As you may know, marijuana is an illegal plant (not drug) that has been outlwed by the country. I really do not understand why though. I believe marijuana is not a drug, but a plant. How can you make something that just grows illegal? That is like making fruit illegal because it is not helping with the obesity problem in the United States.

          I know many people who love marijuana, whether they are smoking it or not. It is completely natural. It has been proven by many studies to treat various illnesses and diseases. It has helped people deal with stress, loss of apetite, cancer, aids, chronic pain, lack of sleep, and many other other illnesses. Did I mention that the plant is all natural?

          Many people however, are opposed to the drug because it is bad for you. They claim that the marijuana plant is not good for your memory or your motivation in the long run. And in addition to that, many people have said that marijuana does not help and is not a good medinice for people to use. How can they say that when there have been studies by credible institues and researchers. I don’t understand why people have so much against it.

          Everyday you hear of people overdosing on other drugs, like alcohol and prescription medicine. Too much of anything will hurt, and I hate to say, the same goes for marijuana. But hear this. Many people have died of an overdose of alcohol, which is man made and legal. You have also heard of may people who have died of overdoses of prescription medicine, which is also man made and illegal. But not once have you heard or anybody overdosing on marijuana have you? It is pretty ironic. Why make illegal the one thing natural enough to save and treeat lives?

          Maybe it is because America is not uready for such a huge step forward. Or maybe it is because America cant stand to see real people be really happy. America really needs to think about this one. Just like alcohol in the prohibition, it is going to keep coming. Youre not going to stop the flow of it. Why? Because people want it and love it. Just because America is not making any money from it does not mean it should keep it illegal.

          Now, ABC has obtained thousdands of photographs taken from the air. The aerial photographs of the attacks were taken by the only police helicopter given the ok to be in airspace at the time. The OK was given for thesole purpose of finding possible survivors in the roofs of the burning buildings.  These photographs give the people a “rare and chilling view from the heavens of the burning twin towers and the apocalyptic shroud of smoke and dust that settled over the city.”

          There are a couple of people who were infuriated by the late release of these photographs because they believed it would be important to the investigation of the attacks. However, it is too late for that now. these photographs just reinforce what people already know. It does, however, give the people a new point of view of the extent of the damage done by the attacks. Now, these photographs can serve as a record of a terrible but historic moment of the United States.

          Specifically, 2,997 photos were taken by the helicopter. 245 digital shots were also taken. Greg Semendinger and his pilot were the only two people who saw the attacks occur from the air. They mustr have been stunned and schocked at what they were viewing. They were, of course, seeing the same thing that people on the ground were watching, just at different angles and perspectives.

          The photographs that were taken are one of a kind. And now, the September 11 Museum wishes to obtain the collection of photographs.

You can view a couple of the images here.

          The state and city are continously falling behind in funds. As a response, they decide to lay off workers. Honestly, I think firing people is in no way going to improve the state and city’s economy. Why? Because the state is laying off people, which means they will have no way to bring home money. This will then lead to these layed off workers not spending money. Then, less and less money will be cycled throughout the state and city, and wil llead to an even larger deficit. So I dont really see how firing people will help improve the state’s economy. If anything, the proper choice that needs to be taken is to create jobs, no matter what it is. This will, in the long run, help people earn money, spend money and will cause more money to be cycled through the economy.

          However, Im no financial expert nor experienced enough to know whats good for the city or state. It is just an idea that Im sure other people may have. Creating jobs was what helped the US get out of the great depression. And if pulled off properly, it would help the state and city get out of their deficit too.

          The Haitian press, after discovering what happened, began portraying these missionaries as human traffickers and criminals. However, some of parents of the 33 children admitted to AP that they “willingly handed over their children to the Americans because they felt they were unable to care for them.” Right now, these missionaries are most likely to be tried in Haiti and it will most likely be up to Haitian authorities to judge them. However, it is also likely that their name will be cleared because of their roles as baptist missionaries.This is an international case though. So I doubt that anyone could really predict what the Haitians authorities’ decision would be.

