POEM OF THE DAY - "Hallelujah"

Did you know that Hallelujah is the greatest form of praise to God? Did you know that the word Hallelujah occurring in Psalms is a Hebrew request for a congregation to join in praise? It can be translated as "Praise Yah, you people", and is usually worded in English contexts as "Praise ye the Lord" or "Praise the Lord". This is not a direct translation, as Yah represents the first two letters of YHWH, the Hebrew personal name for God, and not the title "lord". Did you know that in the Hebrew Bible, Hallelujah is actually a two-word phrase, not one word? Hallelu: joyous praise, to boast in God, or to act madly or foolishly (Hebrew translation) and Yah: God (Hebrew translation). Now you know.


Hallelujah!

Become amassed with power
overwhelmed by the thought of freedom
inhaling the good
as the light surrounds you
then leads you to higher ground.
There you will find your new self
stronger, richer, wiser
and worthy.
Sup at the table of abundance
and enjoy with sanction
from the spirit of generosity
and then give without limits
humbly, wholly and
anonymously.
Allow love to live
self to die
and acceptance to thrive
in your character that precedes
who you are
for people unguided,
misguided and disguised.
Raise your hands in praise,
close your eyes
and turn your head
to the bitter days when you
fed the mouth of the adversary
that tried to imprison
the person that you’ve become.
Hallelujah!
There are greater works yet undone.
Hallelujah!

WYLD STYLZ

Question of the Day

Why was Precious' daughter so light when she and the father was so dark?

Public Service Announcement (Country Church Style)

The attached video (as true as it is) had me laughing so hard that air came out my ears. When I first heard it I didn't know whether to drop my head and cry or frantically look for my choir robe. The tune reminded me so much of the songs I grew up hearing at my small country church. You know the one they sang right after the devotional hymn. But pay close attention to the lead singer, who is giving 110% to outshine the pre-nosejob, Patti LaBelle in the background. I hope the tune stays in your head after the club tonight and hijacks your hormones. Now sing along...

Just a Word of Advice

If you are a guy, that likes dressing like a girl...and if you look in the mirror and you look more like a guy then you do a girl...leave it to the actual girls (that's all I'm saying).

But, if you end up looking like an ugly guy dressed up as an ugly girl, that's blasphemous and grounds for your friends being burned at the stake for not telling you that you look a hot mess.

The Arts

I know it's been a while, but a brother has been real busy with the holidays, a small writing gig and a regular job. But today, I had to take a moment and ask anyone had they listened to the Tom Joyner Morning Show this morning and hear them clown some guy that was promoting a book that he had written about the severe infidelities in his past relationship. While listening to the interview, I could not help but hear this guy inappropriately use word after word and stumble through questions that had been asked to him and it dawned on me, that the arts are going to shit! Dance, music and now the literary arts. This mess has to stop. If that wasn't enough, he used the word, "deceptional" when describing his risque' escapades. Now, correct me if I am wrong, but deceptional is not a word. As a writer, lover of the art of written word and published author, this disturbs me because I get the feeling that for most people, it's not about keeping the arts alive for the generations to follow us but all about the celebrity and of course, the money. Please support the arts...real art.

Somebody Pull The Plug on These Freaks!

Now see, I was minding my own business, thinking that this would be a normal evening after dinner, surfing the web to find something to peak my interest and I came across this. Now let me tell you, when you watch this, I guarantee that of all the oddities that you've seen on the world wide web, none will beat this. If anyone would have told me that there are actually men in this world that view silicone dolls as love interests and would act as such I would have said, "You been smoking that good stuff way too much." But it's true. So here it is in all it's unabashed glory, the documentary about men that are in love with and have sexual affairs with dolls. Yes dolls, and not the human kind. http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/guys-and-dolls/ I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but I mostly laughed.

The curse of....

J-Lo fell while performing last week and now Lady GaGa falls. What is going on? I believe one of these singing female haters put the Louisiana Gris-Gris on these chicks to put a spur in their careers. Let's see who is may be?

#6. Rihanna. It is already rumored she is a devil worshipper and with her disappointing record sales, she has every reason to make someone else look bad so that she can shine.

#5. Janet Jackson. Just becasue. Janet is quiet and sneaky and with her inside connections in the industry, she may be having someone grease the stage. And then, she may want other women to feel same embarassment she felt after the Superbowl incident.

#4. Toni Braxton. Nothing says that your at the top of your game when every other chick is breaking their asses and you are locking lips with a kid half your age...even if you are not at the top of your game.

#3. Madonna. Because I hear that she is hateful and Michael Jackson said so.

#2. Jennifer Husdon. Straight jealousy because we all know, she can sing but she can't dance and these days, you have to do both to sell records.

#1. Adam Lambert. And you know why! Clay Aiken told him to do it because he had done it to make Beyonce' fall a while back. He just took the thing to far and becasue he's angry, he's not finished.

Lord be a brace for Aretha Franklin's ankles and steady her wobbling heels! Keep her feet grounded and her knees planted firmly together so that she will stand and sing in your her own way and not be driven down the Freeway of Love by ambulance...(let me stop)

POEM OF THE DAY - "VISIONARY"

I don't tell this story about this poem often because sometimes it just sounds to much like make believe but here it is. One night while I was asleep, I had a dream that I was reciting a poem and right after I recited it, I woke up and was still reciting the poem to myself. It had to have been about 3:00 a.m. so I jumped out of bed and wrote the poem down. It was the exact last entry to my book. Here it is:

Visionary

Upon closing my eyes at night
I see wonderful things.
I see marvelous places,
beautiful skies,
beautiful faces.
The visions are played like a film in my head.
Pictures of people,
some living,
some dead.
Pictures of times
some gone,
some to come.
The beginnings for many,
the end for some.
I can always remember the things I’ve seen
the fire,
the snow,
the valley’s green.
The visions are played like a film in my head
A gift from God?
A message to spread?
Fathers crying
and children at play
old people laughing,
the world in dismay.
If only you knew of the things I’ve seen
some visions violent
others serene.
Some of horrendous
wars to be,
some of Sudan
being set free.
Visions of disease
as a thing of the past
or terrorist killing us
in one last blast.
It’s hard to describe the things that I’ve seen
as these visions
play their nightly routine.
Invading my mind
capturing time
was a vision of a world
with no death or crime.
Visions of addicts
giving up dope
and some of preachers
giving up hope.
One vision I love time after time
that reinforcement is brought
to the fibers that bind
and the thread that make up
all of mankind.

WYLD STYLZ

Welcome Back, Sade Adu

After a very long hiatus, Sade is coming back with a new CD to be released around Valentines day, February 2010. I am sure that after all these years, she needs her coins, so please order it or buy it from a local music store and not bootleg it. (But just in case you get your sticky fingers on a copy before I buy mine...)

Is it just me or.....

...is Timbaland's hips and thighs looking just like Oprah's?

Die Monster Die!

You know there is not really a whole lot of things that just get to me, because there is so much going on in this world, but I am having a really hard time dealing with the kidnapping, sexual abuse and murder of 5 year old Shaniya Davis at the hands of the scum to the right known as Mario Andrette Mcneill. I probably would not have made a post about this until I saw this photo taken shortly after he had been booked by the Fayetteville Police Department . My question is, "What in the fuck do you have to smile about?!" You want to smile? Smile when prison correctional officers lock the doors to your prison cell and tie you down, pull your teeth with pliers and piss in your face. Smile when 5 burly, muscle bound, bull hung inmates make you take back the pain you inflicted on a 5 year old child and then pass your homemade womb around like a hot dish at dinnertime. Smile when three drugs march through your bloodstream like soldier cannibals carrying a banner reading, "cruel and unusual punishment" while squeezing your worthless, cold heart like a slime ridden stressball . And please smile when you meet your maker because only He can save you from a torment greater than that you would ever be able to impose on a helpless, innocent child. My prayer today is that through the power of the internet, this demon would be so privy to read this blog posting and see just how asinine he really looks and in some way, feel accountable for his actions. I'm out.

Please Don't Buy Condoms From .99 Cent Only Stores!

It is so sad to even wonder why the United States imports certain goods from the Chinese sector. It is evident these people will sell you anything whether it kills you or not.

