Barren Land: A Lamenting Stream of Consciousness

By: Tungz



Barren; Love finds its absence in a land of matter, ironically, destitute of things that matter.

It is here where Evil ascends to the throne; lips chaffed from the heat of lies; knuckles whiten as a clenched right hand conceals Life, extended left hand reaches low offering Death. Gritty, hate under its nails impaled through flesh, fearing the duty of Wisdom; Salvation its’ reap.

Succumbing to false Gods we honor their image and call them “Leaders” as their deceptive tongues mold their cheeks - evil spirits molding flesh - finely draped in tailored suits, tasseled shoes, pinned lapels, and ulterior motives.

The President: The Head of State and the Mind of the Body politic.

Change.

A change of mind means little without a change of heart.

Who’s at the heart?

Wide-eyed, we accustom to the Dark and call it Light.
Unable to discern the bars we call it Freedom.
We deny what’s Wright and call it Wrong.

The Book of Jeremiah still weeps; still laments. The Kingdom of Judah still falls…….still, they don’t listen.

Still.

Even in its reflection its back is turned; denying its own face.

Scales tilt on the balance of “Perception versus Principle”. Principle remains high; the feather to the heavy heart.

Truth finds the middle.

We bow our heads not from prayer - but in shame - in order to bear the weight of invisible chains, adding charms to flatter our enslavement and embellish our stupidity. Diamonds anyone?

We’ve found that we’re lost.
We’ve learned that we’re ignorant.
We’ve grown up to be children.

Entertained by the barbarianism of ultimate fighting we feast heartedly in hell’s kitchen; burnt tongues numb to the flavor of Love as Ignorance becomes the American idol. In the moments of truth we remain lost.

Worshipping money, our conscience remains burdened by God; thus, we sell salvation and pawn righteousness. Pimps and Preachers both don crucifixes. The difference is in the whore’s tithe; both on their knees desiring to stand on their feet.

Heaven reserved for those who can afford it.

Hell is guaranteed.

The heavens recede.
The sun dips.
The moon dims.
And Gaea stirs, restless; begging for mercy as her ravaged garments and plundered womb drips blackness; raped.

Jewels sold; made the eternal concubine.

Eve further subjugated; bound and gagged.

We hunt for fun while others hunt for food, gluttonous, feverishly indulging in hotdog-eating contests while Ethiopian bellies wantonly swell.

Two swollen bellies; both remain empty.

Diana shamed.

Nuclear waste smolders in dark places - bodies and earthly bowels - undeserving.

O’ such levels of ignorance to succeed at wasting waste as we look down upon the starving beggar who makes use of it.

Our audacity calls us “civilized” and our arrogance calls us “intelligent”, but even roaches don’t kill their own.

Irony is seldom without realization as pride is seldom without pity.

God bless America……but damn the rest of the world!

Pride is seldom without pity.

Thus, the Towers fall; following the inverted Devil.

Technology shrinks the world.

We endeavor to know more so that we can do less.
We venture to have more only to possess less.
We strive to communicate more only to say less.

And thus, the world shrinks.

This “Land of Opportunity” is so because of its vices as opposed to its virtues.

White hating black, and black hating white, is proof that there is a deficiency in grey matters.

This is your brain without love.

But soon – and unexpectedly – thorned crowns sprout roses, transforming the “hated” into “heros”. The meek inherits the earth and the brutal inherits its debts. The karmic pendulum swings in search of rest.

The sun sets; the moon wanes.
The heavens cry; the earth bleeds.
Our fruit bears no seeds, and from such trees we continue to feast.

Empty stomachs breed empty minds. Barren Lands our wells run dry. Heed the water-bearer who comes to quench thirsts. The land in the water.

Definitions are limitations; therefore, for the wise, Creation remains nameless.

Things controlled to the degree that they are defined. To free yourself - define yourself.

Be formless, but form yourself. The Water.

Be undefinable, but define yourself. The Air.

Be invisible, but visible through your actions. The Wind.

Be unknowable, but know yourself. The Mind.

Be David to Goliath.

Be who you wish you were and who your greatest admirer believes you to be.

Be more.

Be.

Tavis, Obama, and Black People

This commentary was inspired but they recent announcement that Tavis Smiley will be discontinuing his 12 year relationship with the Tom Joyner Morning Show, in part (according to Tom Joyner), due to the less than favorable comments that he has received from the Black community regarding his concerns/reservations on Barack Obama.

“Don’t fall so madly in love (with Obama) that you surrender your power to hold people accountable. … I’m not saying overlook Senator Obama, but you now better be ready to look him over.” –Tavis Smiley

No truer words have ever been spoken. And if there ever were one grouping of people who would adamantly defend something that they know least about, it would arguably have to be Black folks…….at least as long as the thing defended “appears” to relate and operate in their best interest.

After all, who was it that coined Bill Clinton the “first black President”??? It surely wasn’t Caucasians. And who was it that voted for George W. Bush in record numbers after he stated that he is a Christian that is against gay marriage? Again, it was black folks. If your memory doesn’t serve you correctly, try this link http://www.edisonresearch.com/home/archives/Newsday11-14-2004.pdf .

One African American woman who admittedly voted for George W. Bush, Jr. because of his Christian belief and stance on gay marriage went as far to say that “He’s strong in his morals.”

This may or may not be true considering that we don’t really know what his morals are. However, what we do know is that these so-called morals aren’t what most of us believed them to be.

If you still feel that Bush is a Christian, then ask yourself “Who would Jesus bomb? Who would Jesus leave stranded in a coliseum without food and water for 5 days???” I guess that Bush couldn’t find those 2 fish and a loaf of bread that Jesus had, but I’m sure that the National Guard could have provided it for him since they were guarding the stores that these hungry black refugees were looting,…….but I digress.

“To believe in something, and not to live it, is dishonest.” – Mahatma Gandhi

I echo Smiley’s sentiments, concerns, and reservations regarding Obama albeit not exactly for the same reasons.

Smiley criticizes Obama for not attending symposiums that were geared to address concerns in the Black community; namely, the State of the Black Union in New Orleans and the Commemoration of the 40th Anniversary of the assassination of MLK in Memphis.

I think that Obama’s absence from these events was clear. Politically speaking, there was no need for him to attend these events. If he already knows that he has the Black vote in pocket, why expend the energy, time, and effort to attend such events when he can use it to target a demographic that he has yet to convince? After all, he is trying to win an election!

Consequently, it is this very reason that Hillary Clinton was motivated to attend the State of the Black Union. It was a glaring opportunity for her to win over the Black vote amid the disappointments of Obama’s decline to attend. If she would have had the Black vote secured already (like Obama), you can rest assured that she would not have attended the forum either.

In short, his attendance wasn’t politically feasible. Hers was.

It seems, however, that such an action would raise concerns as well as “red flags” as to whether or not the candidates are more concerned with the “Black Vote” as opposed to the “Black Community”, because surely, a person truly concerned with the community would place the progress of the community over his/her own political agenda – right? You would think so; but not in politics.

In politics, perception always trumps principle - and herein lies the problem - because it is this dichotomy that determines integrity.

Integrity is the right that one does even in the absence of an audience; and principle is the adherence to such. Therefore, principle is always more valuable than perception because it never seeks validation outside of itself.

Perception, however, is merely the “appearance” of correctness, therefore, its validity is determined by how it looks and is received by its audience.

For example, it is because of perception - or rather misperception - that America is now led by a tyrant whose practices and policies are in lockstep with Adolf Hitler’s (For more info regarding this, click here: http://www.28daysmovement.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1377). Most people are acutely unaware of his familial ties to the evil dictator himself (Prescott Bush, George Bush’s grandfather, financed Hitler).

Additionally, it is because of perception that the Catholic Church is now led by an ex-Nazi (Joseph Ratzinger aka Pope Benedict XVI), who was also the Prefect of The Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith (formerly known as The Holy Office of the Inquisition).

Of course the Inquisition is an event that the Catholic church would like to forget and move beyond, but the remnants of religious persecutions that still exists today make it rather difficult.

And let us not forget that Hitler was also a devout Catholic.

