Here we go again...

LYRICA is not for everyone. LYRICA may cause serious, even life threatening, allergic reactions. Stop taking LYRICA and call your doctor right away if you have any signs of a serious allergic reaction. Some signs are swelling of your face, mouth, lips, gums, tongue or neck or if you have any trouble breathing, or have a rash, hives or blisters.

Drugs used to treat seizures increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior. LYRICA may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number of people, about 1 in 500. Call your doctor right away if you have new or worsening depression, suicidal thoughts or actions, or unusual changes in mood or behavior. If you have suicidal thoughts or actions, do not stop LYRICA without first talking to your doctor.

LYRICA may cause swelling of your hands, legs and feet, which can be serious for people with heart problems. LYRICA may cause dizziness and sleepiness. You should not drive or work with machines until you know how LYRICA affects you. Also, tell your doctor right away about muscle pain or problems along with feeling sick and feverish, or any changes in your eyesight including blurry vision or if you have any kidney problems or get dialysis.

Some of the most common side effects of LYRICA are dizziness, blurry vision, weight gain, sleepiness, trouble concentrating, swelling of your hands and feet, dry mouth, and feeling "high". If you have diabetes, tell your doctor about any skin sores.

You may have a higher chance for swelling and hives if you are also taking angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors so tell your doctor if you are taking these medications. You may have a higher chance of swelling of your hands or feet or gaining weight if you are also taking certain diabetes medicines. Do not drink alcohol while on LYRICA. You may have a higher chance for dizziness and sleepiness if you take LYRICA with alcohol, narcotic pain medicines, or medicines for anxiety.

Before you start LYRICA, tell your doctor if you are planning to father a child, or if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you have had a drug or alcohol problem, you may be more likely to misuse LYRICA.

In studies, a specific type of blood vessel tumor was seen in mice, but not in rats. The meaning of these findings in humans is not known.

Do not stop taking LYRICA without talking to your doctor. If you stop suddenly you may have headaches, nausea, diarrhea or trouble sleeping and if you have epilepsy, you may have seizures more often.

Now, did you actually read all of that? This is a drug prescribed and given to patients who suffer from fibromyalgia. This is a disease that causes chronic and insufferable pain. So, this is ANOTHER ad that I found on my homepage. This is what I am wondering. They give you a test to see if you have the "symptoms of the disease". Then, if you answer so many in a formulation that a pharmaceutical company has designed, you MAY have this disease, and you should see your doctor. Then, OF COURSE, you can ask him/her if you should take this drug. I am wondering who the hell sits behind their computer in chronic pain, and has NOT been to their doctor! "Oh, hey, look at that! I never thought that MAYBE I have a serious problem! Thank goodness for this ad, or I NEVER would have thought to see my doctor! Let me jot down the name of that drug, maybe THAT will help!"

Before you do that, pay attention.

LYRICA is not for everyone. LYRICA may cause serious, even life threatening, allergic reactions. Stop taking LYRICA and call your doctor right away if you have any signs of a serious allergic reaction. Some signs are swelling of your face, mouth, lips, gums, tongue or neck or if you have any trouble breathing, or have a rash, hives or blisters.

Ok, you can have severe allergic reaction to this drug. The "symptoms" that they are describing are that of anaphylaxis. I suggest that you look it up. You may only have minutes to respond, and receive treatment that will save your life.

Drugs used to treat seizures increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior. LYRICA may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number of people, about 1 in 500. Call your doctor right away if you have new or worsening depression, suicidal thoughts or actions, or unusual changes in mood or behavior. If you have suicidal thoughts or actions, do not stop LYRICA without first talking to your doctor.

Hold on one minute! Seizures? I don't recall the ad saying ANYTHING about this being prescribed for that purpose. More bad news. Apparently, it can cause suicidal thoughts, as well. Just make sure you keep taking it until you can get another appointment with your doctor when his schedule clears in three months.

LYRICA may cause swelling of your hands, legs and feet, which can be serious for people with heart problems. LYRICA may cause dizziness and sleepiness. You should not drive or work with machines until you know how LYRICA affects you. Also, tell your doctor right away about muscle pain or problems along with feeling sick and feverish, or any changes in your eyesight including blurry vision or if you have any kidney problems or get dialysis.

Well, I would say that is a serious problem for people who DON'T have a heart condition, as well! Now you can't drive, or operate any machinery. Better get a buspass. Tell your doctor if you can't see. Really? You sure? ok, if you insist!

Some of the most common side effects of LYRICA are dizziness, blurry vision, weight gain, sleepiness, trouble concentrating, swelling of your hands and feet, dry mouth, and feeling "high". If you have diabetes, tell your doctor about any skin sores.

