tuckergurl

Ali G

I have been feeling a bit down these days. Too much to do and the holidays are kind of bringing me down. I've been surfing the internet in that scary zombie way that I can do sometimes and came across something that gave me a good laugh.

Did you know that Ali G spoke at Harvard's commencement? Check it out. Here's my favorite quote:

U has all got de potential to become great americans. And remember America is de greatest country in de whole world ...apart from Jamaica...and Holland.. oh yeah and Thailand coz u got dose girls who do all de ye know and probly some others - but u iz definitely in de top 20.?U people iz de future, u has de chance to change de world, to hactually improve de life of de poor, OR U could goto Wall Street and earn millionz - get plasma screen, chinchilla coat, a series of relationships wiv gold-digging hoes happy to de de most disgusting sexual favours for some bling. Don't waste de opportunity dat g-d has given you - see u in Wall Street.

If You Have Some Spare Cash

I imagine you do not but the coolest organization in the United States, The Southern Center for Human Rights is trying to raise some money. It seems two supporters will match contributions received before January 15, 2005.

The Center was created in 1976 to respond to the deplorable conditions in prisons and jails in the South and the United States Supreme Court’s decision that year allowing the resumption of capital punishment. Since its creation, the Center has been engaged in litigation, public education, advocacy, and work with other organization and individuals to protect the civil and human rights of people prosecuted in the criminal courts – particularly those facing the death penalty – and confined in the prisons and jails of the South.

Steve Bright is the head and he is featured in Deadline. He is a saint. Truly. Everyone who works there is. No one at the Center is paid more than $40,000 a year and considering the fact that Steve Bright is one of the greatest lawyers on planet earth, that's remarkable.

So, if you got some cash, go to their website, write down their address and mail em a check.

I Don't Even Know What To Say

... about the earthquake. It is horrible. Just horrible. I called everyone that I know in that section of the world and they are all fine. Things like this really put everything in perspective.

Things I Learned on TVGuide.com

The 16th season of The Real World, debuting in June, will be set in Austin, Texas, MTV confirmed late last week (16 years! Good God! And yet, I still watch it. How pathetic am I.)

Ricky Gervais, the brilliant creator and star of The Office, will pen an upcoming episode of The Simpsons I can't wait for that one. What a great idea!

Lastly, happy days are here again for Scott Baio, who has been tapped to star in an NBC sitcom pilot about a fortysomething guy whose life is turned upside-down when he moves in with a dude in his 20s. Wait, Scott Baio is fortysomething? Geez, I'm getting old. Yeah, I think I'm getting old as well. This show won't do well because people like me who remember Scott Baio as Chachi or from Charles in Charge will not want to deal with the fact that they have gotten old enough to see Scott Baio as a forty year old man!

Bye Bye Tavis

I have a love/hate relationship with Tavis Smiley. But after reading this article/interview with him about why he chose not to renew his contract with National Public Radio (NPR), I now have a great deal of respect for him:

In the weeks since Smiley's announcement, NPR has refused to fire back. A version of the show (though, of course, with a different name) will continue -- insiders say BET's Ed Gordon has the inside track as host -- but no new minority-themed shows have gotten past "the rough-sketch stage," according to NPR public relations manager Chad Campbell. Says NPR spokesman David Umansky: "We're very lucky and fortunate to have had Tavis as our founding host, and we agree that more needs to be done." That, however, will not be as easy as it sounds.

Using a term like "minority-themed" is just one example of the cluelessness of NPR. Take a look at Morning Edition. Just because a story takes place in Mexico, doesn't mean that the reporter's last name has to be Hidalgo. And I am smart enough to put together that Juan Williams does all of the stories about people of color in the U.S. And you wonder why many people of color don't even know what NPR is.

I will admit that I will miss Smiley's show mainly because he does some interviews with established black folks you haven't heard from in years. He had Robert Guilluame, of Benson fame, on the other day and I have to say that it was really nice to hear from him.

However, I do think Tavis is a little too full of himself and not as intelligent as he (or the media for that matter) would like you to think he is. And if I had to chose a poster child for the black race, I'm not sure I would pick him. But I guess that's a part of my resentment. Why does the "majority" get to decide who my posterchild is and the better question is why do I need one at all?

That seems to be why he left and a good reason at that. Until NPR puts some real resources into being more inclusive overall, one show isn't going to cut it.

Iraq

What is going on there?! Why does Bush have no real answers? My nephew just finished basic training for the Navy. I know that the Navy is in a better position than the Army or the Marines but it just makes my really anxious, especially since it seems like we are just going to stay there indefinately.

A New Forum (Blogging) Inspires the Old (Books)

If you are a blogger and you've been thinking about writing a book and you have a hard time getting anyone to think the topic of your book is a worthwhile one, check out this article. It's a smart idea!

This comment is one I have mixed feelings about:

The style of blog writing is more oriented towards short form one page, set in the moment.

There's truth to that but I read a lot of blogs that have incredible, comprehensive essays so I wouldn't say that is always true.

I'm cold ...

... and I'm tired of it. And it's only mid-December!

And hats make my hair all dry and messy.

And the mini heater in my room is nice but there is something about blowing hot air into my room that feels (and smells) strange.

And I wish my office had better heating.

And I know I should wear thicker sweaters but I'm allergic to wool.

And tea helps but then I have to keep going to the bathroom and then I have to take my pants off and then I'm cold again.

And why did I wear a thong when I have a thin lining in my pants. It's like I'm not wearing any pants at all. (Maybe that was too much information.)

And why didn't I buy those boots that were on sale Thanksgiving Day. Oh, I do regret it now, especially since I can't find another pair.

All right. I'm done. Thanks for reading my rant.

I Saw Democracy At Work

I went to the first of two death penalty hearings here in New York. These hearings are to discuss whether or not to reinstate the death penalty in New York State.

I wrote about the hearings for the Deadline blog so check it out.

Envy

A woman I know is doing a radio series about "Heartbreak and Envy" throughout New York City. I actually think that I am more experienced when it comes to envy.

As a New Yorker, envy is a part of everyday life. You don't choose to live here out of lack of ambition. You choose to live here because you want more for yourself, every day and in every way and you, like me, need to constantly stimulated.

My envy moment for the day took place while reading The New York Times. Tama Janowitz was featured in the deadly habitats section. It turns out that she lives a few blocks away from me in an apartment with nine and a half bedrooms . That is huge even to all of you who live in more civilized cities.

If you are truly a masochist (which I am), you should watch the online slideshow of her apartment. Yeah, life's fair.