Really small Florida town?

I know that its been some time since the last post here, but school has been a beast and I have been quite busy. Now that the disclaimer is out of the way, please read the following story from Fox News (click here).

I can't believe this story. To recap, a Fort Meyers Beach, FL town council voted 5-0 to FIRE (yes, FIRE) town manager Scott Janke "without cause". The Mayor (Larry Kiker) said that he found out Janke's wife was a porn star and took action a few hours later by calling the meeting. Really? You fired a man because his wife was/is (I think was only) a porn star? Would you fire someone for having sex in a position other than missionary as well? Or do you think your town would look bad because a porn star is the wife of an elected official? Guess what?!?! Now you look bad and you look stupid/prudish and backward. Congrats. Was his wife selling DVDs in town hall? No...ok...did she hit on different members of the town council and offer sexual favors (which they would have taken...probably)? Nope. Guess what else? Your Mayor then made this statement: "We did everything we could not to judge," Kiker told the paper. "It's not about him and her. It's about the town." You did everything you could? No, you didn't. If you did you wouldn't have fired him for marrying someone who did porn.

Why do I care about this? Because it means you can get fired for things you can't control. Imagine you marry someone who had a job that was less than reputable (but everyone loves/uses regularly) and has since moved on, but you get FIRED for their past job. Unless they were a criminal you should file a lawsuit and collect your check. America, what are we coming to? Seriously. One day we will have freedom in this nation. One day all this equality bullshit will mean something...one day. But since we have town's firing men with porn star wives and neighbors calling the cops on black neighbors who happen to live in nice neighborhoods and come home late only to find that the door is stuck...I can't even speak on THAT dumb situation. Should we even say racism anymore or should we just say FEAR (same thing usually). Educate yourselves, ignorant masses, don't be afraid of your neighbors (black or white), go meet them and maybe they'll look out for you (or you won't call the cops on them for dumb shit). I realize I'm rambling on about several issues, but the crux of the matter is this: until we realize that being truly equal and truly accepting of our differences means NOT judging each other then we are doomed to have a nation that is afraid to 'do the right thing' or stand up for those that can't stand for themselves.

So, to Mayor Larry Kiker I want to extend the following message (usually I would extend a big "FUCK YOU and the TOWN COUNCIL", but I think that is against my own message): I hope that you realize (and I assume your Christian with views like those) that Christ hung out with thieves and harlots (a little worse than porn stars...or much worse) and only condemned those who judged others. Open your eyes and stop the madness. Why can't we do these little things? Who cares if your town has a lesbian mayor? Does she do a good job? Yes? Then shut the fuck up. If you can't accept those that are different, then you can't be mad when others don't accept you...think about it.

P.S. I would have probably visited your town a lot sooner with a porn star as the wife of a prominent official...*shakes head*

NO FUTURE FOR YOU!

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/04/08/teens.life.sentence/index.html

So I read this article and was amazed at humanity. The article is about a 14-year-old kid, Quantel Lotts, who killed his 17-year-old brother, Michael Barton, with a knife. They had been playing with blowguns and at some point it got serious and he went for a knife.  He was sentenced to life in prison with no parole. I’ll let that settle a bit. A 14-year-old kid was sentenced to life in prison WITH NO PAROLE. He’s now 23 years old.

The thing that surprises me is the two extremes of the advocates for and against this guy and inmates like him who have committed ugly crimes.

His stepmother, the mother of Michael, the older kid, has forgiven Quantel for killing her son and is working with lawyers to get him released.

There are some who are working in different places to try to eliminate federally the ability to give such severe punishment to minors, namely the National Center for Juvenile Justice. Their reasoning is that these kids have usually undergone quite a bit of trauma and that system doesn’t care what happens to them. These kids have been through a lot of hell. Some have been raped, some have been dealing with a loved one and authority in their lives molesting or neglecting them and/or abusing drugs.

But of course, there’s another set that think that’s the reason they should never see daylight again. They believe that their crimes were so bad that they should stay locked up forever. And in actuality they feel the severity of their crimes makes them unworthy of the resources that would help them and get them back on the streets.

They feel like the victims shouldn’t have to feel victimized again and that these people will be in our communities repeating their crimes.

