The Political Diva

Yet another distraction that I really don't need...

It's 12:04 p.m. - which for me means I am temporarily "off the clock."  And as anyone who has a job and a (or several) side hustles - time management is important.  Time management has never been my forte - but hey I do what I can.  Which brings me to my latest distraction...

The Stimulist - it's a fairly new website launched by "easy on the eyes" journalist Carlos Watson.  Here's the site description:

Founded by news anchor Carlos Watson, The Stimulist is a daily brief for the (curious) optimist. We believe that snark is too easy. We’re looking for the good. Each day, the site posts a six-pack of fresh content: a wrap-up of the news, one idea worth considering, one person worth knowing, one thing worth trying, one piece of history worth remembering and a blog from Watson himself. As a multi-talented news personality, Carlos has a unique (and optimistic) perspective on what constitutes “daily news”. Like the Daily Beast, Goop, or Talking Points Memo, The Stimulist represents one media personality’s lens for viewing the (Obama Era) world.

An interesting take on the latest news and definitely a welcome change from your typical news website.  Kudos to the team working on the site and best wishes...

Children caught in the crosshairs of politics and ignorance

When I read this article about racial slurs directed at the Obama children, all I could think about was how my heart feels so heavy at the thought that two innocent young girls are going to have to deal with the ignorance, vitriol and sheer stupidity exhibited by some of the comments that were discussed.  Now to be fair - Chelsea Clinton, Jenna and Barbara Bush all had less than flattering comments made about them during their time as the first children - but not only are the comments directed at Malia and Sasha Obama cruel, there are the obviously racist overtones.

This makes me ask - what kind of society do we live in, that people think it is OK to attack the children of our political leaders?  I don't give a rip if you campaigned against Obama, hate everything he stands for and are a card-carrying member of the "Anybody but Obama 2012" club - leave his children out of this.  We are rapidly becoming a land where people that have much to contribute to political office are not going to offer themselves for public service because they don't want to put their families through all of this drama.

Throwback Jam of the Night

One of my favorite videos...

Throwback Jam of the Night: MJ Edition Part 2

I am proud of myself for keeping it to 8... because I could have posted MJ videos all night.

Throwback Jam of the Night: MJ Edition Part 1

In MJ's honor - we are going to have several throwback jams tonight - all MJ.  RIP Michael Jackson...

A few thoughts on the MJ Tribute

Wow, what a wonderful and fitting tribute to MJ!  I think I initially planned to watch and do some work while watching - but I was literally hooked on the screen (except the few times my feed went out).  I just wanted to capture a few of my thoughts now...

• Today really showed the power of social media.  I watched the CNN/Facebook feed and was online the whole time talking to my FB friends - I honestly felt like I was at a huge viewing party with friends that are scattered far and wide.  Technology is a wonderful thing.
• Lionel, Stevie, John Mayer = talent.  Enough said.
• Where was Michael Jordan?  That really should have been the other MJ and Magic up there, it felt really awkward watching Kobe.
• In general, where are Chris Tucker & Brownstone?  I heard one interview with a member of Brownstone a few days ago - but that is it.  And I keep re-playing the "You Rock My World" performance with MJ, Chris Tucker, and Usher and it just cracks me up.
• Usher did a great job as well - his emotion really shined through - but his performance reminded me of only one thing I truly missed seeing today - dancing.  When I think of Michael Jackson - as an entertainer - I think of both singing and dancing.  But I do understand this was a memorial service so this may not have been the place.
• Rep. Jackson-Lee really schooled those who may not know on MJ's contributions outside of music.
• The family tribute at the end - just touching.  Say what you will about Michael Jackson and his family - at the end of the day - they are just that - FAMILY.

It was a beautiful tribute to Michael Jackson.  May he rest in peace and may his family and fans find comfort in this time of loss.  He lives on - as his memory is forever a part of so many lives.

Throwback Jam of the Night

OK - so I'm going to post a throwback jam video every Monday-Thursday (if I remember to do it).  For my purposes - throwback is any song/video pre-1996.  Why - just because I feel like it... And the first one is

I blame "Prime Time" for every athlete that thinks he can rap. But I'm not even going to act like I didn't like this song. FYI, as much as I hate this word Deion=swagger.

Sometimes it's better to be silent and be thought a fool...

...than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.  That little saying from older & wiser relatives is dedicated today to Rep. King, Congressman from New York, who felt the need to let us know that we should not spend time glorifying that low-life and pervert Michael Jackson.  Instead, we need to stop ignoring the efforts of our teachers, police officers, firefighters, veterans and volunteers. 

I would pose to Rep. King - why can't we celebrate the life of MJ AND applaud the efforts of our public servants?  And does Congress not have enough issues to deal with that one of its members is spouting hateful comments about a man who just passed away?  Like him or not - you cannot deny MJ's cultural significance and his impact on this world.  I'd bet the good Congressman has NO IDEA of the number of humanitarian awards MJ received or the sheer magnitude of his philanthropy.  Instead Rep. King chooses to rehash charges (of which MJ was acquitted) and try to garner his 15 minutes based on lies and innuendo. 

Funny how the same 'society' he bashes for this day-in, day-out politically-correct coverage is essentially the source he is using for his insults.  But I guess all of society is not pleased with his comments, seeing as though there is an effort to raise money for whomever his opponent may be. 

Steve "Air" McNair: 1973-2009

Steve "Air" McNair was found dead yesterday on the 4th of July holiday.  A tragic (yet unnecessary) end to the life of a great athlete - which can only be a devastating blow to his wife of 12 years and their four children.  I'm not going to pile on like a lot of other folks have about the fact that his infidelity led to his demise.  Some have even said it was deserved.  I'm not God and really have no interest (right this moment) in playing judge and jury. 

I'm going to choose to focus on the fact that McNair helped show that you don't need to play on a big stage to be a great player.  The QB from Alcorn State (HBCU in the SWAC in Lorman, MS) set two NCAA records that still remain today - 1st in career yards per game (400.5/gm) and 1st in season yards per game (527.2) and is 2nd in career yards (16,823) and 3rd in season yards (5,799).  He finished 3rd in Heisman balloting his senior year and went on to be the 3rd pick in the '95 NFL draft.  (Sidenote: he was also chosen in by the Mariners in the 35th round of the '91 MLB draft.)

My condolences to the McNair family...

Back again...

It's been over 3 months since I last posted - shame on me!  But I'm turning over a new leaf - as of Monday, July 6 - I will post regularly.  In the meantime - check me out on Twitter or stop by and visit BlackPoliticsontheWeb.com.