These are the COMMON side effects? You won't be in pain if you smoke weed too. That is a MUCH better way of feeling high without the....hold on a minute. Weed "side effects" are, snacking, trouble concentrating, sleepiness. Oh damn, that whole skin sores thing puts this drug WAY ahead of weed. You should definitely try this instead!

You may have a higher chance for swelling and hives if you are also taking angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors so tell your doctor if you are taking these medications. You may have a higher chance of swelling of your hands or feet or gaining weight if you are also taking certain diabetes medicines. Do not drink alcohol while on LYRICA. You may have a higher chance for dizziness and sleepiness if you take LYRICA with alcohol, narcotic pain medicines, or medicines for anxiety.

Basically if you are taking ANYTHING else for pain, you better stop. Oh come on now, they are in chronic unbearable pain! They can't drink??? Damn. It isn't like they are going to get a DUI, they can't freakin drive either! NEWSFLASH! These people are in constant pain! My guess is that they have anxiety and proned to depression. This shit better work! Will it?

Before you start LYRICA, tell your doctor if you are planning to father a child, or if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you have had a drug or alcohol problem, you may be more likely to misuse LYRICA.

This is concerning. What the hell is it going to do to sperm??? More info please! There is a brilliant observation at the end, huh? Thanks for that. Very helpfull.

In studies, a specific type of blood vessel tumor was seen in mice, but not in rats. The meaning of these findings in humans is not known.

Then what the FUCK is the point in telling us this? Are we rats? Nope. Mice? Nope. Basically, you don't KNOW if this will cause tumors in humans. Great. Thanks again.

Do not stop taking LYRICA without talking to your doctor. If you stop suddenly you may have headaches, nausea, diarrhea or trouble sleeping and if you have epilepsy, you may have seizures more often.

Here we go with the seizures again. Epilepsy AND Fibromyalgia??? Nice. So, basically, if you are epileptic, this can kill you. But, you just said that...um...something about seizures...treatment....I am so confused.

OK people! I am not saying any more about this. Just read. If that isn't enough...I can't help you any further.

IT'S A MIRACLE!

http://news.yahoo.com/video/world-15749633/christmas-miracle-church-s-window-saved-17286102

"A congregation WRESTING their way to a tough decision..they would sell their most valuable possession to shelter the homeless...."

"The building is in need of repair..."

"Four times as many homeless as 2 years ago..."

"agonizing choice....it's one treasure....a Tiffany stained glass window...worth about $75,000"

"It is a miracle....I think god is working in his way..."



Do we live on the same planet? This video and it's overly dramatic, "Twas the Night Before Christmas" style reading is laughable. I love the "heart string tugging" theatrics and overtstated emotional quandry.

Let me make it a little LESS dramatic, and paraphrase what happened here. The church in the spotlight contacted ABC news with a story that they were going to have to sell their Tiffany window if they wanted to shelter the homeless for Christmas. They broadcast the story in all of it's dramatic splendor. People began calling and donating money to the church. It was a miracle that they didn't have to sell a $75,000 window in a building that needs to be repaired.

*blink*

So, how many homeless did they shelter? Why has the homeless rate risen so drastically in the last 2 years? Why are their donations down? Where is the local member who can do drywall and painting, and is willing to help them out? Where do the homeless sleep the OTHER 364 days of the year?

Oh, never mind all of that, THE WINDOW HAS BEEN SAVED! It's a miracle! Hail jesus!

I just don't know how I could have laid my head on my pillow and fallen asleep tonight without knowing that another church didn't have to sell it's "most valuable posession" (funny, I thought that was their congregation itself) to help their community. I mean, what IS a church without a big gaudy stained glass window depicting someone with a halo holding a book, and pointing at nothing. Oh, that's right, it would be just another building full of people looking out regular windows. I get it now. It isn't a church without the window. It all makes sense.

If you took the window away, they would have to call themselves a "community center", or a building open to all members of the community where you can get rest, food, support and warm your hands and feet. But then that wouldn't be a church, now would it? Churches have membership dues. They only help non-members at certain times of year. They have to, after all, they are a business and you can't make money if you just GIVE it away!

Thank goodness they were able to save their window, otherwise people may accidentally stumble in there thinking it was something else. Whew! Close call, guys. Good thing god was workin' the phones and willing to air your story, or else the "Christmas Tiffany window worth $75,000" would have gone to lord only knows who. I bet...another church. Don't beat yourselves up over it, they just have a more business savvy congregation. You better straighten yourselves out though, I don't think god does repeat miracles. Next year you will have to sell the obnoxious pipe organ.

Since when did being free in this country mean being free from being offended?

I would like to thank the late, great George Carlin for the title to this one. The most recent victim of "be careful, you might offend someone" is, Saturday Night Live. Here is an excerpt from an article criticizing their most recent skit...

