The New American Apartheid

Yesterday the U.S. Senate passed the reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which will provide four million children with health insurance. It is estimated that 47 million Americans don't have health insurance; nine million of which are children.

From Washington Post:

...Lawmakers voted 66 to 32, largely along party lines, to renew the joint state-federal program and spend an additional $32.8 billion to expand coverage to 4 million more children. The expansion would be paid for by raising the cigarette tax from 39 cents a pack to $1.

The House approved similar legislation on Jan. 14, and President Obama is expected to sign a final version as early as next week...

But according to Marian Wright-Edelman, this is not enough, and more needs to be done for all of America's children.

During a speaking engagment on health disparities this morning at Morehouse College School of Medicine, the founder and president of the Children's Defense Fund said that another five million children will still not receive health coverage.

“We want every child, regardless of where they live, to be guaranteed health care, and [sic] CHIP doesn’t do that," she said.

Wright-Edelman proposed three steps to creating comprehensive health coverage for all children.

1. Coverage Must Be Affordable

2. Benefits Must Be Comprehensive

3. The System Must Be Simple and Seamless

She also said that while many believe the Obama administration has brought in a new era in U.S. race relations, Wright-Edelman isn't convinced that America is a "post-racial" society and that "disparities begins before birth."

According to the Children's Defense Fund, "relative to white children, Latino children are 28 percent less likely, and black children are 20 percent less likely, to be in excellent health. In total, fewer than half of all black and Latino children today are in excellent health."

Wright-Edelman said that the growing racial and economic disparities go beyond health care; disparities also have an effect on education, home life and the justice system, which she calls the "New American Apartheid."

Simply quoting German philosopher Dietrich Bonhoeffer:

"The test of morality in a society is based on how they treat their children," she said.

No Veggie Love for PETA

PETA is at it again.



I have never been a fan of this "animal rights" organization simply because of their edgy PR stunts. The above commercial is just the latest example of its distasteful publicity tactics. One has to wonder if PETA purposely did this ad to just get attention, knowing full well that no television network would actually broadcast it. If so, it seems like they achieved their goal.

A couple of questions: If this ad is supposed to be pro-animal, isn't it also anti-woman at the same time? Is it me, or is this not sexual exploitation of women?

I agree that other inappropriate ads should also get canned or at least be moderated better during the Super Bowl, like those for Viagra and junk food...

But PETA has just lost its mind yet again.

Human trafficking Continues Worldwide

Human trafficking is a global phenomenon that, unfortunately, continues to thrive today and claim many victims. It is believed that 27 million people - men, women and children - are enslaved in almost every country in the world. However, it is widely believed that slavery doesn't exist anymore. Today there are organizations using cyberspace to not only dispel the myth, but also motivate action on the cause.

The International Justice Mission has created a Facebook group to highlight this ever-present issue, with posted videos, newspaper articles and other resources to educate the public. The organization also urges group members to demand their local public officials to enact "harsher punishments for these offenders, and more comprehensive services in place to rescue and restore victims of human trafficking."

"A human life is not for sale," according to the group.

Lobbyists continue to screw Americans

While President Obama and Co. make plans for the economic stimulus plan, corporate scum still figure out a way to screw the American people.

From MSNBC:

...The Associated Press learned in interviews with more than a dozen lawmakers, lobbyists and state and local officials, is a shadowy lobbying effort that may make it difficult to discern how hundreds of billions in federal money will be parceled out.

"'No earmarks' isn't a game-ender," said Peter Buffa, former mayor of Costa Mesa, Calif. "It just means there's a different way of going about making sure the funding is there."

It won't be in legislative language that overtly sets aside money for them. That's the infamous practice known as earmarking, which Obama and Democratic congressional leaders have agreed to nix for the massive stimulus package, expected to come up for a House vote this week.

Instead, the money will be doled out according to arcane formulas spelled out in the bill and in some cases based on the decisions of Obama administration officials, governors and state and local agencies that will choose the projects...

...Lobbyists are hard at work figuring out ways to grab a share of the money for their clients, but the new rules mean they're doing so indirectly — and sometimes in ways that are impossible to track.

It's good to know that newly-minted Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner - you know, the guy who doesn't pay taxes - is going to take care of everything.

