POEM OF THE DAY - The Night of the Chocolate Sun

To my mature sisters (I call you seasoned) reading this, know your self worth.  Know that life truly begins after 30 and know that for the rest of your life, you are desired, wanted and beautiful.  This is for you:

The Night of the Chocolate Sun

He was the sweetest thing

she’d ever seen

jet black with pearl white teeth

just barely twenty three

eye lashes like Marabou fans

with braids like silken woven wool

a mole right under his left cheek

the body of a god

His skin glistened from the fusion

of hot water and baby oil

sweet, coy and bashful he was

but as aggressive as a panther in bed

surges of electricity eluded from his underwear

his lightning bolt raging

to strike in her womb

making her feel

alive

yet more alive

with every passing second

in what seemed like a binary moment

from a broken hourglass

he had delicately commandeered his manhood

inside her sacred temple 

and with the oddest bit of curiosity asked,

a question never reserved for a true woman

of hidden candor

he whispered in her ear

while his warm breath

massaged her lobe, taking her mind to a place

far from home

“Ma’am, how old are you?”

So without hesitation, she screamed, “ 46”

And through his thrusts, he replied,

“You are every young man’s fantasy

and every older man’s dream.”

It was at that very moment and all of 20

years of thinking she was a true woman, the sun came

and kissed her…just her

beaming through the ceiling above them

warming her deepest and softest vulnerabilities

to confirm that now she was more than

just a woman,

she  was alive,

she was  treasured

she was desired,

she was beautiful…

still beautiful

with her voice trembling and tears

rolling to the nape of her neck,

she screamed at him to say it once more.

And through his thrusts, he replied,

“You are every young man’s fantasy

and every older man’s dream” .

the sun continued to shine

for hours,

well into days

then weeks

and after countless years

of never setting suns

she contends and wears well, but with decent humility

that she is still and will always remain,

every young man’s fantasy

and every older man’s dream

WYLD STYLZ 

Vote for Faith

 

 

As early voting began yesterday for many Americans (for whatever reason this happened before the last presidential debate, I have no idea) there are a few extremely important facts that we as Americans, need to consider. As Americans, the current law of the land in which we live, dictates that we are represented by a leader, that through our current democratic process, is elected by the people. My Bible says, that we are to abide by the law of the land, unless that law goes against Gods law. While you may or may not agree with the principals and/ or moral standards of either candidate, our right to serve the God of our choice, in the manner in which we choose, is an American right that whomever is elected President has an obligation to uphold, based on the Constitution of the United States. That’s what it means to be an American.

To date, I have watched all three Presidential debates and throughout the entire election, I believe one candidate spoke more of and consistently lead more to talks of peace, gave me a clearer vision of hope and led me to a place of increased faith. It is those factors, that aided me in my decision on who I would like to see lead our country for the next four years. It is also those factors that make me feel more American…not just more American, but an American closer to the promise of God. The promise that He came not only to give me life, but life more abundantly. That is God’s promise, not the promise of Barack Obama or Mitt Romney.

Consider that when an individual comes from an environment and a time when everything around him seems hopeless, the only thing that person really has, is faith. During these times, that person’s vision of hope can become very distorted because of the physical environment in which he/ she is confined to. But the vision of faith itself, is spiritual. It cannot be held, it cannot be sold, it cannot be taken and it cannot be distorted. Faith is clear, it is concise, it delivers with precision and it is the very factor that allows that one candidate to see America for the country that it can become. I share that same faith to a greater extent with one candidate in this election. I feel that this particular candidate exudes the type of faith that through peace, America can repair its somewhat negative perception to the rest of the world, that Americans are people of humility and that we do not believe a world of war makes this land the home of the brave but that the God we serve is not a God of war but rather a God of peace and order. That’s what it means to be American. I share the notion with this one candidate, that America needs a President that believes all Americans should have the basic liberty of choosing how they want to serve God, based on the profession of their own faith and that your personal walk with the Creator should not be dictated by the overall belief of our nation’s leaders, but yet, your own convictions. Almost every universal faith- based religion that I know of, teaches us that God already chose us and that we as His children have the right to choose and confess Him. The reason for this is that by definition, faith itself, is one of the few true religions. Every day of my life, I get an overwhelming feeling of joy knowing that God has allowed me to exist in a country where I am free to choose Him without fear of a government that would severely punish or torture me for exercising that right. For me, that’s what it means to be an American.

