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• TheFlyJock's Blog: Tavis didn'

  • From: TheFlyJock
  • Description:

    As boring as the presidential debate on Wednesday night was, everybody was talking it about on Thursday. Everybody except our political commentator, Tavis Smiley. I’m not trying to put him on blast, but I have to wonder why on earth the man who is never at a loss for words -- especially when it comes to his feelings about the candidates’ accountability to black people -- didn’t say a word about that debate.

    The commentary he did on breast cancer was warm and moving, and I know it had an impact on anyone who has lost a loved one the disease. I’m one of those people. My heart goes out to Cheryl, the woman on Tavis’ staff who is bravely undergoing chemo treatments, and we are all praying for the best. As we celebrate “Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day,” we hope that his commentary will encourage women to do self exams and to get their yearly mammograms without fail. As Tavis pointed out, black women die from breast cancer more than white women do. Early detection of the disease will help close the gap.

    But why didn’t Tavis say anything about the presidential debate? Granted, he told us he went to the Jay-Z and Mary J. Blige concert and was out very late. But he’s got to have TiVo or DVR or, at the very least, an assistant who could have given him the highlights of the evening. My theory is that he deliberately didn’t mention the debate, and that is troubling to me. It’s troubling because whether you agree or disagree with everything that comes out of his mouth, no one does political commentary better than Tavis. For years, he has deciphered political mumble-jumble and put it in a tight, concise five-minute package that even I could understand. Sometimes all I could do was marvel and say, “Break it down, Tavis, break it down!” I miss those days.

    When I looked at the responses to Tavis’ Tuesday commentary when he told us he was leaving the show because he had so many new and exciting opportunities to pursue, a lot of you flat out didn’t buy it. You held firm to your belief that he couldn’t take the criticism he was getting for being critical of Obama. I have to take him at his word and believe that he believes it’s time for him to move on.

    But before does move on at the end of June, I want him to help me keep the promise I made to you all. I told you that he would keep doing what he had been doing -- saying things that made a lot of you upset. It’s not like the Tavis I know to retreat in the heat of battle. The Tavis I know fights even harder when he’s backed into a corner. The Tavis I know would have and should have been outraged at the presidential debate, and he would have gladly told us why.

    I hope all of you who complained bitterly about the way Tavis was doing his job are starting to see what he was trying do. With no heat on the candidates to discuss issues important to black people, we may just see more of the same.

    Listen to Tavis' Commentary

  • Audio blog post
  • 1 year ago
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• Worth the Weight

  • From: TheFlyJock
  • Description:

    The “D” word.  How many diets have you gone on in your lifetime?  How many have worked long term?  That’s what I thought.  Yet, this time of year especially, it’s what’s on most people’s minds. 

    If you’re an African-American woman in an office, on a bus or in your house with four other women, statistics say that that four of the five of you are overweight or obese.  If you’re an African-American parent with children between the ages of six and 17, they are more likely to be overweight than white children, according to the Office of Minority Health. 

    That’s the problem, and for almost everybody I know, the right diet, they hope, is the solution.

    What’s the big diet fad for 2009?  At our office, several people are doing the Lemonade Diet. One website calls it a detoxification program written by the late Stanley Burroughs.  Whenever I hear about a diet started by someone who’s dead, I get a little concerned. I don’t know how Stanley Burroughs died, but Dr. Robert Atkins, creator of the Atkins Diet, is dead too.  And even though there’s no proof that his death was related to his famous low-carb program that encouraged consumption of high-protein foods like steak, bacon,  cheese, butter and sausage, you gotta wonder whether it contributed to the heart ailment he suffered from. When a friend of mine on the Atkins Diet told me that she couldn’t have a high-carb apple but was allowed to pig out on pork rinds, I got a bad taste in my mouth. The Atkins Diet almost put the bread industry out of business.  Pizza was prohibited, and bagels were banned. 

    But what actually killed Dr. Atkins at age 72 was head trauma caused by him slipping on ice on a cold winter day.  I’m just a D. J., but I can’t help thinking that if he had a loaf of bread with him when he slipped, it could have protected his head when he hit the ground.  Hey, it’s a theory.

    Oprah has certainly been on and promoted her share of diets and permanent lifestyle changes that included sensible eating and exercise, yet, as the whole world knows, she recently shot up to 200 pounds and is admittedly ashamed of herself.

    Which leads me to this question: If you’re overweight, are you embarrassed or ashamed?  Do you feel like a failure?  If you’re sad, angry or depressed, maybe weight isn’t the only thing you need to lose. Maybe the first step is getting rid of something or someone that is driving you to indulge in unhealthy habits, like overeating.  Maybe it’s a trifling mate. Maybe it’s a house you can no longer afford. Maybe it’s a friend or family member who is causing you more harm than good. 

    If you have a success story about how losing something gained you contentment, I want to hear about it.  Shedding pounds is one way to get you on the road to a healthier life style, but shedding stress, bitterness, distrust, fear and the people and things that cause these emotions is just as important. 

    And worth the “weight.”

  • Blog post
  • 10 months ago
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• TheFlyJock's Blog: What Happen

  • From: TheFlyJock
  • Description:

    Hey, everybody. I told you I would be blogging on the ship. In fact, I started on Saturday.
    
    By the way, we have a new motto for the cruise in light of all the technology: "What Happened on the Cruise Never Happened.” Just like that. Yes, there are pictures. Yes, there's video; you just saw it. But it never happened, and I'm sticking with it. It works for everyone else who gets busted -- LAPD, NYPD, governors, R. Kelly!
    
    I think I started the whole party of at the Conrad Hotel in Miami when I bought Bobby Brown his first drink of the day. I heard he was going strong late into the night. Bobby said he wants to perform seven nights instead of the two we have scheduled for him. I told him to go ahead and stay on stage seven nights straight! Bobby is a performer to his heart, the nicest guy you ever want to meet, and he's nice to everyone.
    
    Everybody got here Saturday -- Sybil, J., Myra J., Ms. Dupree, Huggy Lowdown, Jawn Murray, who on Sunday was representing with the baddest Obama shirt I've seen yet, and believe me, there are a lot them here. Haven't seen any McCain T-shirts yet or Hillary either for that matter, but if you paid to get on the ship, I say, do your thing!
    
    Jacque Reid showed up at the hotel straight from shoe shopping. Sheryl Underwood was trying to convince Jacque's mama to go with her to see Tyrone Davis. The Two Live Stews’ mama is here too telling everyone she's the Two Live Stews’ mama. \
    
    The Bon Voyage party at Dreams was very crowded, and it took people three hours to get back to their hotels -- six hours if it was a player making an excuse to his girl!
    
    Sunday morning, Spinderella was walking around the hotel looking like she didn't miss Salt or epa. When she was on our show a few weeks ago, she said she was looking for an ordinary guy on the cruise. Okay, we'll see what happens when a chipped-tooth brother with a gut tries to holla at her.
    
    I saw a slow-moving George Wallace boarding the ship. We may have to put an age limit on the cruise. We have a minimum age 21, but we might have to make the max 102. George has two more years!
    
    Minister Louis Farrakhan is here, looking as healthy as can be. He said he's not going to speak this time because he doesn't want to say anything the media could twist and use against "Brother Obama." If only my frat brother, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, had thought that way!
    
    Ran into The Emotions, and they were a little emotional about hearing that I said they would be wearing bikinis on the pool deck. But they laughed about it … well, one of them wasn't laughing.

    Aruba Tommy is here, of course. He and a bunch of people squeezed into an elevator, and when he looked out and saw a brother who couldn't get on, Tommy said, "I'm coming back for YOU!"
    
    Blog with you tomorrow when I tell you about the show from Sunday night!

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  • 1 year ago
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• TheFlyJock's Blog: Holla At Th

  • From: TheFlyJock
  • Description:

    Holla at Them!

    Here’s what most of us seem to know: Obama has 260 superdelegates, and Hillary has 273.

    A lot of us have been throwing those numbers around like we really know what we’re talking about. I’ll only speak for myself when I say I’ve never been as involved in an election as I have been in this one. And I’ve certainly never had as many conversations about the whole election process as I’ve had about this election. I’m sure that I must have taken a political science course in college and some civics or social studies classes in high school, but I don’t remember them.

    Like many of you, this primary election season has given me a crash course in politics. And I’m trying to keep up.

    For example, as much as we talk about superdelegates, do most of us really know who they are or what they do? According to the 2008 Democratic Convention Watch website, there are 795 (not including Michigan and Florida) total Democratic superdelegates that the nominees are trying to be endorsed by.

