Nipping at our Nose

Since the season to be jolly is over, I just want to say a few tings, economically that is. For the past 16 months I have been trying to prepare folks for the impending economic “dark ages” that may be on our door step, or even nipping at our nose. I say this for what we have experience thus far, may be very small in comparison to what waits ahead for these United States of America financially.

As history has shown, most of our problems are man made and as such our days as a world dominant leader of nations are numbered for we are now basically broke, with an economyripped apart and entirely dependent on loot borrowed from other nations. Businesses will find it hard to survive. Not just Wall streets and banks but any and even the small. What has happened is that America has turned from a producer to a consumer. And as such all of us are going to have to do some serious re-evaluation of our lives and life styles for the impending implosion of what we used to take for granted. The main problem is that politicians will not be able to solve what the have let happen on their watch. Not to mention they always desire a quick fix and or the easy way out – which normally ends up being a short term fix if that.

Yep we aint even seen the start of this mess. States like Illinois, Minnesota, New York, and Massachusetts are in the process of selling and privatizing parks, and lotteries just to make ends meet. Even cities doing what they can to stay a float. Chicago is trying to lease Midway Airport for $2.5 billion, if the feds approve the deal and has already inked a deal with a company regarding parking meters. But as I said, these are merely short term fixes and may even make these municipalities loose money in the long run.

It would surprise me none if states like California, Ohio, Michigan, and Florida will be bankrupt before the end of next year. Strange aint it, that Federal municipal bankruptcy laws came about in 1934 during the Great Depression. California's unemployment rate is more than 8.4%. Michigan’s is more than 9.6% Rhode Island is above 9.3%.

Yep the shit is about to hit the fan even with the Treasury and Federal reserve throwing all but the kitchen sink at the financial markets to fight deflation while not even noticing how folk like me taking a hit. And we don’t know how many more folk like Madoff are still on the loose thanks to the Chris Cox SEC. Not to mention that we are currently experiencing asset price deflation in an econonmy that seems tto be grinding to a halt.

So a toast to the Feds, and all them other folks that have lead us to the eventual destruction of the U.S. dollar and the global monetary system upon which it’s based. For the truth is that U.S. government debt is at $10.5 trillion and our government continues to advance a policy of deficit spending. I figure the Fed’s next move will be to push for the all powerfum Amero (new currency). This will drive up oil and gold and all else meaning that investors won’t support the U.S. government’s monetary policies. So I drink again as the U.S. dollar retreats against other currencies and commodities. Wish more folks read John Moorlach, the accountant who predicted the 1994 Orange County bankruptcy. He suggest that maybe Up to 10 Municipal Bankruptcies in 2009. So hold on to your hats because folk needs to be a magic Negro to deal with what I see on the bunson burner. But me no economist, so don’t listen to me mane. Just let jack frost keep on nipping at your nose.

Looking up to idiots

I would like to hope folk a blessed holiday season. But I must get back on the grind, for my reservation desires to promote self determination, and given the current worldly state of affairs, the window of opportunity is gradually closing. As we a wait the historic day where the new president of these United States assumes office, I still would like to reinforce that we should not look at jones as a savior, as 40 acres and a mule, of meaning emancipation, or that we have overcome.

We have not. The President Elect is but one man, in character and content that exist in all men. It is on us to assume the burden of responsibility for his success or our failures. We are the real folk that have to put in work. To assume the importance of liberty , in particular in the capacity of being versant and well informed. The decision is only ours whether or not to re-evaluate our current priorities and rearrange them such that the general community in the form of our neighborhoods, schools, and families are first. We must admit our faults and our general collective responsibility to correct what we can. Some of us men need to lift up our skirts and find our balls, and some of our sisters need to stop defining materialism and cosmetic falsities as being things of value. And most of all we, all need to stop looking up to folks that do not represent values we desire for a healthy community to reflect.

I hope that with Obama, folks will get a view of the possibility of family, the importance and the attractiveness in intelligence and reading and staying informed. I hope that people can observe how this one woman defines womanhood via being the supporter of her husband and children regardless. I Hope that people see in him, the value of reasoning and thinking as well as leadership. But the truth is, that down here on the grown level, we more than likely look up to idiots. I mean its cool to have a favorite musician or actor, but don’t allow them to be the source of information that you use to make your decisions. Nor be so absorbed in their life that you desire to be like them or live their kind of life. Don’t tolerate people who disseminate dumb ass, criminal and basically mal-adaptive behavior that you know is foul – but it makes u dance. We cannot complain. I feel if we don’t speak out and in action move to change that which we consider foul, then we are just as much of the obstacle.

