"D - Day" Demonstration : 8th July- Vaclavske Namesti - Wenceslas Square
July has arrived in Prague, and as well within just a few days, the U.S. Secretary Of State, Condoleeza Rice is expected to attend discussions with the intentions of signing the treaties involved in the installation of a U.S. Missile Defense Radar Base in the Czech Republic.

The length and exact term of "Condi's" visit has been reported to be on the morning of July the 8th and stay between the 10th.

If our government here in the Czech Republic thinks that it's citizens will remain passive, quiet and indifferent "neteční" during it's ignorant and defiant pursuit of a rapid signing of the Missile Defense & Radar Agreement, truly they have made an unprecedented mistake.

"Pokud si naše vláda myslí, že občané zůstanou neteční k její úporné snaze o urychlené podepsání smlouvy o radaru, tak se plete."

"D - DAY" Demonstration

"D-Day" = The Day Of Condoleeza Rice's Arrival In Prague.
Individuals who are against the placement of the U.S. Radar Base on Czech Soil, Voice It ! - Say It ! - THE RADAR WILL NOT BE HERE !!

The people have remained against the agreement for two years without change, and the government has also not changed in it's stance of ignorance of the people, citizens and the majority "Czech Vote". We can voice our final words once more to Parliament via elected and responsible spokespeople for the "No To Bases" Iniciative, "Ne Zakladnam".

We will demonstrate in protest of "Condi" and the Radar, On Tuesday, 8th of July, in Wenceslas Square, from 18:00 (6pm).

The US Embassy in Prague organized an official celebration of this event on Wednesday 2.7.

At the same time, the No to Bases Initiative staged a happening entitled “We Too Want Independence”. As the spokesperson of the Initiative Jan Májíček said:

“The Americans have fought out their independence and sovereignty of decision-making about own territory and we demand that as well. Like the Americans we do not want that the affairs of our country be decided on the other side of Atlantic”.

“We would like to remind that nearly a two-thirds of Czech citizens wish referendum in which they could decide on their own whether we allow another country to build a strategic military installation on our soil,"

Added Ivona Novomestská,

Mluvci: Iniciativa Ne Zakladnam

The happening was held on Wednesday 2.7. at 11:00 in front of the residence of the US Ambassador at the address Zikmunda Wintra 3, Prague 6. 

Spokespersons: 

Ivona Novomestská, tel. 777 232 883, email: ivona.n@email.cz  
Ing. Jan Tamáš, Ph.D., tel. 776 785 839, email: jan.tamas@humanisti.cz

All right! Lets begin.

June 29, 2008: Around 800 people from different walks of life gather in New Delhi for a common cause. They rally for acceptance, respect, to break the ice, and to make the society know of their presence. The occasion was Gay-Pride Parade, first of its kind in India. This was a radical change for Indian Society which has traditionally been conservative and especially hush-hush in the issues concerning sex and sexuality.

Where parents decide the partner for most people, love marriage has a hard time getting accepted, the condition of a person talking about him or her being homosexual can only be inadequately imagined. I mean, if I were gay, there would be no way I would be able to tell, let alone explain, my parents about it. It is a 'unacceptable' departure from so-called values of the Indian social system. Such is the situation even today.

So, it is quite brave for these men and women to come out in open and let the world know of their sexuality. I can understand why some of them decided to wear masks but still appreciate their effort to come out in the open. As I imagine, most people there would be/have been uncomfortable telling that they were gay/lesbian to their friends and family. Even in a modernizing India, it is hard for people to accept such a thing. Call it our closed-mindedness or give it any other tag but it remains a fact.

I'm a hardcore proponent of individual freedom and hence, believe that everyone has a right to choose according to their wish as long as it doesn't hurt others. I do not endorse homosexuality but at the same time, do not loathe it either by giving a lame explanation that it is against law of nature etc etc. If one of my friends comes up to me and tell me he is gay, I would not be shocked or angered, instead, I would accept him the way he is (I mean, his sexuality shouldn't change our friendship unless of course he is attracted towards me!) Least of all things would I ever think of telling him about what 'God' would think of all this.

Also, in a nation run by laws written in 1800's, I do not expect the law concerning 'unnatural sexual intercourse' (SECTION 377 IPC, which currently includes homosexuality!) to change for another 50-100 years. There are a million other things queued up before that. Also, the change is expected to be gradual. But as they say, closing your eyes doesn't alter the truth. What we need to do today is to recognize that there are people in our society who are different in terms of their sexual preferences and that we should adopt an open-minded and liberal attitude towards them, and make them feel a part of our society by letting go of our prejudices.

After all, modernization doesn't only mean change of clothes or attitude, it means a change of mind-set and ideologies too!

(PHOTO COURTESY: Top-right - PTI; Middle-left - The Economist)

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September 29, 2003, may not be a memorable day for most, but for me it was not only the realization of a dream, but the beginning of a much wanted challenge. It was the day I was hired as Community Relations Coordinator at OutReach. I had long desired a position that mattered, A job that was not simply a paycheck, but one which would allow me to make a real difference in the lives of LGBT people.

