Seeds of Thought

Drafted

2011-03-30T23:44:00.000-07:00

Don't call this a comeback.

I just had an unusual condition called unpublishisms

No, it is not a disease, ...yet

But, I'd put it this way....

In my dashboard right now there are more drafts than blog posts.

Time to start hitting those "publish post" buttons huh?

http://theepicsandbox.com/wp-content/uploads/muttley.jpg

Faith like a mustard seed.

2010-11-19T23:59:00.000-08:00

Some of us believe in visions and dreams (I know I do) but a lot of times, there are real experiences that teach us certain lessons we don't pay attention to or look away from.

This week has been one of those weeks were God has been trying to teach me a lesson about faith, and he has shown me several signs to prove his lesson on faith. Maybe you may look at them as just regular events, but I felt a deeper lesson being taught within those experiences.

Earlier this week, I have been pondering on the topic especially since I've been looking at the stories of Abraham and Moses. I decided to go to a bible study. I was not comfortable with the topic being discussed neither did I find the person leading the study credible. So i walked out of that study about to head home, but someone told me to stick around and I did. The lesson I walked into was one about faith. The lesson that was taught spoke to me seriously, and I'm not sure if that young man leading the study was aware of how much what he spoke meant to me.

This same week I had an interesting experience on a journey out of town. On my way back home, on a route I don't really know, I got lost. I didn't have directions neither was my GPS working, no phone signal, no one accompanying me on my journey. I was lost in the middle of nowhere in the dead of the night, only dark roads surrounded by trees were my only trailing marks. I kept driving, not sure of where I was going but hoping in my heart that somewhere I would see some sign that would give me some confirmation that I was heading in a homeward direction. Finally after two hours of getting lost in the middle of nowhere and driving what seemed like the same tour of trees, closed down buildings and long roads, I finally saw a sign. As you can imagine, I was very relieved.

I reached an epiphany today finally going through an old bible study note I made and reading this "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,^[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. " James 1:2-3

Faith is an incredible and almost illogical concept to understand and follow. The concept of not seeing but believing is one that doesn't make sense in a world where we plan first and act on that plan. What of if there's no plan? What of the many people who had a plan before them and watched those plans go down the drain?

Take a look at the stories you are familiar with, Abraham was told to go up and sacrifice his only son. He did as God instructed and we know how that story goes. Moses stretched his rod over the red sea under God's instruction and he divided it. Everyone who came to Jesus for healing first of all believed that Jesus would heal them, and all who believed were healed.

Faith is a truly powerful thing. It's a hard concept to grasp and act on, but it really is.

Nigeria may be eternally cursed

2009-09-26T08:19:00.000-07:00

http://www.bantjes.com/index.php?id=68

Nigeria is going to be 49 years this coming week. I do honestly think that coming from those years, we have failed in terms of progress and our generation has learned history but has failed to learn from it.

We have various examples of this, we still have vigilante groups (like the Boko Haram) in the north killing Christians and southerners as well as destroying property. We have elements in the south still calling for a secession, groups like the MASSOB are still calling the the secession despite the civil war of almost 40 years back. We have the government still fighting the wrong battles like the battle against SONY PlayStation 3 ads and the movie District 9. We still have a dysfunctional society where nothing works: power, education, health care etc. Any system you can think of in Nigeria is currently in shambles.

I wish our generation was more educated in moving forward, but I do believe we are in a mess when we take a bigger view of the Nigerian picture. Apart from the vigilante groups up north, we have my south-south people kidnapping and causing terror to their own people in the name of fighting for their own resources. They have failed to learn from the struggles of Ken Saro-Wiwa. We have south-east elements (like I mentioned earlier) calling for secession like they never knew the history of the civil war, more so, they still hold on to the key strategists of the civil war as heroes instead of moving forward and making progress instead of reminiscing on days of unnecessary bloodshed and massacre. We still have the southwest that's slowly lagging in terms of progress as well, Lagos being the brain of the country continuously sees decay but no proper respite can be done to save a city when the whole country is in shambles.

Our resources are being exploited, both human and natural. Our best minds are flocking further away from the country, our cocoa, coal, rubber, groundnuts are all gone. Our oil is being taken away from us and sold back to us. We have no champion of our cause in terms of managing our resources. We just have people sitting down eating their share of the pie as the pie slowly decreases without them realizing it.

