Bob Dylan...ironic that! Minstrel performs in Communist Vietnam! April 10th!

 

Are issues black & white?



The appeal of a handful of artists across a myriad of foreign landscapes (in spite of the social and political stance) is not only evident - but, a bit mind-boggling - in view of the recent announcement that Bob Dylan (a celebrated anti-war protestor in the sixties) is slated to perform live! in Vietnam on April 10th.

Not the intimate setting of the Warfield (in San Francisco) that legend is used to - but - what the heck!

Say, didn't that shaggy-haired bohemian, lament the horrors of communism in his ballsy upstart-youth?

Oh, yeah!

"The times they are-a-changin', alright!"

The eccentric musically-inspired poet (with roots in both the folk and rock-beat eras) has obviously opted to toss caution to the wind so that he might rustle up a posse of admirers in a breathless (jaded?) foreign generation (in addition to die-hard fans of yesteryear) in a 8,250-seat stadium.

Will Dylan get into the spirit of the moment and  pen a pop tune in honor of Ho Chi Minh, too?

A hypocrite?

No, just maybe, Bob's mellowing (and getting optimistic) with old age.

News at 11!

http://www.thetattler.biz



Bob inspired an anti-war sentiment!

Barack Obama...News alert! No "Mission Accomplished" in Iraq! Prez's Vietnam?

In preparing a speech to the Nation to be broadcast tonight - the President admitted to his handlers (according to insiders) - that a formal announcement about the end of the War in Iraq - would fall short of being one that touted a "Mission" accomplished.

After all, that simply was not the case.

Critics are still grumbling that although there has been a "stand down" - and the conflict is considered at a close pending tonight's acknowledgement formally by the President - that troops have basically been re-assigned (so-to-speak).

The truth of the matter is, the U.S. armed forces will remain in Iraq until next year when they are expeced to withdraw lock, stock, and barrel.

But, one official let it slip this morning that - if a conflict arose while the troops were still stationed overseas in Iraq - they would be given their marching orders once again.

In a nutshell, isn't the President playing fast-and-loose with this war - one that has become his own historical Vietnam (in spite of the fact he inherited the U.S. Imperialist invasion from Bush) - in a bold-faced effort to hoodwink the American people?

I think so, when the voter considers his political posturing, just now.

Tonight, for instance, in a preamble to the body of his speech, Obama starts off by "praising the courage and resolve of the American troops in Iraq" and saying "the human and financial price showed selfless sacrifice."

And, he'll facilitate an old familiar cliche to signal it's time to move on.

"It's time to turn the page", he'll utter up tonight, as if he coined the phrase.

And, he'll follow up with a startling (!) reason why.

"There are pressing problems at home."

You don't say!

And, he'll hand it to the Americans for allowing the President to do it "his way"

"The United States has paid a huge price to put the future of Iraq in the hands of its people," he said in an excerpt released just before the speech commenced on the East Coast in the Oval Office at 8 p.m.

"We have persevered because of a belief we share with the Iraqi people - a belief that out of the ashes of war - a new beginning could be born in this cradle of civilization."

Ah, the Phoenix has risen!

News at 11!

http://www.julian1st.wordpress.com

Barack Obama...William Ayers issues a stirring dilemma!

Until now, I have stayed out of the fray in respect to issues surrounding Obama's so-called ties with alleged "Weatherman" terrorist, William Ayers.

I'll start by noting for the record - that while the former "Underground" leader and I both have similar last names (unlike me he has an "e" in his surname) - there is no relation.

For starters, I find the arguments regarding the issues quite compelling.

To begin with, I think it important that those who are deeply troubled by the allegations, should take a look at the circumstances in their original context.


At the time Mr. Ayers was part of the alleged "terrorist" group there was an unpopular war raging in Vietnam.


Many rose up against the administration and were inclined to consider anarchism the route to go to rectify what they perceived as a "wrong".



Was that so out-of-line in view of the circumstances?




After all, the founding fathers of this great Nation once wrote in a preamble - when they were drafting the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights - that the U.S. Government should be "by the people" and "for the people".

Likewise, they asserted - that when the U.S. Government ceased to be for the people - it should be abolished.

Were the founding fathers anarchists (or terrorists) at heart?

That stickling point out-of-the-way, it's important to take a look at the "crimes" Ayers was accused of committing.

By virtue of his ties with the "Weatherman Underground" - it was alleged he partook in the bombing of buildings - which resulted in at least one death that I am aware of.

These were heinous illegal acts - which cried out for prosecution - under the strictest letter of the law.

No government or its people can condone such conduct in a civilized society.

However, now comes the tricky part of the scenario.

Charges against Mr. Ayers were dropped on what some perceive as "technical" grounds.

In sum, a Judge ruled that because the government engaged in "misconduct", the proceedings were essentially tainted and warranted a dismissal.

Although Ayers was set free - he was never cleared of the alleged "crimes" accused of - to the satisfaction of many.

In fact, doubts still exist today as to his guilt, the extent of his involvement, and so forth and so on.

In view of this, I find the outrage of some, understandable.

Crimes of the ilk he was accused of - demanded prosecution - but it appears he may have eluded the long arm of the law by virtue of legal snafus.

Next, we move on to the issue of Obama's alleged ties with Ayers.

The acts Ayers was accused of were allegedly carried out when Barack was a boy of eight.

Some argue that for this reason, Barack should not be criticized for working alongside Mr. Ayers in the Chicago area, years later as an adult.

Contrary to what Sarah Palin asserts, Mr. Obama was not pals with the man - nor did he move in social circles in any capacity with Ayers - beyond the realm of their mutual involvements in local politics, charitable organizations, etc.

