Bad things happen to people when I get bored.

So....
I told this story to a few people. I figured I may as well share it here.
I hopped on AOL, just... because. This young young girl (maybe 16 or 17) sent me an Instant Message, and we chatted just long enough for me to hit her with a quick dose of self-esteem.
Sometimes... I'm nice.

About 10 minutes later... I'm contacted by a second party.
What follows is the definition of Ownage (Pwnage):

Vicious 240SX [12:31 A.M.]:  yo 
Vicious 240SX [12:31 A.M.]:  u punk sum of biach..stay away..
 POETicSlamIsBACK [12:31 A.M.]:  thank you  
Vicious 240SX [12:31 A.M.]:  alrite good.. 
Vicious 240SX [12:31 A.M.]:  don't be randomly sending shit.. 
Vicious 240SX [12:31 A.M.]:  and who da fok r u???? 
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:31 A.M.]:  Your father  
Vicious 240SX [12:32 A.M.]:  dats classic.. 
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:32 A.M.]:  Didn't your mother tell you?  
Vicious 240SX [12:32 A.M.]:  look whom eva u r..just be easy.. 
Vicious 240SX [12:32 A.M.]:  stay away from Nece1989.... 
Vicious 240SX [12:32 A.M.]:  good.. 
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:32 A.M.]:  lol  
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:32 A.M.]:  Hey... she gave me her number  
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:32 A.M.]:  I didn't ask for it 
Vicious 240SX [12:32 A.M.]:  yeah yeah yeah.. 
Vicious 240SX [12:32 A.M.]:  wut eva..homie 
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:33 A.M.]:  Is that all, sir?  
Vicious 240SX [12:34 A.M.]:  just be easy..and take ur stalker ass sumwhere else.. 
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:34 A.M.]:  hmmmm  
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:35 A.M.]:  I'm a stalker... 
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:35 A.M.]:  Yet... YOU are sending me IMs  
Vicious 240SX [12:35 A.M.]:  yeah cause ur a cock sucker.. 
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:35 A.M.]:  Admit it... you got the hots for me, huh?  
Vicious 240SX [12:35 A.M.]:  and can't get nun
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:35 A.M.]:  Did she send you my shirtless pics or something? 
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:35 A.M.]:  You got a lil stirring in the groin? 
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:35 A.M.]:  Wanted to take a chance... see if I'd holla  
Vicious 240SX [12:36 A.M.]:  haha... 
Vicious 240SX [12:37 A.M.]:  she do got a nice body tho' 2 bad u can't get nun of it.. 
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:37 A.M.]:  Is it tight for real?  
Vicious 240SX [12:38 A.M.]:  y u want her 4...answer me dis?? 
Vicious 240SX [12:38 A.M.]:  mad other gurls out in cali..and out of all of dem..u want her.. 
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:38 A.M.]:  Hey... she hollered at me  
Vicious 240SX [12:39 A.M.]:  word... 
Vicious 240SX [12:39 A.M.]:  alrite cuz.. 
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:39 A.M.]:  You need to control your woman a bit better  
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:39 A.M.]:  Now I for SURE am gonna call her  
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:39 A.M.]:  Now that I know she is that tight  
Vicious 240SX [12:40 A.M.]:  man...if u want go ahead and get it..try ur lucky... 
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:40 A.M.]:  Thanks man  
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:40 A.M.]:  I appreciate the pep talk 
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:40 A.M.]:  Maybe you can get her back when I'm done with her?  
Vicious 240SX [12:41 A.M.]:  go ahead.. 
Vicious 240SX [12:41 A.M.]:  by all means..try u luck homie.. 
Vicious 240SX [12:41 A.M.]:  i'm sure u get it.. 
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:41 A.M.]:  It's not luck  
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:41 A.M.]:  It's "game" young buck  
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:41 A.M.]:  And if you had ANY, you would be talking to her instead of me  
Vicious 240SX [12:41 A.M.]:  not even luck ur skillz r soo good..man...aw man..i'm sorry i even went at u cuz.. 
Vicious 240SX [12:41 A.M.]:  i'm sure...u can get it b4 i do.. 
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:41 A.M.]:  I forgive you  
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:42 A.M.]:  Wait  
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:42 A.M.]:  You ain't even HAD it yet????  
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:42 A.M.]:  ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOFL  
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:42 A.M.]:  LMAOOOOO  
Vicious 240SX [12:42 A.M.]:  nah cuz..i couldn't get it.. 
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:42 A.M.]:  Just so you know, I am putting this ENTIRE conversation online, son  
Vicious 240SX [12:42 A.M.]:  yeah man... 
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:42 A.M.]:  THOUSANDS of people will read this by tomorrow 