From New York Times:

A release from the Treasury Department said that under the new rules, the government would restrict “contacts with lobbyists in connection with applications for, or disbursements of, EESA funds,” shorthand for the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act. It said that the department’s Office of Financial Stability would certify to Congress that “each investment decision is based only on investment criteria and the facts of the case.” And it promised full transparency and close scrutiny to block any effort to use political influence as EESA decisions are made.

whatever...

Health Disparities continue in America

I am always reading about new studies that I already knew about without having to be researcher. But seeing a study on paper can solidify your beliefs. Well, this "new" study is one of those moments for me.

From Kaiser Health Disparities Report:

People who live in poorer neighborhoods are less likely to have access to supermarkets that sell a variety of fresh produce and other healthy foods, according to the analysis. Researchers noted that supermarkets are more likely to sell a wide variety of healthy foods at lower prices, while convenience stores usually sell less healthy food at higher prices. Studies included in the analysis found that:

1. The likelihood that blacks would meet guidelines for fruit and vegetable consumption increased by 32% with every additional supermarket located near their home;

2. People who have a supermarket in their neighborhood have a reduced risk for obesity, while easy access to convenience stores increased obesity risk;

3. Predominately black neighborhoods had half as many supermarket chains as predominantly white neighborhoods, while Hispanic neighborhoods had one-third as many supermarket chains as white neighborhoods;

4. Healthy foods such as fresh produce, low fat dairy foods, high fiber breads and lean meats were more accessible and of higher quality in white neighborhoods than in non-white neighborhoods; and

5. Rural communities tend to have worse access to supermarkets.

Okay, so what else is new? I grew up in a predominately black community, and I can tell you first hand that I still see more liquor stores and fast food joints than legit supermarkets in that same community. Now that I am older, wiser and appreciative of good health and wellness, I see the lacking access to healthy foods in the community as detrimental problem. So much so that I really want to learn more about how to better report on health disparities. I just so happen to be attending a conference this week on this very issue. I plan on blogging about what is being said and done about this from the experts.

Stay tuned.

Winter Diversions: Frankie Beverly and Maze

Just because I need blissful dancing music right about now.

President Obama Achieves First Victories

No, silly rabbit, I am not talking about him being allowed to keep his Blackberry (although I am happy for him.)

I am talking about two good policy decisions President Obama has made since taking office. One is regarding closing down Guantanamo Bay.

From CNN Wire

In one of his first acts in office, President Obama has ordered the U.S. government to suspend prosecutions and review all cases of suspected terrorists at the Guantanamo Bay prison camp, military officials announced late Tuesday.

Papers filed at the U.S. prison camp said the request is made “in the interest of justice and at the direction of the president of the United States.” It seeks a 120-day continuance in all cases to carry out a “thorough review of both pending cases and the military commission process generally.”

“The judges will receive the requests and review them, and we anticipate a ruling soon,” said Cmdr. Jeffrey Gordon, a Defense Department spokesman.

Also, on the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, President Obama is expected to overturn the Mexico City Policy.

From New York Times

There was also speculation about whether President Obama would use today’s anniversary of the 1973 Supreme Court decision to reverse the so-called “Mexico City policy,” which forbids the flow of federal money to international family planning organizations that provide abortions or related services and counseling.

The policy, which President Ronald Reagan put in place in 1984, was repealed by President Clinton early in his term. President Bush’s reinstated the ban in his first executive order on Jan. 22, 2001.

Inspite of these positive agenda items, I guess my overall beliefs of Obama's long term vision is on the same line of thinking as Aaron MacGruder's, who understands the reality of American Empire.

But you know, I have pledged to make sure I will hold the Obama administration accountable whenever necessary and possible.

It was a good thing I looked at my email a few minutes because I got a notice about a really cool project the National Black Programming Consortium is doing these days.

The Virtual Open Letter project was conceived and produced as part of the New Media Institute 2008. The project was conceived as community record of voices to the new President Barack Obama and his administration. Here are the voices of all Americans eager to give the president their honest opinions on what he should prioritize as his administration deals with a tall order of crises.

To write a letter to President Obama: http://tothepresident.com/

Or give him a call at 866-927-1216

Who knows? Maybe Obama will see some of these comments on his Blackberry!

