"Drugs have been in black neighborhoods for years, but as soon as a bunch of white people start doing drugs: 'Oh GOD it's an EPIDEMIC!' " :Richard Pryor
I was a teenager in the 80s and the first time I saw a rock of crack cocaine I didn't think much of it. I'd seen people do powdered cocaine and thought it was stupid and knew cocaine could be smoked, but still didn't see the allure of getting high. I still don't. When I saw my first crack rock, at 14 I didn't realize the devastating impact it would have on my community and even members of my own family
I saw intelligent young men and women throw away their futures, families, dignity and even their lives chasing the fleeting high and saw the working class neighborhood I grew up in slowly decay into a ghetto. When I turned on my television every other TV show was telling me about the perils of drugs and even first lady Nancy Reagan (may she rest in peace) was telling me to "Just say no" to them. I also noticed that law enforcement decided they would find a way to deal with our drug problem, they would impose harsher sentences for selling or possessing crack cocaine than for powdered cocaine. The irony of course being that you NEED powdered cocaine to make crack but I guess that escaped my law makers.
I didn't realize it at the time but MOST of the people addicted to powdered cocaine were white and affluent and most of the users of crack tended to be black or hispanic. Essentially a stock broker living in a huge house on the right side of the tracks could be caught with a couple of grams of cocaine and get far less time than a kid from the neighborhood who was caught with two grams of crack. I'm not trying to say those being arrested for drug crimes didn't DESERVE to be, but looking back I'm wondering why the affluent were given a pass when kids from the city were sent to literally fight for their lives in America's prisons.
Flash forward to 2017 and America again has a drug problem. This time it's not cocaine, it's opiates AKA pain pills and drugs like codeine. Many become addicted to pain meds then when they can no longer get them, go to the streets where they become addicted to heroin. The addicts by and large are kids in the suburbs and in rural communities all over America. The response has been swift. Drug treatment centers have sprang up everywhere. Insurance plans under former President Obama's Affordable Care Act include rehabilitation programs, politicians are getting on cable news shows in tears begging for more money to be placed into programs to treat drug addiction. I saw a sheriff in Ohio saying he sponsored a program called "help not handcuffs" and another pundit on a cable news panel saying "These people have souls and should be treated with compassion because they've succumb to an addiction."
As I see this genuine outpouring of compassion I'm conflicted. As an American I'm proud to see my country taking positive steps to solve a serious problem, but as a man of color who has seen his friends sent to serve lengthy jail sentences for the EXACT SAME THING in the 80s and 90s my response is WHAT THE FUCK!? I want those who are addicted to drugs to be treated as if they have a serious problem and we want them to resume normal lives and I've always wanted that, but where the hell was this compassion in the 80s and 90s when the majority of these people were men and women of color? I'm not one to play the race card, but those who WOULD call the great country in which I live "racist" could EASILY use this as an great example to illustrate their point. The criminal justice system was more than happy to demonize young black and Hispanic men and women who became addicted to crack cocaine by throwing them in prison, but when it happens to some kid in a small town or in the suburbs suddenly they've decided that drug abuse should be treated with compassion?!
What burns me up more than ANYTHING are some of the voices calling for compassion. The men and women who are saying that this is an "American" problem were the ones calling for the stiff sentences for drug offenders whose compassion seems quite odd in light of policies they had for "cleaning up America's streets".
For the record, I do NOT think that we should warehouse men and women in prison for drug use. We SHOULD have programs for drug treatment and I think a national health service (like the British, Canadian or Australian models) would greatly help implementing one, but we as a nation need to OWN our hypocrisy on our "war on drugs" (as Nixon called it) for what it was overt racism and selective prosecution, then we can move forward and treat all our addicts not as denizens of small towns, suburbia or even the "inner city" but as Americans.
Saturday, October 28, 2017
Friday, October 27, 2017
African...and "African".
Earlier this week I was going over a geography lesson in a classroom and noticed that the text book separated Africa into "Northern" and "Sub Saharan". Strange that the map of Asia included all of Asia, the map of North America didn't say "Canada" and "Sub Canadian America". South America wasn't partitioned off into "Brazil" and "Spanish South America". The book was trying to assert that the countries of Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco were culturally more middle eastern than African because of the influence of Islam.
On the surface that's easy to buy, then you realize that Islam exist in the Congo, in Nigeria, and EVERYWHERE in Africa south of the Sahara desert. Some would say that the book makes a difference because there were civilizations in Libya and Egypt during the time of Alexander the Great and the Romans. That is true, but the learning center in Timbuktu existed before Philip of Macedonia's son Alexander was born and far before Hannibal elected to attack a fledgling Roman state with his battle elephants. The Kingdoms of Mali and Kush stood before Europeans knew they existed as did the Observatory in Zimbabwe and the Kingdom of Ethiopia. Why then is Africa treated as two completely different planes of existence?
