Hehehehehehe. Okay, if you have no appreciation of dark humor stop reading right now and stay far away from Flight–far far away. Got it? I’m warning you. This is no sweet flight of fancy tome. Our hero is an angry fifteen year old male of Irish and Indian origin with some serious grief and father issues–among other things. Now sit back and sip your hot tea, latte or bloody mary and think about a young man who refers to himself as Zits. If you can’t relate then it’s probably in your best interests–and mine (yes, I do fear homicidal repercussions from unhappy readers)–to go nowhere near this particular Sherman Alexie book. That said, last night I stayed up very late reading Flight via flashlight outside on the front porch–much to the dismay of anyone who had their doors or windows open to receive my hooting laughter when I turned to page 146. Some folks do not find boiled birdies funny–and I do understand that such minds exist. On the other hand, there are minds, such as mine and apparently Alexie’s, which find self boiled birdies absolutely hilarious–especially in the context of a potentially violent encounter between a homeless Indian man and the usual well-heeled white dude. If by some means, like using your local public library, you garner a copy of Flight you too will be in serious need of comic relief by the time you turn to page 146. Though, hopefully, you’ll have found other darkly comic things to chuckle loudly about before page 146. But you’ll also have encountered several incidents of mayhem, murder and molestation along the way. The lives of foster children are not all filled with sugar mommies and daddies. Nor do many events in American history since 1492 recount pleasant Thanksgiving din dins between Europeans and Indigenous folks.
Ever wonder how to diffuse the building anger of teenager? Well, Sherman Alexie offers one way–history lessons of the ”not me” and the “me?!” variety. Yep, direct confrontations of some dark sad truths of reality provide the fodder for the adolescent mind to chew heartily on and time travel, complete with out-of-body experiences, is the medium. From the Battle of the Little Bighorn to the grief ridden friendly skies of a private flight instructor Alexie takes us on a journey through history. Along the way he’ll shred your heart, sew it back together without anesthesia, and then shove it back into your chest. You’re going to need every last piece of humor to endure the operation. If you’re not laughing when Harry Potter takes a swan dive–then you might be dead and gone. Or you’ve abandoned Alexie’s exploration of time travelling adventures as an instruction manuel. Each episode serves as a short story with ethical issues galore. FBI agent Hank Storm may not get your heartstrings trembling–but Gus, Bow Boy and Small Saint could very well lay you flat on the floor demolishing an extra-large box of kleenex–or soaking an extra-large cotton hanky.
Zits experiences violence in many forms via his out-of-body time travelling–and this makes him seriously consider his pains of loss, abandonment and identity. Children NEED fathers–preferably decent men who care about their welfare. That lacking, one must find family where one can. Sometimes the concept of ‘family’ has not a damned thing to do with genetics and biology. It’s got to do with who gives a damn.
I’ve been a fan of Alexie’s work ever since reading his collection of poems and short stories The Business of Fancydancing. Yes, there’s a film by that title too– and it’s a great film. But–it was the text that had me wanting to scream and laugh from one page to the next. Ever felt bushwhacked by a writer? Well that’s how I felt while reading The Business of Fancydancing. It was great. Disturbing at times, but great nonetheless. I will never forget the story of the man, Eve and the post office. Hell, I’ve never entered a post office since and not thought of the story. The same holds true for Flight. It will not numb or bore you to tears. Not sure you can relate yet? Okay, who has had bad acne? Raise your hands now.
It’s November and that means “official” Native American Heritage Month in the US of A. Folks it’s time to get down with the genocidal history of the United States of America. Before the Japanese were sent to camps for being Japanese in America, the Indigenous people were forced onto reservations which I consider prisons without walls. Genocide in America is ongoing to the present for Traditional Indigenous people who have endured the theft of their land and children and destruction of their culture for several hundred years. Columbus Day does not engender warm fuzzy memories for everyone now living in the Americas north, south and in between.
We all love movies, don’t we? Think about how films have formed your view of Native Americans and history. Consider how those often called “the losers” view the same events–and the portrayal in films. For those of you who adore the movie “Dances With Wolves” ask yourself why you like the film? And please think about why “the Only Good Indian” never got on the national movie theatre circuit in the United States of America. Yes, you can find it in parts on the tube of you. Time to get beyond stereotypes and into reality.
And it’s up to US to clean up OUR mess. Yes, it’s our responsibility to live as lightly upon Earth as we possibly can. We’ve got to do better than we have so far. 350 carbon emissions is a memory. We’re at 393 and rising. If we don’t stop ourselves from killing Earth no one else will. I’m not counting on aliens from outer space arriving in time to save us from ourselves. I’m not counting on some divine power intervening to spank us and put us on the right path. We’ve got to count on ourselves. WE’ve got to do the right thing or perish. And perish we will when the air, water and soil no longer support life on Earth. None of us can do everything, but we each can do all we can as soon as possible. Demand clean energy not more dirty oil. Germany is leading the world with shutting down nuclear power plants after learning from the ongoing disaster in Japan. Germany is going solar and wind. Why can’t the United States learn too? What are we waiting for? Extinction?
