Our Foreign Policy Faux Pas

With our fascination of celebrity, it is not unexpected that a few events that happened around the globe went basically ignored. And I suspect that the current administration may have applauded in silent appreciation for the lack of coverage of these events. Now me on the other hand, can see what may be building up on the fore front. With all of the focus on the American Economy, our foreign policy has only focused on the Middle East, and this includes Russia. However there are several other issues that much be addressed and all in concert with the global market place and the future policy making of America.

On the 28 of last month and mostly unspoken in this country, Argentina and Uruguay held elections that may represent a shift in the South American political spectrum. If is any indication of what is to come in the region, it may be a preview of what one may expect to occur in future presidential elections taking place in Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay in 2009 and 2010.

I say this because we did not foresee or even were prepared to deal with what occurred in Honduras. No to mention it is essential that we reach out in advance to such nations especially if want to be in a better position to work with Russia and deal with our growing discordance with Iran. It will be difficult to truly enhance our relations with Russia especially with the growing pro-democracy movements in Ukraine and Georgia, Add to that the concern for Kosovo’s independence; the Obama administration will have its hands full for the Russians have not forgotten his threat to keep them from becoming a member of the World Trade Organization.

Throw in the mix China, which will most likely side with Russia before us and the gumbo thickens. The Nation has just past the US as the largest trading nation with Latin American nations and may have a player card on deck with out current nuclear conflict with North Korea. In order to pull rank on China, Obama needs to make them re-evaluate the impact of having a nuclear powered North Korea across the street seeing that they have been historically the biggest support of the current regime. But this will prove difficult for Obama given the recent violence in China’s Xinjiang region, where members of the mainly Muslim Uighur ethnic group have been battling with the military and police. Add to that the recent US Cap and Trade Bill, China may attempt to stall any diplomatic efforts the current administration has planned with any of the aforementioned countries. The Bill requires the president, starting in 2020 to impose special import taxes on goods from countries that do not have a similar cap-and-trade policy. China has been on the record saying that this is just a form of American "trade protectionism in the disguise of environmental protection".

The truth is that the Obama administration in concert with United Nations, Japan and South Korea have been ineffective in dealing with North Korea, and will need the assistance of Russia and China on this as well as with diplomatic outreach to Iran. Thus trying to turn the heat up on either China or Russia would not be productive. We can not depend on the G8 and the Obama team need to get with the program for we are in a global economic world and even ignoring the little man, as he have done with respect to Honduras, and not to be forward thinking is both a sign of poor planning and a lack of understanding with respect to the inter-connectedness of foreign policy. In stead it appears that we have merely a faux, a social blunder in the making. So Mr. President, time to hit the books and get to work, the smile and your blackness can’t do all the work for you to be a success.

ode to mj

On Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 2:26 PM pacific standard time, Michael Jackson was pronounced dead at the UCLA medical center after having a heart attack in his home in the Belair section of Los Angeles and inordinate attempts to revive him at the age of 50. His death is a loss to the entertainment industry and the world at large.

Michael Joseph Jackson was born and raised in the mostly black urban area of Gary, Indiana. It was this meager beginning that may have lead to story behind his greatness and future ups and downs emotional since he was selected to hold in title his father’s name. He was the last born of seven children but was always the star when he started his musical career as a child with his family forming the Jackson 5. His childhood was not that of the average child. While kids his age were out playing and living lives as children do, he was working, mastering his craft as many great prodigal seeds have done historically.

The Jackson 5 was formed in 1964, but did not suppurate the attention and dedicated following it would attain until 1968 when the group was discovered by Bobby Taylor of Bobby Taylor and The Vancouver’s while the group performed on the regional club scene. From there they were introduced to and received the chance to audition for Berry Gordy of Motown.

