We are the World - Haiti edition

So I'm in NYC, talking to my accountant and enjoying the rapture that is the Obama Administration. But that's not why you are on this blog.

I think that enough time has passed that discussing the "revisioned" We are the World song will not hurt the donations to Haiti that it can provide. By now everyone that planned on buying the song has done so.

Basically I hate the idea. Yes charity and donations from celebrities are always positive. Still you would think they could have been a bit more original. Instead they took the Hollywood approach and just copied something that was far better in the past and redid it.

Of course, considering the "talent" involved something new probably wouldn't have worked. Some might take that to mean that I don't believe T-Pain, Akon (criminal), Kanye West (egoist), (criminal) Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg (criminal), and several others are without talent. And they would be right.

Think about it. Of the original artists and singers in the original, not one of them came back for this remake. It says something about what was being made and why. This group was filled with current day fads, and non-singing gimmicks, but hardly any substance. It was filled with a majority of people that need huge promotion and attention to remain relevant and interesting. I doubt if half of these people will be making records in 10 years, let alone any of the younger talent ever making it into a hall of fame (unless the criteria drops massively).

The original was something that was done, without a media blitz, purely to help people. The number of Hall of Famers and entertainers with decades of experience and ability dwarfs the same counterpart in the new version. And the new kids just had to have lots of advance and post publicity.

There is an old saying in Russia,

"If you have to advertise it, it can't be that good."

Well in America everything is advertised. But the amount of advertising often is in direct proportion to the waste of money you will recieve. Massive non-stop advertising = a piss poor product that is trying to collect money before word of mouth kills sales. Then again that also describes American Idool, modern rap, and most of the artists involved in this effort for Haiti.

Am I glad this made millions? Well yes, if the money goes solely to Haiti relief. As long as the money doesn't pay for this or that other interest and function, at least 85% of the money actually getting to the people, then yes I am glad it existed.

But, I have to believe that if some effort was applied to make something new, and that was presented to the very best of the new and old artists around, the money that could have been made would have been 3x as much or more. The key is that little word effort. Like talent, it's not popular these days, nor as important as it used to be.

What I said at the start is still the most important thought though. To be honest about the hodge-podge now won't hurt sales and thus the donations. Just a few egos, that are way to inflated anyway.

President Obama is Kanye West

I have been speaking with several friends over the weekend and today about President Obama's winning the Nobel Peace Prize. In all those discussions, it suddenly dawned on me that President Obama may be the older twin of Kanye West.

Think about it for a moment. You will be surprised by the number of similarities both men have.

Both have had the media lavish praise on them.

Both believe they should be praised for appearing anywhere.

Kanye West goes to MTV Awards (US and Europe) and must always have a mike, get an award, and express his opinion - President Obama expects praise whenever he makes a speech, went to Denmark and expected to get the Olympics, and creates policy based on his personal beliefs.

Both men have a Jesus complex (West on Rolling Stone, Obama gets it from MSNBC)

Both are considered rockstars in thier respective industries.

Neither seems to have a clue about reality.

Both are Black.

Both love to hear themselves speak.

Both have a fanbase that will defend them no matter what they do.

Both are Democrats (and Liberals to the best of my knowledge)

Both have bad tempers when their faults are pointed out.

Obviously President Obama is older. They are not related. And the Presidency is far more important. But still it just seems so uncanny how many things they have in common.

Too bad that neither benefits from the similarities.

Kanye, it's not a vacation

I once had a client, back when I was a stockbroker, who owned a very bad stock. The stock in question was bought, unsolicited, at .16 cents, and had rocketed to $22 over several days (though we did get to sell more than a bit at $18). Then it got halted. My client asked my opinion on why it got halted. That night the President (Clinton as I recall) was on national television and mentioned that same stock as he spoke about stock scams.

The next morning I told my client that the stock was worthless. He mentioned that it had yet to start trading. To which I replied

“When the President of the United States says negatives about something, it is over.”

I mentioned this because I feel much the same can be said about Kanye West.

Though it has caused a bit of a stir in the media, President Obama was overheard speaking about West and his actions at the VMA’s this weekend. When President Obama was asked what his opinion was he stated

“He's a jackass.”

It’s simple and straightforward. The most loved President in my lifetime has stated that Kanye West is done. Even in a world of ADHD and instant fame, I cannot imagine a recovery from that.

Not that I think Kanye should get yet another chance. He has had plenty. And in each instance he has reacted with a fake sincerity that begs someone to punch him in the mouth.