Vicious 240SX [12:42 A.M.]:  u need 2..matta a fact.. 
Vicious 240SX [12:42 A.M.]:  post it all ova.. 
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:43 A.M.]:  So I hope you don't plan to keep this AOL Identity 
Vicious 240SX [12:43 A.M.]:  of course..i will..cause u know wut.. 
Vicious 240SX [12:43 A.M.]:  da longer u talk 2 me.. 
Vicious 240SX [12:43 A.M.]:  da more info i'm getting on ur ass. 
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:44 A.M.]:  The.... sadder you get?  
Vicious 240SX [12:44 A.M.]:  i luv ur IP address. 
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:44 A.M.]:  smh  
Vicious 240SX [12:44 A.M.]:  u know dat u can track down sumwun by there IP address 
Vicious 240SX [12:44 A.M.]:  2 der exact location. 
Vicious 240SX [12:44 A.M.]:  ah man..its of da chain cuz.. 
Vicious 240SX [12:44 A.M.]:  see wut happens da longer u talk 2 me.. 
Vicious 240SX [12:44 A.M.]:  da closer i get 2 meet u.. 
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:44 A.M.]:  Tell you what....  
Vicious 240SX [12:44 A.M.]:  and den we i do meet u..and slit ya thoat.. 
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:44 A.M.]:  Just so YOU know  
Vicious 240SX [12:44 A.M.]:  i'll make sure..ppl see me post it online.. 
Vicious 240SX [12:45 A.M.]:  but u know wut..go ahead.. 
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:45 A.M.]:  I'm a fairly talented hacker in my own right  
Vicious 240SX [12:45 A.M.]:  go after it.. 
Vicious 240SX [12:45 A.M.]:  its very tempting isn't it 
Vicious 240SX [12:45 A.M.]:  very good  4 u.. 
Vicious 240SX [12:45 A.M.]:  i'm glad u r.. 
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:45 A.M.]:  So... threats are useless  
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:45 A.M.]:  We'll see who gets more info on who soonest 
 Vicious 240SX [12:46 A.M.]:  of course..good sir.. 
Vicious 240SX [12:46 A.M.]:  tata..nitey nitey..yung blood.. 
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:46 A.M.]:  As I don't have a static IP, I'm sure you already know not to trust the readings you get the first few times I log in  
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:46 A.M.]:  Good night Chris  
Vicious 240SX [12:46 A.M.]:  and by da way..i can't wait 2 meet u in person.. 
Vicious 240SX [12:46 A.M.]:  of course..oh no 
Vicious 240SX [12:46 A.M.]:  u found my nam 
Vicious 240SX [12:46 A.M.]:  ee 
Vicious 240SX [12:46 A.M.]:  aww man.. 
Vicious 240SX [12:46 A.M.]:  u r sooo good.. 
Vicious 240SX [12:46 A.M.]:  oh shoot..i have 2 have 2 change my name 
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:47 A.M.]:  You can lol all you wish, Chris  
Vicious 240SX [12:47 A.M.]:  n e way..i gues i should go in2 hidin' cause i was ashamed by ur skillz.. 
Vicious 240SX [12:47 A.M.]:  awww... 
Vicious 240SX [12:47 A.M.]:  u did it again.. 
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:47 A.M.]:  I know have all I need to know, Chris  
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:48 A.M.]:  Uh oh...... A little shook up?  
Vicious 240SX [12:48 A.M.]:  yeah ... i'm sooo scared 
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:48 A.M.]:  Afraid mom will beat your ass once she finds out that a stranger has access to her personal information?  
Vicious 240SX [12:48 A.M.]:  oh no.. 
Vicious 240SX [12:48 A.M.]:  my personal info.. 
Vicious 240SX [12:49 A.M.]:  tata.. 
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:49 A.M.]:  You do live in Highland, correct?  
Vicious 240SX [12:49 A.M.]:  how did u know 
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:50 A.M.]:  I told you son  
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:50 A.M.]:  I'm fairly skilled  
Vicious 240SX [12:50 A.M.]:  yeah u r.. 
Vicious 240SX [12:50 A.M.]:  soo skilled..dat u know my name 
Vicious 240SX [12:50 A.M.]:  and where i live 
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:50 A.M.]:  Your information is not as private as you think  
Vicious 240SX [12:50 A.M.]:  apparently not 
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:50 A.M.]:  Your method of payment... now mine  
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:51 A.M.]:  Your location  
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:51 A.M.]:  Your IP, which IS static...  
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:51 A.M.]:  hmmmm  
Vicious 240SX [12:51 A.M.]:  oh god..plz help 
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:51 A.M.]:  Now I can send you a virus at ANY time  
Vicious 240SX [12:51 A.M.]:  u know..ur soo foolish its unbelievable.. 
Vicious 240SX [12:51 A.M.]:  ur a time waster. 
Vicious 240SX [12:51 A.M.]:  get out my face homie
Vicious 240SX [12:52 A.M.]:  good bye and i'll make sure i'll see u 
Vicious 240SX [12:52 A.M.]:  in da san b. area wen i come visit u 
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:52 A.M.]:  I live about 450 miles north of there, Chris  
POETicSlamIsBACK [12:52 A.M.]:  But nice try 
Vicious 240SX signed off at 12:52 A.M.

