John Perkin's bipolar conscience comes into play again in this section of the book. Although he was previously sympathetic to the plight of developing nations, he once again changes his mind a decides to ditch his conscience in exchange for money and power. This is expressed fully in the quote, "As the taxi started to move through the night, a paroxysm of guilt flashed through me, but I suppressed it. What did I care...I could become rich, famous, and powerful in one blow," (71). This "selling of his soul" shows him ditching his ethics and ideals for trivial and transitory things like wealth. Other than that little bit of guilt he has very few problems continuing on his path of greed. It seems as though he is trying to make up for his unhappy childhood by surpass all who had ever looked down upon him. This is pointed out when he says, "My friends sometimes flaunted their credentials--connections on Beacon Hill or in Washington, professorships and PhDs--and I would answer this in my role as chief economist of a major consulting firm who traveled around the world first class," (89). He gets rid of his ethics for the because greed and childish contempt back from school have clouded his ideals and turns himself into the kind of person he used to hate.
John Perkins' code of ethics changes almost everyday. While his core ideals might not change, they can get weakened to the extent that it doesn't even matter that they are there. At this phase of the book he is trying to get the president of Panama to agree to allow his company to start large public building projects in the hopes of enslaving Panama through huge debts. Despite the new president being being an advocate for human rights and a catalyst for improvement throughout the country, John Perkins is willing to take ruin Panama if it means securing a contract. This is shown when he says, "Surely he knew foreign aid was a sham--he had to know. It existed to make him rich and shackle his country with debt. It was there so Panama would be forever obligated to the U.S. and the corporatocracy," (86). John's ethics which he had shown in Indonesia had all but dissapeared now, but it is unclear for how long. In fact, his ethics appear only a few pages later when discussing OPEC. He expresses enjoyment at OPEC putting the power in the hands of oil rich underdogs when he says, "My bread was buttered by the corporatocracy, yet some secret side of me enjoyed watching my masters get put in their places," (88). Despite his actions, his ethics are still there. He believes that what he is doing is wrong, so although he is a hypocrite, at least he is an ethical one.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Traitor vs Whistleblower
In the movie On the Waterfront most characters see no difference between traitors and whistle blowers. Even to their own family members, characters show little sympathy for those who "rat" on the mob operation of the docks. For example, after Joeys death his father has a very "I told you so" air about him and instead of mourning he says "If he had listened to me he would have lived longer". He is to contemptuous and cowardly to even stand up for his own son, due in part to his anger at his son for stooling, and his own fear of being called a traitor. A similar thing happens with Tommy, the golden warrior who always follows Terry around. After Terry testifies against Johnny Friendly, Tommy responds to what he thinks is betrayal by killing all of Terry's pigeons. It may be that the characters respond that way because it is the only way of doing things that they have ever known. For Tommy, it takes the death of his brother for him to truly realize the difference between stooling and whistleblowing but most characters never have an eye opening experience like that.
I believe that the difference between stooling and whistleblowing really just comes down to motive. A person who stools will usually do it only to benefit themselves. It could be money, power, protection, or whatever, but the point remains that they are being completely selfish. When a person is whistleblowing, it is to help society as a whole, or really just any group of people larger than themself. If a person brings to light a problem which affects many people takes it to the public eye, they are not tattling but rather doing a service to society which all citizens should be obligated to do. However, if no one is getting hurt by what a person is telling on i.e. victimless crimes such as smoking pot or pirating software, then that is tattling and that person should be shunned.
I believe that the difference between stooling and whistleblowing really just comes down to motive. A person who stools will usually do it only to benefit themselves. It could be money, power, protection, or whatever, but the point remains that they are being completely selfish. When a person is whistleblowing, it is to help society as a whole, or really just any group of people larger than themself. If a person brings to light a problem which affects many people takes it to the public eye, they are not tattling but rather doing a service to society which all citizens should be obligated to do. However, if no one is getting hurt by what a person is telling on i.e. victimless crimes such as smoking pot or pirating software, then that is tattling and that person should be shunned.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Confessions of an Economic Hitman
Part two of the book focuses on the author's first trip as an EHM to Indonesia. He is going there with a group of 10 other people and as the time period is during the Vietnam War, they are there to supposedly stop communism from reaching India. This is when the author really starts to sell out. He sees the terrible poverty and the awful living conditions in Jakarta, but he is still willing to exploit the country and make it worse. It shows him talking to one of his group members who has found the flaw in their reasoning and is realizing the terrible things they are doing and instead of listening to the older and wiser man, he convinces himself that what they are doing is good. This is shown perfectly in the quote, "His words gave me a sinking feeling, but a desire to convince him that Charlie was right; after all, my career depended on pleasing my MAIN bosses." (36). He knows the right thing to do, but refuses to acknowledge it because it might compromise his job and his income. By convincing himself that what he is doing is right he condemns a country but sets himself up for financial gain. However, when confronted about his behavior, John Perkins is forced to introspect about what he has done. It is brought to attention when the narrator says, "You're in it for the money. I heard Howard's words over and over. He had struck a nerve." (37). This reminds John of his contempt for the wealthy as a child and forces him to see what he has become. By following his greed he has become what he hated most.
This period of introspection continues and the character begins to realize how out of place he is in his job and culture. Unlike the rest of his team, John Perkins shows interest in the culture of the Indonesian people. He makes friends with a local and tries to learn the local language but despite this, he is alienated by local politicians. He expresses his treatment when he says, "During my meetings with political and business leaders, I became aware of subtleties in the way they treated me. I had not perceived it before, but now I saw that many of them resented my presence." (46). His understanding of how the local culture sees Americans is broadened by his interactions, and he is slightly disturbed by their views. By being out of place in that country, he gains some realization that he is also out of place at his job. These thoughts are deepened when he sees an anti-american play at a local theatre. The local people see America as a nation that is willing to ruin countries just to gain oil and power. He gets a bit of culture shock when a local asks, "Aren't they really all the same? Isn't it like the play showed? Doesn't your government look at Indonesia and other countries as though we are just a bunch of grapes?" (51). This revelation shows to him how corrupt the corporations which he helps are. His job is what is wrong with America and he finds himself representing things which he detests, further deepening the alienation which he feels.
