The $10,000 question is what really happened when the 2 alternate delegates during the RNC convention on Tuesday pelted CNN camerawoman, Patricia Carroll, with nuts? The unusual silence of CNN and the expected covering of their assess for fear of negative publicity, RNC, seems extremely suspicious. CNN is as many know has been trying to live up to the faux "fair and balance" journalism role that I pointed out in the entry on US media outlets about 2 months ago.
Now after getting word from a specific commentor on the Washington Post columnist, Erik Wemple's blog how on Wednesday, the Alabama Republican Delegation head, Bill Armistead, was interview by Democracy Now's Amy Goodman. The commentor was pointing how he was acting as if he knew whom it was and what state exactly but didn't want to reveal the identity of the 2 individuals. Interestingly, now how they want to reach out to Ms. Carroll and apologize now. I guess to cover their asses if their names are ever revealed...Also something tells me it was 2 members of the Alabama delegation because they would be good for old fashion racial animus considering how it is so involved in ignorance running amok without anybody willing to check them on it. Hell, as I pointed out the Alabama Democratic Party isn't too much better because they placate ignoramuses to keep their rolls up on memberships, can you say Craig Ford from Gadsden?
This whole incident shows CNN needs to stop placating ignorance and expose it. Hell, the BBC is owned by the British government via being a public broadcasting entity yet they will call them out in a heartbeat. It just goes to show how scary and manipulated so easily for fear of reprisal by the GOP.
Showing posts with label media. Show all posts
Showing posts with label media. Show all posts
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Friday, July 13, 2012
What is really hurting TV News?
Gallup published a new poll that says that most Americans are losing faith in the US media.
I can sum it up quite simply. The majority of the US media panders towards protecting the right-of-center and it has become even more obvious after Joe Williams, formerly of Albritton's Politico, last month. He accurately pointed out that generally speaking the US news media does play a game of distraction and pandering to the those right-of-center since that is the "swing voters" and eyeballs that captivates the pallid of advertisers.
Meanwhile, I have few words for what can be done other than people waking up. You have to stressed that people do need to wake up about what is going on in this country. The right wing-led Congress are the ones holding up economic progress of the US from being so corporate welfare-based capitalism towards a more socially democratic one.
I always remain objective and this is the truth, there is a lot of bullshit being perpetuated by the US media and until then I will continue watching the BBC World News and PBS Newssource for a more accurate and objective perspective of news worldwide.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Somethings that are occuring in the Alabama Legislature...
I guess the now Republican-majority Alabama Legislature has all those who watch Alabama politics in a tizzy. First, Alabama's outgoing governor, Bob Riley, decided to do a speech opening the special sessions for "ethics reform" at 6PM on Wednesday, and surprisingly the local Birmingham TV stations with news ops aired. (Well, some of them like ABC 33/40, WIAT "CBS 42", and WBRC "FOX6"). WVTM, "Alabama's 13" (formerly "NBC 13") didn't air it at all, but did cover it during their 10PM newscast. It seems like "media bias" to me because not once in recent memory have any of the Birmingham news media outlet felt it was pertinent to air anything from the State Capitol on live television. ***SIDE-EYE***
Anyways, back to the discussion of the special session. It looks like the Republicans want to pass 7 key items (of course on their terms):
The outgoing governor and newly elected state legislators are just a beacon of interesting ideas including newly appointed Senate Pro-Tem, Del Marsh, who has recommended legislative staff reductions. The catch is that they might be bringing in their own as usual, who might get paid just as much...
This whole situation with this party shift is a mess, but many (including myself) warned the Democrats of their antics of doing nothing would come back to haunt them sooner than later.
Anyways, back to the discussion of the special session. It looks like the Republicans want to pass 7 key items (of course on their terms):
I know some of my fellow progressives like my buddy, "Mooncat", on Left in Alabama has expressed their grievances and agreements with the proposal. Although others are just looking for a reason to "cause strife" between the "Riley camp" and the "Bentley camp". Not that I disagree with looking for a counter tactic for Democrats to use against the Republicans, but they had control of the Alabama Legislature for 136 years and did nothing but hold on to power.
The outgoing governor and newly elected state legislators are just a beacon of interesting ideas including newly appointed Senate Pro-Tem, Del Marsh, who has recommended legislative staff reductions. The catch is that they might be bringing in their own as usual, who might get paid just as much...
This whole situation with this party shift is a mess, but many (including myself) warned the Democrats of their antics of doing nothing would come back to haunt them sooner than later.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
NPR fired Juan Williams ***YAWN***
I am so over the talk about National Public Radio (NPR) terminating Juan Williams position as a political commentator for their organization. He opened his mouth and said something quite derogatory towards Muslim Americans, and he paid the piper with his job. If I had a job as a political commentator with organization A and then went on a national news network or propaganda organization (You Decide, hint, hint) and said that all the white people involved in the T.E.A. twats gatherings made me uneasy because I know they are aversive racists then I got terminated from organization A. Well, I would deserve it, period. I wasn't being an objective commentator on politics anymore because I felt the need to explain my personal feelings and insulted an already controversial group on national television. Clearly it's a conflict of interest as NPR ombudsmen Alicia C. Shepard elaborated in her column on Williams' termination.
