the crossfader

Crossfader Has Moved to Typepad; Click Here

2005-05-05T15:24:00.000-04:00

I have decided to migrate my blogging activities over to typepad, where I hope to blog a bit more regularly.

Oh, Now I Get It.

2005-05-05T12:09:00.000-04:00

It seems the reason the Bush administration has been so gung ho about having us all set up private social security accounts is because, uh well, they don't fucking trust themselves to keep track of a lousy $100M, let alone our hard earned scrilla. All I can say is thanks for the heads up George.

Reunion

2005-05-04T13:09:00.000-04:00

Album Poster
Originally uploaded by the crossfader.

Amerie and Joe Perry, together again.

Blogger's Block

2005-05-03T23:47:00.000-04:00

No rhyme or reason to these photos other than I bought a new Nikon D70 the other day and have found yet another excuse to blog even less. I think I'm suffering from some kind of blogging writer's block. Beats the fuck out of me but for some reason I just can't seem to muster anything on this site of any substance. Until then, please ponder the drain on my kitchen sink above.

Just a B-Boy on the Block With It

2005-04-24T09:02:00.000-04:00

Straight Outta London

Checked out the Dizzee Rascal show at Irving Plaza last night. Mr. Rascal is b-boy from London's Council Estates (we call 'em the PJ's). While he has the requisite quick flow of say a Twista and the hard-scrabble backstory of any of the legion of hip hop practioners, his popularity has not quite extended beyond the hipsters who made up the bulk of the audience. Which is unfortunate cause the dude has a flow.

Colin Powell Finds His Balls

2005-04-21T21:48:00.000-04:00

It appears that Colin Powell has located his balls from wherever it was that he left them. Mr. Former Secretary of State, according to WaPo has been leading the charge to get Wilford Brimley enthusiast John Bolton from bringing his perverse sort of kink to the shores of Turtle Bay.

The Flathead

2005-04-21T16:09:00.000-04:00

NY Press has a pretty hilarious piece on Thomas Friedman. I always knew the man was a few fries short of a happy meal but they really tore into him.

The Natural Order Restored

2005-04-19T10:35:00.000-04:00

The Crossfader fader has been rocking Mariah Carey's "We Belong Together" on his Ipod like a sixth grade girl amped on Now and Laters. Damn, I forgot how good the woman can sing.

Lemme Get This Straight

2005-04-15T10:57:00.000-04:00

Washington D.C. has to foot the bill for a baseball stadium so a bunch of suburbanites can watch a game? It they wanted a team so much, let them pay for it. As it is now, a city already strapped for cash has to pony up for a suburban fantasy. Funny how the people forced to pay for the stadium don't look like the people in the stadium.

Rapper as John the Baptist

2005-04-15T09:18:00.000-04:00

It's official. The Crossfader officially jumps on the bandwagon. The new Common album is the mofo shiznit. Full stop. When it drops buy one for yourself, your girl, your moms and pops, even your baby's mama (yes I went there). It's that tight. Eff that, it's tighter than that playa.

Where's the Payout?

2005-04-14T09:48:00.000-04:00

The United States forked over a few million to the survivors of the 9-11 bombings. My question is where is the clamor for a similar payout to the victims of Eric Rudolph's delusional fantasies? Why is it that Christian terrorists get to blow shit up willynilly without anyone getting a check? Seems to me that shrapnel is shrapnel and death is death regardless of the nutjob who set the wheel in motion.

But if you pay these victims then the Christian nutjobs get uncomfortable with the equating their brand messianic nonsense with that other cave dwelling idiot we're looking for.

Can Saudi Women Rollerblade?

2005-04-12T17:24:00.000-04:00

Just wondering. Now that forced marriage is out, who knows . . .

Music

2005-04-11T14:26:00.000-04:00

The Crossfader is awaiting his bottleg copy of the latest Common LP. Heard a coupla tracks before the kaibosh was laid down. One word. Hot. It may be just the thing I need to survive a 50 Cent induced summer. Also been listening to the latest Beck album. Not bad.

Prince Charles Marries Transvestite

2005-04-09T08:14:00.000-04:00

Apparently Prince Charles has decided to wed a noted transvestite this weekend. Fresh off the heels of his appearence at the Pope Show, Charles decided that with the Pope gone, the way was open for his clandestine marriage.

Where is the Summer Joint?

2005-04-08T11:07:00.000-04:00

Every summer here in New York there is usually one song that has the city on lock. Think "You're All I Need to Get By" from '95 or "Hot in Herrr" from a few summers back. But what about now? I know it's not summer yet but I sense a drought fast approaching. I need music people!! And yeah that Amerie track is hot but that's like four months old.

The Crossfader Battles Laziness

2005-04-07T12:06:00.000-04:00

Alas fans my blog has gone quite a few days without comment. I guess I was being lazy or just taking a few days off. Who knows? Anyway this spring everybody seems to be lining up to kick the bucket. Perhaps they know something we don't. It's a toss up as far as I can tell.

U.S. to Mark Thatcher: Fall Back!

2005-04-03T18:29:00.000-04:00

The Crossfader is happy to learn that Sir Mark Thatcher, coup plotter and son of the Iron Lady, has been refused entry into the United States resulting from his guilty plea in connection with an aborted coup attempt in Equitorial Guinea.

Zimbabwe Gets Punked!

2005-03-30T12:38:00.000-05:00

Believe it or not, Zimbabwe is having an "election" tomorrow. The Crossfader predicts that Robert "Why Didn't I Die A Long Time Ago" Mugabe will win. Why do I care? I don't know, really. I guess because I'm Black I tend to not like seeing a perfectly good African country flushed down the toilet. But hey I guess they gotta solve their own problems. If any enterprising young Zimbabwean is out there gunning for Mr. Mugabe, to quote the Jimi Hendrix, "shoot him one more time for me." [Africa, Zimbabwe]

The Pope Aint God Y'all

2005-03-29T10:49:00.000-05:00

There I said it. I don't give a rat's ass whether the Pope appeared at his window. Who the eff is he? People are lining up at the Vatican like he was the second coming/mahdi himself. The Pope dies, you get a new Pope people that the way it works. It's like Menudo. Get over it.

Who Reissued Timberlake's Ghetto Pass?

2005-03-25T19:54:00.000-05:00

MTV has been playing the making of the latest Snoop Dog video and while the song is definitely tight, my question is "Who Reissued Justin Timberlake's Ghetto Pass?" It seems everyone's favorite false-Negro has somehow been rehabilitated from his spineless showing in the aftermath of Janet Jackson's nipplegate. Uh, why? [Culture, Music]

100 People

2005-03-23T22:18:00.000-05:00

Last Friday 100 people showed up to pray on 110th and Amsterdam Avenue in New York. 100 people out of 1,200,000,000 and the world took notice. Imagine if 200 people showed up . . . [Islam, Middle, East, Africa]

Fundi Nutjobs Hack MWU!!!!

2005-03-23T16:32:00.000-05:00

My friend Ahmed's seminal website Muslim Wake Up! has been attacked once again by a merry band of Salafi nutjobs. It seems that on the way to paradise, these nuts must take it upon themselves to make our lives that much more worse. One can only image what the world would look like were hell to freeze over and they gained control. If you are a salafi nutjob reading this post, please do me a favor and stick your head in the nearest oven. Thanx.

Bin Laden Group Wins New Airport Projects!!!

