The Smoking Gunn

Blagojevich: Chicago, Corruption and Control

2008-12-10T04:58:00.001-05:00

This week, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested on federal corruption charges. A three year investigation has found the governor involved in a pay-to-play scandal for the appointment to the U.S. Senate to replace President Elect Barack Obama. This is only the latest in a series of corruption cases that have seen light in the state of Illinois. By essentially putting up for sale a U.S. Senate seat to the highest bidder, Blagojevich has set himself up to be the next governor of the state to be arrested and jailed. Five such governors have been arrested. The previous governor, George Ryan is still incarcerated as of now. To say the least, Governor Blagojevich's arrest is embarrassing. It embarrasses the Governor. It embarrasses Illinois politics. It embarrasses whoever the next senator that is appointed. It embarrasses the democratic process. It embarrasses the President-Elect Barack Obama.

So what does Governor Rod Blagojevich do in response to his arrest?

He went back to work. Like nothing happened. Like he didn't do anything wrong. And has said as much. Now, far be it for me to be against anyone who wants to continue their livelihood after any sort of arrest and released, but it don't take a gynecologist to smell something fishy going on here. It doesn't look good. Not at all. Whether he is guilty or not. His best course of action would have been to recognize this and to go find a good corner and go there and shut the hell up and quit talking like nothing at all happened. Because you're only showing what kind of asshole you really are and giving something good for your enemies to talk about. Which they now have plenty of because Blagojevich wanted to do something stupid.

I mean if it were bad enough, looney toons on the right already believe Barack Obama is corrupt for having associations with Jeremiah Wright, William Ayers, Tony Rezko or whoever else they want to lump him in with(even though not a single one of these guys has ever held an elected position to corrupt). But we will undoubtedly see the right salivating at the chance to right their wrongs from last month as if Barack Obama's up for re-election next week. They hadn't been this happy since Sarah Palin bought a new outfit. As a natural inclination, after John Kerry lost the election in 2004, most Democrats were looking introspectively at what they did wrong, having a table set for victory only to let the same scumbags who set the table enjoy a five-course meal. But these guys are masters of the blameless. Nothing is their fault. Just look at the world famous Joe-the-Plumber and him throwing McCain under the bus. This is what these guys do.

So why the hell is Blagojevich trying to act like them?

It's bad enough that even Democrats have problems with the ridicilous amount of arrest of elected officials that comes out of this state. It's no wonder why Barack Obama ran for president after only half a term as a senator from the state and less than a two term state senator. Hell, I'd be looking to run for Secretary General of the U.N. if I had to go through the Chicago political machine myself. And then take a shower after I run just to make myself feel better at the end of the day. Someone needs to clean up this state, starting with the state's highest office. Here in Virginia, our governors are only allowed to run for one term. Perhaps if Illinois' governors had this same restriction, then perhaps they'd be interested in actually doing their jobs and less interested in the bullshit they find themselves trapped in doing.

You got to start with something.

A Date that Lived in Infamy

2008-12-07T23:57:00.002-05:00

December 7, 1941

Of course it was the day that the Empire of Japan attacked the United States. Today, December 7, 2008 is the 67th anniversary of that day of infamy. And there is much that has happened since that day. On that day the Japanese attacked the U.S. Navy at Pearl Harbor. In all, 15 ships were damaged or sunk, 188 aircraft were destroyed and nearly 2,500 military personnel were killed. The attack was intended to cripple our Pacific Fleet and caused the United States to become an active participatant in World War II.

On the Tuesday morning of September 11, 2001 Ninetineen men boarded four separate airplanes in the United States bound for parts of the nation. Just after take off, they left their seats and took control of the planes by force and changed the destination of the planes. Amist confusion and panic, the planes crashed into the Twin Towers in New York and the Pentagon in Washington D.C. Nearly 3,000 Americans were killed in what is now the largest attack on American soil.

In 1941, nearly 3,000 Americans were killed, in a single attack, in our homeland. Nearly 60 years later, nearly 3,000 more Americans were killed, in a single attack, in our homeland. Almost without question or pause, comparisons of the two have come. Both were unsolicitated. Both sparked our nation's involvement in war. Both preceded unprecedented waves of patriotism. Both were days this nation will never forget.

Or be allowed to forget.

The thing is, these days those days are now used to symbolize those attacks. They are used to capture a feeling, a emotion and to bottle to transfer it to be used as a weapon of influence. There are forces today that will use a rallying cry of 'Nine-Eleven' as a blunt-force object weilded against those they want to demonize. The claim is made that those opposing these certain forces have not internalize the losses on these unfortunate days.

What is now unfortunate is that days like December 7th no longer has the same meaning it prior to September 11th 2001. Its meaning has been forever re-arranged. What was actually felt by our entire nation then through the afternoon and evening of September 11th 2001 has been usurped and hi-jacked much like the planes on that day were. It's unfortunate that it is no longer something to be proud of, but to be weary of.

It was a day that lived in infamy.

Canned Juice

2008-12-06T03:52:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, NFL Hall of Fame running back O.J. Simpson was sentenced to a minimum of nine years in prison.

And I can only imagine the sorted feelings of retribution so many across the nation are feeling. I can only imagine because I cannot begin to understand why O.J. Simpson being given a stiff sentence is a cause of celebration. But appearently it is.

Before I go on, let's examine the entirety of this sentence. He was convicted on several counts of robbery and kidnapping. A 15 year sentence for kiddnapping, 12 years for assault and six years for robbery, this adds up to a possible 33 years, with the minimum being nine years. He may be eligible for parole after serving a third of the sentence. I have several problems with this. Now, I know some may think that because I have problems with the sentence, I must support O.J. Simpson in some way, whatever-the-fuck. O.J. Simpson's imprisonment changes my life none. But that doesn't change some serious issues related to the sentencing.

First of all, two things should and would stick out as relevant. First, he maximum of years of the sentence is steep, undeniably so. Secondly, there's an immediate thought to the relevance of his prior court case having an impact on the decision. It should be said that if it were anyone else, just your average convicted felon, I sincerely doubt this sentence would be given out. In fact, I doubt that if it were anyone else they'd be facing the same charges. Not withstanding those instances, what if we were talking about a over-sixty year-old, non-repeat offender in this case? Admittedly, I am no where close to being a legal expert, but somehow I doubt that this happens often, if at all. Honestly, the prosecution suggested 18 years for crimes that would carry a minimum of six. But he gets a maximum of 15 years? Seriously, can a legal expert tell me how often does this happen?

Unfortunately, there is so much more related to this case than neither the judge or prosecution would want to admit to. The fact that the judge even mentioned the previous trial during sentencing tells me it was not far from the minds of those in the courtroom. It was the 900 lb. gorilla in the room. Frankly, about everyone associated with the trial has been corrupted. Unless you 18 or 19 years old and was about four or five when the first trial when down, then it's likely you've formed an opinion on O.J. Simpson's guilt or innocence and whether you like the guy or hate his guts. And quite frankly most hold the opinion of the detrimental, which already clouds their mind and colors their lense when they approach the case. I doubt an unbiased opinion is possible.

So O.J. Simpson got what was coming to him, eh? I mean, just as Fred Goldman. I'm surprised he had shot O.J. to death yet. I'm quite sure that in the inexistent chance that O.J. Simpson would have gotten an aquittal or parole or some other freeing circumstance that he probably would have. And as a note, I never seen someone so focused and filled with hate in such a circumstance has that guy. He cares more about O.J. Simpson getting what he deserved than he is about grieving and caring for his family. The man's a bigger douchebag than O.J. Simpson. This trial had absolutely nothing to do with him. But he, being the decider of all things O.J. follows him around, calling him a monster and saying it's satisfying to see him behind bars and in shackles.

In the end though, O.J. Simpson did wrong. He was given a chance to explain himself and his actions and for what it's worth, I believe what he says. From his perspective, he was going to confront known aquantances that had items, technically or not, that belonged to him and he wanted to get them back. He probably didn't think what he was doing was a crime punishable for 33 years. Hell, I doubt anyone would have thought that. Oh well, you can't change the law. And you can't change who you are either. The actions he took were technically illegal and because he's O.J. Simpson, he's got to be incredibly dense to not know he has had a huge target on his back. He had to know that if he were going to get in any more trouble, they were going to thrown the bookcase at his ass. But it's entirely doubtful that O.J. Simpson, infamy or not, will serve 33, 15 or even nine years in prison. If I had to guess, considering appeals, parole and other considerations, he'll probably serve three to four years and released by his 65th birthday and return to the golf course.

As much as people in this country want to pretend they are beyond race just because they elected a man who has transcended the concept itself, there are still deep problems of race this country doesn't want to face. It's almost scary how thoughts and opinions on O.J. Simpson and his trials have divided almost exclusively on racial lines. Even the most liberally of minded white folks I've see be totally of the opinion of O.J. Simpson's guilt.

Frankly, it's rather disappointing. In fact, it's my greatest disappointment in this matter still. So thank you O.J. Simpson for exposing this nation for what it has been and what it will be.

The New Coalition of the Willing

2008-12-04T04:58:00.003-05:00

Since the beginning of the election season, one overriding question that has been on the minds of most, of course, was who would be the next leader of our country. Now that this cycle is over and we have a legitimate answer to that particular question, there is one more than remains unanswered: who will this new leader have leading with him. This is probably one of the more important decisions a leader can make, those who he will lead with(or in more specific cases, who he will lead without). And Washington D.C. is stoked and anxious over who Barack Obama selects for his administration. Of course, the first of these selections was done before the election was over with, and that was with the nomination of Senator Joe Biden to be the next Vice-President of the nation. However, since the election, President-Elect Barack Obama has been announced several key members of his administration, a team that we will assuredly see much more of and hear much more from in the next years to come.

Before I go on, there's something that needs to be addressed and redressed until some sort of apology or admission is forwarded(which I know is a vain hope). Now that Barack Obama has been elected the next President of the United States, there are some things that need to be said. First of all, despite what John McCain, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh and the rest would lead you to believe, we will not see Bill Ayers, Jeremiah Wright, Wladimir Putin or Louis Farrakhan in the Obama administration. In fact, we probably won't see a single one of them step foot in the White House any time over the next four years. Now, the best thing the right has to complain about is that Barack Obama, the candidate who promotes change, has selected names and faces of the past, which according to them does not represent the sort of change the candidate promoted through the election.

Well, boo-hoo.

Looking at the appointments that have been announced and it is undeniably a strong team of seasoned but fresh faces, which are more than simply a departure from the current-to-previous administration we'll have, but the strength of this group is it's connection with a past with less trouble and a future connected to a man who this nation has put an abundance of support and trust in to lead us. His first appointment, Rahm Emmanuel, for Chief of Staff was widely considered a smart choice if anything. Emmanuel is roundly known as someone who's not afraid to roll up his sleeves and working to get things done. Then there were others who have been associated with the Campaign for Change such as Susan Rice, David Axelrod and Robert Gibbs, that have been appointed to key positions in the adminstration. Beyond that, there are those who have supported and have had ties to the campaign such as Tom Daschle as well as James Jones and Eric Holder, each also associated with President-Elect Obama's campaign have also been named to key positions. But the most talked about appointments have been of those rivals and also supporters who currently in power in the U.S. Senate, a head of a state as the executive or previous established emissaries. Among these selections are Bill Richardson, the governor of New Mexico as the Secretary of Commerce, Janet Napolitano, the governor of Arizona as the next Secretary of Homeland Security, Robert Gates, the current Secretary of Defense to continue in his position and of course the most notable of appointments, the current junior senator from New York and former Democratic frontrunner and nominee for president, Senator Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State.

Now, it is clear that the group he has selected isn't a group of yes-men(or women). It is clear that this group isn't a monolith of thought and action to drive the nation on a narrow-minded endearvor, whatever it might be. This group is a group of people who have the ability to take a agenda and run with it as their own. Each of these selected have been independently successful and make no mistake, they are subject to their own ideology and philosophy, which might not be the same of the man who has selected them. This is clearly a group that is focused on getting the job done and they will.

As strong as the group assembled is, there is still more work to be done and more appointments to be named. There has been rumors of several key names being fitted for various cabinet positions. Among them, Robert Kennedy Jr. for Evironmental Protection Agency Administrator, Governor Jennifer Granholm for Secretary of Labor, Representative Chet Edwards and former Senator Max Cleland as Secretary of Veteran Affairs, and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and former Vice-President Al Gore for Secretary of Energy. The Secretary of Education position has seen a hodge-podge of high profile names beginning with former governors Ray Mabus and Ronnie Musgrove, current governors Kathleen Sebelius and Tim Kaine and former Secretary of State Colin Powell and also former South Carolina Education Superintendent and U.S. Senate candidate(and personally one of my favorite persons) Inez Tenenbaum.

The nation's elected is his oyester. And that's a problem. Yes, it is good for him and great for the nation that these people are being tapped to serve our nation at a higher calling. But what consideration is being given to those who vacate positions they were elected to? When talks were swirling over Senator Clinton being selected as Secretary of State, I thought to myself whether she would be better served continuing in her senate position or become our secretary of state? Could more be done as senator than secretary of state? Could she serve as secretary of state, despite her obvious conflictions with the President-Elect internationally that were the news items of the day during the election? Can she leave her wide-ranging work as senator to narrow her focus to foreign affairs? Will she be able to co-exist with the Vice President-Elect, Joe Biden?

But that's not my only question. Particularly for me, a Virginia, I'm worried about what will happen in our state. What if Barack Obama selects Governor Tim Kaine to be his next Educational Secretary? Our Lieutenant Governor, Republican Bill Bolling will be our governor. Much of the gain and support the Democratic Party has received in the last four years can be undone. Can we afford this? Should we have to afford this?

The bottom line is that Barack Obama has thus far proven that his rhetoric during the campaign is more than just that. He has a willingness, almost to a potential detriment, work with this group is a bold new step and shows he not playing around. As much as I want to hope this will not backfire on him, I can't help but to believe that he's set himself up for success. Those he selected know what they're doing and are accomplished and able and can do the job, which will only make him look all the more better. Perhaps the change we needed is actually a reversion to a time of better ideas.

Perhaps.

Living and Dying

2008-12-02T23:55:00.002-05:00

I remember, when I was younger I used to have horrible psychological problems. I don't know whether it was a few too many bad movies or knowing too little about the subject for a curious mind like mine, but there was a time where I could not stop myself from thinking about death. I remember thinking about it in school. I remember asking others about death(as if they've experienced it before). I remember having nightmares about it with me lying dead on the side of a road with cars and people just walking by. And although it was scary, it didn't scare me. It scared my parents enough to do something about it. They took me to see a psychologist for a while. I told her about my thoughts. She would ask me if I thought about killing myself or thought about loved ones dying. She came away thinking pretty much what I now see, at that time, I didn't know much about death and dying and didn't know how to express what I was feeling. Anyway, the one thing that stuck with me during that period was the last session(actually can't remember if it was more than one really). I'm sure some of you might be familiar with child psychology where such a psychologist will talk with a child while they ask the child to draw a picture, which would ultimately express how they're feeling if they can't verbally do so. Well, I drew Superman. You know the comic book character who is invulnerable.

I guess you can make of it what you want, but I eventually stopped having the dreams and the facinations. But I was still curious about the subject. My curiousity unfortunately became a bit more dire eight years ago when my brother was killed. It's a tough thing to describe how an experience like that makes you feel... or not feel. Between the time I was a child and October 12, 2000, I wondered what would it feel like. What would a person feel, not when they, themselves die, but someone close to them. I wondered what would I feel if my oldest brother, who is my idol, the man I can only dare to dream to be, what would I feel, if he died. I wondered what it would feel like if my twin brother died, the person who knows me the most, whether I like it or not, the person who's been with me my entire life. I thought about losing my father or my mother and how much meaning life would not have without her. It was a funny thing to hear people say at that time "I understand how you feel." I thought to myself "Wow, they had a brother who they imagined would be with them in their lives forever be taken away from them a world away without having a chance to say good-bye or I love you?" It didn't make sense to me. But as time passed and there where others, friends and family who lost their loved ones. Some of these deaths were sudden. Some were progressive. I don't think I could fathom any of what these people felt. I also remember in the wake of my brother's death, I noticed my mother being more affectionate than she has ever been. I noticed it from my brothers as well as my father. I wasn't sure if this was to be expected after a loved one dies or if something actually clicked with my family. It was more questions I did not have an answer to. One of the greater unanswered questions that did spark to my mind, which is worse, to lose a loved one suddenly or to watch them breakdown over time and die.

