The Political Diva

Why the Burris issue isn't about race

Gov. Blagojevich has seen fit to give the GOP a wonderful gift to close out 2008.  Just when the RNC has their own racial issues , with one RNC chairman candidate sending out the misguided parody "Barack the Magic Negro" - the ill IL gov rescues them from media scrutiny with his decision to appoint former Attorney General Roland Burris to President Elect Obama's vacant Senate seat.

First of all (allow me this brief sidebar) - to those who feel that Blago did no wrong in making this appointment because he hasn't been convicted of any wrongdoing - he's been charged and he is out on bail - presumption of innocence is all fine and dandy - but let's be honest here: if a man was charged with child molestation, with all indications pointing towards his guilt - would you hire him as a day care operator?  I think not - sure you have the benefit of being innocent until proven guilty, but realistically - you should not make decisions directly related to the crime you are being accused of.

Back to the issue at hand - why this isn't about race.  Senate Democratic leaders stated they would not seat anyone appointed by Blagojevich - but by him appointing Burris, who would become the only African-American the Senate  - he has forced (with help from Congressman Bobby Rush) their hand in standing against Burris - giving the image of a bunch of white people keeping the black man out (which is how some will spin it).  When in reality, no matter the nominee - they would have taken the same stance.

Apparently this has been Blago's plan, as he also offered the gig to Congressman Danny Davis (who turned it down because the atmoshpere is too poisoned - smart move) and only time (or big mouths) will tell who else he offered it to.  Burris could very well have been a good choice to serve as a placeholder for the remaining years of Obama's term - allowing a real race in 2010 - but by hitching his star to Blago's crashing meteor - he's already proven that his decision-making is a bit suspect. 

Who is the bigger fool - Blagojevich or Burris?

Ill. governor names Burris to replace Obama

So I saw the headline that Blago appointed someone to President-Elect Obama's Senate seat and I just knew I misread something?  I mean, noone in their right mind - while under a cloud of suspicion for selling a Senate seat, amid calls to resign - would actually attempt to appoint someone to a vacant Senate seat, right?

WRONG

And the chosen one is Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris - who the Senate Democrats wisely will refuse to seat.   Why anyone would allow themselves to be appointed by "Shake 'em Down" Blago is beyond me.  A sure fire way to have zero credibility. 

Countdown to Jon Gruden's last day in Tampa

Aside from politics, my other great love is football.  I am a 'die-hard, been around since the Orange Yucks'  Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  I grew up near the 'Old Sombrero' and remember when the Bucs literally had to give away game tickets (and still didn't fill the stands).  I remember that rainy day in January when the Bucs fired the best coach they'd ever had (Tony Dungy) and I was ecstatic like many other fans the next year when the Bucs won Super Bowl XXXVII (Dungy's team - even though he'd left for Indy). 

And I sat by and watched my team completely fall apart over the course of the last 4 games.  A month ago, we were 9-3 - with a shot at homefield advantage and a first-round bye, only to finish the season with a four game losing streak, losing the last game to the freaking RAIDERS - to sum it up - 'a$$ out'.  Luckily the Cowboys suffered a massive beatdown at the hand of the Eagles - which will take some of the attention off my beloved team - but I digress.

I'm saying it now (as I've said several times over the past few years), it is time for Gruden to GO.  Where is this offensive genius we supposedly got in Gruden?  Did he lose him on his way to Tampa? When a team falls apart like the Bucs have at the end of the season - heads need to roll and the 'Buc' stops with Gruden. 

One more reason the Republican party will continue to lose

RNC candidates split on song about Barack

I must admit - this story is not the first time I'd heard about the 'Barack the Magic Negro' song.  On occasion, I do listen to good old Rush - so I'd actually heard the song on his show.  The fact that a candidate for the chairmanship of a political party that is not known for embracing diversity or expanding their tent, saw no issues in sending out a parody CD mocking both President-Elect Obama but Hispanics as well (Star Spanglish banner)  is disturbing.

