Holiday HATIN' Continued... Because HATIN' Doesn't Take A Holiday

As promised, the last 6 points/days of HATIN’

#6 New Age Holiday Music
So, I absolutely LOVE holiday music. It is just amazing. I mean, nothing else can get you into the spirit quite like a good holiday carol or time-honored Christmas tune.

There is only one thing that can make a good Christmas song go bad… new age teenyboppers attempting to sing/master it.

HATIN’

New age Christmas songs are so absolutely horrid that I don’t know who to HATE on first - the artist for their terrible rendition, the record company for actually producing it or retail stores for allowing such songs to be played, while innocent shoppers are forced to listen, whether in line or rummaging through the racks. New age Christmas songs just don’t compare to the classics. They don’t give you luke-warm feeling inside. The only feeling I get is nausea.

Attention to All Recoding Artist: If you are listed below, please, for the love all things holy, do NOT make a (another) Christmas song/album.

• Mariah Carey (Hang it up Mariah. Your past Christmas songs are GREAT, but you no longer have the pipes for it)


• Jonas Brothers


• Mylie Cyrus


• Taylor Swift


• Any Country Music singer


• Any Rapper


• Jessica Simpson (No More PLEASE)


• Anyone whose vocal skills are highly debatable, i.e. Fergie


• Anyone under the age of 25


• Anyone who applauds themselves on their sick guitar rifts… you don’t need a Christmas song

#5. Lack of Snow Cleanup
I’m seriously HATIN’ on any state or city, who, as a result of location, regularly gets snow, but hasn’t figured out how to clean it up.

WTF?

In Philadelphia, this past weekend, we got about two feet of snow… and its still not cleaned up. Each day I still see cars getting stuck in the middle of mainstream roads, and not a plow in sight. In many cities, Philadelphia especially, if it starts snowing or is even in the forecast, the entire city is likely to shut down. No schools, no markets… nobody in business. This is beyond ridiculous! Why haven’t we figured out how to deal with snow?

Buffalo, NY has figured out how to deal with snow. Alaska has figured out how to deal with snow. Even all of CANADA has figured it out.

Let us add this to our list of resolutions for 2010, because this just makes no sense.

#4. Wrapping Paper
When did wrapping paper get so expensive?

I’m supposed to spend $5.99 for a two-pack roll of decorated paper and another $1.99 for Scotch tape, for it to ultimately end up, ripped to shreds and in the trash.

No thank you.

#3. Mall Santa’s
Is it me, or have the Mall Santa Claus’ gotten homely looking?

Go ahead, check-out you local mall and see what I’m talking about.

They look haggard and have taken that once jolly disposition and turned it into a Grinch, Scrooge-like, bah hum bug-type of existence.

Word to the wise, don’t mess with Santa.




See what I mean.

#2. Neighbors Trying to Outdo Me with Their Light Display
Please explain to me why it is necessary to have an 8 foot inflatable “Frosty the Snowman” snow globe, life size nativity scene and lights on every surface of your house, during this time of year?

Decorations are great, and far be it from me to deny anyone of their creativity, but please let’s take it easy. Don’t be “That Neighbor” who just goes WAY overboard. PECO may LOVE you, but We’re HATIN’.

And Finally, #1. Holiday Joy Stealers

This is self-explanatory, but still needs to be said.

This holiday season, don’t let anyone steal your joy. I know it’s hard to keep spirits high, especially when negativity looms around the pressures of the season (i.e. shopping/gift giving, spending money, new years, etc.), but remember that this holiday is about LOVE, Charity, Generosity, Hope and supreme Joy/Happiness.

From me to you, my devoted HATERS, I wish you the very best Christmas, Chanukah (or Hanukkah if you prefer) Ramadan, Kwanzaa or what ever your religious affiliation and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

I look forward to HATERific 2010.

CHEERS!

12 Days of Hatin’… I mean, Christmas

In continuing with the holiday spirit, my gift to you this year, good HATERS, is the gift of HATERATION (surprise, surprise). Seeing that we are around the twelfth day before Christmas, it seems only befitting that I give you good tidings of HATER-Joy.

Let the Twelve Points of HATIN’ commence…

#12. People trying to take Christ out of Christmas
Now, usually, I don’t get into religion and ones belief system, because I feel that everyone has the right to worship or believe in any and everything they deem worthy of believing in. I may not see eye-to-eye with their given beliefs, but I certainly respect it. So, with that being said, I’m HATIN' on people who take CHRIST out of CHRISTMAS.

Brief history… The Christmas holiday, or, to be more exact, Christmas Day is an annual holiday, celebrated on December 25 by members (and non-members) of the Christian faith, that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Celebratory customs include gift-giving and special church services to commemorate God's greatest gift given to the people of the world, the gift of the savior Jesus Christ.

