The Economy Mantra

Let's Get this straight. The economy is bad and has been bad for the past couple of years at least. It's going to take time to get it turned around. But let's not allow this economic quagmire to keep us from living.

Times are tight, but we still need to breath, eat, make love, laugh, recreate rather than spending time crying.

Now before anyone accuses me of being out of touch or delusional, here is some quick background.

Before the down turned economy came into vogue, back in 2006, I was laid off from my job. If that wasn't enough, nearly a year after being laid off, my house was foreclosed on. Then if that wasn't enough, health problems I had gotten under control 15 years ago, had resurfaced. So if you're keeping score at home - lost job, lost home had health problems.

Thank God my wife still had her job and health care. But we had to stay with friends for a couple of months until we found another place to stay. Also thank God for my father who helped financially. Prior to getting sick, thank God for the part-time security job that I loathed, but helped tied us over.

All this happened long before the bottom dropped out in the economy. What made it worse, is we didn't have the daily economic media coverage or peer group to share in our pain. In fact, many people couldn't relate to our situation at the time. So we mostly kept it to ourselves.

Fast forward to 2009. We've been in our townhouse for nearly two years. I haven't found another job, but I am able to collect disability due to my health condition - which has at least stabilized. Throughout the whole ordeal our two youngest sons didn't skip a beat, maintained good grades in school and continued with extracurricular activities - even the ones that cost money. Our oldest son, who is grown is trying to make his way in the world and lives with another relative. We are no doubt blessed to have weathered the storm and now have a testimony.

My long winded point is, throughout all these trials, yes we got frustrated, but rarely discouraged. We kept the faith. It was difficult at times, but we maintained our sense of humor. We tried our best to maintain the normal routine, sans a few changes. Sure my wife and I haven't been able to go on another cruise just yet, or take the family vacation to Orlando. But we're here.

No question we're still working at it and not where we want to be financially, but the economy is no longer our mantra as a reason for not doing something. I encourage all to try and avoid this as well - be positive, no matter how bleak the situation may appear. If your a person of faith, lean on that to help get you through. Also lean on your immediate family and don't be afraid to tell your friends and others what's going on in your life. If you don't talk, chances are you may miss an opportunity for someone to help you.

I understand some will disappoint or just ignore your plight. But just keep rolling on anyway.

Not matter how low your financial situation sinks, still take the opportunity to offer a helping hand to someone else, it will help someone and also make you feel good in the process.

People lived through the dust bowl, the Great Depression, we can survive and overcome this current economic downturn. That's what I believe.

Farewell, Michael -- Not Goodbye

Michael Jackson, pop superstar and entertainer extraordinaire, was celebrated in a memorial service at the Staple Center in Los Angeles, California on Tuesday, July 8, 2009. Although the center was filled to capacity by an orderly, respectful audience, the majority of the actual observers watched by way of television around the world. Millions, if not billions, of people stopped to take the time to pay their respects to the person who Motown Records President, Barry Gordy, pronounced to be "the Greatest Entertainer of All Time."

As the youngest member of the former Jackson Five pop music group, Michael went on to develop an explosive career that rocketed him to the top of the charts consistently. He transformed the pop music world through his innovative dance routines, music videos and magnetic music. He was the barrier breaker for African Americans in terms of opportunity and product distribution in a profession well-known for robbing African Americans of their music, credits, opportunities and profits.

Personally, he was one of the most charitable entertainers in the industry, as well as gracious. He was also known as an astute businessman, which will well serve his children and other beneficiaries of his estate. However, his personal life was also troubled, something already well-documented. It is not necessary for me to recount it here.

Nevertheless, in death, just as in life, there are many who still do not understand him, nor the world from which he arose.

The memorial service was a respectful, classy home-going for someone whose genius can not be denied. Time Magazine writer, James Poniewozik, found the service to be "...gaudy and strange...". How little you know about African American funeral customs! We believe in celebrating the life of the deceased with the elements or reminders of what the deceased did in life. It is a positive expression of grief by those who care. Attend an African American funeral service and you will find many of the same elements. Michael's just happened to be on a grander scale because he lived on a global scale. Attendees in the Staple Center are to be applauded for their display of sensitivity and respect.

Much controversy still surrounds Michael's life and death. Legal squabbles, rumor and inuendo will continue for a very long time. None of that is of concern to me. Yet, I believe people need to remember what can easily be overlooked.

When this is all said and done, the real tragedy is that there was a man who lived. He was part of a family who loved him. He had young children he was raising who he loved and who loved him. That family is now without a son, brother, and uncle. Those children are now without a father. Their grief is real. Their loss runs deep and will continue for the rest of their lives. Once the media finds another "hot" story and everyone else has gone back to their own personal lives, the Jackson family will still have to cope with missing their Michael.