Therefore, it is only right that President Bush ceremonially greet Pope Benedict XVI – replete with pomp and circumstance - on his arrival to America. What other way to welcome your greatest accomplice? Is it not suspect and contradictory for the Pope to condemn the atrocities of the war while simultaneously breaking bread with the warmonger???

“When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross.” – Sinclair Lewis

Guess whose home!

Perception provides the opportunity to mask the truth, particularly in the absence of principle; and through the guise of great images and flowery speeches, we relinquish our personal power to the comfort and control of perceived power. We are more concerned with the appearance of legitimacy and piety than the action of it.

So, how does this relates to Tavis, Obama, and Black People? I’m glad that you asked!

Because Obama is black, and speaks of his community work in impovershed neighborhoods, many black people assume that he is attuned and empathizes with the concerns and struggles of the black community, and as a result, they tend to hope for the best from him; that as President, he would do more than any of his predecessors to sincerely address the concerns of black people in America; almost as if he is Black America’s secret weapon and last hope.

He may or may not be a secret weapon - either way - you can guarantee that he won’t be one that is for the betterment of Black people, regardless of his intent, not as long as the presidency remains controlled by special interest and despots. But again, I digress.

As a result, Obama gets a pass from the black community at large, even when he “misspeaks”. Case in point: Obama recently referred to his Caucasian grandmother as a “typical white person”. Although this comment is blatantly stereotypical, many black people turned a deaf ear; possibly because many of them can also relate to this comment, resultantly serving as a confirmation for them that “Barack is truly one of us…..truly one who understands the Black plight.”

Now, imagine if Hillary – or any other white politician for that matter – referred to another African American as a “typical black person”. Many in the black community would most certainly be incensed and offended, and would likely accuse the offender of being racist.

So, is Obama a racist, or was it just a Freudian slip? Maybe it was both. Like the old saying goes “If it isn’t in you, then it won’t come out of you.” But when the comment comes from somebody we admire, we tend to look the other way and not hold them accountable to principle, because again, we are more driven by perceptions. You can say or do something bad as long as you continue to look good.

For many black people, the possibility of seeing a black man in the role of President is too alluring. The excitement of a black man achieving such heights in America is redemptive. The opportunity to thumb their nose at a white America that has historically and heinously discredited everything brown and black is too tempting. Not only do black people want to be led by someone who they can identify with, but also, by somebody who can identify with them. And since there are many white people who are equally enamored with Obama, his viability is further validated and the awe compounded.

Now all that is needed is an Obama music video, some footage of him playing basketball, and a video snippet of him doing the Electric Slide while saying “Yes I Can”, and it will be official. Well, two out of the three isn’t bad.

As an unfortunate result however, any black person who is not enthralled by Obama, who asks the black community to be even more skeptical and dubious of Obama’s wide acceptance given the history of an American government that has the propensity to use minorities when convenient….who decrees the use of “accountability” as being the true test of “integrity” and the revealer of intent as Tavis Smiley attempted to do…..is immediately perceived as a sell-out, a trader, a “crab-in-the-bucket”, a detractor; someone who is not for the advancement of the black community; suggesting that any line-of-thought that does not follow the black status quo is divisive and non-constructive. The ideology becomes “either you are with us….. or you are against us.”

Resultantly, reason succumbs to reverence.

Consequently, since Hillary is white, and has the perception of being calculating and opportunistic, many blacks have come to expect more of the same, which is the very reason her recent “misspoken” comment (more commonly know as a “lie”) regarding her vivid and repeated recollection of being under sniper attack in Bosnia was shrugged off as “typical Hillary”; alluding to the known and common tactics of political embellishments and habitual lying all for the sake of winning. It is the “political” way.

“The political has noting in common with the moral. The ruler who is governed by the moral is not a skilled politician, and is therefore unstable on his throne. He who wishes to rule must have recourse both to cunning and make-believe. Great national qualities, like frankness and honesty, are vices in politics, for they bring down rulers from their thrones more effectively and more certainly than the most powerful enemy. Such qualities must be the attributes of the kingdoms of the goyim [the people], but we must in no wise be guided by them.” - Protocols of the Wise Men of Zion (Protocol #1)

But aren’t Obama and Clinton both politicians??? Yes, they are!

Since the word “politician” has come to be synonymous to lies, deceit, corruption, and conspiracy, the most successful politician will be the one who can appear the least like one. The pundit will need to appear more personable than political; more charismatic than conniving; and this is largely where Obama prevails and where Clinton falters.

Obama’s political history - or lack thereof - gives little for those to check against the perception that he has created, with the exception of the two books that he has written; while Hillary’s political history lends a trail to remind us just how much of a politician she truly is, despite the book that she has written.

But in all honesty, what person casts himself/herself in a negative light in an autobiography, particularly when they are seeking a role of political leadership? No one! Even if one admits to various indiscretions and improprieties (which they most often do), it is always followed and ended in an commendable and praiseworthy “lesson learned”; an inadvertent stumble to contribute to forming the wonderful person that he/she is today.

Even Hitler portrays himself as a valiant hero in his semi-autobiography, Mein Kampf. Therefore, an autobiography serves to be no more than personalized propaganda use to create a desired perception.

Simply put, Obama just may be a better “politician” than Hillary….but that is not necessarily a good thing.

But with an empowered, informed, and thinking populace, the power and lure of politics wanes, which is the very reason that people like Tavis Smiley are so important and necessary, even if you don’t agree with their points-of-view and opinions.

Personally speaking, I’m not the biggest Tavis Smiley fan in the world; however, I do recognize and appreciate his contributions by way of his willingness to facilitate open, intelligent, discussions and interviews with various people of all colors, cultures, characters, and creeds.

At a bare minimum – at least for on open-minded community – such insights provide for opportunities of reflective thought, dialogue and discussion; something that the propagandistic, one-way media does not provide. This is the only way that we can grow as community; through open communication that is founded in “principle”, not “perception”.

Open your mind. You just might learn something.

“The things that will destroy us are: politics without principle; pleasure without conscience; wealth without work; knowledge without character; business without morality; science without humanity; and worship without sacrifice.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Tungz

Change!


I was driving home the other day when I came to a stop at a traffic light that dangled tirelessly beneath an overpass. The air was damp and brisk; uninviting of an afternoon stroll.

I looked over to my left, and observed a man who I presumed homeless, clad in weathered and trodden garb that draped his emaciated frame as he held chest-high a cardboard sign with faint and faded letters that read - “Please Spare Change” – with the word “Change” being the most discernible and prominent of the three.

I watched as passer-bys conveniently held their cell phones to their ears, eyes locked in a wayward gaze in every direction except towards the wanting man, all but calling him “invisible” - which in fact he was - merely an erasable figment of Will justified by society’s classification as the “lowest of the low”, “the despised of the despised”, ranking even lower than the vilest crimes of being “black”, “brown”, “female”, or “foreign”; all of which he was neither.

I watched as he cautiously approached pedestrians, eyes wracked with sincere hope and want, only to be met with gazes of judgment and condemnation; sneers of scorn that might as well have been hurled with warm spit, but rather, were cooled with cold-shouldered retorts of “I have nothing to give you”, “I can’t help you”, “No, sorry!”, “Why don’t you help yourself?”,……but most frequently, silence and avoidance.

The light turns green and I proceed; eyes still locked on the pariah, observing as he repositions himself for the new batch of opportunity that is streaming up to the intersection; his hopeful eyes fighting persistently against the downward pull of dejection and inhumanity that weighed heavy on his brow, which again, soon come. But there, he stood.

For some reason, this image sat with me – closely - sharing a space in my conscience that alluded disregard, like the proverbial Pink Elephant in the room.

And just as I felt that I had succeeded in painting the Pink Elephant brownish-grey, I walked into my home, turned on the TV, and was met by a news report of Barack Obama, copiously flanked by craving patrons; their eyes brimming over with sincere hope and want, bearing chest-high and overhead cardboard signs sprawled with the beggar’s cry for “Change”, seeking rescue from a stream of past disappointments, in the desperate hopes that this passer-by will be different. And there, at this intersection, they stood.

I couldn’t help but wonder how we – those of us who believe ourselves to be better off - are any different than the beggar on the street; blaming the homeless and destitute for their failed conditions while ignoring our own, while sitting together, side-by-side on the curb of “hopelessness” begging for “Change”; with each side asking the other, “How could you let this happen???”

