Încă o dată îmi cer scuze pentru calitatea înregistrării, dar tot ce am sunt piese vechi.

Versurile sunt la fel de vechi şi nu sunt în niciuna dintre cărţile mele publicate.

Priveşte Tu, Isuse,
În carnea ce mă ţine
Şi sapă-n ea o poartă
Să pot ieşi mai bine.

Şi mai adânc să fie
Înfiptă crucea Ta
În cuiul care este
Nevrednicia mea.

De palma Ta cu milă
Adânc mă ţintuieşte
Să nu mă mai desprindă
Al urii lumii cleşte.

Căci nu mă-ntină visul
Ci somnul ce-l încape
Desparte, Doamne,-n mine
Din nou pământ de ape.

Lembro-me de muitas promessas à respeito do Emanuel - o Deus conosco. Lembro-me de Jesus dizendo que onde tivessem dois ou três reunidos no nome dEle, ali Ele estaria; lembro-me de dizer que estaria conosco todos os dias até a consumação dos séculos; lembro-me, ainda, de que Ele iria, mas deixaria outro Consolador que habitaria em nós.

Mas a idéia de, ainda hoje, Deus visitar a terra, a Sua criação, sem que seja nessas condições me encantou. Saber que Deus, ainda hoje, visita a terra da mesma maneira que fazia no princípio, antes de Adão e Eva pecarem é mais uma prova de que n'Ele não há sombra de variação.

Além disso, para mim, saber que Deus visita a terra, é andar na expectativa de encontrá-lo. Andar pelas ruas esperando-o, olhando os rostos com atenção, vendo mais cores, ouvindo mais sons... É preparar-me para ser surpreendida!

Despite the limelight and money, being in a band isn’t all just fun and games. In fact, after years of playing the same songs and following the same exact routine of living out of a van and sometimes driving for 15 hours straight- the band lifestyle can get pretty repulsive, which is precisely how Emanuel felt towards late 2006.

The Kentucky band, by that time, had been on the road for almost 3 years in support of the same singular album, their full-length debut Soundtrack to a Headrush. All the allure of playing music had been drained out of them, and even as they returned back to their hometown of Louisville they still felt out of place saying, “we didn’t even feel like it was our home anymore.”

But Emanuel did what they had taught themselves to do over the past 10 years that they had been together as a band- they settled down, collected themselves, and spelled out their inner frustrations in the form of songs. These desperate confessions revealed by members Matt Breen (vocals), Devin Tripplet (guitar), Mat Barber (lead guitar/vocals), Bryan Whiteman (bass), and Anthony Brock (drums), are known today as their newest album, Black Earth Tiger, which was released on Vagrant Records August 28th.

While the album still retains the band’s post-hardcore raw sound, it also hearkens the sounds of older 90’s rock bands, a cross which Breen says is “somewhere between Alice in Chains and Sunny Day Real Estate.” It shouldn’t really come to a surprise, as the band collectively lists The Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana, and Quicksand as coveted influences.

Breen says that although the band captured the 90’s rock vibe, with the help of esteemed producer Terry Date (Pantera, Smashing Pumpkins), the band wanted to particularly leave listeners with a distinct feeling after each song. “I wanted the songs to leave you [the fan] with a darker, more melancholy feel every single time,” he claims.

The more somber tone of the album fits perfectly because for Emanuel, the new record is a symbol of baptism, in that they have outgrown an era of their lives. According to Breen, “Self-annihilation is one of the biggest themes of the record, and basically the record is about endings and how they bring about new beginnings.”

As they penned together Black Earth Tiger the band not only created a musical testament to the 10 years worth of experience under their belts, but they also came to rediscover their ultimate love for music.

“It helped us realize that we were all playing music because we didn’t want to do other things, we were playing it cause we fucking love it; now we’re back in vans and sleeping on people’s floors and most importantly know that sticking it out will be worth it later on no mater what.”

Mă mai joc cu ea atingându-i corzile parcă străine,
dar totul sună atât de straniu şi din ce vibrează  ea,
dar şi din ce răzbate din mine...

Ochii îmi alunecă pe geamul din camera de sus
Spre măslinii din dealul de-aproape
Şi-n privirea-mi pierdută sunt ascuns ca o chitară,

Ca această chitară în tocul ei şi parcă văd acel dor
Arzător de Isus şi de cântecul Lui scurs pe cruce...

Emanuel

Asta mi-a dat fratele meu să vă mai dăruiesc. Şi l-am invitat să mai cânte ceva. Era pe o casetă veche, uzată de atâtea urechi colindate... Îmi cer scuze pentru calitatea înregistrării. Textul cântării îmi aparţine şi e foarte vechi.  

