Weekend Update

Rell is busy with being in his roommates wedding, and I've got the LSATs on Saturday. So that leaves you with a big ole lack of content on the blog. Apologies for that. We'll be back in force next week and don't be too dismayed.

Here's LOST recap-let from TelevisionWithoutpity.com.

If I see any other good links, I'll throw them on here. Otherwise, you can find me in Barnes & Noble prepping for the LSAT.

Strippers Exposed

Oh wait. They are already naked. Seriously, folks.

Here's a lady that has spent 5 years studing strippers. And you thought only some guy would think about doing this. But here she goes with her study on sexuality and feminism in the stripper realm. It's actually a very serious look at the factors from economics to class and gender roles that goes into her research. And the article conveys that tone. Her book gets published soon.

Check out the article for an interesting read on why women become strippers and whether they are empowered women or slaves to the men that pay them. Sounds more educational than I intialially thought.

I'm going to leave out any commentary on this one that could be considered sexist cause I know we've got some strong women that read the blog regularly.

TSOP: Spoiled Oil (Update)

This week's column came out of a debate that Rell and I had on the subject of gasoline and oil. Tasha's post on here also made me revisit the topic. Anyway, here is This Side of Paradise for Wednesday Sept. 28. I remind you that it is still hard to make a truly thorough argument in 525 words but here I try:

Turns out that I think gas prices are still too low.

But wait and listen to my argument before you go off on a wild rant suggesting all kinds of improper stuff about me.

I generally agree with you that it's a lot of money to fill up a tank of gas and it is annoying beyond compare. But I've moved on from that thought to something more radical and far-sighted.

Last week, the national average price of gas per gallon was $3.07. But it might still not be high enough for one thing to occur -- a fundamental shift in American consumer demand for gasoline. I'm talking about a shift away from Hummers and SUVs to an outright cry for alternatives like hybrid and electric cars. The Washington Post cited that despite the rise in gas prices, Exxon Mobil Corp. announced its second-quarter profit was up 32 percent to $7.64 billion. There are four quarters in a year. Do the multiplication and try to understand how much of a hold these companies have on us.

I laugh when I roll into the pump every three weeks to fill up my modestly gas-saving Honda Civic and see SUV drivers shell out $75 to fill up their gas-swallowing machines. It's funny because they bought something knowing it was three times more wasteful than my car.

Think about that in terms of a real necessity. If I cooked three entrees for dinner every night and threw two of them away, would someone not have a problem with that? If the point of a car is to get you from one point to the other, why does it matter that it could hold nine adults, two tons of cargo, two oxen and groceries?

The only thing that can challenge the stranglehold foreign and domestic oil has on us is consumer demand. Should you be surprised to know who has the power in that relationship? The power rests in what we, as a collective buying public, want.

We wanted SUVs in the late 90s, and in 1997, large SUVs broke the 500,000 barrier and continued to rise in popularity. In 2001 the sales of light trucks and SUVs surpassed the sales of cars, according to a report for the Department of Energy.

Yet as easily as these SUVs have appeared, we can make them the minority again.

If gas prices go back down to an "acceptable level" then we, as Americans, are right back where we were. Oil owns us. And it will continue to do so until something fundamental changes.

My solution is for gas to rise to the point that we scream for hybrids that get 60 miles per gallon or we bike to work. Cars were designed to give us freedom but now they have locked us in. If that fundamental change takes $5 per gallon, then I guess that's what I'm willing to let happen so long as we are free.

Comments can go to letters@idsnews.com or on here. Improper comments about me can go straight to Rell; he can save them and use them on me at a later time.

UPDATE: Slate ran an article today discussing the possiblity of $5 gas per gallon and the inelasticity of gas. Demand hardly flucuates with price, defying some of the basics of supply and demand because we are so entrenched. Nevertheless, I wish I had enough space in the paper to devote a solid argument to it. So you get it here instead. Or you can just not click on the links if you don't want.

Hurricane Katrina: "Rumors of deaths greatly exaggerated"

I just want to get people's opinion on what this means re: the way we look at the response and the media's responsibility therein. Media has a lot of responsibility in the way they cover certain events -- particularly ones that lead people to make strong assumptions about anything, whether it be people's nature, government or, in times of war, our military.

With that said I'd like to know where we place the blame for the difference in what we heard and what actually is?

6 bodies found at Dome; 4 at Convention Center

Excerpt:

Following days of internationally reported killings, rapes and gang violence inside the Dome, the doctor from FEMA - Beron doesn't remember his name - came prepared for a grisly scene: He brought a refrigerated 18-wheeler and three doctors to process bodies. "I've got a report of 200 bodies in the Dome," Beron recalls the doctor saying. The real total was six, Beron said.

That the nation's front-line emergency management believed the body count would resemble that of a bloody battle in a war is but one of scores of examples of myths about the Dome and the Convention Center treated as fact by evacuees, the media and even some of New Orleans' top officials, including the mayor and police superintendent. As the fog of warlike conditions in Hurricane Katrina's aftermath has cleared, the vast majority of reported atrocities committed by evacuees have turned out to be false, or at least unsupported by any evidence, according to key military, law enforcement, medical and civilian officials in positions to know.

"I think 99 percent of it is bulls---," said Sgt. 1st Class Jason Lachney, who played a key role in security and humanitarian work inside the Dome. "Don't get me wrong, bad things happened, but I didn't see any killing and raping and cutting of throats or anything. ... Ninety-nine percent of the people in the Dome were very well-behaved."

While the Convention Center saw plenty of mischief, including massive looting and isolated gunfire, and many inside cowered in fear, the hordes of evacuees for the most part did not resort to violence, as legend has it.

"Everything was embellished, everything was exaggerated," said Deputy Police Superintendent Warren Riley. "If one guy said he saw six bodies, then another guy the same six, and another guy saw them - then that became 18."

On set in Charlotte, N.C.

A writer/producer is writing the most hilarious daily diary about being on set in Charlotte as he is working on Will Ferrell's new movie.

Today's installment is about taking his 2-year-old daughter to the mall. Monday's was about Barney and reality television.

Either way, I just thought I would pass on something funny to read. Also, who shoots a movie in Charlotte anyway?!? Not that I think it's a bad city or anything just sort of curious. I guess that's the cradle of NASCAR or something.

"A Different World" vs "The Cosby Show"

I've had this debate with a few friends of mine and maybe in the end it just comes down to personal preference, but I prefer "A Different World" to "The Cosby Show." Now before everyone shoots me and calls me stupid -- I'm not discrediting what Bill Cosby and his crew did. They brought, to the fore, the idea that the black family could be more then loud and stereotypical. While, there was of course some of this in the Cosby Show, there had never been a show that had a black doctor, a black lawyer and intelligent children.

But I suppose since I have predisposition for everything college, that I like "A Different World" better. Their are more characters and you could argue that they were all equally as strong. From Whitley to Dewayne, to Jalissa (spelling) to Kim to Freddie to Ron to Colonel Taylor. They all had some serious issues relating to one another and they were all revealed throughout the show. Of course there were some serious issues discussed from Pre-marrital Sex, to Sexual Harassment, to Greek Life to Marriage. I just feel like even being only 9-14 during the shows run, that I could relate to "A Different World" more.

So, what's your vote am I crazy? Or is "A Different World" one of the most underrated shows ever?

Buy the first season of "A Different World" on DVD for $30 at Amazon.

I still love Fiona! (Update)

Seems like we are documenting the re-emergence of my beloved Fiona Apple here on Rell's much ballyhooed blog. But as the week approaches and her album is about to reach the stores, the media attention starts. Today on NYtimes.com, a little feature story and interview with the oft-confused and always misunderstood Ms. Apple.

Her first two albums, I adore. And I think Rell has a couple available on File Sharing if anyone hasn't heard them before. If you hear the tracks and don't think about buying the album then maybe it's not your style. But surely it's hard to claim that her voice and talent isn't amazing.