Still inebriated on the ether of our pseudo-success and regressive progression, we chide the beggar to “Change” himself; to stop wallowing in the pity of irresponsibility and economic duress, while we simultaneously - and excusably - beg our government for the same type of “Change” resulting from the same shortcomings; pathetically disregarding our own advice.

Our sobriety now offered in vapid doses of foreclosures, unemployment, and a weakening dollar, has transformed our neighbor to nemesis and savior to enslaver; revealing the hater to be no different than the hated, foreseeing our reckoning with Humility to be inevitable, which undoubtedly, soon come.

One has to wonder what would happen – what could be accomplished - if we changed ourselves instead of waiting for somebody else to change us.

“If you want to change the world, change your mind.” – Unknown

Peaces,

Tungz

The Obama Paradigm

This commentary is by no means in support of or against Barack Obama or any other presidential candidate or party. It is merely a contemplative assessment of the political parody in general; offering a perspective that is infrequently discussed and largely ignored by mainstream outlets…….for obvious reasons.

Barack Obama has been steadily emerging as a "crowd favorite" since his keynote address in the Democratic National Convention in 2004; a status recently confirmed in the Iowa caucus on January 3rd, 2008.

But what is it about a political pundit that creates a “celebrity-like” – almost Rock Star - appeal? Is it the personal magnetism of the incumbent himself; is it the public's hunger and want for something “hopeful” in the face of hopelessness; or is it something much deeper and involved?

I think that it’s all of the above, but especially, the latter.

When you have a situation to where the majority of the world populace is frustrated and disgruntled with the figurehead on one side of the coin (the Bush administration), and you have a growing number of immigrants and minorities (i.e. African Americans, Hispanics, etc.) who almost monolithically vote Democratic - not to mention a voting "young" population (i.e. college students) who are more open-minded, tolerant, and less conservative than previous generations - the "controllers-of-the-coin" (i.e. Big Businesses, financiers, bankers, oil companies, etc.) need to put forth or support someone who can represent those ideals in the form of opposition to the current status quo (aka "playing both sides of the field").

Enter: Barack Obama.

Barack is young, charismatic, new, and of mixed ethnicity; and, as a result, has the ability to galvanize the minds and interests of minorities and young people in large numbers; both of which are critical forces in the tides of power. This is a big contrast to what has historically occupied the Whitehouse. Articulation and charisma clearly separates him from the current, notwithstanding, his likable and magnetic nature. All of which are “Aces-in-the-Hole” for any politician as it relates to perception.

He is the personification of change; however, NOBODY makes it into the political arena – particularly in a role of power and influence - without the approval of the "controllers-of-the-coin"; regardless of charisma, ESPECIALLY if their political history barely spans a couple of eloquent speeches and photo-ops.

Truthfully speaking, ones “political history” has little relevance in identifying his ability to lead, but rather, chronicles his ability to create alliances and profits, out of which a boss is appointed (emphasis on the word “boss”). There are distinct differences between a “boss” and a “leader”. The former has only to satisfy those above him to retain his position; the latter’s position is at the assertion of his followers, whom of which he inspires.

The past few elections and appointments have proven that our political structure – a so-called Democracy - is better equipped at churning out bosses more so than leaders.

Therefore, if the "controllers-of-the-coin" didn't see any use for Obama, he would have been discredited and dismissed a long time ago based on lack of experience alone, regardless of how factual this may or may not be.

In a nation where racism is still very much a real phenomenon; a festering sore where the social and racial lines of demarcation are still very prominent everywhere - particularly in the South - it is difficult to imagine and accept that Americans have matured enough to accept an African American as its leader when it has yet to accept them as their equal.

However, unlike other black or minority leaders, Obama has an uncanny ability to attract both sides of the fence, and this is a VERY attractive and useful talent for those who are really in power (i.e. the “controller-of-the-coin”).

Obama’s ability to come off as “less political” and “more personable” than his contemporaries is tantamount……particularly in a time when the word “politics” is synonymous to “lies”, “deceit”, and “corruption”, and when people are losing their faith in the political structure altogether, virtually begging for that last glimmer of hope; another ideal that Obama has come to personify.

“Hope” is always a necessary good; but absent of inspiration, it serves only to be a longing; an awaited, unfulfilled desire that seeks gratification from something outside of itself……..whereas inspiration assumes the responsibility itself for its own end.

Hope without inspiration is “helplessness”; and in such a state we become gullible – almost desperate - to any tongue that can stir our hopes and direct our actions without us taking the personal responsibility to reform the very structure in which it stands and breathes; a void that government has always capitalized on, however, I digress.

A path is being laid for Barack Obama, and either way, he will go far in his campaign and career........at least as long as he remains useful (kind of like Ron Brown, Colin Powell, Bin Laden, and Sadam Hussein) to the powers behind the puppets.

But regardless of how genuine and charismatic he or any other pundit may be, they still must work within the "good ol' boy network" (government), which is an institution that is fueled by corruption and conspiracy that has always used minorities and well-meaning personalities in order to galvanize some self-interest, positing Obama to be an ideal “Trojan Horse".

Someone will eventually be in control as President.....but who will control the "Presidency"? There are distinct differences between the two, and the sooner we realize this, the sooner that we, the people, will be able to avert a repeat of the situations and circumstances that the current administration has gotten us into. In other words, more importantly than new Presidents, we need new Precedence.

“So soon as a nation discovers that it holds in the heads and hearts of its individual citizens the vast mine of knowledge, out of which it may build a just government, then, more and more, it calls those citizens to select their rulers and to judge the justice of their acts.” – W.E.B. Du Bois



Tungz

Open Letter to NBC's TODAY Show regarding comparions of the California Wildfires to Hurricane Katrina

The following letter was written in response to news reports on NBC’s TODAY Show on 10/24/07; ones that continue to make numerous comparisons of the California wildfire devastation to that of Hurricane Katrina; two events that are virtually polar opposites save from the country in which they occurred.

One was wrought by water; the other by fire. One effected the poor; the other, the rich. One effected a primarily black population; the other, a primarily white population. One received absolutely no assistance from the government for over 5 days, and the other received an immediate response and assistance.

Unfortunately, the blatantly preferential treatment in the response to the wildfire victims is being justified as a “lesson learned” from the lack of response to the Katrina victims; unconvincingly avoiding the painfully obvious fact that America views its minority and poor population as third class citizens at best.

Tungz




Dear Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieira,

As many struggle to find reliable media outlets that hold to the integrity of fair, unbiased, and accurate journalism, it saddens me - although unsurprisingly - to realize that NBC's TODAY Show is no different than any other major news source; succumbing to the abyssal pull of ignorance, biasness and misinformation.

In regards to the wildfires that are ravaging the lands of southern California, there is little question as to the devastation and impact that it will have on the lives of its residents. This is undeniable. It is never good to lose anything that one has worked so hard and diligently to obtain.

However, to have the audacity and gumption to compare it to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, particularly as it relates to its impact and the urgency of a presidential response and intervention, is an indication of your unwillingness or inability to understand and/or sympathize with those who don't fall in your tax bracket or zip code......or maybe it was just convenient for you to forget.

Likely, you were using the Hurricane Katrina devastation to add poignancy to the impending and persisting wildfires in southern California. Unfortunately, you more or less succeeded in diminishing the impact of one to embellish the other, insensitively using the loss of life to underscore the loss of property; denying the reality of intentional Federal abandonment, and shrugging it off as a hopeful lesson learned and not to be repeated.......especially in this case.

Allow me to provide a small juxtaposition to emphasize my point.

Firstly (and obviously), the demographic makeup of these scenarios are at opposite ends; technically and socially speaking. You have poor, predominantly black residents at one end of the spectrum. And you have rich, predominantly white residents at the other.

Let's see how fast the Federal government responds to them! I bet that it will be much less than 5 days after the last flame has fizzled out. It will likely be just as fast as it was for them to write off the Katrina debacle as just a mistake that had nothing to do with class or race.

I'm still waiting for the media to refer to those displaced by the wildfires as "refugees". However, something tells me that they don't fit the profile....but, I digress.

Secondly, at this juncture, the residents in southern California have only lost material things (i.e. homes, property, etc); burdened by the need to have to rebuild or start over; as if the ability to do so is not a luxury in and of itself.

