To Ms. Robin Roberts - 7.31.2007.2

I had not heard the news about Ms. Robin Roberts until now. I am saddened to hear the fact that she has been diagnosed with Breast cancer. I sympathize with her and her family on this revelation.

I give my thoughts of strength and wishes of success in beating the disease. I know that this can be a scary time. Recently one of the ladies in my family has gone through a similar discovery and the resultant surgery. I am happy to say that she is doing well and we believe this cancer has been beaten. It was caught early and for that we are all thankful.

Success in defeating cancer is possible. Everyone needs to be reminded of that. One of the biggest factors is early detection. I have spoken about my own health condition, which is thankfully good. I get check-ups every year, with diabetes and prostate cancer some of the factors I particularly check for. I am happy that Ms. Roberts found this cancer early. The survival rate is extremely good when the cancer is found early. That is for all forms of cancer.

In addition another factor that is important is support from family and friends. I reviewed Ms. Roberts book so I have no doubt that her family, friends and faith will all be with her in this journey. That kind of support and strength added to her own will surely help her overcome this crisis.

I have no doubt that Mr. Roberts will be well and prove to be a survivor even beyond the levels that she has been all her life. Even given that, I again send her my best wishes and a speedy recovery.

Movies coming to theaters after the summer - 7.31.2007.4

As the countdown before the highly anticipated Bourne Ultimatum ticks lower I wanted to take a look at some of the films that are a bit farther off in the horizon. Sadly the end of summer this year seems to portend the end of what little originality we have seen. Along with the loss of uniqueness we get only a glance at the glimmer of interesting theatrical movie magic.

Let’s start with the remakes. As most readers know well, I hate the recent trend of ‘revisioning’. I liken it to say revisioning a prime rib done medium-rare (which is just perfect) with a slab of warm tofu. It may keep you alive, but it’s not the same experience. That is how I would equate some of the better recent re-makes. In the worst cases I would say it’s like have my brain grated with a cheese grater while listening to a duet of William Hung and Biz Mark E.

So having said that, joy of joys there is a remake of Halloween coming up. I’m sure it will be no less interesting than the (yawn) Texas Chainsaw Massacre. I’m filled with giddy anticipation as we will most likely get either a scene for scene copy (minus the original interest or intensity), or a gore fest that can’t live up to the scares a bloodless original created. What a thrill ride there.

Also running the remake game is the 3rd version of the Invasion of the Body Snatchers. This time out of the gate the producers and movie execs have decided to cut the name to simply The Invasion so that younger viewers will not notice the connection to any other version. In yet another attempt of Hollywood to assume that the public is as dense as a twinkie, we see them saving money on original ideas to re-tread movies that were done well the first time only. While I doubt this film will have any real interest, I would be willing to bet that this time there will be an even more feminist twist to the storyline than the 2nd version. I’m sure this will work with movie-goers about as well as the re-visioned Hitcher movie did. Can you feel the blood just draining from your brain?

But wait, there is a movie approaching that is almost original. Yes, a movie that is not some new director’s wet-dream of a ticket to everlasting fame having bested a master filmmaker. Before you get too giddy, its another global-warming film. The 11th Hour. Buzzkill I know. But if you feel that the world is ending in a ball of flame and smoke by next Tuesday, you will probably flock to this film. The only thing I can say is I hope they sell broccoli sticks instead of popcorn at the theater. It will leave less of a carbon footprint.

You may ask is there any film that I might be looking forward to in the near term? One so far is, War, which will be starring Mr. Jet Li and Mr. Jason Statham. Both are proven action movie actors. While the storyline might not be the most original, action movies are not really known about plot. I would imagine that this will be a very fast paced movie that will live up to at least one aspect of expectations, a lot of people will get beat up. I can accept that, and considering the moves both men have shown in the past the film should not disappoint on that level.

If there is a fight scene between the 2 men, I’m guessing that Mr. Statham will win or at least that the leading edge. His star is still rising, and Mr. Li is moving away from fighting in his films, or so it has been reported as they violate is buhddist (as I recall) views.

Well there you have it. Enjoy the Bourne Ultimatum, there isn’t much else that seems to be a big draw. If I’m wrong I will let you know. So far, in terms of remakes at least, I don’t recall missing yet.

This is what I think, what do you think?

