While you were sleeping...

...or allowing yourself to be boondoggled, hornswaggled, bullshitted or just scared by the U.S. media and the government after 9-11, things were festering and growing and you let them.


You allowed yourself to give up your civil and personal rights, believing the b.s. spewing from your radio and television or splashed across print and internet headlines.  "You're all gonna die if you don't support illegal acts of violence against a foreign nation (Iraq), allow us to illegally incarcerate a whole lot of people in Cuba, set up "watch" lists for air travel (sadly they're still missing all the bad guys coming into the country), and watch your activity at your local library.  And there's a whole plethora of other rights you gave up because "It's unAmerican to question such things".  HORSESHIT!

To question and call out is the most American thing you can do.  And you should do it.  The government is a bunch of fallible humans just like you.  Because you voted for them does not make them experts on running your life.  Thomas Jefferson said, when he helped pen the structuring of the Republic, it would need a good revolution every generation to keep it on its toes.  Boy are we long overdue or what?

http://www.naturalnews.com/029153_British_Petroleum_Police_State.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

The link above shows what happens to freedom of the press when they get scared and allow themselves to be puppets of big business and the government.  They backed off (slacked off).  Sure they got a little bit of nitty-gritty into the public eye about FEMA and the whole hurricane debacle.  Every so often we hear about some governmental indiscretion but for the most part, major media has been publishing what the publicist tell them to.  Wow, wonder how long the fed has had a PR department or at least one that has strong-armed the press the way they do now?  But the point is that now that media has a real piece of meat to sink its teeth into with the Gulf/BP mess, they're seeing the error of their ways for not sticking up for the first amendment both for freedom of the press and the right to petition for redress of grievances.

Starting in the first days after 9-11 I started preaching my mantra of "Retaining the Republic for which we stand before we become the United Police State of America".  Obviously I was a voice crying in the wilderness.  I tried to find a quote this morning but failed.  Something to the effect of not becoming the empire we sought to free ourselves from.  I remember it was from a member of the first continental congress and had to do with the establishment of the new Republic.  But at the end of the day it all boils down to this.  We allowed ourselves to be beat into submission with the constant admonition of our president about being "UnAmerican".  Nary a one spoke up loudly enough in a public forum, myself included, to say "Hey W!  Speaking out is the most American thing about America and questioning our government is the second most American thing to do!"

At the time I did start reading the free press more to learn what was really going on but I did nothing with what I was learning.  I bitched and complained to friends and people around me who would listen and sometimes agree but did we form any kind of protest group?  No.  Did I write letters to my representatives?  Not enough to count and not about the really gritty issues.  I did not call out the passing of the "Patriot" Act or the establishment of Homeland Security.  I have not questions the sending of the National Guard abroad while the regular Army stays here.  I have not demanded at stop to lobbyists or term limitations.  I am just as guilty as the next guy for being "unAmerican"

So here we are.  Government and big business goons muzzling the press.  CNN rages "How dare they?".  Well at least they're finally raging and seeing that if the small media guy gets busted, they're next.  Is it too little too late?  Or will it light enough of a spark under American journalists and their employers to finally say "STOP! Freedom of the press!" and start speaking out?  Will we find out what is really going on in the Gulf and on Capitol Hill regarding BP and when they are going to fix this disaster?  And once the big gash in Mother Earth's belly is sutured and bandaged, will the press continue to stick up for itself?  Will they call out big business for the laundry list of crap they have gotten away with mostly with congress' blessing?  We can only hope. 

In the meantime, I've found my guts.  Sure, I'm just a measly little blogger who only a few people read, but at least I will flex my right to speak freely and demand answers and air my grievances.  President Obama, I voted for you and you have let me down at every turn.  I know you don't run the show but you can get into the House and the Senate and demand that they get their collective heads out of their collective asses.  You can tell the United States what is REALLY going on.  You told me that you wanted to "green up America".  Well you know what?  There's a lot of brown sludge on her beaches that is killing the green and the animals and eventually the people.  How about you start showing me how "green" you are by demanding BP get their asses in gear and fix this shit?  How about you call off the cops, Homeland Security and BP employees who are blocking the press and doing illegal search and seizures?  How about you stick up for THIS country and stop protecting the empire we declared our independence from?  How about you start sticking up for all of our first amendment rights?  How about it Prez?  And press?  How about you join me and grow a pair?  And anyone who reads this blog, how about becoming a true American again and speaking out?

Matthew Leone

Nathan's blog about his twin

Last night I signed on to Twitter to see a post from a fan-friend follower about putting Matthew Leone, bassist for Madina Lake in her prayers.  As I'd been away from my computer all day, I was scrolling from oldest to newest so I hadn't come across Nathan's tweet with the link (above) to his blog.

Matthew Leone, identical twin brother of the band's lead vocalist and frontman Nathan, did what we are all called to do, step in and help his neighbor.  He was walking home from his brother's and walked into the middle of a fight between a man and his female significant other.  The fight was physical so Leone jumped in to rescue the woman from the man.  What he got in return was a beating severe enough to leave him unconscious on the sidewalk and then moved to the ICU of a Chicago hospital.  Both members of the couple left him for dead on that sidewalk.

Matthew is currently fighting for his life.  As a friend of a friend of the band, I know how hard they are all taking this.  As someone who is aware of the bond between twins, I can only imagine what Nathan is going through.  I met his brother once, about three years ago at The Webster in Hartford.  When I thought back on it last night, I remember Matthew having a very bright intense aura that ranged from yellow to white.  He had a bright smile and made my son and I laugh.  Later that evening when Madina Lake played the closing set, Matthew was just a ball of energy.  Together with his brother they kept the crowd wrapped around their fingers and the room was on fire.  It was a great show.  Watching the twins interact I could see that each was the yin to the other's yang

Mateo and Danny are the "other brothers" that just make Madina Lake such a special band.  Having met Dan and knowing a lot about him, he is a peaceful spirit that is needed right now.  Mateo feels like someone strong and passionate.  Again, a good person for Nathan to have around.

The bottom line is this...Matthew put a face on it Tuesday night.  He felt the compassion when he saw what was happening and chose to try to do something about it.  Now you put a face on Matthew.  He smiles.  He laughs.  He makes great music.  He could be your brother, your son or your next door neighbor.  Now put him in your prayers.  Also pray for this couple that walked away from this beautiful boy, left him wrecked on the street, that they will put a face on him too and come forward and admit to this horrible act of violence.  Shine bright Matt.  We're all out here rooting for you.  Keep pouring your love into your brother, Nathan.  He needs you now more than ever.

Peace, joy & Love from
Mom