“Love thy self, Hate Thy Self!”

“Love thy self, Hate Thy Self!"

(The Trouble with Orville Lloyd Douglas)

By Glenn peppers 11-14-13

I read an article the other day that bothered me so much I had to write a piece on it. This Columnist named Orville Lloyd Douglas (who writes for The Guardian.com) wrote this self-hating, yet honest piece about why he does not like being Black! The article itself was very hard to read, as he made some valid  yet painful points for self hatred, as far as self hatred goes (I've included the article at the end of this work). Yet I sensed a deeper meaning to his pain. Something was lacking in his core self-esteem values that produced a painfully honest report. One he views as like being a curse of sorts, his being black!  

The conditioning and the breaking of men

At first read, I felt such pain in this man's existence! Such self loathing and shame. Mainly brought on by just over 500 years of slave conditioning, and a very deep seated programming of people of color here in the Americas! How horrible is this, for anyone to feel less than just because of the way one looks! Reality is, this is an awful world, filled with awful people. Even though I understand where Orville is coming from. His self hatred is scathing! It seeps from his soul onto paper and a computer screen like a leaky faucet, dripping despair and gut wrenching agony all over the place! I've always felt that there can be beauty in everything, and everybody. I found it odd to finally find a black man, who for the first time in my experience, expressed sheer hatred for his skin color, as well as his culture! As he said in his article in The Guardian, mostly black women have been the only ones to express this kind of self hatred on talk shows, and in magazine articles, etc. Not very many black men (if any) have ever been this brutally honest and frank about their life experience as far as self is concerned in print that I know of. despite my shock and dismay, I have to say, How brave... yet at the same time I have to say... How awfully sad!

This young man apparently has not found beauty within himself. Beauty that would allow him to love himself unconditionally. Why? Possibly his up bringing. His home environment, and his social environment. To further sum it up, basically I feel it is because of the various stigmas, stereotypes, and an on going racial conditioning process; and the constant imagery (i,e, movies, magazines, television, all modes of advertisements, in just about every arena of media ever created) that surrounds us 24/7, that screams european beauty standards are indeed the only criterion for true beauty on planet earth. 

Standards set in stone long ago that did not, and apparently still do not allow some black people to feel attractive, unless we somehow meet some sort of assemblance of uniformity, and therefore try to make ourselves appear to look closer to european specifications of beauty. Meaning skin color, facial features, culture, mannerisms and hair appearances, etc. Orville's growing up in Canada may have had a small bit to do with it, I could be wrong though. I know nothing of Canada's black power effect on people Orville's age. In fact, I wonder what Orville's "Say it Loud I'm Black and I'm Proud" moment was in life for him? It seems clear to me that there wasn't one! 

See, my growing up in Detroit in the 1960's made it where I grew up in an environment knowing and feeling that I was a beautiful Black Child, surrounded by beautiful black people! The civil rights and black power movement of that time helped instill in me that truth and awareness. Because of my up bringing, I learned to question everything! 

I'd ask my parents and other grownups. "Why isn’t there any beautiful black women on TV and in the movies back in 1965, except for Diane Carroll as 'Juila,' and Chelsea Brown on Rowan and Martin's Laugh-in, on TV?" I'd ask grownups. "Why isn't there any black James Bond types in the movies, and why is Sidney Poitier (like Samuel L. Jackson now days) in every dang movie that comes out?" There was and still is an imbalance of place and entitlement among everyone on the surface of this planet! I learned young that it is all one sided, and the deck is stacked! 

The Fist Symbol for Black Power and Awarenes

I felt then as I do now. I am not (nor have I ever been) less than! Nor am I any more unattractive than anyone else living or dead... in any race! Quiet as kept, I'm a terribly good looking man! Yet at one point, the programming almost stuck though, as a child! Basically because of again, Media! Why is that you ask? Well think of it this way. You're a black child in any era. Especially anytime before lets say, the 1980's! You're innocent and wide-eyed! You don't feel black and you don't feel white. You're just a kid, living in a world where all that you see and hear are white images; on every TV channel, in every book, in most all periodicals, even in advertisement and in most all billboard product endorsements. 

