Protect the Children

As you may know by now, the sad chain of events of the murder/kidnapping of Jennifer Hudson's mother, brother and nephew came to a conclusion yesterday with the discovery of her 7 year old nephew Julian King in the back of an SUV.

The fact that this savage would murder an innocent child makes this all the more tragic. This in light of the murder of an 11 year old child, and a two week old newborn in Brooklyn this past week.

We have to do a better job of protecting our children.... from violence, poverty, drugs, salacious images, racy music videos and reality TV, child predators on social networking sites, the list goes on....

We have to do better!

That's all...

One Week Away... VOTE

One week from today on November 4th history could be made with the election of the first African-American President of the United States. As we draw closer to this historic election, there have been reports of a foiled assassination attempt on Barack Obama. Two Neo-Nazis were arrested in connection. This is the second report of this kind in the last three months.

I say that to say this: if you plan to vote for Obama, do not let the fear and/or ignorance of others deter you. Do not say to yourself 'I'm afraid he will be hurt if he is elected' and don't vote because of it. The Secret Service and the FBI are in place to protect Obama from violence. It has been 40 years since our country has seen the assassination of a major political leader (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr & Robert Kennedy).

This is 2008, not 1968.

Although racism is alive and well in this country, there is also an overwhelming amount of Caucasians who support Barack Obama showing that our country has come a long way since the Civil Rights Era. For that I am proud, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't worried for Obama's safety.

The fact that Obama is so close to being elected (if you believe the polls) brings to mind a Comedy show I covered for HOT 97 last year where Tommy Davidson joked "if Obama were elected President , as soon as he makes his acceptance speech he would be assassinated" before physically demonstrating how it would go down. The audience laughed at the time, for the primary season had not begun and it was a foregone conclusion that Hilary Clinton would capture the Democratic nomination once it kicked off. Tommy's joke probably wouldn't fly now.

I urge everyone to vote. There may be more to fear than Obama's safety if he is not elected...

Just my thoughts...

Beyonce bragging?

I find it amusing that after Beyonce finally officially marries Jay-Z she puts out a song imploring single ladies to tell guys to "put a ring on it" if they are interested.

Beyonce was single (not married, but dating) for a long time even telling women to put the "Freakum Dress" on. Where was the "Single Ladies" song then?

I think it is kind of arrogant on her part, but ...

it's just my thoughts ladies and gentlemen...

Happy Anniversary!

Whether you call it the "hook", "celly", "horn", or just "cell phone", the "personal GPS system" (what I call it) celebrates its 25th anniversary this week.

With the numerous innovations made over the years (e-mail, playing and downloading music, TV shows, movies, capturing evidence via the built-in camera), it has come a long way from the mini-typewriter that made its debut in 1983.

The Nation deflation?

The Boston Red Sox face elimination tonight in the American League Championship Series against the upstart Tampa Bay Devil Rays in a series that has not even been close over the last two games. The Sox, defending World Series champs, are a shell of themselves offensively leading the question to be asked was trading Manny Ramirez away a good move?

Even though the Dodgers bowed out last night to the Philadelphia Phillies, it wasn't because of Manny, he of the .520 postseason batting average. The Phillies, when they pitched to him, could not get him out. Ramirez was responsible for the lone run the Dodgers scored last night, a microcosm of the series where it seemed Manny was the only hitter who came to play in the Dodgers lineup.

The Red Sox could have used half of Manny's production to make this a series. Ironically Jason Bay, who came to Boston in the Manny trade, has been hitting, but Sox staples David "Big Papi" Ortiz, JD Drew, and Jason Varitek have not, and pitcher Josh Beckett, albeit injured, has been a shell of his dominant self in this series.

Although Tampa Bay has a 3-1 lead and is one win away from being the last recent expansion team to make the World Series (behind Florida Marlins in 1997 & 2003, the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001, and the Colorado Rockies in 2007), if the Red Sox win tonight, I like their chances with Josh Beckett in an elimination Game 6 and Jon Lester, their best pitcher, in Game 7.

Is It Too Late?