All we do is follow, and we tend to follow idiots, or have more or as much interest in them than ourselves, All we do is follow. We rarely ever observe things, think about them and putt into action what we say. It is on both of us: the people and the president elect. I don’t want him to get up there and change the “our” you spoke about Mr. Obama, to the WE [Washington insiders]. Yep I still have a problem with you saying you gone change the “old boy “ network of “Washington Insiders – but I can let that pass for now. Because it remains on us and I am afraid and hopeful in the same instance. The window of time is small and we need to do something for a change rather than ask or expect for one person, to be our savior – he still is a politician.

gift jones

Hope all yawl had a happy nappy holiday thus far. I just wanted to spread a little cheer before I go back into history, economics, sex or politics. I didn’t get no gifts for xmas – well a few. But I gave and I’m fine with that. Now check it, I wanted to show my appreciative and frugal side – albeit women say I am cheap with the exception of those in my family – they call me frugal. Granny takes it a step farther and says I can hold a dollar. Any who, wanted to give yawl women some gift advice for your man that he will appreciate better than any store bought gift and they free. So here my top 10, and not in any particular order.

1] Washing his hair and oiling his scalp – and if he has dreds, a lil grooming.

2] A brick (or brick for each toilet in his house). One brick in the toilet, well you would not believe how much on his water bill he will save – men love saving loot. Brick in back of toliet displaces water, dont need as much, save $300/toleit a year

3] Cooking him a dinner. Don’t even have to be his favorite. He will appreciate it most def.

4] Taking him to the park and walking with him hand in hand. Great gift and cheap too.

5] Full body message, and I do mean message as well as full body – can’t go wrong with that.

6] cleaning up or at least helping him clean up his home – priceless in affect and sentiment.

7] Learning how to make his favorite mixed beverage. For me easy, hot sauce and tequila.

8] Taking a bath with him. Especially if you got a 100 gallon tube. Make sure the pomegranates ready.

9] Asking him to sing for you. Even if he can’t sing, pretend and enjoy it. If this is too much to deal with, 9a] is hand writing a coupon to him to redeem what ever he desires at anytime – with no expiration date.

10] Dancing for him. Lap dances preferred and poles are unnecessary. Especially if like me and don’t like strip clubs.

Now just a lil fun. Gifts can be used any other occasions from birthdays to valentines day. So think about it and save some loot,, no ties, shirts, socks (maybe liquor), but it is a recession and we need to learn to save. Not to mention, every one is gift jones in some form or manner.

what xmas means 2 me

he a ball player - not time to worry about his fly

this how country girls get down

pity the fool

I would hope that no one ever feels sorry for me, or better yet, that I will never have pity or sorrow for myself. I know things are hard for all not just me, but with perseverance, and the lessons we learn or can learn from our life experiences, I am content that it could be better and more, that some have it worse.

The banter and frolic that is orated in the form of words and phrases as complaints, should have no place in the vocabulary of any one with a roof over their head, food in their stomachs or disposable income to buy more shoes or CDs when they have more than they can listen to or wear.

I keep my blessings in my mind, especially the two young ones that follow my every word and call me poppa. I just want to remind folks even when things seem to go of course, if your money aint like you used too, or you have to have a drop down drag out with a life long friend, or be upset because a movie wasn’t like you thought it would be, get over it. We forget that it is the simple things that matter. That Christmas is about an open heart and the music, the memories from Christmas past. That we are not living in a Cholera epidemic, or walking in shopping malls where folks may have a bomb strapped around their waist. That we can sleep at night peacefully even when in pain without the threat of a warlord or solider coming in to kill our entire family.

So although as I said before, times are rough, don’t worry, have faith. So you don’t know if you will be able to pay that mortgage, or keep your internet on, or pay the car note. What you do and need to know is that you at least had such; that you have the ability and prowess to succeed; that you have worth and value in your heart and smile; that you can love even if you don’t feel love. Used to be a character on TV back in the day called Mr. T. He wore a lot of gold around his neck. Was never mad at him for that, for his reason was because his ancestors had to wear chains not by choice so he would honor him by weaning gold chains as a reminder. Not like rappers who wear chains because they use such to show they have money. Money aint what makes you valuable, no grass hopper, it is your heart, smile and acts there off. And as Mr. T said, “I pity the fool” that thinks his value is in the form of what they own as opposed to accepting their blessings, no matter how small, of being able to breathe to smile and see another day. Happy holiday’s folk and happy birthday to me (dec. 22). so buy my books.

