Rap's Scottish Roots?

While most don't associate rap with a bunch of white guys in skirts, a University of New Mexico professor traces the music’s roots back to the barrooms of medieval Scotland, the London Telegraph reports. “The Scots have a lengthy tradition of flyting—intense verbal jousting, often laced with vulgarity, that is similar to the dozens that one finds among contemporary inner-city African-American youth,” Professor Ferenc Szasz argues.

As the logic goes, Scottish settlers in America brought flyting with them, passing the notoriously obscene custom on to their slaves; later, flyting turned into rap battles, and a genre was born. "Two people engage in ritual verbal dueling and the winner has the last word in the argument, with the loser falling conspicuously silent,” another professor says, comparing the two contests.


I read this article a couple of times trying to find the professor's logic. However, I find his arguments to be flawed on many levels. It is true that rap lyrics have increased in their vulgarity but its origins do not stem from "flyting".

Source: Daily Telegraph (UK)

Rather's Actions: Rather Surprising

(Newser) – Regardless of the outcome of former anchor Dan Rather's lawsuit against CBS for his firing over a George Bush National Guard story, one man is not going to be pleased: the president. The case is bound to revisit embarrassing charges that Bush received favorable treatment and dodged requirements serving in the Texas Air National Guard during the Vietnam war, reports the Guardian.

Rather was fired for airing a story on Bush's record based on falsified documents. But other evidence in Bush's service history indicates that some of the details of the story that the president ducked duty requirements are true. Rather is suing CBS for $70 million, claiming that he was axed so CBS could curry favor with the White House.

I must say I did not know Dan Rather had it in him. While there have been criticisms about the way Rather and his producer violated the (get this) several tenets of fair journalism, it is agreed that Bush did dodge the draft. Anybody else would of been subjected to a court martial and jail time. I doubt CBS will win this one.

Wade: Giving Back

In light of the many losers in sports (Plaxico Burress) there are many stories that go unnoticed and underappreciated. Dwayne Wade gave a new house to a Florida family whose home burned down in a fire. In addition their new home, furnishings, clothing, and gifts for the holidays were given to the family.

Wade said "It’s not about what you’re going to receive, but what you can give to others from what you’ve received.” I am very proud of Wade for not only his generosity but his perspective on what his role should be in helping others. I just wish more people in his position thought the same way.

"Yesterday’s hiring of Ron English by Eastern Michigan brings the total number of African-American head coaches in major college football to five—out of 119. That miniscule number underscores the barriers black coaches face, and, Michael Rosenberg writes for Fox Sports, the need for a black coach to dissolve those barriers by winning big, like Georgetown’s John Thompson did in college hoops."

The wording in this article is so typical. The writer presumes that if more black coaches won more games then it would open the door for more of them to be hired. What's not being addressed is black coaches are not even being opportunities to coach at all. The barrier is a racist system that will not hire black coaches regardless of their merits.

New Secret Service Protocol

Found this comic online andI have been tears ever since.

Earth Day

Paz people,

Today is my earth day! I have no idea what I will do today. I am just happy I am blessed to reach another year on this earth!

Balco Mannequins

The world of steroids has even affected the lifeless. Today as I walked to the Marina Mall I passed by two "Arnold" mannequins at a shop. These mannequins are definitely down with Balco.  There is not a big weight lifting craze in Kuwait so I wonder who their target audience is. And who can where those clothes now?

Biggest Underreported Stories of 2008

Below are just a couple of the biggest stories of 2008 that were swept under the rug or underreported.

(Newser)

A pentagon gaffe accidentally sent nuclear warhead fuses to Taiwan in 2006; the mix-up was noted this year--by the Taiwanese. 

This gaffe is really beyond belief. Its like sending a war ravaged country extra gun clips as opposed to aid. Oh yeah, and forgetting to mention it.

FDA guidelines for genetically engineered meat (omega- 3 stuffed pigs, anyone?) favor food companies over consumers, and fail to demand labels identifying the meat's origins.

Translation: We do not care what's in your food so long as you buy it.