“Cut” by Vivek Chauhan with Sanctuary Asia network (www.sanctuaryasia.com).
Main source for the footage was Yann Arthus-Bertrand’s film HOME. Music by Armand Amar.
Uploaded to Youtube by bittusahgal
Much thanks to Diane Smiling Wolf Beaty for sharing this video on facebook—oh yeah, fb is good for more than silly chatter.
The other night by pure chance I viewed “Someplace with a Mountain” on my local PBS station KCPT 2. Lately, as in ever since the GOP attack on funding for PBS the station seems to have found some sort of backbone and has been airing programs dealing with environmental issues. Perhaps this schedule was lined up long ago–but the timing is currently rather interesting from my perspective. Now if they start giving air time to Al Jazeera news as they do for the BBC news late at night, then we’ll know for sure that a revolution is at hand in American media. But, for whatever reason, this wonderful and terribly disturbing independent film aired during prime time. Thank you, KCPT, for presenting ”Someplace with a Mountain.” This film is the result of one man’s encounter with some very traditional people living on the Island of Puluwat. The Islanders have a serious problem caused by US. Yes, US, if you’re living in an industrialized country while reading this then you too have contributed to their problem in one form or another. Why? Because it’s the industrialized countries, USA at the top of the list, that are responsible for the pollution that is affecting the lives of the Island people. These people don’t pollute the Earth. Their traditional sustainable lifeways have not created any toxic oil spills. They don’t drive cars. They don’t have money. They don’t destroy their environment for profit like we do. Yes, we do, every one of us by virtue of how we currently LIVE. Our actions have led to rising sea levels which are responsible for the destruction of the atolls on which the Puluwat have lived for thousands of years. Think about that for a moment—people living in the same place for a few thousand years and it’s not a toxic waste dump. What are they doing right and what are we doing wrong? They live in harmony and balance with nature. We do not. We rape the world for everything we think we “need.” Or we allow the people who run oil corporations to do it for us. Or we allow the use of nuclear power and suffer the consequences as are the Japanese–who will share the toxic waste with the entire world in one form or another over time. All because of what we think we require in order to live what we deem is the “good life.” Well is it the good life when your water can be set on fire? When your soil is full of toxic chemicals? When our children are born with diseases due to the food and water consumed by their parents? If we have such a “good” lifestyle, then why are so many people addicted to legal and illegal drugs? If life is so great then why are we waging war around the globe? People talk about escaping to islands with beaches and no stress. Hmm. Gee, why is that? Well consider that such islands with peaceful beaches will be no more because of our greed and how that plays out in environmental ways. Heat the planet, melt the ice, raise the sea levels and the islands are the first to feel the pain of going under water. Bye, bye atolls everywhere. So sorry but since you have no oil or diamonds or anything else that feeds our industrial addictions your islands mean nothing in the Wall Street–World Bank scheme of things. Okay, have I rained on your Earth Day? Well, I’m not apologizing because we’re all past due for accepting responsibility for the way we live and how the way we live affects us, the Earth and other people who don’t live as we do.
See “Someplace with a Mountain” and consider how you’ve helped destroy a people’s home and potentially their culture and them. Yes, they have the hope of relocation thanks to Yap. But that is not a reality yet. The Puluwat have done nothing to you or me. But we have done plenty to them–ignorance is no longer an excuse thanks to Steve Goodall’s film. This is the age of information. We’ve got it at our fingertips. Now how are we going to use it for the future of our survival–and that of the Puluwat Islanders?
While I admit routing hard for the documentary film “Gasland” for the Oscar–by no means am I disappointed in the win by the incredible “Inside Job”. It gives new, hard, and extremely painful meaning to “Follow the Money.” Yes, follow the money, the profits, to realize the full extent of the fraud committed upon the American people at large–excluding all the elite corporate personhoods with political agendas they know they ought to keep secret in order to keep working class people ignorant and manipulated by their corporate owned media. Heads up, the elite rich do NOT share the same values, dreams, needs and outlook as working class Americans. The elite rich have only one agenda –Massive PROFITs at any cost. And the rest of “us” be damned.
Just in case you haven’t heard of Fracking…
Why is China working on solar and wind energy development but America is NOT???? Frankly, I’ve got to admire any film that rouses the oil industry to try to get it disqualified from Oscar consideration. There’s a reason for that sort of effort–and it’s not “nice.”
