Vote for Faith

 

 

As early voting began yesterday for many Americans (for whatever reason this happened before the last presidential debate, I have no idea) there are a few extremely important facts that we as Americans, need to consider. As Americans, the current law of the land in which we live, dictates that we are represented by a leader, that through our current democratic process, is elected by the people. My Bible says, that we are to abide by the law of the land, unless that law goes against Gods law. While you may or may not agree with the principals and/ or moral standards of either candidate, our right to serve the God of our choice, in the manner in which we choose, is an American right that whomever is elected President has an obligation to uphold, based on the Constitution of the United States. That’s what it means to be an American.

To date, I have watched all three Presidential debates and throughout the entire election, I believe one candidate spoke more of and consistently lead more to talks of peace, gave me a clearer vision of hope and led me to a place of increased faith. It is those factors, that aided me in my decision on who I would like to see lead our country for the next four years. It is also those factors that make me feel more American…not just more American, but an American closer to the promise of God. The promise that He came not only to give me life, but life more abundantly. That is God’s promise, not the promise of Barack Obama or Mitt Romney.

Consider that when an individual comes from an environment and a time when everything around him seems hopeless, the only thing that person really has, is faith. During these times, that person’s vision of hope can become very distorted because of the physical environment in which he/ she is confined to. But the vision of faith itself, is spiritual. It cannot be held, it cannot be sold, it cannot be taken and it cannot be distorted. Faith is clear, it is concise, it delivers with precision and it is the very factor that allows that one candidate to see America for the country that it can become. I share that same faith to a greater extent with one candidate in this election. I feel that this particular candidate exudes the type of faith that through peace, America can repair its somewhat negative perception to the rest of the world, that Americans are people of humility and that we do not believe a world of war makes this land the home of the brave but that the God we serve is not a God of war but rather a God of peace and order. That’s what it means to be American. I share the notion with this one candidate, that America needs a President that believes all Americans should have the basic liberty of choosing how they want to serve God, based on the profession of their own faith and that your personal walk with the Creator should not be dictated by the overall belief of our nation’s leaders, but yet, your own convictions. Almost every universal faith- based religion that I know of, teaches us that God already chose us and that we as His children have the right to choose and confess Him. The reason for this is that by definition, faith itself, is one of the few true religions. Every day of my life, I get an overwhelming feeling of joy knowing that God has allowed me to exist in a country where I am free to choose Him without fear of a government that would severely punish or torture me for exercising that right. For me, that’s what it means to be an American.

The word “faith” or derivative thereof, is used a total of 528 times in the Bible (depending on which version you read), and many times in the teachings of other religions.  However, it doesn’t matter what religious affiliation you are, when it concerns voting for faith in this election, you must allow yourself to make your decisions based on which candidate best represents you and what you believe.  There has to be a conscious effort to not be sidetracked by the ever increasing popularity over the morality of secondary issues like abortion and gay marriage. That should not be your primary focus in this election but rather, your faith in the God we serve and which candidate best matches your level of devotion. We must realize that at the end of the day, regardless of who becomes the next President of the United States and the uncertainty of where this great nation will ultimately reside, relative to every other nation on planet Earth, your unwavering faith is the only thing that will allow you to see that God ALWAYS has been and will ALWAYS continue to be in control. And for me, that’s what it means to be an American.