    Superdelegates are made up of Democratic governors and members of Congress, former presidents, including Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter; former vice president Al Gore, retired congressional leaders, and all Democratic National Committee members, such as my girl Donna Brazile, and Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. Superdelegates automatically get to cast a vote at the convention this summer to decide who the party’s nominee will be. They can come out any time before their state’s primary and pledge to support either Obama or Clinton. That support is actually a vote that moves the candidate closer to the number of delegates needed to secure the nomination.

    Before the superdelegate system was put into place, party bosses that were usually white men had way too much power and influence in the way candidates were nominated. So, in the 70s the party’s rules were changed to open the process to more grassroots activists, women and ethnic minorities.

    Usually, by the end of the primary season, it’s clear who the presidential nominee will be. Of course, this is not a usual election, and it looks like the battle between Obama and Clinton will not only go beyond the primary season but all the way up to the convention. If this is the case, the role of the superdelegates will be huge.

    So, I thought it would be a good idea to let you know who some of these superdelegates are and how you can get in touch with them to let them know how you would like them to vote. We know it’s ultimately up to the individuals, but I don’t see how letting them know how we feel can hurt.
    
    Even though this is radio advocacy, it isn’t a case where we’re contacting a person to yell at them or make a demand. It’s more like a “let me holler at you” kind of thing.

    Here’s the first list of uncommitted super delegates and their e-mail addresses. Holla at them.

    Rep. Chris Carney (PA)
    http://carney.house.gov/contact.shtm

    Joyce Beatty, DNC (Ohio)
    District27@ohr.state.oh.us

    Gilda Cobb-Hunter
    gch@schouse.org

    Rep. Jim Clyburn (S.C.)
    http://clyburn.house.gov/zip_code_verify.cfm

    Akaka, Daniel K.- (HI)
    http://akaka.senate.gov/public/index.cfm ?FuseAction=Contact.Home

    
    Baucus, Max- (MT)
    http://baucus.senate.gov/contact/emailFo rm.cfm?subj=issue

    Biden, Joseph R., Jr.- (DE)
    http://biden.senate.gov/services/contact/

    Brown, Sherrod- (OH)
    http://brown.senate.gov/contact/

    Byrd, Robert C.- (WV)
    http://byrd.senate.gov/byrd_email.html

    Cardin, Benjamin L.- (MD)
    http://cardin.senate.gov/contact/

    Carper, Thomas R.- (DE)
    http://carper.senate.gov/contact/

    Representative Tom Allen (Maine)
    info@tomallen.org (e-mail)

    Representative Jason Altmire (Pennsylvania)
    http://altmire.house.gov/IMA/issue_subscribe.shtml

    Representative Howard Berman (California)
    http://www.house.gov/berman/contact/
    
    Governor Steve Beshear (Kentucky)
    http://governor.ky.gov/contact.htm

    Anita Bonds (Washington, DC)
    http://www.faxzero.com

  • Blog post
  • 1 year ago
  • Views: 17139

• TheFlyJock's Blog: What Happen

  • From: TheFlyJock
  • Description:

    What happens on the cruise no longer stays on the cruise … as if you didn’t know. In fact, what happens on the cruise might get back home quicker than you can say "cell phone pictures."
    
    When the Fantastic Voyage first set sail nine years ago, technology was nowhere near what it is today. A few people had cell phones, and they didn’t work outside of their neighborhood, let alone on a Caribbean beach. Nobody had laptops; camera phones hadn’t been invented, and there was no wireless anything. When those 2,000 black people boarded that ship in Miami, we might as well have been getting on a submarine. No one could reach us, and we couldn’t reach anybody. All you could do is wait until you got to Jamaica and risk calling home on a pay phone.

    Oh, oh, oh, how times have changed. And everybody better recognize. I can’t help anybody any more. Everything and anything you do may become front page news, depending on who you are and what your job is. I hope you hear me.

    A lot of people -- deservedly and undeservedly -- have gone down over the past couple of years because of technology, mixed with a combination of stupidity and ego issues. If you’re on the cruise, add Hennessey to the equation, and you’ve got a scandal waiting to happen.

    I’ve seen it, believe me. Politicians, preachers, teachers -- great people who, on land, carry themselves like the pillars of the community that they are. But once they get on that ship, something happens and they get caught up. They’re in Studio B booty dancing. They’re at the water gun fight wearing Speedos. They’re naked in the hot tub sipping champagne with strangers. They’re tipping back to their cabins at 4 a.m in Power Ranger costumes. And I didn’t say a word.

    I never told you that comedian A.J. Jamal’s wife met another man on the cruise, and it led to their divorce; I only talked it about it after A.J put it in his act. You never heard from me that Earthquake and a bunch of others -- including a gospel singer’s husband, who owed back child support -- were detained when we docked in Puerto Rico. I tried to pull the coattail of a state senator who led the dark-skinned water gun team to victory, then jumped on stage and chanted "Shaka Zulu!" And what about the celebrity mayor who's been in the news lately? He used to book five cabins for vacation. Yes, they were together, and now he's on lockdown. I was not the one who publicized the alleged affair between Bobby Brown and an "America’s Next Top Model" contestant ... not to mention all the domestic disputes, drunken brawls, pimp slaps, and cheating from our regular passengers.

    I’m warning you all. What happens on the ship no longer stays on the ship -- at all. In fact, we’re the main ones putting the stuff out there.

    It’s a new day. BlackAmericaWeb.com will be on and poppin’ on the cruise, with daily news reports, gossip reports, my daily blog, etc. so that you’ll know everything that’s happening on the cruise up to the minute. And if you’re on the cruise, you’ll be able to visit our Internet café and communicate with the people back home as often as you’d like.

    So, here’s my point: If you’re high profile, you need to either slow your roll or be prepared to take the heat if your stuff shows up on the web.
    
    If you’re not high-profile, and you want to keep it that way, watch yourself. The freakiest night of your life could be documented and in major circulation with the push of a button.

    If you’re a player or playette who’s telling somebody back home that once you get on the ship, you won’t be able to communicate with them for seven whole days, I’m bustin’ you out. The Internet café is available to everyone.

    The good news is it’s no longer like we’re going into the abyss. BlackAmericaWeb.com is your link to the Fantastic Voyage, and I hope you visit the site early and often.
    
    Now, for everything true that happens on the cruise, there are about 500 rumors. What have you heard? I’ll tell you if it’s true or false. Don’t forget to read my special cruise blog all next week.

    Bon Voyage!

  • Blog post
  • 1 year ago
  • Views: 16204
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• Election Day 2008

  • From: TheFlyJock
  • Description:

    Fired up, and ready to blog!

    This will be our last Live Blog Party related to the history-making 2008 presidential election. And as we celebrate the history that is unfolding before us, we can’t forget about the history we’ve made ourselves. The Live Blog Party, covering the vice presidential debate, was a first for us -- and you made it a success by logging on in big numbers. By the third Live Blog Party, so many of you showed up -- close to 10,000 -- we caused the site to crash. It was like a house party that got so crowded that someone called the cops.

    Today, we made history again by being granted exclusive rights to broadcast the TJMS at the official Obama headquarters in Chicago. If you ever wondered whether Obama was really going to “do anything” for black people, he started this morning by putting us where everyone else in the media business wanted to be.

    So as we come to end of this thing together, I can barely contain myself. I’m ready to celebrate now but I know I need to wait until it’s official. In fact, I don’t think I’ll celebrate until every single vote is counted. In the meantime, let’s
    do the darn thing together.

    I’m here at Grant Park in Chicago where Barack Obama will make his acceptance speech, and you’re here with me, just as you should be. Your love, your prayers, and your votes made it all possible.

    Check me out live on Radio One as I bring you reports, updates and hopefully some breaking news that will Barack the world!

    Oh, before I forget, we’ve got drinking games. Take a sip every time our man gets a blue state.  I’ll announce the next game later, and if you have any suggestions, hit me on the blog.  See you at the official after party on the TJMS!

    ---

    6:14 p.m.: We've got a lot in store for you on this historic night. We'll be chatting about election results plus any news stories that I think you'd be interested in.

    6:15 p.m.: Stay with me, people. It might be a long night.

    6:15 p.m.: According to Jacque Reid, Vermont just called for Barack!

    6:17 p.m.: Are you as nervous as I am?  I don't remember being this excited, ever!  And I've done a lot of stuff.

    6:18 p.m.: Did you check out the show this morning? We were up in there ... I'm  talking about the official Obama headquarters in Chicago, and we were granted exclusive rights. That means we were in there by ourselves.

    6:20 p.m.: Let's start the drinking game now that we know Vermont just came in for Barack ... every time we get a blue state, take a drink!

    6:21 p.m.: McCain just got  Kentucky. Obama has 3 electoral votes and McCain has 8.  Our magic number is 270!

