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Archives for 2009

*UPDATE: Sgt Crowley, the cop who arrested Prof Gates, gives sensitivity training on racial profiling?! … Oops

Friday, July 24, 2009 at 12:08 AM
Written by Anthony L. Hall

Like virtually every other black person in America who has commented on this controversy, President Obama oozed racial indignation as he condemned the Cambridge police during a press conference last night, saying that they “acted stupidly” in arresting Gates.  The clear implication being that he too believes they racially profiled the Harvard professor. But, based on a breaking report… Read more.

On Twitter: It’s no treat for me to tweet

Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 4:52 AM
Written by Anthony L. Hall

I’ve been trying for months to explain to a few friends why I have no interest in becoming a twitterer. Frankly, the whole craze smacks of pandemic egocentrism.  More to the point, I can’t think of a single person on planet earth whose thoughts and activities I’d want to know about 24/7. Nor can I think of anyone with whom I’d even consider sharing my… Read more.

Obama pleads for health care; but his surgeon general sends the wrong message

Wednesday, July 22, 2009 at 5:50 AM
Written by Anthony L. Hall

Before I get to the surgeon general, I feel compelled to comment briefly on the political spectacle surrounding health care reform: President Obama has been acting like an old-fashioned, itinerant preacher lately in his effort to convince a growing number of doubting Thomases that America’s fiscal salvation depends on passing health care reform – “before… Read more.

The arrest of Harvard professor “Skip” Gates was probably justified

Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at 5:22 AM
Written by Anthony L. Hall

Professor Henry Louis Gates, one of the most distinguished scholars in America, was arrested last Thursday after he was spotted trying to break into his own home, which is located near Harvard University. Yes, like a dummy, he locked himself out. After reading about his arrest, I immediately thought about the imperious manner in which celebrities often… Read more.

Walter Cronkite, “the most trusted man in America,” is dead

Monday, July 20, 2009 at 5:32 AM
Written by Anthony L. Hall

Walter Cronkite, “who personified television journalism for more than a generation as anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News,” died after a prolonged illness at his home in New York on Friday. He was 92. Alas, despite being a news junkie, I am too young to fully appreciate the eulogies to Cronkite that… Read more.

Sen. Burris shamed into retirement

Saturday, July 11, 2009 at 6:58 AM
Written by Anthony L. Hall

Yesterday, Sen. Roland Burris (D-Ill) finally announced that he will not be seeking to be elected in his own right to the seat Barack Obama vacated when he was elected president. But his announcement was as humiliating as it was anticlimactic. No doubt you recall the venal ambition Burris displayed in soliciting the then disgraced and… Read more.

Alas, President Obama’s first visit to Africa is nothing to celebrate

Friday, July 10, 2009 at 3:18 AM
Written by Anthony L. Hall

There’s no denying that the first visit to Sub-Saharan Africa by the first black president of the United States is a big deal.  And there’s no denying that every African head of state lobbied heavily to serve as host for this historic occasion. Therefore, it speaks volumes that President Barack Obama has relegated today’s visit… Read more.

Actually, quitting was a no-brainer for Sarah Palin

Thursday, July 9, 2009 at 6:11 AM
Written by Anthony L. Hall

If you were Palin and could go, in an instant, from serving as governor of Alaska to making millions (as a shoot-from-the-lip, eye-winking, titillating crusader for conservative causes), wouldn’t you make that change…? You betcha! It’s just too bad she didn’t have the balls to state this obvious reason for quitting. Instead, she spewed such Palinesque BS —  saying, for example, that she’s quitting to… Read more.

R.I.P. MJ

Wednesday, July 8, 2009 at 5:15 AM
Written by Anthony L. Hall

Far too much has already been said about yesterday’s memorial service for Michael Jackson. Therefore, I shall be relatively brief.  Admittedly, I only saw a few clips last night. But the most poignant moment for me was not any of the eloquent eulogies (Brooke Shields) or stirring performances (Jermaine Jackson … who knew?). Nor was it little Paris… Read more.