WYLD STYLZ

All Women Are Created Equal, Not All Mothers

ALL WOMEN ARE CREATED EQUAL, NOT ALL MOTHERS

As this Mothers Day quickly approaches, I cannot help but reminisce how over the years, time changes people, especially our mothers.  As a lot of us have watched our mothers go from being the strongest people in our lives to the weakest, we can't help but notice their frailties both physically and emotionally.  We watch these women that seemed invincible to us as children, now become childlike themselves.  But through all this, they remain strong willed and seem to grow more wise and spiritual as time progresses.  It does not take a very smart individual to see that these women possessed something more than what could be seen through time with the naked eye; the spirit of the mothers before them.  When one of my elder Aunts died a few years back, I recall hearing my cousin say upon leaving the gravesite, "One of the last of the Mohicans".  He was referring to that aunt as the one of the last members of a generation where motherhood was more than an obligation, more than a word, more than a simple process of raising children.  It was an honor that was not to be taken lightly and a task that she would die to achieve and be performed to the best of her ability.  Growing up, I watched a woman make extreme sacrifices for her children, not sparing the rod, guarding and nurturing them so that when she left this world, her children would be able to stand strong and face this world on their own terms.  I watched this woman work two jobs cleaning house and cooking for wealthy people and then leave and come home and cook for her own children and never once, was anything placed on her dinner table from someone else's kitchen.  After preparing dinner, most evenings she would go back to work until after sunset.  I watched this woman wake up before the break of dawn each morning, and make preparations for her children to start their day at school and watched her get on her knees EVERY night and pray aloud to God, "Lord please keep my children safe from all hurt, harm and danger and keep your loving arms around them".  It was this same woman who would not hesitate to lecture me for what seemed like eternity, for not living up to her representation of a young man because in her words, she didn't raise me like that!  While these memories may be pertinent to my life, the same can be said for a million other mothers then and now.  Unfortunately, my issue with our society is that is it seems like I often see so many mothers who are not going down the right path parenting their children in the way they should.  I think that if every mother today would take a self assessment of how they are raising their children and what she can do to become a better mother, then I am sure she would find that there and many things that would be out of line with perfect parenting.  However, there is no such thing as a perfect mother, but a little goes a long way.  If you are a mother and your self assessment had led you to believe that you can do a lot more, here are some pointers that I hope you would humbly take to heart and actively put into action:      

• Take a moment to sit and think about all the time you spend doing useless things that can become quality time with your children.
• Tell your children you love them, even when you are mad and hug them while you say it.
• Mama, that's your son, not your husband!  Let a young man become a man, push him to be a man if you have to.
• Mama, that's your daughter, not your sister and yes it is inappropriate to be  in the club together. 
• When you seem tired but are really not, think about the fact that your child did not ask to be here.  Push yourself a little more.  It will not kill you.
• Know where they are and who they are with and what the heck they are doing.  Always. 
• Reach out to other mothers who may be having a hard time and ask if they would like to talk about the situation with their children without seeming like you are trying to get into their business.
• Cook at home at least 5 days a week.  Toddlers love candy, teens love McDonald's but every child on earth appreciates a good home cooked meal.  Believe me, if your children outlive you, they'll never forget this about you.
• Put the fear of God in them early in life.  Bruce Lee once said, that knowledge will give you power but character will give you respect.  I say, issuing out a well deserved ass whipping will give you both.
• Teach them to say, "yes ma'am" and "no ma'am" and "yes sir" and "no sir".  The respect factor is invaluable to older people, especially the elderly.
• If your habit is smoking, drinking or pulling a puff off a joint, your habit is your habit so why include it in the lives of your children?  There is nothing worse than seeing a mother sitting on the front porch smoking weed with her five year old child playing hopscotch at the sidewalk (beyond sad).       
• Pray without ceasing.  With all that your children have to deal with in the world right now, imagine if things continue its current trend.  They'll need prayer.  
• Monitor your children's music, television shows and friends.  As Mama Elsie used to say, "The Devil is busy".  If they get mad at you, tell them that it's your job and it's only out of love.
• Teach your children how to pray.  Think about how many children you know, that can sing a popular rap song, but cannot say the first two verses of The Lords Prayer (test yourself).
• Put your kinds in church...even if you don't go.  There is always a lady up the block that will pick them up.
• Learn to make small sacrifices.  A Sea Louse is considered to be the best mother in nature because her young make their way into the world by eating her from the inside out.  You really don't need those new shoes if your child does not have lunch money.  
• Single mothers, it's alright to have some companionship.  Just remember that every man you meet may not be worthy to enter your home and the one that is, make sure he is a man of substance. 
• Teach them about the value of money, the honor in taking care of little things and the importance of cleaning up.  No man or woman wants to grow up and marry anyone that can't save, have no respect for anything with sentimental value and nasty at the same time.  Remember, when they leave home, they represent you.
• Think before you react.  Cussing out your childs teacher does not make you look smart or badass.  It makes you look as stupid as...well...just plain old stupid.  
• And lastly, BE THE EXAMPLE.  There is not a day in my life, I am not cognizant about almost everything that I do, that is solely based on the way I have seen someone do it before...everything.  They way we interact with people, the way we react to situations and even the way we greet people is all subconsciously embedded in our psyche based on what we have seen.  Think about it, isn't hatred a learned behavior? 

