uglyblackjohn

If We're Keeping Score

uglyblackjohn@att.net (uglyblackjohn) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 03:38:00 +0000

After inheriting a failed banking system and a failed auto industry - some would say that Obama is ruining the country.
But a quick look reveals something different.
Dow Jones Average;
January 2009 - Markets trade at a low of 8000.86
December 2009 - Markets up to 10547.08

After Bush promises an end to our 'long national nightmare of peace and prosperity' (The Clinton Years) - at least the man seemed to deliver on his promises.

Dow Jones Average;

January 2001 10646.15

December 2001 10021.57

And some on the Right claim that Obama is ruining our country?

If We're Keeping Score

uglyblackjohn@att.net (uglyblackjohn) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 03:07:00 +0000

Barack Obama - Sworn into office January, 2001.

December 25 - "Briefs Bomber" Farouk Abdul Mutallab attempts to blow up Northwest Airlines Flight 253.

George Bush - Sworn into office January, 2001.

September - October, 2001 - Anthrax mailings panic much of the nation.

September 11, 2001 - Terrorists commandeer three planes crashing two into American landmarks.

December 22, 2001 - "Shoe Bomber" Richard Reid attempts to blow up American Airlines Flight 63.

By a score of 3-1, Bush leads Obama in acts of terrorism allowed during his first year of tenure.

"Taste Is A Highly Subjective Thing..."

uglyblackjohn@att.net (uglyblackjohn) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 05:16:00 +0000

A sagacious blogger stated.

I understand that.
But visual tastes are more complex than what the eye can see.
Ones tastes in preferences for potential partners are similar to that of ones tastes in foods - which go beyond the usually simple tastes of sweet, hot, sour or bitter that are generally associated with foods.
Our preferences in tastes in foods/women can also be determined by what one craves, what the body tells the brain it needs.
Tastes in foods/women can also be influenced by that to which one has been exposed.
Some people love Chitterlings - some, not so much.
Some people love ethnic foods - others don't.
Some people like cooking that tastes like their mother's - some don't like their mothers cooking.
One man's cuisine can be another man's slop.

But a quick sampling of my current list of newscaster hotties includes many types of women who seem to be a variation of the same model.
Since I moved to this undereducated and over-fat market - an attractive, well spoken and fit woman seems to be all that I can focus on while watching television.

So here's a quick run-down of the hottest Black newscasters on television.
(Yes, there are a lot of beautiful non-Black newscasters too. But for the sake of space, I'll limit this list to Hot Black Newscasters.)

Bloomberg - Zahra Buton (pictured above) makes the list.
Monica Bertran fails to make the cut.

CBS News - Michelle Miller and Debbye Turner make the cut.

While Rene Syler, Chagnion Antoine, Stacey Tisdale, Aleen Sirgany, Gwen Beltran, Thalia Assuras and Priya David miss being listed among the elites.

ABC News - Robin Roberts and Linsey Davis make my short list.

While Maya Kulycky and Deborah Roberts fall short.

CNN has a strong showing with Fredericka Whitfield, Richelle Carey and Soledad O'Brien.

While the likes of Stephanie Elam, Femi Oke, Brenda Berard, Kareen Wynter, Valerie Morris, Monica McNeal, Lola Ogunnaike, Natisha Lance add a strong back-up group.

NBC currently leads all takers with my girl Jenna Wolfe, Tamron Hall, Christina Brown and Hoda Kotb.
But Rehema Ellis, Tracie Potts, Rosiland Jordan, Allison Stewart and Sharon Epperson come up short.

The odd this is - I had assumed that ESPN's Sage Steele, Lisa Salters, Rescheal Canidate, Jemele Hill,

or The Weather Channel's Betty Davis, Vivian Brown or Tetiana Anderson would have made my cut.

MY list includes women with fake tiddies (which I hate), small tiddies and no tiddies.

MY list includes some who would be thought too old and some who would be thought too young.

MY list includes some who could be thought too short and some too tall.

My list is just that - "MY list".

But yes... I think these women are my current ideal of beauty.

Mormons > Pac 10 > Catholics

uglyblackjohn@att.net (uglyblackjohn) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 03:36:00 +0000

If I were to write the Pac Ten's results in bowl games in the form of an equation - it would appear that the the Mormons would come out on top.

