Boy Found in Chicago

The body of a boy was found in an SUV on Chicago's west side. There has been no confirmation at this time that it is Jennifer Hudson's nephew, but it is highly likely that it is Julian King. How does someone take the life of a child, any child, and be able to live with themselves afterward? Whoever this child is, he had nothing to do with what was happening in the lives of the adults around him, however he has paid the ultimate price. I am not a death penalty proponent, but sometimes I think I might have it all wrong, especially when it comes to the death of children at the hands of adults.

A co-worker and I were discussing the missing boy at work over the weekend. He stated that the FBI was called in because of Jennifer Hudson's celebrity status. I am under the assumption that anytime their is a missing child the FBI are obligated to join the search. Whose right me or my co-worker? To read more details click here

Jennifer Hudson's Mother and Brother Found Murdered

Academy Award winning actress Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls and The Secret Lives of Bees) mother and brother, Darnell Donerson, 57, and Jason Hudson, 29, whose bodies were found Friday afternoon in their home on the south side of Chicago. The actress's 7 year old nephew, Julian King is missing. According to news reports the incident is a result of domestic abuse and the police are questioning several people in connection with crime. I feel badly for Jennifer and the rest of her family in this difficult time. Let's keep her in our thoughts and pray for the safe return of her nephew. For more on the story click here.

One Hit Wonders

I decided to have some fun this week and showcase the unexpected. I am going with Soft Cell's "Tainted Love" and Everything But The Girl's "I Miss You".

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Ms. Grapevine. The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate; any music genre

2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999

3. No offensive words allowed, please use edited radio version

4. Post a video of your favorite Old School song to take us back down memory lane

5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out

6. Have fun & don't forget to leave comments for other participants

If you want to join in on the fun, click here

A Message From George

With all the chaos and confusion going on in the world with the economy, gas prices, the upcoming election, etc. , we tend to lose sight of the important things in life. I received this message written by the late George Carlin several years ago and I feel it is time to revisit these sentiments.

A Message from George Carlin:
The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways , but narrower view points. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little,drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much,love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throw away morality, one night stands,overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when y ou can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going tobe around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

If you don't send this to at least 8 people....Who cares?

George Carlin

Isn't it amazing that George Carlin - comedian, could write something so very eloquent...and so very appropriate.

Brillante Weblog

I just received this award from my uncle and buddy Malcolm of Pop Culture Dish. Everyone knows how much I love his blog (I am always over there throwing in my 2 cents). Sometimes serious, other times informative, but most of the time just plain fun. His skill at dishing about celebrities and disseminating news about movies and music is unparalleled. Of course I really enjoy Tuesday Trivia.

You like me! You really like me! :-) Thanks Malcolm!

1. The winner can put the logo on his/her blog.

2. The winner must link to the person from whom they received their award.

3. The winner must nominate at least 7 other blogs for the award.

4. The winner must place links to those blogs on their own blog.

5. The winner must leave a message on the blogs of the people they’ve nominated.

And here are my nominees:

1. Marva at The Marvalus View

2. Jessica at Life Is Rantastic
3. Mrs. Grapevine at Mrs. Grapevine.Com

4. Lori at Lori's Old School Mix

5. X. Dell at The X Spot

6. Pop Art Diva at Retro Pop Culture Blog

7. SJP at Sojourner's Place

I hope you can find the time to visit all the blogs listed above.

Levi Stubbs Passes Away At 72

Arguably the most powerful voice in Motown's history has been silenced. Four Tops lead singer Levi Stubbs Jr. died Friday at his home in Detroit after a long series of health problems, including cancer and a stroke, that forced him to stop performing in 2000. He was 72.
Funeral arrangements were pending for Stubbs, who is survived by Clineice, his wife of 48 years, and five children.

He had one of the most prolific and identifiably voices in American history. Often playing second fiddle to the Temptations, The Four Tops showed they had staying power. An amazing footnoot is that they were able to maintain their original lineup until death and illness struck. Stubbs' death leaves Abdul "Duke" Fakir as the Tops' only living member from the original quartet, which formed in 1954 as the Four Aims and signed with Motown nine years later. Laurence Payton passed away in 1997, and Renaldo "Obie" Benson died in 2005.

