The Princess and the Frog Rakes in $25 Million

Black women and girls can be princesses, queens and empresses and the American public proved this weekend they would pay to see a Disney family movie that depicts such a character.
Princess Tiana and her story about the frog prince topped this past weekend's box office receipts at $25 million.
I personally liked the look of the movie as I accompanied a group of 3 & 4 year olds on a field trip to see this Disney civil rights milestone. I waited 51 years to see an animated black princess. The storyline is kinda 'dark' with voodoo as the cause of many of the mishaps and occurances. Overall, I gave it a B+ and kudos for the effort. Princess Tiana is beautiful.

Bengals' Chris Henry Dead at 26

Cinncinnati Bengals wide receiver, Chris Henry died in Charlotte, North Carolina on December 17, 2009 from injuries he sustained from a fall from the bed of the pick-up truck driven by his fiance', Loleini Tonga. The couple were engaged to be married in March 2010 and were the parents of three children.

Charlie Murphy's Wife, Tisha Dies

Condolences go out to the family of comedian and actor Charlie Murphy whose wife, Tisha Taylor Murphy lost her 2-year battle with cancer on December 13, 2009 in New Jersey. The couple were married for 12 years and have two children, Eva and Xavier.

Funnyman D'Lai Returns from Iraq Comedy Tour

Comedian D'Lai has just returned from an unforgettable 10-day experience of entertaining U.S. troops in Iraq and wants to talk about it.
"Man, they loved us (the troops), and they do so much for us while over there. They were just so happy to see us."
Also on the tour was comic David Raibon and actress Elise Perry (Everybody Hates Chris). The group entertained troops on five military bases in Iraq and one base in Kuwait.
"I've got so many stories to tell, we take so many of our simple freedoms for granted."
D'Lai most recently appeared as a grand finalist on season four of Bill Bellamy's "Who's got Jokes" airing on TV-One.

Televangelist Oral Roberts Passes

God is merciful and good. Televangelist Oral Roberts died on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 from complications related to pneumonia and a fall he sustained in his home last weekend. He was 91 years old. When I first read that he'd passed this morning on Facebook, I started thinking about my personal memories of having met him.

I had the privilege and honor of meeting he and his wife in person in 2005, while on a speaking tour in Southern California along with Princess Zulu. We were introduced by a mutual friend, Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church in Orange County, CA.
Rev. Roberts honored us by saying he'd come to church that day to hear Princess Zulu speak and share her incredible story. He had a marvelous sense of humor and we took a picture with him.

I also recall visiting his namesake university in Tulsa, Okla., the first Pentecostal university in the world, ironically built by a man who never finished college. As I was driving down the road at nightime in Tulsa, I remember how frightened I was when I approached Oral Roberts University campus and the 60 foot bronze statue of praying hands lit up by a series of flood lights. I wasn't sure what they were at first, but I drove back during the daytime and was so awestruck by the structure's grandeur and the peaceful way I felt walking on the campus.

Rest in peace, Oral Roberts. You led a full life and touched many lives in the Name of Jesus.

Comedienne Mo'Nique receives Supporting Actress Honors

Who woulda thunk it?
Comedienne Mo'Nique has garnered several highly prestigious honors associated with her performance in the movie "Precious."

She has been named best supporting actress of 2009 by: The Boston Society of Film Critics; The African-American Film Critics; and the Los Angeles Film Critics which all made their announcements this week.
The late night talk show host has also been nominated for a Golden Globe Award--Best Supporting Actress.

Pundits are predicting that Mo'Nique will be an unstoppable force in the Oscars.

I guess the public really goes for over the top mothers ala "Mommie Dearest."
Congratulations Mo'Nique!

Other Golfers Stand to benefit from Tiger's Saga

Okay. I tried not to say anything, but I just can't help myself from jumping in on the media frenzy of the "Tiger Woods Saga of 2009", my title for this historical trivia on events in his personal life.
His bowing out of professional golf indefinitely to concentrate on family, finally gives a way for other marginally talented professional golfers to shine from under his shadow. Tiger Woods is already the greatest golfer ever to play the sport.
Since Tiger removed himself from the competition, the mediocrity of the other players can look like awesome talents. With Tiger Woods in the game, everyone--no matter what skill level, looked amateurish.
Society would have Tiger believe that he needs public forgiveness--he really doesn't, but it is politically incorrect not to display some sort of remorse for being publicly exposed for marital infidelity. He has asked for privacy--he won't get it because his story is hot right now and sells ads in all media outlets.
There have been many men to be publicly humiliated by the press for bad choices...somehow very few have remained in the news indefinitely. Tiger won't either. Stop hating, you haters!