Our generation is filled with three kinds, those who can't do anything and won't do anything, and those who can't do anything but think they're doing something but they really aren't, and those that can do something but are not. I unfortunately fall into the first group, I wish I could do something about the state of the country but I can't. The other third is the funnier one, the idealists, idealists like the lightupnigeria coalition, who think that going on social networking sites and launching an online campaign especially with those outside the country receiving uninterrupted power supply can save the power situation of the county that has been in virtual darkness since I was born (and even before that). The last third is the saddest of them all, they are the politicians, their children who are in line for politics, the bank executives, the big shakers of Nigeria, those who can truly make a difference. They aren't doing nothing. Only contributing more material for your gossip magazines/blogs with their exuberant lifestyle while most of the country barely lives on a dollar a day.

So we've highlighted the problems but is there a solution to the Nigerian problem? That's one for us to ponder about as the country turns 49. Vision 2010 set up by the then dictator Sani Abacha is now as dead as him. We have a generation of Nigerians who (like me) have lost our sense of national pride even in our soccer team. It was like the military dictatorship had our mouths open to swallow it. But it was a bad pill given by an unqualified doctor, it only made us worse.

I am sad to say this but prayer may be the only option at this point, prayer and people, people who can not only talk the talk but walk it. However it does seem that in general with the world, black people can't make progress because as soon as we have one positive black leader coming forward to make a change, the world shuts him or her down usually by their own people. Case in point: MLK Jr, Malcolm X, Marcus Garvey, Thomas Sankara, Patrice Lumumba, Ken Saro-Wiwa...and Barack Obama getting his fair share of hate right now(I pray he doesn't end up the fate of the aforementioned black leaders)

We have to pray that God and someone comes to us in this time of our endless struggle, a struggle like the picture I posted is between good and evil. And frankly, in this real world we are living in, evil is winning. Hopefully good has the last laugh especially in my country.

Martin Luther King Jr and the Niggers

2009-01-15T21:49:00.000-08:00

Martin Luther King Jr is one extraordinary man who lived above basic instinct. I remember once reading about a protest he led...how angry mobs (especially policemen) beat him up and other civil rights protesters at the time. Despite all this, he still remained steadfast in his belief that there's no way to end injustice with violence. You have to respect such a man.

Years later, almost 50 years later, the same injustices that this man once protested are still in progress. A few weeks back, a young man was in handcuffs and was placed down by policemen and one of those policemen shot this fellow point blank killing him pretty much instantly.

That's grave injustice of the highest proportion. One has to view the video of the murder of Oscar Grant to understand the gravity of such a cold-blooded murder. The officer was arrested recently but that didn't change some people from inflicting their savage instinct of violence that was summoned from their rage of injustice.

Most people would say "niggers" is a term not to be used ever especially in the 21st century. Why am I using this word? I'm using it in the derogatory connotation of the word...I'm not talking about black people in general, I'm talking about that sect of black people that are basically up to no good. We have such in every group of people, black people are not excluded.

Now back to the point, I have heard stories, seen footage, and read one or two stories about the riots, and all I have to say is that these niggers should have no voice in this act. It is because of them injustices like the ones inflicted on Oscar Grant will continue. Protests, petitions and other peaceful means of showing dismay are more effective ways of seeking justice for such things. I'm not talking about one-million marches for the camera, I am talking about practical ways to bring these vagabonds of justice. These fools who think they can cause mayhem, trashing police cars, assaulting innocent people of other races, burning up shops and businesses of those who have nothing to do with the murder (especially those who are immigrants and are trying to get their fair share of the american pie) are in no way helping defeat this big monster of injustice we see today and we've seen perpetuated ever since time immemorial. These niggers should not have a right to speak or act. These fools should be locked up.

I understand their rage of the issue, I understand they might demand justice. I too would hate if the policeman who committed this murder should walk away scot free like the policemen who killed Sean Bell. But this in no way helps matters.