In the final Presidential debate Republican candidate John McCain came out with a fire in his belly, an attack not seen in the previous two debates, not to mention his entire campaign. The question is, was it too late to put him over the top? If the voters being polled are telling the truth about who they are voting for (see: The "Bradley" effect), Obama has a sizeable lead in numerous battleground states. Numerous experts stated that all Obama had to do was not lose his cool in the final debate and he would continue to maintain his advantage.

Obama remained cool as the other side of the pillow as McCain fought for his campaign life last night, thus remaining in the drivers seat.

Much has been made of the Saturday Night Live effect on the Presidential campaign, and to that end GOP VP pick Sarah Palin will make a cameo on the show.

McCain finally put his foot down on the comparisons to George W. Bush with the best line of the night, but the show of stones may have come too late.

Keep the Faith - Book review

I just finished reading recording artist Faith Evans' memoir "Keep The Faith" yesterday. Best known for being the "first lady" signed to Sean "Puffy" Combs' Bad Boy Records and subsequently releasing top-selling albums with titles featuring her name, Faith collaborates with well-known scribe Aliya S. King to document her rise from small-time New Jersey choir girl to the top of the R&B charts and all the drama in between. Most of the drama revolves around her first husband, fellow music superstar Christopher "Notorious B.I.G." Wallace.

This book is an excellent read simply because Faith makes up her mind to take the reader through a tour of her pianful and private past sugarcoating nothing. Although it has been over 11 years since The Notorious B.I.G. tragically lost his life, Faith resurrects the big man through numerous anecdotes of their turbulent marriage giving the reader insight into events that transpired behind the scenes during various infamous occurences (i.e. Tupac's initial shooting in 1994, Faith's meeting with Tupac, her battles with Lil' Kim, etc.).

Faith humanizes herself in her memoir by not making any excuses for her behavior including her propensity to fall in love hard and fast with the wrong people (i.e. a married man, which she rationalizes is a sin and will bring bad karma in her future). The characters in the book, especially the ones not in the spotlight, are vividly brought to life (her mom, her psuedograndparents, her friends from New Jersey) allowing the reader to follow along seamlessly.

I remember being in high school when the East Coast/West Coast controversy was happening, including watching The Source Awards, with the only way to follow was through media speculation in magazines, radio, and music. "Keep The Faith" gives a bird's eye view of the conflict from Evans who was thrust into the heart of the conflict. The inner turmoil she faced from being the object of public ridicule is very revealing. Great tidbits like Redman (Reggie) being Faith's first boyfriend, to being given her early start by R&B stars Christopher Williams and Al B. Sure, to Notorious B.I.G's tearful apology for putting the "2 Pacs" line in "Brooklyn's Finest", this memoir does not disappoint.

A bit repeptitive and out of sequence (i.e. her NBA lover says he's in L.A. for All-Star Weekend, usually in February, yet she meets Tupac in the same scene just released from prison and goes to the soundtrack release for "Waiting to Exhale" - a late 1995 release.)in some places, but a minor transgression. With the sacrifices Faith has made and the enormous amount of drama she goes through, the aptly titled "Keep The Faith" is a testament to the strong black and gifted woman Faith Evans is.

Everything Not Alright at VH1 Hip Hop Honors

On Monday night during the airing of the 2008 VH1 Hip Hop Honors, Dipset member Juelz Santana pulled a Lupe Fiasco when paying tribute to Naughty By Nature. Santana flubbed the opening lyrics to "Everything's Gonna Be Alright", but was able to get past the error only to forget the lines towards the end of the first verse ultimately playing to the crowd to cover up his second misstep until the chorus came in to save him. The VH1 cameramen were generous in cutting away from Santana to save further embarrassment, but come on!

This is unacceptable. Why show up on stage to perform a classic song if you don't know the lyrics? If you recall Lupe Fiasco infamously flubbed the lyrics to A Tribe Called Quest's 1993 smash "Electric Relaxation"while paying tribute to the 2006 Honorees, then compounded the slight by basically dissing ATCQ saying he didn't listen to their music growing up.

What are you doing there then, Lupe??!



With the numerous amount of sites dedicated to Hip Hop lyrics, it is inexcusable for artists to say they are paying tribute to Hip Hop greats and can't recite the words to the song. Granted Santana was probably six years old or something when the "Be Alright" video came out, but do the research. YouTube has the video!