This may just be one man's opinion, but it may have something to do with the fact that Europeans saw Africa south of the Sahara as a treasure trove of Ivory, gold, diamonds and people who could be bought sold and exported. If the darker skinned African was given the same regard as the Egyptian or the Tunisian the theft of his land and resources and the oppressing of him into bondage could be viewed as immoral. The dark skinned African had to be dehumanized so that the invasion of his land and wealth could be called "Discovery". He had to be regarded as an animal with the ability to speak so that it could be viewed as acceptable to own him as one would an oxen or an ass.
This is generally where the tired arguments of slavery in Africa before Europeans arrival and it's existence in modern Africa will be brought up. Slavery did exist in Africa before the arrival of Europeans, that is very true. An enemy captured in battle became one's slave. In the Muslim parts of Africa one Muslim could NOT own another and many converted rather than be slaves. The tired argument then points out that blacks were sold TO Europeans into slavery. That IS true, but there exist in many African cultures and within Islam ways of treating one's slaves that are a stark contrast of the way slaves were literally worked to death in the Caribbean and Americas. Mistreating slaves in parts of Africa was a punishable offense.
Regardless, while Europe has left her African colonies and the cultures which spent centuries raped by the powers of Europe fight among themselves for wealth that could be used to build the roads, bridges, hospitals and schools that the Europeans DIDN'T build as their only interest were railways to transport their stolen goods from the countries interiors to their coasts, the divide remains. The average American student if asked which continent Egypt was on wouldn't be able to tell you as popular Western culture all too often portrayed the Africans who irrigated the Nile and built the pyramids as Caucasian. Even in the 21st century when one mentions Africa to the Average American the images they have are of deep jungles, half naked men and women with bones through their noses and westerners being thrown into large pots and eaten. The Amazing part is they never explain where the giant pot comes from.
Why does this continue? It WAS conscious at one point; whereas, now I think it's been done for so long that westerners don't even realize it's being done. Speaking out to correct it will have armies of ignorant people who don't know history up in arms because the "liberals" want to make text books more "politically correct" but at the end of the day we as a society are afraid of change and very lazy. The cruelest part is that our lazy culture ENABLES those who print inaccurate, possibly unconsciously racist text books to continue business as usual and because it does another generation of American students will see Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco as something OTHER than Africa.
On the surface that's easy to buy, then you realize that Islam exist in the Congo, in Nigeria, and EVERYWHERE in Africa south of the Sahara desert. Some would say that the book makes a difference because there were civilizations in Libya and Egypt during the time of Alexander the Great and the Romans. That is true, but the learning center in Timbuktu existed before Philip of Macedonia's son Alexander was born and far before Hannibal elected to attack a fledgling Roman state with his battle elephants. The Kingdoms of Mali and Kush stood before Europeans knew they existed as did the Observatory in Zimbabwe and the Kingdom of Ethiopia. Why then is Africa treated as two completely different planes of existence?
This may just be one man's opinion, but it may have something to do with the fact that Europeans saw Africa south of the Sahara as a treasure trove of Ivory, gold, diamonds and people who could be bought sold and exported. If the darker skinned African was given the same regard as the Egyptian or the Tunisian the theft of his land and resources and the oppressing of him into bondage could be viewed as immoral. The dark skinned African had to be dehumanized so that the invasion of his land and wealth could be called "Discovery". He had to be regarded as an animal with the ability to speak so that it could be viewed as acceptable to own him as one would an oxen or an ass.
This is generally where the tired arguments of slavery in Africa before Europeans arrival and it's existence in modern Africa will be brought up. Slavery did exist in Africa before the arrival of Europeans, that is very true. An enemy captured in battle became one's slave. In the Muslim parts of Africa one Muslim could NOT own another and many converted rather than be slaves. The tired argument then points out that blacks were sold TO Europeans into slavery. That IS true, but there exist in many African cultures and within Islam ways of treating one's slaves that are a stark contrast of the way slaves were literally worked to death in the Caribbean and Americas. Mistreating slaves in parts of Africa was a punishable offense.
Regardless, while Europe has left her African colonies and the cultures which spent centuries raped by the powers of Europe fight among themselves for wealth that could be used to build the roads, bridges, hospitals and schools that the Europeans DIDN'T build as their only interest were railways to transport their stolen goods from the countries interiors to their coasts, the divide remains. The average American student if asked which continent Egypt was on wouldn't be able to tell you as popular Western culture all too often portrayed the Africans who irrigated the Nile and built the pyramids as Caucasian. Even in the 21st century when one mentions Africa to the Average American the images they have are of deep jungles, half naked men and women with bones through their noses and westerners being thrown into large pots and eaten. The Amazing part is they never explain where the giant pot comes from.
