It's official, the Washington DC metro rail and Sudanese dictator Omar al-Bashir are in cahoots, as it took us five more minutes than it usually would to get to the rally on the National Mall. Of course, I was only there to "pick up chicks" as the kids say. And I was quite successful. One young woman looked at my shirt, and asked "Do you go to George Mason?" I replied, "Yes." She then asked, "What year are you?" I answered, "I'm a grad student." Then she continued her flirt parade by saying, "Oh, never mind," and walked away.
Once I got there, there were so many Jews, it felt like we were at temple. I ran into a friend of mine from college, who is Jewish. He mentioned that despite the enormous differences within the Jewish community this is the one cause that all of us can get behind. I'm sure there's one Jew that supports the genocide (there's always one) but otherwise I agree. Being there made me proud to be Jewish.
When Al Sharpton was introduced, a great moan of anticipation rolled through the crowd. Then Shapton gave a moving oration as expected.
James Zogby, the head of the Arab American Institute, spoke as well. A couple of teenage Jewish guys began heckling him in the only way Jews know how, making sarcastic comments. Unfortunately, they didn't appear to know what the hell they were talking about.
I emailed Mr. Zogby three years ago and his response was (if he doesn't mind):
"Thank you for your very kind note. I appreciate your concern and empathy. I too look forward to the day when we can all live together peacefully. I continue to hope."
Obviously, he's a terrorist.
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Saturday, April 29, 2006
My Review of My Blog
My blog sucks. I mean have you read this shit? This blog is what's wrong with America. I give it a D+. Much in the same way as the team that I was a part of during college: the D+ Team. We were a lot like our predecessors, the A Team, just not as good. The A Team saved the world, we open bank accounts. They fought bad guys, we manuever our way through Taco Bell parking lots. But, the "+" means we're improving.
Anyway, my blog is basically like a sack of crap left out in the hot sun for three weeks. And it's written by a Jew. Do we really need another Jew spouting his facacta opinons in the media? Don't the Jews control enough already? Sheesh! I've wasted countless hours on this trash. And I've wasted the time of you, the reader. For that, I am truly sorry.
Anyway, my blog is basically like a sack of crap left out in the hot sun for three weeks. And it's written by a Jew. Do we really need another Jew spouting his facacta opinons in the media? Don't the Jews control enough already? Sheesh! I've wasted countless hours on this trash. And I've wasted the time of you, the reader. For that, I am truly sorry.
Friday, April 28, 2006
Views of Women in Hip Hop: A Rebuttle
I've debated with myself for several months now (an activity one does frequently when they have no friends) about starting this series. My buddy Bill O'Reilly... who really is my buddy! He was invited to our Seder, but didn't come due to "splotchiness" on his face. Whatever, I wasn't that upset about it. The phone call he made to tell us about the splotchiness was a bit weird and inappropriate, but my family is moving on from that unpleasantness.
Anyway, the idea I have is to provide an alternative interpretation of Hip Hop through the lyrics of its artists. These comments will be taken out of context, and censored in a way to fit my argument. This is dishonest to the artist, but it is no different than what my buddy Bill O'Reilly and those of his ilk do when they denigrate Hip Hop for being sexist, homophobic, anti-white, etc. This post is not meant to imply anything more than Hip Hop is a diverse culture and must be regarded as such.