China, the world’s fourth largest condom market is having a serious issue with counterfeit condoms being sold in the country. The police have made four arrests at the factory which was distributing the illicit condoms. The biggest concern, of course, is the fact that the condoms can generate both pregnancy and diseases if used during intercourse. Authorities say there were bare-chested employees using vegetable oil to lubricate the condoms and putting them into fiber bags without any sterilization inside the central Hunan province based factory.
Since March, the factory has produced over two million condoms labeled as “Jisson, Durex. Rough Rider, Six Sense and Love Card (yes, the ones sold at Dollar Stores).” The police are looking for as many as one million bootleg condoms which have already been distributed.

Finally Some Financial Relief We Can Actually See

Like many people out there, if you’ve been facing bank overdraft fees, the feds could be putting a stop to that real soon. For years, banks have been able to charge customers every time they have an overdraft in their account, but on Thursday, the Federal Reserve released a new rule which prohibits banks from automatically enrolling customers in overdraft protection programs, that charge fees when consumers spend more than they have.
Starting on July 1, 2010, all banks will have to ask their customers to enroll in overdraft protection plans for ATM and most debit card transactions. Some banks are charging their customer up to $39 when customers overdraw their own bank account by even low dollar amounts. With about 75% of banks automatically enrolling customers and charging overdraft fees, this will give bankers some type of consumer protection. Although the new rule will help with debit and ATM transactions, banks will still be allowed to automatically enroll customers in overdraft services for personal checks and automatic transactions such as monthly bill payments.

QUESTION OF THE DAY

I am just curious to know why is it that some churches will serve you crunched up saltines for communion, instead of just giving you a whole cracker? Especially the churches in the country.

What's Going on With Katt Williams?

There are a number of reasons we can find to say why Katt Williams looks like he does on this recent mugshot. i.e., He was in character for a movie role, Sally’s Beauty Supply was closed when he got there, Somebody stole his flat iron, PCJ only comes in mild, etc. But nothing can explain to me the following 911 call from a 17 year old young man saying that Katt was holding him against his will...NOTHING! (SMH while looking through my speed dial to call Pastor Kerney Thomas)

Tina Knowles: Cougar or Jaguar?

Is it me or does Tina Knowles look as hot as Beyonce’ in this picture? If you are this old and this fine, but married, can you still be considered a Cougar?

Healthcare Reform, Moving Right Along

This past weekend, the House of Representatives narrowly voted to pass their health insurance reform bill. In case you did not know, in over nearly a century, no chamber of Congress has ever before passed comprehensive health reform. This is history. The House voted 220-215 late Saturday, with 39 Democrats opposed (who were they?) and one Republican in favor, to approve what would be the biggest expansion of health care coverage since Medicare was created more than 40 years ago. Now on to the Senate, the bill hasn't even been released yet, but the battle will be far more critical because of the opposition from Senate leaders and insurance companies that are pressing hard push this thing back into history's past. The House vote that lasted less than an hour before midnight Saturday, was not without its fair share of drama. With eight seconds left in the voting period, Democrats began counting down and erupted in roars when Pelosi declared, "The bill is passed" and banged the gavel. Go Nancy!

Dirty Old Man

I am just wondering at what point will agents and directors stop casting women young enough to be Denzel's daughter, to play the role of his wife in his recent movies? The guy is like 54 right? I think the terms and conditions of his contract allows him to choose from actresses he likes (LOL).

2009 Soul Train Music Awards (I Really Expected Better)

Looks like the Soul Train Music Awards has caught the "Boogooloo Fever" like the Ozone Awards, BET Hip-Hop Awards and all the other awards show that cater to certain people in certain ethnic groups that just happen to perform certain types of music. With that said, blog reports are abound with stories of inappropriateness and stereotypical buffoonery. Slaves to the industry, slaves to the industry. Will we ever learn? Pictures coming soon.

Church Folk Steals $900K Dollars From Its Members

The following story is disturbing enough in itself, but that fact that someone would actually associate themselves, as a member of a church named, "The Soul Factory", let's me know that the Devil is real busy and getting very inventive in his way of using people. -SMH-

Two former churchgoers say they were swindled out of a small fortune by the leaders of the Soul Factory, a large African American church in Prince George’s County — accusations the church denies.
In a lawsuit filed against the church, the married couple, Jose and Yvette Strickland, say they lent nearly $900,000 under a verbal agreement to the Soul Factory so that it could open a satellite church in Atlanta. The church says the money was a gift.
“It was not a loan; it was a donation,” said Timothy Obitts, a lawyer hired by the church. He said the church is in the process of filing a motion to dismiss the lawsuit.
The suit, filed Sept. 30, has surprised members of the Soul Factory, a popular church among young blacks in Forestville. The church is known for its use of hip-hop and pop culture and its contemporary plays, such as “Two Angry People in Love Going Thru Hell.” It draws a few thousand congregants each Sunday.
According to the Stricklands, they began regularly attending the Soul Factory in 2000. In 2005, the church’s founder and pastor, Deron Cloud, began courting Jose Strickland’s financial help, the couple said, by inviting him to Wizards basketball games, on trips to Las Vegas and other activities and introducing him to top church leaders.
In 2006, the Stricklands say, Cloud asked Jose for $1.5 million to help open a satellite church in Atlanta. A few weeks later, Strickland, Cloud and other church leaders discussed financing the Atlanta church while in a private booth at a professional fight in Atlanic City, the couple said.

Months later, according to the lawsuit, Strickland gave the church $886,500, which Jose, a mortgage and Yvette, a real estate agent, said they raised by mortgaging several properties they owned to a private lender.
The Stricklands said that Cloud and the church initially made nine payments to the private lender but stopped making payments in mid-2007. In their lawsuit, the Stricklands allege that the non-payments led to the loss of seven mortgaged properties to foreclosure and $6.8 million in financial losses. Both have filed for bankruptcy.
Obitts, the church’s attorney, declined to go into detail about the lawsuit but said the church did not borrow money from the Stricklands. “This guy’s allegedly a sophisticated businessman,” Obitts said, “and yet he claims everything was done verbally. It doesn’t make sense.”
When asked why they gave the church such a large amount without any written agreement or contract or a structured loan, Jose Strickland said, “It was a trust situation, because they were a church, because we had a relationship”

This is enough to make you lose your religion!

POEM OF THE DAY - "Genesis Jones"

Genesis Jones

Genesis Jones got married
to the man of her dreams.
In the beginning it as good
or just so it seemed.
Lionel was his name
violence was his game.
Genesis had no clue
that what she was about to do
would be the beginning
of their new universe
when her new husband
came home and said,
“I’m bout to whip your ass just because I can”.
So he swung and missed.
Genesis got pissed.
Lionel kissed
Genesis’ clenched fist
and his world began to form:

And on that night, she said, “I am going to whip your ass just for trying to whip my ass”. And she did just that.

On the second night, she said, “Now I am going to whip your ass for just letting me, a woman, whip your ass”. And she did just that.

On the third night, she said, “Now I am going to whip your ass for not being able to whip my ass”. And she did just that.

On the fourth night, she said, “Now I am going to whip your ass for being stupid enough to stay around the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd nights and getting your ass whipped”. And she did just that.

On the fifth night, she said, “Now I am going to whip your ass because I am so tired from whipping your ass for four nights straight. I am a woman and have too many other things to do”. And she did just that.

On the sixth night, she said, “Now I am going to whip your ass because I am so mad at myself for getting involved with a sorry ass, son of a bitch that would stoop low enough to put his hands on a woman”. And she did just that, right before she threw him out.

On the seventh night, she rested peacefully.

The display of domestic violence is a sorry excuse for the problems that exists within ones self. Brothers let’s come together to stop violence against women not only in our homes but in our society as well. The degradation and objectification of women in our communities has become an epidemic and an overwhelming issue that only we can address and correct. So before the next time you think of putting your hands on a woman, know this:

That every 9 seconds, a woman is battered in the U.S.
Each day, 4 women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends
Domestic violence is a single major cause of injury to women, more than muggings and car accidents combined.
90% of battered women reported that their children were present when the abuse occurred.
70% of men who batter their partners either sexually or physically abuse their children.
60% of battered women are beaten while they are pregnant.
Domestic violence costs $1.4 billion annually in medical expenses.

Now if you can still be with him, maybe that’s what you like.


WYLD STYLZ

Michael Jackson’s, “This Is It”, really is “It”!

