TigerHawk

Femi Kuti opens Summer 2009 at Hollywood Bowl

Friends welcome to Summer 2009.Sunday June 21,2009 was the Summer Solstice here in Hollywood/Los Angeles.the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Yoruba cosmology and traditions,Eleggua is the 'Opener of the Way'.One of the seven (7) significant Orishas.He is equivalent to St.Michael The Arch-Angel.So it is most welcome and appropriate that Yoruban from Nigeria ,Femi Kuti, son of the great Fela Kuti opened the Hollywood Bowl Summer 2009  season on the Solstice.TigerHawk was blessed with a seat a few feet from the stage, able to sit near Santigold, who along with Raffael Siddiq entertained the capacity crowd.All respects to these 2 artists (an autograph from Philly's Santgold was obtained), but Femi was whom the 12,000 audience mainly came to experience.

We were not disappointed, however we believed there was un-necessary adjustments of the sound levels by the Bowl's engineering to mollify the hillside neighbors, resulting in Femi's continually signalling to raise the volume.Honestly, something was taken away from the full impact of the West African's polyrhythmic and horn sections. Yet we were thrilled by Femi's juggling; blowing on the saxophones(tenor and alto), playing the key-boards, dancing and belting out emotional vocals of Africa's redemption, human sagas, and social justice. Cuts from the new album 'Day by Day' were interspersed with his cult standards such as 'Blackman Know Thyself' , Sorry Sorry'  and 'Beng Beng Beng'. What energy and joy.A powerful start to our Summer 2009 in Los Angeles.Femi is continuing in his father's footsteps of political and social controversy in Nigeria.The Lagos authorities had just recently closed one of his night clubs.Thank you Yoruban for the benediction and blessings.Ache'.

Shakespeare causes a Tempest in Hollywood.

One of TigerHawk's joys SummerTime in Hollywood is the Independent Shakespeare Company outdoor series.A few years back we wrote here on 'Richard II','Mid-Summer Night's Dream' and the Scottish play (Mac....). This week David and his crew threw up the outdoor stage at Barnsdall Arts Park. Shakespeare's later play , 'The Tempest'dealing with the island tropics and the magical is the opening curtain tonight Friday at 7.30 p.m.We can't wait.Henry V continues the royals series and sure to shed light on English societal mysteries since the Normans and their Conquering William grabbed the British Isles in 1066.Last year 10,000 plus attended the series. RSVP is highly encouraged.

Shaolin warrior XJ and a new Tiger Fighting style

We have all heard of the legendary Shaolin monks who through discipline snd virtue defended the honor of China, challenged tyranny and brought highly effective martial arts to the Chinese people.This is not legend but fact.Their danger to Chairman Mao's brain-washing was such that he ordered more fires and persecutions of Shaolin monks much as the Manchus and Ching dynasties.TigerHawk as a beneficiary and supporter of the arts had met a group of Shaolin warriors a few years back through Master Hugh(originally from Jamaica). Fate would put us again in contact in China Town at a Vietnamese-Chinese temple.Now again in Hollywood TigerHawk 'stumbles'upon young Shaolin Master XJ training students in his shealth-regimen and fighting techniques.We recognized each other immediately.'Too much co-incidence'.

This week as TigerHawk stopped by to say hello to XJ, he noticed his students perform a very dynamic and graceful choreography of arm and leg moves.Intuitively TigerHawk sensed a familiarityand asked XJ the name of the forms.XJ smiled and said 'Tiger'.Óne more time, please?''.'Tiger'', he repeated. Amazing.Í created this particular combination, can you help me edit the video?' People, Tiger will soon share the 'Tiger'fighting form from Shaolin warrior XJ on these pages.In the interim here is XJ's site with his history from the legendary Henan province and his personal path expressing 'The Way'.Remember Yoruban Femi exhorts us to 'Fight to Win'.

Ache', Paz Y Luz

TigerHawk

P.S We share in the loss and memory of 'King of Pop' Michael Jackson.

Los Angeles (California) Economic Melt-Down worsens...

We here at TigerHawk have clear observations on the current economic malaise which has spread in pandemic proportions globally.However knowing the idea of thinking globally and acting locally, we are rivetted by the state of California's fiscal crisis, and the corollary local emergency of the municipalities such as our own Los Angeles City. We can quicky surmise the equation. A collapse in the L.A Housing market, plummeting home/property values wiping out equity, lower property tax revenues, less money for City Hall to function.Well, the scenario depicted has reached Emergency magnitude in Los Angeles City (apparently the County is in the black),with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa now the Unions' adversary number 1.

Tiger's personal network in the City of Angels covers much geographical, socio-economic, ethnic and professional ground.Thus we're able to access real-time intelligence on the temperature in this great metropolis to match any corporate media reporters.Yesterday one of my favorite librarians, who I will keep anonymous, whispered that they were  (all City workers) on furlough starting in July , losing 2 full days a month without pay.A 10 % loss of income. 'I'm one of those people who lives below my means, but most of my friends are looking for other extra jobs to make -up the loss of income,' she whispered matter-of-factly.'I intend to enjoy myself and explore more of L.A this summer..from the beaches to your events, Tiger.' She stated emphatically. I was both honored and troubled. The Library Lady, one of my favorite in our City of Angels had her program together.But I found out later that other City employees were in a state of stress.My friends;clerks,gardeners and janitors,art instructors- all working class champions were up for not just furlough of 26 days a year, but total job elimination.Firing!!

In response the L.A unions have blasted Mayor Antonio with protests and other civil dis-obedience tactics etc. (A special Dog-Team is shadowing the man for personalized picketing through the city.He just was observed with a new newscaster lady-friend.Might get interesting very soon).In passing we must mention the recent terrorism inflicted on good teachers of the LAUSD (Los Angeles Unified School district)who were threatened with lay-offs in July, in spite of Obama's stimulus package.I also have teacher friends who are affected.Some survived the lay-offs, some did not. What a state of early 21 st century modern society where teachers and librarians along with janitors and gardeners are sacrificed for fiscal and market dictates.We can see the demeanor on the trains/buse and in cars on the L.A Freeways.It's not All good. We are here focusing on L.A, not the state of California (which is in dire straits).Note the degree of our collective confusion as the Governor 'Terminator'Arnold is a Republican facing a $24 billion short fall and L.A's Mayor Antonio a Democrat with $500 million budget gap.Bi-Partisan economic chaos.Curses on all our houses?

Disclosure..We here are totally dissing the established Finance and Economic orthodoxy as the melt-down is a stunning indictment of their rigid ideology and methodology.Hence we are quite intrigued with reports from Milan,Italy of the 2 Japanese gents stopped with Billions in ther possession of US Bonds.Could this be a way out for California and other municipalities? Could it be TigerHawk's Bail-out/Stimulus Plan on the way? We will keeo you posted.Here is the info..:)

http://www.japantoday.com/category/crime/view/2-japanese-...

(Just Friday.June 12 the LA Public Library posts the notice that due to mandatory furloughs all City branches are closed the 2nd and 4th Fridays , starting July 10,2009).

Music and Cinema relief for Summer L.A!!

We here at TigerHawk embrace the arts and music as immediate tools to comfort in our era of fiscal melt-down and ideological madness. We are pleased to be kicking off the annual L.A Festivities with tonight's Opening of Grand Performances downtown at the California Plaza.The 2009 season Cubana Son singer Albita is included.A must attend night. As usual, GP over-lap with the Los Angeles Film Festival which opens June 18,2009 in Westwood.A John Malkovich production about immigrant children to be screened.We will post a new Summer Calendar of all the exciting events.We say tell the politicos to get a life and stop believing they 'runnin' thaangs'.All they running is the modern social compact into the ground.A few fun items are the 24th Annual Israeli Film Festival,The Dances with Films Festival and the SilverLake Sunset Junction, where Isaac Hayes was booked for his last gig, which he never made.

The House of Kuti

Finally, we must plug for The Hollywood Bowl Summer 2009 series which we attended last year.The opening artist on June 21,2009 is Nigeria's Femi Kuti,eldest son of the great Fela Kuti. You know, the Kuti men are off the chain. Last year the younger Seun Kuti was star billing for our above mentioned Grand Performances, accompanied by Fela's Egypt 80(formerly Africa 70).What a night of dance, energy, consciousness and fun.Femi knows the L.A crowd is talking about Seun, his younger sibling.So he must throw down.Yoruba -style.Ache'! He will.DNA, elementary Watson,DNA.He's a Kuti. We recommend album 'Fight to Win' by Femi.Echoes of his dad, lyrically and rhythmically , Femi on trumpet bringing the Afro-Beat.Fela paid the personal price of brutality, imprisonment and family terrorism by Nigeria's military regimes.His sons are deliberately addressing Africa's ills, not missing a beat. Afro-Beat! Femi's new album , first in 7 years is 'Day by Day'.Polished.'Fight to Win ' features Mos Def and Common.A good blending of African-American and African musical powers.Much like Zap Mama and Angelique Kidjo on their recent projects with Erykah Badu and Talib Kweli.We here are still trying to get the hook-up for Femi.Seun's project is self-titled 'Seun Fela and Egypt 80'.Egypt 80 are remnants of Fela's world class Africa 70 orchestra.They brought tears and memories to the California Plaza crowd last year.A moment to experience and reminisce. Stay tuned.

Music Playlist added Friday June 21,2009.'House of Kuti & guest Artists'.

Up with Obama Stimulus plan.

Down with Terminator Arnold and Mayor Antonio's draconian cuts.

www.twitter.com/tigerhawk2012

Ache',Paz Y Luz,

TigerHawk.

Tiger grabs a Spring Break/Interlude.....needs not 10,000 but 1 million Baracks!!

We here at TigerHawk have been left in the dust by the Obama Express.What is the deal? How many major policy initiatives are they managing simultaneously.We confess that our Barack Chronicles have been overwhelmed by the pace and magnitude of our 44th US President.So have our vaunted TigerHawk 3.0.

Back in 1989 the militant (love that media term) Rap group Public Enemy released and declared

''It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back."

About the same year P.E were the signature track on Spike Lee's 'Do the Right Thing' titled

'Fight the Power'.

We suggest that Barack Obama lighten his load by cloning or multiplying his efforts.

We know he is going to mess up in some things and we are some time going to get disappointed.

So spread the load.

We need not 10,000 Obamas(Driving Us Crazy), but 1 million Obamas.In the interim..

Our brilliant TigerHawk response?

We take a time out.

We now enjoy our Spring 2009 Break/Interlude.

Of course our Tiger vibe is all about the music .

We therfore share a special music playlist.

Tiger 2009 Spring Break/Interlude.

(Click the Play Button)

Enjoy.

Ache',Paz Y Luz!!

TigerHawk

Tiger revisits Catholic Cathedral.....Laptop mystery!!

Mi Gente,my people.Been a minute since we've posted here.Tiger experience some intrigues and his ever present laptop was stolen in Hollywood.We have been in re-grouping mode and hence a disruption in our rhythm.However, the Tiger roars defiantly .We're back.We will not be denied.In light of the diversion we enter an abbreviated and combined post here to suffice 'Barack Chronicles ' as well as TigerHawk 3.0.

We had been confused back in the early 90s when reports arrived of corporate and government officials losing their important laptops. Let's say we now have more sympathetic respect for those situations. Interesting, the hardware is of no use to the perpetrators, as a true dyed in the wool open-source/Ubuntu/Linux revolutionary, the codes are demanded to start up the machine.So who ever you are out there, we have some surprises.Just beware who's drinking latte next to you with the cute smile.

As Holy Week arrived, Tiger found himself drawn to the Los Angeles Catholic Diocese's Cathedral.The Cathedral of Our Lady Queen of the Angels serves some 4 million souls..The architecture grants inspiring space.Spanish Architect Professor Jose Rafael Moneo designed a  construct of no right angles, sub-consciously invoking mystical feelings.Palm Sunday, I joined the faithful in taking a palm branch as the priest gave a special 'Hosana' delivery, commemorating Jesus' Jerusalem entry on a donkey.

