RTR Relaunches Blog at ricothomasrico[dot]com

Read all my new blog postings at ricothomasrico[dot]com.

RTR's Monday Moanin' 23 FEB 2009

Typical Monday moanin'...

= I’ve never eaten a paczki or a pasty, and don’t plan to do so. 

= Dueling headlines on Sunday:  Chicago Tribune: “Obama’s big plans on smaller scale than FDR’s” versus Lansing State Journal’s AP story:  “Obama plans eclipsing FDR’s New Deal.”

= Hate to break the news to Boston Bruins fans:  In a seven game series, the Detroit Red Wings are still the best ice hockey team in the world.

= And the other bad news for Beantown fans:  The Patriots were cheating (stealing play signals) during their recent run of successful NFL seasons.  For mercy sake, we won’t ask about the steroid usage of the Bosox.

= Stunningly, I just learned in the last two days that (1) Dimebag Darrel was killed in 2006 and (2) Christine McVie retired in 2003.  Definitely, a sign that I’ve been distracted by other matters.

= The movie “Waltzing with Bashir” is one more message to Israel’s radical right that the Iron Fist’s despicable truth cannot be concealed.

= It’s real cool being my age because there are soooo many things I don’t need to run to Wikipedia to look up.

= The Answer’s tattoos are worth the price of upgrading to HD TV.

= Here are the all-time greatest hockey players: (1) Bobby Orr (2) Gordie Howe (3) Wayne Gretzky.  Sorry, Lil Wayne wouldn’t have survived playing during Bobby’s and Gordie’s era.

= Why do you think RB keeps packing peanut butter sandwiches for me for work?

= People really have “Sound of Music” Dress Up Parties?

= If at anytime she’s shy about asking for a divorce, RB knows that signing us up for ballroom dancing lessons will accomplish the same thing.

= Daily newspapers could still pull their asses out of the fire if they stopped their systematic establishment-protectionism and started doing their job as a public-interest watchdog.

= I was unimpressed by Georgia’s quarterback, Matthew Stafford, when he played against Michigan State on January 1st, which means the Lions will take him as the overall No. 1 NFL draft pick.

= Here’s to Bob Talbert.  He is missed.  As is Lou Gordon and Sidney J. Harris.  Sorry, only Sidney can be found on Wikipedia.

-- Rico Thomas Rico

Rico Thomas Rico Launches Online Video News Channel

RTR has launched a news channel on the web and is now broadcasting Rico Thomas Rico webcast.  Video news content will be added daily, including recordings of speeches, interviews, and live broadcasts.  Content, including live programs, will be announced.  

-- Rico Thomas Rico

RICO THOMAS RICO Webcast

RTR's 2008 Holiday Brag Letter

Dear Friends,

This is my first-ever holiday brag letter, which is an art form that I’ve never attempted. Over the years, certain friends have lightened up my holiday season with one, two, or three-page letters tucked in with the Christmas cards. The best ones – written on lonely winter nights with a couple of glasses of wine – scream TMI! Unfortunately for you, I’m only sipping a Diet Pepsi Max.

I characterize 2008 as time spent going back to the future. My 84-year-old father – Mr. Perfect, Sr. (photo below) – is now living comfortably in an independent living complex after finally leaving my boyhood home on the eastside of Saginaw (MI). Our family cleaned and closed the house, having moved everything out – including all the good memories of growing up in the dead end enclave that was Bagley Street. I couldn’t help looking back and visualizing those street baseball games, the dusty basketball games in driveway (the garage overhang was inbounds) and tackle football in the grass. Through all the chestnut fights in the fall and snowball fights in the winter, none of us – from the Rico, Simerson, Stellard, or Cook families – ever got a single eye poked out. The most serious danger back then was Mrs. Beach’s willow switch if she caught you in her cherry tree or rhubarb patch.

Coincidentally, my 30th high school class reunion – the Arthur Hill High School Class of 1978 (photo above) – was held over the summer, bringing back more good memories. The organizers (Mary and Mary, et al.) asked me to be a speaker at the reunion, which gave me the opportunity to ask my classmates, straight-up, “Who put the nasty in Sag-Nasty?” Also, I dispelled rumors that Ruth and I were showing off at the reunion by wearing fur coats – no, it was simply excess cat hair. In the end, it was great to see my classmates again. Email addresses were exchanged and Facebook and MySpace pages were created for the class. Classmates not familiar with tech stuff were instructed to get help from their kids or grandkids.