Why does this continue? It WAS conscious at one point; whereas, now I think it's been done for so long that westerners don't even realize it's being done. Speaking out to correct it will have armies of ignorant people who don't know history up in arms because the "liberals" want to make text books more "politically correct" but at the end of the day we as a society are afraid of change and very lazy. The cruelest part is that our lazy culture ENABLES those who print inaccurate, possibly unconsciously racist text books to continue business as usual and because it does another generation of American students will see Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco as something OTHER than Africa.
Saturday, March 18, 2017
Who They Cast...isn't a big deal...
I was in my favorite Japanese Market buying random sushi when a kid who works there and I started discussing Hollywood's adaptation the manga/anime "Ghost in the Shell". Neither of us wanted to see it as we felt it was yet another instance of Hollywood "white washing" someone else's art. A stereotypical "Fan boy" who was eavesdropping on our conversation chimed in and pointed out how since MOST anime characters were so western in appearance, that the race of the actor playing a particular character didn't really matter.
I held my tongue and didn't engage the guy further, but it's easy to think that way when the hero in 90% of films looks like you. Despite how "multicultural" Hollywood claims to be, certain sad truths about the entertainment industry remain barely changed.
During Hollywood's "Golden age" the only roles for blacks, Latinos and Asians (if at all) were as crude stereotypical ancillary characters. If there was a lead role for a character of color he or she would be played by a white actor in stage makeup. Most notably the Charlie Chan films of the 30s and 40s. Recognition was very rare as evident by the fact that during Hollywood's "Golden age" the only actor of color to receive a major award for a performance was Hattie McDaniel in 1939's Gone with The Wind" in which she played a loyal slave simply known as "Mammy". During her acceptance speech McDaniel thanked the academy and said how she wished to be "a credit to her race."
Hollywood has changed since the 30s, but the roles for actors of color seem to always be drawn from the same tired well. If you're a black actor in Hollywood and receive recognition for your work you've played one of the following roles:
Obsequious negro: This character is usually a slave or yes man who doesn't want to rock the boat and tells others to follow his lead, but usually is made an example of by the same power structure he spoke out to protect. His character is generally selfless and noble and his dressing down (or even death) usually inspires a white character to some noble calling. In literature "Uncle Tom" in Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin", in film too many to mention.
Master Criminal: This character is generally intelligent; however, he tend to rise to power on the streets though violence and criminality and generally serves two cinematic purposes: 1. White liberal statement about educational opportunities for people of color and the bias against them in corporate America. 2. An Object lesson proving that crime doesn't pay. Example: Frank Lucas "American Gangster"
Redeemed Buck negro: he is a sullen rebel who fights authority at every turn but somewhere near the end of the film "gets with the program" and dies for a worthy cause. Example: Denzel Washington's Silas Trip in the film "Glory"
Magic Negro: This is the character who isn't a "stereotype" but rather possesses a strange wisdom of the world around him, but whose only purpose in the film is to aid the growth and development of one of the film's white characters on his/her journey. Example: Will Smith in the film "Bagger Vance"
Noble Martyr: The martyr may or may not die during the course of the film, but he or she will suffer to expose an ugly truth. Best Examples: Any film about the life of Martin Luther King OR Silas in the film "Twelve Years a Slave".
Coon: A coon is the ridiculous comedy relief who seems to embody a wealth of black stereotypes for comedic effect. He has little if any depth and generally angers blacks who see the film in question. Example: Rod Tidwell "Jerry McGuire"
For black actresses the roles for which they receive notoriety are fewer as are the stereotypes, among them are:
Mammy: she is the loud sassy but nurturing character who holds all characters regardless of their race or station together. Best example Hattie McDaniel "Gone with the wind"
Hoodrat: The hoodrat is the uncultured female character who embodies negative social stereotypes of black women she is the female equivalent of the "buck negro" given that she rebels against the power structure and the character is rarely given any real depth or even back story.
Magic Negro, Martyr and Coon can all be female but the last character seems not to be going anywhere.
Jezebel/Vamp: She is the black temptress whose purpose seems to be gratifying the lusts of various male characters. She is more sex object than sex symbol and is oft portrayed as amoral. Example: Too many to mention.
Sadly Latinos have barely fared any better. Roles for Latin actors are slim and sadly stereotypical.
Latin Lover: This character seems more positive than he actually is. On the surface the character is a polished, sophisticate with a way with the ladies. The downside, he rarely ever has a moral compass and seems obsessed with his own gratification. He is the negative stereotype of the Latin male as oversexed, callous and womanizing. Example Antonio Banderas in ANYTHING.