All that you see everywhere, within your scope of vision are white people having fun, traveling, dressing well, laughing, swinging through the jungle on a vine posing as King of the Jungle! White men always are the hero in films, stories, and folk lore. White folks even make folk heroes out of criminals. Eventually you start to notice that everywhere you look, white people are eating well, going wherever it is they choose to go; and at the same time constantly being portrayed, dare I say... "Beautiful!" At age 10 for me, there were no Black Double Mint Twins! And I wanted to know why! Heck, I thought some sexy black double mint twins would have been just fine!

The Double Mint Twins

This kind of ostracizing and disenfranchising of a people of color causes some people to go into lockdown mode, and/or denial, and even capitulation, resorting to sellout mode. Folks going for bleaching creams, hair straighteners, and relaxers, and stuff like that there! Mostly what it did for me as a kid is it made me ask questions! I could see that this kind of constant programming caused those (including myself at the time) who are different (talented), and those who were insecure to hate themselves. I saw it cause those who simply did not know their self-worth to feel less than! Then comes that great big question you ask yourself when come of age... “Where in this crazy mixed up world do I fit it?” 

Thus why as a child I had to look inside myself and see who I really was! Not to brag, but in the process, I found that I am a Wonder-Work! I also found that I am a descendent of kings, thinkers, and beautiful dark handsome african male ancestry (I look like my dad and my uncle. Dang good looking guys). I am an artist, musician, and composer, a writer, who a man who is medically trained, and I am a warrior! And it is all because I am a rich mixture of many cultures the world over... Mainly African culture! This is the very reason why I am who I am! 

Angela Davis Civil Rights and Black Activist

Yes, its true, most all of what I am is quite possibly drudged out of much trouble throughout the sands of times here in America, and in Africa. I am certain that I am a descendent of the slave trade that ran through the West Indies, and the eastern most parts of the United States. I am also a descendent of people (both african and of other cultures) who have invented great things. I was told that some of my African ancestors have traveled the earth making great discoveries long before the thief and pirate named Columbus was even a thought! All black folk share a shadowed lineage of strife, and somewhere along the way have had a forging of our souls occur, along our journey through life time and history. 

Yet the fact that life and time carries on is due to the reality that our human lives are forged in steel because of a plan much bigger than ourselves, according to one great vast energy source which created all things! It is my prayer that Orville Lloyd Douglas will one day get in touch with self, and look to the creator of all that is and ever will be as a means to greatness. 

A knowledge of self, and of The Great Mathematician, God Almighty supersedes the dilemma of all flesh, timezones, and realms unknown. This God is the same God who is Pure Spirit, will one day awaken him, so that Orville would know his sonship, and his kingly place among men! Life goes deeper than the surface matters of skin color. For it is the Spirit that makes us who we are. Inside and out! Just like any of us, this is who and what Orville Lloyd Douglas is made of as well. If he would only look deeper, he'd see it... and then he'd feel it! 

By Glenn Peppers  

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/09/i-hate-being-a-black-man

Elvis's Cadillac Couch (and even more cool stuff inside Orlando's Hard Rock Vault)

“Elvis’s Cadillac Couch”
(and even more cool stuff inside Orlando's Hard Rock Vault)

By Glenn Peppers                                                                 10-10-13

I love the Hard Rock Vault in Orlando, Florida! Never been? Then come inside with me and take a brief tour! Yes there is an actual Elvis Presley Cadillac Couch! Presley had one made patterned after his 1956 Caddy. It was in his basement. It is now (if it hasn’t been moved, as they exchange and move objects around to various Hard Rock Museums around the country) located inside The Hard Rock Vault in Orlando, Fl. My wife and I visited that very hip place some years back, and was given the grand tour of this one special section of the vault, inside the inner most location of the vault museum; as it was just about closing time, and the curator (who for obvious reasons shall remain nameless) was a former road manager for a good friend of mine's pretty famous band (who shall also remain nameless, for obvious reasons). There was no one else set to take the tour but us, so he offered to give wifey and me, one grand (personal) tour indeed! 

The Hard Rock Vault in Orlando Florida

During the tour of this multitude of really cool stuff (personal stuff I call it) that many great and iconic recording artist over many decades used and collected, over a hugh span of the rock and roll era; there was in this almost hidden chamber of the Hard Rock Vault, some of the most exclusive personal items I've ever seen from any one entertainer! Because no one else was around, once we were inside, it was then that we were allowed to closely examine at great length, a very dramatic, Little Richard outfit that he wore on The Ed Sullivan Show. Amazingly, there was still makeup on the lapels of his outfit, as the hot lights had began to melt Richard's makeup, as it ran down onto his suit lapels! 

