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Monday, December 19, 2011

Of Spiritual Charlatans and Salvation - Stani

I came across this video today and got to thinking about how easy it is to deceive people in the name of religion. It got me thinking about who really will go to heaven, and even, is there a heaven? If there is a heaven, are these the kind of people who have being assured of a place, people like this pastor Oyedepo who, according to this video, is obviously a child molester and abuser? I mean I am not calling him a child molester or abuser, the video is.

There is something absolutely distasteful about how these so-called men of God take others and their feelings for granted. Here is a man who should know better, attacking a child in full view of thousands of people, yet the idiots are clapping and screaming praise the Lord. I have read the Bible over and over, and I still cannot find an example where Jesus got physical with anybody possessed of a demon or demons. Jesus never condemned anyone, yet here is this ‘man of God’ condemning somebody to ‘hellfire’ simply because he is too dense and illiterate to understand what the girl is saying.

People will always find something or someone to believe in. You just have to be charismatic enough to sway people and they will flock to you like bees to honey. This is just a first part in the whole ‘fleecing of the people’ process. Once some abracadabra miracle is thrown in, the sky is the limit for the pastor. There have always being allegations of how these ‘miracles’ are perpetrated. Someone, usually very close to the pastor and in his pay, always comes out to get ‘healing.’ For the people, it does not matter really that they are being hood-winked, they simply love it, for if they are being deceived in God’s name, surely He would welcome them into heaven with open arms?

A friend once came to me, when I still attended the Redeemed Christian Church of God. He told me that the pastor’s car got stolen and so the whole congregation has being ‘challenged’ indeed, mandated to contribute fifty Euros towards buying a new car for the pastor. I felt extremely disappointed when I heard this. So I asked him why I should donate this amount of money, does the pastor not have insurance? Why should I contribute a hard earned fifty Euros towards buying a new flashy car for the pastor, what if I gave this money to some charitable organization instead? My friend did not have an answer for me, he hemmed and hawed and the conversation ended there. By the way, my friend is a pastor now as well in the same church.

Becoming a pastor is now a career choice for some, with or without a calling. A frat brother of mine once told me, ‘ Omo, we for go join this pastor bandwagon O! Those boys, them they rake in money like no man’s business, come London make you see the kind cars them they drive.’ I replied that I did not have the calling and really did not want to deceive anybody in God’s name as I would be heaping condemnation on myself. His response was chilling. ‘Omo, leave that thing, the money too easy and we gat to pick from them people o!’ He is also some sort of pastor or elder in one of these churches now and it seems the pickings are really quite good.

I am not saying people should not be pastors, what I am sad about is the fact that they use their pastor or priestly cloaks to commit evil deeds and sometimes they get away with it. Priests in the Catholic Church spent years raping little boys and girls, sometimes peoples’ wives and when the allegations came out there seems to be no desire on the part of the Church to own up to the evil within or the cover-ups that accompanied those misdeeds. It is almost as if they are living in a planet different from ours and yes, more revelations are coming to light everyday. It is baffling, really, how grown men condescend to taking the innocence of so many and yet they stand on their altars of iniquity day in day out, pontificating about God’s love.

Some hide their predilections behind the cloak. They hoodwink others into believing that satisfying their (pastors’) weaknesses amounts to an open passport to heaven. So while some battle with their sexuality, others brazenly take matters in their own hands and satisfy their urges. I got nothing against anybody’s sexuality, it is a whatever-floats-your-boat world so anything goes. What makes me mad, however, is people wanting to eat their cake and have it. Take as an example, the Catholic Church stipulates that, as a priest, one should be celibate. People go into this knowing this rule, they also know what urges drive them and how hard it is to fight them, yet they go in and become priests. Well, we all know about the various scandals through the years. I believe there will be more revelations.

If those who preach ‘salvation’ and ‘heaven’ are themselves wreaking hell on earth, what hope then for us all? Some of the most heinous crimes in the history of mankind have being perpetrated in the name of religion. Some other pastors allegedly live false lives while leading others to believe all is well in their homes. The amazing thing is that people still find it in their hearts to believe, sometimes believing with all their worldly possessions. No matter what allegations are made, people continue to believe blindly, almost as if they have come this far and only the end matters. The sad thing, however, is that in a lot of cases, the end involves penury for those who give and give and give. The pastors, on the other hand, smile all the way to the bank, with their collections of private jets and luxury cars.

So what then is this salvation? What is it all about? Is it about our souls and the need to go to heaven? Why must we be mean to one another to get there? Why allow charlatans to deceive us of our hard earned cash in order to be assured a place in heaven? Must we have the ear of a pastor before we can approach God? Why can’t we approach God on our own, after all, the pastors are human just like us and they make the same mistakes we make, so why do we place them on so high a pedestal that we end up trying to justify their evil ways when they show their true colors? Why allow ourselves to be deceived into thinking that killing others will get us into heaven and into the arms of a number of virgins?  Questions, questions and more questions, no answers in sight.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Shabazz Palaces - Black Up (FULL ALBUM STREAM

Massive..........

