2007

Thank you, Interpol. Couldn't have said it better myself.

from the new release "Our Love to Admire"

Mind Over Time

I will still be up by fall
I'll still be up by fall either way
Still be up by fall
I'll be still to hear the call either way

Street of thought
In all your bones
Hold your place and
Save your throne
Lie awake supine and golden
Wait for grace
It's time

Mind over time
Mind over time

Sleight of fate
And borrowed clothes
Songs of places
No one knows
Draped in lace we all lean over
To greet the great
It's time

Mind over time
Mind over time

Street of thought
In all your bones
Hold your place and
Save your throne
Lie awake supine and golden
Wait for grace
It's time

Mind over time
Mind over time
It's mind over time
It's your mind over time

Are there still two shades of justice?

China Arnold.

When I first heard about the then-26-year-old Arnold, like most of you, I was appalled. Shocked. Angered. Outraged. You may remember Miss Arnold as the mother soon to be on trial for aggravated murder for allegedly placing her month-old daughter in a microwave and turning it on. Paris Talley died of hyperthermia on Aug. 30, 2005 and court documents allegedly link Arnold to the tragedy by DNA evidence.

The case of Arnold's impending trial has me wondering if even in heinous criminal cases where parents are accused of murdering their children, is justice truly blind?
Beyond the chilling details, Arnold's case is about the murder of a child, just as in the cases of Susan Smith, Andrea Yates and a nearby case involving Amanda Hamm. Brief synopses of their cases are above. Smith successfully avoided the death penalty, instead receiving a life sentence. Yates never faced the death penalty and her life sentence was overturned this year. Incredibly, she was found not guilty by reason of insanity and resides in a mental facility. Hamm faces an aggravated murder charge and life in prison. Of these accused women, only Smith faced the death penalty before Arnold.

All of the crimes are heinous, no matter the perpertrator. Murder is wrong and this is by no means a defense of those convicted or of the questionable actions of the principals involved. The murder of innocent children makes these cases even more tragic and poignant. When news of Talley's tragic death came out last year, everyone was apalled by the brutality senselessness of it all, just as in the deaths of Smith's, Yates' and Hamm's children. Studies and articles examine how mothers who murder their children are often sentenced to less harsh criminal punishments than fathers who murder their children. In Hamm's case, her boyfriend (who happens to be African-American) is already serving life for the drowning deaths of Hamms' children and his utter ignorance and irresponsibility is difficult to comprehend, as a recent Chicago Tribune interview attests. Some people even speculate that Hamm, in the passenger seat while her boyfriend was at the wheel and her kids in the back seat during the tragedy, could be found not guilty.

I can't help but wonder if Arnold — unlike the others — will be held to the ultimate standard if convicted.

Off the Dome: Quick hits on current events

It's been a minute, so let's just call this the first intallment of "off the dome." Off the dome is a series of quick opines on topics in the news. Reading time: 15 minutes. Here we go:

CIVIL WAR OR NOT A CIVL WAR
It's been a civil war for a while, people. Anytime you have ethnic-based abductions, torture, murder, suicide bombings, ritual executions and general mayhem, you are in the midst of civil war. Perhaps our government has been avoiding the tough questions associated with quelling a civil war. They cannot avoid them any longer.

OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT
I do not think Barack Obama should run for president. I don't think Barack Obama should run for vice president. I DO think Barack Obama should concentrate on enacting good policies, learning all he can in the Senate, build relationships among fellow Senators and Representatives so that he will win easy re-election. Obama needs to do the type of heavy lifting behind the scenes that will legitmize himself as one of the true Democratic heavyweights in two years. He needs to avoid the "do nothing to do little" label slapped on Carol Moseley Braun. Remember her? One-termer from the great state of Illinois.

HILLARY FOR PRESIDENT
There's no doubt she'll run and she definitely has the political seasoning for it. The problem is, can she tap into that all-things-to-all-people style of oratory for which Bill is famous? An inspired Hillary is only slightly less dull than a John Kerry speech. And who would her campaign manager be? Her running mate? I can just see the GOP attack ads now, declaring that a vote for Hillary is really just a third term for Bill and does America really need more Bill Clinton? Can Hillary not be overshadowed by the sniping and attacking that will be more focused on her husband and the Lewinsky penis-washing episodes or the fact that most white, non-college graduate stay-at-home Moms hate her guts? Can she counter the belief among the evangelicals that not only is she stepping in front of her husband, but also that she doesn't relate to their beliefs and definition of womanhood?

