TigerHawk

Invitation to Arts and Wellness Festival

Fellow pioneers,originators,and independent spirits we here salute your steadfastness in our era of 10.2 % unemployment and US Healthcare Hysteria.

We here at TigerHawk are issuing an end of 2009 present.

Our own Arts and Wellness Festival.

Saturday December 12,2009

Special (TBA) location in Hollywood.

The line up is incredible as we publish this post:

A Shaolin Warrior from Henan province,China and his US martial arts ensemble(mainly female).

A popular Hollywood Vocalist hot off a House of Blues performance.

A Chiropractor/Acupuncturist who is also a Black Belt in Tae KwonDo.

DownTown L.A's hottest Live portrait artist.

and more added every week.

We will screen a Film which was shown @ Cannes, France with reception and Q&A with producers.

For RSVP seating and reception please e-mail tigerhawk2012@gmail.com.First come, first served.

Subject:Tiger's Arts & Wellness Film Screening and Reception.

Other festivities are planned during the duration of the Film in our Inspiring Special location.

TigerHawk bonus: Soulful playlist.

We are encouraged by Obama's nuanced play for 'public option' in healthcare reform legislation.We can say we have been reading the 44th President while maintaining a posture of 'Critical Support'.

We share a soulful playlist when America's music was more optimistic, inspiring and frankly more beautiful.

A glimpse of the vibe and flava of our upcoming Arts & Wellness Festival and other events in 2010.

Enjoy.

Click link for a separate page of Playlist!!

Ache',Paz Y Luz.

TigerHawk.

So don't you forget (no way) your youth,
Who you are and where you stand in the Struggle.

'So Much Things to Say'

Bob Marley

TigerHawk's appalling statement.

The following is a summary of a heated exchange TigerHawk engaged with a respected and dear friend  Dr.Barney of the Burnin' bush and wife Lady Cher.

Dr.Barney : Tiger we are seeing the limits of the US Presidency.You forget Obama is just there 8 months, but 8 years of W and decades of powerful interests.He is a political genius and making chess moves we don't understand.

Tiger :Barney, I'm not naive, please don't insult my intelligence.What I'm saying is he's been to eager to appease the right wing and quick to abandon the democratic coalition , the bedrock of his campaign.At the core, I'm an FDR kind of progressive.He ain't give us no bones.

Dr.Barney : Give me an example...

Tiger : Look, when the criminals removed the duly elected President Zelaya of Honduras, the Obama Administration fumbled and stumbled about negotiations, while the OAS unequivocably condemned the assault on democracy in our Hemisphere...

Dr.Barney : I wasn't too pleased about that but you see what I mean, the President is not as strong as we think.

Tiger : W had no problem asserting his agenda internationally including wars....Even when not elected in 2000

Dr.Barney : Let's not forget the differences and not follow the 'hatred' being spouted by these extremists.He's better than W..

Tiger :Barney my real issue is Barack after the stimulus package passed for $787 billion, he squandered precious political and desperate financial capital when he and Geithner gave the banking sector over  $ 1 trillion. We know there is more needs for unemployment and the physical economy and another round of stimulus may be needed.Further, homeowners now after the banks enjoyed their TARP funds can't get rasonable re-financing and credit is tight.What was the point? Why is he currying Wall street?

Dr.Barney : OK Tiger, what you're saying there is no difference and you rather elect a Jeb Bush ?

Tiger : Right now, the way he is going at least we know a Bush agenda and can respect  the focus and consistency.Yes.

Dr.Barney : Tiger, you're had unrealistic expectations and you are now being unreasonable. I can't believe you said that.

Lady Cher : Tiger, I'm appalled.

Carving our Space

'The money changers have fled from their high seats in the temple of our civilization. We may now restore that temple to the ancient truths. The measure of the restoration lies in the extent to which we apply social values more noble than mere monetary profit.'

Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Inaugural Speech March 1933

"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

Our consistent and loyal readers of this blog recall we came to Barack Obama as a subject after the Denver Democratic Convention and before the mid-September 2008 Financial Crisis.They will also remember we stressed the idea of the Hero's journey as posited by American anthropologist Joseph Campbell.