This period of introspection continues and the character begins to realize how out of place he is in his job and culture. Unlike the rest of his team, John Perkins shows interest in the culture of the Indonesian people. He makes friends with a local and tries to learn the local language but despite this, he is alienated by local politicians. He expresses his treatment when he says, "During my meetings with political and business leaders, I became aware of subtleties in the way they treated me. I had not perceived it before, but now I saw that many of them resented my presence." (46). His understanding of how the local culture sees Americans is broadened by his interactions, and he is slightly disturbed by their views. By being out of place in that country, he gains some realization that he is also out of place at his job. These thoughts are deepened when he sees an anti-american play at a local theatre. The local people see America as a nation that is willing to ruin countries just to gain oil and power. He gets a bit of culture shock when a local asks, "Aren't they really all the same? Isn't it like the play showed? Doesn't your government look at Indonesia and other countries as though we are just a bunch of grapes?" (51). This revelation shows to him how corrupt the corporations which he helps are. His job is what is wrong with America and he finds himself representing things which he detests, further deepening the alienation which he feels.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Confessions of an Economic Hitman-Blog 1
This book is a memoir of a man who calls himself an "Economic Hitman". An EHM, as he calls them, is someone who cheats developing countries out of resources or money in order to help expand US corportation. However, the beginning of the book has less to do with EHMs and more to do with the authors childhood. He struggles with his self identity at an early age when he is raised at a boarding school by two parents with a huge superiority complex. When he gets a scholarship to boarding school he struggles with being himself and his parents force him to reject his old middleclass friends. The narrator tells us that, "With my parents' prodding, I rejected everything to do with the town and never saw my old friends again," (4). He struggles with his keeping his own identity while his parents force a different one upon him. It is perhaps because of the multiple personalities he took on that he adapted so well to being an EHM which requires changing ones personality to make them more persuasive depending on where they are. His struggle with identity also made him resentful of the wealthy kids at his school and his drive to surpass them motivated him. The author tells us that "...rather than rebelling, I repressed my rage and expressed my frustration by excelling," (5). The authors childhood issues are what made him succeed like he did and it was his anger which allowed him to gain such power. Had the author been content in his childhood and unmotivated, he would never have become an EHM and held such influence.
A bit later in the book the author starts to deal with ethical choices when he first becomes an EHM. He joins the Peace Corps as a cover to explore and exploit oil rich areas of the Amazon and quickly gets signed to a large company called MAIN. He finds himself selling out so he can surpass his classmates. The author describes his reason for his employment with MAIN when he says, "I knew that some of my class mates who got rejected by the draft and went on to earn MBAs and other graduate degrees would be overcome with jealousy,"(12). Because of his greedy lust for power he will make choices that will affect countries which he has no right to be involved in. His being hired as an "economist" meant that he will receive extreme amounts of money, which is really "blood money" for all the destruction he will cause in developing countries.
Perkins, John. Confessions of an Economic Hit Man. New York: Plume, 2006.
A bit later in the book the author starts to deal with ethical choices when he first becomes an EHM. He joins the Peace Corps as a cover to explore and exploit oil rich areas of the Amazon and quickly gets signed to a large company called MAIN. He finds himself selling out so he can surpass his classmates. The author describes his reason for his employment with MAIN when he says, "I knew that some of my class mates who got rejected by the draft and went on to earn MBAs and other graduate degrees would be overcome with jealousy,"(12). Because of his greedy lust for power he will make choices that will affect countries which he has no right to be involved in. His being hired as an "economist" meant that he will receive extreme amounts of money, which is really "blood money" for all the destruction he will cause in developing countries.
Perkins, John. Confessions of an Economic Hit Man. New York: Plume, 2006.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Little Man by Atmosphere
I am reposting an old blog assignment, but only so Ms. Froehlich can see it. I did this during a week we didn't have to blog.
In this post I shall be discussing the song "Little Man", by Atmosphere. The lyrics are long so remember to scroll all the way down to read my thoughts on the song.
"Little Man"
[Verse 1]
Dear Jacob
I won't take up too much of you time
I know you're trying to get your video game-grind on
And that's fine
Just gimme a second to empty my face
Before I hit the road again to go and win this paper chase
I've been watching you man
I'm proud of you man
You're growing up to be the best man that you possibly can
I know you understand
Why I go out of town
I also know my days are colder when you're not around
Sometimes I wonder what it's like to be adapted to the fact
That daddy never lived inside the same shack
And sometimes I get this pain in my stomach's pit
It's what I get
I'm convinced it's my punishment
For those nights I got drunk and let go at some bar
In some city with some people I don't know
For all the times that the lines on your face
Reminded me of the days before the dagonflies escaped
It trips me out how you pick up all my traits
From the way that you spit to the fists that you make
I watch the way you try to keep your mom happy
Daddy learned that from you
You're supposed to learn that from daddy
I can't teach much when it comes to women
I drive safe and slow but don't know nothing 'bout the engine
You're doing good little man thats all I really meant
I love you
You're my best friend, thanks for listening
[Verse 2]
Dear Craig
What up bones? How it goes?
Yeah, me? Well, you know, you know, same old, same old
Sorry that the phone calls ain't too routine
Just been runnin' around the globe tryin' to do my thing
Sometimes the weeks fly a little too fast
And sometimes I go to sleep a little too trashed
Other times I'm not sittin' on enough cash
And other times today feels too much like the past
Sometimes at night I would watch y'all fight
A child wonderin'
Why your life just ain't alright?
What's the violence about? Why's it in my house?
And even the memories are turned up too loud
Yeah, I got some issues in my head
Knew we should've started fixing 'em back when she left you
I'm not trying to get you down, I know you're different now
But your little man justs wants you to listen now
I'm over thirty, can't maintain relations
All these women wanna hurt me and I just don't have the patience
I can't trust 'em
And they're not much help
When they start to push and pull the buttons I don't trust myself
What pride, fists, and words just might do?