UPDATE: Fiona appears with Sheryl Crow on the Fall Music Preview of Entertaiment Weekly. There is also a great feature story about how Fiona went through the past couple of years. It's definitely an interesting story regardless of her music.

There is also this article on Fark about young genius. Fiona might be as good of an example as any.

"Lost" Dominates

I'm telling you guys, get on board while you still can. This is one of the two best shows on television (the other being "24") and finally people are relating to a show that makes you think and that makes you investigate. Instead of watching 2 hours of someone sitting in their living room or people in a house with no internet. Mystery, Intrigue and all the like.

"Lost" Dominates Ratings War;Causes Fox's "Head Cases" to be cancelled.

Season Premiere re-airs Wednesday at 8pm and an all-new episode follows it at 9pm.

"Lost" and its 8 p.m. recap special, "Destination: Lost," sucked up so much of the available audience that ABC's rivals had a hard time getting any traction on the night. NBC in particular suffered through weak turnouts for the 8 p.m. bow of "The Apprentice: Martha Stewart" and 9 p.m.'s "E-Ring."

Fox took such a drubbing at 9 p.m. with the second outing of "Head Cases" that the drama about a pair of oddball lawyers became the new season's first official cancellation by Thursday afternoon.

Of the six broadcast networks, UPN was the most competitive, relatively speaking, with solid numbers from its two-hour premiere of "America's Next Top Model." ABC capped a stellar night with a strong showing from the 10 p.m. debut of the drama "Invasion," which proved a worthy companion to "Lost."

"Lost" opened its second season with 23.4 million viewers and a 10.2 rating/25 share in the adults 18-49 demographic, according to Nielsen Media Research. That marked all-time high ratings for the series, even higher than its first-season finale, a two-hour cliffhanger that brought in 20.7 million viewers and a 7.8/19 in adults 18-49 in May even as it went mano a mano with the final round of competition on Fox's "American Idol." ("Lost" proved it was going to be a major player for ABC right out of the box this time last year, when it premiered to an impressive 18.7 million viewers and a 6.8/20 in adults 18-49.)

Video And Links

The wonders of the web never cease to amaze me. Here's a video that seems to be everywhere on the net starting from Kanye's comments about President Bush. (Video link)

- The Ying Yang Twinz are going to star in a movie about Viagra. I really can't make this stuff up. Linkage.

Hike for the Heisman Week 4

This week we might see the biggest shake up of the list yet. Guys like Omar Jacobs (who actually was the leader for the first four weeks)are gone. You've gotta feel for the the guys who had one bad game and are gone but that's the way it is. So we say goodbye to Jacobs (i don't think for long though) and Missouri QB Brad Smith (a stat machine!). That of course means that we have a new #1. I'm not even going to use any "The Bush Administrations approval rating is up" type corny lines. Simply, USC RB Reggie Bush is now the front-runner. VYoung you'll get your chance soon. Also two new names are on the board, however I think everyone will agree -- from here on out it's a three-man race.

1) Reggie Bush RB USC
267 total yards 2 TD(122 rushing, 43 receiving and 92 returning)
Last Week = 3

2) Vince Young QB Texas IDLE
Last Week = 2

3) Matt Leinart QB USC
23/39 315 yards 3 TD's
Last Week = 4

4) Laurence Maroney RB Minnesota
333 total yards (217 rushing, 59 receiving and 57 yards returning)
Last Week = NR

5) Sam Keller QB Arizona State
19/36 362 yards 4 TD's
Last Week = NR

Honorable Mention - Brady Quinn, Chris Leak, Reggie McNeal, Drew Stanton

That's it for this week -- leave any disagreements in the comments section.

Hike for the Heisman Week 1
Hike for the Heisman Week 2
Hike for the Heisman Week 3

Gas Prices

Unless you've been living under a rock for the past few months, I'm sure everyone has noticed that gas prices have skyrocketed to $2.89 a gallon (average in Richmond, VA). Last summer (2004), gas was bearly breaking $2.00/gallon. Many people are rushing to the pump trying to fill up before gas reaches $5.00/gallon, when in reality this is just the beginning of oil companies playing "catch up" with the economy. In my opinion, gas prices will continue to rise in response to inflation. People are making more money, the economy is performing decently (relative to previous years), so oil prices have to increase to make a profit.

Americans are so cultured to having freedom and choices, that they probably aren't willing to sacrifice the freedom of their primary means of transportation to carpool, bike, or take public transportation. I don't think many Americans have the will power to change, so right now, oil companies are sitting back high-fiving each other as they continue to increase their margins.

Weekend Predictions

After another solid week I'd figure we'd raise the stakes and predict a few more games this week.

So here we go for the weekend of 9/24:

Iowa - 10
Ohio State - 20

Michigan - 31
wisconsin - 27

Georgia Tech - 17
Virginia Tech - 28

USC - 45
Oregon - 31

Notre Dame - 24
Washington - 21

Boston College - 31
Clemson - 34

Tennessee - 14
LSU - 24

Colorado - 17
Miami - 45

Florida - 31
Kentucky- 28

Bowie State - 28
NCCU - 35

UNC - 13
NCSU - 27

"How You Stop The Black Panthers? Ronald Reagan Cooked Up The Answer?"

This will be one of the more controversial posts I've ever put on the blog and I expect to hear lots and lots of comments.

I've been listening to Kanye West's CD "Late Registration" quite a bit lately. As we know Ye'likes to speak about political (whether right or wrong), social ideologies and beliefs. One song in particular has caught my ear -- "Crack Music." This verse in particular moved me to do research and think about the subject a little bit more.

How we stop the Black Panthers?
Ronald Reagan cooked up an answer
You hear that, what Gil Scott is Heron
When our heroes or heroines got hooked on heroin
Crack, raised the murder rate in D.C. and Maryland
We, invested in that, it's like we got Merrill Lynched
And we been hangin from the same tree, ever since
Sometimes I feel the music is the only medicine
So we, cook it, cut it, measure it, bag it
Sell it, the fiends, cop it, nowadays they can't tell if
that's that good stuff, we ain't sure man
Put the CD on your tongue, yeah that's pure man

Kanye's belief,which is shared by a number of leaders both black and white, is that the government purposely introduced Cocaine and later helped developed crack as a means to permanently injure, kill and disenfranchise Blacks (particularly black males) during the late 60's and early-80's.

I know this seems far-fetched and overly "X-File, conspiracy theorish" but is it really so hard to fathom? That our government would attempt to create or for that matter ignore, a situation that hinders a group it thought would eventually lead to the destruction of their country? We've killed Natives, we've held japanese and muslims in "happy camps" for no reason. We've always racially profiled and held us, blacks, in low regard -- not to mention the 109 years of slavery we had AFTER the D.O.I.

So given all that, why is it so hard to believe? And remember a "government conspiracy" doesn't have to involve everyone. Lots of times things happen without presidental authority or knowledge to help preserve "plausible deniability."

So I shot this idea off on one of my friends (who isn't black but knows a little about persecution and governmental conspiracies) and we discussed a little bit. For a Transcript of our IM Conversation, look in the comments.


Thoughts?

When it Rains, it Pours

And no that wasn't a poor attempt at humor. After going through a very strong category four hurricane in Katrina, now the Gulf Coast (this time it looks to be Texas) must endure Rita, Who as of now is the third-strongest Hurricane in recorded history (150 years or so). Think about how amazing (maybe that's a bad word) it is for two hurricane's that were at one time category five's to hit the same area in the same year. I bet if research was done that has NEVER happened in said recording history. Just thinking of the enormity of this storm and situation is scary...

Texans flee colossal Rita

If there is anything good that came from Katrina (and that's a big IF) then maybe it's that we have to take these things seriously and that EVERYONE from the president down to the lowest intern in the county commissioner's office has to plan to deal with major catastrophe. The government knows that they have to be accountable, the local governments have scene what Katrina did and they BETTER be ready for it.