America debates while the U.N. acts on Darfur - 7.31.2007.1

Repost from Vass

Finally we see the start of some action. Finally leadership has arisen and taken a stand. Sadly it was not the United States that has been the bold leader that our nation can be, and often is. Even so, I am happy to spread this news.

The United Nations has announced that it will be sending 26,000 peacekeeping troops to stop, or at least stem, the mass murder in Darfur that has claimed some 400,000 lives and left 2,500,000 homeless. I have been speaking about Darfur for a little while now, inspired by the words and actions of Mr. Don Cheadle.

Still the resolution has its flaws. Since the troops will be comprised of African Union and U.N. troops it will take months to organize and implement. Additionally there is no sanction component that can cause a dampening effect on the ruling government, slowing its efforts to commit genocide. This sanctioning is a needed component as is food aid for the area. It is an abysmal fact that the major industrialized nations of the world, including America, have sat on their collective asses in this matter.

As I mentioned previously HR 180 IH, has sat in Congress without action all year. In 2005 the members of the G8 summit sought to address the issue, and after few words that hold as much impact as the soundbites politicians use for most every situation these days, did nothing. So I have mixed emotions right now.

There is the start of actions to improve the lives of millions of Africans, a start but that is all. American businesses continue to support and by their inaction fund a genocide that has been on-going since 2003. Politicians have failed to act on resolutions presented to them. The news media has virtually ignored the situation. This is insulting.

I place myself along with the major media, up until recently. We can all do better and more. The stories on the vapid and imbecilic Paris Hilton can wait a bit. The comments on the rantings of Ms. Rosie O’Donnell will still be there later. BET will still provide the second-rate, debateably exploitative programming which can be protested against while they ignore their obligation to provide news and substance to the very target group the cable news channel is named for.

Fox News, CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS et al. need to forget that this is happening in Africa and treat this matter like it was in Europe. I strongly feel that were this happening on a separate continent, with people of a different color, more would be done. Well it is happening and they are human beings and we can do more.

And politicians can take the simple amount of time it takes to act on HR 180 IH, Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007, forcing companies to admit if they are supporting the regime that is murdering women and children for no reason beyond the fact they exist. I dare even one politician to provide a reason that is logical that explains why this has not passed yet. To explain why this simple act has yet to be passed after 7 months seems inplausible to me. That only 151 Representaives have backed this is sad. How many lives will it take to move forward and act?

America is a great nation, I believe that without hesitation. We have helped and defended millions across the globe for decades. We stand for freedoms and rights that no other nation can claim to give so completely. Because of these reasons we cannot fail to act when the need is so dire.

This is what I think, what do you think?

Paris Hilton back in orange - 7.30.2007.1

Take a look at the picture above and observe it well. Yes I know it’s Paris Hilton. As sad as this girl is, actually pitiful is more the term I’d use, I have to think the executives at the Fox show The Simple Life are worse. That is because the talent less heiress was made up like the Great Pumpkin, or perhaps for an appearance on The Simpson’s, and that is being described their interpretation of a Black woman.

For some reason, and I am lost as to why, Paris is being changed to look Black. It has something to do with her television program that continues to be shown season after season. But I am insulted that this is what they consider Black on that program.

I don’t know when looking like Farah Fawcett with a really bad fake suntan became the equivalent of being Black. Didn’t any of them get to see the program Black.White. Couldn’t they afford that makeup team? Or did they somehow think that Mr. Gene Wilder’s comedic act of desperation, devised by Mr. Richard Pryor, from Blue Streak was somehow spot on.

I know I often joke with friends that I have the ultimate suntan base, it cost me nothing and I have it year round. Even so, a suntan is nothing like the hue I have gained from my Puerto Rican father and Black mother. Paris does not look like any Black or Hispanic person I have ever seen from anywhere in the world.

I don’t care that a low quality, mind-numbing show is using a gimmick to get viewers. I expect that, since that is the premise of the program. But I do have issue when someone tries to ‘revision’ the Al Jolson blackface just to get a ratings bump. It’s distasteful and insulting. If say Lil Kim was to appear for a show in clown white makeup, pretending to be Caucasian I think some might find that insulting. Same thing here.

If the execs at Fox have no idea of how a Black person looks, here are a couple of hints.

Discussing the Spike TV show Kill Point - 7.29.2007.1

I’m not sure how many people were able to see the new cable television show on Spike TV. I like the programs that Spike has made so far, they have good plots, quality production and a diversity that most any other show on television today seems to ignore. Actually the same can be said of FX as well. But this new show really caught my attention.

