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WHAT'S HAPPENING
by Todd
Mangatal
Greetings
To all among our on-line family:
Hope
all is well and everyone's preparing for the holiday season that's upon
us. It seems that this election has been on the minds of many here
in the U.S. and around the world. We received many comments last
week resulting from Susan's views. What's surprising is there are
so many different viewpoints about what took place (well I guess it's
really not that surprising). Personally, I was not surprised
with the outcome of the elections. Many people had stepped to me
in the weeks leading up to the elections stating that things would be
better after George Bush got out of office, and of course my comment was
"I guess you'll be waiting 4 more years". Realistically,
what would have gotten better? Would they have gotten better
overnight as everyone seemed to believe or implied? I don't think
so! So much has been done, and things are so screwed up already, I
think it would have taken more than a new President to improve
things. Look at the situation we are in? Gas is over $2.00 a
gallon, which is appalling! We are in a crazy war! Do we
really know why?
From
the comments I received over the past weeks, some members of our on-line
community seem to think they know why we are at War, and I've been sent
all kinds of valuable information about why. Such as policies, treaties,
and all kinds of crazy government issues. I've even been asked
questions about Hitler, and so many other things that truly hasn't
convinced me that this war is justified. I personally think war is
a primitive way of settling differences or scores. This is
supposed to be the 21st century. I can talk to the world in
seconds just by a mouse click, and we are still fighting wars with bombs
and guns. The solution is simple, find out what seems to be the
problem with the people we are at war with. Obviously there is a
problem, so deal with it and solve it without so much bloodshed!
To many innocent lives are being lost on both sides, imagine if the shoe
was on the other foot and our comfort zone was invaded, and this war was
taking place in our home towns, do you think it would have so much
support? Again, I don't think so, because most of us are watching
it on TV, I'm sure to many it's like watching a movie and it's not real,
and people's lives have not been turned upside down. If you
notice, the media rarely ever tells how many from the other side (Iraq's)
have been killed, but obviously when you are bombarding a city with
bombs whether smart or stupid (bombs), people are dying, but we never
hear about that. I guess they aren't important. What have
the people of Iraq done to us, not the government, but the people?
They are suffering! If they are fighting back as much as they are
fighting back, there is obviously a problem. If it was you and
your home land was invaded, I'm sure you'll be fighting too. Would
you be wrong? I think not!
Additionally,
so many things that I've heard from our leaders really troubles me, the
main one being the statement "we are going to hunt them down and
kill them". I remember hearing George Bush say that after
911, and now if you listen to the conservative talk shows everyone is
repeating that statement. What happened to "thou shall not
kill", what type of example is this to our youths who are so
troubled as it is. This shows, if you have a problem with someone
then the way to deal with it is to "hunt them down and kill
them". Yes, this is what's been happening on the streets in
our communities for years, but I've always been told that it was
wrong. So how can the President of the United States of America
make a statement to the world that we are going to "hunt them down
and kill them"? This is a very strong statement, and it gives
the wrong message. Of course I don't condone killing, but in this
day an age with the technology that we possess, a problem could be
eliminated without any loss of innocent lives. Yes, we do have the
technology, and we have used it for years.
Surly,
this is bigger than what we see, this is all about power, control and
money! No, this is not power for George Bush and the U.S., this is
bigger than George Bush and the U.S. I know you will say I sound paranoid
by my next few statements (that's what they say about most messengers),
but there are people controlling everything that is happening, that we
don't see, but they are there pulling the strings, planning the wars,
plotting who's going to die and who's going to rule, they even crash
airplanes into buildings from time to time, and no they are not the
"so called" terrorists. So whether it's George Bush or
the next person, what has to go on, is going to go on. Everyone
has been so upset over the outcome of the elections, but what we need to
do is open our eyes and look at the big picture, think logically about
things that have happened.
Message
To My Brothers and Sisters
One
thing we must realize is America is still separated, and right now it's
really not about black and white, it's about Money and Power and the
have and haves not. We can sit back and cry about what's going
down, but it will get us no where. If this is about Money and
Power (as I believe) we need to control some money and some power, and
we need to be the "haves" instead of the "have nots".
Why is it that the majority of our people who voted went
democratically? They are looking for social change and of course
they hate George Bush and his policies, but one of our big issues is
social programs. If we had control of the money, more importantly
if we worked together to help ourselves, these social programs such as
national health care, welfare, etc. would be unnecessary. We the
people would have a strong financial base to help our own, and the
Government could govern, which is how it's supposed to be...right?
Our problem is, like I always say we cannot work together, and this is
beyond George Bush. Once we start working together and stop hating
we will have a voice, we will have power, and we will be in a position
to deal with the powerful. Until that day comes, we will always be
second class citizens in this World.