So this Mothers day, sincerely acknowledge those women who deserve to be honored for their jobs well done.  As a result of seeing this, we hope that those who have fallen short, will in some way see this as an opportunity to become a better mother themselves.  Happy Mothers day to all mothers.  May God continue to order your steps and bless you in ways unmentionable.

Love Eternal, 

WYLD STYLZ  

          
        

THE HAMMER FALLS ON 4/15/12. WYLD STYLZ IS BACK!

Thanks to the many people who sent me e-mails, made phone calls and sent me messages on FB telling me to get back to my blog.  It's been a while but I am back on track.  Thanks for your inspiration and support. 

Being Led

As I sit here and look at this blank page where a post should go, I am asking God to lead me in the direction solely ordained by His spirit.

Countdown to Healthcare Reform or NOT

This Sunday (3/21) marks the final showdown between President Obama and the opposition on Heathcare reform. Sadly, there are millions of Americans who have no idea of what Healthcare reform means to us and what it takes to get this proposal into the Oval Office and signed into law. Here's and overview and some of the major highlights:

*Total out-of-pocket expenses would be limited, and insurance companies would be prevented from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions. Insurers would be barred from canceling coverage for sick people, as well as charging higher premiums based on a person's gender or medical history.
*Insurers would be required to provide coverage for non-dependent children up to age 26.
*The Medicare prescription drug "doughnut hole" would be closed by 2020. Under current law, Medicare stops covering drug costs after a plan and beneficiary have spent more than $2,830 on prescription drugs. It starts paying again after an individual's out-of-pocket expenses exceed $4,550.
*Individuals would be required to purchase coverage or face a fine of up to $695 or 2.5 percent of income, whichever is greater, starting in 2016. The plan includes a hardship exemption for poorer Americans.
*Illegal immigrants would not be allowed to buy health insurance in the health insurance exchanges.

The road to getting there:
*Republicans have vowed to do everything they can to kill the bill.
*Total Democratic "no" votes needed to kill the bill: 38
*Total Democratic "no" votes as of March 19, 2010: 28 (this is close)
*House Democrats who support the Senate health care bill need 216 "yes" votes to pass it. *Opponents of the bill need to secure 216 "no" votes to kill it.

Think about it, this is more than just any old proposal. This effects us all, our children, and our elderly. Pray that it passes.

Gabourey Sidibe

Since I last posted, so much has happened to me personally, so much in politics, so much in the world, in entertainment and in celebrity gossip, but nothing has effected me more than the hate filled words of Howard Stern and his, "House Nigger" sidekick, Robin Quivers regarding the talented and beautiful actress and star of the movie, "Precious", Gabourey Sidibe. Their words resonate the fact that our society is still not ready to accept people that are truly different, yet beautiful in their own right regardless of their talents or accomplishments. I have struggled with my own weight for years so I do know what rejection and ridicule feels like. But to be honest, had it been me they were discussing, I don't think I would have been as tactful. My first reaction would have been to call in and say, "Yo Mammy" (LOL). To have worked to accomplish a feat like being nominated for an Academy Award and to have trash of the likes of Howard Stern try and down you, in itself is a reason to keep pushing forward, because as the old folk used to tell me, "If they're talking about you, you must be doing something right." So to all my big, beautiful, full-figured, well-rounded, stacked sisters, regardless of color or age, keep doing your thing.

The WYLD ONE returns 3/16/2010

Mark your calendars and spread the word. WYLD STYLZ returns March 16, 2010; Unleashed, Untamed, Unrestricted, Uncensored, Unapologetic, Unscathed and Unadulterated.

