Saturday 22 December 2012

Is America at War with itself?

Is America at War with itself?

I must admit I am conflicted in writing about this. I'm conflicted because I'm a Canadian, and yet I owe so much to America.

Do I have the right to speak my truth about America, because I'm not a citizen?  But it's for the love of it's people that I write this article. 

It has welcomed me as a visitor, as a student, as a writer, as a broadcaster, as a friend and as a businessman.

Every summer while I was a child growing up my father would pack up the car and drive the 3,500 miles from Edmonton, Alberta to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. to visit his only living sisters from the holocaust. He lost both his parents and one brother. For him the United States was the sanctuary that he could go to where he felt at home. I too had the same feeling of a second home with Aunts, Uncles and cousins welcoming me. As an only child, that meant a great deal to me.

 The University of Montana welcomed me and gave me a college education that I would never have gotten in Canada because my grades were not good enough. But the U of M gave me  a chance to prove myself and I made the honor role twice, once as an undergraduate and once as a graduate student. My college roommate became a life long  friend.. I have so many friends in the U.S. they would fill up an entire data base. It's for that reason that I am conflicted.

It saddens me to see where America is at today, on it's knees, both fiscally and morally. But this is what power, corruption and greed can do to an entire civilization. The Wall Street Meltdown was the first warning sign, and just as I had written  6 years ago, I had hoped it would be their wake up call", but rather than stop pursuing the elusive American Dream they tried to re-birth it, re-brand it and politicize it. . And that was the definition of insanity.  . "Wealth in itself is kind of boring," a billionaire once said. "You just accumulate, and it's like having too much food on your plate."

The American Dream has indeed become it''s worst nightmare. On the eve of this Xmas and the day after the "purist" Mayans said we will enter a new dawn of enlightenment we can say that America continues to follow a path towards the ruin of it''s most precious commodity, it's people.

For the past 12 Xmases, including this one, America is fighting a war somewhere in the world and on this day it has begun to be at war with itself.

Whenever there is a public event, and with every opportunity; on radio, television,. or newspaper, America thanks it's troops.

 Last night David Letterman, had soldiers do video greetings to loved ones back home . He has done this every year for the past 12 years. And at the end he says, let's thank these troops for us being able to be free and enjoy the life we have here in the U.S.

I'm wondering if Letterman along with so many other entertainers and public figures continues to echo a feeling that somehow has gotten lost in  translation. 

How many times have we been told that Viet Nam was not a war we should have been in, CIA reports lied about Iraq having weapons of mass destruction, even now the U.S. is planning on withdrawing from Afghanistan by 2014. So why is the U.S. in Afghanistan  in the first place?

The government has always told us it's to protect us from our enemies who want to destroy us and take away our freedoms. Who are these enemies? It seems to switch with each new conflict.

Now please put all these facts in perspective: Ten long years of continuous wars, trillions of dollars, 250,000 military personnel, trillions of dollars worth of intelligence gathering institutions and capabilities, millions of dollars set in rewards for Al Qaeda terrorists, and a supposed network with supposed Al Qaeda active terrorist members in very large numbers. Yet we have less than 1000 detained who have been accused of being Al Qaeda terrorists, and none ever proven to be an active Al Qaeda terrorist member.

Does this make sense to you? Does it make sense as far as the trillions of dollars you have been made to pay for this? What are we talking about here? A massive never-ending war against a fantastical network of technologically and militaristic dwarfed terrorists whose proven guilty members we haven’t been able to catch or kill.

Everyone is busy arguing whether we should cut or add a few billion dollars to the several trillion dollars war on Al Qaeda. People keep talking about which country we should be getting out of, or, how many more countries we should get into to fight against terrorist Al Qaeda. No one is asking what Al Qaeda is or who really these supposed Al Qaeda terrorists are. The question that never seems to come up is exactly how big is this Al Qaeda we are spending trillions of dollars and thousands of lives fighting against. I mean no one.

And yet the very thing America has feared, has now become it;'s darkest reality. Americans have become afraid of themselves. It's no longer about the terrorists, it's about Americans fearing Americans. Worse, the NRA, which has a powerful lobbying voice has taken a stand and it spells it out like an old Western movie from the 50's; ""The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun".       http://usat.ly/Tg8AXK

Here's the rhetorical question I have for the head of the NRA, how do you know who's a bad guy and who's a good guy? 

