Page 118 – Where spirituality, politics, and pop culture collide!

How I Spent My Weekend…

August 5, 2008 by Administrator, posted in Movies, Reviews, Television

I approached this past weekend with the best of intentions. My husband and I were going to get up on Saturday, go out for some breakfast, hit Target to pick up a copy of Freakazoid Season One, do some grocery shopping, come home, clean, post Kip Givens’ awesome article to the website and then, only after all that was complete would we crack the shrink wrap on Freakazoid.

However, as the weekend drew nearer our excitement over Freakazoid kept building. Let’s put it this way, our apartment is still waiting to be cleaned. Once we got home from breakfast and running errands, we collapsed into balls on our sofas and started watching Freakazoid…and didn’t stop until we’d watched all of season one!

Freakazoid is a cartoon that aired in the mid-nineties. It was done by the same folks who did Animaniacs…another great weekend waster in our household. It follows the adventures of Dexter Douglas who due to a computer bug was sucked into the internet and was spit back out with the ability to “Freak Out!” and become the teenage superhero Freakazoid. The show is a haven of geek pop culture references, and hilarious cameos. I encourage all of you who love cartoons loaded with geeky insanity to go and pick up a copy of season one, or at least rent it, but once you rent, you will want to buy!

And for those of you clever readers who are asking, why didn’t you just clean the apartment on Sunday? Here’s why….

Jet Li verses Michelle Yeoh swordfight. ‘Nuff said.

Worthless Religion

August 2, 2008 by Administrator, posted in Christianity/Catholicism, Guest Authors, Religion

by J. Kip Givens

I don’t have a lot of patience for religion or religious people! Frankly, religion makes me ill and religious people bring out the worst in me. Religion is filled with hollow ideas that don’t seem to be followed by her hypocritical followers.

Now let me explain. I am an ordained Protestant minister. I have planted two churches in 2 different states and have pastored at another church prior to that for 8 years. I have studied at religious institutions, attended conferences, written manuals, and taught people around the world. In the midst of all that, I can’t stand religion or religious people.

Why? Because religion has it all wrong. Not necessarily in what they say, though some are missing the mark there as well, but in how they live out their religious lives. And it’s not just the Christians; it is all of these religions filled with their hypocrites and lives filled with double standards. Worldviews that are filled with doctrines and dogmas and traditions that have nothing to do with the stated main purpose of their existence or of their Supreme Being. Structures that are built, not for service of others, but rather for their own boasting and comfort. People who are card carrying members to heighten their social status and feelings of elitism and not for the worship of a Creator and Supreme Being and then fulfilling the ultimate purpose of helping others throughout the journey.

Am I opposed to faith and spirituality? Absolutely not! In fact, I think they are the most important things in life and should be the cornerstones of our existence. But let’s be clear: Religion and spirituality are two different things! Some might say that I am dealing only in semantics here, but religion and spirituality truly are two completely different things. Maybe not in everyone’s mind, but they are two completely different expressions and result in different actions and consequences.

Religion is identified by its creeds and letters of the law – all of which are dead expressions of a once life giving idea. The result is arrogance from an idea and a feeling of superiority and an “us vs. them” mentality to all who don’t agree with their said system. Spirituality on the other hand is organic and feeds off of the expressions of living out life-giving ideas and ideals at every turn. It produces compassion and the ability to identify with people and their individual nuances – whether understood or not. The result is people living their lives for a greater purpose than some organized religious system – they live their lives for the benefit of other people.

What’s The Point?

So…what’s the point here? Religion’s value is in itself. Religion exists solely to perpetuate it’s own existence and sustainability as a purveyor of “laws” and “right and wrong behaviors”. Spirituality’s value, on the other hand, is found in the ethic of reciprocity. Simply put, spiritual people are consumed with the idea of sharing their good fortunes with others. They recognize what has been imparted to them and they want to pass it on, or as the popular phrase is, “pay it forward”. They live their lives with the knowledge that everything they say and do affects someone else and they make a conscious effort to make it something worth passing on. They also know and recognize that by living their lives this way they honor their Creator and Supreme Being.