Thus, it is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I have resigned my position as Development Director effective July 1, 2008. The reason for my departure? I've been diagnosed with end-stage liver and end-stage kidney disease with additional complications. I was just recently added to the UW-Madison Transplant list for a double transplant. I'm hoping that as soon as I get the necessary replacement parts, I will be back doing my best to educate about and advocate for LGBT people and our issues.

I want to thank Steve Starkey and the OutReach Board for this very special gift, not only did they give me the chance to leave on my own terms, but also the opportunity to address you in this manner. While those who know me are well aware that I could pontificate on a wide range of topics, I feel compelled to focus on a few key issues in hopes that our community can grow from my observations.

If I could share some things I've learned, the first would be to leave our personal agendas at the door. We seem so caught up in who did what to whom and who should gets credit for what, that we waste a great deal of energy. Imagine how powerful we could be if we found a way to unite . . .found a way to put our personal differences aside.

It is also vital that we never forget from whence we came. It seems so easy for us to forget those who came before us. The preceding generations have been battling for LGBT rights for many years and we are where we are today because of the sacrifices that they made. On the other hand, those of us who have been battle tested cannot become so jaded that we forget the necessity of the enthusiasm and fresh perspectives that youth will bring to our future.

In addition, for those who feel we are being judged constantly by others, we seem to spend an inordinate amount of time judging each other. Just as we as a group abhor being labeled, we find it irresistible to label and stereotype others within the LGBT communities. Whether we consider ourselves lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer, it is time that we stopped perpetuating the divisive tactics of our detractors. How can we expect others to treat us with respect and dignity if we can't extend that simple courtesy to ourselves?!

I entered the public realm spurred by a promise Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin made when she was running for the State Assembly. She promised to give a voice to those who had none and to advocate for those who could not do so for themselves. I believed that this was worthwhile goal and that I could assist by committing myself to do the same on a local level. I sincerely hope that I have been successful in doing so..

Lastly, there are so many people deserving of thanks, but not enough room to list them all. I do want to single out my partner of 18 years for her unwavering love and support. Cris has made me a better employee, advocate, spokesperson, but above all, she has made me a better person and for that I am eternally grateful.

I've read this so many times that I think I have it memorized.  I'm still not sure if it is perfect, but with deadlines and all, this as close as I will get.

imalablover

By Steve Schmadeke |Chicago Tribune reporter

11:31 PM CDT, July 3, 2008

A federal jury in Chicago awarded $4.2 million Thursday to a West Side couple whose infant was taken into protective custody for more than 8 months after two Chicago detectives allegedly "lied" to state investigators, the couple's attorney said.
The city denied that the two officers had acted improperly and argued that their actions played no role in the decision by the Department of Children and Family Services to place the 6-month-old girl in foster care, according to a Law Department spokeswoman. She said the city is disappointed with the verdict and reviewing its legal options.
On Nov. 15, 2005, the owner of an in-home day-care center called Jose L. Duran and his wife, Evelyn Torres, to report that their 6-month-old daughter was crying uncontrollably, according to the couple's 2006 lawsuit. Hospital X-rays revealed their firstborn child had two broken arms, according to the complaint.
DCFS launched an investigation and contacted Chicago police. The suit states that the two detectives investigating the case incorrectly administered polygraph tests to the parents and then did not fully disclose the results to DCFS. Torres was given the exam in English although she requested Spanish and her attorneys argued that the police withheld other information, leading DCFS to place the child in protective custody.

Their child was returned in September 2006 after prosectors dropped their petition to declare the girl a ward of the state. Jurors deliberated for about 12 hours before returning the verdict Thursday afternoon, the couple's attorney said. The child, now 3, was awarded $2.5 million. Her parents were awarded $850,000 as were the family's attorneys.
sschmadeke@tribune.com

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-baby-lawsuit_both_04jul04,0,1155854.story

My hero is gone.

Last night I was shocked and deeply saddened to read the news that Utah Phillips passed away at the end of May. I normally make a habit of checking up on the news surrounding Utah, but several months went by without my looking to see what was new, and my heart sunk last night while looking to see if he was on tour and finding out he had passed away of a heart attack on May 23rd. Utah was a living hero for me and someone whom I held very, very close to my heart. My world seems to have a big void in it upon hearing of his passing...he represented such hope to me, such righteousness and inspiration. There never was nor will there ever be another soul with the specific blend of kindness, humor, compassion and wisdom as Utah Phillips.

I don't even know how to explain this amazing man to those of you who are not familiar with his work. Here is an excerpt from Amy Goodman's Democracy Now program in dedication to Utah Phillips. Consequently, if you are interested in seeing interviews with Utah, this set of videos of the program recently posted on Youtube in memory of him are well worth a big cup of tea and an hour of your life. I promise you will walk away smiling, inspired, and touched by the powerful spirit of this man.

