Rev. 9:2 And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.
Greetings to all the readers of the experience that is “Bicyclemark’s Communique”! As Mark so eloquently introduced me, I’m Big Daddy J (James being my given name) and I am honored to be your guestblogger for the next few postings. I hope I can maintain the level of integrity and professionalism that this blog is known for. Enough butt smooching…
Who is Big Daddy? Mark’s introduction was pretty accurate but allow me to differentiate myself from my sibling. I am a Certified School Social Worker and the placement officer for the Newark NJ school district. Basically I find classes for special education students and do a variety of state and federal reporting. I am a registered Independent but I don’t stick to any particular line. When it comes to politics, I tend to look more locally then globally which I am sure you’ll notice in my postings. I get my news on-line mostly from Yahoo News which I’m sure I’ll get flack for. If you have any decent suggestions for other places to get news, I am open to it (first person to point me to NY Times gets the Captain Obvious award). My other favorite news source is The Daily Show, but that’s just sheer entertainment baby. I am a computer game addict (Everquest being my drug of choice) and I refuse to quit so back off man! Music and movies are my other obsessions, so you can expect some of that in my blog posts as well. Ok, Enough intro…
Someone explain to me the kidnappings and bombings currently occurring in Iraq. Yes its people reacting to a perceived puppet government established by an unlawful invading force. Yes its a method to achieve change and movement towards their goal. However, I cannot understand the bloodshed of their own people to achieve this means. Example, what did this car bombing accomplish? An insurgent attack against innocent families just trying to survive. Let’s not remove our focus from Afghanistan either. Groups just trying to provide aid and support are becoming targets for, what I can only assume, madmen blaming independent service organizations for what has happened in their countries. What becomes the answer then? A mass pullout of all armed forces, supplemental service personnel, and independent services groups and contractors? How do these countries, that have been devastated by our political leaders actions, rebuild without the support of outside agencies and governments? Do we believe that the daily violence will stop if a United Nations peacekeeping force was in place? Educate me…
Lighter note… I’ve become a big fan of the Independent Film Channel. I especially enjoy their short films. I was touched by a particular short on Monday titled Souvenir Views. If you can find this anywhere, please give it a good viewing. The courage and beauty of his trip just made me think of Mark.
I will be continuing the music recommendations (as seen below), but you can also expect some music ranting and raving as well from time to time.
Until tomorrow… Be well John Spartan.
Today’s Music: The Cure – The Cure (A glorious return to where they belong)
Presenting Big Daddy J
Good people of the blogosphere, first time visitors, loyalists, friends, Romans.. I give you the guest blogger for the next two weeks: My brother (I mean that both literally and in the “ma brotha” sort of way as well)- Big Daddy J
What can I say about this individual, besides coming from a fabulous family, he’s a professional in the Social Work field within the education system in the city of our birth(s). He’s skilled in the realm of computer games, a connoisseur of adult-swim cartoons, and a bit of a legend in the central Jersey bowling world. He’s tri-lingual and bi-pedal (two-leg walker). He and his wife recently had a son, my nephew, who’s now over two months old. The rest, well, is up to him to share. I simply wanted to properly introduce this guestblogger who will begin blogging on Wednesday. (commence standing-at-your-computer ovation)
If you check my site-stats, you’ll find my blog has gotten big in China. I’m very excited about that, I recently sent my personal envoy “Ed” to Beijing. I don’t suppose he’s spreading the word about blogging, but apparently –as Leonard and the Asia Times have been talking about – blogging in general is growing in China. While I’ve yet to experience it for myself, I think regardless of the thousands of “web police” the Chinese government has, webloggers will find a way. Much like an old dam trying to hold back a swelling river, they will eventually prove too many for the “censors.” The same happened with capitalism and globalization; despite the rhetoric of the governing party, they have allowed an incredible amount of “capitalism” into China, and seemingly – will continue to do so. I’m not saying its a good thing, just inevitable. And hey, I appreciate all those Chinese readers out there — welcome! Feel free to comment and join the often-heated debates.
The UNDP’s (United Nations development Program) 2004 Human development Report came out and according to the report, in terms of quality of life… Or as they put it
“A composite index measuring average achievement in three basic dimensions of human development?a long and healthy life, knowledge and a decent standard of living.”
The Netherlands is number 5 on that list! Just a little reminder of why I chose to move here. I wasn’t so shocked to see Norway as number 1, followed by Sweden, Australia, and Canada – also places I’d consider moving too. The US was 8th, Uk 12th, and just to give you an idea Sierra Leone and Niger were at the bottom. No offense to them. I should add, I would enjoy visiting those countries. I recommend browsing around the report because it’s loaded with good info.
I added Chris Missick to the unfed blogroll, at last. He’s the soldier in Iraq that I’ve previously mentioned, and I enjoy the conversations we have via blog and email. I even noticed – i think – that he refers to me in a recent post! I think I’ll return the compliment with a trackback.