It turns out that there are over 2000 inmates with more or less the same stories. 73 of them were 13 or 14 when they did it. The thing that trips me out is that Son of Sam and Charles Manson have been up for parole multiple times. These guys have killed at ages wherein they are set in their ways or at least when they had a complex understanding of consequences of their actions. Manson has been up for parole about 11 times! David Berkowitz, the “Son of Sam” killer has been up for parole 4 times.

Ok, My views:

The mother is no joke! I don’t know how long this could have taken her but she has seen past the fact that her son is dead and recognizes that this was a little kid. She also recognizes that this kid has been through a lot and needs help and not prison. The idea that she could get past the fact that this kid killed her son is amazing.

I give much props to the NCJJ for their efforts in trying to assist sentenced juveniles. The punishment does exceed the crime just a little. It’s not that I’m taking the sting out of murdering someone, but I am taking the stance that the goal of our system should be rehabilitation.

I know it hurts to lose someone you love. I’m sure it is even more infuriating and painful when that person is lost to someone who had no right and especially no real reason to take their lives. But should that mean that we lose all appreciation for human life? Should we want people to live enslaved to the system? That can be considered torture. It’s justifiable but should we desire that for people. These are people who, with rehabilitation, may make great and productive additions to society. If we allow our hate or vengeance allows us to get to the point where we can’t see or allow that, then we have become less human.

But this is the argument of National Organization for Victims of Juvenile Lifers. It was co-founded by woman whose sister’s family was killed by a teenager. The fact that these killers usually had a pretty complicated and painful life up to that point is more reason for them to lock these kids up and throw away the key. That’s pretty grimey to me. This group along with Crime Victims United of California believes that they could come out and repeat this stuff in our communities. Typical. Fear tactics. Isn’t that what always happens? A kid who kills someone in their teenage years, no matter what the reason, apparently can’t change and be remorseful and do something more for society in his 20’s or 30’s. Doesn’t make any sense.

I’m not saying don’t give them life. I’m just saying throwing away the key won’t bring your family or friends back. Everyone should get a second chance to make something better of themselves. Everyone should be allowed parole hearings. I think they should come with much more rigorous psychological evaluations and behavioral evaluation and testimonies by guards and even the well-known and trusted inmates (those do exist). And even after being granted parole, they can undergo periodic evaluations at institutions funded by the government with psychologists in a debt forgiveness program. I don’t have all the kinks worked out obviously but it’s a start.

I’m just sayin, if Charles Manson can come up for parol, why should we say some kid who wasn’t smart enough to control himself before he did something seriously stupid should never have that chance? 

The Gays Have It

Not really sure what the title means, but I thought it would get some attention. Surprise, surprise America, we have the Midwest doing things that California could not. We even addressed the Prop 8 debate on this very blog (thanks Tali). I'm somewhat excited. Not because I am gay or anything, but because this means that Americans are not just red and blue, or liberal and conservative, we are a thinking nation. We do have gut reactions, but we also think things through. I have religious beliefs that are against homosexuality (male to male, haven't found anything against lesbians in the Bible...weird...thanks God...I guess, but I digress), but I am not going to let MY beliefs control those around me. My beliefs have not one fucking thing to do with your beliefs. We are talking about laws that reflect direct religious principles; laws that have no place in a 'secular' society (I mean, if we want to observe religious laws we are WAAAAY off right now).

Here is the thing, why are people so against gay marriage? Religion. Yet we have a separation of church and state that is not being upheld. Maybe 'gay' isn't even in line with evolutionary, 'survival of the fittest' (no reproductive abilities on their own...just sayin') principles, but that doesn't mean someone can't marry the person they love. Who am I to stop them? In my opinion that is not where the law belongs. Keep the law out of my sexual affairs (gay or straight). I mean, in some religions, oral sex is frowned upon (or non-missionary sex or sex for pleasure), do I want the government telling me what positions I'm allowed to perform? NOPE! So, based on those items, my personal feelings on gay marriage DON'T FUCKING MATTER! And neither do yours. Gay marriage doesn't even bother heterosexual couples! I mean, if your dude already wanted to marry dudes, but didn't cause it was illegal, then you had a problem in the beginning. Over at the Huffington Post (damn liberals...lol) they discuss how allowing gay marriages can support heterosexual marriages (WHAT?!?!).

