Reality vs REALITY

On any given night,we can turn on the tube and see a trainwreck in motion. This trainwreck is defined as Reality TV. I'm sure at one time or another you've sat and watched one of these shows. It's the new phenomenon where celebrities or wanna be celebrities live out their daily lives in front of the camera. They are all over the place. There's "I Want To Work For Diddy",Real Housewives of Atlanta,College Hill(where no one actually goes to college),Frankie & Neffie and my all time favorite trainwreck "Flava of Love".People are literally addicted to these shows. I used to wonder to myself.Why do people put this mess on tv? Then I saw the ratings and it became crystal clear that these shows,though may be stupid,sad and in some cases down right embarrassing(see Frankie & Neffie),they are HUGE money makers for these networks.But while looking at the ratings,I noticed the demographic breakdown.Over 65% of these shows are viewed by African-Americans on a nightly basis. I would say I was surprised but honestly I wasn't.It showed while 65% of African-Americans are watching Reality TV,55% of Whites are watching Cable News channels,mainly FOX. After seeing THOSE numbers,I was blown away.
Many of you know I love to discuss politics. But the problem I have with many of my friends is,most of them can't carry a conversation on politics for more than 2 minutes. The most I ever get out of anyone is they're glad Barack Obama is the President and Republicans hate him because he's Black. We can debate whether that's true or not. But what we can't debate is the lack of knowledge or concern about what's going on here in the Real World(no pun intended). Many of our people can't tell you what's in the healthcare bill but we can tell you verbatim what happened on the RHOA. We can't tell you who the Secretary of State is but we can tell you who Ray J will choose as his next "girlfriend".
At some point we have to realize,what may appear to be a Reality is not really a REALITY. Stop hitting the snooze button and WAKE UP!! Get involved,read a paper, subscribe to a daily blog,SOMETHING to make sure you don't confuse REALITIES.

$72,000 A MONTH.........SERIOUSLY!!!??

CBS sportscaster Jim Nantz must pay $916,000 yearly in alimony and child support to his ex-wife and give up their Connecticut home under terms of a newly issued divorce decree.
The ruling in Bridgeport Superior Court, dissolves the 26-year marriage of Nantz and Ann-Lorraine "Lorrie" Carlsen Nantz. It comes after both testified about the breakdown of their marriage; Judge Howard Owens concluded neither was at fault.
Nantz, described by Owens as "our nation's most prominent sportscaster," filed for divorce last year from his wife after years of marriage counseling, according to the decree.
Although Nantz, 50, acknowledged he started dating a 29-year-old woman before the divorce was final, the judge concluded that the marriage deteriorated years earlier and "this remote event in no way contributed to the breakdown of the marriage."
Owens noted that the couple didn't share the same interests in Nantz's television career, which required frequent travel as the network's primary commentator for college football, golf and basketball, as well as appearances at charity
Under the ruling, Nantz must pay $72,000 in alimony monthly until he dies or his ex-wife remarries, and $1,000 more weekly in child support for the next two years.

In addition to this Nantz has to pay $70,000/year in Country Club fees.
.............THUMP..........................
My bad,that was me hitting the floor.......AGAIN!!

It's not like Nantz was sleeping with women all over the country. There were events where he was being honored and his wife simply refused to go. He once received a Man of The Year Award and his wife decided at the last minute she didn't feel like going. I bet if the shoe was on the other foot,Jim Nantz would get criticized from here to eternity. He also said in court that once he was given a portrait of himself but his wife wouldn't allow him to hang it up in the house.
Seeing as we live in a society where there's so much emphasis placed on men and their lack to include their wives in their professional career. I find this story to be very disturbing.Here we have a man who went out of his way to not only include his wife in his career,but provided her a lifestyle that was second to none. And this is how he gets treated?
YES,he does make a lot of money,3.2 million/year,but should she be awarded THIS much money? If she's getting $72,000/month,you would think she could pay for her own Country Club fees. That's why sometimes it's cheaper to keep her. I would be interested in getting some feedback on this one because THIS is crazy!!!

CBC Wants Obama To Do More For Black People

Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman expressed disappointment after Obama's jobs speech.Her exact quote was "she wished the President would have addressed racial disparities in unemployment in the upcoming jobs bill". She also gave the following statistics to drive home her point:
Nearly 28% of Blacks recieve food aid compared to 15% for Latinos and 8% of whites.
I know this won't be the popular thing to say but since we're in The Board Room and this is a closed door meeting I'm going to say it. We ALL know more than a few people who are just as content sitting at the crib,waiting on a check,watching Judge Judy,Maury Povich and Jerry Springer. If President Obama himself walked up to their door,gave them a job with a salary,some of those same people would say (with the neck roll and all).....THAT'S ALL YOU GON GIVE ME? Don't give me that look,y'all know I'm telling the truth. Some of us have family members who have NO desire to even THINK about looking for a job,they just want a handout......DON'T ACT LIKE IT'S JUST ME!!!!