The word “faith” or derivative thereof, is used a total of 528 times in the Bible (depending on which version you read), and many times in the teachings of other religions.  However, it doesn’t matter what religious affiliation you are, when it concerns voting for faith in this election, you must allow yourself to make your decisions based on which candidate best represents you and what you believe.  There has to be a conscious effort to not be sidetracked by the ever increasing popularity over the morality of secondary issues like abortion and gay marriage. That should not be your primary focus in this election but rather, your faith in the God we serve and which candidate best matches your level of devotion. We must realize that at the end of the day, regardless of who becomes the next President of the United States and the uncertainty of where this great nation will ultimately reside, relative to every other nation on planet Earth, your unwavering faith is the only thing that will allow you to see that God ALWAYS has been and will ALWAYS continue to be in control. And for me, that’s what it means to be an American.



WYLD STYLZ

Things That Make You Go, "Oh Hell No"!

You know, it is always so important that in our daily lives, we stay positive, upbeat and focused on happiness.  Sometimes, we need to even make a conscious effort to do so by affirming to ourselves that we are happy and that life is indeed, good.  But every now and then, some small thing happens in the course of the day to attempt to throw us into that abyss of negativity that snowballs into an all out bad day (in reality, there is no such thing.  It's just how we see it).  Now often times, these things are so trivial and unbelievably funny when we look back at them, but as creatures of habit, we do not necessarily like abrupt change.  Here's a few funny "Oh hell no!" moment I want to share with you:

You go to the drive thru at any fried chicken chain and order a two piece specifically asking for and having paid for, a "wing and a breast".  You get home, open the box and you have a, "leg and a thigh".  OH HELL NO!

You are on a diet and have been eating rabbit food for weeks now, working out and passing on desserts.  The last time you were on the scale you were, 189 lbs.  You are excited after all these weeks of sacrifice and  finally decide to get on the scale to see how much weight you've lost.  You step on the scale and watch the dial as it teeters back and forth from 168 to 215 pounds but eventually stopping at 191 lbs.  OH HELL NO!

You and all of your friends have purchased airline tickets and made accommodations in New Orleans for Bayou Classic months in advance just as you have for the past 18 years. On the first week in November, you manager calls you into his/ her office and gives the following announcement: "I know you have worked hard all year but you realize that we are understaffed and because of that, we are all required to work from that Friday through that Monday after Thanksgiving this year and it is mandatory."  OH HELL NO!

You decide to put off paying the your utility bill for a week or so and use that money to invite some friends over for a small get together with spades, food, drinking, etc.  On that hot Saturday afternoon, all of your guests have arrived, you are frying fish, pouring drinks and a good time is being had by all.  Two hours into the gathering, all power to your house goes out.  "Somebody must have ran into a telephone pole or it could have been a transformer.  They blow all the time around here" you keep saying to everyone.  Your cousin walks in late and asks why is your house so dark and you give her the transformer story.  She replied, "Well all of your neighbors have lights."  OH HELL NO!

Your friend has a small dog and asks you to keep him for a few days while he goes out of town.  He brags about how well behaved and hose broken, "Friskie" is.  Friskie does appear to be a good, sweet dog and even sleeps at the foot of your bed later that night.  Things have gone so well that you decide to leave him out of his kennel the next morning while you go to work.  Returning home that evening, you are real excited walking in the door because you assume Friskie is going to greet you with that level of happiness that only mans best friend can deliver.  However, Friskie is nowhere to be found. What you do find is that Friskie has torn up every magazine and book on your coffee table, bit holes in your sofa, destroyed the sofa pillows, dug the one plant out of its pot you did have and took a dump in the middle of your bed.  Two hours later Friskie cautiously emerges from the very bed you have been trying to clean since you got home and growling at you.  OH HELL NO!

