MR. NOFACE'S SHRUG LIFE

Final Post

2011-07-11T12:10:00.004-04:00

Alas, I have found that with other interests and obligations, I have not had time to update this blog. It is likely that I will not have time to do so for the foreseeable future. This being the case, I have decided to cease all operations on this blog. I had a great time on here sharing my thoughts on this blog and reading the blogs of others. It has been a fun ride.

-Noface

P.S. I can still be contacted through twitter @mrnoface

Positive Awesomeness: Black Muppet Hair!

2010-10-17T10:40:00.001-04:00

I'm gonna leave this little piece of positive awesomeness right here...

Have a wonderful Sunday morning!

-Noface

WAR IS HELL!

2010-09-28T11:36:00.006-04:00

The following story reminds me of the Vietnam war movies "Platoon" and "Casualties of War" with a little splash of the recent Iraq war movie "In the Valley of Elah." The only difference is that this is real. People tend to forget what enduring war zones does to soldiers and civilians. Here is a reminder...

I will only say this, war is never JUST and is rarely ever necessary.

-Noface

RACIST BULLSHIT!

2010-09-20T18:52:00.012-04:00

You know how on those cable news shows, when there is a panel of pundits discussing a certain topic, and one of the pundits says something racist without any acknowledgement of that fact from the others on the panel? Yeah, well that doesn't happen this time.

OOOOOOOH BURN!!! Republican strategist Jack Burkman get's called out not once, but twice for his racist comments during the discussion about the "uselessness" of the United States Postal Service. A white female Lawyer, Tamara Holder, and an older white male, former Republican Senator Alfonse D'Amato, both correctly identified Mr. Burkman's comments for what they truly were. The fact is that Burkman's comments, to quote Mr. D'Amato, were "Racist Bullshit!".

I've never seen racism (the subtle kind) called out on television like this before (with such forcefulness and clarity). The cherry on top for me is the fact that it is an old white guy that does the calling out in the most forceful tones. This gives me hope that when it comes to dealing with racism in America, there may be some hope for us after all (that's a huge may be).

-Noface

Little White Lies.

2010-09-16T22:56:00.005-04:00

Remember this girl? Her name is Bethany Storro. She is the young woman whose face was burnt as a result of an acid attack. She claimed that a twenty something black woman with her hair tied in a pony tail was the one who threw acid at her face after saying "Hey pretty girl, do you want to drink this?"

These turn of events of course, drummed up a lot of sympathy for Bethany (she even was was to be interviewed by Oprah). That is until folks started to find some inconsistencies with her story. People started asking questions and she would suddenly be unreachable for comment (she even cancelled on Oprah). It turns out that Ms. Storro's story was inconstant because it wasn't true.

That's right folks, she made the whole thing up and like the backwards "B" chick she mutilated her own face and blamed it on a black person. *Sigh* Why is a black person always the assailant chosen when it comes to white women making up crimes against committed them? Why does it seem natural for people to assume that all black people are violent criminals waiting for an opportunity to attack white people? These are rhetorical questions, I already have my answers. I know how race in America works and I also know that things probably won't change significantly, any time soon. I just wish that situations where a white woman (because it is usually a white woman making these accusations) is caught in her lie, would be a lesson to America spurring us to have a more critical eye focused on these kinds of accusations. I'm a realist however, and I fully prepared for this, like a ninth page retraction to a front page declaration, to not even make a dent (the damage already being done).

-Noface

Photo courtesy of Associated Press

LET'S HAVE A TOAST...

2010-09-13T09:55:00.005-04:00

Let's have a toast for all the assholes and all the barefoot white girls that want to milk any sympathy that those assholes generated for them, until the last drop. I mean, it was an awards show stunt. These sort of things happen all the time. You didn't see puffy making subliminal references to ODB at the American Music Awards a year after Dirt McGirt stormed the stage during Diddy's acceptance speech to inform the audience that "Wu Tang is for the kids!" Yeah Ye was a jackass for doing it, but he did it and Swift still got her chance to finish her speech (thanks to Beyonce). In the words of Lord Voldemort (via twitter) "Dear Taylor Swift. He stole your microphone. It's been a year. Get over it. It's not like he broke up with you on the phone or something..."

-Noface

Poetry Session #5

2010-09-11T10:59:00.012-04:00

I REMEMBER

I remember when I was in undergrad on a typical day that went bad. It was still morning and I was checking my e-mail in the computer lab.

I remember the chain e-mail around ten in the a.m stating there has been been a plane hijacking and there were hostages, so please pray for them.

I remember heading to my first class an hour later and being one of only five people there. The professor didn't even show up, something wrong was going on and we were not aware.

I remember a classmate walked in suggest that class was cancelled as a matter of course. She said that everyone was to stunned by the attacks in New York.

I remember rushing home to my dorm wondering what could have possible occurred to upset the norm.

I remember getting home to see my roommate glued to the T.V. The events on the box were so intense that he didn't even see me.

I remember one- no two planes hit one- no two buildings. I felt a rush of emotions but was too numb to be in touch with my feelings.

I remember it was like watching a movie with a familiar plot and then to our collective horror and shock the buildings dropped. All those citizens, firefighters, and cops. It was like time stopped.

I remember the screams, the tears, the dust, the bodies, the blood, and the fears. I knew this day have aftershocks that would knock us around for years.

I remember predicting how things were going to go about from here on out. This country would be determined to inflict and endure anything in order to regain its clout.

I remember when the culprits were being named. Foreign, Muslim, and brown was enough to get patriotic hearts inflamed. Nothing would ever be the same.

I remember my roommate and I likening these events to “The Siege”, but this time there was no Denzel Washington to help when the rights of a minority would be aggrieved. At that moment I thought about American born Japanese.

I remember being assured that we would be going to war in order to payback these attacks with devastation multiplied by four. But I didn't fully appreciate what was really in store for our young men and women doing tours.

I remember in the face of such pain no soothing words would avail. We would follow a path of force ans stay the course. Cooler heads would not prevail.

I remember the fury of the debates. I remember the consensus to go on the offensive and the hate for those few who said, “Wait!”

I remember the mistakes that were taken for granted, because granted, emotions were still raw. In seemingly quick succession there was a nearly unified expression, followed by projections, faulty connections, threats, and finally "Shock and Awe!"

I remember not truly the widespread and long lasting devastation that one day could cause. I remember us holding to flags and buzz words instead of addressing our flaws.

I remember lost freedoms, renditions, water boarding, terror alerts, two wars, and the rampant Islamophobia being troubling to me. Even in the era of Obama I remember that Osama is out there somewhere still hiding, still plotting, and still free.

-Noface

Restoring The White Dream!

2010-08-31T13:16:00.008-04:00

It's a stupid question, but...ummm...where are all the black/brown/tan/yellow/red people? Ok, ok...how about an even dumber question? Where are all the smart people?

"OMG!" at the dude that was talking about how he knew how the "Indians" felt now, when asked about illegal immigration. That comment alone was worthy of a straight face followed by an extreme side eye followed by a double face palm. I can't with these people and it's too early in the week for me to have to.

-Noface

P.S Here is a clip of Glenn Beck calling President Obama a racist...

Yeah...he went there!

Colbert Interviews Ingraham!

2010-08-08T22:40:00.008-04:00

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Laura Ingraham

www.colbertnation.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

2010 Election

Fox News

Yeah, the interview was funny and all, but I kept getting the feeling that there was a deeper meaning behind all of Steven's jokes. I don't know, perhaps I was reading too much into it and seeing (or hearing) things that weren't there. At any rate, I think I'm going to buy that book. From the way that Steven describes it, that book must be hilarious. heh! (:-P]

-Noface

I MISS THE OLD HOLLYWOOD!

2010-07-13T19:33:00.010-04:00

I miss the days when we didn't know about horrible, racist, misogynistic, sexist, and down right horrible aspects of these Hollywood actors/actresses' lives. Back then it was about selling an image (on and off screen) and everyone was in on it (studios, public relations firms, and even the media). Sure, these days Hollywood is still trying to sell that image, but it seems that everyone is no longer on the same page. These days it seems that we get to know every dirty nasty detail of the lives of our favorite celebrities which totally kills the fantasy (the only thing that Hollywood has to really offer).

Take Mel Gibson for example:

I didn't want to know that the Mad Max hates roving "packs of niggers" looking for white women who "deserve" to be raped...

I didn't want to know that Nick Marshall(the guy that's supposed to know "What Women Want") likes to beat on his woman, while she is holding their child...

I didn't want to know that William Wallace hates "wetback" babysitters and doesn't want them looking after his child...

...But now I do know, so do you (if this your first time hearing this filth, I'm sorry about that, really). What am I supposed to do with this guy (I mean as an actor/director/producer)? How can suspend disbelief with any of his past and future movies? Listen I've always suspected that Mr. Gibson had several predjudices, but I was able to enjoy his movies because the image of good guy Mel was not completely shattered

Uncle Mel isn't the only entertainer whom I found out too much about, thus ruining any enjoyment I could've had from their work (Roman Polanski, John Mayer, Robert Kelly, etc). I don't want the real person, I just want the image. I miss the old Hollywood.

-Noface

Murder Or Manslaughter? A Question Of Malice.

2010-07-08T23:59:00.004-04:00

According to California Penal Code 192 (b); Involuntary Manslaughter, which is the least serious charge of manslaughter, applies when the killing occurs; 1) in the commission of an unlawful act, not amounting to a felony, OR 2) by way of a lawful though dangerous act, that is done in an unlawful manner or without due caution or circumspection.

According to California Penal Code 187; Murder (Second Degree) is defined as causing the death of another person with malice aforethought. To be convicted of murder it must be proven that: 1) the defendant committed an act that caused the death of another person; and 2) When the defendant acted, he had a state of mind called malice aforethought; and 3) He killed without lawful excuse or justification.

There are two kinds of malice aforethought; express malice and implied malice. A defendant acts with express malice if he unlawfully intends to kill. A defendant acts with implied malice if; 1) He intentionally commits an act; 2) the natural consequences of the act are dangerous to human life; 3) at the time he acts, he knows his act is dangerous to human life; and 4) he deliberately acts with conscious disregard for human life.

Malice aforethought does not require hatred or ill will toward the victim. It is a mental state that must be formed before the act that causes death is committed. It does not require deliberation or the passage of any particular period of time.

Personally, I feel that when you pull out a gun (that has a totally different weight, shape, and feel from a taser) and point it down at a subdued unarmed man's chest area and discharge your weapon (resulting in the death of said individual); you satisfy the elements of malice aforethought (express or implied). If you satisfy the elements of malice aforethought then you satisfy all the elements of murder. Thus the conviction of involuntary manslaughter is totally blowing my mind right now.

I guess I shouldn't be too surprised though. This was an LA jury that we're talking about here. You know, the same pool that produced the people who acquitted OJ (he did it folks...he did it) and those cops that beat Rodney King nearly half to death (that one was taped as well). This is the same pool that has failed to convict a police officer of murder since 1983. So I guess I'm really not surprised, but I'm still a little upset and saddened by this news. It is 2010 and this is the best we can (currently) hope for in terms of justice.

What is really sad is that given the history of these kinds of incidents (the culprits getting off "scott free", this recent conviction can be seen as progress. So until police protection extends to all members of American society, for young black males (and even younger black females)when encountering the police or any law enforcement authority in possession of a deadly weapon, the protocol remains the same...SURVIVE!

-Noface

Racebending, White Washing, and Films Sucking

2010-07-01T09:52:00.007-04:00

If you're not going to a little thing like the race of your main characters right, why would one expect you to get things like plot, characterization, coherent storytelling, etc...

(So you're worried about casting Asians in your films because you're afraid that it will hurt the overall appeal of your film, huh?)

The Last Airbender

TOMATOMETER: 08% (rotten)

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

TOMATOMETER: 37% (rotten)

Dragonball: Evolution

TOMATOMETER: 27% (rotten)

mean while...

