O Brother, Where Art Thou?

What can I do? I am watching again as Israel goes on the offensive against Hamas. I want to understand why Israel believes that packing a people in to a small territory and cutting off aid and the basic necessities of life (water, electricity, the ability to move) would not incite rebellion? Have we forgotten our experience in the ghetto of Warsaw, Poland? Did we forget how the Jews fought with every inch of their life a losing battle but still fought bravely against the Nazis? Perhaps, this current situation is what Israeli leaders have been waiting for. A chance to finally remove any resistance or existence of the Palestinian population in Gaza. But why?

Okay, I know the history of the region, but doesn't our history teach us this is a losing battle? This continued aggression, despite the fact that rockets and suicide bombers constantly plague Israel, only elevates the Palestinian status to freedom fighters struggling against a colonial aggressor. Which is really the truth at this point, because if we changed the names for example Palestinian to Algerian and Israeli to French, we would understand the outcome. When one marginalized group is backed up against the wall their odds at liberation increases 100 fold. Doesn't Israel understand this? Israel lost the battle before it began. Even if Israel drives the population of Gaza into the sea, Israel will lose any security it ever wished to gain, because the Palestinian cause has become the rallying point for all Arab and Islamic fanatical hatred towards Israel. Of course not one of Palestine's neighbors cared about them before the creation of the State of Israel, but now that doesn't matter.

O, Israel! Look at what you have become! Has the struggle rendered your hearts incapable of mercy and compassion? Will the G-D of Abraham forsake the children of Ishmael and not deliver them when they cry out? What can I do? I still love you and stand by you. But I fear what the future holds for you. 

Born Again Biker and the Good Samaratin or What Does Riding a Harley Really Mean?

All I could do was swear and brace myself as the bike squarely hit the pothole. I thought only Philly had potholes capable of disabling your vehicle. But alas! I found one and hit it. At first I thought my front tire would blow and possibly bend the wheel itself. I got lucky, or so I thought, and rolled right into the gas station. It wasn't until I finished filling up that I realized the bike would not start.

See, I got this bike, a 05 Harley 883R, from a friend. Basically, he thought I was too domesticated and  gave his wife specific instructions that if he died in Iraq to give me the bike. We used to ride together, dirt bikes mostly, and hung out in my parent's garage doing mischievous things. The place became a local hangout with its cast of characters. We would sit around our bikes and tinker. Upset the neighbors with all the noise and other shenanigans. Twenty years had passed and now I'm rediscovering a passion that was dormant for too long.

My love for riding began when I was fifteen. I was working in a machine shop in Huntingdon Valley, my friend told the owner that I was 18, and I fell in with the older guys at the shop. They introduced me to the world of motorcycles. My first bike was a 1976 Kawasaki KZ 400 bought for $350. It was 1985 and that Summer I learned to ride. What I really learned was the camaraderie shared amongst other motorcyclists. The dropped left hand when you passed another motorcyclist signaled you were apart of something bigger. You stopped and help other motorcyclists when they were in trouble. So, standing there with my broken down bike at the Sunoco on Rte. 10 near Oxford, PA, I began to consider my options. In come two riders, one on a Harley FLHX, and another on a Honda Shadow. They came into the station from different directions, pulled up to different pumps and began filling their tanks. Both riders noticed me looking over my bike trying to get it started. I even tried to bump start the bike in the presence of both riders. The rider on the Harley bagger drives off not even considering helping me. Bye, thanks for nothing. The Honda rider pulls up next to me and says, "Having trouble?" Together, we systematically figure out that the ignition module came loose. Once the module was firmly seated the bike started. Afterwards, we talked about riding, I thanked Mike (What are the odds of having the same name?), and went our separate ways.

This incident really compromised my attitude towards Harley riders. Not the bike mind you just the people who ride them, and I know this does not apply to everyone, but I was riding a Harley at the time and was dissed by another Harley rider! WTF!!! Where's the brotherhood? Maybe, Harley dealers should hand out a little pamphlet, that I'm willing to write, instructing these noobs on how to be a real biker. Perhaps Harley's effort to sell more bikes has in effect brought the wrong element to the scene. Go into any Harley dealer and you'll find that most of there clothing (except the dealer t-shirts which are made in the U.S.) and some of the parts are made in China and elsewhere. Harley has perfected the illusion of the American biker and packaged it in a nice overpriced corporate bow. I mean really how much of a bad ass biker can you be wearing Harley jeans made in China? Guess I missed the real Harley motorcycle scene by 20 years. Oh, well. I'm still going to ride my Harley to honor my friend, but not buy into the hype.

Obamarama

So, the election is over and a regime change is coming. Democrats won big but will this produce results needed to heal the country? Hmmm...I'm hopeful but my pessimistic view of American politics has been nurtured by years witnessing high jinks on the hill. President-Elect Obama is definitely a step in the right direction after years of Republican anti-intellectualism. My main concern now is how Obama is going to work with Pelosi and Reid? One would ask "What's the problem they're both Democrats?" That's my point. Democrats have not shown the ability to walk lock-step like Republicans, and this could lead to infighting amongst Democrats who all have their own agendas. Let's face it, a politician is a politician, and they all have an agenda. But in this time of uncertainty in the U.S., we need unity. With that said I hope Obama's message of change prevails.

Hello Kitty

I have always been allergic to cats. My reaction to their dander sends my to the hospital for an adrenaline shot in the bum. Problem is...cats love to come up to me and rub themselves all over me. Like they know they have the power to destroy me. Little assassins!

