Friday, October 10, 2008
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Important Listening
Listen to Jimmy Baldwin this morning--especially his talk at Berekely High School in 1974.
Friday, October 03, 2008
Horrible Incident in Akron,Ohio
The case of the woman in Akron, Ohio who shot herself in the abdomen in order to keep from being evicted is atrocious and is a shameful blemish upon this country. I think it is absolutely horrific that a ninety-year-old woman has to shoot herself in order to live with dignity and in peace! Outrageous!
The Horrors of America's Mortgage Crisis
A ninety-year-old woman shot herself after being evicted. Read the story.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
To John McCain/Palin
Barbra From Funny Lady: " And I can get a laugh without a moose or a cow or a buffalo or whatever hell else you try to bring in here."
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
I Was Just Thinking About It
A couple of years ago I bought Erykah Badu's Worldwide Underground because I wanted "Love of My Life." I wanted to kick her ass.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
A Sad Look at the Times; Paulson Swoons
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
The Wonderful Way It Works
S,o I am researching Mary Foster McDavid for an article I am writing and it has been a hellacious time trying to do so. Alas, I have called all over the country trying to find records of her--the National PTA-which had some record of her, the SEF, and Atlanta, Georgia. However, the biggest gold came today as I churned my brain for ways to find information on this woman who was married to my uncle and died so very long ago. So, I thought to call a very established person in the Montgomery community-indeed an institution in the community--and ask for his help. It was a great help indeed. His wife put me in touch with the man who had been principal of the Mary Foster McDavid Elementary School. Well, this man is indeed a blessing. Not only did he know who I was talking about, but he was a great friend to Fess McDavid and knew both Fess and M.F. McDavid(who my people called Dear) quite well. A well of information and a promise of more to come.
Thoughts
Firstly, did anyone see Charlie Crist the other day on The Today Show say that he couldn't guarantee fair and free elections in Florida? Now there are rumors that in certain parts of the country, the GOP has been sending absentee ballots to elderly democratic( and black) voters. We must watch these people!
Monday, September 22, 2008
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
Emma Lazarus, 1883
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
Emma Lazarus, 1883
Saturday, September 20, 2008
From Barbra
The Country Can't Afford to Elect John McCain
We are in the worst financial crisis this country has faced in modern times. During these eight long years of Republican control, we have seen runaway greed, the deregulation of financial institutions and the mismanagement of the housing market resulting in the skyrocketing number of home foreclosures. This has led to a disastrous unraveling of the U.S. economy. We can’t continue with four more years of the irresponsible practices and policies of the Bush Administration.
The country can't afford to elect John McCain! In his own words he admitted that he didn't know much about the economy. The day the stock market plunged 504 points, McCain agreed with President Bush that "the fundamentals of the economy are strong." For 26 years in Washington, McCain has supported deregulation of the financial sector. He even chose Phil Gramm, a key player in the mortgage crisis, to be his chief economic adviser before the former Texas senator resigned in disgrace. With this type of judgment, who would be Treasury secretary in a McCain administration?
McCain has illustrated his lack of judgment time and time again. Not only did he pick an unqualified running mate, but he supported the Bush Doctrine, this preemptive, unnecessary war in Iraq, a war that Barack Obama was against from the beginning. Five years later, the war continues, costing the American public $435 million a day…money that is desperately needed here at home.
So, as the war wages on and the economy continues to falter, as the government spends billions bailing out companies from bankruptcy, who is left to pay the bill? The American taxpayers…the people who are working harder for less and are watching their 401K, pensions and life savings disappear. Barack Obama is fighting for these people.
We need a President Obama, a man of intelligence, integrity and vision, to end the war, to lift us out of this economic storm, and to lead this country back on the road to prosperity.
We are in the worst financial crisis this country has faced in modern times. During these eight long years of Republican control, we have seen runaway greed, the deregulation of financial institutions and the mismanagement of the housing market resulting in the skyrocketing number of home foreclosures. This has led to a disastrous unraveling of the U.S. economy. We can’t continue with four more years of the irresponsible practices and policies of the Bush Administration.
The country can't afford to elect John McCain! In his own words he admitted that he didn't know much about the economy. The day the stock market plunged 504 points, McCain agreed with President Bush that "the fundamentals of the economy are strong." For 26 years in Washington, McCain has supported deregulation of the financial sector. He even chose Phil Gramm, a key player in the mortgage crisis, to be his chief economic adviser before the former Texas senator resigned in disgrace. With this type of judgment, who would be Treasury secretary in a McCain administration?
McCain has illustrated his lack of judgment time and time again. Not only did he pick an unqualified running mate, but he supported the Bush Doctrine, this preemptive, unnecessary war in Iraq, a war that Barack Obama was against from the beginning. Five years later, the war continues, costing the American public $435 million a day…money that is desperately needed here at home.
So, as the war wages on and the economy continues to falter, as the government spends billions bailing out companies from bankruptcy, who is left to pay the bill? The American taxpayers…the people who are working harder for less and are watching their 401K, pensions and life savings disappear. Barack Obama is fighting for these people.
We need a President Obama, a man of intelligence, integrity and vision, to end the war, to lift us out of this economic storm, and to lead this country back on the road to prosperity.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Republicans Plan to Disenfranchise--From Color of Change
It's the ugliest attack on voting rights we've seen in recent history --if you live in Michigan and you're in danger of losing your home to foreclosure, Republicans will try to take away your right to vote.1
McCain's response? Silence. Like Bush in 2000 and 2004, he's trying to keep a safe distance from these tactics, while benefiting from them. McCain could end this with a phone call. But he won't.
It's voter-suppression at its worst. They're taking advantage of folks falling on hard times and using it for political gain--kicking people while they're down. It's time to hold McCain publicly accountable for this strategy.
Will you join us in outing McCain for not denouncing these tactics and invite your friends and family to do the same? It just takes a moment:
http://colorofchange.org/michigan08/?id=1866-234260
For years, Republicans have engaged in "caging"--challenging the eligibility of voters on election day to suppress turnout and intimidate voters. 2 They'll often try to reject voters by claiming they don't live at the address where they're registered. This year, they've taken it to a new low--the chairman of the Republican Party in Macomb County, Michigan said last week, "We will have a list of foreclosed homes and will make sure people aren't voting from those addresses." 3
In other words, they'll target every voter whose house is on a foreclosure list, and challenge their voting rights on election day. But just because your name is on a list, it doesn't mean that you've lost your home or moved. In fact, many homeowners stay in their homes for months after the foreclosure process has begun, and some people are able to catch up on their payments and reverse the process.4
So why are Republicans illegally targeting homeowners who've had a tough time under Bush's economy? Because they know they're likely to vote for Democrats, and for Obama for President. In Michigan, over 60% of sub-prime loans were made to African-Americans. 5 And in general, people who've been hit hard by the economy are less likely to vote for Republicans. This tactic won't just affect struggling homeowners--it will cause longer lines and delays at the polls for everyone that lives in a neighborhood with a high number of foreclosures. And that's the point.
After making the plan public, Michigan Republicans are backtracking and claiming they were misquoted.6 But everything indicates that these are exactly the kinds of tactics they'll use,7 and they're just trying to squash an embarrassing story.8
Similar tactics are being used across the country, but the McCain campaign simply sits in the background, quietly benefiting from voter suppression. The Obama campaign is fighting against this plan in the courts, 9 but they need our help to expose these dishonorable tactics and make this a national story.
If enough of us step up and connect the dots, we'll give the press a reason to make the connection between McCain and what's happening in Michigan. And as we've seen in our other campaigns,10 when we stand together behind a clear message, the press covers it and moves our message forward.
Calling on McCain to publicly reject these tactics is just the first step in our campaign to shame the Republican Party for attacking the voting rights of struggling homeowners.
