Bad Bunny's halftime show at SuperBowl XV had this billboard to remind everyone what brings us together. (More later explaining what was happening)
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A protest for peace - the Bed-in by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, 1969.
From March 25 to 31, they stayed in the presidential suite, Room 702, at the Amsterdam Hilton, welcoming reporters every day from morning until evening.
When questioned afterward about whether the protest had achieved its goal, Lennon expressed irritation at the press’s skepticism, arguing that being dismissed was intentional: “It’s part of our policy not to be taken seriously. Our opposition, whoever they may be, in all manifest forms, don’t know how to handle humour. And we are humorous.”
The first bed-in took place at the Hilton Hotel in Amsterdam, followed by a second at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, at a time when public frustration over the war was intensifying.
Aware that their March 20, 1969 marriage would draw global media attention, Lennon and Ono decided to turn their honeymoon into a platform for peace activism.
SOURCE: https://rarehistoricalphotos.com/john-lennon-yoko-ono-bed-in/
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What we do now echoes in eternity...
Here is a rule to remember in future, when anything tempts you to feel bitter: not ‘This is misfortune,’ but ‘To bear this worthily is good fortune.’...
and
Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.
Thanks Jess Craven for sharing these quotes of the philosopher.
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FYI
The two federal immigration agents who fired on Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti are identified in government records as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raymundo Gutierrez.
Any questions? Comments?
My reaction to seeing they had Latino names was a bit "Hurumph, can this be real? Are they manipulating us again?"
Second, I want justice for their actions in killing Alex Pretti. And not the "reassignment" kind. Real trial justice.
Second, I want justice for their actions in killing Alex Pretti. And not the "reassignment" kind. Real trial justice.
Third, as a confirmed but sometimes struggling pacifist, I want to move to forgiveness and love even towards those who have committed heinous actions. I am nowhere near feeling that way yet, but it's out there for consideration. It keeps me from being angry, mostly.
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Sharing with Sepia Saturday...
And an interpretation of what the meanings were for those who don't understand Spanish - Band Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime show:
"Bad Bunny opens in a massive sugarcane field. For those that don’t know, sugarcane was once one of Puerto Rico’s biggest economic drivers. It represents labor, history, survival. If you want the deep dive, Google it… because it matters.
As he walks through the fields you see workers, kiosks, piragua stands, domino players, nail tech hustle, food stands… everyday Puerto Rican life. Not glamorized. Just real. Because that hustle is part of our DNA.
Then he passes two Puerto Rican boxing champions, Xander Zayas and Emiliano Vargas, a reminder that boxing has always been a source of pride for the island.
Next thing you know he’s on top of a classic casita straight out of el campo singing some reggaeton bangers. Are they the most proper songs? No 
But he still had the tact to censor the bad words even though half the audience wouldn’t have known the difference anyway.
But he still had the tact to censor the bad words even though half the audience wouldn’t have known the difference anyway.And let’s talk reggaeton for a second. That genre was born in the barrios and caseríos. It wasn’t always accepted. It was criticized before it went global. So when he says:
“Estás escuchando música de Puerto Rico, de los barrios, de los caseríos.”
That means:
“You’re listening to music from Puerto Rico. From the neighborhoods. From the housing projects.”
Translation? This global sound came from us.
Then comes the violin intro to Monaco and he introduces himself by his full name:
Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio.
Not Bad Bunny. Benito.
And he says:
“If I’m here today at the Super Bowl it’s because I never stopped believing in myself… and you should believe in yourself too. You’re worth more than you think.”
Goosebumps.
From there we transition into what looks like a full Puerto Rican wedding. And if you’ve ever been to one, you KNOW it’s basically a family reunion with louder music and better outfits.
Enter Lady Gaga in a light blue dress with a red flower, a subtle nod to the original colors of the Puerto Rican flag, singing “Die With a Smile.” A song about love, about choosing your person no matter what. But with a salsa twist and a live band… because nothing says celebration like live horns and percussion.
Benito says:
“Mientras uno está vivo, uno debe amar lo más que pueda.”
“While we’re alive, we should love as much as we possibly can.”
Then…
“Baila sin miedo, ama sin miedo.”
“Dance without fear. Love without fear.”
Kids dancing. Adults dancing. Just joy everywhere. At one point there’s even a little boy knocked out across three chairs… and every Latino watching laughed because we have ALL been that kid at the family party.
Then the shift.
Nuevayol.
New York.
La Marqueta. Corner store. Barbershop. People dancing in the streets. A love letter to the Puerto Rican diaspora and the communities that built culture far from the island.
He says:
“San Francisco, disfruta… que esto es por un momento solamente.”
“Enjoy this moment… because it won’t last forever.”
Then a cameo from legendary Toñita handing him a shot. If you know Caribbean Social Club in East Harlem, you know that’s real community history.
One of the most powerful moments? A family watching Benito on TV holding his Grammy… and then he walks into the scene and hands that Grammy to his younger self.
“Siempre cree en ti.”
