NOVEMBER 2005
20,000 young men, it is reported recently in the Guardian, are incarcerated in jails in the USA. Here follows a letter from the poet Crystal Cartier to her young relative who has been detained.
OPEN LETTER TO A CHERISHED INMATE
from CartierX
September 14, 2005
Dearest Cuz.... I was happy to receive your letter. Startin’ to think you guys didn’t love me no more. (smile) I also finally got a letter from your brother yesterday. Made my day twice in a row. Need all the love and comfort I can get, given the depressing current state of affairs in this nation... and throughout the world. Tragedy & genocidal disasters are striking left & right, back to back. God is truly angry. Hence, I see no point in engaging in shallow idle chatter as the world goes to Hell in a handbasket. When inspired & given the opportunity to speak I try to say something worth saying.
I must confess that I don’t write to you often because I don’t like being monitored by people empowered to hurt you. I try to spare you my writings because I don’t want to cause you problems or be accused of contributing to a prison riot or mayhem of any sort. That would defeat the goals of my message. I try to give voice to the voiceless perspective. Feel free to quote anything
I’ve said through your heart & spirit.
Sincerely, I confess the fullness of my heart and the worries on my brain with no intent to physically hurt anyone. But I must also confess the flesh is weak and I find myself enjoying the bloody little slivers ensuing... for the delivery of wisdom from a Mad Black Woman is often a skillfully woven tapestry of barbs. But constructive barbs/medicine/pearls of wisdom must often sting a bit to get your attention & penetrate thick skin.
But this “no nonsense” approach is merely a refreshing honesty of spirit that should be appreciated. We were born to be the spiritual consciousness of Man. I am old & po’ enuf to be able/expected to speak my mind. There was a time when every American felt comfortable doing the same. But publicly voicing opinions contrary to the interests of “the powers that be” has always been a dangerous & often futile effort to affect positive change. Moses never
makes it to the Promised Land.
Oh well...to Hell with the Thought Police! Age has its priviledges & I’ve lived/experienced/survived every adventure during every moment of every year of my short but eventful life. My devotion to God empowers me with wisdom as Earth Mother to skillfully “go there”. The depiction of the fat, Black woman, fussing at the Master, skillfully asserted her sphere of influence over his heart (first) and that of his family & plantation. Even as a slave she’s always had more freedom & a greater sense of responsibility than the Black Man.
As an ever curious mad Black WoeMan & writer I strive to make sense of the madness. I engage in speculative enquiries during my constant conversations with God. We have an awesome relationship. Good/God answers in so many different ways. The answer isn’t always good news. So very much I’ll never know but I’ll keep trying to learn. It is my duty to share my gifts & knowledge. I purge by sharing those queries & conversations in fellowship with others, seeking confirmation of hard truths while expressing the contents of what’s in my heart and on my mind. It is my ferverent prayer that what I share will inspire others to STOP, THINK & PRAY.
That said... I must confess that it would give me great pleasure to be able to discuss with you (despite this censored forum) what is going on in the world from a mutualy realistic perspective. However, Big Brother has made it painfully clear that anyone caught not espousing the herd mentality rhetoric we’re being programmed by the propaganda media to embrace will be branded as unpatriotic & severely punished. The human & civil rights of Americans have seriously eroded. Infact, all rights to think, speak & behave as a Humane Individual have been revoked. During these Last Days in Satan’s Dominion OPINIONS will be censored, controlled & rewarded by agents of the The New World Order served by the almighty Homeland Security Force as mercenaries for the real global rulers (to include the London Stock Exchange, Wall St., Fortune 500, China, 700 Club, Oral Roberts University, FBI/KGB/NSA/CIA, Israeli Secret Service, & knights of Her Majesty’s Secret Service, etc). Free Thinkers will be reported & turned in by undercover informants just as in Nazi Germany. The accused may simply disappear without benefit of a (usually) lying explanation by virtue of the legal sovereignty of those that fight the War on Terror.
