Goodbye Exceptionalism

What does this mean?

The National Intelligence Council's study is a probable future should the US not redefine its presence in the world. The future painted in the report is pretty bleak and concerning. It seems that history is turning on its head. Centuries ago, it was the West who dictated and manipulated the East financially and culturally. Now, India and China are economic titans. They're buying up Western companies and expressed interest in purchasing the big three auto companies. Now the Chinese and Arab sheiks are keeping us afloat with the billions the make of us from buying their cheap, poisonous products and fossil fuels.

I read the AP article on the report which mentioned that nations will turn to a mixed economic system where government has a greater control over private industry due to the global economic downturn and illusory capitalism. Nations in Latin and South America who suffered under the illusion of capitalism during the 20th century are most likely to adopt this model.

An increase in resources wars is extremely concerning. We've already seen food riots in Africa and Hati this past year dues to commodities speculation. I guess one good thing about it is now the government doesn't have to wrap its next military adventure in some noble lie and run a propaganda campaign. They can be honest with us now. We also invade Canada since the report stated that global warming will allow easier Canadians easier access to now inaccessible areas of their territory containing proven energy reserves. The same is true for Russia according to the report. The Iranians are on the cusp of controlling Iraq and are slated to become major player in the Middle East. The other Middle East nations may fall into place behind Iran.

The planet is shrinking due to the constant raise in population, greed, corruption and misuse. I tend to think nihilistically in regarding the future of the world. I just think that we are beyond change and are steadily holding onto order, but it won't last. Eventually it'll come crashing down. Hopefully, I'll be dead by then.

Records Of 2008

I present to you my favorite albums of 2008 in no particular order.

The Foreign Exchange - Leave It All Behind

I was wonderfully surprised when I initially heard Foreign Exchange's second album. Their first album was mostly Hip Hop, but for their sophomoric release they left Hip Hop all behind. The album blends R&B, Rock, House and a little Jazz beautifully. Nicolay's instrumentation are memorizing and rhythmic. The vocals, supplied by Phonte, Darrin Brockington and Musinah, are simple yet poignant. Nothing's overdone, complex or appealing to lowest common denominator. Just beautiful musicianship from this group of young, independent artists. Cop It.

Grooveman Spot - Raw Humberger

Grooveman Spot's latest is a complication of 70s and 80s jazz and R&B tunes that inspired them, they find funky or serve as sampling sources. Whatever the reason, these Hip Japanese cats have a great ear for music. Included on the complication are Les McCan, Herbie Hancock, Roy Ayers, Atlantic Starr, Loose Ends, Rufus and Chaka Khan and many more. Get it and Groove out!!

Q-Tip - The Renaissance

Not much of a Hip Hop fan, but i'll always make a concession for A Tribe Called Quest and any other of the group members side projects. Q-Tip always delivers refined Hip Hop with lovely jazz samples. The Renaissance doesn't disappoint and Q-Tip stays true to his craft. He's not like some of those rappers who were big in the 90s and want to make a come back by being appealing to a younger demographic and lowest common denominators. Track 10, Life Is Better, is a real gem and Norah Jones sounds stellar.

Simbad feat. Melo/Abdul Shyllon - After The Dance

A nice cover of Marvin Gaye's After The Dance by Simbad, a beatmaker out of the UK. It's faster than the original, but just as soulful.

Jazzanova - Of All The Things
Jazzanova fans have anxiously waited four years for something new from these German soul brothers. For a bunch of middle aged German men, they certainly have an ear for black music. The album is a mix of 60s and70s style soul music, a little bossa, classic jazz, a little folk, a little hip hop and a little house. The album is somewhat more mainstream than there previous work since the album was released through, Verve instead of their indie company, The Sonar Kollectiv. My favorites tracks are Rockin You Eternally, What Do You Want?, Look What You're Doin To Me and Lucky Girl.