If you have ever lost a loved one, then you know how they feel.

For the public, Michael will continue to live on through his music, his videos and his charities. He connected with the masses on the basis of our humanity. Although his family must say, "Goodbye," for us it is not. It is only, "Farewell." We are greatly blessed.

And Miles to Go Before I Sleep...Robert S. McNamara

Robert S. McNamara died at his home today, July 6 at 5:30 am. For those of you who may not know, he was the the former Secretary of Defense under the administration of Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon S. Johnson. President Kennedy recruited him for the post in 1961, when McNamara was president of Ford Motor Company and served for seven years, longer than anyone else had ever done.

He was 93 years old and had been in failing health for some time, according to his wife, Diana.

Publicly, McNamara was a staunch defender of US involvement in Vietnam, despite intense opposition. Even his own son participated in public demonstrations against the war. Yet, McNamara insisted more troops and more arms would conquer North Vietnam's government and influence in Southeast Asia. As we know, it did not. The US ended up having to withdraw, beaten by the North Vietnamese as the French had. Before the war was over, 100,000+ American military personnel were killed and many more returned home physically, mentally and emotionally broken.

In his memoir published in 1995, "In Retrospect: The Tragedy and Lessons of Vietnam", McNamara reported he had serious doubts about the ability of the United States to prevail over "...a guerrilla insurgency that had driven the French from the same jungled countryside..." as early as 1967.

In an Associated Press interview given just before the book's release, McNamara admitted, "We of the Kennedy and Johnson administrations acted according to what we thought were the principles and traditions of our country. But we were wrong. We were terribly wrong." [Emphasis added]

In the same memoir, McNamara reported he and others in the administration failed to ask themselves five critical questions concerning US involvement in the war:

"Was it true that the fall of South Vietnam would trigger the fall of all Southeast Asia? Would that constitute a grave threat to the West's security? What kind of war — conventional or guerrilla — might develop? Could we win it with U.S. troops fighting alongside the South Vietnamese? Should we not know the answers to all these questions before deciding whether to commit troops?" [Emphasis added]

After leaving the Johnson administration, McNamara became president of the World Bank, a post he held for 12 years. Upon retirement, he championed the causes of nuclear disarmament and aid to the poorest nations by the wealthiest. Unfortunately, he will always be remembered as the champion of US involvement in the Vietnam War -- a war he came to deeply regret.

His greatest legacy, however, is one that has been overlooked by Washington DC since then. It appears the hard lessons were not learned, nor the five critical questions asked by administrations and Congress that came after. Supposedly promoting the "principles and traditions of our country", we have become embroiled in Iran, Iraq -- and now with increasing intensity, Afghanistan. What is our goal?

Did anyone ask the five critical questions before committing our troops?

Mr. McNamara, you learned those lessons the hard way and tried to pass them on, but it looks like we still have miles to go before we sleep.

Self-Esteem Is The Catalyst For Achievement

Tonight I read an article at CNN.com about the focus of America's Promise Alliance, a group formed by former Secretary of State Colin Powell and chaired by his wife, Alma Powell. The APA is heightening awareness of the severe high school dropout rate in the United States by conducting studies and holding dropout prevention summits across the country. Hundreds of educators, business leaders and grassroots activists come together to brainstorm methods to solve the problem.

There is a crisis in the US education system. The APA did a study in 2008 that concluded only 52 percent of students in the nation's 50 largest school systems graduate with a high school diploma in four years. Among Hispanic and African-American students, the percentages are 57 and 53 percent respectively. The national graduation rate is only 70 percent.

What's happening with our sons and daughters that they find it difficult to believe their education -- even on the basic level -- is an important foundation piece for what they want to achieve in the future? The article quoted Secretary Powell who said, "Finishing high school is absolutely basic to being a success at any place in our society. We can't afford this."

Indeed, the United States can not afford this.

The article highlighted the work of Willie Thornton (pictured above), coordinator of the dropout prevention program for Greenville High School in Greenville, Alabama. Although his school has a 75 percent graduation, many do not receive their diploma within four years. It was Mr. Thornton's responsibility this past school year to mentor, encourage and counsel the 70 students identified as being at-risk for dropping out. I found Mr. Thornton's observation on the work he does to be quite interesting.

"The benefit [of the prevention program] is basically for a student to say that 'I can' and 'I've raised my self-esteem enough,' because prior to that most of them in their hearts have already quit...What we do here is try to gain some sort of success story that they own. And we try to build story by story. That gains a lot of energy and hope. When you lose hope, you lose everything."

These children lack the confidence to believe they have within themselves the ability to successfully achieve a basic, but important goal. Within that mindset, they grow to be adults who lack the basic self-regard that helps them dream, set goals, achieve success, make a solid contribution to their families, communities and the nation as a whole. Yet, we need their innate talents and gifts more than ever before.