The TRUTH About Osama bin Laden (he's dead)

Sometimes.... enough is too much.


I shouldn't think I'd have to say this, but as I read through bulletins and blogs and emails and get phone calls and attempted small talk made on different subjects... I try to not say what is usually in my head.


"You Are Retarded. Stop Talking"


In light of recent news surrounding "Osama bin Laden's" supposed new video, I now feel it is mandatory that I give you all a 2 minute lesson on the world.


Osama bin Laden is dead.


Okay?


He's not alive.


He's not hiding some place where our military "just can't find him." He's not in Tora Bora. He's not on the Pakistan border.


(He's not kickin it with Puff Daddy, or Tupac)


He's dead. And he has been dead for over 4 years.


Am I going to prove it? No. You have access to the same information as I.


However.... if you'll pay attention for just a couple more minutes (I'm sure the reality show can wait) I will make a couple of points worth noting.


Osama bin Laden always claimed responsibility for his acts.
Always. He made tapes and interviews and told WHY he was attacking this place or that.


After 9/11, the REAL Osama bin Laden made this statement:

"I was not involved in the September 11 attacks in the United States nor did I have knowledge of the attacks. There exists a government within a government within the United States. The United States should try to trace the perpetrators of these attacks within itself; to the people who want to make the present century a century of conflict between Islam and Christianity. That secret government must be asked as to who carried out the attacks. ... The American system is totally in control of the Jews, whose first priority is Israel, not the United States." (http://www.public-action.com/911/oblintrv.html)

Right?


So... the government PANICKED! I mean, anybody who's vaguely aware of current events (read: non-American) would know that there is something fishy happenin! Too bad our own Fair and Balanced news corporations decided that we didn't need to know this.


The plot thickens.... So... they begin one of many FAKE bin Laden tapes. Y'all remember this one...







"Osama" is kickin it with the homies, chattin it up about infidels, and... WHOA! We catch him confessing to the 9/11 attacks!

