As tired as I can—and do—get of West and Smiley at times, I have to admit that I thoroughly enjoyed this dialogue. Of course, I’m a HUGE fan of “Charlie Rose.”
Category Archives: books
Don't Ya Wish…………….
"But First, This is PROMOTION On NBC"
“Today” was clearly one for hyprocisy. As usual during the first half-hour, my favorite morning program found a way to promote at least one of its shows on NBC, MSNBC or CNBC. This time, after hawking “Meet The Press” this Sunday (see below post), pretend outrage abounded about Ann Coulter’s latest on-air statement.
Interviewed on his sister network’s morning show, CNBC’s Donny Deutsch talked about how the media keep wanting to talk about her, and that’s why she won’t go away. Right. Thanks for that insight, Donny. Gee, that’s a real “Big Idea” there. He must have a good show. 🙂
“Today” LOVES having Coulter on, and will do so again. Ah, the smell of money being made so early in the morning……… 🙂
Cosby On "Meet The Press" This Sunday
Bill Cosby (far right, wearing a white shirt) will be on “Meet The Press” this Sunday to promote this book.
Guess it was finally time to respond to Dyson, huh? 🙂 Or make more money. Didn’t Juan Williams defend Cosby well enough?
Thinking 'Bout August In October
Been thinking a lot about Our Ancestor August Wilson since I heard this on NPR. He made the choice I would make. No question.
I’d love to attain at least one-tenth of his courage. As 40 approaches like a Mack Truck in slow motion, with me unable to get out of the way 🙂 , I’m thinking of new mountains to climb. I get the feeling I should start here.
Wilson’s journey reminded me of my other inspirations. Once apon a time, I was 24 and freshly moved to Maryland. Exhausted trying to get my Master’s while simultaneously trying to keep my print journalism skills sharp, I used to spend weekends in bed, absorbing a collection of masterpieces from the genius of my Newark, N.J. hometown.
(I notice that Wilson listed Baraka and Bearden as influences. I’m glad we share those two.)
Okay, so Wilson started on the Century Cycle while in his early 30s. He finished “Radio Golf,” the last one, at 59. He died two years ago, a few months after his 60th birthday. And Baraka’s what, 73 this month? (Happy Birthday, Sir!) So, at 39, I got time. 🙂
Book Review: "Sentences: The Life Of M.F. Grimm"
SENTENCES: The Life of MF Grimm
By Percy Carey and Ronald Wimberly
Vertigo Books/DC Comics
$19.99, ISBN: 978-1-4012-1046-5
He was thisclose to getting out of The Life for good before the bullets came for his spine. But Percy Carey himself makes it hard to feel sorry for him before and after he was paralyzed from the waist down. Carey grew up in the ‘Hood before it became glamorized in 1990s song and film, and rolled with it simultaneously on his own and its terms. So he simultaneously produced hiphop and pain, strife and glory, street legend status and a criminal record.
So goes “Sentences,” the story of MF Grimm, a.k.a. “The Grimm Reaper,” and his battles using guns on the New York City streets and using words onstage as a rapper with serious potential undercut by tragedy. Carey’s first-person account, published in graphic novel form by DC Comics’ Vertigo imprint, is awash with paradox: shootouts in the afternoon and MC battles that same night; the boring monotony of drug dealing, and the most powerful love mixed in with the most violent hate.
This kind of nonfiction genre’s usual suspects show up—anger, the informant, jail life, redemption, realization, determination. Along the way, the reader gets a bi-coastal idea of how hiphop formed from the days of Run-DMC’s label-approved party jams through MF Doom’s independent moves. Carey was clearly a player: he met Chuck D, once shared a stage with KRS-One, assisted several Death Row Record artists (including Snoop Dogg), and even once interviewed Nas for “Right On!” magazine. As Grimm himself doesn’t fail to point out, he got shot before Corporate Music America learned to pimp that as a marketing move.
Carey relays his tale with a stark power that would make Ernest Hemingway pause and Donald Goines smile. Unfortunately, the wheelchair-bound hiphop artist has no profound thoughts to deliver, only the typical I-couldn’t-resist-the-lure-of-the-streets-so-don’t-let-this-happen-to-you lessons. His memories, regardless, are painful to re-live, even (and perhaps especially) in cartoon form, thanks to Ronald Wimberly. The artist’s superbly realistic but cartoony style, coupled with his brilliant uses of black space, almost produces sound—especially that of the revolving beauty and pain of the author’s personal journey into moral purgatory. Carey seeks to, and succeeds in, understanding his own demons, and he seems glad to be back to square one, ready to make new journeys out of his life.
Have You Seen………
Have You Read…………
……………..the latest statement from Leonard Peltier?
Congrats To………
Mumia And His Lawyer Are Still Waiting
Just got this today from Robert R. Bryan, Mumia Abu-Jamal’s lawyer.
Dear Friends:
We continue to await a decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, Philadelphia, concerning my client, Mumia Abu-Jamal. This complex case was orally argued before a three-judge panel on May 17, 2007, following extensive litigation which included voluminous briefing and motions. In my experience of successfully defending a large number of murder cases involving the death penalty, it was a great day.
It is impossible to know what the federal court ruling will be. If the judges follow the law and fairly apply the U.S. Constitution, we will win. As to when, long ago I projected a decision would be forthcoming this fall; it could come any day. One thing is certain: whomever loses will seek a rehearing and petition the U.S. Supreme Court.
I have previously described the different rulings that the federal court could make. Nevertheless some people have recently sent out e-mail containing false information. Contrary to their claim, the federal court cannot impose a sentence of life in prison without parole. Only a jury verdict could result in such an outcome, unless in the event of a penalty reversal the prosecution elected not to seek the death penalty. Likewise the court unfortunately cannot order that Mumia be released, for that would require a new guilt-phase jury trial and a favorable verdict which is certainly our goal. To once more clarify the legal situation, the scenarios of how the U.S. Court of Appeals might rule include:
- Grant an entirely new jury trial of the guilt phase;
- Order a new jury trial limited to the issue of life or death;
- Remand the case back to the U.S. District Court for further proceedings; or
- Deny all relief.
Racism, fraud, and politics are threads that have run through this case since Mumia’s 1981 arrest. The issues in this matter concern the right to a fair trial, the struggle against the death penalty, and the political repression of an outspoken journalist.
Mumia’s objective is a reversal of the murder conviction and death sentence, and the granting of an entirely new trial. At the end of that jury trial I expect to win and see my client freed so that he can finally go home to his family.
Thank you for your interest in this campaign for human rights.
Yours very truly,
Robert R. Bryan
Law Offices of Robert R. Bryan
2088 Union Street, Suite 4
San Francisco, California 94123-4117 Lead counsel for Mumia Abu-Jamal
P.S. Liked these comments Mumia made on writing.