"I was rolling around, in my mind it occurred, what if God was a her? Would I treat her the same? Would I still be running game on her? In what type of ways would I want her? Would I want her for her mind or her heavenly body?" Common - Faithful
"Hey young man, why degrade your only sister and call them bitches and whores? What if one day someone feels the same way about that daughter of yours? Oh, if you had one inkling of an idea of what they had to go through. Of course she's strong, but she's still depending on you." Cee-Lo - Young Man (read mutual dependence)
"Build a conversation, probe your intellect, put your manhood to the test, but not just your physical, your individual is what I'm after." Bahamadia - I Confess
"I give a holla to my sisters on welfare. Tupac cares, if don't nobody else cares. I know they like to beat you down a lot, when you come around the block, brothers like to clown a lot. But please, don't cry, dry your eyes, never let up. Forgive but don't forget, keep your head up." Tupac - Keep Ya Head Up
"The name Com' has never been involved with run, unless its DMC, or running these broads to being free." Common - Chi-City
"The pain of not reflecting the range of our complexions." Jean Grae - Black Girl Pain
"When he tells you, you ain't nothing, don't believe him. And if he can't learn to love you, you should leave him. 'Cuz sister, you don't need him. I ain't trying to gas up, but I just call 'em how I see 'em. You know what makes me unhappy? When brothers make babies and leave a young mother to be a pappy." Tupac - Keep Ya Head Up
"To me the word 'emcee' doesn't know no fucking genders." Apani B Fly Emcee - Estrogen Lyrics
“I’d never call you my bitch or even my beau, there’s so much in a name and so much more in you.” Common - The Light
"The world is yours and I swear I will stand focused. Black girls, raise up your hands; the world should clap for us." Jean Grae - Black Girl Pain
"No more shows calling women bitches and hoes." Chuck D - No
"30 years past Aretha and still screaming for my freakin' respect." Apani B Fly Emcee - The Woman In Me
"Removed from earth, only to return through birth. Knew this girl selling her body, wish she knew what it was worth." Common - It's Your World
"And since we all came from a woman, got our name from a woman, and our game from a woman: I wonder why we take from - women? Why we rape - women? Do we hate - women? I think it's time to kill for - women, time to heal - women, be real to - women. And if we don't, we'll have a race of babies that hate the ladies that make the babies. And since a man can't make one, he has no right to tell a woman when and where to create one. So will the real men get up, I know your fed up ladies, but keep ya head up." Tupac - Keep Ya Head Up
"Waiting for the Lord to rise, I look into my daughter's eyes. And realize that I'm-a learn through her. The Messiah, might even return through her. If I'm-a do it, I gotta change the world through her." Common - Be
"A father only shows a boy how to become a man. Not true, single parent showed a mother can." Wordsworth – Be A Man
“Baby leave on your clothes, much more to living life than emulating them hoes.” Zion I – Temperature
“All I ever wanted was a real nice lady.” Da Bush Babees & Mos Def – S.O.S.
Anyway, the idea I have is to provide an alternative interpretation of Hip Hop through the lyrics of its artists. These comments will be taken out of context, and censored in a way to fit my argument. This is dishonest to the artist, but it is no different than what my buddy Bill O'Reilly and those of his ilk do when they denigrate Hip Hop for being sexist, homophobic, anti-white, etc. This post is not meant to imply anything more than Hip Hop is a diverse culture and must be regarded as such.
"I was rolling around, in my mind it occurred, what if God was a her? Would I treat her the same? Would I still be running game on her? In what type of ways would I want her? Would I want her for her mind or her heavenly body?" Common - Faithful
"Hey young man, why degrade your only sister and call them bitches and whores? What if one day someone feels the same way about that daughter of yours? Oh, if you had one inkling of an idea of what they had to go through. Of course she's strong, but she's still depending on you." Cee-Lo - Young Man (read mutual dependence)
"Build a conversation, probe your intellect, put your manhood to the test, but not just your physical, your individual is what I'm after." Bahamadia - I Confess
"I give a holla to my sisters on welfare. Tupac cares, if don't nobody else cares. I know they like to beat you down a lot, when you come around the block, brothers like to clown a lot. But please, don't cry, dry your eyes, never let up. Forgive but don't forget, keep your head up." Tupac - Keep Ya Head Up
"The name Com' has never been involved with run, unless its DMC, or running these broads to being free." Common - Chi-City
"The pain of not reflecting the range of our complexions." Jean Grae - Black Girl Pain
"When he tells you, you ain't nothing, don't believe him. And if he can't learn to love you, you should leave him. 'Cuz sister, you don't need him. I ain't trying to gas up, but I just call 'em how I see 'em. You know what makes me unhappy? When brothers make babies and leave a young mother to be a pappy." Tupac - Keep Ya Head Up
