosts their plight.

Lil Kim may not be so lucky. Let's hope her road dawgs are as supportive to Lil Kim throughout her sentence as Martha Stewart's employees, business partners (i.e., Donald Trump), and
K-Mart shoppers were to Martha.

2005: The Year of the Gun

2005-03-14T11:47:00.000-05:00

Is it me, or is this year off to a poor start with frequent reports of shootings in the US? What is it about the easy access to assault weapons in this country? National Rifle Association and their influential political ties, which successfully continues to prevent the banning of assault weapons to private citizens perhaps?

This past weekend, in Houston, Texas, a 2-year-old toddler remains in critical condition after he is shot in the head by his 4-year-old brother, with a .32-caliber semi-automatic pistol he found in his mother's purse.

In suburban Brookfield, Wisconson, the otherwise friendly, mild-mannered computer technician and churgoer, Terry Ratzmann (44), shoots down fellow worshippers at the Sabbath for the Living Church of God last Saturday with a 9 mm handgun, killing 8.

14-year-old Calil Gross-Mininall is buried last week after being shot in a mall parking lot by a gang-related shooting.

Police are currently investigating this weekend's subway shooting of a 39-year-old man @ the 145th Street A-train stop in NYC.

Overall, this has been a busy month for shootings around the country. Yes, the availability of guns in this country is still an issue that begs the attention of every private citizen whose life is endangers by other unstable citizens, gun manufacturers, sellers and the NRA.

As you may already know, filmmaker, Michael Moore, targets the issue superbly in his Bowling for Columbine documentary and using the medium to promote social reform.
Here's his action link where you can learn more and actively lobby against assault weapon distrubutors.

Tough Life!

2005-03-04T10:39:00.000-05:00

Now we can all breathe a sigh of relief that our Martha Stewart has done her "hard time" in prison and can reap all the social and financial benefits that our culture bestowes upon any high-profile white-collar convicted felon.

I'm certain that all her supporters--those who rejected any notion that Stewart's morally bankrupt or "innocently" perpetrated a federal fraud and consistantly purchased her products--will share in her lucrative ex-con business deals with Donald Trump, her two upcoming television shows plus her $900,000 annual salary.
Or at least invite her many fans to tea at her $16 million 153-acre Katonah estate, where she'll be under "house-arrest."

Here is a fine example of where our culture can closely examine the blatant hypocracy that exists for high-profile criminals who are glorified simply for their economic status and not their questionable morals. Yet it's the same culture that demonizes women who choose to abort children they cannot support or gay couples who choose to marry, as if their moral convictions and personal choices will be the definitive end of an "upstanding and righteous society" as we know it.

Wake-up Call: American democratic culture is already riddled with corruption, social inequity, and hypocracy--among the ruling class of social elites, in addition to the rest of the population.

Bush Reviled At All Ends of the Earth

2005-02-23T10:07:00.000-05:00

These are just a few of the demonstrators in Mainz, western Germany, opposing George W. Bush's visit yesterday. The Good Ole Boy is trying to smooth over European relations, grovelling for military support, upon his realization that there may not be any American troops left alive to finish his imperialistic initiative.

As if the massive avoidable loss of life in Iraq isn't enough, now Iran is on the drawing board of the Bush administration. Bush says spoke to the irrationality of the popular speculation that the US has designs on going to war with Iran, yet also says, "all options are on the table."
It's not Bush's outright lies that infuses his speeches that annoy me the most, it's his assumption that the entire free thinking public is dumber than he is.

Whether he really plans to or not, Bush's mixed sentiments about forcefully getting Iran to dissolve its nuclear weapon-making capabilities, as expected, does nothing other than spark further hostility on Iran's part.
Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi said on Wednesday that Tehran was determined to press ahead with uranium enrichment.
He also states that (the United States), "cannot do anything with bullying, threats, and pressure."

Is it possible that Bush could piss off any more international communities?
Therein, my friends, is where I have great faith in our snakish leader.

The Future for People of Color in the Arts

2005-02-14T15:49:00.000-05:00

The sequence of moving eulogies for the late and great actor/activist Ossie Davis this past weekend were all very eloquent and moving. Among the most memorable was that of his daughter, Hasna Muhammad, who spoke of how her mom and dad, Ossie and Ruby, would bring the current events and harsh realities of the world to them at the dinner table.

She spoke of how they would challenge the children to come up with viable solutions to problems like how they could use their resources to hire more film and television crew and stage hands of color, and how they could make the Black and Latino billion dollar spending potential work for them and improve the world. Also, how Ossie and Ruby didn't buy their children a television set until there were enough people of color in the entertainment industry to watch.

I thought it was an extremely valuable statement that really needed a public platform to be voiced.
Yes, hiring talented writers and production staff who are of color as opposed to the Hollywood default of "cedar circles" (see Jon Stewart blog entry), is rare because they are not actively recruited--at least I haven't gotten the word, and not for lack of reasearch on my part.
If any of you can find a mainstream production company that does that, please enter a post with the info, and I will stand corrected.

That's Entertainment

2005-02-07T09:22:00.000-05:00

No, Condoleeza Rice did not finally do something different with her hair.

While many of us continue to put on a happy face at work to make next month's rent, others in Rio de Janeiro are donning real smiles as they kick off Carnival celebrations.

I guess some Americans would call yesterday's very sanitized pseudo-puritanical Super Bowl entertainment, celebratory, but I call it pathetic and conformist.

The reactionary outcry to last year's Super Bowl reveal of Janet Jackson's left breast during a half time performance is alarming to say the least. While the portion of conservative, religious right American's continue to successfully capitalize on their influence over advertisers, others are still licking wounded egos from the very dated George Bush presidential win.

Let's face it folks, old money talks and carries a lot of weight over merit in this country (i.e., heiress Paris Hilton's huge pop culture appeal) .
The viral spread of conservativism is a constitutional right, but not when it silences those who don't conform or offer challenges to the norm.

Who Gets to Legitimize Iraq's election?

2005-01-31T09:38:00.000-05:00

If one can tear themselves away from the sweeping corporate media concensus of successful democratization of Iraq, on behalf of the US government, let's try to get a true sense of the big picture here.

Yes, much like the U.S.'s recent re-election of George W. Bush, a "democratic" election process was successfully imposed upon Iraq. However, outside of selected depictions of Iraqi citizens celebrating in the streets singing the praises of America's democracy, American media outlets are, yet again, not examining the relevent consequences of this latest instance of US inculcation.

How exactly is the voter turnout being calculated and by whom? Yesterday, an NPR reporter stated that there's really no way to determine who exactly are voting. The Sunni (who make up about 40% of the Iraqi population) turnout are exceptionally low. Additionally, the only way government officials are identifying voters are by regional turnout.

Much like the US, election boycotts in Iraq are predictably under-reported. According to
Al-Jazzera.net, "Most citizens interviewed by the journalist said the elections reflected nothing but the will of the United States and was for its own interests."

Other questions not being examined:

Who exactly are the candidates up for elections?
Under who's constitution are the elections being conducted, if at all?
What is the long-term constitutional framework for Iraq and who finalizes it?
Why hasn't the US clearly defined their idea of sovereignty for Iraq?
Does the US really believe that free-thing citizens of this world believe that the US's goal is to leave Iraq and its natural resources to Iraq to govern without the US?

If the US government and its corporate media are already claiming a victory over an election that has not yet been legitimized by the world community, we are a long way from getting answers to these crucial fundamental questions. The United States is the last country to be claiming victory over officiating a legitimate electoral process.

Not Right Enough Blacks in America

2005-01-28T13:37:00.000-05:00

To this day, I can never convince myself to believe that people of African descent, living in America, could ever really fit the glove of Republican conservatism.
Someway or another token African-American right-wing pundits fall short of white conservative standards. In the same breath, they tend to betray their own historical legacy, while satisfying their own socio-economic power structure on the surface level.

Some examples that immediately come to mind are Alan Keyes, Condolezza Rice, Colin Powel and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. The most recent example is conservative columnist Armstrong Williams who's recently come under fire, particularly from fellow right-wingers, for acknowledging that his company accepted $240,000 from the Bush administration to promote his No Child Left Behind law to Black audiences and giving the education secretary air time.

The repercussions of Williams's failure to promote the notion of media neutrality from the government interests, is the suspension of his weekly newspaper column by Tribune Media Services. The recent instance of mainstream media's conflict of interest speaks to the argument for the masses to challenge the popular tendency to blindly ingest corporate media's without critically examining its reporting sources.