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Man unleashes snakes in Indian tax office

<a href='http://video.uk.msn.com/browse/news/week-in-video?videoId=2gatzud4&from=null&src=v5:embed::uuids' target='_new' title='Man unleashes snakes in Indian tax office'>Video: Man unleashes snakes in Indian tax office</a>

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

After the rains……..

image

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Bouncing Creature

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

misery

image

On October 12, 2011 © Stani. All rights reserved

stormy weather
weary all over town
old man
insanity in the air

laughter, forced
from within
misery cold jangled
pursuit of happiness

another day, another penny
political elite
financial elite
colluding to enforce economic slavery

take to the street
the street of walls
sit-ins, lie-ins
taunts from the ivory towers

breathtaking depravity
young and fresh
enjoy while it lasts
icing on cakes

past meets the present
future reflects both
nothing changes
it's all being done before

lip-service
payment for loyalty
hatred deceit
reward for good-naturedness

see me standing alone
long tall one in my hands
cocktails of agadagba mixed shots
heads bob with no understanding

runaway, runaway
where there any where
here almost all gone
oblivion obscurity

Nigeria

image

Random






vSpere Wordle

http://www.wordle.net/gallery?username=stani

Wordle on Racism

http://www.wordle.net/gallery?username=stani

Blog Wordle

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Fan

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Some newbie graphics I programmed in Processing

http://www.openprocessing.org/portal/?userID=13674





Thursday, August 11, 2011

Shame of a decadent society - boy robbed while injured in London

Saturday, July 30, 2011

the night before

image

Image @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/62487307@N07/5853080248/

On July 30, 2011 © Stani. All rights reserved

the night before
hot takeaways
quick trips to the bathroom
nsa on my mind

mercy mercy me
frolics and romps
not in the hay
mind-blowing.

sashay up with a simple hello
codes and signs
deciphered by like minds
promises of magic.

street corners
twists and turns
all night bumps grinds
strangers the next day.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

the inside man


Image is from

On July 13, 2011 © Stani. All rights reserved

thrown a bone
the inside man
thought he knew it all
straight into despair's jaws.

things don't come easy
but need to be done
blood on my hands
ears ringing.

said it would be
still isn't
dreams born everyday
walking on clouds.

decisions and solutions
problems in between
cranium buzzing
trust misplaced.

reaching out
looking within
phoenix stirring
burn as ordained.

Monday, July 4, 2011

Marriage Acrostic




By Stani

Made in heaven

All you ever hoped for blissfully unaware

Rumblings await not in the jungle

Reasons quickly found for weaknesses

Indifference sets in

Awareness plays on the fringes

Gradually all you ever hoped for

End game awaits.

The Dog Meat Mafia

Source:


Sunday, July 3, 2011

Bruno Merz - For you now




Thursday, June 23, 2011

The New Faces Of The Nigerian Student Fraternity In The Diaspora





The New Faces Of The Nigerian Student Fraternity In The Diaspora

By

Roy Chikwem

rchikwem@yahoo.com





The Nigerian student fraternities have been imported over the years into countries such as United States of America, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, South Africa, and other European mainland territories. These Nigerian student fraternities operating in the Diaspora have been able to successfully market and sell themselves to their respective host communities through charity work, community development and other social programs. It is not uncommon to notice the physical structures of the Buccaneers Confraternity and Pyrates Confraternity in notable American cities and states such as Atlanta, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Dallas, Boston, Oakland, Kansas, Houston, Maryland, Florida, Washington DC, New Jersey, New York, Chicago, and Wisconsin. The Nigerian student fraternities are well organized, managed, and controlled by graduate fraternity members that have since relocated to the Diaspora because of a better standard of living and other personal reasons. These fraternity graduates are made-up of professionals ranging from medical doctors, lawyers, pharmacists, bankers, certified accountants, civil servants, teachers, religious leaders, information technologists, professors, politicians, law enforcement agents, engineers, and other noble professions.



These Nigerian student fraternities have been able to provide their members with communal resources they would not have access to as individuals. These include planned events; investment opportunities, membership discount programs, newsletters, mentorship programs, job coaching programs, and acculturation for the new arrivals into the America society, membership directories, and financial aids. These initiatives enable members to accomplish their personal and professional goals and to meet other fellow professionals across the country. They encourage and foster close association and fraternity among members. Fraternities can mean many things to many people. They can mean academic benefits, varied social life, personal involvement with others, chances to develop personal and group leadership capabilities, the opportunity to make friends for a lifetime, or a balanced combination of all these elements. Fraternity life offers the types of social living you have looked forward to in school, the companionship of close friends, the feeling of "belonging," a home away from home, and many other benefits.



