Thru Gemin(eyes)

"FOOD & MONEY"

2010-01-23T08:06:00.004-05:00

Money as food.
Food as money.
The choices we make
Are simply not funny.

McDonald's. Burger King. Taco Bell.
MSG behind the story they tell.
Trick your mind to think it's good
To nibble on food products where nutrition once stood.

Lettuce leaves that never wilt,
Shiny red tomatoes after three weeks they're still
Sitting beside lemons and limes.
Not living food; only designed.

Diet is not what you take away.
A way of life, if you may.
You may not and you will see
Prescription pills leaving your pockets empty.

"ANOTHER YEAR?"

2009-12-13T11:20:00.002-05:00

Here we go again.
Let's try in 2010
To change our ways
Instead of continually coasting in a daze.

Ignoring the roles politics play
In our day-to-day
Lives, where we strive
To stay alive; Contributing to the hive.

When individual urges
Merge with military surges,
The purpose is skewed.
Leaving us with no idea of what to do.

Put down the remote.
It's not the time to gloat
In Constitutional rhetoric
That approved of second-class citizenship and importing folks in boats.

CHANGING CHANGE

2009-12-12T08:43:00.003-05:00

A record number of people packed the Washington Mall last January 20th. If you include television and the internet, the inauguration of America's first Black president was among the most globally observed events in history. Many tears were shed by many people for many different reasons. Some were overcome by the mere fact that someone other than a white male lawyer was about to become the leader of the free world; others simply struggled against the wind that cut through the DC winter sky.

Change had come. Albeit, smaller change than what some had hoped. On that day, it seemed all the problems of the country, and to a large extent the world, were about to be solved. Hope, and its presence inspired one and all. Whether people were inspired positively or negatively didn't matter. Either way, the arrival of change had to be acknowledged. What we have seen since President Obama took the oath of office is a combination of some overly optimistic expectations and some fear that the status quo will no longer be accepted.

In 2009, Barrack Obama became the president based on his promises to change the way Washington works. He also promised to change the way Wall Street worked. It could be argued that changes have been made, but not to the extent that those who voted for the president had hoped.

It's interesting to reflect back to two particular posts from earlier in the year. One is titled THE BEGINNING OF THE END; the other UNDEFINED CHANGE.

In both pieces I discuss the need for US to define the change we want to see. Change is happening, but what are we doing to influence it?

2009 will also be remembered for the passing of a genius, Michael Jackson. There's no doubt the King of Pop was a musical genius, but his technological and humanitarian prowess is not to be overlooked or ignored. Since his death, I have collected all of MJ's music and have been listening to it more than I have listened to it in the last 10 years. Because of Michael's exclusive linguistic delivery, we sometimes fail to comprehend what he is saying. Partly because we can't understand it, but more importantly because we are FEELING it.

Michael Jackson's music will be around forever because of the message within. The truth he sang is universal and can be felt by humans the world over, including those who do not even speak the language of English. This same truth could arguably be what caused him to be portrayed in the manner he was since was first labeled a child molester. Allegations that he was never found guilty of, for the record. Besides that fact, many millions of Americans disregard the decades of work and millions of people he's helped under this guise. As in the song above, Michael was also about change.

Like every one of us, Michael was not perfect and struggled with his personal weaknesses. But when he WORKED, he was focused and groundbreaking. He provided expressions that would at the time, and hopefully will in the future, inspire people to be more humane and love one another. He (moon)walked the walk.

That video was from a march on September 15, 2007. It's been over two years since the people had enough energy to march down Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House to the Capitol building. The anti-war movement has been regrouping and re-energizing. The fight is not easy, and it can't be fought with a remote control from the comfort of you over-used sofa. And considering the first-level opponents in the struggle against eternal war are the US Department of Defense and it's conveniently adopted sister The Department of Homeland Security. These two agencies alone pack a punch of budgets worth $660 B and $55 B respectively.

That is a tremendously difficult task when the people who make up the anti-war movement are working people. To get to Washington, DC on a weekday is a world-altering event for some. The majority of those truly affected by the outrageous amount of money spent on war, are the same ones either fighting the war in the military or fighting in one of the many internal wars here in the "homeland."

I hope that the people of the anti-war movement can be reinvigorated by the growing movement for health care. The combination of the two can significantly help wach cause. Especially when you consider that everyone who lives in America could have free health care based on the same amount of taxes we currently pay. No need to raise them when they can be reallocated if we weren't spending TRILLIONS on two separate wars, with arguably no legitimate missions.

Regardless of strategy, change is going to have to start with the individual. We've all heard the saying "actions speak louder than words." They do. And that's how we need to define this "change" that we are hoping for. The change will be that we will no longer stand for "taxation without representation." We will hold officials accountable. It's obvious that from the beginning of this young country politicians would not regulate themselves. That's the point. The people within a democracy are supposed to be involved and that's what balances out the corruption.

Politics are not irrelevant just because you choose to ignore them. They continue the way the system was designed. If the people are involved, then their wants and needs will be addressed. If they are not, they won't. If our elected representatives were being held accountable by the people they would be talking to the people. Instead, no people are calling them, so they have no choice than to talk to other politicians (and lobbyists). Look where that's gotten us.

WHAT WAS

2009-11-14T09:27:00.003-05:00

Similar situations
All across the nation.
Emotional states
Trump rational debate.

Not about Love and Hate;
About twisting your fate
In a way you can't understand.
Not willing to jump when you'll land

In a place you can see
Stability to the point you can't leave.
Weaving in and out of being happy
And thinking you're happy based on what others see.

The end's not the end.
Universally True friends.
Although responsibilities change,
Brains and hearts are eternally stained.

THE REAL MIKE VICK EXPERIENCE

2009-08-16T08:32:00.004-04:00

Michael Vick is an Eagle. And although I was working on writing something about his situation, this changed the situation. It's different when it's "your own backyard." I supported #7 through everything from the beginning. I have a different perspective of athletes and owners than most, and I've never owned a dog. Two very important factors. Him becoming an Eagle, as surprising as it was, did not change my view of him. It only added to what I previously thought.

I didn't think he needed to apologize to anyone. Especially in order to play in the NFL. People like to say that "it's just a game" or a "privilege." That's incorrect. It's a BUSINESS first, then a "sport." Not a game. Games are what we played as kids. The NFL is no game and no privilege. The majority of NFL players have overcome adversity that "Joe the Plumber's" of the world cannot comprehend.

An athlete like Vick does not come around very often. His skills and pure athleticism are unparalleled. Smooth, fast, and fluid. He's a natural. He was born with the gift and was put on a pedestal at a young age. And up until 2007, it was business as usual.

Dog owners across the world were outraged! Specifically dog owners. It's great to have a companion that shows unconditional love; I get that. But just because you do, doesn't mean that people who think dogs are animals do not exist. No moral questions should arise out of how you treat dogs. I don't see anyone knocking on the door of "the guy down the street" who ties his dog to the tree through the winter. Or the one who let's them lick out of their beers.

Even the term "inhumane" is used out of context. Shortly after the allegations, NIKE suspended Vick's contract.

As we've said before, Nike is concerned by the serious and highly disturbing allegations made against Michael Vick and we consider any cruelty to animals inhumane and abhorrent.

Apparently, NIKE considers cruelty to HUMANS not only OK, but a business model. And somehow they hold the moral ground.

So the message I'm getting here is that it's OK to operate sweatshops and practice indentured servitude. Just don't kill dogs (you paid for on your property.)

This is what passes for "freedom and justice for all" these days. STOP WATCHING TV! F the court of public opinion.

Read. Please.

Or at least watch something that was not manufactured to get you to buy something. Or think something. Like "dogs >>> HUMANS."

Individuals like Michael Vick are used by the media to distract us. The same way "Jackie Robinson, Jim Brown, Muhammad Ali, Tommie Smith, John Carlos, Mike “Iron Mike” Tyson, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, and Etan Thomas" were used before. They are EFFECTS; not the cause.

MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL would not want you to know that they pay NO TAXES and are exempt from all fair competition laws. They also wouldn't want you to realize that the salaries paid to players are NOTHING compared to what they make (or don't have to pay) in a year.

Mostly from tax subsidies and using the players and coaches to sell their image.

BUDGET HOSTAGE, DAY 39: THE TRUTH

2009-08-08T08:21:00.005-04:00

People have "their reasons" why they disregard politics. You have a "right" to do that, but don't forget the "responsibilities" that come along with your rights. It's easy to ignore the responsibilities in a democracy. And even easier to complain about the effects of the laws passed by those we ignore.

For many, politics seem so far away (in Washington or Harrisburg). But like anything, ignoring it doesn't make it disappear. We feel the effects whether we acknowledge it or not. And I had the pleasure of getting our voice heard by the highest level in our department. Even if disciplinary action doesn't happen, we've sent our message that we will not accept disrespect and sweatshop conditions. Or LYING!

That could not have been accomplished without the cooperation and inspiration of MANY. If a certain coworker would've named her baby Manhattan, instead of BROOKLYN!, things might not have turned out the same. =) The unity and awareness we've built must continue and be built upon.

I used to be in the frame of mind that "ALL politicians are greedy, corrupt liars." And because of this stance, disregarded politics. Then, I joined the military. This experience enlightened me to world of politics. In the end, it was a MAJOR factor when I decided to get out. Since about 1997, I've been following politics very closely. Our apathy has put us at a severe disadvantage. Hopefully, July 2009 has awaken the masses.

The people are the majority. Not the politicians. Proven by the struggle of PA state workers, politicians do not care about us. Moreover, they do not respect our numbers. This is based on our past and present attitude to accept what they do as "boys will be boys." And in particular in my workplace, "girls will be girls."

Even "office politics" should not be ignored or disregarded. My office is a smaller model of government. And right now we are being ruled by a tyrant. We must take the initiative to be informed to stop CURRENT operations and to prevent them in the future. Monday is going to be a new start for everyone. WE GET PAID THAT DAY TOO!

We will overcome this adversity. Many have before us. I would say the mistakes made by those before us was to forget it, instead of to remember it.

WE WILL REMEMBER!!!

"The only thing we've ever learned from history is that we don't learn from history." ~Anonymous

BUDGET HOSTAGE, DAY 36: TIME TO BE HEARD

2009-08-05T18:29:00.003-04:00

On the same day the Senate OK's another $61 BILLION for food stamps, caseworkers are fighting to get their own. It's SO unbelievable, I have to say it's UNBELIEVABLY UNBELIEVABLE!!!

We're being treated like children, and it's driving me insane. For your own boss to deprive you of not only your pay, but your federal assistance on top of that, is inhumane. I truly do not have the vernacular to describe the current situation. Everywhere we're told to go for help is a dead end. And even worse, working against you.

Being paid NEXT week is NOT good news! Live off 70% of your pay for a month. And like it. And now the icing on the cake: PA House Democrats Got Paid YESTERDAY!!! WTF!

If anyone feels like this might apply to their personal circumstances, let me know because I'm working on a grievance. This is Article 36, Section 7 (pg 91) of the contract.

"Employees should be treated in a respectful manner which does not embarrass them or demean their dignity. The appropriate forum for addressing incidents which are inconsistent with this principal shall be the Labor-Management meetings under this Agreement."

Our working conditions contribute to our health, and working conditions SUCK! If you file a grievance, you will be included in the meeting. If you feel like I do, and want your voice heard, this is the time.

BUDGET HOSTAGE, DAY 35: BEGINNING OF A LONG WEEK

2009-08-04T18:27:00.002-04:00

It's amazing what passes for good news these days. Today, house democrats gave the governor our paychecks. Now he needs to SIGN it. He knows exactly what he needs to veto and it should be done already. And the "business days" is bull$hit too. Business? If there is no penalty, interest or any other of the many TAXES we have been programmed to pay, it's not business!

By not signing the budget TODAY, he's making 77 THOUSAND HUMANS wait one more day for what they NEED. What could the governor possibly be doing that's more important than giving the Commonwealth its legs? We're not even asking for the guts.

For those who shy away from politics, DON'T! You don't have to be a politician; just an educated voter. For most people, the month of July was the greatest amount of adversity they've EVER had to overcome. To balance the universe, that hardship must be matched positively. But it doesn't just happen. You gotta make it happen. It doesn't happen without politics(unfortunately.)

It's a shame and an inspiration at the same time: the (late)power of the people. But many have become more aware. Proof is with the ongoing USDOL investigation. Not even half of the people who have valid complaints filed one. And the DOL no longer wants to handle the complaints. We have a RIGHT to file our complaints and we SHOULD.

BUDGET HOSTAGE, DAY 34: THE OFFICE

2009-08-03T19:35:00.002-04:00

Today was a quiet day in the office. I noticed many empty cubicles. The spirit is gone. There might as well be a rain cloud hovering over the building. It's truly a depressing state. It hurts to smile; and it takes so much energy to do so. Maybe somber is a better way to describe the "workplace."

To make it even worse, our office is DARK. There are about 15 lights out in my section alone. Maybe we cannot order the lights because of the missing budget? Regardless the reason, it makes for a dreary climate.

This ideology of "the way things always have been" seems to trump common sense, simple human nature, and science. There is countless evidence that can be found on the State's OWN websites(including SEAP and Live and Work Well) that prove that our working conditions cause health problems.

Even when brought to the management FACE TO FACE, our concerns are ignored.

So tomorrow, in a best-case scenario, the Governor will sign some sort of budget to "allow" us to be paid. All the information I've read says that we'd receive WHAT WE'VE EARNED in 5 (business) days. That would mean next Tuesday, the 11th, we'd receive OUR money. And then receive our regularly scheduled pay check on the 14th.

I repeat, BEST-CASE SCENARIO.

That is still a long way off for most. This B-CS could still be the longest week of one's life. Be sure to file your complaint with the USDOL to ensure you get the "damages" the government feels you deserve. Even though we all know you cannot put a price on the damage.

BE STRONG!

"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." ~ Plato

BUDGET HOSTAGE, DAY 33: AWARENESS

2009-08-02T07:08:00.010-04:00

These days we are struggling through will not be forgotten. As unstable and emotionally distressed as people are, we must try to understand our circumstances. When the budget impasse finally comes to an end, we will feel relieved. What must be recognized and not forgotten is the effects of the impasse. It will take some months and others years to recover from the stress that has been caused.

A speedy recovery will be dependent on people's awareness. Many have already realized that this situation affects all those around them. Unfortunately, during challenging times, those the closest to us suffer the most. The best way to reduce the breadth of our hardship is to talk with those closest to us. DO NOT try to deal with it yourself.

According to the American Psychological Association's article "Tools for Tough Times:"

"It's really important for people to get educated on the effects because these things can really sneak up on you," he says. "Your economic situation is bad, you're having these problems in your marriage, and a lot of people don't realize these things are related to one another. If people can come to understand what can happen as a result of these problems, they'll be better equipped to cope with them."

So once we recognize our personal situations and deal as best we can with that, we must also remember how we got to this point. We all know that changes must be made, but are not quite sure WHAT needs changed. We must stay calm and level-headed. Emotions are dangerous. Many of the regrets we have in our lives came when we made emotionally-based decisions.

Firstly, WE must make a change. Ignoring politics has gotten us to the point where multi-BILLION dollar bailouts can be approved for banks in minutes. While the people, who are now involuntarily committed to paying for these bailouts, are told there is NO HELP. And it has now moved from 'no help' to withholding what the people have earned. We are paid for OUR TIME; not for the product produced. That is another change we must make. Let's put ourselves FIRST!

It takes a very "special" person to run for elected office. Like many of us, politicians gravitate towards a profession that brings out the best in them. Unfortunately for us, our current political climate rewards lying, corruption, greed, and "scratching backs." We have the power to stop this. Like anything, we must continue to pay attention and exercise our rights as taxpayers and citizens.

For example, we should take away from this budget crisis that ALL of Pennsylvania's elected officials disregarded state workers. NO ONE took a big enough stance to get workers paid and avoid violating federal law.

I'm also very interested in how the US Dept of Labor is going to handle the situation. The most recent information I've heard is that they've requested pay stubs up thru 7/3(7/17 paycheck). Glass half-full: they got enough evidence from these pay stubs to file suit. Glass half-empty: they're waiting to see WHEN a budget is signed (in a very "brush under the rug" sort of way.)

According to papers, 1500 complaints prompted the USDOL to stop accepting additional complaints and add a specific message to Commonwealth employees on their phone system. I hope that does not work against us. 1500 complaints out of 77,000 employees does not look good for our cause. We should continue to contact the USDOL to have our formal complaints filed.

Just understand that filing your formal complaint is the goal of the call. Be calm and rational. We now just want to show our numbers. The same way we did on July 28th.

"In politics people's beliefs and convictions are in almost every case gotten at second-hand, and without examination, from authorities who have not themselves examined the questions at issue but have taken them at second-hand from other non-examiners, whose opinions about them were not worth a brass farthing." ~ Mark Twain

BUDGET HOSTAGE, DAY 31: PAYLESS PAYDAY

2009-07-31T06:58:00.008-04:00

Epiphanies should be rippling across Pennsylvania this morning. Although the State of Pennsylvania (thru SEAP) does not recognize the budget impasse as a "traumatic event," 33,000 HUMANS woke up to the truth. That very sad truth is a missing deposit parallel to the pay stubs issued by their employers.

To many, this will be the "straw that breaks the camel's back." Some will be paralyzed and not able to function, physically or mentally. They won't make it into work today, in hopes that they will be able to recover over the weekend. But also possessing the fear of disciplinary action, which only makes their condition worse. They are not FIT FOR DUTY.

This week, I've had many universal alignments. Tuesday, during an impromptu interview with PJ Reilly of Lancaster Newspapers, I was able to express the facts of the current working conditions. So much so, that it actually made it to print. I was pleased.

"I hope no one gets hurt before (lawmakers and the governor) decide it's urgent (to pass a budget), because it's human nature for people to go into a desperation mode right now," he said. "The amount of stress this is causing people is not being acknowledged, let alone being serviced."

Wednesday morning(DAY 29), this picture is on the FRONT PAGE. Needless to say, I got a lot of feedback throughout the work day. Mostly positive and some cautious and amazed. To take action is ME. But to many others, there is a fear that exists. I can only hope that my actions can break some of their fears. Because only then will we be free.

Also Wednesday, I received a letter from PA Department of Labor and Industry. It caused many different scenarios to blitz through my head before opening it. Most of these scenarios would not have been options a month ago. BEFORE the impasse.

I opened the letter and it was an Availability Survey for the job I applied for back in May. My light at the end of this CAO tunnel may have an end. My interview is scheduled for 8/7.

Wednesday also included the first "outbreak" in the office. I haven't spoken to either of the individuals involved, but this is what I've heard. I am quite familiar with the current situation of the employee, and the supervisor involved has quite the reputation.

The worker was filling out an application for Food Stamps. Imagine the psychological contradictions involved in filing an application for assistance in the very office you WORK. Then have a supervisor(not your own) who has a history of "bullying" workers tell you to complete the application on your break. He lost it. The completely verbal altercation (allegedly)ended in the POLICE being called.

If a 911 call wasn't placed, this is against DPW policy. As stated in the Workplace Violence Memo sent out the previous day.

If a 911 call WAS made, it reinforces the fact that management DOES NOT UNDERSTAND the size or scope of the problems.

To further reinforce either their misunderstanding, or blatant disregard, Thursday (DAY 30) another encounter. Our Virginia-Slim-smokin'-ED approaches me during lunch(MY TIME) to comment on something I did on MY TIME.

VSSED: "So now that you're famous, with your picture on the front of the paper, you're not going to avoid us now are you?"

I wanted to say you don't have to worry about me avoiding you! But instead I calmly replied "it doesn't seem to be enough."

She then says "I'm confident the budget will be signed and we'll get paid the week of the 10th."

I said "that's still 2 weeks away."

She then said something to make it seem like it was next week.

And I told her "No, it's 2 WEEKS." Walked away.

She inspired me SO much that I'm going to take my letter to all the local restaurants and see if they will donate or offer specials to state workers.

You know, the one that ends:

"While this correspondence creates no obligation on the part of you or your business, appreciate any flexibility you can provide to affected employees during the impasse."

And that's not MY grammatical error. WHO appreciates? Apparently not the person who signed this letter. It didn't mean enough to even proofread.

If there is any doubt to anyone that we are in a Depression, please admit it to yourself now. The GOVERNMENT is not paying its employees. And the money keeps going to the banks!

BUDGET HOSTAGE, DAY 28: WHAT A LUNCH!

2009-07-28T21:03:00.002-04:00

Today was hot! And standing in the heat at high noon, yelling at the top of my lungs didn't help. While thousands voiced their outrage in Harrisburg, a little over a dozen of us took to the square of Lancaster.

Work is beginning to tense up. We received a "Workplace Violence" EMAIL today. It contained the policy regarding it. Not a thing about how to prevent it, recognize it, or defend against it. Basically, "we don't tolerate it." Along the lines of "Stop whining!"

Also read today in the supervisor meeting notes that workers who are APPLYING for services in our office have TO TAKE LEAVE for their "interview." Good grief.

Does the State not realize that they are CAUSING the same conditions that they want to punish people for?

I got lucky with the Lancaster Newspapers today. Thanks to Farah for having the camera. And to LNP for putting a mic in front of my face.

BUDGET HOSTAGE, DAY 27: THE AWAKENING

2009-07-27T20:00:00.003-04:00

A U.S. Department of Labor spokesperson tells CBS 21 that the purpose of the investigation is to protect state workers rights under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The department says now that an investigation is under way, there is no need for any more state workers to call and complain.

Sounds like the governor got a little talkin-to over the weekend. He's now THINKING. And more importantly, he thinks we need to "get the government running again."

Tomorrow I will be protesting in Penn Square, downtown Lancaster. Across from the brand new Convention Center, and right outside Central Market. Should be fun!

Some people took tomorrow off to head to Harrisburg too. The momentum's shifting.

BUDGET HOSTAGE, DAY 26: EVE OF DESPERATION

2009-07-26T17:34:00.004-04:00

In March 2003, I was still in the Air Force and stationed at Wright-Patterson AFB in Ohio. I had a set of orders and plane tickets to Turkey, somewhere along the southern border. There I would be setting up a base "from scratch" in order for the war with Iraq to begin. Although, I was never sent to Turkey I was scheduled three different times to fly out. All three canceled by a call in the middle of the night.

Needless to say, this was a very stressful time in my life. As a result of this experience, I formed an ever-growing discontent with the government. Because of what it personally put me through, and what I've come to find out it puts millions of people through everyday.

July 2009 is now comparable to March 2003. And it has the potential to surpass 03 this week. I am very concerned about how coworkers will react this week. It gets no realer than knowing you will not be paid when your livelihood, as well as your family's, is dependent upon this pay. These conditions, caused by our employer, are going to make good people do bad things. And it will not be their choice; it will be human nature.

Desperation is defined by Merriam-Webster as "loss of hope and surrender to despair." People have definitely lost hope, and I'm confident as this week progresses it will become obvious that folks can't think of anything else other than how they are going to provide for their families. The patience the governor has asked for is wearing thin. If he and his chain-of-command keep ignoring the health issues involved, I'm afraid the patience is going to turn to patients.

