Ron Sparks Opted not to leave the gubernatorial race

On Tuesday, Ron Sparks announced in front of the under construction  Madison County Courthouse that he would not leave the Democratic nomination race for Alabama's governor for the AL-5.


However, this doesn't mean it's over for a possible Democrat to enter the race for the 5th Congressional of Alabama race after the partisan-defection of Parker Griffith to the Republican party.  Word in the blogosphere is that Deborah Bell Paseur, Alabama State Rep. Randy Hinshaw, and Ala. State Rep. Tammy Irons may be in the race for the seat. 

Interesting, I must say because these guys in the Tennessee Valley are disparate to get a Democrat on the ticket since Griffith will likely win by default on the Republican side.  However, I know for a fact that unlike AL-7, AL-5 is more on the socially conservative side since the majority the district population isn't in the immediate Huntsville area, aka, Madison and Limestone counties, rather its spread throughout the Tennessee Valley from the Florence-Shoals area to Decatur to Huntsville.  It would take a populist or centrist Democrat to win the race at this point because Griffith has shown the progressives and liberals in the region that "they don't matter at all".  All of which I knew already because I've been saying for years, Huntsville is still another 20 years before it even reaches a point of becoming a political powerhouse like Greater Birmingham in statewide races, but is well on its way with the current population growth trends.  They might have to contend with the fact that along with the proof of the results of the 2008 Presidential elections that anything remotely non-WASPy or even a "hint of progressive" doesn't matter to the major white AL-5 district voters.  

Ron Sparks might leave the Alabama gubernatorial race for the AL-5 Democratic nom?

Now that would be INTERESTING for sure!  I can see him having enough common sense to jump ship on the gubernatorial race where he is being outwitted 2 to 1 by Davis in a number of areas.  Sparks only differential and standout issue is legalized gambling within Alabama, but that can only win a handful of votes compared to the other issues ranging from constitutional reform to charter school advocacy, etc. that Davis campaigned upon.

Well, he'll announce "soon" what he will do before the beginning of the 2010 campaign season gets started, which is January.  I say GO SPARKS, GO!  If a middle of the road Democrat can give Mo Brooks and Parker Griffith a run for their money then DO IT! 

With Davis the only real Democrat in the gubernatorial race then it will be interesting how he can battle against whoever the Republican opponent is whether it will be Byrne, James, Moore, or Ivey.  He will force them to talk about the constitutional reform, inequitable taxation, ethics reform, etc. will make for a very interesting race where it will be about the issues and platforms rather than about Davis being a black Democrat.

Gary White's federal conviction reinstated

After months of uncertainty whether or not former Jefferson County commissioner Gary White would receive a new trial in federal court are over.  The three-judge panel ruled that White waived his right to be tried in the federal court district in which the alleged offenses were committed because he didn't raise the issue before the trial.  The Federal Court of Appeals in Atlanta reinstated the conviction of bribery and conspiracy along with sending it back to the federal circuit of North Alabama to either the Birmingham or Tuscaloosa federal courthouse. 

Well, that makes 5 former Jeffco commissioners that have been convicted in federal courts for bribery, conspiracy, or corruption charges.  What a damn shame, and embarrassment for Jefferson County government, but it's the government we as the citizen pay for since we don't seem to have the will to push for a reformation of the county government from a district-based system without an executive branch to one where there are separation of powers.  SMH

Update on the Jefferson County occupational tax saga

The Jefferson County Commission issued an additional $14 million dollars into the escrow to refund taxpayers.  They delivered $23.5 million to the escrow last week and this week's transfer fulfills the $37.5 million balance ordered by Jeffco Circuit Judge David Rains in response to the repeal of the original occupation tax.
  
This is so irrelevant since the lawyers will get the majority of the money, and if we do get a refund it will be no more than $10-$12 dollar per person... 

Why o' why, is ALDOT and Bob Riley trying to force unneccessary road projects on Greater Birmingham

First the foolishness with the Northern Beltway and its irrational route going through properties that have been in people's families for generations in areas like Clay and Pinson to now the idiocy coming from Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) and Alabama Governor Bob Riley where they want to steamline the construction of the elevated tollway over the current route of U.S 280 from I-459 to Eagle Point Drive in Northern Shelby County.  "Something is very unclean in the water" what the hell is Figg Engineering going to pay for this stupid thing.  The only thing I agree with on this steamlining of the improvement of U.S. 280 is limiting the access points along the route like U.S 231 also known as Memorial Parkway is in South Huntsville.  However, the convoluted thing is Riley wants the version along the U.S. 280 to have a below grade toll road in 4 of the 10 lanes of the proposed roadway.  Idiotic.

I can't for the life of me understand why these Alabama officials have so much regard towards outdated mindsets when it comes to alleviating the traffic issues of Greater Birmingham.  More roadways will now solve the problem rather further exacerbate.  The issues with the traffic along U.S 280 is simply that it doesn't flow well, and it's not the capacity of the road itself.  If ALDOT would eliminate the traffic signals and replace them with interchanges with access roads then the road would be more functional as a route from the southeastern suburban areas of Greater Birmingham.  Now, this half-ass idea to construct a toll road that is below and above grade along this road is just dumb, dumb, dumb.  A bus-rapid-transit route that could be eventually converted to a light-rail transit route along the corridor would be more appropriate along with the recommendations of the limited-access expressway setup like Memorial Parkway in Huntsville with access roads from the Red Mountain Expressway to the Coosa River bridge on the Shelby/Talladega county lines.

On to the dubious Northern Beltway, tentatively named I-422, where former Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce lobbyist (prior to its merging with Regions 2020 and Metropolitan Development Board to form the Birmingham Business Alliance (BBA)), Pascal Caputo, made a Facebook page title "Birmingham Northern Beltline" to advocate the roadway.  Sounds like to me he is trying to get back on at the BBA. The foolishness even made it to a news story in the September 13th edition of the Birmingham News.  Caputo even blogs about it on his own site the Caputo Report, where he advocates it should be "a top priority for the Birmingham business community".  This guy is too much, and fails to realize this is an outdated idea to improve the economic development prospects in Greater Birmingham.   

In the December 13th edition of the Birmingham News, there was a story discussing how the poorly planned Northern Beltway will plow through large tracts of land where there have been family homesteads for generations.  The original route of the Northern Beltway was to connect with I-459 at both ends, but ALDOT swore up and down it would be more costly to allow it to connect to I-459 because it would displace residents in eastern Birmingham.  However, they could have easily accommodated the route to the residents in the area by still connecting  and having the road go east a few miles then resume its northwestern trek towards I-65.  The topography of the original route and the current proposed route are both extremely rugged, but the original one wouldn't hurt the Cahaba River watershed. The development patterns of the region doesn't need to spread out any further than it already is, but poorly executed rushing will just make the problem even worse.  The excuses and bum-rushing of these projects will likely put Birmingham in mess that will take decades to correct because so officials within the state government and Birmingham business sector doesn't listen to the community or use rationale.  SMDH. 

Violent crimes are down in Birmingham, Mobile, and slightly in Montgomery, but up in Huntsville

In a report where law enforcement agencies across the nation reported crime to the F.B.I., overall violent crime in Birmingham was down 12.8% from January through June, according to the report. Mobile reported a 9% decrease, and Montgomery a 3.8%t decrease.  However, Huntsville saw an 9.9% increase in violent crimes.

Under the helm of Birmingham Police Department Chief A.C. Roper, the city has seen a major improvement in the public safety.  Homicides have dropped significantly since he took the helm in late 2007 where it no longer surpasses the 100 mark annually, but more needs to occur.  However, overall Roper is doing a damn good job for Birmingham and hopefully we'll see another year of drastic decreases in the number of homicides and violent crimes in Birmingham. 

Now in Huntsville's case, poor execution along with the fallacy of the mentality where so many flocking there believe they are immune to crime in such a "shiny, growing city".  The city also has show a great amount of apathy to the black residents there were they have either been left out of the political process or were thrown under the bus.  Huntsville in my opinion, is just a giant suburb rather than a large city, where it would have came up with some type of action plan to handle such growth and realize that with growth comes crime.  Maybe it just a fluke this year in the numbers, but I doubt it considering there have been an increasing spike in homicides in Huntsville since 2003.