I actually (yet gently) touched the sequins on Tina Turner's tiny gold dress that she wore on Ed Sullivan as well. I played with Yul Brynner's Beanie Cap that he wore in the movie "The King and I!" We both laughed at the thought of Olivia Newton John's lil' baby size 6 feet, as they had the very saddle shoes she wore in the movie "Grease," just sitting there out in the middle of the floor! There was even a James Brown stage outfit there. "My he was a little man" I thought to myself! I should talk, being not that far from his height! It was an outfit that the great James Brown made himself (as James Brown made most all of his own clothing for stage use). The outfit came complete with sweat stains and boots to match! This was unreal!

Everything was out in the open, and normally these items were never to be touched by anyone taking the inside tour; however my friend let us get up close and personal with almost any museum item on the tour, trusting us to respect and handle with care. As our curator guided us along, we saw rare posters and classic concert bill advertisements for shows in america and london. 

There were writings and song lyrics personally done by many recording artist hanging on the walls in frames. What was really cool was Janis Joplin's gorgeous colorful shawl! Wifey got a kick out of that piece! Janis was so petite! I was fascinated with John Lennon's “inside the cardboard cereal box lyrics.” John Lennon wrote the song "Help" on the underside of the back of a cereal box that he'd torn apart. Lennon did this, as there wasn't any paper available where they were staying at the time in order to write lyrics upon; at the time the lyrics for the song came to him. I even ran my fingers across Paul's Bass guitar to check and see if Paul McCartney’s Fiddle Bass was tuned... It was! 

Jimi Hendrix's Fender Strat

To my surprise, there was an old sunburst Fender Stratocaster guitar that sat in the middle of the floor, on a guitar stand that Jimi Hendrix once owned and played! It was looked worn, and was a classic possible 1963/64 Fender Stratocaster. It had a caption tagged on it, noting an unfinished song Hendrix was working on. You know I had to strum my fingers across the neck of that guitar, just once! It was tuned as well! It seemed to hum and sustain all by itself, as if plugged up!

I can never cover all of what was in the Beatles and Stone's section of the museum, there was just so much stuff to look at and read. Yet the one thing that did catch my eye in an instant was The Stones' former bass man, Bill Wyman's Fiberglass, Clear Bass Guitar! 

Jim Morrison's leather pants

One of the funniest things to me was Jim Morrison's little short leather pants that stood upright on a pedestal. I could have sworn Morrison was taller than that! At least he looked (and sounded) taller on TV. We finally reached the Elvis part of the tour; and believe me, it was very special, and interesting to say the least! 

Be ye an Elvis fan or not. I think any real classic rock and roll music fan would greatly enjoy this section of the tour! Elvis Presley had a huge a collection of many odd and unique possessions. Firearms (mainly photos) and some pretty wild furniture and wall hangings. Yet the items that floored me most was his collection of Pimp Clothing. 

Yes, I said it... Pimp Clothes! Who would have guessed that one? Elvis loved Pimp Hat's Capes, Walking Suits and Canes, as he had an affinity for Black Exploitation movies from the 1970's! I remember seeing and outright laughing all Elvis's plaid and fur capes, and gangster robin hood, and Borsalino hats they featured. Ole Elvis and even had photos of him wearing some of this pimp garb. Photos that as you know, they'll probably never show in public! I was undone to say the least!

Elvis would even pay some of the local Memphis movie theaters to stay open late some nights, and show black exploitation movies, and of course many other first run films for he and his entourage many a night. I thought that was so wild! I was amazed that the Hard Rock Vault even had a television set that was rumored to one that Elvis shot the picture tube out of with his 357 magnum pistol! And of course that Cadillac Couch. Yes it actually existed! 

Elvis's Cadillac Couch

Though a slight bit gaudy for my taste, I thought it was an amazingly cool thing to have, and it was in fact, "so very Elvis!" Both wifey and I were allowed to gently sit on it, and my curator buddy thankfully took our picture for us! We stayed in The Hard Rock Vault for seemingly hours, all the while exploring, reading, reminiscing, and mostly all done in silence except for our tour guides stories and rock wisdom. Overall, we were speechless! In fact, overwhelmed at the very idea of what we were exposed to; and all at one time! 