Cholo/Bandito: This character is the lawless rebel. He's selfish, self destructive and has little regard for anyone or anything. In early Hollywood he rode a horse and wore a sombrero, now he's simply a gang banger or convict. He usually winds up dying in a blaze of glory or dying in a prison cell.
Example: Carnal "American Me".
Overly Passionate Latino: This character can be male or female. He or she takes anything "no matter how big or small" and blows it comically out of proportion. The character is a bit of a take off on the "coon" (Latin version) as he or she is generally in a film for comedic effect.
Master Criminal: (same as black master criminal. Example Tony Montana "Scarface"
Spitfire: (female) The Latin Spitfire is an odd combination of hoodrat and Jezebel. She's intentionally uncultured and primarily there as a sex object
Asian Americans are one of the least represent groups in American cinema and their representation always seems to be in a light many see as stereotypes:
Sage: A wise man or woman who seems to possess great knowledge and attempts to give a warning which falls on deaf ears. Example the shop keeper in "Gremlins"
Scientist/Nerd/Geek: He or she is supposed to be great at math, science, computers or something else that resulted from strict parents putting his/her nose in a book at birth. Character generally can save the day, but defers to assist leading white character who is destined to. This character is generally portrayed as asexual.
Shop Keeper: This character is a take off on immigrant stereotypes and generally is crude and lacks sophistication. He/she is rarely cast in a favorable light and is generally a rude ancillary character of a shooting victim.
Martial Arts Master: This character is either a young martial artist with incredible abilities on his journey to mastery or a wise sage who is attempting to spread his/her knowledge. Example: Jet Li in anything.
Evil Genius: This character is a take on the master criminal, but usually is attempting to take over the world or something grandiose in a take on the 19th century "yellow peril" paranoia which lead to the Chinese Exclusion laws. Example: Ming the Merciless
Dragon Lady: She's the Asian equivalent of the vamp. Her character uses sex as a tool and a weapon. She's seen as having a mean streak and is generally cunning and evil. Example: Too many to mention.
Lotus Blossom: She is the Asian damsel in distress in need of rescue preferably by a "white knight". Example Suzy Wong "The World of Suzy Wong."
If I may summarize, leading roles in most Hollywood films don't fall to actors of color even when they're written by and with persons of color in mind. Ghost in the Shell is just another example of a positive character of a given ethnic group vanishing into a pale oblivion as those who've never read source material enjoy it unaware of the source material. It's oddly reminiscent of Bass Reeves. Bass Reeves was a black law man in the "Indian Territory" that became the state of Oklahoma. He was legendary in his exploits as a peace officer. Books were written about him as well as a popular comic strip. However the strip came out in the 1920s and some thought the idea of a black lawman might upset some so instead of his being black, he became "The Lone Ranger" a white man with a black mask.
Reeves was a hero to generations of Americans who never had any idea that he was a man of color. He has been portrayed on television and on the silver screen dozens of times, but has never been portrayed by an actor of color. But in retrospect, I guess that's not a big deal.
I held my tongue and didn't engage the guy further, but it's easy to think that way when the hero in 90% of films looks like you. Despite how "multicultural" Hollywood claims to be, certain sad truths about the entertainment industry remain barely changed.
During Hollywood's "Golden age" the only roles for blacks, Latinos and Asians (if at all) were as crude stereotypical ancillary characters. If there was a lead role for a character of color he or she would be played by a white actor in stage makeup. Most notably the Charlie Chan films of the 30s and 40s. Recognition was very rare as evident by the fact that during Hollywood's "Golden age" the only actor of color to receive a major award for a performance was Hattie McDaniel in 1939's Gone with The Wind" in which she played a loyal slave simply known as "Mammy". During her acceptance speech McDaniel thanked the academy and said how she wished to be "a credit to her race."
Hollywood has changed since the 30s, but the roles for actors of color seem to always be drawn from the same tired well. If you're a black actor in Hollywood and receive recognition for your work you've played one of the following roles:
Obsequious negro: This character is usually a slave or yes man who doesn't want to rock the boat and tells others to follow his lead, but usually is made an example of by the same power structure he spoke out to protect. His character is generally selfless and noble and his dressing down (or even death) usually inspires a white character to some noble calling. In literature "Uncle Tom" in Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin", in film too many to mention.
Master Criminal: This character is generally intelligent; however, he tend to rise to power on the streets though violence and criminality and generally serves two cinematic purposes: 1. White liberal statement about educational opportunities for people of color and the bias against them in corporate America. 2. An Object lesson proving that crime doesn't pay. Example: Frank Lucas "American Gangster"
Redeemed Buck negro: he is a sullen rebel who fights authority at every turn but somewhere near the end of the film "gets with the program" and dies for a worthy cause. Example: Denzel Washington's Silas Trip in the film "Glory"
Magic Negro: This is the character who isn't a "stereotype" but rather possesses a strange wisdom of the world around him, but whose only purpose in the film is to aid the growth and development of one of the film's white characters on his/her journey. Example: Will Smith in the film "Bagger Vance"
Noble Martyr: The martyr may or may not die during the course of the film, but he or she will suffer to expose an ugly truth. Best Examples: Any film about the life of Martin Luther King OR Silas in the film "Twelve Years a Slave".