Gee, do you detect a common thread to recent political events in Wisconsin and industrial invests? Follow, follow the money brick road around the globe.
<<Click the banner above to visit Native America Calling.>>
Wondering what Native Americans think of Johnny Depp playing Tonto in a new film? Well, surf to Native America Calling’s online former broadcasts and find out. Heads up, make sure you’re wearing your satire hat for the “win Depp” show. There’s an online archive list and summary of several years of broadcasts covering everything from healthcare to water rights to “matchmaking.” Oh yes, there is more talk radio in America than the usual media attention beasts bellowing on the sound waves. The discussions on Native America Calling are lively, smart, informative and enjoyable. Harlan McKosato is the show’s host and producer. Listeners are invited to call in and participate in the conversations.
Native America Calling broadcasts live Monday through Friday, 1-2pm Eastern time. 10 am PST. You can listen online too.
On Monday, February 7, 2011 the topic will be the “State of Indian Education.” Having blogged my thoughts about the general state of education in America, I’m very interested in hearing this particular broadcast.
They’re serving everything from Casino Jack to Adapting to Climate Change. And it all gets archived for listening at later dates.
In the Kansas City Metro area there’s only ONE hour a week of radio programming featuring Native American music, news, issues, and people. Native Spirit Radio airs on www.kkfi.org hosted by Rhonda LeValdo (Acoma Pueblo), on Sundays, 5-6pm CST. NSR streams online.
Escape the radio boxes by expanding your listening horizons to Native America Calling. Sharing your discoveries here is very welcome.
Bloggers blog, right? Duh. We write short and long posts about everything from sex and drugs to forest slugs and oil spill slime. There are over 300,000 bloggers just in WordPress land. Lots more in the cyber-space beyond. Blogging goes on around the globe. In WordPress we find each other via tags and networking. We can connect with people in different time zones all day long. We work the world-wide web like cyber demons sharing our humor, poems, paintings, photographs, pains, joys, news, opinions, and everything else under the sun. I wonder how many bloggers would blog a plea for world peace. Just one blog post in the manner of one’s choice–poem, art, music, just a simple few words to signify that you desire peace around the world. How many bloggers would blog for peace? I don’t know. I am curious. Shall we find out?
If you blog a plea for peace in the world please leave a link to your peace post.
It’s still November. It’s still Native American Heritage Month. Seems like a sampling of some music is due. This tiny post does not even begin to touch even the surface of the range and depth of Native American music. There’s everything from Rap to traditional spiritual music being performed by First Peoples across America. For starters, I’d like to share a love song I first heard on Native Spirit Radio, hosted by Rhonda, on www.kkfi.org, every Sunday 5-6pm cst air time in Kansas City, Missouri. This is “Southern Man”, not the Neil Young tune, but a song sung by Alex E. Smith, Cheevers Toppah and Nitanis “Kit” Landry. The album is Harmony Nights, Native American Vocal Harmony.
Now for some SoloCree sweet talk,
Northern Cree’s much less sedate ”Driving Me Crazy” — There’s some footage of the performers further into the music.
Here are the Black Lodge Singers and a very good selection of black and white photographs. The creator of the video is credited at the end.
Some soft flute, but listen close to the lyrics of Anpanatchy “Little Indian Girl” for the “edge”.
Now for the sharp blade on several levels–words, historical images, and movie images–credits are at end of video. This includes images of children, men, women, soldiers and warriors. Thanks to Caslucaslu for posting it on YouTube.
Violating copyright births bad karma---imagine a mad hacker you'll never see coming--nor catch going. Respect = my work is my work and your work is your work.
Everything posted here is my work, copyrighted, unless otherwise noted. Comments aside. Om
KKFI
Streaming Online
"Radio Like You've Never Heard It Before!" Click the logo above for KKFI 90.1 fm KCMO.
For Kili 90.1 fm, Pine Ridge, SD, click the image below for The Voice of the Lakota Nation.
Cemetery Hill, Wounded Knee, Mugged by a Squirrel for a plum, Ed's driving, Art for Art's Sake, painting nudes, Cheyenne River Indian Reservation, KKFI, Crazy Horse, Reading, Marry, Critical Path, Political Missionary, White Wolves, teaser (1), We Shall Remain Shallow, Winter Fox Frank, Wes Studi, The Only Good Indian, Spotted Elk, naked woman centered, devotees (Crazy Horse), Blue Heron, Critical Path, An Adaptable Woman, and other plums ripening and Tanka Bars.
Art Short Bull Gallery
Click Art Above
to see more of Arthur Short Bull's original Art online at www.dawnhawk.org. Clicking on other images on the sidebar will take you to other places or enlarge photos.
”Like” on Facebook.
om mani padme hum jewel in the lotus wahupa qi prana universal life energy