Its a war of terror alright.... its a downright horrific campaign to enslave, control &/or eradicate the victims of poverty. It is NOT about skin color. It’s about Profit & Population Control. All poor folks & pure of heart folks (regardless of race, religion, or skin color) are all in this soup together. This is a war between Principalities using the Have’s & Have Not’s as human chess pieces. Its about Greed. Its about Man’s true god (in which we trust) the dollar bill. Its about Dollarmites enforcing their wills & trying to control the world.
But God is still in control where it counts. Prophecy will be fulfilled. The righteous do not have to engage in violence or do anything. The Bible teaches that after you have done all that you can do to simply standfast & pray. Hence, we must learn to give the weight of our burdens to God. Then, just sit back, hold on tight & try to enjoy the horrific ride. For truly He moves in mysterious ways. (smile)
True Believers will not be punished simply for what they do. We are being crucified for what we dare to think, speak & believe.
Sadly, despite whatever the white folks may do to us, Black folks are our own worst enemy. It breaks my heart to witness the lewd, rude & crude behavior of the ignorant among us.... especially our young people. If you don’t give respect you will not receive respect in turn. We must learn to put things into proper perspective & control our thoughts & behavior appropriately. Use ours minds & shut our mouthes. LOL
But it seems we are fighting a losing battle. Selfish dysfunction seems to rule the day. Due to the hyprocrisy & corruption of the Church so many have moved away from God. If they have no God/GOOD/LOVE in their hearts how can we expect compassion, self control or even moral civility?
My ministry tries to reach out to those that have lost faith and bring them back to God using simple logic & conceptual pragmatism. Forget RELIGION
and focus on developing a PERSONAL relationship with our Heavenly Father/Mother by whatever name you know Him. The Holy Spirit has no sex or color!!!!
Whew! Okay. Sorry. enuf preachin’ to the choir. LOL (laugh out loud)
I guess it goes without saying that I miss you. I also pity all those other families with their young men locked up. We all need your youth & strength now more than ever. But we need wise heads & loving hearts to go along with that muscle willing to work for the greater good. If only that described more of the young men that have turned into cold hearted animals when unleashed from prison. What must we do to institutionalize humane rehabilitation in place of simply warehousing & further corrupting already troubled souls? I cry because because hopelessness hurts. Prisoners will get little institutional help. Neither will our children growing up poor & ignorant in under funded public schools, the foster care system, jail or the streets. It ain’t no picnic trying to hold on to your salvation & sanity out here in this cold cruel world as a socalled FREE adult either. So we all must take it upon ourselves not to relinquish our souls & humanity despite being under the pressure of oppression & cruel realities served up by Life.
It is my prayer that you all will be returned to us as a whole man that despite making mistakes will become a valuable & productive member of his family, society & humanity.
From your correspondence I gather that you have grown immensely as opposed to allowing the evil that enslaves & surrounds you to cheat you of your soul. For this I am very proud of you. Hold on & continue to pray for a timely release from the System. Also continue to pray for future justice & fair sentences for others, that are appropriate for the crime. But know this.... things are gonna get worse before they get any better. So Brothers & Sisters need to get a good education & stop giving The Man a stick to beat you with by stepping out of line. Obey the rules of captivity and pray for the type of freedom only God can award.
I was investigated & approved by the Secret Service to sing at the Colo Convention Center for President Bush. But I don’t understand why I wasn’t approved to visit you. I suppose that one day I will find out. Just as I have learned firsthand how easy it is for vindictive people to lie on a person, steal &/or ruin their name/identity/record/reputation even when the charges are found to be fraudulent.
Hence, I try not to pass judgement upon those that find themselves in trouble innocently or for making bad choices as influenced by their socio-economic circumstances. So few lucrative legitamate employment opportunities for
poorly educated Black men/heads of household/etc. The answer lies in Love with proper support & guidance. No good will ever come of further abusing the already abused.
