In Defense of Libya's Gadhafi

Minister Louis Farrakhan, one of America’s most polarizing figures, offered a stern warning to the President during a recent radio address. The warning comes on the heels of NATO’s decision to intervene in Libya.

“Be careful how you manipulate the dissatisfaction in Libya and other parts of the Muslim world” stressed Farrakhan.

The warning addresses military operations that commenced on March 20,2011 led by President Obama with the assistance of NATO. The stated plan is to create a no fly zone in Libya. Military leadership refer to the exercise as Operation Odyssey Dawn which includes air strikes on strategic strongholds of the Libyan dictator Muammar Gadhafi.

Never one to shy away from his truth regardless if people label it as incendiary, Minister Farrakhan further explained that the US has ulterior motives for entering Libya.   

“Don't tell me and wise Black people or White people that you're interested in Black suffering. Where were you in Rwanda? Where are you in the Congo? Why did you go to Darfur? Because oil is there! No, you don't want to save the Libyan people, that's your noble motive to hide your wicked agenda."

For those too young to remember, Farrakhan leads the Nation of Islam. It is an American group of Black Muslims that focus on Black Nationalism and commitment to what the Koran teaches. Elijah Muhammad founded the group in 1930. It spiked in popularity as blacks in the Civil Rights era searched for alternatives in leadership and spirituality. Most notable past members include Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali.

Renee Muhammad, a long time follower of the Nation offered additional insight into latest bone of contention for the Minister.

She declares that “[Minister Farrakhan] calls it like he sees it… He opens up every speech in the name of God”.

When questioned about the minister’s association with Muammar Gadhafi, she admits that Gadhafi is not without faults.

“He will have to answer to God for those faults. But what I am saying is that it is not America’s position to go and decide that he has to go…. That is like me telling you what you can do in your own house.”

With such damming evidence piling up on Gadhafi it is difficult to believe that he has any friends left. However, Minister Farrakhan has held steadfast in resolve to be loyal. When asked how can he continue justify that connection?

Renee Muhammad declares that people in general should not  “make the evidence fit [the] premise.” Meaning rather than surmise that the explanation offered up as the truth, people must go out and seek the truth for oneself.

Renee Muhammad also points out that in the build up to Iraq, the government offered up evidence that did not come to fruition. She says, “the term red herring comes to mind…The government has done many things to get the people all flurried up about going to war. Bush lied about weapons of mass destruction.”

Whether or not the public agrees with the rhetoric espoused by Farrakhan, one has to admit that it seems a bit odd that calls for increased dialogue are coming not Nobel Peace prize winner President Obama but from Minister Farrakhan as evident by the impassioned plea to the US president.

 “Why don’t you organize a group of respected Americans, and ask for a meeting with Gadhafi? You can’t order him to step down, and get out-who the hell do you think you are, that you can talk to a man that built a country over 42 years, and ask him step down and get out? Can anybody ask you? Well, well there’s a lot, now, [that are] going to ask you to step out of the White House, because they don’t want a Black face in the White House,” said Minister Farrakhan.”

The Minister’s warnings take on an almost ominous tone as he warns of the unrest in our back yard.

He cautioned. “Be careful, brother, how you handle this situation because it is coming to America! It has already started. Look in Wisconsin! Look in Ohio! Look at what’s going on in your country! And remember your words because the American people are rising against their own government: It’s not Muslims; it’s not Black people! It’s White militias that are angry with their government, and they are well armed. Are you going to tell them-’Put your arms down, and let’s talk it over peacefully?’ I hope so. But if not, America will be bathed in blood, not because Farrakhan said so, but because the dissatisfaction in America has reached the boiling point.”

Critics of the president’s actions come from both sides of the political aisle as many lament the possibility of the United States engaging in another war. The reasons not to engage are blaring. The economy is still in a precarious position. Unemployment is still high. We are already fighting two wars. In addition, the country is facing budget cuts that will severely impact communities across America. One can only hope cooler heads will prevail even if the message comes in an unanticipated manner.

Japan tragedy means spells big business for the makers of Iodide tablets

Let me start off by saying the tragedy in Japan is horrific. I pray for a speedy recovery for the country and it people. But, this blog is not about the crisis in Japan. It is about the hypochondria that seems to grip this country ever time there is a world issue.

Remember those African killer bees, SARS, or more recently  Swine flu. It is one thing to be cautious. But it is another to incite pandemonium. For that, I blame the media as a whole for their news coverage of the tragedy. They have gone far beyond making people aware of the crisis and nuclear threat.  They are all recycling information and news footage. I realize that in news, reporters are supposed to localize the story to make people more empathetic. But, this leans toward the irresponsible. 

Here is Washington, iodide tablets are flying off the shelves as people brace themselves for radiation coming from Japan. Experts readily admit that we are exposed to radiation everyday from the ground, cell phones, and other things in the atmosphere. And yet, people seem not to care.