Another issue that begs for examination is the proverbial pink elephant standing in our living room-the Black Republican.

How exactly do Black Republicans come to terms with the notion that right-wing conservatives serve their best interests? I welcome any Republicans of color to chime in of course.
I just don't see how a people with such an extensive American history of political, psychological, and socio-economic oppression from Puritanical Anglo-Saxon conservatives, can detach that history from every other oppressed group in modern day America.

American Image

2005-01-20T09:42:00.000-05:00

As George Bush, Jr. prepares for his 2nd term presidential appointment in Washington, DC this afternoon, it's important for the remaining free-thinking individuals on this planet to remember that many people will meet today's elaborate proceedings with organized resistance, despite the heavy smog of oppression that seems to have smothered those on this planet who do not wish to be molded into the Bushs' idealogical value system.

While this nation's Inauguration Day polls welcomes George Bush with an almost 50% approval rating, a poll of 21 countries (reflecting Africa, Latin America, North America, Asia and Europe), commissioned by the BBC World Service, showed that 58% of the 22,000 participants (18 of the 21 countries) are expecting Bush to have a negative impact on peace and security during his final term.

The Bush marketers have proven that a fear-based campaign to be an overwhelming success for Bush's agenda and policy-making--at least in the US. I can only hope that the free-thinking world community can successfully impart and popularize non-imperialistic and progressive policy initiatives, enough to move out nation to impeach the seemingly un-impeachable Bush dynasty.

If this nation's democrats couldn't polish their agenda enough to pull it off, why couldn't other nations step up to the plate to take the lead?

Legacy of American Injustice

2005-01-18T10:11:00.000-05:00

In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday yesterday, me and some friends attended a free screening of Keith Beauchamp's documentary, "The Untold Story of Emmitt Louis Till," at The Brooklyn Academy of Music's BAM Rose Theaters.
This is a remarkable filmmaking achievement because it prompted the re-opening of this remarkably brutal murder case of 14 year-old Emmett Till in 1955 Mississippi, when viewed by federal prosecutors in 1994.

Unfortunately, Till's mother, Mamie Till Mobely, died in 1993 and never saw justice for her son's murder. The two white men, who kidnapped and brutalized the young teen who was visiting relatives in Mississippi from Chicago for whistling at the white wife of a local shopkeeper, were acquitted by an all white jury who deliberated for 67 minutes. After their acquittal, the men later sold their story for $4,000 to Look magazine in January 1956, knowing they could not be tried twice for the murder and speaking freely about how they killed Till.
However, there is still an ongoing investigation of others who were allegedly involved in helping the two murderers kidnap and restrain Till while he was being tortured.

This case sparked the Civil Rights Movement and continues to speak to the the inequities of the American justice system when it comes to trying and convicting people of color and the financially disadvantaged, i.e., New York State's Rockerfeller Drug Laws.

Mainstream Digest

2005-01-11T10:29:00.000-05:00

Question: Why is Bill O'Reilly ever given the time of day to spew his right-wing madness on national television?
Answer: Because he's white, rich and he can.

As I mentioned in my Jan. 01 blog entry, there will always be some grand-standing opportunistic fool, with the right media backing, who will use the tsunami tragedy to further personal agendas.
The latest instance is FOX News's, Bill O'Reilly's criticising the legitimacy of the George Clooney's upcoming televised celebrity fund-raising efforts for the tsunami victims.

You don't have to be a George Clooney fan (which I'm not) to recognize the importance of all people banning together for a humanitarian cause. It does not surprise that O'Reilly would want to use his show to rekindle an old feud between him and Clooney--or any public figure who hasn't pledged to be a life-long Bush administration devotee.

I see how the pro-Bush agenda works for O'Reilly and his career. You only have to refer to the recent fallout domino-effect of CBS execs who followed Dan Rathers scathing (and poorly researched) 60 Minutes report on George W. Bush's checkered National Guard service.
O'Reilly is still working, while Dan Rather has "given up" his evening news seat.

But Bill, not all of us have stomaches strong enough to withstand so much Bush-ass-kissing in one lifetime. Can't you at least wait until the man's inauguration?
It'll be interesting to monitor the major network coverage and commentaries on Bush's inauguration on Jan. 20, 2005--Black Thursday.

Patriot Act and the White Man

2005-01-05T13:54:00.000-05:00

It's not the title for a new reality series.

David Banach of suburban Parsippany, NJ could be facing 25 years in prison under the Patriot Act for "foolhardedly and negligently" pointing his laser beam at a jet and helicopter then falsely accusing his 7-year-old daughter. This fool needs to be given the max for his stupidity.

Now you know if he had a Muslim name his ass would already be held at Guantanamo Bay for a couple of years even before the case went to trial.

It'll be interesting to see whether or not he'll be given a slap on the wrist.
Does anyone know what the white:non-white ratio is of people convicted under the Patriot Act?
I'm betting Banach's a minority.

New Year and New Priorities

2005-01-01T15:32:00.000-05:00

We start the new year off on the sad note of remembering the thousands of lives lost in the December 2004 tsunami in Asia. As the phenomenal death toll soars past 123,000, it is unfortunate that it takes a catastrophic natural event like this one to humble millions to really internalize the earth's awesome potential to regain the respect it already deserves.

While man has no control over such natural events, despite the rantings of some opportunistic doom-sayers currently using this disaster and fear-based discourse to scare the vulnerable to submit to personal agendas, I am hopeful that this natural disaster will provide a platform for world leaders to look less towards war solutions and imperialistic initiatives. Thus re-directing their resources towards ending world pandemics like hunger, disease, and institutionalized racism, classism while promoting a fairer distribution of wealth.

Although my ideological rants sound unrealistic and pie-in-the-sky, I do believe they are attainable if people exorcise their tendancy to adhere to socially engrained stereotypes and perceptions guided by the ruling class and religious institutions who thrive on total submission of the masses for identity, social norms, and spiritual dependence.

We can go on for days about this (and I welcome your thoughts via postings or alternate public forums), but I want to call your attention to links where you can donate your resources to help out tsunami victims as well as other needy people--remember there are still flood victims, extreme poverty and hunger in Haiti, earthquake victims in Iran, etc.

You choose your cause by starting here:
Tsunami relief efforts
Haiti Relief Fund
Relief International
UNICEF
Red Cross

One Torso with A Side of Emotional Detachment

2004-12-15T13:58:00.000-05:00

At a loss as to what to give a loved one for the holidays? How 'bout a torso pillow?
That's right a styrofoam torso mock up of a bed buddy is all the rage in Japan and quickly sweeping neighboring nations. The manufactureres, Kameo Corporation, can't seem to keep their signature Girlfriend's Lap pillows and Boyfriend's Arm pillows in stock.

If you or your gift recipients can acknowledge and not take offense to this product's not-so-subtle misogynistic, objectifying themes, this just might fill the holiday lonelies void that some may be feeling at this particular time of the year.

After the holiday season blows over you can force them to critically examine the implications of how this product is a model example of how technologically advanced cultures increasingly seeks to replace real human contact with technological gadgets. Consequently, it promotes growing detachments to human emotions, self-identity (as it is constantly defined by consumer products) and increases cultural insensitivity, inactivity, attention deficit, and obesity.

Happy Holidays!

Uh...Keep the Faith Troops

2004-12-08T11:19:00.000-05:00

As civilian resentment grows exponentially with the mass destruction and death brought to Palestinians by US-led forces, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld tries to give US troops a pep talk.

At Camp Buehring, Kuwait yesterday (12/7/04), disgruntled soldiers gave Rumsfeld an ear-full as they openly voiced complaints about inadequate armor and lengthy deployments.
Rumsfeld retorted with an unsettling "win the test of wills"-themed speech aiming to butch-up the troops.

It's no surprise that US troops would be frustrated with the constant fear of losing their lives to hostile occupants in a war zone--especially during the holiday season.
While I am sympathetic to troops longing to return to their families, or even quit altogether, their plight should in no be given greater importance than those of the civilians that occupy
war-torn areas. They did not choose to be entangled in combat zones, or to see their families, friends and homes destroyed.

Voluntarily enlisting in the armed forces (no matter how limited one's options might be) is ultimately a choice with inherent risks.

And let's not kid ourselves about Rumsfeld's empathy for the plight of US troops in war zones.
It's very easy for him to dole out cursory remedy monologues to troops with the comfort of knowing that he's got a guaranteed private plane ride back home in time for the holidays.
None of his children have been deployed and sentenced to unpredictable life-threatening combat zones.

