Remembering Michael for His Music

On August 16, 1977 I arrived home, nine years old and newly moved to the working class town of Methuen, Massachusetts. My father and mother sat at the table, my father in his signature T and my mother, after calling in sick to her waitress job, tears in her eyes unable to speak. "The King is dead," he said when he finally could. "Elvis died today." "Really?" I spoke. "How?" "A heart attack," he said. Later to be thought induced by prescription drug use. He was older, fat, way past his time, but still an icon. Still, I couldn't believe my parents would cry over him? What for? What did he ever do? He sang songs, so what? Well, June 25, 2009 I now know how they feel.


I turned on the television and there it was: "Michael Jackson, dead." The coverage that will never stop usurping the headlines of the brainless and obviously penis envy Republican party. Still, I was mesmerized for a while, Michael Jackson dead. If you are a nine year old today, I think you might have the same feeling. Weirdo. Jack-O. He got weirder and weirder as the days moved on. Skin color changes, molestation charges, marrying the King's daughter. The King marrying the King I guess. Many might say, what is all the fuss about?

One of my favorite songs as a young boy was "I'll Be There" one of the only "black" records in my house, outside of Nat King Cole. I loved watching the Jackson Five cartoon as well, one of the only cartoons I enjoyed. My mother is probably most responsible for my love of Michael. She adored Michael Jackson at every stage. This was not really common where we grew up. Up until the late 1970's in my hometown the Jackson's were a novelty act. They were still Motown and considered "black music." Michael was the bonified star, but it wasn't rock 'n roll. As I grew up we listened to more and more "hair metal." Ratt, Motley Crue, Twisted Sister and the like. This was what was popular and I listened, not always enjoying it often incredulous at the ridiculousness of this "LA composition."

Michael Jackson was still pleasing the R&B charts with "Off the Wall." I loved "Rock With You," a beautiful song. He won several "black" awards for R&B music at the American Music Awards. I listened with no one else, but my mother. My mother continued to adore Michael Jackson, "his talent is supreme" she would say and I remember specifically when "Thriller" came out she said: "This is your Elvis." It was released in 1982 with much fan fare and his elusive moonwalk at the Motown awards. I listened to "Billie Jean" over and over as a 45 single, not the entire album, and finally MTV relented and allowed "Billie Jean" to be played on MTV, changing the musical landscape forever. This allowed "black music" to be played paving the way for Prince and other black artists like Whitney Houston to be allowed in to the mainstream charts. I still can't believe for the first three years of MTV we were watching segregationist television. By the shear force of Michael's music he changed that.

Still, my friends were not impressed in the mill town I grew up in, Michael Jackson was black. His music was still black and I was an oddball amongst them, listening to his music incessantly at home under cover with mom. Then, the next single released off the album was "Beat it" hyped (especially in my hometown) by the fact that Eddie Van Halen played the guitar piece. My older brother's best friend at the time Gary Lacroix drove to our house, didn't knock and ran into the house calling "Rich, Rich, John!" I came running. "What?" "You gotta hear this." "What, Gary?! Michael Jackson's latest single, "Beat it." He put it on and we were awestruck. Listening to it over and over. Gary had the cassette tape of Thriller and not long we were listening to the entire album. And then the videos of all his songs began playing on MTV of which he became the master - telling stories, some arguing killing radio. "Beat It" in my mind still stands out for its cool choreography and beautiful rhythms and yes, the guitar of Eddie Van Halen. I didn't always understand what was happening and at times it felt foreign, but I knew this thing that we were watching was magical and the future.

At school, soon everyone was talking about Michael Jackson, some dressing like him, girls going absolutely crazy for him, like the old videos of the crowds going nuts for Elvis. Thereafter I was hooked and followed his career, usually alone in my adoration in my "crew." But, knowing I was far from alone, I loved everything he did from "The Way You Make Me Feel" to "Dirty Diana" to "Black or White" to the beautiful song from Free Willy, "Will You Be There." Disappointed in many of the accusations over the past 15 years, cringing at the changes, mostly feeling for someone who suffered a cruel existence under a cruel father. Growing up in front of all of us could not have been easy and I choose to remember his music and his genius.

I have shut off the television and turned on the music.

Hypocrisy Watch

He doesn't want to be more libertarian on gay marriage, but just marriage in general right Mark? So, if we can re-define marriage, i.e. fly to Argentina for a booty call, can we at least allow anyone who wants to marry to marry?

Those Were the Days?

What seems like a long time ago, but wasn`t really, I wrote some short pieces about when I was growing up in New Jersey, and I had a good time doing so. So, I thought I would see if I could reach back into the murky depths of my muddled mind to jot down a few more mundane moments in my life.

