International Star Wars Day

Probably the greatest space epic ever created, and today, we celebrate International Star Wars Day. Feel free to commemorate your favorite lines and moments.

My Star Wars Favorites:

• Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
• Han Solo
• R2D2

Worst Star Wars Characters

• Jar Jar Binks
• Ewoks
• The Rat thing in Jabba's Palace
• Luke Skywalker*

*well, actually the actor Mark Hamil. He proceeded to make Luke into the winiest "heroes" of all time, and just plain irritating.

From a Galaxy far far away,

Amos13

It's not cheating, it's multi-tasking

Well people, I have gone and done it. I am now a multi-blog blogger. I have started a second blog called Crazy Faith. This blog will be more dedicated towards Jesus. Here is my reasoning for this:

- Communication Breakdown is more about current events, and just random stuff that I feel the need to communicate about. Adding faith topics kind of dilutes the message, and confuses the identity of what I want this blog to be about.

- I realized that for me to be effective in communicating my ideas and thoughts, that there should be separate venues where I can focus on either one or the other

- This blog is written, and I don't want to add a video component to this current format. Crazy Faith is going to have more video emphasis, as it covers more personal topics, and video is a better way of communicating it.

So, for those of you who are interested, check out the new blog. I am still 100% committed to this blog, and I won't be offended if you don't read the other one.

Peace out,

Amos

Relatively interesting news and END OF SCHOOL!

Well my friends, one last exam, and I have completed my time at NAIT! Now, just to figure out what to do after.... My past two years there have been a mixed experience, but here is to a new chapter.

Secondly, Sonic has been annoucing the Sonic Boom line-up, so far it is:

- Rise Against

- Bad Religion

- City and Colour

- Mother Mother

- Weezer

- Tokyo Police Club

- Wintersleep

and more being announced daily.

I don't know about you, but I will definitely be buying a ticket, that line-up is freaking epic. And this is only Sonic Boom's second year, so be sure to get a ticket for the September 4th event. Click on the title above to reach the official Sonic Boom site for details.

But, for the end of the school year, I thought I would suggest some music, here we go chums:

Camilo the Magician - Said The Whale

Lay Me Down - The Dirty Heads feat. Rome of Sublime with Rome*

Fly One Time - Ben Harper and Relentless7

You Don't Have to be a Prostitute - Flight of the Conchords

Primitive Man - Fruit Bats

Still - Great Lake Swimmers

Let's Break Up - Hayden

I Still Miss Someone - Johnny Cash

Achilles Last Stand - Led Zeppelin

United States of Eurasia - Muse

Walking on the Moon - The Police

Save the Population - The Red Hot Chili Peppers

*That is bloody stupid, "Sublime with Rome" The family of the late Bradley Nowell sued the band, saying that Sublime was the brainchild of their late band lead singer Bradley Nowell. It isn't like they are purposly trying to steal his idea, and make money off of him, they would have to be part of the Jackson family to do that. But come on, they were equal partners in that band, and the band was Sublime, anyways...

Signing off,

Amos

Weak Arguments Bother Me

Let me first of state that I am Pro-Life, and I am always up for a good discussion. Today, I was reading the Sun, and when I got to the Editorial section of the Edmonton Sun, I came across an article that angered me. It wasn't that it was for abortion, but that the argument was incredibly weak. Ms. Lyn Cockburn was commenting on how the Federal Conservative government did not include abortion to be included in Canada's initiative proposal to the G8 to decrease the amount of maternal deaths during child birth in the developing world. The first problem with her argument is that it was a Liberal Party motion to include abortion that was defeated by the majority of parliament, not just the Conservatives. As I recall, a couple Liberal MPs voted against their own motion. But being bothered so much, I have decided to pick apart her argument. Here we go.