I knew what I felt was bad. But I did not know what could be worse or which would feel worse. I now know that the question of which is worse is irrelevant. Ever since I was a child, I wonder about the worse aspects of death and the adverse affects of death. Never did I even allow myself to think about what would be on the other side of the thought.Back to comic book reading. This week, I've been reading a book, The Punisher, the MAX series. Of course it was a guy who lost his family in a random crossfire and in return, he sought out to punish anyone who would fit the mold of the randomness that took his family, that prays on others. In this particular issue, Frank Castle had come across an awfully jaded woman who he shared a similar path. Needless to say, she was killed. However, while she lie dying, in Castle's hands, she asked him for a dying wish, which was revealed later in the book. Because I knew of the characters, I thought I knew what was she had asked, she had wanted those who wronged her to pay and also to have Castle take care of other obligations I won't spoil for fans. But I was wrong in my assumption. Halfway at least. Of course she had wanted Castle to punish those who did her wrong, which he did. But as she was dying, Castle told her(rather coldly), "I can't do nothing for you." She told him there was. Outside of what was known, she had asked Frank Castle to stay. She asked him to stay with her so she did not have to die alone.

It's a hard thing to lose someone. I think I finally found my answers. When my brother died, I regretted the time I did not have with him. I dispair over the time I will never be able to have with him. I won't be able to say good-bye. I won't be able to hold on to him, smile at him, hold his hand and make sure he knows that he's not alone. That he is loved and his life has all the more worth because he is loved and I could show him. The first part I knew. I knew I would not be able to be with him. Now, I know why it means so much. No one should die alone. Everyone should know they are loved and know and feel that love every moment of their lives for as long as they live.

My grandmother passed last week. She lived to be 84 years old. She was able to see her daughter become a heroic and courageous woman who raised four amazing children of her own. She was able to see her grandchildren find success and happiness. She was able to live a life with a grand family and have a husband for the thirty years they were together before he passed. I was told by my brother to enjoy the lives our elders and to learn from them. Not to learn about life, but to learn about their lives, their history, our history so it not be forgotten. I only wish I had more time. I am entirely greatful to God that I had the time that I did. I never knew my mother's father. He died before I was born. He lives on through his sons. My grandmother lived a full life. Her spirit lives on through her daughters. As much as they live on, as much as I can learn from them and will continue to learn from their children, they deserve to have the knowledge and the peace that they were loved, that they were appreciated and that they will indeed be missed.What I have learned about death is that no one should die alone.Our loved ones need to know that they were appreciated. That their life had cause and meaning and was full of life and love and they enhanced the lives of those around them. And they need to know it not in death, but in life.Please, do all you can to express your love to your family, no matter the circumstance or endeavor. Hold on to them. Enjoy them and enjoy your life. It is far to precious to be lost without living.

Welcome Back, Gunn

2008-12-02T23:41:00.002-05:00

Since the beginning, my idea behind this blog was to have a place that I can be able to give an unsolicited, unadulterated and unfiltered opinion and view that is free from outside influence that would otherwise distort or reform what has to be said. Make no mistake about it, I have that ability. I have the ability to give my point of view and to give it in a manner that conveys a message that others want to hear, who can agree who will want to hear more. I do know this will come with more work than I have given and I know I can.

I know I get bored easily. I know I involve myself in a profession that frowns upon this sort of activity. I do also know I have a lot to say. I do know that I should say it. I know I need to do this and I know there are those who need to read it. So this is it. Enough of the stop and more of the go. If you don't like what I have to say, too bad. If you do, don't say I didn't tell you so.

Fire away!

Ding! Dong! The Bitch Is Dead!

2006-12-29T23:52:00.000-05:00

Less than three hours ago, less than three days before the end of the year, probably the most imfamous Iraqis in world history was executed. At 6:05 am, on December 29th, the fromer president of Iraq, Saddam Hussein, was executed by hangging. And, unfortunately, Iraq was no different than it was at 6:04 am. Iraq, as content and jovial the Iraqi people may be, his death did not, will not and has not made Iraq a better place. If anything, everyone agrees that Saddam's death will not mean peace for Iraq, as if it was the picture of Woodstock to begin with.

On March 20th, 2003, the United States invasion of Iraq culminated with the fall of the Iraqi government and the capture of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad. That day has been marked visually throughout history with the tumbling down of the statue of Saddam Hussein. That crumbling statue had more signifigence than a simple statue. That statue for all intent and purposes marked the end of Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq. Nearly four years has passed and during the meantime, tens of thousand of Iraqis have been killed, nearly 3,000 American soldiers have been killed and the nation of Iraqi itself has struggled and struggled to unite their government, protect it's people and to provide for them welfare and security. But now, Saddam Hussein has been executed and the best I can describe this is a moral victory for the Iraqi people. Many Iraqi's will die tomorrow. More American soldiers will be killed. Many Iraqis still don't have adaquate electricity. The streets reek of trash, sewage and burnt rubber. Gun fire in Baghdad is just about as normal as it is in any ghetto across the nation. Regardless of the fact that Saddam is dead or alive, the fact remains, Iraq still faces a dire situation that is not getting any better.

And as I sit here, I hear of the stories surrouding his execution and cannot help but to be disturbed. It's been reported that those present at his execution danced and celebrated, not just at the fact that he died, but at the fact that they dance at his body. Now, I know this death carries a grave signifigence, but I've never killed anyone personally. The bodies of the deceased that I've given me a wide range of feelings, celebration is not among them. What's worse is the fact that Hussein kept his people in fear by publicily broadcasting executions, even on holidays. Oddly enough, the same thing has happened here.

Fact of the matter is, Saddam's reign ended inMarch of 2003. His death now is nonconsequential. Actually, this was a fore gone conclusion waiting to be reached since that time. After all he's done in Iraq, those people could not wait to get their hands on him. His trial was theater. Like they were actually going to find him not guilty. He received one appeal and security of the former president was given up for less than 30 minutes before he was executed. Thirty minutes. I can make a grill cheese sandwich during that time. They wanted him dead. The lack of a coherent legal system didn't matter. Lack of due process did not matter. What mattered is Saddam Hussein dead. And to what end? Everything he was died nearly four years ago.

Away/Forward?

2006-12-08T00:46:00.000-05:00

A Way Forward?

The Iraq Study Group was formed back in March of 2006. It consist of 10 persons from different background, ideology and philosophy led by former Secretary of State, James Baker and former congressman, Lee Hamilton. This bi-partisan group, over the course of the ensuing nine months consulted a number of governmental leaders, former and current as well as other pertinent notables. Together, they published a report, The Iraq Study Group Report. This report is is the comprehensive opinion that is held in reguard by both sides of the pendelum because of the make up of the group, which includes cabinet members and advisors from previous three presidential administration, former senators and a Supreme Court Justice. All of this was in a vain attempt to recommend a course of action that President Bush should take to complete his war.

Their report to the president: FAILURE!

George Bush has failed and he has failed misreably. He has failed the Iraqi people. He has failed the American population. He has failed our military. He has failed our government. He has failed his own party and he has failed himself. That is pretty much a sumation of what the report has given. This foolish, idiotic crusade of an errand is the biggest folley this nation has faced since Vietnam. You would think that ever since that war over three decades ago, our leaders would have learned a damn lesson, but wait a damn minute; George Bush only decided to step foot in Vietnam last month. Why would he know any better? I mean, what better way to built support for an unpopular war by traveling to VIETNAM! I'm sorry, I cannot blame the troops in the field. They are trying their best. They are doing the best of a bad situation, taking the peanuts from the shit, but there's only so much you can do. Our fearless one's leadership has failed.

If this was a cartoon, George Bush would be about as competent as Cobra Commander. This guy has done nothing right but to continue to lead where it has been well established that his leadership is inefficent. What makes matters extremely worse is the continued and perpetuated lie he and his adminstration fed the American people for the whole time. All we heard from him, his adminstration and the talking air heads is how good things are going and how much better they are getting and how much better things are than under Saddam Hussein. THERE WAS STABILITY WITH SADDAM HUSSEIN. THERE WAS A STANDING ARMY WITH SADDAM HUSSEIN. THERE WAS POWER, JOBS AND RUNNING WATER UNDER SADDAM HUSSEIN. HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WERE NOT GETTING BLOWN TO BITS ON A WEEKLY BASIS UNDER SADDAM HUSSEIN. It doesn't take an idiot to see which one is better and which one is worse. So evidently, our fearless leader must be worse than an idiot for not seeing that.

And the only they they could tell us was how good it was going in Iraq, of how good it was that the Iraqi people are coming out to vote for a government(that we gave them). First of all, it's a damn problem when Iraqi turnout is better than ours. Secondly, what is the purpose of these people voting? Are they voting for the same things we vote for in a government? Are they voting to establish justice? To ensure domestic tranquility? To provide for the common defense? To promote general welfare? To secure the blessings of liberty and posterity? Well, if that's their goal, here's their report card: FAILED. FAILED. FAILED. FAILED. FAILED. And their failure is not in their hands. It lies in the hands of our nation. You can't expect a pre-schooler to do calculus? So why in the name of the Lord did we expect this expierment in construction this nation in our image would work? Only a fool would expect as much. Hell, even a fool would know better. Our leadership did not.

So why did we do it? Other than the facts of oil, previous beef and a hard-on for legacy, we involved ourselves in this mess because we could. Who would stop us? We thought we could want into Iraq, depose the government, decimate the army and control the populace. Well, it turns out we were wrong. Or were we? Our goal was to remove Saddam Hussein, to install a democratic government and to leave peacefully. Well, considering that last goal is obviously not going to happen, we've done all we ever thought we had a mandate to do. Everyone's worried about winning the war and securing our objectives and truth be told, we've already done it. As painful as it might be, it's time to let the training wheels go. We can't hold Iraq's hand forever. They are going to have to learn on their own. It's going to be tough, but how else are they supposed to do it? Unfortunately, they were not strong enough or willed enough to lead in the command of their freedom and democracy, like we were, which is why they cannot succeed. Our presence is not helping them, it's hurting them. Yes, in the long run, the U.S. presence in Iraq is doing more harm. The longer we are there the less effective we are. Our presence there is nothing more than a damn, a blockage from something that needs to flow freely. As rough the waters might be, it's going to flow reguardless of what we do so we need to remove ourselves as an obstruction. The only reason why the United States of America is the United States of America today is because we took command of our own destiny and took our freedom and took our democracy. We did not wait for France or Russia or anyone else to give it to us, nor did they have to step in and say King George is a failure and America is ripe for regime change. We did that. And becasue we did that, we had the strength to continue. Iraq does not have that. Iraq has an enabler called the United States army. As long as we are there to be their crutch and to hold their hand, they will never be able to have the strength to soverign and that's real.

And this foolish thought of a continued armed combat is foolish. Again, it's beyond foolery. This cannot turn into a battle of atrition because again, VIETNAM, we've seen that will not work. Unfortunately this seems like the only thing the president knows and now we're paying for it. He seems to think that armed combat against terrorist and insurgency in Iraq will work, when any military leader will tell you if you want to win a battle you are going to have to think like the enemy thinks and we are not doing that at all. If we were, we'd see how futile military combat is against much of this element. They are fighting for a way of life. We are not. We cannot grasp that they are fighting for something far greater than themselves. Their future and entire being is at stake and we are threatening to take that from them. The first thing that comes to my mind when you realize what we're fighting is a similar will, the will the Black Americans had to obtain our civil rights and liberties in this nation. Those like Martin Luther King Jr, Medger Evers, Emmitt Till, Linda Brown, Rosa Parks and the rest of those who came before me, they fought against a juggernaut that was steadfast in denying them their future, their way of life adn their entire being. Did they give up? Did they retreat and say, the U.S. government is too strong, let's bend to their will? No. They fought. The harder the U.S. government fought to deny them, they fought twice as hard, until the government did something unprecedented for someone like George W. Bush and actually turned to the people and LISTENED. And that's the same thing we'll go through in this current crisis. Taking up arms and killing these people has done nothing more than the strengthen their will. And that's all we are doing, which is just another reason why we should leave.

If you don't want to leave. If you are still one of those who believe our military presence is a good thing and beneficial to Iraq and it's people, I feel sorry for you. But please do not deny the power that is gained when you listen. When one is listening they are learning. When one is learning, they are understanding. When one understands, they are accepted. And that will help both sides. Not entirely accepted for a better relationship, but accepted for knowing where you stand. Because right now, we're doing nothing but proprogate slaughter.

And so now, the adminstration has not taken this report as a report of failure but has taken it as a report of new opportunity. The new monniker is "A way forward". Even dispite all evidence on the table that he has failed, that the reality that has smacked him in the face, he still thinks he can take advantage of this situation. He doesn't understand that it's far, far too late for progress. Not that progress can be achieved, his mentality will not allow it even if it were possible. From day one he has made up his mind about Iraq. No matter what this report says, George W. Bush will do what he wants anyway, reguardless all recommendation, realization and repudiation. He has claimed a stake on A way forward, but has demonstrated a clear lack of vision, integrity and trust, I am entirely confident he does not know of A way forward more so than away/forward. Because for every step forward he thinks he takes, he takes three steps away. Away. Foward. Away. Forward. Now because of his will of force and foolery and lack of a sense of direction, we will pay dearly.

So, in the end, the faults of this man does not fall upon him. Those who are the real failures are us, the people. We elected him. We elected him again. Before we knew how strong his grasp was on the world around him and we elected him. Then we knew how badly he failed us and we elected him again. Now, we bear the fruits of what has blossomed from our ignorance and divison. We, the people of the United States, have failed ourselves. We allow for this to happen. We allowed for him to be in office. Now we have failed him. We have failed ourselves and the opposing ideology. We have failed the Iraqi people and we have failed our government and our democracy. And the Ambush of George is complete.

F-

The Friendly Skies

2006-12-05T21:57:00.000-05:00

Just got wind of an on-going investigation involving a group of Muslim Imam's seeking passage from Minnesota to Phoenix, Arizona just before Thanksgiving. These Imam's, who boarded an American Airlines plane, where alledgedly seen praying loudly and talking of Osama Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein all the while taking part in questionable actions, were escorted off the plane before take-off and questioned by the FBI and local authorities. Remarkably, even after they were questioned by the authorities, they still were denied passage to their destination. So appearently since then, they have been involved in an dispuited case in court for discrimination practices and are on Sean Hanntity's hit list.

Now, this event was unfortunately sandwiched in-between such vivid stories of "Kramer" Michael Richard's racial head fart and O.J. Simpson's latest attempt to cash in on his wifes murder(you guys will never get over that) and in a vain attempt to garner some sort of care, the Imam's and Mr. Hanntity haven't been able to scare the rest of the public much more harshly then a few ignorant Den Mothers and Soccer Moms. Fortunately, it'll take a lot more than this small sect of the electorate to break the endless nonchalant fever most Americans enjoy. I can only begin to imagine why this would make news. Seemingly it's only another sad attempt for Americans to justify their contempt for all things un-American, or at least what this sub-heart of America considered to be un-American. We've seen how during the election they want to legalize their contempt for gay people and hispanic Americans and they'll continue to find their shots at every other ethnic and religions minority in this country and this isn't much different.

Now, I don't want to say I don't understand what's their problem or what all the fuss is about. People are scared. They are scared that everyone in a beard and bedsheets want to kill them, which is highly unfotunate and just about as ridiculous. You have this culture of people in America who seem comfortable with doing all they can to get everyone in the country afraid of muslims because Islamic extremist attacked our nation proper years ago. Now, I'm not one to say we should forgive and forget, but we should forgive any quick resort to ignorance and not forget sight of perspective here. Okay class, can anyone describe to me what the individuals who hijacked four airplanes in 2001 look like? Did they wear beards? Did they have turbans? Were they even wearing dishikis? No. Let me repeat: NO. For those who are keeping score, any hijacker wishing to do this nation any harm wouldn't openly broadcast who they are to a plane of crowded people. Especially nowadays where people are easily caught up in a rapture of fear. The hijackers back in 2001 wore dress pants, button-up shirts, clean-cut, wallstreet haircuts and followed the letter of the law... up to the point they acted upon their zeal to kill people. So despite any clear evidence that anyone wishing to do harm to this country or its people would, I don't know, actually try by not sticking out like a sore thumb, these Imam's were still the object of people's fascination with fright of the unknown. And to top things off, after they were extensively questioned, they still weren't able to travel.