You make an attempt at online dating and eventually meet this guy or girl, that by looking at his/ her pictures and their conversation, in your mind, you are already walking down the aisle.  You say to yourself, "This is the one".  Weeks go by and the conversations become more exciting and more intense so you finally decide to meet for a first date.  You want to play it safe, so you opt to meet at the bar in a popular restaurant.  You are there waiting at the bar when you get a phone call asking, "I am inside, where are you".  You reply by saying that you are sitting at the bar and turn around looking...looking...looking when you realize that the one person in the entire restaurant you are hoping and praying could not possibly be your date, is indeed your date and that those pictures you have been seeing, were from 2003.  OH HELL NO!

You keep getting calls from an unfamiliar number and after weeks you finally decide to answer it since whoever it is calling have no messages.  When you say hello the person on the other end address you by your first name and you confirm who you are.  The call suddenly takes a turn when you realize that it is the rudest bill collector on the planet.  You explain to this person that you do not have the money at this time to pay the debt and ask if they can call you next month.  You are given a barrage of suggestions on where you should get the money and then asked to go as far a pawning your television set they he can see by your credit report you recently purchased using your Best Buy credit card.  You ask the debt collector, if he/ she is crazy and he responds, "No, but you must be to pay 24.9% interest for a $499 television that you will have paid $3025 for at the end of your term.  This is what happens when you have bad credit.  Now do you want to start repairing it today by paying what you owe us"?  OH HELL NO!

What's your, OH HELL NO moment?

All Women Are Created Equal, Not All Mothers

ALL WOMEN ARE CREATED EQUAL, NOT ALL MOTHERS

As this Mothers Day quickly approaches, I cannot help but reminisce how over the years, time changes people, especially our mothers.  As a lot of us have watched our mothers go from being the strongest people in our lives to the weakest, we can't help but notice their frailties both physically and emotionally.  We watch these women that seemed invincible to us as children, now become childlike themselves.  But through all this, they remain strong willed and seem to grow more wise and spiritual as time progresses.  It does not take a very smart individual to see that these women possessed something more than what could be seen through time with the naked eye; the spirit of the mothers before them.  When one of my elder Aunts died a few years back, I recall hearing my cousin say upon leaving the gravesite, "One of the last of the Mohicans".  He was referring to that aunt as the one of the last members of a generation where motherhood was more than an obligation, more than a word, more than a simple process of raising children.  It was an honor that was not to be taken lightly and a task that she would die to achieve and be performed to the best of her ability.  Growing up, I watched a woman make extreme sacrifices for her children, not sparing the rod, guarding and nurturing them so that when she left this world, her children would be able to stand strong and face this world on their own terms.  I watched this woman work two jobs cleaning house and cooking for wealthy people and then leave and come home and cook for her own children and never once, was anything placed on her dinner table from someone else's kitchen.  After preparing dinner, most evenings she would go back to work until after sunset.  I watched this woman wake up before the break of dawn each morning, and make preparations for her children to start their day at school and watched her get on her knees EVERY night and pray aloud to God, "Lord please keep my children safe from all hurt, harm and danger and keep your loving arms around them".  It was this same woman who would not hesitate to lecture me for what seemed like eternity, for not living up to her representation of a young man because in her words, she didn't raise me like that!  While these memories may be pertinent to my life, the same can be said for a million other mothers then and now.  Unfortunately, my issue with our society is that is it seems like I often see so many mothers who are not going down the right path parenting their children in the way they should.  I think that if every mother today would take a self assessment of how they are raising their children and what she can do to become a better mother, then I am sure she would find that there and many things that would be out of line with perfect parenting.  However, there is no such thing as a perfect mother, but a little goes a long way.  If you are a mother and your self assessment had led you to believe that you can do a lot more, here are some pointers that I hope you would humbly take to heart and actively put into action:      