Now back to the CBC.

So President Obama isn't doing enough to help Black people get jobs huh?I knew it was coming,just didn't think it would be this soon. Barack Obama is President of The United States of America,NOT BLACK America but of ALL Americans. But the CBC wants him to make a different set of rules for us? Maybe it's just me but I don't believe it's the President's job to make sure he "takes care of the brothas".Was he supposed to make an amendment to the bill that would GUARANTEE jobs for Blacks? I just don't get it and neither does the CBC. It's statements like that which makes one think the CBC is either over stepping it's boundaries or is no longer a relevant part of the political game. Truth be told some of these groups became irrelevant years ago. The problem is no one wants to stand up and tell them for fear of being called a racist or an Uncle Tom.But some of these "black leaders" should really be ashamed of themselves.

For years Blacks fought to be treated equally. Some of those people never thought they would see the day a person of color would sit behind the desk in the Oval Office.Now the moment has arrived, and some of those very people want to cut his legs from under him. Do these people not realize when they make statements like this,publicly or privately,it reinforces the beliefs of those zombies who hang on every word of racists like Rush Limbaugh? Last week Limbaugh "analyzed the black mind". This clown said that Black people are turning on the President because he hasn't GIVEN them anything. But yet when Limbaugh makes statements like this,the CBC are the ones who are quick to call for his sponsors to drop him. People like Limbaugh take what "black leaders" say and interpret that as the WORD on how ALL Blacks feel and think. And for the record this moron said the whole Tiger Woods thing isn't helping Black people feel better about themselves either(will deal with that in my next blog).

I say this to the CBC. If you're going to help Republicans sabotage this Presidency after only 11 months into it,don't complain in 2010 in 2012 when they are back in power. Because at the rate WE'RE going,it's will happen.

Houston, Do We Have A Problem?

Houston,Texas has a population of 2.2 million people and on Dec.12 elected the nations first openly gay Mayor. That night,Annise Parker,53 years old celebrated with her partner Kathy Hubbard. A group of African-American pastors criticized her supposed "gay agenda" and Conservative activist distributed flyers featuring her and her partner and asking "Is THIS the image Houston wants to portray?"
But the attacks did not find traction;a Houston Chronicle/Zogby poll found that Parker's sexuality mattered to just 18% of likely voters.

I personally find this very interesting.You mean the largest city in the state whose Governor hates the President so much that he mentioned the word "succession"? I wonder if THAT'S the image those Conservative activist wants Texas to portray? I wonder if those African-American pastors sat down and had a conversation with Mayor-elect Parker to discuss her agenda,or did they just automatically assume that she had a "gay agenda"? I am a firm believer that marriage is between one man and one woman. I oppose gay marriage and I do not agree with the gay lifestyle. However,if a person is qualified for the job,they should be afforded the same opportunity to fail or succeed as anyone else. If the citizens of Houston thought Ms.Parker was the best choice to move their city forward then so be it. I hope my fellow citizens of Birmingham is taking note.

Mr.President,Can I Holla At You For A Minute?