Some may say that that is how religions operate. Religion speaks of reciprocity or a concept that is commonly known as The Golden Rule. True, but when was the last time you truly identified religion with that concept.

I don’t think the people of Europe in the 11th, 12th or 13th centuries would agree that religion followed the ethic of reciprocity considering the Catholic Crusaders who were constantly raiding, harassing and killing anyone who didn’t believe like them.

Or the people of 16th century France who were embattled in a fierce conflict between the Roman Catholics and the Hugenots, commonly known as the War of Religions.

What about other religions? In Muhammad’s time, the pagans of the Arabian peninsula were asked for submission to Islam as a condition for the continuation of their lives. Jews, Christians and Sabeans were forced to become dhimmis, pay a special tax (jizya) and submit to the political authority of Islam or suffer expulsion. 1

“Mormonism teaches that violence and even murder can be justified in certain situations, so long as the violence is commanded by God. The Book of Mormon contains an example where Nephi, the narrator of that part of the book, came upon a drunken and passed-out Laban (1 Ne. 4:7-8) lying on the streets of Jerusalem. Laban had previously stolen Nephi’s family property and had refused to give Nephi an important set of brass plates he needed for his voyage to the New World in about 600 BC. Considering the circumstances, Nephi was commanded by the Holy Spirit to remove Laban’s sword and slay Laban (1 Ne. 9:18).” 2

Let’s not forget all the civil wars that have been waged in the name of religion: English, French, Lebanese, Irish, and Muslim. And what about the various religious practices of voodoo, sorcery, witchcraft and pronouncing curses, most of which are not with good intentions for our friends.
Can we ignore the violence of anti-abortion protestors, gay-bashers, and the “morality police”, most of which operate in the name of religion? Religion may talk the talk of reciprocity, but they do not practice it. The reason is because religion, by its very nature, exists soley for its own good. It looks only to perpetuate its own cause and therefore, does not see the benefit of others and thus cannot tolerate, much less help, others.

True Religion

True religion is more than nice sounding words. It is principles that are lived out everyday, regardless of what may come our way.
Christianity calls it the Golden Rule. Hindus and modern New Age religions call it karma. Other religions have described it this way:

Ancient Greek’s
. “What you wish your neighbors to be to you, such be also to them” – Sextus the Pythagorean
. “Do not do to others what would anger you if done to you by others.” – Isocrates
. The question was once put to Aristotle how we ought to behave to our friends. His answer was, “As we should wish them to behave to us.”

Buddhism
. “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” – Dalai Lama

Chinese
. “Never impose on others what you would not choose for yourself.” – Confucius
. “What you do not want others to do for you, do not do to others.” – Confucius
Parliament of the World’s Religions (1993)
. The Declaration Toward a Global Ethic proclaimed the Golden Rule as the common principle for many religions. The initial declaration was signed by 143 leaders from different faith traditions and spiritual communities.

Christianity
. “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and prophets.” – Jesus of Nazereth

Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia, says that the Golden Rule “is arguably the most essential basis for the modern concept of human rights”. Think about that. Everything involving human rights in our world can be promoted by using the Golden Rule. Why is it so powerful? Because a key element of the golden rule is that a person or group attempting to live by this rule treats all people, not just members of his or her own group, with consideration and can identify, or at least empathize, with them.

Where the Difference Lies

What religion says and what spiritual people live is a major difference. Living life where other people are the focus can be difficult, but is nonetheless the focus and passion of spiritual people. Spiritual people can take what religion says and allow it to be a life-giving principle instead of a dead law.