Now why are Democrats surprised by this? Parker Griffith (AL-5) is changing to a Republican

Oh brother!  Some of you Democratic bloggers kill me with your "huh", "what the fuck", "what the hell", "son of a bitch" over Parker Griffith's decision to change from a Democrat to Republican.  The guy voted against the health care reform bill and stimulus package, Lily Ledbetter Act,  the American Clean Energy and Security Act, and financial reform legislation and he said from jump that he was a Blue Dog Democrat.  During the Town Hall fiascoes, Parker Griffith made it known to the crowd of ignorant ass majority white hecklers that "he was on their side" on health care reform.   Instead of being shocked, how about "duh" because Blue Dog = Social Conservative, which 9 out of 10 times will be Republican.  He's going to get annihilated by the others contenders in the Republican primary next year, but it was fun watching this craziness and laughing my ass off.  Alabama Republicans including U.S. House Rep. Robert Aderholt and Mike Rogers, and U.S. Senators Jeff Sessions and former Democrat turncoat Richard Shelby all welcomes Parker to the GOP fold where "everything white is right".

Alabama Congressman and Democratic gubernatorial nominee, Artur Davis, said this:

"While I will continue to respect and work with Congressman Griffith, his decision repudiates the hard work of many Democrats who sustained him during his election to two high offices.  It is an ironic turn of events that he will now run under the banner of a party that subjected him to one of the most savage and false negative campaigns in the country in 2008.

"He leaves a party where differences of opinion are tolerated and respected to join a party that in Washington, marches in lockstep, demands the most rigid unity, and articulates no governing philosophy beyond the forceful use of the word, 'no.'

The truth is that fiscal conservatism, robust advocacy for our fighting forces, and a defense of our best national values are not partisan principles. Howell Heflin, Bud Cramer, and a host of others understood that those virtues can be practiced within the Democratic Party, and that they are necessary to keep the party anchored in the faith and aspirations of millions of middle class Americans.

 I wish that Congressman Griffith had followed the path that Senator Heflin and Congressman Cramer walked so proudly.  

Huntsville and the Tennessee Valley is becoming more and more socially conservative as the time goes on.  However, only a fool that believes that being in "the progressive haven" is going to help the region shift more left, nope!  Look at what wind up on the ballot last year, Parker Griffith, and he was so socially conservative that I don't know how or why any progressive or Democrat would even campaign for him is beyond me.  I'm not saying I don't like Huntsville, but I rather take my chances where the numbers are at least there here in Birmingham. 

It just reaffirms that how some (including myself) have some subtle suspicious about the DNC overt push to want a Democrat in office regardless of how they stand on issues.  Also what even more appalling is how shifty some Southern white Democrat politicos are when times get tough.  Now, I'm hedging bets on how long the other "Blue Dog Democrat", Bobby Bright, former Montgomery mayor changes his political affiliation from Democrat to Republican...

So-call "Independent" Joe Lieberman has threatened to become a Republican in 2012

The obstructionist de jour and royal ass extraordinaire Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman has threatened the DNC that he will run as a Republican in 2012 if they don't stop pressuring him on the health reform bill in the Senate.  His reasons for objecting against the bill is the expansion of Medicare include those as young 55 years and the public option will increase the debt, yet he was oh so for it in 2000 when he was the candidate for Vice President on the Democratic ticket. 

I was laughing when Al Franken shut you down after you went over the allotted 10 minutes of open debate on the bill, and your buddy John McCain try to use this incident to make an empty hypocritical speech about "I’ve been around here 20-some years. First time I’ve ever seen a member denied an extra minute or two to finish his remarks. … I just haven’t seen it before myself."  Uh liar, and we all know it.


The little obstructionist has said that he is doing this on "principle, not politics", but seems to be coddling his buddy John "the Maverick" McCain and his foolishness last year.  Principles my ass, Lieberman, we all know what is really brewing and if you run regardless of what your political affiliation is you are going to lose in 2012.  Your constituents in Connecticut have made it known that they have an axe to grind against your ass and you deserve it.  I wish Harry Reid would have thrown you under the bus back in January, but he was trying to be nice to your two-timing ass for the 60 votes in the Democratic Caucus in the Senate.  Oh 2012, is the year you will get-got by somebody from your state on the ballot because even the majority of your own constituents doesn't even like you anymore.

DC is now the first city in the South allowing same-sex unions and David Catania

The DC Council passed the ordinance into law allowing the legalization and recognition of same-sex unions within the District of Columbia. 

This ordinance was pushed by Council member at-large David Catania, a former Republican, now Independent on the District Council.  Catania is only 41 and outingly gay, and according to most who follows the District and its city level politics, says that he is an intelligent yet intimidating individual who pushes his way through the political fray.  Sounds like to me, he is going to be the next person that may be on his way of becoming DC's first gay and white mayor in a long time not before becoming the DC Council President after the next election cycle.  Well, I'm not surprised since I've noticed that all the "black mecca metropolises" are starting to turn very white and in some cases led by white LGBT politicos.  Hmmm, all I have to say is they better do right by everybody including those of color and LGBTs of color...

Frank Matthews gone bye-bye from Birmingham City Hall

Well, I'm a little late since I've been working on some stuff, but I have to say that Frank Matthews given the heave-ho out of his post at the Mayor's Office of Citizens' Assistance was a good thing.  The Langford appointed deputy director of the Office of Citizens' Assistance was basically a free paycheck so he could use the position as a pulpit to be a mouthpiece for Langford against his detractors.  Like Langford, he would pretend to be such a holy man by thanking God then the next breath cussing somebody out.  He was Langford's right hand man in crime, rait baiting and foolishness. The man is one warp individual who loves race baiting like it's a pasttime. 

Now apparently what led up to this was Matthews' reaction to Patrick Cooper supporters at a citywide Christmas party the profanity-laced verbal altercation during Monday's Citizens Advisory Board party at Boutwell Auditorium.  The Cooper supporters were participating in the celebration whereas Matthews had to go out of his way to prove the world how much of an ass he is.  He began to verbally attack and threatening them at the function (apparently for supporting Cooper).  Word flew around the community like clockwork (as it always does) and by Tuesday morning interim mayor Roderick Royal placed Matthews on suspension without pay.

On Tuesday morning on his AM radio talk show on 1320AM WENN (a Cox owned station "eye roll"), Matthews called Royal "Napoleon" and a "liar," after hearing that he had been terminated. Matthews said he went after the acting mayor on his show this morning because personnel officials said he would receive a reprimand for the exchange, but he later learned that Royal planned to fire him.  At least the long time director of the Citizens Assistance, Don Lupo, won't be a "deputy director" anymore and back to his original position where he was doing a good job handling...
The jackass then went on saying that this allows him to go on to his clarion call to challenge the citizenry to action against Patrick Cooper.  Matthews disgusts me to no end the ex-con needs to STFU, and take his splabuvian on somewhere.  Then he is on the WENN, which call letters represents something of worth but Cox Radio Birmingham once again perversion of the legacy of decent urban station. 

Now it's no surprise to me that Smitherman aligned herself with Matthews when she became interim mayor for the short 2 weeks.  However, she is as silent as a church mouse about this incident and trying her best to distance herself from Matthews.  Smitherman is proving that is just as guilty as Bell, Matthew, and Langford when it comes to obstructing progress and holding Birmingham hostage to this ego-driven foolishness of the Old Guard. 

Now it's not a surprise that the warped Matthews would align himself with the William Bell campaign to be a race baiting surrogate.  He is going to prove how much some black folks in our community tries to destroy progress over their selfishness, bigotry, and ego.  See Joe Reed for another example.  UGH!

Birmingham is slashing and burning left and right and BJCTA along with other things are affected

Today during the usual Monday City Council Budget committee meetings, the Birmingham City Council has to figure out a way to remove $8 million of expenditures from the operating budget.  Some of the things mentioned to save funds includes 10 day furloughs for city employees, charges for garbage disposal, and not fully funding the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority (BJCTA) the $9 million in payments.  This comes at a very bad time for the BJCTA which just settled for $30,000, one-fourth of the original $120,000 it charged Hoover for its U.S. 31 bus route that was saved by the negotiations.  The BJCTA is in literal dire straits, not figuratively at all, with buses leaking during rainfall, regular breakdowns, and disruptions of service due to these breakdowns.  Ironically, the funding for the BJCC multipurpose facility expansion wouldn't be affected since the city funds it after receiving invoices of progress and it comes from the "Birmingham Fund" capital budget that is separate from general budget fund.

Back to the Birmingham City Council budget debacle, interim mayor Roderick Royal was the one who proposed the reduction of expenditures.  Royal discusses plans to not pay the city employees for the New Year's Eve, Martin Luther King holiday, Good Friday and Memorial Day holidays to save $3.7 million.  However, many criticize this move along with the fact that just 3 weeks ago Royal said that the figures saying that the city unbudgeted itself by $20.89 million under Langford was an inaccuracy and it was only $1 million.  Now the tune is quite different and saying that he want wants to reduce $8 million from the budget any way possible since the FY 2010 revenue won't be enough to cover the $423 million expenditures budgeted.