But a fraternity is much more than simply a feeling of belonging. A fraternity is a way of life. Sharing common experiences in the pursuance of a college education can be fun but the first job at college is academics. While other factors, both of social and academic nature, are of value in your development into a well-rounded individual, it is the knowledge gained through diligent study, which can reap the greatest rewards. In most national fraternities, each in-take has at least one mentor, commonly known as a "big brother," whose responsibility is to help provide the confidence and influence in making the college experience successful. In many cases, your "big brother" will become one of your closest friends and someone you can always count on being there when you need him. Fraternal brotherhood is an opportunity. It's an opportunity to meet a lot of different people who have varied views, maybe like your own, and maybe completely different. Brotherhood is being able to get along with various people and appreciating each person for his own opinion.



Recently, the Buccaneers Confraternity - United States Chapter known as the Alpha-Beta Galleon hosted by its branch in Dallas, Texas held its 2007 Annual Convention. The occasion lasted the entire weekend and it attracted Buccaneers and non-members from every part of the United States of America. The Buccaneers, who referred to themselves as “Sealords” were composed of highly educated professionals and their spouses and/or their significant partners attended the occasion. They were all dressed in business suit and tie including their yellow berets as they made their way to the 5-star hotel. They exchanged complimentary greetings among each other as fraternity handshakes were freely given and the introduction of their spouses was the order of the day. They joked about life in general and their school days in Nigeria. On that Friday, they had a get-together referred to as “Shiptail”; drinks and food were all in the surplus. The Buccaneers sat in small groups with their spouses as they laughed and talked about diverse issues ranging from family life, fatherhood, marriage life, health, business, politics, and especially the brutal and senseless violent activities of student fraternities in Nigeria. Many Buccaneers openly condemned the violence in Nigerian campuses by so-called fraternity groups. They expressed how shameful and embarrassing, it has been to read about the negative fraternity stories coming from Nigeria because they strongly believed that fraternity is all about brotherhood and bond of friendship of people of like minds coming together to fight the ills militating against the society and they resounded that violence should not have any part in fraternities.



They openly shared with non-members and spouses about the “good old days” on campus as Buccaneers and how it was all about social justice, academic excellence, friendship and brotherhood. They added that violence was never a part of their operations and they shared mutual inter-fraternal relationships with other fraternities without any bloodshed. They discussed what they needed to do as an organization and individuals in fighting the cursed menace called “student cultism”. The Buccaneers ranged in age from their twenties to sixties and they were all proud to openly and freely wear their yellow berets. Many Buccaneers were busy sharing their fraternal experiences with non-members while they talked about the history of the organization and its evolution within the years. They exhibited utmost maturity, professionalism and respect as they carried themselves around the hotel. Literally within hours, the hotel was filled with hundreds of Buccaneers including their spouses and family members.



After the said “Shiptail”, the Buccaneers Confraternity hosted their members including friends and spouses to all night party at an elegant banquet hall. An executive bus shuttle was freely provided to transport Buccaneers including friends and spouses to the party. The party was attended by hundreds of guest from the American, African, Nigerian, Caribbean and Spanish community including community leaders and local politicians. The DJ played Nigerian music mixed with 70s, 80s, and 90s urban songs. The dance floor was totally filled, food and drinks were in abundance and all hands were on deck, as Buccaneers volunteered in coordinating the event. Professional caterers, photographers, bartenders and security officers can be easily seen around the event. During and after the party, no single Buccaneer was seen drunk or misbehaving; truly “Odas is Odas” as one of the Buccaneers Confraternity mottos says was fully observed and followed. Friends and spouses were freely seen as they showed off their dancing moves on the floor and others were busy with sidebar discussions. Especially spouses, they were truly proud to be seen and associated with the Buccaneers because many non-members were impressed with the ways the Buccaneers conducted themselves and the good public services, they stood for. The party ended successfully and gracefully.





The next day, Saturday, the Buccaneers Confraternity hosted all members, friends and spouses to a free breakfast buffet. Many sat down at the breakfast buffet talking about their school experiences as Buccaneers and the atmosphere was much relaxed and calm. Later, in the afternoon, Buccaneers Confraternity held a closed-door meeting and presentation strictly for Sealords, where important issues affecting the organization was debated and discussed. Also, they had a solemn Requiem service to honor and memorialize their fellow Buccaneers who have sailed to the land of the great beyond. Towards, the evening, Buccaneers Confraternity transported their members including friends and spouses to the shipyard to set sail into the sea to celebrate the end of their annual convention. The ship hired by the Buccaneers Confraternity was the biggest and most expensive ship docked at the shipyard. Buccaneers including spouses and friends boarded the multi-story ship. The Buccaneers were fully dressed in their traditional yellow regalia’s and berets. Then, the ship did set sail but not after the Buccaneers Confraternity Flag was flown at full mast. They sang their traditional songs while spouses and friends were busy in the lower deck enjoying the music and the all Nigerian style dishes from fried rice, moi-moi, vegetable soup, suya-meat, fu-fu, goat-meat, fried chicken, fried turkey, bitter leaf soup, egusi soup and all brands of beer and tropical wine. At the end of the voyage, Buccaneers including friends and spouses were transported back to the hotel. The next morning, Sunday, Buccaneers Confraternity hosted Buccaneers, friends and spouses to a free breakfast buffet while many others had to board flights at the Dallas Fort-Worth International Airport to their respective destinations. There were exchange of business cards and Buccaneers Confraternity Souvenirs were distributed at the end of the convention.