The Arts

I know it's been a while, but a brother has been real busy with the holidays, a small writing gig and a regular job. But today, I had to take a moment and ask anyone had they listened to the Tom Joyner Morning Show this morning and hear them clown some guy that was promoting a book that he had written about the severe infidelities in his past relationship. While listening to the interview, I could not help but hear this guy inappropriately use word after word and stumble through questions that had been asked to him and it dawned on me, that the arts are going to shit! Dance, music and now the literary arts. This mess has to stop. If that wasn't enough, he used the word, "deceptional" when describing his risque' escapades. Now, correct me if I am wrong, but deceptional is not a word. As a writer, lover of the art of written word and published author, this disturbs me because I get the feeling that for most people, it's not about keeping the arts alive for the generations to follow us but all about the celebrity and of course, the money. Please support the arts...real art.

Believe me when I tell you, "He Speaks to Us"

I got in my vehicle this morning to go to work, you know, my normal routine and started shuffling through some CD's to make my commute to work less stressful and more enjoyable, dance at redlights and maybe even sing some. Now there was no particular CD that I was partial to, so I just pulled one up simply because it was gold in color. Right about that time, I happened to see a former acquaintance leaving home as well. Now, I say former acquaintance because a few months back, we had a falling out of sorts, over some money. Remember a couple of weeks ago, when I posted that I had let that situation go and given it to God? Well, seeing her started my blood to race again and allowed the Devil to creep up on my left shoulder and put ungodly thoughts in my head. I couldn't help but think of how close we were at one time and who else she may have wronged. For about five minutes, I was in a trancelike state and so focused on thinking about all the bad things that needed to happen to her (I'm being honest because God loves the truth) and what I could do to help it along. I was so figured on this, traffic did not exist, school zones were speedways and pedestrians were at the mercy of only themselves. Right about that time, I could hear the phrase, "Let it go" coming in like a wayward animal would sound in the distance. Not as if God was saying it, but it was coming from my speakers! This one song, that was on a CD that I had actually made, that I had NEVER even heard before, was playing. It was the same gold colored CD that I pulled to play, just because it was gold colored. Now, when this caught my attention, I slightly, reluctantly shifted my focus to the song, but more so, to the words. "Let it go", "Give it up to God", "Let Him work it out", these were some of the lyrics that the female vocalist was singing (it was Gospel House music). So I turned the volume up and continued to listen to the words as opposed to just hearing them.
(Now follow me because I am going to prove to you that this was God)
After being ministered to for about 3 minutes, my eyes started to fill with tears because the hurt was evident now, but during this time, my blessed assurance came when I heard the vocalist say, "Look to the Hills from whence cometh your help". Now if you had ever had the distinct pleasure of meeting Mama Elsie, you would know that one thing she would always leave you with, if you were ever feeling low or needing some guidance, she would always tell you to read the 121 Psalm, where it says, to look to the Hills from whence cometh your help (and she would quote you the whole Psalm). So at this point I turned my praise gear on high! I knew right then, at that moment, that I had experienced a "Kairos moment". For those of you who may not know, A Kairos moment is an anointed point in time or a moment of undetermined period of time, in which something special happens. Did I say, He spoke to me? I needed the reassurance that if I had given something to Him, that I needed to do just that, GIVE IT TO HIM! And then I was told that if I ever feel low, or weak, or small, or used, or abused, or battered to look up to the place of refuge and in that place would be all the strength that I needed to put everything back in place. Supplied to me from a never ending source of sustenance. This message was given to me through a song, from a small chain of events that started before I had even opened my mouth to say, "Thank you". But yet still, I am His own and so are we all and even those who may have betrayed us.

We're Losing the Battle!