I went to high school at St. Peter`s Prep in Jersey City, and took the train from Rutherford every day. I lived about six or seven blocks from the train station in my hometown, but never seemed to find a way to leave enough time to be able to just walk to get the train. Every morning, with about 5 minutes before the train arrived, I would bolt out of my front door and streak down my block, down a short hill, and take a left, past the commuters waiting for the 190 bus to Port Authority and head straight down Orient Way. The whole time I ran, I kept repeating the same words: not yet. It was an attempt to will the train to slow down and not screech to a halt beside the platform before a got there, panting and disheveled. Sometimes I beat the train, and sometimes the train beat me. I remember the satisfying feeling of sitting beside some guy in a suit that had probably been on the train longer than I had been awake...since Suffern or something like that. But I also vividly recall watching the train pull up at the station while I was still almost 3 blocks away, and feeling like crying.

The next morning, the routine repeated itself. One positive side effect: it was hard to get fat.

Think Locally, Buy Locally

I read on the Jersey City Independent this morning a post in conjunction with NEW magazine that when we buy local we contribute to the local economy almost double than when we buy at a chain store. They make the analogy as we are navigating to the commuter station, do we buy our coffee at a local coffee shop or do we go to Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts. When we eat do we go to the local hang or do we go to TGIFridays. Thank god there isn't much of that in Jersey City.

When we spend $5 at a locally owned business (this is all on average mind you) $3.40 of that will go to the local economy. If you spend that same $5 at a chain store or a non-locally owned business it falls to $2.15 going to the local economy. That is pretty hefty. It also found that locally owned businesses pay higher wages, gave more to local charities and were more likely to purchase needed items from other locally owned businesses.

Someone asked me the other day, "do Urban Enterprise Zones really work?" Here is your answer. Urban Enterprise Zones encourage growth in the local economy and make us spend our dollars locally. The article makes it clear that these so-called UEZ zones are doing the trick. Read more of the article here.

So, when we go and see that Starbucks or even a Dunkin Donuts is close to everything, oh they are so convenient aren't they, know when you buy from them you are contributing to the destruction of your own local economy. But, when you buy locally you improve your neighbor's pocket book, local charities and that purchase helps other locally owned businesses as well. Think Locally, buy locally.

Health Care Bound to Fail

Why is healthcare bound to fail? Because we have representatives that do not represent the public pure and simple. If you want crude analysis on why it is going to fail read Paul Krugman's column on the "centrist" democrats who he blames for the derision. They are certainly to blame, but there seems to be a lot of blame to go around. The Republicans of course flail their hands in the air and scream "Socialized Medicine" the same tactic used since Harry Truman. The Democrats have nothing to add at all. How about that nearly 72% of Americans want a so-called "public option" in their health care (another poll said it was 76%). That doesn't seem to move the elected officials that currently inhabit the most beautiful building in Washington, DC.

It doesn't seem to matter to these sycophants. The entire capitalist system almost falls on its face, we have to prop them up via nationalization and corporate giveaways and still the Republicans and many Democrats cry socialism because we want a health care option that is not the private sector? It is stunning and shocking to me. It is also important to note that the cost that has been so publicly repeated as one trillion dollars could easily be paid by removing the Bush tax cuts, a cost of 1.8 trillion. Iraq? Afghanistan? Shall I go on?

I have no confidence that the public option will be used and be in a final reconciliation bill, my bet is it will be a bunch of nothing, including subsidies and lower costs provisions and we will receive nothing except a temporary measure in deflating healthcare costs and millions still uncovered. Doing it half-assed is not doing it. President Obama campaigned on this, his signature issue besides ending the Iraq war (don't get me started on that one). If he fails and it certainly looks like he will, he may be a one-term President beaten by propaganda and a lack of will on the part of democrats. We are not arguing for Single Payer healthcare here, it is only a request to have competition in the market place, something unfettered capitalism abhors apparently.

It also begs the question of real reform. And I mean campaign finance reform, and I mean publicly financing campaigns completely tearing the money from the system. That is the only way to remove lobbyists and of course our "Public Representatives" out of the public coffers. It is a subject I have been screaming from the roof tops since Bill Clinton's second inauguration, an issue that grows in importance as we see corporations laud more power every year. For a great website discussing Campaign Finance Reform visit the Brennan Center (also a place that wouldn't hire me), tremendous discussions on what is happening around the country. It is not all that hopeless, a groundswell is occurring.

