Did you read that?: May 2005

Vincente Fox appologized, but is he wrong?

Why did Mexican President Vincente Fox issue an apology for saying that Mexicans in America work jobs that "even blacks" won't do? If he had the courage to make the statement, then he should have the courage to stick by his words without an apology. He should ask his critics to tell him why he's wrong, because he's not. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton run to the microphone to denounce Fox's words, but the absence of substance to their words is telling. Any solutions in their speeches? Any rebuttal, any sorrow at the plight of both poor blacks and Mexicans? Any effort to use the comments to shed light on the programs and proposals they have to offer? Nope.

The Associated Press quotes the archbishop of Mexico City, Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera, as saying this: "The declaration had nothing to do with racism. It is a reality in the United States that anyone can prove." I ask you - Who works as day laborers? Who cleans hotel rooms? Who sweats and bleeds? Who dies early from broken hearts and broken backs? Who risks their lives crossing the American/Mexican border to work for slave wages under slave conditions so they can sustain lives of poverty? The "Two Americas" speech John Edwards used in the last election cycle was full of truth. Go read the NY Times series on class in America, in specific the story on health. Poor people live hard lives, and not just in our country. Think about it - the lives of poor people in America are rough, but how bad must poverty be in Mexico if American poverty is an improvement? Let's talk about that, Jesse. Let's fix that, Al. Let's help those who need it. Illegal aliens aren't sneaking into America to serve as software programmers or accountants or reverends, you can be sure of that.

Chappelle Surfaces (updated)

This Time Magazine account of Dave Chappelle's so-called disapearance seems to clear up some of the rumors. Just put the damn guy on the air.

Runaway comic speaks
`I'm not crazy,' Chappelle says
Chicago Tribune - May 16, 2005

NEW YORK -- Dave Chappelle says he's not crazy, on crack or in a mental facility.

"I'm definitely stressed out," the comedian told Time magazine in an interview more than a week after his hit Comedy Central show was suspended.

But, he added, "I'm not crazy, I'm not smoking crack."

He fled last month to South Africa for a "spiritual retreat."

Chappelle, 31, said he went to stay with friends in Durban because he wasn't happy with the direction of his show.

"You hear so many voices jockeying for position in your mind that you want to make sure that you hear your own voice," he said. "So I figured, let me just cut myself off from everybody, take a minute and pull a Flintstone--stop a speeding car by using my bare feet as the brakes."

Comedy Central President Doug Herzog has told staffers he believes there won't be a "Chappelle's Show" this year, but leaves the option open. He told Time that Chappelle has "complete creative freedom."

Hours before the close of business, it's a busy day in the NBA

Bobcats' Okafor is Rookie of the Year

Bulls’ Gordon reportedly to win Sixth Man

Stern threatens lifetime ban on Van Gundy

Wizards boot Brown for rest of playoffs

Lakers reportedly contact Saunders

Some things that you read have a taste,

and tonight that taste is of shit. You look at the box score from the Wizards' win over the Bulls in Game Four of their playoff series, and see these numbers:

Ben Gordon 1 for 13
Juan Dixon 11 for 15

Not a pretty sight; not a nice taste. Don't want to see stuff like this any more, like watching Etan Thomas and his dreadlocks dance with James Carville on the sidelines after Washington's win in Game Three. Now I have to see Juan Dixon look like Jerry West? Eleven made shots in fifteen attempts. Okay. I gotcha. Please stop now.

Awww, Poor Aahnohld

Hard to believe that someone lacking in experience or qualifications would be having trouble as the chief executive of a massive state like California.

Click here to see NY Times graphic of the Governor's poll ratings. His tale of political woe brings tears to mine eyes.