Jokes and parodies are all fine and dandy - but perhaps you should keep your 'humor' within your circle of friends.  Obviously in today's society - sending out such a CD to RNC members - the story was bound to eventually make the news.  And the  'oh, it was a joke - ha,ha' just isn't going to fly in today's society.  The fact that A) Chip Saltsman thought this was funny and B) he thought his fellow RNCers would find it funny - says a lot about the Republican party. 

Money, money, money, money - MONEY!

According to the Associated Press, 21 banks that received at least $1 billion in bailout funds refuse to disclose specifically how that money was spent.  Well when you give folks $700 billion with no strings - and you don't ask how the money will be spent up front - should you really be surprised when they won't tell you AFTER THE FACT?

I'm just waiting for my bailout - I only need a cool million and I promise that I won't bore you with the details of how I plan to spend it.

NPR cancels News & Notes

NPR announced yesterday, that it is cutting 7% of its workforce, and two of its programs - Day to Day and News & Notes, both produced at NPR West, with both shows going off on March 20. 

"From newsmakers to performers, health to finance, News & Notes explores fascinating issues and people from an African American perspective."  It is unfortunate that News & Notes will become the victim of a sluggish economy and NPR's $23 million dollar budget shortfall.  I have had the privilege of participating on their bloggers' roundtable and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.  There are so few avenues for intelligent discourse on issues that relate to the African-American that is a shame that we are losing another one.

It's ironic - but I mentioned the last time I was on the roundtable - that it is up to us as consumers to 'make positivity profitable' while we were discussing the social impact of the reality show - The Real Housewives of Atlanta.  And while I can appreciate the need for entertainment - we also have a need for information and meaningful discussion.  The blogosphere has done a good job of filling this void - but we shouldn't let television and radio end up as dumping grounds for trash. 

As many have stated, with the election of our first African-American President, now seems to be an inopportune time to cancel NPR's only show geared specifically towards African-American listeners. 

Farai's blog posting to listeners

Hey - how much for that Senate seat?

In the latest edition of "Politicians That Have Lost Their Damn Minds," Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich apparently tried to hock President-Elect Obama's vacant seat to the highest bidder, tried to get Chicago Tribune editorial board members fired and auctioned off appointments. 

Apparently elected officials have reached such a low point that they have absolutely NO shame.  You would think that seeing your predecessor as Governor indicted might cause one to walk the straight and narrow.  Apparently not - I guess he's on track to be the fourth IL governor to be indicted in the last half-century - what is that all about?

Guess the economy is kicking everyone in the tail...

OJ's sad ending

Orenthal James Simpson, O.J., the Juice - Heisman Trophy winner, NFL MVP - enshrined in both the Collegiate and Pro Football Halls of Fame is finally sprinting off to prison.  With a stellar football career that inspired many future running backs and a charismatic personality that translated well into acting and endorsements - all of that will now be overshadowed by his numerous run-ins with the law.

I was in high school during 'the trial of the century'.  From the time the Bronco chase cut into the '94 NBA Finals to the verdict on October 3, 1995 - I was one of millions of Americans captivated by the legal spectacle.  At the time of the verdict - I remember sitting in class and soon after the words, "we, the jury in the above entitled action, find the defendant, Orenthal James Simpson, not guilty of the crime of murder..." you could hear both cheers and curses.  The case exposed a deep racial divide in America - with most blacks applauding his 'innocence' and most whites angry at what they saw as the failings of our legal system.

To this day, there are many who feel that O.J. was guilty, a civil verdict held that he was at least liable for the wrongful deaths of Nicole Brown and Ronald Goldman.  Many also feel that this most recent conviction is payback for his earlier 'not guilty' verdict.  No matter how you feel about the 1995 verdict, you'd probably agree with me that most people would walk the straight and narrow after going through the legal wringer.  But not OJ.

More than 13 years later, again like most Americans - I've paid very little attention to this O.J. case.  I will not be glued to my television to see whether or not he gets six years, 18 years or life - I'll just wait for a text or a news alert.  I don't care how long O.J. sits in jail - he was given (rightly or wrongly) a second chance and squandered it.