The biggest fear right now for Americans is that Obama will take away their right to have auotmatic army type rifles. And so they are cleaning out the gun stores like preparing for a hurricane, and a hurricane is what''s coming.

Remember Operation Gladio? The Pentagon, through NATO, organized bombings and shootings in the streets of Europe. When one of the terrorists got caught, he explained at his trial: “You had to attack civilians, the people, women, children, innocent people, unknown people far removed from any political game. The reason was quite simple. They were supposed to force these people, the Italian public to turn to the State to ask for greater security.” He later explained the “strategy of tension” to the BBC: “To create tension within the country to promote conservative, reactionary social and political tendencies.”

So the answer to the question, WHY? is really very simple: When you terrorize the population, you open the door for fascist, authoritarian politicians.

If they do not stop the insanity, the next step is anarchy. When every man, woman, and yes, even a child has a gun in America, there will never be a need to fear terrorists, because there will be nothing left to destroy. Americans will have destroyed themselves.. Geoffrey Canada, a prominent educator rights advocate said last night on CNN that the U.S. was heading towards a "moral cliff" from which there will be no turning back. http://bit.ly/12uLwta

I agree, the fiscal cliff is just about money, the moral cliff is about a human life. 

 I pray that none of my family, friends, and business associates and the people I love will be one of those human lives.

It's time for  truth, wisdom, peace and harmony, not anger, confrontation, and fear. (Definition of FEAR: False Evidence Appearing Real)

  May God teach and guide the United States before it's too late to bless it.

Allan Holender is a writer, visionary, broadcaster and founder of the Zentrepreneurism movement.  His new e-book Zen 3.0 "The Inner Game of Conscious Business is available from Amazon and Apple on his website at http://www.zentrepreneurism.com

Sunday 16 December 2012

Gun Culture In The U.S. Will Not Change

The thing we must remember about the slaughter of the children on Friday is that it will have little or no impact on the crazed world of American firearms.  The pattern is always the same.

There will be the traditional prayer vigils and hand-wringing and solemn promises that something must be done to prevent it happening again.

There will be a slight post-massacre blip in calls for tighter gun controls.

Those will be overtaken in a month or so by cries for greater access to guns so people can protect themselves.

In the past five years, there have been 19 mass shootings.

Hundreds of people have died, including 32 souls at Virginia Tech in 2007.

The random killings of innocent people have become as integral a part of American life, as late night television.

In fact the day before the Connecticut murders, a man killed two people in a Portland shopping mall.
Only two. Hardly worth mentioning.

There will be hours of media exploration talking about the reasons behind these frequent killings.

That appalling human being, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee has jumped out in front with his explanation.

It's because God has been kicked out of the school system.

"We don't have a crime problem, a gun problem or even a violence problem. What we have is a sin problem," he said.

Connecticut is the birthplace and home of the US firearms industry.
Colt, Winchester, Remington and Sturm-Ruger have all set up manufacturing plants in what is called "gun valley."

The gun industry supports about 6,000 jobs in the state and has an overall impact on the economy of about $1.3 billion.

And in a grisly irony, Newtown is the site of the country's second most powerful gun lobby, the National Shooting Sports Foundation.

The predominating culture in the United States is not food or music or literature. It is guns.

There are estimated to be 300 million guns in the country. Everyone has a gun or has access to a gun or knows somebody who owns a gun.

When I lived in Washington, the young teacher in the apartment next to mine slept with a gun on her night table.

The worship of guns and gun culture is glorified in every element of American popular entertainment.
Drive though any state on a weekend and see the number of gun shows. In many states, it is easier to buy a gun than a used car.

In his teary plea for hugs and prayers on Friday, Barack Obama said he was reacting as a parent, not as a president.

In fact he should have acted precisely as a president. Instead of crying, he should have cried enough. Finally, for God's sake, enough.

The gun lobby in the US is impervious to public mourning and public heartbreak.

The ghouls who preside over the National Rifle Association couldn't care less about the pile of tiny bodies in the Newtown school.