[googlevideo=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8733799792169852485]

Vreţi să-l rog să ne cânte?

[googlevideo=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3368524811143753428]

Nici el nu e o bilă pocnită... Când îl ascult, plâng. Este fratele meu... şi e departe acum...

Ei, şi băteam noi mingea aia până cădea aiurea şi călcam pe ea. Se deforma săraca, de nu ne mai puteam juca. Vă daţi seama ce mare dezamăgire ne încerca! Ce "oftică"...! Priveam la masa aia ca o muscă închisă-ntr-un borcan, care te priveşte mâncând... Nu mai aveam cu ce să ne jucăm!

Acum parcă se sparge o minge de ping-pong. Nu mai avem cu ce să ne jucăm. Dezamăgirea e mare...

Dar de ce vorbesc eu de bilă... Alea sunt rostogoale pocnite ping, pong, până la epuizare. Eu vorbesc de dezamăgire...

Dacă vreţi să-l mai rog pe frate-meu să cânte, spuneţi-mi.

Durante el domingo, enero 27, 2008 entrevisté al joven xtremo - Emanuel. Actualmente es uno de los líderes de los Jóvenes Xtremos y además dirige el ministerio de adoración juvenil en los cultos juveniles en los viernes. Pertenece, a su vez, a los ministerios de adoración general, de coreografía, de las artes y de evangelismo de nuestra Iglesia Ministerio Ciudad de Bendición en Naguabo, Puerto Rico.

1) ¿Cómo te sientes al ser líder de los Jóvenes Xtremos?

Bueno, pues ser líder de los jóvenes, me siento privilegiado. Gracias a Dios que me puso en esta posición y espero ser de gran ayuda a mucho jóvenes en este país, en el mundo (en donde sea necesario).

2) ¿Cómo crees que tiene que ser un líder xtremo?

Primero que nada, tiene que estar dispuesto en oración, que lea la Biblia, que siempre esté en comunicación con Dios, que adora al Señor y aparte de todo que sea servicial, que ame a sus amigos.

3) ¿Cómo te describirías como líder xtremo utilizando una sola palabra?

Xtremo... (se rie)

4) ¿Qué es lo más difícil para el líder?

Las cargas, pues, cosas que uno tiene que hacer: que si los trabajos, buscando alguna predicación, eso carga también.

5) ¿Qué es para ti ser un Joven Xtremo?

Yo pienso que un Joven Xtremo es alguien que sobresale, que tiene la adrenalina para tirarse a hacer lo que sea.

6) ¿Cómo que?

No sé, eso de la palabra adrenalina me gusta por que, porque cuando uno tiene adrenalina uno es como que loco y se atreve a hacer lo que le dé la gana...pero viste, que sea para Dios, o sea nosotros somos Jóvenes Xtremos, pero somos xtremos para Dios.

7) Háblanos del ministerio de adoración juvenil.

Bueno, pues el ministerio de adoración juvenil son unos buenos compañeros. Se han escogido, pues de verdad tienen una entrega para Dios y pues tienen unas voces bonitas.

8 ) ¿Podrías explicar que es adoración para ti?

Adoración es, pues, darle la exaltación a Dios. Es como si estuviera, pues, orándole al Señor, pero tu sabes tu le alabas, eso es lo que le gusta al Señor. Eso es lo que mueve la mano de Dios, la adoración.

9) ¿Qué se hace en los cultos de Jóvenes?

En los cultos de jóvenes, pues cantamos, alabamos a Dios, vacilamos, pero todo con su límite, ves. Danzamos, gritamos, todo lo que tenga que ver con -amos, pero la pasamos bien. A veces hacemos actividades buenas que a los jóvenes, pues, les gustan, cosas así.

10) ¿Cuáles son los retos que los jóvenes xtremos enfrentan hoy día en Puerto Rico?

Por lo menos si fuera a mí, el joven xtremo, hoy día de verdad, sufre mucha presión de grupos. Los jóvenes sufren mucha presión de grupo y eso es lo que uno tiene que estar todo el tiempo alerta.

11) ¿Qué le dirías a los jóvenes de Puerto Rico que no asisten a ninguna iglesia?

Les exhorto, que verdad, busquen de Dios por que, de verdad, no quiere decir que por que pequen, pues todos somos pecadores. Todos merecemos una oportunidad y, de verdad, les prometo que les va a gustar y al que no le guste, pues, no puede hacer na'. Pero de verdad que Dios es lo mejor y se los recomiendo.

12) ¿Desde cuando conoces a Jesús?

Desde pequeño...

13) ¿Qué es lo mejor de conocer a Dios?

