Friday, November 7, 2008
A Brighter Day Will Come.
“America, tonight if you feel the same energy that I do, if you feel the same urgency that I do, if you feel the same passion that I do, if you feel the same hopefulness that I do. If we do what we must do then I have no doubt that all across the country the people will rise up in November and this country will reclaim its promise and out of this long political darkness a brighter day will come.” - Barack Obama
My sisters love making fun of me. Whether it’s for getting pissed off, storming down the stairs and eating shit while they watch my long hair shake about as my ass bounces down the stairs and I try to grab the rail to mitigate my fall OR my girlfriend bought metrosexual 80’s polo shirt OR my eclectic and at times cheesy taste in music, they relish the opportunity to deflate my physically and figuratively big head.
Those brother deprecating times came mostly when we were living together (Geez, seems like so long ago) and I would play music in our living room. I’d play everything from Tori Amos that Cloddy would cling on to and eventually identify with to Bob Dylan that no one but I liked to The Beatles and Café Tacuba and Bob Marley that we all loved to Tupac that Mayra embraced and so on. There were quite a few tracks that received mixed reviews, mostly Mayra saying something like, “Fuck Louie, play something else.”
One of those songs was Sam Cooke’s “A Change Gonna Come.” It’s not so much that Mayra hated it but she’d complain about the opening line, “I was born by the river in a little tent…” that in her adolescent stage seemed like a silly statement in a teenage life that could care less about rivers and tents and silky smooth voices that weren’t reporting on pop culture. I think we’ve all been there.
Tuesday Night…
The magnitude of what happened on Tuesday hasn’t completely sunk in; not even close. The lingering fear of a potentially stolen election coupled with a perceived L.A. born Bradley effect can wreak havoc on a psyche even after the fact. To the biggest cliché in the world: If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Well, the final results are in and yes, they’re as true as the dimples on Noah’s cheeks.
I will not soon forget the moment CNN projected the historical result. I was sitting in front of my nephew, watching him watch me and holding his little hand as he stuck his tongue out, kicked and oooh’d. The theoretical and ideological oscillations of this country were reduced to Wolf Blizter saying, “CNN can now project that Barack Obama, 47 years old, will become the president elect of the United States.” Jaws dropped, knots emerged in throats and eyes watered. Well, that was just me and Noah. Holding his hand as history was announced was Pablo Neruda and Miguel Pinero put together. I grabbed his little hands and raised ‘em up. He flashed a smile, a laugh and kept on kicking. Truth is, we had some friends over but for that moment, through McCain’s concession and Obama’s victory speech I was at one with the result while often peering over at Noah and his now even brighter days.
January 20, 2009
I look forward to having a President I consider to be significantly smarter than me as opposed to a dip shit I wouldn’t even want to engage in a “How’s it going” conversation. I’m ecstatic that our new President elect considers himself at the foot of the mountain and not at the top. For the first time in my life, I’m proud of my country; at least the 65 million plus voters that ink blotted, tapped or hole punched the circle/square next to the name Barack Obama.
“It’s been a long, a long time coming but I know a change gonna come.”
Sam Cooke, the civil rights movement mantra that you started in May of 1963 in Durham, North Carolina is here. No one will deny we still have our problems but rest assured a new day is upon us. Today, it’s a little less hard living.
The theory that anyone in this country can become president has always been a pile of bullshit to me. Today, it is very real. 65 million plus can finally hold a mirror up to our country and not be utterly ashamed at the reflection. Again, we still have a ways to go but this is was a giant leap in the right direction that I will be teary eyed proud of for the rest of my days.
Labels: 2008 Election, fam, Obama
Monday, November 3, 2008
Tomorrow...
“There has never been anything false about hope.”
I imagined writing a pre-election blog that would be articulate, a little inspiring and slightly profound. Well, Election Day is tomorrow and I can’t even begin to tell you how anxious, nervous, excited, etc. I am, much less write a full piece that fully articulates how I feel about everything that’s happened in the last year and a half or so. Instead, you get this. Sorry.