Or in Columbine. Or in Aurora. Or in Portland. Or anywhere.

They are in the death business and must protect the franchise.

The question now is: Can President Obama summon the courage he lacked as Candidate Obama, and take up the fight?

With so many lives at stake, we can only hope.

Michael Enright, is the host of the Sunday Edition on CBC Radio

Sunday 25 November 2012

Cyber Hug Day

Too late for this year, but just in time for Cyber Monday. I'd like suggest we re-name this Monday Cyber Hug Day. Instead of mindless shopping on line, send a cyber hug via facebook to all of your friends and someone you love.  Pass this on ... https://www.facebook.com/allan.holender?ref=tn_tnmn


Wednesday 21 November 2012

Allen Hollander Project 3-20 Hr 2

Allen Hollander Project 3-20 Hr 2

Hour #2 of the Original Broadcast aired on March 20, 2012 on WXMR FM Featuring amongst other great artists, Canadian Diana Krall. Enjoy!

Allen Hollander Project 3-20 Hr 1

Allen Hollander Project 3-20 Hr 1

Here's one of our shows dedicated to the legendary Milt Jackson and an interview with his niece Carmen Jackson. One of the highlights, a rare studio clip of a a very young Chet Baker. If you are a program director and interested in the 14 show series, contact Allan at allanmholender@gmail.com

Monday 19 November 2012

Ang Lee delivers a gem of the ocean with Life of Pi

Ang Lee delivers a gem of the ocean with Life of Pi: The 3-D is worth it for this one. Life of Pi resonates with literary works from The Jungle Book to the story of Jonah and the whale, and the film nudges the audience toward a spiritual interpretation, since Pi claims to practice at least three of the world's major religions. Even if you're skeptical about whether Pi's story proves the existence of God, the film provides a moving commentary on our need for stories to make sense out of the world.

Wednesday 11 July 2012

Summer Re-Runs

Taking a summer break and will be having re-runs of The Allan Holender Music Project. Check out some great music and interviews every Tuesday and Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. eastern on WXMR FM 100.7 Radio Bistro www.wxmrfm.com

Tuesday 22 May 2012

WXMR-FM 100.7

WXMR-FM 100.7  HI EVERYBODY AND WELCOME TO THIS EDITION OF THE MUSIC PROJECT. TONIGHT WE ARE GOING TO RE-UNITE THE ANDREW SISTERS, PAY TRIBUTE TO OTHER SISTER GROUPS, SOME YOU WILL KNOW AND OTHERS YOU MAY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF. WE'RE ALSO GOING TO HIGHLIGHT  SOME OF THE BEST BLUES ARTISTS OF THE CENTURY AND WE'RE GOING TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THOSE SWINGIN CROONERS OF THE PAST DECADES. SO SIT BACK, FORGET YOUR TROUBLES,PERK UP YOUR EARS AND IF YOU'RE AT HOME PUT ON YOUR DANCIN SHOES, IF YOU'RE IN YOUR CAR, YOU MIGHT WANT TO PULL OVER  AND JUST ENJOY THE RIDE!! 

Thursday 10 May 2012

WXMR-FM 100.7 LISTEN NOW TO THE ALLAN HOLENDER MUSIC PROJECT

WXMR-FM 100.7

The Allan Holender Music Project is on the air. Click and Listen at www.wxmrfm.com

Tuesday 17 April 2012

Jill Barber Oh My My

Jill Barber Oh My My



Allan will be up close and personal with Jill Barber tonight at  7 p.m. est (4:00 p.m pst)  Listen to the LIVE stream on  www.wxmrfm.com

Friday 6 April 2012

THE ALLAN HOLENDER MUSIC PROJECT

Join Allan Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. eastern on WXMR FM 100.7 Radio Bistro
www.wxmrfm.com for his new show, The Allan Holender Music Project.


Allan Holender has been in the radio biz since he was ten years old. He began by broadcasting to his Mother in the kitchen. His Dad set him up in the den with a turntable and a microphone and a small speaker in the kitchen. She became his greatest fan ! That was 60 years ago. Between then and now Allan hosted the first Jazz show on KGVO, Missoula Montana while going to the U of M. He had the number one listened to live show in Vancouver on Saturday nights . “Big Al’s Dance Party” dubbed “Memories, Music and Mayhem or “Comedy, Records & Fun”. The show outranked the CBC during that time slot. Allan has interviewed everyone from Maynard Ferguson, Cal Jader to Dave Stewart and Michael Buble. He knows his stuff and loves to play his private collection of some 1,000 LP’s.