Please join us:
http://colorofchange.org/michigan08/?id=1866-234260
Thanks and Peace,
-- James, Gabriel, Clarissa, Andre, Kai, and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
September 17th, 2008
1. "Lose your house, lose your vote," Michigan Messenger, 9/10/08
http://colorofchange.org/link/?cat=mich&?id=1866-234260&link=1
2. "Caging list," Wikipedia
http://colorofchange.org/link/?cat=mich&?id=1866-234260&link=2
3. See reference 1.
4. "Obama campaign files suit over "voter-foreclosure" plans," Michigan Messenger, 9/16/08
http://colorofchange.org/link/?cat=mich&?id=1866-234260&link=4
5. See reference 1.
6. "Flap over foreclosure challenges in Michigan grows," Chicago Tribune, 9/16/08
http://colorofchange.org/link/?cat=mich&?id=1866-234260&link=6
7. "Former GOP operative explains why Republicans will use foreclosure lists to block voters," Michigan Messenger, 9/15/08
http://colorofchange.org/link/?cat=mich&?id=1866-234260&link=7
8. "Messenger rejects GOP plea for retraction," Michigan Messenger, 9/12/08
http://colorofchange.org/link/?cat=mich&?id=1866-234260&link=8
9. See reference 4.
10. ColorOfChange.org campaign against Congressional Black Caucus debate on Fox News
http://colorofchange.org/link/?cat=mich&?id=1866-234260&link=10
11. "D.N.C. Shuns Fox in Debate Schedule," The Caucus (New York Times blog), 4/5/07
http://colorofchange.org/link/?cat=mich&?id=1866-234260&link=11
McCain's response? Silence. Like Bush in 2000 and 2004, he's trying to keep a safe distance from these tactics, while benefiting from them. McCain could end this with a phone call. But he won't.
It's voter-suppression at its worst. They're taking advantage of folks falling on hard times and using it for political gain--kicking people while they're down. It's time to hold McCain publicly accountable for this strategy.
Will you join us in outing McCain for not denouncing these tactics and invite your friends and family to do the same? It just takes a moment:
http://colorofchange.org/michigan08/?id=1866-234260
For years, Republicans have engaged in "caging"--challenging the eligibility of voters on election day to suppress turnout and intimidate voters. 2 They'll often try to reject voters by claiming they don't live at the address where they're registered. This year, they've taken it to a new low--the chairman of the Republican Party in Macomb County, Michigan said last week, "We will have a list of foreclosed homes and will make sure people aren't voting from those addresses." 3
In other words, they'll target every voter whose house is on a foreclosure list, and challenge their voting rights on election day. But just because your name is on a list, it doesn't mean that you've lost your home or moved. In fact, many homeowners stay in their homes for months after the foreclosure process has begun, and some people are able to catch up on their payments and reverse the process.4
So why are Republicans illegally targeting homeowners who've had a tough time under Bush's economy? Because they know they're likely to vote for Democrats, and for Obama for President. In Michigan, over 60% of sub-prime loans were made to African-Americans. 5 And in general, people who've been hit hard by the economy are less likely to vote for Republicans. This tactic won't just affect struggling homeowners--it will cause longer lines and delays at the polls for everyone that lives in a neighborhood with a high number of foreclosures. And that's the point.
After making the plan public, Michigan Republicans are backtracking and claiming they were misquoted.6 But everything indicates that these are exactly the kinds of tactics they'll use,7 and they're just trying to squash an embarrassing story.8
Similar tactics are being used across the country, but the McCain campaign simply sits in the background, quietly benefiting from voter suppression. The Obama campaign is fighting against this plan in the courts, 9 but they need our help to expose these dishonorable tactics and make this a national story.
If enough of us step up and connect the dots, we'll give the press a reason to make the connection between McCain and what's happening in Michigan. And as we've seen in our other campaigns,10 when we stand together behind a clear message, the press covers it and moves our message forward.
Calling on McCain to publicly reject these tactics is just the first step in our campaign to shame the Republican Party for attacking the voting rights of struggling homeowners.
Please join us:
http://colorofchange.org/michigan08/?id=1866-234260
Thanks and Peace,
-- James, Gabriel, Clarissa, Andre, Kai, and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
September 17th, 2008
1. "Lose your house, lose your vote," Michigan Messenger, 9/10/08
http://colorofchange.org/link/?cat=mich&?id=1866-234260&link=1
2. "Caging list," Wikipedia
http://colorofchange.org/link/?cat=mich&?id=1866-234260&link=2
3. See reference 1.
4. "Obama campaign files suit over "voter-foreclosure" plans," Michigan Messenger, 9/16/08
http://colorofchange.org/link/?cat=mich&?id=1866-234260&link=4
5. See reference 1.
6. "Flap over foreclosure challenges in Michigan grows," Chicago Tribune, 9/16/08
http://colorofchange.org/link/?cat=mich&?id=1866-234260&link=6
7. "Former GOP operative explains why Republicans will use foreclosure lists to block voters," Michigan Messenger, 9/15/08
http://colorofchange.org/link/?cat=mich&?id=1866-234260&link=7
8. "Messenger rejects GOP plea for retraction," Michigan Messenger, 9/12/08
http://colorofchange.org/link/?cat=mich&?id=1866-234260&link=8
9. See reference 4.
10. ColorOfChange.org campaign against Congressional Black Caucus debate on Fox News
http://colorofchange.org/link/?cat=mich&?id=1866-234260&link=10
11. "D.N.C. Shuns Fox in Debate Schedule," The Caucus (New York Times blog), 4/5/07
http://colorofchange.org/link/?cat=mich&?id=1866-234260&link=11
Foreclosure Disenfranchisement
How can they disenfranchise people because their homes are in foreclosure?
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Good Lovin'
Patti Labelle
I sure don't mind givin you good lovin' baby
You know I don't mind givin you good lovin' baby
You love me unlike any love I've ever known
I really do appreciate it baby
The way you call my name sweet baby
Ev'ry little touch, every little kiss
I never felt as good as this
So anytime you call me baby
I'll be there to give you what you need
[Chorus:]
I sure don't mind givin you good lovin' baby
Anytime you want me baby
I'll be there to give you what you need
You know I don't mind givin you good lovin' baby
Anytime you need me sugar
Satisfaction guaranteed
I'm feelin you, and I really wanna let you know
You can have what you want anytime you want me
No matter what it is anything just ask me
Everytime we touch, everytime we kiss
Wanna give you more of this
So just call me baby
I'll be there to give you what you need boy
[Chorus]
[Bridge:]
I won't hesitate no,
You know that I'm here for you baby
Cause the love you give to me
Makes it so easy to return
That's why I don't mind
I sure don't mind givin you good lovin' everyday
I sure don't mind givin you good lovin' baby
I sure don't mind givin you good lovin' baby
No matter what you want, any time you want me
No matter what it is, anything just ask me
You know I don't mind givin you goood lovin' baby
No matter what you want, any time you want me
No matter what it is, anything just ask me...
I sure don't mind givin you good lovin' baby
You know I don't mind givin you good lovin' baby
You love me unlike any love I've ever known
I really do appreciate it baby
The way you call my name sweet baby
Ev'ry little touch, every little kiss
I never felt as good as this
So anytime you call me baby
I'll be there to give you what you need
[Chorus:]
I sure don't mind givin you good lovin' baby
Anytime you want me baby
I'll be there to give you what you need
You know I don't mind givin you good lovin' baby
Anytime you need me sugar
Satisfaction guaranteed
I'm feelin you, and I really wanna let you know
You can have what you want anytime you want me
No matter what it is anything just ask me
Everytime we touch, everytime we kiss
Wanna give you more of this
So just call me baby
I'll be there to give you what you need boy
[Chorus]
[Bridge:]
I won't hesitate no,
You know that I'm here for you baby
Cause the love you give to me
Makes it so easy to return
That's why I don't mind
I sure don't mind givin you good lovin' everyday
I sure don't mind givin you good lovin' baby
I sure don't mind givin you good lovin' baby
No matter what you want, any time you want me
No matter what it is, anything just ask me
You know I don't mind givin you goood lovin' baby
No matter what you want, any time you want me
No matter what it is, anything just ask me...