Nevertheless, the National Association of Seadogs (NAS) known as Pyrates Confraternity also celebrated their 11th Annual Area Zero convention. The event was tagged UNO Memorial Tribute to celebrate the lives of three fallen Pyrates, Umeadi, Nwachie and Oji. They lost their lives to an auto accident while traveling to Oakland from Southern California 10 years earlier on their way to a NAS meeting. The three-day convention included a memorial for the lost Pyrates, a dinner dance, a colloquium discussion and the group ceremonial “sayling” a boat trip where Pyrates members pass on the heritage and tradition of the organization. The event was hosted by the NAS branch located in Inglewood, California (8Quake Zone).



However, the Buccaneers Confraternity has evolved into an international organization with branches in Africa, Europe, Asia, United States of America and Canada. Today, the Buccaneers Confraternity - United States Chapter known as the Alpha-Beta Galleon have become a well-known organization in their branches for their charitable giving’s and noble contributions to societal development. They donated over two thousand U.S. Dollars to the Katrina victims when the deadly hurricane went through New Orleans, Louisiana. Their current project is a book drive to freely supply Nigerian tertiary institutions with over one hundred thousand text and reference books as well as other school supplies. At the Dallas Annual Convention, they raised over one thousand dollars towards the shipment cost of the books to Nigeria. The Buccaneers Confraternity was born in University of Ibadan (Modaship) with Dr. Bolaji Carew as its first head in 1972. The confraternity remained in the University of Ibadan from 1972 till 1976 when the idea of a national outlook was conceived. This led to decks being established in various institutions of higher learning around Nigeria and aboard.



Roy Chikwem is a member of Amnesty International, American Civil Liberties Union and the Executive Director of Chikwem Foundation, Inc that is dedicated to the communities we live and work. We believe in the education of every Nigerian and African child and the mantra that “Education is the key to success”. E-mail: rchikwem@yahoo.com.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Why Millions Are Fleeing Facebook

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Bankole, The EFCC and the perennial hypocrisy of the fight on corruption by Stani Slaus



Picture taken from

Reading through the news the past weekend, one of the mega headlines was the arrest of the former speaker of the House of Reps over allegations of fraud and other corrupt practices. Mr Bank-ole tried with the aid of his security detail to fob off the EFCC operatives but sadly for him, their bosses had to intervene to withdraw them and forestall any bloodshed.
Some have decried the manner of his arrest. Why the urgency, why the sudden rush to arrest this young former lawmaker? They forget that he has refused to honor the invitation of the EFCC on two occasions and this time around, the EFCC have claimed that they heard from very credible sources that he was about to scamper and hightail out of the country.
Some on facebook and other social media voiced their anger over the arrest of Dimeji Bank-ole. A good friend of mine made bold to claim that EFCC was carrying out its job in a selective manner. In my friend’s opinion, Bank-ole was only trying to ‘empower’ himself just like those before him did. According to my friend, Bank-ole should be left alone in peace.
I initially thought that he was being sarcastic and I tried to read between the lines but I could find nothing to read there. I have read subsequent updates from him regarding his thoughts on this issue and I see clearly now that he is serious indeed. Bank-ole has done wrong, but since people have done the same thing in the past before him, he should be left in peace to enjoy the fruits of his wanton behavior.
On the other hand, there are others who are happy over the turn of events and hope that a statement would be made regarding Bank-ole, if he is found guilty. This school of thought, however, is not holding its breath regarding anything cogent coming out of this. In their opinion, this is just grandstanding on the part of EFCC and it will return to business as usual very soon.
People can be forgiven for their cynicism, after all, this is a country of the ‘anything goes’ fame. People can loot the treasury all they like and nothing gets done. But I believe this is a dangerous cynical though that should not be encouraged. If the EFCC has decided to pursue this man, then they need our encouragement to see that the right thing gets done.
People need to know that attaining an elective position is not an automatic passport to riches, rather it is a call to duty, to serve and not be served, to protect the interests of the electorate that voted them in. The situation is so dire these days that the aim of an average young man looking for elective position is to go in there and siphon public funds.
The callousness displayed by these people should be abhorred and not encouraged. There are bad roads everywhere; there are youths everywhere engaging in armed robbery and other crimes against the society. If people spend public funds on the normal things they should be spent on, education, good roads, social awareness, health , security and light, then the ills that trouble the society today would be solved at least by half or even more.
Unfortunately, the jackals don’t think like normal people. These people are carefully groomed from generation to generation, corrupt practices are passed on from parents to children and the vicious circle continues. I agree with my friend who would like bigger thieves to be pursued rather than just going after Bank-Ole.
After all, there have being allegations floating around for more than a decade now about a former military head who stole $12 billion from the coffers of the nation. A mind boggling sum indeed! The pertinent detail here is that no successive government till date has had the balls, the gumption to investigate these allegations. If I am not mistaken, a panel of inquiry under a respected Judge was set up to look at this and that panel recommended the prosecution of this former leader. Has any successive government bothered to prioritize these recommendations? No. Is the EFCC interested? Well they haven’t made any mention of that, so we know where their loyalties lie on the issue.
Paying lip-service to corrupt practices will continue to encourage people to come out and steal public funds. The EFCC itself must try to be steadfast in seeking punitive measures for these alleged thieves. The judiciary also has to show some spine, as the EFCC cannot do the job alone. There is no point is somebody stealing about two hundred million naira or so and at the end of the day they get only 6 months jail time and that spent in the hospital bed!
Putting the foot down on corruption requires strong leadership which GEJ should strive to provide. Nigeria is a great nation with vastly intelligent people, unfortunately this intelligence is concentrated or rather dedicated to ripping off the nation, 419 or armed robbery. This should not be the case. The time has come for us all to be vigilante and try to cut off this hideous ‘gorgon’ head.