The residents in New Orleans not only lost their material things, but they lost their lives and loved ones; with the hopes of "rebuilding" NOT being an option; meekly relying on the frail hopes of "starting over".

Assuming that you place more value on your spouses, children, and family than you do your multi-million dollar homes, I would think that to not know the whereabouts of one or all of your love ones - whether they are dead, trapped in an attic, or have been shipped to another state - would prove insultingly incomparable to the loss of a house or late model Mercedes.

So how is it remotely possible to compare the California wildfires to Katrina?

Thirdly, the Newsweek article on your website, Avoiding Another Katrina, highlights Gov. Schwarzenegger's pleasure at the prompt arrival and assistance of the National Guard who arrived with "buses and ambulances".

Let us not forgot that although the National Guard did arrive promptly to the heart of the devastation in New Orleans, it wasn't "buses and ambulances" that they brought with them; they brought "guns". They weren't there to help the citizens, they were there to protect the businesses - the money - which is why Malibu is likely to see faster assistance and response than the 9th Ward could have ever hoped for.

You may recall that the buses didn't come until 5 days later; after the residents were huddled into an air-conditionless coliseum in temperatures that exceeded 97-degrees, without food, water, medical assistance, or any signs of hope; leaving the corpses of their family members on sidewalks and city streets.

Yet, you insist that these 2 events - the California wildfires and Hurricane Katrina - are comparable. That is disgustingly disrespectful and shamefully shortsighted to say the least!

Whatever your reasons for doing so, I'm sure that the word "ratings" falls snuggly into the context. It is just pitiful to witness the misdirection, sanitization, and misinformation that your organization is willing to propagate under the guise of fairness and compassion for the sake of numbers.

Lucky for us (the viewer) however, there are other networks and media outlets to choose from; some of which still feel that "integrity and truth" has a place in journalism, and doesn't attempt to insult our intelligence by reporting otherwise.

I'm sure that's it great to revel in the light of being a major station with a primetime slot, but how long will that last once people stop listening and supporting your sponsors???

I sincerely thank you for your time.

Warm Regards,


Tungz

28 Days Movement

Already Con-Vick-ted


My thoughts? I'm indifferent. I don't think that "any" form of life is worthy of the torture that is outlined in the indictment (i.e. drowning, electrocution, hanging, shot in the head). Therefore, if he did have a part in this activity, then he needs to pay the price for his contribution.

No one – including our government – should be allowed to excercie this reckless disregard for life. -IMHO

Additionally, the excuses that people are making for Michael Vick have become tiring; citing his upbringing, lack of guidance, and/or circle of friends as being responsible for his downfall. At the end of the day, Vick is still a grown man, and is solely responsible for his own decisions and actions, and thus, responsible for its consequences.

Unless he lacks the mental capacity to understand his actions and consequences, he needs to be judged as equally, justly and fairly as someone who does.

However, understanding that everything is worthy of Life, society has made it indirectly and unapologetically obvious how they rank and value the life of minorities. Quite honestly, if Vick's victims were Black, Hispanic, or Iraqi men, most of these "non-minority people" and organizations would not say a word, much less stage protest requesting his immediate discharge from the NFL and stiff punishments and penalities. Even his endorsements would remain intact if the companies didn’t anticipate the media attention having an impact on their bottom line.

As an excerpt from the Hindu ideology called the Kali Yuga states, “The cow is held in reverence only because of the milk it supplies.” Meaning, some people/things are only valued by what one can get out of them. Pay attention minorities and atheletes!!!!

Knowing this, it becomes necessary to sympathize with Michael Vick; not for the celebrity athlete he is and what he has done, but rather, for the conditions that allow him to be such an easy, acceptable target that is only magnified by his celebrity. These are the same conditions that find minorities receiving harsher punishment and criticisms for crimes identical to those of their non-minority counterparts.

Because of this, the courts of “majority opinion” have become more binding than the courts of law; positioning the clause of "innocent until proven guilty" as an insincere goal more so than a sincere rule.

We only need to look as far as Jena, Louisiana for a current example of this ignorance and disregard for equality. But know that it reaches much farther than commonly reported.

Sadly, the South’s history continues to be defined by such levels of ignorance and intolerance. Even more saddening is the irony of this area - the South - being know as The Bible Belt. Coincidence??? Some would say "no", but I digress.

It is arguable whether or not the conditions surrounding Michael Vick are largely a "wrong versus right" issue as opposed to a "black versus white" issue. However, conflicts and challenges of this sort frequently reveal the deep prejudices and intolerances that have existed throughout Western history, proving to be the very thread and fabric that are sewn together to form the American flag.

So is Vick a “victim”, a “violator”, or a little of both?

The lines of this juxtaposition have been so finely blurred that the answer depends on ones perspective sprinkled with formulated opinions and prejudices offered at the behest of a biased media.

But if we are honest with ourselves, the one thing that we do know is that the same question can be asked of our country.

What’s worse: A quarterback executing dogs, or an Administration executing people? This question would likely raise tensions and dins in heated debates with some retorting that these two scenarios are incomparable.

However, the silver lining that connects these two together is the fact that it requires a certain level of hatred and a disregard of Life to accomplish either. So who’s the pot and who’s the kettle?


Tungz

Wanted: REVOLUTION-REFORMATION


“The things that will destroy us are: politics without principle; pleasure without conscience; wealth without work; knowledge without character; business without morality; science without humanity; and worship without sacrifice.” – Mahatama Ghandi


On July 17th, 2007, Bush enacted a bill that outlaws anti-war protests in the United States, effectively maiming the First Amendment (“freedom of speech”). http://www.28daysmovement.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=2181&sid=0668ac057c8d01183e8194315204b31b#2181

It’s hard to believe that any American – regardless of political affiliation – would not be appalled by this move; lacking the foresight to realize the negative and residual impact that this has on the civil liberties of all U.S. citizens, even the less than 25% who continue to support President Bush.

Either they are unaware of the brevity of this regressive line of action, or the bombardment of propagandistic fear-mongering has proven effective.

Not only has this regime subverted the rights and freedoms of its citizens, but has also morally ostracized the U.S. from practically every other nation, all while allowing treasonous crimes of fellow cabinet members (i.e. Gonzalez and Libby) to go unchecked; relegating “the law” and the Constitution to a changeable, minor obstacle.

Although it is a start, impeachment is insufficient; for it only seeks to remove the “figure” and not the “philosophy”.

Considering that Cheney is the brains behind the tyranny of this administration (along with other cabinet members who hold seemingly uninfluential positions), he is the logical first choice for impeachment (or at least should be). However, this is highly unlikely considering that the impeachment process requires the formal charges for impeachment to be examined by a prosecutor designated by a House judiciary committee, and the U.S. Attorney General (Alberto Gonzalez); the latter being a beneficiary of Bush cronyism.

This is the very reason why Gonzalez has been allowed to retain his position in the wake of the illegal attorney firings. He is a keystone in Bush’s base; one who having been spared by President Bush, will demonstrate his loyalty by sabotaging or diverting any attempt to impeach the “Bosses” (Bush and/or Cheney).

As a result, a much needed impeachment is highly unlikely.

Even if an impeachment were to occur, the U.S. government is far beyond the level of salvage or repair by means of implementing a new leader or leaders - regardless of how well-meaning and sincere the incumbent’s efforts may be - largely because the very foundation of which it sits is tainted and compromised.

The concept of “checks and balances” has attenuated and is now virtually nonexistent; repeatedly proven by an incompetent, compromised Congress, and an impotent Judicial Branch, both of which have fallen short of effectiveness at limiting an Executive Branch, which, as it relates to this particular administration, is led by arguably the worst thing that has ever happened to mankind short of a natural cataclysm.

Through a policy of corruption, the U.S. government has decayed to its core; and to attempt to maintain a place of safety and security on such an assemblage is just as wise as building a tree house in a dry-rotted tree. The owners of the tree (the people) should not allow it to be left standing lest it falls and causes greater damage in its descent.

It is imperative that the tree be removed and replaced with a new tree in which its owners value the trees roots just as much as its fruits, taking steps to monitor the growth of the tree closely, removing any branches that grow out of control.

