It’s Not Just George Bush

Vigo the Destroyer lookalike and Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson has added his name to a long list of candidates unwilling to participate in presidential debate sponsored by PBS to be held later this month. The debate is scheduled to take place at historically black college, Morgan State University in Baltimore.

Thompson joins Presidential candidates Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney, and Senator John McCain. Each of the liars are basing their cancellation on scheduling conflicts. You would think if you’re at the level of running for President, you would be accustomed to lying, therefore you would come with a better lie than ‘scheduling conflicts’ – especially when you were alerted about the debate several months ago.

Only a few short months ago did this same Republican snub occur, this time for a debate sponsored Spanish-language channel, Univision. Only John McCain accepted the invitation to appear. The debate was subsequently cancelled. And, as The Huffington Post reports, only one Republican presidential candidate bothered to appear at the National Association of Latino Elected & Appointed Officials convention. That candidate was Congressman Duncan Hunter, and no, I have no idea who that is either.

Tavis Smiley on Republicans ignoring the colored folk:

“There is a pattern here, when you tell every black and brown request that you get throughout the primary process that ‘no, there’s a scheduling problem.’ That’s a pattern… Are we really supposed to believe that all four of these guys couldn’t make it because of scheduling?”

Hell nawl.

Figures.

This isn’t the first debate Republicans have played around with. The date for the You Tube/CNN debate for Republicans had to be changed after Romney and Giuliani used the same scheduling conflict excuse. What they meant by scheduling conflicts was, “We saw the Democratic debate and noticed CNN didn’t censor questions, and we’re not about to make asses of ourselves.”

I’m sure they’re even less enthused at the idea of explaining their bullshit to an audience of minorities, particularly in a city like Baltimore where its effects are increasingly evident. They’ve seen The Wire. They don’t want none. Hopefully they’re reminded of their cowardice when they begin pandering to minorities with their Spanish-ads and newly-learned Southern accent in various black churches across the country next year.

Despite the bitchdom displayed by four of the leading Republican candidates, the debate will go on as scheduled – with the empty podiums left on stage.

I love my people.

It’s Britney, B*tch

Since Britney Spears seems to be the only topic that matters anymore, I might as well give everyone their fix for the day:

Writer points out the obvious.

Only outdone by this story. I’m betting more Cheeto stains.

The FBI – obviously with nothing better to do – is investigating a hit placed on K.Fed’s life. No word if it’s Britney or if the perpetrator(s) sought a two-for-one-deal. Still awaiting word on why the FBI cares.

Perfect timing: Britney’s lawyer bails on the mother-of-the-year candidate the day of her custody hearing. Why? Britney ignored suggestions on how not to give your children away to your corny rapping ex-husband. Britney quickly finds new high powered attorney to ignore.

Gloria Allred has managed to get involved in the fray, confirming what’s been long suspected: She’s nothing more than ambulance chaser with a publicist. Allred represents the long rumored “secret witness,” a former Britney bodyguard who alleges drug use and issues with nudity against Britney. Britney…on drugs? Britney having issues with nudity? I would have never guessed.

He is not cross-examined.

This just in: As I type this entry, TMZ reports the FBI denies the story of investigating a death plot against Kevin Federline. Their likely feeling: “We’re not that lame.”

There’s also some war going on, but like last nite’s Emmy’s, Britney doesn’t make an appearance, so whatever.

Update: Britney has also been rumored to have been dumped by her management team today as well. Being dumped by your lawyer and manager all in one day. Impressive.

Update Two: Britney loses temporary custody of her kids.

She lost her lawyer, her manager, and her kids all one in day. This chick is having the WORST…WEEK….EVER!

Or maybe not, since she might not have lost custody after all.

No word on what time Britney went to Taco Bell at this time.

This has been your day in Britney.

We’re Getting Dumber and Fatter

Not many politicians are willing to give it to you straight, no chaser. Even fewer are willing to say anything that can’t be carefully turned into a campaign-commercial ready sound bite. It’s all about saying the right things to pacify the American electorate – which usually results in telling Americans what they think we want to hear versus the actual truth.

That’s why despite his not having a chance in hell of getting the nomination, I appreciate former Alaskan Senator Mike Gravel for leveling with Americans. Click here to see the video in which Mike says the following:

Giving Me Something I Can’t Believe

I’m all for self-esteem, but sometimes people get beside themselves. I know I’m supposed to respect my elders, but I think someone should sit Aretha Franklin down and give her some perspective. In an interview with People, the Queen of Soul discussed among many things, her upcoming made-for-television film based on her autobiography, From These Roots.

Halle Berry? Really, Aretha? Do you honestly think Halle Berry looks like you?

I know, I know. She’s a diva. It’s her world and I’m just waiting for her to sing in it. But Halle Berry? Anyone that’s spent time in interviews discussing their love for pig’s feet knows Halle Berry can’t play them. C’mon nah.

I can see Halle playing the right side of her, but who’s going to play the rest?

“Call Me” is one of my all-time favorite songs, particularly the live version that I’m still grateful that my great friend bought for me, but I don’t love it enough to forget that Jabba The Hut is more fit to portray Aretha than Halle Berry. Yogi Bear even.

And before anyone gets on me, yes I realize Aretha used to be a lot slimmer, but there aren’t enough cheese biscuits from Red Lobster in the world to bribe me into believing that Halle Berry should play Aretha Franklin. That would be lying and lying is wrong.

Besides, I don’t think Halle would do the role any justice. Try a newcomer. Let someone new get a chance to shine, Re-Re.