Now, for you homophobes (I include myself), calm down. This isn't the end of the world for you. Relax. Take a deep breath. And remember, I don't care what your religion says, I am solely speaking to the fact that the government should not be involved in those matters. And if I wanna marry a fucking rock...so be it (extreme, but seriously...who cares?). I would not label myself as conservative or liberal, but I would say that I seek that which is real. I try to understand those who are different and we shouldn't prevent those that aren't "normal" from doing the whole gay marriage thing. Congrats Iowa and Vermont...you realized the stupidity in the laws and fixed it.

Oh yeah, if you would like to continue to discuss this issue, post a comment!

Common Sense

Some have said that common sense is not common at all. To this point I must agree. I'm not an officer of the law, but I believe that I would have better judgment in the situation that occurred in Plano, Texas. Below is a video of ESPN's report on the incident. And here is a link for their write up. I'm not going to give the details of the story here, but I think the officer is clearly an idiot (whether or not his stupidity was racially motivated is not my place to judge). Watch the video and read my thoughts below...



When will people use common sense? First, I will address what Ryan Moats should have done in this situation (though his course of action was not incorrect). After the cop pulled me over in the hospital parking lot, I would have gotten out of my car (or even waited for the officer to approach the window) and explained that my mother-in-law was dying. If the officer said that he could not let me leave without towing my car, I would tell him that he can do whatever he wants, but he will not prevent me from seeing her. I would calmly walk into the hospital with my hands completely visible. However, I would know that this course of action could cause me harm (Moats' wife used this course of action...kudos to her and to Ryan for remaining composed).

Now, to Officer Powell. This cop is an idiot. After the hospital sent out several nurses (on separate occasions) to explain the situation and explain that the patient had already coded several times, the officer still would not allow Ryan Moats to see his dying mother-in-law. Is this for real? The reason Moats was pulled over is due to 'rolling through' a red light (turning right on red without stopping, I assume). Is this reason enough to detain him in the parking lot of the hospital? The officer could have allowed him to see his mother-in-law and then written a ticket or whatever. Why not? Because the officer is an imbecile. He could have even walked into the hospital and waited for them with the ticket in his hand. This is insane. I'm not calling for his job, but he needs some more training. Police Officers have discretion (meaning they DO NOT have to arrest or ticket everyone who has committed a crime) to use at their WILL. Meaning they can give warnings in certain cases. Would rushing to the hospital be one of those cases? Would nurses telling you that the person your 'suspect' (really, traffic violation?) is trying to visit is dying be reason enough?

Ryan Moats' mother-in-law died before he reached her. How can that be repaid? The officer was directly responsible for the delay that caused him to miss those last moments with her. Can any apology cover that? I appreciate what the Police Chief said in his press conference. I'm glad that this doesn't fall on blind eyes, but we need to hire officers with some sense. What is the excuse here?

The reason that this is most disturbing is that Officer Powell overreacted. How many other times has he made poor decisions based on an exaggerated view of events? Has he arrested someone (black or white) that did nothing to deserve it? Is he running around making ignorant and stupid decisions throughout Plano? This is the travesty of a lack of common sense. Making intelligent decisions and knowing the right reaction for the right situation is KEY to being an officer of the law. You may view this as a small misstep in judgment, but I see it as a systemic problem in our nation. We have lost common sense.

I watched South Park recently and the common theme of many episodes is the lack of common sense. The town folk react to common problems with extreme solutions. They lack the necessary common sense to prevent mass hysteria over little issues (and comedy results). This is an illustration of the greater problem: fear. Common sense challenges fear and ignorance. However, without common sense it is easy to fear things that one should not. Whether it be racial discrimination, sexual discrimination, gender discrimination, or religious discrimination the common thread is unfounded fear. It creates the need to oppress, to kill, to make war, and to segregate. Why are we afraid? Because we lack common sense and the information that will ablate our fears. We are ALL guilty.

