One of Life's Many Secrets: Who was Deep Throat?

According to the Associated Press (via Yahoo! news) "W. Mark Felt, 91, who was second-in-command at the FBI in the early 1970s," was 'Deep Throat', Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward's secret source for information on the Nixon White House following Watergate. He "kept the secret even from his family until 2002," so I'm a little miffed I am just learning about this now. I gotta call Mason HQ, because I'm not getting my conspiracy memos in a timely fashion like I should.

I hear these things, and I share accordingly.

UPDATE!!!

And I quote, "and is there any other more persuasive reason than this to convince people that [your] kids need their asses beat when they are wrong?"
None that I can think of. Tragic and senseless.

Laura Bush for President?!?!? WTF!!!

Okay, so here’s the situation. If you listen closely to the various news outlets you’ll hear some troublesome rumblings. In their effort to find the “anti-Hillary”, some GOP publicist is floating a story of a possible Lady Laura run for the presidency. Yes, Laura ‘freakin’ Bush.

Now if this doesn’t prove, once and for all, that the conservatives are playing directly to the NASCAR base. Let’s analyze this, shall we?

Laura Bush has achieved a couple of things of note. First, she went to college, and earned a degree or two. Very impressive, I suppose. Secondly, she married George W. Bush. Somewhat less impressive. Thirdly, she has managed to stay married to the President through his wild days. More impressive. Fourthly... Okay, that’s all I got. So let’s recap.

She went to college and married a president. Yep, that seems like the resume of our chief executive. Get the §buck out of here! So being First Lady now qualifies us to be president, does it?

So is ole’ Hillary qualified? Not really, but she comes a whole hell of a lot closer than our honorable First Lady. At least Hillary went and got elected senator, you know, to get a feel for the inner workings of government and all. This is laughable.

But the real evil in this is that Laura Bush is elect-able to someone. If that’s the case than I vote for my 6th grade teacher, Mrs. Mond. She’ll run this country like a well oiled machine. If a senator gets out of hand, he’ll have to go stand in the corner of the oval office.

And what does that say about the far-right electorate, if the powers that be truly think you’re that stupid. Don’t you want an executive that is, I dunno, smarter than you? I guess not. How about qualified? Nope. Seems the only requirements that matter are that they be Christian, holier-than-thou, Republican, and have the last name ‘Bush.’

Laura Bush as president... This country may really be going to hell in a hand basket, and I missed the memo.

I hope that the moderates can recover the Republican Party. Laura Bush... Guess Condi’s name wasn’t getting any traction. Is Liddy Dole available?

Haloscan commenting and trackback have been added to this blog.

Week End Round Up

Okay, I knew if I just waited for a minute, something stupid would happen. I was utterly sure of it and, I am happy to say, I am not disappointed.

First, we turn to Bali, Indonesia. Seems that while the US is fighting the war on drugs like a sissy, those Indonesians really know how to “get medieval on your ass.”

See, there is a young woman from Australia who, while on vacation, “attempted” to smuggle 9 lbs. of pot into the country. Ok, shit happens. Ask John Forte. (Do a Yahoo! search.) Well, folks in Indo, don’t cotton much to that sort of thing. When they discovered the pot, they locked her up. So, where’s the story, you ask? Well, prosecutors asked for life in prison, but the court had leave to issue the death penalty. The death penalty. For pot. That’s what I call a drug law. Not that I’m pro-capital punishment, because I am decidedly not, but, I must admit that I am impressed with the dedication to which the courts in Indo (sounds like Endo. Snoop Dogg better stay out of there.) handle their drug offenders. They don’t play.

The story was funny because the young Australian woman has become a cause celeb in her home land. Made funnier because she is, or rather was, a beautician, so the coverage was as much about her wardrobe as her fate. I really feel for women defendants. Not only are they judged on their sincerity, but also their choice of designers. It’s tough being a woman.

In other news, I am pretty angry at ABC news this morning. I suppose that angry is the wrong word, more like frustrated. Last night, Primetime Live ran a story about children, who largely due to their parent’s drug addictions, have to live with their grandmothers. Their stories are tragic, and I really do feel for them. But what annoys me is that all of the families profiled were black. I won’t really go down the “we ain’t all poor rant” but suffice it to say that I am annoyed.

Elsewhere, P Diddy, Puffy Combs, was ordered to pay $21,000 a month in child support. I know that I am in the minority here, and I admit that $250,000 a year for your child is excessive, but hey, Puffy’s kid is going to have expenses. Gold and Platinum teeth are expensive, these days. Seriously, if dad is living in Mid-town Manhattan, why shouldn’t junior live like a upper middle class American. Fair is fair.

Finally, the entire hip-hop nation will be on Miami Beach this weekend, beginning the mass exodus of locals who flock to the hills this time of year. For those that are going, enjoy and stay safe. And please, don’t embarrass us. No riots. No fights. No deaths. Thanks.

That’s it for me. See youse next week, barring some other earth shattering news.

