Race Man Evolved and Upgraded to Environment Man

By Environment Man

"Race Man" is a term from the beginning of the 20th century that describes black men of stature and integrity who represented the best that African Americans had to offer in the face of Jim Crow segregation. Race men: Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Sidney Poitier, et. al. Of course Duke University professor Mark Anthony Neal descibes Denzel Washington as the epitome of the 'Race Man' as currently portrayed by Hollywood. Yet Neal ultimately rejects the notion of a Race Man:

"No one representation of blackness, positive nor negative, can encompass the complexity of black life...perhaps it's time to give the race man the eulogy he deserves after more than a century of service."

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Don't Tase Me Bro - - Black Man Tortures White Man

Andrew Meyer achieved the fame he sought at the expense of John Kerry. His achievement? Getting tased by a black security guard at a University of Florida forum featuring the senator. He shouted the now famous words, "Don't tase me bro." As in "Don't tase me brother." Irony? Justice? Revenge? The real question is how do brothers feel when white guys call them 'bro?' Well no harm no foul. Meyer admitted that he deserved to be tased on the Bill O'Reilly Show. The other question is how long can he stretch his 15 minutes of fame.

And to add satire to irony (can you do that?) Hammer gets in on the act with a brother dancing to a black guy torturing a white guy. Only in America. Watch for yourself below.

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Black Entertainment Television (BET) Honors

Black Entertainment Television (BET) will salute the work of entertainers on its new awards show on Feb 22, 2008 at 8 pm. "The BET Honors" will recognize Alicia Keys, Tyra Banks, Cornel West, Richard Parsons, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Janice Bryant Howroyd. The show will be taped live on Jan 12 at the Warner Theatre in Washington, DC.

TYRA BANKS - Tyra Banks is a supermodel, host and judge of the reality television show America's Next Top Model, and is currently hosting her own Daytime Emmy Award-nominated talk show, The Tyra Banks Show.
JANICE BRYANT HOWROYD - Janice Bryant Howroyd is the chairman, chief executive officer and founder of ACT*1, a personnel servicing company that provides staffing, human resources and management solutions to Fortune 500 companies in many industries.
ALICIA KEYS - Alicia Keys is a Grammy Award-winning R&B and soul singer, songwriter and pianist, who has sold more than 25 million records worldwide.
RICHARD PARSONS - Richard Parsons is Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Time Warner Inc., whose businesses include filmed entertainment, interactive services, television networks, cable systems and publishing. It was recently announced that he will be stepping down as CEO on December 31, 2007, but will remain as Chairman.
CONGRESSWOMAN MAXINE WATERS - Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) was elected in November 2006 to her ninth term in the House of Representatives, serving the 35th District of California, which represents a large part of South Central Los Angeles, the communities of Westchester and Playa Del Ray, as well as the diverse cities of Gardena, Hawthorne, Inglewood and Lawndale.
DR. CORNEL WEST - Dr. Cornel West is a professor of religion and African American studies at Princeton University, and is considered one of America's most gifted, provocative and important public intellectuals. He has won numerous awards, including the American Book Award, and has received more than 20 honorary degrees. (Source: CNNMoney.com) (The Washington Post Review)

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12 Days of Christmas - The Real Meaning

There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled us. What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas? Well we found out. From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

1) The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
2) Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.
3) Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
4) The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
5) The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
6) The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
7) Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
8) The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
9) Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
10) The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.
11) The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
12) The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

This knowledge was shared with us and we found it interesting and enlightening and now we know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol...so pass it on if you wish. Merry (Twelve Days of) Christmas Everyone. [Of course we work a lot inside the Beltway so here is a Counterpoint]

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A Raisin In The Sun - P. Diddy Star Vehicle

Sean John Combs (aka Puff Daddy, P. Diddy), right, is taking his stage star turn in "A Raisin In The Sun" from Broadway to television early in 2008, which will feature the same cast from the play: Phylicia Rashad, Audra McDonald, John Stamos and Sanaa Lathan. Don't the ladies look like they could be related in real life? The three hour ABC movie is set to air on Monday, February 25, 2008 at 8 pm (Trailer).

A Raisin in the Sun, the famous play by Lorraine Hansberry, was also made into a movie in 1961, featuring the original Broadway cast. Congrats Diddy. Are you trying to become the new King of All Media? (TV Squad) (Hat tip to Betty Chambers)

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Tracey Neale Decides To Leave CBS-9 News

Famed Washington, DC newscaster Tracey Neale, left, has decided to leave CBS Channel Nine News to raise her two adopted sons, Eyasu Nigel Neale and Emebet Nigella Neale. Having coanchored the 6 and 11 newscasts for three years Neale decided that child rearing was more important right now than her career. She adopted the boys in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia last summer after working on it for a year.