I'm sure that I have acquired some sort of "condition" as a result of this impasse. I say that because I am obsessed. And I'm enraged that the lawmakers do not share my obsession. I cannot effectively do my job because I cannot quit thinking about how to make them do theirs. (NOTE: I am aware of my obsession and this is NOT a threat towards anyone.)

The lack of leadership and management is disturbing. I am not "classified" as a worker who should be recognizing warning signs and proactively trying to prevent "traumatic events." But lack of classification should not discount my concerns. Until now, they have been. In a formal meeting on June 17, we requested SEAP to provide us a service. They declined and offered individual assistance.

I've spent a lot of time on their site, along with our other state-provided resource liveandworkwell.com. EVERY article, regulation, powerpoint presentation specifically states: DO NOT IGNORE warning signs.

From an article they have posted on their site titled, "Depression Costs Billions,"

"And many people don't recognize depression as an illness. Symptoms of fatigue and indecisiveness are often seen as personality problems, laziness, or weakness."

From an article by the Mayo Clinic titled "Job Burnout: Understand Symptoms and Take Action"

What are job burnout symptoms?

Ask yourself these questions to see if you're experiencing job burnout signs or symptoms:

* Do you find yourself being more cynical, critical and sarcastic at work?

* Have you lost the ability to experience joy?

* Do you drag yourself into work and have trouble getting started once you arrive?

* Have you become more irritable and less patient with co-workers, customers or clients?

* Do you feel that you face insurmountable barriers at work?

* Do you feel that you lack the energy to be consistently productive?

* Do you no longer feel satisfaction from your achievements?

* Do you have a hard time laughing at yourself?

* Are you tired of your co-workers asking if you're OK?

* Do you feel disillusioned about your job?

* Are you self-medicating — using food, drugs or alcohol — to feel better or to simply not feel?

* Have your sleep habits or appetite changed?

* Are you troubled by unexplained headaches, neck pain or lower back pain?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be experiencing job burnout. But because some of these symptoms also can indicate certain health conditions, such as depression, be sure to consult with your health care provider about your symptoms.

PLEASE, everyone be strong.

BUDGET HOSTAGE: DAY 25: THE STATE'S RESPONSE

2009-07-25T09:14:00.005-04:00

OK, so I've been spending most of my time reading and doing. Making it impossible to actually sit down and write anything. Out of necessity, the time has come for me to write again. Or else, my head is going to explode.

I'm also beginning to write down what has happened because it is now EVIDENCE in a federal investigation. Since we already have the USDOL's attention, why not take a look at working conditions too.

07.24.2009 USDOL Response to Payroll Records

The letter above is consistent with the governor's interpretation of last year's Commonwealth Court ruling throughout this whole debacle. On 7/17, the governor said "I wish the law wasn't the law." I would feel the same way when I realized that I broke it.

I will never forget July 2009. It has been a month like no other. A true struggle and a call of spirit. I've learned a lot about the law, unions, worker's rights, politics, etc. I've made contact with a lot of great people, who I hope to continue in the fight that workers(and all humans) face. And sadly, a lot of those same people are now just realizing it exists.

Two sources specifically I would like to give a special thanks to are:

Floor9

Nana's House

They've taught me much, and I've never even met them.

ILLEGAL LAW

2009-05-02T08:08:00.006-04:00

For those who have ever thought "Send the Mexicans back where they came from," please read my previous essay, "Illegal Is Not A Noun."

On May 1, 2009, 2 White defendants were found guilty of Simple Assault, committed against a Mexican immigrant. To some, this may be seen as a victory in Race relations and an intolerance for discrimination and hate crimes. In reality, this is a supreme injustice and a clear example of the racial inequality within our justice system. The most serious charges were 3rd degree murder, aggravated assault, and ethnic intimidation.

Even the lesser convictions are questionable. Derrick Donchak, 19, who was convicted of "providing" alcohol to minors, in addition to simple assault, is under the legal drinking age of 21(in PA). He received no underage drinking charge. This is particularly puzzling to me, because I happen to have 2 underage drinking charges from way back before I turned 21. Even CNN reports casually about a 19 year-old BUYING alcohol. (not to mention the place that sold it to him) And in the end, being drunk during the tragic beating is used in the defendants' favor.

Before I cover some of the facts of this case, I want to bring to light something said by Mr. Donchak's lawyer, Jefferey Markosky. In debate of whether Donchak's wearing a Border Patrol Agent T-shirt would reflect his stance on immigration, Mr. Markosky states "A T-shirt is not an expression of what your inner beliefs are."

I highly disagree with that statement, and would bet that anyone who owns a T-shirt would too. From my "MEXICO" soccer jersey to the "LA ALHAMBRA" T, with the Arabic writing to the ROOTS concert T. And to my boy, Mike O, T-Shirts are a religion. I'm not saying it's impossible, but you have to feel "some kinda way" to wear a Border Patrol T-Shirt. I WOULD NOT. AND I WOULD NOT BEAT AN IMMIGRANT TO DEATH EITHER. See the correlation?

To many, this is known and accepted. To many more, it's more convenient(and selfish) to ignore it. And that's IGNOREant. Racism will not end without everyone. Racism is so complex that it cannot be overcome without conscious participation. This is not easy. So here's an example of two racial injustices in PA and how they relate to one another.

Firstly, in the Shenandoah case the defendants are White. The victim was Mexican. All-white jury. From press releases, it seems the argument was not whether this gang of drunken teenagers killed Luis Ramirez, but WHICH ONE lunged the fatal kick to his skull.

Another man, 18 year-old Brian Scully, is the one who allegedly thrust the final blow. Curiously, he is facing only juvenile aggravated assault charges. Why should this adult be tried as a juvenile?

Supporters of the defendants say things like:

Listen these are kids we are talking about. No matter how you look at it they ARE NOT COMPLETELY MENTALLY DEVELOPED.

In no way should they have ever been tried as adults and that is why the jury let them off. I am not only speaking for myself but for just about every male I know when I say there was a time when I was their age that I was in a fight and things got out of hand, however there is a very fine line that sometimes get crossed and this is an example of that.

I understand that there should be consequences for these young men, but in no way should they spend the rest of their lives with out a chance at normalcy.

If they were not white of course they would have been convicted but we live in America. We need to stop sentencing teens as adults. period.

I applaud the jury for their decision, and I hope that when your son or daughter gets in a fight and someone gets hurt that you will understand.

Such a sense of forgiveness and willingness to write it off as "boys will be boys." When truthfully, 3 of the 4 were adults. No doubt this decision will be appealed. And federal charges are already pending.

From Shenandoah, let's go to Lancaster, PA, where a Black 16 yo is being held in Lancaster County (adult)Prison. He's charged with homicide, being charged as an adult, and faces life in prison.

Lancaster County District Attorney, Craig Stedman says "Given the facts, there is no question that the upgrade is appropriate." Although not specifically cited, I would guess the upgrade is appropriate due to the DA's Gang Crime Reduction Initiative(GCRI).

This initiative enjoys all the powers of enforcement, at the same time it admits "the accuracy of the identification of gang affiliation and gang crime is being assessed as well as the effectiveness of gang intervention, prevention and disruption strategies." The GCRI "targets for aggressive prosecution," those who are identified as "gang-affiliated," which it does not have a root definition for.

In the case of Tyler Johns, his only affiliation with gangs seems to be he was harassed by them. Hopefully, the DA does not subscribe to the ideology that killing a gang member in self-defense is "gang-affiliated." Johns prior police record was fighting and curfew violations. No drugs or alcohol involved.

"City police Detective Lt. Charles Schmidt testified that Johns, told him he was frightened of Wright-Carter(victim) from earlier encounters.

Under cross-examination from defense attorney Hobie Crystle, Schmidt testified that Johns told him that in the weeks just prior to the stabbing Wright-Carter, of West Vine Street, shot at him, beat him and was a member of the violent Bloods street gang."

The victim in this case, Kenyon Wright-Carter, 18, was an adult. This detective admits he was told by a child that he was scared of an adult who previously attacked him. And nothing was done. Weeks later, a child is startled to see someone he fears. And with the history of already being shot at, he assumes he has a gun. Seems logical.

The child is literally at a gun fight with a knife. He grabs the knife and swallows his fear. BLACK OUT. What would you do? At 16? When you've already been denied equal protection under the law? When you suffer from Anosognosia?

Tyler Johns'incident happened January 24, 2009, and he turned himself in 2 days later. The men who killed Luis Ramirez, turned themselves in 3 weeks later to a cop who's dating one of their mothers.

Johns' case definitely has a chance of self-defense and temporary insanity. Ramirez's death was NOT self-defense; It was a drunken attack.

While the White 18 y-o, gets juvenile charges, the Black 16 y-o gets tried as an a adult.

The White defendants had an all-White jury. The Black defendant will not have an all-Black jury.

There is a reason our country failed to attend, or even acknowledge the need to, the UN Conference on Racism. There has never been a movement to reverse all the discriminatory laws in this country. Many perceive the Civil Rights Movement, led by Dr. Martin Luther King, to be the end of the equality fight. This perception ignores the fact that it was only the beginning of the discussion.

It's going to take all good people to care about justice.

R.I.P. Luis Ramirez (and all others killed for being who they are)

TRICKLE-DOWN TRADITION

2009-03-15T07:38:00.003-04:00

The World Health Organization defines health as "not only the absence of infirmity and disease, but also a state of physical, mental, and social well-being." I agree and would add that personal health also falls within the parameters of "promoting the general welfare," and "life,liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." The Constitution and The Declaration of Independence. Two document the majority of Americans lean on when defining their Patriotism.

The complexity of these morally and legally guiding documents is too much for one to comprehend. It's much simpler to latch on to a particular part, or parts, and apply the principles of only those parts to every experience. When, in reality, the intellectually honest approach would be to assess each experience independently and apply the pertinent sections. Not just the ones that you feel comfortable with.

Although promoted within the first words of The Constitution, "Welfare" has a stigma associated with it in 2009. It's a code word now; associated with minorities and hurts many more Whites than it does minorities. Minorities, as the victims, recognize it and are able to adjust to it. While many Whites of the same economic level refuse to acknowledge who their true enemies are. As a result, many Whites who hold the prejudice against an association with "Welfare" do not receive the benefits they qualify for. Mostly because they never apply, out of shame.

The bottom-to-middle percentage of the "Middle Class" is already heading towards poverty, if they're not already there. The income scale has shifted; this must be recognized and responded to. Priorities must be adjusted into an updated view of the world. The jobs that were sent overseas are not coming back. Many are falsely hoping the jobs will come back and things will return to "normal." Normal is not permanent. It changes, and we need to keep up.

We are no longer in an industrial age. But we still teach our children with an industrial teaching model. Manufacturing is gone; basic auto repair is gone; Tele-customer service is gone. Public schools are failing because of lack of technology; telling a child to read 20 pages from a book is like telling previous generations to read from stone tablets. Boring and "out of touch." The same assignment can be given where the child reads three pages on a website, watch the video, or listen to the podcast. For success in the future, basic computer skills are the new minimum requirement. Replacing HS Diploma.

Many Whites, mostly college graduates, will argue against any advantage their skin color and legal classification provides. This is a common defensive reflex I have experienced when discussing Race relations with Whites. The logic used to defend white privilege is to ignore the overall statistics and make it personal. When you're the majority of a population, as white males are in the US, it's easier to accept the status quo without seeing any negative effects. Averages always work in your favor. There's also an unconscious trust Whites have with the government. That trust comes from a history of government assistance; as apposed to non-White males having a general hesitation regarding government decisions.

According to the Food Research and Action Center, Lancaster County, PA's poverty statistics(by Race) were the following:

TOTAL POPULATION FOR LANCASTER COUNTY = 493,910
TOTAL POOR WHITES (100% of FPIG) = 6.7% (28,134 ppl)
TOTAL POOR BLACKS (100% of FPIG) = 30.6% (4,779 ppl)
TOTAL POOR LATINOS(100% of FPIG) = 27.9% (8,935 ppl)

* Federal Poverty Income Guidelines

100% of the FPIG for a family of four is $22,050. That's $10.60/hr, 40 hrs/wk, 52 wks/yr. Even if you're lucky enough to have a job offering 40 hours for 52 weeks, avoiding illness is still very difficult. Especially when insurance is too expensive compared to wages.

Research from Penn State University shows the living wage for Lancaster County for the same family of 4 is $28.18/hr (or $58,614/yr). That's more than double of what the government considers impoverished.

To an extent, we've allowed this to happen by our lack of participation. Though the greater extent, of which we did not allow, is powerful and invisible. To be satisfied with what you're given impedes progress in every case. Information must be analyzed and compared to your current personal beliefs. When information is indiscriminately accepted as truth, the author must be identified. Then you will know the reasons someone would repeat their thoughts instead of creating original thoughts.

American Traditions are some times more powerful than its laws. And only a short time ago, did the US recognize women and Blacks as equals. More than property. This NOW in time is critical to the future of the World. There's an incredible burden on the majority of White Americans to recognize and mobilize when it comes to Racial divisions. The progress of Americans and America is deadlocked on Racism and Slavery.

It cannot be accepted as progress when our country is "harshly criticized" by The UN's Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in March 2008. After ignoring the World's request to stop rampant racism in the justice system, in March 2009 we boycott the UN Racism Conference to be held in April 2009.

There are many self-proclaimed experts in many different disciplines who haven't a clue of how to fix what's broken. Fortunately for them, they have the security of education, wealth, and health. They also have a support structure in those of similar economic levels. Color has less of a factor when education levels are comparable. Problems can be solved by cooperation and communication. The lower income/education-level folks are divided first by differences, even in parallel circumstances.

Imagine the 28,134 White poor folks working in unison with the 4,779 Black folks and 8,935 Hispanic folks to address the issues that are affecting all of them equally. It requires critical thought and honest acceptance of facts. Whereas today we seem to be satisfied with blaming one another based on something irrelevant and involuntary. Racism is American History. The truth about Racism needs to be addressed before we can ever hope to live in "Post-racial America."

Instead of a united group of poor people, we have divided groups of Races. This group labeled poor, and "under-privileged" by media and politicians, is the majority. And the majority of this majority are White folks. To unite this group will take a member of the majority. The minorities seem to have been waiting since the Civil Rights Movement for unity.

Dr. King had an approval rating similar to George W Bush in his last years. He was speaking out against poverty, and was organizing the Poor People's Campaign. He had poor folks from the south living in "Resurrection City" on the Washington Mall. Bringing the poor people's struggle to the nation's eye and the government's.

Then he was assassinated. We have yet to recover.

INSPIRATION FROM IGNORANCE

2009-03-13T06:54:00.005-04:00

From the "Human Rights Record of the United States in 2008."

"The proportion of U.S. prisoners to its population has hit a new high. The Washington Post reported on July 11, 2008 that the United States has 2.3 million criminals behind bars, more than any other nation in the world. A report issued by the U.S. Department of Justice on December 11, 2008 said that over 7.3 million people were on probation, in jail or on parole at the end of 2007, equivalent to 3.2 percent of all U.S. adult residents or one in every 31 adults. (The United Press International, December 11, 2008). For black men aged between 20-34, one in nine was in jail. (The Guardian, March 1, 2008). The rate of prisoners, higher than any period in the U.S. history, was almost six times the world average (125 in every 100,000 people). According to statistics, the recidivism rate stayed high in the United States. Half the people of previous convictions were sentenced to prison again within three years."

I had an interesting discussion at work yesterday. I walked into a conversation where a few people were talking about the way people dress. Specifically targeting minorities and the Hip Hop culture in general. None of the people talking had much knowledge or understanding of the culture or psychological effects of being a minority in this country. I tried(really, I did) to be silent, in hope it would pass.

Then one man, who is basically on the waiting list for a police officer position, describes an incident during a ride-along he had with an officer. The officer stopped and confronted a man because of the way he was wearing his hat. Adding that the officer asked "Where can I get one of those hats?" Because of the joking manner in which the story was told, I broke my silence.

ME: "Why don't you think that's harassment?"

HIM: "He just asked him a question? No harm done."

ME: "That's profiling."

HIM: "If it would've been a White person, they would be treated the same way."

ME: "That's not true. Don't you think minorities are disproportionately incarcerated?"

HIM: "I read 200 studies that say they're equal."

ME: "I have a hard time believing you read 200 studies and would come to that conclusion. Who did the studies?"

END OF RECESS

This is not the first conversation I've had with this individual, and he's generally a good guy. But I challenge him EVERY time he displays discriminatory dissonance. He will be a police officer in the future. I take it upon myself to plant the seed in him. He's obviously never heard the view of police by those he targets and mocks. He should and will.

As of July 2007, the rate of incarceration by race was as follows(per 100,000):

NATIONAL
WHITE: 412 (.4%)
BLACK: 2290 (2.3%)
HISPANIC: 742 (.7%)

PENNSYLVANIA
WHITE: 305 (.3%)
BLACK: 2792 (2.7%)
HISPANIC: 1714 (1.7%)

That's far from equal in my view.

"PROPHET'S PROFIT"

2009-03-11T18:59:00.003-04:00

We the People
Are the profit.
Those who know
Can barely stop it.

Raising the prices,
Suppressing wages.
Economic slavery.
Differentiate the stages.

Priced out of our range.
Estranged American Dream.
Partnered with the enemy.
Feels so right; doesn't seem.

Those called leaders
See us as breeders
For tax and interest payments.
Our preceders
Passed through teachers
Skills to hush our statements.

"DIFFERENCE IS DIFFERENCES"

2009-03-08T09:05:00.002-04:00

Certain circumstances
Calculate your chances.
Lifelong romances
Or searching for second chances.

No matter what your plan is,
Planted dead-ends by The Man is
Not to be denied. It enhances
Social structure, at the same time deprives self-pride.

It's hard to breathe underwater
When the author says you squandered
Opportunity away.
Excluding how he led you astray.

From this day forward,
Lean towards the one in the mirror.
Mom couldn'ta been much clearer.
While you pretended not to hear her.

IT DOESN'T ADD UP

2009-03-01T08:29:00.003-05:00

There's a lot of people with a little money right now. A lot of workers who don't have jobs. A lot of "outside-people" are staying inside. Homeowners are losing their homes. Senior citizens are seeing their long-term investments disappear. The fat are getting skinny because they have no food. We've definitely entered an era of change.

While many of us are drafting and implementing our own personal recovery plans, it's also important to understand how we fit into the larger plan for the economy. We are capital. If you are alive, you fall within one of the 17 definitions of the word. To not understand capital when living within Capitalism, is somewhat suicidal. In many cases people do take their lives. The majority, though, continue breathing at their economic peril.

W.E.B. DuBois said even before the The Federal Reserve's institution that “To be a poor man is hard, but to be a poor race in a land of dollars is the very bottom of hardships.” There's much to be learned from from the African Diaspora and more importantly the aftermath and progress that followed. Many believe that The Atlantic Slave Trade is ancient history. Many others forget when we put Japanese-Americans in concentration camps in 1942. The African struggle in particular has many teachers, but they seem to be systematically silenced and demonized. The same people that have historically oppressed the Blacks are still in power now. You can't have American history without African-American History.

At the top of the power structure are rich white men. That can't be denied. $250,000 is the marker the president is using for the upper class. As of August 2008, the real median income was $50,233 per year. 1 in 50(or 20% of earners) make $250K+. To give this some perspective, here are some key statistics for Lancaster, PA:

Based on 2 Adults, 2 children

LIVING WAGE = $28.18/hr
POVERTY WAGE = $9.83/hr
MINIMUM WAGE = $7.25/hr

Find your city here

The median income of Lancaster for 2008 was $44,600. This includes the likes of Armstrong CEO making $10M, while cutting jobs at or below the living wage.

The title of the Census' press release was "Household Income Rises, Poverty Rate Unchanged, Number's of Uninsured Down." Seems like a sandwich. Positive, Negative, Positive. The negative heart of this socio-sandwich seems to be ignored. I'm no economist(yet), but it should raise some sort of red flag when income rises and poverty doesn't change. It reflects the widening wealth gap. Higher salaries at the top distort averages and medians. Median is the numerical halfway point, e.g., 100 million earners, the median is @ 50 regardless of income. The average is adding all income and dividing by the number of earners.

The media, who are owned by the top 1% of earners, tell us that the rich pay the majority of taxes. That is true, numerically. What cannot be ignored when analyzing who pays taxes, is the huge gap between the actual incomes. In order to make the list of the 400 richest Americans, you would've had to make $1.3 BILLION last year. In 2007, the CEO's of bailed out financial institutions Merryll Lynch and Goldman Sachs earned $83M and $54M respectively. I'm all for rewarding achievement, but these banks failed.

We've arrived at this point by not being "in the know" and dismissing Politics as irrelevant. As a result, we have many laws and systems in place that are in direct conflict with our personal well-being and the common good. It's time to realize we can, and have to, make a difference. The middle class has disappeared, and many do not want to come to terms with this fact.

Any energy spent on arguing about differences amongst those who have so much in common is counter-productive and counter-REproductive. Race, Religion, Sex, Political Party, are just some of the divisive categories in which we're placed. Compartmentalization is a useful tool for those in power.

As Aesop tried to teach us in The Four Oxen and the Lions,

A LION used to prowl about a field in which Four Oxen used to dwell. Many a time he tried to attack them; but whenever he came near they turned their tails to one another, so that whichever way he approached them he was met by the horns of one of them. At last, however, they fell a-quarrelling among themselves, and each went off to pasture alone in a separate corner of the field. Then the Lion attacked them one by one and soon made an end of all four.
“UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL.”

US AND THEM

2009-02-27T15:16:00.003-05:00

I have a neighbor named Jim. He owns his home, where he's lived for 71 of his 76 years. 2008 was the first year of his long life that he made more than $10,000. And that was from SSI, the minimum the government provides for those who have not paid enough into the system. He receives food stamps and Medicaid paid, and continues to pay, for his 17 prescriptions and the plastic surgery required after having cancer removed from his face. Jim is White.

When I first met him and told him my name was Jose, he immediately asked me if I was Puerto Rican. After trying to explain the concept of a mixed heritage to no avail, we moved on. He'll still occasionally refer to me as Puerto Rican a year after we've known each other. Jim also likes to use the words nigger and colored when referring to Black folks, to include the president. And without a drop of hate in his voice or demeanor. It's so ingrained in him that he can't see the contradiction of using these words of hate in one breath, and in the next saying how every Black person he's ever actually met has been a good guy. Even the one who married his daughter.

Jim is a Republican and he basically has an IV of the kool-aid strapped to his arm. From segregation through the Reagan-crack years, welfare reform, COPS premiering on FOX, he's been staring at the TV and accepting these stereotypes as the truth. The only common factor between Jim and the Republican party is his skin color. He refers to the Welfare Office as the gift shop, but received a significant amount from an office he hasn't contributed to.