On a totally selfish-pointless note Gas prices are about to reach their all-time high in the United States, if Rita does what we think it's going to. This could problems with which, no one here is particularly prepared for. Imagine us with absolutely no gas, no way to get from Point A to Point B. Think about the type of cabin fever that will eventually set in. I'm tellin ya people this could be one of the ugliest couple of weeks in America's brief history.

Rita could equal $5 Gas

D. Wade is to Converse as Jordan is to Nike?

Well, that's what Converse is thinking. Instead of letting him walk away, Converse bet the farm on him, giving him Carmelo-but-not-quite-Lebron money. We'll see, I'm sure no one ever imagined how much Jordan signing with Nike in 1985 would impact shoes, basketball and the world.

I really think it's a good move because who is more marketable then Wade right now? He plays with Shaq so you know his team is gonna win and win a lot. He has the good looks (no homo, according to all the women and magazines out there) skills and charisma to charm the NBA like no one has done since Michael. We'll see who emerges out of the 2003 Draft Class as Shoe King (conicidentally Nike owns all of them indirectly so Nike should be considered the big winner) Lebron with Nike, Carmelo with Jordan Brand or Wade with Converse.

Steve Jobs is your friend

Apple uber-CEO Steve Jobs took a few shots at the recording industry today in Paris. Sure, he wants you to pay for a new nano iPod and download everything from itunes, but he's still in your corner. Sure, music that is taken from a cd and put into itunes cannot be used on any other player or any other computer program, but he's all about hating on the record executives. (Parenthetically there are other limitations to songs you buy over itunes and how many places you can copy the songs to.)

I really do like Mr. Jobs and his Apple products, which have maintained their coolness through the years while still being relatively affordable and powerful. Sure they suck for every day use, checking email and surfing the web. But when PCs are struggling to run gigantic programs, a G5 is plugging along. And they look good while doing it, which scores major points with me.

His comment today boiled down to this:

"If they want to raise the prices, it means that they are getting greedy," Jobs, chief executive of Apple, said at a news conference here Tuesday. "If the price goes up, they (consumers) will go back to piracy and everybody loses."

Well, first of all, I would say that a majority of people never left piracy. It took Metallica about 3 years to figure out Napster. It just means that the kids are ahead of the adults. Kazaa and Bearshare are just now getting noticed.

But his point about greediness is precise. If you haven't bought a CD in a while or if you have at any place other than Best Buy, you would probably figure out that $16 for three good songs is not a good deal. Rell could probably make you a list of CDs worth buying in the past year plus. (And he should). Alas, I'm starting to rehash some of the same issues that have already been talked about on this blog. Just wanted to update you.

And so the war begins, Apple vs. Record Companies. This is brilliant marketing and strategy. As Apple maintains its cool image by battling the record companies that everybody under 25 hates, the sales rise and rise until eventually there is only one digital player.

This story came from Reuters.

'Makeover' Sued over Woman's Suicide

I don't take joy in what happened to this woman, but to me this is the danger of having all these 'makeover' shows. I never thought it was a good idea to find the worst possible looking person, put them in front of millions of people each week so that we can make ourselves feel better and then life and cry we they looked acceptable in our eyes.

It's just a recipe for disaster. At any rate enough of my commentary on the issue, look at this CNN article and give me your thoughts.

A Texas woman has sued ABC's popular reality show "Extreme Makeover" for more than $1 million claiming among other things that an abrupt cancellation of her appearance on the program led to her sister's death.

Here is an Excerpt:

Deleese Williams of Conroe, Texas, claims she came to Los Angeles to be a contestant on the show after undergoing a series of medical exams to determine if her crooked teeth and droopy eyes could be fixed and her small breasts enhanced, according the suit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court.

The suit starts with the blunt description: "Deleese Williams is considered ugly" and says one doctor promised her "a Hollywood smile like Cindy Crawford."

The night before Williams was to begin her makeover, the show's producers told her it would take too long for work on her jaw to heal. They canceled her appearance and sent Williams home where Kellie, distraught over what she had said about her sister, eventually killed herself, according to the suit.

MTV's "My Sweet 16"

Can guys have a Sweet 16? And if so should it really be broadcast over national TV as their stupid parents spend $300,000 for them to have a good night and a fashion show?


Edit = Then when the boys costume doesn't come he gets mad and starts crying. Also, he calls himself a "Divo" which is a male-diva. I'm just gonna leave this one alone...

When Musicians Try Too Hard

My favorite photoshop entry is 50 Cent with the accordian.(A Picture is worth 1000 words)

Not Lost on the hype (Spoiler link)

So I'll go ahead and get it started cause I know Rell will be giddy as soon as his fantasy football weekend ends. But Lost is scheduled to start airing new episodes. Contained within this New York Times preview of all the fun and glory that is the island and the castaways is a discussion on how much cliffhangers and unanswered questions will an audience put up with. They discuss Twin's Peak and X-Files. I'm not old enough to have watched Twin's Peak but i know the X-Files got dreadful toward the last couple of years. Or actually right after the movie. I paid $6 to watch a movie that was nothing more than two good episodes. Throw me a bone and a little hint on what's going on. Anyways, Lost woo hoo! You know you love it.

Rell Edit: Here are a couple other articles/sites to check out
Lost Summer Update

Lost News

"Lost" Official Site

Mike T add: Newsweek has an article up that says it has spoiler information. Spoiler found on ABC's web site.

- Lost Girl has strange tastes.

Hike for the Heisman Week 3

The SC' boys came to play this week and let it be known they want the Heisman as well. I think Peterson is officially done as a Heisman candidate his team is 1-2 and he has had one solid game. I'm thinking this list (with Smith coming off and on) will be the list for the rest of the season. We'll see what Jacobs does on National TV Wednesday night. I expect nothing less then 400 total yards from him. Leak is off because, even though his team won, his stats have been less then impressive.

1) Omar Jacobs QB Bowling Green Week 3 Idle, next game Wednesday Sept. 21 Last Week = 1(t)

2) Vince Young QB Texas 8/14 101 yards, 8 carries 84 yards
Last Week = 1(t)

3) Reggie Bush RB USC 8 carries 125 yards 1 TD, 3 receptions 70 yards 1 TD
Last Week = NR

4) Matt Leinart QB USC 18/24 381 yards 4 TD's Last Week = NR

5) Brad Smith QB Missouri 23/33 183 yards 1 TD, 13 carries 84 yards 1 TD
Last Week = 1 (t)

Honorable Mention: DJ Shockley, Brady Quinn


Hike for the Heisman Week 1

Hike for the Heisman Week 2

Weekend Predictions Week 3

Week 3: (more detail will come later)

Arkansas - 14
USC - 63

Rice - 7
Texas - 52

Tennessee - 24
Florida - 28

Florida State - 24
Boston College - 13

Michigan State - 20
Notre Dame - 38

Miami - 31
Clemson - 27

Wisconsin - 34
UNC - 38

Condi Rice: Put up or Shut up

Ok so this is gonna be short and very comment based.

I want to know a couple of things. 1) Why do we, as black people, despise Condoleeza Rice so much?

2) If she were to run for President in 2008 and her opposition was Hillary Clinton, who would you vote for and why?

3) Why people think she is just a puppet?

That is all, i anxiously await your responses.

Faulkner and Oprah

I never watch Oprah because I'm a guy, not an 18 to 50 year old woman. So I hadn't heard about Oprah's book club over the summer, which was dedicated to conquering three William Faulkner novels. I finished The Sound And The Fury during my senior year and tried to read Absalom, Absalom! my junior year. And I found Faulkner to be grandiose and overly complex. (Yes, I really did just say that)But I love the fact that Oprah is making education so easy to attempt. She has somehow managed to capture an audience into doing what they normally wouldn't do otherwise. Not for her money and not for her fame but because of this, I praise her.

Anyways, here is an article from Slate as the writer attempt to keep up with the bookclub throughout the summer months.

King of the Blues

Really good article up on Yahoo! about B.B king and his effect on not just the Blues musical scene but the American musical scene in general. There was a "question of the day" on Adam's Blog about who was the greatest guitar player ever.

