Does Anything Surprise You Anymore?

When you put your life on display, don’t be surprised when people comment on it.  The girl we all love to hate, Kim Kardashian, has decided after 72 days of marriage, that she no longer wants to be married to Kris Humphries.  (Might I add it was a little tacky…or maybe just weird…that E! showed their wedding special not once but TWICE yesterday. *SMH*)  I think America, quite possibly the world, was stunned to hear this news.  I’m sure that people thought they would last at least a year.  But less than 3 months…that’s harsh.  Can I also add that E! Entertainment Television has plans to premier “Kim and Kourtney take New York” later this month, which will focus on the newlyweds.  I really feel bad for the Hump, who apparently wants to stay married and make his marriage work.  He really seems like someone who got caught up in the Kardashian web.  And from watching the special (heck, watching the entire Kardashian series), it seemed as if Kim was more caught up with the idea of having a wedding than having a husband.   Long story short, I wish them all the best. 

Leading GOP Presidential candidate Herman Cain seems to continue to surprise Americans…or maybe just me.  I can say a few people were surprised to find out Herman Cain is a graduate of Morehouse College, a premier collegiate institution for African-American men.  People were shocked that Cain has done as well as he had in various national polls.  But what surprises people are the allegations of sexual harassment.  (This is very reminiscent of another Black conservative who came to national attention a few years back.)  But what is MOST surprising is that these allegations have not seem to hurt or hinder Cain’s momentum.  Time will tell just want is in store for this man.

Some more surprising news (which did not overshadow the Kardashian-Humphries news) was the announcement by Jessica Simpson is that she is in fact pregnant!  In the past, Simpson has always addressed weight gain allegations; this time she let it ride and for good reason.  She announced on Monday that is expecting with fiancee’ Eric Johnson. 

What recent news has come out that has surprised you or caused your mouth to drop open in awe?  What do you think the future holds for Kim and Herman?  Until next time, I’m just a Southern girl…in the city!

Related articles

• Herman Cain Denies Sexual Harassment Report (perezhilton.com)
• Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries Divorcing, After Just 72 Days of Wedded Bliss (newsfeed.time.com)

Don’t Disrespect My President

I haven’t done a post on a Friday in far too long.  I was going to highlight some things that have happened in recent weeks that I haven’t really talked about, like Arnold cheating on Maria, the News of the World scandal, and the traumatic death of “Jackass” star Ryan Dunn; I’m not even touching the Casey Anthony trial.  What I will comment on is the blatant disrespect of President Barack Obama. 

Now, we’re family, so we can be honest with each other.  We may not and will not like EVERYTHING our leader does, but he’s still our leader.  You may not like his politics or his policy, but you will at least show him the respect he deserves.  In my short life on this Earth, I have never seen or heard such apathy and flippancy towards the President of the United States…until our 44th President took office.  It all started when South Carolina Republican Senator Joe Wilson (darn you from being from the home state) yelled, “You lie” to President Obama while the POTUS was addressing the House.  The ramifications?  None.  Next, you have GOP Presidential nominee and Minnesota Representative Michele Bachmann claiming she’ll “help him find a job” when she wins the Presidency in 2012.  Maybe not disrespectful as much as it was just poor taste.  And lastly, lest we not forget how Mark Halperin, co-author of Game Change and Editor-at-Large for Time magazine, used an unflatteringly slur just last week to describe the President while on the show “Morning Joe”.  He has been suspended and did make apologies, but what would make him think this was appropriate in the first place? 

When Dixie Chicks frontwoman Natalie Maines told a London audience that she was “ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas” (referencing 43rd President George W. Bush), there was such a backlash for the band.  Until that point they were sucessful and touring the world and performing in front of sold-out arenas.  All of that changed after Maines’ remark.  The band received death threats, shows were cancelled, and there were bonfires of Dixie Chicks paraphanalia. 

So, why is it ok to disrespect Obama?  Your guess is as good as mine.  One of the awesome things I can say about the current POTUS is that he is graceful, humble, and has a forgiving spirit.  As the song goes, he “dusts his haters off” and keeps it moving.  He knows why he’s in the White House and realizes he has a job to do.  If everyone took responsibility for their actions and handled their business, this country, heck this world, would be a much better place.  Until next time, I’m just a Southern girl…in the city.

 

Related articles

• ‘The Talk’ Ladies Discuss Mark Halperin’s Presidential Gaffe (VIDEO) (aoltv.com)
• Jackass Star Ryan Dunn Killed in Car Crash (newsflavor.com)

This Week in the News

Last night, I had the opportunity to attend the Coors Light Coldest Artist Live Show featuring N.E.R.D & Pac Div in Baltimore.  GREAT performances, and I had a great view!  The official post about the event will be up by early next week.

