Joker of the Week Nods

Hola folks,

This week there are a number of potential contenders, and it's been difficult to narrow them down. Happy voting and have a great weekend!

• Joe The Plumber - This jabroni has a publicist and is working on a country music record deal all because he's become the every man symbol of the Republican Party. He's unlicensed, doesn't own a business, owes back taxes and has the nerve to challenge Obama's plan. But beyond that, this idiot said on Fox News that Obama would bring about the "death of Israel." I really loathe stupid people with a platform.

• Kadeem Hardison - For appearing as Flavor Flav's sidekick on the sitcom Under One Roof.

• John McCain/Sarah Palin - This is a preemptive nod--as I am cautiously optimistic that they will LOSE to the Obama/Biden ticket on next Tuesday.

• George W. Bush - This joker is going out on some of the worst approval ratings ever. His presidency has yielded the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, soaring health care costs, multiple wars, etc. Yet, he still provides gems like this - "This thaw -- took a while to thaw, it's going to take a while to unthaw." -- (speaking on liquidity in the markets, Alexandria, La., Oct. 20, 2008)

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Kadeem Hardison: Under One Roof

While I was working out last night at the gym, I noticed a show on the MyNetwork called Under One Roof. While I had heard about Flavor Flav's new sitcom, I had never actually seen it. The premise of the show is that Flav and his brother are polar opposites. However, Flav took the rap for his brother when he got into a car accident and went to jail. His brother, went on to great success with a mansion in Beverly Hills, a white wife and a successful career. Now, Flav is out of jail and his brother owes him one and they all live...under one roof. Comedy ensues! Yes Flav is a Fresh Prince in the new millennium, without the good looks, charm and comedic timing.

However, that is not the story. The story is--who was guest starring in the role of a fellow ex-con on the loose? Kadeem Hardison. At first, I didn't recognize him. But then I did and I said, "My God. Dwayne Wayne? What the h*ll happened?" I know the credit crisis is hitting everyone, but dang it! A guest appearance on a Flavor Flav sitcom? As a child of the 80s who grew up watching Dwayne navigate black college life on A Different World, I was sad to see him as Flavor Flav's sidekick.

Pic Source - Flav

Pic Source - Hardison

Thoughts and Prayers

Our thoughts and prayers are with Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson--whose mother and brother were senselessly and horribly murdered over the weekend. It is believed that her nephew's body has been found in Hudson's deceased brother's SUV. This is such an unimaginable tragedy--to lose your mother, brother and nephew so violently and suddenly. It's really unthinkable and I sincerely hope the culprits pay. Justice, however, is little solace under the circumstances.

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Ummmm, What?

Kanye has released some promo pictures for his new album. I know he likes cutting edge fashion, but is it me or does he look like Pee Wee Herman (Black 2008 Edition)? Kanye's Big Adventure?

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My Evening with Danny Glover

For the past several years I have had the pleasure of working with TransAfrica Forum. TAF is a non-profit organization whose goal is to advocate on behalf of people of the African diaspora to effectuate change in U.S. foreign policy in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. Danny Glover is the Chairman of the Board. Harry Belafonte, Chuck D., Walter Mosley and a host of others are members of the Board. Last night they hosted an "Evening with Danny Glover" at a private home in Potomac, Maryland. It was fantastic. Danny was humble, had a great sense of humor and was extremely passionate about his work for people of African descent.

I had the great pleasure of meeting him and he thanked me for all of my work with TAF and gave me a hug and a kiss. (As a movie aficionado, all I kept thinking was The Color Purple, Beloved, Lethal Weapon, Witness, Dreamgirls, EEK!). I maintained my cool though. LOL. And when my fiance told Danny he was from Senegal, Danny even started speaking Wolof to him. DANNY IS THE MAN! What a great evening.

These pics are from my cell phone camera. I should be getting a few more from my friends at TAF from their digital cams.

Joker of the Week Nods

1. LL Cool J - For being a no show at the Janet Jackson concert in D.C. This one is personal. If Janet can show and she has vertigo, why the heck couldn't LL?

2. Clinton Portis (of the Washington Redskins) - This comes courtesy of 12Kyle. Portis recently said, “I don’t think I’m going to vote. Because I make Republican income, but I need the Democrats in office, so which way do I go?” Newsflash Portis--people DIED, DIED so that you and I could have the right to vote. How DARE you sit on the sidelines because you're worried about your money? I don't even care if you vote for McCain, but to not vote? That is irresponsible and disrespectful to our parents and grandparents and other ancestors. You disgust me.

3. John McCain - For being a grumpy old man, losing three debates in a row, being totally erratic and an overall losah.

4. Joe the Plumber - This Republican bonehead challenged Senator Obama during a rally and then Joe's tax crisis figured prominently during the Presidential debate. But it turns out, not only will Joe do better under Obama's plan, but further investigation has shown that Joe owes back taxes and is not even a licensed plumber. HA!