I personally had B.B King second behind Eric Clapton, for a few reasons but ones I don't want to name now (if you want to weigh in on this feel free.)

80 years of Excellence

Here is an Excerpt:

Before the 13 Grammys, induction in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Kennedy Center honors, the eponymous night clubs, even before he picked up a guitar, the blues singer picked cotton, drove tractors and sawed wood. He never finished high school.

And despite all the fame, the worldwide accolades and the records with rock kings like Eric Clapton and Bono, he has never forgotten growing up in the segregated South, where they just opened the B.B. King museum in Indianola, Mississippi, near his birthplace on a plantation. "We went through some hard times," King, who turns 80 on Friday, recalled.

"Let me tell you this, if we didn't have good white friends during that era when I was growing up, there would be no blacks in Mississippi. At that time, a white person could kill you any time they wished and nothing would ever be done about it. "But there was a lot of white people who didn't believe in that and wouldn't allow it. So I was lucky."

Happy Birthday, Slurpee!

I missed this one but it appears that the beloved Slurpee turned 40 recently. And since I just walked across campus while it's blazing hot, I thought the idea of a frosty frozen beverage would sound enticing.

Factoid: Eleven million Slurpees are sold each month and hit the eager palate at a cryogenic 28 degrees. In total some 6 billion brains have been frozen since the dawn of the Slurpee.

This Side of Paradise: Knocking my Demographic

As I told you last week Mike Tompkins is a student at Indiana University, a former Tar Heel and a contributor on this blog. He also, writes Weekly column for the Indiana Daily Student titled "This Side of Paradise." So every Wednesday, I'm gonna link his columns. This weeks is called "Sorry for not being cool."

Here is an Excerpt:

I've got to apologize for my demographic, white males ages 15 to 25.

There's a lot to apologize for when you talk about this group in general, though I concede not everyone fits the typical cast. I fervently believe I'm in the minority of this group, but I'm going to apologize for the 75 percent that fall into the middle.

First, I'm sorry for racism and our obliviousness to its existence.

Second, I'm sorry Maxim, Stuff and FHM can be considered magazines. It's like crack for our demographic. Sorry about that....

The demand for hip-hop and rap music was so high and there were so few artists, the music industry accelerated the process by pushing through new artists. So hip-hop and rap music went from Wu-Tang, Biggie, Tupac and the streets, to Nelly, Chingy, 50 Cent, Master P, Ja Rule, Lil' Jon and commercial junk. And who bought all those albums when they came out? White males, 15 to 25.

I'm sorry about that.

Mike T edit: I wasn't a fan of the name that they ran with it. And it's sort of limited by being on 500 words.

Now for something really important

Mr. T is getting his own television show on TV Land as a "motivational guru." The show will be appropriately named "I Pity The Fool." Now I can't even begin to make this stuff up. God bless, our love of nostalgia.

Can you possibly think of anything better than that?

I mean John Roberts confirmation hearings are important and all, but seriously folks, it's Mr. T.

Daily Tar Heel Editorial:" It’s sad, but racial profiling is necessary for our safety"

"It’s sad, but racial profiling is necessary for our safety"

I'll tell you my thoughts later, yours?

Here is an Excerpt:

I want all Arabs to be stripped naked and cavity-searched if they get within 100 yards of an airport.

I don’t care if they’re being inconvenienced. I don’t care if it seems as though their rights are being violated.

I care about my life. I care about the lives of my family and friends.

And I care about the lives of the Arabs and Arab Americans I’m privileged to know and study with.

They’re some of the brightest, kindest people I’ve ever met.

Tragically, they’re also members of an ethnicity that is responsible for almost every act of terror committed against the West in the recent past.

And in the wake of the anniversary of 9/11, I think it’s important to remember not only those who died, but how they died, why they died and where we stand now compared to where we stood then.

Four years and two days ago, we stood somewhere between apathy and ignorance. Sure, there were heinous acts of terrorism being committed in far-away lands, and sure, there was always the threat that some psychopath might do something.

After all, we’re the generation of Timothy McVeigh, the Unabomber and Columbine. The news was littered with coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, nerve gas on Japanese subways and terror in the Balkans.

But those attacks weren’t in the same buildings we toured on our eighth-grade class trips.

They didn’t kill 3,000 of our relatives.

They weren’t in our face.

Tired of the Vick Haters

It really has become pretty annoying and the en vogue thing to say "Michael Vick isn't a good QB." He has a lower passer rating then [insert random QB everyone thinks is terrible]. "He hasn't won the big game since he's been in the league," or " Warrick Dunn won that game for them last night."

Even after last night I was mad with him because he cost me a victory on my fantasy team. But see that's where the problem comes in. Vick isn't a good fantasy QB because he doesn't put up good passing numbers, but he is EVERYTHING you ask for in a QB.

He manages the game well for his team, he gives a running element to scare defenses and he does enough to win games.

Now I like Peyton Manning and think he is a great QB but has he been more successful as a QB, winning-wise, then Michael Vick?

Food for thought:

He was 20-2 as a starter in college.

He was 3-1 as a starter in his injury year of 2003, the Falcons were 2-10 without him.

He was the QB on the first team to EVER win a playoff game in Lambeau Field.

2004, he lead the Falcons to a NFC South Title and the NFC Championship Game.

He has won 69 percent of his game.

Reason #1,456,054 BET Studios should be Destroyed

I'm not even going to leave lots of commentary on this one. Let's just say I blame Bob Johnson as much as the "establishment" for helping to create a hip-hop culture that deviated far from what it was years ago. BET studios should be destroyed and rebuilt by someone with just a tad bit of sense, common or otherwise.

Little Brother's "Too Intelligent" Says BET, Network Responds To Allegation

Here is an Excerpt:

With Little Brother's The Minstrel Show hitting stores next week, SOHH.com has heard BET is refusing to air the album's first video, "Lovin' It" because it is "too intelligent for the BET audience."

The statement of the video being "too intelligent for the BET audiece" was discussed recently on Columbia University's college radio station, 89.9 hosted by Timmhotep Aku. Aku says this statement was made verbatim by the program director from BET to one of the Atlantic records label reps.

SOHH.com contacted several officials at BET, including their vice president Stephen Hill, their program director, and publicist, Michael Llewellen who offered this response.

"It's not true, not in that context. BET reserves the right to show or not to show music videos of any type based on the network's own standards and decision-making processes," Llewellyn told SOHH.com.

When questioned further as to whether the words "too intelligent for the BET audience" was used, Llewellen did not respond. Atlantic Records has refused to comment.

Hike for the Heisman Week 2

In case you missed it last week, this is a list i'm doing all season basically updating the candidates for the Heisman Memorial Trophy based upon what they've done this year and this year alone.

We had some people move out of the top 5 and others simply move up, but #1 has some intrigue. A sleeper from Bowling Green, a sleeper from Missouri and everyone's Mr. Heisman are now all tied for #1 after week 2.

Here is the list for Week 2:

1) Omar Jacobs QB Bowling Green 27/43 426 yards 5 TD's, 4 carries 16 yards
Last Week = 1

1) Brad Smith QB Missouri 30/53 239 yards 1 TD, 29 carries 167 yards 3 TD's
Last Week = 4

1) Vince Young QB Texas 18/29 272 yards 2 TD's, 20 carries 74 yards
Last Week = NR

4) Adrian Peterson RB Oklahoma 33 carries 220 yards, 3 TD's
Last Week = NR

5) Chris Leak QB Florida 13/22 219 yards 2 TD's
Last Week = 5

Should be interesting next week. The SC' boys will actually have a game and we'll see what kind of numbers they put up. Chris Leak will either move off this list or up significantly next week as Florida battles Tennessee. Vince Young is probably on for good because he won't be challenged for basically another month. We shall see, that's all for Week 2...

Hike for the Heisman Week 1

Weekend Results

Predictions

Week 1 - 6-1 W's (Georgia Tech, Texas, Georgia, Maryland, LSU and Virginia Tech), L's (Notre Dame)

Weekend Picks

Coming back for year #2 are my weekend sports predictions. Simply what I think will happen in local teams of note and the most high-profile games of the weekend.