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Subject: Bolivia: Deaths in the Amazon
Written by Franz Chávez
Saturday, 13 September 2008
(IPS) - The Bolivian government declared martial law in the northern province of Pando after as many as 15 indigenous supporters of President Evo Morales were killed by rightwing protesters near the town of Cobija.
A group of public employees of the provincial government of Pando, in the hands of the rightwing opposition, intercepted the victims as they were heading to a meeting of Morales supporters from Amazon jungle communities, where they planned to organise resistance against the pro-autonomy demonstrators who have been occupying public offices and holding protests over the past few days.
The killings occurred in the context of a wave of demonstrations that broke out on Tuesday, when members of the rightwing Santa Cruz Youth Union (UCJ) took control of public offices in the central Bolivian city of Santa Cruz, after breaking past the military and police cordons protecting the buildings.
The pro-autonomy movement led by Santa Cruz Governor Rubén Costas and backed by the regional governments of Beni, Pando, Tarija and Chuquisaca, which with Santa Cruz make up Bolivia's relatively wealthy "eastern crescent," has in practice put an economic stranglehold on the country by blocking the main highways and partially cutting off supplies of natural gas to Brazil and Argentina.
On Thursday, leftwing President Morales, the first indigenous president in the history of Bolivia, accused groups of landowners in the eastern lowlands provinces of "financing a criminal mentality," and warned that "patience also has a limit."
The Roberto Galindo hospital in Cobija presented a dramatic scene as emergency room personnel tended those injured in the attack. They had deep slash cuts from machetes and axes, as well as bullet wounds from shotguns and rifles.
Some of the dead had bullet wounds from firearms used in the "ambush" of the government supporters, which took place in the early hours of Thursday morning with the goal of preventing a meeting in the small town of Filadelfia, 50 kilometres south of Cobija, according to the local representative on the Comité de Vigilancia (Citizen's Watch committee), Leyla Tudela.
Former Mayor of Cobija and leader of the Movimiento Amazónico de Renovación Democrática (MAR, Amazon Movement for Democratic Renewal) Miguel Becerra told a local radio station that it was "a massacre of the campesinos (indigenous peasants), some of whom were run over by a truck belonging to the governor's office."
For their part, supporters of the governor of Pando, Leopoldo Fernández, accused Becerra of instigating the violence.
The Deputy Minister of Social Movements, Sacha Llorenti, a close Morales adviser, said the victims were shot in an armed attack by "hired killers" in what he described as "an outright massacre" in Cobija.
Llorenti blamed the incident on Governor Fernández, a rightwing landowner with a long track record in Bolivian politics.
On Friday, the executive branch asked Congress to take action against Governor Fernández for the Porvenir massacre, according to the government news agency Agencia Boliviana de Información (ABI).
Violence continued Thursday in the slum neighbourhood of Plan Tres Mil on the outskirts of Santa Cruz, which is basically populated by Aymara and Quechua Indians from Bolivia's impoverished western highlands provinces.
UJC groups attacked a neighbourhood market where indigenous people sell their wares, and local residents showed up to protect the vendors.
Native people who have settled in the neighbourhood, originally from the western provinces of La Paz, Oruro and PotosÃ, are in fear of being attacked by the radical rightwing youth groups.
Meanwhile, in the town of Yacuiba, on the border with Argentina, a group of demonstrators swarmed a natural gas facility that exports fuel to Buenos Aires, and managed to cut off supplies.
Bolivia exports six million cubic metres a day of natural gas to Argentina, Bolivia's second largest gas export market after Brazil.
An attack on the gas pipeline to Brazil Wednesday reduced the volume of gas flow from 26 to 23 million cubic metres per day, creating concern among diplomats at the Brazilian embassy in La Paz.
--------------------
Written by Franz Chávez
Saturday, 13 September 2008
(IPS) - The Bolivian government declared martial law in the northern province of Pando after as many as 15 indigenous supporters of President Evo Morales were killed by rightwing protesters near the town of Cobija.
A group of public employees of the provincial government of Pando, in the hands of the rightwing opposition, intercepted the victims as they were heading to a meeting of Morales supporters from Amazon jungle communities, where they planned to organise resistance against the pro-autonomy demonstrators who have been occupying public offices and holding protests over the past few days.
The killings occurred in the context of a wave of demonstrations that broke out on Tuesday, when members of the rightwing Santa Cruz Youth Union (UCJ) took control of public offices in the central Bolivian city of Santa Cruz, after breaking past the military and police cordons protecting the buildings.
The pro-autonomy movement led by Santa Cruz Governor Rubén Costas and backed by the regional governments of Beni, Pando, Tarija and Chuquisaca, which with Santa Cruz make up Bolivia's relatively wealthy "eastern crescent," has in practice put an economic stranglehold on the country by blocking the main highways and partially cutting off supplies of natural gas to Brazil and Argentina.
On Thursday, leftwing President Morales, the first indigenous president in the history of Bolivia, accused groups of landowners in the eastern lowlands provinces of "financing a criminal mentality," and warned that "patience also has a limit."
The Roberto Galindo hospital in Cobija presented a dramatic scene as emergency room personnel tended those injured in the attack. They had deep slash cuts from machetes and axes, as well as bullet wounds from shotguns and rifles.
Some of the dead had bullet wounds from firearms used in the "ambush" of the government supporters, which took place in the early hours of Thursday morning with the goal of preventing a meeting in the small town of Filadelfia, 50 kilometres south of Cobija, according to the local representative on the Comité de Vigilancia (Citizen's Watch committee), Leyla Tudela.
Former Mayor of Cobija and leader of the Movimiento Amazónico de Renovación Democrática (MAR, Amazon Movement for Democratic Renewal) Miguel Becerra told a local radio station that it was "a massacre of the campesinos (indigenous peasants), some of whom were run over by a truck belonging to the governor's office."
For their part, supporters of the governor of Pando, Leopoldo Fernández, accused Becerra of instigating the violence.
The Deputy Minister of Social Movements, Sacha Llorenti, a close Morales adviser, said the victims were shot in an armed attack by "hired killers" in what he described as "an outright massacre" in Cobija.
Llorenti blamed the incident on Governor Fernández, a rightwing landowner with a long track record in Bolivian politics.
On Friday, the executive branch asked Congress to take action against Governor Fernández for the Porvenir massacre, according to the government news agency Agencia Boliviana de Información (ABI).
Violence continued Thursday in the slum neighbourhood of Plan Tres Mil on the outskirts of Santa Cruz, which is basically populated by Aymara and Quechua Indians from Bolivia's impoverished western highlands provinces.
UJC groups attacked a neighbourhood market where indigenous people sell their wares, and local residents showed up to protect the vendors.
Native people who have settled in the neighbourhood, originally from the western provinces of La Paz, Oruro and PotosÃ, are in fear of being attacked by the radical rightwing youth groups.
Meanwhile, in the town of Yacuiba, on the border with Argentina, a group of demonstrators swarmed a natural gas facility that exports fuel to Buenos Aires, and managed to cut off supplies.
Bolivia exports six million cubic metres a day of natural gas to Argentina, Bolivia's second largest gas export market after Brazil.
An attack on the gas pipeline to Brazil Wednesday reduced the volume of gas flow from 26 to 23 million cubic metres per day, creating concern among diplomats at the Brazilian embassy in La Paz.
--------------------
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Bolivia: Violent Groups Take Over Human Rights Organization
Print E-mail
Written by Center for Juridical Studies and Social Investigation
Thursday, 11 September 2008
Translated by Andrew Lyubarsky
On September 9th a group of approximately 50 vandals entered by force, completely sacked and set on fire the offices of the Center for Juridical Studies and Social Investigation (CEJIS) in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Eastern Bolivia.
At 6 PM, three 4x4 vehicles and other motor vehicles arrived at the doors of the institution, from which descended youth armed with sticks, knives, torches and stones. They used one of the vehicles to knock down the entrance gate. The four police officers that were guarding the building fled for fear of reprisals. Once inside, the attackers robbed and destroyed what was in the interior. They broke displays, windows, doors, furniture, computer equipment, files, and documentation. They made a big fire in the street, before the violated doors of the institution and set other fires inside the office. Extremely important documentation on the progress of titling of indigenous land and other studies has been lost. Also destroyed and burned on the street was at least a third of the library, renowned nationally for its important specialization in indigenous and agrarian issues. There were no injuries to the personnel due to the fact that they were evacuated slightly before the attack. The CEJIS offices in Trinidad and Riberalta, both in the state of Beni, are both under threat, where similar actions of violence are ongoing.