The show is called The Kill Point. A drama with a lot of tension. Essentially we get to see both sides of a hostage situation. One point of view is held by Mr. John Leguizamo, leader of the would-be bank robbers and hostage takers. The key negotiator for the police is Mr. Donnie Wahlberg. Much of the tension is the manner in which both of these men are making plans to outwit the other and confront each other. Luckily for the hostages, neither man wants harm them. Yet they are the currency that both are using to get the goals before them.

In the introduction to the program things happen quickly. The bank robbery that starts everything is near perfect in execution. Were it not for the efforts of a zealous FBI agent, there would be no story. But her interruption as the robbers leave the bank quickly brings about a gun battle the equal to that of many war movies or scenes from Baghdad. With little delay we find that the robbers include a medic, are accustomed to working scenarios on the fly, and are determined.

We meet our police officers shortly afterwards and the game of chess begins. The robbers need to keep hostages, especially a computer savvy boy and a daughter of a wealthy businessman, while devising a unique plan that will allow them to escape. The police are battling poor decisions from higher ups, little information and the preservation of as many lives as possible.

In between we get to have a bit of current day politics thrown in. You cannot miss the point, and in one scene it thrown down our throats. Of course this is done by Mr. Wolf to gain sympathy from the public, and not an altruistic end. Not that if he were to have that portion of his demands met, along with freedom for him and his men, he wouldn’t be happy.

While this is not a unique storyline, there are elements that separate this program from the others. The would-be bank robbers are all Marines, from the same unit that saw serious fighting in Iraq. Most have seen multiple tours. All are completely loyal to Mr. Wolf, the man responsible for saving their lives, scarred from multiple battles and dishonorably discharged for not taking his men into a battle that would have killed them all. The men are all played as efficient, capable soldiers, who are morally against hurting the hostages, or the police. Yet each has sworn to die rather than go to jail.

For the police we have a lead negotiator that is obsessed with proper grammar in speech and writing. The man is sharp and his obsession (which borders on OCD) plays well for a job title where the nuances of language are critical. It also adds a nice counter point to the tension while not breaking from the storyline.

There are a few wildcards in the program as well. Several members that were in Iraq as well are banding together to help out their besieged comrades. This is something neither the police nor the trapped robbers are aware of. The introduction of the FBI, and politics in the form of the Mayor’s office are other flags in the wind. Not to mention a possible deal with the business tycoon.

As I mentioned earlier, the show is diversified. Unlike the usual solitary non-white character found in broadcast programming, this show has a wide range of ethnicities. It reflects the variations in the military and our cities. It’s a nice touch and adds to the realism of the program. From the hostages, to the police, to the bank robbers there is a mix that makes sense and goes beyond the typical Latino gangmember, poor Black drug addict, and other such demeaning stereotypes.

The acting is better than average and I think this is one of Mr. Leguizamo’s better performances. I feel he has been underrated for some time. Perhaps this show will be the thing he needs to get the upper tier of opportunities. Equally on point is Mr. Wahlberg.

I’m not sure how many episodes there will be, I can’t see this going on to a second season due to the nature of the premise. Given that, I suggest watching this and taking it all in while you can. Good intelligent and entertaining television is hard to find these days.

Interracial couples, the past is the present Part 2 - 7.27.2007.2

Continued from Interracial couples, the past is the present Part 1...

With all the advances and changes that have occurred since the Civil Rights Movement in the mid-60’s, social change has been the best and worst of things. The youth of today use terms that were used 40 years ago as a rally cry to lynch and beat African Americans. There are more African Americans in the middle class, owning and running businesses. We have seen 2 Secretaries of State, and now a serious contender for the Presidency of the United States that is Black. Yet, for all the mostly younger people that date with no barrier from color of skin, there still is anger and dislike of the concept on both sides.

In 1972 Kitty had to move 7 states away, and was disowned from her family, as was her husband, just to be safe. In 2007 a heralded star of the Fiesta Bowl has to have the same type of fear. Why?

Not only why, but what does it mean? I’m sure that not everyone that is against interracial marriages, or dating, would kill over it. But some obviously still would. Not everyone would disown their family memebrs over this, but some still do. Why is it not enough to be human and in love?

