The Year in Review

The tenuous life of the Prez has taken a few twists and turns in recent weeks. As he continues to be tempted by the existence of the Powerball Lottery and the Travel Channel, along with the bizarre escapist mindset it creates, it is time for the May version of the The Best of 2007.

As in the past, these are the opinions of just one man…albeit a particular tough talkin’, intellectually stimulated, piece of man meat.

Best Rock Duo of the Year
Local H
No other duo really matters…..really…Anyone else is just an imitator…even that group from D-Town….with that virtuoso guitarist and shitty drummer….yeah that one.

Best Album of the Year
1.The Nightwatchman-One Man Revolution……pure genius.
2.Nine Inch Nails-Year Zero…..Rezner in all his pessimistic glory. Like all of the past albums, A crazy combination of Thom Yorke’s solo stuff and Metallica’s energy.
3.John Mellencamp-Freedom’s Road….Did you know, this is Ouuurrrrrrr Counnnntryyyy
4.Arcade Fire-Neon Bible……..For everyone’s inner indie rock vagina monologue.

Waiting on Radiohead, Metallica, GnR, Dr.Dre, Velvet Revolver….making the list above practically useless. Sorry.

Best Film
1.The 300-You know I loved the trailers, and the film lived up the intensity of the hype. No clip needed. You have seen them all.
2.Blades of Glory-The second in the Will Ferrall sports trilogy was good. Better then the first.
3.The Grindhouse- Tarentino and Rodriguez…enough said.

Best Politician
1.Ron Paul-The Republican X factor?
2.Hillary Clinton-Kicking Ass and taking names, and unifying Republicans everywhere...
3.Obama-has gained one name status. Now he needs an issue...
4.Mitt Romney-The old man parties flip-flopper. But what about that Smile!
5. Chris Dodd- Won the 1st democratic debate in many people’s eyes, but has the most ground to make up..

Worst Fantasy Baseball picks so far
1.Chris Carpenter-Ouch!
2.Mark Texeria- Mr.Tex should have been called Mr.Juice.
3.BJ Ryan-Ouch!
4.Dice K and Ervin Santana-Don’t believe the hype?
5.Jason Giambi-Because cheaters should never be cheered. Has anyone been more forgotten in the Steroids Scandal then the Giambino? I blame the media and it’s NY bias. Then we wonder how ESPN can do reports on people thinking the Anti-Berry Bonds crowd is racist.


Best News of the Year
1.Randy Moss traded to New England-It makes me smile every time I think about it.
2.Rage Against the Machine Reunites-An electric performance at Coachella '07. Its time for more! Those guys are the Mick and Keith of progressive musical activism.
3.Mavericks Lose! Mavericks Lose!- The longer Stephen Jackson's season is extended the greater the chances of a "Stephen Jackson Moment"

Remember kids…This land is your land

Obama in Trouble already?

Today Barack Obama officially announced he is running for President in 2008. This of coarse is a big deal. There has never been a Black President. The event was so big that Obama made his announcement in Springfield Illinois, the home town of our 16th President. Even Honest Abe no doubt saw this coming from a hundred miles away. However, this commentary is not about Obama’s potential as a candidate for the Presidency. There has already been a ton of discussion on the matter, and it will no doubt be one of the biggest stories of 2007/08. IC and the folks (myself included), at Presidential Politics will cover this ad nauseum.

Tonight’s commentary is on an event that was held at the same time at Hampton University in Virginia. You see, today was also the day C-Span aired “The State of the Black Union”, a series of discussions by leading African American’s in the fields of Education, Religion, Politics, Media, Economics, Social Services, Literature, and Entertainment. The event is a 4 hour long “Town Hall” type panel discussion organized by the great Tavis Smiley and radio host Tom Joyner. Since 2000, the event has been essential viewing for me. The perspective of African Americans toward America’s mainstream power base has long been one of disenfranchisement. The event does a great job of letting an eclectic group of people from the Black community present ideas on how to improve life in America. It is a huge event. It shows Dead Prez is right, its Bigger then Hip Hop.