The past 2 months have been most uncomfortable as we observe this early Obama Administration.We even suspended our Barack Chronicles, as we correctly anticipated a deluge of post-Inauguration hype and controversy coupled with  contradictory even counter-productive policy.We are now poised for the Congressional Health Reform debate and still Obama falls short of our FDR ideals.In fact the so full of high expectations Obama Presidency seems to be now more a 'violin'.

What happened? Future historians may dissect the path to this moment .We all know that Bill Clinton brilliantly practiced political 'Triangulation' whereby he out flanked the Republicans and then gave the grateful centrist Democrats a place on his bus to pass legislation.We suspect the genius Obama is practicing political 'Trigonometry' where the liberal Democratic agenda is devalued, the Blue Dog conservative Democrats are appeased, and the Republicans are invited to drive the bus.We are told it is bi-partisan.

We here at TigerHawk have conceded that Barack Obama and his guru team of Axelrod-Emanuel-Jarrett is beyond our intellectual and ideological compehension , and we hereby abandon attempts to read the US political tea leaves.We are not even holding our breath for a 'public option' in the signed Health bill, secretly hoping Obama pulls a W and inserts the needed public option after the contentious Conference Committee.That will salvage our hopes of his Presidency being redeemed of its populist and progressive impact.Instead we have committed to 'Carving out our space' as Obama does his sacred mathematics.We will still grant Critical support.Emphasis now on critical.We will not condemn and demonize him as the Fox news and US Right are doing calling him names like anti-Christ and Hitler.However as political sophisticates we will examine the essence of his programs and legislation on a case by case basis.From there we pursue happiness and liberty.There is much work to be done at home in US and abroad. Wall St's precipitated economic meltdown pushes higher unemployment as the Dow jones flirts with 10,000.We are of the Paul Krugman School of Economics which believe the $787 Billion stimulus was a good start but more is needed, and precious political and finance capital was squandered by investing $1 Trillion in the banking sector.These finance institutions now boast 3 rd quarter profits while Main At Americans still suffer economic anxiety and pain.We here at TigerHawk look to US and global democratic and popular groups who walk a bold and visionary path through and beyond the finance created economic downturn.

Sustainable is the Way

We are encouraged and excited by positive and disciplined Americans who tout an alternative vision to the Corporate path embrace by the Obama circle.We had hoped the Administration would have been in the forefront , alas was just a promise.We will note however the Obama Administration' strong re-affirmation under the new FCC Chairman of it policy of Network Neutrality.We thank them publicly, as we here at TigerHawk are beneficiaries of stable digital media creations and productions.We give credit and support where it is due as in this case.We are excited to share with our readers analysis and prescriptions of our global material condition.When we see the absurdities such as China buying land in Africa to feed Chinese and Africans starve, we remember we have no time to be distracted by the dictates of US corporate power agenda, and Obama 'Trigonometry'.Fellow Americans have heeded the clarion call for justice and sustainable economics.We are pleased to share the work of Yes! Magazine, devoted to such ideas.We expect to continue in this vain while we revive the Barack Chronicles to keep abreast of this Democratic Administration where so much high expectations once resided.

What the F...(WTF)??

We share the attitude of Oscar winner Tim Robbins of Culver City's Actors' Gang.When informed by sober and realistic accountants and staff that the economy signalled a demise of his theatre group, Robbins exclaimed WTF? Further our star of 'Shawshanks Redemption' and 'The Player' added

'...This is exactly the time, when things are falling apart,when the economy is bad, it's time to drop ticket prices,it's time to create free nights, it's time to figure out how to produce even though the economics says 'don't produce'......'

We here @ TigerHawk echo Robbins sentiments exactly.In fact in an additional L.A Times interview while acknowledging the ravages of what he termed  'the crap economy', our American hero invoked the name of Franklin Roosevelt's Federal Theatre Project (FTP) which not only gave employment to actors, directors, writers and other stage craft, but via vaudeville and such raised the spirits of millions of Depression-era Americans. We strongly believe this is the essential mission of our generation of artists, musicians,DJs, film-makers and company.Maybe somewhere out there a quintessential American production, concert or play will wake up the Franklin Delano Roosevelt asleep somewhere in Barack Obama's soul.

