The Big Political Dance

Last weekend was filled with tons of events including the National Urban League Conference.  Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and Edwards were in attendance and addresses the masses.  Lately Obama and Hillary have been at each other’s throughts so Edwards took that as an opportunity and ran with it.  He was quoted saying, “We've had two good people -- Democratic candidates for president -- who spent their time attacking each other instead of attacking the problems that this country is facing."    Who do you all think will make it to the big dance, as they say in college hoops?  At this point I have no idea.  We’ll have to keep an eye out on this one.

You Ain’t Got to Instruct Me to do a Dayum Thang!

Ike Turner, infamously known for bustin Tina Turner’s head to the white meat on a regular occasion when they were married, will be performing in St. Louis at the Big Muddy Blues Festival.  Well you all might remember from the movie, What’s Love Got to Do With It”  it was in St. Louis that Tina hit it big after singing for Ike at the juke joint.  (In my best Tina Turner voice) “…I know you love me baby, but you never tell me so.  If you don’t tell me you love me baby, I’m gonna pack my bags and go….”

Well, the organizers of the blues festival submitted a request to the city asking to make September 2^nd “Ike Turner Day” This is the day he will perform at the blues festival.  Of course,  Mayor Slay, rejected that request so quick, you would have thought they had written to ask him to approve brand new books, desks and laptops for every inner-city public-school student (and we know that will never happen…)

Slay rejected the proposal to issue a City Hall Proclamation in his honor.  Turner was quoted saying he never asked for the honor anyway, so it’s no skin off of his back.  He already has a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame (and I guarantee you that star was there before that move went to the big screen and put all his dirt out in the street).

 Turner has admitted to hitting his ex-wife Tina Turner.  Yet, he also included that the movie depiction was off the mark and really hurt his career.  But I’m sure it didn’t hurt nearly as much as Tina was when he was doing the cave-man kick-out all over her face.  So such is life Ike, I think you got off easy, partner.

Now if you want to see Ike in his true essence, you have to check this out:

  I…Don’t?

 I know you all have heard that Usher and his fiancé Tameka did not precede with their planned nuptials this past Saturday.  At the last hour, the wedding was called off, without a real explanation as to why.  Word on the street is that Usher and his pregnant fiancé, Tameka, are still together and will set another date.  But they aren’t providing any details about what the real deal is.  Usmagizine.com quoted the couple saying, “As of right now we don't have a date but we will let you know when we do. Everybody's fine. Tameka and the baby are fine."

Tameka Foster is a stylist who has worked with Lauryn Hill and Toni Braxton and of course, Usher.  The couple has been engaged for less than a year.  Foster is expecting Usher’s first child in the fall.  She has 3 additional children from a previous marriage.  Their wedding was to take place at L.A. Reid’s house last Saturday.  I know he was mad as hell.  Got all these folks coming to my house and y’all kids knew good and dayum well y’all were not trying to jump the broom.  I think Usher is trying to wait for the swab before he says “I Do.”  You know… the swab…the DNA test. 

My Goodies, Not My Goodies?

Speaking of Engagements, Eddie Murphy is marrying Tracey Edmonds.  They are now engaged as of last Wednesday.  I still feel like this is so shady.  I’m having a hard time accepting this.  When I look at her, I still feel like she is Babyface’s goods.  But Eddie moved in like a thief in the night.  He has her wide open.  She didn’t even care about his love child with his former girlfriend, Spice Girl Melanie Brown, who gave birth to their daughter, Angel Iris, in April.  No let me stop hating.  If they want to make it do what it do, baby

Tracey Edmonds produced “Who’s Your Caddy?”  At the premier it was reported that she was sporting major ice on her ring finger and the rumors started buzzing.  Edmonds divorce from Baby face was finalized in June.  Dayum… they don’t waste any time do they.  What happened to a grace period?  Or being on the rebound for a while?

 Et  Tu Tony?

Tony Taylor, a co-defendant of Michael Vick, pleaded guilty yesterday to the federal dogfighting charges.  He will be sentenced on Dec. 14^th   He faces a maximum of five years in jail and quarter-million dollar fine.  Do you think Vick is pissed off that he didn’t plead not-guilty like the other two co-defendents (Vick and Purnell Piece) You know what they say united we stand, divided we fall.  This is what I was able to scrounge up during my internet searching:

Prosecutors claimed in a July 17 indictment that Taylor found the Surry County property that Vick purchased and used as the site of "Bad Newz Kennels," a dogfighting enterprise. Taylor also allegedly helped purchase pit bulls and killed at least two dogs that fared poorly in test fights.

According to the 18-page indictment, the dogfighting ring executed underperforming dogs by drowning, hanging and other brutal means. It alleges that the fights offered purses as high as $26,000.

The grisly details outlined in the indictment have fueled protests and public outrage against Vick. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has banned Vick from the Falcons' training camp while the league investigates.

Vick and Purnell A. Peace, 35, of Virginia Beach, and Quanis L. Phillips, 28, of Atlanta, are scheduled for trial Nov. 26. They remain free without bond.

 Now You Know Not to Mess With Oprah

As if James Frey, infamous author of “A Million Little Pieces” hasn’t had enough, they now have it out for Oprah.  The editor and publisher of the book, Nan A. Talese, says Oprah showed “fiercely bad manners” and she should apologize.  Now I must say, Oprah was ferocious on this episode.  She was ticked off and she let it be known.  She was not her usual polite uplifting self.  I was a little taken aback myself. The publisher, Talese said, according to The Dallas Morning News, "I'm afraid I'm unapologetic of the whole thing. And the only person who should be apologetic is Oprah Winfrey. When someone starts out and says, 'I have been an alcoholic. I have lied. I have cheated.' ... you do not think this is going to be the New Testament."

She better watch out, b/c Oprah is powerful.  Talese will mess around and be fired next week if Oprah decides to make a few phone calls aka power-moves.

A judge approved a tentative settlement in May, calling for publishing house Random House and Frey to refund $2.35 million to those who bought his book before his appearance on Winfrey's show.