With the martin luther king jr holiday coming up and the inaugration of the first black american president immediatley proceeding it, I do hope Americans (especially black americans) can rise against this instinct of violence that these niggers perpetuate, they can hold dear to the ideology of MLK that "Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars... Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."...and with the ascension of Barack Hussein Obama into the presidency of the United States, that americans can look for that change in the way they think, the way that the justice system operates. It's obvious and human that injustice will continue...but it's all about remembering that fire does not stop a fire, that a soft healing hand has the most effective touch.

Frankly, reading and watching all this stuff disgusts me...I do hope for a better beginning someday...we pray that happens

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKy-WSZMklc The Shooting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeDjJf02fac The Riot
http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=6647338&page=1 The Arrest

September 11

2008-09-11T08:46:00.000-07:00

Today marks the 7th year anniversary of September 11, a tragedy in itself remembering the loss of human life (talk less of the world trade center twin towers in New York)...It is a human tragedy one can agree with.

But in marking this 7th year anniversary, one wonders why one should still mark it as an anniversary.

I personally believe that the aftermath of September 11 has been to use human disaster to manipulate the emotions and pathos of the American people. No matter your belief is, you would always come to agree that September 11 was indeed a human tragedy. This holistic point of view is what makes those dirty old men (as we would like to tag the present set of men in government) to wage two wars (one fruitless, the other:plain unnecessary) that crippled America's economy.

Moreover, what's even more pathetic is that we allowed these events to be an excuse for this government to be so intrusive into our everyday lives (we refer to that as the patriot act)

It's even most pathetic when it is used as an excuse to be elected/re-elected into office in the case of Guilliani and Bush. Guilliani used the fact that he was Mayor of New York during September 11 to rally the american people to his side. Truth being he is not that competent neither was he ever competent. It was almost a stroke of luck that he was a mayor during that time. Bush used it in 2004, and well, you can see how much America has progressed since then.

Personally, as an international, I can relate to it more because of the tightening of laws for international travel/immigration laws by the US....it's sad that the terrorists arrived to the country as international F1 students, but Timothy McVeigh:responsible for the Oklahoma bombings was a full-blooded American...anyone would have been used for that operation.

The sooner American/Americans gets unattached with September 11, the better the mindset would grow from the small/weak-mindedness easily controlled and manipulated by just mere mentioning September 11. I'm sure some ladies can relate to this example: It's like a horrible ex, the more your feelings are tied to him, the more your life gets in a muffle and the pain resurges, but the earlier you get rid of him in your mind, the easier it is to move on without even his name or him in front of you affecting you one bit.

Every country has had its share of massacres and disasters, even since September 11 2001. The Kenyans, The Zimbabweans, the British, the Spanish etc....America seems to be held in this time freeze since September 11 2001. A lot of things have changed since then, but would you still allow your emotions or even your allegiance to your country be controlled/questioned by someone just mentioning September 11? Think about it for a minute, and let go of it.

My Religious Views part 2

2008-05-26T13:39:00.000-07:00

I had made up my mind not to go to church, a decision that did not go down well with my parents. They made their opinions quite clear about my child of theirs living under their own roof who refuses to go to church.

After a couple of months of impasse, we ( my parents & I) reached a compromise. I went to church along with them alright but I didn't attend the adult's service. I enrolled as a facilitator in the children's' service. I was more of a mentor than a Sunday school teacher. I preferred dealing with the kids. There was nothing like status among the kids. The kids of a bank executive could play with the kids of a gardener with relatively no problem.In my experience, the adults were the bigger kids than the kids themselves...but I digress.

Back to my parents, they were definitely surprised at my zeal to go to church. Even on days were the house was in no mood to go to church, I usually would be the first to be up and gone to church.

They checked with the supervisors apparently and found out I was doing a good job. They were impressed and the arrangement remained. They did not agree with my belief but they understood and respected it. They kept buttressing the point that Christianity has nothing to do with the people you worship with, but it's with the relationship you have with Jesus Christ.

I was very young and stubborn, words went in one ear and came out the other.It was hard to worship in churches were you knew the deacons, pastors, chairman/ladies of this committee or that committee were less than noble except on Sundays and expected you to be the holiest person there was.

The transition to the US was a hard one, especially culturally. One thing I liked and cherished was my relative independence especially a there was not pressure for me to go to church on Sunday mornings. I did try to go to church a few times but I usually was turned off by everything and anything: the obnoxious rants of the preacher followed by the equally irritating scream of the congregation, the political talk/prayers, the skits, the choir, everything and anything.

