Let's review - Adele cleaned up at the 2012 Grammys. Why? Perhaps best put by Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters - the music needs to come from your heart and your head. Adele - no glitz, no glammer, no fire and flaspots, no strings hanging from the ceiling, no weird and wild costumes, no humping by scantily clad gyrating dancers - just melodic thoughtful lyrics sung with feeling and a genuinely gifted voice - heart and head. Not only is she talented, but she is genuine - the real deal. She accepts her award for Best Album and announces to millions of viewers that she has some snot coming out of her nose. I am so delighted that she won, not just because of her music, but because of her honesty. She hasn't been diverted by the junk fame piles onto musicians. She was in love, got her heart broken and sang the story - without all the eye candy diversions.
Some of the other winners that never even made it to the telecast were: Jazz Instrumental Album: “Forever,” Corea, Clark & White, Improvised Jazz Solo: “500 Miles High,” Chick Corea. You would think one performance by Chick Corea rather than two dancing skits by Chris Brown. If jazz was too complicated for the average listener perhaps these winners would have offered a little more variety to the stage: Reggae Album: “Revelation Pt. 1: The Root of Life,” Stephen Marley, or Pop Instrumental Album: “The Road From Memphis,” Booker T. Jones, or Blues Album: “Revelator,” Tedeschi Trucks Band. It would seem the fans, who obviously bought a boat load of albums by Adele, are more sophisticated in their appreciation of the art of music than the producers of the television event. Hopefully, the Grammy producers of the 2013 event will demand that all artists perform live - even if they have to dance a lot. Rihanna, Chris Brown used to date - perhaps they also shared a lip-syncing coach. But the best lip-syncing goes to Taylor Swift who sings a sing where she complains nobody sings live anymore - not too swift if you ask me. Adele made it about the music again - not the red carpet poses in gowns missing material; not the outfits no escort would be caught in a motel lounge in; not the Crayola colored hair; but the MUSIC!
I thought Bruno Mars showed that he is loaded with talent and is up and coming even though he is already there. He would have made James Brown proud. The harmonies of The Civil Wars (strange name) were spot on and should have lasted longer than the look-at-me performance offered by Swift. Jennifer Hudson's tribute to Whitney Houston was masterful, emotional and a true compliment to popular hit by Houston. Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson were good vocally, but lacked chemistry, as did Tony Bennet and Carrie Underwood. Sir Paul McCartney showed he can still write great love songs and can still rock the house with the closing performance. His choice of Joe Walsh on acoustic gutiar was smart, given Eric Clapton performs on the record. Alicia Keys and Bonnie Raitt were first rate, both showing thier vocal talent and feel for a good song. Katy Perry seemed to want to show she could be a welter-weight, lip-syncing Lady Gaga. The Beach Boys' harmonies were fabulous, but I thibk there were quite a few more singers than original members, and Brian Wilson dropped the end of a verse early - but they have been around so long most of the Staples Center crowd wasn't born when they had their first hit.
Nicki Minaj - what can I say? - a failed attempt at theatrics and anti-catholic exorcist crap with no end game. I was confused by The Boss' opening song "We Take Care of Our Own." It was, I thought, a sequal to "Born in the USA" but I didn't get it. Now that I have looked at the lyrics, I see that he was not talking about government coming to the aid of those in need - the reference to the flag is what threw me - but I see he was referring to people taking care of one another. Now I can't wait for some politico to adopt the song as their theme at their rallies. Break out the lawyers, Bruce.
That's about all I call recall from the 2012 Grammys. Perhaps next year I'll have wine instead of Buffalo wings - lots of wine.
RIP Whitney Houston, Etta James and the myriad talent lost, but not forgotten!
Peace - Ho'oponopono . . .
Monday, February 13, 2012
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Twitter A Felony in Oregon?
