Democracy Later...

So what's next for Amerika as we know it under the strong arm of the Bush Reicht?
I could submit dozens of speculative scenerios--none of which subscribe to my vision of a democratic society.

What I can say for certain is that the popular and the electoral votes have secured a future (at least the next four years) rife with policies, both domestic and foreign, that will reflect ultra-conservative views with little tolerance for new citizens of diverse ethnic profiles and faiths.
Thus, reversing the initiatives of the Constitution as we know it.

I don't think it's a stretch for me to envision a future where truly free-thinking Americans will have to flee to other countries in order to reap the benefits of a progressive social consciousness where it's okay to differ in ideology with the establishment.

This reminds me of a time in America when free-thinking Americans had to leave the United States in order to escape persecution because of their unpopular views, like Langston Hughes and Josephine Baker. The reality of this sweeping ideological regression frightens me to the core, but I totally advocate the survival of free thought and expression without certain backlashes. If the United States can no longer live up to its claims as the model for freedom, then it should gracefully step down and give up the pretenses it portrays to neighboring countries.

There were some great points made in today's New York Times Op-Ed columns that's great food for thought--namely Maureen Dowd (The Red Zone) and Thomas L. Friedman (Two Nations Under God).

"The Ruler Thanks The Non-Thinking Man"

"The ruler is thankful for the non-thinking man." --Adolf Hitler.

It's an awful shame that complacency and in-action will set the tone for the next four years of Bush's imperialist movement, but I will at least take comfort in the knowledge that I am not one of those complainers who didn't get out my vote. I wish to congratulate all the New Yorkers who made their voices heard and overwhelmingly rejected George W. Bush.

If you're feeling anything like I'm feeling, you're probably repulsed incensed by the irrational logic that Bush supporters used to rationalize his re-election. Of course, most likely, these are the folks who have no personal attachment (like loved ones actually fighting the war in Iraq) to Bush's 'axis of evil' war.

Some good news: California has voted to put $3 billion into stem-cell research.

Day of Reckoning

This was the scene around 7:45a/et this morning when I went to vote @ Election District 66 in Brooklyn, NY. There were a good number of people handling their business at the polls before they hustled back to work.

For the most part, the demographics were black, latino, and asian. The average age appeared to be around 45, which is encouraging. The line was moderate and the volunteers were orderly, organized and moved things right along so as to not discourage the voters so that they don't right around and go to work instead of voting.

The results of this election will either prove to demonstrate the power of proactivity in favor of the working class, or that this country truly belongs to the wealthiest 1-2 percent of the population.

You can follow the election process with other media watchdogs @:
WBAI or Pacifica Radio.

I welcome fellow bloggers to post any relevant Election Day comments or anomolies you may have noticed at your local voting district.

October Surprise--Scared Yet?

Surprise! Well, not really. Much like I anticipated the latest re-surfacing of Osama bin Laden (this time a videotaped appearance) indeed fits into the convenient scenerio of the possible October Surprise. This is where enough people's (hopefully undecided voters) would again be striken with 9/11 flashbacks at the sight of Osama posing another apparent threat to Americans, give in to their irrational fears and vote for George Bush so that he can continue to secure our great nation.

None of us, including top Homeland Security agents, can ever prove that this latest threat is authentic or if this is a preamble to the theory that the Bush regime has choreographed an elaborate Bin Laden capture just before the elections on Tuesday.

What (at least to me) is clear is that the timing of this latest threat could not be a better window of opportunity for the Bush camp to capitalize on his 'keeping our homeland safe' rhetoric and revamp the same anger Americans experiences when they were first violated by the 9/11 attacked and were pumped up about the justifications for war--which again, has no relation to Sadam.

Voters should remember to stay focused on this election so that fear does not get the best of them again and lose site of what's really happening hear.

9/11-fear allowed NYC Mayor Bloomberg AND George W. Bush slither into power and effect many lives in New York City and the world quite negatively.

Please do not let it happen again--no matter what turns up in the news over the next few days.
It only takes one televised instance of 'shock and awe,' resulting in in-action, to put Bush back in the White House for another 4 years.

We are not the first nation who have had to get to voting booths under duress and the threat of violence (i.e., Haiti and most politically hot third world nations), but people manage to handle their business and vote for who they want anyway--even if it means risking their lives.

Are we going to allow CNN or FOX News keep us glued in front of our televisions behind locked doors while we watch the top 1 percent of America's wealthiest and entitled votes (Bush friends) re-select this bumbling idiot? Let's not.

