Well I'm back after a bit of laziness. Today folks we talk of Joe Strummer. His band the Clash and a theme brought up in some of his lyrics. Police brutality,inequality, the concept of his idea of America being Urban Vietnam. With the stories every week coming in. Of police in military gear, tasing, beating, macing and sadly killing people. For what seems if news is correct misdemeanor stops gone awry. SWAT raids for silly things like illegal gambling. While the old guard berates protesters. Claims victims of police violence should obey commands,etc. Whilst supporting beer gut so called sovereign citizens pointing rifles at Federal Officers a few months ago. Odd.Amurica'cry for the Bill of Rights while refusing to acknowledge it's government. Ok, Back on topic now.
In the late 70's and early 80's Strummer wrote lyrics of "junkiedom USA" and "Urban Vietnam". This was his way of describing American Cities as he encountered them. Well I hate to prop up the words of a punk rock celebrity. However, life at times imitates art. And fiction is often speculative. Police often times trained questionably running about in war gear. Beating,and sometimes killing people in stops for petty crime. Being condoned by a mid American citizenry. That is lambasted with hyped up propaganda made for ratings. To hell with facts, let us yell and scream our opinions over it. (Happens on all sides of spectrum). Taking into account the lack of critical thinking. Which even I am guilty of at times. Seeming to cause a culture of fear, paranoia and confusion.
And no I do not think that every police officer is evil. I have had several bad encounters though in my day. And with current climate, I may have been a victim of a bullet myself. Let us hope that ultimately good prevails on all sides. While I do not condone looting,etc. You can not push and prod and not expect an eventual reaction.
Now as mentioned let us hope that the current unrest may yield some common sense, compassion, and empathy. And bring light to how we must change our paranoid, confused fear culture and treat each other with mutual respect and empathy.
"You have the right not to be killed, murder is a crime, unless it is done, by a policeman, or an aristocrat"...The Clash from this song below
What will it take to get a common movement against excessive force and over militarization of police? A SWAT raid gone bad at a VFW Hall poker game?
Oh and not to mention. The heroin epidemic Junkiedom USA Sadly.
http://youtu.be/bL0CCphgmZ8
http://youtu.be/yU7DbA82xEc
More on Strummer and the time some old friends spent an evening with him at Bogart's in '99 another day.
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Thursday, July 3, 2014
On the need to try to a career change.
Well here I go. I have worked in food service most my life . While I have had my ups. And even met a few cool friends that I still speak with at one place. I feel it is time to move. While the middle -upper crust full service sphere is painted glamorous on TV. It is stressful, I have met a lot of people who can not make it a day buzed up on something. A lot of times during and before work. The stress of it.The treating of food as an analogy of dying patient under an ER doctor. No longer for me. The constant changing of rules, The yelling, the arguing, the unreasonable behaviors. Fatal stress.Though my current job is a little better. It still is droning and droll.
Last year a high strung chef went off on me at my current job in a cafeteria. For things I had little or no part in. I went home that afternoon. Called the local community college. Made an appointment for a career talk. Wound up pointing toward human services work. Due to my talkative people oriented way. Odd things like certain bands I liked even came up. Yes the Clash at least sold thmeselves as for the people.
Onward now. I grew up raised by a single mom. She suffered from schizophrenia. So life was turbulent at times. A couple of times my sister and I. We even did stints in a state ran orphanage. That was eventually shut down. Allegations of abuse etc. Some of which I seen. And experienced more from other kids.
Well to get the point on here. There were also many times. That we relied on various social agencies to help us along. And a possible opportunity to help and repay that. What more could I ask for?
I have to at least give it a try. A little red tape to cut, but I'll try.
Plus this may sound odd. A few times in my life. Academic types have conversed with me. On various jobs. And they always say something like this..."Why are you wasting your life here?"
As a note here. I know the corporate situation I rant about. It is everywhere. At least in this field. If I make it. It will be in a different more rewarding sector. Which I'm sure will have a downside to a point, but not like this.