In that very spot -- that very location in a tourist city in Orlando, Florida. Tucked away in the strangest of archives... a commercialized theme museum, was the Indiana Jones, Rock and Roll Storage Treasure Vault of the ages, and we were smack dab in the middle of it! Recognizing this, we intently, and yet very careful went about, very gingerly, as not to brake or disturb anything, as all that we witnessed and experienced was indeed history! It all was apart of American Rock, Soul and R&B Music History. 

To put a finer point on it. This was history that we were allowed to touch, and ponder over, at our leisure! Given this rare privilege, we felt it was our personal responsibility to respect these items, as they were all personally, and affectionately donated, and cherished possessions, and the very tools of their trade, hand picked by the artist themselves. These pieces were items fan's around the world recognized, and loved them for by the millions. Items that in most any modern music fan's mind-scape of personal memories is (unbeknownst to most of us) what these artist were (and are) actually made of! These things were and are their Life-Gear! An actual extension of these entertainer's personalities, and art form! 

These trinkets were more than just clothes, or things they owned. These clothes and musical instruments and such were what they used to become who they were and still are! These were (for many) in fact the clothes these entertainers wore the very first times we ever saw them live or on TV, coming along as children! These instruments were the very Instruments they played in the studio, and live on stage. All those "Things" represented who they are, and how and why we remember them in our hearts and minds. That needed to be respected, and the best, honored!

One of Gene Simmons first Kiss outfits

I remember laughing at Gene Simmons first Kiss outfit when we came upon it at the Vault. It was amusing to know that all the spikes and so-called sharp cone edges and such was made up of a very thin plastic with an even thinner (breathable) nylon mesh, underlining the material! Funny, that suit always looked just like metal spikes on camera to me; did it to you? 


I thought that Madonna's dresser drawers/vanity was very interesting. It had a mess of items all over it, and within the drawers as well. This was the dresser drawers that Madonna left in her old apartment in New York back when Sire Records first signed her to a recording contract, back in the early 1980’s. Once she found out that they were signing her, Madonna left the place as is, leaving most everything she owned there. Including the dresser vanity, and everything in and on it!

Madonna's Like a Virgin Dress

Oh yeah, they even had Madonna's "Like a Virgin" wedding dress that she wore in the music video, and on the MTV music awards, right there. Boy Toy belt buckle and all! The Hard Rock Vault indeed was one of the coolest experiences I've ever had. And being an amateur music historian at heart, I saw it as a real blessing to be able to experience it. 

When I think about it. There were hundreds of other items, from many other artist inside the vault, and out on the main museum floor, outside of the vault that was overwhelmingly amazing to see! A multitude of items that I left out for good reason. You just have to go there, and experience for yourself!

It was fascinating to find out just how short in height the Beatles (especially Ringo Star) actualy were and are. Their outfits from their first Ed Sullivan appearance seemed so small. They even had the artist known as Princes' Trench Coat, and Boots from his "Controversy" album. Again, like I said about James Brown... “My Prince is so small!” And those high heel boots of his! Its amazing he can walk in those things, let alone dance in them! 

Elvis's original jumpsuit concept, behind protective bars

One of the coolest things to me was that the Vault had on display was Elvis's very first Jumpsuit that was designed for, and worn exclusively by him! No one touring this part of the place was ever to touch this item, as it was placed on a form fitted frame manikin, inside a corner caged area. An area which was guarded by real live prison-type bars protecting it, along with what looked to be some precious photos, and a guitar. 

All out of reach from an adoring public! In essence, it was a very simple jumpsuit, and not as glittery as his latter suits filled with jewels and eagles and that high collar and cape. It featured the classic wide belt, and was all done in a very basic cut and pattern. Very form fitting! As noted; that item was clearly completely off limits to everyone! 

So if you’re ever in Orlando Florida, and the theme parks become too much for you, I’d try and visit the Hard Rock Vault in Orlando, on American Way Drive. My buddy may not be apart of the tour guide staff there anymore, yet if he is, there’s a good chance that he may not be able to give you such a grand personalized tour like he gave wifey and me; but who knows! Catch him at closing time, and he might be able to oblige you, if he still works there! Remember now, this was a few years ago, so don't bet on it. 