Starting right now, begin to build the self-esteem of some child. Focus on the person hidden within until they can begin to see their own greatness. Point the way to a destiny greater than themselves and don't allow them to be defined by their present circumstances, nor past behavior.

If you happen to be an adult who has lost hope, begin to do the same for yourself. We need you, too.

Nothing...Can Be Everything

Perhaps you've heard that old adage, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained"? Well, that adage doesn't always apply. In fact, if you live in a multi-tasking culture as I do, you should have already seen huge gain for all the venturing you've done.

Don't see it, huh?

Despite all the hoopla about constantly striving, achieving, pushing forward, etc., I can show you there are specific instances when doing nothing provides enormous benefits. In fact, if you embrace doing nothing at the appropriate times, you can elevate it to a fine art in your life. People will admire and celebrate you. They will want to know how to do what you do. Never again will you feel a twinge of embarrassment in that moment someone asks you what you're doing and your response is..."Nothing."

I will add this one caveat. Despite what I say, some of you will insist on doing something. I understand this is a deeply ingrained, culturally supported habit. It will take more willpower on your part to stop. You will have to make multiple attempts to make this work -- far more than others. However, don't stop trying. There is hope for you, too. You'll need some community support through the transition. So, if I don't forget it, I'll add a link at the end that will take you to the homepage of the DNA -- Doing Nothing Anonymous. Your local DNA can assist you.

The benefits of doing nothing are:

• Stress Relief. The next time your employer accuses you of substandard production and wants to know why projects haven't been completed according to the ridiculously impossible company standard, tell him (or her) that both your cardiologist and your DNA have recommended you do nothing. The stress caused by trying to meet unrealistic deadlines initates a racing pulse and socially unacceptable behavior. Share a suggestion with your supervisor that he/she do nothing also, instead of straining to begin a disciplinary process.

• Creative Development. Scientific research has proven that people who do nothing often daydream. Their creative juices flow freely. They originate far more innovative methods of solving problems than people who are constantly in the "rat race." (This comes in very handy in case your former supervisor chose to ignore your admonition to do nothing. Your DNA will find a way to help you pay for those little necessities -- like eating regularly.)

• Expanded Social Circles. You'll begin to meet new people and travel to places you've never been before -- like the unemployment office, social services and homeless shelters. It's always good to expand your personal perspective on life by getting to know others outside your usual comfort zone. Remember: you're gathering experiences that increase intellectual development, as well.

• Professional Success. Once you've become proficient at doing nothing, you can "take your show on the road." Write a book, create a blog or website, do professional speaking and secure a brief on-camera interview on Oprah. All the people you encountered through the previous stages will not only buy your book, they'll claim they know you personally and will dig through their previous documents that bear your signature as proof. You'll know you've arrived at a high level of success when your signed food stamp application is being auctioned off on Ebay.
  

Global recession?! What recession?

Repeat this mantra several times daily. I guarantee you'll find yourself well on the way to doing nothing successfully. Ready? Doing nothing is...

Memorial Day - Time For A Different Focus

Today is Memorial Day in the United States. In numerous cities all over the nation, there will be parades and speeches. Bands will play. Military color guards will display their absolute precision in impressive uniforms. Flowers will be laid at the graves of fallen soldiers. Expensive floral wreathes will be placed at public memorials. The American flag will be proudly unfurled for passersby to see. The nation will proudly, somberly -- even tearfully -- mourn the loss of countless men and women whose lives were involuntarily snatched away by the killing machine we call war. Old and young war veterans -- having witnessed more human devastation than any person should -- will be honored, as they remember the horrors they survived, but their buddies did not.

Memorial Day, as it is commonly celebrated, is not working. On the altar of national pride, we continue to sacrifice too-large a percentage of our younger generation. The concept of collateral damage is far too heavy a price to pay. For every military person who physically dies as a result of combat, there are others who die a psychological death. They have broken spirits, broken bodies, or both. Their families relive the nightmare of the reality of war daily.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying suddenly eliminate war. It will not disappear overnight. Yet, we should not consider ourselves morally superior to other nations, just because we are us. Every nation glorifies death in combat. We are disgusted by Muslim extremists who encourage wives and children to become human bombs, yet we do the same. In the name of national service, we call upon our young men and women to serve in active combat zones all over the world during a so-called time of peace, for reasons that have more to do with mineral resources than human resources. This is the same message on the flip side of the coin.

The dead are dead. Instead of celebrating the dead, maimed and broken one day out of the year, why not celebrate the hope that future generations will not engage in war to resolve conflicts? War has proven to be ineffective. We have tried to hide our own ulterior motives behind the so-called necessity for war. We witness the genocide of ethnic peoples in foreign nations and stand silent. We disagree with the politics of nations that hold vast resources of oil, gold, etc., and we invade on the pretext of spreading democracy. Stop the hypocracy!