UP

TOMATOMETER: 98% (certified fresh)

(That is interesting, isn't it?)

-Noface

All The Wrong Moves

2010-05-31T10:57:00.005-04:00

I'm interested in seeing how the American media (specifically the big three cable news channels) will spin this story. So far there is very little coverage on the story coming from the US news organizations (Thank God for social media), but when they are finally forced to cover what happened on international waters, I wonder how the story will be framed. I must admit that I do not have any high hopes for any hard hitting journalism coming from the likes of Fox News, MSNBC, and CNN in regards to this situation (it's just not how the main stream news media works these days).

Israel has shown again and again, that it will do whatever it's going to do (right or wrong) despite (or perhaps because of) its friendship with the United States. For the longest time we have been complicit in these human rights abuses perpetrated by Israel. The same type of abuses that we would condemn had they been perpetrated by certain other countries in that region. I am well aware of America's special relationship with Israel, but that relationship should not give the government of that country carte blanche to engage in these types of activities. If we do or say nothing to our "best friend" we run the risk of (further?)losing credibility with the international community when comes to our charges of human rights abuses perpetrated by "rogue states". We can't keep picking and choosing which actions are justified and which are reprehensible based on the individuals (or states) engaging in them, because as with all things, our actions (or inaction) will come back upon us in humiliating and perhaps devastating ways.

It's time that we be a real friend to Israelis making it known to them and the world that they are in the wrong and they need to change course before the hole that they're digging gets to deep for them to get (or be pulled) out of.

-Noface

WHY???

2010-05-18T11:09:00.005-04:00

Because there really are two Americas within these United States.
Because one of those Americas is really a third world country.
Because the citizens of third world America don't matter to those in first world America (it's doubtful that they truly ever did).
Because life is cheap in the hood and...well, life is just cheap in the hood.
Because "black" is truly the bottom rung in our society and if something bad happens to "black"...oh well.
Because the law is meant to protect the innocent in theory, but really ends up preying on (some of them) in practice.
Because the police officers were just doing their jobs (the description of which changes depending on the type of people being dealt with).
Because it appears that Reality TV drives people to do more and more outrageous things in order to "keep it real" (i.e entertaining).
Because even if an event is caught on tape, there is no guarantee that justice will be served.
Because WE are not outraged enough to do something drastic every time something like this happens.
Because justice has failed us because we have failed ourselves.
Because sometimes, life simply is not fair.

Rest in Peace Aiyana Jones

-Noface

White House Corespondent's Dinner

2010-05-04T00:12:00.002-04:00

What the hell was Leno doing up there? Next year they should get Conan (I'm with Coco).

-Noface

MOMENT OF TRUTH!

2010-04-20T09:59:00.002-04:00

Rest In Peace Keith Elam aka Guru...

-Noface

A WINDOW SEAT

2010-03-29T19:44:00.006-04:00

Update: Since the original video was removed from Youtube you can watch the video here.

WOW! I watched this video several times matching the lyrics and general mode of the song to the visuals being displayed in the video, in order to get what I think is the overall message Ms. Badu is trying to convey. I admit it it took me several views because I kept getting distracted by eye candy that is Badu's female form (I'm not as deep all the time as some would think/hope that I am). When I finally figured out what I think she was trying to say, I found that it was quite insightful and keeping with her provocative style.

I'm not going to pick apart the different aspects of this video (and their meaning) in this post though. I would much rather have others watch it and express what they got from it (well see if our thoughts match up).

-Noface

Jon Stewart As Glenn Beck As A Crazy Nut Job!

2010-03-19T20:56:00.011-04:00

Every now and then I am reminded how important satire is to the addressing of the serious problems (and those in the midst of them) happening in this country and around the world.

If the embedded clip is not working check out the insanity via this link

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Conservative Libertarian

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show
Full Episodes

Political Humor

Health Care Reform

Mr. Beck's act is no longer amusing. I apparently gave a majority of Americans too much credit, when I said that they would be able to see through Beck's tomfoolery. Thankfully folks like Jon Stewart are around to paint a more vivid picture of the nonsense that is the Glenn Beck Show and hot mess that is going on at Fox News.

-Noface

Maybe Government IS Broken!

2010-03-01T23:29:00.003-05:00

Lone Senator Jim Bunning(R-Kentucky), single handedly stops the passage of a jobs bill, because...well I'll let him explain it.

I echo the thought expressed by Harry Reid. Where were Bunning's objections when there were two wars that were largely unpaid for (among other things)going on under the Bush Administration. At some point, our elected officials in Washington DC must ask the question, "If this is where we are, where the hell are we going?"

What Should Tiger Say?

2010-02-18T20:53:00.004-05:00

"MIND YO' BIDNESS!"

That's what I would say. That's all that needs to be said (despite the righteous indignation of the masses). Young Eldric Woods owes us nothing but to offer us a piece of some awesome golf, every time he steps on the green. he's not Bill Clinton trying to save his political career, he's not Chris Brown trying to save his musical career, hell he's not even David Letterman trying to protect his television career. He's freaking Tiger Woods! He's still gonna win championships and people will still be buying his sh*t. That's how it is with sports stars (ask Kobe if you don't believe me).

In fact the whole press conference thing will really be a waste of lung power, when he should really just let his golf swing do the talking for him. The very idea that he owes any kind of apology or explanation to anyone besides his wife and kids, is ridiculous (and infuriating).

-Noface

...Soooooo Retarded!

2010-02-09T12:19:00.005-05:00

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Sarah Palin Uses a Hand-O-Prompter

www.colbertnation.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

Political Humor

Economy

No disrespect to mentally handicapped, but Sarah Palin has been acting like a full on retard these past few days(some would argue for the past year and a half).

-Noface

Pat Robertson To Haiti: This Is All Your Fault!

2010-01-13T20:10:00.005-05:00

Once again, in an effort to be "That Guy" (in terms of inappropriate comments) Pat Robertson weighs in on the tragic events in Haiti...

C'mon Son...

I will only respond to Pat Robertson's statements, by quoting a passage from the an authority that he claims to recognize containing the words of a man that he claims to represent:

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. “Go,” he told him, “wash in the pool of Siloam” (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

- John 9:1-6

*emphasis mine

My suggestion to Mr. Robertson would be to focus on helping the people of Haiti in their time of need (like Jesus tells us to do), instead of offering up bogus reasons for why this catastrophe has occurred in this small island nation (which he has a habit of doing every time there is a disaster anywhere). Yeah, I think that would be more helpful than trying to place blame on the very same people for whom you are asking for donations to provide aid.

Just sayin...

-Noface

P.S For those that want to help the people of Haiti, check these sites out to find out how...
Red Cross
Americares
Care
Direct Relief International
Doctors Without Borders
Yele

OMG!! I AGREE WITH GLENN BECK! WTF??

2010-01-07T18:53:00.006-05:00

Is it bad that I agree with Mr. Beck on this particular issue? I don't think so. Like they say, "even a broken clock is right twice a day" and even a drug dependent right-of-center wing nut (or at least he plays one on TV) can come up with a lucid and logical thought, every once in a while.

No other Politically Correct term has privately irked me more than "African-American"!

-Noface

RACIAL ROLE REVERSAL!

2009-12-20T12:11:00.002-05:00

Walk in another man's shoes
You can try wearing his skin
Look through that man's eyes
You can start by looking in
When you get to know yourself
It will be like knowing him

-Noface

Let It All Out!

2009-12-01T11:51:00.005-05:00

I honestly feel about some people in the blogosphere, the same way Quagmire feels about Brian. I usually keep my thoughts to myself when it comes to my opinion of someones character on the internet, but sometimes you've got to let it all out and tell 'em how you really feel. So, instead of writing a long rant about my contempt for all the pretentious D-bags and their self important blogs, I'll let Quagmire tell it. LOL

-Noface

Disclaimer I am of course not talking about every blogger on the internet (especially those whom I follow or those who follow me), just those who are so wrapped up in their preeminence on the internet.

As Secure As The President Of The United States?

2009-12-01T10:37:00.005-05:00

I see the above picture (after knowing the story behind it) and can't help but wonder how safe is the First Black President of the United States really is. I mean, come on! With all the threats on this mans life, these "uninvited guests" just walked in like they were supposed to be there and the secret service just let them do it. It is simply disgraceful. I just don't want there to be a day when people will look back on this incident and see it as a sign of a failure in security that ultimately led to our President being harmed (or worse). WHITE HOUSE SECURITY DETAIL...YOU NEED TO DO BETTER!

-Noface
Photo Courtesy of the Associated Press

MULLIGANS?

2009-11-30T21:41:00.005-05:00

First off, let me just say that I don't care. What happen with Tiger Woods, his wife, and his SUV is completely his business. If the police are OK with his unavailability to talk with him, then I have no problems either. Whether it was a genuine automobile collision or the end result of a domestic dispute, it still is and should be a private matter. I’m only writing about this to talk about the right and wrong ways to conduct damage control if one is a celebrity in the midst of controversy or scandal.

That said, if Tiger is going to make up a story about why he crashed his vehicle into a fire hydrant and then a tree at two in the AM (with out even a drop of alcohol or drugs in his system at the time) surely he could come up with a better one than the original one he offered the police. Tiger, you are a celebrity and that means that your privacy is not going to be respected 9 times out of 10 (especially if the MSM and the gossip blogs smell a good story). So, if something happens to you that would pique the interest of the masses, it is best to be truthful about what happened and politely ask that everyone respect your privacy (not saying that it well happen, but you may have a better chance). Being disingenuous at the outset will only invite more “flies to the guano” as it were. Just saying…

-Noface

P.S. If the domestic violence rumors are true, then Elin Woods is proof that no matter what race a woman is, it highly likely that she will go ape sh*# on you if she thinks you’re cheating on her.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Polanski: Fame And Justice

2009-09-28T10:52:00.009-04:00

As I'm sure many of you already know, Roman Polanski was arrested this weekend in Switzerland and is to be extradited to the United States after being on the run abroad for over 30 years. For those of you who don't even know who Roman Polanski is, he is the famous director of films like "Rosemary's Baby" and "China Town" who plead guilty to unlawful sex with a minor (the details of which are much more disturbing than the euphemistic legal term implies) and then promptly fled the country to escape sentencing. He was living abroad for the past 30 years (still making movies and getting awards).

This goes to show that no matter how famous or talented one is, he/she is not above the universal truth that you reap what you sow. It may take a long time for you to catch that boomerang, but trust that it will happen (just ask Orenthal James). So folks like R. Kelly (you know it was you in that video) and Robert Blake shouldn't get to comfortable, because it will soon be harvest time.

Now there are some people in the media that are questioning whether the arrest of Polanski was fair, just, correct, or just plain nice (it’s not like he did something really bad like…dog fighting or something). My only response to Polanski supporters comes in the form of a question: What if it were your daughter that he drugged and raped over 30 years ago?

If and when Polanski get’s extradited to back to the United States to face the music, justice will have been finally served in my humble opinion.

-Noface

I WAS...BOOOOOOOOORN IN THE U-S-AAAAAAAAAAAAA!

2009-07-23T15:18:00.005-04:00

Some topics are just too ridiculous for me to even address directly. That's why it's good to know that a man like Jon Stewart is around to take on this type of tom foolery and the buffoons who endorse it.

I give you Jon Stewart on the Birther Movemnent:

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

The Born Identity

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show
Full Episodes

Political Humor

Joke of the Day

"I don't want a nigger as my President!" is a statement that is less disingenuous and less stupid than "He's not a native born American citizen so he is not legally the President of the United States!" Just saying...

-Noface

Black Is What The Cops Recognize As A Threat!

2009-07-20T20:21:00.005-04:00

What does it mean to be black? Recently, the fellow UBJ sought to stir discussion on this very question on his blog. My response to this question was that black was not a color but a state of mind (or rather a state of being) that people of my “race” are constantly in (especially in America). I believe Dubois called it the double consciousness. This state of mind is a result of how one views himself combined with how others viewed him in a mixture which can seem like a poisonous tonic at times.

