The Price of Freedom...

...is eternal vigilance.

Throughout history, people have had to protect themselves, first and foremost, from their own government. Our nation was founded on the principle of the citizen as soverign. The powers of government were divided among the three branches to protect against an abuse of power by one branch or another. Today, the republicans have taken another step toward breaking down these barriers by confirming Sam Alito to the Supreme Court.

Today's swearing in coincides with another tragic event, the passing of Coretta Scott King. After the death of her husband in 1968, Mrs. King carried on the wrk of her husband to end poverty, bring peace, and break down racial barriers. Her work included denouncing war and protected the rights of American citizens, regardless of their ethnicity.

But her passing reminds us that we must be vigilant to carry the banner of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King, to continue to fight to protect our rights. Alito has a record of deciding on the side of expanding presidential powers at the expense of personal liberties. Presently, the President has ordered and initiated the illegal wiretapping of American citizens telephone and the Justice Department continues to fight for access to Google's search records. This amounts to warrantless searches, a clear violation of the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution.

As per the 1944 Supreme Court Case, Korematsu vs. United States, the premise is that in a time of war individual liberties may be curtailed. The right to privacy may be limited in the name of national safety. But the rules have changed. The adminstration admits that this is a differnt type of war. This is a war against a faceless foe. A war that could carry on in perpetuity. This is an Orwellian war, one that must continually be engaged to keep Americans safe. Without knowing specifically who the enemy is, assuming that terror will be ever present, this war will go on without end and likewise will the new restrictions on our personal liberties.

It is our responsibilities as citizens to demand our rights be protected. That, at the very least, the Constitution of the United States be upheld. Activism at all levels is at risk. Continued surveillance of private citizens will cause citizens to become more apathetic. The fear of being involved in what might be a group under surveillance will cause fewer people to be involved in activism. This may not sound like much, but if people were afraid to protest based on government intrusion, then what would have happened what Martin Luther King, Jr. marched on Washington? Would there have even been a crowd? The point is, people will be afraid to exercise their First Amendment rights if their Fourth Amendment protections are limited. As citizens of the Unied States, we have more than a responsibility, we have a duty to be watchdogs for our government. Write your representative and senator, let them know you stand for the Constitution and ALL its rights and protections - war or no war!

Find your representative or senator.

Don't Be So Surprised

"Hamas Captures Landslide Parliamentary Win"

Why is everyone so surprised? What did everyone expect? The people of Palestine have been treated poorly for generations, by the international community, Israel, even their own leadership. Now that the people of Palestine have been given the opportunity to voice their opinion through their own vote, did you think they would choose to vote for people that would continue to go along with their poor treatment?

We are at a crossroads. This is a very important time in history. What will happen next? A unique opportunity is in front of the leaders of the world. This vote is a demand by the Palestinians to be taken seriously in the international arena. No matter what governments are saying "we refuse to deal with governments that support terror" they are going to have to if any Middle East peace is desired. Israel's acting president refuses to have any negotiations with a Palestinian government controlled by Hamas. This is truly a mistake. The Palestinians are in a position where they almost have to negotiate for successful peace. Although Hamas has stood on a platform that includes the elimination of the Israeli state, how can they legitimately push for this end? They have not been above the genocide of the Jewish population. But now, as a ruling party in a government that wants to be viewed as legitimate, they cannot pursue this policy. Compromise must be made.

The United States has also been backed into a corner. The US has stood on a platform of not negotiating with terrorists. In order to see any progress in the Palestine / Israeli situation the United States must work with the Hamas led Palestnian government. Remember, these elections were the result of US driven policy of promoting democracy in the Middle East, that was also supported by Israel.

The Palestinians, many of whom, including the members of the new government, were surprised by the huge margin of victory, now have a huge responsibility. They have been entrusted by their people to bring positive changes to their conditions. Positive changes are not increases in terrorism, but increases in peace and negotiations. Hamas probably was looking to win seat in a new government in Palestine that expected to be run by Fateh in order to be able to pressure government to look out for the interests of Palestinians. Now they have the task of fostering those negotiations, not preventing them. The people of Palestine want peace, just like anyone else.

This victory by Hamas should be viewed as a positive event. If change is truly what the people of the world want, this is the time. Welcome the Palestinians. Grant them equal respect in the world, not as second class citizens of the Middle East. If the new government of Palestine is welcomed it is likely that they will respond positively. They will sit at the table of negotiations with dignity and the respect of other world leaders. If the new government is shunned, they will be more likely to increase violence. Were do we want this to go? Only time will tell if this will turn out positively or not, but it has the potential to go both ways. If things do not go well, we are in for a lot more problems - any problem that arises over this in Palestine will spill over into problems with other Arab states.

Remember, terrorism is war by other means. It is the tool used by people without political power. Hamas now political power. I see no choice but for it to become legitimate.