Fakir continues to lead a version of the Tops that includes Payton's son Roquel, former Temptations member Theo Peoples and Motown veteran Ronnie McNeir. Stubbs, born Levi Stubbles in Detroit gave voice to such enduring hits such as "Baby I Need Your Loving," "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)," "Reach Out I'll Be There", "Ain't No Woman Like the One I Got" and my all time favorite "It's The Way Nature Planned It". The Tops have sold more than 50 million records and racked up 45 chart hits for the Motown, ABC Dunhill, Arista and Casablanca labels, and the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.

Stubbs also provided the voice of Audrey II, the man-eating plant in the film version of the musical "Little Shop of Horrors" in 1986, and of Mother Brain in the 1989 animated TV series "Captain N: The Game Master." The group was also responsible for the theme song for the second Shaft movie, "Shaft In Africa", "Are You Man Enough".

Stubbs' last public appearance with the group was at the group's 50th anniversary concert July 28, 2004, at Detroit's Music Hall Center. Information about the funeral services are pending.

Here is a classic by the group that you don't often hear, enjoy.

He Crossed The Line

I received this letter from James Rucker at Colorofchange.org

Dear Pamella,

Over the last week and a half, supporters at McCain/Palin rallies have yelled "kill him," "terrorist," "traitor!" and "off with his head!" about Obama. At Wednesday night's presidential debate, John McCain refused to denounce those outbursts or take any responsibility for the violent, hateful atmosphere he's helped create. Instead, he attacked civil rights hero John Lewis for calling him out on it, and tried to cast McCain/Palin supporters as victims of a smear.
Either John McCain doesn't understand the dangerous words coming out of some of his loudest supporters' mouths, or he doesn't care.

As the leader of his campaign, he has a responsibility to condemn and control hateful speech, especially direct threats on a presidential candidate. We need to show that Americans of all races won't stand for this. When enough of us stand together, we can force the mainstream media to amplify our message. Please join us: you can watch a video from Brave New Films about the atmosphere at McCain rallies, sign our open letter calling out McCain and Palin, and ask your friends and family to do the same, here:

McCain-Palin rallies have started to look more like mob scenes than political events. The candidates keep asking "who is the real Barack Obama?" (a question that also kicks off almost every McCain television ad). In response, supporters have yelled "terrorist!" and "traitor!" And the venom goes beyond Obama--one McCain/Palin supporter shouted a racial epithet at a Black member of a news crew, saying "sit down, boy." The outbursts at McCain/Palin events have crossed the line into direct threats and suggestions of violence. Last week, at the mention of Obama's name, a McCain supporter yelled "kill him!"prompting a secret service investigation. A few days later, someone shouted "off with his head!"

In the face of all of this, McCain and Palin haven't stopped for five seconds to denounce these violent outbursts. In fact they've tried to defend them and their fear-mongering smear tactics continue. McCain and Palin are going down a dangerous path. Watching some of their supporters being interviewed shows the kind of fear their campaign is stoking and exploiting. McCain and Palin are clearly in the driver's seat. They've personally made it a point to use "terrorist" and "Obama" in the same sentence; their surrogates have repeatedly referred to Obama by his middle-name; and they keep pushing the discredited guilt-by-association smears that have long been debunked.

All of it plays on false rumors spread by email: that Obama is Muslim (a myth designed to tap into anti-Muslim bigotry); that he is anti-American; and that he's somehow connected with terrorists. The strategy works and is powerful because it plays into the suspicions some White Americans have about Blacks: about our true allegiances and our trustworthiness. In the end, it makes Obama's race a disadvantage without appearing overtly racist.

A unified response

As Americans of all stripes, we've seen how Barack Obama's historic candidacy has moved our friends and family to have a more honest conversation about race in this country. It's inspired a lot of people to step out of their comfort zone and confront racism in their own communities, with their friends, neighbors, and families. Now we have McCain, at a time of crisis in this country, pandering to one of the worst instincts in America. His campaign is playing to the kind of suspicion, hatred and fear that brings out the worst in us all, which history shows can lead to horrible consequences.

We can fight back

In the final days of this campaign, we can't let a desperate John McCain and Sarah Palin drag us down. If enough of us act, we can create a powerful story in the media about Black people and our allies of all races standing together against race-baiting and fear-mongering coming from theMcCain/Palin campaign. But it will take a lot of us speaking in unison. Will you sign an open letter to McCain and Palin, telling them who you are and why you won't let them move our country backward? We'll publish the letter and make sure John McCain is forced to respond.