2000 Black - A Next Set A Rockers
Although my favorites are listed in no particular order, I must say that this album was quite remarkable. Every track is audio goodness. 2000 Black consists of two beatmakers out of West London who uses the best global soul vocalists to sing on the tracks. The album consist of what is know as Global Soul and Neu Jazz. The album is representative of those nuanced terms because of its international origin, sound and appeal. Groups such as 2000 Black aren't very popular in mainstream music USA, but in the UK there tracks can be heard on BBC radio and mainstream Japanese radio stations. 2000 Black's music is so refined and exceedingly sophiscated in regards to their mainstream USA counterparts. I just cannot understand the lack of popularity within mainstream USA music culture.

When In Doubt, Say Anything. Random Thoughts III

I.) Since I appear to have a form of writer's ADD unless given a specific topic (perhaps it's due to creative laziness), I'll lay a few random thoughts on the table.

This past Friday, the new James Bond flick, Quantum of Solace, was released. The film has received mixed reviews. Some love it, some hate it. I haven't seen the film yet since I'm not that big of a Bond fan. I enjoy watching spy movies, but the Bond franchise is a romanticized and fantasied view of spies. I prefer spy movies similar to Syriana or The Good Shepard because they are somewhat rooted in reality.

What piqued my interest in the new Bond flick was something mentioned on Democracy Now! in regards to the Boliva. Apparently, the film's villian is some global industrial titan masking as an environmentalist that aims to privitize Boliva water supply. It seems something straight out of The Shock Doctrine.

II.) It's beginning to look like the 1990s again. Gas is under two dollars when many predicted oil would be $200 a barrel plus at this time and old DNC faces are making their way back to positions in government. Since the election, the nation has learned of its new Secutary of State (Hilary Clinton), Secretary of Health and Human Services (Tom Daschle) and supposed Commerce Secutary (Bill Richardson). I am a bit miffed at Obama picking former Clinton Admistration officials and DNC stalwarts to serve in his upcoming Adminstration. I thought he was going to bring change and it was a new day and all that. His progressive cred has taken a hit. I'll cut him some slack and hold off any criticism until he's completed his first 100 days in office.

III.) This Tuesday marks the end of one of the greatest serialized dramas to ever air on televison. The Shield comes to an end after seven seasons of watching Vic Mackey and the Strike Team lay down the law and break it. The 90 minute series finale is suppose to have four deaths, one that will leave the audience shocked. The series creator, Shawn Ryan, said he won't pull a bullshit Sopranos ender and will give the audience the closure we deserve. I cannot wait until Tuesday!!!

Stupid, RIch And Inconsequential

Instead of art in its conventional sense, I'd like to discuss a sub genre of media I totally despise. Since the turn of the century, the entertain industry has been obsessed with the bullshit "reality television" craze. These shows are deemed "reality television" because the subjects are not "real actors" (but most participate as starting point for a career in acting) and the shows are supposedly "unscripted" (more utter bullshit). While I can tolerate the idiotic and exploititve reality televsion contest shows such as Survivor and American Idol, I have utter contempt for the so called reality television that focus on the young, dumb and rich.

Shows such as Laguna Beach, The Hills and Baldwin Hills which air on two of the worst television channels ever, MTV and BET, are pointless and baffling. I fail to understand the allure and appeal of these shows. It cannot be to inform the viewing public of the plight of the rich. In spite of what others may say about wealth, self worth, validation and all that other psycho babble bullshit, if you're rich in America, life isn't that bad for you and you certainly don't need a show to flaunt your youth, affluency and in most cases, ignorance. Admittingly, I have never watched any of these shows past three minutes. For the life of me, I cannot think of what purpose they serve. Perhaps they try to equalize rich young people with average young people across the country and in the West. I don't know, I just hate the fucking shows. I don't give a shit about rich, young assholes complaining about their quaint relationships and quarreling over bullshit.

The youth of this nation would be better servered with more documentaries and informative programs on real issues affecting the majority of young people who aren't rich and don't live in some affluent enclave in California. These shows are a waste of resources, intelligence and a contributing factor to why many young people are fucked up and full of shit.