I have found that in America, how one is viewed tends to hold more weight than how that person views himself. This is especially true when we are talking about how those in the dominant culture are wont to classify those in the minority culture. A prime example of this is racial profiling perpetrated by the police against the black man. If you are ever wondering about your racial make up just run afoul of some cops with racist tendencies. You’ll be sure to find out definitively.

Case in point: This article shows that yet again in this “post-racial” America, it is the police that will let you know if you’re black or not. No matter what level of education and notoriety you have, if you are a black man in a well to do neighborhood or in a well to do car (or in both), you are likely to get harassed by authorities because you fit “the description”. If Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. can be seen and treated like a potential threat, Pookie from across the way has NO CHANCE!

This part really got me…

Friends of Gates said he was already in his home when police arrived. He showed his driver’s license and Harvard identification card, but was handcuffed and taken into police custody for several hours last Thursday, they said.

Maybe next time he’ll have a card showing his DNA admixture results, which detail that he actually has more European admixture than African admixture. I’m sure that will clear up any confusion. Pffffft

-Noface

Childhood, Icons, And Death!

2009-06-26T00:40:00.009-04:00

Ed McMahon
03/06/1923-06/23/2009

Farrah Fawcett
02/02/1947-06/25/2009

...and this guy...

Michael Jackson
08/29/1958-06/25/2009

All we have now is the memories. Rest In Peace!

-Noface

The Iranian Dream Deferred: Looks Like It Exploded...

2009-06-20T19:35:00.007-04:00

...And the fires it produced all over Iran (both politically and literally) will be difficult to put out for quite sometime.

Friday, June 19: Ayatollah Khamenei put his legitimacy on the line; by calling for an end to the wide spread protests in Iran, warning that failure to obey this order would result in dire consequences.

Saturday, June 20: The People of Iran called the "supreme" leader's bluff and the rest, as they say, is history (or soon will be). As I am typing this, the protests are still going on despite the government crackdown, the violence, and the deaths.

Things went the way of Tiananmen Square (as I new it would), but this is not the end. These protests (with all the violence involved) could be the seeds of a second Iranian Revolution 30 years after the first.

There are many images and videos being shared via social networking sites such as Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter (who says that it's just a stupid fad?!?), but one in particular that I want to leave with you is this...

*Disclaimer: This video is graphic and may be inappropriate for some viewers*

Her Name Was Neda (means "Voice" or "Call" in Farsi)!

She is quickly becoming to the movement in Iran, what Rosa Parks was for the Civil Right's Movement (perhaps it is even greater than that)! Her death is proof that all this unrest was never about the movemnent...it is about the people moving!

Rest In Peace Neda Agha-Soltan

-Noface

What A Difference An Election Day Makes

2009-06-13T20:43:00.005-04:00

Days leading up to the presidential elections were held in Iran...

...and after the elections, with Ahmadinejad (apparently) winning with about 62% of the vote...

This election was supposed to be about change (mirroring the recent historic national elections held in one of Iran's great enemies. The result, however were just as I feared, more of the same. If reports ring true then many an Iranian feels cheated and dejected while many more (perhaps) feel outraged. This I assume, is not the same that many in America had when Bush won his second term defeating Kerry. Nor do I believe it is the same feeling that many of us would have felt if McCain had one the 2008 election. No, we would probably get close to the disillusionment with our government that I am sure quite a few Iranians feel, If Obama had ran his 2008 campaign against Bush in 2004, and lost by a wide margin. That's the level of funk that I believe many citizens of Iran are feeling right now, which is why many took to the streets protesting the elections as a sham. Perhaps I am overstating the popularity of opposition, but it does seem like many feel that they were wronged and the the elections were a complete sham.

This is akin to the Iranian people (especially moderates and women) having their dreams (of change and progress of course), perhaps not crushed, but definitely deferred. In light of that, I find myself echoing the query of the late poet Langston Hughes. What happens to a dream deferred? Will the hopes and aspirations of the people wither and day, leaving them to withdraw back to apathy and complacency…or will they explode?

Tehran is burning my friends (in more ways than one). I wonder if the Ayatollah is well versed in playing the fiddle (just saying…).

West Meets Mid-East: Obama's Speech To The Muslim World

2009-06-04T12:20:00.008-04:00

In case you missed it...

*Update:

In my opinion, this speech is a good first step in establishing a real dialogue between the Middle East (particularly the Muslims in that region) and the West. It is not a world changing speech in the sense that it will automatically make all Muslims love the US and her policies (but then, it was never meant to be). I saw it as an overt effort on the part of the Obama administration to not only speak to (as opposed to speak at) to Muslims in the Middle East and around the world, but to do so in an even handed and honest way. In that respect I believe that Obama succeeded in his speech.

This success is made clear in my mind, by the response that he's gotten from those representing the extremist thoughts in the Muslim spheres, the American political spheres, and Jewish spheres. the outrage that they express in response to certain parts of Obama's speech drives home the fact that he had praise and rebuke for everyone in his address.

Here's an example from some of the more extreme (if not drunkenly stupid) responses to Obama's speech to the Muslim world.

*

-Noface
* Hat tip to Siddity

Have A Reflective Memorial Day!

2009-05-25T12:09:00.003-04:00

This day is for all those who perform(ed) the role of an American Soldier. Those who give up something much more profound than just the security their lives, limbs, or sanity to work in a military capacity in service of this nation. That is to say that every soldier gives up who they once were in order to be better able to cope with working with each other under combat situations (those that are possibilities and those that are currently realities). To give that up and then to willing risk life and limb your country is epitome of bravery and service.

So for those veterans who served and serve in our military, those who were injured either/both physically and emotionally, those who gave their lives, and all who gave themselves for our country...I Remember (and will continue to do so)!

-Noface

Talk About Beating A Dead Horse Or Drowning A Live Conservative!

2009-05-23T01:35:00.006-04:00

It's just a splash of water on the face...right?

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Hannity, its your turn to make big on your tough talk. You're gonna have to man-up homey! Sit back (at let the water splash) or shut up.

-Noface

Of Terrorists, Detainees, And Super Criminals!

2009-05-21T10:00:00.015-04:00

*

As an adolescent I loved reading comics (especially superhero comics). The stories pretty much went as follows: 1) Super criminal commits a "super" crime; 2) Superhero fights super criminal; 3) superhero beats super criminal; 4) Super criminal goes to jail (or dies); and 5) Super criminal busts out of jail (or comes back from the dead) to start the "fun" all over again. Super hero comics rarely deviated from that formula, but for me the fun wasn't about knowing what would happen in the end, but about the "journey". This particular post however is not so much about the stories found in super hero comics as it is about the particular aspect of superhero comics. That aspect is detention of super criminals in those comics and how it does not correlate to the detention of (possible) criminals in the real world.

In times past (golden age of comics), when a superhero like Superman caught a bad guy like Lex Luthor, he'd hand him over to the authorities to be hauled off to prison. A criminal like Lex Luthor would then break out of prison because those prisons were not able to properly handle said criminal. As time progressed, comic publishers began to realize that "Hey, these guys are super criminals and regular prisons! WTF!?” The thinking was that since these villains were so beyond the normal order of criminal that regular prisons couldn't possibly hold them for long. So then the concept of Super Prisons came into play. These prisons were often of shore and fitted with the latest futuristic comic book) technology capable of properly dealing with these villains and their powers/abilities.

**

In comics these places are necessary because the world portrayed in those comics had villains who could fly, move cities with their minds, build dooms day weapons, etc. This is not the case in the real world. In the real world, there are no "super" criminals that can not be contained by normal (maximum security) prisons. In the real world, terrorist (or GITMO detainee) does not equal super criminal. Are terrorist deranged zealots with little regard for human life (even their own)? Yes! Are they super humans or super geniuses, just waiting for a chance to get sent to a normal prison only to bust out and wreak havoc on our fragile population? NO! Let me say that again...NOOOOOOO! Sending these guys to our prisons (after a proper display of due process of course), will do no more damage to our national security than say Charles Manson (serving a life term), John Gotti (died serving a life term), or even Zacarias Moussaoui (serving a life term). Knowing that, I am not worried about prisoners in GITMO being prosecuted, convicted, and sentenced within the boarders of the United States.

Am I supposed to be mortally afraid of this guy being in a supermax prison in my back yard? I mean he doesn't even have a mask seared onto his face or a purple helmet meant to thwart telepathic intrusions. What's so scary about this guy? Nothing!

I'd like to think that the majority of my fellow Americans are as discerning as I am on this issue, but it appears that this is not the case (if we go by what the Senate has done this week). I guess I shouldn't be surprised though, seeing as how people started walking around in surgical masks in PUBLIC, in response to the Swine Flu scare. A popular saying (via twitter and other soc-net-sites) during that time was "People will wear masks so they won't catch the flu, but won't wear condoms so they won't get AIDS!" I agree with the sentiment of that statement. We tend to favor jumping at shadows instead of concentrating on real threats. But that’s what fear does to us, it makes us incapable of putting things in perspective and sometimes as a result we say and do things that in hindsight would be regarded as foolish.

We have the tendency to get frightened into absurdity and the belief that among the detainees in GITMO, there is a villain of the caliber of Dr. Doom or Magneto is beyond ridiculous. If we really stop and think about what kind of prisons America has along with the type of prisoners housed in them, we will realize how ridiculous the "Not in my backyard!" argument is. The truth is that those detained in GITMO are no more dangerous than the rapists, murderers, pedophiles, gang members, and yes terrorists in our prisons within the boarders of this country.

-Noface
* via Marvel.com
** via Marvel.com

"My Favorite Blogs" List!

2009-05-12T14:24:00.006-04:00

The Incomparable Ugly Black John (http://uglyblackjohn.blogspot.com/) has decided to award me with the blog honor Splash Award. Though I wouldn’t usually do this, I am compelled to pass the award on to other bloggers who I feel are worthy (in my estimation) of such an honor. The bloggers I choose must be those that I find amusing, alluring, bewitching, impressive or inspirational.

Note:
The one who receives the award must do the following:
1) Place the Splash Award logo on their post and site (blog).
2) Nominate up to nine blogs that inspire, bewitch, amuse, impress, or inspire.
3) Be sure to link to your nominations.
4) Let the recipient know of the award on their blog.
5) Mention and link to the person from whom the award was received.

So with out further ado, here is my divine nine(in no particular order of course)

1. Ugly Black John (of course); http://uglyblackjohn.blogspot.com/: This blogger is as prolific as his posts are thought provoking

2. Dalyn Montgomery (Brohammas); http://dalynart.blogspot.com/: This blogger is not your typical white anti-racist (plus he’s a writer/artist like me)

3. Field Negro; http://field-negro.blogspot.com/: This blogger is like the black Peter Jennings (or is it Chris Mathews?) of the afro-sphere. News that is important, though at times deemed not MSM worthy (erroneously so) can be found here.

4. Siddity; http://siditty.blogspot.com/: This blogger is her own woman with her own mind.

5. Danielle Belton (The Black Snob); http://blacksnob.com/: This blogger knows how to illicit the snob in all of us. Also, her cyber stalking of CNN news anchor T. J. Holmes is hilarious.

6. Legal Pub; http://legalpublication.blogspot.com/: This blogger is my pusher, the one I go to get my legal news fix.

7. Abagond; http://abagond.wordpress.com/: This blogger is will post about any and everything that tickles his fancy, yet he always manages to keep things interesting.

8. Big Man (Raving Black Lunatic); http://ravingblacklunatic.blogspot.com/: This blogger shows that there is a method to the madness.

9. Macon D; http://stuffwhitepeopledo.blogspot.com/: This blogger is also another white anti-racist who explores some tendencies that he believes is common among white people. Whether or not you agree with him, his posts are usually a good read.

Check these blogs out. I promise you that you won't be disappointed.

