1

Politics / Alum, Joe is in Cincy today and you ain’t said SHYT!!

« on: July 21, 2021, 08:42:55 AM »

…….dude will be touting that infrastructure bill, and his day will culminate tonite with a CNN Town Hall, hosted by Don Lemon.

Bruh, I know you’ve secured access as an audience member at the town hall, so we need you to provide the board with dispatches in real time.   

2

General Discussion Forum / I'm baaaaack........

« on: June 17, 2021, 10:14:58 AM »

 ..........ok, so your humble poster is back on the board after a self-imposed hiatus of several weeks duration.  I wanted to delay my return until there was a deafening clamor for my presence.  But since that apparently is NOT going to happen, a brutha must simply insert himself and make his presence known. 

Anyway, I'm tan, rested and ready to go.  I'm chomping at the bit to get back in the mix, especially on the Politics page where calm, reasoned analysis is the desired mode of discourse, but has been lacking in recent days.  I am announcing my return on THIS page because I think it generates more views than all of the other forums, and I did not want to deprive my "fans" the opportunity to express their elation at my presence. 

I think my return would best be heralded with some appropriate music.  I have a particular piece of music in mind, but would like to entertain suggestions from you peeps before my reveal. 

3

General Discussion Forum / The Chairman of the Board - Cycles

« on: March 26, 2021, 07:56:52 PM »

Ok, so your humble poster was listening to one of his favorite channels on satellite radio, SiriuslySinatra, Sirius, channel 71. I had heard this particular recording of the Chairman before, but today it hit me with a jolt. I’m in traffic, listening to Frank, and tears streaming down my face. No doubt other motorists were murmuring, What is old dude crying about?

I’m thinking of four generations - my elderly mother, myself and Mrs. Strike, Ms. Strike and her husband, and their two children under 4.  THAT is what I’m thinking about.

Listen to the Chairman sing this as only he does......


https://youtube.com/watch?v=v9pUoVy_wW0&feature=share

4

General Discussion Forum / Scoop Dere it Is! 😊

« on: March 24, 2021, 01:46:36 PM »

A nice story that will put a smile on all our faces....

https://youtube.com/watch?v=i57aJJBrnj4&feature=share

5

Politics / 1/6 Capitol rioters were in fact lynch mob

« on: March 06, 2021, 09:03:30 AM »

Guys, several of us have opined since the attack on the US Capitol on 1/6 that Trump’s GOONS looked like a lynch mob. Well, the son of the guy who wrote Strange Fruit agrees. Take a look at this article.

https://news.yahoo.com/father-wrote-strange-fruit-capitol-171543775.html

6

Politics / BHO’s Memoirs, Vol. I - A Promised Land

« on: November 17, 2020, 07:42:39 PM »

Guys........received in the mail today my pre-ordered copy of President Obama’s memoirs. It is a beautifully designed and bound book, with two separate sections of photos, and a WHOPPING 701 pages of narrative!?!?   

I’m always working with about 5-10 books in my “currently reading” queue. But the Obama book will likely catapult to the top of the line.   

7

Politics / The Comey Rule - Showtime Limited Series

« on: September 29, 2020, 01:25:45 PM »

Guys.......have y’all seen this limited series? It aired this past Sunday and Monday nites and is absolutely COMPELLING television watching. It is, by far, one of the friggin BEST television political dramas I have seen in years. Both the writing and acting are superb.  And the actor portraying Trump is so venal that you almost think you’re watching a horror show. 

I’m sure the series is available on demand, and you guys HAVE TO watch it.   

8

General Discussion Forum / Truly inspirational music and words for these tough times

« on: September 21, 2020, 11:18:18 AM »

These are troubling times for black folks, other people of color, and otherwise progressive white folks across the country. But this song penned by that great American songwriter has inspired millions since it was first written and recorded by Bob Dylan in the mid-60’s during a period, similar to now, of great civil unrest.

A lot of artists have recorded this song, but this particularly recording by the late, great Josephine Baker just sends chills thru my bones.

9

General Discussion Forum / Alum and other “Queen City of the West” residents

« on: August 31, 2020, 12:38:47 PM »

So the other day, Alum and I had an exchange about music, especially about genres of music that most appealed to me. I believe the exchange arose out of him posting a reference to Cardi B and Megan’s WAP song, my never having heard of the song before, but after listening for 30 secs or so, realizing that it was not recorded for my “demographic”..... a middle-aged negro grandfather.

So, in this age of severe health and economic uncertainty, along with national racial reckoning, I’ve posted a link to the following lil “gem” that he and other residents of that region on the banks of the Ohio River would appreciate.......enjoy. 

10

General Discussion Forum / Netflix movie “Uncorked” - Alum, where u at?

« on: March 29, 2020, 08:04:14 PM »

Guys........while you’re scrambling trying to maintain your sanity at home quarantining, check out this Netflix movie.

Won’t give away the plot, but it’s based in Memphis, TN, and the protagonist is a young bruh (late teens/early 20’s), working in the family’s Barbeque joint. He is an unknown actor - at least I had never seen him before - but the parents are played by Courtney Vance and Niecy Nash. Love me some Niecy Nash. 

So Lil homie also works part-time at a local wine store, develops a strong interest in wines, and ultimately prepares for the rigorous sommelier exam (that means wine expert, Ms. j  ), and the story takes off from there.

It REALLY IS a pretty decent film, or as Mrs. Strike described it, “a cute lil movie.”    My man, Alum , is the board’s resident wine connoisseur, and I’m surprised he hasn’t mention the movie on this board. But all Mrs. Strike and I have to do is read, see or hear something about wine, and that gets our immediate attention. So in a sense, we are winos, or oenophiles, another fancy word, Ms. j. 