If she gets the Dems nomination, her ability to succeed depends on her choice of running mate and whom she would be running against on the GOP ticket. The X-factor is this and it remains a sad commentary on the true state of our country: is there a white, male running mate who could truly stand and stomach the put-downs of being on the Democratic ticket with a female presidential candidate? John Edwards? No. John Kerry? Hell, no. Al Gore? Don't think so. Evan Bayh? Nope. The sorry state of our country is that a large section of it is no more willing to accept a strong female presidential candidate than they are willing to accept a Black one. Sad but true. But the true low point will be the stupid, Cro-Magnonesque put-downs about the top two Democratic powers being women. You already see how Pelosi is being portrayed. Amplify that by 100 and you might be at the start of what Hillary faces.

What do I think she should do? Make Bill Richardson her running mate. He's smart. Talented. Been in Congress. UN Ambassador. Energy Secretary. DNC Chair. New Mexico governor. And he's Hispanic. So if you're Hillary, you convince Donna Brasille to come out of political retirement and run your campaign. You make Bill Richardson your running mate and (if he doesn't run) you get Al Gore on your team and you formulate the environment and what we've done to it to be a legitimate front-line campaign issue for the first time in years. (BTW, next Off the Dome, I'll look at the GOP candidates)

THE N-WORD: USE IT OR LOSE IT?
I say lose it. First off, any single word that can boil Black people's blood to the point they are ready to reject reason and violently attack a non-Black person who hurls it at them is a word that carries power. Words do that. Words have history. I think the rationale that I can call my fellow brotha the "N-word" but then a white guy can't, just as ridiculous as white conservative think tanks using Civil Rights laws to attack reverse discrimination against white people. It's hypocrisy. The Civil Rights laws were put in place to give Black people (and all people of color) ACCESS to opportunities denied them. Let me restate: ACCESS. That does not mean free jobs, free education or free money. You still have to earn the pay check, get good grades and manage your opportunities well. The Civil Rights laws were NOT put in place for already well-to-do white folks to use it as a basis to get richer and make college even more elite. Just the same, the "N-word" cannot be reconfigured, re-claimed, flipped or re-worked to become ANYTHING positive as it relates to Black people. Unless Black people summarily get selective amnesia, the world will ALWAYS conjure a time where we were defined as less than human and treated worse than animals. You can flip the spelling however you want, but our history of the word has and will always be negative. Therefore, use of the word in general but by Black people specifically, is a fresh, philosophical lyching of millions of Blacks who died at the hands of those who embraced the word's true meaning.

THE BCS
It really stands for Best Crowd Scenario. First off, anyone who doesn't think the Bowl system, OR March Madness for that matter isn't about money is deluding themselves. When you are talking sports, you are talking our house or theirs. Come into our place and beat us or we go into your place and beat you. Any neutral site anything is just an excuse to make money. That's how you pick Nebraska to go to the Cotton Bowl over a team that BEAT them, finished with just as many wins, but one fewer loss (Texas). Yeah, Austin isn't too far away from Dallas, but you know literally thousands of 'Huskers fans are going to load up the RVs, drive to Dallas and paint the town green while cheering on their Big Red. All bowl games are just excuses for alumni to gather, party, have a good time, make business deals and be solicited by corporate sponsorships at game-related events. That's all it is. Power conferences get most of the nods and then the schools share tens of millions of dollars on top of the millions they get from TV deals. If you are a student athlete, I hope you get your degree, because universities are using those players like rented mules to make billions. I say give me a playoff system. Now, why will that never happen? Re-read this graf.

WHY THERE WILL NEVER BE A FULL PULLOUT FROM THE PERSIAN GULF
Because we set up a puppet government in Iraq (you can create whatever type of government you want, just make sure its Democratic with a legal system not based on the Qua'ran) Since we've already done a great job actually increasing the terror threat, how about we have some straight talk with Turkey, India, Russia, the entire EU and Saudi Arabia. The speech? Get involved now to help clean up (our) mess or throw in your chips for a nuclear World War III within 5-10 years. If we completely pull out, the Shia from Iran tip the balance of Iraq to gain control. They then increase the influnce in the region, emboldening Syria and Lebanon. Israel is now at risk as is India from a destabilized Afghanistan and Pakistan. Separatists in the Muslim former Soviet-controlled countries are too emboldened. Saudi Arabia with its distorted haves and have nots existence gets called out for embracing Western ideals and suddenly, its piplelines become terror targets. Iran goes nuclear and either Syria or Lebanon hits Israel hard. In typical fashion, Israel responds like a sledgehammer. Nuclear volleys are exchanged. Welcome to WWIII folks.