In today’s government, corruption/conspiracies are not anomalies, but rather, normalities ; regular modus operandi’s that are vainly viewed as unethical only when its use becomes known to the outside world.

Therefore, what is desperately needed, more now than ever, is a “Reformation”; a total restructuring of government that is built on the virtues of integrity, honesty, compassion, and equality; qualities that have been severely lacking from the entire political structure, which are in fact, currently regarded as “weaknesses”.

Every moment we are awakened to the fact that what we believe to be a Democracy is in actuality an Aristocracy.

We, the people, have become more impressed by perceptions than performance; rendering us haphazardly led by the image of solidarity and success in the absence of substance.

This veil of confusion created by the “so-called” world leaders is very much an intentional effort; a process used to intimidate and frustrate the populace into submission in which many willfully relinquish their common sense for comfort, sanity for security, and freedom for fascism. So much so that some of us just drop our hands in piteous surrender, relying on hopes and dreams that an organization that has profited off of our ignorance will soon regain its conscience and show mercy.

Don’t count on it!

The web of deceit and confusion has significantly impacted our rationale to such a degree that many actually believe that:

- That the eradication of “terror” can be led by a tyrant who uses terror
- That immigrants who accept jobs that many of us would consider menial are a greater threat to the economy than a government that offshores jobs that we consider valuable
- That America itself isn’t a conglomeration of immigrants and borrowed and stolen traditions
- That the removal of your personal rights and freedoms is for your own protection
- That we can war our way to peace

And probably the greatest misconception of all is that we – the people – are powerless in changing the landscape and actions of our government.


Do you wish to live in fear? Do you wish to live in sorrow? Do you wish to live in tension? By no means. No one who is in a state of fear or sorrow or tension is free. But whoever is delivered from sorrows or fears or anxieties, he is at the same time delivered from servitude. – Epictetus


What to do!!!


Voting could be effective if it were done with purpose and conviction by holding the government and its officials accountable for all of its missteps and mishaps. It seems that the American people have forgotten that the government works for them - that it is their employee - and when employees don't perform their job as expected or desired, then they are fired; meaning, their money is cut off.

Governments are no exception to the rule.

The American people need to cut off the money. Taxes are one way that these moves are financed; supposedly giving citizens a say in how and were their money is spent. Become more informed on where your money is going.

But more importantly, the other way that these moves are financed is through big business!!!

The federal government is merely a conglomeration of big businesses - business owners and shareholders - with each member of government having a vested interested in their company’s success. Just look at Bush’s Corporate Cabinet alone (circa 2001) to get an idea http://multinationalmonitor.org/mm2001/01may/may01bushcc.html .

The people that pass these laws – such as the Executive Order passed by Bush on July 17, 2007 - would not do so if it proved detrimental to their bottom line. Therefore, to see who benefits from such actions, one should simply observe the incumbents affiliations, and “follow the money!”

In doing so, one should adopt the same philosophies that the government uses in appropriating “terrorists”….considering that the difference is relative.

1. Identify them (i.e. the companies/terrorists).
2. Identify the companies or personages that they have “ties” with.
3. Make their complicity and affiliations (“ties”) known by way of protests, internet, media, discussions, letters, etc. (note: the reason why the protests have been outlawed is because they have been effective. Otherwise, why bother?)
4. Cut off their funding (i.e. boycotts).
5. Expect resistance. Power is never willfully relinquished.
6. Be vigilant and expect success.

If these companies do not demonstrate a verifiable interest and effort in assuring the freedom and liberties of its customers/clients/citizens, then the people should stop supporting them; direct your monies to someone or something that will. Don’t pay them to mistreat you!

In regards to our voting, at present, we vote without understanding and follow-through; endowing our votes with the potency of mere "suggestions"; idle threats at best. As the character, “V”, in the movie V for Vendetta stated: "People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people."

However, you don't fear anything that poses no threat. Therefore, government currently doesn't fear its people; and won’t, until the people realize their collective power and value.

A "thinking people” is the biggest threat to a tyrannical government; because a free mind will not accept limiting circumstances. Under such circumstances, rebellion is imperative and imminent. Therefore, the government would much rather keep its people entertained than enlightened; “dumbed-down” if you will.

"...A little rebellion now and then is a good thing...It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government." - Thomas Jefferson

If we would still our minds momentarily, shaking off our inebriation on fear and chaos, and replace our passive compliance with critical, positive thinking, we would then realize the common denominator in all of our troubles; political as well as personal.

The same force that is limiting those abroad is limiting those in the U.S.

From the poverty and genocide in Africa, to the mass destruction in the Middle East, to the sanctions in South Korea, to the abandonment of the Hurricane Katrina victims, to the removal of rights and liberties in America - all of which are designed to appear as isolated incidences – all stem from the same source in an effort to achieve a greater agenda; all of which have been accomplished through the tool of the body politic.

When the race for leadership is determined by who can raise the most money as opposed to who can raise the most “minds”, this indicates a clear defunct in the priorities of a society.

Therefore, the relief, peace, and progression that we all seek will NOT come from someone who works and thinks from within the limitations of the current political-religious structure, but rather, from someone who stands and sees beyond and outside of it in a spirit of idealism, armored in integrity, and baring a staff of reason with a banner of unity that conveys the message that the progression of the human race starts with personal responsibility and accountability.

You have to be what you desire. If you want change, then you must be change.

Don’t be fooled into believing that the run for the Whitehouse is a battle between the Democrats and the Republicans! They are merely 2 sides of the same coin used to create the illusion of political progression, in which the coin is controlled by big businesses and a cabal of financial despots who manipulate conditions for their own best interest. Politicians are merely glorified hitmen, fallguys, and puppets.

Real power is unseen!

More important than the need for “new leaders” is the need for “new thinkers”. Therefore, at the current political momentum, a revolution to a reformation is necessary and imperative.

Tungz

America: Land of the Thieves…Home of the Slave

Written By: Tungz


We the People have failed to impeach a president who has more than proven to be a poison to the world populace while pretending to be a panacea, despite the fact that he is merely a puppet; strings plucked and pulled like Geppetto’s Pinocchio, telling enough lies to produce a proboscis that penetrates for petroleum.

America has become a penal farm of passive patriots; prisoners of a pipedream of progress perpetuated at the hands of political pundits who have provided a purgatory for peace absent of purification. Ruled by Satan, perched in whitehouses and pentagons, forked-tongue pleas reveal prejudices, preferences, and persecutions in the form of policies and procedures.

Pain has become a process, and panic a pastime.

But propaganda is powerful; particularly when people can’t see past their plasmas, i-pods, phones, and flat panels, finding piety in vain prayers that aren’t propelled by purpose, all of which are just part of the programming.

Religion has become more of a pact than a practice; a ploy where preachers profit off of prophets by preaching phobias to peasants whose perceptions are limited to their passions; whose passions are limited to their pockets, whose pockets are pinned by that 10% pay that those preachers profuse is your only passage to perfection.

But maybe one should pose the paradigm of the impossibility of Perfection creating anything less than perfect, unless it is imperfect Itself. So who created you…..and who are you praying too???

If perfection is a perception, then how one perceives himself/herself determines the level of power in their possession. In other words, Perfection lies in your reflection….and THAT is free. Embracing it is FREEDOM! So what do you see???

Through ignorance, our pompous personalities have revealed our dependent position – mere babies – little piglets that suckle from the teats of a bigger pig, pacified by fear and fed in manured pastures while wrapped in red, white, and blue pampers.

Calling “home” a land that has practically pillaged everything in its path it has become plain that the ultimate plan is to secure our imprisonment; uplifting the profane while piercing the hearts of the pure.

In its passing, the American legacy will be penned in blood on papyrus and parchment in a simple, pitiful prose that professes: America: Land of the Thieves….Home of the Slave

Peaces!

Sick of Imus and the Media

After days of intentional refrain, it is with great reluctance that I toss my hat into the fray of “Don Imus” ad nauseam, but the ignorance and narrow mindedness of the media has gone beyond the brink of intolerability.

First let’s be clear: This whole Don Imus fiasco isn’t nearly as much about the word “ho” as it is about indecency and irresponsibility. Imus could have selected from a plethora of brazen epithets (i.e. bitches, wenches, broads, etc.), and we would still find ourselves in this awkward moment of clarity in which we now stand; particularly when involving the festering sore of racism and misogyny that still pusses in the anatomy of America.

