Note: I am aware of the “image” that appears in the middle of the d*mn page. I am both annoyed and perplexed by it. I never professed to being a wiz with wordpress or being html savvy so bear with me… #aggravatedlady
PERSONAL NEWS
My Grandfather passed away recently. He was 103 years old. He was a LEGEND! I reprinted excerpts from his obituary (Monday’s post) and provided a timeline of some key events that transpired while he was alive (Tuesday’s post). Think about it – 103 YEARS OLD!! Golly that’s awesome. Love and miss you Grandpa!!
TRAYVON MARTIN UPDATE
The only relevent update worth mentioning at this point is the one I’m sure you are already aware of – Zimmerman has been ARRESTED and CHARGED with 2nd DEGREE MURDER. Hallelujah for justice finally prevailing. Obviously we will have to see what happens over the course of his trial and its eventual outcome but this action is precisely what we have been asking for since Trayvon was killed.
The Good Reverend Al Sharpton brought up an excellent point about this not being a time to rejoice:
“We don’t want to see any high-fiving tonight…There is no victory here. We are still mourning with this family. This is a night that never should have happened in the first place.”
But he did positively acknowledge the role “public pressure” played in keeping this story alive and eventually leading Florida’s governor to order a more thorough investigation of the shooting. He also added that Zimmerman ”deserves a fair trial.” Agreed. Again, I believe all rational people would agree that this is the process that should have kicked off 45 days ago when Trayon was killed.
AND Attorney General Eric Holder stressed that we should not forget that the Justice Department is also conducting its own criminal civil rights investigation:
Although I cannot share where current efforts will lead us from here, I can assure you that, in this investigation – and in all cases – we will examine the facts and the law,” said Holder. “If we find evidence of a potential federal criminal civil rights crime, we will take appropriate action. And, at every step, the facts and the law will guide us forward.
Word.
POLITICS
Least you forget that it is an election year (how could you???) I would be remiss if I didn’t provide a few newsworthy items. And yes, I too am already exhausted by this circus and reflexively sigh every time I hear another round of foolishness. Whatever – cutting to the chase:
1. Rick Santorum - In case you are one of the lucky ones and NOT cursed with methodically following all this nonsense, news flash for you - SANTORUM FINALLY DROPPED OUT OF THE CAMPAIGN. The reality is that he was NEVER going to get the nomination but I think he really enjoyed being a bee in Romney’s bonnet and just decided to run with it.
What is amusing is that he is now in “clean up mode” and has “erased all anti-Romney content from his website.” Quietly hilarious – as if that’s going to make it go away forever. HA! Thanks for the ammo Rick. It was the LEAST you could do.
What is not amusing and in all seriousness, it was reported that his youngest daughter was hospitalized last week and clearly taking care of pressing family matters should be paramount. I was truly sorry to hear about her illness. I know that I have gone IN on him but that was strictly with regard to his off the wall political agenda. I am glad to know his little one has been released from the hospital and I hope that she is doing much better. #realtalk
Moving on…
2. Romney-Bot – Good people of America, do me a huge favor and don’t vote for this guy in November. Thank you.
3. President Obama – Good people of America, do me a huge favor and DO VOTE FOR THIS GUY IN NOVEMBER. Thank you.
Sidebar of silliness, i.e., nonsensical matters - apparently Obama referred to Kanye as a “jackass” – again. Initially I was like “uumm he should stop doing that, its kinda not worth his time and basically unnecessary and besides everyone already knows that – including Ye.” I had more but you get my point. AND then I read the actual article where the comment appears and damn huffpo‘s occasional yellow tinged sensationalistic journalism! Sometimes…I swear… ANYway, I read the part of the article where Obama’s comment is mentioned (it’s in the beginning) and well, here, see for yourself.
From The Atlantic, author David Samuels:
“I have a question I want to ask you, Mr. President,” I venture, once I catch his attention.
“Sure,” the president says.
“Kanye or Jay-Z?”
The president smiles. “Jay-Z,” he says, as if the answer should be obvious.
More text, yada yada, blah blah and then:
“Although I like Kanye,” Obama continues, with an easy smile. “He’s a Chicago guy. Smart. He’s very talented.” He is displaying his larger awareness of the question, looking relaxed, cerebral but friendly, alive to the moment, waiting for me to get to the heart of the matter.
