Saturday, September 7, 2013

The Fates of Nations










To those who decide
the fates of nations
lives
loss
blood
life
and bone

To those who do nothing
but complain
about their
good 
life

To those who never go
without
in order to give to those
who do

To those who realize
precisely what one is doing
with every action
thought
breath
with their wailing tongue
and blackened heart
paying homage to
greed
power
money
and nothing remotely
humane

To those who think prayer
is pointless
and faith
is an empty well

I echo my forefathers
when they escaped from
one nation
just to be treated harshly
in another

Crossing waters
on wooden ships
with disease
rats
no food or shoes

I echo their cries
as their newborns died
in arms of Mothers
from hunger

When sons died
fighting
age 12
for their birthright

When finally
they landed
the ones who survived
and set foot upon land
just to be made slave

To those who do nothing
and sit 
complacent
apathetic 
and ignorant 

 It is for you, I pray
For you.

From the mouths of those
you step on -

from the souls you crush 
daily -

from the cracked and bleeding mouths
of our people -

All people
That suffer.

They pray -

For those who decide
the fates of nations.


© Susan Marie 


* Papa Francisco asked to bring peace to those who decide the fates of nations. Now that's righteous.



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Wednesday, September 4, 2013

This Is Nothing New


Repost in wake of issues in Syria and other related world issues. Please educate yourself rationally on history for it repeats itself constantly, we just never truly learn from it . . .

Published in:

Kabul, Afghanistan Press .Org 
WGRZ NBC Channel 2 News
The News Tribe UK 
Harlem World NYC 


My phone rang. I was told to turn on the TV. I stared in abject horror at the screen as a plane flew directly into the 2nd tower of The World Trade Center. I thought: How is this possible in America, let alone New York City, the most populous city in the U.S, the largest metropolitan area in the world?

All I knew is that people were dying. 
After 9/11, every available person volunteered to assist NYC ranging from the health care field, firefighters, police force, and everyday people. The attitude in America was one of solidarity. No one fought about religion and politics. Diversity in race, financial status or sexual gender was not an issue. People stood together. Not apart. 

What followed as a result was and still is, global mass hysteria.



"Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times." - Machiavelli



1941: Pearl Harbor

 

• Pearl Harbor Naval Base was attacked by 353 Japanese fighters in 2 crushing waves. 2,402 men were killed with 1,282 wounded.
• Pearl Harbor led the U.S. into World War II. The intention behind the attack on Pearl Harbor was for Japan to conquer Southeast Asia without interference.
• 1942: Japanese Americans and Japanese were brought to camps called "War Relocation Camps." There were 3 types: Civilian Assembly Centers [temporary], Relocation Centers [internment] and Detention Camps [people of interest to the government.]
• 1945: The United States bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan killing 80,000 people under President Truman’s Executive Order 9981. To date, this is the only use of nuclear weapons during war.
• 1988: Congress passed legislation and President Ronald Reagan signed, apologizing for the internment of Japanese on behalf of the U.S. government.

1979: Afghanistan

 

• During the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan, the U.S., Saudi Arabia, UK, Pakistan, Israel, Taiwan, Indonesia and China all offered "unofficial" military and/or financial support [Operation Cyclone] to the people in the struggle. The USSR supported the government of Afghanistan against the Afghan people and Arab- Afghan volunteers. Soviet occupation had an opposite effect. It did not pacify the people, it gave them power in strength and number.
• Foreigners wished to be a part of this global movement including a young Saudi named Osama bin Laden.
• 1985: National Security Decision Directive 166: The CIA and ISI pressured Afghan militants to attack government strongholds. The CIA began programs for training militants in techniques such as car bombs, assassinations, and cross border raids into the USSR. Pakistan’s ISI and SSG, U.S. Special Forces and British Air, supported the training.
• 1989: The Geneva accords allowed for withdrawal and Soviet troops left Afghanistan. US President Carter stated: the Soviet incursion was "the most serious threat to peace since the Second World War."

Osama bin Laden

 

• [wealthy Saudi bin Laden family] believed in the need for fighting for injustices against Muslims by the U.S. and other non-Muslim states, to eliminate the state of Israel and to force the U. S. from the Middle East. What may have began as a resistance movement, turned into a strategy against the USSR and the U.S. to lure them into long wars in Muslim countries.
• Osama attracted large numbers of jihadists [people in the struggle] who would never surrender. bin Laden believed this would lead to economic collapse of a nation. bin Laden were a part of Operation Cyclone during the Soviet-Afghan War.