Meanwhile, Sarah Palin, Mike Huckabee, and rest of the vindication for their bullshit crowd are harping about stripping the federal funding from NPR because of this. Yet, NPR receives less than 2% of funding from the federal government. This is a textbook example of hypocrisy on the part of the socially conservative and narrow-minded faction that exists in this nation. Nobody was saying a peep about the antics of the commentators of the mostly socially regressive Clear Channel syndicated talk radio shows or NewsCorp (FOX's parent company) founder and CEO Rupert Murdoch donating millions to the Republican Governors Association. Instead, it's oh so convenient to pick and choose their controversies and battles of "objectivity".
Now, NPR might appear a little left leaning, but that's because most of the time they do objective reporting of most major news stories that occur regardless of political ideological stances. If that is considered "liberal" or "left-leaning" then I guess the assumption of the "liberal mainstream media" does exist. (only in the minds of the paranoid and eurocentric oriented social conservative individuals)...
Meanwhile, Sarah Palin, Mike Huckabee, and rest of the vindication for their bullshit crowd are harping about stripping the federal funding from NPR because of this. Yet, NPR receives less than 2% of funding from the federal government. This is a textbook example of hypocrisy on the part of the socially conservative and narrow-minded faction that exists in this nation. Nobody was saying a peep about the antics of the commentators of the mostly socially regressive Clear Channel syndicated talk radio shows or NewsCorp (FOX's parent company) founder and CEO Rupert Murdoch donating millions to the Republican Governors Association. Instead, it's oh so convenient to pick and choose their controversies and battles of "objectivity".
Now, NPR might appear a little left leaning, but that's because most of the time they do objective reporting of most major news stories that occur regardless of political ideological stances. If that is considered "liberal" or "left-leaning" then I guess the assumption of the "liberal mainstream media" does exist. (only in the minds of the paranoid and eurocentric oriented social conservative individuals)...
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Ok, time for another lesson in race discussions...
I'm honestly dumbfounded and disgusted by the inert actions of the folks in the White House (I vindicated Obama from this drama because of he would get implicated for playing favorites by the right and aversive racists) involving all this associated with race. I can't get my mind wrapped around the notion that so many of these predominately white male individuals in the White House will do anything to including warning Obama that if he touches this he will lose moderate, working-class whites. However, this discussion needs to occur, SERIOUSLY.
OK, last week Shirley Sherrod was thrown under the bus by the paranoid USDA secretary, Tim Vilscak, and then the NAACP went into panic mode as well. Then we can even go back to my personal rants on how black Democrats in Congress such as Michigan's own John Conyers throwing ACORN under the bus last year after the foolishness that was pedaled from those doctored footage. And let's not forget the Van Jones' castration of last December, where he was allowed to be tarred and featured by so-called liberals and black Democrats. I'm just frustrated by those latter two events as much if not more than the Sherrod situation because at least those with sense came to her defense.
The whole discussion of race, is a social concept created by white elites in this nation from the 1600s during the post-indentured servitude era of the Colonial America. This was a response to white elites making note of who often black and white former indentured servants were suffering from common afflictions of lack of access to economic improvement, so they used the all encompassing term "white" as one to describe anyone whom was of fair complexion regardless of ancestry. Also the usage of how fear of blacks being "savages" and "thieves" whom will do anything to get a one up on impoverish and working-class whites as a weapon to create a divide between the two groups. This still continues to this very day between impoverish and working-class black and white Americans.
Class is also thrown in as a weapon to impede the growth of both groups but race is also an extra trick to ensure the lack of access from anything will not be there for blacks at all. Ultimate, the two concepts are connected in many ways, but the discussion of how race is used as an extra spin on things is just icing on the cake. Race is an institutionalized affliction that impedes the empowerment of blacks as well as aforementioned groups of whites (along with other non-white groups), but the division amongst all is just disheartening.
This is where President Obama needs to come in and attempt to discuss this openly discuss this issue. Race along with the usage of class needs to be addressed to all. Many of the those within the "Angry White People Coalition" aren't impoverish or working-class rather clearly economically stable middle-to-upper class whites whom just seem to have a racial bone to pick with Obama. They are beyond hope and pointless to address in Obama's case. Whereas, those like the Spooners, whom affirmed Sherrod's story, are the ones whom should be reached by such discussion. They know that most non-whites aren't against them, but the way those like Andrew Breitbart, Tucker Carson, and the sycophancy of misinformation at FOX News will do anything to create such a wedge so there isn't any commonality between any groups...
OK, last week Shirley Sherrod was thrown under the bus by the paranoid USDA secretary, Tim Vilscak, and then the NAACP went into panic mode as well. Then we can even go back to my personal rants on how black Democrats in Congress such as Michigan's own John Conyers throwing ACORN under the bus last year after the foolishness that was pedaled from those doctored footage. And let's not forget the Van Jones' castration of last December, where he was allowed to be tarred and featured by so-called liberals and black Democrats. I'm just frustrated by those latter two events as much if not more than the Sherrod situation because at least those with sense came to her defense.
The whole discussion of race, is a social concept created by white elites in this nation from the 1600s during the post-indentured servitude era of the Colonial America. This was a response to white elites making note of who often black and white former indentured servants were suffering from common afflictions of lack of access to economic improvement, so they used the all encompassing term "white" as one to describe anyone whom was of fair complexion regardless of ancestry. Also the usage of how fear of blacks being "savages" and "thieves" whom will do anything to get a one up on impoverish and working-class whites as a weapon to create a divide between the two groups. This still continues to this very day between impoverish and working-class black and white Americans.
