My Blog

My Cathartic Week.

vulcan — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:03:51 GMT

When I got back to New Brunswick from Pennsylvania the first question asked me by my friends was : "How was your weekend?" My answer was "Cathartic." They all responded with an "Awesome!" But in my mind it wasn't just the weekend. I was still going through what the ancient Greeks, where we got the term catharsis, as cleansing or purging. It began as a medical term but was over time used to describe an emotional balancing. One way the Athenians went about this was through theater festivals. During the day they would watch two tragedies and then a comedy. Now when I say tragedy, I'm talking about stuff like a guy who, kills his real father without knowing it's his father, marrying his mother who is the queen of the city and having daughters from there marriage. It's the kind of stuff Jerry Springer could only dream of! Then a comedy afterward with satyrs parading around with huge penis'. So from tears to laughter came a balancing. At least that was what they were shooting for. So when I told my friends that my weekend was cathartic, I meant that it was cleansing, balancing, a purification of my soul. Friday - Got a lift to Philly PA from a loud and cacophonous band named Bone Dust. Made up of three women they were playing a venue in New Brunswick. After helping em load up I made mention to some of the folks there how I was planning to head to Philly Pa Friday. One of the Bone Dust women said they could give me a lift. Great news. They drop me off at a Philly venue named Disgrace Land and I started the long walk to my friends place. This was not a problem since Philadelphia is what they call a Walking City. For me that means you don't have to go far before you find a place to eat! "Hey, here's a diner. And there's a corner mom and pop store. And my gracious, it's Pats CHEESE STEAKS!!!!" I arrive at my friends and great friends I'd not seen in years who had come to reconnect, update each other face to face, and attend the East Coast OI! Fest in Allentown PA. Saturday - Saturday morning I got up before my friends and got caffeinated, took a shower, then started to shave. When I get moody I grow hair. Over the last six months I had grown a beard. Taking it off and sharpening up the chops I thought of the inspiration for my finally cleaning myself up. But first a shot detour back to ancient Greece. This time we'll visit Sparta. I'm providing this info so you have an idea of my perspective on what a friend of mind said to me. The ancient Greek City State of Sparta was in a region named Laconia. From this we get the word Laconic, or laconic humor. These are short, to the point, statements that would cut down a man verbally. This is Way different to what I hear on TV or radio. Just a lot of shouting and cleaver verbal tricks masked as questions to shut someone up or to dishonor them. But the real Laconic phrase shows how cleaver and insightful someone can be even if they seem like idiots to you. At least till they open there mouths. So anyway. I had grown a big beard with no mustache. Hey, I thought I looked like a Spartan warrior but the local skins would say things like, Pedro, you look like a terrorists. "When ya gonna shave that off." or "Pedro, when ya gonna shave that shit off?" or "Pedro, Save that shit off!" Then one day a friend known as Eddie Shots comes along. He sees me with the beard and drops just five words on me. "You Look like Amish Bin-Laden." I saw the smile on my face in the bathroom mirror as I thought of it. I was sure he would approve my return to facial stability. After getting dressed, came breakfast. My phone rings with the happy tone I chose for my text messages. It was from a NY Skin coming to the East Coast Oi Fest as well. "Hey I am Sorry can't talk right now but I am a mess but I needed to tell you they found Eddie Shots dead in his apt last night oh Pedro i am sorry" Some may think a text message of this weight was crass at best. But Rich knew me enough to know that my finding out about this after walking into the venue in Allentown would have been the worst way. I stepped outside in my friends garden. Sitting in the sun on beautiful spring day, I thought to myself, "And the world keeps on turning." It all seemed the same but it wasn't. By sending that message I got to live with the new reality of my life for several hours before walking into The Crocodile Rock. The venue where te weekend music fest was taking place. I arrive at the venue after 5 pm I think. I went through the ritual of showing my ID and getting the pat down for weapons. The place was packed and was divided over whether to look for Rich or get a beer. I decided I needed a beer or seven. After ordering I was presented with a bottle of Yuengling. This I thought strange. There were no bottles last year or the year before that. But today I was patted down for weapons and then given a glass hand grenade. Not just any glass hand grenade. A glass hand grenade filled with delicious beer. I stopped giving it any more thought when Storm Watch took to the stage. Jeff the lead singer said that he had an intro prepared but he scrapped it. He told the crowd that a friend Eddie Shots had died and that everything he says and every song they sing is for Eddie. They went into the set and were great. Afterward Jeff with a smile on his face asked me, "Did I look possessed?" (as I had described him in my zine a while back.) I said "Yea " and we touched fists. Later I was told they didn't play stay in the closet because they didn't know if I was coming or not. I responded with, "It's OK. I lost the 'So many men, so little time.' T-shirt and left the 'I'm not gay, I just have sex with men' one back in Jersey." Me and Rich found each other. With a sullen look on his face he walks up to me and we wrap our arms around each other. It was the first of many long hugs for the next few long days. I thanked Rich for sending the text. He said he knew that I had to be told as soon as possible. Later I ran into my buddy Chris. Another friend for whom I had allowed to much time to pass with out hanging out. He was his standard drunk happy self. He told me there were a few fights before my arrival. That was another difference from last year. The mood was chill and every skin I knew had only a thumbs up for