Pues que, de verdad, él siempre me cuida cada día, siempre me bendice, me llena de sabiduría e inteligencia cuando la necesito, fortaleza, nos sana también. El es grande en todo, pues, por que nos ayuda y es misericordioso.

14) ¿Qué metas tienes para el ministerio juvenil?

Espero que se expanda y que el ministerio se agrande y, pues, que se unan más jóvenes con talentos que se puedan aprovechar.

15) ¿Quisiera saber si alguna vez has sentido presión por ser hijos de pastores?

A mucha gente le gusta el vacilón, que si a lo mejor tu eres hijo de pastor tu no puedes hacer tal cosa. Pero yo me conozco como cualquier otra persona por que por ser hijo de pastor no significa que me van a marginar. Si me marginan, pues, no es problema mío, pero yo me siento como cualquier otra persona.

16) ¿Qué es lo mejor de tener un ministerio juvenil xtremo?

Las amistades, uno hace muchos amigos...

17) Ahora dinos con una palabra lo primero que te viene a la mente cuando piensas en... Dios.

Amor

18) ... Jóvenes Xtremos

Adrenalina

19) ... líder

Mayordomía

20) ... adoración

Expresión

21) ... Emanuel

Dios con nosotros (se rie)

Para todos los Jóvenes Xtremos de Puerto Rico

Joven Xtremo - Kelvin

The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) strongly opposes the "acid mine" on the Yellow Dog Plains because sulfide mining tramples ceded territorial rights and the treaties of 1842 and 1856.

The mine is being built not far from the natural depiction of a Native American - that the winds and waves of Lake Superior carved into the cliffs of Presque Isle below the grave of northern Michigan's most famous American Indian Chief Charles Kawbawgam, last Chief of the Chippewa.  

While sulfuric acid may soon drip like tears from the eyes of this mysterious carving, the real Chief Kawbawgam would undoubtedly be leading the fight against the mine if not for his death about 105 years ago.

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The state of Michigan gave the Upper Peninsula the worst of all possible Christmas gifts promising unimaginable environmental damage - in exchange for a handful of jobs and the threat of even more sulfide "acid" mining to be followed by uranium.

Continuing their valiant fight for northern Michigan's valuable wilderness, environmentalists and Native Americans have sued the state to prevent the mine from opening.

Northern Michigan trout, salmon, deer, bear and other wildlife can not speak for themselves, so it's up to the people to save the woods, streams and lakes of northern Michigan.

Upper Peninsula turned into Land of Kennecott - short-timers who will pillage our minerals, leave behind an enviro-graveyard - and move their shovels from county to county until most remaining pristine areas of the U.P. are reminiscent of Love Canal or the mining ruins of West Virginia.

It's pockets full of cash from other environmental savagery, Kennecott Minerals successfully lured the state down a road of environmental ruin.

At issue is a controversial nickel-copper mine between Marquette and Big Bay with six new mine sites proposed within 50 miles of the Eagle Project - and that's just the beginning.

Those who oppose the "acid mine" protested on Dec. 17, 2007 in front of the federal courthouse in Marquette, MI.

(Marquette Mine Protest Rally Photos by Earth Keeper Gail Griffith, Save the Wild UP (SWUP) board member)

You see, the international mining giant will be long gone in 7 years or less - after creating less than 100 short-term jobs - and local residents will be left with a huge stain (at best) - and possibly a ruined trout stream feeding a soiled Lake Superior.

The Great 2008 Betrayal: 2008 will be year of Great Betrayal of Michigan northwoods unless lawsuits prevail or mines stopped by those with the power

The ink was barely dry on the promised suit when the owners of the "acid mine" admitted what had been feared all along: similar mines will be popping up like mushrooms in all corners of the U.P. - again trading short-term gain for tourism and recreation.

Many residents call the project an "acid" mine because one of its nasty byproducts is sulfuric acid when the ore hits the air.

Just as our railroads and other areas are covered in iron ore pellets - much of the Yellow Dogs Plains near Lake Superior will be covered with acid or other dubious mining leftovers.

At least our iron ore mines are open for a century or more and create thousands of jobs.

Did state watchdogs eat bad mushrooms?:

Acid, Uranium Mines to spring up like mushrooms across northern Michigan wilderness

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality - and democratic Governor Jennifer Granholm - betrayed the people of the Upper Peninsula in mid-December by issuing three permits that will allow the opening of an "acid" mine by the Kennecott Minerals Company.

This time next year northern Michigan's pristine snow will be mixed with sulfuric acid.

The state's top environmental watchdog - the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (aka Quitters) - bit the hand that feeds her - tourism!

"Environmental quality" is in the name of the MDEQ - the top state watchdog for Michigan's gorgeous Upper Pensinula. The agency should be stripped of that name.