Being an eternal optimist, I always try to see the good in people, society our leaders and so forth. But when I hear a story like the recent beating death of a 16 year old honor student at the hands of mere children, it almost makes me question God. To watch, with the rest of America our young brothers acting like savage animals and brutally murder a child while other children in the background chant, "get him" was more than my heart could bare. I am blessed to have a nephew that is 16 years old and I love him more than he will ever know. I think of him almost every day and I pray for him whenever he crosses my mind. In my own cautious and worrisome way, a dreaded thought crossed my mind. I thought of him walking from school and being randomly attacked and beaten by a number of other young men. And while the brutality is ensuing, he thinks to himself, these questions. Why? Why aren't the people standing by doing anything? How much longer will it be before someone stops this? Am I going to die? And then to himself praying that last prayer you consciously say to yourself right before you black out. No one could ever imagine the level of fear that could ever be endured...no one. I thought of what was so unthinkably wrong with our society when anyone would think for a moment that this is acceptable behavior, but yet I watched as many of them walked away like the act that had just been committed was commonplace. Who had failed their community?, who had failed them?, who had failed the young man that was killed? In my own brutally honest and sometimes offbeat way of response, I said to myself, that we all had.

Ironically, just a few weeks ago, I had seen the Minister Louis Farrakhan speaking on the state of Black America as a response to a caller and was so fortunate to find it on youtube. I want to share it with you, in hopes that we as men and women, would become the leaders that we are and were meant to be. Mentor some young child or group of children, stop and talk to some lost soul, volunteer in your community, anything that you can do to lift US up. Because if we don't, not only do we lose the battle, we lose the war.

I'm Back! (Spread the Word)

I'm back like the fall y'all
to give you my all
I've been away for a while
like a runaway child
but my mind is back right
and I'm ready to blog from sun up til' night
to make you smile, think and cry
because you're probably wondering why
I haven't blogged in a minute
I'm honest...my heart wasn't in it
dealing with some things I had to work out
some issues one day, I'll tell you about
but as for now, it's all good
but I never doubted you understood
that sometimes it just be's that way
and never to use a stale cliche'
the truth will always set you free
so please don't prematurely judge me
from my heart to your heart
I'll always give
the WYLD truth, by which we all should live.

WYLD STYLZ

The Party of The Year? Can Nicole White Take the Crown?

My cousin, Nicole White is a party animal and everyone in Houston knows that. But when she throws a party these days, it's more of an event than anything. She is having her 40th birthday party tonight and from what I hear in the clubs, she has invited everyone on facebook, up and down interstate I-10, her job, her neighborhood and her church to come out and celebrate with her. Well you know me, I love a good party and will post the 411, low down on the show down, with pictures as soon as I can. So stay tuned to see if this event can garner the prestigious, "Party of the Year" award.

Oh and by the way, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NICOLE. I love you!

Don't buy a single record!!! Make them pay!!!

I swear I will never buy another CD again and will make bootleg copies of everyone I come across and give to everyone I know. I listened to the recently released song by Eminem, " The Warning", which is a diss song to Mariah Carey and husband Nick Cannon and a rebuttal to Mariah's song, "Obsessed". Forget its vulgarities, obscenities and sexually charged allegations, my questions is: "Is this what the music industry has come to?" What the hell? For the longest time,I have been so tired of the so called, "Beef" between rappers in the industry and now that cancer has spread to singers. And for a singer on the caliber of Mariah Carey to fall into this trap of deception, is totally unheard of. In a time when so many people turn to music and use it as an aid to deal with the uncertainties of life and when many of us use music as a harmonic device to unite people regardless of age, ethnicity and social background, these people are making it blasphemous, savage and inhumane. Music is a gift from the Creator and should be used to inspire, heal, praise, glorify, unite, express and deliver and so many parts of the world, it is used as such. But the powers that be that spearhead the American music industry, with all it's exploitative, disrespectful regard for the arts and relentless greed is assisting to deny an entire generation the fundamental right to accept and enjoy one of God's most precious treasures, good music. I truly believe that the industry play off the "Beef" factor because they know that our society, that is so driven by and attracted to chaos and violence finds the division and disorder more entertaining than the music itself. You can call it a marketing strategy if you like, but to me it's good old fashioned exploitation and if we can't see it, then like Minister Louis Farrakhan said, "There is no saving us." To me, this "us" he refers to is people. All people. Because believe me, we are all in this together. This war against our society in which the forces of evil would like to conquer and divide. Remember when Michael Jackson called former Sony CEO, Tommy Mattola, "...very, very, very devilish"? Now I see why.