The Congolese civil war steadily intensifies, displacing 1 million people; cholera epidemics and refugee camp overcrowding are concerns. 

The Congo has almost an unlimited supply of natural resources that are have been and continue to be exploited during this war.

Rising violence in Sri Lanka takes more lives than fighting in Afghanistan this year. 

Its amazing how the ongoing violence in Sri Lanka does not get enough coverage.

War Criminal and Their Soft Sentences

1994:  Rwandan refugees pleading with Zairean soldiers to let them cross the border.

                                                 Theoneste Bagosora: War Criminal 

(AP)- A UN court has convicted the organizer of the 1994 Rwandan genocide that claimed more than 500,000 lies and sentenced him to life in prison, reports the AP. Theoneste Bagosora was found guilty of genocide and crimes against humanity, as well as the deaths of Rwandan prime minister and Belgian peacekeepers. As head of the notorious Interahamwer militia, he directed Hutu soldiers to kill Tutsis and moderate Hutus.

I am still amazed out how long it takes for justice to be handed down to those for responsible for genocide. The sentence handed down was too soft. It would of been fitting for him to dropped off in the villages of the thousands he helped murder. I am sure the Rwandans would gave him quite the homecoming.

7 Pounds= Oscar (It Better)

Will Smith may go down as the greatest actor of all time. Seven Pounds is hands down the best movie of the past couple of years (Aside from the Last King of Scotland). Will Smith deserves two Oscar's for his role. Rosario Dawson and Woody Harrleson were great too. In fact I think this movie really displayed the depths of their acting talents.  I am proud of him for choosing roles outside of what Black actors typically choose. Kudos Brah

Obama Sighting

When I first saw this picture it was very scary. To know President Elect Obama has a twin from the Philippines is amazing. I hope he gets employed as his double.

Bush Meets Shoe

The recent "shoeing" of Bush while addressing journalists in Iraq will go down in history for a multitude of reasons. For one its quite a fitting summary to what his presidency symbolized for many Iraqis and other people world wide. Muthathar al Zaidi, the courageous shoe hurler cursed Bush saying "this is a goodbye kiss, you dog," Hurling both shoes at a person is considered one of the lowest forms of disrespect in Arab culture. It also marks one of the first time in which a world leader has been disrespected on such a low level.

I have taken the time to post some of the insightful comments about the incident:

A barefoot honest man.

The reporter sounds like a candidate for a Nobel Peace Prize.

Who wants to be an american at that juncture? I hope Bush would visit Palestine and Afghanistan....

This is a great video clip to mark the end of Bush's career.

No world leader has ever had a shoe thrown at him/her in history.

WoW! Great Video should have connected to bad maybe next time when about 20 do it at the same time at home

That's right, Maliki "deserves a shoe too.

Why are Americans so hated? Wouldn't you hate people that attacked your country for no reason, killed over a million innocent people, occupied it, and stole its oil?? Not to mention during the 1990s held sanctions against it, blocked medicines, and caused the deaths of 500,000 children? The U.S. has probably killed 2 or 3 million Iraqis in a decade.

Back to School/Next Japenese Millionare

Peace people, the vacation is over and its now back to school for a week then the xmas vacation is here! The week off was well deserved and I was sure got lots of rest. I found a hobby shop in the city which specializes in RC cars and airplanes. They even sell nitro over the counter for the cars. I will definitely back there.

As I was stumbling through the web I found a page about androids. Le Trung, a Japanese engineer created a full human android that appeared at the HobbyShow in Ontario. Naming the Android the Aiko, Trung notes her following capabilities are:

1. Facial Expressions
2. Make tea and coffee
3. Feed me sushi
4. Make simple breakfast: eggs and bacon
5. If I lie my head down on Aiko lap, have her clean my ears with a Q-tip.
6. Ability to massage my shoulders and neck.
7. Able to do print and write
8. Clean the windows
9. Dust the shelves
10. Clean my toilet. (I hate cleaning the bathroom, might as well have someone else do it for me)

Trung also programmed Aiko sexual abilities as well. However he says that Aiko "is a virgin." Whatever the case may be Trung will be the fastest millionare in history once he perfects his androids. Men will be lining up from all walks of life to buy one. Watch out ladies.

