Political Karma

"Thug" Life

2007-01-25T10:03:00.000-08:00

http://www.ajc.com/living/content/living/stories/2007/01/24/0125LVthug.html

I know I know it's been awhile, but I figured it's time to come out of hibernation and jump start my creative juices.

Above is an article found in today's edition of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. It asks the question, "What is a Thug?" To give you some background, Michael Vick has been catching serious hell about the marijuana in the water bottle incident, which the Miami police claim there was none of, which I don't believe for one second, but that may be the problem. Anyway, radio personalities, callers, and bloggers have been blasting him, calling him a Thug like there's no tomorrow, although Vick has no record and has not been arrested of anything. The article references one talk show host blasting him on his outward appearance off the field saying he wears baggy pants and stuff like that, which I think is just a moronic statement.

So this begs the question, has the word thug come to besically be used to describe young black males that have the hip hop identity and maybe get in trouble? One person in the article said that it's not fair that when a white person gets in trouble, they've made a mistake, but when a black person does, they're a thug. That's very true. Case in point, the Duke lacross team mess.

I do believe the word thug has become synonimous with black hip hop culture, especially when someone black gets in trouble. I'm guilty of labeling people thugs, especially when I see black youth walking down the street with their pants hanging down by their ankles, holding their crotches, shuffling like prisoners in a chain gang. That bothers me a lot actually, but that's a different story. Young folks shouldn't be labeled as thugs just because of their style of dress. I'm sure there are some truly good, smart folks that like to dress with a little sag in their pants and listen to rap music. They're not thugs, but they're perceived to be. I think we're all lumped into the thug category if we dress a certain way, no matter what we do or what type of education we have.

However, I do think the hip hop culture is at fault for this too. The glorification of being a thug has lead to this. Tupac's image, Biggie's image, 50 Cent being shot, the culture is about thuggism. It's glorified 30-40's mob mentality, just with black people. Everyone's looking for respect and will do whatever vile acts necessary to get it. Hiphop is filled with wannabe thugs, so it shouldn't surprise everyone when folks start associating hip hop styles with thuggery.

That being said, it's still not fair to the person being called a thug. Is Michael Vick a thug? I don't know. Can his actions and demeaner portray him as a thug? Probably so. But why wasn't Bill Romanowski a thug for spitting in player's faces or using Roids? Why isn't Rush Limbaugh a thug for beinga pill popper and carrying someone else's medication (that's illegal)? Farve's a pill popper. How often do we hear K-Fed being called a thug. Or is he called a wannabe thug, which goes to the heart that the word is associated with black hip hop culture.

Being a thug vs making a mistake. What's your take?

What ever happend to the music?

2006-09-20T07:56:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile...

I was reading an editorial in the Miami newspaper from Leonard Pitts Jr. talking about black images saying black folks are partially to blame for the images we have (he's black too). He brought up a point when talking about music comparing th "black empowerment" song "I'm Black and I'm Proud" by James Brown, or Aretha's call for "R-E-S-P-E-C-T." Now much of what we have if "I wanna sex you," "Give me some head," "Look at my teeth...they're shiny," and, to take a line from Chris Rock, "They spinnin Nigga, They spinnin."

Not much that goes out over the airwaves is very eimpowering. No songs to fill you with pride. Nothing that lets you keep your head up. Nothing telling folks how to get better, or that they can do better. Just images of Beyonce shaking her ass, girating on Jay Z's crotch, when she should be promoting her voice. Tired I am of booty shaking and bling dropping. Whatever happend to hip hop back in the day when it was about story telling. The Doug E Fresh's and Slick Rick's of the word. MC Lyte, and Queen Latifah. Even in Regulators with Nate Dogg and Warren G, it was telling a story. Now it's about fame, fortune, and capping people.

Now there are still those out there that do a little of both. Kanye, Common, Wyclef. They cuss a little and talk about stuff they have, but they present a message at times that deals with social conscieousness. We need more of that in the hip hop world. More folks telling the young they can make it in the world. More critical thought, less ass in your face. That's one of the ways the youth will have a shot. Otherwise it's the same song just a different era. They Spinnin Nigga They Spinnin.

Societal Priorities

2006-07-14T19:30:00.000-07:00

I guess I'm trying to figure out our priorities in this country.
Iran's making noise,
N.Korea's testing Tipodong,
Lebanon and Israel are fighting like two women after the same man,
Gas is rising,
It's getting hotter,
Gas is rising.

There are so many issues out there in the world...and...a horse is one of the top stories. It seems that everywhere I turn I'm bombarded with stories about Barbaro. Barbaro...a freakin horse. Yesterday he was near death, his chances for survival "poor". Seems he had a great sleeplast night. Even slept on his side. Wow. I can't believe we're getting daily updates on a horse. Yes, he won the Kentucky Derby, but does that make him Baby Jessica? We're keeping watch over him like he's the President on his deathbed. Sort of like the Pope.

Are we that knumb of the world that a horse is treated with such importance? Horses get injured and die everyday. This one happend on tv. Why is it such a tear jerker? Am I missing something? It's like a pet dying. Sad, but not the beginning, middle, or end of the world. When the world's crumbling around us, we turn on our blinders and look to Mr. Ed. Wow!

Nothing at All

2006-07-14T13:09:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting here at work right now bored out of what's left of my mind thiking to myself, how fun could this be if I lit up joint. Granted, I don't have a joint to light up, but it's of those days. 5 o'clock won't get here fast enough. But for what? A date with my bed and television. My check this week is short so I'm putting myself in exile for the weekend. Fortunately for me, I strat back at the Royals games on Thursday so that'll be some extra income. So my brain is pretty much shutting down and this is the only way i know how to get it going again. Writing about nothing at all. But as I sit here and write I do feel alot better. I haven't written in awhile, partly why I'm writing now. I need to find a hobby that doesn't involve staring at a tv trying to make a little man run around shooting gangsters and bombing the homes of rival bosses (currently playing the Godfather and will probably beat it tonight). I don't know what that's going to be at the moment. I'll find something. Getting tired of the nothingness. I'll have to write more later.

Unnecessary Roughness

2006-06-16T16:02:00.000-07:00

Anyone who knows me knows I'm a huge Ray Lewis fan. Number 52 is one of the baddest linebackers to play the game. Well there was this one play about 3 years ago. Monday Night Football, Denver Broncoss vs Baltimore Ravens. Denver attempts a long field goal, which is short and caught by Chris McAllister. As McAllister starts running, on of Denver's players rushes in to make a tackle, MISTAKE #1. Then the menace known as Ray Lewis appears. See for yourself. You can either watch the whole thing, or skip to the 2:05 mark. You'll see the madness.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyh8lr0gLBQ&search=ray%20lewis

Quotes from Hitler

2006-06-13T12:52:00.000-07:00

http://www.cnn.com/2006/EDUCATION/06/13/hitler.yearbook.ap/index.html

I was reading CNN.com like I always do and ran across this story. Seems that a couple of boys graduating from high picked some quotes from Hitler as their yearbook quotes. One was, "Strength lies not in defense, but in attack," while the other was "The great masses of people ... will more easily fall victims to a big lie than to a small one." The school principal says they have failed miserably (as educators) and they are issuing letters to parents saying tehy're sorry and providing tape to cover up the quotes. It may just be me, but does anyone else see a problem with this?

I think our nation has become so PC that people are really worried about the quote. Adolf Hitler was one of the greatest leaders of our time. I didn't like what he stood for, but I have to respect the fact that he was able to lead thousands for his cause, much like Osama Bin Laden, but at least Hitler did his leadingout in the open and not from a bunker somewhere in a mountain. We are so worried about offending people that we choose not to look at the quotes on their own. The quotes have some truth to them, in my book anyway. Some people do believe that strength lies in attacking (see the Phoenix Suns) and I do believe the masses of people will fall victims of a big lie (see Iraq War). Just because the person who said them was a vile man with hopes of world domination does not make the quotes any more or less truthful. The quotes made no mention of person, creed, color, religion or anything else we get defensive over. These are just two quotes that can be used in everyday thought.

I feel sorry for these two kids. They will now be the butt of jokes and the subject of people's disdain. I feel sorry for the teachers of their high school for having a principal that doesn't respect free thought and probably doesn't know what a true education is. If we look at and study the teachings of people, even bad people, there is still much we can learn. I'm pretty sure the "Shock and Awe" style of the military stemmed from the German Blitzkreig. The blitz in football stems from Blitzkreig. I don't here anyone raising cane about that. But I digress. If these kids were little Neo-Nazi skinheads carrying a burning cross with sheets over their heads, then I'd be singing a different song. Then I 'd say they are using Hitler's message for the same evil purposes he did just like many use religion to go to war. But to my limited knowledge, these are two kids who saw quotes they liked that happen to come from Hitler. Isn't that their right. Political Correctness will be the end of us all.

Police lawsuit

2006-05-01T11:16:00.000-07:00

http://www.storyhill.net/IssuesCopClothes.htm

Wow, this is pretty rediculous. I'd like to get paid for dreams I have about work at night. Or maybe when I just think about work. Or maybe when i say the word work.

"A Day Without a Mexican"

2006-05-01T10:57:00.000-07:00

It was several months ago when I rented this movie from Blockbuster. It cronicled what would happen if all Mexicans disapeared from the face of the earth. Nothing got done. Crops died, restaurants closed. It was madness. It was a really good movie for looking like it was done on a shoestring budget. It's funny how sometimes art imitates life, then life imitates art.

So far the Day without an Immigrant seems to be going smoothly. For their sake I hope it continues that way. I have mixed feelings on the illegal immigrant situation. On the one hand, I believe all of our workers should be treated and paid with respect. They should have some benefits and be paid at least minimum wage. Many illegals are already here and we're already taking care of them so why don't we include them. Have them pay taxes and have rights just like most other Americans. On the other hand, they did cross into the country illegally. We do have rules. Granting them "immunity" or giving them the same treatment I think is sort of a slap in the face to those who have gotten in or or trying to get into this country legally. From what I hear, it's a long process and know some people who are going through it. Also, what will adding millions of people to the tax roles really do to the economy and what the government can provide. The extra tax money would help, but would the demand for services outweigh the increase in taxes?

To be frank I don't know what to do. I normally fall on the side of human rights. I believe they should be treated like normal people. But they did enter illegally. That's not fair. Illegal immigrants do a lot for this country. Much like the slaves back in the day provided free labor allowing businessmen to keep profits, the illegals provide cheap labor keeping costs to the consumer down and allows businessmen to keep profits; Hmmm, I wonder what group is opposed to this? I guess this would be a modern day, voluntary slavery with wages. That doesn't even sound right.

On the surface it seems easy to lean one way or the other on the issue. Either let em in and give them comparible wages or keep them out until they can get in legally. But there is so much more to that. I wish I had an answer. Either way, each choice comes with consequences.

Credibility

2006-03-15T16:12:00.000-08:00

Here's something that's been on my mind for awhile now. My mom asked me this question when I was dating my ex-girlfriend Mary. Let me give you some backgrounnd...

Mary was part Spanish, part Chinese, but mostly grew up with white folks so basically she was white with a tint. I used to talk to her about minority issues, but she never understood.

Ok back to the present...I have a propencity to date white girls. That's not to say I don't date anyone else because I don't discriminate (at least not consciously). I women's a women and if she hot and smart (not necessarily in that order) I'm down. Just so happens I've dated a lot of white girls.

Anyway, I fashion myself as a person who is socially aware of who I am, a black man living in a world where mostly white folks are in charge. I speak out about a lot of issues affecting minorities, especially black folks. I want to see disenfranchised folks get ahead, whatever race they may be. As I grow older and become a professional or academic, whatever, I find myself wanting to speak to students about minority issues, maybe as a professor.

So the question I pose to whomever is listening is can a minority dating or married to a white person lose credibility when speaking about minority issues? A friend of mine said that if Louis Farekhan (sp?) fell in love with a white woman he'd have to step down as the leader of the Nation of Islam. I told her she was crazy, but would he really have credibility to talk about the white man being the devil? How does marrying a minority affect your political views (not repub or demo, but issues involving minorities)? No matter whom I'm with, I'm going to still speak of the injustices of the world.

Back to my mom, she always asked me how I can talk about the man stepping on the toes of black folks when I'm dating a white girl. Just told her I didn't know, but I wasn't going to stop.

Thoughts?

Going to Africa like Dave Chapelle...

2006-03-02T19:18:00.000-08:00

Ok so I'm not really pulling a Chapelle and rolling out on life for a bit. I have been away for awhile though, on my own accord. Just haven't felt like writing much. Not much to say. Like Aaron McGruder, I took a sabatical from myself. But I think it's time to start wriitng again. Here are some topics I think I'll cover...some old, some new.

1. Watching the T.O. press conference made me a little sick. Why does this strong black male figure have this little weasley white guy speaking for him, making him lok bad?

2. Giving control of our ports to a company from Dubai. What the Fu@k!

3.Tricky Dick and the Wild West Shootouts.