-Noface

I'm Not Getting Paid For This!

2009-05-05T23:11:00.006-04:00

Ok, now I feel that Elmo was to Seseme Street what Souljah Boy Tell 'Em is to Hip Hop. Things went downhill after these two arrived on their respective scenes. That being said, this clip is hilarious!

I enjoy things that make me unexpectedly LOL, don't you?

Update:

It seems that elmo is the "Keanu Reeves" of Sesme Street, surrounding himself with superior talent to bolster his popularity. Anyway here's the annoying red monster with Michelle Obama.

Michelle is as wonderful as ever and Elmo is his typical lame self (I kid, I kid...not really though).

-Noface

Why Hip Hop Is Dying: Exhibit A

2009-05-02T11:35:00.004-04:00

While listening to this, close your eyes and try to distinguish this spoof song from all of the regular "hip hop" (term used loosely) songs played on the radio these days. Hell, they even got T-Pain to sing the catchy hook to distract you from their nonsensical nursery rhymes. Sound familiar?

Naw, hip hop ain't dead, but she is on her way out and apparently she ain't got any kids to inherit her legacy.

-Noface

Another Word On Torture!

2009-04-29T14:26:00.003-04:00

Again, I must ask why Jon Stewart is seemingly the only voice of reason in a mass of hand wringing, euphemistic confusion that is the Main Stream Media.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

M - Th 11p / 10c

Cliff May Unedited Interview Pt. 1

thedailyshow.com

Daily Show
Full Episodes

Economic Crisis

First 100 Days

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

M - Th 11p / 10c

Cliff May Unedited Interview Pt. 2

thedailyshow.com

Daily Show
Full Episodes

Economic Crisis

First 100 Days

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

M - Th 11p / 10c

Cliff May Unedited Interview Pt. 3

thedailyshow.com

Daily Show
Full Episodes

Economic Crisis

First 100 Days

Why torture is...um...TORTURE, really couldn't get any clearer.

-Noface

Torture By Any Other Name, Would Be Just As Wrong!

2009-04-23T16:29:00.006-04:00

Torture*
Pronunciation: \ˈtȯr-chər\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French, from Old French, from Late Latin tortura, from Latin tortus, past participle of torquēre to twist; probably akin to Old High German drāhsil turner, Greek atraktos spindle
Date: 1540

1 a: anguish of body or mind: AGONY
b: something that causes agony or pain

2: the infliction of intense pain (as from burning, crushing, or wounding) to punish, coerce, or afford sadistic pleasure

Water Boarding**

A technique that consists of immobilizing the victim on his/her back with the head inclined downwards, and then pouring water over the face and into the breathing passages. By forced suffocation and inhalation of water, the subject experiences drowning and is caused to believe they are about to die. As early as the Spanish Inquisition it was used for interrogation purposes, to punish and intimidate, and to force confessions.
In contrast to submerging the head face-forward in water, water boarding precipitates a gag reflex almost immediately. The technique does not inevitably cause lasting physical damage. It can cause extreme pain, dry drowning, damage to lungs, brain damage from oxygen deprivation, other physical injuries including broken bones due to struggling against restraints, lasting psychological damage or, ultimately, death. Adverse physical consequences can start manifesting months after the event; psychological effects can last for years.

Let’s be clear, water boarding is torture. It has always been torture and it will always be torture. It doesn’t matter who is doing it or why it’s being done. There is no debate (or at least there shouldn’t be) on this issue. It is a fact and facts are not subjective. Like humans need air to breathe, a technique where a person is not getting that air to breathe (i.e. drowning) causing that person pain and /or agony is by definition, torture. So stop asking if water boarding torture. We should be asking if America does (or has done) torture. Well, America does (or has done) water boarding. So…There goes that moral high ground on which we were so precariously perched.

-Noface
*via Merriam-Webster Online
** via Wikipedia

...Because No One Would Be Able To Take It!

2009-04-20T00:09:00.005-04:00

For as long as there have been schools, there has been bullying. In the old days it would usually be one or two individuals terrorizing the rest of the smaller, weaker population (for fun, lunch money, and the like). As time went on, there would be individuals that were (some might say arbitrarily) designated the punching bag of an entire class (or in worse case scenarios, an entire school).

People rarely take the time to consider what a toll that kind of constant torment will do to the mental and emotional states of these kids. Man was not built for constant emotional trauma and when subjected to it, man will often times take extreme measures in an attempt to cope. Imagine have to go to your own personal hell everyday and feel like there is no way out, except for…

I am speaking on this from experience, but not the way that you might be thinking. I wasn’t bullied much when I was in elementary school and when I entered junior high (and eventually, senior high) I made friends (acquaintances/associates) easily. While I wasn’t among the most popular kids in my class, I certainly was not a social outcast. I was not the class punching bag, but I knew the ones who were and I must confess that I am guilty throwing a few jabs myself (actually, more than a few if memory serves me). See, I am speaking from the standpoint of a former bully.

Like most people (lets be honest here folks) I have participated in the mob harassment of the designated social outcast. There were a few occasions where I would be the ring leader of said torment. Hell, even a few of the teachers joined in on the act (the bully mentality doesn’t stop upon graduating high school). I remember when I was in 7th grade, things got so bad that the guidance counselor had to go class to class to discuss bullying and its effects with all the students. A zero-tolerance policy was implemented in regards to bullying.

What was the impetus for such a policy? It turns out that one my classes favorite victims, was on the verge of a mental break. Things had gotten to the point where this person simply couldn’t take it anymore. She would go to school but not attend any classes. Instead she would hide all or most of the day in the bathroom in order to escape her tormentors (us) and lamenting her situation. She began to see no reason for living, that’s when school officials stepped in and implemented the new (long overdue) policy.

The damage was already done, though. The girl that we arbitrarily decided would be the symbol of everything that we deemed to be undesirable. She still didn’t have many friends and though the bullying was not tolerated during school, the school officials could do little about the bullying outside of school. No, she did not commit suicide, but there was not a happy ending for her either (as far as I know). She instead opted to drop out of school a few years later, a move that she no doubt felt was better than sticking around and putting up with our childish nonsense. The last time I saw her, she was living a life common to high school drop outs (not a good one, I assure you). I don’t know what she is doing now, but I do wonder at times.

We often teach our kids how to not be bullied or how to deal with bullies. Maybe…no, we definitely need to start teaching our kids about how not to be bullies themselves. When I think about the torment that drove eleven year old Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover, to hang himself in his room, I think about that girl and how I didn’t have to be one of the A-holes in the crowd (in other words, a coward). I think about how I will teach my kids to be kinder and braver than I was.

Now I am by no means perfect. I can’t fool myself into thinking that I am completely reformed, but I’m not as bad as I used to be and events like the tragedy that occurred last week, remind me that I need to be better. I mean, I think I get it now. I believe I know why we as human beings (especially kids) shouldn’t dish out constant negative energy to those who don’t fit in. Because, if we were the outcasts, we wouldn’t be able to take it either.

-Noface

*Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover (April 17,1997-April 13, 2009). May Angels Lead You In.

Tea Parties, Taxes, And Tea Bagging...Lots And Lots Of Tea Bagging!

2009-04-15T11:53:00.007-04:00

Someone help me out. What is this tea-party stuff all about, really? I mean, I think I understand the theme. Back in the 1770's a bunch of well to do land owners from Boston, dressed up as Native Americans, and dumped a bunch of imported tea into the Boston harbor, because they were protesting "taxation without representation". So today's tea baggers are protesting taxation without representation? No, that doesn't sound right. It has to be something much more relevant, right?!

It turns out they are protesting tax increases (which is not happening for a majority of Americans), BIG Government, that huge bailout bill that was passed a couple of months ago, and (let's be honest) Obama himself. Where was the outrage over big government spending, failed economic policies, and (yes) huge bailouts (with little oversight I might add) under the Bush Administration? Maybe the difference was that it wasn't a black man doing all of this to (for) America (I'm just thinking out loud here). I'm going to call bovine excrement on this one, but I'll wait until the end of the day to see how successful this whole "thing" was.

A word to the wise, just because you tea baggers are supposedly protesting taxes doesn’t mean that you don’t have to pay them (unless you’re willing to take the protests to the level of civil disobedience and risk jail time for tax evasion).

-Noface

Poetry Session #4

2009-04-15T01:26:00.003-04:00

Here's a haiku summing up my feelings in regards to current events these past couple of weeks:

I hate tea parties
News bigger than pirates is-
Obama's new dog

-Noface

Checks, Balances, And All That Jazz!

2009-04-07T13:39:00.008-04:00

Why can’t more Senators and Representatives (from both wings of political thought and the bird in between) present their arguments for or against something with the thoughtfulness and conviction of Arlen Specter (R-Pennsylvania)? I'm not saying that I agree with all of his views, but I admire how he expresses them and how he (claims) to listen to and debate the opposing views of his colleagues. If the House and Senate had more people along with that of political reasoning and independent thought, we'd still have vigorous debate, but we'd also have a lot less the foolishness (and phony outrage?) that we are treated with every day.

Here's Specter on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" showing his support for Obama's plan for the reduction of nuclear arms and the need to sometime buck the party line in the interest of the nation and his state:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

It refreshing to know that there are still politicians out there who still try to maintain independent thought despite the leanings of their political party. I'm curious, what are the names of some other politicians that who stay true to themselves (politically) no matter what their friends and opponents say? (Obama is an obvious choice so he doesn't count)

-Noface

The April First Post

2009-04-01T00:35:00.000-04:00

Its April 1st and in the spirit of this wonderful day I give you the video below, becuase it's got to be a joke....right?!

I mean, is it April 1st every day at Fox News. C'mon let a brother in on the joke!

My response to this was the following:

-Noface

Cops That Give Police A Bad Name

2009-03-27T12:41:00.000-04:00

After watching this video, I find that there are a lot of questions swirling around in my head. There is however one big query that dominates all the others. Was the Cop (Officer Powell) that stopped Ryan Moats a racist or was he just big jerk? I'm not sure which it is (perhaps he was both).

I'll say this though; Moats was pretty brave or foolhardy (which is understandable given the situation with his mother-in-law) for arguing with police officer given the hair triggers that some of these guys seem to have these days. Moats is lucky he didn't get 15 warning shots in his chest (we now know that Powell had his gun drawn). I’m just saying, two people could have died that night.

-Noface

Two Wrongs Don't Make A Right!

2009-03-26T22:53:00.000-04:00

White cop kills an unarmed black man in the subway:

Black man kills 4 police officers in a shootout:

What is the common factor between these two scenarios? The commonality is that they display the inherently evil actions of individuals. Another thing that they do is promote a negative stereotype of the group as a whole. Now that is a problem for everybody.

The thing about these incidents between the police (rather select members of the “police”) and minority communities(specifically the black community), is that they are actions taken by individuals that end up reflecting poorly on a whole institution or a whole racial group. The thing about the responses coming from certain voices in the groups to which these individuals belong is that they rarely address the problem with the situation at hand (i.e. individual culpability). Instead they choose to shift blame or make excuses for the incident or individual by pointing out the past faults of those in the other group (usually prefaced with “what so and so did was wrong, but …). Such knee jerk reactions are unproductive, to say the least.

If cops are not willing to call out the bad elements in the police departments throughout this nation, then they are promoting a climate where agents of the state are not protecting and serving all law abiding people. The message basically becomes, it’s ok if agents of the state brutalize and murder certain segments of society (no matter how nonthreatening or innocent they are) because, hey…they’re all criminals anyway. The same thing goes for minorities (African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians, etc) who want to give dangerous criminals a pass (when it is clear that they are in the wrong), because they don’t want to help the police in any capacity. Never mind that it is those same criminals that make our communities unsafe and unpleasant places for good law abiding folk to live.

