Catching up

Just getting over a mean Flu which put me out for the majority of last week. I am here and rocking again. I did pick a bad week to have a flu as many things in the world which mean alot to me were going down and I didn't get a chance to reflect on them here in a timely fashion.

RIP Ibrahim Ferrer 1927-2005

What can I say what has not already been said about this man's voice? It came straight from the cuban earth, no one else did it like him. One of my favorite moments with my parents was when I sat down with them and saw the Buena Vista Social Club DVD last year. They were amazed and glued to the TV. My dad being a singer for his church really took to Ibrahim Ferrer, although Ferrer is just a bit older than my dad, I saw that he identified with him.

For me Ibrahim represents one the biggest pardoxes in life, that an American (a texan to top it off) Ry Cooder, helped save some of the most amazing artists in Cuban history from obscurity. It's a paradox for me because I personally believe that the revolution in Cuba (along with having many many problems) saved it's culture from destruction by the US (look at Puerto Rico, whose big cities have more of an North American feel than it's own. You have to search out in the countryside for any remmants of Puerto Rican Culture). Cuba has helped support many many artists thru the years (by keeping out North American music it helped it's own music to breathe, which I do realize is a contradiction in itself but that is a topic for another day) and in the process some have been left behind. So I guess here's a big up to Ry Cooder. Thanks.


Hiroshima & Nagasaki 60 years of dying....

August 6th 1945 for many people here is just another day to go the beach to a date or to do nothing. With all this hype and screaming about "terrorism" in the news all the time you would think that the date of the biggest act of terrorism in history would be something that everyone would have ingrained on their brain.

To me August 6th 1945, instead of being a date of finality as it was for thousands and thousands, was the birthday of the Fourth Reich. The USA has taken what Hitler wanted to do and refined it to perfection, well for it's citizens anyway. If anyone has any questions about this they are welcome to read the history of Central and South America (and what is happening today should be paid attention to as well), the use of Nazi generals (some of these associations are celebrated!!) to put down rebellions in Europe, and of course the genocidal war against the Iraqi people that has gone on for more than a decade.



BTW

Hey TWP, got the postcard, awesome!! Thanks!! Also awaiting the shirt, hopefully it will get here in time for the big match against Chel$ki.


Candombe Apertura 2:03 Dusminguet
Duppy Conqueror 3:47 Bob Marley & The Wailers
No Peace 3:43 Max Romeo
Blood on the Streets 4:01 Outernational
Freedom Fe Natty Featuring Tappa Zukie 2:55 Junior Ross & The Spear
Leaving Babylon 4:10 Bad Brains
Washington Bullets 3:51 The Clash
Sénégal Fast Food 4:19 Amadou & Mariam
Compositor Confundido 4:31 Ibrahim Ferrer
Dos Gardenias 3:04 Buena Vista Social Club
Hay Que Entrale A Palos Ese 4:03 Ibrahim Ferrer
De Camino a La Vereda 5:04 Buena Vista Social Club
Religious Wars 2:25 Subhumans
Kill The Poor 3:03 Dead Kennedys
Fuck America/War Story Choking Victim
I Want To Conquer The World 2:17 Bad Religion
Long Hot Summer 4:44 Tom Robinson Band
Break 2:12 Fugazi
1945 2:03 Social Distortion