If we are truly concerned with peace, we must focus on peace. We must concentrate on devising methods of administering peace. We must funnel our efforts, funds and people into developing "weapons of peace." We already have the ultimate weapon. It's called love -- not some weak, flimsy romantic concept of infatuation. Real love is tough, hard and unrelenting. It recognizes the value of every human being. It demands respect, even when people disagree. It refuses to accept wrong for right.

Mahatma Gandhi was effective in his non-violent protests because he had a deep, loving respect for humanity. He recognized the connectedness of one human being for another. He understood that instituted governmental abuse of one people over another is wrong. He defended that principle through non-violence. That type of love for humanity withstood the challenges. It broke Great Britain's rule over India. Love conquered all.

Administering love can be grindingly hard work. It requires that we listen to one another. It acknowledges the truth of our existence -- that even if we don't like the other person's dress, accent or culture, that person is made in the image of God and due our respect. We must meet on the plain of understanding. We can't engage in any kind of successful diplomatic process, unless we're willing to learn one another's perspective and history. If the goal is worthy, the processes to achieve the goal must be worthy, as well.

Maya Angelou made a statement about love that is so true. "Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope."

I don't know how you feel, but I believe my children, your children, our grandchildren and everyone's are worth the effort to substitute love as the weapon of choice instead of war. Love is THE ultimate weapon of mass transformation. In so doing, could it be, we may yet find...peace?

What do you think?

Nigguh Moment!

I have been enjoying watching the Boondocks with their highly irreverent worldview . A recent episode defined the Nigga Moment! I don't have the official definition here, but like many things in our post-modernist African-American pop-culture the term can be fluid in definition. I wuz lookin' at Brotha' Obama on MSNBC befoe I left to come heah. He was addressing a town hall meeting in St. Petersburgh, Florida. Barack of course was on-point he is hard to beat in large gatherings.


His crowd was very enthusiastic, he was leading them, he had them in the palm of his hand. There were three brotha's who stood up with a banner that read "Obama what about the Black Man?" Or something approximating that. They began to heckle Barack. The mostly white crowd shouted them down with chants of YES WE CAN! Mr. Obama addressed the young men directly and asked them "not to be rude" He also asked them to "sit down"and told them "we will address your questions" The young men had really no alternative but to relent.

They also had the banner the were holding up snatched from them. This was an interesting scenario. A mostly white audience, shouting down a group of black hecklers, so they can continue their praise and worship service for an African-American with a Kenyan father and a white American mother who is a serious contender for the Presidency of the United States! Dayum! I wish Frederick Douglass, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King were here to see this.

Does this qualify as a Nicca Moment?! I don't really think that this would qualify as a Niggah Moment! The young men have the right to free speech protection in the constitution of the United States of America. They are free to express their opinion, they are free to heckle . Bad Manners are not against the law. So what in the world does heckling Barack Hussein Obama (I am using his full name cause it just sounds so damn cool) and Nigga Moments have to do with the price of a pork shoulder sandwich in East Cleveland? Nothing......The Nigger Moments could come if those young men get to the microphone. We all know how it goes. Very public, very embarrassing.I am hoping this will not be the case

The Negro Speaks Of Rivers by Langston Hughes

The Negro Speaks Of Rivers by Langston Hughes

I've known rivers:
I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than the
flow of human blood in human veins.

My soul has grown deep like the rivers.
I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young.
I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep.
I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it.
I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln
went down to New Orleans, and I've seen its muddy
bosom turn all golden in the sunset.

I've known rivers:
Ancient, dusky rivers.


My soul has grown deep like the rivers.

Today

I have a new writer/editor well, actually two new writer/editors. One is official. The other is not she is still mulling it over. I do believe she will be on board soon. The new guy is a very experienced journalist from a large mid-western city.



He is also a Michigan State Trojan. The other new writer is an Ohio State Buckeye......This should be real fun around football season. Michigan and Ohio almost went to war in the 19th century, however both side were too drunk to go through with it.



I am, however above all of it, as my pedigree shall not concern itself with such trivial, petty, juvenile(GO BUCKEYES!) pastimes as collegiate athletics. The latest post is from Butch the "Do Me Philosophy". Look forward to more from Butch. Butch I want to thank you!

'Do You...Do Me' Philosophy Takes Ignorant Turn

Lately, in my travels around the city I constantly overhear this refrain in stray conversations...girl I told so and so do you cause I'm sho gonna do me....or dog I'm just gonna do me....condition or circumstance be damned. No matter how jacked up they may be, they still gonna proclaim I'm gonna do me.