The Birth of the Cool

This is the best story to date I've seen about Ed Bradley. If you have time, check it out.

Since my parents religiously watched 60 Minutes as I was growing up, I too became addicted. As it helped feed my interest in a career in journalism, I appreciated how the program's news stories' would be discussed on Monday mornings from the office water coolers to the White House. Central to the program was a smooth brotha whose delivery was just as fluid, but still packed a punch. For me, Bradley was always a damn good journalist, but also a journalist fully aware of his life experience and insight as a Black man. He embraced this and never forgot it. He also never let it get in the way: neither by others' attempts to limit him, nor by it preventing him from uncovering truths of the stories painful to Black people (such as the referenced interview of the alleged Black accomplice in the Emmett Till murder). Along with the smooth delivery here was a brotha whose knowledge and research backed it all up. If he was ever thrown by an interview subject, I must have missed it. I liked how the earring said "rebel," like it was his own personal calling card that he had his own beat, operating within the confines of broadcast journalism with the skill and improvised deftness of the jazz music and musicians he so loved.

As a Black man in media, I hoped to evolve like Ed Bradley and Bob McGruder. I hoped to age as well as Ed Bradley and Bob McGruder too. They both symbolized what brothas like me aspire to become: intelligent, informed, prepared, insightful and cool. As they did, I wear my Blackness not on my sleeve, but on my entire body every day as an honor. Both men left us too soon, but they both have shaped countless lives, countless journalists and future journalists with their influence, dignity, strength and grace. And you know sistas loved how cool Ed was with the grey hair and beard and the hoop or stud earring and the dapper suits. When Ed would kick back in an interview with Lena Horne or with Jordan or Tiger, you just knew off camera they would all be saying "THIS is living." Likewise, Ed could smoothly bust the chops in hard-hitting interviews like Timothy McVey, Michael Jackson and countless blubbering government officials.

To me Ed Bradley symbolized a brotha who could remain true as a Black man and hold his own in an industry not necessarily keen on his outlook. As always, Ed handled the haters with style and cool. For all of these things I am grateful.

Just as the program always begins with its list of correspondents, my mind will catch itself — inserting "Ed Bradley" where I've always heard it, just as I still do when I insert "Harry Reasoner" where it belonged.

Most of all, Ed Bradley is proof you can be a Black man in media without (and forever resisting) being emasculated.

Thanks, Ed. I know jazz sounds even better up there.

We Shocked The World!

We Shocked The World. Somehow, this 83-win collection of stars, role-players, reclamation projects, grizzled veterans, upstart rookies, all led by an enigmatic manager, beat the two best teams in the National League and then dispatched the AL Champion Detroit Tigers in 5. The whole season was a wild ride. Ups. Downs. Challenges and PLENTY of haters. I was there for the very first game in New Busch. Opening Day in St. Louis is a spectacle you can only appreciate fully by being there. You are simply a Cardinals fan by birth and remain one even after you die. The sea of red. The enthusiasm for a new season in a new ballpark. The first pitch of a lifetime of youngsters with memories of "my team" and "my stadium."

Because of a good friend, I was at the last game of the season. Game 5 of the World Series. The euphoria of an immiment 10th World Series Crown. Second in my lifetime so far. Revenge against the team that delayed the 8th title the year before I was born. A sea of red. Playoff success after three futile World Series spread over 23 years. The exultation as a title arrives as in ’82, at home, on a strikeout. Grown men, strangers to each other become brothers in victory. High fives. Hugs abound. Even tears are shed. Kids dance around. Women jump and cheer. The team celebrates onfield. There are few experiences in sports like being there when your hometown team clinches a World Series title before your very eyes. As Shannon often says: Un-believable. Congratulations, Cards. You earned it. As for the national press haters? You can't take it away. 2006 St. Louis Cardinals: World Series Champions. How ya like us now?

Things to do before you get married

As I watch the years go by and deal with all those "married grown-up" issues, I sometimes look back on some things I wish I'd known or some things I wish I'd done before I settled down. So I came up with this list of "things to do before you settle down and get hitched" or simply "Bachelor Life: the list."