Ache',Paz Y Luz,

TigerHawk

Our Sirius Time

The August 1-7,2009 issue of The Economist's cover story features Barack Obama's image and captioned Çrunch Time'.We here at TigerHawk totally agree.Many recent events and hints are out there,and last Friday's weekend retreat to Blair House by The Obama Administration and advisors signalled Team Obama recognize the pivotal moment.The essence of the cover story is that the coming 3 weeks are the moment of truth for the ENTIRE Obama Presidency.We concur.When this blog started on our Obama journey in September 2008, we attached ourselves to the Joseph Campbell 'Hero' notion.Barack Obama was the first political subject explored by TigerHawk since our blog debut August 2005. Now a full year later, the mysterious 'Hero' energy envelopes Barack Obama.Let's take our Hawk's Eye view here.Riding the thermals and air gradients we survey the history time-lines in play. President Obama had another birthday on August 4.

Julius Caesar's great nephew Octavius was anointed Caesar Augustus by the Roman Senate and the first Roman Emperor.Pax Romana started with this Roman.Further in recognition of glorius military victory, the same Senate which murdered Julius granted the month after Julius'(July) the name August.Equal 31 days for each ruler's month.In the words for the occasion it was noted he had conquered Cleopatra's( and Mark Antony's) Egypt in this sixth month , formerly Sextilis of the Roman calendar,he also stabilized the contentious Empire.The August reign covered 27 B.C to 14 A.D.

Sirius Time 2009It is intriguing that even then Egypt figured in Roman political calculations,cemented by Julius Caesar and then his ally Mark Antony's love for the Ptolemy desendent Cleopatra.Patriarch Ptolemy being one of the 4 trusted generals of Macedonian Alexander the Great.The Roman Empire basically absorbed the Greek civilization, so Egypt was a worthy jewel for the Latin glory.The wise Egyptians intuited the link between the summer flooding of the mighty Nile and the Heliacal(with the Sun) rising of Sirius(The Dog Star).Sirius which represented Goddess Isis is larger than our Sun, and in our Dog Days of Summer is thought to enhance the Earth's heat. (Editor's note:We feel obliged to mention that the Dogon people of Mali knew of the Sirius A and B Star system and their creation myths were transmitted to French anthropologist Marcel Griaule , in the early 20th century.The Dogon awareness of Sirius caused esteemed scientist Carl Sagan to lose his scholarly cool and cast demeaning aspersions on the Dogon experience).

In 2009, the Full moon in Leo for Sirius was this past Wednesday August 5.Barack celebrated birthday on Tuesday.When the first African-American President visited Cairo, the street merchants sold T-shirts claiming Barack, new King Tut for the World.We never got the scoop, but the young King Tut-ankh-aten(living image of Aten) became Tut-ankh-amum(living image of Amum).The name change is most profound and political.King Tut's father Akhanaten attempted imposing monotheism based on the Sun.The vengeful and powerful priest-hood switched the young man's allegiance to a more priest friendly poly-theistic theology.Tut moved the capital from his father's power centre at Armana, to the priests' preference at Thebes.The young ruler passed away at nineteen in 1349 B.C,engendering a murder mystery. The modern day Cairo merchants must know why they believe Obama fits that misguided boy-King's role.

August Currents..Flying with Hawks..

Four years ago on Aug 12 this here TigerHawk blog was launched.Our premiere post was inspired by the majesty of overhead Hawks as Tiger recovered from a mysterious ailment and was transformed into TigerHawk.We had no idea where we would end on our journey,but strongly felt that the convergence of Digital Publishing opening for individual content, net neutrality and broad-band proliferation, the moment was oppurtune to creatively espress and share on-line.This has been a most miraculous and humbling experience.We committed at the go to be responsible and be inspirational, non-partisan, informative, yet stimulating. Our audience growth and support are testaments to these goals being manifest.We say a loud Thank You to our readers Old and New.

We have striven to be responsive and relevant to the moment and have been serendipitiously led down surprising avenues.Our focus on Barack Obama evolved in such vain as Joseph Campbell's ideas of Hero in human mytholgy triggered a unique contemporary narrative.The Egyptians placed much value on the Hawk, with Heru (Horus) sometimes with a Hawk's head.Many cultures believe this high performance aerial predator to be a messenger from the heavens. The military prides their most deadly apparatus with Hawk power such as TomaHawk missiles, Black Hawk helicopters and Global Hawk remote control aircraft.