The offices of CEJIS, along with its personnel, were attacked more than 15 times in the last five years. In the last months the institution suffered two attacks with molotov cocktails (in November 2007 and last August). In its 30 years of work, CEJIS has provided legal assistance to indigenous, landless and peasant organizations in the process of titling their lands and territories. It has been a permanent ally of the social movements in the legal codification of their rights in national legislation, and advised and accompanied the progress of social organizations in the Constituent Assembly. This work has implied a permanent risk on the personnel and offices of CEJIS, threatened by the sectors of power that have historically controlled the region of Eastern Bolivia, who now feel menaced by the advance of the rights of the most marginalized sectors of our society.
Yesterday [September 9th] in the city of Santa Cruz, in addition to CEJIS, the regional offices of National Taxation, the national telecommunications company (ENTEL), the National Institute of Agrarian Reform (INRA), the Migration offices, the offices of state channel 7, the radio of the New Country Network were also assaulted and sacked. This chain of aggressions forms part of a plan that is in action and continues today with the attack on the national and regional indigenous organizations of Santa Cruz and the peasants rooted in the city, the popular radios – like Alternative Radio, which works out of the Women’s House – and other human rights organizations, by the same groups that threw themselves against CEJIS.
The worsening of the violence in all of the Bolivian East, which started today under the slogan of a “better redistribution of oil income for the regions” has changed by a de facto coup in the states of this part of the country and a wave of intolerant and racist persecution to all that are considered its enemies, now with the demand that the Government of Evo Morales recognize a regional autonomy with separatist stripes, unacceptable for the majority of the population.
Because of all that stated:
1. We denounce the assualt and sacking of our offices in the city of Santa Cruz by a crowd organized by the people that are devastating the city.
2. We denounce that the lives and the security of our personnel is at risk, before the retreat of our office police guard and the total lack of security in the city for certain officials, now that the National Police and the Armed Forces are not acting.
3. We denounce before the closing of the main alternative media sources and the deterioration of the telephone lines of the Entel business, that freedom of expression and opinion in the state are restrcited and that the offices of CEJIS will remain temporarily closed.
4. We demand that the Local Police of the District of Santa Cruz and the National Police conduct an investigation and punish those responsibly, materially and intellectually of these deplorable acts, who are openly identified by the media,
5. We demand that the Bolivian state grant a guarantee of life and personal safety to the officials of CEJIS in Santa Cruz, Trinidad, and Riberalta and appeal to the international conventions on Human Rights to which it is subscribed.
We ask all human rights and civil society organization to declare themselves in solidarity with the situation in which Bolivia is living in.
Santa Cruz de la Sierra – BOLIVIA September 10th 2008
Written by Center for Juridical Studies and Social Investigation
Thursday, 11 September 2008
Translated by Andrew Lyubarsky
On September 9th a group of approximately 50 vandals entered by force, completely sacked and set on fire the offices of the Center for Juridical Studies and Social Investigation (CEJIS) in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Eastern Bolivia.
At 6 PM, three 4x4 vehicles and other motor vehicles arrived at the doors of the institution, from which descended youth armed with sticks, knives, torches and stones. They used one of the vehicles to knock down the entrance gate. The four police officers that were guarding the building fled for fear of reprisals. Once inside, the attackers robbed and destroyed what was in the interior. They broke displays, windows, doors, furniture, computer equipment, files, and documentation. They made a big fire in the street, before the violated doors of the institution and set other fires inside the office. Extremely important documentation on the progress of titling of indigenous land and other studies has been lost. Also destroyed and burned on the street was at least a third of the library, renowned nationally for its important specialization in indigenous and agrarian issues. There were no injuries to the personnel due to the fact that they were evacuated slightly before the attack. The CEJIS offices in Trinidad and Riberalta, both in the state of Beni, are both under threat, where similar actions of violence are ongoing.
The offices of CEJIS, along with its personnel, were attacked more than 15 times in the last five years. In the last months the institution suffered two attacks with molotov cocktails (in November 2007 and last August). In its 30 years of work, CEJIS has provided legal assistance to indigenous, landless and peasant organizations in the process of titling their lands and territories. It has been a permanent ally of the social movements in the legal codification of their rights in national legislation, and advised and accompanied the progress of social organizations in the Constituent Assembly. This work has implied a permanent risk on the personnel and offices of CEJIS, threatened by the sectors of power that have historically controlled the region of Eastern Bolivia, who now feel menaced by the advance of the rights of the most marginalized sectors of our society.
Yesterday [September 9th] in the city of Santa Cruz, in addition to CEJIS, the regional offices of National Taxation, the national telecommunications company (ENTEL), the National Institute of Agrarian Reform (INRA), the Migration offices, the offices of state channel 7, the radio of the New Country Network were also assaulted and sacked. This chain of aggressions forms part of a plan that is in action and continues today with the attack on the national and regional indigenous organizations of Santa Cruz and the peasants rooted in the city, the popular radios – like Alternative Radio, which works out of the Women’s House – and other human rights organizations, by the same groups that threw themselves against CEJIS.
The worsening of the violence in all of the Bolivian East, which started today under the slogan of a “better redistribution of oil income for the regions” has changed by a de facto coup in the states of this part of the country and a wave of intolerant and racist persecution to all that are considered its enemies, now with the demand that the Government of Evo Morales recognize a regional autonomy with separatist stripes, unacceptable for the majority of the population.
Because of all that stated:
1. We denounce the assualt and sacking of our offices in the city of Santa Cruz by a crowd organized by the people that are devastating the city.
2. We denounce that the lives and the security of our personnel is at risk, before the retreat of our office police guard and the total lack of security in the city for certain officials, now that the National Police and the Armed Forces are not acting.
3. We denounce before the closing of the main alternative media sources and the deterioration of the telephone lines of the Entel business, that freedom of expression and opinion in the state are restrcited and that the offices of CEJIS will remain temporarily closed.
4. We demand that the Local Police of the District of Santa Cruz and the National Police conduct an investigation and punish those responsibly, materially and intellectually of these deplorable acts, who are openly identified by the media,
5. We demand that the Bolivian state grant a guarantee of life and personal safety to the officials of CEJIS in Santa Cruz, Trinidad, and Riberalta and appeal to the international conventions on Human Rights to which it is subscribed.
We ask all human rights and civil society organization to declare themselves in solidarity with the situation in which Bolivia is living in.
Santa Cruz de la Sierra – BOLIVIA September 10th 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Stop the Forces Attempting to Divide Bolivia!
The process of changes in favor of the Bolivian majority is at risk of being brutally restrained. The rise to power of an Indigenous president with unprecedented support in that country and his programs of popular benefits and recovery of the natural resources have had to face the conspiracies of the oligarchy and United States interference from the very beginning.
In recent days the increase in conspiracy has reached its climax. The subversive and unconstitutional actions of the oligarchic groups to try to divide the Bolivian nation reflect the racist and elitist minds of these sectors and constitute a very dangerous precedent not only for the country’s integrity, but for other countries in our region.
History shows with ample eloquence, the terrible consequences that the divisionary and separatist processes supported and induced by foreign interests have had for humanity.
we reject the so-called Santa Cruz Autonomy Statute due to its unconstitutionality and the attempt against the unity of a nation of our America.
In recent days the increase in conspiracy has reached its climax. The subversive and unconstitutional actions of the oligarchic groups to try to divide the Bolivian nation reflect the racist and elitist minds of these sectors and constitute a very dangerous precedent not only for the country’s integrity, but for other countries in our region.
History shows with ample eloquence, the terrible consequences that the divisionary and separatist processes supported and induced by foreign interests have had for humanity.
we reject the so-called Santa Cruz Autonomy Statute due to its unconstitutionality and the attempt against the unity of a nation of our America.