But now that President Obama, the figure that some hold in regard equal to religious figures, has stated his disdain… well what else is there. Kanye West should just slink away and enjoy whatever money he has not spent so far in self-gratification.

In this one instance I can say that I’m in full agreement with President Obama, and hope that his Presidential action reflect across the nation.

{As a side note, the stock in question did start trading after the President spoke. It opened at .25 cents and ended the day at .005 cents as I recall. It was worthless the next day.}

Hip Hop and Washington DC – going back to the beginning

Rap and Hip Hop today has taken a huge leap backwards, which is actually a great thing to happen. When I say backwards I mean to the beginning of the entire genre of music. Back before there was the current mainstream of gangsta rap there were the diversified and influential styles of rap music.

From Grand Master Flash introducing the first serious rap song in 1982, The Message, there was a growth in the music that spoke to serious issues. This culminated in perhaps the strongest voice for political involvement and criticism from the rap hip-hop industry ever: Public Enemy.

They might not have been the most loved rap group among White America, or even people of color, but they were vocal. They took the entrenched political status quo and shouted for them to be accountable. They looked at African Americans and demanded we do better. That we become involved rather than be directed. And they had an effect.

In fact Public Enemy, along with serveral other rappers and groups, became such a force for change that the music industry stood up and paid attention. Their reaction has been denied for decades, excused and deflected. They found, pushed, and manipulated gangsta rap.

In the over a decade since 1992, gangsta rap has become the standard rather than a sub-genre it started as. It has almost entirely avoided any serious involvement in politics or political action. It has promoted violence, drug use, abuse of women, and crime. It has distracted the masses with illusions of wealth and giggling of female anatomy. The music executives did their job so well that even when leaders in the rap and hip hop industry tried to get serious about politics (2004) no one listened. And they were undercut from within with actions like that of Kanye West during the Hurricane Katrina Fund Raising efforts.

But then came President Obama. And the rap and hip hop industry rallied. Because President Obama is relatively young, a Democrat, full of promises, and most importantly (if we are honest) he is Black. And they jumped in with both feet, in an election more defined by a national breaking of the ultimate glass ceiling than most anything else.

Now I do not fault rappers or hip hop for this. I in fact am happy to see they have finally gone back to their roots and suddenly realized the power that was thrown away (or bought off) 17 years ago. The latest attempt to regain the past impact on politics is the Hip Hop Caucus.

The Hip Hop Caucus is a lobby group made up of rap artists, guided by the Congressional Black Caucus and supported in some issues by members of Congress. As of this moment they are seeking to have a bill introduced, with the support of Sen. Barbara Boxer and Rep. Ed Markey. Their goals – green reform, education, re-entry legislation for prisoners, lessons on the Constitution in schools and funding for voter registration.

These are all good ideas (to varying degrees). The big question though is if Hip Hop is capable of making the transition back to where it started. Especially as the music genre continues on its path of glorification of violence, drugs, and abuse of women. Can it make money for music executives focused squarely on distraction of the masses, while encouraging the youth to become involved in the politics that shapes their lives?

I think not. To me only one master can be served at a time. Which means either Rap cleans up, potentially causing another backlash from the music industry, or the Hip Hop Caucus and other such groups fail.

“The decisions that we make now politically will affect the next generation and the generation after that. So we have to be involved. By speaking out, I end up speaking for poor people and a larger group all over the country.” – David Banner, rapper

The quote is a true statement. But as long as we affect the next generations with thoughts and images of exclusion from the mainstream of America, of living in a manner that is counterproductive to society in this nation, then all of the speaking out will be little more than static in the air.

Kanye West sees gayfish and gets humble - for now

South Park hit it out of the park when they took on the ego of Kanye West. I didn’t see the episode but if you check youtube you will see no end to the copies of clips from that episode. And they all hit the mark.



The best part of the show is a much harder to find portion, where the exact nature of West’s ego is detailed. Considering that the ego of Kanye West is so large as it can’t be missed, I am not surprised this even got his attention. Though for once he actually understood what was going on.