But, for whatever reason, Imus chose the word “ho”, and as a result, the media and Imus supporters have taken it as an opportunity to attack Hip Hop and the Black community, totally ignoring the fact that such appellations exist in other communities as well as forms of music that span the entire globe and Pop culture (i.e. Rock).

Their short-sightedness prevents them from seeing that they are attacking the symptom as opposed to the source.

Consequently, many Imus dissenters feel that his far-reaching media platform makes the difference between his level of impact, and the impact that Hip Hop, comedians, and movies have on the populace. While it is debatable regarding who reaches and impresses more people, this still remains to be a less substantial piece of the puzzle.

One must consider the importance of "context", which alone is the determining factor on how a word or phrase is interpreted and understood.

Simply put, “what” you say is just as important as “how” you say it. When it comes to the arts (i.e. music, acting, comedy, etc.) greater exception is given because it is assumed to be done in the creative context, oftentimes being abstract, allegorical, or poetical in nature.

Music – and the arts in general – often venture off into the lands of imagination and fantasy where what’s said is intended to be interpreted in direct contrast to how it’s meant. That’s what art is; therefore, the lines are less stringent, and should remain so. Art can not exist in censorship. Creativity can not exist without art. And nothing can exist without creativity.

In journalism, particularly media outlets that often cater to political pundits, community leaders and the like, the context and content is assumed to be factual, or at least, of popular opinion. Therefore, the need to be attentive and considerate of how something is communicated is greater.

However, this does not alleviate ANYONE – whether a journalist, Hip Hop artist, politician, or what have you - of personal responsibility and accountability, wrought with the foresight of understanding how the things you say or do can impact others.

In all fairness and honesty, many of the things that are said by music artists of all genres - particularly in Hip Hop - are just as irresponsible and impactful as Imus’ comment. But the thoughts that encourage these words run much deeper than the color of one's skin. We must look within!

This social ignominy is neither a color problem nor a culture problem, but rather, a consciousness problem. If Man would make the effort to raise his thinking, the need for censorship would be null, seeing that the indecency of his tongue will be quelled by the quality of his thoughts, resulting in a self-regulation motivated by mutual respect and integrity. However, this can not be achieved until we first start taking personal responsibility for our own actions.

Free speech struggles in its liberation from the pull of enslaved thinking.


Tungz

“He who reforms himself has done more towards reforming the public than a crowd of noisy, impotent patriots.” - Lavater

In the midst of the Don Imus' tourette-like outburst that has tic-ed off a sizeable portion of the African American community(pardon the pun), I offer this excerpt from my upcoming book, The Awakening of the Meek, in which this section, in my opinion, underscores the mindset that allows such ignornace to exist. - Tungz

"Relevance of Irrelevancy"

--Excerpt from "The Awakening of The Meek" - By Tungz--

“....destroyed your and my past. Destroyed our knowledge of our culture. And by having destroyed it, now we don’t know we have any achievements…any accomplishments. And as long as you can be convinced you never did anything, you can never do anything.” – Detroit Red

From movies about cowboys and Indians, to Tarzan, to war-related movies - including the 9/11 films, Flight 93 and World Trade Center - to even the Christian religion, the Caucasian man has always cast himself as the hero and savior of a world that would otherwise crumble in the hands of its darker, purportedly less civilized inhabitants.

The intent – although sometimes unconscious - is to stigmatize “the brown” in a negative light; incapable of contributing anything morally or intellectually substantial as it relates to the progression or well-being of mankind. In fact, in the latter film, World Trade Center, a supposed “true story”, two of the real-life heroes, both African American men, Jason Thomas and Bruce Reynolds, came forth to reveal the omission of their likenesses from the film, which were conveniently replaced by Caucasian actors.

Likewise, in the movie entitled A Mighty Heart, which chronicles the life of the Caucasian Wall Street Journal reporter who was kidnapped and murdered in Pakistan (Daniel Pearl) in 2002, instead of casting a brown-skinned, curly-haired, woman of mixed ethnicity (Afro-Cuban and Dutch) to portray his heroic widow, Mariane Pearl, the producer instead chose to cast Angelina Jolie, a Caucasian woman. Arguably, there are a number of actresses who would have been more characteristically befitting for the role (i.e. Thandi Newton, Troy Beyer, Rae Dawn Chong, Jennifer Beals, Halle Berry, etc.). However, none were selected; or allegedly, even considered.

Of course, it will be convenient for supporters to site this observation as being petty, nit-picky and frivolous; likely, shifting the focus from the objective blemish to the subjective and moralistic strengths, retorting that the casting of Angelina Jolie was based primarily - or exclusively - on her acting abilities, and the fact that she is a big name in Hollywood.

However, if this is truly the reason, then it can’t be ignored, and in fact begs to question, as to why no big name Caucasian actors were cast to play the villains; the vile Middle Eastern terrorist who arranged and carried out Daniel Pearl’s execution, instead of using real Middle Easterners? Surely Brad Pitt, Tom Cruz, or Keifer Sutherland could have handled these roles with ease and intense believability.

In all likelihood, if this question was offered to the producer, his reasoning will include his desire to keep the movie as realistic and to-the-letter as possible; which all-in-all, would only serve to contradict the move for casting Angelina Jolie in the first place.

The reason for such a paradigm is simple: “Brown” heroes are prohibited unless they are only saving, representing, or liberating “brown” people. Otherwise, a “brown” hero liberating a white victim is viewed as blasphemous and belittling; a subliminal self-admittance of white inferiority and incompetence.

Consequently, brown people killing white people is viewed as terroristic, immoral, and irreverent; while white people killing brown people (i.e. cowboys and Indians, Christopher Columbus, War on Iraq, etc.) is viewed as heroic, valiant, pioneering, and patriotic.

This image, ideology, and illusion that the “good guys wear/are white”, is in all accounts, an intentional attempt to subliminally, and subtly, imbed the perception of incompetence, ineptitude, and limitation into the sub-conscience of “the Brown” as a means of weakening the will, and effectively achieving subjugation, which is then compounded by the concealment of historical, cultural, and personal significance and/or achievement, only to be replaced with those of “inadequacy”, “inferiority” and “imperfection”.

In other words, the objective is to destroy you from the inside out by altering that in which you identify. And in this current consciousness, mankind identifies with that which he/she sees; namely, the perception of himself/herself, as well as those things we believe to be reflections or definitions of who we are (i.e. material things, status, affiliations, jobs, culture, religion, etc.). As a result, these things become the very elements by which we’re managed and controlled (discussed more in the following section entitled, “Control through Culture”).

Open Letter to BET

Since its inception, BET has prided itself on being the voice and representation of Black people in America; filling the chasms of deniability and invalidation oft created and left by the predominate networks who couldn’t – or wouldn’t – see the value or significance of Black livelihood.

In a time where “blackness” was medially defined through the eyes of white bigotry and subjugation – which unabashedly continues today - BET, then, served as the contrasting counterbalance that provided the positive perspective categorically omitted elsewhere, practically proving itself to be the safe-haven and preserver of “black identity and unity”.

BET had become a place where Black people could learn about themselves holistically – their historical contributions and unlimited future potentialities – without fear of judgment, condemnation, or characterization, in a world where such has become the status quo.

But something went terribly wrong. Falling in the hands of those who obviously don’t have the unifying, progressive best interest of the Black community at hand or at heart, BET has slowly become the very thing it was created to offset: a stereotypical reinforcement that places the Black community’s lowest rungs as its highest achievements. With the sell of BET to Viacom, “selling out” become more of a literalism than a euphemism. In effect, BET lost its “Soul” [no pun intended….but I like it].

Therefore, on this day of February, 21st, on the latter end of Black History Month, I find it rather disturbing that various BHM infomercials and appreciations are obvious contrasts to the stations regular parochial programming; rendering “Black history” an obligatory interruption on a station where it should be an adamant and valuable mainstay throughout the year.