Now, I won’t get into the complete commercialization of this beloved holiday, including Santa, tree decoration and such, because there is just not enough time. But, seeing that we all have an understanding of Christmas and its initial celebratory intent, may I ask why people are trying to take Christ out of Christmas?

I just don’t understand.

Taking the concept of Christ out of Christmas, is like taking Veterans out of Veteran’s Day… or like removing Columbus from Columbus Day. You basically have nothing to honor or celebrate. Saying Xmas just doesn’t seem quite right, now, does it?

I’m so tired of people trying to insert political correctness into things and situations that are not political. This is a faith-based holiday and should be treated as such. If you do not wish to take part in it, that’s your choice. But stop removing the meaning from the holiday, for your own selfish reasons.

This passage from, actor, author and lawyer, Ben Stein says it all,

“I have no freaking clue who Nick and Jessica are. I see them on the cover of People and Us constantly when I am buying my dog biscuits and kitty litter…Who are they? Why are they so important? …

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees. It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, "Merry Christmas" to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat. Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him?I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where Nick and Jessica came from and where the America we knew went to.”

Get with the program people

I’M HATIN’

#11. Retail Stores that Impress You with GREAT Christmas Advertising, But SUCK at actually selling you what was advertised

This Means You, Gap, Inc.

I’m HATIN’ on the fact that we are bombarded and inundated with retail commercial, after retail commercial, convincing us that we need everything from new cable neck, cashmere sweaters to Wii gaming consoles. What kills me most is that when we finally give in and head out, combating the mass of crazed crowds, to shop at the desired retail outlet, the store fails to deliver.

We hear “What’s on the rack (or pile of crap on the floor) is what we have in stock,” or “We have a NO RETURN policy. Would you like store credit?,” and of course, my personal favorite, “The advertised price is only applicable on the third Tuesday of December between 12:00pm and 12:15pm.”

Whatever happened to the concept of Customer Service, or that old saying, “The Customer is always right”?

Fa-La-La-La-La, HATIN’!

#10. Greed and Selfishness
This is self explanatory and runs rampant during the holiday season.

#9. Everybody Suddenly has a Cause.
On the flip side of selfishness, it seems as though everyone you know, now, all of a sudden, has a cause they want you to donate to or support.

It’s not enough that the Salvation Army Santa follows you into every store, ringing his bell, waiting to see if you get a little bit of change for his red bucket, but now, you have to give to all of your friends and acquaintances charity of choice.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I am completely FOR giving to charity, but it seems that donation requests are at an all time high, during this time of year and people don’t quite understand that we just can’t give to everybody’s charity.

Word to the wise for those seeking donations: Start early and make your requests known in July.

Seriously.

#8. Generic Christmas Cards
C’mon people. If you’re going to take the time to pick out the cards, buy postage and mail them out, at least, take a little extra time to throw in a personal touch. It makes a difference.

I personally like e-cards. They’re cost effective, require no postage and can be customized to the intended recipients. A generic card, with your stamped signature (shame, you didn’t even sign it yourself) is not well received and is a waste of your time and money.

#7. The conspiracy of Food Retailers and Fitness Facilities to Get You Fat and Resolve You Thin.
It’s no coincidence that you see a plethora of food commercials every day after Thanksgiving, and up until the day after Christmas. Nor is it a coincidence that you see absolutely no fitness or gym advertisements during the same period, only starting up right before the New Year.

Why is this, you ask?

The food retailers prompt you to overindulge and buy their products, and when they’ve successfully fattened you up, pawn you off to the gym Nazi’s to gobble up the rest of your money (a.k.a. whip you back into shape). They know you’ll spend top dollar to eat… and then top dollar to take it off.

Gym membership numbers skyrocket in January and most gyms oversell memberships knowing that a very high percentage of people will not even use them.

You have officially been tag-teamed… and you didn’t even see it coming.

HATE on it!



Stay Tuned for HATIN' Points #6-#1... It will be the Best Part of Your Holiday!

Fill Up on the HATE: There is Plenty to Go Around!

It’s been a long time since my last post, and leaving you without something to HATE on was cruel. Call me sentimental, but when the holiday season begins, things look more merry than not. But that is no excuse for not HATIN,’ so here is a good dose of HATERky, mashed po-HATER, HATER’s pie and a nice cold glass of HATERADE to celebrate your holidays.

The 50 Cent and Rick Ross Beef

If you haven’t heard about this ridiculous beef between rappers 50 Cent and Rick Ross … THANK GOD! This has to be the worst, insignificantly meaningless beef ever in the history of the Hip Hop/Rap culture and maybe, the world.