Seeing Is Believing

2004-12-02T11:54:00.000-05:00

This is a typical scene at a Baghdad refugee camp populated by Fallujans. Not surprisingly, the very selective "embedded" war-time journalists, particularly Americans, who report on this war and war casualities often omit daily accounts of civilian suffering. If you're at all familiar with mainstream Western journalism norms, you know that credible reporting is often defined by a fusion of (or confused) with obligatory patriotic subtexts that conforms to corporate reporting, or administration-approved, standards. Opposing takes on current events, that radically steers away from and challenge such norms, are often dismissed as liberal babble, i.e., the downfall of Dan Rather.

What struck me the most this past week was the story of how Palestinian violinist, Wissam Tayem, was stopped by Israeli officers at a checkpoint near Nablus, and ordered to "play something sad." According to the Guardian, the dehumanizing incident was videotaped by Jewish women peace activists and struck a chord with the Israeli community.
The incident was reminiscent of when Jewish musicians were forced to play background music to the mass murders that took place at concentration camps.

Of course, now that this, among other documented accounts of "insensitivity" towards the Palestinians, have gained international attention, the Israeli officers deny that the Tayem was forced to play for them, and that he did it voluntarily.

Drawing such parallels that challenge the ideologies of the US-led war against the "axis of evil," the increasing popularity of animilizating Muslims in the media, and projected images of US soldiers coming back in coffins, are topical underlying war-time themes that typically will not be given a national platform in US airwaves, or be given the same importance as topics that are less critical of the right wing agendas.
I don't expect that the FOX network (know for its pro-Bush sentiments) would have reported on how Palestinians are degraded by Israeli or US soldiers for that matter.

Holiday Shopping:Civilian Deaths

2004-11-29T11:00:00.000-05:00

While many Americans took their annual dose of social anesthesia called Black Friday--the post-Thanksgiving day shopping frenzy that US retailers capitalize on to launch their Christmas sales--week three of the US-led assault on Fallujah commenced.

Shopping and waiting out long lines at shoppping malls were not focal points of contention for civilians in war-torn Iraq.

Samir Hijazi, a 38-year-old physician, and 18-year-old Abd Allah al-Rahawi died from wounds sustained when Israeli tanks stormed the Rafah refugee camp in the southern Gaza strip, firing volleys of shells and automatic gunfire.

According to Palestinian medical sources, as of Sunday (11/29/04), the death tolls since the start of the al-Aqsa Intifada, stand at 3555 Palestinians and 961 Israelis.

While the accuracy of these figures are subject to debate, the point should not be overlooked that the consistency of bystander deaths are constant and any false sense of US economic growth projected by the American news sources to mask the obvious cannot alter war casualties.

Say Goodbye Dan

2004-11-24T15:44:00.000-05:00

It was only a matter of time until Dan Rather called it quits after going up against the Bush administration by interrogating the checkered history of George W. Bush's service as a National Guard.

The 73 year-old veteran CBS anchor announced that he will be stepping down from the league of the noteables on March 9--the 24th anniversary of his starting as the CBS Evening News anchor.

I think this story is huge because of its implications for journalist and the limitations of free speech. Yes, Rather was lacking when it came to checking his resources and is accountable for his credibility as a journalist. But we should also, consider how Rather's resignation will influence future watchdog reporting in the mainstream media--especially stories that oppose the conservation right-wing agenda.

It's already a pandemic that is being taken way to lightly be captive audiences who too often swallow the bitter pill of pre-digested current events.

Back From The War and Buying A Ford!

2004-11-22T11:34:00.000-05:00

At the risk of promoting NBC on this forum, I must mention the shameless war-time propaganda campaign skillfully executed in NBC's prime time slot last Sunday night (11/21/04).

Ford motor company poured millions of advertising dollars to peddle their vehicles to--yes, our American war heros. The thickness with which they poured their syrupy advertising, you'd think they were giving away the damn cars or offering them at a reduced price to "our troops."

Last night's special commercial-free episode of American Dreams was sponsored by Ford.
In it, JJ Pryor, a US Marine fighting in Vietnam had been missing in action and finally comes home for Christmas.

The timely episode strategically conforms to current events and the predominant American social discourse where the war protestors in that episode were criminalized as they set fire to a military recruiting center, critically injuring an unsuspecting maintanence worker in the process.
Just as the Pryor family (a white middle-class family living in a picturesque suburb in Philadelpha, PA) gets out of midnight Christmas mass, they get word of JJ's miraculous return.
Upon his injured son's arrival, JJ's proud father rewards him with a brand new Ford.

Of course the cost of the viewers' commercial-free, special Christmas miracle episode geared for the upright Christian right citizens brigade, was a three-minute Ford commerical following the same theme of Sunday night's family episode. A white middle-class serviceman comes back from the service to his picturesque suburban American home, to be greeted by his dad with brand new Ford.

While this is all very gripping stuff, I appeal to critical thinkers out there to pluck this television propaganda event apart and recognize it for what it is--not an altruistic effort by the Ford motor company to "honor our American troops," but a calculated marketing strategy to get viewers to associate nationalism with a Ford motor vehicle purchase.
As if somehow by purchasing a Ford motor, the viewer would be fulfilling their patriotic duty.

I'll venture to submit that a more substantial way to honor our troops is to see to it that our current administration has sufficient healthcare in place for surviving US troops who will be needing costly physical and psychological therapy from this war.

Here's A Reality Show

2004-11-18T10:40:00.000-05:00

In a bold statement contrary to the predominently infectious US propaganda, France's president Jacques Chirac continues to paint a realistic outlook of Bush's war for the world.

In a statement to the BBC last night (Wed., 11/17/04), he said, "I'm not at all sure that one can say the world is safer. There is no doubt there has been an increase in terrorism. To a certain extent Saddam Hussein's departure was a positive thing but it also provoked reaction such as the mobilisation in a number of countries of men and women of Islam which has made the world more dangerous."

It's no stretch for a free-thinking individual to piece together the likelihood of violent acts resulting in retaliatory violence. Yes, more insurgents or vigilant opposers of a hostile occupation by foreigners.

Chirac also told the BBC that he urged Britain, before the invasion, to press George Bush to revive the Middle East peace process before offering their support. Chirac stated, "Well, Britain gave its support but I did not see much in return. I am not sure that it is in the nature of our American friends at the moment to return favours systematically."

Historically, arrogance and a hunger for power was hardly a key ingredient for successful progressive movements.

Meanwhile, the death toll for US troops from assaults in Fallujah and surrounding regions is 91, while there is no indication that Fallujah resistence fighters are backing down.

I'm Not Only The Spokeman for Moral Superiority, I'm Also The President

2004-11-15T09:45:00.000-05:00

Well, I stand corrected in thinking that the creme de la creme of the conservative reich ended with the Bush administration and the devil's whore, Lynne Cheney.

The latest figure head for extreme fundamentalism, under the guise of 'legitimate' Christianity, is Dr. Bob Jones III, president of Bob Jones University in Greensville, SC.
His November 4th congratulatory letter to George Bush made recent headlines for its extremely conservative comments. The highly moralistic (which assumes his flawless character, if he can appoint himself a position of moral judgement) university president deifies the US president with the claim, "God has graciously granted America, though she doesn't deserve it, a reprieve from the agenda of paganism. You have been given a mandate. We the people expect your voice to be like the clear and certain sound of a trumpet. Because you seek the Lord daily, we who know the Lord will follow that kind of voice eagerly."

While elevating the status of his version of Christian conservativism to an undisputable position of mainstream authority, he also bludgeons the the character of any individuals with opposing views or values. Although Bush has neither publicly endorsed nor discredited the letter, Jones has already successfully capitalized on his wealth, media access and faith-based support to circulate his manifesto to the masses and, to some extent, perpetrated instutionalized racism and religious intolerace on a wide public scale.

Factoid Aside: Bush spoke at Bob Jones University in February of 2000 during his 2000 campaign run. At the time, the private Christian college instituted a ban on interracial dating.
The school has since dropped the ban on interracial dating (I'm sure Jones' personal views have dramatically turned towards racial sensitivity).

In the tradition of the priviledged access of individuals like the Cheneys and the Bush family, much of Jones's success can be attributed to his massive wealth, media access and the successful fusing of public policy, faith-based value systems and self-imposed and unchallenged entitlement, which authorizes him to eradicate the diversified interests and value systems of lower-class Americans.