4. Vince Young and the Magical 6.

5. Why the fu@k are there 12 people running against Ray Nagin in the New Orleans mayoral election?

6. Why the fu@k are they having an election?

7. Why the fu@k has it been six months and the 9th ward still looks like Lebanon after an airstrike?

8. Maybe that's why there are 12 people running against Nagin and they're having an election.

9. My application for a PhD program at UNO.

10. For all the ass shaking white girls do now, can't nobody shake an ass like a sista shakes an ass.

11. Are the fu@kers in the NFL losing their fu@king mind?

12. Dave Chapelle is the greatest comedian alive today.

13. Why I'm using the word fu@k so many times.

14. Does anyone care about the winter olympics?

15. Why Chocolate City will be more white chocolate than dark chocolate.

I think that's about it. Of course I will never cover all these topics, but I'll try. Maybe someone can help me out with a few. Be back soon!

Things I Learned from Playing Video Games

2006-02-04T06:29:00.000-08:00

Funny email I received from a friend. Reminds me of the old days.

THINGS I LEARNED FROM PLAYING VIDEO GAMES:

* There is no problem that cannot be over come by
force (0r for you Star Wars geeks "Force")
* If it moves, DESTROY IT!
* Piloting any vehicle is simple and requires no
training.
* One lone "good guy" can defeat an infinite number of
"bad guys"
* Make sure you eat all food lying on the ground.
* You can break things and get away with it.
* You can push vehicles off the road and get away with
it.
* If someone dies, they disappear.
* You can overcome most adversaries simply by having
enough quarters.
* You can operate all weapons without training.
* No matter houw long you fight, you can always fight
again.
* Death is reversible (only for you!)
* Ninjas are common and frequently fight in public.
* Whenever big, fat mean guys are about to croak, the
flash red and yellow.
* You never run out of ammunition, just grenades.
* All women wear revealing clothing and have great
bodies
* Shoot everything. If it blows up or dies, it was
bad.
* Don't worry if your vehicle crashes or explodes.
Another will appear in its place.
* A thousand to one odds against you is not a problem.

As Seen On TV

2006-02-01T19:18:00.000-08:00

So I tried my best to stay away from national television last night. Didn't really want to see any of the State of the Union. Didn't really care what Bush had to say. I knew it wasn't going to be that important, especially to me and the people of NO. Dude talked for about 40+ seconds about Katrina and the Gulf Coast. Yet they still clapped. And that's why this tradition must end.

Really, what's the point of the State of the Union address. I pretty much see it as a way the president can feel good about himself by having members of Congress, especially the majority, stand up and clap at every pause. Hasn't the President's road trip around the US been enough? He's touring the country mapping out his plan. Why do we need a made for TV event.

And yes, all that was last night was a made for tv event. I tried to watch them, but it seems like they're all full of shit. Bush, Clinton, Bush, Rea....nope probably wasn't too coherent when Reagan was President. I was anywhere from 0-8 years old. They go up there with their prepared speeches and say what they're going to do. Not sure if they ever do. Don't really care. They're going to do what they are anyway. And Congress will still clap at every pause...well at least half anyway.

And what's with the clapping? Tell me why. Can they just let the man finish. I wish I could count the number of standing ovations he received and compare them to the previous presidents. I can tell you there are always about 20 too many.

I don't know what we get from these televised events. Is the country better off? Doubt it. But I guess it's a chance for the president to feel good about himself, not discuss issues raised by the opposing party, and only give issues that matter to real people about 43 seconds. But I'll give you one thing...

Must be nice to hear all those cheers.

Kobe's 81

2006-01-23T07:24:00.000-08:00

If you haven't heard, or don't care, Kobe Bryant dropped 81 points on the Toronto Raptors last night. That's the most points since Wilt Chamberlin dropped 100 back in the day. Putting 81 on any team is an awesome feat. Neither I nor about 99% of the league could do that. That's a rediculously sick accomplishment. However, in the greater scheme of things, it's a wasted feat. I'll tell you why:

1. Kobe dropped 81 on the Raptors. I think the Raptors are one of the worst teams in the NBA and will definitely be battling for a lottery pic come draft time. Since it seems that Kobe is trying to become the Jordan of our era, let me see you consistently rip up the good teams. Drop 70 on a Boston team with Hall of Famers like Larry Bird, Kevin McKale, the Chief Robert Parish. Continuously rip out the hearts of Knick fans by throwing double nickels on Patrick Ewing, Greg Anthony and John Starks. 81 is awesome, but the Raptors are a punk team.

2. Of course Kobe had to mention some injury he had. This time it was a sore ankle. That's great that you did it with a sore ankle, but no one has to know about that. Let a trainer or someone leak that info to the media. You don't have to say I had a great game with a sore ankle. Did Jordan let folks know he had the flu when he dropped 40+ on Utah in the Finals. Nope. The media found out, but he didn't have to say anything. The great ones never have to say their hurt. They just play like they're never hurt. Isiah Thomas had abroken leg when he was hobbling down the court in a playoff game killing folks. I don't think in the post game interviews he touted having a great game with a broken leg. It's nothing to the great ones.

3. Kobe took 46 shots. 46 shots! Wow! Talk about a ball hog. I know shot better than 50% from the field but man 46. That's rediculous. You should be dropping 70-80 a night with 46 shots. With that he shot 20+ free throws. So that's 60 plus shots you took. 60+. Come on man. I know you're the truth, a killer on the court. Totally sick, but 60+ shot attempts. What about your teammates?

4. And speaking of teammates, where were they? I think they had about 30-40 points total. The one thing I hate most about Kobe is he doesn't make his teammates better. Lamar Odom is a pretty good forward and should be a Scottie Pippen type player...if he saw the ball. How can guys ever get into the flow of a game with one person shooting the rock 60+ times. What happens when Kobe's having a bad night or injured? How can the other players get his back if they don't have any real experience other than watching Kobe shoot. Great players pass the ball. Jordan passed, Magic passed, Isiah passed, Bird passed. Having strong teammates around you gets you to the ultimate goal, an NBA Championship. Not trying to outscore the other team yourself.

5. The Lakers are still 7th in the West. 7th and probably not going to get past 5th in the West. They are destined to be elimated at best in the 2nd round of the playoffs. I real MVP like Steve Nash has his entire team playing at a good clip, even without Stoudemire. It's about teamwork.

6. There was a mch better game played last night between Phoenix and Seattle. The highest scoring game in a long time. Ray Allen is a menace. Score was like 150-153 or something like that. The TEAMS played a great game, albeit no defense, but a great game nonetheless.

So I don't want to discount Kobe's feat. It was an awesome accomplishment. I would think more of it if it were against a better opponent or if the Lakers were playing better. If the Zen Master wants another ring, he may need to calm his best player down. Worked for Jordan.

Chocolate City

2006-01-20T19:50:00.000-08:00

"It's time for us to rebuild a New Orleans, the one that should be a chocolate New Orleans," he said. "And I don't care what people are saying in Uptown or wherever they are. This city will be chocolate at the end of the day." --New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin

Ok, Time to get back to the blog's namesake, Political Karma.

Pretty much since I left Louisiana for Missouri I have lost track of New Orleans news. Sure I hear about the big stuff like corruption, crime and hurricanes because that stuff makes national news. But nothing about the everyday activities of the city. Well, this is one of those national things that is on all tv's.

So I'm getting ready for work Wednesday morning (I think Wed morn) and I turn on the recording of the previous night's The Daily Show with John Stewart. As a sidenote, it's unfortunate that I trust shows like the Daily Show and Colbert Report for my news rather than more mainstream media like the local news, CNN and Fox [yeah, like I can stand Fox News for more than 3 minutes]). So I'm watching The Daily Show and they show a clip of New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin. I'm thinking, "What now?" Then I here him talk about rebuilding New Orleans and keeping it a "Chocolate City." I immediately pause the show and call my mom. It's always something making New Orleans look bad.

Or is it?

So let's address this concept of "Chocolate City." Is that something a mayor should say? Probably not. While it may be true and may be a goal, unfortunately you just can't say things like that, especially to the media. You can say something like that, but it has to be a little bit more polished than that. Something to the effect that, "we will rebuild New Orleans and make sure the people indigenous to the city, its citizens get the first opportunity be the decision makers, the leaders, the shapers of this city's future." That would have worked a little better than Chocolate City.

I don't have a problem with new orleans being rebuilt as a chocolate city. This is a great opportunity for new orleans to reshape itself and its people. Unfortuantely it is also an opportunity for unscrupilous folks of any race, but probably the typical wealthy white businessman or political figure wanting to make money, to make decisions forcing those that lost their homes to never return. I've heard all kinds of things going on down there (second hand of course). Some of the more affluent condo owners worked to stop the government from placing trailors for those without homes in their neighborhood. In this time of need, all some folks can still think about is their property. I've also heard plans to totally level the 9th Ward, the place hit the worst by the levie break and where many poor familes, mostly black but others as well, and not rebuild it. It is probably these types of events or feelings that led Nagin to say what he said. Being the conspiracy theorist that I am, here's what I think will happen:

They'll tear down the parts that need to be torn down. Either someone will come along and offer an extremely lowball price for property, buy it all up and build expensive, exclusionarily (is that even a word?) priced houses/condos totally changing the make-up of the area forcing poor folks out of their home. Or the government will declare some kind of eminent domain and allow this to happen. It 's already happen near the St. Thomas projects. Structures used to house poor families near the river were torn down making space for exclusionarily priced condos forcing the poor to relocate. Let me not forget the Walmart built either.

But that's just my thoughts.

Believe me when I say this: I am not condoning the presentation of the message, but I am condoning the message. When New Orleans recovers I'd like to see the culture come back. I'd like to see black folks get opportunities to be the decision makers. That is not to say I don't want any one else to have opportunities. Like Nagin said in a later clip, you make chocolate by taking dark chocolate and adding some white milk. I personally would like to add some chai, a little green tea, with a pinch of jalepeno mixed with curry. That's how I like my drink and my government. Something that represents the whole of what's actually out there. Giving all races some form of representation. So yeah, I'm all in favor of a "chocolate city."

One thing I think Nagin forgot while making his MLK speech was that he was black. a mayor and a black mayor at that. Nagin's got to realize that whatever he says will be blown out of proportion by the media. He said that God was mad at the US so he's sending hurricanes, etc. If you are a somewhat spritual person and have been to church at any point in time, you know that stories in the Bible talk about God's wrath. Let me think...he flooded the world (Noah), and destroyed an entire city (Gamorah). But that's if you believe that stuff. Pat Robert's came out and said Aerial Sharone's stroke was God's wrath for his dealings with the Middle East. The media picked up on that, but not like Nagin's comments. Nagin has to realize he needs to couch his statements like the other politicians. Having the same message, but having the media pick up on it differently. I remember watching clips of Sen. Stevens of Alaska throwing a temper tantrum at the thought of Congress taking some of his money for the bridge to nowhere and diverting it to New Orleans. Guess the media didn't think much of that. Nagin wanting a "chocolate city?" Now that's news. Gotta remember Mayor Nagin that if a person of color in America says anything close to outlandish, the media will take off with it portraying you like a baffoon. Just the way it works in the US.

Chocolate City. Gotta love it!

Quantum Leap

2006-01-15T20:08:00.000-08:00

"Theorizing that one could time travel within his own lifetime, Dr. Sam Beckett stepped into the Quantum Leap accelerator and Vanished...He woke to find himself trapped in the past, facing mirror images that were not his own and driven by an unknown force to change history for the better. His only guide on this journey is Al, an observer from his own time, who appears in the form of a hologram that only Sam can see and hear. And so Dr. Beckett finds himself leaping from life to life, striving to put right what once went wrong and hoping each time that his next leap will be the leap home."

Now I'm not saying that I'm this time traveler lelaping around trying to make things right in the world. What I am saying is I do feel like I am put in places where for some reason or other I am needed until I'm not. Seems that in my life I've always been around when people needed me. I help them get through the tough time, learn some things and they go about their business. Unfortunately it always leaves me high and dry, but such is life I guess. So I keep on traveling, trying to make right what's wrong, hoping each time my next leap will be the leap home.

God I love that show.

The Tunnel with the Windows

2006-01-02T18:38:00.000-08:00

There's this tunnel with the windows I sometimes find myself in.
The tunnel seems to go on for miles.
The tunnel's dark, but I can make out some giant picture windows on each side.
On the other side of the giant windows in the tunnel, I can see a room with the silhouettes of two people in most of them...a man and woman.
It's dark in the room.
It's dark in the tunnel.
The giant windows in the tunnel seem to go on for miles like the tunnel itself, most rooms having two people inside...a man and woman.
I look ahead, pearing into the darkness and see a tiny light ahead. I'm guessing that's the exit. I'm hoping the light at the end of the tunnel is my journey's end.
I start walking into the darkness.
As I past the first window a light turns on. I can see the man and woman.

The woman looks familiar. Isn't that the girl I had a crush on in high school? The man remains a silhouette. Some nameless faceless man.

What is this about?
I continue to walk down the dark tunnel.
Behind me a light turns off. In front another is illuminated.