Coon: A coon is the ridiculous comedy relief who seems to embody a wealth of black stereotypes for comedic effect. He has little if any depth and generally angers blacks who see the film in question. Example: Rod Tidwell "Jerry McGuire"
For black actresses the roles for which they receive notoriety are fewer as are the stereotypes, among them are:
Mammy: she is the loud sassy but nurturing character who holds all characters regardless of their race or station together. Best example Hattie McDaniel "Gone with the wind"
Hoodrat: The hoodrat is the uncultured female character who embodies negative social stereotypes of black women she is the female equivalent of the "buck negro" given that she rebels against the power structure and the character is rarely given any real depth or even back story.
Magic Negro, Martyr and Coon can all be female but the last character seems not to be going anywhere.
Jezebel/Vamp: She is the black temptress whose purpose seems to be gratifying the lusts of various male characters. She is more sex object than sex symbol and is oft portrayed as amoral. Example: Too many to mention.
Sadly Latinos have barely fared any better. Roles for Latin actors are slim and sadly stereotypical.
Latin Lover: This character seems more positive than he actually is. On the surface the character is a polished, sophisticate with a way with the ladies. The downside, he rarely ever has a moral compass and seems obsessed with his own gratification. He is the negative stereotype of the Latin male as oversexed, callous and womanizing. Example Antonio Banderas in ANYTHING.
Cholo/Bandito: This character is the lawless rebel. He's selfish, self destructive and has little regard for anyone or anything. In early Hollywood he rode a horse and wore a sombrero, now he's simply a gang banger or convict. He usually winds up dying in a blaze of glory or dying in a prison cell.
Example: Carnal "American Me".
Overly Passionate Latino: This character can be male or female. He or she takes anything "no matter how big or small" and blows it comically out of proportion. The character is a bit of a take off on the "coon" (Latin version) as he or she is generally in a film for comedic effect.
Master Criminal: (same as black master criminal. Example Tony Montana "Scarface"
Spitfire: (female) The Latin Spitfire is an odd combination of hoodrat and Jezebel. She's intentionally uncultured and primarily there as a sex object
Asian Americans are one of the least represent groups in American cinema and their representation always seems to be in a light many see as stereotypes:
Sage: A wise man or woman who seems to possess great knowledge and attempts to give a warning which falls on deaf ears. Example the shop keeper in "Gremlins"
Scientist/Nerd/Geek: He or she is supposed to be great at math, science, computers or something else that resulted from strict parents putting his/her nose in a book at birth. Character generally can save the day, but defers to assist leading white character who is destined to. This character is generally portrayed as asexual.
Shop Keeper: This character is a take off on immigrant stereotypes and generally is crude and lacks sophistication. He/she is rarely cast in a favorable light and is generally a rude ancillary character of a shooting victim.
Martial Arts Master: This character is either a young martial artist with incredible abilities on his journey to mastery or a wise sage who is attempting to spread his/her knowledge. Example: Jet Li in anything.
Evil Genius: This character is a take on the master criminal, but usually is attempting to take over the world or something grandiose in a take on the 19th century "yellow peril" paranoia which lead to the Chinese Exclusion laws. Example: Ming the Merciless
Dragon Lady: She's the Asian equivalent of the vamp. Her character uses sex as a tool and a weapon. She's seen as having a mean streak and is generally cunning and evil. Example: Too many to mention.
Lotus Blossom: She is the Asian damsel in distress in need of rescue preferably by a "white knight". Example Suzy Wong "The World of Suzy Wong."
If I may summarize, leading roles in most Hollywood films don't fall to actors of color even when they're written by and with persons of color in mind. Ghost in the Shell is just another example of a positive character of a given ethnic group vanishing into a pale oblivion as those who've never read source material enjoy it unaware of the source material. It's oddly reminiscent of Bass Reeves. Bass Reeves was a black law man in the "Indian Territory" that became the state of Oklahoma. He was legendary in his exploits as a peace officer. Books were written about him as well as a popular comic strip. However the strip came out in the 1920s and some thought the idea of a black lawman might upset some so instead of his being black, he became "The Lone Ranger" a white man with a black mask.
Reeves was a hero to generations of Americans who never had any idea that he was a man of color. He has been portrayed on television and on the silver screen dozens of times, but has never been portrayed by an actor of color. But in retrospect, I guess that's not a big deal.