If you have an appreciation for rappers and the music genre at all, I warn you, that after reading this, you may just become a country, classical or rock music listener. So, this beef began when Rick Ross released his song "Mafia Music," taking shots at 50 Cent. In “Mafia Music” Rick Ross is quoted saying "I love to pay her bills/can’t wait to pay her rent/Curtis Jackson baby mama/I aint askin for a cent/Burn the house down/gotta buy another/don’t forget the gas can/jealous, stupid mutha*BLEEP*"

So, 50 Cent comes back with a barrage of diss singles, YouTube and music videos striking back against Ross, many of which include Tia, one of Rick Ross’ son’s mothers. It is also reported that this all comes after a recent sex tape exploit in which 50 Cent’s is seen with Tia. 50 Cent states in a radio interview “I Know It's Comin From Khaled... Def Jam Is Already Wavin The White Flag... He Can't Recover From What I've Done... Tia Needed Some Affection... He's Callin Her Crazy Now."

Let me stop here.

These two self-proclaimed pimps look idiotic. The true pimps of this story, in my opinion, are the baby mamas. I mean, just to get back at one another, these two fools are willing to spend tons of money on women and kids that don’t belong to them. The worst part about it is, that if they were looking for some kind of publicity from this, they failed because 1. No one really knows about the beef and 2. Those that do know, don’t care.

This is beyond ridiculous. I’m not even going to dignify them with any more of my precious time or thoughts. They’re not even worth HATIN’ on… wait, what am I saying? Yes they are, HATE ON THEM!

Lil’ Wayne and his Women

On Monday of this week, Lil’ Wayne welcomed a baby boy and his fourth child, into the world with singer Nivea. Now, typically we don’t HATE on babies coming into the world, but when this is your second child this year, from different woman, there is just cause for HATIN’.

Lil Wayne has four children. His first, daughter Reginae, was born November 11th 1998 when Wayne was 16, to his high school sweetheart Antonia "Toya" Carter (née Johnson). Wayne and Johnson married on Valentine's Day of 2004 and divorced in 2006. His second child, Dwayne III, was born on October 22, 2008 at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati (mother only identified as a college student). His third child, Lennox Samuel Ari, was born to actress Lauren London on September 9, 2009. And finally, his fourth child on November 30, 2009 with singer Nivea.

I vote that all women should be mandated to take an I.Q./ State exam prior to reproducing and undergo psychiatric evaluation, prior to reproducing with Lil’ Wayne. Seriously, what was on their mind?

I also vote that Lil’ Wayne be banned from having any more children. Cut Him Off, literally or figuratively, whichever is most effective.

Oh, TIGER!

You knew it was coming. I couldn't write this blog post without making some kind of reference to Tiger Woods as it relates to his recent car crash and revelation of infidelity with multiple women.

The only real reason, I see, to HATE on Tiger is based on his naivety and ignorance about just what a POWERHOUSE the media is. I mean, sure, we can HATE on the fact that he cheated on his wife, crashed his car after she took a nine-iron and went Jazmine Sullivan-esqe on his head and back window, for denying that nothing was ever going on, etc. But, this is exactly what everyone else is doing.

Am I mad that he cheated… Not really. He didn't make a vow to me. That is between him and his wife and the marriage vows they made to each other. Now, I am disappointed on the kind of example he is setting for his own children and the kids that look up to him? Yes, but again, that’s on his shoulders.

Am I HATIN’ because his wife turned on the “CRAZY” and did a lil’ putting of her own? No, actually kinda proud. She showed that she had had enough and that she wasn’t playing his games anymore. Good for her. Now, do I approve of her methods, NO. But I guess she felt like she did what she had to do. Simple as that.

I believe, the aspect of this story that is truly HATEworthy, is how he thought that he wouldn’t get caught. Is he SERIOUS? There are voicemails, text messages and a host of women willing to speak up against the pro golfer. This man left too much incriminating evidence with too many mistresses, to not get caught. It was just a matter of time. He thought by lying, leaving holes in his story or by just not saying anything to both the police and the media about the accident, people would leave him alone. Tiger should have known better. He has seen many sports athletes go through the same thing, Kobe Bryant springs to mind, as does Shaquille O’Neal with his recent “baby mama” drama. The media is always waiting for a person of fame to get caught with their pants down. Tiger is no exception.

The job of the media is to uncover the truth about a situation, no matter how much it hurts your family or breaks up your marriage. If they can get ratings (which subsequently lead to more money) from your lil’ indiscretions, they will do whatever it takes to expose you, whether you’re Virgin Mary innocent or guilty as sin. That's not to say that the media is right to do this, but if you are an entertainer, including a sports entertainer, you know that this sad fact comes with the territory of you being in this industry.

In Tiger’s statement, released via his website, he states, “Although I am a well-known person and have made my career as a professional athlete, I have been dismayed to realize the full extent of what tabloid scrutiny really means. For the last week, my family and I have been hounded to expose intimate details of our personal lives.”

Saying this only makes it worse and drives the media to be unrelenting. You’re blaming the media for publicizing you personal business and affairs, but again, this comes a part of your career. You know this.

