Thursday, August 20, 2009

GEORGE CARLIN - he has spoken....

Recieved this via an email from a friend of mines not too long ago. Not sure of the authenticity of it. But its interesting and I like the guy [Carlin, i like my friend too, thats why his my friend] So i thought it needs to be archived and read every so often. Its worthwhile, just to put life into perspective!



A Message by George Carlin

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

If you don't send this....Who cares?

George Carlin

Friday, August 14, 2009

Keffiyah Day (Friday, 14th August 2009)



Made in Palestine [Courtesy of Riyaad Minty]

The palestinian scarf (keffiyeh) has been quite the fashion accessory recently. From celebrities to the average person on the street, we see such a variety of colours and designs of the keffiyeh.

How many people actually now what the keffiyeh means? Where did it come from? Why is it so important to the palestinians?

This two part documentary takes a look at the last remaining keffiyeh factory in Palestine.

The next time you pull out your scarf, or see someone wearing one, maybe stop of a second and remember/remind them of what it all stands for.....WITNESS

(http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/witness/2009/07/200972711343457982.html)


Made in Palestine

The keffiyeh is an ancient Arabic headdress, designed to keep you cool in the hot Middle Eastern summers and warm in the chill of winter.

But it is more than just a practical headdress and over recent decades it has come to symbolise the Palestinian struggle for self-determination.

At one time, small factories in the West Bank were producing thousands of keffiyeh's a day, but the forces of today's global economy means that cheap imports are now much more available.

The documentary looks at the last keffiyeh maker in the West Bank: 76 years old, he has finally fallen victim to a cocktail of competition from China, globalisation and Israeli occupation.

Through the factory's story we discover the history and significance of the different types of keffiyeh, and how the colour is an emblem of the particular political faction to which you belong.

You can watch it here:

Part 1:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gq8S5TkHHjk

Part 2:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEBm1NbRXvM


For more information about Keffiyah (Palestinian Scarf) Day [Friday, 14 August 2009], please visit http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=124651334416


Note adopted from: http://malignanthoughts.blogspot.com/

Friday, August 7, 2009

The Politics of Music: 99 Luftballons / 99 Red Balloons

"99 Luftballons" is a Cold War-era protest song by the German singer Nena. Originally sung in German, it was later re-recorded in English as "99 Red Balloons".

"99 Luftballons" reached #1 in West Germany in 1983. In 1984, the original German version also peaked at #2 on the American Billboard Hot 100 chart and the English-language version topped the UK Singles Chart. The German version topped the Australian charts for five weeks and the New Zealand charts for one week.

When it made the charts in the United States, most US radio DJs incorrectly assumed that "99 Luftballons" translated to English as "99 Red Balloons" and spoke the number 99 in English, saying "Ninety-nine Luftballoons."

The translation of the title is sometimes given as "Ninety-Nine Air Balloons", however "Ninety-Nine Balloons" is also correct.[1][2] A Luftballon is a colourful toy balloon, rather than a balloon for transport or research. The name is derived from Luft, German for air, but the meaning of Luft does not qualify the type of balloon.

The title "99 Red Balloons" almost scans correctly with the syllables falling in the right places within the rhythm of the first lines of lyrics, with "red" replacing "Luft". The only difference is the missing counterpart to the German syllable "-zig" in "Neunundneunzig".

While at a Rolling Stones concert in Berlin, Nena's guitarist Carlo Karges noticed that balloons were being released. As he watched them move toward the horizon, he noticed them shifting and changing shapes, where they looked nothing like a mass of balloons but some strange spacecraft. (The word in the German lyrics "UFO") He thought about what might happen if they floated over the Berlin Wall to the Soviet sector.[3]

Both the English and German versions of the song tell a story of 99 balloons floating into the air, triggering an apocalyptic overreaction by military forces. The music was composed by Uwe Fahrenkrog-Petersen, the keyboardist of Nena's band, while Karges wrote the original German lyrics.

Having achieved widespread success in Germanic Europe and Japan, plans were made for the band to take "99 Luftballons" international with an English version. Kevin McAlea wrote this version, titled "99 Red Balloons" (on an envelope, which he claims to still have), which has a more satirical tone than the original. The English version is not a direct translation of the German but contains a somewhat different set of lyrics.[4]

Nena recorded "99 Red Balloons" despite their dissatisfaction with the lyrics, which they expressed in numerous magazine interviews in 1984. They, as with many of their fans, felt that the English rendition was not true to the meaning of its German original.

The song came during a period of escalating rhetoric and strategic maneuvering between the United States and the Soviet Union in the Cold War. In particular, its international chart success followed the United States deployment of Pershing II missiles in West Germany in January 1984 (in response to the Soviet deployment of new SS-20 nuclear missiles), which prompted protests across western Europe. The following month, Nena topped the UK Singles Chart with "99 Red Balloons" for three weeks, starting in 28 February 1984.

