Killing the "Roof": Too much barking and not enough thought!

Roger Goodell. A man who believes in rehabilitation. A true American hero out for unconditional justice. I mean in 2008 he gave a proven menace in Adam "Pac Man" Jones a what seemed to be 52nd second chance at redemption. Chris Henry, Ricky Williams, Plaxico Burress, Matt Jones, Marshawn Lynch, and Tank Johnson all served suspensions after more than one brush with the law or violation of league policy. Now it's Michael Vick's chance at that Barack Obama type Change. This is a man who has served almost 2 years in prison, lost millions of dollars, inherited a few million additional critics, and as an added Christmas bonus, has gained advocacy from T.O. Is that not enough punishment? According to Roger, "NOPE." Vick needs more. Mr. Goodell, whose responsibilities in the past year have mirrored that of an adolescent's struggling parent (or the Secret Service and the Bush girls), has decided to add additional sanctions. Vick, if he is lucky, could begin playing football sometime in October. WOW. So now his sentence of 23 months has been extended to 25 months thanks to Roger, or as I like to call him-The Warden. It is disgusting to see this rich white man sit on his Mount Olympus of privilege and righteousness ruling with an iron fist, begging a tap out from those who have already witnessed the strong arm of the law. Or we can think about it like true scholars and delve just a little bit deeper. Let's get our feet wet and as the water begins to cool our steaming irrational body temperatures, forcing us to wade waist deep, let us cool off and (gulp) think....

Michael Vick committed a felony. Felonies include crimes like aggravated assault, burglary, arson, murder, and rape. Felons are those who have been convicted of committing a felony-which makes Mike Vick a FELON. Now, there are a few politicians who haven't been convicted but who are clearly felons as well as a few Blacks and Latinos who are considered felons but haven't committed a crime at all (but that's for another blog). In regards to Mike Vick and Warden Goodell, I'll continue. I have a couple of cousins who are felons and even with successfully completing a 12 step program, receiving a purple heart, and/or writing a bestselling self-help book post incarceration, would still be hard pressed to get a job at Safeway, unless of course they brought major business to the area market. Similarly, if they could toss a football,well, they could get a job in the NFL-one of the highest paying businesses in the US. IF my cousins happened to get a job at Safeway, they sure the hell couldn't miss two years of work to serve a jail sentence and still come back to an interview, let alone a job. As a public we have become too comfortable letting athletes amongst other big names, 2 step, cupid shuffle, and south side glide pass punishment due to the positions they hold. Roger Goodell is the NFL commissioner. He is running a business and has attempted to find ways to hold his employees accountable while maximizing league profit. Before asking "how could he give Mike Vick more?" ask, "Why does he even need to give Vick anything?" All Roger should be cutting is checks not deals similar to a sketchy DA. He is doing Mike Vick and his fans a favor by even sitting down, and asking Mike if he is thirsty before entertaining a conversation.This man is not a CO (corrections officer) although he rules and regulates; not a Parent although he disciplines; not a Counselor although he embraces; and he is not a Custodian although he is constantly cleaning up after other people's messes. Ethically he'd be completely justified in letting Vick head up North to the Canadas. Or closing the Venetian blinds, hiding behind his desk and turning his ringer off while Vick sits on the porch, attempting to look through the windows and begging for a second chance, screaming "Rog, I know you're in there, I'm sorry!" The punishment handed by Roger is neither too stiff (Vick Lovers) or too light (Vick Haters). After all, imagine if he didn't get reinstated, Vick fans. Or imagine if he served 30 days in jail and received no additional punishment from the league, Vick haters! The punishment is just right. The man committed a crime, and he is currently serving his time. I believe he learned his lesson and is grateful for his current position. If you don't believe me, then ask Michael Vick, Coors Light, United Way, and The Law Books. He is paying the debt, so stop begging for more as he has served his time as specified by law (and now his employer) and stop picketing for less as Mike Vick still has a chance at employment.

