Ball of Confusion

The song "Ball of Confusion" was written in 1970. Not doubt the Tempts were addressing the choas in the world during those times. But I must say that the 21 century has about as much choas as any other era of the history of the United States of America. This may not be the opinion of others older than me but I can only speak on what I know. Anyway, I found the words to the song Ball of Confusion and thought I would see if anything had changed from 1970 until 2005. You know there are those who think we have progressed. We're so much better off because of technology and so much smarter than back then. Hmmmmm...I don't know about that. True, things are made to be more convenient but has the world gotten any better morally or spiritually - I tend to say No. Anyway, let's look at the song...my opinions are in RED!

The Temptations—Ball of Confusion (That's What The World Is Today) 1970

People movin' out,
People movin' in.
Why, because of the color of their skin
Well, so much for overcoming Racism...Not much has changed there (i.e. Federal repsonse to Hurricane Katrina victims).

Run, run, run, but you sho' can't hide
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth,
Gotta get that revenge. Everybody was all fired up after 9/11 to go to war with Osama Bin Laden. So GWB sends troops to IRAQ! Hey, wait a minute...is Osama in Iraq?

Vote for me and I'll set you free
Rap on, brother, rap on
Vote for me or I will just steal some votes. Either way, I win!

The only person talkin' about love thy brother is the preacher
And it seems nobody's interested in learning but the teacher
Is anybody really talking about love thy brother?
And do teachers still care about learning? Teachers may be more interested if parents would parent, they made more money and had military survival training to protect themselves from these out of control children of the corn.

Segregation, determination, demonstration, integration,
Aggravation, humiliation, obligation to our nation
Ball of Confusion
Segregation - yep in the school systems and especially on Sunday! Obligation to our nation - yes soldiers - You signed up voluntary remember so you have no right to question why we are at war. At least that is what the war supporters are going to tell you. They'll say "Free Iraq and bring back some oil...if you die, it's your duty to your country. And if you come home hurt, you might get some assistance."

Oh yeah, that's what the world is today, hey, hey
The sale of pills are at an all time high
the sale and the price...without medical insurance you may as well hang it up.

Young folks walkin' around with their heads in the sky
and their pants below their butts showing their ol' raggedy underwear...

The cities aflame in the summertime and, oh
The beat goes on
Evolution, revolution, gun control, the sound of soul
We can't even stop little kids from getting guns shooting each other. What makes us think we can exercise gun control in the nation?

Shooting rockets to the moon
Tax dollars at being utilized to the fullest. Let's go to the moon, who cares if the earthlings are starving!

Kids growing up too soon
and not getting the proper beat downs...Hello...psychiatrists, time out is not working!

Politicians say more taxes will solve everything
And the band played on
If more taxes didn't fix things then why are we still saying they will in 2005.

So, round and around and around we go
Where the world's headed, nobody knows
Read the book of Revelations and you will know where the world is headed.

Oh, Great googamooga, can't you hear me talkin' to you
Just a Ball of Confusion, oh yeah
That's what the world is today, hey
"Great googamooga!" I didn't know that phrase was in a song!!!

Fear in the air, tension everywhere
Unemployment's rising fast,
WHOA if this ain't 2005, I don't know what is!

The Beatles' new record's a gas
And the only safe place to live
Is in an Indian Reservation
Funny that the reservation is the safest place to live considering the Native Americans were called "savages".
And the band played on

Eve of destruction, tax deduction
City inspectors, bill collectors
Mod clothes in demand
Population out of hand
Suicide, too many bills
Hippies moving to the hills,
People all over the world are shouting "End the War"
People are still shouting "End the War". In fact, they are marching in DC as I type this blog!

And the band played on
Oh, Great googamooga, can't you hear me talkin' to you
Just a Ball of Confusion,
That's what the world is today (in 2005), hey
No progression as far as I can see from then to now. How is that possible?

Hurricane Kat - No Greater Love

Yes, I am still actively watching the developements of the victims of FEMA...oops! I mean Hurrincane Katrina. I watch not because I like to see the suffering but I am so touched by all the love expressed to these people by others. Strangers - black, white, green, purple - the color doesn't matter, they are lending a helping hand. Homes' doors have been open to strangers. I saw where one man came to Houston saying he was going to get jobs for people at his car dealerships. One family has taken in 20+ people. Even the celebs are stepping up, not with just money but with their time. Needless to say, I turn into a bigger cream puff with each touching story (but don't tell anybody, they may think I'm soft)...

All this makes me think about the WORD of course. I think the way we are acting towards each other now, is how we are suppose to act all the time. After 911, Americans grew closer to each other and called on God's name. It lasted for about 5 minutes...Then we were back to being selfish, loveless, and caught up in our own worlds...but the bible warned us about this type of behavior...

2 Timothy 3: 1 - 5 - 1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

WHOA! Does that sound like the world we live in or what? But guess what, I guess God must see something in us that we don't see in ourselves. I guess because He made us and His spirit is in us whether you believe in Him or not. You see, God is Love and since we were made in his image, then we must be love too. Basically, we are all made to love but because of sin, we make choices not to love. We think we have it all figured out but our Creator knew from the beginning and he knows what's in us. It is just we get stubborn so it takes a tragedy for to reveal what we are really made of.

If you ask me (I mean you didn't but that's besides the point), it takes more than just "doing my job" to be able to spend days without food and water in awful, dangerous conditions trying to save the lives of people you don't know, at the risk of dying yourself. I have seen people quit jobs for less stress than that. What makes a person open their home to 10 to 20 people some of which are strangers? What makes a man sleep in a hospital without food, water, lights with stranded dogs because he made a promise to the families to take care of their pets? It takes more than just guts for 3 college students to drive from NC to the Gulf Coast and risk being arrested for faking Media ID passes to get past the National Guards in order that they might rescue some stranded flood victims. What makes your heart ache for complete strangers who are suffering?