The afternoon panel is always the best, as Smiley himself narrates, and the panel often includes some of the greatest minds in America today. It also highlights the fact that any day I get a chance to listen to Cornel West speak is a good day.

The fact that Obama chose not to attend the event and made his announcement in Springfield, Illinois did not go unnoticed. Even one of Obama’s former professors at Harvard, Charles Ogletree, made a point to state his displeasure toward Obama’s absence. In the early panel discussion, both Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton were quick to point out that African Americans need make it clear that their votes are not already locked up, something that could lead to vocal marginalization during the primary. The later panel was also quick to point out that Obama’s running should not mean that the Black community has "its" voice that will speak for them come 2008.

This presents a unique dynamic that is a Catch 22 for Obama because the panel is right. Obama needs the support of African Americans, but his fanbase in not defined by just Blacks. He was not a product of someone raised in the throws of the Civil Rights movement. His father was from Kenya and his mother was a white woman from Kansas. He was born in Honolulu. His parents separated when he was two years old and his mother then married a guy from Indonesia. He is from a multi-racial family, and lived in Hawaii and Jakarta as youth. Personally, I think this gives him a kind of international appeal that America needs right now. Despite doing a lot while a member of the Illinois state legislature, Obama’s national presence is not connected to his work in the Black community. Like Tiger Woods, Obama must be careful not to alienate the Black community by embracing this international appeal too soon, which often is interpreted as selling out a vital community in need of powerful voices, who can help decide the democratic candidate.

Thus, while the symbolism of Obama announcing in Honest Abe’s backyard was impressive for Chris Mathews and Presidential historians every where, the State of the Black Union showed it was at best a missed opportunity and at worst a slap in the face to many in the African American community. Obama’s first chance to embrace his position as a leader was lost today.

I think it was a huge mistake. Honest Abe’s only policy to deal with Black people was to send them back to Africa. Sorry, not the textbook version, but the truth. You know how I do. Obama announcing in Virginia of all places, home to the (degenerate) Confederate capital, would have been just as symbolic.

So if you have any free time check out Tavis Smiley’s new book, The Covenant in Action, online now. It is a must read for all Americans.

To all my peeps out there, stay strong, don’t buy into the manipulative Hallmark Capitalist Machine that is Valentines Day. It should only really be known to the world as it is to me, as my brother's birthday. So a shout out to The General, Happy 31st.

I am off to work on my application for a VP job at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame…Cuz Umi Says "Shine your light on the world"....


Strength and Honor Comrades.......

State of the (Dis)Union

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaijfS5h73o

The State of the Union is now a slurpfest for the pundits and politicians alike. It is officially a pseudo-holiday of Super Bowl proportions for the cable news networks. It also wins for "Fakest Night of the Year". It is the moment the country seeks to hear a new message for the year to come and gets nothing but fake smiles, fake applause, jubilant congressional staffers/autograph seekers, and shout outs to the unlikely peeps in the house. I could have cared less until a friend e-mailed me a message that he was doing a running commentary of the event. A night of grading, reading, and sleep became one of high comedy, Nirvana clips, and big news from THE NIGHTWATCHMAN.

First off, the Message. The President is shitty and he knows it. Earlier in the day the VP was accused of trying to sacrifice Scooter Libby and save Karl Rove in a court of law. The war in Iraq has stripped him all credibility. For those of us who actually tallied up the votes of the 2000 election, the last 7 years have been a consistent case of the “chickens coming home to roost” for the entire administration. Now there is a call for “citizen reserves”. It is like these people are living in a dream world.

The complete lack of credibility made the message moot. I was more intrigued by the cut shots to the various dignitaries on hand for the occasion, including the several Democrats and Republicans already running for President in 2008. There was John McCain sleeping. Ditto for Joe Bidden and Ted Kennedy. It was interesting Bush brought up Africa, and the genocide in Darfur. It made Bono happy, so I was happy. However, not including a word on the reconstruction of New Orleans was at best an egregious error, and at worst the reason why he may be compared only to Emperor Nero in his ability to be callous and somehow revel in it. And forget about even a mention of Osama Bin Laden. He hasn’t been on Bush’s lips since they were seen riding bombs in a Music Video back in ‘03.