Conologue

Conan on Weinergate and other jokes


Nintendo unveils the Wii U system



Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Europe alert Levels by John Cleese




ALERTS TO THREATS IN 2011 EUROPE : BY JOHN CLEESE

The English are feeling the pinch in relation to recent events in Libya and have therefore raised their security level from "Miffed" to "Peeved." Soon, though, security levels may be raised yet again to "Irritated" or even "A Bit Cross." The English have not been "A Bit Cross" since the blitz in 1940 when tea supplies nearly ran out. Terrorists have been re-categorized from "Tiresome" to "A Bloody Nuisance." The last time the British issued a "Bloody Nuisance" warning level was in 1588, when threatened by the Spanish Armada.

The Scots have raised their threat level from "P*ssed Off" to "Let's get the B*stards." They don't have any other levels. This is the reason they have been used on the front line of the British army for the last 300 years.

The French government announced yesterday that it has raised its terror alert level from "Run" to "Hide." The only two higher levels in France are "Collaborate" and "Surrender." The rise was precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France 's white flag factory, effectively paralyzing the country's military capability.

Italy has increased the alert level from "Shout Loudly and Excitedly" to "Elaborate Military Posturing." Two more levels remain: "Ineffective Combat Operations" and "Change Sides."

The Germans have increased their alert state from "Disdainful Arrogance" to "Dress in Uniform and Sing Marching Songs." They also have two higher levels: "Invade a Neighbour" and "Lose."

Belgians, on the other hand, are all on holiday as usual; the only threat they are worried about is NATO pulling out of Brussels .

The Spanish are all excited to see their new submarines ready to deploy. These beautifully designed subs have glass bottoms so the new Spanish navy can get a really good look at the old Spanish navy.

Australia , meanwhile, has raised its security level from "No worries" to "She'll be alright, Mate." Two more escalation levels remain: "Crikey! I think we'll need to cancel the barbie this weekend!" and "The barbie is canceled." So far no situation has ever warranted use of the final escalation level.

John Cleese - British writer, actor and tall person

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Comics take on Arnold…………

Sarah Palin is Profoundly Stupid - Chris Matthews

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Jon Stewart making Bill O'Reilly look Stupid...Again

So Common got invited to the White house? Who gives a crap really? talk about the issues that matter, like people with no jobs, no food, no medical insurance.........

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Quakes Hit Spanish Town

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Christians and Moslems fighting in Egypt

Mississippi Floods

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

How not to load a car on to a truck

Video: Barack Obama 'passes secret message'

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Beyonce and Jay Z booed at MET Gala

Bin Laden video



Source: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/video/itnheadlines-6037627/new-bin-laden-video-25156109.html

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Baby born with two faces, four eyes, two noses, two mouths

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Collective Intelligence by John Cardiff

Posted from https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B8OtOU-V1YgcNGQ0ZmM3ZTgtZGE3OS00MzBjLTk4YjEtM2EzYzk5MzVlM2I3&hl=en_GB&authkey=CM2swKYC

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Osama bin Laden................picture

Monday, May 2, 2011

Racism in Cuba

Courtsey of http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i18Z16lLpLA

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Images of a Fragmented Nation





















Images from http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Nigeria-Election-Violence-People-demonstrate-Nigeria39s-northern-city-Kano-running-battles-broke-out/ss/events/wl/122106nigeriaoil/im:/110419/photos_wl_africa_afp/4b3602d340ad311675c8ce665dba571a/#photoViewer=/110416/ids_photos_wl/r3295587365.jpg

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

REVOLUTIONARY TSUNAMI by Stanislaus



This image is being used under Creative Commons licensing. The original source can be found here.


