...READ THIS... it's for the greater good!

Recently, I have been wondering about the United States and its seemingly incestuous relationship with Israel. I use the word incestuous because, well... it kind of feels that way--everyone knows about their strong alliance, but people seem afraid to talk about it... and more importantly, the realities of it = lot's of bombs, missles, and war!

With Barrack Obama's first cabinet appointment being Rahm Emmanuel--a prominent politician with strong Israeli ties--I have become increasingly interested in this topic, particularly in the reason for its sensitivity. And I am determined to get to the bottom of it, so naturally, I have been asking around. I get the history of the relationship--how they met, the long strolls on the beach, the backseat of the car, etc. etc. But, I can't seem to figure out who is telling which what to do--is Israel calling the shots when it comes to the US's actions in the middle east? Or is it the other way around?

While most people I know listen to music and watch the hills, I'm usually at home cracking-out, Amy-Winehouse-Style (ouch!) to CBC and NPR--I can't even help myself!

Today, as I was cooking, I was listening to the CBC and coincidentally a former Israeli soldier was speaking about his experience in the military. And to my 'shock-and-awe', he was speaking out against it. Literally, I was shocked. I even turned off the water so that I could listen!

I learned that he has started an organization called "Breaking the Silence". It is the first organization where soldiers are speaking out about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict--calling it an occupation and discussing the ways in which it is immoral and wrong.

WAIT A MINUTE... ARE HUMAN BEINGS EVOLVING BEFORE OUR EYES OR WHAT!!!??

Anyway, I found this extremely interesting and a bit AWESOME. As some of you may or may not know, I am quite supportive of those of us who openly and loudly question the wrong-doings of our governments, our politicians, our CEOs and our militaries--in my opinion it is our duty to question those who have an abundance of power; as those of us who follow blindly are simply unpatriotic (and a bit ignorant).

Below is an excerpt from the organizations' home page--check it out.

LISTEN: This may not be your cup of tea or something you particularly care about--but it's SUPER important. Think about it this way: If you want the world to be a better place, then it is up to you to recognize and support those who are brave enough to go out of their way and put their lives in danger to speak out against the wrongdoings of those who have power. In the very least...it's the very least you can do.


"Breaking the Silence is an organization of veteran Israeli soldiers that collects testimonies of soldiers who served in the Occupied Territories during the Second Intifadah. Soldiers who serve in the Territories are witness to, and participate in military actions which change them immensely. Cases of abuse towards Palestinians, looting, and destruction of property have been the norm for years, but are still excused as military necessities, or explained as extreme and unique cases. Our testimonies portray a different and grim picture of questionable orders in many areas regarding Palestinian civilians. These demonstrate the depth of corruption which is spreading in the Israeli military."

Very Cool Discovery - Sia

Maybe you've heard of her...
Her name is Sia. Her music is fantastic, her videos are eccentric, and her voice is delicious!

If you haven't heard of her before, I strongly suggest you start listening. I first saw her video called buttons and I bought her CD. It is fantastic! I'm desperately hoping she comes to Toronto!

So, here is my Very Cool Discovery of the week: SIA - The girl you lost to cocaine

Can you be whoever you want?

Imagine if cultural norms were non-existent. I don't mean values or morals. I'm talking about pointless judgments. Imagine if there were no geeks, no nerds, no ugly people (whatever that means), no eccentrics. Imagine if you could wear whatever you wanted and no one said it was UNFASHIONABLE, or OUT OF DATE, or UGLY... just imagine if you could be whatever you wanted. Well here is an example of that. I think it is amazing!



Think about it. Then comment.

I'd really like to hear your thoughts.

Progressives know what is right... but do 'we' know how to play the game?

Listen, I don't even know if I can necessarily label myself a "Progressive". The reason being is that most progressives I know, whose blogs I read, whose podcasts I download, whose meetings I attend; are simply some of the most brilliant individuals I have ever met. Individuals who are passionate about changing the world and who have an unwavering command of both language and history. I've definitely got the passion part covered, but I guess we all need to start somewhere right?