          I believe this case has the potential to become controversial if given enough attention from the mass media. On one hand you have American Baptist Missionaries who claim that their intentions were to look after the children and their well being. Any person would be able to see that these missionaries werent trying to kidnap the children. Why would they? I dont think they have a valid reason to kidnap them. However, they do have all the reason provide shelter and care for the children, and I’m sure that is what they were trying to do. On the other hand, you have Haitian authorities who think that these Missionaries were trying to kidnap the Haitian children. Personally, I think the Haitians have blwon the whole case out of proportion. I think they have misunderstood the missionaries intentions. If Haitian authorities decide to prosecute them to the full extent of their law, each kidnapping count would carry a sentence of 5 to 15 years. On that note, I believe that the Haitian authorities should slow down and take another look at all the facts before prosecutuing the Missionaries

          About a month ago is when I saw an article about the defects of the toyota cars in the Los Angeles Times. When I read it i thought “oh this is very serious.” However, it was not that big of an issue yet all over the media. A couple of weeks later, the toyota defects were all over the news. And everyday it is something new addded. Just a couplemof days ago, the news excposed to the nation that the Prius Hybrid might have defective brakes too. As if toyoyta did not have enough to handle already. And just yesterday, I saw a news story about a woman who had fallen victim of a defective toyota. This one is going to come towards toyota with a strong fist. Imagine it was you and your company being targeted by the media. Not just one news channel, but the majority of them as well. Dont forget to count the newspapers as well. They are a large part of the media too.

          Im pretty sure toyota has acknowledged the fact that they distributed defective vehicles and I dont doubt that they are doing everything possible to fix them as quickly as possible. But with the bad publicity coming at them at every possible direction, it is possible that that is one more thing to take care of along with fixing the cars. I just realized i just used the word possible a lot. Anyway, there have also been rumors going around that it is only certain toyotas that came out defective, not all of them. But thanks to the media, everyone now believes every toyota they listed is defective. Whether or not these rumors are true, the media has to be thanked greatly for putting a bad name to toyota with such swiftness.

          In Southern California, The Beat Swapmeet has been formed to keep the record alive and striving as much as possible. What it really is is self-explanatory. It is basically a swapmeet that only carries records. It is not a store that you would find down Venice Boulevard either. It is a closed venue where vendors gather and sell or trade  their records that they have collected over the years in an attempt to prolong the life of the old fashioned record. You necessarily dont have to buy records if you attend one of these swapmeets. You can just show up to check out some records, meet new people that have a passion for them as you possibly might, and make new friends and just relax. As of today, the Beat Swapmeet has been able to hold at least 5 or 6 events where people come and dig for some records.

          Personally, I have been to a couple of these swapmeets and have had a great time there. Time just flies by in there and you dont notice until you come out and the sun is gone. As a turntablist, Ive gone in there empty handed and came out with at least a box of records everytime. Why? I love records. I think people have a tendency to have a passion or liking for all things original and scarce, records being on of those things. And thanks to this swapmeet, these record lovers dont have to worry so much about it going extinct, expecially the DJ’s who appreciate records. There are a lot of swapmeets in Los Angeles, but this has to be a one of a kind swapmeet. Another thing to add, this swapmeet doesnt just attract one certain group of people. When I have gone, I have a lot of people and all of them coming from different backgrounds and cultures. Young and old, male and female, record lovers and tourists, and children have gone. It is really a place for anyone.