When I saw the Elvis Cadillac Couch featured on a Facebook posting, memories of the Hard Rock Vault came rushing back to me, and I had to share this story with folks of whom I know would appreciate it! People who know that America was not just built on cars, flashy trends and crazy politics, but on its hard work, and its music, and the people who love it.  

By Glenn Peppers

We Deserve Better!

"We Deserve Better"

By Glenn Peppers    10-2-13

A complete shut down of Government?... Really! After what many of us have suffered over a lifetime, and come through in this country, I think we deserve better! To all those who lived through America's hardest of times and lived through it all, you deserve better. To those who survived the worst of times with the economy, and the pain of war, losing a home, or a job, and other personal loses; you deserve better! 

To those of us who have selflessly dedicated our lives to helping those who are sick and afflicted, and in need in this country, and are now ill ourselves, and in need of help; I think we all deserve much better than the bratty children who are sitting in their ivory towers, completely out of touch with the common man. Laying on their backs playing games with American lives. To those who call themselves the Leaders of the Free World. It has become clearer than ever that We The People All Deserve much Better than You!

Glenn Peppers

E-Book Gee-Book! Gimmie a Real-Book!

E-Book Gee Book! Gimmie a Real-Book!

By Glenn Peppers                                9-24-13

E-Book-Gee-Book! Hey guys, I don't know about you, but I still like the look and feel of a Real Book in my Hands! I still dig turning the pages. I like the smell of ink in a freshly published work, as well as the feel, and aroma of great Bonding or Antique paper, and Leather Bound Covers. I still like highlighting the various lines and passages and verses in Real Books. 

I like highlighting all the many points of interest in a book with all my various color highlighter! I'm one of those strange people who still like using goofy Book Markers! The 3D book markers are still admittedly cool to me! Books make great decorations, and cabinet ornaments when they aren't being used on rainy evenings when nothings on TV; or when Facebook becomes passe', and Netfix continues to show all those really bad movies, playing them off as classic "B" movies!

There's nothing like finding one of your old, middle school english study books from grade school, and seeing all the makings you and other folks made in it, year ago! Sure the pictures fade, and the pages crumble after many years in books. Well, one day, when and if the Power Grid ever goes down again. All our beautiful high-tech colorful little E-Books will cease to work. It will be then that "To Kill a Mocking Bird" would sound inviting to re-read... or become aquatinted with if you've never read it!

Seems we're doing away with most everything that meant fine reading, and true enjoyment in the way of physical/realtime literary recreation! We've forfeited our newspapers. We've scaled down those wonderful Album Covers to all those great records, down to fold out leaflets in CD cases. Remember laying on the floor, reading the Sunday Funnies, and sharing the many sections of the newspaper with family members? 

There are barely any bookstores in some malls anymore! High-Tech has phased out so many things, in a matter of a few short years. Things like, Video Stores, to Video Arcades, to being locked in ones home, and plugging ones self into On-Demand, ordering a pizza on-line, and vegging on the couch in our own private little Matrix... All Plugged in! High-Tech is fine, but where will it end? How much will we sacrifice for the sake of convenience? 

A few short decades ago, we had to get our big butts up of the couch and turn the TV channel, and adjust the antennae for a clear crisp picture. Now days we have command control center style remote controls right at our fingertips. The world is waiting right there for us, resting on our grubby little infrared index fingers! Clicking and surfing, and texting, and poking; and all the while, a good book is resting on the shelf, screaming to be read, and even bookmarked "For Real!" And enjoyed!

Yes, give me a book! I can tangibly feel its sleeves, its jacket, its crisp pages, and its heaviness! I am in effect feeling what the author and publisher wants me to feel! Its a production package deal. Its not just the writing! Its called, compartmental presentation! The colors, the fonts and yet the simplicity of it all! 

Books denote an era, and a time of expression, much like art! Books immortalizes an author! Over time they become collectors items, and appreciate in value, depending upon the book, and the author. An electronic download is worthless, and may even become corrupted, or accidentally get erased!

Sure nothing is indestructible! Books burn, and are destroyed by water damage, and misuse, etc! That's a chance we have to take. 

Yet just like any precious thing. Books are something to cherish, past down, salvage, and again, enjoy! 

There are great old vintage and secondhand bookstores all around. Get out and visit them! Make a day of it! There's a whole world of imagination and learning between the covers of a good book! 