Every girl I have dated has been a cat lover. My wife loves cats and when we were dating had one. Somehow she chose me over the cat, but I wonder sometimes if she thinks she made the wrong choice? Anyway, the past two days a gray cat has camped outside our house. It is a gray male, and is very friendly. Of course, my wife thinks its lovely. I do not. Well, actually I do but will not admit it. Yes, our mouse issues would be nil, and my son would finally have the pet he always wanted if I decided to adopt it and bring it inside. However, this would mean living the rest of my life wearing a bio-hazard spacesuit. For now the cat is fine just where it is, outside.

Wrapped in the flag?

Everyone goes through changes during his or her lifetime. Sometimes there is an event that facilitates that change. I am no different. Until recent I would not have considered myself a "flag waver," and I still don't. Recently I have put up the Stars and Stripes on my house. My wife has graciously entertained my desire to fly a flag. So, what is the big deal about flying a flag? I mean we are Americans, right? Well, flying a U.S. flag today labels you to be some right-wing fascist, but I disagree.

As a child I always looked to the flag with reverence and awe. The flag represented a promise of freedom and equality. Also, the flag gave us an identity that instilled pride. Unfortunately, childhood ideals fall hard to adult realities, and the truth about the U.S. of A is at times less than savory and downright atrocious. But besides all of its faults my "country" has the potential to live up to those ideals I was taught as a child.

After 9/11 people across the nation became wrapped in the flag for many reasons. I resisted the urge to jump the band wagon, because the mentality behind this surge hinged on mass hysteria and hate. I call this type of mentality "Fox News Mentality." In the days that followed 9/11 anyone not agreeing with the Bush Administrations policies was labeled an America hating liberal. Many conservative pundits capitalized on this narrow definition patriotism by chanting the love it or leave it mantra and waving the "flag." Those citizens who embraced the conservative pundits views also intertwined the flag with Christianity practically replacing the cross as the religion's symbol. The beginning of the 21st century has seen the pendulum swing very far to the right twisting the consciousness of the United States and its views on patriotism. But no more shall I resist flying the flag!

After my friend Adam died fighting in Iraq I did some soul searching, and I found comfort in the stars and stripes. While his death was as senseless as the war itself, I saw Adam's sacrifice representing something bigger than ourselves, and I found myself urning for my country to finally embrace those ideals it has yet to achieve. I am reminded of the movie Saving Private Ryan, where Tom Hanks' character imparts instructions to Ryan, played by Matt Damon. At the end of the movie Hanks' character is gravely wounded and Damon bends down to hear Hanks speak the words "Earn this." Ryan was saved because of the sacrifice of fellow soldiers.

Now more than ever, citizens need to take charge once again, and earn the sacrifice of those who died. Our country has been led down the wrong path for the past several decades. Positive social institutions created during the progressive era of F.D.R., have been worn away bit by bit. Greedy corporations making consumption our new pastime control the government through well financed lobbyists and the so called "liberal media." Apathy exhibited by Americans towards the government is astounding. It is time for those who believe that the United States is "one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all," stand and reclaim the flag.

He was a friend of mine...

Two days ago my world shattered when I found out that my friend of 36 years was killed in Iraq. Adam and I have remained friends through good times and bad. Along the way we have had many adventures filled with humor.

For the past couple of days I have been reflecting on those memories while riding an emotional roller coaster trying to deal with the loss of a good friend. Everything that has been pissing me off about what is going on in the world now became more real than I could ever imagine. A cruel slap to the face leaving me powerless and numb. As I type now pictures of Adam litter my desk. I repeatedly read the press clippings on the Internet, and I am amazed how compact and concise the media has made this tragedy.

Adam was due to come home at the end of November. Initially, he was supposed to be out of the Army last August, but with the "stop loss" tactics in place he was sent back to Iraq for another 15 month deployment. My anger stems from this administration's blatant mishandling of our nations most precious resource, our armed forces. Adam, like his brothers and sisters in the military, gladly went to Iraq because of their dedication to this country. I admire that dedication and selfless service that our military provides to keep us safe. So, I must apologize for not doing more to protect those who protect us from the greedy individuals that used this war to further their twisted agendas and line their pockets with blood money. While Adam and his comrades have not failed us, we as citizens have failed them.

As I move forward I must keep vigilant not to let my memories of Adam fade. I will miss his generosity, loyalty, and strength. Adam's gregarious nature made him the lynch-pin in our circle of friends. Adam was excited to get home and meet up with everyone. I sure that even though his time in Iraq was hard Adam would have funny stories to tell leaving everyone on the floor in stitches. Comfort now lies in stories of our shared past.

Rest in Peace Adam. You are already missed.

Adam J. Chitjian August 30, 1968- October 25, 2007.

What's Next?

So much for my summer! George W. Bush has shown another facet of his administration to the U.S. and the world, unaccountability! Commuting "Scooter" Libby's sentence is perhaps the most blatant misuse of power seen yet from this circle of war-profiteering thugs. C'mon, 30 months in prison would be a walk in the park. How so, you ask? Because Libby would not have done his full sentence, and he probably would go to a minimum security prison.

In this corrupt administration of shredding, withholding, and deleting evidence there should be no surprise W stepped in to help a loyal underling. This is about CYA, y'all. An editorial in the NY Times said it best, "Presidents have the power to grant clemency and pardons. But in this case, Mr. Bush did not sound like a leader making tough decisions about justice. He sounded like a man worried about what a former loyalist might say when actually staring into a prison cell."

But some people will applaud this decision, and sadly enough believe this president is doing a good job. Oh well, I give up. I have put up with all the nonsense the neo-cons have dished out over the past seven years, but this just burns me to the core. If this kind of chicanery occurred anywhere else in the world people would flock to the streets in protest. Here in the U.S., however, I hear the deafening silence of acceptance. We have lost out revolutionary spirit. We have partaken of the Kool-Aid that the media-filter serves us daily, and we obediently consume to our hearts content. Sad situation indeed.