Sunday, December 4, 2016
It's JUST the Chinese...
On Thursday, president elect Trump accepted a phone call from the President of Taiwan. They discussed business and Trump later publicly spoke of the call. PROBLEM. Since 72 when Nixon recognized China it has been the practice of the U.S. Government NOT to acknowledge the elephant in the room that is the fact that there are TWO Chinese governments. Every American president since Nixon has recognized this fact. The People's Republic of China doesn't accept the sovereignty of Taiwan and regards them as an autonomous territory.
P.E. Trump while he has never held an office presumably HAS picked up a newspaper or seen a newscast since 1972 and had some inkling that U.S. Sino relations are to say the least complex. Mr. Trump's predecessor has not been friendly to China trade wise and they welcome the change in American leadership despite Trump's angry campaign rhetoric labeling China a "currency manipulator." Before even taking the oath of office, Mr. Trump has offended a country which has the world's largest military and boasts of having air craft carriers and Intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Many American firms rely on Chinese manufacturing and oft use China as the economic model they would love to see in the U.S. I.E. a country with no minimum wage, Food and Drug administration, Environmental protection agency or workers rights of any kind. It is an Ayn Rand wet dream come true and the end result is shoddy and in many cases toxic products which occasionally have to be confiscated by AMERICAN regulatory agencies when intercepted. China in recent years as taken pride in corporate espionage and cyber terrorism.
President elect Trump is offending a nation who when they last fought us directly in Korea agreed to a cease fire only because it was the only way in which both sides could save face. The Chinese have fought wars of attrition for longer than many countries have existed and if Korean war vets I've spoken to were telling me the truth, Chinese troops attack in human waves. Mr. Trump doesn't like receiving daily security briefings and apparently doesn't like keeping up on global events. Well Mr. Trump I've bad news for you sir, the American people didn't kidnap you at gunpoint and FORCE you to become our president. It was a choice YOU made and after an UGLY and divisive campaign in which you played every low card in the deck you received the honor of being our president. Guess what Mr. Trump what happens in the rest of the world is now YOUR problem now. THIS is the job you wanted. This is why your predecessors age rapidly while in office.
Mr. Trump needs to understand that foreign policy is the difference between war and peace and if he doesn't understand that then he's in for a LONG four years.
P.E. Trump while he has never held an office presumably HAS picked up a newspaper or seen a newscast since 1972 and had some inkling that U.S. Sino relations are to say the least complex. Mr. Trump's predecessor has not been friendly to China trade wise and they welcome the change in American leadership despite Trump's angry campaign rhetoric labeling China a "currency manipulator." Before even taking the oath of office, Mr. Trump has offended a country which has the world's largest military and boasts of having air craft carriers and Intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Many American firms rely on Chinese manufacturing and oft use China as the economic model they would love to see in the U.S. I.E. a country with no minimum wage, Food and Drug administration, Environmental protection agency or workers rights of any kind. It is an Ayn Rand wet dream come true and the end result is shoddy and in many cases toxic products which occasionally have to be confiscated by AMERICAN regulatory agencies when intercepted. China in recent years as taken pride in corporate espionage and cyber terrorism.
President elect Trump is offending a nation who when they last fought us directly in Korea agreed to a cease fire only because it was the only way in which both sides could save face. The Chinese have fought wars of attrition for longer than many countries have existed and if Korean war vets I've spoken to were telling me the truth, Chinese troops attack in human waves. Mr. Trump doesn't like receiving daily security briefings and apparently doesn't like keeping up on global events. Well Mr. Trump I've bad news for you sir, the American people didn't kidnap you at gunpoint and FORCE you to become our president. It was a choice YOU made and after an UGLY and divisive campaign in which you played every low card in the deck you received the honor of being our president. Guess what Mr. Trump what happens in the rest of the world is now YOUR problem now. THIS is the job you wanted. This is why your predecessors age rapidly while in office.
Mr. Trump needs to understand that foreign policy is the difference between war and peace and if he doesn't understand that then he's in for a LONG four years.
Friday, November 18, 2016
"Strong Leader"
In 1953 generals and diplomats left a room with a deal in hand. It wouldn't end the war, but would end the shooting. Both sides agreed that neither would cross the 38th parallel. We had agreed to a cease fire effectively ending action in the Korean war. The North Koreans with the aid of the Chinese and war materials from the Soviet Union were responsible for the deaths of 33,686 Americans. That number doesn't include South Korean, Greek, British or Australian soldiers who died in that conflict.