"To me the word 'emcee' doesn't know no fucking genders." Apani B Fly Emcee - Estrogen Lyrics
“I’d never call you my bitch or even my beau, there’s so much in a name and so much more in you.” Common - The Light
"The world is yours and I swear I will stand focused. Black girls, raise up your hands; the world should clap for us." Jean Grae - Black Girl Pain
"No more shows calling women bitches and hoes." Chuck D - No
"30 years past Aretha and still screaming for my freakin' respect." Apani B Fly Emcee - The Woman In Me
"Removed from earth, only to return through birth. Knew this girl selling her body, wish she knew what it was worth." Common - It's Your World
"And since we all came from a woman, got our name from a woman, and our game from a woman: I wonder why we take from - women? Why we rape - women? Do we hate - women? I think it's time to kill for - women, time to heal - women, be real to - women. And if we don't, we'll have a race of babies that hate the ladies that make the babies. And since a man can't make one, he has no right to tell a woman when and where to create one. So will the real men get up, I know your fed up ladies, but keep ya head up." Tupac - Keep Ya Head Up
"Waiting for the Lord to rise, I look into my daughter's eyes. And realize that I'm-a learn through her. The Messiah, might even return through her. If I'm-a do it, I gotta change the world through her." Common - Be
"A father only shows a boy how to become a man. Not true, single parent showed a mother can." Wordsworth – Be A Man
“Baby leave on your clothes, much more to living life than emulating them hoes.” Zion I – Temperature
“All I ever wanted was a real nice lady.” Da Bush Babees & Mos Def – S.O.S.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
The Other
Two days a week I drive to Haymarket, Virginia to teach English to three kids (when the name of your city has "Hay" or "market" in it, you live in the middle of fucking nowhere). I get pretty freaked out once I pass the NRA's headquarters in Fairfax (it's as if I'm crossing into a different country). I pass by with my thumb firmly locked in the "boo" position.
I try to make my thumbs down quite discreet as to not attract any more attention to myself than a short hairy Jewish man with Turkish Hip Hop blasting out of his car in Virginia will already do.
"No one knows you're Jewish," my friends say. So, reality is supposed to ease my fears? I don't understand. Anyway, when I substitute teach, the first question is almost always, "Are you Jewish?" So my friends' theory goes out the window.
The students live in a gated golf community (they exist, who knew?). The first visit I made, I showed the security guard the yellow piece of paper with their unpronounceable name (to me anyway) and address of the students I was about to teach. He let me through. Quickly, his inquiry into my every visit to the gated community became less intensive. Until Passover.
I decided to wear a yarmulke for Passover. I debated with myself the entire one hour drive over whether or not I should keep the yarmulke on when I pulled up to the security gate. I finally decided to leave it on. To my surprise, the security guard asked where I was headed. I scrambled for the yellow piece of paper that I hadn't used for a few weeks. Then he let me through.
Not such a big deal and I had missed the session before, so I hadn't been there for a week. He may have forgotten me. I don't believe that he questioned me because I'm Jewish, but possibly because I represented the Other. It isn't often that I fall into the category of Other, but it does happen. Those moments are shocking, upsetting, confusing. I can't imagine living my life like that constantly, as millions of Americans do, and not because they wear a yarmulke, but because of the color of their skin. Then came the awkward explanation to a group of Korean students with limited English skills on what the hell is a yarmulke. "It's a Jewish holiday, so we wear these funny hats. Understand?"
By the way, check out http://russasian.blogspot.com/. She is brutally honest (which I love) about issues of identity, politics, and others that are important. Maybe one day, when I stop being an idiot, I will be able to put links of blogs that I like on my site. My fingers are crossed 'til that day comes!
I try to make my thumbs down quite discreet as to not attract any more attention to myself than a short hairy Jewish man with Turkish Hip Hop blasting out of his car in Virginia will already do.
"No one knows you're Jewish," my friends say. So, reality is supposed to ease my fears? I don't understand. Anyway, when I substitute teach, the first question is almost always, "Are you Jewish?" So my friends' theory goes out the window.
The students live in a gated golf community (they exist, who knew?). The first visit I made, I showed the security guard the yellow piece of paper with their unpronounceable name (to me anyway) and address of the students I was about to teach. He let me through. Quickly, his inquiry into my every visit to the gated community became less intensive. Until Passover.
