Amerykah has turned a corner and we should all turn with it. I have thoughts ideas and suggestions but I also have patience and desire for us to be whole and one. I have been speaking a lot lately of the human condition and the generations of Black Americans. i will entertain any and all conversation as long as we can be respectful and grown up. Let the healing begin......
Michael (Bow wow) Vick was released from home confinement today as his 23 month sentence came to an end. Vick received 23 months for participating in a dog fighting ring. He hopes to restart his NFL career but if he can it will not be with his former team the Atlanta Falcons who released Vick from his contract in June.
Being a dog lover myself I have to say he broke the law, dogs suffered he should be punished. However as we all know (even those there are some who refuse to admit this) we have a dual legal system. Because while Michael Vick was dog fighting and will be paying for that for awhile, I saw a “Subway” commercial today with Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps. Yes that Michael Phelps who was caught on camera smoking weed. That Michael Phelps who already had 1 DUI arrest. That Michael Phelps who clearly has broken the law a couple times and got on TV apologized and it has not seemed to slow down his career.
Sports figures, Entertainers, the rich and powerful break the law just as much as the average Joe and for the record I don’t think one mistake should kill a career. So I wish Mr. Vick all the best of luck re-igniting his career and having the staying power that Phelps has had.
I am starting a new segment here on the window. The I’m sorry so sorry segment is going to follow the latest trend of people who break the law, or scream a racial slur, or any of those other things that people feel soulfully sorry about after they get caught doing it.
The most recent of course being Ponzi master Bernard Madoff. Today he pleaded guilty to the 11 counts against him. "I am actually grateful for this opportunity to publicly comment about my crimes, for which I am deeply sorry and ashamed,"
Well Bernie its ok, long as you’re sorry. I am sure the guilt is eating you up inside, which we hopefully leave more room for your new husband Bubba to make your honeymoon night more memorable
Some previous I’m sorry recipients...
Michael Richards Michael Phelps Kwame Kilpatrick Mel Gibson
According to news reports today Michael Phelps, Olympic swimming sensation and confessed masterbonger, will not have to face any criminal charges for his photographed indiscretion earlier this month. In fact some of the public has even jumped to his defense even going so far as to boycott the Kellogg Company for dropping him as a spokesperson.
Sheriff Leon Lott has concluded his investigation and has decided no charges will be filled against the 14 gold medal winner. Ironically enough 8 other people who were supposedly at the party that night got locked the hell up. Sheriff Lott was able to pull evidence together from a party that took place in November that he found out about in February and arrest 7 people for possession and 1 person for selling. The one picture from the party with Phelps taking a hit from the bong was not enough evidence however to prove that he had broken any laws.
I did some research in the crime rate of Columbia, South Carolina where all this took place and it seems that for a city that has about 113,000 residents that had a report of 586 violent crimes by the end of 2007. Perhaps Sheriff Lott could direct a few more resources to the rapes, murders, and arsons that go on in that city instead of locking up “some”people who broke the law months after the fact.
In doing my research for this piece I came across a few “grumblings” from Richmond county residences. This one is my favorite by far.
“• Sheriff selective about criminals he pursues
My purse was stolen a few years ago. The thief took my credit card and used it at gas stations and a Wal-Mart in RichlandCounty to run up more than $1,000 in charges.
When my credit card company informed me of this, I filed a report with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. I also went to the Wal-Mart to see if its loss-prevention department would tell me anything. I was shown a copy of the credit card receipt signed by the thief (who signed his name John Smith). I was also told that a sheriff’s deputy could obtain a copy of the surveillance tape showing the thief making the purchase.
This evidence along with the surveillance tapes that could be obtained from the area gas stations gave me a ray of hope that the thief may be caught.
Upon returning with this news to the Sheriff’s Department, I was told someone would “look into it.”
I never heard anything from Lott’s office. Too bad it was not Michael Phelps who stole my purse.
"I don’t feel I have done anything that is idol worthy but I learned a long time ago that it is the little everyday things you do that people notice, so be the best you you can be." DJ
"If you don't tell your story someone else might, and they may not tell it as well" The Monkey
"Let he who is without dogshit on his sneaker, take the first step on the white rug!" Whoopi Goldberg