Thanks and Peace,

James, Gabriel, Clarissa, Andre, Kai, and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org PAC team October 17th, 2008

I watched some of the footage from one of these rallies and I became mad enough to chew bricks. McCain and Palin, as well as their supporters are running scared. Now they think they can bully Obama supporters into submission. I am so damn tired of hearing that Obama is a Muslim. If he is, so what! I could give less than a damn about his religious affiliations. I want to know what he is going to do about the economy, health care, and ending this atrocious war. I am signing this damn letter!

Old School Fridays - Duets

I love duets and I am going with one of my favorite couples of all times, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell (well sort of). My favorite song by this duet is "California Soul". According to Marvin Gaye (in the biography "Divided Soul") by the time this song was recorded Tammi was too ill to sing, so Valerie Simpson performed the song. I actually hear Valerie, see if you can too.

I also decided to go with Rick James and Teena Marie and the lesser known "Once and Future Dream".

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Ms. Grapevine. The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate; any music genre

2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999

3. No offensive words allowed, please use edited radio version

4. Post a video of your favorite Old School song to take us back down memory lane

5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out

6. Have fun & don't forget to leave comments for other participantsIf you want to join in on the

fun, click here.

Old School Fridays - Favorite Prince Song

I knew I would never find my favorite Prince song, which happens to be "Let's Work" from the "Controversy" album. I chose two song that I like a lot, "anotherloverlikeyouneedaholeinyourhead" and "Party Man" from the first Batman movie.

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Ms. Grapevine. The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate; any music genre

2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999

3. No offensive words allowed, please use edited radio version

4. Post a video of your favorite Old School song to take us back down memory lane

5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out

6. Have fun & don't forget to leave comments for other participantsIf you want to join in on the

fun, click here.

• Prince




• New Music

• Prince




• New Music

O. J. Convicted

The jury reached a decision after deliberating for more than 13 hours. O. J. Simpson has been found guilty on all charges in the gunpoint robbery of two sports memorabilia dealers in a Las Vegas casino hotel room more than a year ago. Simpson faces up to life in prison. Simpson, 61, and a golfing buddy, Clarence "C.J." Stewart, 54, each face five years to life in prison if convicted of kidnapping, or mandatory prison time if convicted of armed robbery. They pleaded not guilty to 12 charges, including conspiracy, coercion and assault with a deadly weapon. Deliberations began 13 years to the day after Simpson was acquitted of killing his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman, in Los Angeles.

Prosecutors alleged Simpson planned — and Stewart helped carry out — a plot to retrieve personal items that Simpson lost after squirreling them away to avoid turning them over to Goldman's family to satisfy part of a $33.5 million civil wrongful death judgment levied in 1997 by a California court. Four men who accompanied Simpson, Stewart and a middle man to the Palace Station casino hotel for the Sept. 13, 2007, confrontation later pleaded guilty and testified for the prosecution. Thomas Riccio, the man who arranged and secretly recorded the meeting, testified under immunity from prosecution.

I had no doubt that O. J. would be convicted. I feel he was tried for the 1994 murders of his Brown and Goldman. I’ll bet you that plenty of people are feeling vindicated tonight. It took 13 years to the day to finally convict him of the murders. Your thoughts people.

Old School Fridays - Babymaking Music

This week the theme is "Baby Making Music". I usually try to choose a song no one else is choosing, so this week I went with Sade's "No Ordinary Love" from the film "Indecent Proposal".
This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Ms. Grapevine. The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate; any music genre

2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999

3. No offensive words allowed, please use edited radio version

4. Post a video of your favorite Old School song to take us back down memory lane

5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out

6. Have fun & don't forget to leave comments for other participants

If you want to join in on the fun, click here.

Thursday Thirteen # 30 - New Television Shows That I Will Give A Try This Season

The new television is here and I always ring in the fall season by watching all of the new shows of interest to me at least once. Because of the television strike last year, the season was pretty much ruined for me. New shows did not stand a chance, luckily the networks are bring shows like "Pushing Daisies" and "Dirty, Sexy, Money" back. Here are 13 shows that I intend to give a try.

1. The Mentalist (CBS) California detective Patrick Jane is notorious for his flamboyant personal style, not to mention his former career as a phony psychic, but what can you say? The guy has a remarkable track record for solving major crimes through uncanny powers of observation. That doesn't mean California Bureau of Investigation Senior Agent Teresa Lisbon, along with her staff, has to be thrilled to have such a loose cannon as a key member of her team

2. Privileged (CBS) Megan Smith, a 23-year-old Yale graduate and aspiring journalist, finds herself thrust into what seems like an alternate reality when she is fired from her tabloid job and lands a gig as live-in tutor to Rose and Sage, the high-maintenance twin teenage granddaughters of cosmetics mogul Laurel Limoges. Megan is so dazzled by the posh trappings of her new Palm Beach job, which includes live-in chef Marco, that she doesn't even notice her best friend, Charlie, is secretly in love with her.