How about - MDEQ - Michigan Department of Environmental Quitters?

That way the MDEQ wouldn't have to change the towels that will soak up the lifeblood of the U.P. - tourism.

Protect the Upper Peninsula and our:

Fighting the good fight: KBIC and environmental groups joined by descendants of America's Industrial Revolution

The lawsuit was filed by National Wildlife Federation, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC), the Huron Mountain Club and the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve.

Thank you to these groups for taking this fight to a judge.

I recently criticized the ultra-exclusive, pro-business and secretive Huron Mountain Club for not joining the fight as the "acid mine" will lay at its doorsteps.

For joining the lawsuit:

I must now say kudos to the Huron Mountain Club (circa 1890) - a private retreat built by those who led America's Industrial Revolution - that owns 13,000 protected acres including one of the largest tracts of primeval forest in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Thank you to these groups for taking this fight to a judge.

Anatomy of a Murder: Part Two - Site of famous northern Michigan film will be site of mass murder of environment

"Have you left no sense of decency?"

A movie filmed near the location of the planned "acid mine" even has ties to this country's fight against tyranny

We hope the Michigan judge, who could stop this "acid mine," has the common sense of another jurist - Joseph N. Welch - a judge on the screen and in real life - who was portrayed in the famous 1959 movie by Otto Preminger entitled "Anatomy of a Murder" filmed near the site of this mine.

The movie was based on a best selling novel written by Michigan Supreme Court Justice and avid trout fisherman John D. Voelker using the pen name Robert Traver.

A fisherman's fisherman, Voelker spent most of his life wandering the pristine trout streams of the Upper Peninsula.

In a sad irony this mine will dig beneath one of Voelker’s beloved prime trout streams that feeds Lake Superior.

And some experts fear the stream will collapse into the mine releasing a flood of acid and other pollution that will be pouring into Lake uperior in a flash and then the rest of the Great Lakes.

Welch - who was a judge in real life and portrayed an outspoken judge in "An Anatomy of a Murder" - was the lawyer who defended the U.S. Army against Senator Joseph McCarthy during his 1954 anti-communist witch hunt.

Welch uttered the following famous words - that could be used today to describe the people who are allowing this "acid mine" to proceed at lightening speed:

Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?"

You can bet the late Judges Voelker and Welch would not let this mine open - and would note its tyranny upon the U.P. wildlife, forests and streams is not unlike the scourage of the McCarthy hearings.

Amen !

Native Americans and the environment groups are livid that Rio Tinto, the parent company of Kennecott, is now targeting six other U.P. sites for mines.

"We had long suspected that this was merely the first in a series of new mines, but hiding that information until after the MDEQ approval was announced is certainly contrary to the 'good neighbor' image Kennecott has sought to portray," said Michelle Halley, an attorney for the National Wildlife Federation and the other co-petitioners

"Whether they knew it or not, the MDEQ and the Governor have egg on their faces,' Halley said.

MDEQ, Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm lay with mongrels whose plans will ruin Yellow Dog Plains and tourism

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality could also stop the project - but right now those who care about the future of the U.P. are hoping a judge will have more common sense that the state of Michigan and our illustrious governor who did nothing to fight the project.

Shame on the MDEQ and Governor Granholm - but there is still time for the state's top democrat to be a hero.

Kennecott Minerals is hoping to start construction on the mine in January 2008 - but it's awaiting approval of two permits from the Department of Natural Resources.

Disturbing questions:

Why has Governor Granholm kept quiet on the project?

At best, the answer is she is leading a state in the midst of a severe financial crisis - but common sense dictates the effects of these acid and uranium mines will far outweigh any short term gain.

The mine will dig below the Salmon-Trout River - a prstine fishing stream - and some think it will collapse - mixing acid, other pollution, and clean water.

That pollution will then quickly end up in Lake Superior - and down the chain of Great lakes.

Photo by Jackie Donoho, Northwoods Wilderness Recovery

So I ask again - why is Governor Granholm keeping tight lipped when we need her the most?

Green money means more to the government and media watchdogs than the lush green forests

Why is many members of the northern Michigan media not doing investigative reports on the company, it's history and the effects of other Kennecott operations across the globe.

And why is the majority of the media not writing strong editorials opposing the ill-advised project.

Could it be the tons of advertising dollars?

Most of U.P. media fail as watchdogs: Editors of good heart - please take a firm stance against this sulfide mine and join this fight against our acidic future

Why have Marquette's business leaders gone along with the project betraying their forefathers who founded the U.P. and are undoubtedly spinning in their soon-to-be acid soaked graves?

Again, could the green of money be outweighing the burnt orange color that the rivers will turn?