'SNL' Criticized After Airing Tiger Woods Domestic Violence Skit While Rihanna On Show
Sun Dec 6, 11:42 AM PST

"Saturday Night Live" is making headlines for featuring a skit over the weekend, which parodied domestic violence.

On Saturday night's episode, the NBC sketch comedy show made light of Tiger Woods' scandalous week, satirizing reports - denied by the golfer - that his wife, Elin Nordegren, attacked him prior to his early-morning car accident on November 27 with a sketch featuring Keenan Thomson and host Blake Lively.


However, the show's musical guest was Rihanna - a victim of domestic violence earlier this year from then-boyfriend Chris Brown -- prompting concerns from several media outlets that the show's humor was insensitive from some corners.

"It was another sketch that gave us pause," noted PopEater in an article titled "'SNL' Lampoons Alleged Violence in Tiger Woods' Marriage," on Sunday. "We think, had the genders been reversed, 'SNL' wouldn't make light of the potentially violent situation."

http://tv.yahoo.com/news/article/tv.accesshollywood.com/tv.accesshollywood.com-snl-criticized-after-airing-tiger-woods-domestic-violence-skit-while-rihanna-show

First of all, there has been NO confirmation that Tiger Woods is the "victim of domestic violence". So, until it is confirmed that Tiger has lived in fear of his ex-model, 115 lb wife beating him within inches of death, shut the fuck up about that! The idea that Tiger was busted cheating, and his wife got in a few hits with a golf club to his rear window was the parody of this skit. They made the parody because Tiger IS NOT the "victim of domestic abuse". I have news for you. Neither is Rihanna. At least the writer of this article got the terminology remotely correct. Thank you for NOT using the term, "domestic abuse". You are in the minority.

I am so tired of twits like her sucking up the attention while REAL domestic abuse victims cower in their homes fearing for their lives. Let's look at the facts of what happened between Rihanna and Chris Brown. First of all, let's remember their ages. They are children playing in an adult world. Rihanna intercepts a text on Chris Brown's phone, one that apparently pointed to him having relations with another woman. Big surprise there, Rihanna! She proceeds to engage him in a long drawn out argument, when he is driving the car, where she demands the answer that SHE wants to hear from him. He can't take any more of her mouth, and shuts it for her. Now, was he wrong? OF COURSE HE WAS! BUT, what is HER culpability in this? Does she have any? Yes, she does. She knows he is cheating, she just read it in his text. She wanted to fight. She got a fight. She lost. These two children made an immature decision. Instead of her asking him to pull the car over, getting a cab, and cooling down before discussing this issue, she picked a fight based in pure emotion. Instead of him pulling the car over, and handing her the keys, and getting out, so as to avoid a confrontation that can lead to only anger and aggression, he hit her.

So, Rihanna parades around the country telling her tale of woe, and effectively victimizing herself to the point of boosting her record sales. Chris Brown publically apologizes to Rihanna, and every other woman who may come along in another text. They both appear on Oprah, give press conferences, and make millions from their moment of heated anger. Did Rihanna suffer some bruises, and feel fear while he was hitting her? Yes, she did. Does he REALLY feel sorry for what he did? I doubt that his sympathy lies with her plight, but more with the fool that he has made himself to be. The best part of this story, is that the twit took him back after prancing around claiming to be a victim of domestic abuse.

Now, HERE is where I really take issue with this nonsense, and our perception of what is and is NOT domestic abuse. There are MEN and women in this country that endure days upon weeks upon years of horrible abuse, both mental and physical. It is taboo for men to speak out about the psychological abuse inflicted upon them by the women who claim to love them. It is fashionable to be a "survivor of domestic abuse" in the eyes of some women. Domestic abuse, and being a victim of it, is a forced state of mind placed on your partner by coercion or fear. It causes a person to live a life void of security, trust, independence and self worth. It can leave scars that are both physical and mental. Now, everyone has made Rihanna into some kind of hero for "helping young women to see the trappings of abusive relationships". How quickly you all shut up when she took him back.

Where is the TV time for the REAL survivors of domestic abuse? Where is Oprah when man trapped in a 30 year marriage FINALLY gets the divorce that he has feared? Where is his story of how his loving wife threatened to kill herself, take him bankrupt and keep their children from him if he ever left her? Where is the empathy for the women who work two jobs, and take the beating that could be for her children because her drunk boyfriend/ husband has threatened to kill her, her children and anyone who aids her in leaving him? THAT is domestic abuse. THAT is being trapped and not seeing a way out that does not make the pain even worse. Rihanna flapping her mouth at a moron who is cheating on her, and him reacting out of frustration is a violent incident, NOT domestic abuse. IF you strike another person out of anger, you are person of weak character and deserve whatever the laws determine is a fit punishment. Those laws should be equal regardless of gender or sexual orientation. IF you put yourself, willingly, into a situation where it can turn violent and then capitalize on the weakness of another with NO culpability in your part that was played, well then, you are a twit, and a manipulator. Rihanna, you have not saved other women. You have exposed yourself as an immature child who has mastered playing the victim to hide the embarrassment of being in the public eye.