What get's me is the frightened who call radio talk shows and profess their fears of any muslim praying or doing anything relating to their own freedom and business. !!! They were praying on the plane and I were scared they were going to kill me! ??? They're muslim. That's what muslim's do. They pray. Just like us christians should, but religion is something people take a lot more seriously than us Americans. To them, it's more than a Sunday morning excursion. On any given day, a muslim is probably praying once every three hours. Coming across one praying is to be expected. Duh. But unreasonable Americans still find room to be afraid.

Now I can blame these fear-mongering talking (on) air heads for scaring people into being afraid and consequently suspecting every muslim that catches their attention, but really it's the people who give these airheads power. Their willingness to ignorances and readily lack-luster mis-informed opinions is what is turning reasonable and rational people and situations into something more than what it's not. It is these same people that seemingly want to forget that hijackers wishing to harm this nation did not come here illegally. They did not fly previously praying as loudly as they can. They were purposely unassuming. They purposely did not raise any flags. They purposely followed the law so any foolish laws of racial profiling or suspicious Den Mothers would not be any the wiser. The truth is we are truly vulnerable to any attack and if the commitment is there, which is sustain by headstrong motivations of eradication by our government, we will fall victim at their will. The truth hurts, one way or another.

Six Years Later...

2006-10-12T22:24:00.001-05:00

On a day that is unfortunately brimmed with the political game and my life therein, this will definitely not be politically motivated at all. It's motivations come from a different inspiration. This will also not be very long either. I do not plan to dwell on this too much, but it's getting to the point of the mundane. There's something too regimented about this day, too solid. I don't think my brother should be remembered in that way. Not just remembered, but rather memorialized. This is something that should live on throughout just a simple day. October 12th is October 12th. It isn't the year 2000 anymore. It's 2006.

Okay, I lied. I thought I wasn't going to get political because I didn't want this to extended through anyones attention's span, nor should this be about politics, but I look at the world circa 2000 and look at it today, in 2006 and it's still a ball of confusion. Racial politics still dominate the world views, but this time it's another race. Politicans still promising the talk, but it all sounds the same. They're still concerned about things they need not to be concerned about, the things people are concerned about and if they are there's little they do about it.

But I won't drag this out. It's just tiring, trying and highly unfortunate that my brother was killed and there has been little result to amend for his death, for the sake of my family and for those who will find themselves in harms way. And another year passes by... one more year later. Six years later.

Who Really Has Forgotten?

2006-10-05T01:14:00.000-05:00

In response to other letters I have read over the last several months, I am exceedingly weary of these new-age patriots challenging my memory and my allegiances. I cannot speak for these individuals who often feel the need to ask, “Have you forgotten?” because I dare not hold on to whatever ideology they push, but attempt to formulate my own opinions using my very own God-given sense and rationale that I’ve been blessed to have. No, I cannot speak for these individuals but I lost a loved one to a terrorist attack that is over five years old. In case they cannot relate, this is a pain that does not go away. It’s the type of pain you don’t willfully wish upon another sentient human being. As for those who do, I’m sorry, but I strongly question their humanity, if not, their sanity. I certainly hope they’ve never felt the type of pain I have.

You think because I know we don’t need to torture a human being to get information they may or may not have because I know with all the taxes I pay we have a military and government competent enough to obtain this information otherwise, that I’ve somehow forgotten of what happen five years ago?

You think that because I don’t think that suspecting anyone of a particular race to commit a terrorist action is a worthy idea because not only is it simplistic criminal investigation, but awfully bad judgment that something that happened in 2001 slipped my mind? What should we start profiling white males for sexual assault crimes and for being white supremacist while we’re at it?

You think that because I don’t agree with going to war on dubious motivations, which are probably as applicable if not better suited for many other nations, makes me feel especially more secure and cozy when I tuck myself in at night that a five year anniversary has seemingly gone unnoticed?

Sorry, I’m not the one who’s forgotten.

Why should I feel any safer? Others may want to gleefully exclaim that we have not been attacked in five years. Perhaps they would rather forget about the daily attacks in Iraq? But I guess that’s too typical of an argument. Or maybe they don’t remember that while we’re not directly attacked, just about everyone else in the world is? But I guess everyone else isn’t as important as us. Might have they not noticed their own response when they’re slapped in the face? Rather A, they stomp the shit out of their attacker, B, back away or C, put your guard up, expecting another strike. That’s the expected response for someone who was just hit; to expected it again, of course you are going to be on guard for another. So before someone wants to congratulate the president on a fine job he’s been doing, do not forget that we’ve already been struck. The damage is done.

Before they judge me on my memory skills based on a difference of opinion, maybe someone should ask them to describe their state of mind on September 10th, 2001. Blissful ignorance? Willing carelessness? Or severe negligence. On the days of September 10th and before, no one who wants to call someone on their memory all the time had a care in the world about problems of terrorism. It was these same people who were more concerned about removing our commander-in-chief than his response to terrorism that killed Americans. Yes, exactly. They were more concerned about the impeachment of the president than they were about terrorism, and they know it. Funny how this is their exact claims that their opponents are doing now, the only difference is it was true then, but they forgot about that.

It’s these same people that seemingly want to casually forget that President Bush had nine months to make a definitive response to terrorism. The USS Cole was attacked less than a month before the election. I am extremely confident that even before the ink was dry on the court decision to put him in office, before his foot stepped on the carpeting of the Oval Office, one of the first decision he had to make was what was he going to do about the Cole attack? His response? I’m going on vacation. That wasn’t under my watch so it’s not my business. As much as it probably wasn’t accurately either of those two, it might have well be because there was absolutely no response the attack on the USS Cole. The only response about anyone relating to the issue was to handout the job of Baghdad mayor after our invasion to former Ambassador Barbara Bodine.

And now these same people want to ask President Clinton why he didn’t do enough about terrorism. All the while, they forgot to ask President Bush why he didn’t do enough about terrorism on September 12th, 2001.

So since I’m constantly asked, here’s my answer: No, I have not forgotten what terrorist did to us. Why? Because I can never forget what they took from me personally.

Now it’s my turn.

Have you forgotten?

Have you forgotten that terrorism existed before September 2001?

Have you forgotten that we are not a nation of identical-thinking minds?

Have you forgotten that justice actually means fairness, impartiality, especially in the way people are treated or how decisions are made?

Because if you are interested in justice, then how in the world could you say the defense of their rights is not important? Because if you don’t, then you should know that is not justice you seek. It’s vengeance. And when you want to justify the denial of rights of another human being then you’re simply justifying vengeance. No, I do not support these individuals who commit these ugly and horrified acts. I want them punished. I want those responsible for the death of my brother punished severely. I just know, in this ‘war on terror’, as great as this nation proposes to be, we do not have to resort to their tactics to win a fight. The thing that will cling to me until my last day, every time I think about these crucial issues, on the forefront of my mind is the loved one I lost. No, I’m sorry, I can never forget this. It’s just too bad our president has.

W. T. C.

2006-09-20T00:49:00.000-05:00

W. T. C...

What's the cause?
Work to change.
Wish to connect.
Want to cry.
Watched them climb.
Watched towers crash.
Wishes turned cloudy.
Wish time could
Wash this clean.
Whispered to Christ,
Watch the children.
Women try calming.
Weakness to courage.
Worthless to cooperate,
Watching them corroberate.
Wounds to clean.
Working to counterbalance.
Winding the clock.
Wife tries cooking,
Washing the clothing,
Working the corner,
writing the courts.
Wanting to create
Worlds to cradle.
Wrong to cry.
Well-wishing the children.
Wisdom takes crossroads.
W. Targets countries.
War that conquers.
White torn cloth.
Wrist turned cold.
Work towards charity.
Wish time could
Wash this clean.
Warriors think conciously,
Witches turned counselors...
W. T. C.

-La Bruja, Def Poet

9-11. 16 Years Later...

2006-09-15T21:37:00.000-05:00

This is it. I returning from a hiatus that I have taken for reasons under my control. I'm not exactly sure why, but it happened. Perhaps it was because the world has become too evil and selfish in the interium. Perhaps it's because I have become too evil and selfish since I left. Maybe I lost the passion. Whatever I might have lost, it took nothing but a week of news and publicity to interrupt my slumber. Like most others across this country and the world, I could hardly help not to realize that this week was the 10th anniversary of the death of Tupac Shakur and I guess I'd have to mention, more notably the fif anniversary of the attacks upon the Twin Towers and the Pentagon. The reactions over this marking have contrasted greatly across the spectrum of humanity who knows of the occasion. Some are still sheding tears. Others marked this anniversary by intrrupting some fluffy prime-time viewing to throw their face even further down our throats as if we haven't had enough of him already. And others still smile at the thought of it. I, however, find myself on a different side of the pendilum than many others. This anniversary means something totally different to me than most and as much as I'd like to say it started at a time just under six years, it actually began over 16 years ago...

9 and 11.

9, 11.

Two numbers that are separated by another. As separate as they are, these two numbers are unfortunately linked in the minds of millions for greater signifigances than either would have alone. 9/11. It's now just a roll of the tongue. as loosely as it is spoken it can be used as sharply, automatically causing a twinge in the reality that so many have become resign to. It didn't take long after the anniversary that cries for the day were being announced to signify something heightened and hyped above what normally stood for. Before 9/11, 9/11 was a day. What has happened? How did we come to this?

Many will think back to before it happened and dare to rationalize and capitalize from a time less ordinary. There were several events that took place leading up to the anniversary that puts stock in the beliefs that it carries a signifigance we should behold. Without going through each and every detail, these events included the attack of the USS Cole, attacks on US embassies in Africa, attack on the Khobar Towers, a number of other bombings that were the aftershocks of the original attack on the World Trade Center in 1993. I hear day in and day out of others marking this date as a time where a war began, a undeclared and ignored war. We are lead to belive by some that we have been at war since this time, but because of the actions of a single man named William Clinton we ignored this war, as the enemy measured us and eventually attacked us over and over and instead of fighting back, we had a president who was concerned about lying to the people. Well, before people start to blame Bill Clinton for the signifigent number of problems on his plate, do not ignore the other side of the story. He might have had an ignorance, but what of the ignorance of those concentrating on his ignorance? Are they blameless? We did not fight a War on Terror not because Bill Clinton refused to recognize the war. Nobody recongized the war. Those who might have were not listened to by anyone, from top to bottom.

However, as much as people want to point a finger at Clinton and the bombing of the Twin Towers 13 years ago, our problems did not simply reaveal itself on a chilly afternoon. Those wishing to bring a fight to America did not come to a conclusion "Oh, I know, let's kill Americans. That seems like a good idea." No, they didn't do that. We, human beings are beings of rationale and reason and everyone has them. Like them, hate them, fear them or dismiss them, those who harm our nation and have reasons not begotten of thin air. As I mentioned it was 16 years ago. It was 16 years ago that the conflict evolved. It was 16 years ago enemies were created. It was 16 years ago that brought forth the changing face of American society. It was 16 years ago that President George Bush declared that the United States would use force to remove an invading Iraq army from Kuwait. And it was on 9/11. No more than a month earlier the United States had solidified a deal with Saudia Arabia a nation who feared the invading Iraqi army. At this time, as Saudia Arabia turned to the United States, it turned it's back on one of it's own, defying his dedication and trust. It was this embarrassment that directed his attention from one superpower to a new enemy, the last superpower. This shame he felt, it wasn't taken lightly. It wasn't warmly received and what made it worse was the idea that we stayed and continued to stay. How would you feel if someone with an opposing lifestyle and ideology was given free will to take residence in your house, sleep in your bed, beat your children and fuck your spouse. It probably won't make you feel too happy would it?

We need a greater perspective than what we desperately cling to now.

But by all means, twist my message if it makes you feel better. I know exactly what I'm saying and if you don't you certainly won't be able to grasp the rest of the message. No I am not siding with Osama Bin Laden. No I do not agree with his methods. No I am not shifting or placing blame on anyone who does not deserve it. The facts are in the history and it speaks for itself. You may want to think they started it by taking the fight to us in 1993, but who's to say we didn't start it by taking the fight to them in 2001? Can you honestly limit your judgment to something that essentially amounts to "Well he started it", an argument that would apply to actions of one side? Well, it takes two to tango. You can want to think all you want that these individuals cannot grasp human precepts like logic and reason, but they do. They feel pain, fear, and violation just as we felt on 9/11. The only thing is they felt it from us long before we felt it from them. It was on August 7, 1990, United States troops entered Saudia Arabia, which marked the beginning of Operation: Desert Shield. In order to protect our economic prinicple of free trade among all nations and in a attempt to safe guard an ally, we did not know at the same time we were spurning the pride of a movement that would come back to haunt us 16 Years Later... Tragically, on 9/11.

9/11

There's so much more to this that escapes the mental jungle that we ascribe to. It's an unfortunate occurance that someone now says 9/11 and automatically conjures up a sword to which is to hurt us or offend others. What is now pierced by this edge is the past and replaced by it is that in the scheme of things should not be the mantle that encompasses the day. Will we no longer hold in mind the declaration given by our former president to Iraq 16 years earlier? Should we forget some resemblance of lasting peace between in the Middle East with Anwar Sadat of Egypt and Menachem Begin of Israel being established? Do we let go of the fact that the Pentagon one of the objects of destruction had started construction on the same day? Do we not remember one of the originators of non-violence, Mahatma Gandhi, adopted his methodology on this day? Should we overlook even more jovial sporting anniversaries like the beginning of the "Curse of the Bambino" and Pete Rose breaking Ty Cobb's Major League base hit record? Why should history be lost to one single day?

And the irony of such a rememberance is even more curious. We remember 9/11, but we don't remember 10/12? We remember 9/11, but the reference of 2/26 is lost? We remember 9/11, but 12/7 does not carry the same impact. 9/11 carries a higher signifgence with others, but at the mentioning of 4/4, you're clueless. While 9/11 lives on, days like 11/23, 5/8, 9/6, and 5/17 are just another day lost in history. Should we remember the attacks on the Twin Towers and Pentagon and forget the attack of the USS Cole? Should we remmeber this attack, but the previous one in 1993 be less remarkable? Should this anniversary carry a higher signifigence than the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.? What about the assassination of John Kennedy, Victory in Europe in World War II, the fall of the first atomic bomb and the decision of Brown vs the Board of Education? Why not mark these days with a simple sharpe set of numbers too?

Goddamn, what happen on September 11th, 2001 was pretty fucking horrible, but there has been some horrible shit going on in the world. Nearly 2,000 people were wiped out last August in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina, I don't remember the president interrupting prime-time television to show how much he cared about the loss of life less than a year removed from the worst natural disaster in US history. Whether people want to like it or not, we suffer from a loss of perspective. It's the same loss of perspective that clouds our minds to think a human being would not feel violated, despite whatever our intentions were. That attack was bad. It was ugly. It hurt. Unfortunately we are hurt by many more things. There are events on other days that hurt me much more than what happened on that single day. And because of this, I may stand alone on my own, but it's my preference not to use such a reference of 9/11 because it does nothing but dampen the signifigance of our history. It is long, it is majectic and it is also tragic. I cannot devalue what we've been through, what I lived by holding in regard a reference to a day. I just hope that some day down the line, maybe another 16 years later, we regain our perspective.

Black.White. A Social Experiment

2006-03-18T00:08:00.000-05:00

Over the last couple of weeks, the television station FX has promoed and aired a new documentry/reality television show. The show produced by Hip-Hop and Hollywood star, Ice Cube is called Black.White. It centers around two families of three, the Wurgels, a white family, and the Sparks, a black family. Each family has agreed to undertake a project wherein they would live together and switch races to experience life as the other race. The Wurgels, Bruno, Carmen and their daughter Rose would on circumstance undergo a transformation of flesh color spray paint and proesthethics to become black and to experience life in black skin. The Sparks, Brian, Renee and their son Nick undergo a similar transformation of spray paint and wigs to experience life with white skin. By now, you should notice that I say experience life with white skin as oppose to being black(or white) or living life as a white person(or black person). It's a totally different experience. Cultural experiences with life experiences have lead us to knowing what life is in our particular races and we can never actually be another race. We can, however, live among them, which is the case for this experiement.

