Sam Rivers 1923 - 2011

Musician and composer Sam Rivers died Monday at his home in Orlando, Florida.

Merry Christmas, Everybody

This is the original recording of the classic Christmas Song by the Nat Cole Trio in 1946.

Caving In

Last night House Republicans, who usually demonstrate steely resolve in opposing anything remotely advantageous to President Obama, caved on the extension of the payroll tax cut.

Misdirection

Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wisconsin) was overheard unflatteringly remarking on Michelle Obama's derriere. According to the congressman, the First Lady is a hypocrite in her campaign for childhood nutrition and physical fitness given what Sensenbrenner considers her ample posterior. Sensenbrenner's apparent preoccupation with Obama's backside is a subject for another day but judging from Sensenbrenner's portliness, he would do well to heed her message.

Crocodile Tears

There is something irresistibly comical about North Koreans en masse, publicly mourning the death of the Dear Leader Kim Jong Il. It is almost as if there is competition on who can wail the longest and most uncontrollably while the cameras are rolling. Or, is there a penalty for displaying insufficient grief or stopping prematurely?

Romney Strikes Back

Faced with the rising poll numbers of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney has jettisoned the strategy of being above the fray and has sharpened his attacks on his opponent.

The Tebow Effect

Tim Tebow, the Denver Broncos quarterback, has captured the imagination of the general public in leading his team to six straight victories and first place in the American Football Conference West division, despite lacking the skill set one typically associates with NFL quarterbacking. Tebow is that rare commodity whose intangibles - bold leadership, passion, and competitiveness - far outstrip his mechanics and mastery of the technical side of the game. How long this phenomenon lasts is anybody's guess.

A Strange Defense

Joe Amendola, former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky's lawyer in the child sex abuse scandal, has mounted an unconventional, and some would say an ill-advised, defense strategy, allowing his client to be interviewed by NBC's Bob Costas and the New York Times and yesterday forgoing the preliminary hearing in the more than 50 counts leveled against him. Either Amendola is uncannily shrewd or frightfully inept. There is no middle ground.

You're Fired

Donald Trump, the carnival barker and shameless self-promoter, has decided to pull the plug on the scheduled Republican presidential debate, due largely to lack of interest - only Gingrich and Rick Santorum committed to what promised to be a sideshow with the Donald serving as moderator.

The Ringmaster and The Candidate

The former House Speaker and current flavor of the week cavorts with the Donald whose apparent influence in the Republican party is curious and bizarre.

Fading Away

My favorite Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain, who if he isn't brain locking on a straightforward question about Obama's Libya policy or the name of the moderator in a recent debate, finds himself embroiled in yet another instance of sexual impropriety, the most recent being one Ginger White who alleges that she and the Hermanator carried on an extramarital affair for more than 13 years. As of this writing, Cain and his comically inept campaign advisers are in the process of reassessment in light of Ms. White's allegations. Apparently, "reassessing" means different things to different Cain aides, ranging from strategic and tactical considerations to the continuation of the campaign itself. But with sinking poll numbers and the cash flow drying up, it looks like it is all over but the shouting.

Perry's Gaffes

It seems that every week Texas Governor Rick Perry utters something that gives credence to the charge that he's intellectually challenged. Here he manages to misstate the voting age requirement and date of the next presidential election.

Twirling Around

Appearing before a newspaper editorial board in a routine question and answer session, Herman Cain stumbled badly in trying to answer a question about Obama's actions in Libya. Cain's embarrassing moment invites comparison with his rival Rick Perry who was hard-pressed in naming the third agency he would eliminate if elected.

Now, Not Later

It is interesting to note that the president of Penn State will either resign or be fired by the Board of Trustees shortly in the wake of the child sex abuse scandal; meanwhile, Joe Paterno has announced that he will resign at the end of the season and that the Board need not concern itself with his status. In other words, the legendary Joe Pa is saying to the world that he's going out on his own terms. Such a move indicates who wields the power on the campuses of big time collegiate athletics. In a rational world, Paterno would be fired forthwith.

A Disgraceful End

The New York Times reports that discussions are underway for legendary Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno to step down amid the arrest of former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky for sexually abusing boys. When told that Sandusky was involved in inappropriate behavior with a boy in a shower, Paterno only reported the incident to his supervisor the athletic director, an action legally sufficient but far short of the mark morally. This is especially damning for an individual and program long regarded as the exemplars of how to operate an above board, transparent manner.