Unfortunately, I have to start this post with some bad news.  This week, we’ve lost some iconic people-Elmer “Geronimo” Pratt, Dr. Jack Kervokian, and Gil Scott-Heron (last week).  My condolences go out to their families and loved ones. 

On some other sad news, former N.C. Senator and Democratic Presidential hopeful John Edwards has been indicted on charges he gave campaign money to his mistress.  *OUCH!!!*  It appears that Edwards can’t win for losing.   At one time, he was America’s Golden Boy.  Then things started taking an unfortunate turn of events-from his affair to his love child now this. 

And speaking of Presidential candidates…Mitt Romney is seeking to become the Republican nominee for President in the 2012 election.  It seems as if Romney may have the same problems he had 4 years ago-his Mormon background, his flip-flopping on the issues, and the universal healthcare bill he signed into Massachusetts law during his tenure.  In my humble opinion, I believe that Romney is the best choice in Republican nominee for the Presidency.  But it will remain to be seen how this campaign season plays out.

On a brighter note, one of my favorite rock stars, Pink, delivered a baby girl this week!  Willow Sage Hart, daughter of Pink and cutie Carey Hart, was born on Thursday morning.  Baby, mom, and dad are doing great!

I haven’t talked about Mitrice Richardson lately, but the latest news is that her parents have filed a lawsuit against the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department.  Although there have been numerous requests for the FBI to examine Mitrice’s remains and determine a cause of death, I’m still not certain if that’s been done.  For her family’s sake and so she can rest in peace, I hope that one day we can find out what really happened to this woman.

What news is going on in your city?  Have an awesome weekend, and I’ll be back next week. Until next time, I’m just a Southern girl…in the city!

Related articles

• Mitt Romney to Announce White House Bid Today (abcnews.go.com)
• Singer Pink, Carey Hart welcome new baby girl Willow Sage (ontheredcarpet.com)
• Reports: John Edwards to be indicted for affair cover up – USA Today (news.google.com)
• Gil-Scott Heron Gone But Never Forgotten. (themilwaukeedrum.com)

Witty Wednesday-Donald Trump is an Idiot

Now I’ve said here before that I don’t like to talk about people…but with this, I can’t contain it to myself anymore.  I don’t think today’s post will be long, but it will be poignant, at least I hope it is. 

Ok, are you birthers and all you other naysayers happy now?  The White House has released President Obama’s birth certificate.  Did anybody REALLY think Barack Obama wasn’t born in America?  Raise your hands, stomp your feet, do something if you thought otherwise…nope, no takers-yep, I didn’t think so.  I appreciate the President’s comments during his press conference.

“We do not have time for this kind of silliness,” Obama told reporters at the White House. “I’ve been puzzled at the degree to which this (story) just kept on going.”

- From CNN.com

Me, too, Mr. President.  Now, Donald Trump, who I believe is trying to drum up viewership of his show “The Celebrity Apprentice”, is claiming Obama wasn’t a good student while at Harvard.  Are you kidding me???  We have SOARING gas prices, millions of working Americans who DON’T have health insurance, families who are living paycheck to paycheck, and you want to question whether or not the President was a good student?!?!? Seriously, you need a hobby!  To my knowledge, no President has ever had to prove his citizenship.  Why?  Because it’s been proven BEFORE he took office.  If Donald Trump is as concerned about this country as he claims (isn’t that why people run for President?), then he needs to start addressing the problems that are occuring in American households and neighborhoods…not harassing a man who’s doing his job.

Until next time, I’m just a Southern girl..in the city.

P.S. I do hope Trump becomes the Republican nominee for President in 2012.  It’ll make the race that much easier for President Obama.

Civil Engagement- DC Special Election

The District of Columbia is one week away from our Special Election.   Vacancies are currently open for DC At-Large Council Member, Ward 4 Member of the State Board of Education, and Ward 8 Member of the State Board of Education. 

Voters are not quick to come out to vote in special elections.  I wonder why that is???  It’s important that we ALL vote when there is an election.  Despite the fact that our ancestors fought for the right for everyone to vote, our need to vote goes beyond that.  These people will be responsible for how city government is ran and for the education of our children.  We’re so quick to complain and make note of things that are wrong, yet we don’t vote.  This is a great time to start voting if you’ve never voted before. 

All DC residents can vote for At-Large Council Member, but only residents in Ward 4 can vote for their open seat on the State Board of Education, and the same holds true for residents of Ward 8.  Make sure your voice is heard!  Until next time, I’m just a Southern girl…in the city!

*To take a look at the candidates and to find out the important dates regarding elections, visit the DC Board of Elections and Ethics site here.