it all. This year there was a different vibe. Chris related to me his trying to keep a bonehead from getting into a fight with a trad. One of his arguments consisted of "Dude! You spent 35 bux to come here. Have a good time!" Chris and I caught up on things but I think he could tell something was up. At one point he took a break from jumping up and down drunkenly to grab my wriet and raise it up and down. As he instructed me on pounding the air to the music he said, "You only have one chance to be happy in life!" One of the bands a lot of skins had traveled far to see was Ox Blood. Before they walked out on stage the New York skinhead contingent started clapping and chanting "NYC, NYC, NYC." For some reason a smile came on my face. I guess because some sense of normality had asserted itself. There was sadness but there were good times ahead. I ran into the singer of Ox Blood before hand and we joked about how long we've been in the scene. "Maybe too long?" I said. He said "Na. You can never rock too long!" They were in great form. Unfortunately a group of Nazis started zieg hieling about 2/3rds of the way through the set. Now for some reason NY Skinheads have no sense of humor about this. What with living in the U.S.A. because they actually want to live hear and that half a century ago this country tried to bomb these moral idiots into the stone age. To them Zieg Hieling is not exactly American. Go figure! After the set this one skin roar out "Real Skins!" several times. I could hear the fuse the neo Nazi's lit hissing away. As we waited for the 4 Skins to come on a fight broke out. I didn't care much since these things don't usually last long. But after about 40 seconds I could see it spiral out of control. The Nazis were out numbered about 20 or 30 to one. But for some reason these proud Aryan warriors grabbed a garbage can full of empty beer bottles and started throwing them at the trads. Why? Because apparently they subscribe to the philosophy that noble combat is arrived at by having your aponant as far away as possible!!! After shaking my head and wondering what to do I saw a young lady more or less in the line of fire. A bottle either hit her of crashed nearby but she did not move. I stepped up the few feet between us and guided her to a safer sopt. Then a bottle crashed on a piller near me. The blood rushed to my head, my fists clenched and I realized I was Not in the mood for This BULL SHIT ! I had just found out a man I loved was dead and I was SO NOT in the mood for This BULL SHIT. Seeing one of the boneheads who was wearing a blue jacket get separated from the pack I found myself thinking how I haul ass across the no mans land of broken glass. Yea, there would be bottles thrown but no more then three would connect. Slamming into the Smerf skin I might be able to pop him in the face a few time. Then I realized I had no back up. Seeing how these skins I didn't know were occupied I suddenly realized something. "Pedro! You are going to be 49 years old next week! And you are Not getting paid for this! Where's the security?" At that point I hear the organizer of the event Craig Downtown over the PA saying, "Where the fuck is the security? What am I paying you guys for?" My smile came back. About 47 seconds later a brave soul with a plastic face shield runs up to and climbs over the barrier and jumps my blue jacketed post pubescent brat. Anyway And I'll tell ya, he was as slippery as a greased up deaf guy! He squirmed until he got loose and scurried away. My mobile rang. My friend who drove me down asked if I was OK. "Calmly I said, "Yea I'm OK. Every thing's cool." He told me that about 30 cop cars had arrived with teh state police. I said I'd explain when I saw him outside. One of the guys who worked at the venue told me and my friend that The Four Skins would be performing tomorrow. He had an apologetic expression on his face while saying it. Then he shook my hand. No seriously. He shook my hand. I collected my friends and told them the 4 Skins would perform Sunday. As we walked to the van behind me I listened in on the discourse over the events of the evening. I turned to them and said, "Yea, it's fucked up but for me, it was a complete day." Sunday - No glass bottles. And as it turned out, no static that I could see. Eddies Band The Band of Felons, performed with out him. They felt he would have wanted this to go over well. It was all very emotional for all of us. I just felt glad to be there. I had gotten a call earlier in the week from a friend who had moved to Allentown. He wanted to get together to hang out and get caught up. I ducked into the mens room and told him I'd be out after the 4 Skins set. So the 4 Skins come out to a cheering crowd. The singer said how he had heard about Eddie dying. He had never met Eddie but from what he heard he seemed like a great guy. They dedicated a song to him. When they got to ACAB it was explained that the song was written about British cops. He had met the Allentown cops and found them to be good folks. So then they swung into the song with the Allentown police smiling as the crowd sang, "A.C.A.B, A.C.A.B, A.C.A.B, ALL COPS ARE BASTARDS!" Before leaving A mutual friend of Eddies with tears in her eyes said to me, "Would you do something for Eddie?" I didn't understand. She repeated the request. Then said that the wake was on Tuesday and the funeral was on Wednesday. She wanted me to be present, for Eddie. I have had friends die before but as much as I cared about them there funerals were a thing I avoided. I won't go into details right now. But I realize now that my motives were selfish. I said that I would be there. She said I'd be kept informed. After the 4 Skins set I said my good byes and stepped outside. There were several Skins talking to some folks on the roof of the Crocodile Rock asking for them to look for a friend. The description? "He has a shaved head, a flight and side burns." I said loud enough for all to hear, "Yea, that narrows it down!" Waiting on the corner across the street from me were two Allentown Cops, a man and a women. They were all smiles and chatted with a few of the various punks and skins who went by. While saying good bye to yet another skin I'd not seen in years I hear the female cop call my name. She pointed to my friend who had pulled himself out of the driver side window to