He continues, “But no matter how intense curiosity about public figures can be, there is an important and deep principle at stake which is the right to some simple, human measure of privacy. I realize there are some who don't share my view on that. But for me, the virtue of privacy is one that must be protected in matters that are intimate and within one's own family. Personal sins should not require press releases and problems within a family shouldn't have to mean public confessions.”

Yup, keep spewing your hate of the media; see if they will give you the privacy you seek.

The worse part about all of this is that it could have been easily avoided. If Tiger had just come out and told the police about their simple domestic dispute/argument that led to the car crash, he might have gotten away scott-free, with no need to mention the already present rumors about his infidelity. If he would have cooperated, just a little, it could have blown over in a few days.

Oh, Tiger… I’m HATIN’

SEPTA and the City of Philadelphia: HATIN’ Because They Deserve It

You knew this was coming. HATERS and followers of this blog knew it was only a matter of time. IT has hit the fan, here in Philadelphia, and it is time to get our HATE on.

In case you are not in the know, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s (SEPTA) Transport Workers Union Local 234 has gone on strike, effectively shutting down all inner-city buses, subways, trolleys and most trains. More than 5,000 people walked off the job this past Tuesday at 3:00 am, after union reps and SEPTA couldn't come to an agreed upon contract.

Now, before I begin my bashing, I want to be sure that everyone is educated on the situation at hand and understands why the SEPTA union is striking. TWU Local 234 wants SEPTA to contribute more to workers' pensions and a four-percent wage increase each year, for the next five years. They would also like seniority rights in choosing their own equipment to use as well as fixing ongoing racial and gender discrimination, as it relates to pay and picking rights.

SEPTA, through negotiations with, at first, Governor Edward G. Rendell and U.S. Rep. Bob Brady, later including Mayor Michael Nutter, offered 11 percent wage increase over five years, 11 percent increase in pension contributions and workers would not be required to pay any more for health coverage.

The union has been without a contract since March 2009

Now that we know the basic logistics, let the HATIN’ begin.

I’m first HATIN’ on the union. Have we not yet learned that pensions are not all they’re cracked up to be? The idea of pensions was derived during a similarly depressed economic time, when the unemployment rate was sky high. The powers that be decided that they would push the older population into retirement, thus opening up the job market and reducing the unemployment rate. It was never meant to be a permanent fix, but more to give the older population an out before they died. Pensions were actually planned to kick in around the time of the peak of life expectancy. The basic concept was: Stop work now so we can give your job to someone younger, retire and just when you hit the age of eligibility for pension, you die.

To the credit of its initial founders, the idea of pensions worked for a while, but, now, the old are getting older and life expectancy is at an all time high. The problem that exists is that most pensions cost more than general operating payroll, and what the union is asking for is an increase on both the front end and the back end. Apparently they don’t understand what a recession is. Philadelphia and SEPTA just don’t have the money… no city or company does, for that matter.

My beef continues with the unions because they have yet to say why they deserve the raises or give a commitment to bettering the service. Will a four percent wage increase make my buses and trains arrive and depart on time? Will it extend the hours of operation for trains and buses? Will it allow me to feel safer on the public transit system at night? Will it stop said workers from hitting bikers and other cars… I doubt it. Again, I fail to see why they deserve the amount of money they are requesting. Did I fail to mention that the average yearly income of a union worker is roughly $52,000 per year and the hourly wage worker makes $24.24 an hour, only $1.79 less than NYC, whose public transit runs 24-hours-a-day. WTF? They are making more than I am... hell, more than a majority of people living in Philadelphia. And for what? What are they held accountable for and is it worth what they’re being paid? I'd like to see their employee annual review process.

On the other hand, SEPTA, the organization, and the City of Philadelphia should be ashamed of themselves. Who lets a contract lapse for this long on a service that is instrumental to the lives of so many Philadelphians? Mayor Nutter and the SEPTA GM should have sat with the union, prior to their contract ending, and hashed out an appropriate deal to last four to five years. They gave the union a BS contract that lasted for one year, thinking that that would hold them. Administration, get your mind right; After receiving a BS contract, as soon as it ends, wouldn’t you come back asking for more? I think its clear how far ‘actual thinking’ goes within this administration.

In addition, I don't believe that the union is truly being heard. Aside from the monetary increases, they requested that racial and gender issues be resolved as well as picking rights of equipment, favored to those with seniority. SEPTA and the City respond by saying workers won't have to pay more for health care. Ummm, did I miss something here? Someone please explain to me how that takes care of the unions civil rights and seniority issues?

I'm HATIN'

The people who are really hurt in all of this are the people of Philadelphia who rely on SEPTA to move them throughout the City. Because when they ultimately come to a decision and appease the union, the money has to come from somewhere… yup, they’re looking right at you and your wallet SEPTA riders. We're probably going to endure yet another increase and will have to pony up more money to ride the same lackluster buses and trains.