NCAA GAMES OF INTEREST

Notre Dame (20)- 27
Michigan (3) - 37

Chad Henne 19-28 287 yards 3 TD's
Mike Hart 17 carries 110 yards 1 TD's

LSU (5) - 42
Arizona State (15) - 31

Jamarcus Russell - 12-20 174 yards, 8 carries 62 yards 4 total TD's

Virginia Tech (7) - 55
Duke - 13

M. Vick 11-17 152 yards, 8 carries 90 yards, 3 TD's

Maryland - 20
Clemson - 31

C. Whitehurst 24-30 365 yards 4 TD's

South Carolina - 17
Georgia (9) - 38

DJ Shockley 19-30 272 yards 3 TD's, 5 carries 50 yards 1 TD
Blake Mitchell 22-50 330 yards 2 TD's 3 INT

Texas (2) - 24
Ohio State (4) - 21

Vince Young 11-21 140 yards, 12 carries 100 yards 2 TD's
Ted Ginn, Jr - 150 return yards, 5 rec. 80 1 TD

North Carolina - 24
Georgia Tech (17) - 34

Matt Baker 19-28 239 yards 2 TD's 1 INT
B. Edwards 12 craries 52 yards 1 TD
Cooter Arnold 8 carries 40 yards
J. Pollock 4 rec. 38 yards
J. Holley 5 rec. 85 yards 1 TD
J. Hamlett 4 rec. 50 yards 1 TD

R. Ball 12-26 180 yards 1 TD, 8 carries 54 yards 1 TD
PJ Daniels 22 carries 174 yards 2 TD
C. Johnson 7 rec. 88 yards 1 TD

#1 Reason I'm ready for Football

Ok, so I know some of you are going to think this is lame, but I'm ready for football so I can see if my predictions are going to come true! Which means of course, that this is going to be a predictions post on what I think is going to happen in the NFL this year.

So here they are:

Division Champs - AFC
AFC West - Kansas City Chiefs (11-5)
AFC North - Baltimore Ravens (12-4)
AFC South - Indianapolis Colts (14-2)
AFC East - New England Patriots (13-3)
Wild Card - New York Jets (12-4)
Wild Card - Jacksonville Jaguars (10-6)

AFC Championship Game - New England Patriots (14-3) at Indianapolis Colts (15-2)
AFC Champion - Indianapolis Colts (16-2)


Division Champs - NFC
NFC West - St. Louis Rams (10-6)
NFC South - Carolina Panthers (12-4)
NFC North - Minnesota Vikings (11-5)
NFC East - Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)
Wild Card - Atlanta Falcons (11-5)
Wild Card - Dallas Cowboys (9-7)

NFC Championship Game - Carolina Panthers (13-4) at Philadelphia Eagles (14-3)
NFC Champion - Philadelphia Eagles (15-3)


SUPER BOWL XL- Indianapolis Colts (16-2) vs Philadelphia Eagles (15-3)
Super Bowl XL Champion - Indianapolis Colts (17-2)

NFL MVP - Peyton Manning
Offensive Rookie of the Year - Carnell Williams
Defensive Rookie of the Year - DeMarcus Ware

What I'm Looking Forward to this NFL Season (Repost) #5-2

5) He is simply the most exciting player in NFL history. No other player can so captivate and infuriate fans with the passion that Michael Vick evokes. It's hard to, maybe because I'm only 23 or maybe because there simply hasn't been one, remember an athlete with the total combined skills and athleticism that Michael Vick controls. Some say he is the best Runner, is the fastest player AND has the strongest arm in the entire NFL. Strong words but Vick has time after time backed them up. You might hear haters say "Well he plays QB and he isn't even a real QB!" You also might hear them say "There is no way he'll be a winning QB playing the way he does." Well to the haters, the statistics don't lie and Vick has won 70 percent of the games he's started (which coincidentally is equal to that of the "god-send" Brett Favre through his first 4 years). Vick is exciting, classy (with the exception of the Ron Mexico incident, but hey we've all been there), confident and the closest thing the NFL will have to Lebron or MJ. Cherish the moments you get too see him on the field, because it's safe to say he is absolutely one of a kind.

4) Notice when I was talking about Vick being the best runner, I didn't say the best running back. Wanna know why? That title, without a first or second thought, belongs to the San Diego Chargers LaDainian Tomlinson. Tomlinson is poised to have one of the better years we've seen from a running back in quite time. LT (which is the perfect nickname for him because the aggressive style that he plays makes calling him an offensive "LT" a great comparison) is almost a combination of the last few great running backs. Ther ability to catch out of the backfield like Marshal Faulk, the vision of Walter "Sweetness" Payton, the heart and determination of Emmit Smith and the ability to shake off defenders that can almost be mentioned in the same breath as Barry Sanders. After an injury-filled 2004, LaDainian hashis pro-bowl QB Drew Brees, his pro-bowl TE Antonio Gates and WR Keenan McCardell all returning to what was already a potent offensive attack You can bet LT will be taken first in nearly every fantasy draft across the country -- too bad for us east coast folks we'll have to go to sports bars to see him.

3) Remember I said that the Minnesota Vikings would probably make this list at some point? Well here they are, they made it. Why did they make it you ask? Well they had a relatively quiet off-season besides the fact that they traded the aforementioned BEST Wide Receiver in the NFL and have possibly 6 total new defensive starters including former pro-bowler Darren Sharper (free-agent from Green Bay), Fred Smoot (free-agent from Washington), Napoleon Harris (via the Randy Moss trade), Pat Williams (free-agent signing from Buffalo), rookie Defensive End Erasmus James and Sam Cowart (Buffalo). That's a lot of talent coming to a team that only needed a slightly mediocre defense instead of a horrid defense to be serious Super Bowl contenders. However, the question everyone wants answered is "How much will the Vikings miss Randy Moss?" Iit should be noted that with Moss gone the entire dynamic of the team has changed. QB Daunte Culpepper is the unquestioned leader and while it'll surely be more difficult without someone of Moss' talent on the field, it will also be easier on the Culpepper now that he doesn't have to worry about the so-called "Randy-Ratio." If the defense of the Vikings is as prolific on the field as it looks on paper, Minnesota could be in Detroit on Super Bowl sunday.

2) Ladies and Gentlemen I know you've been waiting for it. I know you've been saying to yourself, "surely he is going to put this how can you not put this on your list? Well, it is pretty safe to say that this refers to the on going Terrell Owens-Andy Reid-Donovan McNabb-Philadelphia Eagles Soap Opera. Owens has told his coach to shut-up, called his QB out for "throwing-up" during the Super Bowl, said he didn't want to talk to his QB and vowed to "not be happy" until he received the money he believes he deserves. Reid has suspended Owens for a week after T.O told him to shut up, then subsuquently reinstated Owens and has allowed him to miss several team functions. Donovan McNabb has told T.O to "keep my name out of your mouth," and then said that the two have a relationship that doesn't require the two communicating except for when it matters, on the field. The resolution, if there is such a thing, of this conflict is going to be great theatre. Whether it's the Eagles dominating the NFC and reaching the Super Bowl again without their two biggest stars ever talking, or the inverse with the Eagles crashing and burning, everyone will be watching to see what happens.

What I'm Looking Forward to this NFL Season (Repost)

Since the NFL season begins tonight and since a lot more people are starting to visit the site that hadn't in the past (thanks yall, keep coming) I figured I'd show everyone why I'm ready to watch the NFL this Season. That said here are 10-6...

The baseball dominated homogenous sports-time that is Summer is quickly drawing to an end and America's real favorite sport, football, will once again dominate television, internet and print media unlike any other sport in the history of, well sports. I've always wondered what turned the NFL into the behemoth that it has become the last 10 years and i'm thinking maybe it has to do with being forced to watch NOTHING but baseball from basically Memorial Day to Labor Day. The public is thirsting for something, anything to liven and spice things up a bit. Of course, it probably has more to do with our love for aggression, passion and hard-play, which I don't think it can be argued, the NFL has the most of among the major professional leagues.

