Jack & Jill Politics

EVENING THREAD IS UP

SORRY Y'ALL.....IT WILL INDEED BE "AT LAST"

NEW YORK — Beyonce has revealed the song she plans to serenade the Obamas with in their first dance as America's first couple _ and no, she won't be telling the president to "put a ring on it."

She will sing the Etta James classic "At Last."

Beyonce portrayed the blues great in the recent film "Cadillac Records" and sings the song in that movie.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/16/beyonc...

YUUUUUUUCK!

If that's who the First Couple wants, so be it. It's their night. =)

Plus, the last thing I want is to appear to be "hating" on Beyonce. That's not EVEN what this is about. Ya feel me??

It would only be classified as "hating" by Beyonce fans who think she pees champagne and shytes fudge brownies. :-)

RAOTFLMAO

Sepia. . . . . LOLOLOL You had me falling off the couch on that one.

She does have talent. :-)

BWAHAHAHAHA!!!! YOU are on a roll tonight!

pees champagne and shytes fudge brownies. LAWD HA' MERCY!!! Tears streaming down my face...

Just remember Kim Wayans in I'm Gonna Git You Sucka - sprawled out singing When The Saints Go Marching In

Orrrrrrr...........remember when Kim sang for Ron's band on A Different World and it went to her head??

Yep.....here we go......

Let the yodeling begin!

Beyonce? I didn't know she was asked to participate in the inauguration.

That's where the spin comes in.
She wasnt asked.
She begged. Unashamedly I might add.

She promised something to get this gig. We won't find out what until much later. Jennifer Hudson turned down inauguration performances because she didnt want the story of what happened to her family to be intertwined with the reason for the celebration. To be an asterik or a footnote in the future tellings of the festivites on Barack Obama's inauguration. Beyonce on the other hand begged and pleaded to be a part of it. IMHP for selfish reasons. I think everybody and their mama would like to be involved and Im sure thats part of her reason. But something in me believes that a bigger reason is so that her name will be in the history books alongside his. She wants some of that spotlight. What did she say? "I want to be an Icon" or something like that?

On her knees....baby, baby please.

yep. she is going to sing for the Obama's first dance.

Anyone see...

The Obamas are on the cover of Life & Style Weekly! It says "President Dad"!

Michelle is drop dead gorgeous!

The cover used here was also in the the September 2008 issue of Essence.

I know some people felt Michelle was lightened...I can't quite make the call on that . But if anyone still has the Essence issue, you can see very noticeable differences in Michelle's hairstyle, the way it falls and how it touches her shoulders. One of the publications photoshopped this photo for sure.

But a gorgeous family as always.

Justice58: I made a copy of it yesterday. :>) :>)

More "Obama Memorabilia" for my, otherwise, almost empty house. NOT!! :>) :>)

Barack Obama Life & Style Magazine January 2009 Cover, Photos

FIRST FAMILY!! YES THEY DID!!

This is HORRIBLE..what next? Scouting little boys at their daycare??

NCAA classifies 7th graders as prospects

OXON HILL, Md. (AP) - Giving in to the young-and-younger movement in college basketball recruiting, the NCAA has decreed that seventh-graders are now officially classified as prospects.
The organization voted Thursday to change the definition of a prospect from ninth grade to seventh grade — for men's basketball only — to nip a trend in which some college coaches were working at private, elite camps and clinics for seventh- and eighth-graders. The NCAA couldn't regulate those camps because those youngsters fell below the current cutoff.
"It's a little scary only because — we talked about this — where does it stop?" said Joe D'Antonio, chairman of the 31-member Division I Legislative Council, which approved the change during a two-day meeting at the NCAA Convention. "The fact that we've got to this point is really just a sign of the times."

Schools had expressed concern that the younger-age elite camps were giving participating coaches a recruiting advantage, pressuring other coaches to start their own camps.
"The need to nip that in the bud was overwhelming," said Steve Mallonee, the NCAA's managing director of academic and membership affairs.
While men's basketball is the only sport affected, D'Antonio said he could envision future discussions on lowering the limit for other sports, notably football.

i have a family member who plays college basketball, and this has been happening under the radar (at least in california) for a long time now. at least 8 or 9 years. it is pathetic. hopefully, smart parents will resist this, because that's about the only thing that'll curb it.

