Life's a test

I need a calming breeze

Now, is on me.

Anxious thoughts flood my my brain. This desire for self achievement is torturing my head. Serenity is so far away, where the goal gets farther the more that I climb. Is this what I want? Or is it the status what I chase. This feeling is so overwhelming I’m turning to Him for guidance. I cannot take this any longer and I need a break. Only time will tell.

Puerto Rico, the 51st State?

 Should Puerto Rico become the union’s 51^st state?  

Puerto Rico has been under US sovereignty since the Spanish American War in 1898, where United States gained territorial control of Puerto Rico, along with Philippines and Guam. Since this time, United States and Puerto Rico have engaged in a very peculiar relationship; and to this date, Puerto Rico remains a territory.  In 1917, part of the Jones-Shafroth act, the United States Congress granted the people of Puerto Rico US citizenship, the right to have an elected state senate, established a Bill of Rights, and authorized the election of a Resident Commissioner (a non-voting representative) to a four year term. Consequently, with their new United States citizenship, many Puerto Ricans were drafted into World War I and all following wars with United States involvement in which a national military draft was in effect. In the summer of 1952, President Harry S. Truman, signed in to law approving the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Constitution. However, the term commonwealth that is commonly used to describe the relationship between United States and Puerto Rico does not hold the same meanings such as other States like Pennsylvania, Virginia, Kentucky and Massachusetts.

There are many pros and cons to all three of the options that PR has; which are Statehood, Independence from the Union or to remain as a water-down version of a Commonwealth. First are the pros of Statehood. PR has an exclusive opportunity to join the union and participate of the same benefits, and responsibilities if being a vital part of the United States of America. When it comes to the economics of Puerto Rico, the option of statehood has many pros. The most important is that the government of Puerto Rico will receive taxes from their citizens to help the infrastructure of the state. Puerto Rico would also benefit from the ability to hold an open market trade with any nation that is in agreement   with the United States. This would open more jobs and would help to stabilize the growing deficit the island currently has. By becoming a state, Puerto Rico would also enjoy certain benefits of United States’ high per capita income and at times low unemployment rate (currently the unemployment rate in Puerto Rico is 16.9% as of April 2011, the highest in America (Economy at glance, Puerto Rico, 2011). Some of the advantages for United States Corporations are found in the possibility of expanding their business to the island without the international clauses. For example, electric companies could look into setting different energy plants, and compete for the island’s business since currently most of the utilities on the island are provided by the government in a semi-nationalized way.

Politically, there are a number of advantages that Puerto Rico will experience in becoming a State. For the first time in Puerto Rico’s history, they would have a voice in Congress, with five to seven representatives and two senators. Currently, Puerto Rico has a Resident Commissioner with a “voice” but no vote. Also, becoming a State would remove the island from the Territorial claws of the United States Constitution and would grant Puerto Rico the same political importance as all other 50 states.

There are some negatives that the island has to take in consideration when making this decision. One of the reasons the idea of statehood could be argued is the rise of cost of living in the island by becoming part of the union. Secondly, statehood would mean that Puerto Ricans will have to pay federal taxes.

Culturally, the idea of statehood worries many Puerto Ricans on the island. For example, the island will no longer participate or have a representative in the Miss Universe Pageant, which they have won five times. In addition, Puerto Rico would not be acknowledged as an individual nation in the Olympic Games. These two representations are very significant for all Puerto Ricans since they are a display of national pride. As a result of statehood, all international representations would be restrained and the island would be obligated to participate in the same way that all other 50 states do; represent collectively the United States in international events. 

One of the last issues that Puerto Rico has with statehood is the possibility of a bill in Congress that will propose that English is the official language of the United States. A similar bill was proposed in 2005 and did not pass, but if Puerto Rico was granted statehood, residents of the island would have to abide by this requirement.

As of April of 2010, a bill passed in congress that would allow Puerto Ricans go for a referendum to decide if it wants statehood, or to maintain its current status. Maybe this issue will go unanswered for many years or Puerto Ricans will realize that they have to make a decision, whatever that could be.