Class is also thrown in as a weapon to impede the growth of both groups but race is also an extra trick to ensure the lack of access from anything will not be there for blacks at all. Ultimate, the two concepts are connected in many ways, but the discussion of how race is used as an extra spin on things is just icing on the cake. Race is an institutionalized affliction that impedes the empowerment of blacks as well as aforementioned groups of whites (along with other non-white groups), but the division amongst all is just disheartening.
This is where President Obama needs to come in and attempt to discuss this openly discuss this issue. Race along with the usage of class needs to be addressed to all. Many of the those within the "Angry White People Coalition" aren't impoverish or working-class rather clearly economically stable middle-to-upper class whites whom just seem to have a racial bone to pick with Obama. They are beyond hope and pointless to address in Obama's case. Whereas, those like the Spooners, whom affirmed Sherrod's story, are the ones whom should be reached by such discussion. They know that most non-whites aren't against them, but the way those like Andrew Breitbart, Tucker Carson, and the sycophancy of misinformation at FOX News will do anything to create such a wedge so there isn't any commonality between any groups...
Friday, July 2, 2010
Another chapter in black politics (actually just social issues): THE BOONDOCKS
Yeah, just by the way this post sounds somebody will read it and roll their eyes almost immediately. However, the Aaron McGruder-created series is quite realistic in a satirical and parodist manner about how society is. I've been a fan since the beginning, but isn't exactly a fan of the overt usage of the n-word though understand the context of its usage.
The Boondocks speaks upon many things that black and white Americans does in such a foolish manner yet doesn't realize how crazy it is from another perspective. In particular, the ongoing theme of the show's first 2 seasons were racial issues involving black and white Americans in suburban areas. You would have the already established white citizens living in that area then the influx of non-whites into the neighborhood with the sudden suspicion that there is "unwanted elements" arriving. Interestingly enough, those non-white formerly "new arrivals" become suspicious of more non-white new arrivals to that same neighborhood they were just looked down upon because of their difference in lifestyles. It's just a vicious circle, yet McGruder exploits this for the world to see in his now-defunct comic strip and current TV series.
McGruder ridicules the ostentation nature of intimacy involving interracial relationships such as the character "Tom", who epitomizes the idea of an "uncle tom". "Tom" has a white wife, who is wild for any good looking black male. The point of the satirical representation whom is "Tom" isn't interracial relationships itself rather the idea that being in one removes one from the issues involving race in our society. That's far from the fact because there are many situations where "Tom" would fall back into the web of issues associated with being black although he has an interracial familiar unit.
Another thing, McGruder exploits in particular in the second season of his series is hip-hop and its surrounding urban culture. He focuses on obsession with the hip-hop and urban culture by suburban whites. McGruder shows that although these youths listen to and attempt to imitate such cultural icons and quirks (although most are only figments of fantasy and exaggerated by the media), they don't suffer the consequences of their actions as would black when they exercise such behavior. He made quite clear that although these youths are truly aren't malevolent in intent with their actions, they can get away with these antics.
In addition, McGruder focus on the hypocrisy within the hip-hop on homosexual behavior. He points that out with a rapper in the series who denied to the very end that he wasn't engaging in homosexual behavior although it was proven time and time again. It goes to show that some will engage in such behavior and still live in denial. He also satirizes the foolishness of some rappers like 50 Cent, Fabolous, Busta Rhymes, and such on the glorification of being shot various times and obtaining "street cred" from such incidents.
The current season of the TV series parodies the bandwagon effects of black Americans. He pointed out with the election of sitting president Barack Obama, many blacks felt that was a "game changer" in the state of race relations and the idea of "one of us" in the White House. However, the storyline revealed this to be far from the truth with the notion that 2 of the main characters were rejected access to the inauguration and following festivities. Another character, Huey, knew from the beginning this was far from the fact, but it was displayed that his ambivalence was "outsider behavior" and "treasonist" in nature by many black characters in the episode. Now this isn't saying that all black people have group mentality, but it is obvious that many exhibit such even in my past postings.
The most recent controversies the series has pointed out is the foolishness of now Viacom-owned BET. The BET network executives pushed to have the 2 episodes ("The Hunger Strike, "The Uncle Ruckus Reality Show") satirizing the network's poor representation of modern black culture. The parodies of the network was quite accurate since there is practically no news, public affairs, or informational programming in its line-up since Viacom acquisition in 1999.
The most recent stir-up is the recent episode "Pause", where McGruder satirize the plays of Tyler Perry and his "Madea" character, and consistent message of the works. He also exploited the alleged culture that exists behind the scenes with Tyler Perry's professional and personal life. This includes the exploit of Perry being a closeted homosexual who uses his religion and usage of Jesus to deflect the discussion of his personal life while furthering the allowance of homophobia amongst black religious circles. There are a number of works by Perry where he has ridiculed LGBTs, particularly black males in his plays and films. Especially while in character as "Madea" mentioned black LGBT males as "tambourine players", but the irony is "Madea" is black male dress in women's clothing also "drag" himself.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Perry apparently is furious with Turner Broadcasting, who owns the Cartoon Network and ironically parent company of TBS where he airs his 2 sitcoms. The execs at the network are now trying to coddle Perry to keep him from possibly pulling his shows off the TBS network. However, Perry knows other networks would give him the time or day with his corny ass shows though. Most critics (including myself) sees most works of Perry as examples of the sanctimonious nature of some black folks,
To sum it up, the Boondocks depicts the issues surrounding the black people and to certain extent society itself...
