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Susan
Mangatal - susan@ariousentertainment.us
Happy
Memorial Day
 
Greetings
on-line family!
Earlier this month the Carnival Season in North America began
with the Tampa Carnival,
which took place during the Mother's Day Weekend (May 9-10th) at
the Cuban Club Outdoor Arena in Ybor City, Tampa. However,
this weekend the Carnival season in North America officially
kicks off because the Atlanta Georgia Caribbean Carnival takes
place over this entire Memorial Day Weekend. Normally the
Orlando, Florida Caribbean Carnival takes place this weekend as
well, but I have not received any official word from the
Organizers about it taking place, nor could I find anything on
the internet.
I'm
sure by now you are completely knowledgeable about Caribbean
Carnivals. It is
an event which is very similar to the "Mardi Gras"
that takes place in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is definitely
not as many folks think - an amusement park
with rides and games.
Actually,
the Caribbean Carnival "Carnival" within the
Caribbean is described as a festival - "a festival full of
colors" transformed into costumes or "Mas" (short
for masquerade); full of music - calypso, soca, steel band
music, iron sections; full of dance; an array of ethnic foods as
well as Caribbean art. Some people describe Carnival as a
form of freedom of just letting oneself go on the day/s of the
event, and enjoying the music, the parties...just having
enormous amounts of FUN!!! FUN!!! FUN!!!
Carnival
is indeed a whole lot of fun that attracts millions of people
from around the globe, and it has become a huge year-round
business entity in America. It allows each culture to pay
tribute to, and (1) expose their art form in the cities where
the Carnival is held; (2) it provides enjoyment to millions of
people and revenues to businesses year round, and (3) for the cities
it is held in, it increases tourism and generates revenue for
the city government. Carnival
is a indeed "a big business."
Unlike
in the Caribbean where Carnival is part of the culture, here in
America it's more a showcase of the culture. Keep in mind
though, carnival is
not only a show it's an interactive show in which everyone is
encouraged to participate.
As
you can imagine this entire "Carnival thing" is very
nice and is lots of fun, so if you are in Atlanta or have the
opportunity to travel there this weekend, you must check out the
Carnival and focus on the Mas bands along the parade route.
You are sure to have lots of fun, and please "take a jump
and a whine for me". The
next big Carnivals in North America that will be taking place in the upcoming
months are Philadelphia, Virginia Carifest, Tampa Bay, Washington DC, Baltimore,
New York and Miami. Below are costumes from bands who are
working with us, and who we are sponsoring in some form or
another. They will be participating in the Washington DC
and Baltimore Carnivals. Click on their sites located
under their picture to obtain more details on playing
"mas" with them, so you are able to fully experience
Carnival.
 
Umm...Umm...Umm...What blissful days we are living now, as
this Democratic presidential primary elections move on.
Imagine, just a few more elections left and Senator Barack Obama
is approximately 60 delegates away from reaching the total of 2025 delegates needed
to secure his parties Presidential nomination, and declaring
victory in this Democratic race. Even though he has made
history with his winnings and speeches, he is moving even closer
to making history as the first black democratic nominee for
President. So..."Yes, he can, and Yes we can"
certainly help him get there by making sure we go out and vote in the
upcoming primaries and caucus. This Tuesday go out and
vote in the Idaho primary, and on June 3rd the 2 last contests
will be held in Montana and South Dakota. Finally, on June
13 Nebraska will hold their caucus.
The Kentucky and Oregon Primaries were fascinating, however this
time instead of sitting in front of the TV listening to all the rhetoric
from the Political Strategists on CNN and other cable networks,
we decided to go out to dinner just to get away from watching
and hearing their views. As many of you know, Senator
Hilary Clinton won the Kentucky primary by a large margin, and
Senator Barack Obama won the Oregon Primary with a nice lead as
well. The delegates they received from these states are
as follows: (1) Kentucky: Clinton received 37 and Obama
received 14; and (2) Oregon: Clinton received 21 and Obama
received 31. Bringing their total delegates received to
date in this race per ABC News: Hilary Clinton: 1779 and
Barack Obama 1967. As you can see Senator Obama has a
substantial lead in the pledged delegates; he is now
approximately 30 Super Delegates ahead of Senator Clinton, and
most importantly he HAS WON THE MAJORITY OF PLEDGED DELEGATES!!
As for Super Delegates who are supporting Obama, it's
shocking to see some of the people who have recently announced their
support. The most shocking is Senator Robert C. Byrd,
Democrat of West Virginia who endorsed Obama on
5/19/08. (Senator Byrd is a former member of the Ku
Klux Klan and a one-time opponent of civil rights legislation)
He stated:
| "As people
all across this great nation know, I have been one of
the most outspoken opponents of the Bush
Administration’s misguided war in Iraq and its saber
rattling around the globe."