    6:23 p.m.: On the show this morning, Obama played a game of basketball at a gym on Chicago's west side. Is that Black enough for you? Is that cool enough for you?

    6:25 p.m.: Were you checking me out on TV One? How's my hair?

    6:29 p.m.: Did you all see Obama and his family go the polls and vote this morning? Imagine going with your daddy to vote ... for himself!

    6:30 p.m.: We've seen it in the movies, we've seen it on TV and now it's about to be real, our first black president.

    6:32 p.m.: I know you're watching TV, but don't forget about all the coverage on BlackAmericaWeb.com. We've got your black!

    6:37 p.m.: What do you think will BO's first official act will be? What should it be? Launching universal health care, ending the war, giving us every Friday off? Let me know what you think it will be.

    6:44 p.m.: Things are looking good so far, BO is ahead.  But remember it's the battleground states that count: Virginia , Ohio and Pennsylvania.

    6:44 p.m.: When we get those three, we'll be in there!

    6:46 p.m.: Are you checking out the blue states? You ought to be a little tipsy.

    6:50 p.m.: I wish you could be here in Grant Park with me. Everybody is cheering and chanting already.

    6:51 p.m.: And it's getting cold too. It started out nice and warm. Then it remembered it's November ... in Chicago!

    6:51 p.m.: The polls have closed in Ohio and North Carolina.

    6:56 p.m.: Don't get scurred, but in Toledo, Ohio police have issued riot gear. Holy Toledo!

    7:01 p.m.: McCain has 16 electoral votes, Obama has 3! Don't slap anybody, it's early.

    7:03 p.m.: That's a touchdown, and two field goals. We can do this, baby ... yes, we can!

    7:08 p.m.: Obama takes Pennsylvania!

    7:10 p.m. Florida is still too close to call.

    7:12 p.m.: McCain took Tennessee and Oklahoma. What would you expect from an old guy? No offense, Tulsa and Memphis ...

    7:13 p.m.: Memphis, the home of Stax records and the one of the best civil rights museums in the country.  Oh, well!

    7:14 p.m.: McCain is projected to win in South Carolina. I ought to whip J. Anthony Brown's behind. He promised us his home state. Well, I'll bet Columbia came through for us!

    7:16 p.m.: Thanks for those comments about what Obama should do when he gets in. My favorite was to fix the election machinery ... Good one, VA55! Keep them coming!

    7:17 p.m.: Nationally, Obama has 53 percent, McCain 46 percent.

    7:21 p.m.: CNN projects New Jersey, Connecticut and Illinois for Obama. I think Illinois is a duh! Except Al Gore didnt take his homestate of Tennessee when he ran, so go figure. If I was running for prez, I might not win, but I'd damn well take Tuskegee!

    7:22 p.m.: How you guys holding up? it's only a little past 7 p.m. Central!

    7:28 p.m. We are ghetto fabulous here. I wish you could see our set up. we're blogging, and it''s dark, so Rev. Marcia Dyson, Michael Eric Dyson's wife, brought us a lamp out of her hotel room!  Pretty gangster, huh? That's how we do it!

    7:29 p.m.: People are borrowing press badges so they can eat for free.

    7:29 p.m.: Someone is borrowing our power cord so they can power up their computer.

    7:30 p.m.: The only thing missing? No one is selling  black love incense. Yet.

    7:31 p.m.: What song do you think Obama will rock when he first moves into the White House?

    7:32 p.m.: I think it will be "One Nation Under a Groove."

    7:33 p.m.: Whoever asked whether there was a doctor in the house was right! My heart is racing, too.

    7:36 p.m.: Not since I got my first slow dance has my heart beat like this.

    7:37 p.m.: When have you been this excited about anything? Tell me what it was.

    7:38 p.m.: CNN has projected that Obama will take New Hampshire!

    7:43 p.m.: So far, 2,500 of you have dropped by our Live Blog Party so far. Tell your friends about it! Have them join us!

    7:44 p.m.: Fox has projected that McCain will win Alabama and Arkansas.

    7:46 p.m.: If he wins Alabama, I guess I can't say anything to J. about him winning South Carolina. Sybil will be the only one with bragging rights since Obama won Illinois.

    7:59 p.m.: It;s cold out here. I'm wondering if I can blog wearing mittens.

    8:00 p.m.: Take two drinks for Obama winning Pennsylvania; it's a big state. And have a cheesesteak!

    8:06 p.m.: Wisconsin, New York, Michigan and Rhode Island all went to Obama! That's four drinks ...

    8:07 p.m.: It's too close to call in Arizona! See there, McCain -- that King holiday thing might be coming back to bite you!

    8:11 p.m.: Are y'all doing special watch parties for tonight? The Queen of Soul is having a pajama party at a casino in Detroit. A school in sunny south Dallas is having a sleep over for fourth, fifth and sixth graders. What are you doing to celebrate this great evening?

    8:20 p.m.: Are you checking out TV One? Don't forget to get your updates from BlackAmericaWeb.com. We're all you need!

    8:23 p.m.: If you're keeping up with the Senate seats, the Democrats have taken North Carolina and virginia. Don't you wish you had paid more attention in school?

    8:25 p.m.: A.J. from BET and Hill Harper were just standing in front of us. Hill was Obama's roommate at Harvard. I wonder which one got all the ladies. It was probably a tie.

    8:28 p.m.: So, I'm wondering what hit I should play tomorrow. You be me and choose. Whatever it is, it's got to be funky!

    8:29 p.m.: MSNBC is projecting that obama will win Ohio. We are so close!

    8:36 p.m.: It's official: We just took Ohio!

    8:40 p.m.: We're 76 electoral votes away from making history! Come on, California, and other big states. Let's do this.

    8:46 p.m.: For all you ladies out there, Common just walked by.

    8:49 p.m.: I like what you're saying, Blackmanforblackman08. It is time for us to go higher and represent. All eyes are going to be on us for real now.

    8:50 p.m.: Oprah and Lynn Whitfield just walked by.

    8:56 p.m.: So many of you are saying you're afraid to trust what you're hearing from the mainstream media. I hear you. That's why we're here.

    8:57 p.m.: DDarling, I hear you. "Ain't No Stopping Us Now" is a great suggestion for tomorrow morning. If you can top that one, let me know. I've got to jam all morning long!

    9:02 p.m.: People are screaming ... something good must be happening.

    9:05 p.m.: Speaking of good news, MSNBC has called Iowa for Obama. It's too close to call in Montana, North Carolina and Virginia and too early to call in Nevada and Colorado. McCain is up by about 9,000 votes in Indiana.

    9:09 p.m.: Yeah, dskobb! I'm with you on the things we need to concentrate on -- health care, education reform and the economy.

    9:15 p.m.: So the rumor is Oprah may get a cabinet position with Obama. what do you think she should be? Secretary of State? Secretary of Talk Shows? What? Let me know. And who else should get a position? Hill Harper? Common? Maria Shriver? Mmmm ... Tom Joyner?

    9:17 p.m.: It's getting good! This thing could be over in 30 minutes, I just overheard someone very important say. The helium people need to start filling the balloons. This thing is about to jump off -- in our lifetime!

    9:20 p.m.: But not so fast ... let's wait until it's official. We've been tricked before.

    9:25 p.m: But I really think we've got this. When will you be sure? Who do you have to hear it from?

    9:29 p.m.: How many of you are having a prayer service at church like Rev. Al Sharpton suggested? And if you are at church, are you playing the drinking game with communion wine? That's just wrong ... wrong for me to say and wrong for you to do!

    9:39 p.m.: Obama 207, McCain 136. Do the math, baby! Our magic number is 270!

    9:40 p.m.: Fired up, ready to win!

    9:46 p.m.: McCain just won South Dakota and its 3 electoral college votes. I don't think we expected to win South Dakota. But we would take it!

    9:47 p.m.: They're blasting the music here. That's gotta mean something good.

    9:51 p.m.: Red states are turning blue. Its starting to look like a Zeta convention! Sorry, Deltas ...

    9:53 p.m.:  I just saw Oprah coming out the porta-potty. That's worth about 30 electoral college votes alone. I'm calling it!

    9:55 p.m.: I'm bouncing like a bad check.

    10:03 p.m.: In our lifetime!

    10:04 p.m. Who would have believed it?

    10:05 p.m.: Do you believe in miracles?

    10:10 p.m.: This party is over. And it's just beginning!

    10:11 p.m.: J. just called, and he's crying like a you-know-what! And I'm not mad at him!

  • Blog post
  • 1 year ago
  • Views: 13674

• Tavis Quit!!!

  • From: TheFlyJock
  • Description:

    Well, you did it. This isn’t the way you wanted it to happen but it happened anyway. Just like I knew it would.