Religion will put parameters on its own laws based on what is expedient. For example, a few years ago a movie came out titled The Passion of the Christ. It had a lot of controversy surrounding it but one thing stood out to me from the Chrsitian perspective. For years, Protestants have told their followers that they should not attend rated R movies because the content of such “filth and wickedness” might pervert them. They would say that there is nothing in a rated R movie that you need to see. If they can’t say it in a way that is “clean”, then you don’t need to see or hear it. But an amazing thing happened when this particular movie came out – the same people who condemned rated R movies were now renting out theatres and encouraging their members to pay money to go watch this film. Why? Because it promoted their cause, regardless of its rating. The point, religion will do what is in its best interest only, even if it conflicts with something they have said in the past. And when the expedient timeframe is over, they will go back to their rigid stance.

Spirituality has no parameters and no limits. It operates on what is right, regardless of what others may think or say. Jesus the Christ made it personal. He kicked religion right in the teeth and said that living a good life, a godly life, involved, no, required, living for the sake of others. Even if those others were not like you, or worse, were your enemies. Look at what he said to his followers:

“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. Do to others as you would like them to do to you. If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return. Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.” 3

We’re not talking about playing nice here. This is a serious paradigm shift. Most religions and religious systems have and promote some form of “an eye for an eye” mentality. Jesus is getting right up in the face of everyone who claims to be religious and, in a sense, is slapping them across the cheek and saying, “Anyone can do that. Do you think you are special for doing what everyone else does? Get real! Do you really want to live a life that is worthy of the Most High? Then live without limits, without the parameters religion puts on you. Live for others!”

Notice that he says, “Your reward from heaven will be great”. True spirituality is not concerned with what others think of you or getting accolades from other people. Truly spiritual people are satisfied with a “heavenly” reward. Do you want to know a telltale sign of truly spiritual people? They are secure in who they are and live their lives for a higher purpose and are not concerned with recognition or their “five minutes of fame”. They know their reward will come in its due time but it is not their focus. Their focus, their undying passion, is to do good to others.

Also notice what he says after that, “You will truly be acting as children of the Most High”. Where religion feeds off of its own doctrines and dogmas, spirituality is only concerned with pleasing its Supreme Being. Religion feeds off of itself; spirituality feeds off of helping others and doing what is right and good.

Why is this so important? Because Jesus says at the end that God, the Most High, is “kind to those who are unthankful and wicked”. He gives insight into who the Creator is and what His character is like. Truly spiritual people want to emulate their Creator. They want to act like, speak like and in all possible ways, be like their Creator.

Spiritual people live out of the context of humility and thankfulness. They are so grateful for all that has been bestowed upon them, that they are compelled to return that to others. They live with a higher purpose. Their passion to be like their Creator drives them. And simply put, that is what separates them from religious people and their religion.

James the Just, the brother of Jesus said this about true religion:

“If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.” 4

Here, James echoes what Jesus said earlier. True religion, spirituality, is caring for those around you and living your life for the benefit of others, thus glorifying God the Father.

He closes by saying that spiritual people do not allow the world to corrupt them. How does the world corrupt us? Arguably in many ways, but in context, by causing us to live by their standards of selfishness, greed, hatred and arrogance. That corruption can sometimes seem natural and overwhelming, but spiritual people fight that urge and live for the higher purpose: Honoring their Creator and Supreme Being by helping those around them.

In conclusion, the question I ask is this, “Is religion worthless?” Depending on your definition the answer may vary, but the glaring facts are that religion and religious people seek only to serve their and their organization’s own needs. In that way, religion is worthless.

On the contrary, spirituality exists, not in a vacuum of its own viability, but for the purpose of a greater good. That being said, spiritual people live their lives with a purpose that is greater than their own well-being. They live for their Creator by honoring all of His Creation, even if they don’t always (or ever) agree or think alike. That, I believe, is worth living – and dying – for.

Author Bio:
Kip is an ordained minister and has been both a youth pastor and a pastor as well as being a certified counselor. He ran an unconventional church in Illinois where he hosted concerts on a weekly basis and had several discussion groups each week on the relevancy of Christianity in our culture. He also opened up that venue to underprivileged kids every Saturday for a free breakfast and a time of games, art, music and free stuff. They were also involved in huge backpack giveaways for hundreds of kids along with food and toy drives for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Kip has written several small books, written manuals, been published in newspapers and taught throughout the world. He is the author of “A New Kind Of Church and Other Writings: Taking a Fresh Look and a New Approach to a Timeless Tradition”.

