The Bandit Musings

Going on Hiatus With This Blog

2010-10-12T10:26:00.000-04:00

As I previously mentioned, I recently launched a new blog, I Shot My Typewriter, which is my take on writing and technology, with a heavy emphasis on publishing. I've been wanting to do this for a while now and am happy to have finally structured my time to do it.

Because of this new blog and the work I am doing to complete several novels I am working on, I am going to discontinue posting on this blog indefinitely. After five years of posting month-by-month, I am finally giving The Bandit Musings a break.

I do, however, encourage those of you who are following this blog or have come by from time to time to read my postings to check out I Shot My Typewriter. I will be building on that platform heavily over the next few months.

Thank you for your support of my blog, and I hope that you will be able to join me at my new one.

Peace and blessings!

New Blog - I Shot My Typewriter

2010-10-02T21:37:00.002-04:00

A few weeks ago I launched a new blog, I Shot My Typewriter on my new web page. The blog focuses primarily on writing and technology, and will be updated on a more regular basis than this blog.

Please feel free to check out the new blog by clicking here. Take care, and thank you for your support.

Stevie's Beautiful Tribute to Minnie

2010-09-05T10:09:00.000-04:00

Morehouse College Glee Club (circa mid-90s) - Betelehemu

2010-08-26T08:35:00.002-04:00

This is a video from when I was a member of the Morehouse College Glee Club (although I don't think I'm in this video). Seeing all of the faces that haven't seen in years really takes me back.

Btw, the song is in Yoruba and is about the celebration of the birth of Jesus. (Betelehemu = Bethlehem)

An Article About My Father From Tupelo's Daily Journal Newspaper

2010-07-26T15:23:00.000-04:00

Needless to say, I was very happy to see this article on my father in Tupelo, Mississippi's Daily Journal newspaper. I just wanted to share it.

NEMS360.com - LOCAL FOLKS ‘Country lawyer’

My Baby Bowls a New Personal Best!

2010-07-21T12:05:00.000-04:00

Elle bowled a 141 last night! That's a personal high score, nearly forty over her previous personal high score. Just wanted to congratulate her again and show her some love from her hubby.

Roth/Wolfe Intersection (Newport News, VA)

2010-07-21T00:36:00.002-04:00

Roth/Wolfe Intersection (Newport News, VA)
Originally uploaded by Ran Walker

Wolfe is to Roth as Bird is to Miles.

Dissolve by Groovault

2010-07-16T23:33:00.001-04:00

"... A bond I thought could never be, as you and I embrace 'we'/Dissolve"Dissolve by Groovault

Fiddle Faddle Funk by Groovault

2010-07-06T16:01:00.001-04:00

Just a little fun music for a Tuesday afternoon. Btw, the download is free. Enjoy!Fiddle Faddle Funk by Groovault

4 Things You Might Not Want to Talk About in Mixed Company

2010-06-29T18:09:00.002-04:00

1. Politics

2. Religion

3. Greek Life

4. Other People's Mothers

:-)

Runner-Ups

- The Latest Boondocks TV Episode

- Your Boss

- Suge Knight

Michael Jackson Human Nature - MUSIC VIDEO HD // OFFICIAL THIS IS IT VMA...

2010-06-25T10:22:00.000-04:00

A Song for Patti

2010-05-27T20:44:00.000-04:00

At times like this, you have to be glad that someone not only had a video camera, but uploaded this event to YouTube.

Lalah and Patti! You have to love it!

Janelle Monáe - Tightrope ft. Big Boi [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

2010-05-21T00:27:00.000-04:00

Kudos for Janelle on her latest project!

Happy Buddha or Disgruntled Dog

2010-05-20T21:46:00.000-04:00

Just saw this, and I guess I stared at it too long, because I began to see the opposite of what was intended.

Location:Church Ave,College Station,United States

A Full Week

2010-05-12T12:04:00.000-04:00

Last week was the week that kept on giving. First, Elle and I saw The Foreign Exchange and YahZarah perform in Norfolk at the Time Lounge. I am a huge fan (having followed Phonte from back when he and Little Brother were still with 9th Wonder), so it was really awesome being able to meet them and celebrate their music with my wife.

A few days later, President Obama spoke at the graduation commencement for Hampton University, where I am a faculty member. Having one of the most recognized individuals on the planet standing several feet in front of you is really a cool experience.

And if all of that wasn't enough, Elle and I celebrated our second anniversary. It doesn't get much better than that. Life is a lot more satisfying when you marry your best friend.

With school coming to a close this week, there will be plenty of time to create new adventures, do a lot of writing, and get all of that sleep that I love so much. So in theory, I should post more to this blog, but you know how it gets sometimes. ;-)

Snap Shot on a Tuesday (Five Things)

2010-04-27T19:44:00.000-04:00

What I'm Reading: Joe Hill's Horns

What I'm Listening To: Corinne Bailey Rae's "Closer"

Last Movie Seen: Death at a Funeral

What I'm Working On: Groovault's Portrait of Venus EP and a new novel (untitled)

What I'm Looking Forward To: My second anniversary with my beautiful wife, Elle

Looking Toward the Next Project

2010-04-18T07:58:00.000-04:00

Now with my current novel out of my hands (and into the hands of my agent), I have been considering what the next project will be.

At first I thought of writing that horror novel that I spoke about in an earlier posting, but I'm not sure I'm ready for that just yet--and if I were ready, I'd probably have to do the project under a pseudonym. Who knows? I might just get to a project like that before the end of the year.

Currently, I am considering writing an old fashioned love story: boy meets girl, timing is wrong, but they eventually get on the same page. The funny thing about this idea is that it is both engaging and intimidating. It's engaging because I get the opportunity to put my own spin on a story of this nature and make it into something that people can really enjoy. The intimidating part, however, is that this type of story gets done to DEATH every year to the point where a reader would have to ask herself, "Have I already read this before?" If I do write a love story, I plan to flip the hell out of it and make it unique.

The summer lies ahead, and this could be the perfect way to make use of some of that free time. Still up in the air right now, but I will know something by the time President Obama comes through for Commencement this year. :-)

I guess, in the meantime, I'll work on some short stories, since you can never really have enough of those.

Step Up 2: The Streets (Final Dance Scene)

2010-04-13T19:27:00.003-04:00

In keeping with hot dance scenes from movies, I'm offering up this one. I love the execution here!

A Little Nicholas Brothers for a Tuesday

2010-04-06T19:20:00.002-04:00

I have always had an admiration for dancers, so from time to time I scan YouTube for some of the greatest dance moments captured on film. The following clip has to hold the number one spot. In fact, Fred Astaire held the same opinion. What do you think?

One Draft Down...

2010-03-29T15:33:00.002-04:00

The current draft of my latest novel--hot off the press. :-)

-- Sent via iPhone

The Finish Line Ahead: Thoughts on Wrapping Up a Novel

2010-03-27T08:30:00.000-04:00

Finishing a novel is like turning a sharp corner in a 1979 Dodge Aspen station wagon: you have to whip that steering wheel all kinds of ways to get the wheels to do what you want them to do. As I write this entry, I am sooooo freaking close to finishing my novel that I can taste it.

I'm so stoked that I even dreamed about the novel last night. All of my characters were showing up, as if coming out to see the cutting of a ribbon at a new building or attend a ceremony in the book's honor. They are probably just as ready for me to end this novel as I am.

I see the turn up ahead, so I swing out and whip like a I was born to do only one thing: whip the hell out of a steering wheel. We're turning that corner, even with the momentum of everything threatening to push us onto the sidewalk. We're making the turn, and we will get home safely.

The funny thing about a novel is that, while it is nice to celebrate the finishing of something that you have slaved over for months (or maybe even years), you know that there are rewrites ahead. You know that the length of your finished product may differ greatly. That character you thought was funny? He's actually derailing the events of your story because he serves no purpose. And that sex scene? It's gratuitous at best and totally unnecessary at worst.

But that comes later.

Right now, I can see home up ahead, and I can hear the characters in the backseat singing and dancing because they can see it, too. And for the moment, that's more than enough for me.

New Groovault Artwork

2010-03-20T17:20:00.001-04:00

This new design for Groovault's logo was done by artsist Nsayel Mputubwele. I hope you dig it as much as I do.

-- Sent via iPhone

"More Than a Game" is More Than a Documentary

2010-03-13T12:19:00.001-05:00

For the longest, critics have regarded Hoop Dreams as the ultimate basketball documentary. It is definitely among the best, but yesterday I watched the basketball documentary More Than a Game and was completely blown away. The film chronicles four kids who grew up playing basketball together in Akron, Ohio, and one of those kids just happened to be LeBron James.

The film is well done, and I was surprised at how much video footage existed documenting these kids from when they were about age eight or so up until the present. The awe of seeing LeBron as a little kid driving the lane reminded me of the awe I felt when I realized that so much raw Muhammad Ali footage existed from his trip to Zaire in When We Were Kings. I wouldn't go so far as to compare the films, but I would say that each one does its subject matter justice.

Check out this trailer for More Than a Game. It's now available for rental or purchase, and it's definitely worth your time.

Portrait of Venus, Behind the Scenes Pt. 1

2010-02-26T13:59:00.001-05:00

Venus by Nsayel Mputubwele

(Inspired by Portrait of Venus)

The idea for Portrait of Venus came from a love of concept albums, particularly concept albums designed as bedroom suites. Jay and I have always been fans of Maxwell, and I have to admit, at least on my part, that Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite was my introduction to the art of the sensual concept album.

When I was a student at Morehouse, Maxwell came to perform at one of our homecoming concerts. Of course he wasn't Maxwell then. He was just some dude with an Afro and an acoustic guitar. For many of us at the time, his music slid right under the radar. And then something happened. Almost over night his album became the "must have" CD of the year. Anyone who had intentions of having a candlelight dinner or some type of romantic activity had to have a copy of the CD on hand. And those of us who played the hell out of that CD often wondered why the eleventh track had that six minute gap of silence (according to Maxwell, it was so that people could hear themselves making love).

Years later I discovered Marvin Gaye's I Want You album, which had even more of an effect on my perception of the sensual concept album. Everything from Ernie Barnes's artwork to Leon Ware's lyrics and Marvin's vocal arrangement made me want to create some masterpiece of sensuality at some point in my creative life.

I don't know if Portrait of Venus is that, but it's definitely a first attempt. The songs are designed to be present, yet invisible, all at the same time. There will be songs you could sing along with, but much of the EP could play and simply dissolve into the atmosphere of the bedroom. Hopefully, when the entire project is complete and available as free downloads, we will have achieved some semblance of a sensual concept album.

For a free download of our latest songs "Dissolve" and "Liquid Dreams," feel free to click here. The songs are under a creative commons license, so feel free to download them, pass them along, and even remix them if you'd like.

Three Words That Somehow "Snuck" Into My Southern Vocabulary

2010-02-12T10:37:00.000-05:00

First off, for my language purists and linguistic scholars, this post is not for you. This is for people who don't mind "snuck" as opposed to "sneaked." :-)

Word #1

Y4 or Wi-Fo
Example of usage: Wi-fo can't I just sit here and look at you?

Word #2

Foweeken
Example of usage: You'd better hurry up and get dressed foweeken make it to the club on time.

Word #3

Jeet
Example of usage: Jeet? 'Cause if'n you didn't, there's some food in there on the stove.

What words have "snuck" into your vocabulary over the years? Do share!

The iPhone/Kindle 2/iPad Situation: A Look at Three Devices

2010-01-28T18:39:00.007-05:00

Those of you who have been following my blog probably know that I am a recently converted gadget guy. I own an iPhone 3GS and a Kindle 2--and a few other models of various things--and with Steve Jobs announcement yesterday, it wouldn't be difficult to guess that the iPad (please no jokes on the name! :-) ) would find its way into my arsenal of electronic toys. And it probably will at some point in the future.

But not because it has replaced either my iPhone or Kindle 2.

Anyone with an iPhone will tell you that the iPhone is simply the most convenient pocket device out. This is not to slight other smart phones or phone operating systems. It's just that the App Store is freakin' incredible, and it's difficult to get around that. No matter how superior the hardware, the software is just, to put it in 80's slang, dope!

The very thing that makes the iPhone awesome is the same thing that makes me a Kindle 2 guy: the store attached to the hardware. Amazon's prices are nice, plainly put. Reading on a dedicated device that uses an e-ink screen is a pleasure. Although I can read my news on my iPhone, when it comes to extended long-form reading, the Kindle 2 trumps reading off of an LCD screen.

So while I look at the iPad as a pretty awesome product, the features that I find most attractive have very little to do with using it as an e-book reader. I imagine that we have yet to see just how awesome a strictly tablet app for the device could be. Looking at my music DAW apps, I can see the iPad being dangerous. An app like BeatMaker or MusicStudio could be amazing on a properly sized screen. Also, watching movies and playing video games will be a very different experience. And if I felt like picking up on my Kindle 2 reading for a few minutes--well, there's an app for that, too. :-)

To be fair, I have already subbed out my iPhone for my laptop when I travel, a feat that can be easily accomplished with the right collection of iPhone apps. So an iPad, even at a minimum of 16 GB, could make for a quite useful digital sidekick. The fact that there is no video camera helps me keep within the 16 GB (plus I still have my phone for that). And as for all of us who have over 40 GB of music, I only really listen to a small portion of that with any degree of frequency. Plus, there are sites like Last.fm and Pandora for those who'd rather keep their music online.