That week which just culminated in Easter Sunday, when Christ's resurrection is celebrated, granted a moment to reflect on the power of the Catholic church over 2 millenia.On my way to my Temple of Eastern flavor, I felt a humbling bond with these Catholic souls, remembering the amazing Jesus story.The fresh spring air added to the sense of renewal.L.A spring is most magical when the light subtly alters the senses.

Quo Vadis??

The Church of Rome is built with St.Peter's Basilica at the center of the Vatican.In fact,Peter is the chief cornerstone of the Church.He is the First Pappa.In John 13:37, Peter asked Jesus 'Whither goes thos ,Lord?' Jesus cryptically told Simon Peter that where he was going Peter could not go at that moment, but would follow him later.Then Jesus predicted the thrice denial by Peter before the cock's crow.That exchange in Latin is distilled to 'Quo Vadis,Domine?'.Peter since followed his Master in martyrdom, and begged the centurions to make his crucifixion different as he deemed himself not worthy of the same.The Romans were happy to oblige by hanging him up-side down.Roman engineering never limited.

In 1895 a Polish writer Henry K Sieliewicz wrote a series about the early Christians in Nero's Rome.The collective title was 'Quo Vadis'.Mr.Sieliewicz had researched the Roman Empire extensively, and it was his support and sympathy for Christianity that guided the masterpiece. In 1905,Sieliewicz won the Nobel Prize for Literature. 46 years later, MGM studios releases 'Quo Vadis' starring Robert Young as the centurion Vincius, and Deborah Kerr as his Christian love interest. Before the 'Sandals and Swords' genre was made popular by Russell Crowe's 'Gladiator', Hollywood captured the global audience's imagination with the excesses and dangers of the Roman Empire.As Nero persecuted and murdered the Christians for a mysterious fire in Rome,Peter experienced his doubts and almost abandoned his flock.The question returned this time to him from his Lord...'Quo Vadis ?'

So when the Catholics in the City of Angels celebrate Palm and then Easter Sundays, they make the spiriitual and emotional intersection of Simon Peter and  Jesus Christ on the edge of the Pacific., in the land of the Native Americans.

Tiger Blessed by The Cardinal....Quo Vadis for us....

As often occurs with Mr.Tiger, famous personalities and celebrities get relaxed and genuinely connect .Easter Sunday at the Los Angeles Cathedral, Cardinal Roger Mahoney was in full regalia,mingling in the cafe and passing out Easter blessings. I had been recognized several times prior, even having a discussion about my laptop and WiFi access at the Cathedral's Downtown L.A location, surrounded by Law courts and government buildings. This special Sunday, I decided to use my Social Capital and request an autograph from this world renown disciple of Simon Peter.Signore Cardinale Roger Mahoney was most gracious and generous writing 'Easter Blessing' on my proffered sheet of paper.Seeing the bold and distinctive gold ring on his right hand, I felt a sense of awe and gratitude, almost as if St.Peter himself had whispered a prayer.

I then remembered the Al Smith dinner in New York City, at the peak of the Presidential campaign when Senator Obama, resplendent in white tux, sat proudly and comfortably next to New York's Cardinal Egan.New York inaugurated Cardinal Egan's successor this week.'Quo Vadis?'

Ache',Paz Y Luz

TigerHawk

Cantos de Santo for Holy Week

Cantos de Santo for Holy Week 2009

TigerHawk Special Editorial

I Michael the TigerHawk posted a similar Special Editorial on September 6,2008.The title was 'Barack's Odyssey Chronicles I:Our Surreal Moment'.We here were ourselves surprised as the previous post celebrated Jamaica's world sprint star Usain Bolt and the Jamaican 4 X 100 men's relay Olympic team.The point here is that TigerHawk blog continues to respond to and recognize significant contemporary personalities and events .We stay current and fresh with balance and fairness.We came to terms with Barack Obama's Iconic power that September 6, 2008.Within 9 days the financial universe was in meltdown. Our post of Monday September 15,2008 was recording the Wall street crisis which swallowed 158 year-old Lehman Brothers whole, and venerable 'Bull' Merrill Lynch got shelter under Bank of America's wings.US Treasury Secretary was running around like Chicken Little demanding, no ,begging for Bank Bail-out funds in Billions from US Congress.We posted a follow-up on September 25,2008.The title chosen 'Barack's Odyssey Chronicles II:Strictly Political..Barney over TINA.So much has transpired since. Barack Obama is 44th US President, a Democratic Congressional majority passed the historic $787 billion Stimulus package and the severity of the US and global economic downturn is clearer weekly.

We here are beneficiaries and advocates of Net Neutrality which allows us to post the blog. We determine to be responsible and fully utilize the digital and Web 2.0 universe to share art, ideas and information. We are fully cognizant of our historic moment both technologically and economically. Therefore we celebrate the notion that when we write or speak, it is a cathartic process. We write or speak to and for ourselves.This post today, the anniversary of Malcolm X's murder 44 years ago(also murdered on this day was Nicaragua's Augusto Cesar Sandino), has been one of the most challenging and demanding. But we're up in time for 2009 Carnavale and the Oscars.Today in Rio, Port-of Spain, New Orleans much revelry is jamming reaching a sudden stop on Tuesday night mid-night.Ash Wednesday.From that day Catholics spend 40 days of penance leading to Easter. Oh the wonders and mysteries of the Catholic Church and calendar.The Church of St.Peter hasn't been around  2 millenia for nothing.We today are 30 days out from Spring Equinox 2009 in the Northern Hemisphere. Many subtle influences are in effect.

After Obama won the elections, we posted 'Beyond Obama(ma)nia.......'.We said then and repeat now,We welcome the Space created by an Obama Administration after 8 years of Cheney, and the defeat of 2 dragons-Reaganism and Southern Strategy.Thse 2 constructs ruthlessly advanced a racist and reactinary agenda , while stuffing the pockets of the financiers and the powerful The racial psychosis was the distraction along with war which hood-winked us all into the global economic crisis today.We are not confused. Further we support Obama critically and not blindly. We drink no one's Kool-Aid and are not fans or groupies. This said, we launched on Maryin Luther King Day 2009 additions to the TigerHawk Blog properties, reflecting the historic, iconic and dynamic changes and impact Obama has wrought. We give credit wher it is due. We have been working hard on this post today as in reality it is 3 posts.The additions are TigerHawk 3.0 and Chronicles in the age of Barrack, Barrack Chronicles for short.Today's respective posts are 'Obama and our UnCharted Course' and 'Barack's Canada and Stimulus Victory'.30 days after Inauguration, we think we have a handle on what's unfolding. a unique, dynamic, unprecedented and historic era as Obama's Presidency intersects the global economic transformation.We here at TigerHawk believe we are up to the task. Some readers may be pleasantly surprised at the thoroughness and sophistication of our reports. We take this moment seriously.All are affected. All are searching for answers and solutions having been betrayed and abandoned by the Finance, Economics and Intellectual elites. They have forfeited their authority and guidance. We iivestigate here and conclude for ourselves the nature of the emerging paradigm shift.We intend to be a source of provocative yet credible ideas and information while the orthodoxy hits a dead end.In that vein we share a few articles as Carnavale/Oscar gifts today.

The December issue of Atlantic Monthly featured an interview with a Mr.Gao Xiqing of China. Eye opening views of a Chinese Money OverLord who hold US and global money fortunes in his hands. Recommended reading. President Obama visited Ottawa,Canada on Thursday, February 19,2009. He noted that 2 0f his top staffers hailed from Canada. Well we have a brilliant Professor from the University of Toronto.Richard Florida is author of 'Rise of the Creative Class'.Atlantic Monthly again presents his 'How the Crash will Re-shape America'.Reader, visitors at this page, just a hint of the focus, quality and open-ness we set by example at our moment of challenge. We can prevail, however as Obama demonstrates we need spiritual and intellectual discipline. We can handle it.Feel free to contribute to this commitment here in the TigerHawk Tips and Gratuities:Gracias Pay Pal link.We thank you in advance.

Tiger's Cinematic Stimulus......Bail-out pending??

This past 6 months we have been out of the loop regarding the Oscar sweepstakes. Regulars recall we hit it cold for Martin Scorsese and 'The Departed', anticipating the Trifecta. We suspect SlumDog Millionaire will win and Sean Penn and Mickey Rourke will pull the Academy in opposite directions ,with outside issues determining the winner.However we have a Tiger Stimulus of recently acquired foreign DVDs courtesy brother Won K.Shout out bro. We eagerly share these 3 feature movies for recommended viewing. The first is the 2004 Berlin Festival winner and hispanic female nominee.'Maria Full of Grace'.Catalina Sandino Moreno's debut film stunned us all. A story of Colombian narcotics trafficers known as 'mules', Joshua Marston's first script and director's role seizes our full attention at every frame . The performances are organic and mesmerizing.shot in colombia and New York City. The second movie is my new love affair with a Director. 'The Edge of Heaven ' is a German Turkish production. winner of Cannes for Turkish-German director Fatih Akin. dissecting the personalities and culture of Turks in Germany who return to Turkey,Fatih opens a window to a new world for Americans.film-making at its raw, primal best. I'm a fan of Mr.Akin as he consciously tackles political material woven into the fabric of personal narrative. Excellent.Can't praise him enough.Finally, a surprise from Romania/Moldavia.Also a Cannes winner. 'Four months, 3 weeks and 2 days'. An economic and tight film of layering and complex characters in a difficult circumstance in Communist Romania in 1987. The Director Christian Munjiu has a bright future and great promise. Such deliberate decisions for a brave subject matter, again every frame holds our intention. An intellectual behind the camera destined to reach a world-wide audience.Enjoy and let me know your impressions.

Finally the photo is XJ, a genuine Shaolin warrior who crossed Tiger's path serendipitiously more than once, and we decided to join forces in our skills and agenda. XJ conducts classes in the China Town and Hollywood areas. Any interested students e-mail Subject :XJ. As always our e-mail is tigerhawk.michael@gmail.com.

Ache',Paz Y Luz.

TigerHawk.

Celebrating Obama's Inauguration on Dr.King Day

we premiere TigerHawk 3.0

Inaugural Party 2009

My people.Mi Gente.We are at the most dramatic and unpredictable point of US political,economic and cultural transformation in decades. The global effects are unpredictable but guaranteed to be felt.We here at TigerHawk have been overwhelmed by the confluence of events which interplay with Barack Obama's entry to the US stage. Today is Dr Martin Luther King Day, and tomorrow the amazing symmetry of the first African-American sworn in as USA Chief Executive. We prefer that title to the more belligerent and menacing Commander in Chief.

Since our last post in December , we have had many false starts as we attempted to read the direction of an Obama Administration in the midst of global finance and economic turmoil.As if these are not enough for our former Illinois Senator cum President-Elect, the election-pressured Israeli politicos decide that rockets on Sderot which claimed 4 lives in 2009, merited a military response which to date scores 1100 plus Gazan lives.Interestingly,the leaders of Ersatz-Israel unilaterally ceased 'operations to coincide with Barack
Obama assuming the levers of the commanding heights of the American imperium. Maybe they know something.(See the statement by Keren the Sabra in TigerHawk 3.0).

So we threw in the towel here at TigerHawk. Barack Obama and the tectonic shift in power he has consumed demands a new infra-structure to do these times justice.

Today on Dr.Martin Luther King Day 2009, we here are proud to announce the launch and premiere of TigerHawk 3.0. Today in the digital universe everything is 2.0.We decided on 3.0.Because We Can.Such is the sweeping power of an Obama Presidency to our collective psyche.Yes we can. Si se puede as the US Hispanics say.Further to recognize the iconic status of Mr.Obama we simultaneously unleash 'Chronicles in the Age of Barack' or Barack Chronicles for short.Also premiering today MLK Day 2009.Yesterday Obama spoke to a concert at the Lincoln Memorial invoking King's memory. Today he and Michelle Obama performed public gestures of community in Washigton D.C's predominantly black community.The man understands the power of images and postures. We're not mad at him , provided it is all to the Good.