There are those who will criticize my stand on this issue, but I have never been silent before, and am not about to now. This idiot and her antics has diminished the severity of the crime of domestic abuse, and made people roll their eyes at the very mention of the term. Did she go on stage, and say, "Being a victim of abuse, I want to stop here, and say something. I think that making fun of the idea that Tiger could be a victim of abuse is callous and I refuse to take part in a form of entertainment that belittles the idea that men are ALSO abused in this country, and it should not be made light of. I am a victim of domestic abuse, and I want everyone to know that BOTH men and women live in fear and violence, and I will not participate in this any further." Nope. She went on, and made her money. What a great spokesperson for the abused in this country. What a crock of shit!

Domestic abuse has been defined socially as a woman being beaten by a man. There is STILL no consideration for the thousands of men who live in fear of their wives and girlfriends. Ladies, listen to me. If you raise your hand to a man, you better be ready and willing to take a punch. How many women have struck first and played the victim? I guarantee MANY! We have made such an issue out of men hitting women that we have lost sight of what abuse really is. It is control. It is not allowing the one who loves you to be a person. They become a possession. They are controlled and beaten emotionally and physically to the point of losing the will to live. How can we place Rihanna and Tiger Woods even REMOTELY into that category? What is happening is EVERY incident of violence between people involved in a relationship falls under "domestic abuse". This is NOT helping the people who still do not see a way out of their situations.

Was it tacky and tasteless for SNL to parody Tiger Woods? Yes, it was. Frankly, that is the style of humor that SNL has become. They are tacky and tasteless and they go for the easy laugh. What we need to ask ourselves is why is it funny? Why did Rihanna go on that stage? It is funny because we don't take abuse inflicted on men seriously. Rihanna went on stage because she is NOT a victim of domestic abuse, she is the victim of a violent incident, and has NOT been scarred by it, but profited from it. She used the moment to sell albums, for fuck's sake!

Part of the freedom that we enjoy in this country is freedom of speech. If you are offended by the skit done by SNL, GOOD! Just be offended because the parody of Tiger was symbolic of the lack of attention paid to REAL domestic abuse that men endure, and NOT because the attention whore, Rihanna, might have been upset by it. Clearly she wasn't, but she may get a few more interviews out of pretending like she was. We need shows like SNL to shove in our faces what our culture reflects! The very definition of what is funny, is that it MUST be relatable to be funny. How many of you laughed at the idea of Tiger with a golf club wrapped around his head? Now, how many of you would have found it funny if that were true, and he was fighting for his life with head injuries and in a coma. We can't keep moving the line, people. We push it forward and pull it back until soon, the line is nothing but a blur. The skit was allowed because Tiger is not abused. Rihanna went on anyway because she did not have enough of a problem with what they were doing not to. What does that tell about us, as a society? It tells us that we have made a WAY bigger case out of one side, and not enough of one on the other. Where is the line? I think that SNL just showed you. Open your eyes and see it for what it was. It was just another weak attempt at going for the cheap laugh. The question is, why was it cheap, and why did Rihanna contribute to it?

Be offended, and be free. You cannot shut out what you find to be "offensive". You cannot silence those who mock something you see as serious. Comedy would die. It's very essence depends on the flaws in human nature. Just stop using every damn thing you don't like as a cause that has to be fought. Stop creating false heros and willing victims, and watch how fast shows like SNL go off the air. We need idiots like Rihanna and Tiger Woods, or you idiots would have nothing to talk about. It isn't like we are involved in a major war, and economic disaster, healthcare is in the toilet, and...oh, never mind it is DEFINITELY more important to bitch about Rihanna's black eye and Tiger's affairs. The sad thing is you just keep missing the big picture.

Nigga WHAT???

Tupac Makes Vatican MySpace Playlist

.

Tupac's song "Changes" is one of 9 entries on the MySpace page for Pope Benedict XVI's album "Alma Mater: Music From The Vatican."

Father Giulio Neroni, artistic director of church publisher St. Paul's Multimedia, helmed the list, CNN reports. He also compiled the songs for the Pope Benedict XVI's featured Alma Mater album..