Anyone who has met or knows Neale knows that she is a smart and dynamic person with lots of love to give. It appears she has found her new calling and, as Neale would do, has walked away from a high powered job in one the largest media markets in the United States. We salute you here at AAEA Ms. Neale. (The Washington Post)

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I AM LEGEND.............I am Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant

By Alan Smithee.

I Am Legend is a science fiction horror film with the character Robert Neville as virtually the last human alive on earth except for infected humans who did not die but transformed into flesh eating (of course) vampire-like humanoids. Without giving up too much of the plot (see IMDb & Wikipedia), the film is based in New York City and everybody is dead except Neville, his dog and the humanoids. Yet the utilities still work. There is still electricity for the lights. Hmmm. Well we have the solution to this movie problem.

Indian Point nuclear power plant security and staff donned biohazard suits at the first news of the virus, instituted emergency lockdown and continued to generate electricity. It makes sense because no other utility plant has the security and exacting emergency response planning as nuclear power plants. So when the coal and natural gas-fired plants went down around town and in the Hudson River Valley, Indian Point kept enough electrons on the grid to keep the lights on in about 30 percent of New York City. Thus, even as nuclear power is a major solution to global climate change, it is a similar solution to the movie conundrum.

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What's Up With Tiki Barber on The Today Show?

Tiki Barber seems to have disappeared from "The Today Show." What's the story? Did he not work out? Did Al Roker feel threatened? What? They even moved Tiki to the new women's segment that starts at 9 Eastern time. Not there anymore either.

So it appears the producers and managers at the show do not know where to put Tiki or how to use him. He has been a correspondent for a few stories. That didn't last either. Well there is the presidential campaign. That could cover almost a year. Maybe Tiki doesn't want to get on the plane again though. Did Mat feel threatened? No way did Meredith feel threatened. Did Linny Boyette feel threatened by the running back? Tiki. Know we are out here wondering about ya and give AAEA a shout out sometime if or when they put you to good use.

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Cheadle & Clooney Recognized With Nobel Award

Don Cheadle, right, and George Clooney, left, received an award from Nobel peace prize laureates for their campaign to help the people of Sudan's Darfur region. Brad Pitt, Clooney and Cheadle, co-stars in "Ocean's Thirteen," have used their celebrity status to keep attention on Darfur and have raised money for refugees through their "Not On Our Watch" charity. It is estimated that 200,000 people have been killed and millions uprooted in Darfur.

The conflict has pitted non-Arab rebel groups against the Khartoum government and Arab militia since 2003. The conflict also involves dark skin versus light skin civilians and combatants. Cheadle and Clooney were recognized by the Nobel laureates at the Peace Summit Award ceremony in Rome. Clooney, Cheadle and Pitt recently raised $10 million for Darfur at the Cannes film festival. Clooney and Cheadle are also featured in a recently released documentary on the conflict, "Darfur Now." (Reuters)

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Hill & Knowlton Survey Attacks Video Game Industry

By Alan Smithee

The PR firm Hill & Knowlton issued a survey press release after they did not get a video game industry contract that said:

"H & K survey shows 60% of respondents agree that the government should regulate the sale of video games."

HELLO. And all hell broke loose. The Entertainment Sofware Association fired back:

"Hill & Knowlton's decision to release these findings was both
unprofessional and unethical."

OUCH. Oh well. AAEA wonders about H&K too, particularly about whether any Black professionals work over there. If you know let us know. The video game industry believes video games are protected as free speech and the companies who make them cannot be hold that they cannot be held liable for someone's reaction to them. (The Washington Post)

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Hollywood Goes Green

That's a lot of going if you ask us. But it is good to start somewhere. We just hope the participants eliminate their carbon footprint, preferably by purchasing carbon offsets from us. Fat chance of that. Anyway, this is the first conference to specifically address environmental issues in entertainment and related industries.