I know some women that I have dated in the past find this to be a terrible sin. They equated it with betraying the race. I have known several Black Men that have said the same. I have known many White men that have directly told me they respect me, would work for me, were clients of mine, would defend me versus others attacking me on the basis of my race, and stated clearly they would never let their sister date me (and yet for some I managed millions of their money with complete discretion and autonomy).

Personally I don’t really care, but perhaps millions of others do. A minority of them feel so strongly as to consider murder. Yet how many of the youth of today feel there is no racism any longer. How many state that all the playing fields are even. Perhaps they just haven’t run into a situation, or did not recognize it because obviously it still exists.

America will continue to be divided and have issues while views and actions over interracial couples exist. That does not mean I think everyone must be integrated, nor segregated in their relationships. I think people need to be themselves and live. Live without the fear of violence, and perhaps death just because of how they are with.

We can never be a nation indivisible until the response to the quote by Morpheus I opened this with can be countered by another quote from The Matrix Revolutions,

“And some things do” – Niobe

Interracial couples, the past is the present - 7.27.2007.1

"There are some things in this world, captain Niobe, that will never change." – Morpheus From the Matrix Reloaded

Back in the early 1970’s I recall meeting a friend of my mother, a woman from the South. I recall her for many reasons, her nickname, her personality, and her husband. At the moment I’ll share a bit about her marriage.

As I mentioned, ‘Kitty’ was a woman from the South that moved to New York City when she got married. Neither she, nor her husband, had family in the City. They didn’t move for a better job or to gain a better education. They left the South because it was the safe thing to do.

Kitty and her husband were an interracial couple (they were married to the day that Kitty died of cancer and a bad hospital – well over 25 years after I first met them). That may not sound like a big deal in 2007, but in 1972 it was. That isn’t very long ago, and since that time things have changed, and then again as Morpheus states some don’t.

Case in point is the Fiesta Bowl. It was a great game and I wrote a bit about it. I recall that it was the first post for 2007. After the very close win, by the undefeated Boise State Broncos, there was a bit of a surprise for all the nation to see. Ian Johnson, the running back responsible for the overtime win, went over to his girlfriend and proposed with ESPN and other national television cameras catching every second. Chrissy Popadics said yes, without hesitation. They are an interracial couple.

Fast forward to today, and it’s being reported that death threats are part of the negative comments being hurled at the soon-to-be newlyweds. So vicious and troubling are the threats, security is required for the wedding.


This is hardly a unique case. I know of other interracial couples that are also running into difficulty like this today as well. Not to mention that back over a year ago I wrote a post about Ms. Sanaa Lathan in the film Something New. Since that time I have noted the continuous views of that post, though only 1 woman has bothered to comment. I have seen that every month, interracial dating is on of the topics my blog is found under ever month. To be exact, the terms being searched are accusatory and negative towards interracial dating.

Continued in Part 2...

Comment on article by Victoria Tang at The Daily Californian Part 2 - 7.26.2007.4

Continued from Comment on article by Victoria Tang at The Daily Californian Part 1...


Ms. Tang also implies that the fact that there was an uproar against the show, based on it’s title alone, was a matter of PC. That all the bloggers involved were seeking to restrict the things being said about African Americans. Perhaps that was true of some bloggers, but speaking for myself that is not true. This was about the dissemination of context to the world. Context of the program, and therefore the quality of the program was the issue not words.

Virtually any program can be put on television, or in a blog. I may not agree, but I respect the right neo-nazi’s have to speak what they wish. I support statements, that do not evoke harm or inflict undue pain, being made by anyone. BET had every right to make a show called Hot Ghetto Mess, and given the context and quality of the program I’d have not even noticed. But when looked at in a total view, which it appears Ms. Tang has not done, what the program suggested did in fact seem to inflict harm and evoke pain.

I submit to Ms. Tang that if a program was announced to appear on say ABC Disney that was titled ‘Hitler Rules’ it would catch attention. IF ABC had on it’s website a desrition of the program that stated it would feature KKK rallies, neo-nazi marches, church burnings and equated this to a plane crash you can’t stop watching. Lastly if the logo of the company was an image of a burning cross inscribed in a no symbol. It is well within the First Amendment to state these things. And without context I would imagine many would be outraged.

