T P O

T   P   O
The Patient Ox (aka Hénock Gugsa)

G r e e t i n g s !

** TPO **
A personal blog with diverse topicality and multiple interests!


On the menu ... politics, music, poetry, and other good stuff.
There is humor, but there is blunt seriousness here as well!


Parfois, on parle français ici aussi. Je suis un francophile .... Bienvenue à tous!

* Your comments and evaluations are appreciated ! *

Friday, September 27, 2019

Demera in Addis Ababa ~ by TPO


Demera (Maskal) celebration these days!

Demera in Addis Ababa
~ by TPO ~

The holiday of Demera in Ethiopia falls on the eve of Maskal (መስቀል), which is a religious commemoration of the discovery of the actual Cross upon which Jesus was crucified.  The Cross (Maskal, መስቀል) was lost for a long time and was discovered by Eleni (Helena, እሌኒ) who was the mother of Constantine, the first Christian Emperor (272-337 AD).  

** According to Wikipedia ===> The Meskel celebration includes the burning of a large bonfire, or Demera, based on the belief that Queen Eleni, as she is known, had a revelation in a dream. She was told that she should make a bonfire and that the smoke would show her where the true cross was buried. So she ordered the people of Jerusalem to bring wood and make a huge pile. After adding frankincense to it the bonfire was lit and the smoke rose high up to the sky and returned to the ground, exactly to the spot where the Cross had been buried. **

This video from a German journalist source from 1956. Emperor Haile Selassie, his two elder sons, and high government were attending the celebration of Demera.

 

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Facing Harsh Realities of the Past and the Present ~ by TPO



Facing Harsh Realities 
of the Past and the Present!
~ by TPO ~

Racism - Past and Present  ... (Please click on picture to magnify.)
(Please click on picture to enlarge !)
          America was never ever [fully] great in all of its history.  Sure, there were outstanding flashes of brilliance, of goodness, and of exemplary leadership.  But America's strength has been in its aspirations, its dreams, and its infectious and dynamic optimism!  Thus, it is really a nonsensical and even an idiotic proposition to suggest that we should or will "make America great again!"  The nation has been on a historical journey ... it has been inspiring, and idealistic.  It has been bloody, it has been heroic.  It has also been shameful, cruel, and simply awful.  But the unique thing about America is that it has constantly evolved, it has generally been growing and maturing politically, socially, and economically.  

          In November 2016, however, the country stumbled and fell on its face.  We awoke to a call for intransigent, and unapologetic regression to reactionary impulses to progress, and to common sense, and higher ideals.  

          Racism has never gone away from daily life in America.  And perhaps this evil will always be around in one form or another.  But at present, racism is back in full force with the blessings of a racist and corrupt President.  His idea of greatness is going back to the ugly face of America !

          Fortunately, the end of the current disease may be near.  Just today, Congress (the democrats) are standing up to this evil man  ... they are embarking on a process of Impeachment to put a check on him !!!