2005-03-20T22:05:00.000-05:00

Talk about scaring the shit out of, umm, the World . . .

Hina Azam, Idiot? (You bet)

2005-03-20T20:39:00.000-05:00

From Hina Azam's "counter argument" to Amina Wadud's history making khutbah:
1) Women may write the Friday khutbas to be delivered by the khatib with proper attribution to the author. In my experience, imams are more than happy to have someone else do the work of putting together the khutba, and the practice of khatibs reading sermons written by others is well-known.

2) Women may deliver public lectures just prior to the khutba. The practice of a public talk between the adhan and the beginning of the khutba is found in much of the Muslim world and is an even more direct way than the above for women to communicate their ideas directly to the congregation. One idea for dual-language communities is that the talk delivered by the woman can be the basis for the khutba, which would essentially be a translation of it.

Of course any idiot can see that the second position negates the first. If a woman can give a speech prior to the khutbah, what is the justification for not hearing her voice during the khutbah? If she can the write it, isn't she in fact preaching? are they her thoughts being transferred?

this is yet another example of a failure to grasp simple logic. Hina, dear, lay off the Jesus juice.

The Shit Storm

2005-03-20T00:13:00.001-05:00

Nothing unites Muslims like a good old fashioned Friday prayer that will lead to hell. Organized religion with its insistence on owning a penis before one can truly lead others in worship just got a little bit wackier. The Muslim world in the last two days has been rocked by an African-American woman leading a prayer.

Now just step back for a moment. A woman led a prayer to God and people are callng for her death. Prayer. Death threats. One more time. Prayer . . . Death threats.

If there is a God and he/she/it isn't on the side of Amina Wadud, then I'll take my chances in hell. I hear the drinks are better anyway. Besides I'm Black. How much harder can hell be?

Amina Do Your Thing, Girl

2005-03-18T12:03:00.000-05:00

This afternoon, Amina Wadud will lead a mixed prayer at undisclosed location in New York City. It will be one of the few times that a woman will go on record as leading a Friday prayer. This is the Islamic equivalent of Rosa Parks refusing to move to the back of the bus. Ms. Wadud, an African-American Islamic scholar is a pioneer and The Crossfader wishes her great success. [Islam, Religion]

Shout Outs

2005-03-16T17:37:00.000-05:00

The Crossfader would like to give a special shout out to all those people in Saudi Arabia looking for "Naked Saudi Women" "Saudi Boobs" and "Saudi Vaginas". I'm touched. Really. I know it sucks in your country. I know you're stuck humping the Filipina or Indonesian or Malaysian maid but The Crossfader fortunately is not the place to get your rocks off. Mish keda?

The Crossfader would also like to extend a special "3rd Reich" shout out to all those Americans, Brits, and Canucks who are so ticked off that Heidi Klum married Seal or as your search requests indicate "Heidi Klum and Ni**er Seal" or "Seal Ni**er." I'm sorry Ms. Klum did not return your advances but maybe perhaps she likes Seal better than you and wanted to be with some guy who didn't still live with his mother in a cave, watching you play Civilization twelve hours a day. [Rants, Saudi Arabia]

White Woman Tames Negro!

2005-03-16T12:36:00.000-05:00

As we move from the media circus of the manhunt to the media circus of the hostage as hero (which lets face it, Ashley Smith saved the not only her life but Brian Nichols' as well) nevertheless I can't help but think of the cliche of why brothers date white women and I crack myself up everytime. I wish I had the patience to write it all out but trust me. It's funny.

Sinn Fein Re-Ups with G-Unit

2005-03-15T17:59:00.000-05:00

The Crossfader has been playing catch-up with the news coming out Northern Ireland and the straight-up gangsta pimp slap that the IRA has been throwing down on that little slice of the island. It seems the IRA knifed Robert McCartney outside a bar in broad daylight and miraculously, no one saw anything. The first known case of spontaneous group blindness ever recorded. [Ireland, Terrorism]

Marwa Al-Eifa: Saudi Women Are Punk Ass Bitches*

2005-03-12T19:52:00.000-05:00

She's Rich, Beeyatch!

A friend sent me this story. Marwa Al-Eifa is a 25 year old woman of Saudi origin who recently won the Dubai Women's International Rally. She's a racecar driver. Now in Saudi where they are busy sticking their heads up their asses, women aren't allowed to drive. So what would you expect a Saudi female racecar driver to say on the subject? Why she'd be against women driving too of course:

I did not mean to upset Saudi women by those remarks. All I wanted to say was that they should first prove themselves in society and get the appropriate posts that suit their capabilities and ambitions, she said. This will eventually lead them to being allowed to drive cars, she added. (Arab News)

Translation: Daddy lets me drive. You bitches need to work harder. [Saudi Arabia, Dubai,Islam]

*My Dubai attorney advises that I remind people that this is hyperbole.

50 Cent in the Crosshairs

2005-03-12T11:18:00.000-05:00

Ouch. Two of New York's high profile lyricists have weighed in on the 50 Cent fracass. Here's the Jadakiss 50 Cent dis track. One word. Hot. Here's Fat Joe's track. (I know the Don hails from the BX but damn, prodigious use of the N-word playa. Slow your roll.) [Hip Hop]

Negro On the Run!!!!!!!

2005-03-11T19:43:00.000-05:00

Georgia. One Judge down; One white woman slain. One Black man (gasp) on the run. Nothing like the American nightmare coming to life to kick up the paranoia a notch. [Culture, African American]

That Nicole Wray Joint Is No Joke

2005-03-11T14:30:00.000-05:00

"Can't Get Out the Game" by Nicole Wray with Beani Sigel is like on permanent repeat on my Ipod. If you get a chance get a hold of the Dame Dash's Roc4Life Mixtape. This has got to be one of the hottest tracks on a mixtape full of head nodding beats. [Hip Hop]

Uh, Maybe Rape-istan Is Not So Good

2005-03-11T09:55:00.000-05:00

So it looks like someone with a brain is at the controls in Pakistan after all. That nuclear country's highest Islamic Court has just tossed the acquittal of five men who were allowed to gang rape a woman for some ridiculous tribal slight, like looking at someone's goat or something. Anyway, the Crossfader welcomes Pakistan into the 21st century.[Pakistan, Islam, Women]

Correction: A reader has rightly pointed out that the woman was sentenced to gang rape by the village elders because her brother was sexually molested by a member of a more powerful tribe and when he said "hey quit shagging me old man", they accused him of having affair with "one of their women." Thus leading us to gang rape-land. So the lesson we take from all this is: In rural Pakistan men shag boys, and when they complain, they gang rape their sisters. Lovely. I assume the goats are safe.

Niger: Slaves? Umm, What Slaves?

2005-03-09T21:01:00.000-05:00

From Niger, land o'yellow cake, comes word that slaves, yes slaves, were set to be freed in that backward hell-hole of country when the country's leading human rights spokesperson decided to stick his head up his own ass and declare that there were in fact no slaves in Niger. Now to get your own on special peak at this latest evidence that some parts of Africa are more backward than a one-legged donkey on crack the day before New Years, look no further than here.

Before you cutural relativist get your panties in a bunch, let me just state that I am sick and tired of reading about some whack b.s. coming out of Africa like slavery, raping babies, pulling girls out of school etc.
[Niger, Slavery, Africa, Islam]

Meet the New Boss . . .

