RANDOM IGNORANCE: Hate Incidents On The Rise

The Chicago Tribune recently reported a rise in hate incidents in the weeks since Barack Obama's election as the first black president of the US. White supremacists have been whipped into a tizzy burning crosses, spray painting racist graffiti, starting assassination pools and creating effigies of Barack in dozens towns across the country.

More than 200 incidents have been reported over the past few weeks. Racist Web sites are boasting that their servers are crashing under the weight of increases in page views. Even the Ku Klux Klan is trying to make a come back. (source)

People's capacity for ignorance never ceases to amaze me. When will white extremists realize that their ideas are outdated? Don't they realize that they are outnumbered? Did they not have televisions in the militia bunkers to see this country coming together to give everyone a shot at something better? The Ku Klux Klan must know that they face a totally different America than they did in the past.

My fiance said over and over again during the election that it is a shame that some people would rather vote for a sponge than vote for Barack Obama just because he is black. They would rather watch our economy continue to crash and burn, watch jobs continue to dry up and companies continue to go under than to watch a black man move into the White House.

Well, as it turned out those misguided, misinformed people did not matter on Nov. 4. The rest of us who have some common sense won. Barack Obama won. Unity won. And the long sordid history of racism, hatred and intolerance in this country lost.

Michelle Obama caught flack for saying this some months ago but I share her sentiment. I have never been more proud of my country than I am right now. And these foolish people who will not let go of their ignorant, racist ideas can't take that from me.

They are outnumbered - not just in terms of a more diverse population but - by people of all races even of their own who realize that we are all more alike than we are different. They are outnumbered by people who refuse to live in the past. Those of us who believe in a country that is no longer divided, angry or ashamed collectively cancel out their combined ignorance.

The key is to not buckle under their hate. We must not give their hate the fuel it needs to survive - fear. We must join together and put these idiots on notice. Irrational hate will no longer be tolerated. We will not be intimidated, bullied or terrorized by stupidity. Tolerance wins and we are not afraid!

My Own Rude Behavior

Talk about rude. I broke the cardinal rule of blogging. I haven't posted since Sept. 17th. My birthday. I have no one to blame but myself and my brand new, squeaky clean job!

I must admit returning to work after several months off is sweet. I am thrilled with my new position and the company is great. But I feel bad about neglecting the thing that helped me keep my sanity through my dance with layoff-induced unemployment - this blog.

Since starting this blog, I had picked up a few loyal readers, some subscribers and made a little money. Not enough to survive off of but a little. I had spent a lot of time learning and researching the blogging community and found some great bloggers and fabulous bloggers. It served as my mental respite in between freelance writing and sending out resumes.

Now that I am back to work and adjusting well to full-time employment, the commute and balancing motherhood, I am returning to blogging.

I have decided to keep it going. No - I won't be posting every day, but I will be blogging as often as I can without neglecting my child, my job, my household and my fiance'.

Oh yeah, the same week I started my new job, my boyfriend also proposed! Talk about an exciting week. So, I have to plan a wedding on top of everything. But, who am I kidding- I've been mentally planning it since the day we met. Shhhhh. Don't tell him that.

Anyway, I glad to be back. I apologize to those who have stopped by in my absence to find stale posts. I promise. I'll never neglect you again.

Afterall, that's just rude!

Randomly Ridiculous News I Almost Missed: Shock Jock Auctions Woman’s Virginity

For once, I don't blame Howard Stern. I blame this bucket-head girl. Howard is always going to be Howard doing the most vile and crazy things for ratings – no matter what the medium. The blame for this ridiculous behavior falls squarely on the head of the future tramp who is setting women back about 1,000 years.

The 22-year-old brunette, who used the pseudonym of NATALIE DYLAN “for safety reasons,” says the money from auctioning off her virginity on Stern’s Sirius radio show will pay for her college tuition. What is she majoring in? Morally-Retarded-Slut-onomy, I suppose.

The girl was reportedly introduced to the self-proclaimed King of All Media by the owner of a brothel in Nevada. Nevada is one of two US States where prostitution is legal.
The winner of the auction will get to consummate the relationship at the brothel, where the goofy girl's sister already works. Nice role model, Sis!
The future trollop says: “I don't have a moral dilemma with it. We live in a capitalist society. Why shouldn't I be allowed to capitalize on my virginity?”
So, she has no "moral dilemma" with going on the radio for a chance to be deflowered by a random stranger? Well, that makes sense. You can't have a moral dilemma if you don't have morals, can you?

She also says her mother - a “conservative” fourth-grade teacher - doesn't approve of the auction “but supports me” and she is prepared for the adverse publicity that the stunt will attract. My guess is mom is taking her cut off the top.

In case anyone doubts her daughter’s virginity, (which of course I do) “Natalie” is willing to submit to a polygraph test and a gynecological exam.
She should submit to a brain scan too! Ridiculous.
The girl, who already has a bachelor's degree in women's studies at Sacramento State, wants to study for a master’s in marriage and family therapy. (I can see people now flocking to her practice with their young daughters for some family counseling. Good luck with that!)
“I understand some people may condemn me,” she admits. “But I think this is empowering. I'm using what I have to better myself.” (source)

Am I being a prude or is anyone else dumbfounded by this dumb girl?

Bad Husband Behavior: Jerry Connell Kisses 'Huge' Ass

Jerry O'Connoll, an obvious amatuer at matrimony, made the collosal mistake of calling his pregnant wife, Rebecca Romijn "huge". Not even in the privacy of their own home, but on national telelvision while promoting his new sitcom, Do Not Disturb. Romijn, who apparently has to step up her husband training skills, is carryng the couple's twin girls.

Jerry was back in the media apologizing for his foolishness.

"I regret calling my wife 'huge' on Conan OBrien,"
O'Connell tells PEOPLE. "I meant to say that there are specific areas of my wife
that are larger than normal and growing every day. All other portions of my wife
are quite petite. I apologize to her and will be coming home with flowers."
(source)

I haven't done any research but I'm sure husbands have been burned in bed for less. I think a "huge" diamond is in order. Ask Kobe Bryant for the number to his jeweler, Jerry.

