| Author | Message | ||
     ABM Rating: N/A |
1) Given all of what we have learned post-911 about terrorism, Bin Laden and al Qaeda; why haven't the heads of the CIA, FBI, FAA, ATF, NSA (Condi Rice), Department of Defense (Rumsfeld), all defense-related congressional committees, and all other agencies assigned with safeguarding the US; been rudely rounded, formally charged with "Dereliction of Duty to Protect the United States of America", publicly fired and then forcefully escorted/exiled (via gunpoint) from any/all connection with the US government? And wouldn't at least SOMEONE have been blamed/fired were Clinton or Gore in the White House? 2) Why is it illegal for one to directly pay to have sex with a woman (prostitution) yet one can legally pay and film the woman having sex with another man (pornography)? 3) No offense to those who are, but JEEEZZZ!!!: Did everyone suddenly turn gay without telling me? 4) Really, folks. What the hell is Cuba Gooding, Jr. doing having an Academy Award when Morgan Freeman, Forrest Whittaker, Cicely Tyson, Lawrence Fishburne, Alfre Woodard, Andre Branaugh, Angela Bassett & Don Cheadle do not? 5) Has GOD ever created as wondrous a combination of great power, skill, beauty, effervescent charm and unbridled FOINESS as HE has so generously bestowed upon Tennis Champion Serena Williams. Holy Cow, Batman! The things that girl can do to a tennis blouse and skirt are just SUPADUPAFYING. I'd let Serena play with my racket and bawls, anyday. | ||
| Claxton Rating: N/A |
ABM, I'll take up the challenge on your points: 1) The dereliction of duty to the United States dates back to when it was founded. Every Administration has been derelict in this duty in some way. For the Republicans, it's typically be dereliction on the homefront; for the Democrats, it's softness abroad. Who should really be fired, though, are CINCSPACECOM and CINCACC. As the wearer of the Triple Crown (Commander in Chief of the US Air Force Space Command, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, and the US Space Command), CINCSPACECOM has not answered to why jet fighters were not scrambled immediately after air traffic controllers in Boston alerted NORAD of a hijacking in progress. And CINCACC (the Commander in Chief of the Air Force's Air Combat Command) is responsible for the interceptor aircraft that are supposed to be guarding this country. It's possible that the fighters might have saved part of the World Trade Center complex and the Pentagon had quicker action been taken. 2) That's a good question...I don't have an answer to that one. 3) There are still a few red-blood heterosexuals around, though they seem to be as rare as native Charlotteans these days. Homosexuality is not a lifestyle I condone, but I'm not going to condemn anyone going that route. That's their choice, and they have to deal with the ramifications. 4) Another good question, though I've actually got something to back my answer up. The Oscars are probably the most stifling award any actor could ever win. You win one, you get pigeonholed into the same types of roles that you won the award for. There are exceptions--notably, Walter Brennan and Katharine Hepburn, who won multiple Oscars for different roles--but nowadays winning an Oscar is a kiss of death. Remember how Marisa Tomei surprised everyone by winning the Best Supporting Actress statue for her work in "My Cousin Vinnie"? How did she follow that up? Is she even still acting? Denzel Washington's heading the same way; after winning his statue for "Training Day", he's played a father on the wrong side of the law ("John Q") and will soon be in another movie as a cop on the wrong side of the law ("Out of Time"). Fortunately, though, he's won two Oscars, and if he continues to pursue directing, he may win more. 5) As gorgeous as Serena Williams is, I've reached my saturation point with her and Venus. That's not to say that I don't respect and admire what they've done for tennis. But it's just that I'm tired of seeing them. Same goes for Tiger Woods, but that's a different post. And as much as I hate losing, or seeing a team or individual I really like lose, the fact that Serena got her butt handed to her at the French Open wasn't necessarily a bad thing. I believe the French crowd was rude, inhopsitable, and outright mean. But Serena had gotten so used to winning that she didn't know how to handle losing. It is humbling to know that, as good as you are at something, someone can come along and knock you off your perch. Serena got humbled in a major way, and I'm glad about that. Now maybe she, Venus, and proud papa Richard (what happened between him and Oracene, anyway?) won't take the thrill of victory for granted. | ||
| Yukio Rating: N/A |