Facebook aids Zim children

Children are usually the victims of conflicts conducted by adults around the world. Of the 12 million people in Zimbabwe suffering from the humanitarian crisis and violent political corruption, the country’s youngest citizens are being harmed the most. Now one American man is trying to make a difference, one child at a time.

Matthew Jacobs of Kansas City, MO volunteered his time with Save the Children - Zimbabwe to start up a Facebook group page to raise money and awareness about the plight of suffering Zimbabwean children. On the page he updates it with the latest information relating to the food shortage and Morgan Tsvangirai, president of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). Group members can also donate money to Save the Children through the page.

Change Has Come to - Cyberspace?

Being the fabulous new media consultant that I am, I noticed on WhiteHouse.gov that the Obama administration took over the website at 12:01 PM today (Obama was technically the president already, even though he hadn't taken the oath yet) His new media director, Macon Philips, has already posted three blog entries.

As far as transparency is concerned...

From WhiteHouse.Gov

...President Obama has committed to making his administration the most open and transparent in history, and WhiteHouse.gov will play a major role in delivering on that promise. The President's executive orders and proclamations will be published for everyone to review, and that’s just the beginning of our efforts to provide a window for all Americans into the business of the government. You can also learn about some of the senior leadership in the new administration and about the President’s policy priorities...

Apparently, President Obama will keep his promise of publishing "all non-emergency legislation to the website for five days, and allow the public to review and comment before the President signs it."

However, please note that one can view his blog posts, but CAN NOT comment directly on entries for the world to see. Commenters have to fill out a private comment form. I just want to know how selective the administration will be about reposting comments on the blog and/or if they will reply directly to commenters. Like we mentioned here before, no space to respond on new media tools implies shady business is happening.

So much for transparency...so far.

A New Day in America

"This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed -- why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent Mall, and why a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath."
- From President Barack Obama's inaugural speech

Today I am filled with the joy and excitement of my ancestors who bear witness to this day in American history.

What would MLK think of President Bush?

With President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration around the corner, it seems like Dr Martin Luther King's dream may have been realized. With all the good will and racial reconcilation the new administration represents, Obama will also be taking over the crap the previous administration left behind.

It begs the question: has President Bush set back America, and would Dr King approve of his actions?

Lets look back at some highlighted notes I took down over the last eight years:

1. Did Bush have pre-knowledge of 9/11?

2. And why after 9/11 did he enact executive privilege to protect Condi Rice and Dick Cheney?

3. While Saddam Hussein was eventually capture and killed, the Bush administration has sent over 4,000 service men and women to their deaths based on a lie.

4. Collin Powell lost his credibility around the world when he lied at the UN in support of the Iraq War.

5. Why did the Bush administration deny support for stem cell research and climate change?

6. Why did the Bush administration deny support to those in the Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina?

7. No Child Left Behind is still leaving American children behind.

8. The ABC Policy is also leaving a lot of other people behind in the developing world.

9. Shouldn't the Bush administration be prosecuted as war criminals for inhuman behavior going on in Abu Gharib and Guantanamo, which is the "gulag of our time"?

10. Who thought the Patriot Act and wire tapping made any sense in the first place?

11. During the Clinton administration, the budget had a surplus of more than $100 billion. Why is the fiscal 2009 deficit approaching $700 billion under Bush's tenure.

I don't usually like to predict what the deceased would say about things if they were alive today, but I am pretty sure that Dr King and I would agree that most of the nonsense that went down during the Bush years have just set back social justice in this country by many years.

In hindsight, Mr Bush, thanks, but no thanks for the memories.

So in honor of his last hurrah, here are President Bush's greatest moments, courtesy of David Letterman.

Online activists want US drug reform

As the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama nears, many Americans are putting together a wish list of the most pressing issues that they would like to see the Obama Administration work on first. While the war on terror continues to take up primary attention worldwide, America’s longest and most difficult war – the War on Drugs - has been given a back seat. However, with recent popular culture depictions of the drug trade and urban blight on the acclaimed show, The Wire (and Obama’s favorite TV show), some digital activists hope that with “change” in the White House, there will also be some change in how to approach this timely domestic issue.