The most fascinating thing to me about the iPad vs. Kindle 2 discussion, however, is in their approaches to the publishing business. I think therein lies what will become the major difference between the two, outside of hardware and software. Apple has approached the publishers and gotten five of the six major companies on board. Amazon, however, has created a trend of going straight to the author (and big name authors at that).

Let that marinate for a second.

Amazon has succeeded in going through and around the publisher, all the while setting a price point that could potentially redefine the way e-books are sold. The price of an e-book through the iBook store that Apple announced yesterday has prices that are higher than those on Amazon. It will be interesting to see how that model will work when placed against Amazon's fairly successful model.

Each of the devices (iPhone, iPad, and Kindle 2) all have overlapping functions, but each excels in a way that the other doesn't. And with 10 hours of battery power on the iPad, I'd want to make sure I'm using that particular device for what it's best at doing.

Groovault and Ideas on an E.P.

2010-01-20T16:21:00.004-05:00

I haven't mentioned my virtual band, Groovault, on this blog in a while, but that doesn't mean that I haven't been working on new songs. In fact, j.craft, my ace and partner-in-crime, and I have been accumulating a pile of tracks since we released the Midnight Euphony "Moments" LP back around 2002. In fact, our catalog has gotten quite extensive, with roughly a hundred or so songs (in various stages of development).

Recently, we have decided to release an E.P. of some of our favorite mood-setting tracks and give it away for FREE! As we are adding the songs and various versions a track at a time, some music is available right now. All you have to do is go to this link:

http://www.last.fm/music/Groovault

The title of the E.P. is "Portrait of Venus" and is the result of many hours of composing, mixing, remixing, and every other thing imaginable. The funny thing is that, while this E.P. is primarily designed to played at night, we are also working on a second E.P. that is more of a "day" project (expected to be released in the summer of 2010).

It feels good to release music to the public again. Sometimes, as a producer/composer, you can operate in a bubble where only you hear the things that you create. Now that bubble is popped, and the music is available to anyone wanting to stream or download the content. It is my sincerest hope that you will enjoy it.

Feel free to leave your feedback.

Revisiting Horror

2009-12-28T09:13:00.006-05:00

In 2007, I had a short story entitled "To Get Bread and Butter" published in the horror anthology Whispers in the Night: Dark Dreams III, edited by Brandon Massey. One of the things that attracted me to the anthology, other than the fact that I loved Brandon's two previous volumes, was the fact that I, like many people who read voraciously in junior high and high school, loved reading Stephen King novels. I was the kid who relished Tales from the Crypt, Tales from the Darkside, Amazing Stories, and The Twilight Zone. If I could write something with a Roal Dahl-like darkness or a Shirley Jackson-like eeriness, then I had accomplished something.

Over this Christmas break, I have been revisiting Stephen King's On Writing, which is a pretty entertaining memoir/writing guide. I began to see myself as that teenager carrying around a massive copy of The Tommyknockers, and I felt a bit nostalgic for the time when I sought out stories that got under my skin and made me tip-toe past shadows and dark corners. So, as of late, I have been picking up horror novels from Brandon Massey, Tananarive Due, Shirley Jackson, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Jewell Parker Rhodes, and a slew of other horror writers.

Writing horror, though? That's a whole other animal. One of the hardest things about writing horror is avoiding recreating what has already been written. In fact, the most common advice that I could give to any aspiring writer of a genre, including poetry, would be to read as much of what's already out there as you can. Contrary to popular opinion, it's much easier to fall into a cliche than one would think. I once told my Creative Writing Workshop class that, unless you had read Octavia Butler's Fledgling, then it might not be such a good idea to write a vampire story. Read: Unless you have something original to contribute to the genre, why bother. Go up and beyond what you've been exposed to. I guess that's the challenge that I'll accept as I venture into a few new short stories.

I think one of the main skill sets a writer of horror would need to develop would be the ability to see the potential for darkness in everyday, routine things. Have you ever sat in a restaurant and asked yourself the question, "What if?"

That is the question the underlies all speculative fiction.

A Little Tiger/Sir Charles Humor

2009-12-16T14:25:00.003-05:00

With the media-beating Tiger is taking these days, I decided to post something that will at least make Tiger fans and haters alike laugh a little.

Barkley going for what he knows

Tiger imitating Barkley going what what he knows

Thoughts on NaNoWriMo

2009-12-01T09:57:00.004-05:00

Around 4:10 p.m. yesterday, I crossed the 50,000 word mark of the NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) competition. During the entire month of November (read: 30 days), a writer is charged with the task of producing an extended work of fiction (something that resembles a novel/novella), and if he/she accomplishes that feat, he/she is considered a winner (the prize being more like a symbolic reward for hard work than a financial award from a straight-up battle with other writers). Having been officially declared a NaNoWriMo winner, I must say that the experience was truly more involved than I had originally anticipated.

It's easy to wake up on a morning in mid-October thinking that it's not so bad to write 1,667 words a day. I believed that it would be a breeze. Boy was I wrong! After week one, things started to slow down dramatically in my output and my writing became more jagged, despite my constant need to refer to the handbook for the month (No Plot? No Problem). I had trouble silencing the "inner critic" in me that wanted to fix misspelled words and grammatical errors, errors in plot construction, and even errors in character references. Finally, I just started highlighting what I would fix on my rewrite of the manuscript. Ignoring those glowing yellow paragraphs, I pushed ahead. When I got within earshot of the finish line, I wondered why I had decided to write a story that required so much emotional interaction on the part of the characters. It seemed like every exasperation of my characters became an exasperation from my own tired writing soul. I grunted and moaned, trying to ignore the word count before finally looking down and seeing that my manuscript had nearly gone one hundred words past the goal of 50,000.

Now that I have finished the contest, I am left to look at this mass of words, much in the way a sculptor would look at a block of clay: searching to find the piece of art within the massive clump of material. The writer in me slung the words to get the mound of clay into existence, but the artist in me must excavate the beauty of the true novel within.

That will be what I do next, once I have swept the confetti from the floor of my office. :-)

A Review of Patricia Neely-Dorsey's "Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia"

2009-11-18T10:26:00.003-05:00

Aleda Shirley, a poet and friend who passed away in 2008, once said of Mississippi, “I have a love/hate relationship with it.” Having grown up in Mississippi myself, I can relate to that statement, especially as an African American. That is why I was unsure of what to expect when I read Patricia Neely-Dorsey’s ode to Mississippi, a poetry collection entitled Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia: A Life in Poems. What Mrs. Dorsey accomplishes with this work is both interesting and refreshing because she chooses to focus on a unifying Southern experience, one that, regardless of race or class, resonates as a common denominator to those of us who actually know what a muscadine is or have ever purchased fruit off the bed of a pickup truck.

The beauty of her poems emanates from the simplicity of her imagery, which can be seen even in the first poem of the collection, “Southern Life,” where she describes the beauty of a Southern setting through the use of images like “Wooden porches cleanly swept” and “tea that’s syrupy sweet.” While her general ode to Mississippi is tender and nostalgic, Mrs. Dorsey’s personal poems are my favorites of the collection. Her candid explorations of her love for her husband and son, her respect for those who helped to rear her, and her own self-examination add enormously to an already quite suitable poetic collection. My absolute favorite poem in the collection, incidentally, is also among the shortest in the collection. It is called “Turning 40” and goes as follows:

When I turned 40,
I felt so brand new;
I bought a bikini,
And got a tattoo;
For some unknown reason,
I felt more alive;
I can’t imagine what’ll happen,
When I turn 45.

Mrs. Dorsey’s passion for life, love, and the South come shining through in this collection, reminding those of us who do have the aforementioned love/hate relationship with Mississippi why it is that we continue to come home over and over again and love the fabric of our home, in spite of some of its shadows.

* Please click HERE or on the title to this entry to go to Mrs. Dorsey's website for more info on her book.

What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?

2009-11-17T08:25:00.004-05:00

One of the things that I am finding increasingly interesting with my students is that many of them have committed themselves to majors that are not their passions in order to please loved ones. On the first day of class, I typically ask each of them what their ultimate professional goals are. I do that in order to try to tailor the contents of my class in a way to emphasize how such a skill set (as the one I am teaching) is relevant to them in the long run, and not just a general studies elective needed to graduate. Recently, however, I administered an assignment asking my classes to consider the words of Langston Hughes's poem "Harlem" and what kind of impact, if any, did it have on how they would pursue their own dreams. I was surprised when many of them candidly confessed that their dreams did not align with their current majors and that many of them felt trapped by the expectations of others.

This shouldn't have surprised me though.

In my own professional development I have gone from the world of magazine publishing to the practice of law to serving as an English professor at a university I grew up admiring. Clearly, one thing can be said for sure: figuring out where I wanted to spend my energies wasn't always an easy thing to do. Now, I look at my students and see in their eyes their own desires to pursue fashion, music, nonprofit management, and anything that would not have been in the textbook of careers I had when I grew up, yet they are majoring in nursing, the sciences, history, and a range of other subjects that don't reflect their interests, all because they feel it is the safest road (i.e., it's the road that makes getting a degree from a private institution financially worthwhile, especially to the parents paying for that degree). Many of them feel as if their true dreams will dry up like "a raisin in the sun" or "fester like a sore and run."

I imagine that being that young and already knowing that you don't want to do something, but still doing it anyway, would be extremely bothersome. I tell them that life is not as long as they think it is and that doing what makes them happy has a deeper reward than having a certain salary. In my life, I have made different salaries, some of them much higher than others, but ultimately, getting up in the morning and going to work without the frustrations of doing something that doesn't make me happy is its own greatest reward.

In 2009, there are a much wider variety of jobs out there than there were in earlier generations, so why shouldn't kids be able to reach for dreams that might not have been options for their parents? Each generation gains additional choices, so it would appear that we, as an older generation, would support their pursual of those choices. One thing that life has shown me so far is that having a passion makes life a lot more enjoyable. I figure since I will die some day, I'd rather die knowing that I'm doing something that I love or am at least angling my life to such an end.

That's the advice I give. And while I know it's not always that simple to make such a decision, one would only need to hear of other dreams deferred to see the benefit of aligning yourself with your passions sooner than later.

A Little NaNoWriMo Humor

2009-11-08T09:59:00.003-05:00

I liked this comic strip, especially because I could relate to having written chunks of my NaNoWriMo project on my iPhone. :-)

* Click on the title link for this posting to see more of Inky Girl's comics on writing.

Can Amazon Nuke the Nook? (The Reverse Argument)

2009-11-04T12:56:00.005-05:00

O.K. This is a first: writing a flip-side argument to a previous posting. Over the past few days, however, I have been doing an enormous amount of research on both the Kindle 2 and the Nook ("nook"). In other words, the dust has had a chance to settle, and my thinking has shifted a bit since the last posting.

Earlier, I was prepared to anoint nook as the winner without the thing having been released, but looking at both of the e-readers (at least from all of the available info), some things I looked at as pros and cons and switched places. For one, I viewed the wi-fi of nook as an advantage, failing to consider such a thing is not particularly a big deal if there is no browser. Also, I liked the idea of nook being able to read multiple formats, but I have come to find out that that's not as a big a deal to me as I thought it would be. With the pricing of amazon.com's Kindle books being on average noticeably lower than nook, one would have to look to other sites from which to purchase books. It's clear that a customer is likely to get a much better price and better selection from an established online retailer like Amazon, if only because Amazon is in a position to keep its prices low. Basically, Amazon is like the Wal-Mart of e-commerce, and they can afford to be ultra competitive on pricing. And since I don't own any e-books (that I have paid for), I don't have a problem buying my books from one location--especially if that location has the best price in town.

Earlier I mentioned the sexy vs. functional argument. I still think that nook is far sexier than the Kindle 2, but as a matter of personal preference, I do like a device to be as thin and sleek as possible. I do hate that there is not a better selection of cases available for the Kindle, though, but such is life.

The touch screen is definitely a nice look for nook, but at the end of the day, you're still looking at an e-ink screen, so that's not a monster advantage over the Kindle 2.

nook has the ability to play mp3s; Kindle 2 has a text-to-speech function.

I think the thing that stands out the most is a looming question as to how such a thing would ultimately affect Barnes & Noble's business model. The sales of any e-books would essentially cannibalize their existing brick-and-mortar business model; whereas, Amazon stands to benefit with its selling of e-books since they don't have to deal with the warehousing issue, thereby simplifying their own business model to be more efficient. Such an issue could have long-term consequences on the company--and therefore the customer.

Oh yeah, and B&N has decided that they won't honor 10% discount membership cards (that cost $25 annually) on e-books or nook. Amazon's prices are lower and don't require a $25 membership card to get that price, so I guess I won't be renewing my membership card this year.

