Why are we so sensitive?

During the election, candidate Barack Obama was constantly confronted with the simple question: "What do you intend to do for the black community?" I am sure that had to be a tough balancing act considering the pressure he was under from all sides. Appealing to voters of all races, creeds and beliefs, his own party, undecided voters and many interest groups who threw their weight behind him while running a historical race had to make him look unsympathetic to black voters. This question came up so much that in a conversation with a friend she pointed out that he is "running to be president of the United States, not of black America!" I agreed with this point and we all know the outcome of that candidacy.

Now it appears that President Obama is losing steam in his popularity while his politics have been a major point of division only an year into his presidency. Where are the dividing points? Well they appear to be kind of obvious, you have the Tea Baggers, birthers, right-wing nut jobs oh and Fox News at the most extreme, other Republicans who disagree with him "strictly" on political matters and then those who are on his side and may or may not disagree with him. After the loss of the Massachusetts Senate seat held by the late Ted Kennedy, the backlash on Twitter was highly palpable. AverageBro, who I follow made some comments concerning the affect of this loss which I could agree with although I supported Obama and voted for him. Some of these comments actually LOST him followers on Twitter. REALLY? Now I don't know (and if you read this AB let me know) if these particular folks were black but I thought they may have been based in AB's reaction to their unfollow.

If that is the case, then why are we so sensitive as a people to criticizing one of our own? While the right conducts a witch hunt against him everyday based on conjecture, fear and hearsay we fail to stand up to unwarranted criticism. On the other hand, when there is legitimate room for debate on the issues of the day and how the president may or may not be coming up to par, we get offended and think that we are rising up against him. This is scarily reminiscent of how happy we were one year ago today during the inauguration, wearing our Obama clothes, dancing happily in the streets and packing DC to celebrate. Did Obama have a positive influence on us as a people? Well some of us I am afraid to say. How can we be so proud of one of our own becoming president but then return home and still do the negative things that shed such an ugly light on our community. Why can't we come together? Every other minority group, no matter what rallies around each other in good and bad, however we rallied, prayed and did all we could to get Obama in office and we STILL look like BET on some levels. Maybe I just figured out why Obama stayed neutral on What do you intend to do for the black community?" He can only do so much for us as a people, we have to come together and do the rest. Class dismissed...

A Professor Quick Hit: Another edition of That's my Dude

You roooted against him hard during the Wacky Races because you knew he was going to cheat with no success. But when it was all said and done and him and Dick Dastardly had failed, you waited and finally that magic moment happened. Muttley hits you with THAT laugh! Tell me you did not get a kick out of that wheezy, evil, underhanded laugh! If you didn't, you have no soul!! That laugh has gotten me through some tough days! I tried to upload the laugh but the videos wont upload for some reason. I found them on YouTube. Go there and get a giggle or two. Thanks for the memories and that great laugh Muttley! After all these years, you still got me trippin!

The NBA: Kill ya Selves!!!

Good gracious, could this be the most embarrassing day for one sports league in recent memory? So let me see if I have these facts correct:

1. On a flight back from Phoenix to Washington D.C., Gilbert Arenas and Javarris Crittenden played a game of cards. Said card game got a little testy (something about money being bet on said game.)

2. The betting made things a bit "tense" and the two "professionals" had a bit of a squabble but squashed the beef. This occurred on or around December 19th.

3. The Wizards had the day off on Dec 20th so there was no more squabbling over card game betting.

4. However, a full 2 days after the initial beef the squabble began again with Arenas placing three guns next to Crittenden and as a "joke" he told him to select his weapon.

5. Crittenden told Arenas that he had a gun. (Read: I'm gonna pop one smooth off in you!)

And now Gilbert Arenas is suspended indefinitely by the NBA, he looks ridiculous for bringing unloaded handguns to the Verizon Center (still in DC correct, where mofos get shot on the regular) to hide them away from his kids. I guess Arenas didn't read up on the 2005 NBA collective barganing agreement which states: NBA players are subject to discipline if they bring guns to the arena or practice facility, or even an offsite promotional appearance.