Students for Sensible Drug Policy, a grassroots network of activists concerned about drug abuse, are running an “online rally” on their Facebook group page through the end of January, with a goal of getting 100,000 people to sign a petition, asking Obama to reform the nation’s drug policy. The petition specifically wants the next head of the Office of National Drug Control Policy to have a background in health, science, or education rather than in military, law enforcement or "tough on drugs" politics. “The next ‘Drug Czar’ should treat drug abuse as a health issue rather than a criminal issue and move away from a 'War on Drugs' paradigm,” according to the group.

Global Wire Hearts Wyclef Jean Part II

If you needed yet another reason to like Wyclef Jean the humanitaran, check out a piece on him from last night's 60 Minutes.


Watch CBS Videos Online

Retro Film Review: Control Room

The American media was hijacked by the administration so as to be used as a leverage for inducing some fear among the American public.
- Samir Khader, Al Jazeera senior producer

The crisis in Gaza has highlighted the problematic media coverage of how Israel is handling the bombings.

From New York Times:

The Foreign Press Association has been fighting for weeks to get its members into Gaza, first appealing to senior government officials and ultimately taking its case to the country’s highest court. Last week the justices worked out an arrangement with the organization whereby small groups would be permitted into Gaza when it was deemed safe enough for the crossings to be opened for other reasons.

So far, every time the border has been opened, journalists have not been permitted to go in.

On Tuesday, the press association released a statement saying, “The unprecedented denial of access to Gaza for the world’s media amounts to a severe violation of press freedom and puts the state of Israel in the company of a handful of regimes around the world which regularly keep journalists from doing their jobs.”

I just so happen to get from Netflix the great 2004 film, Control Room, which documents the controversial Qatar-based television news service Al-Jazeera and it's coverage of the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Launched in 1996, Al-Jazeera broadcasts the war in Iraq to approximately 40 million Arabs. Since then, it has become a punching bag for both Arab governments and the Bush Administration, which has repeatedly called the network "the mouthpiece of Osama bin Laden."

The network gained its reputation for blatant reporting and uncensored images of dead Iraqi civilians. In the film you can see how the Bush administration tried to control what was getting out to the media, including the infamous "playing cards" incident.

I think Barack Obama should force US cable news networks to start broadcasting the "real war."

Could you image if CNN or Fox News started showing images of the dead on a regular basis? The war would end immediately.

Obama is aging and needs bliss

All U.S. presidents physically age more rapidly during their tenures due to the pressures the office puts forth. However, President-elect Barack Obama's aging process will hasten exponentially because of the troubling economy and the ongoing war on terror, and not to mention the stress of being the first black leader of the free world.

From CNN:

..."Chronic stress can produce lots of wear and tear on the body," said James A. McCubbin, a Clemson University professor of psychology and senior associate dean of the College of Business and Behavioral Science. "This is what we see in the changes in the appearance in the beginning and end of the presidency."

Roizen points to the experience of Ronald Reagan.

"When Reagan came into office, he stood up absolutely straight. He was joking and incredibly quick-witted about current events. When he left office, he was hunched over. The age signs on face was there. His jokes were those of olden days rather than current events," he said...

While it was obvious that he was aging during the last few months of the campaign, Obama regularly exercises and has a healthy diet including arugula and Hawaiian pizza, which will contribute to his longevity (of course this is based on him staying away from cigarettes).

Like me, I think he needs more bliss in his life.



I saw the above image on the back cover of the February 2009 Yoga Journal the other day at the gym. The president-elect and I have many things in common; we are both embarking on work this year that will create much physical and emotional tension. For me, I am thinking about doing more exercise, maintaining my diet and experimenting with yoga.

I am even looking more closely at Eastern philosophies these days. No, I am not going Buddhist anytime soon, but this quote interests me.

The Drepung Loseling Institute states:

"Like all major religions, Buddhism contains an explanation of the origin of existence, a morality, and a specific set of rituals and behaviors. ... Buddhism presents a transformational goal, a desire to improve one's situation, and a distinct moral code."

I can already see more chanting opportunities in the Oval Office.

Mobile phones promote HIV awareness

New media has been used to promote HIV/AIDS awareness in recent years. Mobile phones have become an easy and accessible way to reach out to vulnerale populations on such health matters. Rachel Jones, an educator at Rutgers University's College of Nursing, developed a campaign with actors and scripts to demonstrate safer sex and condom use through a series of soap opera segments that can be viewed on mobile phones.