Murray Guilty

It was no surprise that a Los Angeles jury, after deliberating for not quite two days, convicted Dr. Conrad Murray of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson. With what proved to be a lethal combination of ineptitude and sheer incompetence, Murray's crime was allowing the glow of the King of Pop's celebrity to interfere with his professional judgment and responsibility as a physician. But the trial also reminded us once again that Jackson was a drug addict and tormented soul who sadly never came to grips with being deprived of a childhood.

The Straight Shooter

With a fourth woman coming forward alleging sexually inappropriate behavior, the beleagured Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain has scheduled a press conference this afternoon, presumably to finally set the record straight. Few have remarked upon the most significant fact surrounding this scandal, namely, how badly the Cain campaign has mismanaged this crisis and what it says about an improbable Cain presidency, despite having prior knowledge for 10 days that Politico was working on the story.

Joe Frazier 1944 - 2011

It is sad to hear about the death from liver cancer of former world heavyweight champion Joe Frazier. Frazier, whose name will be forever linked with Muhammad Ali for their three legendary bouts, was a great champion both inside and outside the ring.

Geopolitics

I never believed that Michele Bachmann had a realistic chance of emerging as the Republican party presidential nominee. Notwithstanding her penchant for making shit up, she never struck as being nothing more than a religious zealot with an uncertain grip on reality. During last night's debate in Las Vegas featuring the Minnesota congresswoman and the six dwarfs, Bachmann proved that in addition to her other deficiencies, she is breathtakingly ignorant about basic geography, complaining that Obama got us into Libya and now he's getting us into Africa (the country of Libya being located on the continent of Africa).

The Hermanator

Herman Cain's unexpected victory in the Florida Republican Party straw poll is probably the apogee of a quixotic quest for the party nomination; for the result signifies much more about Texas Gov. Rick Perry's unstable candidacy than it does about Cain emerging implausibly as the eventual nominee.

Derrick Bell 1930-2011

The legal scholar Derrick Bell, who pioneered the critical race theory, died last Wednesday.

Steve Jobs 1955-2011

RIP

Mayweather Again

Those who accuse the villainous and offensively arrogant Floyd Mayweather, Jr. in sucker punching himself to a fourth round knockout over Victor Ortiz are off-base in their criticism. First, Ortiz in an apparent fit of desperation resorted to head-butting in an effort to turn the tide; and second, attempting to apologize for the infraction, he failed to adhere to the admonition fighters have been reminded of since time immemorial, namely, "protect oneself at all times." Indeed, the referee said that the time was in and that Mayweather hadn't done anything illegal.

Sonny Rollins, 2011 Kennedy Center Honoree

The Kennedy Center announced that tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins is among the artists recognized in 2011 for contributions to American culture. Meryl Streep, Neil Diamond, Yo-Yo Ma, and Barbara Cook round out the group.

Happy Birthday Bird

The genius Charlie Parker was born August 29, 1920.

McCain's Gift

Senator John McCain should never be forgiven for selecting Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate and thereby providing her with national prominence. That McCain still holds her in high regard is testament to his enduring stupidity.

Bachmann and Elvis

Rep. Michele Bachmann opened her South Carolina campaign for the Republican presidential nomination by asking the crowd to join with her in wishing Elvis Presley happy birthday. The only problem is that August 16th is the date Presley died. The congresswoman has a rather curious habit of making up shit.

Pathetic Newt

Former House speaker Newt Gingrich, who bears an uncanny resemblance to the Pillsbury doughboy, finished far back in the back of the over-hyped but meaningless Aimes straw poll. With campaign advisors exiting his campaign, not unlike sailors trying to save themselves from a sinking ship, and with a message that hasn't gained much traction among the party faithful, Gingrich is a politician whose best days are behind him. He should follow Tim Pawlenty's example and exit stage right.

A New Low

According to a Gallup poll, President Obama's approval rating now stands at an anemic 39%, which is even lower than his predecessor George W. Bush at a comparable time in his presidency. A bus tour through the Midwest isn't likely to change the situation.

Dennis Rodman

Last night Dennis Rodman was inducted into the Basketball Hall-of-Fame, thus proving that accomplishment and performance sometime will not be overshadowed by eccentricities and abnormal behavior, at least in the eyes of those individuals voting on such matters.

Queen Bachmann

Newsweek magazine has caught a lot of heat for presenting Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann in a negative light. Those on the right of the political spectrum reflexively call it yet another example of liberal bias in the mainstream media. And even some women's groups have gotten into the act calling this photo "sexist." I don't understand all the fuss. The picture, in my opinion, captures the essence of Rep. Bachmann: a crazed, right wing nut with no discernible qualifications for being president.