I find it a bit of a marvel, how certain innocuous events tend to result in sometimes catastrophic events which just like a tsunami have a way of shaping the future for a long time to come. Who would have thought that a Tunisian street vendor could become the fuse that would set in motion the revolutionary events sweeping North Africa and parts of the Middle East.

A "common" man, perhaps one of the perceived, "rejects of society", going about his daily tasks. Maybe all he has left is this wheelbarrow of produce, that he needs to sell and make some money from. Maybe he has a sick wife, sick children, who knows really? The most important thing here is when this one wheelbarrow was forcibly taken off him, something was on already on the verge of snapping. Then they decided to beat him up as well, probably because he protested at the injustice of relieving him of his wheelbarrow.

The public beaten was just the final straw that perhaps broke Mohamed Bouazizi's back. He would have gone home that day asking himself, "How long? How long can this continue? Am I a man? What powers do I have? How can I fight these tyrants who prey on human blood? These tyrants who are ready to push a man through the wall?" If he had children and a wife, he would have looked at them and thought to himself, "Now that I have lost it all, how can I face these loved ones everyday knowing that I am powerless to protect them, to provide even the basics of life for them? How can I come back home so meekly and say 'Insha Allah' it will get better someday? When will it ever get better? When?" Who knows really what questions passed through his mind that day? Perhaps nothing passed through his mind, maybe he just snapped.

Mohamed Bouazizi was 26 years old. The regime of the dictator was 23 years old. Mohamed had spent the better part or almost all his life under a dictatorship that had no regard for the yearnings and aspirations of its subjects.

The step of self-immolation which Mohamed took was perhaps a long time coming. This singular action of desperation has culminated in the 'revolutionary tsunami' sweeping the Middle East today. It is not surprising anyway. What is surprising is how long it took. That in itself is also not surprising. Borne out of the need for self-preservation, people will always go for the option of suffering and smiling. It is not often that they will actually take the step and look for the means to free themselves from tyranny.

These dictators spend a long time in power. They become deeply ensconced in the citadel of control and they find it difficult to let go. In the process, like vampires, they suck their countries dry of their sovereign wealth. They siphon these monies to various 'safe havens' all over the world. Their actions are so pathetic and laughable that one can only feel pity for them. What is the essence of stealing 30 billion dollars from your countries coffers, stashing it in some account in Switzerland or the likes, meanwhile, your people whom you claim to represent to serve, to rule, are suffering and wallowing in the depths of poverty?

They live under the assumption that the countries they rule are fiefdoms that need to be controlled with iron fists. If not with iron fists, then with misinformation, misrule, and suffering. They do not hesitate to go to the Western nations and buy up properties there as a way of laundering this ill-gotten wealth. They siphon their countries' external reserves and use this to open accounts in the names of their children, wives, concubines, and cronies.

I wonder if they have ever asked them selves this question. When was the last time a Western leader came to Africa or the Middle East for a holiday or to buy some property? Western leaders know that taking the money out of their economies would not be good for the countries they lead, so they don't do that. Western leaders, when on holiday, take pride in holidaying in their countries, because it is a matter of pride for them. African leaders when on holiday, travel all over the world, to Switzerland, Luxembourg, Bahamas, and other countries in Asia where they can easily stash monies stolen from their countries coffers.

A lot of leaders from the so-called Third World have died and left their monies in the Western economies. Yes, they invariably steal so much that it is difficult to find out where it is all stashed. Sani Abacha of Nigeria stole so much that till date, nobody knows exactly where it is all stashed. The little that was supposedly repatriated from the West was in turn misappropriated by those who could have used it for the betterment of Nigerian masses.

On the eve of being toppled from power, there are rumours that Mubarrak of Egypt and his family did all they could to convert as much as they could into gold which they could then flee the country with. This is just so pathetic and contemptible. After a well contested, free and fair election in Ivory Coast, Gbabo clings to power effectively splitting his country in two, but does he care? Even in the face of world ridicule and contempt, he clings on, knowing that once he leaves the corridors of power he would not be able to enjoy the trappings of power, which sadly, translates to siphoning wealth out of his country.

Muamar Ghaddafi clings to power too. He clings on, desperately, swearing with flecks of spittle flying off his lips, that he is ready to die a martyr's death to remain a leader of his country. In the process, he is ready to kill as many of his compatriots as possible to remain in power. Indeed, there are claims that many have died as a result of a burning desire for change. Ghaddafi's actions are so reprehensible that a fellow dictator, or rather the face of dictatorship in Iran, Ahmedinjad, is said to have mused in horror at what sort of leader can kill his people this way! Ahmedinajd! Ha! I am sure that all those who have died to bring change to Iran would be turning in their graves over his musings over Ghaddafi's actions!