get my attention. I didn't hear him so the police women volunteered to get my attention. "I'm just louder then he is." As I passed them and approached my friends car I looked back at the two cops and said, "What a difference a day makes!" The cops and I laughed. No one else present got the joke. Monday - Barbecue with Chris, and two other Philadelphia skins Spit, and Ian. I related the scene at the show and the riot which it seemed to me had already been blown Way our of proportion. The only thing I worried about was that the Nazis having lost the battle on Saturday may win the war by having next years OI! Fest canceled. Looking back on that Monday now it seems like the loss of Eddie had gone from my mind. They didn't know Eddie. There was no reminding me of that reality. I was just happy to be with my friends. Spit was doing especially well. He'd cut down on his drinking and concentrating his attention on his daughter and the business he was getting off the ground. Ian on the other hand wanted to get a buzz on and handed Spit a bottle of beer to chug down. Spit said he wasn't up for that so Ian turned to me and told me to chug my beer with him. I barely kept up but felt satisfied. When Ian left Spit poured half of his beer on the ground. "That's a good plan." Then with a joking tone I said. "This is for the brothers who ain't here." Spit laughed. "Yea, this is for my homies." When Ian returned one of Chris' dogs started pissing in the middle of our circle. I said "That's for the homies." We all laughed. Tuesday - I rolled in from Philly back to New Jersey just in time to walk to the WRSU radio station to do my show there. I talked about my week so far and played a Lot of music. Talking was tough for the first hour until I played a Wretched Ones song from there new CD "Make It Happen." The song was The Rockers. The chorus is, "The Rockers Will Always Stick Together." Ah, Wretched Ones. They never fail to make me feel better. Between sets of songs I posted a message for a ride to the viewing with the added request that I be able to change out of my grimy sweaty cut-offs. I got a call as I walked to the New Brunswick train station. To get to Perth Amboy I needed to switch trains at Rahway. The sky had gotten dark with storm clouds. I wasn't in a social mood so I took my chances with the weather on the exposed platform while my fellow commuters huddled under the roofs near the waiting room for the train and the predicted rain. Standing as alone as I could manage I looked up at a sky that reflected my mood at the moment. Walking slowly in a circle I spotted what seemed like a small area of blue sky through the clouds. Of course it was probably many miles across when compared to the vast urban-camo gray sky. Being higher then it was wide the gap in the clouds seemed more like a doorway. I just stood and stared up at that view of the wild blue. Then two dark clouds moved slowly towards each other from either side of it like two sliding doors closing. Just before they came together hiding the wide open space behind them I said quietly "Goodbye Eddie. Goodbye." When my opportunity came to stand by the coffin I lost it. I realized that this wasn't something I was going to wake up from. This was real. What was in that box looked like Eddie but it wasn't. He was really gone. Stepping outside through back exit there was music from a car and a small aquarium sized bottle of Jack Danial's that was being passed around by The Quad Father. And there were many long hugs. Hugs is the wrong word. Embrace works better. I thought I'd cried myself out but every once in a while the liquid macho would welling up in my eyes. (Yes! I call it Liquid Macho) With my eyes glistening with grief a buddy I know who is not a hugger came up to me slowly. The serious expression was standard for him but today it was not the same. He looked me straight in the eyes as his thick tattooed covered arms arms pulled me close. In the Bible it's written, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." I truly understand it now. Wednesday - I got a text from a friend in New Brunswick named Dominic. Over a week ago we planned on hanging out on Wednesday. I sent a text saying "Duty calls till about 11sh." The funeral was solemn and familiar. Being raised Catholic I knew the rituals but for me it seemed empty. This was more for the family so I contributed as a gesture of respect. It was when the Bag Pipes began to play that I lost it again. Such an ancient sound. No explanation other then that. We followed the procession to cemetery, and with the conclusion of it all it felt like there was still something to be done. Thursday - I never have made plans for my birthday. People are either at a show, a barbecue or moving. They either forget and are apologetic, or they didn't know so they give me a "Happy Birth Day! Ya fucker! Why didn't ya tell me?" That was the response from Rich who called my on Friday the 30th. I explained that the last time I saw him was at the funeral . And we all had other things on our minds. But as it turned out it was the best birthday of my life. I don't recall feeling more grateful. Hugging my friends I'd just hold on to them longer then usual trying not to choke up as I said, "I'm really glad to see you." Lessons In life, the best and the very worst of times can be seen as lessons. I have had troubles learning from both over the years. One thing I have noticed is that if ya don't get the lesson the first time it seems to be re-taught only in a more blatant way. I decided to make a list of what lessons may be taken from this week. 1. Some things can't wait. Rich was feeling nearly overwhelmed hearing about Eddie but he took the time to make sure I knew. There are some things that can wait of course. For example, telling you're parents you are Gay should not be done while they are driving down the NJ turnpike. 2. You have one chance in life to be happy. And that chance is offered every morning when you wake up. Even if you can't manage to be happy for a minuet there's another chance the next day. Which brings me to, 3. You can never know what tomorrow brings. And finally 4. Hold on to each other as long as you can. And that was my week. -- Pedro of New Jersey On the Air and On-Line at www.HearNewBrunswick.com Sundays 2 till 4pm EST www.WRSU.Org 88.7 fm Tuesdays 2 till 4 PM EST