Geez, my head is spinning and I can only image how anybody else feels about this.  The idiots that voted for Langford are to thank for the abyss of nuttiness where Smitherman and others knew what was going with Langford, but didn't do a damn thing until it was too late.  I'm so tired of this lot of morons it doesn't make any type of sense. 

ACORN won their court battle against the US government after Congress cut off funding from them back in October.  Now the court ruled that Congress violated the U.S. Constitution "by singling out ACORN and its affiliates for severe sweeping restrictions" and that such action constitutes illegal punishment or a "bill of attainder."  It seems that "bill of attainder" are pretty much legal vendettas by power brokers that attempt to wield them against their enemies.  However, the US Constitution prohibited such things since 1787.

Interesting except from the Institute of Southern Studies about the case and the silence of progressives:

Right wing members of Congress accused ACORN of being a "shell game" using millions of taxpayer dollars "to advertise for a political candidate" and which "helped President Obama get elected."

After a highly dubious right-wing sting operation in September, the conservative media machine overran Congress members, including, sadly, many democrats, and passed the bill of attainder cutting off all federal funds to ACORN and any affiliates, subsidiaries and allies.

Most Congress reps knew full well this was an illegal bill of attainder as it was pointed out in the debates and even by the Congressional Research Office, but voted to let it go through anyway. Representatives Nadler and Grayson and Senator Leahy, among others, repeatedly pointed out that this was unconstitutional. Democrats who voted for the bill of attainder included many who had sought and received help from ACORN members in the past. They have some explaining to do.

Progressives who remained silent while the nation's largest low income African American community organization was under attack also should re-think their lack of support. Did anyone think that if the right-wingers took down Van Jones and ACORN they would stop there?

What is ahead? Surely the conservative opponents of ACORN will continue to bloviate and continue to try to put ACORN out of business. There will likely be fights galore. But with this ruling the fights will be a little fairer.

ACORN won this case. The U.S. Supreme Court has called the prohibition of congressional bills of attainder a "bulwark against tyranny." Here the bulwark against tyranny worked to stop the right-wing smear machine.

But the rule of law won too. And all of us and Congress have again been taught a valuable lesson - there are no shortcuts when it comes to following the Constitution.

Oh goodie!  I shows that some Democrats and so-called progressives will do anything to cover their asses politically speaking.  Yeah, one of those so-called "progressive" Democrats including John Conyers of Michigan go a lot of explaining to do now.  It just shows that in politics alliances and allegiance to the "right thing" will be sacrificed for the some political expediency, huh US Rep. Conyers!   They will go after Obama for not pursuing political issues affecting blacks, but when you have a non-governmental organization that protects and lobbies on the behalf of people of color from voter, housing, and financial fraud you splaboos are as silent as church mice.  SMH, the CBC (Congressional Black Caucus) is much as a joke as they come. 

Another reason why I'm an independent politically, thinker, and voter because this type of garbage is just a remainder of the foolishness of Democrats along with the Neo-con aka Republican parties. 

Oh why o why?

Last week the Calhoun County Commission voted to demolish abandoned structures on the campus of former  Fort McClellan.  Get this these buildings have significant historical status, but Calhoun County officials feels that they are so dangerous that anyone going into them could get hurt.  Uh, I used to work for the state of Alabama and one of the things I used to do is go on to the campus all the time, yet noticed that the campus has much potential to be something great and conductive for future growth for the Anniston area particularly the City of Anniston.  McClellan could easily be incorporated into the urban infrastructure of Anniston and help Anniston set standards for that would be allow for more sustainable growth and development.  Also there are a number of bus shelters there that could be incorporated into the Anniston Citizens Transit System (ACTS). 

However, the campus was forcefully de-annexed from Anniston because of legal technicality specifying that Calhoun County, not Anniston would have zoning and land-use authority over the campus of Fort McClellan, which effectively has no zoning or land-use authority thanks to the inadequate Alabama Constitution.  Now there is suppose to be a commission that is made up of officials from Calhoun County Commission, the City of Anniston, state legislators, and congressional representative to issues recommendations for the future of the McClellan campus, but these recommendation practically have zero legal standing when it come to developers.  Calhoun is one of the 64 counties in Alabama that lacks home rule or self-govern authority over zoning, taxation, or land-usage.  Anybody can practically do anything they want as long as it falls within legal standards of state code on building and land-usage.  

Well, I for one think that Calhoun County Commission inability to find alternative solution to the problem with these structures is another symptom to Alabama's inability to progress under its lame state charter.  It is debatable who could or would be the better operator of the Fort McClellan campus, but the fact that one has land-usage authority and the other doesn't does matter.  Until somebody can get land-use and zoning authority to Calhoun County then more shortsighted decisions will be made on things involving McClellan area and its historically and developmentally-speaking sustainable layout.  What a shame!

The political "what ifs" that wind up happening

The political and societal 'what ifs' are some of the most interesting things that occur in modern times.  What I'm talking about are the things in conventional wisdom or in scholarly thought are the things assumed not likely to occur.  However, some of these things have been defeated due to circumstance or sheer luck, but it happened.  Case and point, the Commonwealth of Virginia elected it first black governor with L. Douglas Wilder back in 1989 although just 7 years prior California failed doing the same with the candidacy of Tom Bradley thus we have the political theory known as the Bradley effect.  Nevertheless, a Southern state was the first to actually elect self-identified black governor to its office. 

Another case of this is with Houston just yesterday where the city elected its first openly gay mayor, yet it recently declined to pass a referendum to allow domestic partnership benefits including same-gender-loving (SGL) employees and their partners.  Other cases including the passage of Proposition 8 in a assumed politically and socially progressive state as California at the same time as more conservative yet urbane states like Florida with its Amendment 2 and Arizona with Proposition 102, all of which were banned the recognition or allowance of same-sex unions, domestic partnerships, or civil unions with their state boundaries.  Also the election of Arnold Schwarzenegger, famous action movie actor and a moderate Republican, to the helm of governor in California in 2003 after the electoral recall of Gray Davis, a Democrat.  Finally, the election of the first self-identified black president of the US with candidacy of Barack Obama.

It shows that anything is entirely possible in these day and age politically speaking in our society, so when I hear naysayers like Joe Reed, Jesse Jackson, and others say that it's not likely for Alabama to elect a black governor with the candidacy of Artur Davis or that Birmingham can't possibly make a turnout in the midst of huge recession then I say never say never.

Jefferson County told to pay $38 million in occupational tax refund account

Oh brother!  The saga over the "refund" which will amount to only $10-11 per person continues.  Just Thursday, Jefferson County Circuit Judge David Rains order Jefferson County Commission to pay $38 million to the "tax refund account" to refund to taxpayers for the now defunct occupational tax on all workers in the county exempting lawyers, business owners, and licensed medical professionals. Appointed Edgar Gen­tle III, a Birmingham lawyer, as the agent overseeing the refunds. He will be paid $300,000 to $330,000.  The tax was repealed by Rains in July when a suit was brought up by 2 lawyers "on the behalf of the taxpayers".  YEAH RIGHT!  This mofos were just trying to get paid...


However, anybody with half a brain knows why the lawyers Pat McFerrin and whatever his face with no hair brought this suit up so they could get 60% of the settlement, so I don't know why their stupid asses pretend to be for the taxpayer.  It's just shows how pathetic and ignorant the Alabama State Legislature is when it comes to passing laws and how greedy some lawyers are.  Oh yeah, but us the taxpayers are the ones ultimately paying for both of these idiots stupidity.

Houston is now the largest U.S. with an openly-gay mayor

As of late Saturday night, after the unofficial ballot tally from 99% of the precincts reporiting in for the run-off election for Houston's mayor between former city attorney Gene Locke and city controller Annise Parker with Parker as the winner.  Now the pettiful thing about this election yesterday is percentage of turnout being only 16%.  However, the campaigning leading up to this run-off was quite contentious with accusations about Parker using spot as mayor to push a "gay agenda" from individuals and groups who either were associated or endorsed Locke.  Some of those individuals on his Locke's financial committee donated $20,000 to a political action committee lead by Steven Hotze, who donated funds to anti-gay causes. On the other hand, there were some subtle racial remarks from conservative pastors and preachers at Houston area black churches, but luckily this wasn't the front-and-center issue for the mayoral run-off.  Parker did bad-mouth Locke as a 'crony' of the current regime of the city although he touted a reduction in crime as political platform; whereas, Parker touted her time as the city controller as her platform.  Oh yeah, along with the statement that she is "nobody's role model". 