I must applaud Philadelphia riders because amidst new traffic jams, I have really seen this City adapt and rise above losing most of its public transportation (I guess we're used to it. I don't even want to delve into how many time SEPTA unions have gone on stike). SEPTA and City officials should be very afraid. Upon reaching their agreement, if SEPTA asks riders to burden some of the costs, even after a steep hike in pricing two years ago, we the people should STRIKE. We’re getting along now, some easier than others, I admit, without SEPTA. A strike by the people will set the tone and let SEPTA and the City administration know that we will not be pushed around and should not have to burden a money-hungry union and a socially irresponsible City government, who don’t know how to come together for the greater good of Philadelphia.

HATERS Stand Up and tell SEPTA and the City of Philadelphia that they can permanently tattoo their lips to your HATIN,' no SEPTA riding, walking, biking and carpooling a$$.

Parenting… or Lack There Of: Because HATIN’ Doesn’t Spare the Rod

I’m Hatin' on Lazy Parents.

I recently read on Yahoo news that Disney, global leader and financial juggernaut of all things children, is offering refunds for its “Baby Einstein” brand videos for allegedly “deceptive advertising” and apparently, as the article puts it best, “not, as it promised, turning babies into wunderkinds.” Apparently the songs, bright colors and annoying puppets, not only have no measurable effect on educating babies, but actually may attribute to a shorter attention span later on in life. These parents think they were scammed, I think it serves their lazy a** right.

I admit, that was a bit harsh, but sometimes HATIN’ is mean. What happened to the good, old days of parenting? The days where parents actually read and played with their baby; bringing them up in the way they saw fit. Since when did we become too busy to raise our own children? Now, I understand, kids are a handful and in this day and age, we are busy people on the go, but sitting your kid in front of a TV, for hours at a time, expecting it to perform miracles on your child’s brain and basically do your job as a parent is ridiculous. I’m cool with educational videos as an accessory, and actually believe they work (I mean, they couldn't put out the product if it didn't test well) but only as an alternative to having children watch whatever filth plagues our TV’s, not as a parent.

I do place some blame on Disney; not for supposedly lying about providing miracle results, but for not adding the disclaimer that it may NOT work on all children. Children all learn differently and at different paces, having one-size-fits-all videos can't possibly cater to every childs individual needs. The video teaching spelling may work for Johnny, but not for Mary. Parents, this is where you come in; It is your job to raise your child, not that of your TV. I’m also HATIN’ on Disney because, I mean really, can someone please tell me what a refund is going to achieve? Will it give your children endless hours of their life back? NO! All it does is let Disney off the hook, giving the parents and kids the proverbial “my bad” shrug and lets them go their merry ways, while the parents are stuck with a refund voucher for $36.95 and having to deal with a kid who can’t pay attention long enough to remember their name.

Parents, get it together!

According to the article and The New York Times, in “a 2003 study, a third of all American babies from 6 months to 2 years old had at least one 'Baby Einstein' video,” meaning that parents were buying these things like HOT CAKES! Did you ever think, instead of wasting your money on those videos, you could have put it into something that helps to free up your schedule so that you can become a more attentive parent. Just a thought.

My advice to all the parents out there: There is no product that will ever be a better substitute for REAL parenting. Get back to raising your own kids. And lastly, if there was EVER a time to sue the pants off of Disney, this may be that time.

Continue HATIN’; even if they’re tryna make themselves so easy to love.

A Philly State of Mind: Because Hatin' Other Cities is What We Do Best

OK, so, this isn't a typical post, but just something I wanted to share with all of the HATERS.

So, if you are from, live in, or frequent Philadelphia you know that the City is on FIRE right now... well, at least in regards to sports (we won't go there on the budget, tax hike, unemployment rate or looming SEPTA strike). The Phillies are in the World Series looking to get that (REPEAT) World Champion title, the Eagles... well they're the Eagles and there are high hopes for the 76ers this season.

All-in-all, there is a lot of LOVIN' going on in the City of Brotherly Love... so where does the HATIN' fit in? In Hatin' our opposing teams, of course.

I've read in the Philadelphia Metro this morning that for Game 1 Phils vs. Yankees at Yankee Stadium, Jay-Z and Alycia Keys will perform "Empire State of Mind," the latest hit from his Blueprint 3 album, that pays homage to NYC. Well, we have a lil' homage paying song up our own sleeves, and may have something special when the game is played here in Philly at Citizens Bank Park.

Below, you'll find the "Philly version" of "Empire State of Mind" by NeeKo, a local Philly rapper, featuring Deana Marie.

Philly Stand Up and Represent! Hate On, HATERS!

Obama and the Nobel Peace Prize: Because Hatin’ On the President of The United States is truly American

This is an I’m Hatin’ First… I have absolutely no idea which position or who, for that matter, to hate on.