Still Into Dick and Bush?

Researchers from Johns Hopkins' Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, Maryland, said in a report published online by The Lancet medical journal on Thursday (10/28/04) that the conservative death toll of Iraqis since Bush launched his war against 'evil,' has surpassed 100,000.
Iraqi civilian death tolls are at 16,053 and military fatalities at 6,370-not including the massive amounts of casuality victims who will spend the rest of their lives maimed and psychologically traumatized by this war. But I'm sure the Bush regime and the interim goverment it's placed in Iraq has a solid physical and mental health care foundation lined up to remedy the now irreversible damages imposed on these war victims--much like the sufficient national healthcare plan that we have now.

Imagine the public outcry if bombs were falling out of the sky in Manhattan and civilians and civilian property were being ravaged on a daily basis by foreigners in the absence of a balanced institution that holds them accountable for their actions.
Would Americans greet their foreign invaders as liberators? Doubtful.
Direct exposure to death and violence tend to restructure one's political and social outlook (i.e., 9/11 and US soldiers who actually go to battle and come back home alive, but horribly disfigured).

It's regretful that some Americans need that kind of extreme confrontation in order to fully grasp the reality of certain priviledges that the Bush regime exercise sans checks and balances of that power.

In other Bush regime news:

Former New York Mayor and Bush regime supporter Rudolph Giuliani has stated that our current commander and chief is not to blame for the tons of explosives that walked away from the Al-Qaqaa installation that was 'secured' under US military supervision. He has placed the blame solely on the failure of U.S. troops. That will surely boost their morale while their live and limbs are being lost in record numbers.
In other words we should all push the collective amnesia button now and forget George Bush campaign rhetoric that the world is much safer since this war has been launched--right!

Finally, the FBI is just now getting around to investigating whether the US (again not hold George Bush personally accountable for his actions) unfairly awarded Dick Cheney's Halliburton Co., lucrative contracts without competition. Uhmm, hell yeah!

Question of the day: Is this a legitimate and fair investigation that dares to challenge the Bush regime and its customized definition of democracy? Or is this another premeditated plot strategically times to release a Cheney-friendly ruling just days shy of the elections?

Still into Dick and Bush?

Get your asses out there and vote next Tuesday then. Do your research now so you know exactly where to go. For info on your polling place, go here.

Will Nader Apostles Do It To Us Again?

"Well, I want you as you're gathering up the vote, to remind your friends and neighbors that George W. did get elected and our seniors did get their Social Security checks."

Those words were spoken by our commander and chief, George W. Bush, to unsuspecting citizens during a recent campaign stop in Wisconsin yesterday (Tues. 10/26/04), exactly one week before Election Day.

According to the latest questionable polls, Bush is in the lead over Sen. John Kerry by 1 point.
Remarkably this tight presidential race mirrors the close race in 2000 where ultimately friends and family of George W. Bush made the final call to select him for president. This is very stuff. The very thought of this war-monger being re-selected for another term makes me cringe.
I appeal to every free-thinking citizen out there to do your civic duty and vote, or don't complain.
No offense to the Green Party, but this is not the time to demonstrate your loyalty to Ralph Nader.

Your vote for Kerry (who, I think we can agree, isn't the ideal presidential choice) could tip the scales in his favor.
Hasn't the last four years of Bush's facist rule and violent imperialism spoken for itself?
Are you better off today having voted for Nader in 2000?

Ralph Nader: It's not too late to step down.

I am still thinking positively and releasing the Bush dictatorship to the universe in white light,
in the hopes that America can still salvage some semblance of a functional democratic nation to the rest of the world.

No Danger Under My Watch, America

George Bush's soiled track record America's safety status does not win my vote of confidence when he insists that he has no specific evidence of a plot to disrupt the November 2 elections.

My advice to everyone is to get out there and vote without letting down your guard.
Need I remind you that this is the same fool who ignored the famous report warning him that America would be Bin Ladin's target prior to the 9/11 attacks.

Fear and paranoia should definitely disuade you from casting your vote and living fully active lives. However a false sense of safety based on the word of the man who lead several nations to war based on inflated allegations of non-existent weapons of mass destruction, isn't too bright either.

Handle your business on Nov. 2 America. Down with covert facism!

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised

Long gone are the days when indie filmmakers fearlessly make movies unintimidated by its release potential--or so I thought.

