Homeboy Hired

Larry Porter is the 22nd head football coach for the University of Memphis and the first black ever. That last bit of information might be designed to increase the fan base among locals more than anything else. The luncheon where his selection was made public resembled a reunion. It remains to be seen whether or not this is going to work. We need only look as far back as Larry Finch to see how they treat a former player turned coach. It doesn't guarantee a happy ending. Memphis has always been a basketball town. Largely because of the hometown players who have been on the rosters in the past. The plan is for Coach Porter to change all that.

It will be interesting to see if he is going to have a inside track to local talent: or have to break the rules like John Calipari? It's easier to sell the LSU football program than it is University of Memphis. Like Tommy West I will be watching to see if there is a commitment from the university. http://indepcons.blogspot.com/2009/11/are-they-serious.html Or is this a ploy by R.C. Johnson to cover his tracks? He can divert the fans attention by hiring the homeboy.

See What Happens

Got His Hat

When I ran across this story about the breakup of Trina and Kenyon Martin. The first thing I thought about was Chris Brown and Rhianna. But unlike Kenyon Martin, Chris Brown is not a seasoned pro. Kenyon has gone through the college years and the NBA groupies and sexy women falling at his feet. Chris just turned twenty and is six years younger than his former main squeeze Rhianna, whom I think has been around the block before.
That could have possibly been what the big fight was about. Chris should have did like Kenyon and got his hat.
http://garywithdatea.ning.com/profiles/blogs/trina-didnt-know-1

This Will Help

I was glad to see these two bury the hatchett and do this interview. A comment posted on Twitter by Chris Brown cut Wendy Kind of deep. I don't know whether it was made wih much forethought, but it had a noticeable affect. http://www.wendyshow.com/2009/09/11/chris_brown/
Wendy was obviously shaken. This overdue pairing has the possibility of being beneficial to them both.I think Wendy has realized she rushed to judgement and should have been less vocal about the whole thing. In his comeback Chris Brown doesn't need the up and coming queen of talk constantly ragging on him every other day. In his quest for redemption in the public court of opinion. This will help.

Showing Her A**

From the very start I didn't think we were getting the whole story when it came to Rhianna and Chris Brown. She is not the sweet innocent victim the media has made her out to be. These pictures are the shape of things still to come. She is literally showing her a^^.

Are They Serious

I was wondering why Larry Porter was the only name I was hearing in the hunt for a replacement for Coach Tommy West. Then I saw his picture and it started to make sense.I think he is the only black in the running. I hope R.C. Johnson doesn't get the best football coach he ever hired for less than he is worth. I have always been critical of his handling of John Calipari. He went out and found the money to aid him in his fleecing of the basketball program over and over again. I don't want him to start to cut corners now.

The newspaper made a point to mention his present salary was $316,500 a year. Considerably less than they were paying Tommy West. He was earning nearly $1million for a marginally successful team in my opinion. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/jul/23/west-gets-contract-extension/ I hope this isn't the equivalent of a bucket with a hole in the bottom. Tommy West told them to "get serious or get out." Are they serious?

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/nov/19/porter-has-own-cheerleaders/?partner=popular

It Didn't Work This Time

I don't know exactly what happened that day at the Wal-Mart, but I think Heather Ellis might be taking everyone for a ride here. The story keeps changing and so far none of the versions have been in her favor. Since Kennet Mo. was her home town. She shouldn't be oblivious to the racial climate if it's as bad as they are now claiming. This looks like a neck working incident that got out of hand. All of this could have been avoided if she had acted like a pastor's daughter going to medical school. Instead of a out of control sistah with a big behind and a toothy smile. You can bet this isn't her first rodeo. It didn't work this time.

http://news.aol.com/article/arrest-of-heather-ellis-at-missouri/768241

Only At CNN

This resignation amounts to taking one for the team. Though I don't think his absence will be long lived. It's more about the message that it sends. On a job where your boss is essentially telling you not to do your job. Unlike Lou Dobbs most employees would comply. But jobs like that aren't plentiful. Except maybe only at CNN.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/12/business/media/12dobbs.html?_r=1

So Peaceful

Some people have a knack for getting a pass and Congressman Steve Cohen is one of those people. He hasn't really done anything for his district but humor his constituents ignorance. Do we count renaming buildings and going to funerals as c0constituent service? He capitalizes on the fact that some blacks still believe the white mans ice is colder. Even if it is melting right before their eyes. This administration has passed a $787 billion stimulus package and they're still hoping for change. The cure-all lottery has turned out to be a disappointment. That's why the meeting was held in Whitehaven. He knew who would be in the audience. Since he wants to hear from all his voters. When is the next meeting being held in Millington? I bet it won't be so peaceful. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/nov/15/cohen-meets-praise-at-forum/