Why

Another night with my head in the oven

Manchester Orchestra At Towson MD.

After an hour drive to Towson MD, we arrive at the Recher theater around 8:15pm. By the time we made it inside, The Features were setting up their gear. Not knowing much about them we decided to find a spot where we could enjoy the show.  But from the very first song, The Features caught my attention and I was very impressed with their music.  The guitars are scratchy, the vocals sharp, and the mood defiantly carefree. Many in the audience seemed to know the band already, and most of the rest of us were quickly won over.

After like it seem a quite short set, we knew that Manchester was next.  Starting with the epic heavy rocker “Pride,” the band pounded out four or five songs before taking a breath. There was very little stage banter, as Manchester Orchestra focused more on bringing us as much music as possible rather than entertaining us with the obligatory interaction with the crowd. Some might of seem this as a “disrespect to the crowd” but to me it was necessary.  Now, I love the banter with some bands but these guys have the rare gift of being able to maintain an intimate connection with the crowd without it. “Colly Strings” almost had everyone crying.  Then they preview a new song and he later said they would be recording soon after this tour, which of course was met with copious cheering. They almost played both albums live to its entirety and I have to say that it was amazing. For the final song, “Where have you been?” members of the other bands came out with extra drums and added percussion and the place felt magical. After the last song,  Manchester Orchestra left the stage without a gimmicky encore or the crowd yelling “one more song” which at times I have to say that gets old. I will say that this concert was one of the best if not THE BEST show I’ve seen. If you have the time and want to experience raw emotion at its best, go see them! Until next time…

Year of the Black Rainbow

Coheed and Cambria’s Year of the Black Rainbow ensembles what a Rock album should be! Once again they have accomplished what many bands are still trying to strive to. Some people say that the best way to let somebody into your life is to create a story; and Claudio has done that. To say the least; this is the most personal album I’ve heard coming from the the band. After listening to this album for a week non-stop I can finally put it down gather my thoughts about it. In a Coheed fashion, the first track of the album opens with a futuristic ambient sound that takes you back where past chapters left you. With a familiar sound, The Broken takes you and does not let go until the song ends. The song has a very catchy sound and it could be a single.

Guns of Summer enters the stage and absolutely blows you away. For the first time in Coheed’s discography we truly experience what four amazing musicians can do when they try to challenge each other musically. The Song is exiting, complex and like nothing they have done before. Chris Pennie on drums, extends Co&Ca range by adding the element of complexity in drums that they needed. Honestly speaking, he is one of the only drummers that could do that for the band. Here we are the juggernaut follows and gives you, the single. This song on it’s own can stand and allow non listeners to experience a good Coheed song. 

Far enters when you least expect it. With a Prize Fighter Inferno feel to it, this is an attempt of experimenting with different elements without making this album, an electronica version of Coheed and Cambria. Great love song! Unfortunately the next three songs are not what we just experienced, even though they are good, they get lost. Then we enter Pearl of the stars… Claudio’s range in this song is amazing and is like the wake up call that you needed.

In the flame of error, the band gives you lyrically what The Crowing showcased in IKSSE3. There are so many layers recorded in this song that every time you listen to it, there is a new sound that you didn’t hear before. When Skeletons Live, keeps the same feeling that the album has, effortlessly shifting from elements of math-rock to catchy choruses. The Black Rainbow is the last song of the album, and it feels like the culminating piece of the saga. Claudio’s lines of “It’s OVER!” throughout the song, reminds you that this is the last installment of a great journey. This song is powerful, intense and climactic providing the album with a sense of closure. 

Year of the Black Rainbow is the end of Coheed and Cambria’s saga of releases, build­ing on the instru­men­tal chem­istry of the band while deliv­er­ing their most con­sis­tent offer­ing to date. Take my opinion for what it is, and I wish everybody that hears this album could enjoy it as much as I have.