Michael Jackson and the Power of Music

Pictured Above: David Jackson as Michael Jackson


As I woke this morning, I found it difficult to get on with the day. I got plenty of rest. I'm almost to the bottom of my coffee. What's going on with me? There is so much in my life to be excited about. Then it hit me. Michael's memorial is today. While I won't be one of the fortunate ones to attend, the day represents finality. I feel like as long as there has been no "service" for him then it hasn't really happened.


I realize that I may come off as one of the screaming, teary-eyed, Jackson fans, but it's not really like that at all. I grew up listening to Michael's music and watching his videos. His music had a profound impact on my life. An impact that is hard to adequately put into words. I personally believe that music is "other-worldly" already. Think about this... no matter where you go...who you talk to...almost everyone on earth relates to SOME type of music. Not everyone believes in god. Not all people like to read. There are SO many differences that exist between us except when it comes to music. Sure, we all have our taste in music... I love Mariah Carey yet I know many cannot stand her...but we all like music in some form or another. I was trying to remember ever meeting someone who didn't like some sort of music. I've never met anyone that simply refused to listen to music or who didn't enjoy it on some level. There has to be something to that.


That's why I believe Michael Jackson's impact on the world is so great. He found a way to channel the power that music holds. He was able to convey that power to others in a very real and honest way. I think that's why he also incorporated so many different kinds of music into his own. He wanted to connect the music to as many people as he could because he understood the value of music in our lives.


I can be having the worst day. I pop in Mariah, Michael, Pavarotti, Carrie Underwood, Seether, Switchfoot, India Arie, Luther Vandross, John Denver, Elvis, and SO many more and I can get through whatever it is that’s bothering me. Sometimes the music gives me attitude when I'm lacking enough to stand up for myself. Sometimes the music gives me peace when it seems like life is trying to kill me off. Music can get me past a bad relationship moment (thank you Beyonce). Michael understood the true power of music to unite people perhaps better than any other artist living or dead. I will always remember him for that. I will honestly always be grateful for that. So today I choose to look at this memorial, not as an ending, but as a new beginning. There may never be another Michael, but the power of music that he shared with us will always remain.


Thank you Michael...for sharing the Music.

Gay Texans Cry Foul Play in Police Raid

Ft. Worth Texas - June 28, 2009

On the anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion in NYC, one of the most devastating gay civil rights violations in American history, Ft. Worth Police along with the TABC (Texas Alcoholic Beverages Commission) raided several Ft. Worth gay bars on Sunday night. Several people were zip-tied inside the clubs. Approximately 7 people were taken outside the clubs then arrested for public intoxication. One person has been hospitalized with a brain injury sustained in what amounts to a "statement" raid. There are several eye witness reports that excessive force was used in each location.




Let me get my first point out of the way now. I think this business of the police taking people out of a BAR only to charge them with public intoxication is asinine! If they are going to do that then they might as well arrest people on their way to a cab from the bar. A police officer goes into a bar...removes a person who has been drinking so that they can make an arrest. This is one of the most ridiculous practices I've ever heard of. Something has to be done about this. It's a technicality used by the police in very suspect situations and it has to stop.




I find it disturbing that the police department has issued no formal statement on why this raid occurred. Since the TABC was involved I would expect that maybe a liquor license was revoked, but that didn’t happen. I would also assume that maybe it was to remove minor individuals from the bar. Nope, not that either. Police Chief Jeffrey Halstead promised an investigation. My questions for him are...How could you NOT know this was happening? You are the Police Chief right? Who picked this foolish “anniversary” date for a raid on a gay bar? What was the point of this raid?




The police statements that a few patrons made "sexually explicit movements toward another officer" are hard to believe at best. What the hell does that statement even mean?




The eyes of the world will now be on the Ft. Worth Police Department as well as the City. They had better step up to the plate and do the right thing. It would be wise on their part to understand that they will not be able explain certain things away. A man now has a brain injury because of this clumsy and ill-advised moment. This entire venture was like a PowerPoint presentation... with no power and no point.





Stay Free!


For more about the Stonewall Rebellion visit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonewall_riots

Source: http://www.dallasvoice.com/artman

Michael Jackson - My Brother

As a child I recall listening to Michael Jackson and feeling a connection to the singer because we share the same last name. I used to pretend that he was my older brother. In fact almost everyone I ever ran across as a kid would ask me, "Are you related to Michael Jackson?” I will never forget that. On some level people have never stopped with that joke, even as an adult. It's funny how some things just stick.

My young mind was full of imagination when it came to music and I soaked in everything Michael did. While attending a private school where "penny loafers" were mandatory, I would put on my brightest white socks and the jet black loafers and dance on the tiled kitchen floor. My mom would just roll her eyes and giggle and what must have been my silly "knock-off" moon-walk. I never did learn how to do that correctly.