What Mohamed set in motion in Tunisia simply represents the fact that people are tired of the "e go better" attitude (that comes from Nigeria, it means 'things will get better'). People are tired of the suffering. People want to live the good life also. People don't want to prostitute themselves to get the good things of life. People don't want to become armed robbers to be able to enjoy good things. People want their children to have a meaningful life, a life of abundance not one of suffering. People are simply beginning to realise that the status quo could remain the same forever for all these selfish dictators care, so if they do not wrest power from them, then it would be the same story for generations to come. This is a fundamental message to sit-tight African leaders, 'Your time is almost over….better shape up or ship out'

Thursday, February 3, 2011

What country are you from? Quebec or Canada?

This got sent in by Jeff...........



In a busy Parisian cafe, a tourist is sitting alone, enjoying a crème caramel.

Another tourist approaches:

Me sit here? No problem... Thank you, very nice...

Are you on vacation?

Me, I arrive yesterday...

What country are you from?

Norway. You?

From Quebec.

Quebec? Me not know Quebec...

Quebec... near the Atlantic, next to Ontario, the Great Lakes...

No, me not know these places.

Never mind then, I'm from Canada...

Ah! Canada! Canada I know! So why you tell me you come from Quebec?

Because, my first country is Quebec!

Oh, you were born in Quebec and immigrated to Canada....

No, no, I was born in Quebec and I stay in Quebec...

Oh, then your father is from Canada?

No, no, my father, my mother, my wife, my dog, everybody, they come from Quebec....

So why you say Canada?

For Christ sake, because you say you don't know where is Quebec!

OK, but if you say you not know Norway, me I not say that my country is Japan...

Shit! Canada isn't Japan. Canada, it's my country.

Oh, your country not Quebec anymore?

My country is Quebec. But my country, it can be Canada too, if the person I speak to not know where is Quebec, Tabarnak!

Me not understand...

Look, it's simple: I come from the Province of Quebec, in the country of Canada.

Ok! But me not ask you what province you're from, I ask you what country. Me, I come from Lofoten region in Norway, but answer you Norway when you ask me what country I come from...

I know, I'm not stupid, Calisse! But me, when they ask me what country I come from, I answer Quebec. Even if it's the name of my province. For me, it's my country.

Oh, now I understand. You are a separatist; you want your Quebec province to be your country...

Are you crazy, Hostie? I don't want to know nothing from that shit!

Me, I not understand anything anymore.

I tell you before, it's simple! You ask me what country I come from, I answer Quebec because Quebec is my country, but I don't really want it to be my country, it would be too much trouble. I just want to say it.
So, why don't you just let me say it?

Me all mix up. You have passport from what country: Quebec or Canada?

CANADA, Hostie!

So why you not tell me Canada right away?

Because it don't feel right. For me, Canada is Anne Murray, the Calgary Stampede, the Mounted Police, SARS, it's not my home all that. Home, it's La Famille Plouffe, Seraphin Poudrier, La P'tite Vie, Felix Leclerc, La Poune, Les Canadiens de Montreal, Les Bougons...Do you understand???

Less and less...

Listen, forget all that shit. Ask me another question.

Ok, what town you come from?

Mmm..., I don't know anymore...

You not know what town you come from?

Yes, yes, I know what town I come from, but my town it merge with another town, but soon it is going to demerge from the town that was supposed to be my town...

Oh, that very complicated! When you write your address, what do you write?

I don't know anymore. Before, I used to write Hull, but Hull changed to Gatineau, but they tell us to wait 3 years before stopping to write Hull to not mix up the mailman. But now, the Liberals they pass a law that make it ok for Gatineau to be Hull again, but I don't know if we have to wait 3 years to be able to write Hull, or when the 3 years are passed, if we have to write Gatineau for 3 years, and after we write Hull. Unless, of course, the PQ come back in power and we remerge with Gatineau, then we'll have to write Gatineau for 3 years.

I leave now; I have hurt in my head...

It's so simple, Tabarnak: My town is Hull, my country is Quebec. But if you prefer, my town is Gatineau and my country is Canada.

OK, I think I understand!

It's about time. Anyway, it was fun talking to you, if you come around where I live; maybe you come and see me...

OK, but where? Hull in Quebec or Gatineau in Canada?

You're a pain in the ass. Forget the whole thing...

Monday, January 31, 2011

Bear Blank..........

Some joke that got sent to moi...enjoy...have a happy day.............

