RELIGION IS DEAD

Thank Jebus it's Friday. Speaking of The Lawd, there's a movie coming out that I'm going to try to see sometime this weekend called RELIGULOUS. It's Bill Maher's journalistic satire of religion, and by most reviewer's accounts, it promises to be funny to OBJECTIVISTS like myself while pissing off most Evangelical neo-conservative lunatics and hopefully every other manipulating servant of Satan that pretends to speak the language of spirituality. You know the type...






I don't know your views on Christianity, Islam or Judaism, but you're more than welcome to ask axe God to strike me down for saying that I am highly interested in what this documentary-styled film contains, or you can just leave a comment and be less dramatic. But if you wish to know, I am neither an atheist nor an agnostic, but I have serious questions about the factual or plain-old believable issues that are preached in the name of The Lawd, especially down here under the bible belt, where assholes and dickheads alike stink up the region with their quiet quest for money, power and fame--all in the name of Jesus Christ, Muhammad or MATISYAHU. God knows he has some strange followers that probably believe that he wrote the Old Testament or some next shit like that. Me? I was raised as a Baptist, and I had to go to chuuch all the got-damn time. I would hear all types of buffoonery. A quick list of some of the nonsense includes:

1. If you kill yourself, you're going to Hell.
2. If you're gay, you're going to Hell.
3. If you say "God Damn" too many times, you're going to Hell.

Now, I can't vouch for two of those, because I'm neither gay or dead from suicide. But I lost my fear of speaking my mind years ago, and sometimes you just can't substitute another phrase for the all-powerful "Gyeaad--DAAAYYUM!!" And besides, don't act like a lot of the men that attend mostly black churches aren't apple bottom biters on the low, if you follow. Maybe on the high... But please believe: God has been very good to me, so don't assume that I'm not a believer. I just don't let another human being get between our relationship, so I really have little to no use for modern evangelists, preachers and such.



The few spiritual leaders that I do respect have always agreed that there is no such thing as an unforgivable sin as long as you've accepted God into your life. The others have always made up things that they claim can be found in The Good Book. By the way, it is a good book, but did you know that the Bible was in fact not written by God? A man actually took the trees that God created on "his" earth, in "his" universe, and cut them into shreds so that he could print money, collect 10% of others' income and give it all back to God. God made man and man made money selling God's magnum opus.



OUCH-- I just got struck by a bolt of lightning! But no, really, what is the point of religion? I see it as a way to control people and to turn the individual hero into a compressed weakling who cannot exist on his or her own terms. Maybe that sounds harsh, but riddle me this: when was the last time you sinned? Probably today. And the wages of sin is... you already know. Death. But guess what? You're gonna die anyway, so stop taking things so God-damned literal and learn to laugh at life while you have it. Sheesh!

I expect to laugh incredibly loud at Religulous, but I do not expect anyone to volunteer to see it with me. And while I believe it will do decent numbers at the box office, I can also clearly see the future, when the zealots start protesting and calling for HBO to cancel his show like Comedy Central did back when he started FREESTYLING about September 11. If there's anything guaranteed in America, it is religious persecution, which is pretty sad when you remember that this country was supposedly founded as an antidote to intolerance.



You mad? Who cares. Take it up with the man, woman or entity upstairs. But please, save your accusations of blasphemy for someone that's stupid. I have always believed that the spirit of God lives in each of us, therefore we can communicate directly with the great spirit without the need of an intermediary or middleman. As long as we have pastors with perms, private jets and penthouse apartments that preach prosperity, I'll happily refrain from spending my sacred Sunday afternoon doing anything as ridiculous as attending a "house of God" that man built and paid for. Isn't God already rich? Doesn't "he" own the earth, as well as the universe? How much sense does it then make to cut down "his" trees, turn them into currency and give 10% of the paper product back to "him"?

God don't like ugly. And yes, I know I might go to Hell for this, but like The Last Poets said, "If there's Hell below, we're all gonna go!"

BIPARTISANSHIP IS DEAD

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

CONSISTENCY IS DEAD

It's so crazy that Jon Stewart has more gall than almost any liberal thinker, commentator or columnist. Dude always seems to find factual information that throws the hypocrisy of the GOP back in the face of the dead elephants. And - get this - he's a comedian.