Greatness in itself, only comes along ever so often. When that greatness comes in the form of the legendary musical perfectionist known as Michael Jackson, the anticipation mounts with each second up until the moment you reach its helm. This past weekend I was fortunate enough to go to the movies to see, Michael Jackson’s final concert documentary, “This Is It”. I went into this adventure with skepticism because of the rumors surrounding the movie. Rumors like; a double was used, it wasn’t very good, MJ looked weak, etc. People let me tell you, for almost two hours, I set mesmerized, hypnotized and mystified as a 50 year old Pop legend, danced, sang and commanded the stage during every performance in the movie, in the company of dancers well under half his age. Shot in a combination of scenes from various rehearsals, Michael delivered the magic that he did during the height of his stellar career, without missing a single beat. With the exception of struggling through some of the old classic Jackson 5 songs, vocally, Michael delivered with perfection, every note that we hear on some of his most popular albums like “Off The Wall” and the history making “Thriller”. The movie opens with footage of some of the concerts background dancers and singers telling how Michael had influenced them and how fortune they were to be able to perform with Michael on what would have been his final concert tour of his career. Shortly therafter, Michael, looking strong, svelte and very much in control both emotionally and artistically explodes on stage with his hit, “Jam” like a General in control of his Army. The choreography is on point, the lighting and pyrotechnics are queued so that with each turn or beat of a drum something announces that Michael is back with a vengeance. The excitement to me was reminiscent of the day I rushed home from school to see the world premiere of Michael’s industry changing music video for the song, “Thriller”. This tribute was befitting of the King of Pop and rightfully so because on every song, you thought to yourself with mental awe, where and what you were doing when you first heard that song. However, never to remove yourself from the essence of the movie one can only wonder, what it may have been like to take part in such a historical celebration. Although the ill-fated tour never materialized, Michael left us with something that we can all truly say to each other, that he was indeed back! When watching the movie, you are engaged in a supernatural experience that in an instant you already know that those that were not even born when Michael reigned supreme, can now live the breathtaking excitement that those of us over 40 years old, did 25 years ago. The man… sheer talent, the movie…sheer brilliance…the legacy, endless. A must see. Long live the King of Pop.

WYLD STYLZ

Theeeeeey're Baaaaack

When I went to sleep last night, I thought that the big story going into the weekend would be the one about Justice of the Peace, Keith Bardwell out of New Orleans outright refusing to marry an interracial couple because he did not believe in mixed marriages. However, he did say that he was not racist (go figure). Anyway, when someone sent me the following link to a you tube video of the group H-Town (Knocking tha Boots), collaborating with Jodici, I knew I was in for a screaming, raunchy good time this weekend despite the fact that in a few years, Keith Bardwell will be somewhere in a nursing home soaking in hot piss while an all Black nursing staff will be the ones with the burden of taking care of him (Karma is real people). Anyway, the words to the song had me cracking up but at the same time, feeling a little warm in my middle parts (kinda like Keith Bardwell will). So without any further delay, for your foolish Friday freakishness, I give you H-Town w/ Jodici, "Knocking Your Heels". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psKAqrRBVc8

Do you remember, Stretch Armstrong?

I remember being about eight years old when I first saw the commercial for Stretch Armstrong and saying to myself, "I have to have one". It wasn't until I turned about 12 that I finally got one (things were tight). I had it for all of three weeks until the curiosity of what was inside him that made him stretchy, got the best of me. So my brother and I pulled until he tore right under his arm. To my amazement, the thick gel was nothing like I expected and to this day I wonder if I can sue the Kenner Toy company because he was supposed to stretch, not burst. Do you remember Stretch Armstrong?

The Real Housewives of Atlanta (Poll)

You know, I am really not a fan of reality television, but it seems as though that is all there is on television these days. Even if you have bootleg cable (insert Aunt Esther face here), or if you are one of those honest, paying customers like myself, you want to feel as though you are getting our money's worth. Strangely enough, one of the shows I found myself actually liking is, "The Real Housewives of Atlanta". Not because any of these women are talented (Kandi excluded), inspiring or even discussion worthy. It's just fairly interesting to watch five ambitious, uncanny, messy and back stabbing women who hug and kiss each other whenever they meet, vie for the title of Miss Hot Mess (call a spade a spade). I can't wait until Frankie ties the knot. I can see it now, all the ladies are at NeNe's house and the doorbell rings. They look at each other as to say, "who could that be"? NeNe opens the door and all you hear is, "HOLLA"! In walks Frankie and her cover shaker to tell the ladies that the producers said that the show needed some life and that she will be starring in Season 3 (Dwight Eubanks faints). Anyway, I want to know who is your favorite Housewife (see the poll to the left)?

Believe me when I tell you, "He Speaks to Us"

I got in my vehicle this morning to go to work, you know, my normal routine and started shuffling through some CD's to make my commute to work less stressful and more enjoyable, dance at redlights and maybe even sing some. Now there was no particular CD that I was partial to, so I just pulled one up simply because it was gold in color. Right about that time, I happened to see a former acquaintance leaving home as well. Now, I say former acquaintance because a few months back, we had a falling out of sorts, over some money. Remember a couple of weeks ago, when I posted that I had let that situation go and given it to God? Well, seeing her started my blood to race again and allowed the Devil to creep up on my left shoulder and put ungodly thoughts in my head. I couldn't help but think of how close we were at one time and who else she may have wronged. For about five minutes, I was in a trancelike state and so focused on thinking about all the bad things that needed to happen to her (I'm being honest because God loves the truth) and what I could do to help it along. I was so figured on this, traffic did not exist, school zones were speedways and pedestrians were at the mercy of only themselves. Right about that time, I could hear the phrase, "Let it go" coming in like a wayward animal would sound in the distance. Not as if God was saying it, but it was coming from my speakers! This one song, that was on a CD that I had actually made, that I had NEVER even heard before, was playing. It was the same gold colored CD that I pulled to play, just because it was gold colored. Now, when this caught my attention, I slightly, reluctantly shifted my focus to the song, but more so, to the words. "Let it go", "Give it up to God", "Let Him work it out", these were some of the lyrics that the female vocalist was singing (it was Gospel House music). So I turned the volume up and continued to listen to the words as opposed to just hearing them.
(Now follow me because I am going to prove to you that this was God)
After being ministered to for about 3 minutes, my eyes started to fill with tears because the hurt was evident now, but during this time, my blessed assurance came when I heard the vocalist say, "Look to the Hills from whence cometh your help". Now if you had ever had the distinct pleasure of meeting Mama Elsie, you would know that one thing she would always leave you with, if you were ever feeling low or needing some guidance, she would always tell you to read the 121 Psalm, where it says, to look to the Hills from whence cometh your help (and she would quote you the whole Psalm). So at this point I turned my praise gear on high! I knew right then, at that moment, that I had experienced a "Kairos moment". For those of you who may not know, A Kairos moment is an anointed point in time or a moment of undetermined period of time, in which something special happens. Did I say, He spoke to me? I needed the reassurance that if I had given something to Him, that I needed to do just that, GIVE IT TO HIM! And then I was told that if I ever feel low, or weak, or small, or used, or abused, or battered to look up to the place of refuge and in that place would be all the strength that I needed to put everything back in place. Supplied to me from a never ending source of sustenance. This message was given to me through a song, from a small chain of events that started before I had even opened my mouth to say, "Thank you". But yet still, I am His own and so are we all and even those who may have betrayed us.

Please Pray For Frankie Y'all

I know that with all that's going on in the world right now, I could find something so more appropriate to write about, but every now and then we come across a soldier in distress that needs us. Right about then, in walks Miss Frankie Lons and your spirit tells you right then, this is that soldier. You say hello, you smile, you say nice things about her and even laugh at her jokes but in your mind, you are saying, "Lord, please help this poor woman". This is Miss Frankie at the BET Hip-Hop awards this past weekend.

When I tell you, she looks like they laid her to rest last month and she said she wasn't having it. So she moved dirt, crawled out, found her grill, borrowed an outfit from Melba Moore and hit the BET red carpet. I do love me some Frankie though! Oh, don't act like you don't.

POEM OF THE DAY - "Last Words"

This poem is another one from my last book. It is so pertinent because from experience, I see so many blessed people always talking about what they have, what they're going to get, who gave them what, etc., but so few of them saying, what God has blessed them with. I cannot say that I am not guilty myself at one point or another and am certainly not throwing stones from a glass house, but such is reality and life. This is for your entertainment and written to provoke thought.

Last Words

Oh Lord, catch them if they fall.
Oh Lord, push them if they stall.
Oh Lord, hear them if they call.
Oh Lord, bless them with their all
and forgive them if they give you nothing in return.

WYLD STYLZ

We're Losing the Battle!

