Marian's Blog

News that Richard Pryor has died

It may be true that Black American comedian, Richard Pryor, has died, but his energy - his genius - are with us forever. I remember one of his comedy albums of the 1970s. I will never forget his monologue about people from another country whom the US government (and certain private interests) was 'transplanting' to the USA. In this case it was Vietnamese people. "They [the American interests responsible] are teaching them to say [the "n"-word]," Pryor declared. It was frighteningly believable and yet somehow hilarious, after a manner. And I'm sure it was not far from the truth, either then or now. Travel well, Richard Pryor. Thank you for the laughs - and the thoughts. [From Reuters news service via Australia's National Nine News: "Richard Pryor took a brutal look at racial attitudes in the United States and fashioned it into a comedy career. His chaotic personal life also provided material for a stand-up act that was as profound as it was profane. Born Dec. 1, 1940, and raised in his grandmother's brothel in Peoria, Illinois, Pryor served in the U.S. Army before heading to New York to pursue comedy in the early 1960s. The former class clown played it safe at first but later moved on to controversial subjects with a routine that was more like Lenny Bruce than Bill Cosby. His comedy albums, which included "Bicentennial [the "n" word]," "Is It Something I Said," and "That [the "n" word]'s Crazy," won five Grammys. He reportedly decided to quit using the word [the "n" word] after a 1980 trip to Zimbabwe, writing in his autobiography: "There are no [the "n" word]s here. The people here, they still have their self-respect, their pride." ..."]

Bush library 'destroyed by flood'

Got this from Democrats Abroad who got it by way of Ruth who got it heaven knows where: Dateline Crawford, Texas --
"A tragic flood this morning destroyed the personal library of President George W. Bush. The flood began in the presidential
bathroom where both of the books were kept. Both of his books have been lost. A presidential spokesman said the president was devastated, as he had almost finished coloring the second one. The White House tried to call FEMA but there was no answer."

Hugo Chavez - Pat Robertson's 'counsel' - Shocking shocker from Borowitz report

Thank heaven for Andy Borowitz. At least someone can explain Pat Robertson's odd behaviour: "Televangelist Breaks Second Commandment in Two Days": "One day after Pat Robertson called for the U.S. to assassinate Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, the televangelist raised the ante again today, urging the U.S. to covet President Chavez' wife. In so doing, Mr. Robertson appeared to contradict two of The Ten Commandments in as many days, having flouted "Thou shat not kill" on Monday. Speaking on the television program he hosts, "The 700 Club," Mr. Robertson lashed out at the Venezuelan strongman once more, telling his audience, "It's high time that the United States coveted Hugo Chavez' wife." Warming to his topic, the opinionated preacher added, "And while we're at it, we should covet his house, his manservant, his maidservant, his ox and his ass, for that matter." Mr. Robertson indicated that all of the coveting he referred to would not require a war, arguing that it could be all done through the use of covert operatives within Venezuela. "We could send some special ops guys down there, and bang-bang, covet all of that stuff," Mr. Robertson told his audience. Speaking to reporters after the program, Mr. Robertson was unrepentant about having broken two of the Ten Commandments in two days, telling them, "I fully intend to obey the other eight, and eight out of ten ain't bad." But the televangelist seemed to waver from that position slightly, telling reporters that the U.S. should "bear false witness against Hugo Chavez and dishonor Hugo Chavez's mother and father." Elsewhere, one day after the Princeton Review named the University of Wisconsin the nation's top party school, UW said that it was "too hammered" to comment.

The Tom and Katie show

Am I the only person who wants to know WHY Tom Cruise keeps grabbing that girl by the back of her neck? "Spirit Fingers" (I'm guessing SF is a "Western" blogger) based in Hong Kong has at least one blog entry on the TOM AND KATIE Show: "I Loved This Woman." [even if I did snap her neck]

Was he afraid she might turn her head?

Quandary... What's this?

This website... Is it politics? Or humour?