"Ahmed, I thought I told you to put that camera away!"

So.... the government "found" this tape in somebody's house... Can you imagine that search?
(porn, porn, porn.... hmmmm... "Al Qaeda 9/11 Wrap Party")


And the tape played on the morning news, the noon news, the nightly news, news breaks, radio, EVERYWHERE. Finally... the government had PROOF beyond the shadow of a doubt! Right?


Sike!


You forget we are dealing with white people. And not just ordinary, everyday Green Bay Packer fan, Bud Light, ham sandwich on white bread-type white folk. We're talking about "We're off to our home in the Hamptons" white.


So.... when they hired an actor to play the villian... they didn't do a very good job paying attention to detail.

They all look alike.                                          But not really.

In my search for information over the years, I remember reading a quote that really stood out for me:

When you hear a threat which is "probably" made by bin Laden, just remember that he's "probably" dead. Also think about who benefits from your believing he's alive.

Y'all can keep on going on and giving your life to your TV.
American Idol... American Idle
Top Model, Flavor of Love, Bachelor, Dancing/Skating/Eating With the Stars...
... sitting, watching other people live their dreams???


Keep sleeping. I got work to do.

I Still Got It...

Some of y'all know the story already.... Those who do not will just have to enjoy the story for what it is.

Over a late lunch.... I said to her, "Ya know.... I've got to be honest with you. I was really under the impression that you have been flirting with me since we met... I know you have a "boyfriend", but I hate to think that I would misinterpret your friendly banter...."

There was a pause.

"Well," she said. "You know I have a boyfriend."

"Oh yes I do," I replied, leaning even more comfortably into my seat.

"So... yeah, I'm sorry."

"Hmmmmm..."

"What?"

"Well.... this is what those of us in the industry call, not answering the question." I said. "I wasn't trying to make you uncomfortable or anything, and to be perfectly honest, I probably think that half the women I see on the streets are secretly in love with me."

"Yeah.... I got that impression already."

"So...." I was really letting my passive-aggressiveness kick into full gear. "I apologize if I read you wrong, ya know... It's a side effect of thinking that the sun and the earth revolve around you. My Bad."

My words, apparently had done their job.

"So.... why are you here then? If you thought I was flirting with you, " she made a face as though the thought itself was as likely as gay unicorns, "and you know I have a boyfriend."

"I'm a naturally curious person, my friend. I am intrigued by intrigue. NOT knowing frustrates me, especially when I can find out what I want to know just from opening my mouth. I found out. It's worth it to me to know."

"Oh..."

"When we met, the way we were drawn to each other... come on, you were there..."

"Yeah"

She wasn't eating any longer.
I sipped deeply of my thai iced tea.

"Aren't you seeing anyone?" she asked, accusingly.

BINGO

"Me?" I asked, innocently. "Sista, I work two jobs, for somewhere in the neighborhood of 70 hours a week."

"Oh... so you don't have time..."

"Nah.... if I was seeing somebody, I would just work less."

I soon had to excuse myself, and we parted ways... After the formal, "Yeah, we should keep in touch, okay, yeah we should, okay, you got my email address, you know where I work, blah blah blah"

I walked my way.
She walked hers.

I glanced over my shoulder, knowing what I would see...

She was watching me....

I Still Got It...

Tookie

A Friend sent me an email this evening,

"I know you aren't from the LA area, but what is your take on the Tookie Williams clemency hearing?"

Rarely at a loss for words, I wrote her this, and after review, decided to share it with all of you...

I don't live in LA, any longer. I lived there for a number of years, but I don't think residency or location has much to do with my opinion on this subject.

I am 100% against the execution of this man. Paris, the rapper, made a statement on Friday Night Vibe (Bay Area "Real" Hip Hop program, runs on Pacifica Radio). He said, and I agree:

"I fully believe in 'an eye for an eye', I really do. But I'm completely against it if only the white folk enforce it."