5. Anti-Obama radicals - All of the racists nuts at the Klan, excuse me, McCain/Palin rallies calling Senator Barack Obama a terrorist, Arab, Muslim, Obama bin lyin; shouting out for Obama's murder and holding stuffed monkeys with with Obama's name on them. What a great way to show that we are the land of the free and a place of tolerance.

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Janet - Ms. Jackson If You're Nasty!

I went to see the diva known as Janet Jackson last night at her D.C. leg of the Rock Witchu tour, along with my girls Lily and Nadine. One word- FANTABULOUS. I've seen her a couple of times before so the awesomeness that is Janet is no surprise to me. I have been a fan for a million years. I remember borrowing my father's "Control" album and playing it on my record player or having the Rhythm Nation tape (not the CD, not an I Tunes download--but a good old fashioned tape). So my JJ love goes waaaay back.

Even with the vertigo and all of the postponements, she still brought her A game! And she had to bring it even harder because that joker LL Cool J was a no-show!! (I'm so tempted to send him a nasty gram. I was all set to hear "Around the way girl" and "I'm going back to Cali" --instead we sat there for an hour listening to a DJ--Quicksilver is the man, but I wanted LL! Bum! I know who will make the Joker Contender list this week...)

ANYHOO, Janet came out fierce as ever. Since I've seen her before I knew she wasn't necessarily dancing as hard as she normally does, but she was still gettin' it. From the moment she opened the show with "Pleasure Principle," she treated the audience to a futuristic travel through time and I literally danced for 99% of the show. She sang ALL of my favorites and not just a verse--she did a couple of verses and even the breakdown. I nearly lost my voice screaming when she did the "If" dance breakdown. Here are the songs I remember:

• Pleasure Principle


• What have you done for me lately


• Control


• Nasty


• Let's Wait awhile


• Feedback


• Call on Me


• Alright


• Escapade


• Got Til it's gone


• Funny how time flies


• Come back to me


• Doesn't Really Matter


• Miss you much


• Rhythm Nation


• If


• If you want this


• Together again


• Runway love


• Rock Witchu


• When I think of you


• So Excited


• All for you


• Anytime, Any place


• Love will never do without you


• One love


• That's the way love goes


• Again


• I get so lonely

AND SO MUCH MORE. AND she was sexy. She once again pulled a man out of the audience and made his life. She did things to him that he will NEVER forget. HA. At 42, she is still gettin' it. Take notes Bey and Rih. That's a legend.

Sidenote--Her man Jermaine Dupri was there in the middle of the audience in the Rock Witchu lounge, bobbin' his head, supporting his woman. Love it!

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IS IT JUST ME OR SHOULD ARAB AMERICANS AND MUSLIMS BE OFFENDED RIGHT NOW?

Ok, so we profess to be some big friggin Melting Pot but we all know that's a load of crap. And if you didn't know before, this election has proved this to be true. Here, we have a formidable African-American candidate who exemplifies this so-called American Dream I've heard of all my life. He's pulled himself up from his bootstraps to become (prayerfully) the next President of the United States. Isn't that a good thing? Apparently, not. Here's the twist--what they didn't tell us about the American Dream is that it applies to some but not all Americans. Or, if it does apply to all Americans, there are limitations for your "dreams". Becoming an attorney, doctor, entrepreneur, athlete is enough. But, for an African-American (or any racial minority) to become the President of this Melting Pot is a bit too "high minded" "uppity" "ambitious" for some to accept. So, when labeling him as "inexperienced" didn't work or merely questioning his "patriotism" failed--then they called him a "terrorist", "dangerous", "Arab and Muslim". There are actually people screaming "Off with his head" and "kill him" at Mccain/Palin rallies.

And when some Redneck ignorantly claimed that Senator Obama was an Arab, McCain's response was "No, he's not. He's a decent man". Other than the fact that his defense of Senator Obama seemed insincere, I didn't think much of his statement at the time. But, now I wonder what he meant by "no he's a decent man". Is he somehow suggesting that Arabs and Muslims are not decent individuals? While I was offended when that Redneck called him an "Arab", I'm now asking myself "why"? When did calling someone an Arab or Muslim become a "slur"? Yes, I understand that her comment contained a racist and ignorant undertone BUT what if he was a Muslim or Arab would that be a disqualifier? Would he still have my vote?

I'd like to think so, but I'm not sure. I'm a Christian and I don't believe that individuals with other religions are evil heathens destined for hell. But, would I be more comfortable with another Christian as my President? I'm a rational thinker so I know that all Arabs and Muslims are not terrorists. But would I feel comfortable with an Arab-American as my President? I'm embarrassed to admit this but apparently I'm not the only one with these thoughts. People are either saying that Obama is an evil Arab or no, he's not--"He's a good man, he's one of us". So, are we saying that something is wrong with being an Arab or Muslim? What about the millions of Arabs and Muslims living in this country who are patriotic and are voting in a few weeks? They are our fellow Americans who are law abiding, tax payers who were either born here or came here to get a piece of the American Dream. Should they feel like a "slur"? Who the hell should they vote for--the right who says vote for McCain and not the evil, unpatriotic Arab terrorist who just pretends to be Christian when he's really just some Muslim or the left who says vote for Obama because he's a Christian not some terrorist.