The Power Of Myth in Action: A Short Essay and an Example

vulcan — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 17:12:01 GMT

The Power of Myth in Action: a Short Essay and an Example “To understand how myths work, let’s take a look at the sub-culture of punk rock. Punk history doesn’t need to be “remembered” (i.e., written down for everyone by the experts), for it is all present every time a punk band plays and, drawing on a tradition longer then any of us could possibly remember, recaptures that ageless, timeless frenzy that makes punk rock matter in the first place. The facts and details of the past are absolutely irrelevant, and could not themselves enable any band to do this; the band must simply recognize the timeless, crucial element that made there predecessors music matter, and learn from them that it cannot be caught the same way twice. All those punk history books just weigh you down, and become obviously immaterial when a band is in front of you doing it. That passion you can still see in that wild abandon of the best punk bands, is an ahistorical force if anything is – it isn’t something that can be explained in terms of history and tradition: what they are drawing on is above all a tradition of violating tradition, of breaking taboos in order to broaden the world. Thus, when it works, the myth of the punk band that destroys and liberates through music is not a restrictive archetype, not a confining “identity”, but a model that enables action” From “Days of War, Nights of Love; Crimethink for Beginners” 2001 +++++++++ “OK, here's a true story. A couple of years ago some friends of mine The Bouncing Souls, and two other bands The Dropkick Murphy’s, and The Dwarves they were going on tour. It started in Canada. The show starts and the kids are dancing around. And the bouncers, described as ‘football player jock types,’ ware literally slamming kids on the ground because they didn't like the way they were dancing. So the kids revolted and literally jumped on top of these guys. The bouncers got disgusted and left. The owner of the venue cut the power and called the cops. So the cops come and the kids are sitting on the floor chanting ‘Sham 69, Sham 69, Sham 69...’ For folks that don't know Sham 69 is a punk rock band going way back who wrote a song titled "If the Kids are United They Will Never Be Divided." But that's to long to chant so they did "Sham 69, Sham 69 Sham 69..." And the cops arrive and one takes a bull horn and shouts "BE QUIET!" Silence! Then, ‘BE QUIET, BE QUIET, BE QUIET...’ those kids started chanting ‘be quiet.’ Those kids were united by a song. And someone from the Dropkicks said to the police ‘If you just let us play, things would be fine.’ And the cop said that if they performed they would be arrested for inciting a riot: if they sang a song, they’re inciting a riot! The singer for the Dropkick Murphy’s went on stage and told the kids that they were going outside and that they would perform an acoustic set in the parking lot. And that's what they did. They went outside, they performed in the drizzle, the kids danced and sang along, and even the cops had a good time because they didn’t have to mace anyone. But those kids knew that they had the power. And they had a choice as to who they would give there power to. That's what music does….” Pedro Angel Serrano 51% Positive Magazine: Issue #1

Social and Political Relationships/Friendships

vulcan — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 18:35:53 GMT

Social and Political Relationships and Friendships. =================== "Some of these cultural differences quickly became apparent. From the Native American perspective, the significance of the [treaty between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoags] lay not in the document itself but in the exchange of gifts and speeches accompanying it, which ritually ended the enmity between the two peoples and redrew the boundaries separating them. Their new relationship was not merely a political alliance, but a spiritual realignment that brought the two peoples into a shared social network where they were bound together by mutual obligation. Shortly after the treaty was signed, passing Wampanoags started calling in at Plymouth, expecting their new friends to offer them food and accommodation. For the Pilgrims, so fearful of pollution even by their own compatriots that they had been forced to emigrate (from Europe), these casual visits by ’Savages’ seemed to transgress all the physical, cultural and religious barriers on which their sense of identity and purpose in the New World depended." -- James Wilson, The Earth Shall Weep: A History of Native America (Grove Press, 1999), pp. 80-81. When I in December of 07 read the above quote I found myself thinking about the day after next presidential election. I found myself imagining Men and Women who believe in progress, because they had experienced it in there lives, across the nation making a gesture to underscore that they were making a commitment/contract/compact, to see themselves as a part of the others community. Not that the adorable Lesbian couple visiting the the soup kitchen run by the local church would be that unusual! But with a gesture perhaps involving the giving away of something; one on one or as a simple public event at a park or street corner, or in churches and temples stating that, "We Are In this Together." Hopefully it could draw attention the the fact that the statement "We are in this together" besides being true is a perspective that among other things, promotes security for us all. I didn’t expect the divisiveness in this country to evaporate over the next year. If anything I expect it to get worse. With the historic victory of Barak Obama in Iowa came statements underscoring the historic significance of the moment. Then the proud pronouncements of how The United States had progressed. These were finally followed by the analysis of reporters and pundits; "Now it’s going to get ugly." And it has. And I feel it’s going to get worse. Between now and the election I’ll be thinking about and formulating/developing/composing, some kind of personal out reach to communities who have embraced for what ever reason the "Global warming is a plot, evolution is JUST a theory, schools should be a for profit enterprise, marriage should be defined as between a man and a women, immigrants are themselves the problem, Muslims want to kill me, ..." (You get the idea I hope) and make a " We are in this together." statement. I think it would be easier for folks to accept as a truth of "We are in this together." statement then the, "This Homosexual Skinhead of Puerto Rican decent with HIV is family." statement. Although...after a year of thinking about it and developing relationships ya never know what I may come up with. Pedro

An Anniversary Haiku

vulcan — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 15:50:47 GMT

War on terror ends Beating them at there own game That was how we lost Pedro Angel Serrano [14th March 02008]

Spring to Summer to...

