Cynique

Leave our fearless leader alone. After scoping out his Final Four Picks, he is now touring Brazil, enjoying fun in the sun.

Ok. Rose just said himself that his body was feeling beat up and was excused from practice yesterday. I think he only played 26 minutes tonight. With a playoff spot cinched the bench is eager to take up his slack. Rose is the one who wanted to take over the games and didn't want to be pulled. I don't think the coaching staff will have a problem with giving him some rest now.

Oops. I didn't mean to sound like I was defending Clarence Thomas. Like a parent who wonders how a child went wrong by choosing a life of crime, I was wondering what drove Thomas to turn to a life of Uncle Tomism. For all we know, he may have originated that phrase about flies, etc.

Clarence ain't nothin but a playa. If he'd have been a Democrat we would've taken him to our bosom. Where did he go wrong? Over the years, I've heard many a person utter that phrase about "niggas and flies". Who knew?

Do some research on Benjamin "Pap" Singleton, Student. Singleton led an exodus of ex-slaves to the free state of Kansas after the civil war.

I also questioned Iyanla Vanzant's expertise after seeing her discombobulated appearance on Oprah's show, and I would agree that this appearance precipitated renewed interest and curiosity about her. Her best-seller sounds like a re-cycling of the same advice she keeps dispensing. She has mastered the art of the "hook". Her catch phrases and cleverly phrased blurbs grab people's interest and make them want to buy her books which, like all self-help books, just find a different way to deliver the same ol advice. IMO.

The words of a desperate, unbalanced woman, pathetically trying to save face, compounding lies with lies, trying to portray yourself as the innocent victim of people who rip the lid off of your grandiose embellishments. BTW, that was "Urban Scribe", who lives in NY, and who challenged you about your Schomburg event; not me. Or have I ever had any confrontation with Howard Dodson(?) and have no idea who he is or have I ever had any exchanges with Derrick Bell, and I know you're in trouble when you start invoking his name because you apparently think being his friend sanitizes you. I don't lie, Kola. Unlike you, I get in trouble for being cynically realistic. I won't even dignify your hysterical denials and your paranoid accusation by arguing any further with you. You are a pathlogical liar, and you know it. That's why you become enraged and lose it when you are confronted with the truth. Rant on. Don't leave on my account. Just keep on doing your thing. There are people who find you entertaining.

I never got into a dispute about you and Jamal Lewis because I knew nothing about him. That was between you and Mzuri so forget about bringing that up to deflect from the issue being discussed. And don't change the episodes or the circumstances I am referring to in order to extricate yourself from guilt. You can deny until you're blue in the face but the archives would disprove your denials about that picture you posted which was supposedly of your beautiful bedroom and how you were busted by Mzuri. And in the thread where you claimed to be a representative of Essence magazine, offering some BS memo as your proof, you were once again busted. If Mzuri was around she could pull up those threads because she was an expert at that. Facts, hell. If we were to take you at your word, Kola Boof, you would swear that you never in your life told a lie or engaged in deceptive behavior. No, it's always that people are out to get you and that you are an innocent victim of their jealousy. The lying gene which is a part of your DNA is why I could never think of you as any other than an acquaintance and much less a "sister". So, we'll leave it at that - unless you just want to keep going.

The recently-run article didn't refer to the guy in the picture as being your babys' daddy, Simon Palicio. It asked the question as to whether you and he were an "item". A little late to wonder that since your sons have to be at least 10 years old. The discrepancy arises because, in a very timely manner, a picture of your unknown boyfriend is available to be posted and referred to as "Simon Palicio" a name you say is the real one of your babys' daddy who for years you referred to as Thomas but whose name you now say is Simon because that tabloid rag "The New York Post' found out the "truth". Did these investigative vultures post his picture?? I find this ludicrous. Only when I said the picture didn't resemble the ones you previously posted of Thomas did you deny that the head shot in the article was incorrectly identified. Of course, I'm influenced by my memory of the time you posted a beautiful photo which you referred to as being "your bedroom" until Mzuri outed you because she was an on-line furniture dealer and recognized this picture from a catalog display. And who can forget your once claiming to be a representative for Essence Magazine something you attempted to substantiate with a letter which proved to be bogus, forcing you to fess up to your lie. As I say, you are very "creative" and THAT'S why you are so controversial. I take everything you say with a grain of salt, Kola Boof, because it's what my gut instinct tells me to do. So be it. No sweat.

Un-huh. I wouldn't exactly call the generic site where that photo appeared, "the press". I suppose a fan who follows you on this board tracked down a readily-available picture of your unknown ex-boyfriend and knowing about this obscure web page, convinced it's staff to put his picture up there to coincide with our discussion about you being divorced from a man who this former sweetie is being mistaken for. But, - "other people's poses and facades are no longer of great concern to me." I can't help it if they beg to be laughed at.