Las Vegas Bowl - BYU 44 - Oregon St. 20 - What a shame, it seems the Mormons decided to take back their old trail from the land in which it terminates.
Poinsettia Bowl - Whotah? 37 - Cal 27 - Okay brohammas... the Utes got lucky.
Emerald Bowl - USC 24 - Boston College 13 - The Trojans sweep the Catholics this year and ex Trojan's quarterback Mark Sanchez dashes Peyton Manning's dream of an undefeated season in the same week?
Okay, I'm back on the Trojan's bandwagon.

Now lets see how the rest of the Pac Ten does in it's upcoming bowl games against the heathens.

Creole Christmas

uglyblackjohn@att.net (uglyblackjohn) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 03:21:00 +0000

Much like a Hispanic celebration of Christmas on Christmas Eve filled with friends, family, tamales, and cerveza - many Creoles celebrate Christmas Eve with friends, family, a big pot of gumbo and a lot of liquor.
Instead of listening to oldies - many from southern Louisiana dance to Zydeco in a dance that seems like a more lively two-step.
Not to be confused with the Second Line genre popularized in New Orleans, Zydeco is a bit more country.
A bit more raw.
A lot more fun.

The next time you find yourself down on the bayou during Christmas - skip the traditional Christmas day celebrations.
Instead, try to find a lively Creole Christmas Eve party.
C'est Le Bon Temps Roulez!

Best Modern Family Invention

uglyblackjohn@att.net (uglyblackjohn) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 02:42:00 +0000

I gotta' give it to Nintendo and it's Wii - this gadget went against the grain and decided to offer family friendly games instead of high-tech games geared towards men.
(Although I do prefer the PS3 Blu-Ray player.)

This past Christmas, instead of giving gifts to each child in the dysfunctional families I help out, I gave the head of household a Wii gaming system and an extra controller setup ($80 bucks for a primary controller, Nunchuck controller, and a gel motion cover? WTF?).

These single mothers seemed confused by this choice of gifts.
What were they going to do with a kid's gaming system?
But as their son's were able to teach them something while creating their avatars, these mothers began to engage their sons in a way that many haven't been able to since many were young boys.

Instead of each family member being in their own rooms doing their own things - these families began to once again communicate.
These mothers seemed to enjoy their new found ability to knock their sons to the ground in the systems boxing game.
These mothers seemed to enjoy teaching their sons how to plan their way around a golf course.
These boys seemed to enjoy having an attentive mother.

But something odd happened.
Most of the families ended up going outside to play real tennis at the local park (I'd given the kids tennis rackets on prior Christmases), or going to the local park to shoot baskets, or going to the bowling alley for a few games.
Most of these families had forgotten how to have fun with each other.

All I Want For Christmas

uglyblackjohn@att.net (uglyblackjohn) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 04:47:00 +0000

Is NBC Today Show weekend correspondent Jenna Wolfe.
The Jamaican born Haitian raised cutie is my current ideal of a desirable woman.
Pleasant, educated, speaks in SAE, has her own job, not fat, and cute.

Bah, Humbug...

uglyblackjohn@att.net (uglyblackjohn) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 04:08:00 +0000

"No that's too strong, after all it's my favorite Holiday..."
So states the opening line of The Waitresses single Christmas Wrapping.

Sure, we grew up listening to all of the soulful songs of Black artists - but none resonated with me in the same way as did a few New Wave classics from the '80's.
Even when we moved from the hood to the hills - Christmas (for me, being the oldest boy to a mean as hell stepfather) usually sucked.
I remember one Christmas in the hills in which my step father was on strike.
My sister and brothers received presents - all I got was a new Afro Pick and five lottery tickets.
For me, Christmas often sucked.
So "Bah, Humbug..." expressed my true feeling of the season.
(But the song had a happy ending.)

Another song heard at malls and gallerias across the country is The Kinks Father Christmas.
"Father Christmas, give us some money, don't mess around with your silly toys, beat you up if you don't hand it over... save all your toys, for the little rich boys"
During my years in the hood, I could relate to this sentiment.
But the song has a happy ending,
as did even my most terrible Christmases.

" Yada, yada, yada...."
It seems that some people are upset with the whole Band Aid effort and their release of their single Do They Know It's Christmas?.
With only about half of the country being Christian - I doubt that many would have even known what Christmas was.
But at least these guys in the group made an effort to make things better for others.