Check them out at www.beatswapmeet.com

          Hip hop started off as a subculture that included 4 elements: Breakin’, MC’ing, DJ’ing, and Graffiti. And a quick note, rap today includes none of these elements. Peopleccame out to block parties in Brooklyn where DJ’s juggle breaks from soul and funk records to make beats the people could dance too. Then, people began dancing and breaking to this music, which became known as breakdancing and the dancers were labeled b-boys and b-girls. While the Dj was doing his thing, an MC emerged and began adding clever rhymes to the beats, which is how MC’ing over popularized DJ’ing in the hip hop culture. Graffiti also became a part of the hip hop culture, but many people argue it has nothing to do with hip hop. I think graffiti has everything to do with hip hop. Over the years since it started, it became a music artform that captured a lot of people’s attention. People loved hip hop because of the stories told, the impressive rhyming styles MC’s had, and the creative/unique beats that were made. Eventually, people began refering to hip hop as a lifestyle, something that people lived not just did. Artists such as A Tribe Called Quest, Public Enemy, Wu Tang Clan,Nas, The Notorious BIG, De La Soul, and many, many many more to list all contributed to the rise of this lifestyle and culture. During these times, the media was broadcasting this hip hop all over the nation. It is no wonder why so much of the nation fell in love and became a part of the hip hop nation. During these times, hip hop was pure and fulfilling to the people.

          Eventually, hip hop rose to fame all over the nation and business people and whack record labels noticed. So what happened then? Whack rappers began appearing all over the place. These whack rappers began coming out with watered down hip hop that I like to call rap. Everything these rappers did was nonsense, pretty funny and stupid. Just like real hip hop, it rose to fame thanks to media because it was being broadcasted everywhere and young ones were being exposed to it. So it became the cool thing to do. This was rap, not hip hop. I dont even consider it a subculture of hip hop. Now, it has none of the 4 elements of hip hop. There is nothing being rhymed about worth while. I understand that people like it and all, but why do they have to call it hip hop? Why oh why?

          Take a minute or two to watch these two videos. One hip hop, one rap. How could you possibly confuse the two?

Souls of Mischief- 93 til Inifity

Money to Blow

“California’s unemployment rate stays steady at 12.4%”

          To summarize this article, it describes California’s current unemployment rate and what has led it to reach that height. It is unbelievable to see that in just 2 years, the unemployment rate in Los Angeles almost doubled. It seems that it was just yesterday that the state and country were doing so well. The article also states and brifley describes some factors that have contributed to the state’s high unemployment rate. The main one seems to be that the “housing bubble has burst”, meaning that less houses are being produced per year and that means construction workers are massively being layed off.

       Honestly, I think the state is making their economy much worse rather than making it better. In order to build an economy, people need to spend money. If the state is constantly laying off workers, of course nobody is going to be spending what they did before if they can barely make rent for the month. On the other hand, the state claims to have very little money to spend, so their solution is to lay off workers to relieve themselves of high expenses. As you can see, one thing is attached to the other. Right now, we cannot fix one thing without making another worse.

          I think its incredible that the unemployment rate is so high, but not in a good way. If you think about, our unemployment rate has really been increasing and fast too. In 2008, the California unemployment rate was at 8.7%. Now, it is at 12.4%. That is almost a 4 percent increase in just 2 years. If the state keeps doing what it is doing now, which is waiting on a miracle while spending money they claim they do not have, the state economy will only worsen and drastic measure will have to be taken. The thing is I don not think anyone wants to find out what those measure will be.

          I happened to catch this clip or Robot Chicken at a friend’s house the other day and I thought it was really interesting. So that is why it is going to be one of my post for this week. After watching this short 45 second clip you can tell it is quite funny, which is why you probably laughed once it was over. Additionally, if you know a bit of history, you can also see that the clip is a bit true in how the United States gotinvolved in World War 2. During World War 2, Hitler would take over neighboring countries and remove anyone standing in his way that he disliked until the US got involved. In the clip, Little Hitler makes his classmates dissapear and takes over their desks. Then, the kid with the USA top, states it isn’t his problem until the Japanese boy comes over to him and spills his drink (which is supposed to represent the bombing of pearl harbor), and then declares it has become his problem.