Don't be a Human Punching Bag for Anyone--Ever!

This morning I was looking back over my life and reflecting on the myriad of events and experiences I have survived in my half century of life. It is hard to believe that I got through some of the things--but I did. After thinking about those things I started thinking about my legacy as a woman, mother and grandmother. If I have one universal caution for women and men (I have both sons & daughters) it would be: Don't be a human punching bag for anyone--ever! I'm just talkn bout what I'm talkn bout.

Oprah Winfrey uninvited a famous Gospel singer because his ex-wife alerted her that he was pending charges of domestic violence. The famous talk show host also recently featured Rhianna talking about the violence in her relationship. The pity is that there are thousands of incidents daily, but it is cloaked in secrecy. Nobody wants to talk about domestic violence.

Domestic violence and emotional abuse are behaviors used by one person in a relationship to control the other. Partners may be married or not married; heterosexual, gay, or lesbian; living together, separated or dating.

Examples of abuse include:

• name-calling or putdowns
• keeping a partner from contacting their family or friends
• withholding money
• stopping a partner from getting or keeping a job
• actual or threatened physical harm
• sexual assault
• stalking
• intimidation

Violence can be criminal and includes physical assault (hitting, pushing, shoving, etc.), sexual abuse (unwanted or forced sexual activity), and stalking. Although emotional, psychological and financial abuse are not criminal behaviors, they are forms of abuse and can lead to criminal violence.

The violence takes many forms and can happen all the time or once in a while. An important step to help yourself or someone you know in preventing or stopping violence is recognizing the warning signs listed on the "Violence Wheel."

ANYONE CAN BE A VICTIM! Victims can be of any age, sex, race, culture, religion, education, employment or marital status. Although both men and women can be abused, most victims are women. Children in homes where there is domestic violence are more likely to be abused and/or neglected. Most children in these homes know about the violence. Even if a child is not physically harmed, they may have emotional and behavior problems.

If you are being abused, REMEMBER

1. You are not alone
2. It is not your fault
3. Help is available

Baby, I'm Back!!!

I can't believe I haven't blogged since July. So much has happened in the world that I definitely had opinion on over the past months, but I just was not motivated to pen my heart. But all that's changed and I'm back. Look out for my observations and rantings!
The Churchlady

Sears Tower by any other Name...

When I first found out I shook all over. I just kept shaking my head from side to side in shock and utter disbelief. Finally, I rubbed my eyes to see if i were hallucinating or simply lacking comprehension of what I was reading. But alas, reliable news sources from the Chi-town, confiormed the devastating news--The Sears Tower is history. Gone. Kaput.L
Last Thursday, the tallest building in the United States, Chicago's Sears Tower disappeared from existance. Well, sorta. Willis Tower was introduced to Chicago by Mayor Richard M. Daley and others during a public renaming ceremony hosted by Willis Group Holdings, a British Company.
"It's always going to be the Sears Tower to me. I watched it being built from the ground up. I remember the feeling I had in the pit of my stomach the very first time I rode the elevator to the observation deck."
The 110-story skyscraper has been known as Sears Tower since it opened in 1973. Sears Roebuck and Co., moved out in 1992 but the name stayed.
The only way I could foresee calling this iconic landmark "Willis Tower" is it were named after my childhood friend, Jocelyn Willis or one of my favorite actors, Bruce Willis. In that case "Willis Tower" would be cool. Named after some anonymous British company makes the name change lame. hey, that rhymes!

Lee's Resolution for King of Pop thumbs down by Pelosi

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi went thumbs down on Thursday to a resolution honoring Michael Jackson because the symbolic measure could raise "contrary views" about the pop star's life. Michael Jackson was acquitted in 2005 of charges that he molested a 13 year old boy. Those allegations along with the admission that children slept in his bed at his home but nothing sexual occurred, have led some members not to support the resolution.

Lawmakers are free to use House speeches "to express their sympathy or their praise any time that they wish," said Pelosi, D-Calif. "I don't think it's necessary for us to have a resolution."