21

As a kid growing up in Memphis I was very much into sports. From organized sports including the big three to golf and tennis. But it was nothing like my favorite two games growing up. Pick up and run football and 21.

Pick up and run was the best because there was normally only one kid in the neighborhood with a football. Everybody it seems had basketballs but such wasn’t the case with footballs. So on any one of them three open fields from Castalia Heights, to Magnolia Elementary School of the field by the ditch next to South Parkway Gardens Apartments. In Pick up and run would be any where from four to forty young men playing no-holds bared football in which who ever got the ball would run and be subject to being gang tackled (which was usually the case) by all else playing.

Now I loved that, but didn’t love it more than 21. 21 was the basketball equal to pick up and run. The best games were played with 15 or more people. Object was to be the first one to get to 21 in points via free throws or a regular basket. We never played the tip version, for real ball players had to take it back pass the free throw line and score between all those playing. We had another version called Arkansas 21, which was also called rough house – which was strange since the winner had to score 36 points.

I say this because not always do I get the chance to talk of my love of sports and politics without a discussion of economics or some other mundane esoteric stuff. But I just wanted to know if folks imagined like me, what the games of 21 will look like for the future occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. I will give Obama the benefit of the doubt, that he does enjoy 21. I mean James Joes, although 54, was a forward at Georgetown back in the day and Eric Holder (next AG) played ball at the reputable Stuyvesant High School in NYC. Add to the mix Obama’s personal assistant – Reggie Love who played round ball and football at Duke University and Arne Duncan, who lettered in Basketball at Harvard - Mr. Obama (a member of a Hawaii state basketball championship team back in the day – may need to step his game up. I mean I hear Susan Rice was one of Washington, DC’s best point guards back in the day.

What does this mean, well really nothing, except I love sports, and wish they would televise some of the games one day – I mean professional basket aint like what it used to be, and well 21, is always 21, especially if you aint got enough folks to run a 5 on 5 full court game.

Universal Nincompoops

Wanted to thank all yawl for the kind words and support via last post. Now back to our regular scheduled programming. I love to make fun of stuff; I mean Satire is in my blood. I have always looked to the works of folk like Miguel de Cervantes and the greatest satirist of all from my purview – Voltaire. I even like some of the modern cats including but not limited to Dave Chappelle, Aaron McGruder , Jon Stewart, and Mel Brooks and don’t add SouthPark.

Through satire, me as a writer, is in a position to holds prevailing vices up to ridicule via the employment of wit and humor such to criticize any institution or individual – hopefully in an attempt that they might be improved. However, it appears that even satire is not safe from the fangs of political correctness and the new world order.

The United Nations committee has passed a “defamation of religions” resolution that seems to over ride the significance of free speech and the freedom of expression. For some reason, it seems that the UN doesn’t see that such expression is a right and freedom connected directly with individual thought, conscience and belief, and seems to miss the point that as an international body, that they should first proceed to protect people in exercising their freedom of religion, versus the singular protection of religions.

This single resolution says that satire is nothing more than defamation of religion and even Blasphemy. Blasphemy, like you can actually defame a thought or idea or even something that may be true. The main sponsors of the resolution are predominantly Muslim nations. This is the 4^th year in a row in which the resolution has been approved. Do they know that folks like me or the writers of South Park, if ever in them countries, by the UN understanding, these got the places to arrest me and even put me to death, just cause I make fun of say, the Pope, or George Bush, or Christianity, or Islamic fanatics or even a monarch (by the way, the King of Saudi is supposed to be equal to a God). Guess talking about them off limits.

Satire is what keeps folks honest. It’s called humor, and the main outcomes are a smile or a laugh. I guess I will be held for I see the UN stands for Universal Nincompoops more so than United Nations and for all them Islamic Nations pushing this – suck a dic*. And while I'm at it throw on a vfew more years to my sentence for the terrorist should have flown planes into the UN. Now that is satire. Blaspheme that.

the season 2 b jolly

I think I knew this for a great part of my life. Just one reason in my fiction is based off of my experiences in the form of things I have seen or was personally involved in that is with the exception of my science fiction. This past Saturday morning I went through an ordeal that was somewhat night marish.

Just imagine you are resting in your own home, in your bed, a sleep. And all of a sudden, you are awakened to someone sucker punching you in your face. The first response is confusion and astonishment. You see your blood spattering everywhere. The reality hits when you hear the voice, one deranged saying the are the giver and taker of life; that the are Pablo Escobar, George Bush, the personification of evil, and worse that this person is one of your best friends for the last 20 plus years. All this happens in 5 seconds, and the battle ensues. You know your children are in the house, you know you opened your doors to this person after a divorce, yet he has taken your kindness for granted. That he has been talking to himself, and screaming out loud outside for no apparent reason – that he disrespected you and is no longer welcome.

