Breaking News: Isaac Hayes Found Dead

Yesterday, the world experienced the loss of Bernie Mac, one of the original kings of comedy. Today, we have been shocked to learn that Isaac Hayes, 65, was found dead next to his treadmill. Hayes was found by a family member, who was unable to resuscitate him. Two unnerving losses so close together really makes people think about their own mortality. Both pioneers in their respective fields will be sorely missed.

Tuesday's National Night

So, Tuesday was the 25th annual National Night Out Against Crime, where communities nationwide band together to combat crime. The assertion is that the in order to fight crime in the streets, you need to know your neighbors. You must know who, what, when, where, why, and how things are occurring in your community. Youth must interact in a positive forum with law enforcement officers, and the community at large must make efforts to provide meaningful exchange with law enforcement and lawmakers. The Paterson community was no exception.



I was fortunate enough to be able to commune with members of my church family and the community around the church. Operation CeaseFire worked collaboratively with New Christian Missionary Baptist Church, 16 Bridge St., Paterson, NJ, in order to provide a safe venue for children and adults to come outside of their homes and have an enjoyable evening. The block was restricted to traffic, the children played double-dutch and basketball, and hot dogs, burgers, and soda were free for all.







A trolley of politicians and police officers were shuttled in to make nice with the locals and take pictures before moving on to the next location in the city. Many of which seemed genuinely pleased to partake in the games and laughs. Rev. James Salmon Sr. was pleased with the turnout and felt that the night was an overall success.











Perhaps, if the city spent more time reaching out to the community, its members would not be so apprehensive and fearful to speak up and out against the violence and crime which runs rampant in this city, and others like it around the country...

Some additional photos below...

Back to the Blog-O-Sphere!

So here I am back to the drawing board. It's been nearly two years since I last blogged. Life had caught up with me, and needless to say, I had to make some sacrifices.

But, now I'm back, with a degree under my belt and a new lease on life. So, today's blog is just a reintroduction of sorts...

SO PARIS HILTON IS READY TO LEAD?

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

Paris Hilton responded via video to a recent ad by John McCain's campaign in which his opponent, Barack Obama, is compared to Hilton and Britney Spears. The original ad asserts that Obama is merely a celebrity.

First, it is incredulous that McCain would even think to compare Mr. Obama to two young women, who both have major issues with drugs, alcohol, and the law. Paris Hilton having been jailed for a DUI (more than one, actually) and Spears having been in and out of rehab, several times. If McCain truly believes that Obama is nothing more than a mere celebrity, he could at least make a credible comparison. I have never seen Obama in a mugshot, nor have I seen him being carried in or out of a rehabilitation center.

Second, as Hilton's mother so eloquently stated in The Huffington Post:

"I've been asked again and again for my response to the now infamous McCain celebrity ad. I actually have three responses. It is a complete waste of the money John McCain's contributors have donated to his campaign. It is a complete waste of the country's time and attention at the very moment when millions of people are losing their homes and their jobs. And it is a completely frivolous way to choose the next President of the United States. "

I really couldn't have said it better myself. It is wasteful, frivolous, and irresponsible on McCain's behalf to allow such a tactless and tasteless ad to be plastered all over the internet for the world to see. It is bad enough that the entire world is laughing at the U.S. for all of the poor choices made by our current upside-down, book-reading president. If John McCain is serious about earning the presidential nomination and bringing about improvement in our country, he needs to first delve into the real issues of this country: the economy, the war, and returning this country to the great nation it has always been.

Finally, it is sad when Paris Hilton can deliver a "campaign ad" that is more creative and more relative to the issues than the actually candidate she's spoofing. Her spin on McCain's "Celebrity" ad was ten times more hilarious and 100 times more relevant than anything that has come out of the McCain camp. Whomever wrote Hilton's ad, because undoubtedly she could not have come up with such a wondrous ad, should be commended, because not only is it interesting, but it is also enlightening. Hilton highlights an important point, "Why can't we splice two mediocre ideas of two opposing candidates to create a solution which will benefit the constituents?" Are we too hung up on the battles that we are completely forgetting the war?

Tucker Bounds of McCain's camp had this response for TMZ.com:

"In the unkindest cut of all, McCain's spokesperson Tucker Bounds tells TMZ that on the subject of energy, Paris is deeper than Barack. He says, "Sounds like Paris is taking the 'All of the Above' energy approach that John McCain has advocated -- both alternatives and drilling. Perhaps the reality is that Paris has a more substantive energy plan than Barack Obama."

While I abhor Hilton normally, I applaud her for stepping into the fire, even if it is only for personal gain.