2005-03-09T15:18:00.000-05:00

Perhaps it says something about the 90 degree vertical climb much of the Arab world needs to scale in order to get anywhere near democratic politics but the Lebanese Prime Minister who famously resigned in the face of the public outpouring following Rafik Hariri's murder has been returned to his post. Sorry folks but the Crossfader has officially declared this party over. You don't have to go home, but you gots to get the hell up outta here. [lebanon]

Lebanon: Beauty or the Fat Man

2005-03-08T08:33:00.000-05:00

Beauty and the . . .

Well boys and girls, the Party of God (no, not the Republicans, but Hizbollah) has finally weighed in with their merry band of revelers to put in their two cents. The Crossfader has surveyed the scene and offers this Friedman-esque analysis: The struggle in the Levant these days is between people who protest with women on their shoulders and people who protest with fat bearded guys. Lets hope the Lebanese choose properly. [Middle East, Lebanon]

Of Feminism and Fundamentalism

2005-03-07T18:03:00.000-05:00

The Crossfader gives a shout out to Nigerian columnist, Michael Amauke with the Daily Champion, who offers of up this apologia for feminism in the face of growing fundamentalism throughout the world. It is hands down the better than anything comparable you'll come across in the "western" press. [Journalism, Nigeria, Feminism]

A Tale of Two Blondes

2005-03-05T08:56:00.000-05:00

Free at Last! . . . . Free at Last!

Martha Stewart walking in her "skinny jeans"; Italian journalist, Giuliana Sgrena, looking like she emerged from the world's worst day spa, sans "skinny jeans." Ms. Sgrena, mistakenly shot by U.S. forces just after she was released by her Iraqi captors. Ms. Stewart, repeatedly shot by papparazzi on her way to a private jet.

Two women, now free.
[Italy, Culture, Circus]

Sudan: We Do Genocide, Not Cancer!

2005-03-04T15:52:00.000-05:00

The government of Sudan, perennial second fiddle to Egypt, has come out against the naming of a food dye after the country. It seems this food dye has been found to cause cancer and Sudan does not what to be associated with a carcinogen.

"We are unhappy because the name of this strange material is associated with our country, and it is known as cancerous and this is not a good thing for the name of our country," said Hassan Faraj, Sudan's Deputy High Commissioner in the UK. (BBC)

One gets the sense that Sudan's priorities are still a little, umm, off. [Sudan, Africa]

Keystone Cops, Baghdad Precinct

2005-03-04T15:28:00.000-05:00

The US military, that fine band of sharpshooters that has felled more journalists that in any other conflict in recent memory (remember Mazen Dana), has just earned another notch in its belt. The group of Einstiens openned fire on the car carrying recently freed Italian journalist, Giuliana Sgrena, killing an Italian agent and wounding Sgrena in the shoulder. All of which will garner a collective shrug from the Americans. Ain't empire grand? [Journalism, Hostages, Italy]

Addendum: My fine readers have pointed out that the military did try to warn them before they openned fire. Of course, I would expect the brass to say that but if it's true I will retract my snarky comment. Incidentally, my girlfriend's friend still has radioctive shrapnel in her from when the military shot at the Palestine Hotel. The reason? They thought they saw someone aiming at them. I like the military but I also know they rarely admit a mistake.

Pakistan, er Rape-istan

2005-03-04T08:40:00.000-05:00

Ah the wisdom of Pakistan where a woman can be gang raped by her local village as punishment and the village elders go free. That's what I like about "traditional" living, men get to be all gangsta in their sandals, goats and sporadic electricity. Much respect rural Pakistan. Keep pimping the game to the fullest. Don't believe all that stuff about you guys being a bunch of backward yahoos. You guys are keeping it real. [Pakistan, Muslims, Sexism, Culture]

Syria's Coitus Interuptus

2005-03-03T16:06:00.000-05:00

So even the Saudis are telling Syria the jig is up. The winds of change have caught the Syrian de facto royal family somewhat flatfooted. Still content to party like it's 1999, the post-Hariri backlash against Damascus is increasingly deafening. So much so 50 cent now claims to have beef with Bashar Assad based on some alleged dis last week.

"World" Bank?

2005-03-02T15:15:00.000-05:00

I'm a bit confused. If only the Americans get to name who heads the World Bank, then shouldn't we call it the American Bank? [Foreign Policy, World Bank]

HipHop, Gangsta Again

2005-03-02T10:07:00.000-05:00

As you no doubt know by now, Lil' Kim is on trial for perjury and 50 Cent is on the run from The Game. Damn I love hip hop. I love the fact that in hiphop you never have to grow up. It's like the espresso version of American culture. Adults get to run around like 13 year-olds, comparing bling and busting caps in various asses while serving as role models to kids who can barely read, much less point out their "hood" on a map. [hiphop, Culture, African-American]

Lebanon to Syria: Back Da Eff Up!

2005-02-28T13:21:00.000-05:00

Well, well, well. Looks likes the Arabs, er Phoenecians, can take to the streets and effect change. Exercising what may be the Phoenecian loophole, Lebanese marched today in something that will get you killed anywhere else in the region, namely a political protest. No doubt the Egyptians are salivating at the chance to remove King Mubarak before his son ascends to the throne as news of the collapse of the Lebanese government wafts over the Nile. (Cue orientalist music now.) [Lebanon, Middle East, Muslims, Syria]

I Went, I Saw, I Went Home . . .

2005-02-27T20:27:00.000-05:00

Da Gates Yo.

This Sucks or How to Write for Slate

2005-02-26T17:13:00.000-05:00

Five minutes ago I realized Slate magazine sucked and sucked bad. Trapped in this hipster, trucker hat, nothing-more-three-people-like-can-ever-be-that-good phase of life, it flails around looking for the next big thing to tear down and it's a sad thing to behold. Like realizing that cool friend you had in college is just a scared little soul too afraid to cop to the Fresh Prince & DJ Jazzy Jeff best of collection under his bed.

In fact, Slate sucks so bad you can write a Slate article without ever having a real opinion of your own. Just take one social phenomenon that's moderately well recieved and find some negative angle that purports to destroy the very reason why the thing was popular in the first place. Sure the first time you read it, it's mildly interesting, but the 3,000,000th time it becomes a tired schtick. [ Journalism]

AU to Togo: Faure No Swiping!

2005-02-25T19:31:00.000-05:00

No Swiping Togo Dude!

Bowing to international pressure (including no doubt from Dora the Explorer), Togo's boy president Faure Somethingorother agreed to step down from the post of President, a position the Togolese military thought would make a great early christmas present. Well, they could not have been more wrong. A round of applause and hats off to the African Union and Ecowas for pulling this off. Have a drink on me guys. [Togo, Africa]

Eva Mendes, Black Enough for America

2005-02-24T11:14:00.000-05:00

NBC has a curious bit on the casting of Eva Mendes in the latest Will Smith vehicle, "Hitch." Moviegoers may remember Ms. Mendes from her headturning roles opposite Denzel Washington in "Training Day" and "Out of Time." It seems Mendes was chosen to appease an American audience still a bit squeamish at the sight of a Black man macking a white chick. Notice the muted media response stateside to Heidi Klum's marriage to Seal. However, the American market is not ready for Black romance on the big screen either thus enters Eva Mendes, just enough color to keep people reaching for their wallet. Luckily, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Venezuela amongs others have a steady supply of "cafes con leche" to protect white womanhood from Ms. Klum's (sometime's Ms. Kidman's) transgressions.[Hollywood, African-American, Latinos]

Correction: Amina Wadud is a "Niggah"

2005-02-23T13:32:00.000-05:00

In a somewhat meandering rebuttal to Tarek Fateh's piece referred to last week or so, Amina Wadud claims that she did not refer to herself as a "nigger" but rather as the more colloquial "niggah" no doubt taking time to strut her gangsta bona fides at Toronto's Noor Cultural Center. The Crossfader is curious as to why Ms. Wadud chose such a venue as it is has not been previoulsy known for its street credibility. It is unclear whether Ms. Wadud is also a chickenhead. [Islam, African-American]

Correction: The Crossfader has changed his opinion of Ms. Wadud and now sees her as the courageous woman she is. The earlier comment above was written without a full understanding. Ms. Wadud is perhaps the bravest woman in islam at this moment, the second bravest being the Pakistani woman who rapes by her village elders. For my undated position on Ms. Wadud please read here and here.