I decided to wear a yarmulke for Passover. I debated with myself the entire one hour drive over whether or not I should keep the yarmulke on when I pulled up to the security gate. I finally decided to leave it on. To my surprise, the security guard asked where I was headed. I scrambled for the yellow piece of paper that I hadn't used for a few weeks. Then he let me through.
Not such a big deal and I had missed the session before, so I hadn't been there for a week. He may have forgotten me. I don't believe that he questioned me because I'm Jewish, but possibly because I represented the Other. It isn't often that I fall into the category of Other, but it does happen. Those moments are shocking, upsetting, confusing. I can't imagine living my life like that constantly, as millions of Americans do, and not because they wear a yarmulke, but because of the color of their skin. Then came the awkward explanation to a group of Korean students with limited English skills on what the hell is a yarmulke. "It's a Jewish holiday, so we wear these funny hats. Understand?"
By the way, check out http://russasian.blogspot.com/. She is brutally honest (which I love) about issues of identity, politics, and others that are important. Maybe one day, when I stop being an idiot, I will be able to put links of blogs that I like on my site. My fingers are crossed 'til that day comes!
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
The YMCA Theory
My friend Mike and I have attended a number of sporting events together. When the Village People's song YMCA comes over the PA system, we invariably get into a heated argument. We argue over which way the "C" is supposed to go (I don't participate in formulating the letters with my arms for that reason alone), but that's not the argument that formed the basis of the YMCA Theory.
Somewhere in the song is the lyric "Do what the fuck you feel." Mike claims that the lyric is actually "Do what-ev-er you feel." The argument basically consists of us recounting our version of the lyric and then just screaming it repeatedly at each other for about 5-10 minutes.
At the Nats game last Friday, a theory developed from my thesis. By the way, the Nats beat the Braves 7-3. Mike mentioned, "So you want me to believe that he wrote the words 'Do what the fuck you feel' into the song attempting to dupe millions of Americans who sing along at sporting events all over the country? I don't believe it."
I explained to Mike, that he (for some reason, I always imagine the police man writing the song)had already done this. A nation of homophobes and their heterosexist children sing a song about a place where gay men would hook up in the 1970s. That's what the song, YMCA, is about. So, the police man has already duped everyone. Since the whole song has a hidden meaning, it is not hard to picture him sneaking in that line as well. I don't argue that the line "Do what the fuck you feel" has a hidden meaning itself, just that it is blasted at sporting events nationwide.
Mike has thought it over and now agrees with me.
Somewhere in the song is the lyric "Do what the fuck you feel." Mike claims that the lyric is actually "Do what-ev-er you feel." The argument basically consists of us recounting our version of the lyric and then just screaming it repeatedly at each other for about 5-10 minutes.
At the Nats game last Friday, a theory developed from my thesis. By the way, the Nats beat the Braves 7-3. Mike mentioned, "So you want me to believe that he wrote the words 'Do what the fuck you feel' into the song attempting to dupe millions of Americans who sing along at sporting events all over the country? I don't believe it."
I explained to Mike, that he (for some reason, I always imagine the police man writing the song)had already done this. A nation of homophobes and their heterosexist children sing a song about a place where gay men would hook up in the 1970s. That's what the song, YMCA, is about. So, the police man has already duped everyone. Since the whole song has a hidden meaning, it is not hard to picture him sneaking in that line as well. I don't argue that the line "Do what the fuck you feel" has a hidden meaning itself, just that it is blasted at sporting events nationwide.
Mike has thought it over and now agrees with me.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Clash of Civilizations
In the early 1500s, Domingo Paes, from Portugal, visited the great capital of Vijayanagara, the center of the most powerful South Indian empire by the same name. He met with the ruler Krishnadevaraya. We join their meeting after they have exchanged formal pleasantries.
Paes: We have defeated the vicious Muslim and his cheap whiny brethren, the Jew, and exiled them from our lands. I trust you appreciate this glorious gesture as you face the same Saracen enemy.