So I'm still on the fence with an e-book reader, mainly because I know both companies will have to react to the other and make adjustments to really "win" this battle. Ironically, both companies have strengthened another e-book reader in the process: the iPhone. With both apps available for free (and a color screen on which to read them), Apple might have actually played it the right way. After all, formats of files and all of that stuff doesn't matter when you can just close one application and launch another.

Still I feel I'll get a dedicated reader, simply because my eyes can't take reading off a computer screen for too long. Thoughts anyone?

(Re)Kindle Your Reading with a Little Nook(ie)?

2009-10-27T11:18:00.005-04:00

In full disclosure, I must reluctantly admit that I have become a bit of a gadget guy, especially since I started using the iPhone. To compound that, I am also a bibliophile with books at home, in my office, and in storage in Mississippi. So clearly I am the target market for anyone looking to sell an e-book reader. But it was only recently that I considered doing so, and it took Barnes & Noble entering the market to nudge me that one step closer to purchasing one.

Rather than rattle off the specs for B&N's nook vs. the specs for Amazon's Kindle 2 (which can be found in one iteration on B&N's own website), I will instead explain why it is that I never bought the Kindle 2. The first time I saw the original Kindle I laughed--aloud. It looked like a giant Etch-a-Sketch made out of Legos. The Kindle 2, while much improved, still looked like a device that was clearly behind the technology. (I probably felt that way because I had been using an iPhone for a while by that time.) The thinness of the device was appealing, as was its ability to hold 1,500 books, but the cost was outrageous and Amazon's policy for dealing with sold books was a bit disappointing. At $349, the device cost far more than my phone and did far less. It did not help matters that Amazon had developed a reputation for pulling purchased books off of people's Kindles and refunding their money.

Then Amazon dropped the price of the Kindle 2 to $299.

Then Amazon dropped the price of the Kindle 2 to $259, it's current price.

The only problem with two price drops in less than a year is that it sends a very clear signal (at least to me) that Amazon doesn't even know the value of its own product. The notion of dropping the price just because it could seems very weak, and if I were an early adopter of the product, I would be pissed. Didn't Amazon learn anything about the fiasco of the price drop with the initial iPhone?

Now B&N enters the market with a "Kindle-Killer" which employs the use of a touch screen, while maintaing the e-ink display--and all for $259, the current price of the Kindle 2. While there are pros and cons to each device, the strongest point to me is the way B&N's device alleges (since the product has yet to be released) to integrate seamlessly with its brick and mortar stores. (Oh yeah, and there's that lending thing, too.) The fact that I could read an e-book for free while sitting in the store, just like I could a regular book, is awesome. I'm also a sucker for coupons on books.

But there's another major difference that pushes me toward the nook over the Kindle 2: sexiness. Although the Kindle 2 is thinner, the marketing and the look of the product are sexier as they relate to the nook. The Kindle 2 comes across as functional, while the nook comes across as, well, sexy. It also helps that the nook reads ePub formatted books.

I could very well wait and see what Microsoft and Apple come up with in the next year or so (if rumors are to be believed), but I have in the meantime become more appreciative of the idea of a dedicated device. I have an iPhone and a laptop, and I'm not sure I need another device that will mimic those capabilities at this point. However, I do carry around an enormous number of books, so I can readily see the simplicity of an e-book reader.

While I didn't consider Sony in this blog entry, I know that the company is doing its "thing" and has followers. However, I use Amazon.com and B&N a lot, so the likelihood of my going with one of their readers, if I were so inclined, would be much higher.

Being a techie/bibliophilic type of guy, I will probably hop off the fence soon and join the ranks of people who profess to actually read more with their e-book readers than they did before.

I welcome the challenge.

While Walking to the Car

2009-10-11T18:12:00.002-04:00

I saw this and had to share it. The space was for breast cancer survivors--and all of the drivers at the outlet observed the space, keeping it open.

-- Sent via iPhone

The Ill Professors: Vimeo vs. YouTube (An Observation)

2009-10-05T14:36:00.003-04:00

Pop quiz: Which of these sites would you find a video of someone passing gas on a match and nearly killing himself? YouTube or Vimeo? Here’s another one: Which of these sites would you find people looking to engage strictly in artistic creativity and constructive criticism? While some would argue that it depends, the reality is that Vimeo’s community specializes in creating an artistic space that seeks to set itself apart from any other video uploading site.

Just a few years ago, I was a person who watched several TV programs religiously and went to the movies with the frequency of a person who didn’t have a job to go to. Now, I find myself spending more and more time online, and inevitably, I find myself going back to the two above-mentioned websites, but each for different reasons.

With YouTube, I get to watch the great music videos I grew up with. I also get to see Pinky going off on Craig in Next Friday without having to watch the whole movie. In addition to that, I get to see plenty of people embarrass themselves or inflict pain on others all in the name of humor. Sadly, there have been times when I watched a video of someone getting kicked in his family jewels by some kid and replayed it to laugh all over again. Whether a video is serious or for fun, if the comment board is open to the general public, there will be some of the most brutal, sexist, homophobic, racist, and downright ignorant comments anywhere on the Internet. That’s the part that eats me up the most about YouTube—because I accept that people post a lot of mess on there—these cyberbullies who sit in their parents’ basements, hiding behind anonymous handles and ripping everyone and everything to shreds. And that’s exactly why Vimeo is able to survive in today’s Internet video market.

Vimeo is the website for amateur and professional auteurs, people who care about what they post and take the time to consider that they might actually run for office one day and don’t need to have a video of them using the bathroom circulating around in cyberspace. Even the comments left by the majority of the sites participants are overwhelming positive or at the very least constructively critical. In other words, Vimeo is a site for people who enjoy making videos and watching videos that usually underwent some type of non-linear editing.

Why is either site worth mentioning today though? Well, it has become increasingly easier to upload videos to the Internet with the Flip pocket video cameras, the Kodak zi6, and the multitude of other video cameras that will fit in your front pocket and still shoot pretty decent videos. Add to this group the iPhone 3GS and the Nokia N95, and now you don’t even have to carry around anything other than your phone and still get footage to upload.

So if anyone is pointing a cell phone in your direction and you’re looking like a hot mess, you can guess which site you’ll be starring on.

Revisiting a Childhood Toy

2009-10-01T08:59:00.004-04:00

It's funny what you remember when you confront a toy you haven't played with in over twenty years. My little cousin Cori counted me off as I tried to see how fast I could make a ball out of the snake. I'm sure there are others who do it much quicker, but I was just happy that I didn't tie my fingers up in that thing. :-)

The Ill Professors: District 9 and Race

2009-09-29T22:50:00.003-04:00

To say that District 9 is another alien movie is to say that True Blood is another television show about vampires. I don’t really know what I had expected to see when my wife and I went to watch the movie, but I’m not sure I was prepared for what I saw.

Before I get into my own thoughts, I have to address the range of responses that I have heard so far coming from African Americans and Africans. Many people were just blatantly offended by the film. Even though the trailer pretty much laid everything out there, in terms of the alien persecution, people were still surprised. I guess when confronted with a group of downtrodden people who are quarantined to a ghetto, black people feel an immediate connection with the oppression presented onscreen. We are even quick to call ever outcast a symbol for the black struggle, even though the term “ghetto” didn’t even originate with black people.

Even more, I have heard people say that because the aliens looked like roaches and were called “prawns,” a derogatory word from the film, they felt that they were being expressly targeted. I find this last bit of information to be a bit absurd. Granted, there are some stereotypes every ethnic group would own for personal benefit (like the ability to dance or sexually perform), owning the stereotype of associating black people with roaches makes me wonder just how people view themselves. I would have never seen the relationship between myself and a roach, nor would I have expected any other thinking person to own something so offensive and ridiculous.

I can understand the need to relate to the underdog, and I am not so jaded as to think that a persecuted minority group can’t feel a sense of connection to the struggles of the alien race presented in the film. I do, however, think that because the story takes place in South Africa, it picks up the added cultural baggage and required analysis, although the aliens could have struck a chord with any oppressed group, not just black people. Another fascinating element about the film is that there are both black and white South Africans working to oppress this group. This could easily be interpreted by some to be an illustration of European imperialism and how black people were used to oppress other black people—but to do that, you would have to assume that black people were the aliens, which depending on your racial frame of reference, is not a given.

If one stepped back and thought about it, there are some Christian references in the film, as well. For example, the main alien we get to know is Christopher (like Christ). He is basically the savior of his race of people and the only one who can take his son home. Without giving out any spoilers, one can see Christopher’s persecution first hand, while seeing even those of his kind moving about aimlessly, with no sense of what’s going on around them, although their space ship seems to be moving.

Then there’s the idea of a human bloodline being tainted with alien DNA, giving a huge science fiction spin to the idea of Plessy v. Ferguson. So yes, I do believe that there are some correlations between the treatment of the aliens in this film and the treatment of oppressed minorities in the world. This is not something exclusive to black people though. What makes this film particularly provocative is how the story allows people to sympathize and even empathize with an alien race, not necessarily because of race correlations, but mainly because of a sense of what is right and wrong in terms of how we treat others, which is a far more fundamental idea that’s less sensational than a straight-up racial analysis. The film holds a mirror to the human race, and we all ultimately see what we want to see, good or bad.

* To read more, click here or visit www.illprofessors.com.

Who's Up Next: Thoughts on Social Networking

2009-09-22T07:21:00.008-04:00

A filmmaker asked me a straight-forward question while I was participating on a panel: "What's the next Facebook?" I had been talking with Phill Boogie about that very thing nearly two weeks earlier, as we plotted the direction of The Ill Professors site (www.illprofessors.com). As we kicked around the idea, we realized that we weren't totally sure. Since then, I've given a bit more thought to it, and while I haven't decided "who's up next," I have realized exactly "who isn't up next."

* Myspace: At this point, it's pretty obvious that Myspace lost the epic battle against Facebook. Even musical artists, the lifeblood of Myspace, have jumped ship or are operating their Myspace pages with far less enthusiasm. Personally, I let go of my Myspace page over two years ago, mainly because of the user interface. The customization was a killer, and I quickly tired of the noisy images and music blaring at me from each page I visited. I didn't feel like maneuvering through all of that noise to get to a person's info. Facebook seemed much cleaner and more focused on creating a simply social presence. Now, in 2009, a person can connect on Facebook with their entire kindergarten class--something you could have never done with Myspace.

* Twitter: Yes, there are a few pros that could be made for the idea of micro-blogging, but as a replacement for what one gets using a more feature-enhanced social networking site like Facebook? No way! For one, Facebook allows for status updates, plus video uploads, pic uploads, and the ability to create friends. It's like Twitter on steroids. Twitter, on the other hand, is odd in that it basically creates an avenue for a person to go to the edge of a mountain top and yell out arbitrary information to who ever will listen. Granted, one can possibly connect with others on the site. It does, however, remind me a bit of the chat rooms of old. Needless to say, it has clearly found a niche out there, but it won't satiate the group of people looking for the next Facebook.

* Flickr, Vimeo, and YouTube: While they function well for photography and/or videos, they don't offer the same experience as Facebook.

* Ning: One would think that having the power to create an online community would be the future of social networking. Sadly, it's just another place to log in and use chat boards. Plus, the primitive feel of the user interface, regardless of the customization, is still just another website. I don't feel that shaping the backyard to fit a new group of users is the future of social networking. People want to move across the boundaries of their interests ultimately, while at the same time feeling a part of the same community. Ning could never replicate what makes Facebook successful.

* IM Clients: There are some possibilities here, but the function is a bit too narrow to create a community in the same way as Facebook. Collecting IM handles is just about as cumbersome as asking for phone numbers.

* Foreign Social Networking Sites: This could prove interesting, especially if significant numbers of Americans join social networking sites geared more at European and Asian populations. The only problem is that we would probably disrupt the flow of those sites in a somewhat imperialistic way that seems to characterize the way many Americans work anyway. In the end, we'd have jacked another country's site and remade Facebook, an exercise in redundancy of the worst order.

* Blogs: The function of a blog, by default, is for one person to stand on the soap box. That would defeat the purpose of a Facebok-type site.

As far as I can see, the future of Facebook, at least for the moment, is Facebook. I know there are college students across the country creating new social networking sites, and as they grow, they will face one of the same growing pains of Facebook: a large robust community that flinches at any attempt for the site to evolve into a commercial entity. No, we social networkers prefer our sites to remain free to us and devoid of any advertising. (Note to future moguls: have a business model in place so that people don't bristle when you try to actually make money off of your efforts. Yes, there's some sarcasm there.)

If anyone has an idea of who's up next, don't hesitate to comment on this posting.

The Ill Professors: The Relevance of HBCUs in 2009

2009-09-15T09:41:00.005-04:00

In full disclosure, I admit, with a great deal of pride, that I am a graduate of a Historically Black College/University. I graduated in 1997 from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, a school that holds the distinction of being the only institution of higher learning in North America devoted primarily to the education of Black males. While I could brag about my alma mater, much of what I have to say could easily apply to any number of HBCUs in this country, because they were all created for a common purpose: educating African-American students.

