All His Father's Sins
I have the same routine every morning: I turn on my cell phone, do the dishes from the previous-night’s dinner, and check the news. You never know what will break during the night; one morning, I even woke up to discover that
Alberta was still a Canadian province and
Patrick Swayze had ass cancer. It’s not that I’m a creature of habit - quite the opposite, actually. Just ask my mother (mental note: call mother).
This morning, instead of checking the news, I decided to see what some of my online friends were up to. Sometimes, it’s hard to differentiate between my online friends and my real friends, because neither respond to me.
Twitter was pretty quiet; so was
Plurk. Truthfully, I think Plurk is dead to me but that’s beside the point. Facebook, however, is hot with discussion right now.
Normally, I try to steer clear of online debates - mostly, because I can’t stand ppl hoo rite in ‘net shorthand, hav baad grammer an spell rong. Today, for some reason, I made an exception.
The topic was
Rahm Emanuel, the Illinois Democrat who was recently appointed as
Barack Obama’s Chief of Staff. For the last couple of years, there has been speculation and skepticism over Obama’s
political leanings. Now - six days away from his inauguration as President of the United States - and in the middle of his selection of cabinet, news outlets have seemingly given up on exposing corruption on his part and are taking aim at his staff.
Emanuel’s father, Benjamin M. Emanuel, was a member of the
Irgun Zvai Le'umi - a militant Zionist group in Palestine in the 1930s and 1940s.
In one particular friend’s Facebook page, the question arose: “I wonder if Obama will explain why he chose the son of a terrorist leader to be his chief of staff?”
My response was as follows: “Are you criticizing one of the most powerful Democrats in the house for something his father did in the '40s”
What followed was one of the most misdirected and accusatory statements thrown at me. Verbatim - spelling mistakes and all - this was the reaction:
“seriously, who is not mind controlled these days? What about your house fool? Obama is a puppet, sean and you critical ability is evidently impaired! Obama has no authority, he's there to fool you, and is obviously doing a fantastic job. You are setting yourself and everyone else up to get scammed again and again by handing over your trust to people who have deceived you again and again and again...... WTFU!”Not surprisingly,
my question was never answered: should a man be persecuted for the actions of his relatives, and who are we to judge the actions of individuals in specific situations with which we have no frame of association?
After much soul-searching, I came to the conclusion that he is right. I’m mind-controlled and a sheep because I asked a question. I believe Obama is a saviour and will repair the financial situation in the US, the housing crisis in Canada, and re-freeze the oceans near the poles to create new ice caps.
It’s all in the plans; I’ve seen it.
I also agree that people should be held accountable for their ancestors’ actions. On a completely unrelated note, I want reparations for slavery. I know I’m half-black and have lived in Canada my entire life but I think I could trace your lineage and make the
connection.
Don’t bother trying to answer my question, because you already have. You’re prewired to attack when you hear the word “politics.” A lot of people are built that way. Whether it’s a gag reflex or a reaction that has been built up over the years, that’s just the way you are. I do have a tip for you, though. The next time you feel like attacking someone’s mind and character, don’t let your train derail during your first thought.
In the meantime, you should read
The Importance of Effective Communication. While you’re digging through that, I’ll be adding “cash reparations cheque” to my daily
to-do list.
- Sean
Labels: Barack Obama, Facebook, Irgun, Plurk, Politics, President, Rahm Emanual, Twitter
... But They Still Take Charge...
I've surrounded myself with people who don't know how to communicate...
Shhhhhh... not yet...
I have a secret.
Really, it's more of a plan that I can't fully reveal yet. Want to know why?
I'm a horrible planner.
Every time I have an idea, a wish, or a plan in my head - and I start expressing the "what's gonna happens" - I end up slowly shuffling away from the idea altogether.
That's why, this time, my plan is being kept under my hat.
I will, however, be revealing the details of my plan as they unfold.
Thank you for your time.
-
SeanJea
Three Things - July 20 - 26, 2008
There were
WAY more than three things I learned this week, but these top the chart. I may have to roll a few over to next week. Don't think of it as cheating; think of it as "creative control" over my own thoughts.