I’ve been waking up every morning this last week and have been announcing to myself and Fatima, 6 days, 5 days, 4 days and so on. Tomorrow has been on my mind since I saw the youtube video of Hillary Clinton announcing her bid for the Presidency. At the time I thought she was a shoe-in. My favorite candidate at the time was Dennis Kucinich but being a keeper of real I knew he was a long shot in a very Ralph Nader kind of way. You know, he makes so much sense it’s considered radical. Anyway, let’s fast forward to February of 2007.
When the Democratic Primary reared its head to California I was slated to be out of the state so I requested an absentee ballot. I remember sitting on my couch in my old apartment trying to decide between Hillary and Obama and deciding I couldn’t decide. I liked them both. I was excited about both candidates. I thought of Bill Clinton in the White House and was reminded of a thriving economy and messy blow jobs in the Lincoln bedroom; can’t have one without the other. Anyway, I called Fatima and laid my worry. Her emphatic VOTE FOR OBAMA had me at VOTE and so I did. Soon as I did I felt great about it too.
Now, I won’t tell you why I’m voting for Obama because if you have a shred of common sense (Palin, are you effin’ serious?) OR decency (McCain voted with Bush 90% of the time) I’m just preaching to the choir. Plus, I can go on for pages and no one wants that.
As you all probably know, I’m a huge sports fan. I love baseball, boxing, futbol, football and on and on. In a way this election is the culmination of all the great match ups in said sports, past, present and future. Of course, with consequences of ridiculously grand proportions. This is like Mexico in the World Cup, the Dodgers in the World Series, the Lakers in the Finals and the Raiders in the Super Bowl. Add those up, times it by 1,000,000 and that’s how badly I want Barack Obama to win. Scratch that, that’s how badly WE NEED him to win tomorrow.
For one, if McCain wins, the future of my nephew becomes uncertain vis-à-vis job opportunity for my sister in a fucked up economy, funding in education, more tax breaks for the rich and less for everyone else and so on. Two, the future of my organization becomes very uncertain in an already uncertain world.
I remember what it felt like in 2004 to sit around and watch the results trickle in and realize that George W. Bush was about to win. I remember how I felt like the world had came crashing down on me. What’s worse, four years later, it actually came crashing down on all of us.
When I saw Barack Obama’s Yes, We Can video I thought of George W., I thought of the past 8 years of disastrous policy and ignorance. I thought of what the possibility of an Obama presidency could do for this country. I replayed Obama’s words in my noggin’ “…that we are one people, that we are one nation.” I thought of Bob Marley and John Lennon.
Last week, my girl’s mom asked me to give her the lowdown on the current California Propositions on tomorrow’s ballot. I’ve done the research as Tom Cruise would say. In case you’ve yet to make up your mind or have no idea what these Propositions say or don’t say I’ve included my email to her in this posting. Keep in mind, these are my opinions and mine alone. They come from reading various publications and blogs, deciphering the information and researching some more. Anyway, take ‘em as they are.
Prop 1A – YES
This measure will provide funds for the completion, as building has already begun, on a commuter rail that will stretch from Sacramento to San Diego. It will be a zero emissions rail (good for the environment) and passenger funded after the fact. So, it pays for itself.
Prop 2 – YES
This prop requires farms to allow animals, we consume, to have enough space in their cages to flap their wings, move their legs and so on before we kill them and eat them for dinner. It’s the least we can do right?
Prop 3 – YES
Creates a grant to fund more children’s hospitals. A no-brainer.
Prop 4 – NO
Mandates a 48 hour waiting period for parental notification for abortions by a minor. I hope you vote NO, but if you do vote yes, you should know that this measure will be put into California Constitution. It’s the tattoo equivalent. Goes on easy but it’s a pain in the ass and nearly impossible to remove.