What???? How did you miss that?? Let me refresh my memory, you went to Arizona correct? They stopped teaching reading and interpretation skills when you got there. Damn, I am tired of grown, so called professional athletes resorting to the thug mentality to deal with their problems. I remain a basketball fan but sometimes the NBA pisses me off. Arenas is a veteran and that may not be a valid excuse (See Allen Iverson) YOU SHOULD KNOW BETTER. Unfortunately, I would expect that thug BS from these younger players who go to college for a year or hell come right from HS to the NBA to act like they are working a drive-by after the game but Arenas? Maybe I should not be surprised at all, I guess this is the new NBA. Maybe the commish needs more in the collective bargaining agreement to deal with the increased buffoonery.

While we are on the subject of buffoonery, a former NBA player who escaped major trouble is back in the news. Jayson Williams was booked on a DWI as he laid in Bellevue Hospital in New York. Williams ran off the road and hit a tree and suffered minor injuries. Why can't these dudes stay out of the negative limelight when they are already under major scrutiny? I don't know what else could have gone wrong for the NBA today? Dennis Rodman gets a dating show? Allen Iverson has another "practice"rant, Latrell Sprewell comes out of retirement? AHHHHHH!!!!

The NBA needs to get additional standards in place to go along with the ones that obviously no one is reading. (Delonte West) The list continues to grow!!!! NBA...KILL YA SELVES!!!!!

The obligatory Tiger Woods blog

I was really, really, really trying to avoid this. Everyone in the world is talking about this guy and now that the dust has settled a bit, what is left to be said about the world's greatest golfer and his ladies? First off, it appears that Tiger is human!! Oh no, newsflash...can we get that to ESPN's Bottomline right now! Yes people, he plays a game like an indestructible, superman. What we have found out is that his kryptonite is the booty, the same kryptonite that has brought down alot of famous men. I am not defending what he has done, he cheated on his wife and that should not be given a pass. What he realizes though is that he has made a grave mistake, is very remorseful for his actions which not only affect him, but also his children who are not old enough to know what is happening but will one day read or hear about it.

When this story first broke, I knew that many would lose all respect for him. Not only because he had such a squeaky clean image but also because he plays golf, a very exclusionary sport and a mostly white sport. Many look at golf as the last bastion of civility, self defined as a "gentlemanly game." I don't know about you, but I think there is no such thing as a civil sport nor there ever was. Mainstream sports like baseball and football have dished their dirt and continues to do so even more in this age of twitter and tell all books. The reason we know more about other sports like Tennis and Golf is because of how they have crept onto our radar and their names are as familiar to us as the heroes of the past in more well known sports. Andre Agassi in his autobiography told about drug abuse while he played pro tennis. Drug abuse in pro tennis? I can see the outrage of many who either are in disbelief or are mad that he told. If all of this is going on in Tennis, why should golf be any different? These are men playing a game and are being held to a gentlemen's standard that probably died off in the 60's. Tiger has the pressure of being the best in his sport, being black in his sport and dealing with scrutiny of being married to a white woman, a woman who was the nanny to a tour competitor (more about him in a minute). So I suspect at this point, the whole house of cards has come crashing down around him as his reputation takes a gigantic blow, he has in the eyes of some has smashed the civility and pureness of the game and has put himself on the list of brothas who while married to a white woman just couldn't keep it in his pants.

I agree that he owes no explanation to any of us. He has enough problems that he has to address and wounds at home to heal. If he wants to tell what he feels is important, then so be it. I feel like what has happened is between him and his wife. The other women in all of this are your worse type of groupie, you got him, he gave you some "Buy you some shit and shut up money" but you still want to tell it all. I thought there was a code or rule book for both parties in a high finance cheating situation? Well as these women have proved, there is no honor among jumpoffs!

Jesper Parnevik, the golfer whom Tiger's wife Elin worked for when he met her publicly ripped him a few days post incident. Parnevik stated he wished he had never introduced them and he felt like he owed Elin an apology. That's funny, but isn't that kind of fucked up? I wonder how Tiger felt about that. If I was him, I would have to text him and say "I wish I could hear you over all my major championships and this billion dollar bank account...bitch!" Just straight hateration and that's from a fellow tour member. Just try and imagine how some of the fans feel?

When asked today on the Dan Patrick Show about Tiger's situation, Charles Barkley offered a wide range of opinions but this was the best one. Sir Charles talked about when he got his DUI not too long ago and how many people (those he knew well as well as the media) ripped him about his behavior. Barkley took note of those folks and he made sure that he ripped them or will rip them when they do something stupid. He suggested that Tiger do the same, cause you know they talking. Tiger, I would suggest putting Mr. Parnevik Number One with a bullet on that list!!