Michael Jackson was not just the average entertainer, he was the case for exception for he was an indescribable talent that was encompassed in the form of the great singer and showman and dancer – without a doubt he was the best. For people such as me, it is impractical to accept his death and describe the loss of such a creative genius for I was born under his influence. It was first through the blue labeled Motown record 45’s that I would play on my component set as a kid, and later through television, where I remember the first time I saw him and his brothers outside the covers of Ebony and Jet Magazines on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1969. I can still lucidly see that purple Brim he wore while moving fluidly to the music while he and his brothers sang “One More Chance”.

The first four released singles of the Jackson 5, "I Want You Back", "ABC", "The Love You Save", and "I'll Be There" all were US No1 hits. To this date I remember them all and know ever word to each song and others. As a child growing up in Memphis, seem like all the boys in his age group wanted to be like him. He received a lot of love from young girls in elementary and junior high schools, but the truth of the matter that most of them had major crushes on his brothers, Marlon and Jermaine. Even still, we all wore big afros and puff sleeved shirts with flapping collars like the Jackson 5.

Jackson was an eclectic performer and had [polished his craft at an early age given he had been performing since the age of five. With the Jackson 5, he recorded 14 albums under the Motown Banner. I saw the group once perform on the Cher show. All I can recall is them dancing, jamming in unison with their perfectly rounded Afro’s bouncing to each move, with Cher in the middle trying to maintain the beat, also with her version of the Afro.

When he started his solo career, it was as if instantly he was jettisoned as the greatest showman on earth. First there was Thriller in 1982. That album sold more than 7 million copies. No one in the current era has sold as many or seen such success from one album since.

With Thriller, Jackson turned the music video industry on its back. It was more of a short movie than a video. It was direct by John Landis and was the first epic video produced and played on networks the likes of BET and MTV of its kind. I still recant folks playing that video over and over again to learn the dance. The build up was so great that my father was just as excited to see it as I was being a junior at Morehouse at the time. But what really made the video for me, outside of its creative prowess was the presence of former Playboy model Ola Ray. The video was surprising also because at the time Jackson was a Jehovah’s Witness.

Critics proclaim it is or may be the greatest music video ever made. However, Jackson has a plethora of unique videos that like his musical and dance skills will go down in history among the greats. There was the “Jam” video which feather the youthful Kriss Kross, Michal Jordan and the lyrical presence of Heavy-D. There was also “Bad” in 1986 that should his appreciation for musicals for the dance scenes seemed to me to mimic one of my favorite musicals of all time – “Westside Story.” It did not hurt that the Album bad went six times platinum as well. But of all the videos he created, including Smooth Criminal, my all time favorite will be “You Rock My World.” The movie/video paid tribute and featured Marlon Brando and his classic 1954 movie “On the Water Front”. It included the noted Billy Drago, Michael Madsen and Chris Tucker.

His adventures were well documented for it seemed as if main stream media had a problem with not being able to predict or explain his actions or behavior. But such has been the tradition of a mainly Eurocentric press when dealing with successful and well know black men. Jackson knew this and felt it every day regardless of such attention being justified or not. From his personal friendships with Elizabeth Taylor and Diana Ross to his first failed marriage with Lisa Marie Pressely, to his admiration for a Chimpanzee named Bubbles that he dressed like himself, he only attracted questionable press from the main stream media.

Once while attending the Grammies, he took two dates: Brook Shields and the child star Emmanuel Lewis. Some speculate that this was what brought the extreme scrutiny to Jackson and his fondness of young male children. Anything Jackson said or did was ground for a feeding frenzy for the press. He was taunted for his self comparison to Peter Pan, the multiple corrective and cosmetic surgeries he had performed on his face with respect to his nose and skin and his attempt to purchase the bones of the famous Elephant Man in 1987. It is strange that these tend to be what is spoken about mostly, and how people forget the fire that burned him doing the filming of a commercial for Pepsi, or how his first surgery was conducted to repair a broken nose after he fail from the stage in 1979.

The persecution was so extreme that Jackson left the Jehovah’s Witness and reportedly joined the Nation of Islam under the leadership of Minister Farrakhan. Maybe it was all the attention. The civil suits and criminal allegations of child molestation that led to what may have increased the stress on his heart. I will not go into his supposed dependency and addiction to prescription pain killers for the main stream media has ridden that wave to the shore and beyond.