The fact that Jim takes what he's given for granted, while demeaning minorities for receiving the same is a common internal dispute. Jim feels like he "deserves" it, while others don't. He's never earned anything. His home was passed down through the generations. From a time when it was illegal for minorities to own property; Not long after they were actually considered property.

I know Jim grew up in a different era, so I don't hold it against him. He's in his last days; he can live them the way he wants. But he is a window into the past. And his programming needs to be understood, so we can counteract it and progress. He's a good guy; it's the subtle, institutionalized Racism that's the culprit.

Lately, I've been hearing the argument that it's no longer and Black/White thing; it's a class thing. I agree and disagree. It is a class thing. But it's also a Race thing. It's not either/or. It's both. We can't skip race to get to class just because class affects White people. Class cannot be dealt with until the Races are united within. Only then can we fight our true enemies. When we begin to focus on our similarities more than our differences, we will begin to understand and respect one another.

There's definitely a Class war going on, but our collective ignorance of history leaves us confused and frustrated. Targeting those that are in our exact socio-economic positions and keeping us divided. To be conquered by the Bankers.

We've been tricked into believing that (unregulated)Capitalism is good for us. Us, being the bottom 90% on the wealth scale. When everything's for profit, the common good is sacrificed. And as absurd as the phrase "bottom 90%" seems to be, it's the truth. The wealth gap is beyond the average citizen's comprehension. For example, in 2007, CEOs averaged 866 times as much as minimum wage employees.

Ben Franklin said "The inability of colonists to get power to issue their own money permanently out of the hands of George the III and the international bankers was the PRIME reason for the Revolutionary War."

After Woodrow Wilson realized what he had done by signing the The Federal Reserve into existence in 1913, he regrettably said "I am a most unhappy man. I have unwittingly ruined my country. A great industrial nation is controlled by its system of credit. Our system of credit is concentrated. The growth of the nation, therefore, and all our activities are in the hands of a few men. We have come to be one of the worst ruled, one of the most completely controlled and dominated governments in the civilized world. No longer a government by free opinion, no longer a government by conviction and the vote of the majority, but a government by the opinion and duress of a small group of dominant men."

We are on the edge of life as we know it. Although many people, Black and White, have been living in depression-like conditions for years and decades, only now that it has "trickled up" to another class has it sparked such outrage and public disapproval. Alas, the outcry is here. People are awakening to the truths of money and the evil at its root. The Federal Reserve, as a private corporation, lends the US Government money, with interest. Then through taxing the people the debt is paid upon, but never fully satisfied. That's because the Federal Reserve also prints our money, and they never print as much money as they lend.

That's a very remedial explanation of how the Banking system works, but its intricacies are not the main concern. Right now, the concern is the tax money we are promising to pay is being given right back the the Bankers. In effect, never lending us the money in the first place, but requiring us to pay it back. Twice.

There's a difference between a Human and a Person. According to the Uniform Commercial Code, person means an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, government, governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, public corporation, or any other legal or commercial entity.

We have to stop being People and start being Human.

"WHY NOT US?"

2009-02-26T19:24:00.003-05:00

We do deserve better.
Letter to the editor.
Remember that peddler?
Steadier evolving towards the predator.

Time goes by.
Third-eye blind. No lie.
Can't deny when the walls bear flies.
Surprised at the Devil's disguise.

The easy road erodes
At the fork, you thought you chose.
Like when from concrete sprouts a rose
It grows, not without its struggles though.

You can be the best you.
But it don't mean a thing
Unless you open the door
When the doorbell rings.

UNDEFINED CHANGE

2009-02-22T18:14:00.003-05:00

The stimulus bill has been signed. People have a little more hope. But not until we start receiving that $13 per week in our paychecks, will we begin to put our guard down. We've been through a lot in the last few years, and we have every right to demand a lot from our representatives right now. Since 2001, those who we've chosen to represent our interests in Washington(and Harrisburg) have been derelict in their duties to the people and the Constitution.

They are not alone. We have not held them accountable, and we were warned by so many. Albert Einstein said "all of us who are concerned for peace and triumph of reason and justice must be keenly aware how small an influence reason and honest good will exert upon events in the political field." The inspiration of President Obama is real, but it's up to us, as the citizenry, to define the change that's fueling our inspiration.

All change is not good. The right changes must be made. For the right people. People like the recently awaken. Many voted for the first time in 2008; many 18,many more 38. Michelle Obama took some undue criticism during the campaign for her statements about being proud of the country for the first time in her adult life. I bet a lot of the 38 year-olds felt the same way. There was a sense of inclusiveness just to vote for the man, let alone elect him.

I've been following politics closely since 1997 and intensely(almost impulsively) since 2000. It's a dirty game, was always about money, but now has no choice to be exclusively about money. It seems like the politicians and their partners in finance, oil, and prescription drugs are making a run for it. We cannot allow this to happen.

People who HAVE been awake have been waiting for you to wake up. And help. Most Americans have been massaged or medicated into slumber; free from the responsibilities required by the law of the land that guarantee the rights we hold so dear. No matter how great Barrack Obama, the man and president, is or will be, he's nothing without US. We are the key.

People came to the polls for a reason last year. Change. During the campaign, it was used like wiggling bait. But NOW is the time to finish the sentence, "change is..." President Obama has given the whole country opportunity and now we must seize this moment. Grab it. Mold it. To look like US. Pennsylvania in particular is going to receive more than $6B . We can work with that.

The change we are about to define can also define us as a new people. An America where people can be different, and not deficient. Where we ALL care for one another. Where we celebrate achievements. Respect the histories of every individual. Broad brush strokes have gotten us where we are; it's now time to grab a pencil.

ILLEGAL IS NOT A NOUN!

2009-02-16T08:57:00.004-05:00

THAT'S ONE POPULAR VIEW OF "ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION"

Here's another...

A vast kaleidoscope of peoples struggle to get to the US shores everyday, and each one of them has a story. A reason, a goal, a dream, and more specifically The American Dream. Many quest for US citizenships not because of what is here, but for what is not. To not know Freedom, whether it be economic, personal, or any other form, is difficult to comprehend for those who've always had Freedom. And to know there is a place in the world that guarantees Freedom and not try to get there is suicide of the soul.

People of all kinds want opportunity. If there isn't opportunity, the people won't come. Mexican people, regardless of citizenship status, are under intense scrutiny right now. With times being as "tough" as they are, people are scared and unsure about their futures. Just as we see our politicians operate within the "blame game," we also fell the need to blame someone. Those different than ourselves are easy targets because then we can claim that it's not our fault.

Immigration policy is very complex and should not be reduced to "sending Mexicans back where they came from!" For one, this philosophy is currently being applied through The National Fugitive Operations Program. Established in 2003, under The Department of Homeland Security, "to dramatically expand the agency’s efforts to locate, arrest, and remove fugitives from the United States," it has failed to do so. As a matter of fact, the program has proven to be a huge failure. 73% of those arrested had NO criminal records. With such a low success rate, it's hard to argue against the involvement of racial profiling.

This is an excerpt from an article I wrote for Associated Content It's currently in the editing stages and should be available soon.

White Privilege in Black History Month

2009-02-07T08:12:00.003-05:00

With our current economic crisis bogartin' the news, we're not hearing so much about Black History Month events this year. I've heard some say that because of the election of Barack Obama, that there is no longer a need for organizations like the NAACP to exist. Members of the media and pundits on their programs like to use the term "post-racial America." And they're attempting to blend this term into everyday language.

Don't believe it! Don't buy into it! There is much for all of us to learn. Good things and bad. Friends go through the ups and downs together because they have that understanding of each other and feel one another's pain. I'd like to share a series of events I've encountered in the past week on a discussion forum. It's not a regular forum I read; I got there through an article I wanted to read. Then I started to read the comments; I immediately registered and here's how it went...

MY FIRST POST (in response to the bold)

I'm sorry, but I didn't spit on any children. Did you? I wasn't calling the cops on my neighbors for being black. Were you?

I didn't either, and I thank you for not doing so. But I believe you are misunderstanding Racism. It's not individual Racism that's at question. It's the systematic and traditional constructs in place.

And I'm sure everyone who gets pulled over has their plates scanned. You make it sound like there are no black police officers; like there is some vast white conspiracy to pull over all black drivers.

You don't have to call it conspiracy, but you can't deny the facts of the disproportionate police brutality on blacks. When was the last time you saw a white guy being beaten by police on the news? While at least 2 black men were killed by police in the last month that I can recall off the top of my head. Is this coincidence?

Your talk of slave trade implies you are still living in the 1850s. Are you aware that it is 2009, and slavery no longer exists in the United States? Do you know any black people that were involved in the slave trade? Then stop commenting on it. You, single-handedly, are living in the past and refusing to move forward.

Your refusal to even discuss the topic shows some kind of denial or lack of knowledge on the topic. It is 2009, and there were several cases of slavery in the US last year. Not to mention the sex slave trade that's a booming business, especially in DC.
Slavery is not ancient. People were born into slavery into the early 1900's. And you can't underestimate the passing of generational wealth, combined with discriminatory laws. These are issues that need discussing.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and derive that you're probably a Democrat. Just a completely random guess. No clues from your ignorance guided me toward that conclusion. *Sarcasm*

I agree with President Theodore Roosevelt's quote: "There is no room in this country for hyphenated Americans."

NO RESPONSE

NEXT POST

A black man from a broken family was elected to the highest office in the land. If he can do it, so can YOU. Quit blaming your race on your failures.

One black man out of an estimated 20 million. Do you think that YOU could be president? That doesn't seem realistic to think that since one man(that had to have a lot of things fall in place to get there) can do it, that all can-for any race. I don't think anyone is blaming their race for anything.

NO RESPONSE

NEXT POST

As soon as the Black are willing to give up affirmative action and enttitlement programs that are race based.

What specific race-based programs are you talking about? Most programs are income-based, and by simple population numbers whites outnumber minorities when it comes to receiving govenment assistance. White women are the biggest beneficiaries of affirmative action.

A level field for all the races.
No race based questions on any employment or housing applications.
No extra points for being a minority what so ever.

What extra points are you talking about? The people that fill out applications do not put the questions on them. That is a government requirement, as result of the discrimination that had taken place in our recent history.

Then racism will have no traction and no one can complain!!

Still I doubt that the free pass mentality will shut up anytime soon!!!!

NO RESPONSE

Then, a few days later comes the article, Topic: Blacks in Lancaster. The comments are too long to post, but the following PM I received should pretty much sum it up.

May I make a kindly, well-intentioned suggestion? Everyone who joins TB learns as they go, and takes their share of hard knocks. One of the things a lot of the "regulars" on TB are touchy about is quotes, keeping what they have written separate from our replies to them. They take it personally when they think they have been misquoted or taken out of context.

If you do a "reply" format, it leaves their words in the quote box, and your words outside the box. Makes it easier for readers to sort through as well. As I said, as relatively new myself, and having taken my lumps, one of the older posters sent me a note like this and it lessened misunderstandings.

Not trying to be bossy, just trying to keep the contention to a friendly level, especially on the race threads. (Oy!)

Wow!

I've said many times that DENIAL is a trait of racism. If this doesn't directly reflect this theory, then nothing can. But that's part of the struggle. Nothing worth having is easy. Hopefully, one day we can all look back and laugh about how stupid we acted. But for now, we have much work to do.

This is my community, and this is what's called a friendly level.

"TAX CUTS"

2009-01-28T22:25:00.002-05:00

Life is more than just cuttin' taxes.
Fact is you represent yourself and disregard the masses.
Passes, you continually demand. Classless
Bastids for what you did to acid.

LSD, amongst other things I consider personal.
None of your business; I'll paint surveillance cameras purple, yo.
Like Barney and Grimace pushin' poison like in "Serpico."
Torture, so you say, represents the USA?

We gotta pay the right people.
Pray against the sequels to Halliburton, KBR,
FDA's revolving door; All Republican values.
What's in store for the poor?

Third eye's too focused on the all mighty dollar.
Holla at ya boy; come and chat in my parlor.
12 billion per month for a war in Iraq.
I'm payin THAT! My cuz needs some food stamps, so get off his back.

"WOE IS ME?"

2009-01-22T18:04:00.002-05:00

It isn't "woe is me"
When I mention poetry.
I'll show; you'll see
How instantly worries can be shed quite deciduously.

Define yourself.
Don't incline yourself
To settle for bottom shelf
When it comes to your true wealth-your health.

Not like marathon running.
Results just as stunning
When you're keen and your cunning
Overpowers the doubt, and the fears of the shunning.

Superior confidence?
Some call it pride.
Frowns, tears all subside
When you pour out your soul and let out what's inside.

"THE WAY THINGS ARE"

2009-01-19T12:52:00.002-05:00

The way things are,
Try looking from afar.
Hardy, Har, Har.
Divine distance from the star.

Learning exposes those holes.
Those not known, but to the soul.
Don't disregard your feelings.
Analyze, understand; then start healing.

No need to be alone.
Compounding problems 'cause we're prone
To get stuck in our zone.
Personal choices that we own.

I hope and I wish
That the rope stays loose.
Don't continue what you're doing.
History's dangling our noose.

THE BEGINNING OF THE END

2009-01-17T07:14:00.003-05:00

Although many Americans have used the "Bush countdown" as motivation to get through the past 5-6 years, now that the end of the countdown is here, the real challenge for us is also here. There's no doubt that the majority of the Bush presidency has been very divisive for our country. And for many of us, opposite the Decider, it has been very frustrating and awfully difficult times. Until now, we could find solace in the mere fact that he would be gone. On Tuesday, January 20, 2009, our 43rd president will do his part. Then, it will be our turn.

2009 is going to be a very challenging year for many different reasons. We're on the verge of another national depression, and in some parts of the country, it's already here. The current wealth gap in this country is already beyond that of the 20's and 30's, so there are already people living in depression-type conditions. We also face the challenge of defining the "change" we have been supporting for almost 2 years. The optimism and hope that has inspired many, young and old, is no longer in the future. It's now.

We're also facing the financial and human costs of two wars. Even President-elect Obama doesn't seem to be slowing the momentum of our war-like foreign policy. We cannot accept withdrawing troops from Iraq as progress if these same men and women are redeployed to Afghanistan. In his final presidential press conference, Mr. Bush finally admitted to some mistakes (or "disappointments," as he called them.) And the big one that stood out to me was "NO WMD'S." This admission, on top of the WMD jokes, shows us that he either doesn't know, or doesn't care that we've been in a permanent state of war mainly because he, amongst others, scared us into believing that we would absolutely be attacked with these punchline, non-existent weapons of mass destruction.

"America must not ignore the threat gathering against us. Facing clear evidence of peril, we cannot wait for the final proof, the smoking gun that could come in the form of a mushroom cloud." ~ George W Bush, 10.7.2002

So the questions "what is going to end?" and "what is going to begin?" are very important to all of us, individually and collectively. We must expand our awareness and not accept the status quo. We cannot judge our 2009 by 2008.

Change for change's sake is not necessarily what's best for us. We must define and make our change. That will be made possible by the bait the Obama Campaign has been wiggling in front of us for some time now - "bottom-up." We must educate our ignorant, feed our hungry, build our pride. We're always told that we, humans, are social creatures, but we're not told how other influences mold our beings.

Ever since Mr. Bernaise made us into "Happiness Machines," with his invention of Public Relations, we've been consumers, too busy to look past the headlines. In this generation of e-mail, IM's, text messages, the "inner-nets," and iPods, we must not succumb to the virtual world to the extent that our social contact and communication is degraded any more. A simple conversation with a genuine interest in learning from one another is far more rewarding and productive than abbreviated language and symbols.

This year marks the end of ignoring our needs, and prioritizing our wants. The beginning of taking the reigns of what's ours, morphing the walk with the talk. Action will be necessary to see what we want. We have the opportunity before us to mold the future by improving the present. It's time to change what we want to change, and for a lot of us that'll start with the mirror.

W., Thanks and Farewell!

2009-01-16T10:53:00.002-05:00

"IT HURTS TO HAVE A HEART"

2008-12-05T06:06:00.002-05:00

It hurts to have a heart.
Vitalist of all vital parts.
Starts from the inside out.
Happiness to love hangovers and those pitiful pouts.

Many doubts, no doubt.
Continuously I repeatedly allow
My self to be welcome
Inside circles where many others find themselves seldom.

Microchips and random numbers
Define the majority, ignorantly in slumber.
Numbers plummeting; technically dumber.
Farmer? Plumber? -turned politician, CPA to recalculate the numbers.

Care for everyone you SEE.
Amazing. The multiplicity.
Siddity and arrogant, quite silly to me.
Connectivity of the hearts, universally recognized since the start.

"SHINE IN 2009!"

2008-11-22T09:57:00.003-05:00

Wait 2008, it's not too late
To answer some of the questions that frustrate
Me, my mate, my homie. Dude, just wait.
Telling us to anticipate.

Those of your faction, always in action.
Opposed to our inaction. Self-distraction.
But your distraction; 2009's picking up traction.
I suppose, "who knows." Just asking.

Global politics, Free Trade.
Another dollar just made, for a day's work.
Laid-off workers losing more than dollars.
Shirts off their backs to what their bodies' all lack.

Redefined Truth.
Like gangsta rappers when they spittin' in the booth.
So much proof.
Another year gone by without us having made a move.

FROM PROPERTY TO PRESIDENT

2008-11-08T09:25:00.001-05:00

Thank you, America! As frustrated as I have been the past few years with my fellow citizens, I'm happy to see us move in a positive direction. We've elected a black president. An intelligent president. Not one we wanna drink a beer with; but one who has the power of communication and can inspire. Motivate. Call to action.

As much as Obama came out of nowhere, to many of us, 2 years ago so has the fact that we've elected a black president. Five years ago, and more recently for others, the mere discussion of a black man as president was ridiculous and laughable. The collective "attitude" of white people and other non-black minorities(who are just happy they're not called black) was the black scapegoat.

In Obama's victory, he got 43% of the white vote. That's not only an amazing percentage for a black candidate, but it's also the highest a DEMOCRAT has ever gotten. He won Indiana! That alone is reason for optimism for those who truly seek change and the justice that will result from it.

To keep things in perspective, he ONLY got 43% of the white vote. To look at the red/blue election maps, the historical slave states stayed Republican voting for McCain and keeping their Congressional seats conservative. Although I do not agree with the ideologies of my southern neighbors, I realize that we need them too. Without a doubt, the root of the problem is education/miseducation. And that we can fix.

We cannot make the mistake of being satisfied with this enormous advancement we've taken. We must follow this up with actions that break the barriers for all minorities. And most of all, do not fall victim to the falsehood of "post-racial America." This election reflects more progress for whites than it does for blacks. The opening of minds and opportunity to unite is finally on the table.

Race in this country has always been a sensitive subject throughout our history. Besides the point of most people not willing(or able) to comprehend the actual physical destruction and treatment of slaves, we're suffering now because of our failure to accept the aftermath of freeing an enslaved people(that we enslaved in the first place.) The psychological effects, combined with the denial from the oppressors, are vitally important to understanding our problems with race.

For example, imagine being taken from your home(with family or not), taken to another country(with another language), where you're a slave(no matter your previous status). Your oppressors read to you from the bible, where they preach that their God has destined you to serve them. When you question this and want to read the book yourself, that's not an option. You're KILLED when caught reading(or teaching.) You learn what you can and cannot say by the crack of the whip(from a person who thinks no more of you than a farm animal.)

Then 200 years later, they discriminate against you because of the way you talk.

What I like most about President Obama is his approach to solving the many problems he(and WE) are currently facing. I realize that most of what we've heard on the campaign trail these last 2 years, we will not see happen in the next 8 years. Not to be downplayed is the fundamental change in perspective that will result of an Obama presidency(as a whole), for the American people. This SOCIALISM that we are being told to fear is exactly what we need.

Some of the issues that have stuck with me, throughout all the 72-hour news cycles, and what watered my flower of HOPE and ultimately got Obama my vote are:

Universal healthcare and the fact that he believes healthcare is a RIGHT.

His community organization background, coupled with his inspiring speech delivery. Promoting public service and rewarding it.

Taxes. Of course, he said what he had to say to get elected. When it boils down to it, I'd be satisfied with the Bush tax cuts expiring in 2010. Along with tax breaks based on the individual (medical, saving, volunteering)

Realizing that letting US repair and improve our local infrastructure creates jobs and builds a sense of pride and community. Give us something to be proud of.

You get the point. Instead of this idea of "HANDOUTS," when discussing how OUR tax money gets distributed, why NOT reinvest this money in ourselves and our communities. There are great challenges NOW and in the near future for this country. We need to be united.

I think we have a better chance as a people if we lean towards socialism, versus this ANTI-SOCIALISM from which we currently suffer.

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MATH PROBLEMS

2008-10-18T10:34:00.001-04:00

"Visualize WEALTH and put YOURSELF in the pictuuuure!" - KRS ONE, 1997

I admit that it has a lot to do with luck when it comes to "getting" math. I am one of the lucky ones. I got it from an early age with enough ease to coast through high school into college, financial analyst in the AF, loan officer, now caseworker. All these positions included the manipulation of numbers in some way. I guess it's more the economic-side of math, versus the scientific-side.

But I've definitely experienced those around me and those I work with struggle with math(or numbers), and it's powerful. A good majority are intimidated, and have a fear of numbers. I'm sure those are the old classmates from grade school who struggled even then. Frustration grown into discomposure. I guess they call them problems for a reason.

I attended public school, so I can't talk about private school, but in my classes the teachers seemed to teach to the students that already understood. The ones who had the better memories, and could memorize enough to keep up, got by-but without an understanding, you have a hard time applying math to the real world. To them, and the others practically ignored by the teachers, it becomes a lifelong burden. It seems to me that we would see an improvement in our math scores if we would just switch the term "problem" to something more positive.

Without an understanding, or at least a willingness to understand, your entire world view is different. When the only math you do is at the end of the month, trying to pay the bills(with very little math problems), you fail to see bigger (math)problems like:

BETWEEN 50-55% OF ELIGIBLE VOTERS, DON'T VOTE.

I understand math enough to NOT be a gambling man. But as a consultant I would say it's a pretty safe bet that the majority of the non-voters are not those prospering. It's debatable whether this majority has been manipulated into this apathetic state by the prosperous-or not. Just think if even HALF of these non-voters would vote in their best interests (which would be either Democratic OR third party), the country would change rapidly.

HIP HOP SECRET SOCIETY

As one who truly believes that Hip Hop is a culture, of which I am a part, I see its effects. We've come a long way and have undoubtedly made an enormous impact on the world. From the beginning, Hip Hop has promoted tolerance, and artists like the one in the video have lasted so long because of his subject matter-TRUTH.

Something I DO NOT consider debatable is the effect on society of Hip Hop. That being the opening of minds of whites towards blacks. And I don't think it would even be possible for Barak Obama to be considered for president, let alone the frontrunner, if it wasn't for Hip Hop.

Within the first two generations of Hip Hop Culture, there is a great possibility of a Black President. I think credit is due. Not that I agree with the extreme portrayal of Hip Hop through radio airplay and video, but like anything there are those "on the edge" on both sides.