Some might question the Vatican's use of a song from such a controversial artist. The jailed rapper ultimately succumbed to violence when he was fatally shot in Las Vegas in 1996.

http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/hiphopmediatraining/235935/tupac-makes-vatican-myspace-playlist/


Please forgive the title of this article, but know that it is simply my idea of what the late Tupac Shakur whould have said if he knew this was happening. That, my friends is the ONLY thing that I will apologize for in this entry. Frankly, I don't even know where to begin with this one. I will try to control my stream of consciousness and profanity to make a coherent and well reasoned post. I said TRY. I am not making any promises.

First, let me post for you the lyrics to the the song chosen, "Changes"....

Come on come on
I see no changes wake up in the morning and I ask myself
is life worth living should I blast myself?
I'm tired of bein' poor & even worse I'm black
my stomach hurts so I'm lookin' for a purse to snatch
Cops give a damn about a negro
pull the trigger kill a nigga he's a hero
Give the crack to the kids who the hell cares
one less hungry mouth on the welfare
First ship 'em dope & let 'em deal the brothers
give 'em guns step back watch 'em kill each other
It's time to fight back that's what Huey said
2 shots in the dark now Huey's dead
I got love for my brother but we can never go nowhere
unless we share with each other
We gotta start makin' changes
learn to see me as a brother instead of 2 distant strangers
and that's how it's supposed to be
How can the Devil take a brother if he's close to me?
I'd love to go back to when we played as kids
but things changed, and that's the way it is

[Bridge w/ changing ad libs]
Come on come on
That's just the way it is
Things'll never be the same
That's just the way it is
aww yeah
[Repeat]

[2]
I see no changes all I see is racist faces
misplaced hate makes disgrace to races
We under I wonder what it takes to make this
one better place, let's erase the wasted
Take the evil out the people they'll be acting right
'cause both black and white is smokin' crack tonight
and only time we chill is when we kill each other
it takes skill to be real, time to heal each other
And although it seems heaven sent
We ain't ready, to see a black President, uhh
It ain't a secret don't conceal the fact
the penitentiary's packed, and it's filled with blacks
But some things will never change
try to show another way but you stayin' in the dope game
Now tell me what's a mother to do
bein' real don't appeal to the brother in you
You gotta operate the easy way
"I made a G today" But you made it in a sleazy way
sellin' crack to the kid. " I gotta get paid,"
Well hey, well that's the way it is

[Bridge]

[Talking:]
We gotta make a change...
It's time for us as a people to start makin' some changes.
Let's change the way we eat, let's change the way we live
and let's change the way we treat each other.
You see the old way wasn't working so it's on us to do
what we gotta do, to survive.

[3]
And still I see no changes can't a brother get a little peace
It's war on the streets & the war in the Middle East
Instead of war on poverty they got a war on drugs
so the police can bother me
And I ain't never did a crime I ain't have to do
But now I'm back with the facts givin' it back to you
Don't let 'em jack you up, back you up,
crack you up and pimp slap you up
You gotta learn to hold ya own
they get jealous when they see ya with ya mobile phone
But tell the cops they can't touch this
I don't trust this when they try to rush I bust this
That's the sound of my tool you say it ain't cool
my mama didn't raise no fool
And as long as I stay black I gotta stay strapped
& I never get to lay back
'Cause I always got to worry 'bout the pay backs
some buck that I roughed up way back
comin' back after all these years
rat-a-tat-tat-tat-tat that's the way it is uhh

[Bridge 'til fade]

There are two types of Tupac fans in the world, ones that love him and ones that love to hate him. Then, there are those of us who live in the real world. Tupac Shakur lived a life riddled with violence and hatred. His mother was a long standing member of The Black Panthers. He grew up in East Harlem, where is youth and innocence was stolen by the streets. I would advise anyone with any opinion at all on this man to read, at the very least, the information contained in Wikipedia. He is a poster child for the hatred that has consumed this country. His death, and his life speak to the violence and racism that still exists no matter who won this past election.

My personal opinion of Tupac Shakur is a complicated one. I am not a fan of the ganster rap genre. I find it to be hypocritcal in it's message and promoting of a lifestyle that inevitably leads to pain and death. The artists would tell you otherwise. Their claim is that they speak of their lives and experiences in the hopes of opening people's eyes to the violence and racism that they endure. This message, in their opinion, will lead others AWAY from that life, and make them understand that we need to rise above the pain of our pasts, and become one people. Bullshit. I might believe that if many of these rappers with millions of dollars had abandoned their ways of the past, but they have not. There is great pain contained within the lyrics of their music. It is a world that many of us cannot understand or relate to, but unfortunately, there are many who can. I have heard good people who have overcome the trappings of gang life spout on and on about how they love Tupac because he speaks for them, and their suffering. I do not understand this, nor will I ever have the life experience to have relatable feelings on the matter. Here is another example of Tupac's success as a mentor and role model...