Michael Jackson was one of a kind and across the board, the stardom and success musically that he achieved will likely never be attained again with current generations. He single handedly bridge the gap for decades from James Brown – his childhood idol to the likes of Ne-Yo, Chris Brown and other R and B artist who use dance as a part of their entertainment performance package. His focus on detail and meticulous preparation is what made him standout form all other musicians maybe with the exception of Prince. His music for me as well as many of his generation could serve as a sound track of their life. He was also a kind and caring man. He opened the doors of his home to the poor and those who were less fortunate. He was also a humanitarian and philanthropist. In 1986 Jackson gave $1.5 million to set up the "Michael Jackson UNCF Endowed Scholarship Fund” to aid students majoring in performance arts.

I will never forget the first time I saw Michael Jackson. He was in Memphis with his brothers and they opened for the legendary James Brown at the Mid South Coliseum. He rocked it. That’s what I will remember about him most – the way in which he magically connect with his audience, no mater their age, race, creed or ethnicity. Yes, he is more than the one glove and red jacket; although he was the only performer I ever saw that could rock a bow tie and ankle beaters, it never was of major importance for he would give his all on stage no matter the circumstance. Never will there be another Michael Jackson. Never will there ever be a showman of his stature. He may have left this realm of the physical, but we will live in spirit via his music and dance forever in my mind. This will be true for each and every year, for I will continue to play the Jackson Five Christmas album and honor the man who as a child sang “Give love on Christmas Day”

united states of entertainment

Initially I wanted to write a tribute to my fallen comrade Michael Jackson. However, I cannot at this time albeit I have written such a tribute. Instead I would like to question the voracity of us as a people and the outlets that in theory are supposed to provide honest, terse and complete information regarding what events are occurring around the world – the media, specifically the news media.

As a child I was brought up under the premise that news was designed to keep us informed of important and significant events around the globe. However it appears that currently, news has become a synonym for entertainment and ratings. Case in point is the death of the aforementioned superstar. It has been one week since the pop legend past. However, more than 60 percent of all news coverage after his death up until last night has focused Mr. Jackson. Even more disturbing is the observation that of all cable coverage in addition to news coverage accounted for 93 percent of what was presented on television was on Michael.

Although his death was tragic, my concern is that I wonder what impact he had on all our lives that was tangible. Sure we know all his video dances and the lyrics to his songs and loved him as the greatest entertainer of our era, but is it really that important. Why is it that in the times when our economy is in shambles (in fact 6 banks closed in Illinois yesterday), and the historical importance of the events in Iran in concert with the massive 4000 man front we started in Afghanistan two days ago, is not followed or a concern as the death of a celebrity?

I have tried to search high and low about reports concerning new events in Iran and the troop deployment down the Helmand River valley in Taliban strong holds. But Very little, nada can be found. It is even difficult to find reports on the military build up and likely conflict with North Korea. T seems like we are hypnotized and control by the media. I guess it is true what they say – out of sight, out of mind. I hope that we really value the importance of being accourant and staying a breasted of all events around the world instead of being side tracked by fame, fortune and celebrity. If we are not, well it is a real frightening proposition for me. I guess they also call it the Boob tube for a reason for I guess only boobs watch it. I have said many times prior that in these United States of America, Freedom and ignorance is incompatible. Maybe we should just change the name out right to the United States of Entertainment.

cap n trade these

I was really disappointed when the congress passed the recent Carbon Cap-N-Trade Bill. First was that it took me more than two days to read the 1200 plus pages and could only wonder how many carbon gases were released cutting down all them trees and printing all that paper. Second it is supposed to be the first bill created to put a national limit on greenhouse-gas emissions to deal with climate change – which once upon a time was referred to as global warming.