A resolution sponsored by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, cites some of the singer's charitable acts and proclaims him an American legend, musical icon and world humanitarian.

Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., who posted a video on YouTube calling Michael Jackson a "pervert" and a "pedophile," has pledged to do all he could to block the resolution.

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus held a moment of silence in the House after Jackson died June 25, some lawmakers walked out of the chamber.

Jackson Lee has pledged that the resolution, now before the House Foreign Affairs Committee where she is a member, would come to the full House for debate. Jackson Lee's resolution only had one co-sponsor, Rep. Diane Watson, D-Calif., and was not endorsed by other black caucus members.

From the stage at Jackson's memorial Tuesday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Jackson Lee hoisted a framed copy of the resolution.

Cynthia McKinney released from jail in Israel

Cynthia McKinney, a former congressman from the state of Georgia, was scheduled to return from Tel Aviv on a flight that landed in New York at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday. No stranger to controversey and arrest, McKinney was detained last week by the Israeli Navy while trying to deliver humanitarian supplies to Gaza along with a group of about twenty friends and volunteers.

Pastor Rick Warren reaches out to Muslims in U.S.

One of my favorite authors, Pastor Rick Warren recently told several thousand American Muslims that "the two largest faiths on the planet" must work together to combat stereotypes and solve global problems. I was very happy to see him extend an olive branch towards a population of people who have been basically despised primarily because of their home countries' political agendas, and not because of the religion itself. Both Muslims and Christians are decendants of Abraham, a prophet found in the Old Testament.

"Some problems are so big you have to team tackle them," evangelical megachurch pastor Rick Warren addressed the annual convention of the Islamic Society of North America.
Warren said Muslims and Christians should be partners in working to end what he calls "the five global giants" of war, poverty, corruption, disease and illiteracy.

Warren is the founder of Saddleback Community Church in Orange County, California and the author of "The Purpose Driven Life." His willingness to show support for U.S. Muslims is a huge gain for the community, which has endured intense scrutiny since 9/11.
"It's easier to be an extremist of any kind because then you only have one group of people mad at you," he said. "But if you actually try to build relationships — like invite an evangelical pastor to your gathering — you'll get criticized for it. So will I."

London Chimp supporters of MJ protest over Memorial ticket lottery results

A zoo was evacuated on Sunday after about 30 chimpanzees escaped from their enclosure after news that none of them had received tickets to Michael Jackson's memorial service scheduled for Tuesday, July 7th in Los Angeles.
The animals escaped from 'Chimp Island' and found their way into a keeper area where their food is prepared, the zoo said.
More than 5,000 visitors were asked to leave Chester Zoo, near Liverpool, shortly after the break-out as keepers rounded up the chimps.
"We have never seen the chimps react with such public disregard and abandonment. Some of them were personal friends of Bubbles, the chimpanzee who was a longtime companion to Michael Jackson. Many of the chimps had planned to attend the London premier of the Michael Jackson concert as special guests.
"In the interests of public safety Chester Zoo was evacuated today, Sunday 5th July, as a precautionary measure," the zoo said.
In a prepared statement, the chimps apologized for the disappointment caused to guests and offered to provide a refund or free future visit to the zoo. The zoo has more than 7,000 animals.

Independence Day: A Cause of Celebration?

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all me are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights. That among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

--Taken from the Pre-amble to the Declaration of Independence"

The Pledge of Allegiance

"I Pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands,one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

Mommyhood and Grand-Mommyhood Triumphs in Alaska

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin said Friday she is resigning from office at the end of the month, raising speculation that she would focus on a run for the White House in the 2012 race.
The former Republican vice presidential candidate made the surprise announcement from her home in suburban Wasilla on Friday morning. She said she would step down July 26 but didn't announce her plans.
"Once I decided not to run for re-election, I also felt that to embrace the conventional Lame Duck status in this particular climate would just be another dose of politics as usual, something I campaigned against and will always oppose," Palin said in a statement released by her office. "With that in mind, my family and I determined that it is best to make a difference this summer, and I am willing to change things, so that this administration, with its positive agenda, its accomplishments, and its successful road to an incredible future, can continue without interruption and with great administrative and legislative success," she said.
With childcare costs looming, I am convinced that her new grandson was sooo adorable and her own underaged minor children needed her presence in the home to a greater degree, til Gov. Palin had no choice but to do the logical thing--resign from her job. You go, Sarah!