We will be adding entries to the TigerHawk 3.0 and Barack Chronicles this week of Obama's Inauguration. The first item in TigerHawk 3.0 is the message from Haifa of an Israeli young woman I met at a Buddhist Temple in Los Angeles' China Town. Keren and her fellow Sabras had an intense discourse with Tiger on FaceBook and we agreed to dis-agree. However as a gesture of goodwill, I'm allowing her ideas to be presented here. She knows I do not agree with nor understand many points.An attempt to bridge the chasm which keeps the Gordian knot called the Israel/Palestine entangled for decades.Keren was since called up by the Reserves of the IDF(Israeli Defence Forces).We wish her safe return.

The Barack Chronicles will pick up from the 2008 Presidential victory and issues pressing on US and hence the incoming Obama Administration.We offer many fresh and stimulating angles on current events. Our 'Stimulus Plan'. Of course, we happily provide an Inauguration music Playlist to celebrate the rise of the Luo descendant to occupy 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. a property built by African slaves, primarily frm West Africa.The Kenyans' slave activity in earlier centuries was with Arabs and in the Indian Ocean. Few made the Atlantic Middle Passage. So statistically for Obama to be of East African descent and soar to US power, we have a major aberration. All ingredients of our Hero's journey.

Congratulations to President Barack Hussein Obama!!

TigerHawk 3.0

BarackChronicles

Happy Dr Martin Luther King Day 2009/Eve of Barack Obama's Presidential Inauguration.

Ache',Paz Y Luz

TigerHawk.

Presidential Interregnum...Unto Inaugural Gala January 20,2009

Rihanna and Gucci Benefit UNICEF Full-Length E-film

Rihanna and House of Gucci Alliance

Holiday Greetings to you our loyal and steadfast TigerHawk Media supporters and audience. We hope you are enjoying our eclectic Obamania music playlist below.We are daily upgrading and editing the tracks , so be sure to re-fresh your browsers.We are proud our track record here at TigerHawk in BOLDLY 'calling' events/outcomes . We predicted Martin Scorsese's 'The Departed' for Oscar, Rihanna as a musical force and awards winner, and now Barack Obama as Landslide victor of US Presidential  election, and the Democrats' Trifecta of plurality in the Senate,the House of Representatives and of course The White House.

That's why you keep coming back here and you spread the good word.We thank you.We 'Take a Bow'.We know we've got something 'special' going on here at TigerHawk!!!

A key to our appeal is we approach the headlines and events from a wholistic and inter-related view.We know that  the regular media and opinion organs are vested in a specific world-view and by default an ideology which blinds them from recognizing the fundamentals of many topics/issues.We here at TigerHawk fortunately are un-encumbered by such linear and dogmatic ideology.We approximate the Zen Buddhist discipline of simplicity and clarity. Not simplistic, but simplicity.A big difference. We distill to the core essence a matter, remove the clouds of confusion, and most important share with more Light than Heat. So here, although we have an editorial point of view and preference, we throw no incendiary devices or recklessly stir up passions.More Light less Heat!! We take seriously and responsibly this Unique moment for Digital Media and broadcasting to get our perspective to a global audience. We desire to be on the Solution/results side of the equations.

Guess what?

We've barely started!!.Barack Obama's rendezvous with History and our collective Destiny is the next Journal of TigerHawk.We entitle it 'Chronicles in the Age of Barack'.A respectful tribute to that Oxford-schooled Irishman Alexander Cockburn at Counterpunch.Cockburn and James Ridgeway co-edited 'Annals in the Age of Reagan' at the Village Voice,back in the day.So much has transpired since November 4,2008.It is obviously very early, and he is President-Elect in Transition.But we have Hawk-Eye signs which we find augur well for a thrilling and bold US Administration  the next few years.Notwithstanding Clintonista appointments including HRC, we do not agree with Senor Cockburn, The venerable Nation (since 1865), and US progressives that Barack has abandoned the Good Fight.We will chop these matters up in subsequent posts.On the contrary, we suspect a visionary and stunningly daring agenda by the former Illinois Senator , more than enough to make Lincoln proud.The challenges are unprecedented in global economy, security, environment and more. However, we suspect we have an able and disciplined philosopher-king in the making.Pierre Eliot Trudeau of Canada is one of our statesmen references. After all Obama is a Harvard man, demonstrating intellectual courage, curiosity and scholarly leadership.A 21st century American Mandarin!!

Obama To open Cuba.....

So here, our loyal TigerHawk audience is a sneak preview of our predictions in the Age of Barack. We say as Richard Milhous Nixon, the uncompromising Cold Warrior opened China under Chairman Mao,Barack Hussein Obama will open Cuba under the Castro Hermanos.Sunday last The New York Times' Roger Cohen submitted a 10 page on the island article to the NYT Sunday magazine.A perfect storm in Miami and Havana is taking shape for rapprochement.Obama won Florida handily,the Cuban-American electorate less dominant now.American cutting edge Film-maker Steven Soderberg's 'Che' starring Benicio del Torre is the talk from Havana to Paris,due limited NY and L.A release this weekend.Further, as our Luo descendant Obama visits The Americas and the Caribbean, he will culturally and spiritually accelerate the healing of racial pain cause by the Trade of Slaves and the pre-Corporation called the Plantation.Additionally, as a Mulatto or Mestizo himself, Barack will 'feel' the other dimensions of US impact on the Hemisphere which predates 'Manifest Destiny' , 'The Roosevelt(Teddy) Corollary' and 'The Platt Amendment'

While the Middle East seems a proverbial Gordian Knot,an Enlightened US Administration has great leverage and influence for good in the Americas. The Hemisphere eagerly awaits the New Dawn, much like JFK's 'Alliance for Progress', and FDR's 'Good Neighbor Policy'.The food, music,dance and culture is where  we here at TigerHawk feel relevant to such a Hemispheric shift. Feel free to enjoy the rhythms in our Music player,some Cubano and Afro-Brazilian.In passing we note that the DJ House vibe  originated in Chicago.What wonderful cultural symmetry for an African-American from Chicago to visit Yoruba rich Bahia,Brazil and Santiago de Cuba and experience the commonality of rhythm and history? Michelle Obama boasts roots in South Carolina, the cradle of Africa in US with Goulah and Gychee traditions in full effect today.

Finally, Rihanna is a native of Barbados, a former British colony which boasts one of the globe's earliest Parliaments, and rare destination for US founding father George Washington. Rihanna's music has gone super-star on par with Jamaica's Robert Nesta Marley. As a woman of West Indian racial mix, she embodies the advanced social/cultural dynamics which can be an example to the USA which is still in novelty mode, over the First African-American President.We celebrate Rihanna's style and world class trend-setting.We embrace The Good,the Truth and always the Beautiful here at TigerHawk.

Dedicated to my Dear and Beautiful niece Mademoiselle A.

Happy Holidays!!

Ache',Paz Y Luz

TigerHawk.

'De Hotta De Battle

De Sweetah De Victory!!'

Bob Marley

"Should he(Obama) win the White House, and it's winnable, will he be  FDR who challenges Wall St's dominance or will he be as they say in Latin American political circles a violin: Placed by the Left but played by the Right??"

TigerHawk

September 15,2008

"We here at TigerHawk are optimistic that civil society will impress on an Obama Presidency to do the right thing, as labor and communities pushed New York patrician Roosevelt(FDR) to advance the New Deal."

TigerHawk

October 20,2008

“Even if we are successful we will be facing bigger challenges than any administration since FDR,"

Manassas,Virginia

November 4,2008

Senator Barack Obama

Celebrating a new American Era...Obamania Music

(Remember to Re-Fresh for new tracks)

Stay tuned here for TigerHawk's take on the historic Obama Presidency.

Ache',Paz Y Luz.

TigerHawk

TigerHawk Music Interlude for November 4,2008

(Always Refresh for New Music added)

The Final Stretch-15 days out

A few moments ago Obama's camp revealed cancellation of campaign events for Mr.Obama to visit his ill grandmother in Hawaii.Just today the Illinois Senator cautioned NBC's Matt Bauer that despite the favorable poll number the race was 'tightening'. Campaign Obama was not getting cocky or letting their guard down.All remarkable after a weekend of major endorsements for him and record fund raising.Mr.David Plouffe,Obama campaign manager sent the video e-mail sharing the news of 600,000 mew volunteers in September to make a nationwide total of 3.1 million.Contributions for September totalled $150 million. Plouffe observed the average amount of $86.00,the primary contributors being retirees and college students.Further we were informed that in West Virginia and other states like Missouri(100,000 attended a St.Louis Obama rally) and North Carolina, oppurtunities were opening in these traditional Red states and ads were being placed.The money gave the campaign the power to respond decisively and open up on McCain's flanks taking the contest aggressively and effectively into the Republican terrain. What a different psychology from Al Gore and John Kerry, both outspent and played defensive campaigning. The grass-roots financial support has strategically altered the prospects of Obama victory as the economic malaise cools Red states to McCain.Florida is now 'in play' with Obama holding a tight lead.Significantly the US Supreme Court ruled at end of last week that Ohio's new 200,000 plus registered voters be protected from Republican court challenges to their voting credentials. A very important ruling as the record Democratic registration were targetted for GOP legal challenges to suppress the vote as in 2000 and 2004.

Now the icing on the cake. The Los Angeles Times has not endorsed a US Presidential candidate since 1972 when Richard M Nixon won a landslide over South Dakota's George McGovern.They endorsed Barack Obama this weekend online and in print.Welcome to the Digital age.Sunday morning former US Secretary of State Colin Powell crossed party lines and publicly endorsed Obama on network TV.General Powell went further and repudiated the tenor of McCain's campaign and selection of Governor Pailin, who the former Secretary deemed unqualified to be US Vice President.A stinging rebuke  for the Republicans. By Monday morn conseravtive radio-host Rush Limbaugh was imputing racial motives to Powell's decision.The current issue of Wired magazine reports that Google's co-founder Eric Schmidt was endorsing Obama and will be a public speaker in the closing campaign.We here at TigerHawk share with Mr.Google concern for preservation of Net Neutrality which allows our TigerHawk blog and other digital content the same level field as the corporate media players.

Democrats' Trifecta.....Heads must roll!!

The Republican National committee (RNC) should be nervous that Barack Obama gets all the press and no coverage of NY Senator Chuck Schumer and DNC Chairman Howard Dean.These two single-handedly snatched the 2006 mid-terms House and Senate majoritiesfrom Republican to Democratic control.The immediate result was removal of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and talk of a 'surge' in Iraq.The lame duck Presidency moved back a year early.Schumer may be out of sight but his 'work' is surely felt as Kentucky's Republican Senator and minority leader is scrambling to fight off an unknown Democrat businessman challenger.Supposedly 10 other GOP Senate seats are vulnerable in an age of Wall St meltdown, bail-out and Main St economic uncertainty.On Sunday the New York Times resident red-headed commentator Maureen Dowd wrote 'Heads must roll' as she reviewed the recklessness of AIG and the depletion of american's 401Ks and pensions.The anger is out there.There is 'Hell to pay' for America's economic quagmire.A bad season for incumbents, especially incumbents identified with financial 'slackness'.That reads Republicans.

Over in the House it's just as bad as housing foreclosures , $2 Trillion in pensions lost in 15 months and states facing budget shortfalls make a dangerous cocktail for Republicans. No wonder the clamor over the Wall St bail-out  gave the Congress pause before succumbing to Treasury Secretary's plan.The conditions are therefore ripe for a Democratic comeback in the House,The Senate and Obama in the White House.The Democrats' Trifecta.The wildest part is that the Red states believed to be in McCain column have improved Obama's prospects of going over 300 Electoral College votes. Today we hear that gasoline is just under $3.00,and  the stock market soars in response to credit  easing .These are good news for McCain.Anything to defuse the anger. If things keep up through November 4, the electorate will ignore the Bradley effect and vote hard-dore economics.Obama.A landslide is  within the zone of probability.