Credibility

In light of its downgrade of the U.S. government debt, the question is just how credible is Standard and Poor's? After all, this is the rating agency that remained supportive of Enron before its implosion, issued triple A ratings to institutions in the housing debacle, and bestowed an A rating on Lehman Brothers before it collapsed. Apparently the standard is poor.

The Caged Bird

This image of former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak stretched out on a stretcher or gurney in a cage in an courtroom, where he is being tried for corruption and the killings of political protestors, undoubtedly sends a chilling message to other Arab strongmen determined to avoid a similar fate.

Bubba Smith 1945 - 2011

Bubba Smith, who was found dead today, was an outstanding defensive end for the Baltimore Colts and other NFL teams and later an actor famous for his role in the Police Academy series.

Gene McDaniels 1935 - 2011

Singer and songwriter Gene McDaniels, who died Friday after a short illness, wrote the fifties hit Hundred Pounds of Clay and Compared to What for pianist Les McCann and saxophonist Eddie Harris.

Giffords Returns

Without a doubt the most heart warming moment in yesterday's House vote to raise the debt ceiling was the return of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Arizona), 8 months after she was shot in the head by a gunman last January.

Obama Capitulates

Having voted for Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election and witnessing, in what was for those of my generation, his improbable victory as the nation's first African-American chief executive, I am beginning to feel a sense of buyer's remorse with each decision the president makes, the debt ceiling deal being the latest case in point. Despite the lofty rhetoric, Obama falls painfully short when it comes to bold, decisive action. At the outset of this manufactured crisis, Obama insisted on a balanced approach of budget cuts and increased taxes on corporations and the rich. What we ended up with is a deal that focuses on spending cuts but says nothing about the revenue side of the equation. So much for the balanced approach and shared sacrifice.

Frank Foster 1928 - 2011

Saxophonist, composer, and arranger Frank Foster, who died earlier this week, was a mainstay of the Count Basie Orchestra and writer of the jazz standard Shiny Stockings.

Wu Walks

Representative David Wu (D-Oregon), under pressure from an alleged sexual encounter with a female teenager, has decided to resign from office, thus sparing the populace a long, protracted affair like the scandal involving aptly named Anthony Weiner and an opportunity to keep its attention fixed on the dysfunction that is governance in Washington, D. C., the most powerful city in the world.

Amy Winehouse 1983-2011

Amy Winehouse, who was found dead in her apartment last Sunday, was a brillantly talented singer whose life was mired in addiction and related health problems.

The Debt Ceiling Crisis

This is a manufactured crisis precipitated by a Republican Party and its leadership held hostage by eighty some House freshmen beholden to the lunatic Tea Party and held bent on sticking to principles even at the expense of national interests. The truth of the matter is that Speaker John Boehner cannot control his caucus and therefore whatever concessions and compromises he has been successfully wrung from the White House and Senate Democrats are never enough to placate or satisfy his membership. Just where all this ends up is anybody's guess but one thing is certain: serious harm has already been done to the reputation and standing of the United States in the international community.

John Mackey 1941-2011

John Mackey, who died Wednesday after years of battling dementia, distinguished himself both on and off the football field: first, as one of the greatest tight ends in the history of the National Football League and then as president of the players union.

Frederick Douglass on July 4th

This being July 4th, the celebration of the nation's independence, I habitually turn to the words of the great Frederick Douglass, from a speech he delivered in 1852, "The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro." I see this personal ritual as a way of paying homage to and remembering the sacrifices of ancestors who made it possible for me and those of my generation to be where we are today and a reminder of how far we have come as a people and how much further we need to go. In part, Douglass noted with characteristic rhetorical flourish:

What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer; a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciation of tyrants, brass fronted impudence; your shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanksgivings, with all your religious parade and solemnity, are, to Him, mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy -- a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages.There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices more shocking and bloody than are the people of the United States, at this very hour.

The Lady Speaks

After pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit federal witness and evidence tampering, Prince George's County Councilwoman Leslie Johnson read the following statement that establishes a new low on the part of a corrupt politician for selfishness, arrogance and self-delusion:

I made a mistake and today I accept responsibility for my conduct. I only ask not to be defined by this mistake, but by the countless days and months and years I have devoted to serving our community and people. I look forward to continuing to serve.

Lorenzo Charles 1963-2011

Lorenzo Charles, who died Monday while driving a chartered bus in North Carolina, scored perhaps the famous dunk that allowed North Carolina State to upset the heavily favored Houston Cougars in the 1983 NCAA championship game.

A Song for Fathers

This is Leon Thomas's vocal version of Horace Silver's Song for My Father.