          Personally, I see this clip as a sort of criticism towards the US on how they stood on the sidelines, watched Hitler slowly begin to take over, and do nothing about it. That is until the Japanese attacked the US. Back then, and even today, the United States was seen as sort of the world police because the US was maybe the most powerful and developed country. So people around the world, especially in Europe, were probably waiting on then to do something about Hitler and his allies actions. This is just me though. Anybody can interpret this video in their own way too.

          Getting back to the video though, I find it funny and witty. I’m pretty sure you can see why it’s a bit funny to me. For the most part, it is because this video is true. It is one of those funny truths you see once in  a while. I also find it witty because it is amazing how someone could create a 45 second clip and say so much in it.

          New year means new measures in California. Recently, Janurary 12, 2010 to be exact, the Assembly’s Public Safety Committee of California gave the OK to proposal AB 390. If put into effect, this bill would allow the medical and recreational use of marijuana for those who are 21 and over. Right now there are many people who support the fight to legalize marijuana in Califonia. Some of these supportes may include Cannibus Shop owners, teenagers, single parents, businessmen and women, doctors, and even regular everyday people like you and me. You would find surprising the amount of people around you who support this process and perhaps even spark a doobie in the alley once in a while. On the other hand, there is also a long list of people who don’t like the idea of marijuana being legalized in their state. These people may include parents, pediatricians, and people concerned about the negative influence it would bring upon growing children. Both sides bring interesting and solid arguements to the table when coming face to face, so nobody can really predict what will happen next.

          Those who support the legalization have their reasons and arguements. The business people and those worried about the falling economy have brought up many times that the legalization of the plant will raise approximately $1.3 billion in taxes for the state. Let’s face it, Marijuana has become California’s number one cash crop. Many hate to accept it but  its true. There is a lot of money involved in the marijuana business, and this money could be used to help rebuild the economy. Also, people have the right to do what they want with the plant. It is there for a reason. And if it’s purpose is to alleviate people of stress, their worries, and other illnesses, then let the plant do its thing. It is idiotic for the state, let alone the country, to restrict the use of something that happens to just grow. Additionally, if made legal, the use of marijuana could now be regulated. It would become a bit easier for the state to regulate on the people who misuse marijuana. Prohibition of the plant is not helping. In fact, the prohibition itself could be what is driving people to consuming the plant because of it’s “forbidden fruit” effect. Prohibition did not work with alcohol, and it will not work with marijuana either. Currently it is so easy for anyone to get marijuana. And if made legal, it could be regulated, much like alcohol. Lastly, supported love using the arguement that marijuana can be used as a medicine because it has been proven to aid against sickness and disorders.

          Opposers, however, also have their arguements against marijuana. A lot of opposers say that marijuana is a gateway drug that will soon land in the children’s hands if legalized. People who consume marijuana will eventually want to feel a better high and look on towards illegal, man-made drugs, such as cocaine, heroin, and crystal. And, if made legal, only adults would be able to buy it. However, that won’t make a difference. Right now, in Los Angeles, it is too easy to get some of the plant. If made legal, it would just add a second option for people, specifically teenagers, to get it. Others are afraid that if we legalize marijuana now, what other drug will be legalized later. Meth, cocaine, or maybe heoin?

          These are most of the arguements against and for marijuana legalization that I believe are most important. These are not the only ones that exist though. If you can think of more, whether for or against the legalization, feel free to comment your thoughts. As you can see, the list of arguements for legalization is a bit longer than the list of arguement opposing it.This doesn’t mean I support the legalization. Nor does it mean that I am agaisnt it either. I just believe that the legalization of it would be more beneficial to everyone in the long run. Cops would have more time to bust other people for more severe crimes rather than petty arrests for possession. Marijuana businesses will rise and boost up the economy. It is beneficial for those who use it as medicine for their illnesses. Illegal drug dealers would lose their businesses because the price will lower. It would become a good source of tax revenue for the state. Lastly, marijuana just happens to be one of life’s little and significant pleasure, like sex and alcohol. People have the freedom to decide if they want to consume it or not, whether it is legal or not.