RIP Ray Charles

Please spare me all the bullshit about Ronald Reagan.  From what I have

learned, he was probably one of the absolute worst presidents in terms of

issues that mean anything at all to me.



He fought to keep Apartheid in place so that thousands of blacks could

continue to have their land taken from them, forced into camps, and/or

murdered.  He illegally invaded 3-4 central american countries including but

not limited too Guatamala, Honduras, and Nicaraugua.  He sold weapons to

Iran.  He approved Israel's invasion of Lebanon.  He ignored the AIDS

epidemic and helped label it as a 'gay man's disease'.  He started this

whole president as puppet thing that put W in the oval office.  And they are

now talking about putting his face on the 50 cent piece instead of

Kennedy??!!  Are you serious??!!



This Reagan shit has got to stop.  I'm sorry the man died, but I think a

more important person died this week: Ray Charles.



That's right.



Ray Charles died today and this is a man who touched more people in a

positive way then Ronald Reagan every could have dreamed about.  There will

be no state funerals, no people lining the streets in the sweltering heat,

no congressional speeches, no visits from British royalty, and no 24 gun

salute.



Ray Charles epitomized soul music.  He was able to transcend rock, blues,

gospel, and country to become one of the most universally recognized figures

in music.  Not to mention he was a helluva piano player.  And by the way,

did you know Ray Charles was blind?  Ray Charles' smile, his vigor for life

and general good nature came through whenever he spoke, whenever he sang or

performed.  I ask if you knew he was blind, because I don't think he did. 

He didn't live his life as if his inability to see was some sort of

deterrant to success.  I think I have problems half the time, but I couldn't

imagine being blind, especially as an architect.  Sight to me is one of the

most precious gifts you have and you should cherish the fact that you are

able to see the words in front of you.



What we can learn from Ray Charles is that we should all be thankful for

what we have and the little obstacles that we allow into our mindset that

prevent us from accomplishing our goals should be ignored.  Our problems are

not as big as we think they are.  So the next time you're down and think

about how much work it will take to reach the goals we've set for ourselves,

think of Ray.



~C



CD of the moment: Gonna go home and pull out some Ray Charles.