Seriously Random Crime News: Man Busted Trying To Sell 13 Tons Of Frozen Pizza

I understand that times are hard out here and everyone is trying to get some dough, but seriously...

The Associated Press is reporting that Anthony Herbert Lee, 38, of Hammond, was arrested Saturday for trying to sell 26,652 pounds of stolen pizza worth more than $45,000.

A company had contracted with Lee to pick up 3,000 cases of Stouffer's frozen pizzas from Nation Pizza in Schaumburg, Ill., on Aug. 31 and deliver them to Springville, Utah. Lee's refrigerated truck had trouble. Realizing that he would miss the delivery date, Lee decided to broker his own deal to unload the pizzas. He contacted a salvage company, but they became suspicious and contacted authorities. Police set up a sting operation and nabbed Lee, who also was wanted on a 10-year-old larceny warrant. Nestle Corp., Stouffer's parent company, recovered the stolen pies.

I appreciate the hustle as much as the next person, but let's be smart people. He probably could have moved those suckers in the 'hood with no problem. I'm just saying...

Someone Please Help This Woman!

Everyone seems content to just sit back and watch Amy Winehouse deteriorate. It's sad that she seems to get worse and worse before the eyes of the world. Is there anyone out there who would rather help this woman than laugh at her death spiral?

Recent Amy news:

AMY WINEHOUSE - WINEHOUSE SHOCKS U.K. FESTIVAL BOSSES WITH BOOZE DEMANDS

AMY WINEHOUSE has sparked new fears for her health after ordering 48 bottles of whiskey as part of her backstage demands for a U.K. festival appearance, according to British tabloid reports.

PARIS FESTIVAL OFFERS REFUNDS AFTER AMY WINEHOUSE NO-SHOW

Attendees of a Parisian music festival are to be offered discounts after Amy Winehouse pulled out hours before she was due on stage.

If you were a family member of Amy's what would you do?

Ridiculously Bad Behavior Poster Child

This is rude on every possible level! Thanks, Steven ( http://www.stevenhumour.com/)

Short Takes: Random Celebrities Behaving Badly

'Suge' Knight arrested in Vegas drug, assault case

LAS VEGAS - Rap music mogul Marion "Suge" Knight was jailed Wednesday on assault and drug charges after he was accused of beating his girlfriend while brandishing a knife, police said. How come this doesn't surprise me?(read story)

Mackenzie Phillips Collared for Drugs

Los Angeles (E! Online) - Mackenzie Phillips, former TV star, whose role on the hit CBS sitcom was derailed in the early '80s due to a nasty drug habit, was collared this morning at Los Angeles International Airport after allegedly trying to bring heroin and cocaine aboard an airliner. This is bad and sad. So, I will resist the urge to place a "One Day At A Time" joke here. (read story)

Raspy Neil Diamond disappoints Ohio concertgoers

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Disappointed Neil Diamond fans will get a refund after attending a concert at Ohio State University in which the 67-year-old singer's voice sounded raspy. Come on, people, he's like 100. Give him a break! (read more)

The Unspoken Fear Of Black America

Reuters photo

For months since Barack Obama all but sealed the Democratic nomination for President, African-Americans wouldn't even discuss the fear. Bring it up and they quickly changed the subject.

Yesterday, however, the fear that Barack Obama's journey toward the White House could be derailed by violence inescapably bubbled to the surface. As news reports broke about the three men suspected of concocting a sinister plan to assassinate our arbiter of hope, black people across America were forced to face the suppressed trepidation that had silently tempered their hope.

Thanks to Tharin Gartrell, Nathan Johnson and Shawn Adolf, we can no longer ignore it. Their faces resemble those that have haunted the nightmares of black men for decades. They represent the faces of prejudice, ignorance and irrational hate. They symbolize the type of hate that induces men to head toward Denver with a stockpile of stolen guns and drugs allegedly on a mission to kill. Their suspected link to a white-supremacist group and lengthy criminal records come as no surprise.

As black people we know for sure that if there are three, there are more who wish ill upon the man who would be our first African-American president. There are thousands who, because of deep-seated intolerance, would rather elect a Christmas goose than a black man calling for change; and there are countless lost souls willing to kill and/or die to keep Obama's victory from happening. Our fear – no longer deniable – is warranted and real.

I hesitated to even blog about it, because I would much prefer to keep banishing all bone-chilling thoughts that there might be attempts on the presidential candidate's life to the background of my daily mental chatter.

I take solace in being sure that the best security money can by surrounds Obama. Every possible threat - both publicized and unpublicized - is curtailed quickly, I tell myself. I'm certain all I's have been dotted and all T's crossed for his historic acceptance speech Thursday at the open-air stadium, Invesco Field at Mile High. (Whose decision was that again?)

I keep these assurances at the forefront of my mind because anything else for me is unthinkable. I was not old enough to mourn first hand the loss of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. or witness the riots that followed his murder. I was not yet born when someone did or did not hide in a grassy knoll to assassinate John F. Kennedy.

Our nation recovered after those tragedies. If America lost Obama -its most tangible chance for hope and recovery- I question whether the resulting rupture the fabric of this country could ever be repaired. That may be our biggest fear of all.

Related stories:

Report: Suspect confessed to Obama plot - Denver Post

Armed men were no threat to Obama: U.S. attorney - Yahoo News - Reuters

No evidence of plot to kill Obama: justice official - AFP

Should Gang Bangers Be Whipped?

I'm back from a short break just in time to open up a "can" on the topic of school-sanctioned beat-downs. I had no idea kids were still being spanked in schools. Apparently rowdy pupils a getting their tushes tapped on a regular in the south. There's one major problem with this southern-fried corporal punishment policy.

A quarter of a million schoolchildren got (spanked) in 2007 — and black children, American Indians and kids with disabilities got a disproportionate share of the punishment, according to a study by a human rights group. (source)

Minorities are being whipped more than anyone in the south? Well, surprise! Surprise!