Utah Phillips, the legendary folk musician and peace and labor activist, has died at the age of seventy-three. Over the span of nearly four decades, Utah Phillips worked in what he referred to as "the Trade," performing tirelessly throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. The son of labor organizers, Phillips was a lifelong member of the Industrial Workers of the World, known as the Wobblies. As a teenager, he ran away from home and started living as a hobo who rode the rails and wrote songs about his experiences. In 1956, he joined the Army and served in the Korean War, an experience he would later refer to as the turning point of his life. In 1968, he ran for the US Senate on the Peace and Freedom Party ticket. For the past twenty-one years he lived in Nevada City, where he started a nationally syndicated folk music radio show. He also helped found the Hospitality House homeless shelter and the Peace and Justice Center.

I can't shake this feeling of grief since reading of his passing last night. In a way, I feel that his passing represents the death of an era, a feeling, a fight. But I know in the deepest parts of my heart that this isn't true. There are others who will carry on his work and his message, and I hope that I can live my life in such a way as to be one of them. I've never had close relationships with my grandparents, and in my ideal world, I would have had a grandfather like Utah. I suppose he became one to me in an indirect sort of way, through his words and music, which I devoured for years and years. He taught me so much and it wouldn't be exaggerating to say that I am a better person because of him.

I had the great blessing of seeing him in person for the first time last year at the University Of Rhode Island. It was a small, intimate crowd and something that I had looked forward to for a long time. Vee and I still remember that night fondly as the most inspiring night we have ever had in Rhode Island. I tend to be a shy person at times, and it now is my great regret that I didn't approach him, shake his hand, and simply say "Thank you."

Thank you Utah. You will be greatly missed.

Utah recites a poem that everyone needs to hear....

Kilgore provides an interesting contribution to the emerging fixed point of Sen. Obama's long march to the center and what it means for activists and organizers. Earlier contributions include:

• Allen of thenextright.com: “The Obama campaign has made the courageous decision to keep his dissidents under his tent and armed with the tools his campaign can provide to organize—Can you imagine a Bush campaign reacting like this?”
• Lux of Open Left: “the only way to hold a Presidential candidate in the general election accountable once the general election season comes around is to work for their defeat or otherwise endanger their victory—For most of us, given the alternative of four more years of deadlocked government and a stubborn, hyper-aggressive President McCain, that is not an acceptable option”
• Sen. Obama describes his own centerlessness as quoted by Jennifer Rubin: “I serve as a blank screen on which people of vastly different political stripes project their own views”—What will the Obama-Screen reflect next on the issue of the Iraq War?
• exploring the theme of Sen. Obama’s many policy retractions, redactions, and frank reversals—will Sen. Obama pay a price?—our conclusion: probably not

Back to Kilgore:

It has been an important part of his political persona from day one. And those who accuse him of cynicism for expressing heretical thoughts on FISA or gun control or the death penalty now are perhaps the real cynics, who somehow thought he didn't really mean all his early talk about transpartisan politics or overcoming the stale debates of past decades.

This is an enthymeme of refutation.

Those who accuse Sen. Obama of cynicism are the real cynics

---because---

They somehow thought Sen. Obama didn't really mean all his early talk about transpartisan politics or overcoming the stale debates of past decades

What would be the suppressed premise?---that candidates seeking public office often do not mean what they say?

Back to Kilgore who goes on to develop his argument:

Since 1948 (a complicated, multi-candidate contest), there's been exactly one successful presidential candidate whose strategy was focused overwhelmingly on base mobilization. That was George W. Bush in 2004, and we've seen how well his political capital held up since then. You can make the argument that the partisan landscape this year is positive enough that Barack Obama could run a similar campaign and win. But a lot of what has attracted so much enthusiasm for Obama's candidacy is precisely the belief that he can "break the mold" and win a victory that enables him to achieve things in office that will produce a genuinely overwhelming progressive and Democratic majority in the electorate of the future.

Personally, one of the things I like about Barack Obama as a politician is that he refuses to campaign according to anybody's playbook but his own. Inevitably, he's going to disappoint or even anger Democratic activists of every stripe on occasion. Those on the left who fear he's "blurring the lines" or "moving to the middle" really do need to concentrate on the vast differences between Obama and McCain on a vast number of prominent issues that actual voters as opposed to activists care most about (telecomm immunity or the nuances of gun control not being among them). Those in "the center" who want him to repudiate key elements of his past record to "signal" he's safe to swing voters are barking up the wrong tree as well.

It's fine to debate and second-guess Obama's strategy and message; we do a lot of that here at TDS. But trying to pigeon-hole Barack Obama as a member of one Democratic faction or another, or praising or damning his campaign in terms of our own notions of the strengths and weaknesses of past Democratic efforts, really does run the risk of missing the larger point about this remarkable man.

Let Obama be Obama [...]

For Kilgore---provided that we read him correctly---it is Sen. Obama's independence that accounts for his performance as a candidate.