Not since James Bidgood's 'Pink Narcissus' or Rainer Werner Fassbinder's 'Marriage of Maria Braun,' have I seen such kick-ass, tell-it-like-it-is, strategic camp on the big screen.

Bruce Labruce's 'Raspberry Reich' is by far the most revolutionary, counter-culture film I have seen in ages. I saw it last night at the Quad Cinema (NYC) with two friends, we were blown away and needed to smoke afterwards.

Some may want to immediately discount this film as trashy, male-porn disguised as low-brow psuedo-art, but if you come into this film completely open-minded, it will be almost effortless to grasp Labruce's intent behind having to assault all your senses with overt sexuality, revolutionary prose, and counter-culture iconography. This film is absolutely brilliant.

Every purposeful lewd frame of this film is meant to awaken all your senses and critical thinking capacity--once you're forced to think outside of your dominant social norms.

Years ago (circa 1992) I saw Labruce's 'No Skin Off My Ass' in a small art theater in London. It was also daring in your face sexuality about gay skin-heads, but his stance on imposed dominant social roles was not as blunt and well-crafted as Raspberry Reich, which definitely has teeth.

I must insist that if you are willing to break out of your cultural prison and challenge the current mass Western imperialism that's infecting surrounding nations, this film is for you.There is critical social commentary on terrorism and how normative cultures, as well as revolutionaries, can lose sight of the whole picture when they're bent on narrow views of life and imposed morality.Like say, for instance, a seemingly harmless comment like, "Well, George Bush and I are both Christians and we share the same values, so he's definitely got my vote!"(I heard it on the news last night--really).

Labruce deserves to be commended for the cinamatic risks he takes (this certainly isn't his first), as well as the very uninhibited actors--most especially Susanne Sachsse, who brilliantly plays the lead terrorist who rules over her triple-X Berlin underworld cultists. She is phenominal.If you're fortunate to find a local theater brave enough to screen this movie in your town, you should definitely seize the opportunity as this is sure to be a cult classic that future generations may end up studying in college film course--given their culture elevates to that level of permissiveness.

If Bruce Labruce happens upon my blog, I welcome your comments. We'll be friends, I'll quit my job and work for you. I just need my rent paid, a health plan and some spending cash.
"The revolution is my boyfriend!"

Jon Stewart's Spitfire On Crossfire

Despite my issues with Jon Stewart's derrogatory comments about people of color on his Today show interview with Katie Couric, the Daily Show host should be commended on his recent
(Oct. 15, 2004) confrontation with the hosts of CNN's Crossfire.

It's not often that someone gets the window of opportunity to challenge corporate right-wing media's adgenda on the air. Stewart was able to achieve what most free thinking American's dream of doing--unobstructed by manipulative media moguls who, for the most part, spoon feed or 'spin' world news and politics for unsuspecting individuals.

Fueling wars by supporting our current war-mongering, imperialist administration is just one of the many physically and psychological damages that pollute our globe.

You can watch the exchange for free here with Quicktime player.
Official website where you can view it is @ ifilm's website.

Let's hope that gave Crossfire's loyal cattle a better sense of what a real debate and opposing viewpoints are really like.

Admit Nothing & Threaten All

The latest string of denials coming from the Bush camp is that they have absolutely nothing to do with the recent mandate issued by the Sinclair Broadcast Group for all of its 62 network affiliate television stations (reaching nearly a quarter of all U.S. television households) to air a documentary that accuses Sen. John Kerry of betraying American prisoners during the Vietnam War.

It's also no surprise that a handful of these stations are in the critical swing states of Ohio, Iowa, Wisconsin and of course, good ole Jeb-land, the state of Florida.

Now potential voters who honestly believes that the Bush camp really had no influence on the broadcast executives who decided to give this propaganda piece prime time network exposure, really deserve to have this man be their president.

I humbly submit that this isn't the last exhibition of presidential priviledge that Bush will be excercising just weeks shy of his re-selection. How do Bush supporters not want to believe that someone with Bush's huge sense of entitlement could not have possibly used his influence to doctor his attendance records during his National Guard duty?

This Is Only An Illusion

By now you may have heard the rumors that George W. Bush was wearing a concealed earpiece during the first Bush-Kerry debate in FL.

Of course, no matter how many cameras managed to capture W's mystery bulge on his back, the Bush administration insists that what we are seeing is not what it appears to be.
In fact, they insist, what the camera caught was merely an unsightly bulge resulting from a poorly tailored suit.