• Take a moment to sit and think about all the time you spend doing useless things that can become quality time with your children.
• Tell your children you love them, even when you are mad and hug them while you say it.
• Mama, that's your son, not your husband!  Let a young man become a man, push him to be a man if you have to.
• Mama, that's your daughter, not your sister and yes it is inappropriate to be  in the club together. 
• When you seem tired but are really not, think about the fact that your child did not ask to be here.  Push yourself a little more.  It will not kill you.
• Know where they are and who they are with and what the heck they are doing.  Always. 
• Reach out to other mothers who may be having a hard time and ask if they would like to talk about the situation with their children without seeming like you are trying to get into their business.
• Cook at home at least 5 days a week.  Toddlers love candy, teens love McDonald's but every child on earth appreciates a good home cooked meal.  Believe me, if your children outlive you, they'll never forget this about you.
• Put the fear of God in them early in life.  Bruce Lee once said, that knowledge will give you power but character will give you respect.  I say, issuing out a well deserved ass whipping will give you both.
• Teach them to say, "yes ma'am" and "no ma'am" and "yes sir" and "no sir".  The respect factor is invaluable to older people, especially the elderly.
• If your habit is smoking, drinking or pulling a puff off a joint, your habit is your habit so why include it in the lives of your children?  There is nothing worse than seeing a mother sitting on the front porch smoking weed with her five year old child playing hopscotch at the sidewalk (beyond sad).       
• Pray without ceasing.  With all that your children have to deal with in the world right now, imagine if things continue its current trend.  They'll need prayer.  
• Monitor your children's music, television shows and friends.  As Mama Elsie used to say, "The Devil is busy".  If they get mad at you, tell them that it's your job and it's only out of love.
• Teach your children how to pray.  Think about how many children you know, that can sing a popular rap song, but cannot say the first two verses of The Lords Prayer (test yourself).
• Put your kinds in church...even if you don't go.  There is always a lady up the block that will pick them up.
• Learn to make small sacrifices.  A Sea Louse is considered to be the best mother in nature because her young make their way into the world by eating her from the inside out.  You really don't need those new shoes if your child does not have lunch money.  
• Single mothers, it's alright to have some companionship.  Just remember that every man you meet may not be worthy to enter your home and the one that is, make sure he is a man of substance. 
• Teach them about the value of money, the honor in taking care of little things and the importance of cleaning up.  No man or woman wants to grow up and marry anyone that can't save, have no respect for anything with sentimental value and nasty at the same time.  Remember, when they leave home, they represent you.
• Think before you react.  Cussing out your childs teacher does not make you look smart or badass.  It makes you look as stupid as...well...just plain old stupid.  
• And lastly, BE THE EXAMPLE.  There is not a day in my life, I am not cognizant about almost everything that I do, that is solely based on the way I have seen someone do it before...everything.  They way we interact with people, the way we react to situations and even the way we greet people is all subconsciously embedded in our psyche based on what we have seen.  Think about it, isn't hatred a learned behavior? 

So this Mothers day, sincerely acknowledge those women who deserve to be honored for their jobs well done.  As a result of seeing this, we hope that those who have fallen short, will in some way see this as an opportunity to become a better mother themselves.  Happy Mothers day to all mothers.  May God continue to order your steps and bless you in ways unmentionable.

Love Eternal, 

WYLD STYLZ  

          
        

Mary J. Blige Does Her Thing at the Kentucky Derby

Looking regal in red, the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul pulled a fast one at the 2012 Kentucky Derby by singing the National Anthem with style, grace and soul as only she could.  Initially, many people were vocal in their objections to Mary singing the anthem after the Burger King situation, but nay sayers be damned, Ms. Blige received a rousing round of applause after belting her personal heartfelt rendition.  I am sure if Queen Marie Antionette had heard the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, she would have said, "Let them eat cake".  I say, "Let them eat crispy chicken wraps".  

POEM OF THE DAY - Me and God

Me and God



See, me and God had a talk last night
I told him of all things going good
and of things that weren’t quite right

I told him of all my unclean deeds
and all my future plans
He said, “I feel you on that my child,
but just put it in my hands”

When I felt His spirit shine on me
I gave the biggest smile
Then I heard God say to me
“But we haven’t talked in a while”

I said, “God I’ve been real busy
with this chick I’m hollering at.”
You see that’s how I talk to God
because God is cool like that.

