The Real Housewives Of New Jersey Brawl And Don Lemon Out

For some reason the news about the latest doings of The Real Housewives Of New Jersey is more interesting to me that Facebook and Twitter friend Don Lemon announcing he's gay.

Don, good for you for coming out. But I gotta be honest: I'm happy because now I know I don't have you to compete with for the attention of single women in Atlanta! Don's an excellent television journalist and a good brotha - let's leave it at that. It's about as important as Ricky Martin coming out, and I didn't think that was a big deal either.

But, that doesn't mean Don's off the hook for giving Kyra Phillips just a rose for Valentine's Day:



Now, regarding The Real Housewives Of New Jersey, the news is about that wonderful action good for headlines: a brawl. And before we get to the "yous" who started it, here's the video, courtesy of Hulu.com:



Apparently, according to New York Magazine, since this blogger doesn't religiously follow The Real Housewives Of New Jersey, the whole deal started at a reception at a place called The Manor, when a totally hammered Joe Gorga tells Teresa, the sister-in-law of Melissa Gorga, mother of Baby Joey who was christened that day, to "just walk away. Go," as she came over only to say congratulations.

Now, my Italian friends would call a guy like Joe a "mamaluke," which is slang for someone who does something stupid. Which he did, because when Teresa didn't go away, he called her "garbage," and then pounds the table with both fists. Well, that's enough for Joe Giudice, Terera's husband, to want to pound Joe Gorga, and, as they say, it's on!

Now, is all of this news? Well, yeah. People are searching for it. Personally, if San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi had a little of the TV producer in him, he'd take all of those videos of San Francisco Police Officers doing bad things, put them all together and call it The Real Streets Of San Francisco.

Just saying.

Stay tuned.

American Jobless: “Red, White and Broke”

American Jobless: “Red, White and Broke” seems to be the new reality for millions of unemployed in this country.

Is Obama listening? Well, according to an article in the James River Journal about a meeting between the President and the CBC (Congressional Black Caucus), Obama just might be. From the article:

The President mentioned he wants to possibly attach the 99ers money to some other big piece of legislation somehow… which piece, how and when is unclear… The Congressional Black Caucus continues to bring the issue of unemployment benefits to the table. In this case the big table in the State Dinning room at the White House. Were it not for the persistence of Rep. Barbara Lee the issue would never be discussed in the White House. Much like so many other issues (high incarceration, programs for the poor, and so on) they focus on — almost no one else in Congress — is doing so.

The unemployed, “are begging for help and I think that the Congressional Black Caucus and the president are both interested in trying to come up with some means of addressing that and doing it rather quickly,” said CBC Chair Emanuel Cleaver.

The bad news for 99ers: The President does not seem deeply motivated to to actively support unemployment benefits in general terms. He understands that getting legislation through Congress without a trick play will be difficult. The White House also seems to bothered by the idea of bringing “unemployment” up while at the same time arguing that “jobs are being added and things are “slowly improving.” As 2012 approaches, the White House would seem more interested in PR and pandering to certain vote blocks than in “doing the right thing.” The “doing the right thing” argument has been brought up as a motivating reason to support H.R. 589 by several CBC members. The issue of stimulating the economy has also been mentioned. Problem is: Obama and his political strategists are assuming the black vote is theirs 24/7 no matter what. With that said, why act on initiatives being pushed by black representatives in Congress? Where is the leverage? White House efforts to placate voting blocks going into 2012 can clearly be seen in the non stop focus over the last month on immigration and The Dream Act — two issues important to the Hispanic community. Just yesterday, the President three Hispanic related events on his schedule. Hispanics gave President Obam a low approval rating in a recent poll and their vote is important in 2012.

When the issue is discussed it happens because it is pushed on him rather than the other way around. Just as a backgrounder on the CBC/Obama meeting in general: The CBC members controlled 94% of the discussion. They, led by Chair Emanuel Cleaver, came up with the policy suggestions and the topics of discussion. The President, in his usual listening posture, made a few suggestions and threw out a few “my staff will followup…” statements here and there.