Jones's ideological American is a simplified white-washed Christian conservative who subscribes to his value system, and those outside of that cultural framework be damned.
Who else had a similar vision for his people? Ah yes, Hitler!

A successful mainstream extreme conservative right media blitz desensitizes the public to the fact that diverse cultures with oppossing inherent value systems, are further alienated and demonized towards the goal of extinction.
Baby steps towards normalizing the fusion of fundamentalist views and state policy should not go unnoticed by the masses.

Fascism = Fascism despite its subtle brush strokes.

As a Media Ecology graduate, it would behoove me not to recommend reading the writings of French theologist and sociologist Jacques Ellul (1912-1994).
His literature of the topics of Christianity, propaganda, technology and power are prophetic, timeless and appropriate for our Western technological society (I hesitate to call it a civilization).

Other Ellul Works:
Propaganda: The Formation of Men's Attitudes, 1961
The Politics of God and the Politics of Man, 1972

Your Childrens' Allegiance To The Conservative Right

2004-11-10T10:47:00.000-05:00

VP first-lady Lynne Cheney is no novice to the coercive arts. Her calculated methodology of inculcating conservative Protestant values into America's school children is one of Cheney's many strengths. Regardless of the many diverse cultural ideologies and traditions that America's school children are reared with, Mrs. Cheney had, has and will continue to a have a say in what they should incorporate into their belief systems.

Her history as an outspoken conservative who uses her wealth and media connections to further her right-wing agenda, rivals that of her husband Dick Cheney.

In her interview with Matt Lauer on yesterday's (11/9/04) Today Show, she capitalized on her national broadcast opportunity to promote her new children's book, America: A Patriotic Primer, for "young patriots."
She then proceeded to tie her book with the war in Iraq and how the US military presence in Iraq is akin to the great American battles led by our first president George Washington.

Assuming the authoritarian position of self-appointed interpreter for the masses and embattled factions in Iraq, she continued with claims distinguishing "our" troops' fight being a righteous one--as if there are ever jusitifiable wars--and the other side (civilians included) be damned because we're the freedom fighters.

One of the reasons why Mrs. Cheney's warped sentiments of nationalism or die has such staying power is her massive influence on media outlets and her target (although not exclusively) faith-based, conservative audience's passivity about it.

If you recall, Mrs. Cheney is the former head of The National Endowment for the Humanities, where she helped fund the National History Standards (with the Dept. of Education).
This was considered a progressive step towards improving the way American public schools teach history to an increasingly diversified student body; until Cheney denounced the finished product back in 1994, with her publication, The End of History, causing a huge media blitz and uproar among education reformers.

Why? Mrs. Cheney had a problem with the Standard's " 'grim and gloomy' monument to political correctness. She pronounced the standards project a disaster for giving insufficient attention to Robert E. Lee and the Wright brothers and far too much to obscure figures (such as Harriet Tubman) or patriotically embarrassing episodes (such as the Ku Klux Klan and McCarthyism)."--G.B. Nash.
You can read the details in Gary B. Nash's article in The History News Network.

"Beware the historian," applies to anyone who chooses to recall any event that could potentially be interpreted as legacy depending on its circulation and its impact on the masses.
The cautionary quote implies that all historical claims and its sources should be up for scrutiny before it's institutionalized.
This includes myself, anchorpersons, educators, etc.
Selective historical documentation can be enticing that way. It's really up to the historian's discretion what portions of events he/she will emphasize or gloss over.

For instance, Lynne Cheney chooses to highlight her childrens book and conservative values to the masses whenever she wishes. She probably won't use her platform on The Today Show to talk about her very racey (at least by most conservative standards) and not-so-Christian conservative historical romance novel Sisters (1981, Penguin Group), which included topics such as brothels, attempted rapes, and a lesbian love affair. It's not the kind of book that would strengthen her standing with the conservative right.

I, however, have no problem using this public forum to put forth this information as it serves my purpose, which is to highlight Mrs. Cheney's selective usage of her self-portrayed moral superiority image to further her conservative agenda.

Collective amnesia should not deprive the masses of more balanced perspectives on subjects simply because mainstream media coverage is lacking.

Too often people unconsciously give up their critical thinking capacities for spoon-fed information that's widely held as factual simply because the source is "the news," or devicive media moguls like Cheney.

The newest victims--our children.

More War for the People

2004-11-08T10:54:00.000-05:00

Here's an Iraqi girl trying to block out the piercing sounds of explosions and death in Fallujah, where US troops have launched an all-out "offensive" strike to purge insurgents.

So how do we know that the psychological and physical damages inflicted on thousands of Iraqi children like this little girl, isn't creating future generations of insurgents?
I don't see how weekly assaults around horrified civilians is acceptable for any society.
How would New Yorkers or civilians in Ohio handle their counties being transformed into war zones?

I'm inclined to believe that their would be vigiliant backlashes from residents also and that the distinction between resistent civilians who have been violated and terrorists would also be blurred.

It appears that we are a long ways off from seeing an end to the havoc that Bush and his extremist Republican right regime will advocate over the next four years, which will have long-term global effects far beyond the commander and chief's final term.

BTW: Since the beginning of the Palestinian uprising in September 2000, the estimated number of deaths is approximately 4,563, including 3,259 Palestinians and 960 Isrealis--with the advantage of US governmant backing of course. Not to mention the deaths tolls of US soldiers, allied military troops and prisoners of war.

Democracy Later...

2004-11-04T15:04:00.000-05:00

So what's next for Amerika as we know it under the strong arm of the Bush Reicht?
I could submit dozens of speculative scenerios--none of which subscribe to my vision of a democratic society.

What I can say for certain is that the popular and the electoral votes have secured a future (at least the next four years) rife with policies, both domestic and foreign, that will reflect ultra-conservative views with little tolerance for new citizens of diverse ethnic profiles and faiths.
Thus, reversing the initiatives of the Constitution as we know it.

I don't think it's a stretch for me to envision a future where truly free-thinking Americans will have to flee to other countries in order to reap the benefits of a progressive social consciousness where it's okay to differ in ideology with the establishment.

This reminds me of a time in America when free-thinking Americans had to leave the United States in order to escape persecution because of their unpopular views, like Langston Hughes and Josephine Baker. The reality of this sweeping ideological regression frightens me to the core, but I totally advocate the survival of free thought and expression without certain backlashes. If the United States can no longer live up to its claims as the model for freedom, then it should gracefully step down and give up the pretenses it portrays to neighboring countries.

There were some great points made in today's New York Times Op-Ed columns that's great food for thought--namely Maureen Dowd (The Red Zone) and Thomas L. Friedman (Two Nations Under God).

"The Ruler Thanks The Non-Thinking Man"

2004-11-03T13:08:00.000-05:00

"The ruler is thankful for the non-thinking man." --Adolf Hitler.

It's an awful shame that complacency and in-action will set the tone for the next four years of Bush's imperialist movement, but I will at least take comfort in the knowledge that I am not one of those complainers who didn't get out my vote. I wish to congratulate all the New Yorkers who made their voices heard and overwhelmingly rejected George W. Bush.

If you're feeling anything like I'm feeling, you're probably repulsed incensed by the irrational logic that Bush supporters used to rationalize his re-election. Of course, most likely, these are the folks who have no personal attachment (like loved ones actually fighting the war in Iraq) to Bush's 'axis of evil' war.

Some good news: California has voted to put $3 billion into stem-cell research.

Day of Reckoning

2004-11-02T08:35:00.000-05:00

This was the scene around 7:45a/et this morning when I went to vote @ Election District 66 in Brooklyn, NY. There were a good number of people handling their business at the polls before they hustled back to work.

For the most part, the demographics were black, latino, and asian. The average age appeared to be around 45, which is encouraging. The line was moderate and the volunteers were orderly, organized and moved things right along so as to not discourage the voters so that they don't right around and go to work instead of voting.

The results of this election will either prove to demonstrate the power of proactivity in favor of the working class, or that this country truly belongs to the wealthiest 1-2 percent of the population.

You can follow the election process with other media watchdogs @:
WBAI or Pacifica Radio.

I welcome fellow bloggers to post any relevant Election Day comments or anomolies you may have noticed at your local voting district.

October Surprise--Scared Yet?