This list is serious and whimsical.
I encourage all of my bretheren to add to it. For the ladies: is there a Bachelorette version?

Here goes (in no uncertain order):

Earn your degrees: if you want to go to grad school or get that doctorate, do it while you're young. It is MUCH harder to go back after you're married with more responsibilities.

Two, Four or Six year bachelor pad: The four or six-year options are when you are in undergrad or grad school, but build up your dream bachelor pad. Get the black leather sofa and the ottoman that sits in front of the plasma screen. Get a pool table for the dining room. Put in it whatever you want, because once you get hitched, you're lucky if you get to design ONE room the way you want. Make it YOUR spot.

Diversify your dating: The best way to find out the type of woman you want is to get to know several — even at the same time. Women do this constantly. Date across the spectrum: Asian, Indian, Black, African, Carribean, South American, Middle Eastern, European. Some guys will always wonder. You will know. And ladies all over the globe dig on the bretheren (if you know what I mean). You don't even have to date, but make friends from all over the world. The knowledge you get about other cultures and places will be invaulable. Get a WORLD VIEW state of mind.

Visit a strip club: Now if you are very religious and this is not your cup of tea, don't go. Otherwise, this is the only place that you can unabashedly admire, observe, appreciate and drool over the female body. Note that we are not reducing all women to their bodies and ignoring their brains. Rather, at said gentlemen's clubs, the men want to observe and the dancers want your money. Appreciate that physically women's bodies are similar, but they are most certainly different. Have a guy's night out, visit the ATM and then hit the club with the fellas. Learn to appreciate the female form. Note: you can NOT do this at the office.

(If only once) Date a stripper: Is the myth really true? You may not have a stripper pole in your loft for her to dance on, but then again, she may not need it.

Fiscal responsibility (pt.1): Save at least $1,200 a year. That's $100 a month and a pretty low target. If you are gainfully employed and not in college, save more. After four years, you will have at least $4,800. You can take a quarter of that ($1,200) and invest it. NEVER spend this money. When you get back to $4,800, take a quarter again $1,200) and make this your emergency fund. Don't go into the kitty unless it is worth it, like buying a house. And unless the sig-other has her own funds to match or you just want to share it, this is YOUR money.

Fiscal responsibility (pt.2): Go easy on the credit cards. Very easy. Protect your credit rating by not jacking it up with high credit card balances. You'll thank yourself when you buy your first house.

International road trip: Get with your best friends, your road dogs and take a 1-2-week trip abroad. See the sights, dance with the local ladies, talk life and sports with the local guys and just soak in the food, culture, people and life with the guys who have your back. Years, decades later even, you'll all be able to look each other in the eye over a beer while your kids are playing and wives are talking and swear it was one of the best trips of your life.

Learn to cook: Trust me on this one: there are few things women find sexier than I guy who knows his way around the kitchen. Buy a cookbook each year and master at least 4-5 dishes. You know your boys won't turn down a free meal. So perfect the dishes and then when you've got it down, cook for a date. There's no such thing as a sure thing, but...

Learn to clean: Take the teeth out of a common misconception women have that we are all junky. Clean up after yourself and keep your place clean enough where Moms won't dog you out when she comes by on a surprise visit.

Mentor: As we all know, its hell out there for the young 'uns. Help be part of the solution by joining a mentoring or tutoring program. Show the young guys manhood is defined by knowedge, conviction and compassion. Not the latest gangasta rap.

Read at least 3 books a year: You can always read more, but at least pick one biography/autobiography of someone you respect. Pick a book/autobiography from someone in your field of work. Lastly, pick a book regarding something that interests you or something new you'd like to learn.

Anyone got others?

Truth in Lies

In my career, I get to meet people all the time. Since my goal is to get to the truth, people often try to conceal the truth if its not in their best interests.

So I find it interesting when I only get half the story from someone. Ususally, all it takes is a little bit of investigative digging to get the gist of things. The funny thing is, some people must (incredibly!) mistake me for stupid. What makes for a good journalist? The ability to communicate thoughts, words, ideas, deeds and actions for the masses. An investigative and analytical news sense. Sifting through data and organizing it in different scenarios until it all makes sense. That's usually when you find the truth in lies.

I'll be able to speak more about this soon. Examples? I've got plenty of 'em.