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Claxton
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, December 26, 2002 - 10:23 pm: | 
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1) Robert Johnson finally got his wish, and for once the NBA made the right call. Johnson tried to buy the Hornets when George Shinn and Ray Woolridge were still here, but they weren't having any of that. He was serious enough that his bid for the new team coming to Charlotte went his way, beating out a Boston-based team that included Hall of Famer Larry Bird. The fact that Johnson got the team has a lot to do with the color of his skin--namely, since the league's most visible employees are predominately black, it makes good sense to have a black owning a team. It also helped that Johnson is plugged into one of the biggest media outlets around, Viacom, which now owns his baby, BET.
It will be interesting to see how fans react to a new team here. They will play their first season (2004-05) in the Charlotte Coliseum, then move to a new arena downtown. If the fans get behind the new team, it may prove once and for all that it was the ignorance of Hornets' ownership, and not a general disdain for NBA players, that ruined the relationship.
2) The other night, I cleared my bookshelves of every book having to do with writing a novel. Why? Because after ten years, numerous false starts, and nothing to show for it, I've given up on the idea of writing a novel. That's not necessarily a bad thing, though. Some people just aren't cut out for it. I cannot fathom the thought of putting that much time into something that I may never even sell. Screw the "do it for the love of the process" garbage; if I can't sell it, there's no need me doing it.
Does that mean I'm done writing altogether? Absolutely not! It just means I understand what I write best--opinion/editorial, short fiction, and business procedures. Not being able to write a novel doesn't mean the end of the world, just the beginning of a new path in it. It feels exactly the same as when I decided I no longer wanted to study civil engineering in college. That monkey is off my shoulders; I can relax now.
3) So who spent a gob of money on those Powerball tickets? Of course, only three types of people win lotteries that big--someone too young and too dumb to know how to handle that kind of bread; someone on the verge of death and who'll never fully enjoy the money; and some Joe Schmoe who wouldn't have a clue in this world. And then, there's someone else who really doesn't need it, like the fellow in West Virginia who won the jackpot. I mean, the man owns a construction business, for crying out loud. He's not already getting paid? Oh, I'm sure he can use the money, don't mistake that! But for us workaday folks who are trapped like rats in a maze, our reward is another paycheck tapped by Mr. FICA.
I've spent enough money playing lotteries in Georgia, Florida and Virginia that I'm tired of wasting it. I'm not giving any to South Carolina, either. And if North Carolina is smart, they'll eventually pass a lottery here. Of course, North Carolina isn't necessarily known for being a progressive state. The only way we could get rid of Jesse Helms was when he retired.
4) Speaking of Republicans, I'm glad Trent Lott decided to step down as Senate Majority Leader. What people don't realize is that what he said about Strom Thurmond may be the best publicity the Republican Party has had in a while. Sounds like a contradiction, right? Well, consider this.
The Republican Party has been tarnished by an image of good-ole-boy, conservative, Bible-thumping gladhanding that turns a blind eye to affirmative action and a deaf ear to problems on the homefront. If there was ever a time for the GOP to shed that image, it would be now. They have a golden opportunity to prove they're aren't a suppressive, elitist club of fatcats. If they're serious about reaching out, they'll reevaluate affirmative action, if not because of the benefits that it gives us, then at least because of the benefits it gives to the biggest benefactors of the program--white women who have infiltrated the ranks of middle and upper management as well as small business. They'll reevaluate their stance on foreign policy, and look for ways to make this country less dependent on foreign oil. And, if they're smart, they'll stand up to a President who's only goading Iraq into a war to appease the ego of his ineffective father.
You see, I believe that we, as black people, have managed to put all of our political eggs in one basket. That's not a good policy. And the nation, as a whole, has put too much faith in the two-party system, to the detriment of other parties. The time will come when Democrats will no longer carry that torch. It won't be a sudden thing. It will manifest itself slowly, steadily, then before you know it, we'll be in a political no-man's land. Not a pretty picture, and an equally appalling thought. Betcha anything Tavis Smiley hasn't picked up on that.
Okay, off my soapbox for now. I'm done ranting and raving, or as my wife calls it, "being bitter". I'll try to do better next time. |
Chris Hayden
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 28, 2002 - 10:22 am: |
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Claxton:
You still reading Science fiction? Did you read Prey? --do you think Chrichton aint Sci Fi--I got some URLS for you when I find 'em.