Being an eternal optimist, I always try to see the good in people, society our leaders and so forth. But when I hear a story like the recent beating death of a 16 year old honor student at the hands of mere children, it almost makes me question God. To watch, with the rest of America our young brothers acting like savage animals and brutally murder a child while other children in the background chant, "get him" was more than my heart could bare. I am blessed to have a nephew that is 16 years old and I love him more than he will ever know. I think of him almost every day and I pray for him whenever he crosses my mind. In my own cautious and worrisome way, a dreaded thought crossed my mind. I thought of him walking from school and being randomly attacked and beaten by a number of other young men. And while the brutality is ensuing, he thinks to himself, these questions. Why? Why aren't the people standing by doing anything? How much longer will it be before someone stops this? Am I going to die? And then to himself praying that last prayer you consciously say to yourself right before you black out. No one could ever imagine the level of fear that could ever be endured...no one. I thought of what was so unthinkably wrong with our society when anyone would think for a moment that this is acceptable behavior, but yet I watched as many of them walked away like the act that had just been committed was commonplace. Who had failed their community?, who had failed them?, who had failed the young man that was killed? In my own brutally honest and sometimes offbeat way of response, I said to myself, that we all had.

Ironically, just a few weeks ago, I had seen the Minister Louis Farrakhan speaking on the state of Black America as a response to a caller and was so fortunate to find it on youtube. I want to share it with you, in hopes that we as men and women, would become the leaders that we are and were meant to be. Mentor some young child or group of children, stop and talk to some lost soul, volunteer in your community, anything that you can do to lift US up. Because if we don't, not only do we lose the battle, we lose the war.

JANET!

When I tell you, Janet Jackson has more beauty comebacks than any other woman I know. Just a few months ago, when she issued a statement on behalf of the Jackson family at the BET awards regarding Michaels death, she looked chunky, tired and lifeless. But look at Janet now! It's in the genes y'all.

(whispering) You know they say, she has some ribs removed! (LOL) Don't believe that foolishness.

Is Ebony Magazine For Sale?

In the latest issue of Newsweek Magazine, a report said that the 64 year old Ebony Magazine is up for sale. A spokesperson for Ebony, Wendy Parks issued the following statement: "As we've indicated previously, we are exploring a range of options to support our core media business,". Ebony which has been a premiere source of entertainment that caters to African-American, news, entertainment and politics has had its struggles even before the death of former founder and CEO, John H. Johnson died, but even more so in recent times, primarily due the the expansion of online media leading to declining revenues. I love Ebony, I grew up on Ebony. My only hope is that it doesn't end up falling into the hands of some media conglomerate and end up like BET. We wish the Ebony Magazine family all the best.

I'm Back! (Spread the Word)

I'm back like the fall y'all
to give you my all
I've been away for a while
like a runaway child
but my mind is back right
and I'm ready to blog from sun up til' night
to make you smile, think and cry
because you're probably wondering why
I haven't blogged in a minute
I'm honest...my heart wasn't in it
dealing with some things I had to work out
some issues one day, I'll tell you about
but as for now, it's all good
but I never doubted you understood
that sometimes it just be's that way
and never to use a stale cliche'
the truth will always set you free
so please don't prematurely judge me
from my heart to your heart
I'll always give
the WYLD truth, by which we all should live.

WYLD STYLZ

The Party of The Year? Can Nicole White Take the Crown?

My cousin, Nicole White is a party animal and everyone in Houston knows that. But when she throws a party these days, it's more of an event than anything. She is having her 40th birthday party tonight and from what I hear in the clubs, she has invited everyone on facebook, up and down interstate I-10, her job, her neighborhood and her church to come out and celebrate with her. Well you know me, I love a good party and will post the 411, low down on the show down, with pictures as soon as I can. So stay tuned to see if this event can garner the prestigious, "Party of the Year" award.

Oh and by the way, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NICOLE. I love you!

POEM OF THE DAY - "Kocktail"

I was feel a little frisky one day, years ago when I wrote this one (LOL). It really wasn't my style but I thought it would expand my horizons as a writer. I do hope it makes you feel as frisky as I did (wink).


Kocktail

Look in my eyes, like stars glancing, baby.
You’ve got my heart, like a pony prancing baby.
And I’m digging like mole
to get to the depths of your soul
cause you’re the rhythm that makes me whole
my willingness you stole
my hand I gave
your passion I crave
to be drunk in the nakedness of your submission.

Given the chance, I’ll please like I’m crazy, baby.
I want to sop up your love like gravy, baby.
And like Papa's rolling stone,
Can I rest my love and make your heart my home?
My inhibitions are gone
and my bird has turned stone.
So if you ask me I would
let me put on my hood
cause your love is like rum
and baby, that’s all good.

Go ahead, get me drunk in the nakedness of your
submission.

WYLD STYLZ

Well, what do you expect?

If you looked like this and someone thought you may be born biologically male, that's one thing. But if your name is Caster Semenya, that takes things to a whole different level. This chick has been blazing on the track & field scene for the last couple of months, killing the competition and making a sack full (term used lightly) of money at the same time. The results are still out on her tests but I just want to know if there is a law against just giving her a good old physical examination since the test they have conducted won't be concluded for six more weeks. What do you think?

Three Cheers For Your Cousins! (Friday Fun)

Never mind the 6' 3" dude in the 1" heels and sequined cocktail dress with arms like LeBron James, it's all about the chunky one that looks like a cross between Gary Coleman and Sherri Shepherd. He is giving us fever! Go Children Go!

Okay, maybe I am hating a little because I am not on t.v. and I know I can dance. So what do I have to do? Pull out my sisters old majorette uniform, squeeze into it and ask these guys (and girl) if there is a spot for me in "Vogue Evolution"?

p.s. "Lil' Mama, sit down! What credentials do you have to be a judge on a dance competition?

Police Bodyslams 84 Year Old Woman (Please Pass Along)

Please watch the video first: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lznHMoIDRRg

When I first saw this video, I was enraged beyond belief to the point that tears had began to run down my face. There was nothing in me that would allow me to say, "Well, it just happened." I had to have the facts to put my mind at ease. As a result, I have personally spoken with Sgt. D. Kelso of the Whitehall, OH police department regarding this incident and scolded him and his department for not posting a statement on their website to let the public know what actually happened here. Anyway, Sgt. Kelso said that the woman, who is actually 84 years old, has a progressive form of Dementia and was on an outing with her daughter from a nursing home where she lives on August 1, 2009. The daughter stopped at a local Wal-Mart and left her mother in the car napping while she went in to pick up a few items. While in the store, the aging mother wakes up and finds a knife in the vehicle and proceeds to saw through her seat belt and gets out of the car. Now out of the car, she approaches several individuals on the parking lot (including a baby) wielding the knife. Needless to say, like most dementia patients, she is aggravated and confused so her approach may come off as being very aggressive. Some people on the parking lot call the police and give them the impression that there is a woman on the parking lot intentionally looking for people to stab with a knife, so when they arrive, this is what they are going off of. The female officer who approached the elderly woman first, asks her to drop the knife a total of three times and she adamantly refuses. Then for a moment, when the elderly woman's attention is drawn elsewhere, a window of opportunity is open for the female officer to subdue the elderly woman. Here is where the story gets tricky: According to the report, the female officer grabs the elderly woman's arm and pulls it upward to make her drop the knife and supposedly lowers her by that same arm to the ground, still in an attempt to remove the knife from her hand. The report also says that the elderly woman twisted her body to the point where her own weight caused her to hit the ground injuring her head. In the words of the officer, she was not body slammed. Sgt. Kelso went on to say that her injuries were not a bad as they seemed on the video and that the elderly woman was home that evening doing well. Also in an attempt to unsensationalize the story, Sgt. Kelso made the statement to me that this was, "old news" so I asked him just how old and that is when he told me that the incident had occurred on August 1st. Now correct me if I am wrong but, Michael Jackson's death may be old news, the fact that we have an African American President may be old news, but the fact that an elderly woman with impaired mental faculties was brutally brought down and had her skull busted, primarily due to the inexperience of a police office just less than a week prior was not old news! I told Sgt. Kelso that while the actions of the officer was an attempt to diffuse the situation and in the interest of the public safety and the elderly woman, it was far too aggressive and another form of physical management would have been better suited for a woman as frail as she, especially since at the moment of apprehension, she did not seem to post a significant threat to anyone.