But this song continues my theme - Sometimes Christmas Sucks.
As I'm typing this - I just found out that one of my younger brothers has contracted HIV while the other is back in the system.
But in their recent collect calls - these "terrible" Christmases were cited as some of the best times in our lives together.

Yeah...
Sometimes Christmas sucks.
Sometimes we/I like songs that don't fit our/my supposed demographic.
But even when something may suck for ourselves, maybe were are making things better for someone else.
Maybe these people will remember these times as some of their best ever.
Maybe Christmas does have a happy ending.

(BTW - I even prefer Whistle's Santa Clause Is A B-Boy to Run DMC's Christmas In Hollis.
And I prefer Prince's 4 The Tears of Their Eyes to the whole of the We Are The World project.)

Black Madonnas

uglyblackjohn@att.net (uglyblackjohn) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 02:27:00 +0000

I'll date a single mother - but I'd never date a bad one.
Why would I take any woman seriously who puts me ahead of her own children.
If I died, wouldn't she do the same with my future progeny?
My father died when I was one.
My mother was insecure and unstable.
My mother always had a need for the approval of others.
These flaws caused her to put us children in bad situations and hostile environments.
I know, firsthand, of the consequences of bad single mothers.

I know, I know... this is supposed to be the Holiday Season and we should be filled with joy and cheer - but most of the people with which I interact on a daily basis are more concerned with survival than they are with doing any better for themselves.
I wonder, Is morality a luxury reserved for the rich?
What about Hope?
Is Charity also reserved for those with the means to share their excess goods without any sacrifice of their own?
And without such traits - how can anyone expect things to get any better?

A lot of Black men are pretty effed up.
Why else would they just leave their children to be raised by anyone other than themselves?
Why else would they assume that an under-prepared, dependent, and immature woman is their best option in a potential partner?
We men must think beyond the immediate satisfaction of a brief sexual encounter and begin to focus on the future consequences of our actions.
What man in their right mind would leave their progeny in the hands of a woman for witch they have no affinity?
Or worse, in the hands of government agencies?

But back to the Black Madonnas... .
Since Black women are some of the most churched people in America - are these women following their model of The Virgin Mary as that of a passive single mother?
Do these women just assume that God will raise these children,
or that these children will raise themselves through trial and error?
Why are so many single mothers failing to pick up the slack left by absentee fathers?
Or is this really a problem of flawed future fathers mating with flawed future mothers and creating an environment for flawed future children?

Okay, I finally saw Precious.
I hated the movie, but damn it was good.
Paula Patton is pretty, Mariah looked kind of tired but I still would fall in love with her voice.
I hate Sherry Sheppard, and Mo'Nique even more.
But in this movie, both women appeared as I view them when they assume that they are at their best.

I hated the character portrayed by Mo'Nique because I see this archetype almost everyday in my day-to-day life.
I hate these primary parents who assume that they are more important than their children.
I hate these primary parents who assume that their happiness is their ultimate goal and not that of their children.
I hate these primary parents who assume that their failings or inadequacies will be passed on to their children.
(And who seem to constantly remind their children of such.)
I hate these primary parents who seem jealous of their own children's successes.
I hate these primary parents who later try to make amends but who often come up a day late and a dollar short.
I hate everything Mo'Nique's character represents.

But why wouldn't such women exist?
What woman, brought up in the popular Mega-Church, would have the gumption to choose an alternate model?
Are these churches teaching and enabling these women in their continuation of the ultimate single mother model?
Maybe we should focus on the influences of these women.
Maybe we should place the blame on the Black men who are supposed to be leaders within each community (Usually Black ministers.).
Maybe the problem returns again to the Black man.

Tacky Christmas

uglyblackjohn@att.net (uglyblackjohn) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:25:00 +0000

Today, Christmas is overly designed.
Everyone has matching lights, wreaths, trees and presents.
But in creating such perfect images, are we missing the point?

While looking at neighborhood lights, the tacky decorations seemed to be the ones on which the children were most fixated.
Not the homes with the endless nets on the shrubs, not the homes with yards of icicles, not the traditional homes with color coordinated decorations - but the homes with the most gaudy displays of Holiday Cheer.
Even the wanna'-be-gangsta' boys found comfort and ease in the ugliest displays imaginable.
Maybe we've become so successful and urbane that we've ruined Christmas for those to whom it is most important.
Maybe Christmas belongs to the kids.