Congratulations Deidre Shores

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/nov/12/13-year-old-memphis-girl-wins-today-shows-kid-repo/

Just Surviving

We finally get to see the infamous Melodia Dunn. The mother of the two children who lost their lives in the duplex fire last month.
Someone asked the question "what can we do to keep something like this from happening again?" It's no secret that as a parent you are responsible for the welfare of your children. So all young mothers already know this. You can't leave infants and small children alone in a house or car unattended. History has taught us on at least one other occasion. Something only has to happen once..I bet she remembers what happened to Aundria Jones http://indepcons.blogspot.com/2008/01/these-are-breaks.html

Instead of focusing only on the mother here. Has anyone noticed we haven't heard from these boy's father? Was anyone paying child support? I see they had their mother's last name. If we don't change the mindset of our young people. Nothing is going to change. In a few months it will be business as usual. It was rumored she was out dancing the same night of her oldest son's funeral. Getting ready to make a replacement. Humans are beginning to behave a lot like some animals. Instead of living they're just surviving.

Honor Thy Father

Since Michael Jackson's death I have listened to the media villainies Joe Jackson in the press. Often just repeating things Michael had said himself. My mind goes back to a passage in the bible.
Exodus 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
If one doesn't believe in the bible they may not think there is a price to pay for dishonoring your father. Whatever you are you owe at least half of it to them. In the case of someone like Michael Jackson they owe even more.
Why should everyone benefit from the Jackson legacy except his father?

http://www.popeater.com/2009/11/10/joe-jackson-michael-money-estate/

Likely Outcome

If you pull over a touring bus for a hip hop band you're luckily to find drugs and guns. They were only driving five miles over the speed limit, hardly emough to draw attention. Just knowing who the bus belonged to was half the job. The rest was a likely outcome.
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/nov/10/crime-report-8-arrested-drug-charges-after-officer/

Beat Horses With Ponies

After the romp that Tennessee put on Memphis this weekend. The possibility of Tommy West losing his job was more likely than ever. The frustration seemed to be present at both ends. The fans tired of hearing excuses and West tired of making them.Though I don't think Tommy West is the man to take this team to the next level. He is a good coach and I agree with a lot of his criticism of the program. He is one of those quality support staff a new head coach should have the university backing to hire. You can't beat horses with ponies.

http://www.commercialappeal.com/videos/detail/tommy-west-fired-and-fired-/

COGIC Coming Back

I commented in the Commercial Appeal on the COGIC leaving Memphis and I received what I thought was a rhetorical response from one of it's members. It sounded like it was a statement prepared by Bishop Blake's office. I didn't respond in the newspaper because I didn't want to sound like a COGIC hater who wants them to leave, but I do have some definite opinions about them leaving for my readers. I think it shows a lack of commitment on their part to abandon their so called headquarters. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/nov/07/editorials-cogics-move-strictly-business/
I made the comment a couple of days ago and now I feel even more convinced of what I said then.

How cam you be headquartered in a city over a century(102 yrs.) and not have any roots? Not only should it be an inconvenience but costly. Unless you are just a visitor. In a couple of years it will be like the COGCI were never here. There is not one building in this city (not including churches) that they have built. With all the redevelopment that is and has gone on in this city. Being such a large and influential group with such a large economic impact annually Why weren't they included in the planning? They always kept their bags packed. Bishop Blake is doing all he can to keep the doors open. If I were a betting man I would bet the COGIC will be back.

Wheat From The Tares

I have a means of determining whether or not to take some of these many causes serious. Like I always say "don't be so quick to lay your hands on any man." Sooner or later they will reveal themselves. If the only media you can get to carry your story is "Express Yourself", chances are you're not legitimate or at least you have some credibility issues. Our people need to set some standards. A preacher shouldn't put his church announcements in "Hustler" magazine just because it has a large reading audience.

I know Joe Hunter and think he means well, but I think it's game or shall I say ambition. If you really want to go after the gang problem. Why not go to the roots instead of cutting on the branches? Every unruly child from a single parent home is not a gang banger. Some of them just need their butt kicked. When he came on the television today talking about the fifteen year old they found dead in the park. I thought about Pastor Andre Guy and the one arm bank robber. He knew who he was because they used to be partners in crime. Joe Hunter,others and myself have had this discussion before. I think they give these little wanna-be gangsters too much credit. Now one of these perpetrators has gotten killed. Instead of all these after school programs and computer classes they don't attend. We need to identify and isolate these hoods. Separate the wheat from the tares.