Book Info:
Right now, my old website is down and I am working on getting a new one up, therefore I have no direct site for any of my materials. If anyone is interested in viewing or purchasing my book the easiest way is to go to one of the following:
Barnes and Noble online (bn.com)
Amazon.com
iUniverse.com

Contact Information:
J. Kip Givens
piercedpastor@hotmail.com

Mystic Faerie Calendar

July 30, 2008 by Administrator, posted in Products, Reviews

If you’re like me, you tend to give a lot of thought to what kind of calendar you’re going to buy for the next year. That’s why I was so psyched when my friends over at Llewellyn sent me a copy of their Mystic Faerie Calendar for an advance sneak peek.

These days it seems like there are hundreds of fairy calendars…. that is probably because there are! I can easily say that this one stands out from the crowd. It features the fanciful artwork of Linda Ravenscroft and great quotes from literature about the fairy realm. For me though, what makes this fairy calendar so unique is that the artwork is pulled from the Mystic Faerie Tarot that Ravenscroft did for Llewellyn. So not only is there beautiful artwork, but there is an extra layer to it as you gaze upon an image from tarot.

The calendar releases in August. If you’re a fairy fan, this is the calendar for you.

Seeing Sounds

July 27, 2008 by Administrator, posted in Music, Reviews

Well, it’s time to get back on track with keeping you up to date on my summer music buying frenzy. This review is for an album that came out in June. I know, I know…but there has been a lot going on. Don’t worry though, things are getting back on track and soon you’ll be all caught up. So enjoy.

Trying to describe N.E.R.D. is essentially impossible. I know plenty of people do describe and define them. For instance the Wikipedia entry for them starts with, “N*E*R*D is an alternative rock band formed in 2001. Their music is best described as funk rock, with various other influences, including hip-hop, soul music, alternative rock, and blues rock.” It’s as good of an attempt as any.

N.E.R.D. are hip-hop with live bands. Rappers influenced by rock music. The best way I can describe it is that N.E.R.D. are in a bubble of hip hop. They push against it, stretching the bubble, but are careful not to burst it. They’re all over the map and I love them for it.

Their latest album is “Seeing Sounds”, which is a theme that plays as an undercurrent for the album. How do you see sounds? Try listening to this CD. It’s a glorious cacophony. A masterful collage. A Jackson Pollack painting pressed onto a disc. At some points it’s rap, like the tracks “Anti Matter” and “Spaz” (two of my favorites), other times it’s rock, bordering on pop, like the song “Happy”, and occasionally they meet up and mingle like on the first single “Everyone Nose”, which is rap running through a funky jazz jam.

Here’s the first video/single from the album “Everyone Nose”. Enjoy! (And yes, if you watch carefully you will see Lindsay Lohan. Lohan, in a music video, about girls using cocaine. Insert your own mean spirited joke here.)

Rebecca Speaks!

July 24, 2008 by Administrator, posted in Events, Interviews

Yep, another online radio show was crazy enough to ask me to be on as a guest. I will be a guest on Isis Paranormal Radio on Sunday July 27, 2008 from 6-7pm eastern. Be sure to tune in!

ISIS Paranormal Radio is a show that delves into a variety of paranormal topics. Listen into discussions about ghosts, hauntings, the unexplained, Wicca, the occult, different aspects of the esoteric, and their previous cases! The show airs 6-7 PM EST, Sunday evenings.

You can listen in at blogtalkradio for free. Visit http://www.blogtalkradio.com/isisparanormal to tune in! The shows are archived for listening convenience, so if you can’t tune in on Sunday you can listen later.

You can visit their official website at: http://www.isisinvestigations.com/ for more information!

You can also visit them on My Space for up to date shows and airing times.

Visit: http://www.myspace.com/isisparanormalradio .