Interestingly, just last year the majority of voters rejected a ballot issues that would have allowed city employees given the domestic partnership benefits extended to all couples including those of the same sex.  

Now many across the LGBT blogosphere are enthusiast about the win for Ms. Parker, but Parker specifically said that she wouldn't be using the mayoral office to advance any specific LGBT causes.  This in my opinion shows that Ms. Parker is more or less in it for the political expediency and title not representing anybody but herself.  In other words, the LBGT blogosphere's excitement is one of "collective mindset" which I'm not a part of because this gets most nowhere to be honest.  I'm glad to see that Houstonians are objective enough to elected a mayor based on their qualifications and platform, but this isn't exactly a "win" for LGBTs.  Honestly speaking, Houston is still in Texas, a very socially-conservative state in the South, and it still has a majority socially conservative mindset when it comes to LGBT-oriented issues although they lean more Democrat on the political spectrum.  I don't equate Democrat to socially progressive.  

Also Houston is a city with 25% black population, so even though Locke won the black vote easily it didn't equate to a win.  Another thing was that this election came down to the who could energize their base the most and ironically (time and time again), whites have proven to be more reliable voters than blacks along with the fact that Parker pulled others into her electoral fold

Congratulations, Houston!  You deserve it, but to my fellow LGBT/SGL bloggers, I don't get too excited over this win because it's more showing that candidate that brought out their supporters to win.

Tiger Woods going to disappear for a while?

According to Mr. Wood's website itself he has this following statement:

12/11/2009

Tiger Woods taking hiatus from golf

 By Tiger Woods

I am deeply aware of the disappointment and hurt that my infidelity has caused to so many people, most of all my wife and children. I want to say again to everyone that I am profoundly sorry and that I ask forgiveness. It may not be possible to repair the damage I've done, but I want to do my best to try.
I would like to ask everyone, including my fans, the good people at my foundation, business partners, the PGA Tour, and my fellow competitors, for their understanding. What's most important now is that my family has the time, privacy, and safe haven we will need for personal healing.
After much soul searching, I have decided to take an indefinite break from professional golf. I need to focus my attention on being a better husband, father, and person.
Again, I ask for privacy for my family and I am especially grateful for all those who have offered compassion and concern during this difficult period.

Well, isn't that interesting.  You disappear from the spotlight and won't do anything other than hide and try to bribe your wife into staying with you for another 7 years so she will get the money according to your prenuptial agreement.  I guess raw sex, fucking with a plethora of women, and just finding out that although you claim you aren't black the media sees you as "another black man" that you just got caught up, huh?  Oh well...

South Carolinian Republicans circles the wagons to save Governor Mark Sanford from being ousted

Attempts to impeach embattled South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford essentially failed on Wednesday.  However, the South Carolina State Assembly have passed motions to censure Sanford for his acts including infidelity, abuse of power, leaving without notification, and waste of taxpayers money.  BIG WHOOP!

On the other hand, his wife Jenny is filing for divorce. 


The thing that sticks out to me is the fact that the Republicans are circling the wagons and not impeaching him although he has done things that are most definitely on the grounds of impeachment.  I guess they don't want the Republicans, who are the majority of South Carolina State Assembly, doesn't want the outed, closet-case, South Carolina, Lieutenent Goveror Andre Bauer in the governors' chair.  Of course, Mr. Bauer vividly denies such things, but we already know the 'tea' since it's been spelt all over the blogospher.  SMH  They should have ousted him on principle, but partisanship matters only in these fools' minds.

RANDOM THOUGHTS: Cancellation of classes for University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa being in the National Championship

WHY?  Who cares honestly?  Outside of the overzealous fans, fans because everybody is (AKA the "followers"), and those who play or work for the UAT Athletic Department there shouldn't be any reason for anybody to not be in class on January 6th through 8th. 

I know, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH from some that say it's a reasonable break from classes and the first day of class all they give is the syllabus then dismissed class.  I understand this is good thing and special, but it's a little out of hand and I do agree with the UAT professors protesting this.  You can celebrate and still do what you suppose to do such as attend class.  UAT is a joke on an academic standpoint, and this just reaffirms them being a joke.  When a school suspends its schedule and moves it back even further to accomodate some it shows that academics is placed on the backburner over athletics, which isn't even funded directly by the state of Alabama, rather boosters.  Another stupid antecedent by a few to appease the opinions of some.  SMH

Another round of campaigning

Patrick Cooper has to verbally, mentally, and likely physically battle the forces of stupidity, ignorance, and pseudo-racialized foolishness from the denizens of status quo over the next 6 weeks as he campaigns to become Birmingham's next mayor.  Anybody with half-a-brain knows not to underestimate the power of the favoritism and ignorance of some citizens of Birmingham because of the 45% eligible voters that voted in October 2007 50.1% of them elected Larry Langford as mayor.  However, there a number of advantages on Cooper's did this time around including the proof of Langford being a fraud along with overcoming the forces of status quo and delusion from Carole Smitherman by nearly 2-to-1, but this is a new election and he has to start from scratch again.  He has to maintain and convince Emory Anthony supporters along with some of Smitherman supporters while keeping his own based electrified to come out in droves on January 19th.  Bell will be a formidable foe since the Old Guard and Establishment will be backing him hands down because they have a distrust of any newcomer that doesn't kiss their entitlement-complicit asses because he's biracial, successful withouth their help, and popular with white voters and inhabitants in the surrounding areas.  However, he is the best candidate considering the interesting things about Bell.

1. William Bell's legal address is a mystery.
2. "In 1994 WILLIAM BELL ran for the County Commission, but his qualification to run was questioned because redistricting had left his house in College Hills outside the district in which he was running. To satisfy the residency requirement, BELL rented a room at the Pickwick Hotel and then moved into Quinlan Castle. During the campaign, which he lost to Chris McNair, BELL fractured his leg in a scuffle with a private investigator who caught him mowing the yard at his regular residence."
3. Bell's failure to report your investments in a business that benefitted from city votes in which you took part such as the lobbying on the behalf of the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority, which is a violation of state ethics laws.
4. Bell being in office for the past 3 decades and ironically nothing has occurred other than the city continuously losing population, temporary decreases, but overall increase in crime, decline of the City Schools, the transferral of the Birmingham Water Works Authority from the city, but higher levels of nepotism.
5. Finally, he allegations that he is a functioning crackhead like former DC mayor, convict, and current council person Marion Berry.
6. He was interim mayor for a few months in 1999, but still lost the election because people knew who the hell this idiot is.

The facts speaks for itself, so who would any sane person choose?  I know it wouldn't be Bell in a million years for mayor of Birmingham.

Populous meets with perspective users of the BJCC multipurpose facility expansion

Yesterday, Populous, formerly known as HOK Stadiums along with the local team of architectural firms met with 18 potential users of the dome, including officials from the Southeastern Conference (SEC), PapaJohns.com Bowl, and Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau about what amenities they desire in the multipurpose facility expansion.  A 30-minute presentation was shown then, Dennis Wellner of Populous spent an hour soliciting suggestions and answering questions from board members of the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex and Councilmen Jonathan Austin and Jay Roberson of the Birmingham City Council at the BJCC.  Also in attendance was Birmingham mayoral candidates Patrick Cooper and William Bell.  However, Cooper left before the Populous presentation began and Bell stayed about 30 minutes into it.  INTERESTING, Cooper and Bell are dedicated to be there to show face, but I wonder if somebody tipped off Bell that Cooper was going to be there since he is a private citizen so that he could one-up on him and be there as well...

The City of Birmingham will not own the Civic Center expansion. The Civic Center Authority does and will. The Civic Center Authority will issue the bonds.  The City of Birmingham will contribute 60% of the money needed for debt service on the expansion. The BJCC Authority will contribute 40% of the money needed for debt service.


The BJCC expansion is not a stadium or a DOME. The expansion is a 1.2 million square foot multi purpose facility. It will be designed so that it can be re-configured for many different events. It will not have a dome roof, but a flat roof that can possibly be used in some environmentally friendly way for power generation or to channel rainwater for reuse.


The 165-170 thousand square foot interior free space is large enough for a regulation football, basketball or soccer playing surface. It can also be use for trade shows, exhibitions, conventions. In addition to the flat floor space the facility will house about an additional 50,000 square feet of meeting rooms. It will be fully integrated into the existing HVAC, electrical, data and AV systems. The physical connection between the existing complex and the expansion will be seamless.


The facility is not, and has never, been planned around an NFL team or any other professional sports franchise. The primary concern for this facility is to provide the overall complex additional free floor space. If such a facility can be value engineered (this is what Popolous has been hired to do) so that 65,000 seats can be placed around the free floor space then it has even more flexibility for more events.