Wow I remember her. Two years of my life wasted. This time the man is a white silhoutte. He has a name, and a face, but I have never personally seen it. My blood boils. I bang on the window. All that does is makes them make out even harder, giving me sinister looks, each finding it straight through to my defenseless heart. Starting to walk away I notice a television. Sound starts to fill the tunnel. I look around to see where it's coming from but it's too dark. I start to listen. It's that phone conversation when the bitch ripped my heart out. I see my reaction on the television and hear it in the tunnel. I remember that pain. I relive that pain. I walk away.

The sound fades, the light dims and another illuminated.
What now?

Another girl. Another man. I didn't even like you. We were just dating. I didn't like you? Did I? Sure I enjoyed your company, but I didn't think I'd like you. You were hell bent on finding a boyfriend. Now you have one and that just pisses me off. Maybe I did like you more than I thought I did. But that doesn't matter now. Wouldn't have worked anyway. That's what I 'm going to keep telling myself. I walk away.

I'm growing tired of this tunnel, yet I seem to always find myself in it.
The tunnel seems to go on for miles.
Rooms lighting and growing dark like the steps in Michael Jackson's Billie Jean video.
Each vision a woman from my past.
Each vision a reminder.
The tunnel doesn't seem to stop. It seems to be getting longer.

Wait a minute. You shouldn't be here. You're too new. I thought this was all about the past, not the present. My mind wanders. I spend a lot of time with her. She's my friend. Probably my best friend here. I'd do anything for her. Wait a minute...I just had these thoughts.

I back up but not too far...in the middle of the lastest two windows. They both turn on.

She was my friend. Probably one of my best friends at my previous location. We helped each other through school.
She is my friend. Probably one of my best friends in my current location. We're helping each other through life.
Both lovely in their own distictly different way. Both very appealing. Both sources of the pain. Both the newest additions to the tunnel.
The ever growing tunnel.

I look at both of them. I slide to the left...one light of the goes off.

I stand for a minute, gazing into the lit room, darkness surrounding me. I look at her, she looks at me. I place my hand on the glass, stretching my fingers out wide. She smiles at me, teeth sparkling, cheeks reddining. I ball my open hand into a fist, rare back getting ready give everything I can to break the glass. My arm shoots like a cannon, getting closer and closer to it's mark. And then I stop...so hard I almost pull my shoulder out. My eye caught a glance of something. Someone entering the room. I man. I know him, I've seen him, I've talked to him. Not again. Not again. He comes behind her and slowly kisses her on her neck. She looks at me, her gaze transformed from bright and beautiful to sinister. She enjoys the kisses, but enjoys my pain more. My heart sinks. I've been through this before. Running the race, slow and steady while someone comes along skating by. Classic example of the role player vs the superstar. And I'm not the superstar. While most of me wants to rare back and break the glass, I already know how that story would end. Secong verse same as the first. My heart sinks, my head falls to my chest. I was away. The light fades.

I continue my slow agonizing journey through the tunnel with the windows.
It's dark. It's lonely.
I pass by more windows, but they are empty. Waiting to be filled just as the ones I previously passed. So many I've passed, but not all did I mention. I start to run as fast as I can. Lights going on and off so quickly. I see the light getting closer and closer. I jump to it. White light all around me. Then it fades. When my eyes adjust all I see is darkness. I'm in a room...a tunnell. With windows. I see silhouettes.
The tunnel goes on for miles.
I'm in the tunnel with the windows again.
I wonder if there will be any additions this time around?
Wonder what lies in the white light so far ahead.
I'm inside the tunnel with the windows.

Thoughts on Mr. T

2006-01-02T17:45:00.000-08:00

This kinda long email has been going around. Mr. T is a great man...

Mr. T speaks only when necessary.

His main form of communication is folding his arms and slowly shaking his head. And regardless of the situation, he is always understood.

Mr. T invented fools. Realizing the magnitude of his folly, he then created Pity.

There are only four horsemen of the apocalypse, because Mr. T is going to walk.

Mr.T once punched Chuck Norris at the exact moment he roundhouse kicked Mr.T in the chest. The result was the 80's.

23. That's the number of people Mr. T has pitied in the time it has taken you to read this sentence.

Mr. T's pity for fools is used by mathematicians as a demonstration of the concept of infinity.

You have only seen Mr. T in human form. In Narnia, he is a T. Rex with a lion's tail hanging out of his mouth.

Mr. T is allergic to doorknobs. That's why he can only kick through doors.

Mr. T once pitied the sun. An ice age followed.

Mr. T's edition of the VH1 show 'Where Are They Now' was the shortest in the show's history. It was 10 seconds long, and consisted of a black screen with the words "Right Behind You" written on it.

Mr. T is not black. It's just that the sun is to afraid to shine on him.

Mr. T once rocked the Casbah. Which explains why there is no longer a Casbah.

Behind every great man, there is a great woman. Behind that woman is Mr. T.

In 1995, Mr. T was diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma but he pitied his own fool cells until the disease turned into T-cell lymphoma. Upon closer inspection by doctors, the cancerous T-cells now had mohawks, gold chains around their nucleus and were tired of the other cell's jibba-jabba.

The last time Mr. T went to McDonald's, Ronald McDonald greeted him. What occured next proved to be the most violent beating of a clown ever recorded in human history.

Despite popular belief, if there is a fool in the woods, and nobody is around to hear his jibba jabba, Mr. T is still able to pity him.

Mr. T was fired from the Psychic Friends Network for always predicting pain.

Before Mr. T, the alphabet only had 25 letters.

Mr. T was the first to kill two bird with one stone. He kept the stone, and as of now it has killed 6,048.

It took five women 2 years to give birth to Mr. T.

Mr. T's incredible greatness has been attributed to the fact that his genetic code doesn't have any A, G, or C. His genetic code is in fact, nothing but T's.

Remember when Mr. T wasn't so popular and awesome? Me neither.

They say when a bear is chasing a group of people, you don't have to outrun the bear, but only have to be faster than the slowest person. If Mr. T is chasing you, you're dead no matter what.

On all 3428 instances it occured, when Mr. T and Chuck Norris both 'deflower' the same woman, the resulting spermal battles have caused the woman's uterus to explode in a flurry of pity and roundhouse kicks.

Every time Mr. T pities the fool, a pornstar regains her virginity. Then proceeds to lose it to Mr. T.

Mr. T's sperm is so strong it could impregnate a man.

Mr. T made his van go twice the speed of light because he wanted to prove that quantum physics was a bunch of jibba jabba.

Mr. T doesn't have internal organs. He had them removed to make more room for muscle.

Mr. T was once clocked at 100 fps. That's 100 fools pitied a second.

The United States Federal Reserve Bank decided that Mr. T's neck was a much safer place for their gold than Fort Knox.

World champion eater Takeru Kobayashi once ate 53.5 hot dogs in 12 minutes. Allotted the same time, Mr. T ate Kobayashi.

The vegetarian group PETA one time tried to establish the catchprase "We PETA the fool who eats animals." Upon learning of this blatant theft of his catch phrase, Mr. T founded McDonalds.

There is a 11th commandment, edited out of the Bible, that says "None of the above applies to Mr. T."

Mr. T once got into a fight with a ninja. He killed the ninja, but only after the ninja had cut off two of his fingers. Those fingers grew up to be Gary Coleman and Webster.

Originally the A-Team was named T-Team and consisted of Mr. T and six of his genetically engineered clones driving around in a van made of pure gold. Producers changed the format after every criminal known to man was killed in the pilot episode.

Most people believe the chemical formula for what sustains life is H2O, when in fact it is MrT + 2JPf. The ionic bond between JibbaJabba and PityingFools is so great that if one attempts to split that molecule, Chuck Norris jumps from a flaming truck and roundhouse kicks that person in the teeth.

Mr. T once had so many fools to pitty that he didn't know what to do with them all. So he created Chuck Norris, from one of his ribs and a pound of gold, to roundhouse kick the surplus of fools in the face.

Mr T defines love as the reluctance to murder. If you're still alive, it's because Mr T loves you.

Mr. T was the only kid at his high school. His high school was undefeated in all sports for the one year it took him to graduate. This is not surprising considering he invented every sport.

If at the exact same moment, the same person was pitied by Mr. T and roundhouse kicked by Chuck Norris, the universe would implode.

Mr.T actually came up with the theory of relavity, Einstein merely stole it from him. Although originaly this was called Mr.T's theory of relative pity, Einstein in fact mistranslated it into 'jibba jabba'

A random onlooker once taunted Mr. T. Mr. T responed by hitting the man so hard that both his parents died.

Mr. T once pitied a fool so hard that he burst into flames.

Mr. T's umbilical cord was actually a large gold chain... the medallion didn't grow in until he was 6 months old.

Mr. T's autobiography, "So Many Fools, Not Enough Pity," was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for its heartwarming and inspiring tales of Mr. T overcoming his fear of flying, and his battle with gold-addiction--as well the sweet tutorial on how to install machine-gun turrets on top of a GMC van using a welding torch, a 55-gallon drum, chicken wire, and skim milk.

Mr. T once roundhouse punched someone so hard that his fist broke the speed of light, went back in time, and killed Amelia Earhart while she was flying over the Pacific Ocean.

Mr. T's tears cure cancer. Too bad he has never cried.

Rather than being birthed like a normal child, Mr. T instead decided to punch his way out of his mother's womb. Shortly thereafter he grew a beard.

Mr. T built a time machine and went back in time to stop the JFK assassination. As Oswald shot, Mr. T met all three bullets with his beard, deflecting them. JFK's head exploded out of sheer amazement.

To prove it isn't that big of a deal to beat cancer. Mr. T smoked 15 cartons of cigarettes a day for 2 years and acquired 7 different kinds of cancer only to rid them from his body by flexing for 30 minutes. Beat that, Lance Armstrong.

Mr. T does not sleep. He waits.

After much debate, President Truman decided to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima rather than the alternative of sending Mr. T. His reasoning? It was more "humane".

Mr. T is currently suing NBC, claiming Law and Order are trademarked names for his left and right fists.

If you can see Mr. T, he can see you. If you can't see Mr. T you may be only seconds away from death.

When God said, "Let there be light", Mr. T said, "say please."

When Mr. T goes to donate blood, he declines the syringe, and instead requests a hand gun and a bucket.

When the Boogeyman goes to sleep every night he checks his closet for Mr. T.

In an average living room there are 1,242 objects Mr. T could use to kill you, including the room itself.

When Mr. T was born, the nurse said, "Holy ######! That's Mr. T!" Then she had had sex with him. At that point, she was the third girl he had slept with.

Mr. T once walked down the street with a massive erection. There were no survivors.

Crop circles are Mr. T's way of telling the world that sometimes corn needs to lie the ###### down.

There is no theory of evolution, just a list of creatures Mr. T allows to live.

Mr. T is the only man to ever defeat a brick wall in a game of tennis.

Mr. T coined the phrase, "I could eat a Horse" after he ate every last unicorn in existence.

Mr. T once beat Super Mario Bros 3 without even touching his Nintendo controller. He just yelled at his TV in between bites of his "Filet of Nails" sandwich, and the game beat itself out of fear.

Mr. T has two speeds: walk and kill.

You are what you eat. That is why Mr. T's diet consists entirely of bricks, steel, and the tears of small children.

Mr. T is the reason why Waldo is hiding.

Mr. T can set ants on fire with a magnifying glass. At night.

Mr. T can divide by zero.

In fine print at on the last page of the Guiness Book of World Records it notes that all world records are held by Mr. T, and those listed in the book are simply the closest anyone has ever come to matching him.

Mr. T played Russian Roulete with a fully loaded gun and won.

Mr. T was the hunter who shot Bambi's Mother. He then wore her carcass like it was a coat while he made his rounds at the local children's hospital.

The eternal conundrum "what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object" was finally solved when Mr. T punched himself in the face.

Mr. T invented black. In fact, he invented the entire spectrum of visible light. Except pink. Tom Cruise invented pink.

It takes 14 puppeteers to make Mr. T smile, but only 2 to make him destroy an orphanage.

Mr. T can eat a VHS tape and excrete a DVD.

9 out of 10 scientists agree, the power of Mr. T's urine should be harnessed to replace fossil fuels. The tenth scientist was high-fived by Mr. T, causing fragments of his arm to accidentally press the "no" button.

Mr. T created South North Korea by drawing a line of chalk 10 miles away from the DMZ and daring anyone to step across.

Much like how the seismograph detects earthquakes, prominent scientists have tried to create a Pityograph to determine how amazing Mr. T is. Each one has broken, beause it doesn't go high enough.

Mr. T brushes his teeth with a saw.

Mr. T handed the world over to the Greek god, Atlas, and said, "Here, you take it for a while".

Mr. T can simply walk into Mordor.

Mr. T can find 1,000 words that rhyme with "orange".

Mr. T can do push ups with both arms tied behind his back.

Chrismas Cheer

2005-12-27T08:53:00.000-08:00

Well it's Christmas Time in Hollis Queens,
Mom's cooking chicken and collard greens...
But that's a post for another day.

Christmas time this year was bitter sweet. For only the second time in my life I did not spend Christmas with my family. I did spend it with good friends though and that was cool. But nothing replaces your family. I say bitter sweet though because I look back at what all happend this year. I've had three friends get married, and one pair get engaged. I've had a friend buy a house and one move that much closer to finishing law school. I have a friend making her way up in the EPA while another happy to finally find a job. Many of my friends have found success whether it be love, work, or just personal fortune. For that I am grateful and feel blessed.