I challenge my readers to move past their fears. Choose something you are afraid of and conquer it. Talk to someone that you think won't understand you, walk where you want, look people in the eye (OSU students), say hello, and do the little things. Soon you will be able to conquer the big fears. I'll work on this and I hope that you will as well...we don't want to end up with a lapse in common sense like Officer Powell.

Gattaca???

We are entering a new age in our society. Genetic engineering is reaching new heights. Take this story for instance. A doctor has recently claimed to be able to 'design' babies with specific hair and eye color! Now, where do we go from here? When does the ethical question come up regarding the 'selection' of 'great' babies over 'good' babies? Should we be able to pick and choose the best from our shared gene pools (male and female)? Wouldn't we all love to be different in some way (not I, said the mouse)?

Well, we have already seen how this scenario may play out in a great film called Gattaca. Gattaca explores highly selective genetic engineering of embryos in order to form 'optimal' children. In the film, two brothers (one engineered and one not) lead different and unique lives based on the difference in their genetic makeup. The themes that are explored (without giving away too much more of the plot) include genetic segregation and ethical questions regarding that segregation. It is an important film if we are moving closer and closer to 'super babies'.

Here's what I would like to know. Can we as a society deal with this technology when it arrives? Are we ready to select 'better' babies based only on genetic information? Its a tough question for which I have no answer. We think that we would want things to take place naturally, but that may not be the best. What if I could guarantee that you would live to be 95+ years old and not have any diseases? Would you take that guarantee? Would you want your child to have that life? I say yes...but I also say no. And thus we have come to an almost impossible problem. Yes the genetic benefits are great, but we can overcome so many things as human beings (proven in the film Gattaca). Isn't this reason to NOT allow your child to be genetically engineered?

Locked Cell Phones!

Several of you may know that I have an iPhone that I enjoy! However, I am still partial to fairness in business and the iPhone (as well as the Blackberry Storm) is the antithesis of fair.

Opposition has been growing against several of the major cell phone service providers. The opposition aruges against the fact that most cell phones are sold locked and can only be used with the larger phone companies (AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, and T-Mobile). The argument is that this prevents competition from smaller companies because it is harder for them to sell attractive headsets. But if cell phones were sold like TVs, then the consumer could choose how they want their service (or programming in this analogy). Meaning that small time service providers could provide cheaper service (providers like MetroPCS, etc.) and compete with the large companies (due to unlocked phones).

Now, I kind of enjoy the fact that certain phones are with certain companies, but it is time for a change. Most other countries (and most have better phones) have unlocked phones...it just makes sense. I have long believed that the whole system is garbage because you never really own your cellphone if it is locked. You are bound to that provider. You can't switch providers based on service. You have to switch based on phones and service (bogus). I have friends who unlock phones or buy unlocked phones, but it shouldn't have to be outside the mainstream. I should be able to walk inside Best Buy and purchase any cellular device and then walk into any cell phone provider and have that device work with their services. That is all I would like...please can we get this done?

President Obama: Address to Congress

WOW. This was an amazing speech. President Obama touched on several issues including energy independence, tax cuts, the economy, the national debt, our armed forces, the Iraq war, terrorism/extremism, torture, education reform, healthcare reform, parental responsibility, stories of great American spirit, international cooperation, the bailout, and research funding.

This speech (if Obama does well in these times) will go down in history as one of the greatest by a President (yes, I said it). Let no one deny that Obama is a charismatic speaker. Let us hope that he will 'bring it' and keep the momentum going in order to help this nation. Ok, let's get to the speech.

I am going to hit on some points that I enjoyed during the speech, feel free to comment and add your thoughts because I will leave some stuff out.

Let's take a look at research funding first. I think that this issue will lead our nation into very important innovations that will keep us at the cutting edge. Our last leader CUT funding by over 35% and it showed in the research community. It made it much more difficult for researchers to keep very important research moving forward (specifically one of my projects and ACER at Oakwood College). If we commit to research funding we can cure diseases; and President Obama hopes to cure cancer in our lifetime. This leads to another very interesting topic.

Healthcare reform is LONG overdue in our nation. Some may disagree, but I think it is a crime to not allow children access to FREE healthcare. He pointed to several issues that we should tackle (affordability, a new plan/system, bipartisan ideas) and goals we could accomplish. I think the most telling statement was the idea to encourage preventative medicine. This type of medicine will reduce the overall cost of healthcare and should be the focus of this plan.

