Doesn’t Terrell Owens’ new reality show feel like an infomercial for his straightness?

If Tom Ridge is so honorable, why didn’t he starting snitching before he got a book deal?

Whose mouth is more of a liability, Joe Biden or Joe Budden?

Why is so little of the health care debate focused on the 46 million people who don’t have it?

How telling is it that Allen Iverson still can’t find a job?

How long will President Obama go unchallenged on Afghanistan by the Left and the Right?

Don’t you wish that Prince had said something about Michael Jackson’s death?

Has anyone told 50 Cent that his rap career is over?

In a sport filled with egos and insecurity, isn’t it great to see Donovan McNabb welcome Michael Vick with open arms?

Now that they’re criticizing Cash for Clunkers for being too effective, don’t Republicans officially seem like a party of player haters?

Now that they’ve embarrassed themselves at countless town hall meetings, don’t congressional Democrats seem like complete screw-ups?

After hearing him publicly blame racism for his political failures, isn’t it fair to ask if David Paterson even wants to be re-elected?

Isn’t he partially right though?

Does anyone find Robin Williams funny?

Why doesn’t Avery Johnson have a head coaching job?

Doesn’t Barack Obama seem more like a traditional politician with every day?

Isn’t it a shame that the birthdays of Marcus Garvey and Assata Shakur went virtually unnoticed?

How do shows like The Game get cancelled while Tiny and Toya remain on television?

Doesn’t Drake feel like hip-hop’s version of a boy band?

Will there ever be a Senator as talented, passionate, and effective as Ted Kennedy?

Today’s video of the day comes from the O’Reilly Factor, where I discussed Senator Diane Watson’s comments about race, healthcare, and Cuba.

Skip’, Nadra and the Philadelphia Grand Jury
By Mumia Abu-Jamal

As the contretemps surrounding Dr. Henry Louis Gates and the Cambridge Police Dept. recedes into the roiling news flood to become fodder for the late night comedians, we learn, if anything, that even a president has limits when it comes to a “teachable moment.”

For, as any schoolteacher could have taught him, learning is a two-way street. When the student is closed to the lesson, ain’t nothing getting in. (And America ain’t trying to hear nothing about it’s racist present!).

“Skip” Gates, a man possessed of a healthy sense of humor, has even joked about the incident publicly, and in my imagination, I can even hear his distinctive chortle as he answers the questions, “Are you alright?”, with the quip, “Yeah – I’m ok; the only thing hurting is my dignity.”

Dr. Gates, a prolific writer, acclaimed academic and PBS broadcaster, was, precisely because of his known identity and status, spared the indignity of being beaten, or worse.

Most African-Americans are not so privileged, as shown by the beating administered to Nadra Foster, a KPFA radio producer, who was attacked, kicked in the head, handcuffed and arrested, after a station staffer called police, and told them (incorrectly) that Foster was banned from KPFA. According to witness accounts, Nadra was bum-rushed by at least eight cops.

This happened a year ago, Aug. 2008, and no network chatmeister put Nadra’s story on the tube; nor did the then -Black presidential candidate announce he was a ‘friend’ of this Black mother, who worked for over a decade at the station as a volunteer producer, nor that her beating, kicking, handcuffing and arrest were handled ’stupidly’ (as, of course, it was!) She still faces numerous charges including assault and trespass!

That’s because, in America, it ain’t nothing new.

Just recently, a Phila. grand jury, expertly led by a local DA, refused to indict half a dozen cops who brutally beat, kicked, bludgeoned and stomped three young Black men who were allegedly suspects in a local shooting (the 3 were later acquitted). The grand jury refused to return indictments despite videotapes from a hovering helicopter showing the men struck repeatedly by over a dozen cops as they lay face down in the street.

To add insult to injury, the grand jury report (scripted by prosecutors) insisted that the beatings were “helpful” rather than “harmful”. I don’t think the initial Rodney King grand jury, which cleared members of the LAPD, went that far!

But news is ‘man bites dog.’ It is that which is unusual. And Black people, men, women, and juveniles, being beaten by cops isn’t unusual — even if on tape.

There’ll be no beer for the 3 young men beaten and battered in Phila. streets: nor for a Black Mom beaten at her radio station.

Their brutalization, it seems, isn’t a ‘teachable moment’.

–(c) ‘09 maj

Today’s video of the day shows Jay-Z’s appearance on Bill Maher. I appreciated the interview because Maher was well prepared and asked good questions. In particular, I appreciate the questions about Jay-Z’s creative process rather than the typical “What is a tip drill?” queries that are often directed toward rappers.

Between moving, traveling, and writing, I have been completely overwhelmed lately. As a result, the number of posts on the site has gone down recently. Now that I’m settled, however, things will be getting back to normal. Thanks for hanging in there!