Prop 5 – YES
Allocates about half a million $$’s to expand treatment programs (as opposed to mandatory jail time) for those convicted of minor drug offenses. It’s not only common sense but that allocated half a mil will be overshadowed by the amount of money saved by NOT sending someone to jail for possession of marijuana.
Prop 6 – NO
In sum, it gives slightly under $1 million a year to police in an effort to target gangs resulting in an upswing in racial profiling. It also requires minors (as young as 14) to be tried as adults for certain offenses. The measure obviously doesn’t read as such but that’s the intent.
Prop 7 – YES
Requires gov’t owned utilities to go Green. There’s already a mandate but this will speed up the process and make the standards better. Meaning by 2025, gov’t owned utilities will be required to get 50% of their energy from renewable resources.
Prop 8 – NO
I’m sure you’ve already seen the commercials and made up your mind.
Prop 9 – NO
This is the one I know about the least. I can’t seem to wrap my little brain around it. I’ve read mostly negative opinions and ALL the major newspapers (L.A. Times, San Francisco Chronicle, NY Times, La Opinion, etc. etc.), are calling it costly and unnecessary. In sum, it duplicates, I say complicates victims rights in dealings with the accused.
Prop 10 – NO
This Texas tycoon, Boone Pickens paid millions of dollars to put this on the ballot. Why? Well because he has a vested interest in natural gas fueling stations. Natural gas is definitely an alternative fuel but it’s only slightly less pollutant than gas. Its way too much money, $10 Billion, and there’s very little benefit to the environment and consumers.
Prop 11 – NO
This allows Republicans to redistrict boundaries in an effort to garner more power via constituents. If I were Republican I’d vote for it, since I’m not. I say no.
Prop 12 – YES
Creates a $9 million bond for Veterans. This will make it easier for a veteran to purchase a house or a farm. Weird, a farm. Either way, stuff for vets is always good.
Measure R – YES
Two words: Traffic relief. It’s basically money for roads, to repair potholes, synchronize traffic signals, etc. This will also allocate money to the Metro trains we all love.
That’s it. If you’ve read this far a congratulations is in order. So, congrats.
I imagined writing a pre-election blog that would be articulate, a little inspiring and slightly profound. Well, Election Day is tomorrow and I can’t even begin to tell you how anxious, nervous, excited, etc. I am, much less write a full piece that fully articulates how I feel about everything that’s happened in the last year and a half or so. Instead, you get this. Sorry.
I’ve been waking up every morning this last week and have been announcing to myself and Fatima, 6 days, 5 days, 4 days and so on. Tomorrow has been on my mind since I saw the youtube video of Hillary Clinton announcing her bid for the Presidency. At the time I thought she was a shoe-in. My favorite candidate at the time was Dennis Kucinich but being a keeper of real I knew he was a long shot in a very Ralph Nader kind of way. You know, he makes so much sense it’s considered radical. Anyway, let’s fast forward to February of 2007.
When the Democratic Primary reared its head to California I was slated to be out of the state so I requested an absentee ballot. I remember sitting on my couch in my old apartment trying to decide between Hillary and Obama and deciding I couldn’t decide. I liked them both. I was excited about both candidates. I thought of Bill Clinton in the White House and was reminded of a thriving economy and messy blow jobs in the Lincoln bedroom; can’t have one without the other. Anyway, I called Fatima and laid my worry. Her emphatic VOTE FOR OBAMA had me at VOTE and so I did. Soon as I did I felt great about it too.
Now, I won’t tell you why I’m voting for Obama because if you have a shred of common sense (Palin, are you effin’ serious?) OR decency (McCain voted with Bush 90% of the time) I’m just preaching to the choir. Plus, I can go on for pages and no one wants that.
As you all probably know, I’m a huge sports fan. I love baseball, boxing, futbol, football and on and on. In a way this election is the culmination of all the great match ups in said sports, past, present and future. Of course, with consequences of ridiculously grand proportions. This is like Mexico in the World Cup, the Dodgers in the World Series, the Lakers in the Finals and the Raiders in the Super Bowl. Add those up, times it by 1,000,000 and that’s how badly I want Barack Obama to win. Scratch that, that’s how badly WE NEED him to win tomorrow.
