One thing that annoys the shit out of me is stupidity. Because stupidty can be prevented by listening and educating yourself on the subject at hand.

Yesterday the DC Council held an open forum for citizens to speak about the upcoming vote on the Same Sex Marriage Bill before the council. Below you have a prime case of stupidity.



I wish people would understand two things: (1) The United States of America Constitution's 1st Amendement states that there is a freedom of religion in this country. This means the government can not pass a bill based on your religious beliefs on how I should conduct my life. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof" (2) this is not even a religious debate... so keep your Bible quotes in your church where they belong.

Farewell... Ted Kennedy

I had the opportunity to meet Edward Kennedy in 2002 while working at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. From our brief conversation as I walked him to the Presidential Box of the Opera House, I was quickly drawn into the charismatic appeal that the every Kennedy has seemed to possess.

I felt honored at that time to meet a man who had become such an icon and force in the US Senate. And now with the recent passing of him and his sister Eunice... it leaves me to wonder who do we have now that will carry on the legacy that Kennedy and others during the Civil Rights movement and recent times. I think we are coming complacent now that Obama sits in the Oval Office. But this country is far from where it should be and there is so much to be done. And I personally have little faith in most of those who sit in elected seats.

Ted Kennedy wrote over 300 bills that were enacted into law and has co-sponsored another 550 bills that became law since 1973. Often described as the most bipartisan Democratic Senator by Republicans, he was also one of the most liberal. The Boston Globe wrote, "By the early 21st century, the achievements of the younger brother would be enough to rival those of many presidents."

The Nine Lives of Marion Barry...

Before watching HBO's documentary, The Nine Lives of Marion Barry, I never quite understood why DC's Ward 8, the blackest and poorest ward, kept electing 'this crack head' into office.

The film chronicles DC's former mayor's 2004 City Council campaign by looking back at Barry's long love affair and political career with Washington. Barry served second elected mayor of Washington DC from 1979 to 1991, and again as the fourth mayor from 1995 to 1999. During his original tenure of mayor DC prospered to having the largest black middle class in the country. But like Barry, the prevalence of crack in the 80s took that away.

I learned a lot from the 90 minute documentary... I never knew the civil rights activist and organizer that Barry was. And quite a cat daddy in his past. But like all good things they must come to an end. Since his federal drug bust in 1990, the former mayor has continued on the same controversial path. From tax evasion, to failing court ordered drug tests, even to his most recent Washington City Paper expose. He has proven by his continuous lack in judgement he has no right to serve the city of Washington or be a role mode to the many young residents. Like Chris Rock said... how can you teach kids not to smoke crack... when all they will say is why not when I can smoke crack and become mayor.

Recently in response to the City Council's vote to recognize gay marriage, Barry stated "All hell is going to break loose. We may have a civil war. The black community is just adamant against this." Well Mr. Barry... not the entire black community.

Is this the Political Year of the Black Man?

So Friday the Republican Party made a huge gesture in saying 'hey we can have a black leader too', by electing Michael Steele as the chairman for their party. Now I say this partly in jest because I would never want to detract from the many accomplishments of Michael Steele... he has truly been a man of many firsts.

DC native and former brother-in-law to Mike Tyson, has broken the color barrier many times within the Republican Party. In 1995, Steele was the first African American to be chosen as the state's Republican Man of the Year. In 2000, he was the first African American ever to be elected chairman of any state Republican Party.Two years later he was elected as the Lieutenant Governor of the state of Maryland, the first time an African American had been elected to a statewide position in the state. In 2004, Barack Obama was thrust before a national audience when he gave a speech at the Democratic Convention. Michael Steele gave the Republican counterpoint to this in a keynote address at the Republican Convention, also Steele's first major national exposure.

Michael Steele has been on an upwardly progression through his party, so maybe it is just convenient that he was chosen to lead his party around the same time the country chose Obama to lead the nation and the Democratic party.

So either this is the political year for the black man... or well you know...

Yes We Can...

It has been a week since Barack Hussein Obama took the Presidential Oath of Office less than two miles from my house.

It took me awhile to digest the magnitude of what happened on January 20th, and much like the morning of November 5th, I awoke this morning to the street symphony of Southwest Washington with a smile on my face. The first snow fell on Washington over the night. As I heard the Metro buses, taxis and school kids bustling and sloshing through the snow en route to wherever... I wondered what the Obama's were thinking as they woke up in the White House this morning. Has reality set in for the First Family? Do they realize when they look out their bedroom windows over the South Portico that they aren't guests but residents of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

The media has hyped that Martin Luther King, Jr's dream has been fulfilled... I have even heard Oprah say it on her show last Monday. I totally disagree. Yes Obama has triumphantly broken a glass ceiling but the average black man does not receive the same benefits of life afforded to the average white man. And until that day comes King's dream will still be an aspiration. We have come a long way and I am so proud to live in the US at this time in our history, when a black man can be elected to serve the country and live in a house that was built by slaves, simply because people believe in his ability regardless of his race.

