The Tribune Online, 36

It's all about the Genre...

Recently cancellations of some "spy/cop" shows featured on the "Big Three" networks are not because of bad actors or acting, but run-of-the-mill genre. How many ways can you tell a story running on the same generic treadmill?

Much of that came to a halt with the introduction of cable networks, such as HBO, because it could revel in the realities of life with all of its not so subtle "dirty laundry" which made it more interesting to intelligent adults. You just can't do that on the regular networks.

Whereas, shows such as "60 Minutes" and "Dateline" maintain their stable of viewers, because they can come as close to reality as needed, without being "bleeped" into infinity. Maybe, I just unintentionally made a case for the "reality/idol tubers" , being it dancing, cooking, singing, or what have you; whereby, you don't need a brain to watch, surely nothing as demanding as that which is necessary for a "Shakespearean" plot.

Also, there has been a cut back in cable customers, and some say it's because of "Netflix." I, for one, that happens to be a "Netflix" customer say that this is free enterprise at work in all of its glory. I have discovered some films that never made it to the big screen and more than likely never to the cable networks...and most definitely not the"Big Three". Many of the films I viewed are small budgeted "indies" (independent films) and some great foreign films with subtitles...of course.

What this says is that there is a big change in discriminating tastes in films, and generic genre just can't  seem to satisfy those interests.

True "trickle down" at work

Last week, I could no longer find the type battery needed for a pair of my cell phones, so I bought another, and decided to take the old ones to the "Goodwill" store. I arrived, turned the phones over to the customer service rep, and while waiting for a receipt for tax purposes, I did some browsing.

Looking at the men's shirts, I came across this one made by "Geoffrey Beene" in mint condition at the cost of only $3.50...what a deal!! This shirt would have easily cost thirty bucks if discounted. I told the customer service rep not to worry about the receipt for the phones, for I have scored a better bargain than a tax deduction with this find, and I'll definitely be coming back.

An Uncommon Gardener

Speaking of uncommon films, I just viewed another one from "Netflix"..."A Man Named Pearl". This is the story of Pearl Fryar, who taught himself the art of topiary, and was even featured on "60 Minutes".

The man through his own ability supported by divine inspiration, became a "Picasso" in the field of horticulture, someone who rose to the level of a George Washington Carver, with a God-given talent in a little town called Bishopville of Lee County, South Carolina. The film depicts an ordinary man, who took throw-away plants and shrubs, and created a "Garden of Eden" of which tourists now come from around the world to see.

My seeing the film reminded me of what a man from Virginia did with a little outpost in Alabama that is called Tuskegee. That's why I say that films that people can relate to their reality in one way or another is a market served by "Netflix"...thus, an assured capital commodity for the future. See the film...you will be pleased.

Civility, Intolerance, and Unacceptance

I read an article where during a visit to Spain, the Pope spoke out against religious intolerance and was demonstrated against by a group of individuals displaying a "kiss-in" who are homosexual. This act was not intended to show love and respect between individuals of the same sex, but an act to insult, if not defile true love and respect between individuals...which borders on resentment, if not prevention by an otherwise civil society.  

On the other hand, the Vatican's unwillingness to come clean in justly seeking out and correcting the issue of those individuals who are or have been "sexual predators" limits its capacity to speak out about any intolerance...religious or moral. It therefore represents a dichotomy in the eyes of an intelligent and civil people who seek guidance and adherence to a Universal God of Justice and Love.

What do I mean? An Islamic murderer who kills innocents can't say he or she represents a God of justice and love when he or she bombs people and then hides behind the curtains of that religion. Just as the ritual of communion practiced on Sunday mornings by Christians could objectively be construed as an act of cannibalism..."eat my body, drink my blood". Therefore, all religions have to be kept in check by an increasingly intelligent, civil, and global society.

Politics and the Power to Deliver

Face it Black America, you and the Unions failed to deliver; thus, it's to the "back of the bus" in the "House"  because of your failure to vote. The "T-Baggers" are now the "signal callers" and I suggest that President Obama cater to the "right of center" going beyond the Republicans and build a new coalition with this "T-bag" base, showing that he represents America's middle class as opposed to a "busted-out bunch of liberals."

Consequently, the President can become the lame duck, because of this political drubbing, or rise like the "phoenix" from the ashes of this defeat, and soar overhead during this "political ass-whupping" that Black America, Democrats, Unions, and other "special interests" will continue to receive... "ah-men."

BlackAmericaweb.com Delivers

In the face of all the hype about unemployment, especially for minorities as constantly droned on by "do-nothing civil rights' leaders" and you know of whom I refer, I tip my hat to Tom Joyner and BlackAmericaweb.com in actually doing something rather than "whine". As a matter fact every time one of these "civil rights' preachers" comes on the TJMS, it's just another dose of "whining time". Frankly, "Black America" would be better off if Tom kept these "whiny losers" off his show, but not my call.