Hollywood Goes Green will offer industry insiders a forum to collaborate and develop partnerships for a sustainable future. This historic gathering is being designed to provide an in-depth exchange of ideas and make deals with influencers who share a passion for protecting the environment. Funny. Our invitation must have gotten lost in the mail(More)

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Patti LaBelle on PETA and Her Coats

Here is what Patti LaBelle had to say about People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) in a "Newsweek" interview:

"I like my coats. I don't want PETA to get mad at me, but I love chinchilla. It's so soft. I love cashmere. They get mad at a little girl like me. But you know I work for it. When they start buying me coats is when I start listening to them."

PETA does some good work in protecting animals from mistreatment but they are also extremist many times and pull nutty stunts to make their point. So we have to agree with Ms. Patti. Leave a sister's hard-earned coat alone. Such luxuries were kept out of our reach for a long long time.

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Hollywood Producers Are Out To Break Writers Union

The Writers Guild of America does not seem to realize that the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers is out to break them. Cast them to the wind. Blow them out to sea along with the Santa Ana Winds. They are naive to think otherwise. And what can they do about it? Probably not much. Although in our opinion the writers aren't asking for that much. The Hollywood writers want a piece of the action from new technologies (distribution of shows via the Internet, cell phones and other digital platforms). The Hollywood producers will not agree to restrictions to their ability to experiment with new digital delivery options for films and TV shows. There is a lot of money at stake and the producers have dug in. It will change Hollywood forever.

The TV Networks are at most risk for product and some shows have already had to shut down production because of the walkout. The pilot decision making process usually starts in January and a disruption of this process could seriously delay the Fall TV season. Can the networks simply hire new writers at some point? Will the networks hire nonunion writers at some point? They have to. Every waiter in Los Angeles has a script and if you throw a rock you will hit a script writer. If the walk out somehow goes on into the summer it will begin to threaten movie production and the Fall TV season. And THAT the producers will not stand for. Remember what Reagan did to the striking air traffic controllers? We think it could happen to the Hollywood writers too.

Some of the contract proposals by the Writers Guild of America:

- authority to unionize writers on reality shows and animation projects.

- Home video and DVD residuals: The guild withdrew its call to double the payout base rate from 20 to 40 percent.

- Internet residuals: Increase from 1.2 percent to 2.5 percent.

- New media: Institute residual payments for webisodes and mobisodes.

- Streaming video: Institute residuals, including payments for network-produced shows streamed on Web sites.

- The CW: Implement a pay standard for work appearing on the channel.

- Contract length: Three-year contract

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50 Ways To Save A Millirem

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The Demise of the Black American Band

Shay over at Booker Rising has posted an excellent article on the Title subject. Shay put in print what was a sneaking feeling of mine for some time. Go check it out. Brilliant piece.

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Black Santa & The Preference For A White Christmas

Even Black children want the white Santa. A Black Santa in a mall will not work because the little white kids will not want to sit on his lap and ask for their toys. The Black Santa simply does not look right to them. Maybe it is the red and white in the uniform that does not look right with the black face. Maybe a different color scheme and outfit might not lead to such a backlash. But then it would not be Santa. You never see a Black Santa on television or advertised in magazines. Seeing a Black Santa can be terrifying to an impressionable little kid. So the preferred Christmas in America is a white Santa and a white Christmas. See the video below for more:

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Brad Pitt Building Homes In Lower 9th Ward

By Environment Man

He adopts a Black kid and now he is helping to rebuild the Lower 9th Ward in New Orleans. Now here is a Hollywood star with substance. And reaching out to help the Black community gets him points with us. Where are the other Black stars? Is Brad in touch with them? Are they stepping up too? Putting up some of that big money they make? Come on folks, Brad is on the case and you should be too.

And these are stylish homes on stilts that could survive future flooding. The site is below sea level and will surely be flooded again. Pitt's Make It Right campaign needs donations to expand the program. Don't expect him to go broke in rebuilding this devastated area. Come on Will, Eddie, Martin, Oprah, Bill, Bob Johnson, Michael, and the runners and hitters. We like Brad at AAEA. He is our kind of star.

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Don Imus Breaks The "One Black" Rule

By Alan Smithee

First Barbara Walters on "The View" and now Don Imus. What is going on in America? Something's up. Don't they know that, even in organizations of as many as 100 people, you only hire one black just to cover the employment discrimination charge. Okay okay. Many companies have many Blacks, but we are talking about those sneaky outfits with racist leadership who would rather lose profits and resources than hire Blacks and contract with Black companies.