Music With Meaning (vol. 1)

Music is one of those things that spark emotions: excitement, nostalgia, joy, sadness. What is it about music that can do that to us? I think it hits multiple senses. When a song really hits you it is because you hear it, it brings back memories, sights, smells, and feelings. Makes you think about the past, or maybe the future. Sometimes the same song that hits you might not even spark a second look by someone else.

"100 Years" by Five for Fighting is one of those songs that just caught me. I first heard it on ESPN, I was 33 (significant in the song). A couple of years back ESPN was filling in space on their Sportscenter by showcasing artists and their music. This song could easily be applied when reflecting on a sports career, and the group's name definately adds the sports flair. But when I heard it, I knew I had to hear it again. The music is simple. Piano solo to open with a simple melody. A slow, methodical, lamenting melody. Next the vocals, also lamenting. Reflective. Enter a subtle drum beat. Build in strength both the piano and the vocals. Reflective of one's understanding of their life. Confidence growing, a sense of duty, and marching on. Yet learning that things are passing by. Noticing that life is becoming more complicated, just like the music. Building to a climax that dimishes some before a final last gasp and crescendo. And then, falling again, to simple piano and fade.

"100 Years"

by Five for Fighting

I'm 15 for a moment

Caught in between 10 and 20

And I'm just dreaming

Counting the ways to where you are

I'm 22 for a moment

She feels better than ever

And we're on fire

Making our way back from Mars

15 there's still time for you

Time to buy and time to lose

15, there's never a wish better than this

When you only got 100 years to live

I'm 33 for a moment

Still the man, but you see I'm of age

A kid on the way

A family on my mind

I'm 45 for a moment

The sea is high

And I'm heading into a crisis

Chasing the years of my life

15 there's still time for you

Time to buy, Time to lose yourself

Within a morning star

15 I'm all right with you

15, there's never a wish better than this

When you only got 100 years to live

Half time goes by

Suddenly you’re wise

Another blink of an eye

67 is gone

The sun is getting high

We're moving on...

I'm 99 for a moment

Dying for just another moment

And I'm just dreaming

Counting the ways to where you are

15 there's still time for you

22 I feel her too

33 you’re on your way

Every day's a new day...

15 there's still time for you

Time to buy and time to choose

Hey 15, there's never a wish better than this

When you only got 100 years to live

If you have heard this song and not taken a moment to think about the words. It is heartbreaking. Yet it is hopeful. To me, I look back, I look ahead.

15. I remember handball at Bayview Ave., riding a bicycle where ever I needed to go, Young People's Day Camp, Dwight Gooden, Darryl Strawberry, Keith Hernandez, Wally Backman, Gary Carter, and so on, pickup football games at Milburn, crushes on girls that really crushed my heart, wanting more, wanting to be older.

22. Queens College, trying to hold on to the past as it was and reconciling it with the new present and unknown future, FoodTown, "Drivers' Ed" Mobile, substitute teaching at FHS (and my first substantial paychecks), creating a future in my mind that never included anything but living on Long Island, feeling at the "top of my game" - invincible.

33. Evan, Michelle, Leesville Road High School and my students, hours of time spent at on home on work and not family, piling bills and debt, a leaking roof and more leaves than I know what to do with, Grandma Eleanor & Aunt Aggie in my memory, acknowlging my own mortality.

What about 45? 50? 67? 99? One thing if for sure, nothing was as sweet as 15. The whole world in front of us and not seeing it. Only until it hits us do we notice, and sometimes, not until after it passes us by. How cliche, but what I wouldn't give to be 15 again and understand whatI know now. And I am sure, at 50 I'll wish for 35 and understand what I will know then but only at 35. A good quote, or perhaps a paraphrase:

"Life can only be understood backwards, but must be lived forwards"

New Year's Resolution

Promises, promises, promises. Every year I make a resolution: "this year I will lose 40 pounds by my birthday," "I will be a better father," "I will be a better husband," "I will finish all home projects in a timely manner," and so on. Well, I have had to break the 40 pound promise, my birthday comes too soon - only 4 months, that's 10 pounds a month, short of going on a starvation strike until Bush is impeached, 40 pounds "ain't happenin'"! Finishing projects in a timely manner? Problem, its WORK! I work all week the last thing I want to do on the weekend is work ALL weekend. Besides, if I want to be a better husband and father, I won't have time to finish all my projects in a timely manner. So where do we go from here?

I would like to make a motion. Let's end these specific, so called New Year's Resolutions. All I hear when I hear the word "Resolution" is "lie" or "broken promise." I can't get out of my head "My resolve has never been stronger..." Thanks Mr. Bush for screwing up another perfectly good word.

Instead, let's not make promises, lets just be more observant of ourselves and try to improve on what we don't like, which is what we should be doing anyway. No promises. No guarantees. But at least let us be wise enough to know that each of us are not perfect and that we ALL have room for improvement.

So to everyone, Happy New Year. And remember, for better or worse, I'm thinkin' of ya.

Oh and by the way, here are a couple of links you might find funny regarding New Year's.

From JibJab: 2-0-5 in Review
From NPR: 2006 Trailer