Citi Executive Gets $28 Million Not to Work!

WTF?

You read it right. A top executive at Citi has reported been paid $28,000,000 not to work for competitor firm for the next fifteen months after he resigned from the global bank. Let's also not forget to mention that the executive is the head of the Chairman of the investment banking unit at City--the very unit that is causing the company to experience these problems.

Citi has been a lot of trouble lately as it has seen a 36% decrease in its stock this year, massive lay-offs and billions of dollars in write-downs just to name a few. Now, I wonder how in the hell can they afford to pay an ex-employee almost $30 million not to work for any other firm!

Damn, I hope I grow up to become as valuable as this employee. Imagine quiting your job and your company paying you just so you don't go to work for someone else!

Obama Takes Europe By Storm

After his trip to Afghanistan Barack Obama continued his travels to Europe ,visiting Germany along the way.

Choosing the symbolic city of Berlin as the location of his address to the German public, Obama was greeted by a crowd of Berlin residents waving American flags and signs that read "Obama For President".

The address he gave to the crowd of excited Germans was one that preached a need for the U.S. to strengthen its ties with Europe and the rest of the world. However, Obama was careful to mention that he believed that European allies must too do their part to fight the ailments that plague the world today.

the world views Obama as the best candidate to improve the image of America to the rest of the world; however, he lacks credibility in his ability to handle matters in international relations. His overseas trip was carefully planned to help improve his image in this arena.

Obama is a very smart man and a powerful speaker. I somewhat get the impression that America, along with the rest of world, expect him to win the election. My belief is that this is true whether you an Obama supporter or opponent.

If Obama is elected we could possibly have the most popular U.S. president since JFK or Clinton.

Please take the time out the listen to the speech here:

Citizen Nas - Nas Goes to War with Fox

It appears that rapper Nas has a new beef with the Fox network. He has publicly spoken out the media giant and accused the station of being racist.

Well, when the station's producers and anchors do things like call Michelle Obama Barack's "baby mama", I guess I would have to agree with Nas on this one. Fox has been a little biased and insensitive toward minority groups. But, I don't think Nas has the man power to go against these guys.

I mean, he's no Orson Wells and Untitled is no Citizen Kane though the track Sly Fox is worth a listen. On this track he verbally assaults the news giant. Maybe Fox will get some anchors to get together and record a response.

Obama Merchandise Sells Significantly Over McCain

It looks like Obama is just the cool guy to be these days. As with any political campaign we find savvy entrepreneurs and true blood, good old-fashioned capitalists that will find a way to make a fast buck.

According to several street vendors across the country, more people prefer to purchase t-shirts and hats adorned with Obama’s image than McCain's. Even, one street vendor that I spoke with in Harlem proudly mentioned that he doesn’t carry any McCain merchandise. When I asked him why that was the case, his response was that “he just won’t sell.”

That makes me wonder if Obama’s new form of politics aims to create a brand that people to choose to vote for rather than garnering votes based by running on an actual political platform.

Some food for thought.

Bush Jokes About U.S. Economy, Says "Wall Street Got Drunk"

Our fearless leader and defender of the "free world", George Walker Bush, was recently recorded making fun of the U.S. economy and current credit crunch and housing crisis.

During his speech, in Houston, the President jokes that "Wall got drunk" and "has a hangover". He continues to make jokes about the housing market and is met with laughter from the audience.

Cameras were not allowed at the event; however, some sleuth attendee was able to capture this footage so we all can see how are political leaders feel about our suffering from an ailing economy they have created for us.

Thanks Bush. Thanks Republicans. Thanks America. Thanks . . .

You can view the video clip here:

Christian Bale Goes "Batty" and Attacks His Mother and Sister in UK Hotel

It looks like Christian Bale is throwing temper tantrums over Heath Ledger's posthumous glory for his portrayal of the Joker in his latest feature film, The Dark Knight.

The Los Angeles Times reports that the British actor was arrested on Sunday and released on Tuesday after his mother and sister reported that he assaulted them.

Upon being released in London, the "Dark Knight" denies all accusations of the assault. I guess maybe this is another one of the Joker's sick pranks.

For the full story click here: http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/celebrity/la-et-bale23-2008jul23,0,7144730.story

Jesse Jackson Caught Calling Black Folks the N-Word!!!

It looks like Jesse Jackson is becoming the Leon Lett, Mike Tyson, Michael Jackson, R. Kelly, O.J. Simpsonand Kennedey of African-American Politics. I'm sure you have all heard the recent news coverage of Jesse dropping the N-Bomb like he was trying to end World War III.