Another interesting statement was the tax plan that President Obama clarified. Finally (at least to Republicans). He said that only the top 2% of all Americans would experience a tax increase. However, if your family makes less than $250,000 per year, then you will not see a tax increase. AND if you are like the other 95% of working families, then you will receive a tax cut. So, basically this is a great plan...at least, we all hope so.

There were some really touching stories (a bank CEO giving his $60 million to employees and former employees) that reiterated the point that ordinary Americans are far from ordinary. A little girl (last name Bethea) was at her terrible school in South Carolina and wrote a letter to Congress pleading for a new school so that she and her classmates could grow up to be doctors, lawyers, and even President. And the one thing that little girl said that touched me (and Obama) is that they were not quitters! How great is that?

President Obama really brought it home in this speech. We thought that this nation was going down the tubes (and it may be), but Obama is issuing challenges to all Americans. Better yourselves. Turn off the TV. Be with your kids, teach them. Go further in the realm of education. Do these things and our nation will be back on top in all categories. Because, let's be honest, we are behind in education, which leads to being behind everywhere else.

President Obama, I salute you for putting it out there. Saluting our troops and preaching Iraq war responsibility. Getting Americans to commit to volunteer work. This is what we need in a President. CANDOR. HONESTY. MOTIVATION. AND REALISM.

NY Post Cartoon: My Thoughts

Image from NY Post

Ok. I get how everyone wants to react to this as a racist cartoon. I fully understand that sentiment. However, I feel that that is an overreaction. Why you ask? Because of this chimp actually being shot (in the news yesterday), my first reason. But the deeper issue is that the cop is referring to those that wrote and passed the stimulus bill, not President Obama. In my mind, they are saying Congress is a bunch of monkeys (or at least those that wrote the bill).

Having said that, I fully understand that historically (and currently) blacks are referred to as monkeys in hate speech. I get that. But I don't think the cartoon is using the chimp to equal President Obama. This means that no one is saying "kill our monkey president". Thus, we should be outraged by this. What should piss us off are the actual racist policies that continue to bring down this nation. We keep getting angry over what others put in cartoons or say on the radio instead of addressing the fact that the black family's decay is responsible (to a great degree at least) for the large number of blacks in prison or the poor house. Now, I agree that the criminal justice system holds a great responsibility in this as well, but let's stop getting in an uproar of these little things and really address the big problems. Please.

Michael Phelps

I hate this story. Who cares if Michael Phelps, Olympic Champion, smokes weed? I surely don't. And why does it matter? He is still a great swimmer, right? And all this business about criminal charges??? Really????? C'mon. Give me a break.

Let's look at this logically. He took a bong hit...a BONG hit. Did he hurt anyone (maybe himself)? Is he drug dealer? A lot of successful people smoke weed. Now, I'm not saying that doing drugs is okay (your government and medical community say that everyday), but must we vilify anyone who makes a mistake? The crime of 'doing drugs' does hurt the user (and their family to some degree), but is it something that should be punished with jail time? Non-violent offenders should not be imprisoned. What will it benefit them? It will turn them into hardened criminals and aid in the quest for more drugs. If we really wanted to help people, maybe rehab/drug counseling is the best answer.

One cop agrees that Phelps should not be prosecuted for a picture of him 'taking a bong hit'. I say, how can we know that there was weed in that bong? It could also be used to smoke tobacco (a legal drug). Hell, if you take a picture of me drinking alcohol (another widely used legal drug) and then driving, can I go to jail for a DUI?

This writer is for arresting Phelps. How dumb is that? No law enforcement official witnessed the crime. It is a tough sell in court to convict someone on a photo that DOES NOT contain evidence of marijuana. I am highly annoyed with this whole saga. I won't tell you how should think or call you silly for wanting Phelps head on a platter, but we have to remember that weed was only made illegal in 1936 (before that is was widely used) due to back from the oil, tobacco, and paper industries (at least their lobbyist). Therefore, let's have some perspective. And don't throw the "well slavery was legal once too" argument at me. That is ignorant. Slavery harmed an entire segment of people, while weed harms no one (in and of itself) to that degree.