Most Valuable Puppet

On December 30, 1984 a hardwood King was born. 17 years later his high school basketball games would be broadcast nation wide in order to give a hungry basketball culture (and China) a glimpse of a true work of art, a freak of nature -a taste of Royalty. An appetizer that would breathe life back into a undernourished NBA nation-a culinary orgasm that had Nike distributing 90 million green bucks to a kid who, besides rocking a few questionable throwbacks, had yet to sweat in a real NBA jersey. Once fully marinated within his own glow, and a bit of the 82 herbs and spices known as a season, this kid would indeed be a complete meal that could satisfy the most greediest of critics. His 20, 5 and 6 average as a rookie had the world throwing up the 2 3 and stamping themselves as "witnesses" as if we were trying to get interviewed for a local news channel. Size, power, unselfishness, bunnies (ability to jump), court vision and let's not forget the personality. Who could forget the Lebrons? Most Valuable Puppets? MC Hammer? Besides shooting less than 80% from the charity stripe, this guy was flawless.

On May 22, he was hailed as the greatest player who had hit arguably the greatest shot in playoff history! Announcers, critics, analyst, and groupies (not limited to women, don't get it confused) alike seemed to forget about Reggie scorching the Knicks in 8 seconds; Mike skying over Craig double pump included; Stockton's trey ball in Chuck's hamburger holster; Kobe droppin 50 with a game winner from the ashy elbow; Sean Elliot toeing the sideline for a trey ball against and smoking out the blazers, all seemed to be lost on that night. To this day I still hear all the king's horses and all the king's men, chanting King James again. He had heart, determination, and most of all, he had class.

On May 30th, the tables turned. Those same critics, announcers, and analyst began to verbally assassinate the character of the King. In a losing effort King James left Orlando without congratulating his opponent and the darts began to fly. "He's a cry baby," "He should be ashamed," and "There's no crying in basketball." are just a few rocks tossed at the throne. And THEN there was Jordan Crawford. As if getting stomped in a series and having puppet commercials insinuating you'd be in a 'ship wasn't enough, The King went out and got posterized. Need I go into details? Nike confiscated the tapes and all heads turned to Lebron. Some how and some way this went back to HIS cry baby character. Never mind Nike, not LB, confiscated the tapes. Never mind Lebron continued to play the game. Never mind, that without a tear, Lebron got lost in hesitation AND THEN dunked on by Andre Igo once before. LB was again, a cry baby.

Now I am the first person to still hail Kobe as the best in the game so please do not take this as a Lebron fan message. I am simply taking note on how quickly images turn in the media and how quickly we follow. One day this Kid's only flaw is that he is too unselfish, the next day his entire character is in question. It seems as if history and past actions are continuously traded for what's most recent. This is my challenge to all fans. If you dare to argue. If you dare to be wrong. If you dare to stand alone, be loyal to something for more than a game 2. We know the media can't. But as fans we can. I'm not suggesting that we be so loyal that we lose sight of reality. Know when to revolt. Know when to say enough is enough and abandon ship. The King leaving the court is something a cry baby would do. Claro que si! But does that make him a poor sportsman or a cry baby? Jordan Crawford dunked on Ljames but does that make him Andre Igo? Marv Albert chewed on a sexy coed's ear but does that make him a cannibal? My fear is that now, if LJames shows any emotion, you disloyal civilians of the King will label it as poor sportsmanship, a testament to the true momma's boy. Then again, you flip flop so much that he can sauce you up with his next 360 degree tomahawk flush. I guess when you're the King, divine in being, ability and spirit, mere mortals look for any defect that could bring his highness to a level we all could reach. But have no fear, The empire shall rise again. All hail the King. (Let's Go Kobe!)

B*****, Please, I say what I want...

cont'ed conversation from "the headphone hideout.blogspot.com"...Every man, woman, and everyone else in between has a protected Right to express views, thoughts and opinions, BUT (and this is a BIG BUT- one the size of the First Lady's, b/c Michelle IS carrying cake in those tailored made designer dresses)......
I always find the argument that people have the RIGHT to free speech most compelling. Governments have set laws that now outlaw particular words, labeling them as hateful and imposing. In fact, if a white guy hit me in the face, spit on me, then topped it off with a super sexy suplex, he'd get a few years in prison for assault. BUT if he added the word "nigger" or made references to my race during the aforementioned Brooklyn style beat down, he could possibly get 25 years to Life as it could then be considered a hate crime. The beat down no longer came because I squeezed his fiancee's love handles and told her about the gym specials,but because I am Black. All because of a few added adjectives? Not so sure I agree with that (sometimes). But I digressed. My thoughts towards the young fella from Poway sort of follow my thoughts toward gun laws and other RIGHTS we have. Simply put-ALL RIGHTS COME WITH RESPONSIBILITIES. We cannot run through Time's Square waving 9mm handguns claiming that we have a RIGHT to do so. However who could debate the existence of a second amendment. With our freedoms come responsibilities that people selectivity follow and/or ignore. Everyone has a right to free speech, but when it crosses a line and becomes irresponsible and reckless, I believe you begin to violate the very principles on which the 1st amendment was founded. You begin to exploit your own rights and make those who carefully, strategically, intellectually, and PRODUCTIVELY voice those very same opinions, SICK. We begin to feel like Liberals who cringe when that over LIBERAL person is offended when you take a deep breath claiming that you're destroying the environment; Or that Conservative who ducks and covers when Mr. 1st Amendment yells bomb on an airplane. Ethics evolve much faster than law. It seems as though those who continue to practice irresponsible usage of their rights (free speech, free press, etc) are running at a much slower pace. Keep up!