Speaking of Facebook, season greetings go out to my 323 FB friends! The Argonaut and Boy Thunder question some of these friendships. Yet, in one instance, they weren’t among the 18 FB friends gathered for dinner at the New Aladdin’s restaurant in October (photo above). The dinner company was an interesting mixture of activists from the Peace Education Center, Chicanos y Latinos Unidos, MEXA, and special guests from the touring Wheels of Justice. Friends all. All real.

One friend, Efren Paredes, remains locked up in a Michigan prison. At age 16, he was unjustly convicted of a crime he did not commit. That was 19 years ago. I testified on Efren’s behalf before the Michigan Parole Board, which will make a recommendation to the Governor regarding the commutation of the sentences. Like hundreds of supporters around the world, I personally will not rest until Efren is released. If justice is served, Efren will join us next year in person at New Aladdin’s.

For the second summer in a row, the boat sat in a pole barn in Fowlerville while Ruth and I worked together on various peace actions and activities. Ruth, in some cases, was like a favorite cat toy that I dragged around to different events. She is good sport, a great organizer, and a wonderful partner in all the craziness – please, thanks, you’re welcome Ruth! Be forewarned, I’m determined to get that boat out on the water next year.

Peace was elusive once again this year. Yet, the peace movement played a key role in convincing over 70% of the country the occupation in Iraq must end; it also was on the leading edge of the sentiment that swept Barack Obama into the White House. In concentrating on peace issues during the year, I did not get directly involved in any political campaigns. Yes, I was happy when Obama won the presidency and celebrated with the energized progressive community. Today I can tell you that come January 20, 2009, I will have the audacity of hope for peace and I can assure you that war escalation in Afghanistan or elsewhere next year will be answered by the American peace movement, regardless of who is in the White House. I hope it doesn’t come to that; I’d rather spend the time on my boat.

I must give a shout out to all my peacenik friends: the progressives, RadLibs, anarchists, democrats, social reformers, environmentalists, bloggers, community organizers, nonconformists, and other general hell raisers. I don’t have to name you, I’m sure the FBI, NSA, DOD, and CIA all have our names. Our names they may possess, but – as these agencies already know – fearlessly we will not concede our civil liberties, rights, or demands for peace. What part of freedom don’t they understand?

Special thanks go out to the peace and justice organizers at the Peace Education Center, GLNAWI, Michigan Peace Team, Fairness for Efren, Chicanos y Latinos Unidos, MEXA de MSU, NorthStar Center, IWW-GR, PAX Christi Michigan and Mid-Michigan Democracy for America. You are all an inspiration and personal heroes to me.

A BIG woo-woo goes to my crazy neighbors, the Kravitz Patch Sisters and newcomer, Junior Kravitz. Also, I offer a toast to the Orange Cyclones of 2007 – 2008 SHL Ice Hockey Champions – let’s do it again! Greetings go to my reliable spy, The Angie, and to Lois and Luna who moved up and out of blue collar Haslett – RB & I miss you! I have one good Michigan snowball reserved for the Georgia-D, Leslie. And, finally, a long-distance hug goes to my far-flung siblings, who had the rare opportunity to gather in Saginaw earlier this year – and the same to all the nieces and nephews who rarely contact their LLLU.

The next year will be a challenge – in more ways than one – but with family, friends, and community like ours, we can stick together and pull everything in a better, more positive direction.

Peace,

Rico Thomas Rico

The Orange Cyclones: 2007- 2008 SHL Champions

Community Members Announce Support for Wrongfully Convicted Efren Paredes, Jr.

Various members of the community -- from various parts of Michigan -- addressed the December 3, 2008, press conference regarding the wrongful conviction of Efren Paredes, Jr. They stood before the press and the gathered crowd at the NorthStar Center in Lansing and expressed and explained their support for Paredes. Cameras and recording devices were not allowed at the commutation hearing on Thursday, Dec. 4th, but the testimonials shown in the video below give you the flavor of sentiments expressed by community members who support the commutation and release of Paredes.

-- Rico Thomas Rico

Community Members Express Support for Paredes's Commutation