I still believed in the existence of God after much debating and had a mutual respect for him. But that's as close as it got.

One thing I discovered the hard way was that my strength could get me so far. Life had its way with weakening me. But I was stubborn regardless. I have been blessed with some really honest and true Christians as friends and family, they all told me the same things:"You need Jesus" "You need to be born-again""I'd be praying for you"

I wasn't hearing any of that. I was till stubborn, declaring myself as a Christian in my opinion was like affiliating myself with the self-righteous hypocrites & zealots unwilling to accept anyone different from them.

Life knocked me to my knees spiritually and I was too stubborn to run to God. I peronally believed a relationship with God involved more than running to him only in times of need or screaming his name on Sunday. A relationship with God was a total commitment with him. My pride and fear of failing would not allow me declare myself as a Christian. Failing in this commitment would make me become of the hypocrites I chastise.

I really don't know how it happened. How one day I settled all the thoughts sand teachings I have known and grown up with and I finally made a serious effort to work towards God. My old mentality, beliefs and failed attempts behind me, I finally decided to work toward becoming closer to God and I am making one serious effort at it.

I try to read devotionals and the scripture passages tagged to them, read the bible (actually read the book of John thanks to advice from my mum and a friend who is a religion professor. It opened my mind about Jesus. You can read how that happened here.) I still don't go to church and pray as much a I could but I believe first I must try and build a relationship with God and a bond with him thereby gaining spiritual confidence so I don't get influenced by those around me.

I feel incredibly blessed for the family and friends God has provided me with. Although I might falter and fall and get weak in this journey like everyone else (human and imperfect like I am)...I am not running away from my destination, I would get there eventually... I am walking towards the light.

My Religious Views part 1

2008-02-08T11:45:00.000-08:00

Facebook has this part of the its personal information section for where you can inform viewers of your page (stalkers inclusive) what your religion is.

Another opportunity for people to get creative. Some of of them..."My First Name" "Saved through Faith by Christ" "Follower of the Dark Side" "Al Qaeda" etc etc. While the other more conservative Christians would just put in bible verses or quotes that reflect their religious views.

Personally. mine has changed from being blank to "Mortal Sinner" to my present "Do to me what you would want done to you"

But it's high time I took a deeper look into my religious belief. Time for some look into myself, look back at myself and look at where I'm heading. I've been hesitant to disclose this, I've been hesitant to disclose a lot of things about myself but at this time, I feel I should.

I was born into a very Christian home, actually my mum was the more devoted Christian...but interdenominational. I don't know what other word is there to describe it, we switched around churches then: Deeper Life Bible Church, TREM, Mountain of Fire and Miracles, House on the Rock, etc.My dad was more up in the air about religion. But with time and experience with life, he grew out of it and reverted to Roman Catholicism...a religion he had since he was a kid. He went to a catholic boy's high school at that.

So I was raised between both sides of the Christian spectrum in a very conservatively religious country like Nigeria. I was raised on my mum's side to believe

Jesus would come down and take all the good people from earth and leave the bad people on earth to perish...Rapture they called it
Only evil people were broke. If you followed Jesus, you would be successful and rich and drive a Benz"...just like pastor".
That everything wrong happening in your life is due to some demonic powers holding down, and by screaming out to the lord and casting those demons out...you'd be saved.
(This one hit me hard the most) Mortal Kombat was a demonic game not to be played by children.

When my dad found his footing as a Christian, he took over the whole religious thing for me and then we found our way back to the catholic church and into the Cathecism, and the things I learned there?

There is a white man in a place called the Vatican somewhere in Rome, who is God's messenger to Earth.He is infallible.
By seeking penance for your sins, you must pray, confess to a priest and receive holy communion...or God would never forgive you.
There are 2 types of sins...Mortal and Venial. Depending on the time of sin you commit, each has its own sentencing and punishment.
There is a special place for people who God has not made his mind up where they are going...it's called purgatory. They can either go to heaven or hell depending on how many people pray for them...

Being brought up on these sides, it was no surprise that my mind woke up and realized "This is some bulls#!t" and refused to be a part of it. I walked away and rebelled. My parents did not approve, but it was too late now.