It boggles the mind that U.P. business leaders can betray their own grandchildren - and that Michigan Governor is willing to leave a legacy of destroying the Upper Peninsula.

Marquette Mine Protest Rally Photos by Earth Keeper Gail Griffith, Save the Wild UP (SWUP) board member

A plea to actor/director Jeff Daniels: Please film a sequel to Scrooge here and bring the ghosts of Christmas past and future to bear on those who ignore the acid mine effects on our wildlife

I am also disappointed in actor/director Jeff Daniels - who has made U.P. movies and supported local theatres - but has also remained quiet on the aicd mine and is not trying to stop this project.

I beg these business leaders, Governor Granholm and Mr. Daniels to look deep into their hearts - the time is now to step forward and stop this looming disaster.

While a real life sequel to the famous movie Anatomy of Murder is being played out in real life here in northern Michigan - maybe Mr. Daniels could film the sequel to another movie classic.

If only the sequel of Scrooge could be filmed here - and have the ghosts of Christmas past and Christmas future scare some sense into these people.

The Great Burnt-Orange North: an acid and uranium mine is coming to the wilderness theatre near you!

Other possible future movie titles if the mines are not stopped:

Pirates of the Yooperland: Northern Carribean turned into acid seaIt's a Terrible Life - in the once wonderful U.P.: Those responsible for this environmental disaster should all jump off the nearest bridge.

The Sound of Murder: Acid mine is music to ears of greedy, short-sighted.Gone with the Whim: Acid winds blow across yooperland, Marquette is burning.

To Kill a Mockingbird - and the rest of wildlife.

That's why we mock Kennecott - the great killer of birds and wild life.

Wizard of Odds: U.P. biz leaders gamble with northern Michigan's future.

Mines, fines, and big-fat-heels: Planes, trains and Automobiles built with northern Michigan iron ore - fish, deer and bears pre-cooked in acid.

---

If you have an idea for a sequel to northern Michigan's cinema legacy - let me know.

Great White North to become Borealis version of West Virginia: The Great Burnt-Orange North will be the new name In closing - while I do believe there is still a glimmer of hope - I recommend anyone who has ever thought about visiting the pristine Upper Peninsula had better do it quickly.Because - unless we are saved by the MDNR, the EPA, a judge - in the next few months northern Michigan will become the West Virginia of the Great White North.

The state-sanctioned destruction of pristine northern Michigan wilderness - that the KBIC tribe says violates land treaties - brings to mind this famous photo of the "Crying Indian" - and the tears of "Iron Eyes Cody" - who was not Native American but lived his life dedicated to American Indian causes, adopted two American Indian children and was married to a First Nations woman.

The historic Keep America Beautiful public service announcement - entitled "People Start Pollution, People Can Stop It" - mesmerized TV audiences after it first aired on Earth Day 1971.

More than any other commercial - it helped add momentum to the newly-launched environmental movement.

Many Native Americans - and other U.P. residents are weeping real tears as they are being betrayed for the sake of the almighty dollar.

Above Marquette Mine Protest Rally Photos by Earth Keeper Gail Griffith, Save the Wild UP (SWUP) board member; photo below courtesy Save the Wild UP.

 En las próximas 48 horas podría producirse la anunciada puesta en libertad de tres rehenes por parte de la guerrilla izquierdista de las FARC. Así lo dio a conocer la senadora opositora colombiana, Piedad Córdoba, quien ha estado al frente de las gestiones humanitarias para la liberación de los secuestrados.

"Los vamos a recibir muy pronto, y no haría una afirmación tan concreta si no lo creyera", dijo el domingo la dirigente liberal.

La semana pasada, las FARC anunciaron la liberación de la ex congresista Consuelo González de Perdomo; de la ex candidata a la vicepresidencia en fórmula con Ingrid Betancourt, Clara Rojas, y de su pequeño hijo Emmanuel, nacido en cautiverio.

Según las FARC, la liberación será un acto de desagravio al presidente de Venezuela, Hugo Chávez, cuya gestión por un acuerdo humanitario entre las FARC y el gobierno de Colombia fue suspendido abruptamente por el presidente colombiano, Álvaro Uribe Vélez.

Numerosos periodistas extranjeros han llegado a Caracas, pues se espera que la liberación se produzca en territorio venezolano.

Algunos siguen de cerca los movimientos del presidente Chávez, que retornó este fin de semana de Cuba, y otros han viajado a las zonas fronterizas entre Venezuela y Colombia.

La senadora Piedad Córdoba, quien regresó a Bogotá, expresó también su temor de que supuestas operaciones militares contra la guerrilla puedan poner en riesgo la liberación de los rehenes, algo que ha sido desmentido categóricamente por el gobierno colombiano.