The call for Sen. Obama to remain true to the goals or norms of the activists and organizers of the various "Democratic factions" therefore assumes the character of a double bind like BE independent or BE spontaneous. It constitutes a performative contradiction, but it is the core performative contradiction of representative government itself: we elect representatives. Kilgore also claims that "Those in 'the center' who want him to repudiate key elements of his past record to "signal" he's safe to swing voters are barking up the wrong tree as well"---although Kilgore never explains why this should be the case.

The question for us therefore turns to the basis of Sen. Obama's independence. Is this independence a function of Sen. Obama's character? The forms and formulae of a winning strategy? Is it the function of a coherent theory of government, state, and civil society? Is it more than one of these options or something that we haven't yet considered? As we wrote elsewhere:

[...] Our further surmise: Sen. Obama's campaign has entered a new phase. It needs to begin to develop issues tied to the attributes of the candidate, precisely the sort of conventional campaign that Ruffini describes. Sen. Obama will pay a heavy price if he remains the candidate of "moveon.org and national security" as he attempts to develop a governing coalition, because another concept tied to the larger concept of brands and branding argues against it: narrative congruence. The US electorate tends to demand a sense of consistency.

At the moment Sen. Obama positions himself as a resolver of contradiction: he is famously above black or white; above left or right. But he stands in this position only because he has yet to be tested by an ideological adversary---Senators Clinton and Obama famously agreed on all the larger issues---they only differed over details. Whether Sen. McCain is equal to the task of becoming an effective ideological adversary for Sen. Obama remains for us an open question. But the fact remains, Sen. Obama has yet to refine his proposals, positions, or his person---the person or the character that he projects---in the the purifying fire of open debate. See:

Bevan: “Mrs. Clinton’s vaunted political organization — often described with words like ‘ruthless,’ ‘hyperefficient,’ ’seasoned,’ and ‘well-oiled’ — completely missed the single most potent weapon against Mr. Obama in this race”

Unless Sen. Obama can quickly articulate a compelling and comprehensive "new synthesis"---a new synthesis certified by argument and warranted by detailed exposition---the pose of having resolved our social and historical contradictions without benefit of advancing a larger vision will collapse. Can Sen. Obama continue to issue promissory notes in lieu of policy? Well, we don't think so, because a large part of what a presidency is is administration, i.e. planning and allocating scarce resources. But anything is possible, especially in this election cycle [...]

N.

Keep visiting: www.lifechums.com/ more Celebrities featuring Shortly .............

Born in Elkhart, Indiana, Mr. Atkins graduated from Harvard Law School and remained in the Boston area where he is credited with many things including minimizing the unrest in Boston after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.   While other cities were rioting, Atkins persuaded Mayor Kevin White to continue with plans to hold a James Brown concert at Boston Garden and have it televised live.  

The entire article can be found at www.boston.com by using their search function or at the below link:  http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/obituaries/articles/2008/06/29/civil_rights_trailblazer_atkins_dies_at_69/

Mr. Atkins leaves two sons, his former wife, siblings in Indiana, and three granddaughters and one great-granddaughter.  His daughter, Trena, predeceased him in 2006.  The family is planning a memorial service in lieu of a funeral. 

Activists are the lifeblood of community organizing and sometimes are really the only bridge between citizens and elected officials. So, when one of us quits, it sends the wrong message to all parties involved, which is why Detroit activist Theresa Hurst's decision to turn her back on the city is so troubling. For those of you who are unaware, Theresa is a well-known Detroiter committed to cleaning up the grimy image that the city has. She dedicated nine years of her life to cleaning up Southwest Detroit, once a vibrant section of Detroit known its ethnic diversity, great food and working-class values. However, like many urban dwellers in Detroit, she found herself getting more lip-service than action., one of the downsides of being a die-hard activist. She choose just recently to move from the area to the more prestigious Detroit suburb known as Grosse Pointe Woods (think of the John Cusack movie Grosse Pointe Blank), taking with her the little-shared victories she won, including the cleaning of Clark Park. But her pleas for help fell on deaf ears as the city of Detroit braces itself for the end result of the text message scandal with Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. But for Theresa Hurst, she leaves the city thinking she has accomplished nothing and meanwhile, the problems of decay in the city of Detroit remain. This is a community activist's worst nightmare: that change will never come, that the activist's vision of change decidely remains the same or in a nutshell, becomes worse. So, what should activism accomplish?

Wikipedia.org describes activism as:

Activism, in a general sense, can be described as intentional action to bring about social or politicalcontroversial argument. change. This action is in support of, or opposition to, one side of an often

The word "activism" is often used synonymously with protest or dissent, but activism can stem from any number of political orientations and take a wide range of forms, from writing letters to newspapers or politicians, political campaigning, economic activism (such as boycotts or preferentially patronizing preferred businesses), rallies, blogging and street marches, strikes, or even guerrilla tactics. In the more confrontational cases, an activist may be called a freedom fighter by some, and a terrorist by others, depending on whether the commentator supports the activist's ends.

In some cases, activism has nothing to do with protest or confrontation: for instance, some religious, feminist or vegetarian/vegan activists try to persuade people to change their behavior directly, rather than persuade governments to change laws. The cooperative movement seeks to build new institutions which conform to cooperative principles, and generally does not lobby or protest politically.