Krishnadevaraya: Yes, we have battled the Bahamani Sultanate, which consists of Muslim rulership, for over a century, and we disagree with their beliefs, but our beef is with the Bahamanis, not all Muslims. Plus, we also are home to Jains, Christians, and Jews. We don't see a problem with this. Each group enriches our community in a different way.
Paes: That's gay.
Krishnadevaraya: I'm not exactly sure what my sexual orientation has to do with our attitude towards people of different religions?
Paes: No, I didn't mean gay like that. I meant it like, that's stupid.
Krishnadevaraya: I'm sorry, I'm not following. I'm not familiar with that interpretation. You seem to be generalizing. I've met smart gay people. In fact, my half-brother, the man I succeeded, Vira Narasimha, is gay and contains an above average intelligence.
Paes: What? No, never mind. You don't get it. [Paes becomes startled] What the.. you have shit on your face.
Krishnadevaraya: Are you referring to my skin color? That is really an ignorant comment. You don't see me asking if you covered your skin in semen, but I've been wondering about it.
Paes: Oh, so now I'm a racist, aren't I? I'm coming from Portugal, we don't have you people where I'm from.
Krishnadevaraya: You people? And maybe that's because you "expelled" them from your country [Krishnadevaraya does the quotes-thingy with his fingers].
Paes: It was necessary. They were taking our jobs and gaining control of our country.
Krishnadevaraya: I don't understand this notion of one race owning employment. It doesn't make sense to me. And isn't everyone entitled to representation?
Paes: Dude, it's the 1500s, hardly anyone is entitled to representation. Even you have a monarchy.
Krishnadevaraya: Ok, ok, you got me there.
Paes [head turns]: Yowsers! Did you see the knockers on that one?
Krishnadevaraya: Considering my many concubines, this may seem a tad hypocritical, but I don't believe you should be referring to women in that manner.
Paes: So if I don't like your women, I'm racist. If I do, I'm racist and sexist. I can't win.
Krishnadevaraya: Besides the scores of women in my quarter, I don't own any women. This woman only appeals to you as a sexual conquest. You clearly see her as subordinate.
Paes: Dude, you're out to get me. I can't win. I didn’t do anything to you.
Krishnadevaraya: We live in a society where you have power that you don't recognize. Power that I can never possess. You have privileges that you may not even know you contain. You probably don't even realize half of what you have. Wait a sec... I'm a king! Never mind.
Paes: Fuck you!
Paes: We have defeated the vicious Muslim and his cheap whiny brethren, the Jew, and exiled them from our lands. I trust you appreciate this glorious gesture as you face the same Saracen enemy.
Krishnadevaraya: Yes, we have battled the Bahamani Sultanate, which consists of Muslim rulership, for over a century, and we disagree with their beliefs, but our beef is with the Bahamanis, not all Muslims. Plus, we also are home to Jains, Christians, and Jews. We don't see a problem with this. Each group enriches our community in a different way.
Paes: That's gay.
Krishnadevaraya: I'm not exactly sure what my sexual orientation has to do with our attitude towards people of different religions?
Paes: No, I didn't mean gay like that. I meant it like, that's stupid.
Krishnadevaraya: I'm sorry, I'm not following. I'm not familiar with that interpretation. You seem to be generalizing. I've met smart gay people. In fact, my half-brother, the man I succeeded, Vira Narasimha, is gay and contains an above average intelligence.
Paes: What? No, never mind. You don't get it. [Paes becomes startled] What the.. you have shit on your face.
Krishnadevaraya: Are you referring to my skin color? That is really an ignorant comment. You don't see me asking if you covered your skin in semen, but I've been wondering about it.
Paes: Oh, so now I'm a racist, aren't I? I'm coming from Portugal, we don't have you people where I'm from.
Krishnadevaraya: You people? And maybe that's because you "expelled" them from your country [Krishnadevaraya does the quotes-thingy with his fingers].
Paes: It was necessary. They were taking our jobs and gaining control of our country.
Krishnadevaraya: I don't understand this notion of one race owning employment. It doesn't make sense to me. And isn't everyone entitled to representation?