    
    I got a call from Tavis on yesterday. And he told me he was quitting the show. He told me the reason was that he was tired and has a lot of things going on, and he feels that now is a good time to leave the show.

    We all know that isn’ t the real reason he’s leaving the show. The real reason is that he can’t take the hate he’s been getting regarding the Barrack issue—hate from the black people that he loves so much. He needed to feel the love. We all do, whether it’s from our radio audience or from people we know personally. He wasn’t feeling any love so he quit.
    A while back he told us that I don’t speak for him. But this morning, since he isn’t here to speak for himself I think it’s my job as a colleague and a friend. And maybe this time, you’ll really listen to me.

    Tavis truly loves black people. I tried to tell you that. The hate he’s been getting hurts. He’ll never admit that but it’s true.

    And here’s something you may not want to admit. Black people need Tavis. You may not agree with what he has said, but he said it because he has love for black people. I’ll admit that sometimes listening to him was like trying to figure out the Davinci Codes. I’ll also admit that I wanted to Tavis to show a little more love to Barrack Obama and that I was frustrated over his failure to do so. But what Tavis was saying made us think. It had us talking, it has listening to a different point of view, and it was damn good radio.

    Tavis on the radio, not saying everything that we want him to say is a lot better than not having Tavis on the radio at all. The Tom Joyner Morning Show without Tavis gives our listeners one less reason to tune in, and in case you don’t know, all of us in radio, and in black radio especially are in a battle for our lives. We need good, controversial, compelling radio and Tavis brought that.

    When Tavis put the first Covenant book together, he was on a mission to hold who ever led this nation accountable to black people and to things that were critical to us. At the time, he had no idea that Barrack Obama was going to run for resident. His goal was for EVERY presidential candidate to answer to every covenant in the book during this campaign. He has said all along that he is holding Barrack and all candidates accountable. Dr. King would have done the same thing.

    When asked What Would Dr. King want him to do on this campaign, Barrack has said Dr. King would want him to address the issues.
    That’s all Tavis was asking of him and I think Dr. King would have been proud of Tavis.

    But because Tavis has not come out and said, “I am for Barrack Obama” everybody has started hating on him and threatening him and clowning him and he can’t take it. Those of us who know him well, know that.

    If you read his autobiography, “What I Know for Sure,” you know that no matter how deep his love is, if he feels that he’s right, or that you’re wrong, he doesn’t back down. When his mom made him step down from being class president because his grades were slipping, he didn’t speak to her for two years. His own mama, a single parent of eight,! He lived in her house, ate her food while he sat at her table and didn’t say a word to her for two years. All because he didn’t feel the love that his mom was trying to give him.

    Tavis said the things he said about Obama because he wants the black people that he loves so much to think. But to most of you, it sounded like hate, and it sounded like that to me, too.
    Love or hate, real or perceived, none of it matters now. What matters is that Tavis wants quit the TJMS and that’s real.

    I want you to call him, e-mail him, text him, hug him, kiss him, get him in a corner and wrestle him, and tell him how much you love him and appreciate his love for black people. Everyone needs that sometimes, and Tavis needs it right now.

  • Blog post
  • 1 year ago
  • Views: 13076

• TheFlyJock's Blog: Where Does

  • From: TheFlyJock
  • Description:

    He had to do it, but was it right?
    
    They weren’t going to stop until they pressured Barack Obama to resign from his church in Chicago. This time, it wasn’t because of controversial statements made by his former pastor or even the new pastor, but a guest pastor. Whether the words the priest said in the pulpit were right or wrong, my question and your question should be this: Where does it stop?

    Should everyone Obama is ever in contact with have to be someone who has never criticized the government or the country or a politician? Is he going to have to disassociate himself with everyone who speaks out or stands up for things they believe in? Or in the end, will Obama and everyone he’s around have to be neutral, middle of the road, white bread, boring people? Where does it stop?

    What about the books that he’s read and the videos he’s rented? What about the newspapers he subscribes to and the radio stations he listens to? What about everything that has made him the person he is today and the candidate that so many of us support?
    Not that the people who are out to get him really want to have a logical conversation, but if they did, why wouldn’t they ask themselves if having been a member of Trinity United Church of God in Christ for 20 years made him a bad person? Has it he done more good things in the last 20 years than bad? Is he able to relate to and understand more people because he’s been exposed to all kinds of points of view?

    And now that all of America has gotten a glimpse of some of the political issues that come up in the pulpits of some black churches, will Barack Obama be the only black person who will be forced to leave his church in order to appease those who are not comfortable? Think about all the other members of Obama’s church or churches like his. What if their bosses start to question how anti-American or how militant they are because they haven’t chosen to quit? What if, on the next job interview you go on, you’re asked to submit a video tape of the last 10 sermons your pastor preached? Where does it stop?

    The black church was once a place where black people could safely -- and sometimes discreetly -- show up and just be black. Others might not be able to understand that because most others are allowed to be themselves, speak their minds and their politics without fear or worry. Many black people can’t. Many of us have to hold it all in until we get home, or to our fraternity or sorority meeting, or to the beauty shop or barber shop, or to church. Many of us would be fired on the spot if our bosses and co-workers really knew how we felt about so many things.

    The joke used to be that what happens on the cruise stays on the cruise. Technology has changed everything, including the church. We have to know that anything and everything we do anytime and anywhere can be made public.

    I’m sure Barack and Michelle are trying to figure out what kind of church they will now join. Maybe you should, too.

  • Blog post
  • 1 year ago
  • Views: 11848

• TheFlyJock's Blog: What Had Ha

  • From: TheFlyJock
  • Description:

    Let’s see. As I prepared to do my blog on yesterday, I tripped and fell and hit my head.
    Not buying that? How about this, I knew if I had put the Clinton/Obama blog up in April you would have known it was a joke, so I did it on May 1st to throw you off. Don’t like that one either? What about this? Forgive me Father for I have sinned.

    Yesterday I wrote a blog about a theory that I’d heard involving a Clinton/Obama ticket and how it would almost assure Democrats 16 years in the White House. We put up a For Real, For Real poll and even though most of the people who responded to the blog hated the idea, 42 percent who participated in the poll said they would vote for the ticket. Thirty percent said they would not vote for a Clinton/Obama ticket and 27 said they hated me for bringing the topic up.

    I’m sorry I did bring it up. A lot of you told me you were disappointed in me and accused me of secretly working for the either the Clinton campaign or Tavis. Even though I kept saying, I wasn’t endorsing the idea, the fact that it was written on my blog made me guilty in the eyes of many of you. So, just as Obama had to denounce Rev. Wright, I’m denouncing yesterday’s blog. I’m moving forward and stepping away from that theory for good. Well, sort of. But let me just say to those of you who accused me of being a traitor. You should know me better than that. I was just trying to stimulate our thinking and remind us that we need to know what other people are talking about. And okay yes, I was trying to stir things up a little bit, too. I admit it. But these days, people, black people in particular seem less and less interested in being stirred up.

    There’s one thing about the Rev. Wright interview with Bill Moyers that really stuck with me. He talked about the role of the black church in the black community. In his opinion, the role is not just to preach a nice sermon and tell the congregation what it wants to hear every unday. The role of the church in the black community is to reach outside of the four walls and to have hands on relationships with people who might not ever come to church. He says to be effective you need to bring the things and the people of the world into the church and the people of Christ outside of the church. The two worlds have to meet. Rev. Wright and preachers like him who do not insulate themselves or their congregations from things “of the world” stir things up. When I was a kid, that was the way black churches were. They were not just houses of worship, they were houses of politics, houses of debate and houses of activism. Like black radio back in the day, the black church was a place where black people could talk to black people about things they wouldn’t talk about to anyone else, and they weren’t afraid to do so.

    I’m proud of having come from a black church and proud, as well, that the TJM has tried to hold up the tradition of black radio I grew up listening to during the Civil Rights movement. Many of us think everyone in the movement worked together harmoniously all the time. That wasn’t the case. There were lots of people with lots of ideas and that leads to a lot of heated discussions and arguments. But when you’re discussing or arguing with people who have your best interests at heart, you’re more open to hearing what they have to say, even if you disagree. That may have been the real reason I thought it was safe to share with you the idea of a Clinton/Obama ticket. I was thinking that I owed it to you to bring to the table a real scenario that is really being discussed. I thought we had it like that. To me, the black church and black radio are the two places that we should be able to talk about anything and everything that will affect the lives of black people. When we spend too much time filtering out things that make us uncomfortable or dressing up things that might be too ugly, are we doing anyone good?