Nuclear Peace Treaty In The Senate and Names Revisited

Alright, so I flaked out on finishing my “expose” on the death of Malcolm X. Let me not leave you in suspense any further, the Nation of Islam killed him. The End. Also, while I’m doing “exposes,” Oswald killed Kennedy and Coke is better than Pepsi. Now, on to other things.

Seems there was an accord reached in the Senate yesterday. I for one am glad. I have grown tired of this non-story, and the endless explanations on the network news shows of what a filibuster is. Here’s a point I’d like to make, though. Conservatives, please STOP calling the network news liberal. They’re not. If you want proof then look no further than the news shows explanation of the filibuster. Strom Thurman was dutifully noted by all the shows as holding the record for the longest filibuster ever. But not one outlet that I watched mentioned that ole Strom was filibustering.the.Civil.Rights.Act. Guess his daughter pissed him off that week, huh.

I am truly happy that a deal has been reached, but I am even happier that (1) conservatives and liberals both hate it; (2) and John McCain brokered the deal. That my friends, is diplomacy. Senator McCain gets it. He really does. I’ll be right out on the forefront of his campaign.

See, the thing that the far right conservatives, who have gone totally ape-shit, have forgotten is the word “compromise.” To them there is no such thing. Because they have a mandate from God (and 51% of the general voter population) any compromise is a betrayal of principles. Damn it all to hell.

For the lefties, this deal will allow 3 “extremist” judges on the bench, thus threatening them with a curtailment of abortion rights, and “gasp” having to be present while someone else prays to God.

If the “Chistian-istas” and the “Leftists” are both upset, then I know that Senator McCain has done the right thing. See, both of these sides are just as loony as the day is long. “Christian-istas” with their whole belief that judgment is neigh, but in the meantime let’s return to 1600’s puritanicalisim (shit, I have no interest in ‘going back’ to the 1600’s, 1700’s or 1960’s for that matter. My people just got the right sit where we want on the bus, I ain’t giving that up.) And “Leftists” with their belief that homosexuality is normal, but praying in public ain’t. (Look, if the “Christian-istas” can keep it in the closet, so can the “fasionistas.” Fair is fair.)

As I’ve mentioned before, politics (along with economics) is the mechanism through which society allocates resources for the common good. It is a give and take, which is why most politicians give promises and take donations. It is how the world goes round.

There is no underlying principle that has been terribly offended because there are no principles in politics. Except of course (conservatives take note) the principle that the show must go on. See, while the GOP was rattling the saber of the “nuclear option,” the
Dems were ready, willing and able to ‘gum up the works’ and bring the congressional pace down to a level that would make a snail’s craw would look like a bee line. There were threats on both sides. As with most nuclear strikes, such a move would have resulted in mutually assured destruction.

In other news, a Texas girl is upset when her yearbook picture with the Honor Society lists her merely as “black girl.” Now, I’m about to make a whole lot of folks angry with this one, but I don’t smell racism. I am delighted by the story because it sheds light on the “Name Game” memo I wrote to parents a while back. See, the young lady was named Shadoyia. The editors of the yearbook could not spell “Shadoyia.” I cannot spell “Shadoyia.” I am mildly shocked her mother could, but I digress. Shadoyia was the only black girl in the photo, and the editors listed her as “Black Girl” as a place holder. They then never corrected her name.

Black folks, this is not a racial issue. This is a name issue. If the girl’s name was Nancy Jones, and the editors listed her as “Black Girl” then there might have been an issue. Still wouldn’t be national news, but defiantly worth looking in to. Shadoyia, I am sorry this happened to you, but you’ll live.

May 19, 2005- Happy 80th Malcolm X!

Today was supposed to be a reflection on the brutal murder of Malcolm X. However, I have changed my mind, as is my wont.

To remember the life of Malcom X, who was born today, takes precedence over his death. It was what he did in life that made his death so tragic. So tomorrow, I will conclude with a discussion of his death. Today is only a celebration of his life.

Happy Birthday Malcolm X!

I would like to point out that I believe that Malcolm X would be very upset at the travesties that are being committed world wide in the name of Islam. The bombings, murders and beheadings are not in the best interests of the muslim people around the world and the thugs who are using Islam as their sheild will surely pay both here and in the afterlife.

Update! It seems that Malcolm's birthday hasn't gone unnoticed. The Guardian has printed an “article” that claims Malcolm was gay.

Couple of points.
1. If Malcolm was gay, why would the NOI surpress it?
2. More importantly, why would the F.B.I., who was intensly monitoring him and his movements?
3. If the book wherein these allegations originated was written in 1991, why, some 14 years later, should it make news now?

I ask these questions because this smacks of defiling the man's name for no good reason. I tend to disbelieve conspiracy theories concerning the efforts of the gay rights movement to legitimize itself, but this move has me rethinking my position. Lame.

Malcolm X; Conservative Thinker?

Yesterday, I discussed how Malcolm X was the ‘yin’ to Dr. Martin Luther King’s ‘yang.’ Today, as promised, we will continue that theme by discussing the conservative political philosophy of Malcolm X.