If Disney, which owns ABC, then refused to comment on the show other than to say it’s not what the outraged public was stating would you be satisfied? If television critics requested a preview of the program and were denied, would you be concerned that perhaps this was not a positive program?

If such a program description and image evokes emotion from you or other readers, is that PC? Is demanding an explaination and/or the removal of the program infringing on the First Amendmant? Or is it a statement of the thoughts of people using their First Amendment rights to ensure that no harm or pain is inflicted on the nation and world.

The fact that the program showed video clips of people being arrested for these actions, or derided, or the resulting pain inflicted on people by these actions does not change the lack of context made prior. The fact that questions asked of the public about Aschwitz, the Holocoust, slavery, ethnic cleansings, genocide, prejudice, and other events – then providing facts on each – would not change the implied meaning that was lent to the program prior.

PC is a useless and dangerous trend, I believe, and I think Ms. Tang does as well. But there are too many people that seek to claim serious questions are merely stifling of the First Amendment. There is a difference between moral outrage and civic duty vs mere discomfort of terminology used.

This is not

“targeting the hip hop industry seems to be a favorite pastime of political correctness junkies”

To say that

“But the content of the series isn’t going to change”

is too simplistic a comment, and highly likely incorrect, as I stated above.

I believe that Ms. Tang only caught the last bit of what the anger of most bloggers on this issue was about. I suggest that she go back to the beginning of this issue and see what it really was about. Regardless of what was finally presented to the public, the outrage and protest of bloggers was necessary and hardly PC. To claim otherwise is minimizing and disrespectful of the actual issue.

This is what I think, what do you think?

Comment on article by Victoria Tang at The Daily Californian - 7.26.2007.3

I want to reply to an opinion piece by Victoria Tang at The Daily Californian. Ms. Tang is commenting on the nature of the First Amendment and how the virus of political correctness (PC) has affected it. As many long-term readers of this site are aware, I am a strong supporter of the 1st Amendment. But the reason I wish to reply is that Ms. Tang is addressing the concerns I and many bloggers had on the We Got To Do Better (formerly Hot Ghetto Mess) program.

I, among others, strongly criticized Black Entertainment Television for the program prior to it’s airing on cable television. We were lead to believe, through the choice of logo, title, BET’s description, and lack of critical review or corporate reply to requests or previews that the program would not adhere to a standard worth of broadcasting. The program aired on cable television last night, and I subsequently replied about it, happily proven wrong in my criticism.

That is not to say that the attention placed on BET and Viacom was misplaced. Anyone who thinks that the program merely changed its title and logo does not understand the nature of film or television production. Many changes were occurring behind the scenes prior to the debut. The much heralded self-description of the program (since pulled of the BET website) was offensive, that was proven by the departure of 2 advertisers – State Farm and Home Depot. The focus of the program was stated to feature “booty-shakin” and “pimped-out high schoolers.” They were described as a “car wreck.” The actual program featured none of these in its video clips or show.

While few, even within BET, knew what the program was supposed to look like it is hardly difficult to understand that the make up of the program was changed. Why else would BET deny critics a chance to preview the program and dispel the bloggers that assailed the company? Why else were advertisers not shown the program to assuage their concerns?

And I will correct something that Ms. Tang stated.

“After a public relations squabble last Tuesday, Black Entertainment Television decided to scrap the original name “Hot Ghetto Mess” for a show depicting mostly young African Americans displaying what is deemed to be unpleasant behavior (mainly related to hip hop culture) less than 48 hours before its debut. What’s the new name? It’s called “We Got to Do Better.” Even gumdrops are less sugarcoated than that.”

The “public relations squabble” was started on July 4th for me and a day or so earlier at What About Our Daughters. This was not a sudden fly-by-night issue that caught on among bloggers, but a serious debate over concerns on how African Americans were being portrayed.

The title of the show is not so much “sugarcoated” as an accurate social commentary that is often stated in the Black community. Young or old, this has been said for a long time and it’s implication is far deeper than the words themselves. Ms. Tang is not African American so I can understand that she may not see the impact that this title means, but to call it sugarcoated is to belittle it’s meaning too much.

Continued in Part 2...

I was wrong about We Got To Do Better Part 3 - 7.26.2007.2

Concluded from I was wrong about We Got To Do Better Part 2...

Obviously there were changes made in the program before it aired in this form. Some we can see directly. The change in the logo graphic was a very obvious example that the program was revamped after the negative attention. The changes in content are unknown, but it is worth noting that the promised booty-shakin, and pimped-out high schoolers were not shown.