My point is that the NUMBERS(population) are in our favor. And if we can realize that our personal math problems can be solved within the greater math problem, we have a great chance to mold this nation into something to be proud of. Where we all prosper.

Educate your friends on your local leaders. These elections are much more important than the president. They make a more significant impact on your daily lives. The same PROBLEMS that turn people away from politics can be solved by participation. Solve the long division.

If you think voting doesn't make a difference, just look at those who prosper. How many millionaires do you think don't vote?

BLACK QUARTERBACK

2008-10-11T10:01:00.000-04:00

Although I've pretty much given up on the MLB, NBA, and I think the NHL is still on strike, I just can't let go of the NFL. The Eagles specifically. And it's not just the fact of the compounded stress that comes from supporting the Mets and Sixers ON TOP of the Eagles. Baseball just consumes too much time. 4 hours per game; 162 regular season games. The NBA has become an entirely different sport of basketball. I stopped watching it for the same reasons I stopped playing it. When you get looks of amazement because you PASS, the game's passed you by.

I admit I have an emotional attachment to the Eagles. It's the home team; and when you're away from home it acts as a reminder (of home). From 99-04, the birds did quite a bit of winning and gave an impression that things "were OK at home." But the problem I have with the NFL is the exploitation, corruption, and overall similarities to slavery.

Slavery? These guys makes millions of dollars! True, but they're also the bottom-feeders of this "business." The white men writing their checks are making billions. The rules in place for the "sanctity of the game," in reality keep them in line. The fines are outrageous. This past weekend, DeSean Jackson AND Quentin Demps got fined $10K for a TD celebration.

Drug testing, curfews, dress codes, mandatory media participation...

The Black QB paradigm, and more specifically 5. This guy is the Rosa Parks of black quarterbacks. He's been in the league since '99 and has actually lived through much of the "progress" that has been made for black qb's. McNabb has always been a "company guy." To me, he often tries so hard to be "accepted" by the mainstream that he looks awkward. That may be him...but that would make him a pretty corny guy. And even that, I'm OK with. I respect the guy for what he does ON THE FIELD.

But that's also where this morphing occurs. Crossing over onto the field. What made the fans who boo'd him on draft day change their minds QUICKLY was his combination of run/pass abilities. It could be argued that his injuries in recent years is the reason he isn't running anymore, but 1) the running curtailed before these injuries, and 2) history proves differently. Akili Smith, Andre Ware, Byron Leftwich, Mike Vick, and God bless Kordell Stewart.

The stereotype used to be open: black quarterbacks don't have the mental capacity to play the position. The energy it takes to constantly fight this stereotype, on and off the field, cannot be disregarded. It's a fact, whether you want to admit it or not. If these guys say it on a consistent basis that it's more difficult, than it is. Stay in the pocket, read the defense, stick to the script, don't run too much.

McNabb has adjusted to fit the mold. And it seems to be to his detriment. Athletes get paid the money they do because they perform in ways the average human cannot. And it's because of their natural ability, instincts, and talent. These are rare human beings, capable of amazing physical feats. Systems don't make players; players make systems.

All of us would like to think that we get equal treatment, but we don't. I tried to find the video clip of Rush Limbaugh from 2003, but it's nowhere to be found. Anyone knows that it is tougher to do anything when Lyin' Limbaugh is on the other side. I was able to find a replacement though...

"GOV'T OF THE PEOPLE(OF THE GOV'T)"

2008-10-03T18:53:00.001-04:00

From where does it come?
Plenty doe to fight wars,
While the poor get the crumbs
700 billion dollars - so ho-hum

CORPORATE WELFARE - we ain't THAT dumb!

No healthcare for all,
That law always stalls.
Before you vote this year,
Don't decide too quick - pause.

Don't vote for wins.
Vote for help.
Burnt to the crisp from others' sins.
Full clip in the mind; go for self.

YOUR best interests.
Right in the mirror.
We're all different.
Much smaller than the full sphere.

CAPITAL HOMESTEADING

2008-09-27T11:13:00.001-04:00

My stance on this bailout: ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!

And if you're reading this, that should be your stance as well. If you have any worries about this historic economic failure, you're on the wrong side of this scam. No matter HOW hard "times" are, there are always those who still manage to prosper. It's ignorant to think there's no correlation between the two. The prosperous few are profiting as a direct result of the exploitation of the impoverished (and those naive enough to think there's actually a middle class in this country.) You're either IN or OUT.

Interestingly enough, you will never hear a politician of either of the two major PARTIES, refer to the POOR as just that, the poor. Their "enlightened language and superstitious wisdom," defines this demographic as the "under-privileged." UNDER-PRIVILEGED? This logic, subconsciously, makes them the OVER-PRIVILEGED. But no one would EVER fix their mouths to say it.

"...to be a poor man is hard, but to be a poor race in a land of dollars is the very bottom of hardships." W.E.B. DuBois, 1903.

In his "time," Dr. Dubois' statement here culminates from the aftermath of (the beginning of) the end of slavery. There is a lot to learn from the descendants of African-American Slaves. They've been going through, what's sadly about to happen to the large majority of white people in this country. And the large majority of these folks are the same ones who, TO THIS DAY, deny the existence of white privilege; and they, in no way, are responsible for the current oppression and exploitation of minorities (and in many cases, themselves.) If race plays ANY part in ANY decision you make, that's a problem.

To me, the danger in Racism is not seen in the extreme "skinhead" expression, but in the subtle psychological programming of denial. To disregard the psychological effects of being PROPERTY, being "freed," living under laws where enslavement is STILL a debate, and the history of legal exclusion, is irresponsible and intellectually dishonest. What must be admitted by all is that problems exist, changes are needed, and we are much stronger united.

If this bailout goes through, and the responsibility of paying for the $700 BILLION gambling debt of the same people who are writing the contract, it WILL unite the bottom 90% of our population. We will have no choice.

THE BOTTOM 90% is fundamentally a contradiction of terms. And that should send a message to those who still search for hope and wonder why they cannot be bailed out at the end of every month with just a couple hundred bucks. Just to keep the lights on and add meat to their meals.

How can SO MANY be SO WEAK?

The bottom line, here, is WEALTH. The main reason for the SILENT MAJORITY is the confusion(of) and exclusion(from) Capitalism, and finances in general. "Numbers" is a very complex (and intimidating) paradigm. The universe requires balance; and the success of capitalism is no different.

Those who control the incomprehensible wealth in this country are now asking us to help them out. I don't know about you, but I AIN'T GOT IT. 700 BILLION? Can't do it! Would if I Could! Your FICO's not high enough! After the background check, we the people have decided that it's not in OUR BEST INTEREST to grant you the loan. Not a good BUSINESS decision! We're going in a different direction...

Since we seem to be INVESTING $700 BILLION, I think we would like to invest it in US! Seems crazy, but we would like to see a RETURN, for once. I'd like to see something like this...

700B (money that we must have, right?)
/ (equally distributed to)
131M (taxpayers)
= ( solves the problem by)
5,434 (being given to each of the voluntary investors.)

Investors? The investment goes directly TO BAIL OUT THE BANKS. But instead of the taxpayers being slaves to this "critically necessary" financial commitment, we will all now OWN the banks. Any moves being made by the banks we will know. How you ask? By that check you get in the mail every month.

If the Banks are gonna prosper as the result of this 700 BILLION dollars, then so should WE. The banks will undoubtedly come back, and when they do, let us get a little piece of the pie. This way, it won't hurt so much when you use this money to lend to MULTI-NATIONAL CORPORATIONS who choose to use it overseas for jobs Americans used to do. Now if you choose to pay children in China $2/day, you have to split that amongst 131 million other investors.

That's the change we need!

THE CAPITAL HOMESTEAD ACT.

MORAL FIBER(OPTICS)

2008-09-21T10:10:00.001-04:00

John McCain has made it clear that he is no fan of the internet and uses it as a last resort. Like many other 70+ year-olds of all generations, past and future, change is very difficult. If not for the mere labor involved to keep pace mentally, the body demands much more attention in this period of life. Plus, it must be very difficult to think there's a better way when you've lived through your sacrifices to get to where you are. It would seem to be a sort of conflict of self-interest. Beyond comprehension for many, but time does pass you by and it's not a bad thing. It's different. A different and essential part of society.

Change does not just challenge seniors though. Many of the younger generations cannot keep up intellectually or technologically. Cell phones, computers, the innernets- ALL completely feared by many that think they can't understand. Amongst these folks, there are perfectly programmed Americans. Those who react on queue, when the flag is waved or someone threatens their gun rights, or someone yells "SMALLER GOVERNMET!"

Little do these folks know, the part of government that will be cut is the part that benefits them.

Unfortunately, the majority of the US population are these people. Fortunately, the majority don't vote and are completely apathetic. You only have to listen to them repeat what they hear on TV when you encounter them in public; you don't have to reap their ignorance through uneducated, misguided votes. And I mean MISGUIDED.

Keep the majority dumb, and aggressively manipulate them through propaganda-advertising. THE GREAT EXPERIMENT seems to be quite successful. The rich white majority (in their science coats), seems quite pleased observing the (rat race) of the American majority, while they navigate through the various dead ends (of the capitalistic maze). A land of laws with lawmakers who target the innocent, through their taught-ignorance.

Phone sales, mailers, spam, pop-ups all target the uneducated. As much as I love the internet, it is dangerous. And not so much because of "child predators." But consumer predators.

Banking deregulation, greed, and complex psychological manipulation techniques mixing with wage slavery, xenophobia, and exploitation have brought us to where we are now. And that is a place where MAIN STREET is left with the gambling debt of WALL STREET, with no options.

In 2005, the Wall Street-controlled Congress put into law,THE BANKRUPTCY PREVENTION AND CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT, that makes it, more times than not, unaffordable; nonetheless, merely impossible for Joe Citizen to file for bankruptcy protection. If not ethically-questionable enough that HALF of personal bankruptcies are the result of medical emergencies, we now see ourselves, just 3 years later, paying for the bankruptcies of the same financial institutions that lobbied for these laws.

A child born today, is already $30K in debt.

WHITE SLUR!

2008-09-20T10:05:00.000-04:00

Remember the childhood idiom "Sticks and Stones...?" I don't know its origin, but I know I've heard it my whole life. Many have. So much that you probably believe it, as I did until today. It's ignorant to think that our main communication tool, speech, doesn't hurt. Emotion brings out the worst in people. As much as emotions make us who we are, they also have the ability to completely transform us. Negative emotions are powerful and evil. So much so, that you can't keep them inside; they practically fight their way out.

In the past, before self-expressive arts, humanities and civics curriculums were "cut-back," we could at least vent this energy in a productive way. Now, we have WORDS. Not even SENTENCES.

I've been in the midst of many conversations of white men jokingly discussing being called crackers, honkeys, and the other funny names that have no history, and comparing it to blacks and nigga. There's no debate here.

A thought to ponder though is the fact that projected birth rates and future immigration of non-whites into the US will make this country a a True melting pot by 2042. As this happens, the fear that whites currently have inside will start showing more and more.

As they become the minority, these funny racial slurs aimed at them that can be easily disregarded and laughed-off will turn to the real names that historically define them. I wonder how whites will react to being called

SLAVE OWNERS, or OPPRESSORS, or LIARS, or, RAPISTS, or EUGENISTS, or KILLERS, or THIEVES, or RACISTS...

These descriptive words are not easy to ignore. And although not all white people are necessarily actively participating in anything that warrants this backlash, they will feel the effects. It's the inaction that will be balanced by the universe. And much like how these same whites are not currently reaping the benefits of white supremacy economically and deny its existence, they will unknowingly be the target of its end. The whites who put this in place are safe. They've created this system to amass the majority of the world's wealth and that will protect them. Mainly because they can become millionare-hermits.

Denial is the biggest trait of a Racist.

RACIST RACE!

2008-09-13T08:35:00.002-04:00

Race is a topic that seems to make a lot of (white) people uneasy. From my experiences and provocations, there are definitely some "trends" amongst those who can't grasp the full scope of Racism. The following reasonings rattle off the tongues of deniers of Racism, and its socio-economical effects, with the confidence of answering a basic math problem. And just like singing your ABC's, there's no depth or room for debate. Absolute.

1. I treat everyone as an individual; I see no color.

2. "I" don't own slaves; "I" haven't benefitted from slavery.

3. When is an apology accepted?

4. Affirmative action takes jobs away from white people.

5. Black people and N*ggers/Chris Rock philosophy.

These are a few examples. The point is that the majority of this country is white people; W = 245M; B = 40M. A majority of THIS majority subscribe to one of the five brain stains above. To avoid redundancy, I won't explain why each of the above is nothing but a propaganda slogan. They are. If you believe any of the above are legitimate, I'd be happy to discuss.

Along with this mind state, we also must factor in the portrayal of people of color on the idiot box. ESPECIALLY black men. The result of this repetition of scary black and brown men is a fear and prejudice towards them. This is fact. And intentional.

Take this mindset, fear, and prejudice and apply it to our presidential race. McCain is so soft-spoken and Alzheimer-like and he's telling his base (old, rich, white men) that Obama is ATTACKING Gov Palin. With any knowledge of the complexities of how white men historically juggled the interactions of black women, white women, and black men, you will know that white men have a guilt and a fear. Subconsciously guarding against reaping what was sown through how they treated black women, white men feel overly-obligated to protect white women from black men.

This race seems to me like a reality show, "American Prejudice." And that includes the exploitation of Gov Palin. Remember, you don't have to consciously agree with what's going on to be a part of it. Even if you deny it, it's taking place. You HAVE to make a conscious effort to NOT agree with it.

It's bigger than YOU. It's a system, a way of life, just as much as Capitalism.

Is it just a coincidence that John McCain's ancestors OWNED slaves, "had" sharecroppers, and he supported S. African Apartheid, and couldn't recognize the importance of MLK holiday? To say Race has no influence on Politics is, dare I say, UNAMERICAN.

"GETTIN' BY"

2008-09-07T08:54:00.001-04:00

Trickle-down economics?
It works; next topic!
Hey! Wait just a minute.
Got a home, tryna stay in it.

I'm asking YOU.
You defer to him.
Always on hold.
Comin' out my skin.

I need a loan,
Opportunities to save.
Wanna work me to my grave.
What you say's not how you behave.

Don't wanna record-setting bank account.
Food, clothing, shelter, and what amounts
To Life, Liberty, and Pursuit
Of Happiness. Just need a little loot.

"TOO DENSE TO GET IT"

2008-09-06T08:51:00.002-04:00

Too dense to get it.
So easy to just forget.
It doesn't go away;
Day after day.

Blissful ignorance.
Traditionally American ever since.
Exercising resistance.
Vital to existence.

Two things can be true.
Differing views; me and you.
Too true, you see.
No choice but diversity.

Our duty to question.
Constitution's first lesson.
Expand your mind.
Just told you one more time.

ANSWERED PRAYERS

2008-08-31T11:54:00.002-04:00

I don't know if the conservatives of this country just started praying late or what, but they must have PRAYED really strong and hard because the rain is coming! Hurricane Gustav is being predicted to make KATRINA look like the tear that fell from Dick Cheney's face when he first learned his daughter CHOSE to be a Lesbian. Also has the chance to be the most destructive natural disaster the World has ever seen. The most interesting part of God's answer to this prayer is (S)He picked the date like no other God. (SLAVE) LABOR DAY!

Although VERY important, suppose the total disregard of the poor/working poor by the Republicans is less relevant when compared to the fact that these rains are coming just in time for the RNC. And even more surprising than the flooding and possible total destruction of the Gulf Coast we will watch safely from our living rooms is that these rains pervertly prayed for by the conservatives is gonna FORCE them to THINK ABOUT SOMETHING OTHER THAN $$$!

Now I hope that some of my conservative brothers and sisters expand their awareness through the WORK and service that will result from being a part of the perilous struggle many will have when these rains cross our Universal borders. And I also hope this expands the awareness of US who see what the conservatives lack and focus more on that than what WE could improve on. This storm needs to be a wakeup call for EVERYONE on many different levels.

We, as the people of this government of OURS, have to accept this 2-party system is a myth, failure, and against the very things the majority have in common. Although I'm currently supporting Obama, it's not because I think he's gonna save the world, this country, or even our broken democracy. Democrats and Republicans both have something in common that separates them from the common human interest, and that's that they're rich. As much as we like to think people remember where they come from, the fact of the matter is that the SYSTEM rewards them to forget.

The hope I have in Barack can't be found in any Politics Handbook or resume. It's the fact that he is a great LEADER and MOTIVATOR. If you listen to him speak, you hear the inclusiveness and call to action. He admits that it's about US. He's understands that HE'S NOTHING without US. Although he's questioned for his experience on an executive level, it cannot be denied that the communication skills he possesses are backed up by plenty of experience. We need a leader that knows how to MOTIVATE THE HOPELESS. Not a leader with war experience, especially when you're experience is from behind enemy lines.

The other hope of mine I have for Obama is that just by his being a minority, it inspires those that have been victim of the father figures conspired upon them by Slavery, The War on Drugs, and a propaganda war by the media, that THEY CAN BE PRESIDENT. Or at least better than most of the other portrayals they see of those who look like them. I also hope it inspires the conservative, white, rural, seniors (and their descendants) when they see a person of color running this country, and to a large extent the world, and not just as the robbers, rapists, and all-around scary THINGS they see in the NEWS everyday.

Once these folks are aware of the power they possess, we must have ORGANIZATION in place to harbor this inspiration into action and TRUE CHANGE. THREE IS THE MAGIC NUMBER! As in 3rd-party; and not that the 3rd party is THE answer. But with the acceptance of a third party, will come a 4th, 5th, 6th...and more overall involvement. America boasts of its freedoms and voting rights, but ranks last in participation amongst the Western World.

ALL of us will be called upon to act in the near future. It's time to find the CHANGE we're looking for in ourselves.

"REVOLUTION"

2008-08-27T07:13:00.001-04:00

Nothing's amusin'
When the solution's revolution.
Pollution's turnin' us to mutants,
Vodka-drunk like Putin.

My business ain't mine no more.
Cross-eyed looks, using cash at the store.
Swipe the card, fill up with lard.
Nevermind the who's, why's, and what-for's.

What do we think is in store?
For all of us, not just the poor.
It's finally caught up; overlooking corrupt
Politicians, statisticians, and physicians...now you got multiple prescriptions.

Freedom's just a word to us.
Missed our chance to hop on that bus.
Apathy's a gateway drug.
Have you thinkin' how to get out of the hole you just dug

HANOI HILTON: Humility, Humanity, & Hilarity

2008-08-23T13:23:00.002-04:00

I've been waiting and wondering when and why Senator McCain was gonna use this most dirty of political tricks. This trick of playing with the emotions of the DUMB/NUMB majority of this country. By exploiting himself and the others that sacrificed in the same manner for longer times. But last weekend, he officially let the cat out of the bag that he is going to use this to win votes. His record, his experience, his service...in general though...no specifics.

Not to downplay his courage and sacrifice (too much), but in terms as that qualifying him as President, that's simple-NOT A CHANCE. I agree with General Wesley Clark.

For example, McCain recently has said that "he knows how to win a war." Based on what? The Vietnam War, as far as I know, is the lone war that the US doesn't mind to admit it's lost. And since he has decided to open the topic of his POW experiences, let's take an honest look at them. 6 years is a long time, no doubt. But it's Smurf pellets compared to the 100 years he's willing to commit towards American Iraqi occupation. Even for those who mistakenly use the logic that his being tortured for 6 years gives him the knowledge to "win a war," a higher-ranking POW in the same camp, Wes Shierman says that "he couldn't really win any battles, but he was a good resister, an honorable one."

I'd be curious to know a better place to measure one's True character than the cliff of life, that must have been Hoa Lo, and continue today in Guantanamo Bay, Abu Graib, and many,many more too secret to have names. And that is how his former brother in arms remembers him. Add to that McCain's recent statements "in the 21st century, nations don't invade other nations," which either is another "senior moment" or total disregard of the circumstances of our CURRENT illegal war.

Bottom 5% of educational peers, maverick, outcast, crashed 5 planes, intellectually inept- the list goes on and on. He doesn't deny any of it.

The Republicans have given us Ronald Reagan, a former actor, who must have been suffering from Alzheimer's while serving to not see the CIA funding a war in Central America by flooding our inner cites with Cocaine, more specifically Crack. Or was it genius to look the other way because of Nancy's "Just Say No" bullshit, and the twisted, oppressive, racist WAR ON DRUGS. Then there's George H W Bush. Just Google George Herbert Walker. Then GW Bush, with his drug and alcohol problems, poor academic performance, and stubborn disregard of everything common-sensical. And we want more Republic leadership, why?

Wouldn't it be a relief, or a change, to have a president that could actually understand the problems and work through them to get to the root of these problems. In my opinion, a white male will never get to the roots of any of the problems that lead to many of these "wars" on this or that.

Obama will not solve this country's problems by any means, but let's not hold intelligence against him. We already tried that "have a beer with him" approach. How'd that work out? I guess we'll see in the coming decades (hopefully).

ALL JOKES ASIDE

2008-08-10T10:11:00.000-04:00

2008 seems to be just flying by. Seems odd to me that it has been over a year since my Day of Action and 9/15/08 will be one year since I marched down Pennsylvania Ave., with tens of thousands of others, to exercise our rights, express our discontent, and demand impeachment. I must admit that progress has been made in regards to restoring Habeas Corpus. As good as progress is, the problem isn't fixed. And, in my opinion, Impeachment is more important now than ever.

As confused as America, as a whole, seems to be right now, the majority will still proudly (and blindly) rant and rave about being a CHRISTIAN NATION. So to my Christian brothers and sisters, I ask you to take the following events into account. This year, God has taken 2 of the greatest, funniest American comedians EVER - Carlin and Mac. Shoot, even the Iraqi government has quit joking around this year. With that being said, could we not take this as divine intervention? God wants us to start taking life seriously.

To my non-Christian brothers and sisters and those who care about facts, we have to stop "giving passes." We can't continue to let the ignorant, apathetic majority of this country send us to our makers. We must educate our fellow citizens. That's our responsibility. We must also hold our representatives ACCOUNTABLE. If we continue along this same path of helplessness, our only security will come from the government. GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE, without the people , leaves the government.

Many Americans are just "sick of Bush." This is an emotional reaction. The mere fact of his absence from office will not fix the problems he's caused. He's put many laws in place that are contrary to true American Values. Not to mention the laws he's broken, and in some cases, the combination of the two. For example, disregarding the FISA requirements of warrants (up to 48 hours after the tap), and then when brought to light , somehow gets immunity for himself and the Corporations that helped him break the law. On top of that, he pretty much spit on government protocol and "checks and balances."

It's irresponsible for us, as citizens, to coast through the rest of this year, distracted by the campaign of the next president, and not hold GW Bush accountable for his disrespect of the Office of President, Constitution, and our reputation as a country.