Paes: Dude, it's the 1500s, hardly anyone is entitled to representation. Even you have a monarchy.
Krishnadevaraya: Ok, ok, you got me there.
Paes [head turns]: Yowsers! Did you see the knockers on that one?
Krishnadevaraya: Considering my many concubines, this may seem a tad hypocritical, but I don't believe you should be referring to women in that manner.
Paes: So if I don't like your women, I'm racist. If I do, I'm racist and sexist. I can't win.
Krishnadevaraya: Besides the scores of women in my quarter, I don't own any women. This woman only appeals to you as a sexual conquest. You clearly see her as subordinate.
Paes: Dude, you're out to get me. I can't win. I didn’t do anything to you.
Krishnadevaraya: We live in a society where you have power that you don't recognize. Power that I can never possess. You have privileges that you may not even know you contain. You probably don't even realize half of what you have. Wait a sec... I'm a king! Never mind.
Paes: Fuck you!
Two Girls Run Over By A Tank
It is 2002. Two thirteen year old Korean girls die. They were run over by an American tank in South Korea. This sparks Korean Americans to protest the presence of U.S. soldiers in South Korea, soldiers which have been there for five decades. For the rest of America, terrorism dominates everyone's thoughts. No one cares about these two kids. I don't.
It is 2006. I tutor some kids who came here from South Korea last January. I teach them English and have a continuous philosophical debate with myself over whether I am partaking in a form of colonialism or I am simply helping these people.
It is last Thursday. I give the students homework, "Write at least two pages of fiction and two pages of non-fiction." The oldest student, a boy of sixteen, finishes his non-fiction before class ends. It is only a half a page. I collect it and tell him to write another two pages of non-fiction for homework. I go to the bathroom to the sound of Korean spouted back and forth between a grandmother, her two daughters, and their three children, one of which is this boy.
I exit the bathroom and they're still yelling in Korean, but it could be anything as far as I know. As I put my shoes on outside of the house, the boy requests, with a nervous smile, "Non-fiction, you read, no angry."
"When I read your non-fiction, you don't want me to get angry?" I attempted to clarify. He shook his head yes.
Obviously, I was curious. On the drive home, I peeked at his writing. Just as I suspected, it was about America. It seems two girls were run over by an American tank. It would be five days until I could reassure him, "Yes, I'm angry! Not at you, but that it happened."
The transition to a new country is difficult. I couldn't imagine. I might be making that transition just a bit easier for him. He seems to re-enforce that sentiment with his smile and his willingness to struggle to learn this new language. He showed courage in writing about this tragedy, not knowing how I might react.
I got home and searched for the event and found it. Besides the boy's grammatical errors, his facts were incorrect. He had claimed that it took place in America and that the girls were eighteen years old. How to compliment his bravery, encourage his instincts, and yet correct his errors without damaging his spirit?
Damn. If only I got drunk, I wouldn't think about this shit so much.
It is 2006. I tutor some kids who came here from South Korea last January. I teach them English and have a continuous philosophical debate with myself over whether I am partaking in a form of colonialism or I am simply helping these people.
It is last Thursday. I give the students homework, "Write at least two pages of fiction and two pages of non-fiction." The oldest student, a boy of sixteen, finishes his non-fiction before class ends. It is only a half a page. I collect it and tell him to write another two pages of non-fiction for homework. I go to the bathroom to the sound of Korean spouted back and forth between a grandmother, her two daughters, and their three children, one of which is this boy.
I exit the bathroom and they're still yelling in Korean, but it could be anything as far as I know. As I put my shoes on outside of the house, the boy requests, with a nervous smile, "Non-fiction, you read, no angry."
"When I read your non-fiction, you don't want me to get angry?" I attempted to clarify. He shook his head yes.
Obviously, I was curious. On the drive home, I peeked at his writing. Just as I suspected, it was about America. It seems two girls were run over by an American tank. It would be five days until I could reassure him, "Yes, I'm angry! Not at you, but that it happened."
The transition to a new country is difficult. I couldn't imagine. I might be making that transition just a bit easier for him. He seems to re-enforce that sentiment with his smile and his willingness to struggle to learn this new language. He showed courage in writing about this tragedy, not knowing how I might react.