US Ends Military Assistance to Togo?

2005-02-23T12:03:00.000-05:00

Out there in the "internets" there is a Voice of America report that ends with a statement that the U.S. has announced that it is suspending all military assistance to Togo yet I can't help but wonder (a) what the hell is the U.S. doing providing military aid to a country with less people than NYC and (b) what exactly does this aid consist of, other than ledger entry from the Pentagon to Lockheed Martin? It also begs the question, just what is the U.S. policy toward Togo such that they warrant military aid. [Togo, Foreign Aid, Africa]

Togo & Africa Come of Age

2005-02-23T09:48:00.000-05:00

So it seems the farce that was the Togo coup is being slowly, methodically unravelled by Nigeria and ECOWAS. The Times of London has a nice recap of the events of the last three weeks or so. Suffice it to say that Nigeria has provided steady leadership on the issue and has shown that Africans can secure democratic institutions without the guiding yoke of former colonial masters. That all this happened with nary a word by the Bush Administration highlights the fact, as has been stated before, that "democracy" in and of itself is not priority for this administration.
File this under: Africa, Nigeria, and Togo

Standing With Lebanon

2005-02-22T10:33:00.000-05:00

Mona Eltahawy has one of the best pieces I have seen commenting on the recent death of Rafik Hariri. The English translation can be found here. Essentially she says the Arab world is tired of the senseless violence that has been masquerading as politics in that part of the world for the last 25 years.

File this under: Lebanon and Middle East

Another Ridiculous Pakistani Custom

2005-02-22T07:58:00.000-05:00

One can always depend on rural Pakistan to provide Exhibit A on why so-called traditional societies are often the most demented and twisted. Take for example the recent "decision" handed down by the village elders who decided that the proper punishment in an adultery case was to wed the adulterer's two year-old daughter to the adulteress' forty year-old husband. Keep in mind all these people are cousins. All we can hope for is maybe the two year-old will get to see a book in her lifetime. Here's hoping.
File this craziness under: Pakistan and Sexism

Soldiers Gone Wild!!!!!!!!!

2005-02-19T07:20:00.000-05:00

Apparently in the Army you can watch female soldiers engage in mudwrestling in the middle of a war zone but if you're a female soldier doing the mudwrestling and then you flash your boobs, well that is something the Army just can't stand for.
Please file under: Iraq War Military

Lawrence Summers, Crackhead

2005-02-18T15:03:00.000-05:00

Having now released the transcript to his infamous "women are too stupid for science" rant it is clearly evident that Mr. Summers has taken to smoking crack in his later years. Either that or the man has been employed at a position that far exceeds his cognitive abilities and it is just now comming to light. The Crossfader asks once again why is that certain academics tend to fall back on latterday phrenology when they look at a social problem? What the f-?
Harvard

Another Ridiculous African Custom

2005-02-18T06:59:00.000-05:00

The Crossfader has no patience for African "tradition" (or any other for that matter) especially when such tradition has the cumulative effect of squandering the immeasurable talents of whole swathes of the continent for the sake of little more than bullshit. The latest example of this can be found in this NY Times piece on Sub-Saharan Africa's AIDS widows and orphans. It seems that "tradition" often dictates that the belongings of a deceased male belongs not to his wife and children but to his brothers resulting in a man's immediately family being left destitute in the wake of his death. While this may have made sense at some point in the past, it is ridiculous in this day and age and is nothing more than a power grab under the guise of culture, as most things are.
Africa

The Chicken Comes Home To Roost

2005-02-17T10:50:00.000-05:00

You've got to appreciate the Bush administration's sense of humor--John Negroponte as Director of National Intelligence. I'm sure Mr. Negroponte will bring to the table all the skills learned while working to rout out the Sandinistas back in the 80's when a communist Central America sure had everyone on the edge of their seat. Remember that whole Iran-Contra thingy? I didn't think so.

National Security

Wyclef Jean, Evil Genius

2005-02-17T10:11:00.000-05:00

I blame Wyclef Jean for forcing me to download "Your Love" by the midling late 80's band The Outfield. If he hadn't used a slice of its melody toward the end his Carnival collabo "The Survivors" with Machal Montano I wouldn't have to listen to Josie being on a vacation far away. Curse you Wyclef Jean. Curse you.

Rants

NY Times Allergic to Arab Opinion

2005-02-16T16:14:00.000-05:00

Can anyone explain to me why the New York Times chose to publish Andrew Exum's OpEd on Lebanon in the wake of the Rafik Hariri's murder? Lemme get this straight, one of the most influential Lebanese politicians is assassinated and the best the Times can do is rely on an American on vacation to tell us what the natives were feeling on that day? Doesn't the Times trust (gasp) an Arab voice to describe an Arab mood. When Rabin was killed am I to assume the first Oped run was by an Egyptian on vacation in Tel Aviv? I don't think so, playa.

Journalism

Bush the Uniter

2005-02-16T15:45:00.000-05:00

From Iranian state television:

Iran and Syria, who both are facing pressure from the United States, said Wednesday they will form a "united front" to confront possible threats against them.

"In view of the special conditions faced by Syria, Iran will transfer its experience, especially concerning sanctions, to Syria," Mohammad Reza Aref, Iran's first vice president, was quoted as saying after meeting Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Naji Otari.

Well folks he did say he was a "uniter not a divider".

No Vaginas in Uganda

2005-02-16T12:59:00.000-05:00

From Ugando Anarchism by way of The New Vision comes word that the Ugandan Media Council has put the kaibash on an upcoming performance of the Eve Ensler's "The Vagina Monologues" to be held Kampala. While no reason yet has been given for why the play has been shutdown one can safely assume that the issue of violence against women was a bit too hot for the paternalistic authorities to handle. Following the ruling, one of the plays supporters, Sarah Mukasa of Akina Mama wa Afrikawas, was quoted as saying:

“Nobody should deny Ugandans a chance to listen to the testimonies of violence against women simply because of the word vagina. This word is in our biology books. Are we going to delete it?”

Good question.

Africa

Why Isn't Gregory Engle Stateside?

2005-02-16T09:56:00.000-05:00

While the shock of Rafik Hariri's assassination still hung in the air, the Bush administration decided to pull its ambassador to Syria to show its disapproval with what it believes to be Syria's role in the killing. Yet this same administration with its professed love of democracy and the rule of law has so far failed to call Gregory Engle, U.S. Ambassador to Togo home for the Togolese military's role in enshrining Faure Gnassingbe as President of the country following the death of his father in clear contravention to the Togolese constitution.