Admit it... There's nothing like a real book! Embrace it! Fold it, Bend its pages! Draw little smily faces at the top of the page, and highlight to your hearts content!... Its physically, and actually your book. Not some phantom download that only shows itself when your E-Reader or computer is turned on! Remember, when the E-reader is shut off, your newly purchased book disappears, and goes away into electronic La La land! And you know that we as readers all deserve much better than that!

Glenn Peppers

Run George Zimmerman... RUN

Run George Zimmerman... Run!

(The Invincible One)

By Glenn Peppers                                                                     9-9-13

Ah yes yes yes! And so it goes!... Mr. George Michael Zimmerman is at it again folks! Seems this so called innocent man can't seem to stay out of ear and eye shot of the law for very long at all! And it also seems that he, and only he alone has the right to brandish a gun, and draw down on even more innocent people with a loaded weapon as well; AND GET AWAY WITH IT... AGAIN! With no police intervention! WOW! 

So far, to date there has been no arrest or questioning of this man’s threats or actions, against his wife and his father in law. So, how is it this man can go about doing virtually anything he wants to people, with impunity and administer justice (even up to killing folks if he deems it necessary) as he see’s fit, upon any and all American citizens, completely and totally unchallenged? My goodness, James Bond, 007 doesn't even have that kind of License to Kill!

So now because of his new found immunity status, ole’ George "Z" thinks that he is impervious to, and totally invincible to the law of the land! Hell, he’s already blown away an innocent/unarmed child, and gotten away with it! Which was sadly unprecedented by the way! Then just days afterwards, Zimmerman faked an auto-wreck-rescue scene, on a public highway, and has since been pulled over by the police for speeding through Texas (and no ticket I might add). 

Now George (Fake out Superhero) Zimmerman has just assaulted his father in law, and threatened to pull a handgun on both his father in law, and his wife. Awe hell, maybe I had ole’ George Zimmerman wrong! Gall dang-it, George Zimmerman is Gall-Durn Superman!... Well, I won’t go quite that far by insulting my childhood superhero idol from Krypton, yet it appears that one George Zimmerman has better diplomatic Immunity than a billionaire Sheik in Miami! 

Still, Mr. Zimmerman, the trouble you attract, and the attitude that you are showing in these; 'your oh so recent days of freedom,' reveals a lot about you! Apparently, you have been, and truly are the hellion and bully that people have described you to be! Its news that your wife is divorcing you, and maybe its because she "is" deathly afraid of you! Maybe her fear of you is justified, and is probably one of many reasons she wants to get far far away from you! Why is this Mr. Zimmerman/hero/Mr. Invincible? Please tell us! From my arm chair corner of the world, all I can say to you Mr. Zimmerman is, Run George Zimmerman... Run! 

Even though there is no place on this earth you can effectively hide! You now have become what you’ve hated so much. Just like the African American males you've hated and targeted with vigor, you have now yourself become a target! Even though, I wish you no harm, you will find that most everyone you’ll meet along your rocky path will profile you! They'll judge you! Distrust you! They'll even throw slurs and insults at you! And most of all, because of who and what you have revealed yourself to be, people more than ever will Fear You! 

Some of them may have even liked you at the outset of all this. Some of them may have even supported you... at first! Now many people are beginning to see you for the gun toting/trigger happy/misogynistic bullying lunatic that you are! 

Run George Zimmerman!... That’s right! Aimlessly drive the highways and byways in search of your next adventure in terror. Your next confrontation, and drama! Run George Zimmerman. Run until your feet bleed! Run until you eventually come across that one wrong person to cross! That one certain someone who will not fear you at all! That person will not hold back on you, as those innocent people you’ve intimidated and terrorized once did! 

Pray that you never meet this person who see’s you as the self-made media Teflon Clown you’ve made yourself out to be! Run, run disillusioned fake out Invincible hero wannabe! Try and run from yourself, George Zimmerman. Yet try as you may, whenever you close your eyes to go to sleep, the specter of what you did will always be there, in your restless dreams, and will chase you in circles, right back to yourself. 

Night after night, you will drag along a giant ball and chain of guilt and shame as you try and slumber! For seemingly an eternity, you'll bare the heavy weight of that one dirty deed you’ve done that will haunt you forever on!... Run George Zimmerman!... Run!... RUN!