I can see the good that can come out of this. I would defend my opinon but Check Please is on, and I must watch.

this should be illegal.

YES IT SHOULD.

It isn't porn when you put the Obama children on many AA blogs? Yet, everyone is upset because seventh graders are considered prospects. Priorities are slipping here.

are you serious Robert? This has to be a sick joke.

Expalin yourself when you call the Obama children's photos on JJP blog porn.

I want to know how it's used as porn on this site in paricular. I haven't been to other sites, so I don't have anything to gauge it by.

Apples and oranges.

More like apples and a chair....I don't even see a remote comparison.

Point taken.
You are correct.

are u trying to be provocative just for the hell of it, because otherwise this makes no sense.

Big difference, Robert!

I'm not sure why you feel its an appropriate comparison...pics approved by their parents of the Obama girls on blogs vs 7th grade boys being beseiged by COLLEGE scouts.....really, what are you comparing exactly?

People on this site have posted about Obama porn. I am being provocative. I am using your words to make you think about what you are doing. I find it close to fetishism and it needs to stop. I am very very old fashioned in regards to protecting children.
The point I am trying to make is that there is no difference between pimping athletes and releasing "porn" pictures of children; something is being gained and even if they are consentual- w/ sexual porn consent is given. We are talking about female children in a society where they are pimped to sell everything and as soon as it becomes pubresent sexual, it does and will(my reference to Miss Cyrus). We know from the JJP staff what their life will be like at Sidwell and the pressures they will be under. Add to that someone whom will be standing outside the bathroom waiting for you is an enormous invasion of privacy. To be photographed as a style setting child(Michelle alone made a dress inventory disappear in a recession), damn near every day will lead to its own set of issues.
What I want is for the children to be off limits period. No following them to school, no knowledge of what their wearing, what toy hangs from their bookbag. Amy Carter lets the world know she likes teddy bears and the next thing she dozens coming through the door. How many do you think were for access to Jimmy?
As to authorized pictures; even this has become to much for me. I do not want to know about your children or anybody else's. I do not want you to know about mine. Simply because they have the SS is not enough to dissuade me it's OK.
I see a lot of people commented on how bad early stressed athlectism can be for children so people recognize the danger. Let's just extend it to them.

Miranda: Thanks for this. Also of concern to me [help me out Nurse spirit :>)], is the fact that the bones of students at this age are still growing and injuries can be MORE devastating in the "long run!"

Not to mention the "psychological" lack of "readiness" to make "adult" decisions.

The coaches KNOW this!! Would they do this to their children??

Never mind. Some are living their life THROUGH their children.

This should be "un-ethical!" It is!

GreenLady, you're spot on. Their bones are indeed are still growing. Bone health depends on old and new growth to build bone density.

Boy's bone health reach their peak by average age of 20, girls around the age of 18-19.

Nutrition, age, race gender, hormones are play a role in bone health. Physical activity helps build bone density, and that's a good thing, because bone density is needed as we get older to prevent osteoporosis and fractures.

As to the 7th grade boys being recruited for NCCA sports, Y'all know White men can't jump! So they're probably going after our little KNEE-GROW BOYS.
God knows we can't have to many of them scooting about in a 3 piece suit.

I can't step with that.

Sports camps provide the sport training, but what about EDUCATION?
Recruit these kids for EDUCATION CAMPS, and provide the physical activites.

Winning and $$$$ is the bottom line. Parents need to weigh in and decide for their kids. Ultimately the onus is on the parents.

Agree with rikyrah, this should be illegal.

yes. athletic potential really can't sanely be assessed until a child is in their junior year of high school. before then, it's guesswork for the obvious reasons that you described.

parents have to fiercely advocate for their children because the stuff has gotten way out of hand. as i see it, it really comes down to parental responsibility and protection.

too many coaches are psychologically disturbed. there are good ones, of course, but a whole lot of bad ones. they simply don't care about these children. it's a damn shame.

caligirl: Some parents have ta be EDUCATED as to ALL of the ramifications of giving up their children to the "care (welllllllllll) and feeding of a SYSTEM" whose "bottom line" is a "W" accompanied by the BENJAMINS!! [for the SYSTEM!!]