  • Blog post
  • 1 year ago
  • Views: 11363
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• It's All About Sean Levert

  • From: TheFlyJock
  • Description:

    “ If you’re a father or a son, or both, give yourself and your dad a break. Love your children and your father with all the love you know how to give them and make every moment together count.”

    This is a quote from my book “I’m Just a DJ But…It Makes Sense to Me.”

    And this morning, it makes more sense than ever. Sometimes déjà vu is a good thing. This morning it was awful. I got a phone call on the way to the studio this morning with word that our good friend Sean LeVert had passed away. It was eerily reminiscent of a phone call I got on a Friday afternoon on November 10th about the death of Sean’s older brother, Gerald. Both times, I couldn’t believe my ears, both times, I had recently been in contact with the family and both times, my heart went out to parents Eddie LeVert and Martha LeVert.

    The Tom Joyner Morning Show and the LeVert family go way back. You see, in the early days of the show, it wasn’t always easy to get “A” list artists to perform. What became the “Sky Show” started out as a live performance with maybe two hundred people in the audience on a good morning. One of those good mornings in Atlanta, Sean and Gerald performed live at the CNN Center. We were grateful to have them and they gave it all they had, Gerald was just becoming the “sex symbol” that he eventually became and clearly was uncomfortable with the role. When an audience member told him she loved him, a confused expression came over his face and he said, “how could you love me, you don’t even know me.” Sean who was as talented or in a lot of people’s opinions more talented than Gerald never rose to the same level of popularity as his older brother but I never detected any jealousy. He supported his brother 100 percent and Gerald was always the loving, protective older brother. He wanted nothing more than to see Sean finally get his props. A lot of us thought that after Gerald passed and with news that the group LeVert would be reuniting, this was going to be Sean’s time. Sadly, we were wrong.

    About a year before that live performance in Atlanta, I had a very memorable conversation with Eddie LeVert. We were in Phoenix, Ariz., at the NBA All-Star game. I was there with my engineer and a tape recorder getting live stuff to play on the morning brand new syndicated TJMS. Gerald, Sean and Mark Gordon were there, but they were really just Eddie’s sons and another guy just launching the group LeVert. I grabbed hold of Eddie because back then, he was the bigger name. The first thing I thought about when I saw Eddie there to support his two boys, was my two sons Thomas Oscar who both were away at college. I recounted this story in the book and it went like this: “While Thomas and Oscar were away in college and I was busy getting the syndicated radio show off the ground in the early mid 90s, I got to know Eddie LeVert of the group the Ojays and he had the life I wished I had. I would see him and his sons Gerald, Sean and Eddie Jr. and I thought he was the luckiest guy in the world. Here was a guy who had been hugely successful in his musical career, and his sons had followed him into the business. Eddie Jr., helped him on the road and of course Gerald and Sean had singing careers. How cool was that, I thought, to have a job that you love and to have your sons right by your side, working with you and hanging out with you almost on a daily basis? I knew that when those boys were young Eddie was on the road most of the time, in fact, he was away from them more than I was away from my sons. How did he pull this off? I found myself feeling tinges of jealousy over the fact that his boys dug him and respected his career so much. My boys hadn’t grown up hanging around the radio stations I’d worked at and even if they had, radio wasn’t really the kind of business you wanted your kids to follow you into. There’s hardly any job security, and to be honest, I knew they had higher aspirations. Plus, It’s not likely that the three of us could have done a radio show together even if they had shown the slightest interest. Thomas had been thinking of becoming a lawyer and Oscar had announced in the tenth grade that he was going to run a marketing company, Joyner Incorporated…even though, at the time, neither he nor I had any idea what Joyner Inc. would possibly market or produce. Fast forward to the year 1998 when I decided to form the Tom Joyner Foundation to raise money for kids who had run out of money at may possibly love HBCUs … Thomas who possibly loves HBCUs just as much as I do, was the perfect person to run the foundation and low and behold, I had a son working with me… Oscar would soon get his business degree. He had completed a paid internship at Proctor and Gamble and had gotten job offers from more than one Fortune 500 company. Finally, the three of us , Thomas Jr., Oscar and I were a team and even though we’re not singing group, our harmony is on par with Eddie Levert and his boys. "

    I asked Eddie how he was able to maintain such a good relationship with his boys having been away from them so much, having gone though divorce, having made mistakes, etc. He told me that it hadn’t been easy but he said that when his boys became men, they became a lot more forgiving. They grew to understand things about their father and why he’d some of the choices he’d made. They didn’t agree with everything but they understood. The key was to stay close and always be there for them, even when they try to push you away. Hang in there and be the man until your sons catch up with you.

    I recount this story for a couple of reasons. For one, I’ll never forget it, but more importantly it serves as reminder that envy is a dangerous thing. God really does know what’s best for us at each point in our lives. We can’t see the future so our best bet is to trust God and take everything one day at a time. My relationship with my boys is my relationship and no one can take that from us. They are a blessing to me and my greatest reward. Fourteen years ago, I thought I might have wanted to trade places with Eddie, this morning, I can only grieve for my dear friend. Another important thing to remember is that in spite of what Eddie and Martha have gone through in losing two sons in less than a two-year span, they wouldn’t give up the time they had with those boys for anything in the world. They wouldn’t trade places with me any more than I would trade places with them. And that’s what should keep us all going.

    This morning shortly after went on the air, I asked Sybil why things like this happen. She said, there are no answers, but all we can do is keep on living. She really is the smart one on the show. We do have to keep on living and keep on loving each other. I tried to call my sons this morning after hearing the news, and of course they didn’t pick up. My daddy passed away a few months ago, so I couldn’t call him, but I sure thought about it. J. called his three children and they reminded him of how early in the morning it was to be calling them. The thing about working in morning radio is that no one ever wants to hear from us while we’re on our way to work.

    My question now isn’t why do things like this happen, my question now is how am I going to make every moment with everyone I love count? Who am I upset with and how would I feel if I never have a chance to say I’m sorry or just to say, let’s move on.

    If you’re upset with someone you love or someone you like, write me and let me know what you’re going to do to resolve things.

    I don’t know this for sure, but I don’t think Eddie has any regrets as a father. He admits that he wasn’t perfect but one thing for sure, he was there for his children. He knew they loved him and they knew he loved them. I don’t know what his last conversation with Sean was like, but I’m willing to bet that they both said “I love you,” before the conversation ended.

    One thing I didn’t include in the book that I remember about seeing the LeVert family in Phoenix 14 years ago is that as I was wrapping up the interview with Eddie, we could hear the newly-formed LeVert band gearing up. Very few people were interested in hearing them at that point but Eddie started getting antsy. “I gotta go, man. I gotta go listen to my babies.”

    Eddie had his priorities in order. Family first. No regrets.

    Rest in Peace, Sean.

  • Blog post
  • 1 year ago
  • Views: 10892

• TheFlyJock Blog: The Right Thi

  • From: TheFlyJock
  • Description:

    Rev. Jeremiah Wright was a huge news story over the weekend. Friday night, he did his first media interview since all the controversy began brewing; he spoke before the NAACP in Detroit Sunday night; he spoke at a church in Dallas, and on Monday, he gave a speech and answered questions in Washington D.C. at the National Press Club.
    
    Today, Sen. Barack Obama expressed his feelings about comments Rev. Wright made about him in D.C. and made it clear that he was ready to move forward and away from Rev. Wright. Now maybe the media can finally stop asking him about his relationship with Rev. Wright, and he can continue to focus on getting the presidential nomination.

    I think this was the right thing for Obama to do. He’s on a mission, and the media was determined to make Rev. Wright an obstacle.
    
    For what it’s worth, I’m declaring Rev. Wright, the news story, over. It’s done. It’s yesterday’s news. I hope other members of the media will do the same.

    This is not a put down of Rev. Wright. And it’s not saying goodbye to Rev. Wright, the pastor, the activist, the man. It’s just goodbye, hopefully, to Rev. Wright, the media spectacle.
    
    Today is a new day, and the last thing we need is speculation, conversation and debate on why Obama decided to move forward and away from Rev. Wright. When we start that discussion up, we are begging for a response from Rev. Wright, turning him into a new story, and starting the cycle all over again.
    
    Obama has a lot of work to do, and as we draw closer to the next primary, he has to be able to assure voters and superdelegates that he is the most electable candidate. He can’t do that if he’s answering questions about his former pastor. So, now he’s made it clear that anything regarding Rev. Wright should be addressed to Rev. Wright.

    Some will say he should have stood by his former pastor, and others will say he waited too late to make his move.