“Even though you called him a jackass?,” I ask.
“He is a jackass,” Obama says, in his likable and perfectly balanced modern-professorial voice. “But he’s talented.” The president gives a wink, poses for a few more pictures, and then glides away to meet with the rich Manhattan lawyers in the other room, leaving behind a verdict that he intended to be funny, and also entirely deliberate: even before an audience of one, the leader of the free world is still not letting Kanye West off the hook.
Now I’m like “Oooohhhh, Obama was just keeping it real. Bet.” Can’t really fault the guy for that but still just as a way to avoid an unnecessary headline the next time it comes up, a simple “he’s interesting” will suffice. Quote courtesy of Rakim.
Moving on to…
CELEBRITIES
1. Speaking of Kan-yeezy - The Atlantic article is hella long (like I’m one to talk) and like I am totally planning to read the entire thing at some point because I’m like curious like that but not right now. I is tired.
2. Supposedly, apparently, publicity speaking – Ye and Kimmy K are an item – of some sorts. Yawwwwwwwn. I’m sure I’ll have more jokes later but for now I honestly care very little.
WAR ON WOMEN
A few mouthpieces (Gov. Nikki Haley, Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Reince Priebus, the chair of the Republican National Committee) have attempted to state the case that there is no War On Women. That it is a “contrived” issue by rabble rousing Democrats to “distract” women from real issues like the economy and unemployment numbers.
As if women couldn’t be concerned about more than two topics at a time OR is it Haley’s position that in the grand scheme of issues women should be concerned about contraception and choice is a low priority? Well THAT isn’t condescending at all (in opposite world). Insult women much in your state??
Its kinda REALLY funny if you think about it since it is Republican controlled state legislatures trying to turn back time on women’s reproductive rights AND that it was Republican congressional members who convened all male panels re issues of birth control and proposed amendments to interfere with women gaining better access to said birth control AND that is a self-proclaimed Republican blowhard who called a young woman a “slut” and a “prostitute” but no, they are correct it is the “Democrats” and the “Media” who are making ish up.
And you want people to vote for you again before you get a lobotomy? Naaaaah.
Specifically Haley told the ladies of “The View” that “women don’t care about contraception.” She eventually conceded – after the ladies got huffy with her a*s – that while they “might” care about contraception “they just want to be able to make those decisions themselves, without government involvement.”
What I REALLY cannot abide is the HYPOCRISY and mangled attempt at putting forth a “logical” argument. I guess I’ll have to keep repeating this until my dying breath (or at least until November) - So it is acceptable to have the government interfere with regard to reproductive rights but it is not acceptable for the government to interfere with helping women gain better access to birth control????
COMPLETE AND UTTER LUNACY!
Haley (and all her brethren) should be impeached, fired and/or exiled for even attempting to reconcile their bullshit as rational thought. Their basic premise is ”big government is good when I say its good and bad when I say its bad.” #getthef*ckouttahere
Arizona
And in the War on Women that isn’t a War (yes, in opposite world) – good ole Arizona has done it again. Gov Jan “I will control your ovaries” Brewer signed into law a bill that bans all abortions after 20 weeks – granting Arizona the award-winning status of now having the most restrictive anti-abortion state bill. The bill also includes women friendly “provisions” like:
(1) mandated ultrasounds that have to take place 24 hours in advance as opposed to one hour like other states;
(2) “heavy new restrictions on non-surgical abortions”, i.e., medication-induced abortions.
(3) a clause stating as fact that “abortion can cause serious both short-term and long-term physical and psychological complications for women.”
Other bills that have been passed by lawmakers but not yet approved by Headmistress Brewer:
(1) a bill that would prohibit a lawsuit against doctors who withhold information about a fetus’ health IF that information could lead to an abortion. Also, parents could not sue on the child’s behalf after birth.
(2) a bill that requires schools to teach students that adoption and birth are the most acceptable outcomes for an unwanted pregnancy.
Greeeeaaaaat. I wonder what would happen if all the women who live in Arizona and disagree with this insanity just up and left? The awesomeness of it would be unparalleled.