I grew up in the era of paddling in the Detroit school system. My class clown tendencies often overpowered the chronic rule following nature engrained in most cop kids. So, I managed to get a few paddlings in my day. I still remember the worst of them - the one in front of multiple classes during gym period. Mr. Barnes had a thick round paddle with holes in it that created a suction effect on your butt cheeks with each stroke. The loud boom echoed throughout the gym and reverberated down to my toes. The humiliation lasted much longer than the sting.

Before I had a child, I probably would have been one of those people who say, “There’s nothing wrong with corporal punishment in schools. I went through it and I turned out alright.” I remember the young American who was caned in Singapore some years ago for going over there and spray painting graffiti or something. Americans went nuts. When I found out that Singapore has like a zero crime rate, my thoughts were that caning might be the answer to our little gang problem here in the states.

Now, the thought of some random teacher dragging my daughter to the front of the class, bending her over and pounding on her little behind is unacceptable to me. Teaching is one of the hardest jobs in the world. Teachers are underpaid, underappreciated and stressed out. I personally don’t want anyone at the end of his or her rope from being hounded by bill collectors wailing away on my baby girl.

Further, there is no way to regulate or standardize the level of punishment. Of course, my gym teacher hit way harder than my science teacher, Ms. Williams, who was missing a middle finger. Some teachers in my day paddled kids for every giggle while others never paddled at all, making the school day even more of an emotional rollercoaster.

The reported racial disparity in the way punishment is doled out in southern schools illuminates a more serious problem. There is no way you can convince me that minorities and little boys need more whippings than anybody else. That plays into all sorts of dangerous stereotypes. These types of disparities can’t be rationalized or prevented under the current system. Most states, including Michigan and my current home state Illinois, wisely dropped the policy years ago.

My view is that corporal punishment should be the decision of the parent and taken care of at home. It should be administered, if at all, by the people who love these children unconditionally.

I still stand behind the caning for gang members idea though.

Adulterous Tendencies Matter: Would He Trade The Country For A Harem?

The Associated Press reported today on the impact of Edward's affair on his political future. The prognosis for recovery looks grave.

"No one in the Democratic Party would want to be publicly associated with him,"
said Merle Black, a political science professor at Emory University in Atlanta.
"Edwards is really damaged goods at this point." (source)

A friend and I had a heated debate over the weekend about the John Edwards, Kwame Kilpatrick, Bill Clinton, that Down-low former New Jersey governor, and (insert all other high-profile adulterers you can think of here) adultery scandals. We had a difference of opinion about how much of a political figure's personal life is really our business.

My friend could not understand why what a man does in the bedroom should affect his job, especially if it doesn't affect his job performance. He pointed out that if a politician is doing great things for the city, state or country, why should it matter that he has a chick on the side? Shouldn't he get credit for all the good he does? After all, Edward's reportedly has been a strong advocate for the poor. Isn't the affair between him and his wife, who says she knew and forgave him? (Yeah, they all say that in front of the cameras.)

For me, the bottom line is trust. I'd like to be able to trust my elected officials to do the right thing. Adultery, in any form, is a sign of weakness. It shows that a person is not able or willing to use sound judgment in the face of temptation.

These are people who stood before God and vowed to be faithful to their wives and families. If he can't do the right thing by his own wife and family, how can I expect him to have my best interest and the best interests of my family - people he has never met - at the forefront of his decision making? How can we be sure that when they stand on inauguration day, place their hands on the Bible and swear to do the right thing that - like on their wedding day - they are not telling a big, fat lie? How do we know that they won't go over to some foreign country and sell out America for a harem of virgins and a six pack of beer?

In most cases, I'm all for people keeping their dirty laundry to themselves. It is humanly impossible for me to care less about who the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker are sneaking around with. However, when your lust-and-stupidity-driven decision-making skills are crucial to the lives and livelihoods of hundreds, thousands or millions of people, including my family, it's my business.

I don't want to end up in poverty or at war because some idiot wanted to impress his mistress.

Random Words To Live By

Sure I spend a lot of time wagging my finger at bad behavior on this blog. But there is much more to me than sitting back and judging people every day. I can be quite positive and deep when I want to. Also, I think it's unfair to harp on people behaving badly without also offering positive information to help people do better.

So, I wanted to share a post recently published by Gurushabad, whose blog often focuses on the positive side of human nature. The Native American Code of Ethics originally appeared in the "Inter-Tribal Times," October, 1994. I think they were definitely on to something about the way we should treat each other. I hope this reaches someone who needs it today.

Native American Code of Ethics
1. Rise with the sun to pray. Pray alone. Pray often. The Great Spirit will listen, if you only speak.

2. Be tolerant of those who are lost on their path. Ignorance, conceit, anger, jealousy and greed stem from a lost soul. Pray that they will find guidance.

3. Search for yourself, by yourself. Do not allow others to make your path for you. It is your road, and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you.

4. Treat the guests in your home with much consideration. Serve them the best food, give them the best bed and treat them with respect and honor.

5. Do not take what is not yours whether from a person, a community, the wilderness or from a culture. It was not earned nor given. It is not yours.

6. Respect all things that are placed upon this earth - whether it be people or plant.

7. Honor other people's thoughts, wishes and words. Never interrupt another or mock or rudely mimic them. Allow each person the right to personal expression.

8. Never speak of others in a bad way. The negative energy that you put out into the universe will multiply when it returns to you.

9. All persons make mistakes. And all mistakes can be forgiven.

10. Bad thoughts cause illness of the mind, body and spirit. Practice optimism.

11. Nature is not FOR us, it is a PART of us. They are part of your worldly family.

12. Children are the seeds of our future. Plant love in their hearts and water them with wisdom and life's lessons. When they are grown, give them space to grow.

13. Avoid hurting the hearts of others. The poison of your pain will return to you.

14. Be truthful at all times. Honesty is the test of ones will within this universe.

15. Keep yourself balanced. Your Mental self, Spiritual self, Emotional self, and Physical self - all need to be strong, pure and healthy. Work out the body to strengthen the mind. Grow rich in spirit to cure emotional ails.

16. Make conscious decisions as to who you will be and how you will react. Be responsible for your own actions.

17. Respect the privacy and personal space of others. Do not touch the personal property of others - especially sacred and religious objects. This is forbidden.