A cop murders an unarmed man (age doesn’t seem to matter these days) in cold blood, all police lose a little more credibility with the communities that they are supposed to protect. It is hard to protect a community that will not work with you because it fears you and sees you as a large part of the problem. A criminal (who happens to be black) decides he’s going to have a shoot out with police in broad day light (ending up killing 4 officers), reflects badly on all minorities (no matter what their station in life is). The whole community from which that criminal hails gets lumped into one big category labeled “Dangerous Threat”. That categorization (no matter how unfair) seems to be the natural response of many an individual in law enforcement, and that just ends up putting all of us non-white law abiding citizens (especially the male portion) at greater risk.

We have to weed out the bad elements among us. In order to do that we all have to be honest with ourselves and take a hard look at our communities and precincts, and create a climate wear their actions will no longer be tolerated. Its time we look at Oscar Grant and those four police officers, and declare what happened to them as simply wrong in the strongest possible terms with out any qualifiers or shifting of blame. That, I believe, is the way to progress and hopefully reconciliation between the community and the police.

-Noface

That's Not The Kind Of Persistence I Was Talking About!

2009-03-25T00:36:00.000-04:00

In case you missed it here is the video of tonight's press conference with the POTUS.

My favorite line of the night (and I'm sure I'm not the only one) was when the POTUS said in response to Ed Henry's question about why it took so long for the administration to speak out (in outrage I presume) about the bonuses at AIG, "I like to know what I'm talking about before I speak." Talk about one line zingers. That was essentially a verbal backhand to the face of (with all do respect to CNN’s Ed Henry) a reporter who keeps asking a question to which he has gotten the answer. The best part is that he did it with a smile (albeit with a stern tone). He was essentially saying that he wasn't elected to be outraged, he was elected to be a leader in tough times and such leadership requires a cool head and all the information that can be obtained in the time allowed. I like that!

-Noface

Don't You Forget Your Way Home!

2009-03-20T11:38:00.000-04:00

A message to Rhianna and all the survivors of domestic abuse, from Ghost Face Killa...

I couldn't have said it any better myself.

-Noface

See En Bee See Still Sucks!!

2009-03-13T14:36:00.002-04:00

Ohhhhhh...So that's why you mad...

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Jim Cramer Unedited Interview Pt. 1

Daily Show Full Episodes
Important Things w/ Demetri Martin

Political Humor
Jim Cramer

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Jim Cramer Unedited Interview Pt. 2

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Political Humor
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Jim Cramer Unedited Interview Pt. 3

Daily Show Full Episodes
Important Things w/ Demetri Martin

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We all need to understand that those who engage in humor with bite (be it satirical, sardonic, political, etc), don't do it to make light of bad situations or bad people (though it may seem that way at first glance). They do it out of frustration, anger, worry, confusion, and that general sense of "WTF" that we all feel when our leaders (in politics, entertainment, business, etc) engage in douchebaggery. These late night talk shows and sketch comedy shows are really our last hope of getting information on what is going on and why we should be outraged. It works so well because often times the comedians on those shows are outraged.

It's why Letterman was on fire when he lit into John McCain for cancelling on him at the last minute to do an interview with CBS news (he was angered by the snub). Its why those skits with Tina Fey as Sarah Palin were such a hit (the possibility of her being our next VP was THAT frightening). Its John Stewart is able to kill it every night with his expose on the hypocrisy of certain institutions (i.e. political parties and members of the MSM), the most recent of which being CNBC (his expression of that general "WTF...Am I the only one seeing this for what it is?!?" type of feeling that we all get). The angrier the comedian is the more biting his/her jokes become and the louder we all laugh, because we are just as angry. Sounds paradoxical, but that's how this type of comedy has worked since the days of feudalism (and perhaps before that time).

And its not like those in power can scare these shows into being the sycophants that many in the MSM sometimes (well...most of the time) are. Danielle Belton explained the situation best on her blog. They don't have to kiss the butt cheeks of those people for fear of getting shut out from talking to those people again. If they do ever get Zero Access to any these stars, personalities, or politicians, they’ll just make fun of those people until those people have to come on their show in an attempt at damage control (McCain on Letterman, Cramer on the Daily Show, Palin on SNL). In the end its all done to give you what the news used to do back in the day (when it was on for one hour every day) give you the information about the world around you(only with lols attached).

So next time you watch one of these shows and your laughing your butt off, stop and think for a minute about why its all so funny. After you've done that, think about why perhaps you should be mad!

-Noface

See En Bee See Sucks

2009-03-05T11:52:00.001-05:00

I tell ya, when he's on it...HE IS ON IT! Tell 'em why you mad son...

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

CNBC Gives Financial Advice

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Political Humor
Joke of the Day

-Noface

Who's In Charge Here!?

2009-03-03T20:35:00.001-05:00

I have one simple question. Who runs the Republican Party? Who runs it?

People could give me the full list of the usual suspects (Lott, McCain, Palin *snigger*, Romny, Huckaby, Joe the *insert occupation here*, etc) and I’d just be shaking my head. Those fine people, while still being heavy weights in the game, are just politicians who failed to bring home the championship belt. The Elephants suffered a crushing defeat the night of November 4th, 2008 and their generals have not really made any big news since.

So I ask again, who is in charge of the elephants?

Is it Michael Steele? No! It is certainly not Michael Steele. Steele is at best a figure head (a last ditch effort of a dying party desperately trying to stay relevant). He is essentially a Palin*. Yeah sure, they’ll let him drive the Cadillac around, but they won’t ever let him take home the keys. Here’s an example of my point...

Steele's Remarks:

Limbaugh's Retort:

Steele of course, promptly apologizes!

I am of the opinion that Steele is well aware of the game being played here (I’ll give you a hint, its not checkers) and what piece he represents. That is why he sent Darth Rush (kidding) that hasty apology for his comments on the D.L Hughly show.

The leader of the Republican Party is not Rush Limbaugh either. He is of course an immensely influential man and certainly Politicians are wary of going toe to toe with him, but he doesn’t lead the Republican Party (or the conservative movement for that matter). He can’t possibly be the leader of…well…anything, because he can’t lead. Rush is no more than a mouth piece, the voice of plebeians in the Red States of America in the form of a rich fat balding white man with drug issues. steele was right about Rush just being an entertainer with a gift of being able to move the masses with his rhetoric. A leader on the other hand is someone who not only moves the people, but has a vision/goal for those people and convinces them to follow him/her in order to accomplishing that vision/goal. I don't believe Rush has the ingredients to be such a person.

So who’s in charge of the GOP? Who is the man (or woman) behind the curtain? Someone please let me know!

-Noface

* A term that denotes a person who is the embodiment of the Republican’s version of a winning strategy successfully used by the Democrats, yet with moderate success (when compared to the Democratic success) or no success at all. Named after the governor of Alaska, who appears to have only been chosen as a running mate for John McCain in response to the nearly successful primary campaign of Hilary Clinton.

Stimulus Package: Stimulating Dissent

2009-02-18T20:34:00.000-05:00

The stimulus package (stim-pack for short) was recently passed and signed by the President this week (no thanks to all of the republicans in the house and most of them from the senate). This is the first major bill passing into law under the new administration coming after the first (failed) attempt at bipartisanship on the part of the White House. I will be honest; I only have a general idea of how the stimulus package will be implemented. I do believe that this country's economy needs some kind of government spending to "stimulate" growth in our ailling economy (and attention to our infrastructure is long over due). This however is naught more than a shot in the arm to keep us going long enough for those in charge to devise long-term strategies to get us out of the recession. In that sense, the passage of the bill is good news and I am hopeful that this all will work on some level (hey, things can only get better from here right?). This post however is not about the package itself (we’ll have a chance to see and discuss the outcome of this package in the months to come). My focus is on all of the drama surrounding the passing of the stim-pack.

The republicans were a trip weren’t they? It is as if they did not get the memo about this being a new day and the old game of political posturing won’t cut it in these serious times. The Democrats were not any better. They already seem to be taking it for granted that they have a majority in both houses and that they can get almost any bill passed with little involvement from the other side. The only person that seemed to truly want bipartisanism in the passing of the stim-pack, was the new President. He seemed genuinely interested in ideas from the other side and making certain concessions just to get more elephants on board.

I applaud the President for extending a hand to the other side of the aisle, but like the saying goes, you can lead an elephant to water but you can’t make him drink. In fact it seems that, opposition to the bill was the Republican game plan from the start. Admittedly, the majority party in both houses of congress could have included the minority in the creation of the stimulus bill (that type of partisan exclusion will not help you in the future Speaker Pelosi), but I’m getting the impression that the GOP would not act much differently than the way they are acting now. They seemed too focused on what they felt was wrong with the bill instead of offering ideas (besides FREAKING tax cuts) on how to make the bill better. They knew that this thing would pass with or without them, so now they are hoping that it will fail so that they can say "I told you so!" This strategy does not seem to be working, as current approval ratings for congressional Republicans are pretty low while the congressional Democrat's approval ratings are getting a boost (whether deserved or not).

My advice to the GOP in the house and the senate is; next time the President offers an olive branch and starts talking about bipartisanship, you all should act more like legislators and less like politicians (yes there is a difference). Yes, you can and should stand by your principles, but you should not be too afraid of pissing off your own party to make compromises for the good of the nation (and its economy). Scoring political points (or missing political points if you will) at a time like this is akin to cutting off your nose despite your face (and to no avail).

Also, what the hell is this about?

*Cartoon courtesy of the New York Post

-Noface

P.S If you want to see for yourself where all of the stim-pack money is going click here.

AT FIRST GLANCE...

2009-01-22T13:43:00.000-05:00

Take a look at this video from that ever present den of madness (no pun intended [you'll understand later]) YouTube...

After seeing that video, what was your first impression? Were you dismayed, appalled, disgusted, and/or entertained? Is this another example of black folks acting like niggers (something that we definitely do not need in this exciting yet perilous era of a new America)?

How did you feel about the young lady verbally abusing the elderly woman? Did she seem like your average hood rat acting a fool in public? Was she on drugs? Was she just another part of the criminal element terrorizing an honest law abiding citizen?

Well, before you make any further judgments on this matter, I would like for you to take a look at two other videos that are related to the one embedded above.

After seeing these two videos, have your opinions changed on the matter?

You see, I had already formulated the title of this very blog post ("Niggers in 'Post-Racial' America" if you were wondering) when I went on YouTube to search for other videos and comments in response to the first one posted above. That is when I ran across the two other videos that forced me to change my whole program and take a hard look at myself.

I was all ready to label the woman who according to her family suffers from a very real and very serious mental disorder, as a representative of every thing that is ghetto. She was even singing the Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em’s one (and hopefully only) hit “Crank Dat Soulja Boy”. It was perfect! She was the poster child of what was wrong with our urban (i.e. black) youth. I did not even consider that there may have been something deeper going on with this young woman (maybe I didn’t even want to). In my mind, the young lady was either A) Ignorant or B) on drugs, there was no option C.

Now knowing that this you lady may be suffering from Bipolar disorder, I had to rematch the first video with a new perspective and thus had to change the title of my blog in order to reflect a judgment of myself rather than a complete stranger.

To be honest, I’m glad that I was shown to be wrong and “ignorant” of what was really going before I had actually published this post. I’m really thankful that this video (oddly enough) gave me some incite on myself and how I am not above prejudging others (like everyone else), convinced that the qualities that I project on to them are the correct ones (whether I’m wrong or not).

I don’t know about you, but this Noface still needs a lot of work. Thus, I should refrain from judging others while I search out and deal with my own faults and shortcomings.