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Saturday, September 06, 2008
High Fructose Corn Syrup
I just saw a commercial touting how good and natural High Fructose Corn syrup is. Don't eat that shit! Here are two excellent articles on the health hazards caused by HFCS:
http://www.westonaprice.org/motherlinda/cornsyrup.html
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-fructose-corn-syrup/AN01588
http://www.westonaprice.org/motherlinda/cornsyrup.html
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-fructose-corn-syrup/AN01588
Friday, September 05, 2008
Thursday, September 04, 2008
From Barack Obama
"Community organizing is how ordinary people respond to out-of-touch politicians and their failed policies."
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Republican National Convention
That crowd listening to Sarah Palin is so old and white I thought someone had taken a great big fan and just blown powder over the entire room. Otherwise, boring and I wasn't impressed. What will she do when the questions come?
From: Leslie Cagan, UFPJ National Coordinator [mailto:webmaster@ unitedforpeace.org ]
We are sending you this message because the situation in St. Paul is very grave and we're concerned that the real story is not being told by the mainstream media.
Over the past few days, the heavily armed and extremely large police presence in St. Paul has intimidated, harrassed and provoked people; and, in a number of instances, the police have escalated situations when they used excessive force. They have used pepper spray, including spraying at least one person just inches from her face as she was held down on the ground by several police officers. They have freely swung their extra long night sticks, pushed people around, rode horses and bicycles up against peacefully gathered groups, and surrounded people simply walking down the streets. On Tuesday evening, they used tear gas on a small group of protesters in downtown St. Paul.
The massive police presence and the uncalled-for actions by the police on the streets has not been the only problem. The police raided a convergence center and several locations where people are staying over the weekend and they have stopped and searched vehicles for no clear reason. http://www.counterp unch.org/cohn09022008. html
We are sending you this message because the situation in St. Paul is very grave and we're concerned that the real story is not being told by the mainstream media.
Over the past few days, the heavily armed and extremely large police presence in St. Paul has intimidated, harrassed and provoked people; and, in a number of instances, the police have escalated situations when they used excessive force. They have used pepper spray, including spraying at least one person just inches from her face as she was held down on the ground by several police officers. They have freely swung their extra long night sticks, pushed people around, rode horses and bicycles up against peacefully gathered groups, and surrounded people simply walking down the streets. On Tuesday evening, they used tear gas on a small group of protesters in downtown St. Paul.
The massive police presence and the uncalled-for actions by the police on the streets has not been the only problem. The police raided a convergence center and several locations where people are staying over the weekend and they have stopped and searched vehicles for no clear reason. http://www.counterp unch.org/cohn09022008. html
Randy Rowland, from PepperSpray Productions, here. Instead of sending you an announcement about a screening, this email is unusual for us, it is a call for help.
Two PepperSpray collective members, Lambert Rochfort and Joe LaSac, on assignment in St Paul covering the protests associated with the Republican National Convention, were both arrested on Sunday while covering the story. Both are still being held without charges or an opportunity to go before a judge.
Lambert was swept up in a mass arrest of peaceful citizens who were surrounded by cops and all arrested. Joe was arrested about the same time as Amy Goodman and two other journalists from "Democracy Now!" were arrested. In fact if you watch the footage of Amy Goodman standing in handcuffs, the fellow sitting on the ground at her feet is Joe.
Lambert and Joe had covered the DNC in Denver, and were in St Paul to cover the protests. They both had their cameras with them when arrested and were clearly doing nothing illegal, just trying to get the story that corporate media tends to overlook. There have been several other attacks on journalists there, including a raid on an indymedia hospitality center, and a raid on the house of a group that documents police brutality. It goes without saying that there is no freedom of the press if reporters are jailed for covering the story.
We want our people released without charges, and we want our equipment back. If you value indymedia and the role of independent journalists- -and I know you do, or you wouldn't be on our announcement list--then please take some or all of the following actions to secure the timely release of these PepperSpray videographers.
If you are in the St Paul area or can ask those you know who are in that area, please join the 24 hour vigil at the Ramsey County Jail, 425 Grove St., St Paul (24 hour vigil)
Please call some or all of the following numbers, demanding that our reporters be freed:
Chris Coleman, St. Paul Mayor: 651.266.8510
or Chris Rider from Mayor Coleman's office at 651-266-8535
Ramsey County Jail at 651-266-9350 (press extension 0)
Ramsey County Sheriff: 651.487.5149
Here are the names and numbers of St Paul City Council people to call as well:
Melvin Carter - Ward 1 - 651- 266-8610
Dan Thune - Ward 2 - 651-266-8620
Pat Harris - Ward 3 - 651-266-8630
Russ Stark - Ward 4 - 651-26-8640
Lee Helgen - Ward 5 - 651-266-8520
Dan Bostrom - Ward 6 - 651-266-8660
Cathy Lantree - Ward 7 - 651-266-8670
PepperSpray Productions is an all-volunteer independent media collective based in Seattle, WA. Among other things, we produce a weekly access TV show called "Indymedia Presents" which airs on 20 channels, from Seattle to New York, including in St. Paul and Minneapolis.
For more info about our work, we invite you to visit our website: www.peppersprayprod uctions.org
Thanks,
Randy Rowland
PepperSpray Productions
Two PepperSpray collective members, Lambert Rochfort and Joe LaSac, on assignment in St Paul covering the protests associated with the Republican National Convention, were both arrested on Sunday while covering the story. Both are still being held without charges or an opportunity to go before a judge.
Lambert was swept up in a mass arrest of peaceful citizens who were surrounded by cops and all arrested. Joe was arrested about the same time as Amy Goodman and two other journalists from "Democracy Now!" were arrested. In fact if you watch the footage of Amy Goodman standing in handcuffs, the fellow sitting on the ground at her feet is Joe.
Lambert and Joe had covered the DNC in Denver, and were in St Paul to cover the protests. They both had their cameras with them when arrested and were clearly doing nothing illegal, just trying to get the story that corporate media tends to overlook. There have been several other attacks on journalists there, including a raid on an indymedia hospitality center, and a raid on the house of a group that documents police brutality. It goes without saying that there is no freedom of the press if reporters are jailed for covering the story.
We want our people released without charges, and we want our equipment back. If you value indymedia and the role of independent journalists- -and I know you do, or you wouldn't be on our announcement list--then please take some or all of the following actions to secure the timely release of these PepperSpray videographers.
If you are in the St Paul area or can ask those you know who are in that area, please join the 24 hour vigil at the Ramsey County Jail, 425 Grove St., St Paul (24 hour vigil)
Please call some or all of the following numbers, demanding that our reporters be freed:
Chris Coleman, St. Paul Mayor: 651.266.8510
or Chris Rider from Mayor Coleman's office at 651-266-8535
Ramsey County Jail at 651-266-9350 (press extension 0)
Ramsey County Sheriff: 651.487.5149
Here are the names and numbers of St Paul City Council people to call as well:
Melvin Carter - Ward 1 - 651- 266-8610
Dan Thune - Ward 2 - 651-266-8620
Pat Harris - Ward 3 - 651-266-8630
Russ Stark - Ward 4 - 651-26-8640
Lee Helgen - Ward 5 - 651-266-8520
Dan Bostrom - Ward 6 - 651-266-8660
Cathy Lantree - Ward 7 - 651-266-8670
PepperSpray Productions is an all-volunteer independent media collective based in Seattle, WA. Among other things, we produce a weekly access TV show called "Indymedia Presents" which airs on 20 channels, from Seattle to New York, including in St. Paul and Minneapolis.
For more info about our work, we invite you to visit our website: www.peppersprayprod uctions.org
Thanks,
Randy Rowland
PepperSpray Productions
Poem I just started to write-in Part
...and I'm carrying all my shit and we have 3 minutes to get to class.
I told you to move--asked you nicely, but you thought it was your
god-given privilege to stand in the in the middle of the hallway-
Did my french horn case hurt your chin?--Oops, Im sorry-
next time you'll get the hell out my way.