Claxton: Serena was cheated at the French Open and she beat the cheater's ass at Wimbeldon! Venus has not been the number one seed for a while, though she has been very competitive, and she just recently beat Klisters down one set and suffering from an ab strain. Also the Williams sisters have always had to work harder and deal with the racism of crowds and the sports, so the fact that they've been at the top for two years (actually nothing as ever been guaranteed, since Serena often lost to Capriati and Venus has been injured quite often in the last 2 yrs)is something i can appreciate and would like to see and celebrate for another 2 yrs. | ||
| Cynique Rating: N/A |
Claxton, Marisa Tomei was nominated for another supporting Oscar last year, and she appears regularly in supporting roles. I see her all the time. And I really don't think winning an Oscar will stifle Halle. Sure, an Oscar can be a kiss of death, but certainly not always. Tom Hanks, Jack Nicholson, and Paul Newman are still on top and not pigeon-holed; ditto Jodie Foster and Julia Roberts. Nicole Kidman will undoubtedly maintain her star status, while playing all different types of roles. BTW, Denzel made "John Q" before "Training Day" but they delayed its release date because of 911. I am with you, however, as far as Serena and Tiger are concerned. Serena dissolved into a big wimp when she wasn't idolized at the French Open, and Tiger has never been a graceful loser. I'm bored with both of them. As for getting rid of knuckleheads, although she'll never be fired, that Republican hand-maiden, Condoleeza Rice, should have the good sense to resign. She's a disgrace to black womanhood. She's nothing but George Bush's nanny. All she's good for is going behind him, trying to clean up the mess he makes. She gets all of the dirty work as the administration's chief apologist for their frequent missteps. When it comes to homosexuals, they are entitled to their lifestyle, but those "down-low" brothers who woo women while also engaging in recreational sex with other men are despicable. | ||
| Yukio Rating: N/A |
Cynique: Is it possible for black politicians, especially, nominated officials, to be representative to the black community? I don't think so. I think either you're representing the US or black people; there is some negotiation, but since we are heterogenous and the notion of blackness is so contested, those involved in national politics, ie Powell and RIce, are usually at a loss. | ||
| Cynique Rating: |
Yukio, Good question. Where Condolezza Rice is concerned, since she was not elected but was appointed, she actually has no constituency. So, in truth, she doesn't have to answer to anyone but the man who put her where she is. Ideally, she would want to project an image that would speak well for her gender and race, and of course this would be a subjective endeavor. So my gripe about her is a personal one. And, lately, she looks so stressed out every time she appears before cameras that I suspect she, herself, is frustrated by being trotted out and put in the line of fire to shield her white masters from the criticism over what is turning out to be a fiasco in Iraq. I agree with you that you can't serve 2 masters. Unfortunately, what's good for American is usually good for the "haves" but not so good for the "have-nots." C'est la vie. | ||
| Snake Girl Rating: N/A |
ABM...I agree. Serena and Venus both bring to mind lithe, elegant African queens. Very athletic and sexy. Cynique...Thomas would agree with you. He's sick of the sisters and Tiger. Me..on the other hand...I never get tired of Venus and Serena. I hope they rule at least until 30. Wish Venus would get her mind back into the game and put her other projects on the back burner for a spell. She was my favorite ('cause she's a "tall girl")...but I love Serena, too. | ||
| Claxton Rating: N/A |
Yukio, Serene may have been cheated, but that doesn't excuse the behavior. And yes, getting cheated happens in sports. It's an unfortunate part of the game, but it is part of the game nonetheless. Ask Chris Hayden about Game 6 of the 1985 World Series. If he can't tell you--well, let's just say I'd be real disappointed... Cynique, thank you for setting me straight on Marisa Tomei and on the "John Q"/"Training Day" issue...I haven't seen a lot of movies with her in them, so I had assumed (wrongly) that she had dropped out of sight. But I still think that the Oscar can be a kiss of death, particularly to an actor who isn't smart about his/her choice of projects. Though Tom Hanks won two Oscars (for "Philadelphia" and "Forrest Gump"), he hasn't won again, even though he's played some pretty meaty roles (Jim Lovell in "Apollo 13" comes to mind). But he's still gainfully employed as an everyman in the movies, and that's a role he'll have a hard time shaking. | ||
| ABM Rating: |