As the show aired, one of the first thing I noticed was the personalities and mannerisms of each person on the show. Bruno was introduced as the son of a white ethnic immigrant who when through the typical American experience. He learned life lessons that you earn what you get and everything is taken at face value. He refuses the idea that people are often considered or stereotyped as a group and he views people through individual lenses and more importantly believe the world views people through individual lenses as well. Carmen, his wife has a different upbringing. Her parents were involved in the Civil Rights Movement and I would also suppose other social movements of the time, Women's Liberation and the Anti-Vietnam War movement specifically. With that stated, she was raised in a typical liberal family who's values did not ignore race(at least not as much as Bruno does), but rather accepted race and history from a slighted point of view. Carmen's the type who was raised with a lot of "White Liberal Guilt". She's also very emotional and very connected to her emotions which would cause her to feel moreso than think too often. Rose, on the other hand, is quite different from her parents. Rose is extremely connected with this generation, this generation being less racially motivated than others past. She seems to have a ajusted comfort with black people. She knows racial differences, as far as skin tone. But culturally, there's a disconnect. She doesn't assume much, but she is totally unaware.

As for the Sparks, they are coming from your type of black family that has lived among white America and adjusted to living among white America. Brian, a light-skinned black man has been through life recognizing racial prejudices on both sides, white and black. Because of this background, Brian is sure of himself and his status in life. Also because of his varied racial experiences, he's more aware and more preceptive of racism and it's subtlies. Renee is from a background more typically black, as in raised in a specific culture and that's what she knows. She's a strong personality and I would surmise the disciplinarian of the family. She is what you would describe as a strong black woman. She speaks her mind, clearly, and she's honest. Nick, much like his counterpart Rose, is a product of this generation, but instead coming from a black background where Rose came from a white perspective. Nick is a black teen and comes from a culturally black perspective. Despite knowing racial differences, he hardly recongizes them, nor do they run his life. I would describe him as racially disinterested. Outside of his own race, other races does not interest him. He's much inanimated around whites as he is animated around blacks.

As I watch the show, I have to admit that it has been very much amusing it as it is refreshing. Being black, living in sururban middle-class America, I know that black people have different facades they have in various situation. Among other black people, black people are in their comfort zone, more open and more themselves. However, around white people, higher classed blacks tend to display more respect and restrain than usual. This is in an attempt to conform with mainstream white society to be more readily accepted. This is one thing I came in expecting from the show. With the way America is setup, 13% being black and an overwhelming majority, 70% to 80% white, it is on blacks adjust to an America that is overwhelming white. Because of this, and such a disporportion, black people are more aware of white culture, mannerisms and actions than white people are of black people, culture and mannerisms. They simply aren't as exposed to it as black people are to them.

But one of the first things I noticed about the show were the reactions the families had to their new skins. From an outward standpoint knowing what they were doing and seeing them before and after, I could tell they were in make-up, but from an outsider to see them individually for the first time it's easy to see they could pass. Renee seeing her husband Brian for the first time, was shocked, but didn't find him attractive. The Wurgels were pleasantly surprised, Carmen liking her husband's black look and Bruno likewise still loving his wife. When Rose came in, she had a reflexive reaction when her father attempted to touch her, she yanked back.

One of the major points that I recongized were the mannerisms and subtle differences displayed by each. Putting on the white skin for the Sparks wasn't much of an alteration as they usually had to change personas when interacting with whites and to convince whites they were indeed white wasn't difficult. Again, it was pretty much as I expected it. They are accustom to adjusting their mannerisms and behavior when around whites even when they're black. Now in white skin, it wasn't that hard of an adjustment. The Wurgels on the other hand is a completely different tale. Bruno and Carmen's interaction with black people and culture is limited to say it best. They don't know how blacks speak among other blacks, they don't know how blacks act among other blacks and worse they can only assume what they know. This has caused several uncomfortable situations with Bruno's lack of acknowledgement of prejudice and Carmen's use and thoughts of language. They actually thought white people call black people on normal or semi-normal occurances and women refer to each other as bitch, which is a trait not limited to black people, but for whatever reason, Carmen thought it so.

The children of the two couples are slightly different, but more accustom to other races. Again being products of the new generation, race isn't as much of a motivating factor as seen by Nick's parents for example, but there is still an awareness with them. Rose was entered in an all-black Slam Poetry class where she quickly learned that she was out-classed, out-shined and out of her league. She was immediately intimitated by what she heard in the class. It was hard for her to bring what she know of her white culture and try to assmiliate it with a strong black culture. Nick on the other hand, as much as Rose may try to bring her culture with her, he doesn't care. Nick doesn't really disguise who he is. He's unabashedly Nick and much too prone and used to his particular lifestyle. It seems both children unconciously bring forth who they really are though their skin tones. Rose is somewhat more aware of that than Nick is, who pretty much doesn't care.

Summing it up, the show has been eye-opening. Coming from a perspective of curious to know what whites say to each other, particularly about race and class free of other races and class around, I was extremely interested in the results. Also, it is about as comforting to know that white people do learn a little more about the actions and methods of black people. It is good that they learn we don't all call each other bitch or nigga every five minutes or drop out of school and quit jobs that we got handed to us via Affirmative Action. It's these stereotypes that are peputrated much too often that we need destroyed. Although they can hardly know how it feels to walk in our steps for a life, full of history and background we have little control over, the least they can learn is as much of the specificities each of us have, we are people just as they.

Black Party

2006-01-15T18:47:00.000-05:00

Rumblings as of late have caused me to question the strict adherence to the Democratic Party by black people in America. The history of Black America voting Democratically goes back at least 60 years. As more and more Black Americans started to vote, the candidate they identified with was Franklin Roosevelt. It wasn't until 20 years down the road where black support in politics was secure in the camp of the Democratic Party with the rise of John Kennedy and his ties with Martin Luther King and his feelings for civil rights. Since then, Democrats and Black America have been all but inseparable.

The 70s, 80s and much of the 90s passed by without much focus on this voting demographic. During this time, the Democratic Party took Black America's vote for granted, while the Republican Party considered Black America's vote unattainable. It was this view and Black America's overall atrophy that lead to both parties disreguarding Black American in electoral politics altogether. It wasn't until recently that President George W. Bush has shown his concern for the vote of Black America. Not exactly concern for their interest, but at least their vote. To this end, throughout his 2004 campaign, to challenge the Democratic stranglehold on Black America's vote, he did not vie hard for their support. Though he tried, he really didn't attempt to win Black America's confidence through his social programs. His biggest salvo against Democratic control of Black America(yes, that's what I said) was a simple question. What have they done for you lately? Now with allies like Michael Steele and Joe Watkins, the Republican party has been getting a lot of attention from Black America.

Republican's long war to win the trust and confidence of Black America in Bush II's presidency has been a credible one if anything. Starting off with idiotic sloganry like "The Party of Lincoln" and "The more inclusive party" have done nothing but blind the ignorant from the truth. Everyone knows President Lincoln was a Liberal and the Republican Party today is NOTHING like the Republican Party 140 years ago or even 70 years ago. These new-age Republicans may want to recognize their party as the Party of Lincoln, but it's a hard sell to black folks who still see Republicans as the Party of Strom Thurmond, David Duke, Jesse Helmes and Ronald Reagan. In other words, the Party of those who repeatedly stood in the way of their social, economic and political interest for as long as our history goes in this nation.

But their efforts didn't stop there. George Bush continued with his faith-based iniatives. This program was like magic. Knowing how popular religion is with Black America and knowing how much everyone likes money, he couldn't lose. This adminstration lined the pockets of many churches across the nation. And we all know money talks. If these churches wanted to keep that money tree in their backyard, they knew who to support. But that front only lasted so long and had only so much effect. So the president decided his best assult was not with history or pockets, but with logic. He questioned the strong support of a party that has pretty much taken a voting demographic by granted and what's worse is now, everyone knows that. The Republicans knows the Democrats have taken Black American for granted. Democrats know that they've been taking Black America for granted and Black America knows that Democrats have been taking Black America for granted. And so what has all of this acknowledgement left us? Nothing. Black people will continue to vote Democratically. What other alternative do we have? Vote Republican? Hell no. There is no way a consise Black American ideology can co-exist with a conservative ideology. Democrats are too busy helping themselves and trying to fight Republicans to even give a damn. So what would be the next step?

While many don't realize it, the difference between the Democratic and Republican Parties is very little in terms of the electorate. Despite my strong belief that if more people got off their asses and actually participated in what the hell is going on in their lives then the Democratic Party would control this nation. Unfortuately they don't have the forsight to cause this. And because of that, the voting difference between the two is minimal and ideological. The Republican base is strong and it gives the party their support. The base of the Democratic Party is their inherent diversity. Women interest, gay rights, civil rights, the poor all umbrella under the Democratic Party and throw their interest with the Party. And as much as the party wants to represent them, it cannot suit all interest and more often than not, many are left out in the cold. One of these is Black interest. We represent the largest and strongest voting demographic in the nation. Overwhelming numbers of women don't inherently vote Democratic. Large marorites of hispanics don't vote solely Democratic. At the very least 90% of the black population votes Democratically. What would happen if the Democratic party lost that 90%? They would fall apart. The Democrats wouldn't win another election.

For what it's worth, sooner or later, Black America will have to realize not just what we have at stake in this nation, but how much we control our destiny. If we thought the Republican Party suited our interest best, we'd vote Republican and they'd be in power, solid power. Since we believe the Democratic Party serves us best, we throw our lot with the Democrats and the balance of power stays balance. If our support were to vanish, they Democrats wouldn't be able to stay afloat. This nation isn't built for one party to be the sole power in electoral politics. With two superpowered parties in control, no one gets to see the alternatives. With the Democrats without power and a single Republican Party cannot keep power, people will be forced to see altenatives. Maybe not just one. Perhaps two, maybe even three.

Maybe that's what this country needs. Alternatives. Because at this current pace, Black America sees none. They weigh their options and go with the lesser of two evils, if they go with any at all. Maybe it's time for people to realize the choice is theirs to take. If you don't like the choices you are given, then take your own. But for Godsake, don't make do with what you are given. Because you're just gonna be taken advantage of all over.

2005: That's A Wrap

2006-01-06T15:51:00.000-05:00

Johnny Tsunami
This year started off full of tragedy. Nearly 180,000 people were killed by an tsunami disaster that destroyed entire villages and families. Numerous individuals from a wide range of nations and cultures were directly affected by what happened in Asia. Unfortunately, it didn't affect us here in America enough. It's just another stark example of how people in this nation can pull wool over their own eyes and how individuals in power show an ignorance to what goes on across the world. If we were being the most astute of students we would have taken notes and been prepared for the rest of the year but this far away problem was just too far away...

Head of State
This is the year that George W. Bush was inaugurated for his return to the presidency. Despite this nation knowing he's not the man for the job, there wasn't a viable replacement. Despite his poll numbers being consistantly lower than the IQ of wood, he won re-election and made his triumphant return to the capitol. Him and his posse: Cheney, Rumesfeld, Rice, Wolfowitz, Rove and Sean Hanntity. But of course everyone recongized that the one missing from this sort was an objective point of view. And to make it more than a slap in the face, they replace him with the negro who'd confirm to the Bush-wacked ideology. It's all a little too convienent...

The Thief of Bagdad
Wow! Iraqis vote! Iraqis finally get to vote! Again and again and again and again! This year also marked the continued democratization of a free Iraq. Now, don't get me wrong. Far be it for me to have a problem with people wanting to participate in a democracy. Hell, I'd find it funny(and damn troublesome) if their turnout is on the average better than ours. What a kick in the ass that would be. My big beef with the deal was how it was done. In my opinion and the experience of those who have garnered it, freedom taste best when you take it yourself. Freedom isn't just something you can simply be given. You fight for your freedom. The more you have to fight for your freedom, the more precious it is. You cannot appreciate the destination until you savor the journey. We gave the Iraqi people freedom. I saw little initiative from the in obtaining their own freedom under Saddam Hussein. And don't give me that excuse that He's a murderous dictator. That never stopped us. Never stopped the English. It never stopped black people in America. Hell, it never even stopped the French. Now that I think about it, it's unfortunate that this insurgency is fighting harder then the Iraqis did to begin with. And that's sorry...

Death Becomes Her
The Terri Schiavo debate! Where do I begin? Hell, I could start anywhere and not do enough to cover the entirety of this issue. There are more angles on this beast than a Frank Lloyd Wright building. It was easily one of the biggest stories of the year. You weren't American if you didn't have an opinion on this issue. And if you ask me, that was the problem. Yes, beyond any shadow of doubt what happen to this young lady was without question a horrible thing. The thing is such horrors, even worse thrive in this world and all the while everyone pays an ungodly amount of attention to one, another dozen transpire without notice. All the while the nation was waiting on the fate of Terri Schiavo, a baby in Texas was in a similar situation. A black woman was forced by the state to surrender the life of her newborn baby girl. She never had a chance at a life. She would never meet the love of her life to discucss end of life issues. Her life lasted about as long as this year's media attention on Terri Schiavo. You see unlike Terri Schiavo, this child had no memory of a life. All she knew was death. And America knewn nothing of her. Yes, it's a sad thing about what happen to Terri Schiavo, but there is indeed a bigger picture many are blinded from seeing. Like how those who like to "ire on the side of life" are the same ones who like to cut the funding to services that are made for the sole purpose of sustainng life. Now what kind of sick perversion is that...

The Godfather
After twenty-six years, the third longest of any Pope, John Paul II dies in Vatican City. Even I, who at times, am usually under-whelmed by such figures. However, hearing about this guys life makes me think more positively about the human race. He was a popular figure and took an archaic position more into the mainstream of a modern world. He did not discriminate, visiting dictatorships, Islamic states, mosque, synagouges and even football stadiums. He's a remarkable human being, despite those who succeed him. I'm sorry, but I really have to question the motives of individuals who are in charge of selecting a viable candidate for a particular position and select themselves. That's exactly my biggest beef with Dick Cheney. it's quite self-motivated if you ask me. But maybe that's just my opinion...

Corpse Bride
Prince Charles married Camile Parker-Bowles.

Big deal.

Deep Throat
A fitting title from another story that has it's roots in the time before I was born. Who is Deep Throat, the question that many asked over the years but never had an answer until the summer of 2005. The number two guy in the FBI, Mark Felt was revealed by Vanity Fair to be the enigmatic source of the reporters that lead the charge of impeachment of Richard Nixon. And now that we know, the world is underwhelmed. It wasn't Kissinger. It wasn't Ford. It wasn't even Ben Stein. It was pretty much nobody. And we waited 30 years just for this...

Michael Jackson's Thriller
Built as the Trial of the Century, part II, the King of Pop was put on trial for several charges, among them was rape. Now, far be it for me to disagree with the ruling of a legal case that took months to determine the guilt or innocence of a man, but did we really think he'd get convicted? First of all, the evidence wasn't that strong to begin with. Secondly, they showed extreme prejudice with this case. There was definitely the feeling of the prosecution "out to get him", which tainted their case. But aside from all of that, even if all of the evidence pointed to Michael Jackson without question, there is still no chance he would have been found guilty. He made Thriller... Thriller...

Terror By Night
It came from out of nowhere. London was rocked by an explosion in the dead of rush hour. This terror attacked killed over fifty and injured 700. This was the largest attack in England since World War II. Which would give old country a new perspective on terrorism. Now was their response an desperate need to send thousands of soldiers to a land to kill people who had nothing to do with the attack? Did England rededicate themselves to our war on terrorism? Did they use this attack as an excuse for their government to do what the hell it wants in the name of security? No, none of that is true. At least not to the extent the United States has taken it. Yes, England can now officially claim they are in the same boat as the U.S. But their reaction is quite different than ours. That alone should make anyone question whether or not our course of action is for the better or worse...