Unusually, in the United States the German version was more successful, charting at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. On March 26, 1984, it was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America, for shipment of over 500,000 copies.

"99 Luftballons" became the first German-language record to reach the top ten on the US charts since "Sailor (Your Home Is the Sea)" by Lolita in 1961. Although the German version was the hit version in America, both the German and English versions receive radio airplay in the United States today.

- Source: Wikipedia [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/99_Red_Balloons]


NENA – 99 LUFTBALLONS

GERMAN VERSION



Hast du etwas Zeit für mich
Dann singe ich ein Lied für dich
Von 99 Luftballons
Auf ihrem Weg zum Horizont
Denkst du vielleicht g'rad an mich
Dann singe ich ein Lied für dich
Von 99 Luftballons
Und dass so was von so was kommt

99 Luftballons
Auf ihrem Weg zum Horizont
Hielt man für Ufos aus dem All
Darum schickte ein General
'ne Fliegerstaffel hinterher
Alarm zu geben, wenn es so wär
Dabei war'n da am Horizont
Nur 99 Luftballons

99 Düsenjäger
Jeder war ein großer Krieger
Hielten sich für Captain Kirk
Das gab ein großes Feuerwerk
Die Nachbarn haben nichts gerafft
Und fühlten sich gleich angemacht
Dabei schoss man am Horizont
Auf 99 Luftballons

99 Kriegsminister -
Streichholz und Benzinkanister -
Hielten sich für schlaue Leute
Witterten schon fette Beute
Riefen Krieg und wollten Macht
Mann, wer hätte das gedacht
Dass es einmal soweit kommt
Wegen 99 Luftballons

99 Jahre Krieg
Ließen keinen Platz für Sieger
Kriegsminister gibt's nicht mehr
Und auch keine Düsenflieger
Heute zieh' ich meine Runden
Seh' die Welt in Trümmern liegen
Hab' 'nen Luftballon gefunden
Denk' an dich und lass' ihn fliegen


ENGLISH VERSION

Have you some time for me,
then I'll sing a song for you
about 99 balloons
on their way to the horizon.
If you're perhaps thinking about me right now
then I'll sing a song for you
about 99 balloons
and that such a thing comes from such a thing.

99 balloons
on their way to the horizon
People think they're UFO's from space
so a general sent up
a fighter squadron after them
Sound the alarm if it's so
but there on the horizon were
only 99 balloons.

99 fighter jets
Each one's a great warrior
Thought they were Captain Kirk
then came a lot of fireworks
the neighbors didn't understand anything
and felt like they were being provoked
so they shot at the horizon
at 99 balloons.

99 war ministers
matches and gasoline canisters
They thought they were clever people
already smelled a nice bounty
Called for war and wanted power.
Man, who would've thought
that things would someday go so far
because of 99 balloons.

99 years of war
left no room for victors.
There are no more war ministers
nor any jet fighters.
Today I'm making my rounds
see the world lying in ruins.
I found a balloon,
think of you and let it fly (away).


NENA – 99 RED BALLOONS [english song]



You and I in a little toy shop
Buy a bag of balloons with the money we've got
Set them free at the break of dawn
Till one by one they were gone
Back at base bugs in the software
Flash the message: "Something's out there!"
Floating in the summer sky
99 red balloons go by

99 red balloons
Floating in the summer sky
Panic bells, it's red alert
There's something here from somewhere else
The war machine springs to life
Opens up one eager eye
Focusing it on the sky
Where 99 red balloons go by

99 decisions treat
99 ministers meet
To worry, worry, super scurry
Call the troops out in a hurry
This is what we've waited for
This is it, boys, this is war
The President is on the line
As 99 red balloons go by

99 knights of the air
Ride super high-tech jet fighters
Everyone's a super hero
Everyone's a Captain Kirk
With orders to identify
To clarify and classify
Scramble in the summer sky
99 red balloons go by

As 99 red balloons go by

99 dreams I have had
In every one a red balloon
It's all over and I'm standing pretty
In this dust that was a city
If I could find a souvenir
Just to prove the world was here
And here is a red balloon
I think of you, and let it go

Friday, July 31, 2009

Islamic Relief: Next Generation Concert




The Next Generation - Entertaining the family while helping children in need

From 24th July, Islamic Relief Worldwide, the international relief and development charity, is starting a week-long national tour ‘The Next Generation’ with Zain Bhikha, visiting Johannesburg Durban and Cape Town at events also featuring comedians and other singers. It is in celebration of Islamic Relief’s 25th anniversary, and will be the launching venue for two new albums. Proceeds go towards the orphans.