Is it just me or should Arabs and Muslims be offended?
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YOU MAKE THE CALL...

So, the ever vocal Tiffany "New York" Pollard added her two cents to the "engagement" of Punk and J-Hud. Here's what "Miss Ghetto Fab (well, not really "Fab") had to say:

"He’s really loving being Mr. Jennifer Hudson. I think he’s loving the lavish things she brings to his life, he’s seeing the world due to Jennifer’s success” “[But] can you love this person if they lose all of this tomorrow? She needs to find out. I just hope people are marrying each other for the right reasons.”

“It’s a mixed match, it won’t work,” she says. “He’ll be in her shadow like Al Reynolds was to Star Jones, like Stedman Graham is to Oprah.”

Is New York just hating or does she have a point?
You make the call...

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The Riot Corner

Hello bloggers,

I hate the John McCain Campaign. There, I said it. It's not just because I'm pro-Obama or anti-Palin or anti-McCain. While that is true, my hatred stems from the desperate, blatant xenophobic and racist slant the McCain camp is taking as it tries to come up in the polls a few short weeks before the election. The latest "Who is the real Barack Obama?" crap is ticking me off. They're trying to link him to a domestic terrorist, they're calling him by his full name with an emphasis on Hussein, they are looking at his fundraising records for foreign sounding names to see if he's got Osama and his cousins donating to his campaign--it is disgusting. It has gotten to the point where at Palin rallies, nuts are shouting out about Obama "Terrorist" "Treason" "Kill him." Seriously? We are in the worst financial crisis in decades and the best thing the McCain camp can do is race bait and portray Barack Obama as a black American hating treasonous Islamic terrorist? That's the best the McCain campaign can offer--fear mongering, religious intolerance and racism? I've gone beyond losing respect for John McCain and his campaign, I loathe them for their disgraceful tactics. I will definitely not be voting for "that one."

Final Note - If I see Sarah Palin squinting and saying in a twangy voice "Who is Barack?" again I'm literally going to throw something. Who is Barack? I've known about him for years--he's been in 23 or 24 debates and has been running for president since 2007. Maybe if the Palinator read a newspaper she would know who Barack is. And... Who the h*ll is Sarah Palin? Nobody knew who she was before a month ago. She has the audacity to question Barack's values and his ties when her own husband was a member of the Alaska Independence Party that believed that Alaska should secede from the U.S.; and Palin even spoke at an AIP event recently. The founder of the Alaska Independence Party professed hatred for the American government and cursed the American flag as that "d*mn flag." And she has the audacity to question Barack Obama's loyalty to this country and question who he is? SMH

This is my riot for the week. Riot on about whatever is annoying you today...

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TD's Hot List

Hey bloggers,


From time to time I like to post the things I'm feeling. Here are my current favs:

Sergio Mendes' cd Encanto - A great follow up to Timeless--Mendes' new cd is a perfect blend of Brazillian jazz, soul, and samba. Definitely worth a purchase.

The new tv season - AAAAAAAH - The Game, Heroes, Grey's Anatomy, Ugly Betty, 30 Rock, The Office, the Amazing Race, Desperate Housewives--I could go on!!! Given the state of the economy, a little television comedy, adventure or drama can go a long way.

Tina Fey as Sarah Palin. Nothing more needs to be said.

What is the What - Finally my book club is reading this book by Dave Eggers, a real life story of a Sudanese refugee.




So what's on your hot list?


Pic Source - Ugly Betty
Pic Soucre - Tina Fey
Pic Source - What is the What

Jokers Of The Week

Sigh. I'm sure many of you saw the debate. You betcha, doggonit, darn right, maverick, reform, energy, change, "nuculur" - delivered with a smile and a wink. I think that sums up Sarah Palin's performance. But I'm not sure who I am more disgusted by: Palin who delivered written talking points with a twangy energizer bunny like enthusiasm, but expressly refused to actually answer questions; or the media analysts who are falling over themselves because she didn't start crying and quit, but was "folksy" and likeable. Ummm, she responded to a question about the credit crisis and bankruptcy by talking about her record on energy. WTF? Is this serious? Joe Biden demonstrated passion and a vast knowledge of both domestic and foreign policy issues and the media is falling over themselves because Palin winked at the American people.

Thank goodness the instant polls show that Americans thought Biden won the debate. Some people are actually using their brains.

That is why I am naming both Sarah Palin and media political analysts the Jokers of the Week.

Biden is my winner of the week for gracefully smacking Palin down with facts and not just campaign slogans. Go Joe!

Pic Source - Palin the College Years

Ummmm, What?

Note to Trina: Look in the mirror from the front, from the side and from the back before leaving the house. If you look like a before picture in a Taebo workout ad--change clothes. There are more flattering clothes for your shape that you can rock and rock well.

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