Since it's "that" time I figuered I'd give you a list of 10 things I'm most looking forward to seeing this year.

10) How will the defending champions respond to losing two coordinators, two starting linebackers and an all-pro cornerback? For those of you who don't know that would be Romeo Crennel (Browns), Charlie Weis (Notre Dame), Ty Law (NY Jets), Ted Johnson (Retirement) and Ted Bruschi (Health Issues). That's a lot for any team to lose but how can you pick aganist the Patriots, winners of 3 Super Bowl's since 2001? They always find some guy who wasn't drafted, see Mr. Gay, and make him into a serviceable and sometimes really good player. In addition Corey Dillion seems like he is only going to get better with the Patriots, expect him to have a big season and of course the golden-boy Tom Brady has NEVER lost a playoff game. Their still the team to beat in my eyes, but it should be interesting.

9) Indianapolis at New England - Pundits have long said that once Peyton Manning gets through the psychological drama of never-winning in Foxboro and does actually win in Foxboro, that he'll see clearly into the eyes of that years Super Bowl. This game could silence the critics who say he's never won a big game, who point out that Tennessee won the National Championship the year after he graduated. I'm really anxious to see if he can have a good game up there. Even if they lose at New England, which they probably will, if Manning can have a game where he doesn't play horribly (as he has his last couple of games in Gillette Stadium) I think this will be the year the Colts get past their Pistons to the Bulls, the Patriots.

8) The Offensive Arsenal of the Oakland Raiders - This could be one of the better offenses in the NFL during the last few years. Think about how well Kerry Collins threw the ball last year with just Jerry Porter, Doug Gabriel and Ronald Curry as his receivers. Add in the BEST Wide Receiver in the league in Randy Moss, and Collins' greatest skill, throwing the ball downfield, will become a potent weapon leaving secondaries everywhere running for their life. Add in the underrated Lamont Jordan, who was stuck behind Curtis Martin for 4 years with the Jets and you now have a viable Speed/Power combination running back. Oakland's games should be among the most entertaining for those who like offensive showcases, couple their dangerous offense with their awful defense and you've got a formula for lots of 42-38 games.

7) Julius Peppers - Before you go and label this as a homer pick because Peppers went to the greatest University in the world, along with me (The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) you should really reconsider your views. As a matter of fact, I despise the organization and fan base that makes up the Carolina Panthers. But you simply can't ignore talent and in my opinion, pound for pound, Julius Peppers is the BEST player in the National Football League. To say that he is rare would be the understatement of the century. Has there ever been another player who can bull-rush 300lbs+ offensive lineman, sky over cornerbacks and linebackers to catch touchdowns in the corner of the end-zone, and track down the media-appointed fastest man in the NFL, Michael Vick? I can say with absolute certainty that no there hasn't. But that's not even the scariest part about Julius. The scary part is that myself, friends and even NFL experts agree that he isn't nearly close to being as good as he can/will be. QB's, DB's, LB's beware...

6) Can Big Changes on D make Big "D" a playoff contender? - Outside of the Vikings (who will more then likely be on the list tomorrow) perhaps no one went through more attrition and change on their defense then the Cowboys. Dallas had two-first round picks which they used on two defensive players Marcus Spears (DE, out of LSU) and Demarcus Ware (DE/LB out of Troy). They added cornerback Anthony Henry from Cleveland, Jason Ferguson from the NY Jets and switched to a 3-4 defensive format. After losing multiple games last year in blowouts Parcells has his type players, his type system and total control. This is the season for the Big Tuna to prove that he still has it. He even signed veteran QB Drew Bledsoe, whose arm is as strong as his legs are immobile, from the Buffalo Bills. Will all these changes help Dallas challenge for a playoff spot in the muddied NFC? I'm looking forward to finding out...

The Week Of West

It's been a, how do I say it, highly-visible week for Kanye West, super-producer and rapper from Chi-City (Chicago for those who don't know slang).

Aug. 30th - Last Tuesday he was on top of the world as people everywhere went to their local music store to pick up his soph. release "Late Registration." Critics everywhere, including this blog hailed it as something never before seen in hip-hop. It received perfect scores from XXL Magazine, The Source Magazine and Rolling Stone Magazine.

September 1 - Kanye sues Chicago DJ over use of early recordings. Kanye West is waging war against a Chicago DJ he claims tried to distribute 10 unreleased tracks he produced before he was 18. In a 20-page civil suit filed Monday in Chicago federal court, the 28-year-old rapper/producer claims Eric"E-Smoove" Miller has possession of unreleased material and tried to distribute it earlier this year, The Associated Press reports.

September 3 - The infamous comment of the century. Kanye goes on National Television and says "George Bush doesn't care about black people." Everyone has their take on this issue, but it pushes Kanye (at least in the public's eye) from entertainer to activist. Ask TuPac and Muhammad Ali, that's some serious stature and power.

September 5 - Kanye becomes giddy once he finds out the guy who co-wrote "Jesus Walks" aka Rhymefest and President Carter himself (not Jimmy, Sean) agree and support him 100 percent.

September 6 - The NFL, yes the same ones who got Elton John to perform the year after Janet-gate, has decided to allow Kanye West to perform even after his remarks about President Bush over the weekend. Of course it'll be on a 20-minute tape delay.

September 6 -Kanye, in his first public statements since the incident, says that he won't detract from the NFL kickoff concert. Kanye Says, "I don't want to detract from the show at all, because it's entertainment, and a lot of times, in a time of need, we need entertainment to lift people's spirits," West said Tuesday during a news conference to promote Thursday's free concert at the Los Angeles Coliseum."

September 7 - Finally, Kanye finds out the he enters this week's Billboard's chart at #1 selling nearly 900,000 copies of his second album. That number nearly doubles the opening of his friat CD. "College Dropout."

Heal the World Part II

MJ has said that he is going to record a song for Hurricane relief, with all the profits going to said relief. Should be interesting to see, after all he has been through the last month, if he still has the power to write those ballads we all love (Man in the Mirror, We Are the World, Heal the World) to sing.

MJ to record song for Hurricane Relief

Ironically, it'll be called "From the Bottom of My Heart," which will make it the SECOND best song this year with that title.

Here is an Excerpt:

Michael Jackson is ready for action.

The entertainer, who's been enjoying a lengthy vacation in the United Arab Emigrates, has announced plans to record a song to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina. The song, titled "From the Bottom of My Heart," is set to be released on 2 Seas Records, a label owned by Prince Abdulla Hamad Alkhalifa of Bahrain.

Jackson reportedly hopes to enlist other musical types to chime in on the song, in a flashback to the successful recording of "We Are the World," which helped raise millions of dollars for African aid, and the less successful recording of "What More Can I Give," his much delayed post-9-11 charity anthem.

"It pains me to watch the human suffering taking place in the Gulf Region of my country," Jackson said in a statement. "My heart and prayers go out to every individual who has had to endure the pain and suffering caused by this tragedy. I will be reaching out to others within the music industry, to join me in helping to bring relief and hope to these resilient people who have lost everything."

Who Needs the Radio?

Michael Tompkins, a blogger here, is also a student at Indiana University (they'll never forgive themselves for not accepting me). In their student newspaper he has a weekly column, so I thought it'd be nice to link him and maybe get some more traffic for him.

(If you have comments on his work, comment here but also e-mail him at michaelt20@hotmail.com)

Here is an excerpt from his column "Who Needs the Radio?":

My first reaction when I heard about the payola scandal involving Sony BMG executives and radio stations in New York was: "duh." There is no way that any music expert would put "Don't Phunk With My Heart" on the radio six times an hour without being paid to -- or about a hundred popular artists that don't really deserve the air time they get. (The Pussycat Dolls? Please.)

And when it was announced publicly that the airwaves of mass music were tainted by commercial corruption, I figured music corporations were paying their way onto air or I figured middle schoolers who call in and request songs had really bad taste in music.