18. Be true to yourself first. You cannot nurture and help others if you cannot nurture and help yourself first.

19. Respect others religious beliefs. Do not force your belief on others.

20. Share your good fortune with others. Participate in charity.

If you have any positive tips for living, please feel free to share them!

Another Case of Adultery Road Kill

Another high-profile man has let lust torpedo a perfectly good career. Choirboy-faced, former presidential candidate John Edwards is the latest roadkill to be squished on the adultery highway.

These stories are not even surprising anymore. What amazes me is that there are public officials, celebrities and other high-profile people who can still delude themselves into believing that they won't get caught. They continue to fix their shifty eyes on the closest cameras and proclaim innocence like they are made of Teflon or had sex with the invisible woman.

I guess being a super successful person must come with some built-in level of arrogance. They all seem to believe that they are so much cleverer than the last casualty of lust and that they can have sordid affairs that no one will ever know about. They seem to be oblivious to the fact that no relationship happens in a vacuum. There is always someone who sees something. Also, once the romance cools, old lovers' lips seem to get as loose as their morals and the blab fest begins.

Knowing the level of scrutiny that high-profile people -especially someone running for the top office in our nation - garner in this day and age, how could Edwards have believed for one second that this skeleton wasn't going to come tumbling out of the closet? Did he learn nothing from Bill Clinton? Has he not caught wind of the text message mayhem in Detroit? Anyone running for office on any level these days should know that having a paparazzi colonoscopy is part of the interview process.

Look, there is no way I would run for public office. I'm sure my past is pretty low key compared to most, but there was this little stretch of craziness in my 20s that, frankly, I don't want to see in any headlines. I know better that to invite close scrutiny. Others seem to be in a fairytale state of denial.

I'm sure Edwards is looking back on that affair today and seeing that it was not worth all of the damage it has caused to his reputation, his chances of being Obama's running mate and, most importantly, to his family. On the other hand, this is America. He and his wife will probably get multi-million book deals out of it and be fine.

Random Idiocy: Detroit Mayor Kwame Making Defending Hometown Difficult

by Cave Canem at Flickr

A judge ordered scandal-plagued Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick to jail today for violating the terms of his bond. If you aren't familiar with this story, Kilpatrick and his former Chief of Staff were indicted recently for a bevy of charges after they allegedly lied under oath about having an affair and firing a police official. It's a long sordid story. You can find more details about the whole hot mess here.

Suffice it to say, Kilpatrick and his boo have been accused of all kinds of shenanigans over the past few years. Apparently still believing himself to be above the law, Kilpatrick took a forbidden trip to Canada last month even though he was prohibited from leaving the state.

Sigh! For nearly 20 years living in the Chicago area, I have remained a staunch defender of my Detroit hometown. Sure, it's has always been little rough around the edges and I must admit that memories of my happy childhood there may have clouded my view of the burned out buildings and aging infrastructure. Still, anytime anyone spoke ill of my native city, I would quickly remind them that Detroit was the birthplace of the Motown sound and Madonna. Depending on who I was talking to, I also mentioned Eminem.

I could always boast about the thriving auto industry that employed many of my family members and friends. I remember fondly the bragging rights I had living in Chicago back when the Detroit Pistons dominated the NBA. That was before Michael Jordan put an end to their reign. Those were truly good times for the city and those of us with roots there.

Since Kwame took office, however, it has become increasingly more difficult to defend the Motor City. I had been hopeful that the influx of casinos would provide the needed revenue to turn the city around. Yet the ragged neighborhoods indicate that the gaming revenues must have evaporated into thin air or hidden pockets. Perhaps the city council has been too busy bickering and the mayor too busy sending freaky text messages (allegedly, of course) to use it to do what was best for the city. The negative attention generated by both has been a definite blow to the city's already troubled image.

Hopefully, Kwame's arrest today will be the catalyst the Michigan governor needs to use her power to remove him from office. My prayer is that the next mayor has more common sense, less arrogance and strong viable plans to dig the city out of the mires of this scandal and give us Detroit natives something to brag about again.

Random Rumble: If I Had A Nickel For Every Fight Caused By The N Word...

As expected, the Internet Universe has brought forth video footage connected to the violent battle between the families of former “America’s Next Top Model” contestant Bianca Golden and Nikki Blonsky of “Hairspray” fame at a Caribbean airport last week!

Now, MSNBC.com is reporting racial slurs may have ignited the fight. That figures! One side says it was the infamous “N word” and the other said someone was called a “white B-----.”

Since the brawl was reported last week, I have been waiting for someone who was fast with a camera phone at the airport to come forward with footage. And here it is, well the aftermath anyway, thanks to theundergroundcity.com. link to video (This is not funny but the people doing commentary during the video crack me up.)

Bianca, Nikki and Nikki's dad, Carl, were reportedly taken into custody at the Caribbean islands’ airport and charged after their families allegedly came to blows. The brawl reportedly started in the departure lounge at the Providenciales International Airport after Nikki's crew attempted to save five seats and Bianca’s family had nowhere to sit.

According to Usmagazine.com and TMZ, Nikki reportedly ended up in a neck brace and her dad jailed. Others also reportedly joined the fight. The reports claim Bianca's mom received srious head injuries and had to be flown to Miami, Fla., to receive medical care.

I remember Bianca's confrontational ways as the feisty and fierce wanna-be top model on cycle 9. I also remember Nikki's saccharine portrayal of the sassy, militant wanna-be dancing queen in "Hairspray." The whole thing had to be visually ridiculous. I had envisioned Carl jumping in to free his buxom daughter’s neck from a headlock administered by Bianca’s emaciated arm and ending up with acrylic fingernails knuckle deep in his forehead. Perhaps someone whipped out the N word and that’s when all hell broke loose.

But that’s just my speculation. I'm sure it will all be sorted out in court. According to reports, Bianca has been charged with assault; Nikki with actual bodily harm and Carl is charged with grievous bodily harm.

This whole incident raises a few questions. Why in the world would all of these grown people be fighting over seats? Seat Savers are annoying but, seriously, were they worth potential jail time? This whole thing is ridiculous and sad with the potential to get worse for all of them.