One would think that the programming for Black History Month on BET would run seamlessly and transparently as a part of its regular programming, putting equal importance on history and the future as it does the present. But then I am reminded that BET is an acronym for Black Entertainment Television (my emphasis), and not Black Enlightenment Television or Black Education Television; in which the latter two would only be the concern of an organization who actually cared about the community it is supposed to represent. An assessment of BET’s regular programming alone is a clear indication that this is obviously not the case.

As a result, BET has found itself in a position of redefinition, but not so much in a positive light, unless your “positivity” gauge is calibrated on the number of “eye and ears” that are reached as opposed to “hearts and minds”. But now, equally befitting, are the acronyms: Blacks Embarrassing Themselves, and Buffoonery Every Time, along with the infamous, Black Exploitation Television.

Therefore, in this month of Black History, we should use the last day of the month, February 28th, to recognize and commemorate November 3, 2000 as the death of BET; for this is when the soul left the body.

R.I.P BET.

Tungz

“No Way Forward”


If there ever was a statement that was most befitting for president Bush (consider the little “p” an intentional symbolic reference to his brain) and his “New Way Forward” policy, the following is it:

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results” – B. Franklin

Therefore, it should come as no surprise that a president that has more than proven to be the proverbial “drain” in a well-meaning “think tank”, would defiantly and tenaciously go against the wishes and recommendations of not only the bipartisan Iraqi Study Group and Congress, but the American people as well; who expressed their discontent with the president’s war strategy in the recent mid-term elections.

The State of the Union address on January 23rd , 2007, was worded in such a way as to serve the purpose that such addresses are designed: To gain support by spewing just enough rhetoric to keep the masses optimistically deluded. But its effectiveness remains to be determined; measurable by the level of continued complacency and incompetent disregard at the hands of organizations put in place to serve as checks and balances against such actions, in which the American people are equally as complicit. Because, if the old adage is true – “If you keep doing what you're doing, you'll keep getting what you're getting." – then, the only thing that we have to look forward to getting, is closer to hell, lead by the Devil himself.

Bush’s initiative – coined “New Way Forward” – seeks to deploy 20,000 more troops to Iraq as a strategy for shifting the tide to one of “victory”; a word he uses copiously, despite the fact that it has been the most illusive thing since the war began. However, if you consider the number of American casualties since the beginning of the war on 3/19/03, which is listed as 22,951 (http://www.antiwar.com/casualties/), then Bush’s initiative does no more than puts us back where we were 4 years ago…..with an added deficit of 2,951 troops! It seems that “No Way Forward” would be a more appropriate title.

Is his strategy logical??? Of course it isn’t! But that is only because this war has absolutely NOTHING to do with what the American public has been led to believe. The war has gone from capturing Bin Laden, to eradicating “Terror”, to removing Weapons of Mass Destruction, to capturing Sadam Hussein, to liberating Iraqi’s, back to eradicating “Terror”, to making Iraqi’s run their own government…….in which the president expects you believe that 1 out of 6 isn’t bad at the cost of $360 billion dollars and climbing.

I’m sure that that last statement will be dismissed as fodder for conspiracy theorist by many, but who can deny the overwhelming number of conspiracies that this administration has been involved in, arrogantly dismissed as incompetence or coincidence???

After so many disappointments at the hands of this administration, maybe it’s time for the public to wake up and realize that there are no coincidences. Maybe it’s not a coincidence that “New Way Forward” sounds a lot like “New World Order”. Maybe it’s not a coincidence that the letters of the president’s name – George Walker Bush, Jr. – equates to the number “666”. Maybe it’s not a coincidence that Nostradamus’ quatrain (Century VI-70) chronicles the “New Way Forward” initiative (i.e. Plus Oultre).

The presidents plan to give more of the same is the reasoning of someone who is either grossly incompetent, grossly iniquitous, or both; all of which suggests that our fate is inevitable lest efforts are made to curtail his initiatives, and begin to repair the bad relationships – domestically and internationally - incurred through intolerable angst and jingoistic politics.

Whether you believe in the conspiracies or not, an intelligent, rational human being can not deny that something is amiss; that the senseless deaths, the elimination of freedoms for the sake of security, religious persecution, and the use of terror to combat terror, are in direct contrast to what most perceive to be the “Land of the Free, and the Home of the Brave.” But maybe Sinclair Lewis was trying to tell us something when he said, “When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross.”

Don’t make a difference, BE a difference.


Tungz

Hip Hop is "brain" Dead

In regards to the beef (if you can call it that) that Young Jeezy has in regards to the title of Nas' latest album, Hip-Hop is Dead, I offer this commentary.

Hip-Hop is alive!!!! It is still a living and breathing art form. No doubt about that.

However, I think that Nas' statement is addressing the fact that Hip Hop is "brain" dead; particularly, the commercialized form of it. Hip-Hop no longer thinks for itself; exhibiting no forms of intelligence and/or creativity, resulting in a consciousness that focuses and expresses the only thing that it now knows – DEATH – while it’s only vital signs are measured in dollars and cents; which ironically reflect a lack of “scholars with sense”.

Every comment that Jeezy used to defend the life of Hip Hop (i.e. “busting guns”, “Nas’ being on the block”, “does Nas have street credibility”, “is any of Nas’ homies in the Feds”, etc.) are merely reflections of “death”; or more appropriately, a “mindset” of death, that is a far cry from the versatility, creativity, intelligence, and life that once flowed through the veins of Hip Hop. The fact that Jeezy had to question Nas’ street credentials/credibility as opposed to Nas’ contributions to Hip Hop as an emcee is a clear indication that skill, talent, and longevity are no longer qualities that define a Rap artist, but rather, the length of their rap sheet.

In 1990, Eric B & Rakim came with a song called “The Ghetto” which chronicled a man using his mind to escape the confines of his surroundings. Unfortunately, 16 years later, we’ve arrived at an era where a rapper can’t see nor think past the ghetto; much less his block or his “hood”. Even with millions filling his pockets, his mind still spews lamentations of limitations. Hip Hop isn’t living……..it is barely surviving.

Thinking that money is the key to his freedom he ignorantly shoves the bills in the locks that bind him; further securing his own slavery.

Of course, it is possible that many of the rappers today have no clue who Nas is or what he has contributed, much less the Hip Hop artist that preceded him. With that considered, you can’t expect these new cats to do much better. You can’t do any better if you don’t know any better.

Look back 20 years (to the mid ‘80’s) and you’ll find artist like Run-DMC, UTFO, The Beastie Boys, Eric B & Rakim, Public Enemy, Ice-T, MC Lyte, NWA, Slick Rick, Dougie Fresh, Fat Boys, LA Dream Team, Afrika Bambaataa, Salt-N-Pepa, and 2 Live Crew (just to name a few), and NONE of these groups/rappers were the same; and all of them provided hits that have influenced the music that we listen to today.

All of them were original and creative in their own rite as it relates to style, appearance, delivery, and content. The only thing that they had in common was Hip Hop. But today, everyone is doing, looking, sounding and saying the same; like corpses after the flesh has decayed to dust, revealing its bare bones that are unidentifiable when placed side by side. The Hip Hop necropolis.

What people like Nas and the fans of the Golden Era of Hip Hop are seeking is BALANCE; an intelligent alternative to the thugging, materialism, buffoonery and misogyny that plague the airwaves today. They seek a balance that exhibits the creativity, versatility, skill, talent, and artistry that once defined the genre. Because of this, new artists like Lupe Fiasco are being welcomed with open arms as they serve as a breath of fresh air with a side of food-for-thought.

Yes, Hip Hop is still a breathing body; however, it is animated at the behest of big business, much like Geppetto’s puppet Pinocchio before the Blue Fairy told him that he could be “real” if he learned “courage”, “kindness”, and “honesty”. Hip Hop could learn a lot from Pinocchio.

Personally, I am an individual who was breast-fed by Hip Hop. Some people love H.E.R. like a wife, I love H.E.R. like a mother. I knew H.E.R. before she got lost in the streets. Not only would I not know where I would be without Hip Hop, I wouldn’t know WHO I would be. So, if anyone has a problem with my views on the state of Hip Hop, to quote Jeezy, you can "tell them to get at me”.

Tungz

Sony's Black vs White: Blackout

Some would argue that Sony is merely personifying the racial tension that really exists - albeit vastly ignored - in the greater culture of the major nations; regardless of how tasteless it may or may not be. Simply put, they've commericialized wounds that many claim aren't there, and that others deal with on a daily basis, which is the reason it bothers many of us so.

