Obama in Cairo, Egypt

I’m not so naïve as to think that one speech by one president will change the way the US is viewed by the Islamic world but I was thoroughly impressed by the evenhanded approach of President Obama’s speech today in Egypt. He did not shy away from any of the uncomfortable topics including human rights and violent extremism. If you have an hour, take a listen…

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Metropolis: Art Reflecting NYC

Please Save The Date: Friday June 5th @ The Skinny
174 Orchard /between Houston in Stanton,
Smack Dabb in the middle of the Lower East Side.
Music By Todd Jones.
6-11pm


Last Year's Event was such a success, we have done it again!

The Magical Run Continues

06.05.09 Chelsea-Barcelona // INIESTA \\ 1-1 !! PL - The best home videos are here

The only other city that I love equally to New York would have to be Barcelona, Spain. Since I have been frequenting Barcelona, I have become a huge fan of the city’s Soccer/futbol team. Last year, I was ecstatic when they acquired my favorite player, the Frenchman, Thierry Henry. This year they are playing like the best team in the world. Yesterday however, the English club, Chelsea was dominating the Champion’s League match for 90 minutes and I was resigned to the fact that Barca’s run for the Champions League title was coming to an end. But in the 93’rd minute (soccer matches last 90 min. However the referee may add time due to penalties or injury time-outs) as I reached to turn off the game, a miracle occurred! Barca's Iniesta scored a goal with just seconds to play allowing the Spanish club to move on to the championship match against Manchester United! I couldn’t believe it!!! If only I could have been with my friends in Barcelona last night!!!

“Causality”, (cause and effect) as a concept, seems to be something that a lot of people have a hard time comprehending with regards to history. Take for instance the reaction of some Americans last week to the President’s trip to the Summit of the Americas. Some thought that by sitting there for 50 minutes as Nicaraguan president, Daniel Ortega laid out his “history of Latin-America” in which he criticized the “Imperialistic” US, President Obama made himself seem weak. I think those people have a very selfish, if not limited, world view. This approach is not a healthy in dealing with the 21st century globe which is more interconnected that at anytime in history. The notion that the US is above reproach, tends to keep with the same arrogant attitudes that we have seen in the past that has left us with a diminished reputation. People like Ortega with their anti-American rhetoric don’t genuinely hate us for our freedom. They want to prosper along with us but they want us to be fair and to own up to some of the US’ more despicable acts in the past. It is true that the US backed the Contra rebels who fought against the democratically elected government in which Ortega sat. It is also true that the US supported Batista, the brutal Cuban dictator who was overthrown by Fidel Castro. It is also true that our corporations have exploited their citizens on many occasions. (http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/47/043.html) So, it is understandable that Latin America may still be harboring some ill feelings.
In order to move forward in South and Central America, we must convince the hemisphere that we will be partners and will not impose our will. We can put away old arguments. However, we first have to come to terms with them. Ignoring the past like some conservatives want to do even with our racial past, is not the way to move on.

Life @ Kmart Design

Carmina Soul is Back!!!

Let'em Go!!!

OK, so Governor Perry of Texas hinted yesterday that his state may secede from the union. He says that Texas rejects the oppressive federal government under President Obama. Mind you, he didn’t reject the hurricane, flood and wildfire aid that his state recently received and he also requested more National Guard troops to help him at the Mexican border. It’s striking how silly the country’s political sides have become. I’m sorry, but all this tea bag stuff is just silly! Yeah they do have a point, government spending has brought about a huge deficit but let’s not forget it was conservatives who put us there. I didn’t see any signs protesting Bush but I did see a lot of anti-Obama signs and a few with racial overtones, which is not surprising.

Well I say let them go! Let them become there own nation and lets tighten up the immigration laws and cut federal aid of all types. Let’s watch as their unemployment hits 20-30% and then racial tensions boil over and violent crime explodes in not just the urban areas. And then, let’s watch them try and hold back the Mexican drug cartels. They’ll come crawling back to Mr. Obama, the man they seem to hate so much.

E-Interview: DJ Moni, the friend we love

I met Dj Moni at least 5 years ago (can't quite remember how long it's been). We were both and still are part of the Ubiquita Family of DJ's and promoters. Over the years she has become one of my favorite people. I guess she digs me too. How else could i explain her granting me this email interview...it's a lot easier to verbally answer my questions...

> -what has been you latest musical discovery; be it a song, live performance
or some epiphany of some kind?

I'm really loving Jose James' new project. It'll be coming out soon.
You can hear a few tracks here http://www.myspace.com/josejamesquartet

Nickel Eye is a band headed by Nikolai Fraiture, bassist of The
Strokes. When we heard Mark Ronson’s Brandy of the Damned remix with
Wale, I had to dig a little deeper and we struck gold. Not only do I
love the original BOtD version’s melodic bass, ska guitar riffs and
overall bounce, but the rest of the songs are moody, thought provoking
and quite charming.


> -I love your blog. What is the concept behind the “friends we love” brand?
>
Thanks Lovett! Friends We Love has taken over my life & that of my
partner Mike Vargas. It started as a conversation during lunch about
all the talented friends we have, many in common that we weren't even
aware of. I used to work in documentary production for a few years and
Mike has been a filmmaker for like 10 years but we both wanted to work
on projects that reflected our passions and those of our community.
Since we started we've produced 24 short documentaries with some of
our good friends, others, friends of friends, which have been seen in
over 100 countries. We're still self-funded but our love & belief in
our vision keeps us working as if we were making millions. I'm sure
the funding, sponsorship or production deal is right around the
corner!

> -For some years now, when you are not doing the solo thing, you have been
collaborating with two other great DJ’s (DJ Reborn and DJ Selly) under the
name Ladies of Ubiquita.

Why has that worked so well and how do you three complement each other?

We had a great run to say the least. Our love of music is so
expansive, inclusive but yet really soulful. We have our own
individual sound but together it was magic. Really wonderful.


> -In the past few months, it feels as if the world or at least our collective
consciousness is in the midst of a positive shift of change. Have you felt
it and how have you incorporated it into your music?

Yeah. I feel the positive shift of change =) My music has always been
feel-good when I spin out. I keep the depressing, moody stuff to
myself. We just have to be even more awake than before. They think
that we're placated and satisfied. This is when they pass legislation
that doesn't serve the greater purpose but rather only a select few
(bailout, FED powers).



> -Did you vote for Ron Paul?...lol, don’t answer that.



--
For More on Moni:

*the show ::
http://friendswelove.com/

*the blog ::
http://friendswelove.wordpress.com/

Is He Crazy?

I watched former vice president, Dick Cheney on the tube this Sunday morning and I am convinced that he is a mad man!!! That is if he actually believes the stuff that comes out of his mouth. Take the fact that he says this current economic mess cannot be blamed on the previous administration. Cheney says that we are in an international crisis...It's not our fault, it's the world's fault. What a wack job! Did he forget that this world financial crisis all started right here with the lax regulatory policies that his people either put in place or forgot to enforce? Simply put, the whole world is a little bit poorer because Cheney and W literally and figuratively.

March Of Dimes' March for Babies

Hi Friends and Family,

Next month, I am participating in the March of Dimes “March for Babies”.
The March of Dimes uses 77 cents of every dollar raised in March for Babies to support research and programs that help moms have full-term pregnancies and babies begin healthy lives. And your funds are used to bring comfort and information to families whose baby was born too soon, or sick.
As someone who was born prematurely and is blessed to be here, I feel strongly about this cause.

If you would like to contribute please visit my page at http://www.marchforbabies.org/lovetthines and contribute as little as 5 bucks.


Thanks,
Lovett