So for now I take my leave, off to Portugal for a much anticipated vacation. Look for me in Lisbon if you’re in the neighborhood. Stay tuned for more fun this week with me and my guestblogger.
Today’s Music: Prince- Rainbow Children (very gospel)
Shark Bite
Ladies and Gentlement: Shark Bite or Motorcycle injury?
I thought to post this picture without Drock’s permission… it fits well on my blog, like a high school diploma over a fireplace – if you’ve got those.
The PT countdown has begun, Tuesday morning I’m hopping aboard a TAP flight to Faro and I’ll begin my vacation proclamation there. Heading straight to Lisbon after a swim in the ocean and dinner with my favorite Portuguese-Canadian now living in Algarve. During that time I’ve chosen a very special person as my guest weblogger… and he’ll be posting every other day, as per my commitment to all the readers out there. I’ll write up a proper intro on monday. Thanks to everyone who has expressed interest in guestblogging, I think I’ll have another week of guestblogging at the end of the month where I will have someone else. Oh, and of course I’ll still post during that time, I just don’t know how often.
Mohammad Ali Abtahi is one of the most elequent webloggers I know. That that I really know him personally, but his weblogging style is such that I feel like I do. Add to that, he’s Vice President of the Iranian parliament, which make’s me further admire him because of his genuine-ness despite his position of power. Compare his blog to the bland, fake, and stupid blogs from folks like G.W. Bush or John Kerry… they should call Mr. Abtahi and get some tips on how to blog.
Anyway I mention this Iranian gentleman’s blog because he wrote one of the warmest descriptions of the Austrian president’s funeral and his experiences on that day. If the manner with which he blogs is any hint of the caliber of young leaders in Iran, than I say the future looks bright. Despite the stupidity from the US state department, once again trying to manufacture hatred and conflict with Iran over the alleged Nuclear will of Tehran.
I’ve been heavy on the politics of late, not sure what it means. Probably nothing, world affairs have always been a huge concern for me, so that’s what I write about – beyond life observations.
Some basic ideas on the process of hostage taking in Iraq. I grow tired of the boring rhetoric from those who say “The Phillipines made a mistake by giving in to terrorism, it sets a bad example.” The fact is, kidnappings would continue regardless. There is no method to this madness. Look at the US, they – of course- hold their ground and don’t give in to kidnapper demands.. yet kidnappings continue. Phillipines gives in, remove their troops, and kidnappings continue. It really doesn’t matte how a nation responds, these are not groups that use a whole lot of reflection and method in their acts. This is desperation, and thus – illogical thinking. So nevermind “appeasing” or staying tough — this will continue.
I did have an idea on how to reduce the kindnappings: Don’t cover them. You always see the same setup, masked men holding a guy in front of them – POSING FOR A CAMERA. So lets imagine there’s no camera, or that the video never gets shown, you’ve then ruined their main priority, getting on TV. So then what good is kidnapping if no one knows about it? Anyone following me here? It goes back to the old “if a tree falls and no one hears it, does it make a sound?” question.. only its a bit more complex.
Note to self: Introduce Guestblogger, and talk about China and how my blog is getting big there.
Today’s Music:Death Cab for Cutie – PHotoablum
Mike’s Revolution
So its time….time to talk about F-911, because it came out (in the Netherlands) last night, and little ol’me was there. I’m sure over in North America, this conversation is so “last month” but hey, its about much more than a film.
First off, I have been a Michael Moore fan almost since the preverbial day one. Actually since “The Big One” which doesn’t really qualify as “day one” but what can I say, I’m young. I’ve read all his books, and seen most episodes of his shows. After seeing this film, its safe to say Mike has come a long way. No, not really stylistically.. but in terms of power. In this film, every cop and senator seemed to immediately know who he was and they were careful not to brush him away like so many in past movies that wind up looking like idiots. The power-elite of the US clearly recognize him as a force to be rekoned with, and as a lowly blogger living abroad that few -if any- leaders would take seriously (cause they’re bastards), I’d call this a tremendous feat on his part. (and his crew)
Another thing about this movie, it caused me to be ashamed, frustrated, sad, lost, bored, entertained, bored again, and then just tired. Afterwards I noticed everyone, including myself, engrossed in long debates and discussions outside the theater/caf?. This is also a great accomplishment on the part of a director, causing debate.
I was more interested in how the audience received it, than the film itself. I found myself feeling very American, which happens occasionally. As such, I didn’t find the film to be funny, I was saddened and angered (though I was fully aware of the inter-relationships of government, corporations, and terrorism. Yet the audience, which I would guess to be 90% Dutch, seemed to laugh the whole time. I’m still wondering about this. Why so much laughter? Do they realize this class-clown basically rules the world? Do they realize their own troops are also involved in this twisted invasion? It seemed more like a show for them. I think Michael Moore’s work has that effect on Europe, he presents material that is interpreted more like a sideshow- the sideshow of the United States… and people watch in awe.