Personally, not much has happend this year. I slowly started working my way past my fear of flying. I got to keep my job. My family made out pretty well post Katrina. Other than that, it's been a pretty stable year. No fortune, fame or love came my way this year. Just stability. I guess that's all some people need sometimes. Guess that is my Christmas gift from God is the ability to start the new year no lower than I started last year. Can't complain about that. Do I want more? Of course. I want fortune, fame and love. But stability aint so bad I guess.

2006 Here I Come.

Who is the Underdog?

2005-12-10T20:49:00.000-08:00

For years now I've been trying to fihure out who I am, who the real underdog is. I've thought I was many things, but it all comes back to the same things. And I guess that's ok. I am who I am and nothing's wrong with that. I also realize that I'm a work in progress, an ever changing piece of art. Morphing into the person I will be tomorrow, but maybe not next week. It's always good to understand that. So who is the underdog?

Well...

I'm a pretty nice guy if I say so myself.

I try to help the next man if I can.

I like to take care of people, guess I got that from my family.

I like to protect the women in my life. Call it that Southern gentlmanly instict that's been engrained in me since 1980. I want to make sure the women in my life are well taken care of, even if they aren't the women in my life.

And speaking of women... I like white women. Yeah I said it. I like white women. Does that mean I don't like black women? Hell no, that doesn't mean that. I love my Nubian sisters just as much as any one of my other human sisters. So yeah, I like white women...black women, asian women, persian women, latina women... all women. So get over it.

And I like em thick. A little meat never hurt anyone. Lord knows I have some extra chunck I'd like to lose.

I like video games. Sports games, action adventure, role playing. All of them. If you think I'm too old for them then F-you!

I like wrestling and ultimate fighting (watching, not participating). If you don't like it, see above.

I love sports, especially football.

I'm a fun loving guy that lives by the people that are around me. That'a a fatal flaw if you ask me, but it is what it is. I had some good people around me back home, but now things have changed a little. Got a couple good ones here, maybe even a great one, but nothing like back home. Home stays with me though, and I know those folks are still there.

I like to smile.

I like to laugh.

I love my family.

I Love Family.

I love God, and even the thought of other gods...hey you never know.

All in all, the underdog is a nice guy trying to make it in a world gone mad. And you know what they say about nice guys....they finish. Wait a minute. That's what i say about nice guys. Nice guys finish. They may not come in first, they may come in last, but they finish. And sometimes, finishing is more than some other folks do. And that's what the Underdog intends to do.

FINISH.

I'll be who I am for the rest of my life. And as of now, I kind of like me. Nothing special. I just like being a nice guy. Feels right.

I like to make other people smile, even if they don't know I'm doing it.

It feels right giving myself to the You.

Now it's time for the Underdog to finish...at least this post anyway. :)

Nice guys finish....I like the sound of that.

Oscar Snub

2005-12-07T14:16:00.000-08:00

I finally had an opportunity to view the movie Crash and you know what?

I think it's as good as everyone said it was.

An all-star ensemble cast, none of whom got to steal the show, except I thought Don Cheadle was great as always and Ludacris did a good job, though it didn't stretch him.

It brought out the many racial issues facing this country, one being the lack of communication. In many of the mini-stories, which were tied together beautifully I might add, had that element of miscommunication between the races. Not being able to understand a foreigners dialect, thinking you know someone's motivations because of their skin color. Communication played an interesting role in this movie.

But it wasn't the display of how miscommunication can have an effect on a situation, but how the unspoken communication can also play a role. The story involving Thandie Newton, Terrence Howard and Matt Dillon was extremely dynamic where the males played both sides of the coin at different times. Believe me, I've never been in that specific situation, but I know how Terrence Howard felt. Black man's burden I guess.

All in all, a great movie. I'd recommend it to anyone. And by the way, what was up with that look Brendan Frasier gave ole girl the black chick at the end? Anyone catch that?

Oh yeah, by the way...STOP PASSING DON CHEADLE OVER FOR THE OSCAR!!!!!!!!!

Michigan, Notre Dame and the Racial Divide

2005-12-06T20:06:00.000-08:00

Celtics vs Lakers...
Magic vs Bird...
Michigan vs ND...

It's all the same it seems. One day I was thinking about why I like Michigan and not Notre Dame. Why I was a Lakers fan and not the Celtics. Loved Magic, not Bird. Shaq fan, couldn't stand Christian Laetner. I think I'm coming to the realization that race played a major role in my youth and formatice years. I've always been a Michigan fan; for as long as I can remember. But I'm from Louisiana and hadn't been to Michigan until a few months ago. But for as long as I remember I've hated Notre Dame. Couldn't stand them, but didn't know why.

Now I know...

Seems that I think that ND was the epitamy of all that was white in the 80's. Yeah, I have no clue why I thought that but I did. And the fact that I still don't like them for that reason makes me think I've harbored that for years. Don't know where it came from. Maybe my inate sense of black and white learned from television, and years of schooling. I don't know but I just believed, and still believe, that ND is the last refuge of white America.

This isn't to say Michigan isn't a hstorically white school. But for some reason I lumped them into the "Black" teams. Could it be the cool uniforms, especially the helmet? Could it be Desmond Howard's flashy Heisman pose? Could it be the 5 brothers dominating basketball for 2 years without winning a title? Maybe even Charles Woodson (by the way, one of my best friends, white guy, and I still argue about Woodson vs Manning and the Heisman Trophey of 97. Of course I had Woodson).

And I know ND had Rocket Ismail and "the Bus" but I can't shake my picture of ND. Maybe it's because they are always on TV and get favorable treatment from pollsters in America. I tried to like them when Tyrone Willingham was their coach. I did actually, but more so for him and not them. But when they dumped him for the next great white hope, I cut all emotional ties to the school. Now I only hope they plummet next year and see what the reaction is.

But this brings to mind other issues in sports too. I've always liked Magic over Bird and the Lakers over the Celtics. Marino over Elway (hey Marino was tan and Elway just seemed to All-American white). Now it's Reggie Bush over Leinart, mostly because Bush made USC who they are.

Will this always be the case with me? Probably so. But I guess it's not about not liking white folks, because I do. It's mostly about me wanting my brothers and sisters to succeed. There's nothing wrong with that. At least not in my world.

Too Much Time

2005-11-30T18:33:00.001-08:00

People have too much time on their hands. I guess including me because I love this...

http://www.notadora.com/flash/banana.html

http://www.devilducky.com/media/38524/

Mr Cellophane

2005-11-21T14:05:00.000-08:00

Cellophane,
Mister cellophane,
Should have been my name !!!!
Mister cellophane 'cause you can look right through me,
Walk right by me,
And never know I'm there!

People say it takes more courage to do the right things than make the wrong choices. If that ain’t true them nothing is. I’ve been trying to make the right choices all my life. I’ve tried to be a good guy. You know, someone who’s a friend when you need one. Someone you can trust even in your most embarrassing times. Someone that cares for you when you don’t care about yourself. I’ve tried to be the rock for those who need someone to lean on. A mirror when you need to look at yourself, but are afraid to. A shot of Red Bull when you need that last bit of energy to get you through. I’ve tried to be a lot of things to a lot of people.

The problem with that is, what am I to me. Trying to be all things to everyone has gotten me a few things. Poor, broke and lonely. Being a nice guy, a sweetheart, adorable, a friend, has not gotten me loved. It’s tough being alone in the world trying to make your mark on your own. Trying to be a nice guy just to make the world a better place, but no one makes your world a better place.

I don't know what to do about this. What's the alternative? Should I be someone I'm not? Should I try to be more than what I am? How does that happen? How does it work? Who is it I should become? Who is it I will become? There is a lot of searching this soul has to do. A lot of wondering. A lot of question asking and answering. When will everything change? Will it change for the better? How can I break through this cellophane that covers me from head to toe?

But for now, until then...

Cellophane,
Mister Cellophane,
Should have been my name!!!
Mr. Cellophane 'cause you can look right through me,
Walk right by me,
And never know I'm there!!!!

The Machine of Destruction

2005-11-14T18:16:00.000-08:00

I was up late last night, like always, and I happend upon channel 35. Up here that's ESPN Classic. Like many other nights there was boxing on. Most nights out of the week it's Muhammed Ali. They show his old stuff all the time. This night was different. This night was Mike Tyson night. They were showing his fights from the start of his career through Buster Douglas. Fortunately I fell asleep before Buster Douglas. Watching that fight was like watching Roy Jones Jr. get jacked by Glen Johnson. Felt like someone ripped out my heart when Tyson lost.

Anyway, watching a young Mike Tyson fight was like your favorite song coming on the radio after you've waited days to hear it. You turn it up and revel until it's over...or in my case, until I went to sleep. Man, Mike Tyson was THE TRUTH and nothing but. His power was and has been surpassed by none. Watching him hit someone and their body go flying clear across the ring was unfathomable. A boxer would cover up, trying so hard to protect himself, but Tyson would eventually pick em off. One hit was all it took. He would knock the living Hell out of someone, lifting them off their feet dropping them onto the canvas. I saw him break a guy's nose. Tyson was rediculous. Scary phenominal. Could have been the best ever if not for guys like Don King and girls like Robin Givens. Now, he's just a sideshow, singing with Bobby Brown (talk about a sideshow).

But you know. I'll always like Mike Tyson. At heart he's a good guy. Sort of misguided, a little crazy. But he's Mike Tyson. He's my generation's superman. And when that next Mike Tyson show comes on, I'll sick back, turn up the volume and watch in awe at his once scary power. Here's to you Kid Dynamite.

My New Pet Peave II

2005-11-01T12:11:00.000-08:00

This is an ode to Subway...

So every Tuesday Subway has their overpriced, under meat footlong sandwich at a much reasonable price. So every Tuesday I walk across the street to Subway. I pretty much order my sandwich the same way each week; Bread, meat, cheese, toasted, veggies, condiments. Pretty much in the order. I always ask for light on the mayo and light on whichever sauce I get. I generally spell it out to them that I want one line of mayo and one line of sauce. Do you think they listen? Why is it that week after week I have to watch them take the squeeze bottle of mayo and sauce and go back and forth over my sandwich about four times coating my once healthy sandwich in a multitude of hydroginated this and transfatty that. All I want is some moisture on my sandwich, not enough to act as Vasoline to my lips. But week after week I go back for more. Who's the moron here, me or them.

A Streetcar Named Desire

2005-11-01T11:14:00.000-08:00

I met a friend of mine yesterday. Hadn't seen her in a while. She had a cheeseburger, best in town I might add. I had pork tenderloin. During the throws and intrigue of class she reads my blog. I didn't know anyone (except for one person) still read my blog. She said I haven't written in awhile, which is true. I will write again. This is the start :)

Stanley "Tookie" Williams

2005-10-25T06:29:00.000-07:00

http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/10/25/williams.execution.ap/index.html

For those of you who don't know him, for those of you who don't know the story...

Stanley "Tookie" Williams, co founder of the Crips, will be put to death on December 13. You're probably saying, so what. Sure he was convicted of commiting four murders (which he says he is innocent of). Yeah, he started one of the most notorious gangs responsible for a lot of the senseless slayings of youth since the 80's. Some say he deserves to die (so says the mother of one of his victims).

Well my question is this: What is our penal system for. Bureaucrats and others make the claim that we use our prison system to attempt to change the prisoners (there's a word for that, but I can't think of it). We want prisoners to come out better than they go in. Well if there isn't a better poster child for that than Tookie then I don't know one.

Tookie went in jail a hard core gangster. He has turned his life around by renouncing the gang lifestyle and the violence. He's the author of several children's books and has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Even from behind bars he has become a legitimate contributor to society. Yet we still go back to the past. I understand people have die. I understand he needs to pay his debt to society. But I truly believe he can be more of a value to society as a whole than the likes of Martha Stewart. But as a black man with no money and a poor background, he will get executed. It's a shame. The rich get richer, the poor poorer and society suffers.

Our penal system is a joke.
Good luck to you Tookie. I don't know you, but I wish you the best.

Social Commentary II

2005-09-26T07:36:00.000-07:00

So I promised I would continue my rant on the social fiber of this country and who’s to blame for the problems of black people. In my first writings, I blamed white folks. "Yeah I said it. Write it down, take a picture, send it to em" (I love Shaq quotes). The system is set up for the dominant culture, white folks, to maintain their dominance. Sure a few sprinkles of pepper and brown sugar gets mixed in with the salt, but not many. It is the dominant culture and its greed that have kept many minority groups in its place. But they’re not the only ones to blame.

I also put the blame squarely on myself and others like me. I place blame on black people as a whole for the problems we’re facing. We are very fragmented as a people. Some living in the ghettos, talking the talk, walking the walk, not necessarily trying to get out. Some in the middle class looking down upon that which we once came from (but that’s a different subject entirely) trying to claw our way upward reaching some pinnacle that we’ve learned from being assimilated by the dominant culture. Some have made it to that pinnacle and are just trying to keep what they have, not looking backward at those trying to climb up. They are fully assimilated and have won their game, although they are still black which for all intents and purposes means they are still a rung lower than the lowest of the high.

