Monkeys v/s Bears
The Bears are still trying,but what they don’t understand is a monkey will always win!
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I am still trying to find the words
Two days removed from the historic election, I am still trying to find the words to describe how I feel. The joy and elation (now ebbing), and giving way to nervousness and uncertainty. Not for the country, not for the man, but for us. As I rode the bus yesterday I heard the cheers and chants of the young kids not old enough to vote. In the morning they were jubilant and full of promise, by mid afternoon they had degenerated into mindlessness and foolishness. The happy Obama chants had become the stoned stupid cries of high kids on the back off the bus. It was disheartening because I know it was not isolated to the bus I was riding. I had heard the stories during the day of the celebrations throughout the streets of Oakland and the idiocy that marred the event. Most saw it as fun and games I saw a deeper, darker, sign. I hope that/and I’m sure that it will, move a certain segment of the non-white youth of America to strive ever harder. Yet I fear it will inspire some of these badass kids (of which I was one), to engage in even more brash asshole-ish-ness. I wanted to think only of the positive. I wanted to believe how Obama’s election and subsequent presidency will bring equality through inspiration. I close my eyes and try to think about the Morrissey song, “America is Not the World”. Where he says; that as long as we don’t have a president that’s black, a woman, or gay then we have nothing to say (to him). I try to keep Stings “Welcome to a Brand New Day” out of my head, to no avail. I think about the super-secrety Dave Chapelle show Anitra and I got into on Saturday night. Where Dave said, “What do you think (Obama) would do if elected; get up on stage and scream-IT’S PAYBACK
” Apparently that is what some of the wild kids on the bus seem to believe. They laugh and yell insults to white people that aren’t even there. They boast and brag yet isn’t even old enough to vote and more than likely wouldn’t even if they were. The African American community has often been divided between two sides; those who strive to rise up and those who wallow in the muck. There have been others who have worded it differently but you get my drift. The hope has always been that an MLK like figure would emerge and set things right. Yet even with the emergence of Barack Obama I have yet to see the change. If anything his election may embolden the latter. This of course is a common fear of a certain segment of the white population, perhaps to more extremes than that but more or less. It is however founded in some reality. On election night two people were hit by a car in front of the liquor store acting foolish in the streets. A co-worker told me of people in her neighborhood firing of automatic weapons into the air with no regard for where the bullets landed. I don’t want to think about this I want to focus on how this will inspire the kids who are ten and under who will come to maturity under an Obama administration. I am aware that it will not be all roses and once the honeymoon period is over we will have to get into tackling some real hard times. There must be an enormous weight on his shoulders knowing that so much is riding on his first term. The hopes and dreams of an entire race have been placed on his shoulders. If he fucks up he doesn’t just fuck it up for himself or for the country, but for every brown face in the free world. Sounds extreme and it is. That’s why I fought and screamed so much for this. This is bigger than one man, bigger than one nation. If you watched the news you saw the excitement across the globe. This event uplifts all non-white people in the world. For once the most powerful nation on the planet is being helmed by a figure who looks like the rest of us not just a few of us. The power of symbolism is strong. You can change the world with pictures more than you can with a single word. Words are spoken in various languages across the globe I can’t understand most of them, but if I saw a picture of a black Queen of England or President of France, any traditionally white super-power I would be moved. This is an event that has no equal that is what Obama’s detractors either did not understand or not care for. It is the symbolism which was most important to me. As a practitioner of Chaos Magick I believe highly in the importance of symbols and sigils. I read truth in the graffiti on the walls on my way to work like some people read the newspaper. I understand that the significance of this event will not be felt truly for another generation or two. The monumental victory that was won on November 4th 2008 was over 200 years in the making and the struggle for equality of all races, and genders and sexual orientations’ has made a progressive leap forward. The change will not overtake us overnight and there will be many more bumps along the road. Power does not concede anything without a fight and we have a long fight still ahead of us, but this is a giant win for the forces of true freedom. I was talking with a man earlier today who were some years older than me and he said that now he feels he can finally salute the flag. I understand his sentiment. Others have expressed to me there relief and renewed or emerging faith in the country as a whole. We will see if it is momentary or everlasting.