So as I laid in bed this morning watching DC's return to normalcy, I called my grandfather for the first time since the inauguration. While we chatted briefly about family issues... his attention quickly drifted back to where was I a week ago. I could feel the smile through the phone as abruptly he ended the conversation remarking he never imagined he would see it happen... but he had to go and finish cooking breakfast for my grandmother. I guess the normalcy of life is returning everywhere... and we as a country will continue to work towards that dream.

Mr. President and his Lady

Regal glamour has finally returned to Washington.

Bush's Top Moments

I personally think President George W. Bush missed his calling. I mean face it this man is pure comedy. And very physical comedy at that. I mean seriously look at him in this Commander in Chief role he has played for the past 8 years... PURE COMEDY. From the many facial expressions to the things that just come out of his mouth... you have to admit Prez Bush is simply funny

CNN compiled some of W's most interesting moments:

1. "Misunderestimate" Stated in the immediate aftermath of the disputed 2000 election. One of the first and perhaps most iconic Bushisms (November 6, 2000).

2. "Mission Accomplished" Never actually stated by the president, but it appeared on the banner behind him when he stood on the USS Abraham and declared Iraq's major war operations over (May 1, 2003).

3. "Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job." Said to soon-to-be-discharged FEMA director Michael Brown in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina; it came to symbolize the entire debacle (September 2, 2005).

4. "I'm the decider." Said in response to his decision to keep Donald Rumsfeld on as the secretary of defense, it came to symbolize the "imperial" aspects of the Bush presidency. (April 18, 2006).

5. "I use The Google." Said in reference to the popular search engine (October 24, 2006).

6. Iraq Shoe Throwing Incident In the Arab world, throwing a shoe is a symbol of immense disrespect. Some have suggested this to be the visual equivalent of a spoken Bushism -- inappropriate, surprising, embarrassing, yet compelling to repeat (December 14, 2008).

7. "I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully." Came to symbolize the president's environmental policy (September 29, 2000).

8. "You work three jobs? ? Uniquely American, isn't it? I mean, that is fantastic that you're doing that." Critics used this to symbolize Bush's detachment to the plight of the working class. Said to a divorced mother of three in Omaha, Nebraska (February 4, 2005).

9. "Rarely is the questioned asked: Is our children learning?" Uttered before the first primaries in 2000 (January 11, 2000).

10. "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." Cited by his critics as revealing his true thoughts (August 5, 2004).

11. "It was not always certain that the U.S. and America would have a close relationship." Used while speaking of the Anglo-American relationship (June 29, 2006).

12. "See, in my line of work you got to keep repeating things over and over and over again for the truth to sink in, to kind of catapult the propaganda." Explaining his communications strategy (May 24, 2005).

13. "I think I may need a bathroom break. Is this possible?" Scribbled on a note to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during a U.N. Security Council meeting in 2005.

14. "When the final history is written on Iraq, it will look like just a comma." Said in an interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer, this apparent belittling of the bloodshed in Iraq provoked outrage around the world (September 24, 2006).

15. "Stay the course." Stated on numerous occasions during the course of the Iraq War. Bush's change of course with the troop surge actually made a dramatic difference in the conflict. Bush may have invented a few words, but he's not the first U.S. president to do so.

Maybe NBC should consider signing Bush to a few episodes of SNL... maybe then it would actually get decent ratings again.

Obama Weekend 2009...

Even as I type this I am tired... I am so tired I just may have to take Wednesday, January 21st off as well. From private parties to working the invite only Congressional Black Caucus Inaugural party to the Russell Simmons party... I can tell you know I will either be sick with a crazy cold or just dead tired by Wednesday.

They just announced the free concert on Sunday at the Lincoln Memorial will feature performances by Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Bono, Garth Brooks, Sheryl Crow, Renee Fleming, Josh Groban, Herbie Hancock, Heather Headley, John Legend, Jennifer Nettles, John Mellencamp, Usher, Shakira, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, will.i.am, and Stevie Wonder with Jamie Foxx, Martin Luther King III, Queen Latifah and Denzel Washington reading historical passages. So of course I will walk over to see that as well.