DERELICTION OF DOO DOO Claxton, I think your broader interpretation of what is meant by "Dereliction of duty..." is worth noting and discussing (though surely some forms of such have been and will be done so ad infinitum). However, I was focusing on a discrete cataclysmic event that many are responsible for preventing yet NO ONE has been made accountable for. Also, I agree CINCSPACECOM, CINCACC and NORAD are responsible for defending the country, and perhaps their direct leaders should be added to my prior listing. Still, those entities likely report directly or indirectly to Rumfeld, Rice and assorted congressional defense committee, etc. And the size/scale of the 911 catastrophe warrants that those who report directly to the President and/or Congress should have been made accountable for what resulted in accumulative loses totaling trillions of dollars and thousands of American lives. THE WONDROUS WILLIAMS I think WAY too much was made of Serena's emotional breakdown after her recent French Open loss. She's a 21 year old kid who's got tons of pressure on her. She is the rare Black woman who managed to obtain/maintain the #1 ranking in Pro Tennis, a sport that is still very foreign to, unnaccepting of and hostile towards people of color. It is no surprise to me at all that her emotions might eventually get the better of her. If anything, seeing her more vulnerable side endeared her even more to my heart. I am a HUGE fan of Serena/Venus. I think that they are the very best story in all of professional sports. Here you have two Black sisters who are consistently winning big in a sport that has historically be nearly unavailable to AA's. And not only are they immensely talented/skilled/hardworking athletes. But they also appear to be very lovely, responsible and intelligent young women who look very much like our own sisters/daughters. I find it to be interesting that some Black people are sick of the Williams sisters. I would think that most of us would enjoying seeing such positive images of Black women being repeatedly and universally lauded and glorified. I wonder how many of us who are "tired" of the Williams sisters also (ironically) decry the lack of discipline, industry, decorum that apparently runs rampant among our other AA youth? TOOTHLESS TIGER Tiger Woods, on the other hand, bores me (I'm yawning at this very moment.). And it's not just his equivocations on his racial identity (& what the hell is he by the way?) Rarely has so much been said/written in sports by someone who has done so little. I don't care how many Master Tournaments he wins and how many millions he makes, he's just not that interesting to me. Because It's only golf, folks. It is not even a real sport. I rank golf just slightly above billiards and maybe even with table tennis. It ain't football, basketball, hockey, baseball, tennis, boxing, track-n-field. There is no great demand/toll on one's bone and sinew in golf. Hell. The only thing remotely strenuous about golf is carrying the golf bag from 1 hole to the next, and the caddy does that. You don't have to have get physical ability to be a great golfer. And the only reason why golf has obtained such national notoriety is its a game founded and played by rich, potbellied country club white men who want to think of themselves as being strong/virile. You take the money away from golf and you've got what? Bowling. So when I see/hear all the ubiquitous, praising, fawning, glorification and consternation over Tiger, I think: Why the f' is everyone so concern about what this joker is doing? Let Tiger catch a pass with Ray Lewis baring down on him, try to block Kobe Bryant's dunk attempt, withstand a rightcross from Lennox Lewis, score a goal against Dominic Hasec(?), face a 98 MPH Randy Johnson fastball or return service against '95 Pete Sampras then I might become remotely interested in what he's doing. OSCAR MIRED I am not sure that it is the actor/actress who are making poor post-Oscar choices. An Oscar can harm a career if the actor/actress had very little on their resume prior to winning the award. With the exorbitant cost of making films, if an actress, even one with an Academy Awards, has scant work to reflect upon, those making casting decisions will deem it to be a safer, more lucrative bet to place the performer in roles most similar what they have won the greatest fame/success. But if one has a substantial/varied body of work prior to receiving an Academy Award, he or she will likely be able to continue to choose viable roles as he/she see fit. Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington have such substantial and varied track records, that no silly looking piece of metal will derail their careers. And Halle Berry enjoys the unique advantage of being a black woman whose beauty/style is becoming so widely accepted and appreciated, that she may soon garner cinematic opportunities that even many white actress can't obtain. However, with Cuba Gooding, Jr., I get the impression that he knows he lucked up big-time with that "show-me-the-money" tripe and, so, he's cashing out as quickly as he can. Marisa Tomei's mid '90's Oscar winning performance (Best Supporting Actress) as Joe Pesci's girlfriend on the My Cousin Vinny was more caricature than character. Still, I have always liked Tomei, even when she played the white schoolmate of Lisa Bonet's Deniece Huckstable(?) on TV's '80-'90 A Different World. There is something girlishly endearing about her. And yeah, Kola. I know Tomei is white and that my appreciation of her is likely the result of the self-hating residue of slavery/racism. But, be that as it may, I still think she's cute. WILD RICE I don't think the political interests of the US and those of AA's are mutually exclusive. For instance, during the booming 90's economy, AA's enjoyed higher and better business/employment prospects, homeownership, loans/credit, etc. along with the rest of the US. When sound socio-economic decisions were made by the government, the Federal Reserve & business, we all, AA's included, benefited from them. Condelezza Rice's biggest problem is that she is primarily an academic who is more accustomed to wielding data and concepts than she is in manipulating the media and public opinion. I think that Rice is sorely learning that there is more to being a high-profile presidential advisor than simply being the smartest kid in class. Also, I agree that Rice's often haggard/unsettled presentation stems from her being made to say/do things that are being dictated to her, likely by the Cheney-Rumsfeld-Wolfowiz faction of the Bush Administration. I recall seeing Condi often prior to her being made the head of the NSA, when she was Provost at Stanford and a renowned expert in Soviet/Russian affairs (I still have this fantasy where Condi and I are Natasha and Boris, while being stranded alone in a cabin in Syberia, decide to play a cozy game of "Moose-n-Squirrel"). The pre-Bush Administration Rice seemed much more organized, self-assured and relaxed in her delivery of information and her outward appearance. (BTW: If Bush is re-elected, I don't expect either Rice or Colin Powell to stick it out 'til 2008.) | ||
| Snake Girl Rating: N/A |
ABM... I am not yelling you here--I'm just stunned by what you said. I could care less if you think Marisa Tomei is cute. I think she's cute, too. You take "issues" out of context and have some notion that I cannot separate an analytical issue from personal day to day living. By the way...white people came to Africa long before Slavery, etc. and black people "sometimes" found them cute. ALL attraction to people of other races....IS NOT the result of self-hatred. I have never made such a claim. Again, particular "issues" that have been raised--where my opinion was asked about it in an analytical sense and in a psycho-social sense are routinely used as against me. If I were not in a happily committed relationship...I would love to ball Channing Tatum, Peter Jennings, Patrick Rafter, The Rock. Not marry them, but "give them something they could feel". There's a huge difference from being sexually attracted to someone of a different race...and being attracted ONLY to people of other races or using your own race for sex and saving marriage for OTHER races--for status reasons--as would be more in line with your question about why so many AAs are "mysteriously" resentful and SICK of Venus and Serena. I thought you understood me better than this, ABM. | ||
| Snake Girl Rating: N/A |
You know ABM, I have a "few" very cute white girlfriends...and if you ever come to Cali, I would be happy to set you up with one. Well--that's provided you were legally divorced, daddy. I would never betray another woman. But it doesn't bother me that you're crazy for Angelina Jolie, Marissa Tomei and all the other white women you've listed over the months. It just makes me feel less guilty and more indulgent about my own fantasies. | ||
| ABM Rating: N/A |
Kola, Baby...Sugah Dumplin' Pie, TAKE IT EASY. Your African socio-historical lessons are always appreciated. But I thought that you would know that I was only funnin' with the Marisa Tomei "...self-hating residue of slavery/racism..." quip. And thanks for offering dibs on your white friends (Nothin' says loving quite like offering up someone else for a friend to nail.). But I am done playing-in-the-snow...for now. To me, having a fantasy is as innocent as reading a novel. It's an opportunity for one to enjoy a little trip to being at another time/place, to being (and/or with) another person. But I can keep the physical real from the mental reel. Heck, my having fantasies about being able to fly doesn't mean I will be leaping from atop a skyscraper anytime soon. BTW: That's an eclectic mix of fellas that you'd do-the-do with, I think a woman with your righteous stash of TAP would give the weathered Jennings a coronary. I don't mind seeing my wife squirm a lil' whenever she sees actors Pierce Brosnan, Sean Connery, Mario Van Peebles, Billie Dee Williams, Matt Damon, singer Maxwell and...EGADS!!!...rapper 50-cent. Besides, I'm pretty good at impersonations. So let just say knowing what she likes makes for some VERY interesting materials for sex-games. ((wink)) | ||
