99th Problem

Thank You Mr. Frank

Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank has been politically active for nearly 45 years. Passionately fighting for people's quality of life with his quick wit and sharp tongue. One of the first openly gay members of congress in 1987 who believes his coming out was helpful to the cause of gay rights because "the best antidote to prejudice is reality." 

After seeing the redrawn lines of his district and in the midst of a terminally divided government, Mr. Frank has decided to retire. The redistricting adds 325,000 new constituents and would no longer include New Bedford, one of his strongholds. Whether then spending his time left campaigning for one term (as he planned to retire at the end of 2014) he has decided to retire early and continue fighting for federal deficit reduction and for changes in the financial industry.

Barney Frank stood up to the banking industry in the aftermath of our financial crisis, refusing to apologize when they complained of his harsh tone. At 71, his retirement is certainly well deserved. Although he made clear that this is not a retirement of his advocacy, believing that he will have a greater impact writing and speaking for change outside of the constricting political process.

Within Temptation - Shot In The Dark

Within Temptation - The Howling

Be Thankful & Know Your History

While I fully support the concept of Thanksgiving, my heart is not entirely in it. I embrace the idea of being thankful for what you have and grateful for the people you hold dear but I am Native American and for most of us it is a reminder of the beginning of a sad time for our people.

In 1621 a group of religious separatists aka pilgrims from Plymouth, England came on the ship called the Mayflower and landed near Cape Cod, Massachusetts. They came poor, sickened with disease and struggled to grow crops. Many were dying. Squanto, a Native American found them in a pitiful state.  The Wampanog tribe helped them survive the winter and taught them how to grow food. My people were wary having experienced European slave traders, but it is their way to give freely to those who have nothing. 

To most of the colonists the Native Americans were considered heathens and of the devil. They saw Squanto not as an equal but as an instrument of their God to help his chosen people. At the first Thanksgiving, they came together sharing food. That was the last bit of  harmony that the colonists and my ancestors shared. What came next? A history full of betrayal, blood and tears. A true genocide of the Native American people.

Reflection is necessary and is needed often, not just once a year. It is important to be thankful but also to be educated by knowing your history. It is by this that you can come up with your own conclusion. Don't take everything a face value. Do your research and remember to analyze. Not all things they teach you in school are entirely accurate.

Twitterpated

Twitter was been around for many years. I was always curious but had opted out since I was already social networking in numerous other ways. Well, I could deny myself no longer. I have given in and within the last 48 hours have become completely twitterpated. Following my favorite musicians, news media sources, actors, movements, comedians, and friends in text based posts no more then 140 characters long was finally too much temptation for this geek to handle. Especially with my short attention span, it was just what I needed. If you enjoy my blog then I welcome you to follow me @MtntopPrincess. Much love to the outernet. 

Dear Mr. President

I proudly voted for you during the last election and I ask one thing of you now. Please help the peaceful occupy wall street protesters. Our rights to freedom of speech and to peacefully assemble are being violated to a scale that I thought we had moved past in this country. Instead, I am being reminded of the horrific 1968 Chicago Democratic convention beatings and the massacre at Kent State in 1970. Pregnant women, war veterans, senior citizens, college students,  and many others are being brutally attacked by police and you do nothing. I beg you to step in and help us now. If you are the man I believe you to be then you will stop this madness.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/submit-questions-and-comments

Lady Gaga - Bad Romance

Police Pepper Spray Seated Protesters

Police Lieutenant John Pike of the UC Davis Campus first shows off his red canister of pepper-spray and then douses 30 peacefully sitting demonstrators at point blank range. I encourage you to email and call this pathetic excuse for an officer and a human being as I have. The police are meant to protect and serve. Instead I see a large amount of fascist, totalitarian and unaccountable wall street thugs.   

 His number is 530-752-3989 and his email is  japikeiii@ucdavis.edu

Lady Gaga - Poker Face

Global Revolution

Happy Anniversary OWS! Today marks the two month anniversary of Occupy Wall Street. Despite the countless arrests, police beatings and break ups of their encampments; protesters remain ever vigilant.

  

"You cannot evict an idea whose time has come. We are the 99%. We are everywhere" - OWS

 http://www.livestream.com/globalrevolution/share?utm_source=lsplayer&utm_medium=ui-share&utm_campaign=globalrevolution&utm_content=globalrevolution 

John Lennon - Instant Karma

Makana - We Are The Many

I can not imagine a better anthem for the Occupy movement. This song is so pure, so heartfelt, so honest. It brought tears to my eyes. Makana was hired to perform for the APEC convention this past weekend. He played this song for over 40 minutes at the event in Hawaii; in front of President Obama, China's President Hu Jintao and many other world leaders. Such a courageous spirit. A true inspiration for the movement. Mahalo Makana.