The Perfect Storm
If a Category 5 hurricane simply wasn't enough to severely cripple the infrastructure of the city of New Orleans, inevitably the levees broke flooding many parts of the city. And the result of this was nothing short of disgusting. People who were already poor and had next to nothing had things worse when their lives were destroyed and they really had nothing. There was nothing positive to come from this experience. The late response was plain criminal. And all these people did was play the blame game. The mayor blamed the governor, the governor blamed the FEMA and Homeland Security and they blamed the president. And the president blamed any of the above. His excuse was "they didn't ask for help". What the hell kind of excuse is that? "We're not to intervene unless directly given permission". THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE DYING AND YOU SIT THERE!!! That's criminal! Especially when you not only have the mandate to do something, but the power and cause to act as well. And beyond all that, everyone looks to point fingers at Ray Nagin, the mayor of the ravaged city. The thing is, Mayor Nagin has nothing to do with what happens across city borders, let alone state borders. Who has the authority to act across state lines? Not Governor Blanco. Not Mayor Nagin. Speaking of Mayor Nagin. Throughout this crisis, he was responsible for an 80% evacuation of New Orleans. Last I checked, New Orleans isn't Sparta, Mississippi. 80% is a damn lot of people. Especially when you also consider that most cities in the path of a hurricane evacuate only 60%. They want to talk about buses that were left and people left in their homes. What they don't realize those buses did not do nothing for the panic at the Superdome. Hurricane Katrina was a perfect example of inefficiency of our government and how much they care about their mandate to protect the people they were elected to protect. They can set up wiretaps to spy on Americans and send more Americans in a vain attempt at an excuse to combat terrorism, but they can't prepare properly for a fucking hurricane!?! Something definitely ain't stirring the Kool-Aid...

Judge Dredd
In the span of a short few months, Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor retires and Chief Justice Reinquist dies, giving a juicy opportunity to a sitting president that is rarely seen. George Bush was given the chance to nominate two Supreme Court Judges with his ideology, his agenda and his way. His number one draft pick was a little known advocate that no one could have guessed named John Roberts. Now instead of having him replace the recently retired O'Connor, he seizes the opportunity of Reinquist's death to put him up for Chief Justice. Now, both democrats and republicans both know little of Roberts. All they know is that he represented President Reagan some time ago. So based upon this and whatever other faulty logic the president often employs, he suggested Roberts to be the best man for the job. Now because that so little is know about the guy, not just democrats, but even republicans had a hard time with this guy. And to make matters worse for our fearless leader, he then nominates Harriet Miers for the court as well. And if no one knew who Roberts was, now there's Miers, who not only people know little about, but she was no where nearly qualified for the job and she took every opportunity to kiss the president's ass. This was a ridiculious and disgusting selection. It was so phoney in fact that it had to be a cover for his replacement for such an assine pick, Alito. Sam Alito, who is just as bold in letting it know exactly how he feels. At least he doesn't kiss Bush's ass as much, which could prove to be his saving grace... if he wants to get on the court...

The Client
After such great seasons in the "Trial of the Century" series, we finally got a trial that actually meant a little and had more of a public utility than rich black celeberties. The former ruler of Iraqi, Saddam Hussein was finally put on trial for exactly what I'm still not sure. Because he was bad? He was the law. I've heard people try to write off slavery for it being law and therefore acceptable. Yes, it is idiotic babble and Saddam Hussein probably deserves what he gets. The problem is he deserved it 20 years ago just as much when he was honing his style on Iranians we didn't like. And because we didn't like them, what Saddam did was a-okay with us. And that simply isn't right, by no stretch. And of course, this trial is ending up to be a spectacle. Saddam screaming about everything, the United States(yes, that's right) claiming about anything. I wonder exactly what would happen if Saddam was to actually be pleaded not guilty? So much for a fair trial. He'd have no chance for that in Iraq, which is why this would have to be handled internationally, which the U.S. would be damned to let happen...

The Killing Fields
In late October, the toll for our fight in Iraq reached a landmark of 2,000 dead and at least five to ten times as much wounded and God knows how many more are affected across the world. At the same time, I hear people try to minimize this atrocity by comparing it to being a low number when taking in consideration the first couple of years of other wars like World War II or Vietnam. I have to wonder if these people knew someone personally to have been affected by this. Have they tried living their lives with them and then having them snuffed out quickly. I am constantly reminded of this whenever I visit my brother in Arlington. It has become a ritual to see how many more have joined him in the months since my last visit. I look at their names, their ages and where they left us and there's no way this is anything other than tragic. And I just think a lot of people on teh right don't see what this does to people and if they do, it's clear they don't really care...

All The President's Men
This year would see it's ending with a myrid of political disasters for our fearless leader. With roots back to his triumphant return to office, the president's men like Dick Cheney, Bill Frist, Tom DeLay, Mike Cunningham and Lewis "Scooter" Libby all get their balls thrown through the ringer by involving themselves in a number of shady dealings ranging from CIA identity leaks to fraud to just being an asshole because most of them are. Thinking they can get away with just about anything and they thought Clinton was bad. All he wanted is some head. These guys, no telling what they want. One by one we see these guys go down. Already there's two going off to the big house. One's heart can hardly put up with all the corruption and many more are simply going to be taken out the old fashion way with the people's vote. What started off as a year for victory for the Republicans be re-emerging from a frantic election year, it tappered off to a sad and dire mess they brought upon themselves. Not only are they looking at hard times in 2006, many will be looking at just hard time in the years beyond. This is the price you pay for your political capital, Mr. President...

Strange Days
Now, here we are at the year 2006. A new day, a new time and a new start for everyone. However, there are those who insist on the same trends they slid into the new year with. This new year began with Judge hearings, dead miners and mislead families, Republicans on trial and as usual, more bad news from Iraq. Many wonder if this new year will bring hope. Will it bring encouragement. Will it bring enlightenment. Well, it's a wonder exactly what this year will bring indeed...

Final Thought: The Death of Stanley Tookie Williams

2005-12-13T04:30:00.000-05:00

It's a shame that Laura Owens, the wife of Albert Owens, the widow of a murdered man had signifigantly less press coverage than her media darling of the conservative machine mother-in-law Linda Owens. I don't think this widow believes Stan Williams is the man who murdered her husband. Even if she is, she was much against his execution. But of course, you'd never hear about this through the liberal media...

Many make claims about Williams saying he's not reformed, apologized or admitted to his crime. They call him a monster, an evil man and say he deserved to die. And it's funny that about all the people I hear this from are people who never in the their lives met the man. How can you pass judgement on someone you only hear about? They say while in prison, he's conspired to attack prison guards and other inmates and the guards say he was mean, spiteful and hateful toward them to the end. Well, he's in prison. What would you expect from anyone who is caged like an animal with no freedom? You expect him to be nice? No one put in that situation, especially lived the life he has would be any parts of 'nice'. And in any event, I am quite sure, that those who make these claims of spite against him aren't exactly angels themselves. He's attacked other inmates. They are in the same situation and probably about as 'nice'. He's attacked and has been hateful toward guards. These guards are by their nature and job tough and unforgiving having to associate and police the people they have to on a daily basis. It's foolish to take these claims seriously...

The United States of America, a nation that loves to pat itself on the back for human rights treatment and freedom can now happily group themselves in league with such dandies like China, Saudia Arabia and Iran. The Fantatic Four when it comes to sanction the murder of it's own citizenry. I don't want to hear another word from a conservative who wants to complain about the U.N. and letting Sudan or Syria on whatever commission or otherwise say another word about human rights because they have no more credibility. No leg to stand on. I don't even want to hear them talk about abortion. They always want to link it to killing a human being when they are absolutely okay doing it in this case. "Oh but a baby is innocent!" WHAT BABY!!! "Tookie killed innocent people! He must die!" So that makes it better? Just becuase he killed, you have to kill too? How in the hell do you rank any better? Tookie killed innocent people? DO NOT LET ME GET STARTED ON THE NUMBER OF INNOCENT LIVES KILLED BY THIS GOVERNMENT!!! Williams was convicted sole based on the testimony of cowards and greedy souls. And you trust these people. You think it's humane to kill a human being, reguardless of evidence of his innocence or the path and inspiration he has created for the lives he's saved. We are human beings. Not God. We are supposed to be the force of goodness and compassion but we kill and seek revenge and call it justice. Where the fuck is your humanity…

I'll be the first to admit. I was on the fence. Since this case started to gain attention I was admittedly divided. On one hand he's done a lot and whether you like it or not he's has given back to society. Not only with the loss of his freedom, but at the worth of saving others from walking the path he was lead to. On the other hand I saw what he accomplished. It is in part of this man that many of my people have their lives in a cloud of fear, death and destruction. He is the co-founder of an organization so fucking deadly it puts Al-Queada to shame. The Crips are the fucking KKK's favorite foot soldier and they did their work and thought nothing of it. And Stanley Tookie Williams was to blame. And for this I wanted to see this man pay. I wanted to see him pay for what he did to my people. I wanted him to pay for destroying a generation and warping a culture and life of so many. He needed to. But at last, there was so much too this. He know what he help bring to this world and all he could have done is to right his wrong, which he started to do. He inspired thousands to not take the road he did. He tried to turn back another generation from a life of ruin and like it or not, he had his success. But none of that mattered. Now, I'm not entirely sure he was guilty of the crime he was accused of. No one cared that no one who claimed they were with him are not on death row. One has never served a day for what he claimed to be a part of. Stanley Williams gets death, while a coward who was with him who did nothing to stop death goes scott free? And he had nothing to gain from telling morally bankrupt people that Stanley Williams is a killer? You don't think the LAPD didn't know he was a founder of the Crips and have probably been after him for years, just waiting for the chance to finally get him off the streets? The one thing that many has damned Williams for, the one thing that could have actually saved his life was never given. Stanley Williams never confessed. He died, never admitting to killing these people. He had EVERYTHING to gain for this admission and ALL to lose for keeping quiet. He stayed quiet. He did not confess. It makes no sense for him not to... unless...

"Vengence is mine."

"And I will strike down upon thee with great vengence and furious rebukes, 'those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers and you will know that I am THE LORD when I lay my vengence upon thee."

It is up to us as a moral, just and humane society to decide guilt or innocence of our members. It is also upon us to levee punishment. However the final judgment is not ours to make...

Damn it... we have a separation of church and state. Conviently inapplicable when you need it the most and totally applied when it fits a purpose of yours...

It's funny isn't it?

But what the hell? Since when do we let this stop us as a society? The bible also said eye for an eye and that's one passage where the separation means nothing. We have a long history of making people suffer with torture. So why now change with Stanley Williams? Why not torture him and let him suffer to know he has to live and not have a breath of freedom. Why make his life easy and end it? And so it is now we are against torture... again…

Nothing good comes from this. Linda Owens may think she knows comfort, but take it from me, you won't Linda. There's nothing to bring your son back. Stanley William's life won't make the pain you feel any easier. Because when it comes down to it Ms. Owens, on those times where you miss your son the most, where the loss in your heart burns the deepest, Stanley Williams will not be a thought in your head. I know this is true. I've been through the same pain. My mother has been through the same pain. The generation who have been brought up in this cycle of violence and death of a gang life have one less reason to refuse that path…

In the end, there is no justice. There is only justified vengence. Only a way to appease your anger and not a way to appease your soul. Justice does not belong to the victim. Justice is to put right where it once went wrong. His punishment was justice. His punishment was right. His death was wrong…

"Terrorist Threat"

2005-12-12T00:19:00.000-05:00

There is a terrorist threat in America and we can barely detect that our country's been wrecked by barbarians. Derelict clerics with exotic names like Trent Lott and Katherine Harris. I’m going to Paris because they killed democracy in Florida, quick call the coroner. There’s been a hostile takeover of the red, white and blue. They finance corporate mergers so when Enron and congress fuck everybody gets screwed. They’re holding hostages in hot factories overseas. They torture their victims with long hours and slave wages. They crave little girls, mostly Southeast Asians and Haitians. I’ve seen the videotapes so R. Kelly isn’t the only one that should be charged with child molestation.

There is a terrorist threat in the land and it’s not just the boy bands. They have a plan; it’s inherited through history. They destroyed the native tribes now each July they celebrate their victory. Instead of making things more equal, they build prisons for poor people, pass out petty bids and life sentences to kids for selling weed and other sedatives, but they disregard the evidence when they select a rich white boy from Texas and declare a crackhead president. A draft-dodging merchant of menace with a feeble mind and before he bombs Saddam on my dime he better send weapon inspectors into Columbine.

There is a terrorist threat in the nation. They give tax breaks to big banks but they deny black people reparations. They maintain training ranches and congregate in clans. They want to steal Alaska’s oil and blame it on Iran. They tally bands and censor art for sport. They snuck into our law schools and hijacked the Supreme Court. Their money makes missiles. Their labs created Anthrax. Osama was their pawn. Evil is their axis. They’re skilled at killing innocent civilians because they had lots of practice. From Hanoi to Nicaragua, from Vieques to Damascus, for aqua and oil, gold zinc and soil. They spread their views on Cable news. They call each other George and Dick and Rudy. So next time you see a terrorist, kick him in his booty. It’s not only your right as an American, it’s your patriotic duty.

-Def Poet

Broader Security

2005-11-21T21:28:00.001-05:00

We live in the United States of America. The land of the free. The home of the brave. The United States is eternally known as the "land of opportunity". But living in this day and age, I find myself questioning who actually lands this opportunity?

This nation was founded by immigrants. This nation imported immigrants to build its infrastructure for over a hundred years. Since the first man stepped foot of a ship, people have been coming to this land in bunches. From 1850 to 1930, nearly 80 million immigrated to this nation from all across the world. It wouldn't suprise me if less than half of this nation is second or third generation. We are the melting pot.

However, now it's a different story. We got people in this country who seem to forget where their American brothers come from. You know who you are. Legally or illegally, immigration is about as American as lynching and apple pie. However, there are forces in this nation who will lead you to believe that the number one problem in this nation is illegal immigration. Not gang violence, not drug use, not even terrorism. But illegal immigration. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm far from fool, I know the law is the law. Illegal immigration is illegal for a reason. Border security is an issue that needs address and redress. But I'll be goddamn if it's the biggest problem facing the nation. That's insane.

These guys need to get their heads out of their asses and think a little bit broader. Our boarders are important, but our borders shouldn't be of the greatest concern right now. Quite honestly, I don't know how many mexicans are trying to figure out ways to kill American soldiers. The conservative machine in this country is so concentrated on protecting U.S. borders, all the while support a war, wherein American men are killed on a daily basis by Iraqis who aren't really Iraqi. It's like Woodstock and these rebels are coming out the woodwork just to get a shot to get a shot at some Americans. And when I say woodwork, I mean about everywhere but Iraq. And they know that. I've heard the adminstration say this more times than necessary. These foreign elements are coming in and trying to end this new democracy. So what's our response to acknowledged poor weak-ass border patrol in Iraq? One goddamn battalion.

In the last two years, the best we can do is a goddamn battalion. We are essentially that country's standing army. If we are going to be there, we should be the ones providing security for the nation and quite frankly, we are doing a piss poor job. What's worse the attacks at the mall in Jordan was by Iraqi nationals. I almost want to have a Vince Lombardi moment and ask "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON AROUND HERE!?" We have Iraqi's in Jordan. Jordanians, Saudis, Yemeni, Pakistanis, Iranis, Syrians, Tatooineians, Nubians and Wookies all dying to get in that country just to die in the country.

So here we are. Conservative forces solely concentrated on stoping Mexicans from coming to America to find a better life, to have a better chance and opportunity and they are so willfully ignorant of the border problems across the goddamn world, particular in the part where we are hated more than Satan himself. You got Osama Bin Laden running all up and down the Pakistan/Afghanistan border. Every idiot what bad intentions running all across the Iraqi border and idiot Iraqis trying to running for everyone else across any border they can find. And they sitting up here worried about some damn Mexicans. Can we get some damn perspective. Tell me how many of the hijackers from the WTC/Pentagon attacks ran across the Mexican/American border? Now tell me if that number is higher or lower than the number that were here in this nation legally.

Can someone get the statistics for how many Mexicans come to American and become serial killers?

