At yesterday's opening of the 2007 NAB Show convention, Apple's vice president of applications product marketing Robert Schoeben gave a speech and- as expected, released new products for the Mac.
Both of the products are in the Final Cut Studio family.
Final Cut Studio 2 is a complete update of the application that integrated Final Cut Pro; Soundtrack Pro; DVD Studio Pro; Compressor; and Motion into one package. This second generation version contains a new program called Color, which will be used for color gradation and correction.
Final Cut Server is targeted for news organization and media- video and film- production facilities. It will work with all of the FCS products- Final Cut Pro 6; Motion 3; Soundtrack Pro 2; Compressor 3; DVD Studio Pro 4; and Color- and will update revisions for live news broadcasts and other post production needs.
Final Cut Studio 2 will retail at the current price of $1299, and will be on shelves next month. Final Cut Server will be out this summer.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
CNN.com
ESPN: The Worldwide Leader In Sports Widget
Monday, April 16, 2007
Saturday, April 14, 2007
What Will Apple Release This Time?- Chapter Three
Sunday is the start of the 2007 National Association of Broadcasters convention in Las Vegas, Nevada.
And no doubt, it will be an exciting time.
So the question is: what will Apple release this time?
Well, I know what they won't- and I have a bone to pick with them about, so let's get the damn thing done and over with, 'kay?
Leopard. It was supposed to be released in late June, along with iPhone. iPhone is on schedule to be in Cingular customers' hands by then. But as for Leopard, apparently, Apple has pulled a Microsoft and pushed the release date for Leopard back to October- although the beta for Leopard will be released to developers at the World Wide developers Conference in June. Apple wants to make sure that Leopard is good and ready before it reaches the public- in other words, it doesn't want to have the same troubles that Windows Vista is having now with compatibility issues.
But, come on, Apple. The suspense is killing us Mac-heads here.
Now that I'm done bitching, there is speculation that Apple will release a new version of Final Cut Studio- due, in part, to the anticipation of competition in the form of Adobe's Production Studio for Mac (which is part of the Creative Suite family) that will be released in June or July.
I'll be back here in a few days to talk about the releases- if any- from Apple.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
And no doubt, it will be an exciting time.
So the question is: what will Apple release this time?
Well, I know what they won't- and I have a bone to pick with them about, so let's get the damn thing done and over with, 'kay?
Leopard. It was supposed to be released in late June, along with iPhone. iPhone is on schedule to be in Cingular customers' hands by then. But as for Leopard, apparently, Apple has pulled a Microsoft and pushed the release date for Leopard back to October- although the beta for Leopard will be released to developers at the World Wide developers Conference in June. Apple wants to make sure that Leopard is good and ready before it reaches the public- in other words, it doesn't want to have the same troubles that Windows Vista is having now with compatibility issues.
But, come on, Apple. The suspense is killing us Mac-heads here.
Now that I'm done bitching, there is speculation that Apple will release a new version of Final Cut Studio- due, in part, to the anticipation of competition in the form of Adobe's Production Studio for Mac (which is part of the Creative Suite family) that will be released in June or July.
I'll be back here in a few days to talk about the releases- if any- from Apple.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
In A Perfect World, Race Would Just Be Another Word For 'Competition'
As we all know by now, Don Imus has been fired from CBS Radio. The Don Imus debacle has set off something that, I personally as a black male, am getting increasingly tired of. The discussion of race. Now, let me tell you my view on this. I don't care what color you are, what your race is, and what your sexual orientation is. As long as you contribute to the world at large, and help make it a better place, race, skin color and sexual orientation shouldn't even come into the equation.
But apparently, for a good number of people, it does. And here, in the greatest country in the world, it's obvious that we can't even get along with each other- no matter if it's an ax to grind for people of different races, or even the same race.
Now, I'm going to show you a few clips- thanks to the folks who placed them on YouTube (as always, I'll give credit where credit's due). First off, the offending words of Don Imus.
lestarr21/YouTube/MSNBC
Like I said on Tuesday night, I personally didn't find the comment racist, just idiotic. But his comment has, no doubt, touched off a firestorm that no one seems to want put out.
deiphilus/YouTube/MSNBC
This is clip one of the Rutgers Womens' Basketball team, you've just watched. Obviously, none of them look anything like 'nappy-headed hos'. They're girl scouts, valedictorians; and above 3.0 GPAs. Obviously, they're smart, and very intelligent.