The existing civic center complex has not run down and crumbled into the dirt. More than $50 million has been spent on upgrading the arena, concert hall, meeting rooms, parking and installation of a skywalk system that connects the entire complex together. If you have visited the BJCC lately you would be able to see these improvements.

In 2009 the BJCC has hosted 5 of the top 10 touring acts in the United States! Despite 911 and the current recession, the BJCC has operated in the black seven of the last eight years. The facility hosts close to 2 million visitors every year.

If more people including the media would realize this they would waste their time calling it a "dome" when it is a just a large multipurpose facility then they would just STFU.  Birmingham needs more exhibition space for larger events including concerts, conventions, and sports.  However, this region suffers from "C.A.V.E.-dwellers Syndrome" (Citizens against virtually anything), and they wouldn't say anything about this if it was located in Hoover or Shelby County because it continue to make Birmingham look bad in contrast to the suburban areas.  Small-minded idiots. 

Today is the day of reckoning for Birmingham

Today is election day for the person who will fill the remainder of the term for the next 2 years in the city of Birmingham's mayor.  13 candidates, but turnout is expected to be low with only 20% of voters predicted for today's election due to the rain and voter apathy in general.  This could be a double-edged sword for candidates on the western portion of town because that's where the majority of the city's black voters reside.  The election could be very much determined by the more diverse and socially progressive, eastern portion of town.  However, updates will be delivered this even on the results of this election...

UPDATE:  There will be a run-off on January 19th, so it's about to get real ignorant and racialized here all over again...

Birmingham Mayor -- 159 of 160 precincts reporting (99%)

	Patrick Cooper	13,992	40%
	William Bell	8,752	25%
	Carole Smitherman	6,552	19%
	Emory Anthony	4,344	12%
	Steven Hoyt	641	2%
	Scott Douglas	201	1%
	Harry Turner, Jr.	81	0%
	Jody Trautwein	173	0%
	William Sumners	31	0%
	Jimmy Snow	23	0%
	Edith Mayomi	28	0%
	Stephannie Huey	60	0%
	Ernie Dunn	13	0%
	T.C. Cannon	40	0%

Kasim Reed is Atlanta mayor-elect, but Norwood is still requesting a recount

Kasim Reed has been declared the mayor-elect of Atlanta, and outgoing mayor Shirley Franklin along with her staffers are already transitioning out the door for the Kasim administration.  Even before Kasim Reed was declared Atlanta’s official mayor-elect Saturday, he had already begun assembling a government and moving forward on campaign priorities.  He had picked a second-in-command (chief-of-staff), begun the search for a new police chief and started drafting plans to slash Atlanta's high pension costs.  However, Mary Norwood is still planning on requesting a recount from the Georgia Secretary of State's Office and Fulton County Board of Registars before the January 4th inauguration date for the new mayor.  On public safety, Reed is putting together a police transition team to look at the department’s needs and how to increase staffing.  Reed has set up a conference call with Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa for this coming week to get advice on running a national search for a new commissioner and on tackling Atlanta’s gang problem.  Reed plans to hire more police and to overhaul the Atlanta's troubled and controversial 911 system.  Reed administration would be prepared to take money from other city departments to increase funding for public safety.

“If that means a patch of grass doesn’t get mowed for awhile, we are willing to accept that,” Peter Aman, Atlanta Mayor-elect Kasim Reed's Chief Operating Officer said.

 Reed has drawn up plans to ask Washington for federal money to bolster public safety and other city services.  Reed's new chief operating officer (chief-of-staff), Peter Aman, said that Franklin was Reed's mentor, so there won't be any massive staff changes.

Interesting, the new mayor-elect is another Franklin-lite like I said, so expect more of the same regardless of anything said here.  Boy, Atlanta is going to continue to go down the shithole and fast under Reed.  At least Birmingham, Memphis, and New Orleans will now have Atlanta as as company in the league of Southern cities that have black establishment leadership that is more of the same, SMH. 


I can only pray tomorrow holds promise for Birmingham...

A Hiring Manager at an Orlando McDonald's said what?

Now this is just plain mean-spirited and evil!

According to the Orlando Sentinel, an Orlando black transgender teenager was denied a job interview at on of the area McDonald's location over the fact that she is transgender.   

Zikerria Bellamy, 17, said two managers at an Orlando restaurant wouldn't give her an interview on two separate occasions in July. Later, she said a manager left her a voice mail, using a gay slur to let her know she wouldn't be hired.

A spokeswoman for the local restaurant, Allison Garrett, said in a statement the employee who left the voice mail "acted outside the scope of his authority and was not responsible for hiring." He no longer works at the restaurant. The statement did not mention did not mention the other manager.

McDonald's "has a zero tolerance policy prohibiting discrimination or harassment in the restaurant," the statement said.

Bellamy is a male who has been living as a female for about the past six years. She said she completed a job application online, then was called to the store for an interview. When one manager refused to see her, she called later and was granted an interview with another manager.

"He began to laugh at me once he saw me," said Bellamy, who wore a suit to the interview. "He said, 'Oh, I can't interview you today. I'm busy.'"

One of the managers also left her a voice mail saying: "We do not hire faggots."

Bellamy notified the New York City-based Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund, which filed the complaint on Bellamy's behalf to the Florida Commission on Human Relations, posted a recording of the message on YouTube.  Florida state law doesn't include sexuality or gender identity in its state equal employment law (typical of any Southern state), but there are stipulations associated with the Florida Civil Rights Law involving discrimination of sexuality and gender identity. 

Here's the clip:




In this economy, it is hard for EVERYBODY, but this is just plain evil for those managers to have left such an asinine message to Ms. Bellamy.  In addition, McDonald's is suppose to be one of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) companies with such high marks for LGBT/SGL issues.   Ironically, they do leave off gender identity in their non-discrimination coverage.  I'm not saying, but I'm just saying...

UPDATE: From Orlando CBS affiliate, WKMG, the one of the hiring managers at the Orlando area McDonald's was terminated for the voicemail. 

STILL IMHO, McDonald's and HRC got a lot of 'plaining to do when it comes to rights and discrimination policies involving transgenders.

Joe Reed has spoken...

Oh, the Big Chief Negro has spoken and we Negroes needs to reveres and heed his word, WHOA IS ME!!!!!!  ANY FUCKIN' WAYS! 


Joe Reed, Associate Executive Secretary of Alabama Education Association (AEA) as well as the longtime head of the Alabama Democratic Conference, the black Democratic organization within the Alabama Democratic Party, has penned an half-witted and ignorant column in the monthly publication for the AEA.  In his column he likes AL-7 Congressman Artur Davis, a left-leaning moderate, to the likes of other state Democrats who are clearly "Blue Dogs" like Parker Griffith (AL-5) and Bobby Bright (AL-2) over the healthcare vote.  He used the lovely nicknames "Bubba, Cooter, Big Man, and June Bug" to call to "regular Alabamians"; the first 2 are nicknames for white Southerners and the latter 2 are common for black Southerners.  However, Reed aimed his main vitrol at Davis because he's the black one, and he should always follow the collective mindset of us black folks.  ***EYE ROLL***


http://www.myaea.org/PDFfile/ASJ/ASJDec72009.pdf (SEE PAGE 3, RIGHT HAND SIDE)

I'm not alone in my opinion about this idiot.   Reed is so yesterday, and wants any white Democrat voted over a black progressive in a heartbeat.  He also thinks Alabama is still in the 1970s, where there are still a majority stupid electorate that feels that black politicos are not viable candidates for statewide races.  Reed has practically endorsed Ron Sparks in the Alabama Democratic Gubernatorial campaign, so no other resources needed.

Anyways, this fool is a so played out like regular Nintendo, and he just doesn't know it.  He railed against Davis with supporting Earl Hillard, Sr in 2002 and Hillard lost, predicted that Hillary Clinton was going to win Alabama in the Democratic Primary last February, and lost then he caused a commotion on the floor of the Democratic National Convention last August because he felt Clinton should be the nominee after she conceded to Barack Obama.  Reed also railed against Alabama's first openly gay state legislator, Patricia Todd, in the electoral debate over her win over anti-LGBT/SGL black Democrat Gaynell Hendricks in Alabama State House District 54 because Todd was a white lesbian.  Oh the irony, he wound up being forced to watch the inauguration of Barack Obama as president from a Mexican restaurant blocks from the National Mall, karma is a bitch isn't it?  Reed is so out of touch another relic of the Black Establishment past that stands in the way of anything progressive (race, LGBT/SGL issues, etc.), and needs to be told to SIT DOWN SOMEWHERE.

