Here’s the US President as Barack the Barbarian in a new comic book. Chicago-based Devil’s Due Publishing will publish the comic in June, featuring Obama as the muscle-bound, loincloth-wearing president of ‘Kickassistan’… (more…)

First let me say that I’m in no way condemning the Inauguration of Obama, but I do believe in the concept of overkill.  When I read the article by Scott Mayerowitz of the ABC News Business Unit about how much money was spent, my mind initially went into entrepreneur mode and was like YES,  this is why I love this country, it will capitalize on any and everything!

But further into my thought process, (more…)

President George W. Bush with Darfur human rights activist Dr Halima Bashir.

It was really made clear to me why I like Obama so much after reading this quote by Peter F. Drucker…“The entrepreneur always searches for change, responds to it, and exploits it as an opportunity.â€�

…and America’s Politics has embraced a change, the only question now is…what now?

First let me say that I’m not blown away, in a state of shock or surprised about Obama’s victory. And this is in no way an attempt to take away from Obama’s moment. It is just for me that I would’ve been in a more state of disbelief if he didn’t win.  I’ve always held a sincere belief that the thinking man will always prevail.

With an understanding that any success is a process and not a step, I was overwhelmed as I reflected on everything that has taken place for me to even have the luxury of having that thought.  I have such a greater appreciation for my mother who always seem to take part of any movement of change in her day.  Although we didn’t always agree in the moment, I can’t help but to believe that her efforts have been some what validated and I’m proud to celebrate this moment in her honor.

The one facet that I’m looking forward to seeing the most in the next 3-5 years is how will the masses respond, especially in the urban communities, now that the excuse of “what can’t be done” has totally been annihilated.  Hopefully there will never again be a time where there is such a wide acceptance of lowered expectations.

I would like to end with the following words by Rickey Bobby that best sums up the moment…”what does that do, does it blow your mind…THAT JUST HAPPEN!“

Regardless who wins the 2008 Presidential Election (hint hint…Obama), how do you think the outcome will affect your life?

I’m still in the process of processing my thoughts on Obama’s 30 minutes presentation last night.  Here’s what I think is a very good assessment from Chris Matthews for now.

I’ve included the 30 minute presentation for all that missed it (more…)

Is just me or doesn’t this have a SNL skit vibe to it?

Very funny skit though…LOL!!!

This is in no way an endorsement for either candidate, but I think I’ve figured out why there has been such an embrace of Sarah Palin.  Like to hear it, well here it goes…not since the so called golden years of “Leave It To Beaver” has there been such an attractive women being this obedient! (more…)

Every year, Lebanon, Ohio farmer Bill Irons creates a design in his corn field.  This year, it’s a 12-acre maze with an election theme.

Irons creates his design the old-fashioned way.  He draws it out on graph paper, then enlarges it on 16 to 20 pages of graph paper that he tapes together and mounts on a board.

The corn field gets special attention, too.  It’s planted in two directions – like the intersections on a grid, he said.  The corn comes up extra thick that way.

When the corn starts growing, Irons gets out his tractor, and sometimes a hoe.  He grooms his creation the entire growing season.

Irons chooses not to use a GPS device that would guide him more easily through the cutting process. “I use my head and my hands,” he said.

Enter the self proclaimed “Genius behind the Genius� on Kanye West’s latest book “Thank You and Your Welcome“, Co-Author Sakiya Sandifer.  Our introspective banter veered from the key’s of life, to the latest iPhone applications, to possibilities of world peace, and among all these topics the denominator remained the same, a return right back to equilibrium.  This is a glimpse into the intellect of one of our generations truly gifted thinkers.  His first book Think Think Think and Think Again, a collection of personal euphemisms, catalyzed a movement and became foundation for the curriculum of the 2006-2007 Youth Development Program in Hoboken, NJ.  This is a man that sees the correlations between the ebb and flow of the universe and your personal struggles, a man that sparks people to get what they want out of their lives, and a man that ultimately sparked likes of Kanye.  NWS recently got a chance to chop it up with the guru on his success, and the nature of the universe, here are his truths. 

CLICK HERE to read full read full interview at www.NerdWithSwag.com

A northeast Georgia town that unsuccessfully tried for years to close a local strip club finally gave up and purchased it instead…for nearly $1 million!!! (more…)

A woman performs self-immolation in Luxemburg.

Self-immolation, while tolerated by Buddhism and Hinduism, was practiced by monks, especially in India for Sati throughout the ages for various reasons, including political protest, devotion and renouncement.

Something to ponder…why is it always the follower who goes to such extreme to express a belief instead of the leader? (more…)

Large scale painter, Ron English took his presidential image of Barack Obama and intermixed it with Abe Lincoln. The oversized, newly colorized outdoor versions were installed as part of Gallery XIV’s ‘a politic exhibit held in Boston.

Now my question is…what does this artistic expression evoke in you???

Police blast a demonstrator with a water cannon during a rally in downtown Santiago Chile. Groups of students clashed with police to protest a proposed education reform.

Right or wrong, I really respect how Bush has a “I don’t give a fuck” attitude about himself.

Protesters and riot police take a rest during a rally in Seoul demanding the full-scale renegotiation of the US beef import deal and the resignation of South Korean President Lee Myung-bak.

I think it’s kind of weird for them to lay down so close to the front line of the protest.  I’m not sure if it’s a sign of strength or weakness on either part…what do you think?

…THE PHONINESS!!!

I find everything in this picture disturbing.  Both Condoleezza Rice and EU Foreign Policy chief Javier Solana clearly don’t want to have anything to do with the other.

What do you think they are saying to themselves?

I found this video to be absolutely thought provoking and the presentation is just flawless!  It definitely gives you another perspective to consider. 