This just supports my theory that the truth is a joke, and vice-versa.

WAKE UP: YOU ARE NOW LIVING HISTORY

Who do you want to be today? What's so special about Thursday, August 28, 2008? When do you plan to thank God for the breath that's in your lungs? Where are you going in your life? Why should you be happy to be alive? How do we get even further than we are today?

All six of those questions begin with the starting words that journalists are taught to ask their subjects. Who, what, when, where, why and how. Allow me to add a seventh query to the list:

Do you care enough to be alive at this crucial time in history?


Today is the 45th anniversary of the deliverance of the so-called "I Have a Dream" speech by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He was a titan among all men, not just African-Americans. If my math is correct, he would be 79 years old today, if he were not assasinated by cowards who did not want to allow change to come about in American society. Unfortunately, like many great men and women who sought to make a difference in the way the world works, he was stopped short before he could see the future he helped develop with his own eyes.





Fortunately for the continuing development of African-American culture - and that is not to say that I don't wish that all cultures continue to develop, besides white supremacists - we have new heroes. Of course, Senator Barack Obama, who was nominated last night as the Democratic nominee for POTUS, is an outstanding, shining example. But there are others, oh my brothers and sisters.

You and I are included in that number of saints who can now march forward into tomorrow with pride, dignity, integrity and purpose. This morning is a great morning, and it is the foundation upon which the future will be built. So please, PLEASE, get your punk ass out of bed and join the rest of the new civilized world.

We are now evolved.

DEAD PREZ SAYS "WAKE THE EFF UP"

What better way to get your Wednesday morning started than with some of that good revolutionary Hip-Hop music as the soundtrack to your daily survival? I can think of none at the moment.

This song, "It's Bigger Than Hip-Hop", by dead prez, has been on heavy rotation in my mental radio station recently, and I can't figure out why. Maybe it's because good Hip-Hop music is on life-support. Maybe the reason why I'm posting an old video by Dead Prez is because my own blog is dead and I have nothing better to do. Or maybe - just maybe - true Hip-Hop music never dies, because true Hip-Hop music finds ways to speak the immortal truth about life and the everlasting, never-ending struggle for peace, love and progress.





The truth is that the fight is far from finished, and songs like the one above are perfect melodies to wake your tired ass up from the clutches of death's cousin. Whether you're still slumbering through the morning, currently in a corporate cubicle cage or trying to settle into your own solitary confinement of creativity, it's time to get on your grind.

The game of life does not don't wait. And life is bigger than Hip-Hop. And Hip-Hop is bigger than religion, "my nigga" and the government. Didn't we go over this yesterday morning?


"Better drink a Red Bull;
You can't sleep on life..."
Young Jeezy - "I Luv It"

WAKING UP THE DEAD: THE TUESDAY MORNING ALARM CLOCK

To you, this post might have nothing to do with anything, but to me, it has something to do with everything going on in the world right now. You see, the most recent album by your favorite rapper is ony going to last 3-6 months. The flyest video you're going to see in the next week or so will only last until the beginning of winter, and that's if it's really good. That's a short lifespan, and it's only getting worse with more and more people calling themselves rappers and less shelf space available for old rap records. But classic Hip-Hop is immortal. Believe that.


R.I.P. Scott La Rock (Boogie Down Productions)


The problem is that our culture has been hijacked by hermaphrodites and hookers of harmony who don't care what type of music they make, as long as that music makes money and provides for another fiscal year of trickery and financial fuckery. This is probably where "making it rain" comes in, leaving the lower class feeling left out of the loop, wishing for a watershed moment when the odds are even and the ears and eyes of executives are open and exposed. Everyone wants his or her own time to shine, even if it is restricted to fifteen minutes; it's hard not to be a critic when you're riding in a Civic. Best thing to do is stop talking it and live it.'


"This one is for Dilla"... R.I.P. Jay Dee



Like Erykah said on "The Healer," our culture is bigger than religion, "my nigga" and the government. I would add that it should be bigger than money, but that remains to be seen. There are, however, some things that will always be bigger than Hip-Hop, such as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness freedom.