Dear Noah,
We could have sworn you said the ark wasn't leaving till 5.
Sincerely, Unicorns

Dear Twilight fans,
Please realize that because vampires are dead and have no blood pumping through them, they can never get an erection.
Enjoy fantasizing about that.
Sincerely, Logic

Dear Icebergs,
Sorry to hear about the global warming. Karma's a bitch.
Sincerely, The Titanic

Dear J.K. Rowling,
Your books are entirely unrealistic. I mean, a ginger kid with two friends?
Sincerely, Anonymous

Dear America,
You produced Miley Cyrus. Bieber is your punishment.
Sincerely, Canada

Dear Boyfriend,
I can make your girlfriend scream louder than you can.
Sincerely, Spiders

Dear Voldemort,
So they screwed up your nose too?
Sincerely, Michael Jackson

Dear Yahoo,
I've never heard anyone say, "I don't know, let's Yahoo! it..." just saying...
Sincerely, Google

Dear girls who have been dumped,
There are plenty of fish in the sea... Just kidding! They're all dead.
Sincerely, BP

Dear 2010,
So I hear the best rapper is white and the president is black? WTF happened?!
Sincerely, 1985

Dear Justin Bieber,
Ariel would really love her voice back.
Sincerely, King Triton

Dear Rose,
There was definitely room on that raft for the both of us.
Sincerely, Jack

Dear Windshield Wipers,
Can't touch this.
Sincerely, That Little Triangle

Dear Taylor Swift,
If it is of any interest to you, Romeo and Juliet both kill themselves in the end.
Sincerely, Shakespeare

Dear Soccer Fans,
B B B B B B Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z
Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z!
Sincerely, Vuvuzelas

Dear Saturn,
I liked it, so I put a ring on it.
Sincerely, God

Dear Rubik's Cube,
Done!
Sincerely, Colorblind

Dear Santa,
Please tell me how you managed to stop at three Ho's.
Sincerely, Tiger Woods

Dear Boys Wearing Skinny Jeans,
I. Can't. Breathe.
Sincerely, Your Balls

Dear Martin Luther King Jr.,
I have a dream within a dream within a dream within another dream... What now?
Sincerely, Leonardo DiCaprio


Dear Sleeping Beauty,
I had to join the army, dress up like a man, defeat the hun army and totally save China for my man.
All you had to do was wake up.
Sincerely, Mulan

Dear Romeo,
My death isn't the only thing I've been faking...
Sincerely, Juliet

Dear Fox News,
So far, no news about foxes.
Sincerely, Unimpressed

Dear Sex Educators,
Abstinence is only 99.99% effective.
Sincerely, The Virgin Mary

Dear Toaster,
Just gonna stand there and watch me burn?
Sincerely, Toast

Dear Edward,
I really hope that one day, I can find my way into your heart.
Sincerely, a stake

Dear Prince Charming,
You've got some explaining to do!
Sincerely, Cinderella, Snow White, Rapunzel, and Sleeping Beauty

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Interesting Facts | Useless facts

Culled from Interesting Facts | Useless facts: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

# The term rule of thumb comes from the old English law that men couldn't beat their wives with anything wider than their thumb.

# Less than one percent of people who entered Germany's Auschwitz concentration camp survived, after being liberated by the Russians in 1945.

# American poet Edgar Allan Poe was once thrown out of West Point Academy in 1831 after showing up for inspection stark naked.

# A monkey's skull wrapped in leather and paper was used as a soccer ball in the very first World's Cup Soccer Championships in Uruguay.

# Ants never sleep in their wholelife.

# A reward of $1,000 was offered for information leading to the capture and conviction of a man robbing taxi drivers. The man turned himself in and demanded the reward as a result. He received a 20 year sentence for aggravated robbery instead.

# The "pound" key on your keyboard (#) is called an octotroph.

# Elvis Presley's hip-wiggling started out as a stage fright. He was so nervous, that his legs would shake.

# Bats always turn left when exiting a cave.

# A man was arrested and charged with the robbery—of vending machines. The man posted bail, entirely in quarters.

# TYPEWRITER is the longest word that can be made using the letters only on one row of the keyboard.

# Our eyes are always the same size from birth, but our nose and ears never stop growing.

# The most common name in the world is Mohammed.

# Tommy Lee Jones and Al Gore were freshman roommates at Harvard.

# Abdul Kassam Ismael, Grand Vizier of Persia in the tenth century, carried his library with him wherever he went. Four hundred camels carried the 117,000 volumes.

# Los Angeles' full name is "El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de los Angeles de Porciuncula"

# The giant squid has the largest eyes in the world.

# A polar bear's skin is black. Its fur is not white, but actually clear.

# Experts at Intel say that microprocessor speed will double every 18 months for at least 10 years.

# Hitler and Napoleon both had only one testicle.

# Celery has negative calories. It takes more calories to eat a piece of celery than the celery has in it to begin with.

# Camels have three eyelids to protect themselves from blowing sand.

# In 1386, a pig was executed by public hanging for the murder of a child.

# 111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321

# All of the clocks in the movie Pulp Fiction are stuck on 4:20.

# Months that begin on a Sunday will always have a "Friday the 13th."

 
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