La senadora Córdoba acusó al gobierno de Uribe por obstaculizar la liberación.

VigiliaEl sábado por la noche, familiares de los rehenes, acompañados por cientos de colombianos, participaron de una vigilia en la Plaza de Bolívar, en Bogotá, y enviaron mensajes a los secuestrados a través de la cadena de radio que transmitía el evento.

Lo mismo ocurría en París, la capital de Francia, donde muchos residentes se sumaron a las voces, reclamando la libertad de la ex candidata presidencial franco-colombiana Ingrid Betancourt.

Mientras tanto, su esposo, Juan Carlos Lecompte, arrojó desde un avión, en la selva colombiana, miles de panfletos con imágenes de los hijos de Betancur, -de un matrimonio anterior- y reclamó la liberación de la dirigente, en poder de la guerrilla desde 2002.

Especulaciones

A medida que pasan las horas sin nuevas noticias, crecen también los rumores.

Muchos periodistas extranjeros ya están en los pasos fronterizos.

Algunas versiones indicaban que los rehenes serían entregados entre el 23 y 24 de diciembre en algún lugar de la selva amazónica en el que confluyen los territorios de Colombia, Brasil y Venezuela.

Medios de uno y otro país llegaron también a mencionar la posibilidad de que ya se encuentren en territorio venezolano, luego de, supuestamente, haber cruzado la frontera por una zona de escasa vigilancia militar entre el departamento colombiano de Arauca y el estado venezolano de Apure.

En tanto, el vicepresidente de Venezuela, Jorge Rodríguez, calificó de "falsas" otras especulaciones que indicaban la posibilidad de que Ingrid Betancourt también estuviera en territorio venezolano.

Según esta versión, con Betancourt habrían llegado el ex congresista Luis Eladio Pérez y los estadounidenses Keith Stansell, Thomas Howes y Marc Gonsalvez, también secuestrados por las FARC.

Miembro de la familia

La posibilidad de la liberación de los tres rehenes, prometida por las FARC, también ha generado una serie de declaraciones y manifestaciones de esperanzas.

Clara González de Rojas Yo no tengo reservas de que (el padre del niño) sea guerrillero. Es un ser humano y a cada ser humano que se acerca a un miembro de mi familia, yo lo considero un ser de mi familia Madre de Clara Rojas

Los primeros en expresar sus deseos de poder tener unas Navidades diferentes han sido los mismos familiares, entre ellos Clara González de Rojas, madre de la secuestrada ex candidata a la vicepresidencia, Clara Rojas.

En declaraciones al diario El Tiempo de Bogotá, no ocultó su ansiedad de recibir a su hija y a su nieto, de cuya existencia se enteró el año pasado cuando un periodista reveló este único caso conocido en la historia del conflicto colombiano, de un niño nacido en cautiverio.

"Yo no tengo reserva en que sea guerrillero", dijo la mujer refiriéndose al padre, de quien sólo se conoce que es un miembro raso de las FARC.

"Es un ser humano y a cada ser humano que se acerca a un miembro de mi familia, yo lo considero un ser de mi familia", declaró.

Perspectivas de paz

La tensa expectativa también ha dado lugar a nuevos comentarios acerca del proceso para lograr que las FARC liberen a la totalidad de sus 45 rehenes a cambio de la excarcelación en Colombia de unos 500 guerrilleros.

En una entrevista publicada por el diario francés "L'Humanité", el coordinador de la Asociación de Colombianos en Venezuela, Juan Carlos Tanús, criticó al presidente Uribe, de quien dijo que "no ofrece una perspectiva de paz".

Consideró que el anuncio de las FARC de entregar estos tres rehenes fue un "fruto" de la mediación de Hugo Chávez y "evidencia de que el proyecto de seguridad democrática de Uribe ha fracasado".

No opinó de la misma manera el presidente de Costa Rica y Premio Nobel de la Paz 1987, Óscar Arias, quien este fin de semana declaró que la paz en Colombia "es posible", aunque parezca "increíblemente difícil".

El mandatario costarricense manifestó que el canje humanitario "debería ser el primer paso" y dijo sumar su voz a la de su homólogo francés, Nicolas Sarkozy, en su apoyo a las gestiones del presidente colombiano Álvaro Uribe.

Ali saga se nastavlja!!! Kasnije toga sata, poslije Š.T.-ovog SF romana u kojem vjeruje da postoji djedica (vidi Postoji li Djed Mraz?) svi smo trebali izvesti točku "Merry Christmas Everyone". I tako...

Ja sam glumio pjevača, a Dino i ostatak publike je crko od smijeha na moje izvođenje. Ali neću biti na predstavi.