Yeah nigga
Yo Pac (That's right)
Yo, I heard you got beat up by the police
Got a big fat lawsuit and everything (yeah)
Niggaz just wanna know if your still gonna be on some crooked ass nigga shit

[2pac Verse 1]
Please tell me what's a nigga to do and it's true
Ain't nuttin' new so I do what I can to get through
Now first they had me trapped and now I'm pissed
A loaded AK47 layin on my hips so don't trip
One motherfucker from the underground
And Big Stretch buckin' niggaz if they fuck around
Yo, why ya'll got beef with police?
Ain't that a bitch them motherfuckers gotta beef with me
They make it hard for me to sleep
I wake up at the slightest peep and my sheets are 3 feet deep
I guess it's hard for you to see
But now I'm pointin the finger at police instead of motherfuckers blamin' me
I got the right to bear a pistol
And when them punk motherfuckers get to trippin' I got shit too
And maybe then you'll see the truth
But until then I gotta do what I do and stay a crooked nigga too

[Chorus]
It's all up to you
But until then I gotta do what I do and stay a crooked nigga too
And maybe then you'll see the truth (awwwwww)
But until then I gotta do what I do and stay a crooked nigga too
It's all up to you
But until then I gotta do what I do and stay a crooked nigga too
And maybe then you'll see the truth (awwwwww) Oooh!
You can't fuck with the crew, a crooked nigga too

[2pac Verse 2]
You know you really can't say that you blame niggaz
Fuck bein' tame, set a flame, tryin' to aim triggaz
2pac'll spark a revolution, fuck the constitution
I want my bucks for restitution
This time you got a bigger problem
Time to face the niggas from South Central, Oakland, Brooklyn and Harlem
And we ain't shootin' at eachother (fuck no), that's a motherfuckin' brother
So save two, run for cover
And other bitches from the clan
Come feel the wrath of a black man that doesn't smoke crack and
I don't drink St. Ides (fuck that!)
Genuine draft ganja ganja and my fuckin' Tec-9
They know their scared to see us sober (awwwww)
Cobra - And niggaz will take the world over
It's all up to you (up to you) Blame the Korean (fuck that)
I'll be a crooked nigga too

[Chorus]
It's all up to you
But until then I gotta do what I do and stay a crooked nigga too
And maybe then you'll see the truth (awwwwww)
But until then I gotta do what I do and stay a crooked nigga too
It's all up to you
But until then I gotta do what I do and stay a crooked nigga too
And maybe then you'll see the truth (awwwwww) Oooh!
You can't fuck with the crew, a crooked nigga too

[2pac Verse 3]
Pardon me, ?? has been God and try me
I'll be damned if I die come look at the rage in my eyes G
They got my homies in a jail cell
Now it's the rebel and the devil and one of us is goin' to hell
I got the whole place covered with loc'ed out brothers
And nothing but love for eachother
So motherfucker make a motion
I give a fuck, slice you up, and throw your ass in the ocean
Temperatures drop
See it's cool to shoot a nigga but they hate it when we pop the cops
That's when they gettin' petrol
You better watch your step or you'll be left on deathrow
But I learned to look ahead of me
Stay strapped, watch your back, keep your eyes on the enemy
We blowin' up precincts and oooohhhh you can't fuck with the crew
A crooked nigga too

[Chorus]
It's all up to you
But until then I gotta do what I do and stay a crooked nigga too
And maybe then you'll see the truth (awwwwww)
But until then I gotta do what I do and stay a crooked nigga too
It's all up to you
But until then I gotta do what I do and stay a crooked nigga too
And maybe then you'll see the truth (awwwwww) Oooh!
You can't fuck with the crew, a crooked nigga too

Sorry folks, but this man was FAR FROM someone who should be considered a role model or a mentor. He died in the very life that he chose to die in. We all have choices in this world, and Tupac made his, and paid the ultimate price for it. Now, before you get all in a huff over my irreverence toward this man, listen to me. I see Tupac as an INCREDIBLE talent. His ability to speak to people and move them to empowerment is undeniable. He was a man of vast ability and drive. Tupac Shakur took what was an unbearable pain and made it into a billion dollar business. That is the American way. You take what you can, and you make the best of it. The only problem is, it was the best for HIM, not for society itself. He MAY have intended the lyrics to be heard and understood one way, but as with any art form, it is open for interpretation. Tupac may very well have killed more young men and women than he saved. We can only speculate on the true impact of this genre of music. I am not concerned for the suburban brats who sag their pants and hang his poster on the wall, I am concerned for the young men and women who live the same life as Tupac. I am concerned that their ability to relate to him, and his music will be their demise. There is an air of justification for their actions in his music. The words may sound as if they are carrying one message, but the whole composition itself holds quite a different effect. There is an anger and resentment that is apparent to anyone who listens and feels the music, not just reads the lyrics or turns the station when they hear the pounding baselines.