While one could easily argue that the time for HBCUs has passed, especially since this country has an African-American president, nothing could be further from the truth. I could easily talk about James Meredith being gunned down over forty years ago attempting to take his place at the University of Mississippi, but I don’t have to go back that far to illustrate the necessity of HBCUs. Today, HBCUs produce graduates that are competitive in today’s workforce (as they always have) and continue to conduct world-class research that ranks with best in the country. For example, Hampton University, my employer, is in the process of building a Proton Beam Therapy Center for cancer patients, one of only four in the entire country. Even more, HBCUs produce Rhodes and Fulbright scholars, doctors, lawyers, filmmakers, entertainers, teachers, and even Nobel Prize laureates.

While I could wax poetic all day long about the academic aspects of attending an HBCU, I would feel remiss if I did not focus on what I feel are the most unique assets that set HBCUs apart from other schools: the experience of HBCU campus life. Alumni of HBCUs typically have a passion for their schools, not merely their athletic teams. I loved my experience at Morehouse, and I love being a part of my students’ experiences at Hampton University. I know that one day they will graduate and meet other graduates of HBCUs and automatically feel a bond with them, and this connection will help them further navigate their lives. We are connected by our experiences in smaller classrooms, our coronations, our homecomings, our marching bands, our Greek life, our desires to survive the hardest professors and to become alumni who will change the world. Interestingly, the entrepreneurial spirit at HBCUs has translated into enterprises that continue to captivate not just African Americans, but Americans in general.

Some people say that HBCUs don’t reflect the real world. I think that statement is vague at best and obtuse at worst. I attended a racially diverse high school, and I didn’t feel as though I were being sectioned off from the real world when I attended an HBCU. My faculty was diverse (as every HBCUs’ faculty is today), and as a trend that continues to broaden, more students who are not African American attend HBCUs. In fact, Tennessee State University in Nashville has probably one of the most racially balanced student ratios of any HBCU. Admittedly, racism is not the issue that it could be at other universities, but having that as one less stress while attending college should not be considered a negative. In fact, for an undergraduate, that could be a plus.

In the end, it is difficult to articulate why HBCUs are so worthy of consideration for graduating seniors. Naysayers will still cling to their positions, but I can say this, unequivocally: HBCUs are worth far more than the sum of their parts, and in today’s economy, that’s a great deal.

* This article can also be viewed on EURweb.com (by clinking the title above). Its companion podcast is availabe at www.illprofessors.com.

Head for the Gardens: Busch!

2009-08-17T16:50:00.004-04:00

Elle and I finally got around to checking out Busch Gardens Europe down the road in Williamsburg, Virginia, and we managed this feat just shy of a year after arriving to the Hampton Roads area.

I have to admit I had been dodging the place, mainly because I am a roller coaster-phobe. But I come by it honestly. I have tried roller coasters at various points throughout my life and have only gotten worse at being able to stomach them. I guess I'm just a person who was not designed to ride them. Some people have problems with things that spin; I have a problem with things that DROP!!! My stomach just can't stabilize long enough to take it.

Anyway, we were able to find an abundance of rides that spun us, shook us, threw us, slung us, sped us in every direction, and drenched us in water. We even did all of the 4D exhibits. I was actually surprised at how much fun we had.

Who knows? Maybe one day we will add a drop or two to our experience.

The Remix of the Remix of the Remix

2009-08-12T18:08:00.002-04:00

I have spent the summer working on a novel, an album, and laying the groundwork for a short film. That's a lot going on, and interestingly, each one is making its own progress. In fact, the album, which will be free to download, is nearly done and should be available sometime this fall.

In other news, I have been doing a little reflecting over this blog. I have changed it several times since starting it in 2005, and sometimes I feel like I have changed a lot since the blog began, but the blog has not really reflected those changes. I am considering whether or not to continue with "The Bandit Musings." In the meantime, though, I am considering testing a new blogging concept. I'll do it here first, so I can get your feedback, and if things go well, I might launch a different blog that reflects less cultural criticism and more of what is going on in my personal life.

I appreciate your support and look forward to your feedback.

One Word

2009-07-21T08:22:00.002-04:00

INCREDIBLE!!!

The video originally posted here had its embedding disabled by the owner of the copyright. It includes James Brown, Michael Jackson, and Prince performing all on the same stage. You can click here for the YouTube video. Enjoy!

Writers Write (and read and edit and...)

2009-07-16T21:44:00.003-04:00

One of the luxuries of being a college professor is that you have three months of down time to create, research, read, or whatever it is you want to do. As a writer, I find that time to be incredibly useful.

But writing is far from easy to do--even with spare time.

I find myself going between a project that I just began to write and editing a project that I had already written. I guess I am not the writer who is constantly writing. Some days I can get it done, while other days I would much rather read. The way I have tried to make use of my creative moods is just to keep a project in production and a project in editing. That way I don't get bogged down or frustrated with a project--or worse, talk myself out of finishing a project that I have started in favor of something that (at least in my mind) appears to be more exciting and time worthy.

Whether I am writing or editing, I find that it's absolutely a must that I read something. Since I write novels, I read novels, as well as political, historical, business, and reference books. The key is to read "good" stuff, stuff with well-written sentences and structure, interesting narrative, solid dialogue, great setting. Steven Barnes, the sci-fi and mystery writer, once told me, "You have to read a level above what you are actually writing." His rationale: when you process higher works, they come out a level lower. So what that means to me is that I have to read not only books like mine, but also authors who write on a much higher level.

I enjoy considering POV. I enjoy seeing how a writer can give me all of these qualities of great writing within the first three pages. And I'm a sucker for a great first sentence.

Now, with this free time, I have to keep up my routine: write, edit, read--and ultimately create the best damn book that I can.

Peace.

Dwele's Tribute to Michael Jackson

2009-07-01T21:22:00.002-04:00

It's not secret that I am a humongous fan of Michael Jackson, and I am loving the various tributes that different artists have put together for him. This one by Dwele, a gifted soul artist, is among the best I've seen so far. If you are a fan of the Thriller album, you should recognize the track a few minutes in. Enjoy!

2 Lost Icons: For Generation X, a really bad day

2009-06-26T06:54:00.005-04:00

(Normally I would make my own observations, but I'm still processing everything. Mr. Anthony's article does a good job of putting things in context.--R.)

By TED ANTHONY, AP National Writer

A record-shattering vinyl album and its moonwalking maestro. A paper poster of a golden-haired beauty in a one-piece swimsuit that was gossamer and clingy in all the right places.

It all seems so quaint now, the fragmented dream memories of a fleeting micro-era that began with words like "bicentennial" and "pet rock" and ended with MTV, Atari and absurdly thin cans of super-hold mousse.

The man-child named Michael Jackson and the luminous girl known as Farrah Fawcett-Majors jumped into our consciousness at a plastic moment in American culture — a time when the celebrity juggernaut we know today was still in diapers. When they departed Thursday, just a few hours and a few miles apart, they left an entire generation — a very strange generation indeed — without two of its defining figures.

"These people were on our lunchboxes," said Gary Giovannetti, 38, a manager at HBO who grew up on Long Island awash in Farrah and MJ iconography. "This," he said, "is the moment when Generation X realizes they're grown up."

It was a long time coming. Cynical, disaffected, rife with ADD, lost between Boomers and millennials and sandwiched between Vietnam and the war on terror, Gen X has always been an oddity. It was the product of a transitional age when we were still putting people on celebrity pedestals but only starting to make an industry out of dragging them down.

Its memorable moments were diffuse and confusing — the Ronald Reagan assassination attempt, the dawn of AIDS, the explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger. It had no protest movement, no opponent to unite it, none of the things that typically shape the ill-defined beast we call an American generation.

These were the people who sent to the top of the charts a song called "We Don't Need Another Hero," then figured out how to churn them out wholesale, launching the celebrity obsession that is now an accepted part of American cultural fabric.
And that was personified nowhere better than in the two people who died Thursday.

She was, perhaps, the last in a line that began with Betty Grable in World War II — the bathing beauty who seemed kissed by the sun and exuded a potent combination of innocence and sexuality. But her "Charlie's Angels" jiggle-show image presaged another world entirely. It was the one that would come to be dominated first by Brooke and her Calvins and ultimately, as the hunger grew tawdrier, by American Apparel ads and the celebrity sex videos of Pamela Anderson and Paris Hilton.

She struggled for credibility after the poster and the Angels. She got it in 1984 with a dramatic turn as an abused wife in "The Burning Bed." But her last stand — a documentary about the cancer that killed her — was tainted by her run-ins with insatiable paparazzi and tabloids.

He was another thing entirely — perhaps the most recognizable face in the world, even more so than the pope or Barack Obama. His musical genius and energy seemed boundless for a time. They were rivaled only by his quirks, which consumed him.

He had a bumpy, extraordinarily public childhood. Then he spent an off-the-wall lifetime trying to get it back, erecting a ranch named after the fantasy land of Peter Pan and inviting children to share his life and his bed — with results that some said drifted into the criminal.

He caught fire in a Pepsi commercial. He shrouded his children in full-body coverings and dangled one over a balcony to show his fans below. His fabled multiple plastic surgeries turned him into someone almost unrecognizable. Nose sunk into face, cheekbones became caricature, ebony drifted into ivory.

Yet through it all, even when the years of his quirks outstripped the years of his glory, he remained one of the planet's most popular figures, selling out shows wherever he went. "Icon," the Rev. Al Sharpton said, was "only a fraction of what he was." But icon was, of course, what he always acted as if he wanted to be.

Today, celebrities aren't merely created for our consumption. Audiences are passive no longer. We demand a part in creating our icons: Jon and Kate Gosselin and their ilk might as well be publicly held companies, and we all insist upon buying a few shares. Farrah and Michael Jackson were other — above us, maybe, or apart from us. Now, when we crown new icons, we want them to BE us.

"We want everything right now, and there's a blurring of reality. When does the celebrity world stop and our world begin?" said Penni Pier, an associate professor of communications at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa.

When Farrah gazed at us in her swimsuit and, a single moment in history later, MJ dared us to moonwalk, they commanded giant audiences. The world had not yet become fragmented into the microcommunities that exist today. We liked them or we hated them, but we shared the experience just as Walter Cronkite told us each night that "that's the way it is."

Today, when Lindsay Lohan Twitters pictures of herself to her legions of followers, the notion that a paper poster bought in a shopping-mall Spencer Gifts could change the celebrity game seems rustic. And the vinyl version of "Thriller," redolent of raw materials and production lines, is a ghost in the virtual world of iTunes — a world that the generation after X negotiates with the fluidity of natives.

In the 1990s, members of Generation X would often laugh in bars about how the time of the Boomers was passing — about how the quaintness and naivete that made up the 1960s was, finally, a grave being danced on by Kurt Cobain. Today, members of that same generation sit upon the ground and tell sad stories of the death of kings of pop.

A sexy poster upon a boy's wall in which a young woman grins wholesomely. A record album called "Thriller" and its attendant music videos, built upon the notion that sexiness came in the frisson of hints and suggestions rather than in cutting directly to the big reveal.

In the end, finally, they stand as the relics of a generation — one that struggled to find its place and now, suddenly, while still young, one that must wonder if it is as passe as the paper and vinyl that its icons' most memorable moments were etched upon.

We don't need another hero? After this week, are we sure?
___
* Ted Anthony covers American culture for The Associated Press.

All of the Things You Can Do on an iPhone

2009-06-24T11:07:00.006-04:00

After picking up an iPhone 3GS and playing around with it, I could truly say that there are not too many things that can't be done (in some shape, form, or fashion) on it.

Good quality video? Check.

Music? Check.

Movies, TV Shows, and Podcasts? Check.

Paint? Check.

Write a novel? Check.

Compose music? Check.

Make a phone call? :-) Check.

GPS? Check.

In other words, the iPhone is a mini computer. I don't think I could ever go back to to using anything else. I may have been officially spoiled.

* Art done on iPhone

Why It's Time for an Upgrade to the New iPhone 3G S

2009-06-10T18:05:00.003-04:00

Let me first preference everything by saying that I'm one of the "OG" iPhone users, one of those who adopted so early in the game that he qualified for that $100 rebate deal when they dropped the price. Yes, I bought (and still use) a 4GB iPhone. I opted not to go to the 3G iPhone when it came out, mainly because I couldn't see enough of a difference in the two phones, save speed and a GPS, both of which many people complained about. No, I decided to wait a whole year, bringing the time I've had my current phone to nearly a year and ten months--all in hopes that Apple would drop an iPhone that at least did video before I switched out.

It was a hard and long wait.

I had actually downloaded some jail-broken video app a long time ago, but it was nothing like what Apple debuted at the WWDC this week. So I sat by and just enjoyed the traditional App store offerings on top of the regular iPhone functions. Now, I know it's time to upgrade.