If Dr. King is the consummate liberal, and he was despite how often Republicans quote him out of context, (side bar: I tire greatly of the repeated use of King’s “content of character” quote from ‘Dream.’ He surely spins in his grave every time it is brought up as a prologue to someone’s diatribe against affirmative action programs.) Malcolm X was the consummate conservative.

X was a proponent of eventual separation of the races. Initially, this idea was, and still is, one of the tenants of the philosophy espoused by The Nation of Islam, his former religion. Elijah Muhammad taught that it was only through separation that the Black man could become liberated. After breaking with the NOI, Malcolm continued the philosophy, albeit in a much less dramatic fashion. Malcolm believed that the eventual goal of the Black man in America should be reintegration into African society.

However, while here in America, Malcolm believed that the Black man should not rely on anyone else for his development. A true ‘boot-strapper,’ he believed that government should not be trusted to provide for a man, and that a man must strive to provide for himself and his family.

Further, he had a disdain for liberalism unmatched by Sean Hannity or Michael Savage.

"The Negro revolution is controlled by foxy white liberals, by the Government itself. But the Black Revolution is controlled only by God." Speech, Dec. 1, 1963, New York City.
www.cmgww.com-The Official Site of Malcolm X

He saw that education was the key to advancement:

"Without education, you're not going anywhere in this world."

"Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today."
malcolm-x.org

And he advocated a moral, just society for all:

"If you are in a country that is progressive, the woman is progressive. If you're in a country that reflects the consciousness toward the importance of education, it's because the woman is aware of the importance of education. But in every backward country you'll find the women are backward, and in every country where education is not stressed it’s because the women don't have education."

"I believe in human rights for everyone, and none of us is qualified to judge each other and that none of us should therefore have that authority."

"I'm for truth, no matter who tells it. I'm for justice, no matter who it is for or against. I'm a human being, first and foremost, and as such I'm for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole."

"I believe in recognizing every human being as a human being - neither white, black, brown, or red; and when you are dealing with humanity as a family there's no question of integration or intermarriage. It's just one human being marrying another human being or one human being living around and with another human being."
malcolm-x.org

Now I know that he also said some negative things about capitalism, but to him, it was capitalism that was shackling not only the Black man in America, but millions of every race globally. And yes, like Dr. King he had his own flirtations with communism, but he could never be a communist because he was first and foremost a preacher. Malcolm X was a man of God. And though we don’t share the same savior, we do share a belief in the divinity of God.

In closing, I will submit that, just as he grew in- and outgrew- the NOI, he would have also outgrown his more leftist philosophies. After all, he often said that while he was ferocious in defense of his beliefs, he was man enough to admit when he was wrong. We saw it with his renunciation of racism, and his embrace of all of his brothers in the race of Man. Alas, he was killed before we would ever truly know.

Tomorrow we will reflect on his murder, his murders and his legacy.

2 unrelated updates...

1. I did see the Brittany Spears show. Have much to say. Just not now.
2. CBS is killing 60 Minutes Wednesday? Wow. Didn't see that coming. I guess Rather has become persona non grata for real.

Happy Birthday to ya! Malcolm X, a real American hero.

Thursday is May 19th. May 19th is an important date in American history because it is the birthday of Malcolm X, one of my personal heroes, and a man who had as much to do with equality in America as anyone else.

The popular notion, the one taught children, is that through the marches and speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King, segregation was ended in American, and equality was the rule of the day. This notion is captured in the political rhetoric of today by Democrats and Republicans, who evoke Dr. King’s “I have a Dream” sermon on the Mall in Washington to support or denounce affirmative action and other programs.

But while Dr. King has rightfully received his glory, America largely overlooks what Malcolm X brought to the discussion. A choice.

See, Brother Malcolm said to 1960’s America, “you can get with this, or you can get with that. I think you’d better get with that, ‘cause’ you don’t want any part of this.” Malcolm was preaching “The Ballot or the Bullet,”
while many people were putting life and limb in jeopardy on freedom rides in the furthest reaches of the south to secure the vote for Black people in America.

It is an interesting dichotomy, and one that was not lost on Malcolm. In one hand America had an emissary of love and peace, and in the other, one of retribution and revenge. Malcolm knew that the louder he spoke, the more folks would listen to Dr. King. And he spoke directly to the agitators on the other side.

"I saw in the paper where they -- on the television where they took this Black woman down in Selma, Alabama, and knocked her right down on the ground, dragging her down the street. ...

When I saw it I dispatched a wire to Rockwell; Rockwell was one of the agitators down there, Rockwell, this [George] Lincoln Rockwell [leader of the American Nazi Party].

And the wire said in essence that this is to warn him that I am no longer held in check from fighting white supremacists by Elijah Muhammad's separatist 'Black Muslim' movement. And that if Rockwell's presence in Alabama causes harm to come to Dr. King or any other Black person in Alabama who's doing nothing other than trying to enjoy their rights, then Rockwell and his Ku Klux Klan friends would be met with maximum retaliation from those of us who are not handcuffed by this nonviolent philosophy. And I haven't heard from Rockwell since."
Source
After the Bombing/Speech at Ford Auditorium (Detroit Michigan, Feb. 14, 1965). [ed. note- "the Bombing" referenced in the title was the firebombing of Malcolm X's home in New York earlier that morning. Defiant to the end.]

