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!

Israel versus Palestine:Could they Both be 'dead right?'

My heart is grieved by the recent air strike by Israel on the Hamas in Gaza which resulted in over 300 deaths and over 800 people wounded. The Wall Street Journal reports that President George W. Bush and the White House supports this attack.

Why does America have to? Do we truly believe as a nation that everyone who is an enemy to Israel is our nation's enemy? Will war ever cease? Will Israel ever be found in the wrong against these people?

We must pray for the wisdom of President-elect Barack Obama. These pre-existing wars are a very precarious situation for him to be stepping into.

Gov. Sarah Palin is a Grandmama--That's a Tripp!

Shhhhh--Don't tell anyone but, Governor Sarah Palin is a young "GG"(that's Gorgeous Granny).

I just heard the news: Bristol Palin, the unmarried 18-year-old daughter of former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin has given birth in Alaska to a son.

Even though People magazine reports that Bristol Palin gave birth to Tripp Easton Mitchell Johnston on Sunday, you shouldn't go around telling people because according to the governor's office "this birth is a private family matter."

Little Tripp weighed 7 pounds, 4 ounces. The father is high school dropout Levi Johnston, a former hockey player at Alaska's Wasilla High School. He has said he and Bristol plan to marry--perhaps when one of them becomes a high school graduate?

As the grandmother of six--soon to be seven grandchildren I understand Governor Palin's excitement over the prospect of becoming a young "GG." But Governor, with all due respect--you did announce Bristol's pregnancy to the world. At that point it was no longer private. Now that the inevitable has happened--the birth, and now you want this matter private? Even after People Magazine and Yahoo wrote about it? What's the point of achieving celebrity status if little things like the Governor becoming a grandmama shouldn't be news?

Eartha Kitt: "The Most Exciting Woman in the World"

What a Marvelous Lady--Eartha Kitt
I heard Eartha Kitt's distinctive voice doing an interview as the radio played in the taxi while I rode home on Christmas night 2008.

"That's Eartha Kitt's voice." I said. "Please turn that up so I can hear her." The cab driver turned up the volume, but added that Ms. Kitt had died that morning of colon cancer--she was 81. I was stunned.

I had always loved and admired Eartha Kitt from the first time I saw her purring and slinking and dancing around Gotham City as the villainous "Cat Woman" on the Bat Man tv series. She was so sexy and sophisticated and bad. She was also very pretty with an amazing and distinctive voice. I was mesmerized by her and captivated. She became one of the women I would later try to pattern my prowess around. Even going so far as to learn to purrrr.

I had the privilege of seeing her perform live in a musical here in Chicago in about 2005, although I can't remember which one. Afterwards, I met her briefly and told her of my devotion and admiration of her talent. She hugged me like a diva and the star that she was. It was also a warm hug like a sistah-friend who appreciated me for appreciating her. Our exchange lasted only 2 minutes or less, yet she had a profound effect on me. I was so honored to have met her and I told her so. She replied that she was honored to meet me. She was a class act.

A few years ago, may 20 or so I read an autobiography she had written where she chronicled her early life and how hard it was being from the south and being bi-racial and what she termed as unwanted. She was born Eartha Mae Keith on January 27, 1927 in Columbia, SC.

She was able to sing in 10 different languages and performed in over 100 countries. In fact, she could sing, dance, act and do voice overs--she was versatile and multi-talented to say the least. When she was a young woman she danced in the famed Katherin Dunham Dance Company. Katherine Dunham was one of my favorite performers as well. It's amazing to know that theyknew each other when they were younger.

Orson Welles described Eartha Kitt as "The most exciting woman in the world!" I agree with him--"Eartha, you were the bomb! And everybody knew it." Rest in Peace, my friend.