Can someone find me the ratio of Mexicans crossing the boarder to become career criminals to career-minded workers?

Can someone tell me the number of Arabs that are making a mad dash across the Mexican boarder?

We have a congressman out west claiming to one. A single goddamn Arab man. God knows this guys intentions. How do we know he isn’t seeking to change his life for the better in this country? Or are we going to simply assume he’s come to kill Americans? Why come across the world to kill Americans when he could have gone to Iraq, where the rest of them congregate? And if that’s the case, then why the hell aren’t we concentrating on Mexican boarder security? We got enough hands to pay attention to Iraq, why not Mexico as well since we are so concerned about boarder security. Hell, why not invade Mexico in a call for regime change there too? We did in Iraq. And now look how that turned out. Border insecurity out the ying-yang.

But I digress. Let’s go back. You seen the movies Scarface. As fictional as it may have been they were based upon real circumstances. Tony Camonte and Tony Montana, both were immigrants. So was Vito Corleone from the Godfather. There was a time in real life that where those in the New York criminal underworld have to be native born Italian or Sicilian in order to be made. We have a historical grounding in letting any and all kinds into our nation. “Give us your tired, your hungry, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free air", we told others. That was the mantra of the land of the free. Now, we turn away those that are tired, those that are hungry, those that are poor and those that are enslaved. What happen to the free air? It just becomes more and more evident.

This isn’t the land of the free anymore.

The Party's In Good Hands

2005-11-12T16:42:00.000-05:00

With a great regret and sadness, I had been withdrawn from my forum for nearly two weeks. I have been away, distracted by a good greater than my own. In other words, I have been insanely busy achieving a feat many across the country will obvserve, emulate and congratulate. I was at the end of a election for office of governor in the Commonwealth of Virginia, fighting for my candidate, the Democrat Tim Kaine. And we were victorious. The next governor of Virginia is Tim Kaine.

But now I'm back and I've come with the realization that the political well-being of the Democratic Party is all good. After what many would have seen as the crumbling and demise of the party at the end of the 2000 election where George Bush retained the presidency, few saw any promise ahead. Many thought that the Democrats had nothing left, that a loss to a weak candidate with a divisive, but indoctrinating and simplistic plan was enough to cripple and embarrass the party for years beyond any recognizable repair. They were accused of being simply out of touch with the American people.

Well, here we are, a year later and the Party and the people who comprise the party are well within grasp of the reigns of the nation, if not they have the strength to not just survive but to fight for what is good and just.

Tim Kaine has won an election. Not just any election either. A Virginia liberal who wasn't a very known and popular Lieutenant Governor. Already at a extreme disadvantage being a Democrat in a state that is dominated by a conservative legislature, dominated by republican congressmen, beaten in spending and fundraising, both senators are jems of the Republican Party, and being a state that overwelmingly votes strongly Republican consistently. Virginia's strong conservative roots are known and anyone questioning them is rather insane or knows dick about politics. But beyond that Kaine still won. Using a great asset of a popular governor and running a up-beat, positive campaign with those, like myself who worked extreme hours, victory was assured. It was an uphill battle that was won. No, we are not out of touch. If we are so out of touch, how do we win a race where every poll had is down until two weeks before the election? Virginia saw a good message, someone they can trust and knew he was the right man for the job.

The Commonwealth was also helped by the hand of the Democratic Pary's newest and probably strongest memeber, Barak Obama. He arrived a few weeks ago to bring out our core and to energize our base in a time where it would be crucial. And energize he did. Barak Obama is the future of the party and as he goes, so does the Democrats. He has the message, the pedigree and the ideals the party has embraced. Everyone, within the Democratic Party and outside the party have recognized his power. Everyone knows he will be a force in politics and world society for years to come. And everyone, especially Republicans know they will have a fight ahead of them, one in which it will be a struggle for them to win. The more he is around, the more he strengthens our voice, one we struggled to have before and one we will be without any longer.

However, he is not alone. Over the last several months, I have had the pleasure of working with a great lot of people who care, who have principle and who will always stand with their nation. Democrats have had their identity defined by those who wish ill upon them, but now they define themselves. With the likes of Anton Gunn, my brother who has been with people who have helped bring them life and hope with social and political education many are without. Many people believe there is little they can do to affect their world, but those like Anton are there to tell them otherwise. He shows them what they can do and how to be involved to help more than just themselves.

With our new, young faces willing to prove their worth and ability, the Democratic Party is in good hands. Yes, it was hurt with the loss of the Presdential race, but that was not the end. It may have been a victory for them, but for those who lost, it was a realization. A realization that there is more out there. A realization that there is no where left to go but up. A realizaton that with more people out there without political direction, there is no way anyone can be out of touch with the people. You just have to get intouch with them, which we did in Virginia's Democratic Coordinated Campaign.

I once said that American cannot be right if there is nothing left and that is the truth, literally and figuratively. If the domination by the Republicans is a signal of the death of the Democratic Party, then there is nothing to combat it, but yet, we won this election. Yet, we still have a voice. Yet we have not and will not go away. So we will stay. American is not America without those on the left. We are part and parcel of this nation, since the inception and will be a part until the bitter end. The domination of the right is not only unthinkable, but it is impossible. Our leadership, our future and our legacy will ensure the well-being of the Democratic Party. So without a shadow of doubt, without question or pause, I can assuredly tell you as I breathe God's air that the Democratic Party is in great hands.

Now witness in our glory and fire.

The Politics of Criminalization

2005-10-27T11:18:00.000-05:00

It's only fair.

For the last few weeks, the right in this nation have grasped their hot new catchphrase that they intent to trick more and more Americans into gathering their collective sorry ass simpathies again. Whether it is "Stay the Course" or "Fight them there so we don't have to fight them here" or something pointless like "Defending freedom" and "Mission Accomplished", the right has been greatly concentrating on finding a catchphrase that can easily stick with people and and brainwash them in the same simplicity that President Bush's mind is currently stuck at. Now, they will say that with the looming indictments and arrest of key Republican powers like Tom DeLay, Karl Rove, Bill Frist, Scooter Libby and Dick Cheney that this is all a result of... the criminalization of politics. You hear it day in, day out. And not just repeated countless times by correspondents and anchors on Fox News, but it's been all across conservative radiowaves. I swear Rush Limbaugh had to have said the slogan like a dozen times in twenty minutes a few days ago.

Now, the whole idea of what they want you to believe that the realm of politics is exactly what it is: politics. The actions taken by individuals involved in this world are done on a political basis and it has been for hundreds of years in this nation. Now that investigations are pending, indictments are being served and warrents are being issued to individuals, all conservative, the political process is being stifled, which is something we are told by them is bad.

These hypcritical, egotistical, short-sighted, super-partisan, sons-of-bitches. What in God's name makes them think they are special? Less than 10 years ago, you had the same heads blasting the sitting president saying he's not above the law, that he's abusing his power, that he's corrupt and valueless. But now, when their side is under the microscope, it's the criminialization of politics!!! It's not fair! You can't have people being proescuted to settle political scores! YOU DON'T FUCKING SAY?! Wow! You conservatives are like a pearl of wisdom or something. You have fucking sight beyond sight! If it wasn't for the fact that the same shit happened eight years ago, YOU MUTHAFUCKERS WOULD BE GODDAMN PSYCHIC! You guys don't have any right to preach to anyone or to trying to convice anyone that what's happening to corrupt assholes running this country isn't just. You think this is the criminalization of politics? Well goddamn it, I would hope so! Anything better than you ass-clowns with your nifty slogans and "break any rule because they don't apply us because our guy is president" mentality. You deserve to be criminals and caught doing the idiotic shit you do, just for being so goddamn stupid.

Now, this is probably my first and last post on these evil little bastards. I'm tired of hearing about them. I don't want to talk about it again until they get the big bastards who cannot be this ignorant to all of the slime and crime that surrounds him on a daily basis. You really have to be an idiot to believe he is completely unrelated to all of this. Yes I'm talking about George Bush. He should have been criminalized for being this fucking gullible and ignorant or for simply knowing and allowing this shit to unfold. These egoholics deserve all they get. I hope they get cells next to Adibese from Oz so they can really learn what his version of 'hard work' is. It ain't like any of this should be expected either. Politics is fully of shady bastards anyway. Why is it so hard to believe that they'd turn to criminal acts to get what they want? That's what you do. If it isn't legal, then you make it legal by any means necessary. Laws mean nothing. They know how the game is played and they knew the rules. Blame no one else now it is know they are breaking the rules. They knew exactly what they were doing. You always do. They did in Watergate. They knew in Iran-Contra. And now they know in Iraq-assholes. Clinton certainly knew it as well. Only difference was his didn't involve the livelihood of thousands and thousands of Americans.

Thank you.

Thank You Sister Rosa. You Are The Spark?

2005-10-25T23:38:00.000-05:00

I wouldn't be proper if I did not give a few words on this time. An Icon, a living legend, a symbol of American history passed yesterday. Rosa Parks died of natural causes at the age of 92. Rosa Parks was the spark that ignited the Montgomery Bus Boycotts and launched the career and lifelong endeavor of one of the greatest Americans in our nation's history, Martin Luther King. In 1955, Rosa Parks leaving her job to go home on the bus was prompted by the driver to give up her seat for a white passenger. She refused. She would be arrested and this arrest angered many in the community for the treatment of a beloved and peaceful citizen as herself. Word was quickly passed that not a single black passenger would ride the bus again until this injustice is corrected. The boycott lasted over a year and really damaged the economy in Alabama. This example was followed by many throughout the nation and soon, the Civil Rights Movement was in full swing and not long after, equality for all citizens was demanded by law. All because of one woman was tired. Not tired of working, she worked with her hands. But tired of having to be treated inhuman, as if he rights where superceeded by others. Or was it?

No, I dare not question the significance and impact Rosa Parks had on the world and society, but what is in question is the spark of the Civil Rights Movement. There are three dates that many bring into question: August 28, 1955, December 1, 1955 and May 17, 1954. Of course on the first of December in 1955, that was the day Rosa Parks was arrested and the start of the Montgomery Bus Boycott. However, outside of that, there's also the landmark Supreme Court decision of Brown vs Topeka, which resulted in the doctrine of "Separate but equal" being declared unconstitutional. Although many recongize Rosa Parks and what she started, this is considered by many what really triggered the movement. Without this being law, the movement wouldn't really have much ground to stand on, including the unlawful arrest of Rosa Parks.

However, outside of those dates, there is another date many do not know or care to discuss. On August 28th of 1955, over three months before Rosa Parks was arrested, a young man by the name of Emmet Till left his home in Chicago to visist some relatives in Money, Mississippi. Unaware and uneducated to the severe racial divisions that ran in the south, Emmett made an misunderstood pass toward the store owner's wife, Carolyn Bryant, which she took offense. Word eventually spread across the small community and by time her husband returned from an out of state trip, he and his brother-in-law decided to kidnapp Emmett to "teach him a lesson". Admitting they wanted to scare Emmett at first, they eventually changed tactics when Emmett showed no fear of the danger he was actually in. Despite the duo's claims, their intentions were evident and clear with the reported hours of screams, beaten and bruised body of Emmett and most notably the face of Emmett Till. Words cannot describe the wretched and disfigured remains of a handsome teenage boy who was brutally murdered by two men. After a vain attempt to clean up the body, Mamie Till, Emmett's mother decided that he should be left alone and to have an open casket funeral so the world could see what happened to her son. After several countless visitors at the funeral, several photographs and a print in Jet magazine, thousands were able to see what happened to Emmett. Despite Bryant's aquittal, he would eventually be shunned by his own community for what he did.

The effects of Emmett Till's death were much more far-reaching than anyone could have thought. The addage of a picture being worth a thousand words was proven to be 100% correct in this case. This was one of the first times that local law enforcement, local media and the NAACP all worked together to investigate exactly what happened. Because of the high level of cooperation between these institutions and the profound shock value of seeing the actual brutality of hate, there is no doubt in my mind that this is reasonably considered the spark to the Civil Rights Movement.

However, the actual spark of the Civil Rights Movement wasn't on December 1, 1955, August 28, 1955 or May 17, 1954. The Civil Rights Movement would not have been a success without the sumation of these three events. The Brown vs Topeka decision laid the ground work to let the world know change was due to come. The death of Emmett Till made this a real issue to not only the whole of America, but across the world as well. And finally the arrest and ensuing boycott was the culmination and call to action to demand civil rights. Again, there's no denying Rosa Park's place in the movement, but she was not alone. But as the years passed, she became increasingly lonely and as time passed, I believe many took for granted what we had among us, a spark that made America the greatest nation it is today. If it wasn't for her, this nation would not be anything at all as it is now.

Thank you Sister Rosa. You are the spark. You started our freedom movement. Thank you sister Rosa Parks.

Clash of the Titans

2005-10-22T16:46:00.000-05:00

Everyone who is involved in the business of politics and social issues loves a good old fashioned, hot, passion-filled, throw-down, knock-down, drag-out ruthless debate. And it should go without saying that these things do get personal, but at the same time, the only way to come out uscathed is to not take this personally. Though, it is damn hard when people are questioning and attacking your beliefs and what you feel is right. Some people don't under that when you are attacking what a person believes, it's an attack on their identity as well and a person's identity is sacred. So as much as you shouldn't take it personally, it's hard not to.

But it's always fun.

And so when you have heavyweights in the field doing what they do best, doing what they love, I just had to take the time out of a busy campaign to take a look. Yesterday was the 3rd annual Clash of The Titans debate in the Lion's Den, also known as the Christian Coalition funded Regent University. This is the thir year that Pat Robertson and his 'good ol' boys' have put on a debate with giants in the world of politics, society and military and government. Previous Clashes have included the likes of Al Gore, Bob Dole, Ann Coulter and Alan Dershowitz. Two years ago, they debated whether or not the Supreme Court has overstepped its authority. Last year they debated what's on the line in the 2004 election. This year, the debate was on whether or not the president's strategy in Iraq has been effect and is it worth the effort. In the left corner was former CNN host of Crossfire and former Clinton aid Paul Begala and Former general of NATO forces in eastern Europe and presidential candidate General Wesley Clark. In the right corner was former Speaker of the House and real architech behind Republican power, Newt Gengrich and former White House counter-terrorism lead and aid to Ronald Reagan, Oliver North.

What I would like to do is just highlight a few things the contenders said throughout the debate that really caught my attention that I would like to present to you and to just give some of my thoughts and impressions on what I heard. I tried not to be bias and just notate those I agree with, but of course I had to have those I disagree with, just to let you know how wrong they are and how right I am. So without further adieu...

"We are victims of our own experiences and beliefs."

General Wesley Clark said this in a response to an military question posed to him. And I just wanted to note how true this is. We are in a sense victims to our own knowledge or lack of knowledge. We are put at risk for our ignorance on what we don't know, which can hurt us as the saying goes. This lack of knowledge is a powerful thing that can be used against you, but it comprises who we are and it's something we cannot change.

"Twenty-two revisions of the war plan"

That's insane. I know plans change. I myself am fond of saying a plan ain't nothing but a list of things that don't get done, but you think you'd have something set it stone. To have twenty-two revisions and to say things like "stay the course", then it makes you sound really foolish or severely lacking knowledge.

"If it looked like it involved billions of dollars, thousands of troops and years to complete, it wouldn't have been supported."

Which is the exact case we are in now. Knowing that a war would cost taxpayers nearly $2 billion, that many, many families would be torn apart with relatives leaving for months and months on end and some coming back with drastically altered lives or not coming back at all and that we would be involved in this for a very, very long, Vietnam-long time, then that would have meant maybe 10% of the population would have support it and that's being conservative(in more ways than one). So that could be the only conceiveable reason why a consise plan was never released, discussed or followed through. I'm afraid that what we've done is just created another Israel in Iraq. We think that just because they'll have democracy it will go away? Well, look at Israel, they have one. You think that things will get better over time? Take a look at Israel. You think it won't cost us as much in the long run? Take a gander at Israel. It is still costing us. If we were to cut their foreign aid, they would be in a bit of trouble. Most of our foreign aid goes to them and for what? So they can protect themselves and that is EXACTLY what we will be doing in Iraq 60 years from now.