Happy Father's Day.

A Pathetic Response

In the wake of losing the 2011 NBA Finals, LeBron James tweeted philosophically: "The Greater Man upstairs knows when it's my time. Right now isn't the time." This is a pathetic response by the self-described Chosen One, King James. Few excuses for poor performance are more irksome than professional athletes invoking God in the discussion as a way of rationalizing personal failings and shortcomings. One would assume that the Almighty has better, more pressing concerns than to inject himself in the outcome of the NBA Finals. Indeed, it would seem that it has been a few centuries since he demonstrated any stake or rooting interest in athletic contests, David versus Goliath being the notable exception.

Tasteless

After morning shoot around, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James found the time to mock Dirk Nowitzki who reportedly ran a temperature of 101 degrees before game 4. Of course, Nowitzki despite the illness led his team to victory. The expression, "He who laughs last, laughs best" comes immediately to mind, especially so for James who has pulled a disappearing act in the 4th quarter of games 4 and 5.

Weiner, More or Less

As Washington sex scandals go, Rep. Anthony Weiner's situation is blandly familiar: an otherwise intelligent politician recklessly succumbing to the temptations of the flesh. What distinguishes it from the other instances of politicians behaving badly is the central role played by social networking. In this high tech world, the word and/or images circulate quickly and are irretrievable.

In Defense of LeBron James

I am no fan of LeBron James mainly because I believe that despite his prodigious talent he hasn't accomplish anything remotely commensurate with the all the hype heaped upon him and his delusions about becoming a global icon. While I don't quibble with his decision to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers to "take his talents to South Beach," I thought the infomercial in concert with ESPN was tactless, classless, and essentially an exercise in self-absorption. That said, the criticism that James has disappeared in the fourth quarter of Heat's games against the Dallas Mavericks is misguided and ridiculous. While his teammate Dwyane Wade has exploded offensively, James has emerged as a shutdown defender on Jason Terry and a devastating passer, allowing Wade, Chris Bosh, and others to score at critical times. 

Ray Bryant 1931 - 2011

Ray Bryant, who died last Thursday after a long illness, was a noted jazz pianist and composer.

The Uncertain Weiner

As Washington political scandals go, the latest one involving Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-New York) and the photograph of a crotch that might or might not be his establishes a new low in absurdity. The congressman claims that hacker got into his Twitter account and transmitted a below the waist picture of a man in his underwear to an unsuspecting female college student in Washington state. Weiner explains that he cannot say with certitude whether aforesaid crotch is his.

Clarice Taylor 1917 - 2011

Actress Clarice Taylor, who died yesterday of heart failure, was noted for playing the mother of Cliff Huxtable in The Cosby Show. She was 93 years old.

Kareem Chimes In

It is difficult to understand just what has come over Kareem Abdul-Jabbar of late: first, he lashes out at the Los Angeles Lakers organization for its failure to erect a statue outside the Staple Center in his honor; now, he is taking Scottie Pippen to task in an open letter for limiting the greatest basketball player conversation to Michael Jordan and LeBron James, thereby leaving Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain out of the equation. This is Abdul-Jabbar's letter:

Dear Scottie,

I have nothing but respect for you my friend as an athlete and knowledgeable basketball mind. But you are way off in your assessment of who is the greatest player of all time and the greatest scorer of all time. Your comments are off because of your limited perspective. You obviously never saw Wilt Chamberlain play who undoubtedly was the greatest scorer this game has ever known. When did MJ ever average 50.4 points per game plus 25.7 rebounds? (Wilt in the 1962 season when blocked shot statistics were not kept). We will never accurately know how many shots Wilt blocked. Oh by the way in 1967 and 68. Wilt was a league leader in assists. Did MJ ever score 100 points in a game? How many times did MJ score more than 60 points in a game? MJ led the league in scoring in consecutive seasons for 10 years but he did this in an NBA that eventually expanded into 30 teams vs. when Wilt played and there were only 8 teams. Every team had the opportunity to amass a solid nucleus. Only the cream of the basketball world got to play then. So MJ has to be appraised in perspective. His incredible athletic ability, charisma and leadership on the court helped to make basketball popular around the world — no question about that. But in terms of greatness MJ has to take a backseat to The Stilt.

In terms of winning, Michael excelled as both an emotional and scoring leader but Bill Russell’s Celtics won 8 consecutive NBA Championships. Bills rebounding average per game is over 22.5 lifetime, MJs best rebounding years was 8 per game (1989). But we will never know exactly how many shots Bill Russell blocked because again, they never kept that statistic while he played. However, if you ask anybody that played against Russell they will just roll their eyes and say he blocked all the shots he wanted to block in the crucial moments of a game.