Yes Sierra, There Is A Santa Claus (And He's Black)

uglyblackjohn@att.net (uglyblackjohn) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:05:00 +0000

Upon seeing the Black Santa figure on the hearth of my fireplace, "Santa isn't Black", a little cousin said.
"He was always Black at my house." I replied.
At which time her older male cousins pointed out that there was no Santa Claus.

But he was incorrect.
When I pointed out that Santa lived with the Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy and the lesser appreciated but more important; Bill Fairy, Food Fairy, Clothes Fairy, Ride Fairy, Clean Your Room Fairy, Do Laundry Fairy and Anything You All Need Fairy - he got the point.
Then I explained that the fewer fairies in which one believes - the fewer exist for that person.
"Oh... that's why old people have to buy presents..." she said.
"And pay bills and buy stuff.." she continued.
"And that's why (fill in smart ass older cousin's name here) and (fill in other smart ass cousin's name here) always have to do work.

As we were about to leave to look at Christmas lights in the neighborhood,
"Yes Sierra, there is a Santa Claus"
The oldest smart ass cousin conceded.
"And he's Black at my house.", I said.
"Yeah... he is.", he said.
(But he still had to do his chores when we got home.)

The Worst Form Of Parenting

uglyblackjohn@att.net (uglyblackjohn) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 03:25:00 +0000

As I listen to parents lamenting the awful behavior of their children - often followed by their reasoning of, "But I buy them everything they want." - I often wonder, Is this good parenting?

Think about it.
The Federal Government provides; food, shelter, clothing, schooling, medical care and a host of other services for those in need. (And for many who are just lazy.)
But how many of these people feel any form of love for the government?
How many of these people actually have any sort of relationship with the government?
Most of these people resent that on which they are dependent.

Can the same be said of children whose parents equate good gifts with good parenting?
Can the same be said of parents who spend more time at work (to be able to afford these good gifts) while leaving their children home alone to learn the social norms from television, friends and music which used to be learned from ones attendant parents?
Do these children suffer from having anything but a dependent/provider relationship with those who are they which these children are supposed to form personal relationships?
Do these children and parents actually "Know" their friends and coworkers better than those within their own families?
Why are these parents surprised when an outsider has more influence over their children than do they?

I like nice gifts.
Children like nice gifts.
But these nice gifts should never take the place of building nice relationships with ones children - otherwise - you're just the provider while your child will remain dependent.

Is It Realy This Complex?

uglyblackjohn@att.net (uglyblackjohn) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 02:33:00 +0000

The Bill of Rights can be typed on one page.

The Declaration of Independence can be typed on one bigger page.

The Holy Bible can be simplified to a few verses (Matthew 22 37-40).

But today, we are a much smarter people.

The Patriot Act is 342 pages.

The US Tax Code is 6000 pages.

And the plan for Universal Health Care runs at more than 1500 pages.

Can anything this complex really be correct?

Why Worry ?

uglyblackjohn@att.net (uglyblackjohn) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 02:08:00 +0000

If H1N1 (Or Avian Flu, or Anthrax, or West Nile Virus) is a Nuclear Warhead
and
Poor Lifestyle Choices are Small Arms -
which of the two should worry us more?
(Small Arms kill more people more often than do Nuclear Bombs.)

With Congress fighting over the technicalities of a seemingly simple concept (Universal Heath Care) - how has the problem become so complex?
Wouldn't it just be cheaper and easier to start a health care company from scratch?

The US already has several (under performing) forms of national heath services.

Why not convert all of VA facilities (About 1580 nation wide) and the Bureau of Indian Affairs' facilities (on about 564 recognized reservations) and the entire Medicare system into a single
fully functional entity?

With the elimination of the government's redundancies, a larger pool of covered individuals, and the merging of facilities - wouldn't we already have the infrastructure needed to develop a profitable chain of health care facilities?

Couldn't the estimated trillions of dollars to be spent have a more direct effect on the lives of those in need?

Is congress over thinking a simple problem?

IMOHO - Obama's concept of health care will not work.

Congress seems more concerned with it's own ability to capitalize on the billions which are expected to be spent by making back door deals of their own.