Are we to assume that African democracies are less a priority than Arab ones for this administration?

Journalism

Democracy for Iraq; Tyranny for Togo

2005-02-14T14:49:00.000-05:00

Is it just the Crossfader or has the Bush Administration been curiously reticent in the face of the blatant power grab that has been Togo's muted coup. While purple fingers were still visible in the District of Columbia, nary a one has been waved in the direction of Lomé since the news went out that the late Togolese President's son would ascend, Syrian-like, to the throne. Alas, an African-American Secretary of State doesn't really translate into anything for the Africans left in the lurch.

Amina Wadud's Unforgiveable Blackness

2005-02-14T12:53:00.000-05:00

My friend Ahmed Nassef's MWU has good piece by Tarek Fatah on Prof. Amina Wadud speech before Toronto's Noor Cultural Center. Amid a sea of hecklers, Ms. Wadud stood her ground and pointed to 2000lb elephant in the room, namely Arab/Muslim bias toward Black Africans. Asked why she was being heckled, Ms. Wadud stated:

"Usually I wear the hijab, and when I am wearing it, most Muslims do not consider me African–American; I pass off as a South Asian, but when they see me without a scarf, they can see my African locks and they know I am Black and suddenly their attitude changes. The fact is I am a nigger and you will just have to put up with my blackness."

Amen to that sister.

Another "Liberal" Bites the Dust

2005-02-14T12:35:00.000-05:00

The Crossfader has to side with (gasp) the Wall Steet Journal on the Eason Jordan fiasco. CNN showed the judgement that we have come to expect from the institutionalized "left" namely, the swift dexterity of a spineless dismount.

[I]t does not speak well of CNN that it apparently allowed itself to be stampeded by this Internet and talk-show crew. Of course the network must be responsive to its audience and ratings. But it has other obligations, too, chief among them to show the good judgment and sense of proportion that distinguishes professional journalism from the enthusiasms and vendettas of amateurs. (WSJ)

Of course this why Fox News continues to each CNN's lunch day in and day out. The so called "left" lacks the cajones to stand and fight because at the end of the day they're scared to lose and yet the irony is they always lose as of late.

Back From Carnival

2005-02-13T21:45:00.000-05:00

Back from Carnival

Fresh from seven days in Trinidad the Crossfader returns to find UCLA law professor Richard H. Sander with his head up his ass. Apparently Prof. Sander has spent his free time doing what has become the common pasttime among a certain class of academic, namely spending endless nights pondering just why the "Blacks" are inferior to the whites. Mr. Sander, bless his little heart, thinks affirmative action places Black students in law schools where "they don't belong."

The Crossfader is consistently amazed at the lengths to which academics try to mask their interest in phrenology with statistical analysis.

A Little Vacay

2005-02-05T07:29:00.000-05:00

The Crossfader will be in Trinidad for carnival for the next 7 days so the biting sacasm will unfortunately be on hold here until his return, Insh'allah.

Iran With Nukes? So What.

2005-02-04T19:19:00.000-05:00

Here's the problem with all this hullabaloo about Iran angling to get a nuclear weapon. The assumption is that the U.S. cannot allow Iran, with its Islamist government, to obtain a nuclear weapon but no one ever proposes the question of whether a democratic government in Iran would still want to obtain nuclear weapons. If would it would, does the U.S. still invade. If so, who died and made the U.S. God?

Disco In"Porno"

2005-02-04T13:58:00.000-05:00

The Crossfader is not one to knock anyone's hustle but the new 50 cent video is a tad bit much me thinks. The spotlight having shifted to his lable-mate The Game, Curtis Jackson has decided to up the hoochie mama element and it ain't pretty.

Girls in School? Crazy Stuff in Sudan

2005-02-04T10:23:00.000-05:00

The WaPo has the sad story of the struggle for Southern Sudanese girls to get an education now that the civil war has ended. The Crossfader isn't one for cultural relativism so when he sees half the population of Southern Sudan shut out of the fledgling school system he scratches his head and thinks to himself, "What the hell is wrong with these people?" It's 2005; man has gone to the moon and back and there are still people worrying about how many cows you can get for your sister? Get your own damn cows you lazy bastard. Let the girls get a book in their hand so they don't have to put up with this backward b.s. any longer than they have to. Yalla.

MTV2 Jumps Something

2005-02-03T21:27:00.000-05:00

The Crossfader is amused by the announced changes to befall MTV2 this Sunday (and at which point the Crossfader will be safely ensconced in Trinidad awaiting Carnival 2005). The AP story explaining the transformation is a study of incomprehensibility so who knows exactly what is afoot. Suffice it to say the changes most probably will mean even less music videos which can only translate into that much more iPod time for the Crossfader.

Marisol, An American Girl Cliche

2005-02-02T16:08:00.000-05:00

Hispanic groups are upset at the latest batch of clueless racism that we've come to expect from our fellow Americans whose "good friends" are almost always people of color. The American Girl doll company, an institution whose primary purpose seems to be to allow the ruination of one girl's childhood by the oppressive memories of her mother, has brought to market their Mexican-American doll Marisol. As luck would have it Marisol "loves to dance" but unfortunately she comes from (shock of all shocks) a "bad neighborhood" and must move to the suburbs with her family. No doubt to be closer to the consumers of this cultural hagiography. But on the bright side, at least all those little blond girls in the suburbs can now have a little brown refugee from the big bad city all their own.

Hot 97 Cries "Uncle"

2005-02-02T15:49:00.000-05:00

Emmis Donates $1 Million to Charities to Aid in Tsunami Relief & Recovery

New York – February 1, 2005: WQHT/Hot 97-FM and Emmis Communications announced today that they have terminated the employment of morning show producer Rick Del Gado for his role in writing, producing and airing “The Tsunami Song,” a highly insensitive parody of the 1985 single “We Are the World.” Hot 97 and Emmis also terminated morning show personality Todd Lynn for making offensive, racially insensitive comments while on the air. Both terminations are effective immediately.

Simultaneously, Emmis announced that it will make a lump-sum donation of $1 million to Give2Asia to aid the organization in its Tsunami relief and recovery effort.

An internal investigation by Hot 97 and Emmis determined that the singularly egregious actions of Lynn and Delgado warranted termination from their employment at the station. Other members of the morning show crew: Miss Jones, DJ Envy and Tasha Hightower have each been given two-week suspensions. The salaries of these individuals will be redirected to Give2Asia for the duration of their suspensions, which will end on Wednesday, February 9. Another member of the morning show crew, Miss Info, has not been suspended.

“The actions of the morning show crew were socially and morally indefensible and the entire Emmis family is ashamed by this,” said Rick Cummings, President of Emmis Radio “Emmis and Hot 97 have investigated this matter thoroughly over the course of the last week. Our decision to terminate Mr. Del Gado and Mr. Lynn while suspending the other members of the morning crew sends a message that this type of insensitivity is utterly unacceptable.”

Malcolm Gladwell States the Obvious

2005-02-01T23:41:00.000-05:00

Apparently Malcolm Gladwell wrote a book that says white people make snap judgments about Black people. Uh, no shit dude. Where's Stanley Crouch to pimp slap this dumbass?