I to bi bilo to :)

Zice că era cu un prieten într-un parc din Galaţi, înainte de a da examen la facultate. Era vară, erau emoţii, era tinereţe. S-a apropiat de ei o ..."persoană rromă". Avea "haisîţgîcescu" la ea. Amicul lui a acceptat afacerea. Când i-a venit rândul, fratele meu i-a spus: îţi dau nu un leu, ci zece lei, dacă-mi spui numai numele.

Ţiganca i-a luat palma, s-a concentrat cât a putut, s-a înverzit, s-a înroşit, s-a albăstrit, apoi şi-a revenit la culori normale, mai paşnice, şi a dat să plece. "Ei, chiar nu vrei cei zece lei?" a întrebat-o el. "Da' ce fel de nume ai, mâncaţaş, de nu mă lasî sî îl zîc?!" Spuneam că îl cheamă Emanuel. Asta înseamnă "Dumnezeu este cu noi." 

Nimeni nu poate vedea dincolo de Numele Domnului. În nici un caz duhurile de ghicire. Seamănă cu o exorcizare, întâmplarea asta, nu? Frate-meu poartă Numele Domnului.

CLICK HERE

It is amended.

FULL VERSION HERE:

Band: Emanuel
Album: Black Earth Tiger
Release Date: August 28th 2007
Tracks: 11
Author: Paul G. Atkinson IV

With an album title like “Black Earth Tiger” one should immediately be expecting a gritty, in your face, rock and roll record. Do not stereotype Emanuel this quickly. Though you will experience those feelings at times this Louisville quintet brings elements of sincere emotion divided with angst ridden distorted guitar riffs. When the band couples soothing melodic interludes with raw rock climaxes, guitar solos, and guttural screams they really get something going the listener will not quickly forget.

The opening track “White Flag” is a little slow at first, but sets up the record’s theme of battling life’s troubles in the attempt to not just give up and pull out the white flag of surrender. The next track “Cottonmouth” explodes after only seconds and draws the listener in. The bands 90’s alternative rock influences of the Smashing Pumpkins can be seen strongly here, and more throughout this album than on their last. Though jumping to the conclusion that they are nothing more than a tribute band to their heroes would be a horrible mistake. The band brings a fresh face to that sound by adding passages far heavier than the Pumpkins could have ever been expected to write as the breakdown in the next track “Anathamatics” showcases.

The band never turns up the distortion and starts screaming their lungs out for too long though, catchy choruses and infectious hooks beg the listener to sing along on most every track, like the next “My Antapex” and especially on “Abandonment Star”. Before the listener gets to the latter track they get to experience “Scenotaph” and “Phobos.” Both tracks are highlights of the album and combine the bands heaviest passages with choruses that will be embedded in the listeners head.

The album is far from perfect though. By the end of the album songs like “Let Them Die” and “Forever” seem to run together leaving diversity behind for songs that do no more than just rock. Which is fine at times, but listeners looking for something deeper will be let down. Another point to be made is that Emanuel are no lyrical geniuses, though they can write catchy and edgy riff after riff, they suffer with lyrical lines such as "She's so hopeless like an animal with all of it's legs broke" and "Spread your legs and f*** the world” that take away the credibility the band deserves.

Do not be discouraged and give up just yet. The listener will be rewarded for making it through to the end of the album. The closing number, “White Flag (Reprise)” is an epic seven minute finale that is hands down the best track the band has written. Building melodies clash and climax, exploding into a furious and powerful end that ties the beginning theme of the record back in without being repetitive. Vocals shine being both beautiful and brutal on this last track leaving the listener satisfied with the ending and willing to give it another spin.

In today’s music scene it seems bands either dumb down their sound to become more radio friendly or experiment far too much, leaving their viewer base to be a small handful of artsy hipsters. Emanuel try their best to break this trend on the sophomore release. Without writing the same record as their last, the band takes what was most enjoyable from their last album: straightforward rock, a handful of metal tinged riffs and breakdowns, plus some catchy choruses and allow themselves to progress while maintaining integrity.

Rating:
8.0 - Vocals
8.5 - Musicianship
6.5 - Lyrics
9.0 - Production
8.0 - Creativity
7.5 - Lasting Value
9.0 - Reviewer Tilt
Final Verdict: 81%

Hope you liked it.

New Atreyu album next week.

Bill Clinton’s first lesson in politics to me: elections are about tomorrow, not yesterday. And George Bush and the Republicans went into the elections saying “give me credit for yesterday.” Big mistake.