The event is called ‘The Next Generation’ because it celebrates 25 years of Islamic Rleief and looks forward to the next generation of the charity’s work. And because the show focuses on young people – suitable for all the family, featuring children among the performers, and with proceeds helping children most in need.

In 2009, Islamic Relief is celebrating 25 years of helping the world’s poorest people, focusing particularly on orphans and vulnerable children. To mark the 25 year anniversary, Islamic Relief South Africa will be showcasing the organisation’s work worldwide, including Gaza, Pakistan and South Africa.

During ‘The Next Generation’, Zain Bhikha will launch his inspirational latest album, 1415.. Artists include comedians Riaad Moosa (Cape Town), Joey Rasdien (Johannesburg), and Mervin Pillay (Durban). An up-and-coming comedian, Bilal Randeree, will be in both Durban and Johannesburg. Singers include Desert Rose in Cape Town and Waahid in both Durban and Johannesburg. Waahid will be launching their latest album, Labbaik.

TIBB, leader in holistic healthcare, is a major sponsor of the show.

The Islamic Relief Johannesburg ‘Next Generation’ will be held at the Linder Auditorium, Wits at 7.30pm Friday 24th July. The Durban event will be at the City Hall, 7.30pm Friday 31st July. The Cape Town event will be at the City Hall, 2.30pm Sunday 2 August.

This is a unique event, not to be missed. Bring the family and support a good cause. Tickets from Computicket 083 915 8000 or Islamic Relief offices.

Additional information:

The organization - Islamic Relief is an internationally-known relief and development organisation, operating worldwide in 40 countries, including programmes and staff on the ground in Gaza, the West Bank and in the North West Province of Pakistan. Islamic Relief has been working in South Africa for 5 years.

All profits from the event will go towards Islamic Relief’s orphan projects. Islamic Relief supports 2000 children in need in South Africa, supporting them with health care, nutrition, education and emotional support. In 2008, Osizweni centre (‘place of help’) was established by Islamic Relief in Ennerdale, south of Johannesburg, for poor orphans and vulnerable children affected and/or infected by HIV and AIDS. Islamic Relief is looking to replicate the successful model of Osizweni in other regions around the country.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

MAD WORLD! by Tears for Fears

Mad World lyrics



All around me are familiar faces
Worn out places, worn out faces
Bright and early for their daily races
Goin' nowhere, goin' nowhere

Their tears are fillin' up their glasses
No expression, no expression
Hide my head I want to drown my sorrow
No tomorrow, no tomorrow

And I find it kind of funny
I find it kind of sad
The dreams in which I'm dyin'
Are the best I've ever had
I find it hard to tell you
'Cause I find it hard to take
When people run in circles
It's a very, very
Mad world, mad world
Mad world, mad world

Children waitin' for the day they feel good
Happy birthday, happy birthday
Made to feel the way that every child should
Sits and listen, sits and listen

Went to school and I was very nervous
No one knew me, no one knew me
Hello teacher tell me what's my lesson?
Look right through me, look right through me

And I find it kind of funny
I find it kind of sad
The dreams in which I'm dyin'
Are the best I've ever had
I find it hard to tell you
'Cause I find it hard to take
When people run in circles
It's a very, very
Mad world, mad world
Mad world, mad world

And I find it kind of funny
I find it kind of sad
The dreams in which I'm dyin'
Are the best I've ever had
I find it hard to tell you
'Cause I find it hard to take
When people run in circles
It's a very, very
Mad world, mad world
Mad world, mad world
A raunchy young world
Mad world



http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x9i3i_michael-andrews-gary-jules-mad-worl

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

TRUE JUSTICE

Leadership =equals= Responsibility

[fabric of advices weaved into a narrative which serves as a reminder]

waiting in anticipation to conform with the
messages that do not fall short of the most
beautiful scent in the heavens

permission is required to go further
and records and registers where
everything is written in
all the time

two angels ask the questions
verification is set and confirmed
decisively as they are firm

the truth is prepared and resides
in the extent which the eye can
see and made into the form
of actions

the face has good news and
pleasure has been earned
it has been delayed as
there is no rush

rejoining with everything they had
rolls easily with firmness on the
inside and cut off from the anger

there is no time to play around
as the roots are taken out
extracted in a manner as if
the veins are exploding and
going through a lot of trouble

so whoever passes through is first
permission to access is denied and
they have been returned once more

the wind flows whichever way
it wants to blow

that is only one perspective

living good is anxious
and one would faint
this is a serious thing
to where the rest of us are

a lot has been written
there is evidence

there will be this type of exchange

the best is to do good
and this is simple and
undoubtedly
it cannot be regretted

the earth is green and sweet
this theme reoccurs

the pointing pain
the matter is much worse than that
with greater severity than that which
was initially thought off

chains in formality
conformity in suites
not knowing
whats going to happen
no guarantees

good advice is simple and light
it needs to be constant
before resting the mind
we should never not worry

will say that it is
suspended and make known
the position

remember the remembrance
and no one
will be
remembering anyone

heavy scales lead this

the seriousness is such

its been made simplistic
yet it remains basic

its been backed up
and made known

actions
involvement
actions

up to date or not

this is the situation
what about the next
and the next

appealing to our intelligence
restores the deserving the rights
that are deserved

wrongs will be made right

do not aspire for leadership

stay normal

its scary
but true

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Post Election Reflections

Wednesday 22nd April 2009, 10:45am.