Though I think all black folks share a sense of history and pride about being black, we have allowed the dominant culture to separate us as a people. We start noticing the differences between our upper, middle and lower class brethren. We play the class warfare games learned from the dominant culture. We’ve learned new and inventive ways to segregate ourselves from one another (fraternities, sororities, various organizations) when we should all come together on a certain level of the mutual respect for our blackness and become stronger as a people.

Our folks in the ghettos are to blame for not wanting more. Not trying to get more. Not struggling to get out. Depending on the government. If the latest hurricanes have showed people anything it’s having your own means is extremely important. The government will not always help you. “George Bush does not care about black people.” The quote just came out of Kanye’s mouth didn’t it? Very random, but very true. But will that lesson be learned. Doubt it.

Our folks in the suburbs need to get out more and try to pull up our brothers and sisters in the ghetto. We, yes me included, keep trying to look forward, but back there is what needs us. The only way we can ever succeed as a people is to pull those up and become a stronger base. Of course, how do I have time for that when I need to finish my season of Madden?

Our more affluent folks living behind the gates of communities need to use their status to affect change on a national level. Our actors and entertainers need to come out and be politically active. Say what’s on their mind. Stand as a force against the man…even against some of their own.

I know this just sounds like the ramblings of a mad man. That’s actually very true. But I am tired of things being blamed on white folks. Yeah, the “white establishment” plays a major role in what happens in this country; however it is time for minorities to stand up on their own two feet and start moving. Obviously no one is going to give us anything, so we have to take it. Minority groups could have much more power in this country if we could mobilize ourselves into a unified force. Blacks and Hispanics especially have power in numbers. Unfortunately most of our numbers are in jail, living below the poverty line, or just feel they have no way out, keeping the dominant culture, dominant.

Is there an answer? If there is, I don’t have it. But I’m searching for it. Until then, I remain part of the problem. A burden I carry everyday.

My New Pet Peave

2005-09-22T12:47:00.000-07:00

Is this really how you spell peave? Is peave a real word?

Ok, have had this pet peave for awhile now, but it has been ecsentuated over the past 3-4 weeks now. You may have seen it on the Daily Show recently. I have a problem with reporters and storms. I can't stand the fact that there are reporters standing out in a storm saying it's windy and wet. "It's so windy out here. Look at me, I can't keep my balance. It's raining hard. Wow, look at the destruction." You're standing in the middle of a hurricane you moron, we know it's wet! We know it's windy! These guys and gals just drive me up a wall. Why do I need to see Anderson Cooper in the middle of the street being blown over to know its a strong storm. It's not like the weatherman hasn't said this about 864 times over the course of the 24 hour 7 day coverage. Like I really want to see you get impailed by a mailbox. Plus, the folks that can see the TV coverage are so far away they are uneffected by the wind and rain of a storm. The people who need to see the coverage are either in the storm or have had their electricity knocked out and can't see this moron wading in knee deep water. And who really needs to see this anyway? Are we fasinated that some idiot reporter stands in the middle of a storm telling us something we already know? If so, we really need to get a life.

Just had to vent.

My City My Home

2005-09-16T12:42:00.000-07:00

I got into an interesting discussion with one of my very good friends online last night. She lived in New Orleans until Katrina and now is planning to leave...like hundreds of others. I tried to get her to see the positives about staying. She could only see the negatives. I tried to tell her that things would change, she said they'd stay the same. I said businesses would come, she said they would go and stay away. She would abandon the city that I call home. That I myself abandoned 3 years ago for greener pastures thinking one day of returning to my city, my home.

It is calling me, but I'm still not sure when. Some say it's fool-hearty to rebuild. People say it'll happen again. But what about California? Cities are built on fault lines. If the big one comes, would they just move away? What about the Carolinas? Getting hit by a hurricane as we speak. Would they just leave the place never to return if the big one comes? Living in New York or DC is like living in a magnet for terrorism. But they're rebuilding (which I think is a stupid idea only to say "Hey look at us, we're going to build something larger for you to knock down!").

Like much of the country, New Orleans is al resillient as the next city. There's no reason to give up on the place. We all know the NO had its share of problems. Bad economy, high crime, poor public schools. But that's much like many American urban centers in the days of outsourcing and importing. Why should we close our doors when we can fix our problems. We can rebuilt it and build it differently, build it better. I know it's going to take a boat load of money, but we can do it. Sure up the levees. Build homes on stilts. Build buidings with 1st floors used as meeting space as opposed to infrastructure. Lift the city. There are things that can be done.

My good friend told me that you can't control Mother Nature. True, but as the old addage goes, "You can't stop her, you can only try to contain her." This gives us an opportunity to develop new technologies aimed at changing water flow or containing the great force of a hurricane. We have an opportunity to learn how to somehow harness the power (maybe a windmill) of a natural disaster and use it for good. This gives us an opportunity to build structures anew gearing them for new business and industry. But more inportantly this gives us an opportunity to teach people the importance of jobs, hard work and having your own. This shows that the government can't and won't do everything for you. Having your own resources to recover is much more important than the government itself.

Maybe I am a little fool-hearty. Maybe I am being a little bold and brash. Maybe I am saying these things because New Orleans is my home and no one wants to see his home left for dead. But I truly believe in the opportunity this great tragedy has brought us.

New Orleans can be reborn.

New Orleans...my city, my home. N.O. Forever

Frozen

2005-09-08T06:53:00.000-07:00

Bet you thought I was going to write about the hurricane huh? I'm kinda tired of that and will leave that to a later date.

A friend of mine said he didn't know if he was capable of dating someone for more than two weeks. At least he'll get those two weeks. I'm not sure if I'm capable of dating at all.

As much as a love women, I can't seem to talk to them. I am frozen when I want to ask them out. How hard can it be to say, "Hey, I think you're cool and would love to take you out." Well for me, it's like making the State of the Union address in front of millions. I get stuck, tongue tied, frozen.

Case in point, there was this girl in college I liked, but she had a boyfriend. I've seen her recently and found that I still like her. No boyfriend around this time, but still I'm frozen. Can't force myself to really ask her out. Not that it would matter because I'm leaving anyway, but I would like to try.

Another case, there was a girl in Missouri I liked but she had a long term boyfriend. Too bad because she was cool too.

And it seems like circumstances always conspire against me. It's always the boyfriends, the distance, their age. But mostly it's me being scared to take a chance. Afraid of getting hurt again. I don't want to blame the ex for that (sidenote: the bitch) but that has something to do with it. I seem to find every reason not to talk to girls. Don't want it to be weird if she says no, don't want to lose a friend, don't like hearing NO, afraid to hear YES. Haven't heard that in so long I don't know what I'd do if a girl wanted to go out on a date with me.

I seem to always come back to I don't know. I just don't know what my problem is. Not to toot my own horn, but I feel like I'm a good catch. But I just can't get to the point to show it. For now I ride the road of lonliness. Waiting for God to put someone in my path. Wondering what was wrong with those already in my path. It'll all work itself out.

Hurricanes in Missouri

2005-08-28T22:12:00.000-07:00

First off, I've been gone for awhile but it's good to be back.

You know what's bad about hurricanes in missouri. They're probably only here to play football every once in a blue moon. Most of you know I'm from New Orleans, so I'm paying a fair amount of attention to Ms. Katrina. You know, the young lady about to wreak all kinds of holy hell on my home town (by the way, why the hell do they give these things human names? I think hurricane 112005 sounds a little less personable than Katrina.Katrina sounds like someone I would date, but that's neither here nor there.)

There is something special about hurricanes. It's one of the only natural disasters that you have time to get pumped up about. I've been through a few of them. The exileration you feel when one approaches is amazing. The thought of the destruction it could cause makes you think and realize how precious life truly is. But I think it is exiting because of the devistation. Going out, getting supplies, talking to your neighbors about the impending doom, checking with family, making sure everyone's ok...it's all a part of the exitement.

My family is scattered now. My immediates are on Baton Rouge, others made it to Houston. I would give anything to be with them now and might be anyway. For those of you who have not lived through this, be glad that you don't have to deal with. But you still are missing out on something special. Maybe Katrina will bring me home. Maybe Katrina will bring together a city moving nowhere. There can be some good from such bad.

I'm Back

2005-08-20T22:12:00.000-07:00

If anyone noticed, someone hacked my profile. I had to create a new one. Hopefully everything is good now (other than the 38-6 whooping Matt C. just put on me on Madden 2006).

Female Sports Reporters in Male Locker Rooms?

2005-08-12T11:39:00.000-07:00

Here are two articles written by Jason Whitlock of ESPN, the main topic dealt with female sports reporters locker rooms.

Part I of the article
Part II of the article

“So come on, let's be honest. We don't send men into women's locker rooms, because the expectations for male behavior are extremely low when it comes to any situation that involves female nudity.

Given all that we know now, why do we have higher expectations for women? They're no better than we are.”

This is a very interesting question, should women be allowed in men’s locker rooms to interview players? I actually think Whitlock makes some very good points. And it’s very true, we wouldn’t expect men to go interview women in their locker room and come out with information related to the sporting event. And another question, why can’t we wait for the players to come out before interview them? I know there are some pretty dumb athletes out there, i.e. Jose Canseco, but most have the intelligence to speak to reporters after showering and changing clothes without forgetting anything important.

What Ever Happened To...

2005-07-31T22:45:00.000-07:00

I was watching one of the James Bond movies today, as they are always on Spike TV now, and i saw Grace Jones. I thought to myself, "hmm whatever happend to Grace Jones?" Short of her role as Strange (pronounced Strahn-je with an accent over the g, but i don't know how to do accents) on the movie Boomerang, i haven't heard too much from her. Man, Grace Jones was a beast. I don't know if i would consider her pretty. She was a beauty in a very strong, African in the 80's kind of way. I wonder where she is now? On a side note, Christopher Walken was the villain in this Bond movie. He has got to be one of my all-time favorite character actors. As soon as i heard the voice i knew it was him. That's guy's something else.

Social Commentary I

2005-07-22T23:15:00.000-07:00

Why am I fighting to live if I'm just living to fight,
Why am I trying to see if there aint nothing in sight,
Why am I trying to give if no one gives me a try,
Why am I dying to live if I'm just living to die.
-- Jonny Lang

Most of you might have heard this sampled on the Tupac/Biggie mix that was out last year. Well i've heard the actual song the sample may have come from.

I think it if you look at this statement, you'll see a great comment on society today. Especially when talking about Black youth. I've been talking to Headliner lately about the ills of our community. We both have a broad scope of where the problems are stemming from, but we both define the problem in our own different ways. There is an epidemic of death and destruction going on in urban Black America. You turn on the news and you see folks killing each other. KC is up at arms that the homicide rate is increasing, but it only seems to be affecting the black community. Back in NO, my mom tells me police leaders are threatening the jobs of sergeants and others because of the murder rate. Like it's their fault. They can't be everywhere all the time.

I look at the problems of Black youth and think about the lyrics above. Where is the hope? What do they have hope for? The sytems set up for them not to succeed. Their parents aren't helping them any because they can't help themselves only being within a stones throw of adolescence themselves. All they can do is fight. Fight to stay alive as long as they can. Most have no hope of leaving the ghettos because being in the ghetto is so engrained in their culture. It has gone from a short term fix to a long term problem. And now they are tearing down ghettos to create multi-race, multi-income housing. Like the poor folks are all of a sudden going to start acting "good" because there neighbor makes a little more money than they do.

So is there blame in all of this. Blame can be shared by many and all parties. I blame racist whites for creating an unjust system in the past and expecting everything to be ok now that Blacks have rights. Oh yeah, after years of setting folks back, now you want to try to play by the rules because you have to. Because it's socially unacceptable to now create laws to restrict the freedoms of people. Now whites say blacks have every opportunity to accell just like whites. Except that blacks don't have the years of social benefits, years of wealth building, and years of better funded schools. It's like telling blacks to start a race by runnig uphill while whites are on a level surface then letting blacks run on that same level surface after whites already have an almost incirmountable lead. Don't think that's very fair.

But don't worry, I have more blame to pass around. It's not just for white folks as blacks have to take our share of the blame. Look out for future commentary. Any comments on this piece? And don't be scared because you're not black that i will be offended. Remember, this is all about the dialogue.

What Would You Do If This Happened To You?

2005-07-20T19:47:00.000-07:00

I’ve been meaning to write about this for awhile, just getting around to it, I had to get my head clear. About a month or so ago I went out for a beverage or two and shot pool with my boy K-rock. I had a good time, after an hour and a half it was getting late so we left. As we’re walking down the street to our respective vehicles a car with some young white guys drove by. I heard one of them yell something from the car, I wasn’t exactly sure what he said at first, but I knew what it sounded like. K-Rock stopped for a second, I asked him if he heard what the guy said. At the same time we both turned around and starting half running up the street after the car which was stopped at a light about 150 yards away. Yes he called us niggers, not as an affirmation of friendship I would add.