Al-Qaeda

 

• [The Base] is a global military group initially formed as a resistance movement, that turned into global extremist groups with various disconnected movements. Al-Qaeda’s network was built from the bottom up, eventually with bin Laden as Commander and al-Zawahiri as Deputy until Osama’s death. The number of well trained militants inside and people supporting the group is unknown.
• The latter goal of "Al-Qaeda" was to weaken America by involving the nation in too many engagements, collapsing political stability, resulting in economic downfall.
• 2001: U.S. forces recover a videotape from a house in Jalalabad, Afghanistan with bin Laden speaking to al-Harbi [Saudi Nationalist] admitting to having foreknowledge of the attacks. Al Jazeera broadcast Bin Laden stating, "I stress that I have not carried out this act, which appears to have been carried out by individuals with their own motivation."
• 2001: 2nd Bin Laden video released stating: "Terrorism against America deserves to be praised because it was a response to injustice, aimed at forcing America to stop its support for Israel, which kills our people", yet bin Laden never admitted responsibility.
• 2004: Before U.S. Presidential elections, bin Laden said he had personally directed his followers to attack the World Trade Center.
• 2006: Al Jazeera shows bin Laden making preparations for the attacks.

Pre 9/11

 

• 6 WTC housed the U.S. Customs Service and Commodities Exchange. Beneath was the NYC mass transit subway system and Port Authority. The Two Towers were in the heart of NYC’s financial district.
• The North Tower was designed for housing telecommunications: all NYC television and radio broadcasters.
• The 7 structures of the WTC consisted of: The State of NY, financial firms of Wall Street, Morgan Stanley, Aon Corporation, Salomon Brothers, Cantor Fitzgerald, and the Port Authority.
• Underneath the WTC, one of the world’s largest gold depositories were stored, owned by commercial banks.
• The Port Authority leased the WTC to a private entity, Silverstein [$3.22 billion] that added the WTC to the city’s tax rolls and private funds for Port Authority projects.

September 11, 2001

 

• Two American Airlines 767 jets crashed into the Twin Towers of The World Trade Center in New York City. The South Tower burned for almost an hour, collapsing, followed by the North Tower.
• American Airlines Flight 77 flew into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia.
• American Airlines Flight 93 crashed into a field in Pennsylvania. The supposed target: The Capitol or The White House.
• 1,344 people were trapped. 700 people were killed instantly.
• People made their way toward the roof but the doors were locked.
• 200 people fell or jumped to their deaths.
• 411 emergency workers died as they rescued people.
• All the deaths were civilians, except for 55 military personnel at the Pentagon.
• The medical examiner’s office collected 10,000 unidentified bone and tissue fragments that can’t be matched. 1,122 of the victims remained unidentified.
• The death toll was estimated over 6,000.

Post 9/11

 

• President Bush’s approval rating soared to 90% before 2002 elections and the U.S government began the "Global War on Terror" targeting the government named culprit, "Al-Qaeda."
• Hate crimes against Muslims and Southeast Asians ensued: verbal abuse, attacks on mosques, religious buildings (including Hindu temples), assaults on people, and in some instances, murder. Anyone perceived to be "Middle Eastern" were victims.
• One month after the attacks, the U.S led a coalition of "international forces" to attempt to remove the Taliban for training of Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan.
• Pakistani authorities provided the U.S. with access to military bases, arresting and handing the U.S. over 600 "suspected" Al-Qaeda members.

Guantanamo and Bagram

 

• The U.S. set up "Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp" to hold inmates they defined as "illegal enemy combatants" currently holding 172 prisoners in Cuba.
• 2600 men are still being held indefinitely in Afghanistan at Bagram Air Base.
• During the Bush Administration, Bagram prison held up to 650 prisoners. Since the Obama Administration, the number has doubled.
• The Dept. of Homeland Security was formed. Congress passed "The Patriot Act" that allows law enforcement to invade the privacy of its citizens.
The U.S. never formally indicted bin Laden for the 9/11 attacks.
Bin Laden was killed by American forces in Abbotabad, Pakistan.


In the end, tens of thousands people were killed.


To think critically, one must study history, politics, culture, tradition, and socio-economic structures of nations. There are no absolutes, the only truth apparent regarding 9/11, is that many nations had roles in all events preceding and post 9/11. None of these events were in the interests of the citizens of each nation.


We must attempt, in the very least, to discern the reasons behind each action. We must stop judging one other based upon the actions of our governments. We must think rationally in order to understand what has, is and will occur in our world.


"Terrorism has no face, no race, no religion, no culture nor nation." - Susan Marie


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Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Death does not discriminate





Death does not discriminate.

There is no sexual
racial
religious
or political
bias

Death does not stifle
a solitary
human
right

Death comes riding
upon sweet summer's breath
and the scrying cries of eagles

Death does not laugh nor cry

It does not
hate
just as it does not
love

Like the universe
death is an unsympathetic force
neutral to all that exists
and unyielding
to human
suffering.


Unlike life.

Life is blood pumping
from atriums and ventricles
splitting atoms of breath
to capillaries, veins, and arteries

a massive systemic loop
bringing what is
not
needed
to the tree of life
the body
being
lungs
a pulmonary roller coaster
like the wind
whistling through pines
settling in leaves
sprawled
as innocent bystanders
in the earth and dirt

Life is subjective.
Unlike death.

Death 

does not discriminate.


© Susan Marie
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Sunday, July 28, 2013

Help revitalize Main Street on August 3rd and 4th at ChalkFest!



On


Help revitalize Main Street on August 3rd and 4th at ChalkFest!