Both candidates are licking their chops for a chance to be the most powerful leader in the history of the world. We're setting the precedent NOW. If the president in 2030 "wiretaps citizens to keep them safe," he will be doing so based on actions by American citizens in 2001-2008. And people wanna talk about personal responsibility...

"STOLEN"

2008-08-10T08:18:00.000-04:00

The old bird laughed.
It felt like a staff.
Swallow longer than giraffe.
"Americans can't even do the bloody math."

Pre-911.
Gift straight from Heaven.
She taught me that day
Watch what I say.

Outside lookin' in.
Seen all my kin
Get their votes stole.
Mine's still on a boat.

I don't know what happened.
Pap, no longer knee-slappin'.
Sister's mouth still keep flappin'.
Mother, brother, dad keep on clappin'.

"CRIME AFTER CRIME"

2008-08-10T08:17:00.000-04:00

Wine. Dine. Intertwine.
Time after time, continually blurring the line.
Designed not by bloodlines of mine.
Please opine: Pork rind or prime swine?

Play all day, no need to pay
Lay men. Men lay at the total dismay
Of they who wanna sell, but not harvest the hay.
One day we will just say no way. Till that day...

My mind will just grind
Till that day goes astray.
Used to be a dime for a lime.
May not pay with delay.

A sign of the times,
While they so just go pray.
Enjoy your freedom, just stay away.
But continue paying US when it's YOUR payday.

"ECONOSLAVE"

2008-08-10T08:14:00.000-04:00

Reform through labor.
Hard tastes to savor,
For anyone's mouth.
Especially the bitter that Barrack spoke about.

Capitalist society,
Salesmen always eyeing me.
Safety claims when GOV wants to see.
Fair Isaac not all that fair, you see.

They chime me when not paid timely.
Didn't used to see such usury.
Contemplating bankruptcy
To avoid rewarding bourgeoisie.

Paying fees, exceeding needs,
False leisure feelings sown from greed.
Foods, clothing, shelter - second rate.
Warned by so many about this date.

BOYCOTT THE OLYMPICS!!!

2008-08-07T22:19:00.001-04:00

There's an unexplainable level of pride involved in representing your country on foreign soil. If you've ever traveled outside of these borders of ours, you've felt it to an extent. But REPRESENTING/SERVING the country, wearing USA on your uniform- whether military, sport, or business- everyday is entirely different. People are curious and definitely have their own opinions of what Americans are. Quite interesting indeed, some of them. As tourists, many may disregard the effects they have on the American image and reputation. We pay for that, but many more don't care or refuse to realize the reality of the WORLD. Then there's those who proactively volunteer to represent the image of America to others around the world.

There's the obvious multi-national corporation ambassadors, soldiers, and athletes (and mercenary armies). I'd like to focus on the soldiers and athletes.

People seemed to be surprised that W is in China right now, representin'. Not me; I don't think he has much of a choice. For one, he only has a short-list of countries from which to choose and not land behind bars; and 2, CHINA OWNS US. He should write a personal check while he's there because they put him right in his place as soon as he hit the ground. Basically saying to mind his own business in regards to his criticism of their human rights violations.

Mr. Bush says he wants to keep the politics out of this visit. I guess he's on vacation too (on our buck.) He's representing the government of the US, me and you.

The American athletes will proudly compete in the name of America. They will perform to levels we've never witnessed. World records. The air will be a big factor unfortunately. But the swimmers and hoopers will be sportin' GOLD in the end.

Let's remember these icons are people too. They have the kind of determination most of us only dream about, but they're human. And there has to be some sort of awkwardness or embarrassment when they speak with athletes from different countries. And think of the Iraqis. We shouldn't be there, especially Bush, if the Iraqis cannot compete.

This is going to be the most surveilled Olympics ever, and the media is going to be just as interesting as any race, game, or competition. Pay attention because some of what you see, and are disgusted with, is happening here and will continue to increasingly resemble the Chinese system of REEDUCATION THROUGH REFORM.

WE, THE PEOPLE HAVE A DEBT TO PAY. AND WE OWE IT TO CHINA. HOPEFULLY, WE WIN A LOT OF GOLD BECAUSE THEY PROBABLY WON'T TAKE OUR DOLLARS.

I'm gonna start studying Chinese...

IRRESPONSIBLE DECISIONS?

2008-07-26T10:40:00.001-04:00

"The one who is punished is no longer the one who did the deed. He is always the scapegoat." - Nietzsche (1844-1900)

"THE HOUSING CRISIS! THE HOUSING CRISIS! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!"

I am so sick of hearing about whose fault this is? "Personal responsibility" this, "Irresponsible decisions" that! And I have a problem with the same people who BUY the right to DEREGULATION blaming people they practically harrassed to get their "business." It's rather interesting how the FCC had to implement a DO NOT CALL LIST in response to the endless calls by countless mortgage companies, who hire very talented salespeople. And of course they all have the "lowest rate," but won't tell you what it is.

I've worked for three different lenders in the sub-prime universe. Two are now bankrupt, the other bought by BOA. I say universe because of my experience specifically at AMERIQUEST MORTGAGE COMPANY. Based on all my knowledge and experience of this supposed surprise consequence of inventing a new business based on predatory lending and "emotional sales" tactics, AMC started this Gangsta Shit.

Proud Sponsor of the American Dream, sponsored the Super Bowl, NASCAR, their infamous "DON'T JUDGE TOO QUICKLY" commercials, "you're more than a credit score," "it's OK to make mistakes," ...it was quite a culture. And the Godfather of all this, the late Roland Arnall, Forbes 85. I'm not one to spit on somebody's grave, but when someone requires you to sign a silence order for 2 years after he sends his cronies to fire you IN THE AFTERNOON, after months of promoting the opposite on weekly conference calls, that's shady to say the least.

The pressure put upon salespeople and managers was intense. LOTS of money on every level. An unofficial marker was the number of DIALS one would have, especially if you don't have a SALE. Competitions, POWER HOURS, UNIT bonuses, SPONSORED LUNCHES. Most salespeople have college degrees. To think that targeted-clients, based mainly on education level, cannot be manipulated into something they do not understand is against their best interest, is to be very ignorant of the power of the sales techniques. The basis is getting PERSONAL, and getting the customer to LIKE YOU, be LOYAL to you, to TRUST you. You then come to an agreement in principle, the PAPERS get mailed as required by RESPA, then you GO TO THE TABLE. A goal at AMC was to CLOSE A LOAN in less than 24 hrs. Legally impossible, but frequently done. Forged signatures, COPY/PASTE, STATED LOANS, AVM's, APPROVED APPRAISERS. This was a very aggressive industry.

This fact cannot be swept under the rug when it comes to any debate on placing blame. One last thought about AMC: Roland Arnall was a Bush cronie, appointed to be the Ambassador to Holland after being a major fund-raiser.

Is it really irresponsible decisions made by the people, or the calculated manipulation of the market by the bankers at fault here?

THE DECIDER'S DECISION

2008-07-20T10:29:00.001-04:00

WOW!

Firstly, I tip my hat to this most courageous woman. Jane Mayer. She is a Patriot. Now watch her get attacked in the media.

Now the point(s). On this eve of the FIRST MILITARY COMMISSION TRIAL, please try and comprehend the importance of these trials and what has led us to them. Regardless of the fact the man going on trial, Osama bin Laden's alleged driver, has a FOURTH GRADE EDUCATION, he has been held for YEARS. Tortured, ridiculed, deprived, confused. It's no longer a debate whether waterboarding is torture amongst Humans. Only amongst those with no respect for Life itself. Just money. Their TRUE RELIGION.

To some this isn't embarrassing, or concerning, or even worth knowing about. Others are aware, but helpless in their quest for leadership and direction. A question to ponder to all points of view is this: What if "THE AMERICAN PEOPLE" are the only People in the World who don't know that we torture and have been torturing ever since the "The American People" existed? Even when masked behind Capitalistic-style, propaganda marketing techniques, torture as defined by the experts in assessing it is firmly defined.. The current bumper sticker slogan is "HARSH INTERROGATION TECHNIQUES." Torture.

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." -MLK

While we watch the coverage by the Media and lazily take it as Truth, we balance in and out of our Multiverse like a staggering drunk. Lean to the left, "I gotta see if I can get some overtime, so I can buy a little food and afford the gas to drive to work next week;" Lean right, "we're torturing terrorists, that's keeping ME safe, cutting taxes-that's good, gays can't marry, I can keep my gun, life is grand." This American Dream that we doze in and out of, supposedly random acts that will EVENTUALLY work out in our favor, is eerily similar to the religious traditions I'm familiar with. To me dreams imply sleeping, and "out of this world." There's no money there, so it couldn't possibly possess the importance as this state of consciousness, where there's 24-HR ATM's(w/ camera) on practically every corner.

At the same time as we're torturing "evil-doers" and "enemy combatants," there's also another long-practiced tradition that we deem "necessary," that appalls the rest of the Western world. The Death Penalty. And we do this to ourselves. I would challenge anyone who would say that Capital(ism) Punishment is not worse than torture. Many World organizations, including the UN and EU, have repeatedly petitioned the US government to abolish the Death Penalty altogether on moral grounds, but most recently they've called for us to AT LEAST halt executions until we can "root out the racial bias from our Justice System." Basically saying we need Affirmative Actions for White guys to get into prison. Which I'm sure the Prison Industrial Complex will have no problem with.

I won't bore you with incarceration stats, but we have more people in prison than China, by both percentage of population, and actual numbers.

I don't think Bush made the decision to put torture on the table, I think he made the decision to let THE AMERICAN PEOPLE in on "a little secret."

IMPEACH, SO HE CAN'T PARDON!!!

"BE YOU"

2008-07-15T22:26:00.003-04:00

The background's so hard to play
When everyday I hear people say,
With such conviction, that the cruci-fiction
Explains all lies. Well, surprise!

It's not all written.
How many times must you be bitten?
Good riddens
To George Bush when he finally leaves the building.

But leaves our children
Colder than what mittens
Are designed to withhold.
Break your mold!

Now listen to the voice.
It leaves you no choice,
But to love all your brothers,
Sisters, play-cousins, enemies, and lovers.

"PURPOSE OF THIS CIRCUS"

2008-07-12T11:48:00.003-04:00

What in the world did this girl say
On TV today? Dismay with bombing
Everything from here to Bombay.
Hey! Whataya say WE make a new day?

What's the purpose of this circus?
Short circuitin' these vermits like a
Mergin' of three virgins.
69 more - makes you fight a war?

A jihad, free pad and pencil.
What's in store for the folklore
Passed forth to mine and yours?
Scores of sores; Force fed smorgasbord.

Receding reading has risen the ceiling
Between the proles and rich white men.
Told which right, when stopped by cops,
Once had, now gone like wind.

HARD-WORKING, WHITE AMERICANS...LISTEN UP

2008-06-28T07:22:00.001-04:00

So I'm watching C-SPAN Thursday morning while I'm getting ready to WALK to work. Representative Steven King (R), Iowa was taking phone calls about FEMA's response to the floods in his state. Of course many were comparing it to the Katrina embarrassment. The last call before I turn off the TV comes in from the Republican line. A lady in her sixties blurts out "...at least you weren't looting there in Iowa." !!!!!

Then Friday morning, this guy Stephen Halbrook, representing the NRA says "criminal activity is disproportionately done by illegal immigrants." BASED ON WHAT?!?

Both of these statements are rooted in Racism. Ignorance to the highest degree. God bless the hard-working, white Americans in their sixties and beyond. You know, the ones who still see no problem calling people COLORED. Racism is at the core of who these people are. We tend to give these older folks a pass because we think of them as our harmless little grandmas. This can no longer be. These Racist views, intentional or not, perpetuate the oppression that Racism is. Guess what the biggest percentage of voters is. Ages 65-74 = 92%

Many reasons for that, including the number of people in that generation can remember when they COULDN'T vote- minorities and white women. They often are set in front of the TV like children as well. If you set grandma in front of FOXNEWS all day, she's gonna be spouting off Bill O like your kids spouts of Dora the Explorer.

If you never leave the house or live somewhere with no people of color, your opinion comes from TV. SCARY. For those who still think that people of color are not intentionally portrayed negatively in the media, don't know any for one. And also, probably can't comprehend how it's mathematically impossible for their FAIR AND BALANCED newscasts to be proportionately accurate.

US POPULATION AS OF JULY 2007
White = 245,373,882
Black = 40,744,132
Asian = 15,165,186
American Indian/Alaska Native = 4,536,857
Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander = 1,019,301

Even if you take a mere 10% of Whites (cuz they're so GOOD) and take 50% of Blacks (cuz they're so EVIL), that would be 24.5M Whites and 20M Blacks. Anyone with ANY sense knows that one out of two Blacks are not criminals. Be honest with yourself about this. WHY are so many Black scary faces on the news? Or Brown ones stealing your jobs?

This is not an attack. It's Truth and something that needs to be understood by ALL colors. DENIAL is the biggest trait of Racism. To deny this is happening without PROOF of the opposite is fundamentally Racist. The denial doesn't have to be intentional either. That's the point. This is not personal; it's universal. Even if you do choose to ignorantly deny, it's still happening.

"BRAIN TRAINING"

2008-06-26T18:29:00.000-04:00

Time after time
You fall in line.
Quarters, nickels, pennies, dimes
Wasted on your quest to shine.

Reasons in election season
Change quickly into borderline treason.
Our kids in school getting C's and D's
And critical thinking's handled like disease.

Fund our schools.
You won't need to fund the prisons.
Both sides of the story
Makes it easier to listen.

A cost so high,
Amounts can't be tossed
Down by the boss.
Dollar signs guard the fence of the land of the lost.

Watched over by guns
And camera spies.
You think Vietnam vets feel
relieved when they die?

If you believe you can only use 10 percent of your brain,
Please refrain, or live on trickery lane
With the rest of the sheep, liars, and lames.
Valerie Plame was what got me on that train
To entertain and sustain my brain--not put it in chains.

"MAKE A MAN SMILE"

2008-06-25T17:48:00.000-04:00

IF YOU HAVEN'T HEARD...

MLK, too confrontational?
This lesson's educational.
I tell my love to grab her stool
Just to step up a level.

Bird's eye view
Once inside my vestibule.
Look upon the Doctor's views.
If his stance ain't confrontational,
Then whose?

Take that smile from on his face.
He wasn't smiling when he left this place.
Militarism, assassination, wiretap, hater-ation, worker's rights, race.
Fighting for PEOPLE cuz the color of their face; funny thing this race of race.

Historical revisionism in very bad taste.
Domestic terrorism, our history's laced.
Manipulated speeches used against causes in haste.
If he were alive today, we'd all be disgraced.

DEAR FOX,

2008-05-22T18:45:00.000-04:00

YouTube to me
2:02 PM (3 hours ago)

YouTube | Broadcast Yourself™
Dear YouTube Member:

FOX has claimed some or all visual content in your video TERRORISM WORKS. This claim was made as part of the YouTube Content Identification program.

Your video is no longer available because FOX has chosen to block it.

Claim Details:

Copyright owner: FOX
Content claimed: Some or all of the visual content
Policy: Block this content.

Applies to these locations:
Everywhere
FOX claimed this content as a part of the YouTube Content Identification program. YouTube allows partners to review YouTube videos for content to which they own the rights. Partners may use our automated video / audio matching system to identify their content, or they may manually review videos.

If you believe that this claim was made in error, or that you are otherwise authorized to use the content at issue, you can dispute this claim with FOX and view other options in the Video ID Matches section of your YouTube account. Please note that YouTube does not mediate copyright disputes between YouTube owners. Learn more about video identification disputes.

Sincerely,
The YouTube Content Identification Team

Copyright © 2008 YouTube, Inc.

_______________________________________________________________________

I respect your action in legal terms, but as a very loyal customer I wonder why you would limit the number of times I can view it. I watch your morning news, FOX43, everyday before I walk to work. It seems odd to me that I only have access to it mixed with many other violent, scary LIES. I understand television "programming" and try to use it to my advantage as much as I can. I need not use a clock to be on time. I thank you for that, but enough with the news YOUR way.

Gotta thank you for the EAGLES games every fall Sunday. That's where I practice my ignorance. Sports. It's just so curious though how you wouldn't think that 18 White police officers versus 3 Black SUSPECTS is not an important issue. I know you've seen so many of these clips that you're not even disgusted when you see them. Frankly, it's very unethical. Are you planning on following through with this story? Or are you gonna pop up and show us that it's not against the law when 0 officers go to jail in a year and a half?

You are not FNC. You're the local subsidiary. Similar agenda with local events, but that's OK. Because when you understand mind manipulation, wordplay, scary Black men in the news, broad generalizations, etc., etc., you can really get a lot from TV. You had me for a while too. But while overseas, watching Bill O on American Forces Network, I snapped out of it. ~He's too hateful~ But now, I know what to tune out, what types of titles represent, and all the SHINEY STUFF, so I can get what I want. And I WANT people to know about this. It's important to the citizens of your viewing area. Don't bury it. You know it's a perfect shot(somehow).

I have friends all over the world, and that is power. If you keep this story here in South Eastern PA, nothing is gonna happen about it. I know people from sea to shining sea, and them some. They'd be just as outraged at this. Is that why you won't let it out of this region? Because the "hardworking, White, uneducated" people here in what you now refer to as Appalachia enjoy the privilege of beating Black people without fear of repercussions?

And what's so ironic about the whole BLOCK is that the blog that accompanied this video was titled "A GOOD COP!" The followup story YOU should have been reporting- the common sense, moral actions of Commissioner Ramsey. I truly hope that was not an intentional exclusion on your part. And it will be a little fishy if some reports come out in the next few months attacking him. I know you're digging NOW.

P.S. I'm switching to NBC.

"Being Me"

2008-05-22T12:45:00.001-04:00

Being me,
I don't deny what I see.
Doublespeak & hipocrisy,
Racism, Sexism obviously.

Being me,
I write what I see.
Traditional denial, democracy?
Oppression, recession, apathy.

Being me,
I confront what I see.
Idly stand by, and you might as well be
The one tying the rope to the tree.

Being me,
I research what I see.
TV targets sheep; they follow blindly.
30 seconds can NEVER tell the whole story.

Being me,
I change what I see.
Friends, co-workers, even family.
Anti-ignorance. No matter who they may be.

A GOOD COP!

2008-05-21T18:30:00.001-04:00

I cannot believe the day has actually come where I have to eat crow. I once wrote a poem, titled "HOPE'S TIME GONE." Well, I just heard an interview of Philadelphia Police Chief, Charles Ramsey, and I must admit there are good cops. Holy Shit!

Pardon me, but I have been boiling over the SEAN BELL ANTI-VERDICT. I've been having a hard time fathoming the irresponsibility of the Judge involved. To not take the opportunity to SET AN EXAMPLE of these officers and send the message that our tax dollars are not paying them to uphold their Fraternal Order, but to protect US. All inclusive. The US Constitution and the individual State Constitutions, and whatever else we PAY them to uphold hold more wait than any of their divisive unions or clubs. Where is the "PROTECTION AND SERVITUDE" they so proudly sport on their badges?

And you always hear the the media throwing around "following procedures." And this is where I have to draw the line. I understand procedures and following them. Along with the repercussions that go along with NOT following them. So, I bought that for some time, but something just wasn't right. I'm aware of the corporate Prison Industrial Complex, and the targeting and discriminatory laws their lobbyists pay for.

You do not have the option to CHOOSE which procedures you follow. It seems that the only "procedures" they're analyzing are the ones dealing with "use of force." What about the PREVENTATIVE PROCEDURES? It seems like either they're not investigating thoroughly enough or the procedures themselves need investigation. 50 SHOTS?

And just a word to the "SEE-NO-COLOR" crowd, nice try. It seems like the right stance to take. It's not. This is RACIST. The pattern is TOO obvious. Black men being beaten by White police has become cliche in America.

For NO ONE to be convicted in the Sean Bell case was an anomaly. And then when I saw the beating above, I was losing all hope. For those not in the know about Killadelphia, there's been a WAR going on between the cops and civilians since I moved back to PA in 2004. Governor Rendell recently said that there's been an "80% increase in assaults (involving weapons) on police officers" this year. Since I've lived here, Philly has had 275+ murders/yr, police kill 20+ civilians/yr. The Philly papers compared the city to Baghdad last year. There is no fair treatment under the law.

I can't lie either, I was ready to hate on the Commish. Before he even started talking, my face was all wrinkled up in disgust. Bottom line, he slowly turned my frown upside down. He started by explaining how he used his "Commisioner's Direct Action," did his own independent review, and concluded that 8 of the 18 involved no longer represented HIS force. 4 FIRED! This is UNPRECEDENTED in the world of police brutality cases. Before trial!

He continued on about "public trust," and that "the public needs to have faith in the department." ?!? He started in January this year, was given 3 weeks to come up with a crime plan, and did it. Know how? He had 8 townhall meetings in that time period. Wow! He also said that ALL departments have this power, and that this case still is in the DA's office. Hopefully, the DOJ or Congress will take a break from Michael Vick, Spygate, & Barry Bonds, and SET A REAL EXAMPLE!

The interviewer, Mark Thompson, said of Commissioner Ramsey's action:

"THIS IS LIKE POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY CHRISTMAS!"

MULTI-AWARENESS

2008-05-19T21:00:00.000-04:00

Even though "mainstream America" can't tell you the capitols of Minnesota and Kentucky, let alone point them out on a map, I have always believed in EVERYTHING. All being possible. It's quite arrogant to think you know everything. That's the capacity you would require to denounce many of the things people do. Of course you KNOW 2 + 2 doesn't equal 5. It's a simple equation. But others not so simple tend to get disregarded and erased from memory. And still more are replaced with misinformation. Stained brains.

Up until the past few years, I've never considered Linguistics a science. But seeing the Pavlov-effect work exactly as it does on German Shepherds is sick. I think I may be in the wrong universe.

I do believe everything EVERYWHERE requires balance. So this universe of words and language requires an equal opposite. Or not? This I struggle with.

And makes me believe I'm in the wrong universe. I've done A LOT of professional interviewing in my lifetime. I've had plenty of the psychological training you get from the sales perspective. This is scary. I had to refrain from these tactics. I suffered professionally, but the job is gone and my conscience is still here, so I think I made the right call. I'm well-versed in the "non-verbals," when to change voice tone, eye contact, facial expression. And the most fun of all - trying to get a General or Colonel to do something they don't know how to do without making the impression that you know more than them. Even if it is your job. Point being, I know how to communicate. I give myself the chameleon award in that category.

BUT, it's the ones you can't reach. No matter what. You could be the 1 expert on the planet on the topic, and still couldn't explain it to them. Like talking to a blank face. Their soul's not in MY universe. I talk from the soul to other souls. Souls know the Truth. Something's taken over these lost souls.

To me, this culture of lost souls has been cultivated. Most folks are embarrassed and shameful to truly express themselves. DON'T BE DIFFERENT! True expression is frowned upon, and forced to be enslaved inside. This causes stress, and in a lot of cases CHRONIC STRESS. Aside from the little-known affects of stress on the brain, it heightens your emotional state as well. A state in which humans make their worst decisions.