Monday, June 28, 2010
The 2010 BET Awards
Also there was a Teddy Pendergrass tribute lead by model/actor/singer, Tyrese, but it wasn't that good in my opinion... Then there is the foolishness of everybody on stage for the gospel number with the exception of Yolanda Adams. Aubrey "Drake" Graham and Nicki Meningitis bring 35,000 nobodies on stage from Young Money on stage with them when they each won their tokens from EBT, I mean BET.
Somebody needs to find a cure to that audio/visual disease known as Nicki Meningitis aka Nicki Minaj because that bitch has no talent at all...
To sum it up, it was better than the last 3 years BET Awards, but not to the level of the first 3. I guess happy 10th anniversary, BET Awards...
Sunday, May 30, 2010
On the BP oil spill...
Well, one of the main reasons why I'm so silent on this catastrophic event is because it has become too politicized for my tastes to talk about. Case and point, Peanut-head AKA James Carville is whining and screaming on television at Barack Obama as if he is superman that can clean up the spill himself, "Do something man! We're dying down here!"
It's even worse with the dittoheads like Arinana Huffington of the Huffington Post calling him Obama "Nowhere Man" because he isn't trying to be everywhere all at once especially in reference to the oil spill disaster.
The rest of the media wants to allege that this is going to be "Obama's Katrina". Oh yes, President Obama is leaving thousands of people without basic needs such as food, shower, and shelter in a lawless environment to up to five days, ***EYE ROLL***. This is my reason why I don't care to want to regularly post about this although it is occurring here in the South because once again the liberals, Democratic pundits, Republicans, and even the media is there to prove to me that all have something to prove that is "that Obama is an inadequate black man for president". All of which is so far from reality that it's laughable, and I commend Jon Stewart of the Daily Show for making light of this overexaggeration.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Why Erykah Badu? Why?
Why would you think it was a good idea for your black ass to film a music video without a permit in Dealey Plaza of the central business district of Dallas and then strip nude in front of a group of majority white bystanders?
Hello? You are in TEXAS for all sense and purposes; although you are a native of the region, you KNOW this is the Bible Belt and one of the most socially conservative states in the Union. SMDH!
Personally, I think it is a good song, but the video sucks ass. Reeks of low-budgetness compared to the other videos I know of in her decade and half long music career, so WTF? It's not really artistic when you are trying to make a psuedo-sociopolitical statement in your hometown when nobody including your fans doesn't even get it...
Now you have the simple-minded white suburbanites of the Metroplex blogging and talking about how "indecent", "unartistic", and "needs to be rebuked" along with the Dallas City Council is looking to tighten its city ordinances on film production within the city limits. On top of that now you have to deal with a disorderly conduct charge within Dallas Municipal Court. I'm just saying if you going to make a point then at least make on that is solvent or coherent to the point that most of us would understand what you are trying to say rather than looking like a desperate attention whore in anticipation of your latest album. Going to jail over something that is miscellaneous like this when you could be protesting much more important things like the economic and social issues then you are a lost soul truly.
Hello? You are in TEXAS for all sense and purposes; although you are a native of the region, you KNOW this is the Bible Belt and one of the most socially conservative states in the Union. SMDH!
Personally, I think it is a good song, but the video sucks ass. Reeks of low-budgetness compared to the other videos I know of in her decade and half long music career, so WTF? It's not really artistic when you are trying to make a psuedo-sociopolitical statement in your hometown when nobody including your fans doesn't even get it...
Now you have the simple-minded white suburbanites of the Metroplex blogging and talking about how "indecent", "unartistic", and "needs to be rebuked" along with the Dallas City Council is looking to tighten its city ordinances on film production within the city limits. On top of that now you have to deal with a disorderly conduct charge within Dallas Municipal Court. I'm just saying if you going to make a point then at least make on that is solvent or coherent to the point that most of us would understand what you are trying to say rather than looking like a desperate attention whore in anticipation of your latest album. Going to jail over something that is miscellaneous like this when you could be protesting much more important things like the economic and social issues then you are a lost soul truly.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Time for one of my random thoughts about places involving media...
Well, when I think about places across the South, mainly the cities, I always who is the dominant and most reliable outlet of information in that region. Like in Atlanta, it's a given that its the Cox Media-owned ABC affiliate, WSB-TV "Channel 2", who has been the leader of the region since literally the beginning since its the first TV station to come on air in the South (according to them). While growing up, I used to think it was so funny that WSB-TV would have all this local programs in an era where local programming was going out of favor because of corporate ownership of media choosing syndicated programs over such. However, Channel 2 would air "Close-Up with Monica Kaufman", who is legendary in the Atlanta region and those who are familiar with WSB-TV since she is the station's longest serving anchor to-date and one of the nation's longest serving female newscast anchors (35 years). Also their airing of the nation's largest Independence Day parade on July 4th called "Salute 2 America" along with the "Macy's Great Tree" at Lenox Square shopping mall.
What so sad about the whole situation in Atlanta is the closest competitors, NewsCorp-owned WAGA-TV "FOX5 Atlanta" has half the ratings of anything WSB airs, which I know somebody at NewsCorp and FOX is pissed about consistently in a major market like Atlanta.
The local NBC-affiliate WXIA-TV, is my personal favorite, but it has been fighting for years to remain #2 in the market with "FOX5 Atlanta".
What's so funny is they had been so dominate with their identity and signature "Action News" product of WSB-TV is that stations in other portions of the South have immolated them like WMC-TV in Memphis with similar logo, news products, and simplification of identity.