I said that I’d been working this job
and hanging out at times
and that since I wanted to be a rapper
I was tightening up my rhymes.

I told Him that I often think of Him
and watch Olseen when I could,
but life can be so very hectic
for a brother in the hood.

I got to pay this child support
so I stays up on my grind.
God you know what they do to you
when you mess up and fall behind.

And I’ve been trying to keep it real with Moms
cause she always getting drunk
and hustlin’ here and there when I can,
because God, I ain’t no punk.

So God, don’t take it personal
I love taking to you.
It’s just that I have so many things
to try and get to do.

God said, “Stop for a second my precious son.
I have anointed thee
I have kept you safe in every way
from things you could not see.

This course alone is not yours to run
I’ll lead you to a life anew.
Just keep your eyes on me my child
I’ll take care of mama too.

I know that temptations of the world
can pull you from your place
but a balance of all things worldy
can help you win this race.”

I said, “But God you really don’t understand.”
God said, “Come on now, I made you man.”
I said, “God I’m young, not yet in my prime.”
God said, “Just acknowledge me, give me some time.”

I said, “ Well God how much time do you require.”
God said, “A lifetime, a month, a day or an hour.”
I said, “But God what about the drugs that I do.”
God said, “You think I haven’t been watching you?”

I said, “It helps me get back into my groove.”
God said, “If you want me to, the urge, I’ll remove.”
I said, “Hold on God, one thing at a time.”
God said, “Whenever you’re ready for me is fine.”

I said, “ Alright God, if I mess up will you love me still”
God said, I always have my child and I always will.”



Yeah, me and God had a talk last night.



WYLD STYLZ

THE HAMMER FALLS ON 4/15/12. WYLD STYLZ IS BACK!

Thanks to the many people who sent me e-mails, made phone calls and sent me messages on FB telling me to get back to my blog.  It's been a while but I am back on track.  Thanks for your inspiration and support. 

Being Led

As I sit here and look at this blank page where a post should go, I am asking God to lead me in the direction solely ordained by His spirit.

The Question Behind the BP Oil Spill

With 2009 profits (that's right, profits), exceeding $16 billion dollars, you would think that BP could afford to write checks left and right to the people whose livelihoods depend on a viable environment along the Gulf coast, but they're not.  I hear that getting some compensation from these people is like pulling teeth.  Now what really puzzles me is the fact that gas prices have been on a steady decline for the past couple of weeks.  I am not certain how this plays in the whole oil spill scenario, but consumers had better beware.  I have always known that oil prices determine gas prices and those prices are based on supply and demand.  (to be continued)

The World vs. The Girl in The Front Row

With the one year anniversary of the death of Michael Jackson approaching, the tributes have begun.  The latest tribute, broadcast on Russian television, features LaToya having a striking resemblance to Simba from the Lion King.  In my opinion, her portion of the performance was downplayed because we all know, LaToya can really, "Get it".  Overall, the tribute was twice as good as the one from the Grammy's earlier this year, but the girl in the audience at the 2:55 mark took the show.  The look on her face was like, "I am not buying this for one second".

Check it out:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENvZiNy0P2E&feature=player_embedded

The Eloquent and Ever so Lovely, Khia (Thug Misses)

While the rest of the rest of the world is clapping and singing showtunes with the cast of Fox's hit show, "GLEE", the ratings over at ABC must be dropping faster than Kendra Wilkinson's panties, because they invited the Thug Misses herself, Khia to stop by the studios for an interview. Now I am not a big Khia fan, but I must say that she handled herself fairly well when Tanya Rivero made attempts to make Khia look bad and even fuel rumors of beef between she and Janet Jackson. Her intelligence did surprise me. But my question is, why is it that like many other performers and comedians, certain audiences (and we know who they are) get the buffoonery and broken grammar while other audiences get the opposite? You pop the top, watch and tell me:  http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/video/khias-bad-girl-10848482?tab=9482931

Forever Young?