Of course I will be celeb watching in the bar of the Four Seasons and maybe for dinner if I can get into Cafe Milano or my new spot Coco Sala.

With well over 200 balls and parties taking place over the weekend... DC will definitely be the party capital of the East Coast next weekend. I am just glad I have my Ciroc to go Cup and taxi number on speed dial.

2 days ago Change moved to Washington... 2 weeks from today I will be standing on the National Mall watching Barack Hussein Obama take the oath of office as the 44th President of the United States of America.

And on that day I will ignore all the ignorant racial and political comments... On that day I will not think of all the expectations I have on the next 8 years... on that day I am going to bare the cold weather and whatever else Mother Nature will bring that day... on that day I will stride through the traffic, gridlock and the inability of the District of Columbia to handle the masses of people that will be here... all with a smile on my face and joy in my heart to be privileged enough to be able to walk a few blocks from my apartment and witness what my grandfather calls the 1964 March on Washington of my lifetime. To be able to tell my children and grandchildren of that day and to tell them I was there.

I am excited... very much so. In just 2 weeks history will be made again and I will be there.

Is Prop 8 coming to DC?

Well not exactly....

Friday's Washington Blade details an upcoming community-wide forum to debate whether the City Council should take up a same-sex marriage bill in January. Twelve of DC's 13 city council members and Mayor Adrian Fenty support same-sex marriage. However many, including me, wonder if now is the right time to begin this battle for two reasons.

Reason number 1 - While I believe DC is a progressive city, many thought the same of the state of California. At least for now (until the gentrification keeps pushing us into PG county), 57 percent of the population in DC is black, and several black gay activists believe gay marriage supporters must significantly increase their efforts to reach out to blacks, other minorities, and the historic black churches in the District. While I will not get into the debate of Prop 8 vs the Blacks of California... I will say it is definitely going to have to be an education platform for this bill not to be repealed, since we know it will definitely pass the council.

Reason number 2 - Is specifically Home Rule. As we all know DC is not a state but a District. And although us residents are taxed like any other state we do not have representation in Congress and Congress has the authority to overturn any law the DC Council comes up with. So until DC has legislative autonomy not only will the city have to vote on this but so will Congress.

While it pains me to think that we have to pick our civil right battles, I think the focus of all tax paying DC residents should be on statehood and representation. Getting it through the Council and off Mayor Fenty's desk is only the mere beginning, preventing challenges from some of the population and by Congress will be the issue.

The December 11 community forum on a D.C. same-sex marriage bill is scheduled to be held at 7 p.m. at the Human Rights Campaign’s Equality Center at 1649 Rhode Island Ave., NW and I plan to be there.

about Harvey Milk

As the angry voices bitch and complain about why Proposition 8 repealed the rights for gay Californians to marry, a film that recalls a similar battle 30 years ago has made its way into theaters.

This Friday, I had the opportunity to catch the Gus Van Sant film, Milk. Excellently played by Sean Penn, Harvey Milk's story begins in 1970, in New York, where the straight-laced, closeted gay man, who happens to be a Republican meets a younger man on a subway platform. Although it seems to be like an impossible connection between the two, Milk's quirky personality captures Scott played by James Franco back to his house and eventually in his life. They relocate to San Francisco's Castro neighborhood which is just becoming the gay district we know now. After leading a gay boycott of homophobic businesses and helping unionize Coors beer company, Milk sets out on several unsuccessful attempts at an elected office.

Seeing this film is based on a true story, we know that Milk is eventually sworn into office in January of 1978. This is where the story turns to Milk's involvement in the defeat of the then Proposition 6, a law that would allow people to be fired from their jobs because they were gay or supported gays. A proposition which was familiarly promoted by religious fanatics that love to think their fundamental religious beliefs rule, when however this country which was actually built on separation of church and state and religious freedom. Harvey Milk's voice of hope and change made him a major figure in the battle against social intolerance, but he unfortunately never lived to see the major changes his modest, yet, political triumph helped facilitate.

What I loved about the film, was first a story that I was unfamiliar with but found very important in our history and at the same time very appropriate for what is going on now. But also Penn's portrayal of Harvey Milk was excellent. I love when you loose a recognizable actor to the person they are playing, and Penn does this flawlessly. I definitely recommend this film and will probably see it again.

Only Appropriate to Have History... by Jay-Z

I am loving this song, but the visuals brought about an appropriate emotion for me.



Enjoy Your Holiday...