Krugman calls them out..what about 1907??

Last week the major European central bankers met in Washington along with the Japanese and Canadians.Later the European establishment unveiled a package of banking intervention tools, including capital infusion.Too late to save Iceland, but in time to fend off a continental run on banks.That weekend, Friday to be exact, Princeton Economics professor and New York times commentator Paul Krugman declared that Columbus Day weekend to be the deadline for co-ordinated intervention.The danger was the markets opening the following Monday in Asia, and Tuesday in US. Well,almost as a gift of appreciation,the Swedish Academy awarded Professor Krugman the 2008 Nobel Prize for Economics. The strange thing was that it was for research he submitted on international trade decades before.Whatever. To me it's like giving Denzel the Oscar for 'Training Day'.Long overdue after' Malcolm X' and 'Hurricane' , but he got recognized 'finally' when he wasn't looking for it. We disclose that Mr.Krugman has been quoted often by this blog over several months. Our Economics heavy.The mysteries of Award committees.We are thrilled for his recognition.Today October 20,in the same NYT,Mr.Krugman questions the McCain's championing of Joe the Plumber,  while most plumbers barely earn $48,000 a year and poised to benefit from Obama's tax proposal.

While we are all captive audience to the Obama historic quest, more mysterious events have been transpiring in the financial arena.For one,before the bankruptcy, Lehman Brothers after 158 years was valued at $72 Billion.. When the dust settled and UK'S Barclays Bank took ownership, the cost of the deal was a mere $258 million.Who arranged that gift for Barclays?When the $710 Billion bail-out proposal emerged from the caverns of Mr.Paulson's building, the temporary ban on selling short US bank stocks was enforced. Never in the annals of Anglo-Saxon capitalism and trading had such a rule been created.Columbus Day Monday, Mr.Paulson and co-hort Bernanke of the Federal Reserve invited the CEOs of the top 9 US banks to a meeting at the US Treasury.This was during the IMF annual meetings, so the chiefs assumed it another round of self-congratulations on teaching the ill-disciplined developng countries on finance management.You know, things like never intervening in the markets and maintaining responsible capital reserves..things that were practiced in Wall St sometime..not sure when. Anyway, the bankers were surprised(CBS' Lesley Stahl unveiled this drama on 60 minutes) to be given a three page offer (they could not refuse) of US Treasury ownership and investment in their banking companies. Note that the weekend of the Lehman and Merrill Lynch dissolving, Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan Chase suddenly and mysteriously shape-shifted into bank holding companies, ready to accept deposits etc. Newly re-incarnated Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan chiefs were now at the bankers 'seminar'.Note: Obama's capitalist supporter Buffet invested $5 Billion in Goldman as a stsatement of faith during uncertainties.Of course we assume no conflict despite Mr.Paulson being a former Goldman Sachs executive.We trust him.

1907 replay??

We all automatically look to 1929 whenever talk of finance doomsday arises.The crash that October set the stage for the 1930s Depression from which Franklin D Roosevelt responded with the New Deal of Social Security,WPA,SEC and more controls on the laissez-faire ideology.However, there was an earlier crisis in 1907 called the 'Rich man's' panic or the Bankers' Panic. Seems a few swashbuckling Financiers gambled the casino on some Western US investments which went sour. The New York Stock Exchange was wiped out 50%.The secondary 'Curb' market almost erased.The Curb(on The Street) was where the daring risk takers placed their market /casino bets.A company named KnickerBocker Trust became insolvent.Problem was many other 'respected' institutions

were in the mix. Well the man of the hour was the larger than life

JP Morgan who arranged meetings to 'iron-out' the discrepancies. Keep in mind this set the stage for the Federal Reserve 6 years later in 1913.Morgan was basically the banker of last resort. Today his name sake is prominent in these new 'bank incarnations'.Over the past weekend we have the 'incoherent' image of the US President W at Camp Daviid being 'impressed' by the French President on the necessity of holding an International Finance conference in November. When Governor Pailin accused Senator Obama of socialism today, forgetting the White House bail-outs recently in the100s of billions of US dollars, the Illinois Senator invoked billionaire Warren Buffett as a supporter.Former Carter Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker and Clinton Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin are Obama advisors.This leaves us to inquire.Will Obama be the intellectual disciple of the Finance community whose historic memory is long. These players know how to privatise the profit and spread/publicize the pain/costs.Remember Paulson running around exhorting Congressmen to sign off on a Trillion dollar blank check bail-out lest fire and brimstone of Depression rained down on all ? Barney Frank and other non-believers were not impressed.

We here at TigerHawk are optimistic that civil society will impress on an Obama Presidency to do the right thing, as labor and communities pushed New York patrician Roosevelt to advance the New Deal. Like JFK and Bill Clinton administrations we anticipate a resurgence of the arts and music. Happily here we present a TigerHawk playlist entitled 'Obama Landslide' which is a mix of inspiring  music ,more of which we anticipate enjoying during a 'Newer Deal'.

Ache',Paz Y Luz

TigerHawk

'Man looks in the abyss, there's nothing staring
back at him. At that moment, man finds his character. And that is
what keeps him out of the abyss.'

Lou to Bud in 'Wall Street'

'The main thing about money, Bud, is that it makes you do
things you don't want to do.'

Lou in 'Wall Street'

"There are eight million stories in the Naked City. This has been one of them."

ABC TV series 'Naked City'

Trees from the forests....Money from the Markets.

We are now 30 days out from the pivotal 2008 US congressional and Presidential elections.Our theme of 'The Hero with a Thousand Faces' with regard to Barack's Odyssey  steps up  pace in dramatic fashions.Economy, stupid.The Economy.Since our last TigerHawk post a week ago, we've had our predicted plunge in the New York Stock Exchange. The Dow Jones Industrials fell 777 points last Monday, September 29,2008.The largest ever one-day drop.Any numerologists in the house? Who writes this script?Even more than at 9/11, 2001.The immediate cause was the break-down of the 'Bail-out' agreement in the US House of Representatives.Remember that sell-off melt-down after the $85 Billion 'seizure' of AIG, and Wall Street's panic frenzy were only tamed with Hank Paulson's promise of a 'Bail-out' for the misbehaving financial industry.We, the collective citizenry are now responsible to assuage their fear of collapse by assuming purchase of their 'toxic' paper formerly called mortgage-backed securities or collateralized debt obligations.However, we called it here last week. The impolite topic of ideology arose in the US Congress. While Democrat Speaker Nancy Pelosi  corralled her side of the aisle's votes, the Republicans splintered with an outbreak of Reaganism and challenged the Bush Treasury's plans.Remember no government,free enterprise etc? Well these elected officials, bombarded by antsy constituents back home, ready to vote for ALL 435 Congressional seats, felt it was time to renew their Reagonomics membership cards.The White House was not amused. A revolt and disrespect to an obvious lame duck Republican Administration by laissez faire purists.The White House had abandoned the 'Free Market' religion. The romper room crowd did not grasp the gravity and sophistication of the crisis. The matter was no longer about Wall Street and the Financial Industry, but was now 'bleeding' over to Main Street.The panic in banking circles has created a drying up of credit . Small businesses, corporations, municipalities and States are all credit starved facing operational contraction and shutdown,which means unemployment increases.Less money in the wallets and purses.The highway to

Obama Country.

Yesterday on the eve of the Vice-Presidential debate, the wires relayed McCain's pulling campaign resources out of Michigan. Apparently the management on the ground assessed the effort to be futile, as the economic hardship in the Auto state had smashed the Palin personality/McCain maverick hopeful game plan.In fact, five diverse polls all show Obama opening his lead in six of seven swing states.107 Electoral College votes of the winning 270 reside in these places. Last night's debate , while having no faux pas by the Alaska governor Sarah Palin, took nothing away from Senator Joe Biden, Obama's running mate.The worse the economic news, the greater Obama's poll numbers rise.A fascinating dynamic as a few months ago we were sure that Obama's experience and race would define the campaign. Arizona Senator McCain was of similar reasoning, bringing in a white  young female to challenge and undermine Obama's 'rock star' charisma. Unfortunately, the Katie Couric interview was a bit disjointed at the very moment McCain need a boost deflecting away from the Wall Sreet crisi,s and its Main Street fall-out.California is now asking the Federal government for $7 Billion to bridge a budget short fall.. The September unemployment figures were a 5 year high,Guaranteed to compound the cosumers and investors' anxiety and fear.

'One thing's for sure: The next administration's economic team had better be ready to hit the ground running, because from day one it will find itself dealing with the worst financial and economic crisis since the Great Depression.'

Paul Krugman,New York Times

October 3,2008

Paul Krugman sounded the alarm today warning in his New York Times opinion piece that we're at the Abyss.What was an obscure Wall Street contagion has bled into all our lives.Main Street and Side Street.Our money, and money prospects are under attack and we all face converging challenges.Our collective Abyss. That is why McCain's diversionary  tactics and' don't trust the 'exotic' guy's talk' strategy, is not making traction. The populace is poorer , skeptical and fearful.We need hope or a visionary leadership tonavigate away from from the abyss. We here at TigerHawk are not impressed with the details or thoroughness of  Obama economic policy, However, we agree with many Americans that he seems to have a better grasp of the urgency, and the macro-economic complexity beyond tax breaks and budget balancing.Ask California's Republican Governor how far such ideological rigidity has got the Golden State back  on the road to economic prosperity.The racist pathology and deceit of the mentioned Bradley syndrome/effect, is an obvious danger to Obama.Some whites cannot allow themselves to vote for a black man.An unfortunate and deep-seated legacy of Slavery. However,the depth of the Obama/Biden war-chest,aggressive ad-buys in Red-states, the increase of new voter  registrations and the galvanizing of the African-American vote since his conversation in South Carolina, have put Wizard Karl R's low road former W victory formula, under pressure.Obama reminds us that he's been in the campaign for 19 months and always under-estimated.HRC will testify that the plan that Super Tueday would seal the Democratic nomination, was torpedoed by a bold and new electoral strategy by the Harvard Law graduate.Last election cycle in 2004 , Mr.Evil Bin Laden popped up that last campaign weekend to add to foreign policy and security debate. Let's see which Jack pops out of which box.

From Faith, Hope and Charity to Flower,Hope and Grand.

The epicenter of Los Angeles' banking and finance power is in the Bunker Hill area downtown L.A. We have reported on the Grand performances from the California Plaza on Grand Avenue.Along with Hope and Flower,all threeenvelope upscale and corporate Bunker Hill.In 1849 just two years after winning California from Mexico, the Christian Anglo settlers named the three hills-Faith,Hope and Charity Avenues. In time Faith became Flower,Hope retained its name, but Charity seemed too indulgent for the Protestant Industry and became Grand Avenue. Today Grand (north of 5th street and the Library) is the elite cultural center of Los Angeles exhibiting banking skyrise canyons. The Mark Taper Forum,The Walt Disney Concert Hall,The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, The Colburn Art School(Juilliard West) and The California Plaza all shout L.A's power, culture and dominance.We recently have been on assignment in this Financial/Cultural 'Hood, and have enjoyed the ambiance, aesthetics, the bold architecture and the multi-cultural populace occupying the corporate/banking towers.Despite the sophisticated veneer, one senses an imperceptible tension which is bordering on collective deer in the head-lights posture.The Naked City.The Naked Avenue.Similar to Manhattan. Millions of stories at the edge of the Economic Abyss. After all a few days ago Wachovia and WaMu(Washington Mutual) both had economic marriages of convenience. Despite the up-beat press releases to impress the share-holders, these  folk on pay-roll in these Bunker Hill canyons are aware of the Corporate degradation in Wall Street, and the upper Corporate circles are unreliable and golden parachute obsessed.As Obama said at his nomination, its not about him or any one leader but it's about us all.The neighboring hill of Hope reminds them daily of America's spirit of resilience.

Golden Eagle Comments on the Wall Street Crisis.