New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer noted it wasn't the middle schoolers:

"Our investigation shows that, contrary to listener expectations, that songs are selected for airplay based on artistic merit and popularity, air time is often determined by undisclosed payoffs to radio stations and their employees."

Condi, Ari Gold and Horses

It's Labor Day and the bank is closed. So everything on my To-Do list hinges on me having money and the bank won't cash my check. So the obvious other choice is to sit around and scour the Internet for crap. TA-DA!

Labor Day Links:

- Man rides horse to work. Patty, his horse, "waits patiently while eating hay out of the back of a truck." Now this is good journalism. While this might not be a completely perfect alternative to gasoline-powered cars, it is an alternative. Rell and I debated this last week on if the higher gas prices would actually create a demand for alternatives. Bikes, hybrids, horses, etc. What's realistic and what will it take to make a fundamental change in the way Americans go about travel? $6.00 per gallon?

- Condi says race had nothing to do with aid to Katrina-affected areas. And before you say that Condi is a Republican and that she can't know anything about racism anyway, remember that she was raise in Alabama. I would like to see Kanye have a debate with her over this and all American race matters, since they are the two critical black thinkers of the day. And to think that more people would listen to a Kanye rant than the most powerful black woman in the world speak. That's perspective. (Note: though this doesn't refute or suppot what Kanye said, I am simply pointing out that if you want to formulate an opinion on something, get it from a respectable source or two.)

- Few people blame President Bush, according to ABC News Poll.

- Ari Gold ended last night's episode of Entourage working out of a coffee shop. The New York Times considers this article very important or atleast their readers do. Entourage is easily a Top 5 television show because of Jeremy Pivens' character. While the original crew lacks depth and much variety from each other -- atleast through the first season -- Ari Gold is a superstar.

- President Bush nominates Roberts for cheif justice spot, deciding to wage war for his second nomination, which I sense will be about as far right as anyone can be. Confirmation hearings after Rehnquist's funeral.

But think about this: President Bush's term in the White House is marked by historic events. He won't end up being as liked as Clinton but his term will be far more influential on history. (Clinton's was also historic as most 8 year periods tend to be and because of what occured in the Oval Office moreso than what occured in America). 9/11, At least two Supreme Court Justices, the worst natural disaster in the history of the US (est. 10,000 dead?) and three years to go.

Kanye forced to make comment on NBC

Jay-Z: Yo Kanye, want to roll with me tomorrow to get some limited edition S. Dots?
Kanye: Na man, i've gotta be on this live Red Cross taping for the hurricane victims.
Jay-Z: Oh word, me and P. Diddy are thinking about giving a million each. They really need our help.
Kanye: You mean Diddy. He dropped the P.
Jay-Z: Oh yeah. Are you gonna give anything?
Kanye: Yeah. I don't know how much though. I'll see how much i have left after I order these Gucci boxers off the internet. They are so hot. I think they go for $10,000 a piece so I'ma only get 25.
Jay-Z: Word. Do you know what you have to say tomorrow?
Kanye: I think they gonna have some teleprompter ish but I'm getting Lupe Fiasco to ghostwrite an improv speech for me. His diamonds remix verse made me look real conscious.
Jay-Z: Thats it! Kanyeeze you're a genius for this one!
Kanye: What?
Jay-Z: This is the chance for The Carter Administration to take over. You can sabotage the live taping and start a movement against President Bush. Then I will come and handle the rest.
Kanye: But Jay...
Jay-Z: Who?
Kanye: I'm sorry. President Carter, how am I supposed to do all this?
Jay-Z: All you have to do is say, "George Bush doesn't care about black people."
Kanye:But Jay...
Jay-Z: Who?
Kanye: I'm sorry. Jay-hova, the feds would kill me if I did that.
Jay-Z: Thats a sacrifice you're gonna have to make son. Its time for me to be the savior of the south. I don't call myself Hova for nothing. I have to get off the boat so I can walk on water. When the feds kill you, you will be a legend like Biggie and Pac. And you will also no longer be a threat to me as the best artist on the ROC. And remember, I still sign your check. So go out there and make Hovi proud.
Kanye: yes sir.....

But we went on whole heartedly...

Watch the video of Fiona's latest song. I heart her.

Hike for the Heisman

Another new feature on the blog for the fall of 2005, "Hike for the Heisman" (yall know I love alliteration). Each week during the college football season i'm going to post my personal top five for the Heisman based on performance thus far in the season. No, pre-season lists or anything will effect this list. It'll basically track how people come and go from the Heisman race, the sleepers, the darkhorses etc.

As I said before this list is going to be entirely based on what they've done thus far in the season. So, if you see someone on this first list that you think doesn't belong there or someone not on the list that you think should be there -- remember it's a long season and it's going to change each week.

Based upon results from Week 1 (please note that I know that there are a couple of more games this weekend, but I wanted to start the list tonight -- if anyone deserves to be added they will):


1) Omar Jacobs QB Bowling Green 29/50 458 yards 5 TD's

2) Brian Calhoun RB Wisconsin 43 carries 248 yards 5 TD's

3) DJ Shockley QB Georgia 16/24 289 yards 5 TD's 5 carries 85 yards TD

4) Brad Smith QB Missouri 28/36 274 yards 4 TD's 13 carries 85 yards

5) Chris Leak QB Florida 26/34 320 yards 3 TD's

That's all for this week...

New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin interview on WWL-AM

Listen Here

Benefit concert goes from great to ‘wow’

Kanye does it again.

Peep...

Here is an excerpt:

5:41pm: Mike Myers and Kanye West are on now, talking about the homeless situation. Kanye brings up an important point, talking about how the media portrays white people as seeking food and blacks as looters. He goes into an impassioned speech about the difficulties blacks are having during the Katrina fallout and in the country in general. Mike Myers is with him at the start.

About 10 seconds in, it's clear he's not reading from the prompter. He stumbles a bit on his points, but most of them get across. The basic message to the government? Stop dragging your feet and help the people down there. Myers gives him a couple "oh my God" looks, and then another when Kanye says "They've given them permission to go down and shoot us."

Myers, clearly stressed, goes into another point about the hurricane and how New Orleans is forever changed. Then Kanye drops the biggest bomb.

"George Bush doesn't care about black people," West said. Myers turns to him and clearly has no idea what to say. Then they go to a flabbergasted Chris Tucker.

Kanye was one frustrated man on TV. (And really, I can't do it justice here. Watch the video.)

Not sure what kind of flack Kanye's gonna catch for that last bit, but I'm sure he doesn't care. And good for him to bring up a point on the media's portrayal of blacks that can't be said enough. Not sure if I agree, but it's always good to have someone out there, challenging the media

Celebrities Step Up to Help Hurricane Victims (UPDATED)

* VH1 , MTV and BET will have telethon on Sept 9 and 10th (Alicia Keys, Dave Matthews, Usher and Green Day to perform)
* NFL to donate $1 million
* New York Yankees to donate $1 million
* John Grisham $5 million
* Warrick Dunn (ATL Falcons & Louisiana Native) $200,000
* Wynton Marsalis (Legendary Jazz Musician & New Orleans Native)$100,000
* NBA and WNBA Players, Teams Aid Relief
* Celine Dion $1 million
* Hillary Duff $250,000
* Nicolas Cage $1 million
* Master P & Team Rescue One
* Tiger Woods $1 million
* Lebron James $500,000
* Kanye West $1 million
* Morgan Freeman $400,000
* NBC held telethon this morning
* Jay Z & Diddy to donate $1 million
* Serena Williams to donate $100 for every ace served
* Juvenille & Master P $300,000 a piece
* Jerry Lewis and M.D.A $1 million
* Shaq is in Baton Rouge, LA physically helping and to donate $1 Million
* G105 (local) sent 9 tractor trailers full of supplies
* Deion Sanders calls for ALL professional athletes to donate 1K
* Peyton and Eli Manning 2 Tractor Trailers and One plane full of supplies
* Marshall Faulk to donate $400,000
* Brett Favre and Steve McNair filling up 4 tractor trailers full of supplies

Last New Orleans post for the week ( I think)

If you don't think it's real out there peep this excerpt from CNN.com:

"Overnight, police snipers were stationed on the roof of their precinct station, trying to protect it from gunmen roaming the city, CNN's Chris Lawrence reported.