The breezy Los Angeles morns and afternoons can displace the summer heat in August ,and we know why L.A keeps us enthralled.Totally magical.Timeless currents we call August currents.We fly with the Hawks.Once a violinist friend was rehearsing for a TV show and the director needed the artist to cover a popular Johhny Gill song carefully for a beauty contest segment.The director then agreed the violinist was then free  to do his thing.Our heavily accented Latin violin master suggested You mean I can  FLY!!'. We feel that way .R.Kelly won Grammy for the said notion.As American as Apple Pie.Freedom.

"Let God Let Loose

What no Man can take from Us,

Freedom!!"

Tuskegee African-American Airmen on formation Flight Take-off

Courtesy Layon Gray's

Black Angels over Tuskegee

Layon Gray's Moving Tribute to the Black Tuskegee Air-Men.

Right this moment we are almost moved to tears as we recall that scene in a play staged in North Hollywood recently.We are determïned to interview the amazing writer/actor/director Layon Gray and The Black Gents of Hollywood.The Whitmore-Lindley is a modest smaller theatre in NoHo Theatre district on Magnolia Blvd.The play 'Black Angels over Tuskegee' is now off to North Carolina for the national African-American Theatre Festival, but the band of black thespians took our hearts.Economy of dialogue yet colorful and eloquent,Gray brought to life the mental , emotional and spiritual struggle of those Black Airmen,the Red Tails in WW II who fought 2 wars.In tha air over Nazi Germany and US racism.The engineering and technical skills demanded are deliberately exposed by Gray, showing the calibre of educated young black men who volunteered , sat a rigorous exam,bore racial hostility, and took a risk for a better career oppurtunity in a pre-Civil Rights America.The scenes on the tight stage are brilliantly choreographed to show the disciplined flight formations and their brotherly radio banter during combat and loss.Tear-jerking.A Red Tail survivor at a performance volunteered that Layon Gray was so accurate , he wondered to whom he spoke  as this veteran never got a call.

CAST

1. Derek Shaun          Jerimah
2.  Demetrius Gross     Percival            
3. DonnSwaby       Theodore
4. Layon Gray         Quentin
5. Thom Scott         Abe
6. Jay jones            Elijah
7. Doug Purcell     Major Roberts
8. Narrator    Antonio D.Charity        

Layon Gray and Black Gents of Hollywood, we salute you as we honor the Tuskegee Air-men.You were Free.They were Freer.Free like the Hawks!!

To Be Continued..A Work in Progress now...

August 2005 TigerHawk blog posts:

The Power of Jobim

Brando signature...Quemada?Quemaida/Burn!

Ache',Paz Y Luz

TigerHawk

Grand Performances Heat Up!!

The upcoming weekend the Grand Performances music concert series hosts Latin heavy hitters.Cuban 2 time Grammy winner Albita is up Saturday July 18,evening @ 8 p.m.We've seen her before elsewhere.Traditional Cuban Son generously flavored with the Yoruba religious sentiments are her rhythmic signature.However Albita's resonating Cubana vocals are authorative and command attention.The music is infectious and moves the crowd.The program indicates that the charismatic female vocalist of New York's Yerba Buena, Cucu Diamantes represents on Friday, July 17 @ 8 p.m.Friday @ noon showcases Colombian Justo Almario and the Afro-Colombian Ensemble.Over-all  a pulsating and entertaining weekend of Latin flava.

We designed a play-list as a tribute to Michael Jackson  sharing our favorite tracks which we consider gems seldom played in radio-rotation.

It is July and it is Hot.

Stevie Wonder created 'Hotter Than July' in 1980

N.B A special Stevie work as it is both influenced by Bob Marley,and is making a tribute to the Reggae Prophet, while honoring Dr.Martin Luther King's birthday.Early in the Reagan Administration Stevie Wonder was on the front-line demanding a King Holiday and liberation of Apartheid South Africa.'Happy Birthday is a driving reggae composition for King.