Spotted @ DListed!

The Gays Have Done It Again

Remember Ja Rule?

The one who used to matter a couple of years when he was the star of a label called Murder Inc.? The guy, who, when he wasn’t rapping about extasy, weed, and committing acts of violence, used to croon love songs with Lil Mo’ — usually sounding exactly like the Cookie Monster? If not, he’s the one who wrote the remix to “I’m Real,” which caught J.Lo a lot of flack for casually singing (over Ashanti’s vocals) the n-word.

It seems he’s found a way to remind us that he’s alive. And if you’re wondering, no, recording with Lil Wayne doesn’t count. You give Wayne a dollar and he’ll jump on your track. I’m not impressed.

Later this month Congress will hold a hearing looking into stereotypes and the degradation of women in the media — particularly Black women. The Congressional hearing will focus on hip hop lyrics specifically.

In an interview with Complex, the inspiration behind “Wanksta” lashed out at Congress.

Partial credit for the Jena 6 mention, but wait, it’s coming.

And there it is. So the promotion of violence, drugs, and misogyny isn’t hurting this country, it’s corny dating shows that feature homosexuals souring this country’s values.

This coming from someone once accused by DMX of having his own poking session with a male stylist while high on extasy. (To be fair: Crackheads lie, but you never know.)

I’m actually not a fan of the government telling us what’s right and what’s wrong, but it’s idiots like Ja giving them motive.

He has a point that hip hop isn’t the sole reason for this country’s woes, but when it comes to stereotypes and degradation of black women, his calling a woman a bitch or a hoe is an issue.

Ja followed the question about the hearing up by speaking on his coining of the nickname “Superhead” for Karrien Steffans.

Yep, it’s definitely the gays.

Same Old, Same Old

If a group of white people kidnap and torture you while calling you the n-word for several days, don’t expect the federal government to get involved and apply federal hate crime charges against them if you happen to know any of the Klan-inspired gang members personally.

The Justice Department has just announced that six men accused of sexually assaulting and torturing a young black woman for up to a week in Big Creek, West Virginia will not face federal hate crime charges due to evidence that undercuts the hate crime law.

The federal hate crime law dictates that crimes must be motivated by racial hatred and not by non-race-related conflicts.

This obviously sounds like nothing more than the settling of a personal vendetta that isn’t the least bit motivated by any form of prejudice. Subjecting her to sub-human conditions that racists believe black people deserve, along with hurling racial epithets at her while doing so is just a coincidence.

But she knew one of them, so it’s not a hate crime. I get the Justice Department’s rationale, but come on.

Never fear, though:

Now all we have to do is leave the fate of the six non-hate crime committing racists to a jury of their peers. I’m sure we can depend on West Virginia for justice.

GIVE A BLACK MAN A CHANCE!

What a queen.

As soon as I get down Kanye West reminds me things could be worse: I could be a thirty-year-old millionaire that whines like an eight-year-old about not winning a popularity contest.

Thank you, ‘Ye.

P.S. Leave Britney alone! Hasn’t she suffered enough? I bet Kenny Chesney doesn’t act like this.

Kelly Rowland Doesn’t Care About Success

Using the change from Beyonce’s pocket and drawing inspiration from 90s era St. Ides commercials, Kelly Rowland has released the video for under-performing single number two, “Ghetto,” featuring Snoop Dogg.

I know what you’re thinking: “Soldier,” “Hood Boy,” “Can’t Leave ‘Em Alone,” and Monica’s post 2003 catalogue aren’t enough. We need more thug-lusting anthems on the radio. Who doesn’t love going on runs, getting knocked upside the head a few times, and visiting your man in jail?

Who cares if the only dice Kelly’s shot were probably on a Monopoly board game? Suburbanites with best friends named Barbara like Kelly should be allowed to celebrate the negative connotations of hood life like everyone else.

And what better way to do so than with an aging rapper who latches on to youth almost as hard as he does to his blunt.

Kelly has all the fine makings of a hot video: a green screen, a car, a Dodgers hat for a West Coast-inspired set, blue eye shadow, and purple hair? So ghetto.

I haven’t seen failure captured this well visually in a long time. This b.s. could even get a laugh out of Britney Spears.

I want to be behind Kelly, but when someone is this accepting of wackness, what can you do? I should have gone with my gut and used that $10 I spent on her album at Chili’s.

Yee-Ha

I don’t know anything about Kenny Chesney. I just know I’m tired of hearing about Kanye and 50, and I’d rather this guy go number one than either of them. I figured he was the obvious choice over new albums from the Debarge-inspired, Sportin Waves-supported B5, and the prescription to Zoloft-needing fallen member of Bone Thugs N Harmony, Bizzy Bone.

Curtis is a bore with its superfluous guest appearances from the likes of Nicole S. (I’m not even trying that one today, and I’m too lazy to Google it), Robin Thicke, Justin Timberlake and Timbaland, Eminem, and others. It’s the type of record Ja Rule would have made if he still mattered: “I’ll kill you right after I sing four or five love songs to you.”

Graduation sounds like the same old, same old, only with a more electronic sound. The latter is far better, but Kanye irks me so much that I’m not wasting my money on him. The recording industry banded together to shove this ‘battle’ down our throats to boost sales and save some of their jobs. They all get an A for effort, but I’m not coppin’ either disc. Those millionaires will live. Ahh well.

Team Chesney!

J.Hud

She looks like she should be served with a side of greens.