The way I read it, as a law, this bill will raise electric rates 90% and 55% for fuel. If my calculations are correct this will really put our economy in shambles and wipe any real chance of a recovery. My main concern outside of these big companies passing the tax on to us consumers is that the bill is based on past phenomenon. Truth is that the Earth has not warmed in over ten years. Not to mention I don’t know why carbon is so special seeing that the same companies pump a lot more poison in the air including the likes of arsenic and mercury. Add to that the fact that deforestation does twice as much to presupposed climate change than carbon based greenhouse gases.

And folk wonder why I am so hard on poly-tricksters, namely because they don’t keep up with the science and likely failed each and every science class they took for the sake of mastering public relations. Other wise the objective of the bill would be some type of tangible change instead of because truth is that the temperature will only increase .18 degrees over the next twenty years.

Most climatic fluxation are do to reoccurring astrological events like the rotation of the earth on its axis around the geographic or true North Pole, as well as its rotation around the sun in its same ecliptic hemisphere. No Bill or Law passed by congress will ever alter such.

This American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 although marketed as a way to create clean energy jobs, achieve energy independence, and reduce global warming will do none of the aforementioned. Especially the first and the latter. The only jobs produced will be a bunch of desk jobs for bureaucrats which are just more government pen pushers as well as a waste of loot. Seems that the current leadership all across Washington, DC is clueless when now is the time to smarten up with our economy as bad as it is. I mean we just had two more banks fail in Georgia this week and the steady increase on both individual and corporate taxes hikes is the only change I see thus far. We still have a false money bubble economy and I am just afraid that politicians won’t see this until mortgage rates increase and folks paying $5 to $8 dollars for a gallon of gas. So cap and trade these (holding scrotum tightly).

Perez Hilton is engaged to Mark Sanford

Now if you read me on the regular you know I have a penchant for satire. In addition, if you happen to follow me on twitter, you would have noticed last week and I admit that I initiated a #unfollowperezhilton trend. Also because he is neither Latino (Cuba is in the Caribbean) nor a hotel; because his momma so nasty she pours salt water down her pants to keep the crabs fresh; because he tints his hair with Paas Easter egg dye; and lastly because he doesn’t eat pu##y.

One which I am ashamed to admit I forgot to mention was because he is engaged to South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford. Yes this is not slander, it is tru. They are a perfect match for they have provided me with the real definition of dumb fcks. They have completely redefined it. . With respect to Perez, I found it funny that he would call a man a faggot and get mad and cry when said person or an associate would drop a two piece dark meat snack on his head. And of the dear Governor, well what person in his capacity would think they could disappear for five days and no one would miss him being gone.

It was funny to me that when Jones got back from Argentina, that he confessed to 8 years of banging a-broad (intended-lmbao)when confronted by reporters in Atlanta, he mentioned the name of State Senator Tom Davis as much as he mentioned his wife. Don’t know what he was thinking but I will give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he did think that the Appalachian Trail was in Argentina, or even that they were the same thing after all they are both proper nouns of locations that start with the letter A.

Now some may not find this funny but I do, and feel obligated like an intercellular anaerobe to break that Perez and Mark are engaged. They tried to hide it but I broke the story. I mean I remember 10 years ago when the Holier than thou governor rode bill Clinton on his head escapades like a surf board, as well remember how Perez rode Miss California. Just come out the closet Mr. Governor, and Perez, you too, for we all know a real woman can fight.

McCant

Now I value the first amendment right of free speech and as such, use this right to express in speech and written form, being critical of each and every administration when need be. However, my criticism is often directed toward valid policy issues based on substance and that have some impact on the US populous.

Unfortunately in the American body politic, some folks cannot be as objective. It seems as if partisan ship and cynicism runs supreme when compared to the objective political reality of common sense. I read where John McCain, Pete Hoekstra and several other prominent members in the Republican Party have criticized President Obama with respect to his statements and the time of such statements regarding the protest in Iran. In essence, that he was not hard enough on the Iranian administration, took to long to make a statement, unsupportive of democracy for Iran, and not picking sides in terms of the opposition leadership. I have even heard folks complain that while this was going on, that he selected to go and get ice cream with his little girls. Saying that when George Bush was out playing golf he was vilified in the media. Let us not forget Bush 43 had started a war on false pretense and no such action has been taken by the current administration.