So Don Imus has gone way beyond this because his on air staff is less than 10 and he has two blacks. And Walters has two blacks on a team of five. Has she lost her mind? Don't they know that the Blacks have to be kept in their place by keeping them out of sight and keeping resources from them so they can continue to be victims? So that they can fulfill supremacist fantasies of superiority? So that the Negro remains dependent and negative in every health and economic indicator? Hell forget Imus' comments. His actions speak volumes. We are with you Don.

Oh. Anyway, I got so wrapped up in this that I forgot to mention 'the other Black.' It is Tony Powell. He grew up in Brooklyn New York and is a comic. Well let's see how it goes Tony. And don't forget to give a shout out to AAEA.

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Donald Trump Avoids Africa & Bonding With Amarosa

By Holly Wood

[Okay. We know it is Omarosa] Africans in America have auditioned for the upcoming "The Apprentice Africa" and the love to be hated Amarosa helped with judging the interviews. Should be interesting viewing. Remember when Omarosa sabatoged the brother and made him lose? So we know she is up for a little black-on-black intrigue.

Mark Burnett is simply a Hollywood genius. He has milked every ounce of entertainment out of his "Island" and "Apprentice" franchises. Hey Mark, come on over here to AAEA and brand us. In this version contestants will live in a mansion in Nigeria and take orders from a Donald Trump replacement, Biodun Shobanjo and compete for a luxury car and a $200,000per year corporate job.

Update: Trump is not avoiding Omarosa on his new "Celebrity Apprentice." In fact, Omarosa (Amarosa gets Googled a lot) dodged sure firing on the first show because a shy model did not step up and call Hugh Hefner to buy a hot dog. And of course, Omarosa ate her alive. Nice show. Simmons is too cool.

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Environment Man To Play Super Bowl?

By Holly Wood

The rumor mill has it that our very own E-Man will play back up with Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers at the upcoming Superbowl on Feb 3, 2008. Well all I have to say about that is our guy can hold his own with the likes of others who have played the Superbowl: Prince, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney and E-Man will not have a wardrobe malfunction.

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Don Imus Copies Howard Stern (Again)

By Alan Smithee

Don Imus has hired his very own Robin Quivers and her name is Karith Foster, left. Nothing wrong with that. Imitation is the purest form of flattery. And it is the right thing to do. Congrats Don, you're smarter than you look. And Karith aint bad to look at either. But then again you know how to pick the fine ones don't you?


Karith Foster lives in Harlem and is from Dallas, Texas. Let's hope she has chemistry with Imus and fits in with his wild bunch. Robin Quivers gave Howard 'street cred' and allowed him to get away with probably waaaaaay too much. But Howard was accepted by Blacks because he talked to us instead of at us. I doubt Imus can get away with that because he is starting from a different place. But if he can get his Karith groove going, it might at least get him additional audience share. Good luck Karith. And don't forget to give a shout out to AAEA.

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AIDS: Sex Outside of Marriage Is Not Entertainment

By Holly Wood

Even sex outside of a committed relationship as entertainment can kill. Or at least give you an incurable disease. The stats are scary, particularly for African Americans. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, an estimated 422,000 people have AIDS with 77% being men and 44% being Black, yet African Americans are only 13% of the U.S. population. And it is not just sex or homosexuality; pick an indicator and Blacks suffer most. We know the litany of reasons expressed to explain the disproportionate impact, but we would like to see some serious progress in this area.

Magic Johnson and his wife Cookie are leading proponents of AIDS prevention. Cookie Johnson just wrote a book, "Stand Up & Stop The Spread of HIV," and has joined Magic's "I Stand With Magic" campaign as an active member. Go Cookie and Magic. Although Magic made the biggest mistake of his life with the behavior that gave him the disease, he has served as a model example of how to conduct oneself in the fight againt AIDS. And Cookie has demonstrated that a committed marriage can even survive a partner contracting the disease. Sign us up. We're ready to join the fight.

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Baldwin Hills: Excellent Black Entertainment Television

By Holly Wood

I just watched a post Thanksgiving Day marathon of the Black Entertainment Television (BET) show "Baldwin Hills" and it is a very good show. It looks like BET is really starting to upgrade its programming, but I bet some will still find something to complain about. “Baldwin Hills,” is a “Laguna Beach”-style documentary about rich teenagers in Los Angeles. There is an interesting chat forum about the show.

BET chairman and CEO Debra Lee took over the reigns after Robert Johnson sold the network to Viacom for $3 billion. BET is available in about 84 million homes. She has publicly stated that BET has plans for 16 new shows, which will include reality programming and talk shows. Ms. Lee has tapped Reginald Hudlin to develop BET’s new stable of shows. Hudlin is known for writing and directing such movies as “House Party,” “Boomerang” and “The Great White Hype.” He joined BET in 2006 to assist in improving the programming variety BET offers the public.