One
day in my entire life I felt there was hope for us as a people in the
world, and that day was the Million Man March. It was a day filled
with joy, happiness and togetherness, but I guess it wasn't real.
I guess it was a fantasy. Even though we all stood and repeated
the great Million Man Pledge, which was the answer to all of our
troubles and problems, by the next day it was tear down time, and the
hating started. Things were being said like, this was a Muslim
thing, Minister Farrakhan took all the money and he was doing this for
his personal gain, etc. However, what we failed to realize is
Farrakhan was just the Messenger, delivering a message that we just
won't seem to hear, but we need to hear. I am far from being a Muslim,
and my religious beliefs are quite different, but I believe this pledge
will solve all of our problems.
Million
Man Pledge
Please
read it daily, live by it, and things will begin to change!
I pledge that from this day
forward I will strive to love my brother as I love
myself.
I from this day forward
will strive to improve myself spiritually, morally, mentally,
socially, politically, and economically for the benefit of
myself, my family, and my people.
I pledge that I will strive
to build business, build houses, build hospitals, build
factories, and then to enter international trade for the good
of myself, my family, and my people.
I pledge that from this day
forward I will never raise my hand with a knife or a gun to
beat, cut, or shoot any member of my family or any human
being, except in self-defense.
I pledge from this day
forward I will never abuse my wife by striking here,
disrespecting her for she is the mother of my children and the
producer of my future.
I pledge that from this day
forward I will never engage in the abuse of children, little
boys, or little girls for sexual gratification. But I will let
them grow in peace to be strong men and women for the future
of our people. I will never again use the B word to describe
my female, but particularly my own Black sister.
I pledge from this day
forward that I will not poison my body with drugs or that
which is destructive to my health and my well being.
I pledge from this day
forward, I will support Black newspapers, Black radio, Black
television. I will support Black artists, who clean up their
acts to show respect for themselves and respect for their
people, and respect for the ears of the human family.
I will do all of this so
help me God.
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Back
to the elections, it's very simple, John Kerry was not going to change
our lives, if John Kerry had won nothing would have changed for us, we'd
still be killing each other, we'd still be pulling one another down,
we'd still be in jail, and we'd still be loosing out in the economic
race. It's not about John Kerry, it's not about George Bush, it's
not about Anthony Williams or even Marion Berry, but it's about UNITING
AND RESPECTING ONE ANOTHER, and for every one of us that achieves
success we must help 10 others achieve success. Once this is done
we will gain economic power as a people and our voice will be
heard! Many of you may or may not agree with some of these points,
however I want to hear from you, so just hit me back with your spin todd@ariouentertainment.net.
If you are interested in working to make a change, and are willing to
start working together for the betterment of yourself and our people,
hit me back. Together we can make a change!!!
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Responses
to my views and comments of the Presidential Elections
Susan
Mangatal
It
seems my comments about the Presidential Elections was very
thought provoking to many among our on-line family. Thanks
for the responses, which many had some of the same thoughts I
did. To the gentleman who is Mr. Bush's biggest supporter,
as I stated I knew Mr. Bush was going to win the elections,
therefore I do not hate him as much as you think. However,
the passionate side of me had lots of questions. Yes, I am
aware of all the issues you pointed out, but still the question
remains, what about the innocent who have lost their families
because of the war. That is all that "eats" me
up inside. Anyway, all I have to say is I hold
Mr. Bush to his word "...I have to earn the respect of the
people..." yes, I will indeed become impressed,
and I will come to respect him if he reduces the gas
prices to under a $1.00. That's something that immediately
effects me, and is a very small thing he can do for me.
I
want to leave you with some information that someone on our
on-line community sent me. Read it, and let me know your
thoughts. It is clear that I was upset about this
election, but there are more important things to be upset
about. Clearly, we are still not seen as citizens of this
country. Please read below!
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A
Speech
by Camille Cosby (Bill Cosby's wife) about the Voting
Rights Act in her most recent open letter on racism.
"We
are quickly approaching the 21st Century and we were
wondering, and when I say 'we,' I mean others of us out
there who wonder if everyone else out there knows what the
significance of the year 2007 is to Black America?
Did
you know that our right to! VOTE will expire in the year
2007? Seriously! The Voters Rights Act signed in 1965
by Lyndon B. Johnson was just an ACT. It was not made
a law.
In
1982, Ronald Reagan amended the Voters Rights Act for
another 25 years. Which means that in the year 2007 we
could lose the Right to vote!