First, it has video and a mild form of editing built into the device, plus the ability to upload directly to YouTube. This is a hell of lot more convenient than my current pocket video camera, although I suspect the quality won't be as good on the iPhone. Next, it's much faster than my Edge network OG iPhone. It also, in the 16 GB size, has four times the space that my current iPhone has. Add to that the fact that the new 3.0 software update will run better on the new device than my current device, it seems like a no-brainer that I should upgrade.

The biggest hoopla over the iPhone 3G S is the pricing scheme with AT&T. Fortunately, I don't fall into this category of angry early adopters (in the sense that I bought a 3G iPhone as soon as it became available). The regular AT&T phone contract states a person cannot upgrade a phone until 18 months have passed. The rationale is that AT&T subsidizes the higher price of the phone over the course of the contract. The OG iPhone wasn't subsidized, so AT&T allowed 3G iPhone upgrades after a year to early adopters (which gave many people the impression that they would always be able to upgrade their phones after a year). The reality: people who have 3G iPhones have to wait until December to get the subsidized price or fork over the difference. Talk about kicking early adopters where it hurts. Still AT&T is not Apple, nor will they ever be.

I'm not going to lose sleep over the situation, as it does not directly affect me, but I do think that something should be worked out to make customers happy. Otherwise, if Apple ever hooks up with another carrier in a non-exclusive arrangement, AT&T will lose roughly 75% of their iPhone customers to someone like Verizon. And one thing I can say about Mac Addicts is that they will pay the $120 contract cancellation fee to jump ship.

Anyway, onward and upward. June 19th is approaching.

The Wonders of Micro-Blogging (or Why I Post on Blogger Less)

2009-06-04T01:59:00.004-04:00

When I first got my Twitter account, I hated the idea. In fact, I hated the idea for a long time--well after I decided to "follow" different people and steer people toward following me. 140 characters? What in the hell could I say in 140 characters, and better yet, who in his right mind would really give a damn anyway?

But then something happened.

It wasn't with Twitter though. It was with Facebook.

I found myself updating my status more regularly as my friends began to comment on various musings. Suddenly the idea of micro-blogging began to make sense to me. With in a matter of seconds, I was actually interacting with people about my postings, as opposed to being clueless as to whether or not they were reading my actual blog entries.

Another thing dawned on me. When I sit down to write my blog postings here, I normally consider my thoughts well before I write them (unless I'm posting a video), and that is because it is more of a journal entry. My comments here reflect various thoughts on pop culture, news, and creative endeavors. Admittedly, sometimes I neuter myself when I write on my blog, because I am careful not to say anything that could come back on my negatively. Still, I have stepped out there a few times to get certain things off of my chest. For those of you who have read this blog for a while, you know that I am an avid supporter of our President, that I practice a Buddhist approach to life, and that I am serious about human rights. You probably also notice that I don't post as regularly as I once did. This is probably part of the Web 2.0 shift.

I will continue to post here, though. There are many things that I would love to discuss, such as my ambivalence about the direction of the Boy Scouts of America (especially since I am an Eagle Scout), the confusing lack of tolerance with world religions that many Americans display, the birth of a viable alternative music market, and why creative commons licenses make sense if artists look to the bigger picture.

In the meantime, if you'd like to get some of my micro-blogging in between posts here, please check out my Twitter page or my Facebook page. I am not on Myspace--which is an entry for another day. If you want the quick way to any of my Web 2.0 pages, just click on the "Home" link off to the right of your screen under "Pages You Should Check Out."

Until next time, peace.

What Can't You Do On an iPhone?

2009-05-28T15:39:00.003-04:00

As we near the release of the iPhone OS 3.0 update and the new release of an actual piece of hardware, I ponder what it is that you won't be able to do with the phone. Just take a look at this video of the cover art being drawn for the current edition of The New Yorker--all done on an iPhone.

May Update 2009

2009-05-21T14:39:00.004-04:00

Now that school is officially out, I have been looking to pin down a routine to get through the days. When classes were still going on, I had a to-do list ready to go, but I have yet to lock into it now. In addition to reading a lot of books, working on my novel, and beefing up on subject matter I plan to teach in the coming semester, I have started teaching myself to play the electric bass and to speak Spanish. The funny thing about being autodidactic is that I have to adjust to a process that is often slower and more solitary than it would be if I were in a class with others.

I imagine that I will kick off next week with a straight work schedule that will allow me to see progress in all of the things I'm working on. (Yeah, I know it sounds funny that I'm trying to create work when I should be in total vacation mode, but I enjoy learning and creating. I suspect I won't ever really retire.)

Then there's the Groovault album I'm working on and my beloved podcast, The Ill Professors, (which will be updated very soon)...

I guess I need to take my wife's advice (use a planner to get organized) and get down to business.

If Only Kids Could Give Report Cards to the President

2009-04-25T08:00:00.002-04:00

With everyone dropping in their two cents on President Obama's performance over his first 100 days in office, I wonder what children would say--since what he is doing will largely affect them in the coming years.

Here's a clip I found on YouTube that is too adorable. Enjoy!

Saturday Morning Tap

2009-04-18T09:39:00.006-04:00

This is probably some of the most incredible tap dancing footage ever captured before on film. There are more than three generations of tap dancing in this scene, so one has no need to wonder why Savion Glover stands in a class of his own at this point. With all of this talent to draw from while growing up, he's gotten a one-of-a-kind education in dance. Enjoy!

An Illustration of Change

2009-04-17T12:56:00.003-04:00

If only Norman Rockwell were still around to capture this...

Ruby Bridges (shown in Rockwell's illustration) being escorted to school by federal marshals.

Sasha Obama escorted by her mother and the Secret Service

(Thanks for the heads-up, Meatmumma!)

Dreams of Being Like Mike

2009-03-30T09:26:00.003-04:00

I'm not going to quote any lines from the movie White Men Can't Jump--because that wouldn't be fair--but I will say that sometimes we think our arms are longer than they really are.

Bandit 3.0?

2009-03-18T06:35:00.005-04:00

After watching the IPhone OS 3.0 announcement yesterday, I realized just how different the world is about to become. The things you can do with a freaking phone now days. Man!

There used to be a time where you'd have all of these individual devices that you'd carry around like Batman. Now, nearly all of them have been replaced with one singular device. Imagine if three years back someone would have told you that there's a phone that would allow you to play video games with or against your friends, play music (and compose music), check your blood glucose level, maintain a fitness program, watch movies, download podcasts, use a GPS system, text message, e-mail, take pictures, sync most of those things to other parts of your online world, AND make phone calls! Well, we can all say that we knew it would happen sooner or later, but seeing it is a very different thing.

A few days ago I was chatting with a friend about the multitude of pieces in the Web 2.0 puzzle. While some of my friends seem to thing I am savvy in this regard, there are many 2.0 sites and apps that I don't currently use. There're just so many of them! Between blogging, podcasting, tweeting, and Facebook, I'm happy to be the places where I actually am. Further, as a musician, I have a Myspace page and an MP3.com page and am looking at several other sites. I haven't bought a physically CD in years or a DVD, for that matter. I am on several listserves, and I even employ the use of Blackboard in my teaching. In other words, for those of you who are really deep in 2.0, I am barely scratching the surface of what can be done to utilize Web 2.0 in 2009, while to others, it might seem like I'm doing a decent job of keeping up. Personally, I think I'm a little behind.

So with the iPhone OS 3.0 announcement, I am excited, but I know that I'll ultimately be confronted with more avenues to exploit, more things to learn, more things to keep up with. I imagine that one day I'll have children who'll use this stuff effortlessly, and I don't want them to look at Daddy and think he's a Luddite--'cause he's not. As of today, he's just prepping for 3.0.

Why a Straight Man Believes Gay Rights are Important

2009-03-17T18:14:00.009-04:00

I was reading today that a teacher in Oklahoma lost her job, largely due to her desire to support her students in filming excerpts of the play The Laramie Project, after the class watched the film of the same name (see the article here). For those of you unfamiliar with either, it is based on the brutal slaying of Matthew Shepard, a young gay man who was beaten to death for being gay. This article actually came on the heels of my wife and I watching Milk last night on DVD. A few weeks before that, a friend of mine sent me a film he was in that was in opposition to California's Proposition 8. I am now taking all of these things as my cue to contribute my two cents to the discussion on gay rights. (Even though I have always been a supporter of gay rights, seeing Sean Penn's portrayal of Harvey Milk made me realize that I needed to be a bit more vocal in my support.)

I am a thirty-three year old black heterosexual male who believes very firmly that until the persecution of gays, lesbians, and transgender individuals comes to an end, we as a country will be cutting off our nose to spite our face. I could simply say that gay people deserve equal rights and protection under the law (which I firmly believe), but we live in a country that compounds that injustice with humiliation, degradation, violence, and even murder--yet feels justified in doing so. This is simply wrong. For those of you who are reading this and have already decided that you don't agree with my position, allow me a moment to elaborate.

By speaking particularly of the gay community, I am not saying that there are not numerous other persecuted groups in our society. Most of the people of color that I know can rattle off numerous encounters where they were unjustly treated by people because of their race or ethnicity. Even with the laws that we have in place that allow for equal protection (not to mention the fact that anti-miscegenation laws have all been abolished), minorities still catch hell on various levels, whether physical, mental, economic, etc. The thing is that the gay community has not yet been granted all of the rights afforded nearly all other Americans, simply because of the strong bias against their lifestyle. This was illustrated when California voted convincingly to deny gay people the right to marry.

The irony inherent in this, however, is that a significant population of the voters who helped approve the passage of the proposition had been denied the same rights throughout the history of this country. Slave marriages were not legally recognized, nor was marrying outside of your race. Now that the country has progressed, at least in those regards, it has no problem trivializing or exploiting the idea of marriage for entertainment and commerce. There are more than a few reality shows that deal with people getting married (for money) or people getting divorced for any reason they can think of. In fact the divorce rate is so high right now, many kids assume they will marry more than once. This is becoming an increasingly popular view of marriage, yet these same people in their desires to talk about the sanctity of marriage are opposed to two individuals who genuinely love each other being able to share the bond of marriage.

What is marriage? One can't really speak about this without realizing that their is a civil and religious aspect to this question. Many people who oppose the marriage of same-sex couples do it using a religious argument, claiming that the Bible (or another text) clearly states that it is not to be done. While there are more than a few serious reasons as to doubt the interpretations of those references, I will not engage in a battle over religious interpretation, simply because people choose to believe what they want on matters of that nature. I can, however, say with confidence that much of the racism that has choked America over the past several hundred years was sustained by religious arguments as well. I simply ask myself this question: Do I believe that everyone should be treated fairly and equally? With that answer being yes, then I believe that full American rights should not be granted solely to those who confess (truthfully or not) to their heterosexuality.

In 2009, most negative stereotypes associated with gays are largely more prevalent realities of the heterosexual population (promiscuity, disease, etc.). Even more, there is a distancing of the struggles of other minorities from the struggles of the gay community. A former professor of mine who is both black and female remarked, "We are discriminated against once we walk through the door. They are only discriminated against if they make their sexual preference known. That is not the same. They shouldn't link their struggle to ours." Well, whether she wants to believe it or not, the gay community's struggle is connected to the black struggle and the struggle of every ethnic group because (1) that's what human rights is about (seeing the relationship between yourself and others in the strive for universal equality, and (2) because Harvey Milk and other gay rights activists deliberately employed tactics used by civil rights activists in the 60s--you know, just like blacks did with the Indian struggle against the British years earlier. As for being immediately recognizable as black vs. gay, I have this to say: many blacks passed for white, so we weren't all "visible," and some gay people might choose to be identifiable, which is their right. A good friend of mine once said, "Until people can respect the rights of the effeminate gay male or the more macho gay female, there will always be a struggle for equality." Rather than choosing to focus on how different we are, we should be focusing on those things we share. One could argue that the election of Barack Obama to the U.S. presidency is a reflection of the desire for us to unite under one common banner, recognizing the rights of all.

There will always be people who don't like African Americans, Asians, Hispanics, Native Americans, Indians, people from the Middle East, Caucasians, people who don't speak English, Atheists, Christians, Buddhists, Hindi, Muslims, the physically disabled, the mentally ill, the poor, the wealthy, the middle class, Democrats, Republicans, Independents, liberals, and conservatives. And yes, there will be people who don't like gay, lesbian, or transgender individuals. But this does not mean that all of these people don't deserve the same rights as citizens of this great country.

Voting against Proposition 8 wasn't just about the right to marry. It was about the right to be treated equally. Until we can see how we are all connected in this struggle for human rights, we are simply running in place and shouting out t-shirt phrases that make us feel good, rather than confront the hypocrisy that invariably makes us all ugly.

What follows is the short film I mentioned earlier. It is called "A Wish." Feel free to leave comments, but be respectful.

March 2009 Updates

2009-03-11T10:14:00.005-04:00

It's Spring Break in my neck of the woods, and so far I've spent several days working on a musical project with my production/music publishing company, Groovault (ASCAP). Now I am shifting my focus to revising my novel so that it will be ready to send out in the fall. Being back home with my wife after several days in NJ is the best part though.