Whatever Works

Entering the cinema to see "Whatever Works" I didn't expect much. I thought the lines delivered on the previews were less than stellar, but it turns out I was wrong. It was a highly enjoyable film with a wonderful cast. Patricia Clarkson steals the show of course (as she usually does), but everyone else was very good. Some leaps have to be taken by the viewer, but I think the film overall is very funny and one of Woody's best in recent memory.

“hid (IN) hoboken” at Eureka Market Art Gallery

“hid (IN) hoboken” at Eureka Market Art Gallery

The hob’art cooperative gallery has announced a new exhibition, “hid (IN) hoboken” opening on June 15th at the new Eureka Market Art Gallery, 259 First Street, Hoboken, which will showcase artwork by many members of the non-profit organization. The Eureka Market is sponsored by Traders of Babylon to encourage the arts and the artists in Hudson County. Liz Cohen, President of hob’art is curating this show.

There will be an opening reception on Friday, June 19th from 6 to 9 p.m. Ndaje, an African Drumming group will perform during the reception. On Monday, June 22nd, at 6 p.m., the Garden State Dance Project, a renowned dance troupe will perform modern interpretive, hip hop, and break dancing. There will be a small entry fee.

During the exhibition, the gallery will be open Monday thru Friday, 9 am to 7pm, on Saturdays, from 9 to 4 pm, and the show can be viewed on Sundays by appointment. The closing date for the exhibit is July 15th.

For additional information, please visit www.hob-art.org and www.romance art.biz. You may contact Liz Cohen at conchart@aol.com or 201-424-1275. The art gallery can be contacted through Traders of Babylon, 201-659-0802, babylon@pipeline.com.

Travelin' Soldier

Here is a thought to not only those soldiers of years gone by, but to the thousands upon thousands today in harms way. The wars we are fighthing are still completely unjustified uses of our military. Bring 'em Home. Plus, anything to play the Dixie Chicks.

Finding Your Truth: Living a Soulful Life

John Legend gives a beautiful, stirring "soulful" commencement speech at UPenn. It brought tears to my eyes.



When you look at the list of crises we face, there is a common thread that ties many of them together.

The people who created these crises or allowed them to happen either didn't look hard enough for the truth, or didn't listen to those voices that could tell them where the truth lived.

We lost thousands of lives and spent billions (possibly trillions) of dollars fighting in and rebuilding Iraq, all based on the false premise that there were weapons of mass destruction or that Saddam Hussein was in cahoots with Al Qaeda and caused 9/11.

All falsehoods that were allowed to poison the debate while dissension and fact-checking came too little, too late.

We've spent trillions of dollars bailing out banks with phantom profits that were selling financial products whose values had no grounding in reality.

The fact that some of them didn't even understand their own product didn't stop them from getting millions of people to buy into it.

Meanwhile the regulators and the press failed to ask the right questions and bear witness to the house of cards until it had already collapsed.

From the war in Iraq to credit-default swaps to the internet bubble to the real estate bubble, too often we got caught up in the hype and failed to see the real truth...

Too often we become apathetic. We see the lies, we see the obfuscation, the deception. But we fail to point it out.

We're afraid to rain on the parade. Afraid to rock the boat. Afraid to pursue the truth.

Is Obama Who We Thought He Was?

I was never all that enthralled with Obama. He is a tremendous politician, certainly, charismatic, nice and kind which is different for a politician. But, he is just that a politician. How many backtracks have we had this week alone? He decided that we little peons couldn't handle the torture abuse photos though he pledged transparency and accountability. Some were released in Australia anyway. They are disgusting and yes, more anti-american sentiment could occur, but if we would actually account for the torture we committed then just maybe we might begin to end that justifiable emotion. No, our President wants to move on...he wants to "look forward." But, it ain't his constitution, it is ours. We own it not him and by allowing torturers to break the public sentiment we are slowly destroying that document.

Yesterday, we heard the Military Tribunals are back on. Liberal groups blasted the move and is most certainly a campaign promise broken. I thought we were a country of values that need to ensure our values in every aspect of our lives. Just not in the criminal justice system I guess. Torture, ok, due process not ok.

This morning I read Obama appoints a top polluting lawyer to enforce environmental laws. Did we not have this for the last eight years. Here it is from Think Progress:

President Barack Obama has nominated a lawyer for the nation’s largest toxic polluters to run the enforcement of the nation’s environmental laws. On Tuesday, Obama “announced his intent to nominate” Ignacia S. Moreno to be Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources Division in the Department of Justice. Moreno, general counsel for that department during the Clinton administration, is now the corporate environmental counsel for General Electric, “America’s #1 Superfund Polluter“:

No lobbyists? Oh, I guess he isn't a lobbyist just another scum bag who believes capitalism reigns supreme over our lands.