I'm afraid of my fate, don't wanna turn out like you
I've never hit a woman
I won't do coke
And for that alone I love you and I wanna thank you old man
[Verse 3]
Dear Sean
What's goin' on?
Not much to say
Just checkin' in wit'cha trying to see what's wrong today
I know there's gotta be something kickin' your bruises
How's the love? How's the music? How's the self-abusiveness?
Got a lot to lose, it's breakin' your shoulders
So you let your paranoia place your bets for you
Too many cigarettes, messin' up your voice
Too many arguments, tryin' to test your poise
The only women that love you are fans and family
Mom has no choice, but fans leave you randomly
No heavy rotation
In any location
You're not ready to face that you have no steady vocation
Plus you're gettin' old, your raps are exhausted
Stop it, everybody knows that you've lost it
Singin' for these kids you don't know
When you should be at home with your own instead you're on your telephone
Fightin' with your girl like it's you against the world
Another drunk hotel bedroom corner, curled up like a naked fetus
Come and save him Jesus
Place him back in time before the Reaganomics and Adidas
Sometimes you're not impressed with the work you've done
And love isn't love if you didn't hurt someone
Your son says, "Hi dad."
Your dad says, "Whats up?"
And me, I wanna thank you, but I won't, I'll just say, "Good luck."
This song is about various exchanges between a son and his father who is a rapper. The names change slightly, which points to there being more than two individuals, but the persona of the them does not change.The lyrics conjure powerful feelings of sympathy for both people involved in this scenario. I feel sorry for the child, who has been in a sense abandoned by the departure of his father, but also the father himself, who is out seeking to provide a better life for his family. The son would clearly prefer having a dad than having money, but the father feels a sense of guilt at their financial situation and seeks to improve it. This is directly expressed in the line "Singin' for these kids you don't know/When you should be at home with your own instead you're on your telephone". The pleading tone of the son makes the listener understand the desperation of a son missing his father.
Also, this reminds me of Siddhartha's journey in the sense that during Siddhartha's quest for salvation, he also deserts his friends and family. Siddhartha never really thinks about what kind of an effect his departure has on his family, and a parallel idea is expressed through this song. It is almost a reversal of scenarios however, and in Siddartha's case he is a son leaving a father who would rather have him at home than him be a wandering ascetic.
Daley, Sean. "Little Man." Rec. 4 Oct. 2005. By Atmosphere. You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having. Rec. 4 Oct. 2005. Joe Mabbott, 2005.
In this post I shall be discussing the song "Little Man", by Atmosphere. The lyrics are long so remember to scroll all the way down to read my thoughts on the song.
"Little Man"
[Verse 1]
Dear Jacob
I won't take up too much of you time
I know you're trying to get your video game-grind on
And that's fine
Just gimme a second to empty my face
Before I hit the road again to go and win this paper chase
I've been watching you man
I'm proud of you man
You're growing up to be the best man that you possibly can
I know you understand
Why I go out of town
I also know my days are colder when you're not around
Sometimes I wonder what it's like to be adapted to the fact
That daddy never lived inside the same shack
And sometimes I get this pain in my stomach's pit
It's what I get
I'm convinced it's my punishment
For those nights I got drunk and let go at some bar
In some city with some people I don't know
For all the times that the lines on your face
Reminded me of the days before the dagonflies escaped
It trips me out how you pick up all my traits
From the way that you spit to the fists that you make
I watch the way you try to keep your mom happy
Daddy learned that from you
You're supposed to learn that from daddy
I can't teach much when it comes to women
I drive safe and slow but don't know nothing 'bout the engine
You're doing good little man thats all I really meant
I love you
You're my best friend, thanks for listening
[Verse 2]
Dear Craig
What up bones? How it goes?
Yeah, me? Well, you know, you know, same old, same old
Sorry that the phone calls ain't too routine
Just been runnin' around the globe tryin' to do my thing
Sometimes the weeks fly a little too fast
And sometimes I go to sleep a little too trashed
Other times I'm not sittin' on enough cash
And other times today feels too much like the past
Sometimes at night I would watch y'all fight
A child wonderin'
Why your life just ain't alright?
What's the violence about? Why's it in my house?
And even the memories are turned up too loud
Yeah, I got some issues in my head
Knew we should've started fixing 'em back when she left you
I'm not trying to get you down, I know you're different now
But your little man justs wants you to listen now
I'm over thirty, can't maintain relations
All these women wanna hurt me and I just don't have the patience
I can't trust 'em
And they're not much help
When they start to push and pull the buttons I don't trust myself
What pride, fists, and words just might do?
I'm afraid of my fate, don't wanna turn out like you
I've never hit a woman
I won't do coke
And for that alone I love you and I wanna thank you old man
[Verse 3]
Dear Sean
What's goin' on?
Not much to say
Just checkin' in wit'cha trying to see what's wrong today
I know there's gotta be something kickin' your bruises
How's the love? How's the music? How's the self-abusiveness?
Got a lot to lose, it's breakin' your shoulders
So you let your paranoia place your bets for you
Too many cigarettes, messin' up your voice
Too many arguments, tryin' to test your poise
The only women that love you are fans and family
Mom has no choice, but fans leave you randomly
No heavy rotation
In any location
You're not ready to face that you have no steady vocation
Plus you're gettin' old, your raps are exhausted
Stop it, everybody knows that you've lost it
Singin' for these kids you don't know
When you should be at home with your own instead you're on your telephone
Fightin' with your girl like it's you against the world
Another drunk hotel bedroom corner, curled up like a naked fetus
Come and save him Jesus
Place him back in time before the Reaganomics and Adidas
Sometimes you're not impressed with the work you've done
And love isn't love if you didn't hurt someone
Your son says, "Hi dad."
Your dad says, "Whats up?"
And me, I wanna thank you, but I won't, I'll just say, "Good luck."