Magical Buffet Mythology: Hypnos

July 22, 2008 by Administrator, posted in Mythology, Religion

Article by Rebecca
Image by Will Hobbs (www.sirwilliamwesley.com)

Listen to the sound of my voice. Or, um, read the words on your screen. You’re getting sleepy. Sleepier. What does hypnosis have to do with Magical Buffet Mythology? Well, not to sound like the father from “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” but hypnosis comes from the Greek word hypnos, and Hypnos is actually the Greek god of sleep…so there you go.

Hypnos’s mother is the goddess of night, Nyx, and his twin brother is Thanatos, a god of death. His three sons, or brothers depending on perspective, are Morpheus, Phobetor and Phantaso, and represent things that occur in dreams. According to some stories he lives in the Underworld along with Hades and his crew, but other stories say he lives in a cave underneath a Greek island and that through that cave flows the river of forgetfulness. Um, don’t plan on me coming to the family reunion, okay?

Hypnos is always depicted as a handsome young man. Sometimes he is naked, sometimes he has a beard and wings at the temples of his head, other times he is clean shaven with wings on his back.

Hypnos biggest claim to fame, aside from getting $.02 every time we say the word hypnosis, is granting Endymion the power to sleep with his eyes open.

Brazil Tries to Get it Right

July 16, 2008 by Administrator, posted in First Amendment, Politics, Religion

On July 7, 2008 LifeSiteNews.com reported that a Brazilian judge has ordered the removal of a Catholic priest’s book from bookstores. Father Jonas Abib’s book, titled “Yes, Yes! No, No! Reflections on Healing and Liberation”, cautions readers about the dangers of the occult, which includes the Afro-Brazilian religion Spiritualism.

According to LifeSiteNews.com, public prosecutor Almiro Sena is quoted as accusing the Priest of “making false and prejudiced statements about the spiritualist religion as well as religions from Africa, like Umbanda and Candomble, as well as flagrant incitement to destruction and disrespect for their objects of worship.” Sena also added that “the State Constitution (of Bahai) says that it is the obligation of the state to preserve and guarantee the integrity, respectability, and permanence of the values of Afro-Brazilian religion.” The court agreed.

Man, where to begin. Banning books, censoring books, seizing books, it’s all wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong. I’m sure I disagree with Father Jonas Abib, I’m kind of used to not being on the same page as the Catholic Church, that said, he should be allowed to spew out whatever nonsense he wants in a book. I highly doubt his book was going to change any minds. I suspect if you bought the book, you were already on his team. Let’s try this another way, David Icke, who for the record I just love, cranks out book after book of total artwork quality out there-ness. Yet, no one seems overly concerned about the impending lizard threat, and I’m pretty certain he’s sold way more books than Abib!

I find it noble, and wonderful, that the Bahai government is concerned about maintaining the “integrity, respectability, and permanence of the values of Afro-Brazilian religion” but, with all due respect, at what cost? Will it be at the cost of the other faiths in their state being denied those things? The courts also censored an organization that initiated a campaign to condemn homosexual behavior. And just in case you haven’t been playing along, I have no problem with homosexuality…I backed Dennis Kucinich for crying out loud! (One of the only Democrats who ran for the Democratic nomination for President who was for gay marriage. The other one was Mike Gravel.) Yet, they have the right to be against homosexuality, however wrong they are in their belief. I mean, however wrong I find their belief.

Although not always executed the way I would like, America has got it right Brazil. First Amendment, all the way. Protect all the religions and all the speech, and then let God, the free market, or the history books decide which of them has it right.

Rebecca Talks Enlightenment

July 13, 2008 by Administrator, posted in New Age, Religion

The name Rose Rosetree should be familiar to long time Magical Buffet readers. Why? Well, there was this and this. It’s safe to call Rose a friend of the Buffet. I was dumbfounded and flattered when she invited me to write a guest post for her blog about enlightenment. What follows is that piece.

I have to admit, I was surprised when Rose asked if I would like to write a blog about enlightenment for her website. For those of you that are not familiar with myself, or my website The Magical Buffet, asking me about enlightenment is comparable to asking your family doctor to perform neurosurgery. They know the basics, but you may not want them putting them into action.