Now my question is…what do you do once you know different?

…even though I think the message applies to any and all dead beat dads.

Barack Obama celebrated Father’s Day by calling on black fathers, who he said are “missing from too many lives and too many homes,” to become active in raising their children.

“They have abandoned their responsibilities, acting like boys instead of men. And the foundations of our families are weaker because of it,” the Democratic presidential candidate said Sunday at a largely black church in his hometown.

Reminding the congregation of his firsthand experience growing up without a father, Obama said he was lucky to have loving grandparents who helped his mother. He got support, second chances and scholarships that helped him get an education. Obama’s father left when he was 2.

“A lot of children don’t get those chances. There is no margin for error in their lives,” said Obama, an Illinois senator.

“I resolved many years ago that it was my obligation to break the cycle — that if I could be anything in life, I would be a good father to my girls,” added Obama, whose daughters, Sasha and Malia, and his wife, Michelle, watched from the audience. (more…)

All My Politics!
by j. saKiya Sandifer

First let me say that I’ve never been into politics and that I have never followed or actively participated in any election of a government official to date.

And I am also not part of the uneducated demographic that certain media outlets pander too.  My lack of enthusiasm in American politics is nothing more than a well-thought decision that has absolutely nothing to do with my lack of understanding in the process.  I’ve always felt that politics has never had the intentions of serving the greater good of the masses and that a politician’s loyalty has and will always be to the highest bidder.

Now with that being said, this year’s primaries turned out to be completely different for me. My interest was peaked this past March when I just happen to see a clip of a debate while in the midst of my daily channel surfing ritual.

As I was captured by the intellect of Obama, I couldn’t help but notice how the various media outlets began to shape the Democratic primaries to play out as America’s hottest new soap opera. Being a recovering addict of All My Children circa the late 90’s, I know cleverly scripted drama when I see it.

With all of the decisive issues and/or story lines that gave this primary season its dramatic appeal, from the importance of race and gender, to being an elitist and thus being not relatable, to denouncing versus rejecting, to mis-speaking versus making shit up and so on…the one I felt had the greatest impact was being able to use the power of lowered expectations to one’s advantage. For Barack and Hillary equally had the “hey, it can’t get any worse” mindset working in their favor. And this is not said to marginalize the genius of anyone. I give both camps a lot credit for recognizing and then using it to their advantage.

I just kept wondering if this would’ve been such a close race ending with an Obama victory if there had been no war, if gas prices weren’t as high as a young Hollywood celebrity (feel free to pick one) or if people weren’t losing the homes they knew they couldn’t afford in the first place. When you really think about it, often we define what something is by what we’re comparing it to and not for what it actually is.

Mid season’s story line shifted to the media’s lame attempt to define the candidates and it seemed that Hillary was always behind the curve. The game had change and I don’t think she read the memo. In a way I began to feel sorry for her. It got to the point where it seemed that she was getting her cues from the George character from Seinfeld. You know when you are totally in wrong but you say something so ridiculous, it deflects from the point.

Now fast forward to the end of the first season’s cliff hanger…”the first African-American presidential nominee.” The build up was incredible! Make no mistakes about it; Obama is a phenomenal forward thinker. He has shown a keen understanding that America has been in a daze from operating in a constant state of fear. He crafted a message that only he could deliver of actually uniting the states. Wow, this really does reads likes a daytime soap opera!

Now I say all of that to make the point…just because there is a new, exciting actor in the show…it’s still the same show! The show format will always remain the same; whoever draws in the most money gets top billing. The message of “change” wouldn’t seem so heavenly sent if it wasn’t backed up with an economic based that raised over $200 million.

And again I must emphasize that I have no intentions in taking anything away from what Obama has accomplished, for it should be commended and sought to be duplicated.

For me, this whole process is best summed by a quote by Greek philosopher Plutarch…”Nothing is harder to direct than a man in prosperity; nothing more easily managed that one is adversity.”

CLICK HERE read more comments at www.TheHuffingtonPost.com.

Could this be the sign that we as a country are ready to “turn the page” and embrace intellects in politics?  Not saying that others aren’t or haven’t been intelligent, but I’ve never seen anyone else base their campaign on it.  And just to think at one time the media (MSNBC’s Morning Joe) was defining being an intellect in politics as a weakness…WOW!!! 

This is a perfect lesson of someone knowing their worth and not allowing outside forces to define them.  Imagine if this way of thinking was to catch on…better yet, how about everyone who reads this adopting this way of thinking.  Don’t waiver on this one…once truly embraced, your life will change forever!!! 

And I’m sure to no one’s surprise…I really really really believe that the thinking man will always prevail!!!

Special Message To Obama Supporters: THE JOURNEY IS NOT OVER!!!  Although I’ve never been a part of an Obama strategy meeting, I’m quite confident that his goal wasn’t just to become a nominee, but to become PRESIDENT!!!  You guys still have alot of work to do.  Don’t get caught up in a strong sense of entitlement…you see how that approach worked out for Hillary!!!

This chart represents the 2007-2008 U.S. discretionary budget, the portion of the budget that the President and Congress creates each year.  It does not include Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and interest on the national debt.  Source: Congressional Budget Office

Now for all those who are following the presidential race, I think this should have a greater concern than how someone bowls or drinks shots with beer chasers.  Don’t get caught up by these old distraction techniques.

This is in response to Hillary Clinton claim of “misspeaking” regarding her trip to Bosnia.  I’ve come to realize there is confusion on the difference between misspeaking versus making stuff up.

Misspeaking is calling your wife by your mistress’ name.  Making stuff up is telling your wife that you didn’t have sexual relations with her.

Get the difference?

I just can’t help it… (more…)