Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds – “As I Sat Sadly By Her Side” video

This was probably the one Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds song that really got me into them…

Conservatism + Christianity = Vote Republican, why???

I’m a non-practicing Catholic who went to a Catholic school all my life (some regrets and some pluses, which I’ll be happy to get into some other time.) In any case, I briefly want to address the fact that most Christians, specially Catholics vote Republican for the sole reason of ‘conservatism’ or rather because they’re against abortion. It’s the only reason.

If you agree with what most of the Democratic Party stands for except for the only fact that they are “pro-choice”, why would you be so blinded as to vote Republican then? There is no way you can actually make up your mind just like that based on that notion solely. It’s like not going to work because you disagree with a project that your boss wants you to do at all costs. I know that religion is an “extremely” delicate issue to deal with, specially for practitioners and worshipers and what have you. Muslim fanatics, Orthodox Jews, Opus Day Catholics, and now, according to some Hollywood celebrities, Scientologists, to name a few import ones -except for the latter (of course)- are the perfect example of this.

Why is there so much impotence and relentless hate between Muslims and Jews in the Middle East? Is religion overrated? Why was there a Holocaust that erupted in World War II in the first place? Is it too passe or not important enough nowadays in the Western World? There are multiple answers and takes on these questions to give a precise one.  But, in the end, it comes down to being a religious fanatic and being blinded by scriptures, religious figures, myths, fables, prophecies, etc. With conservatives all across the nation, Christianity has always played a key role in the US elections. Their stance on the issue is not based on facts or the common good but rather on impositions and religious despotism, as I like to call it. Some call it morality, something that should never mix with politics. Perhaps, ethics is the answer or what should come hand in hand with politics and, consequently, play a key influential and most critical role in the electoral process. Perhaps is common decency.

Condemning bloodshed over traditional belief, the Bible’s Old and New Testament appeals to the greater good of society and, thus, humankind. It was Jesus who proclaimed so profoundly to do, act, and “treat others as you would like to be treated.” Faith in your brothers and sisters, faith in the common good, faith in the saints and your pastors, faith in the angels, faith in a better world and a better future is what the message comes down to deep down…

It’s so hard to get Christian Conservatives to think otherwise. At times, their faith takes them to places of such fanatical views that they look down and despise anything contradictory. It makes them act and treat others in total opposition to how they would like to be treated, which firmly contradicts Jesus’ divine message of reciprocal treatment. Shared by extremists and terrorists, fanatical views, when out of hand, result in unthinkable calamity and catastrophe. I believe faith, hope, and even spirituality are one thing. But basing your facts on the sole notion that it is condemned by your religion and its preachers just doesn’t make any sense. What if your religion said it was o.k to hate people of different skin color, or murder those who don’t believe in the same scripture as you do? I don’t mean to make a comparison with religious fanatics who kill in the name of their Gods, tradition, or whatever it is they believe in… The truth of the matter is that voting Republican because you are pro-life means that you are contributing to that same cause or notion. Don’t you agree that killing innocent lives like women and children in the name of an absurd war or invasion is much worse than putting an end to a fetus?

Republicans couldn’t possibly call themselves pro-life because whenever a war is declared and fought, it is innocent lives who pay the worst and most expensive cost. It’s such a paradox, isn’t it?…

For what it’s worth, I just hope some people would realize what’s at stake here and the difference they can make for a new and better United States of America. For the common good and for the people who are fighting the true war of raising a family, finding decent jobs, caring for others and, in the end, trying to make ends meet. That’s the only scripture and faith I believe in.

Kingdom of Peace

That’s exactly what we need. Peace in the entire world.

I wanna take this opportunity to point out the fact that in Irak the worst casualties are endured by civilians: women and children and their respective families; the common people who don’t have anything to do with this unfair and stubborn invasion.

Americans and specially the media only focus on how this invasion affects them personally without taking into consideration that there are way more casualties of wars that involve civilians. It’s a 10 to 1 comparison between Irakis and American soldiers who have died respectively. It’s very sad but true.

I wish people would only realize that the true cost of this absurd battle is innocent lives…

…talk about putting “the country first,” what a load of crap!

No More War!

Behold! before the Kingdom of Peace… Let it reign!

Family Picture

Does music define your character or personality?s

I think it does for me. Music evolves in way too many aspects of my life not to be the single-most important influential factor that defines me as a person. I’m talking from an enthusiast point of view since I actually don’t play any instruments.

I’m sure for others, it’s probably religion, or social causes, or even sports. For me, I gotta say is the music to the ears that gives me that intimate edge when it comes to defining my personality.

Nine Inch Nails at Pepsi Music, Buenos Aires, 10/02/08

Versatile Topics: 3 I’s that define this Blog

It’s a versatile lab of insights, interests, and ideas: 3 I’s Lab. It goes beyond the scope of a single topic or niche as it embraces different takes on things and unique approaches and perspectives on the world around us. It’s meant to be unbiasedly driven while biasedly outspoken. The 3 I’s that define this Blog are:

1) My intention with this blog is to give personal insights on different cultural, political, or philosophical aspects and topics of life. Come what may; as long as it’s “insightful” enough.

2) My goal is to provide certain interests of mine that I consider relevant enough to share. Things dear to me like music, sports, and world cultures.

3) My main objective is to come up with substantial ideas that may contribute in some way or form to the blog-o-sphere. Ideas about Marketing/Advertising (my specialty), Business, Social Causes, Hi-Tech, Learning, etc.

It will go something like this:

Ever wonder why Google didn’t come up with a Facebook type social media extravaganza themselves first? I mean, it’s Google right?

I don’t know about you but I was so proud and relieved to see that the Democratic Convention went down so smoothly reaffirming a great Party and, of course, an awesome candidate that Obama is, by all means…

I thought all the speeches were masterpieces and I was particularly and positively stricken by Bill Clinton’s, and I quote: “People the world over have always been more impressed by the power of our example than by the example of our power.” masterpiece!!!

These words are so to the point with respect to the Republicans and their relentless ways of imposing power over others through unnecessary means, like war and wealth… such bad and inept example on their behalf.

Democrats are the way of the present and the future… In this day and age of global economies, foreign policy and relations, technology innovation, global warming, alternative fuels and energy, the Democrats got it down indeed.

Basically, what I intend to do with this blog is to be able to contribute in my own way and let others tag along or start a new topic or idea and, in effect, capture spontaneous thoughts, sort of like the blog Boing Boing or what Digg does in terms of news articles and stories Dugg that are of different substance, nature, content, taste, or even category.

It would definitely feel nice to see some reception on the part of other web users. However, I just wanted to have my blog and be able to contribute to the world wide web in some way or form.

This is meant to be a somewhat serious think tank for people to express themselves freely, which is what web blogs are all about, at least the true and original essence of them. Freedom of speech in the whole sense of the term. Say, I pick a topic one day, like how lame the Republican Convention is looking on CNN today (I know Hurrican Gustave is playing an important role here, thus, overshadowing it,) but still… you get the picture.

I will be posting topics ranging from politics to poetry, school to work, sports to technology, pictures to music concerts and so on periodically throughout the month, depending on how I feel or whether I have something somewhat interesting to say and if I have time (we’ll see…)

In essence, I finally get down to writing my own blog of insights, interests, and ideas, which is something I’ve wanted to do for quite some time now. This is very COOL indeed!