We have a Vietnamese-Chinese Lady who was once a high-powered trader in the sophisticated markets from Bunker Hill high-rise offices. We started this discussion at our temple in China-Town and Golden Eagle has agreed to make a commentary here at TigerHawk, sharing her insights:

' It is unnecessary for the Federal government to bail-out Wall Street because:
Corporate CEOs took advantage of the lack of oversight and enriched themselves while running their companies into the ground.
The government has no business of becoming another investment bank itself. This is totally un-American and un-Capitalistic. I believe possible future profits of the proposed government bail-out would be spent on political pet projects( rather than down paying the budget deficit or national debt) which would benefit us the consumers or (Main street).

Proposed fix:
Create economic Oversight Agency by full time independent economists without political affiliation.
Create total transparency of all Wall Street transactions without golden parachutes for present or future CEOs.
Replace pseudo government agencies like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
With independent investment Clearing-houses.
Maybe have private investment firms buy up bad portfolios, let them be insured at $70 Billion total and problems can be solved quickly.'

Golden Eagle

Ache',Paz Y Luz,

TigerHawk

' Our Entire economy is in danger.

I'm a strong believer in Free Enterprise.My natural instincts is to oppose government intervention.

Millions of Americans could lose their jobs.

America could slip into a financial panic.

The value of your home could plummet. Foreclosures would rise dramatically.

Major sectors of America's financial system are at risk of shutting down.'

President George W.Bush

Evening of September 24,2008

'Greed is Good'

In 1987, film-maker Oliver Stone gave us 'Wall Street' .A tribute to his father, a former stock broker. Michael Douglas played Gordon Gekko a portrayal of then M& A (Merger &Acquisition) guru Ivan Boesky who subsequently was convicted by the SEC for fraud.'Greed is Good.Greed is the American Way' was his pivotal statement at a share-holders meeting in the movie.Charlie Sheen played a young ambitious Mr.Bud Fox, and Martin Sheen Fox's dad a union leader.Oliver Stone loves his double entendres in casting . Gives him a sense of 'connecting' with the material.We all know Sheen Sr is a committed progressive, An Irish-Mexican Catholic of strong sense of social justice and community responsibility. The Gekko character was the competing father-figure for young Fox's values and admiration.Stone,Douglas and the movie won Oscar in the last year of the Ronald Reagan Presidency. A prescient bit of cinematic work by Mr.Stone.Always controversial Mr Stone has never shied away from topics which penetrate the contradictions of Americana. He thrives in that zone of the socio-political American spectrum.

President Ronald Reagan unleashed an American and then a global counter-revolution in ideology and economic values. At the core it was 'Get Government off our backs.' 'The magic of the market and Free enterprise is the only efficient and necessary device for prosperity'.Deregulation a pivotal unleashing of these wonderful and Invisible Forces.The slogan was 'Trickle Down'.Adam Smith after Jesus the only relevant prophet. A vital necessity of Mr.Reagan's vision of 'roll-back' was to take, challenge and discredit that nemesis of US Corporate excess-Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR). The subsequent Republican Administrations took pride in maintaining and extending the Reagan Agenda.In fact it is a tenet of faith to be more Reagan than Reagan to get the nod and money of the laissez-faire faithful.This means all ideas of the 'WelfareState' benefitting the individual is unacceptable.Businesses are the worthy beneficiaries of Tax cuts and other 'non-government activity'.The state budget must be balanced religiously especially at the cost of the economically weaker.No funds should go their way as its a waste of resources. Therefore FDR's innovations such as Social Security are not worthy of support or protection and not as financially efficient as corporate (read Wall St) managed Retirement Funds.Education is a luxury and cannot be a burden on the state to balance the budgets. Hence the 78 day stand-off in California over the budget where 'cuts' were torpedoed by Republican Arnold to 'balance' the state  budget.Terminator has many meanings.

In the meantime the speculation and creative financial instruments on Wall Street went from LBOS (Leveraged Buy-Outs) and Junk-Bonds of the Reagan 80s, to CDOS(Collateralized Debt Obligations) and Mortgage-Backed Securities of the W Bush years.This was the road to sub-prime melt-down and the last night's national plea by the Republican President for a national unity to fend off economic disaster.Greed was accepted by Wall Street as necessary for the multi-million dollar 'golden parachutes' for dismissed executives.Treasury Secretary Paulson ran to Capitol Hill over the weekend insisting that the 'masters of the universe' were like Indian Brahmins, the true 'Untouchables', essential for the $700 bill French newspaper  'La Liberation' be-moaned the shortage of bankers hopping out windows a la' their 1929 brotherhood.Paulson too knows this history and is of that school which says give them some 'incentive' beyond the elevator-less ride to the 'Street'.At the same moment,Mr.Secretary and his Fed Reserve cohort Mr.Bernanke were confused as to why Congressmen such as Barney Frank of Mass believe that ordinary Americans deserve some financial mortgage relief as the banks who get their money are themselves granted assistance.Hence the 'bail-out' stalemate this past 5 days.Mr.Frank was not smitten with the voodoo Theology of 'market and business' supremacy over workers, home-owners and other regular American folk.

Wild over Barney..cold on TINA

UK's Margaret Thatcher was Reagan's ideological soul-mate in the 1980s marching lock-step to the Free-Enterprise Altar.When Mr.Gorbachev unravelled his own USSR-ruled European empire, starkly demonstrated by the Berlin's Wall fall, the Reagan/Thatcher ideologues had a field day. In fact along with a book entitled 'End of History',Prime Minister Thatcher introduced to Britain and Europe her female companion; TINA.No,TINA was not a woman member of Britain's Conservative party.TINA was a new reality.THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE.All ideas of mixed economy or fantasies of the Third world state power for planned economies and development were now totally smashed on the rumbles of the Berlin Wall.UnBridled Capitalism,which really means Corporate license to dominate society was the only Religion. Strange we hear Paulson soberly mouthing that no longer will we have 'Pure Capitalism' as he and Co went hat in hand to Mr.Frank et al.Barney Frank as a result of the Democrats' 2006 mid-term Congressional gains is in the historic position to check the 'Ride of Greed' which like a contagion now threatens the wider American society and economy.Yes, gentlemen there are Alternatives.President Bill Clinton explained the need for a mix of the Private and Public sectors as he promotes his Global Initaitive in over 100 countries with Bush Sr.Alternative approaches, alternative strategies.Where is TINA?? Checked by a humble Buddha-like New Englander named Barney who has this strange notion that people count as much as bamkers and corporate hotshots. FDR's legacy is being revisited and Barack Obama finds himself at the nexus of History,Economy,Power and Race. Millions of Americans are demanding 'change' now. In Spanish we say 'Ya Basta'.Enough.

Barack's Political Fortunes

We here at TigerHawk are not a political blog, however we clearly spot the historic political dynamics in play.At this moment wire reports before 6.00 p.m PST indicate that the White House summit which included John McCain and Barack Obama has NOT closed the 'Bail-out' deal.Mr.McCain played a bold gamble yesterday by demanding post-ponement of campaigns and debates.The gamble was that a deal would emerge tonight and he can look Presidential and recover the Sarah Palin momentum.Unfortunately for the Arizona Senator and Vietnam hero, the ideological struggle of Roosevelt and Reagan at this unique moment in the Republic's history transcends one election cycle.Obama is a direct beneficiary as he has not been jerky and displayed an even -keel posture....Presidential.Tomorrow like petulant youngsters the market will go south and trigger a frenzy of negotiations which must address ideological matters pushed under the rug in US since Reagan's ascendancy.How money does Congress grant the Financial elite and how much relief do American home-owners realize?During the Reagan age, Obama was a Community Organizer in Chicago working with the economically disenfranchised.The role was ridiculed at the Republican convention by Rudy G and Sarah P.However for the elderly in the freezing windy city, loss of power and heat in winter is no laughing matter.A Harvard Law degree can be put to more lucrative career choices.Here we return to our premise of Campbell's 'A Hero with a Thousand Faces'.The stuff of folk-tales,Biblical stories and movies. The young apprentice sets out to acquire the knowledge and skills to return to be of village eservice.That is totally counter-intuitive in a Yuppie age and not corporate ambitious.Why did he do it??What genetic defect yields such an attitude? The Right have danced around this aspect of Obama's candidacy.Here we stand on uncomfortable ground. As a response to the Reagan conservative dominance, many Democrats started being Republican-lite to win public office.We even observe Obama mouthing off a few surprising right-wing positions after he defeated Mrs.Rodham Clinton.

We come to the crux of the politics of 2008.First we must mention the Bradley syndrome.In 1982,Los Angeles Democrat mayor and coalition builder Tom Bradley ran for California Governor.The Republican opponent was Armenian-American George Deukejian.Many Fielld's polls indicated a historic Bradley victory.That would have meant the first black governor in the Bear State since African-Mexican Pico Rivera and his brother General Andres Pico surrendered to US forces at Campo de Cahuenga (Universal City)in 1847.After a wrenching late night and early morn close count Bradley conceded defeat.Mr.Fields was alarmed that the white voters had lied to his teams and prefered to vote non-black.A sober reminder to Barack Obama.White supremacy dies hard.In fact my middle aged white Hollywood 'peeps'have relayed stories of angry young white males boasting that their connections in the 'South' will never tolerate a black man ruling in the US.Beyond the racial legacy of slavery, we have the bold vision of a patrician New York governor who stood up to class and privilege to make the 'New Deal' ease America's pain of The Great Depression.Roosevelt transcended his comfortable station in life, and as the Left forces of labor and civil rights pressured and agitated he got the back-bone to do the right thing.That was his crime against privilege.The Hollywood stars were many in the FDR camp as Federal works programs provided jobs for artists.Tom Hayden, that relentless Irish-Californian has advocated critical pressure on an Obama Presidency to counter the power of the Corporatists.Today's White House photo-op is an omen of things to come. The last time a Presidential candidate held a 'summit' at the White House during a campaign, Teddy Kennedy went to confer with President Carter about the upcoming Democratic Convention, as the party was being ripped apart due to their rivalry.The beneficiary of that fight was Republican candidate Ronald Reagan who had an October Surprise.Iran's release of American hostages.Which comes to the closing point of this chapter of B O Chronicles.The Republicans have historically welcomed the 'OctoberSurprise' to throw the Democrats off-balance in Foreign affairs.Unfortunately for McCain, the economic climate is so dire that it will take a dramatic conflict abroad to divert attention of Americans from their pockets and wallets.What we have here is a September Surprise in Wall Street.

Ache',Paz Y Luz

TigerHawk.

A Tiger Hawk Video Bonus.Gotta keep it vibrating.Zap Mama with Erykah Badu in Bandy Bandy.Down by the river.Enjoy

Mid-Autumn/Moon Festival Greetings!!

Today September 15 is the Full Moon in the USA.However yesterday here in Los Angeles, the Asian communities , primarily Chinese and Vietnamese celebrated the Moon Festival.To them the 15th of the Lunar month is the key day. According to their lunar calendar, now is the month of August  and the 15th day  was yesterday Sunday, September 14,2008.We had fun at the Temple after our individual  meditation and supplications,and group ceremony at the incense altars. Then we enjoyed our chef's noodles and chow mein.Around a fun table full of young Vietnamese-Americans and Cantonese-Chinese, the topic of Lehman Brothers came up. I was amazed at the quality of information passed on about the weekend moves in Wall St and elsewhere to save the 158 year American financial pillar. To my surprise I heard that the venerable Bull of Wall St, Merrill Lynch ,was about to be acquired by California's own Bank of America(HQd in N.C).

The moon last night to the Chinese is the most powerful and brightest of the whole year(8th month of lunar calendar).Back in the day, the agricultural societies gave thanks for this moon to shed light as they harvested the crops prior to the onslaught of the colder seasons. Moon Cakes are a traditional reminder of the love and gratitude for the moon's gifts to the human race. Other cultures call it Harvest Moon. We here at TigerHawk are constantly amazed and respectful of the common and universal themes and ideas revealed globally by diverse groups and peoples.We celebrate and recognize these with equanimity. We still  have the Full Moon tonight to look at  and send that special thought or vibration of prosperity.