It's Been A While

I know it's been a minute since I did a posting, primarily because I had company visiting from out of town this weekend. Isn't it a blessing when you can see friends after a few years and fall back in where you left off. Wow! The laughter, the food, ranking on each other (Bobbie Jean), it's just like a long party that you never want to end. If you are fortunate enough to have good friends, cherish them...I mean real friends. Not the ones that are around when you get paid, when you get that insurance check, when you are having a party or when you drink so much you buy drinks all night long. But I mean the types that insist that you not do the dishes, that say, "No, let me pay for it", the types that tell you what is right no matter how bad the truth hurts or the kinds that put up with your dogs no matter how bad they stink and act like they don't smell them. And lastly, the types that will sit on the toilet with the door open and hold a conversation with you (I am still adjusting to that one) but won't get mad when you walk to the door with air freshener and spray like crazy and then shut it. Friends, I tell you are the best assets to have in life. Get you some good ones.

But there has been a lot going on since my last posting that I will catch up with this week:

• Joe Jackson is still putting his foot in his mouth
• Chris Brown issues a formal apology
• Whitney and Mariah's albums dropping within a week of each other
• The bailout stimulus could ultimately cost the US $23 TRILLION
• A new poem I wrote especially for you
• Michael Vick has been released from home confinement

and

• My 68 year old mother is throwing up the peace sign from a moving motorcycle (Sweet Jesus, please send a Biker Angel to protect her)

Thanks Aunt Dell

I remember as a child spending the majority of my time around people old enough to be my grandparents. One of the things I remember most about those cherished jewels is that most of them did not have a whole lot of anything, but they had the cleanest homes you could ever live in and always kept themselves clean and tidy. I mean homes so clean you could literally eat off the floor. I remember one of Mama Elsie's friends, Aunt Dell (who was quick to call it as she saw it, LOL) would call us to take her out at the beginning of each month to cash her lil' check, pay a few bills, grocery shop and dash into Goudchaux's for something to wear to service the following Sunday. Now Aunt Dell got a small check that if I am not mistaken was around $750.00/ month. Even 20 something years ago, that was not much after rent, grocery and stuff. But my questions was, how could a woman with so little, always be so clean, neat and had one of the tidiest apartments in Baton Rouge? Because her motto was this, "Being poor or broke, is never an excuse for being nasty". Spread the word because some people need to know this.

Still Sad

I am still in shock about Koko Taylor. Y'all know I am having a rough one. I love me some Koko. I think that I will have a Blues Happy Hour at my house tomorrow. Can somebody please bring the catfish, corn meal, seasoned salt, potato salad, bread, Seagrams 7, good beer, decent foam plates, napkins, forks, cups, ice, sodas, and a good homemade pound cake, becasue I really need that to get me through this tough time. I'll go out of my way and find a few records to spin.

All I could say is, "WOW".

The little kid in the picture above with President Obama was invited to the White House for whatever reason. However, he had the oddest question. He asked if he could feel the Presidents hair to see if it felt like his. Now it may not seem like much, but for a child to make an association of themself to an adult allows them to see that they are not that different at all to that adult. In this kids mind, he has now made an assimilation of greatness to himself. This is so cool.

Wait! I feel a prayer coming on: "Lord, please don't let it come out in the next year or so that this lil red boy is actually Obama's child. Please Lordie hamercy. Don't let that be the reason why he wanted to feel his hair, Jesus." That would be all we need (LOL)!

We're Gonna Need Each Others Support

Over this coming weekend, people all over the world will celebrate that one day that we honor the favorite gals in our lives. The one’s whether biological, adoptive or the just because you seem so…"motherly”; our mothers. Most of us are blessed to have our mothers in all of their, nagging, nurturing, worrisome and loving capacity and to have them healthy and whole. But there is one mother who is sick, the mother of all mothers, the one that sustains us all; Mother Earth. As much as she tries to put on a good face, Mother Earth is not the mother she once was. And as strange as it may seem, it is all because of her own children, we are what’s ailing Mother Earth (what an analogy). I have mentioned on my blog once before that I am working on a second book, tentatively titled, “Earthsongs” and that 100% of every penny of all royalties will be divided equally among three charitable organizations: The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) http://www.nrdc.org/, iAbolish American Anti-Slavery Group http://iabolish.org/, and The Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR) http://www.amfar.org/.