My personal opinion, I wouldn't care if the Brotha was found guilty of one million crimes. I wouldn't care if he had a written and videotaped confession stating in detail every crime he supposedly committed.

You and I both know the extents to which Mr White Folks will go to get what he wants. Violence, torture, threats against family... So no matter what, i would never accept a trail as "evidence" of Guilt.

So... there's that, and that's usually enough for me, but in Tookie's case- seeing the work he has done behind bars, Brotha has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize FIVE times, not to mention that we was awarded the President's Call to Service Award for OUTSTANDING service to the community.

This is a lynching. This is murder.

This is an attempt by Mr White Folks to silence a voice that is speaking with too much potential, too much power... even from behind bars. The Brotha is changing lives... inside and outside of the Pen.

White Folks want to make sure that Black Folk only recieve messages of consumerism, materialism, messages that REJECT the concept of Soul, Spirit and Community.

This is why 50 Cent has a movie and a video game....

This is why tomorrow I will stand outside of the gates of San Quentin, the very prison that my father spent almost 20 years as a Chaplain...

I will stand against this. I will fight this. For Tookie, for H Rap Brown, for Geronimo, for Assata... For my father, my mother... My blood siblings who have been battling crack and other demons. For you, for me.

They kill our leaders while Black America stares blankly at a blur of music videos and reality TV, eyes heavy from malt liquor, 'henney' and weed.

This is my "take."

Folks... if you haven't taken the 10 minutes to write a hand-written letter to the Governator, shame on you.

If you haven't taken the 10 seconds to send an email, shame on you.

If you do nothing...

I Am The Center Of The Universe

This Sista said to me tonight...
"Why you walk like that?"

"Like what?" I asked.

"You KNOW!" she said.
"Like you are really feeling yourself"

I hear it often. And I am figuring that for a so-called:

mean
judgmental
arrogant
intimidating
overwhelming
closed-minded know-it-all

I'm prety daggone approachable, these days... Must be, cuz in the last couple of weeks, I have met some really excellent Sistas.

Like... out of nowhere.

And, as anybody who knows me knows.... No matter how entranced I may be, how impressed, how enthusiatic...

I fall out of like in an instant.

Yet I digress.

I learn so much about myself from other people, and their interpretations of me. And not that I trust, nor believe them, but it does help me to understand how I am seen.

I can remember being in middle school, and asking, "Why don't girls like me?" Right?

And then around 10th-11th grade, looking myself in the mirror and asking, "Why do girls like me?"

And at some point, between then and now, I went from questioning it, to expecting it. "Why shouldn't they?"

This does tie in.... I found myself in a conversation with this Sista, just a few days ago... And less than 10 minutes after we first met eyes... We are Philosophizing.

And somehow... I end up telling her My Theory, which I likely have not shared with too many of my friends. Just because it seems obvious, to me.

Anyways... so you know how you learned in elementary school, and you learned that we live on earth, and the earth revolves around the sun, and the sun is nothing but one insignificant ball of gas in an infinite universe filled with a thousand million other suns doing the same thing?

I think this is bullshit.

("This n-word is crazy")

But it's true.

I believe that the sun revolves around the earth.

I believe that the sun revolves around me.

Jabir believes that the sun revolves around him.

I am not insignificant.

I am not minute.

I am not powerless.

I am not without purpose.

I am not without meaning.

This earth, the skies, the sun and the stars were made for ME by my GOD.

If for nothing more than my own enjoyment. To gaze and wonder.

To reflect.

To worship the God who Created all of this....

For me.

And I never realized how foreign a thought this was.

How uncommon, in my friends, my people, my family...

I never really understood that so many people think that they are part of some cosmic accident.

A Big Bang.

Emerged from a primordial soup, one step evolved from monkeys, apes and gorillas.

I never really understood this.... until this wide-eyed stranger took me by the hand, and sat me down next to her.

 And she said, "Talk to me."

I stared at her, nearly at a loss for words.

"Say things," she encouraged. "Tell me more"

I have two favorite people. Jamese and Patrice. Both dear friends of mine.

