"They believe we should be contented like those whose concept of happiness is materialistic and greedy, "

On this day in 1758 the first Indian reservation is established. I wish I could give you a reason as to why this system was established but I can’t, and any researched conclusion sounds thin in light of the injustice, so I won’t even try. What I can say is that there is a myth that Indian reservations are sovereign states and immune to federal authority, this is a fallacy and the reservations are controlled directly by the Government through the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
The Reservations primary purpose has been to contain the native population and to exclude them from land rights. The Office of the BIA was often used as a recompense to people that had done some favor to the government, enabled the lawful reallocation of public funds into private hands, initially intended to help the Indians. If companies or local farmers needed the natural resources of reservation land, then some perceived conflict or arbitrary new law (see; The Native American Reorganization Act 1934) was passed as a pretext to redistribute the land into private hands leaving less or in some cases nothing at all, for Indians. This practice goes on to this day

"Maybe we should not have humored them when they asked to live on reservations. Maybe we should have said, No, come join us. Be citizens along with the rest of us." -Ronald Reagan when asked by a student in Russia about the ethical treatment of Native Americans in the United States

On this day in 1990 the 19 year old (The Kid) (The Natural) Ken Griffey Jr. signs with the Seattle Mariners to join his father Ken Griffey, former member of the “The Big Red Machine”, As the first father son duo in Major League Baseball. Ken Griffey Sr, played for another one and a half years before retiring after 19 seasons in the Majors. Ken Griffey Jr. went on to have a great career but ultimately he is a great guy, a deep respect for the game, humble in victory, and poised in defeat.

On this day in 1970 the Los Angeles Police attack 10,000 Chicano antiwar demonstrators after a march against the Vietnam draft. Chicanos gathered at Laguna Park in East L.A. to protest disproportionate number of deaths of Chicanos in the Vietnam War. Three protesters are killed by police & Chicanos set Los Angeles on fire, occupying many parts of the city for seven days.

Today is the Birthday of Charlie (Bird) Parker he was born in Kansas City, Missouri in 1920, and was truly innovative, taking the existing Bebop sound and incorporating it into a unique and complex form of American music that is instantly recognizable and completely independent. If there was an argument as to who was the singularly greatest jazz musician of all time his name would have to be among three others mentioned. Although his music is complex, original, and witty, it was always a little to happy for me, but nonetheless thank you

"Don't gain the world and lose your soul, wisdom is better than silver or gold..."

Today is the anniversary of the passing of Halie Salasie and just incase you don’t know who this is or you happened to find the nearest Rastafarian and he cannot explain to you who he is and his relevance to us (an experience I have had on several occasion) here it goes.
Halie Salasie was born Tafari Makonnen in 1892 there are three days that are celebrated in the Rastafarian religion his birth, July 23, 1892, his death, August 27, 1975, and the day that he arrived in Jamaica, 21 April 1966,
He was born into royalty and after a Regime change and failed coup attempt, in his country of Ethiopia, Salasie was promoted to a “lord or king” and given the prefix “Ras” in 1916 (thus the name Rastafari.).

Ethiopia enjoyed a time of great prosperity; expanding borders, and rich natural resources, had the royalty holding grand coronations, traveling with live leopards, and giving away gold trinkets. During this time Halie Salasie became known for his great benevolence and compassion for all people, including his enemies (there were several; instances when his political rivals had to bow to his kindness due to public pressure). However Mussolini’s pressure on the weak League of Nations enabled Italy and the Axis powers to drive him from his homeland (he was an actual military commander fighting amongst his troops). He was able to return after the war however in the 70`s Ethiopia suffered a horrible famine and he was deposed on September 12, 1974 and was dead within a year.
Okay this is the really important part so pay attention; Halie Salasie would only be a great guy if for one underlying fact. Ethiopia is actually a Orthodox Christian Monarchy, similar to Judaism, and the royal bloodline can be traced from direct descents of Makeda, the Queen of Sheba, and King Solomon of ancient Israel. Ethiopia over its thousands of years of history has never been subject to religious colonialism (for example; if the national religion of America was Native American). Ethiopia is referenced several times in the Bible and the Quran, and is considered by some Jewish scholars as one of the “Lost Tribes”. There is an actual church in Ethiopia that claims to contain the “Ark of the Covenant” at Tzion Maryam church in Axum Ethiopia (yes! The actual Arc of the Covenant!!). The point is that Halie Salasie is considered by Rastafarians the world over to have been a legitimate King of actual Holy Blood. He is considered to have been a messiah and a child of God. He has become a symbol of black pride and a reminder to the poor and outcast around the world, That the real Jesus and his desciples were all black! But I still have no idea where the whole 'weed smoking thing' came into play??

