Afghanistan

You know what... fuck these generals and their NEW RULES. How the hell can you win a war that your refusing to fight?

THE PROBLEM
The top general in Afghanistan just made up some new rule that says soldiers are no longer allowed to fight near the homes of Afghan civilians in hopes of reducing the number of civilians killed.

Do they teach strategy classes at these officer schools??? This new rule has to be a joke. It's a joke right?

Well, if this new rule is not a joke... this war is over and our enemy has won. Because all the enemy has to do now is move into populated areas and sit.

Then, it's up to the civilians to get rid of them... but if the civilians are so afraid of dying... they won't do shit. Which means anytime we come into these populated areas to get rid of the bad people for them... all the bad people have to do is start shooting... and we'll be forced to break contact and withdraw.

So here's the deal... If the people we are supposed to be freeing are not willing to die for their own freedom... Then I am no longer willing to die for them.

If your not prepared for "civilian" deaths... then you have no business going to war. The two have and will always be synonymous with each other. What the fuck did people think was going to happen?

WHO's TO BLAME
People. How is it that gansta rappers can take over popular culture and make millions and millions of dollars talking about fuckin' bitches, doing whatever it takes to make money, sellin' drugs, killing people, etc. and it's all good... but when it's time for the shit to really hit the fan we act so repulsed by it.

And how is it that we love violence on television and in movies, and praise our favorite stars for playing such stellar roles... but when it comes time for the "real" stars to take their places on the battlefield... everybody wants to act so disgusted.

Even worse, we cried our eyes out on September 11th... and then cried some more when they flew a plan near the statue of liberty for a photo shoot (shortly after Obama became president)... thinking it was 911 all over again. All them tears for nothing though... cause a soldier still can't do his fucking job. Guess them terrorists need to attack us a couple more times before you get the picture. Jesus Christ you all are fucking idiots.

Look, soldiers kill people and blow shit up. If we are not going to let them kill people and blow shit up... then it's time to bring them home. Because if your not asking them to go kill, your asking them to just die. And that is unacceptable.

So fuck you all. From the generals who make these horrible decisions to the people that create the environment in which these decisions are made. I hope your fucking happy... because all you pussy's have done is made targets out of our soldiers... and though soldiers are no strangers to being targets... you've just made it impossible for them to do their job.

You might as well have put a bullet through their heads yourself.

I wonder what kind of deals Hamid Karzai and the Taliban are making under the table. And why the fuck America is under that same table making it with them.

It's time to free the world. AI.

iRAN

I don't pretend to know whether or not Abedinejad won the election. But this comment is not about Abedinejad or the election itself... nor is it about the people who took to the streets. I commend anyone for standing up for what they believe is right and applaud them for their efforts. But, I would like to take this oppurtunity to address their leaders. You know, the guys who lost the election... the ones that are encouraging the people to go out and protest (die, get beat up, locked up, etc). The ones who somewhere along the lines decided that they were more important then their own message.

Why aren't they out there in the streets leading their people? How is it that these leaders would ask their supporters to protest while the leaders themselves remain behind the comfort and safety of closed doors? This ain't leadership at all. It's just more of the same bullshit. Business as usual... where somebody wants something and needs people to get it... willing to lead people to slaughter on behalf of his selfish ass cause, but, never himself.

It's the same shit all over the world... Iran is just the most current example of this phenomenon in action. And, the fact that this is happening now is something that we (people of the world) should all take from.

Where are the real leaders? The ones that lead from the front, and are willing to sacrifice their own lives on behalf of the people they lead. The ones that lead for the good of all people... and not just themselves. The ones that would ask for no more then they were prepared to give.

The ones that will bring about true change.

AI: Economic Collapse

Wake up PEOPLE!!! Only thing happening right now is that we are finally realizing that we are NOT rich. We've been living beyond our means for years trying to keep up with the Joneses. All because we thought the Joneses were who we needed to be. And guess what? The Joneses made millions and billions off of us. When we couldn't afford it... they gave us credit... when we didn't have credit they implemented super creative strategies to get us the credit. And when we couldn't get credit... They said "FUCK OFF". These folks have been flawless in their execution.

The difference between them and us though, is that they can put their businesses in debt and still profit. We unfortunately don't have that luxury. And that's basically what's been happening. They have taken all our money... put it in their pocket... and ran their companies into the ground. If you don't believe me, ask former GM CEO Rick Wagoner about his $20 million dollar retirement plan. And before you ask him about that, ask him about how much he's earned at GM over the years. Ask the folks over at AIG the same thing (shit ask anybody in that top 5% of America's wealthiest). As a matter of fact, somebody needs to explain to me how a company can even afford to pay these salaries and benefits when they are taking losses in the first place. And, why they are allowed to do it.