Enlightenment implies a level of spiritual or intellectual insight has been achieved, and perhaps you may even be able to share it with others. It is hard to achieve, and harder to prove that it has been achieved. If that is the case, one starts to wonder, what is the deal with enlightenment? Why does the concept even exist in these modern, fast paced times? Does one really need to worry about enlightenment when you can find out everything that’s going on in the world in under one minute and every day more and more people seem to seek the spiritual through quality one on one time with Oprah? Can spiritual enlightenment ever be achieved in this environment?

Perhaps, but I’m here to suggest that obtaining spiritual enlightenment is not half as important as the idea of enlightenment. Let me be first to state flat out, for the record, I have not even nudged towards enlightenment, and that I am 100% positive that even upon my death bed the only real insight I will have is that it’s really easy to make an ass out of yourself on the internet. Yet I stagger down a path that perhaps, despite my rum soaked brain, will lead me to some greater understanding of that which makes up the spiritual. Frequently I ask myself what is it I’m doing. What on Earth, do I hope to achieve? I have cluttered dusty book cases filled with books on mysticism, holy texts, and Idiot’s Guides. Why do I keep investing time and money on them? As cynical and snarky as I may be, I cannot deny that the answer is enlightenment.

I am not enlightened. But, the quest for enlightenment has helped me start a website/online magazine, allowed me to attend religious observances of multiple faiths, and become friends with a vibrant, diverse group of people. It has also caused me to become more attentive to global affairs and national politics. None of this would have been possible if not for the concept of enlightenment dangling in front of me like some deep-fried dessert of my dreams. My goal of enlightenment has definitely not been achieved, but it has certainly made me better person. And in my humble, unenlightened opinion, that may be more important.

A Letter: Part One

July 9, 2008 by Administrator, posted in Politics

Hey Guys! It so good to be back and able to share my stuff in this sweet looking new format. I’ve got so much stuff that has been sitting around that’s been waiting for the website re-launch! I hope enjoy it all!

My mother has always been a letter writer. I speak on the phone with her once a week and still, more often than not, I receive a handwritten letter between calls. More important to this story is the fact that she has never been afraid to write letters to strangers.

My childhood is filled with wonderful stories and experiences thanks to my mother’s letter writing efforts. There was the time we found a small piece of metal in a piece of Oscar Mayer deli meat. I remember watching her sit at the table handwriting a letter to the company and carefully taping the piece of metal to the letter. One day a man in a suit knocked on our door. He was from Oscar Mayer and he was there to personally apologize…and take us shopping! Better still was the time she wrote to a company that made brass polish (I wish I could remember their name) to tell them how great their product was but she couldn’t find it in the town we moved to. Could they suggest somewhere for her to get it? Next thing you know we receive a giant box filled with the complete line of their polishing products!

The point I’m getting to is this, I’ve seen first hand the power that a letter can have. Which brings me to Zimbabwe. Thanks to BBC America World News in the morning I’ve developed a horrid fascination with the country. Anyway, what follows outlines the country’s tale of woe so I won’t lay it out here. However to sum up, one day I just got so mad at the circumstances there I found myself swearing at the television. But what to do? I’m not rich, I’m not a celebrity, I’m not a politician (I know some exist that are neither wealthy nor have a celebrity level profile), I’m just a schmo. Then it hit me, I could write a letter. Not send an email to a website, but an honest to goodness, put it in an envelope and slap a stamp on it letter. And that’s just what I did.

Of course, who should I send the letter to? Well, Obama and McCain want my vote, don’t they? Then of course there are my senators Clinton and Schumer, they need my votes too, right? And since the letter referenced the run off elections in Zimbabwe taking place near the end of June, I begrudgingly acknowledged that perhaps George W. should get a letter. Why choose? I sent the same letter to all of them. I made sure to let them know who else was getting the letter, no secrets here!