Wall St not in control

Yesterday's events shows how far we have come from Wall St's dominance of global financial events. At the heart of Wall St , Merrill Lynch's big steel/iron Bull is an intimidating fixture in front of its Lower Manhattan HQ.Merrill has supplied Donald Regan as Ronald Reagan's Secretary of Treasury and Chief of Staff.They have been co-leads of Debentures and other sophisticated financial instruments which bamboozled many a poor Third World finance minister and Prime Minister. Today ML is owned by a bank created by an Italian immigrant to San Francisco,California .What a difference a decade makes.How did it happen?

This post is a perfect segue way to continue my Barack's Odyssey Chronicles.My next post will do so, however we set it up here with a few observations.Last Summer in July 2007, we here at TigerHawk commented on the French financial group Paribas halting withdrawals, citing US sub-prime links. We here have a particular perspective on these matters and routinely report and observe. Well, we knew it was coming to this despite the deflections and sleight of the hand by the Federal Reserve.We were never impressed by the so-called wisdom and finance acumen of these institutions. We know their history and have followed with much humor and amazement at their gall to lure working and middle classes into their 'witches' brew.We here have experience as Sales professionals and every Sales-Man or excuse me, Account Executive, loves commissions and fees from 'deals' closed.The Mortgage 'paper' was giving a lot of fees to brokers, managers, partners and the likes.In fact, these golden parachutes now revealed are an additional obscenity after the proverbial 'train wrecks' engineered by these gurus at Countrywide,WaMu, Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac to mention a few recent stars..Our solution here was simple. Every worthwhile Sales organization experiences 'Charge-Backs', where the sales man gets his/her commission taken back after a deal not consummated or gone bad. Had these finance hot shots been paying charge-backs, we know there would have been less cavalier about Mortgage-Backed Debt Obligations (CDOs)as paper to trade for fees.GREED.The core issue.A climate of truly Laissez-Faire, an ideology aggressively promoted by a complicit corporate media, and public officials intimidated to check or control the market. The legacy of Reagan.Many a retired African,Caribbean,Latin American and Canadian government minister is today observing the'chickens come home to roost' in Wall St,NYC.The former Capitol of the US, home of George Washington the first US President. The original market, a gathering of merchants and traders under a tree (Buttonwood), was to defray the costs of the debts of the Revolutionary War against the British.May 17,1792, the Buttonwood Agreement  let fly the power that ruled for a few centuries. The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).There was always the implicit understanding that the power of money was backed up by more than gold.Military and Money became interchangeable,much like the City in London.The former Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin, recently chided the US and West's finance elite for their lack of moral authority to criticize poor countries' economic mis-mangagement. We here observe many of these finance types were the loudest against individual welfare, and other citizen's subsidies,including foreclosure relief, yet now we hear that both Lehman Brothers and A.I.G were hunting for 'bail-outs'. Did you get the call for your piece of the action when the good times rolled for them and they raked in beaucoup cash? Why should we get the call to carry the load of their intellectual and managerial excesses and arrogance?

Barack's Choice...FDR or Violin??

We come back to Barack Obama's quest. Expectedly he will decry the Republican Administration of the past 8 years etc. However we here noted he convened a meeting of former Wall St heavies like Clinton's Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin and former Fed chairman Paul Volcker to examine the USA's finance/economic crisis.Should he win the White House, and it's winnable, will he be  FDR who challenges Wall St's dominance or will he be as they say in Latin American political circles a violin: Placed by the Left but played by the Right??

Stay Tuned.

Ache',Paz Y Luz

TigerHawk

Greetings to Ethiopians Everywhere!!

We here at TigerHawk salute the world class contribution and history of Ethiopia who celebrate the 1400 plus years of New Year on their own calendar.Meskerem.September11.Thank you for the gifts of tolerance,The Negast and preserving of the treasures for humanity.As an American of descent neighboring south of Abyssinia(Kenya) pursues highest office in US, your traditions and history will inevitably revisit our collective awareness.

Ache',Paz Y Luz

TigerHawk.

TigerHawk Special Editorial

I have not commented on US politics per se since this blog was created 3 years ago, August 2005.However as we survey the 2008 political terrain, and we reference George Lucas' handbook 'The Hero with a Thousand Faces' by Mr.Lucas' intellectual mentor, Joseph Campbell, amazing themes and symbols reveal themselves. Candidate Barack Obama has changed the dynamics of contemporary US Politics, and this is more than the fact that he is part African.This will be the first in a series of posts as we're  within that twilight zone of 60 days from the US Presidential Decision 2008. Although we support a progressive agenda here at TigerHawk, we're not dogmatic, doctrinaire or partisan. We call it as we see it giving just due where it is deserved. Further we strongly believe as Nelson Mandela suggested, that the world should be voting in US Elections as its results impact the global community.

 Economy or Personality?

Today Saturday September 6,2008 the daily electoral pendulum swung back in Barack Obama's favor as yesterday's joblessness report revealed a spike. Today we see on-line that Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac are due for US Government bail-out this weekend. These are dangerous economic indicators.Question. Are they enough to overshadow the personality frenzy exhibited over Republican V.P candidate, Alaskan governor Sarah Palin? After all, just yesterday we're told she is now more popular than either McCain or Obama. That was why McCain chose her .Obama's speech at the Democratic Convention was winning over  Independents.

Our Surreal Moment

"The problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the color line."

W.E.B DuBois 1903

We are all affected by Barack Obama's presence in the Presidential sweepstakes. Can he pull it off, or as William Jefferson Clinton suggested, it's just a fantasy, a fairy tale. Iowa was a shock to the system and made Barack's quest legitimate and credible. This son of Kansas and Kenya. The Kansas Territory, next to Missouri was always a contentious real estate leading to the American Civil War and during the battle lines meandered through that state and Missouri.Free State or Slave Holding ,that was the Kansas question.'Bleeding Kansas' was the reference.Kenya was the East African prize of British colonials where the temperate climate was a relief from dull and harsh England.Kenya also yielded the Mau Mau 'terror' against white rule.Administrators in London once suggested Kenya be the 'home' for the Jews. From The Wizard of Oz comes' Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Kansas'.Kenya is immediately south of the Land of the Solomonic Dynasty, Abyssinia or Ethiopia of Biblical acclaim. The unique and persecuted Nilotic peoples also have a blood-line branch in Kenya.Subtle influences for Barack's quest.

I humbly suggest that we're all sleep walking or under hypnosis as we follow Barack's historic and bold quest. The history of Race and Slavery in USA predicates an obsession with color , race and power, no matter how educated, rich or modern we claim. It's well described by Carl Gustav Jung as our 'collective consciousness'. Our Surreal Moment.However as W.E.B DuBois predicted for the 20 th Century, still in this new 21 st Century the issue is the 'Color Line'.The moment of instant global electronic/digital transmission only amplifies the fear and hysteria which is the legacy of Slavery.I have met many young folks of every nationality in US , some Republican who have professed their intention to vote for Barack Obama, further adding they do not see him as Black.I applaud this color-blind trend, however as Rev Wright's episode clearly showed, the onus of not being 'an angry black man'  was placed on Obama after the case was made that his preacher mentor Wright was indeed an angry  brotha.Suddenly Obama was expected to show his denouncing of another man who has been a minister for decades. The hysteria. The racial hysteria as observed by West Indian playwright and Nobel Prize winner Derek Walcott when he moved to Harvard in the 80s. Walcott described the 'galloping racial hysteria'.What's incredible , these episodic outbreaks are never identified as disorders, but are fed by the corporate media bent on their pound of flesh.Remember, they all have black friends and neighbors.We all need a Racial 12 Step Program like AA (Alcoholics Anonymous). I admit I am powerless and I am ...Carl Jung would encourage our facing up to this collective neurosis as it's unhealthy and has psychosomatic side-effects.

Obama courageously gave his lecture on Race after the Wright firestorm, but it was not sufficient for sectors of the opinion-making elite. They were not satisfied.This is just one challenge of this historic journey to be President of USA.As he recently shared.(I'm paraphrasing).If his name was Barry Obama or Barack Jackson, no problem.But Barack Obama, that was too much. Let's stick a pin right here. This was his referring to meeting his future wife Michelle. I suggest he has already won the mind-share over us a la Xerox, when he did not Anglicize his name as many immigrants still do.A sign of personal strength and leadership.

In hindsight I conclude that Iowa(a Free State in the 1850s) was the launch pad for this Surreal Moment hurtling towards November 2008. Many assumed that the Obama candidacy would sputter and/or implode a la Jesse Jackson years earlier, going nowhere as a fringe or protest candidate. Iowa was the alarm.This was not business as usual for the American polity.

Breaking the Colonial Mentality

My recent Olympic posts enjoyed the brilliance of Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt. Local Jamaican observers have dissected the class significance of Dance Hall music whic Bolt demonstrated to the Beijing crowd and beyond via satellite.The Jamaican people know a lot about Black struggle and coming up,having had their share of episodes and sagas.In 1980 Jamaican Socialist  Prime Minister Michael Manley was soundly defeated at the Jamaican polls.Author of 'Struggle in the Periphery' and other penetrating political/historical exposes, Manley gave a lecture in Harvard Yard reflecting on his loss. A friend of mine from Boston U attended and reported that Manley came to terms with the obstacles of the 'colonial mind' which defeats the colonial subjects psychologically and limits their resistance to oppression. Harvard Man Obama must have heard of Manley's speech as he went down to South Carolina with the same message after Iowa.The audienc this time were the descendants of the slaves.

Stay Tuned.

Editorial note: This post is a work in progress over the next several days.Check for new paragraphs etc.Remember to Re-Fresh.

Today September 10 is the Kemetic(Ancient African/Egyptian) New Year, and tomorrow September 11 is Meskerem , the Ethiopian New Year.I continue the Barack Odyssey in a fresh post imminently.New Year's Greetings of an African Flava!!

Ache',Paz Y Luz

TigerHawk

'If you know your History

Then you would know where you're coming from

Then you wouldn't have to ask me

Who the 'eck do I think I am'

Buffalo Soldier

by

Bob Marley

Dem Nuh Linga

A few hours ago in Beijing the Jamaicans wrapped up the men's track sprint story.Unfortunately the US team suffered dis-qualification in an earlier round due to baton drop.In fact the same happened the the US women in same round. A painful replay of 2004 when they ran out of the 'box'.In my past 2 posts I kept suggesting that the real action will be in the relays.I assumed all teams will complete the baton changes and give us a thrill to the finish.My thinking was that the US had a deep team of talent, while Jamaica has 2 record-holders(Bolt and Powell).To my mind it came to the coach's strategy of where he deployed his stonger sprinters. Well, in the absence of the historically dominant USA team, the Jamaicans decided they were going not just for gold but for world record.This maturity follows Bolt record in the 200 metres.The US had held record of 37.40 since 1996 Atlanta anchored by 1984 double gold winner Carl Lewis.Bolt ran the third leg.This is significant as it is the curve ending at the top of the back stretch, and Bolt seems stronger in the 200 metres where he negotiates the curve.This gave him and Jamaica the advantage as the baton was past to the anchor who is fittingly Asafa Powell. Marvellous performance by the Idren from JamDown. No Linger in Jamaican patois Nuh Linga!!

Let me give tribute to the former record holders of the relay in a time of 37.40 secs.The record was first established at the Barcelona Games in 1992 by the US team ,August 8,1992. Carl Lewis ran anchor.The fellow speedsters were Leroy Burrell,Dennis Mitchell and Michael Marsh.It was matched in Stuttgart,Germany on August 21, 1993 John Drummond,Andre Cason,Dennis Mitchell and Leroy Burrell.A good run of 12 years.We salute you Sprint champions, now the baton is past to the Jamaicans who may be here for awhile.Usain Bolt,Asafa Powell,Nesta Carter and Michael Frater.They were one second ahead of the silver winners from neighboring island republic  Trinidad & Tobago.Japan took bronze.The record time in 1972 by Eddie Hart,Rey Robinson and crew was 38.19 secs.A joy to witness the progress of the best athletes over time.

