@ the DMV(thoughts on PTSD)

The food is ultra flavorful and also hazardous. Everyone is so hospitable while being just a few pounds over-weight. The weather is splendid (keeping in mind its the end of December). And the pace is a tad bit more brisk than that of a snail. This is the Savannah that i know.
This morning i had to be at the DMV by 7:30am or that's when the doors opened. My license had expired and I procrastinated too long. So, now i had to re-test. The catch is that they only test 5 applicants per day...the first five in line when the doors open.
I'm from NYC (but i prefer GA's drivers license because it has the colorful peaches on it and I have a house there!) and i know how to beat the system. I woke up at 6:30 and thought I'd beat everyone to the DMV. While everyones asleep, I'll be the first one there. I got ready and made it there by 7am. To my bewilderment, the parking lot was already half full! I guess i had misjudged the Savannians once again... or had I??
The morning air had a chill in it by southern standards. For God's sake it was 50 degrees! Everybody seemed to think it was too cold to stand in line so they all sat in their cars... that was just the break i needed! i jumped out and very casually walked to the door and just stood there. And almost like i pulled the fire alarm, all the cars' occupants scurried to fall in behind me.

I proudly filled out the paperwork, knowing that I would be first because I'm from Brooklyn and I know how to hustle. After a short while, the attendant called my name. She told me I would be #2. Foiled again!! Each of us, testee #1 and I walked to our vehicles together and I proceeded "so, you've got the top spot?" And he answered "The only reason I have the top spot is that I leave for Iraq in two hours." At that moment the selfish and jealous feelings I had towards him for taking my #1 pole position gave way to guilt.
"This is my second tour. I got sent home a few months ago after I got injured by an IED...I got hit in the head by shrapnel" he said as he turned to show me the long diagonal scar on the side of his face.
"They wanted me to have psychological treatment" he continued.
"And they're sending you back???"
"Man, I'm going back!...I'm a soldier!"
The guy couldn't have been more than 22 years old. Listening to him inside the office, my first impression was that he was from a lower middle class or even poor background. He spoke loudly with a strong southern drawl like someone who's not quite all there.
"Good luck man!" I offered.
He responded with a half-hearted "yeah" almost like he was sure of his success and didn't need any luck from me.
we both went on to pass our exams. I probably never crossed his mind after our brief encounter but he has remained in my thoughts. I wonder what will become of him. Hopefully he will survive and make it back. But what will happen when he returns? Lets make no mistake about it, he will need treatment. So will thousands of other young men and women. Even if we don't agree with their mission, we have asked a lot from them, surely we owe them sufficient care when they return home

R.I.P. Benazir Bhutto

I'm having a great a Christmas break in Georgia with family but I'm saddened tonight by the sudden death of Former Pakistani Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto. I had been following the recent developments in Pakistan over the past several months an had grown fond of Ms. Bhutto, not because of any political ideology but simply because of her unwavering courage. Even before ending her self-imposed exile, she had received threats on her life. Nevertheless, she unflinchingly returned to Pakistan to foment change.
Lets not forget, there was an assassination attempt practically as she stepped of the plane in Karachi. She would later write to a friend that she had been getting death threats from high in the government and that if she were to die, part of the responsibility would have to go to President Musharraf. Musharraf refused to provide more security after the blast in Karachi.
Even more saddening were the responses of our "politicians". Even before any initial investigations, even before the body got cold, they (Clinton, Giuliani, Romney) were using Bhutto's death for political gain. Mitt Romney blamed Islamic Jihadist...Ok Mitt. that's pretty broad. Let's be more specific. How about the Pakistani government who just so happens to be our ally in "the war on terror", which is another sweeping term. Well I guess we'll see what happens in the next coming weeks and months.
I guess to me, in comparing Benazir Bhutto with what we have in America right now; I've come away with the conclusion that it takes courage and sacrifice to achieve democracy but prevarication to achieve in it...guess that's the nature of politics.

Looking Glass: submitted by Diondra Smith

No Questions
-dsmit

Have you ever been left for nothing?
Well nothing is what he said she was
Nothing was their life together, their kids, their house
When he walked away he promised his misery, at little league games and at couples retreats,
Cuz all of that meant nothing
Nothing to him nothing to me, nothing is what he left me for, left me with
He promised that I was his everything, his weightless all
Then shrugged me off and dutifully took up all of his nothing.
Have you ever been left for nothing?

Well that's what he left me for
For the familiar, the planned, the expected and respected
For father's day and anniversary gifts, for pee wee ball, dinner at 6
He promised it would all be incomplete, he promised he could endure my malice
Cause without me it was nothing, and nothing is why he left me

how much more?...

Last Wednesday, Robert Hawkins (19) wrote to his mother that he had just snapped. He then walked into the Westroads Mall and unloaded an AK-47 into the crowd killing 8 people before finally turning the weapon on himself. I'm sure you're familiar with the story. What we don't know is how Robert, a disturbed young man, went about acquiring an AK-47 assault rifle. Did he find one on the street? You know, one with the serial numbers scratched off that already has "bodies" on it. Probably not. He doesn't live in Detroit. Where he lives it's easier to just walk into a gun-show and bye an assault rifle, granted that he has a drivers license.
Two days later; Matthew Murray (24) walked into a Denver area christian youth center and killed 2 youth workers and wounded 2 others. Later on that day, he struck again. He entered the New Life Church after killing 2 teen sisters in the parking lot and opened fire wounding 2 others before an alert security guard, who says she was guided by god, fearlessly put the gunman down. These random shooting incidents, tragically, are becoming all to familiar to Colorado residents. Murray's recent web posts show that he was inspired by the Columbine High shooters. He also used an assault rifle.

As history repeats itself, it becomes all the more evident that something needs to be done about our country's gun laws. I'm not smart enough to come up with the answer but i can identify part of the problem. In 1994 President Clinton signed the Assault Weapons Ban. On September 13th, 2004, President Bush and a Republican controlled congress allowed the ban to expire.

No one is calling for abolishment of the 2nd Amendment but how about logical steps like tougher background checks at gun shows? Why not? Because the NRA says that they would eliminate gun shows all together and the NRA wields a ton of influence in Washington. Why? Well since 1989, Gun rights groups have given $17 million in contributions. 85 percent of those funds have gone to Republican candidates or the National Republican Committee.

happenings in nyc

Looks like we have an art opening to attend on Sunday (12/16). See the attached flyer. If you may not know anything about Marc he is a Haitian fashion photographer. Who has shot a lot of models/celebrities whom you'll recognize.

Bubble Lounge
228 West Broadway
Tribeca, NY
Sat. Dec. 16th, 2007
7pm



submitted by eric charlot

A week before Thanksgiving, I took a short vacation to Jamaica for one of my best friend's wedding. It turned out to be a huge lovefest. Meeting new family and friends from all over the world, while eating some of the best food I've eaten in some time, has definitely recharged my soul and has given me a new determination to make it through another winter in the city but also convincing me that i need to leave the country every couple of months to maintain my sanity.
Congratulations to Clint and Jessica who inspire us to find a love like that of which you two share.

Where we stayed: http://www.silver-sands.com/
Silver Sands is off the beaten path right outside Montego Bay. It's in a gated community offering uncrowded beaches with plenty of activities such as kayaking, snorkeling and deep sea fishing.