All rights reserved@2008 Wikimedia Foundation

The operative word here is might. With activism, some might say that it is a vain attempt for the respondent to draw attention to themselves but the true goal, is to raise awareness of the issue and Theresa Hurst's awareness of a city that is slowly decaying itself to death is not in the least bit controversial. After all, everyone wants to live in comfortable, safe surroundings? The problem comes in when the community sits by complacently while one of their freedom fighters slowly loses hope in their efforts and begins to see the reality of their fading vision. Theresa Hurst still continues to work in the city of Detroit and keep her son in a Detroit school but she no longer has the same passion that Detroit so desperately needs. The mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick, says that he has a vision to turn Detroit into a gateway leader of the 21st century. Sadly, that vision hasn't come soon enough for activists such as Theresa Hurst and other middle-class Detroiters who are frustrated by the city's lack of unity. Theresa's story should be an example to all of us that are no guarantees in life, except for change and not always the change we want.

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Author: ICYDK

After seeing the movie, the twins wanted to go to Uganda to start building schools for these kids. In addition to the education of children in Africa, one of the twins was interested in the environment, as many teenagers are. 

I met with them to talk about their plans and ambitions during the winter.  We talked about how to start their development as informed, activist philanthropists who can really make a difference on the issues they care about.

So for their 18th birthday, I got them each a book with the intention to encourage their ambitions. (Both books are available on Amazon or at a book store near you.)

• For my environmentalist, "Worldchanging: A User's Guide for the 21st Century" by Alex Steffen (Author), Al Gore (Foreword), Stephan Sagmeister (Designer).
• For my school-builder, "Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time" by Greg Mortenson (Author), David Oliver Relin (Author)

"Three Cups of Tea"

I read the first couple of chapters of "Three Cups" on the train in to meet the twins, and was compelled to buy a copy for myself, too.  I just finished it a week ago, and I'm pretty happy with the choice. 

"Three Cups of Tea" tells the story of Greg Mortenson, an American mountain climber who, after a failed attempt at K-2, was nursed back to health by a village at the edge of Pakistan civilization. He promises the village leaders he will build a school for the children who currently do their lessons out in the cold, using sticks to draw in the dirt.  From that one school is born the Central Asia Institute and 40 more schools across rural Pakistan and into Afghanistan. 

"Three Cups of Tea" sneaks up on you by disguising itself as an adventure book.  Mortenson's efforts to negotiate foreign cultures and his mis-steps (getting himself kidnapped, getting his supplies hijacked by a local slimeball) are gripping.  Although setting Mortenson up as a little too perfect--his big flaw is wanting to cuddle up with his family when he's at home with them--it demonstrates the value of providing girls' education without feeling like a sermon.  (Okay, maybe it gets a little preachy in the last few chapters, but by then you're hooked and don't mind too much.)

"Worldchanging"

"Worldchanging" is both a book and an "online Magazine."  The premise is to give us all many ways to actually bring about the world we want.  It focuses a lot on the stuff in our lives--raising our awareness of where it comes from and where it's going after we're done with it.  Our homes, our stuff, our communities, our businesses and our planet. 

"The Whole Earth Catalog retooled for the iPod generation ... [Their book] is a compendium of everything a younger generation of environmental activists has to offer: creativity, digital dexterity, networking ability, an Internet-era optimism about the future, and a deep concern about not only green issues but related questions of human rights, poverty, and social justice."
– Bill McKibben
New York Review of Books

 My only warning, if you get "Worldchanging" for your teenager, is that you might start to get some suggestions from your kid about changing your own world. 

Not well known in the States, Sonny’s great voice (the only African voice) may have been noticed on Sun City, the anti-apartheid album from 1985 or on the soundtrack of Jonathan Demme's Something Wild. I had the privilege of doing a remix of the song from the film Highlife for Shanachie Records.  I remember the difficulty we had editing, as the drummer moved the song along as only a human could, somewhat at odds with producing a dance track.

Here’s a profile I wrote in the late 90s and a listing of the recordings we have at the ARC.

Sonny Okosuns
b: 4/3/1947.Enugu or Benin City, Nigeria

In his teens Sonny studied as an actor with the Eastern Nigerian Theater, couching a desire to become a playwright within a Hollywood obsession. He often spent a day at the cinema, and the occasional night after falling asleep in his seat.  Elvis Presley’s Loving You, Cliff Richard’s Expresso Bongo and The Tommy Steele Story made a lasting impression. Misreading the large numbers of adoring on-screen fans as friends, the young Okosun was attracted to this idealized lifestyle. The gift of a guitar in 1964 led to the formation of his first band, the Postmen, in 1966.