Clip 2...
deiphilus/YouTube/MSNBC
Let's look at responses- from those who want the I-Man's head burned on the stake, and for those who defend him, saying that he just made a mistake. Although I've already made my verdict, I'll remain impartial and neutral here, in this forum. And I'll take a page from the Fox News Channel, and remain 'fair and balanced', letting you decide for yourselves. I'll put a few comments in when appropriate.
First, I'll go on the 'I-Man Defenders' side, having heard already from someone on the 'Burn Imus' side.
apalmg/YouTube
The young man here is right. The African-American community has as much responsibility for this as does Imus. Now, I don't necessarily believe completely that many black folks who buy rap or hip-hop music are tainted by rappers who use incinderary words such as nigga, and ho, and bitch, but I do agree that those (blacks) who do allow themselves to be tainted are, in a sense, bringing down the black community (but here again, I must interject that if we allow them to...). The rap and hip-hop community needs to take a good look at itself, and ask itself, is this the image we want to show the world? The shootings, the spanking and shaking of womens' backsides (though I personally find nothing wrong with that. Some women are actually turned on by that, but that's a different animal for a different day...).
We as African-Americans can do a lot better otherwise.
Now back to the Pro-Imus side. Here we hear from our favorite conservative fashionista, the always gorgeous Ann Hart Coulter:
newshoundblog/YouTube
I have to agree with Ann here- to a point. Imus should apologize to the team, and I already said that I didn't think Imus intended the comments to be racial in nature.
Next week, he will talk to the team.
Back to the anti-Imus crowd, we'll hear from Minister Paul Scott from TRUTH:
minps/YouTube
The firestorm continues. Let's hear from the pro-Imus crowd.
patriotaction/YouTube
Yes, Don Imus is a shock jock, but that still doesn't excuse his actions.
One more from the anti-Imus crowd:
whatupLauren/YouTube
So we've heard from all sides here.
Now, here's my take on the situation. What Don Imus did was reckless, irresponsible, and caused a lot of unintended consequences. While I do not think that his 'nappy-headed hos' comment was intended to be racially insensitive, his remarks set off a continuing pattern of the incinderary racial politics. I do not think that Imus needs to be fired because of perceived racial remarks. I believe that he must be fired for stepping beyond the line of responsible behavior. He had degraded and humiliated the Rutgers womens basketball team in such a manner that may have cause irreversible damage to their psyches. Sure, I'm no psychiatrist- and I do not pretend to be one. But when I heard and watched those young ladies speak, my heart sank they said that Imus' comments had ruined a great moment- they had come off a tough loss to Tennessee, in which they fought very hard on the basketball court at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Those ladies deserve our sympathy, our love, and our support. Don Imus, believe it or not, also deserves our love, and support as he, too, is struggling over this. But it does not change the fact that he has crossed the line from plain comedy to a minefield in which he may never recover from this time.
As for my beloved African-American community, I too must hold you to the fire. The use of the word nigger- in any form- needs to stop. The images of women's backsides being slapped and shaking in music videos...that's debatable, but personally, I find nothing wrong with seeing such images. What I'm sayingm, however, is to the hip-hop and rap communities, you have a responsibility to conduct yourselves in such exemplary demeanor, as a new generation of young- predominantly black- youth look up to you. Being arrested on gun, drug, or even sexual assault charges is not the way to show the kids how successful you are. If anything, it would be better for the black youth to look up to such figures as Time Warner's Richard Parsons, who is the CEO; and Earl Graves, Sr, of
Black Enterprise magazine. James DePriest, who for 25 years, conducted the Oregon Symphony as its' musical director (he is now the Symphony's lauraete music director; and principal conductor of the Tokyo Symphony, among other accomplishments). If you want to go one better, Barack Obama, who may be our next President of the United States. You are our future. Do not under any circumstances let it die out.
In closing, I challenge every one of us to one, take a breather; and two, if you like, have a dialogue and begin the healing.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
But apparently, for a good number of people, it does. And here, in the greatest country in the world, it's obvious that we can't even get along with each other- no matter if it's an ax to grind for people of different races, or even the same race.