How about for once all the Americans looking to protect their backsides think of someone other than themselves? Why not send the tablets to people who really need them? There are people in Japan with very little food, water, and clothing. In addition, they are grappling with the serious threat of radiation exposure. I swear it seems like we are unfazed by world tragedies unless it affects us. Are we that narcissistic? 

Maybe it is just me. But when your friend is down, you try to do everything in your power to pick them back up. Your issues become secondary when you genuinely care. As an American, I don't think we really care. What do you think?

Globetrotters in Seattle

I have to admit. As a kid, I always thought that the Harlem Globetrotters were just as good as the players in the NBA. Maybe it was the tricks and high flying antics that always seemed to end miraculously in favor of them.

Recently, my daughter wanted to see them in person. So, we traveled to Seattle to catch a glimpse of the team in action. To say that it was a well choreographed display would be an understatement. I wondered if it was just me who noticed it. The rest of the crowd seemed not to mind. It was a spectacle of sorts complete with dance performances and audience participation. My daughter kept asking why they were really playing. It surprised me too.

All and all, it was a day of fun with the family. However, I no longer feel that they could handle even the worst that the NBA has to offer.

Charlie Sheen and Libya's Gadhafi go together like PB&J

For some reason, the world is obsessed with bat sh*t crazy people. Like the current PB&J sandwich of news stories focused on Charlie Sheen and Libya's Muammar Gadhafi.

At least our concern about Libya is warranted given their oil reserves and our incessant addiction to oil. (Oh yeah, there are human lives at stake. For a moment, I got all wrapped up in America's narcissism.) I am hesitant to say that America should get involved given our  government's current predicament. With two wars, a very fragile economy, and our mounting debt, we are in no position to take the lead on this one. Not to mention helping rebels has back fired in the past.

My hope is that this unrest changes the American outlook on what energy sources we rely on and continue to depend on in the furture.  Maybe, it will spur a push for real innovation and access to alternative sources of energy. Here in Seattle, there are plug in stations for cars and more to come. At least that is one step toward breaking our dependency on oil.

It is no secret that our addiction to oil continues to make us vulnerable. My fear is that the American public will began to tune out this crisis and focus more on Charlie Sheen's unraveling. Or even worse try to apply pressure on our government to "drill, baby drill".

How is it that Charlie Sheen gets the same media focus as evil dictator who is murdering his own people? Let's see the vulnerability of an entire country vs. crazy antics of a hollywood playboy. Hmmm, I imagine for some it is a difficult choice. I guess people don't care about the connection between what we consume and how it gets to us. Living vicariously through the rich and famous matters more.

I must have been living under a rock because until recently because I did not know that this "2 and Half Men" was still on. I mean who watches that show anyway? It is not as if Charlie is a comedian. His antics simply spotlight his addition to drugs. Yet the viewing audience can't seem to turn away. Secretly, I think people  enjoy watching to the rich and famous crash and burn. It helps people feel better about their miserable lives.  

Well, not me. My life is far from perfect but I have better things to do with my time than be engaged by his foolishness. In protest, I have begun turning the channel. I am over it. Who cares about his girlfriends, the loss of custody for his kids, or even the network firing him.

The media is supposed to provide the public access to current news issues. However, it seems more often than not they grab a hold of topic and knaw on it til it has lost all the flavor. In my opinion, that is a diservice to the public and the issue of focus. Even my daughter has her limits when it comes to PB&J. By the 5th day in a row, she throws it in the trash.

But that is just my opinion...

Transitions

If there was a book that chronicled my life, it would be titled "Transitions". Only a couple of months into this stint in Washington. I am almost overwhelmed with changes. No sun to brighten my days only gloom. No breathtaking views of the ocean only gray. To be honest, It  discourages me from leaving my house.

The news is not helping. Just today, several soldiers were killed by a gunman in Frankfurt, Germany as they made their journey to a war zone. Here, I am about to watch my fella board a plane and I am uneasy. To make matters worse a soldier from here is coming home in a body bag. Is there anything positive on the news these days. It makes me think twice about bringing another life into this world.

NPR mentioned today that those protestors who picket military funerals won a supreme court victory. The ruling essentially protects their freedom of speech even in its vulgarity. As a spouse, I am appalled by the behavior and I am not sure how I would react in the same position of the grieving family, but on some level i understand. Freedom of speech is important to our (fragile at times) democracy. Maybe it is time to ignore them in the media. Without a mechanism to spread their hateful speech, maybe they will go away.

I would like to able to blog about things that bring me joy but today I am not in the mood. I think that is why so many people escape into movies. At least, for those couple of hours there are no worries. People can lose themselves in character and things become possible. The guy rescues the girl and they live happily ever after.