We owe this all indirectly to Sigmund Freud, but more directly to his nephew, Edward Bernaise. He's the one that perfected controlling the masses through "tapping the sexual and aggressive forces hidden deep inside the minds of ALL humans. If not controlled, destroys entire societies" that his uncle discovered. He started as a war propagandist (to tap the aggression), and then took his psychological circus to the American citizens.

As a result, we're fat, TV-watchin', illusionists. The most powerful thing on this planet we all have in our skulls, and by understanding how it works allows it to be manipulated. And it's being done RIGHT NOW. Your attention span is more than 60 seconds. If you even read this far...

FOLLOWING ORDERS

2008-05-18T19:37:00.001-04:00

From being the "White boy" in my early years to the "Wigger" in my teens to the current adult Jose that doesn't speak Spanish and can't mess with the sun in the least, I was never allowed to think inside the box. Add to that, 8+ years of military service and I feel I have a PhD in PEOPLE SKILLS. I credit CURIOSITY as one of my most precious gifts. But even more powerful than the curiousness is the COURAGE to act upon said inkling. This courageous aura can only be present in the absence of FEAR OF TRUTH.

America is frequently referred to as a "COUNTRY OF LAWS." And in the same breath everyone has a "lawyer/liar" joke on the tips of their tongues. Common sense would say you would want lawyers in your corner because they are law experts. Though somehow there's a cultural disrespect and disdain for them. Adherence to this form of conditioning is self-oppressive. Meanwhile, the majority of politicians are lawyers moonlighting as PR manipulants. (yeh, I made that word up. patent pending)

To use the quote that changed America, "WE ARE LIVING IN A POST-911-WORLD." This is how you can tell: Pre-911, citizens of this country would require proof for decisions made by government officials. Now, many unknowing citizens are controlled by key words. Sort of like when you see the hypnotist snap people in and out of consciousness. "Got that new Grand Theft Auto though!"

America is also often called "THE GREAT EXPERIMENT." Textbook definition would refer to DEMOCRACY. Not one to which I subscribe, and I would caution anyone against such a subscription. One possible "experiment" could be to have two separate languages; one for the ruling class, another for the proles. Though they use the same words, these words do not possess parallel definitions.

This causes confusion and hopelessness among this country's MAJORITY. A majority consisting of over 90% of the population. But even with what would seem to be an advantage, apathy is a powerful drug. Nevermind the drugs that those who make your laws push to you, most lack motivation. It's very complex, although it may seem unreasonable to think "doing nothing" can be "complex."

Another possible experiment could be to make a make-believe society. Might seem ridiculous, purely based on the word choice. But with a few details to ponder, time and honest mental-rumination, it may seem a bit more plausible.

For example, a lot has been made of John McCain's "100 years in Iraq" statement recently. The idea of a president that is open to a 100-year commitment, of which he'd live about 10 maybe, is disgusting to most folks with brains. All the while, we're currently in a "WAR" that has been ongoing since the early 20's. THE WAR ON DRUGS!!! Albeit a civil war that borders a race war, it's a WAR. I'm not gonna rant about the Drug War right now, but there are LAWS in place that are discriminatory. Sadly, they discriminate against those same people who are miseducated and manilpulated. Not to mention highly segregated.

Recently, this can be seen in the attention brought upon the inequality in the crack/black and powder/white sentencing.

When public schools frown upon critical thought and downplay the importance of artistic expression, it does great injustice to those dependent upon this education. Our public schools have historically been responsible for programming our young people to be "good workers." And that was "OK" when jobs were available for high school graduates. This is no longer the case. What is the purpose now?

Following orders accomplishes the orderer's goals. Make your own!

"HILLARY TAKES BREAK FROM SENSES"

2008-05-08T18:30:00.000-04:00

HATS OFF TO JEFF HAWKES OF LANCASTERONLINE.COM!!!

Hillary takes holiday from senses
By JEFF HAWKES, Staff

Hillary Clinton yesterday repeated her call for a summer-long gas tax holiday, but she's not stopping there.
Hoping for an upset victory in today's North Carolina primary, Clinton proposed a temporary repeal of the law of gravity.

"My proposal would lighten the load for the hardworking families of America," Clinton, who toured a pogo stick factory, said. "I have seen very personally the challenges patriotic, churchgoing, gun-toting Carolinians are facing in these troubled times.

"They've been knocked down by predatory mortgage lenders and greedy oil company executives, and I believe they deserve a little help getting back on their feet," said Clinton, adding that when she was first lady she pushed behind the scenes for a holiday on gravity, while Bill thought it was more important to reform welfare and balance the budget.

"If I had known then what I know now, I never would have gone along," she said.

HILLARY WEIGHS IN

Clinton said she would be ready on Day 1 to tackle gravity, in contrast to her opponent, who she accused of being out of touch with gullible voters and being in the pocket of the heavy-equipment industry.

"Shame on you, Barack Obama," Clinton said before she and daughter Chelsea illustrated an escape from gravity by boarding a balloon filled with hot air.

In a conference call with reporters, Clinton campaign communications chief Howard Wolfson said the senator's novel proposal demonstrates the lengths to which she will go to lift up the growing number of pudgy Americans weighed down by eight years of failed Bush-Cheney economic policies.

Later, returning to the White House from Camp David, President Bush responded to the criticism by telling reporters, "We're concerned about gravity inside our White House. Make no mistake about it."

He added, "Ben Franklin discovered gravity, and he did a heckuva job out in that storm. But if weapons of gravity get into the hands of our enemies, my answer to that is, bring them on."

An open letter signed by more than 100 physicists warned that a gravity holiday, even just a three-day weekend with no gravity, would likely do more harm than good.

"While it's true the suspension of gravity would reduce the number of falls among the elderly and eliminate the need for suspenders, we can anticipate tradeoffs," James Neutron, president of American Society of Physics, said. "Zero gravity, it can be shown, would be problematic for lumberjacks and Olympic divers."

Wolfson countered that physicists are elitists who hold conferences in San Francisco.

QUESTION DODGED

On "This Week With George Stephanopoulos," Clinton was asked to name a credible scientist who thinks a break from gravity is feasible, let alone responsible.

"Well, you know, George," Clinton responded, "I think we've been for the last seven years seeing a tremendous amount of government power and elite opinion basically behind policies that haven't worked well for the middle class and hardworking Americans. From the moment I started this campaign, I've said that I'm absolutely determined that we're going to provide health insurance for every American and obliterate Iran if I have to, because, as I proved in Pennsylvania, I'm harder to knock down than Rocky."

"But can you name a scientist who thinks this makes sense?" Stephanopoulos pressed.

"Well, I'll tell you what," Clinton said, "I'm not going to put my lot in with scientists, because I know if we get it right, if we actually did it right, we won't have a President Obama, who's not a Muslim, as far as I know, and, boy, will we have dodged a bullet, which I remember learning how to do in Bosnia."

E-mail: jhawkes@lnpnews.com

DESENSITIZATION, SEAN BELL, & THE NEW STATUS QUO

2008-05-08T07:00:00.001-04:00

Although police brutality is nothing new to most Black folks, the access to video cameras have exposed MANY a police officer to whole departments IN ACTION. WE have a responsibility to put an end to this.

The judge in the Sean Bell case had the most recent opportunity to MAKE AN EXAMPLE of some rogue police. But instead, NOTHING. Can 50 shots EVER be an accident?

Ever since the infamous Rodney King video (and acquittal of ALL officers involved), Americans have been constantly desensitized to what this actually represents.

Events like the one above sets the new status quo. Police state, anyone? If this doesn't outrage you, then practice your silence again when you become the victim.

WHITE PEOPLE: YOU HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE THIS!!!

ISN'T AMERICA BETTER THAN THIS? I DON'T THINK SO!

"IF RACE WERE A RACE"

2008-05-06T19:00:00.000-04:00

IF RACE WERE A RACE,
WHITES WOULD BE IN LAST PLACE
PHILOSOPHICALLY, BUT MONETARILY?
LET'S PAUSE MOMENTARILY...

IF RACE WERE A RACE,
BLACKS WOULD BE IN LAST PLACE.
IGNORANTLY JUDGED BY TONE OF FACE.
TRUTH AGAIN MISPLACED; SUCH A DISGRACE!

I GOTTA SLOW DOWN THE PACE

A LOT CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO PERSONAL TASTE.
BUT TO KEEP PACE IN THE RACE OF RACE...
MANIPULATED TRAITS ARE TRIGGERED FROM HOME PLATE.
WIGGLING BAIT, PEPPERED IN HATE.

THIS CAN'T BE YOUR FATE
START TODAY
THIS CAN'T WAIT.

RACISM'S IGNORANCE CYCLE

2008-05-04T10:00:00.000-04:00

I'm sitting here watching Tim Russert interview Barrack Obama on Meet the Press, and this idea popped into my head. Hmmm...

It seems "the White man" is always asking "the Black man" to explain racism to him, but totally ignores anything that comes out of his mouth when he tries. Then wonders where the frustration comes from.

How is it not Racism on the media's part to demand Barrack to explain another man's actions for MONTHS, when on the flipside John McCain's satisfactory explanation for his acceptance of JOHN HAGEE's endorsement lasted all but 45 seconds? And it went a little bit like this...he's so silly, but he has a lot of money and influence.

Like I've told many a lady friend throughout life, especially those looking for an "honest man," DON'T ASK A QUESTION YOU DON'T WANT THE ANSWER TO!

I leave you w/ this on this beautiful Sunday morning...

1. If you've made a judgement on Rev. Jeremiah W(as)right without AT LEAST hearing the full "God-damn America" sermon AND the recent speech to the NAACP, you're decision is based on Racist roots.

2. A quick thought on Reparations for Slavery...and this is a quote from a CONSERVATIVE (I forget his name, but he wrote a book "Wrong on Racism") I saw last night on CSPAN. There's no doubt that reparations were due upon the end of slavery, and just because the government decided against it then, does not make the debt void.

The problem comes from NOW, where a lot of Whites are not racist (or as racist), along with no knowledge of their personal family history, have a very hard time accepting responsibility for these atrocities. At the same time, benefiting from them. And yes, EVERY WHITE PERSON has benefited from this government's laws pertaining to Slavery and its aftermath.

Although it's very difficult to accept, we need to. Just think about what future generations will think of our atrocities.

P.L.U.R.,
zAy

RED 18 RECORD RELEASE PARTY!

2008-05-03T10:58:00.002-04:00

Push It Away

..

In the spirit of Snoop's Doggystyle back in the early 90's, our release date was pushed back...and back...and back. And as painful and frustrating as this waiting time has been, it's over now. CD's are in hand and ready to put smiles on your faces. They're in stores and will be available online at iTunes, CDBaby, Digstation, GraceNotes, and Nielsen Soundscan within the next few weeks. In the meantime, you can get a hardcopy CD (and believe me, hearing the CD is a must) from Me, Roc, Dionn Renee, and Shizz.

No matter where you are in the world, call your local stations and request Red 18!!! Go to your local record stores and ask for it. If they don't have it yet, let us know. And they'll get it. Believe that! You can also get CD's at the release party.

WHAT: Strait Jacket Records presents Red 18. Sponsored by SCION!!!
WHEN: Sunday, May 25th
WHERE: Hardware Bar, 2nd Street in Harrisburg, PA
WHO: Red 18 and other Strait Jacket artists.
WHY: For the LOVE, as always.

Doors open @ 8 PM.

STAY AHEAD OF THE CROWD! HOLLA AT US NOW!

WE ARE WHAT YOU'VE BEEN WAITING FOR!

PLUR,
jose

PERMANENT TAX CUTS FOR WHO?

2008-05-02T06:45:00.002-04:00

SEE BELOW TO DETERMINE FOR YOURSELF IF THESE TAX CUTS SHOULD BE PERMANENT.

SOURCE

On Income, Our Top Continues To Clobber Our Bottom
A new analysis of just-released IRS data reveals the widest income gap between America's top 1 percent and bottom 90 since right before the Great Depression.

March 31, 2008

By Sam Pizzigati

Economists can't tell us much about the future. But the best of them can tell us a great deal about the past. Over recent years, two of those best — Emmanuel Saez and Thomas Piketty — have been parsing annual data from the IRS to paint a picture of where America's income dollars are going. They've just released their latest picture. It's not pretty.

income gapDollars are now flowing into the pockets of America's fabulously rich, the new Saez-Piketty data show, at their fastest rate in nearly 80 years.

In 2006, the most current year with IRS tax return totals available, the most affluent 1 percent of American households took in 20.3 percent of American income dollars.

"Not since 1928, just before the Great Depression," observes an analysis of the Saez-Piketty data by the Center for Budget and Public Policy's Aviva Aron-Dine, "has the top 1 percent held such a large share of the nation's income."

Between 2005 and 2006, the new Saez-Piketty data indicate, the average income of the top 1 percent of U.S. households increased $73,000, after inflation. The bottom 90 percent of U.S. households, over that same span, saw their incomes jump by $20, not enough to offset the cost of a parking ticket.

The picture the Saez-Piketty numbers paint gets significantly uglier when we zero in on the wealthiest of the wealthy — and look closely at how prodigiously their incomes have ballooned since the mid 20th century.

In 1956, households in America's top tenth of 1 percent reported incomes that averaged just under $1.1 million. That's in inflation-adjusted 2006 dollars.

In 2006, this top 0.1 percent averaged $6.3 million. In other words, the real incomes of these affluents have multiplied nearly six-fold over the past half-century, a 476 percent increase.

Over the same 50-year period, the real average incomes of America's bottom 90 percent increased just 32 percent, from $23,068 to $30,374.

But this 32 percent figure actually distorts the historical trend line. Over recent decades, the average incomes of the bottom 90 percent of American households have actually dropped. These incomes increased steadily from the 1950s into the early 1970s, hitting $34,065 in 1973. Since then, the average incomes of America's bottom 90 percent have dipped 11 percent.

Could this picture get any uglier? Sure can. Just consider the incomes of America's top hundredth of 1 percent. These incomes — once again, after factoring in inflation — jumped from an average $3.7 million in 1956 to $29.6 million in 2006, an amazing increase of 693 percent.

DIFFERENT WAVES FOR DIFFERENT SLAVES

2008-04-30T20:00:00.000-04:00

READ THE WHOLE THING HERE!

Two brilliant scholars and two beautiful sisters, both of whom hail from Detroit in the fields of education and linguistics, Dr. Janice Hale right here at Wayne State University, founder of the Institute for the study of the African-American child. and Dr. Geneva Smitherman formerly of Wayne State University now at Michigan State University in Lansing. Hail in education and Smitherman in linguistics. Both demonstrated 40 years ago that different does not mean deficient. Somebody is going to miss that.

Turn to your neighbor and say different does not mean deficient. It simply means different. In fact, Dr. Janice Hale was the first writer whom I read who used that phrase. Different does not mean deficient. Different is not synonymous with deficient. It was in Dr. Hale's first book, "Black Children their Roots, Culture and Learning Style." Is Dr. Hale here tonight? We owe her a debt of gratitude. Dr. Hale showed us that in comparing African-American children and European-American children in the field of education, we were comparing apples and rocks.

And in so doing, we kept coming up with meaningless labels like EMH, educable mentally handicapped, TMH, trainable mentally handicapped, ADD, attention deficit disorder.

And we were coming up with more meaningless solutions like reading, writing and Ritalin. Dr. Hale's research led her to stop comparing African-American children with European-American children and she started comparing the pedagogical methodologies of African-American children to African children and European-American children to European children. And bingo, she discovered that the two different worlds have two different ways of learning. European and European-American children have a left brained cognitive object oriented learning style and the entire educational learning system in the United States of America. Back in the early '70s, when Dr. Hale did her research was based on left brained cognitive object oriented learning style. Let me help you with fifty cent words.

Left brain is logical and analytical. Object oriented means the student learns from an object. From the solitude of the cradle with objects being hung over his or her head to help them determine colors and shape to the solitude in a carol in a PhD program stuffed off somewhere in a corner in absolute quietness to absorb from the object. From a block to a book, an object. That is one way of learning, but it is only one way of learning.

African and African-American children have a different way of learning.

They are right brained, subject oriented in their learning style. Right brain that means creative and intuitive. Subject oriented means they learn from a subject, not an object. They learn from a person. Some of you are old enough, I see your hair color, to remember when the NAACP won that tremendous desegregation case back in 1954 and when the schools were desegregated. They were never integrated. When they were desegregated in Philadelphia, several of the white teachers in my school freaked out. Why? Because black kids wouldn't stay in their place. Over there behind the desk, black kids climbed up all on them.

Because they learn from a subject, not from an object. Tell me a story. They have a different way of learning. Those same children who have difficulty reading from an object and who are labeled EMH, DMH and ADD. Those children can say every word from every song on every hip hop radio station half of who's words the average adult here tonight cannot understand. Why? Because they come from a right-brained creative oral culture like the (greos) in Africa who can go for two or three days as oral repositories of a people's history and like the oral tradition which passed down the first five book in our Jewish bible, our Christian Bible, our Hebrew bible long before there was a written Hebrew script or alphabet. And repeat incredulously long passages like Psalm 119 using mnemonic devices using eight line stanzas. Each stanza starting with a different letter of the alphabet. That is a different way of learning. It's not deficient, it is just different. Somebody say different. I believe that a change is going to come because many of us are committed to changing how we see other people who are different.

~Reverend Jeremiah W(as)right

And for anyone who wants to try to get "offended" by the title of this blog, you're the FIRST of the different slaves. The mind slave. If Truth offends you, then the problem lies within YOU. Not the Truth.

"THE DREAM REBORN"

2008-04-17T07:01:00.000-04:00

..
powered by ODEO

"WE CARRY OUR HISTORIES IN OUR BODIES"

2008-04-05T06:58:00.002-04:00

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE watch this documentary series. It’s called UNNATURAL CAUSES

We ALL need to be aware of these facts, but this is targeted to everyone that has ever said "Non-Whites need to let go of the past," or "I don’t own any slaves," or any other of the typical IGNORANCE that you fix your mouths to say.

If you think Blacks are not still suffering from slavery, just look up CHRONIC STRESS.

Nothing personal (unless you meet the above criteria.)

BEFORE U VOTE FOR MCCAIN...

2008-04-05T06:57:00.000-04:00

...and more importantly than not "getting" diversity, he doesn’t "get" the REASON for MLK’s assassination. That’s the anti-capitalist/fascist economic policy and system that would have changed this country FAR beyond the "dream" of holding hands with one another.

IMAGINE...

Everybody having a smile on their face. WOW!

A GUY CRIED ON THE RADIO

2008-04-04T06:55:00.000-04:00

If you don’t know, on this day in 1968 there was a proven conspiracy theory between the FBI, the mafia, military intelligence, & the Memphis, TN Police Department that killed Martin Luther King.

With that in mind, I’m listening to Mark Thompson on SIRIUS satellite radio, and he is taking calls about "where were you when MLK died?" Hearing the pain coming from the mouths of the callers reflecting on their 60’s and 70’s experiences is pretty intense. Black and White.

QUICK MLK FACTS:

He wasn’t scheduled to be in Memphis that day. He was called by striking workers.

He would’ve rather been working on the Poor People’s Campaign, but he saw these:

He was working on an economic plan, which included full employment legislation and guaranteed income.

When speaking of the future, he said we "must stay unified" and "must stay on issue."

Sadly, we haven’t and look where we are. Start with the mirror.

OUR MELTING POT

2008-03-29T06:54:00.000-04:00

7-10 YEARS FOR SLAVERY?!?

2008-03-28T06:52:00.001-04:00

IS FLORIDA TRULY SORRY? That’s genuine, right?

Mom and daughter guilty of slavery charges
Vanessa Blum, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Published: Wednesday, March 05, 2008

SOURCE

A Fort Lauderdale federal jury on Tuesday convicted a south Florida mother and daughter on slavery charges for keeping a teenage girl from Haiti in servitude for six years.

After deliberating 51/2 hours, the jury of six men and six women convicted Maude Paulin, 52, a former middle school teacher, and her mother, Evelyn Theodore, 74, of conspiring to enslave the girl, forcing her to work and harbouring an illegal immigrant.

Paulin’s ex-husband, Saintfort Paulin, 60, was found guilty of harbouring an illegal immigrant.

Miramar resident Claire Telasco, 43, Paulin’s sister, was acquitted of all charges.

Any relief at Telasco’s acquittal was overshadowed by grief among friends and relatives gathered in support.

The Paulins’ daughter ran from the courtroom wailing after the clerk read the first guilty verdict against her mother.

"Injustice. Injustice," Telasco seethed as she left the courthouse.

"Innocent people are going to jail for trying to help."

During the five-day trial, Simone Celestin, 22, testified she was brought to the United States from Haiti when she was 14 to be a maid in the Paulins’ home in southwest Miami.

She said she was forced to sleep on the floor and work 15 hours a day cleaning the house instead of going to school.

Celestin also testified she worked without pay on the weekends for Telasco -- a charge for which the jury did not find sufficient evidence to convict.

Attorneys for the four defendants, all U.S. citizens from Haiti, had argued Celestin made up the slavery story to secure legal immigration status as a victim of human trafficking.

They insisted the family rescued Celestin from an orphanage and tried to enrol her in school, only to be turned away because she was too far behind.

"I’m disappointed," said Leonard Fenn, Theodore’s lawyer. "I thought the government’s case was weak."

Paulin and Theodore face likely sentences of seven to 10 years. Saintfort Paulin, 60, faces roughly one year. The three remain free on bail until their sentencing, set for May 20.

© The Calgary Herald 2008

FOR WHITE PEOPLE WHO...

2008-03-26T06:46:00.000-04:00

THINK RACISM ENDED WHEN YOU TOOK DOWN THE SIGNS. LOOKS LIKE YOU’RE STARTING TO PUT ’EM BACK UP!

PLEASE HELP!!!

P.L.U.R.,
zAy

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR OBJECTION

2008-03-20T06:44:00.000-04:00

THIS IS WHAT’S GOING ON...

SUPPORT THE TROOPS!!! END THE WAR!!!

Hatred

2008-03-15T06:33:00.001-04:00

RED 18 (unreleased)

2008-01-30T07:08:00.000-05:00

2007 RAP-UP!

2008-01-02T07:58:00.000-05:00

5 mOst ExpEnsIvE AddIctIOns! (UPDATED FOR 2008)

2007-12-30T16:20:00.000-05:00

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX, HOMIE!!!

For those of you who don't know, my cat's name is HOMIE!. And it usually takes a little cAtnIp to get him to at least THINK outside the box.

3/18/07: Anyway, today I wanna talk about thE 5 mOst ExpEnsIvE AddIctIOns:

And ironically on this st. pAtrIck's dAy wEEkEnd, the MOST expensive addiction is Alcohol, w/ an estimated annual cost of $166 BILLION! Now, I know this is a sensitive subject for A LOT of people out there. And without a doubt, alcohol and I are very, very fond of one another. I had some of the bEst and dEfInItEly thE wOrst experiences of my life UndEr thE InflUEncE. I started drInkIn' at a pretty young age, and although my consumption has definitely decreased over the years, there was never a time that I can remember where I didn't drink ANYTHING for longer than a year or two. We're talking probably a span of 15-16 years (half of my life); and strangely I've never considered myself dependent on alcohol. Hmmmm...? I have thought of completely quitting as a goal. sUch A dIlEmma!