-did I step on your toe? My pardon,
I didn't realize you were standing their talking to your friends....
I told you to move--asked you nicely, but you thought it was your
god-given privilege to stand in the in the middle of the hallway-
Did my french horn case hurt your chin?--Oops, Im sorry-
next time you'll get the hell out my way.
-did I step on your toe? My pardon,
I didn't realize you were standing their talking to your friends....
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Republican Family Values-Sing Along
Oh, lets hear it for those Republican family values! Shack up when you're not even eighteen, pass off your baby as your mama's kid. But as long as you don't use condoms and talk about SEX who cares?! We're moral, righteous, and worthy!
Monday, September 01, 2008
Amy Goodman and Other Democracy Now Journalists Arrested at RNC
Amy Goodman and Two Democracy Now! Producers Unlawfully Arrested at the RNC
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
www.democracynow. org
September 1, 2008
Contact:
Denis Moynihan 917-549-5000
Mike Burke 646-552-5107, mike@democracynow.org
ST. PAUL, MN—Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman was unlawfully arrested in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota at approximately 5 p.m. local time. Police violently manhandled Goodman, yanking her arm, as they arrested her. Video of her arrest can be seen here: http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=oYjyvkR0bGQ
Goodman was arrested while attempting to free two Democracy Now! producers who were being unlawfully detained. They are Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar. Kouddous and Salazar were arrested while they carried out their journalistic duties in covering street demonstrations at the Republican National Convention. Goodman's crime appears to have been defending her colleagues and the freedom of the press.
Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher told Democracy Now! that Kouddous and Salazar were being arrested on suspicion of rioting. They are currently being held at the Ramsey County jail in St. Paul.
Democracy Now! is calling on all journalists and concerned citizens to call the office of Mayor Chris Coleman and the Ramsey County Jail and demand the immediate release of Goodman, Kouddous and Salazar. These calls can be directed to: Chris Rider from Mayor Coleman's office at 651-266-8535 and the Ramsey County Jail at 651-266-9350 (press extension 0). First # in-box full, holding the line results in busy signal; pressing # also results in busy signal - Diane
Democracy Now! stands by Goodman, Kouddous and Salazar and condemns this action by Twin Cities law enforcement as a clear violation of the freedom of the press and the First Amendment rights of these journalists.
During the demonstration in which they were arrested law enforcement officers used pepper spray, rubber bullets, concussion grenades and excessive force. Several dozen others were also arrested during this action.
Amy Goodman is one of the most well-known and well-respected journalists in the United States. She has received journalism's top honors for her reporting and has a distinguished reputation of bravery and courage. The arrest of Goodman, Kouddous and Salazar is a transparent attempt to intimidate journalists from the nation's leading independent news outlet.
Democracy Now! is a nationally syndicated public TV and radio program that airs on over 700 radio and TV stations across the US and the globe.
Video of Amy Goodman's Arrest: http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=oYjyvkR0bGQ
##
= = = = = = = = =
ABOUT DEMOCRACY NOW!
Democracy Now! airs on over 650 radio and TV stations, including
Pacifica, NPR, community, and college radio stations; on public
access, PBS, satellite TV stations (DISH network: Free Speech TV
ch. 9415 and Link TV ch. 9410; DIRECTV: Link TV ch. 375); on the World
Radio Network's European Service and on the Community Broacasting
Association of Australia service; as a "podcast", automatically
downloaded to your computer or portable audio player; and streams live
M-F at 8am EST at www.democracynow.org
= = = = = = = = =
Now real-time CLOSED CAPTIONED on TV!
You can also view/listen/read all Democracy Now! shows online:
http://www.democracynow.org
To bring Democracy Now! to your community, go to:
http://www.democrac ynow.org/get_involved/ bring_to_station
= = = = = = = = =
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
www.democracynow. org
September 1, 2008
Contact:
Denis Moynihan 917-549-5000
Mike Burke 646-552-5107, mike@democracynow.org
ST. PAUL, MN—Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman was unlawfully arrested in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota at approximately 5 p.m. local time. Police violently manhandled Goodman, yanking her arm, as they arrested her. Video of her arrest can be seen here: http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=oYjyvkR0bGQ
Goodman was arrested while attempting to free two Democracy Now! producers who were being unlawfully detained. They are Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar. Kouddous and Salazar were arrested while they carried out their journalistic duties in covering street demonstrations at the Republican National Convention. Goodman's crime appears to have been defending her colleagues and the freedom of the press.
Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher told Democracy Now! that Kouddous and Salazar were being arrested on suspicion of rioting. They are currently being held at the Ramsey County jail in St. Paul.
Democracy Now! is calling on all journalists and concerned citizens to call the office of Mayor Chris Coleman and the Ramsey County Jail and demand the immediate release of Goodman, Kouddous and Salazar. These calls can be directed to: Chris Rider from Mayor Coleman's office at 651-266-8535 and the Ramsey County Jail at 651-266-9350 (press extension 0). First # in-box full, holding the line results in busy signal; pressing # also results in busy signal - Diane
Democracy Now! stands by Goodman, Kouddous and Salazar and condemns this action by Twin Cities law enforcement as a clear violation of the freedom of the press and the First Amendment rights of these journalists.
During the demonstration in which they were arrested law enforcement officers used pepper spray, rubber bullets, concussion grenades and excessive force. Several dozen others were also arrested during this action.
Amy Goodman is one of the most well-known and well-respected journalists in the United States. She has received journalism's top honors for her reporting and has a distinguished reputation of bravery and courage. The arrest of Goodman, Kouddous and Salazar is a transparent attempt to intimidate journalists from the nation's leading independent news outlet.
Democracy Now! is a nationally syndicated public TV and radio program that airs on over 700 radio and TV stations across the US and the globe.
Video of Amy Goodman's Arrest: http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=oYjyvkR0bGQ
##
= = = = = = = = =
ABOUT DEMOCRACY NOW!
Democracy Now! airs on over 650 radio and TV stations, including
Pacifica, NPR, community, and college radio stations; on public
access, PBS, satellite TV stations (DISH network: Free Speech TV
ch. 9415 and Link TV ch. 9410; DIRECTV: Link TV ch. 375); on the World
Radio Network's European Service and on the Community Broacasting
Association of Australia service; as a "podcast", automatically
downloaded to your computer or portable audio player; and streams live
M-F at 8am EST at www.democracynow.org
= = = = = = = = =
Now real-time CLOSED CAPTIONED on TV!
You can also view/listen/read all Democracy Now! shows online:
http://www.democracynow.org
To bring Democracy Now! to your community, go to:
http://www.democrac ynow.org/get_involved/ bring_to_station
= = = = = = = = =
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Thoughts on Black America
I believe my views on the Afro-american community and its dilemmas are closer to Bill Cosby's and Oprah's than I first imagined...although I do disagree with some things which they have purported and the ways in which they address certain issues. I do believe that the value system of the Black underclass is off....but so is that of the Black middle class and indeed all strata of Afro-American society....we have pimps and thugs who are darker imitations of cowboys and recreations of 1980s Ronald Reagan prototypes....as well do we have Blacks who will sell their very souls for dollars, cents,fur coats and middle class comforts.... I do believe that it is wrong to pick on the black underclass....though I do believe we must hold them responsible for their own lives. I do believe in personal responsibility....this I agree with.I do believe, however, that we have to reshape this society--American society as a whole as well as Afro-American society in particular-at all levels.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Traveling Soldier
Dixie Chicks
Two days past eighteen
He was waitin' for the bus in his army greens
Sat down in a booth at a café there
Gave his order to the girl with a bow in her hair
He's a little shy so she gave him a smile
So he said would you mind sittin' down for a while
And talkin' to me I'm feelin' a little low
She said I'm off in an hour and I know where we can go
So they went down and they sat on the pier
He said I bet you got a boyfriend but I don't care
I've got no one, to send a letter to
Would you mind if I sent one back here to you?