What so sad about the whole situation in Atlanta is the closest competitors, NewsCorp-owned WAGA-TV "FOX5 Atlanta" has half the ratings of anything WSB airs, which I know somebody at NewsCorp and FOX is pissed about consistently in a major market like Atlanta.
The local NBC-affiliate WXIA-TV, is my personal favorite, but it has been fighting for years to remain #2 in the market with "FOX5 Atlanta".
What's so funny is they had been so dominate with their identity and signature "Action News" product of WSB-TV is that stations in other portions of the South have immolated them like WMC-TV in Memphis with similar logo, news products, and simplification of identity.
The station that has immolated WSB-TV is WMC-TV 5, which is the leading station is arguably the leading news station in Memphis. The Raycom Media-owned NBC affiliate of the market, which was formerly owned by Atlanta-native, Bert Ellis, who was a huge fan of WSB-TV and used it as a benchmark to create the current look of WMC-TV.
Also Atlanta is one of those dubious markets where the other stations had to shuffle network affiliations due to because WAGA-TV was originally a longtime CBS affiliate until 1994 then it wind up on longtime independent station WGNX, now WGCL-TV. Since WGNX/WGCL-TV has been hobbling along without a solid identity for years since its days as 'WGNX 46' then owned by Tribune Broadcasting, but now known as "CBS Atlanta" and owned by Meredith Corporation.
When applying that knowledge to here in Birmingham, well there isn't a leader because it is a market where corporatization took away any sense of locality for any of the stations. The closest station to be "local leading station" was WBRC, but the whole NewsCorp-New World Communications deal back in the 1990s like WAGA-TV in Atlanta, took away that and made it into a FOX-owned station until 2008. Now its back in the hands of the Alabama-based Raycom Media, but it's just lacking because the station has maintained the "FOX6" name for over a decade.
The other stations here like formerly NBC-Universal-owned NBC affiliate WVTM, which is owned by the god-awful Media General corporation is joke, and WBMA/WJSU/WCFT "ABC 33/40", the combination ABC affiliate is such a small town oriented station. Whereas, WIAT has resurrected from the decade of ownership by Media General and now owned by New Vision Television, but it is immolating what WBRC and WBMA/WJSU/WCFT have been doing and that is create this "small town mindset" which is so counterproductive to the region as a whole in unification around Birmingham.
Yeah, even the media here sucks...
Also Atlanta is one of those dubious markets where the other stations had to shuffle network affiliations due to because WAGA-TV was originally a longtime CBS affiliate until 1994 then it wind up on longtime independent station WGNX, now WGCL-TV. Since WGNX/WGCL-TV has been hobbling along without a solid identity for years since its days as 'WGNX 46' then owned by Tribune Broadcasting, but now known as "CBS Atlanta" and owned by Meredith Corporation.
When applying that knowledge to here in Birmingham, well there isn't a leader because it is a market where corporatization took away any sense of locality for any of the stations. The closest station to be "local leading station" was WBRC, but the whole NewsCorp-New World Communications deal back in the 1990s like WAGA-TV in Atlanta, took away that and made it into a FOX-owned station until 2008. Now its back in the hands of the Alabama-based Raycom Media, but it's just lacking because the station has maintained the "FOX6" name for over a decade.
Yeah, even the media here sucks...
Monday, December 7, 2009
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.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
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.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
The Queen B redeems herself with me...
She told the truth about Sarah Palin. She has juju beads for brains and everybody knows it, but you betcha that some white people don't care because you know in their eyes "white is right!"
Monday, November 23, 2009
Assed out literally!
Well, during the final moments and play of the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eages game last night on NBC when Bears Wide Reciever, Devin Hester, had his pants pull down literally during the play. His ass was exposed to the world for nearly 10 seconds on live network television. Here's the video of the ass-outing of Hester:
LMAO!
YAWN! The AMA last night...
I thought it was going to be good, but nope! Although I could care less for Sean "Jay-Z" Carter, his performance with Alicia Keys of "Empire State of Mind" was the apex of the night. Even my girl, Janet, was boring and lacklaster last night with her opening performance.
Rihanna, well, was OK, but the hype of bigger than the performance. I'm going to have to take a line from T-Boz and Jazzy Phae, who were sitting in for Ryan Cameron on V-103 today, Rihanna needs to get with Divine Stevens and get it together performance-wise. She has beaten Beyonce in the hits category, but if you really want to become a BIG NAME like her then you gotta step it up on the live performance tip. Otherwise, she'll be like Mariah Carey, just a sit-and-watch artist when it comes to performance like her music.
Other stuff, the whole granddose intro for Keith Urban as a "sexy man and half" was EXTRA to Carrie Underwood pretending to be major when she should know her lane by now. WTF was the Black Eyed Peas doing? I love me some B.E.P., but they should have SAT DOWN with that crap. Jennifer Lopez, SMDH, I hate to say this, but J.Lo your time in the music spotlight is up! The rest was alright from Kelly Clarkson (who has gone back to her natural size and I'm proud) to Sharika give one of her best with the Timbaland-produced hit "Give It Up to Me".
Oh yeah, I changed the channel on Adam Lambert's so-called contraversial performance because I was bored with the AMAs and the news was on by then. However, I saw it and it was forced and lame. It's cute that you are open about your sexuality Adam, but you could have tried to let it occur naturally like most contraversial performance rather than hyping it up to be one...