3. The Fringe (CBS) FBI Special Agent Olivia Dunham is assigned to investigate the bizarre case of an international flight that landed at Boston's Logan Airport with a load of passengers and crew members who all have died grisly deaths. After another agent, John Scott, is nearly killed during the investigation, Olivia's search for clues takes her to institutionalized genius Dr. Walter Bishop, whose estranged son, Peter, may prove helpful in solving this mystery. After meeting manipulative corporate executive Nina Sharp, however, Olivia and her colleagues begin to realize the riddle of that ghastly flight is only a fragment of an even more shocking truth.

4. Do Not Disturb (FOX) Demanding celebrities flock to The Inn, a chic and very hip Manhattan hotel recently named one of the Big Apple's 10 Best Places to Stay, where they know the stylish staff will bend over backwards to please them. It's a different matter, however, behind the scenes, where arrogant, detail-obsessed general manager Neal often clashes with Rhonda, the brash and outspoken head of the human resources department.

5. Knight Rider (NBC) In this reinvention of the 1980s cult hit, former Army Ranger Mike Tracer is recruited to protect the Knight Industries Three Thousand, or KITT -- a superintelligent computer disguised as a sleek Ford Mustang -- from the ruthless bad guys who killed its inventor.

6. The Ex List (CBS) Hey, you think your love life is complicated? Businesswoman Bella Bloom just found out from a psychic that she already has dated the man she is destined to marry -- and if she doesn't reconnect with him in the coming year, she'll remain alone. Forever. At first, Bella discounts the prophecy as a party trick, but when the psychic's other predictions start coming true, Bella makes a frantic U-turn down Heartbreak Highway to find the ex who is meant to be Mister Right.

7. My Own Worst Enemy (NBC) This surreal drama follows a man with two identities: Henry Spivey, a mild-mannered family man who works as an efficiency expert, and Edward Albright, a covert operative who speaks 13 languages and is trained to kill with his teeth. Each identity is unaware of the other, until the carefully constructed psychological wall between the two is breeched, thrusting both Henry and Edward into situations with which they are ill-equipped to cope.

8. Opportunity Knocks (ABC) You say you've always wanted to be on a game show but somehow just couldn't make the effort? Well, ABC has the show for you, as host J.D. Roth and his mobile team pull up each week in front of a suburban contestant's home with a semi loaded with furniture, electronics and big cash prizes the family can win on the spot if they can answer questions about one another correctly, playing the game right there on their front lawn, in front of their friends and neighbors.

9. Gary Unmarried (CBS) Painting contractor Gary Brooks tries to juggle his fragile new romance with Vanessa, a single mom, with the demands of his first marriage, which include ex-wife Allison -- who had to be the Enforcer to Gary's Fun Dad -- and their two kids, socially inept 14-year-old Tom and politically correct daughter Louise, 11.

10. Stylista (CW) Eleven aspiring fashionistas compete for an editorial job at Elle magazine by performing assistant tasks and editorial assignments for the magazine's fashion news director, Anne Slowey.

11. Valentine (CW) A group of Greek gods live together and help mortals find their soul mates

12. In Harms Way (CW) An hour-long reality show that follows folks with dangerous occupations, like storm chasers or firefighters.

13. Raising The Bar (TNT) Steven Bochco does it again! I already started watching this one. It is a great show about the inner workings of the public defenders and prosecutors offices in NYC. It's great to see Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Gloria Reuben and Currie Graham.

Check out this clip from "Raising The Bar"



Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Obama Hustle

I thought I would mark my return to the blogging scene with something kind of light. A friend sent me this email featuring Obama supporters doing a hustle (line dance) named after the man himself. Let me explain something about the people in the southern region of Michigan, which includes Flint, Lansing, Saginaw, etc. They never met a hustle they didn't like. I visited one summer and went out to a club and counted 16 different hustles in one night!

I found this video humorous and thought my best friend would also. He had the nerve to act like he was offended, stating, "the last thing Obama needs is a bunch black folks naming a dance after him". He goes on to say how these people need to get lives and jobs (now I am offended). I saw Obama and Michelle dancing on "Ellen", I wonder if he would be offended to have his name associated with this dance.