For one, if McCain wins, the future of my nephew becomes uncertain vis-à-vis job opportunity for my sister in a fucked up economy, funding in education, more tax breaks for the rich and less for everyone else and so on. Two, the future of my organization becomes very uncertain in an already uncertain world.
I remember what it felt like in 2004 to sit around and watch the results trickle in and realize that George W. Bush was about to win. I remember how I felt like the world had came crashing down on me. What’s worse, four years later, it actually came crashing down on all of us.
When I saw Barack Obama’s Yes, We Can video I thought of George W., I thought of the past 8 years of disastrous policy and ignorance. I thought of what the possibility of an Obama presidency could do for this country. I replayed Obama’s words in my noggin’ “…that we are one people, that we are one nation.” I thought of Bob Marley and John Lennon.
Last week, my girl’s mom asked me to give her the lowdown on the current California Propositions on tomorrow’s ballot. I’ve done the research as Tom Cruise would say. In case you’ve yet to make up your mind or have no idea what these Propositions say or don’t say I’ve included my email to her in this posting. Keep in mind, these are my opinions and mine alone. They come from reading various publications and blogs, deciphering the information and researching some more. Anyway, take ‘em as they are.
Prop 1A – YES
This measure will provide funds for the completion, as building has already begun, on a commuter rail that will stretch from Sacramento to San Diego. It will be a zero emissions rail (good for the environment) and passenger funded after the fact. So, it pays for itself.
Prop 2 – YES
This prop requires farms to allow animals, we consume, to have enough space in their cages to flap their wings, move their legs and so on before we kill them and eat them for dinner. It’s the least we can do right?
Prop 3 – YES
Creates a grant to fund more children’s hospitals. A no-brainer.
Prop 4 – NO
Mandates a 48 hour waiting period for parental notification for abortions by a minor. I hope you vote NO, but if you do vote yes, you should know that this measure will be put into California Constitution. It’s the tattoo equivalent. Goes on easy but it’s a pain in the ass and nearly impossible to remove.
Prop 5 – YES
Allocates about half a million $$’s to expand treatment programs (as opposed to mandatory jail time) for those convicted of minor drug offenses. It’s not only common sense but that allocated half a mil will be overshadowed by the amount of money saved by NOT sending someone to jail for possession of marijuana.
Prop 6 – NO
In sum, it gives slightly under $1 million a year to police in an effort to target gangs resulting in an upswing in racial profiling. It also requires minors (as young as 14) to be tried as adults for certain offenses. The measure obviously doesn’t read as such but that’s the intent.
Prop 7 – YES
Requires gov’t owned utilities to go Green. There’s already a mandate but this will speed up the process and make the standards better. Meaning by 2025, gov’t owned utilities will be required to get 50% of their energy from renewable resources.
Prop 8 – NO
I’m sure you’ve already seen the commercials and made up your mind.
Prop 9 – NO
This is the one I know about the least. I can’t seem to wrap my little brain around it. I’ve read mostly negative opinions and ALL the major newspapers (L.A. Times, San Francisco Chronicle, NY Times, La Opinion, etc. etc.), are calling it costly and unnecessary. In sum, it duplicates, I say complicates victims rights in dealings with the accused.
Prop 10 – NO
This Texas tycoon, Boone Pickens paid millions of dollars to put this on the ballot. Why? Well because he has a vested interest in natural gas fueling stations. Natural gas is definitely an alternative fuel but it’s only slightly less pollutant than gas. Its way too much money, $10 Billion, and there’s very little benefit to the environment and consumers.
Prop 11 – NO
This allows Republicans to redistrict boundaries in an effort to garner more power via constituents. If I were Republican I’d vote for it, since I’m not. I say no.
Prop 12 – YES
Creates a $9 million bond for Veterans. This will make it easier for a veteran to purchase a house or a farm. Weird, a farm. Either way, stuff for vets is always good.
