FACING THE POLITICAL PROCESS

FACING THE POLITICAL PROCESS

In less than two months, we will be facing the most important presidential election of our lifetime, an act that will influence the entire universe and in many ways will choose the path of modern civilization. It is an unprecedented opportunity for all of us to get involved in record numbers, cast a vote and be a part of such a process.

I was born and raised in Costa Rica. Politics were always a big part of my life. My father served as a senator on three separated occasions, and because of that, I had the opportunity to mingle with presidents and foreign leaders. I found that experience somewhat interesting but of course, being very young I also found it very boring.

I still have great childhood memories related to politics: I remember being 5 years old and holding on tightly to my father’s hand while he would give a speech in front of tens of thousands of people… exhilarating. But I also remember my father coming back from a political gathering, with a bloody shirt, or in severe pain, after being hit by a rock in the eye during a rally. He would eventually loose sight in that eye as a consequence of the injury. I also remember sitting at the dinner table with relatives, listening to them share stories that would make my skin crawl: how during the revolution of 1948 (before I was born), some people, machine gun in hand, broke into the family home, looking for my dad. He had being tipped off about the raid and had gone to a farm in the northern part of the country to hide. He was lucky! Unfortunately, that was not the case for my dear friend of over 40 years, and guitarist in my band, Narciso Sotomayor, whose father was murdered in what is considered one of the biggest stains and perhaps the most infamous crime in the political history of Costa Rica, “El Crimen del Codo del Diablo”, or “ The Devil’s Elbow Crime”.

Growing up in that beautiful green Central American jewel some 30 plus years ago, I remember election time as a moment when everyone would be immersed in the action, openly expressing their political views, sharing their opinion with others, either dialoging, chanting or in heated impromptu debates in restaurants, parks or neighborhood corners, carrying their party flag up high. Things always seemed passionate and fun then. However, later on in life I realized that being able to vote is a privilege, an important one, and for some, it is either a very dangerous and difficult thing to do, or simply impossible.

For us here in the United States, voting is very simple. It is very important to be informed, educate ourselves and make a choice. I have, and it has been very easy choice to make. After reviewing the issues and the candidates position on those issues, my choice for the next president of the United States is clearly Mr. Barack Obama. Vote, get involved!

MANANTIAL/LYRICS

MANANTIAL


CON LA VOZ SILENCIOSA DE UN RECUERDO
ME LLEVAS AL CIELO Y NO DESPIERTO
ENTRE MUDOS SOS VOZ Y SOS TESTIGO
ENTRE CIEGOS LA LUZ QUE PRESTA ABRIGO
LO QUE YA HE VIVIDO ME SUSTENTA
ME TOCA PAGAR TODAS MIS CUENTAS
Y LO HAGO TRANQUILO Y DECIDIDO
PUES TENGO TUS MANOS QUE SON NIDO Y MANANTIAL…

CON TU ALMA DESNUDA ME ALIMENTO
Y ASI VIVO PLENO EN EL MOMENTO
MI FIEL GOLONDRINA, TU CARICIA
EN MI CUERPO, JARDIN DE LAS DELICIAS
TU BARCA, GUARIDA EN LA TORMENTA
TU SANGRE EN MI SANGRE TURBULENTA
MI PENA SE SUME EN EL OLVIDO
PUES TENGO TUS MANOS QUE SON NIDO

RETONO DE MILES DE AZUCENAS
ME LIMPIAS Y ROMPES MIS CADENAS
MI BRISA DE MAR, MI LUZ INTERNA, MANANTIAL…
SENDERO QUE GUIA, CIELO Y TIERRA
POEMA Y CANCION, ALMA GEMELA
ENSUENO, PERFUME, PRIMAVERA, MANANTIAL…

BROTANDO MILHARES DE AÇUCENAS,
CLAREANDO E QUEBRANDO MINHAS ALGEMAS
MINHA BRISA DO MAR, A LUZ DA LUA, MANANCIAL
FAROL QUE NOS GUIA, CÉU E TERRA,
POEMA E CANÇÃO, MINHA ALMA GÊMEA,
MEU SONHO, PERFUME, PRIMAVERA, MANANCIAL



PARA HOLLITA, MI ETERNO MANANTIAL… 7/21/08.