"Fashions in bigotry come and go. The right thing lasts."

On this the anniversary of women’s suffrage, tonight is also the 2nd night of the Democratic National Convention (DNC), Hillary is supposed to address the convention in her attempt to unify the Democratic Party. Before this takes place I want to point out that in the first of the “Real” debates that took place, what seems like an eternity ago, in South Carolina the first words out of Hillary’s Mouth were “Yes We Are Unified”. However Obama has since solidified the nomination and Hillary’s desperate attempts to personally attack and discredit Obama in the last desperate hours of the race, have come back to bite her in the ass and Obama has chosen one of only two nominees in the whole Democratic electoral process that actually appeared to be governed by some sort of palpable intellect (the other being Kucinich). I am serious, watch tapes of the old debates and you will see without the political machines behind them Hillary and Obama both come off either meek or petty. And Biden and Kucinich are spouting philosophy and political insight with all the timing and grace of Walter Sobchak in the Big Lebowski. But anyway that is all behind us now and this is what we are left with. I just want to point out that since the end of the Democratic electoral race Hillary and her husband (what’s-his-chops?) have been sulking around, meekly and backhandedly attempting to bring the party together with thinly veiled appeals of unity. And now I hear that since Obama has chosen Kucinich oh! I mean Biden! as his vice presidential running mate that Hillary supporters are threatening to vote Republican {and Finally the jist of this whole post} Of all the selfish and self centered, tasteless and childish acts ever perpetrated within a political process this has to be up there with; Bush’s ‘No blacks allowed to vote in Florida” and Reagan’s ‘Cocaine for Guns Policy’. I knew there was a reason why I didn’t trust those Hillary People! (What do I mean “You People”) she has all the caring and warmth of that Republican sock puppet Pelosi. It really pissis me off! if they want a Republican world and that is the majority of the American people, then we should let them have it, or let them live in one of Arpaio`s tent cities, it would be the same thing. But anyway she has another chance to bring those morons into the fold, like pulling scared livestock out of a burning barn, Good luck!

"When there is peace, the warlike man attacks himself"

Augustus Walley (top row, 4th from right with the bandana around his neck), a former slave, recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor.

The 24th Infantry (The Buffalo Soldiers) was first commissioned on November 1869. From 1869 to 1898, the 24th Infantry comprised of both free men and former slaves, served throughout the Western United States serving on some of the most dangerous roles; guarding posts, fighting Indians, and protecting roadways against bandits. Their name was given to them by the Indians as a measure of their heart. In 1898 the 24th Infantry was deployed to Cuba and participated in the famed Charge up San Juan Hill, this event is responsible for solidifying the reputation of Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders into national media attention.
On this day in 1917 a riot took place in Houston Texas after the police beat two of the regiment’s soldiers to death. After two hours of violence by soldiers seeking revenge 15 whites including four policemen are killed, 12 more are injured, and four soldiers die. However in one in one of our proudest moments, in court martials held in secret, 19 more soldiers are later executed, no police were ever held accountable for their actions.
The 24th infantry was later highly decorated for its participation in; Guadalcanal, Saipan, Tinian, Bougainville, Okinawa, and Korea.

"Your work is puerile and under-dramatized. You lack any sense of structure, character, or the Aristotelian unities. "

Okay let me first say that I am not some literary bohemian, or an “ugly art” loving, ‘G and D’ elitist, as a matter of fact, I have spent a good part of my life skating by coffee shops flipping those, stagnant, petty, introverts, off. I think the main reason why I hold so much animosity for these black clad, high school shooters, eager for their parents disapproval, is because I have read a few things and I know reading is nothing to toot your own horn about, and its certainly nothing to condescend to anybody about (and I have also been on the receiving end of my parents disapproval, and I know that this is not some consummation devoutly to be wished). Anyway I have read a few things and I think that there a few integral parts of anyone’s literary cannon, so in saying that, I want to urge you to pursue your own literary cannon, and luckily on this day, here are a few suggestion.