This song is about various exchanges between a son and his father who is a rapper. The names change slightly, which points to there being more than two individuals, but the persona of the them does not change.The lyrics conjure powerful feelings of sympathy for both people involved in this scenario. I feel sorry for the child, who has been in a sense abandoned by the departure of his father, but also the father himself, who is out seeking to provide a better life for his family. The son would clearly prefer having a dad than having money, but the father feels a sense of guilt at their financial situation and seeks to improve it. This is directly expressed in the line "Singin' for these kids you don't know/When you should be at home with your own instead you're on your telephone". The pleading tone of the son makes the listener understand the desperation of a son missing his father.
Also, this reminds me of Siddhartha's journey in the sense that during Siddhartha's quest for salvation, he also deserts his friends and family. Siddhartha never really thinks about what kind of an effect his departure has on his family, and a parallel idea is expressed through this song. It is almost a reversal of scenarios however, and in Siddartha's case he is a son leaving a father who would rather have him at home than him be a wandering ascetic.
Daley, Sean. "Little Man." Rec. 4 Oct. 2005. By Atmosphere. You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having. Rec. 4 Oct. 2005. Joe Mabbott, 2005.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Photography As Weapon
http://morris.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/11/photography-as-a-weapon/?scp=2&sq=photography&st=cse
This article is about a picture that surfaced a bit ago showing four missiles supposedly being fired from Iran. It was in many newspapers, but there was still some debate as to its legitimacy. Photo manipulation software such as Photoshop has gotten advanced enough so that a professional would definitely be able to render such an image from other existing images. It is suggested that the photo could have been a form of terrorism, because it is indeed scary to see four nuclear weapons fired into the air in defiance of the UN. I found this whole thing particularly interesting because a hobby of mine is photoshop and I frequently participate contests for money and for one of the contests the objective was to render that picture into something comical. With powerful software, incredible changes can be made and it is scary to think about it, but someone may have just created this image to frighten the public. Photography has made leaps and bounds over the years and now in the digital age, it is being used as a weapon.
Morris, Errol. "Photography as a Weapon." The New York Times. 11 Aug. 2008.The New York Times.24 Oct. 2008.
This article is about a picture that surfaced a bit ago showing four missiles supposedly being fired from Iran. It was in many newspapers, but there was still some debate as to its legitimacy. Photo manipulation software such as Photoshop has gotten advanced enough so that a professional would definitely be able to render such an image from other existing images. It is suggested that the photo could have been a form of terrorism, because it is indeed scary to see four nuclear weapons fired into the air in defiance of the UN. I found this whole thing particularly interesting because a hobby of mine is photoshop and I frequently participate contests for money and for one of the contests the objective was to render that picture into something comical. With powerful software, incredible changes can be made and it is scary to think about it, but someone may have just created this image to frighten the public. Photography has made leaps and bounds over the years and now in the digital age, it is being used as a weapon.
Morris, Errol. "Photography as a Weapon." The New York Times. 11 Aug. 2008.The New York Times.24 Oct. 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Little Man by Atmosphere
In this post I shall be discussing the song "Little Man", by Atmosphere. The lyrics are long so remember to scroll all the way down to read my thoughts on the song.
"Little Man"
[Verse 1]
Dear Jacob
I won't take up too much of you time
I know you're trying to get your video game-grind on
And that's fine
Just gimme a second to empty my face
Before I hit the road again to go and win this paper chase
I've been watching you man
I'm proud of you man
You're growing up to be the best man that you possibly can
I know you understand
Why I go out of town
I also know my days are colder when you're not around
Sometimes I wonder what it's like to be adapted to the fact
That daddy never lived inside the same shack
And sometimes I get this pain in my stomach's pit
It's what I get
I'm convinced it's my punishment
For those nights I got drunk and let go at some bar
In some city with some people I don't know
For all the times that the lines on your face
Reminded me of the days before the dagonflies escaped
It trips me out how you pick up all my traits
From the way that you spit to the fists that you make
I watch the way you try to keep your mom happy
Daddy learned that from you
You're supposed to learn that from daddy
I can't teach much when it comes to women
I drive safe and slow but don't know nothing 'bout the engine
You're doing good little man thats all I really meant
I love you
You're my best friend, thanks for listening
[Verse 2]
Dear Craig
What up bones? How it goes?
Yeah, me? Well, you know, you know, same old, same old
Sorry that the phone calls ain't too routine
Just been runnin' around the globe tryin' to do my thing
Sometimes the weeks fly a little too fast
And sometimes I go to sleep a little too trashed
Other times I'm not sittin' on enough cash
And other times today feels too much like the past
Sometimes at night I would watch y'all fight
A child wonderin'
Why your life just ain't alright?
What's the violence about? Why's it in my house?
And even the memories are turned up too loud
Yeah, I got some issues in my head
Knew we should've started fixing 'em back when she left you
I'm not trying to get you down, I know you're different now
But your little man justs wants you to listen now
I'm over thirty, can't maintain relations
All these women wanna hurt me and I just don't have the patience
I can't trust 'em
And they're not much help
When they start to push and pull the buttons I don't trust myself
What pride, fists, and words just might do?
I'm afraid of my fate, don't wanna turn out like you
I've never hit a woman
I won't do coke
And for that alone I love you and I wanna thank you old man
[Verse 3]
Dear Sean
What's goin' on?
Not much to say
Just checkin' in wit'cha trying to see what's wrong today
I know there's gotta be something kickin' your bruises
How's the love? How's the music? How's the self-abusiveness?
Got a lot to lose, it's breakin' your shoulders
So you let your paranoia place your bets for you
Too many cigarettes, messin' up your voice
Too many arguments, tryin' to test your poise
The only women that love you are fans and family
Mom has no choice, but fans leave you randomly
No heavy rotation
In any location
You're not ready to face that you have no steady vocation
Plus you're gettin' old, your raps are exhausted
Stop it, everybody knows that you've lost it
Singin' for these kids you don't know
When you should be at home with your own instead you're on your telephone
Fightin' with your girl like it's you against the world
Another drunk hotel bedroom corner, curled up like a naked fetus
Come and save him Jesus
Place him back in time before the Reaganomics and Adidas
Sometimes you're not impressed with the work you've done
And love isn't love if you didn't hurt someone
Your son says, "Hi dad."