Because this is the first post of March, I'm including a few more notes:

OTHER MUSINGS

1) In Alabama, and now Germany, there are these killing sprees going on. Those things make me nervous because I belong to two professions where people tend to rage out and kill the practitioners: law and education.

2) Apple just released a new iPod shuffle, and this one has the ability to tell the listener what track they are about to listen to. Now, on some level, that is impressive, but overall, I have not been impressed with the last umpteen releases from Apple. Granted, they are still creating better projects, but I am spoiled in that I expect more from them than just slight modifications to existing projects. I just hope that the next version of the iPhone doesn't look like the last two versions. It's time for a hardware update!

3) Because I'm in writing mode, I'm reading a lot of different books now. My novel, which is presently an alternating first person POV shift in alternating chapters, is being transformed into a book that is 3rd person limited. As a result, I'm looking at Tayari Jones's Leaving Atlanta (3-L) and Richard Price's Lush Life (3-O), although I have recently picked up Michael Thomas's Man Gone Down (1), for that gritty everyman vibe.

4) I plan to get an electric guitar this summer and begin teaching myself to play. I'm really amped (pun intended) to learn a new instrument. A few guitar players have told me that since I already play piano, it should be easier to pick up the guitar. (I think they mean that my mind is already structured to learn an instrument.) I have my eye on this sweet Ibanez that I saw at Guitar Center. I'm an hopeful that it will add a new level of texture to my musical composing.

5) I've almost completed Brad Meltzer's The Millionaires on audio book (unabridged and over 12 hours long). It's really good!

6) The Benjamin Button episode of The Ill Professors is now available for download at www.illprofessors.com.

One last thought: I'm amazed at how much President Obama has tackled since being inaugurated. It's like he's working down his checklist of campaign promises. I don't know if that's a first, but I can't remember this much of a president's checklist getting carried out so early--ever. Good for him. (I imagine that all of the fast "change" is very startling to people who had gotten comfortable with the way things were over the past eight years. New president, new way of doing things. That's far from an original concept.)

Be easy until next time.

Slumdog & The Ill Professors

2009-02-18T09:17:00.004-05:00

This week The Ill Professors take on Slumdog Millionaire, one of the films nominated for several Oscars this year. Feel free to download the podcast HERE or on iTunes or off to the side on the RSS feed on this page.

Enjoy, and don't forget to leave your feedback.

Shaq Sets It Off

2009-02-16T06:34:00.007-05:00

In one of the most inventive All-Star introductions, Shaq shows that he has moves off the court, as well as on the court. I wonder what Lil Mama would have to say.

No Time for Ties

2009-02-09T11:38:00.006-05:00

With all of the news out there about businesses closing down and the looming threat that much of what we are using now will some day become obsolete, one can't help but to re-examine one of the key components to the formal men's wardrobe: the tie.

Is the corporate noose going the way way of the dinosaurs? Probably not. (And if it did, many gentleman schooled in the art of fashion by Flusser and the like would protest to high hell and back.) But something is going on. At first, it was just a "thing" to rock a suit, sans the tie, but now CEO's do it (Steve Jobs opted for black mock turtlenecks and jeans way back when). And even more interestingly, President Obama goes without ties more than any president that I can think of. Could this more casual look become the business/dress standard?

When I think of Ralph Lauren selling ties back in 1967, I wonder if he would have thought there would be a trend toward tieless suits. Now, ties are often worn in a casual sense with untucked shirts, cuffs rolled up, vests, and jeans. Is this a fad or is there really a shift in place.

What are your thoughts? Tie or no tie?

Denzel's (Not So Secret) Secret

2009-02-06T17:08:00.004-05:00

Let me start off by saying that I think Denzel Washington is an incredible actor and philanthropist whose done more to help dignify African-American actors than anyone else, save Sidney Poitier. But there's something that always threw me for a loop about this icon, immortalized in the Black Women's Shrine of Handsome Dudes: this finger thing. It always snuck up on me. I'd be deep in a scene, totally captivated by his performance, and he'd lift his right hand, and I would question if I saw what I thought I saw. There was something about his right pinky always going askew to the rest of his hand. It looked painful.

At first I thought it was a part of his costume, but then I would see it in different movies. Could Denzel really have a warped finger in plain view like that and no one notice? Well, I for one assumed that I had just scene a camera trick or something and left it alone. However, this afternoon I was watching Antoine Fisher today, and I saw him salute. There was the finger again. That caused me to google it, and low and behold, I discovered that Denzel had broken is right pinky finger when he was younger, but never got it set back properly. What you'll see in the pics below is real. It doesn't detract from his acting (obviously), but it is a hell of a distraction if you actually lock in on it.

Consider Screamin' Jay Hawkins

2009-02-02T12:47:00.004-05:00

I feel sorry for Screamin Jay Hawkins.

Here's a brother who wrote and recorded a song that didn't really do diddley-squat, and then he re-recorded it, this time drunk as a skunk along with his band (so drunk he passed out after the recording), and the song became a hit. Jay then had to go and relearn his own song so that he could imitate the earlier recording.

But it doesn't stop there.

Jay went on to build a stage show around his drunk ramblings, a show that by all modern accounts would count as pure coonin'. He dressed in psuedo-witch doctor wear, mumbled and grunted like the stereotypical barbaric black person, and watched his song rise up the charts. I wonder how many Neo-Jays are out there in the world right now.

Thank God Nina Simone covered it and gave it some beauty. As for Jay, here he is in his wreckless glory, gone but definitely not forgotten.

Microsoft Seeks to Redefine Wackness

2009-02-01T22:47:00.005-05:00

When I saw the Microsoft ads responding to Apple's Mac/PC commercials, I remember thinking what a waste. The very idea that they'd interpret the Mac/PC commercials in such a way that they would launch a campaign to "prove" how "cool" they were as a company ranks among the wackest things since--well, since the last wack thing MS did.

I was recently alerted to this failed software program that MS came up with. This is so embarrassing and sucks so badly that the developers deserve to be punished by watching this commercial over and over in a small, locked room.

The Ill Professors Tackle "The Wire"

2009-01-28T09:06:00.005-05:00

Phill and I have recently uploaded the latest Ill Professor episode to iTunes and Podcast pickle. This week we're tackling HBO's acclaimed show The Wire, a show that is by far my favorite television show in quite some time. Feel free to download the podcast from the Ill Professor website, where there is a link for downloading the podcast.

If you are an iTunes user, you can click HERE for a quick link.

Feel free to leave feedback.

Two Black Birds for Ted Kefalinos

2009-01-26T18:56:00.004-05:00

Ted Kefalinos might actually be one of the dumbest bakers in New York City, having created the "Drunken Negro Face" cookie, a treat he claims was inspired by President Obama.

My brother would suggest that I take the high road on this one, so I'll avoid trashing this baker for his poor (and racist) choice of a dessert. I will instead communicate through the use of symbols. To know what those symbols are, all you have to do is revisit the title of this posting.

Our President is Now In Effect Mode

2009-01-22T10:56:00.003-05:00

Yes, we did!

It's an incredible feeling knowing that we made it to this point. We officially have the first black president of the United States (and I know that there are clumps of people out there who say he's not black, as if there was no such thing as Plessy v. Ferguson or Jim Crow), but this is a milestone in our history. We have a president who actually has his finger on the pulse of America--and can even do The Bump when he has Stevie Wonder singing behind him. :)

Enjoy!

A Plane Crashes and Everyone Survives: Definitely a Miracle

2009-01-16T09:12:00.002-05:00

I was blown away, just like most people, when I heard about a US Airway plane making an emergency landing into the Hudson, right off of Midtown Manhattan. I was even more surprised that every passenger survived and that there were no broken bones. Rather than speculate at the magnitude of this miracle, I'm going to repost a story that ran on the AP today.

Hudson River Hero is Ex-Air Force Fighter Pilot

NEW YORK – The pilot who guided a crippled US Airways jetliner safely into the Hudson River — saving all 155 people aboard — became an instant hero Thursday, with accolades from the mayor and governor and a fan club online.

The pilot of Flight 1549 was Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger III, 57, of Danville, Calif., an official familiar with the accident told The Associated Press. Sullenberger is a former fighter pilot who runs a safety consulting firm in addition to flying commercial aircraft.

Sullenberger, who has flown for US Airways since 1980, flew F-4 fighter jets with the Air Force in the 1970s. He then served on a board that investigated aircraft accidents and participated later in several National Transportation Safety Board investigations.

Sullenberger had been studying the psychology of keeping airline crews functioning even in the face of crisis, said Robert Bea, a civil engineer who co-founded UC Berkeley's Center for Catastrophic Risk Management.

Bea said he could think of few pilots as well-situated to bring the plane down safely than Sullenberger.

"When a plane is getting ready to crash with a lot of people who trust you, it is a test.. Sulley proved the end of the road for that test. He had studied it, he had rehearsed it, he had taken it to his heart."

Sullenberger is president of Safety Reliability Methods, a California firm that uses "the ultra-safe world of commercial aviation" as a basis for safety consulting in other fields, according to the firm's Web site.
Sullenberger's mailbox at the firm was full on Thursday. A group of fans sprang up on Facebook within hours of the emergency landing.

"OMG, I am terrified of flying but I would be happy to be a passenger on one of your aircraft!!" Melanie Wills in Bristol wrote on the wall of "Fans of Sully Sullenberger." "You have saved a lot of peoples lives and are a true hero!!"

The pilot "did a masterful job of landing the plane in the river and then making sure that everybody got out," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said. "He walked the plane twice after everybody else was off, and tried to verify that there was nobody else on board, and he assures us there was not."

"He was the last one up the aisle and he made sure that there was nobody behind him."
Gov. David Paterson pronounced it a "miracle on the Hudson."

A woman who answered the phone at Sullenberger's home in Danville hung up on a reporter who asked to speak with the family.

Candace Anderson, a member of the Danville town council who lives a few blocks from Sullenberger, said it was an amazing story and she was proud to live in the same town as the pilot.

"You look at his training, you look at his experience. It was just the right pilot at the right time in charge of that plane that saved so many lives," Anderson said. "He is a man who is calm, cool, collected, just as he was today."
Sullenberger's co-pilot was Jeff Skiles, 49, of Oregon, Wis., a 23-year US Airways veteran.

"He was OK," said his wife, Barbara. "He was relieved that everybody got off."
___
Associated Press writers Haven Daley in Danville, Calif., Lisa Leff in San Francisco, Colleen Long and researcher Susan James in New York contributed to this report.

Farewell, G-Dub

2009-01-14T09:33:00.006-05:00

After eight years, Bush is graduating into civilian life, something he's been clamoring for for more than seven and a half years. He was a regular guy in extraordinary situations, although he could have been more. He is, well, Bush.

He brought interesting turns to English grammar and semantics. He charged full ahead with his decisions, whether wisely or not. He got that first intelligence briefing and reacted in ways that will baffle the minds of many Americans for years to come, but he was there. He dropped the ball on Katrina, chased invisible WMDs, dodged two shoes, stayed off the sauce, and did a lot of other things that he claims we will figure out when historians write their books, but he was there.

Here's to you G-Dub!

Grand Torino: Passing With Honors

2009-01-11T22:05:00.003-05:00

Elle and I caught "Grand Torino" this morning, and we really enjoyed it. While I know that there is a divided critical take on the film, I thought it was bold presentation with strong character development. I liken this film to Jordan's last shot in the 1998 Finals against the Utah Jazz. If that had been Jordan's last shot as an NBA player, it would have been a thing of beauty, the perfect ending to his career. That's the way I feel about this film. If Clint Eastwood never did another film, this would be a wonderful final picture. (Of course, if he could avoid a Wizzards fiasco like Jordan, I'd like to see a few more films.)

WTF? The RNC Again?

2008-12-27T10:00:00.005-05:00

O.K. We knew that this would be something that we'd see, but I wasn't expecting to see one quite as outrageous as this, especially during the holiday season.

Note: CNN and the RNC are blaming this one on the L.A. Times (the title, that is). Also, I'm guessing that satire has been stretched to accommodate comments bordering on racism. I guess it's only funny if you're hiding in the locker room of a country club.

* Article by By Rebecca Sinderbrand for CNN.com

A candidate for the Republican National Committee chairmanship said Friday the CD he sent committee members for Christmas -- which included a song titled "Barack the Magic Negro" -- was clearly intended as a joke.

The title of the song about President-elect Barack Obama was drawn from a Los Angeles Times column.

"I think most people recognize political satire when they see it," Tennessee Republican Chip Saltsman told CNN. "I think RNC members understand that."

The song, set to the tune of "Puff the Magic Dragon," was first played on conservative political commentator Rush Limbaugh's radio show in 2007.

Its title was drawn from a Los Angeles Times column that suggested President-elect Barack Obama appealed to those who feel guilty about the nation's history of mistreatment of African-Americans. Saltsman said the song, penned by his longtime friend Paul Shanklin, should be easily recognized as satire directed at the Times.