While I’m half running up the sidewalk I had 2 thoughts. One, I’m educated, a college grad, got a decent job, why in the world did these guys I don’t know calling me a nigger really bother me that bad. I mean some black folks (not me) use it all the time. But I couldn’t get this one thing out of my head, I wanted to see if they would say it to my face. That’s what pissed me off the most, that they were cowards, if your gonna say it, say it to my face. Don’t be a punk about it.

Second, how far would this go? I was pretty sure those guys would run the light before getting out and confronting us. I’m also 99% sure if they were walking by us on the street they wouldn’t have said anything to us, I’m 6-2 and other than a bad knee in pretty good shape, K-rock is 6-1 or 6-2, a former football player, powerlifter and bouncer. But if they did confront us, would it be worth whopping some redneck ass? I’m not generally the fighting type, I was in a few fights in college and that generally involved trying to drag a friend out, also now I generally don’t go to places where the odds of me having to throw down are really high. This is a legit question, was it worth possibly going to jail to kick some redneck’s ass for calling me nigger (again in the heat of moment that night the answer would have been yes, man that sounds stupid to say).

About halfway to the car the light changed and they took off. K-rock and I walked into this pizza joint and cooled off for a bit. I keep thinking, why did it bother me so damn much at the time. Would it have been any different if they did say it to my face. I’ve seen much worse than that, I mean I’ve walked in parties where I know everyone in the room through, why is that nigger here? (I was invited that’s why) I do live in the deep South, certain attitudes seem to never disappear, it makes you wonder about this place at times. But again why was I ready to throw down? I wasn’t trying to be macho to impress some female. I didn’t hear them talk about my momma. I will say this, as honest as I can be, at the time it would have felt good to fight those guys. I do feel slightly ashamed, I should have been able to let that slide, but I just couldn’t than night. Now I didn’t lose any sleep over it but it made me think, more power to people older than myself who had to take comments like that with a smile at one time.

Supreme Court Nomination

2005-07-19T18:19:00.000-07:00

http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/07/19/scotus.main/index.html

John Roberts, huh. Without expressing my opinion, I honestly don't know enough about the guy yet, but I think this could get real nasty. I betcha Scalia and anti-Thurgood (Thomas) are happy though.

"Living" Alone

2005-07-15T18:22:00.000-07:00

You know the old addage goes, "You don't know what you've got til it's gone."

As I sit here in the silence of my apartment in the heart of downtown KC, surrounded by thousands of people, I've never felt so alone before. But alone on many different levels. I think we sometimes get spoiled by our surroundings. We (and by we I mean me) think that since we've made a ton of good friends in college, we can do the same anywhere. Well let me tell you that's not the case in KC. It is a very difficult place to meet people which leaves me very isolated from the world. I have a few friends on the surface, and a few I'd like to get to know better, but on the whole, my stock of friends has plummeted. I'm out of wine people.

As the drought of bonified friendships continue, I constantly think back to my time in Louisiana. I think back to the friends I left behind to try to establish a life elsewhere. I think of all the fun they've had and are having now. I think of what we could all be doing right now...and I'm a little sadder. I truly miss them. All of them. I miss the spades, the barbeques, the wing nights, the football games. And all because i wanted to try something new.

I've been asked to return. To come back home. But to me it would be admitting defeat. Tucking my tail and running home to momma. I came out here to build something. I don't know how long it will be, but I don't think i'm done yet. But i know i sure miss my boyz..and my girlz too.

A read the blog of a friend of mine recently. She had a post up there about living alone. She was really excited about living alone. But as I realize, she's not excited about being alone, just not having any roomates. Having the freedom to do whatever she wants. Not having to walk over anyone else's shit. Not having a roomate is cool, but sometimes you want one. She's lucky. She still has her friends, and some of mine. She lives by herself. I "live" alone.

But I trust and I hope and I pray that this is all a test of faith. That the good times will come back. That i will get back with my friends before I am forgotten. Because Voltron can't form without one of the lions, the Ninja Turtles aren't the same if Donatello's missing. You can't recreate Good Times without James. And "Damn, Damn, Damn!" I'm not the same without my boyz. But this is just a test. The sun shall shine again. The South may not rise, but I will. But for now, I "Live" Alone.

Tecmo Super Bowl

2005-07-14T14:22:00.000-07:00

http://alltimesports.blogspot.com/2005/07/tecmo-super-bowl.html

For any old school Nintendo fans, check it out!

Law Of The Monkey

2005-07-10T21:18:00.000-07:00

http://www.pointlesswasteoftime.com/monkeysphere.html

A good friend of mine sent me this link yesterday. It was pretty funny. A simpler way to look at life. It reminded me a lot of what i learned in some of my classes in grad school...just without the monkey references. I agree with a lot of the THEORY behind it. Check it out.

On Air Crushes

2005-07-10T16:23:00.000-07:00

I just got home from the store and turned on the TV. After flipping around a bit, i caught a bit of I Love the 80's: 1988 (i think). They were talking about the Wonder Years and one of the guys said Winnie Cooper played a part in almost every guy's time of puberty in this generation. I thought to myself, how true that is. First, i always sat down to watch the Wonder Years. That was a great show. Second, i loved me some Winnie Cooper. She was it for me. Cute, but not overly beautiful. Beautiful (especially in the teen years) but not overly gorgeous. I probably would marry her today if i could. So that got me to thinking, who are some of your all-time TV crushes? Here's my short list (because the alcohol i've consumed has hurt the long list):

Winnie Cooper: see above
Lisa Turtle: Man, Saved By The Bell is another great show that i wish would never go off the air. Lisa was fine to me, especially since she was the only black girl on the show (of course they made her a valley girl, but i knew deep down she was a soul sista). She had the look, the smile, the body, and from other works i've seen her in, she's probably got a brain too.
DJ Tanner: Always was a Candace Cameron fan. Maybe because i thought Kirk Cameron was cool. She was cute and she still is now.
Ashley Banks: Tatyana Ali is beautiful. Once again, if i could find her she'd be mine. It's like i grew up with her on the show. She graduated from Harvard i think. She still attractive and obviously intelligent. Loved lil Ash on the Fresh Prince.
Hillary Banks: Karyn Parsons is totally fine. She was ok on the show, but i've seen her in Major Payne and the Ladies Man. She's totally hot. I think i like her more now than then.

My list is pretty short because i can't remember any more shows i used to watch. So everyone chime in on what they remember. You too ladies.

"America, F*&k Yeah"

2005-07-09T13:00:00.000-07:00

Don't worry, I'm not being crude. I just had the pleasure of watching Team America, World Police. It's the puppet movie loosely, and i mean very loosely based on The War on Terror. The movie was created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the creators of South Park. I thought it was pretty funny, albeit with very crude humor. The action sequences were really good and the violence lifelike...for a puttet movie. If you like South Park type stuff, you'll like Team America.

All Time Songs

2005-07-08T08:36:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting here at work listening to songs on Launch.com and something hit me. I wanted to listen to Summertime by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince. I have to say, that has to be one of the alltime greatest songs made. It has transended decades and now. Every summer i look forward to hearing it. That makes me think, what other songs are like that. Classics that will transend time and space. Here's a few:

Summertime-DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Frsh Prince: See Above
Back Dat Ass Up- Juvenile: First off, the song didn't get popular until a year or so after the CD came out. It's got to be at least 8-10 years old now, but when i hear those opening beats I still get a chill. The club still goes crazy for that song.
Margaritaville- Jimmy Buffet: It's just one of those songs that you know and can sing because everyone else knows it too.
Call Me By My Name- David Allen Coe: I don't even know if this is the real title, but i've had some fond memories of this song. I never would have thought I'd be singing this song in college with a group of white folks. Crazy. But still a classic that everyone can sing together.
We Are the Champions- Queen: Still played after anyone wins anything. And they weren't even talking about sports.
Bohemian Rhapsody- Queen: Don't think this would be as popular if not for Wayne's World. I can't turn it off when it comes on.
Mo Money Mo Problems- Biggie, Puff and Mace: Maybe not yet deserving of the title of transender, but i love the song. Since my brother first played it for me in 1997 (wow it's pretty old too) I've thought it was a hype song. Can't forget the days at LSU with that either.
Electric Slide-What's Her Name?/Bus Stop-Mr Magic: The songs old, the dance is old, but we're still doing it.
Welcome to the Jungle- Guns and Roses: I'm not much into rock but this song is still tight to this day. Especially the opening guitar riff. That'll get ya hype. War Jim Rome.
Anniversary- Tony, Toni, Tone: Probably the ultimate anniversary song ever made. Still gets airtime today. It's a smooth jam that gets you and yours in the mood to slow dance and celebrate love. I should be a DJ.

I can't think of any more at the moment, but there are more from many different genres. Looks like i've selected a lot that are speacial to me. I haven't even fully breached the R&B realm yet. I could be here for days. But that's for another blog. Feel free to chime in with any additions.

NFL Bests

2005-07-06T22:03:00.000-07:00

http://alltimesports.blogspot.com/2005/07/nfl-bests.html

Teflon King

2005-07-04T21:31:00.000-07:00

I watched a documentary this past Saturday called "The Hunting of the President." The doc was written from a book of the same title. The movie was about Bill Clinton and how folks have been trying to get him since he was governor. The movie mostly documented the events of Whitewater and how Ken Starr basically tried anything to get Clinton. It also talked about the sexual harrassment accusations as well. The doc was really informative and interesting. There were interviews with many players inclusing Susan McDougal. She went to jail becaus she didn't want to make anything up about the Clinton's. If the doc. presents the true facts, which i hope it does, it does shed some light on what the Republican party will do to retain control. Clinton also gave a talk after the opening of the movie. He is awesome. I think i could listen to Bill 24/7. He's very smooth and eloquant. Also extremely intelligent. He's definitely one of the few famous people i'd like to have dinner with and talk to one on one. Check out the movie is you have a spare moment.

Saying all that to say this: Bill Clinton is one of the few people who can do just about anything short of murder, rape, or treason and still come out on top. It seems like everything rolls off him like grease on teflon. Sexual harrassment cases? Nope. Whitewater? Nope. Infedelity? Nope. Lying under oath? Nada. Sure he got "impeached," but what does that really mean. He never had to leave office and now makes millions from the whole deal. The Clinton's are probable the most normal family we've had in the White House in years. Bill Clinton is number one on my All Teflon List. And speaking of, here's my short list of teflon kings:

#1 Bill Clinton-see above; and it all was public
#2 Michael Jordan-survived a tell all book about his gambling, marrital problems and now has to deal with a possible baby momma; but we'll still love Jordan
#3 Michael Jackson- how do you get out of two child molestation cases? If he still made good music, or any at all these days, he wouldn't have any problems
#4 The Bush Family- They have dirt. Everyone knows they have dirt. You just can't prove it. They're on the list until someone can prove they did something.
#5 Derek Jeter- Come on! It's Derek Jeter.

Honorable mention: Kobe Bryant- If all this would have happened a few years later, he could have reached the Michael Jordan status and been exempt. See what happens when you cut off the nappy fro!

This is the short list. Of course i've missed a ton of folks. Give me some more.

R. Kelly's My Hero

2005-07-01T21:51:00.000-07:00

And no, not the suspected pedifiliac (is that even a word?) R. Kelly, but the "In the Closet" R.Kelly. No matter what stupid stuff R. does, i can't get enough of his music. He has this talent for story telling that amazes me. It seems like a lot of his songs have a beginning, a plot and an ending. Maybe not his early works like "Sex Me" or "12 Play"...but wait, 12 Play kinda had a plot. It kept you wondering what more he could say by the time 12 came around.

Back to the present. His songs "In the Kitchen" and "In the Closet" are brilliant. Too me anyway. Very descriptive to the point where you could visualize every moment of everything he was describing. Of course, who hasn't had a kitchen fantasy or two huh? Come on who's with me? Anyway, "In the Closet" was so cool. The eerie music. The story itself, his unique sound. It was like a soap opera that made me wonder what was next. Unfortunately i downloaded it from a friend and caught the ending. Otherwise i would've had to wait awhile. Now i'm watching the videos which are very good as well. It captures the essence of the music.

I don't agree what R.'s eleged (sp?) lifestyle, but his music captures me. He seems to always find a new way to present something. Now if he could use these powers for good and not evil, maybe Jay Z wouldn't have kicked him off the tour.

Black National Anthem

2005-07-01T10:19:00.000-07:00

http://chillbutreal.blogspot.com/2005/07/black-national-anthem.html

Big Bird and the Liberal Left

2005-07-01T10:08:00.000-07:00

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/01/politics/01broadcast.html?ei=5090&en=7e8df3f3c845d937&ex=1277870400&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=print

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4724317

Is it true? Is it possible? Can Big Bird really be as left as they say? Is Kermit a granola loving tree hugger? Are Ernie and Bert apart of the liberal media out to get "W"?

Ok, maybe the Repubs aren't trying to take away Sesame Street and the like, but they are trying to come down on public broadcasting. They are working from the inside to do it. Should public media be less liberal? No. I think they can add more conservative shows. But going after the hosts of shows and their guests is sort of a witchhunt isn't it. I mean, liberal minded people will probably bring on more liberal minded guests. As do conservative hosts (although Fox News is good for bringing on liberals so they can yell at them).