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Black "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof" Set For Great White Way

By Holly Wood and Alan Smithee

Not only does Elizabeth Taylor have a Black boyfriend, Jason Winters, now her best movie, "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof" is going Black too. Except this time it will be on Broadway at the Broadhurst Theatre. Terrence Howard will play Paul Newman's Brick and James Earl Jones will play Big Daddy. Either Kerry Washington or Anika Noni Rose will play Maggie the Cat, which was played by Taylor in the 1958 film.

Negroes have come a long way since then. Or maybe it would be better to say that American society has come a long way since the 1950s. Negroes have always been more than ready to participate. It was and is illogical to keep us out. Such irrational behavior permeates American society though. It is a sickness. Thankfully, the patient seems to be recovering some from this spiritual disease. Let's just still go our separate ways after dark. Or at least after the play is over, which opens in March 2008. (Source: Gatecrasher@nydailynews.com)

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Hollywood Should Be Carbon Neutral

By Environment Man

Tinseltown and all of her productions should be carbon neutral. Everyone should know what that is by now so we will not explain it. Of course, AAEA wants to help Hollywood to completely eliminate its carbon footprint. We're talking about a lot of carbon dioxide offsets here. Hmmm. Where oh where will all of those credits come from? What about renewable and clean nuclear power? Well that is our plan. Click on the penguin to see how we plan to completely reduce the Hollywood Carbon Footprint (HCF).

Now if you prefer the stage back east in New York we also plan to supplement the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) with a Voluntary Greenhouse Gas Initiative (VGGI), pronounced "Veggie"). Clearly the signatory states will have trouble meeting their carbon dioxide reduction targets just as the signatories of the Kyoto Protocol are in meeting their targets. Although nuclear is not accepted in the RGGI program or the California Kyoto program, it will be perfectly acceptable in the VGGI we will establish.

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Regina King Starts Movie Production Company

By Holly Wood

Regina King, left, and her sister Reina have started a movie production company, Royal Ties Productions. King bemoans the lack of African American produced movies coming out of Hollywood and intends to help fix that problem. King has been around for over two decades, starting with "227" so she should have the moxy and contacts to do it. Good luck sweetie. Getting a movie made in Hollywood is a major undertaking. Are there any Black women producing movies? Not that we can think of. It is hard enough for Black actresses to make it in Tinseltown.

King is starring in "This Christmas" right now and wants to produce a movie about the late Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm. Chisholm was the first Black person to run for president. She also had a distinctive look and speaking style. King branched out after "227" to work in John Singleton's first three films, beginning with "Boyz n the Hood" and played Cuba Gooding Jr.'s wife in "Jerry Maguire," Angela Bassett's sister in "How Stella Got Her Groove Back," a girlfriend of Ray Charles in "Ray," and co-starred as an FBI agent with Sandra Bullock in "Miss Congeniality 2," among other roles. She also played the president's sister in "24." Hey Regina, give a shout out to AAEA in your movie. Good luck.

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Have Will & Jada Converted To Scientology?

By Holly Wood

The blogosphere and other published reports have Will and Jada Pinckett-Smith flirting with Scientology. Will and Jada are friends with well known Scientologist Tom Cruise. They attended the wedding of Cruise and Katie Holmes in Italy in 2006. From what I have read it appears that Will and Jada are agreeing to the tenets of Scientology as long as they do not conflict with their biblical beliefs. Well I guess if you are going to do business with Cruise you have to listen to his Scientology spiel. Cruise DID just open (resurrected) a movie studio, United Artists.

Reportedly opposed to 'organized religion,' the super couple seem to reflect the traditional Hollywood pose. Yet Will was raised in the Baptist church and has been quoted in past years as stating, "my grandmother would get up out of her casket (if I became a Scientologist)." Much of the speculation comes from the current Men's Vogue article ("Prince Becomes King") on Will Smith to promote his December movie, "I Am Legend." Here is the important section from the article:

"Look, I use the Bible to explain the ideas of God, and life, and love, and relationships, and the life of Jesus Christ to teach my children how to defend their spirit. But in all of the experiences I've had with Tom [Cruise] and Scientology, like, 98 percent of the principles are identical to the principles of the Bible."