“Always believe in yourself.”
Dream → reality.
Then comes another icon… Ricky Martin.
Straight into “Lo Que Le Pasó a Hawaii,” touching on themes of identity and cultural preservation before exploding into “El Apagón.”
And if you know Puerto Rico, you know an apagón is more than a blackout. It’s one of the island’s biggest ongoing struggles. But what happens when the lights go out?
People come outside.
Neighbors connect.
Music finds a way.
Resilience.
Out comes the massive Puerto Rican flag… pride on full display.
Then the party ramps all the way up.
“Todos quieren ser Latinos pero les falta sazón!!”
Everybody wants to be Latino… but the seasoning is missing 
Suddenly flags from North, Central, and South America flood the field. As flags from every corner of North, Central, and South America flooded the field, the stadium lit up with one message across the screen: The only thing more powerful than hate is love. And honestly… that said everything.
He says God bless America… names countries across the continent… ends with:
“Y mi patria… Puerto Rico.”
My homeland.
Then a football that reads:
“Together we are America.”
And just when you think it can’t get bigger, he closes with “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” and turns the entire stadium into one giant celebration.
Listen…
The biggest stage in America had a jíbaro from Puerto Rico standing on it with class.
He brought history.
He brought struggle.
He brought pride.
He brought resilience.
He brought unity.
An American halftime show spoken largely in Spanish… showing that Puerto Rican history IS American history.
Connected to Latin America.
Connected to the diaspora.
Connected to each other.
Culture isn’t something you hide.
It’s something you carry.
Chest all the way out with pride last night.
Puerto Rico está bien cabrón.
Acho… PR es otra cosa.
Thanks Karrie Emmanuel Carrasquillo from FaceBook
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At George Washington University, Feb. 11, 2026
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I mentioned that I canceled my cardio stress test because of high – stress – to the extent I was nauseous.
When my doctor sent in an order for an anti-anxiety pill that’s what it was for just one pill. And my insurance doesn’t cover it. And I can’t take it before I start the test because they want me to be alert so they’re For when I’m in the MRI machine. Not sure what to do about the anxiety and nausea, but I have a month to think it over.
...Barbara, I wish you a Happy Valentines Day, be well.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a Love-ly Valentines day.
DeleteI might prefer to die rather than have an MRI.
ReplyDeleteBesides your rhyme, they aren't so bad. Just lie there and listen to the machine do it's gurgling thing. It's the poisons they inject me with that I'm most unhappy with. They put them in, but don't take them out!
DeleteHappy Valentine's Day Barb! My wish is for more love and less hate.
ReplyDeleteHave a great day and a happy weekend.
Yes, less hate would certainly be a good move toward more love.
DeleteSo sorry about your anxiety. That's a stress test in itself. But thank you for the explainer about the half time show. Can't have too many of them.
ReplyDeleteYes, the impact of the show becomes much more once one has a "playbook" that explains some of it. The visual images only can sink in so far without understanding the words...and those who understand Puerto Rican Spanish were already aware of the meanings. I'm so glad the show was meant for the rest of America to be given the chance to see it, but unfortunately a lot of it just went right over their heads.
DeleteWhat a great summary of the halftime show!
ReplyDeleteIt really helped me understand their message!
DeleteI understand your anxiety about the test. I wish I had a solution for you.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if people today can understand the influence John and Yoko's Bed In had on the world. I wonder if people then could have understood Bad Bunny's performance. I think many would have.
I actually remember being unimpressed by the bed in stunt when it happened. But when I consider it today, I think it was an important step in talking about love. In the meantime, There have been many immigrants into western countries, and I think that is what the halftime show was all about – that there are no longer any single race countries. We have known for a long time that the minority Races in the US are now, Or soon will be, the majority of the population!
DeleteWishing you a less stress & more happy Valentine's Day! And good luck with the MRI. They're not particularly fun, but not as bad as they used to be.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I'll be planning some real strees-reducing things to be armed with for the test next month. Happy Valentine's to you and your loved ones!
DeleteHave a lovely Valentine's Day and a weekend filled with more love.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Same to you, Bill!
DeleteThank you for sharing the summary! I got most of the imagery, but you filled in the blanks and added even more!
ReplyDeleteOf course insurance won't pay for it and of course you can't take it anyway. Kinda the way things are going for me lately too. Bah humbug.
We enjoyed the Bad Bunny halftime show. None of the other shows ever appealed to us. This one did despite the different language. It was fun to watch and we got the gist of it quickly.
ReplyDeleteLove to you. I have sympathy for your stress re medical procedures. I remember John and Yoko's bed stunt. I read somewhere recently that at some game or match somewhere the crowd started to sing 'Imagine' at the half-time interval.
ReplyDeleteSending love, Barbara! Thank you for this post, especially the explanation of the Bad Bunny halftime show. I didn't understand the words, but the intent certainly came through! What a party. What joy and fun.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations , Barbara, on such an original post on the theme of Love and giving us so much to think about.
ReplyDelete