What Lives Matter?

By now, you probably know that the Tenors Quartet member Remigio Pereira has officially apologized for altering the lyrics of O Canada when it was sung at the Major League Baseball all-star game. He changed the lyrics to include the controversial statement of " all lives matter ". That was the part that got him into trouble.

My thoughts and comments:

The fact that you need to clarify or emphasize " all lives matter " is troubling. Of course all lives matter. Yes, even the lives of your enemies matter. All means All.

On the other hand, to say ' black lives matter ' is very legitimate and necessary, to remind the white majority that yes, all lives matter and you must not forget that All means All, and it includes the black people that you continue to discriminate against.

It is risky for a white person in America to say " all lives matter ", even if he or she does not really mean to offend or hurt the minority. Why? Because " all lives matter " is already understood, so there is no need for clarification or reiteration. But " black lives matter " continues to be ignored or forgotten, so it is reasonable for the African Americans to keep reminding the white majority that they are humans, too, not animals or slaves.

The analogy is that a slave being abused said, " My life matters " and the master being the abuser replied, " All lives matter. Actually, my life really matters, but yours doesn't."

Does it mean that white people should never be allowed to say " all lives matter " ?  No, freedom of speech is a fundamental right in a free country. However, you take your own risk if you say it in the wrong way, at the wrong time and place, in the wrong context, or to the wrong people. It's like telling jokes about people of different races, ethnicity and cultures. If you are not a professional comedian, you'd better be careful, otherwise your jokes may turn out not funny but controversial and offensive. Racial jokes when told properly may be funny, but Racism is always wrong.      

Regarding American police brutality and aggression against the black people, an African American friend sounded so sad when she said, " We are tired of singing we shall overcome." 

Fast Edi Thoughts and Comments 

Clinton E-Mail (2)

I wrote about this in my blog under the heading of Clinton E-Mail on May 6, 2016. This is a follow-up under the heading of Clinton E-Mail (2).

Yes, Hillary was extremely careless, reckless, grossly negligent, and clearly broke the law. But FBI Director James Comey said he would not press charges against her. Basically, it means Hillary is guilty but she won't be indicted. 

As I said many times in the past, nobody is above the law, but then there are people who are beyond the law. Nobody seems to have the guts and means to bring these people to justice. 

Fast Edi Thoughts and Comments

Buddha's Skull Found in China

In the news (The Lip TV), part of the skull of Buddha has been found in a temple in Nanjing, China.

My thoughts and comments:

What's the point? Just like the Shroud of Turin, the argument can go on forever. If it is true, so what? If it is untrue, so what?

By the way, Buddhism is not Christianity. There is no personal, supernatural god in Buddhism, which was founded by Gautama Siddhartha (Buddha) in the 6th century B.C., way before the birth of Jesus. In Buddhism, everybody can become a Buddha. Interesting news, though.

Dumbed Down Americans

Really dumb Americans are few, but dumbed down Americans are many. It's the elites against the people instead of helping the people.

As Michael Moore says, " there is a gullible side to the American people. They can be easily misled. Religion is the best device to mislead them ".

Obama in Canada

I watched U.S. President Obama give a speech in the Parliament of Canada. I must say that he is a great speaker. In musical terms, the analogy is that he is a great singer. Whether you give him a good song to sing or not, he can still deliver a great performance. That said, how many listeners ever try to analyze the lyrics of a song and see what it says? And whether the singer actually does what he or she sings? 

I agree that the U.S., Canada and Mexico, actually the whole world should reduce the use of fossil fuels for energy, and switch to using clean, green and renewable energy.

I disagree with Obama that he said gender equality is a universal value. I mean it 'should be' a universal value, but it is not. Many countries are still very backwards, ultra-conservative and unfair. They are still very misogynistic and discriminatory against women. Look at Saudi Arabia. If you are a woman, you are not even allowed to drive there.

Regarding the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), I have talked about it before. Of course, Obama was trying to get Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada to come on side and have the TPP signed and rectified. Is the TPP good or bad for the U.S. and Canada? It depends who you are and whom you ask. If you are interested, you can read what I wrote about the TPP on August 1 and October 5, 2015 in my blog Fast Edi Thoughts and Comments.

Regarding global disputes and conflicts, I'm not sure Obama really meant what he said. Certainly every peace-loving person would choose to resolve such serious problems diplomatically and politically, not militarily. But the U.S. military actions everywhere in the world, and the ' let's drop a bomb ' U.S. foreign policy, just don't concur with what Obama said.

I would like to ask this question: when will Washington (and the world) learn that violence is a problem, not a solution? Being a pacifist, my position is that all disputes and conflicts must be negotiated and settled through peaceful means. No violence, No killing, No war. Thank you.