Glenn Peppers   

Telstar an Amazing Story

Telstar and adjoining scientist 

"Telstar"

(An Amazing Story)

By Glenn Peppers                                                                         August 28, 2013

Hey gang, Ya wanna know where a large part of all our cell phone, and cable communications technology started? Why it all started with Telstar, the worlds first communications' satellite. A project set in motion by AT&T! I was a small child when they launched Telstar in 1962! I sat on the living room floor in front of the television and watched in wonder as Telstar blasted off into space, and into history!

Little did I know that we'd soon be able to receive broadcast television programs, and get and receive phone calls from overseas, and would one day be analog free (like I knew what the heck analog was back then), and that we all would one day have wireless communications abilities around the globe! Well, actually, I wasn’t thinking that deep. But I had hope! Hope for the future! Kids my age always wondered what would things be like in the year 2001! Would they be like things were in Buck Rogers comic books? 

Well, its 2013, and I’m much older, and I’ve discovered that with all this major high tech advancement about us, most of us can seem to only manage to just play Angry Birds or goof on Facebook most of the day!... Hey, that goofing on Facebook a good part of the day would resemble "me" most times indeed! 

Back in 1962 after Telstar launched, there was even an instrumental pop record released by a band called The Tornados. The song was simply called “Telstar!” Telstar and the Space race itself was all a big deal back then. 

Ah, the Space Age. Its here in full swing folks, and kids now days think that this is the way things have always been! Sure, everything was always wireless!... Yeah right! Mention Star Wars to them, and they don't even know what you’re talking about in some Kid-Geek circles. Tech Kids have advanced so far away from Star Wars, it now seems boring and passe! Children today are the Product of Progress, not knowing (or caring) where all the tech came from in such a short time span! 

Why just fifteen years ago, the average home barely had a cable box in it, let alone a computer. Now days most every home has got at least two flat screen computer monitors and two smart TV's. We all have smaller, more compact super Computers. Which are the rage, and so are the new Smart Phones, and Computer Tablets, and such; and ya know... Given what we've done with it all this high tech stuff since Telstar's advent in 1962, all this Giga-tiga bit Tech-Race stuff hasn't really changed mankind much for the common good, on a human scale at all! 

We walk around with our heads down, looking at the beautiful bright colors on our smart phones, and tablets. Not talking to many people along our journey at all. Just-a-texting, and-a-posting. Posting and texting! Oh, and also gaming. I forget that one! 

Well now I'm sure that all this wireless/star wars type futuristic lifestyle stuff is The Space Age come true. Its science fiction technology we dreamed of as children in the 1960's! Yet for some reason, it doesn't feel as cool as I thought it would be! Was it better to dream and anticipate it, rather than actually attain it?

James Bond’s high tech gadgets don’t seem very high tech anymore when your eight year old has the same options as 007‘s watch as an App on his smart phone! I think the reason it doesn't seem as cool as I thought they would be is because everybody has access to all the cool high technology stuff! Cool gadgets only seem really REALLY COOL when you're the only one who has them! 

The good things involving things like Telstar is that, Telstar and high tech is partly accredited for many advancements in medicines and advanced travel; and all manner of design have gone through the roof! 

Since the computer space age launched in the early 1980's, we've built better cars by using computers. Built better homes, Earthquake resistant buildings, and engineered and solved amazing physics dilemmas, and vastly improved space travel in ways never thought of back in 1962. Yet in short, we've become so advanced that we are now on the verge of replacing ourselves in the business of manufacturing things pertaining to ourselves... Human Beings! Hmmm!

Sure because of Telstar, things are far more convenient for everyone; making life easier by connecting us in ways we only dreamt of just twenty years prior. Because of things like Skype and Face time on Apple iPhones, we have now become The Jetsons, talking to each other on telephones, TV’s, computers and tablet screens! 

And all because of Telstar, this form of advanced communication is right there at our fingertips. But I guess no matter how advanced we become Tech wise, our becoming more civil and peaceful toward each other will always depend totally upon us as humans making the effort. Yes us! Those same human beings who created Telstar, and all the other bevy of satellites orbiting our dear planet earth, making it easier for us to access our iTunes, Facebook and Netflix accounts! 

Glenn Peppers

I Want to Thank Those in Charge

“I Want to Thank Those in Charge...”