In 1975 a helicopter leaves the rooftop of the U.S. embassy in Saigon. South Korean Marines and the Australian army had left two years earlier along with most of the U.S.army The North Vietnamese with aid from the Soviet Union had killed 47,424 American servicemen and women in some of the ugliest fighting this country had ever seen. The casualties we suffered in those wars were a result of the cold war which we fought against the Soviet Union. Generations of Americans lived in fear of Russian nuclear strikes and the late President Ronald Reagan went so far as to call the Soviets an "Evil Empire" bent on imposing it's will upon the world.
In the year 2000 the Russian people in an election many poll watchers thought to be rigged elected former head of the KGB Vladamir Putin their President. He had seen the Soviet union dissolve and made no secret of the fact that he wished to see every satellite which had gained independence returned to mother Russia.
In response to dissent in the Ukraine his assassins poisoned Ukrainian president Vicktor Yushenko and later were responsible for the non fatal poisoning of Ukrainian presidential candidate Alexander Litvinenko. In 2014 Russia invaded Ukraine and assumed that because they weren't in uniform, that the world would believe that it was merely an uprising by the Ukrainians themselves who wished to be part of Russia again.
Putin has spent the last 16 years hacking American government computers and spying on the governments of George W. Bush and Barack Obama, but Donald Trump when running for president called this vile thug and assassin a "strong leader."
Russia makes no secret about the fact that they desire to rebuild their empire and our newest president elect wants to not only abandon our allies in the North Atlantic Treaty organization, but also wants to "Normalize" relations with Russia. I harbor no animosity towards the Russian people. I know and have known Russians and regard them as a fine people. My issue is NOT with the Russian people, but with the dictator who currently runs their country. Becoming chummy with a nation whom Reagan called the "Evil Empire" will be to our detriment.
In 1975 a helicopter leaves the rooftop of the U.S. embassy in Saigon. South Korean Marines and the Australian army had left two years earlier along with most of the U.S.army The North Vietnamese with aid from the Soviet Union had killed 47,424 American servicemen and women in some of the ugliest fighting this country had ever seen. The casualties we suffered in those wars were a result of the cold war which we fought against the Soviet Union. Generations of Americans lived in fear of Russian nuclear strikes and the late President Ronald Reagan went so far as to call the Soviets an "Evil Empire" bent on imposing it's will upon the world.
In the year 2000 the Russian people in an election many poll watchers thought to be rigged elected former head of the KGB Vladamir Putin their President. He had seen the Soviet union dissolve and made no secret of the fact that he wished to see every satellite which had gained independence returned to mother Russia.
In response to dissent in the Ukraine his assassins poisoned Ukrainian president Vicktor Yushenko and later were responsible for the non fatal poisoning of Ukrainian presidential candidate Alexander Litvinenko. In 2014 Russia invaded Ukraine and assumed that because they weren't in uniform, that the world would believe that it was merely an uprising by the Ukrainians themselves who wished to be part of Russia again.
Putin has spent the last 16 years hacking American government computers and spying on the governments of George W. Bush and Barack Obama, but Donald Trump when running for president called this vile thug and assassin a "strong leader."
Russia makes no secret about the fact that they desire to rebuild their empire and our newest president elect wants to not only abandon our allies in the North Atlantic Treaty organization, but also wants to "Normalize" relations with Russia. I harbor no animosity towards the Russian people. I know and have known Russians and regard them as a fine people. My issue is NOT with the Russian people, but with the dictator who currently runs their country. Becoming chummy with a nation whom Reagan called the "Evil Empire" will be to our detriment.
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
You're Fcuked...
It's 11:00pm on a Tuesday in November and a sociopath who ran a campaign eerily similar to one a demented Austrian ran in 1932 to become chancellor of Germany has just come to an end with with the exact same conclusion. The health insurance my employer was forced to make affordable to me by law is about to vanish by an act of a congress which ignored infrastructure improvements for eight years.
A man who feels the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) should simply sit back and allow Russia to annex any country smaller than itself has just been elected president. What does this mean?
If his campaign rhetoric is to be believed, IF you are a Republican who publicly spoke out against him, you're FUCKED. During the primaries he swore revenge against defeated opponents who refused to endorsed him. IF you're a Republican who didn't fall in line he has said he would exact revenge.
IF you are black...you're FUCKED! Any grievance you have against ANY authority figure will result in your having to prove your innocence rather than someone else having to prove your guilt. The terrorist organization which IS the Ku Klux Klan OPENLY embraced the candidate in question and he quietly pretended not to know who they were. If you're not a professional athlete or entertainer prepare to have the words "Yas suh!" introduced into your vocabulary. You are now a thug and a stereotype despite your level of education. Deal with it.
If you're Latino YOU'RE FUCKED even harder than anyone black. The President elect started his campaign by stating that Mexico sent its murderers and rapists and drug mules here and that he "assumed" that some were good people. You're a Latino who is NOT Mexican? Guess what...you're Mexican NOW. if you have dark hair eyes and skin and speak Spanish congratulations you're NOW Mexican. Here's what that entails, YOU are now an illegal alien. No, you're NOT an "Undocumented Immigrant", you're an illegal alien and will be treated like you're here to steal jobs, break into homes and sell drugs.