I will say to Jam Donaldson, you did better than I had expected. Your vision as it was presented does prove my suspicions wrong. Next time talk about it.

To Mr. Reginald Hudlin I state, while you have provided a good first program you could have done better of the show. Speaking to the media, as you have with all your other programs, helps you not hurts. I still believe you re-worked the program massively. That’s something I will never know.

But you should know that your commentary could have helped the show. Perhaps the negative publicity was intended to pump up rating, but it really cost you in advertisers. Out of 13 spots for commercials, you only had 3 advertisers. The main was for Whose Your Caddy? appearing 3 times, once per break. The other 2 were the American Red Cross and a local spot for Resort & Residence. You lost out horribly. Perhaps if you had provided advertisers and critics with an advanced view there would have been more and you wouldn’t have the need to plug your own programming 8 times.

Then again, perhaps if I and other, predominately Black, bloggers didn’t press you we would not have the final version we have.

I was wrong about We Got To Do Better Part 2 - 7.26.2007.1

Continued from I was wrong about We Got To Do Better Part 1...

I was glad to see most knew who Senator Barack Obama was, and terribly saddened to listen to one person declare that he is out of the race. There was no connection for her to the fact that Senator Obama is not only still in the running, but a viable candidate for the Presidency.

It was shocking to see how many did not know if there were any Supreme Court Justices that are Black on the Court now. Several thought there was more than one, several mentioned the honorable Justice Thurgood Marshall, who has been dead for some time. This is information I though was taught in high school, and I know is mentioned on televised news and on the internet constantly.

I cannot understand how out of 11 people, only 2 could state a guess that unemployment among African Americans was low. The other nine had guesses ranging from 20-80%. 80%?! This I blame on the news media, television, and movies with their constant portrayal of Blacks as constantly out of work. The driving theme of gangsta rap is no help with dissuading this concept either. The fact that African Americans are some the hardest working groups in America needs to be stated more, for the benefit of everyone.

I am insulted to see that only 1 person out of 8 could state what the NAACP stand for. Something is very wrong with that. [it stands for National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and I have provided the link to their site]. Not a single person out of 9 could name the year that slavery ended. White or Black. 2 did name the year that the 13th Amendment was created (which isn’t terrible) and 2 mentioned that slavery is still ongoing citing the prison system and economic inequality. Still, an event so groundbreaking and not one got it right.

Perhaps the parts of the program that struck me hardest was the video – Bid ‘Em In - , kind of a cartoon, directed by Mr. Neal Sopata that detailed the sale of an African American woman back in the days of slavery. I dare opponents of reparations to view that and deny the need for America to both apologize for slavery [Georgia House Speaker Richardson] and provide reparations, as they have for Native American Indians and Japanese-Americans, and their families, from WWII.

The other item that made a strong impact were the closing words of Mr. Charlie Murphy. The suggestion that more African Americans read, instead of the usual mindless sitting in front of a television. Stimulating the mind of Blacks is perhaps the best thing that the show could present.

Continued in Part 3...

I was wrong about We Got To Do Better - 7.25.2007.3

I stand corrected. I am man enough to admit when I am wrong. I am pleasantly surprised. Very pleasantly surprised.

I have harshly criticized Black Entertainment Television about what this program could be about. The lack of commentary by BET or it’s parent Viacom, coupled with the nature of the original name of the show and the logo for it led me to a very negative conclusion. Based on those facts, and the history of the programming found on BET, I and others sought to have the program removed.

I stand by my posts I have written since July 4th on this subject. Every attempt I made to investigate this issue was rebuffed. In a vacuum conclusions stand firm.

But I have always stated I hoped I would be wrong. In effect I am. As publicly and strongly as I commented on what I was lead to believe about this program, I will stand here and state that I had my wishes fulfilled.

I mentioned that there was no similarity between the message of the stated description of We Got To Do Better (formerly Hot Ghetto Mess) and the efforts of Dr. Bill Cosby. That is not entirely true. I also questioned the ability of Mr. Charlie Murphy to convey a more intellectual message than a comedic one. Mr. Murphy was critical in getting the correct message across and did so strongly at several points in the program.