"With the Bush
Administration's latest request to fund this on-going
war in Iraq without any attempt to start bringing our
troops home, the issue of the upcoming presidential
contest has been weighing heavily on my heart. The loss
of life continues and the sons and daughters of tens of
thousands of American families remain in harm’s way
every day."
"This Democratic
primary campaign has been tough and competitive. I had
no intention of involving myself in the Democratic
campaign for President in the midst of West Virginia's
primary election. But the stakes this November could not
be higher."
"After a great deal of
thought, consideration and prayer over the situation in
Iraq, I have decided that, as a super delegate to the
Democratic National Convention, I will cast my vote for
Senator Barack Obama for President. Both Senators
Clinton and Obama are extraordinary individuals, whose
integrity, honor, love for this country and strong
belief in our Constitution I deeply respect."
"I believe that Barack
Obama is a shining young statesman, who possesses the
personal temperament and courage necessary to extricate
our country from this costly misadventure in Iraq, and
to lead our nation at this challenging time in history.
Barack Obama is a noble-hearted patriot and humble
Christian, and he has my full faith and support." |
To me these primaries were nothing
compared to learning about the multitudes of people who came out
to Senator Obama's rally on the banks of the Willamette River at
Tom McCall Waterfront Park in Portland, Oregon this past Sunday
- May 18, 2008. Can you believe a total of 75,000
people were in attendance? No exaggeration, it was 75,000
people, and from the pictures and research it was indeed as it
was described "a sea of
heads stretched for approximately half a mile along the grassy embankment,
while others watch from kayaks and power boats bobbing on the
Willamette River. More hug the rails of the steel bridge that
stretches across the water and crowds are even watching from
jetties on the opposite shore." The biggest crowd every at a
campaign rally...this is absolutely impressing and very
thrilling!!!! In the words of Senator Obama as he
surveyed the crowd on this historic day "Wow! Wow!
Wow!" You tell me is Obama "hot or
what"? What more can be done for many to see and
accept that there are massive amounts of people in America who
want and is seeking CHANGE. Surly something truly
magical is taking place here!!!
Let's talk about the Candidates for a minute. The words
I heard from Senator Obama via his speech in
Iowa on May 20, 2008, was very moving, and what really touched
me was what he said about Senator Hilary Clinton “Senator Clinton has shattered myths and broken barriers
and changed the America in which my daughters and your daughters
will come of age, and for that we are grateful to her." There
could not have been a more lovelier statement about Senator
Clinton made by Senator Obama. Very lovely
indeed!!!
As
you know I questioned Senator Clinton's strength in the beginning, and I must
say she is undeniably very strong and quite determined, and I am
proud of her accomplishments! However, now that the end is
rapidly approaching I am seeing a different side of her that's
very familiar to me, and which is a huge fault of mine...That is
not knowing when to give up. Todd has said to me on many
occasions he admires my will and strength to go on, and to
follow through to the end of every project or business venture
we take on. So much so, to the point of never wanting to
give up. I am learning on a daily basis to fix that fault,
and now I see exactly what he's saying when he talks about my
WILL to go on to the end. Senator Clinton certainly has
that WILL.
Nevertheless, I simply
don't agree with her determination of breaking and changing the
Democratic National Committee (DNC) rules, that's a
NO...NO! To me it shows very little respect for the DNC,
and is absolutely unacceptable (in my opinion.) It's one
thing having a desire to win, but it's another when your goal is
to change and defy the rules your party have laid down, and
which you had agreed to at the beginning of the race.
I mentioned above that
Senator Obama's speech in Iowa on Tuesday night touched me...yes
it certainly did! Read the most important part below,
where he talks about "Change".
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Excerpts
of Senator Obama's Speech in Iowa on Tuesday, May 20,
2008
"Now, I will leave
it up to Senator McCain to explain to the American
people whether his policies and positions represent
long-held convictions or Washington calculations, but
the one thing they don’t represent is change.
Change is a tax code that rewards work instead of
wealth, by cutting taxes for middle-class families, and
senior citizens, and struggling homeowners, a tax code
that rewards businesses that create good jobs here in
America, instead of the corporations that ship them
overseas. That’s what change is.
Change is a health care plan that guarantees
insurance to every American who wants it, that brings
down premiums for every family who needs it, that stops
insurance companies from discriminating and denying
coverage to those who need it most. That’s what change
is.
Change is an energy policy that doesn’t rely on
buddying up to the Saudi royal family and then begging
them for oil, an energy policy…
Change is an energy policy that puts a price on
pollution and makes the oil companies invest their
record profits in clean, renewable sources of energy
that will create millions of new jobs and leave our
children a safer planet. That’s what change is, Iowa.