-Noface

Poetry Session #3

2009-01-19T19:13:00.000-05:00

View From The Mountain Top

We stand as a witness, man in all shades of American
Coming both male and female with belief that we can
Overcome and indeed overrun the dysfunction of the old ways
That sought to deny the causes of freedom rides in the old days
That corrupted the ballot when it could not use the bullet
When change came from the courthouse and the pulpit
When our lightning rods were struck and a movement got stuck
A social conscience deadening and threatening to self destruct
Turmoil that seems ages ago, but all true sages should know
That the story is not finished for we still have pages to go
This has been a long time coming, but it is here now
I will not say that we have arrived, but we’re near now
Closer than ever before because never before have we seen
A clearer representation of the incarnation of a King’s dream
A dream too long deferred but at this moment much preferred
Over a nightmare with but a single flare of hope, burning undeterred
Seen from the mountain top by a prophet and revolutionary King
As bells in the valley of the Promised Land sound with freedom’s ring
It’s a view from the mountain top that we can all now see
The visible truths infused with the palpable power of “we”
Swirling around Uncle Sam’s first black son
A view from the mountain top of a people as one

-Noface

MY PRESIDENT IS BLACK!

2009-01-18T20:29:00.000-05:00

The following song has a refrain that we can all sing along to, come Tuesday...

Have fun celebrating folks and remember to be safe out there.

-Noface

IT'S '09 AND WE STILL CAN'T TRUST THE POLICE!

2009-01-08T01:09:00.001-05:00

Wow! What a way to ring in the New Year (with gunshots sending bullets into the back of another unarmed black man)!

The video speaks for itself (pffft...so did Rodney King video and look at how that turned out)!!

Sometimes I wonder if the boys in blue are using us as target practice. Now of course, I'm not saying that all cops are like that *insert expletive here* BART Cop in the video, but as a black man, one never knows which kind of officer he is going to encounter when the cops come by. From the video, the victim, Oscar Juliuss Grant, appeared to be doing everything he could to show that he was not resisting and not a threat to the police yet he was still pinned down and handcuffed. Even after that this *insert multiple expletives here* BART Cop just steps back and murders (yes, murders) him execution style. The saddest part is that a little girl lost her father on New Year’s Day because of the actions of those who are sworn to protect and serve. Be safe out there folks and watch your backs (literally).

-Noface

BURRIS BURNED!!!

2009-01-06T12:12:00.000-05:00

Well, it looks like Burris was not allowed on to the Senate floor to be sworn in with all the other senators. At least he didn't make a big scene (that's always a plus, right?). You can read the full story here.

I'm not going into a long tirade about ethics, proper conduct, the injection of race, or anything else that is seriously irrelevant to the Burris Situation at THIS moment (they certainly were important before today and will be relevant again tomorrow). At this moment, it’s all about the law. As it stands (as far as I know) the Senate has no legal basis or authority to deny Burris the seat formerly held by President-elect Barrack Obama. This move by the Senate was a bold one, but ultimately it may not work (because of a little thing called the law).

So what happens now? Well, I'm reminded of those old Looney Toons cartoons where Bugs Bunny manages to get Daffy Duck's bill blown to the back of his head. The little black duck rearranges his bill back to its proper position and declares, "Of course you know, this means War!" This does indeed mean war. If Burris had the moxy to accept an appointment from a Governor(whom by all accounts, he barely likes)under investigation for corruption concerning that very same appointment, travel all the way to D.C. from Illinois, walk up to the capitol building, and attempt to be sworn in; then I'm sure he's not finished with this issue just yet. Indeed, as I said before, this is a matter of law and this is going to the court (Supreme Court if all bets are sound).

Should Burris fight for his seat? I personally feel that Burris should have never even accepted the appointment and the fact that he did points to a flaw within himself that makes him unfit to take Obama's former Senate seat in this manner(a little extreme and judgmental I know, but that's how I feel and Burris has not done anything to change my disposition about him). Despite my feelings about what Burris should have done, I also want the law to be respected and authority (or lack thereof) to be recognized. Yes, Burris should fight for his seat and obtain a small victory in what I predict to be a long defeat (only so that a precedent will be set and that the boundaries for the Senate concerning this matter are clearly defined).

-Noface

Waiting For The Other Shoe To Drop...Or Be Thrown!

2008-12-16T00:27:00.000-05:00

An Iraqi journalist (or from President Bush's point of view, some random Arab) threw not one but two shoes at him. Thankfully, our president was able to duck them both. LOL! I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried. When I saw it for the first time on CNN, my jaw hit the floor. I was shocked not because the journalist threw two shoes at our Commander in Chief (an extreme show of disrespect in Arab culture, or any culture for that matter), but because I didn't know that Bush was able to bob and weave like he did. Hey it could of been worse...given the turmoil that the now detained journalist's country had to endure because of "The Decider's" decision to invade a sovereign nation without provocation, our current POTUS is lucky that he had to only dodge footwear and not a bullet (yah, what the hell was the secret service doing anyway?!?). Enjoy!

-Noface
*Disclaimer* although I find the video hilarious, I do not condone the actions of this journalist nor do I support anything being thrown at a head of state (even if it is G.W. Bush).

MADAM SECRETARY

2008-12-02T14:00:00.000-05:00

So, Barrack Obama chose Hilary Clinton as his Secretary of State. This is not surprising to me (not the actual choice of S.O.S, but the fact that Hilary would become a key part of the new Obama administration) and I am not overjoyed or outraged by this pick. Hilary is a sound choice for Secretary of State. There are some out there who may disagree with this (especially out there in the blogosphere). Some point to her vote for the war in Iraq. Still others still have the 3am phone call ad fresh in their memories. Of course there was also her constant hammering of the point that Obama was inexperienced (especially when it came to foreign policy). Those may be valid arguments against Obama choosing Hilary for the position, but no one can say that she is not qualified for the job or that Obama will be president and therefore her boss (and the final decision maker). We should not blind ourselves by our dislike for a person and ignore that person’s qualifications for the job. Are there better people out there for the job? Some can be argue that there are, but by that same logic some can argue that there are better people out there for the job of POTUS. My point is that our next president has decided that Hilary was the best fit for that position in his administration (just like we decided that he was the best fit for the position of POTUS).

Now I don’t know about anyone else, but one of the factors that led me to vote for Obama was his judgment and informed decisions. I am well aware of how much of a fool Hilary was acting during the primaries, but if Obama can let bygones be bygones then so can I. The man has not given me a reason to doubt his judgment before so I will not do so now ( I’m not saying that I’ve partaken in the kool-aid, just that I will wait and see how his choices pan out, before I make declarative statements). I’m sure there will be mistakes and missteps in the future, but I sincerely don’t believe that this is one of them.

-Noface

* Photo courtesy of the AP

IT IS NOT OVER!

2008-11-05T11:15:00.000-05:00

The election is over and the results are in. America has stepped into a new day. We have turned the page--scratch that-- we have closed the book on eight years of bad policy (both foreign and domestic). BARRACK OBAMA is the 44th President of the United States. Change has indeed come. For the past two years many have shouted “Yes We Can!” and yes we did. I’m sure many of you have already started celebrating (indeed some of you have been acting a fool ever since last night), but before you break out the alcohol and call in sick for work, remember this: IT IS NOT OVER!

Obama had a spot on resume, he aced the interview, and he got the job. For that we can all (all of us…not just black folks) be proud and indeed a little emotional during this pivotal moment in history. However, I must reiterate the point that I made above: IT IS NOT OVER! In my mind, employment is made up of three phases which are the following:

- Getting the Job
- Doing the Job Well
- Leaving the Job

America has finally allowed a black man to accomplish the first phase in regards to leading this nation (and by default the free world). We are now on to the second phase. Barrack Obama now has to do the job that we elected him to do. He not only has to do the job, but he has to do the job well. In fact he has to do the job better than all of the Presidents (who were of course white) who have preceded him in recent memory (for me that would go all the way back to Regan, maybe Carter for some of you, maybe further back for others of you). It is on him (unfairly perhaps) to prove to Mainstream America, that choosing a leader, who happens to be black, was not a disastrous experiment but the right choice all along.

He is still being watched. People are stilling waiting for him to mess up so that they can say “I told you so…”! And given the state this country is in right now, Obama has precious little time to enjoy the fruits of a hard fought and won presidential campaign. He has to hit the ground running (and in a sense he is still running).

We have not arrived. IT IS NOT OVER! This is not the Promised Land. We are only at the River Jordan and it just now parted so that we may walk on dry ground. If you think about it, you will know that it’s true. The views of White America have not changed last night (indeed a large portion of White America feels like they are taking a giant leap of faith). Obama has to show them that we will land safely on the other side, thankful that we were willing to take the chance. Obama is now the Jackie Robinson of Politics.

Consider this: if Jackie Robinson was not the cool character that he was in the face of such extreme racial pressure (from both sides really), would baseball (the rest of professional team sports for that matter) be what it is today in terms of diversity? I think not. So you see, the milestone in integrating professional sports did not occur when Robinson was chosen to play for the Dodgers. It occurred when Robinson proved to the fearful naysayers not only that he was as good as if not better than the white players, but he had the temperament to remain professional in the midst of unprofessional behavior. He was clearly a black baseball player, but he had to comport himself as just a baseball player. Robinson kept his cool and as a result many other talented black athletes were given a shot in mainstream professional team sports.

The same challenge faces Obama. Once he get’s sworn in, he will be the first black president (sit down Bill, you were just a place holder in that respect) and no one will be able to take that away from him. What Obama (and the rest of the forward looking nation for that matter) have to make sure of, is that he is not the last Non-White Man to be elected president. He has to be the type of president that makes the rest of America wonder “Hmmm…Why didn’t we do this sooner?” The hopes of little girls and boys of every race and ethnicity rest on the relative success of an Obama Administration. If he were to somehow fail in this, the naysayers would be quick to point to his presidency as evidence against breaking with the norm (The Old White Man) in choosing our leaders. So, although Obama would clearly be a black president, he must comport himself as just a president (with competence, integrity, and humility). Forget all the old black jokes about, smoking weed in the Oval Office, painting the White House black, candy painting Air Force One, and other ignorant things we used to say laugh away the pain the resulted from acknowledging what was once an impossibility. This is a new day and Obama has to continue to transcend race in his leadership of America (essentially riding that elephant right out of the room) just as he did in running for the office.

This has indeed been a long, long time coming. A moment over 400 years in the making has finally arrived, but we have not…IT’S NOT OVER! Although historical and tremendously important, this moment is not the end of a long journey.

People like Douglas reminded us that we do not belong in the field. People like Tubman led the trek to the Big House. People like Parks, knocked on the door fully expecting to be let in. People like King and X (Shabazz for the enlightened), got their foot in the door. People like Jackson and Sharpton (yes even they were able to have a positive affect on progress no matter how self-serving their motives may have been) were able to squeeze through the narrow opening. It is now up to people like Obama and Us, who are now inside the Big House, to put that house in order. This is so that people like our children and our children’s children can enjoy the warmth inside, for generations to come.

History has indeed been achieved today, but we will only be able to appreciate whether the lasting affect of this moment has on the future will be positive or negative, four (or hopefully eight years) from now. Is Obama up to the task? I think so (if I didn’t think he was, I would not have voted for him) and by extension I believe that we are up to the task. So now that we got the job, it’s time to get to work, because IT IS NOT OVER!

-Noface
*Photo curtesy of CNN.com and the AP

Poetry Session #2

2008-11-03T17:09:00.000-05:00

Just a little something to keep you going while you're waiting in (what will surely be) those long lines at your local election centers. VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!

CHANGE HAS COME

They say change is coming
From night almost gone
Towards the breaking of dawn
The people keep running

At the end of that dark night
We stopped following the blind
Turned around only to find
Our own Dark Knight

With a voice of Unity
Now man to man
We dare to stand
An organized community

Chanting, Yes We Can!
To the immovable all day
To the impossible, we say
YES WE CAN!

That’s why, win or lose
This moment is frozen
Not for the right to be chosen
But for the right to choose

And this is our choice
Hope is not strange
We are our change
And he is our voice

Speaking true and clear
Though we don’t stop running
Our change is not coming
Our change is here

This is promise fulfilled
Our nation’s restitution
With a more perfect union
Through hope that we willed

And though we’re not done
We are not humming
That change is coming
Because change has come

-Noface

I Had A Nightmare Last Night!