The introduction was a solid description of how the program is meant to be social commentary AGAINST the images that were to be shown. Mr. Murphy made direct comments on improvement within the community such as his comment after the first set of video clips. I paraphrase

‘These people look like the ones that didn’t make it past the American Idol audition. And a good thing to. People, there are other professions out there besides being a singer or entertainer. Remember that, we got to do better.'

Well stated.

It was the commentary by Mr. Murphy that made the difference in the program. As I have commented previously, the context of this program was absolutely critical. Missed by even a little it fails to do what it was intended to do. Mr. Murphy did not miss a beat.

Further, I found the ‘Man on the Street’ portion of the show most telling and important. The questions asked of random people on the street were intelligent and critical to everyday life of African Americans.

I stand amazed at the number of people that thought Mr. Bill Gates was poorer than Jay-Z. Even scarier is that several of them felt that both men were so close as that if Jay-Z had one more successful albulm he could surpass Mr. Gates. The fact is that while Jay-Z is successful, he is merely a multi-millionaire. Mr. Gates is a multi-billioniare, larger than Jay-Z by a factor of roughly 10.

Continued in Part 2...

What happens when you mix a video game and OJ Simpson - 7.25.2007.2

Call me naive, but I just had no idea how much obsession is tied to OJ Simpson. Yes there can’t be a murder (involving a Black male) that makes the news and not have a reference to OJ. Yes there isn’t a murder of wives that goes by without a comment involving him. I don’t expect better form the media.

But I would never have guessed that a video game would jump on that band wagon. Obviously I am wrong. Larry Brown Sports has found a connection and it’s in a football video game. The game is All-Pro Football 2K8, featuring several greats of the game from yesteryear. OJ Simpson is one of the players featured.



The key is the Grim Reaper figure with a knife, and the knife featured on the team screen for OJ. Isn’t that cute?

It’s official, OJ has surpassed Lizzie Borden and become the Jack the Ripper of modern America.

Moral commentary in a video game. Who knew.

Of course I’m just waiting for the Scott Peterson Poker tournament, the Son of Sam FPS, and L.A. police department action game (a la Rodney King).

It just upsets me that OJ did what hundreds if not thousands have done for decades. Used his money to win a case. If it was a White guy who killed a White or Black woman in the same manner, and got off from a high-priced defense team, you wouldn’t hear about it 10 years later. It doesn’t happen. But the OJ case never goes away.

The crime was wrong, but something is seriously disturbed in America that this one case is so prevalent in the minds of so many Americans and all forms of media.

Where are the straight answers on Darfur? - 7.25.2007.1

Excerpt from Vass, on Darfur. I will be following this subject from time to time on both blogs.

Some may recall that I recently raised the question of what is happening with HR 180 IH. You may not recall the name it has in the House of Representatives, but it’s also known as Darfur Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007. This is one item of several that are sitting in Congress waiting for some action to be taken by the nation. Not everyoe is aware of this but at least one person had his YouTube question presented to the Democratic candidates in their recent debate.

Only 4 of the Democratic hopefuls were given the chance to respond. They were Governor Richardson, Senator Biden, Senator Clinton, and Former Senator Gravel. In my opinion none were satisfactory answers, though they were decent soundbites….

As for Senator Clinton, she got a bit of all the best answers and combined them, mostly. She agreed on the need for sanctions. She agreed on a no-fly zone. But she would not agree to place ANY troops on the ground.

Senators Dodd and Obama (as well as Biden and Clinton) co-sponsored Senate Resolution 559 (introduced on Sept. 7, 2006), which encouraged President Bush to work with NATO and the UN in establishing a no-fly zone.

Ok, first off a no-fly zone just does not work. Not in England (Germans during WWII), Viet-Nam, Bosnia, Iraq nor Darfur. … Stopping a plane flying overhead does not stop AK-47 and machete wielding troops from killing people.

Economic and political pressure is one option, but like a no-fly zone it does not stop anything. Cuba, North Korea, and Iraq have all had (or have) sanctions for years if not decades. Yet North Korea has nuclear weapons, Cuba still is a Communist dictatorship and we attacked Iraq. …

Face it, it takes troops. Just like it did in Bosnia. …

Full post found on www.mvass.com

Does a name change make BET and Viacom good guys? Part 3 - 7.24.2007.3

Conclusion from Does a name change make BET and Viacom good guys? Part 2...

I hope, sincerely, to find that this entire post is moot. That the prog