vulcan — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 18:41:24 GMT

Crocuses blooming Green Daffodil leaves growing My cold calloused hands [02-09th-02008] When I saw the crocus bulbs I planted yet again piercing the leaves of the past Autumn I thought to myself yet again, “But it’s not yet spring.” I used to see the Vernal Equinox as the start of spring but in the Japanese tradition the Vernal Equinox is not The start of spring but springs peak. Look at it this way. The Winter Solstice is the longest night of the year. From that day onward the days begin to grow longer. Winter begins to wane and spring asserts itself more and more. This is in keeping with the Taoist view expressed in the Yin Yang symbol. The circular image with one dark form and one light has a spot of the opposite color in each. If you don’t know what it looks like, just do a Google image search. The dark area is referred to as Yang (Man, Light, Out Going, Sun, Mountain Top) and the light is Yin (Female, Dark, Inward Going, Moon, River Valley.) It is said that the Yin Yang symbol developed after a pre Taoist mystic sat and observed a hill from dawn till dusk. In the morning one side of the hill was illuminated while the other was in shade. As the day progressed that which was in shadow was in the sunshine while the other side was dark. People in the West tend to separate both Yin and Yang. Yet neither Yin nor Yang can exists with out the other except as an abstraction. The lit candle on the window during the day is Yin to the Sun. When the Sun sets the candle is yang and the stars are yin. When the moon rises the candle is again Yin and the Full Moon is yang. From this perspective on the day of the Vernal Equinox Spring is yang: dominant, while summer is Yin. After that day the summer grows more Yang as spring becomes more Yin. Nothing exists with out its correlative “opposite.” We exist in a reality composed of a unity of difference. Polar principles Ingredients in what’s real Hot coffee, Cold milk Pedro Angel Serrano Jr. [3-10th-02008]

Sunday the 27th of January 02008

vulcan — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 21:04:54 GMT

I'll be on the air from 2 till 4 PM On CLICK RADIO @ http://www.hearnewbrunswick.com Read article below and then Check Out http://www.nevergetbusted.com Website. Caught with a Bag of Weed? It Could Cost You More Than You Think By Paul Armentano, AlterNet Posted on January 26, 2008, Printed on January 26, 2008 http://www.alternet.org/story/74511/ What's the current price for a bag of weed? According to the latest figures from the FBI, the human cost is roughly 739,000 a year. That's the number of American citizens arrested in 2006 for possessing small amounts of pot. (Another 91,000 were charged with marijuana-related felonies.) The figure is the highest annual total ever recorded, and is nearly double the number of citizens busted for pot fifteen years ago. Those arrested face a multitude of consequences, primarily determined by where they live. For example, most Californians charged with violating the state's pot possession laws face little more than a small fine. By contrast, getting busted with a pinch of weed in Ohio will cost you your driver's license for at least six months. Move to Texas -- well, now you're looking at a criminal record and up to 180 days in jail. Or if you happen to be a first-time offender, possibly a stint in court-mandated 'drug rehab' (one recent study reported that nearly 70 percent of all adults referred to Texas drug treatment programs for weed were referred by the courts), probation, and a hefty legal bill. And don't even think about getting busted in Oklahoma, where a first time conviction for minor pot possession can net you up to one year in jail, or up to ten years if you're found guilty of a second offense. Thinking of growing your own? That'll cost you a $20,000 fine, and -- oh yeah -- anywhere from two years to life in prison. Yes, you read that right -- life in prison. Of course, not everyone busted for weed receives jail time. But that doesn't mean that they don't suffer significant hardships stemming from their arrest -- including (but not limited to): probation and mandatory drug testing, loss of employment, loss of child custody, removal from subsidized housing, asset forfeiture, loss of student aid, loss of voting privileges, and the loss of certain federal welfare benefits such as food stamps. And yes, some offenders do serve prison time. In fact, according to a 2006 Bureau of Justice Statistics report, 12.7 percent of state inmates and 12.4 percent of federal inmates incarcerated for drug violations are incarcerated for marijuana offenses. In human terms, this means that there are now about 33,655 state inmates and 10,785 federal inmates behind bars for violating marijuana laws. (The report failed to include estimates on the percentage of inmates incarcerated in county jails for pot-related offenses.) In fiscal terms, this means that taxpayers are spending more than $1 billion annually to imprison pot offenders. Yet this billion dollar price tag only estimates the financial costs on the 'back end' of a marijuana arrest. The criminal justice costs to taxpayers -- such as the man-hours it takes a police officer to arrest and process the average pot offender -- on the 'front end' is far greater, with some economists estimating the financial burden to be in upwards of $7 billion a year. Naturally, as the annual number of pot arrests continues to increase (according to the latest FBI data, marijuana arrests now constitute 44 percent of all illicit drug arrests), these costs are only going to grow larger. There are alternatives, of course -- options that won't leave this sort of human and fiscal carnage in its wake, and that won't leave entire generations believing that the police are an instrument of their oppression rather than their protection. 'Decriminalization,' as first recommended to Congress in 1972 by President Nixon's National Commission on Marihuana and Drug Abuse, called for the removal of all criminal and civil penalties for the possession, use, and non-profit distribution of cannabis. Such a policy, if adequately implemented, would eliminate the bulk of the human and fiscal costs currently associated with enforcing pot prohibition. A second option, 'regulation,' would also significantly slash many of society's prohibition-associated fiscal and human costs. Legalizing the commercial sale and use of cannabis in a manner similar to alcohol, with state-mandated age controls and pot sales restricted to state-licensed stores, could also potentially raise billions of added dollars in tax revenue while simultaneously bringing an end to the more egregious and adverse black-market effects of the plant's criminalization -- such as the production of pot by criminal enterprises and its clandestine cultivation on public lands. Would either option be perfect? No, probably not. ('Decriminalization,' for instance, might indirectly encourage pot use; 'regulation' might not entirely eliminate the black market sales of pot.) But how can continue with the status quo? Since, 1990, law enforcement have arrested over 10 million Americans -- more than the entire population of Los Angeles county -- on pot charges. Yet, according to federal figures, both marijuana production and use are rising. Isn't it time we began looking at ways to address the marijuana issue that move beyond simply arresting and prosecuting an inordinate amount of otherwise law-abiding Americans? Or must we wait until another 10 million citizens are arrested before our state and federal politicians find the courage to begin this discussion? Paul Armentano is the deputy director for NORML and NORML Foundation in Washington, DC. © 2008 Independent Media Institute. All rights reserved. View this story online at: http://www.alternet.org/story/74511/