Now if that indeed is the case, it appears that one would find that wearing a suit with its hanger attached would be more comfortable than sporting that posterior hump for a televised event. Despite this blantant refusal to own up to a very visible anomaly, still a very sizable cross section of the US population continue to pledge their allegiance to George W. Bush--Grand Puba of 'family values,' self-interests, and the war against evil.

My Country, My Media!

Stunned at the blatant disregard to his priviledged authority, George W. Bush reacted to his less-than-stellar performance at last week's debate by scheduling an impromptu sneak speech yesterday (Oct. 5) to boost his campaign momentum.

Under the guise of a "significant speech" on anti-terrorism, the entitled dictator somehow "convinced" cable networks (I believe it was CNBC or CNN-but I'll let you folks verify that) to give him an hour to spew his better rehearsed campaign diarreah sans the watchful eye of an impartial moderator and John Kerry, before Friday's second presidential debate.
Apparently the egos of cable network execs were also slightly wounded from being duped into believing that Bush really was going to announce a major anti-terrorism policy--not use his network time to give himself a jump start on the polls.

No, not our commander-n-cheif! BTW, once again another official report has verified that WMD stockpiles never existed in Iraq. Somehow, I still don't think that this is enough to convince die-hard Bush fans that our president may have manipulated facts in order to drive the war.

What more to do people need to shake them out of this alter-world where this president is not corrupt??

Same Old Political Song and Dance

Last night's debate between Dick Cheney and VP candidate John Edwards was heated and packed more of a punch than Bush and Kerry's, but nevertheless, I also thought it was predictable in terms of the issues Edwards and Cheney discussed.

Edwards pounded Cheney on the Bush administration's misguided war in Iraq and Cheney hammered in his fear factor theme--without Bush & Cheney America is wide open for another terrorist attack. YAWN!

What about concrete plans for reforming immigration laws? Securing fair labor laws and basic healthcare for US residents who are working while trying to become legal residents/US citizens (which is a significantly slower process since 9-11)? Substantially boosting humanitarian efforts to re-structure Haiti's economy before the entire population is wiped out by deforestation and corruption?

It's always a huge disappointed to witness constant limited recycled rhetoric spewed out from political figureheads who only address popular hot-button topics to appease mainstream voters. I can only image how shallow the US must seem to viewers world-wide--to assume that huge diversity that make up the American population can be accurately represented by two political parties. It's no wonder why efforts to maximize voter turnout is always an uphill battle.

How can this countries politics move from its predominantly narrow discourse to encompass the true majority of the American people--including the millions of undocumented US residents? Anyone?

The Height of Arrogance

What's lacking in intelligence can be compensated for in height.
At least that's what George W. Bush's lackies at FOX want you believe.

There are reports that allege FOX has doctored this AP photograph of George Bush to make him look as tall as Kerry. Here is the original photograph taken at their recent presidential debate in FL, where George is resembles the evil troll that he is.

True or not, Bush still looks STUPID!

Airstrikes for Peace?

Here's an image you won't likely see in this weekend's network talk shows. While some Americans remain undecided on who they'll vote for this coming presidential election, more innocent civilians continue to meet untimely deaths in Fallajuh this week as American troops launch "precision strikes" in "suspected" terrorists hideouts.

Fueled by the same military strategists who "suspected" the existence of weapons of mass destruction, which led to this war. It's amazing to me how the press uses terms like precision military strikes to justify the slaughter of innocent civilians and American troops, while civilians who are trying to protect their homes from aggressors in the middle east are never distinguished from real terrorists.

Can you imagine seeing that much destruction and death on a daily basis in say, the streets of New York City? I know I can't. George W. Bush's campaign rhetoric of ensuring our safety if he's re-elected, winning the war on terrorism and rebuilding Iraq would certainly take on a different tone if grotesque images of the casualities in Fallujah and American troops in body bags were projected on the backdrop during one of his campaign speeches.

Slackdaddy's Alternate Reality

If you're a conspiracy theory enthusiast, then this website is for you. It calls to question the 9-11 Pentagon crash site and why there was hardly no debris from the Boeing 757 itself
(don't know how true that is).

I don't know who put out this website @ slackdaddy.org , but it is definitely intriguing.

Made Ya Cry!!

How degrading. Leave it to 20/20 anchor Barbara Walters, to make Dan Rather cry.