Muslim "Scholar" Robs Egyptian Writer

2005-02-01T14:42:00.000-05:00

Famed Indonesian "scholar" Zakiyuddin Baidhawy robbed my friend Mona Eltahawy the other day. Nearly a month ago, Ms. Eltahawy wrote a piece for Muslim WakeUp! entitled "Where is the Jihad Against the Tsunami?" calling out the hypocritical salafi nutjubs for their failure to muster any comment on the devastation in the world's most populous Muslim country, Indonesia. Mr. Baidhawy saw this piece and decided that it would look better with his name on the byline. He was wrong of course, but he would have gotten away with it if it hadn't been picked up by the Wall Street Journal which referenced the piece. You can imagine my friend's surprise when she came across her own words coming supposedly from the pen of some two-bit "scholar" who somehow thinks he's the only one with an internet connection. (Somebody tell him the tsunami didn't hit New York City.)

Who knew plagiarism was so blatant amongst Muslim "scholars." [Update: Mr. Baidhawy has since apologized to my friend for his wholesale theft of her intellectual property.]

UN to Darfur: Genocide Schmenocide

2005-02-01T11:15:00.000-05:00

The International Community breathed a sigh of relief today as the bodycount in Darfur came up ten bodies short of a genocide. A Sudanese official said "It was close, but we were able to keep it under the limit," he continued, "I'd like to give a shout-out to the Janjiweed for pulling back on the slaughter a bit down the stretch. It really helped us alot. I'd also like to thank the Arab League and Organization of African Unity for being especially ineffectual."

They only dark spot came when Samantha Power had to be restrained from choking Kofi Anan. A UN observer at the scene said, "It was ugly. She almost made Kofi spill his glass of Veuve Clicqout."

(of course none of this really happened, except in spirit)

The AIDS "Conspiracy"

2005-02-01T10:27:00.000-05:00

The Washington Post's Jabari Asim had a good piece the other day about African-Americans and the various AIDS conspiracy theories. He leaves us with this wonderful nugget:

For argument's sake, let's say that AIDS was indeed created in a laboratory specifically to kill African-Americans. Wouldn't continuing to engage in multiple sexual relationships -- avoiding condoms all the while -- merely aid and abet our would-be murderers? I'm tempted to think that any group that wanted to do away with African-Americans would soon conclude that an organized campaign would be a waste of time and resources. Thoughtless self-destruction is apparently a task we can handle on our own. (WP)

We African-Americans, like Americans in general, think the world revolves around us. We think so highly of ourselves we delude ourselves into thinking it takes an army of CIA scientists crafting a deadly disease to take us down when all it takes is the simple devaluation we already give to each Black life implicitly. The Man can rest easy, our eyes are on the bling playa.

Todd Lynn, Curbside

2005-02-01T10:12:00.000-05:00

It seems Todd Lynn of "I'm gonna start shooting asians" fame has been relieved of his "comedic" duties at WQHT/Hot 97. Asia Media Watchdog reports that Todd Lynn called to confirm that the group "got [their] wish, man. I'm fired. I'm gone." For those of you late to the party, Todd Lynn can be heard on the world famous "Tsunami Song" mocking the victims of the Tsunami that struck the Indian Ocean last December.

Cosby Cops a Feel

2005-01-31T13:59:00.000-05:00

I guess it was bound to happen but damn Bill. Otro vez?:

Following Bill Cosby’s voluntary meeting with investigators last week probing allegations of “inappropriate fondling” brought by a Canadian woman, both ABC News and “Celebrity Justice” have confirmed reports that the comedian has admitted to having sexual contact with his accuser, but that it was entirely consensual.
“We're told that Cosby, who has become a controversial figure lately due to his stern lectures on African American family values, characterized the sexual encounter as ‘not intercourse,’ and that it involved primarily touching,” reports “CJ.”

Sources also tell the show that the woman contacted Cosby months after the encounter asking him for tickets for her and her family to his performance at Casinorama, north of Toronto. According to “CJ,” Cosby obliged, leaving their tickets at the Will Call window.

As previously reported, the woman worked for the Temple University women's basketball team at the time of the incident. Her lawyers tell "CJ" that Cosby gave the woman what she believed to be "herbal" pills of some sort and that she was "legally incapacitated" when she says Cosby fondled her at his mansion in suburban Philadelphia. (EurWeb)

Iraqis Discover Purple

2005-01-30T21:58:00.000-05:00

What Color is Your Democracy?

Hot 97 Protest Pic

2005-01-30T13:48:00.000-05:00

Damn that's funny

This lovely pic was pulled from the best site from which observe the Hot 97 clusterfuck, Hiphopmusic.com. They also run an interview with one of the guys behind the infamous "Tsunami Song" Todd Lynn.

Baghdad's Best Whorehouse

2005-01-30T11:43:00.000-05:00

How's this for a turnabout, a Japanese woman who first ventured to Iraq as a human shield back in the dark ages before the Iraq fiasco, has opened the city's best whorehouse. This from the ASG:

"A Japanese woman called Yukiko Muragishi came to Iraq with her friends to act as a human shield and stayed there when the war had finished. She stayed because, inside Baghdad's Green Zone being protected by the U.S. military, she is running a whorehouse for U.S. servicemen and Iraqi politicians and it has made her very rich. All you Islamic leaders in your palaces in the Green Zone, your prayers are worthless as long as American soldiers are playing around in brothels," Shukan Shincho quotes an article listed on the Iraqi Communist Party's website last month.

Yukiko Muragishi, the madam in question has this to say for herself:

"It's true that I did run a massage parlor in the Green Zone from April to September last year. I'm also aware that there were snide rumors about the place being spread. But I want to state emphatically that there were never sexual services offered there. If there had been, the U.S. military would have expelled me," Muragishi tells Shukan Shincho, going on to explain why she opened a massage parlor for American servicemen. "Right after the war ended, I had the chance to talk to loads of American soldiers. Many were traumatized by what they'd had to do. To try and rid themselves of this feeling, they'd try and justify their actions. They often got so wound up with their justifications, you couldn't shut them up. The more I came in contact with American military members, the more I realized they were the victims of war, too. I wanted to do something to help them. The idea I came up with to do so was to provide them with therapeutic massages."

Well there you have it. She did it for the troops . . .

The KKK Between the Tigris and Euphrates

2005-01-28T10:58:00.000-05:00

Amid the threats by the Iraq "insurgents" warning against voting in the upcoming election roams the ghost of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. The KKK rose out of the ashes of the defeated Confederacy ostensibly to protect the virtue of the white womanhood but of course that was merely shorthand for maintaining the antebellum social order of white privilege. Nevertheless, the parallels between the Klan and Iraq "insurgents" is lost on the talking heads tasked with explaining the situation to an American public, ingornant of even its own tumultuous history.

The Klan was the most successful home grown terrorist organization the United States has ever produced. It reached its pinnacle during the 1920's claiming as its members Supreme Court Justices and U.S. Senators. All of this some sixty years after the South was defeated. The Klans whites only mantra was still potent enough the claim the lives of Medgar Evers and Chaney, Scherner and Goodman at the height of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960.

All of this is simply to point out that there are Americans who can relate to what the Iraqis are going through; that the stakes for Blacks in post-reconstruction America were similar to those confronting the Iraqis today; that the dark places of hatred and fear that birthed the suicide bombers at one time birthed a legion of crossburners.

