YOUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK

President Chucklepuss has lifted economic sanctions on North Korea and the 'axis of evil', because officials have supposedly turned over long-awaited, accounting of their nuclear work (I'll believe it, when I see it). I mention this presidential smokescreen because it's these type of benign acts that keep our eyes away from what's really going on. Dubai, home to banks that funneled over one hundred thousand dollars 9/11 funds to Al-Quida and a once barren desert, is a now thriving society that could rival New York City. Now I can't pinpoint where this money is coming from, but I have a serious notion that the Iraq War (Occupation-- or whatever it's called today) is being paid for with American tax dollars. As our economy tailspins towards third world status, Haliburton, Dick Cheney's personal 401K plan, has built a new headquarters in Dubai with thoughts of stimulating the American economy. Because if I want to stimulate United States' economy the first thing I should always do is move the company's headquarters over five thousand miles away from a struglling workforce-- SYKE. People don't notice, but I do. The Bush family has kept a strong bond with the Royal Saudis in the United Arab Emirates dating back to the first Gulf War as headed under then president George Herbert Walker Bush and as far past as post 9/11. To those who still for some reason believe in George W. Bush, I implore you to truly see that pothole you think is getting filled with your tax dollars is really a resort being built for the rich and famous.

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IT'S A CELEBRATION...B****ES?

As Reverend Al Green engaged a mutli-generational crowd with his staple "Let's Stay Together, before he received the BET Awards Lifetime Achievement Award, I had feelings of ambiguity. Why you ask? Because as much as I am happy to see a high end production from the BET Awards show, during commercial breaks it's still promoting nothing but it's knock offs of MTV shows like Baldwin Hills and Hell Date. Two shows that show the world, spoiled rotten black kids and a dating show with a midget dressed like the devil. I must admit they slipped in a commercial for their first scripted show called "Somebodies". Was it enough to gather viewers? I don't know. Will it be any good? I really don't know, but at least we can't judge before it's first airing like "Hot Ghetto Mess".

Bob "Nigga Jim" Johnson sold BET and mayb his soul to Viacom for a billion dollars a few years back. With this sale, I've seen nothing, but an upping of production values but not the content. It uses a slicked out package to sell me something that's not good for me. The late publisher, John Johnson started the first black publications of EBONY and JET magazines in the mid 1950's and they are still in business. And throughout the years the JET Beauty of the Week could be the only example of exploitation and that is a stretch. It is great to see all this black talent and Lil' Wayne (that jab is another day, another entry) on the same stage, but I'm concerned. Don't get me wrong, you have to entertain, but just because somebody else does something doesn't mean we have to do it (i.e., "if your friend jumps off a bridge-- I think you know the rest). And I would never say to not be edgy, because as you know we here are fans of THE WIRE, but don't be edgy without a purpose. It has been said by Russell Simmons that he went to BET with Def Jam Comedy first, but they turned him down. HBO picked it up and created a brand, while bringing a generation of comedians to the world, including Chris Tucker, Bernie Mac and Martin Lawrence. Possibly Ed Simon could have gone to BET with the Emmy winning mini-series The Corner and the critcally acclaimed The Wire. Possibly BET would be known as a network of quality programming if they would stop aping the programming of it's MTV mothership under the Viacom umbrella and be original. Quite possibly it may be known as more than MTV Black.

Just because you put crap on china doesn't make it filet mignon. Sadly, BET reminds me of a 90's malt liquor commercial, in how they used rappers to get you to buy their rotgut. Remember Ice Cube, "St. Ides is giving ends!" Since then Cube has learned better as have I and my youthful drinking habits, but BET.... not so much.

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HERE WE GO AGAIN

Don "The Cryptkeeper" Imus is at it again and showing what must be his true colors.

During an on-air conversation Monday about the arrests of suspended Dallas Cowboys cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones, Imus asked, "What color is he?"

Told by sports announcer Warner Wolf that Jones is "African-American," Imus responded: "There you go. Now we know."


Now I believe there is not much more to question about the Cryptkeeper. Many bloggers are probably saying that he's a racist bastard... and he is. Many bloggers are probably saying that he should lose his job... and he should. Many bloggers are probably saying that Imus has no reason being on anyone's radio... and he doesn't. But this should have all been addressed when he did it the first time calling the Rutgers Lady Basketball team "nappy headed hos". Reverend Al Sharpton expressed that he was going to have to think about how to respond to this situation. What else is there to respond to? You responded to the Duke lacrosse team accusations at the drop of a hat. You responded to Imus' last 'insensitive' remarks. Imus's bosses have expressed that they will not let him go, so the only hope is a protest that will drive away station sponsors There is nothing eloquent for me to say here. This racist son-of-a-bitch needs to be placed into the DeeJay's old folks home to let him fade away with respect... then again, between 'nappy headed hos' and his most recent transgresion he does not deserve that respect.

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THE SEVEN WORDS YOU CAN'T SAY IN HEAVEN

George Carlin, the Grammy-Award winning standup comedian and actor who was hailed for his irreverent social commentary, poignant observations of the absurdities of everyday life and language, and groundbreaking routines like “Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television,” died in Santa Monica, Calif., on Sunday, according to his publicist, Jeff Abraham. He was 71.

The cause of death was heart failure. Mr. Carlin, who had a history of heart problems, went into the hospital on Sunday afternoon after complaining of heart trouble. The comedian had worked last weekend at The Orleans in Las Vegas.

Richard Pryor was sitting outside a Starbucks in heaven, when he heard someone behind him say in a matter of fact manner, "Uh, have you seen a tall, black blonde, lady around here?" a famous George Carlin line from the Pryor film, "Car Wash". Upon hearing this, Pryor knowingly turned to find George. Pryor sternly responded, "Motherf****r, I told you not to be hanging around a pool room after dark with a pocket full of money." Carlin responded, "I wish. It was heart failure." Pryor scoffed, "I had three heart attacks before I got here. Ni**a, impress me." They laughed, drank coffee and talked trash the rest of the day.

At least that is what I'd like to think happened, after George Carlin's death was reported today. Carlin was of a generation that didn't conform but made you think and still laugh. There are many, who are fan of the Dane Cooks or Def Jam comedians, who are certainly successful via high profile and money, but they can't touch Carlin talent wise, if you embeded a Carlin box set in their rectums. Ironically, there are a number of comedians today with college degrees or at least a high school diploma, who couldn't craft a joke like Carlin did with his ninth grade education. Yes, ninth grade and he made us think more than a generation of comedians. I believe it is because when Carlin, Pryor, Dick Gregory and Lenny Bruce performed they spoke from a counter culture that wanted to prove the previous generation that they had something intelligent to say, but in a different manner. Today's comedian wants to launch a film career or at least have a sitcom based off their material, so they ride into the sunset on residuals. Now I'm not saying there are no comedians of that ilk out here today, we just have one less with the passing of this comedic legend.

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