Oregon - a state that, were it in the physical locatiion of New Mexico, I would move to in a heart beat, has reared its Republican ugly head (and one wayward Democrat) and proposed criminalizing the organizing of civil disobediance: Oregon's Senate Bill 1534- being debated today, would criminalize what they call, "aggravated solicitation applicable to use of electronic communication to solicit two or more persons to commit specific crime at specific time and location."
This is the state I always held up as an example of individual rights and freedom without excessive and unwarranted government intervention. No longer - the state that has the hutspah to ban styrofoam has the inane wherewithall to consider a bill that would make it felonious to gather people through social media - you know - FB, Twitter, et al, if during the gathering a crime were committed. So, if Occupy Oregon happened, and I summoned people to a place and time to protest and a crime - that crime being civil disobediance -were committed, I could be held responsible. That's fascist crap.
According to Wikipedia: The earliest recorded incidents of collective civil disobedience took place during the Roman empire. Unarmed Jews gathered in the streets to prevent the installation of pagan images in the Temple in Jerusalem. Some modern day examples of civil disobediance may include: trespassing at a nuclear-missile installation, bringing medicine to Iraq without permission of the government, sitting in a tree to prevent it from being chopped down, gathering at sit-ins to protest Monsanto's alteration of life. By summoning friends to aprticipate in these events, I could be arrested and jailed in Oregon. I thoug republican wanted smaller government with less interference in in Americans' personal lives - oh wait - corporations don't want to be Occupied. Enter big brother to save the day - even in a progressive state like Oregon. What a perfect place to start - if they can pass it there, they can pass it in every state - then they will ask homeland security to monitor every tweet and posting so they can protect the interests of their contributors - the human corporations.
I hope the good people of oregon fight this and get rid of these crooked politicians, drugged by the money they recieve and replace them with people who believe capitalism should have a conscience.
Of course, to get around their stupid law, should it pass, one would simply invite the masses to gather one at a time.
Peace - Ho'oponopono . . .
This is the state I always held up as an example of individual rights and freedom without excessive and unwarranted government intervention. No longer - the state that has the hutspah to ban styrofoam has the inane wherewithall to consider a bill that would make it felonious to gather people through social media - you know - FB, Twitter, et al, if during the gathering a crime were committed. So, if Occupy Oregon happened, and I summoned people to a place and time to protest and a crime - that crime being civil disobediance -were committed, I could be held responsible. That's fascist crap.
According to Wikipedia: The earliest recorded incidents of collective civil disobedience took place during the Roman empire. Unarmed Jews gathered in the streets to prevent the installation of pagan images in the Temple in Jerusalem. Some modern day examples of civil disobediance may include: trespassing at a nuclear-missile installation, bringing medicine to Iraq without permission of the government, sitting in a tree to prevent it from being chopped down, gathering at sit-ins to protest Monsanto's alteration of life. By summoning friends to aprticipate in these events, I could be arrested and jailed in Oregon. I thoug republican wanted smaller government with less interference in in Americans' personal lives - oh wait - corporations don't want to be Occupied. Enter big brother to save the day - even in a progressive state like Oregon. What a perfect place to start - if they can pass it there, they can pass it in every state - then they will ask homeland security to monitor every tweet and posting so they can protect the interests of their contributors - the human corporations.
I hope the good people of oregon fight this and get rid of these crooked politicians, drugged by the money they recieve and replace them with people who believe capitalism should have a conscience.
Of course, to get around their stupid law, should it pass, one would simply invite the masses to gather one at a time.
Peace - Ho'oponopono . . .
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Class Warfare
While watching the repulican cage fighting, I can't help but feel a sense of desperation across the board as the rhetoric ratchets up and the mud slinging and name calling continues. Was feeling relieved that my brother is in Florida, while I sit quietly in Arizona. Then our governor seemed to miss having the cameras flashing in her direction and stiuck her finger in the face of the leader of the free world. It doesn't matter what party the President belongs to or if local political yocals don't agree with his or her politics, it is still the most respected political seat in the world. I saw the cartoons go up immediately - one with Governor Brewer protrayed as the Wicked Witch of the West from the Wizard of OZ and another with her illiterate quote explaining her reason for the finger. It seems as though people everywhere are clamouring for their 15 seconds of fame - it used to be 15 minutes, but that was before the internet. This blog is already old news - just thought the topic worthy of mentioning.