One New Orleans police sergeant compared the situation to Somalia and said officers were outnumbered and outgunned by gangs in trucks. (Watch the video report on explosions and gunfire -- 2:12)

The officer hitched a ride to Baton Rouge on Friday morning, after working 60 hours straight in the flooded city. He has not decided whether he will return.

He broke down in tears when he described the deaths of his fellow officers, saying many had drowned doing their jobs. Other officers have turned in their badges, he said.

In one incident, the sergeant said he saw bodies riddled with bullet holes, and the top of one man's head shot off."

Friday Wrap

A few interesting stories in the news today:

First off some kind of explosion went off overnight in New Orleans. The condition continues to get worse (if that is possible). The longer it takes for the federal government to get in there and help the more political it is going to become. According to CNN.com, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin lashed out at state and federal authorities saying they were "thinking small" in the face of the massive crisis.

Nagin said he needs military troops to provide security and 500 buses to take people stranded by Hurricane Katrina out of the city. (See video of the demand for national leaders to 'get off their butts' -- 12:09)

"I keep hearing that it's coming. This is coming. That is coming. My answer to that is B.S. Where is the beef," Mayor Nagin said.

So that's just something to watch -- even President Bush himself said that the response has not been acceptable. So, because of the demographic that lives in New Orleans and because of the overwhelmingly quick response to the Tsunami of course the question jumps in everyone's head -- Does this have something to do with race? By the way make sure you read that piece I just linked in the New York times, it's amazing.

Now to some more seemingly superficial things. MTV is being sued by Edwin O. Swift III, rich man and neighbor to the season that is now being shot in Key West, Florida. Swift says that the lights, trailers and cars parked nearby and the general amount of traffic around the house are ruining his family's lives. Should be interesting to see what happens, but I doubt he wins.

Also if you didn't know, gas prices (basically due to Katrina) have risen about .50 cents this week alone. I wouldn't expect them to fall anytime soon either. Mike T and I had an interesting conversation about when too expensive is going to be too expensive. Frankly, I don't have enough confidence in the American people to EVER stop buying gas regardless of how high it gets. In my opinion we are that "in bed" with the oil and gas industries that cutting ourselves off from them will be nearly impossible. Then I think about it some more and I almost feel guilty for worrying about gas prices. People down there on the Gulf Coast don't have food, shelter, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, homes, warm water -- clean water at all for that matter, electricity or anything else. Yet we're here complaining about how much we have to pay to drive our cars? I understand it and will continue to complain, but something about it just doesn't seem right, ya know? But as I said before don't expect prices to really calm down that much. Instead limit your driving and make sure you're taking the shortest route possible, especially here in NC where Governor Easley issued a directive to all state agencies to cease travel unless it was dealing with Hurricane relief. He even ordered that no lawn work could be done until this crisis has been resolved.

However good news is coming. The AP reports that 90 million barrels of crude oil and refined products (gas) will be released to the world over the next few weeks. 60 million is coming from foreign aid and 30 million is coming from the US Oil Reserves (we have about 757, well 737 million barrels now). This should add about 2 million barrels of oil per day to the United States economy and help, if only moderately, the price of energy in America.

Last story about New Orleans and Hurricane Katrina for the day, but CNN.com has some of it's best correspondents essentially blogging from on-site in different parts of Louisiana. Just read it here there are some compelling stories to read.

Finally we'll leave this weekend with a "positive" musical note. Mariah Carey, whom many thoughts was dead and done for after her 2001 flameout/craziness episode and the disaster that was Glitter, has risen from the proverbial ashes and made even more history then she had before. According to Mariahcarey.com and Billboard.com Mariah Carey has done something no other female before her accomplished. With "We Belong Together" notching a remarkable 14th non-consecutive week at No. 1 on The Billboard Hot 100 and "Shake It Off" jumping 4-2 on the main singles chart, Mariah Carey becomes just one of five acts to hold the top two positions on the Hot 100 since the chart's inception in 1958. The feat puts her in the company of OutKast, who joined the club last year, Nelly (2002), the Bee Gees (1978) and the Beatles (1964).

We All Gotta Eat, Right?

I understand the gravity of the situation in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. I understand that this is the worst natural disaster in recorded history in America. I understand that thousands upon thousands of people have been displaced permanently from their homes . I understand it could be years before things are close to a degree of normalcy and I agree that the New Orleans we knew will never exist again.

HOWEVER, the media coverage has once again become predictable and yes to a degree, racist by exploiting blacks who are "looting" and making them out to be as much a destructive force as the Hurricane itself. The thing I've noticed is (call this superficial or whatever you want, heck just simply disagree with me if you please) that in the media whites tend to "look for food" while blacks "take food looted from stores." Fact of the matter is, in a situation like this basic human instincts of survival takeover and the goal is to stay alive by any means necessary.

Besides is it not natural to want diapers for your baby? Is it not natural to want food for your family? Is it not natural to want clean, drinkable water for the health of your body? Once again I understand what happens when lawlessness is around to reign over a place, but I also understand that people are people and they have to live.

Besides who is really going to prosper from selling these goods? Who are they going to sell them to? No one has any money and no one will for quite some time.

So if you're offended by me making this an important issue i'm sorry. But just because of everything that has happened we can't sit by and do nothing while our (our being African-Americans)image is tarnished by bad and at times malicious coverage through the media.

Apocalypse -- RIGHT -- Now?

Sadly the situation and conditions in New Orleans continue to get worse. Now there is massive looting and general chaos throughout the city.

I'm trying to watch a great deal of coverage on this because it is unprecedented and I doubt anything like it will be repeated in our life times.

Chaos spreading along New Orleans streets

Here is an excerpt:

Desperation at Superdome, convention center; safety fears halt some work

This city spiraled into chaos Thursday as thousands of desperate residents begged for help and rising tension from the desperate situation led to fights, fires and fears for the safety of emergency responders.

“We are out here like pure animals. We don’t have help,” the Rev. Isaac Clark, 68, said outside the New Orleans Convention Center, complaining that he and hundreds of others were evacuated, taken to the convention hall by bus, dropped off and given nothing.

People outside the center, some holding crying babies or elderly barely able to stand up, shouted for help as TV news crews passed by

The Superdome, where thousands of people were being evacuated by bus to the Houston Astrodome, also descended into chaos. Paramedics became increasingly alarmed by the sight of people with guns.

Huge crowds, hoping to finally escape the stifling confines of the stadium, jammed the main concourse outside the dome, spilling out over the ramp to the Hyatt hotel next door — a seething sea of tense, unhappy, people packed shoulder-to-shoulder up to the barricades where heavily armed National Guardsmen stood.

“There’s so many people there. It’s a desperate situation with no air conditioning and no water,” Louisiana National Guard Lt. Col. Pete Schneider said of the Superdome.

Fights broke out. A fire erupted in a trash chute inside the dome, but a National Guard commander said it did not affect the evacuation.

However, the airborne evacuation was disrupted after at least one shot was reported fired at a military helicopter.

An air ambulance service official said helicopter transfers of the sick and injured were suspended as a result.

Able-bodied evacuees were still being moved by bus to Houston's Astrodome, the National Guard said, correcting a Guard official who said that operation was on hold as well.

Waiting to Exhale...

Now I can start actually breathing out instead of trying to hold my tummy in all day :) (Note This is Ginny, not Rell)

The magic of retouching.

Look at the way celebs and magazine & video ho types get their tummies slimmed, their big round booties, their utter inexplicable lack of any cellulite, their smooth-toned skin, their glossy hair, and their breasts that magically don't smush against a bed and are not subject to the laws of gravity. And it's only $125/hour.