Look, I am tired of those who have issues casting blame on everyone else (I include myself in this at times). We shouldn't judge each celebrity or athlete. Give them a break. They are human beings who make mistakes. If your buddies took a photo of you trying or smoking weed and posted it on Facebook it wouldn't be news at all. Cops wouldn't care or anything. But because Phelps is a "hero" we have to jump on his case. How does this make sense? Get over it America, our "heroes" make mistakes. It's like if we found out that Ben Carson had smoked weed. Does that make him less of a neurosurgeon? NO! He would still be a great doctor, the proof is in his work. Move on...

Too Many Kids

I am not the only person to be upset about this woman in California. Doctors, radio show hosts (Adam Carolla), and everyone else are almost as confused as I am. The biggest thing is that ALL of her children were out of wedlock. Now, I am not so conservative to misunderstand that shit happens and you can have children out of wedlock in our modern society and survive. However, she now has had 14 KIDS out of wedlock. She had the last eight via fertility treatments after she had already had 6 children at home. Excuse me, her mother's home (she still lives with her parents). The mother of 14 has a life goal to become a MOM (yeah, that wasn't a joke). She went to the fertility doctor because she wanted another girl. Really? How selfish is that? She lives with her parents (who recently declared bankruptcy) and can't support herself and her 6 kids, yet she wanted one more? What doctor would give her the treatment if she already had 6 kids? At what point to we draw the line? Well, ma'am, you have 6 kids, fertility is NOT for you. Plus you can't support even one more on your own. This 14 child family will be a drain on the system of the most egregious variety. She doesn't NEED more kids and at some point (if natural methods aren't working) fertility treatments must be denied or regulated.

I hate to rant against this mother (who is 33 years old), but I feel she is irresponsible. The physicians even advised her that they should remove some embryos so that the others would have a greater chance at survival. Nope. So now she has 14 kids, lives at her parents, and will clearly have a difficult time providing for them. This is the debate we should have in our nation. When is it too much of a good thing? I have no problem with large families, but single (or married) moms who live at their mom's house with 6 kids ALREADY...SHOULD NOT GET FERTILITY TREATMENTS!!! The children of this mother are the ones who will suffer the most (due to her selfishness) and that is the saddest thing about this story.

This presents the nation with a very important ethical argument. Can you just procreate regardless of your current situation? And when will our population outgrow the nation's capacity to sustain life? I DO NOT have the answers to these questions, but from this situation to crack babies, we need to start talking about this issue. Maybe abstinence education is not the answer. Maybe we need to be more proactive about educating the masses regarding sex. I don't know. What do you think?

PETA: Publicity front for Extremely Two-Faced A**holes

Oh boy, PETA is at it again. Michael Vick and PETA had an agreement to shoot an anti-dogfighting public service announcement upon Vick's release from prison. I think this was a great idea: one thing I have repeatedly complained about is the willingness of PETA and our society to tear down Michael Vick for his actions, instead of also taking advantage of his position in society to get word out to the entire dogfighting subculture. Vick's representatives asked for one thing: for PETA to give him their support when he asked for re-instatement with the NFL. PETA balks at the request, pulls the offer from the table, and makes the following recommendation:

"Saying sorry and getting his ball back after being caught enjoying killing dogs in hideously cruel ways for many years doesn't cut it," said PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk. "Commissioner Goodell knows that he has an obligation to the league and to millions of fans, including children who look up to ballplayers as idols, to make sure that Michael Vick is mentally capable of remorse before he can touch, let alone wear, an NFL uniform again."

Ingrid Newkirk, are you for real??? First of all, explain to me what mental capabilities I would need before being able to "touch" an NFL uniform. Your reaction is symbolic of the problems that exist in today's politics and advocacy groups. First, you go after Vick, for a justifiable reason, and in some ways I understand and even commend the work you did to bring light to Vick's horrible acts. Now, when you have an opportunity to do something positive for society, for animals, and for Michael Vick, all you do is try and flex your muscle to get the NFL to bow down to your demands? Who are you helping with this? Who the hell are you to tell the NFL how they should or should not evaluate Michael Vick? You are supporters for ethical treatment of animals. Serve your purpose, do your job, and stop making propaganda and publicity out of every opportunity. You've just lost a tremendous opportunity for curtailing and curbing illegal dogfighting using preventive measures rather than combative ones. You and your organization make me sick.