The thing here is that America’s jobless millions are being beat up at every turn. Check out the following links to get a clearer picture of just what is happening all over the USA to America’s Unemployed millions:

Kicking the Jobless

Going Back on the Deal

Jobless aid in Arizona is in limbo

South Carolina UI Benefits: May Be Next To Slash Jobless Aid

Long-term jobless see reduction in benefits - USATODAY.com

FLORIDA: Unemployment Benefits Denied For Misconduct Outside Office?

Bleaker outlook for New Mexico's unemployed

Held Hostage Over the Debt Ceiling

MOi lawmakers wrangled over dogs, the unemployed and designer license plates

99ers and the Long-term Unemployed Are the Elephants in the Economic Recovery Room

CBC budget proposal includes $16B for HR589

When you look at what is happening in America today, it is easy to see that lawmakers in every state as well as Washington, DC are kicking the jobless to the curb when it was their own greed and incompetence that brought these problems upon the masses. The USA is in such a deep hole today, unless there is swift and effective immediate action to fix the unemployment problem and put Americans back on the job - the USA will permanently lose their long held prestige and prominence of being a world leader. Then again, maybe that is just what it is going to take for Americans to get off their “complacent back-sides” and take to the streets to DEMAND better from Congress and Obama.

[please donate so I can keep on fighting for the 99ers! Thank You!]

Zazzle Bay To Breakers Talking Dog Search 2011

The first Zennie62 Zazzle Bay To Breakers Talking Dog Search 2011 is over, and the result is, well, er, there, ok, almost was a talking dog.

But the dog was preoccupied with a man in a wheelchair. Poor puppy was silent and focused. Couldn't get a word out of him if i tried, and as the video shows, I tried.

This blogger's search for at least one talking dog at the 100th Bay To Breakers started from the moment I got off the BART train, where, upon running into my friend Dave, asked him if he had a talking dog. Dave said his dog went off to New York for a week, and I speculated that we may see him on The Late Show With David Letterman.

I then went to my friend, KRON Channel 4 San Francisco's Mr. Involvement Vern Glenn and SF Police Officer Carcelen in search of a Talking Dog. Officer Carcelen said that I could find one in a few hours, after people got hammered, then they would be crawling on all fours.

So, I figured I'd spring the question on Bay To Breakers GM Angela Fang. Expecting that I would ask a serious question, it hit her from left field and the look on her face was priceless!

Yeah, this was fun. But I do wish some dog caretakers would let their dogs talk. It would save humanity!

In all, I asked almost everyone I encountered: two women at the Park Chalet, assorted dog walkers, two Ghostbusters - you name em, I asked em.

There was another dog that fit the qualification - a cute little Shih-Tzu - Poodle mix that was just lapping-up the attention. But, not a bark at all.

Well, I tried.

Bay To Breakers - 100th Zazzle Bay To Breakers Winning Runners Video

This, above, is the video companion to the blog on the 100th Zazzle Bay To Breakers race. In it, we hear that Ridouane Harroufi said he was determined to "win" this time, since, as race Elite Athlete Coordinator Josh Muxen said, "we keep bring him back" until he wins.

Jack pot!

Also in the video are women's winner, Lineth Chepkurui, and the legendary Meb Keflezighi, with Cal's Bolota Asmeron. Women's second place winner Mamitu Daska, and Michelle Evans, with her friend Heidi, also appear in the video.

Here's the original blog post, below.

Bay To Breakers finish line, a photo by zennie62 on Flickr.

The man crossing the finish line in the photo is the overall winner of the 2011 Bay To Breakers. His name is Ridouane Harroufi - the Moroccan become the first non-Kenyan to win the Zazzle Bay To Breakers. Later expressing a desire to "win it all," Harroufi's time of 34.26 didn't set the record, and he won by three seconds, but it was enough to clear his objective.