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Now playing: Morrissey – America Is Not The World
via FoxyTunes
I am still trying to find the words
Two days removed from the historic election, I am still trying to find the words to describe how I feel. The joy and elation (now ebbing), and giving way to nervousness and uncertainty. Not for the country, not for the man, but for us. As I rode the bus yesterday I heard the cheers and chants of the young kids not old enough to vote. In the morning they were jubilant and full of promise, by mid afternoon they had degenerated into mindlessness and foolishness. The happy Obama chants had become the stoned stupid cries of high kids on the back off the bus. It was disheartening because I know it was not isolated to the bus I was riding. I had heard the stories during the day of the celebrations throughout the streets of Oakland and the idiocy that marred the event. Most saw it as fun and games I saw a deeper, darker, sign. I hope that/and I’m sure that it will, move a certain segment of the non-white youth of America to strive ever harder. Yet I fear it will inspire some of these badass kids (of which I was one), to engage in even more brash asshole-ish-ness. I wanted to think only of the positive. I wanted to believe how Obama’s election and subsequent presidency will bring equality through inspiration. I close my eyes and try to think about the Morrissey song, “America is Not the World”. Where he says; that as long as we don’t have a president that’s black, a woman, or gay then we have nothing to say (to him). I try to keep Stings “Welcome to a Brand New Day” out of my head, to no avail. I think about the super-secrety Dave Chapelle show Anitra and I got into on Saturday night. Where Dave said, “What do you think (Obama) would do if elected; get up on stage and scream-IT’S PAYBACK” Apparently that is what some of the wild kids on the bus seem to believe. They laugh and yell insults to white people that aren’t even there. They boast and brag yet isn’t even old enough to vote and more than likely wouldn’t even if they were. The African American community has often been divided between two sides; those who strive to rise up and those who wallow in the muck. There have been others who have worded it differently but you get my drift. The hope has always been that an MLK like figure would emerge and set things right. Yet even with the emergence of Barack Obama I have yet to see the change. If anything his election may embolden the latter. This of course is a common fear of a certain segment of the white population, perhaps to more extremes than that but more or less. It is however founded in some reality. On election night two people were hit by a car in front of the liquor store acting foolish in the streets. A co-worker told me of people in her neighborhood firing of automatic weapons into the air with no regard for where the bullets landed. I don’t want to think about this I want to focus on how this will inspire the kids who are ten and under who will come to maturity under an Obama administration. I am aware that it will not be all roses and once the honeymoon period is over we will have to get into tackling some real hard times. There must be an enormous weight on his shoulders knowing that so much is riding on his first term. The hopes and dreams of an entire race have been placed on his shoulders. If he fucks up he doesn’t just fuck it up for himself or for the country, but for every brown face in the free world. Sounds extreme and it is. That’s why I fought and screamed so much for this. This is bigger than one man, bigger than one nation. If you watched the news you saw the excitement across the globe. This event uplifts all non-white people in the world. For once the most powerful nation on the planet is being helmed by a figure who looks like the rest of us not just a few of us. The power of symbolism is strong. You can change the world with pictures more than you can with a single word. Words are spoken in various languages across the globe I can’t understand most of them, but if I saw a picture of a black Queen of England or President of France, any traditionally white super-power I would be moved. This is an event that has no equal that is what Obama’s detractors either did not understand or not care for. It is the symbolism which was most important to me. As a practitioner of Chaos Magick I believe highly in the importance of symbols and sigils. I read truth in the graffiti on the walls on my way to work like some people read the newspaper. I understand that the significance of this event will not be felt truly for another generation or two. The monumental victory that was won on November 4th 2008 was over 200 years in the making and the struggle for equality of all races, and genders and sexual orientations’ has made a progressive leap forward. The change will not overtake us overnight and there will be many more bumps along the road. Power does not concede anything without a fight and we have a long fight still ahead of us, but this is a giant win for the forces of true freedom. I was talking with a man earlier today who were some years older than me and he said that now he feels he can finally salute the flag. I understand his sentiment. Others have expressed to me there relief and renewed or emerging faith in the country as a whole. We will see if it is momentary or everlasting.