We present Mucho Mas Caliente Con Michael Jackson(Much Hotter with Michael Jackson)

We combine these with samples of artists at the Grand Performances, and a few dashes of Stevie's 'Hotter.......

Mucho Mas Caliente con Michael Jackson

Mucho Mas Caliente con Michael J

Happy Bastille Day to the les citoyen(ne)s de France!

Enjoy

Ache',Paz Y Luz

TigerHawk

Downtown L.A's Art Walk..a must do!!

Summer is in full swing and many exciting fun events to take our minds off the political and economic issues.In fact , we here suspect a corporate conspiracy in L.A where everyplace presents FREE Live music and entertainment.Is this a sophisticated social'pressure-cooker valve like Trinidad and Brazil where Carnival gives the favela and Laventille denizens fantasies of rulership and equality?As a San Francisco conspiracy researcher says, food for thought, grounds for further research.We will add the list of happenings here as confirmed .We never want to let a good,Free party go to waste.

Talking about parties,yesterday, the second Thursday of the month, we here experienced a fun and surprising L.A street Party going on.The venue is the hard-core Down-town Los Angeles which in recent years was deemed 'skid row'.The wonders of developer tax abatements and gentrification. Buildings formerly closed and disrespected, now have a face-lift and sport the lease ads for 'Lofts'.Many so-called hipsters now navigate their canine companions through streets formerly deemed a Demilitarized Zone, fit only for armed LAPD and their worthy criminal nemeses.More lights, new restaurants,more 'Public Safety'personnel on bicycles.Look Pops, I can walk the streets with no mace!

These very refurbished concrete towers now house a generation of Art galleries.Yesterday was the monthly L.A Arts Walk. We had a blast.50 plus galleries open their doors to the uninitiated and connoisseurs alike to sample the global cutting edge  art, particularly Digital Art.

Artists of Impact

We viewed a lot of art, particularly in early afternoon to beat the after 7 p.m wine guzzling party set.A few we decide to mention for their deliberate use of art as a tool of social and political empowerment.After all , we are TigerHawk.Synchronicity was as often in play.A few years back we met a gentleman at Barnsdall Art Park who demonstrated a European-made camera-phone , which he used to create digital video .He was since flown to Paris to represent Los Angeles' Digital Art community. Yesterday that gentleman Rex Bruce was in the curator seat of The Los Angeles Center for Digital Art,as we entered his 5th street gallery.There was a vague recognition which became concrete with salutations all around.After a few years we finally got to his place. 'Limbo' was the theme of featured artist Hector Mata.Embracing Catholic ideas of displaced souls, Mata digitally photographed the marks of the US/Mexico border and numerous items left in the Arizona desert by Mexican migrants attempting the dangerous trek northbound.Mata's intention is laudable:To put a human aspect to the faceless travellers whose precious belongings are clues and evidence of their individual efforts.We spoke briefly to Peruvian Mata and he explained that he took 2 years and much miles to research and document these stories. A bald-headed man of intense energy, he definitely saw the art as a vehicle to raise awareness to this contemporary South West narrative.

By this time a mysterious very red-headed woman in white shorts and a toy-like camera,became our walking companion along L.A's streets. We  first crossed here path at Bert Green Fine Art Gallery at corner of 5th and Main streets.Bert Green is the director/curator.The artist we most viewed was Barron Storey.A series of illustrations almost comic book like featured 'Çard-board Zombies who come for our Piggy Bank'.A comment on the on-going economic melt-down and its human/social dislocations.A sober and attention-grabbing series of frames.Our red-head fellow traveller whom we call Ms.R accompanied us to the new Rowan Gallery.Here we met painter Andrew Cortes and his photographer brother David.The bed products firm HUG for Home Urban Gear had contracted Andrew to design their bed linen and such. Senor Cortes, a slim and pleasant student of Cal State University Long Beach impressed us. Unpretentious and open , he reflected his layered paintings and their depth.Brother David was there to assist and network.Ms.R having lived in Prague,Czech Republic was impressed with Korean-American Kate Hers who did a video work in German with English subtitles.Kate signed a contract in German to only communicate in german while in Berlin for a stipulated period.The subject of the displayed video.Ms.Hers was presented at the Compact Space on 6th st.