Yet Another Zine

vulcan — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 18:41:06 GMT

Hey all. As well as publishing a Punk Rock ZIne, I have started work on a general Art, Culture, Politics, spirtuality zine called 51% POSITIVE. Issue #2 of Boots and Roots (the punk zine) and Issue #1 of 51% Positive Should be done by the end of Jan 08. AND Drum roll......... I just finished issue one of my Mini Mastrbation Zine. It's called Romeo Oscar. If ya want a copy it's free. Just send me your postal address and I'll shoot out a copy or three. Just let me know what ya think. Pedro

Out-FM is BACK on the air and On-LINE !!!

vulcan — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 18:30:31 GMT

To hear the last Out-FM radio broadcast on 99.5 fm WBAI, go to the link. http://archive.wbai.org Then scroll down till you find the date Monday, Nov 5, 2007. On the Left are the names of the Archived shows. When you find Out-FM click on the links on the right to listen online or down-load for FREE. It was a fun show with a round table discussion on the news stories of the last few weeks. Let them and me know what ya think!!!

Compromise with out being Compromised ?

vulcan — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 20:38:38 GMT

Bayard Rustin philosophical mentor to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., who with out e-mail, cell phones, or My Space, organized of The March on Washinton, and discribed by Maya Angelo as "A great hero of the cival rights movement." said "Activism is about no compromise. Politics is all about compromise." He was not being judgemental. He was discribibing his expierience. I heard it once and new it to be a truth what with having been volved in activism since my late teens "No Compromise" is the essence of the activist mind. Mr. Rustins statement also made it easier for me to like politicians. Well, it made me recognise what a good politician was; someone who could compromise, without being compromised. Recently during a converation witha friend about activism said it was a discription of a "good person." I agreed. But what to do with an activist turned politician? My first question would be, "Is this compromise equal to being compromised? Is it compromising the communities the activist turned politician represents?" A recent activist post by a Mr. Earl Ofari Hutchinson on the Huffington Post revealed these numbers; "In 1996, 65 percent of blacks were opposed to gay marriage."A decade later a Pew Forum poll found that 64 percent of blacks still vehemently opposed it." Why no real progress in understanding in the African American community? There is a long list of things I have no direct controll over. Since I can't speak to Black clergy about there scriptual interpretations I don't see a point to discussing it. I acknowledge it then move on to those things I have controll over. Myself and how I communicate as an activist. Barak Obama began as an activist with the "No Compromise" spirit. But as a politician he must now struggle with the goal of compromising with out becoming compromised. This sunday he faces this challange and in my opinion has gotten little to no help from his staff or from Gay activists. The cry of "No Compromise" has manifested in the ultimatum of banning a Black Gospel singer Donnie McClurkin who has expressed his personal beliefs that Gays are not Gods "intention". Why God insitsts on continuing to crank out more Gay folks is an interesting question raised I think a better one would be how to compromise on the upcoming Gospel concert on the 28th with out compromising the Black, White, Asian, Hispanic, Inuit, etc...Communities. My idea is to not drop, ban, censor Mr. but to simply balance out the bill by having three Out Gay Gospel performers for every One performer who has publicly expressed anti Gay sentiments. Why three to one? Ummm... There's a Lot of catching up to do folks! There's a Lot of educationg the African American Community has been denied. Yes, denied. Here's some interesting stats. In 1996, 65 percent of blacks were opposed to gay marriage. A decade later a Pew Forum poll found that 64 percent of blacks still vehemently opposed it. Why such a glacial shift in acceptance? In part it's because to many Gay activists either don't know how to communicate the links between the struggles of the Gay Communities and the African American Communities. Another is the lack of imagination they demonstrate. Someone says something, well... stupid, suddenly freedom of speach is no longer an absolute. That's for another post. But as I type I'm listening to a CD by Lavander Light: The Black and People of All Colors Lesbian Gay Gospel Choir. The song now is There is Room Enough." It never fails to brng up the "Liquid Macho" in my eyes. "There is room enough in Paridise to have a home in glory." That is the message the audience needs to hear from Gay men and women who look like them. Love all. Pedro Angel Serrano

Performing this Friday the 28th with

vulcan — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 17:06:48 GMT

Bit Shifter Voidstar Runner Forsides and Helium Ointment 35 Plum Street New Brunswick NJ

Audre Lorde quote

vulcan — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 20:01:02 GMT

“If I didn't define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people's fantasies for me and eaten alive.”