2008-11-02T11:26:00.001-05:00

Oh man, you won't believe the nightmare I had last night! It seemed so real...

Thank goodness that it was only a dream. Let it serve as a warning though, to you guys out there in blog land. GET OUT THERE AND VOTE! Don't be THAT Guy (or gal).

-Noface

Don't Tell Me You Didn't Hear That!

2008-10-27T21:47:00.000-04:00

Here's the video of Sarah Palin failing to repudiate, reprimand, correct...hell...failing to lead, after one of her supporters yells out a clear racial slur during a speech at one of her rallies.

Was it just that she wasn't able to hear the supporter yelling "He's a Nigger!" or did she purposely do nothing to address that supporter's hatred born of ignorance? I have my own opinion about this matter, but I'll let you decide for yourselves.

-Noface

The Happy Days Of The Andy Grifith Show!

2008-10-23T13:41:00.000-04:00

Having watched old reruns of both Happy Days and the Andy Grifith Show as a child, this little vid put a smile on my face...

See more Ron Howard videos at Funny or Die

Ron Howard, Andy Grifith, and Henry Winkler for change. Awesome!!

-Noface

What America Means to Me!

2008-10-21T12:22:00.001-04:00

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. That is so true! In my opinion, this picture says it all...

This is what America means to me. No, not dead soldiers, but a country worthy of loving (even if it means confronting) and dying for no matter what your religion, political ideology, race, gender, or sexual orientation is.

Rest In Peace CPL. Kareem Rashad Sultan Kahn.

-Noface

*Picture Courtesy of Platon at Newyorker.com

Personal Politics vs. Party Politics

2008-10-21T00:42:00.000-04:00

General Colin Powell announced his endorsement for Senator Barrack Obama and gave very clear and articulate reasons for doing so. I'm not impressed with that. I don't think someone should be viewed as a heroic figure or villainous despot, just because of who they plan to vote for. I'm not going to knock a guy/gal that feels that McCain is the best man for the job (being president that is), so long as that person has clear rational reasons (for himself/herself not anyone else) for taking that position.

No, no...Powell gets two thumbs way up for asking himself and by extension the rest of the Republican Party some very tough questions. One of the most important (in my mind) being, "Where we going with this...?" (I am paraphrasing of course). He was essentially calling into question how this new or "neo" Republican Party was defining what and where the real America was and who real Americans were.

He is correct in stating that the right answer to the Charge that Obama is a Muslim is "No he isn't...he is a Christian". He is even more correct in stating that the better answer to that question is so what (paraphrasing again). He goes on to remind us that there are other religions in this great country of ours and the people that practice those religions have lived in, fought for, and died for America.

So am I praising Powell for speaking up about his concerns about the divisive tone that the McCain campaign has adopted? Yeah, I guess, but the bulk of my praise for Powell goes to the fact that he was willing to examine his views and how they were being represented (or not) by his party and the campaign of his close friend. That to me is very important, the fact that he's not voting out of loyalty or a desire to see his party in power but based on his wish for America to be a better more united place. That is an example; I believe we should all follow. Who is the one who is going to turn my America and your America into OUR AMERICA! I’m not saying that everyone will come to the same conclusion that Powell did but at least they will have made the effort to take a critical look at themselves and the party or person there are supporting/opposing, making up their own minds and not have it made up for them.

I feel the fact that Powell is a Black Republican makes his endorsement more poignant. I had almost lost all faith in my conservative brothers and sisters (those who are indeed brothas and sistahs), because it appeared to me that no matter how rotten the McCain/Palin campaign got, they turned a blind eye and held their collective breath while showing their support and solidarity with the ticket. Let me just say, I don’t care if some one is a conservative, liberal, moderate, or whatever. There are gems (along with turds) in many of the different political ideologies. When a person puts party loyalty and partisan talking points over their own moral compass, well…I just can’t take what they have to say seriously. This is why the look into Powell’s thought process was like a breath of fresh air to me, because it reminded me that not all Black Republicans were going the way of the “Slave Catcher” as the Field Negro likes to call them.

Powell’s endorsement and the endorsement of other prominent conservatives for Senator Obama, gives me hope in the belief that we as Americans can disagree on a lot of things but we can be united in the knowledge that we are all Americans, we all love our country, and we all want America to prosper and succeed as a world leader. Perhaps we are finally witnessing the first rays of dawn after a long, long night (eight years long to be exact).

Of course Mr. Limbaugh had to give his two cents worth, which with the current rate of inflation, really equals nothing…

-Noface

Sarah Palin...Meet Sarah Palin!

2008-10-19T21:12:00.000-04:00

Sarah Palin was on SNL again last night (twice) in the form of Tina Few and some female governor from Alaska that must of won a contest or something. As always Fey was spot on, as for the governor though, she needs to work on her impression a little more...LOL

...also on the show was Palin's new rap song performed by...Amy Poehler??? What the Fudge? Is the McCain Campaign so frightened of a screw up that it won't even let Palin perform a simple rap song?!? PFFFFT! FAIL!

All in all it was an ok show!

-Noface

The Final Presidential Debate!

2008-10-16T12:08:00.000-04:00

First off, let me just say that I am so glad that there will be no more debates this election season. I mean, I love politics just as much as the next nerd, but this has been a long and tiring two years and frankly I look forward to this being over with.

Now on to the debate...

It looks like (from my first impression and later the instant polls on all the major news channels) that McCain is 0-3 in terms of these debates. That is a shame too, because this was McCain's best debate performance yet. It appears that no matter how good McCain does, Obama appears to much better. Why is that? Well, here's my theory.

It all comes down to temperament (Obama called way back in Denver). McCain has managed to prove Obama's point in regards to the qualities of leadership, throughout this general election. Its not about experience, it’s about judgment. Its not about patriotism, it’s about temperament.

When it comes to the type of leadership qualities that I look want in a president I look for the following:

1. Wisdom
2. Integrity
3. Competence
4. Intelligence (including intellectual curiosity)
5. Stability
6. Charisma
7. Compassion
8. Conviction

Those are the major virtues of leadership in order of importance (to me). So far I have only seen number seven from John McCain (especially during the debate). During this final debate, it appeared to me that McCain really believed what he was saying (whether accurate or not) and became increasingly unsettled when he sensed that he was not connecting with...well...anyone but those in his base. This is when things went downhill for McCain (and when he transformed into McGrumps again).

The more unsettled McCain became the more snarky, sarcastic, and visibly upset he became. In a televised debate delivery is just as important as message, and McCain's delivery was horrible (meaning that his message suffered as a result). That's how we got the jokes that only McCain himself laughed at, Health in quotation marks, McCain informing Joe the Plumber that he's rich now (among a lot of other unnecessary references to Joe), the constant blinking, and the barely contained rage.

Meanwhile Obama remained as cool as glass of ice water in the summer time, which only made McGrumps seem McGrumpier. In the end calm and steady won the race again.

On a side note, I have to give props to the moderator for keeping the debate moving and hitting the candidates with follow up questions.

-Noface

*Picture Courtesy of CNN.com

Barrack Is Not An Arab!

2008-10-11T21:39:00.000-04:00

I’m glad to see that after a week of letting his supporters stew in their own ignorance and hatred, John Sidney McCain has finally grabbed the mic and said “Enough!” (not that exact word of course, but you get the picture). This week, we saw how ugly politics can get and how alive and well racism is in America. It all started with Joe Six-pack’s number one boo Sarah “Pit-bull with Lipstick” Palin (of course). Ms. Wasila ’84, began attacking Barry with the old guilt by association route. She said that he was paling around with terrorist (a reference to his limited relationship with former domestic terrorist William Ayers). After that little bombshell (for any one living under a rock for the past nine months) we saw the middle name Hussein make reappearance (a middle name meant to be as derogatory as the middle finger). While these dots were being placed to be connected (and connected they were) we saw McCain/Palin “rallies” become increasingly angry and not in the “We want change now!” kind of way. The anger had more of a “Lynch that nigger” tone to it. Indeed McCain supporters would frequently yell epitaphs, verbally assault minority members of the press, and one actually called for the assignation of good old Barry (O_o has silly season become crazy season).

This recent turn of events has everyone worried about what the footlocker McCain is doing with his campaign. Conservatives are worried that this will backfire at a time when the country wants solutions and not racism veiled in code words and catch phrases. Liberals know that this will backfire, but are worried that the crazies have come out of hiding and history will be stopped with a bullet. The rest of us just watch in awe as a campaign implodes.

But as I said before, McCain (either because of his conscience or the polls) has decided to put an end to the foolishness and set the record straight….

I’m not even angry at the old lady that thought that Obama was an Arab (as if that is the equivalent of being a Nazi or something). I find myself filled more with pity than anything else. Her ignorance has brought her nothing but fear (you can hear how terrified she is of an Obama presidency, by the tremor in her voice) and she is representative of a lot of people out there who do not know the truth about Barry (and may not want to know the truth simply because he’s black). I feel sorry for her because if my view of the future is correct and Barry does become the 44th president of the United States, she will by choice be part of what had to be overcome instead of a member of this New America that we idealists fervently believe can come to pass. She will forever be seen as the problem (thanks to YouTube) and not a part of the solution.

Now McCain could have let this elderly woman continue to wallow in her ignorance and bask in the adulation of bigots, but he instead suffered a fit of integrity and leadership and let the people at his rally know what the deal really was and how his campaign was going to be handled from that point on (we can only hope). At that moment, McCain looked more like the old maverick of 2000 instead of the “IwannabepresidentBushcopy‘08” candidate that we have seen recently. Good for you John!

MEANWHILE….

It seems like Governor Palin did abuse her authority in the firing of Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan (the Trooper-gate Scandal)…hmmm….seems like next week will be as exciting as last week was.

-Noface

McGrumps Strikes Again!

2008-10-08T01:17:00.002-04:00

I just saw the second presidential debate and substantively I'm not sure who won, because by and large both candidates repeated old stump speeches and the entire debate was pretty boring (at least for this observer). I'm sorry but I was pretty disinterested about twenty minutes into the debate so I really stopped paying attention to what the candidates were saying. Sorry! I learned from my friends, all of those elitist pundits from the “liberal mainstream media”, and quick polls from undecided voters, that Obama won the debate by a wide margin. So that’s that I guess.

I’ll tell you what really got my attention, though. Ok, so McCain is explaining some kind of bill that was bad in someway, and he was explaining that his name would not be found anywhere on the bill. He then goes on to say “…You know who did vote for the bill…*while pointing to Obama* that one!” When I heard that I was stunned at how stupid McCain has become in terms of effective debating. In the first debate he refuses to acknowledge Obama’s presence and in this one he calls him “That One” which The Field Negro says reminds him of the term “Those People”.

…JOHN MCCAIN…Keeping it classy since 2006! PFFFFT!!

-Noface

*Photo Courtesy of Politico.com

Tina Fey Does It Again!

2008-10-05T11:11:00.000-04:00

I like how SNL has been able to tackle all of the subtleties of the presidential election and of course Tina Fey knocks it out of the park once again. When I saw the real debate on Thursday and witnessed Palin playing that "I'm a folksy hockey mom" crap a little too much, I wondered if secretly deep down inside her heart of hearts, she likes being made fun of by Fey.

Jason Sudakis and Queen Latifa were great as Biden and Ifil respectively. They were spot on in their portrayals of Biden and Ifil as being severely restrained from calling Palin's B.S, as to not appear as bullies and biased.

I'm sure going to miss Palin when McCain looses in November, if only because it means no more great skits from Tina Fey.

-Noface

The Juice Gets Squeezed!!!