Obama supports both declarations of condemnation proffered by the House and Senate. But there is nothing more he can say or do. First McCain is the last person I would take advice from given that while on the campaign trail he openly admitted he wanted to go into Iran and bomb it just as we did Iraq. And Pete Hoekstra, well the first three letters in his last name says it all. Only an idiot would select that we pick sides. We stand with all the people of Iran in protest and to do such may place these very same individuals in harms way more so than currently. True, the announcement of the winner by the Supreme leader before the votes were counted is suspect, we must admit that we do not know who won the election and even if we did it would not change our current political relationship or approach with Iran, for we have NO diplomatic relation with this nation.

Obama has to be cautious because being wrong would be the worst outcome if he was to make a cursory decision at this moment. Thus it is wise for him not to pick sides. So to all of them representing that set known as the GOP – squash it. Especially you Mr. McCain, for according to your logic the solution like the former president would be to invade and occupy, since the actually do have nuclear capacity and the people are being controlled by a tyrannical regime. You really cannot compare us to the governments of the European Union because they have made statements regarding the unrest, for they have diplomatic relations with Iran as I stated earlier and we do not. Dang, maybe you need to attend senate sessions more, for it makes me think I know more about US foreign policy than you Mr. McCant, I mean McCain.

swaggot

I have come to accept unfortunately that the American citizen is under assault from a virus. No not the Swine flu, but rather the incessant use of the word SWAG. In fact I would be willing to propose that SWAG is likely the most over used word in our streets today.

First I don’t know what swag is. When I ask folk they give me words that we already have in the dictionary inclusive of confidence and assertiveness. The way I see it, the word reminds me of Canines and not as in teeth but rather dogs, for dogs are the only animal that I see regularly in these streets wagging their tail. Not to mention the word SWAG (if it is a word) rhymes with wag.

I also believe that if a person has to walk around and proclaim that they have confidence or are assertive then they are neither. And actually believe that it is an artificial high folks give themselves via the things they own, fake materials because they were born with and have very low self esteem. Not to mention confidence is consistent and one is always assertive and if it involves how women react to a man when he enters a room, well such cannot be turned on or off like a faucet or light switch. Either one is such or not and all the jewelry, gold teeth, money and cars will not alter such.

So don’t trip because I don’t see my self as having swagger, because I don’t give a flying hopper grass. I mean all I see and hear that they got SWAG not only have to tell themselves and everybody else to get themselves noticed, they also seem to have a little sugar in their tanks if you know what I mean. So with that said, they next time somebody profess to have swag, or a woman says that a man has swag – please call him this word – SWAGGOT.

$3 a gallon by July 4th

Was re-reading the great Gatsby again last night for the umpteenth time. And while reading the part that describes Cody, the Copper millionaire, I got side tracked to thinking about the economy again. Specifically how we keep spending money we don’t have and need to borrow from other nations and the impact it will have for poor folk the likes of you and me.

It seems to get worse, I mean the State of California and major cities within its borders such as Los Angeles don’t have a budget but still wasting money left and right – like giving a $2 million dollar victory parade for the NBA Champion Lakers when they closing schools left and right and classrooms have 50 or more students. True the NBA will pay half of the $2million but still is another example of wasteful government spending.

My concern is that folk keep on doing things just to do them, not because they will work. All of them, Obama, Bush, Congress, the senate and the Federal Reserve Bank. Seems as if they do not know what we are dealing with, whether if this is a structural recession or a cyclic recession. As such, the stock markets may be artificially inflated and short term. I mean I know Tim Geithner is a smart man, but his approach to the economy is contradictive to Obama’s and seems more inline with that of Ronald Regan. After all, I remember when he was a Republican and worked for Kissinger and Associates .