I think back to my very favorite song by Michael. It had to be, with out a doubt, "Black or White". Being of Scottish, African-American, and Cherokee descent, this was the song that helped me feel comfortable in my own skin. As I watched the music video with the different people of all races morph, one into another, I felt like I could be or do anything in life. When I heard that song it made me believe that my race didn't matter.

Fast forward to the present day... my karaoke staple is the song "I'll Be There". No matter how many new songs make their way to the top of the karaoke to-do list, that song is always a favorite.

Michael Jackson's legacy for me will always be how he wanted to inspire people to dream, to dance, to sing. Michael's music has shaped my life and made me feel at home. Though his life had shades of tragedy and failure, I still learned one very important thing: No matter what happens in my life...no matter what I go through, I can still do great things.

He will always be my pretend brother.
From one Jackson to another...Thank you.


Your "brother",

David Jackson

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Dell, Yours is Here...Sort of...

As a writer I am rarely at a loss for words. After my ordeal with Dell, I found my self temporarily rendered incapable of expressing myself.

I googled "Dell horror stories" before I purchased my laptop. I wanted to see both sides of the Dell experience. After much reading, I rationalized that these were isolated events and that this certainly shouldn't be "par for the course". I'm glad I didn't have any money riding on that sentiment. I'd have lost everything!


Let me give you the breakdown:

May 30 - Ordered my Dell laptop

June 17- Received my Dell laptop after delivery delay

June 17 - Digital TV Tuner Card does not work

June 17 - Called Dell Tech Support 1.5hrs

June 17 - Referred to Dell OnCall for a $150 fee / NO!

June 18 - Online Dell Chat / tuner still not working 1hr

June 18 - New TV card sent over-night

June 18 - Laptop LCD screen goes out

June 18 - More Online Dell Chat 1hr

June 18 - Dell sends new screen to local technician

June 19 - New TV card arrives / does not work

June 22 - Tech shows up / WRONG SCREEN 2hrs

June 22 - Dell states there IS no other kind of screen

June 23 - Automated Dell call stating screen shipped

June 24 - Tech 2 shows up / WRONG SCREEN 2hrs

June 24 - Transferred 6 times to 3 departments

June 25 - Calls to Dell Media Relations not immediately returned

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After explaining my preposterous ordeal to a "customer service manager" with Dell, I was offered $80.00 as compensation and they would send a THIRD technician and a THIRD screen to my home to see if they could get this BRAND NEW laptop working. My other option was to do an exchange which would take 10 business days to complete and NO compensation at all. They basically offered me 4.5% compensation for this monumental waste of my time. I proposed 4.5% compensation and the exchange or 11.5% compensation with repair. That was apparently too much to ask for all the terrible technical and customer service I received. Not to mention the "crap in a box" they shipped to me. The Dell representative stated that they would rather not have the 88.5% on the sale with a chance to retain a repeat customer and instead just give me a full refund. A company who would cash in 88.5% and customer retention for 0% sounds like a company on the Bullet Train to extinction. That's just BAD business all around. So, with that, I set up my laptop for a complete refund. I'd rather let piranhas feast on my eyeballs than to put up with Dell Customer Service.

I basically received the laptop equivalent of a whoopi cushion. This whole experience feels like a practical joke! The joke was certainly on me.

I invite you to comment with your Dell customer experiences as well. I plan on sending this information to Dell Media Relations. Perhaps if enough attention is gained we can affect real change.
As always, I am happy to update this story should Dell care to respond with a resolution or additional relevant information.


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Sen. Black - FIRE YOUR AIDE!

I will try to keep this short and sweet.


Scenario:

I send out a disparaging email about my company's CEO to other employees of my company, using company email and computers. I also do this on company time.

Result:

FIRED

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I can't say that I am shocked by the racist email that was sent out by legislative aide Sherri Goforth, but I am incensed by Senator Black's resolution. Stellar career or not, this Sherri Goforth should be fired. It's one thing to be Jane Doe having your right to free speech and opinion. It's something completely different when you, in essence, send out a racist email about your "CEO".

Senator Black further insults general intelligence by stating "It absolutely does not represent the beliefs or opinions of my office". Really? Doesn't this woman work in her office? Isn't the Senator choosing to look the other way when she should be decisively relieving this woman of her duties?

If Sherri Goforth cannot find a place of basic respect for the Office of the President of the United States then she shouldn't be working in a government office.

In my opinion, until Sen. Black takes definitive action and fires Sherri Goforth, she should have sent the email herself.


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