That's IT!!

GLH, there are SOOOOOO many things wrong with this. I am so sick at how brutal organized sports have become for even 5 and 6 yr olds - where is just the fun?? But even ignoring that, this new rule by the NCAA will disproportionately effect black youth....it will be OUR youth that are plucked as "prospects" when they are but 11 and 12 yrs old, and placed on the conveyor belt to a Division I school....and that's if they're lucky. Realistically, chances are that of those plucked, 99% won't make it!! Well.....you know the horror stories. Can't read, but managed to get from grade to grade.....just basketball skills and nothing else. Just feeding these NCAA schools so that they can continue to make millions of dollars for their programs....this is just ridiculous. There should be STRONG opposition from plenty of groups, but the silence is deafening.

Miranda: Major cosign! Recruiters will be goin' into the "projects" in full force, wavin' those "promised BENJAMINS!" annnnnd pandering their interest in the "childs" education. ***WINK. . WINK***

Same ole - - SHAME ole!! AAAArrrrrrgggg!

I almost died laughing reading this
Flat N All That
MATT TAIBBI takes on porn-stached New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman’s greenish ways.
http://www.nypress.com/article-19271-flat-n-all...

Where does a guy whose family bulldozed 2.1 million square feet of pristine Hawaiian wilderness to put a Gap, an Old Navy, a Sears, an Abercrombie and even a motherfucking Foot Locker in paradise get off preaching to the rest of us about the need for a “Green Revolution”?

LMAO

What she said. LOL@motherfucking Foot Locker!

And He's been making the media rounds plugging his books and talking out the side-o-his neck.about the world is flat and on fire and some scary shit like that.

I think it is because of his interracial background. Tiger does not want to choose between his father's heritage or his mother's and he refuses to be defined by his skin color. Even though folks demand he "admit" he is black. So, I can understand why reacts this way. Many disagree but I don't have a problem because I get it.

Now the opposite is true with Kimora Lee Simmons. She wanted to be considered "black" but she was not accepted by some of the black community.
Go figure.

Direct quote from Kimora -- Racial identity
"I consider myself to be one of the black women in fashion who made it," Kimora says. "But black women don't look at me like that." Simmons has also stated that "A number of them [black women] probably think Russell should be married to a black woman (rather than Afro-Asian)."

Just like my Mother in law before she died. She cried many times when she talked to me about her childhood (and she was 65+ years old at the time) because she was from an interracial background. Her mother was black and father white. She was treated worse by blacks than she was by whites (which was also a horrible experience for her) and it stayed with her until death. So . . . I get Tiger's decision and respect it. He knows who he is and who cares how others want to define him.

"I'm lucky enough to have seen a person of color in the White House."

HE CAN'T SAY THE WORD BLACK.

thought I was the only one who noticed this

I scanned that article with a microfying glass.

The only BLACK I saw in that piece was the color of the ink.

Does Tiger realize that black people are gonna be around?

not only a couple of Black folk, but a WHOLE LOTTA Black folk.

I don't think he realizes it..

He won't be alone. A whole lot of folk will have to suck it up this weekend. LOL

Probably not.

I didn't know that that mofo refused to speak at the celebration for Jackie Robinson.

Ummm...Jackie Robinson was too black. He wasn't "Multi" racial! ;)

msmartin,

NO.

I'm usually up on things like that, and I didn't know that.

The thought of him participating in this celebration sickens me - it makes me really sick.

I didn't know that either.

Yeah. He was too busy to attend.

Are y'all serious?? No that lil cablanasian didn't....oh hell no.

How does one filled with hate for his african roots face a man that self identifies as black.

Because he's probably done like a number of delusional people since Nov 4th and decided that Obama is not black at all.

Miranda,

Even on my friend's job, some whites are saying...."Obama's not black". (Eye Roll)

I'm telling you...Paul Mooney was right!

That is probably the truth.

LOL!

"Cablasian" aint' got nothin' to do with this.

He is a reflection of his upbringing. PERIOD!

Denise, true dat.