December Nimrods

Another Spitzer!

Sad thing is, he actually seems happy and content

If I had his contract they would offer me the Nobel Peace Prize.


These three take the cake for idiots of the year. All three manage to make the worst out of the best situations.

About Time

Times – The Tuskegee Airmen of WWII have been invited to the inauguration of the nation's first black president, the New York Times reports. Barack Obama has acknowledged his debt to the elite all-black force, whose heroes fought for a country that discriminated against them. Now in their 80s and 90s, it's unclear how many of the roughly 330 surviving members can make the trek to Washington.

I remember researching this group of prestigious men and other black forces such as the Harlem Hell fighters. Many of them opted to stay in European countries such as Italy and France because they were treated better on foreign soil then in their own country.

Its ironic how Bill Clinton affectionately known as Bubba to many African Americans, has never extended an invite to this courageous group of men. But he does he eat fried chicken, so I guess he always be in the clear with blacks.

Kudos to the Obama Administration.

Honda Legend?

While I do not want to continue bringing cars back up, I would be remiss if I did not share what I saw.

While walking in Kuwait I finally found one of the greatest cars (aside from the Acura NSX) ever made, the Acura Legend. The Legend has always been my dream car and I lived that dream briefly last year. However some cornball's from DC crushed that dream when they vandalized my Legend. The Acura's here are different though. I noticed that the Acura emblems are replaced with Honda ones inside and outside of the car. Other than its the same exact car. The cool thing is the Legend's are not popular here so therefore not as expensive. Seeing both the sedan and the coupe is a sign from up above that I should get one too. I am thinking these cars would be a collector's item back home just because of the Honda Emblem alone.

VIVA

Many of the telecom companies in Kuwait are very expensive. You have to pay for your incoming calls plus loads of other fees. I am constantly adding more credit to my account when I call home. VIVA, Kuwait newest telecom company will be offering free incoming calls be they locally or internationally! I will be joining the bandwagon as soon as possible. Will provide a review of its service soon.

Beamers

Since I've been in Kuwait I have seen quite a few 8 series BMW's. For those who don't know, the 8 series was BMW's flagship model that was produced from 1989-1999, stock with a v8 or v12 option. Top speeds of 186 mph could be reached! Unlike most BMW's, the 8 series strayed from the traditional BMW frame by having sleek front and a refine chassis ..I took pics of both these cars in not the most affluent of areas, leading me to believe that I too can live the dream!



A couple of weeks ago I saw a 7 series that caught my eye because it looked unique. The car was longer and a larger wheelbase than the 750. As I got a closer look at the car I saw L7 written on the back...I looked it up and found that it comes with a fax machine, phone, Icebox, and the Mobile Multimedia Office. Nuff said.

Back In Commission

Peace to my faithful readers...I have been getting over a cold, thus the reason for the lack of posts...I finally went out to get some air today. I went to downtown Kuwait and took some pics and of course had some Iranian food. With all the bright lights and vibrant billboard's, Kuwait's downtown area will soon look like 42nd Street Times Square. I stopped by a shopping center and found a hobby shop that was filled with RC airplanes, cars, and helicopters. It was cool to find one in here and I will be sure purchase a airplane I just recently became an RC enthusiast and its a great experience. I just need to buy cheaper RC planes because I have a knack for crashing them. Enjoy the pics which are as always taken with my Nokia E90.

Paz

Go Green

This past Sunday I went with some of my students to participate in "Go Green", a event in which teams race and complete other activities using eco-friendly ways. Some of the activities included tree planting, trash pickup, and car washes. The event was created by L'INC, development organization in Kuwait that seeks to instill the ideals of leadership and global citizenship in Kuwait youth. I was impressed with the level of organization that LINC leaders possess.

While groups were stationed all over the city, we were at Sharq Mall. It was cool to see so many youth present and ready to take part in the days activities. The most successful teams had to use the least mileage and be as strategic as possible.
However my team was not as motivated as others. There were many breakdowns i communication that led us to losing just about every single race.

Kudos to L'INC