Now I present "the real":

Quasimoto, Madlib, DJ Mistu - Just three of an army of beatmakers, hip hop artists and musicians fusing Jazz and Hip Hop that keeps classic Jazz and Hip Hop alive.

My Jazz World - One of the best blogs on the web.

Dennis Kucinich - The change we really need.

Maria Full of Smack (just couldn't resist)

What are your thoughts on "Maria Full of Grace/María llena eres de gracia", especially regarding the religious symbolism in the film. Almost every scene in the movie has a religious icon in the background and it's no coincidence the protagonist's name is Maria (Mary) and she's with child. Also, does this guy look familiar?

My feelings towards the film, Maria Full of Grace, are lukewarm to borderline detest. The film had a slow start. Granted, the film is not a shoot'em up flick, but the first part of the movie was extremely boring. Maybe those actors just sucked, but all I wanted to do was yarn continuously and twiddle my thumbs. For a movie about a depressing issue, I wasn't all that depressed or sad about the characters in the film. I was like "meh" towards most of them except the sister, Carla. She did a terrific job especially when learning of Lucy's death. The actress who played Maria was just flat out boring. Her acting did not invoke any kind of positive emotion in me.

Once the film moved into the drug muling phase, it became somewhat interesting. The scenes of Maria swallowing the smack filled condoms were hard to stomach. I get nervous swallowing vitamins. It was quite amazing how the actress simulated swallowing those pellets.

I just find it hard to like this movie. It seems unrealistic. Perhaps its my own ignorance at play, but I always drug dealers treated females drug mules as property. Viewing them as vessels of desperation and easily exploitable. In the film, Javier (the old boss drug dealer I think) treated her like a valued employee. Franklin, his recruiter or scout, enticed her easily like a CIA case officer turning an asset. I thought those narco dudes were chauvinist and brash.

The largest stemming pile of bullshit in the movie was when Maria and Blanca returned the stolen drugs to the two low level dealers in New Jersey. There is no way those girls would've gotten away unscathed and paid in real life.

As for the religious symbolism, I did not notice any until we briefly discussed it class. I do not remember the scene of the guy making the sign of the cross. I even missed the most obvious of the main character's biblical name and the movie’s cover art depicting Maria being given a pellet as if she was being given communion. Also, her pregnancy saved her from jail. The pellets did not burst as well, killing her and the fetus, so that may also serve as a allegory for Jesus saves or something. Maria also worked with flowers as the Virgin Mary is associated with gardens. My aunt has mid size statue of the virgin Mary in her garden back in New Orleans.

Orlando Tobon's community activism for exploited drug mules is great. He is a courageous man for assisting these people without fear of reprisals from the cartels. I would fear being shot up by some cartel hit squad for influencing their assets or being played by the Feds for intel on the cartels from the mules.

History May Repeat Itsself (Great Topic)

Choose one of the interviews from this list of conversations with Great Depression survivors, listen to it, then write a small review detailing your impressions concerning this person(s) oral history.

After listening to a few of the interviews conducted by Studs Terkel (R.I.P), I was quite struck by the interview with Elsa Ponselle. Elsa Ponselle poignantly articulated what life was like for average Americans during The Great Depression. The Great Depression was economic upheaval in twenty century America. Due to greedy Wall Street bankers and investors who purchased stock ten percent on the margin. Eventually, the market crashed spurring massive job loss, runs on the banks and the deconstruction of the American standard of living.

Elsa began her narrative on the issue of race. She remarked that minority children and parents easily adapted to the austere times of The Great Depression. Unlike their white, European counterparts, Elsa mentioned the Greeks and Italians, were dismayed and found themselves in the same position as the minorities they derided as lazy and second class. She continued by recalling a conversation she had with her nephew who believed the stereotype that blacks were inherently lazy. She retorted with a threat of physical violence (perfectly justified IMHO) and equated her nephew's father inability to find a job during the Great Depression with joblessness experienced by blacks.