This week, barring any spectacular news events, this space is dedicated to El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz. Happy birthday to a real American Hero. And Thank You, dear Brother Malcolm.

Those that don’t know Malcolm X, or know Little (pun intended. If you don’t get it, you should really do some research.), try out MalcolmX.org for starters. And read a book why don’t cha.

Tomorrow-- Malcolm X, the Political Conservative.

Update! In support of Malcolm's role as yin to Dr. King's yang, I offer this quote.
"'I want Dr. King to know that I didn't come to Selma to make his job difficult. I really did come thinking I could make it easier. If the white people realize what the alternative is, perhaps they will be more willing to hear Dr. King.' ...in a conversation with Mrs. Coretta Scott King." malcolm-x.org .

Weekend Round-Up

Blogger was acting up Friday, thus this post is all jigged up. I won't delete it, but I wanted to note this fact.

It’s Friday! Thus nothing heavy, just some light nibbles from around the net.

From the, “Kids are stupid, but adults are stupider” category, I offer this Kansas City report that says,

“Being Safe Can Keep Kids From Being Run Over, Expert Says; Safety Advocate Says Kids Shouldn't Be Left Alone In Cars.” Thanks.



Elsewhere, Ambra argues that rappers should refrain from doing projects that appeal to children while simultaneously glorifying the hip hop lifestyle. I don’t really agree with that line of thought. Master P’s show on Nick, was my nephew’s favorite, and he hasn’t asked for gold fronts yet. Furthermore, it is refreshing to see the No-Limit Soldier make like Ward Cleaver.



And, although I am not a dad, this will make me think long and hard before I let my kid be a Boy Scout. Look, I understand the homosexual lobby’s position that they shouldn’t be prevented from being Scoutmasters. I understand it totally. I just don’t know if I can go along with the idea. I realize I am being slightly irrational, and that a pedophile will hide his homosexuality so as not to draw attention to himself, but damn...



And finally, Lashawn has posted on a recent California ruling preserving Prop. 209. She and I differ sharply on this matter. I strongly support AA in education. That is a post all to itself for another time, though. I have never been admitted to any school, nor hired for any position, based on Affirmative Action. I probably got some money because I was Black, but that is quid-pro-quo. The U got to experience me in all my suburb fabulousness! I made the U fun for all: white, black, red, yellow and blue. Then again, at the U, we were all green and orange.



Have a safe weekend.



It’s Friday the 13th. Be careful!

Memo to Parents Re: The Name Game

I commented on Booker to a piece of information that suggests that black kids with ‘black’ names suffer from disparate treatment in school. I don’t doubt that this is the case, and as a result I offer the following Public Service Announcement.

There seems to be a storm cloud brewing about the naming of black children. We here at The Fell Clutch of Circumstance offer this short memorandum to parents to help guide them in choosing a name for their beloved children.

1. If an interviewer can't pronounce it from reading it atop a resume, the interviewer's calling Jack.

2. If you are sensitive to someone mispronouncing your name, don't saddle your children with the same difficulty.

3. Made-up names aren't 'cute' no matter what Rayneshia and 'nem tell you.

4. If your last name is Jones, Jackson, or Williams, Please don't create-a-name for the front.

5. Just because you name your daughter Tiffany, thinking it is a regular name, doesn't mean you should be cute by spelling it Typhani. Someone like me is going to pronounce it "Tie-fanny" and poor Tiff (or Typh) is going to get upset.

6. Mothers, if RaQuil Lamont Johnson wishes to have RaQuil Lamomt Johnson, Jr., you are stuck. However, should RaQuil suggest your daughter be named RaQuilla, RaQuilleeta, or the ever popular La'RaQuil, you must, for the sake of the child, put your foot down.

7. The feminine form of Michael is Michelle; not Mikellia. Stephen is Stephanie, not Stefiona.

8. Never, EVER, name your child after your favorite; song by Prince (Diamond S'Pearla), car (Lexus, Toyota, Honda. Exception, Portia is o.k. as long as you don't spell it Porche), or designer (La'Fendi).

9. Stripper names are to be avoided at all costs. Peaches, Exotique, and Diamond are all bad. Mothers, if you are unsure of what constitutes a stripper name please ask the Father. He knows.


We hope these rules will guide you in your future endeavors. Thank you.

This message brought to you by Bill Cosby. (not. But Bill know's I'm right.)

Could It Be That It Was All So Simple Then?

I am Hip Hop.

I have been since I was 8 years old and first heard Lady B’s Street Beat on Power 99 FM. It started with Roxanne Roxanne (and all of the records that followed,) continued through the Juice Crews loss to BDP; Moe D’s loss to LL; the falling off of Big Daddy Kane and the falling off and reintroduction and subsequent falling off of LL; the introduction of a fat kid from Brooklyn who changed the game; some cats in L.A. who said, “Fuck the police”; the improbable rise of a West Coast Pimp turned rapper turned actor; the rise and falls of media empires out of Harlem, Uptown-by-way-of Harlem, Compton, Beverly Hills, and of all places New Orleans; and the ascension of the greatest rapper, co-CEO-and entrepreneur of all time from peddling ounces along the I95 corridor to minority ownership of the New Jersey Nets. Suffice it to say, I have seen it all.