Well it sounds like Willard Christopher Smith Jr. and Jada have their heads on straight. We wish them well.

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American Music Awards 2007

Hosted by late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, the Dick Clark Productions 2007 American Music Awards ceremony was broadcast on ABC on Sunday, Nov 18. Below nominees are shown for each category; winners are shown in bold. Nominations were determined by record sales and airplay as tracked in the publication Radio and Records. For the first time American Music Award history, winners were chosen online by fans.

POP/ROCK

Male artist: Akon, Timbaland, Justin Timberlake
Female artist: Beyoncé, Fergie, Avril Lavigne
Band, duo or group: Linkin Park, Maroon 5, Nickleback
Album: "Daughtry" (Daughtry), "Minutes To Midnight" (Linkin Park), "FutureSex/LoveSounds" (Justin Timberlake)

COUNTRY

Male artist: Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley
Female artist: Martina McBride, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood
Band, duo or group: Big & Rich, Brooks & Dunn, Rascal Flatts
Album: "Let It Go" (Tim McGraw), "Me And My Gang" (Rascal Flatts), "Some Hearts" (Carrie Underwood)

SOUL/RHYTHM & BLUES

Male artist: Akon, Ne-Yo, T-Pain
Female artist: Beyoncé, Fantasia, Rihanna
Album: "B'Day" (Beyoncé), "Double Up" (R. Kelly), "FutureSex/Love Sounds" (Justin Timberlake)

RAP/HIP HOP

Male artist: Fabolous, T.I., Young Jeezy
Band, duo or group: Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Pretty Ricky, Shop Boyz
Album: "Strength & Loyalty" (Bones Thugs-N-Harmony), "T.I. vs. T.I.P." (T.I.), "The Inspiration" (Young Jeezy)

ADULT CONTEMPORARY

Artist: Daughtry, Norah Jones, John Mayer

ALTERNATIVE

Artist: Linkin Park, My Chemical Romance, the White Stripes

LATIN

Artist: Daddy Yankee, Juan Luis Guerra y 440, Jennifer Lopez

CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL

Artist: Casting Crowns, Jeremy Camp, tobyMac

SOUNDTRACKS

Album: "Dreamgirls," "Hairspray," "High School Musical 2"

BREAKTHROUGH

New artist: Daughtry, Plain White T's, Robin Thicke

SPECIAL AWARDS

T-Mobile Text-In Award: Carrie Underwood

International Award: Beyonce

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Magic Johnson Vacation Home Would Be Nice AAEA Office

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Magic and Cookie Johnson just bought a $7.6 million vacation home in Orange County, California. AAEA needs a west coast office and it would be an excellent location for AAEA's supplemental west coast research operation. The 7,700 square foot home is newly built and located in a gated community with a private beach in Dana Point (see map). There is a view of Catalina Island, the coastline or the ocean from almost every window. This would be an excellent environment for an auxillary AAEA outreach/research/office/residence. AAEA has a very specific research and education program it would implement from this location. AAEA had a similar location (not that expensive though) south of Annapolis, Maryland (Highland Beach) for 3 years.

Since Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Cookie are so busy and will only spend (maybe) a week per year in the home, the facility could be put to great use in service of protecting the environment. Magic became part owner of the L.A. Lakers in 1994 and has been a head coach of the team. He has been a sportscaster on NBC-TV and a studio analyst on TNT. He also owns Starbucks coffee shops and movie theaters.

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Do Whites Hate Black Men & White Women Who Err More?

By Alan Smithee

Maybe it is just us but we get the impression that whites (they don't care if we do not capitalize it) seem to get more upset when Blacks get in trouble. And don't let a white woman or an animal be involved. Oh mercy. You know who I'm talking about. O.J. (he did it), Barry Bonds (he did it too), Michael Jackson (acquitted) and Michael Vick (guilty and serving). What white male entertainers generate this much buzz with their infamy? Now if it takes you more than 10 seconds to think of some then you know what I am talking about.

I sent this query to the AAEA labs and this is what they came back with: 1) O.J. has white skin privilege, but he 'looks' black so he has to be scorned. 2) Barry is uppity (Hank Aaron wasn't but was hated anyway for breaking Babe's record). 3) Michael turned white AND married the King's daughter (white skin privilege). 4) Michael Vick: well there is a reason the National Wildlife Federation is several millions of times larger than the African American Environmentalist Association. Our scientists concluded that if you're a black superstar and do something stupid, expect to get more attention than you ever got for your positive contributions to society.