I got home and searched for the event and found it. Besides the boy's grammatical errors, his facts were incorrect. He had claimed that it took place in America and that the girls were eighteen years old. How to compliment his bravery, encourage his instincts, and yet correct his errors without damaging his spirit?
Damn. If only I got drunk, I wouldn't think about this shit so much.
Monday, April 24, 2006
The Playoffs In Full Swing
Let me begin with two aspects of the NBA that I believe should be changed. First, consideration for the NBA MVP should include the playoffs. It only makes sense. Second has less to do with the NBA than with grammar. One would say, "The Knicks are ready for tonight's game." However, people argue that "The Heat is ready for tonight's game." is correct. "Heat" is no more singular than "Knicks." You wouldn't say the "4 fish is looking like your momma" or "the children is hot, because you're a child molester." So let's change that to "the Heat ARE a bunch of cheaters."
The foul called against Kristic of the Nets with .9 seconds left was ridiculous. Yes, he got a hold of Pacer guard, Anthony Johnson's jersey, but it clearly didn't impact Johnson's shot. The refs should've let that one go.
Kobe Bryant was hit in the face on his way to the basket towards the end of the Lakers-Suns contest. But he had already traveled before the foul took place. The Lakers were down two possessions at the time anyway, though my first reason is a much better one than the second.
Since I include the playoffs in my MVP voting, here is the tenuous current MVP race:
1) Phx G Steve Nash
2) Cle F Lebron James
3) LAL G Kobe Bryant
4) Dal F Dirk Nowitski
5) Det G Chauncey Billups
The foul called against Kristic of the Nets with .9 seconds left was ridiculous. Yes, he got a hold of Pacer guard, Anthony Johnson's jersey, but it clearly didn't impact Johnson's shot. The refs should've let that one go.
Kobe Bryant was hit in the face on his way to the basket towards the end of the Lakers-Suns contest. But he had already traveled before the foul took place. The Lakers were down two possessions at the time anyway, though my first reason is a much better one than the second.
Since I include the playoffs in my MVP voting, here is the tenuous current MVP race:
1) Phx G Steve Nash
2) Cle F Lebron James
3) LAL G Kobe Bryant
4) Dal F Dirk Nowitski
5) Det G Chauncey Billups
Sunday, April 23, 2006
The Basics of Hip Hop History
This probably goes against everthing I believe in, but here are just a few artists from each "era" of American Hip Hop History. Obviously it is very flawed. This is for the Hip Hop novice, for those that ignore the Old School, or those that only listen to commercial rap.
These are the "best" emcees/groups of their era. Sometimes the mainstream and talent connect, sometimes they don't, but I tried to keep it as mainstream as possible. Era's are hard to determine for artists who have stayed in the game, for example, Common Sense has been putting albums out since 1992, but he's in a later era simply because that's when people took notice.
1970s - Early 1980s
DJ Kool Herc
Afrika Baambaata
Grandmaster Flash
Mid - Late 1980s
Eric B. & Rakim
Boogie Down Productions (KRS-One)
Public Enemy (Chuck D)
Run DMC
Late 1980s - Early 1990s
A Tribe Called Quest
De La Soul
NWA (Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, etc.)
Mid 1990s
Tupac Shakur
Notorious B.I.G.
Nas
Late 1990s
Common [Sense]
Black Star (Mos Def & Talib Kweli)
The Roots
Early 2000s
Eminem
Jay-Z
OutKast
Mid 2000s
Kanye West
50 Cent
These are the "best" emcees/groups of their era. Sometimes the mainstream and talent connect, sometimes they don't, but I tried to keep it as mainstream as possible. Era's are hard to determine for artists who have stayed in the game, for example, Common Sense has been putting albums out since 1992, but he's in a later era simply because that's when people took notice.
1970s - Early 1980s
DJ Kool Herc
Afrika Baambaata
Grandmaster Flash
Mid - Late 1980s
Eric B. & Rakim
Boogie Down Productions (KRS-One)
Public Enemy (Chuck D)
Run DMC
Late 1980s - Early 1990s
A Tribe Called Quest
De La Soul
NWA (Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, etc.)
