Monday, December 31, 2007

SAY WHAT ?!

The still to be destroyed "beauty" of the internet is that every now and again you run into a brilliant mistake. On a google search for a free laptop (yeah right) I found istartedsomething.com and I was amazed to see that as the site implied something had indeed been started. On December 27, 2007 Microsoft started handing out these. Apparently Microsoft is testing these bad boys out and a bunch of bloggers got one to be the test-ee so to speak. Bloggers who had wrote about Microsoft in their blogs and who as techy-types, were qualified to really run these nice toys through their paces.

But Mr. Gates knows that I am an average person who has an extraordinary job. I'm an advocate for kids and an artist who is still in search of the ultimate job/s and I need to test your product out too! Who better than me or one of my readers who are forced to have the Microsoft brand thrown at us on a regular? We deserve to try the product out too. The kids at Kuumba Lynks should have one. The kids in the Saturday Scholars program at Columbia College should all get one to test. Myra Bradwell elementary school on Chicago's southside, they all need one Mr. Gates.

Here is the deal...Bill Gates if you ever read this I want a laptop from you. The same ones the bloggers got and a nice one. Not one that you dropped on the floor. If you don't give one to me, give them to one of my concerns that I mentioned. Myra Bradwell is where I went to school and when I was there all we had was each other...Kuumba Lynks - those are good kids and they can use a boost, ya know? The Saturday Scholars are heading through the most challenging time in any of our lives certainly they could benefit...

I must admit, you are a great listener Mr. Gates and even though the cpu's and laptops that we use are falling apart, they contain your software which gives us the ability to tell and share. Technology, entertainment, sports, politics, spirituality, films, social commentary, internet radio whatever it is it has Microsoft in it - your software that we've been using...

and before anybody start goin' to town with the "why you runnin' to the white man to help you" bullshit understand that if Microsoft can lend a hand considering the billions of dollars that people of color spend on computers and their software - better than that, you start a company that makes zillions of dollars from sales of software that makes our computers run efficiently and we'll get shit from you - shut up.

Happy New Year you wacky Gregorians, can't wait for 2008!

and I got those addresses for you Mr. Gates whenever you need them.

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Sunday Night Service














OBJR


he was older
than his audience
a hero back then

older than his wisdom

he celebrated with birds
grouches and purple puppets
older than the street
I grew up on

in spotlight
he sang of blue afro
the hips of hazel
and the meaning of we for white men

older than his music
his eye never missed
maidens who walked the township

older than the maidens he watched

sin and soul
untapped treasure
speaking for the voiceless
grandfather of a new culture

in fact
resplendent in his grey
warriors don't get old
their struggle is timeless

written by Mario
Copyright 2007 - Roosevelt Franklin Writers Guild
All Karmic Rights Reserved


it goes without saying that he was/is one of the greatest human beings I've ever met. I think of him often...please, please do whatever you have to...discover Oscar Brown Jr. For more go here

Saturday, December 8, 2007

Nailah Franklin Revisited



Late Friday evening Chicago Police charged Reginald Potts, 30 with the murder of Nailah Franklin. This past summer upon word of her disappearance the city was flooded with pictures of her and for many the hunt for her became an obsession. I didn't know Nailah but I saw her around the city and from all accounts she was a wonderful woman. Her sisters are also good people and I feel for her family. I must also add that the Chicago Police are notorious for arresting people who had zero to do with a particular case. In October Reginald Potts was interviewed by Chicago Sun-Times columnist Mary Mitchell (read article here) and every fiber of my being hopes that they caught the right guy because no one deserves to die the way she did. If this guy couldn't handle it he should have walked away. The emails that were sent back and forth are public record and that in itself is sad. He's kind of like a black Drew Peterson for lack of a better word. He proclaimed his innocence and then almost immediately ran to the media for interviews and the like. Piece of garbage? Yes. Innocent? Don't know but I would hope so for his sake. It would sicken me to hear that the cops got the wrong guy - again.

That leaves two major crimes involving women of color in Chicago unsolved. The incineration of two women in Chicago's Hyde Park is still hanging out there...get on it Andy and Barney, call Barnaby, Columbo, Hawk, Mannix, Mrs. Marple whoever just get it done. The Chicago Police are busy patting each other on the back at the moment.

Nailah Franklin - I hope now you can rest.

UPDATE

Area Man Dumber Than A Bag Of Titanium Hammers

read this

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Quick Hits

NO MORE JAY'S?!
The Jay's Potato Chip factory on Chicago's South Side is closing down this afternoon and with it a HUGE question - what do I eat with my sandwiches? I'm a Jay's man...I remember getting the pencils to go back to school with when I was a shorty. The chips were/are great and the 200 plus people who are now out of work three weeks before Xmas must be pretty pissed. I'd be careful with the next few months worth of Jay's...could have that special urine flavor if you know what I mean.


And Now We Have Sound

There is a voice to go with the face. Drew Doo Doo's wife who is missing along with a hundred other women around the globe including a few European children has left the world what may be her last phone message. When will this end? The magic 8 ball says "they haven't arrested that piece of garbage yet?" Maybe they need a better detective. Or perhaps a better team of lawyers and detectives. Personally I think it is beyond comical that Drew Doo Doo is still free. You got a missing blue barrel with quite possibly a missing white woman inside of it, a missing cowardly lion's mask and did I mention a missing WHITE WOMAN IN A BLUE FRIGGING BARREL that no one can find. Compelling and rich...

I Can't Go Shopping - Not With All The Shooting

My hatred for the commercialism of Xmas has reached it's zenith. Depressed area teenager Robert A. Hawkins was recently fired from Mickey D's, released from his girlfriend and kicked out of his parents home. That was enough for him to kill nine people at a Omaha, Nebraska mall yesterday. I wish that boy was alive, I'd show him depression. He then killed himself because - well we'll never know that part. Chicken.



And Finally

You be the judge.


Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Here Come The Hawks?


Well I never...the Chicago Blackhawks are back and I couldn't be happier. You may be asking yourself, why is Mario happy about a hockey team that has been dormant for almost 20 years? Why would he be excited about a team that until the former owner died couldn't get on television if they lined up and executed people at the United Center. Why get excited about a team that has ZERO presence in the hood? Why man, why?

Because things are changing on the West Side of Chicago and I am with it! Let me start with this team, this wonderful young hockey team. Dustin Byfuglien who has made an impact primarily because the Hawks needed a good defenseman, it doesn't hurt that he's a scorer (had a natural hat trick recently) and he's a brother...and the number one prospect for the Hawks is from - Nigeria...

Say word son? WORD. These Blackhawks have my full attention not just because of the Dynamic Duo - Kane and Toews or Patrick Sharp, Marty Havlat, or even the Bulin Wall but they've made the conscious choice to reach out to a community of people that are hockey retarded. Other players of color - Grant Fuhr, Kevin Weekes, Jarome Iginla have made their mark and for something like that to take place here? Chicago? Bravo Rocky Wirtz (new owner), bravo. Guess what gang get used to it. Chicago Blackhawk Hockey is back, the young lions are running things, the games will be on TV like they used to be - and the brothers are here.