The tables need to turn is what needs to happen... Instead of paying these top executives millions... we need to salary cap their ass... and start using the rest of that money to keep hard working american's afloat. EXAMPLE. If they have $20 million dollars to pay Rick Wagoner, then they need to take that money (not give it to him) and pay 400 employees they are going to lay off $50,000. And they need to do that across the board. They need to look at all of these executives in that top 5% (over $250k a year) and deduct from their salaries to help transition the folks they are laying off. How is one mans pockets worth the lives of 400?

Especially if our tax dollars are going into these companies. Taking our tax dollars to pay these fuckers these exorbitant salaries is a smack in the face. And instead of helping the rich get richer, we need to help those whom this situation stands to make poor. But, if our tax dollars must go to bail these fuckers out... taxpayers should at least see a dividend check on top of that money being paid back.

Yeah, rich folks el complain their getting poorer too... but I'm not so worried about a crack head mother as much as I am her children.

Then, we need to look across the board into healthcare and other areas of concern (because there is a lot more fucked up then just our financial instituition).

The system just needs a complete overhaul/ re-design. That, and I keep hearing about how so many people "care"... I especially love the adds featuring movie stars, professional athletes, and other millionaire icons talking about how much they "care" about whatever they're trying to raise money for... asking me for my money so they can continue to sit on theirs.

These people don't know the first thing about caring (unless they mean themselves)... cause I'd give my last breath for something or someone I cared about. So these other millionaires telling me they "care" yet are still millionaires have made themselves very clear. Actions speak louder then words... But obviously, we have let these people talk circles around us. And "caring" has become the new billion dollar slogan. Just another way to drain money out of the consumer. "Oh, the NBA cares...". And now I feel better about buying all that "official" merchandise, expensive ass concessions, and tickets... All so these fuckers can get RICHER. Then you want to complain about government not doing enough... well, there went 1.5 Billion in NBA player salaries for the year (if the team payrolls were only $50 million each... which they are not... they're more).

What we fail to realize is that we have made all of these people rich... the bankers, the executives, etc. If we didn't give them our money, they wouldn't be worth shit. And now that we are in trouble... look at'em... they just watch as our ship sinks slowly into the sea. This is nothing new though... This is the way it's always been. And over the years... nothings really changed. Yeah, it starts out as change... but as soon as the money changes hands... it's "business as usual".

We've given everything to the point where we have nothing left to give. Those we've given it to have cut bait and run. Yes, this is the thanks we get. Fired, foreclosed on, left out in the cold. And for those who have yet to feel that chilling breeze, they ain't gon do shit for you... cause they're too busy worrying about themselves... hoping they don't end up like you.

However, crossing our fingers IS NOT enough... And no, I'm not talking about a redistribution of wealth, taking from the rich and giving to the poor. But what I am talking about is making sure that we don't give those fuckers another dime. And that we begin to spend our money more wisely.

Support those who will support us back. And, in this time of crisis it's too easy to see that the people we've been supporting... don't give a fuck about us at all.

AI.

The Source Article "Hip Hop's Reaction..."

Well, I went to the magazine shop to pick up the March issue of 'The Source' expecting to see how the article came out... But, the article has yet to be published. Not exactly sure if and when it will even be published (that's just the nature of the business). Oh well, at least the promo was hot. lol.

If you bought the magazine expecting to read the article... you should protest and send me a youtube or google video link to you burning this months issue (so i can put it up on 425tv). I would do it myself, but I looked through the magazine before I bought it, didn't see the article, didn't buy it... and, I'm not going to waste my money buying one just to burn it. However, if you've already wasted the money...

War's Resume

War
___________________________________________________________________

Anywhere, Everywhere
The World.

Conflict Resolution Specialist

Insightful, result-driven Conflict Resolution professional with notable success claiming the lives of millions and destroying the lives of millions more. Inability to distinguish between right, wrong, who lives, dies, or why. Does not concede to any moral or ethical standard nor allow opinion or emotion to interfere in the overall implementation of solutions in support of business objectives. Experienced in the resolution of matters, via force of arms, between nations or between parties within a nation.

Areas of Expertise:

• Consumption of life
• Destruction of social infrastructure
• Atrocity
• Obliteration across all levels
• Collateral damage
• The rise and fall of nations, empires, etc.