So, I read this article this morning about the Catholic Church including one of Tupac's songs as part of their My Space music list. I am stunned. I sat back in my chair and took a moment to think about what the motivation here must be. Well, it didn't take me long to come to the conclusion that Tupac and The Vatican have a shared motive. Money. I will, however, give credit where credit is due. I DO enjoy the fact that The Vatican just shot itself in the ass with their customer base. By that, I mean, how many good, white, racist Catholics just felt like they have been deeply betrayed? That gives me a warm fuzzy feeling in the pit of my stomach to know that there are white mommies and daddies who will no longer allow their children to be on The Vatican's My Space page. I mean, it is ok for them to aknowledge artists like Tina Turner and Nat King Cole, after all, thems is good entertainment, quality, down home, obedient colored folks. But TUPAC SHAKUR??? Oh my, what would grandma say, assuming she even knew what My Space is. There it is, folks. My Space is a draw for the next generation. It is young, and has abandoned the backwards thinking generation that hates technology and the constant hustle and bustle of "kids today". Put very simply, they are trying a new recruiting method. It is brlliant in one way, and incredibly foolish in another. What the good perverts of the Vatican seem to forget is that racism still runs with vigor through the world. Do these morons think that just because Tupac was American and we now have a black president, that they are free to welcome a brotha into their ranks of morally upstanding and superior? NOPE! They are trying to show how "open minded" they are, and prove to the world that they are not the judgemental dickheads that we, without indoctrination, already know that they are? They have to be kidding, right?

Sadly, they are not kidding. They think that if they succumb to the pressures of the next generation and show how "hip and open minded" they are, their chances of recruiting are better. What an unbelieveable bunch of BULLSHIT! Let me remind all of you that this is the organization that dictates who can and cannot marry. They dictate what you can and cannot do with your own bodies. They STILL hold women as second class citizens within their ranks. This is all fine and good for the catholic, straight white male, but how in the name of FUCK, can one rationalize the life of a man like Tupac Shakur and the teachings of the Catholic church?

Hey fuckheads, yeah, you, Father whatever the fuck, are you completely insane? I will bold this part for you. TUPAC SHAKUR'S MUSIC WAS A REFLECTION OF GANG VIOLENCE. IT BROUGHT TO LIGHT THE SUFFERING AND DEATH OF THOUSANDS OF BLACK MEN AND WOMEN AT THE HANDS OF CORRUPT POLICE FORCES AND RACIST, HATEFUL WHITES! HE ALSO BROUGHT BLACK ON BLACK CRIME TO OUR ATTENTION, AND FED THE RACISTS WHO JUSTIFY THEIR DEATHS! HE WAS A MAN WHO WAS NEVER SILENT ABOUT HIS LOVE OF GOD AND HIS FAITH. HE DIED AT THE OTHER END OF A GUN ONLY BECAUSE HE DIDN'T SHOOT FIRST! HE HAS RECRUITED MORE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN TO FOLLOW HIM THAT YOU CAN EVER IMAGINE! BUT YOU, YOU FUCKING HYPOCRITE, THINK THAT YOU CAN MAKE ONE OF HIS SONGS AN EXAMPLE OF HOW TO LIVE, AND YET PREVENT GAY MEN FROM MARRYING EACH OTHER???? YOU ARE FUCKING INSANE!!!!

Come on, guys. Why no big press release and speech from the head of your band of goons on this WONDERFUL new acceptance to your ranks? OH, I know why, because you have a target audience and you DAMN WELL know better than to make it TOO public and lose your base. I can't even come up with a list of adjectives for what I think you are for pulling this stunt. You just keep bending the rules to fit what the times demand. You are doing whatever a good business does to keep up with the changing times. I can see that. Unfortunately, your bleating sheep cannot. If they can't see you for what you are, they are even more idiotic than I once thought. The Catholic church just made a man who lived his life based in money, crime, anger, theft, violence, rape, hatred, intolerance, greed, and blasphemy an example of what is good.

Hey, maybe I am being too hard on them. Maybe Father whatever the fuck REALLY sees the pure artistry and pain of the inner city black man. Maybe he sees the suffering of humanity through the lyrics of a dead gangster rapper. Maybe he, in his heart, knows that if Tupac had the opportunities provided to the middle class, white catholic he would still be alive and working as an accountant somewhere. Maybe he knows, all too well, the trappings of poverty and the anger that can arise from it. Maybe he sees that our youth is in desperate need of positive role models, and also has the ability to discern symbolism for reality. I highly doubt that last one. So do you, don't you Father whatever the fuck. As a matter of fact, that is what you are "banking on", isn't it? Maybe what you actually want is some of that money that they are spending on Tupac posters, and not in your organization. After all, if they take Tupac's lyrics literally, they will take your "lyrics" literally too.