The CD sent to RNC members, first reported by The Hill on Friday, is titled "We Hate the USA" and also includes songs referencing former presidential candidate John Edwards and the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, among other targets.
According to The Hill, other song titles, some of which were in bold font, were: "John Edwards' Poverty Tour," "Wright place, wrong pastor," "Love Client #9," "Ivory and Ebony" and "The Star Spanglish Banner."

Saltsman was national campaign manager for former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's presidential bid in 2007 and 2008. Before that, he held a variety of posts, including a number of positions under former Sen. Bill Frist of Tennessee.

The Daily Corinthian Gets Called on Their Biased Coverage of Election 2008

2008-12-22T12:56:00.005-05:00

The following is a copy of a letter sent by my father to The Daily Corinthian in Corinth, Mississippi, in response to their coverage (or lack thereof) of the election results on November 5th. I felt it was worth sharing. In fact, I invite you to send in your remarks to The Daily Corinthian letting them know your thoughts.

December 19, 2008

Mr. Robert Blankenship, Editor
Daily Corinthian
P. O. Box 1800
Corinth MS 38835

Re: Presidential Election Revisited

Dear Mr. Blankenship:

It is not often that I pause to write a letter to anyone on something not related to my vocation. I have decided to make this occasion one of those exceptions. As you may recall, I came by the Daily Corinthian to see you after returning from Court out of town on November 5, 2008. I had been by the paper shortly after 8:00 a.m. that day, but was informed you would not be in until after lunch.

Noticing that the presidential election was on page three of the local paper came as a surprise, as other papers to which I subscribe had it on the first page. I went out early to get my paper so I could make arrangements to get additional copies for friends across the country before they ran out. I was shocked not to see the results of the presidential race on the front page as a day or so before the election, it was stated in the paper, the paper would go to press late so they could carry complete election results.

My conversation with you that afternoon was disappointing and frustrating to say the least. Your statements were that the paper carried stories of interest to the local readership on the front page, which put emphasis on local and state races and the paper never carried the presidential results on the front page.

You told me it was not your decision alone on where the presidential election results were placed. The entire Editorial Board had input in the decision. I went to the editorial page to see the names and didn’t recognize any of them. Since it was a group decision, I knew it would be of no avail to complain further.

When I went to my office for the first time that day I had a couple of messages from individuals complaining about the paper and were cancelling their subscriptions. Your call about five minutes after I got to the Office caught me by surprise. I expected an apology from the paper and word that another apology would appear in print for those offended by the slight. When you told me you wanted a quote for the next day’s paper, I advised it would take me about fifteen minutes to take care of a couple of matters and I would call you back. I called back in fifteen minutes, but could not get through. I called back a few minutes later and was told you were on the phone. I left a message, but you did not call back. For what it is worth this is what I wrote down as my feelings on the election.

“I never expected to live to see the day an African American would
be a major party nominee in this Country... definitely not elected
president. It was my hope my children would see a party nominee
and their children perhaps a president. It was a very moving moment
for me personally having grown up during segregation here. “

After leaving a message for you, I received another call from an individual stating you had laughed when she complained about the location of the article on the presidential race and her subscription would be cancelled. I did not ask if it was funny that she was cancelling her subscription or the location of the article on the presidential election or both.

Having grown up here and returning home after a thirty seven (37) year absence with my wife with plans to retire here, my conversation with you was an eye opener as I never viewed my hometown as being like other places. The position of your paper and your statements are in conflict with my everyday experiences. I refuse to believe the view of the paper represents the majority view in this community.

State law requires the Chancery Clerk’s Office bind and keep back issues of all newspapers. When I checked the November 3, 2004 (election day) paper I saw an article on the front page stating Bush and Chaney carries state. The paper the following day (November 4, 2004) carried on the front page the headline Kerry Concedes. It came back to me the election was too close to call because of Ohio so the outcome was in doubt when the paper went to press.

I have cancelled my daily ad in the paper and will not be renewing my subscription to your paper. It is unfortunate that the local paper has elected not to be balanced in reporting news. I will join individuals who use other sources for print news in this community.

Sincerely,

Randolph Walker

Obama Announces His Choice For Inaugural Poet

2008-12-19T11:19:00.004-05:00

Elizabeth Alexander, who is a professor of African-American studies at Yale University and author of the highly acclaimed collection American Sublime, was recently tapped by President-Elect Obama to compose and read a poem for his inauguration.

Congratulations, Professor Alexander!

What are Podcasts, Mr. Ill Professor?

2008-12-17T22:31:00.008-05:00

I have learned that a number of readers of this blog are not particularly familiar with podcasts and the idea of podcasting. In short, it's a downloadable audio or video "radio" or "news/entertainment" file that can be viewed or listened to on an mp3 player (like an iPod) or listened to through a service like iTunes.

Because I would like all of you to enjoy my new podcast with Phill Boogie, The Ill Professors, I am posting two links that might be particularly helpful for those who are still learning about podcasts.

Click this link to find out how to download iTunes.

Click this link to watch a video about how to download podcasts on iTunes.

Feel free to leave comments or feedback.

A Recap from The Ill Professors: The Legend of Lauryn Hill

2008-12-16T10:44:00.003-05:00

Taken from The Ill Professors blog (www.illprofessors.com)

Lauryn Hill is one of the most talented artists that I have ever come across, but she has not delivered an album that truly reflects the extent of her talent. And, no, Miseducation was not it. Don’t get me wrong; I jammed it, just like everyone else, but when I really listened to it, I realized that Lauryn Hill was just giving us a fraction of her ability. To be such a talented vocalist, she sings on that album as if she was produced by people who don’t normally produce singers. There was no vocal coach telling her to go for it. She just did whatever it was that she felt, turning in something that would be great if it were done by any other emcee/singer, but for her, was just not enough to cover the bases she exposed in Sister Act 2. The sista could blow, but with Miseducation, she was loose and slack with her approach.

Because that’s all we really have to judge Lauryn by, since the Unplugged fiasco, I have to admit that she’s left a lot to be desired. A Porche should go above 100 mph, and Lauryn’s a Porche. She only hits 55 with that album.

As far as Lauryn Hill having to compete with current radio favorites, I would say that all of that is just a matter of the independent record promoters doing their job. Talent is clearly not the measuring stick for radio these days, and guess what? It never was. The theory is simple: if you hear it a million times, it’ll grow on you and you’ll buy it. That’s business, not art. But Lauryn could easily release an album online that could restore her image. The way I see it, if MF Doom can be constructed from the ashes of Daniel Dumile’s former rap career, then Lauryn Hill can be a phoenix rising from the ashes of her career and show us that Miseducation was just a step in the staircase of her legacy.

Read more at www.illprofessors.com or download the podcast directly from iTunes.

January 20th Can't Come Soon Enough

2008-12-09T08:49:00.004-05:00

The fact that we even had to entertain this lawsuit shows that there are still miles to go before January 20, 2009.

(from Yahoo! News)

WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court has turned down an emergency appeal from a New Jersey man who says President-elect Barack Obama is ineligible to be president because he was a British subject at birth. The court did not comment on its order Monday rejecting the call by Leo Donofrio of East Brunswick, N.J., to intervene in the presidential election.
Donofrio says that since Obama had dual nationality at birth — his mother was American and his Kenyan father at the time was a British subject — he cannot possibly be a "natural born citizen," one of the requirements the Constitution lists for eligibility to be president.
Donofrio also contends that two other candidates, Republican John McCain and Socialist Workers candidate Roger Calero, also are not natural-born citizens and thus ineligible to be president.
At least one other appeal over Obama's citizenship remains at the court. Philip J. Berg of Lafayette Hill, Pa., argues that Obama was born in Kenya, not Hawaii as Obama says and Hawaii officials have confirmed.
Berg says Obama also may be a citizen of Indonesia, where he lived as a boy. Federal courts in Pennsylvania have dismissed Berg's lawsuit. Federal courts in Ohio and Washington state have rejected similar lawsuits.
Allegations raised on the Internet say the birth certificate, showing that Obama was born in Hawaii on Aug. 4, 1961, is a fake.
But Hawaii Health Department Director Dr. Chiyome Fukino and the state's registrar of vital statistics, Alvin Onaka, say they checked health department records and have determined there's no doubt Obama was born in Hawaii.
The nonpartisan Web site Factcheck.org examined the original document and said it does have a raised seal and the usual evidence of a genuine document.
In addition, Factcheck.org reproduced an announcement of Obama's birth, including his parents' address in Honolulu, that was published in the Honolulu Advertiser on Aug. 13, 1961.

Introducing The Ill Professors

2008-12-02T08:13:00.005-05:00

Phill Boogie and I have just launched a new podcast/blog, The Ill Professors. On this site, we offer our (sometimes crazy) commentary on films, music, and literature. I invite you to check us out and to subscribe to the podcast and blog. Currently, the podcasts are only available for download from iTunes, but you can stream the audio directly from our site until we are able to get listed on other podcast services.

Please take care, and we look forward to your tuning in.

A Wonderful Thanksgiving in Maryland

2008-11-28T22:30:00.008-05:00

The Alexanders and the Barksdales, our hosts for Thanksgiving this year. Meatmumma is seated in the center of the sofa, wearing a gray sweater.

My wife and I had the pleasure of sharing Thanksgiving with a good friend of mine, Ms. Elizabeth Stokes a/k/a "Meatmumma" and her wonderful family, the Alexanders and Barksdales. Meatmumma and I met back in the summer of 2006 at the Hurston-Wright Writers Workshop at American University. (HW is a wonderful opportunity for writers of color, if you're interested in exploring writing with people who are equally serious about it.) Meatmumma was actually one of the first people I met when I got there. Having retired several years back, she had recently returned to her true passion of writing. I was really motivated by her, partially because I had just quit my job as a lawyer to focus on writing. But what probably resonated the most with me about her was how straight-up and real she was (and still is). We simply hit it off, and I count her as one of the major treasures of my experience at Hurston-Wright.

Throughout the past few years, we have kept in touch, so when she invited Elle and me to share Thanksgiving in Maryland with her and her family this year, we were happy to accept. We had a wonderful time and felt right at home. The Alexanders and Barksdales were truly gracious hosts, and the food was spectacular.

On our drive back home last night, I thought about how life is quite unpredictable. It's interesting how your life can intersect with someone else's, and your world is all the better for it.

The Great Polar Bear Conundrum Finally Solved

2008-11-26T11:45:00.006-05:00

Not to be confused with the Chinese panda story, this story comes from Japan and offers a real bear, a polar bear. (That doesn't make this any less of a head-slapper. If you're a professional zoo keeper and you allow a story like this to get out, what does that mean about your level of skill?)

"Puzzled zookeepers in northern Japan have discovered the reason why their attempts to mate two polar bears kept failing: Both are female."

Because This Young Man Deserves to Be Remembered...

2008-11-25T13:45:00.001-05:00

I saw this on CNN, and I was so touched that I wanted to share it with you all. Have a happy Thanksgiving.

A Little Jean Grae on a Tuesday

2008-11-24T09:53:00.000-05:00

Jean Grae has been called one of the dopest underground emcees to ever bless a mic, and among female emcees, she's definitely a top contender (along with Apani B Fly, who I'm starting to discover). This video is "Love Thirst," a song produced by 9th Wonder for their album "Jeanius." Enjoy.

Vying for a Darwin Award?

2008-11-22T17:44:00.004-05:00

Sometimes I read things that make me scratch my head. Trying to hug a panda is one of them. This quote from the student who got "got" says it all:

"Yang Yang was so cute and I just wanted to cuddle him. I didn't expect he would attack," the 20-year-old student, surnamed Liu, said in a local hospital, according to the official Xinhua News Agency.

She Got Game

2008-11-19T16:42:00.002-05:00

When I see this clip, I think of two things: (1) Damn, this little girl is talented, and (2) I'm worse at ball handling than I thought (which isn't really saying much).

Can the President-Elect Get an Assist?

2008-11-12T06:39:00.002-05:00

Here's a look at Obama relaxing before the election. Enjoy!

Mississippi Goddam!

2008-11-07T12:13:00.008-05:00

The name of this tune is Mississippi Goddam--
And I mean every word of it.
- Nina Simone

Part of me was not surprised when my mother told me that there were newspapers in my home state of Mississippi that did not post a picture of Obama's win on their covers, although it was one of the biggest stories in the world on November 4th and 5th. Needing to see it for myself, I searched the archives of several Mississippi newspapers and found that, outside of an abbreviated update to their websites, written mainly from the AP articles, there was little showing this monumental and historic accomplishment.

I later heard from a former classmate of mine that my hometown of West Point, Mississippi, made the decision to not post pictures of the First Family in the classrooms, although some of the schools have black principals. Needless to say, it has taken me a day to cool off so that I could write this blog entry.

I grew up in West Point, Mississippi, located in Clay County, roughly twenty miles from Starkville (home of Mississippi State University) and roughly forty-five miles from Tupelo (home of Elvis and Richard Pryor's Mudbone). I graduated fifth in my class from WPHS in 1993, before going on to Morehouse. In my town, they had only one school that blacks could attend: WPHS. However, if you were white, or of another nationality that did not wish to associate with black people, you had the option of attending a private white school called Oak Hill Academy (founded in 1966), a school where racial slurs are as common as sheets of paper. To this day, Oak HIll is a viable option for white students.