[Defend the homeland, fight the insurgency and asmiliate any reason someone would have to join.]

This was Gingrich's answer to the way he'd fight the war on terrorism. It's a sound plan on paper, but how you go about executing that plan is most important. He pointed to Homeland Security to defending the homeland, which is what I thought was the job of the CIA, FBI, Coast Guard and more specifically the National Security chief. I mean, National Security... Homeland Security? Isn't that essentially the same damn thing? And to have an Intelligence Czar as well? I thought the Republican Party was against making more government, which is exactly what they've been doing in the last several years. He then pointed to our efforts in Iraq in fighting insurgency, but you have realize we aren't fighting 'insurgency' anymore. Insurgency means to surge from within. I don't think it's any secret anymore that the elements we fight aren't simply Iraqi's version of the Weekend Warrior. This is like an Arabic Woodstock and they are coming all over to be a part of it. And with that in mind, you can't simply fight them like a rebellion or a uprising. You have to fight them like foreign invaders and we aren't doing that. We aren't doing much to take the fight to them, which is part of the problem. Then comes eliminating any reason someone would have to want to join. This is probably the most tricky part of the equation. Newt and the conservative persuassion has pointed to democracy as being a good way to eliminate the reason for joining terrorist, which is odd because democracy is the very reason they are fighting. They don't want democracy. They fight against democracy everyday and don't think what the biggest and brightest example of democracy(United States) is exactly a pillar of democratic leadership. So we can't just assume democracy is the answer.

"If we needed oil, we would have invaded Venezuela."

This does present a good point. Venezuela does have oil, a lot of oil in fact. They don't have a standing army and their leadership is weak. To top it off, they aren't exactly nice people, as cited a reason for invading Iraq by the president. But just because it is so, doesn't disqualify oil being a reason or at least on the mind of those who framed this effort of war. For one, as much of a joke Begala was giving, we aren't going to attack Venezuela. It would be cutting down trees for firewood in your own backyard. Aside from that, Iraq was a relevant excuse. The U.S. was just attacked by Middle Easterners and making a connection and emotional tuggings would be easier to make with Iraq in mind. First of all, the underlying principle of United States foreign policy is to ensure free trade for all nation. That's the main reason why our involvement in World War II. Under Saddam Hussein, Iraq did not trade, especially with the United States. Which kinda sucks because we are rich and what do rich people usually do? Want to buy the unobtainable. And so we liberate Iraq so they are free to trade whatever they desire without Saddam being a poo-poo head. Now that they can trade, what's the one thing they have an abundance to trade? Oil? Who has the most money to buy who will buy at the highest price? The United States. A clear gain is obvious and to say it's not an reason is foolish. It's money. Money is ALWAYS a reason to do anything.

"One ready battallion in two years."

Many have clamored for us to leave Iraq. Unfortunately this won't be done until Iraq can fend for itself, if that ever happens. That's part of the reason why we don't have a solid plan because who knows how long it can take to train a full army? But if you follow the timeframe we are currently at, training a single battallion after two years, then we are going to be there well after all of us are dead. But this is paramount. They need their own army and not ours. We can't stay there forever and continue to get ourselves killed. They need to get themselves killed because they have the most at stake. But to have one batallion in three years is a failure. We shouldn't have told the old army to go home in the first place. Half of them were there because Saddam said so. If you told the other have they were fighting for their own damn futures and put something on the line, maybe then they'd have more to lose, but as it is now, they don't. I'm just afraid, however many battallions they have, the moment we pick up and leave that nation, it is going to fall apart.

Between 1945 and 1948, Germany, Italy and Japan were rebuilt by their own armies."

I had a friend of mine. She often wanted to compare our efforts today to our war effort of 60 years ago in World War II. Not just the way we fought, but the reaction at home as well. Now that's all fine and dandy, but warfare and especially the United States has radically changed in 60 years. Hell there is hardly one thing that we do today that is done the same way 60 yeas ago. For one, 60 years ago we didn't have things like black people active in the political system 60 years ago. 60 years ago Islamic fundamentalism wasn't to this extreme and on the same token, Americanization wasn't as rabid as it is today. So, it's hard to have things the way they were 60 years ago. A testiment to that would be the nations we fought against 60 years ago and their reaction post World War II. Yes, these nations benefitted greatly from the Marshall Plan, but it didn't take effect until the late 40s. And post-war Germany, Italy and Japan didn't just sit on it's ass and let us do all the work. And why did they not have the same problem with Imperialist, Nazis and facist still constantly attacking U.S. forces after the war ended? Probably because they were there to handle their own business. The Emperor of Japan was still Emperor when they surrendered. We did not send the whole German army home only to recruit from scratch all over again. Why? That's a waste of resources. Just reorganizing what you already have on hand instead of starting from the beginning.

[The fight should be won ideologically.]

Not solely militaristically. To defeat terrorism, you cannot win it by military victory. Terrorism is an idea, a movement. You'd just as well win a war on jealousy(kudos to David Cross). Those who use the ideals of terror to force others to bend to their will just won't go away by shooting it. It will just spread. What if you had someone who didn't get involved in none of this stuff, but they had a brother or best friend who was knee deep in jihadism and he just got blown to bits by an American missle. He's gonna be pretty teed off and might just want some revenge. What does that solve? Nothing. So what if you took a different approach and convinced the guy to convince his brother or bestfriend that what they are doing isn't going to be successful and there are better ways, more sane and less violent ways to get people to bend to your will. No one dies and you have someone doing the leg work with you. It's a better idea. Whenever someone asks me, "Shogunn, how would you win the war on terrorism." My simple answer would be to not give them a reason to terrorize. Not some idiotic 'take the fight to them' or 'stay the course' or some thing else irrational. You should always use your mind it's less painful... or should be.

"Democracy won't be enough."

What would it take for more of the right to admit to this. And of all people it's Newt Gingrich who said it. No it won't be enough. Hell who says it is even part of the answer? Was democracy enough back in 1860 when the federal government clashed with state power? Was democracy enough in 1960 when black people could vote, but could not under duress or disqualification? And again, is it enough in Israel where a car blows up, a mall is attacked or people are kicked out of their homes after years and years of righteous living? Duh! Democracy isn't enough. It isn't nearly enough. You need a lot more than democracy to change. Democracy only governs the way people rule. It does not legislate the way people think.

* * *

And so there you have it. Score one more for the good guys. Actually there were no clear winners in this debate. There hardly is a clear winner in any debate, unless there is no debate and one side is not doing the debating by avoiding questions or not fully explaning themselves. But where can you fully explain yourself when someone across from you is absolutely sure they are right and you are completely wrong? I know...

The Smoking Gunn

True Colors I: Louis Farrakahn

2005-10-20T01:34:00.000-05:00

Louis Farrakahn.

Just to hear the name just automatically temps your head in to exploding into opinion. Being the product of an age where both the Civil Rights Movement and the ensuing Black Power Movement have expired and without the legendarily notorious opinion shakers of the time around currently present, Louis Farrakahn is simply one of the most controversial figures in social society. You rather love him or hate him. You rather respect him or despise him. You rather listen to him or ignore him. There is no inbetween with Louis Farrakahn. At least if there is, there won't be once he starts to speak.

Born in New York and raised in Boston, Farrakahn was known in a fomer life as a musician as "The Charmer". Notwithstanding the elegance he is still able to produce from a violin, Farrakahn's voice isn't one of a firey preacher or a passionate leader, but it is curiously calm and patient. He talks softly with hard words that leaves listeners vulnerable to his message. It disarms an objective listener to the extent objectivity is no longer able to suffice.

Louis Farrakahn was a product of the Civil Rigths Movement's Nation of Islam and followed faitfully to Elijah Muhammad's teachings. Once the movement ended as did the life of Muhammad, the Nation of Islam lightened many of its traditions and practices and was underway to a complete transformation. By the late 1970s, Farrakahn had enough and staying true to his original beliefs, he reformed the Nation of Islam as seen by the vision of Elijah Muhammad. Not to deviate and to give a full biography of Louis Farrakahn, it's important to know where the man comes from. But knowing that much, many still do not know where he has come from.

Being an inherent controversial figure, in the last several weeks, Farrakahn has stirred the pot even more, suggesting the lack of evidence to the condition of the broken levees long after the powerful force of a hurricane has dissipated, Farrakahn has hypothesize on what actually happened. This did not sit well with many. Some, inclined to agree with the minister agreed that there was a lack of evidence and Farrakahn's charges may have merit, while the majority have utterly dismissed Farrakahn and his ravings all due to a simple coponent: Race.

The racial issue has been the fuel to the fire of most of Farrakahn's career. Drawing out the stark differences and drawing a conclusion between the advantages and disadvantages grounded in race is what gives him his controversy. But this raises a question. If this nation did not have a problem with race, why would Farrakahn's fuel still be able to ignite his fire and intensify his flames? If the people of this nation in this day and age did not have a problem with race, as many claim, how can a man whose career has been grounded in the demographic still be as popular and controversial? The more you examine this question the more you will be inclined to agree that despite the claims of many, the United States of America has not purged itself of the racial dilemma and the fact that we haven't cannot simply be blamed on Farrakahn for pointing to it.

So who does have a problem with race? Is it those who agree with Farrakahn? That this nation has not gotten over it's past issues of race. Is it those who respect Farrakahn and tries to take the time and listen to him, for better or worse? Is it those who follow him and give credit to his beliefs? Maybe. But if you are going to look that, you had better look at the polar side as well. Those who hate Farrakahn, who tear at his character, who call him "Calypso Lewy" other ways of belitting him. I accuse conservatives for using what they fear, what they despise Farrakahn of using and what they never came to terms with since it was part and parcel of their ideology. I accuse them of using race.

No, I am not saying every single conservative is a racist. You will learn that that's a hard badge to earn and not liking a few black people won't cut it. I accuse them of not being able to look beyond it, because the more they hate on Farrakahn, the more I'm convinced they never actually listened to his message. Not once in the last several weeks have I heard any of his detractors actually refute or argue any of his valid and credible arguements. They insist on taking one issue an hollow issue and blowing it up and stake his identity on it. It is this ideology that has not come to terms with their past relationship with race in this nation. And don't think for a second that conservatism and the bigoted, discriminatory racism that thrived in this nation aren't linked. The modern Republican party was formed from the once conservative Democrats who could not follow the liberalization of not only their party but the whole nation. With the likes of Jesse Helms, Strom Thrumond and Trent Lott, these conservative Democrats switched parties and rejuvinated the defunked Repulblican party. With the culture of life and politics during that time, these individuals did adhere to a ideology that embraced racism. And no, I am not saying they still adhere to that same ideology. As I said the nation and politics all shifted left, and it still is to an extent. The times have changed, but nevertheless, those vestiges of racism still linger. For you to not recognize that is like them not recognizing that radical islamism isn't a pool where the ideology of terrorism exist.

Now, back to Farrakahn. Conservatives have not come to terms with this facet of their past and continue to ignore it as if it doesn't exist. Just becasue you ignore something does not mean it will go away. I should know. When you ignore something, you pretend it doesn't exist. And if it doesn't exist, whenever it does return you continue to stay away from it but this repulsion does not come from ignorance, but fear. It is this fear of race relations that drives their passsion and distain for Farrakahn and his vessel of race relations. And now, they refuse to see beyond that. And it is truly unfortunate because much of what Farrakahn says has merit and has grounding, but to his detriment, he does uses a racial coponent to push his message. Although it doesn't give the core of his message any less validity, it turns away those who never see the core of his message.

That core includes a strong message of personal responsiblity. That was what the Million Man March was all about. It was about a charge to unfortunately regimented black men who lack responsiblity to their lives and families. It was a charge to end the rabid black-on-black crime and ravage drug use and enormous prison incarceration and to live lives of production and to promote personal responsiblity and self-reliance. Now, who in their right mind would have the never to disagree with that? That is Farrakahn's message. His message also relied heavily on self-responsibility aspect that is the backbone of the conservative ideology. Farrakhan has opposed other black leaders and intellectuals like Jesse Jackson and Cornel West, who see coalition building as the answer to woes in Black America. Farrakahn sees the answer as building from within. Using our resources, our culture our history to repair the wretched situation we might find our race in. This was exactly what every other cultural and ethnic group has done in this nation and this is the hallmark of Farrakahn's teaching. Because he promotes building withing the Black community and to not rely on mainstream America, he's seen as a racial instigator, a baitor or at worse a racist.

It just really bewilders me how conservatives will snear and tear at Farrakahn and make him out to be a racist and a divider and they completely ignore the core of his message, which has a link to their ideology. But they simply refuse to see it all because of the coponent that drives it. That is completely comparable to not looking at a person's character, but rather the color of their skin. But the more they hate on him. The more they ignore his overall reformation, the more they combat the facade of his message and ignore the engine, all they do is make him more controversial. People do not turn away from controversy, they embrace it and that is why Farrakahn retains power.

Epiphany

2005-10-19T01:21:00.000-05:00

"Trust and I will show."

That is the one thing I am absolutely sure I haven't built my life around... then again, it is also what I've relied on. On one side is trust. On the other, faith. Both, seemingly may be the same, but they aren't. For me they have completely opposing meaning. One has utterly destroyed my life, while the other has given me the stength and will to live as I am. But it's going to be a fight within me as it has been in the past, but now I realize it is no longer a stalemate.

Throughout my whole life I have been the type of person who had to keep everything to myself. All my feelings, all my thoughts and emotions were my own. I don't exactly remember how I learned this behavior or what prompted me to do this, but I never liked complaining much. I didn't think and still think it won't get me much of anywhere. The only place it will get me is to give others an idea of how I feel and what I think. And that, I realize moreso than ever is a double-edged sword. If you are reading this now, it's probably clear to you that I have no problem expressing myself, but in my life, that has been the struggle that has defeated me.

I have often been afraid of other opinions outside of my own. I never wanted others to dislike me and I tried not to give anyone much reason to. I always tried to please. I never wanted to be helpless, I wanted to make sure I did not fail anyone for any reason. In order to do this, I had to rely on myself and that made me proud. However to this end, I trace this back to middle school. I wanted to be everything to everyone and wanted them all to like me. So I put myself out a bit. I was nice. I played good. I hung out with the various groups that simply did not exist back in elementry school, but I wanted them too because it was what I knew. But it were these different groups and personalities growing up and apart that did something to me. People who I became close to were not as close as I wanted. People, I thougth were friends, rather out-grew me or did not care to nurture our friendships. Those I did rely on as a part of putting myself out left me and I was really hurt. It is around this age of 12 to 15 that a kid needs lasting relationships for stability and trust. The problem seemed like everyone I put my trust in left me. From best friends, to crushes to just those I casually thought would be there with me. The list could go on, from David, to Maryland, to Kathy, to Rodney and Mary, Duane, Anthony, and endless others. Every year, every time I built enough trust, someone would leave. And going through that, at that time was really, really painful. Painful enough to the extent that I cared not to relive any of it ever again. I slowly, but damn well surely turned inward. I still was a socaible and likeable person, but less and less did I actually "talk" with people.

I couldn't trust them. I never knew when they would leave, if they would give up on me or if they would betray me or simply not be there if I needed them. I couldn't trust anyone. I turned more away from my family, whatever friends I had and it got to the extent, I became afraid of people. It's an odd turn of events, but my greatest fear was and still is getting close to others, whether it be for a simple ask for help or even to establish a relationship of some form, I cannot out of fear. I am afraid they may not like what I have to offer or despite whatever I do offer, I cannot trust them to make my life better. I've recently started to say that no one can live my life, but me. So asking for help is a pointless gesture because ultimately I am the one who has to be willing to improve and that starts from within, not outside. And so that was my excuse all throughout high school. I never dated. I did not go to many social functions outside of sports. No parties, no hanging out with friends on friday and saturday nights, no nothing. I didn't even go to my Prom, under the pretense that I was broke(which I was), but I wasn't about to go and have to be with someone, anyone. I was afraid. Every relationship I had turned out to rather turn against me or disappear.

