Ukiah day 2

From August 2014


I have 48  minutes left of computer communication on this Ukiah Pub Library computer.

Argghh! That's not much.

Last night at the Ukiah Brewery and Restaurant a friendly and pretty good fun Open Mic. Comparisons to Peri's Open Mic.. I'll let that go. (Fairfax there is not much out there that can compete.) I ponder a bit what I am doing attempting still to be a 'musician' when there are already so many excellent under appreciated artists out there. That's Allright.

Two nights ago on the motel TV I saw some CSPAN hearings by the progressive congressional caucus regarding the Children's March to the US. I didn't get to see the entire hearings. What i saw was three young people a 15 year old girl, 15 year old boy, 12 year old girl. I heard of the despair, and danger of life in El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala etc.. and the need to escape. The congresspeople were moved by the courage of the kids. I didn't hear who was financing the children's escape over 100's of miles and then finding a 'Coyote' to get them across the border. Over the years I've met a couple of very sweet Central American women who told me they have children back in their home countries that they haven't seen in 3, 4, 5 years, how deeply sad they were living in separation. I just couldn't easily accept this in my heart that you abandon your children for the money in the US. Of course they hope to what? Return to their home country and build a nice house?
Marry an American and bring their children up to the US?

The children must have money to make their way up to the border. The children at the hearing were very sweet and the story of their foul treatment by border immigration is pretty shocking. Kept in freezing (very cold) confinement, two ham sandwiches a day. Obama did you listen? Pick up the phone Obama. Say This is the President. 'Who is in charge of these holding cells?' I haven't heard about him doing that.

 The children want to grow up to be doctors and lawyers one wants to go to Stanford University. Wouldn't every child in the world? One female California Congressperson kept pressing with a question' What would you advise your young friends and cousins back home?'  What could they answer but the kids wouldn't take the bait. No they couldn't say everyone come come it's worth it once you get past the border patrol they can reunite you with your dear parents, uncles aunts. Come to America Children of the World!

 Why does that chill me? Why have these third world countries fallen to such horrible levels of civic pride?
Why does violence, and greed rule? Where are the schools and Universities in Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala that children should take great pride in attending and becoming Doctors and Lawyers in their own country. Everything is looting and ripping off and I think the problem emanates from the US. We don't give a damn about those countries, we want their cheap labor, we need their cheap labor. We undermine villages and communities throughout Central America and Mexico with our 'free' immigration policies.

  Meantime wealth keeps aggregating upwards. Everywhere.

  So Obama on CSPAN last night I only could watch for about 10 minutes though I told myself, don't turn away, take notes. He was giving a speech somewhere. He looked on top of his game. Shirt sleeves rolled up tie still on. The customary rows of people behind him looking down approvingly upon his back. (When did that start, people seated behind a president becoming the backdrop? Use to be as President you would always put the American Flag behind you. So people would get the idea, I the President equals your Flag.. )
Now it's I represent the people ... see all the smiling people behind me.) He reminded me of one of these new round of late night talk show hosts, whose smiles and aura of confidence is supposed to make you believe yes I am entertaining, this is funny,

 Obama shared some good news. Homeprices are rising. We are now the world's #1 oil and gas producer.'
Did he really say that Guy? I think he did. Yet we have enemies. 'Congress' If it wasn't for .....