Your dad says, "Whats up?"
And me, I wanna thank you, but I won't, I'll just say, "Good luck."
This song is about various exchanges between a son and his father who is a rapper. The names change slightly, which points to there being more than two individuals, but the persona of the them does not change.The lyrics conjure powerful feelings of sympathy for both people involved in this scenario. I feel sorry for the child, who has been in a sense abandoned by the departure of his father, but also the father himself, who is out seeking to provide a better life for his family. The son would clearly prefer having a dad than having money, but the father feels a sense of guilt at their financial situation and seeks to improve it. This is directly expressed in the line "Singin' for these kids you don't know/When you should be at home with your own instead you're on your telephone". The pleading tone of the son makes the listener understand the desperation of a son missing his father.
Also, this reminds me of Siddhartha's journey in the sense that during Siddhartha's quest for salvation, he also deserts his friends and family. Siddhartha never really thinks about what kind of an effect his departure has on his family, and a parallel idea is expressed through this song. It is almost a reversal of scenarios however, and in Siddartha's case he is a son leaving a father who would rather have him at home than him be a wandering ascetic.
Daley, Sean. "Little Man." Rec. 4 Oct. 2005. By Atmosphere. You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having. Rec. 4 Oct. 2005. Joe Mabbott, 2005.
"Little Man"
[Verse 1]
Dear Jacob
I won't take up too much of you time
I know you're trying to get your video game-grind on
And that's fine
Just gimme a second to empty my face
Before I hit the road again to go and win this paper chase
I've been watching you man
I'm proud of you man
You're growing up to be the best man that you possibly can
I know you understand
Why I go out of town
I also know my days are colder when you're not around
Sometimes I wonder what it's like to be adapted to the fact
That daddy never lived inside the same shack
And sometimes I get this pain in my stomach's pit
It's what I get
I'm convinced it's my punishment
For those nights I got drunk and let go at some bar
In some city with some people I don't know
For all the times that the lines on your face
Reminded me of the days before the dagonflies escaped
It trips me out how you pick up all my traits
From the way that you spit to the fists that you make
I watch the way you try to keep your mom happy
Daddy learned that from you
You're supposed to learn that from daddy
I can't teach much when it comes to women
I drive safe and slow but don't know nothing 'bout the engine
You're doing good little man thats all I really meant
I love you
You're my best friend, thanks for listening
[Verse 2]
Dear Craig
What up bones? How it goes?
Yeah, me? Well, you know, you know, same old, same old
Sorry that the phone calls ain't too routine
Just been runnin' around the globe tryin' to do my thing
Sometimes the weeks fly a little too fast
And sometimes I go to sleep a little too trashed
Other times I'm not sittin' on enough cash
And other times today feels too much like the past
Sometimes at night I would watch y'all fight
A child wonderin'
Why your life just ain't alright?
What's the violence about? Why's it in my house?
And even the memories are turned up too loud
Yeah, I got some issues in my head
Knew we should've started fixing 'em back when she left you
I'm not trying to get you down, I know you're different now
But your little man justs wants you to listen now
I'm over thirty, can't maintain relations
All these women wanna hurt me and I just don't have the patience
I can't trust 'em
And they're not much help
When they start to push and pull the buttons I don't trust myself
What pride, fists, and words just might do?
I'm afraid of my fate, don't wanna turn out like you
I've never hit a woman
I won't do coke
And for that alone I love you and I wanna thank you old man
[Verse 3]
Dear Sean
What's goin' on?
Not much to say
Just checkin' in wit'cha trying to see what's wrong today
I know there's gotta be something kickin' your bruises
How's the love? How's the music? How's the self-abusiveness?
Got a lot to lose, it's breakin' your shoulders
So you let your paranoia place your bets for you
Too many cigarettes, messin' up your voice
Too many arguments, tryin' to test your poise
The only women that love you are fans and family
Mom has no choice, but fans leave you randomly
No heavy rotation
In any location
You're not ready to face that you have no steady vocation
Plus you're gettin' old, your raps are exhausted
Stop it, everybody knows that you've lost it
Singin' for these kids you don't know
When you should be at home with your own instead you're on your telephone
Fightin' with your girl like it's you against the world
Another drunk hotel bedroom corner, curled up like a naked fetus
Come and save him Jesus
Place him back in time before the Reaganomics and Adidas
Sometimes you're not impressed with the work you've done
And love isn't love if you didn't hurt someone
Your son says, "Hi dad."
Your dad says, "Whats up?"
And me, I wanna thank you, but I won't, I'll just say, "Good luck."
This song is about various exchanges between a son and his father who is a rapper. The names change slightly, which points to there being more than two individuals, but the persona of the them does not change.The lyrics conjure powerful feelings of sympathy for both people involved in this scenario. I feel sorry for the child, who has been in a sense abandoned by the departure of his father, but also the father himself, who is out seeking to provide a better life for his family. The son would clearly prefer having a dad than having money, but the father feels a sense of guilt at their financial situation and seeks to improve it. This is directly expressed in the line "Singin' for these kids you don't know/When you should be at home with your own instead you're on your telephone". The pleading tone of the son makes the listener understand the desperation of a son missing his father.
Also, this reminds me of Siddhartha's journey in the sense that during Siddhartha's quest for salvation, he also deserts his friends and family. Siddhartha never really thinks about what kind of an effect his departure has on his family, and a parallel idea is expressed through this song. It is almost a reversal of scenarios however, and in Siddartha's case he is a son leaving a father who would rather have him at home than him be a wandering ascetic.