Bill played on a total of 11 Championship teams and as you very well know, Scottie, the ring is the thing, and everything else is just statistics. So I would advise you to do a little homework before crowning Michael or Lebron with the title of best ever. As dominant as he is, Lebron has yet to win a championship. I must say that it looks like Miami has finally put the team together that will change that circumstance. Its my hope that today’s players get a better perspective on exactly what has been done in this league in the days of yore.

The change in style to the game is not any indication as to how many really talented players there are in the game. So the fact that skilled players come from all over the world does not change the quantity of outstanding talent. Simply put the number of players that could have stopped Wilt Chamberlain in his prime has not increased.

Affectionately, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, NBA’s All-Time Leading Scorer

Gil Scott-Heron 1949-2011

Poet, writer, and singer Gil Scott-Heron is dead. He was 62 years old.

MJ or LeBron

Appearing on the ESPN radio show Friday, "Mike and Mike in the Morning," hall-of-famer Scottie Pippen, who played Robin to Michael Jordan's Batman, expressed the heretical view that while Jordan is the greatest scorer of all-time, LeBron James might yet be the greatest player of all-time. As is customary in situations of this sort, Pippen has subsequently modified his comments, having been subjected to a barrage of criticism for his outlandish opinion. True, James is an immensely talented player and among the best of his generation, but he is also the recipient of excessive hype that he has failed to fulfill. And it goes without saying that it is somewhat presumptuous to mention James in the same breath with Jordan, the latter having won 6 NBA championships while the former none. 

The Long Goodbye

Oprah Winfrey's interminable farewell tour reminds me of that relative who overstays and long since wore out his welcome while promising to leave soon; all the while getting your hopes up for the much anticipated moment of departure. Count me part of a minority of folks who never cared much for the narcissistic Miss O or figured out what all the fuss has been about for these past twenty-five or so years.

Miscalculation

Harold Camping, the Christian huckster and charlatan who predicted the end of the world on May 21st, says he miscalculated by five months and that the much anticipated end will be October 21st. How this dude remains credible is beyond me.

What's Goin On at 40

Today marks the fortieth anniversary of Marvin Gaye's timeless masterpiece What's Goin On, timeless not only for its musical artistry but also for what it says about the human condition.

Durant Thunders

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant delivers a thunderous dunk over Dallas Mavericks center Brendan Heywood.

Newt's Rocky Start

Former House speaker Newt Gingrich has incurred the wrath of the right and thereby done incalculable damage to his presidential aspirations by characterizing Rep. Paul Ryan's budget proposals as "right wing social engineering" and by endorsing some form of health care mandates.

Sideshow Silent

This sideshow freak has been awfully quiet since the birther nonsense was laid to rest with the White House releasing Obama's long form birth certificate, the roasting the Donald suffered courtesy of the president at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, and the killing of Osama bin Laden. He has even been replaced by A.J. Foyt as pace car driver for the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500. That said, I suspect that the silence is at best only temporary.

Channel Surfing

There is something at once terribly banal and absurdly comical about Osama bin Laden, the world renown terrorist, bedecked in a cap, wrapped in a blanket, sitting hunched over with clicker in hand, reveling in the images of the glory of bygone days, as if he's a tired, washed up actor desperately and futilely clinging to what he once was (and thankfully what he will never be again).

Willie Mays at 80

It is hard to believe that Willie Mays, the fabled "Say Hey" kid and perhaps the greatest baseball player extant, turns 80 years old today. Happy birthday, Willie.

Nominal Resistance

Press secretary Jim Carney's revision that Osama bin Laden was unarmed when Navy SEALs shot him to death isn't surprising because capturing the terrorist mastermind to stand trial would have led to a messy, protracted situation. The United States government never intended bin Laden to be tried in a court of law, military or otherwise, which is why all the talk about bin Laden putting up resistance as justication for the shooting is just nonsense.

The Turnaround

This is brutal.

Bin Laden Killed

In a raid on a fortified compound in Pakistan by US special forces, Osama bin Laden, the intellectual mastermind behind 9/11, was killed by a gunshot to the head. Thus the world has rid itself of one less deluded terrorist and religious fanatic.

The Saint

The late Pope John Paul II is on the fast track to sainthood. Having presided over one of the worst sex scandals in the history of the Catholic Church - more than 10,000 victims worldwide involving 4,500 priests - apparently is not a militating factor and presumably of little value in determining such heavenly matters.