And what's up with this Frederick Mann guy? If the facts of the articles are correct, this guy's probably as right as they come. Talk about rigging the game. That's pretty unfair to do that. They probably didn't have to hire a conservative to produce these results, because these people don't hide their stances. I don't think Tavis Smiley cares that much if people think he's a liberal.

Since it is funded by tax payer dollars, i think conservatives should have some airtime on public radio/tv. It's only right and fair. Of course I only say that because I am liberal. If the roles were reversed, some conservatives may say that, but fight hard not to allow it.

Good luck to you Big Bird, you got me through some tough times.

Summer Storm

2005-06-30T07:42:00.000-07:00

There's a storm raging out side my window
One of those summer storms that as quckly as it comes it goes
A grey backdrop with tiny lights fills my view
Every so often a streak of white lighting enters my field of vision
Then the sonic boom of crackling thunder enters my ears.
As my view gets more and more blurred by the hardening rain, I am reminded why i love thunderstorms so much.

Thunderstorms bring about much needed change.
They bring water when in drought,
They bring cool air when it's hot,
But most of all, summer storms remind me that i'm still alive.
It's great to hear someting as natural as a thunderclap outsound the man made world we live in.
When the boom of thunder replaces car horns and cell phones and the like.
When the rains come down replacing the foul stench of exhasut fumes or cigarette smoke.
Like fires in the forest, summer storms come every so often to clean out the impurities we've placed in the world.

And like the summer storm, how it comes and goes, so to does the pains of this world.
As quick and fierce pain comes in, it goes out,
Leaving the sun or moonlight to shine through til the next dawn or dusk.
It's all apart of the process...the circle of life if i can borrow that from Disney.

It is clearing up outside now.
The grey is departing.
Thunderclaps have softened.
Lighting getting a little dimmer.
The outside world is returning to normal.
Cars are moving, cell phones blaring, exhaust rising.
But for a moment, in all of it's rage and fury,
the summer storm brought a little peace.
A little peace to all of us.

Now this is wild

2005-06-29T17:19:00.000-07:00

Author McMillan Seeks Divorce From Husband

Now this is juicy. I mean homeboy got a whole movie made about him, got women all over going crazy with their fantasies of finding their young lover, got Taye Diggs leaving Broadway to play him in the movie, but the whole time playing a game, a nasty game. I sincerely feel sorry for Terry. I wonder when he was gonna say something. I can understand the book but you would think he would have said something before the movie came out. Damn. And this is the worst part.

"McMillan filed for divorce in January, but news of the split didn't surface until this week, when it was first reported in a San Francisco Chronicle gossip column. Earlier this month, a judge ordered McMillan to pay Plummer $2,000 a month in spousal support and $25,000 in attorney's fees until the case comes back to court in October."

Brothers gonna get 2 g's a month for lying to the lady. Thats insane. I wonder if she's gonna write another book, how about this, "How Stella Got Her Groove Took". Ok I'm done joking, this brother is low, low man. Terry keep your head up and keep writing, I generally enjoy your work, but please remember, all brothers are not dirty like this guy, I mean your tore us up in "The Color Purple". We ain't all that bad.

Outfoxed by "Fox"

2005-06-29T14:52:00.000-07:00

I was talking to ET recently about the fact that nothing's on the tube lately. More specifically, all these reality show are awful. And then i started thinking. Fox probably has more frivilous reality shows than any other network. Then it hit me...Fox is playing both sides against the middle.

Ever wonder why Fox news is so conservative, while the Fox network shows are somewhat liberal. I think as the Flagship Station of the Republican Party, Fox has created a situation where on one front, they've dumbed down the country with a lot of stupid, uninspiring shows, while promoting their conservative propaganda on another. Fox is setting the values of our time. Although I love the show and still watch it, did our values begin to shift around the time the Simpsons first appeared? They shifted from wholsom, sometimes thought provoking sitcoms like The Cosby Show, A Different World, and dare i say Full House (yeah, i can't stand the show now, but i watched it and it always had a message at the end). Now, with shows like the Simpsons (which has become much more smarter over the years), and Family Guy (another funny show) the messages about the family unit are very convoluted. Some may say the convoluted message is actually smarter and makes you think more. That may be true to a degree, but mixed signals can cross easier than direct ones.

But that's just the good shows. There is another message Fox is telling us as well. It's saying that "Beauty" is better than average. It's saying that rich is better than poor. It's saying don't put in hard work to be famous, just go on a television show. Shows like the Swan, Who wants to Marry a Midget (or whatever the title is) typify Fox's views on the average or different person. Not everyone is born with model potential, but if you go on this show, we can chop you up and inflate you and you'll look like a million bucks. Or if you come on this show, you can choose between a midget mate or models..who's it gonna be?

And the Simple Life. I refused to watch that show because all it is two spoiled, rich girls going out and making fun of real, hardworking people. They don't care about the people. It's just sh!ts and giggles to them. And American Idle. Doesn't take hard work anymore. Now wecan do anything by winning a game show, that's probably rigged anyway.

So it seems that Fox is setting the tone for our youth to not pay attention to what's real and live in a fantasy world where you can get anything without any work. By watching Fox (and the many other shows out there) we've forgotten how to think for ourselves. The agenda is set and we follow it like the Pied Piper and his rats. We're blind to what's really going on. So we turn on Fox News and take what they're selling as the stone cold truth, because some American's don't know any better.

For being such an independent nation, we sure do follow some folks blindly into the darkness, not knowing where we're going but trusting that we'll be led to the promised land. But be forewarned for those we trust may not have our best intentions at heart.

Big Ups!

2005-06-29T10:20:00.000-07:00

From time to time i will post a "Big Ups" to someone for their accomplishments.

This Big Ups goes to Mr. Incredible who recently became one of us...the few, the proud, the employed. Congrats Mr. Inc. Big Ups!

Ten Commandments

2005-06-28T09:03:00.000-07:00

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8384865/

I'm not really sure what to make of this. I am not or no where near a bible beater or a super church going person. I am however a very spiritual person. While i guess taking some of the ten commandment depictions across the nation down is logical, it just doesn't feel right.

I think the 10 commandments and other religous symbols are as a part of American history as apple pie, abe lincoln, and the flag. Religion is part of the reason this nation was created. I truly do not believe the 10 commandments harm anyone. They are a reminder of some simple truths we should have in the world. Maybe the who worshipping false Gods id a little religous, but oh well. Thou shalt not kill, steal, covet your neighbors wife; those are reminders that definetely should be found in the court room.

I do believe in a seperation of church and state. However i do believe in the influence of church. I believe it instills some sense and sensabilities in people. Some sense of virtue and honor. It does instill some meanings of right and wrong. It's been taken out of schools and the schools have gone crazy (there probably is a parallel between taking prayer out and the worsening conditions of public schools). Now taking it out of sight in the judicial may have that same effect down the road. If you don't see a reminder sometimes, you may lose sight of your own values and beliefs. Maybe some feel that has no purpose in a court room. I think it does.

When Animals Attack

2005-06-27T13:29:00.000-07:00

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/06/27/shark.attack/index.html

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/06/27/bear.attack.ap/index.html

Seems like things happen in bunches. Child abductions, Murders, a Paris Hilton sex video, and now animal attacks. In the past few days there have been two shark attacks in Florida (one involving a 14 year old girl from Gonzales, LA), and a bear attack that killed two in Alaska. What's going on with these animals? Don't they know better than to attack when people come into their space? I mean, can't they just nuzzle up to the folks and for a quick photo op? They should know better.

Of course these events are tragic. No one should have to die by getting their leg bitten off, or by getting slaughtered by a bear. But the question is, is it really a "tragedy" in the sense that you're hot by a runaway car in a park somewhere, or you trip on a crack, fall awkwardly and are paralized? I mean, there are sharks in the water and there are bears in the park. These things happen when we invade the space of others. I'd like to think that if someone broke into my house i'd offer them some milk and cookies, but i do't think that's going to happen.

Here is where we see some fundamental differences in people. Whereas some like to do risky, daring, outdoor activities where they can get attacked by sharks, bears or mountain lions, the only animal others have to fear are the roaches that have gotten full of themselves. Come on, ya'll know those roaches that don't scatter when the light comes on. They just sit there and look at you like you're gonna do something. But...that could just be me.

And by the way, how did the bear kill both of them? Couldn't one just have run away? I guess they said the same thing with OJ.

Me and tha Police

2005-06-23T19:52:00.000-07:00

This is so weird I really don’t know how to say it. I got a ticket for running a stop sign on Monday. It wasn’t really my fault J, I was in a neighborhood I had never been in before and I was trying to find a certain house. It was one of those stop signs that just jumps out of nowhere. Anyway, I was guilty and knew it. The cop was white, he was cool, incredibly nice, (not nice enough to let me go with a ticket, but the man got a job, I understand), he explained everything to me, even gave me a number to call to get it taken off my record since I’ve only had 1 other ticket. I would have much rather him not give me a ticket, but again, he had a job to do. I was at least expecting him to ask me what I was doing around there driving slowly. Maybe it was my LSU alumni plate on the car.

This was one of the only times I’ve been stopped by a cop for any reason that didn’t feel nervous. If it was 30 years ago in the same neighborhood I would have probably been going to jail. It almost felt unnatural to be so calm after being pulled over. Still trying to figure out why, I mean my insurance, registration, and license were all in the car and current. I’m not missing any tags. And all my lights work. Why should I be nervous, it’s not like Bull Connor pulled me over. One thought, maybe when you have your stuff together it is not a big deal. However when you have expired tags, a suspended license, brick of weed on the floor, then getting stopped by a cop can cause apprehension and fear.

My question; its 2005, are lot of law-abiding black folks still queasy about dealing with police officers, especially while driving? Is it even a black thing, maybe a lot of people just get freaked out by cops? I know a good bit about the history and wretched legacy of police brutality and racial profiling of blacks in America, maybe I’m just having trouble reconciling then with now. I could even understand if I grew up in a place like LA or in certain parts of NYC where the police still exhibit hostile behavior towards segments of the community. For what it means, if anything, Baton Rouge now has a black mayor and police chief, should I feel more comfortable now? At the same time I’ve been pulled over three other times and did not received tickets, I knew the officers were just “checking”. Its hard to describe really, can’t quite put it in words. I don’t even feel like I’m making sense. Anyway I’m gonna pay my ticket; don’t need to give the cops a reason to stop me.

Real (Estate) Justice?

2005-06-23T11:13:00.000-07:00

http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/06/23/scotus.property.ap/index.html

I know that government goes around telling people in other countries what to do, but now this. If you hadn't read the article, the Supreme Court decided to allow governments to use iminent domain to take over property for any reason. Before it was for clear use for the public good. Now, it's for the private sector as well. A Conneticut government is taking people's home so they can build office space.

This could be the beginning of the end of the what i knew as the US. The most Democratic nation in the world. Where people could live freely. It's been going on for years, but i think we have officially sold out to the private sectors. I knew the ruling elites rules the country already, but now they've taken control of everything. Now they Big Business gets to decide where people can or can't live. Grease the right hands and you too can have a neighborhood.

This is rediculous and the Supreme Court and the Connecticut government should be ashame of themselves. I guess i need to talk to Oprah and see if she could get in good with some folks in Baton Rouge. There's a neigborhood near LSU I'd like to take over.

Justice Served?

2005-06-23T06:56:00.000-07:00

http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/06/23/mississippi.killings/

I'm trying to figure out how i feel about sentencing an 8 year old man to a possible 60 years in prison. I'm trying to figure out why we prosecute these old cases when it generally doesn't matter anymore. Basically, i'm looking for someone to give me an argument why it matters. I have several in my head, but i'll play the devil for a minute and say it doesn't.

What he did was a heanous (sp?) crime. And we know he probably did it, but what's the use of putting this 80 year old man in prison. I mean, look at him. He's probably going to die soon anyway. To me it's a waste of taxpayer money to put him in jail. Not only did he commit hate crimes in the past, but now I (the people of MS) have to pay for him to rot in prison.

I believe that at this point, there should be a method of restitution as opposed to incarceration. Make him give up whatever money he has left. Of course then he'll probably file for welfare. There should be an alternate system to where taxpayers don't have to pay for this man to get sick, be given medication and die in prison. He'll probably get better treatment in prison.

I don't know how i feel about getting yuor man for the sake of getting your man. Could justice have been served without putting this geaser in jail? I think so. Maybe we could put him in the front row on 50 Cent's US tour or something. For him, that would probably be the ultimate punishment.

Inner Workings of a Mind Gone Mad

2005-06-22T22:37:00.000-07:00

He walks this earth searching for his prize,
He sees beauty all around him but it is out of his reach,
His mind is clouded by the fog that is his thoughts spinning out of control,
He cannot turn it off, he cannot make it stop,
His mind is shrouded in the darkness that is the world that he lives in,
Where is his prize?

He walks the earth alone, even as others walk with him,
He lives in his Fortress of Solitude forever trying to escape his own thoughts,
But he cannot outrun them, for they are faster, quicker than he ever imagined,
He thinks about his thoughts trying to weed them out,
But they grow thick in his mind,
Where is his prize?

