"We turn away to face the cold, enduring chill, As the day begs the night for mercy love...."

2008 marks the 35th anniversary of the death of Victor Jara. They just re-opened his murder case and the courts appear to be willing to listen to new evidence.

I'm not sure when I first learned about Jara but his story stirs emotions in me I am unable to find words for. He was a popular folk singer who poltically supported Allende in Chile. After Pinochet took control in 1973 Jara was captured, his hands were injured (cut, crushed, broken, burned, even severed...the reports are not clear) and then he was forced to play his guitar by the military. He sang. He played with broken hands and sang to his captors. He sang his popular songs of freedom through his torture and was killed for it.

Bono wrote about Jara on a song called One Tree Hill....arguably my favorite song off of Joshua Tree. The song itself is dedicated to another man, Gregg Carroll, a close friend of the band, who was killed running an errand for Bono. Bono wrote the lyrics at at One Tree Hill in New Zealand where Carroll was later buried. I am often amazed at the source or meaning of the lyrics Bono writes and how they carry such emotion; love, loss, grief and the power of song.

Bono sings:

"And in the world a heart of darkness

A fire zone

Where poets speak their heart

Then bleed for it

Jara sang, his song a weapon

In the hands of love

You know his blood still cries

From the ground

It runs like a river runs to the sea

It runs like a river to the sea"

I understand why Bono was so moved by his story. I hope Jara's family finds justice.

"The cultural invasion is like a leafy tree which prevents us from seeing our own sun, sky and stars. Therefore in order to be able to see the sky above our heads, our task is to cut this tree off at the roots. US imperialism understands very well the magic of communication through music and persists in filling our young people with all sorts of commercial tripe.

With professional expertise they have taken certain measures: first, the commercialization of the so-called ‘protest music’; second, the creation of ‘idols’ of protest music who obey the same rules and suffer from the same constraints as the other idols of the consumer music industry – they last a little while and then disappear. Meanwhile they are useful in neutralizing the innate spirit of rebellion of young people. The term ‘protest song’ is no longer valid because it is ambiguous and has been misused. I prefer the term ‘revolutionary song’" ~Victor Jara

Song Du Jour: One Tree Hill by U2

"We will never allow an event like an election reverse our independence, our sovereignty, our sweat and all that we fought for ..." ~Robert Mugabe

A world away "democracy" is taking a beating friends.

"Democracy" in Zimbabwe is like Apollo Creed in Rocky 4 and I wonder... has Mugabe just landed that last fatal blow. What comes next?

PHOTO1: Main opposition Movement For Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai (C) is greeted by supporters during a visit to a Harare suburb June 21, 2008. Despite signs of growing African discontent over bloodshed that has escalated since Zimbabwe's March 29 general election, President Robert Mugabe vowed never to hand over power to the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, whose leader Tsvangirai is his rival in the run-off. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo (ZIMBABWE)

"The MDC (opposition) plans to meet on Sunday to consider whether to contest the June 27 vote, with the party claiming that about 70 of its supporters have been killed since the first round of voting in March."

70 people dead. Many more injured and jailed. Should the MDC give up? I've been a part of elections first hand and I have marvelled at how difficult they are for candidates and how much work goes into running for office. And that's here in Alberta...so the very thought of the position the MDC find themselves in today is hard to wrap my brain around. What kind of person stands up to the violence and intimidation to take Mugabe down?

I am riveted by these events. What will Mugabe do next? It seems like western nations have no idea how to offer assistance.

At least Zimbabwe made it on to the agenda of the UN's Security Council meeting thanks to Condi Rice. Will anything come of it?

Today I am not taking my democracy for granted.

Song du Jour: Lost by Coldplay

PHOTO 2: A supporter of President Robert Mugabe holds an election poster as she cheers during a rally at the White City Stadium in Bulawayo June 20, 2008. Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai is considering whether to pull out of the June 27 presidential run-off election, fearing it will be a charade, a spokesman said on Friday. REUTERS/Emmanuel Chitate (ZIMBABWE)

"Thank you for fan...I want speech longer but my English short" ~ Selke winner, Pavel Datsyuk

That was a pretty good show last night. My favorite bit was Datsyuk accepting his trophies.

His first speech, accepting the Selke Trophy, he read off a peice of paper and although he struggles with English he was great.
As they were listing off the nomminees for the Lady Bing I wondered does he have another speech prepared if he wins? They announced his name and once he took the podium he looked up sheepishly at the crowd and stated, "I got nothing..."
Fall down funny!

Song Du Jour: Jigsaw Falling Into Place by Radiohead

I think this is my favorite song off In Rainbows, but I'll need a few more months of listening to the disc to be sure....