2004-10-30T17:36:00.000-04:00

Surprise! Well, not really. Much like I anticipated the latest re-surfacing of Osama bin Laden (this time a videotaped appearance) indeed fits into the convenient scenerio of the possible October Surprise. This is where enough people's (hopefully undecided voters) would again be striken with 9/11 flashbacks at the sight of Osama posing another apparent threat to Americans, give in to their irrational fears and vote for George Bush so that he can continue to secure our great nation.

None of us, including top Homeland Security agents, can ever prove that this latest threat is authentic or if this is a preamble to the theory that the Bush regime has choreographed an elaborate Bin Laden capture just before the elections on Tuesday.

What (at least to me) is clear is that the timing of this latest threat could not be a better window of opportunity for the Bush camp to capitalize on his 'keeping our homeland safe' rhetoric and revamp the same anger Americans experiences when they were first violated by the 9/11 attacked and were pumped up about the justifications for war--which again, has no relation to Sadam.

Voters should remember to stay focused on this election so that fear does not get the best of them again and lose site of what's really happening hear.

9/11-fear allowed NYC Mayor Bloomberg AND George W. Bush slither into power and effect many lives in New York City and the world quite negatively.

Please do not let it happen again--no matter what turns up in the news over the next few days.
It only takes one televised instance of 'shock and awe,' resulting in in-action, to put Bush back in the White House for another 4 years.

We are not the first nation who have had to get to voting booths under duress and the threat of violence (i.e., Haiti and most politically hot third world nations), but people manage to handle their business and vote for who they want anyway--even if it means risking their lives.

Are we going to allow CNN or FOX News keep us glued in front of our televisions behind locked doors while we watch the top 1 percent of America's wealthiest and entitled votes (Bush friends) re-select this bumbling idiot? Let's not.

Still Into Dick and Bush?

2004-10-29T07:03:00.000-04:00

Researchers from Johns Hopkins' Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, Maryland, said in a report published online by The Lancet medical journal on Thursday (10/28/04) that the conservative death toll of Iraqis since Bush launched his war against 'evil,' has surpassed 100,000.
Iraqi civilian death tolls are at 16,053 and military fatalities at 6,370-not including the massive amounts of casuality victims who will spend the rest of their lives maimed and psychologically traumatized by this war. But I'm sure the Bush regime and the interim goverment it's placed in Iraq has a solid physical and mental health care foundation lined up to remedy the now irreversible damages imposed on these war victims--much like the sufficient national healthcare plan that we have now.

Imagine the public outcry if bombs were falling out of the sky in Manhattan and civilians and civilian property were being ravaged on a daily basis by foreigners in the absence of a balanced institution that holds them accountable for their actions.
Would Americans greet their foreign invaders as liberators? Doubtful.
Direct exposure to death and violence tend to restructure one's political and social outlook (i.e., 9/11 and US soldiers who actually go to battle and come back home alive, but horribly disfigured).

It's regretful that some Americans need that kind of extreme confrontation in order to fully grasp the reality of certain priviledges that the Bush regime exercise sans checks and balances of that power.

In other Bush regime news:

Former New York Mayor and Bush regime supporter Rudolph Giuliani has stated that our current commander and chief is not to blame for the tons of explosives that walked away from the Al-Qaqaa installation that was 'secured' under US military supervision. He has placed the blame solely on the failure of U.S. troops. That will surely boost their morale while their live and limbs are being lost in record numbers.
In other words we should all push the collective amnesia button now and forget George Bush campaign rhetoric that the world is much safer since this war has been launched--right!

Finally, the FBI is just now getting around to investigating whether the US (again not hold George Bush personally accountable for his actions) unfairly awarded Dick Cheney's Halliburton Co., lucrative contracts without competition. Uhmm, hell yeah!

Question of the day: Is this a legitimate and fair investigation that dares to challenge the Bush regime and its customized definition of democracy? Or is this another premeditated plot strategically times to release a Cheney-friendly ruling just days shy of the elections?

Still into Dick and Bush?

Get your asses out there and vote next Tuesday then. Do your research now so you know exactly where to go. For info on your polling place, go here.

Will Nader Apostles Do It To Us Again?

2004-10-27T13:17:00.000-04:00

"Well, I want you as you're gathering up the vote, to remind your friends and neighbors that George W. did get elected and our seniors did get their Social Security checks."

Those words were spoken by our commander and chief, George W. Bush, to unsuspecting citizens during a recent campaign stop in Wisconsin yesterday (Tues. 10/26/04), exactly one week before Election Day.

According to the latest questionable polls, Bush is in the lead over Sen. John Kerry by 1 point.
Remarkably this tight presidential race mirrors the close race in 2000 where ultimately friends and family of George W. Bush made the final call to select him for president. This is very stuff. The very thought of this war-monger being re-selected for another term makes me cringe.
I appeal to every free-thinking citizen out there to do your civic duty and vote, or don't complain.
No offense to the Green Party, but this is not the time to demonstrate your loyalty to Ralph Nader.

Your vote for Kerry (who, I think we can agree, isn't the ideal presidential choice) could tip the scales in his favor.
Hasn't the last four years of Bush's facist rule and violent imperialism spoken for itself?
Are you better off today having voted for Nader in 2000?

Ralph Nader: It's not too late to step down.

I am still thinking positively and releasing the Bush dictatorship to the universe in white light,
in the hopes that America can still salvage some semblance of a functional democratic nation to the rest of the world.

No Danger Under My Watch, America

2004-10-24T21:25:00.000-04:00

George Bush's soiled track record America's safety status does not win my vote of confidence when he insists that he has no specific evidence of a plot to disrupt the November 2 elections.

My advice to everyone is to get out there and vote without letting down your guard.
Need I remind you that this is the same fool who ignored the famous report warning him that America would be Bin Ladin's target prior to the 9/11 attacks.

Fear and paranoia should definitely disuade you from casting your vote and living fully active lives. However a false sense of safety based on the word of the man who lead several nations to war based on inflated allegations of non-existent weapons of mass destruction, isn't too bright either.

Handle your business on Nov. 2 America. Down with covert facism!

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised

2004-10-21T18:26:00.000-04:00

Long gone are the days when indie filmmakers fearlessly make movies unintimidated by its release potential--or so I thought.

Not since James Bidgood's 'Pink Narcissus' or Rainer Werner Fassbinder's 'Marriage of Maria Braun,' have I seen such kick-ass, tell-it-like-it-is, strategic camp on the big screen.

Bruce Labruce's 'Raspberry Reich' is by far the most revolutionary, counter-culture film I have seen in ages. I saw it last night at the Quad Cinema (NYC) with two friends, we were blown away and needed to smoke afterwards.

Some may want to immediately discount this film as trashy, male-porn disguised as low-brow psuedo-art, but if you come into this film completely open-minded, it will be almost effortless to grasp Labruce's intent behind having to assault all your senses with overt sexuality, revolutionary prose, and counter-culture iconography. This film is absolutely brilliant.

Every purposeful lewd frame of this film is meant to awaken all your senses and critical thinking capacity--once you're forced to think outside of your dominant social norms.

Years ago (circa 1992) I saw Labruce's 'No Skin Off My Ass' in a small art theater in London. It was also daring in your face sexuality about gay skin-heads, but his stance on imposed dominant social roles was not as blunt and well-crafted as Raspberry Reich, which definitely has teeth.

I must insist that if you are willing to break out of your cultural prison and challenge the current mass Western imperialism that's infecting surrounding nations, this film is for you.There is critical social commentary on terrorism and how normative cultures, as well as revolutionaries, can lose sight of the whole picture when they're bent on narrow views of life and imposed morality.Like say, for instance, a seemingly harmless comment like, "Well, George Bush and I are both Christians and we share the same values, so he's definitely got my vote!"(I heard it on the news last night--really).

Labruce deserves to be commended for the cinamatic risks he takes (this certainly isn't his first), as well as the very uninhibited actors--most especially Susanne Sachsse, who brilliantly plays the lead terrorist who rules over her triple-X Berlin underworld cultists. She is phenominal.If you're fortunate to find a local theater brave enough to screen this movie in your town, you should definitely seize the opportunity as this is sure to be a cult classic that future generations may end up studying in college film course--given their culture elevates to that level of permissiveness.

If Bruce Labruce happens upon my blog, I welcome your comments. We'll be friends, I'll quit my job and work for you. I just need my rent paid, a health plan and some spending cash.
"The revolution is my boyfriend!"

Jon Stewart's Spitfire On Crossfire

2004-10-18T11:52:00.000-04:00

Despite my issues with Jon Stewart's derrogatory comments about people of color on his Today show interview with Katie Couric, the Daily Show host should be commended on his recent
(Oct. 15, 2004) confrontation with the hosts of CNN's Crossfire.