I’m sorry to rant. But I am sooo tired. I’ve spent my entire life trying to be a productive, caring & giving citizen & humanitarian. But I have little tangible reward to show for my sacrifice & efforts. The erosion of our civil liberties in what is quickly becoming a Police State to be governed by Marshall Law depresses me to no end.
I cry voiceless into the wicked wilderness... “Am I the only one that truly SEE’s??? The Emperor has on no clothes. But everyone is afraid to believe their eyes or acknowledge reality & speak the truth. Out of Love for you, True Believers & Earth Mother’s cannot (without dire consequences) withold the truth. Someone has to boldly call it as we see it... if only to let you know
that you are not alone.
I empathize with the frustration & moral dilemma of good & decent soldiers dying daily as misused mercenaries in unholy bloody battles.... and elected & appointed civil servants, government reps, & law enforcement officials pledged to protect & serve the interests & property of the rich. Despised by the poor, they are reaching a point of apathy that borders simply giving up. They get no respect or appreciation. Many do little unless paid extra as off duty for hire or other forms of extortion like calling for donations in exchange for police protection & security. Corruption keeps everyone (at every level) quietly “in their place”. Soon local government & law enforcement will be replaced by military troops.
I see the rage of the average citizen. I feel the pain of the victimized. Our government has become the enemy of its own people. In New Orleans it frightened me to see American soldiers turning their weapons upon American citizens on TV right before our eyes. But it is certainly our future as the government warns us & moves closer to martial law in an effort to control angry, assertive, rebellious citizens. The middle class is finally waking up to
betrayal by a heartless System controlled by Corporate $. Will there be civil war? Former servants make formidable enemies. Eventually the elephant will
stumble & fall victim to the masses & (Independent) mouse. Meanwhile the evil machine of power continues to roll along & over the next sacrifice for profit.
But.... I digress. Hello beloved Cousin/Brother/Friend of mine. It has been a blessing for me to share with you what’s on my mind. It pains me to ponder & converse about your unjustly incarcerated condition. For truly your crime did not warrant the extremity of punishment (given your circumstances.... had they been viewed & judged from an empathetic perspective).
What you & your peers NEED & DESERVE is comprehensive psychological/emotional/behavioral counseling & humane but effective discipline & rehabilitation. Instead.... those that love you must lament the loss of your invaluable presence, sweet spirit & innocence as you suffer & struggle to survive the abusive culture that has been forced upon you in the jungles & dungeons of the System. The pain in my heart draws tears from my eyes every night as I include you in my prayers. You are LOVED.
So hold your head high knowing that you are a beloved & blessed child of God (despite the mistakes you’ve made) simply doing his time on Mother Earth as productively as possible given your circumstances. Always strive to do your best... be your best... be as goodly/godly as you can be at any moment in time. Learn to competently live in the moment while your spirit safely soars in the clouds. Learn to govern yourself with grace & the quiet dignity of genuine righteousness.
Until we meet again I’ll keep praying for you.
Always & Forever Affectionately your Big Sis
Crystal “Denice” Cartier aka CARTIERX
A key team in the Anglican leadership in Iraq is feared dead.
The entire lay leadership team of the main Anglican church in Iraq is presumed to have been killed after they were attacked while returning from a conference in Jordan. The team of five Iraqi-born Anglicans including the lay pastor and his deputy, should have returned two weeks ago from the conference. ...
The loss brings to 12 the number of Iraqis that Canon White has lost in his reconciliation work in Iraq, although these are the first connected to the church. He did not think they were targeted because they were Anglicans. "The fact is that attacks on people on that road happen all the time, particularly on people who appear to be richer or middle class."
The deaths, in my opinion, are unlikely to affect the Anglican apology for the war in Iraq.
LONDON, September 19, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) - Four Church of England bishops offered Monday, September 19, that the Church takes the lead in reconciling with UK Muslims by apologizing to their leaders for the US-led war in Iraq if the British government fails to do so. ...