Quiet as it's kept, Hip-Hop is even bigger than death. Some of our most beloved heroes have found everlasting life through their musical legacies. Word to Big Pun and Buffy of The Fat Boys, who were both big as hell but aren't here to see the new morning with us, like J. Dilla and Scott La Rock.







We're at the dawn of a new day, and all it takes is a majority of believers to overwhelm the minority of haters. But we can't get there if you sleep through your damned alarm clock. So climb your tired ass out of bed and join the movement of the living - those of us who care more about contributing than collecting, ones that are more interested in legacies than liquid assets.

THE OBAMA CRUSADE: Day 24

TODAY (Really yesterday, but so what):


This has been out for a day, but it is still... I almost can't believe I'm saying this... impressive. Paris Hilton has responded to Senator John McCain's horrible TV ad with her own short, with help from Will Ferrell's comedic website, FUNNYORDIE.COM. In the vid, she lambastes McCain as a geezer, while leaving Obama's name completely out of the line of fire. Looks like the Hilton Family is regretting that $4,600 check they cut to the Republickin candidate, and might be switching sides.

Anyway, here is the video, which is a classic. I mean, I might even respect Paris now. I don't know what to believe anymore... I'm so confused.

See more Paris Hilton videos at Funny or Die

Yo, not only are the jokes funny, and not only does she look pretty good, and not only does she show that she can be very articulate when asked axed, but damn... her energy policy sounds like the best idea that I've heard thus far.

“I never thought I’d say this, but Paris Hilton’s plan is sound,” said Peter Beutel, an energy analyst at Connecticut’s Cameron Hanover.

“I’ve maintained all along that we need the best (ideas) of the political left, the best of the right and the best of the center. We need bipartisan ideas welded together. If Paris Hilton gets into the act with her plan, I’m all for it,” Beutel said.

“So now we’ll just have to see what Britney has to say and maybe combine them both into a policy,” said Art Kinsman, a spokesman for AAA Southern New England.

SOURCE: THE BOSTON HERALD

I'm dead @ this. It's, like, totally the hardest thing Paris has ever done. I can't even say any more on this one. Holla at me later.

Shout out to Rihanna.

CAREER-DEAD MCs

[please notice the phrase "Promotional Use Only" underneath "THE BOSS." True, true.]



If you haven't already heard - and it's everywhere right now - the rap career of "Rick Ross" is OFFICIALLY OVER.

The Smoking Gun has found records that *allegedly* show "Rick Ross", a.k.a. William Roberts, at some type of training graduation for correctional officers in Florida, shaking hands and smiling in a tight-ass brown and beige uniform.

This has been a two-week saga in the Hip-Hop world, as it involves a famous rapper (Roberts) that claimed to be a cocaine dealer and outlaw leader of his own Florida narcotics gang. He even went as far as naming himself after a California crack lord - "Freeway" Ricky Ross. As you would guess, being a one-time employee of the state prison system doesn't bode well for the reputation, especially while we're still in the "Stop Snitching" era. But creating the false persona of a criminal when you were actually trained to babysit them for the government is, if true, inexcusible and unacceptable.


Trick Daddy had already put the word out that Roberts used to be a prison guard, but without providing proof, it was just held as a possibility and an unfounded joke. But once the word got strong enough to spread, Media Take Out posted the picture, and the internet went nuts like Jesse. Soon after, Roberts put out his own YouTube joint, denying that he was ever a prison guard and saying that he would "see" Trick Daddy.





But now, all we see is that TDD was on point. I don't think it's so unreasonable that a prison guard could become a rap artist, or even a cocaine dealer-turned rap artist, but why front for the camera? You don't have to lie to kick it. Bad day - William Roberts. Good day - Trick Daddy.


"Fake thug, no love / you get the snub / CB-4 'Gusto' / Your luck low / I didn't know 'till I was drunk, though..."
Nas - The Message

LEGALLY-DEAD MCs

I apologize in advance, because I just have to curse on this one. This shit is a total fucking disgrace. It's so unbelievable, I can't even believe it. But I'll be damned to hell if it isn't the truth.