~

The Next Big Bailout

To hell with Citigroup... I could careless about Ford... If Barack and Geithner want to stimulate the economy and get people to spend more he needs to alleviate student loan debt.

The average student graduates with an undergraduate degree with about $21,000 in debt. While current Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson recently proposed to bailout the student loan industry, I personally feel the logic makes no sense. By wiping clear the debt that students have would free up billions of dollars for us debt ridden scholars to make big life changing purchases like homes and new cars. And even invest in the ever failing stock market or finally contribute to the endowment of either of my universities.

Personally with my three degrees (I could have done without two of them but that why 18yo shouldn't go to college post is for another day), I am well over $50,000 in debt to U.S. Department of Education. But yet the government will bailout executives who refuse to fly first class because anything beneath private leer jet is beneath them or send out stupid $600 stimulus checks that don't really stimulate anything. If they want to stimulate my economy get rid of my student loans!!

Introducing GQ's Man of the Year

Gotta love it.

Hey! How Are You? Long Time No Speak...

I am so feeling this Washington Post article, Hey! How Are You? Long Time No Speak... Since Tuesday I have had 11 requests of people asking to crash at my spot.

Now if I had a palatial estate in the suburbs with staff, I wouldn't mind accommodating most of the requests... however I live in a one bedroom/ one bath apartment about 7 blocks from the National Mall and 10 from the Capital. And being an only child who never had to share... I am really selfish about my space, and who I allow in it.

But anyway I see that I am not the only Washingtonian getting calls and emails from people I haven't spoken to in years.

Random Thoughts this Thursday Morning about the Election

1. He is Barack Obama, the President elect, the 44th President of the United States... he is not the next messiah... he is not our saviour. This country, if not the entire world, must manage our expectations.

2. As soon as John McCain was announced as the Republican nominee, even when Hilary was still in the race, I knew then that Barack would win... but it wasn't until Tuesday night when I heard the news call the race that I could exhale.

3. Wasn't it amazing to see all of those people in Grant Park Tuesday night and the diversity of races and age. And then they cut to McCain's speech and all you see are lilly white faces. Now which one represents the America we live in now.

4. Who would have thought someone named Barack Hussein Obama, let alone a black man, would ever be President of the U.S.

5. Wasn't it amazing to see the news cut to places all over the world celebrating Barack's and America's achievement.

6. My annual trip to Atlanta for MLK weekend has been officially cancelled... No way I am missing Inaugural weekend this go around for some over priced circuit parties.

7. Interesting to see the first child named after Obama was born on election day. Sanjae Obama Fisher was born at 8 p.m. EST on Election Day at Hollywood's Memorial Regional Hospital to Patrick and Sasha Hall Fisher.

8. My hero on the election...

Yes President Obama... We Can!!

Random Thoughts this Friday Morning about Politics...

1. I am not well that Ms. Joe Six Pack Hockey Mom bought her 7 year old daughter a Louis Vuitton purse.... actually I am jealous as a muthafucka.... jade as hell... I mean couldn't Jane the Plumber get me a duffle or a wallet??

2. If you are still claiming to be undecided... you are either slightly racist or stupid. I will let you decide.

3. I think these political ads on TV should be banned. I think they should just take an ad out in every paper... do a side by side comparison on where they stand on the issues... have a few debates.... and let us vote and leave my damn commercial breaks between Grey's Anatomy alone.

4. Speaking of getting rid of things... the Electoral College should be the first thing to go. I think if more Americans understood that their votes don't actually elect the President... this would be a more prominent issue.

5. So if McCain doesn't win... error when McCain doesn't win... does that mean Sarah "I Can See Russia from my porch" Palin is first in line to run for the Republican Presidential nomination in 4 years.

6. Why are people still interviewing the ultimate hater, Jesse "Never Had A Real Job' Jackson?

7. So Early Voting has started in several states... I wonder how they are going to fuck this up.

8. So I heard on the news that Philadelphia is preparing for possible riots... just in case Obama doesn't win... if they do riot I hope they don't destroy their own shit this time.

9. Is it just me or does anyone often wonder since McCain has millions... why doesn't he get his teeth whitened?

10. Damnit is it November 4th yet.... Enough Already!!

My Hero Endorses Obama

"Palin" around with Terrorists...

Today marks 96 days left for Bush 43 as President of the United States. Today I had to go to the White House for meetings and had the opportunity to tour the grounds and see a Presidential departure.

Regardless of whomever sits in the Oval Office... the protocol, the history and the future of the White House was still amazing to see first hand for the first time. Definitely looking forward to going back this Saturday for a tour of the West Wing...