Ache',Paz Y Luz

TigerHawk

King of the Beijing Olympics

We know the star of these Summer Beijing XXIX Olympiad to be Michael Phelps of USA who earned 8 gold medals with 7 being world record times, including 3 relays. Congrats Mr.Phelps. You took Mark Spitz' 1972 monument and wrote a new legacy for Olympics swimming.

Yet today we interrupt the scheduled TigerHawk blog post to recognize the King of the XXIX Olympiad in Beijing ,China.Mr.Usain Bolt of Jamaica.21 years old and standing 6 ft 5 in, weighing 190 lbs.This Wednesday morn Beijing time Jamaica's bolt of Lightning surprised even his supporters such as yours truly.Winning the 200 metres was expected.I played in my head with a 19.60 and a few years later maybe near Michael Johnson's 19.32..maybe a 19.40.But 19.30 now in 2008? That's smoking.Bolt was very animated and playful during the qualifying rounds.He heard much rebuke for his last 20 metres cruising in the 100 metres where he still set a world record of 9.63 secs.The young Jamaican was dancing before and after his races, even hamming it up and posing for the cameras. He suggested one not take their job too seriously.

In hindsight it was all an act to set us up for the surprise of this run over the 200 meters.He knew that Michael Johnson's 12 year record was in jeopardy.We all didn't know or see what was on his mind.Johnson's quick repetitive foot motion has been cited as piece of his speed puzzle. Bolt by contrast takes long and large strides covering a lot of ground in a short time. My previous blog I referenced Carl Lewis (USA) in Los Angeles 1984 and Valeri Borzov (USSR) in Munich 1972.These were the previous double gold champions in track sprint. Usain Bolt is the first to have double world record times.An Olympic precedent.

As a fan of track for years, I'm pleased for this oppurtunity of the global world wide web,  digital media ,and Net Neutrality to get up here on the rooftops and celebrate thistrack achievement by this young Jamaican.You are the King of the Beijing Olympics.We respect Michael Phelps' performance, he can be the star. Track was always the glorious symbol of the world's 'Fastest Man'.

The Jamaican and Caribbean performance in track is the story of the moment.Beijing 2008. In fact as if to scold Usain for 'slackness' in the last 20 meters of the 100 final, his Jamaican sisters swept the 100 meters taking Gold,Silver and Bronze.I suspect the JamDown daughters had a serious talk with the 'youngster' over the weekend and asked him to stop 'de foolishness and ting and lewwe tek care of bizness in de 200, mon'.19.30 secs is serious business.

I'm saying it here ,now. Watch the relays on the last day of the Olympics.World records are destined to be smashed as USA tries to make up for loss in the individual sprints and Jamaica says 'hole on, tek it easy, not so fast,mon'

P.S In my last post as I chronicled Olympic track performers since 1972, I realized in hindsight that another Jamaican was at the center of much historic events.Lennox Miller was a quiet and humble man who became a dentist in Southern California and passed away late 2007.Yet, this early ambassador of Jamaica's track was there with the best. In Mexico 1968, when John Carlos and Tommie Smith gave the black power salute after the 200 metres, Miller won silver behind USA's Jim Hines ,who did the first sub-10 seconds 100 metres run.Miller came back 4 years later at the painful Munich Olympics for US sprinters Eddie Hart and Rey Robinson, and won bronze behind Borzov and USA sprinter Robert Taylor.Miller gave Jamaica a taste of things to come back in those days.Much respect Mr.Miller.

Ache,Paz Y Luz

TigerHawk

Buffalo soldier troddin through the land, wo-ho-ooh!
Said he wanna ran, then you wanna hand,
Troddin through the land, yea-hea, yea-ea.

'Buffalo Soldier'

Bob Marley

King of Olympics is always 100 metres Gold!!

My conscious sister called from an international location at 7.33 a.m Los Angeles time. Jamaica's Bolt won the 100 metres in Beijing.ATrini(short for Trinidadian) won silver.A US sprinter took bronze. In fact at the line-up it was a Caribbean affair. 3 Jamaicans, 2 Trinidadians and 1 Dutch Antilles runner along with 2 Americans.World Record of 9.6 sumtin. She was excited as just a few days earlier while she expressed her admiration for the USA's 'Dream Team', I surprised by the word and name Bolt.Usain Bolt.She promised to pay attention to the track.This morning she saw the light. The King of the Olympics.The world's fastest man. We know the achievement of swimmer Michael Phelps and we join in 8 gold record celebrations.However, we who are not bewildered and have not lost our minds .We know that the crown of Olympic glory has always been the Track sprints. 100 metres and 200 metres. It wasn't for the swimming that Adolf Hitler invested the Fatherland's prestige and honor in 1936 Berlin Games. It was the 100 metres won by USA's Jesse Owens.

The reason why she called is she knows that NBC's $894 million investment of XXIX Olympiad's broadcast rights,dictates we in US TV market be spoon fed at US Eastern Time 'ratings 'prime time' delayed video, and selected content of Beijing action some 12 hours earlier.In fact the executives at Rockefeller Center, out-did themselves this week by pontificating that due to the absence of a compelling US personality like Marion Jones, NBC will NOT broadcast LIVE Track and Field Beijing events as say...Swimmimg.The gall.The nerve. On what authority they decide?Where are the consumer boycotts?Where are the ouraged citizenry?After all, at $750,000 per 30 seconds Beijing Olympic ad, someone is paying NBC money for the video content deemed 'prime'. Back to the sprint action.

I had drafted out a blog post on sprint phenomenon  Usain Bolt 2 days ago, but the NBC time warp and confusing info on the events schedule, worked against me and the 100 metres Final caught up with me today.I had called it for Bolt to win, provided he had no injuries.I confess surprise however at the absence of USA's Tyson Gay in the final.I predicted that Jamaica's sprint flag-bearer of past few years Asafa Powell was exhausted more mentally than physically. He came in 5th.

The Glory of Track sprinters

Valeri Borzov(USSR) in 1972 Munich games. and Carl Lewis (USA) in 1984 Los Angeles Olympics have a common thread.Double Sprint Gold in 100 and 200 metres.Yet unfortunately,they both had a less than complete competitive fields in their respective year.

In Munich 1972, the same Munich where Mark Spitz gave us the record of 7 swimmer's gold and the nasty terrorist episode stole our sports innocence,the 2 US top sprinters Eddie Hart and Rey Robinson never made it to the finals due to a schedule mix-up.These guys had run 9.99 or there abouts and the European contender was a Russian from the then Soviet bloc named Valery Borzov.Borzov gave a 10.07 in the 100 and a perfect 20.00 in the 200 metres.Double Sprint gold. There are today web-sites debating if Hart could have beaten Borzov in a dream 100 metres final.The US relay team anchored by Hart got revenge beating the USSR to win gold in a smoking time of 38.19 seconds.

In 1984 , ironically the year when China returned to the Olympic family, USSR and some Soviet  bloc countries boycotted Los Angeles in retaliation for the US boycott of the 1980 Moscow games. The US response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979.In all fairness, no significant sprint talent was absent from the L.A Games.Carl Lewis' 9.99secs in the 100 metres and 19.80 secs in the 200 metres was a classy performance by any standard. He completed the hat trick winning the long jump and anchoring the USA 4X100 metres( as Jesse Owens won four gold in 1936) relay team to a world record of 37.83 secs.

Welcome to Sprinters' JamRock!

Fast forward to this week in Beijing where Asafa Powell reveled that he and his Jamaican athletes had been tested 4 times , blood being drawn in each case.Powell ominously warned that his capacity to perform the 100 metres may be impaired .This is the latest ugly side to track where illustrious US athletes like Maurice Greene, Justin Gaitlin had their Olympic medals reclaimed due to drug tests and America' track sweetheart Marion Jones sent to Federal prison for perjury charges over a doping investigation.In fact , another Jamaican who while wearing Canada's colors won the 100 metres in then record 9.79 secs ,to be then disgraced and banned.We refer to Ben Johnson at Seoul Korea where he bested Carl Lweis in 1988. Linford Christie another Jamaican-born running for Great Britain won bronze which became silver when Johnson was punished and Lewis then his second 100 metres gold by upgrade.This was adding insult to injury this year in the Jamaican's mind.Jamaican-born Donovan Bailey won Gold for Canada in Atlanta 1996, setting Olympic record  of 9.84.Prior at Barcelona in 1992, another born Jamaican Linford Christie won gold for Great Britain.

While Asafa Powell, former world record holder and world 100 metres champion (9.74 secs), Usain Bolt became the lightning rod this year.always a special talent in his teens, Bolt bested USA's Tyson Gay in Long Island , NY in his debut 100 metres setting a new mark of 9.72 secs.At the US Olympic trials the US media piled on the heat and Tyson Gay ran an incredible 9.68 secs (wind-assisted) for the 100 metres to qualify for the team.Unfortunately the toll had been severe enough to have a pulled ham-string during the semi-final of the 200 metres.Meanwhile down in Jamaica at their Olympics trials Powell and Bolt were tearing up the track, with Bolt posting the best time this year for the 200 metres of 19.75 secs.The US 200 metres squad sans Gay hit 19.86 and 19.90 range for the 200 metres.

Word came last week from Bolt's coach that the 6 ft 5 inch 21 year old will run the double of 100 and 200 metres.Bolt has always been known in Jamaica to be a 200 man, particularly the strides be makes coming out the bend onto the back stretch.Tody he won the first half of the double.I'd wager he will win the 200 again barring any injury.the record in the 200 metres was set by that phenomenon named Michael Johnson who ran up into the 400 metres, but never into the 100 metrs. Johnson's time of 19.32  secs still stands since Atlanta.That will be Bolt's refernce point.An Italian 's record of 19.72 stood for decades before Michael Johnson.Today's finish was a bit of deja vu for the West Indian crowd remembering Montreal 1976 when Trinidad's Hasely Crawford(10.06secs) took gold and Jamaica's Donald Quarrie(10.08 secs) silver.The Russian nemesis Borzov was bronze in 10.14 secs.A great pride to the Caribbean runners.Quarrie took the 200 gold in 20.23 secs.The US won the 4X100 relay in 38.33 followed by East Germany and USSR.The fun in Beijing is again going to be the 4X100 relay.

Ache,Paz Y Luz

TigerHAwk

5.a.m in L.A is 8.00 p.m in Beijing

Tonight 8-08-08 at 8.08 p.m Pacific Time, we here in Los Angeles will view the NBC broadcast of the Beijing Olympic Games. I have mixed feelings. Nothing to do with China's rise on the world scene, and the attendant issues of human rights, environmental stewardship etc. No, it's more basic and selfish. I feel played and time-shift manipulated once more by corporate America, in this case NBC.It reminds me of Seoul Korea Olympics of 1988 again.Why do these guys do this? Get exclusive broadcast rights and then play with our mind?.Los Angeles is 15 hours behind Beijing. This morn at 5.00 a.m Pacific Time the games were opened in China at 8.00 p.m Beijing time.8.08 to be exact.

In 1988 The time zone difference messed my head, as the then broadcasting network showed their choice events- delayed.Hated it.Already I feel we're at the whim of NBC's ratings agenda.It's a thrill to be witness to sports history LIVE as it unfolds.Not in some Alex land of what time zone are they in, and are we watching an event whose outcome is already known in Canada and Europe?

The above was written the afternoon of 8-08-08 but not posted.

Zhang Yimou's Stunning Olympics Mind-Scrambler Opening Show

Despite my views shared above, yet not posted on 8-08-08,I am now genuinely grateful and moved by the 'Recorded' Broadcast of the XXIX Olympiad Opening ceremony from Beijing ,China last night 8-08-08 Los Angeles or Pacific Time.

The Director/Producer of this mind-blowing and stunning extravaganza is a Chinese Film-maker of the Fifth Wave I featured in a blog post on June 19,2006(See Archives ->).The film-wizard responsible for last night's globally viewed masterpiece is Zhang Yimou.We heard mumblings of S.Spielberg not consulting in protest over China's Sudan policy.I believe Zhang was relieved to present his undiluted China vision.