I guess we finally get to see the good reverend for who he really is--a washed up civil rights leader that likes to "talk down to black folk" by using the N-word. Now, I'm not saying that I don't use the word; but, a person like Jesse Jackson, who claims to be on the righteous path and advocates the banning of the word shouldn't be using it on black folks the way he has been.

It looks like the good reverend's reputation and credibility are sinking faster than the Titantic full of the morbidly obese. It has even got to the point where the owner of the Laugh Factory (now infamous for the "Kramer incident") is calling that Jackson pays a fine for his use of the word.

--Jesse, if you're reading this, it's time to call it quits . . . please!

Great Stock Market Crash of 2008 and Onset of New Great Depression????

It has been predicted several years ago. Is it possible that we will see a crash of the stock market and the onset of another "Great Depression"? Gas prices are rising, the value of the dollar continues to diminish, inflation continues to rise, the unemployment rate is rising, hedge funds blowing up, IndyMac and Bear Sterns failing and possibly Lehman Brothers doing the same (remember bank runs caused the first depression). The Fed's interactions cannot curve the recession. People are being laid off and home foreclosure is at a record high.

What can we expect to see in the next couple of months? Things look pretty grim for the U.S.; but, I would not be surprised if we end up in a depression. Especially when it is expected that the average consumer will spend 20 percent of their income on oil (more than groceries) by the year 2010 . . . yeah, that's only two years away . . .

Not to mention that, we also have the prophecy of 2012 around the corner.

Hmmmm . . .

Here's an interesting video for food for thought:

The Supreme Court is Back at It Again!

I walk into work this morning and I click on CNN.com and I see that Supreme Court has lifted the ban on guns Washing D.C. . . . Okay.

The big debate that is going on now is that now gun violence and firearm related deaths will increase tremendously in D.C. If ask me, this argument is critically flawed. Lifting a gun ban on a city is not going to curve the amount of gun violence committed in any city. What we need to do is really analyze the situation.

Who is more likely to commit GUN CRIMES? Your average law abiding citizen or a criminal? I think the criminal is more likely to commit a gun grime in this instance. The last time I checked, most criminals choose not to honor the law any way; so, why the hell would they honor a gun ban in the first place? I don't believe that all gun grimes were eliminated after the ban was first initiated; so, what's the point? Also, D.C. is not exactly surrounded by brick wall and cut off from the rest of society. It really only takes a couple of hours to drive to Pennsylvania and purchase all the firearms and semi-automatic weapons. It's the same thing with drugs. The U.S., in general, has a nationwide ban of drugs; but, they still get into the country and into our communities. Just because the Supreme Court says it's now "legal" to own a gun doesn't mean that all the criminals are going to load up on weapons like it's the Sunday before the Forth of July at Sam's Club.

These criminals already have found ways to get guns into D.C. and use these illegal weapons to kill people. Even with the gun ban lifted, the weapons will still probably be illegal. Gangsters like big guns (i.e. AK-47, AR-15, Mac10, etc.) I don't think these types of weapons can "easily" be purchased at your local gun shop. However, I could be wrong since I'm not exactly the gun connoisseur. I could imagine that could possibly benefit from the lifting of the gun ban would be the law abiding citizen looking to protect him or herself from local thugs. Would having a hand gun in the home give a person a piece of mind? It sure would allow me to sleep better at night knowing that if someone ever tried to forcefully enter my home I would have a firearm that I could use to protect myself and my family.

Sure criminals can choose to purchase these now legal weapons; however, from my experience (not saying I'm a criminal, but I have encountered a few at some point in my life) gangsters like untraceable weapons. They usually like to murder people and not go to jail. Forensic scientists can easily trace bullet markings back to almost any gun. This would make it pretty easy for law enforcement to track down these killers by pinpointing the weapon, learning what shops in the area sell these weapons and who recently purchased them in the area. In addition, I doubt criminals that wish to quickly obtain their weapons would be too thrilled about waiting the mandatory time period required to purchase a weapon, as required by the Brady Bill. The Brady Bill also requires a background check before a gun is actually issued to the purchaser. Now, how many thugs and criminals do you know that are willing to subject themselves to a background check, especially to purchase a gun they plan to use to kill someone?

With the underworld everything is done underground. Criminals purchase their guns in empty lots from out of the back of a truck from some "fast talking" city slicker from New York that has some untraceable, unmarked weapons with no "bodies" attached (never been used to kill anyone). With that being said, I don't think that this controversial ruling is very controversial at all.

Let the people in D.C. have their guns. Criminals will always be criminals and gun crimes are inevitable; especially in the United States.

Just my 0.02 cents.

BJ CJ