It's not often that someone gets the window of opportunity to challenge corporate right-wing media's adgenda on the air. Stewart was able to achieve what most free thinking American's dream of doing--unobstructed by manipulative media moguls who, for the most part, spoon feed or 'spin' world news and politics for unsuspecting individuals.

Fueling wars by supporting our current war-mongering, imperialist administration is just one of the many physically and psychological damages that pollute our globe.

You can watch the exchange for free here with Quicktime player.
Official website where you can view it is @ ifilm's website.

Let's hope that gave Crossfire's loyal cattle a better sense of what a real debate and opposing viewpoints are really like.

Admit Nothing & Threaten All

2004-10-12T11:05:00.000-04:00

The latest string of denials coming from the Bush camp is that they have absolutely nothing to do with the recent mandate issued by the Sinclair Broadcast Group for all of its 62 network affiliate television stations (reaching nearly a quarter of all U.S. television households) to air a documentary that accuses Sen. John Kerry of betraying American prisoners during the Vietnam War.

It's also no surprise that a handful of these stations are in the critical swing states of Ohio, Iowa, Wisconsin and of course, good ole Jeb-land, the state of Florida.

Now potential voters who honestly believes that the Bush camp really had no influence on the broadcast executives who decided to give this propaganda piece prime time network exposure, really deserve to have this man be their president.

I humbly submit that this isn't the last exhibition of presidential priviledge that Bush will be excercising just weeks shy of his re-selection. How do Bush supporters not want to believe that someone with Bush's huge sense of entitlement could not have possibly used his influence to doctor his attendance records during his National Guard duty?

This Is Only An Illusion

2004-10-11T09:56:00.000-04:00

By now you may have heard the rumors that George W. Bush was wearing a concealed earpiece during the first Bush-Kerry debate in FL.

Of course, no matter how many cameras managed to capture W's mystery bulge on his back, the Bush administration insists that what we are seeing is not what it appears to be.
In fact, they insist, what the camera caught was merely an unsightly bulge resulting from a poorly tailored suit.

Now if that indeed is the case, it appears that one would find that wearing a suit with its hanger attached would be more comfortable than sporting that posterior hump for a televised event. Despite this blantant refusal to own up to a very visible anomaly, still a very sizable cross section of the US population continue to pledge their allegiance to George W. Bush--Grand Puba of 'family values,' self-interests, and the war against evil.

My Country, My Media!

2004-10-07T07:38:00.000-04:00

Stunned at the blatant disregard to his priviledged authority, George W. Bush reacted to his less-than-stellar performance at last week's debate by scheduling an impromptu sneak speech yesterday (Oct. 5) to boost his campaign momentum.

Under the guise of a "significant speech" on anti-terrorism, the entitled dictator somehow "convinced" cable networks (I believe it was CNBC or CNN-but I'll let you folks verify that) to give him an hour to spew his better rehearsed campaign diarreah sans the watchful eye of an impartial moderator and John Kerry, before Friday's second presidential debate.
Apparently the egos of cable network execs were also slightly wounded from being duped into believing that Bush really was going to announce a major anti-terrorism policy--not use his network time to give himself a jump start on the polls.

No, not our commander-n-cheif! BTW, once again another official report has verified that WMD stockpiles never existed in Iraq. Somehow, I still don't think that this is enough to convince die-hard Bush fans that our president may have manipulated facts in order to drive the war.

What more to do people need to shake them out of this alter-world where this president is not corrupt??

Same Old Political Song and Dance

2004-10-06T19:06:00.000-04:00

Last night's debate between Dick Cheney and VP candidate John Edwards was heated and packed more of a punch than Bush and Kerry's, but nevertheless, I also thought it was predictable in terms of the issues Edwards and Cheney discussed.

Edwards pounded Cheney on the Bush administration's misguided war in Iraq and Cheney hammered in his fear factor theme--without Bush & Cheney America is wide open for another terrorist attack. YAWN!

What about concrete plans for reforming immigration laws? Securing fair labor laws and basic healthcare for US residents who are working while trying to become legal residents/US citizens (which is a significantly slower process since 9-11)? Substantially boosting humanitarian efforts to re-structure Haiti's economy before the entire population is wiped out by deforestation and corruption?

It's always a huge disappointed to witness constant limited recycled rhetoric spewed out from political figureheads who only address popular hot-button topics to appease mainstream voters. I can only image how shallow the US must seem to viewers world-wide--to assume that huge diversity that make up the American population can be accurately represented by two political parties. It's no wonder why efforts to maximize voter turnout is always an uphill battle.

How can this countries politics move from its predominantly narrow discourse to encompass the true majority of the American people--including the millions of undocumented US residents? Anyone?

The Height of Arrogance

2004-10-04T13:11:00.000-04:00

What's lacking in intelligence can be compensated for in height.
At least that's what George W. Bush's lackies at FOX want you believe.

There are reports that allege FOX has doctored this AP photograph of George Bush to make him look as tall as Kerry. Here is the original photograph taken at their recent presidential debate in FL, where George is resembles the evil troll that he is.

True or not, Bush still looks STUPID!

Airstrikes for Peace?

2004-10-02T23:43:00.000-04:00

Here's an image you won't likely see in this weekend's network talk shows. While some Americans remain undecided on who they'll vote for this coming presidential election, more innocent civilians continue to meet untimely deaths in Fallajuh this week as American troops launch "precision strikes" in "suspected" terrorists hideouts.

Fueled by the same military strategists who "suspected" the existence of weapons of mass destruction, which led to this war. It's amazing to me how the press uses terms like precision military strikes to justify the slaughter of innocent civilians and American troops, while civilians who are trying to protect their homes from aggressors in the middle east are never distinguished from real terrorists.

Can you imagine seeing that much destruction and death on a daily basis in say, the streets of New York City? I know I can't. George W. Bush's campaign rhetoric of ensuring our safety if he's re-elected, winning the war on terrorism and rebuilding Iraq would certainly take on a different tone if grotesque images of the casualities in Fallujah and American troops in body bags were projected on the backdrop during one of his campaign speeches.

Slackdaddy's Alternate Reality

2004-09-28T09:48:00.000-04:00

If you're a conspiracy theory enthusiast, then this website is for you. It calls to question the 9-11 Pentagon crash site and why there was hardly no debris from the Boeing 757 itself
(don't know how true that is).

I don't know who put out this website @ slackdaddy.org , but it is definitely intriguing.

Made Ya Cry!!

2004-09-24T10:39:00.000-04:00

How degrading. Leave it to 20/20 anchor Barbara Walters, to make Dan Rather cry.

Keeping within her signature tradition of reducing interviewees to blubbering balls of mess, Babs got Rather to well up in tears when she tried to show her support to the fallen CBS anchor at her retirement bash last night--and of course, NY Post's Page Six was there to capture the moment.

While it may very well be sincere gesture of concern from the anchor of Rather's rival network, ABC, I get the sense that it was executed with a 'better you, than me' kind of smugness within which competing stations revel.

Such is the punishment administered to any voices of dissent aimed at Emperor Bush in this free country of ours--you know the freedom that "they" hate.

The Daily Bubble

2004-09-23T09:43:00.000-04:00

If anyone caught this morning's Today Show with Katie Couric interview with Jon Stewart, I'd love to hear your take on the outrageous display of racists banter that transpired.

Comedy Central's The Daily Show host, Jon Stewart was on this morning to promote a new book that I do not wish to promote here. In the midst of congratualatory discourse, Katie mentions Stewarts recent Emmy Award and his huge staff of Daily Show writers who, apparently are all white men.

She injects (I'm paraphrasing here), "Where's the diversity? Where are the women and people of color?"
Caught off-guard, Stewart nervously laughs it off with a coy joke (but it really isn't), "What?...Who are people of color? I'm only comfortable around [my own kind]."

We hear people on the NBC set break out in laughter (or nervous laughter) cheering Stewart on for his witty charm.
Of course, I was appauled, and amused by the spontaneous moment of truth that followed.
Katie continues with a comment like, "Where did you find them?" (all the white men) and Stewart says, "I met them all at Sedar."

Essentially owning up to the predominent, if not exclusive presence of Jewish writers who may also happen to be personal friends of Stewart.

Stewart's off-the cuff remarks and cute reparte with Katie may have fit the bill for The Today Show's morning slot, but Stewart should prepare for the inevitable backlash from women and poeple of color who happen to share his show's left-wing views and once supported it.