Rihanna, well, was OK, but the hype of bigger than the performance. I'm going to have to take a line from T-Boz and Jazzy Phae, who were sitting in for Ryan Cameron on V-103 today, Rihanna needs to get with Divine Stevens and get it together performance-wise. She has beaten Beyonce in the hits category, but if you really want to become a BIG NAME like her then you gotta step it up on the live performance tip. Otherwise, she'll be like Mariah Carey, just a sit-and-watch artist when it comes to performance like her music.
Other stuff, the whole granddose intro for Keith Urban as a "sexy man and half" was EXTRA to Carrie Underwood pretending to be major when she should know her lane by now. WTF was the Black Eyed Peas doing? I love me some B.E.P., but they should have SAT DOWN with that crap. Jennifer Lopez, SMDH, I hate to say this, but J.Lo your time in the music spotlight is up! The rest was alright from Kelly Clarkson (who has gone back to her natural size and I'm proud) to Sharika give one of her best with the Timbaland-produced hit "Give It Up to Me".
Oh yeah, I changed the channel on Adam Lambert's so-called contraversial performance because I was bored with the AMAs and the news was on by then. However, I saw it and it was forced and lame. It's cute that you are open about your sexuality Adam, but you could have tried to let it occur naturally like most contraversial performance rather than hyping it up to be one...
Friday, November 20, 2009
OK, the People magazine "Sexist Man Alive" edition is out
The real question I want to ask is why haven't there ever been a black male as titled as one or Latino one? As much as I want to avoid asking such questions, but how many homely looking guys whose 'sexiness' is questionable unless you like the imfamous 'swag' crap.
Anyways, Johnny Depp is again the 'Sexiest Man Alive' according to People.
Anyways, Johnny Depp is again the 'Sexiest Man Alive' according to People.
Well, the shuttered LGBT-oriented publications carry on
Although they went kaput on Monday, the former staffs of just about all of the Window Media, LLC publications (weekly) have continued on under new names. The Washington Blade is now the DC Agenda and I will update as I find out the new names of the other former-Window Media properties in South Florida, Houston, and Atlanta.
Now the irony of all this all the properties are/were in the major population and cultural centers of the South, DC, ATL, Houston, and Miami. Also this company was the largest LGBT oriented publications group in the nation, but apparently they didn't pay their bills or handle their finances well if they had to liquidate and shutter everything...
Now the irony of all this all the properties are/were in the major population and cultural centers of the South, DC, ATL, Houston, and Miami. Also this company was the largest LGBT oriented publications group in the nation, but apparently they didn't pay their bills or handle their finances well if they had to liquidate and shutter everything...
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Martha Stewart is a Bitch with a capital "B"
http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/martha-stewart-takes-aim-rachel-ray-abc-news/story?id=9116891
In a recent interview with Cythnia McFadden on ABC News' Nightline, where she basically derides Rachel Ray for her imperfections on air and style of cooking. Here's an excerpt:
In a recent interview with Cythnia McFadden on ABC News' Nightline, where she basically derides Rachel Ray for her imperfections on air and style of cooking. Here's an excerpt:
"Well, to me, she professed that she could -- cannot bake," said Stewart. "She ... just did a new cookbook which is just a re-edit of a lot of her old recipes ... and that's not good enough for me. I mean, I really want to write a book that is a unique and lasting thing. Something that will really fulfill a need in someone's library."She is a BITCH, but I can respect her for being one regardless since she is able to admit that openly unlike some...
Thursday, October 29, 2009
RANT: Birmingham, there is nothing to cheer about yesterday's verdict
I have to give it up to John Archibald, Birmingham News columnist, because he said it best, there is sadness. I'm saddened that Birmingham has come to this point because there is so much anger, confusion, and sadness.
In 2007, the city had a chance to elect somebody different and that person was Patrick Cooper, but chose to elect somebody with name recognition and a group of attack dogs like Frank Matthews among others. I know Langford, via my late paternal grandmother who was a major socialite in Birmingham, and he has always been a man that was troubled and a beacon of controversy even back then. When he was elected Birmingham's mayor in 2007 I said these exact words, "Lord, this is going to be a circus", and low and behold it has been a circus for the past 2 years (to the day). Langford was a leader of much promise and great ideas, but he let his own ego and greed get the best of him thus the verdict. I'm the last person to cheer about that verdict because it says Langford and the citizens of Birmingham failed Birmingham by letting this happen again.
Nobody in their right mind could speculate that Birmingham would be as lost as it is right now, where people like Carole Smitherman is interim mayor (only a month at the most because she can't be reappointed City Council President since she is now mayor and Council President becomes interim mayor). Smitherman's platform is just as faulty as Langford's since she campaigned against her District 6 opponent with the same tactics that Langford via Matthews did by calling them "not black enough" or "friends with those over-the-mountain". Those type of politics is what keeps Birmingham from moving forward on a social perspective where politics of divide and conquer rather than politics of ideas to fix the city is pushed forward aren't given a valid chance. I don't like the most of the "over-the-mountain" elected officials anymore than most socially progressive citizen of these region, but you can't continuously push this divide because you think it's politically expedient to your election.