Daley, Sean. "Little Man." Rec. 4 Oct. 2005. By Atmosphere. You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having. Rec. 4 Oct. 2005. Joe Mabbott, 2005.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Obama Gaining Lead On McCain
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/02/us/politics/02poll.html?ex=1380600000&en=dade69d768f30819&ei=5124&partner=digg&exprod=digg
This article from the new york times website is about how Obama has recently pulled ahead to a 9 point lead in the polls, and McCain's favorability rating is at an all-time low. As a liberal, this news made me happy but polls really mean nothing and there is no certainty until election day. I WILL however analyze this data, regardless of whether it is factual or means anything. I believe that this drop is due to McCain's choice of Sarah Palin as his Vice President. Although he will tell you differently, it is quite obvious that he only chose her in hopes that he could get some female swing voters and possibly take some of the Clinton crowd from Obama. The polls seem to show that women saw right through this and found it offensive that someone as unqualified and inexperienced as Palin could be compared to Clinton. He did not only lose women voters though, and many moderates and independents must have lost faith in John McCain as well for such a large increase to occur. I believe that his decision was totally irresponsible and he should be ashamed of himself for putting such power in the hands of an imbicile. Even some conservatives have stopped supporting him because of Palin. I know three or four rather conservative people who said they would rather have Obama elected than Palin be in a position to take over the Presidency. Whatever the cause, Obama now has a substantial lead in the polls over McCain. However, like I said earlier, polls mean very little in the grand scheme of things, but I can only hope that these ones are true.
Thee, Megan, and Adam Nagourney. "Poll Finds Obama Gaining Support and McCain Weakened in Bailout Crisis." The New York Times. 1 Oct. 2008.The New York Times.2 Oct. 2008. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/02/us/politics/02poll.html?ex=1380600000&en=dade69d768f30819&ei=5124&partner=digg&exprod=digg.
This article from the new york times website is about how Obama has recently pulled ahead to a 9 point lead in the polls, and McCain's favorability rating is at an all-time low. As a liberal, this news made me happy but polls really mean nothing and there is no certainty until election day. I WILL however analyze this data, regardless of whether it is factual or means anything. I believe that this drop is due to McCain's choice of Sarah Palin as his Vice President. Although he will tell you differently, it is quite obvious that he only chose her in hopes that he could get some female swing voters and possibly take some of the Clinton crowd from Obama. The polls seem to show that women saw right through this and found it offensive that someone as unqualified and inexperienced as Palin could be compared to Clinton. He did not only lose women voters though, and many moderates and independents must have lost faith in John McCain as well for such a large increase to occur. I believe that his decision was totally irresponsible and he should be ashamed of himself for putting such power in the hands of an imbicile. Even some conservatives have stopped supporting him because of Palin. I know three or four rather conservative people who said they would rather have Obama elected than Palin be in a position to take over the Presidency. Whatever the cause, Obama now has a substantial lead in the polls over McCain. However, like I said earlier, polls mean very little in the grand scheme of things, but I can only hope that these ones are true.
Thee, Megan, and Adam Nagourney. "Poll Finds Obama Gaining Support and McCain Weakened in Bailout Crisis." The New York Times. 1 Oct. 2008.The New York Times.2 Oct. 2008. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/02/us/politics/02poll.html?ex=1380600000&en=dade69d768f30819&ei=5124&partner=digg&exprod=digg.
Ms. Froehlich's Question
1. Through Homer's writing, it is evident in many instances that he is sexist. Although he did not believe that women were totally worthless, he shows clear prejudice in his work The Odyssey by conforming to female stereotypes and insinuating that by themselves, women were capable of nothing.
Throughout The Odyssey, several stereotypes are displayed about women. One of these is the stereotypes is that only men can lead a household and women only play a supporting role. A prime example of this is is the suitors overrunning Odysseus' house in his absence. Penelope, being a woman is helpless to do anything and is forced to watch the suitors ween away at her wealth. Without a man to lead the house, she has no voice and can't command the suitors to leave. Another stereotype shown by Homer is that women are unfaithful. In Odysseus' absence, the maids of his household sleep around with the suitors and doing so betray him. This presumes that all women are willing to sacrifice their honor and their ties to their house just to sleep with a random person. Homer also shows the maids as having little regret for their actions, and barely even protest when Odysseus kills them all.
Another sexist pattern of the Odyssey is that ordinary women have very little power or control over their own actions. After the sack of Troy, Helen returns with Menelaus to Greece and is unable to say no. She explicitly showed her desire to leave him by going with Paris, but women have very little say in their lives so she was forced to go back with Menelaus. Had Homer not been sexist, Helen would have at least have married someone other than Menelaus, someone she had openly spurned. The only women who have any power at all are goddesses such as Athena. Athena is shown as a very wise and strong figure, but being a goddess, she is far above what any human woman could ever achieve. Homer's sexism manifests itself in Athena because she is the impossible ideal woman who is everything that human women are not: intelligent, and powerful.
Throughout the novel, men are shown as cunning and powerful, and the women are shown as unintelligent and weak, and it is this double standard which proves Homer is a sexist.
Throughout The Odyssey, several stereotypes are displayed about women. One of these is the stereotypes is that only men can lead a household and women only play a supporting role. A prime example of this is is the suitors overrunning Odysseus' house in his absence. Penelope, being a woman is helpless to do anything and is forced to watch the suitors ween away at her wealth. Without a man to lead the house, she has no voice and can't command the suitors to leave. Another stereotype shown by Homer is that women are unfaithful. In Odysseus' absence, the maids of his household sleep around with the suitors and doing so betray him. This presumes that all women are willing to sacrifice their honor and their ties to their house just to sleep with a random person. Homer also shows the maids as having little regret for their actions, and barely even protest when Odysseus kills them all.
Another sexist pattern of the Odyssey is that ordinary women have very little power or control over their own actions. After the sack of Troy, Helen returns with Menelaus to Greece and is unable to say no. She explicitly showed her desire to leave him by going with Paris, but women have very little say in their lives so she was forced to go back with Menelaus. Had Homer not been sexist, Helen would have at least have married someone other than Menelaus, someone she had openly spurned. The only women who have any power at all are goddesses such as Athena. Athena is shown as a very wise and strong figure, but being a goddess, she is far above what any human woman could ever achieve. Homer's sexism manifests itself in Athena because she is the impossible ideal woman who is everything that human women are not: intelligent, and powerful.
Throughout the novel, men are shown as cunning and powerful, and the women are shown as unintelligent and weak, and it is this double standard which proves Homer is a sexist.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Peruvian Cocaine
One of my favorite rappers is Immortal Technique. This is a song by he wrote about the trafficking of cocaine from Peru to the United States. It also features Diabolic, Tonedeff, Pumpkinhead, Poison Pen, Loucipher, and C-Ray Walz.