So it is with great sadness that I lament the passing of the first magazine that I ever bought consistently; the source.

The Source is still in publication. It is still a media empire in and of itself, (though how long is a subject of debate.) But it is dead. Ironically murdered by its own fathers, David Mays and Raymond Scott, like some bad Greek tragedy.

For those that don’t know, Mays, a Harvard graduate and Scott, a graduate of the school of hard knocks, helped create the world’s first national publication devoted to Hip Hop. Though Scott’s role in the magazine’s early days is subject to conjecture, for the sake of argument I will buy his explanation that he was right there in the forefront. Though in the early years, the magazine had a diverse staff that covered Hip Hop with zeal and integrity. And we, the faithful, bought issues monthly.

While Mays was leading this journalistic revolution, Scott was trying to get out of the streets by making beats. (Look Ma, I’m a rapper). Mays, the head of a music journal, for all intents and purposes, was also Scott’s manager. An obvious no-no. Even those who don’t know the story know where this is heading. Mays wrote puff pieces on the group -- editors walked out. Rinse and repeat. Soon, Mays’ partners were either bought out, or asked to leave. Again, conjecture. But the fact is that when the dust settled, Mays and Scott stood alone on the top of the heap.

I knew we had big trouble on the horizon when the Source, known for its ‘beefs’ with Vibe and XXL, decided to ‘beef’ with rappers. Competition is competition. The law of the jungle is survival of the fittest, so journalistic tête-à-tête with other magazines is forgivable, if not expected in Hip Hop. It is a competitive art form. But beefs with the artists you cover? That is not journalism. That is street dudes bringing the street into the board room. That, dear reader, is Raymond Scott.

I can bash Ray Scott all I want. But, I really can’t blame him. He is a gangster. To his credit, he found a good hustle, and like all gangsters he is going to bleed it dry. Ever see Goodfellas? “Fuck you, pay me.” It’s not a quote, it’s a mantra.

The Source, you will be missed. You will be replaced, much like a pair of favored shell toes that are no longer crisp, but you will be missed. Though perhaps these are merely the ramblings of a man who woke up one day and found that his favorite magazine is no longer in his demographic. Like the day that G.I. Joe was no longer cool, or the day when I realized that I really didn’t care who the WWF Champion was. Perhaps I don’t lament the Source’s passing, I lament my own advancing age. Perhaps.

Pro Hip Hop has a series of links to great articles on this tragedy here.

You can hit the Source directly, here. Although, for the record they have been trying to get their site together for years. Their next issue asks the pressing question, “Did C-Murder get a fair trial?” Need I lament more?

That’s it. I’m spent.

Chan Chandler Speaks!!!!

Because I truly believe in fair and balanced reporting, and because as an attorney I know there is always "your side", "my side" and "the truth" (which lies in the middle more often than not) I offer this.

Seems what we have here is a failure to communicate. Though if North Carolina isn't the Bizzarro World, I don't know what is. You mean to tell me that the old folks wanted to co-habitate, drink and get abortions while the "young'uns" wanted to pray and sing?

Wow.

I am amazed.

Shocked, really.

Those baby boomers, man. They throw some righteous parties.

I was wrong. Not about Pastor Chandler. He's going to make a mint. I was wrong in thinking that old folks can't get down. I'm headed to my nearest 55+ community to get my swizzel on.

Evolution = Theory = Bad = Good? Ok, now I'm really confused...

Pastor Chan Chandler has hit the road. The embattled former Pastor of the East Waynesville Baptist Church will now be available to preach to the masses in tent revivals across the country. I really can’t support the man but I’d LOVE to be his agent. I could make that man a millionaire inside of a year.

In other news, terrorists in Georgia may or may not have thrown a grenade towards the stage while the president was giving his speech in the former Soviet republic. The Secret Service may or may not have been informed promptly. And this may or may not be a story.

In Cobb County, Georgia the school board had the bright i-dear that putting stickers on science books that disclaimed evolution as a theory, not a fact.

Here’s a fact- as old as this story is, it just proves the point that people are dumb. Particularly school board members. Here’s a fact. In science, all facts are theories. Gravity is a theory. Magnetism is a theory. E=MC2 is a theory. Saying evolution is a theory is like saying that your most reviled rapper is bad. Bad means good, and theory means that thing just short of a fact because science doesn't really believe in facts; but to us non-scientists it is a fact because, what the hell do we know anyway.

Here’s another fact. Many Christians, it pains me to say, are dumb. I blame it on dumb pastors who lead the innocent astray, but as I pointed out in my last post, we as Christians have a duty to stay vigilant in light of those who would lead us astray. Use the thing God gave you between your ears.

Whether God pulled the earth from the lint on His beard, or created all matter from one big ‘bang’ is immaterial to the fact of His presence. Our faith is our shield against all that surrounds us. It is not used as a sword to bend others to our peace.