Unreal.

Then Santana didn't want to get off the stage when Ghostface came out.

In the future the producers should screen the artists who want to pay tribute. Put them through a rigorous test to see if they know the lyrics to the song they choose off the top of their head before putting them on stage (if you really call yourself honoring somebody, you should know their material like the back of your hand anyway).

And what was Dana Dane doing during the tribute to Slick Rick but missing his cues and doing his best to screw Fabolous up. Shout to Fab for keeping his concentration. Dana Dane who arguably bit Slick Rick's style and accent for his fifteen minutes of fame in the '80's shouldn't have been out there to begin with.



This is harsh, but it's just my thoughts ladies and gentlemen...

Joe Torre

Joe Torre's Los Angeles Dodgers easily dispatched of the Mighty Chicago Cubs in three effortless games. With either the Philadelphia Phillies or Milwaukee Brewers on the horizon, Torre has a real chance to get to the World Series for the first time in five years (20 years for the Dodgers) in his first year as Dodger skipper.

This is incredible when you think, the franchise that pretty much kicked Torre out the door (after leading them to four World Series the first six years and 12 straight playoff appearances)are sitting home with their $200 million payroll and the Dodgers struggling to stay above .500 (under .500 as of early September) the entire season, are four wins away from the Fall Classic.

Now that the Mets choked and the sentimental favorite Cubs spit the bit, I am rooting for Torre to bring home the hardware.

OJ goes to jail...finally (in the eyes of many)

13 years to the day after he was acquitted on double murder charges in a trial that divided a nation along racial lines (again), Ornethal James Simpson, better known as O.J. is going to jail on kidnapping, and 11 other charges.

Okay, my thing is, if half the country believes you murdered two people in 1994 (and looked guilty in the process - Bronco chase, anyone?) and are bitter about your acquittal, why would you a) piss more people off by writing a book called If I Did It where you "hypothetically" map out how you would have murdered Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman and b)put yourself in a position where you could be back on trial in front of a jury?

Is he a moron? People brought two sets of bathing suits for that jury pool.

It is sad because I can't even remember Simpson for his football career or even as a sideline reporter for the NFL broadcasts.

VP Debate

My friends, after watching the Vice Presidential Debate I have one question for John McCain?

Was it worth trying to coerce jilted Hillary Clinton supporters to vote Republican?

After a string of shaky interviews, and abuse of power allegations, and pictures of her kids drinking (none of them are 21, by the way), McCain the Maverick looks like a moron. I can't help thinking if the role was reversed, how loud the pro GOP members of the media talk circuit would be all over Obama.

The criticism of Sarah Palin has nothing to do with being sexist, people are generally concerned, especially in these times of fiancial turmoil, that Palin does not have enough experience to help lead the country.

What politician worth their salt, potentially a step away from being leader of the free world, does not know of any other historical court case besides Roe v. Wade (and probably didn't know the specifics about that case just rattled off the name)?

Umm lemme see, off the top of my head... Brown v. Board of Education?

I see a person dodging the issues and hiding behind the facade of fighting for the "hockey moms" and "Joe six-packs" of the world "like her". Guess what, the hockey moms want to know how exactly are you going to cut taxes and what are you going to do about Iraq.

I thought I was watching "Dancing With The Stars" (but the three night premiere was a couple of weeks ago) the way both Palin and Biden skirted around some issues. At least Joe Biden made points using specific examples. He named names, characteristics, dates, places, whereas Palin ignored questions by moderator Gwen Ifil to harp on a point made two questions prior, made a tasteless remark about Biden's deceased wife, and both candidates repeated charges made by the Presidential nominees (Biden rehashing McCain's reluctance to sit down with Spain, Palin rehashing that Obama can't admit the surge in Iraq worked - both vaild points during the presidential debate, invalid a week and a half later - let's update our arguments, please).

Not very promising. After watching the VP debate, I was thinking of moving to Canada... thinking.

I need to see something more in the remaining Presidential debates or our country is in trouble.

Just my thoughts, ladies and gentlemen....