“I ACTUALLY HAVE BEEN WORKING ON MY EGO THOUGH. HAVING THE CRAZY EGO IS PLAYED OUT AT THIS POINT IN MY LIFE AND CAREER. I USE TO USE IT TO BUILD UP MY ESTEEM WHEN NOBODY BELIEVED IN ME. NOW THAT PEOPLE DO BELIEVE AND SUPPORT MY MUSIC AND PRODUCTS THE BEST RESPONSE IS THANK YOU INSTEAD OF "I TOLD YOU SO!!! … I GOT A LONG ROAD AHEAD OF ME TO MAKE PEOPLE BELIEVE I'M NOT ACTUALLY A HUGE DOUCHE BUT I'M UP FOR THE CHALLENGE.”

Perhaps the self-proclaimed “voice of this generation” will change. Perhaps we won’t be treated to further meltdowns at award shows, or distracting comments during fundraising efforts. It would be a shock, because at this point we all really do find West to be unbelievable and a dolt.

A trip from Kanye to Naruto with Beethoven and the Matrix

Ah sometimes I take strange trips when I follow a thought. Case in point, I was on Youtube and happened to find a mash-up of Beethoven and Kanye West. I have no great like of Kanye but it was the infusion of classical that made me watch it.



That lead me to wonder what other classical mixes might be out there. Were their others that found classical as great as I do, and see the ease and multiple formats that classical could be mixed with more modern music. Was there a bridge of the too forms of music?

So I found this video.



and I went from there to



Which lead me to



and then I ran into something really different and amusing. Mixing my love of classical music, anime, The Matrix and Naruto.



It's an odd journey, but I must say I was pleased by it. How about you?

Rene Marie: An anthem by any other name

Ok, I admit that I had no clue that there was a Black national anthem. Never heard of it, never heard anyone speak about it. IF I had $1 million dollars on the line I would have guessed it’d be a song by James Brown, probably Say It Loud - I'm Black and I'm Proud

Of course I would be wrong. But at least I have an idea of a pro-Black song it could have been. All of this comes from a news story that I literally skipped over in my email. [I have various newsgroups that send me information on events] I didn’t read anything in the titles that sounded worthy of noting.

I was corrected on that today. A friend of mine informed me that a Jazz singer, Rene Marie, decided to make a personal statement by not singing the national anthem, but instead substituting the Black anthem. My friend, of similar age to me, was taught the song in elementary school in Philadelphia. That was news to me.

But to the controversy. On its face I think Rene Marie insulted everyone with her uncalled for, underhanded substitution of words.

There is a time for artistic expression, or to make a voice for an unheard cause. I may not always agree, but it can be done. Like with Kanye West. I disagreed with his use of national airtime dedicated to raising money for Hurricane Katrina relief for his personal political preferences, but I understand his motivation and outrage. For those that can’t just call a press conference [which West should have done after helping those in need] I understand the need to use their time in the limelight wisely.

Here is the video of the event. Watch all the faces during and after the event carefully.



Now you notice that everyone is confused. Even the casual listener noticed the song was paced right, but it sounded wrong. There were some applause but that was being polite.

So what did Rene Marie say?

“I am an artist. As such, if I wait until I am asked to express myself artistically, or if I must ask permission to do it, it would never get done. I wanted to tell them what I was going to do, but I couldn’t because I knew the answer would be ‘no’. I knew that, even if I asked to do my version of the national anthem, the answer would be ‘no’. There are times, artistically speaking, when an event chooses us, a door is opened to heal ourselves and others through our artistic expression, so to speak. When that happens we can trust our instincts and walk through it or we can shrink back in fear. It is my firm belief that artists have the responsibility and privilege to walk through that door every single time it opens to them.”

Bullshit.

This wasn’t a performance; it was an honor that was given to her just as it is for anyone singing the anthem at an event. Her artistic expression wasn’t asked for, nor needed beyond singing the proper words. That’s why she didn’t ask, because she knew this was not about expression or art, but honor.

If she wanted to make a statement, then make one. But don’t use those that are helping you out (I think most would agree that she is a relative unknown) by slapping their face. Her actions have hurt the political aspirations of those around that event. She has created divisiveness where there was none. She has impeded any positive progress that was proposed that day. I mean you’ll find a lot of news and blogging about her, but what was the speech made that day? Did anyone pay attention?

“I viewed the invitation to be a door opened to me to sing this version of the Star Spangled Banner”

Hello, this wasn’t the Star Spangled Banner. That’s the American national anthem. What she sang is another song, and might as well have been James Brown’s Say It Loud. Or anything by Snoop Dogg. Because what isn’t the anthem just isn’t.

“As for offending others with my music, I cannot apologize for that. It goes with the risky territory of being an artist.”

That’s just a rude cop out. Being an artist is no excuse for bad taste.