YOUR FAVORITE RAPPER DMX HAS BEEN ARRESTED - YES, AGAIN, for some brand new bullshit. Just click that link above and you'll get the story; I just can't even do it anymore. At this point, I can't even excuse any excuse he or his attorney might have, either for the judge or the media. What the hell gives anyone the right to be arrested so many times in one year and not go to jail? Isn't he beating Amy Winehouse's record right about now? It's so bad that all you have to do is type in "DMX arrested" in Google, and you'll find more pages than any encyclopedia will ever print. Ever.


But alas, I guess he had to keep on "keeping it hood." All we can do at this point is offer his name up in prayer. Dude is obviously a complete geek monster, and will be deemed as such until further notice.


Just for continuity, below you'll find that hilariously sad video from a few months ago where The Dog was severely geeked, throwed, twisted and shitfaced, all at once, in the booth. SMMFH at DJ GQ (the Asiatic dude at the mixing board), who co-signed this absolute tragedy. But I guess it makes sense, because people act any old way when they have friends enablers around them 24/7.




"With friends like that, you don't need enemies!"
Whodini - (if I really have to name this song, you don't belong here.)

THE OBAMA CRUSADE: Day 6

Out of town in Afghanistan for just 24 hours, and my man Obama is already stirring up trouble.

Depending on who you believe, the Senator from Chicago either has or does not have the support of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki in his quest to end the American military presence in 16 months.


Here's the CNN VERSION of the story:

"U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama talks about 16 months," he said in an interview with Der Spiegel that was released Saturday.

"That, we think, would be the right time frame for a withdrawal, with the possibility of slight changes," he said.

But a spokesman for al-Maliki said his remarks "were misunderstood, mistranslated and not conveyed accurately."

SOURCE: CNN.COM

Now, just to keep it "fair and balanced", here is an excerpt of the version that you will find at SLYFOX.COM:

The statement by Ali al-Dabbagh came after an article was published by Germany’s Der Spiegel magazine which quoted al-Maliki as favoring the 16-month withdrawal window proposed by Barack Obama.

The article quoted al-Maliki as saying “U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama talks about 16 months. That, we think, would be the right timeframe for a withdrawal, with the possibility of slight changes.”

Al-Dabbagh said al-Maliki’s views were “misunderstood and mistranslated” by Der Spiegel and that the prime minister backs a general vision of pulling out U.S. combat forces based on talks with Washington “and in the light of the continuing positive developments on the ground.”

Al-Dabbagh said statements by al-Maliki or any members of the Iraqi government “should not be understood as support to any U.S. presidential candidates.”

SOURCE: FOXNEWS.COM

In other words (mine), Iraq's prime minister probably should have consulted Bush before he went and endorsed anything pro-Obama without permission. Somebody's not being a team player, it seems.


All caught up. Moving on...

OBAMA: THE LAST 100 DAYS - Vol. 2

Day 2.

99 days left before Senator Barack Obama is inaugurated as (literally) the first African-American POTUS. But, lo and behold, the time is not now to celebrate. There's plenty of work to do in the meantime. Let's get it.


TODAY:

THE NEW YORK TIMES REPORTS that in Iraq, Obama is beloved. He is urging an almost complete withdrawal from the country in 16 months. People there love the idea, but he is still being tested for his theory and proposal that America must pull out of the region before we are tied down for generations in a war that was never meant to be fought in the first place.

“In no way do I favor the occupation of my country,” said Abu Ibrahim, a Western-educated businessman in Baghdad, “but there is a moral obligation on the Americans at this point.”

Like many Iraqis, Mr. Ibrahim sees Mr. Obama favorably, describing him as “much more humane than Bush or McCain.”

“He seems like a nice guy,” Mr. Ibrahim said. But he hoped that Mr. Obama’s statements about a relatively fast pullout were mere campaign talk.

SOURCE: THE NEW YORK TIMES ONLINE

IMO, we absolutely cannot afford, as a nation in a recession, to continue to let our national budget go deeper in the red because of a stupid decision by the outgoing Bush. We have to get smart. And sure, we have an obligation to make sure things are alright, but we might be giving the Iraqis their best chance to craft their own government if we actually leave it up to them.