Damn what they sell late night on QVC, I want some of what this cat is using and will up my entire next paycheck to get it. How is it that a man 52 years old, can look like like a 15 year old dolled up for her Quinceñera? I am soooooo jealous even if he look like he should be a character on the next "Pirates of the Caribbean" installment.

BTW Prince, Anita Baker wants her old wig back.

Hey Y'all!

Okay, okay. I know it's been a while, but so much has been going on in the world lately. I don't even know where to start; the BP oil spill, Gary Coleman's wife and her slickery, or the fact that if you are gay in Uganda right now, you better get in the closet, stay in the closet, lock it, bolt it, boobie trap it and use Queen Latifah as a a security guard to beat down any trespassers.  Click here to see exactly what I'm talking about (not the the fainthearted): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIGCp1_JrGY

We Really Need to Know This, People!

(Article from the Washington Post)

Talks continue as GOP senators block advance of financial overhaul bill

By Brady Dennis and Shailagh Murray
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, April 27, 2010; A01

Republicans voted unanimously Monday to block an effort to overhaul financial regulations from reaching the Senate floor, pledging to hold out for significant changes to the bill even as they acknowledged the political risk of appearing to obstruct a popular cause.

The 57 to 41 vote in favor of beginning debate, short of the 60 needed, was expected, although Democrats did suffer an unanticipated defection when Sen. Ben Nelson (Neb.) joined Republicans as a no. Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) was prepared to call further votes Tuesday, Wednesday and beyond.

"We need to keep the pressure on to get a deal as quickly as possible," Reid spokesman Jim Manley said.

About two-thirds of Americans supported stricter regulations on the way banks and other financial institutions conduct their business, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll. Majorities also backed two main components of pending Senate bill: greater federal oversight of consumer loans, and a proposed fund paid for by the financial industry that would go toward dismantling failed firms that put the broader economy at risk.

Given the public support for tougher Wall Street rules, the unanimity that Republicans demonstrated Monday may not endure. GOP negotiators said their goal remains a final bill that includes enough changes that it can win broad support from both parties. But Democrats are looking to limit their concessions and say they will probably win a few conversions among Republicans who have expressed support for the overwhelming majority of the bill in its current form.

Democrats say they believe about half a dozen GOP lawmakers are open to switching their votes. They include Sens. Olympia J. Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine, Sen. Scott Brown (Mass.), and Sen. Charles E. Grassley (Iowa).

Grassley, a conservative who is up for reelection in November, surprised colleagues recently in voting to support strict new rules for derivatives, one of the most complex but fundamental parts of the legislation.

The 1,400-page bill would also create an agency to protect consumers against abusive lending practices, establish a council of regulators to monitor potential risks to the financial system, and give the government authority to shut down large, failing firms before they collapse.

Snowe has outlined two main concerns about the current version of the bill, including a proposed $50 billion fund to be used in liquidating distressed financial firms and restrictions on community banks that engage in certain types of small-business lending.

"There are some concerns about the legislation, and I want to make sure they're addressed," Snowe said. But she added: "We're not going to have unanimous support for this legislation."

Brown said he voted "no" Monday to allow the Senate banking committee's chairman, Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.), and the panel's ranking Republican, Sen. Richard C. Shelby (Ala.), more time to rewrite several major provisions. "People want this area addressed," Brown said. "They don't want to have problems like they had before, including me."

But even as Reid pledged to hold vote after vote, some Democrats warned privately that the strategy could backfire if he appears to be short-circuiting negotiations. Snowe and Brown, along with other GOP lawmakers, complained that the Monday vote was premature.

"It's clear that they're trying to score political points," Brown told reporters after the vote.

Nelson said he had opposed starting debate on the bill because he objected to consumer-protection provisions that could harm "Main Street businesses" back home, including dentists, whose patients often borrow to finance major procedures that their insurance policies don't cover, and auto dealers.

But after talking with Nelson, Dodd said, "Dentists and auto dealers did not come up."

Instead, Dodd said, Nelson had spoken with him about making a change to the derivatives portion of the bill. Nelson favored including a provision that would exempt owners of existing derivatives contracts from having to post additional collateral, as required in the legislation.