Black folks need to get it together in Birmingham, particularly those in the western portion where politicos like Arrington (who faced similar charges to Langford back in the 1990s but was acquitted), Langford, Smitherman, etc. have major traction because the color and demographic composition of the area (90% black, lower-income, low education attainment, and very alienated from the political process due to the history of Birmingham). There you have so many people who are so angry at the system per say that they will vote for anybody that sounds like them rather than seeing that somebody doesn't have to talk or think like them to understand their issues and problems associate them. The issues that have brought down Birmingham is more racial than anything else on all sides, so there is your problem. However, unlike our peers in other Southern cities, Birmingham majority black electorate has made its decisions based on name recognition and "blackness" rather than platform and ideas. This has to cease and desist immediately, and those who were Langford fans shouldn't use this anger to further divide the city by trying to work to elect another socially regressive black politician.
My description to those white folks that seem to hate everything black and Birmingham, screw you. If you can't be open-minded and see that Birmingham is for everybody and that it matters to you just like those blacks then you are a part of the problem like them. Too many white citizens want to either have a racially bias perspective on things then they would rather trash talk anybody that doesn't stand with them on their ideology. Also the majority of them are the ones electing officials in suburban areas that have this "fiefdom" mentality where they have no foresight on how their decisions could affect all of the region if they don't try to work in united front. You guys are just as guilty as the black folks when it comes to his screwed up political equation where you feel as those somebody disenfranchised you when you chose to run to the suburbs and let the city falter. You have your chance to get involved by voting out of office idiots like Tony Petelos and replace them with more regionally minded officials that wants to see a united Birmingham.
Now I'm not giving Cooper a pass because he decided to purchase the $12,000 Rolex watch that Langford had received as a "gift", but quickly sold it. Also Cooper is very buddy, buddy with a number of individuals in the business community that makes me give him the side-eye. However, at least he would have been somebody that attempted to bridge the racial and ideological divide that has persisted in the city for decades. The man tries to reach across the table to those other elected officials of the suburban and exurban municipal governments since we all need one another for Greater Birmingham or simply Birmingham to get somewhere.
Now if those officials don't want to work cohesively with the Birmingham mayor then call them out (like Obama said with health care reform) and show them how idiotic and shortsighted their stance to not work together.
OH YEAH, the swap by local NBC affiliate, WVTM "NBC 13", reporter John Paepcke is a textbook example of what I call the media bias of the area's media outlets. That EXTRA garbage he thought was poignant just shows why I don't care for any of the area's media because too many want to be funny and push their agenda instead of being non-bias, objective journalists.
In 2007, the city had a chance to elect somebody different and that person was Patrick Cooper, but chose to elect somebody with name recognition and a group of attack dogs like Frank Matthews among others. I know Langford, via my late paternal grandmother who was a major socialite in Birmingham, and he has always been a man that was troubled and a beacon of controversy even back then. When he was elected Birmingham's mayor in 2007 I said these exact words, "Lord, this is going to be a circus", and low and behold it has been a circus for the past 2 years (to the day). Langford was a leader of much promise and great ideas, but he let his own ego and greed get the best of him thus the verdict. I'm the last person to cheer about that verdict because it says Langford and the citizens of Birmingham failed Birmingham by letting this happen again.
Nobody in their right mind could speculate that Birmingham would be as lost as it is right now, where people like Carole Smitherman is interim mayor (only a month at the most because she can't be reappointed City Council President since she is now mayor and Council President becomes interim mayor). Smitherman's platform is just as faulty as Langford's since she campaigned against her District 6 opponent with the same tactics that Langford via Matthews did by calling them "not black enough" or "friends with those over-the-mountain". Those type of politics is what keeps Birmingham from moving forward on a social perspective where politics of divide and conquer rather than politics of ideas to fix the city is pushed forward aren't given a valid chance. I don't like the most of the "over-the-mountain" elected officials anymore than most socially progressive citizen of these region, but you can't continuously push this divide because you think it's politically expedient to your election.
Black folks need to get it together in Birmingham, particularly those in the western portion where politicos like Arrington (who faced similar charges to Langford back in the 1990s but was acquitted), Langford, Smitherman, etc. have major traction because the color and demographic composition of the area (90% black, lower-income, low education attainment, and very alienated from the political process due to the history of Birmingham). There you have so many people who are so angry at the system per say that they will vote for anybody that sounds like them rather than seeing that somebody doesn't have to talk or think like them to understand their issues and problems associate them. The issues that have brought down Birmingham is more racial than anything else on all sides, so there is your problem. However, unlike our peers in other Southern cities, Birmingham majority black electorate has made its decisions based on name recognition and "blackness" rather than platform and ideas. This has to cease and desist immediately, and those who were Langford fans shouldn't use this anger to further divide the city by trying to work to elect another socially regressive black politician.
My description to those white folks that seem to hate everything black and Birmingham, screw you. If you can't be open-minded and see that Birmingham is for everybody and that it matters to you just like those blacks then you are a part of the problem like them. Too many white citizens want to either have a racially bias perspective on things then they would rather trash talk anybody that doesn't stand with them on their ideology. Also the majority of them are the ones electing officials in suburban areas that have this "fiefdom" mentality where they have no foresight on how their decisions could affect all of the region if they don't try to work in united front. You guys are just as guilty as the black folks when it comes to his screwed up political equation where you feel as those somebody disenfranchised you when you chose to run to the suburbs and let the city falter. You have your chance to get involved by voting out of office idiots like Tony Petelos and replace them with more regionally minded officials that wants to see a united Birmingham.
Now I'm not giving Cooper a pass because he decided to purchase the $12,000 Rolex watch that Langford had received as a "gift", but quickly sold it. Also Cooper is very buddy, buddy with a number of individuals in the business community that makes me give him the side-eye. However, at least he would have been somebody that attempted to bridge the racial and ideological divide that has persisted in the city for decades. The man tries to reach across the table to those other elected officials of the suburban and exurban municipal governments since we all need one another for Greater Birmingham or simply Birmingham to get somewhere.