The following are some startling facts about my movement that you may or may not already know. They are grim but real as well as disturbing. I often wonder that if the level of consciousness does not begin with us, then who?


*Ninety percent of large fish such as tuna and swordfish are already gone. High-tech fishing trawlers scrape bare the ocean floor, all six species of sea turtle in U.S. waters are threatened with extinction, and marine mammals are increasingly assaulted by lethal sonar and industrial noise.

*China is about to overtake the United States as the world's largest global warming polluter. Its thirst for oil will double by 2010, and its air pollution is poised to quadruple in 15 years.

*The Earth's atmosphere is overloaded with heat-trapping carbon dioxide, which threatens large-scale disruptions in climate. The consequences of a drastic temperature hike of 3 to 9 degrees by the century's end could be disastrous.

*Glaciers and mountain snows are rapidly melting—for example, Montana's Glacier National Park now has only 27 glaciers, versus 150 in 1910. In the Northern Hemisphere, thaws also come a week earlier in spring and freezes begin a week later.

*More than 1 million plant and animal species will vanish if global temperatures continue to rise as predicted in the next 50 years

*A total of 33 million people worldwide now live with AIDS.

*Young people (under the age of 25) account for more than half of new HIV infections worldwide. Every fifteen seconds, another person age 15-24 becomes infected with HIV/AIDS.

*Every day, over 6800 people become infected with HIV - almost five people per minute (globally).

*5700 people die from AIDS every day (globally).

*The number of people living with HIV has risen from around 8 million in 1990 to 33 million today, and is still growing. Around 67% of people living with HIV are in sub-Saharan Africa.

*Experts estimate that today there are 27 million people enslaved around the world. It’s happening in countries on all six inhabited continents. And yes, that includes the United States. The CIA estimates 14,500 to 17,000 victims are trafficked into the “Land of the Free” every year.

*600,000 to 800,000 people are trafficked internationally every year. Approximately 80% of them are women and children

*Slavery is an extremely profitable, international industry. Experts estimate trafficking in the US yields $9 billion every year. Around the world, trafficking in women for commercial sex purposes nets $6 billion per year!

*To add insult to injury, $90 is the average cost of a human slave around the world.

*There are more people in slavery now than at any other time in human history.

and get this:

*Human trafficking has recently been described as “the fastest growing criminal enterprise in the world”.

The immediate answer to these problems is within us. We have to take the initiative to become active now before it too late, if it’s not already. This book will be my small way and the bigger beginning of me doing my part. You can start today by donating to these organizations (two of them have been verified and screened by Charity Navigator and Charity Watch), volunteering for a charity of your choice, going green, becoming an advocate or a host of other ways. As of today, the book is right at about 30% complete so I should be going to press by year’s end and I have been in talks with representatives from all charitable organizations. I will keep you up to date with details as things progress and as always, thanks in advance for your support.