    I personally think Rev. Wright’s marathon weekend forced Obama’s hand, and I wouldn’t be surprised if that wasn’t Rev. Wright’s plan. I have no proof, but think about it. If Rev. Wright hadn’t done anything that appeared to many as “outrageous” this weekend, Obama would have had no reason to denounce him, even though he has been under lots of pressure to do so. Instead, Rev. Wright’s actions made it easier for Obama to make his move. I think they both did the right thing.

  • Blog post
  • 1 year ago
  • Views: 9388

• TheFlyJock's Blog:Your Questio

  • From: TheFlyJock
  • Description:

    Since I’ve started writing this blog, I’ve gotten lots of responses, and some of you seem to doubt that I’m reading your comments. Well, I am. Of course I can’t respond to every one of them -- especially to the person who said they hate my fat ass! But some of you had some pretty interesting questions and concerns.

    For those of you wondering what happened to Myra J. and Ms. Dupre, they’re still an important part of the TJMS family. You will continue to hear them on the air from time to time as they cover special Tom Joyner Morning Show events.

    Tavis Tavis Tavis

    Most of you want me to stop talking about Tavis and move on. Miami Old School Listener says Tavis is just one part of the TJMS, and I’m putting way too much into the fact he’s leaving.

    I agreed with a lot of what ShufanaTic had to say. With all the issues plaguing Americans today, namely the disaster in the housing market, we need to be focused on choosing the best candidate and trying to defeat John McCain. She says the Republicans were counting us on to be fighting amongst ourselves about Obama and Clinton, and we haven’t disappointed them. I just want to know when and where these groups of Republicans meet to decide that they’re going to set us all up.

    As for Tavis, I will move on when his departure comes at the end of June. Right now, he’s still a big part of the show, and I welcome his expertise. His commentary yesterday was an example of how much he really understands this presidential race. He said things are going to get a lot nastier, and our reaction to that nastiness can result in “political Armageddon.” Our For Real, For Real poll for yesterday backs that up. The last time I checked, 54 percent said they’d vote for Clinton if Barack is not the candidate. But a whopping 35 percent said they won’t vote at all if Obama isn’t in the race.

    Nitamd says Hillary doesn’t deserve her vote because she is taking the black vote for granted. Gapeach7 wondered when we are going to take a stand and stop accepting everything that is dished out to us. Well, part of what Tavis has been trying to demand from all candidates is that they take our issues seriously and not take us for granted. I’m with that 100 percent. What I’m not with is letting McCain slide in there while we try to make a point. I’m hoping there’s a way for us to demonstrate our frustrations that won’t result in four more years of Republicans in the White House. If you have any ideas let me know.

    It Ain’t Over!

    In the meantime, this thing isn’t over. Hillary got some momentum from her win in Pennsylvania, but Obama is still in the lead. If things go as they should, there’s no way that Obama will not be the Democratic nominee. But then again, stranger things have happened. Dam says it sounds like I’m giving up on Obama. I’m not. I’m just trying to look at this thing from all angles.

    Finally, I mentioned a couple of days go that I’d read an article in the Dallas Morning News that said some black Democrats who support Hillary felt intimidated by Obama supporters. I’m curious. Are you a closet Hillary supporter? If so, who are you hiding it from? A boss, a co-worker, a spouse?

  • Blog post
  • 1 year ago
  • Views: 9049

• TheFlyJock's Inauguration Blog

  • From: TheFlyJock
  • Description:

    Inauguration Day 2009. It’s the day we’ve been waiting for, the day our parents doubted they’d see in their lifetime, and a day our ancestors never believed would come.

    So, when Barack Obama, an African-American man was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States, his lovely wife, Michelle, held the Bible that belonged to Abraham Lincoln, and Sasha and Malia looked up proudly at their dad, the president, everyone who watched had to feel something they’ve never felt before.

    This morning, starting with our broadcast on top of the Comcast Building - with a direct view of the Capitol Building and of, at first, hundreds then thousands of people of all races, ages and walks of life making their way to witness history - it began to sink in. And as cold as I was, I had a warm feeling that got warmer as they morning went on. And when I took my seat at the  Inauguration, me, whose roots began in Tuskegee, Alabama in the thick of  segregation, I was finally able to really breathe and put things in perspective. 

    We are all exactly where we’re supposed to be at exactly the right time. We did this together. We never have to think less of ourselves for not marching or singing or participating in the movement of the 60s. We don’t have to put ourselves down for not being able to organize and galvanize and produce a great leader. Finally, we did the darn thing. We are the ones we were waiting for. And tonight, we’re going to celebrate the victory together.  

    Put on a ball gown and tuxedo, or both … you know I don’t judge, and blog along with me as I sing, sing celebrate the greatest Black History fact ever.

    ---

    8:03 p.m.: Y'all ready?

    8:05 p.m.: Turn to ABC. Queen Latifah's on stage at the Neighborhod Inaugural Ball.

    8:07 p.m.: Okay, party people ... are you ready to blog the night away?

    8:25 p.m.: Sorry, all ... technical difficulties. I'll be back. Meanwhile, talk about how horrible Mariah sounded.

    8:28 p.m.: I heard earlier that Barack and Michelle Obama are going to try to break a  ballin' record ... uh. maybe I should rephrase that.

    8:29 p.m.: Clinton attended 14 balls, they but they're scheduled to attend 10.

    8:30 p.m.: Mariah Carey just sang and let me just say this:  Maybe she needs to spend less time with Nick Cannon and more time working on that voice.

    8:31 p.m.: The President and First Lady have just shown up at their first ball.  So what do you think of their outfits?

    8:32 p.m.: They look like they're at their wedding. On top of the cake.

    8:34 p.m.: They're at the Neighborhood Ball. I love it!

    8:35 p.m.: Are you watching these parties with neighbors in your 'hood? Or are you afraid to let your neighbors know you have a nice TV?  Hey, just keeping it real ...

    8:39 p.m.: Their first dance as the First Couple was nice. Again, wedding-like. But at least we know now that our president has a good slow groove.

    8:41 p.m.: Jamie Foxx just co-signed. You heard him: "You know that's a black president ..."

    8:42 p.m.: Shakira shouldn't be allowed near a Stevie Wonder song.

    8:44 p.m.: Y'all saw Beyonce. Man! No wonder Jay-Z put a ring on it!

    8:46 p.m.:  President Obama is on the dance floor. Rate him on a scale of one to 10.

    8:47 p.m.: He was a little off beat, but I think his dance partner threw him off. You know how that is, those of you who attended integrated schools.

    8:49 p.m.: Let's see ... I have his schedule here. He's going to the Commander-in-Chief Ball, the Youth Ball,  the Home States Ball ...

    8:51 p.m.: I wonder if Michelle will get her Diana Ross on and change dresses for each one ...

    8:52 p.m.: I wonder if they had that talk with Michelle's mom because you know they needed a baby sitter for tonight.

    8:53 p.m.: It's a new day for grandmothers. They don't all baby sit. I'm thinking she wants to party tonight just like they do!

    8:55 p.m.: Jay-Z is performing now and wearing some big glasses. Obama said he was gonna make being a geek cool, but come on, now.

    9:01 p.m.: You think President Obama was practicing his moves with Michelle?

    9:02 p.m.: That's the beauty of having a couple like this in the White House. You really can imagine them being romantic. Nobody wanted to think about Ronald Reagan and Nancy, the old Bushes, George and Barbara, or George W. and Condi. I'm kidding.

    9:05 p.m.: And can you imagine if the McCains had made it. They would be attending the senior citizens' ball.

    9:06 p.m.: Alicia Keys is singing, might be a studio singer. I'm just saying.

    9:08 p.m.: She needs to remake that song where she talks about Bill and camille, Jada and Will and add Michelle and Barack.

    9:10 p.m.: The Obama's just finished their second dance at their second ball, just eight more to go! Wonder what the ride in the limo was like.

    9:12 p.m.: Did she say, "You should have spent more time with me?" Does he say, "You need to let that guy know you're with me?"

    9:13 p.m.: Or do they try to get a nap? They've got to be exhausted.

    9:14 p.m.: So, back to what if McCain would have won ... and Sarah Palin and the First Dude were making their rounds to the balls. You KNOW she wouldn't have been able to find a babysitter.

    9:22 p.m.: All that working out the Obamas do is paying off tonight - in stamina.

    9:27 p.m.: Stevie is performing at the Neighborhood Ball. His braids are hanging on for dear life.

    9:28 p.m.: He's going to have to join me and Howie Mandel any day now, and just let it go.

    9:31 p.m.: If you're playing the drinking game with me, take a sip everytime the Obamas get to a new ball. And double it every time they dance together.

    9:34 p.m.: The Obamas are on their way to the Commander-in-Chief Ball. This is the ball where he has to take control. He's got to walk in there like George Jefferson.