Then this guy who claims to represent the enitre republican party - Priebus - compares the President of the United States to the captain of the recently sunk Italian cruise ship. I think you have the right to disagree about pretty near any topic with someone without calling them names - to me that's the class warfare - people who have to revert to name calling to win the favor of others completely lacks class. America is suffering from a lack of class. I remember people talking about actors, sports figures, politicians, co-workers, neighbors and friends as "a class act" or somebody who "had a lot of class." You don't hear that much anymore. So, here's the challege in the future, America - instead of out-mouthing one another with epithets, let's try to out-class each other. Wouldn't that be something? A country where people were proud of their government and their politicians, where trustworthiness and honesty were the words used to describe candidates? When candidates make a claim about another, they should have to state where they got their information from. The same should hold true for all of those phony ads run by super-pacs. Americans should be allowed to know who paid for them and from what source they got their information. There have been enough political careers launched from lies - it's time Americans' votes were fact based. Let's put an end to class warfare and clean up our act America - and let's start at home.
That's all for now . . .
Then this guy who claims to represent the enitre republican party - Priebus - compares the President of the United States to the captain of the recently sunk Italian cruise ship. I think you have the right to disagree about pretty near any topic with someone without calling them names - to me that's the class warfare - people who have to revert to name calling to win the favor of others completely lacks class. America is suffering from a lack of class. I remember people talking about actors, sports figures, politicians, co-workers, neighbors and friends as "a class act" or somebody who "had a lot of class." You don't hear that much anymore. So, here's the challege in the future, America - instead of out-mouthing one another with epithets, let's try to out-class each other. Wouldn't that be something? A country where people were proud of their government and their politicians, where trustworthiness and honesty were the words used to describe candidates? When candidates make a claim about another, they should have to state where they got their information from. The same should hold true for all of those phony ads run by super-pacs. Americans should be allowed to know who paid for them and from what source they got their information. There have been enough political careers launched from lies - it's time Americans' votes were fact based. Let's put an end to class warfare and clean up our act America - and let's start at home.
That's all for now . . .
Thursday, January 5, 2012
New Song
Have a close friend who went through a messy divorce. Listening to his stories brought about a couple lines leading to the beginnings of a new song. The lines came to me while driving down the road. Had to keep repeating them so I wouldn't forget them.
Just finished delivering hard copies of the January issue of the Sedona Excentric - this July will make 24 years. It will be uploaded later today - need a break.
So glad the Iowa Caucus is over - what a suspense-filled evening - wait that was a rerun of Monk. I understand people are not pleased with the lack of progress to improve the middle class status in America, but i just can't find it in my head or heart to blame President Obama for it all. I think he would be hailed if just one crooked banker were indicted.
Amazingly, hundreds of millions of dollars will be spent in the coming months on political contests. I thought there wasn't any money. Apparently, there are hundreds of millions of dollars to toss at politicians to buy their favor. If corporations have that kind of money to buy politicians, maybe they have more to buy jobs.
I firmly believe corporate raiders are secretly hoping Obama wins, because a republican win would fuel the fire that is Occupy Wall Street. Speaking of OCW, perhaps it is time for them to come to agreeance on what goal they would ultimately like to achieve. Here's hoping spring comes soon, bringing warmer weather and fresh bodies.
Ho'oponopono
That's all for now . . .
Just finished delivering hard copies of the January issue of the Sedona Excentric - this July will make 24 years. It will be uploaded later today - need a break.
So glad the Iowa Caucus is over - what a suspense-filled evening - wait that was a rerun of Monk. I understand people are not pleased with the lack of progress to improve the middle class status in America, but i just can't find it in my head or heart to blame President Obama for it all. I think he would be hailed if just one crooked banker were indicted.