Darlene Stewart of Detroit brings you the Obama Hustle, created by Crystal Smith and performed by Seniors United of the Grenadier Lounge. This hustle was created by and for seniors, but it's definitely hot and a great dance for people of all ages. When Obama wins, will you be doing this hustle? Anyhow I will let you be the judge. Is this offensive to you or just fun?

Old School Fridays - Girl Groups

I had to go with one of my all time favorite girl groups, Martha Reeves and the Vandallas. They were considered stepchildren at Motown in comparison to the Supremes, but there is nothing like the groups distinct sound.

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Ms. Grapevine. The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate; any music genre

2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999

3. No offensive words allowed, please use edited radio version

4. Post a video of your favorite Old School song to take us back down memory lane

5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out6. Have fun & don't forget to

leave comments for other participantsIf you want to join in on the fun, click here.

Music Memoirs #190 - Top 5 TV Themes

This week is TV themes. Here is the link if you want to join the fun

1. The Theme from the Hogan Family (formerly Valerie) - By Roberta Flack


2. The Theme from Maude - By Donny Hathaway


3. The Theme from Moonlighting - by Al Jarreau


4. Theme from China Beach - Reflections by Diana Ross & the Supremes


5. Theme from Good Times - Singer Unknown

Old School Fridays - Disco

What is Disco? K. C. of the Sunshine era stated that "Disco is just R&B". I agree with that sentiment. Barry White said that "Disco music makes everybody beautiful" and Isaac Hayes commented (and I quote) "Black people dance on the 2 and the 4 (beat) and White people dance on the 1 and the 3, Disco music has all four beat, so everybody can dance together". Sometimes I don't go with the obvious choice but this week I must. Donna Summer is the undeniable queen of the genre and the most successful star of the Disco era.

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Ms. Grapevine. The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate; any music genre

2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999

3. No offensive words allowed, please use edited radio version

4. Post a video of your favorite Old School song to take us back down memory lane

5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out

6. Have fun & don't forget to leave comments for other participants

If you want to join in on the fun, click here.

With that said, here is my favorite song by Ms. Summer "Hot Stuff"

Thursday Thirteen #29 -Thirteen Movie Disasters

I haven’t been around for Thursday Thirteen in a month of Sundays (literally). Notice that the title of this TT is "Thirteen Movie Disasters" and not "Thirteen Disaster Movies", big difference! This week I shed light on thirteen of Hollywood’s potboiler (disastrous) films. Certainly there are more than thirteen, but alas I can only list the magic number (13). I will save you the agony of sitting through a clip of any of these films. You might rather sit around and watch paint dry :-P

13. Battlefield Earth (2000) – John Travolta’s two decade long quest to put L. Ron Hubbard’s work on film bombed in a big way. It won seven Razzies, a feat only accomplished by another famous box office bomb “Showgirls” (I am not even going to pick on Showgirls). Budget 73 Million, U.S. Box Office 21 Million.

12. The Adventures of Pluto Nash (2002) – Eddie Murphy really needs to quit! Sometimes he is pure genius, while other times he really needs to chill, have a seat and think about what he is doing. This was one of those times. Budget 100 Million, U.S. Box Office 4.4 Million.

11. Heaven’s Gate (1980) – Mix cattle rustlers, rich WASP ranch owners and roller skating and you have a recipe for disaster. This film destroyed the career of director Mike Cimino and shut down the United Artist Studio. Budget 40 Million, Box Office 3.5 Million.

10. Town & Country (2001) – Not even Warren Beatty, Diane Keaton, and Goldie Hawn could save this fiasco. Budget 90 Million, U.S. Box Office 6.7 Million.

9. Cleopatra (1963) – While not quite as bad as others film on this list as far as budget goes, it none-the-less lost plenty of moolah. Budget 44 Million, Box Office 26 Million.

8. Hudson Hawk (1991) – Oh Bruce, this surely is no “Die Hard”. Rumor has it that a special effects firm had to go through the film and airbrush his bald spot. Talk about sensitive! A hat would have been a hell of a lot cheaper. Budget 65 Million, U.S. Box Office 17 Million.

7. Cutthroat Island (1995) – Director Renny Harlin convinced Carolco Pictures that his then wife Geena Davis could carry this action film. She couldn’t. The film shut down Carolco Studio and derariled Ms. Davis’s career. Budget 98 Million, U.S. Box Office 19 Million.