“Sometimes, the simple act of ‘doing’ is accomplishment enough.”

That can be true, if you truly do something. When people march to a Government office and burn a flag that is a statement. When Americans rally that is a statement. When Americans were attacked by police in the South, or students were shot by the National Guard in Kent State they made statements. All of these things were “doing” something.

The Black Panthers, the Guardian Angels, Public Enemy, the cable television show Black.White, all of that and more ‘did’ something. They all accomplished something. And of course the 1968 Olympics did and said a lot!

All Rene Marie did was embarrass everyone that was connected to her. She benefited no one. She improved nothing. She promoted no cause. In fact she did NOTHING.

Actually she did do something. She made problems for the Mayor, the city, and probably the next dozen Black artists and entertainers that may not get work or recognition after her stunt. She has placed a wall up and hindered progress of all forms, because she wanted to make an artistic expression at everyone else’s expense.

Do I think Rene Marie will get more work because of this? I hope not. I hope she has a great day job, as I would be shocked to see her career as an entertainer take a single step forward after this. She did it to herself. I have neither pity nor remorse.

There’s my opinion. Sorry for being late.

President Bush and Darfur now - not the movie - 2.19.2008.2

In 2005 a category 5 hurricane named Katrina struck New Orleans and devastated the city. The United States government, lead by FEMA, failed the city and its citizens in a catastrophic manner. This is fact and there can be no dispute of it.

Some have argued that the failure of the government was in part because of the personal beliefs of President Bush in regard to African Americans. It is not the purpose or goal of this blog or me to delve into the heart of the President, but I will state that as the Commander-and Chief and highest elected official of the nation he ultimately is responsible for those that died and suffered. That being said, this failure should not have been a surprise since 2 years prior, and continuing to date, America allowed the deaths of hundreds of thousands.

Today, President Bush was visiting Rwanda. During this visit he went to the site where thousands were buried from the atrocity that occurred in that nation. It was obvious that when questions were asked the foremost would be why America, under his leadership, has allowed genocide to occur that will one day create a similar site. The answer was polispeak and paltry, in my opinion.

“I still believe it was the right decision,” Mr. Bush said. “But, having done that, if you’re a problem solver, you put yourself at the mercy of the decisions of others, in this case the United Nations. And I’m well known to have spoken out by the slowness of the United Nations. It is — seems very bureaucratic to me, particularly with people suffering.”

America has become a policeman of the world in my lifetime. We have entered multiple nations as a peacekeeping force and in wars. Yet, for some reason America has turned its back while the equivalent of Orlando, Florida (or possibly Cleveland, Ohio – the exact number is unknown) have been killed since 2003. Let me make this clear, that’s between 200,000 to 400,000 men women and children that have been killed and counting.

If you are wondering where this is happening, the place is called Darfur and it’s in the Sudan.

Today President Bush stated that he supports African nations taking care of African problems. That is a first, since America and Europe have meddled and created problems in Africa for millennia. President Bush has stated

“White soldiers are a target for both sides of a conflict [in Africa] and are counter-productive to resolution.” – as stated on Fox News via news clip

While that may well be true, this has never prevented America from doing anything before. Such an answer is paltry in my opinion. It leads me to believe that if this mass murder of children was occurring in Europe or affecting Whites, America would be there in gangbusters.

And lest anyone think that President Bush is alone in this decision, I refer you to HR 180 IH. Congress has failed to act on this matter for multiple years, and has facilitated the blind eye America and the major news media have given this genocide. Republicans and Democrats share equally in this failure. The President may be responsible for his actions as the Chief Executive, but Congress is no less complicit.

President Bush went on to say,

“We are cooperating to address violence and genocide in Darfur.”

To that end the President has pledged $100 million dollars to those African nations that will help to end the 5 year long conflict in Darfur. Rwanda is to receive $17 million with Ethiopia, Ghana, Senegal, Tanzania, Burkina Faso and Malawi also to receive funds. Yet American businesses continue to do business (and thus fund the murder of women and children) with Sudan unabated. And Congress seems too busy with holding meetings about steroids with baseball entertainers or investigating why individuals that are employed at the pleasure of the President were fired (a situation that was never illegal and known to have violated no laws).

America has acted too late and far to hands off in this matter. The major news media have ignored the issue though individuals like George Clooney and more prominently Don Cheadle have tried to being it to the spotlight. I mean Mr. Cheadle even was involved in a movie (Darfur Now) specifically to draw attention here. Yet none of the media paid attention, or the elected officials of the nation.