Oklahoma
Not to be left out of burning women at the stake staking claim over women’s ovaries – the Oklahoma State Senate passed a bill that says life begins at the moment of conception. The “personhood” bill would “give embryos and fetuses all the rights and immunities of other citizens”. It is expected to be approved by the Republican-controlled House within weeks and is likely to be approved by the state’s Republican governor Mary Fallin.
In response State Senator Constance Johnson proposed an amendment banning “non-procreative ejaculation” – yes, she proposed an ANTI-MASTURBATION bill:
“any action in which a man ejaculates or otherwise deposits semen anywhere but in a woman’s vagina shall be interpreted and construed as an action against an unborn child.”
Priceless. And of course this was tailor-made for The Daily Show. Bring it!
| The Daily Show with Jon Stewart | Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Bro-Choice | ||||
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fyi – my attempts to center Daily Show videos are ALWAYS hit and miss. Damn you Daily Show! ANY other video – no problem. Daily Show – BAH!
COLLEGE NEWS
1. This is the time of year when high school seniors learn of their college fate. This is also April which begins with a merry ole tradition known as “April Fool’s Day” what do these two things have in common beside occurring around the same time? Glad you asked. UCLA accidentally decided to extend April Fool’s Day and accidentally led 894 seniors to believe that they had been accepted to the school. FOOLED YA! Oops, our bad, sorry. Hey, at least you are still on the waiting list. Keep Hope Alive! I do hope that the 894th student has a back up school… I know I know, I’m terrible but UCLA started it! Seriously that sucks – some lessons you get to learn early in life.
Lesson #1 – computers are evil pranksters run by feeble minded people who are planning to take over the planet in the year 2012 – so like any day now. It’s true and you’re welcome.
2. In MUCH better news for UCLA - the most talented offensive high school player in the country will be headed their way in the fall. Welcome SHABAZZ MUHAMMAD!
The only reason I am mentioning this is because I LOVE his name and he really is a very nice looking young man. I feel so proud (no reason, we’re not related but still you know I just feel connected.) I just might start paying attention to college basketball again.
Go get ‘em Muhammad!
TV
I have not watched “Scandal” yet. I am planning to catch up this weekend so DON’T TELL ME NUTHIN’! I want to experience it without any commentary. Just needed to get that off my chest. Thank you.
BACK TO POLITICS WITH A SPLASH OF COMEDY
Because clearly they go together. I mean have you NOT been paying attention?? Anyway, it turns out that not only can Secretary of State Hillary Clinton laugh at herself, she can also actively participate in the joke. In case you missed it, below is a recent photo of Hils looking like a bada*s while providing an unintended promo shot for blackberry.
This image led to the creation of a blog “Texts from Hillary” that has (of course) become an online sensation. Clinton’s staff contacted the creators of the site – Stacy Lambe and Adam Smith – and invited them to the State Department for a meet n greet AND a cool photo op with the lady herself.
Good look Hil.
MUSIC
I was gonna end with something funny or heartwarming or funny warming - you know like I always does – but this time I’m just gonna end with the beautifully talented Ms. Esperanza Spalding. Enjoy. Seriously she is just too damn adorable for words. Watch Jon gush:
| The Daily Show with Jon Stewart | Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Exclusive – Esperanza Spalding – “Crowned & Kissed” | ||||
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*see what I’m saying with these damn vids??!!?? #arrrgghhh!
THE WEEKEND COMETH!
I guess that Saint Santorum did not want to “Stand His Ground”,
as he erased the anti-Romney rants from his website!
Ah yes, the Etch-a-Sketch twins…..
Groucho Marx must have been thinking about
BOTH Romney AND Santorum when he once said:
“these are my principles – If you don’t like the, I have others.”
And to quote the Grateful Dead:
“What a long, strange road its been…”.
Funny re “Saint Santorum” and nice work with the Grateful Dead and Groucho Marx references. Indeed.
I just sent sammi a link of espalding from grooveshark! She’s performing here on June 25th – can’t wait. She’s amazing!
she’s adorable
…and I NEED you to hurry up and watch Scandal…I got questions for you!
Umm okay and when you get a moment please order me up some extra hours in the day. THANKS! :p