Samual Adams on "...our duty..."

vulcan — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 16:05:23 GMT

"The liberties of our country, the freedom of our cival Constitution, are worth defending at all hazards; and it is our duty to defend them against all attacks. We have recieved them as a fair inheritance from our worthy ancestors: they purchased them for us with toil and danger and expense of treasure and blood, and transmitted them to us with care and diligence. It will bring an everlsting mark of infamy on the present generation, enlightened as it is, if we should suffer them to be wrested from us by violence without struggle, or to be cheated out of them by artifices of false and designing men." -Samual Adams-

New Day and Time for my Pod Cats and online broadcasts.

vulcan — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 17:28:30 GMT

My Internet radio show on www.hearnewbrunswick.com is now on Saterdays from noon till 2 PM EST. The program is archived 24 hours later for down load and pod cast. Hope to hear from ya'll about what you think. Pedro

From Now On This is a 9-11 Video

vulcan — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:43:39 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hhm0NHhCBg

It's Like a Standup Comedy Routine But....

vulcan — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 00:27:46 GMT

....I Don't Care If Anybody Laughs. I FINALY went in and moved things around and made it some what presentable. You can buy a copy of my spoken word CD span "Bald Drunk and Out of Breath.there with the cool color cover or wait tilll I get some blank CD’s to burn it on. I'll carry a stack with me as I wonder about my New Jersey, New York, and Philadelphia migratory range. Not as professional looking but cheaper with the whole Punk DIY style the kids are into today. The burned copies will set ya back 5 Bux from me personally or by mail. This is the URL for my on-line store. My Spoken Word CD is up and available. http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=416999 Should have enough photos for Pedros Nude Year Calender. As for my Spoken Word and the CD Here's what "They" are saying. October 17th 2003 Pedro and I met several years ago – he was a guest on my queer radio show here in Philly (Q’Zine on WXPN) – I’ve always admired his passion and I have been a voyeuristic fan of his for some time! Robert Drake ———————————————— Wednesday September 03, 2003 The Out Punk article (Last Page) was inspiring, as is the fact that Big Pedro is still around, contributing humor, wit, and warmth to diseased subcultures that concern themselves more with infighting and posturing then connecting and saving each others lives. I don’t believe in God but God bless Pedro’s naked ass. Derik ———————————————— April 10th, 2004 Pedro’s gay butt…he’s cool! ……..heh I just listened to his spoken word mix CD (Live at The Court Tavern: Bald, Drunk, and Out of Breath) again, it’s not often I outright belly-laugh EVERY time I listen to something, but that midget porn thing gets me every time… so yes… both Pedro, and his Gay butt are very cool. Rich Nagy ———————————————— 3rd January 2005 “…to be quite honest I’ve been reading your stuff for a couple of years now. Being a small redneck town punk rocker with strong blue collar roots, I’ve always felt out of place, and being bisexual didn’t make things much easier, but reading your essays really helped me come out to the punk/oi!/hardcore scene with more confidence, thank you. Over and out Andy Reject ———————————————— "Pedro was one of us," but we knew there was much more depth to this guy, we knew he had been through a lot of (expletive) in his life. Somehow, this positively charged force had come out of a dark past." Keinlen of The Bouncing Souls ______________________________ 12th of January 2005 Pedro, It was absolutely incredible to see you perform. You have an indescribable way with words and communicating with your audience and people in general. It was moving to hear you speak. I will defiantly keep in touch with you and if deviaRt plans form again I will contact you immediately. Thank you again. Much luck to you now and in the future. Peace, Zara Pedisich Coordinator “Socially deviaRt” ————————————————- "I didn't know what to make of Pedro when I first met him," "He appeared the antithesis of every gay stereotype I had ever heard of but had a distinct queer sensibility at the same time. He seemed to embody some kind of Zen duality. I found it very `hot.' It hasn't changed a bit - only intensified ... He opens his ears to new voices or forgotten or ignored voices." Freddy Freeman - Out gay singer and BEARAPALOOZA founder Freddy Freeman ______________________________ "I didn't know many skins before I started hanging around New Brunswick,... I wasn't really sure what they were all about. I wasn't sure if the whole racist skinhead stereotype held up or not. I thought it was interesting and a lot more comfortable having a skinhead around who was not white and not straight and not young but still a skinhead who obviously held a lot of respect. The reason people respect him so much is because he doesn't judge people, he usually knows what he's talking about, and he doesn't talk down to people,... "These are all things that you know about Pedro from sentence number one ... Very few things in this world stay consistent; Pedro is one of the few." Zak Kaplan, General manager and art director of Chunksaah Records and singer for The Ratchets. ______________________________ So as I grew to know him, Pedro gave me hope - this fully grown man, living his adult life submersed in something often perceived by the mainstream to be “for kids,” inspired me just by existing. And as I watched adulthood slowly strip the passion from young people all around me, Pedro became an anti-role model of sorts. He was sharply intelligent, unafraid, and loaded to the brim with things that might make people feel uncomfortable - for all the right reasons. Yet he always exuded positivity and peace. Amidst the then-subsiding but still common violence of the New Jersey skinhead scene, he was both a peacemaker and quick on his feet – which made him a real asset when problems arose. From “New Brunswick, New Jersey Goodbye: Bands, Dirty Basements, and The Search For Self.” by Ronin Kaufman Published by Hopeless/SUBCITY Press August 2007 ———————————————— “You’re very subversive Pedro.” Kate Clinton 1994

Pod Cast for my New Radio Show

vulcan — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 23:48:19 GMT

Had my first internet radio show today. Had a good time getting used to the new studio. The show streams live at http://www.hearnewbrunswick.com I'm broadcasting every Thursday from 3:Pm till 5:30 EST and it is archived 24 hours later. Click onto http://www.hearnewbrunswick.com/loudblog/index.php?cat=PedroAngelSerrano and let me know what ya think. The 30th of August Show does Not SUCK.

