A Ladder of Angels

Filibuster? Blame it on Aaron Burr-- My Relatives' BFF!

Unlike most Americans, I am a big fan of Aaron Burr. 

                                                                      Aaron Burr

As the Senate, the media, and the rest of political intelligentsia hums about the filibuster over the confirmation, I am smiling and shaking my head. 

From AP wire Feb 14, 2013:
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., slammed Republicans today for attempting to filibuster the confirmation of former Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., as defense secretary, suggesting the Pentagon could be left without a leader if Hagel's confirmation is blocked. Reid announced this afternoon that the Senate will hold a cloture vote at 4:15 p.m. ET, requiring 60 votes to move on to a final confirmation vote tomorrow for Hagel.  If the vote today receives 60 votes, then the final vote on his confirmation tomorrow only requires a simple 51-vote majority. If today's cloture vote fails to receive 60 votes - in essence, a filibuster - then, Democratic leaders say they will attempt to end the filibuster when lawmakers return on February 24 after a week off.

Aaron Burr is one of America's colorful characters from the past who affected the tide of history in many ways other than his infamous duel with his political rival, Andrew Hamilton.
 

And--Aaron Burr is the reason behind filibusters.

 In 1789, the first U.S. Senate adopted rules allowing the Senate "to move the previous question", ending debate and proceeding to a vote.Aaron Burr argued that the motion regarding the previous question was redundant, had only been exercised once in the preceding four years, and should be eliminated.In 1806, the Senate agreed, recodifying its rules, and thus the potential for a filibuster sprang into being Because the Senate created no alternative mechanism for terminating debate, the filibuster became an option for delay and blocking of floor votes. {source Wikipedia}

To make a tangled tale short involving my family and Burr I will just say briefly that Burr was practically a brother to my ancestors Aaron and Matthias Ogden. Burr had moved in with the Ogden family after his parents died and the three boys became life long friends.

                                                    Aaron Ogden, Aaron Burr, Dayton

See the charming, flowery letter written to my relative Matthias Ogden by Burr:

Princeton 1777

Dear Matt,
I this evening received your letter of yesterday's date, by Stockton. I knew not how to direct to you, nor where to send for the horse, or should have done it sooner. I do not perfectly recollect the one you mention, but should be glad of any on your recommendation. Both boots and a saddle I want much, and shall be obliged to you to procure them for me;--good leather would suit me as well as boots ready made. I have not had a pair worth sixpence since those I had at Elizabethtown {New Jersey,USA).
As to expectations of promotion, I have not the least, either in the line or the staff. You need not express any surprise at it, as I have never made any application, and, as you know me, you know I never shall. I should have been fond of a berth in a regiment, as we proposed when I last saw you. But, as I am at present happy in the esteem and entire confidence of my good old general, I shall be piqued at no neglect, unless particularly pointed, or where silence would be want of spirit. 'Tis true, indeed, my former equals, and even inferiors in rank, have left me. Assurances from those in power I have had unasked, and in abundance; but of these I shall never remind them. We are not to judge of our own merit, and I am content to contribute my mite in any station.
I shall probably be at Morris within ten days, on public business. Write me whether I may expect you there. With sincere love to Mrs. Ogden,
Yours,
A.Burr

This letter is very revealing about Aaron Burr's personality. He has a tone I just can't describe in one word. Is it bold pushy, whiny, insincere, petulant, funny? All can apply I feel.  But I still love devil-may-care Burr even if he did some really bad things. He  did some great ones too and am very glad he was so close to the Ogden family. Filibusters or not!

If you want to read more about the wild adventures and escapades of Burr, the Ogdens and another friend from New Jersey, there is a fascinating article from the Smithsonian referenced below:

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/Burr-Ogden-and-Dayton-The-Original-Jersey-Boys.html 

Voodoo 'R' Us

Voodoo from A to Z is alive and well in pockets of many countries. Usually viewed 

as an unholy step-sister to established religions, voodoo can pop up as a marketing tool for movies, records, city tours, and even beer.
 But this 'other' religion is important to many cultures.

Oakland, California has an active underground voodoo culture.  While living there, 
I went to a couple of worn out looking stores where supplies and potions can be purchased cheaply. Every now and then there is a headline in Bay Area news that goat skulls or freshly killed chickens smeared with blood have been found. A lot of speculation and worry is spread focusing on theories that perhaps a serial killer is on the loose-- until voodoo, or its 
cousin, santeria, is discovered to be the source of the unholy remains.