My heart goes out to anyone of color who may be interning on the Daily Show and are women and/or of color. If you were hoping to write for that show, that sad display will hopefuly inspire you to move your experience and talents to another show because Stewart aint into it.

FYI, Jon, there are many talented writers of color, including women, who can write about political issues and any topic out there. As writers--that would be their craft and job.

Off With Their Heads!

2004-09-22T16:49:00.000-04:00

It is with no surprise that I present to you Ms. Mary Maples, the now infamous producer behind the scandalous 60 Minutes story on George W. Bush's checkered past in the National Guard.

As I forcasted (See 9/16/04 Blog entry), CBS no longer stands by their man Dan Rather and crumbled under right-wing, corporate pressures to recall Rather's story due to questionable sources that can no longer be validated.

Today's New York Times is chock-full of rebuke for CBS's 'oversite' in thoroughly checking their sources. The Times, along with FOX News can now bask at the successful character assassination of Dan Rather and the journalistic integrity of CBS.

Rather and CBS's admitted failure and public apology is sure to detract advertisers if ratings slide.
Rather's public apology, coupled with his previously very public bouts with George Bush senior reads like an obituary for the 72-year-old anchor.

The latest chapter of this story will no doubt be linked with Kerry's campaign and the inefficacy of liberalism.
Once again this speaks to the growing right-wing ideology that has swept mainstream media venues like Hurricane Ivan.

What's next? Will Dan Rather be forced to retire or 'encouraged' to report on local crime stories and hurricane preps?
BTW, do not be surprised if this incident boosts George W. Bush's approval ratings if polls are tallied this week.

Don't Make Me Cut Ya!

2004-09-20T09:57:00.000-04:00

Before I was able to access a decent cup of coffee for my commute to work, I grabed a copy of this morning's NY Metro edition instead. Misfortune reared its ugly head and cackled back at me from page 14.
Me: Horrified.

It's easy for me to forget how noticeably distressing it is to see images of New York socialite, Jocelyn Wildenstein--a classic case study in the dangers of excessive plastic surgery.
Sadly, she started out looking quite beautiful until she was talked into erasing all traces of her ethnicity and humanity. The end results were ghoulish...but she's filthy rich so she gets to whoop it up with all the celebs during Fashion Week in New York.

It's sheer agony for me to envision the obscene amounts of cash that society's elite pour into themselves and other material items like cosmetic surgery. The amount of money it costs to complete one surgical procedure could, in all likelihood, wipe out all of my current debt AND I'd still secure a nice savings for myself.

The things folks in this country subject themselves to, to try to fit into pop culture's mold of social acceptance, is phenomenal! Elective mutilation at what cost?

Oh, well, it's only tons of money! I aint mad at ya, Jocelyn.

Make Sure Dan Never Works In This Town Again!

2004-09-16T09:18:00.000-04:00

The latest truth-sayer up for Bush Corporal Punishment is veteran CBS reporter Dan Rather for his untimely critique of Geroge W. Bush's service in the Texas Air National Guard.

CBS News stands by their 60 Minutes investigative report that Georgie squirmed his way out of service obligations and received preferencial treatment thanks to his family connections and obscene wealth.
CBS execs maintains that their claims are backed by interviews with former Texas National Guard officials, documents backed by independent handwritting and forensic experts, not to mention years of cummulative experience in investigative reporting.

It appears that Kitty Kelly's are not the only loose lips reporting on George W.'s priviledged lifestyle and blatant hypocracy. Again, we see the regressive trend of finger-pointing and the blurring of 60 Minutes's credibility on this particularly 'sensative' topic--more like off limits to any media outlets wishing to keep their corporate sponsorship, in classic McCarthyism-style.
Don't be surprised to see the very predictable response of corporate sponsors dropping their advertising dollars out of the CBS market.
If CBS execs collapse under the pressure, they'll to get Dan Rather to issue a formal apology of sort that will try to appease both Dan and 'the administration.'
Hey Dan, you should try your hand at public radio, but I warn you, it doesn't pay as much as you're used to.

It's unfortunate that the thousands of economicallly challenged Americans who are currently dropping off like flies in Bush's war don't have the same daddy priviledges that our 'commander-and-chief' had when it was time for him to answer his call to civic duty.

"Kitty Litter..."?

2004-09-15T20:18:00.000-04:00

Well, it was only a matter of time before our NYC local right-wing rag, The New York Post, took a cheap shot at Kitty Kelly.

Now I can't vouche for Ms. Kelly's legitimacy as a reputable journalist, but the Post never misses an golden opportunity to trash any voice of dissent against the right. Today they've hopped on the mainstream 'journalist' band-wagon and painted Kelly as a disgruntled, eccentric has-been journalist who's as credible as...well, George W. Bush.

I'm sure the backlash comes as no surprise to Kitty. And did we really expect Sharon Bush to back up Kitty's claims to the end, at the risk of having the Bush clan ban her and take away her alimony payments?

But I gotta hand it to the Post for concocting the most colorful tabloid headlines I've ever seen.

Bush Administration Maintains: George W. Bush Is Pure

2004-09-13T07:57:00.000-04:00

This morning I was watching NBC's Today Show with Matt Laurer interviewing Kitty Kelly about her scandalous new book, "The Family: The Real Story of the Bush Dynasty."

One of her "shocking revelations" is her claim that George W. snorted cocaine @ Camp David during his daddy's term as president based on her interview/luncheon with George W's ex-sister-in-law.

Of course she denied those claims when Matt interviewed her.
My main concern here is not whether or not George W. snorted... because it doesn't take much intelligence to assess that in this country, when you're part of the right-wing, white ruling class, have lots of money and little discipline, you have the ingredients for a bored destructive trust fund baby.

I'm bewildered that Matt Laurer went to such lengths to discredit Kelly, or rather defend the integrity of George W., the current standing president--as if there was any left to uphold. Statements like,
Matt: "Why would you come out with such a book just 50 days shy of a major election?
Kelly: "Why not?"

It's that predominant trend among corporate media outlets that scare me--like Nazi propaganda scary.

Are there any brave reporters left who can successfully challenge the right without the overriding fear of losing corporate sponsors.
Why is it so difficult for mainstream America to believe that George W. could possibly be a spoiled rich kid who's capable of lying? So this current accusation clashes with the time frame within which George W. claims he found his spiritual alignment with God after his brief stint with weed. So what?
Is he above lying because he happens to occupy the position of president? How is that radical ideology? It's being human.

But grouping the many "accusations" of the president's personality and ideological flaws radical liberalism is just another M.O. the mainstream right uses to suppress critical debate and discredit free thinkers. Who does that remind us of???

These are the folks who will be reporting on the upcoming elections and gathering polls and announcing the election results...ughh!

Romanticizing 9/11: A Love Story Laced with Deceit

2004-09-10T10:17:00.000-04:00

A word of caution to the remaining grains of sanity left in our country, please do not get side-tracked by the inevitable onslaught of 9/11 tragedy peddlers.

As we approach the 3rd year anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks, we are sure to be flooded by horrific images of death and destruction that will force us to relive the terror and vulnerability we felt that day.

Of course I don't put it past George W. Bush to capitalize on that window of opportunity to remind us that 'our plight against evil is not over'...or some verbal diarreah of that nature to try to convince the nation that we need to have him wage war for another four years--I don't think so. Meanwhile, scores of soldiers continue to die (mostly lower to middle-class young men and women--no one in Bush's friends and family network) in Iraq.

Osama bin Laden's top lieutenant, Ayman al-Zawahiri, forges ahead with terror plans in his videotaped speech yesterday while US soldiers hide out in trenches in Afghanistan.
And where's Osama? Maybe he's dead or perhaps he's being held in Pakistan awaiting a well choreographed and very visible capture for the press days before November's election.

Who the heck knows, but please do not get swept away by whatever opportunistic commemorative gestures that may take place within the next few days that will no doubt play to our emotions.

Remember the big picture and the players behind it.

Re-elect Me or Die!

2004-09-08T13:54:00.000-04:00

"If we make the wrong choice then the danger is that we'll get hit again," rants Dick Cheney at a campaign stop in New Hampshire yesterday.

How Bush's campaign team gets away with these scare tactics is beyond me. As if capitalizing on the 9/11 theme @ the RNC wasn't low enough, Cheney takes it to an even lower level by threatening undecided voters with carnivalesque prophecies of doom if the Bush/Cheney team are not re-selected for another 4 years. Very ballsy. If that doesn't qualify as an act of terrorism, I don't know what does.