Elton John Dedicates song to Michael Jackson

British singer, Sir Elton John sang a special tribute song to honor the late Michael Jackson during his 10th Annual "White Tie and Tiara Ball" in England Thursday. John learned of Jackson's death in the middle of his concert gala to raise money for the Elton John Aids Foundation. He dedicated the song "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" to the pop king. Liz Hurley, Hugh Grant and Lily Allen were among the attendees at the benefit event but many guests left after hearing the news of Jackson's death.

I can't light no more of your darkness

All my pictures seem to fade to black and white

I'm growing tired and time stands still before me

Frozen here on the ladder of my life

Too late to save myself from falling

I took a chance and changed your way of life

But you misread my meaning when I met you

Closed the door and left me blinded by the light

Don't let the sun go down on me

Although I search myself, it's always someone else I see

I'd just allow a fragment of your life to wander free

But losing everything is like the sun going down on me

I can't find, oh the right romantic line

But see me once and see the way I feel

Don't discard me just because you think I mean you harm

But these cuts I have they need love to help them heal

Elton John is one of my very favorite singer/songwriters and although Candle in the Wind came to mind. Don't Let the Sun go down on me" is even more appropriate.

25 Years Ago: When Prince was King

"There are many kings -- King Henry VIII, King Solomon, King Tut, King James, King Kong and the three kings. But there is only one Prince."--Alicia Keys

Prince’s Purple Rain, turns 25 this summer. In the summer and fall of 1984, Prince was King. “When Doves Cry” and “Let’s Go Crazy” were everywhere. The title track was also quite popular. And then of course there was “Darling Nikki,” a celebration of sex and seduction that spurred Tipper Gore to form the Parents Resource Music Center. So the farcical hearings, the parental advisory stickers, all of that goes back to a single track on Purple Rain. If that’s not cultural importance, what is?
Today, Prince reportedly needs a double hip replacement surgery. He is said to be in chronic pain, and using a diamond encrusted walking stick and lotsa pain killers rather than submit to surgery. Prince is a practicing Jehovah's Witness and does not believe in the use of blood transfusions that a surgical procedure might necessitate.
The 25th Anniversary of the album Purple Rain was June 25th, the same day MJ died and the news got caught up in the sensationalism of this event. Diehard Prince fans remember and the movie debuted in July 1984.

Michael Jackson: A Candle in the Wind...

" ...and it seems to me, you lived your life like a candle in the wind; never knowing who to cling to when the the rain set in. And i would have liked to have known you, but I was just a kid. Your candle burned out long before your legend ever did."
--Sir Elton John

Michael Jackson is dead. The world is in a state of shock, grief and disbelief. I am having mixed emotions. Mostly I'm sad because we never hooked up as adults.
I wanted to do a feature story on him to show his real persona--in order to clear up any fantasy or misconception on who the world thought he was.

I wanted to be his wife when I was 12. I wanted to be a friend. I wanted to be more than just a screaming fan on the 22nd row who saw him as the "King of Pop." I had high hopes and dreams for Michael Jackson. I prayed that one day he would grow to love the "man in the mirror." I prayed that he would see himself as the world viewed him--someone who was already perfect just the way he was. I wanted to find out his world views and how he felt about Barack Obama's presidency. I wanted to know how fatherhood was treating him. I wanted him to turn 51 years old in August just as I hope to do.

Good bye Michael Jackson, tho I never knew you at all you had the grace to hold yourself while those around you fall. Even when you died the press still hounded you--and it seems to me, you lived your life like a candle in the wind...