Experience Highlights
________________________________________________

Technological Development

Since first recruited thousands of years ago to resolve disputes amongst man, my work is directly responsible for the development from more primitive to sophisticated weapons as well as a variety of constantly evolving weapons systems and platforms.

Platforms:
Nuclear, Chemical, Biological, Incendiary, Explosive, Firearms, Artillery, Missiles, Rockets, Smart, Energy, Magnetic, Antimatter (theoretical at this point, but definitely in the works), Psychological and more.


Implementations:
More consistent and effective destruction of life.


Professional Experience
_______________________________________________

Some would argue the accuracy of these numbers, but they are definitely in the ballpark. For more information on my professional experience please visit wikipedia.org ‘List of wars by death toll’ as a starting point.

World War II (1939–1945)
50,000,000–72,000,000 DEAD
25,000,000 military
47,000,000 civilians

An Shi Rebellion (China, 755–763)
36,000,000 DEAD

Mongol Conquests (13th century)
30,000,000–60,000,000 DEAD

Manchu conquest of Ming China (1616–1662)
25,000,000 DEAD

World War I (1914–1918)
16,000,000 DEAD
9,700,000 military
6,800,000 civilians
21,000,000 WOUNDED


Education & Credentials _______________________________________________

I do not learn, I teach.

The Great White Shark

I just got done watching a show on PBS about the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California. Apparently no one has ever been able to keep a great white shark in captivity for more then 16 days without it dying or having to release it back into the ocean because it wouldn't eat. But, I guess these geniuses at the Monterey Bay Aquarium were able to successfully keep one in captivity for some 6 months before they released it back into the ocean. What's interesting though is why they released it.

For starters a great white is a predatory fish (the largest predatory fish, reaching lengths more then 20ft and weighing over 5,000lbs... the one they had was smaller... 5ft or so). And, being a predatory fish, it naturally eats other organisms for food. Now, I'm no fish expert, but, 1+1 being equal to 2, if I put a great white shark into a tank with other fishes... I'd expect, no, I'd count on the fact that that great white is going to kill the other fishes. Eatem, attackem, whatever.

But, the difference between me and fish experts is that they would put a great white into the tank almost like they weren't sure if it would eventually attack the other fish... And when it does start attacking the other fishes... use that as their excuse to release it back into the ocean. Almost like they forgot that great white sharks are apex predators (top of the food chain), and that they have been known to eat tuna, smaller sharks, among other things (all of which were in the tank they put the great white in). What the fuck kind of logic is that? Were they just sitting their with their fingers crossed hoping that the great white wouldn't act like a great white?

Well, unfortunately, regardless of what kind of logic it is... it's the same logic people use when it comes to soldiers and war. And as a sat watching this program on PBS, I found myself asking the television the same question I ask it every time I see and hear someone reporting on soldiers and the war...

"What the fuck did you think was going to happen?"

No, I'm no expert... but I know enough to know that these so called experts don't know shit... However, I'm glad the shark experts knew enough to let that great white shark be a great white shark... Just wondering when these soldier experts el do the same.

- BIGNEAL


The show was "Oceans in Glass: Behind the Scenes at the Monterey Bay Aquarium"
Click the link for more info or scheduling.

About 'Soldier Music'

'Soldier Music' is the inevitable outcome of soldiers on the battlefield. It is war defined. The mentality of the soldiers who fight it, and the atrociousness of it. All so that we may one day come to terms with how horrible war is, who soldiers are, what they will become, what they have trained to do, and the job they perform. Only after we have come to terms with these things should the decision be made to go to war... because until then, we can not truly support the soldiers we have asked to engage in it on our behalf. For soldiers are no less to war then doctors are to medicine.

Album Art
I think the album art says it all... why clutter it with words when a picture is supposed to be worth a thousand of'em. That and the music itself is bigger then me or anybody that had anything to do with its creation.

The Songs
1. Past to present
Compilation of all of the songs from 'Live From Iraq'. Basically bringing new listeners up to speed.

2. 3000 plus
A dedication to every soldier who has and will ever fall in service of their country... and to those who continue the fight.

3. Toldem'
After the release of 'Live from Iraq' I spoke with a lot of people that felt war was wrong. They said that they supported soldiers, just not the war... that they felt sorry for soldiers having to go to war, and showed their support by trying to bring them home. Here I was, a combat soldier trying to tell them how their opinion influences what happens on the battlefield... ultimately making our job that much more difficult. I told them, "you say you support soldiers, then let them do their fucking job... and stop thinking that how you feel has anything to do with what they MUST do to accomplish the mission".