Detainees "Gitmo" Than They Bargained For

2005-01-27T18:07:00.000-05:00

Bringing a whole new meaning to the word "Gitmo", the AP is first out of the box with the story of sexual interrogations down-Cuba-way all in the name of "National Security":

Female interrogators tried to break Muslim detainees at the U.S. prison camp in Guantanamo Bay by sexual touching, wearing a miniskirt and thong underwear and in one case smearing a Saudi man's face with fake menstrual blood, according to an insider's written account. (AP)

If this is the extent of the interrogations skills that are going to protect us from another terrorist attack, then lemme state from the jump: We are all f*cked beyond belief. The keystone cops are running the show folks.

Statement From WQHT, Annotated

2005-01-27T16:54:00.000-05:00

Statement from WQHT-FM, HOT 97

New York City - Miss Jones and the HOT 97 Morning team have been indefinitely suspended for the airing of a song that made light of a catastrophic event, as well as comments made at the time the song was aired. [Translation: Let's pretend this thing never happened. Hey lets play some more Biggie.]

Earlier this week, Miss Jones said on the air "I apologize to all who have been offended by my poor decision to go along with playing that insulting (to say the least) Tsunami song. I should have known better and I didn't. So I'm sorry and hopefully we can move forward from this, or I can move forward from this being a better hostess, because I am better than that, and I know better than that -- and you deserve better radio than that." [ And by move forward you mean get your job back, right?]

While Miss Jones has apologized on the air, in the media and on the HOT 97 website, station management felt that stronger action was necessary to demonstrate the severity of the situation. [Translation: We thought this thing was gonna blow over but when it didn't we realized that the shit had the proverbial fan. We hope this temporary gesture will appease the masses so we can pretend like this never happened.]

Emmis Radio and HOT 97 will not tolerate such derogatory and racially insensitive content. This incident in no way reflects the spirit of HOT 97. The station has a long-time and well-known reputation for community involvement and support. [Unless such content is contained within the hiphop album we are playing.]

Emmis Radio President Rick Cummings said, "What happened is morally and socially indefensible. All involved, myself included, are ashamed and deeply sorry. I know the members of the morning show are truly contrite. They know their actions here are inexcusable." [Translation: These negros got outta hand and we had to put the smackdown on them and let them know who's boss.]

We would like to clarify that no company advertising on our station had any connection to the Tsunami Song and no company advertising on our station endorsed or sponsored the offensive material aired on the "Miss Jones in the Morning" show. We apologize for any misunderstanding that may have caused listeners to believe that anyone, other than the morning show staff, was responsible for the material that should not have been aired. [Translation: Please don't contact our advertisers because now you're fucking with our money and we don't play dat. We are perfectly happy taking money out of DJ's pocket but now you're starting to really piss us off.]

Snipes Denies Crackhouse Love Session

2005-01-27T15:22:00.000-05:00

The Crossfader has his fingers (firmly) crossed in the hopes that the allegation that Wesley Snipes knocked up a crack afficionado in a Chicago crackhouse romp is false. According to UPI:

Indiana resident Lanise Pettis, 33, filed a paternity suit claiming Snipes fathered her son in 2000 after a romp in a Chicago crackhouse. Snipes' lawyer, Robert Bernhoft, says Pettis is a delusional former crack addict with a history of making "fantastical" claims.
Snipes' lawsuit alleged Pettis has made similar claims involving Prince, Oprah Winfrey and former President Bill Clinton. But Pettis says she has known Snipes all her life and wants a court to find he is the father of her son.

Of course, this may all just be the much anticipated follow up to Jungle Fever.

Cairo's Baby Mama Drama

2005-01-27T10:47:00.000-05:00

In yesterday's NY Times is the fascinating story of Hind el-Hinnawy, an upper-class Egyptian woman who has the nerve to assert that her baby's daddy, a well known religious personality, claim his child.

By filing suit, Ms. Hinnawy did more than just shatter a social taboo. She may well set an Egyptian legal precedent by requesting that the court order Mr. Fishawy to submit to a DNA test to establish whether he is the father of young Leena, born in October with a shock of soft black hair. DNA testing is relatively novel here, never before used to prove paternity in court. (NY Times)

While situations such as these are oldhat to hiphop afficianados, Cairenes, who generally pretend all women are virgins until their wedding night (ha!), are aghast at Ms. el-Hinnawy's refusal to go quietly. The Crossfader applauds Hind's ability to call a spade a spade.

Irv "Gotti" Goes Down

2005-01-26T13:04:00.000-05:00

Looks like the end of the road for Murder Inc. head Irv "Gotti" Lorenzo. Though can one hardly be surprised given the fact that Irv Lorenzo opted to use the appellation "Gotti" in his business dealings? From the Associated Press:

Label head Irv “Gotti” Lorenzo and his brother Christopher surrendered to the FBI on money-laundering charges Wednesday as federal prosecutors unsealed an indictment seeking to confiscate all the assets of their label, The Inc.
Their childhood friend, Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff, one of New York’s most notorious drug kingpins, was charged with murder, racketeering and other crimes that prosecutors said were intended to eliminate and intimidate potential witnesses.

He already is in prison on a relatively minor gun charge.

Prosecutors believe McGriff and the Lorenzos funneled hundreds of thousands of dollars in drug profits through The Inc., a chart-topping label owned partly by Island Def Jam, a Universal Music label. A Universal spokesman did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.

Emmis Communications Key Emails

2005-01-26T09:57:00.000-05:00

The Crossfader has found the appropriate email addresses for the executive suite at Emmis Communications, the owners of WQHT/Hot 97 and ultimately those responsible for "The Tsumani Song" fiasco. Please email these people as much as possible:

Jeff Smulyan, CEO, Chairman of the Board and President: jsmulyan@emmis.com
Rick Cummings, President of the Radio Division: rcummings@emmis.com

Sprint Denies "Tsunami Song" Connection

2005-01-25T18:30:00.000-05:00

The Crossfader fired off a little missive to Sprint earlier today for their support of the "Miss Jones in the Morning" show on WQHT concerning the "Tsunami Song." Their response is as follows:

Statement From Sprint

* Sprint does NOT have any connection to the Tsunami Song aired on Hot 97 FM.

* Sprint strongly objects to any communication or other effort making light of the devastation of the tsunami disaster. The content of the "Tsunami song" clearly runs contrary to Sprint's commitment to diversity and inclusion, and is not in any way supported or condoned by Sprint. Needless to say, our hearts go out to the tsunami victims and their families -- for this and other reasons, the Sprint Foundation and our associates have worked together since the tsunami tragedy to raise funds
for disaster relief efforts and will continue to do so.

*Sprint has purchased advertising time on Hot 97 but was incorrectly identified as a sponsor of the segment of the show in which the song was referenced. In any case, Sprint was unaware and had no connection to the content of the "Tsunami Song."

*Sprint has expressed our strong concern about this content to the radio station. The station has issued a public apology and appears to have disciplined the responsible parties. Sprint continually evaluates acceptable content against our own guidelines and we will continue to monitor the process with all outlets in which we advertise.

