( 1:23 AM )
A Change Is Gonna Come
Random thoughts….
Howard Dean and John Kerry have both proposed health care plans that will allow all Americans to opt into the same health care plan that covers federal workers and all members of Congress. They’re both market-based solutions to the health care crisis, and (from the outside) they both take Bill Bradley’s 2000 health care proposal as their model. Frankly, I like it when Dennis Kucinich says let’s take the profit out of health care, but seeing that everyone freaks out at that socialist notion, I’ll take whatever Kerry, Dean, or who ever else has to offer health care-wise.
Rev. Al Sharpton came up to our offices today to make the case for his presidency. Rev. Al has made some mistakes in the past, but he’s grown and he impressed me by saying the most important thing is working together to defeat Bush. He also said regardless of what happens with his candidacy, he’s going to do his part to keep the so-called Hip-Hop generation involved in future campaigns. He noted that Jesse Jackson was able to bring all kinds of people together behind his candidacy (such as farmers, blacks, social progressives, gays, 60s Democrats, etc.) into a Rainbow Coalition, so people shouldn’t be so quick to pigeonhole his candidacy simply as an African-American candidacy only. Moreover, he talked about his proposed Constitutional amendments that would legally give us the right to vote, the right to health care and the right to an education. We don’t legally have these rights and I’m glad that his approach is similar to the civil rights movement approach of changing the laws. Preach on Reverend Al.
As far as the Hip-Hop generation goes, I’ll believe it when I see it. Frankly, I think it’s within sight, but this generation hasn’t accomplished anything yet – it’s just a demographic. But I believe the unrest and desire to change things is there, and maybe they’ll be sportin’ their first victory if they get New York legislators to turn back the Rockefeller Drug laws. With the way white kids have accepted hip-hop artists into their homes, the foundation has been built for white kids to work with black kids to make a difference. And while I’m always suspicious of artists telling me what to think, if that’s what it takes to get these kids attention, then count me in.
Lastly – I’m excited to see the 2Walls best obscure albums list. I guess I’m already making excuses here, but obscure is a hard word to define. Dictionary.com has it as “inconspicuous” or “of undistinguished or humble station or reputation,” so it’s difficult to apply that to albums. But I’ve been thinking about my picks and I stand by them. I could’ve chosen lesser-known records, but I wanted records that weren’t hits and that are deserving of being in your record collection. So I’m anxious to see what the other Waller’s picked.
Peace out yo...
( 12:52 AM )
I Don't Know
Um, the post from 5/29 about NYC wasn't supposed to appear here. Though this isn't hard to work, I keep finding ways to screw it up. Anyway, the moment is kind of gone now, but I was going to add more to it. Mostly about how a nice Midwestern guy like myself has become a little hardened in his ways because you have no choice living here. For instance - I was waiting in line to place my lunch order at a deli the other day and the "chef" called out "who's next." There were 2 people in front of me, but they were taking their time in responding, so I literally jumped ahead of them and put in my order. One of them had the nerve to give me a look and tell me he was in front of me. But I responded by saying you had your chance buddy, get on the train or get out of the way. Kinda pricky of me, but any self respecting New Yorker would've done same thing. So yeah, it sucks that people are so pushy in the Apple, but when in Rome.....
I had an also, but somehow my train of thought derailed. God it sucks being a pea brain. Somehow I forgot the reason I came here to blog. I'm regularly pissed off at Bush, and reading an LA Times piece on the chickens coming home to roost somewhere around 2013 when the budget deficit is beyond huge and the baby boomers start trying to collect social security certainly didn't change my feelings about the selected Prez. And reading about Russell Simmons trying to end the Rockefeller Drug Laws by bringing hip-hop artists to a rally to draw young black kids was hopeful in one sense, and sad in another (it seems Rush is willing to accept a reduction of the laws instead of a full-on ending of the draconian regulations, so he compromised before the battle began). But I digress.
So I don't even remember why the hell I blogged in. Maybe it's because I haven't much felt like writing anything and I'm trying to force myself to get back in the swing. Oh well, whatever, nevermind....
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