[Intro: from the film "Scarface"]
Host: I've heard whispers about the financial support
your government receives from the drug industry.
Guest: Well, the irony of this, of course, is that
this money, which is in the billions, is coming from
your country. You see, you are the major purchaser of
our national product, which is of course cocaine.
Host: On one hand, you're saying the United States
government is spending millions of dollars to
eliminate the flow of drugs onto our streets. At the
same time, we are doing business with the very same
goverment that is flooding our streets with cocaine.
Guest: Mmm-hmm, si, si. Let me show you a few other
characters that are involved in this tragic comedy.
[Beat starts]
*Two Men Speak in Spanish*
[Immortal Technique - Worker]
I'm on the border of Bolivia, working for pennies
Treated like a slave, the coke fields have to be ready
The spirit of my people is starving, broken and sweaty
Dreaming about revolution (REVOLUTION!) looking at my machete
But the workload is too heavy to rise up in arms
And if I ran away, I know they'd probably murder my moms
So I pray to "Jesu Christo" when I go to the mission
Process the cocaine, i've got to pay my position
[Pumpkinhead - Cocaine Field Boss]
Ok, listen while I'm out there, just give me my product
Before we chop off ya hands for worker's misconduct
I got the power to shoot a copper, and not get charged
And it would be sad to see your family in front of a firing squad
So to feed your kids, I need these bricks
40 tons in total, let me test it, indeed I (*sniff*)
Shit, this is good, pass me a tissue
And don't worry about them, I paid off the officials
[Diabolic - Peruvian Leader]
Yo, it don't come as a challenge, I'm the son of some of the foulest
Elected by my people...the only one on the ballot
Born and bred to consult with feds, I laugh at fate
And assassinate my predecessor to have his place
In a third-world fascist state, lock the nation
With 90% of the wealth in 10% of the population
The Central Intelligence Agency takes weight faithfully
The finest type of China white and cocaine you'll see
[Tonedeff - American Drug Distributor]
Honey I'm home, nevermind why our bank account's suddenly grown
It's funny, we're so out of this debt from this money we owe
Woulda ya...mind if I told you I had two governments overthrown
To keep our son enrolled in a private school, and to keep ya tummy swollen
C'mon, our fuckin' home was built on the foundation of bloody throats
The hungry stolen of they souls, of course this country's runnin' coke
I took a stunted oath to hush the one's who know
But CIA conducts the flow of these young hustlers who lust for dough
[Poison Pen - Drug Dealer]
I don't work in the hood (Hit my connect)
Plus what's really good, they supply for the hood
These dudes fucking crack me up, scrutinize like we inferior
Petrified when we meet in my area (calm down)
My dude's'll shoot until I say so, got the loot?
Give me the YAY YAY like Ice Cube, so don't play with my llello
We won't stop for you bastards
Must choose (?), chop it and bag it
[Loucipher - Undercover Police Officer]
Taking pictures and tapping phones
Debating snitches and cracking codes
Past a couple, blast the fo',
Want any hustler stacking dough with probably crack the blow
And my overtime is where your taxes go
I gain your trust
Get you to hand weight to us because we paid up front
On the low with cameras taping ya
Getting pop away? The prison sentence is going to
Make the officer leave with two ki's out the evidence room
[C-Rayz Walz - Prison Inmate]
Out the evidence room (*Said with Loucipher*)
Went my fame, truck, boat or plane, they watching you
You think you got work? They copping too
We control blocks, they lock countries
Ya own companies, we had nice cars and sneaker money
Now there's players out there, talking 'bout the holding
With bugs in they house like they down South with windows open
Your dough ain't long, you wrong, you take shorts and (?)
Feds will be up in your mouth...like forks and spoons
So enjoy the rush, live plush off Coke bread
Soon you'll be in a cell with me, like Jenny Lopez
In school, I was a bully, now life is fully a joke
I keep a flow on a boat for Peruvian Coke
Players do favors for governers and tax makers
Fat Quakers smoke crack and sex acts with bad mayors
The walls got ears, you big mouths probably scared
Not prepared to do years like Javier
[Immortal Technique Speaking]
The story just told is an example of the path that
drugs take on their way to every neighborhood, in
every state of this country. It's a lot deeper than
the niggas on your block. So when they point the
finger at you, brother men, this is what you've got to tell them:
[Wesley Snipes - from "New Jack City"]
I'm not guilty. YOU'RE the one that's guilty. The
lawmakers, the politicians, the Columbian drug lords,
all you who lobby against making drugs legal. Just
like you did with alcohol during the prohibition.
You're the one who's guilty. I mean, c'mon, let's kick
the ballistics here: Ain't no Uzi's made in Harlem.
Not one of us in here owns a poppy field. This thing
is bigger than (Immortal Technique). This is big
business. This is the American way.
Although I do not agree with all of what is said in this song, like when he says that drug dealers are basically free from guilt and should not go to prison, but I do agree with the general message. It sheds some light on some others who are at fault in the situation. It talks about the CIA and their involvement in the smuggling of cocaine. In real life, it is known that there are "dirty" operatives that assist and share the profit of smuggled drugs. That's not to say that all, or even a lot of the members of the CIA smuggle cocaine, but it cannot be denied that a percentage of them, however small it may be, do.
I also like how he talks about "tapping phones", and "bugs". Nowadays with the Patriot Act, privacy from the government is a concern for many people. It bothers me that the government has enough power to listen to people exchange personal information without them even knowing. There are those who say "If you have nothing to hide, then you have nothing to be afraid of..." but I generally regard those people as stupid. It is not about fear, but rather about wanting limited government (at least in that regard), a principle which this country was based on.
Lastly, I want to talk about the undercover cop verse. It describes a common scenario, where an undercover police officer approaches a suspect and tries to buy drugs from them. Its a textbook example entrapment, and is illegal. Although I believe that drug dealers should be imprisoned, I think it is unfair and hypocritical to use those means to catch them.