Yeah, right, Kola. So like I said, credibility ain't your strong suit. The on-line picture of a young, hunky "Simon Palicio" looks absolutely nothing like the pictures of "Thomas" you used to post. Not only did your ranch-owning ex get a new name, he got a new appearance. But, - "in keeping with my new resolve to simplify my life, other people's poses and facades are no longer of great concern to me". My curiosity, however, is still in tact, because I can always depend on it to reinforce the suspicions about you that always provide me with a good laugh. Ha-Ha.

The guy I remember you talking about most was Thomas, - the baby daddy you claimed left you for a younger woman. "Simon" is a new one on me. My observations stemmed from how the scenery around which you are the centerpiece is as perfect as a picture post card. I've never doubted that you are the person in the pictures you display, Kola, but your track record ain't that credible in other areas. Anyhoo, in keeping with my new resolve to simplify my life, other people's poses and facades are no longer of great concern to me. WTF. Live and let live.

I've never been a great fan of Spike Lee because I don't think his being a "first" automatically qualifies him for greatness. His black peers of today are every bit as good if not better than he is. I guess I need to read your book, huh? I feel a review coming on. A while back, a series of Oscar Micheaux's films were run on cable TV channel TCM and watching them, I appreciated their instrinsic value. The acting was usually very stilted but Micheaux somehow was able to capture the essence of the times and establish a mood.

This Supreme Court Jester is a "genius", all right, because he traditionally opts to keep silent and be thought a fool rather than speaking out and proving he's one. Never voicing an opinion, all this lawn jockey does is vote in lock-step with his conservative colleagues on the bench.

An alligator could certainly make a hearty meal off those voluminous udders. Who knew you lived on a "savannah"? I thought you were a denizen of the urban environs. You know I can't resist harking back to my acknowledgment of your "boundless creativity", Kola, and wonder if it extends to photo-shopping. Yes, I know, - your ex-lovers take good care of you...

In criticizing a name we are making a judgement. A name, per se, is neither bad nor good because a name is, after all, just a series of syllables, - and an utterance of sounds. So, good and bad are relative. Is it "good" that certain people will discriminate against a person because of her name? Is it bad for a mother to call a child a name that will invoke such discrimination. Who is to say? Furthermore, it's impossible to be objective about a name. I dont like the names "Prudence" or "Maude" any more than I like "Shequeeka" or "N'quisha", but that's just me. Names can typify an era as well as reflect an ethnicity. Liking an old-fashioned traditional name like "Abigail" could be considered comparable to liking high-button shoes. Honoring your German family heritage could result in naming a daugher "Hilda", but circumstances don't give these "white" names preference over ghetto names when it comes to whether or not they are "pretty". In 2011, things are different and it's hard to reverse a trend, which is why I'm reaching the point where I don't give a damn what ugly or crazy-assed names people named their squalling brats. It's not my problem.

Well, let's look at things a different way. Forget all the ol tired rhetoric. Blah, blah, blah. Yes, others minorities come into black neighborhoods and open up businesses. But what these carpetbaggers are doing is providing a service. THEY WORK FOR BLACK FOLKS, and bust their butts doing this, and how rich are they really getting? Running a business ain't exactly a piece of cake and certainly not a guarantee of gettin rich. In a bad economy, businesses are the first to suffer. Yes, Black people are consumers. So what? All they have to do worry about is buying what they want. They have no overhead, don't have to stress about profits or losses or taxes. If they're employed they have security, and if they don't have a job, they can get unemployment or welfare. Capitalism not only enables enterprise but it also provides for the have-nots because doing so is, itself, an industry. Today, thousands of black folks are living for free in their foreclosed homes, benefitting from the backlog of evictions, and the bureacratic red tape that has white mortage companies in a state of chaos. Blacks may not have corporate expertise but they know how to work The System and are able to get over because they have learned to adapt to adversity. Some fare better than others but, that's how goes. If you're loser instead of a winner, well - that's Life. Forget all this bullshit that utilizes the measuring sticks of the past. It's a different ball game, a new reality. Brands and ethnicity are losing their relevancy. Marriage is becoming obsolete, but having babies is rampant and a new breed is being unleashed on the population, - people who don't adhere to the old standards, a trend that will trickle down into the masses bluring color and morphing ethnicity, spawning a mutated prototye. It's about evolution. Time brings change. Screw all of the lamentations about the way it has always been and about the way it should be. Boo-hoo-hoo. Face the truth. Coping in today's world calls for a different set of rules. If we survive 2012, the future will see the dawn of a new way of living, and those who can't go with the flow will sink. WTF. So be it.

I read your article, Troy, and found it very informative especially since this is a subject about which I know very little. I'm just a consumer so, unfortunately, I shop for books, always looking for a bargain. I also frequent the library. I am flirting with the idea of purchasing a kindle, however. Old habits are hard to break. But, I do intend to do a little more reviewing, limiting critiques to books I enjoy so my favorable ratings can perhaps encourage others to purchase the books of authors I like, hoping that in my own small way I can contribute to boosting book sales through web sites. What I most discern from your article and it's feed-back on your blog is that the book world is in a period of transistion, and things are evolving. Soooo, maybe those in the business have to make adjustments by recognizing what is outdated. Kola's suggestion certainly sounds like a good idea.