Follow these links to the details:

Racial slurs may have led to Blonsky brawl - MSNBC

Blonksy Arrested in Airport Brawl - Daily Dish

His & Hers Arrests for Nikki Blonsky, Dad - E Online

Video: Bianca Golden Nikki Blonsky Airport Brawl Aftermath Turks & Caicos - popcrunch.com

Random Bad Mother Poster Child of the Week

There is no one on earth at this point who doesn't realize that leaving a baby in a car on a hot day is just plain ignorant. I guess everyone except a Detroit woman who was arrested Saturday after two passersby had to break into her car to rescue her screaming, sweating infant from a carseat. The Mother Of The Year candidate had taken her two other offspring with her into a beauty supply store and left the baby behind.

Mind you, looking at this footage of her arrest, I could see that mommy dearest was in desparate need of a touch-up on her home perm and a deep conditioner. That is no reason to almost kill your baby by leaving it in a roasting car on an 80-plus degree day.

Once again, you should never ever leave a baby, small children or pets in cars. On an 80 degree day, a car becomes like an oven within minutes. Any adult who has sat in a hot car knows that.

Kudos to the baby's rescuers for calling the police and for keeping this story from becoming a real tragedy. This mother should be grateful for their willingness to get involved or she could have been charged with much more than neglect. She could be charged with murder. (view video here)

Random Reality: Would You Put Your Family on Reality Television?

I stumbled across a poll on U.S. Weekly.com that asked people if they would put their family on a reality television show. Since most of my adult life has been spent guiltily addicted to the genre, I decided to play along. I thought intently for a moment or two before giving my honest answer- YES!

When I hit submit, I was shocked by the results tallied so far. More than 90 percent of respondents lied - I mean - answered No! Just a little over 9 percent answered yes.

Now, either Usweekly.com has a more highbrow readership than I assumed, a majority of people are really shamed of their family members, or those people are lying through their self-righteous teeth. Am I the only one who is willing to admit that under the right circumstances I would be living with a camera crew crammed into my little condo getting all up in my business?

Don't get me wrong, you wouldn't catch me on any incarnation of Flava of Love, A Shot at "Love with Tia Tequila" or "The Bachelor". Sadly, I wouldn't qualify for any of my talent-based faves like "American Idol", "America's Next Top Model" and "Project Runway". Also, I'm way too prissy for the likes of "Survivor", "Fear Factor" or even that Japanese game show thing. I'm not eating any type of bug ever and will not for any amount of money willingly allow spiders or mice within a 10-foot radius of my person.

Anyone who has ever eaten my cooking knows that "Top Chef" or "Hell's Kitchen" are definitely out of the question. And the three steps I compulsively repeat on any dance floor wouldn't get me very far on "So You think You Can Dance" or "America's Best Dance Crew".

But I live for the "Amazing Race". My business partner and I often fantasize about traipsing around the world for a chance to win a million bucks. We imagine that we would be hilarious to watch as we huff, puff and bicker our way through exotic countries. We’d also like to take a shot at "The Mole". Hey, if my gynecologist can do it, why can’t I?

I'm positively addicted to well-produced shows that offer views inside of the manicured lives of celebrity families like "Run's House", "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" and, yes, even "Living Lohan". One of my new absolute favorites is "Kathy Griffin's Life on the D list". Her unapologetic, gratuitous publicity seeking is hysterical and her mother is a wine-swilling gem. My mother, the frustrated comedian and practicing psychic, is 10 times funnier and just as cute.

Perhaps the people lying - oops again, I meant- answering the U.S. Weekly survey were concerned about their children. Well, you won't meet a bigger drama queen on earth than my 10-year-old daughter who is convinced that she will be a superstar....or a scientist. She's leaning toward both, right after she wins "American Idol".

At this point, I have to come clean with the fact that I appeared on "A Dating Story" on TLC some years back through a fluke of circumstances. My daughter was 4-years-old at the time and burst into tears when it aired because she only appeared briefly in the segment. "It's all about YOU and that stupid BOY!" she screamed.

You can judge me if you want, but I think being a reality star has got to be one of the easiest gigs around. Some of them are even able to turn their 15-minutes into extended careers and even clothing lines. Omarosa, the queen of reality mean, got a book deal, people!

So, I ask you the same question. I want you to really think about it, consider your bills and your ordinary life and answer the question: Would you allow your family to appear on a reality television show? Come on, tell the truth. We won’t tell anybody.

Obama's Stolen Prayer Refreshingly Familiar

I, like most people, was outraged when I first saw this Associated Press story about Sen. Barack Obama's prayer being stolen from Jerusalem's Western Prayer Wall where he placed it during a visit last week. Following tradition, Obama wrote his prayer on a small piece of paper, fold it up and jam it into one of the cracks in the stone of the sacred wall. Before Obama could even make it back to his motorcade, a scavenger who obviously has no conscience plucked the presidential candidate's note to the Almighty from its resting place and took it to a newspaper.

Stealing someone's personal message to God is wrong on every imaginable level. I mean it's downright ignorant and disrespectful to the 2,000-year-old wall, considered Judaism's holiest place. With that said, I have to admit I couldn't wait to get to the part in the video where it revealed what he had written.

Sure, I felt conflicted about my nosiness. On the one hand, I thought it was ridiculously wrong for the news media to publish the information. The other part of me - the side that is as fascinated by the man as everyone else - wanted desperately to know what Barack Obama prays for.

From the outside looking in, it appears he has everything. He's reached rock star status in an historic election that has riveted a nation. He is a bestselling author with what appears to be an extremely loving relationship with a smart and successful wife. Let's not forget the two adorable children, who are equally charming and well-adjusted despite all of the madness that now surrounds them.

What would he say? I had to know. I'm not sure what I was expecting Obama's prayer to say. Perhaps: "Please God let me be president." Or "Thank you God for making me so freakin' AWESOME!" Or maybe even: "Please God keep me away from Rev. Jesse Jackson when he is holding a pair of scissors."

In the end, Barack's prayer was really not so different from mine or, I suspect, many people across this country and the world.