Now, I'm going to show you a few clips- thanks to the folks who placed them on YouTube (as always, I'll give credit where credit's due). First off, the offending words of Don Imus.
lestarr21/YouTube/MSNBC
Like I said on Tuesday night, I personally didn't find the comment racist, just idiotic. But his comment has, no doubt, touched off a firestorm that no one seems to want put out.
deiphilus/YouTube/MSNBC
This is clip one of the Rutgers Womens' Basketball team, you've just watched. Obviously, none of them look anything like 'nappy-headed hos'. They're girl scouts, valedictorians; and above 3.0 GPAs. Obviously, they're smart, and very intelligent.
Clip 2...
deiphilus/YouTube/MSNBC
Let's look at responses- from those who want the I-Man's head burned on the stake, and for those who defend him, saying that he just made a mistake. Although I've already made my verdict, I'll remain impartial and neutral here, in this forum. And I'll take a page from the Fox News Channel, and remain 'fair and balanced', letting you decide for yourselves. I'll put a few comments in when appropriate.
First, I'll go on the 'I-Man Defenders' side, having heard already from someone on the 'Burn Imus' side.
apalmg/YouTube
The young man here is right. The African-American community has as much responsibility for this as does Imus. Now, I don't necessarily believe completely that many black folks who buy rap or hip-hop music are tainted by rappers who use incinderary words such as nigga, and ho, and bitch, but I do agree that those (blacks) who do allow themselves to be tainted are, in a sense, bringing down the black community (but here again, I must interject that if we allow them to...). The rap and hip-hop community needs to take a good look at itself, and ask itself, is this the image we want to show the world? The shootings, the spanking and shaking of womens' backsides (though I personally find nothing wrong with that. Some women are actually turned on by that, but that's a different animal for a different day...).
We as African-Americans can do a lot better otherwise.
Now back to the Pro-Imus side. Here we hear from our favorite conservative fashionista, the always gorgeous Ann Hart Coulter:
newshoundblog/YouTube
I have to agree with Ann here- to a point. Imus should apologize to the team, and I already said that I didn't think Imus intended the comments to be racial in nature.
Next week, he will talk to the team.
Back to the anti-Imus crowd, we'll hear from Minister Paul Scott from TRUTH:
minps/YouTube
The firestorm continues. Let's hear from the pro-Imus crowd.
patriotaction/YouTube
Yes, Don Imus is a shock jock, but that still doesn't excuse his actions.
One more from the anti-Imus crowd:
whatupLauren/YouTube
So we've heard from all sides here.
Now, here's my take on the situation. What Don Imus did was reckless, irresponsible, and caused a lot of unintended consequences. While I do not think that his 'nappy-headed hos' comment was intended to be racially insensitive, his remarks set off a continuing pattern of the incinderary racial politics. I do not think that Imus needs to be fired because of perceived racial remarks. I believe that he must be fired for stepping beyond the line of responsible behavior. He had degraded and humiliated the Rutgers womens basketball team in such a manner that may have cause irreversible damage to their psyches. Sure, I'm no psychiatrist- and I do not pretend to be one. But when I heard and watched those young ladies speak, my heart sank they said that Imus' comments had ruined a great moment- they had come off a tough loss to Tennessee, in which they fought very hard on the basketball court at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Those ladies deserve our sympathy, our love, and our support. Don Imus, believe it or not, also deserves our love, and support as he, too, is struggling over this. But it does not change the fact that he has crossed the line from plain comedy to a minefield in which he may never recover from this time.
As for my beloved African-American community, I too must hold you to the fire. The use of the word nigger- in any form- needs to stop. The images of women's backsides being slapped and shaking in music videos...that's debatable, but personally, I find nothing wrong with seeing such images. What I'm sayingm, however, is to the hip-hop and rap communities, you have a responsibility to conduct yourselves in such exemplary demeanor, as a new generation of young- predominantly black- youth look up to you. Being arrested on gun, drug, or even sexual assault charges is not the way to show the kids how successful you are. If anything, it would be better for the black youth to look up to such figures as Time Warner's Richard Parsons, who is the CEO; and Earl Graves, Sr, of
Black Enterprise magazine. James DePriest, who for 25 years, conducted the Oregon Symphony as its' musical director (he is now the Symphony's lauraete music director; and principal conductor of the Tokyo Symphony, among other accomplishments). If you want to go one better, Barack Obama, who may be our next President of the United States. You are our future. Do not under any circumstances let it die out.
