I’ve always found it interesting to consider how people rationalize arguments to spin their own agenda – whether in politics, in civil society circles, in business or in relationships. The one common thread that runs through the spin cycle is the cryptic question about “who benefits?” – when negative, inaccurate and in most cases, misleading arguments carry the day.
Take Kibera for example. Rightfully or wrongly, this stretch of Nairobi real estate that spans over 2.5 sq km (give or take a football pitch either side) – has garnered a world-wide reputation for being the largest slum in Africa with at least 1 million residents.
A first assumption you’d make is that the government in Kenya or some form of reliable public body or statistics agency actually did a head count and figured out that the number of folks who live in Kibera topped 1 million.
On the 3rd of Feb, I wrote Chickens come home to roost as the credit crunched bite back. As they say in football – when the home supporters get antsy about their team’s usually lousy performance, “the natives are getting restless”. Not surprising though, as human nature has a habit of defaulting us to protectionism when we’re faced with adversity that we don’t understand.
The British are now making concerted noises about the fact that the number of foreign workers in the land of the queen has doubled in the last 10 years to 3.8 million. I’m not sure yet whether this is the primary fact that irks those shouting about it – or its the fact that over 66% of these foreign workers were born outside the European union.
Seeing that folks are all getting lovey dovey and using every excuse under the sun to try and get some for Valentines day, I thought it might be good to get into the groove with a love song selection – or as they call it in the maze plantation, shika shika time selection.
In no particular order…I hope you enjoy what I’d play for you and your partner if I was your DJ for tonight….
1. My my my by Mr. Johnny Gill
Without a doubt, one of the best talents of the legends of love music…and a nice strong voice to boot. We need another legend to take over from Luther Vandross so hope he permanently comes out of retirement. This song reminds me of many moons ago when my girlfriend at the time loved Johnny Gill so much she said it was so bad that she could cut his head off and put it in the freezer just so she could see him every day. Needless to say, we did part ways…LOL!
2. Have you ever by Brandy
What a voice? This young lady will top my list of all time favourite vocalists any time.
3. Rock me tonight (for old times sake) by Mr. Freddie Jackson
Now how can this song not do it for you. I tell you, panties have fallen around the world coz’ of this tune. Good ol’ Freddie.
4. He is by Heather Headley
Ladies, if you’ve got a good man who loves you, this song is one to dedicate to him. Make sure you’re singing the lyrics out loud to him if you want to stroke his ego…just for Valentines day only, otherwise he’ll get used to it.
5. For you by Kenny Lattimore
Definitely a contender for the Capital FM (Nairobi) “Lie like a man” gag….any guy who sings the lyrics of this song to a woman on Valentines day (as opposed to any other regular day) is probably lying like a nonsense…but hey, if it gets you into her panties (shrug) do what you have to do to make her happy on Valentines day.
6. I love me some him by Toni Braxton
Good ol’ Toni. Always dependable when it comes to unleashing some serious love songs. She’s got a dirty mind too if she wants to…but a good old fashioned slow jam to get you into the mood anyway.
7. Last night by Az Yet
Plucked right out of the Nutty Professor Soundtrack – without a doubt a song that doesn’t need explanation or one that masks intent with mob mooshy lyrics. It simply talks about being inside of you…go figure….And by the way, its intresting to note that President Obama’s “Chief of Stuff” (or his bodyman) has the same name Reggie Love, as Eddie Murphy’s alter ego in the Nutty Professor movie…but I digress. Last night it was.
8. Stroke you up by Changing faces
A favourite from back in the days of my mis-spent youth. Lots of memories from the days when R Kelly and Keith Sweat were in their element as producers…The sort of song that used to give guys boners hadharani.
9. Someone to love by Jon B featuring Babyface
Without a doubt one of my fav songs…and another one that reminds me of the more romantic days of my mis-spent youth and self perceived prowess with them of the fairer sex. A good tune to romance to.
10. Red light special by TLC
This song is just outright dirty…LOL! Decent enough if you’re not really paying attention – but with lyrics like “I’ll let you touch if you wanna go down, and I’ll let you go further if you take the south route”…yeah, further to the red light special – go figure.
Now if you don’t get laid with all these props on Valentines day…..Hhhhmmmm!
The images and anguish of Australians this weekend as we all watch whole towns in Victoria being obliterated is a poignant moment that fails to leave the mind.
My friend 3TOC thinks that mother nature is very angry with us and it’s hard to argue against that when you consider how the elements have conspired to unleash the most fierce and devastating bush fires that Australians and the world have seen in their lifetime.
I sincerely hope that those affected will eventually find some peace and begin to understand and come to terms with this tragedy. This is a powerful reminder of how precious life is and how we take a lot of things for granted.
Call me paranoid, call me sceptical, call me a conspiracy theorist – but I think I’ve just been tagged by big brother with the complicity of Google and the staff at blogger.
This is how I know:
I write a lengthy perspective article on a current issue about civil rights that is quite controversial and involves outright violation of an individual’s civil liberties.
I publish the post and blogger confirms that its published.
I view the post and Internet Explorer tells me that it’s not possible to open my blog and that the operation has been aborted.
My blog is live because I can test all the other permanent links from other posts and I can view them this way
I publish a test post (without any controversy or drama) and it publishes and views fine
I edit my hot post and remove certain keywords that are being watched – usually for the sake of national security) and republish the post, and I get the same blog aborted message.
I publish this post
Lakini some people jomoko yawa….
How did we get to the stage of stopping bloggers live from publishing controversial material that IS a matter of civil liberties – and because they’re potentially embarrassing? And the damn frigging news is in the public domain….