Merry Fuckin Christmas!

'Tis the season for detecting Epilepsy in your family members. It's "twinkle light" time, folks! I watched my next door neighbor hang his twinkly lights that are loosely designed to resemble ice cycles. This man should consider a career in the circus. He must have missed this year's ladder safety training. I don't know if all of you realize this, but there ARE instructions on your ladder. When they tell you that this ladder is to be placed on a level surface and you are NOT to step above the yellow part, they mean it. When did twinkle lights become more important to us than the safety and well being of our family members? I see this every year, wives standing on the ground or in the doorway pointing out that the lights are sagging or not EXACTLY lining the gutter. Come on guys, get over that fear of falling 4 stories to your death, and hang the damn lights so that the whole neighborhood can be in awe of how perfectly straight they are!

For me, twinkly lights are the core symbolism of the Christmas season. I drive past people's homes with string upon string of twinkly lights all blinking in different rhythms, colors clashing and making your head hurt, perfectly lined gutters with trees that look like a midget just threw them randomly in the air, and where they land is where they stay. What the hell is wrong with you people?? Listen to me. I don't know who the hell came up with the idea that red and green should EVER be used together in decorating. I do know this though, that big inflatable snow globe that contains a man with a beer belly wearing a red suit, and little people that resemble children is obnoxious and really does not help to accentuate the blinking blue ice cycle lights hanging from your porch railing. By far, my favorite pointless holiday decoration has to be the cemetery wreath, it ranks right up there with the flagpole with lights creatively strung from the top to resemble a pine cone. Oh sorry, that was Pagan/Wiccan symbolism. You mean it to look like a tree, huh? Oh well, you should know that is Pagan too. Yes, that's right. Jesus had NOTHING to do with pine trees. That is a little detail you should have investigated before you stole the symbolism for your "Christian holiday". But I digress, back to cemetery wreaths. You Do know that whoever is buried there is dead, right? I am just asking because I can not figure how this is a reasonable tradition. Nothing says "Merry Christmas" like driving past a vast sea of death and seeing hundreds of green circles with red bows on them.

I also question this little decorating contradiction. Why the hell do you have Santa on the roof in a red sleigh and pulled by reindeer while displaying a Nativity scene in the front lawn? Why not light a menorah and hang the star of David from your tree just to make sure you have all the bases covered! Now, don't forget about hanging strings of blinking stars and snowflakes all around your red, green and black candles. You don't know what that is? Ok, it is for Kwanzaa celebrations. I know, I know, "that is just a made up holiday, blah blah..." Are you kidding me? You jackasses worship the idea of a child born to a virgin (you need to look up the word virgin), and being given gifts from kings who travelled HOW FAR following just a star, all the while believing some shit about a fat man breaking into your home to bring you shit that YOU just bought. YET, you call THAT holiday made up? Seriously?

Ok so, I am willing to let all of that slide. As ridiculous as it all is, I get it. You want a reason to shop. That is all this boils down to, right? We have to shop for the newest decorations. We have to shop for our co workers that we bitch about everyday. We have to shop for our already over indulged children. We have to shop for the inlaws that you see once a year ONLY because you have to. Wait a minute. Am i missing the point here? Maybe I am. Let me do some thinking on it.

I am done thinking now. This is the conclusion that I have come to. You are all full of shit. How do you hear terms like "Black Friday", "biggest shopping day of the year", "Christmas madness sale" and really think that this holiday has anything to do with anything other than greed? You call this the "season for sharing and giving", but come on now. I hear people complain about their gifts, compare the monetary value of one gift versus another, complain about the "stress of the season", and I think you are all insane.

Someone PLEASE explain to me how the birth of "the son of god" and being brought gifts from three kings translates into "Black Friday". For those of you who don't know what that actually means, it means the day that retail stores go "into the black", in other words, MAKE THE MOST MONEY!

HAHA, and you Christians use the term "Jewish" for being greedy or cheap. Go buy another set of twinkle lights and scream at your husband to hang them straight. Just please thank the Pagans for 90% of your stupid Christian tradition. Have fun at church on Christmas, just make sure you buy a new outfit for the occasion, Petite Sophisticate needs to make it into the black.

I will be at home with my kids, living in the real world and explaining to them where these traditions really come from, and what sharing actually is. I know that sounds crazy, but it works for me. We will have fun, relax and enjoy each other's company, whether or not Wal Mart makes it into the black. Your nativity scene and twinkle lights may say Christmas to you, but family and love are what your stupid commercial holiday means to me. Thank you, I will steal it from you the same way you have stolen it for hundreds of years. Thanks again, and Merry fuckin Christmas holiday shoppers!