Of course we cannot leave out New Orleans--and Louisiana--in our post. Delicious N.O. is a 

hotbed (so to speak) of voodoo and has many shops selling scary-looking items throughout the French Quarter.  The old graveyards are fun to visit and a couple of ten years ago my family went to one while on a "Voodoo Tour" and put little flowers on Marie Laveau's grave. 

 Voodoo can latch onto our primal instincts where fears can germinate. It can also help 
us express deep rooted passions such as love and hate. Nothing is better than the feeling 
of sticking a needle into a doll while pretending the doll is a lover who spurned you 
or the employer who turned down your raise--or vacation!

 

Mixed with Catholicism, Voodoo can be a magic cocktail indeed. Lent begins
 tomorrow and is the start of Christian holy days ending with Easter. These
events also coincide with pre-Christian festivals announcing that it is time to 
commence planting while celebrating spring's fecundity.

Today is Mardi Gras. It's carnival season too. Birds are mating, tree buds 
cautiously peaking out at the sun and life is good. The circle is unbroken.

 So let's chant, dance, imbibe, eat like 
there is no tomorrow. Fears and chilly winter days are 
gone for the moment, the Voodoo gods are appeased.

Let the good times roll.

"Seize The Time; The Eighth Defendant ~ Bobby Seale's Movie about the history of the Black Panther Party

Bobby Seale is producing a feature length motion picture dramatization that chronicles his legendary life as Chairman, co-founder and national organizer of the Black Panther Party. According to Bobby, "the narrative will follow the history of the Black Panther Party including the involvement of its leading membership."

In a recent interview with Mr. Seale,  he stressed that "The real heroes in my Black Panther Party were all the thousands of sisters and brothers who made the many programs work. What makes me feel proud of being a part of the history and legacy of the Panthers is the courageous and creative young brothers and sisters who helped organize it. Our feature film, “SEIZE THE TIME: The Eighth defendant.”will tell our American sixties protest movement history and the true history of the Black Panther Party that every human being on earth must know from the silver screen. I am hoping that everyone who can afford will support my film project."

Bobby undertook the task of producing his own cinematic life story because of his frustration with movie companies who produce films about him without his involvement. "They usually contact me after they have made their film and often times expect me to endorse it. I feel obliged to do this until I see the final product."

Since the late 1970s, Bobby Seale has spoken to millions of people on college campuses, TV programs and radio stations worldwide. Audiences have been mesmerized by his charismatic speeches as he relates his personal experiences of a historical period that helped shape today’s politics. Now these experiences will be integrated into a feature film.

Most cinematic depictions of the Black Panther Party leave out the FBI's efforts to terrorize the Panthers through its counter intelligence program. This led to Panther members being assassinated and legally framed based on the false testimony of FBI informants.

The image of Bobby Seale chained, gagged, and bound to a chair in a Chicago courtroom is one that lives in America’s national consciousness. This film tells the story of how he got there, and how he survived. It comes from Bobby Seale’s memories, with his approval and in his voice.  It offers dramatic and essential insights into United States history and the conflicts and contradictions that reverberate to this day.

"There is an entire generation of young people who know nothing about how viciously the FBI attacked us and why. Even people of my generation don't know that J. Edgar Hoover said the Black Panthers Breakfast for Children program represents the greatest threat to America's national security.”

“Seize The Time; The Eighth Defendant " will give its audience a glimpse into the life of Bobby Seale. It will also narrate the tumultuous 1960s and 70s, an era which the Panthers helped shape. A cast of actors will play the part of the people who were Panther members and show the social movement they created. The film will highlight how the Panthers prevailed.

Bobby explains, “ Most people don't know that we won 95 % of our courtroom cases. " This happened in a period of time where their lives and those of their comrades and families were constantly threatened and undermined.

To find out more about Bobby's journey to produce "Seize the Time, The Eighth Defendant." watch the promotional video on the film's Indiegogo funding page.  Bobby Seale has also written a book, “SEIZE THE TIME". If you would like to purchase an autographed copy of “SEIZE THE TIME", you can find one at his Indiegogo Funding page. The purchase of the book will support and be part of getting his important independent feature film produced: 

• http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/266927

  
  

  Seize the Time: The Eighth Defendant
  

  www.indiegogo.com
  

  "SEIZE THE TIME:The Eighth Defendant" a feature length film dramatizing the life of Bobby Seale, the founding Chairman and organizer of the Black Panther Party.