Leaders of the Church of England, which lies at the heart of the worldwide Anglican communion, including Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, had been critical of the war, insisting the invasion failed to meet the criteria of a "just war", reported AFP. ... The report highlights a "long litany of errors" in the West's handling of Iraq which includes its support of Saddam Hussein over many years as a strategic ally against Iran, its willingness to sell him weapons and the suffering caused to the Iraqi people by sanctions.
They'll have to get a new lay leadership team in Iraq, though, to don the sackcloth and ashes. The London Times has a list of the missing.
Those missing include Maher Dakel, the lay pastor; his wife, Mona, who leads the women's section of the church; their son Yeheya; the church's pianist and music director, Firas Raad; the deputy lay pastor; and their driver, whose name has not been disclosed.
Canon White last heard news of the five on September 13, when he was told that they had been attacked the day before while returning from Jordan on the notoriously dangerous road between Ramadi and Fallujah. "It is the most dangerous area in Iraq," he said. "One of two things must have happened. They either got kidnapped or they died. But we have had no ransom demand or anything." He said other members of the church had been convinced they had been taken to hospital by the Americans, which was one reason they had not released the news for so long. But repeated checks with the US forces and the Pentagon had drawn a blank. The loss brings to 12 the number of Iraqis that Canon White has lost in his reconciliation work in Iraq, although these are the first connected to the church. He did not think they were targeted because they were Anglicans.
From London Times
Criticism of religion is only fair
when the critic isn't saying
'my god is better than your god'
By John Kaminski
skylax@comcast.net
Although I am not a practitioner of Islam, I defend Muslims because they are constantly and unfairly slandered by a vicious media spin machine attempting to create an enemy where none exists — with inflammatory prejudices from the untrustworthy lips of slithering hypocrites trying to promote the bogus authenticity of their own creed at the expense of innocent strangers who live far away and possess precious commodities coveted by others.
Although I am not a practitioner of Judaism, I defend Jews who are unfairly criticized for slyly undermining the moral character of Christian nations, when in fact the existing social oppression in these Christian nations provided the opportunity for secular Jews to persuade the public they were being needlessly enslaved by rules that only benefited the holy men who controlled them.
Although I am not a practitioner of Christianity, I defend Christians who are unfairly maligned for their pure beliefs, even though they may be based on questionable historical facts. There is no doubt that the truly believing Christian heart has the best interests of the universe as its goal, though in their rapturous piety, fundamentalist god blatherers have become silent and unknowing victims of perfidious perverts practicing exactly the opposite of what they preach — to be specific, who preach hate instead of love and back it up with instantaneous mass murder on demand.
Each of these belief systems controls the minds of significant segments of humanity's unitary consciousness, and billions of individuals are buffeted this way and that by the pronouncements of living cultural icons who are nurtured and promoted for their public roles by influential men who profit by their obedience, spreading blood like storms in every land.
By far, the most important of the Ten Commandments is "Thou shalt not kill." Why is the people who talk most about God do it to justify killing?
These homicidal robots like George W. Bush, Queen Elizabeth and Ariel Sharon all operate with the supernatural sanction of the media church, and mask their crimes in hollow hymns to their own magnificence while the transfixed masses sway in Pentecostal ecstasy to the lunatic media circus triumphalizing the ravaging of our own nest.
The real problem with these systems — and all the other permutations generating every conceivable stripe of social fellowship throughout the world — is that they predicate their own value on the narcissistic necessity that they are the sole executors and operators of the one truth path. This is a pattern that guarantees ceaseless conflict for as long as the unitary mind of the species is undermined and sabotaged by the psychological need of individuals to embed themselves in a social context and strive to emulate the poisoned prescriptions of the hive mind as the most valid measure of their happiness.
Keep it simple, stupid.
We're all the same. Humans of any origin under any condition have always had the potential to become the most important person on the planet. The vast majority of humans born into this sublime paradise called Earth live their lives as decent, cooperative, sincere and principled individuals. Everyone realizes that the greatest freedom possible is for any individual to do exactly what she wants with her life.
Anybody who tells you different is either shuckin' and jivin' or he has his hand in your pocket.