(The Bastardization of Power)

By Glenn Peppers 8-24-13

Thank you to those who are in charge of the great state of Michigan, as well as many others (only those of corrupt means) in office, and those working civically in and around Detroit, Michigan, past and present for spending long years and hard work, doing a Real Job on the good people of Michigan. Thanks for breaking people down, and stripping them of their savings, their good naturedness, and their solidarity and taking the phrase "right to work," out of context. Oxymoroning it, and Flipping the word-script into a word that means in short... Union Busting, and/or "At Will Hire, in a "No Rights for the Employee" whatsoever situation! This is what you call, "Right to Work?" Thank you for instilling a solid lack of dignity and pride into a people living in the city of Detroit who are suffering from tragic cash insufficiencies, blight, and FEAR! 

Thank you for the shutting off, and non-maintenance of street lights in select areas of the city of Detroit, thrusting thousands into the dark after sunset, leaving them to suffer at the hands of thieves and murderers, and again, fear for their lives! This due in part to the lessening of Detroit’s police force, and the city’s fire and rescue departments. Thank you for helping force countless thousands out of work over the years, and out of their homes, and starving even thousands more; all the while grinning in our faces, calling your actions, a greater good! 

Thank you republicans for vengefully taking away the various benefits and livelihood survival options people had in place in order to live halfway normal lives! People who in most cases have lost everything in life. Folks who depend upon the bare necessities to survive, now greatly suffer because you hate the fact that there is a two term African American President in office! So you take out your revenge on innocent people who are struggling, to make your point! 

Thank you Lansing and Michigan’s present Governor for lessening retirement packages, and taxing them as well. You must know that the our elderly and retirement citizens greatly appreciate you for this? Thank you all for making it almost impossible to comfortably live in southeastern Michigan, if you are living in a lower middle class, working poor classification. Thank you for making things somewhat unbearable to live in the city of Detroit, unless you live in or close to Mid-Town; therefore driving a great many people out of Detroit (and some parts of Michigan) as if giant ants in a “B” science fiction movie have overrun the city!  

Thank you to all those who steal, and have stolen from Detroit, and Michigan citizens as a whole, through whatever means! Maybe you were thinking that this would make us stronger, and was only thinking of improving our survival skills!... Thank you for thinking of us!... You're so kind! Oh and thank you for helping make Michigan a laughing stock of the nation, and the world for being the largest city in America to be taking over and ruled under a dictatorship, smack dab in the middle of a country where democracy claims to constitutionally still be in place. 

For all your efforts, I'd like to thank all the republican host for depression, reprised racial oppression, stress, enmity, and all your hatred towards the poor, and that milestone hacking away at the 1964 voters rights act!... creative indeed! Thank you all for sleepless nights, and lesser medication days for those who have to choose groceries, rather than purchase medicines. I'd like to thank those same people for passing all those wonderful jobs bills, (Not!!!) putting thousands back to work, rebuilding the infrastructure of America back up to its place of greatness, again!... Well actually, we're still patiently waiting on that one! 

Thank you for all the abject hopelessness, and for that "Thousand Mile Stare" of shock, and despair that I see in the eyes of hungry children, and homeless families living in their cars or on the street. I can never thank you enough for all the many broken dreams, and for a forthright unelected city finance leader who felt that he could be freely, and insultingly honest with the good citizens of Michigan, by calling us (and our ancestors) "Lazy and Stupid" to our faces, with a smirk and a smile; never once actually apologizing! 

There are so many to thank, that I cannot possibly thank you all for doing such a wonderful job on this great state of Michigan, and its people! Let me say that for all you've done, may you all suffer the Blue Flame Fires of the Ninth Circle of HELL! May you forever breathe in the smell of hades hot swamp gases, and waste and decay that you've helped inflict upon, and drudged up out of the souls of those who have suffered and died, believing things would one day get better for them, under your leadership. 

May the fumes of hell's rotten bile torment you for all that you have done to countless innocents in this life who suffered repudiation, and outright deception at the hands of your greed and cruelty! To anyone who has robbed and pilfered from those in this city who trusted you; may you scald slowly and painfully, forever on! 

May you endlessly smolder for an eternity for those who died trusting, believing and tolerating your lies and skullduggery! For all those you gleefully deceived and betrayed; for all those unsuspecting well meaning everyday people, may you wear white hot flame as your drape! Brimstone shall be your easy chair! For your intent to willfully ruin and maliciously destroy human lives was a clear and conscious choice! A full bastardization of power, at the cost of untold innocent lives!

Glenn Peppers