President Barack H. Obama

WOW. Even typing that title is amazing to me. Maybe I am overexcited and overzealous. Maybe I am not thinking rationally, but going to the inauguration was one of the best experiences of my life. Yes, we had to wake up very early after very little sleep and go stand in line for 30 minutes to get a train in below freezing temperatures, but I would still say it was worth it. We arrived in DC around 6:20am or so. It was below freezing with a brutal windchill, but we were determined to get to the mall and get a great spot. We thought we were wearing enough layers, but 8+ hours in below freezing temperatures will begin to wear on your body...but more on that later. We were sent back and forth (the police were giving conflicting instructions), but finally made it to 12th, where we could enter the mall. After standing for another 45 minutes or so, they finally allowed us to cross around 7:40am.

We entered the mall and couldn't believe how many people we were seeing. It was amazing. They were playing footage from a few days prior (I am unsure if the audience realized this as they responded as if it were live...hilarious), but it was still building the drama. In the back of my mind I was preparing for the worst (bombs, assassination attempts, etc.), but I was hoping for the best. After hours of waiting and being bumped by people that were randomly walking through the crowd (but not really getting anywhere), we caught a glimpse of President Obama on the big screen. The crowd cheered! But then we realized he was with President Bush and most began to boo. The best transition in emotion for crowd response in a long time.

Another great unintentional comedic happening was the mics being on as 'important people' took their seats onstage. Lots of small talk and funny little comments... Finally it was time to bring in the real important people (First Lady Michelle Obama, preceded by the First Daughters...all looking like royalty) and the crowd was eating it up. We began to chant for Obama! We could not wait for the first black President to be sworn in.

After a long prayer by Rick Warren, we finally got to the preliminaries. Vice President Biden, Aretha, and an amazing instrumental ensemble that was ridiculously precise and perfectly 'feeling' each note they played. The chills were beginning. Then we began the swearing in of our President. OUR PRESIDENT!!!! President Obama stumbled through those lines, but that added an air of gravitas to the proceedings that can not be describe. It showed that even cool as silk Obama felt the immense importance of that action (and was appropriately nervous/excited). Here is where things really took off!

The speech began and we all were eager for each word. I can't describe it (seriously, you had to be there), but we felt that we were part of the ceremony. I felt a connection with President Obama. It was surreal. I was immensely proud to be an American. Excited to be cold amongst the throngs. Barely feeling my extremities, yet oddly, fully aware of each word and emotion it invoked within me. It was a great, repeat GREAT, experience. President Obama's speech gave hope to so many and inspired us all. Yes, he man not be the greatest President ever or even decent, but I have hope that our future will brighten slightly...don't you?

What do you mean, "you people"???

As Barack Obama's historic inauguration is right around the corner, I couldn't help but remember all the political propaganda that was being put out this election season, fear of "the black" taking over, mistrust of Obama's religion, heritage, etc. This led me to think about the role of race in my psyche and the impact it's had on my life thus far. One particular topic that keeps coming up is the "all you people" mindset. Here's an example of what I'm talking about:

Five years ago, I had a minor car accident in Baltimore. While I was making a left turn from the middle turn lane at an intersection, the person to the left of me, in a left turn only lane, decided to go straight. We both got out of our cars, and the other driver, who happened to be black was screaming at me. No matter what I said to him (including pointing out the sign that said "left turn only") he wouldn't calm down. Across the street, a security guard saw the commotion and started walking over. Now, the security guard also happened to be black, and I began to have reservations about whether he would be fair to me in his account of the situation, because the other driver was also black. When he came over, he calmed the guy down, made him realize it was his fault, and managed the situation quite nicely.

It bothers me to some degree that I allowed myself to feel the way I did when the security guard was walking over. I know that had the cop been a different ethnicity/race from the driver, I would not have had any qualms about his/her judgment. Alternatively, had the cop been Indian, like me, then I would have had more trust in his ability to see things my way.