Do you think that the officer arresting this woman deserves disciplinary action? If so, call the Whitehall Police Department at 624-237-6333 and express your concerns because I do not believe this story has gotten enough attention. The report number on this case is #0902637. Please pass this story along because in my heart I feel, as though the officer acted improperly in this case and that further training my be in order as opposed to disciplinary action.

It is important that this story gets the coverage it deserves because in the eyes of God, this woman is as valuable to Him and to our society as Mr. Henry Louis Gates and our President was all over that. Had this been your mother, Grand-mother, etc. would you not want to know that someone cares enough to at least stand with you in a time of injustice? It's so funny that the "Gotcha" is this whole situation is that Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton nor the high and mighty Nancy Grace aren't all over this. Why? Because this story has not gotten enough attention to carry a purse full of dollars.

P.S. And if you know me personally, you know why this means so much to me, so pass it along.

New Whitney Houston Single - "Million Dollar Bill"

This new single is really good. It has a retro sound to it almost like something off the Michael Jackson, "Off The Wall" record from years ago. I really like it. Listen to it courtesy of www.concreteloop.com.

http://concreteloop.com/2009/08/new-music-whitney-houston-million-dollar-bill

Don't buy a single record!!! Make them pay!!!

I swear I will never buy another CD again and will make bootleg copies of everyone I come across and give to everyone I know. I listened to the recently released song by Eminem, " The Warning", which is a diss song to Mariah Carey and husband Nick Cannon and a rebuttal to Mariah's song, "Obsessed". Forget its vulgarities, obscenities and sexually charged allegations, my questions is: "Is this what the music industry has come to?" What the hell? For the longest time,I have been so tired of the so called, "Beef" between rappers in the industry and now that cancer has spread to singers. And for a singer on the caliber of Mariah Carey to fall into this trap of deception, is totally unheard of. In a time when so many people turn to music and use it as an aid to deal with the uncertainties of life and when many of us use music as a harmonic device to unite people regardless of age, ethnicity and social background, these people are making it blasphemous, savage and inhumane. Music is a gift from the Creator and should be used to inspire, heal, praise, glorify, unite, express and deliver and so many parts of the world, it is used as such. But the powers that be that spearhead the American music industry, with all it's exploitative, disrespectful regard for the arts and relentless greed is assisting to deny an entire generation the fundamental right to accept and enjoy one of God's most precious treasures, good music. I truly believe that the industry play off the "Beef" factor because they know that our society, that is so driven by and attracted to chaos and violence finds the division and disorder more entertaining than the music itself. You can call it a marketing strategy if you like, but to me it's good old fashioned exploitation and if we can't see it, then like Minister Louis Farrakhan said, "There is no saving us." To me, this "us" he refers to is people. All people. Because believe me, we are all in this together. This war against our society in which the forces of evil would like to conquer and divide. Remember when Michael Jackson called former Sony CEO, Tommy Mattola, "...very, very, very devilish"? Now I see why.

Straight Outta The NYC (with a knife in your back)

I hear that the Bloomberg administration is giving away free one-way airline tickets to any homeless family to anywhere they wish to go. The project was started to hopefully deplete the costly expense of homeless shelters in the city, which cost about $36,000 a year per family. Since 2007, more than 550 families have left the city and all it takes is for a relative to agree to take them in.

This stinks to high Heaven. What are these people thinking? I use the analogy that if I am the parent of seven children and because times get hard, I tell any of my children to go live with another family if they would like because my money is little low. Where is the loyalty? This is so wrong on so many levels. What do you think?

Katherine Jackson Releases Official Statement

"Damn What You Heard, Mama Don't Play That"! This might as well have been the words straight from Katherine Jackon's lips before or after releasing her official statement today. Read it for yourself:

Mrs. Jackson continues to serve as her son’s most trusted and loyal advocate even in death. In an effort to gain more facts concerning a suspicious circle of relationships, unnotarized will and an undisclosed trust, both drafted in 2002, which grant the executors and trustees thereunder very broad powers, Mrs Jackson has sought formal discovery of the temporary special administrators of her son’s estate. The Court has made clear that it will consider Mrs. Jackson’s demand for expedited discovery, and all other serious issues relating to the estate, on August 3rd. We are confident that at that time the court will allow Mrs Jackson full discovery.
To be clear, neither Mrs. Jackson nor her representatives seek to re-write her son’s will. Her concerns are and remain the welfare of her son’s surviving children, the preservation of his legacy and the protection of his estate. Unfortunately, and contrary to their public statements, lawyers for John Branca and John McClain have either denied Mrs. Jackson access to critical information or insisted on such onerous and unreasonable restrictions on her access to and use of such information as to be tantamount to an outright refusal of certain agreements, such as the AEG agreement . The contract in question is of great potential significance to the estate, and the matters currently before the Probate Court, and yet the confidentiality terms presented to Mrs. Jackson by the temporary special administrators and AEG would have required her to accept greater confidentiality obligations than the temporary special administrators and greater than what her son agreed to. This was unacceptable. Such unreasonable demands, coupled with the special administrators’ apparent concern for protecting AEG at the expense of Mrs. Jackson, raise serious concerns. Mrs. Jackson is looking for transparency in terms of the administration of her son’s estate. Because this transparency has not been forthcoming, she was forced to resort to making formal discovery requests. Such measures will not be necessary if Mrs. Jackson is appointed a co-executor of the estate.‬ She was the only person who served as a trustee and/or co-manager of Michael’s business interests at the time of his death and over the past four years. The will expressly allows for an appointment of the vacated third member. No one should deny Mrs. Jackson the right to help preserve and administer Michael’s legacy especially those whom had almost no contact with Michael for numerous years prior to his death.

I know Joe Jackson is sticking closer to her now, than a mouse on a glue trap.

Question

Q. What do you call a woman that can keep it together, hold it down, make it happen, work it out, pull it through, utilize, multiply and still always smell good?

A. A Mother

LeBron James - The Dunk Hype

By now, I am sure you have seen the video footage that was allegedly confiscated of LeBron James getting dunked on by 20 year old, Jordan Crawford at LeBron's skills camp. Supposedly, the Nike corporation seized all the video there. For whatever reason, you draw your own conclusions. Every gossip blog on the world wide web has posted it and making it seem like it's this really big deal. The young guy just dunked on him, nothing more, nothing less. This goes back to a posting I did a few months ago where I talked about how we as people, are so quick to place people on untouchable pedestals, so when something "human" occurs in their lives, WE are devastated. I got news for all of you, LeBron James is human. Forget the commercial endorsements, the cartoons, the hype even the playoffs. At the end of the day, LeBron James is just like you or I. We wake up each morning, we pee, we do our best to appease people on the street with our appearance, we work, eat, breathe, pray and then lie down at night in hopes that the almighty will show favor on us to see another day to attempt to get our lives in order before we face Him. So while everyone is saying LeBron got dunked on, did anyone bother to ask maybe he just let the guy have a moment? No, because it doesn't make good press. Now on the flip, Nike was dead wrong. I do hate the Nike corporation like I hate beets, but that a story for a blog posting at a later date. Anyway, Lebron, you are still cool in my book and if it makes you feel better, just last year, my 5 year old nephew beat me really bad playing Pac-Man on PS2. So I did what any other 40 year old would do in that situation; I smashed the gaming system against the t.v., flipped his chair, told him he cheated and to get out of my room. What?

Welcome Back, Ms. Houston

Now I can officially say that Whitney is looking good these days and that this is supposed to be the cover of her upcoming CD titled, "I Look To You". What do you think?

It's Been A While

I know it's been a minute since I did a posting, primarily because I had company visiting from out of town this weekend. Isn't it a blessing when you can see friends after a few years and fall back in where you left off. Wow! The laughter, the food, ranking on each other (Bobbie Jean), it's just like a long party that you never want to end. If you are fortunate enough to have good friends, cherish them...I mean real friends. Not the ones that are around when you get paid, when you get that insurance check, when you are having a party or when you drink so much you buy drinks all night long. But I mean the types that insist that you not do the dishes, that say, "No, let me pay for it", the types that tell you what is right no matter how bad the truth hurts or the kinds that put up with your dogs no matter how bad they stink and act like they don't smell them. And lastly, the types that will sit on the toilet with the door open and hold a conversation with you (I am still adjusting to that one) but won't get mad when you walk to the door with air freshener and spray like crazy and then shut it. Friends, I tell you are the best assets to have in life. Get you some good ones.