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for joining us here in the Board Room. I know you're busy trying to clean up the mess from the past 8 years. But as one of your STRONGEST supporters,I need to holla at you for a minute. Mr.President,I can appreciate you trying to change Washington by trying to get both parties involved. I can appreciate the fact you want to be transparent in your actions so the country doesn't feel like we're being lied to.
However,with all due respect,I'm getting a little tired of the Mr.Nice Guy role.I don't understand why we're still in Iraq after you campaigned to end the war within 16 months. I can't understand why you didn't choose a church in the D.C. area that is more aligned with the church you were a part of in Chicago for 20 years. Who cares what white people and Republicans will say? You were elected by a majority of the people in this country and unlike the last guy,you truly have a mandate. And LORD KNOWS I can't understand why you are trying to appease Republicans who with all due respect Mr.President,hates everything you stand for. They hate the fact that you aren't ashamed of your skin color. They hate the fact that you are a successful Black man who married a strong beautiful black woman. They hate the fact that your children are adorable. They hate EVERYTHING about you and still,you're trying to get a bi-partisan effort on the single most important issue of our lifetime.....healthcare.How's that Joe Lieberman thing working for you Mr.President? I have a request and I know you can't do it. But the next time you see Joe Lieberman have Reggie to chop that dude in his throat for your boy. C'mon Mr.President,don't look at me like that I'm just kidding (unless you gon do it). Another thing,I also can't understand why you can't see that there are people in your inner circle who are hell bent on destroying your Presidency. That's right Mr.President,you have a mole. I dare say it's your Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. I'm sure you thought the best way to keep tabs on her was to include her in your cabinet but Mr.President I have studied the Clintons for years. I'm a big fan of the Clintons and cut throat politics is what they do.If you think she's just going to ride off into the sunset after losing the Democratic nomination to you,you crazy as hell.....oops....my bad Mr.President. You're so cool and easy to talk to, I forgot you're the President.
But seriously,take a look around at your inner circle. Stop throwing them under the bus and "accpeting their resignation". I thought the Van Jones thing was handled pretty bad. Van Jones is the kind of guy you need on your team. Sure he made some controversial comments,but do you think the last administration would have thrown one of their own under the bus like that? NO,they would have closed ranks and dared anyone to say anything else about it. But I'm glad you didn't go there with Desiree Rogers last week after those two clowns crashed your party.By the way, that's another topic that I'll deal with very soon.
Finally,Mr.President do not grant FOX NEWS any interviews. They are the offsprings of Satan.......yes they are the devil. Their job is to kill,steal and destroy and so far they are doing a good job. The people who watch that network are zombies who are easily influenced. So there's no need to grant them any interviews,it would be a waste of time. You need to focus on your base and independents because the GOP and Tea Party Patriots are going to cancel each other out. But if you lose the independents you will be a one term President.Sorry to break that to you but you need to hear from the people who has their ears to the streets(well not the STREETS but you know what I'm saying Mr.President).
Can we please see that tenacious,ruthless Obama from Chicago? PLEASE......we are begging you to be yourself.
Alright,I think that's all I got for right now Mr.President. Thanks for stopping by and you're welcome back anytime.

Observation On Tiger Woods "Transgressions"

Really not sure where to start with this or if I should start at all. I think most reasonable people would agree that this is a personal issue for Tiger and his wife. However,when you're the most recognizable athlete in the world and the face of so many corporations,you must know your "transgressions" are going to be put on blast. I believe Tiger was a sheltered kid growing up who had NO social life or should I say no "game" at all. How else would you explain a married billionare leaving voicemails,sending text messages and naked photos of himself to his mistress? No,I have no sympathy for Mr.Woods.He made his bed,he has to lay in it(no pun intended).
But there are a few things I want to take aim at.

(1) THE DOUBLE STANDARD

When news first broke of Mrs.Tiger going all "Waiting To Exhale" on Mr.Tiger. Sistas around the country were rejoicing as if Tiger announced he was about to start dating Black women. The "You GO Girls" and "That's What He Gets" were ringing all over the place.But what if it was Mrs. Tiger who had been caught cheating and Mr.Tiger was the one going Chris Brown on HER? I guarantee you,he would have been thrown under the jail quicker than you can say FORE after I hit a driver off the tee. If it's wrong......IT'S WRONG!!

(2) THE MJ FACTOR

You know what I'm talking about.I'm here to predict that within the next month or so Tiger will appear on Larry King Live with......(wait for it)......you guessed it......the REV.AL SHARPTON himself. I couldn't understand when MJ got in trouble for something most grown men would get locked up for. Black people came to his defense as if he had been donating money to HBCUs or he HADN'T altered his face to look like someone other than the Black man he was. Why do we ALWAYS have to "rally around the brotha" when "white folks are trying to bring him down"? That's the biggest bunch of mess I've ever seen. It doesn't matter WHO it is. All they have to do is get Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson and we're marching and protesting for their freedom. All in the name of "sticking together". I wonder if it has ever occured to some people that maybe-JUST MAYBE those people are guilty of the crime or in this case "transgressions"?


(3)THE KOBE FACTOR

If I learned anything from Kobe's ordeal,I learned(well I already knew) but it was confirmed that it doesn't matter how many times you cheat,it doesn't matter who you cheat with,it doesn't matter how many times you get caught cheating. If you have THAT kind of money,you can get away with it and here's why.Men know that if his money is on point,women will flock to him. That's why you see so many men in the club flossing like they got it going on(but really don't). The reason is,they're trying to impress YOU.So if a man with a couple of hundred million dollars at his disposal says he wants to "see" you. I'm willing to bet you're going to want to "see" him too. It doesn't matter if he's married or not. It has been proven time and time again,that some women follow the money and limelight. I'm sure you'll say I'm wrong but if you ran into Tiger Woods and he says he's interested in,you would DEFINITELY be willing to listen. NBA player Sam Cassell is not the most attractive brother in the world(being polite) and HIS girl is drop dead gorgeous. I think that proves my point. If a brotha has the loot,women are willing to play the game. Just be willing to pay the price when it hits the fan.