Raucall Primary School, Crosby, Gauteng, South Africa.

Voters braced the icy wind and stood in what was at times a 2 hour line to cast there vote.

This elections had the highest amount of voters registrations since 1994.

Although i voted for the ruling party, albeit with a very heavy heart, my initial idea was to spoil my ballot by dedicating a prose about my reasons. However, after standing in the cue and engaging with my fellow South Africans, I was motivated to vote.

South Africa, like many other post colonial states suffers from the plague of corruption. All former colonised states in Africa and South America have a similar problem. Its not unique just to South Africa. In other African countries, corruption was a mandatory expense that everyone budgeted for.

South Africa is even more unique as Apartheid created unequal distribution of wealth which has resulted in vast income discrepancies and social inequality which exists even today. In fact, this problem will be around for the next 50 years, if not more.

Apartheid played a role in the high level of crime which is prevalent in South Africa. Brazil and India, two other unequal societies, also have high levels of crime. However, South Africa has violent crime. After understanding the role of apartheid and dehumanisation of majority of the population, it becomes easier to understand why we have such violent crime.

I support the BEE agenda as it hopes to create a strong Black Middle Class which aims to create a Political and Economic Elite which i think can be attributed to the formation of COPE. Although i don't agree with their policies or agenda, nor do i trust or like their leadership, I do LOVE the notion of COPE as i feel that its healthy for our 'vibrant' democracy.

South African politics at this point is exciting, interesting and VIBRANT.

As a student of History and Politics, i have a great respect for the ANC and what they achieved.

Polokwane in some sense can be viewed as a revolution within a party. It may also highlight the maturity of the African National Congress.

This is a critical time for South African politics, and more importantly, for the ANC.

Although i feel that there are problems within the ANC, i cannot bring myself to support any other party. Nor could i vote for any party either. But my support is for the ANC that fought against apartheid and that is dedicated to alleviating poverty and bringing about develop to a country where most citizens live in absolute poverty.

That's the ANC i voted for. The ANC with a rich history and with influential leaders. The ANC of Luthuli, Sisulu and Mandela.

Just like the world is counting and hoping that Barack Obama can succeed and bring about something positive in this chaotic, corrupt and unjust world. So too am I hoping that this ANC succeeds. As I done see any other party articulating or championing the cause of the poor.

Although deemed corrupt and ineffective, the ANC had and will do more for the poor than any other party. At least i hope so.

We can never and should never loose hope. When South Africans stood in hour long lines wanting to articulate their vote my striking an X on their ballot, i realised that we all live in hope. Although to some extent democracy can be a farce, political apathy cannot be tolerated in the society we live.

South Africa has a deep history of political awareness and activism. The average person cannot engage in policy processes. But we can all exercise our right to just vote. The educated and literate elite then have a greater responsibility in these processes.

For democracy to work, citizen participation is necessary.

Whether we vote for hope or representation, its the least we can do. In fact, its the least we do!















Tuesday, April 7, 2009

A South African Ploy!


EARTH HOUR 2009
South Africa's way of pretending that nobodies home,
hoping that the Dalai Lama would simply just go away!

Friday, March 20, 2009

Economic Crisis, What Economic Crisis !?!?!?!


Notions of an idealised world
Fabricated images of existence

Perfect societies – positive and valuable
Healthy and competitive markets
Happiness and contentment, purposeful with direction
Each with our own self-importance and delusion

False perceptions
Crafted by an idea of life
Of what life should be

It is just the ideal…
False perceptions of an even more false reality
Societies are not constructed by ideals, but on known and tangible facts

We are all lost
Our values forgotten

We based everything on a false fabrication
Naïve perceptions of unreal manifestations
Based on self delusion and self interests

There is NO Economic Crisis –its just a broader manifestation!

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Banksy Art



Genuine Concern or Agenda Driven ?
You decide!

Palestinian Molotov Cocktail !


VIVA LA RESISTANCE

By any means neccessary ?!?!?!?


Does the end ever justify the means.
We cannot ever hope to bring about peace by the use of force and violence.
Force, violence and war.....perpetuates an endless circle ............ of death and despair

Untitled


Cyanide and Happiness


Cause......and.......Effect