Amazingly, hundreds of millions of dollars will be spent in the coming months on political contests. I thought there wasn't any money. Apparently, there are hundreds of millions of dollars to toss at politicians to buy their favor. If corporations have that kind of money to buy politicians, maybe they have more to buy jobs.
I firmly believe corporate raiders are secretly hoping Obama wins, because a republican win would fuel the fire that is Occupy Wall Street. Speaking of OCW, perhaps it is time for them to come to agreeance on what goal they would ultimately like to achieve. Here's hoping spring comes soon, bringing warmer weather and fresh bodies.
Ho'oponopono
That's all for now . . .
Monday, January 2, 2012
Music for Social Change
Well, it seems Cee Lo Green decided to change a line in John Lennon's "Imagine" as a New Year's tribute.
The "nothing to kill or die for / and no religion, too" became "nothing to kill or die for / and all religions true."
Unfortunately, as well meaning as Mr. Green was, he missed the sentiment of the line. More deaths have been caused in the name of religion than for any other reason, cause or gain. The impact of the words from "Imagine" asks everyone to do just that - imagine. Imagine there was one less reason to kill or die for - religion - not imagine religions being true to their followers and continuing the hatred and prejudice being perpetuated in churches, cathedrals, mosques, synagogues, chapels and any other place people gather to convince each other that their belief system is the one, "true" belief system favored by God. I believe John Lennon, a man I deeply admire, was, in a very artistic way, asking us to look deeper within and question whether any belief system would ask you to take the life of another. Clearly, if your religion does indeed promote violence, it would serve the universe well for you to Imagine there was "nothing to kill or die for / and no religion, too."
Peace
Ho'oponopono
That's all for now . . .
The "nothing to kill or die for / and no religion, too" became "nothing to kill or die for / and all religions true."
Unfortunately, as well meaning as Mr. Green was, he missed the sentiment of the line. More deaths have been caused in the name of religion than for any other reason, cause or gain. The impact of the words from "Imagine" asks everyone to do just that - imagine. Imagine there was one less reason to kill or die for - religion - not imagine religions being true to their followers and continuing the hatred and prejudice being perpetuated in churches, cathedrals, mosques, synagogues, chapels and any other place people gather to convince each other that their belief system is the one, "true" belief system favored by God. I believe John Lennon, a man I deeply admire, was, in a very artistic way, asking us to look deeper within and question whether any belief system would ask you to take the life of another. Clearly, if your religion does indeed promote violence, it would serve the universe well for you to Imagine there was "nothing to kill or die for / and no religion, too."
Peace
Ho'oponopono
That's all for now . . .
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Latest from Arizona
Well, it has been some time since I signed in, but I just can't hold back any longer. I am listening to politico arm chair quarterbacks blather incessantly about whether or not we should get or have gotten involved in Libya's struggle for freedom from their vicious dictator and the extent of our involvement or lack of. First, let me give you the names this tyrant goes by and the media uses to identify him . . .
(1) Muammar Qaddafi,
(2) Mo'ammar Gadhafi,
(3) Muammar Kaddafi,
(4) Muammar Qadhafi,
(5) Moammar El Kadhafi,
(6) Muammar Gadafi,
(7) Mu'ammar al-Qadafi,
(8) Moamer El Kazzafi,
(9) Moamar al-Gaddafi,
(10) Mu'ammar Al Qathafi,
(11) Muammar Al Qathafi,
(12) Mo'ammar el-Gadhafi,
(13) Moamar El Kadhafi,
(14) Muammar al-Qadhafi,
(15) Mu'ammar al-Qadhdhafi,
(16) Mu'ammar Qadafi,
(17) Moamar Gaddafi,
(18) Mu'ammar Qadhdhafi,
(19) Muammar Khaddafi,
(20) Muammar al-Khaddafi,
(21) Mu'amar al-Kadafi,
(22) Muammar Ghaddafy,
(23) Muammar Ghadafi,
(24) Muammar Ghaddafi,
(25) Muamar Kaddafi,
(26) Muammar Quathafi,
(27) Muammar Gheddafi,
(28) Muamar Al-Kaddafi,
(29) Moammar Khadafy,
(30) Moammar Qudhafi,
(31) Mu'ammar al-Qaddafi, and
(32) Mulazim Awwal Mu'ammar Muhammad Abu Minyar al-Qadhafi.