4. Bring it on
This song represents who soldiers are, what we are prepared to do, and when driven, what we will become. It's a forewarning of the death and destruction that will ensue once sides have been chosen, lines drawn, crossed, and the first stone cast.

5. The Withdraw Method
Basically, War is fuckin'... and if your going to ask somebody to fuck for you, cause your not man enough to handle your own fuckin'... then don't tell me to stop until I'm done. Cause I don't fuck to the satisfaction of the voyeur, I fuck till I have fucked the shit out of whoever needed fuckin'. Either that, or don't ever ask me to fuck at all.

6. Check
Soldiers... true icons, superstars that the world should idolize. Instead the world looks to movie stars, professional athletes, etc. as their symbols of greatness, taking more and more for granted the sacrifice soldiers make. Yeah, he can shoot 3's, but I can shoot 3's too... And though the 3's I shoot may never win me a championship ring, the 3's he shoots will never ensure your freedom the way mine have and will continue to do.

7. Love Me
The only problem with an opinion is that it compares not to knowledge. And, in a world where I know who I am and what I must do... I ask that you never way your opinion against my knowledge. Simply love me for knowing what I know and continuing on.

8. War
The basis of all conflict... MORE. We all want it, we all spend our life in pursuit of it, and we all look past the needs and well being of others in order to satisfy our desire for it. War is just the extent to which we will go to obtain it.

9. Fuck with Me
What is war? Enough people dying for either side to concede their point. Thus, it should go without saying what is being asked of our soldiers. To ask any less of them, would be asking them to simply go die.

10. To Hell
It's about coming to terms with what you've done and who you are despite anyone elses opinion. Yes, we are responsible for the deaths of thousands of men, women, and children... but if thousands of lives must be destroyed to save millions... that's just the price that has to be paid. And if I'm going to Hell for that, Heaven don't exist.

11. PTSD
War opened my eyes. It allowed me to see how ugly the world truly is. Honestly, I think there are those people who can not handle truth in the doses that war administers. it doesn't necessarily make them weak people, because exposure to the truth is but the first step in a long process. and, during this step they are forced to weigh months of exposure to the truth against years and years of what they thought was the truth. everything they have learned, everything they have seen, heard, been told or even experienced for themselves (as it relates to life) suddenly crashes into oblivion. this experience Serves as a life altering shock to their system. I'm sure at one point in our life, we have all heard that the truth hurts, but they are finally coming to terms with how much. a hurt that when fought can last a lifetime.

After the initial realization, the battlefield becomes one of the mind, where now, every action contradicts a preexisting value or belief to the point that they themselves are not sure if what they are doing is right. that confusion coupled with public opinion tends them to lean towards a more "socially excepted" evaluation of things... because how could everything they've known up until now plus the opinion of so many people back home be wrong. Thus, they rationalize it can't be. However, there is a part of the brain that will not simply dismiss what it interprets as truth, antagonizing the situation further.

At this point, they should not be fighting their realization, rather, coming to terms with it. But, out of fear, they will not discuss this very personal struggle with anyone other then themselves. It becomes the skeleton that eats away at them from the closet. If they do open up, their concern is immediately addressed as them having a problem... again, tending them to lead towards drawing a more "socially acceptable" conclusion. Because, problems ARE most always associated with needing to be fixed. What they fail to realize is that they are experiencing life in one of its most natural forms, where when against death it refuses to die... an experience that most "educated professionals" (doctors, experts, etc) learn about only through second hand
information and know nothing of it for themselves. Which to be honest, makes them unqualified to diagnose, treat or council on the subject.

As they return home, they feel as though having removed themselves from the catalyst of their dilemma will ease their pain. but, that part of their brain will not stop reminding them of the truth they are trying so hard to dismiss... and now, the flashbacks begin (if they haven't already)and they begin reacting to their home environment as if they were still at war. To people back home, our reactions are odd, and out of place... but, what they fail to realize is that our reactions are not out of place. It's the people we view as being normal who's actions are out of place. Why? Because, normal people are complacent (among other things) and do not understand how fast things can spiral out of control. They have no knowledge outside of the world they feel perfectly safe in. But, truth be told, reality is far from safe, and the world of war is no different then the world we try escaping to. They are one in the same.

As for me, I often find myself reacting to everything that startles me, basically going into what I call a hasty defense, assessing the situation, delivering myself a FRAGO and continuing on. I don't care to be around nor trust people, because people will get you killed or make you kill them (how many murders each year throughout the world?). Some people would say I'm just scared, but, I fear no man... I fear only what he will make me do to him... and that you will never understand. Because, you have no knowledgeable concept of life, nor the extreme value I place on it.