The fact Hilary Clinton was sitting behind Obama was and interesting visual. However, the highlight of the evening was the “shout outs” portion of the speech that actually happened later then in most State of the Union addresses. My personal favorite was the out of nowhere appearance of Dikembe Mutumbo. I have enjoyed this geriatric since I was Elementary school. The site of him towering over Laura Bush was great. I immediately hoped someone would produce a basketball for him to hold and fake like he was grabbing a rebound, increasing the likelihood of Mutumbo accidentally clocking the first lady in the grill .......then waging his finger at her. The “humble Subway Hero” was also great. First because the networks threw up the “Subway Hero” graphic, allowing millions of witty Americans to come up with a joke that included that D**** B*** “Jared from Subway”. Then as the guy was being honored, he started pointing to Bush and doing the whole heart pound thing and lifting his arms in the air. Now, I have never been asked to sit in the Presidential Box at the State of the Union. However, when that day happens, I won’t soak up the moment like I was doing my best Cuba Gooding Jr. impression. Even in Spanish. Lets just call him he “Subway Hero” from now on. Oh yeah, since when do people get honored by the President for charitable work like that lady? Oprah must be pissed….

Where do we go from here? Only Chris Matthews really knows. We have another one of these things next year. My predictions, the war in Iraq will still be raging and escalating the conflict with more troops will be discussed again. That will just be sad. I say Bush should pre-tape it in 10 minutes sections while siting in his bed room and puts it on Youtube. He could be next years Lonelygirl15. Its better then his current legacy....

Oh yeah, circle April 24th on the Calendar. The Nightwatchman’s first album drops.


You know what that means…The Strength and Honor Revolution will have a soundtrack!

The 1/20/09 Chronicles

While far more motivated and talented folks will be interpreting this matter in the next few weeks, months, and years, The Prez will continue to periodically comment on the race for the 2008 Presidential Election in elongated, bloated rants. Often times this commentary will be ill conceived and harsh, but will also seek to cut beyond the PC bull crap to the place where political spin and American zeal meld into an orgasm of truthiness so strong that it will cleanse the doors of perception and start the revolution.

“Rolling Down the Street Smoking Indo, Sipping on Gin and Juice…Laid Back”

It is great what alcohol does to people at holiday parties. This week I went to a couple, one for work and one for fun. Both ended up being great. At each party, I found that being around loose tongued Republicans can be very enlightening. When the topic of the 2008 Presidential Election was discussed they before bewildered and despondent. The unshakeable conviction that 2000 ushered in a neo-con revolution that would last for a thousand years has crumbled under the weight of the catastrophe in Iraq and Afghanistan. Like the end of The Lord of the Rings movies saga, this war did not end at the logical conclusion point. The fall of Saddam Hussain did little to end the threat of terror for the American or Iraqi people. Some would logically suggest this fear has been made worse.

As my Gin (Bombay) and Juice (Cranberry) with a lime settled in, I posted the question.
“Who makes up the unbeatable team for the Democrats in 2008”. While I have spent the last 8 months foreseeing the creation of an unbeatable Republican juggernaut made of a combination of McCain/Jeb Bush/Guliani/Romney/ Rice etc…The last month has seen Republicans realize that the neo-con agenda has failed and that the Executive Branch is in line for a much needed market correction.

Thus, my inquiry was met with varied responses. The conlusion knocked me off my seat. One neo-con party go-er named Lisa responded “If Gore runs, we are toast”. I was dumbfounded. My dislike for Gore runs deep, but to hear very conservative people discuss him with vitriolic anxiety was unexpectedly awesome. Forget that Gore failed to win Tennessee. Gore was against the war from the very beginning, while becoming the foremost figurehead in the fight against Global Warning. That’s right, it is ok to not use Prince Bush's term “Climate Change”. Thank You Mr. Gore. We will keep the lock box key ready if you run.