The Postmen specialized in straight ahead rock and pop, playing Elvis songs and earning a local reputation for Beatles covers.  With the advent of the Nigerian Civil War in 1967, Sonny moved to Lagos to do design work for a TV station. There, along with everyone else in the capital, he went crazy for American soul and sang in amateur soul groups. 1969 marks the beginning of his professional career with a move to Benin City to play second guitar with Sir Victor Uwaifo’s Melody Maestros, a prominent Highlife band. Uwaifo taught him composition and provided practical experience on the ins and outs of earning a living as a musician. Flying back from a Japanese tour in 1970, Sonny purchased instruments at a London stopover - gear necessary to form his own band being prohibitively expensive and difficult to come by in Africa. He also picked up a new set of Western influences while in the UK, launching Paperback Limited in ‘72, a mix of Eastern (Bendel) Highlife and the underground sound of Santana, Hendrix, Creem and Traffic.

While Sonny was successful, he felt that his music is still not very distinctive. He returned home to Enugu and came up with a roots music based on his Esan (Ishan) culture. He renamed the band Ozziddi after an Ijaw river God and christened his sound “Ozziddzm”.  His first song in Ozziddi style, “No More War”, was a hit, as were his next three albums, Ozzidi, Living Music and Ozzidi for Sale, all of which sold over 100,000 copies. His fourth LP, Papa’s Land (1977), did even better. The title cut, a funky Highlife number sung in English, preached a militant gospel of African rule “from Cape Town to Cairo”. The LP also contains one strong Afro-reggae song, “Rain”, attesting to a blossoming interest in reggae, and a back cover quoting the Old Testament, an affirmation of his born again Christianity.

EMI, impressed with Papa’s Land, sent the band to London in 1978 where Sonny recorded his next two LPs at Abbey Road studios, the home of his boyhood idols, the Beatles. (Sonny claimed to have used nearly half the Beatles titles for his own compositions, one of which, “Help” was a big hit). “Fire In Soweto” is a well produced Afro reggae title cut that showcased Sonny’s warm, rootsy voice. The English lyrics allowed the message of freedom to reach beyond Nigeria’s borders and made Sonny a star throughout the continent. In 1980 “Fire” flooded West African airwaves providing the soundtrack for Samuel K. Doe’s Liberian coup. That same year Sonny was the first artist to take the stage at Zimbabwe’s independence celebration.

Exploring the language-oriented calypso form, he next cut an LP with Explainer, calling the style Afro-Carnival. Shifting gears again, Sonny flirted with a disco sound on “No More War” on his 1980 Third World LP, with many of the songs again incorporating reggae stylings. The title cut stressed the Afro over the reggae to produce his most satisfying effort to date. Sonny delights in the airiness of reggae - the large empty spaces that allow room for the words - as attractive as it’s religious and political tendencies. Okosuns’ gift is hearing Africa’s perfect pitch on it’s return trip to the motherland; in New World rock, reggae, funk, black American dance and Caribbean music. The follow-up, The Gospel According to Ozziddi, was a shaky disco effort. Okosuns has toured the world, including a visit to Cuba and a sold out concert at New York’s Apollo theater in 1984.

Sonny Okosun's Ozziddi. 3rd World (Makossa, USA, M 2397, 12, vinyl disc-Lp, [1980])
Sonny Okosun's Ozziddi. 3rd World (Oti, UK, M 2397*, 12, vinyl disc-Lp, [1980])
Sonny Okosuns. African Soldiers (Profile, USA, PCD-1414, 5, compact disc, 1991)
Sonny Okosun. Fire In Soweto (EMI, Nigeria, NEMI 0330, 12, vinyl disc-Single or Ep, 1978 )
Sonny Okosun. Happy Days (, HMV 058, 12, , 1980s)
Sonny Okosun. Highlife (Shanachie, USA, SH-5011, 12, vinyl disc-Single or Ep, n.d. {1984]). This is the one B.George and Goran Andersson remixed.
Sonny Okosun. Liberation (Shanachie, USA, 43019, 12, vinyl disc-Lp, 1984)
Sonny Okosun. Liberation (Shanachie, USA, 43019*, 5, compact disc, 1991)
Sonny Okosun. Message (MFR 120714, 12, 1980s)
Sonny Okosun. Message (Melanie, USA, JRF-1009, 12, vinyl disc-LP, 1980s)
Sonny Okosun. Mother and Child (EMI, Nigeria, HMV 030, 12, vinyl disc-Single or Ep, 1982)
Sonny Okosuns. Over The Years (Celebrity, 1001, 5, compact disc, )
Sonny Okosun's Ozziddi. Papa's Land (EMI, Nigeria, NEMI 0232, 12, vinyl disc-Single or Ep, 1977)
Sonny Okosun. Sonny Okosun (OTI, UK, OTI (LP) 058-82447, 12, vinyl disc-Single or Ep, 1978 )
Sonny Okosun's Ozziddi. The Gospel of Ozziddi (EMI, NEMI (LP) 0530, 12, vinyl disc-Single or Ep, n.d.)
Sonny Okosun's Ozziddi. Third World (OTI, OTI (LP) 0500, 12, vinyl disc-Single or Ep, 1980)
Sonny Okosun. Togetherness (EMI, Nigeria, HMV 033, 12, vinyl disc-Single or Ep, 1983)
Sonny Okosun. Which Way Nigeria? (Jive Afrika, USA, HIP 18, 12, vinyl disc-Single or Ep, 1984)
Sonny Okosun. Which Way Nigeria? (EMI, Nigeria, HMV(N) 036, 12, vinyl disc-Lp, 1984)
Sonny Okosun. Wind of Change (Ivory Music, Nigeria, IVR 001, 12, 1990)

Songs of Praise from 1994 (we don’t have) was sort of a comeback that sold nearly a million copies. It heralded a Christian twist.