American Writers sentenced to 12 years hard labor in North Korea

North Korea convicted two American journalists and sentenced them Monday to 12 years of hard labor. Laura Ling and Euna Lee, reporters for former Vice President Al Gore's San Francisco-based Current TV media venture, were found guilty of committing a "grave crime" against North Korea and of illegally entering the country, state-run media said.The ruling came nearly three months after their arrest. North Korea's penal code calls for transferring them to prison within 10 days.
The United States, which does not have diplomatic ties with Pyongyang, was "deeply concerned" about the reported verdict. North Korean guards arrested Ling and Lee near the China-North Korean border on March 17. The two were reporting about the trafficking of North Korean women at the time of their arrest, and it's unclear if they strayed into the North or were grabbed by aggressive border guards who crossed into China. A cameraman and their local guide escaped.
Lisa Ling, sister to Laura Ling in a blog entry described "the feeling of utter isolation" she experienced during a 2005 trip to North Korea, had pleaded for leniency. She said neither journalist intended to cross into North Korea and her younger sister suffered from an ulcer requiring medical treatment, while Lee was the mother of a 4-year-old, Hannah.
The sentence is "a terrible shock for all those who have repeatedly insisted on their innocence," Reporters Without Borders said in a statement, noting that North Korea is ranked as Asia's worst country for press freedom.
As a journalist and American citizen, I am deeply saddened by this development in this unjust case of two American journalists. What is most disheartening is the fact that our country has strained diplomatic ties with North Korea thus almost guaranteeing that this situation was not handled fairly based on the individuals' criminal intent, but rather as a slap in the face to Pres. Obama and the U.S. government. I fear if they had not been writing about a subject matter that showed the atrocities women and girls face all over the world, the outcomes would have been different. It is high time for the media to rally around these reporters, but even more importantly, the issue of female trafficking for sex and slavery needs to stay in the forefront where it belongs.

Obama Committed to working on World Peace

I'm proud to be an American today because we have a President who loves people and respects cultures and religious differences. At this moment President Obama is visiting Cairo, Egypt and addressing Muslim students at a University there. He just delivered a most powerful and heartfelt speech. Our President is a human being with compassion.
He began his speech with the greeting of peace--As Salaam Alaikum. He referenced the fact that the United States and Muslim countries have a history of working together since President John Adams. He made reference from the Quran, the Torah and The Bible.
It is apparent that our President is committed to peace--I am convinced of this. For your convenience I've included the ending text of his speech which shows that all of us are aiming for the same target--Muslims, Christians and Jews alike--we all want peace.

"This truth transcends nations and peoples, a belief that isn't new, that isn't black or white or brown, that isn't Christian or Muslim or Jew. It's a belief that pulsed in the cradle of civilization and that still beats in the hearts of billions around the world. It's a faith in other people. And it's what brought me here today.
We have the power to make the world we seek, but only if we have the courage to make a new beginning, keeping in mind what has been written. The Holy Quran tells us, Mankind, we have created you male and a female. And we have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another.
The Talmud tells us, The whole of the Torah is for the purpose of promoting peace.
The Holy Bible tells us, Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
The people of the world can live together in peace. We know that is God's vision. Now that must be our work here on Earth.
Thank you. And may God's peace be upon you."

Sitting on Opinions...

It's been a minute since I voiced any of my thoughts. Not sure why--might be a phase I'm traveling through. I'm tryna get reacquainted with myself, I guess. At any rate I can't blame it on writer's block because Im not convinced that's a real ailment...lol

Sometimes I crack myself up!

The Nation's New "Top Dog" Bo Obama

"Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House." --Barack Obama, Election Night Speech

Well, what an adorable pooch! Some animals have all the luck. It seems that the newest addition to the Obama family is Bo Obama, a six month old Portuguese water dog who was actually a gift to the First family from Sen Edward Kennedy. It seems Sen Kennedy owns several of the same breed and found this pet for Sasha and Malia.

What a loving and appropriate gesture. And in keeping with the Obama tradition he is both "black and white" and gay friendly as demonstrated by his rainbow adornment.

Bo is also economy friendly as he has both contributed to the new worldwide popularity and public demand for this formerly obscure breed of dog; and has singlehandedly created a new media position called "puppy paparazzi" --cameramen and photographers whose primary job is to follow this dog around. Damn. Wish I had thought of that.

Chris Brown and Rhianna--Don't grow up and act like Adults

Chris Brown and Rhianna please do not grow up and become the adults that you've witnessed in your homes and on television.

Public fighting, arguing and jealousy related to text messaging are great fodder for episodes of The Game, and Cops--but not for accomplished, goodlookn, rich, and famous young adults who care about each other.

Now because your fight has gone public you will both appear to be idiots if you make up--even if thats what you both want. Chris you are making it very difficult for the people who made you to continue to sell you as the "clean cut boy next door." Rhianna, you are making it hard for people to believe you to be an innocent victim. Somewhere you both learned that violence was a way to solve relational issues. You are both wrong. Perhaps this can be fixed. This might be even too big for the most talented publicists to play down.