Thus I must ask why. When the action in Kosovo draw immediate attention and comment, and the problems in Israel are in our headlines. When the politics of Russia and the various nations of the CIS (many of which are only slightly less chaotic) are fodder for pundits. What is the difference?

I can tell you what Kanye West thinks (stated inappropriately in a format that deserved better)



Considering the actions of America about Darfur over the past 5 years I would have to say that his claim has merit. And the Congress along with the major news media is no better.

If you’d like to prove me wrong, write to President Bush and demand more action at:

The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

FAX: 202-456-2461
comments@whitehouse.gov

president@whitehouse.gov
vice_president@whitehouse.gov

You can write to Congress to request action in preserving the lives of thousands of women and children via your local Senator or Congressman:

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

https://forms.house.gov/wyr/welcome.shtml

Or

http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

Conservatives vs Rap, maybe Part 3 - 9.7.2007.3

Concluded from Conservatives vs Rap, maybe Part 2 - 9.7.2007.2

I think it's quite clear that the difference between the two is explicit. To try and justify a subgenre that promotes the very things that Malcolm X spent his life fighting against is unfathomable to me. To say that the difference between these two individuals is nearly misplaced rage and content is like saying the difference between oil and water is only the color of the liquids. I am angered and mystified how anyone could compare the civil rights leaders of the 60s (that actually lead the people) to the spoiled, materialistic, and predominantly convicted felons that comprise rap music today. I further believe that it doesn't take someone that has conservative or right-leaning political feelings to realize this conclusion.

Rap music is under attack today. There is no question on that. But to oversimplify the case by saying that it is merely the efforts of the conservative right to remove this form of music is to belittle the reason why rap, and by its connection hip-hop, is under attack. It is not only the conservative right that feel that the use, or perhaps I should say overuse and in some cases exclusive use, of four letter words in songs is inappropriate. It does not take someone right of center politically to recognize that lyrics supporting drug use and dealing, violent crime, disrespect of women, and lack of education are not something good for children to hear. It may be a fantastic marketing tool to have scantily clad women bouncing their rump, but it's far from fantastic to make it a common cultural activity to do such.

Min. Paul Scott ends his post with the thought that he hopes to give Mr. Bill O'Reilly nightmares of being abducted by gangsta rappers and being forced to watch BET continuously for two days. Perhaps it's my age, but I too would find such a situation a nightmare. I have to believe that it's the prevalence of music videos, and the marketing techniques of Viacom that make anyone find such an event troubling.

Rap music has long had the potential to be a positive force in the black community and the nation as a whole. Hip-hop has had the opportunity to allow young people, especially those that are African-American, to express themselves and take pride in their community. These are not new ideas. Conservatives did not try to stop that. The fact is rap music sold out; the cost was the improvement of the black community. The result is gangsta rap. If you disagree with that listen to any song by Public Enemy and tell me where they promote crime, degradation of women, or wasting money on frivolous baubles. Also consider this, how much money were Grandmaster Flash and Kurtis Blow and Public Enemy paid combined. Take that total, and compare it to how much Kanye West, 50 cent, NAS, or virtually any other top gangsta rapper makes today individually. Consider how much higher the dropout rate for African-Americans have become and how many more young black women become single parents.

Maybe it is conservative or right-leaning to not want children to grow up with a value system that places platinum teeth, above being a father. Perhaps it's unrealistic to expect kids to grow up without trying every drug they've seen in a music video. It may be non-liberal and anti-left to think that the children of today will go farther in their lives with a solid education than if they spend their time locked up in jail.

Perhaps.

This is what I think, what do you think?

The news you haven't seen on news television - 8.10.2007.1

I find it interesting how much time was spent today on the various news media discussing the local vote to repeal a 40 year old ban on tattoo shops in Key West, Florida. Picking on Fox News, this story was on every hour today from roughly 11 til the writing of this post. Each time the story included a piece by a reporter on the scene, making it a total length of approximately 3 minutes. That may not sound like a lot, but for a 24/7 news channel it is substantial for such a fluff piece. Let just think of what might have been able to fill that time slot today.

There is the news that the Black Family Channel has been forced to leave cable television and will only be found online. Though the channel reached 16 million households, many cable and satellite providers refused to carry the channel. It seems they thought BET, and sometimes TV One as well, was more than enough African American programming. So much for the 500 channels of diversity that HD television was proclaimed to provide.