If you are woman. You will not receive maltreatment, but you will be marginalized. You attempts to assert yourself will be treated with patronizing tones from a boys club the likes of which you've never seen. Your intellect will be largely ignored. Welcome back to the 1950s.
The group to whom I offer the biggest condolences? IF you are an American Muslim OR a person of middle eastern dissent, YOU'RE PRISON RAPED! If you are a law abiding citizen and an upstanding member of your community consider that your past. You are NOW a defacto terrorist or terror suspect. Your mosque is now being watched. Do NOT be surprised if someone attempts to burn it to the ground or inscribe hurtful epithets on your place of worship. From this point on whenever ANY act of evil occurs ANYWHERE on earth and the perpetrator is a Muslim you will be treated with a rancor which you've NEVER seen and from which your non Muslim friends will NOT be able to protect you without fear of persecution. Hopefully the President elect will not live up to his campaign pledge to require you to wear crescent moons on your clothing to make you easier to identify.
IF you belong to one of the groups I've mentioned and you DIDN'T vote in this election, you fucked yourself.
Saturday, August 20, 2016
Milwaukee gets Trumped
On August 13th in Milwaukee, Wisconsin a young man died in an officer involved shooting. The official police report stated that the deceased had been armed and refused to comply with repeated orders to drop the weapon. What followed were riots beginning at the scene of the incident which lasted an additional two days.
In the midst of all of this, presidential candidate Donald Trump decided to speak to the black community. On the surface a good idea until one considers the way in which Trump had gone about it. Trump went to West Bend, Wisconsin a suburb or Milwaukee and gave a speech in which he told African Americans that their every assertion about law enforcement was "incorrect" then told them that the problems within the black community were the result of "failed democratic policies". He then asked blacks to vote for him.
I sat back watching and simply couldn't believe what I was hearing. This display proved to me that Donald J. Trump had no political instincts whatsoever. He stood in an auditorium in a suburb of Milwaukee whose black population was 1.2% and spoke "to" African Americans. I thought this is exactly why being a businessman DOES NOT qualify one to be president. Businessmen on Trump's level are used to giving orders and having them followed. They're not used to working with committees or listening to dissenting opinions.
If Trump wanted black votes, what he should have done was going into Milwaukee itself and arranging a closed door meeting between himself, local law enforcement, and black community leaders and activists with no journalist in attendance. He could have simply sat there and acted as a mediator between hard working cops and members of a community with whom they have friction. He could have asked both sides what needed to be done to make sure that Milwaukee never had riots shake her. In other words, he could have talked TO black people rather than AT us. There may be some who are swayed by his spin doctors as they appear on television saying "Trump went to Milwaukee" but I for one am sad that he skipped out on an golden opportunity to at least appear as if he gave a damn about something other than his own ego.
A closed door meeting with civic, leaders clergy and cops would have made it known that he was more concerned with problem solving than with a photo op and that he actually cares NOT about winning an election, but with actually making America greater.
In the midst of all of this, presidential candidate Donald Trump decided to speak to the black community. On the surface a good idea until one considers the way in which Trump had gone about it. Trump went to West Bend, Wisconsin a suburb or Milwaukee and gave a speech in which he told African Americans that their every assertion about law enforcement was "incorrect" then told them that the problems within the black community were the result of "failed democratic policies". He then asked blacks to vote for him.
I sat back watching and simply couldn't believe what I was hearing. This display proved to me that Donald J. Trump had no political instincts whatsoever. He stood in an auditorium in a suburb of Milwaukee whose black population was 1.2% and spoke "to" African Americans. I thought this is exactly why being a businessman DOES NOT qualify one to be president. Businessmen on Trump's level are used to giving orders and having them followed. They're not used to working with committees or listening to dissenting opinions.
If Trump wanted black votes, what he should have done was going into Milwaukee itself and arranging a closed door meeting between himself, local law enforcement, and black community leaders and activists with no journalist in attendance. He could have simply sat there and acted as a mediator between hard working cops and members of a community with whom they have friction. He could have asked both sides what needed to be done to make sure that Milwaukee never had riots shake her. In other words, he could have talked TO black people rather than AT us. There may be some who are swayed by his spin doctors as they appear on television saying "Trump went to Milwaukee" but I for one am sad that he skipped out on an golden opportunity to at least appear as if he gave a damn about something other than his own ego.
A closed door meeting with civic, leaders clergy and cops would have made it known that he was more concerned with problem solving than with a photo op and that he actually cares NOT about winning an election, but with actually making America greater.
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