That is Tina Turner not crystal meth (e:tinypliny)!

(E:hodown)'s post made me happy . That is no easy thing in recent days. Tina's experiential film "Whats love got to do with it?" was what sparked my interest in Buddhism. When I first saw the movie, it was years before I actually encountered Buddhism. Her practice is very much like mine as demonstrated on this Larry King interview.




Tina and I have the same mentor and we chant the same thing everyday. That is the awesome thing about our prayers is that I can never have met her before and be immediately connected with her and we could do the prayers and chant together in unison without even a prayer book to guide us because we already know it. It would be so awesome if some day we could do that together.

Now I can't stop watching Tina videos!

We Don't Need Another Hero!



Better Be Good to Me



Private Dancer

I love this one.



Proud Mary




Yeah, Ike was a part of her life here. In Buddhism you change poison into medicine and that is exactly what she did with Ike. My favorite part of her movie is when she starts chanting and finally beats the shit out of him in the limo on their way to the hotel.

This bootleg version was the only one I could find on youtube!



I always think she's saying "You must understand, on the touch of your hand, makes my balls react!"



I also feel connected to Tina because we both have experienced domestic violence as well as come from a Christian background. I love the scene in her movie when she is a little girl in the church and sings "This Little Light of Mine". I still sing that song sometimes! I also love Angela Basset because she played Tina so well.

I do have my reason for posting this.

It is both religious and secular in this country. I say secular because nobody can escape it. I have very fond memories because of it. Lucky me--to have had them. I'm also consumed by guilt at not being able to live up to its expectations. The expectations of what our lives ought to be, are shaped by the images we have of it seared into our subconscious. Our economy is measured by its success and how much we spend and how much we import from China to fuel its insatiable appetite. It is the time of year those who are suffering suffer the most.

I better get my cha cha heels!

Cuba is suffering. They have been hit by yet another hurricane. The US embargo against Cuba is internationally condemned. The embargo does not work! Although many of these pictures remind me of the suffering of the Cubans it isn't the entire picture. The Cuban people also know how to enjoy life. I I could show a thousand more of happy faces.






























Hurricane Rita 2005 --Malec�n




!El bloqueo no es justo!

Dear President-Elect Obama,

Finally! I feel a tremendous amount of pride and joy in my country. I'm 28 years old and I didn't think that I would every feel this way. Tears streamed down my face during your acceptance speech and I know that all across the globe people were experiencing the same feeling. I believe that you will lead us in a more safe and secure direction. I do not think that you can solve everything nor do I expect you to. Yet I trust in you to work on our behalf, the workers, the unemployed, the students those who are fighting for a place in this society. We are the ones who have elected you. I doubted democracy before today. I didn't think it was working. Please continue to bolster our faith in the ideals this country has to offer.

My concerns are vast but please take note of the following five of my top issues. First, I want the money to be removed from politics. That would mean giving equal access to the public airwaves to all candidates. Also, I would like relief in my student loan rates or opportunities to serve my country in a non violent way in exchange for real debt relief. I want more regulation of business. We have been shown what happens because of deregulation as our economy falls and our environment worsens. I want you to proceed as quickly as possible in withdrawing forces from Iraq. Finally, I want you to consider campaigning for the right for gays to marry. I do understand that it could be detrimental towards a second run for the White House but we should not be considered political pawns but real people who need real change.

Please stay safe. I'm looking forward to encouraging words from you and Michele when our nation needs it. We need it! You have a beautiful family and have an amazing opportunity to be the role model this country desperately is looking for.

Best wishes,



Libertad


I got this message on his website when I submitted it.

We're receiving a large number of messages since the end of the campaign, and we ask for your patience as we try to respond to everyone.
Thank you again for your message.

Wish he could personally read my message but I don't know if he will have the time to read so many letters. I never thought of writing Bush because I knew he didn't care about me.