Before we retrace the items embedded in last night's work ogf genius, it is instructive to rent/buy DVDs from Zhang Yimou's body of work.

'House of Daggers', 'Red Sorghum','Raise the Red Lantern' ,'Curse of the Golden Flower' ,'Yellow Earth', and 'Hero'are just a few for the Yimou neophyte.I assure you  that one's visual aesthetic and cinematic sensibility will not be the same after.

Let's make a brief scan of a few ideas close to Zhang's Chinese soul.What makes this world-class cultural icon tick? Off the top is China's rich and deep history spanning some 5 millenia.Many overt and subtle themes/feelings revealed to the 4 billion plus TV audience have been masterfully explored in Zhang's films.Next we are hit by broad and deliberate strokes  of bold colors.Before 'Red' and 'Yellow'.Throw in the Taoist cosmological view of yin/yang dynamic, often shown as power matching grace or beauty balanced by strength, and of course male interplay with female.Finally embracing of China's martial prowess and performance using gymnastic skill and flair by his hero/protagonist. 1984 gymnastic gold medalist Li Ning suspended for 800 metres before lighting the torch was classic Zhang stroke.These notions are signature Zhang Yimou, a onetime China radical artist/film-maker, then linked to China's film beauty Gong Li.

All of these features and more were displayed to the world on the night of 8-08-08 at 8.08 p.m Beijing time, and re-broadcast to some like us here in L.a on our August 8.Let me not forget to mention that Zhang's formal training is as a cinematographer.

I had intended in China Cinema Part.2 to feature and review the Chinese dynastic and classic features created by Zhang Yimou and his brotherly competitor Chen Kiage.These features went all the way in costumes,historical narrative,Chinese complex cultural tapestry, and universal Shakespearean human frailty. You know,the usual emotional suspects of vengeance,jealousy,un-requited love and ambition/greed.Above all a friendly yet firm reminder of China's stature and global influence during a broad stretch of human history from the Romans to the Soviets. In between we have the Ming dynasty fleet of Zheng He who circumnavigated the planet circa 1421,leaving Chinese monuments which stand today.

One sees more clearly the thrust of Zhang's lavish production Olympic Opening night through the prism of the film-maestro's signature.I felt the change from outsider to collaborator albeit grudgingly occurred when Zhang got with Jet Li to produce 'Hero'.There one recognized the awesome manpower of the Chinese People's Liberation Army supplying the highly organized and skilled martial scenes.Last night the 15,000 so performers were heavily Chinese PLA again.A subtle hint to the globe of China's military preparedness.

Today Zhang revealed his thinking on the torch...."A huge lighted scroll unfolds like a dream. Scroll painting is an age-old symbol of Chinese culture. It opens magically. But realizing this concept is very difficult.

I have been holding an idea that in using the Olympic stage, besides showcasing our splendid culture, we are sure to display our broad minded heart to receive the world......all kinds of ideas about lighting the torch, such as "drilling wood to get fire", inspired by a Chinese legend. But ninety-five percent of the ideas are from a national point of view, using our country's own cultural symbol. There's nothing wrong with that, all the previous torch lighting ceremonies did the same. But we want to surpass that. Making the torch lighting section in accordance with the idea behind the whole show, paying tribute to humanity as a whole."

We are told that Zhang Yimou was the Chief of Staff of a 'junta' of 5 Creative Generals for the XXIX Olympiad in Beijing,China.In my blog piece of June 19,2006, I suggested that China's film-makers were granting an 'Inner Mirror' to the 21 st century Middle Kingdom.These artistic generals who included fireworks specialist,music composer and technical director all with PLA background joined with Uber-General Zhang Yimou to offer the globe 'One World One Vision'.

Ache,Paz Y Luz,

TigerHawk

'Make Ya Scream-I Know'

Gerald Wilson

Hollywood Bowl

July 30,2008

Last night in Hollywood, one day after the 5.4 Chino tremblor,was a thrilling and re-energizing evening for this Tiger.Just north of Hollywood Blvd, after the row of hotels, is the legendary Hollywood Bowl.Historic concerts by the Beatles,The Who,The Rolling Stones, Frank Sinatra and recently the re-united Police have performed here off of Highland avenue enhancing the venue's standing.The Hollywood Bowl, an open air amphitheatre within the Hollywood Hills, is the home of the sold-out annual Playboy Jazz Festival.

Wednesday night,July 30,2008, Hollywood and beyond came out on a beautiful night to honor Jazz legends Hank Jones and Gerald Wilson.A good 6,000 in attendance.I never experienced either gentleman's music prior.I was in for a treat.Let's clarify that Hank Jones is a piano player, while Gerald Wilson is a composer,arranger and conductor of his orchestra. Hank was playing with his trio.

The show's host was Christian MacBride, himself a bass player, who is his perfect -for -the- moment baritone voice, took us on the evening's magical and musical journey of jazz.We were introduced to The Hank Jones Trio:Willie Jones III on drums,George Moras on upright bass, and Hank Jones on piano.The opening segment featured the elegant and attractive Roberta Ganberini on vocals. Roberta particularly affected us by the emotionally distinctive and well paced'Porgy'. She made us feel the wrenching plea of Bess to Porgy to stay and protect her.

MacBride then turned the floor over to the classic jazz trio.Hank invited out his long-time buddy and guitarist-extra-ordinaire Kenny Burrell,and  saxophonist Joe Lovano. The quintet played an exhilirating set of jazz classics. Christian MacBride even at one point asked to play the bass. So infectious that the host had to participate.The audience loved it all.A highlight of the Hank Jones set was the duo with Kenny Burrell of 'Summertime'.One could see that these guys have played together aeons of times forever.The chemistry was so organic.Piano and guitar.Fundamentals.MacBride revealed that the following day was Hank Jones'  90th birthday and we enjoyed a video collage of his life and music. In fact, the famous 1958 Harlem photo by Art Zane of musicians has Hank in the lower left hand corner.A piece of classic jazz memorabilia to own.

Overall these jazz cats made us in the Hollywood Bowl remember why jazz is such a quintessential American artform:Hopeful,Bold,Timeless and timely,possibilities,the unexpected and the organic.That is the spirit infused by the players and audience alike.

'Make Ya Scream-I know'

After intermission, the spotlight was on Mr.Gerald Wilson and his orchestra. Gerald, also turning 90 years old this week, and  an African-American .Mr.Wilson had a more direct and dynamic even charasmatic interplay with the Hollywood Bowl audience.Sporting a shoulder length shock of white hair, Gerald jumped into a series of his original compositions. Gerald shared a brief review of his life, noting he came to L.a in 1944 and made it home.The first out the gate was 'One Yard Dog Mazurka', followed by an earlier composition he wrote for the great Count Basie titled 'Blues for the Count'. The Orchestra players got into the zone and were flying.Individuals shared some solo play , including the female violinist Bev B, a crowd favorite. At this junction Gerald Wilson said 'Make Ya shout-I know', and let out a yell/shout or whatever.The audience was rolling in the aisles.

Gerald called for guitarist Kenny Burrell to hit the stage again, to lead Wilson's Grammy-nominated 'Romance', a part of 'The Monterey Jazz Festival' theme he composed.A melodic and captivating cut flavored by Burrell's guitar strumming. At some point, Carl Randall on tenor sax, Joe Lovano on saxophone nad Ernest Andrews on vocals were re-invited to the Greald Wilson collective to take the audience on the jazz trip.Many of the items played were Wilson original compositions and arrangements. Another video collage was shown on the monitors. This time the life and music of Gerald Wilson.

Then Christian MacBride escorted Gerald to have a seat while younger Wilson, Anthony the guitarist announced a special tribute and a world premiere here at that moment at the Hollywood Bowl.The Los Angeles PhilHarmonic had commissioned Anthony Wilson to compose a tune for his father Gerald.His composition he called 'Virgo' in reference to his dad's zodiac sign.In my view it was rich but a bit long and lacking the spirit of gaiety and fun which signifies the elder wilson.However it was and is a marvelous tribute to a jazz great from his son, a jazz musician.We all enjoyed the poignant moment.

The final tune was Gerald Wilson's most popular , as he said recorded 17 times by others. A tribute to a matador,'Viva...' had that upbeat Latin tempo.The collective of orchestra and friends of Gerald Wilson got down and took us home to the mother ship. Thank you Gerald Wilson and Hank Jones for decades in the music game of excellence. Happy Birthday. Other Hollywood Bowl events are on tap for us here at TigerHawk.Stay tuned.

 Ache,Paz Y Luz

TigerHawk.

Grand Performance by Seun,Fela Kuti's son

L.A was scorching on Friday ,109 degrees (in the shade).Nerves frazzled, gas at near $5.00/gallon and the Summer Solstice 2008 on us.Fortunately as the evening arrived temperatures fell precipitously, bearable with a breeze.I had committed to both the Flamenco event at Barnsdall and the Grand Performance concert downtown L.A.They were both L.A debuts. I wrote about Grisha last post. However Seun Kuti son of legendary Fela Kuti was here with the full Egypt '80 band which performed  with the creator of Afrobeat .More important ,Fela put his life,wealth and freedom on the line to fight military and political abuse and corruption in Nigeria.He paid tragic consequences for his political positions. As he said 'Music is a Weapon'.  Femi Kuti was already in the awareness of L.A's African music lovers, so everyone was curious as to the level of the younger son's musical game.

My readers here know I've covered Grand performances events overe the past years, praising the likes of Double G of Dakah Hip-Hop Orchestra and Cape Verdean Sara Tavares. (Double G was there and we decided to cover him here for his Grand Performance nights later this August 22 &23, 2008. He said he had to come to see the Nigerian in person).The amphitheatre was packed.The previous night was the full moon, so we had that L.A magical vibe as the waterfalls shot up behind the Egypt '80 orchestra. It was rocking.Pure cardio work-out.The crowd felt the vibe.All nationalities,ages. I kept rubbing my eyes to see who was that saxophonist who was performing vocals (in Nigerian creole English), and dancing. It seemed that Fela Kuti himself had resurrected and graced the stage.The virtuosity of the orchestra alone kept the audience mesmerized.What an ensemble of trumpeter,saxophonists.what percussionists and female dancers.Shout out to the lovely Deborah dancing for Seun in her feminine and eye-catching Nigerian outfit.What a charming Nigerian young lady and ambassador.

AfroBeat was a global music genre created when the Nigerian composer/saxophonist/key-boardist Fela Kuti spent time in Los Angeles in the 1970s.Yoruban DJ Nnamdi (AfroDicia at KPFK 90.7 FM) reminded our audience of that historic linkage at intermission. Mixing American funk and soul with African polyrhythms,chants, brass instruments and vocals,Afrobeat put Fela on the global map competing with Bob Marley as the foremost African diaspora music Ambassador.We on Friday night at the California Plaza knew we were experiencing a historic continuity of serious magnitude. As Double G said, the audience excitement and involvement. We were all dancing. The band is that tight, that intense in African musical energy, and Seun so complete as a stage performer, dancer. vocalist and saxophonist, that we we totally under the AfroBeat spell.A mixture of new cuts and his dad's classics kept the flow all through.This is L.A in Summer.Getting our groove on outdoors under the (almost) Full moon.As Seun said he had to make it special for his first time in Los Angeles.

Pure Energy.Pure Medicine. Pure AfroBeat.Pure Healing.As Bob said..' One thing about music, when it hit you, you feel no pain..'.Summer 2008 is in full force in Los Angeles.Thanks to Seun Kuti and Egypt '80.

Thank you Michael Alexander of Grand Performances for the organizing vision.Thank you Seun Kuti and Egypt '80 for keeping Fela's legacy renewed.Thank you Seun for answering the call of the rhythm and becoming your own artist,honoring your dad Fela, yet carving out your own branding and signature.To you Yoruban my signing off is even more apropo.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fela_Kuti

See Fela in concert here....

Ache',Paz Y Luz

TigerHawk.