In case you didn't notice, I have strong opinions...
[Intro: from the film "Scarface"]
Host: I've heard whispers about the financial support
your government receives from the drug industry.
Guest: Well, the irony of this, of course, is that
this money, which is in the billions, is coming from
your country. You see, you are the major purchaser of
our national product, which is of course cocaine.
Host: On one hand, you're saying the United States
government is spending millions of dollars to
eliminate the flow of drugs onto our streets. At the
same time, we are doing business with the very same
goverment that is flooding our streets with cocaine.
Guest: Mmm-hmm, si, si. Let me show you a few other
characters that are involved in this tragic comedy.
[Beat starts]
*Two Men Speak in Spanish*
[Immortal Technique - Worker]
I'm on the border of Bolivia, working for pennies
Treated like a slave, the coke fields have to be ready
The spirit of my people is starving, broken and sweaty
Dreaming about revolution (REVOLUTION!) looking at my machete
But the workload is too heavy to rise up in arms
And if I ran away, I know they'd probably murder my moms
So I pray to "Jesu Christo" when I go to the mission
Process the cocaine, i've got to pay my position
[Pumpkinhead - Cocaine Field Boss]
Ok, listen while I'm out there, just give me my product
Before we chop off ya hands for worker's misconduct
I got the power to shoot a copper, and not get charged
And it would be sad to see your family in front of a firing squad
So to feed your kids, I need these bricks
40 tons in total, let me test it, indeed I (*sniff*)
Shit, this is good, pass me a tissue
And don't worry about them, I paid off the officials
[Diabolic - Peruvian Leader]
Yo, it don't come as a challenge, I'm the son of some of the foulest
Elected by my people...the only one on the ballot
Born and bred to consult with feds, I laugh at fate
And assassinate my predecessor to have his place
In a third-world fascist state, lock the nation
With 90% of the wealth in 10% of the population
The Central Intelligence Agency takes weight faithfully
The finest type of China white and cocaine you'll see
[Tonedeff - American Drug Distributor]
Honey I'm home, nevermind why our bank account's suddenly grown
It's funny, we're so out of this debt from this money we owe
Woulda ya...mind if I told you I had two governments overthrown
To keep our son enrolled in a private school, and to keep ya tummy swollen
C'mon, our fuckin' home was built on the foundation of bloody throats
The hungry stolen of they souls, of course this country's runnin' coke
I took a stunted oath to hush the one's who know
But CIA conducts the flow of these young hustlers who lust for dough
[Poison Pen - Drug Dealer]
I don't work in the hood (Hit my connect)
Plus what's really good, they supply for the hood
These dudes fucking crack me up, scrutinize like we inferior
Petrified when we meet in my area (calm down)
My dude's'll shoot until I say so, got the loot?
Give me the YAY YAY like Ice Cube, so don't play with my llello
We won't stop for you bastards
Must choose (?), chop it and bag it
[Loucipher - Undercover Police Officer]
Taking pictures and tapping phones
Debating snitches and cracking codes
Past a couple, blast the fo',
Want any hustler stacking dough with probably crack the blow
And my overtime is where your taxes go
I gain your trust
Get you to hand weight to us because we paid up front
On the low with cameras taping ya
Getting pop away? The prison sentence is going to
Make the officer leave with two ki's out the evidence room
[C-Rayz Walz - Prison Inmate]
Out the evidence room (*Said with Loucipher*)
Went my fame, truck, boat or plane, they watching you
You think you got work? They copping too
We control blocks, they lock countries
Ya own companies, we had nice cars and sneaker money
Now there's players out there, talking 'bout the holding
With bugs in they house like they down South with windows open
Your dough ain't long, you wrong, you take shorts and (?)
Feds will be up in your mouth...like forks and spoons
So enjoy the rush, live plush off Coke bread
Soon you'll be in a cell with me, like Jenny Lopez
In school, I was a bully, now life is fully a joke
I keep a flow on a boat for Peruvian Coke
Players do favors for governers and tax makers
Fat Quakers smoke crack and sex acts with bad mayors
The walls got ears, you big mouths probably scared
Not prepared to do years like Javier
[Immortal Technique Speaking]
The story just told is an example of the path that
drugs take on their way to every neighborhood, in
every state of this country. It's a lot deeper than
the niggas on your block. So when they point the
finger at you, brother men, this is what you've got to tell them:
[Wesley Snipes - from "New Jack City"]
I'm not guilty. YOU'RE the one that's guilty. The
lawmakers, the politicians, the Columbian drug lords,
all you who lobby against making drugs legal. Just
like you did with alcohol during the prohibition.
You're the one who's guilty. I mean, c'mon, let's kick
the ballistics here: Ain't no Uzi's made in Harlem.
Not one of us in here owns a poppy field. This thing
is bigger than (Immortal Technique). This is big
business. This is the American way.
Although I do not agree with all of what is said in this song, like when he says that drug dealers are basically free from guilt and should not go to prison, but I do agree with the general message. It sheds some light on some others who are at fault in the situation. It talks about the CIA and their involvement in the smuggling of cocaine. In real life, it is known that there are "dirty" operatives that assist and share the profit of smuggled drugs. That's not to say that all, or even a lot of the members of the CIA smuggle cocaine, but it cannot be denied that a percentage of them, however small it may be, do.
I also like how he talks about "tapping phones", and "bugs". Nowadays with the Patriot Act, privacy from the government is a concern for many people. It bothers me that the government has enough power to listen to people exchange personal information without them even knowing. There are those who say "If you have nothing to hide, then you have nothing to be afraid of..." but I generally regard those people as stupid. It is not about fear, but rather about wanting limited government (at least in that regard), a principle which this country was based on.
Lastly, I want to talk about the undercover cop verse. It describes a common scenario, where an undercover police officer approaches a suspect and tries to buy drugs from them. Its a textbook example entrapment, and is illegal. Although I believe that drug dealers should be imprisoned, I think it is unfair and hypocritical to use those means to catch them.
In case you didn't notice, I have strong opinions...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)