How about this? ...LET'S ELECT SOMEONE WHO WILL MAKE ALCOHOL ILLEGAL!!!

12/30/07:
I've come to realize this year that when you actually USE your brain, you don't like ANY interruptions. Your brain is close to 80% water and there is no greater dehydrator than "the juice." It's getting to the point where I'd rather sprain my ankle than suffer a hangover (which is actually withdrawal symptoms.) Top priority for the New Year! I guess it comes down to having something else, more productive to do. Still a continual battle…

3/18/07: The 2nd most expensive addiction is SMOKING, estimated $157 BILLION ANNUAL COST!

Excuse me if it sounds like I'm taking these personally, but hopefully we can get to one that I'm not contributing to. AAAAHH! So this one is even more personal than the drinking because I'm cUrrEntlY At wAR wIth nEwpOrts! I haven't had a puff since the first week of January! This is a battle I've had many times before, BUT this time, as you noticed, I referred to it as a WAR. And I say that confidently because this time I had the mEntAl wAkEUp cAll!

This story can be confirmed by thIs gUY......but the first day of my quit-smoking-struggle, I was TAKEN to a few bars and I didn't pay for one drink, but I had a lot to drink!!! And I was even voicing my concern to this non-smoking group of unsensitive, peer pressure-applying, unsupportive, drink buyers...but my words fell upon deaf ears. MORAL OF THE STORY: I DIDN'T SMOKE! thIs AlsO hElps! I'll keep you updated...

12/30/07:
Again, as I puff this f*ckin' Newport, it comes down to having a healthier "time-filler." THEY say it's harder to get off Nicotine than Heroin. Though that may explain why a lot of the homeless Vietnam vets were disproportionately strung out on that "China White." They were trying to kick cigarettes! Or maybe not? Nonetheless, squares are tuff to shake, especially during stressful times. My 2008 plans are a little more stable and structured (for now), so I hope this leads to a higher consciousness for me, where WHATEVER void exists that smoking fills no longer exists. Starting/quitting again Wednesday, Jan 2. READ MORE BOOKS!

3/18/07: The number THREE spot also hits pretty close to home. DRUGS! Let's try to look at this at a very basic level. Besides the thE wAr On tErrOr, the WAR ON DRUGS is the most ridiculous idea ever created. It's a great POLITICAL strategy! And executed beautifully I must add. WOW! Drugs are a part of OUR culture! That's what happens when a government recruits the best scientists from EVERY country in the world, and has a pOpUlAtIOn Of OvEr 300 mIllIOn, of which the bottom 1/3 is slowly being exterminated by various physical, mental, economic, etc., experiments and studies. AND DRUGS ARE A BIG PART OF THIS!!! I guess my biggest frustration when it comes to drugs is the hypocrisy involved. Don't get me started on prEscrIptIOn drUgs...and that whole mess! Even if we ignore HOW drugs get in the country, WHERE they end up, WHEN they're available (usually kinda tuff around election time, I've heard), we're left with the WHO and WHY!

WE SHOULDN'T HAVE PLACES IN OUR COUNTRY WHERE IT'S EASIER (SOMETIMES CHEAPER) TO GET DRUGS THAN FOOD!!! This is such a SAD and DISHEARTENING subject. Amazingly, it took us till the 3rd spot to come to a partially ILLEGAL addiction.

12/30/07:
I would absolutely LOVE if tobacco was illegal. But overall I feel EVERYTHING should be legal and regulated. Do some legitimate studies on the health effects of cocaine, THC, etc., AND compare the side effects to the ones rolling up my TV screen, requiring 5-minute commercials. Without honest analysis of the facts, which our government seems totally against, the "war on drugs" will continue oppressing us alongside the new "war on terror." Shit's depressing…

3/18/07: NUMBER 4: OVEREATING($107 BILLION)

The mere existence of the chart above is CRAZY! Add to that, ESPN televises these "competitions(?)" now! People are being rewarded for THIS! The direction MY FINGER is pointing on this one is fAst fOOd and vIdEO gAmEs Who knows what's in fast food? YOU?

With all that being said, I must admit that I am yet again contributing to the list. For me though, it's more LACK OF EXERCISE than OVEREATING. But I gotta plan for that too. With the weather trying to break into spring here in the NORTHEAST, my plan is to run the track around my complex on Monday and Wednesday mornings before I go to work. In the meantime, I'll be playing basketball Fridays, 4:30-6:00. AND WHAT ABOUT YOU? START HERE!

12/30/07: Lack of exercise easily can be defined as lack of motivation. Four months of unemployment in 2007 could've been such an opportunity. Shoulda, coulda, woulda's are senseless. It takes a big man to get up and run in the morning with bills on the table. I'm growing, but I ain't GROWN. But on the upside, my NEW house and NEW job are 3 blocks away. Walking distance! I can't wait to be ignorant of the gas prices. Now, I just have to decide between an iPod or the Sirius walkman…

3/18/07: I COULDN'T RESIST THIS PIC! But 5 is GAMBLING! And I can honestly say, I've never had a close affiliation with the gambling community! For me, it never went any further than some scratch-offs or a MARCH MADNESS bracket @ work!

12/30/07:
Slot machines were recently added to Pennsylvania's Lotteries and Horse Racing revenue-builders. Although gambling may be the only vice I DON'T have, this "gambling in PA" hits very close to home. Lancaster real estate taxes are pretty high. BUT, if the gambling revenues hit a certain $ amount, TAX BREAK! So although I could care less in 2007 whether gambling was sanctioned or not, it now piqued my interest. The quandary is "cheering" for people to throw their money away. The hopeless tugs on the nickel slots…

MY STANCE AS OF 3-18-2007:
(ON A SCALE OF 1-5, 5 = QUIT, 1 = IGNORANTLY LOVIN' IT)

1) ALCOHOL: 3, Cutting down, but I'm lOvIn' thIs shIt rIght nOw!
2) SMOKING: 4.8
3) DRUGS: 1
4) OVEREATING: 4
5) GAMBLING: 5

CHECK YOURSELF! IT'S FOR YOUR OWN GOOD! PEACE!

12/30/07:
1) ALCOHOL: 4
2) SMOKING: 3
3) DRUGS: NEED MORE STUDY
4) OVEREATING: 4
5) GAMBLING: 5

MAKE 2008!

BILLS, BUSHES, & BULLSHIT!

2007-12-16T16:20:00.000-05:00

Demolition halted! Thank god. This is serious stuff. I've long surrendered to the facts of American ignorance, but there's no better time to wake up to the truths of the world than right now. Let's take a little deeper look at what is and isn't happening in the aftermath of our country's worst natural disaster (so far.)

We all have events that touch our hearts in a way where it becomes a part of you and expands your being. For better or worse, these events are usually very emotional times for you. And we all know how irrational emotions can make us. That's why it's very important to be conscious of events that may change your perspective forever. To be unaware of certain triggers or sensibilities you may have is very detrimental to your self. Another topic entirely, but you feel me.

Needless to say, Katrina has been one of these events for me. I can't let it go. Every chance I have to hear an "update," I'm there. It takes over my life for however long the report may be. The shame of it all is that I'm disappointed 99% of the time. To this day, the only good news is the saints winning their division last year. All other news borders human rights violations.

We know of the televised delayed response, the media's labeling victims as refugees and looters, gun confiscation executed by Blackwater, cops going AWOL, lack of ANY organization on state and local levels, no-bid contracts to haliburton, increase in illegal immigrant workers, homelessness, thousands still displaced all around the country. Just to name a few.

I was definitely not a fan of former democratic governor Blanco, but with the recent election of a Republican governor, it begins to look quite hopeless for residents of Louisiana, and New Orleans public housing in particular. 4,500 units were scheduled to be demolished yesterday, to be replaced with fewer units. This is the Federal answer to New Orleans in a time where their homelessness has doubled to 12,000 since before Katrina hit. I've heard nothing on the improvements needed for the levees from the Army Corps of Engineers. Probably because they're working on the new elevated, hurricane-proof Gulf Coast money-maker.

This is a horrible chain of events we're witnessing. And to think your community could not fall victim to this greedy neglect of human rights and infrastructure is a mistake. If it rains, snows, or hales in your area, you're at risk. The national guard and their equipment's primary mission is disaster relief. They're no longer available for this purpose because of the continuous deployments to the Middle East. These are the types of services we could depend on because of the taxes we over-pay. No longer the case.

It's no secret, as we saw in Minnesota, we need serious upgrades of our infrastructure. That's not gonna be cheap, and we'd rather spend this money to defense contractors for little-to-nothing in return. There is a COUNTLESS amount of money unaccounted for with no one asking where it is. This missing money could provide universal healthcare, update our infrastructure, and make us proud to be American again. Maybe we could even start manufacturing something here.

Somewhere along the way, "people" has turned to "person." Many Americans run their rat race, with no interest in their fellow citizens' well being. Life is way bigger than you and your family, and like it or not, your actions are a part of the whole. As is every single person's on this planet. A trees does make a sound in the woods, even when you're not there. "HELP!"

And a verse to close on:

Bill, Bush, and Katrina
Nothing could come between ya
During the world tour
For the poor,
Poor people who bought
Your snake oil plot.
Where's the money?

"ROCKS N POWDER"

2007-12-15T16:20:00.001-05:00

CRACK KILLS IN MANY WAYS
BEBES LIVE LIFE IN A DAZE
NO CLUE TO TRUE VIEWS
BRUISES ATTRIBUTED TO WHO?

YOU, YO, ME, TU
ANYBODY YOU KNOW WHO
HEARD OF CITIES
WHERE THEY FEED THEIR HIJOS
CONTAMINATED TITTIES

CRACK HAS A HISTORY
W/ NO DISCRIMINATION
EFFECTIVE EXECUTIVE GIFT
FROM THE REAGAN ADMINISTRATION

KILLS MORE PEOPLE THAN BULLETS
POISON PLANTED AMONGST THE TULIPS
WHOSE LIPS KISS PIPES ON TWISTED WRISTS?
AND WHOSE COLLOSAL NOSTRILS ARE "ON THE LIST?"

ARE WE READY FOR THE TROOPS TO COME HOME?

2007-11-17T16:20:00.000-05:00

After came home from Iraq

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Everyone's a cheerleader when it comes to "bringing the troops home." We're great cheerleaders. We yell good. That's a nice title to the book, but what fills the pages inside is what really matters. It's irresponsible to bring home 160K+ troops and throw them out in the street. That's what's happening now with the few lucky ones that get out of Iraq alive. There has to be a more intense transitional program for these men and women. People of any service are asked to perform various tasks civilians simply will not/can not do. A lot of times there aren't simple parallel job/skill sets outside the DoD. Where's the VA?

Another concern I have with this clip is why are these people out of the military. Are they doing tours and getting out? Signing up for shorter terms? Guard? Reserve? I know the enlistment requirements have "loosened," but I wasn't aware of 12-15 month enlistments. The role of the Guard and Reserves has been totally redefined. Any recruiter will have to tell you 1-2 tours in Iraq in a 4 year enlistment. Weekend warriors no more. Their "real-life" jobs are not kept as required either. Companies employing them are required to allow them to serve and hold the job, but that return is no longer guaranteed. The company is put in a very tough moral dilemma. As has become apparently clear in any moral decision, the companies will put profit above people. They roll the dice...

Could you leave your job, serve 2 years in Iraq, then return without skipping a beat? What if you were hiring someone 3 months removed from Iraq? Would you discriminate? We can't deny the mental well-being of people who volunteer to do what we won't, for what we want. What does that say about us?

We made a terrible mistake after invading Iraq. No plan. Look what has become of the situation. Possibly, an endless war. The Americans who've sacrificed to serve for this cause will forever be questioned, right or wrong. Right now they're doing what they NEED to do in order to survive. Needless to say, most of what's going on in Baghdad would not fit into everyday life back here in the US. And like any human, they need help. Regardless if you agree with the war, those sent to fight it have earned our support. No price is too high.

Gas is now more than $3, never to return. Food, clothing, and shelter are as expensive as ever. Although your TV will tell you different, we are in a very bad fiscal position. Have been and only getting worse. It's a challenge for anyone within this economy of ours right now. A year or two to fight a war helps no one, but the arms dealers. We've sent so many jobs overseas that it's almost impossible to revive an economic model where the middle class could thrive like it once did.

Over 35 MILLION Americans went hungry last year. That's 12% of our population. The bottom 12% don't eat, while the top 10% controls 71% of the wealth. One is aware of the other. Sadly, the wrong one.

Not many of us will ever get a chance to perform a job where we would give our life doing it. It takes a great cause to warrant that intensity of purpose. Or a great lie. Many of our neighbors, family members, fellow citizens are being used as tools for a plot that has nothing to do with what they're told. For the cause of AMERICAN FREEDOM. When they return from their noble cause they're treated as if their contracts have expired. It's as if those running this war are fine with 100% casualty rate on both sides. Play your position, slave.

I WANT THE TROOPS HOME, BUT I WANT THEIR EXPERIENCE TO BE BETTER THAN BAGHDAD. THAT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A GIVEN.

WHAT MORAL HIGH GROUND?

IF PERCEPTION TRULY IS REALITY...

2007-11-15T16:20:00.000-05:00

I remember a time when I could've laughed at this video. No longer. It's very sad to me. If you've never been to another country and talked to PEOPLE from there, it may be difficult to follow me. Please do. I want to discuss the perception of Americans and how we feel about it. This is the true stereotype we need to be concerning ourselves with. It has nothing to do with your skin color, race, creed, religion, etc. It's about BEING American, as opposed to ACTING American. We have some flaws, ya'll. And we have to take responsibility for these flaws and more importantly acknowledge them. It's impossible to fix the problem if you don't know what it is.

Many people are stuck in the era when MADE IN USA meant something good. There was a pride that went along with it. This is no longer true. The majority of our exports are PIECES, which get put together in another country, then imported back in for us to consume. Usually child labor with little to no safety standards. Where we now excel is EXPORTING ARMS.

When I was in the Air Force, I always said it was like living in a bubble. I was stationed in 3 countries for 6 years, and the bases overseas are all-inclusive. You can live a pretty full life without ever leaving the base. Movies, bowling, shopping, sports, clubs, shooting range, you name it--it's on there. It makes for a powerful community. It may sound crazy, but the proudest and most AMERICAN I've ever felt was when I was outside of the country. So much so that when I finally got stationed in the US, it completely turned me off to the military. Here it was treated like just another job. There was nothing special about it. I got out shortly thereafter.

Two experiences that I will NEVER forget and that completely awoke me to the true perception/stereotype of Americans. First one was during the 2000 election. I was living in England and worked with a British lady in her mid-50's. She was very "cheeky." She matched my sarcastic wittiness, and that's the relationship we had. I would always get on her about the Queen, and paying 17% on EVERYTHING to her. So for those few days during the recount/theft, she left me have it. As a result, I took an interest and made it a point to keep current on politics. At first it was foreign policy because I was living outside of the US.

The second experience I've mentioned before, but it's just as relevant now. It was in July-August 2001, Mozambique Africa. While there, to skip the operational details, it was me, my Contracting officer (military), and a local civilian off the streets. He was the one that spoke the best English. Our trio was together when we weren't sleeping. The man's name was Hanifo. A few things I learned about Mozambique that surprised me was that it was a Muslim country and they drive on the left side of the road. Looking back now though, I remember having a conversation sprouted by his question of "where were our jewels, chains, diamonds; we're American, right?" He got this American stereotype from MTV. I say American because I'm not Black. He mentioned P. Diddy during the discussion, but he didn't mention him being Black. He mentioned him being American.

This bothers me. This is firsthand experience; not a damn video game! This is what REAL PEOPLE think about us. The stories of the feelings of the people of Panama are a whole other chapter. We Americans identify everything as a THING. No matter what. Whether it's a price, a figure, statistic or anything else that can sparkle in a PowerPoint presentation. That's the issue we face in this Internet Age of marketing campaigns, mind control consumerism, email, chat rooms, and everything else that keeps you inside your home and avoid SPEAKING WITH PEOPLE.

Since the Civil Rights Movement, Americans have been getting more and more apathetic. I don't believe it's the people's fault entirely because we've been bred as a people to not settle for less. Everything to the extreme. Corporations tapping into our emotions to recoup the wages they pay. That's valid only if you're unaware though. Now we know. Expand your awareness, go outside, talk to people, travel, experience.

I truly believe we are what we do. If you don't do shit, you ain't shit. And you shouldn't go through life with pre-packaged ideas that aren't even yours and think you got a leg to stand on. It's easy to say he's Muslim = TERRORIST; she's speaking Spanish = ILLEGAL; he's wearing a $3000-suit = CROOK. It makes it easier to DEAL with your own life to throw similar things into the same box, but look what it's doing to the world.

PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE NO MATTER WHAT YOU CALL THEM!

DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT, ANYTHING...

RESPECT THRU EXPERIENCE

2007-11-13T16:20:00.000-05:00

Any butter bar LT will tell you they're not fully prepared for the amount of responsibility bestowed upon them in their first couple of years. It's understandable; ROTC cannot simulate being in charge of 50-60 people and sometimes being the face of an organization, with a Colonel or General to answer to. In these cases, the LT usually has a seasoned enlisted person as training wheels until they get the hang of it. Even though the LT may out-rank the enlisted person, knowledge and experience demand respect. There's no substitute for experience. No degree is worth a damn if you can't apply it.

Experience is a level of truth. What we do molds us into who we are. That's why most people prefer on-the-job training compared to classroom instruction. Personally, I think the classroom instruction would be far more effective AFTER some time on the job, but that's another topic. The point is that experience exudes confidence, which breeds leadership. There's nothing more powerful than the aura of a great leader. I've yet to experience this outside of the military. Civilians tend to have "bosses."

Last week, Mr Bush SAID he got some "FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE" of shooting at insurgents in Baghdad. WHAT?!? A FUCKIN' VIDEO GAME?!? I'm sorry George, but a couple minutes on a video game is not firsthand experience of WAR. You get NO RESPECT for that experience. In fact, you lose ANY that you may have had. Add that to the "possibility" of his draft-dodging escapade, and you see what kind of coward this guy is. He did everything in his power to avoid GOING TO war. What kind of confidence you must have in the greatest military EVER not to even go.

The man has NEVER had to start at the bottom and EARN his way up the ladder. There's NO experience that can garner my respect for this man. And the worst part about that is HE DOESN'T CARE. I doubt if he even knows OF people of my stature. The closest he's probably ever come was when he was THE TEXECUTIONER.

My plight, like millions of others like me, is FICTION. It doesn't exist, except for in statistics. There are no REAL programs to uplift us. There are EXCEPTIONS who prosper, like a rose from the concrete. Usually there's no looking back though. Get out and stay out. The people who control the quality of our lives have no connection to them. They vote based on dollars, not effects of the laws. S-CHIP is a prime example; that's not real money. And it's paid for! For God's sake, it's a program that will pay for itself. Taxing cigarettes for children's healthcare makes PERFECT sense to me.

IF BUSH KILLS ALL OF OUR KIDS, DOES THAT MEAN NOBODY WILL HAVE TO PAY THE BILL FOR THIS WAR?

IS IT ME OR AMERICA?

2007-11-12T16:20:00.000-05:00

Firstly, HAPPY VETERANS DAY! And although it was technically yesterday, your government will take today off to remember (or forget) it. Great use of tax dollars, considering the current state of our country's checkbook. We'll be dead before the bill comes due I guess. As a veteran, it's such a slap in the face for this country's LEADERS to "observe" this holiday at the same time their actions show us they don't give a shit.

It has become cliche to thank veterans for their SACRIFICE. It seems elementary, but DEATH is not the ultimate sacrifice for veterans. I would say the disabled veterans sacrifice far more than those who give their life. This may not make sense to some. To you I would recommend researching the treatment of veterans.

HOMELESSNESS is a HUGE problem amongst returning combat veterans. You'd think with a combined budget in excess of $525 BILLION, that the DoD or DHS would at least be able to provide FOOD. CLOTHING, SHELTER to the returning veterans. Not our government and not US! Yes, us! It's OUR responsibility, as citizens, to hold our representatives accountable for their votes. UNLESS, we concur.

Most homeless veterans are suffering from an assortment of psychological disorders. And we're not talking about "bad childhood" repressions either. It's like transitioning back FROM HELL. Daily bomb blasts, dying comrades, no sense of purpose or reason. Just do, "follow orders." Work side-by-side with civilians, who earn 3X as much, have no laws, or respect. Not to mention, REPEATED & EXTENDED TOURS OF DUTY. Serve an initial 15-month tour, return for 3 months, get diagnosed with PTSD, then off you go for another 15 months.

There's no doubt it takes a special kind of person to devote your life to the defense of America. The devotion is layered. It's not just the ACTIONS of those who actually serve, but the REACTIONS of the families as well. This is the where you see the ULTIMATE SACRIFICE. See, this word SACRIFICE has been sold to us to mean "servicemen/women who have died during war." But when you look beyond this surface meaning you can see where the military meets the civilian sector.

It's very difficult for civilians to understand (and accept) the requirements of military service. This leads to very stressful relationships in peace time, let alone a very unpopular war. It's a combination of secrets and absence. The great thing about relationships in general is sharing experiences and growing closer together. It's one thing to be apart from someone, but it's an entirely different thing when it's a SEPARATION OF WORLDS. A civilian wife with 3 kids, living in the US and an infantry soldier in Baghdad have very little in common. There will likely be psychological consequences for both. It's very sad to see how those responsible for sending these folks to war completely disregard them personally.

I see this and wonder how we can allow it. All the financial consequences of war aside, this is on a human level. There is something we ALL can do to stop this mistreatment of our citizens and service people. We don't seem to care about the cost, either financially or humanely. SO WHAT IS IT EXACTLY THAT WE DO CARE ABOUT? ANYTHING OF SUBSTANCE? ANYTHING THAT ACTUALLY CONTRIBUTES TO THE EXISTENCE OF OUR SPECIES?

Compassion now seems to be perceived as weakness...

fAshIOn pOlIcE stAtE!

2007-10-12T16:20:00.000-04:00

" Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

People express themselves in so many different ways in this country. There are many different views and reasoning behind them. The beauty of it all is that we're allowed to express these feelings (pretty much) freely in comparison to other countries around the world. To me, the 1st Amendment is THE most important freedom we have (for now). Humans need to express themselves in order to thrive. If not, our suppressed feelings will build up until they can no longer be held inside. We can see this happening in our SCHOOLS.

There is currently a huge push by the powers-that-be to CENSOR US THROUGH OUR FASHION. GEORGIA, TEXAS, LOUISIANA, and MARYLAND (to name a few) are trying to ban the "poopy-bill." For those who know not of what I speak, this is baggy pants. ALEX BENNETT, a radio talk show host said it best when he said "the only thing more stupid than wearing your pants that low is the government passing a LAW that you can't." This may seem trivial to most, but the significance is that it sets a new standard for us to tolerate.