I close with this riddle, often used to disprove God, but for me it proved His very existence.

Is God omnipotent? If God is omnipotent, can God make a rock that God can’t move?

We can’t comprehend the answer, because our world is 3 dimensional. Our math and our science, our very logic cannot comprehend an answer for this riddle. Yet God exists, merely because he transcends the question, as well as our ability to understand the answer.

Intellectual Christianity. Try it sometime.

Also...

Lashawn discusses the problems in the D.C. schools. I know the D.C. school system very well. My father was once the Principled Principal of Ballou Senior High School, and of the administration of the D.C. public schools, I can say only this, "Nowhere in the galaxy is there a more wretched hive of scum and villainy."

While we may not agree all the time, she has the courage of her convictions and the ferocity of her faith. And here, she is right on the money.

Who does God want me to vote for?

The God Squad.


Seems that George W. Bush leads by divine right. For those unaware, divine right means simply that you are ruler by God’s fiat. And as we ALL know, failure to follow God’s plan leads us to the fiery pits of h-e-double hockey sticks.

Seems some preacher out in North Cakalackey, i.e. North Carolina, done went and got himself into one heap mess o’ trouble. Looks like he didn’t cotton too kindly to the whole fair and free elections idea. Went and tol’ his parishioners that John Kerry was the Devil, and that voting for him was the devil’s work. You know, what with all the baby killin’ and homo-sex-u-ahs that they got in that there Demo-(sounds like Demon) cratic Party, trying to take away our jobs and our guns, they had to be the devil.

So, ole’ Pastor Chandler went and expelled a whole bunch o’ commie pinko Democrats from the East Waynesville Baptist Church. Now, the church is all God-fearing Republicans.

This story is silly. I am not so upset at the Pastor as I am with his parishioners. He was only Pastor of this church for 3 years, however some of the expelled members had been members for over 25 years. While I am not sure of Jesus’ take on gambling, drinking, and smoking, a.k.a. the fun stuff, I do know that there is a whole section on false prophets and the danger thereof.

Look, if you believe in your Pastor, great. However, aside from the previously mentioned Queen of England, I have no spiritual head, other than the head that God gave me. If someone you’ve only known for 3 years gives a great speech, and then tells you to turn on someone you’ve known for 10 or 20 years, and you consider doing it, there is a problem.

I am amazed that only 40 members left the church in disgust.

In other news, staying with my anti-nut theme, in the legislature of great state of Alabama, rather than vote on a bill which would ban any book written by a gay author, or that had gay characters, Alabama lawmakers simply chose not to be present for the bill when it came for a vote. The bill, thankfully died, but I wonder if it died in the manner it deserved. I can just see next year’s political ads. “Didja know that Senator Blah blah voted to let our schools continue to be inundated with homosexual books by homosexuals. I think that Senator Blah blah is secretly a homosexual.” I am sure this was entirely intentional. To quote the mob, “why take a chance?”

What do these two seemingly unrelated events share; an unhealthy mingling of someone’s interpretation of God and politics.

Political science may be defined as the science of who gets what, when. Politics then, by extension is the mechanism of who gets what, when. Politics are the natural extension of economics, which also allocates resources, albeit on a more quid pro quo basis. Politics is the economics of society. Politics decides how society’s problems will be solved so that society can continue to function. Everyone rarely gets what they want in politics, just as everyone rarely gets what they want in economics. There are too many wants and not enough resources.

But God wants everything for all of His children. All political decisions aren’t religious ones. God likes it when we all give Him His glory. And He likes it when we all live in peace with one another. In fact, we are giving Him His glory when we live in peace with one another.

Some of the Bible thumpers out there are going to take me to task for this. So what. Find me scripture that suggests it is our duty to subjugate all to our beliefs. (While you’re at it show me the prohibition against smoking, drinking and gambling.) Some of you would follow your pastor to the jungles of Guyana for some punch.

I like my politics, like I like my porn, God free. I know I will pay for my porn come the judgment, but somehow I think I’ll take my chances. To quote Tupac, Only God can judge me.

And only I can judge my politicians.

Cops handcuff 7 year old boy; and boy am I glad!

Kids! What the hell is wrong with these kids today!?!?!

Just when we thought it was safe to come out of the house, we have this.

Police in Boston handcuffed a little boy after he hit several people including 3 police officers. Add this to the “hubbub” about the 7 year old girl in Tampa, who was similarly cuffed, and the 6 year old boy in Florida who was tazed, and you’ve got a whole lot of people, mostly parents, ready to cry foul.

I have waffled on this issue for a while. Tazing a 6 year old, while it is probably everyone’s fantasy (admit it, you’re on a plane/in the mall/at the movies/ and there is a little shit who won’t shut up/sit down/stop screaming/ and some dim witted parent who won’t meet your steely gaze because he/she knows that their child needs a beating), is a little harsh.

Then I read this quote from a woman interviewed in the Boston Case:

“Some parents waiting outside the school for their children Friday said the use of handcuffs was excessive.
‘He's only seven, that's young,’ said Lori Correia. ‘If they had done that to my daughter, I would not be happy. No matter what she had done.’"
There you have it. Parents will forgive their children ANYTHING. Fine. Well parents, here’s a newsflash- Cops will lock up your angel.