Boy, I'm SO TIRED of negros like him because they are idiots and useless to the progressive movement when it comes to racial politics.  I do enjoy the likes of some on other blogs like Left in Alabama with posters like the one dubbed "Redeye" who is always supporting the Black Establishment since they are suppose to be "field negroes" and believe Davis is a "house negro" who betrays the "negro cause", LMAO.  I thought those types were relics of the past as well?  HMMM.....

The Birmingham News endorses Emory Anthony

I know I've been slacking off on weekend posts, but I've enjoy not thinking about the stupidity for a few days, and will write on a regular again...

Anyways, this weekend the Birmingham News has decided to endorse Emory Anthony over Patrick Cooper for the mayor of Birmingham for the next 2 years.  There reasons is their lack of reporting all the 6 mayoral forums and saying that Cooper didn't attend all of them.  FACT: Cooper attended 3 of the 6 mayoral forums.  Anthony only attended 4 himself, so what difference does this truly make.  FACT: The Birmingham News only covered 3 of the 6 forums themselves, but only thoroughly reported on the 2 hosted by the Birmingham Business Alliance at the Alabama School of Fine Arts and Catalyst Birmingham at WorkPlay.  FACT: The majority of the attendees of these forums are supporters, campaign workers, and those who have already made up their mind were in attendance at the forums since they are forums and not debates where issues can be discussed and countered.  In other words, these are dog-and-pony shows for candidates, and if a candidate does show up to these they are basically using one-line zingers and slogans to their fan, cheerleaders, and those on their payroll.   FACT: The Birmingham News columnist John Archibald and Joey Kennedy were some of the main print media detractors of Cooper's lawsuit against former mayor Larry Langford over the authenticity of his citizenship in Birmingham, which was later proven false and the suit was legit.  FACT: The Birmngham News were some of the main culprits who turned a blind eye to the foolishness of the Langford administration hoping he would allow them into the Council Chambers and other city related business to scoop a story.  So to sum it up, it seems to me that the Birmingham News is a bias news source when it comes to reporting on things involving Birmingham and its imagery and trying to help progress the place beyond the racialized, hyper-partisan mess that remained status quo for nearly 2 decades.

Now Anthony ran for mayor in 1991 and 1995, but lost both times to then mayor Richard Arrington, and he was associated with Big Chief No-Do also known as former mayor Bernard Kincaid by getting him elected twice in 1999 and 2003 with the now-defunct Jefferson County Progressive Democrat Council.  So Anthony isn't new to the area's politics and is well-connected, but he just doesn't seem to me that he has that "ump" needed to get Birmingham out of the regressive hole we've been in.  Also he seems to want to continue some things that needs to be killed immediately like the city scholarship program when the city needs to get its finances in order.  Finally, he doesn't seem like he wants to engage the young, educated, or LGBT/SGL voters in this race. 

Oh well!  I'm pro-Cooper, but I wouldn't be mad if Anthony did win.  However, those 2 are light-years ahead of the 3 Stooges: Steven Hoyt, Carole Smitherman, and William Bell. 

Three buses disappear from Trussville...but nobody seen them being moved?

Has anyone ever seen a magician make an elephant disappear?  Neither have I, then how in the hell did so-called "thieves" get away with 3 large, yellow, school buses over the weekend in Trussville?

According to the local news sources including Birmingham FOX affiliate, WBRC, are reporting that 3 school buses were stolen from suburban Birmingham municipality, Trussville.  The Trussville Police reports that 1 bus was stolen from a locked, fenced area at Hewitt-Trussville High School whereas the other 2 were stolen from an open parking area at Hewitt-Trussville Middle School.  The police believes the buses were taken between 1 and 2 a.m. Saturday.

The Trussville School District has 47 buses.  The District spokeswoman Kelly Bowles said damage to the fence at the high school was discovered Sunday, but the buses weren't discovered missing this morning.  HUH?  

The one stolen from the high school has a 09-05 license plate, number 44485 MU. Of the two buses from the middle school, one had a 01-10 license number, 44501 MU, and the other had a 05-08 license number, 44515 MU. The buses were standard yellow buses varying in years from 2005 to 2009.

Somebody is very negligent when it comes to this, and needs to lose their job(s).  How in the hell does one not realize that if fence is broken that something wasn't tampered with or stolen on Sunday? This is Trussville, the same school district is home to nepotism out the ying-yang with the "national accredited" superintendent being paid $130K annually while laying off non-tenure teachers just earlier this year.  Yet the city reported a massive shortfall in municipal coffers because its tax base being totally retail-oriented.  SMH.  I think I'll stick to Birmingham where at least some logic would go a little bit further with the regular day-to-day operation employees...

UPDATE: The buses were found all severely damaged beyond repair via fire on Tuesday.  Today, there was an arrest made, and presumably more to come...

Beyonce leading with 10, Whitney given none, and then Trey Songz even nominated? Uh, I'll pass...

Yesterday, the 52nd Annual Grammy Nominees were announced during their concert last night on CBS.

Here's the list:

Record Of The Year
(Award to the Artist and to the Producer(s), Recording Engineer(s) and/or Mixer(s), if other than the artist.)

• Halo
  Beyoncé
  Beyoncé Knowles & Ryan Tedder, producers; Jim Caruana, Mark "Spike" Stent & Ryan Tedder, engineers/mixers
  Track from: I Am... Sasha Fierce
  [Music World Music / Columbia]
  
  
• I Gotta Feeling
  The Black Eyed Peas
  David Guetta & Frederick Riesterer, producers; will.i.am, Dylan "3-D" Dresdow & Padraic "Padlock" Kerin, engineers/mixers
  [Interscope]
  
  
• Use Somebody
  Kings Of Leon
  Jacquire King & Angelo Petraglia, producers; Jacquire King, engineer/mixer
  [RCA Records]
  
  
• Poker Face
  Lady Gaga
  RedOne, producer; Robert Orton, RedOne & Dave Russell, engineers/mixers
  Track from: The Fame
  [Streamline/Interscope/Konlive/Cherrytree]
  
  
• You Belong With Me
  Taylor Swift
  Nathan Chapman & Taylor Swift, producers; Chad Carlson & Justin Niebank, engineers/mixers
  [Big Machine Records] 

Album Of The Year
(Award to the Artist(s) and to the Album Producer(s), Recording Engineer(s)/Mixer(s) & Mastering Engineer(s), if other than the artist.)

• I Am... Sasha Fierce
  Beyoncé
  Shondrae "Mr. Bangledesh" Crawford, Ian Dench, D-Town, Toby Gad, Sean "The Pen" Garrett, Amanda Ghost, Jim Jonsin, Beyoncé Knowles, Rico Love, Dave McCracken, Terius "The Dream" Nash, Radio Killa, Stargate, Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, Ryan Tedder & Wayne Wilkins, producers; Jim Caruana, Mikkel S. Eriksen, Toby Gad, Kuk Harrell, Jim Jonsin, Jaycen Joshua, Dave Pensado, Radio Killa, Mark "Spike" Stent, Ryan Tedder, Brian "B-LUV" Thomas, Marcos Tovar, Miles Walker & Wayne Wilkins, engineers/mixers; Tom Coyne, mastering engineer
  [Music World Music / Columbia]
  
  
• The E.N.D.
  The Black Eyed Peas
  Apl.de.ap, Jean Baptiste, Printz Board, DJ Replay, Funkagenda, David Guetta, Keith Harris, Mark Knight, Poet Name Life, Frederick Riesterer & will.i.am, producers; Dylan "3D" Dresdow, Padraic "Padlock" Kerin & will.i.am, engineers/mixers; Chris Bellman, mastering engineer
  [Interscope Records]
  
  
• The Fame
  Lady Gaga
  Flo Rida, Colby O'Donis & Space Cowboy, featured artists; Brian & Josh, Rob Fusari, Martin Kierszenbaum, RedOne & Space Cowboy, producers; 4Mil, Robert Orton, RedOne, Dave Russell & Tony Ugval, engineers/mixers; Gene Grimaldi, mastering engineer
  [Streamline/Interscope/Konlive/Cherrytree]
  
  
• Big Whiskey And The Groogrux King
  Dave Matthews Band
  Rob Cavallo, producer; Chris Lord-Alge & Doug McKean, engineers/mixers; Ted Jensen, mastering engineer
  [RCA Records / Bama Rags Recordings, LLC.]
  
  
• Fearless
  Taylor Swift
  Colbie Caillat, featured artist; Nathan Chapman & Taylor Swift, producers; Chad Carlson, Nathan Chapman & Justin Niebank, engineers/mixers; Hank Williams, mastering engineer
  [Big Machine Records] 

Song Of The Year
(A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.)