A nice discography is at:
http://biochem.chem.nagoya-u.ac.jp/~endo/EAOkosun.html

You can get a great assortment of the releases on CD from our pals at Sterns, so visit them at http://www.sternsmusic.com/discography/6411

]]> http://imalablover.wordpress.com/?p=8 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 03:40:57 +0000 imalablover http://imalablover.wordpress.com/?p=8 I signed the papers that relinquished my position as Development Director at OutReach.  I actually signed the papers on Sunday, but the "in your face" reality just came crashing down upon me.  I have given up my "dream" job.  I won't say it "never" seemed like work, but some of the most demanding days were also some of the most rewarding.  I was able educate and advocate for LGBTQ people and our allies 24/7.  To take a phrase from our esteemed Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, "I want to give a voice to those who aren't otherwise heard."

I wanted to give a face to "lesbian" . . . a face not so different than the one I bring to the categories of woman, sister, daughter, activist, niece, partner, granddaughter, leader, grandmother, or even animal lover.  I wanted people  to know the person, not the stereotype.  And I think, that whether an individual likes or dislikes me as a person they know that my ultimate objective is to get people to see others as they are and treat them as they would like to be treated.  No Rhode's Scholar material there, just a simple declaration of a basic value.

So, I've reached the end of an era, less dramatically, I have reached the end of this chapter in my life.  It is a  major understatement to say this is bittersweet.  Although the experts would say that I should not value myself for what I do, I am truly a child of my generation.  A generation that puts way more value on what one does to make money, than what one does to make their community a better place.  The great thing about OutReach is that it allowed me to be/do both.

Where do I go from here?  Hell if I know!  If I had the answers I wouldn't be pouring out my heart and soul to a computer keyboard!  I assume this means that I either spiral into oblivion, or learn to value myself for other aspects of who I am.  Sounds like a huge stretch at this point, but that's why they make therapists!

imalablover

Think about it for a minute - Most of the folks running around spouting some agenda to be all upset about and calling everyone on the planet to get behind there issue and if you don't they make you feel like less of a person, those folks are not what I like to call "regular". They are actors, sports figures and celebrities of some kind, but not your average Joe or Jane that we all rub shoulders with every day. There is a lot more of us than there are of them, they just have that all important "voice" and we don't.

Most of us "regular" people simply want to live the life that is front of us. Sure, we care about the environment and starving children and war torn countries, we think about politics and religion, we have opinions and perspectives that could probably change the world, but who is listening!

I guess by taking this "step" and writing this blog (what a stupid word), I am becoming an activist for all of us inactivists. I am committing to hold up the banner of our passive existences and shout to the world that we are not going to be pushed and pulled around any longer!

We are tired of the guilt trips and being made to feel selfish and insignificant because we choose to live the life that is in front of us instead of trying to tell everyone else how to live their's! We may not be giving to your cause but we are giving to those "regular" folks we come in contact with every day! We are the one's who stop and help push the stalled car into the gas station. We are the one's who bring a meal to someone who has lost a loved one. We are the one's that give that guy standing on the corner with the "Hungry and Homeless" sign a buck or two and pray that he doesn't drink it all away. We are "INACTIVISTS" because you have made the word "activist" distasteful. We give not because we have a "cause" but because we have been given to and that makes all the difference.

An Iranian women's rights activist was sentenced to a five year prison term last week, the maximum penalty for her so-called crime. Hana Abdi was convicted of "gathering and colluding to commit a crime against national security," according to Payvand Iran News.

Ronak Safarzadeh, another young activist who was working with Abdi, has been charged with "enmity against God," which could carry the death penalty. Amnesty International released a press report last week expressing the belief that both women are prisoners of conscience, "detained solely for the peaceful exercise of their rights to freedom of expression and association."

"It's become routine for the Iranian government to use vague security charges to detain and intimidate peaceful activists," said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch, according to a statement. "Now, they're going further by handing down outrageous sentences."

Both Abdi and Safarzadeh are members of Campaign for Equality, a group working to end legal discrimination against women in Iran. This group has come under increased media attention recently after nine members were arrested two weeks ago during a demonstration to commemorate Iran's national day of solidarity.

Media Resources: Payvand Iran News 6/21/2008; Feminist Daily Newswire 6/17/2008; Amnesty International 6/20/2008; Human Rights Watch

This story was taken from the Feminist Majority Foundation.