Part 2 coming up Soon.

2008-01-13T10:49:00.000-08:00

November 2 2004 should be a date every American should regret. The day the bush monkey
was re-elected into office. Like he didn't mess it up the first time, I can remember how his supporters (who today I'd refer to as morons) were making an opinion that his second term would fix things in Iraq, and help the slumping economy.

Thousands of deaths and foreclosures later, America is still trying to get out of the pit it found itself thanks to this man. Now we do have another "crisis"...What seems to have been a confrontation between a US Navy Ship and an Iranian ship as well...the controversy lies in the threat made by the captain of the Iranian vessel.

Both sides have different stories, from the American side, they say there was a threat by the Iranians that "We will explode you"..the Iranians deny that claim and say they never threatened the Americans.

No one was killed in this exchange of words.

Yet the Bush monkey wants to make a deal out of it, tagging Iran an imminent danger that must be confronted early. To be honest, I wish no one listened to the buffoon anymore...but apparently he went on to mention that freedom of speech and fair elections are what are needed to promise a better future for Iran...
I really thought he was talking about Saudi Arabia for a minute, a country that has a pretty much dictatorial monarchy as well as a very poor human rights record...but of course, that is not a big deal to the US because it's a "Ally in the war against terror" otherwise known as the Chief Oil dealer to the US. Here's an interesting fact I'm sure you knew...15 out of the 19 hijackers were Saudis.

Speaking of the war on terror...what happened to it? Why have Americans been side-tracked from the actual war? Is it still been fought? Are folks keeping an eye on it? Where Taleban leaders are getting freed on bribes: Is the US sure of a more imminent strike from one of these countries it has overlooked...that's not Iran?

It seems the American media and administration is suffering from a severe case of ADHD...

Stretching for the kill...

2007-12-24T06:03:00.000-08:00

It's been a hot minute since I updated this blog. The reason not because of the personal turbulence that are a part of this life we live in...it's rather because...well I have a confession.

I feel like a bully nowadays, I feel every time I watch the news, or look around...there's one more reason to lift America up and shake it like a British Nanny...something like that bully who always had to put that habitual line-stepper in check.

Is it the hypocritical way America treats the idea of socialised medicine? Whereas pretty much everything else (eg Law Enforcement, Fire Control, Education, Electricity etc ) is pretty much socialized? Is it how pertinent something Dick Gregory said in 1968 so relates with the whole Michael Vick saga of today? Or how Americans have all developed a case of ADD and quickly forgot about Osama Bin Laden and paying attention to less relevant things (like The Spears)?

Everyday and every news story you see on the news feels like there's a huge "kick me" sign at the back of the media and America in general...and let me not forget about my home country Nigeria...the whole AfriCom saga and the still unresolved Niger-Delta issue are there for me to viciously kick in the testicles.

But really, I feel like just making comments on those things are mere cheap shots...I've never been a bully, will never be. So I'd just stop there and tell you to enjoy your holiday. Maybe if something pushes me, I might make a post on here about it...but till then...enjoy your holiday America...Happy Chrismahanukwanzakah!!! :)

The Struggle

2007-11-26T00:35:00.000-08:00

A black American co-worker of mine was reading a book, "Being a Black Man..." the first words of the title of the book that caught my attention.

"Wow, I never knew there was a manual on being a black man.." I said
"No man..."He said chuckling
"I'm sure it's one of those 'the white man is putting a brother down' books?"
"No, it's actually a collection of articles showing the struggles of the black man in America"
"The struggles huh?"
"Yeah man, I don't think the system is necessarily trying to put the black man down. I just believe the system was not created with the black man in mind. So whereas any white person would find moving up hard enough, it's twice as hard for the black man...it's a struggle."

I certainly do agree with him. The winds (especially in the United States) were never to blow in certain people's favor. Take a look at the declaration of independnce, what did all those men have in common? WASPs as most people would call them but I'd refer to them using modern perspective as RWHASPM (Rich White Hetereosexual Anglo-Saxon Protestant Males). The system was created by them for their benefit and their posterity's.