Do we really believe we will get a safe, affordable health care system from him? Is it any wonder we are propping up the same oligarchial banks that destroyed our economy with almost no accountability and no consequences...or is that the torture debate? I have a hard time deliniating the two now.

It took me a month to sour on President Clinton, the last Democrat in the Whitehouse. One more move by Obama like this and I am out...I may be out already...

Eliot Spitzer

Yesterday I put up on the blog a conversation Charlie Rose had with Elizabeth Warren, Naomi Klein and William Greider. They discussed the economic mess. Of course one would expect their perspective. Surprisingly Eliot Spitzer has the exact same perspective. Both conversations mention Paul Krugman and Stieglitz as economic wizards and are those that "get it." He goes after politicians and the Obama administration who are propping up the same old system.

I have followed Eliot Spitzer's entry back into the public fold. His voice during this time is needed, of course him as a public figure would have been much better. But, we all know his words in the financial crisis have tremendous credibility and that is why he has a platform.

He is also, in my opinion sincerely apologetic and forthright as to his transgressions as you can see from the second video. And I have to say Rachel Maddow goes where no one has gone before asking him questions about the personal to the political. That appears in the second segment. Spitzer should have never been a politician. He should have made his life going after these fuckers who are starving our economy.

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

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

Election Day in May?

It is election day today in Jersey City and many places around the state including my used to be hometown of Hoboken. Above is Steve Fulop, someone who doesn't seem like he is in it for the glory, but for real. He is the first independently elected official in Jersey City history. Yes, that is true, no other candidate elected to the city council or the Mayor's office has ever done it without party support. He did it four years ago. After flirting with running for Mayor this time around he is making a go at the council one more time. It makes it just as difficult this time around because they are gunning for him. He does, however have a big following in Jersey City, especially here in Ward E. Here is hoping he wins. Maybe even One Jersey City folks will make the run off instead of the same old dopes running things here. Here is props for Dan Levin as Mayor though he has a steep hill to climb.

Naomi Klein, William Greider and Elizabeth Warren on Charlie Rose

Last night I was in a bad mood and didn't want to go to bed. Should I watch the Mavericks try and gain some respect after the Refs screwed them? Eh. I don't feel like it. A movie? Nothing on...should I read Che? Naaah. Then, I saw Charlie Rose who always has a good conversation with whoever he has on. Who he had on is Elizabeth Warren, Harvard Law Professor, head of the TARP program and all around wonderful. She explains everything and makes it easily understandable. It is almost like Denzel Washington is sitting in front of her saying "talk to me like a four year old." She explains why market regulation is good and is Obama going to do it? She isn't sure.

Then, William Greider and Naomi Klein together discuss where we are, where we are going and if Obama is making it work. Greider is an optimistic fellow, but says Obama, who is doing some things well and is a brilliant politician is propping up the old system for the Oligarchs, which he doesn't think will work. And Naomi says this period will go down as the greatest heist in monetary history. $12 trillion dollars transferred from public coffers to private ones. Wow. Watch it it is worth your 45 minutes. It begins around 2:00 minutes after the blinking.

Mother's Day for Peace

The mother's day for peace is what I wish for, the origins of mother's day was in anti-war regard for all of the mother's who lost sons to war. While we still have two wars raging and another one beginning in Pakistan let us commit ourselves to peace. $130 Billion more for wars is not a committment to peace. Nor is 50 civilians dead in a war that seems to have no end and no meaning. The human casualties have names and we must end these wars.

Naomi Klein Discusses "Crony Capitalism" with Rachel

Naomi sums up just what I have been thinking lately. This massive bail-out is for the Oligarchs and not for us, shoved down our throat and we take it lying down, not a fucking protest to be had anywhere. This morning I read the subway in New York is rising its prices up and up and up into 2013. How is it that we give these Oligarchs all of our money and none of it comes back to us. None of it. It is baffling to me. The greatest financial crisis in three generations and all we are doing is moving the money?

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

The Great State of Maine

Ok. I was happy when Massachusetts did it, Connecticut, nice! Iowa did it, surprised really. Vermont, great! But, Maine, one of my favorite states in the union?! Yay. Check out this woman above who asks her partner to marry her after the Governor signed the bill - by text message...totally hip.

Facebook?

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Reproductive Health

Congressman Smith gets a smackdown from our Sec. of State.

Think Facebook is Fun?

Think Again. Facebook Privacy Policy says:

Facebook "also collects information about you from other souces, such as newspapers and other instant messaging services. This information is gathered regardless of your use of the website."

Ever wonder who owns or invests in Facebook? How about CIA related sources? Watch below.

Piglet