I think some of these sistas and brothas need to re-evaluate and really proclaim they are going to "Do Something Else." This reminds me of the forever popular "Keepin It Real" refrain that seems to have shackled the positive mentality and progress of many African Americans for the past 10 or 15 years now. As that great urban observer and humorist Chris Rock once said...Keepin It Real...Real Ignorant.

Well its first cousin expression Do You...Cause I'm Going to Do Me...is keeping the ignorance alive and well. Don't get me wrong, there is something to be said for being your own person and not following the crowd in a positive way - instead of being like Mike, blazing your own trail...that's cool.

But don't do me if that means, everyone else is going to school or pursuing a career, I'll just hang out and chill. Or if everyone has pulled up there pants, or hidden their thong lines and tried to dress in a more mature and neutral way, I'm going to Do Me by continuing to sag with my dingy, skid-mark boxers showing or squeeze my fat ass into some hip-hugger jeans with the top of my leopard-skin thong showing and my gut hanging out. While others adopt a calmer demeanor in public less dropping MF-bombs and N-bombs every third word and constantly splitting verbs and nouns, I'm going to continue to Do Me and never ever conjugate the verb to be and be blissfully ignorant, loud and wrong.

Now before you think I'm coming down too hard on the young people, the older folks who know better are just as guilty, if not more in many instances. Instead of saying do you cause I'm gonna do me, they might as well say I don't care about you, I just care about me. It's a selfish attitude that we don't need today. So please, just don't do it.

On the bright side

Hello family! I am on the library computer! I hope all is well! One of the great things about being unemployed is the amount of time you have.....nothing but TIME! I have been making the effort to make as productive use of the precious commodity (time) as possible. I have been reading! Yes reading! I decided to share my reading list with you. These are the titles of the books I have completed as well as the ones I am in the process of completing.

• boogaloo- the quintessence of american popular music by Arthur Kempton


• Motown-Music,Money,Sex and Power by Gerald Posner


• Sellout-by Randall Kennedy


• SuperCapitalism-by Robert Reich


• Authentically Black-by John McWhorter


• Learned Optimism-by Dr. Martin Seligman


• The End of Work-by Jeremy Rifkin


• Black Rednecks White Liberals-by Thomas Sowell


• Winning The Race-by John McWhorter


• A Love Supreme-by Ashley Kahn

I have expanded my horizons, I have stretched my mind, I am enriched by the experience. I am also troubled that I have read about ten books since the beginning of July. This means I certainly need to get out more often. I am also now enrolled in school. I will be going back in August, I will be looking forward to this. I am on a library computer so somehow I don't feel as relaxed to really write what I want and the way I want. I would however like for any one who may have read any of the titles I have mentioned to send me your comments/opinions regarding any of these books. 'Till next time.

NubianBlues: I hate to lose!

My computer is messed up. I have no money for a new one. This is the losing season. It seems once the job goes. The cosmic vacum goes to work on the rest of your life. Money, stuff, friends, esteem, psychological well-being, snacks, nights out, balance, sleep, peace, the regard of your family and friends,debit/credit card purchases, new clothes. Hell what is the point!?

I had a friend(maybe ex friend) lecture ME!? on her "testicular fortitude" as well as the pride her family raised her with. I had not asked this woman for money.....just some understanding. Family this is not a good look for me. I can remember when other people I knew went through a situation like this. WE just sort of forgot about them. WE just wanted to erase them from our memory. WE began to act as if they ceased to exist .

I am now one of the dearly departed. I have been embalmed, funeralized, eulogized, and finally buried. I had a homegoin' goin' on and did not want to admit it. I know why this happenend, not because all my peeples is bad. It is because they are afraid for themselves. It could happen to them and they just don't want to witness something that might go down with them.

I am now entering the ranks of the hardcore unemployed and my computer, my source for information, my source for stimulation, my source for the JOB search is JACKED UP! WTF!? I am using the computer in the library.......so this is what it feels like to have a losing season. The technical difficulty has kept me from posting. I have all kinds a stuff I wanted to put out. This is the losing season. The vacum of the cosmos is doin' it's work.

Viva Salvador! What is better than one Henri Salvador song? One Mo!

Viva Salvador!

Henri Salvador came to my attention in the Quincy Jones autobiography, he was mentioned as one of the artists he wrote arrangements for on the French label Barclay during the time he spent in Europe 1959-1960. In the book there was a photo of Salvador he appeared to be a light-skinned Nubian, he had the features but the photo was a black and white. I was intrigued by the photo and what those collaborations may have produced since the music that Q creates stirs the soul no matter the language or genre.

In the very same year I had the opportunity to see a documentary called In The Pocket on PBS. In this excellent representation of the lives of Mr. Jones, various musicians tell the story of an arrangement by Neal Hefti. Neal presented his arrangement to The great Count Basie it was uptempo and very much in the contemporary style of the day a "nice chart" as Clarke Terry the trumpet legend and all around beautiful cat remembered (who was also at the rehearsal as he was a part of the heart pumpin' swingin' machine Count Basie commanded).