As it that weren't enough, he also goes by the following titles:
(1) Dean of the Arab rulers,
(2) King of kings of Africa, and
(3) Imam of Muslims.
How's that? We not only can't find a six-foot-plus Arab on dialysis, but now we can't agree on what spelling to use to name yet another sociopath that, by the way, world governments have tolerated for more than 40 years. I wonder if the Mayan people ever vacationed in the Middle East or North Africa. Could this all just be a calendar snafu? What happened to Persia anyway?
I also recently am inspired by the constant barrage of virtual claims about social media and social marketing. While I am pleased that a large group of people can be assembled in a short period of time to protest, attend a rave or riot against their government, I fail to see the value vs print to inform the public of actual facts and support the dissemination of those facts through advertising.
It seems some CEOs in Arizona have sent a signed letter to AZ legislators asking them to back off immigration attacks through state bills proposed by a few politicians hoping to literally whitewash their inability to raise enough funds to run their state. According to this misguided few, everything that is wrong with Arizona must be the fault of immigrants. After all, if we can pit the poor African Americans against the poor Hispanic Americans, we can keep them from organizing against the wealthy. I don't wish to begrudge anyone's success, but if the soldiers of this nation are protecting the abilities and freedoms of those who need abilities and freedoms to become rich, then they should volunteer their wealth to fund the struggle. If illegal immigrants were gathered and placed on active duty, perhaps some National Guard and Reserve men and women could come home and do what National Guard and Reserve men and women are supposed to do. When the new soldiers have completed 3 years of service to their new nation, they could become American citizens and get an education and continue to contribute to our society.
Anyone priced lettuce lately? Now imagine if white people were picking it. We'd be paying $3 to $4 per head. Then there are grapes, lemons, melons, peppers, tomatoes, nearly every type of fruit and vegetable picked by immigrants. With politicians seemingly trying their best to reduce pay and benefits for middle America, higher priced food is far more painful than educating a child of an undocumented alien.
I always thought it would be interesting to see people with political career desires to be given the same amount of time on radio, television, in print and on the web and let the best person win. But, our Supreme Court Justices have determined that America deserves the best government money can buy. Hopefully, it will all play out like the recent Wisconsin rucus. Maybe Americans will decide they've had enough and realize their government isn't really there to protect them or improve their quality of life, but there to have cushy jobs with great benefits and pensions.
I do feel a little better now that I've ranted. Good luck and God help us, everyone!
That's all for now . . .
(1) Muammar Qaddafi,
(2) Mo'ammar Gadhafi,
(3) Muammar Kaddafi,
(4) Muammar Qadhafi,
(5) Moammar El Kadhafi,
(6) Muammar Gadafi,
(7) Mu'ammar al-Qadafi,
(8) Moamer El Kazzafi,
(9) Moamar al-Gaddafi,
(10) Mu'ammar Al Qathafi,
(11) Muammar Al Qathafi,
(12) Mo'ammar el-Gadhafi,
(13) Moamar El Kadhafi,
(14) Muammar al-Qadhafi,
(15) Mu'ammar al-Qadhdhafi,
(16) Mu'ammar Qadafi,
(17) Moamar Gaddafi,
(18) Mu'ammar Qadhdhafi,
(19) Muammar Khaddafi,
(20) Muammar al-Khaddafi,
(21) Mu'amar al-Kadafi,
(22) Muammar Ghaddafy,
(23) Muammar Ghadafi,
(24) Muammar Ghaddafi,
(25) Muamar Kaddafi,
(26) Muammar Quathafi,
(27) Muammar Gheddafi,
(28) Muamar Al-Kaddafi,
(29) Moammar Khadafy,
(30) Moammar Qudhafi,
(31) Mu'ammar al-Qaddafi, and
(32) Mulazim Awwal Mu'ammar Muhammad Abu Minyar al-Qadhafi.