Let’s look at this rationally.

In my opinion, we really only have three potential parties to hate on; The selection committee for choosing Obama, the nay-sayers who don’t think he deserves it, or the pro-Obama people who think this honor is long overdue and justified.

Now, I’m not taking sides; just being the devil’s Hatin’ advocate, but what was the criterion for which Obama was nominated and won. According to the Nobel Peace Prize website, http://www.nobelprize.org/, Obama was selected "For his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples." Probably true enough. Hey the exact language says “Efforts” not “Results.” But for the sake of assessing both sides, maybe it was ill gained. Before I can say that, I must also have to ask, who else was in the running for the prize, because based on whomever was his competition, Obama may truly have the upper hand and may have been the valid choice. Sadly, after researching just who was in the running with our fair president, I found out that (and this can also be found on the same website) “every year, the Norwegian Nobel Committee sends out thousands of letters inviting a qualified and select number of people to submit their nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize. The names of the nominees cannot be revealed until 50 years later, but the Nobel Peace Prize committee does reveal the number of nominees each year. 205 names were submitted for the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize, 33 of which are organizations. This is the highest number of nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize ever.” So, it looks like we may never know if Obama truly earned it. So selection committee, you’re in the clear (from being hated on) for now. We’ll see you in 2059!

Now on to the nay-sayers.

Since we don’t know who Obama was up against, you cannot make a strong argument for why he shouldn’t be chosen. So, what is your problem? I keep hearing that Obama won it because he is Black, because the Nobel Prize is politically based, etc. What do I say to those people? Show me the proof. If it’s because he’s black, explain to me why that influenced the decision in his favor, because, to me, that rationale doesn’t have a colored leg to stand on. I mean, as an African American woman, I don’t recall many situations where being black was the trump card and got me in to an exclusive club or gave me awards of high honor and prestige… actually more of the opposite. So again, to show is to prove.

Now, if you think that it is based off of political relationships, I’d say that is more feasible. The only objection I have to that is the current status of the US, as perceived by the world. Right now, we don’t hold much weight. We’re in a war that won’t end, we’re broke, aren’t really running ish’ like we used to and look as though, given enough time, we will destroy ourselves by means of greed. So, political connections? I dunno. Why would anyone want to go down with a sinking ship?, so to speak.

Again, if you got the proof, show me.

To the pro-Obama people: Why do you think he got the award and why does he deserve it? This I can’t answer. Again, we really need to see the scale in which this years nominees were graded on. Although, I must say, to be awarded a prize of this magnitude only after 261 days in office and as President of the United States, is HUGE. I mean, Mohandas Gandhi was nominated and didn’t win off of the technicality of being dead… and Obama is no Gandhi (yet?).

So what makes Obama suitable to win this prize?

My ears are open for ideas!

Now, if there is one thing I cannot stand for, it’s HATIN’ for no reason. So HATERS, if you’re going to hate, which I definitely condone, make sure you know why you’re HATIN’ and what you're HATIN' against. Taking from a quote from my friend Adrienne M. on Facebook “Obama is to the Nobel Peace Prize as Taylor Swift is to the VMA apparently. So many Kanyes!”

Respect the Hate People!

Jon and Kate Plus Eight: Because Hatin’ Times Eight is Just Good Mathematics

I don’t know about you, but I am up to my ears in Jon & Kate Plus Eight talk.

I have a new equation for you:
Jon + Kate + Eight children + Media Attention = DISASTER

I must admit, I was an avid watcher of Jon & Kate Plus Eight… but that was long ago. When it used to be a simple show, one that displayed how tough it is to parent two sets of multiples, but still showed, at the end of the day, two parents that loved and cared for each other and their brood. Yes, each episode, no matter what went down, depicted love, caring and a commitment to the kids. Recent episodes, on the other hand, resembles a really bad episode of Jerry Springer, where the Father is a cheating, emotionally battered and nonsensical jerk and the Mother is a pathetic, bitchy and super needy media whore, both airing their dirty laundry for the world to see. Millions are now tuning in, each week, to watch this awkward and horrible train wreck occur.

Is this really good for the kids? Mommy belligerently crying on the Today Show every time Daddy does something stupid… I don’t think so.

I’m Hatin'.

Message to Jon and Kate Gosselin: Get it together. Retire the TV show and your kids from the spotlight until you can work out your differences, amicably and not in front of the public eye. At this point, I could care less about who is right and who is wrong; and who did what to whom. What should be most important are your kids.

Stop using the media as your soundboard and please begin saving the millions you’ve made from TLC to go towards the innumerous therapy sessions that Mady, Cara, Aaden, Joel, Collin, Hannah, Alexis and Leah, will all desperately need. Everyone gets 15 minutes of fame, when it’s over, what will your time look like and will it be something you’re proud of?