6. Ishtar (1987) – In spite of good reviews by the New York Times, this film about two lounge singers caught up in the cold war flopped. Budget 55 Million, U.S. Box Office 14 Million.

5. The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988) – This film flopped at the box office, but picked up steam on video and DVD. Budget 47 Million, Box Office 8 Million.

4. Howard the Duck (1986) – It is hard to believe that George Lucas was affiliated with this foolishness. A cigar smoking duck from Cleveland…As my uncle would say “Like Wow!” Budget 38 Million, U.S. Box Office 16 Million.

3. The Postman (1997) – Believe it or not Kevin Costner’s Waterworld actually made money, but Dirt World (as the crew so lovingly called this one, did not. Budget 80 Million, U.S. Box Office 17.6 Million.

2. ZYZZYZX Road (2005) – This road really exists. It is an exit in California close to the Nevada border. I have passed it numerous times on my way to Lost Wages, Nevada. A lot of indie films don’t make money, but this box office payoff was less than the price of filling up my Toyota Matrix! Budget 2 Million, Box Office 30.00 (Yep! That’s Right! 30 freakin dollars).

1. Dave (2008) – Eddie Murphy strikes again. This is the #1 potboiler of the summer with a Budget 60 Million and a U.S. Box Office of 11.6 Million.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

More On Reverend Manning

James David Manning is chief pastor at the ATLAH World Missionary Church on 123rd Street in New York City. He has been at ATLAH since 1981. ATLAH stands for All the Land Anointed Holy, which is Pastor Manning's name for Harlem. Thanks to X. Dell and further investigation I found that this man is an ex-con who burglarized homes on Long Island. He spent about three and a half years in prison in New York and Florida for burglary, robbery, larceny, criminal possession of a weapon, and other charges before his release in 1978. While in prison, he became a devout Christian.

This guy professes to be a man of God, however after listening to several of his sermon, many of which you can find on You Tube, I found this guy to be a pompous, arrogant, offensive, hateful, insulting and intimidating. One who not only attacks Barack Obama’s inborn dignity (things he cannot change about himself), but also attacks his mother, his father, White people, Black people, anyone who might vote for Obama, etc. I sat here watching videos of his sermon with my jaw dropped, not believing what I was hearing and believe me I am not easily shocked. In one of the video clips I watched, this man (I use the term loosely) actually had the nerve to say the reason you should not trust Obama is because he had never been to jail. “You can’t trust a black man who hasn’t been to jail” is his retort.

Most notably, he called Obama a "good house negro" in one sermon, while in another, he referred to Obama as "trash" due to his mixed race heritage and accused him of being a “pimp" citing the popular viral video “I Got A Crush On Obama” as evidence. It should be noted, however, that the video was produced by “Barely Political” a private company that has no affiliation with the Obama campaign. “Barely Political” themselves clarified this fact in a subsequent video, stating, "[We] would like to make it clear: the Obama campaign had nothing to do with Obama Girl.

I will give this fool (Manning) credit for doing one positive thing and that is lighting a fire under my ass. I was getting real complacent about this election and now I am ready to put on an "Obama Mama" T-shirt and get out there and support Obama's campaign in a meaningful way. I currently talk to young people who take my courses about registering to vote and exercising that right, which is not only a privilege, but a responsibility.

Back to the matter at hand, here is a clip of one of Manning's Obama trashing sermons. What is really telling is the looks on some of his parishioners’ faces. They look like they would rather be anywhere but where they are at that moment.

You Be The Judge

I was visiting the blog of this nut case, oops, McCain supporter and found this beautiful piece of propaganda. I am not going to even say anything about this clip, other than it is the most bizarre misinformation I have probably ever heard in my life. Is it me or has this gentleman lost his mind? You be the judge. Leave your comments, I am interested in your opinions.

Old School Friday: Neo Soul

For this week's theme, I selected two singers that helped to kick off the Neo Soul musical genre: Erykah Badu and Maxwell

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Ms. Grapevine. The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate; any music genre
2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999 (with the exception of this week).
3. No offensive words allowed, please use edited radio version
4. Post a video of your favorite Old School song to take us back down memory lane
5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out
6. Have fun & don't forget to leave comments for other participants. If you want to join in on the fun, click here.

First let's listen to Ms. Badu "The Other Side Of The Game"





Here's Maxwell singing "Fortunate"