I may just start to argue that loitering laws violate my 1st amendment right.....I like to hang out.

Generation Michael and Me?

Between reading Jean M. Twenge's Generation Me (great read) and slow sipping Apple Fruit Punch crack (Wal-Mart's 64 oz bottle of deliciousness), I flipped to E! to check out the followup coverage of the Late Great MJ's memorial service. In the sea of devoted Thriller fans, celebs and heartbroken family members alike, there was a familiar Perm. A Perm that I witnessed verbally devour naive Colgate students back in the 2001. My first thought was, "Oh here we go, the Perm has a big stage and chance for a middle finger to the White super powers." But I was punch in my prejudice mouthpiece when Rev. Al Sharpton said "And to his kids, wasn't nothing strange about your father, it was the situations he had to deal with that was strange." BANG! The crowded arena erupted and I started to think "man please, Mike was crazy as hell."

Fast forward...Today I had a conversation with my co-worker who stated, "Al Sharpton was OK, I just don't think he should have lied to the children. Michael was strange." To this I asked "How was he strange?" She looked at me as if I had pale skin, soft voice, a little nose, and surgically adjusted cheek bones and said " according to today's standards of what a normal person is, he is VERY weird."It's funny that less than 12 hours before our conversation I agreed with her 110%. "Mike was crazy." However, at that moment I felt the biggest disconnect to such a statement. I thought to myself "is/was Michael weird?" In a society where plastic surgery is almost as normal as mascara, where having a bag of Ethiopian kids is a fashion trend like crocs and tight jeans (gotta buy all of them in pairs), and where we overwhelmingly emphasize to our children to "be yourself, be different," was/is Mike strange? Is he any different than Meg Ryan whose lips look like she is always preparing to blow on hot soup? Or Pamela Anderson who I still believe to be smuggling small orphans in her DKNY? Or Nelly who wore a band aid under his eye to be different (a fashion adopted by D.Wade during a stretch of the NBA season)? Today's standard of what is normal is illustrated by being different. Are you normal? Then show Us how different you can be? Wouldn't it be weird, according to today's standards, to see Mike, Tito, Jermaine and Joe dressed alike? Or would that be normal due to the fact that it was different? After all, we do not see too many middle aged men dressed in matching flip flops and tank tops unless they are at work. So, I ask, does Mike's abnormalities or "strange" qualities, make him... normal? Maybe society is so screwed up that we push "normal" people to do abnormal things in order to fit in with us normal abnormals. The result being a miserable normal person who would have been fine if not for our push for him/her to be perfectly abnormal. I guess it's perfectly normal to be different, just not THAT abnormal. It's all making sense now. I finally understand what Dr. Twenge means when she says "Why American's are more confident, assertive, entitled and more miserable than ever before."

Open Up

There is a lot to be said, a lot to be discussed, a lot of arguments to be had, ideas to be flushed and friends to be lost. I have a crew of 14 educated homeboys who successfully navigated a 4 year bid in the sticks of Hamilton, NY better known as Colgate University. We have been in touch through email and random dates of reunion laced with intelligent ignorance since May 2003. Together we started a crew known as the Commission in '99 and since then we dispersed to Toronto, NYC, Detroit, Charlotte, and Atlanta, to name a few cities. We hold occupations ranging from University officials, corporate bankers, to high school teachers and advertising execs. We have some shhh to say. This is my out,-our forum. A Blog started to open our convos to the world and challenge the thought of people who look like us, who come from buildings that look like our's and whose fate is pre-determined if you follow or believe theories based in labeling....check back and see if you don't begin to dig the blog.