Monkey in the middle

I have repeated on inordinate occasions that I see no difference between democrats or the GOP. In my defense, I have asked for proof with regards to policy, affect and impact on problem solving and/or saying what they do. To this date no one has accepted this challenge and those that do tend to assert America is a democracy when I ask, as opposed to KNOWING it is a republic.

Now, as the typical Washington inside machine operates, it reared its selfish and good old folk head again. The U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama was appointed by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to the former attorney general of Illinois Roland Burris. When Jones got to Washington, The Senate good old boys told folk he was not accepted (his credentials were not in order). He was refused entry to the Senate based on them citing Article 1, Section 5 of the U.S. Constitution, which states "Each house shall be the judge of the elections, returns and qualifications of its own members."

In two words – bull shit. This is purely political, blocking the appointment of one man because they dislike the other. And I tell ya if as many black folks who followed Beyoncee would follow this the same way, these folk in Washington would have a lot of noise back home in their districts. I was optimistic that Obama meant what he said, and would do accordingly. But I am slowly becoming disillusioned. He spoke of change, and not having the “good old boy” network of “Washington Insiders” in his administration – yet he does. I won’t even get on the usual talk of tax reduction, war ending and other stuff that all democrats and republicans chant like some Taoist mantra.

The situation with Burris is ridiculous and shows us how theatrical politic inside the beltway are. If I know the signature from the Illinois Secretary of State is not required but rather ceremonial, then they should too. Blagojevich legally appointed Burris to the seat vacated by President-Elect Obama. Now I don’t really give a care about Senate appointee Jones one way or the other, but I do care about the right of the Illinois citizenry. That's some of the dumbist shit I done seen in recent times. I mean they give more attention to this than the economy, the decline of the dollar, a non-existant manufacturing base, despots like the former NASDAQ Chairman (Madoff) or education.

As it stands, seems as if the Senate is reminiscent of a bunch of kids on the little rascals refusing another kid into the he man woman hatters club, or not letting a kid play with them because he friends with another kid they don’t like. Go pick on the kid you don’t like, Senator Burris aint done nothing wrong and should not be treated as if he is the governor. That man is 71 years old and you holding the ball over his head, and passing the buck like he a monkey in the middle.

Point of order: told yawl I could write a post about Beyoncee.

In Battle with Apophis

I will not go into how I was awarded the name of All Mi T, but over the last 30 days, I will say I think I have given that label the recognition of its real value via perseverance, fortitude and commitment. I mean from what happened to me and my boy, to the current economic quagmire, the window in my truck being shot out when my son had the truck at a party, to my run in with twelve (believe me) to my shop getting beasted; prior to that my vehicle getting impounded and today finding out my great Aunt Peedy died – I must say I am in great spirits albeit a little bit angry as well as sad. But I have also realized that I am in a battle, and for lack of a cliché like phrase – of good versus evil.

Let me tell you a little bout evil. Its only desire is to distract, distort and throw you off your path. Evil is selfish and will try to bring you to the point of doubt and self pity. In simple terms it breeds fear and inaction. Now I aint no pretty boy, nor am I without sin or iniquity, but I am a good person and the spirit in me dictates a smile feels a lot better and more enjoyable than a frown any day. In concert as I have said before, that I am a blessed mutha fucka and any day is a good day to die, my goodness must show and engage in combat when confro9nted, in particular by evil. A lot of folks see evil and turn the other way as opposed to letting the righteousness of good in their heart lead the way. They can follow a great civil rights leader in an effort of freedom, but when alone, thay cannot nor will not take the same action by their lonesome.

I don’t know how to translate what I feel. Not like I am a mythical figure or something, but it is as if I am Ra, the Kemetic (Egyptian) Sun God in a battle with my arch adversary Apophis - not the asteroid names after this figure expected in 2029, but Apophis, the embodiment of “dissolution, darkness and non-being”. The ancient Egyptians retorted that Apophis needed no nourishment other than to "breathe" his own shouts. They say that Ra even enlisted the services of Seth to deal with Apophis. He was once a sun-god before being replaced by Ra and creeps in the waters of the Celestial Nile.

I feel as if Ra, each day I have to fight with Apophis, as he tries to eat me and prevent sunshine. Kemetic mythologies say that when he succeeds in his daily attempts, there is a solar eclipse. But I feel as on most days when Ra and his companion stabbed him with knives and spears and defeated him, I too will defeat evil.

All I am saying is that times are hard and obstacles will be the equivalent of infinity in math. So no matter what happens to me, I live life with love in my hard and will not have any debts to pity or sorry or self-doubt, and neither should anyone else. Yep, All Mi T is in an incessant battle with Apophis and as Pato Banton said in two of his songs “Life is a Struggle but never give in” and “settle Satan, settle Satan”. Keep your heads up folk and have a blessed 2009 – I know folk here will, as i listen to Gil Scott Heron - Legend in His Own Mind.

Addendum. Thanks to Clumps of Mascera and HBW for stopping by my shop Saturday and happy nappy birthday to my folk Kennie88.

they beasted my shop

Between 5am and 6am this morning, some folk beasted my shop and stole my cash register with $8.42 in it (cash register worth $342). Same folks hit 6 other shops with same MO. Replacement glass $690. Didn't steal the bikes, nor gat, nor merchandice, nor phone. Told yawl , these folk real n the field. So wont write just some images.

Obama got his hands full

Foul

Me and lil momma got out bed - she was in PJs all day.

So if yawl know anyone in the ATL with dogs, send them my way and support free enterprise. 87% of all products made in America. Need to recoop this loss. Thanks folk.

Braincell, a store for dogs; 572 edgewood, suite 117; atlanta, GA 30312: 404-228-5497

1967 Again, maybe?

As a kid, I recall a little of the Detroit Riot of 1967. I was in Memphis and the flames on the front porch were a lot more visible at the time. It began after a police raid in a predominantly black neighborhood. And although race was significant as well as police brutality, economic, and social factors such as lack of affordable housing, added to the Riot, another one may be brewing in the D-town, if it don’t become a ghost town first. Today may be even worse with the collapse of the big car manufacturers, Ford, Chrysler and GM. Monday, and this Dec 23, 2008 report noting that the average price of a home is now $18,513 (less than a new car) and unemployment has reached 21 percent. Just in June the average home price was $19,448.

In October, 98 metropolitan areas reported jobless rates of at which was up 7.0 percent, up from 16 areas a year earlier, In October, Detroit-Livonia-Dearborn, Mich., Add to the mix a 21.7% graduation rate for the 11th largest district in the country, Detroit Schools – this may be where the economic crisis first blows up and gets an human face.

Nationally some project that the December's job loss total will exceed November's and predicts the economy will have lost 3 million to 4 million jobs for the two years ending at December 2009. True, I look at it as the glass is half full and with the understanding that there aint no consistent definition of a Depression. The only consistent thing is the presence of long scale and extended unemployment. Im just cautious and with the way things work now: online banking and ATMS. Long lines in hospital emergency rooms because of no insurance and food prices across the country increasing about 7 percent alone in 2008, one doesn’t have to be absorbed with economics to know things do not look too good or that the depression looming will look a lot different than the great depressin. For if it ever gets to where 6 out of 10 households are economically distressed, then something is liable to hit the fan – question is where? So tell me what it looks like in your city.

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.