"Lord - Protect my family and me," reads the note, as reported by the Maariv daily. "Forgive me my sins, and help me guard against pride and despair. Give me the wisdom to do what is right and just. And make me an instrument of your will."

We all want our families and ourselves to be safe. Most of us want our mistakes, missteps and just plain blasphemous behavior eradicated from all public, private, cosmic and spiritual records. Most of us want to do what's right -most, if not all of the time.

And the older I get the more I realize that doing things according to my will is not always so good for me or anyone around me. I'm sure others feel the same way –even if our current president doesn’t.

Random Reality: Winning An Oscar and Emmy By September Might Be Impossible

What is it about ages with zeroes at the end that make us crazy? My 10 year old has been giving me hell for 6 months. Now, as I approach the end of yet another decade in my life and the beginning of another, I feel myself freaking out a little. Okay, I’m freaking out a lot.

You would too if you had less than two months to accomplish everything you dreamed you would do over the past 10 years. I’m going to be very busy until my September 17th birthday living up to my unfulfilled dreams.

First, I have to write a phenomenally groundbreaking novel that Oprah immediately declares her favorite book of all time. Then I must quickly turn it into a blockbuster screenplay that, of course, sells for undisclosed millions and stars Will Smith, a sober Shia LaBeouf, Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Brangelina and the twins. It will also feature a 20-minute fight scene between Jet Li, Jason Statham and Matt Damon, doing a cameo as Jason Bourne.

Then I have to hurry up and win an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay before Shonda Rhimes- my new writing partner and best buddy- produces a dramatic television series based on the movie with a cast led by Taye Diggs and that guy who played Denny that she killed off of Grey’s Anatomy. On second thought, Taye hasn't had the best of luck keeping a series afloat. I'd have to have a serious talk with Shonda about that casting decision. I'm sure we can work the kinks out just in time to win an Emmy for the show.

Now, I'm not totally naive about show business. There are a few obstacles to realizing my dreams. First, besides writing my kick-a$$ acceptance speeches and this blog, I haven't worked much on the three novels or four screenplays that I have been writing for the past 10 years. Even if I do manage to finish one of them by, say, the end of this week, it would be cutting it pretty close.

I also completely realize that it takes more than two months to sell, cast, shoot, edit, market and premiere a movie that is not a porno. In addition, I strongly suspect that the Academy or Emmy officials will be reluctant to move their events up to September just to keep me from feeling suicidal the day after my birthday - even if I ask really, really nicely.

Seriously, what have I been doing for the past 10 years? It seems like I started off with all of these big dreams and obtainable goals. But now, all I remember is an impulsive trip to the Bahamas to celebrate followed by a whole lot of working; punctuated by moments of parenting, cooking and cleaning; interspersed with occasional laughing and loving; sprinkled with a few trips to the movies and then more work; finished off with an unexpected layoff which triggered some moping, bitching and moaning tempered by bursts of optimism. Then I had a few freelance writing gigs supplemented by this blog which has all led up to now: the beginnings of a full-blown panic attack. Whew, I guess I have been busy.

So what happened? I don’t know….life, I guess. Or have I really been living? I guess I’d have to renew my subscription to “O” Magazine to figure that out.

One thing the past 10 years has given me is the wisdom to realize that I probably won’t accomplish all the things I had dreamed I would before September. So, I found myself making a new list for the upcoming decade of my life. This time I decided to keep it short.

1. Less dreaming.
2. More doing.

Random Behavior Poster Child Of The Week: The Lawnmower Assassin

Meet Keith Walendowski – the new reigning king of over-reacting and proof that one should never mow while drunk.

When Walendowski’s Lawn Boy wouldn’t start Wednesday morning, the intoxicated Wisconsin man allegedly went ballistic and tried to blow it away with a shotgun. Walendowski, 56, was charged with felony possession of a short-barreled shotgun or rifle and misdemeanor disorderly conduct while armed.

According to the Associated Press story he told police, "I can do that, it's my lawn mower and my yard so I can shoot it if I want."

Apparently, randomly shooting things -even on your own property - is not so legal in most states. Who knew? If convicted, Walendowski could face up to an $11,000 fine and six years and three months in prison. Hopefully, his sentence would include some serious anger management counseling…and mandatory use of good hair conditioner.

Prime Real Estate Now Available on Front Street

There is one positive side effect to the sagging economy. The precarious job market, high gas prices and dismal housing market are forcing people to abandon prime property on “Front Street.”

Front Street! You know the place where a lot of people have been living for years. It’s located at the intersection of Living-Beyond-Your-Means Avenue and Keeping-Up-With-the Jones Way. It was populated by those lost souls who spent more money on appearances than on paying bills.

They invested big dough on cloths with labels and put pennies in their 401Ks. They have fancy foreign cars parked at home in their mother’s driveways. Or they own huge homes and eat at the finest restaurants but are drowning in debt. You know the type who rent the handbags of the stars and lease flat-screen televisions to impress their friends and strangers who couldn’t care less.

Yeah, those people - the formerly proud citizens of Front Street, USA who are finally being knocked back down to reality with the rest of us. This bad economy is forcing everyone to rethink where their money is going and where it has gone.

One friend who normally throws an elaborate birthday party for her toddler is contemplating cake and ice cream at home. My bet is that the child will have just as much fun. Another friend with dismal savings put herself on an emergency shoe diet after realizing that the amount she spent on shoes last year could have fed her family for six months. I guess Manolo soup doesn’t taste so good.

I never understood the type of person who bought things – or worse – lied about their lifestyle to impress other people. However, it’s a pretty common occurrence in our community. I believe it might be a symptom of many of our people growing up without. Once we are able to afford things or at least to qualify for them on credit, we tend to go overboard.

I’m not the most responsible person with money, but all of my bonehead financial faux pas were for me. There were times in my life when I have fallen victim to excess. After getting my first decent paying job after college, I ran right out and bought a little red sports car, even though my trusty Dodge Shadow was still in great condition. My new car - that I named Sasha- cost me 150 bucks more a month and had a manual transmission. I couldn’t even drive a stick. I had to call someone to drive it home from the dealership and teach me how to drive it before I had to go to work on Monday.