Measure R – YES
Two words: Traffic relief. It’s basically money for roads, to repair potholes, synchronize traffic signals, etc. This will also allocate money to the Metro trains we all love.
That’s it. If you’ve read this far a congratulations is in order. So, congrats.
Labels: 2008 Election, Obama
Friday, July 18, 2008
Only in Dreams
I dream of the apocalypse. No joke.
(I say ‘no joke’ a lot, but that’s because the outrageous shit I experience is for the most part true. At least true in the sense that I explain things the way I see them. As my friend Mireya said to me the other day while explaining an interaction between a potential suitor, “I say what I mean and I mean what I say.” Preach on sister.)
Last night I dreamt that Los Angeles was getting bombed by North Korea. My dream consisted of hazy images of television reports with sounds bites that warned of potential warfare. In my dream I recall being extremely calm throughout the whole ordeal. At some point I was back in the house where I spent the first twelve years of my life, in Baldwin Park, in the house my sisters and I lovingly call The Blue House (by the way, the Blue House nostalgia is so thick, the first time I saw Marc Chagall’s Blue House I felt like weeping like a child). I looked out the large front window and saw a huge boat-shaped plane with a North Korean flag painted underneath it. I ran outside only to see it make a nose dive into downtown L.A. making 9/11 look like a fender bender on Wilshire Blvd. (west of Vermont Blvd of course). A huge explosion shook the ground beneath me and a cloud of smoke headed my way. I turned around to find my pregnant sister staring at the imminent doom. I ran over to her, told her to get on the ground and used my body as a blanket.
I dream of shit like this all the time. I have two recurring dreams; one or the other happen once every other month or so. And they go a little something like thiiiiis:
- I’m at the beach or near the ocean surrounded by a bunch of strangers and a mob of planes hovering above bomb the shit out of us. I never die but I always find myself in a cloud of smoke and/or at The Blue House.
- Los puerqitos. I am getting chased by the police. Thing is, I’m actually always with my friends in these dreams. We’ve either robbed someone, killed someone or are guilty of D.W.M.: Driving While Mexican. For some reason the last time I dreamt this I woke up singing, “Some some some I some I murder… some I some I let go.”
In a semi-related observation…
This morning I saw a SUV with a BUSH/CHENEY ’04 sticker and realized that every single time I’ve seen a car with said sticker, the driver looks like they’re on their way to a house occupied by an 18 year-old boy that looks like he’s 12 years old, a Dell laptop, Chris Hansen and the crew from “To Catch a Predator.” I’m just saying.
As frightening as the possibility of these dreams coming true is, they don’t frighten as they’re happening. I don’t know if it’s because I know I’m dreaming or I’m a brave mother fucker like that. I’d like to think I’m the Chuck Norris of dreams but that’s likely not the case.
It’s funny how one’s inner most fears; the police (I’m from Monte, that’s all I can say about my fear of jocks with guns) and death play out as brain waves during REM sleep. Add to that the infamous Blue House, the one and only place I can truly think of as home. That house on Larry Street is my version of Miguel Pinero’s lower east side, it’s my exterior’s L.A., it’s my heart’s grandmother, it’s like a lover’s arms, it’s Bukowski’s beer, it’s the Pacific’s sun, it’s Jeff Buckley’s voice. It’s a long lost love I drive by a couple times a year with a lump in my throat and a head full of memories that resurface when the darkest of dreams take hold of my nights.
Truly, I don’t know what to make of all this. In one way or another these dreams are a reflection of where I, in my heart of hearts think this country is headed. I dream of Orwell’s 1984 as my 2008. I feel that in a post 9/11 U.S.A. by way of Iraq we’ve become a target. I feel like those chosen to protect and serve choose to intimidate. And when we live in a world where those in power are not held accountable and use executive privilege to excuse the real terrorists, my nightmares can only get worse.
I just HOPE for CHANGE.
Labels: dreams, nostalgia, Obama
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]