Next, Elsa described the fear the Great Depression instilled in her that remained as she participated in the interview. The fear of long lasting joblessness and the insecurity of maintaining a job plagued the minds of all Depression survivors years after the crisis.

Elsa also remarked how The Great Depression humbled the American public. Everyone felt a sense of connected through these rough times. There were no superficial, counter and sub cultural barriers that separated people. The tragedy brought families together mainly out of necessity and survival.

Elsa also commented on the generational gap and value of a dollar. Depression era survivors were more prone to cling to every penny out of fear another crash while the young people of the 70s, today's baby boomers, spent carefree.

As I sat and listened to Elsa's interview continuously, not only to write this blog, but also as a beacon of reference. Her words vividly parallels what we see, read and hear what's happened and happening in contemporary America. This past Friday it was revealed that the nation's jobless rate is at a fourteen year high. Every week it seems thousands are laid off as businesses close or move to lax, greener pastures. Like survivors of The Great Depression, working men and women today are fearful of job loss especially with a scarce job market. Gone are the days of quitting a job and obtaining another two weeks later. It takes months and sometimes a year. No worker is immune from this phenomenon. From the blue collar worker toiling in the factory to the wall street broker scheming the elderly to invest in some shitty stocks, we all face the same risk.

I was also struck by Elsa's mention of a revolution by victims of the Depression. It reminds me of an article I read in my American History class last semester. From what I remember, it appears in a 1930s edition of the Nation magazine. This reporter went around the country observing the effects of the Depression on the public. Towards the end of the article, it mentioned a comment from an out of work farmer (unsure) who made rumors of a populist revolution should the government not act to ease the pain the Depression caused.

One aspect in which today's economic peril does not parallel the Great Depression is the behavior of the rich. Elsa described the rich during the Depression as subdued. They diligently concealed their affluence. Today, the rich arrogantly flaunts its wealth through a corrupted mainstream media. Torture yourself by looking at the programming channels such as BET, MTV and VH1. Shows were parents shell out thousands upon thousands of dollars for elaborate birthday parties and "reality television" serials showcasing a bunch of whiny, rich assholes.

Listening to Elsa's words impressed me tremendously. She recounted her experience during a such harsh time with pride and strength. She is(was) a woman of immense courage. I shudder to think about what would happen if I lost my job. My hope is that new shift in government will uplift the economy. Hopefully this can be done without another World War.

The More Things Change

What do you think the effects of both a Democratic President and Congress will be in the next four years?


Obama and the Dems accomplished what many felt they'd squander at the last minute. We will soon have a unified government under the Democrat Party. It remains to be seen how the country will change in terms of the Dem domination, but they have hit the ground running and are anxiously awaiting the passing of the torch come January. Without a doubt, the economy will trump all other issues of the unified Dem government. It will overshadow climate change, health care and energy independence. The only other issue that may get equal time will be Middle East policy.

Obama and Pelosi are following Ben Bernanke's advise of granting a second stimulus package. They are both in favor of the idea. Obama has already stated that he will try to rush through a stimulus package at the beginning of the term. I hope Obama and the Dems are able to provide tax relief for the lower class. I also hope they do not break their promise of punishing companies who ship jobs overseas for cheap labor and nonexistent labor standards. I also hope they strengthen regulation of Wall Street. Some doubt the Dems will be able to hold these promises because Obama is looking to some of the same people that brought us this globalization shit to serve in his administration. It seems he wants a repeat of the Clinton Administration by his possible nomination of Lawrence Summers as Sectary of Treasury and Rahm Emmanuel, his Chief of Staff.

Obama and the Dems will rule as centrist with a slight left leaning. I do not see the left leaning aspect to be evident policy ways. Just when giving interviews, sound bites and such (i.e. bullshitting).

I honestly don't know what will exactly happen. The Dems and Obama are promising a lot and have those huge obstacles in the of a retracting economy and high deficit spending.

At least Obama is working to undo some of the maladies of the Bush Administration. It's a start, but we won't know how things will improve or degenerate until he actually takes office. They talked a good time, but we must wait and see if they're able to deliver.