Mid 1990s
Tupac Shakur
Notorious B.I.G.
Nas
Late 1990s
Common [Sense]
Black Star (Mos Def & Talib Kweli)
The Roots
Early 2000s
Eminem
Jay-Z
OutKast
Mid 2000s
Kanye West
50 Cent
Saturday, April 22, 2006
The Little Engine That Couldn't
With many in the Bush administration leaving, one would hope that they'd take a few New York Knick executives with them. This year was terrible for the Knicks. Certainly, losing is bad. However, what bothered me more was the lack of effort on most nights.
I'm a Larry Brown guy. Larry Brown wasn't able to turn the Knicks around this year; that's obvious. The fact that he couldn't motivate his players does raise questions about his ability to coach this team. If Larry doesn't come back, I hope we turn back to Herb Williams. He has been a long time Knick, player, assistant coach, and head coach. While he was head coach, at least the Knicks played hard. Perhaps lower expectations will actually create better results.
I am not one to call a player out, at least not one on my favorite team, but the Knicks need to get rid of Stephan Marbury. He has left three teams that have become great teams after his departure already. He's not a winner and his game doesn't compliment anyone else in the league.
Being the eternal optimist that I am, here are the bright spots in the Knicks' future. Obviously the three rookies and Eddy Curry is a good start. I was upset to hear that Larry Brown doesn't like Nate Robinson's game (considering they're both 5'9"), but I hope we keep Nate. We don't have a high draft pick in this year's draft. How can that possibly be good you may wonder? Well, we don't need another pre-madonna thinking he's the team's savior only to be another Marbury. Isiah Thomas has shown that he drafts well and perhaps he can find another gritty player later in the draft, who will give this team some heart.
As for the rest of the league, as with everyone else, it is atrocious that the 2nd best team in West gets the 4th seed and has to play the best team in the 2nd round. Equally as bad is that the Nuggets, the 3 seed, don't get home court advantage in the 1st round. They should actually be seeded worse, but the NBA must be consistent. The better seed should get home court advantage no matter what their record is. If they have a worse record, give them a worse seed.
To rectify this, the NBA should either guarantee each division winner a top 4 seed (which would give them the home court advantage in the first round) or simply guarantee each division winner a spot in the playoffs, but seed according to record.
I'm a Larry Brown guy. Larry Brown wasn't able to turn the Knicks around this year; that's obvious. The fact that he couldn't motivate his players does raise questions about his ability to coach this team. If Larry doesn't come back, I hope we turn back to Herb Williams. He has been a long time Knick, player, assistant coach, and head coach. While he was head coach, at least the Knicks played hard. Perhaps lower expectations will actually create better results.
I am not one to call a player out, at least not one on my favorite team, but the Knicks need to get rid of Stephan Marbury. He has left three teams that have become great teams after his departure already. He's not a winner and his game doesn't compliment anyone else in the league.
Being the eternal optimist that I am, here are the bright spots in the Knicks' future. Obviously the three rookies and Eddy Curry is a good start. I was upset to hear that Larry Brown doesn't like Nate Robinson's game (considering they're both 5'9"), but I hope we keep Nate. We don't have a high draft pick in this year's draft. How can that possibly be good you may wonder? Well, we don't need another pre-madonna thinking he's the team's savior only to be another Marbury. Isiah Thomas has shown that he drafts well and perhaps he can find another gritty player later in the draft, who will give this team some heart.
As for the rest of the league, as with everyone else, it is atrocious that the 2nd best team in West gets the 4th seed and has to play the best team in the 2nd round. Equally as bad is that the Nuggets, the 3 seed, don't get home court advantage in the 1st round. They should actually be seeded worse, but the NBA must be consistent. The better seed should get home court advantage no matter what their record is. If they have a worse record, give them a worse seed.
To rectify this, the NBA should either guarantee each division winner a top 4 seed (which would give them the home court advantage in the first round) or simply guarantee each division winner a spot in the playoffs, but seed according to record.
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