Now young white women are right up there with Black men in the hyped press infamy category. Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton will give Juice, Jacko, Barry and Vick a run for their money. Of course Martha Stewart got a pass. You would never know she even went to prison. Does this make her an honorary white man?

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Grey's Anatomy: Real Life Miscegenation

By Holly Wood

"Grey's Anatomy" star Ellen Pompeo married her Black fiance Chris Ivery at New York's City Hall with Mayor Michael Bloomberg as a witness. Ivery is a record producer. Pictured at left, the interracial couple appeared together on Oprah about a year ago. It has only been about 40 years of so that such a marriage was legal in the USA. Now why do you think it was against the law for Blacks and whites to marry?

This real life marriage kind of mirrors the United Nations feel of the show, which is written and directed by a Black woman, where the chief resident is Black, a Chinese/Black couple (until Isiah Washington got himself fired), a Mexican American and a gay guy (well he's not gay on the show) and, well, you get the idea. Well we wish the happy couple well. Now go and produce some little mulattos.

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Eddie Murphy Celebrity Hot Tub

IS natural gas the best way to heat your hot tub? What about electricity? Fuel Oil? Maybe not. Some might say wind, solar or even geothermal. Well while those celebrity environmentalists are contemplating how to publicize their climate change mitigation strategies from their hot tubs, maybe you too can live vicariously in American energy wasting splendor while watching this very funny video. We wonder if James Brown liked this skit.

Celebrity Hot Tub

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Broadway Stage Workers Strike Hurting Theater District

Update: The Broadway strike is over. It lasted from Nov 10 to Nov 29. Details of the 5 year deal between Local One and the League of American Theatres and Producers.


First it was the Hollywood Writers Guild of America strike and now the stage workers on Broadway are striking because they want more stagehands for opening a show and for keeping that show running. Theater owners and producers only want to hire the number of stagehands they think are needed for individual shows. Specifically, owners demanded a reduction in the minimum 22-person staffing level required for preparation of shows and more concessions. East coast and West coast strikes by the rank and file include writers in the West and men and women who move the scenery and props, electricians, carpenters and sound people back East. The businesses surrounding Broadway are also suffering because ot the strike, which eliminates spending by up to 80,000 people a night. Broadway stretches from W. 41st St up to W 53rd St with four theaters physically located on Broadway and the rest located east or west of the 12 block stretch.

The Hollywood writers want a piece of the action from new technologies (distribution of shows via the Internet, cell phones and other digital platforms). The Hollywood producers will not agree to restrictions to their ability to experiment with new digital delivery options for films and TV shows.

By the way, ever wonder why Broadway is called the "Great White Way?" It started in 1904 and was due to the magnificent illumination of the avenues at Times Square. Of course considering the time period that was probably not the only reason. (Sources: Broadway 101, NY Daily News, NY Post)

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Alec Baldwin Works Against General Electric?

Alec Baldwin, left, says he is not opposed to nuclear power, he is just opposed to Indian Point in New York and Oyster Creek in New Jersey. But he also knows that if he can get either one of these plants closed for any reason, he might open the door to closing ALL 104 nuclear power plants in the United States. He held a press conference on November 12, 2007 and claimed that both plants were increasing cancer deaths in surrounding counties. AAEA countered these arguments at the press conference, speaking to CBS, NBC, Fox, and other print and radio services. AAEA and New York Affordable Reliable Electricity Alliance (NYAREA) corrected the false information presented at the press conference.

What is baffling to us is why Alec Baldwin is working against a technology that General Electric (GE) is promoting. GE has a Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approved nuclear reactor design (Advance Boiling Water Reactor) that it hopes to market during the current renaissance of interest in building new nuclear power plants. It is estimated that new plants will cost about $4 billion each. Mr. Baldwin stars in "30 Rock" on NBC, which is owned by NBCUniversal, which is owned by GE. Do the exectuves over at GE support Mr. Baldwin's mission? If so, it is a very strange business plan.

See Also Green Nuclear Butterfly Blog Review--They Were Not Happy

Alec Baldwin's "30 Rock" Charactor On Blacks

Norris McDonald Interview Video

Paul Steidler Interview Video

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Spock Was Cool and the Black Community Noticed

Star Trek was the coolest science fiction show of the 60s and Spock, left, was the coolest cat on the show. Not only did he have universal appeal, he was accepted in the Black community because he was cool. Not just cool, super cool. Now white guys in society aren't known for being cool even though Hollywood generated some cool characters. Humphrey Bogart, Fonzie, and of course Elvis Presley. But Black folks invented cool in America. They simply have not gotten credit for it. But we digress.