Change is giving every child a world-class education
by recruiting an army of new teachers with better pay
and more support, by promising four years of tuition to
any American willing to serve their community and their
country, by realizing that the best education starts
with parents who turn off the TV, and take away the
video games, and read to their children once in a while.
That’s what change is.
Change is ending a war that we never should have
started.
Change is finishing a war against Al Qaida in
Afghanistan that we never should have ignored.
Change is facing the threats of the 21st century, not
with bluster or fear-mongering or tough talk or
suspending due process, but with tough diplomacy and
strong alliances and confidence in the ideals that have
made this nation the last best hope on Earth.
That is the legacy of Roosevelt and Truman and
Kennedy. That, Iowa, is what change is. That is the
choice in this election.
...
Change is coming.
...
It’s what led all those young men and women who saw
beatings and billy-clubs on their television screens to
leave the safety of their homes and get on buses and
march through the streets of Selma and Montgomery, black
and white, rich and poor.
Change is coming to America, Iowa.
To hear the entire speech
scroll below and click the picture to launch the video!
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I leave
you with the same statement I have left you with every week. "Please
remember to
judge Senator Obama on his words, his actions and the content of
his character.
Kindly continue standing up and not
accepting the same old tactics, rhetoric
and old politics. Most importantly let's continue building this movement
and voting for Senator Barack Obama". With your support and votes Senator
Obama will continue succeeding. We know he is "the
one"..."the one" who absolutely has the
ability and wisdom to move us forward; "the one"
who has the answers to all of the many issues plaguing America
currently, and we know he is "the one" who can take us
forward toward that change we are seeking in a positive
manner. I hope you are looking forward to
the overall change as I am, so lets continue making history
together!!!!"
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The
below video is of Senator
Barack Obama speaking to a crowd in Iowa on May 20,
2008. (As
the polls closed in Kentucky and was being counted in
Oregon)
Click
the picture below to launch video
(20
minutes & 15 seconds)
Courtesy
of CNN and powered by YouTube
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The
below video shows many faces and comments of people who
attended Senator
Barack Obama's largest campaign rally (in the history of
rallies.) A total of 75,000
people were in attendance in Portland Oregon on Sunday,
May 18 2008 He was accompanied by his family!
Courtesy
of www.barackobama.com,
powered by YouTube
To see more about this rally click the following link
to launch
another video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVuxS-HuFlc
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Here is a
brief thought regarding the Republicans. Last week unbelievably
Senator McCain talked about bringing the troops home in 2013,
and this week he repeatedly called Senator Obama naive because
Obama feels it's important to speak with both America's friends
and enemies as several past Presidents have done .
Clearly, the old Republican/Bush tactics and policies have not
worked including not talking to the enemies of America;
so therefore, we must change this old
administration! Another thing I believe the
Republicans have a lot of control over and what "sickens me
to the core" is this high gas prices that are increasing on
a daily basis (it is now approaching $4.00 per gallon.) I
am certain President Bush can do something about alleviating
these high prices. From my research I learned that Canada
is America’s largest supplier of imported oil, and only 40%
comes from Saudi Arabia. If you follow Bush you would have
known some weeks ago he had meetings with his friends Canadian
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Mexico's President Felipe
Calderon in New Orleans at the fourth North American Leaders
Summit (a two-day meeting). Don't you think President Bush
could meet and talk to his good friend Prime Minister Harper and
deal with him regarding lowering the prices of the oil that he
is supplying to America. Instead he visits Saudi Arabia
and asked them to lower their prices.
They say
"a picture is worth a thousand words" check out
the following picture I came across on the internet (not sure of
the source), which I feel clearly reflects what is taking place
in the United States by the Current Administration. Let me
know your thoughts on this susan@ariousentertainment.us.
Celebrate Memorial Day at De Panyard. Pan Masters Steel
Orchestra will be hosting its 10th Steel Band Jamboree on Sunday, May
25, 2008 at DE Panyard located at North Brentwood, Maryland.
Scroll down to our "Featured Events" for all the
details or you can CLICK
HERE.
 Thanks
to the many who have sent me e-mails in
response to my past E-Newsletters and lots of important
information. Most importantly I thank you for your
encouraging words!
Please enjoy this Memorial Day Weekend!!
   
To all of you
our on-line family, thanks for reading, sharing your thoughts
and comments with us, and for always supporting
us. As you know without you there would be no us.
So thanks very much for your support and One Love!
For All Events
Go To
Our "Events"
Page
Check out our
"Featured Events" listed below. Many are taking place
this weekend, so log on to our "Events Page" above to
view all the events, and please go out and Support!
Also, there are
several taking next weekend and beyond, so to view all the Events please log on
to our "Events" Page above!
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Washington
DC
May
23-25, 2008
Atlanta
Caribbean Carnival
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Baltimore, Maryland
May
31, 2008
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or Click
Here