My "Like Letter" to George Lopez

I just want George Lopez to know that from the first time I saw him doing stand up on national TV in the 1980s I knew he was loco in the very best way, and I fell in deep "like" & respect for him. George Lopez is intelligent, funny and yes, folks, he does bite. But mostly it heals. I love his website; it's warm and interesting and easy to read. You really see something in there about the vato. I also didn't miss the fact he has War's anthem Lowrider as musical theme of his site. I love that too. I didn't mention G-Lo has a new book, WHY ARE YOU CRYING? There's an excerpt here. And I didn't know he had a kidney condition and had a transplant. Wow. I'm so glad he's better and helping others and back to cracking jokes and diciendo la verdad. We love you, George; we are proud of you.

Es un chulitito, verdad? G. Lopez is a cutie

Make Me Laugh: That 'flight to Pepsi Cola' - or why Americans should Never be allowed to travel

Whoever compiled these must have more. Here are 'compelling' "reasons" why [a few] "Americans should never be allowed to travel."

Have Ya Seen Michael Moore's "Canadian Bacon"? (1995)

Tonight we watched Michael Moore's 1994 film, Canadian Bacon. It's hilarious. And scary. Have you seen it? It's political satire and, considering it was made in 1994 and released the following year, it seems darned prophetic. I can only 'wonder' why this film doesn't seem to have been screened much internationally... I think this article is by a guy named Don Kaye.

<>

"In Michael Moore's political satire, the U.S. President (Alan Alda) decides to wage a Cold War against Canada in an attempt to reverse his slipping popularity, and, as a result, he drives a small group of incensed Canadians to take matters into their own hands. Alda is the first president in years not to lead his country into war, which naturally means that his approval rating is dangerously low. The sure-fire way to boost his popularity is to start a war and demonstrate American superiority. Unfortunately, as his advisors point out, the U.S. has run out of enemies. That is, until Alda's National Security Advisor Stuart Smiley (Kevin Pollak) happens to catch a segment on the news about a brawl at a Canadian hockey game that began when local American sheriff Bud Boomer (John Candy) made a [negative] remark about Canadian beer. ..."

Make me laugh - this news just in...

Not intending to be irreverent or anything like that, but this just in from Magpie blog who got it from heaven-knows-where via corrente.blogspot.com:

(Washington, DC, March 25, 2005) Lawyers for George H.W. and Barbara Bush took the case of their son, George W. Bush, to federal court today in an attempt to force doctors to remove the feeding tube that ties him to his guardian, Karl Rove. The tube was inserted many years ago when doctors realized that Mr. Bush could not function in an acceptable manner in society, or make decisions, even bad ones, without it... The rest is here. Via corrente.blogspot.com.

Also ...  This story just in:  Two prominent neurologists who have asked to remain anonymous have examined CNN behind closed doors and determined that the network is irreversibly brain-dead, as flooded with cerebral fluid as the hull of the S.S. Poseidon. It still retains some primitive reflexes and signs of animation, but a brain-scan revealed the sort of minimal activity usually associated with punch-drunk prizefighters condemned to a flophouse cot, or a broken toaster. "CNN barely has two brain cells left to rub together," one doctor said, lacing up his tennis shoes for a quick getaway. Via Suburban Guerrilla.

Lost in translation - Is This What They Call 'Legalese'??

Truth is stranger than fiction, which is one reason I became a journalist. I figured no one would believe me so here's the text of a 'legal disclaimer' I found somewhere on the Web. I kid you not. This gives new meaning to the word gibberish (i.e., nonsense). And if this had been in (incomprehensible) French or Urdu it would still be hilarious. Except for the bits in brackets - [] - this is exactly what was written. I suppose if you don't check the "I Accept" button you can't use their services?!

To the senses and for the effects of law [1975/69] on the protection of they give to you personal express authorizes [Joe Blow Schmo Express] to dealing electronically and to conserve they give to you contained in the present cutting. They give to you in object will be it uses you exclusively for fine [promotions] and trades them. In order to obtain the cancellation or the modernization of this gives to you will have to be written to ... [JOE BLOW SCHMO Services Somewhere on Planet Earth].    I accept

What Tiiiime is It? Counter-Inaugural Week USA

There's an online calender full of things going on right now to mark the Bush re-coronation on Wednesday, 20 Jan. Activities have been going on every day since 2 January. A Progressive Democratic Summit will happen Jan. 21-23.