| Cynique Rating: N/A |
ABM, your observations about Condoleeza Rice were very astute and insightful. As for the Williams sisters, to me they are like Oprah. Their success bores me because it's predictable. I find nothing exciting about any of these females. Not to mention that, to me, Serena seems very self-absorbed and a little conceited. And have these sisters established any kind of charities or foundations where they give back to the community? | ||
| ABM Rating: N/A |
Cynique, Any person who so quickly becomes as successful/wealthy as Serena will likely begin to "sho' their a$$" a taste. And how does one so young fully learn all of what to properly say/do, especially when you are constantly poked, prodded and needled by an ambivalent press and fan base, which paradoxically laud and resent your accomplishments. If you do spy Serena/Venus appear to be gettin' da big head, it's because they are getting physically/mentally worn down by the demands on them, which are now so great that I would be shocked if either of them are still playing professionally 5 years from now. I am not aware of what charitable contributions the Williams are making. Though, because their parents appear to be socially aware/responsible, I would be shocked if the young ladies are not generously giving of their time/money. But to your comments about the Williams sisters being "predictable" and "nothing exciting", I retort: Would you prefer that Serena/Venus lose more tennis matches, curse out the fans and media and smoke blunts during time outs & TV commercials? | ||
| Snake Girl Rating: N/A |
ABM: I don't know how much more "humble" Venus and Serena could be. Especially considering their level of success...and the media's refusal to give them their due without always...ALWAYS...following a positive comment with a negative one. In their native Compton, Ca.--the sisters have built all kinds of gymn halls and "clean" tennis courts for children to play on. The city--which was once all black--isnow 85% Latino, however, and the excitement over the girls is not present there anymore. Venus has given the most money--making headlines for her support of the United Negro College Fund, The Jewish League and numerous organizations--the majority of them black. Serena has made personal appearances at many of the same organizations--to bolster fundraising events. In California, however, they are roundly "loathed"--and yet they've done nothing at all to deserve such loathing. WHites hate them because they're dominating white tennis....and blacks (IN Cali bougie land) hate them because "they look TOO black and come from the ghetto". Not the right image that n-people want the world to see them as. Wow, ABM...just imagine if we could encourage all children from the "Ghetto" to make such accomplishments in other venues of society. WHY...we might have a black renaissance. But the criticism of Venus and Serena--most of it undue--is indicative of how blacks are crabs in a barrel. "WHo you posed to be?" BTW--I used to really despise Tiger Woods, but now that I've accepted "his reality"...I blame his father more than him...and whenever he plays a game...I always CHEER for him to win. But I do agree with you ABM....Golf is one of the weakest, dumbest sports I've ever seen. I love Playing MARIO GOLF with my sons however. LOL | ||
| ABM Rating: N/A |
Kola, It is gratifying to hear that the Williams sisters are as generous as they are talented, though its sad that apparently their generosity is sorely appreciated. But I was taught that no matter how/what you do for others, you can't fully discern the intent of any man/woman. Thus, all charity should be considered an offering of appreciation to your GOD. And as long as you give earnestly to where/how your hearts leads you, your gifts will ultimately be reciprocated. I wonder if your cynical viewpoints about the way Blacks feel about the Williams are more local than they are national. Most AA's I know LOVE those girls. And though I agree the lore of the Williams among AA's has begin to wane a bit, I have never seen/hear any Black folks assert/infer anything as stupidly self-loathing about Serena/Venus as "they look TOO black and come from the ghetto." Again, I think sometimes you should adjust your view of AA's to account for the especially loopy prejudices of the West Coast. I do, however, agree that Earl Woods is primarily the blame for Tiger's lack of racial fidelity. And I think when Tiger is no longer the "Cat's Meow", both he/Earl will regret Tiger having been physically and emotionally segregated him from his darker brothers/sisters. |