Big Pharma and Big Insurance in collusion with Big Government is always a lose/lose for us all.

Happy States

uglyblackjohn@att.net (uglyblackjohn) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:35:00 +0000

America's Happiest States;
1 Louisiana
2 Hawaii
3 Florida
4 Tennessee
5 Arizona
6 Mississippi
7 Montana
8 South Carolina
9 Alabama
10 Maine

What's odd about this list is the number of "Poor" states included.
Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Hawaii also score fairly low in most literacy ratings.
But how can this be so?
How can poor and under-educated people be so happy?
Don't these people watch MTV Cribs, My Super Sweet Sixteen, or any of the Real Housewives shows?
Are these people too dumb to know that they are dumb and poor?

Or maybe they have a different measure of what it is to be "Poor".
Residents of Hawaii have an identity. These residents know that they are Hawaiian.
The same could be said of the Cajun and Creole cultures of Louisiana.
While differing from most popular American ideas of "Rich" - these people seem to recognize what Popeye the Sailor Man had realized a half century earlier ("I y'am what I y'am.").

The list stuck me as interesting because the Top Ten does not include;
Texas - Maybe suffering from a Jan Brady (second place) complex?
California - Has it become too big and successful and focused on itself for it's own good?
New York - Was wealth not all that it was cracked up to be?
Utah - Does piety have it's limits?

Were the Native Americans more or less happy before the Europeans arrived?
Did Africa have more or less turmoil before the Europeans arrived?
Was Australia better off before England dropped off all it's prisoners?
What I'm asking is; Is it really better to have everyone thinking and acting the same way, or are we better off just being ourselves?

D'oh!

uglyblackjohn@att.net (uglyblackjohn) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 07:20:00 +0000

I'm easily embarrassed.
No, not for things like tripping on a crack in the sidewalk, or cutting a fart in public, or ripping the seat of my pants, or even for being wrong in my opinions.
I can always just get up and keep walking.
Farts happen ("Sharts" are another story).
Pants can be replaced or sewn.
And my opinions are usually not fully formed.

But I'm easily embarrassed by adulation - I know that I'm not all that.
But awards and honors make me uncomfortable.
Why should I receive an award for doing my best?
Isn't that what we are all supposed to do?
Why should I receive an award because my easy effort is viewed as more valuable than someone else's hard fought effort?
Is my taking it easy better than someone else's growth?
Awards tend to remind me that I'm not perfect and I view any such award as my buying into a lie.
And for me, telling a lie is embarrassing.

But different people tend to have different values.
For some, an unearned award (or reward) is seen as a validation of their thinking or actions.
For some, something as simple as, their hair not being freshly cut is a reason for them to miss school.
For some, not knowing is viewed as being dumb.
For some, what others may think is their very reason for being.

Some people value character while others value appearance.
Q; Can we judge a person's character by that which they are embarrassed?

How Embarrassing

uglyblackjohn@att.net (uglyblackjohn) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 05:37:00 +0000

Imagine walking in on a few thuggish gangsta' cousins and their friends and catching them singing along with The Gap's Talk To The Moose ad.
There is only one thing one can be caught doing by an adult more embarrassing than this - but that's another post.

One kid tried to justify their like of the ad by explaining that the song contained "Black beats".
Well, he may have been correct - but the commercial featured a beat known to anyone who's attended a high school football game.
"How funky is your chicken...?
(How funky is your chicken?)
How loose is your goose...?
(How loose is your goose?)
So c'mon all you (insert school mascot here)...
(So c'mon all you (insert school mascot here))...
and shake your caboose!
(and shake your caboose)"
Sound familiar?

Even Gwen Stefani used a similar beat in her Pharrell produced track Hollaback Girl.

As did Nelly Furtado in her Timberland produced track Promiscuous.

But the oldest of these cheerleader inspired songs has got to be that of Toni Basil's Mickey.

Back in the day, one of my friends tried to say that the song "sounded Black" as his excuse for liking the song too.

But another friend pointed out that the words would have been changed from;

"Oh Mickey you're so fine..."

to,

"Oh Mickey you be fine..."

We settled on it just being a catchy tune.

Why were these boys embarrassed?

I have no idea.

It is a catchy tune.

("How cute are these boots...?" - I'll probably be picking up some outfits from The Gap for my nieces tomorrow because of this ad.)