My graduating class was the first class to actually put forth the effort to heal the racial divide at the school. We had the first black/white prom, and we had the first single homecoming queen (who by election turned out to be black). We still had two junior maids, sophomore maids, and freshman maids, not to mention a racial balance for everything else, including the hall of fame. That's what integration meant to folks in my hometown: two of everything, a true validation of Plessy v. Ferguson's "separate but equal" doctrine.

I remember one student who was hit by a car and killed for allegedly dating a white girl. His name was George Chandler, and he was one grade ahead of me. He died a week after he performed "Happy" by Surface at a local talent show. I attended his wake, and as I looked at his body, I felt a chill run over me. Mississippi Goddam!

I don't have to go back to Money, MIssissippi, or Philadelphia, Mississippi; I have lessons that I have learned in my own time. But I don't know if it was my being naive or my wishful thinking that led me to believe that Mississippi had changed a great deal, that the state had matured enough to accept the reality that the 44th President of the United States would be a black man. I have accepted every president given to me because that's what citizens do. My education in the West Point school system largely taught me of a history where my people played a very minimal role, but thanks to my parents, I developed the skill for being autodidactic when it came to learning black history. See, I had no choice, not if I wanted to understand things better.

Back when I was growing up, my family would have to go out into the driveway on election day to remove carpet tacks thrown beneath the wheels of our vehicles while we slept. Some white people would pray for rain so that black people would stay indoors on election day. Well, guess what? My wife and I walked a quarter of a mile in the rain on the 4th (since that's the only spot where we could find parking) and stood in line for an hour and forty-five minutes to vote for the next president. And we did this alongside hundreds of others who felt the same way we did.

So as I sit here writing this entry, I realize that while many things have changed, some have not changed enough. Courthouses will have a picture of a black president hanging on their walls. Schools will have pictures of a black president hanging on their walls. So, dammit, Mississippi, join the 21st century! Show the world that you're better than all of this. If people the world over can celebrate this news, why can't you?

Just try to do your very best
Stand up be counted with all the rest
For everybody knows about Mississippi Goddam
- Nina Simone

It's Still So Surreal!

2008-11-05T21:12:00.003-05:00

In My Lifetime

2008-11-05T00:46:00.004-05:00

We have turned a corner in the history of this country. I could outline the history of this country and the struggle for people of color in this country. I could talk about suffrage. I could talk about my own experiences as a black man dealing with politics in this country. But all I want to do right now is savor the moment, allow the reality of all of this to sink into to every cell of my body. Words really cannot express how I feel right now.

Congratulations, President-Elect Barack Obama!!!

You Know Who I Voted For (And Other Election Day Thoughts)

2008-11-04T14:42:00.005-05:00

As I write this, I am listening to John McCain give a speech that sounds eerily like an Obama speech. The delivery is strained, but the message is clear: In his last stand, he is reaching across the aisle, repackaging every good idea he has ever heard as his own. But is there a such thing as political plagiarism? Especially on election day?

For quite some time, I have been an Obama supporter--even back when there were still miles to go in the Democratic primary. I made my decision to support Obama because I took time to read about his vision for this country. Until that point, I had assumed that a Clinton presidency (Bill) was the extent that I had the right to even ask for, but then I read about Obama's plan. Suddenly, I didn't feel like I was going for someone who had an idea or two that I could get behind. I was going for someone who actually understood those things that most concerned me and actually believed that it was O.K. to hold the government responsible for the paper promises it has extended its citizens. Yes, I became an Obama supporter and never looked back.

Since that time, I have given money to his campaign, blogged about him numerous times, talked about him to just about everyone in my inner and extended circles, and taught him into all of my classes. So today, it seems as though I would be on pins and needles wondering about these polls holding up or whether or not there will be a Bradley Effect. Strangely, I'm not--or at least not now. The Obama campaign has a been a thing of beauty to watch. I have been more jazzed about politics than I ever have in my life (which is saying a lot, since I was really big on studying the Clinton years in Washington). I stood in line with my wife for an hour and forty-five minutes this morning, never once feeling that this was in vain. I will always have that moment.
This is what it looked like when we voted this morning:

I don't know what will happen tonight. I know that I voted for Obama, and the rest is up to America. Rain or no rain, we're the ones who will ultimately seal the deal. I am confident the what is right and proper for this country will ultimately prevail.

So if you're reading this and you have not yet voted, know that it's your turn to make this happen. Log off. Get in line. Make a difference.

Time for Change

2008-11-03T12:24:00.002-05:00

This is our time. We have claimed it. It is finally due. Make your voice heard tomorrow. Vote.

10 Days of Obama: Day 10 (Thank You, Sarah!)

2008-11-02T15:35:00.005-05:00

I learned recently of McCain's desire to drive a greater wedge between Obama and independents through yet another robocall, this time featuring the voice of Hillary Clinton. While I know that Obama is too big of a person to actually address something as petty as this, I would like to at least level the field somewhat with remarks made by Sarah Palin prior to her selection as the VP candidate on the Republican ticket. Enjoy.

P.S. Thank you for joining me for the "10 Days of Obama."

10 Days of Obama: Day 9 (Good Palin Hunting)

2008-11-01T19:01:00.000-04:00

Although I don't have much hair on my head to scratch, it didn't stop me from reaching up there when I pondered the fate of our country should Sarah Palin actually get to Washington, D.C. Eight years of one person feigning intelligent was enough for me. I don't know if I could do more than that. Matt Damon seems to agree.

10 Days of Obama: Day 8 (Reagan's Endorsement?)

2008-10-31T06:23:00.000-04:00

Given the comparisons that the media insists on drawing between Obama and Reagan (whether rightfully so), one might be led to question just who Reagan might endorse (if he weren't playing party favorites).

10 Days of Obama: Day 7 (Thoughts On The 30 Minute Ad)

2008-10-30T07:07:00.006-04:00

I, probably like many others out there, was wondering what Obama had planned for the thirty minute "infomercial" that came on last night at 8 p.m. EST. My wife and I normally watch TV One, so his ad actually fit right into our programming. Now for my thoughts.

Understanding the demographics and states at stake, I was surprised out how emotionally connected I felt to the families featured. I know about the problems facing the people around me, but I was surprised to see people like them featured on the screen. At that moment, I could really sense that reinforcement of the notion that Obama is truly interested in what happens to us. I don't believe that it's hype or "fancy speeches." In fact, while the program was essentially an ad, it felt like a documentary of America as it is today, October 30, 2008. I know that the director of An Inconvenient Truth was at the helm, which is a good thing for several reasons, the main one being that he was able to draw out what was most important to these individuals, while balancing their needs against Obama's campaign promises. I also thought that the cutting back from story, to town hall meeting, to speeches served to reinforce exactly what Obama's campaign stands for.

By the end of the program, I was fired up, much in the same way a choir member gets fired up when the pastor hits on something close to home.

"Go out and knock on doors! Visit BarackObama.com!" Barack yelled to applause.

I could not believe how well organized the whole thing was. Everything was so well orchestrated that I turned to my wife and said, "Oh, lord! I don't think McCain can come back from this. If anyone else just got a second wind, like me, then it's over."

Of course the media, and McCain, are focused on the cost of the ad, but in the end, if the tables were turned, who's to say he wouldn't have done the same thing. What Obama did was turn the country's interest back toward the actual issues that most of us are concerned about. No mudslinging. No dissing. Just a straight up agenda. It was important enough, an arguably galvanizing enough, that logic dictated Obama do it.

Feel free to share your thoughts.

10 Days of Obama: Day 6 (Mr. Senor Love Daddy says, "Everybody CHILL!!!")

2008-10-29T05:55:00.002-04:00

Where is Sam Jackson when you need him? His character from Do The Right Thing could say a lot about these times.

I read about the death threats, knowing that there are hundreds of others that the public is not privy to. I think about the stress of campaigning in states where many of the voters are concerned with only one issue (and that issue is not the economy--or the war, for that matter). I look at the polls, wondering if people will actually do what they claim they will do when they get in the voting booths. I listen to reporters stir the pot to create news by bringing up loaded language with candidates. I guess if everyone had the luxury of taking courses in modern political theory, people might not view words like Marxist or Socialist as dangerous (although Obama is neither). But, as we all know, politics has to play to the lowest common denominator. Interestingly enough, the denominator seems to be rising to a higher level--I think.

I keep waiting to hear McCain say, "God bless American--and no place else!" It reminds me of the movie Head of State. Since when has giving the middle class a chance to grow been a bad thing? It's not like Obama has said that he is going to take money from rich people and give it to the middle class (the "Robin Hood" character portrayed by McCain). Adjusting the taxes back to the way they were prior to Bush's administration might appear to be a raise in taxes for the wealthy, but that does not create a socialist or "Marxist" situation. If you make more, you pay more. Everyone pays taxes, and that's how programs that benefit us all are paid for. That's generally the way this country has been up until the last eight years. Instead, I see McCain and Palin whipping ignorant people into a frenzy with what amounts to modern day McCarthyism. With only a few days left, this is the last of the mud he can sling. We can't drink the Kool-Aid right now. We have to stay the course.

I keep thinking of the phrase "things fall apart." I don't want to see that happen to this country, while emotions are running this high. Let's play it straight. That way when we wake up in the morning, we don't hate each other's guts.

So those of you who have decided that you can't vote for Obama, keep in mind that there are several other candidates running, so you don't have to necessary cast a vote for McCain. I'm sure Raph Nader would appreciate a little support. But above all, be respectful.

10 Days of Obama: Day 5

2008-10-28T07:42:00.000-04:00

One of the keys to being a successful candidate is being able to predict the moves of your opponent. Like a chess player, the candidate must think several steps ahead. I can't wait to see Obama's endgame, given his predictions so far!

10 Days of Obama: Day 4 (True)

2008-10-27T05:41:00.000-04:00

Charles Stone, III, director of Drumline and Mr. 3000, decided to come back to his original short film to make a point. (Thanks, Torrey, for bringing this one to my attention.)

10 Days of Obama: Day 3 (Sneakerbandit Edition)

2008-10-26T09:33:00.002-04:00

The sneakerheads of the world are finding ways to express their support of Obama in the best way they know how: using their shoes to make their statement. Just see.

10 Days of Obama: Day 2 (44)

2008-10-25T11:15:00.007-04:00

44 is a magic number for African Americans, and if you didn't know, you betta ask somebody.

Yes, whoever is elected President on November 4th (and Lord, I want it to be Obama), will become the 44th president of the United States of America.

Well, let's take a look at some of the 44s that really made some noise.

Hank Aaron, Hall of Fame Baseball Player
He is unarguably one of the most magnificent home run hitters of all time, bar none.

Reggie Jackson, Hall of Fame Baseball Player
Yes, Mr. October is truly one of the great ass-kickers to have braved the double 4s.

Jim Brown, Hall of Fame Football Player, Actor, and Activist
From Syracuse to the Cleveland Browns, he took the game to new heights, while maintaining a commitment to being himself.

Ernie Davis, the first Black Heisman Trophy winner
The Express, himself, brought honor to the number 44.

On November 4th, we have the opportunity to make Barack Obama another great 44. Get out and vote!

10 Days of Obama: Day 1

2008-10-24T12:17:00.004-04:00

Which of the following individuals is a Muslim? And which one is a comedian?

Dave Chappelle, on both counts.
(Obama is a Christian and clearly not a comedian, based on his roast the other week.)

Next question: Why the hell does any of that matter in our country or even in this election?

And before we drift off into discussions of "It shouldn't, but it does," we have to realize that we are still citizens of this great country, which means that we can choose to be accepting of everyone's right to the dream that this country offers, or we can be divisive and dismiss the need to be respectful of the varied cultures that have come to make us who we are as a country.

History has shown that every theistic religion has spawned groups that might be viewed as terrorists. Does that mean every theistic religion is de facto terrorist in nature? Hell, no. If that's the case, then we should judge black Christians by the actions of the KKK, another Christian organization. But I digress....

If you are prone to being divisive, maybe Barack Obama is not for you.

If you believe that it is better to spend millions of dollars maliciously attacking a man's character through lies and innuendo than to propose actual solutions to the problems that plague the larger country, then maybe Barack Obama is not for you.

If you believe that a fundamentalist right-wing sect of Christianity is the only true faith of a country founded by individuals fleeing religious persecution, and everything else, regardless of the First Amendment, is not worth respecting in any way, then maybe Barack Obama is not for you.

If you believe that solutions don't matter and that race is the only factor to support anybody, Obama is not for you.

If you believe that this country is perfect as is, then maybe Obama is not for you.

If you believe that we can do better though, that we can do more, that we are above the divisiveness that has held us back, then Obama is for you.

Bottom line, the only thing that should matter to you when you cast your vote on November 4th is whether or not you are thinking about your country or just yourself. This election is too important to make a decision solely off of one issue.