Stronger

I was checking my e-mail on yesterday evening and for some reason I has missed one that I received over a week ago from an avid reader of my blog from Detroit, MI. I always love getting e-mails from readers telling me how much they love the blogs content. He complimented me and said how he enjoyed reading my entries but was a bit taken aback at how I can post certain entries that are of an “inspirational nature” (his words) and on the same day post entries that are “worldly” (his word again). He felt that as a Christian, I was straddling the fence and that he was a bit insulted and that he would suggest that I do it one way or the other. While I do appreciate and welcome constructive criticism, I felt that an attack on my relationship with my Creator was a little on the extreme side, yet I took his suggestions into consideration. Now a few months back, it was brought to my attention that I had swayed away from my original vision for my blog and I certainly apologized for that and since that time have made every effort to include entries that are entertaining, inspirational, enlightening and funny without compromising my personal standards for what I consider right and wrong. However, I will not apologize again! My blog homepage reads, “The Wyld Truth (not that it's always right, it's just how I feel). That’s just how it is. I am human and if I do not have the right to express myself as I feel, without hurting anyone’s feelings, then I am suppressing my emotions for the sake of others. This would mean that others are trying to make me conform to their beliefs and not my own. I was that guy five years ago…not anymore. So I feel compelled to advise, that if you don’t necessarily feel what I write, you always have the option of passing to another entry or another webpage or even better yet, starting a web blog of your own, with my sincere and complete support. I just think that in this uncertain and sometimes cruel world, there is so much more that we can concern ourselves with, other than the opinions of others…and besides, it’s not like I write for USA Today or anything. While it is true, that I am a man of God and will always put Him first in all that I say and do, He has allowed me to realize and understand and embrace my own spiritual and worldly balance. I am a spiritual being on this journey in this world. We are all a part of it, whether we like it or not, we have to deal with it. I am just trying to do my part to help someone make it through this journey and their path a little less strenuous. I want to be a vessel used by God, I want to be a light to help lead the way, I want to be a raindrop in that shower that he allows to fall on some dry soul so that by His grace, we can blossom together and I refuse to let ANYONE take away from what He has given me. In closing, a song comes to mind that I would sing many years ago in the Mt. Zion Spiritual Baptist Church junior choir, the words say, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shiiiiiiiiiiiiine. With that said, K.I.M. (Keep it Moving), I’ll see you at the finish line.

Sincerely,
WYLD STYLZ

Swine Flu (Must Read!)

In light of recent events concerning the Swine Flu, effective immediately, the following rules will apply when approaching my cubicle until further notice:

1. Please knock and stand at cube opening until I put on my surgical mask. Still, you are not to proceed past this point! No exceptions. Violation of rule #1 will result in you being kicked "Samurai style" into the adjacent cubicle.

2. Do not bring me any candy, cookies or chips that have been opened. Violation of this rule will lead me to believe that goods have been intentionally tainted and that you are trying to kill me. This action will result in me forcing the goods to a place where they would end up had you digested them.

3. Do not cough, sneeze or laugh in my cubicle. Violation will result in you being beat down with my telephone handset and then your forehead anointed with hand sanitizer.

4. Only in extreme cases of disease outbreak has the ancient African practice of "Dywydh" been used. Father Olu Wutonge' of the Mugambo tribe has instructed me on this practice. I am to ask you within 10 feet of approaching my cube to place my palms in the direction of the individual approaching and scream, D.y.w.y.d.h.! This is an acronym for, "Did you wash yo damn hands?" Answering "no" will result in me using my blowgun to shoot a dart laced with mixture of amoxicillin and 151 rum directly in your jugular.

5. Any saliva seen coming from your mouth while talking will result in immediate counter-action of your face being sprayed with Lysol.

6. If you are one of those individuals that are notorious for not washing your hands after using the restroom, when you approach my cubicle, trap doors have been installed that will open beneath your feet and you will plummet to the basement where a representative from the CDC has been instructed to kick you senseless, quarantine you, then take your picture and post it in the local office with the caption, "pee carrier" beneath it.

7. If through some unfortunate event you deem it necessary to use my phone, pen, stapler, computer, chair, or any other object that requires you to touch it, take it with you! Violation of this rule will result of those same objects being violently hurled at you if you don't.

8. The use of words like, "nausea", "fever", "sore throat", etc. will make you considered a risk to not only National Security but my health as well. At this point, my vigilante survivor skills automatically go to "code red". My side eye effect will be no match for the the masked men that will be waiting in your car at the end of the workday. Anonymity is obligatory.

9. If by some rare chance, you walk up on me and I don't see you, a spider money in a nurses uniform is hidden in my desk and has been expertly trained will jump out, wrap itself around your neck and aggressively douse you with powered lye. At this point you may proceed with the business at hand. The stealing jewelry part, he taught himself.


10. Today is a free day. Any item that you may have left or that I may have borrowed within the past two weeks, you may come and claim now! They have been burned and are sitting in the hall.

WYLD STYLZ