Youth Bring Hope To Occupy Portland on 11.11.11

Because of 7,000 protesters like the girls below; Occupy Portland was not shut down as eviction notices had promised. Another victory for the Occupy Movement.  

Berkeley Protests

The honorable men and women who wear uniforms of authority have been disgraced. Seeing police beat up peaceful protesters makes me ill. I know California is a military state but to see such a travesty in this day and age in my own country is hard for even me to believe. The videos below are of students and family members protesting peacefully and being beaten for exercising their constitutional rights. Brutality will not silence our voice. Power to the peaceful!

K'NAAN

Phenomenal poet, rapper, singer, songwriter and instrumentalist with roots laying in Somalia and Canada. Currently placed at the helm of educating the world about not only his homeland Somalia, but calling to end all bloodshed and violence. Specifically trying to avoid gangster rap cliches realizing that kind of lifestyle is nothing to brag about or strive towards. I was a little late at falling in love, "Wavin' Flag" was my first official taste of his music and was also 2010's FIFA World Cup anthem. One of my musical dreams is to see K'nann and Michael Franti collaborate. They are masters of rhyme and are both dedicated to helping the world move in a positive direction. Maybe someday my dream will come to fruition. I am sending this post to both of my idols in hopes they will consider intertwining their wisdom to create an enlightened message that the world is in dire need of.

http://knaanmusic.ning.com/

Dylan Brann

Author of Lifeline, The Russian Diary, Red Phantom, winner of multiple writing contests, and in my opinion the next big thing that Hollywood is waiting for. As I've mentioned in previous blogs, I am a connoisseur of music. I am a connoisseur of literature as well. I dearly love movies, reading, art and music til no end. Mr. Brann manages to seamlessly include something for every genre lover. Every piece verging into the worlds of  action, suspense, violence, love and mystery. The sky is the limit for this young up and comer. Make sure to check out the links below and purchase his novel as well. Receive the luxury of loving this artist before everyone is doing it.

http://www.amazon.com/Lifeline-ebook/dp/B004RCLVZ0

http://dylanbrann.com/ 

 http://dylanbrann.tumblr.com/

https://twitter.com/#!/DylanBrann

http://www.facebook.com/LifelineNovel 

GerbArt

I dedicate this post to the fantastic creations of Gerben denHeeten. There is no shortage of treasures when it comes to his comedic satire and undeniable passion for art. His unique twist on beloved classic pop culture makes this geeky girl laugh every time. If you are a fan of art, comedy and comics then make sure to let him tickle your funny bone. Also, purchase the sweet looking phone case below. He's dutch, an artist and from the Netherlands, what is there not to love?

"Star - Sexy Stormtrooper" iPhone Cases by GerbArt | RedBubble:

http://www.redbubble.com/people/gerbart/works/7871440-star-sexy-stormtrooper

http://www.gerb-art.com

http://www.sexbommen.blogspot.com

http://www.pinupyourwife.com

http://www.redbubble.com/people/gerbart

http://www.stripster.eu/blogs/Gerben

Loreena McKennitt

Loreena McKennitt is a world wide celebrated singer/composer. Self managed, self produced and the head of her own music label. She has been creating hypnotizing music for more then two decades. Winner of countless awards and the founder of many charities. Loreena McKennitt is truly gifted and a shining example of music shaped by creative expression through education and tradition. Her music is simply timeless and is a pure pleasure to listen to.

http://www.quinlanroad.com/

Gods and Greek Economy

Jurassic Park Character's Awful Realization

Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwoʻole - Somewhere over the Rainbow

The Goat Rodeo Sessions

The Goat Rodeo Sessions is a recent collaboration of Yo-Yo Ma, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer, and Chris Thile. A mostly instrumental album where Celtic, bluegrass and classical music form a sublime fuse. What is a goat rodeo you may be asking yourself. The urban dictionary describes it as the most polite term used by aviation people (and others in higher risk situations) to describe a scenario that requires about 100 things to go right at once if you intend to walk away from it. There couldn't be a more accurate or humorous title. Simply put, it is music in its purest form created uniquely by four gentlemen who are masters of their craft. 

http://www.yo-yoma.com/news/goat-rodeo-sessions                             http://www.punchbrothers.com/