Re Robert Johnson Let's face it, the brother was black but the brother also had to come with the weight--the letters of credit, the coownership,the deep pockets it will take to float a team like this and make it marketable--He better have the jack for at least ten years building--or the franchise could be a dog.
2) good idea not to quit writing altogether. This post shows you have a grasp of what makes a good column. You could always write poetry and really take it on the chin--also realize that whenever you would amass about 50 columns, you still have a book--I have enjoyed column collections and yea, they have even made the best seller lists! So you still can write that book--just in pieces. Get at lest one a week.
3) I would just hate to see somebody up there partying on my money. A guy told me that the drawing before that (A Wednesday) nobody was going to win. Jeez. I saw folks with fistfuls of them tickets.
Anybody ever read any good books on gambling (besides THE GAMBLER by Doestoevsky-a good book on the destructive lure of the practice.
I know nobody posting here didn't bite on it.
4) Trent Lott--any books been rushed out or planned about The Rise and Fall--hey he still got his job, his check, the benefits, he has his seniority, he can be comfortable--If this means that the Republicans have finally said, "Hey, we won't go this far" to certain elements of their party, then maybe you got something. I mean, there is all this War on Terror on now, and aren't we supposed to be standing shoulder to shoulder, marching against the foe?
There are a lot of books out about this--There is this one about The Cause for Invading Iran--let me tell you, they put together a case--not good news for Saddam. |
Claxton
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 28, 2002 - 08:01 pm: |
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Chris, it's always good to hear from you...For a minute there, I thought my angry rants were falling on deaf ears...
You know, novel writing isn't for everyone. There are those who can pull it off, but I think it's equally important that people understand what they write best and build on that...A good friend of mine from college wrote a novel during his summer vacation one year. He never sought to have it published, but from what I read of it, it has potential.
As to Bush and Iraq, well less just say he's wrong on this. If he wants to worry about weapons of mass destruction, then he needs to check into Russia's nuclear stockpile. Not only do they have weapons--some of them missing--they also have the means to deliver them to the United States. It's not very likely Iraq can't get their weapons beyond intermediate range (between 1,500 and 3,000 miles). |
Chris Hayden
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, December 30, 2002 - 10:36 am: |
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Hey, but the Russians might incinerate us if we try to check on them, eh? I think they have in mind a military/political/economic domination of the whole region--after Iraq falls (and they ain't got a chance, really) Syria and Iran are next. Problem is, this will just shift all the troubles in the region over to good ol' Joe Sixpack and his wives, sons and daughters.
Here is one of the URLS I promised you on Sci Fi 9another shot in our ongoing war about the usefulness/uselessness of the genre
http://www.infinityplus.co.uk//nonfiction/kensf.htm
Doesn't this make you want to fire up and write some sci fi? Does your turn away from fiction mean that you will eschew short stories?
Did I ask you what you thought about Marvel coming out with a Black Captain America? |
Claxton
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 31, 2002 - 05:06 pm: |
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Hi, Chris...Yes, you did ask me about the black Captain America before, and I apologize for not giving you a prompt response...Old age creeping up on me, I suppose.
Actually, the fact of ANY black superhero has me pumped, but I'm curious as to why a black Captain America. As a kid, I used to watch Captain America on TV, and I liked it. Of course, back then I was still naive to the ways of the world. I could see a black Spider-Man or a black Incredible Hulk (before he turns green, that is), but I don't know if a black Captain America is right. It's a positive step, I guess, but it seems to run counter to the way most black people think. Then again, I might just be reading too much into it.
I'm reading the sci-fi URL you sent me in the above post. I'll tell you what I think about it later. In the meantime, have a safe and happy new year!! |
Sandra
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 02, 2003 - 12:53 am: |
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Claxton...way to rant ol' chum!
1. Can Bob do something about getting the name "HORNETS" back from New Orleans? That name belongs with Charlotte--I know it's a small thing but it's bugging (is there a pun here?) the heck outta me.
2.Good insight. Keep writing.
3.I can't even touch this one. I'm disturbed.
4.Trent, Trent, Trent. I'm not sure why the Repubs said he has to go but I'm sure it had nothing to do with Black folks and whatever we think of the Repubs image. I'm thinking they thought that there is a chance that the comments made other whites a lil uncomfortable (esp middle of the road whites and that soccer mom/working woman white voter that they love to woo)and they could loose some valuable white votes in the future. They can't take that chance. The Repubs dont give a rat's hiney about Black folks--heck neither do the Democrats for that matter. |
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