Another example of authority suppressing our free expression are the cases of KYLA EBBERT and JOE WINIECKI. Both were harrassed because of their dress by Southwest Airlines. Joe for wearing a "Master Baiter" t-shirt, and Kyla for apparently being too sexy.

On a more serious note, FREE SPEECH ZONES and THE ARREST of people wearing anti-Bush t-shirts at rallies is a DIRECT attack on our most beloved right.

I truly don't understand how Americans, who claim this is a country of laws, ignore the PROOF of the destruction of our Constitution, BUT buy the BULLSHIT sold by this administration. Time and time again we go along with what the president SAYS, based on nothing more than his word. Once he gets his way, it's PROVEN to be based on lies and yet we still seem to be OK with it. To that, I say this: in the words of our SHEEP-HERDER (GWB),

"THERE'S AN OLD SAYING IN TENNESSEE - I KNOW IT'S IN TEXAS, PROBABLY IN TENNESSEE - THAT SAYS FOOL ME ONCE, SHAME ON - SHAME ON YOU. FOOL ME - YOU CAN'T GET FOOLED AGAIN."

"DECEPTION"

2007-10-11T16:20:00.000-04:00

We listen, but don't hear.
Look, but don't see.
Although it's quite clear
And obvious to me

We've lost our way.
Have no direction.
Gone so far astray,
It threatens our protection.

Scared to admit it,
State of denial.
Should be admitted,
Hospitalized without trial.

Glimpses of truth,
Cling on to like life.
Accept without proof,
Contradicting the light.

Deception is rampant,
Best interests no more.
How can you stand it?
Enabling the gore.

Tic-toc, tic-toc
Open your eyes
I told you the plot
Don't be surprised.

tOrtUrE, sEcrEcY, & xEnOphObIA!

2007-10-10T16:20:00.000-04:00

My surprise has long been replaced with sadness. Each time this administration abuses its unchallenged power and "privileges," I lose more and more hope. Yesterday, the Supreme Court TERMINATED the case of Khaled el-Masri, on the WORD of the Bush administration. They claimed STATE SECRETS PRIVILEGE. I can understand the need for such a privilege, BUT it should be substantiated by facts and testimony. During the height of the COLD WAR, this privilege was exercised SIX TIMES, while Bush has used it 39 times since 2001. George LOVES his secrets and privileges.

The arrogance being exhibited by our Supreme-Court appointed president is reflected upon us. Other countries don't see the everyday American who lives their life with respect for others. They see (and unfortunately hear) HIM. We have to stand up and demand accountability. The PATRIOT ACT and the MILITARY COMMISSIONS ACT has made the definition, and our stance, of torture a GREY AREA. As a result of this ruling, we've shown the rest of the world that we DON'T CARE about justice. We'll kidnap you (because you're Muslim) while on vacation, fly you to a country (where we denounce THEIR human rights policies), TORTURE you, admit we made a mistake, then deny you any recourse.

We do this all in the name of SECURITY.The rest of the world is not going to put up with this for much longer. We're making MORE enemies with these secret, discriminative policies. I'm sorry, but you can't claim the moral high ground and TORTURE! We're being desensitized to this. ALL independent studies show the ineffectiveness of torture, but as usual FACTS, SCIENCE, and HUMANITY are disregarded. We're at a crossroads, and we CAN'T be silent. This isn't about security or terrorism; it's about HUMANITY!

If you think that you're safe because you abide by the law or you're not Muslim or of Middle Eastern descent, I urge you to watch this...

PLEASE WAKE UP!

nEgAtIvE mOrAlItY, AbstInEncE, & scIEncE!

2007-10-09T16:20:00.000-04:00

To all whom consider themselves RELIGIOUS, this is not an attack on you or your beliefs. I am not writing through MY emotions or feelings. I request you don't read with YOURS. There are some uncomfortable truths we must acknowledge and update to reach our potential as a society. For too long we have avoided productive debate of grievous topics, such as discrimination, oppression, suppression, corruption, and authority.

We're mentally trapped in years past and it's very personal to us all to challenge what we think (without thought.) The programming, the conditioning, the brain-washing- it can NOT be denied. UNLESS you do not believe in SCIENCE. It's critical for us (and future generations) to modernize our brains and habituate to the current political and societal systems and the tactics used therein. We are no longer in the era of the perpetuated guise of "THE AMERICAN FAMILY."

The morals and ethics we use for the basis of our policies are OUTDATED. We need to recognize this and stop our blanket approval of the action of our "leaders." For example, this myth of abstinence being the most effective form of birth control is IRRESPONSIBLE AND IGNORANT. Anyone who doesn't agree, need look no further than the AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. AMA's recommendations for Sex Ed include education, along with abstinence. Somehow, this holds no weight with the government and its policies. Probably because it involves educating people and allowing them to make an informed decision. This would go against the policy of "we'll tell you what to think and how to act."

We are enabling our government's double-speak. Forget the sound bites from the news and the headlines from the papers. They are coming from the government! Plus, you can't come to an honest conclusion on ANY topic based on these slogans. If you're views stem from Bill O'Reilly or Jon Stewart, you're not informed. These guys are ENTERTAINERS and cheerleaders to a certain extent. Base your views on people's ACTIONS, not their opinions. Because you're told America is the moral standard for the world DOES NOT make it so.

Let's take a look at RANDALL TOBIAS. Before his resignation because of his involvement with the DC MADAME, he ran the PRESIDENTS EMERCENCY PLAN FOR AIDS RELIEF. As usual, the TITLE of this program makes you feel proud of your country's involvement. But just as usual, the underlying and true intent of the program is to spread Christian values as the highest moral measurement in the world. In order for countries to receive financial aid, they must completely denounce prostitution and pre-marital sex. EVEN if prostitution is already legal and regulated in the country.

CHANGE is very difficult to accept, especially when it doesn't work in your favor. The refusal to accept change hurts everyone. To think "abstinence-only" is an effective, let alone the ONLY, way to prevent unwanted births is ignorant. This is our country's policy. If you've ever spoken with a teenager, or even BEEN one, you know of the curious and rebellious nature. When told NOT to do something, it becomes the first item on their to-do list. And to think the majority will abstain from sexual intercourse until marriage (CURRENTLY 25-26) is unrealistic. Why not provide adolescents the tools required to make informed decisions based on FACTS and not outdated TRADITIONS? We ALL want to live in a perfect world, but it's IMPOSSIBLE!

The blatant disregard of SCIENCE within in this administration is extremely detrimental to "Joe & Jane Citizen." Basic psychology proves the contradiction of "abstinence-only" education and the countless subliminal sexual innuendos within television, print, and internet programming and advertising. We're such a sexual frustrated society, and it shines bright trough the number of sexual and violent offenses within any period of time within our history.

The political denial of science also works against our best interests on very basic levels. Why are the 10 COMMANDMENTS portrayed from the negative? I truly believe that if communicated positively, "Christians" would be less hypocritical.

Instead of telling people what they SHOULD NOT do, how about telling them what they SHOULD do?

P.L.U.R.,
zAy

THE TRUE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA!

2007-10-08T16:20:00.000-04:00

Today is Columbus Day. It gives us another opportunity to analyze the facades we Americans call holidays. This day is particularly important when it comes to the identification of our country and what we've stood for since this "discovery."

For many who have read more history than what's in your high school textbooks this will come as no surprise. For many others who "don't like history" or accept the pretty picture painted by the government through our public school systems, this will seem very uncomfortable. With an open mind, it can be very enlightening. The confusion many currently have between their perceptions and the truth is the root of many of our social ills. It's much easier to accept these lies (and traditions) when you haven't been a victim of them. Someone has to pay a price for liberty and freedom, and it's not always voluntary. Those who enjoy the fruits of the labor, should be the ones that performed it. I believe it to be intellectually responsible to at least discuss the facts about the oppression and slavery in our country's past.

Whether intentional or not, the convenient disregard of the oppression and genocide of the indigenous people (Indians or Native Americans) is a serious problem. Moreover, propaganda has molded a very "bad guy" stereotype. We have to be truthful with ourselves. Just because someone tells you "Indians are savages" does not make them savages. The same logic can be applied to "we stand for freedom and democracy." Both instances require PROOF to be considered truth.

Native Americans have every right to be OUTRAGED! Not only were they stripped of their land, natural resources, and culture, they were discriminated against in various ways throughout our history. The reservations they were allowed came with conforming requirements. They were provided materials to help transition them to the NEW way of the NEW WORLD. Although granted citizenship in 1924, state laws were applied to voting rights. To this day, labeled as GHOST TRIBES, they still fight for federal recognition. During the decades following the end of slavery, they were further oppressed because they didn't fall within the Race categories at the time, BLACK and WHITE. It's very troubling to imagine having hopes of being a recently-freed slave as an upgrade of human rights.

We are NOT the land of the free and home of the brave. As I've said before, the only time the White men who run this country DO NOT discriminate is when they decide WHO to discriminate against. We are fed this illusion of we are ALWAYS the "good guy." And like anything, if you hear it enough you'll believe it. That does not make it true. We look very ignorant as a people to the rest of the world. As we preach one thing, we practice another. That seems to be a recurring theme in the actions of our leaders. Yet we choose to turn a blind eye.

No matter what cause they disguise their true motive as, question it. It's quite obvious when looking at the direction of our country, that the true measuring stick of the value of life in America is MONEY. We are a powerful country because we are bullies. We're not respected; we're feared. There is a difference.

This country was founded on killing and stealing. We will not be able to get past this fact until we acknowledge it. Our melting pot is currently filled with oil and water. I'd like to give South Dakota credit for NOT celebrating Columbus Day, but Native American Day. We need to ACT like the people we SAY we are.

Are YOU truly COMPASSIONATE, OPEN-MINDED, TOLERANT, EMPATHETIC, INDEPENDENT, INSPIRING, HELPFUL, GENUINE?

WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER, BUT IN ORDER TO BE TOGETHER WE MUST SHARE THE SAME TRUTHS!

LET'S PLAY RACE CARDS!

2007-10-07T16:20:00.000-04:00

There's nothing more personal than the color of your skin. And unless you got MICHAEL JACKSON MONEY, you're forced to play with the "cards" you're dealt. At the simplest levels, it's continually perceived as an individual test. If "I" do what I gotta do, then I can be as successful as anyone. Whether you define success by the balance of your bank account or the number of people you help, you do so for happiness and security. We ALL want to be able to live our lives only having to answer for our INDIVIDUAL actions. Unfortunately, our "melting pot" society requires MORE than that to reach its potential.

By no means am I implying that it's ONE race's responsibility to fix the problem. It's the responsibility of ALL individuals to take their stand based on FACTS, not FEELINGS. Feelings and emotions are the enemy of reason. No one knows it all, but we all have the same access to information. Before disregarding someone's plea because it doesn't align with you're minute piece of reality, question it. Don't attack it. The questioner is the controller of conversations.

What kind of facts am I talking about? One example would be the 3/5 COMPROMISE. It seems horrible to many in this day and age that our government would only count 3 out of 5 Black votes. To others, they still see it happening. From the recent CAGING of votes to DISCRIMINATING LAWS that target the "little guy" instead of the true mastermind. These laws have greater impact than most know.

One of the most famous of these laws is the Rockefeller Drug Laws in New York. Other than locking up disproportionate numbers of minorities, they also dislocate families. The affects of this can easily be seen in the state of the inner-city family. Where it's not so easy to see is in the locations of the prisons. Most State and Federal prisons are located "up-state," e.g., out of the cities and into the suburbs where "not as many" minorities live. You might say, "what's the problem?" To that, I would say the problem lies in a misrepresentation of the people. The districts where these prisons reside CAN include the prison population as constituents, although the inmates CANNOT vote. The minority vote is taken both from the individual AND the community that truly needs their voices heard.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE DISPROPORTIONATE FELONY ARRESTS IN CALIFORNIA - 2005

POPULATION STATS

ARREST STATS

TOTAL POPULATION = 36 MILLION +
WHITE = 27+ MILLION (77%)
BLACK = 2 + MILLION (6.7%)

TOTAL FELONY ARRESTS = 538,000+
WHITE = 180,000+ (33%)
BLACK = 113,000+ (21%)

PERCENTAGE OF POPULATION ARRESTED
WHITE = .6%
BLACK = 5.6%

Any rational person should see there is room for concern. This is one example of why minorities believe there is a WHITE PRIVILEGE. We all need to be truthful with ourselves. It may sound corny, but "injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere." These words still ring true because it's fundamental truth. If you allow discriminative behavior in your presence, you might as well be doing it. How does someone know it's wrong if they're never told.

All Americans, Black or White, are missing their history. Blacks had theirs forcibly taken away, while Whites are intellectually misled. I ask my White brothers and sisters to research your country's true history, and I ask my Black brothers and sisters to be patient with Whites when it comes to issues of race relations. The racism is SO ingrained that it's subconsciously denied. No matter how loud we scream at each other about how much our side is right, it will do nothing but make the situation worse.

WE NEED EACH OTHER. LET'S TALK!

mIlItArY fIgUrEs!

2007-10-05T16:20:00.000-04:00

This video sets the general tone, but I want to focus on the LATEST MURDER OF AN AMERICAN SOLDIER. This one hits particularly close to home because she was not a combat soldier; she was in a finance battalion. It's basically the Army equivalent to my job in the Air Force. During my time, there was definitely a difference between the two. Besides the traditional haggling that goes on between different services and jobs, there seemed to be a decreased level of respect towards those in support jobs. It was similar to watching a football game with your girlfriend. "Yeh, you're watching the game, but you don't know what you're watching."

The dues paid by ANY person that chooses to serve ANY amount of time in ANY branch of the military are countless. The sacrifices made are equivalent to living in another culture or civilization. Although an oath to uphold the Constitution is required to serve, the rights provided by it diminish after the oath. Your thoughts and words are suppressed in support of the greater mission. This is no easy transition. Before I enlisted in 1996, I fed right into the perception of the brainwashed soldier. Once inside, I realized it wasn't so much brainwashing, but the power of belief in a common cause. Details are less important when the ENDS justify the MEANS. It's an amazing example of the power of unity. So many different demographics brought together, all playing their part, and showing the best of America. Unfortunately, strategic decisions are based on politics. It's "highly recommended" that service men and women do not participate in politics. Apparently, SPC CIARA DURKIN got a little too close to the politics side of things.

A conclusion I came to before my honorable discharge in 2004, was that it should be a requirement that young men and women spend 1 year in the "real world" before enlisting in the military. Surprisingly, it was not the new recruits that validates my opinion. It was actually the retiring members that I had to process out. I saw about 20-30 people either separating or retiring per month for a year. The reasons people were getting out were as numerous as the reasoning behind it. But the soon-to-be retiree that entered right out of high school, now 40 yrs old, was SCARED.

The White House currently seems A BIT CONFUSED about our country's stance and definition on torture. It seems like the NEW status quo allows for the answers to our questions to be laughed off or ignored. Meanwhile we're neglected and left to find truth in the next soundbite, slogan, or costume. Britney, how are we gonna repay off this record spending with nothing in return? Paris, what are we gonna do about the melting polar ice caps? Mike Vick, I know you can help me out with the outsourcing of all sub-college level jobs! OJ, you know a little about Habeas Corpus!

I'm COMPLETELY disgusted in the fact of ab(using) soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines is the driving political edge right now. It's ONE thing to politicize dying heroes, but to neglect them at the same time is inhumane. The overall policy of the last six years leads me to believe that the ONE THING that any politician can relate to is MONEY. Even within criminal circles, there are ETHICS. It would seem that someone always on the take, would dish it out every once in a while. The rate of return awarded to these politicians, should AT LEAST warrant MORE THAN 50 BUCKS A MONTH!

I've written about the HUMANITY OF THE TROOPS several times. It's very close to me. Not necessarily for obvious reasons either. Being a part of something on any level is always very fulfilling, but lower levels tend to be less organized. To experience being a part of the Military-Industrial Complex and all the psychology that goes along with it gives me hope. It showed me it is possible for people, no matter their circumstances, to unite and be the BEST in the world.

If only we had a motivation of peace...

ONE FOR THE GOOD GUYS!

2007-10-04T16:20:00.000-04:00

THEY ACTUALLY FIRED THIS MF'ER!

"HOPE'S TIME GONE"

2007-10-03T16:20:00.001-04:00

Back when hope was here, it was alright to be queer,
Or nowhere near your ethics.
Back when hope was here, it shoulda been so clear,
We needed to adjust our methods
Of expressing ourselves, empowering others.
Instead of video games, which don't make proud mothers,

War games on the street, not to mention the schools
Can't learn what they teach, frustration just brewed.
Hope was so strong; without words, such support.
Looking for fellowship; found it in sport.
Hope coached me, taught me, and kept me honest.
Taught me what's temporary; beauty is modest.

Hope was always on sale; no coupon ever needed.
Taken for granted like water; especially while weeded.
Hope was not timeless; as I've recently learned.
Tried to share what I knew with others; they turned
Their ears, while my tears doused the ignorance burned
Into the minds of my friends, my brothers, my sisters

Pissed her off a couple times with uncomfortable truths
Rather root for the Eagles, BBQ, and sip booze.
So many ways to leave this world for a minute or permanent,
But it's so hard to stand up and ensure you determine it.
Hope was Truth's best friend; a very important requirement
Hopeless orphans of the world, this is more than just retirement.

(F)LA to La. to (A)LA(BAMA) to (IL)LA-(NOIS)

2007-10-03T16:20:00.000-04:00

Simply amazing! As if the NEED for security guards in our public schools wasn't embarrassing enough, it's now come to this. THIS guy got caught, but I'm sure there's plenty more where he came from. I'd like to know how many of these "security guards" and police have used STEROIDS. It would explain a lot.

"IT'S GETTIN' KINDA HECTIC!" -Snap, 1990.

If you question whether we're heading towards a police state, don't. Are these examples of Protection or Servitude?

(IL)LA-(NOIS)

CHICAGO POLICE TORTURE AND LIE UNDER OATH

(A)LA(BAMA)

JUDGE SPANKS INMATES IN PRIVATE ROOM OF COURTHOUSE

L.A.

SECURITY GUARD BREAKS STUDENT'S WRIST FOR DROPPING CAKE

La.

COPS ACQUITTED FOR BEATING OF SENIOR CITIZEN SHORTLY AFTER KATRINA

(F)LA

SECURITY GUARDS TASER A STUDENT AFTER 90 SECONDS ON MIC

It's happening right in front of us...
...while we cover our eyes and ears and go "La, La, La, La, La!"

"THE MIRROR"

2007-10-02T16:20:00.000-04:00

As beautiful as you sometimes may be
Lately, you've been pretty scary to me
And others. From some of the hardest brothers
To wrangler-wearing honkeys.
From Ese's to Pilipino,
ALL potential monkeys.

To be thrown in a cage,
No reason, just rage.
Inside YOU is the answer; Truth hurts sometimes.
Still selling dimes or writing rhymes?
It's your time to step up; it's finally arrived.
Test of a lifetime; For the future of all children, yours and mine.

70-plus hours, 7 days a week.
Such a perfect technique
To keep the giant asleep.
Dreaming the American Dream,
"I need stuff!"
That means more hours, but your family's tough.

Your country of laws is reflecting its flaws
While you deny your responsibility to fix it.
Born to be free, dues paid for a minute.
Get in it; participate or watch it diminish.
No more shaking your head in frustration
Action is needed to avoid subjugation.

Dear mirror, I need you to shun me away.
I do my best work without you, I must say.
Although looking at you sobers me much,
You also inspire very deeply, I'm touched.
You've provided the question for me to answer.
I'll stand up for my freedom, so others have the chance for.

frEE wIll (On crEdIt)!

2007-10-01T16:20:00.000-04:00

YOU CAN WATCH THE FULL SERIES HERE

We are pounded and pounded with this myth that we ONLY USE 10% OF OUR BRAINS. I consider this propaganda on the same level of how Republicans, specifically the president, REPEAT the sames lies over and over. Those not conscious of it, break down quickly, and it becomes their truth. No longer can we ignore our subconscious minds. It gives those who do NOT ignore it a very huge advantage. That's especially dangerous when you realize WHO has open access to this science. Brain waves are vulnerable to ANYTHING on their rhythm. A simple example would be music. Not to mention the PRODUCTS MARKETED to help us with such.

America is SELFISH. Maybe not you, personally, but collectively we are a selfish people. It runs extremely deep; it's arguably our roots. Besides our consumerism/consumptionism, our treatment of people has degraded to the level of some 3rd World country. I don't feel our actions accurately reflect our (theoretical) principles. We discriminate based on race, sex, and religion, which evolves into economic discrimination. Most people I talk to are not totally evil. Although they may be suffering from subconscious conditioning, most prefer peace and unity. We ALL have our triggers. When they're pulled, we have no choice. We're like Reggie Jackson needing to kill the queen.

You're foolish not to recognize the power of subconscious manipulation. And you're ignorant to think that it's not being used by our government, media, and advertisers. I'm not saying this is easy to overcome, but I AM saying it's essential. Each one of us need to establish our personal and family principles, morals, and ethics. Then hold ourselves accountable to them. You can't fight an enemy if you don't acknowledge its existence.

Without a doubt, the PAST 25 YEARS has brought this planet advancement never before seen in all disciplines. Science has become religion. Many conspire to discredit science, but it's truth. You can't argue with the mathematics. It seems reasonable to conclude truth being the answer to a question. Time is also truth. We all have the same amount of minutes and seconds in a day. How you spend that time determines the number of days you get. What you're doing NOW affects what you're doing NOW. And somewhere a scientist can show you the equation of why.

On more basic levels, mathematics can easily be your bank statements. No matter what church you go to, who you have sex with, or what you pump in your veins, that's fact. Daily management of the "blips on the screen" also regulates your number of days. Within these concrete guidelines of life's mathematics, we naturally answer THROUGH OUR EMOTIONS. This fact, and tactic, has led us to our current state of confusion.

Finances aside, Americans have used up their FREEDOM CREDIT LINE. We've been enjoying the freedoms passed on to us. We haven't EARNED any freedoms. As cliche as it may sound, "Freedom ain't free." In order to enjoy the freedoms of the Constitution, you have RESPONSIBILITIES. Many are unaware of these responsibilities. They'd rather be shopping or watching TV. The results of this action, or inaction, is perfect for Capitalism. Consume, consume, consume. Buy, buy, buy. Bye-bye!

If the collective apathy of the "sleeping giant," known as the American people, continues, it will awaken to a government completely controlled by the corporations that gave them the sleeping pill, and it will become mathematical truth that their democracy has been stolen and replaced with a profit driven government system.

DO NOT EXPECT SOMEONE ELSE TO DO SOMETHING YOU ARE NOT, YOURSELF, WILLING TO DO.

Intellect comes from controlling your emotions.

P.L.U.R.,
zAy