Class dismissed...

P.S., I Love You Paula Patton

I saw Precious this past weekend with my mom, aunt and my dad. After watching that movie, seeing my beloved Cavaliers get crushed again by Va Tech was uplifting. The movie wasn't too bad, just sad. I want to know more about this novel and is it based on true events or not. But what got me about the movie was the cast. For a minute I didn't recognize Ms. Blue and then it hit me...Paula Patton! My aunt looked at me during one point in the movie when she was on the screen and I must have been grinning like a horny teenager. Yeah, I am not a hater but Robin Thicke made the "I'm hatin on you list" this past weekend! Whoo wee and damn...I think I would sit through that movie again just to see her!

Excuse me, can I redeem this after I kick your ass? Hummp Day Rewind

I had something...then I go to work and damn I cant find it! I am talking about my topics for blogging today. They will return soon enough and I have sometime tonight to sit down and give a nice blog that hopefully will not be about politics...but I always say that lately in light of the election and the results. As I always say...stay tuned! So in my ongoing effort to catalog my old blogs, here is a hummp day rewind for you! It is a short one, I had a thought about something and voila!!! Enjoy!

I think we all should write our congressman and senators to create and pass a bill where as a United States citizen in addition to all of the rights inherent in citizenship, we should also be given ONE Get out of Jail Free Card. The card has stipulations, the most primary or important one being that this card cannot get you out of anything that is premeditated, it has to be a spur of the moment type thing...like when your boss finally pushes you to the edge and you just cannot deal and you just decide to go upside their head just to prove a point that you are not to be f*cked with and they were wrong for ever pushing your buttons in the first place. I mean the card works great in Monopoly, maybe it could work in real life?

Dial 'O': Change is here!

Today I arose from bed, went through my morning routine as usual. It seemed like another ordinary day, the difference is that yesterday America stood up and elected Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States and the FIRST African-American to hold that office. Honestly, I am filled with so many emotions right now that it is hard for me to express how this moment makes me feel. Naturally I am proud, proud that America despite it's past has chosen its leader based on his promise and ability to lead. I am grateful to be alive for this moment, that my parents are still here and many of those who never thought this day would ever come.

What's next? President-Elect Obama has monumental challenges and lots of promises to keep. He also bears the weight of many as he enters the highest office. How did we get here? Faith is how we got here, the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. We hoped, dreamed and prayed for this event and for this man. That should not stop today since he has been elected, it must continue from ALL of us! Together we said Yes We Can and We DID, now as our new President stated last night, the real work begins for ALL Americans, we must come together for as another great President from Illinois stated, a house divided against itself CANNOT stand!It's time to reach out and restore the hope, promise and reputation of our country. We dialed 'O' for change...get ready and stay prayed up for our new prez!

Sports Round-up

Just a quick shout out to all today! World Series starts tonight and the Devil Rays are favored to take the crown. It is good to see the Phillies back in the Fall (Winter) Classic again! Been a Phils and Orioles fan since I was a kid who sat and watched baseball for hours. I wanted to be the starting shortstop for the Phils, but a couple line drives upside the head drove me to basketball!!

Prediction: Las Vegas and most experts are taking the Rays, I am going with the Phils in 6. Let me remind you that I am only as casual observer of baseball these days so if I am wrong...go to hell!!

We are one day from the start of the college football weekend and ESPN will have a SEC/Big East match-up with Auburn visiting West Virginia. I know Rich Rodriguez is probably thinking taking the money and running to Michigan was a mistake while longtime assistant Bill Stewart who took his place at West Virginia would probably like to be an assistant again!

Prediction: SEC is the class of the conferences this year; Auburn 24 WV 7

NBA and College BB back soon. Maybe I will follow College at least a bit closer this year but we will see. As for the NBA, can the 3 amigos and the Celtics repeat? That would be sweet! Kobe Bryant should go to Europe or hell...either one is fine by me. (Expect a blog for him if he decides to act like an ass anytime soon!)

No comment on the Dallas Cowboys...just keep feeding them the rope....

I'll holla back later, have a good remaining hummp day!