Mr. Terry recalled The Count listened intently to the band run through it. The Groovemaker said "it was nice". Quincy Jones picks up the story. Count Basie said "let's try it here"and he began to play the arrangement on the piano in a very slow groove and the chart took on a whole new life! Q spoke with amazement about how dramatically the tune opened up because of the change in tempo. Quincy described the new colors within the harmonic structure that were not heard when the tune was played at the original faster pace. Q said "that was when I realized everything is about timing"!

Lil' Darlin' ended up being another hit for The Count! In the same documentary Q was rehearsing a big band at Montreaux and Henri Salvador was the featured vocalist on the song Lil' Darlin' The first thing I noticed about Henri was his wide warm smile and that legendary booming laughter. He was beauty! His soul. His gift. His elegance.I recently saw a video online with Henri and the two supa bad French sistas Les Nubians. I don't posses the words to describe the beauty of this slice of love. I have the video below the Henri Salvador story. Enjoy!

Biography

Salvador was born in Cayenne, French Guiana. His father, Clovis, and his mother, Antonine Paterne, daughter of a native Indian from the Caribbean, were both from Guadeloupe, FranceHe had a brother, André, and a sister, Alice. He played many years in the Ray Ventura (dead on 29 March 1979) et Ses Collégiens where he used to sing, dance and even play comedy on stage, and made some appearances in great movies such as "Nous irons à Monte-Carlo (1950) " or "Nous irons à Paris" (Jean Boyer's film of 1949 with the Peters Sisters) or "Mademoiselle s'amuse" (1948). He is known to have recorded the first French rock and roll songs in1956 written by Boris Vian and Michel Legrand Rock'n Roll Mops, Rock hoquet, Va t'faire cuire un oeuf, man and Dis-moi qu'tu m'aimes rock under the artist name of Henry Cording, (a play on words with Recording).

Despite this historical aspect, he never ceased to claim that he disliked Rock and Roll and even refused to talk about this subject later on. In the 1960s, Salvador was the host of several popular television variety shows on French TV. In 1964 he scored a hit with Zorro est arrivé, which was inspired by The Coasters' U.S. hit Along Came Jones. He is also famous for his rich, catchy laugh, which is a theme in many of his humorous songs. In 1969, Henri Salvador recorded a variation of Mah Nà Mah Nà titled Mais non, mais non (But No, But No or Of Course Not, Of Course Not), with lyrics he had written in French to Piero Umiliani's music.


Henri Salvador and his song Dans mon île (1957) was an influence on Antônio Carlos Jobim in formulating the Brazilian Bossa Nova style [1]. Caetano Veloso, a famous Brazilian composer and singer, made Henri Salvador famous to Brazilian audiences with the song Reconvexo, in which he says "quem não sentiu o swing de Henri Salvador?" ("who hasn't felt the swing of Henri Salvador?"). At age 70, Salvador was the voice-over of the crab Sebastian in the 1989 French dubbing of Disney's The Little Mermaid. Recordings of Embrasse La (Kiss the Girl) can be found on Youtube. Salvador discovered singers Keren Ann and Art Mengo. He died of a ruptured aneurysm at his home in the early hours of February 13, 2008. He was 90 years of age.

Legacy

Henri 's music continues to be popular today among French communities in Canada. In 2000, Virgin Records released a CD featuring popular hits like Jazz Mediterrannee which continues to receive regular air play. In 2002 his album Chambre Avec Vue sold over two million copies. In 2005, Henri Salvador was awarded the Brazilian Order of Cultural Merit, which he received from the acclaimed singer and Minister of Culture, Gilberto Gil, in the presence of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for his influence on Brazilian culture, particularly on bossa nova, to whose invention he contributed.



He was also a commander of the French Légion d'honneur and of the National Order of Merit. In 2007 he released "Reverence" on V2 Records which features Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso. He then went on to perform the track La Vie C'est La Vie from the album Reverence on the BBC program Later … With Jools Holland, which aired on May 4, 2007.

Anonymous

What do Tom Cruise, John Travolta, Isaac Hayes and Stanley Clarke have in common? They are all Scientologists. Scientology is a belief system started by L.Ron Hubbard. He is the author of a book entitled Dianetics. This "church" has been very controversial to say the least, there have been charges of manipulation, mind control and just plain old flim-flamming. Ex-members have told stories about being taken advantage of financially. Several accusations have been made against this organization by the family members of Scientology followers. The basic complaint is the "church" bleeds the follower dry financially and discards them when the money is gone. The information below is from Wikipedia.