The Kerry campaign team is not exactly high on my list of sharp knives in the drawer either. Their retaliation tactics are definitely lacking what Bill Clinton's campaign team had--Balls. C'mon Kerry, pull it together or lose.

"Never Question My Divine Leadership!"

2004-09-07T14:34:00.000-04:00

Another degrading attempt to manipulate fact and speculation has hit the airwaves.
The latest outrage, feuled by right-wing corporate interests, would have us believe that somehow the royal presence of George W. Bush and his GOP pocket-men @ last week's RNC, are solely responsible for a sudden drop in New York City's crime rate.

They're saying crime is down by 6 percent last week from where is was during the same week last year. This of course falls neatly in line with the RNC mantra of George Bush's "initiative" to secure our country from "them"--the freedom-haters.

In other under-reported related news, a study conducted by Senator Charles Schumer, found that the federal government short-changed New York schools by more than $1 billion under the Bush Administration's "commitments" made under the No Child Left Behind Act.
Smalls details that were not up for debate during last week's Bush-stravaganza.
What can I say...I'm stunned.

And Now To Punish The Opposition!

2004-09-03T14:19:00.000-04:00

Eeeewww! This frightening display of repressed anger best summarizes the RNC--a string of spiteful personal vendettas settled with excessive special interest $$. But somehow this poster image is quite fitting when you consider the target audience. Much to my surprise, Zell Miller did not rip out of his skin and fly out of the arena at the end of his speech, but I'm still convinced he's human.

At the conclusion of George W. Bush's very unimaginative speech last night, I was left frustrated and amused by the gullible patrons holding up flip-flops inside George's lair--especially those who were not reaping the benefits of Bush's Personal Favors Program--wait, were there any?

Here's an 'I wonder if...': I wonder if 9/11 never happened, what exactly would be George W. Bush's selling point (not that there's one now)?

I won't insult your intelligence by pointing out all of the holes, statistical exaggerations, outright lies and overall transparencies in George's verbal diarreah, but what I do want to mention is the plight of the protestors.

First of all, congratulations and many thanks to the two or three protestors who managed to permeate George Bush's henchmen last night and made it inside to interrupt his incantation to nation. This gives viewers outside this country some inclination that not all Americans are giddy yes-men who applaud bafoonery. We have circuses for that.

State Supreme Court Justice, John Cataldo, is fining New York City $1000 for each of the 470 protestors he felt was held in custody too long.

I guess Mayor Bloomberg's purpose in having as many protestors arrested this week in an effort overwhelm the system, was served. He can now safely say that American tax $$ were spent, not on the special perks and reorganizing the city to accomodate the RNC, but on the arrests of unruly protestors who just would not conform and keep quiet. Pretty convenient, I'd say.

I still say, "Resistance is not futile!"

This Just In....

2004-09-02T08:04:00.000-04:00

WBAI (an invaluable publicly supported free-speech radio) has learned that in preparation for George's W's arrival in New York City today, a 'secret escape train' is standing by, beneath Madison Square Garden, to wisk our beloved president away to safety in the event of an emergency.

More coverage on this developing story and related atrocious George Bush arrival stories later ...

Old Themes, New Parrots

2004-09-01T08:44:00.000-04:00

It appears that I spoke too soon in my earlier blog when I presumed that the GOP saw the superficiality in showcasing good Negroes @ the 2000 RNC.

Day 2 of this year's RNC indeed showcase their version of happy Blacks-of course it was earlier in the evening's events and covered by the cable networks and PBS. The major network slot was reserved for Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Bush family. As usual, most of the Blacks there at the time were on stage. The cameras jumped from the speaker to the elated Blacks in the audience who were drunk with joy and decorated with Bush buttons and party top hats.
Synoposis: This year's token Black (I think his name is Mike Steel), who of course represents all people of color in this country, boasts how "we can do it all ourselves," and "anything is possible in America," which once again reinforces the racist ideology that Blacks are slothful and lazy. Our economic situation and the fact that over one and a half million more people this year slipped below the poverty line, is not a result of institutionalized racism, but because we lack ambition. Not original folks!
And so misguided.

Moving onto the jeweled prizes of the RNC, Arnold Schwarzenegger and George W. Bushs wife and daughters. Since I already ranted about Arnold, let's just go right to the pathetic and transparent display of Bush's happy and functional family.
The Bush twins, Jenna and Barbara with their insane attempt at being topical by referencing pop culture, MTV style? (Maybe a reality show is in the works for them).
Perhaps, it would be cute if they were like, 9 years-old, but @ 22 it's not so cute.
"We spent the last four years trying to stay out of the spotlight," Jenna Bush said to laughter from the delegates. "Sometimes we did a little better job than others."-CNN
C'mon folks.
Finally, First Lady Laura Bush dutifully addresses the emotional and sensitive side of George Bush as a loving husband and dad making tough decisions in order to secure the safety of our country.
She's actually well-spoken and the more intelligible member of the Bush regime, but her talents are wasted.

Sadly, she goes on to talk about their family dog Spot, which of course borrows heavily from Richard Nixon's old Watergate speech where he portrays himself as an honest family man who would never resort to corrupt activity or abuse his power. He talks of his little dog Checkers in a sad attempt to tug at the heartstrings of Americans so as to divert their attention away from real issues.

My question: Why did George Bush's campaign strategists choose this old brain washing tactic to build up our President? Are they trying to tell us something?

RNC, Day 2: A Nausiating Display of Psuedo Pop Culture Sans the Issues

2004-08-31T22:31:00.000-04:00

"I once was in a movie called 'True Lies'...I think that's what John Kerry should call his campaign." I'm paraphrasing as I watch Arnold's speech right now, but that's basically how he opened his speech. Can you say fluff?

He also used terms like, "economic girly-man" (another derrogatory reference to the Kerry's campaign), and of "Arnold, I'll be back!" to a rousing round of applause. Will his block-buster movie references ever be replaced with a real debate on the issues?

As I anticipated the thesis of his speech is a string of self-congratulatory, imperialistic rhetoric about freedom and the American dream that "they" (the axis of evil) hate, which George W. Bush will preserve.
Yes, I enjoy and appreciate certain freedoms that come with being an American citizen, but how the hell is George W. Bush gonna improve my quality of life and my economic interests?

And...oh my God, here comes George W's daughters to further soil the world's views of Americana.
I gotta get back to this. This is absolutely mortifying. I think this was scripted by an MTV writer.
Did they just say, "Shake it like a polaroid picture?"
More on this developing atrocity later...

RNC's Minority Report

2004-08-31T09:59:00.000-04:00

According to RNC's website:

"This President and the GOP have a good story to tell - we just need to work harder to get the message out to the minority community. Everybody knows about the President's appointments of people of color to key positions in the White House, Cabinet and throughout his Administration. Black voters will be more inclined to side with the President, however, when they hear about his leadership in reforming education by holding schools accountable, by increasing flexibility for families, by expanding parental options and funding programs that actually work. They ought to know that President Bush has shown his commitment to black colleges and universities by significantly increasing their funding. He has been a tireless champion for faith-based initiatives that give social services to the disadvantaged and provide mentoring for the children of the incarcerated. This President delivers on his promises."

I love how organizations like the Republican Party attempt to compartmentalize people of color from a position of authority. This false sense of capturing the "true" sentiments of people of color in this country, and the blind, unchallenged acceptance that traditionally follow that rhetoric, is the kind of contaminant that tends win over the undecided voters of color, prompting them to vote against their best economic interests.

It's even more pathetic to witness Republican delegates like Alan Keyes perpetuate these statistical myths, yet refuse to respond to critics who question their token representation.
None will acknowlege or even question the notion that their race has anything to do with their Republican nomination.
This year's RNC boasts that Republican delegates of color increased by 17 percent.
Again, a loose statistic tossed around to appease the undecided voters. One has to wonder what the Republican definition of "person of color" is.
Does a white Republican delegate who hired a Jamaican nanny to raise their children that's considered part of the family, considered a person of color?

I guess white Republicans realized how obvious their tokanism appeared on camera at the 2000 RNC, when they strategically dotted their seats with Minority delegates and conservatives and paraded Bush's nephew, George P. Bush (nicknamed by the Bush family, the little brown one).
Fortunately, that minstrel show was short-lived and the media hype around George P. Bush died down after George W.'s "election."