This two day family festival focuses on the use of chalk as a medium for art. This is an exciting format that brings thousands of people to Main Street while remaining true to the mission of turning the 500 Block of Main Street into an artistic and cultural destination.

Everyone is welcome, professional sidewalk chalk artists, children of all ages who simply wish to have fun, as well as adults, who may wish to try their hand at sidewalk chalk, at the same time, enjoying the diversity of downtown Buffalo, New York.

This free, family fun event will take place on the 500 Block of Main Street in Downtown Buffalo!

Young Audiences is the main beneficiary and Chalkfest is looking forward to collaborating with their talented staff.  

With this collaboration, Chalkfest will be able to offer more to the youth who will be attending, especially teaching through the arts that Young Audience’s strives to achieve. This type of alliance is the key to group ambitions, not only referring to ChalkFest, but also our mission to bring people Downtown and continue the rejuvenation of the city. 

Celebrating their 50th anniversary in 2013, Young Audiences (www.yawny.org) mission embraces the idea of making the arts a part of young people’s lives in order to enhance their development as creative and productive human beings. Located in the Central Library at One Lafayette Square, Young Audiences goals and objectives also include the desire to promote Downtown Buffalo.

Join ChalkFest as an entire city block is transformed into a colorful playground with music, food, games and various events for children and adults.

To view some pictures from Day 1, 2013, click here. 

To view pictures of 2012, click here & here.

For more information or to reserve squares for fun or to compete, please visit www.chalkfestbuffalo.com.
ChalkFest Buffalo 2013

August 3rd & 4th, noon-6pm both days 

Festival beneficiary – Young Audiences of WNY (they will be receiving all proceeds and donations  made during the festival, this includes all the vendor fees we collected but will not include water bottle sales as these are still going to the SPCA).  Sidenote: Young Audiences is trying to steer clear of being referred to as YAWNY, which was their old “nickname”.

Sponsors (this continues to grow but these are the great folks who have donated or sponsored festival supplies so far):

The Fruitbelt Coalition, Inc.
Hyatt Regency Buffalo
Try-It
R&P Oak Hill Development
Viridian
Carmina Wood Morris, P.C.
Allpro Parking
Tetra Tech
M&T Bank
Sanderson Wealth Management
Delish!
Towne Auto
Dobmeier Janitor Supply, Inc.
Eastman
Alternate Information Systems
Wegmans
KeyBank
Main (ST)udios
500 Block Association

Festival Supporters:
Buffalo Place
The City of Buffalo

Food Vendors:
ECafe
The Black Market Food Truck
Amy’s Food Truck
Rolling Joe’s Café
East Park Pops

Merchant Vendors: There are a variety of merchant vendors that will be attending. We will also have the City of Buffalo Cosmetology Program which will be offering free manicures (quick ones of course)…this is the newest adult education program to come out of the city.

Live Music & Entertainment:

·         Dan & Leanne (https://www.facebook.com/DanandLeanne)
·         Olivia Frances (www.oliviafrancesmusic.com)
·         Diamond Ricelli (www.diamondricelli.com)
·         Differential Flava Crew (http://yawny.org/ensemble/2295)
·         Converge Dance Troupe

Activities:
·         Hopscotch Tournament
·         Double Dutch (mostly for the fun of it)
·         Beer Tent

SPCA: They will be there with some animals (I believe kittens and dogs) for folks to adopt.

Literary Theme: This year we decided to add a theme to the festival, taking it beyond the live storybook, and thought Alice in Wonderland was the perfect classic novel for us to work with, and the following are our “Alice” themed activities: 

·         Michael Macaulay (http://www.michaelmacaulay.com) is joining us again this year and he will be drawing a 3D version of Alice falling down the rabbit hole.

·         Alice’s Tea Party: FOR FREE, although there is a limited space, both days we will be hosting a “tea party” for the kids with cute little cups of juice and treats donated by Delish! One of the 500 Block members will be dressing up as the Mad Hatter and we are hoping to get someone there dressed up like Alice.  There will also be roses for the kids to color-in.

·         Mad Hatter’s Hat Making: FOR FREE, although limited space, the kids will make paper hats and decorate them with chalk.

·         Live Storybook:  We have broken down the story of Alice in Wonderland into ten squares, this unfortunately meant we had to cut out part of the story but we were limited on space and artists to do it all. 
o   David Pierro, the ChalkFest 2012 Adult Artist Winner, will be creating the cover page of the story, and then we have other local artists filling in the rest.
o   We have been attempting to get a “celebrity” narrator but have not been successful…Erin Carminas' brother read last year and was so amazing and captivated everyone that he will be returning again this year!
o   There will be judging done for these squares, with a $250 prize, and there was no age limit or requirements for interested artists (they just had to contact us). We were also hoping to find “celebrity” judges for this…not sure who will be judging yet though.

·         Chalk Making: FOR FREE, although limited space, kids and adults will learn how to make handmade chalk!

Please contact Erin Carmina [ecarmina@gmail.com] for more information and during both days of the event.

  


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