But there has been a lot going on since my last posting that I will catch up with this week:

• Joe Jackson is still putting his foot in his mouth
• Chris Brown issues a formal apology
• Whitney and Mariah's albums dropping within a week of each other
• The bailout stimulus could ultimately cost the US $23 TRILLION
• A new poem I wrote especially for you
• Michael Vick has been released from home confinement

and

• My 68 year old mother is throwing up the peace sign from a moving motorcycle (Sweet Jesus, please send a Biker Angel to protect her)

Who is music's undisputed "KING"? Elvis vs. Michael

Since Michael Jackson's passing, I have been hearing more and more discussions about who was the better overall entertainer, Elvis Presley or Michael Jackson? Well, I have decided to do my very own poll from my readers. Look at the videos and use the comments section (if you like) to tell who you think should take the overall "KING" title. Don't forget to vote to the left side of the screen

Mr. Presley, you first:

Very good, Mr. Presley.

Mr. Jackson, you wanna take the stage and do your thing now?

That was wonderful Mr. Jackson, but it's up to the people to decide, who the real reigning KING of music is. Let the comments/ voting begin (voting is done via the poll to the left). Voting ends on 8/29/09, which is Michaels birthday.

The Real "Action Jackson"

LaToya Jackson has recently been quoted as saying,

“Michael was murdered and we don't think just one person was involved. Rather, it was a conspiracy of people. I feel it was all about money. Michael was worth well over a billion in music publishing assets and somebody killed him for that. He was worth more dead than alive." She went on to say, “I know who did it and I won't rest until I nail them….a couple of years ago Michael told me he was worried that people were out to get him. He said, 'they’re gonna kill me for my publishing. They want my catalogues and they're gonna kill me for these!”

Joe Jackson feels the same way, but no one is taking him seriously or paying him any attention. Get em' LaToya!

MOVIE REVIEW - "Bruno"

It's 10 minutes before the movie starts. I am sitting on the fourth row, after paying an admission price of $9.50, another $11.50 for some nachos and a coke and the theater smells like week old pee, I am thinking to myself, "I should have got this on bootleg." To make matters worse, in walks a group of teenagers, laughing and talking loudly followed by another group. You know the kind that makes their own soundtrack. My now, I am in that, "I need to get my money and get out of here" mode". But then, the movie starts and the first 5 minutes is so disgustingly funny, you can't help but wait to see if Sasha Baron Cohen can outdo himself. The movie is disturbing to say the least, but equally as outrageous. Part scripted, part pranked the movie had me laughing the entire time. Bruno is a gay character that comes to the United States in hopes of becoming a celebrity but uses a madcap stage of anonymous situations to persuade his unsuspecting victims to fall right into his trap of hysterical embarrassment. People like Paula Abdul and former Presidential candidate, Ron Paul. It's a wonder Sasha Baron Cohen was not seriously hurt in some of these scenarios, or worse killed. I won't give the movie away, but I will tell you, it was one of the funniest movies I have seen all year (I know it's just July). Was it worth $9.50? I'd have to say yes and would be willing to watch it again for the laughs, but from the comfort of my own sofa, if you know what I mean (wink). I'd give it a B+ for cutting edge comedy, but would not recommend watching it anyone under the age of 18 or your mother due to its explicit nudity and scenes of graphic sexuality, unless your mother likes that kind of stuff.

Interesting Article About the Black Church

The following story comes courtesy of www.livesteez.com. It is very interesting but I know some people that favor Mega-Churches are going to want to beat me with bibles and tambourines then smother me with choir robes and stuff me in the broom closet right outside the fellowship hall, but I didn't write it, I just though it was interesting.

Where is the $420 Billion in Tithes and Offerings the Black Church has Received Since 1980?

LiveSteez research shows that Black churches, in aggregate, have collected more than $420 billion in tithes and donations since 1980. With a Senate investigation into the finances of several mega churches underway, the “Prosperity Movement” has been the target of mounting criticism from inside and outside the Black Church. Specifically, the affluent ministries of The Reverend Creflo Dollar, Bishop Eddie Long and others have drawn the attention – and ire – of some clergy and laypeople alike.
Researcher Henry E. Felder’s study of Blacks’ donation habits demonstrated per capita spending of $508 per year in 2009 dollars. Another source, Tyler Media Services, estimated that Black Church revenue approached $17 billion in 2006.
One church, the Reverend Dollar’s World Changers, reported $69 million in 2006 income, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
Mainstream politicians and Black community leaders are demanding a better accounting of the “return on investment” offered by churches to the communities that fund them. Meanwhile, legions of faithful churchgoers defend their pastors and accuse their detractors of applying a double standard that ignores the largesse of wealthy, white televangelists, while underplaying the economic development and social service functions provided by the Black Church.
“The church has gotten caught up in materialism and greed, a lifestyle. Many ministers today want to live like celebrities and they want to be treated like celebrities. In other words, instead of the church standing with the community, the church has become self-serving. It has strayed away from its mission” according to Dr.Love Henry Whelchel, professor of church history at The Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta.
Few people – not even the ongoing Congressional investigation by Senator Chuck Grassley accuse the mega church pastors of outright larceny, and congregants generally approve of their pastors’ luxurious lifestyles. However, in a blatant recent example, a father-son pastor team, 76-year-old Richard Cunningham of Moreno Valley and his son, 52-year-old Philip Cunningham of Laurinburg, N.C., pleaded guilty to felony grand theft and fraud charges. The younger Cunningham also pleaded guilty to forgery. Over five years, prosecutors say, the Cunninghams stole from Calvary Baptist Yorba Linda Church and School bank accounts and used the money to buy time shares in Hawaii and Palm Springs, golf club memberships and a Cadillac. Prosecutors say the men have paid $3.1 million in restitution to the church.
LiveSteez’s investigative series will take a forensic editorial approach to quantifying the return to Black America for the $350 billion in tax-favored donations it has given to the Black Church, examining the arguments on both sides of the pulpit. In this series we will seek answers and advisory to the following questions:
- How often and how much do church leaders take advantage of the faith of poor black people?
-We will investigate and indentify the churches they are showing a strong return on investment that goes beyond inspiration.
- What does the black community have to show for the $350 billion in tax free dollars?
- Expert analysis on what could potentially be done with such a huge amount of money and how it could improve the state of our communities.
- Why do some church leaders refuse to participate in the Grassley congressional Investigation, which requested the financial records of several mega-churches.

Another MJ Bombshell! (UPDATE)

I posted this story on yesterday with high hopes that it was true. Unfortunately not. It was a hoax. Other MJ untruths are:

*Debbie Rowe denied wanting the children.
*Grace Rwaramba having to pump Michael's stomach because he was full of pills.
*Michael's body was beat, bruised and bald as initially reported by the LA Coroner's office.

People will lie about anything these days. I can only imagine what they will say about me when I punch my timecard and clock out for the last time.

It is being rumored that the kid that accused Michael Jackson of molesting him back in 1993, Jordan Chandler, is now recanting his story and saying that Michael was innocent and he only made the accusation because his father, Ivan Chandler told him to. I am not sure if this story is true but through my extensive journalistic investigating (searching the web...LOL), I will get the 411 to you with accuracy.

Debbie Rowe Speaks

Debbie Rowe, the mother of Michael Jackson's two oldest children has said that she will not be seeking custody of the children and had the following words to say to a British Tabloid. (She blew me away with this):

"I was never a good mother, I never felt any attachment to them. It was a better feeling giving them to him than it was keeping them as my own. I know I will never see them again. I was never cut out to be a mother - I was no good. I don't want these children in my life. My children are my animals now." Debbie explained that, "Michael was divorced, lonely and wanted children. I was the one who said to him, 'I will have your babies'. I offered him my womb - it was a gift. It was something I did to keep him happy. I was just the vessel. It wasn't Michael's sperm." Debbie explained the arrangement revealing, "I went to the 'office', which is what we called the medical clinic. They impregnated me. It's just like I impregnate my mares for breeding. It was very technical. Just like I stick the sperm up my horse, this is what they did to me. I was his thoroughbred."

This chick is cold!

THE BET AWARDS

NO COMMENT!!!

Well maybe a few questions:

1. New Edition as the Jackson 5. Why?
2. Jamie Foxx as host. Why?
3. Keri Hilson. Why didn't you stop performing like 3 minutes earlier than you did?
4. Beyonce'. Hummmm...what?
5. Was it me or did Diddy look like it was killing him to not take the stage for a MJ tribute.
6. Did the O'Jays turn it out or what? Yes.
7. Was it me or did it seem like Don Cornelius may finally be aging?
8. Jamie Foxx like 4 performances. Why?
9. Soulja Boy. Again, why?
10. Why all the hype about Maxwell?
11. Didn't Janet make you just want to hug her so tight?