B- August 22, 1893 Dorothy Parker; she was a light witty humorist who started to write for magazines then her own books of poetry, and her poetry no matter how funny held insight and sometimes scathing commentary. I always thought her writing was a window into her times, she was at the height of her fame during the roaring twenties, I always thought this time was a sort of American adolescence.

D -August 22, 1904 Kate Chopin; She was from the South and I loved much of her writing for the same reason as Ms. Parkers, however her “window” is that of a rural turn of the century south, colorful and bright, and at times harsh and ugly. I think I love her stories the most for the fact that there is always that small turn at the end of every story, it’s like she built this colorful world (and her writing did just that) then would elbow you in the ribs and laugh.

D – August 22, 1979 James T Farrell; Mr. Farrell was from the industrialized immigrant big cities of the North during the time of the post war industrialization of America. Now this is important, because he doesn’t talk about the prosperity of our nation but he speaks and welcomes you into the lives of those vibrant inner city neighborhoods. And the effect that the suburban utopian dream has had on the fabric of our community and our ideals. Read “Studs Lonnigan”.

B –August 22, 1920 Ray Bradbury; now we all know he wrote “Fahrenheit 451” (extremely important commentary on our society) and of course “I Sing The Body Electric” and “The Illustrated Man”. But I remember reading the “Martian Chronicles” as a child and being completely enthralled Mr. Bradbury humanized the Martians and he parallel their lives with humans creating this desire for a utopian existence, that in the back of your head you know is just never plausible. He also co wrote “The Addams Family” now that world is a consummation devoutly to be wished.

"There is no death, only a change of worlds."

Today would have been the birthday of Isaac Hayes. Isaac was born in The Covington section of Memphis Tennessee in 1942 His parents passed at an early age and he was left to be raised by his Grandparents. His Family was so poor that in High school Isaac attempted to drop out to avoid being embarrassed in front of his peers, However a small group of the High school Faculty got together, donated some clothes and went to his house to speak with Isaac and his grandparents to encourage his return to school, saying that, his potential was to great. Isaac actually spent most of his youth nurturing the dream of being a doctor however a church talent show was influential in changing his mind. Isaac went on to collaborate with David Porter to write For Stax recording artists Sam and Dave. The duo wrote more than 200 songs for Stax, among the most popular “Soul Man,” “I Thank You,” “When Something Is Wrong with My Baby” and "Hold On I'm Comin'". This writing duo is directly responsible for bringing the sound of the black gospel church to pop music. Had Isaac Hayes never gone on to record any music on his own he would have still been one of the most influential songwriters of all time, black or otherwise, but of course we all know he did.

“Because I am the Hall Monitor, it’s my job”

I am addicted to the Olympics! I find myself up all night online watching Badminton, weightlifting, cycling, Table tennis (why don’t that say Ping Pong? Is it not “PC”? Kind of like Black and African American? Will somebody please tell a motherfucker! What the rule is on this before I inadvertently offend my yellow brother, because when it comes to Ping Pong I am Forest Gump!!)
In the opening ceremonies the flag bearer for China was Yao Ming, next to Yao there was a little boy that was walking and as though he had just wandered in.

His name was Lin Hao On May 12, 2008 Lin was at school in Yingxiu China, when hit by the powerful quake that killed 69,181, injured 374,171.
Lin was the designated ‘hall monitor’ for his school when the building collapsed while he was walking down a corridor, trapping him and two of his classmates.
Lin sustained a head injury and a serious arm injury, but managed to free himself before carrying his two friends to safety. He said: "The corridor collapsed as I was walking. Two of my classmates were trapped beside me.
"I tried as hard as I could to climb out, and after I had climbed out I pulled a classmate out." Lin went back in to the collapsed building a second time to help his other friend escape. While waiting for rescue he comforted his trapped classmates by singing to them, unfortunately only 10 out of the 31 kids in his class survived.
After Lin had walked for seven hours to get out of the center of town, he was asked by rescuers why he went back to help his classmates?

"I dont believe in shit till shit happens"

It`s been awhile since my last post. I have been going through a few personnel rough spots, but I am sure you can understand. I have talked to a few of you out there and I know that some of you have crazy people in your families too, and if you can’t think of anyone then it’s probably you. But I am back! And I am here to stay! I am done with all that bullshit! Like that great philosopher Bootsy Collins once said "Free your mind your ass will follow" Now let’s get to the Point of all this foolishness