Officially on team “Plus Eight.”

Message to the MEDIA: You are so misguided. There are REAL problems in the world. Countries fighting, no cure for cancer or AIDS (supposedly, but I will drum on my conspiracy theories at another time), racism still exists, Americans are being ripped from their homes, have no jobs or healthcare and are being financially raped by the Banking industry. With all this going on, the only thing you air daily, is the life and happenings of this family? Glad to see where your priorities lie.


Hate on Hater!

2016 Olympic Extremist who Wanted the Games in Chicago: Because Hatin is a No Contact Sport

We’ll try to make this a quickie. The 2016 Olympics were never going to be held here in the U.S.A. Period. There are many reasons why, although we bid, it was never gonna happen.

Here are just a few:

1. Our economy is a bust… Brazil’s is not: If you haven’t heard… or felt the adverse effects of a super slow economy, let me enlighten you, The USA is Broke. On the brink of another, potential great depression, the US and City of Chicago cannot afford to have the games here. Yes, it would be a huge revenue stream and has the potential to create BILLIONS for the City, but you’d have to spend that much just to get Chicago and the surrounding states/cities, who were expected to assist in hosting, in running condition, suitable to putting on an event of this magnitude. Chicago planned to have the entire event financed by the Federal government, no City or tax money would be used… Yea, RIGHT. The bid costs ($49.3 million) were borne by the private sector as would have been the costs of the games. The cost of the infrastructure would have been financed by the government. Sure, But again I ask: WITH WHAT MONEY?

Now Brazil on the other hand is experiencing a great economic growth. It is reported that Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and the City of Rio de Janeiro proposed investments upwards of $11.1 billion in preparation for the games. Chicago, came in at roughly $5 billion. We were out of the competition before it even started. And, aside from offering the largest budget for preparation of the games, President Lula has been out lobbying and hawking Rio for the 2016 games since 2008. To put it blatantly, we’re a day late and billions of dollars short.

2. Chicago overestimated its support. Just because you get Oprah to co-sign on Chicago, doesn’t mean you will automatically get the bid. Also, we were banking on Obama going over there, after having absolutely NO real input in the matter prior to going to Copenhagen, and being liked by the Europeans. That’s fine, but the Europeans weren't voting. Doesn’t it make sense to get in with the people whose decision actually matters? C’mon Chicago and the U.S. it doesn’t take a genius to figure that out.

3. We lost on International appeal. If I could choose between Chicago and Rio, I would most likely choose the diverse culture and beautiful backdrops of Rio… unless I was looking for a vacation that involves being shot or was interested in parks (which, by the way, was the pitch they were using in the bid to get the Olympics set here. Nice Parks). Again, no competition.

To be clear, I’m not Hatin’ that we lost the bid, I’m hatin' at how this is now a National catastrophe. Seriously? We have far more important things to worry about than the 2016 Olympics, like, oh, I don’t know, the 2009 failing economy, the 2009 failing state of healthcare, 2009 immigration laws, the state of our prison systems... in 2009... just to name a few.

Extremist, please get over yourself. I think people are just looking for yet another reason to place blame on Obama for not getting us a win; for letting us down again. Even on Obama’s best day and if he were give the ability to part the Red Sea, in all likelihood, we still wouldn’t have won the bid.

Spread the Hate!

Celebrities on Twitter: Because Hatin’ Defies All Mediums of Communication

"I will not worry or try to handle more than 1 days worth of problems."

- Rev Run (9/28/2009)

"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something."

- L.L. Cool J- (9/28/2009)

Some where a Queen is weeping .. Somewhere a King has no wife.

– Erykah Badu (9/25/2009)

"Keep steadily before you the fact that all true success depends at last upon yourself."

- Paula Abdul (9/22/2009)

Is this Twitter or Confucius Says?

Is it me, or does every celebrity on Twitter believe that in order to be seen as relevant, they have to have a masters in PHILOSOPHY?

I mean, each tweet/post is one semi- “Socratic” quote after another. We get it, you’re deep. You are an artist with immeasurable feeling and sense of self… but give us a break. I can just imagine these same celebs out in public dropping philosophic rhetoric in interviews, and whilst’ mingling with fans. Yea, the idea of such is laughable.

I’m Hatin!

Celebrities on Twitter, please take note: Your fans and followers want to know about you and your life. News about your newest business venture, your relationships, what you enjoy… the essential “youness” that makes you our favorite singer, dancer or personality. Everyday folks, such as myself, want to see the human side of your celebrity and see that you have thoughts and feelings outside of just yourself. Like when Trya Banks made an entire diatribe about Bacon, when Perez Hilton told of his personal horror of fighting with the manager of The Black Eye Peas or when Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore tweeted about their anniversary, this is what we want to see (Actually, I could have done without the 140 character lecture on bacon, but you get my drift).