That said, as an American ex-pat--with a unique experience--I can't understand why Progressives cannot appreciate Barack Obama. Before he has even started, many are talking, blogging, and podcasting away about him in a negative light. The reasons? He's pro-war, pro-capitalism, pro-death penalty, pro-Israeli lobbying machine (Rahm Emanuel anyone?) and anti-gay marriage (I'm sure there is more to add to the list).

Even though these are all reasons I completely agree with (aside from the Israeli issue--as I am still studying this issue). I disagree with the tone of the very progressives I look up to. The fact of the matter is this: I am a strong advocate for Human Rights--a true egalitarianist. I believe that all people should be treated equally--regardless of race, heritage, religion, sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, disability, illness, etc. I am (now) anti-war and I am anti-death penalty. But here's the thing, when it comes to Barack Obama, the fact of the matter is that he IS American. And I am not exactly sure everyone really knows what that means.

What does it mean? If you are well versed in American culture, you'll know that Americans are indoctrinated with "Americanism" at a very young age. Americanism is something I would describe as a sense of immense pride, entitlement, and arrogance having to do with nothing other than the fact that you were born in a particular place--which happens to be called the United States of America. It doesn't matter if you're white, black, hispanic, poor, rich, educated, or a drop out. Most all Americans wear their sense of pride on their arm like a tattoo--no matter what the government has done or failed to do for you. Americans are simply very proud to hold that title, because they are taught to be proud of it.

It's something we were taught in kindergarten as we stood EACH AND EVERY DAY to say the pledge of alligence, for 13 years until we finished high school. It's the way that Americans were only taught about American history and never about the history of the world--but through only very brief fly-bys. It's the way parts were left out--like the way the government spent decades oppressing Black Americans, or the way Japanese Americans were placed in quazi-concentration camps, or even the parts that talk about the slaughtering of Native Americans, or the fact that the US dropped more than a couple of atom bombs on innocent people in Japan--nah, we didn't focus on that. We learned about the victories, the great accomplishments of our fore fathers, the amazing American inventors, the millionaires, and the innovators. We learned about the amazing non-violent activists like Martin Luther King and Ghandi--we never learned about Malcolm X. Somehow we managed to skip over that stuff.

Every year we celebrated--in a big, elaborate fashion--the 4th of July; Independance day, everyone had that day off. We even celebrated the guy who founded the United States by complete accident--Christopher Columbus. Living in the United States, no matter how abused you actually were, was sold as a priviledge. We were a melting pot and we understood that people from all over the world, who had it much worse, risked their lives to live there, to be around us, and we were proud of that. 20-plus years of indoctrination is really hard to wash off... believe me.

Naturally, there are many who were lucky enough to learn a different way of thinking--a more progressive world view. This difference in thinking was likely due to a role model, or an awakening of some sort that they were fortunate enough to encounter. For many it was war that changed them, or it was the civil rights struggle, or the struggle of being a Gay American--those who weren't giddy with Americanism had likely experienced oppression and they sought to fight against it. However, for the most part, most Americans never got there. And many are still nowhere near.

To be honest, for most of my life, I was a completely different person than I am today. It took a blantent and painful swipe of human & civil rights, by the United States government, for me to truly "awaken". But the truth remains, for the longest time I was just like most Americans. I was like the American that thought war is a normal "American" activity--as our history teachers so proudly highlighted. The American that thought capitalism is the tool that will set the world free (laugh out loud). I even believed, for twently some odd years, that I was actually free...most Americans still believe this. Now, when I look back, it is painfully obvious to me I was indoctrinated--with no hope of realizing any different reality because there was no reason for me to question it.

If you take what I've said into consideration and apply it accordingly to Americans in general and to Barack Obama who is also American, how can you not look at him through respectful eyes--when he is clearly of good intent? After experiencing the contrary for 8 years, how can we as progressives openly complain about things that are beyond the comprehension of many Americans? The truth is most Americans think war is justifyable. Most Americans also think capitalism is fine and dandy--most can't even consider an alternative, as they were never truly taught any. Think about it. If being American means you've been indoctrinated with Americanism for your entire life, how does one expect the American public to elect someone like Ralph Nader; who presents solutions that are alien to the way most Americans think--even if those solutions are the right ones?