I personally think that he and Summers may be setting Obama up for the Okie Doke, waiting until unemployment gets to near or above 11% nationwide before they actually start the real work on fixing the economy. And I will not be misled by their talk saying the dollar is getting stronger for to me, a weaker Euro doesn’t mean that the dollar is really stronger. The bigger part of the problem remains with Ben Bernanke, for I can’t tell if he will adjust interest rates in terms of current commodity values or the housing market? What ever the case this July 4^th, don’t trip if gas is $3.00 a gallon in south - $5.50 or more on the west coast). Just my 2 cents, thanks F. Scott for making me see straight again.

Me sorry Ms Jackson

For me there is no greater challenge and honor as a man than being a father. I say this with the impending return of Father’s day approaching. No biggy to me for each and every day I can smell, hug and see the smiles of my seed’s is father’s day. However, I know that many disrespect fatherhood. Men sometimes do not take the reigns of appreciation and responsibility of being a father as important, however, this is not what I will focus on in this essay, but moreso those select few of women, who devalue fatherhood, the importance of their children having a father and having that person actively in their child’s life.

For me, this is important for I have yet to figure out how one can have so much disdain for another in their heart to use a child as a vehicle of revenge. This is not motherly and even is selfish for the interest and personal emotional desires of the mother appear to be more important than the child. I know this personally, for one that I was once engaged too is doing such as I type. She once asked me to choose her over my son, which let me know she was not the woman for me. In addition, she always put her self before the interest of her own daughter even suggesting that she did not feel as if she had to put her life on hold and behind the life of her child.

She has found and used my only weakness against me as a man – my seeds. She has made dangerous allegations against my son, one who she said she would make our lives miserable and do anything to hurt us, and attempts to keep my daughter away from me and her brother. So on this fathers day, I would like to make this plea to all the women who use kids like tools to hurt and harm their fathers – you really only hurt the children, for as a man and an adult, I will always be able to take care of myself but children cannot. Not to mention all kids need both of their parents. So I will never consider a woman a mother or the motherly type if she expects a man to choose her over his kids, nor if she would prefer to keep her child from her father because he no longer desires to be apart of the mothers life or if she just wants to be vile and evil for “glory built on selfish principles is merely shame and guilt. So me sorry ms, Jackson, im for real – sorry I don’t want you in my life – but my children will be forever. Happy father's day to me and all the real men representing love unconditionally. Again real men, not the likes of Lil Wayne.

Obama Bernake & Bush Greenspan

I am not quick to second guess folks, but I am astute enough to use reason to figure out stuff. Case in point is this bailout. I know have harped on this and the economic recovery act and these artificial efforts to stimulate an economy with no production or manufacturing base both for the current and pass administrations, but I still just don’t get it. It is like they do not or have never run a business as I do.

The way I figure we should as a nation, produce more and consume less. This is simple supply side and cost revenue accounting, they way most small business folks and family keep their books at home. It is just hard for me to see any difference economically from the methods of Obama Bernanke and Bush Greenspan. Yep they both need to be one person since both are connected to the hip with their Federal Reserve namesakes.

The problem is that these pair of two headed Cyclops thinks that it is ok for Americans to go around, at the expense of our own loot, with foreign money. This is some of the backwardsist azz shit I have ever heard. Hello, credit got us into this problem. It seems that all we care about is credit, from the administration to the common man. On the top end, it will most likely lead to some sort of hyperinflation and on the other – we just want a credit card where we can put a pic of or children or cats and dogs on.

Obama said that credit was the life blood of our economy. I would like to disagree. Credit is just what got us into this mess, servicing debt, complex financial instruments that go unregulated and the reckless Federal Reserve Bank that is just borrowing more and more money while making the fake ass artificial interest rates that seem to only benefit Wall Street. I say this because every where I look I see declining wages as well as declining competition because that’s what bailouts do. I just don’t get it, I mean albeit I wrote my name in on the presidential ballot, I did believe Obama mantra of change, but unfortunately it is more of the same, for I can see no difference between Obama Bernanke and Bush Greespan. Please folk; don’t confuse the policy with popularity.