• Poker Face
  Lady Gaga & RedOne, songwriters (Lady Gaga)
  Track from: The Fame
  [Streamline/Interscope/Konlive/Cherrytree; Publishers: Stefani Germanotta p/k/a Lady Gaga, Sony/ATV Songs/House of Gaga Publishing/GloJoe Music, Sony/ATV Songs/RedOne Productions.]
  
  
• Pretty Wings
  Hod David & Musze, songwriters (Maxwell)
  Track from: Blacksummers' Night
  [Columbia; Publishers: Sony/ATV Tunes/Muszewell, EMI April Music, Ben Ami Music.]
  
  
• Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
  Thaddis Harrell, Beyoncé Knowles, Terius Nash & Christopher Stewart, songwriters (Beyoncé)
  Track from: I Am... Sasha Fierce
  [Music World Music / Columbia; Publishers: Songs of Peer/March 9th Publishing, 2082 Music/WB Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Tunes, Suga Wuga Music, B-Day Publishing/EMI April Music.]
  
  
• Use Somebody
  Caleb Followill, Jared Followill, Matthew Followill & Nathan Followill, songwriters (Kings Of Leon)
  [RCA Records; Publishers: Martha Street Music/Songs of Combustion Music/Music of Windswept, Followill Music/Songs of Combustion Music/Music of Windswept, McFearless Music/Bug Music, Coffee, Tea or Me Publishing/Bug Music.]
  
  
• You Belong With Me
  Liz Rose & Taylor Swift, songwriters (Taylor Swift)
  Track from: Fearless
  [Big Machine Records; Publishers: Sony/ATV Tree Publishing, Taylor Swift Music/Potting Shed Music, Barbara Orbison World Publishing.] 

Best New Artist
(For a new artist who releases, during the Eligibility Year, the first recording which establishes the public identity of that artist.)

• Zac Brown Band
  
  
  
• Keri Hilson
  
  
  
• MGMT
  
  
  
• Silversun Pickups
  
  
• The Ting Tings

Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)

• Hometown Glory
  Adele
  Track from: 19
  [XL/Columbia]
  
  
• Halo
  Beyoncé
  Track from: I Am... Sasha Fierce
  [Music World Music / Columbia]
  
  
• Hot N Cold
  Katy Perry
  [Capitol]
  
  
• Sober
  Pink
  Track from: Funhouse
  [LaFace Records]
  
  
• You Belong With Me
  Taylor Swift
  Track from: Fearless
  [Big Machine Records]

Best Male Pop Vocal Performance
(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)

• This Time
  John Legend
  Track from: Evolver
  [G.O.O.D. Music/Columbia]
  
  
• Love You
  Maxwell
  Track from: Blacksummers' Night
  [Columbia]
  
  
• Make It Mine
  Jason Mraz
  Track from: We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.
  [Atlantic]
  
  
• If You Don't Know Me By Now
  Seal
  Track from: Soul
  [143/Warner Bros.]
  
  
• All About The Love Again
  Stevie Wonder
  [Hidden Beach Records] 

Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals
(For established duos or groups, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)

• I Gotta Feeling
  The Black Eyed Peas
  Track from: The E.N.D.
  [Interscope Records]
  
  
• We Weren't Born To Follow
  Bon Jovi
  [Island]
  
  
• Never Say Never
  The Fray
  Track from: The Fray
  [Epic]
  
  
• Sara Smile
  Daryl Hall & John Oates
  Track from: Live At The Troubadour
  [Shout! Factory]
  
  
• Kids
  MGMT
  Track from: Oracular Spectacular
  [Columbia] 

Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals
(For a collaborative performance, with vocals, by artists who do not normally perform together. Singles or Tracks only.)

• Sea Of Heartbreak
  Rosanne Cash & Bruce Springsteen
  [Manhattan]
  
  
• Love Sex Magic
  Ciara & Justin Timberlake
  Track from: Fantasy Ride
  [LaFace Records]
  
  
• Lucky
  Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat
  Track from: We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.
  [Atlantic]
  
  
• Baby, It's Cold Outside
  Willie Nelson & Norah Jones
  Track from: American Classic
  [Blue Note]
  
  
• Breathe
  Taylor Swift & Colbie Caillat
  Track from: Fearless
  [Big Machine Records] 

Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)

• Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
  Beyoncé
  Track from: I Am... Sasha Fierce
  [Music World Music/Columbia]
  
  
• It Kills Me
  Melanie Fiona
  [SRC/Universal Motown]
  
  
• That Was Then
  Lalah Hathaway
  Track from: Self Portrait
  [Stax Records/Concord Music Group]
  
  
• Goin' Thru Changes
  Ledisi
  Track from: Turn Me Loose
  [Verve Forecast]
  
  
• Lions, Tigers & Bears
  Jazmine Sullivan
  [J Records]
  
  
  

Category 24

Best Male R&B Vocal Performance
(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)

• The Point Of It All
  Anthony Hamilton
  Track from: The Point Of It All
  [So So Def]
  
  
• Pretty Wings
  Maxwell
  Track from: Blacksummers' Night
  [Columbia]
  
  
• Sobeautiful
  Musiq Soulchild
  Track from: OnMyRadio
  [Atlantic]
  
  
• Under
  Pleasure P
  Track from: The Introduction Of Marcus Cooper
  [Swagga Ent./Atlantic]
  
  
• There Goes My Baby
  Charlie Wilson
  Track from: Uncle Charlie
  [Jive Records]
  
  
  

Category 25

Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals
(For duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)

• Blame It
  Jamie Foxx & T-Pain
  [J Records]
  
  
• Chocolate High
  India.Arie & Musiq Soulchild
  Track from: Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics
  [Soulbird/Universal Republic]
  
  
• Ifuleave
  Musiq Soulchild & Mary J. Blige
  Track from: OnMyRadio
  [Atlantic]
  
  
• Higher Ground
  Robert Randolph & The Clark Sisters
  Track from: Oh Happy Day
  [EMI Gospel]
  
  
• Love Has Finally Come At Last
  Calvin Richardson & Ann Nesby
  Track from: Facts Of Life The Soul Of Bobby Womack
  [Shanachie Entertainment Corp.]
  
  
  

Category 26

Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance
(For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)

• At Last
  Beyoncé
  Track from: Cadillac Records Music From The Motion Picture
  [Music World Music/Columbia]
  
  
• Soul Music
  Anthony Hamilton
  Track from: Soul Men Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  [Stax/Concord]
  
  
• Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight
  Boney James & Quinn
  Track from: Send One Your Love
  [Concord Records]
  
  
• Sow Love
  Ann Nesby
  Track from: The Lula Lee Project
  [It's Time Child Records/Tyscot]
  
  
• Woman Gotta Have It
  Calvin Richardson
  Track from: Facts Of Life The Soul Of Bobby Womack
  [Shanachie Entertainment Corp.]
  
  
  

Category 27

Best Urban/Alternative Performance
(For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)

• Daykeeper
  The Foreign Exchange
  Track from: Leave It All Behind
  [Hard Boiled Records]
  
  
• All Matter
  Robert Glasper & Bilal
  Track from: Double Booked
  [Blue Note]
  
  
• Pearls
  India.Arie & Dobet Gnahore
  Track from: Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics
  [Soulbird/Universal Republic]
  
  
• A Tale Of Two
  Eric Roberson, Ben O'Neill & Michelle Thompson
  Track from: Music Fan First
  [Blue Erro Soul]
  
  
• Blend
  Tonex
  Track from: Unspoken
  [Battery Records]
  
  
  

Category 28

Best R&B Song
(A Songwriter(s) Award. For Song Eligibility Guidelines see Category #3. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.)

• Blame It
  James T. Brown, John Conte, Jr., Jamie Foxx, Christopher Henderson, Brandon R. Melanchon, Breyon Prescott, T-Pain & Nathan L. Walker, songwriters (Jamie Foxx & T-Pain)
  [J Records; Publishers: Sly As A Foxx Music/Bug Music, Gifted Source Music/EMI April Music, It's N8 Publishing, James T. Brown, Brandon R. Melanchon, John Conte, Jr., Nappypub Music/Universal Music Z Songs, Chameleon Publishing.]
  
  
• Lions, Tigers & Bears
  Salaam Remi & Jazmine Sullivan, songwriters (Jazmine Sullivan)
  [J Records; Publishers: Nappy Puddy Music/Universal Music-Z Tunes, Salaam Remi Music/EMI April Music.]
  