CHORUS:
I cried
Never gonna hold the hand of another guy
Too young for him they told her
Waitin' for the love of a travelin' soldier
Our love will never end
Waitin' for the soldier to come back again
Never more to be alone
When the letter says a soldier's coming home
So the letters came
From an army camp
In California then Vietnam
And he told her of his heart
It might be love
And all of the things he was so scared of
He said when it's gettin kinda rough over here
I think of that day sittin' down at the pier
And I close my eyes and see your pretty smile
Don't worry but I won't be able to write for a while
CHORUS:
I cried
Never gonna hold the hand of another guy
Too young for him they told her
Waitin' for the love of a travelin' soldier
Our love will never end
Waitin' for the soldier to come back again
Never more to be alone
When the letter says a soldier's coming home
One Friday night at a football game
The Lord's Prayer said and the anthem sang
A man said folks would you bow your heads
For the list of local Vietnam dead...
Cryin' all alone under the stands
Was the piccolo player in the marching band
And one name read and no body really cared
But a pretty little girl with a bow in her hair
CHORUS:
I cried
Never gonna hold the hand of another guy
Too young for him they told her
Waitin' for the love of a travelin' soldier
Our love will never end
Waitin' for the soldier to come back again
Never more to be alone
When the letter says a soldier's coming home
Two days past eighteen
He was waitin' for the bus in his army greens
Sat down in a booth at a café there
Gave his order to the girl with a bow in her hair
He's a little shy so she gave him a smile
So he said would you mind sittin' down for a while
And talkin' to me I'm feelin' a little low
She said I'm off in an hour and I know where we can go
So they went down and they sat on the pier
He said I bet you got a boyfriend but I don't care
I've got no one, to send a letter to
Would you mind if I sent one back here to you?
CHORUS:
I cried
Never gonna hold the hand of another guy
Too young for him they told her
Waitin' for the love of a travelin' soldier
Our love will never end
Waitin' for the soldier to come back again
Never more to be alone
When the letter says a soldier's coming home
So the letters came
From an army camp
In California then Vietnam
And he told her of his heart
It might be love
And all of the things he was so scared of
He said when it's gettin kinda rough over here
I think of that day sittin' down at the pier
And I close my eyes and see your pretty smile
Don't worry but I won't be able to write for a while
CHORUS:
I cried
Never gonna hold the hand of another guy
Too young for him they told her
Waitin' for the love of a travelin' soldier
Our love will never end
Waitin' for the soldier to come back again
Never more to be alone
When the letter says a soldier's coming home
One Friday night at a football game
The Lord's Prayer said and the anthem sang
A man said folks would you bow your heads
For the list of local Vietnam dead...
Cryin' all alone under the stands
Was the piccolo player in the marching band
And one name read and no body really cared
But a pretty little girl with a bow in her hair
CHORUS:
I cried
Never gonna hold the hand of another guy
Too young for him they told her
Waitin' for the love of a travelin' soldier
Our love will never end
Waitin' for the soldier to come back again
Never more to be alone
When the letter says a soldier's coming home
Michelle Obama
The racism that pervades this election media coverage is horrid. Someone should knock Katie Couric in her head for her "Jackee/Jackie-O" bullshit. I thought Michelle was brilliant last night--and really think that it is wonderful to rise above such things and not to even acknoweledge them. I think as the election draws closer they ought to continuously play reruns of The Cosby Show.
The Blacklist: Vol.1
I just saw the awesome premiere of this HBO series. Great stuff! Some of the most moving soliloquies were by Thelma Golden, art curator; Susan Rice-former Clinton appointee; and surprisingly Colin Powell. He was quite moving! I have a new found appreciation and respect for him.
Michelle Obama at the DNC
God Bless Michelle Obama! I am sending all of my good vibes and wishes to them!
Monday, August 25, 2008
Not to Worry
Abbey Lincoln
Not to worry, never mind
Life will fix it every time
Give a balance, fill a need
Bring a flower from the sea
Hold your head up, raise your chin
It wasn't you invented sin
Shake your shoulder's, do a dance
Nevermind a sad romance
A time has come, a corner turned,
It's clearer now, the lesson's learned
And time will tell
And fires burn
Not to worry, fill your head
Think above the things instead
Not to worry,skies are blue
And everything imagined is you
A time has come, a corner turned,
It's clearer now, the lesson's learned
And time will tell
and fires burn
Not to worry, wear a smile,
there'll be changes after while
Not to worry, dreams come true
'Cause everything imagined is you
Everything imagined is you.
Not to worry, never mind
Life will fix it every time
Give a balance, fill a need
Bring a flower from the sea
Hold your head up, raise your chin
It wasn't you invented sin
Shake your shoulder's, do a dance
Nevermind a sad romance
A time has come, a corner turned,
It's clearer now, the lesson's learned
And time will tell
And fires burn
Not to worry, fill your head
Think above the things instead
Not to worry,skies are blue
And everything imagined is you
A time has come, a corner turned,
It's clearer now, the lesson's learned
And time will tell
and fires burn
Not to worry, wear a smile,
there'll be changes after while
Not to worry, dreams come true
'Cause everything imagined is you
Everything imagined is you.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
How High the Moon
Dianne Reeves
Somewhere there's music
How faint the tune
Somewhere there's heaven
How high the moon
There is no moon above
When love is far away too
Until it comes true
That you love me as I love you
Somewhere there's music
It's where you are
Somewhere there's heaven
How near, how far
The darkest night would shine
If you would come to me soon
Until you will, how still my heart
How high the moon
Somewhere there's music
How faint the tune
Somewhere there's heaven
How high the moon
There is no moon above
When love is far away too
Until it comes true
That you love me as I love you
Somewhere there's music
It's where you are
Somewhere there's heaven
How near, how far
The darkest night would shine
If you would come to me soon
Until you will, how still my heart
How high the moon
Somewhere there's music
How faint the tune
Somewhere there's heaven
How high the moon
There is no moon above
When love is far away too
Until it comes true
That you love me as I love you
Somewhere there's music
It's where you are
Somewhere there's heaven
How near, how far
The darkest night would shine
If you would come to me soon
Until you will, how still my heart
How high the moon
Somewhere there's music
How faint the tune
Somewhere there's heaven
How high the moon
There is no moon above
When love is far away too
Until it comes true
That you love me as I love you
Somewhere there's music
It's where you are
Somewhere there's heaven
How near, how far
The darkest night would shine
If you would come to me soon
Until you will, how still my heart
How high the moon yeah
Friday, August 22, 2008
I was just watching Winter Soldier on FSTV and I want to record some of my thoughts from the little glimpses that I saw.... Someone spoke of the use of racism to propel all of the wars that the U.S has ever engaged in....the Indians and the Filipinos were savages....the Japs..the Gooks...and now a new term for Iraqis...Hajjii or something to that effect....oh we need to eliminate patriarchy and all that goes with it.
Don't Wait Too Long
Madeleine Peyroux
You can cry a million tears
You can wait a million years
If you think that time will change your ways
Don't wait to long
When your morning turns to night
Who'll be loving you by candlelight
If you think that time will change your ways
Don't wait to long
Maybe I got a lot to learn
Time can slip away
Sometimes you got to lose it all
Before you find your way
Take a chance, play your part
Make romance, it might brake your heart
But if you think that time will change your ways
Don't wait to long
It may rain, it may shine
Love will age like fine red wine
But if you think that time will change your ways
Don't wait to long
Maybe you and I got a lot to learn
Don't waist another day
Maybe you got to lose it all
Before you find your way
Take a chance, play your part
Make romance, it might brake your heart
But if you think that time will change your ways
Don't wait to long
Don't wait
Hmm... Don't wait
You can cry a million tears
You can wait a million years
If you think that time will change your ways
Don't wait to long
When your morning turns to night
Who'll be loving you by candlelight
If you think that time will change your ways
Don't wait to long
Maybe I got a lot to learn
Time can slip away
Sometimes you got to lose it all
Before you find your way
Take a chance, play your part
Make romance, it might brake your heart
But if you think that time will change your ways
Don't wait to long
It may rain, it may shine
Love will age like fine red wine
But if you think that time will change your ways
Don't wait to long
Maybe you and I got a lot to learn
Don't waist another day
Maybe you got to lose it all
Before you find your way
Take a chance, play your part
Make romance, it might brake your heart
But if you think that time will change your ways
Don't wait to long
Don't wait
Hmm... Don't wait
Elections
Democracy Now is reporting that John McCain has taken a lead over Barack Obama....and that McCain has come out positively in regards to a reinstatement of the draft....that fits in with recent occurrences that on both radio and television there are a flurry of ads advising young men that it is "their duty" to register with the Selective Service.....My question is....Who is planning what?