Looking at the Presidential race, a question posed to Senator Clinton that I would believe could catch anyone’s attention was

"Are you black enough?" asked Malveaux, echoing a question often asked of rival Democratic candidate Barack Obama, who is biracial. "What makes you a better candidate over a black man representing issues confronting African-Americans?"

Wouldn’t you have loved to hear that answer?

Well maybe those 2 stories are too serious. Maybe something less important to the nation. How about being able to have virtual sex on Second Life? For those unfamiliar Second Life is a MMO similar to the popular and famous The Sims.

"Eros LLC decided people would pay to equip their online selves — which start out with the smooth anatomy of a Barbie or Ken doll — with realistic genitalia and even more to add some sexy moves."

There’s a bit of sauce to start the weekend with.

Let’s get even less relevant. How about the fact that 50 cent has stated he will quit his solo rap career if his next album does not outsell artist Kayne West. Both have upcoming releases on the same day. [Just this once I'm hoping Kanye West does really well.]

Actually several of these stories could have each been presented in the time allotted to talking about the tattoo ban. Seriously. There are too many things that deserve more time. I particularly believe the first 2 deserve the national attention, but I have to believe even the bit about 50 cent (I really hate that name) is more of interest to the nation.

21 minutes is barely a lunch break in most lives, but in television it’s a hit prime time show, breaking news, a peace treaty or a war starting. It’s the time a family may gather; it’s where some gather their grasp of the world.

Maybe it’s me, but I’d still love to see Senator Clinton’s face as she tried to answer the above question. (oh, her response didn’t answer the question but rather deflected it to a totally different direction.)

This is what I think, what do you think?

Should this be in USAToday's list? - 4.2.2007.1

So USAToday has come out with a list of the top 25 quotes from the last 25 years. Several of the quotes that made their list are quite good and memorable. Of course there are a good number that just shouldn’t have made the cut. Rather than take apart each of their choices I will just mention a couple of items I think should have been in there instead.

This is your brain on drugs – Widely used as a joke rather than the serious public announcement against taking drugs, popular in the early ‘80’s

I’ve fallen and I can’t get up! – It’s sad in a way that this is an even bigger joke than the previous quote. Part of an ad meant to sell a device to aid the elderly and disabled this was keyed upon by teens and 20-somethings across the nation. Even today it holds the ability to get a laugh, especially when matched with a pratfall. Cruel but funny.

Hi, I’m Joe Isuzu – Yes another commercial. What can I say we are a consumer society. This introduction was the hallmark of the most honest advertising campaign ever. Joe just blatantly lied to you. Seriously. He was just openly honest about what most people feel advertisers are doing anyway.

Fight the Power – The theme of many of the songs (and featured prominently in more than one) by the political rap group Public Enemy. Headed by Chuck D, this group was the spearhead of rap music with a plan of the late 80’s early 90’s. Controversial for their views and lyrics, they were a massive influence in rap hip-hop until the emergence of ‘gansta’ rap. Very motivational or intimidating depending on your view.

President Bush hates black people – Inflammatory without question, and inappropriate as it was spontaneously spoken by entertainer Kayne West during a live televised Hurricane relief concert. Still millions shared the same view, especially after seeing the complete failure of the government on all levels in protecting the mostly poor Black American populace of New Orleans.

What if this is as good as it gets – another quote from the highly talented Mr. Jack Nicholson in a film (As Good As It Gets) addressing the awkwardness of not fitting in and the need for love.

Good Night and Good Luck – The signature saying, and title of a film, by renowned and respected broadcaster Edward R. Morrow. The film is a sobering reminder of the responsibility that the news media has to inform the public and the potential for abuse by the government.

Duoh! – The ever so eloquent Homer Simpson’s catchphrase. Not only one of the longest running programs on television ever, but also the first non-children oriented animation program to gain wide acceptance in the United States. Stoners, and regular families alike, have grown up with this family that eerily seems too close to our own.

Take the Blue pill and you wake up and believe what ever you want, take the red pill and see how far the rabbit hole goes – And down the rabbit hole we all went. The first Matrix film did for this generation what Star Wars did for the prior. It set up a new wave of innovation in the film industry and the sci-fi genre that hasn’t been matched since.

While this list isn’t extensive, and mostly limited to entertainment venues, I think it captures more memories in the last couple of decades than most of the list in USAToday.

This is what I think, what do you think?