February 20, 2016

Kurds have wanted their own country for many years...

I hear they've softened their stance, in favor of a enhanced federal status in Iraq, but still.

Obviously, the Russians don't really give a shit about that, but are using it as leverage against the Turks, because of long standing issues there.

The whole region has issues that stem from before WWI and the breakup of the Ottoman Empire, not to mention the whole Sunni-Shia thing going back to the 7th Century. It's a clusterfuck, and our going in and trying to seize/"open up" the oil resources have not helped. For all of his brutality-a probably largely because of it-Saddam's Iraq was the most secular, stable country in the region. Toppling him released a lot of regional power brokers trying to be the next BMOC.

Thanks, Bush/Cheney. I hope this whole fucking war period is named after them in perpetuity. The Bush/Cheney War. So much more accurate than the Second Middle Eastern War, don't you think?

February 12, 2016

True justice, and thus true justice reform is not race based...

However, given the history of the US, it is understandable that many blacks are skeptical about talk of economic reforms that do not directly address their issues. So often in the past, reforms have benefited whites and others, but not blacks. That's just a historical fact. We won't get past that using the conservative based "it's not really happening because we already fixed all that" thought virus.

I do know that MLKjr was a strong proponent of economic reforms, too. He knew that if ALL people at the bottom of the economic ladder were helped, blacks would be helped too, if we ensure that they are not excluded.

The M$M will ignore economic justice issues as they are not as sexy as racial conflicts and don't fit their Chicago school, supply-side narrative. In truth, there is no conflict. Helping black poor people will help all poor people. Helping all poor people will help black poor people. They are entwined.

February 11, 2016

Walnut Eyes

Walnut Eyes

I think it was the eyes at first,
so dark, like polished walnut.
Almond shaped, with a hint of remembered sadness,
But with a gleam of promised happiness.

I remember walking in the spring,
hiding beneath a great oak tree
taking shelter from the raindrops
that ran down your face like tears
of joy.

I felt what it was like
to hold you and feel your warmth
against the cold.
To feel your arms wrapped around me
to feel your heart beat against the cold
and the thunder
and the fear of being complete
and that the feeling of completion
would last but a moment.

And yet, a moment could be an eternity
lost in those eyes
gleaming like polished walnut
smiling like hope itself
smiling for me.

Jan 24, 2016