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Michael Mims Found Not Guilty In Murder Trial
I am very glad they let Michael go. God only knows what he was having to deal with.
Obama's VP and GRIT TV Discussion
I so highly doubt that Obama will pick Joe Biden as his running mate. No one west of the Delaware River will be swayed by that and the man can shoot his mouth off. I'm holding out for Bloomberg. Thats who I think. The man has a billion dollars and can outspend anybody...
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
New Developments in Latin America!
In a brilliant move Paraguay has elected former priest Fernando Lugo, a clergyman committed to the ideals of Liberation Theology. This adds one new progressive government in Latin America--a very encouraging move! Read about their new president here.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
Mista
Diane Reeves
It ain't too late
No, It ain't too late
To change your life
Cause everyday is a miracle
A chance to make it right
You complain constantly
'Bout your life your misery
On sunny days you need rain
So your can bitch and stay the same
Always sayin' what you can't do
Forget the fact that God made you
Place the blame on everybody else
I think it's time you check yourself
Hey ah Mista can't you see
The wonders of the Universe
Hey ah Mista can't you see
The wonders of the Universe
You won't help nobody else
'Cause you feel sorry for yourself
Think the world owes you something
You give nothin' you gets nothing
I can't stay here
'Cause you like dying
I like living, I like flyin'
Gonna fly so high
Till I free my soul
Gonna leave you here in your black hole
Hey ah Mista
Can't you see the wonders of the Universe
Hey ah Mista
Can't you see the wonders of the Universe
Thunder and lighting
Oceans and blue skies
A world full of miracles help me to realize
I got the power, I've got the knowledge
Each day's a new chance to better tomorrow
Got the chance to change your life
It ain't too late to make it right
But you're so right so self righteous
You won't move
And I can't let cha'
Mess up my groove
Hey ah Mister? Can't you see
The wonders of the Universe
It ain't too late
No, It ain't too late
To change your life
Cause everyday is a miracle
A chance to make it right
You complain constantly
'Bout your life your misery
On sunny days you need rain
So your can bitch and stay the same
Always sayin' what you can't do
Forget the fact that God made you
Place the blame on everybody else
I think it's time you check yourself
Hey ah Mista can't you see
The wonders of the Universe
Hey ah Mista can't you see
The wonders of the Universe
You won't help nobody else
'Cause you feel sorry for yourself
Think the world owes you something
You give nothin' you gets nothing
I can't stay here
'Cause you like dying
I like living, I like flyin'
Gonna fly so high
Till I free my soul
Gonna leave you here in your black hole
Hey ah Mista
Can't you see the wonders of the Universe
Hey ah Mista
Can't you see the wonders of the Universe
Thunder and lighting
Oceans and blue skies
A world full of miracles help me to realize
I got the power, I've got the knowledge
Each day's a new chance to better tomorrow
Got the chance to change your life
It ain't too late to make it right
But you're so right so self righteous
You won't move
And I can't let cha'
Mess up my groove
Hey ah Mister? Can't you see
The wonders of the Universe
Sunday, August 17, 2008
A Question in Passing
Who is Jerome Corsi? I have never heard of him, he is ugly, and he is old....but apparently they know of him over at CSPAN....
Friday, August 15, 2008
This coming Wednesday, August 20th we are planning a major media awareness event at 7:00 p.m. at Steelworkers Hall followed by a musical fundraiser at Grossman's around the corner.
The Harper Government is starting to play "hardball" so the next month will be pivotal in winning over public support for our case!
If you live in the greater Toronto area and are able to attend please take note of the information below.
Media Awareness Meeting
Date: Wednesday August 20th
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Steelworkers Hall - 25 Cecil Street, Toronto.
---------------------------------------------------
Benefit for U.S. War Resisters
Live musical performance featuring Chloe Watkinson and the Crossroads
Suggested Donations: $5-10 dollars or PWYC
Date: Wednesday August 20th
Time: 8:30 p.m.
Location: Grossmans Tavern - 379 Spadina Avenue, Toronto
The Harper Government is starting to play "hardball" so the next month will be pivotal in winning over public support for our case!
If you live in the greater Toronto area and are able to attend please take note of the information below.
Media Awareness Meeting
Date: Wednesday August 20th
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Steelworkers Hall - 25 Cecil Street, Toronto.
---------------------------------------------------
Benefit for U.S. War Resisters
Live musical performance featuring Chloe Watkinson and the Crossroads
Suggested Donations: $5-10 dollars or PWYC
Date: Wednesday August 20th
Time: 8:30 p.m.
Location: Grossmans Tavern - 379 Spadina Avenue, Toronto
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Having a Kathy Griffin Moment
Dear Lord, Gayken was on The View today.....and told Sherri that he wanted a talk show ala Merv Griffin--Ha! Yea right! He knows he wants to be Joan Rivers!
R.I.P> Bernie Mac
What a shock it was to learn of the death of Bernie Mac. A fellow Chicagoan and best friend's with my cousin Ricky-Bernie Mac was a magnificent man. When my cousin Theresa was ill, he paid for her hospital care. What a blessed soul, may he rest in peace.
Chicago
Chicago was great--it was a glorious week.... I mostly just wandered around the city browsing, buying and pinching books(only one, from a coffeeshop--it was on the bookshelf) and I did venture out on the northside quite a bit. I found a great new restaurant downtown, Tapas--very nice spanish place. I also eventually wandered into the Cultural Center and took in the Marilyn Monroe exhibit(which I really didn't care about, but it was amusing). I did manage to take some pictures.
At one point, my cousin Quinn took me to an art gallery down on 70th and South Perry, near my old neighborhood(which has gone down horribly since I knew it). A mississippi contractor purchased a house in the neighborhood and has undertaken this house as his lebensarbeit, turning it into an art gallery. The house has had an incredible transformation under his hands--as he personally replanted and landscaped the yard and turned the former crackhouse into a beautiful place with an incredible spirit. Later in the week, my cousin Barrington's wedding was nice. The ceremony was held at Coppin, which seemed smaller than what I remembered it to be. Of course, I was a little boy when I knew the church, when my cousin Brooke and I used to run around the pulpit and play in the balcony. Oh, what memories.... The reception was held at Barrington's high school, St. Ignatious Loyola, which is a very nice campus. I met some interesting people there at the wedding and it was a very nice time. I had a great time dancing--mostly with Telkie's sister, Aunt Rita. I also bought an ipod--after using Quinn's and wanting one. I met some interesting men too....but thats another story.
At one point, my cousin Quinn took me to an art gallery down on 70th and South Perry, near my old neighborhood(which has gone down horribly since I knew it). A mississippi contractor purchased a house in the neighborhood and has undertaken this house as his lebensarbeit, turning it into an art gallery. The house has had an incredible transformation under his hands--as he personally replanted and landscaped the yard and turned the former crackhouse into a beautiful place with an incredible spirit. Later in the week, my cousin Barrington's wedding was nice. The ceremony was held at Coppin, which seemed smaller than what I remembered it to be. Of course, I was a little boy when I knew the church, when my cousin Brooke and I used to run around the pulpit and play in the balcony. Oh, what memories.... The reception was held at Barrington's high school, St. Ignatious Loyola, which is a very nice campus. I met some interesting people there at the wedding and it was a very nice time. I had a great time dancing--mostly with Telkie's sister, Aunt Rita. I also bought an ipod--after using Quinn's and wanting one. I met some interesting men too....but thats another story.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Blogging
I am drained...and tired....have a lot to blog about. Will do so later. I just returned from Chicago.
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