Spock was the cool to Captain Kirk's hot. Nothing phased Spock. Nothing. Not interdimensional bad guys or the Captain's tirades. Spock was cool under fire. Just as the brothers are because we might not have much, but we do have cool. Plus Star Trek communicated to Blacks that not only did they know it was there, they also included a major Black character among the star lineup, Lt. Uhura. So Blacks loved the show because they showed us some love AND they gave us one of the coolest dudes ever, Spock. Now later on they even gave us a Black Vulcan, Tuvok, right. And just to show that race is irrelevant and stereotypes are ridiculous, Spock was cooler than Tuvok.

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AAEA Hollywood Affected By Writers Strike

By Norris McDonald. AAEA Hollywood writers Environment Man, Holly Wood and Alan Smithee are not on strike but are not writing to show solidarity with the members of the Writer's Guild Association. Talks between the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers and the 12,000 member Writers Guild of America broke down last week and now television show productions are threatened.

Some shows are already turning to reruns to fill the void. A key issue involves giving writers more money from the sale of DVDs and the distribution of shows via the Internet, cell phones and other digital platforms. Producers will not agree to restrictions to their ability to experiment with new digital delivery options for films and TV shows. Although I am in solidarity with the writers, we must still provide information distribution involving African American, environmental and Hollywood issues.

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Michael Jackson on Global Warming

Update: See "This Is It"

In an exclusive cover story in Ebony magazine (video) commemorating the 25th anniversary of the release of "Thriller," the largest selling album of all time, Michael Jackson spoke about global warming when asked about the shape of the world:

"I'm very concerned about the plight of the international global warming phenomenon. I knew it was coming, but I wish they would have gotten people's interest sooner. But it's never too late. It's been described as a runaway train; if we don't stop it, we'll never get it back. So we have to fix it, now."

But when asked about the presidential race, he seemed to contradict himself on addressing global warming:

"To tell you the truth, I don't follow that stuff. We were raised to not...[he trails off here but is referring to his Jehovah Witness upbringing]...we don't look to man to fix the problems of the world, we don't. They can't do it. That's how I see it. It's beyond us. Look, we don't have control over the grounds, they can shake. We don't have control over the seas, they can have tsunamis. We don't have control over the skies, there are storms. We're all in God's hands."

Give us a call Mickey. You cannot avoid global politics in addressing climate change. You have to promote aggressive technological solutions to fight global climate change and you have to be willing to push governments and economies to do it. We'll tell you exactly how it should be done and how you can help.

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NBC Hosts "Green Week"

NBC is promoting the environment during the week of Nov 4. Mat is in the Arctic and Ann is in the Anarctic and Al is in the rainforest. Their Green Week is unprecedented and provides great information to the public without being too preachy or extremist.

NBC is owned by NBCUniversal, which is owned by General Electric (GE). GE makes windmills and nuclear power plants. So they are 'green' by nature.

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Doomed Interracial Couples of "Heroes"

The interracial couples on "Heroes" do not kiss (you know why) and at least half of the couples die violent deaths.

D.L., middle left, the Black guy who could walk through walls was married to Niki, left, the weird white woman with the dual and dueling personalities. She killed him.

Hiro Nakamura, the funny Japanese guy (who exhibits great serious acting talent) was in love with a Japanese woman from back in time. She was initially in love with a white guy warrior. He was killed in an explosion.

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David Bianculli Retires From TV Column At NY Daily News

He announced it in his column today. Did anyone see this coming? He wrote his column for 14 years and you could pretty much depend on his take. He is now moving over to National Public Radio to host "Fresh Air." He also launched a new web site: http://www.tvworthwatching.com/ where, guess what he will be covering? Television of course.

Check him out and write to him at Davidbianculli@comcast.net

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Dick Parsons Steps Down At Time Warner

Richard Parsons, left, was chairman and CEO of TimeWarner for 5 years. He cleaned up the company from huge losses in 2002 when he took over and guided the company through the divorce from the AOL merger.

The departure does not appear to be related to any restatement of earnings or other company losses. Time Warner owns HBO, did own AOL until they split, Warner Communications, Time, Inc, Turner Entertainment, and New Line Cinema. Congratulations on your successful reign at Time Warner. If you need some work, we have some openings at AAEA.

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