    9:35 p.m.: Just saw Joe Biden arrive at the Neighborhood Ball with his wife, the woman who can't keep a secret. Lord help her if she starts drinking tonight. They look good, though.

    9:38 p.m.: Anderson Cooper just announced that Malia and Sasha Obama may have had a sleepover tonight. Now, what if someone wasn't invited, and they had to hear about it on CNN? Wow! Come on, Anderson. And isn't it a school night?

    9:39 p.m.: I know that was on me. I completely forgot we were freezing our behinds off. My mind wasn't working right.

    9:41 p.m.: Hey, do me a favor, everyone: I forgot to mention the Live Blog Party on the air. Call a friend or family member, and tell them about it. And tell them there's no cover charge.

    9:43 p.m.: Tell them to let me know in five words or less what this whole day has meant to them.  I'll talk it about it on the air tomorrow.

    9:46 p.m.: The president just praised the 300 "wounded warriors" from Walter Reed Hospital who came out to party at the Commander-in-Chief Ball, where he and Michelle will dance with members of the military.

    9:49 p.m.: President Obama better get to bed. He's got to hit the ground running in the morning. Michelle is sleeping in. He better not turn the light on either.

    9:54 p.m.: You guys know I have to get up bright and early too. So I'm gonna dance a little more and then let you bloggers have it. Congratulations to Presient Barack Obama, and congratulations to you all for getting out there and voting - and making history!

    9:56 p.m.: Send me a text tomorrow at oh oh oh 646464 if you were at the blog party.

    9:58 p.m.: Keep watching all the inaugural parties, and text me tomorrow with your reports.

    9:59 p.m.: Best performer, best dressed, best hair, worst performer, worst dressed, worst hair - I want it all!

  • Blog post
  • 10 months ago
  • Views: 9018
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• TheFlyJock's Blog:Hope and Cha

  • From: TheFlyJock
  • Description:

    No matter how this primary season wraps up, either Obama or Clinton will be counting on our votes to put them over the top. They’ve each been on our show several times this campaign season with their messages of hope and change. I’m proud of the role the TJMS plays in this process.

    The problem is, as Tavis pointed out yesterday morning, both Clinton and Obama spend millions to advertise on mainstream media and spend a mere fraction of that to advertise on black media. Obama’s office has barely spent any money with us and Hillary hasn’t spent a dime. That doesn’t sound like hope and change to me. That sounds like the same old thing.
    I’m only singling out Clinton and Obama because we’re talking about the election, but this is something that almost anyone who does business with black radio and TV, black newspapers and magazines has come to expect—to pay less to reach us. No matter how large our audience is, no matter what the demographics are, even when are equal it’s cheaper to advertise on a black radio station than on a white radio station. It’s always been that way.

    No hope. No change.

    My son and boss, Oscar, has asked me not to accept the status quo--to demand that Obama and Clinton show us the same respect they show mainstream media. He pointed out months ago that if they know they can come on our show any time they want for free, they’ll never be willing to spend advertising dollars with us or any other black media outlets. Tavis echoed the same thing in his commentary. I know what they’re saying is right. But here’s my perspective.

    Where else but on a show like ours can so many African-Americans get a chance to hear these candidates on their on turf, being interviewed by people who look like them and have their best interests at heart? Do I sacrifice the relationships we’ve built up over the years for money? Who will keep the issues in their face if we don’t do it? On the other hand, black radio is barely making it as it is. We need that money! With everyone spending less everywhere we’re feeling it most and revenue is down 40% to 60%. In the words of Sybil, I’m between a Barack and hard place!

    The only way to force the hand of people making the decisions to spend the advertising dollars is to refuse to give them free access to us. And it won’t happen over night. That means that our audience will have to suffer for a while until people who write the checks get the point.

    It would be great if Hillary and Barack would make the point for us and have a conversation with these people. If we’re going to give them our time now and our votes in November, the least they can do is make sure that some parity takes place when the advertising budgets are made. They’re the ones with the power to make that happen and the next time either one of them calls, I’m going to ask them why we aren’t worth the same amount as white media. They say they’re about hope and change, they can prove it by flipping the script the good old boys wrote decades ago.

    That’s the kind of change I’m hoping for.

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  • 1 year ago
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• TheFlyJock's Blog: Are You Our

  • From: TheFlyJock
  • Description:

    While everyone is wondering and worrying about who’s on the short list to become Barack Obama’s running mate, I’m busy with a list of my own — not for a running mate, but a replacement for Tavis. The time has come for him to move on, and, as I said in my blog a while back, trying to replace Tavis would be like trying to replace a family member. You can’t do it. So, what we’re trying to actually find is another commentator who will inform, enlighten and empower us twice a week on the TJMS.

    When Tavis first announced he was leaving, I got lots of phone calls and e-mails from people either asking for his job or letting me know about someone who they thought should have the job. Many of them were people you’ve heard of who were already in the business of doing commentaries either on TV, radio or in print. I got a lot of suggestions from you all too, and one thing was loud and clear: You all told me that you didn’t want a Tavis “clone.” You didn’t necessarily want another male, and you wanted someone who would really make you think. Most importantly, you let us know you didn’t want to hear more from the same old people you can hear from everywhere else — the go-to black people that CNN, Fox and MSNBC have discovered. That’s when it occurred to us that there is someone out there who doesn’t have an audience but has a lot of important things to say. When I say he or she doesn’t have an audience, I mean a TV, radio or newspaper audience. His or her audience is a spouse, church members, the PTA, the barbershop, the beauty shop and maybe even a former cell mate. The point is, we want a fresh voice with fresh ideas.

    It could be or someone you know.

    I knew the day was coming, and I’m excited. As Tavis exits our show, he leaves a huge space to be filled. But he, better than anybody, recognizes the beauty in giving someone else the opportunity to talk to 8 million people for a couple of minutes twice a week. When he first began doing commentaries back in Los Angeles, Tavis was just a young man who had lot to say and not a lot of time to say it. Back then, there was no such thing as a black syndicated radio program, and he couldn’t imagined that he would some day have the impact he had on so many. I know there’s someone out there waiting for his or her chance to become part of the TJMS family. He or she has huge headphones to fill.
    
    J. loves to tease Tavis when he goes on vacation by saying the time-off isn’t deserved because Tavis’ commentaries add up to working 10 minutes a week. Whoever dares to step into that time slot will discover there’s nothing further from the truth. I just have one simple question: Is it you?

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  • 1 year ago
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• TheFlyJock's Blog: Keep On Pus

  • From: TheFlyJock
  • Description:

    Well, that’s it. It’s over. America voted, and it was clear that she was not as popular as her competitors. So, she went home.

    You know I’m talking about “American Idol’s” Syesha, right? Hillary Clinton is still hanging on. All the odds are against her now, and with the endorsement of John Edwards and his delegates going to Barack Obama, I can’t see how she can continue. But whatever it is that’s driving her, that’s pushing her, that’s making her feel like she’s supposed to be there when numbers and logic and pundits are telling her she shouldn’t be, we all should have.

    I don’t know if it’s her supporters, Bill, or the pantsuits. I can’t figure it out. Well, maybe I can, sort of.

    I come from a small town, Tuskegee, Alabama, where the majority of the community was made up of well-educated, ambitious black people. The children of these hard working Negroes were taught by example to work hard and dream big. There was nothing we thought we couldn’t achieve.

    I don’t know that much about Hillary or how she was raised, but I know a fighter when I see one. You don’t fight this hard unless you’re accustomed to winning. But there are different kinds of winners — those who win because they’re really the best and those who win because of who they are and who they know. Some people think they should win because they’ve paid their dues, played by the rules and attained success. Some people think they are entitled to that success — that in spite of the rules, in spite of the laws, in spite of the people, they deserve to have what they want, and they’re willing to fight for it any cost. This feeling of entitlement will give you the confidence, the spirit, the power to stay in a race when everyone says you should quit, when everyone says you can’t win, when everyone tells you it’s over.

    When Hillary finally has to bow out, I hope that Barack will be able to go into this thing with the same kind of fight. As Tavis pointed out Tuesday, when Obama becomes the nominee, the heat will be turned up like never before. There will be days he will wonder whether he can or should go on. He’s got to fight with everything he has, and when he’s got nothing else to give, he’s still got find a way to keep swinging.

    There’s something in each of us who aspires to be successful that continues to drive us when our tank is low. I was once a member of the Commodores, but quit the group before Lionel and the guys blew up. I felt so stupid when I saw how well they were doing that I wasn’t going to stop until I’d achieved something that would make me stop regretting my decision to quit.
    What is it that made you keep going in spite of the odds? If you have a story of being down and out, but you somehow found the strength to continue, share that story. Maybe it will inspire someone in else in their darkest hour, in the fight of their life, to press forward.