Lock them down. I’m serious. Lock the little shits down. If their parents have raised them to go out and act like this, and nobody can beat their little asses, then fine, lock them down.

I know, I know. The little kid in Boston has ADHD. So what. Think they didn’t have ADHD in 1978 when I was 5? Nobody was running around beating down teachers then. Okay, I’ll admit I broke Mrs. DeSantis’ ankle while I was in the first grade, but I didn’t mean it, AND I was a little shit too. Hell, by today’s standards, I had ADHD. I hate these old made-up assed illnesses. Just a conspiracy by drug makers, is all. But that is another post unto itself.

But to be serious, it is interesting to note that while all agree that the children should have been restrained using any reasonable means, no one has suggested just what "reasonable" means should have been used. Okay, there are those that suggested ‘time out.’ Time out? The shit’s tearing stuff up. You really think he/she is going to go into time out?

When children are hitting teachers or other students, ADHD or not, that child should be in handcuffs. PARTICULARLY when students hit teachers. The message should be swift; hitting a teacher is a no-no.

Remember, schools are NOT day care centers. If your child acts out, he should be punished, regardless whether or not the parent does it at home.

Now you got two kids who had to wear handcuffs for acting out. One of which acted crazy because she.did.not.want.to.play.duck.duck.goose! Really. Or something equally ridiculous.

I for one am glad the media isn't picking up on this story. Let the little shits get locked up in anonymity. No point giving them victimhood status. There will be plenty of folks who will do that for us.

And Michael Eric Dyson thinks that Bill Cosby is crazy!

Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, Redux

Yesterday, we took a journey through the political and social upheaval of the Sixties, and to a lesser degree, the Seventies. We traced the emergence of the revolutionaries. The ones who chanted, “black is beautiful!” often followed by, “free Huey!” We were spurred along by Dr. Michael Eric Dyson’s new book, “Is Bill Cosby Right?” And, we said then, and say now, “Yes. Yes he is.”

The political and social changes of the early part of “The Struggle,” are changes that I, and every other black person in America, reap the benefits of, daily. However, the economic pillars of our community lost their standing within our community. There was a time, during the 70’s, when going to work for the man was ‘selling out.’ Even today, remnants of this idea remain.

Where once, that acceptance letter to Harvard and Yale meant putting your best foot forward to assimilate and represent our people well, it became a chance to ‘stick it to whitey’ by putting on your blackest leather coat, darkest shades, and sharpest ‘pick’ (the one with the fist sticking out) and challenging everything and anything about the establishment. Now, I am making HUGE generalizations here, because while many of our mothers and fathers were sticking it to ‘The Man’, some, like Reginald Lewis and Kenneth Chenault, were pimping the system.

Fast forward to today, and we have an art form, Hip Hop, that speaks volumes on wealth, and little about up-liftment. And we have “Black Leaders,” like Dr. Dyson, who decry this paradigm shift. But I say, “Bravo!”

The rapper, Cassidy, has a new song, “I’m a Hustler.” He samples a verse from the Adam Smith of my generation, Jay Z, who has preached economic empowerment from the start. See, when H. Rap Brown said that the Revolution will not be televised, he was only half right. The revolution is on Pay-Per-View.

America is the greatest country in the world, because to quote Don King, “Only in America,” can you be born broke and die rich. And while money doesn’t always equal happiness, it sure makes being miserable a lot more tolerable.

My generation was raised on Dynasty and Dallas. The one that follows me, MTV Cribs and rap videos. We know that there is money to be made, and fun to be had. And we realize that all of us can’t do it. Life ain’t a game, it’s a sport. And we all want to be players in the league. For some, that will entail lots of schooling and for others, unfortunately it will entail a lot of law breaking.

What Cosby was saying is that there needs to be more emphasis on the former, rather than the latter. AND he said it to US, not the “White establishment” as Dr. Dyson has claimed. Dr. Cosby’s original remarks came at a Howard University function. What better time or place than at the premiere HBCU (Historically Black College and University).

Richard Pryor once quipped, “I don’t want my kids to be cool. Cool (negroes) end up in jail.” Cosby’s statements follow the same line of thinking.

Bill Cosby and Michael Eric Dyson; The Saga Continues

Bill Cosby Was Right!

Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, one of the ‘preeminent black thinkers’ (visa vis just a thinker), has written a book taking Bill Cosby to task for comments he made about the problems of black folk. Titled, "Was Bill Cosby Right," he is making the rounds, hawking this book. I hope he is just selling books, because if what he says is what he believes, "Houston, we have a problem."

Let me refresh the memories of the old, or educate the young and the oblivious. Bill Cosby, for the last year, has at times pointed out that black folk need to take some personal responsibility for themselves and their children. Granted, the 'Coz' is getting up there in age, and we know how cranky old folks can be, so he has been outspoken in a crotchety manner. But all in all, he has spoken the truth. And I am a Hip Hopper. Dr. Dyson on the otherhand, is a differnt story.