2008-10-04T11:46:00.000-04:00

They got him folks. After 13 years they finally got The Juice. I must say that I am not too surprised (although the circumstances of this case were pretty fishy) and I am not ashamed to say that I am not sorry for Orenthal James. In my opinion, no matter what his level culpability in this current case was, to many people this was a second chance to do what couldn't be done the last time Orenthal James was facing the possibility of jail time, put him under the jail. Orenthal James, being the S-M-R-T guy that he is, gave them that opportunity (with the “If I Did It” book and this one would be tempted to think that the Juice wanted to go to jail). I know that many people are unaware of the specifics of the current trial and I am here to tell you that the specifics do not matter. When I heard that Orenthal James was going to be charged with conspiracy, armed robbery, and kidnapping, I knew that he would be found guilty no matter how flimsy the charges were (and no matter how questionable the witnesses for the prosecution were). The simple fact is that Orenthal James got away with the unforgivable crime (YES I BELIEVE HE DID IT) of killing members of the white race, was enough to convince me that no matter how "not guilty" Orenthal James was this time he would not be able to escape the hammer. Think about it, this dude got away with doing something that others of his particular skin color were put to death for, whether they were guilty or innocent (more often than not they were innocent). Of course as I predicted, Orenthal James was found guilty of all charges against him and if he is not sentenced to life with out the possibility of parole, I will be very surprised.

For all of you people of color out there who are making big moves and doing big things, let this be a reminder to you that this is still "the white man's" America. You can only spit in his face for so long before he uses every weapon in his arsenal to put you down. I know you were beginning to think that no matter what color your skin is as long as your money is green you can buy a get out of jail free card (yes I am aware of the irony) as many times as you want. I'm sure that the Combs, Jackson, and Kelly trials reaffirmed that notion. I assure you though, that folks are just itching for another crack at those fellas (Jackson and Kelly especially), so if they are too arrogant to count their blessings and stay out of trouble (or stay away from the kids) they could find themselves in Orenthal James's shoes.

This of course is mostly the fault of Orenthal James. He had to have known that white people don't like him. He had to have known that he was on thin ice for 13 years. He had to have known that if he were caught up in something that even seemed similar to a crime that he would be destroyed. He KNEW that the justice system is not as fair as many would like to believe it is (I mean his last criminal trial proved that). Yet he put his "nigger on" and decided to show everyone whose boss and get his stuff back with his boys. Well he found out whose boss....THE WHITE MAN.

My advice to Orenthal James now is the advice I give to all of those who are about to do hard time…Don’t Drop the Soap. To all my upwardly mobile People of Color out there, get your paper, live the American Dream, and use some God given common sense to avoid the traps set up by a system that clearly was not meant to protect or benefit anyone who is not the white man.

-Noface

The VEEP Debate

2008-10-02T21:58:00.000-04:00

I just finished watching the debate and ummm....WTF Palin? I mean really, folksy works on the stump (let's be real it draws the crowd), but in a debate it just makes you look Bushish (I just made that up). Now, maybe that would have worked 4 years ago (indeed evidence suggests that it did) but in these times that ain't gonna fly. I don't understand how she can just ramble on and not even come close to answering most of the questions that were asked of her. I really hope that buzz words like "Alaska" "Darn Right" "Hockey Mom" and "Maverick" did not bamboozle the millions of people that watched this debate. If anyone can tell me what exactly she was saying, I will give that person a chocolate chip cookie with a glass of milk.

Now, Biden was not Perfect but he did a hell of a lot better than I thought he would and it seemed to me the he dominated the debate in talking points and in presence. This of course is just my opinion and I'm sure that others would beg to differ.

Now all there is to do is wait for the late night comedians and those knuckleheads from YouTube to tell us what really happened in the debate.

-Noface

*Photo Courtesy of CNN.com

"When Cornered, You Become Increasingly Adorable"

2008-09-29T12:09:00.000-04:00

I must say, Tina Fey is better at being Sara Palin than anyone, including Sara Palin herself...

-Noface

America First...NOT!!

2008-09-25T00:57:00.000-04:00

John McCain announced that he was going to suspend his campaign, because of the economic crisis that this nation is facing. I'll say it again; McCain is suspending his campaign because there is an economic crisis that has been going on for quite some time now!! Do you know what all this really means? It means that McCain will be unavailable to join Obama at the debate on Friday, because he is "putting America first". Do you know what that really means? It means that the excrement has hit the fan for the McCain campaign, and they are using their last timeout.

McCain is not in any particular position to really do anything productive in Washington right now as far as the economic crisis is concerned. Let's call a spade a spade, this is a political ploy and though in times past this might have worked, I don't think that this is going to go well with the American People (I have been surprised by my fellow Americans before though). We shall see folks...we shall see!

But you know who really suffers? That's Right, David Letterman and one thing you must know about Letterman...he doesn't like to suffer alone....

In other news, Palin gets owned again in another interview. This time Katie Couric is the one to hand Hockey Mom Barbie's arse to her. So that makes her 0-2 as far as interviews go (the interview with Hannity clearly does not count because Fox News is as legitimate a news source as the Daily Show, only a lot less funny).

Observe the ownage...

"I'll try to find you some and I'll bring 'em to ya." She actually said that! WOW!

-Noface

I Don't Care How Big of a Star You Are...NO...IT IS NOT OK!!

2008-09-23T13:55:00.001-04:00

I am very upset with this dude right here! This dude, born Robert Kelly, but likes to run around calling himself the Pied Piper (Freudian slip?), is…is…I don’t know man. I guess I should be clear where I stand on this whole “him having relations with under aged girls” issue. It is my humble opinion that Mr. Kelly has a serious problem and that he needs to find help. Everyone knows what’s really up with this guy, despite his many denials. The dude is a severely flawed individual. I mean the video below says it all…

"...What do you mean by teenage girls?" Waitwhu'?? What do you mean by teenage girls!!?? Is this dude f'real??? It was at that point in the interview that I became really angry (which is uncharacteristic for me). But, even then when Mr. Kelly said, "Don't listen to the people who have been fired...don't even listen to the people that were hired..." I had to chuckle a little bit at the shear ridiculousness of that statement.

-Noface

Poetry Session #1

2008-09-18T00:42:00.000-04:00

During one of my routine treks through the viral infested jungles of YouTube, I came across this gem of Spoken Word, spoken and heard (you like that don't you!?) from and "urban" teen to other "urban" teens, respectively.

I must say that I was profoundly impressed and inspired to sit down and spill out a little of my self to be critiqued by...no one (seeing that I don't have any subscribers yet).

STATE OF MIND

I say I’m black because of my state of mind
A state of paranoia that makes me stay with kind (mine)
You always say you’re blind, to color
Every time I hear that line, I say, “Oh brother…this mutha--“
You see, I see color, texture and tone with twenty-twenty
In my sight is the white of the lint within pockets empty
I see green on the leaves and in the weaves of money
Which don’t grow on trees, indeed it seems funny
Still I need money to make my world go round
But the world sees only black and white, and I’m brown
See that’s my color and there are others like pink, peach and tan
Like the highest yellow to a hue that seems the darkest blue (damn)
Man, when it comes to skin tone it’s well known that from dark to light
Shades of brown can be found, but there is no black or white
Because white, is the absence of and black, the fullness of
And understand that the race of man can claim none of the above
So where’s the love, which covers a multitude of sins?
Please excuse, but screw the few, when is the multitude gonna win?
Look at my skin, then look within and see the Negro in me
The brother in he and the sister in she, African-American are we (?)
If you look clearly enough and deep enough, I think you’ll find
Black is not a color, it’s a state of mind
Found in the cognitive bent of the Talented Tenth
And seething within the underachieving (?) ninety percent
That constant pressure that tells us we can’t measure up to the hype
So some fall back to what we call black, forever stereotyped
While others break the mold and take a hold of that promise
Saying, “Forget what you’re told and what you know, because I’m this!”
Their faith, education, determination, and wits are their entourage
That was with them from the stoop to the house with a two car garage
That brother whose mind is stronger than his swagger
With that black mentality so sharp, he can spit daggers
He’s not a braggart, because his success is his hype man
Demanding his rights by taking the fight to the “white” man,
He’s not the thuggish type, but black means he can take it to the streets
Yet the truth is he’s from the burbs so he tries to stay discreet
And keep his head down with feet pumping at an above average pace
But black is what puts him in his place, not the color of his face
Which, is such a waste of personality, talent and skills
Because white only sees him as a token space to fill
And he’s an Oreo to the around the way brothers, you know, the others
But damn, calm down brothers because that brown brother
Can’t act black, since black is not an act, it’s a state of mind
And the notion so untrue that one’s hue is black, is so unkind
It sets us all back, further than those shows with Flava Flave
Or being Bobby Brown, TV clowns representing how black behaves
Oh behave, that’s not black because black is beautiful and proud
We’re just dark and lovely, swift and slow, quiet and loud
Reaching as high as the clouds and beyond the stars
And in this life no matter where we go, we know exactly who we are
Near or far, search the earth, uncover every secret place
Inquire the face of the nations and examine every race
Especially in the United States, because in the end you’ll find
That Black is not a color, black is a state of mind

Wow! I haven't written poetry for so long that I have forgotten how fun it is to turn expressions, emotions, and thoughts into beautifully arranged words.

-Noface

Hi, My name is Noface and I'm a Politicaholic!

2008-09-17T00:29:00.000-04:00

I swear that politics is like the new crack for a lot of people out there. This election season has brought out a level of excitement and passion that American Politics has not witnessed in...well...ever. For Democrats the future lies with Jesu--I mean Obama, while the Repubs are touting Tina Fey--I mean Sarah Palin, as the second coming of Hilary Clinton (George Bush is more like it). We're all out there looking for the next bit of positive news about our candidate while scouring YouTube and our favorite blogs for the new dirt on the other side's candidate. Folks who never even voted on American Idol are out there in the real world, on news sites, blogosphere, and other parts of the interwebs ( yes, I made that word up), are going around like fiends looking for their next political fix. People want to find out as much as they can. As an addict myself, I must say that this level of involvement is not necessarily a bad thing.

All you new junkies out there have to be careful though (take it from someone whose been on this stuff for at least 10 years), as with all addictive substances, you could overdose on politics. The results are not pretty, indeed they can be down right sad (P.U.M.A anyone?). "But Mr. Noface, how do I know when I've OD'd on Politics?" You don't smart guy! Addicts are never able to appreciate when they've had too much. Your friends however, will be able to tell if you've gotten too crazy with the Oddballs in the Situation Room while shooting up pure AC 360 (that's some potent stuff), by looking out for the following symptoms...

1) Irrational Hero Worship!
(As far the world knows, Obama can not heal the sick, give sight to the blind, make the lame walk, the dumb speak, or raise himself from the dead three days after being crucified)
(Hockey Moms are not the next stage in human evolution, hell if you are a hockey mom, you probably don't even believe in evolution)

2) Irrational Excuses Made In Light of Your Candidate's Shortcomings!
(A bunch of well written and delivered speeches will not add one iota of experience to Obama's resume)
(Mavericks do not tow the party line 90% of the time)
(If someone is running for President or VP, he or she had better know what the hell the Bush Doctrine is, so don't get mad at the interviewer just because he caught your girl slipping)

3) Feeling Like Someone on Your Side Got a Raw Deal So Voting for the Opposition is the Only Remedy!
(I'm sorry but that is retarded)

4) Talks of Succeeding From the Union Should the Other Side Win!
(C'mon, you didn't do it in 2000, you punked out in '04, and you're not going to do it this time either)

5) Talks of Leaving the Country Should the Other Side Win!
(see #4)

6) Claiming that Relating to the Candidates is More Important Than Issues!
(If you exhibit this symptom, you should be smacked)
(The President shouldn't be a Regular Joe like you or m--well, just you. He should be a cut above!)

7) Going to the Pushers at Fox News to Get a Hit of Their Inferior Product Just to Keep the Monkey Off Your Back!
(this right here, is rock bottom)

If you exhibit any one of or a combination of these symptoms, your friends should abduct you, send you off to a secluded place, cut you off from all forms of communication that could get you in contact with anything political, and keep constant watch over you as you sweat and convulse, while that politico-high leaves your system.

That being said enjoy these videos while you detox....

-Noface