riots if Barack Obama loses
Police fear riots if Barack Obama loses US election US police fear riots could break out if John McCain, the Republican presidential candidate, wins the election next month. By Catherine Elsworth in Los Angeles Last Updated: 7:51AM BST 24 Oct 2008 Barack Obama rally Indianapolis – Obama prepares massive operation to mobilise vote Commentators point to the surge in voter registration and large turnout in the primaries as reasons why there could be problems on election day Photo: AP Law enforcement officials say the intense public interest and historic nature of the vote could lead to violent outbreaks if people are unhappy with the results, encounter problems casting their ballots or suspect voting irregularities. Police departments say they cannot rule out disorder and are mobilising extra forces and putting SWAT teams on standby. In Oakland, near San Francisco, police will have tactical squads, SWAT teams and officers trained in riot control on standby. "We always try to prepare for the worst," said Oakland police department spokesman Jeff Thomason. "This election is going to mark in history a change in the presidency: you’re going to have a woman in the presidency or an African American as president. I think everybody around here is voting for Obama, so if he gets in the White House everybody’s going to be happy. "But we’ll have our SWAT teams on standby and traffic teams here, so if something goes off we’ll organise and take care of the problem." There have also been internet rumours about plans for protests or civil disobedience by supporters of Democratic candidate Barack Obama if he is beaten by Republican rival John McCain on November 4. He said Oakland was prepared to deal with unrest as Oakland Raiders fans rioted in 2003 following their Super Bowl loss. Other cities that have experienced unrest include Detroit, Chicago and Philadelphia and are also planning to deploy extra officers on election day. James Carville, a strategist for former President Bill Clinton and advisor to his wife Hillary’s 2008 presidential campaign, hinted Democrat supporters could be angry if Mr Obama lost, given his lead in the polls. "If Obama goes in and he has a consistent five-point lead and loses the election, it would be very, very, very dramatic out there," he told CNN. James Tate, of Detroit’s police department, which dealt with violent celebrations after the Detroit Tigers won the baseball World Series in 1984, told congressional newspaper The Hill that problems could flare whichever candidate wins. "Either party will make history and we want to prepare for celebrations that will be on a larger scale than for our sports teams," he said. "The worst-case scenario could be a situation that requires law enforcement." In Chicago, where Mr Obama will hold a rally on November 4, the police department has been meeting to discuss security plans for the night. Law enforcement departments in Philadelphia and Cincinnati are also making preparations in case of problems. Commentators point to the surge in voter registration and large turnout in the primaries as reasons why there could be problems on election day, questioning whether the system will be able to handle so many extra voters. Election officials in Virginia are stepping up security at polling booths amid concerns over long waits and issues such as voter registration and identity verification. Despite efforts to improve voting systems after the problems of 2000 and 2004, the Pew Research Centre has warned high turnout could again cause problems such as lengthy delays at the polls. Unexpectedly high number of voters in states with early voting such as Florida have already encountered long waits. Hilary Shelton, director of the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People’s (NAACP) Washington bureau, said there could be a repeat of problems witnessed in some black inner cities in 2004, where voters waited for up to eight hours to cast their ballots. In response to the expected high turnout among racial and ethnic minority voters, intense interest in the election and online rumours about unrest, the NAACP has written to election officials in every state asking them to try to prevent any problems that could lead to voters being "stymied" or "disenfranchised" such as too few voting machines or staff. He was also concerned about the possibility of extra police presence causing intimidation. "Our antennas go up in terms of what happens when law enforcement moves to provide additional security and support and what happens on election day and how that comes across. "The issue we’re raising now is are they being sensitive to the issues and the possibilities of intimidation and disenfranchisement, which could very well come out of them being too heavy handed. (Sometimes) the wrong strategy by law enforcement can actually create a problem rather than prevent one and it is our hope that we don’t see those kinds of problems on election day and people are able to enjoy the security of our democracy." Right-wing websites and blogs have been fuelling speculation about election unrest with unconfirmed reports of an online petition that pledges "civil disobedience" if Mr McCain wins. Meanwhile, in a blog posting entitled ‘A McCain "Win" Will Be Theft, Resistance Is Planned’, David Swanson, Washington director of Democrats.com and a board member of Progressive Democrats of America, writes: "If your television declares John McCain the president elect on the evening of November 4th, your television will be lying. "You should immediately pick up your pre-packed bags and head straight to the White House in Washington, DC, which we will surround and shut down until this attempt at a third illegitimate presidency is reversed. "We may be there for days or weeks or months. But we must be there. We must be there by the millions. We must show each other, and the nation, and the world that we have had enough, that we will not stand for one more stolen election, that we will not give in to fear, lies, theft, and intimidation." Mr Carville told The Hill that "a lot of Democrats would have a great deal of angst and anger," if Mr Obama lost. He predicted that on November 4, "the voting system all around the country is going to be very stressed because there’s going to be enormous turnout."
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Now playing: The Mountain Goats – You Better Keep It On Your Mind
via FoxyTunes
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