As it that weren't enough, he also goes by the following titles:
(1) Dean of the Arab rulers,
(2) King of kings of Africa, and
(3) Imam of Muslims.
How's that? We not only can't find a six-foot-plus Arab on dialysis, but now we can't agree on what spelling to use to name yet another sociopath that, by the way, world governments have tolerated for more than 40 years. I wonder if the Mayan people ever vacationed in the Middle East or North Africa. Could this all just be a calendar snafu? What happened to Persia anyway?
I also recently am inspired by the constant barrage of virtual claims about social media and social marketing. While I am pleased that a large group of people can be assembled in a short period of time to protest, attend a rave or riot against their government, I fail to see the value vs print to inform the public of actual facts and support the dissemination of those facts through advertising.
It seems some CEOs in Arizona have sent a signed letter to AZ legislators asking them to back off immigration attacks through state bills proposed by a few politicians hoping to literally whitewash their inability to raise enough funds to run their state. According to this misguided few, everything that is wrong with Arizona must be the fault of immigrants. After all, if we can pit the poor African Americans against the poor Hispanic Americans, we can keep them from organizing against the wealthy. I don't wish to begrudge anyone's success, but if the soldiers of this nation are protecting the abilities and freedoms of those who need abilities and freedoms to become rich, then they should volunteer their wealth to fund the struggle. If illegal immigrants were gathered and placed on active duty, perhaps some National Guard and Reserve men and women could come home and do what National Guard and Reserve men and women are supposed to do. When the new soldiers have completed 3 years of service to their new nation, they could become American citizens and get an education and continue to contribute to our society.
Anyone priced lettuce lately? Now imagine if white people were picking it. We'd be paying $3 to $4 per head. Then there are grapes, lemons, melons, peppers, tomatoes, nearly every type of fruit and vegetable picked by immigrants. With politicians seemingly trying their best to reduce pay and benefits for middle America, higher priced food is far more painful than educating a child of an undocumented alien.
I always thought it would be interesting to see people with political career desires to be given the same amount of time on radio, television, in print and on the web and let the best person win. But, our Supreme Court Justices have determined that America deserves the best government money can buy. Hopefully, it will all play out like the recent Wisconsin rucus. Maybe Americans will decide they've had enough and realize their government isn't really there to protect them or improve their quality of life, but there to have cushy jobs with great benefits and pensions.
I do feel a little better now that I've ranted. Good luck and God help us, everyone!
That's all for now . . .
Monday, January 10, 2011
Latest from Arizona
Observed moment of silence in respect for recent fallen and injured and their families in what is being called Tragedy in Tucson. Finger pointing has begun, and quotes from politicians, pundits, media hosts and the like are being attributed to the motive of the gunman.
They're all right and they're all wrong. I don't believe it is any one statement or gesture or accusation or threat that causes an unstable gun owner to decide to murder people. I believe it is the fervent fevor of society in general and our acceptance of inane thoughts and gestures.
Juan Williams says you can't blame the rhetoric of the right for the Tragedy in Tucson. He's right. But, that doesn't mean there wasn't an influence from the Palin crosshairs and Nevada's Engle who suggested her constituents exercise their 2nd Amendment Rights and take out Harry Reid. Of possible influence was the ad that Giffords herself posted toting an automatic rifle. And the Mama Bear statment of don't retreat, reload.
Put those thoughts and images in the twisted mind a derranged gun owner on the edge and maybe he decides it's his responsibility to take out this dangerous politician who opposes his views.