He sees others moving, while he cannot,
He sees them going forward, while he walks in place, trying desperately to get to his prize,
He thinks it's so close, just out of reach, but it is far away,
Only far away because he does not know what it is, what is his prize?
Is it everything he hopes it to be?
Where is his prize?

Trapped by his thoughts, trapped by the solitude, trapped by shroud of clouds in his mind,
He still pushes forward, struggling to move,
Moving only inches forward, but an inch is better than nothing,
For all he can do is move however he moves and keep the struggle alive to find his prize,
He knows it will come and it will be great and it will be everything he hoped for, but...
Where is it...Where is his prize?

Scare Tactics

2005-06-22T07:17:00.000-07:00

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/06/21/wmd.threat/index.html

I was on CNN.com today reading an article about WMD's. Now the prevailing thery is thay within 10 years, someone is going to use a WMD somewhere in the world. My first thought was, "Well duh!" In this nuclear age, I'm sure some overlord is going to pop off a megamissle to kill the masses. But these reports are becomming a little rediculous. It's almost like Nostradomus in the tabloids. The world was supposed to come to an end every year now since the 70's. Eventually Nostro has to be correct. Now, I guess the powers that be are saying within 10 years something will happen. That's a pretty large window of time to say "I told you so."

But on a different note, I'm not sure what all these reports are accomplishing. Is it just to keep WMD's in the forefront of everyones mind. A report yesterday said the US knew where Ossama was, but won't go get him until the terrorist regime is further weakened. Now is there a reason for telling us this? I don't think so. I don't want to know that we know where he is and are going to play with him until we feel like taking him out. I think what these reports are doing is putting the thoughts of WMD's and terrorists in the back of our minds furthereing our fears of the future and each other. We now wonder and wait until the ball drops. I don't understand the value of these reports. Unless we pull a Noah and build a gigantic fireproof arc, I'm going to try to live my life not worrying about the fateful day.

Is Blonde Better?

2005-06-19T19:47:00.000-07:00

Here's my question for the moment. I'm looking for insights and understanding so please comment freely.

I have been watching TV lately and something reminded me of a question i had been wanting to ask. It was actually Lindsey Lohan (or however you spell her name). Now I think Lindsey Lohan is a truly beautiful young lady. She seems to have been blessed with a natural beauty (of course i've never seen her without makeup). Recently i've seen she's changed her hair color to blonde. Personally i think it looks hideous now. So here's my Q:

Why do people seem to gravitate to blonde?

It hasn't just been Lindsey, but Jessica Alba too. And i think it looks hideous on her too. So what's the deal with blonde? In Hollywood, is it the best way to become famous? Do males tend the gravitate to blonde girls. It seems the market is over saturated with blonde haired women, especially white blonde females. Do we as males like blondes because it's what has been thrown in our face for all our lives? I have to admit, i'm attracted to blonde girls as well, but the simple fact that i'm writing this i think means i am breaking away from that. I actually prefer red heads to blondes. Plus i don't think every blonde looks good, nor do i believe everyone looks good in blonde (ala Linsey and Jessica).

Is there something wrong with using what you were born with? Why do people constantly strive to turn themselves into something they're not? Since you weren't born blond doesn't mean you should dump a bottle of peroxide in your hair making it white. Because your skin does not have a natural hue doesn't mean you should bake it in tanning beds and under the sun for hours (which over the years makes people look rather leathery). On the otherhand, if your hair aint long, no need to put flourescent pink/orange/blonde/yarn/etc. strands in it that reach down to your ankles.

Now i'm not against change. Change is good. People can do what they please. But why do we constantly strive to be someone different (myself included)? And whatever happened to subtlety?

Speak you mind people!

Article About Former Sen. Jesse Helms

2005-06-15T11:58:00.000-07:00

http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/06/09/helms.memoir.ap/index.html

Former Sen. Jesse Helms is publishing his memoirs this fall. I would actually like to read it although I disagree with many of his proclamations and opinions, especially dealing with segregation and integration. I cannot see how anyone could justify the segregation that occurred and say that voluntary integration would have come along without pressure from the federal government and civil rights organizations. I will admit voluntary integration did occur in other parts of the country to some small extend, but in the deep south it would have never happened. The whole system was just vicious, hiding behind the label of “separate but equal” while actually being truly separate but in no ways and in no places equal. Now I know our education system in the South is hurting and de facto segregation has now taken hold in most cities, but not forcing integration would not have made our current schools any better. Got more to say, but I’ll shut up for now.

Michael Jackson

2005-06-14T12:51:00.000-07:00

It wouldn't feel right if i didn't talk about MJ.

Since the verdict came out i've heard a lot of things said about the trial. People are talking about it. The prevailing theme is that if the prosecution couldn't get MJ, then who can they get. I think that's a stupid premise.

I think the most green of lawyers could have punched holes on the prosecutions case. There were holes in it to begin with. Greedy mom, no credible witnesses. Seems like the prosecution was banking on the fact that the jury would convict MJ just because he's weird. Obviously that didn't happen.

Everyone talks about what high priced lawyers can do. Regardless of the defense, the prosecution still needs to present an air tight case. They didn't do that here, or with OJ, with Robert Blake or Puffy or a lot of these stars. Are attorneys that require a higher fee that much smarter than prosecutors? I understand they have more resources than the common man does, but doesn't the prosecution as well? Maybe a lot of these cases are more for notoriety rather than justice. Go figure, huh?

Bad Karma????

2005-06-10T20:02:00.000-07:00

You know, i thought that the state of Florida paid for its sins from the 2000 Presidential Election last year when it was hit by about 5 or so hurricanes. It looks like they have some more hell to pay and it's startinf early. Arlene must have supported Gore. How can a state be so unlucky. I know it just sticks out like a sore thumb, but geez. The first named storm of the year. It could have moved up the East coast or gone South to Mexico, but it chose Florida. Great beaches, warm weather. Arlene's in the AARP.

Stolen Culture

2005-06-09T22:41:00.000-07:00

**Disclaimer** For those who are uncomfortable or easily offended about race based issues stop now. Remember, I said I'd talk about anything. This qualifies as anything.

With that said, this is something that i used to talk about with good friends back at Mizzou alot.

I was at a bar today (Thurs. June 9) watching a band. All of a sudden, when the band played a certain song this white lady got up and started dancing. The bar had no dance floor. First off, it's hard to call it dancing. Looked more like she was having convulsions. She pretty much typified the stereotype that White people have no rhythm. She didn't. I was dying laughing. I couldn't stop watching her...sort of like a train wreck or an accident on the side of the road.

All of a sudden she comes over to dance with me. I'm thinking, either she saw me dancing or she wanted to dance with the only black person around. Anyways, i oblidge her for a few moments, but even I couldn't figure out what she was doing and sat down. Later on she came up to me and gave me a fist pound. But not the kind where you pound down on each other's fists. She gave me the straight forward pound. This brings me to my point...

From white guys driving Beamers and Lexuses blasting Tupac and 50 Cent, to preppy white guys wearing FUBU, now to middle aged white women giving me the hand pund, when will Black culture stop being assimilated into the mainstream? How can a race of people who's so deviled in the media and public eye, start most of the trends of the country? It seems like everyone wants to be "black" but no one wants to be Black. I don't get it. They love us that much to take our styles, saying and things of that nature, but there are no reparations (a subject for another blog) to be given to pick the people up.

It's sort of bothersome when white culture assimilates aspects of black culture, yet demonizes them at the same time. The media does not like hip hop, a part of black culture, yet makes tons of money from it. It seems that everything black people today do to show their uniqueness, whether it be dress, speech, writing, etc., gets taken and becomes a part of the dominant culture.

My question to you is, is this a good thing? What other cultures out there are assimilated into the dominant caucocentric (I just made up a word like Don King) American world? Drop some knowledge on me. I'm here to learn. By the way, I want my fist pound back.

Howard Dean is the Truth

2005-06-08T14:06:00.000-07:00

http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/06/08/dean.gop.ap/index.html

Can Howard Dean ever say anything without causing all kinds of controversy? Personally I think he's just what the Democratic Party needs. Someone who can fight fire with fire. The Repub party is pretty much a White, Christian based party. How can anyone refute that? But even the Repubs are trying to say he's calling them names. Poor poor Repubs. Should we feel sorry for them. Truth hurts fellas.
Come on now, the days of trying to get the nation to come together are pretty much over for awhile. Unless some other national tragedy happens we're not going to become one nation. And even if something does happen. We'll be all chumy for awhile, wave our flags, have our celebrity charity telethons and proclaim "United We Stand." Then once that where's off or gets old, we'll be back to square uno. I think it's time for the Demos to hit the Repubs below the belt a little. It's time to get some energy back into this lethargic party. I think Howard's the man for the job. And you know why? Because all Howard wants to do is road trip. Click on the links...you know where we're going.

http://politicalhumor.about.com/library/multimedia/dean_nuts.mpga

http://politicalhumor.about.com/library/multimedia/dean_flash.mp3

God that's still funny. Here's more:
http://politicalhumor.about.com/b/a/059035.htm

Confederates rise again...

2005-06-08T00:11:00.000-07:00

Political Karma

It appears that the wonderful governor of Missouri has decided to allow the display of confederate flags on government buildings. It may be my parnoia but it seems that the rise of the Republican party is allowing the expansion of the silent wing of their party. Does anyone think this is a good idea?

African Aid

2005-06-07T08:59:00.000-07:00

Oh joy to the world. The Bush admin. is going to give aid to Africa. The US is pledging $674 million for Africa. Or at least i think that's what they're going to do. Excuse me for being cynical, but haven't we been down this road before? Hasn't Bush said he was going to give money to Africa? I want some assurities that the money isn't going to fall into the hands of some warlord. Don't they realize they can't just throw money at the problem? There needs to be a comprehensive plan to deal with the Forgotten Continent. I was talking with a friend on this subject yesterday. She made the point that since we've been alive, all we've seen are commercials with Sally Struthers showing the emaciated kids of Africa. That's over 25 years. And now we're just throwing money at the problem? It's a cultural thing now. We need a plan. Maybe we need another invasion. Of course, what does Africa have to offer? We already have their diamonds.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/06/07/bush.blair.africa/index.html

The State of the World

2005-06-05T18:16:00.000-07:00

I think the old addage goes, "You can tell about a nation by how it treats its young and old," or something like that. You get the point. Well i want to talk about the state of the world and how kids are being treated.

It seems like recently there have been a rash of incidents involving kids. Adults killing kids, kids killing kids, wars killing kids. It seems like everytime i turn around i either see or hear about a child being molested or killed by an adult, or hear about an amber alert. The latest have been incidents where the dad brutally killed his daughter and her friend. Now this 13 year old girl is missing in Aruba. I don't get it. What is wrong with our societies where we have people defiling and killing our youth? I don't understand where we have gone as a society.

I think the media has something to do with it. First, i think this may have been going on a lot in the past, but now it's national news everytime something happens. Personally i don't think i need to hear about someone getting kidnapped in Cali and i'm in MO, unless they may be heading this way. Everything is not news. But, i think the media covers these events much more than they used to. Two, all these shows on TV have driven society mad. Now parents have their kids trying to win pageants ala Jean Bennet. These little kids have no business dressing like they're grown-ups. I think some of the parents have bought into the Britney Spears syndrome. Dress up like a skank to mask your lack of any real talent. Third, where have all these pedofiles come from lately. They just seem to be popping up like crazy.

I think i have more to say but i'll leave it at that. Just some random thoughts on the issue. What's your take?

San Francisco 49ners

2005-06-03T23:57:00.000-07:00

Here's a question for all you sports fans out there. Hopefully some of you will sign up and take part in the convo.

I'm sure you've heard about what happened to the 49ners PR director. For those who don't know, he was recently fired when a training tape got out to the media. The tape was supposed to show players how what they say and do can get caught by the media and start a firestorm. Well the video showed naked women and comments were made towards Asian people.

This is not to say i agree with the film, but i like to play devil's advocate. Here it is. Now i know in this PC world we live in it's wrong to make fun of anyone or anything. My question is why? I'm sure the guy had good intentions...why doesn't that count anymore? Why can't people make fun of one another? Is it because we don't know where to stop or where the line is drawn? Is it because we've become so PC as a people that we walk on pins and needles trying not to offend anyone or anything?

What's up with that? I wanna hear from you!

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2073670

Starting Off

2005-06-01T22:56:00.000-07:00

I read today on CNN.com that George Bush Sr. says he thinks Jeb would make a good President. I read that and thought to myself, "Another Bush in office? What would be the politcal karma of that move?" You talk about the world hating America now. Just think if another Bush gets in office. Especially one who helped his babay bro steal the first election. But even inside this country. I find something wrong with the Democratic process that allows possibly three members of the same family gain the presidency. It's like totally locking out the little man. The Bush machine has proven to already have the money and the name to get elected by the masses who don't realize where their jobs went. If this happens, this country is turning into more of an aristocracy than anything. Any thoughts?

http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/05/31/bush.plug/index.html