All in all the BET Awards have gone to hell in a handbag and tried to ride the death of Michael Jackson in a attempt to boost ratings. So sad. The network is shit! Yes I said it, shit. Most people watch the awards to see the baffoonery not the talent because they don't even expect that anymore.

12. Why didn't they call me and ask me to sing a number for Michael?

A PICTURE SAYS A THOUSAND WORDS

Farrah Fawcett

Actress and 70's icon, Farrah Fawcett passed on today after a lengthy battle with cancer. I remember back in school every girl wanted hair like Farrah. You can call her what you want but she's still Jill Munroe to me.

What Church is This!?

The brother in the attached video is way too excited about giving up his tithes and offerings. Is this church in the US because the music sounds tropical...well can't be because here in the U.S., Rev. Bilberry and Deacon Johnson would have taken this brother straight to the loony farm. My only question is, "Why has he not been on the show, So You Think You Can Dance"?
Check him out: http://livesteez.com/watch/39fanQ/Dancing-in-Church

sidenote: I bet that envelope is empty.

Thanks Aunt Dell

I remember as a child spending the majority of my time around people old enough to be my grandparents. One of the things I remember most about those cherished jewels is that most of them did not have a whole lot of anything, but they had the cleanest homes you could ever live in and always kept themselves clean and tidy. I mean homes so clean you could literally eat off the floor. I remember one of Mama Elsie's friends, Aunt Dell (who was quick to call it as she saw it, LOL) would call us to take her out at the beginning of each month to cash her lil' check, pay a few bills, grocery shop and dash into Goudchaux's for something to wear to service the following Sunday. Now Aunt Dell got a small check that if I am not mistaken was around $750.00/ month. Even 20 something years ago, that was not much after rent, grocery and stuff. But my questions was, how could a woman with so little, always be so clean, neat and had one of the tidiest apartments in Baton Rouge? Because her motto was this, "Being poor or broke, is never an excuse for being nasty". Spread the word because some people need to know this.

POEM OF THE DAY - "Lost Father"

So this weekend, we celebrate fathers, right? This poem is about a father/son relationship that in the end, may not be the happy ending most people desire, but it speaks volumes to boys and men around the world who as children longed for their fathers. In my case, it was what it was. The journey that God had me on didn't include my biological father but He (God) put men (real men) in my life that set examples for me of what real men were. They helped nurture me, guided me, chastised me, and taught my how to conduct myself in public, in the presence of women and my elders. They taught me that respect was more than a word, it was an action and in order to get it, you had to give it....but to never automatically expect it. They taught me that being a man meant more than, dick or driving a Cadillac, more than fighting or pissing behind a tree. I learned about how to take care of the sick, how to feed a stray dog and how to stretch a dollar. I learned how to cut my own grass and take out a little time to cut my neighbors too or to say a kind word to the brother that was down on his luck and then give him a swig from the flask tucked away in your coat pocket. I learned how to fix a flat and build a dog house, but most importantly, stand up for what I believed in and never be to proud to say, I am sorry. They taught me how to pray and cry out to God but at the same time, hold back tears in an attempt to look strong for others who needed your strength. I learned how to hug another man without feeling or looking, "soft". I ultimately learned that no matter how strong or invincible you may seem, we all grow old and at one point in our lives, will have to depend on someone else to help us make it from day to day and then, in the end, we die and leave this earth in hopes that something we did, "right" stays in the heart of some young man we leave behind.

Wow, God is good and while on this Fathers day, I can't say that I am going all out for my old man. But I do thank God that he is alive and healthy and hope that he finds that much needed inner peace concerning his relationship with his children because I sure haven't. Read with a grain of salt...


Lost Father

Alas, my long-lost father to me has returned
to tell me of things I’d already learned.
I opened the door and welcomed him in
to sit and tell of where he had been.
I showed no emotion, not even a smile,
he started to cry and stare for a while.
He looked me down from my head to my feet,
placed his hand on my shoulder in a manner so sweet.
Looked me in my eyes and proceeded to say,
“Son, let me tell you why I went away.”
Before he could start, I cut in with haste
but choked at the startled look on his face.
“I know who you are and I know where you’ve been
so I won’t start with remembering when
as a child the wonderful things that I missed
as other boys played football, kited and fished
with their fathers who loved them enough to stay,
to lead, protect and show them the way.
Taught them to love, respect and then
showed them how to become real men.
Who was there on graduation day?
Just my mama, but that’s O.K.
I always felt that it was a shame
that you weren’t around but I carried your name.
Dear sir, you see now I’m 40 years old
but remember as a child the truth was then told
of the real reason you chose to walk away
and why you have come to my door today.
You felt the need to stray for a while
while my mother was carrying an unborn child.
Even the reality of the story was whack,
mother always said one day you’d come back.
So now that you’re old and alone
you need a place that you can call home.
But I’m sorry, my friend, my home is full
with the love that you left … and that’s no bull.
I haven’t yet learned just how to forgive
you for the life that you chose to live.
I’ll ask you to leave now to close my door
to my home and my heart to hurt no more.”
As he turned in anguish and walked away
I knew I would regret what I did that day.
So then, about a week after my deed,
I pulled out my morning paper to read.
Just curious to know of who had passed
I saved the death section to look through last.
When I turned the page, I froze in time
and stared in eyes that were just like mine.
I felt the hurt, I carried the shame
but managed to notice they misspelled his name.
Canyou is spelled with a capital “C”,
last name, F-O-R-G-I-V-M-E.
I sat in this horror and for hours I cried
that alas, my long-lost father had died.

WYLD STYLZ

Do I Laugh or Do I Cry?

This mess right here is worse than the pictures I saw years ago of Tupac's autopsy. This is cause for a riot worse than the Watts Riot of 1965. Just look people!!! Look!

This is who we should have voted for President!

I want you to forget everything you’ve ever read, heard, seen or thought of about powerful women in American history because my girl, Sybil epitomizes female empowerment. I first saw this video a few years back, but for some reason this morning woke up with the phrases, “Damn, who I live with” and “Gimme mines” lingering in my mind and flowing from my lips over and over again. This was accompanied by a visual of my girl, Sybil getting them right on together. Now when I first saw this I though that there may have been an issue with some mental instability going on here and that would not have been funny. But then the camera panned in to the two 16 oz. cans of Colt 45 on the dining room table (LOL). Sybil is waaaaaaaaay too much. If there is any such thing as past life, then my girl Sybil was a fierce warrior leader who ruled with an iron fist that would make Hitler look like a nursing student who stays high by stealing Xanax from the patients in a long term care facility. By the same token, she would have any woman considered more attractive than her beheaded. This is what I call a woman y'all. I want to one day meet her as badly as I want to meet Oprah...seriously. NOW, you can enjoy your weekend!

You Better Look Straight Ahead!

First Lady, Michelle Obama is giving this woman a look like she is ready to jump on her like a hungry man with a coupon for a free 2-piece grill combo at KFC. LOOK OUT for Michelle "Beat Em' Down Mama" Obama!

Don't do it Michelle.

POEM OF THE DAY - "Wide-Eyed at Dawn"

Wide-Eyed at Dawn

Translucent images on the walls of my eyes
that sometimes make me cry.
I’m afraid to go to sleep at night
I think I just might die.
A heavy load these lids of mine
a burden on my brain.
The thoughts of dying in my sleep
are driving me insane.
A caffeine pill, a loud TV and an empty coffee cup,
mercy if I close these eyes of mine
I just might not wake up.

WYLD STYLZ

17 Year Old Rapes and Murders 8-Month Old Infant (Read With Caution)

The following story is not only tragic and disturbing, it is downright sickening. The only reason I am posting it is because I would hope women reading it would take the initiative to be more selective and cautions of the people (men and women) they become involved with and bring around their children. Again, please read with caution!

A 17 year old teen was arrested for the rape and murder of an 8 month old infant in Jefferson Parish. 17 year old Arnold T. Ross was arrested when neighbors heard loud noises coming from the house where he was babysitting the infant that he raped and murdered.

Arnold T. Ross, who had previously been arrested for possession of crack cocaine, marijuana, obscenity, battery against a correctional officer, three counts of battery on a teacher, three counts of theft, assault and illegal carrying of a weapon. My one and only question is why in God’s name was Arnold T. Ross left to babysit anyone, let alone an 8 month old infant?