See you tomorrow...

OBAMA: THE LAST 100 DAYS

Go ahead and hit that cigarette, my brother. Only 100 days left before November 2. It's gonna get shitty...


This is the beginning of the real movement, for those of us who are true supporters and not suckers. It is time to toughen up and get ready for the real fight. The true political season starts now.

I believe that political action involves debate. And some people are too stupid to know why they should like Obama. All they can do is hate him, because they are programmed as such.


Here's where our responsibility comes in. Everyone who has an Obama t-shirt, book, poster, magazine or campaign sticker ought to be able to give anyone outside of the know a few reasons why they too should support the candidate. For me, it's culture, environment, economy, diplomacy, conversation and even freedom. Mental, that is.

I'm gonna try to post something every single day until November 2 - Election Day - about my choice for President. Good and bad. Supportive and critical. Realistic and idealistic.


If you feel like commenting, shit... go for it. If not, don't.


TODAY:

THE WHITE HOUSE JUST ANNOUNCED that a special envoy will be meeting with Iranian diplomats.

This is a major shift which stands to help Obama, because John McCain does not believe that diplomacy can work with Iran. If Bush starts a dialog with Iran, it will severly undercut McCain's stance on foreign policy.

Translation: Obama looks like he's on the right correct side of the Iran issue. McCain looks old as usual.

CHRISTMAS IN JULY - "SANTA CLAUS" IS DEAD

Before I even ask axe the following question, I need to say one thing. I am an even-thirds split between Native American, African-American and white - certified mutt. I am a southern Baptist, which means that I was brought up around people who believed that Jesus had blonde hair and blue eyes. On top of that, I'm also a proud member of the Mama's Boy club, because my mother is nothing less than a saint. She might even be a goddess, as far as I can tell, so if she lied to me during my early stages, I must assume it was with good intentions for my future, even if it now seems questionable.

But enough of all that, for now. It's not intended as an excuse for the question I pose to you. It's more of a way of explaining the thought behind it, if you follow. It just so happens that, after I posted that last one, I started thinking about religion for some reason. Then, I started thinking about Christmas. Then, I remembered that it's July. And then, I remembered the myth of SANTA CLAUS, and how I once was told to believe that he was real. And on, and on, and on....

And, lo and behold, my mind found a question that I've never before heard asked axed aloud in the ways I thought about, even though I'm sure it's been queried between you and friends or conversational associates - if not among one other person you trust, maybe even two. That is, assuming that you're not scared to confront people with real questions every now and again. If not, I hate to be the bearer of bad inquisitions and scare you off, but I just can't resist this one.

By the way, you don't even have to comment or respond. But if you feel like it's a good question, leave a note about it. You won't hurt my feelings either way.


Here goes...


If we live in a culture where children, as soon as they could comprehend, understand and enjoy a sweet bedtime story, were told by their parents to believe that a fat man named Santa Claus was flying around the world on a supersonic chariot of reindeer and delivering presents to every "good" child alive...

Then, one day, we discovered that the whole story was nothing short or long of a lie...

Then how are we, using the "Fool Me Once..." rule of thinking, supposed to truly believe in some of the religious traditions we hold so close to our hearts, which also start and justify wars between countries?



Too scary to even think about. But those who walk in fear will never reach the truth on their paths. That's not a quote, by the way. I just made that shit up. Get like me.

Lest you internet geeks start thinking that I just woke up and found out that I wouldn't get a new X-Box game and a train set this year, let me just say that I'm a grown-ass man. I've been beating down myths for a long time, way before some of my friends reached puberty. I'm of no illusionary mind that would let me believe anything that I haven't experienced. That includes God, and for the record, I'm a believer. A blond-haired, blue-eyed Jesus or a fat German on a sleigh that can will bring my bad-ass kids some gifts when I can't afford them? No mucho. And I don't even have bastards children yet, if I don't count internet haters. Which I don't.





Sorry to interrupt your sleep. You can thank me later for the gift that keeps on giving through generations... the truth. Now go give out some turkeys to the homeless or something.


"M*therf*ck*r, I'm ILL..."
- Lil' Wayne; "A Millie"