This requirement could force companies that use derivatives to set aside large sums of money to cover possible losses, and these set-asides could eat into profits by depriving the firms of resources they could use in another way. Critics of the requirement say firms should not have to redo existing contracts.

Dodd said he was not willing to insert the exemption Nelson wants in his bill.

In the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll, respondents were evenly split on President Obama's handling of financial regulation, with 48 percent of those polled approving of his performance and 48 percent disapproving.

But compared with congressional Republicans, Obama has a clear advantage. A slim majority -- 52 percent -- of Americans said they trust Obama over the GOP on the issue; 35 percent favored congressional Republicans. Independents preferred Obama by 47 to 35 percent, with 16 percent trusting neither side on the issue.

Dodd and Shelby have said in recent days that they are on the cusp of a bipartisan agreement, and they have expressed optimism that further negotiations will end with consensus.

Shelby aides said Monday that although the two men have continued to talk by phone and meet periodically, their staff members have not met to hammer out specifics for more than a week.

"We need to be in a room, at the staff level, nailing down the language, and that's not happening," one Shelby staff member said. "They stopped talking to us."

To illustrate the work that remains, the aide said that if Dodd and Shelby "met today and resolved every issue, it would still take us days to get it all together."

Shelby aides repeated previous criticisms of the Democratic legislation and said Republicans probably would introduce their own version of the bill.

"We have been drafting an alternative approach since the very beginning," said one staff member, who like others spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the situation more frankly. "It may come to the point where Republicans decide, 'Let's just put out specifically what we're for.' That decision hasn't been made yet."

Aides declined to talk in depth about how a Republican alternative bill would differ from the legislation sponsored by Dodd. But they said it almost certainly would include language to overhaul the government-sponsored entities Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Staff members on the Senate banking and agriculture committees huddled through the weekend with Obama administration officials to merge competing measures aimed at reining in the $600 trillion derivatives market. Derivatives are private contracts that allow traders to bet on the direction of the prices of stocks, commodities and other assets. Many companies also use such deals to lock in prices for goods, such as oil, which often fluctuate in value.

Dodd and Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), who chair the respective committees, said late Monday that an agreement had been reached. Key provisions put forth by Lincoln's committee remained largely intact, including a measure that could force big Wall Street banks to spin off their derivatives operations.

The bill also aims to increase transparency by requiring nearly all derivative contracts be traded in public on exchanges and approved by a separate body called a clearinghouse. In addition, the measure imposes a "fiduciary duty" on dealers, like the one required of investment advisers, to look out for the best interests of clients such as municipalities and pension retirement funds.

The legislation provides exemptions for commercial businesses and manufacturers that use derivatives to hedge risk, such as an airline seeking certainty on fuel prices. But Dodd and Lincoln said the bill gives regulators the authority to close loopholes so financial firms cannot claim exemptions. The two senators said the measure also gives regulators "broad enforcement authority" to punish bad actors.

In the latest poll, support for federal regulations of derivatives draws an even split, with 43 percent supporting federal regulation of the derivatives market and 41 percent opposing. Nearly one in five -- 17 percent -- express no opinion on the complicated topic.

POEM OF THE DAY - "Even in the Rain"

(This is especially for you. Enjoy!)

Even in the Rain

I drove past a man one day

who was dancing in the rain.

The first thought that occurred to me

was that this brother was insane.

I thought I heard him holler “thank you”

so I drove closer just to hear it.

Man, this brother was getting his praise on

by dancing in the spirit.

So I parked my truck along the curb

and started getting mine.

We danced and sang and gave God the praise

until the sun began to shine.

I learned that day that in victory

and even through the pain,

give God the glory and the praise

yes, even in the rain.

WYLD STYLZ

Rihanna is the Devil!!!

This is an example of what can go terribly wrong in a household with an absentee father and when mommy gives you complete control of the "last room in the back" of the single-wide trailer without responsibly checking in on you every once in a while. If the fact that he has not had a haircut in weeks was not enough, the black leggings puts the nuts on the Sonic Blast! I am not blaming him, I am blaming Rihanna because it's her song (looking at you with my "NOW WHAT" face as I bring my beer back to my lips)!