Celebs, please don’t feel that you are fooling us by dropping spiritual and existential quotes. We understand that many of you are well educated. But for those of you that aren’t, hiding behind the thoughts of other so-called wise people, is a cop-out. The bottom line- Be Yourself. We want to see who you are… not the spiritually transformed, pseudo intellectual of your former/current self.

Get It, Got It, Good! Keep HATIN’ Alive!

Hip Hop/Rap Music: Because We Know We Can Do Better!

I’M HATIN’.

I had to start the first official blog post off with this topic because the whole concept of the blog started from a conversation about today’s rap music and hip hop culture. Now, let me start out by saying, I LOVE RAP and the HIP HOP culture... or the idea of it. I love good lyrics, flow, great beats and the creativity this craft has to offer. I HATE when people make bullsh*t, crappy and nonsensical lyrics and call it art… or even entertaining for that matter.

Rap and the Hip Hop culture began as a form of poetry and spoken word, written about the African American experience; “miseducation”, unemployment and incarceration as a prevalent living condition (as you can see, not much has changed here). But, while it told stories of these bad things, it also told of upholding the Black Community, beating the struggle and how to party. The partying is important because when times are tough, as many of us can attest to, we need a distraction, i.e. partying, to ease the pressures of REAL life and to keep it from collapsing and engulfing us.

Now, I know that everyone has a different idea about the roots of Rap and Hip Hop and to keep it completely fair, I’ve referenced Wikipedia at the bottom of the post, so that you get an idea of where I am pulling from.

With that great historical background, I have to ask…Is that what we hear now? For the most part, I’d have to say NO. Now, before I rip the entire industry, I have to big up Common, Talib Kweli, The Roots, Mos Def, Lupe, Jay-Z, Kanye and a few others that, I feel, truly have a message/agenda they want to promote. I mean, even in their party songs there is a take away. But this newfound “ringtone rap” and “autotune atrocity” is destroying the young urban community. Seriously.

“Superman that Ho”? “Whoop That Trick?” and pretty much anything Nikki Minaj says… WTF?

I’M HATIN’ on the music that is put out and the actual Rappers, themselves. Attention: 50 Cent and Gunit, Eminem, Snoop, Soulja Boy and any rapper with the name “Lil” in front of his name, GIVE ME SOME SUBSTANCE PLEASE.

I’ve often joked (semi-seriously) about making my own album. AN ENTIRE DISS ALBUM called “I’m HATIN’” that completely annihilates and belittles everybody in the game that makes this genre of music overwhelmingly intolerable. What do you think? Should I do it? Am I a rapper?, No. But with the music that exists today, I won’t have to try hard to match the talent… or lack there of.

So Haters, look out for my unofficial mixtape. Coming soon to a barbershop, hair salon and Chinese food store near you.




From www.Wikipedia.org
“Hip hop music is a musical genre typically consisting of a rhythmic vocal style called rap which is accompanied with backing beats. Hip hop music is part of hip hop culture, which began in the Bronx, in New York City in the 1970s, primarily among African Americans, with some Jamaican immigrant influence. The term rap music is often used synonymously with hip hop music however,"hip hop more properly denotes the practices of an entire subculture".
Rapping, also referred to as MCing or emceeing, is a vocal style in which the performer speaks rhythmically and in rhyme, generally to a beat. Beats are traditionally generated from portions of other songs by a DJ, or sampled from portions of other songs by a producer, though synthesizers, drum machines, and live bands are also used, especially in newer music. Rappers may perform poetry which they have written ahead of time, or improvise rhymes on the spot with or without a beat. Though rap is usually an integral component of hip hop music, DJs sometimes perform and record alone, and many instrumental acts are also defined as hip hop”

Welcome Haters: Because Haterade Is Best Served Cold

It feels great to say and please don’t be turned off by the term. I am fully aware of how “Hatin’” is perceived, but this blog, this outlet and you followers can, should and will be the one’s to change that ignorant ideology. This is a forum for issues of the day to be discussed rationally and thoughtfully and will, hopefully, take our random thoughts tangents and rants to a new, higher level. This blog is meant to be satiric and unleash the HATER inside us all.

Hatin’, I believe, is a synonym for opinionated. When people are encouraged NOT to have an opinion, NOT to express an opposing view or are told to shy away from questioning the mindset of a certain individual or group, to me, that is unspeakable and a complete disregard for our given rights to freedom of speech. If having an opinion makes me a HATER, then I wear my badge with honor and ask that you brave souls join me when I proudly say, I’M HATIN’

As I previously stated, this is an open forum and I welcome your feedback, comments or posts of your own.

Welcome again HATERS, you will be receiving your complimentary package in the mail, including your very own I’m HATIN’ bumper sticker, t-shirt and a years supply of HATERADE energy drink, with matching sports bottle.

Enjoy!