King's Dream

Today is the 47th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s I Have a Dream speech delivered during the historic March on Washington. In 2010, we are improbably presented with a shock jock turned conservative cable television commentator, the doofus Glenn Beck using the occasion as a call to action in restoring America's honor. I personally despise everything that Beck stands for and, whenever possible, deliberately ignore the pronouncements made by this numbnut. That said, I wonder how many folks have taken the trouble to read what King said in 1963 and how far it is removed from what Beck is saying today.

Losing It

This chef did not take too kindly to termination of employment and decided before leaving to go on a little rampage. Little did he know that he would eventually take another hit.

Harold Dow 1947 - 2010

Harold Dow, who died suddenly Saturday of adult-onset asthma, was a veteran award winning correspondent for CBS News.

Much Ado About Nothing

Michelle Obama recently has come under a barrage of criticism for, among other things, going on an extravagant vacation while so many Americans are experiencing economic hardship. Byron York, a conservative columnist, gloated over the First Lady's dip in popularity. This is brief unpublished reply to his piece.

Re: "For Michelle Obama, extravagance dents popularity" Aug. 13th.

Byron York must be hard-pressed to make deadline because opining on Mrs. Obama's decline in popularity is much ado about nothing. The fortunes of a White House or political party have never rested on what voters thought about the president's wife at any point in time.

Herman Leonard 1923 - 2010

Herman Leonard, famed jazz photographer, is dead at age 87 (above Leonard's photograph of the great Charlie Parker).

Abbey Lincoln 1930 - 2010

Abbey Lincoln, who died today, was an actress, jazz vocalist, songwriter, and fighter for social justice of uncompromising integrity and independence

Happy 50th Anniversary - Green Eggs and Ham

Bobby Hebb 1938 - 2010

Singer-songwriter Bobby Hebb, who died Tuesday of lung cancer, was noted for the 1966 hit Sunny.

Still Waters

First it was former Ways and Means chairman Charlie Rangel facing charges of violations of House Ethics rules and federal statues. Now California Rep. Maxine Waters finds herself facing a similar trial for violation of conflict of interest rules.

Fat Albert

Day 5 of training camp for the Washington Redskins and their grossly overpaid, egocentric defensive linemen Albert Haynesworth has failed in several attempts to pass a mandatory conditioning test that would allow him to join his teammates in preparation for the upcoming season. Haynesworth famously avoided off-season team activities earlier in the year, electing to work out with a personal trainer.