Sound Waves

uglyblackjohn@att.net (uglyblackjohn) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 01:43:00 +0000

As I walked in on two young cousins fighting each other, and their aunt swinging wildly, and their grandmother knocked to the floor - a calm and quiet "Come here.", directed at one of the boys, was all that was required to end the confusion.

Why was this the case?
Do children hear things differently than adults?
Do children hear screaming and shouting in the same way as we hear the teachers on Charlie Brown speaking?
Is screaming and shouting perceived by children as just a bunch of "Wah, wah, wah-wah"?

The most obvious example of the way people seem to interpret language (sound) is one's choice in music.

How many children and young adults enjoy listening to music at the highest tolerable decibels?

How many parents have told their children to "Turn that ish down!"?
How many adults find comfort in the soothing sounds of Sade - while their children only find a reason to nap?
Maybe our tastes (or perceptions) in music change as we age in the same way as do our taste buds in our preferences for food.

"You talk to me differently.", a very young and precocious niece once stated to me.

When I asked her how this was so, she explained that I spoke to her great-grandmother in a low calm voice - and that it was the same voice I used when I spoke to her older male cousins.

Usually, a low voice spoken to an elderly woman meant that I was calm,

but the same voice used towards young boys meant that I was angry.

But in speaking to this niece, my voice would almost be singing in it's sweetness.

I never thought about it, but maybe she was correct.

The low calm voice used to speak to her great-grandmother served as a calming influence.

(The calm voice soothed her - almost as a reminder that everything was going to be alright, and that someone else was in control.)

The same voice spoken to rough and rowdy boys also served as a calming influence.

(The calm voice reminded them that they weren't running anything and that I was in control.)

I don't know... .

Maybe these boys hear people yelling so much that they learn to block it all out.

Maybe these boys hear "loud" as a time to play, fight or just to be excited.

Maybe a calm and controlled approach is perceived as the ultimate authority.

WTF? Strippers, Sex and Golf

uglyblackjohn@att.net (uglyblackjohn) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:09:00 +0000

(Stripper providing lap dance at Cherry Valley Golf Course)

" Damn... some people just eff it up for everybody."

This is what the PGA golfer, commenting on Tiger Woods' personal life, must have been thinking in his recent comments stating that golfers were more moral than other athletes.
Huh?
Did I miss something?
A bunch of guys who travel across the country who chase a little white ball around for a living surrounded by nothing but other guys don't enjoy a little R&R on occasion?
He must have been trying to explain his long absences to his wife.
Hmmm... seems to be a case of "Whoever smelt it, dealt it".

Lets take a look;
June 14, 2002 - Hidden Valley Golf Course - Norco, California
Tournament organizers feature prostitutes and strippers who provide their services in tents provided by the tournament.
June 3, 2007 - Lucas County Democrat Golf Outing - Toledo, Ohio
Golf outing features strippers providing drinks and "entertainment".
June 26, 2007 - Cherry Valley Golf Course - Pocono
Strippers provide lap dances for golfers (Top photo).
June 26, 2008 - Broomfield - Colorado
Strippers (hired to provide caddie services) and children (ages 7-12) cross paths on day that course officials claimed a scheduling oversight.

The only golfer keeping it real is golf's original Bad-Boy John Daly. (pictured above)
Daly stated that the only reason PGA golfers were beating up on Woods in the Press was because they couldn't beat him on the golf course. (Or even when it comes to women.)

But golf isn't a pristine and innocent sport.
Just check out John Daly and his alcoholic past.
Or his gambling addiction.
He even stated that the PGA tour is filled with golfers who use cocaine.
(The PGA just had it's 1 year anniversary for drug testing it's athletes for illegal drugs, alcohol or steroids. Really? Even Olympic Curling has been testing it's athletes for decades?)

What about golf's greatest ambassador Jack Nicklaus stating that Blacks have "different muscles that react in different ways'?
Isn't this a racist remark?
And do I even have to bring up Augusta and Fuzzy Zoeller?

So let's see...
Golf is a sport that has racists, drug users, alcoholics, gamblers and Johns - but it has the most moral group of athletes?
Please!
Golf and hookers/strippers go together like it's clubs and balls.
(But don't tell anyone this secret - you'll just eff it up for everyone else.)