Dr. Dyson feels that, while all of what Dr. Cosby (hey, they’re both Dr.’s. How hard could it be to get a doctorate, anyway?) said was not wrong per say, he is far too harsh on poor black people.

Dr. Dyson, while being interviewed on the Tavis Smiley Show characterized Dr. Cosby’s comments as “elitist and classist.” He said that Cosby, “assaulted black language...mischaracterized people who are poor [and] he talked about them in naming their kids Sheniqua and Muhammad and ‘that crap.’”

Dr. Dyson feels that it is unfair that Cosby’s comments point out the failing of poor black people without paying attention to “the precipitating events that lead to destructive behavior.”

Bullshit.

Memo to Dr. Dyson... Your parents named you Michael. Not, Mikieaelle. They gave you a name that, when sitting on the top of your resume, would atleast get you a call back. They probably gave you a name similar to that of your dad and his dad before him. Don't know that many folks whose great grand-dad is named Typhisis, but I may be wrong. We live in a country of Peter, Paul and Mary's. I like those names. I can pronounce them. Oh, yeah, I'm a sell-out and my opinion doesn't matter. Anyhow...

In an interview that appeared in the March 27, 2005 NY Times (QUESTIONS FOR MICHAEL ERIC DYSON; Bill Cosby's Not Funny by DEBORAH SOLOMON), Dr. Dyson was asked why Dr. Cosby’s remarks were so well received by the black middle class. He answered, “Of course, taken in one sense, a lot of what he said we can agree with. None of us want our children to be murderers or thieves. But Cosby never acknowledges that most poor blacks don't have a choice about these things.”

Okay. There it is. From the mouth of a brother. We are poor, so as a result we murder and thieve. We have no choice.

In light of his response, Dr. Dyson was then asked if he felt individual will had any say in a person’s success or failure. To which he replied, “I don't believe in that kind of American John Wayne individualism where people pull themselves up by their bootstraps. Someone changed your diapers. And if that's the case, you ain't self-made... [M]y ambition didn't grow out of nowhere. It was planted in me by a community that nurtured me.”

Let’s analyze that for a moment, shall we. Bill Cosby said, “Mothers, stop naming your kid ‘insert.made.up.shit.here’, and buying them baby Jordan’s and saying ‘ain’t got no’ so that your kids will have a chance at success.” Dr. Dyson replies, “But they ain’t got no chance of success anyway ‘cause they live in the ghetto, and ‘Whitey’ is holding them down. So they have no choice but to murder and thieve and you should understand that.”

I said it before, and I’ll say it again. Bullshit.

Dr. Dyson really doesn’t want to hear about the true “precipitating events.” To Dr. Dyson, the precipitating events all lead to “The Man.” Dr. Dyson is displaying the same “Sixties” mentality that has black folk in this conundrum in the first place.

You know, the Sixties were an exciting time to be alive. I don’t know from experience mind you, but from the footage I’ve seen on PBS, all I can say is, WOW! I mean, you had protests, The Weather Men, The Black Panthers, and Dr. King marching all around. The Sixties were one big party with purpose. A social revolution. Alright! Right on, Blood! Oh, I think that came from the Seventies, but still.

The Sixties taught us that we are all the same. Black people are beautiful. White people are beautiful. Brown, yellow and red people are all beautiful, smart and capable people. The jury’s still out on all the blue people, but I digress. (Yes, I am an anti-smurfite. I admit it.)

And today, decades later, here we are. Women have equal rights. Black folk can sit at the front of the bus. Eighteen year olds can vote. We’ve come a long way baby. I am happy for the social change that the Sixties wrought. Except...

While the Sixties were a time for black revolution against external oppression, there was also a struggle within the black community, against what some perceived as “internal oppression.”
Prior to the Sixties, and contrary to what you’ve seen on TV, there was a small, albeit thriving, black middle and upper-class. It was comprised of a group of professionals, laborers and business owners who earned good livings, lived in nice homes, drove new cars, sent their children to boarding school and to colleges across the country.

For about 100 years, between 1870 and 1970, this group of well to do blacks strove for equality in the only way that mattered, economic equality. They understood that if society would not acknowledge their worth, then that was society’s loss. Not theirs. They succeeded despite the obvious challenges that were shared by all of their people. Dubois called them the “Talented Tenth.”

It was something to strive for. Mothers cleaned homes and did laundry and all sorts of things to send their children to college, any college, to better themselves. Some went to work as Pullman Porters, others in the Ford factory, but ideally their children wouldn’t have to ‘wait no tables’, nor ‘tote no barge.’ Dunbar High School, in Washington DC boasted the highest test scores in the country. It was all black.

That all changed in the Sixties. In the Sixties, equality became the buzz-word. Socialism became something to flirt with. Economics was a tool of oppression, brother. ‘The Man’ just wants to keep you down.

The ideal of a “Talented Tenth” was replaced with an armed revolutionary, trying to shake off the shackles of oppression. And it worked. We could sit at the lunch counter and have a sandwich. Yippee!

Then brothers looked around and said, “Who got a dollar? I’m hungry.”

Tomorrow, the rest of the story...