Origin

Hubbard established Scientology's doctrines during a period from 1952 until his death in January 1986, establishing the basic principles in the 1950s and 1960s. It was originally secular, Hubbard stating in 1952 that "Scientology would be a study of knowledge."[5] The following year he began to characterize Scientology's beliefs and practices as a religion, and by 1960 he was defining Scientology as "a religion by its basic tenets, practice, historical background and by the definition of the word 'religion' itself."[6] In 1969 he wrote that "It is fundamentally an applied religious philosophy."[7] Hubbard recorded his doctrine in archived writings, audio tapes and films.[8][9][10]

The Church of Scientology defines scientology as "the study of truth."[11] The word itself is a pairing of the Latin word scientia ("knowledge," "skill"), which comes from the verb scire ("to know"), and the Greek λογος lógos ("reason" or "inward thought" or "logic" or "an account of").
Although today associated almost exclusively with Hubbard, the word "scientology" predates his usage by several decades. An early use of the word was as a neologism in an 1871 book by the American anarchist Stephen Pearl Andrews presenting "the newly discovered Science of the Universe".[12] Philologist Allen Upward used the word "scientology" in his 1901 book The New Word as a synonym for "pseudoscience,"[13] and this is sometimes cited as the first coining of the word.[2]

In 1934, the Argentine-German writer Anastasius Nordenholz published a book using the word positively: Scientologie, Wissenschaft von der Beschaffenheit und der Tauglichkeit des Wissens ("Scientologie, Science of the Constitution and Usefulness of Knowledge").[14] Nordenholz's book is a study of consciousness, and its usage of the word is not greatly different from Hubbard's definition, "knowing how to know"[15] (from epistemology). Whether Hubbard was aware of these earlier uses is unknown.
The term "Scientology" and related terms are trademarks held by the Religious Technology Center which grants the mother church of the Scientology religion, the Church of Scientology International (CSI), the right to use the trademarks and to license their use to all other Scientology churches and entities. Other organizations that promote the use of related techniques, developed by or based on the works of L. Ron Hubbard, are the World Institute of Scientology Enterprises and the Association for Better Living and Education.[16][17]

Beliefs

Scientology's beliefs and related techniques comprise 18 basic books,[32] and 3,000 recorded lectures.[33] There is no single Scientology book that is the equivalent of the Bible or the Qur'an, but the study of Scientology is achieved through the chronological study of its basic books and lectures.[34]
Scientology describes itself as "the study and handling of the spirit in relationship to itself, others and all of life,"[35] and "encompasses all aspects of life from the point of view of the spirit" — including "auditing"[36] and training in morals, ethics, detoxification, education and management.[37]
Prime among Scientology's beliefs is "that man is a spiritual being whose existence spans more than one life and who is endowed with abilities well beyond those which he normally considers he possesses."[38] Scientology believes man to be basically good, that his experiences have led him into evil, that he errs because he seeks to solve his problems by considering only his own point of view, and that man can improve to the degree he preserves his spiritual integrity and remains honest and decent.[39]

According to the Church, the ultimate goal is: "a civilization without insanity, without criminals and without war, where the able can prosper and honest beings can have rights, and where man is free to rise to greater heights."[40]
The Church of Scientology declares that the goal of Scientology is to achieve "certainty of one’s spiritual existence and [of] one’s relationship to the Supreme Being,"[41] and says that Scientology's tenets are not a matter of faith but of testable practice: "That which is true for you is what you have observed to be true."[42]
The exact nature of all of existence is said to be stated in Hubbard's Scientology and Dianetics Axioms.
Other beliefs of Scientology are:[43]
A person is an immortal spiritual being (termed a thetan) who possesses a mind and a body.
The thetan has lived through many past lives and will continue to live beyond the death of the body.
Through the Scientology process of "auditing," people can free themselves of traumatic incidents, ethical transgressions and bad decisions which are said to collectively restrict the person from reaching the state of "Clear" and "Operating Thetan." Each state is said to represent the recovery of native spiritual abilities and to confer mental and physical benefits.
A person is basically good, but becomes "aberrated" by moments of pain and unconsciousness.
Psychiatry and psychology are destructive and abusive practices.[44]
Members study Scientology and receive auditing sessions to advance from a status of preclear to Operating Thetan.[45][46

Controversies

Of the many new religious movements to appear during the 20th century, the Church of Scientology has, from its inception, been one of the most controversial, coming into conflict with the governments and police forces of several countries (including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada[138] and Germany) numerous times over the years.[139][140][141][142][143][141][144][145][146][147][148][149]
Reports and allegations have been made, by journalists, courts, and governmental bodies of several countries, that the Church of Scientology is an unscrupulous commercial enterprise that harasses its critics and brutally exploits its members.[139][140] Some critics of Scientology have recanted under duress.[150] In some cases of US litigation against the Church, former Scientologists appearing as expert witnesses have since stated that they submitted false and inflammatory declarations intended to incite prejudice against Scientology, [151] and harassed key Scientology executives, by advancing unfounded opinions to get a case dropped or to obtain a settlement.[152]