To Whom Do You Owe Success?

uglyblackjohn@att.net (uglyblackjohn) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 07:00:00 +0000

I could never be famous,
I don't really like a lot of people.
I know a whole lotta' people and can generally be considered as popular in most circumstances - even in the most hostile environments.
Even when trying to blend in - I almost always get a lot of attention.
But the odd thing is; I eschew attention.

It this because I feel some sort of inadequacy or insecurity?
Is this based on the fear of being perceived as 'less than' my finely honed persona?
Maybe, but I'll often openly admit my faults and shortcomings.
I know that I can be effed up sometimes.
In fact (sometimes) quite often.
So no, this can't be the case.
I have little interest in being "The Man".
(Except when I'm around those who I feel are at least my equal in any given situation. In this case, it's just fun to play around without the fear of bringing someone else to harm.)

But is remaining in my comfort zone of anonymity just me being selfish?
Could I accomplish more of my goals if I place myself in an uncomfortable role of "The Man"?
Would fame afford me the tools to help more people in a more efficacious manner?
Is it my social responsibility to perform at my highest levels at all times - even risking burnout?
Am I hiding my Biblical light under a bushel and preventing others from taking advantage of my light?

I'm not asking these questions to set myself up as being "The Man".
I'm just a regular guy doing regular things.
But is being "Regular" doing a disservice to my people?
Do I owe it to others to be as successful as possible?

A Sad Time (For USC Fans)

uglyblackjohn@att.net (uglyblackjohn) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 08:02:00 +0000

What? No one from USC even under consideration for the Heisman?
(Good call Invisible Hand (Black Market Index) on picking Mark Ingram as the winner.)
With this dreadful season coming to an end, maybe it's time for me to look to the NFL for past Trojans who are doing well at the next level.
(*Heisman winner)
Carson Palmer* - 17 TD 10 Int 2641 yrds 84.8 QB rating
Matt Leinart* - 0TD 1Int 339 yrds 76.4 QB rating
John David Booty - 0 TD 0 Int 0 yrds 0 QB rating
Mark Sanchez - 11 Td 17 Int 2049 yrds 63.7 QB rating

LenDale White - 63 Car 221 yrds 3.5 ave 2 TD
Reggie Bush* - 62 Car 310 yrds 5 ave 5 TD

Damn... even former Trojans are sucking this year,
and this doesn't bode well for the Bowl season.
Here are my picks for a few select Bowl games;
Las Vegas Bowl - Oregon State over BYU
Poinsettia Bowl - Cal. over Utah
Emerald Bowl - USC over Boston College
Eagle Bank Bowl - UCLA over Temple
Holiday Bowl - Arizona over Nebraska
Sun Bowl - Stanford over Oklahoma
Rose Bowl - Oregon over Ohio State

Las Vegas Bowl? Poinsettia Bowl? Emerald Bowl? Eagle Bank Bowl? Sun Bowl?
Who has even heard of these games, let alone been shamed into playing in them?
Okay, okay... most of my picks are just wishful thinking,
but as bad as this year has been,
I might as well go out swinging.

A Change Is Gonna' Come ?

uglyblackjohn@att.net (uglyblackjohn) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 08:37:00 +0000

With Atlanta electing another Black mayor, in a string which dates back to 1973, the city seems to be embracing change.

No, not because the Kasim Reed beat Mary Norwood in a city that is roughly 56% Black to 36% white.

But because the margin of victory was only by about 1%.

Is it progress when one's race can no longer guarantee a victory in a region which has a history of race related problems?

In Houston, the race wasn't as close,

but still close.

In a city which is 25% Black to 40% white - the margin of victory was 53% voting for Annise Parker and 47% voting for Gene Locke.

Even with the aid of social conservatives who may not have voted for an openly gay candidate (Parker), Gene Locke still fell short in his mayoral bid.

Is it progress when an openly gay woman can be elected as the mayor of a Southern city?

So what change is there in having cities whose majorities reflect the races of their respective elected mayors'?

Well, that's nothing new.

But the races weren't decided by race alone.

What is different is that in each of these traditional Southern cities, no white male candidates dominated the scene.

What is different is that the Rushes, Becks and O'Reillys don't seem to be the homogeneous prototypes or voices in today's political environment.

What is different is that, more and more, more races, genders and groups are being given a voice in the direction in which our country will go.