Now if those officials don't want to work cohesively with the Birmingham mayor then call them out (like Obama said with health care reform) and show them how idiotic and shortsighted their stance to not work together.
OH YEAH, the swap by local NBC affiliate, WVTM "NBC 13", reporter John Paepcke is a textbook example of what I call the media bias of the area's media outlets. That EXTRA garbage he thought was poignant just shows why I don't care for any of the area's media because too many want to be funny and push their agenda instead of being non-bias, objective journalists.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Let's be a little objective about the whole Langford federal trial and its coverage...
OK, it's time for another objective analysis of the situation involving Birmingham and some portions of its media convicting Birmingham mayor's Langford before the trial has even began. After reading the so-called analysis of the "Life and Times of Larry Langford" by Birmingham Weekly editor and staff reporter, Kyle Whitmire. Honestly, it left more of a bad taste in my mouth towards Whitmire more than Langford because he seems to lack the ability to do his job as a reporter objectively give a non-bias perspective of the story.
The line that clearly shows the bias in my opinion was this one: "A series of scandals seemed to prove suburban suspicions about black control of government." Uh, excuse me Mr. Whitmire, but the mayor of Trussville has been giving more paying the Trussville school district superintendent than the most supertintendents across the state has been receiving for districts nearly twice its size. However, he is cutting back on everything else in the city's services? Yeah, you should never write a line such in any publication (unless it is strictly funded by somebody or an organization with an agenda) because white suburban people elect corrupt white politicians that control government making non-whites suspicious of them as well...
I DIGRESS:
I've personally known Langford's corrupt self since I was a child because my paternal grandmother was in the same social circle as Langford's wife, Melva. Personally, I can't stand Langford as a politician because of the foolishness he peddled during the 2008 Central Alabama Pride controversy, and truly wished Patrick Cooper or even Carole Smitherman had won the mayoral election then. However, he deserves a non-bias perspective on this trial. That's the least Birmingham media could do on this rather than convicting the man before the trial has begin in the eyes of the public.
I just wish the media outlets in this region would be more objective and fair along with stop being so damn racially bias at times. At times they seem to ignore the corruption of Hoover, Trussville, etc. which are both cities with majority white populous, but always looking at the corruption of Birmingham which is "black power structure". You should be fair and non-racialized in reporting, and nobody aside from the now-defunct Birmingham Post-Herald did that on the controversy and corruption. There seems to be a message of catharsis of "let's makes sure all the black politicians that aren't on our side or handpicked by us are out of office".
I'm not down with that underhanded crap at all no matter how egalitarian or socially progressive I am personally. There are some good, socially progressive and accountable, black politicians in this region that are ignored or overlooked because of the ignorant, controversial, an corrupt ones.
After thinking about this crap it remains me why so few people without agendas doesn't get involved in civil activities in Birmingham because the obvious divides that exist in this region along racial, partisan, and geographical lines. We are one city with 1.2 million inhabitants, but act as if we are 30+ municipal governments that have their own agendas and goals regardless of how it will affect this region. Those who doesn't want to be told "choose a side" in the conflicts simply avoid the fray of foolishness.
The line that clearly shows the bias in my opinion was this one: "A series of scandals seemed to prove suburban suspicions about black control of government." Uh, excuse me Mr. Whitmire, but the mayor of Trussville has been giving more paying the Trussville school district superintendent than the most supertintendents across the state has been receiving for districts nearly twice its size. However, he is cutting back on everything else in the city's services? Yeah, you should never write a line such in any publication (unless it is strictly funded by somebody or an organization with an agenda) because white suburban people elect corrupt white politicians that control government making non-whites suspicious of them as well...
I DIGRESS:
I've personally known Langford's corrupt self since I was a child because my paternal grandmother was in the same social circle as Langford's wife, Melva. Personally, I can't stand Langford as a politician because of the foolishness he peddled during the 2008 Central Alabama Pride controversy, and truly wished Patrick Cooper or even Carole Smitherman had won the mayoral election then. However, he deserves a non-bias perspective on this trial. That's the least Birmingham media could do on this rather than convicting the man before the trial has begin in the eyes of the public.
I just wish the media outlets in this region would be more objective and fair along with stop being so damn racially bias at times. At times they seem to ignore the corruption of Hoover, Trussville, etc. which are both cities with majority white populous, but always looking at the corruption of Birmingham which is "black power structure". You should be fair and non-racialized in reporting, and nobody aside from the now-defunct Birmingham Post-Herald did that on the controversy and corruption. There seems to be a message of catharsis of "let's makes sure all the black politicians that aren't on our side or handpicked by us are out of office".
I'm not down with that underhanded crap at all no matter how egalitarian or socially progressive I am personally. There are some good, socially progressive and accountable, black politicians in this region that are ignored or overlooked because of the ignorant, controversial, an corrupt ones.
After thinking about this crap it remains me why so few people without agendas doesn't get involved in civil activities in Birmingham because the obvious divides that exist in this region along racial, partisan, and geographical lines. We are one city with 1.2 million inhabitants, but act as if we are 30+ municipal governments that have their own agendas and goals regardless of how it will affect this region. Those who doesn't want to be told "choose a side" in the conflicts simply avoid the fray of foolishness.
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