Robert Vargas uses Charcoal

It was nearing 6.30 p.m and we had promised our friend Robert Vargas who had earlier co-incidentally' walked by, to return to his charcoal portrait session.Robert is a special person.He once sketched TigerHawk using charcoal at the counter of a trendy Los Feliz eatery and got numerous paid requests for same.A former Conga Room music booking agent, Mr.Vargas is a major force in Los Angeles' exposure to World music the past 15 so years.Of Lakota heritage,Robert is a powerful and mesmerizing persona .Robert was surrounded by a crowd, more than half women as he sketched a sitting lady. On his hands and knees several persons were amazed by his accurate portrayals in charcoal , including Ms.R. While a three piece rock/reggae band and DJ performed.

As the evening moved on  Robert captivated more sitting models, male and female, including TigerHawk once more.the crowd grew larger , coming from Main St now promoted as 'The Old Bank District'. The streets took on a Carnival vibe with dancing in response to the DJ playing Michael Jackson, James Brown and other funky tracks.All the galleries were packed, all hot and much0 vino.The office crowd showed up and the traffic reflected L.A's multi-cultural mix.Many Asians,Whites,tourists,Latins.Formerly skid-row street mainly showed black and some brown faces. Restaurants with their side walks patrons were packed.Were we really in Los Angeles? Or in Europe ?It all seemed so surreal.

Over a late night dinner,which Robert generously sponsored, the multi-talented man revealed the social and politcal dynamics of the new art scene in downtown Los Angeles,where he has lived for 5 years.Suddenly, the link between his physical hard work on his knees and the street poor and working classes became clear.Mr.Vargas was making a powerful statement of 'Walking the Walk' by example.Work, physical demanding work is his life.We here say to Senor Vargas...Saludos y Mucho Gusto.(Subscribe to the RSS feeds for updates).

TigerHawk Music BONUS...Our Summer 2009 Artist Pick...Maxwell!!...He's Back Y'ÁLL

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BLACKsummersnight

Ache,Paz y Luz

TigerHawk

Editorial Event!! Michael Jackson Memorial at Staples Center ,Los Angeles.

Live at 9.00 a.m Pacific Time Tuesday July 7,2009

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/cbs-news

We are today Monday July 6,2009 coming off a strange US July 4th which was on a Saturday, and Friday the extra Holiday .Really Michael Jackson's untimely passing was in the ethers.Tiger felt a sense of deja vu.hin Manhattan,NY in December 1980, Michael Jackson in BelAir,LA 2009. Lennon away from recording and releasing 'Starting Over' , Michael Jackson not touring for so many years and returning with 'This is it' concert series. We have the L.A Staples Center the epi-center of NBA Champions Los Angeles Lakers, the scene of a global event-The Michael Jackson Memorial. AEG who cemented the 50 concert UK deal with Jackson  own the Staples, the venue of the last recorded rehearsals. Los Angeles is once more the ground zero of Global Media.

For us here at TigerHawk, the synchronicity and timing is pointed.We were preparing a special Music playlist of Artists scheduled to perform here in L.A this July for the Grand Performances downtown a few blocks from Staples.A wonderful and diverse line-up to enhance L.A's summer vibe. Well, as Stevie Wonder penned his 'Hotter than July' project in 1981, we were going to call the play-list 'Mucho Mas Calinte..' After all we are in July and the music is mucho caliente.

Now , as Michael's loss is in this July moment, we've change it to 'Much Mas Caliente con Michael...' We have been fans of Michael Jackson since the Jackson 5, and like many appreciated the fusion with Producer Quincy Jones on 'Off the Wall' and 'Thriller'. Since the latter Michael took the producer's reins with mixed results of overall albums, yet always beauty, brilliance and musical gems.The Special Edition of Thriller recently released contains fascinating insights by Quincy and Rod Temperton on the intriguing creative process behind this muti-Grammy winning classic. Our select play list are selections from these works we feel are under-played on radio and clubs.

We can discuss other aspects of Michael's cultural and iconic impact at another time.Today we honor his work and memory.

Michael,Thank You for the Music.

Enjoy.

'Mucho Mas Caliente con Michael J ' playist from us here at TigerHawk

Ache',Paz Y Luz,

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