According to a recent interview, Jones said that mobile phones allow women to have privacy when viewing the episodes and enables them to watch them multiple times. She believes that "knowledge alone is not effective at changing behaviors" but that women in the targeted communities might change their behaviors if they identify with characters in the videos. According to Jones, many women experience pressure from their partners to have unprotected sex, and "[t]hese relationship concerns can feel much more important in the moment for some women than reducing HIV/AIDS, which can feel more distant." Jones added that the videos aim to "normalize condom use."

A few words on Israel...

No news is good news out of Gaza tonight, but we still need to keep prospective on what's really going on here.

From Metro:

...Unrestrained by the rules of international legality, and indifferent to the most elementary considera-tions of morality, Israel is bombing into the Stone Age a besieged, battered and largely defenseless society of 1.5 million people. At the time of writing, it had killed at least 437 people, wounded more than 2,300, and flattened every building in sight. The final casualties will undoubtedly be higher.

How has Israel managed to get away with such behavior? The short answer is that there is no serious countervailing pressure on the Jewish state, neither from a weak and divided Arab world, nor from the European Union, still struggling to become a coherent political entity, nor from emerging powers such as China and Russia. The total absence of any balance of power means that Israel has been able to do as it pleases.

The world is a jungle, largely because the U.S. administration of outgoing President George W. Bush has made it so. Bush’s illegal war in Iraq; his unbridled “Global War on Terror;” his cross-border air strikes; his subversion of the rule of law and of the Geneva Conventions; his license for the use of torture and for detention without trial: All these have given Israel the freedom to do likewise.

Instead of seeking to resolve long-running conflicts and promote peace, the Bush administration has instead fanned the flames of war. The world is praying that President-elect Barack Obama will bring about a sharp and decisive change of direction in American foreign policy...

I can't really put all the blame of Israel's actions on Bush; the Middle East has been a mess due in large part to blind U.S. support for 60 years. Furthermore, one can't honestly expect Obama to really "change" foreign policy towards the Jewish state when he gets into the White House, considering recent statements...

Can we talk about poverty now?

Class - the third rail of American politics - is rearing its ugly head more often these days as the economic downturn cripples the wallets of average Americans. But don't expect your elected officials to do anything in support of their constituents anytime soon.

From Boston Globe:

UNEMPLOYMENT is at its highest level in 15 years. Housing prices won't stop falling. The stock market has suffered its most punishing collapse since 1931, and shareholders have lost $7 trillion in wealth. Millions of workers have lost their jobs; millions more are worried about losing theirs. IRAs and 401k accounts have been decimated, and companies are halting their contributions to retirement plans. Retail sales are dragging, the credit markets have seized up, and worse is expected in 2009. The government has gone to unprecedented lengths to improve the economy, yet the economy keeps getting worse. The federal budget deficit is headed for a trillion dollars, and the national debt is well over $10 trillion and climbing. The number of Americans saying the country is on the wrong track is at or near its all-time high; consumer confidence is at its all-time low.

So what do you do now?

Well, if you're a member of Congress, you give yourself a raise.

Beginning this week, US representatives and senators will be paid $174,000 a year. That represents an increase of $4,700 and the 10th time since 1998 that congressional pay has been given a boost....

..."Finding anyone brave enough to defend the pay hike in Washington these days is like looking for the proverbial needle in a haystack," writes McClatchey's Rob Hotakainen. "When asked to comment, normally accessible members quickly go missing, are on vacation, are extremely busy with family members, or can't be reached on their cellphones because they're in remote locations."...

...Hard as it may be to believe, there was a time when members of Congress didn't make it an annual priority to pad their pay envelopes. In 1932, during the Great Depression, the House and Senate even cut their pay by 10 percent, then cut it by another 5.5 percent in 1933. Today's lawmakers, save for a handful of honorable exceptions, are about as likely to follow that precedent as they are to sprinkle anthrax on their Cheerios...

Between Detroit's Big Three, Bernard Madoff and Congress, it's time for Americans to rise to the occasion and take back this country from the mad men. Who is with me?

Presidential New Media

Speaking of Barack Obama's YouTube Chats:



As tech savvy as the president-elect is, he is hardly the first head of state to use new media to communicate with the masses. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has used podcasts and viral video since 2006 to discuss policy issues in her country.