Keeping within her signature tradition of reducing interviewees to blubbering balls of mess, Babs got Rather to well up in tears when she tried to show her support to the fallen CBS anchor at her retirement bash last night--and of course, NY Post's Page Six was there to capture the moment.

While it may very well be sincere gesture of concern from the anchor of Rather's rival network, ABC, I get the sense that it was executed with a 'better you, than me' kind of smugness within which competing stations revel.

Such is the punishment administered to any voices of dissent aimed at Emperor Bush in this free country of ours--you know the freedom that "they" hate.

The Daily Bubble

If anyone caught this morning's Today Show with Katie Couric interview with Jon Stewart, I'd love to hear your take on the outrageous display of racists banter that transpired.

Comedy Central's The Daily Show host, Jon Stewart was on this morning to promote a new book that I do not wish to promote here. In the midst of congratualatory discourse, Katie mentions Stewarts recent Emmy Award and his huge staff of Daily Show writers who, apparently are all white men.

She injects (I'm paraphrasing here), "Where's the diversity? Where are the women and people of color?"
Caught off-guard, Stewart nervously laughs it off with a coy joke (but it really isn't), "What?...Who are people of color? I'm only comfortable around [my own kind]."

We hear people on the NBC set break out in laughter (or nervous laughter) cheering Stewart on for his witty charm.
Of course, I was appauled, and amused by the spontaneous moment of truth that followed.
Katie continues with a comment like, "Where did you find them?" (all the white men) and Stewart says, "I met them all at Sedar."

Essentially owning up to the predominent, if not exclusive presence of Jewish writers who may also happen to be personal friends of Stewart.

Stewart's off-the cuff remarks and cute reparte with Katie may have fit the bill for The Today Show's morning slot, but Stewart should prepare for the inevitable backlash from women and poeple of color who happen to share his show's left-wing views and once supported it.

My heart goes out to anyone of color who may be interning on the Daily Show and are women and/or of color. If you were hoping to write for that show, that sad display will hopefuly inspire you to move your experience and talents to another show because Stewart aint into it.

FYI, Jon, there are many talented writers of color, including women, who can write about political issues and any topic out there. As writers--that would be their craft and job.

Off With Their Heads!

It is with no surprise that I present to you Ms. Mary Maples, the now infamous producer behind the scandalous 60 Minutes story on George W. Bush's checkered past in the National Guard.

As I forcasted (See 9/16/04 Blog entry), CBS no longer stands by their man Dan Rather and crumbled under right-wing, corporate pressures to recall Rather's story due to questionable sources that can no longer be validated.

Today's New York Times is chock-full of rebuke for CBS's 'oversite' in thoroughly checking their sources. The Times, along with FOX News can now bask at the successful character assassination of Dan Rather and the journalistic integrity of CBS.

Rather and CBS's admitted failure and public apology is sure to detract advertisers if ratings slide.
Rather's public apology, coupled with his previously very public bouts with George Bush senior reads like an obituary for the 72-year-old anchor.

The latest chapter of this story will no doubt be linked with Kerry's campaign and the inefficacy of liberalism.
Once again this speaks to the growing right-wing ideology that has swept mainstream media venues like Hurricane Ivan.

What's next? Will Dan Rather be forced to retire or 'encouraged' to report on local crime stories and hurricane preps?
BTW, do not be surprised if this incident boosts George W. Bush's approval ratings if polls are tallied this week.

Don't Make Me Cut Ya!

Before I was able to access a decent cup of coffee for my commute to work, I grabed a copy of this morning's NY Metro edition instead. Misfortune reared its ugly head and cackled back at me from page 14.
Me: Horrified.

It's easy for me to forget how noticeably distressing it is to see images of New York socialite, Jocelyn Wildenstein--a classic case study in the dangers of excessive plastic surgery.
Sadly, she started out looking quite beautiful until she was talked into erasing all traces of her ethnicity and humanity. The end results were ghoulish...but she's filthy rich so she gets to whoop it up with all the celebs during Fashion Week in New York.

It's sheer agony for me to envision the obscene amounts of cash that society's elite pour into themselves and other material items like cosmetic surgery. The amount of money it costs to complete one surgical procedure could, in all likelihood, wipe out all of my current debt AND I'd still secure a nice savings for myself.

The things folks in this country subject themselves to, to try to fit into pop culture's mold of social acceptance, is phenomenal! Elective mutilation at what cost?

Oh, well, it's only tons of money! I aint mad at ya, Jocelyn.