David Brooks, Man-boy Lost in Times Square

2005-01-25T08:38:00.000-05:00

Poor David Brooks. He's over there at the NY Times bereft of anything to talk about. The ridiculous socio-political observations are all taken by Thomas Friedman and so Brooks is left to his own devices, flailing about against the limits of his own intelligence. Thus we get this vaguely marxist-eugenic rant that is as equally incoherent as it is wrong. Only someone of Brooks complexion could state:

The United States is a country based on the idea that a person's birth does not determine his or her destiny. Our favorite stories involve immigrants climbing from obscurity to success. Our amazing work ethic is predicated on the assumption that enterprise and effort lead to ascent. "I hold the value of life is to improve one's condition," Lincoln declared. (NYT)

Will someone introduce Mr. Brooks to a Native-American, African-American, or Mexican-American? Toward the end of the piece, the Brooks delusions reach a fever pitch:

Now, the upper class doesn't so much oppress the lower class. It just outperforms it generation after generation. Now the crucial inequality is not only finance capital, it's social capital. Now it is silly to make a distinction between economic policy and social policy. (NYT)

Of course the fact that the upperclass with its access to the mechanism of government power can secure its advantages at the expence of the less fortunate is lost on Brooks. The upperclass are more successful simply because they "perform" better. Is the man high? What the f-

Zimbabwe Calls Rice an Oreo

2005-01-24T15:30:00.000-05:00

Taking time out of their 20yr plan to return Zimbabwe to the stone age, Zimbabwe's state run Herald "newspaper" offered this little nugget on Condi Rice:

"She is a black woman who will be manly and white in her relentless assault on blacks, their liberties and their remnant and dwindling sovereignties. She will be a black who washes away the sins of white power as it bludgeons non-white states." (AfricaLog.com)

Having the misfortune of living long past his usefulness, Mr. Mugabe and his loyal band of sycophants have resigned themselves to appearing as ridiculous as possible.

Thomas Friedman, American Dumbass

2005-01-23T16:37:00.000-05:00

Ah, yet another useless Thomas Friedman oped. Um, let' see all European muslims are fundamentalist right? Because apparently those are the only ones listed in the Nutcase Muslim Phonebook that Friedman picked up at Orly Airport. It would have been way too difficult to, uh I dunno, look up the leader of Le Mouvement Ni putes ni soumises because that internet thing is tricky. Instead we get:

I spent Friday morning interviewing two 18-year-old French Muslim girls in the Paris immigrant district of St.-Ouen. (It is about a mile from the school where in March 2003 a French Muslim girl, who had refused the veil and rebuffed the advances of a Muslim boy, was thrown into a garbage can by three Muslim teenagers, who then tossed lighted cigarette butts into the can and closed the lid.)
Both girls I interviewed wore veils and one also wore a full Afghan-like head-to-toe covering; one was of Egyptian parents, the other of Tunisian parents, but both were born and raised in France. What did I learn from them? That they got all their news from Al Jazeera TV, because they did not believe French TV, that the person they admired most in the world was Osama bin Laden, because he was defending Islam, that suicide "martyrdom" was justified because there was no greater glory than dying in defense of Islam, that they saw themselves as Muslims first and French citizens last, and that all their friends felt pretty much the same. (NY Times)

Thanks, Tom, for bringing your usual bag of lazy cliches to an already crowded table.

Shohreh Aghdashloo Sells Out, Smokes Crack*

2005-01-22T23:46:00.000-05:00

Having garnered an Oscar nomination for her role as the Iranian matriarch in the "House of Sand and Fog", Shohreh Aghdashloo decided it was time to play a terrorist on Fox's "24" in order to apparently support her nascent crack habit. From the NY Times:

"I was aware of the problem this was going to create for me, an Iranian actress," said Ms. Aghdashloo, who was a star of Iranian cinema before fleeing Tehran for London and then moving in 1987 to Los Angeles. There she and her husband, the playwright Houshang Touzie, created a traveling theater troupe, performing mostly in Farsi for Iranian-American audiences.
"I knew exactly what was going to happen, and it happened," she said. "This is pure fiction, sometimes even cartoonish. It's inspired by events in society, just as James Bond was inspired by the cold war. Did we have Russians demonstrating in the streets saying James Bond is giving us a bad name?"

The Times failed point out that this entire interview was held in a crack induced haze.

*the Crossfader did not actually see Ms. Aghdashloo smoke crack.

Hot 97's Slow Boat to "Chinks"

2005-01-22T21:47:00.000-05:00

These Negros Sure Are Funny

In an apparent race to the bottom, New York Hot 97's "Miss Jones in the Morning Show" decided to toss its hat in the ring for the D.W. Griffith's "Excellence in Broadcasting" award with an enlightened skit against the one people silly enough to still do business in the ghetto, you guessed it -- Chinese people. From the NY Post:

Yonkers-based Asian Media Watch accuses the WQHT/Hot 97 "Miss Jones in the Morning" show of "repeated racist attitudes" and demands the program's "elimination."
"The host broadcasts a horrifying song that mocks the dead South Asian tsunami victims, uses the racial slurs 'chink' and 'Chinamen,' and calls the drowning victims 'bitches,' " said AMW director Kai Yu in a letter to Hot 97's John Dimick.

Station-owner Emmis Communications issued an apology late yesterday.

"We apologize to our listeners and to anyone who was offended," Dimick said. "[The show's entire seven-person staff] has agreed to contribute one-week's pay to the tsunami-relief efforts."

Rather than offer some constructive opinion on perhaps the worst catastrophe in the last hundred years, the good people at Hot 97 decided that the best thing to do is to let the negros laugh. Thanks Hot 97. You rock!

Of Integrity and Tego Calderon

2005-01-21T15:50:00.000-05:00

Props go to reggaeton superstar Tego Calderon who showed a refreshing bit of self respect when turned down an offer to be affiliate with Sean John's spring collection citing the company's use of sweat shop labor:

“I heard about the human rights violations in his [P. Diddy] clothing factories in Central America, but frankly there was more," Calderon confessed to the New York Post. "Me faltó el respeto, [he dissed me] with his offer. I just did a $75,000 commercial in Puerto Rico with Nydia Caro. Someone like Puffy could have offered more than $2,000 — but again, it wasn't about the money. I was not persuadable. It was about the principle." (AllHipHop.com)

The Crossfader is floored.

Bob Herbert, Pimp

2005-01-21T15:21:00.000-05:00

NY Times columnist, Bob Herbert, proves once again why he is the biggest pimp at 229 W. 43rd Street:

Even as President Bush was taking the oath of office and delivering his Inaugural Address beneath the clear, cold skies of Washington, the news wires were churning out stories about the tragic mayhem in Iraq. There is no end in sight to the carnage, which was unleashed nearly two years ago by President Bush's decision to launch this wholly unnecessary war, one of the worst presidential decisions in American history.

Incredibly, with more than 1,360 American troops dead and more than 10,000 wounded, and with scores of thousands of Iraqis dead and wounded, the president never once mentioned the word Iraq in his Inaugural Address. He avoided all but the most general references to the war. Lyndon Johnson used to agonize over the war that unraveled his presidency. Mr. Bush, riding the crest of his re-election wave, seems not to be similarly bothered.

Slavery Apparently JP Morgan's Fault

2005-01-21T13:29:00.000-05:00

In a welcome, but also oddly touchy-feely statement, JP Morgan apologizes for its predecessor's involvement in the anti-bellum slave trade. According to the Associated Press:

"The bank, the nation's second largest, said in a statement Thursday that the two Louisiana banks had received thousands of slaves as collateral before the Civil War.
The New York-based bank also apologized for contributing to "a brutal and unjust institution" and said it was setting up a scholarship fund in Louisiana as a way to make amends.

JPMorgan officials said the bank undertook the study after Chicago passed an ordinance in 2003 requiring companies that do business with the city to research their history to determine any links to slavery. Among the companies that have been required to do such research are banks, insurance companies, bond underwriters and other financial vendors."

Warms the heart, don't it?