The Nitty Gritty

What happens in November may well be the turning piont of... U.S history. We should all want to be on the right side of History.
Whats the right side?... you ask.
I'm glad you did.

   The choices are simple. The rich and big business continue getting richer while refusing to pay any additional well need taxes. Instead, they allow the poor to bare the burden, struggling with the minimum wage of 8.50 to 9.50 hourly while they make staggering profits. Their goals to wipeout Obama Health Care, change Medicare and Social Security cut welfare programs for the poor, make it more difficult for the opposition to vote, charge outrageous Utility rates, cut education funds while increasing funds for prisons, slowly eliminate  arts, music and intramural sports from our high sThis is it. The time is now. We must excercise our right to vote. We are now down to the real Nitty Grichools, cut social programs for the poor,  lack of funding for recreation centers etc.

          The President Obama wants to increase social and economic programs for the masses, increase healthcare for the severely disadvantaged. Advance in the fields of Science and Technology, such as Solar Energy
reduction of the use of fossil fuel oil, while advocating the advancement of electric hybrid vehicles. Save failing industries, increase employment, pump money into the economy for more jobs, in repairing bridges and highways and so many other areas to advance this Nation.
     
   As community activist he is was and is aman for the people.
   You decide on what you think is the right side of history. Its time to get down....
 Its Nitty Gritty time.

Coltrane House Friday April 13th 2012

April 13th 2012 John Coltrane House

Philly Music Scene

On Friday April 13th 2012 there was a commemoration of John Coltrane at the Coltrane House at 1611 North 33rd street in North Philadelphia. I was there to witness and be apart of that event.
      Once a year the event is staged by gathering all the Philadelphia area Jazz Musicians together for a group photograph. This scenerio took place in New York years ago with many of the jazz greats, and continues to be a regular event.
  Odean Pope, Warren Ore, Leon Mitchell, Lucky Thompson, Sam Reed were just a few of the many
greats and dignitaries on hand. Charlie Rice a former member of the John Coltrane Band was there to recieve and award from Mayor Michael Nutter. Charlie Rice Looked amazing at 92 years old. When he first arrived on the scene he had an attractive young lady on his arm and no where did I see a cane or a crutch. He walked slowly but surely.
  Philadelphia's youth Jazz Musicians performed from the youngest to the teenagers. The youth or the young lions will soon be replacing the greats who have passed on thru the eternal equinox.
       

Eddie Harris - Funk Project "Listen Here"

Listen, learn............and keep the music alive. The progress of our future is marked by the history of the past. The mystery of our history is in the glory of our story. We must not forsake our history; for if we do, it will not forgive us because there in lies our foundation. If we neglect to observe and stand on our foundation, we will sink in the sands of time and disappear.

-Ronald Dove

Occupy Wallstreet

        The movement has become worldwide. It is the new sensation of people protest. This will go down in history as the..... Mother of all protest.
     I think it is wonderful for people to express there discontent with the powers that be. In the past one could be burned to the stake for unautherized expression. My problem with this movement is understanding the direction. What is the clear agenda. I know they want jobs and healthcare but there are other request.
  I don't see one co-heasive solidarity cause for the movement however good it might be.
      When a few protesters were interviewed they were not that supportive of the president. President Obama is the one advocate that understands the cries of the movement and would fight for them. He has consistantly pushed positive causes for the people, while the Republican party has gone out its way to stop him. I wait for the day when this movement embraces the president and spell out their support for him. When that happens here in the United States it will be explosive.

Changing Of The Guards

     The wheels of change are turning in the wind of time. Standards and laws have come in place to force citizens of color to obey new laws that have been designed to strip us of our voting power. If the

Tea Party and the Republicans Political Power Brokers are successful, we will loose all the gains of the last fifty years and return to oppression. We must pay attention to the politics of the day, or suffer devastating setbacks.
    States are now requiring photo I D's. That are designed to cut back the voting power of the democrats and people of color. In affect the powerbrokers for our political opposition has declared war ont he Black community and people of color who oppose them.
           This is serious stuff. We are in danger. We are about to go backward in time. While many of the youth are getting tattoos all over their bodys, papers are being signed that will deliver our death blow.
     We no longer have the luxury of not voting. We must vote for it is our passport to the future.
  If we are doing the rope a dope, we must move to the center of the ring and fight for our lives.