Eventually your son is frightened and he grabs a bat. You desire to grab an ax, but don’t want to kill at first, although such is in your heart when protecting ones family. So another bat is grabbed. And the protective phase has transcended reality towards the beat down with bat phase. And the assailant is subdued. Your son calls the police and the kids are held in another room until they arrive. He is arrested and taken to the 13^th floor of a hospital where the mentally ill and deranged are contained.

All you can do if you are brave is to move on. But it is difficult when you are both sad and angry and knowing that your children may not feel safe and are afraid in their own house. Even worse, for you know this person is no longer welcome and that you may blow his head off on first foot on your property. Dang – aint that some shit. But it is the season to be jolly, and I am blessed and thankful and will keep the spirit of giving in my heart, even if that means.....

Thought Amnesty-rep yo city

Some of you may know I am from Memphis and that I am proud of that. Ass well you may know love music as well as read and write music. It has always been in my Family from Pops (kicking Maurice White – EWF out his band in HS), to my great Aunt, Evelyn ‘Whip” Young leaving home and 16 and causing a ruckus in our family to travel and play Alto Sax with BB. King and cutting cross Isaac Hayes yard each day from elementary school seeing he lived up the street from me. So my question the day. Give me the best musicians in your city – here is Memphis and in no particular order.

Issac Hayes

The Bar Kay’s

Ike Turner

B.B. King

Elvis Presley

Al Green

Maurice White (EWF)

Tina Turner

Bobby Blue Bland

Hank Crawford

John Lee Hooker (in Pic)

Howlin’ Wolk

Booker T & the MGs

Kirk Whalum

Jerry Lee Lewis

Justin Timberlake

Anita ward (Ring my Bell)

Phineas Newborn, Jr.

Top that: And remember no rappers allowed or else i would have included 3-6, Mafia or Eightball & MJG, but this is a start. Happy nappy weekend

From Pendegast to Blagojevich

I’m sure a few of yawl done caught wind of a certain state governor was arrested in his warm up suit – without the gold chain. Which was funny because it is so fitting of Mafia Dons and block watchers? As such, I can feel some that feel the Golden boy, a certain president-elect, may be damaged or tainted or hurt by this. And I just waana say don’t worry.

Now I consider my self to be a top shelf advocate of the importance of history. Moreover not often I can use modern or current day events in an attempt to make parallels thereof. As such, I want to try and ease some the fearful ruminations associated with one of the other aforementioned having a negative impact of the image of the other. For before Obama there was a Truman.

It’s hard to believe that he was just 13 presidents ago, he being the 33^rd president. He started out as judge. I think from my reading about him, that his approaches to foreign policy and national security will probably best follow him. He put in place the National Security Act in 1947, which unified the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Truman also dealt with the Jewish-Arab problem in British-controlled Palestine prior to the creation of Israel. And I would be remiss if I didn’t include the Korean War (North Korea and South Korea), the start of the cold war with Russia and most importantly, his decision to drop the bomb on Japan; even when historically we knew they were trying to surrender before that. But this is not the point.

Truman, is like Obama, epitomized the American dream that anybody could become president of the United States, being he had no college degree. He was honest and humble and stood for the regular person. Just like Obama, has demonstrated the same democratic idea. But just like Obama, Truman prior to becoming President had a tenuous relationship with a one with Thomas J. Pendergast. Pendergast was Blagojevich before he was born. Pendergast sponsored Truman for the Senate through his powerful and corrupt political machine, which eventually landed him in Leavenworth for tax evasion in 1939.

Truman was an honest man, as he was regarding his association with Pendergast but still had a stigma associated to him from his relationship. Because it was Pendergast who backed Truman’s 1934 successful primary and general election races. And just as Truman, Obama appears to be an honest person as well. And just like Truman’s relationship with a corrupt person, the Governor of Illinois will have less of an impact on Mr. Obama, especially since he did not fund him.

So no worry, Obama will not be tainted. This is an example of one: Chicago (old school machine politics) and greed of a natural born Hustler. So do not fail for the bait, or you will be talking about something that makes no nevermind. Truman was honest and had integrity just as Obama does. The both are(were) men of good will and the people can see such. The only difference I see was that Truman's suit game was top shelf.