Anyway, upon going to his site, I came across this link http://blackamericaweb.jobamatic.com and decided to see what results I would get if applying for a position from the comfort of my home. I found positions available in my city, clicked on a position of employment that was of interest to me, filled out an application within five minutes, submitted it, and within one minute, received a response that it had been received, and I am under consideration...I'll see where it goes from there.

Buck Up, Mr. President...

The President returns from the "Far East" without much to show in terms of trade agreements and job expansion...seems "they" want us to wean ourselves off their dough first...although, keeping it more addictive for increased imports, while raising our "consumptive need" as "material junkies". Of course, the cure for any junkie is eventual "cold turkey" which we want to "pansily" refer to as "rehab".

That's right, Mr. President! Start the immediate withdrawal process with vigorous budget cuts from top to bottom... federal bureacracies first, which will trickle down to state and local sloths. Hit everybody in the pocket book so hard that they will feel the pain in their "T-Bags".  You  are beholding to no political covenant with anybody...especially "special interests" groups, minorities, migrants, unions, or anyone else that may have ridden your back to the Presidency two years ago...only to the economic and military security of this nation. 

I just read where there is a "Waste and Fraud Commission" being set up as it pertains to the "stimulus money" that was doled out and seems to have gotten stuck in the coffers of banking and lending institutions, instead of trickling down to the small business people trying to survive as well as expand...my small business being one. Seems I can't bid on some government contracts because I'm not in the financial realm of prime contractors that are accessible to these contracts...even though, I'm in a field that probably exhibits more waste and fraud than any other bureaucracy...health care.

I have submitted a request to the Department of Labor and in so many words asked "What's up with that"? I was told that I should receive a response within a matter of days even though I submitted my concern on October 7, 2010. If I don't receive some reasonable direction in getting results in the labor market in finding those unemployed to help me expand my workforce in this budgeoning market, I'm going to submit another letter directly to the "Office of the President" in selecting the "Labor Department" as one of the firsts to go in for immediate surgery...in "de-employing" those "high-dollar government do-nothings". Now, that's patriotism and capitalism combined...called "getting back to basics." BTW, you can contact that "Commission" at panel@ratb.gov.  TCB, America.

So sick of "pretend patriots"

Last night, caught part of the Mark Levin's right wing talk show, celebrating Veterans Day, as he took time to denigrate President Obama as Commander-in-Chief. He then takes time to praise John Wayne as a standard of American patriotism.

Let's set the record straight on these "pretend patriots" such as Mark Levin, Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly, and Neil Boortz, and out of gentlemanly respect, won't mention any women...although these "right wing Jew, Catholic, Mormon, and Protestant white males" would do the nation a patriotic service and come clean by telling the world they avoided military duty, and won't even do so much as a "Bob Hope" tour in a war zone... too busy making money off the damned fools who worship them like religious icons.

They're too cowardly to  even run for political office, stuck in their "hidden bunkers". History will show that Barack Obama, at least put his life on the line for this nation and what it stands for...besides, John Wayne didn't venture near the military during his life...just tucked safely behind the "silver screen".

Plight of the educated ignorant 

I am the product of a small parochial school, although I'm no longer actively practicing the religion of that faith, for I have over the years become much more knowledgeable about my spiritual bond with my "Universal Provider", just another attribute of what believers in a divine nature refer to as God...don't want to spook you out...so let's continue with the topic.

This school since its inception of more than a hundred years ago has managed to survive and continues to teach young people on the elementary level, primarily in the urban and outlying areas of the county, and in no small part due to the dedication of the teachers who undertook this vocation as a mission of that "Universal Provider". However, being that this school teaches in an economically stricken environment...it needs dough, hard currency, dollar bills, ya'll to keep on keeping on with this noble profession.

The school has graduated thousands of individuals who have gone on to be successful in their chosen vocations  with some making a "lot of money". Nonetheless, when contacting many of these alums who may still be living, they tell me about their lifestyles as college professors, retired business executives, successful business owners, retired in homes on golf courses, in gated communities, and one college professor even bragged about his new "Hummer"...which I know he knows now how idiotic a boast that was.

My point?  When I asked outright for them to make a donation of only $100.00 to the school, they somehow just didn't have it...so they said. If all of this educated talent is out there and they can't see the need in helping this school to survive and thrive, then they are typical of this brood called the "educated ignorant" for if the only legacy that you leave is that you made a "lot of money" and maintained a "good credit score" then, it says very little about your role in life.

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