NAACP 2009 Image Awards—or Why I Hate Award Shows

The NAACP Image Awards were supposedly designed as an annual event celebrating the achievements and performances of people of color in the arts as well as those individuals and groups who promote social justice through their creative endeavors. Bravo for an outstanding mission statement.

Can anybody explain to me how that has anything to do with placing 5 or 6 artists in a category—usually friends or folks who have a great deal of regard and respect for each others’ talents in the same industry; and deciding that one of them is the winner over the others? I’m sorry folks—but this awards process sucks which is why I hate award shows.

So I’m sure folks are asking themselves, “then why watch them if you hate them?” Good question. I’m not sure I understand why I do; suffice to say I am a glutton for self-inflicted pain. I believe also that it is a habit that I emotionally find hard to break since I am a closet actress and recording artist. I did manage to break my beauty pageant addiction when after my sixth child I stopped viewing myself as a possible audience winner. Movie stars, stage actors, TV stars and recording artists awards shows still draw me in—sucker that I am, hoping for the best but knowing that at the end I’m going to be disappointed and annoyed at the results in most categories.

Sure enough I tuned in to watch the NAACP Image Awards show and I started to get annoyed right away. Why was Jennifer Hudson given the award for Outstanding New Artist? Am I the only one who’s noticed that she is an Oscar winning actress and Grammy award winning professional singer for at least 2 years? I was under the impression that a new artist was just that—new. Also, why did she have to win three Image Awards in the same show? Why does anyone have to win two?

Three time heavy-weight champion, Muhammad Ali received the President’s Award. His song The Greatest Love of All recorded by Whitney Houston would have been an appropriate choice to dedicate to him instead of the song chosen for J-Hud to sing (which I can’t even remember the title). And to top off the segment, his wife rambled on and on about nothing of significance regarding him while his daughters looked pained in the audience watching this spectacle. I thought putting him in a big over-sized chair in the middle of a huge stage brought attention to the deterioration that is happening to him as a result of his medical affliction; and made him look old and feeble instead of like “the greatest.” The same love could have been accomplished with him sitting in the audience being serenaded or saluted instead of exploited like I feel he was. Everything that appears to be a good idea isn’t--period. I thought that segment was in very poor taste.

As far a the program hosts—Tyler Perry and Halle Berry (their names rhymed and that was cool) I thought they did okay but had no chemistry or magic between each other. That used to be the point of pairing people up, wasn’t it? Or it could be me just thinking there was ever a point in creating a duo to host a TV show or awards program? At any rate, I thought they lent nothing to the program together as hosts. By the way, I did like all five of the dresses Halle modeled. And his black on black ensemble was pretty nice too.

My favorite part of the show was the presentation of the Vanguard Award to music and business mogul, Russell Simmons. He was upstaged by his two precocious daughters. I laughed my head off at how distracting they were—especially the little one. It was sorta like how President Obama is regularly upstaged in formal and informal settings by the adorability of his two daughters, especially the little one. And I also like the poetry presentation. That segment was the highlight of the entire NAACP Image Awards show.

Before I start to appear to be a hater of the highest magnitude I’d like to explain my position and offer a simple solution to the “suckiness” of awards shows as they are currently formatted and segmented.

Since a group of people form a committee to decide who have been the top performers in every category, why can’t every artist, director, or writer who was in the top five receive an award? This would eliminate the award winning performances of the category losers having to clap extra hard and smile extra wide to fake happiness over the winner of the category. Come on people—who can be that happy that someone beat them out for an award?

Another solution would be just to gather together annually at an awards show to acknowledge excellence to specific artists in the same kinds of categories without having to insinuate that they were better than their peers or friends and colleagues who were working on totally different projects. Wouldn’t it be just as awesome a celebration of achievement without the air of competition injected in to it? The implied competition is what makes the whole process suck, in my opinion. I believe as an artist that I would derive just as much pleasure receiving recognition for my unique art or talent in a performance without having to be told that I was better than another artist who couldn’t possibly be a better me than I am, therefore should not be compared to me.

Perhaps by 2010 the NAACP Image Awards and all award shows will abandon this totally antiquated method of talent recognition so that award show fans like me will not feel nauseated and cheated to the max when the award for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series does not go to one of my two personal favorite comedy writers James Hannah or Ali LeRoi, but to some lesser known comedy writers whose shows aren’t funny and that I don’t even watch!

Suspension of Michael Phelps and other Hypocritical acts...