Lineth Chepkurui, a Kenyan, continued her dominance of the Bay to Breakers, winning for the second straight year and for the third time since 2008. Chepkurui's time, 39:12, came even though she complained of a minor hip pain that she feared would hamper her performance this year. It didn't.

The pre-race greatly hyped Meb Keflezighi finished in 7th place with a time of 35:34. Hey, give Meb credit; it was his first Bay to Breakers race.

The first Americans to win for the men and women were Jason Hartmann of Boulder, Colorado, and Oakland's Magdalena Lewy-Boulet. Her time was 41:26; his time was 35:28.

Other notable finishers were Stanford's Annie Bersagel and Cal's Bolota Asmeron, who posted times of 42:09 and 36:40, respectively.

As this blog post is created, this blogger is at the press tent in front of thousands of people crossing the finish line, and on a day where it was scheduled to rain.

Thankfully, it didn't happen. As Chepkurui later remarked, the weather was "perfect."

Stay tuned. I still haven't spotted that Talking Dog yet.

Oh, and about that Talking Dog search....

On Stephen Hawking, Heaven, Orgasm, and Fairy Tales

Famed scientist Stephen Hawking says that Heaven is a fairy tale. Aside from the obvious fact that man never experienced an orgasm, the point of it all is to have faith in the existence of Heaven. It's not for me to prove to you that it exists. (And if I have to spell it out for ya, when one reaches orgasm they say "Oh God." Hawking has three kids.)

I think Hawking is just plain afraid to die, but rather than admit that fear, he goes off on those who have faith in God and that they will be in Heaven when they pass on.

I'm also tired of the media propping up one more old white male professor to tell me that God and Heaven don't exist, and in a way that makes human have faith in the scientists and not God. Ever notice how it always makes them look good? 'Oh. I'm smarter than you.'

Geez.

For example, someone on Twitter asked me to prove the "existence of Heaven." My Twitter tweet was...

@zennie62 Zennie Abraham
@noveldevice WHAT. You want proof that Heaven exists? Go find it yourself! I'm out golfing!

That person came to me, and is having a hard time wrapping her mind around the concept of faith, or that I'm more interested in golf that preaching to her. If she's a PhD student, she can figure it out herself.

But then, one doesn't need a Phd...

And, again, Stephen Hawking fails to mention the Devil and Hell. Which could only mean that he's a messenger of the Devil, and sent from Hell.

Just my take.

San Francisco Event: America's Cup Yachts Sail into SF, Tuesday

This press release on a special Tuesday San Francisco event - " America's Cup Yachts Sail into SF" - was sent today:

TWO YACHTS REPRESENTING AMERICA’S CUP HISTORY SAIL INTO SAN FRANCISCO
USA 76 and Replica of AMERICA Come to San Francisco Bay in support of 34th America's Cup

WHAT: In support of the 34th America’s Cup, AMERICA and USA 76 are coming to San Francisco to allow residents and visitors the opportunity to experience the excitement of authentic America’s Cup yachts. Operated by Troy Sears, the yachts will offer trips to individuals, groups or corporate parties beginning May 25, 2011 through September 2011.



AMERICA is a replica of the 139-foot yacht that won the Royal Yacht Squadron's "100 Guinea Cup" race around the Isle of Wight held in 1851. The replica was built in 1995 at a cost of more than $6 million. It now serves as a sailing vessel for entertainment and hospitality events, private charters and individual sails for up to 80 people, and will be operational in San Francisco through September 2011 before it returns to San Diego.



USA 76 is an 85 foot International America's Cup Class yacht previously owned and raced by the ORACLE Racing Team in their challenge for the 2003 America's Cup held in Auckland, New Zealand.

WHEN: Tuesday, May 17 - 8:00 - 8"30 am.