Does
anyone realize that African Americans are the only group
of people who require PERMISSION under the United States
Constitution to vote! In the year 2007, Congress will once
again convene to decide whether or not Blacks should
retain the rights to vote (crazy but true).
In
order for this to be passed, 38 states will have to
approve an extension. This is ludicrous! Not only should
the extension be approved, but also the ACT must be made a
law. Our right to vote should no longer be up for
discussion, review and/or evaluation.
We
must contact our Congress-persons, Senators, Alderpersons,
etc., to put a stop to this! As bona fide Citizens of the
United States, we cannot "drop the ball" on
this one! We have come too far to let government make us
take such a huge step backward. So please, let us
push forward to continue to build the momentum towards
gaining equality.
Please
pass this onto others, as we are sure that many more
individuals are not aware of this. I urge all of you that
are able, to contact those in government that have your
vote and make them aware of our combined concern for this
issue.
One
voice!...... One Vote! You cannot complain, if you do not
participate.....local, State, & national..... !" |
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Until Next Week...Jah
Bless!
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For
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Contact:
Teres Rodney
contact@misscaribbeaninternationalbeauty.com
November
3, 2004
Don’t
miss the New York Open Call for Miss Caribbean International
Beauty Pageant
(
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,
MD
) “The archetype
of
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Director of the Miss Caribbean International Beauty Pageant. We
are seeking the epitome of beauty, intelligence, and
sophistication to represent the illustrious title of the fist
Miss Caribbean International Beauty Pageant.
Open calls will be held at New Line located in Brooklyn
at 795 Flatbush Avenue between Caton and Lenox Avenues on
Friday, November 19th, from 7 to 9 pm and again on
Saturday, November 20th from 2 to 6 pm.
Ladies
interested in attending are requested to RSVP in advance by
calling (877) 416-3156 or (240) 498-9367.
Attendees are requested to bring an application which can
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25 by May 21, 2005. She
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winner of the pageant will be decided on June 24th,
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. Therefore, a
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This charity was designed to improve the quality of life
for children of the
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islands where Hilton resorts are located.
Additional
information about the Miss Caribbean International Beauty
Pageant may be found at http://www.misscaribbeaninternationalbeauty.com.
### |
Part
IV of "Taking A Break - With "Sam'O"
Part III interview ended with
SAM’O talking about area Calypso Competitions.
When asked if he’ll compete again, SAM’O said I
will make a decision about that – maybe after I write my next
song.
SAM’O
INTERVIEW – PART IV – CONCLUSION
INTERVIEWER: How
do you feel about the support you have been given since you’ve
been in the States.
SAM’O: Well,
I am very pleased. I
have gotten a whole lot of support from people I know and also
from people I don’t know. It
seems that the people I didn’t think would support me are great
supporters, and some of the people I thought would support me, are
not supporting me in a strong way. But, I am always happy performing and hope that I can give
everyone an enjoyable performance when they see me. I want everyone to be entertained and then to spread the word
about the enjoyable experience they have when they come to see me
perform.
INTERVIEWER: So
what’s next for you?
SAM’O:
Well, I was very busy during the summer, mostly in
Virginia, sometimes doing two shows a day.
I need to stop now and focus on the work that God has given
me. I released a
gospel CD this past summer, “Call To Prayer” and I have not
done enough to promote this CD.
I believe my true calling is in gospel.
My CD “Call To Prayer” came to me from God, so I know
it will be used to win souls for Him.
I recently performed two of the songs from this CD at the
Hurricane relief effort at Crossroads a few weeks back.
That was a great honor for me to be a part of that effort.
I will be promoting “Call To Prayer” in Christian
stores in the area, and I will try to get on some programs in the
area where I will be able to perform these songs as well.
I am also working on a video that will be distributed to
agents and promotion companies in the area.
It demonstrates the range of the music I perform so that I
will begin to fit into more of the music scenes, hopefully all
along the east coast. So
far the video is progressing very well.
I am also planning to go back to Trinidad to perform for
Carnival and to work in the tents again this year, probably in
January.
INTERVIEWER: Any
final thoughts for your audiences?
SAM’O:
Oh, I don’t know. I
want everyone to know that I love performing, and that it gives me
great joy when my songs make people happy.
I hope that when you hear of me, or know of me performing
some place, that you will come and see what I do, and if you are
pleased, to tell everyone about me. I believe God has given me a path to follow, and as
long as I remain in touch with him, and follow His path, I will
continue to have success with my music.
AND everyone should watch the Arious Entertainment e-mails
for my next performances!
CLICK
HERE FOR DETAILS ABOUT SAM’O AND HIS GOSPEL CD!!!
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Until Next Week!
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