Russian President Dmitry Medvedev gets his no tie-wearing, metrosexual swag on in this video.



Even the King of Sound Bites himself, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, is believed to be the first world leader to have a blog, which is posted in four languages but hasn't been updated in over a year.

One question: Will new media make politicians more transparent in the future? Well, it is still too early to see, as it is so far showing to be a mixed bag. Merkel at least answers questions submitted to her by the public in her vlogs. Whether "her people" are selective about what she will answer is another issue. Ahmadinejad's blog is full of "praiseful" comments, while Medevedev's blog takes no comment.

So much for freedom of speech.

Making money on the high seas

As more commercial freights continue to get hijacked in the Gulf of Aden, Somali pirates have figured out how to make stacks. Talk about international development taken to a new level...

From Reuters:

...Massive ransoms have brought rapid development to former fishing villages that now thrive with business and boast new beachside hotels, patronised by cash-rich buccaneers who have become local celebrities virtually overnight.

Investors have been attracted from around Somalia.

"There are some 'pirates' who never shoulder a gun or go out into the ocean, but they own boats which earn them a hell of a lot of money," gang member Bashir Abdulle told Reuters by phone from Eyl, the most notorious of the pirates' strongholds.

Just three years ago, maritime security experts estimated there were just five Somali pirate groups and fewer than 100 gunmen in total. Now they think there are more than 1,200.

Some analysts trace the gangs' roots to ties forged with criminal networks across the Gulf of Aden in Yemen during years of people-smuggling operations.

Others say the buccaneers began life as a rag-tag "coast guard" formed by elders enraged by European fishing fleets illegally trawling Somali territorial waters for tuna, and even more clandestine craft dumping deadly toxic waste on its shore.

LINKS TO REBELS?

But the biggest lure now, of course, is the vast ransoms being paid for captured ships. Kenya says it thinks the pirates have received more than $150 million this year alone.

Many young men who used to work as bodyguards and militia fighters for Somalia's many warlords and feuding politicians have quit with their guns to chase the rewards available out on the waves.

And most worrying for the international community, some analysts see links between the pirates and Islamist militants who control Somalia's south and are advancing slowly on Mogadishu.

In some areas, residents say the pirates are the only ones allowed to defy night time curfews imposed by the Islamists.

For their part, militant leaders deny any connections and have vowed to attack the gang holding the Saudi supertanker in retaliation for their hijacking a "Muslim" ship.

Russia has proposed raiding the pirates' land bases such as Eyl, but the NATO alliance has said African nations must take the lead. Few in the gunmen's strongholds showed any fear.

"I know piracy isn't good, but if it wasn't for them I wouldn't be able to make a living," shrugs Kadija Duale, a mother of four in Eyl. She sells the gunmen $3 cups of tea on credit, then collects when they receive their share of ransoms.

A kilo of khat, a popular mild narcotic plant, now costs $65 in Eyl, compared with $20 elsewhere, thanks to pirate demand.

Eyl is in the semi-autonomous northern province of Puntland -- whose main port is Bosasso -- though the Saudi ship is being held further south in Haradheere port, another centre of piracy.

As the profits from the crime wave draw in businessmen from around the country, residents in the pirate's coastal bases -- and some inland towns -- have seen development in recent months that is unprecedented in their anarchic nation.

Abdiqadir Yusuf Ow Muse, the Eyl chairman, said his village had existed since 1927, but had long been only a tiny fishing community. This year, he told Reuters, all that had changed.

"Now it's a district with almost all facilities you would expect, because of the convergence of rich pirates," he said.

Cuban Revolution Revisited

As the world revels the first day of 2009, Cubans are having more subtle celebrations upon the 50th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution.



This BBC video discusses Castro's involvement in Angola.



So what's been going on in and out of Cuba for the last half century? Check out this video I found on YouTube. (Note that it is about an hour long and it is more biased to the anti-Castro point of view.)

2009 Hangover Lounge

For this year's hangover lounge, we are taking a more chill approach to ringing in 2009. The song is called Mavis by Eden and you can find this song on BUDDHA BAR VOLUME 3 - CD 1. I am not generally into resolutions, but 2009 is my year to have more bliss.

Just relax and enjoy.