WHERE: Boats will sail under Golden Gate Bridge and along Cityfront to PIER 39

TICKETS: USA 76 and yacht America are operated by Troy Sears. To make reservations and purchase tickets for USA 76 or yacht AMERICA, call 1 - 855 - ACSF 2013 (855 - 227 - 3201)

CONTACT: Beth Schnitzer, SPRITZ, beth@spritzsf.com, cell: 917 - 287 - 7064

AT&T Bait-And Switch DIRECTV Update: AT&T Comes Through

On Saturday, this blogger fired off a hot blog post about AT&T and how it appeared that the representatives were trying to turn me toward AT&T U-verse, when I just wanted high-speed Internet service.

Well, thanks for my use of new media, including Twitter, and a blog post deliberately coded to get the attention of AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson, AT&T Public Relations saw and read my blog post, and a representative by the name of Rose called me - three times until she got a hold of me on the phone - on Saturday.

She apologized for my experience, and explained that AT&T U-verse wasn't only a system to replace DIRECTV; I can keep my DIRECTV service and still have high-speed Internet, provided under the AT&T U-Verse brand.

She also said she would make sure that my Wednesday appointment for installation was kept.

What this shows is the following:

1) That new media - or if you prefer "social media" - can and does eliminate the barriers between people and corporations.

2) That some companies do understand the power of social media, or what I call "social broadcasting", and have employees designated to respond to complaints that appear on, in this case, Google News and Twitter.

3) That anyone can build such a "social broadcasting" system as I have constructed.

Finally, this is, I must be honest to blog, the first positive experience I have had with AT&T. I was an iPhone user, until AT&T put the same $1,033.36 charge on my phone bill each month, said it was a mistake, then a whole new set of AT&T employees said it wasn't a mistake. I cut my contract.

That's right. The exact same charge, each month.

I even had a conference call with an AT&T rep and an American Express rep, just to get AMEX to ignore the charge each time it popped up.

That was three years ago.

And later that same year I had AT&T wireless service that never worked, and was the focus of a successful class action lawsuit.

I bought a Samsung T-Mobile phone because it looked like an iPhone, but without the AT&T hassle that came with it.

And before that, there was my experience with a defective Cingular cell phone, just before Cingular was consumed by AT&T:



So, with all of that bad history, I'm giving AT&T one more try. This time, I think it's going to work.

At least, I have faith.

Stay tuned.

Ridoune Harroufi, Bay To Breakers winner, with Josh Muxen, Angela Fang, and Katie Harrar

Allison, Courtney, and Stephanie: Media PR Rock Stars

IMF's Dominique Strauss-Khan proves that having a big title does not mean you have common sense.
Married dude accused of rape.

Zazzle Bay to Breakers Director Angela Fang: Winning

Bay to Breakers winners with Angela Fang, a photo by zennie62 on Flickr.

For as much criticism and, at points, awful comments from activists and some bloggers over the years, Zazzle Bay To Breakers General Manager Angela Fang (third from left in the photo) must be congratulated for pulling off what everyone here says has been a successful 100th Bay To Breakers.

Over the last decade, Fang has seen everything from rains, record-breakers, and drunks, over the evolution of San Francisco's giant excuse to party.

But Fang's biggest challenge has been dealing with angry community groups who want change on one side, and "race preservationists" who want nothing about the Bay To Breakers to change, including the floats and open containers of booze.

Fang has weathered all of the public relations turmoil with a smile and a determination to complete the job of producing what really is a magnificently complex undertaking. It's no small feat to coordinate an event that draws over 100,000 people.

And like, say, Comic Con in San Diego, those 100,000 people aren't under one roof - they're all over the place! The potential for disaster is extremely high, and Fang's team has experienced a number of events that could have gone extremely bad.

One of them, involved Ken Bye, who had a heart attack while running the 2010 Bay To Breakers, went into a coma, then came out of it, only to go into another one sometime later. Mr. Bye's back this year, walking with a group of supporters.

Rather than cover an event like that up, Fang and her staff talk about their support for Mr. Bye, and celebrate his return to The Bay To Breakers.

So, if you happen to see Ms. Fang on the streets of San Francisco, give her a nice statement of congratulations. She deserves it.

Bay to Breakers winners with Angela Fang