Blissful

This weekend I was fortunate enough to go to the Roots Annual Picnic in Philadelphia, Pa.  I had a blast, the weather was great it was not too hot nor to sunny. Their was a blending of people of all ages and Ethnicities.  The day started off with what I guess where some local and up and coming acts.  One that stood out in my mind was Bajah and the Dry Eye Crew From Sierra Leone.  This acts album is not set to hit the US until late this year but I am waiting to get it.  Their sound is fresh and the lyrics all tell a story that needs to be heard.  After that I was happy to see Santigold, yes I said it Santigold.  I actually like this sisters sound and style Possibly due to the fact that I am a 80's music freak.  After she did the one song that I was hoping I would hear "shove it" I was content. 

No matter what the show was called or who the headliner was, Public Enemy Owned that shyt.  They came out in Force and with the Roots on instruments behind them they turned it out.  It has been some years since I have seen Public Enemy in Concert hmmm probably 15 or more.  But they still had me up jumping and acting like I was 21 again.  They will forever and always be one of the best if not the best Rap group.  It also goes on to speak of the fact that todays artist for the most part do not know how to entertain an audience and have no idea what showmanship is.  PE Rulz.

Another Group that I knew nothing about before Saturday and am now glad that we have been introduced was TV on the Radio.  This loud rock Band actually had riveting songs and appeal.  I must admit when I got home I went out on my Fav site and looked up their album.  It has been added to my wish list.  But the night found itself coming to a close as the Roots took the stage to do their set.  I must say that I was disappointed because they only did about 4 or 5 songs and several of those where headed up by Kirk Douglas.  Well at least I got to hear Black Thought perform "Man at work" which is a true expression of his lyrical skills.  I must say though although it was an all day event and I only walked away with 4 Acts that I liked, I wasn't upset.

if you would like to read more Check out the blog posts by Disturbed FEMCEE at http://www.okayplayer.com/rootspicnic/  She has alot to say about the show and most of it is on point.

Oh Why, Oh Why

Sigh,  I don't know how to go about this one.  Last week the Prez gave a speech in Cairo, Egypt.  In his speech he spoke of tearing down the stereotypes that the Muslim and US have towards each other.  This was done in part to open dialogue between the US and Muslim Nations.  The thing that bothers me is how is it that people can look at this gesture and say that it makes The United States look weak? It shocked me to hear a long time friend of mine make this comment.  If the president speaks about peace and wishes to engage in Dialogue with countries that we have cut off diplomatic ties with, how is that weakness. I honestly feel that a lot of people in the US today have no Idea as to how the US has dealt with the Middle East for over 20 years.

Our Policy in the US has always been one in which the ME countries who we did not get oil from are dangerous, and the ones that we can get oil from we tolerate.  For Years Israel has been going on a terror in the ME with the backing of the US. This imaginary war needs to end. Currently the US is not at war with any country but people seem to not understand that.  Bin Laden and whomever else the US is at war with are a gang.  We have spent Billions of dollars fighting a gang of thugs.  People don't seem to understand the reason this will never end because it is not as easy as fighting a country, you have no clear cut objective.  This is like the US's war on Drugs, now ask yourself how long have we been fighting that one.

The first thing that needs to happen here in the US is that people strip away the prejudices and the ignorance.  We need to understand that Muslims are not Terrorist, just because they are Muslim.  Terrorists come in all shapes, sizes, creeds, and nationalities.  These are people and albeit that their beliefs are different than ours does not make them wrong.  We need to wake up and understand that in todays world the biggest stick is not always right