I loved that car but it was stupid. Not only because I was the only one skidding around in Chicago’s winter weather like a fool in a little sports car but because paying for the car immediately made me a slave to the system. If I had banked or invested the extra cash I would be in better financial shape today.

I’d like to think that I’ve learned and that I am wiser now. My hope is that through all of the diversity brought on by the condition of today’s economy, everyone will learn. If and when the markets correct and better days come, my hope is that people won’t forget the valuable lessons being taught now.

First, no job is guaranteed. Also, save more or as much as you spend because – surprise – rainy days do come. And most important, if you can’t afford it, don’t buy it, charge it, lease it or borrow it! Those same people you are trying to impress by throwing elaborate parties or driving fancy cars up and down on Front Street won’t be there to help you when the bottom falls out.

Random Reality Overkill: Please Stop Giving This Woman Camera Time!

As my mother would say, Omarosa "showed her ass" again. She appeared on The Wendy Williams' show and bombarded the host with insults while trying to promote a book she "wrote" for women about how to use their "Bitch Switch". Omarosa, whose bitch switch is perpetually stuck in the ON position, immediately flipped Wendy's switch, creating a battle of insults the likes of which are seldom witnessed on daytime T.V. outside of the Jerry Springer Show.

The altercation started when Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth first walked onto the daytime talk show and said she was displeased with Williams' introduction of her and would not be disrespected. Things got uglier when Williams grabbed Omarosa's book cover to hold it up to the camera, and Omarosa snatched it back out of Williams' hand. (source: Huffingon Post)

(view video at Fox NY site)

I am so over Omarosa's publicity seeking antics. Either she's a brilliant self-publicist or a sociopath. I suspect the latter. Either way, I can say with great certainty that there is no way that I would - or anyone else should - take advice from Omarosa on how to behave!

Holy Bitch Slap: Batman Questioned Re: Assault

Say it ain't so, Batman! E Online is reporting that the caped crusader star was questioned in London this morning in connection with an alleged assault involving his mother and sister.

The incident allegedly took place in the box-office champ's Dorchester Hotel room in London on Sunday, the day before the blockbuster film's European premiere. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson tells E! News that Bale presently faces "no charges, all we are saying at the moment is that a 34-year-old male attended a central London police station this morning, by appointment, and was arrested in connection with an allegation of assault. (source)

I was one of the gazillion people who saw the movie this past weekend and actually loved it. I bought the tortured hero with an underlying violent streak thing on the big screen but even Batman wouldn't beat down his own dear old momma. (allegedly, of course) The Joker, maybe! Batman, not so much.

Maybe Christian's irritable because his blockbuster shine is being overshadowed by a dead man. The hype is warranted. Heath's portrayal of the iconic bad guy ranks up there with one of the best villains ever in my opinion.

So, Christian, just step up your game next time. It takes more than a raspy voice to generate Oscar buzz. Oh, and leave the bitch slaps to the villains.

UPDATE: Christian Bale issues statement: “Christian Bale attended a London police station today, on a voluntary basis, in order to assist with an allegation that had been made against him to the police by his mother and sister. Mr. Bale who denies the allegation, co-operated throughout, gave his account in full of the events in question, and has left the station without any charge being made against him by the police. At this time, there will be no further comment by Mr. Bale.”

Random Revelation: Pettiness Kills Friendships

I was mad at a good friend on Saturday. She had the nerve to ask me to return movies I had borrowed from her so that she could enjoy them. I was mad as fire! How dare she ask for her things back?

“It wasn’t that she asked,” I huffed when my boyfriend tried to talk me off the irrational ledge. “It was that she sounded like she had an attitude – like I was never going to give them back.”

I’d show her, I thought. I decided to take her the “stupid” DVDs and not speak to her for a while. That would teach her to ask for her stuff! I went home and gathered the movies (many of which I hadn’t even bothered to watch) and drove directly to her house. My jaw tightened with each click of my heels as I marched up her walkway and rang the bell.

By the time my friend of 20-years opened the door, however, I fortunately had come to my senses. I realized that I was being an idiot - a grown woman who was acting like a child. It struck me that I had become blinded by righteous indignation to the point that I was willing to jeopardize a long-time friendship just because she asked that I return property that I had promised to return a long time ago.

Later I asked myself, why do people get mad over other people’s things? I thought about my niece who hasn’t called me in months because I refused to co-sign for a loan. I also thought about the time my boyfriend was offended when a friend refused to cut into his “kickin’ it time” to accompany him on an errand. I bet more long-term friendships end over money, property or just plain petty disputes than anything else.

It’s kind of ridiculous not to respect someone’s right to protect their belongings, their credit or even the time they set aside to chill-ax. I had every right to say no to my niece and protect my FICO score from a barely 20-something-year-old, jobless girl. My boyfriend’s buddy was under no obligation to get up from his sofa to tag along on a random errand. My movie-loving friend was well within her rights to ask for her DVDs back. She even had the right to be annoyed when they weren’t returned within a reasonable time period.

Today I’m grateful that when my friend invited me in for a drink that day, I dropped my petty attitude and said yes. Unlike most things, really great friendships are hard to come by. We talked and laughed for hours as the movies sat on a nearby counter.

Afterwards, I made a vow to myself not to borrow DVDs from her again –at least not until I could be the kind of friend mature enough to handle the responsibility.

Random Behavior Short Takes

Cop Gets Jail Time For Pimping
The New York Post reported today on the case of a cop who pled guilty to pimping on the side. The NYPD detective and his madam girlfriend pimped out an underage girl.

Cop-turned-convict Wayne Taylor, 35, will be sentenced next month to 3½ years behind bars along with gal pal Zalika Brown, 29, who also took a plea deal yesterday. The two were busted in January after a 13-year-old runaway escaped from their apartment in Jamaica, Queens. The teen told cops she'd been sold to the couple for $500 by another pimp.

I know times are hard and people sometimes have to take on a second job to make ends meet. PoPos turning to pimping for extra cash isn't an indication that we might be headed toward a depression, I don't know what is.