Maybe instead of raggin' on the NAACP, I should've praised them for their foresight. They've never changed their name and the term "Colored People" actually takes in people of all color, - something very relevant in today's mix. But, again, my main gripe was with the word "image". The emphasis should be about awarding people for excelling in their craft, not in how exemplary their image is.

The NAACP is, of course, entitled to stage an award show even if it is obvious that TV ratings are always their number one priority. Me, I simply find the inclusion of the word "image" in the designation of this black honor ironic because stars like Vanessa Williams and Terrence Howard are so - "atypical". Then there was the presenting of an award to bi-racial Alicia Keyes who got knocked up by the boyfriend she stole from another woman, subsequently flaunting her pregnancy, barely making it to the altar before droppin out the baby. What an inspiring "image" she projects. When I grow up I want to be just like her. Yes, the personal lives of the celeb nominees are their own business but since so often the winners of this NAACP award do not exemplify an esteemed image, IMO, the word "image" should be eliminated from the proceedings, making the category of the award the focus, instead. But, - that's just me. Not only am I old school, but I am also a stickler for-semantics. As for, Carol Moseley Braun's defeat, I'm not that conversant on Chicago politics, but the pundits did note that there was a very low voter-turnout, possibly because people didn't care that much for any of the candidates. Obama, deferring to cronyism, never endorsed Carol, making his backing of Rahm implied. I would venture to say that Carol never rallied a grassroots following because of her elitist aura, what with her living in a million dollar Hyde Park Condo, and running an organic food business, with the reason for it losing money probably being that black folks ain't that into organic food. Or did being behind in her taxes bode well for her, and last but not least, when she called her black female opponent a "former crack-head", that alienated a lot of her "constituency", because most black voters in Chicago have a crack head relative who, although steals from them, still commands a modicum of their loyalty. The consensus of opinion does seem to be that the dynamic Rahm Emanuel, with all of his expertise and connections, will make a suitable mayor.

Where is Kola Boof when we need her? Wonder if she watched the NAACP "IMAGE" AWARDs Friday?? Image, indeed. There was certainly a preponderance of high-yellow, blue-eyed winners among the nominees; e.g. Vanessa Williams, Terrence Howard, Colin Powell, not to mention an olive "colored" Hispanic sitcom star, and the light-eyed gold-toned Regina King. And of course there was Halle Berry in all of her one-drop glory, modestly accepting an award from the light-skinned hazel-eyed Prince, displaying his usual eccentric behavior. I suspect the cameras were kept off the reaction of the losers in the audience, whose melanin must've blanched. What would the show have done with out Loretta Devine doing her best version of a cross between Prissy and Mammy from "Gone With The Wind". Not to be outdone was the President of the NAACP whose appearance harked back to the days when the men who held this office were referred to as "voluntary" Negroes because they were so fair-skinned. Just another irony of the 21st Century. In Chicago, ex-senator Carol Moseley Braun, the black candidate for Mayor lost the race to the Jewish Rahm Emanuel, who came in first in all of the Black wards. The more things change, the more they become the same. And so it goes.

Whatever happened to my frienemy Chrishayden? His absence seems to have coincided with the appearance of a new member named "Toby". Has our Chrissy thrown in the towel and turned things over to the negroes? Or, is St. Louis' favorite soap box orator being held captive somewhere, betrayed by the street walker he was trying to solicit, then taken away and tied up and gagged and forced to watch Bill Cosby show re-runs? And to the "scorekeeper" who shall remain nameless, it will make me no difference whether anybody responds to this. Just foolin around, waiting for my daughter to show up so we can make our monthly trip to WalMart. The spring fashion line should be out and, hopefully, I can pick up some new $6.00 tops and maybe catch some winter ones on sale for $3.99.

Sorry about that. My bad. I should've recognized that this book was a professional job.

Guess ol carey stumbled on back down his gopher hole to brush his teeth - again. Gotta keep those choppers in shape so he can gnaw on his toenails. Poor fool. He spent 2 weeks fantasizing about me calling out his name, hardly able to wait for the time to pass so he could make a “triumphant” return, imagining that I was anxiously waiting for him to surface. Not. I figured I had shut the ol fart down. And why carey thinks responses are a big deal, I don’t know. It’s "a given" that lurkers will read your posts but rarely reply to them. Dufus hasn’t figured this out yet.

Ooooh, shit. Don't flatter yourself. There's nothing about you that strikes my fancy, carey. I wonder, myself, why I can't stand you but it sure has nothing to do with secretly liking you. I find you obnoxious. (Xeon always sounded like my kind of guy.) If anybody hasn't noticed by now, I have a difficult time not having the last word. I may be late in getting around to it but I am ever vigilant for a chance to slam you, hence the "carey package" commentary. Plus, it was a slow week and I had nothing better to do but skim over your "girlfriend" tripe. I have not, however, visited your blog in months, so can that lie. : I wonder why nobody but you did respond to my post. Where are all the people who worship and adore you??? Guess they're too wimpish and dumb to step up and defend your honor. That's why they like you.