Well here I go. I have worked in food service most my life . While I have had my ups. And even met a few cool friends that I still speak with at one place. I feel it is time to move. While the middle -upper crust full service sphere is painted glamorous on TV. It is stressful, I have met a lot of people who can not make it a day buzed up on something. A lot of times during and before work. The stress of it.The treating of food as an analogy of dying patient under an ER doctor. No longer for me. The constant changing of rules, The yelling, the arguing, the unreasonable behaviors. Fatal stress.Though my current job is a little better. It still is droning and droll.
Last year a high strung chef went off on me at my current job in a cafeteria. For things I had little or no part in. I went home that afternoon. Called the local community college. Made an appointment for a career talk. Wound up pointing toward human services work. Due to my talkative people oriented way. Odd things like certain bands I liked even came up. Yes the Clash at least sold thmeselves as for the people.
Onward now. I grew up raised by a single mom. She suffered from schizophrenia. So life was turbulent at times. A couple of times my sister and I. We even did stints in a state ran orphanage. That was eventually shut down. Allegations of abuse etc. Some of which I seen. And experienced more from other kids.
Well to get the point on here. There were also many times. That we relied on various social agencies to help us along. And a possible opportunity to help and repay that. What more could I ask for?
I have to at least give it a try. A little red tape to cut, but I'll try.
Plus this may sound odd. A few times in my life. Academic types have conversed with me. On various jobs. And they always say something like this..."Why are you wasting your life here?"
As a note here. I know the corporate situation I rant about. It is everywhere. At least in this field. If I make it. It will be in a different more rewarding sector. Which I'm sure will have a downside to a point, but not like this.
Well I did a brief google last night. Seen some people rambling online about free cell phones, free shelter, and food stamps . How soft drinks and junk food should be a luxury not covered.
Well I had a hunch as to why those things are available to SNAP users. Here we go.
Pepsi Co, Corn Manufacturers of America, various grocery chains etc. They have all lobbied our lovely government. So that these things are available on SNAP cards. That is just lovely.
Just like things I read on The First Ladie's Let's Move Campaign. She only mentioned food in the first few speeches. If that. Seems some big food corporations got a little angry. Sending out their lobbyist to attack. See the blame goes two ways. Yes people should not be buying crap left and right on Fed money. At the same time if the gov was serious. They would not let junk food lobbyist dictate to be covered on SNAP. They would not get angry when a health and fitness education program is started, and say "don't mention us". This is a shame.
Well I had a hunch as to why those things are available to SNAP users. Here we go.
Pepsi Co, Corn Manufacturers of America, various grocery chains etc. They have all lobbied our lovely government. So that these things are available on SNAP cards. That is just lovely.
Just like things I read on The First Ladie's Let's Move Campaign. She only mentioned food in the first few speeches. If that. Seems some big food corporations got a little angry. Sending out their lobbyist to attack. See the blame goes two ways. Yes people should not be buying crap left and right on Fed money. At the same time if the gov was serious. They would not let junk food lobbyist dictate to be covered on SNAP. They would not get angry when a health and fitness education program is started, and say "don't mention us". This is a shame.
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
A short thanks to former drinking buddy and punk zine columnist Jason Dimitri Monroe. For always encouraging me to get off my ass and write something. Have not seen you in ages, Hope you found your band. Though the Sub Galley is no more, and now a gentrified fetish of what it was. There were a lot of great times in that dirty rat hole.
Well what shall I write? It has been a while. Well shall we jump in and take a swim?
Yes.
Words can help. Words can make a smile. If misused words can destroy. Words are the ultimate canvas. The brush strokes of imagination and ideas.
As we come up on the July Fourth Holiday, I sit in a state of disdain. Perhaps this old electro-punk flavored offering can better describe. While I love my country. I do not like the corporate oligarchy that is growing. And blindly accepted. As we play with our silly distractions and toys.
So everyone go put on your tinfoil Uncle Sam Top Hats as we get sold out.
Yes.
Words can help. Words can make a smile. If misused words can destroy. Words are the ultimate canvas. The brush strokes of imagination and ideas.
As we come up on the July Fourth Holiday, I sit in a state of disdain. Perhaps this old electro-punk flavored offering can better describe. While I love my country. I do not like the corporate oligarchy that is growing. And blindly accepted. As we play with our silly distractions and toys.
So everyone go put on your tinfoil Uncle Sam Top Hats as we get sold out.
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