I could go on and on. But those are my main points. I thought the film was weak for my taste, but I think it is an important film, that needs to be seen. Most of all, after such a mediocre movie overall, I thought he made an excellent conclusion.. that bears repeating over and over. – It is the people who come from the worst places in America.. the poorest people, who are the first to be sent to fight in the name of the country where they live in such horrible conditions. In doing so, they allow the class structure to remain intact, with the rich and powerful on top, reaping all the benefits, and the poor staying marginalized and going off to war.
OK fine, thats really my interpretation, but he did say something like that.
In other news I’m working on having a guest blogger while I’m in Portugal next week. I’ll still be blogging there, but I’m not sure how consistantly, so this way I could have someone garunteeing my every-other-day policy. Plus, Guestblogging is such a cool practice.
Note to self: In next post talk about Iran, because I keep having more and more to say on that subect. Also talk about Iraq-kidnapping theories/reponses.
Today’s Music: The Used (because of my boy Jeff)
Tributes
It is now official. As of September I will be moving back to Oude Schans (Center of Amsterdam). This means that I won’t have to change the background of my blog just yet, because I’m still living on the ground floor of the white building you can see just to the right of these very words. I’m very pleased to be returning to the center of it all, the heart of tourism and canal life. I’m guaranteed a place there until January as my comrade is off to Bolivia to seek wisdom and other stuff you can cram into a thesis.
Actually on the subject of Bolivia, I’ve been trying to decide how I personally feel about the recent vote on expanding their natural gas exportation. The result of the vote was a YES, but as usual I’m very skeptical of liberal democracies. I’ve heard reports that the US and other foreign gas companies where heavily in favor of and pushing a YES vote. Furthermore I’ve read that the questions that were voted on were far too difficult for citizens to understand.
On the other hand I’ve heard this result means that the government will have more control over national resources, instead of foreign companies.
I think I’m starting to see the bigger picture: the president and his government want to make the big bucks and so do – more importantly – the big corporations. But the people might rebel and physically remove the government in the face of such a decision, as they pretty much did to the last president. So they devise a so-called democratic referendum which no one really understands, thus – down the line citizens won’t complain because they technically asked for their natural resources and countryside to be plundered in the name of progress.
The way that Doc Searls pays tribute to his family members via his website/blog is truly admirable. I hope that one day someone in my family will do the same. And I’ve decided to start working on a similar site for my grandparents on the Rendeiro and Fonseca sides. Photos, biographical info, stories. Placing them on the internet is as good a tribute as any, and for me – quite inspiring.
Note the Google Search function in the toolbar of this blog. This allows you or I to search my blog for certain subjects. I already started entering random words to see what weird shit I talked about.
Today’s Music: The Rasmus – Dead Letters
The Lance Dance
Lance is cool. The way he climbs a hill, crosses a finish line, shakes the Champaign bottle, or does an interview in French. Oddly enough, one of the biggest reasons I like him is that he’s an American, from Texas (I think.. right?).. yet he’s the king of the Tour de France, a very European competition — OK global really. To me, it’s a little like having the US soccer team win the world cup.. I think it would be nice. At any rate, he’s well on his way to winning his sixth tour.. which I think makes him a minor god. He comes across as extremely polite, modest, and worldly. And I’m enjoying watching him do it. On the other hand, I could understand how annoying it must be to cycling fans who want someone else to win.. nevermind those “other” cyclists. (note.. if you’re reading this blog for the first time, it is NOT usually about cycling at all!)
The SF Bay Guardian, one of my most favorite weeklies in the world, features a MUST READ story about the FCC and media consolidation. Incidentally the weekly now has a great new web layout. By must read I mean, if you haven’t already given up on the idea of having choices, representation, and freedom in your information diet. Camille Taiara writes it, when I did my graduate research on Alt Press, I tried my damnedest to get her involved.. but alas all I got was a “I’m to busy Mark” response email. Fear not Camille… I forgive you and still adore your work.
F-911 arrives in Amsterdam this week. And I’m going to do something highly unlike me… I’m going to the premier. Normally I watch movies one year after they’re out.. if I ever do at all. I just saw Lord of the Rings III… the whole time I felt like I was the last guy watching this film. Which, by the way, should have ended sooner, too much bullshit at the end.
And just to carry on the discussion or thinking about blogging as a huge global conversation, check out how Mathemagenic breaks it down. One think I noted from this post is how many bloggers out there – DON’T USE TRACKBACK! I trackback all the time.. in my sleep even.
Today’s Music: Been singing that new Maroon 5 while riding my bike.