See my letter below:

6/7/08

Dear Elected Official:

I never thought I would write this letter. I mean, the possibility of me writing to you, or probably more accurately, one of your staff, always existed. I just assumed if it ever happened it would be to address some of my concerns about the challenges our country faces, such as the need for health care reform, a restoration of civil liberties, the ever-widening gap between the wealthy and the poor, or perhaps my belief that homosexuals deserve the right to marry. Instead, I’m writing to you about Zimbabwe.

I blame the BBC. I never would have known anything about Zimbabwe if it wasn’t for BBC America World News. I took notice when they started reporting about skyrocketing inflation in the country. Eventually climaxing with Zimbabweans making startling statements such as a loaf of bread now costs as much as what they paid for their home when they first purchased it. As a rabid believer in the freedom of speech, what came next was horrifying. Newspaper offices were being raided and shut down. All the foreign press was kicked out the country. Suddenly my BBC reports were coming from Johannesburg. Seriously, who kicks out the BBC?

Then came the elections. How long should it take to determine who wins a presidential election? Yet, Zimbabwe still awaits the answer. Stories keep coming out of people being beaten, detained, and killed, just for voting for the MDC candidate. Now the government has ordered that all aid organizations must re-register because of alleged political involvements, thus depriving millions of Zimbabweans of aid they need while the organizations go through the process. There’s speculation that the government is doing this so that they can offer aid for votes for the current government. To make matters even worse, the opposition candidate keeps being detained by the government when he tries to campaign for the run off election!

Why on Earth do I care so much about Zimbabwe? As a proud American, how can I not? What the people of Zimbabwe are going through is the worst-case scenario that our founding fathers imagined when starting our new country. President Mugabe helped the people of Zimbabwe break free of British colonial rule. Now he and his government, for lack of a better phrase, have become tyrants, unwilling to surrender their authority, seemingly unable to help the countrymen they originally sought to liberate. Some say this is why our country has the Second Amendment.

My husband once told me that you can’t force democracy on people, they have to want it. The people of Zimbabwe don’t just want it; they are fighting and dying for it. The people of Zimbabwe are our kinsmen. Our country more than any other should understand their plight, it’s written into our nation’s DNA.

Please, tell me there is something our country can do to help Zimbabwe.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Rebecca Elson

cc: President George W. Bush
Senator John McCain
Senator Barack Obama
Senator Hillary Clinton
Senator Charles Schumer

To keep learn more about what’s happening in Zimbabwe, visit: www.bbc.com/zimbabwe. I’ll be sure to post any responses I receive here, so stay tuned!

Rejoice for Season Two is Out on DVD!

June 15, 2008 by Administrator, posted in Reviews, Television

Rejoice for season two of The Boondocks released on DVD this week! I’m consistently amazed that more of my friends don’t watch this show. I love it! Not only is it insanely funny and filled with honest, topical messages, but the art for the show is beautiful. It’s a show that appeals to all five senses, you know, sight, sound, humor, intelligence, and martial arts love. Okay, that last one might be made up.

I cannot comment on the overall quality of the second season. Why? Well, two episodes of the season (“The Hunger Strike” and “The Uncle Ruckus Reality Show”) went unaired in the United States. I haven’t had a chance to watch those yet but I suspect that if they weren’t aired that they are probably particularly funny. To quote Karen from the television show “Will & Grace”, “It’s funny because it’s true.”

What I have seen of the second season shows that The Boondocks continues to maintain its love affair with anime and martial arts, mocking BET and activist reverends, and the trials and tribulations of not just the African American community, but of the American community.

Creator Aaron McGruder takes a lot of flack for the content in The Boondocks. What can I say people, the truth hurts. Take it like a man and laugh at it for God’s sake! The stand out episode for the season in my opinion is “The S-Word”. Not only does it confront the changing usage of the n-word, but it takes on a remarkably Al Sharpton like reverend AND Ann Coulter. Here’s a little tease for you:

(if you are offended by the n-word DO NOT PLAY THIS CLIP!)

Do yourself a favor, buy The Boondocks season one and two DVD box sets. You won’t regret it.

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