Some activities starting Wednesday morning the 20th include: 

Student Walkouts, anarchist mobilisation, a protest on the inaugural parade route... and other events like "Blue Flu Day", "Cost of the War", "Turn Your Back on Bush", people's Town Hall meeting, the Anti-Inaugural, and "Billionaires for Bush" morning & evening. There's much much more so check the calendar.

Franklin Raines: Ex-Fannie Mae Head Exits Like A Fat Rat

Filed under 'Black leader$ who at the very least can easily afford to start a University'... When I saw this I knew I had to blog it. All these years the handlers gave us this guy as Mr. Mild-mannered. I do realise that occasionally I have to claim - or at least acknowledge - persons like this, just like the regular Black folks. This guy's retirement package reminds me of some African so-called "leaders". Franklin RAINE$ - I mean Raines - headed of "Fannie Mae" a well-known US government-run agency (the Federal National Mortgage Association) that's supposed to be about helping less advantaged Americans get financing to buy their own home.  Now Franklin has quit, apparently a step ahead of being asked to leave. Instead he walks away with over 1oo.000 dollars a month for the rest of his life. How do you swing that?? I'd call that public service; wouldn't you? Self serving, publicly. Meanwhile most folks are just trying to eat, educate their kids if they've got 'em & keep a roof over their heads; not to mention those of us doing this as Women heads of Families.

From the Associated Press: Ex-Fannie Mae chief to get $114K a month, by Laurie Kellman, Associated Press Writer.

WASHINGTON -- Franklin Raines, who was forced out as Fannie Mae's chief executive after five years, is slated to receive a monthly pension of more than $114,000 for life, according to documents the mortgage lending giant filed Monday with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The documents also reveal that Raines has deferred compensation of $8.7 million to be paid out through 2020 and owns more than $5.5 million in Fannie Mae's stock.

Federal regulators have asked Fannie Mae to hold off paying out any compensation to Raines until they have time to investigate the package, and whether it was appropriate for the federally chartered lender to let Raines retire early rather than be dismissed.

An additional point of contention is Raines' retirement date. According to the filing, "Mr. Raines has asserted" to Fannie Mae that his retirement is effective June 22 - enabling him to receive an additional $600,000 in salary. That scenario also would add $100,000 to Raines' post-retirement monthly payment. In the filing, Fannie Mae did not agree to those terms.

Either way, Raines is slated to take home more than $1.3 million annually, plus benefits such as life and health insurance... read the rest here

Scientists develop Anti-racism Patch

Free Anti-Racism Patch!!! (Alleviate them hate-filled cravings)

Long-awaited, controversial Smack Patch now sold over-the-counter
(photo illustration at end of article)

CHICAGO—A group of Black American scientist have developed a new, controversial patch that helps racists to finally stop racism. The Smack Patch is applied by one person who smacks the patch on the back of the neck of the racism addict. Called Smack Patch because of the unique way it is applied, the new anti-racist patch is now being sold over-the-counter nationwide.

Smack Patch creators say a proactive, aggressive approach must be applied to make curb racism in America.

Critics say the methodology is too harsh and could cause serious back neck injuries.

According to the U.S. government’s Agency for Anti-Racism Policy and Research (AARPR), one out of every one American is either racist or suffering from racism. White supremacy attitudes permeate all ethnic groups. These attitudes can command both a physical and mental hold that can be tough to overcome.

It’s often bred in the public schools where very few of the contributions of Black Americans are recognized. Then this attitude is nurtured in every American institution that seeks to feed it like a neighborhood drug dealer for the poor or pill dispensing doctor for the rich . For some, racism is as addictive as heroin or cocaine, according to AARPR.

"There's no question about it; sometimes when you're trying to give up racism, you think 'I've got to kill a darkie,'" said Marcelus Denis, but after being "smacked" by some friends, Denis has changed. "I called Blacks the "N" word about three times a day for 30 years before quitting four years ago. I also got promoted over 700 Black co-workers in 6 different jobs over the span of my 40 year career as a salesman."

"For many racists who want to quit, will power alone isn't enough to beat the yearning. It takes a good smack on the back of the neck," said Dr. Daniel Hale Williams IV. "For them, racism cessation products, like Black Jesus t-shirts, may reduce the white supremacy beliefs that feed racist cravings, but our research has found that nothing works better than a good Smack on the back of the neck.   Click here for illustration! Link   (Found @ Black Girl in China)