Another name that kept coming up was John Edwards. I was impressed by his discussion with Chris Matthews on the Hardball College Tour. He has so much going for him, but his lack of experience was seen as delightful by Dan, who envisioned a McCain vs. Edwards match up and became excited. So maybe Edwards is better off recognizing that his time may be farther down the road.

Hilary Clinton’s named was bandied about for a few minutes. The group seemed to take her more seriously then I do. She still strikes that whole “She is the Anti-Christ” vibe with the Republicans. Many think I should see this as a positive, but I think they may be right. Running a women for the top spot would be unprecedented. However, she is the Steinbrenner of the Democratic Party.

That makes Barack Obama the Red Sox. Obama Nation has received mad props by the liberal ans centrist media. He is right now seen as the biggest challenger to Hilary, and has shaken Republicans everywhere. His total lack of experience seemed to actually be seen as benefit in New Hampshire..... aka “The salty balls of New England”. I love Obama’s optimism. But I also love Egg Nog. However, Like Obama’s message, too much egg nog makes me violently ill. The elephant in the room is obviously the fact he is a black man. Jake, a member of the College Republicans at Wesleyan, was drinking a Harpoon IPA when he said “Look at Harold Ford Jr., a black guy will never be able to be President now. People are too scared”. I concur unfortunately.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5UHs_6qhmc

I brought up Gen. Wesley Clark, who has disappeared. As many you know, I would love for him to emerge for the darkness, but the Republicans were not interested in him. They were sober enough to laugh off Kucinich, but I stood firmly by the diminutive progressive from Ohio. I even referenced Pulp Fiction, believing him actually to be a stealthy Winston Wolf type character who solves problems for the thugs that cause them. Al Sharpton should run as the Green Party Candidate. That’s right, I said it.More on this in the future. I mentioned Chris Dodd for effect. Despite having a house 20 minutes away, some had to be reminded of who he was. Not a good sign.

Sexy Jessica mentioned Lieberman. They love him. From his stance on he war to pornography, they see him as a symbol of something that is ok. They even look beyond the fact he is Jewish. Interesting for a group of pretty religious folks. This was never an issue for me before I moved to what can be considered Western Connecticut, were there is a definite increase in Anti-Semitism in the more rural communities thenin Eastern CT. Very disturbing. The group realized that as diverse as this election could/should be, American idealism is tempered in the face of instability and crushed in the face of reactionary fear . This coming from a group of people whose party’s ideology promotes a porfitable reactionary based brand of fear.

“...With My Mind on My Money and My Money on My Mind”

So the Democrats of most Republican interest came down to a combination of Gore/Rodham-Clinton/Edwards/Obama. Pretty typical in nature. Of this motley crew, the finely toasted group of Republicans agreed a Gore/Obama ticket was the team that would defeat the Republicans in 2008. I liked it. I was satisfied. I would hear it again.

The next day Hardball had the same discussion, but with no booze, and established the same conclusion. It was Déjà Vu without Denzel Washington (good, but not wonderful). My unique inquiry method, couple with the Republican “Committee of Nine” had constructed a piece of independent research whose results could stand strong.

Now on the surface, for such a team to be created, both would have to be brought together by a higher power. Paging George Soros….

It takes billions of man/women hours to run and win a Presidential Election. It helps to spend tens of millions of dollars. You have to whore yourself out to special interests and Big Militarism (Business, Oil, Unions, Defense, Microsoft, Wal-Mart, Playstation 3). Beyond that it takes an unnatural thirst for power, and knowing the supreme mantra of the world, “Don’t Think You Are, Know You Are”.

“This is a time for American heroes, and we reach for the stars”.

Only in a world with a fake President can such words be taken seriously. They are without cynicism. But that is what this next presidential elections can be about. A McCain/Guliani vs. Gore/Obama match up would be incredible theater. Itwould be the most centrist campaign in over 180 years. It would enable tens of millions of American voters to see beyond the bullshit and recognize the role of ideas in our real world. That in reality, there is no spoon, possibilities do exist, and solutions can be created. All is takes it a few Progressive Liberals , a few Conservatives, festive holiday décor, and plenty of Gin and Juice to make it happen….
Hows that for optimism?

Strength and Honor Comrades....