As an Indian in America, I have always been a minority everywhere I've lived, and I grew up in a predominantly white area. Despite my exposure to different cultures and people, at some level I can't help but group a race of people together and assume that they have biases which would cause them to forgo their better judgment and support someone from their own race. In other words, in a situation when I am in the minority, surrounded by a group of people predominantly from another race, I expect them to be racist.

This ends up being my mentality when I am in other situations as well. For example, as an American-born Indian, Indian immigrants tend to not respect my values, or sense of Indian culture. If I am in a group of Indian immigrants, I expect a degree of bias against me. The same could hold true for religion, and numerous other types of categorizations that our society places on people.

However, race is such a sensitive issue in this country, this type of thinking has actually been criticized very publicly in the past. If any of you are tennis fans, a few years ago (around 2001), Lleyton Hewitt was playing James Blake, and was unhappy with one of the line judges who happened to be black. He shouted at the chair umpire, and claimed that the line judge was favoring James Blake with his calls, because of his race. Hewitt was blasted in the media, in newspapers, etc. for thinking that way, and was portrayed as ignorant and racist.

I want your opinions on this issue: Do you feel the same way when you're "outnumbered", so to speak? Is it specific to one race of people, all races of people? Would you trust one race of people more than another race? What roles do you feel stereotyping plays in all of this? Do you think this mentality is unique to race for yourselves? Is this type of thinking actually wrong?

In the news again...for all the wrong reasons.

Sadly, Adam Jones is in the news again for another shooting. Watch the ESPN Outside the Lines video below and leave your thoughts.



And here is Adam Jones' "response".



Even if he is completely innocent, we all know that avoiding the appearance of evil is the best policy. Why put yourself in a situation that comprises your image? LAY LOW! Don't go to Atlanta when you are on suspension from the NFL. You know we have great strip clubs. Why tempt yourself? This is why we need to educate folks. It seems to me that Adam Jones is having a hard time keeping away from bad folks. We know that "Slugga" Morris has allegedly extorted money from Jones in the Las Vegas situation. Even if Adam Jones isn't his friend or associated with him in any way, why would he not immediately leave the club if "Slugga" was present? Why go to "Slugga's" stomping grounds? Morris is part of the notorious International Robbing Crew (out of New Orleans and based in Atlanta).

Adam Jones admits to being an alcoholic and claims to attend AA meetings regularly. He also admits he has done wrong. However, if you are already under scrutiny for violence at a strip club, then why don't you stay home. Call a few of your boys, hire some private strippers (saves money in the long run), and party the night away. There will be no threat of violence and no trouble with the NFL.

Adam Jones, I hope you continue to get your act together and surround yourself with positive influences. And STAY OUT OF STRIP CLUBS!!! Please, for your own sake.

Katt Williams and Steve Harvey

I have several thoughts about the recent rift between Katt Williams and Steve Harvey. At first I couldn't care less. I don't think Katt Williams is a great comic. I think he is average at best. I don't think Steve Harvey is a great comic. I think he is average at best. Steve Harvey has laid claim to being one of the original kings of comedy. Katt Williams feels that Richard Pryor, Bill Cosby, Eddie Murphy, and Robin Harris are the original kings. And both are claiming to be better than the other. Why does this bother me? Because I dislike both of their comedy styles. There isn't any intelligence in their comedy. In my opinion, they are only slightly better than BET Comicview (sometimes good, but mostly redundant and ignorant). Comedians must have some intelligence in their acts. Even Richard Pryor, Bill Cosby, and Eddie Murphy brought an intellect to their game. Currently, my top comedians are Paul Mooney (wrote for Richard Pryor) and Dave Chappelle (watch any of his specials...classic!). My all-time favorites include Pryor, Cosby, and Murphy.

Maybe I have a problem. But I can't stand to hear about rims, chicken, and watermelon at every show. Broaden your act! You don't have to give up your "blackness" (check out this Paul Mooney clip, watch the "Analyzing White America" video). I think that we need to speak out against the Katt Williams explosion. He is funny at times, but he brings nothing to the game.

And if you feel differently, please enlighten me. But his comedy seems extremely shallow. He has no range and can't get deeper...

I leave you with this performance...hilarious.