  
• Pretty Wings
  Hod David & Musze, songwriters (Maxwell)
  Track from: Blacksummers' Night
  [Columbia; Publishers: Sony/ATV Tunes/Muszewell, EMI April Music, Ben Ami Music.]
  
  
• Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
  Thaddis Harrell, Beyoncé Knowles, Terius Nash & Christopher Stewart, songwriters (Beyoncé)
  Track from: I Am... Sasha Fierce
  [Music World Music / Columbia; Publishers: Songs of Peer/March 9th Publishing, 2082 Music/WB Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Tunes, Suga Wuga Music, B-Day Publishing/EMI April Music.]
  
  
• Under
  D. Babbs, L. Bereal, M. Cooper, A. Dixon, J. Franklin, T. Jones, R. New & K. Stephens, songwriters (Pleasure P)
  Track from: The Introduction Of Marcus Cooper
  [Swagga Ent./Atlantic; Publishers: Tank1176Music/Blackfountain/Antonio Dixon's Muzik/EMI April Music/Notting Dale Songs/Lonnalistic/Songs4ronnie/Doverland 301 Music/Thailand Music/K.Stephens Music/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing, Silverplatinumy2k.]
  
  
  

Category 29

Best R&B Album
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

• The Point Of It All
  Anthony Hamilton
  [So So Def]
  
  
• Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics
  India.Arie
  [Soulbird/Universal Republic]
  
  
• Turn Me Loose
  Ledisi
  [Verve Forecast]
  
  
• Blacksummers' Night
  Maxwell
  [Columbia]
  
  
• Uncle Charlie
  Charlie Wilson
  [Jive Records]
  
  
  

Category 30

Best Contemporary R&B Album
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

• I Am... Sasha Fierce
  Beyoncé
  [Music World Music/Columbia]
  
  
• Intuition
  Jamie Foxx
  [J Records]
  
  
• The Introduction Of Marcus Cooper
  Pleasure P
  [Swagga Ent./Atlantic]
  
  
• Ready
  Trey Songz
  [Songbook/Atlantic]
  
  
• Thr33 Ringz
  T-Pain
  [Jive Records]
  
  
  

Field 7 — Rap

Category 31

Best Rap Solo Performance
(For a solo Rap performance. Singles or Tracks only.)

• Best I Ever Had
  Drake
  [Young Money/Cash Money/Universal Motown]
  
  
• Beautiful
  Eminem
  Track from: Relapse
  [Aftermath/Interscope Records]
  
  
• D.O.A. (Death Of Auto-Tune)
  Jay-Z
  [Roc Nation]
  
  
• Day 'N' Nite
  Kid Cudi
  [Universal Motown/Good/Fool's Gold]
  
  
• Casa Bey
  Mos Def
  Track from: The Ecstatic
  [Downtown Records]
  
  
  

Category 32

Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group
(For duo, group or collaborative performances of Rap only. Singles or Tracks only.)

• Too Many Rappers
  Beastie Boys & Nas
  [Capitol]
  
  
• Crack A Bottle
  Eminem, Dr. Dre & 50 Cent
  Track from: Relapse
  [Aftermath/Interscope]
  
  
• Money Goes, Honey Stay
  Fabolous & Jay-Z
  Track from: Loso's Way
  [Def Jam]
  
  
• Make Her Say
  Kid Cudi, Kanye West & Common
  [Universal Motown/GOOD Music]
  
  
• Amazing
  Kanye West & Young Jeezy
  Track from: 808s & Heartbreak
  [Roc-A-Fella]
  
  
  

Category 33

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
(For a Rap/Sung collaborative performance by artists who do not normally perform together. Singles or Tracks only.)

• Ego
  Beyoncé & Kanye West
  [Music World Music/Columbia]
  
  
• Knock You Down
  Keri Hilson, Kanye West & Ne-Yo
  Track from: In A Perfect World...
  [MMG/Zone 4/Interscope Records]
  
  
• Run This Town
  Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West
  [Roc Nation]
  
  
• I'm On A Boat
  The Lonely Island & T-Pain
  Track from: Incredibad
  [Universal Republic Records]
  
  
• Dead And Gone
  T.I. & Justin Timberlake
  Track from: Paper Trail
  [Grand Hustle/Atlantic]
  
  
  

Category 34

Best Rap Song
(A Songwriter(s) Award. For Song Eligibility Guidelines see Category #3. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.)

• Best I Ever Had
  Aubrey Drake Graham, D. Hamilton & M. Samuels, songwriters (Drake)
  [Aspire/Young Money/Cash Money; Publisher: Sony/ATV Tunes.]
  
  
• Day 'N' Nite
  S. Mescudi & O. Omishore, songwriters (Kid Cudi)
  [Universal Motown/Good/Fool's Gold; Publishers: Elsie's Baby Boy, Owo Olorun, Universal Music Publishing.]
  
  
• Dead And Gone
  C. Harris, R. Tadross & J. Timberlake, songwriters (T.I. & Justin Timberlake)
  Track from: Paper Trail
  [Grand Hustle/Atlantic; Publishers: Crown Club Publishing/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing/Tenman Tunes/Universal Z Tunes/Cleopatra's Sons Music/EMI April Music.]
  
  
• D.O.A. (Death Of Auto-Tune)
  Shawn Carter & Ernest Wilson, songwriters (Gary DeCarlo, Dale Frashuer, Paul Leka, Janko Nilovic & Dave Sucky, songwriters) (Jay-Z)
  [Atlantic; Publishers: EMI April Music, Carter Boys Music/Chrysalis Songs/No ID Music, Unichappell Music, APM Music.]
  
  
• Run This Town
  Shawn Carter, R. Fenty, M. Riddick, Kanye West & E. Wilson, songwriters (Athanasios Alatas, songwriter) (Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West)
  [Roc Nation; Publishers: EMI April Music, Carter Boys Music/Please Gimme My Publishing/EMI Blackwood/Chrysalis Songs/No ID Music/All The Above Publishing/Sony ATV/Annauhi Music/Athanasios Alatas Publishing.]
  
  
  

Category 35

Best Rap Album
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

• Universal Mind Control
  Common
  [Geffen]
  
  
• Relapse
  Eminem
  [Aftermath/Interscope]
  
  
• R.O.O.T.S.
  Flo Rida
  [Poe Boy/Atlantic]
  
  
• The Ecstatic
  Mos Def
  [Downtown Records]
  
  
• The Renaissance
  Q-Tip
  [Universal Motown]

Uh, after looking over this list of genres I listen to the most, this list is crazy.  Obviously it's more of a popularity contest these days over talent, circa the American Music Awards (AMA)s.  After they rejected Whitney then gave Beyonce 10 noms when I Am Sasha Fierce is a hot mess most of the album(s) then giving a nom to wannabee R. Kelly, aka Tremaine Neverson. I think I'll pass the 2010 Grammys....

Oh how, oh how did WXIA-TV do it?

It's seems that Atlanta's NBC affiliate and Gannett-owned station WXIA-TV "11 Alive" was the only news operation in that market that kept up with the numbers of the mayor race from minute-to-minute without receiving information the Associated Press (AP) like the other news ops in Atlanta.  Well, apparently Radio/TV columnist, Rodney Ho of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, discovered that WXIA-TV used some 80 station employees and volunteers out in the field throughout Atlanta to cover the individual precincts. 

Not a bad idea, I always knew there was a reason why I like them better than WSB-TV in the Atlanta market.  Too bad in Birmingham everybody is too damn cheap to do such resourceful and accurate things to cover the elections in the Birmingham area.  It would alleviate some of the confused and inaccuracies that I've noticed that all of our 4 news operations in the Birmingham market make during election times.

Kasim Reed pretty much won, but Mary Norwood won't give in

After Tuesday's run-off elections in Atlanta for mayor, Kasim Reed prevailed over Mary Norwood in the results with 42,348 to 41,728.  It seems that race was on race as well.  The breakdown of results via the maps on Atlanta Journal-Constitution shows that across class and economic brackets that 9 out of 10 voters voted along color lines rather than issues.  It was the same way in during the election of Barack Obama in Atlanta as well.  As I've said, Atlanta is no different than the rest of the Southern cities when it comes down to it although they swear up and down that they are "the city too busy to hate", but the numbers say otherwise.

Also Tuesday the Atlanta City Council has now its first Asian American and LGBT council member in Alex Wan representing the city's most LGBT-friendly district, District 6.  Also the Georgia General Assembly has its first black lesbian, but second LGBT legislator Tuesday as well with Simon Bell for Georgia State House District 58. 

So it was day of reaffimations of race being an issue in Atlanta, but proof that Atlanta and Georgia can elect and LGBT/SGL politician.