Ms. Cockburn stated in her article, "Abortion access must be included in plan" (April 6, 2010), that 1 in 7 women in Niger, 1 in 50 women in Sudan, and some 550,000 women die worldwide because of complications during child birth. These numbers are heartbreaking, and I do agree that it is deplorable that many of the women are from the developing world. But I disagree with her argument for abortion to be included in the G8 initiative. What I do not see in her article, is a solid argument for abortion to be included. The problem isn't the child, but the healthcare, and environment the mother is surrounded by. The solution to the high death rate of expectant mothers in these regions of the world would be to improve the quality of healthcare, and availability of basic needs for the mother. Therefore, this initiative is actually providing the needed improvements in those key areas, which is more important than just removing the child. Towards her argument that 500,000 women worldwide would not have access to what the plan is proposing, then what would be the advantage to adding abortion? If the expectant mothers cannot access the clean water, nutrition, and inoculation programs, then how would the abortion doctor be more available? Again, the solution to maternal health in developing countries is not the removal of the child, but to provide an adequate system where the families can plan responsibly, and safely. Ms. Cockburn did have it right however, when she stated that the use of contraception methods would result in far less maternal deaths during child birth, and would ultimately negate many unnecessary abortions.

Ms. Cockburn then proceeded to bash the Conservatives, and Stephen Harper, instead of making a point of why abortion should be included. Actually, the majority of her article is just a rant against the Conservative Party, and Stephen Harper, rather than a case for abortion to be included.

I encourage you to read the article itself, and tell me what your opinion is. If you disagree with me, feel free to share. If you click on the title of this post, it will take you to the article on the Sun's website.

Cheers,

Amos13

To Live Like Christ

Recently, it is been on my heart that I have not been living like a true Christian. The meaning of Christian is "Christ-like or Live like Christ". This got me thinking, that I am following a religion about Christ Jesus, and not following Him. Have any of you felt that way? In Matthew 4:19, Jesus says to his soon to be disciples, "...Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!" NLT.

Currently, I am reading a book called "Detox For The Overly Religious" by David Putman. I don't believe I am overly religious, and I have long strived to live like Jesus, and follow Him, not the hoops man has created in the Christian faith. But I do think that I do not truly follow Him. In the book, David Putman states that many of us in the Western culture believe in Jesus, but do not put it to a life choice. James 2:19 states: "You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror." NLT.

I will be posting video blogs updating what I am experiencing, and my thoughts on youtube, which will also be posted here. For those of you who wish, feel free to call me out, and remind me of my mission if I fall astray.

Until Next Time,

Amos13

Death Council, Baby Killer, and Magic Carpets

Hey Y'all! Just thought I would inform you on the "great evil" that was signed into American law on Tuesday. This evil, is mandatory health insurance, and increased medicaid for the 30-45 million uninsured, less fortunate citizens of the USA.

Incase you haven't heard, this bill will apparently "sponsor abortions" and consist of a death squad on whether someone dies or not, a death council if you wish. Democrats, and anyone close to the centre of the political spectrum is blind to Obama's deceitfulness. Only conservative Republicans and Fox News can see the truth for what it is....

I think that is my best Glenn Beck/ Rush Limbaugh/ Sarah Palin/ Ann Coulter/ Republican Congressman Randy Neugebauer impression I can do. If you didn't hear, Randy Neugebauer yelled "It's a baby killer" during Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich. defended his position on the health care legislation in congress. Which is utterly ridiculous, because the legislation clearly states that no federal money will go towards abortions. What was even more insane about that comment was that he still didn't realize he was wrong when he was "apologizing".

"In the heat and emotion of the debate, I exclaimed the phrase 'it's a baby killer' in reference to the agreement reached by the Democratic leadership," Neugebauer said in a statement released by his office. "While I remain heartbroken over the passage of this bill and the tragic consequences it will have for the unborn, I deeply regret that my actions were mistakenly interpreted as a direct reference to Congressman Stupak himself.

"I have apologized to Mr. Stupak and also apologize to my colleagues for the manner in which I expressed my disappointment about the bill. The House Chamber is a place of decorum and respect. The timing and tone of my comment last night was inappropriate." - Rep. Randy Neugebauer, R.