What is different is that being Black in Atlanta is no guarantee of being elected.

What is different is that an openly gay woman can be elected as the new mayor in Houston.

What is different is that more people are discovering that one's race, gender or sexual orientation are not the only factors to consider when choosing someone to do a job.

Make Up Mode

uglyblackjohn@att.net (uglyblackjohn) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 03:46:00 +0000

The Holidays are a time filled with stress.
And one of the biggest sources of this stress is in the purchasing of gifts for ones family and friends.

This past week, I've been spending a lot more time at malls and shops with friends and cousins searching for the perfect presents for their loved ones.
This time has given me the opportunity to notice several things that I've seen but I never really paid any attention to (counterfeit money, unfit people in fitness gear, Purell on everything...).

But the thing I noticed most was the over-purchasing of gifts by parents who seemed as though they were attempting to compensate for their lack of parenting skills.
These parents were adults who spent less time with their children than they did watching their favorite reality television shows.
These were parents who spent less time helping their children with their homework than they did complaining about the results.
These were parents who spent more time at work related social events than they did at the kitchen table eating meals with their children.
These were parents who own the best brands they know of instead of paying bills on time.
These were parents who could name more characters on The Real Hoodrats of the ATL than they could the names of their children's friends.
These were parents who confused being a good source of goods with being a good parent.

I know, I know... every parents wishes to give their children the things which they felt they missed out on during their childhood.
But the thing these parents seem to miss is that it was the values passed from their parents or environment (not the goods) which allowed them to go on to attain a lifestyle which afforded them the means to make such purchases.
Often, when I engage these parents and children, the parents notice that these kids seem to snap to attention whenever I walk into the room.
The parents often ask why this is the case.

But the answer to this question is simple.
It's because I spend time with these kids.
I talk with these kids.
I relate to these kids.
I've built a reputation and rapport with these kids.
But I don't play.
Kid's don't run things with me.

It's odd, willful kids seem to respond to discipline.
Kids seem to respond to The Boss - as opposed to someone who is just bossy.
Kids seem to work for and with people who work - not just someone who gives directions from a distance without further input until something has gone wrong.
Kids do what you inspect, not what you expect.
Kids seem to need a leader who teaches them to one day become leaders themselves.
Kids trust honesty.

But these parents don't seem to get it.
These kids need parents who are responsible parents - not parents who are irresponsible friends.
Until these parents realize these things, they will always be buying gifts which are beyond their financial means.
They will always be spending more on their child's 5th Birthday party than they do on their rent.
They will always be in Make Up Mode but never get the results they desire.

To Purell, or Not To Purell?

uglyblackjohn@att.net (uglyblackjohn) — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 04:37:00 +0000

Is our country filled with Hypochondriacs,
or are we just feeling guilty about something?

I used to date a stripper who was addicted to hand sanitizers.
Wherever we went, she always had to rub her hands with Purell.
Even after a shower, she'd rub the stuff all over her body.
When I asked her whether she was feeling guilty about her profession and whether she was attempting to wash away her guilt (Lady Macbeth, "Out damn'd spot! out, I say!") - she had to pause to think.

I'm no fan of these products - I prefer old fashioned soap and water.
But many people imagine that they are clean, when really... they are just sanitized.
It's like bleaching ones teeth without cleaning off the plaque.
Sure, ones teeth will be whiter.
But the plaque remains.
Or like bleaching a toilet.
Okay, the bacteria may be killed - but the grime which grows bacteria remains.

But if you're going to be all Lady Macbeth-like, try a local product called, "Invisible Armour"
The product comes in an alcohol free lotion which protects against Staph, MSRA, Vibrio, ect. for up to four hours (even with subsequent hand washing).

(Nah... this isn't an advertisement.
But yes FreeMan, this company was founded by and is run by a Black woman.)

Cuidado!

uglyblackjohn@att.net (uglyblackjohn) — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 03:24:00 +0000

It's the most wonderful time of the year.

At least for those dealing in twins.

As more people shop with bills of larger denominations during the holidays, watch out for counterfeit bills being passed from customer, to cashier, and back to another customer.

Since most people are stressed and in a hurry, most people won't take the time to make sure that their change is made in authentic bills.

Hint; It's less trouble to refuse a fake note from a cashier than it is to explain why you are attempting to pass a twin at a different store.