And now he produces and hosts “The Allan Holender Music Project , which he dedicates to the greatest music of our time. Whether it’s Jazz, Blues, Soul, or R & B, the music from the 40,s 50,s, or big bands, Allan weaves a tapestry of stories and personal anecdotes about these legendary artists and their music. It’s a musical buffet to tempt the listener palate and makes you want to come back again and again for more.

You can also LIKE him and the show on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Allan-Holender-Music-Project/340631009310800

Thursday 8 March 2012

WXMR-FM 100.7

WXMR-FM 100.7

Listening to GREAT Jazz saxophonists right now!

Tuesday 6 March 2012

WXMR-FM 100.7

WXMR-FM 100.7 THE ALLAN HOLENDER MUSIC PROJECT

Allan Holender has been in the radio biz since he was ten years old. He began by broadcasting to his Mother in the kitchen. His Dad set him up in the den with a turntable and a microphone and a small speaker in the kitchen. She became his greatest fan ! That was 60 years ago. Between then and now Allan hosted the first Jazz show on KGVO, Missoula Montana while going to the U of M. He had the number one listened to live show in Vancouver on Saturday nights . "Big Al's Dance Party" dubbed "Memories, Music and Mayhem or "Comedy, Records & Fun". The show outranked the CBC during that time slot. Allan has interviewed everyone from Maynard Ferguson, Cal Jader to Dave Stewart and Michael Buble. He knows his stuff and loves to play his private collection of some 1,000 LP's. And now he produces and hosts "The Allan Holender Music Project , which he dedicates to the greatest music of our time. Whether it's Jazz, Blues, Soul, or R & B, the music from the 40,s 50,s, or big bands, Allan weaves a tapestry of stories and personal anecdotes about these legendary artists and their music. It's a musical buffet to tempt the listener palate and makes you want to come back again and again for more. Listen Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:00 p.m. pst, 7:00 p.m. est www.wxmrfm.com

Wednesday 4 January 2012

Conscious Planet Radio: MY FOUR F'S FOR 2012

Conscious Planet Radio: MY FOUR F'S FOR 2012: My four F's for 2012. Thought I would share what my intentions are. See if they resonate for you. 1. FAITH; Without it we would be c...

MY FOUR F'S FOR 2012




My four F's for 2012. Thought I would share what my intentions are. See if they resonate for you.

1. FAITH; Without it we would be clinging to a raft in the middle of the ocean hoping for a miracle rescue. Whatever you believe in, know that if you want to make God laugh tell him you have a plan. God, Jesus, the Universe , whatever you call it gives you what you need not necessarily what you want.

2. FEARLESS: It means exactly what it says, living without fear. FEAR is "false evidence appearing real". The media and government want you to live in fear. Instead of the government being in fear of the people, the people are afraid of the government. Start thinking with your own head and walk away from the t.v., stop reading the newspapers where every headline creates more fear and paranoia. Take a walk with yourself and realize that none of the events that you read about have a direct hit on you. You are your worst enemy if you choose to think that way.

3. FORGIVING: Make it your intention to be forgiving this year. Forgive everyone in your life who has made you feel angry, frustrated, disappointed, or hurt. Forgiving cleanses the soul and leaves you open to allowing for all the things that will be of benefit to you. Forgive, but don't forget. In other words, the only way for full closure is to have learned from the experience. if you don't these people will repeat until you do.

4. FUN: Make 2012 the year you will have fun! That means if your job is not fun, change it. Life is too short and you'll die employed but unhappy. It's never too late to do what you love to do. In my research I have discovered that whatever you loved to do when you were 10 years old, at some point in your life you will wind up doing that and it will be your true love and passion, until then you will just be doing your job. By the way, contrary to popular belief the reason for ending a business is not necessarily because of the financial situation of the business. People ask me when do I know when I should give up my business and I tell them when it's no longer FUN