Am I the only one who has a problem with Michael Phelp's 3-month suspension from swim competition because a photo of him smoking pot at a party in South Carolina surfaced?

I am not trying to say that his use of marijuana should go unaddressed but are we delving just a wee bit too far into everybody's lives? This wasn't steroids--it was pot, people.
Many young adults and old heads too, smoke it occasionally or regularly--or used to.
Why did he need to be suspended from swimming for this indescretion?
Society and the media created this squeaky clean image of Phelps. We have no clue just how long he's been smoking pot. Isn't he the same World Champ?

Who exactly is Illinois' Governor Pat Quinn?

Do we really know who has replaced the former "man of the hour" as Governor of the State of Illinois? How do we know that he is the better fit? Was he loyal to former Governor Blagojevich for the past six years? Did he have his back? There is a saying that holds true that a great leader is a great follower too. Was he a comrade or a renegade? I have noticed that he is great friends with Chicago's Mayor Richard M. Daley. Is he a part of "the machine?"

Inquiring minds want to know...

How 'bout those Steelers...!

Is it okay to defect from a state with a losing football squad to a state that has six recent Super Bowl rings, including the 2009 one? Would a person who did this be considered a "fair weather" fan or an astute individual who loves winners? I love world champs. Even President Obama backed the Steelers.

The Pittsburg Steelers stole the Super Bowl away from the Phoenix Cardinals who thought they'd nailed it. Is that why they call them steelers?

Anyway, I just realized that I got some connects in Steeler Country and perhaps one of them could give me the hookup on a new career in a town with a winning squad...

In fact, I think I'd look good in Black and Gold....hmmmmm--something to consider.

Blagojevich on the Late Show...What was He Thinking?

Is it me or is Rod Blagojevich exhibiting signs of sociopathic or simply pathetic public behavior? When I heard that Illinois' former governor was to appear on the David Letterman Show last night I tuned in out of curiosity. The first red flag was when Letterman stated he had absolutely no idea why he was on the show--i knew there would be embarassment to follow...

When Rod Blagojevich sat in the chair and declared that he had always wanted to be on the show in "the worst way," Letterman responded in kind by stating that he was on indeed in the "worst way." He told Letterman that he keeps thinking he'll wake up and people will realize "this is just one big misunderstanding."

During the interviewLetterman began to read off names of other former Illinois governors who served time in prison including Gov. George Ryan who is currently incarcerated because of past political office abuse. He then joked to Blagojevich by asking whether jail time was some part of the oath of office that Illinois governors take. Blagojevich replied, "Unlike those, I'll be vindicated. I did nothing wrong," he said. "

Letterman then asked Blagojevich what he planned to do with his time leading up to the trial.
"Well, I'm looking for work," Blagojevich replied. "Are you hiring?"

Last week, the Illinois Senate convicted Blagojevich of abuse of power. He was removed from office and replaced by Pat Quinn. Blagojevich also faces federal charges that he tried to profit from selling President Barack Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat.

My question is, "what was he thinking?" Why was he on the David Letterman show?

A bigger question is, "What was I thinking to vote for him not once--but twice?

Happy Birthday to Our New First Lady!

Happy 45th Birthday, Michelle!

May you be blessed with many more...

Happy 80th Birthday, Dr. King!

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's 80th birthday is January 15, 2009. It's hard to believe that he's not alive to witness Barack Obama become the 44th President of the United States, especially since he said that he'd traveled to the mountaintop and looked over into the Promised Land.

Carter Temple used to celebrate Dr. King's birthday with an event called the Dream Keeper's Workshop which taught children and kids his 10 Principles of Non-Violent Social Change.

The night before he died I remember seeing the news story of how Dr. King had delivered his “Mountain Top” speech. I have later memories of seeing him deliver the speech in its entirety in a documentary as well as reading the words. It was a very powerful speech and I encourage every young person to read what he had to say on the day before he died. After reading this speech I'm sure you will agree that Dr. King can never really die because he lives on in his words.

On April 3, 1968, Dr. King told a crowd at the Mason Temple Church of God in Christ:
“It really doesn’t matter what happens now…some began to talk of threats that were out—what would happen to me from some of our sick white brothers…Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place, but I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And he’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over, and I’ve seen the Promised Land. And so I’m happy tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. My eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.”

Happy Birthday, Dr. King!