"While you back there with all that devilish noise, you need to clean up that nasty ass room...that's a crying shame" -Mama Elsie (circa 1983)

"Window Seat" Erykah Badu (Update)

(UPDATE)

She had been charged with disorderly conduct and may have to pay a $500 fine. That's it? So I can walk the streets butt-naked and just pay a $500 fine? I have always wanted to do that...

I just watched the video for Erykah Badu's latest single, "Window Seat" and am puzzled. I am not sure to call it art or disrespect. You tell me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YktxpSsfLu8

And on top of that, was it the smartest thing to do since the Dallas Police Department is looking into pressing charges?

Question of the day

Why do crazy people ALWAYS look just like, CRAZY PEOPLE?

These so-called Christians in the Hutaree militia group plotted to take out a law enforcement officer, then launch a surprise attack on the officers of the law who gathered at the “bait’s” funeral using weapons of mass destruction. Look under the hood for the sickening details.

Six Michigan residents, two Ohio residents and an Indiana resident have been indicted on charges of attempted use of weapons of mass destruction in connection with their membership in a Lenawee County Christian militia group.

Members of the Hutaree — including a Michigan couple and their two sons — conspired to oppose by force the authority of the U.S. government, according to a release by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Detroit.

The indictment unsealed in U.S. District Court today claims that the Hutaree planned to kill an unidentified member of local law enforcement and then attack the law enforcement officers who gather in Michigan for the funeral. According to the plan, the Hutaree would attack law enforcement vehicles during the funeral procession with improvised explosive devices rigged with projectiles, which constitute weapons of mass destruction, according to the announcement by U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade.

“Because the Hutaree had planned a covert reconnaissance operation for April which had the potential of placing an unsuspecting member of the public at risk, the safety of the public and of the law enforcement community demanded intervention at this time,” McQuade said in the announcement. “Hutaree members view local, state, and federal law enforcement as the ‘brotherhood,’ their enemy, and have been preparing to engage them in armed conflict.”

Alleged Hutaree members indicted are David Brian Stone, 45; his wife, Tina Stone, 44; his son, Joshua Matthew Stone, 21, of Clayton, Mich.; and his other son, David Brian Stone Jr., 19, of Adrian; Joshua Clough, 28, of Blissfield; Michael Meeks, 40 of Manchester; Thomas Piatek, 46, of Whiting, Ind.; Kristopher Sickles, 27, of Sandusky, Ohio, and Jacob Ward, 33, of Huron, Ohio.

Joshua Stone is the only alleged Hutaree not in custody. Anyone with information about Stone should contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation at 313- 965-2323.

Seven of the nine militia members appeared today in U.S. District Court in Detroit and were ordered held without bond until hearings later this week.

U.S. District Magistrate Judge Donald Scheer set 1 p.m. Wednesday bond hearings for the seven defendants in court this morning.

Each is charged with seditious conspiracy, attempted use of weapons of mass destruction, teaching the use of explosive materials, and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence. They face up to life in prison if convicted.

David Brian Stone, 45, the alleged leader of the group, appeared in U.S. District Court today and was ordered held without bail pending a Wednesday bond hearing.

Stone’s ex-wife, Donna Stone, 44, of Adrian, said David Stone’s growing fascination with the Hutaree group caused her to leave the marriage.

She said he went from teaching people how to use handguns to talking about the end of the world.

“It started out as a Christian thing,” Donna Stone said. “You go to church. You pray. You take care of your family. I think David started to take it a little too far. He dragged a lot of people with him. When he got carried away, when he went from handguns to big guns, I was done.”

“I just couldn’t go along with what he believed in,” Donna Stone said.

She said her biological son David Brian Stone Jr., who is David Sr.’s adopted son, was brainwashed by David Sr.

LOL

You gotta admit, Beyonce's nephew does look like the guy from "Mad Magazine".

LOL

YOU GOTTA ADMIT, THIS IS PRETTY FUNNY!