Out-FM Broadcast for the week of August 27th 02007

vulcan — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 19:06:22 GMT

The show is archived for 90 days after broadcast. click this link http://archive.wbai.org/ then scoll down till you find the date of broadcast monday the 27th of August. The links to listen or down load is on the right. This show had in interview with a Gay Author an interview with the creator of the Gays For Guiliani Add and finaly a discussion on Gay carecters on TV.

Time to Declare Victory on "The War On Terror" !!!

vulcan — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 18:04:37 GMT

I made this. http://www.cafepress.com/oldmanpedro.122417021 Wear it at your next anti war rally, Preseidntial apprearence, or punk rock bar-B-Q celebration. Hey! here's an election coming up. We need to get focused. Hugs Pedro

My last broadcast on WBAI's Out-FM

vulcan — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 19:06:13 GMT

The show is archived on http://archive.wbai.org/ Scroll down till you get to the 20th of August. The name of the show is Out FM and is on the right side in Blue. The Play anor Down load buttons are on the right.

Yet another documentary I'm in.

vulcan — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 19:13:31 GMT

This one is called "Driving Jersey." You'll se me about halfway thorugh the trailer and I appear again discribing my thoughts while looking at rain falling into a pool of water. http://youtube.com/watch?v=tLDY9HfFIoA There is a documentary in production that is focused on just me.

Barak or Hillary or....

vulcan — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 17:30:48 GMT

"Activism is about no compromise. Politics is all about compromise." Bayard Rustin When I heard the quote by Bayard Rustin I felt that he was not being judgmental. He was relating his experience in the civil rights movement as his life inside the political realm. Of the candidates, I see presently running I see John Edwards running for the Chief Executive job and Barak Obama or Ms Clinton as Vice President. My reasons have little to do with what I personally want. It is based on my understanding of human nature. If Barak or Hillery are vice president that gives the American population 4 to 8 years to get used to seeing a women and a man of African Decent in a position of power. The uncertainty and just plain old fear would be eroded down through experience by the time there turn at bat came up in 2016. I find Hillary to be uninspiring when she speaks but her time on the Armed Services committee was well spent. She would be a familiar face to other politic leaders of other nations. Barak has experience in activism and politics. He may have a better understanding between compromising and being compromised. Also, an African American face would send a substantial signal top the world about where the United States is going. It could give the new president a honeymoon period of up to six months!!!! There is a lot of disappointment in folks who voted for George W. Bush, (Twice!) but folks though they do not see him as being a good president still support him. Why? ; Human nature. I think that is a topic for another thread. John Edwards is the only candidate being attacked for helping the poor. The Noise Machine has stooped to talking about how expensive his haircuts have been. Why his hair? Because it is all they have. The arguments have been “He has money and dares to speak out about poverty in the U.S.A. What a hypocrite!” If that’s all they have to throw out at him, he has a shot.

Not too hot...

vulcan — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 16:14:36 GMT

Havn't been feeling to well for the last couple of weeks. Been in pain pretty much non stop. Last sunday the 24th the tip of my index finger of my left hand went numb. The next day it had spread to the knuckle. I think I know what this is. Have a doctors appointment set for the 3rd of July. I'm hoping a friend is having a big bar-BQ the next day.

Conversation with Noam Chomsky

vulcan — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 23:44:01 GMT

http://www.charlierose.com/shows/2006/06/09/1/a-conversation-with-noam-chomsky#comment_45381

Saterday the 30th of JUNE

vulcan — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 18:17:45 GMT

If your into the Punk Rock I'll be doing a bit of story telling on the 30th of June in New Brunswick at The COURT TAVERN 124 CHURCH ST. NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ www.thecourttavern.com MySpace.com/HubCityBook. The bands THE DEGENERICS, THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM, ROCK STAR, MOTHER NIGHT, and FOR SCIENCE will be playing. It's a book release party. The book "New Brunswick New Jersey, Good Bye." was written by one of my brothers. I'll be hanging out and probubly be getting naked at a metal show in New Brunswick saterday the 16th. If ya wanna hang out let me know. "New Brunswick New Jersey, Good Bye." Book Release Party. Saterday 30th of June The COURT TAVERN 124 CHURCH ST. NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ www.thecourttavern.com MySpace.com/HubCityBook

Generation Q Playlist 5th of June 07

vulcan — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 15:22:35 GMT

ARTIST + SONG = ALBUM Magdelen Hsu-Li + Change The World = Smashing The Ceiling K.D. Lang + Help Me = A Tribute To Joni Mitchel John Ashfield + Crush = Harmony Bunny Ari Gold + BAshart = Space Under Sun Rueben Buchart + Flash and Click = Golden Boy The Clicks + Nobody Else Will = Snakehouse The Bootlickers + Road = Huge Ray Baker + Will You Still Love Me Tommorrow = Wrinkle in Time Nhojj + U = Someday Peace, Love, and Freedom Bomb Town + Sit on it Potsie = Logical Reality Albert Pla + El Lada Mas Bestia de la vida 9Walk on the Wild Side) = Cover the World King Django + Rock and Come In = Roots Tonic Daphne Ruebin Vega + citizens Of The World = Redemption Songs Chicago Women’s Liberation Rock Band and Le Tigre’ + I’m on My Way = papa Don’t Lay That Shit On Me Yoko Ono and DJ Dan + Give Peace a Chance = Open Your Box Buzz Cocks + Boredom = D.I. Y. Do It Yourself Kevin Cahoon and Ghetto Cowboy + Intro + Doll = Doll Limp Wrist + Brotherhood = Thee official Limp Wrist Discography Bouncing Souls + Manthem = How I Spent My Summer vacation