One just realizes from observation how one person who fulfils one criteria has total hatred for the person who has the person on the other side of the table, e.g a black heterosexual male hates a black homosexual male, a white Christian woman hates a black Christian male, a Hispanic Christian man hates an Arab Muslim male etc.

It's my personal opinion, this world we all live in is one big marathon, everyone trying to make it to the finish line in their personal best time. Of course, there'd be people who can move faster up the race naturally but you never see one runner pushing the other man off the road. So there it is, my opinion, my philosophy.Every person has their struggle, life is hard on their own, so why impede on one man's race?

Why make sure the person who is different from you would not gain the same opportunity as you did to succeed? Why restrict his/her rights implicitly or explicitly? Is it not quite unfair that one man should be disadvantaged just for another man to succeed? This is not the animal kingdom, I believe we humans should be more civilized than savage beasts...but there are so many instances that drive me towards the opposite thought. I'd still beleive there's hope in fuman nature.

Before I digress, my personal opinion and summary is this: respect another person's struggle in life like you'd expect them to respect yours. Treat it like another person's hustle, as long as they are not impeding yours and not breaking any laws...

Free T.I...why?

2007-11-12T08:03:00.000-08:00

There are many critics of rap music, I refuse to be one. My reasons, I will state later. But the matter at hand, T.I

T.I happens to be one of my favorite rappers...I love his style, his delivery, his lyrics. Moreover, TI is perhaps one of the most consistent rappers who have come out publicly to defend hip hop. Each time, coming from the angle of a parent, he reminds the American community that it's all entertainment. If you as a parent feel this is inappropriate for your child, maybe you should monitor and ensure your child is not viewing the bad rap music and stop blaming the industry. It tries as much as possible to do its own part but it's the entertainment business, it owes no service to the society except entertain them and make money from it. This notion I might understand and agree with.

However, now that T.I has found himself in some personal trouble with the law. Now the critics crawl out and pounce on his fall as a n example of the negative influence of rap. What's even more disturbing to me is the number of people who have started campaigns like “Free T.I”

Let me just address both for the record. Firstly to the “conscious” self-righteous critics, music in general has had its share of its disciples been under the scrutiny of the law. From rock and roll to Jazz to even the Godfather of Soul, everyone has had their share of problems with the law. Let Clifford Harris be.

To the fans who have started this “Free T.I campaign” and the foolish ones who have followed suit, a word to you; T.I is not you first rapper the Federal agents have gagged for a crime. If he follows suit like the other rappers who have had the same troubles, he'd acquitted. If not, no worries...he'd be freed...eventually.

The point here being that the man Clifford Harris, the man behind the entertainer we all know as TI is in a mess right now. What he does not need is the overzealous and frankly very hateful criticism and biting from critics..what he needs now is support from his fans...and not the foolish kind breeding itself currently.

It's not only Lou Dobbs who hates immigrants

2007-11-12T05:16:00.000-08:00

I rarely watch the news...but about a month or two ago, something got my attention while my tv was fixed on that channel

The town just 45 minutes away from mine just revoked the request for the KKK to have a rally in front of the courthouse. They said they would proceed regardless since they are protesting the nation's "lingering problem"...illegal immigrants.

If there is one thing you have to give it up to the KKK for, it has found a way to keep on restructuring itself and merging itself with other neo-nazi/racist organisation...heck they even found a way to infuse "christian"ity into their teachings...which frankly in my opinion is genius.

How do they do it? How do they come from that aggressive institution from then to becoming this christian conservative politically-inclined organisation of now? Shows you how strong natural illogical no-limit hate can be.

My only opinion about illegal immigration (since my mind has not been made up completely about it) is quite upfront and simple. Ever since the Mayflower till the Stow-Aways from the ships of Europe to the forceful emigration of Africans to the border jumpers of Mexico...no one can lay claim to the country we know as the United States. All have found a way to cross the borders (technically) illegally.

If there is something to be concerned about, it might be the security of the border...but if one is so concerned about the border between USA and Mexico...why not be bothered about the one between the US and Canada? I remember watching a documentary where somewhere in Washington state (I believe) a country sheriff was the only man responsible for securing a whole line of America's border. That kind of thing makes you wonder if the US government uses logic in their decisions at all...

Make way Vick...here comes OJ...again???