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  • 1 year ago
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• TheFlyJock's Blog: We've Got F

  • From: TheFlyJock
  • Description:

    One of the most recent names being considered as a possible running mate for Obama is Al Gore. I think I can speak for Barack, when I say, “What else you got?” As Rev. Al pointed out yesterday in his commentary, Obama needs a running mate who’s going to attract some voters that aren’t too crazy about him—poor, uneducated white men and hardcore Hillary-supporting white women. The Archie Bunkers and the Maudes. If you don’t remember Maude, it was sitcom featuring an outspoken, liberal, pantsuit wearing feminist—the opposite of the loud mouth, blue collar racist Archie Bunker character from “All in the Family.” The Jeffersons, former next-door neighbors to the Bunkers, are no problem. I don’t know of a black lower-class or middle class family who isn’t for Obama. Even the Jeffersons, after they moved on up to East Side, would still be sure bets as Obama supporters. I think, single-mom Julia, Florida and James Evans in the projects and
    Huxtables would also all be on board the Obama train.
    
    So, who do we turn to get Archie, Al Bundy, Homer Simpson and would-be Hillary supporters, Jill (the wife of Tim the Tool Man), Miss Hathaway from the Beverly Hillbilllies and Carol Brady?

    It’s not going to be easy. Hillary might be the answer for winning back white women, but she’s not the answer for attracting blue collar white guys. I think the real answer is a man that white men and white women love and respect … a combination of George Clooney, Chris Berman and ET. I don’t know who this person is, but we need to find him right away. He might not be our first, second or even third choice but we have to remember, in this case, it’s not about us. It’s about them.

    If you listen to your white bosses, co-workers, neighbors and friends, more and more you’ll hear them coming up for all kinds of rationalizations for voting for John McCain—even the ones who are against the war and are pro-choice. If Obama comes up with a running mate they’re comfortable with who speaks their language and is on their team, many of them will vote the Democratic ticket in November. It may not be be pretty but the bottom line is getting Obama in the White House, even if it we need Larry the Cable Guy to make it happen. “Get Her Done” sounds just as good as “Yes We Can” to me.

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  • 1 year ago
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• TheFlyJock's Blog: Power to th

  • From: TheFlyJock
  • Description:

    I don’t know about anyone else, but the great feeling I got when I found out Barack Obama had enough Electoral College votes to become president is still hanging on. Even though it’s too soon for President-elect Obama to do the things he’s promised, change has already taken place, especially for African-Americans. The fact that a black man could become leader of the free world gives us the feeling that we all can do more than we thought we could.

    I was fortunate enough to have grown up in a small town where a “yes, you can” attitude was present almost everywhere I turned. In Tuskegee, black doctors, scientists and nurses, college presidents, professors and teachers, inventors, pilots, etc. were the norm.  The question for children growing up then was not “Can I be successful?” but just a matter of deciding what we’d be successful at. And yes, I know that isn’t proper grammar; that’s why I didn’t decide to be successful at being an English teacher!

    When I left Tuskegee, I was surprised to find out that most black people didn’t have the same experiences we ha in our little town. No matter where I lived, I gravitated toward the most successful black people. My mentor became John H. Johnson, founder of Johnson Publishing Company, publishers of Ebony and Jet. Mr. Johnson understood how important it is for black people to learn about other black people who had done well. He realized that you’re more likely to aspire to do big things if you see people who look like doing it first.

    For a guy like me, reading about these successful African-Americans affirmed what I already knew. But if it weren’t for Ebony and Jet, some people wouldn’t have known that a black man or woman could be a chemist or a surgeon or whatever they worked hard to achieve. Of course, every successful black person didn’t wait around looking for a black role model. Some black people had the drive, the confidence and the power to break new ground.

    Barack Obama has changed almost everything we thought we knew for sure. What a black man would and could achieve and what America would tolerate is different than what was perceived just a year ago.

    Today’s theme show is called "Power to the People: The New Age of Empowerment." Producer Erica Taylor wants us to think about how having the first African-American president has empowered us, how we empower others and how we’ve managed to get back the power we’ve lost.

    Barack Obama, whether he’s a great president or not, has already done one great thing for sure. He’s reminded us that when the odds are against us, when they say it can’t be done, when all hope seems lost, we can push forward and win. Power to the people!

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  • 1 year ago
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• TheFlyJock's Blog: The Cruise

  • From: TheFlyJock
  • Description:

    Well, it’s Day Seven of the Fantastic Voyage, and once again, it was fantastic. I want to congratulate my soldiers on a victory over J’s army in the water gun fight. He and A.J. Jamal did their best to defeat us by starting with a sneak attack from behind, but in the end, we were too much for them.

    I know you might have heard some things about Erykah Badu’s performance in San Juan. If you were under 40, you probably liked it. If you were under 30, you probably loved it. If you were over 50, you were already back on the ship before she took her first sip of tea. She had a great show, but it’s not easy to rock that crowd after a day of touring Puerto Rico. John Legend and Cedric the Entertainer had great sets, but to be honest, had either of them been last on the bill, they would have had the same problems Erykah experienced. Even her mom, Miss Queenie, barely lasted after such a long day. The comedians, of course, had no sympathy and have gotten plenty of material out of her show. I say don’t sweat it, honey – which, by the way, she didn’t sing. Too much show and not enough time or audience.

    SWV had a good show, but it got me wondering: Will they be The Emotions in 30 years? If not, who will be? If the cruise is still sailing in 2039, what old-school acts will still be able to command an audience like The Emotions, Maze, The Stylistics and Chaka Khan were able to? Chris Brown? Rhianna? Beyonce? Use your imagination, and book your dream old school line up 30 years in the future. Blog with you later!

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  • 1 year ago
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• TheFlyJock's Blog:More from th

  • From: TheFlyJock
  • Description:

    The Emotions put on a great show. Everyone said they turned it out. They sounded exactly the same as they did 60 years ago. Just kidding. They sounded good, and they put on a good show. It was truly old school. They didn't try to do any Beyonce songs or Rhianna, They kept it real, hit after hit. When I asked one of our young staff members if he had seen their show, he had a blank look on his face. So I said, have you ever heard of The Emotions? He said no. I should have fired him on the spot and made him pay his way back to Dallas.
    
    I had a ball hanging out with J., George Wallace, DL Hughley and Huggy, J. and George had a mama joke marathon, and I can't tell you who won, they both were so funny. Late that night, we went to see Bobby Brown together, and that was the end of the laughter. I felt like yelling out his name like Whitney does: "Bob-Bay!!! He came on stage after Marc Curry and was ready to work. But when he opened his mouth, it was tragic. He had nothing. Everybody in Studio B was rooting for him and hoping he would bring it, but he couldn't. One of his biggest fans told me she left before the show ended because she loved him too much to watch. She wasn't alone. A lot of people left the show. George Wallace said he saw someone in a wheelchair get up and walk out! Bobby got another chance – and he redeemed himself with the help of Johnny Gill, who ironically replaced Bobby in New Edition when he went solo.
    
    Yesterday we docked in Turks and Caicos, and a large group of us went to a reception hosted by the premier and first lady Lisa Raye. It was at their home – well, actually outside their home overlooking the beautiful turquoise waters. It rminded me of the time J. invited us to a party at our house and wouldn't let us inside. Bruce Bruce said he didn't believe we were even at Lisa Raey and the premier’s house. He said the real owners of that home were out of town!
    
    Most of the people were shuttled to and from the premier’s house on buses. Here's a scoop: Dr. Bobby Jones announced that he goes either way -- when it comes to the light-skinned vs. dark-skinned water gun fight. He was overheard saying he isn't light or dark, but right down the middle.
    
    Last night was Mardi Gras night, and I hope you have had a chance to see the pictures. I was Superman,.and Donna was Lois Lane, aka Lola May. Sybil was Wonder Woman , Myra was the Hulk. Ms Dupre was Underdog; J. was Cat Woman, and Tavis was Obama! Just kidding about Tavis; you know I like to see if you’re paying attention. There were all kinds of good costumes, but in my opinion, the prize goes to Jacque Reid for taking the bit all the way. She, her mom, her aunt and other friends dressed as the women from the Texas compound that had their children taken away. They looked and acted just like those women and would not break character. Jacque found a Mormon website and ordered authentic outfits and everything. They were my favorite.
    
    Today we docked in San Juan, Puerto Rico -- a man with late child support payments’ worse nightmare. If you’re wanted by cops, sheriffs, marshals, etc., this is where you'll get caught. I let you know who didn't make it back on the ship tomorrow.

  • Blog post
  • 1 year ago
  • Views: 6410