AIDS  DAY – DECEMBER FIRST

It is a fantastic time to be back in the US. Although I have picked up responsibilities while in South East Asia; Godfather to three Indonesian families and a kid in the coming, no, not mine. I am glad to be back in my born-to homeland and participate in shaping a new future. Laying to rest the eight years of abuse under the Bush administration will be difficult, but hopefully, we can learn from the crimes committed and the false promises dished during George W’s reign. May he be remembered in the history books as one of this nation’s worst leaders and most egocentric wealth-motivated presidents in my lifetime! It was painful seeing him under a red ribbon promoting AIDS day yesterday, December first. First Lady Laura is on his side.

I remember when his administration promised another infusion of money for vaccinations in Africa and listed all the good he brags about having done for the people infected with HIV. Laura silently smiles, standing there. Yes, Pharmaceutical companies have trial-tested the newest medicines on people (humans) in Africa but then abandoned their research. Interruption of HIV treatment has created resistant virus variations that today mutate out of control. President Bush’s “promoting any good” is a lie! His administration enabled Pharmaceutics Companies corruption that holds the marionette’s strings from where dangling politicians dance to their tune. Comes on January twentieth, some of these puppets will leave the stage. Lady Laura will keep her stoic smile, and history will forgive! I wish all public announcements of his achievement and his “good character” would end, but, like Paulson, Paulin, Cheny: They will make the media rounds and continue to cater their rehearsed messages… ah! … don’t get me going.

Mumbai’s massacre was a predicted, a horrible reminder of conflicts sponsored by global terrorism. I look upon the Al Qaida network as a well-coordinated franchise. They only have to train Managers and Executives and send them to pre-existing special forces groups, like the one financed by Pakistan during the 70th and 80th. They were abandoned later but never dissolved. They continue with an old mission and new global targets funded by ominous characters. The US could target them, but complicated politics behind closed doors prevent the effective elimination of the world’s most dangerous terrorists. I ponder why today these old religious grouches still hold value? Most of what motivates suicide missions is an archaic perception of uneducated religious doctrine that doesn’t align with what science or historians know to be true today. How many of such groups are out there? Even here in the US, we have extremely stupid peeps,  susceptible to “management.” The internet seems to draw in the simple-minded by evil groups that share unmonitored social platforms. Is it not a crime to coerce another to commit murder? Seemingly, our Government observes but doesn’t react. Why?

For years, the intelligence has documented the risk of attack on our sea-ports, and within all the warnings, we televise our weak-spots and invite for trouble. Is the media guilty? As a promoter of non-violent solutions, should we all not re-think the war on terror? The “fist against fist” ideology seems not to work. Instead, a solution that invests in education – with peaceful means of dealing with people that dislike us – has historically been shown to work. It’s useless to educated politicians, especially when heavily lobbied with money that often indicates a terroristic connection far behind the facade. Their inability to disassociate from money renders our House and Senate incapable of curling global terror – it aligns them with these international thugs.  So, these political characters often cloak themselves with “make me look good” votes on lending money to Nations that guarantee their reelection, meddle with AIDS day messages, and distract by highlighting issues that are a part of their fundamental duty. Time to sit down and vote in younger, lesser corrupt representation!

Fearmongering has made us fragile objects. Angry minds don’t think straight. I’m aware of my hypocritical blog today!

I have finished the epic script I named Koken. A biographical story of the twice Empress during Japans Nara period, responsible for incorporating Buddhism with Politics. Shall I publish an excerpt? I had covered every wall space in my tiny apartment to draft this script. A pop-art and unique effects-inspired script based on historical research done by a friend in Valencia!

I am back writing. It gives me peace of mind. A very hyper neighbor inspires me daily to stay on track with my talents, and I enjoy such motivational support. Thank you for bringing me food in my marathon creativity days… My private chef working for a new client is great fun. Randal Kleiser lives up in Runyon Canyon, overlooking Los Angeles. About two weeks ago, I found out that my client is a talented writer and Hollywood director/producer. For me, he is a joyful soul that appreciates my care in cooking healthy and comforting food for him. I love working there. But my writing dominates my life. With my pen, I can be provocative, create a sensation, imagine to be involved, view history with a curious eye. Well-informed historical writing is only possible when comprehending the past’s topic, culture, and economic development. I ponder if trying to find a literary agent is okay. Not sure I’m ready; I am my worst self-promoter. Barry Krost, whom I met through a cooking show concept, keeps promising a phone call for weeks and weeks and never follows through; I am getting an actual Hollywood treatment here.
I ran into an old friend the other day; he encouraged me to pick up the old self-biography and finally present it to a publisher. I know he is right.

With Christmas around the corner, I will be a busy bee. The www.TCMchef.com website is in progress, although Htun, my friend, and web designer, is working soooo slow! Hint. I am looking for a few creative folks that would love to get involved. I think it is a great concept and could help tons of people become personally involved with the power of food we daily eat.

To all of my fans out there, I wish you a delightful season, enjoy it with friends family and indeed celebrate for yourself. Don’t forget to buy yourself a present, something you deserve to have. Make something in support of our economy. Stop purchasing the useless foreign-made crap sold in stores with little regard for American-made items; become an intelligent supporter of a new strong US economy! Or save the buck until you know what it is you (or a loved one) needs. Life is beautiful.

Ho ho ho – chef Raphael