2007-09-19T09:27:00.000-07:00

Seems the phrase "Once bitten twice shy" is one that's not so familiar with OJ...and MJ...but let's stick with OJ since he's the major attraction today.

My opinion is that it was all a set up that OJ fell flat for...hey, explain to me why the person who called him and told him where his "stolen" memorabilia was ended up being labeled as a victim and not as a co-conspirator or a witness at most?

But anyway, diverting a little bit from the case...Alan Greenspan, former Federal Reserve Chairman is probably the only retired government official to admit that the war in Iraq was all for oil. He said so recently, actually, three days ago. But of course the media is not paying attention to that...it's good ol' OJ this time.

Honestly I'm sick of him. You thought he'd keep out of trouble and keep a low profile...I hope he has money for a good lawyer, and probably money for one...since Cochran is now in his grave..except he can resurrect him or find someone just as talented.

*sigh* Oh OJ.

About Michael Vick

2007-08-30T03:31:00.001-07:00

Somewhere, in my published list of posts, is an article i wrote about the media. How it controls the mindset of the public, making them think in a certain way about an issue or a "problem"

Illegal Immigration, Paris Hilton...and now Michael Vick have been some on the top of this list especially recently...distracting Americans from what's really happening in the country.

Now, one may have an opinion (set by the media) that Vick is one vicious beast who kills dogs ruthlessly...but I personally feel he's a moron who did a crime so should do the time...that's all. No judgement, no hard feelings really.

Now, there comes out the animal rights activist who say "Send him to hell"...well, if he didn't kill those dogs, Animal Services would have...they were trained to be killer dogs, fight till death...not to be little Suzie's playmate. And the civil rights groups coming out with the argument that "He's just another brother the man is trying to put down"

Sure, but u see, the man puts u down if u let him...or if u give him the opportunity to...for the most part. The brother did a crime, he should do the time. Then there are the "concerned parents" (the most annoying of them all) who think Vick should serve an apology to all the kids around the US. Well, my role models in life were in reality my parents...they took care of me, loved me and just helped me be who I am...take a f*@&#ng break and go take care of your kids instead of drinking and getting fat off those cheeseburgers like the irresponsible parents you are. Some are also saying that the whole Animal rights thing is overplayed...that's another discussion for another day...till then...the man broke a law he was well aware of and I am happy he is standing up to his action and going to be responsible for it (one may question his ulterior motive, maybe the charges were piling up or he decided to grow a wing of responsibility in his life)

See the media is giving all this attention to Michael Vick, whose issue right now would not do anything to save the world economy honestly...American Economy is going down the drains...people are dying from the never-ending war in Iraq, the Mortgage industry is in shambles, many people would lose their homes in the United States and some idiots are still focused on Michael Vick. The Media has a responsibility to be responsible to the American people/residents...showing them what's really going on in the country. Being honest and fair in presenting what really matters.

But that hope only remains in my dreams...damn it. Reality is a bitch.

And that was my opinion.

Spiritual, Not religious.

2007-08-30T01:31:00.000-07:00

Most folks seem to not get it when I say this. They are quick to say "Hey, he's an atheist, a non-believer" and go on their judging and preaching in the name of whatever image of God they believe in.

I'd put it to you this way, this is my religious belief...currently.

I do believe in a spiritual entity that controls out destiny, our fate and the supernatural phase of our world which is beyond our own control and foresight.If I didn't, I would have changed my name honestly.

Religion was made in my opinion, to keep man on a leash, to check him. Ordinarily, man is somewhat of a beast...uncontrolled and in its most natural form, man would be like any wild savage animal: roaming for a prey to feast on.

But what has become of religion is crazy, people using it to defend their hate based on passages in their respective books of wisdom. I remember once hearing how the Hutus once had a thanksgiving in churches around the country. I remember watching this archive clip from an Old Alabama preacher who used parts of the bible to defend segregation...how Sons of Ham should be separated from the rest of the world...and all that stuff. In other parts of the world, some folks use their own religion is to preach hatred and direct anger at the west who they consider as infidels.

It comes down to the sad truth how religion has been murdered, stretched and tattered the whole essence of humanity...the irony of its original intent.