So why do we have all this stupid strife?
Because it's profitable. There, in three words, is the history of the world.
And don't kid yourself — we're all signed onto this program. Luxurious leisure is what we're all after — the time to pursue who we are, because if we can do that, the rest will all fall into place. That's freedom.
Man conquered nature. I don't think it's too early to say nature will vomit up its tumors should humans continue to be so thoughtlessly toxic (although I've been saying that for 40 years). Perhaps this is the message in the rash of hurricanes that have suddenly developed as new mobilization points for the corporate war machine, assuming this new meteorological plague is not merely another government program like AIDS, fluoride, aspartame, chemtrails, white flour, and child kidnappings, not to mention thimerosal, depleted uranium, MSG, Prozac and, well, you know the list, or should, if you harbor any actualized interest in your own survival.
It seems to me we need to do things to close the gap between this artificial life that is constantly crammed down our throats — making stars on Star Search — and what we know in our inmost hearts is the right way to live, regardless of creed or tribe.
The tangible reality that underpins the context in which we live our lives that begins with our feet attached to the surface of the planet and stretches through the birth of our children and the deaths of our parents.
Though it is most important to us, it is virtually never discussed in public media. As a result the forces of shameless profit are able to kill off thousands of people at a time with sadistic stratagems, and we relegate the daily shock into a news brief to be consumed during our misprioritized leisure.
What's that about?
That we've fouled our nest is a serious understatement. We have chosen, willingly, to live in a sewer. This is directly attributable to letting profit be our real god. And we're only getting what we deserve, not to even mention that we're doing it to ourselves.
For most, children are their signature contribution to human society. But the herd doesn't run without herding — or so the Illuminati tell us, in myriad ways, from your TV sitcoms to your presidential pronouncements — so instead humanity sweeps across the planet killing practically everything in its wake, including, most especially, itself.
And we all snatch our piece of whatever pie we can master, somewhere along the line learning the bigger the pie, the better the snatch.
Where is that boundary many of us cross from getting enough to really getting enough, and in the process forgetting .... well, you probably know the tune. Maybe it's addiction to life, and we always want more.
Because if you don't know that boundary, you're not really living, not really a decent person. Soldiers and politicians should be shunned. If everyone ignored the government — because it sure ignores us — maybe it would just go away. I know, the world doesn't work that way.
And when I say, "But, it's killing us," the most common reaction is that Leave It to Beaver shrug, ballcap askew.
Religion is bondage conditioning, servitude to a bloodthirsty wraith named Yahweh who orders his robots to obliterate the victims of his robberies, and calls it holy.
And in the the trap of monotheism, the euphoric blindness of transcendental ascension engulfs us in a poisoned fog of pious ecstasy that prevents us from seeing the world clearly, and realizing that we are all just people with the same basic needs.
Worse, the powers that be nurture these nagging hatreds for the purpose of selling guns, and the men in long robes pronounce these matters "holy."
During the Catholic Inquisition, priests determined the fate of "witches" with the following process: they were hogtied, weighted with stones, and dropped in a lake. If they floated, they were guilty and put to death, all their property confiscated. If they sank to the bottom and died, they were judged innocent, but, as they were dead, all their property was confiscated.
Tell me, my friend, how is it any different today? Except that the rabbis are now rendering the verdicts. But the rule that they may kill anyone they want for any reason at all is still, as so many people know, very much in force.
And all propelled by the deceptive moneymaking operation that pits Team A versus Team B, while the puppeteers who make the rules we live by sit back, chuckling at the gore and smiling knowingly at homosexual prostitutes in the White House press corps, and count the money.
Convincing us we are different — be it through language, or custom, or religion — is the single biggest mistake ever made by the human species. Every current indicator shows this was ultimately the reason for our extinction.
John Kaminski is a writer who lives on the Gulf Coast of Florida (still sizzling with noxious fumes) who Internet essays are seen on hundreds of websites around the world. http://www.johnkaminski.com/