The mentioning of poilitical rhetoric comes in play because a Congresswoman was shot, an attempted political assasination, but hundreds of people are shot every day for anger, love, jealousy, drugs, money, spite, revenge, initiation, sport, and nobody mentions political rhetoric.
While watching footbal games this weekend I was struck by the insensitive nerve of two commercials in particular, both by Bud Light Beer. One showed a driver waiting for his truck while mechanics stole his cargo and partied under the bay, lying to him about his truck's problem and continuing with the celebration. The second involved a couple of thugs holding hostages and making wild demands because they found Bud Light. It sounds innocent enough an is made humorous by thie outrageous requests, but the fact remains that in order to take hostages you must be committing a crime and have weapons to keep the hostages detained. I realize these are meant to be humorous and appealing to the sophomoric audience watching the ball games, but, as with some explicit video games, we tend to desensitize to viewers and users.
It is far different to gobbly things with Ms PacMan and have a frod dodge in and out of traffic than to reward points for shooting cops or causing bodily harm to women.
Could these commercials and games be contributing to the violence in America? Who knows?
As an alleged civilized society, we are responsible for all of our actions, including our verbiage. If one attributed every thought to being a prayer, perhaps we could begin to offer words of understanding, acceptance and compassion rather than threateing words of contempt, anger and discontentment; We can begin to see our opponents as jopponents and not enemies.
Someone has to step up. Someone needs to lead the march for civility, not just for women or black men or Christians or gays, but for all humankind. We need to Think Universally, Act Globally!
Peace! Namaste! Shalom! Ho'oponono!
That's all for now . . .
They're all right and they're all wrong. I don't believe it is any one statement or gesture or accusation or threat that causes an unstable gun owner to decide to murder people. I believe it is the fervent fevor of society in general and our acceptance of inane thoughts and gestures.
Juan Williams says you can't blame the rhetoric of the right for the Tragedy in Tucson. He's right. But, that doesn't mean there wasn't an influence from the Palin crosshairs and Nevada's Engle who suggested her constituents exercise their 2nd Amendment Rights and take out Harry Reid. Of possible influence was the ad that Giffords herself posted toting an automatic rifle. And the Mama Bear statment of don't retreat, reload.
Put those thoughts and images in the twisted mind a derranged gun owner on the edge and maybe he decides it's his responsibility to take out this dangerous politician who opposes his views.
The mentioning of poilitical rhetoric comes in play because a Congresswoman was shot, an attempted political assasination, but hundreds of people are shot every day for anger, love, jealousy, drugs, money, spite, revenge, initiation, sport, and nobody mentions political rhetoric.
While watching footbal games this weekend I was struck by the insensitive nerve of two commercials in particular, both by Bud Light Beer. One showed a driver waiting for his truck while mechanics stole his cargo and partied under the bay, lying to him about his truck's problem and continuing with the celebration. The second involved a couple of thugs holding hostages and making wild demands because they found Bud Light. It sounds innocent enough an is made humorous by thie outrageous requests, but the fact remains that in order to take hostages you must be committing a crime and have weapons to keep the hostages detained. I realize these are meant to be humorous and appealing to the sophomoric audience watching the ball games, but, as with some explicit video games, we tend to desensitize to viewers and users.
It is far different to gobbly things with Ms PacMan and have a frod dodge in and out of traffic than to reward points for shooting cops or causing bodily harm to women.
Could these commercials and games be contributing to the violence in America? Who knows?
As an alleged civilized society, we are responsible for all of our actions, including our verbiage. If one attributed every thought to being a prayer, perhaps we could begin to offer words of understanding, acceptance and compassion rather than threateing words of contempt, anger and discontentment; We can begin to see our opponents as jopponents and not enemies.
Someone has to step up. Someone needs to lead the march for civility, not just for women or black men or Christians or gays, but for all humankind. We need to Think Universally, Act Globally!
Peace! Namaste! Shalom! Ho'oponono!
That's all for now . . .
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