And I know I have said to both of them, from to time, "Be like me."

And this is what I was getting at.

You are EVERYTHING. You are the WORLD. GOD Created you with purpose, you are uniquely talented, gifted, intelligent, beautiful... as a woman, and as a human being.

People will always recognize that, even when you may not.

Don't get flattered when someone is caught up in your gravity. To resist would cause them great pain.

You are the sun.

No....

You are bigger, brighter... with more power... and more potential.

After all... the sun is revolving around YOU.

Nevermind

I mentioned in a previous blog, that I was going to support and endorse Kanye West after his Katrina comments, "George Bush Doesn't Care About Black People" (GBDCABP) I did as I said. I went out, bought his old album and his new one.

AFTER FURTHER REVIEW:

After listening to his albums, from end to end, I must return to my original opinion that Kanye West is one of the most annoying, overrated rhymesayers I have ever had the displeasure of listening to.

This kat has benefited from rapping in a vacuum. Hip-Hop is on life support, so of course, compared to a Paul Wall or a Lil Flip or a Nelly, this dude looks like Jesus on the mic.

But he sucks.

And I am of the opinion that Kanye West is the epitome of a Suburban Rapper. He makes rap for white folks. College kids.

And I don't care who agrees.

Most people think Al-Qaeda did 9/11, so pubic opinion is less than meaningless.

Other than that, I'm gonna see Cornel West tonight... Woo Hoo

Kanye West - My New Favorite Rapper!

So.... I started watching TV again when Katrina started moving towards Louisana.

MSNBC had a benefit concert for the American Red Cross tonight.
I tuned in as I am a major Wynton Marsalis fan (did you know I have played trumpet with that man).

So, like any benefit, they have celebrities and musicians, and they appeal directly to the audience by pre-written scripts.

Celebrities included Harry Connick Jr, John Goodman, Glenn Close, Leonardo Dicaprio, Lindsay Lohan, Eriq LaSalle.....

So.... here's what happened....

During one segment, Mike Myers and Kanye West appear for their part.
Mike does his line about how devastating the hurricane was, how deep the waters are....

And then Kanye... If you are watching, you see he is nervous, jittery. He begins speaking a bit too passionately, too excited.  Too fast. And in about 10 seconds.... we realize that this man is not going by the script.

He said, "When you see BLACK PEOPLE, they're looting or stealing, but when it's white people, they are FINDING" (see previous blog)

"You gave them orders to shoot to KILL people who look like me!"

and a line which you know is completely, 100% sincere from the way he is saying it... "I have to talk to my business manager to find out the most that I can give"

The look on Mike Myers' face is unreal... He's trying to stay professional, he's even nodding nervously. Mike then does his next line, "blah blah blah help now"

Back to Kanye.... who says:

"George Bush doesn't care about Black People!"

They cut away from him REAAAAL quick on that, the camera cuts away to Chris Tucker, grinning nervously.


What is so amazing and remarkable about this is this.....

Kanye just released an album, this week right?

He's slated to do Good Morning America, Today, TRL, Tonight Show, etc, all in efforts to promote his album.
The Brotha just jeopardized his entire career in order to make a political statement. Therein lies Integrity. And Passion.

I've only listened to 3 or 4 of his songs in life. I am going out right now to buy his 2 albums. I probably will never open them.

But watch in the next few days to see if this is something that is picked up on. And watch to see how many of these spineless, interchangeable so-called Rappers either move to embrace his actions or condemn them.

You heard it here first.

Bush + FEMA = ?

January 2001: Bush appoints Joe Allbaugh, a crony from Texas, as head of FEMA. Allbaugh has no previous experience in disaster management.

April 2001: Budget Director Mitch Daniels announces the Bush administration's goal of privatizing much of FEMA's work. In May, Allbaugh confirms that FEMA will be downsized: "Many are concerned that federal disaster assistance may have evolved into both an oversized entitlement  program...." he said. "Expectations of when the federal government should be involved and the degree of involvement may have ballooned beyond what is an appropriate level."