And in conclusion, consider this: Barack Obama is a man of color. A man who was in close acquaintance with a person like Jeremiah Wright (J.W. is not who the media says he is, you should read about him). A man who has been to Kenya to visit siblings that live in shacks. A man who is from a background which deviates drastically from that of the average American President. Honestly...What makes you think he's not just playing the game? What makes you think he's so middle of the road? Clearly he's brilliant--just use the campaign he just ran as proof...Even if he's playing no game at all, and he's just an American who has good intentions...he's still American. See what I'm saying?

Voting for a candidate like Ralph Nader and then complaining about why no else is voting for him gets us nowhere. Recognizing why no one votes for candidates like Ralph Nader and then figuring out how to educate a nation of people who think like Americans makes more sense and is equally as futile. But I'm no Pulitzer Prize Winner so what the eff do I know right?

So I ask this: Even though Progressives know what is right... do we know how to play the game?

...I had to sit still... so I could take it all in...here is the re-cap.

Apologies for the giant blog-pause that I took this week.

To be honest, I am still recovering from Obama's win this past Tuesday. And while we're on an honesty kick, I should let you know that I really did not think he was going to be elected. Somewhere, at the very front and center of my consciousness, I truly did not believe the media was being truthful in its polling or its reporting. Instead, I listened faithfully to the progressive media outlets--who were faithfully reporting cases of voter purging, voter caging, brigades of soldiers on-call for the upcoming riots, fields of fema coffins...ALL very TRUE, yet fear inducing enough to stress me out for a decade!

Call me cynical, pessimistic, skeptical, distrustful, contemptuous--your choice really--the truth is after two stolen elections, eight years of Bush, a war for the sake of capitalism, torture of innocent individuals, the slaughtering of THOUSANDS of innocent Iraqi's and Afghanis, not to mention my own personal exodus from my homeland (due solely to many of the political reasons stated above)... how could anyone really expect me, of all people, to believe America would make a good choice

So, in the end...I was wrong. THANK GOD!

I spent Tuesday night with some of the best and most brilliant people I know; as I decided to make an event of the evening (Aparrently politics = party in my book). We all huddled together in a pub and many of my friends experienced the part of my life that I usually reserve for my blog and for the like-minded (politically charged) people in my life. In any case, it turned out to be one of the most incredible and memorable nights of my life... here's why:

1) If your friends like you enough, they'll party with you over politics

My friends, who don't exactly follow politics with the same fervor, came out--on a Tuesday night--to watch the American election...in Canada. I was very appreciative of their in-person-support. And I love them for it.

2) 10th Grade Logic Question: Barack Obama won AND Barack Obama is a bi-racial American. Why does that matter if and only if Barack Obama is a bi-racial American? (remember that shit? I hated logic!)

Here's why: in 1954, the United States government passed legislation to end segregation. However, in 1964, ten years later, people were still killing one another over race related issues. In addition to being shot with fire hoses and attacked with dogs for protesting, many black Americans were still unable to vote at that time--they had little to no civil rights and it was because of a government that failed to treat black Americans like Americans. That was only 44 years ago. In less than half of a lifetime, Americans, by an overwhelming majority, have elected a black president. This is a BEAUTIFUL reality! (I had originally said it was incredible, but it is actually beautiful. Think about it.)

As someone who personally grew up in an ethnic household with two parents that both personally experienced racism and discrimination--this means the world to me. It means that America is finally growing up. In my opinion, when a nation recognizes all of its citizens and the people of its land as HUMAN BEINGS, it is STEP ONE towards becoming a true nation. (Considering this as the first step, is actually an over statement on my part due to the current treatment of Mexicans and homosexuals in the US---but it's a baby step and definitely a step in the right direction). I am happy beyond belief that for once the true character of an individual is what people are basing their votes upon as opposed to the color of one's skin or the descent of their ancestors.