IT DON'T MATTER WHAT YOU NAME IT, AS LONG AS YOU CLAIM IT.

rikyrah: I "ACCIDENTLY" hit this site.

The President's Therapist Book

WOW!! It's DAMAGING! Hmmmm.

blksista: His parents played a mega-role in the what we have experienced.

They just gave him a "shower and a suit" and said - "Now you just go and B the President of the USA."

The terminology that the psychiatrist/psychologists used: "collateral damage. ." "active alcoholic. . ", etc. Whew!! ***shakin' my head***

This is sooo scary! People died! We are in a recession!

I'm tha-rough!

Class Is the New Black


The Onion summed it up best: "Black Man Given Nation's Worst Job." So many daunting challenges face President Obama that it's hard to know on which to offer him my unsolicited advice first. It's a crapshoot as to whether any president could heal our bedridden economy, guide us out of Iraq, end our petro dependence, save the environment, and convince the world that the last eight years were an aberration of which we are ashamed. Only Obama, however, gives us any reason to hope that we can begin to bridge the divide between the races, so I'll leave those other issues to, well, other journalists.

America's election of its first black president has to be followed by a demonstrated and pragmatic drive to improve race relations, or we'll have fallen prey to the biggest delusion in world history. For all the racial ugliness this campaign has exposed, though, and for all that will no doubt follow, it's not only whites who will imperil this process. Obama will have to lead both races in redefining blacks in the American mindset. Unless I'm much mistaken, blacks will face the greater crisis of imagination.

http://www.motherjones.com//news/feature/2009/0...

CLIFF NOTES VERSION OF ARTICLE:

Obama gives us hope to heal race relations. Blacks have a bigger burden to play in healing race relations than whites. Blacks shouldn't feel especially proud that Obama has made it because Obama's yet another buppie who's got his off of downtrodden blacks' backs. It will be Obama's responsibility to let white people know that racism isn't over, and Obama's responsibility to tell blacks to be patient and understanding with racist whites. Black people must let white people benefit and feel good and get over on them. Whites must slip blacks handouts without having to call them handouts. And both groups need to stop thinking of blacks as losers. Instead of demanding equal treatment, blacks must carefully and gingerly tread on white sensibilities. It will be Obama's job and responsibility to teach black people how to act more like whites in order to get ahead. The only way you can help black people is to white wash the problems and include all people in black specific problems. Even though I'm a pampered Harvard grad, I had to lower myself to take government health care like "them." Then I realized, it isn't a black and white issue, it's a class issue! The only way to help blacks is to "disappear" blacks!


Anything missing?

NADA. Thank you, Town. I've been waiting this breakdown.

LOL! thank you for saving me some time!

ain't that some shit?

sidenote: other races must get so sick of being completely ignored altogether...

LOL.....you know that's probably true. I'm sure Asian-Americans are going "hey!! WTH?!?!?"

Ummmmm......let's see......no!....looks like you covered all the bases!!

Town,

I'm with GreenLady! You're nailing it. Always spot on!

Town: YES! The PRICE of the "TICKETS" to your concert. :>) :>)

Other than that - - - -You're ON POINT!! :>) :>)

IT's [WHATEVA "IT" "was", "is", or "will be"] Mr. President-Elect Obama's FAULT!!

Annnnnnd, WE also share HIS "FAULTITUDENESS Got it!! :>) :>)

One strategic question: -Er -um by "white washing", do you mean we should use - - - - NADINOLA BLEACHING CREAM!??

I'm just askin. . . . . . :>) :>)

Town,

what we would do without you telling it like it is?

Dickerson?

We're supposed to be reading DICKERSON?

WTF ....blacks will face the greater crisis of imagination...... As my kids say FAIL
I have to get back to you on this one.

The problem that Debra Dickerson (eyeroll) fails to realize is that the suffering ain't even. When America catches a cold, black folk catch pneumonia, whooping cough and the bubonic plague.

The only way we're going to solve our racial-socio problems is to tell the truth and shame the devil (pun not intended......this time).

I actually stopped reading that because I realized I was really wanting to punch Debra Dickerson in the throat. I couldn't even get half-way thru it.

YEP!

I think this is the picture...
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ocFTnKGAanU/SLNyHeD92...