Think about it for a minute - Most of the folks running around spouting some agenda to be all upset about and calling everyone on the planet to get behind there issue and if you don't they make you feel like less of a person, those folks are not what I like to call "regular". They are actors, sports figures and celebrities of some kind, but not your average Joe or Jane that we all rub shoulders with every day. There is a lot more of us than there are of them, they just have that all important "voice" and we don't.

Most of us "regular" people simply want to live the life that is front of us. Sure, we care about the environment and starving children and war torn countries, we think about politics and religion, we have opinions and perspectives that could probably change the world, but who is listening!

I guess by taking this "step" and writing this blog (what a stupid word), I am becoming an activist for all of us inactivists. I am committing to hold up the banner of our passive existences and shout to the world that we are not going to be pushed and pulled around any longer!

We are tired of the guilt trips and being made to feel selfish and insignificant because we choose to live the life that is in front of us instead of trying to tell everyone else how to live their's! We may not be giving to your cause but we are giving to those "regular" folks we come in contact with every day! We are the one's who stop and help push the stalled car into the gas station. We are the one's who bring a meal to someone who has lost a loved one. We are the one's that give that guy standing on the corner with the "Hungry and Homeless" sign a buck or two and pray that he doesn't drink it all away. We are "INACTIVISTS" because you have made the word "activist" distasteful. We give not because we have a "cause" but because we have been given to and that makes all the difference.

Greenpeace activists in Japan have been arrested for exposing a stolen whale meat scandal involving the Japanese government-sponsored Southern Ocean whaling programme.

Junichi Sato and Toru Suzuki are charged with stealing a box of whale meat which they presented as evidence of a whale meat smuggling operation. The activists requested a Japanese government investigation into the scandal, and the Tokyo public prosecutor agreed there was sufficient evidence of wrongdoing. His investigation has now concluded. The only persons charged are the Greenpeace activists who presented the evidence.

The activists are innocent of any crime. They have been arrested for returning whale meat that was stolen from Japanese taxpayers, and exposing a fraud that may reach high into the Japanese government agencies that run the whaling programme.

Please write to the Japanese Prime Minister and Foreign Minister and demand the activists’ immediate release.

Last week was a big week in the continual forward movement of gay rights. The beginning of gay marriages in California was another big step in LGBT people being accepted into the mainstream of life.

Nearly every major media had extensive coverage of the first marriages. Even the Charlotte observer had some mention of gay rights/issues every day for a week. But was it too much coverage. As a gay man, I certainly celebrate with all others who see the changes in California as a victory. But have we shouted too much. Have we rubbed our success in the conservatives faces a little to long.

I enjoy the "queerness" of being gay as much as anyone. Pride parades, drag queens and other gay camp is a major component in many gay lives. Still, we need to have a little restraint as we move forward. Celebrate the win, but move on to the next battle.

So now I ask.....in view of the foreclosure crisis as well.....

Why on Earth hasn't HUD been using this opportunity to help section 8 voucher recipients to become homeowners?

Some housing authorities allow the voucher holders to BUY, not just rent, housing with the vouchers. That makes sense! Poor people desperately need to develop equity in something. It does not cost the program any more than renting. It helps society in general. It's a great option. BUT NOT ALL HOUSING AUTHORITIES OFFER THIS CHOICE OF BUYING VERSUS RENTING WITH THAT VOUCHER!

That's why I say that HUD should wake up, and require all the housing authorities that can afford it, (or help them afford it) to give that buying choice to all the section 8 voucher holders. This is the moment, or coming soon, when house prices are the lowest since what, 15 or 20 years ago?

This is the opportune moment, to get those low cost housing payments into the hands of the low income renters. AS OWNERS.

SO, i AM GOING TO BE CALLING ON MY SENATORS, REPRESENTATIVES, AND MY LOCAL HOUSING AUTHORITY, TO TRY AND URGE THEM TO GET THIS TYPE OF THING GOING.

IF YOU AGREE, OR GET A GOOD IDEA ALONG THESE LINES TO HELP THE POOR IN THIS HOUSING CRISIS, THEN WHY NOT CALL YOUR LEGISLATIVE PEOPLE AS WELL. AND YOUR HOUSING AUTHORITY.

WHY SHOULD ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES BE GIVEN BY HUD, TO ENTREPRENEURS AS INVESTORS, WHO WILL THEN "FLIP" THE PROPERTIES AND PROFIT OFF THEM BY DOING WHAT THEY ALREADY DID, RAISING THE PRICE TO MAKE A PROFIT? BUY LOW, SELL HIGH. THEY SHOULD NOT BE THE ONLY ONES TO BENEFIT FROM THE FORECLOSURE CRISIS.

HUD AND THE RULEMAKERS, SHOULD TURN THIS CRISIS, INTO OPPORTUNITY FOR THE POOR, THE DISABLED, THE ABANDONED WIVES, THE BATTERED WOMEN, THE STRUGGLING OVERWORKED OVERTIRED SINGLE PARENTS.... AND JUST WATCH THE BENEFIT AND THE IMPROVEMENT TO INDIVIDUALS, AND SOCIETY IN THE USA.