It is not a mystery and these aren't trick questions. It is because of love. And with the world being so messed up, we might forget we even know how to or want to show love to our fellow man. But God knows what is in us and that is what He asks of us. Now that we know we can do it, let's just do it and put aside the other foolishness.

John 15: 12 - 13 says: 12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Hurricane Kat - The Aftermath

Well, I can say this has been one week that I wish could be erased from the history books. I have been so drawn to the stories although it is really made my heart heavy. Of course, the more upset I get about the rescue efforts overall, as individuals, people are really stepping up. So when I feel down about it, I think of the real heros and heroines and I feel better. I have had a lot to ponder over this week and of course I have come to share my thoughts with you all. Because #1- you guys are great listeners and #2 - that's what the blog is for...

Warning - This is gonna be a long blog. I may have to have a sequel and a pre-quel like Star Wars.

1 - I realize that I have alot to be thankful for and nothing to complain about. I mean we thought about the stuff we complain about on a daily basis. Let's say, traffic was heavy this morning on your way to work or wherever. Did you gripe about it? I know you did. Hmmmm...I guess it beats being stuck in a traffic jam trying to out run a Category 4 Hurricane, huh? Imagine being stuck and not knowing if you will get away in enough time.

Wonder if anybody grumbled about having to go to work today after getting a good nights rest? I guess it beats working around the clock for a week with no food, water, and in horrible conditions trying to save lives and being shot at. Not to mention, wading through water filled with dead bodies and diseases. Talk about something to complain about. If these things are not at your place of employment, then all I can say is be quiet and get to work!

Just the other day, I was in Wal-Mart irritated because they didn't have my beloved "LeBleu" bottled water. Why, why, why...was all I could think as I shook my fist at the WalMart security cameras. After my tandrum, I finally and reluctantly picked up some Aquafina. But I guess I should probably be grateful that there was any kind of water for me to drink considering bottles of water in New Orleans are hard to come by and would be greatly appreciated.

Your parents/children/relatives getting on your nerves. Did they drop by unnannouced for short visit? Were you upset? Perhaps they should have piled in 11, 12 deep with all they have in the world, no where to go and no idea of when they were leaving. And guess what, they don't have any money to help pay for anything they use in your house. Imagine! Makes getting ill about a brief unexpected visit sound trivial, huh?

Single women, you know how sometimes you complain about being lonely or when no man pays you any attention...wonder how the young lady felt as she got unwanted attention from young men who tried to rape her when all she wanted to do was survive and then have to watch her brother shoot one of the rapist in the head. Not getting noticed isn't so bad after all, huh?

We get upset when somebody lets out a little g-a-s in our presence which after 2 seconds, it gone. Wonder how we would feel if our whole environment was a neverending stench? Next time, roll down the car window and get over it...

Got anything to complain about? Yeah that's what I thought...

2 - Did anybody see Kanye West's comments? I stayed up as long as I could to hear what he said but fell asleep. But all was not lost because at 4:30 am I woke to hear Kanye say 'George Bush doesn't care about black people'...Ever wake up in the middle of the night and hear something crazy! That was absolutely the funniest thing I could have heard at 4 in the morning. But hey, he said what alot of people have been thinking since the 1st election. However, we say it at home or in the barber/beauty shops but on LIVE NATIONAL TV? If we never see or hear from Kanye again, we will all know why...can you say Jimmy Hoffa? (If you don't know who that is, get a history book)

3 - Harry Connick Jr. is my new best friend!!! I mean I liked him in Hope Floats and my friend/sister Stacy introduced me to the Harry Connick Jr Christmas CD and I thought, he's alright. But bless his heart, he's been down there wading in the toxic water saving people. He's so heartbroken. I just think when tragedy happens, being a celebrity means absolutely SQUAT! So remember that the next, you get caught up in what some crazy celeb does. I mean is this situation, has anybody thought about what Bobby and Whitney smoked or if Tom Cruise jumped on another sofa? You go Harry!

4 - The Governer of LA is not my new best friend. What's up with her saying she needed 24 MORE hours to decide if she need Federal help? HEL-LO? Okay LA citizens, when you all rebuild and move home and it is time to vote...I dare you to re-elect this woman.

5 - Ray Nagin the mayor of Nawlins is probably gonna go missing after this crisis. He cussed out er'body on a radio broadcast. I knew it would not be long before he snapped, because prior to his outburst, he was looking kinda crazy. You have seen those people with that borderline insanity look before. No...okay maybe I only hang out with psychos. Anyway, I am not being mean saying he's gonna go missing, he said so himself. See for yourself:

New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin said he's feeling better about his city, he feels confident he has gotten the attention of Gov. Kathleen Blanco and President Bush, but he said he fears the Central Intelligence Agency may take him out because he's been yelling at these officials.
He didn't say it once. He said it twice. Last night he told a reporter for the Associated Press: "If the CIA slips me something and next week you don't see me, you'll all know what happened."
Today he told interviewers for CNN on a live broadcast he feared the "CIA might take me out." - WorldNetDaily.com

Nagin, well, I guess you will be soon joining Kanye and Jimmy.

In reference to the above picture, what do you think either man is thinking in the picture above in their heads. Nagin is probably thinking "I just want to twist your hand right off your wrist" and GWB is probably thinking " ".... (Sorry Bush supporters, I had to go there!)

Well, this ends part one. More later. I still have plenty to say.