"And we were dressed from head to toe in love... the only label that never goes out of style"

Went to see Sex and The City with the ladies and it felt like seeing a whole season in one sitting so it really translated well from TV to the big screen. It felt like stepping back into your favorite slippers, very comfortable. However, I was disapointed because it was too freaking predictable. I'm too cynical and jaded to believe that shit so I think my attitude ruined it really..it's a good movie and I enjoyed it on one level. My ladies were all verklempt at certain points and I was all...whateva.

The idea that these women are in their 40's and 50's and are still not able to understand men makes me wonder what advantage age has when women are still making the same mistakes they made when they were 18? That resonated with me for sure. I guess I enjoy watching the relationship the 4 main characters share because it is amazing how important friends are in life and that was represented well. All the other crap...meh.

I've heard rumour they will make 2 more sequels, "Cattrall says, that a sequel is likely"(there are some spoilers in the link...)

Song Du Jour: Strength in Numbers (that's the name of their new album too)by The Music

Today sucks.

"This scar is a fleck on my porcelain skin..."~Stars

It's Sunday and I am totally missing the NFL.....sigh....

I'm reading a book called Seeing by Jose Saramago. It's a what-if type of story, and a follow up to a really great book he wrote called Blindness. Right now I am at this part about a long cabinet meeting that makes me laugh. That's good satire Mr. Saramago! I can't tell if he's just being totally sarcastic though...It's hard to pin down the tone of this novel. I bet a lot of people would find this book really boring. It's all about elections, government meetings and power. Poli Sci nerds rejoice!

Song Du Jour: Your Ex-Lover Is Dead by Stars

"We'd like to turn it around and make the stories about opportunity and the adventure of the African continent, not the burden and the obligation"

Dr. Bono! He was just in Japan...getting an honourary law degree from Keio University. His first lecture marks the commencement of the 2008 G8 season....and all he wants is more aid for Africa and he's only been fighting for that since 1985. He was a busy man in Japan.

Tree planting with kids in Tokyo.

He got to be Guest editor at Japan's second-largest newspaper, the Asahi, with his mate Bob during an annual conference on African Development. He was also presenting/advocating at the MTV Awards...He's everywhere!

Song Du Jour: Love and Peace or Else by U2

"I don't know if I can make it, I'm not easy on my knees"

"...the controversy and debate created by a contest wouldn't necessarily be bad" ~ Scott Moore

CBC reports that err...CBC may not use the theme to HNIC.

"Scott Moore, the executive director of CBC Sports, told Newsworld on Thursday that negotiations for a new licence fee are ongoing with the representatives of Vancouver composer Dolores Claman."

And everybody is freaking out. I love Canadian hockey fans. Some people think it is a publicity stunt but I don't know if the marketing peeps over at the Mother Corp. were savvy enough to dream this one up. Who knows...

I just hope they come to their senses and pay Ms. Claman what she's asking for, which is $575 per use instead of the $500 per use they've been paying her for over a decade. I simply can't even imagine any other song...that song has been a part of my life since I was 5 years old. It's a personal thing I think a lot of people can't explain, but just want it to stay the same tradition it a has always been.

Song Du Jour: Intergalactic by Beastie Boys

"Robbie is in California working on his strength to get to that next level.." Coach Bucky on Schrempf not being here

Go Falcons!

The Edmonton Oilers Development Camp is in full swing this week. It's like a conditioning camp for some of the young draft picks and a chance for them to get to know one another before playing together in Springfield for the Falcons. I'm wondering if Bucky will be able to turn them into a great team this year? He sounds pretty positive.

If you can go --you totally should. You get the chance to see these young players show off their talent before they get to be huge stars. I love this stuff. Now I am just trying to figure out how I can take a really long lunch hour tomorrow! You're last chance to see the kids...

Thursday, June 5, 2008 (Millennium Place; Sherwood Park)

10:00 am to 12 Noon – Final Scrimmage Game

Song du Jour: Tesselate by Tokyo Police Club

"was it all a joke? Never had control, I'm not better on my own..."

The Red Wings were (barely) up 3-2 in the game of their lives tonight and then the crowd, with about 6 minutes left in the game, started to chant. "We want the cup, we want the cup..."

The hockey gods took note. As soon as I heard them start the chant I knew it was over and that we would not see Lord Stanleys Mug this day. Talbot and Sykora (former Oiler, Mr. -20) were the hero's, sure, but I am firmly placing blame for the loss at the feet of the chanting fans. ;P
The Penguins haven't won in Detroit since Dec. 10, 2000!

Take note hockey fans....the chanting of "we want the cup" = bad things. It's a proven fact! Therefore, I move to abolish the use of the chant effective immediately.

And congrats to Sykora on his apparent promotion last night! LOL!

Song Du Jour: - I'm Not Over by Carolina Liar

photo by Matt McNulty