And so college came along and the whole process of severing relationships and creating new ones was to be repeated all over again. Then I didn't care as much. I met people. Nice people. All seem to be going through about the same experience I was of a introduction into a fresh enviornment. But my introverted fear still dominated my personality. I'd get close enough to have friends, but nothing more. But then there was May, which just happen to be the name(nickname or last name) of a number of those relationships from the past. May was my first real relationship. I, we had a lot of fun. It was nice to be with someone who I knew wanted to be with me. It was like magic. I know that sounds corny and childish, but I don't know of a better way to describe it. I hadn't had anything like that before. And I enjoyed it. Appearently not enough though. I was so busy enjoying myself and having fun that I had little appreciation for what I had. She actually loved me and that gave me great comfort and also a unsettling feeling everything she would tell me because I could not feel the same. And in usual form, I kept her away as well. This time, it was in a differnt form, but it was the same thing: fear.

And now, nearly six years after that, much hasn't changed. I have come to the realization of the fear that has been a cancer on my life and relationships, but it hasn't changed anything. It has become so engrained, so regimented that I feel as if I cannot change who I am. It would take some serious deprogramming, but I cannot depgrogram because that's not who I am. It's like a Catch 22. This evergrowing and lasting fear that has ruled my life has decapitated the meaning of trust for me. I honestly feel and I am proven right time after time that people cannot be trusted. They will always betray me in some way or another.

Faith. Oddly enough, it's been the one thing that I have relied on in my life. From all of what I've experienced, because of my lack of trust in others, my self-reliance has caused me to have absolute faith in myself. If there is anything wrong, or anything I need to do or anything I need to change, my faith in myself is what drives me to complete. It's going back to what I've said previously, no one can or would live my life but me, myself and I. I have to do what I can to fulfill life for myself. If I lacked faith in myself at all, I could not live. I am the only person I know I can trust because, again, I'm the only one living my life.

And it's just uncanny to feel the struggle between the two that on the surface appear similar, but have given me two seperate out-looks on life. One one hand, my life has taught me that I cannot trust anyone and on the other to have absolute faith in myself. And my life has been tormented. Deep inside I've always wanted love and to love. I've always wanted acceptance. It's a fundamental thing most human beings ask for in life, to be wanted, apprecaited and loved. Not taken for granted, forgotten or ignored. And I've had my share of the latter three in my life. But all I've ever wanted and could ask for is to be accepted for who I am and not for what I've done or what I'll become. And it is impossible to find those who will not judge you, but I've found one thus far.

Regina Rochelle Randolph came into my life about seven years ago. I met her that first year of college and back then we were just cool. It was a time where we all were in that new enviornment and we were kind of feeling each other out. From her, I felt a good person who seemed nieve enough to be nice a lot, which was great for me. As the months passed and as freshman year evolved to sophmore year, many of those relationships I had fell through like par, but by then it was to be expected and hurt me a little less(except for May of course). But one relationship that did last was with Regina and I wasn't sure why. We weren't really similar. We didn't have a lot in common. She seemed pretty fun and tolerated a lot of the bore that was my life, which amazed me, most couldn't and still can't, but she did. One thing I did like about Regina was, I think she still won't admit this, but she grew up, I would say a little... sheltered. Well it was to the extent that a lot of the things she was experiencing was new. Things like movies. I liked movies. I loved watching them. Hell, I practically ran the campus film's committee weekends. Gina growing up, did not watch a lot of movies or much of the same t.v. I did growing up. So with her being around, we really didn't have anyone else so we kinda stuck to each other. We watch a lot of movies. I was always trying to introduce her to a movie she never saw and hoped she shared my same taste(she'll tell you she doesn't). But it felt great to finally be able to share with someone and to have someone to talk with. I could talk to her about things that were on my mind and I found she did the same. And as annoying as I thought she was in the beginning, she really grew on me. We were like peas and carrots!

But I just got way off on a tangent with Gina. What I wanted to say was about her faith. Not her faith in herself or other people, but her faith in God. This was one source of contempt and bitterness that sprouted between us. It was fun though, she didn't think it was such fun. She thought(and still thinks) that my being Catholic and not a church-going one at that was just terrible. She had a strong opinion against Catholics and many other religions, but her faith and belief in God was unshakable, which took me off guard. I never knew someone with as much faith as her. And it's that faith that I never picked up on. As much as Gina grew on me, that part of her never attached. I really wanted it to. Seemingly people who do have religion who have strong faith seem to have and lead better, happier lives. Now, that's my observation. And I have to say I have ALWAYS admired that. But I never felt I was worthy or ready for such adoration.

But to make a long story short, today I was complaining to a co-worker that I can't seem to trust anyone. They'll always betray me or fail me in some way and I feel wrecked afterwards because of my blind trust. And I was really feeling it today. But then my co-worker told me "Well, there is someone you can absolutely trust..." And I knew exactly what she was going to say. It's been said for ages and it sounds a little redundant... until now for some reason. She said I can trust God. I rolled my eyes and thought to myself, that sounds like something I could see Gina saying, though I don't think she never thrusted that upon me that way. But now, I thought about it. Who can I trust? Why should I trust God? Would God ever betray my trust? Would God ever fail me? But now, I'm thinking I've been too selfish and looking at it backward. Can God trust me? Why should he? What have I done to be worthy of his trust? Will I ever betray God's trust in me? And I know I have, but has God forgiven me? And should God forgive me? Will I fail God? Thinking of it that way gives me a different sort of fear. Not a fear of people, but a fear of a higher power, a different life, beyond this one. If there is any single entity I should be afraid of disappointing or letting down in any way, it shouldn't be my boss, my friends, Regina or even my family. I shouldn't let down God. And I don't think I want to.

Now, I know I am far from perfect. I realized that a long time ago and I can never be. But I always strive to be better than myself and now I think I am a little stronger or at least I know I can be. My faith in myself has been misplaced. I can only be better by placing my faith in the only one I can ever truly trust without question or pause and that is God. I can hardly believe I'm writing this, but I think it's true. I realize no longer do I have to rely on myself. I can also rely on God, as I should have done in the first place.

On my way home I heard a song entitled "You will know" and it helped me see things:

You will know
Troubled heart you'll know
Problems have solutions
Trust and I will show

You will know
Troubled heart you'll know
Every life has reason
For I made it so

Maybe if you trust, it will show you too.

For the first time in what has to be forever, I think I will do something tonight that is a little out of character. Not only will I do it, but I will be serious about it. I've always wanted a better life, now it's time for someone else to help me along and it's time I asked.

I'm going to pray.

Shame

2005-10-14T02:06:00.000-05:00

That's the best I can think of and that is the most fitting way to describe this. This is pitifully embarrassing.

Now, the objective of this, the whole idea behind this forum was in all sincerety was not to be your garden-variety "Bush-Bashing", but dang nabbit, this guy... He just makes it all too easy. Just the slightest observation of the man's actions is a bash and you can't help it because on a whole they aren't very good. I seriously didn't want to turn into just another Bush-Basher, but for the next twenty minutes, I simply cannot help it. I can hardly stay quiet about this.

This guy has absolutely no shame at all. None. He can't possibly have any. He does not feel embarrassment. He does not know shame. He cannot comprehend humility. Like him or hate him, there is one thing no one can deny and that is his consistently piss-poor approval ratings. I swear Americans have a higher approval of Prince William than they do of George W. Bush. Ever since September 2001, his approval ratings have been on a steady decline. Ever since Janurary 2004, his approval has been on an average below 50%. When I first looked at that I thought that was bad. Now, in some polls, his approval rating has dropped less than 40%? That is shameful. It is shameful and embarrassing. There is no better way to put it than that. Another thing I noticed was his numbers before the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. Those were consistently bland as well, ranged in the 50% area.

Now, here's how I feel. If you were on any other job and your performance was this low, consistently, time after time, would you be given a second chance? No. One of two things would happen: you'd be given less responsiblity or simply relieved of your duties. Now, with all the jobs I've had in my life, I never have been fired. There was an instance in a job where my performance was so poor, I could not do what I was asked, I was not skilled in the job and could not perform. I tried and failed and after giving it my best, I decided it was time for me to leave. Now that's just me. But from what I've seen from this guy, I cannot escape the thought that we need a policy shift in the United States. The whole two term system is fair and we earn what we get, but still, a job is a job. Being president, though it is a position, so is being a gardner. I honestly feel that if a president's approval is this low for this extended amount of time, an immediate recall election should automatically be called in session. No vote needed, no discussion necessary, we are supposed to be a nation 'for' the people. And if the people judge the performance of their leader's job to be this poor for this long, we shouldn't have to wait the rest of the term. There should be an immediate vote to see if this is what the people still want.

I don't know. Something is better than just standing here and watching his numbers tank even lower.

And for the President to walk the earth and sleep at night knowing this is even more horrendous. How can you sleep at night? How can you rest peacefully knowing most of your nation does not like what you are doing? Does he not have any shame? Does he not have any goddamn decency? I would have quit a long time ago. I would have not ran for re-election. But that's the key.

But alas, this is what we deserve. Whatever he is now, we asked for it. He was re-elected and this is what we get for doing such. And so now, we have to live with this embarrassment and humiliation as a president. What a shame.

October 12th

2005-10-12T22:50:00.000-05:00

Today represents a big part of who I am. Five years ago, two individuals obviously incappable of the slightest bit of love or joy took a boat and sped it to the side of the U.S.S. Cole refueling in Aiden, Yemen. With a disengeneous wave, they activated an explosive that tore a hole in the destroyer. Seventeen were killed. Thirty-nine were injured. Many, many more still feel pain.

My brother, Signalman Seaman Cherone Louis Gunn was on board the U.S.S. Cole when it was savagely attacked by nameless cowards. He was only twenty-two years old. Nearly three whole years younger than myself right now. Cherone left an impression on many of those he knew. He will not be forgotten, nor the reason why he was killed. If I live the rest of my natural life, this will be true.

Today, was the now regimented day of October 12th that we will forever live. The day started off at the Cole Memorial on the Naval Base. It would have been good only if we had little disruption for this ceremony. Unfortunately there was. It's amazing the hoops our families had to go through for a ceremony that is in our and our loved ones honor. Now, I know it's a military base, that I know. However, we were required to obtain passes to access the base, again all to go to a ceremony that is for us in the first place. This is something that should have been taken care of by the Navy well in advance. What if we did not get a pass? Would we not been allow access to memorialize and hold reverence to the lives of those who were so suddenly ripped from us? Would they actually bar us access and purposely cause more pain and anguish on a day that will be forever harder to live through part as a result of their mismanagement and ineptness? Well, my mother put that question to the test. My father actually followed procedure(for once) and waited to gain a visitors pass(despite being a retired Chief Petty Officer???) while my mother refused to be denied. My mother is one of the sweetest kind-hearted people I will ever meet and for someone to anger her or to cause her pain in any way is in the wrong. She went to the gate and was upset that she was going to be denied, but this did not stop her. After being told her going to the gate would be a useless gesture and could be problematic, she wanted to see what the problem would be? Would they actually try to stop her from honoring her son? Her son who was born from her who had no business leaving the world years before she does? Would they have the nerve? No, they did not. By the time me, my brother and my father arrived at the memorial, she was there with the other families. She knew they would not, could not stop her. Try to imagine how that would make the Navy look? Imagine how she would make them look?

After the memorial, which was a little long due to it being cold and numerous reporters seeking interviews with anyone who knew someone who died five years ago, we went to the ship for 'refeshments'. It was a slight suprise that the U.S.S. Cole was actually in dock today. I doubt it was just because it was October 12th, but it was in dock. I haven't seen the ship since July of 2000. I never wanted to. But if we were going to the ship for refreshments(which turned out to be lunch), it would obviously mean we were going to the mess hall. This is the same mess hall where my brother was killed. Knowing this and being surprised that I would actually be in the same spot was a little unnerving. As we walked in, I looked around and could not help but to wonder where it happened, how it happened and who could actually remember. I immediately recognized a location I previously seen on a video of a karaoke program the crew had where Cherone was being his Cherone self and showing off, singing, dancing around and just being who he was. When we finally sat down to eat, I asked my family about how it happened. Since we were in the same spot, I wanted to know dearly where he was when it happened. My brother Jason told me that he received world that Cherone was in line getting his drink for his lunch(which I remember hearing about) and when it happened, he was blown across the who mess hall where he was found. It's unreal when you see the distance. I remember hearing that others were blown clear away from where they were before the bombing, but to see it is unimaginable.

About an hour later, we left up to Arlington National Cemetary. We arrived there about twenty or fifteen before four. The new Commission of Rememberence had a ceremony planned at four. This year, there wasn't much of a hitch or hang-up. However they have had four years to fuck it up and they've done a good job at it. We will never forget the first anniversery. Over $1 million was collected for the families of the U.S.S. Cole victims. It was for us, but the Naval Relief was in charge of what was collected and distributed those fund how they saw fit. A part of their plan consisted of paying a third party to leave a reef of roses on the graves of the victims on every single anniversary. Unfortunately it wasn't to be. Our first year, upon our arrival to Arlington and to Cherone, there was no reef, no pagentry, no honor for him or his shipmates at all. Of course, our family raised hell. Not just us but the Costelow family and Clotfelter family as well. We were actually told that they did bring a reef out to the grave before we arrived, had a personal ceremony and removed the reef as promptly, all without us. I would put it pass them. So, since that moment, they decided to make a coordinated effort to coordinate their ceremony in a timely fashion that would allow families to attend the ceremony in Norfolk as well as the one in Arlington. It took a year or two to get it right, but last year it was a bit better and this year it was about as flawless as i imagine it will get.

One of the more amazing aspects of being in Arlington isn't just my brother being in one of the nations most historic and honored areas anymore. It was awe-inspiring the first year or two I visited him there. Now, especially in the throws of a military action that killing more and more Americans, inherently fracturing more and more families in the process, my brother is getting plenty of company unfortately. Now, whenever my family visits, we always take notice of the new arrivals, some months, before today, even some where placed there today, which was really a shock. And the most horrible part about it all isn't the fact that they are there, but the fact that like my brother, I, admittedly a young man, am currently older than most of them. I see the dates carved on their tombstones and I see 1984, 1982, 1979 and 1980. All of these guys had lives. They had full lives ahead of them. If they felt anywhere like I do it's just an extreme misfortune to see that they will not have a life anymore. It's heart shattering and overwhelming if you let yourself think about it.

It's a pain of memory.

it is now nearly an hour after 12am, which means October 12th is over for this year. But I will relive the same day I have been living for five year now on October 12th 2006, and again on October 12th 2007 and again on October 12th 2008 and again and again, forever. Although today is over with, this day will never end. October 12th will forever live on and with it the memory of Cherone Louis Gunn.

Rest in peace Cherone. You were missed before you left the earth. It will be too long before I am in your presence again my brother.

Good-bye... for now.

Until next year.

Prologue...

2005-10-11T00:12:00.000-05:00

Every saga has a beginning.

And this is mine. This I know is true. SHOGUNN lives. This is time for my return. I am ready. For several months I have been hiatus after a self-matricuation. I surpassed the puddle and now I am live and in the sea.

This is SHOGUNN at his best. Uncencored. Uncut. Unfiltered. Unadulterated. It won't be pretty. It will be nasty, dirty, tasteless, spiteful and brash. One thing it will not be is wrong because it cannot be any more right for me. Because now, I am free, I am on fire and you are now looking down the barrel of the SMOKING GUNN!

Welcome to my world. A world where I can speak on any level and any topic. Those brave individuals who have what it takes to stare down a gun fight back will be in for the ride of their lives. I do not back down. I will not hesitate. I will show no mercy. I will do what must be done and say what I must say.

As a kid, my imagination was unbound. I thought about everything and questioned anything. That was my nature then and it is my nature now. My imagination then has transformed to the wonder that it is now. It has allowed me to think on levels many would not consider and probably won't. The range of topics that will discharge from this Gunn will go from life, society, race, class, culture, time, love and hate. To a lesser extent it will expand to about anything else I find of interest from pop culture to the subculture. The banding connection all of it will have will be people. The people who comprise the ideology you will see. But it will all center on the world view of one particular aspect:

Me.

So get ready. Put your thinking caps on and get ready. My gift to you is my power and my duty and responsibility to this power. Now hunker down. Grab yourself a cold drink and a clear mind. Only those that are aware will survive Gunnfight. It's time to feel the fire because I am back! The SHOGUNN is back on the scene and the SHOGUNN is still smoking!!!