They didn’t discuss this idea any further, but it struck a chord with me. Certainly, electoral outcomes are the result of myriad circumstances and choices, with poll points lost and won from this television ad, or that vote on an obscure bill, this silly gaffe, or that photo op. The reasons why things come out the way they do are complex and subtle, and that’s why we have far more supply than demand for political punditry and analysis (ahem).

But there are always the larger themes, the big picture of any given election, and each side competes with the other to determine what that theme will be. Since 9/11 and until last week, Republicans had successfully made each election about national security, or, more personally, “who will keep you safe?” I thought about that after listening to Mr. Emanuel, and it made sense within the framework of his lesson from President Clinton. It was all about the future tense: al Qaeda will try to attack, and the president and his party will keep us safe. We will defeat the terrorists in this war that will go on for a long time. It is a dubiously positive message, to be sure, promising doom, only to be thwarted by the heroes in the government, but it was forward-looking nonetheless. For the most part, it worked.

So how well does this idea of elections being about tomorrow, this ethereal, non-specific concept, hold up when looking at elections past? Let’s see.

If we view the last presidential election through the Emanuel/Clinton lens, it could be potentially distilled to these two choices.

John Kerry: I was a war hero. I was brave. I have supported the middle class. The president was reckless, hurt our standing in the world, and spent too much. I will be a president you don’t have to be embarrassed about.

That last point, the more forward-looking one, didn’t seem to really become apparent until the debates. It was kind of subliminal, but it’s when Kerry closed the gap and pulled ahead. It was too little too late, though, and Kerry still lost. Here was the other choice:

George W. Bush: I will fight the terrorists, I will democratize Iraq. Kerry is a flip-flopping sissy. Kerry will surrender to the terrorists. I happened to be president on 9/11.

9/11 was the cloak he wore throughout the election, and though it was based on a past event, it was one that set the stage for all of his future-based messages. Essentially, "9/11 happened, and I will avenge it."

Let’s go back farther. 2000’s presidential race was for all intents and purposes a draw. But as any pundit will tell you, it should have been a breeze for Al Gore, who ended up struggling with Bush for a point here and a point there throughout the campaign. Al Gore had a problem because he had a great past to run on (the Clinton economy) and a problem past to run from (the Clinton scandals). I’m not going to go into the wisdom of his distancing himself from Clinton, but it seems to me, again looking through the Emanuel/Clinton lens, that Gore ran on the present. One could say that Gore’s message was “I am my own man. I have integrity. I am smarter than the other guy.” There was also his populist streak that promised to be a friend to the working class, but on the whole, the campaign seemed to be about “who Gore is now.”

Bush, on the other hand, trumpeted the forward-looking message. “I will restore honor and dignity to the White House.” Notice, the wording was never “this administration has been awash in scandal.” Surely that was the implied message, but rather than say how bad it had been, he told you what he would do to fix it. To be sure, there was little substance to this message, but it was accessorized with “compassionate conservatism” and other things meant to keep from scaring independents, and it gave voters something to look forward to. While Bush arguably lost that election, winning on a series of (at best) technicalities, the fact that the numbers were as close as they were (when Gore should have walked to the Oval Office) only supports the hypothesis that “Give me credit for yesterday” is, as Emmanuel put it, a “big mistake”.

Applied to other past elections, it works out. Dole in 1996 ran on his integrity and his war-hero past, while Clinton built a “bridge to the 21st century.” Bush 41 in 1992 ran on his Gulf War victory and elder statesmanship while Clinton ran on “a town called Hope.” Reagan, of course, had his “morning in America”.

Living in Virginia, I looked at some recent statewide elections, and the formula keeps working. Virginia is a rapidly changing state economically and culturally, and when running for governor, Mark Warner (and Tim Kaine after him) made the case for what Virginia could become, rather than how great the “good old days” had been. Jim Webb just barely edged out George Allen, and that may be partly due to the fact that Webb, buoyed by the national Democratic sweep, symbolized the prospect of this country going somewhere (where, exactly, almost doesn’t matter), while Allen symbolized things as they were, all the while trying to gloss over mistakes he may or may not have made in the past.

In 2006, I don’t know whether or not the Democrats as a whole had a powerful forward-looking message (though there were future-tense promises to clean up Bush's messes), but Emmanuel was right about one thing, the Republicans wanted credit for yesterday.

Obviously, this is not the secret to winning all elections forever. But as I throw myself into this field, what it has taught me is that while the little things - the volunteers, the ads, the talking points - do matter, they do move votes, and they make up a campaign’s DNA, in the end all that work has to be framed by big ideas about how great things will be in order to convince people you’re worthy of their vote. If I may use a physics metaphor; while at the smallest levels, elections are full of quantum weirdness, it still takes large bodies to gravitationally attract.

What do you think?

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