Man Uses Fake Wife To Get Divorce
Talk about cutting out the middle man. According to Reuters, a man in Kolkuta, India wanted to divorce his wife but didn't want her to know about it. So he took a fake wife to court and got the divorce. His real wife was understandably upset when she as suddenly asked to move out of the family home. I know he was wrong but realizing how much this tactic would have saved me in attorney's fees, I can't be mad at him.

Florida Man Trades Son's Birth Name For Gas
Okay, people, I know gas is egregiously high but come on! In Orlando, Florida, David Partin pledged to name his son after local radio hosts to win a $100 gas card as part of a contest. The rdio host's name is Dixon Willoughby which isn't that bad. but think out it, that $100 worth of gas is not going to last very long. That kid will be shackled with that name for the rest of his life.

Is My Gynecologist The Mole?

The fact that I have to even ask the question is so very wrong. Normally, I can be pretty objective about reality shows. I admit to watching some of them, not all, and definitely none of the trashier ones. (At least, any that I will admit.) It’s hard to be objective, however, when the person who puts me in the stirrups at least once a year is on "The Mole". That’s right. My gynecologist is Nicole, the obnoxious, conceited and conniving M.D. who has threatened to kill someone on national television! (See video)

It’s just SO not okay. Any woman knows, choosing a gynecologist is a very personal thing. I mean, this person knows your body better than any stranger should. (Notice I didn’t say does or has. I’m not judging.) They are paid to get all up in your personal business. So, you try to choose someone who you can respect and trust -the emphasis being on RESPECT.

If you’ve watched the show this season, you know that Nicole has been acting a fool. Had I not met her, I would assume she was just playing the role of the super smart but abrasive and confrontational black woman (i.e.Omarosa) that these television shows love to cast. But I don’t think that’s the case. I had considered switching GYNs before my doctor showed herself to be a potentially homicidal narcissus. I’d always felt that Dr. Nicole was a little too detached and not as committed to the care of my Va-Jay-Jay as I typically like in a gynie.

Clearly, as I suspected, she had other aspirations outside of the exam room.

To be fair, Nicole has shown some class when she's not threatening to kill people in their sleep. She definitely knows how to play the game because she's managed to make it pretty far into the season. I have strong suspicion that she is the mole though. Even if she’s not, I’m not sure I want a reality star doing my next pap smear.

Random Static: The New Yorker Cover Just Another Distraction

I’ve decided not to jump on the bandwagon and post about The New Yorker cover. Hundreds, maybe thousands, of blogs covered that fiasco. Yes, the cover was extremely ridiculous, bordering on ignorant. But we all know that. The editors who decided to put it on the cover knew it too. It seems everyone's selling their soul for publicity these days.

Nope, I’m not getting sucked into that vortex because here’s what I think - not about the cover itself - but about what the cover has accomplished. That cover, just like the explosive Jeremiah Wright rant, the goofy Jesse Jackson comments, the Obama daughter interview uproar, comedian Bernie Mac's off-color jokes and Fist Bump-Gate – have merely diverted attention from everything else that we need to be focusing on.

Go to any business or financial page today. They are littered with bad news that is being ignored because of that stupid cover. From the top to the bottom of the screen on any given news website, there is nothing but doom and gloom. The stock market, housing market and, hell, even the supermarket are in the toilet. Gas prices and unemployment rates are higher than giraffe genitals. People are losing jobs and homes sometimes in the same month.

Over in Washington, Bush and his crew are up to their same old political games lifting the oil drilling ban in an attempt to distract us once again with meaningless legislation. They know darn well, even if Congress voted to do the same, no effects would be felt in American pockets until the year 2026 and those effects would be minimal at best. They are counting on us being too distracted by foolishness – oh and the birth of the Brangelina twins -to realize that.

It’s bad out here people! Too bad, in fact, to waste a lot of ink and keystrokes on a bonehead, ill-conceived cartoon. We can’t keep getting caught up in these idiotic publicity stunts that force Obama and us to focus energy on denouncing ignorant behavior every other day. Barack Obama is facing the fight of his life in this election and so are we.

Iraqi's Stimulus Package Better Than Ours

Picture George W. cruising through the hood tossing C-notes from his presidential limo while desperate citizens swarm the motorcade. Now, that's what I call a stimulus package. Hey, why not? That's what Iraqi officials are doing.

In an effort to rebuild basic services and jumpstart Iraq's damaged economy, government officials are cutting out the paperwork and getting money directly into the hands of the people by literally handing out cash on the streets. According to an Associated Press report, they are using the $70 billion the country will earn this year in oil revenues.

The handouts by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and a handful of other top officials are authorized — as long as each goes no higher than about $8,000, and the same people don't get them twice. Aides say they are meant merely to ease the pain a bit, and are motivated by a belief that better conditions will lead to more security. (source)

So, I guess we should now promptly have warm and fuzzy feelings as we fork over $5 a gallon at the pumps knowing that it is going to a good cause, right? Nice try, but no good!

I do admire their stimulus method though. It's far better than our government's method of bragging about it for months and then taking their sweet time sending out the bucks. I don’t know about you but my stimulus check has come and gone. Despite government hopes that I would run right to the mall with the guilt-laced bills clutched in my sweaty palms to buy a bunch of junk I didn’t need, I handed my windfall over to the mortgage company to guarantee myself a roof over my head for another month or so.

A few of my random friends are still rushing to their mailboxes every day and harassing the mailman in desperate anticipation of their check. Most of them have already spent the money before it even arrived. You know how you start saying, “Well, I’ll just go ahead and buy this because I have that check coming.” Before you know it, you’ve tricked off about $1,000 more than that check will ever be? Okay, maybe that’s just me. Don’t judge!

Anyway, it’s not that I didn’t appreciate my stimulus check. In fact, I’d like to formally thank George W. for throwing us a few crumbs to distract us from the thousands of lost troops and billions of dollars the oil grab - I mean - war is costing our country. Next time though, take a cue from the Iraqi Prime Minister and pass out the bread yourself.

Hey, you can always ask all of your cronies who pushed the war though or your oil buddies to help you distribute the cash. The ones that haven’t been shot in the face, that is.