#1 - July 21, 2008
Airport security is not your friend
After almost two hours of grilling by the US Port Authority, I was finally given the great privilege of being granted travel rights into the booming economy of the US. Not only did security ask me the nature of my trip and duration of my stay - both of which were expected - I was asked who I live with, why I was divorced, my last three jobs, how much money I have in the bank, and my racial background. My bags were searched three times in front of me, with these "freedom protectors" asking me about every single item (including if my Wii games were purchased new). When I arrived in Texas, I opened my suitcases to find that they had been searched
again.
Thanks for the note douches. I hope the fat one has clogged arteries.
#2 - July 24, 2008We have stereotypes for a reason
I was watching the internets when I arrived in San Antonio and discovered that one of my favourite comedians,
Lewis Black, was to perform live while I was in town. As I was pulling up to the venue, the traffic cops were having a conversation that involved a lot of eye-rolling and head-shaking. I don't have the energy to type the entire overheard conversation but the punchline was "Yep. Way to many fuckin' lib'rals here. I don't like this shit."
Way to live it down, boys.
(BTW, 5th row seats. Great show!)
#3 - July 26, 2008When tragedy hits, all bullshit is thrown out of the window.Sadly, a very good friend passed away this week. A mutual friend, with whom I've had very harsh words over the last year, dropped any disagreements we've had and called to talk about the situation. I appreciated that, and realized that my priorities are not completely out of whack.
I'll miss you, Colleen.
- Sean Jea
Labels: Airport security, death, lewis black, police, port authority, Texas, travel, Wii
Three Things - July 13 - 19, 2008
Below is three a list of three realizations I've had over the last week. Think of this as a "best-of" for
Menial Media. Comments are always welcome!
#1 -
July 13, 2008
I'M GETTIN
G OLD
A recent back injury reminded me of just how old I'm getting. While the level of service in the Canadian health care system may not be perfect, the subsidized medication costs have made my recovery, both, affordable and... is "
drugtabulously-fantastic" a thing?
#2 -
July 14, 2008:
OBAMA WILL BE PRESIDENT
Ol' midget-arms, dandruff-head McCain is looking less and less presidential with every speech. I'm seeing a Kennedy / Nixon scenario all over again. There are only two things going for John McCain right now (courtesy of the
Ron & Fez show).
1-
He's white2-
The other guy isn't#3 -
July 19, 2008:
I STILL LIKE SOME HIP-HOP
My musical tastes have definitely switched over the last 10 years, or so. This week, I discovered that there's still some great hip-hop out there. On a recent trip from Calgary to Edmonton, I was pleasantly surprised to discover two new albums that definitely make the cut.
First,
Kidz in the Hall's In The Crowd.
It may not be as grassroots as it tries to be but
In The Crowd is still a welcome change from what has become the norm.
Next,
Jean Grae and 9th Wonder's Jeanius.Jean's monotone voice may not wake you up, but her quick wit will make you think. Jeanius is much more polished album than 2004's This Week, but falls slightly short of 2007's The Orchestral Files.
- SeanJea
Labels: All Axis Radio, Back pain, Barack Obama, Calgary, Jean Grae, Kidz in the Hall
Said Cat
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. My mom's losing her mind. She just found a cat on her porch - the cat had a tattoo in the ear and a collar on - and she's acting like it's her new pet. As I go through boxes, said cat is licking a can of
Kokanee that's sitting on the floor.
Good thing I don't have to worry about the whole hereditary thing.
Bad thing that I'm an animal lover, too...
- Sean
Sean's Eye View: Myka and the Wuss-Ribbons
Myka just got back from the groomer - a place she normally hates. Despite the lady who owns the place stating "we don't do Chow Chows," they took her in and actually did a great job. For $73.35, I would expect nothing less.
I am not, however, a fan of the little pink bows they put in her hair. Walking her home, I felt like a large, black Paris Hilton carrying a bitch dog in a purse.
- Sean
I have the same routine every morning: I turn on my cell phone, do the dishes from the previous-night’s dinner, and check the news. You never know what will break during the night; one morning, I even woke up to discover that Alberta was still a Canadian province and Patrick Swayze had ass cancer. It’s not that I’m a creature of habit - quite the opposite, actually. Just ask my mother (mental note: call mother).