Public healthcare is not the devil. If you are sick, it insures that you do not go bankrupt, or be denied coverage for being sick. It isn't even true public healthcare, it is a mix between private and public coverage, but still greater on the private side. This legislation covers the needy, and desparate in society. Who is one to say that someone less fortunate has to die to a treatable ailment or illness? I feel for the weak, and misinformed that the GOP is cruely manipulating. This law is good for America. Those who can afford it can still obtain the highest form of health treatment if they can afford it, and those who cannot afford such insurance are still covered by a basic health plan.

As for the Sarah Palin comment on how this will lead to a sort of Death Panel, how does anything she say get attention? I have yet to see examples of her showing actual intelligence, or competence. These comments have no basis, and she even admits to travelling to the Yukon for healthcare when she was younger because what was offered in Alaska was not enough. These notions of death panels are like the soup nazi from Seinfeld, "NO LIFE FOR YOU!" And this woman could have been in the second highest position in America.

Finally, Fox News political analyst, Ann Coulter, is currently in the midst of a 3 Canadian University tour. First off, I whole-heartedly defend her rights to say what she said. Freedom of speech is the very basis of true democracy, but I strongly disagree with what she said. Ann Coulter said that all muslims are terrorists, and should not be able to fly on airplanes, to fly a magic carpet instead. When an offended muslim student asked her about those muslims who cannot fly a magic carpet (showing great humour despite the circumstance) Coulter responded by saying "then take a camel". I know that Coulter is trying to be outrageous, and I am not one for being p.c myself, but there is a difference between sharing your opinion freely, and being racist, and ignorant.

Being on the conservative side of the spectrum is getting a little difficult lately, when all you hear is this garbage from all directions. What ever happened to realism, the thoughts of a balanced budget, and the gradual change to direct the nation in a responsible, clear-headed manner? The very foundations of the GOP, and Conservative parties in Canada. How did we forget that we do not need to spend extravagent amounts of money to pull out of a recession? The wisdom to raise taxes during the good times, to cover the basic needs during the bad, and lower taxes in the bad times to stimulate spending and investment. Will someone with some real wisdom, and backbone to stand up to special interest groups to do so? I can only hope.

Yours truly,

Amos13

Reggae

The more and more I delve into different genres of music, the more I realize something. I freaking love the way music unites us as a society, which ironically, is the message Bob Marley, probably the most famous reggae artist, "preached".

Reggae is a truly unique form of music, with influences from Caribbean music, American blues music, calypso, soul, jazz, and ska. It developed in Jamaica in the 1960's, but was popularized by Bob Marley.

Reggae first hit American charts in 1968 with Johnny Nash's "Hold me Tight, and eventually The Beatles came out with "Ob La Di , Ob La Da", a rock song with reggae beat. And I thought The Beatles influenced everything. Now, The Wailers, a band featuring Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer, came together in 1963, and they recorded in all three progressions of reggae, ska, rocksteady, and reggae.

Reggae in musical characteristics is even more "strange". Accents are usually on the second and fourth beat, like rock n roll, but the rhythm guitar either holds or emphasizes the third beat until the fourth is played. Lead guitar in reggae is always rhythm, and the bass follows a two-bar riff, focusing on the thickest, heaviest note. The bass in reggae is the dominant instrument, in some instances, larger than the drums, vocals, and guitar. Keyboards were used to double the rhythm guitars, playing chords staccato and adding fillers here and there. The time in reggae is either common time (4/4) or swing time, as the symmetrical rhythmic pattern does not

work well with 3/4 time.

Traditionally, social criticism has been the theme in reggae, but it also touches on love, marijuana, and criticizing materialism. All topics that in my opinion, our society should start taking these lessons seriously.

As I said in the beginning of this blog post, as my muscial taste, and appreciation grows, I fall more in love with human creativity. Music is freedom.

I challenge you to listen to at least 5 Reggae artists this week.

Best Wishes,

Amos13