The ad implies "dominance", "preference", and "better"; which could quite possibly could be the case with their new (white) PSP. All company's claim that their latest product is better and preferred over the former. It's called "marketing". Nothing new there. Seems pretty innocent - right?

However, it seems that Sony chose to use a social ill that many believe to be true - that white believes itself to be "better", "preferred", and "dominant" over black - to personify it's product. Subliminal advertisements of these sorts are intended to convey a subjective message/response other than what's objectively implied. In this case, the dominance of black over white is explicitly implicit (i.e. clothing, skin, lighting, black knot around the neck, etc.); which will probably result in Sony using "artistic integrity" as its scapegoat.

The question is, should we be mad at Sony, or should we be mad at someone else (like ourselves) because these conditions exist in the first place for Sony to exploit? It seems that there is enough blame - and thus "responsibility" - to go around for all.

Because it's an advert, it comes off as if Sony is promoting this mindset (white racial dominance) more so than it's PSP product. Conversely, this ad commercializes racial dominance; virtually minimizing the importance of racial unity, and justifying the bigotry of...well....bigots! It comes off as if to say that racial unity is so insignificant, that they can sell a product by showing a lack thereof.

Obviously, Sony's intent is merely to get their name on the tip of everyone's tongue; with little regard of how inflammatory and/or racially insensitve their methods may be. "Shock value" has proven profitable in many situations; which could easily explain Sony's bold, seemingly unconscionable, effort. Even in Hollywood, there is a saying that states, "There is no such thing as bad publicity." But Sony could have quite possible shattered that adage.

As more and more major corporations take steps in embracing diversity - whether the intent is genuine or not - you would think that a company as large as Sony would have thought twice before releasing an ad that blatantly - to some - implies otherwise. Truthfully speaking, major corporations embrace diversity as a means of remaining "competitive", not necessarilly because they have a genuine concern for equlaity. Ironically, this quite possibly could be Sony's attempt at "keeping-it-real", for a lack of a better term.

From an artistic/metaphorical expression standpoint, this would be a non-issue; mainly because art reflects a state of mind or concept - albeit positive or negative - that exists in the mind of it's creator; purely subjective.

But when your intent is to influence and motivate people to support your product, one should be more socially conscious of it's customer base; which is the reason this ad comes off as socially irresponsible, insensitive, racist, and simply put, a bad idea........unless of course it is Sony's intent to alienate it's minority customers.

If that is this case, then minorities should honor Sony's wish and refuse to purchase any of its products. In fact, even if it was not their intent, Sony should take the steps of admitting its short-sightedness - if they believe it to be so - and replace the add with one that gets their point across without disrespecting ANY social group. If not, maybe Sony should experience the sting of a "black out" boycott. Then we can really see how true that ad is!

TUNGZ

The Creation of Chaos

Has it occurred to anyone that all of the chaos that has been popping up around the world as of late are actually orchestrated events that are being used as a "divisive and divertive" tool to direct our attention away from the Big Picture (i.e. the corruption in government, the move to impeach the president, domestic spying, the permanence of the PATRIOT Act, the plan to attack Iran, etc.)?

From the strife revolving around the characterization of the Prophet Mohammed; to the recent church burnings in Alabama; to the anger facilitated at the plan to rezone schools in Georgia to diversify the classes; to the nuclear program in Iran (to name a few); all of these events are old festering wounds that never fully scabbed over; making it easy to create chaos, allowing for the application of the #1 rule in the art of war: Divide and Conquer.

In the South, racial tension is still VERY real; making it easy to create race-related chaos. Between countries - particularly the U.S. and the Middle East - religious differences are EASY to exploit. All over the U.S., the government labels immigrants as a threat to the economy - creating “race” and “class” chaos - while silently and conveniently ignoring the fact that it is big businesses (and thus government) that have benefited the most from immigration.

Consider last year, when the Mexican President - Vicente Fox - made the comment that "Mexicans take the jobs that black people don't want", or when the Mexican "sambo" stamp of Memin Pinguin had Black Americans fuming at the Mexican population/government. Blacks become infuriated with Mexicans, while much of white American and media took the stance that they couldn't imagine someone doing such a thing in this day and age. Yeah, right!!!! When did you ever stop?!?!?

The LAST thing that the powers-that-be want is for humanity to be of ONE MIND and ONE PURPOSE; minorities in particular. Just the sheer thought of Blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans being on the same page politically and socially is a GRAVE threat to white America and the powers-that-be; the REAL minorities. And the unification of the Christian and Muslim faiths is a bigger threat because this crosses the racial and socio-economic boundaries. As long as we remain divided by race, class, religion and such, we are easily manageable. Just imagine if Blacks, Whites, Hispanics, Christians, Muslims, Rich, and Poor came together in one mind to battle the common enemy of Injustice. The ONLY outcome would be "REVOLUTION". The Powers-That-Be will do whatever they can to insure that that DOES NOT occur.

We need to realize that these chaotic events are not mere happenstance. EVERYTHING is happening for a reason; strategically orchestrated and planned like most wars are, and we need to focus on the Big Picture while connecting the dots of the smaller ones. The “created chaos” will serve as a precursor to and justification for the removal of our personal rights and freedoms which will be presented in the guise of “security”.

The government knows us better than many of us know ourselves in terms of how we react to chaos; precisely exploiting our weaknesses of "fear" and "greed". Don't lose focus. The evil that we “really” need to be concerned about is not on the news.

Tungz

Moved By Death

If there is one condition that could be attributed as the principal “motivator” in the current consciousness of Mankind, it would have to be the condition of “death”. From the establishment of the Christian religion which is founded on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, to the recognition of our great world leaders, our move to appreciate, recognize, and value Life is only expressed at the onset of death; and even then, our efforts are in vain as we focus solely on the “celebration” of ceremonies as opposed to the “sanctity” and/or “spirit” behind them.

From the crucifix that dangles around the necks of many, to the stuffed deer heads over the desks of prideful hunters, to the war medals that drape the breast of decorated soldiers, the effigy of death in society has become a trophy of sorts; one that is ironically celebrated just as much as it is feared.

The majority of technological advancements and discoveries are directed at creating weapons for the removal of life, as opposed to creating tools to create and sustain it. Even worse, we use our beliefs, traditions, and religions to justify the promulgation of death, while simultaneously convincing ourselves that we are supporters of Life.

Therefore, it comes as no surprise than many people have condemned a movie about love between two men (Brokeback Mountain) as a sin, while going in droves to see Hostel and Saw II; two movies about death and torture. In essence, we are hypocrites in our own rite that are entertained by the rush of death and destruction. How ironic is it that we refer to ourselves as a “civil-ization”?

On January 30, 2006, humanity lost a civil rights Matriarch who carried the legacy and “baton of freedom” of a movement that was spearheaded by her late husband, Martin Luther King, Jr. On February 7, 2006, thousands of mourners descended upon New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta to pay their last respects to Coretta Scott King. But we each should take the time to sincerely ask ourselves if we ever truly paid our “first” respects. If Mrs. King were still alive, and an announcement was made stating that she was going to give a speech at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, would the same number of people flock to show their respect? This scenario is arguable; but I’d venture to say that the answer is an emphatic “No”.

So what is it that we’re paying respects too – the life that “is”, or the life that “was”…….or do we merely find comfort in the “appearance” of appreciation? After all, that is why the President was there. Photo Ops come in many shapes sizes and colors. And for the President, this was a good look.

Too many of us feel that merely showing up at a funeral equates to “paying respects”. However, this is about as accurate as surmising that showing up to your job equates to “doing work”. Instead of venturing to pay our “last” respects, we should endeavor to pay a respect that “lasts”; one that embodies the ideals, ideologies and actions that the Kings advocated. The “only” way to honor and respect the Kings in death is to bring their philosophies to life by continuing in the movement to make the world a better place for everyone.

Unless we quickly adopt and exercise a philosophy that displays an appreciation for life and constructiveness, it is our hypocritical values and ideologies – guided by the tyranny of our so-called leaders – that will ultimately usher in our demise; ending an era of a race that embodied infinite possibilities; who unfortunately, were only moved by death.

Tungz