Anyway, y’all watch this movie. You ain’t doing nothing else anyway but running around hoarding toilet paper and paper towels. 

11

General Discussion Forum / Christmas Music

« on: December 20, 2019, 01:02:45 PM »

.......man, you guys are slipping.  Only five more days before the Big Day, and y’all ain’t said a damn thing about the music of the season. Oh, well, here is one of the cuts from, arguably, the greatest R&B  Christmas album ever recorded. 

12

General Discussion Forum / LA area peeps and board

« on: November 19, 2019, 01:33:24 PM »

 ............guys, just returned yesterday afternoon from a five days visit to Los Angeles. It was the first time visiting a city I’ve heard about and been fascinated with all of my life. The trip was to be present at a surprise birthday party for Mrs. Strike’s brother.  A few observations.....

The city and region reminded me of my hometown of West Palm Beach and the rest of South Florida.  Beautiful, sunshine weather and palm trees. But someone who has visited both areas suggested that LA weather is nicer because there ARE cool days, unlike South FL which is pretty much warm year round. I think I agree LA weather is a tad nicer.

I did not rent a car because I was intimidated by the reputation of LA’s freeway system. I thought I would be run off the road, and the process of driving on highways that were 5-7 lanes across in one direction intimidated me. But riding around with other relatives behind the wheel wasn’t so bad. But the sheer VOLUME of traffic, including, say, on Sunday morning was a sight to behold.

Was able to establish my LA tourist street bona fides by visiting the Crenshaw neighborhood where Nipsey Hustle was gunned down. The shopping strip is still cordoned off with fencing and tarp for some unknown reason.  And the brutha who offered to sell us some T-shirts out of his trunk commemorating the event for $80 was a bit extreme, but the visit was interesting.

There is a lot more I could talk about....a LOT MORE......but did want to mention Venice Beach. Now THAT was uniquely Southern California. Walking along the boardwalk we encountered folks from LITERALLY around the world. We actually spent just a few minutes walking on the actual beach as I’ve seen enough of the Atlantic Ocean growing up in South Fl and visiting all my life. But this was the Pacific Ocean and, at least as the ocean laid at Venice, the water was cool, crisp and clean.

Btw, did I tell you guys the BEST part of the VB experience was watching the kids skate boarding at the skate board park?  A good number of those kids are serious athletes.

All in all, a good trip visiting the City of Angels. 

13

General Discussion Forum / Live from the Met - Wagner’s Die Walkure

« on: April 02, 2019, 03:06:15 PM »

Guys, my boy Alum just tried to clown a brutha on the thread about Nipsey Hussle being shot down. Thought I would “elevate” the entertainment discourse and tell you guys how much I enjoyed seeing the Met Opera matinee broadcast this past Saturday of Richard Wagner’s second drama in his Ring Cycle, Die Walkure.

For the last five years or so, NYC’s Metropolitan Opera Company has selected a few of their Saturday matinee productions for simultaneous HD broadcast in movie theaters across the country.

I am a mini-Wagner fan, and Die Walkure is my favorite Wagner drama. Mrs. Strike is too an opera fan, but no particular fan of Wagner, and was definitely not in a mood to sit thru FIVE FREAKING HOURS of Wagner on a Saturday afternoon. 

But your humble poster THOUROUGHLY enjoyed the experience. And was fortunate to have been seated by an 84 year old white woman whose spouse did not accompany her - for the SAME reasons mine didn’t accompany me  - but who was VERY knowledgeable about Wagner. And that includes having attended once before the annual Wagner Festival in Bayreuth, Wagner’s hometown in Bavaria, Germany.

Anyway, I realize that what I’m posting is of little to zero interest to the VAST majority of peeps on this board. But seeing how Alum is one of the leading oenophiles on this board, secretly, this all probably intrigues him somewhat.

After all, wine and opera make great accompaniments, do they not?

 

14

Politics / Jacinda Ardern - New Zealand PM

« on: March 20, 2019, 11:11:25 AM »

Guys......am I the only one who regularly convenes on this board who has been awfully impressed with this lady’s leadership since the slaughter of 50 Muslims in two mosques a week ago?

Man, from the jump, the PM called the murderer for what he is, an extreme-right radical, white nationalist terrorist. There was no equivocating in her language whatsoever. When asked if she agrees with this BABOON in the White House analysis that white nationalists are not a growing worldwide problem, she simply said “no”.

She has met with Muslim leaders on two or three occasions since the tragedy, expressing her sympathy and grief on behalf of the NZ people in response to the mass murder. She covered her head with a scarf out of RESPECT for the Muslim practice/tradition of women covering their heads in public.

And, finally, Ms. Ardern’s office announced a short while ago that the Muslim National Prayer Service set for Friday (3/22)) will be broadcast on national television.

Is the PM of New Zealand a bada-- or WHAT? 

15

Sports Forum / TN State/Hampton, 9/15 in Hampton CANCELED!

« on: September 11, 2018, 05:19:38 PM »

It was just announced that TSU's game at Hampton this upcoming weekend canceled due to the approaching hurricane expected to impact the Carolinas coast.  Perhaps not unexpected for most of you reading this, but it will be the SECOND WEEKEND IN A ROW that TSU's game was canceled due to bad weather.  Their game last Saturday nite against Jackson State, Southern Heritage Classic, was canceled due to lightning and driving rainstorms in Memphis.  The officials did not call the cancellation of that game until three hours past the 6pm scheduled kickoff.

This is shaping up to be QUITE a season for the Big Blue.  In my 37 years residency in Nashville, have NEVER observed two games canceled in a single season due to weather or anything else..........WOW!!