No. That's the one Rebecca found down below. The pic I'm looking for was taken that day. And I think I saw it in People. It was a staged picture of them together.

http://themidnightsolution.blogspot.com/2009/01...

A caller call Obama "Mr. Monkey Boy". Fred Barnes doesn't notice.

Fred Barnes noticed. He ignored it. The s.o.b!

Kapow.....right in the kisser!

The kisser? That's being polite. I guess I won't share where I was thinking!

ARP

I couldn't write what I was really thinking. I've heard Fred's co-host Mort drop the Osama instead of Obama before. It wasn't a mistake. It was very much intentional. Both of them are s.o.b.s!

LTMidknite: HEY! :>) I think that requires 2 Saaaaa-laps!!

One for each person! **shakin' my head*** LAWD HA'MERCY!!

Let me help you, GreenLady. Cuz He need it!

Saaaaa-lap!

Justice58: LOL! :>) B my guest! :>) :>)

I watched that morning and had to rewind! It was unbelievable tha both Barnes and the host didn't say a word!

WTF?!!! That idiot blinks and keeps on getting up. Fucked News needs to called on this shyt.

Damn...................sickening

I think MISTER Monkey Boy was showing 'respect' for the Office of President. ...don't ya know.

Freaking .<<<<eyeroll<<<<<

Double eye roll!

Circuit City to close 567 remaining US stores

I feel really bad for the employees, but I think Circuit City generated a lot of ill will a few years back when they fired their longtime store employees so they could bring in newer people at cheaper salaries. I wonder if that PR disaster ultimately ended up being a factor in Circuit City's fate.

The demise of Circuit Shitty started way before that:

Getting rid of appliances in their stores

The discimination lawsuits of the 90s

DivX and Carmax

Continuing to open new stores even though sales were flat at the already existing stores (even as late as 2007 they wanted to open 200-300 new stores a YEAR. Circuit Shitty was opening new stores even up to October of last year).

Firing all their employees for making too much money. Yet, none of their CEOs fired themselves for making too much money.

I feel bad for the CC employees who lost their jobs but it couldn't have happened to a better company.

Circuit City must've been run by the mob or something because the few times I've been to CC over the years (usually around holiday time) there were hardly ever any customers. I've always wondered how they stayed in business.

MsKitty: This is seriously SAD! Feeling soooo bad for the employees.

I know when that happened, I vowed never to set foot in Circuit city again, and I kept that promise to myself

If anyone still wants the Spidey-Obama comic, here's your second chance: http://www.midtowncomics.com/

Has anyone heard where the Worship Service for the Obama's will be Tuesday morning? Or is that totally hush, hush?

St. John's Church, across from Lafayette Square. Not open to the public.

The one at National Cathedral on Wed. is open, I think.

Thank you. Just contemplating that's a better view of him than at the Swearing In Ceremony standing in freezing weather.

Would be, but you wouldn't get there. My building's down the street, and the block was an armed camp while the Obamas were at the Hay Adams.

I know at least part of the street where the church is will be closed for the day (the few people who have to come into work that day won't be able to leave until late evening), so I wouldn't attempt it.

Obama hated Earl Ofari Hutchinson has written a book called ' How Obama Won?'

can't we pass a law about those who were prime ' Haters' can't be allowed to try and profit from Obama?

Did Shelby Steele and Tavis help with the book?
Just asking.

Yes!

Nope. Every President has haters writing and profiting off of them. It's the American way.

yep.

wonder when tavis's book is coming out???

Don't cha know!

rikyrah: ***going into a VOTING BOOTH annnnnnnd casting my VOTE***

NO! He cain't have it BOTH ways!! Just stick ta "HATIN'" He was real good at that!

Annnnnnd, we were "real good" at ignoring him and/or speaking out against him!!
WE KNOW!! Annnd, we are NOT BUYING his book! THERE!! Aaarrrggg!

It cracks me up how some of the haters are now jumping on the Obama bandwagon. Only problem is there's a lot of Obama ride-or-die folks with long memories, so I don't think this sudden change of tune is going to fly that much.