It also meant a lot to me because, plain and simply, the better guy beat the bad guy! Here's the thing about Obama, he's not exactly a liberal. He's liberal when you compare him to American politicians and you take into consideration how far right America has crept... but in the grand scheme of reality--he's still pro-war, pro-patriot act, anti gay marriage, and pro-capitalism--all things liberals disagree with. Many progressives think he is not much different than anyone else... I beg to differ and think he's a big step up from the alternative. The fact of the matter is when you compare the choices, he was hands down the best choice. And to the Progressives of the world: When you're talking about the United States... think baby steps! I'm from there, and even I know that baby steps are a big deal!

...back to the recap:

When they announced that Obama won, I still couldn't believe it--I kept saying: "it's only a projection"... however I soon received a text from a friend, whose father is an editor at The New York Times. The text said that the paper had just sent to print the issue declaring Obama's as the winner. I guess that sealed the deal. We were all jumping up and down, cheering, hugging... it was fantastic!

3) It was like my favorite team just won the Stanley Cup and I don't even like hockey!!!

After the announcement, we all headed down to Dundas Square. The rumor was they were going to show Obama's speech on a big screen in the square... Unfortunately, that was a rumor. Instead, when we arrived, we joined into a great celebration of people dancing and singing and hugging and cheering... my partner and I just kept looking at one another in awe... It was like nothing we'd ever seen before. In the states, people only cheer like that when sports teams win. It made my little, hippie, heart melt!

4) And the grand finale--Typsy Tears of Joy!

We headed to the Imperial Pub to watch the new "President Elect" give his speech. I didn't know what to expect, but I certainly didn't expect the 1992 television set with volume lower than the iPod blasting out of a meathead's ears at the gym! About 150 people where watching with their necks strained forward, shushing the few drunkards in the room who were being rowdy. I was surprised and reassured by the business-like tone of his speech and I was touched by the restored hope that seemed to be pouring from the public. I think I even shed a couple of tears when I looked into the eyes of a fellow New Yorker who happened to be in the vicinity... but I am sure that was due, in part, to my good old friends: Guinness, Maudite, and Keiths...
It was a good night for so many reasons, well four reasons actually.

So here's the question everyone is asking:

Will Barack Obama CHANGE anything? It's a fantasy of mine that he's a hell of a lot more liberal than he lead us to believe--and, once in office, he actually becomes a liberal! In my opinion, that would be an excellent deception... it would be exactly like G-Dub, except the reciprocal!

The reality is he likely won't change much... we'll all just have to wait and see. I'm truly hoping to see what he'll do about green technologies... We NEED to start focusing on the environment, and if that is all we get out of him, I know for sure that is far better than what the alternative would have been.

So here's to change...
cheers.

...to those of you who are my friends...

...to those of you who are my friends...

I cannot describe to you the feeling of happiness I am currently feeling--it is something bigger than me; bigger than you. I want you to know that I am extremely happy with the election as I am more and more certain Obama will win!

--not only did Obama win, but Americans may have finally grasped the difference between people's character and their race. It's quite amazing really.

The idea that humans might begin to regard each other as "humans" is the most incredible news I could imagine; or have heard in years.

...got hope?

A friend today said: "have faith woman!", as yet again I began to babble about a stolen election, riots, maybe even martial law come Wednesday.

Am I hopelessly pessimistic? Why can't I seem to see the light at the end of the tunnel? Why aren't I drunk with Blue-State Giddiness knowing that Obama is ahead in the polls? Well it could be one of two things: because I'm currently listening to Deathcab for Cutie... or, because I've been hoping for a long time now that people would wake-up and take it to the streets. Impeach a couple of neocons, fight to end the war(s), make sure our government is doing the right thing, wake up from the consumerist-coma we've been in for the past 10 years...

We haven't awoken yet.

I hope with all of my heart that I am wrong. Dead wrong. I hope Barack Obama becomes the next President of the United States. That he fights for human rights, peace, equality--all of the great things he has been promising for the past year that he's been campaigning...

On Tuesday night, I will watch, with hopeful-faithfulness (a Bushism I think), as the USA elects its next president.

So, here's to having a little bit of faith...and a nice, cold beer while I'm at it!

If you too are having trouble staying hopeful, Check this out...

Cheers,
E