12. Calm Down
Like I said, my eyes have been opened. I don't like what I see... and, that's what AI is all about.

3 of the songs
Fuck with me, War, and Love me I cannot claim as my own. Yeah, I wrote all of the lyrics, but the inspiration came from the original songs themselves. Here's how it happened.

While I was producing 'Soldier Music', my keyboard broke. Usually, I play all the keys on the keyboard and do drums on an mpc4000. But, with the keyboard in the shop, I couldn't get any music out of my head. Well, I've always loved the movie Man on Fire, and one night I fell asleep watching it. When it got to the end of the DVD it kept looping the menu music. That night I dreamt the song to the music as it played over and over again. When I woke up, I knew exactly what I was going to do. By the time I was done, I had ended up using the same music, but from a different part of the movie, added some drums and percussion... and War was done.

During the same keyboard in the shop period of my life... I was listening to Hotel California by the Eagles. The Cd belonged to one of my soldiers, he let me borrow it in Iraq, and it's been in my possession since. I never really listened to any of the other songs on it... but, since I couldn't make any music of my own... I figured I might as well listen to some other peoples. I don't know what the name of the song is, but when I heard it, it clicked. Love Me was born.

As for Fuck with Me, Ross (guitar player) introduced me to a friend of his name Colleen. He said she sang karaoke, and that we should get together and see what me and her could come up with. She came by the studio and the first song she sang was Hotel California... I was like, "damn, sounds good... what else you got?". Then, she sang Zombie by the Cranberry's. That was that.

When I got my keyboard back, I finished up the album... 3000 plus being the next song I completed. At first, I was never going to release those 3 songs... cause I didn't want to get sued.
But, then I realized how powerful and important those 3 songs were to the album... and, there was no longer any decision to make.

Credits
Bass Guitar by "Vito" - Toldem', Withdraw Method, Fuck with Me, PTSD
Guitar by "Ross Wyndele" - Withdraw Method, Fuck with Me, PTSD
Guitar by "Tweeter" - To Hell
Singing Vocals by "Colleen" - Fuck with Me, 3000 plus
Voice Over by "Karen Gilchrist" - War
3rd Verse on Bring It On written and performed by "Young Blade"


Fuck with me is a remake of The Cranberry's song Zombie
http://www.cranberries.com
http://www.amazon.com/The-Cranberries/e/B000APACJO

War is a rearrangement of a portion of the soundtrack from the movie Man on Fire (when Denzel Washington is in the taxi cab, the beginning of the movie).
http://www.foxstore.com/detail.php?item=1255
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0328107/

Love Me is a rearrangement of an Eagle's song... I don't know the name of the song, because, all I ever had was the cd that someone left in my cd case.
http://www.eaglesband.com/
http://www.amazon.com/Eagles/e/B000APY93Y

The last 4 years.

Basically, I have spent the last 4 years figuring things out. There were a lot of things I needed to learn (both personally and musically), and some situations I needed to separate myself from. I'm sure there are plenty of things left to learn, but as far as me and music... my music is all I'm about. Well, that and creating the content to go with it. Because, what I have planned is a complete audio visual (multimedia) experience.

To be honest, all I ever wanted to do was create/ produce groundbreaking content. I never wanted to be a musical artist, and always imagined myself as the man behind the scenes. But, over the last 4 years, I've realized that it's not time for me to be behind the scenes. It's time for me to lead from the front.

I owe a tremendous debt to everyone who has supported my music since 2005. I also owe a few folks who have seen enough in me to provide financial support over the years. I would be nowhere without you. It's taken me until now to truly understand it, but since the release of LIVE FROM IRAQ, I always thought I had to "build the team". I use to think that was getting the people immediately around me to play a more active role in the success of 425. I know now that "building the team" had nothing to do with them at all, and everything to do with y'all. You guys are and have always been the team. I never had to ask you for or to do anything, yet, you always came through. It's kinda like that whole "footprints in the sand" story... there were times when I thought I was doing this all by myself, but actually, you all have been there the whole time, helping me every step of the way. So, thank you.

That being said... I've got work to do. About to drop the media release of 'Soldier Music' (March 1, 2009) and in the next few months I'll be releasing a digital only album 'Soldier Music RFI'. Also, next month, you will get your first glimpse of the album I've been talking about for the last 3 years... Yes, 'AI' is finally here. And, for the first song I'm going to release, the timing couldn't be more perfect.


- BIGNEAL
1+1=2