Abortion, Femicide, and Somewhere In Between Womens Rights: Looking at the argument that abortion should be outlawed to stop femicide

Will Smith, Fame Whiteness and Racial Denial: The way his class position makes him blind to the degree of racism faced by blacks.

Get Your Kink ON: Looking at love hotels in Japan

Maybe Will should read this.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/16/obama.wh...

This paragraph rings so true in regards to mainstream success for black people:

Just as Smith needs whiteness to maintain his celebrity, whiteness needs Smith to maintain its mendacious spin on the facts. It would not be in his best interest to face the truth of the ways in which the system that he claims is so colour blind manipulates his success to its advantage. Blacks that challenge racism are not revered, we are considered angry malcontents. The refusal to sup from the masters plate is considered a betrayal. Whiteness wants gratitude for the table scraps not a challenge to its authority.

What about the truth?

That most Blacks succeed IN SPITE OF WHITE PRIVILEGE.

Say it!

Preach it!!

Cosign!

womanistmusings, rikyrah and Rhondacoca:

I agree with all of you. I would also add that Will Smith has been divorced, for more than a decade, from life as it affects citizens who are not mega-rich. For instance, he doesn't go in person to the grocery store, or to pay utility bills, or to the mall. He doesn't go to neighborhood theaters. He doesn't take long road trips and stop at interesting restaurants. He is as much a victim of his celebrity, because he can't participate in these activities, as he is blessed by it. My problem with Will Smith is that somewhere, the lines blurred and he doesn't -- or can't -- recognize that the vast majority of people, including black folk, don't live the type of lifestyle he claims is so 'regular'.

And Will Smith is morphing into a "black" Tom Cruise. Sorry, but he is.

OK yeah

Scientology

OK...so its not just me.

Great post. I've had issues w/him and certain attitudes he's taken on for most of his career. He's a charmer and a nice guy, but you are right. He has no vested interest in telling the truth. It would kill his career and he knows it.

I'm okay with Will but Jada gets on my last nerve for some reason.

OMG! I KNEW I wasn't the only one who couldn't stand Jada. There's something very shady about her. I can't put my finger on it but I'VE NEVER could stand Jada Pinkett.

Shady?

You think Jada is shady...ok Town, why'd you choose SHADY...that's one helluva description.

There's just something about her. I cannot describe. I don't like the looks of her. She's shady. This has nothing to do with Will Smith, I didn't like the looks of her from when she was on A Different World.

i think i know what u mean... they both (she and her husband) seem to be wearing masks... they don't seem genuine.

Damn........I so agree....I didnt know what it was.

I really appreciated the one on Will Smith. I understand what you're saying, and sometimes, I think Black celebrities are best with the mourhs shut.

Thanks this is something that has been bothering me for some time now and to read his commentary just brought home everything I have felt about him for a long time now.

Daman Wayans once joked on the presssures facing working black actors and questions surrounding Hollywood racism like so:

[Cue Steppin Fetchit voice and mannerism] "Racism in Hollywood? Uhm, noooo SUH! And iffen it is, I ain't seent none!!"

Now, I mean absolutely NO disrespect to Will. I realize the acting game is highly competitive, and that black actors have to walk a very fine line with racial politics to keep working. But I'm with Rikyrah on this one - sometimes it's best just to be seen.

Ha Ha!

Amen Rikyrah and Womanist Musings. I love Will Smith but I have been thinking this for a while and was wondering if anyone else was with me on it.

is this close to what you are talking about? http://images.huffingtonpost.com/gen/35805/orig...

THAT is the day the picture was taken. But, the one I'm looking for is a staged pic of them, up close, all of them together.

thanks for that one, though.

I'm looking for a picture. It's from the first People Magazine spread, I think. It's of Michelle, Malia, Sasha and Mrs. Robinson in New Hampshire. Michelle is wearing black, with large white pearls. Sasha is in pigtails with a red dress on. I want the picture of all four of them together.

Any help is appreciated.

I think I've found what you are looking for

http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,...

that's it!!
that's it!!

Now, all I have to do is figure out a way to crop it.

thanks, Monie.

Rikyrah use this tool - MWSnap 3.0.0.74

Excellent tool. Trust me. You will never have ANY trouble copying/croping pictures again.

http://www.tucows.com/preview/222629