The infant, named Da-Von Lonzo, was taken to the hospital in Terrytown, Louisiana where he was pronounced dead shortly after arriving there. The Jefferson Parish Sherriff’s office had initially deemed the death as unclassified. That is until an autopsy revealed that the infant had been raped and murdered.

The autopsy showed multiple fractures consistent with a beating and the infant’s anus had been torn. Arnold T. Ross, at first told officers that the child had fallen down the steps, but later confessed to beating the infant when he would not stop crying. He said it’s anus was torn when he tried to “clean it up”.

The mother of the infant is the girlfriend of Arnold T. Ross, and for some unknown reason trusted him enough to leave the child with him. This terrible case speaks to the weaknesses in our justice system; Arnold T. Ross, with his long record at only 17 years of age, should have been in a correctional facility; not babysitting for anyone.

Now, I have never been an advocate for the use of the death penalty and in this case, still not. Because I do believe that would be too good for this monster. I say let him get a dose of his own medicine with a long sentence in a prison full of big, burly, horny "lifers" in search of fresh meat pounding his back out whenever they feel like it. That would be a good start for this son of a bitch. He deserves the maximum punishment under the law.

I am not blaming the system for this one people.

The Lena Baker Story

My 16 year old niece asked me a few weeks ago if she could do some research on my computer for a report she was writing on a woman named, Lena Baker. I asked, "You mean Josephine Baker"? She said, "No, Lena Baker" and went on to tell me who she was and her place in history. Needless to say, although embarassed, I was proud at my niece for having an interest in such an individual. I was also surprised and delighted to find out that there was recently a movie produced about her life that would star actress, Tichina Arnold. Here is some background on Lena Baker:

Lena Baker (June 8, 1901 – March 5, 1945) was an African American maid who was executed for murder by the State of Georgia in 1945 for killing her employer, Ernest Knight, 67, in 1944. At her trial she claimed that he had imprisoned and threatened to shoot her should she attempt to leave, whereupon she took his gun and shot him. Baker was the only woman to be executed by electrocution in Georgia. She was granted a full and unconditional pardon by the State of Georgia in 2005, 60 years after her execution.

Baker was born and raised in Cuthbert, Georgia to a family of poor black sharecroppers. Her mother, Queenie, worked for a farmer named J.A. Cox, chopping cotton.
At the age of 20, Baker and a friend found they could make money by "entertaining gentlemen." This came to attention of the Randolph County sheriff as their clientèle were white and interracial relationships were illegal in Georgia.The two were arrested and spent several months in a workhouse. On release she was ostracized by the black community, leading her to become an alcoholic. By the time she was in her early forties, Baker had three children.
In 1941, Knight hired Baker to care for him after he broke his leg. In the town of Cuthbert, Georgia, Knight was viewed as a brutal and abusive man, a failed farmer who ran a gristmill and who always had a pistol strapped to his chest. A relationship developed between the two. Knight was believed to provide Baker with alcohol in return for sex, and the whole town knew of the relationship. Knight was persuaded by his oldest son, A.C. Knight, to move to Tallahassee, Florida in an effort to break up the pair, but Baker soon followed. A.C. Knight then gave Baker an ultimatum to leave, which she did, but Knight followed her back to Cuthbert.
On the night of April 30, 1944, Lena Baker went to the house of J.A. Cox, who was now the town coroner, and told him that she had shot Knight. Cox told Baker to go to the sheriff, while he would go to the gristmill where Baker said Knight's body was. Baker did not go to the sheriff, but instead went home.She was picked up by the sheriff later that night, but was cooperative. He gave her two days to sleep off the effects of the alcohol in her system before questioning her.
Baker then told her version of events. Knight had come to her house drunk and asked her to come to the mill. She did not want to go and tried stalling him by asking for money to go buy some whiskey. He gave her some money and she went to the "colored bar" on Dawson Street to buy alcohol, but found it closed. She waited there for a while hoping that Knight would leave her house, but when she returned, he was still there.She was forced to accompany him to the mill, but escaped and hid in the underbrush. She bought some whiskey and went to sleep in the woods near the convict camp. On waking the next morning she decided to go to the mill, sure this was the last place that Knight would go; this was exactly where Knight was, however. He held her prisoner for several hours, even through several hours of his absence, when he attended a "singing" with his son.He returned and told Baker he would kill her if she tried to "quit" him. Baker was the only living witness to the details of what happened, but in the ensuing struggle, Knight's pistol went off, hitting him in the head and instantly killing him. Baker claimed she acted in self-defense.

Lena Baker was charged with capital murder and stood trial on August 14, 1944, presided over by Judge William "Two Gun" Worrill, who kept a pair of pistols on his judicial bench in plain view. The all-white male jury convicted her by the end of the afternoon. Her court-appointed counsel, W.L. Ferguson, filed an appeal but then dropped Baker as a client. Governor Ellis Arnall granted Lena a 60-day reprieve so that the Board of Pardons and Parole could review the case, but clemency was denied in January 1945. Baker was transferred to Reidsville State Prison on February 23, 1945. On entering the execution chamber, Baker calmly sat in the electric chair, called Old Sparky, and said "What I done, I did in self-defense. I have nothing against anyone. I'm ready to meet my God." She was buried at Mount Vernon Baptist Church.

In 2001, members of Baker's family petitioned to have a pardon granted by the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles, seeing the original verdict as racist. This was granted in 2005, with the Parole Board, granting her a full and unconditional pardon, suggesting a verdict of manslaughter, which would have carried a 15 year sentence, would have been more appropriate.

A novel, The Lena Baker Story, authored by Lela Bond Phillips, chronicled her life. This book was the basis for a screenplay by actor/director Ralph Wilcox filmed in 2007 in Southwest Georgia. The film, also entitled "The Lena Baker Story," stars Tichina Arnold in the title role, Peter Coyote, Beverly Todd and Michael Rooker and is due for theatrical release in Spring 2009.

Thanks to Panachereport for the bio.

US Journalists Sentenced to 12 Years Hard Labor in South Korea

This story is interesting and whats even more interesting is to see how the U.S. responds. I heard that Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton sent a letter to the North Korean government demanding their release. This situation could escalate into something well beyond these two women. Read full story here: http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/06/08/nkorea.journalists/index.html

Michael Jackson's Kids (without masks)

Now, I know somewhere in this world, some man is saying to himself, "If only I had not signed that agreement"! You cannot tell me that these children have any Jackson blood running through their veins. Check out the girl. Her eyes are telling a story. She is saying to herself, "Of all the shoes daddy has, why in the Heavens did he wear these?" They are 80's throwbacks for sure (LOL). Maybe he got them from James Brown. (intro music for BAD)

Poem of the day - "I'm In The Mood For Blues"

This one goes out to Koko y'all. I remember writing this poem years ago after my mother properly introduced me to the blues thus causing me to fell in love with them. Blues is an original American art form and true American music. Born in the deep south and out of slavery, the sister to the negro spiritual, blues is now on the threshold of being taken from us and being intentionally re-evolved into another genre, catering to an entirely different group of people.


I’m in the Mood for Blues

Don’t jive me ’bout no country
or no heavy rockin’ tunes.
Today I want to cry a little,
I’m in the mood for blues.

Don’t want no pastel jazz
or pop with colored hues.
Today I need some somber soul,
I’m in the mood for blues.

A blue Monday fish fry
with a little gumbo too
and a screamin’ guitar player
to get you feeling blue.

Boy, talk about good times,
no songs touch minds like these.
When you’re singing from your soul
while cryin’ on your knees.

Forget a cab or city bus
I’d walk a hole in my shoes
to get to a good juke joint
where someone’s playin’ blues.

Round ’bout six up in the evening,
ain’t got no time for news.
I just bought me a new funk box
and I’m ’bout to play some blues.

So come on over and sit a while
and pay Mr. Pain your dues.
Just close your eyes and sway your head
and listen to my blues.

WYLD STYLZ

Still Sad

I am still in shock about Koko Taylor. Y'all know I am having a rough one. I love me some Koko. I think that I will have a Blues Happy Hour at my house tomorrow. Can somebody please bring the catfish, corn meal, seasoned salt, potato salad, bread, Seagrams 7, good beer, decent foam plates, napkins, forks, cups, ice, sodas, and a good homemade pound cake, becasue I really need that to get me through this tough time. I'll go out of my way and find a few records to spin.