So when I say I'm not religious, don't get it twisted, I'm not trying to be unique, not trying to be rebellious or whatever your judgmental mind may think.

I'm just not trying to restrict my mindset to a set of beliefs and structured thoughts orchestrated and constructed from misconstrued words by pompous men with ulterior agendas. I've lived my life within a set of beliefs already which I have learned/learning from life in itself. I don't believe anyone has the right to judge me or say what I do is right or wrong.

My set of beliefs just basically bother on the laws of humanity, the basis of religion, made popular by Jesus Christ. and that belief is simple :Treat your neighbor how you'd want to be treated. This simple theory is a complete summary of all the ten commandments in the bible.

And that was my opinion.

Random Views from my perspective.

2007-01-02T20:18:00.000-08:00

Every man has human rights. Fundamental human rights, the right to live, the right to choose who he wants as a leader, the right to life.

I am grown from a staunch conservative like every “properly-trained” perspective to one that involves libertarian and me being nonreligious.

The fundamental principle of my beliefs right now being “As long as my right does not invade yours, let me be”

Analyzing this theory, I’m trying to look at some things that may come to mind.

For example, the parent-child relationship.

As a parent, responsibility of the child belongs to the parent. However, there should come a point where the child should be assumed to be an adult and be aware of his/her responsibilities.

Before that time, the right of the child belongs to the parent, in which time the parent performs what is in the best interest of the child, i.e education, feeding, housing, shelter etc.

As the child grows older, s/he is able to discern right from wrong based on what s/he has been learned from parents as well as personal experience. At a certain age, the child becomes responsible for his/her decisions or actions.

Crimes against a state should be those ones that hamper the rights of one or more people’s rights as well.

For example, one maybe a racist or have ignorant views, but as long as one does not put those views into any form of action which hampers the rights of another man. Such things as peaceful protests are nothing to be seen as wrong…nothing that provokes violence should be tolerated.

In addition, forceful teaching of one’s doctrines is wrong and should not be tolerated. Although one has a right to express his views, one should not impose his/her views on another person. That person has a right to choose what he or she believes in, as mature thinking adult human beings.

That is my problem against religion.

Religion has been misused for the most part. Men have imposed their views to the masses or the public using religion; religion being the only unquestionable means to dig deep into one’s inner consciousness making the public walking zombies of another man’s ideals.

My introduction.

2006-12-06T10:38:00.000-08:00

Once, I was told man was an object of hate...religion and state laws based on the existence of a God(or gods) were put forth from the beginning of time to put societies in check.

However, man with time has so intelligently twisted the hate to counter its opponents...legislation, religious preachings, family upbringings, the media, the educational system, all and all have been used to fuel man's hate for a certain set of people.

It's shameful that men would treat savage animals like humans and vice-versa in some parts of the world.

This blog is not to account myself as a person who does not hate. Hate (in the more serious sense of things) is innate. The ability to rise above hatred is what defines the great ones among us.

This blog is basically to reflect on the inconsistencies of the human society as we see it now especially hate as we see it.

I truly believe in MLK's dream of seeing people beyond their appearance but on their character. I learned that the hard way as a young naive 17 year old arriving the shores of the United States who had to learn the ways of the world alone but refused to be changed by the world but reflect and do something about it.

Hatred in itself is illogical, as human beings with brains, I believe we should all open our minds and examine ourselves and rise above the evil and hate that is bred within us.

Now, it's OK for you to disagree with some of the ideas I have or some of the things I have to say...but one thing I might not tolerate is prideful ignorance and utter disrespect. I can be a very verbal person, and frankly I couldn't give two hoots and a (pardon my dutch) f**k if you decide to hate me. Walk on the street and when you see me, act like you don't know me, and I personally would not care.

Oh...the other contributor to this blog is the Mastermind aka Desta Anyiwo, he's a Nigerian-American based in Maryland. If you wish to contribute to this blog as well, try and get in contact with me. I am trying to de-monopolise this blog and give everyone a chance to air their own views constructively.

Thanks for reading this and I hope you enjoy this blog.

The Dream, The Seed.

2006-12-04T03:33:00.000-08:00

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."~MLK Jr.

"Dreams are the seeds of change. Nothing ever grows without a seed, and nothing ever changes without a dream."~Debby Boone