But, another bone of contention arises, at this juncture.

Was Obama aware of Mr. Ayers' past?

If so, did he ever question the extent of the man's involvement, with a known "terrorist" organization?

In that event, what conclusions did he come to?

If Obama had any doubts - did he raise them with Ayers when an opportunity arose to set the record straight - or at least try to appease his own conscience in some respect?

Or - did he "not go there" - because the court dismissed the charges against Ayers?

I wonder, too, if he ever questioned Ayers' role in the bombings - especially in view of the fact - the dismissal was based on technicalities.

After all - all the facts and evidence pertaining to the alleged extent of Ayers' involvement - were never properly adjudicated in the courts (nor was there a legal finding of innocence in a Court of Law).

So, there it is in a nutshell.

Essentially, it's a can of worms that continues to wiggle its way around the political landscape, as foes and allies on each side stridently thrash out the specifics.

If the process sheds light in dark corners, and turns up the truth, Amen!

Otherwise, maybe it's time to let go of the past and move on.

As one voter noted, "people" change.

More importantly, they should be forgiven and allowed the chance to rehabilitate themselves and start fresh in life, which is one of their inalienable rights.

Is the ghost of the past that haunts Ayers today, sufficient gut-wrenching punishment?

You decide.

Thich Nhat Hahn...Walk for Peace! There is Joy in every step...

Last year, on the heels of the atrocities unfolding in Mayanmar - which shocked the sensibilities of the civilized world - Los Angeles hosted a peace walk on Saturday, September 29th (2007).

Citizens concerned about World Peace within shouting, walking, or sprinting distance, attended.

The "walk" commenced at 9:30 a.m. at MacArthur Park and was led by world-renowned Zen Master - and honored Spiritual Leader - Thich Nhat Hanh.

I attended the rally for peace and it was an enlightening experience.

Shortly after the Master arrived at the podium to convey simple messages of peace, he led a contingent of young children out of the picturesque park along Wilshire Boulevard through traffic-free city streets, then back again.

The theme of the event was "peace" in every step, based on the Buddhist teaching of mindfulness.

According to Thich Nhat Hanh,

"Mindfulness is the energy of being aware and awake to the present moment. It is the continuous practice of touching life deeply in every moment of daily life. To be mindful is to be truly alive, present, and at one with those around you, and with what you are doing."

Each individual was urged to be mindful of each step planted on the earth, to breathe deeply, and focus on world peace.

As we walked for peace, there was an intense calm - and except for the occasional helicopter buzzing overhead - a profound silence which was sweet amd beckoning.

Each foot - whether clad in leather, sandal, or humble sneaker - took a mindful step in unison with the other; with great accord, we were keenly aware that a mere second of life (we often take for granted in the throes of our hectic daily lives) was so precious.

When the sun broke from behind billowing clouds, and beamed down on the peace walkers, a moment of sublime joy touched each and every one.

The mystical event brought a smile to the face!

Thich Nhat Hanh was born Nguyễn Xuân Bảo in Thừa Thiên in 1926.

A graduate of Bao Quoc Buddhist Academy in Central Vietnam, Thich Nhat Hanh received training in Zen and the Mahayana school of Buddhism.

Ordained as a monk in 1949, he is now recognized as a Dharmacharya, and as the Spiritual head of the Từ Hiếu Temple and associated monasteries.

According to biographers, he is the Elder of the Từ Hiếu branch of the 8th generation of the Liễu Quán lineage in the 42nd generation of the Lâm Tế Dhyana school (Lin Chi Chán 臨濟禪 in Chinese or Rinzai Zen in Japanese).

At Từ Hiếu Temple on May 1st (1966) - Thich Nhat Hanh received the "lamp transmission" - making him a Dharmacharya (known as a Dharma Teacher) from Master Chân Thật.

On these shores, some Buddhist precepts have baffled and confused the seeker in the modern era.

With this in mind - Thich Nhat Hanh combined his deep knowledge of a variety of traditional Zen teaching methods with methods from Theravada Buddhism and ideas from Western psychology - to form a unique approach to modern Zen practice that is popular in America today.

As a result, Thich Nhat Hanh has become an important influence in the development of Buddhism in the West.

When Thich Nhat Hanh arrived in the US in 1966, his first task was to lead a symposium in Vietnamese Buddhism at Cornell University, and to continue his work for peace.

In 1965 - Thich Nhat Hanh wrote a letter to Martin Luther King, Jr. - and titled the essay: "Searching for the Enemy of Man".

Later - during that auspicious stay in 1966 - Thich Nhat Hanh met with the Spiritual leader and urged him to publicly denounce the Vietnam War.

On the heels of this meeting, Dr. King gave his famous speech at the Riverside Church in New York City in 1967, wherein he publicly questioned the U.S. involvement in Vietnam.

Subsequently, Dr. King nominated Thich Nhat Hanh for the 1967 Nobel Peace Prize.

In his nomination Rev. King said,

"I do not personally know of anyone more worthy of [this prize] than this gentle monk from Vietnam. His ideas for peace, if applied, would build a monument to ecumenism, to world brotherhood, to humanity."

Without doubt, it is due to Thich Nhat Hanh's inspired method of teaching, and insightful interpretation of the scriptures, that the truth of the Masters is understood in remarkable simplistic ways.

One of my favorite quotes,

"Looking deeply is to remove the frontier between our notions and reality."

In the event Thich Nhat Hanh returns this fall again for the peace walk in Los Angeles, I urge all of you to join in.

Walk for peace, perfect peace.