A Win Is A Win

Yesterday's election was more to make-up for last November than it was about those people running yesterday. The same expectation of "Hope and Change" that prevailed last fall no longer exist. The last year has been a dose of reality for a lot of Obama supporters. It hasn't been the walk in the park they were lead to expect. The first time they were allowed back in the voting booths they distanced themselves as far away from the president as they could. I listened to a focus group in Virginia explain why Republicans made a clean sweep in a state where President Obama won by six points against John McCain.

Probably the biggest winner in more ways than one is Governor-elect Chris Christie. He beat the Democrat incumbent Jon Corzine for Governor of New Jersey a traditionally blue state. Not only did he overcome the obvious roadblocks as the Republican candidate. He also survived an onslaught of negative comments and campaign ads about his weight. Instead of being judged by his platform and record. His candidacy has been reduced to a bunch of fat jokes by his opponent. Even with two appearances by President Obama himself, and millions of dollars in his campaign chest. The scandal ridden former governor still couldn't pull it off. What was meant to work against Christie, eventually worked in his favor. I watched Christie's victory speech and though it was obviously not the celebration it could have been. Considering the fact that at one time he was up by twelve points in the polls. He should have won by a lot more. But a win is a win.

Not A Minute Too Soon

For those who thought A.C. Wharton was grandstanding.

Hard To Find

I have maintained from the very beginning that there was some type of relationship between Curtis Lavelle Vance and Ann Marie Pressley. I commented on this case almost to the day a year ago and and my suspicions are even stronger now. http://indepcons.blogspot.com/2008/11/dont-let-this-be-end.html How does Mr. Vance earn his living? Them having a relationship doesn't necessarily mean they were sleeping together. There in lies the key to this case.

Unless something happens in the eleventh hour Curtis Vance is still going to jail for a long time. He was in the house for whatever reason, but he didn't kill Ms. Pressley. Him changing his story might have saved his life. Before this media blitz he was on the fast track to being sentenced to death. After hearing his girlfriend"s interview, I'm more convinced than ever. Finding a jury to sentence him to death will be hard to find.

http://www.wmctv.com/global/category.asp?c=151146&clipId=&topVideoCatNo=15040&topVideoCatNoB=105461&topVideoCatNoC=117912&topVideoCatNoD=169582&topVideoCatNoE=106890&clipId=4266423&topVideoCatNo=15040&autoStart=true

Sore Losers

One could say that the women politicians are acting like fickled females by complaining and switching parties after they lose. I had gotten used to local politician Carol Chumney crying foul everytime she doesn't win. But now it seems to have taken on Nation0l appeal. The mayor's race is non-partisan so Chumney has the luxury of not having to come out against the party. She congratulated Joyce Avery for being the first female mayor in Shelby county history. After accusing the Memphis electorate of not electing her as mayor because she was a woman. Instead of just admitting the people chose someone else.

Then we have Deide Scozzafava who commited the ultimate betrayal. She may have orchestrated the one defeat the Republicans suffered the whole night. After the Republican party reluctantly endorsed her out of obligation. When she discovered she wasn't going to win the race. She dropped out of the race and endorsed the Democratic challenger. She has a reputation of being so moderate she was on the left. She like Carol Chumney could have been the bigger person. They both look like sore losers.

Not What We Expected

The shirt is probably as shocking as this wh0le thing gets. Pastor D.L. Foster turned out to be a breath of fresh air somewhat. Though I must admit it was almost boring once you heard his story. He was like a Donnie McClurkin who couldn't sing. He actually hadn't had any personal encounters to back up what the website suggests. Considering where the interview was being conducted. I'm just happy he didn't twist the truth or just outright lie. I expected to be thoroughly disgusted, but I wasn't. Instead of it being about a self admitted former homosexual blowing the whistle on other homosexuals. It turned out to be about a minister pointing out corruption in the COGIC both gay and straight that they don't talk about. Who at one time used to be gay himself.

Needless to say this wasn't the show the host bargained for. He had the pastor on for three hours when one would have been more than enough. With the COGIC being in town for the convocation this week. He expected the phone to be ringing off the hook. That wasn't the case though. He may have gotten six or seven callers and some of them wanted to talk about something else. He went so long once without talking to the guest he forgot he was on the line. Whether good or bad, this is not what we expected.

http://www.reportcogicabuse.com/trackingl