2001: FEMA designates a major hurricane hitting New Orleans as one of the three "likeliest, most catastrophic disasters facing this country."

December 2002: After less than two years at FEMA, Allbaugh announces he is leaving to start up a consulting firm that advises companies seeking to do business in Iraq. He is succeeded by his deputy, Michael Brown, who, like Allbaugh, has no previous experience in disaster management.

March 2003: FEMA is downgraded from a cabinet level position and folded into the Department of Homeland Security. Its mission is refocused on fighting acts of terrorism.

Spring 2003: Under its new organization chart within DHS, FEMA's preparation and planning functions are reassigned to a new Office of Preparedness and Response. FEMA will henceforth focus only on response and recovery.

Summer 2004: FEMA denies Louisiana's pre-disaster mitigation funding requests. Says Jefferson Parish flood zone manager Tom Rodrigue: "You would think we would get maximum consideration.... This is what the grant program called for. We were more than qualified for it."

June 2004: The Army Corps of Engineers budget for levee construction in New Orleans is slashed. Jefferson Parish emergency management chief Walter Maestri comments: "It appears that the money has been moved in the president's budget to handle homeland security and the war in Iraq, and I suppose that's the price we pay."

June 2005: Funding for the New Orleans district of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is cut by a record $71.2 million. One of the hardest-hit areas is the Southeast Louisiana Urban Flood Control Project, which was created after the May 1995 flood to improve drainage in Jefferson, Orleans and St. Tammany parishes.

August 2005: While New Orleans is undergoing a slow motion catastrophe, Bush mugs for the cameras, cuts a cake for John McCain, plays the guitar for Mark Wills, delivers an address about V-J day, and continues
with his vacation. When he finally gets around to acknowledging the scope of  the unfolding disaster, he delivers only a photo op on Air Force One and a flat, defensive, laundry list speech in the Rose Garden.

White People

First off.... I know many of you, my so-called Black Friends ABSOLUTELY LOVE white people. Are elated to see a new white "soul" singer, feel kindred to the "fly" white guy who listens to Lil John and watches Chappelle's Show.

The one who says, "I'm Rick James, bitch!" like it's new.

Or funny.

Fortunately.... we're not talking about them today....



I haven't watched TV since March... but I have found myself absolutely glued to the progress of Hurricane Katrina, Killer Katrina...
Not so much in Florida, no offense...

But when it first started heading to New Orleans. A city so rich with culture, so full of sin. A gumbo of cultures, overwhelming with violence, and poverty.

The images have been hard on my heart, and I think hard for many of us to just.... watch.

Harder still, it has been for me to witness the blatant racism in the coverage of this terrible tragedy.

Overwhelmingly; white people... are the victims. They are shown as stoic survivors, family oriented, their tales of survival deserving of empathy.

Overwhelmingly... Black Folk are shown as something else.

I refuse to prove this point to you.


The looting has become a popular image. 2 minutes of tape looped into a continuous image, showing those dark savages, STEALING! How dare they???

The poorest of the poor they are. Even without the addition of a natural disaster, these are people who are living in conditions that many, most of us could not even begin to fathom. Yes... in "America"

We are expected to all together come to a consensus. We are to be outraged. To condemn these savage darkies, these primative beasts who wander lawlessly in packs, stealing! Any of those "just left of far-right wing" anchors on "America's News Network" asking, "Isn't THIS the worst thing you have ever seen?"

"What can we do? Can we shoot them?" is the general tone.

And this is , of course.... because white people do not steal.

From Slavery onward, a standard was established.. You will never ever ever hear of Slavery being referred to as the "stealing" of 30 million Africans forcibly.

White people don't steal.

They FIND.

If you don't believe me.... Let the man tell you for himself.
Read his own captions.

Stealing

Finding


One picture becomes a story of survival... another, of lechery.


So.... just remember...

Paris Hilton thinks you are a "stupid nigger"

And the rest of them do, too.