The German government takes the view that Scientology is a commercial, rather than religious organization, and has even gone so far as to consider a ban on Scientology.[153] Belgium, France, Ireland, Luxembourg and the United Kingdom have not recognized Scientology as a religion.[154] Scientology has also not been recognized as a religion in Israel or Mexico. The Belgian State Prosecution Service has recommended that various individuals and organizations associated with Scientology should be prosecuted.[155][156] An administrative court is to decide if charges will be pressed.[155][156]
Main article: Scientology and the legal system
The controversies involving the Church and its critics, some of them ongoing, include:
Scientology's disconnection policy, in which members are encouraged to cut off all contact with friends or family members considered "antagonistic."[157][158]

The death of a Scientologist Lisa McPherson while in the care of the Church.
Criminal activities committed on behalf of the Church or directed by Church officials (Operation Snow White, Operation Freakout)
Conflicting statements about L. Ron Hubbard's life, in particular accounts of Hubbard discussing his intent to start a religion for profit, and of his service in the military.[159]
Scientology's harassment and litigious actions against its critics encouraged by its Fair Game policy.[159]
Attempts to legally force search engines such as Google and Yahoo to omit any webpages critical of Scientology from their search engines (and in Google's case, AdSense), or at least the first few search pages.[160]
Due to these allegations, a considerable amount of investigation has been aimed at the Church, by groups ranging from the media to governmental agencies.[139][140]
Although Scientologists are usually free to practice their beliefs, the organized church has often encountered opposition due to their strong-arm tactics directed against critics and members wishing to leave the organization.

While a number of governments now view the Church as a religious organization entitled to protections and tax relief, others view it as a pseudoreligion or a cult.[161][162] The differences between these classifications has become a major problem when discussing religions in general and Scientology specifically.[106]
While acknowledging that a number of his colleagues accept Scientology as a religion, sociologist Stephen A. Kent wrote: "Rather than struggling over whether or not to label Scientology as a religion, I find it far more helpful to view it as a multifaceted transnational corporation, only one[sic] element of which is religious."[163][164]
Scientology social programs such as drug and criminal rehabilitation have likewise drawn both support and criticism.[165][166][167][168]

I became aware of a group formed to warn the public about Scientology. This organization is called Anonymous. They have a digital press release explaining their objectives. Initially, I thought this whole thing was a hoax. It had a sort of Matrix-type feel about it. Once I began dig a little deeper. It became very apparent to me the group is very commited and serious about their stated mission: To dismantle The Church of Scientology. One of most interesting aspects of this movement is they are faceless literally, they are nameless literally. They could be your neighbor, the mailman, your babysitter. It all seems like something from a psycho/drama/thriller. The Internet is being utilized in executing their strategy in the support of their stated mission. Check out the video.

Our Friend and Brother Bob Marley

Our Brother and friend:Bob Marley part3

Our Brother and friend: Bob Marley part 2

Our Brother and friend: Bob Marley part 1

One of my favorite movies!

This is one of my favorite movies. In my profile I have not listed any of my favorite any thing. I prefer to show rather than tell, If possible. This film is beautiful! You have to rent,borrow or buy this DVD. You will not be disappointed. One of my heroes is Quincy Jones, the female lead in this movie is Marpessa Dawn(whew!) She was Q's lady at the time.

He was against her going down to Brazil to do the film because it had a low budget and she had to pay for her own transport. He later said he had to eat his words, the film was and is splendid work of art. This movie also has music from Antonio Carlos Jobim the great Bossa Nova singer/songwriter/musician. Brotha's if you want to really set it off right?! The next time you have the chance look for some nice romantic Samba/Bossa Nova. You may not understand what they are sayin' But she will know want you mean! Check out these beautiful Nubians!

Black Orpheus:
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Black Orpheus (Orfeu Negro in Portuguese) is a 1959 film made in Brazil by French director Marcel Camus. It is based on the play Orfeu da Conceição by Vinicius de Moraes, which is an adaptation of the Greek legend of Orpheus and Eurydice, setting it in the modern context of Rio de Janeiro during the Carnaval. The film was an international co-production between production companies in Brazil, France and Italy.
The film is particularly renowned for its soundtrack by bossa nova legend Antonio Carlos Jobim, featuring songs such as "Manhã de Carnaval" (written by Luiz Bonfá) and "A felicidade" that were to become Bossa nova classics.
Black Orpheus won the Palme d'Or at the 1959 Cannes Film Festival as well as the 1960 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and the 1960 Golden Globe for Best Foreign Film (in those awards the film was credited as a French production; only in the 1961 BAFTA Award for Best Foreign Language Film was Brazil credited together with France and Italy).