In closing, I challenge every one of us to one, take a breather; and two, if you like, have a dialogue and begin the healing.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
The House of Cash Burns Down
The home where the late Johnny Cash, and his wife, the late June Carter Cash created music- and one son- was destroyed by fire today.
The lakeside home in Hendersonville, outside of Nashville, had entertained US presidents, fellow musicians from many genres, and even ordinary folk.
Firefighters say that the home, purchased by Bee Gee Barry Gibb last year, was likely destroyed by a wood treatment chemical that ignited and caused the flame to rapidly engulf the house.
I have the link from WSMV Nashville. Just click on the title.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
The lakeside home in Hendersonville, outside of Nashville, had entertained US presidents, fellow musicians from many genres, and even ordinary folk.
Firefighters say that the home, purchased by Bee Gee Barry Gibb last year, was likely destroyed by a wood treatment chemical that ignited and caused the flame to rapidly engulf the house.
I have the link from WSMV Nashville. Just click on the title.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
A Gay Classic Turns 25
SuperPat1972/YouTube
If it weren't for a friend doing comparisons of Martha Wash's size, I wouldn't have taken a look at this video.
As I watched it, it dawned on me that this song, It's Raining Men, by The Weather Girls, may have hit a milestone. So, thanks to the jolly good folks at Google, I had to find out when this song came out.
All you gorgeous hunks out there who love your men, and all you women who love your men (no matter the sexual orientation), start dancing!
It's Raining Men is 25!
When this song came out in 1982, it was written by Paul Jabara and Paul Shaffer- yes, that Paul Shaffer! It was offered to Donna Summer; Teena Marie (Lovergirl); Diana Ross (what? Boss Ross turned it down?!!); even Cher before the duo The Weather Girls- Martha Wash and the late Izora Armstead- accepted it and made it their own (Diana turned it down...why? And Cher? What was she thinking when she said no?...sheesh!). It had hit number 34 on the US Billboard R&B charts, 46 in the Top 100; and number 1 in the Hot Dance Club Play charts. It was #2 in Britain.
The song has since been remade by RuPaul- you knew this would happen sooner or later! (he and Wash dueted on the 1997 version); the Spice Girl's Geri Halliwell in 2001, and last year by a group called Young Divas.
But as for the song and its' connection to the gay community, almost every gay man on the planet immediately took to the song, which explains why it's a gay anthem 25 years after its' release. It's campy...the video's a bit humorous, and it's fun to watch.
Of course, it's the theme song to a cute little skit on Fox's
In Living Color. Can anyone guess what that is?
jennifer990/YouTube/Fox
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
I'll Be Expecting Your Resignation Soon, Mr. Imus
In this blog last night, I wrote an entry mentioning that folks- mainly, black folks- should stop playing victim. While I stand by those words, I also must say that there are times when it's appropriate when black folks should speak up when something is amiss.
I'm watching the Rutgers womens' basketball team right now, conducting a press conference, and now that I've heard from the other side, and how those comments hurt those young women- many of them black- I believe that Don Imus must resign, or get fired over his comments.
While I still believe that his comments were in bad taste, and not so much a racial or sexist knock, what the 'I-man' -as his fans call him- said was deplorable. Was uncalled for, and for that, he must get the ax.
On NBC's Today, Imus said that he's a "good person who said a bad thing." Okay, so he's a good person. Adolf Hitler was a bad person who thought he was doing a good thing when he exterminated six million Jews. Point is that neither action- Imus' comments or Hitler's genocidal tendencies- are excusable.
In the nearly 40 years that Imus has been on air, he has made insensitive comments toward blacks, women, and others. Sure, he calls it comedy, but at what cost? Misogyny; homophobia, perhaps. Of course, racial politics play a big part in this as well. It shows that even though we as a nation have come far in healing race relations, we still have much more work to do.
Imus owes the Rutgers womens' basketball team a big apology- and I mean practically begging, on his knees (if that what it takes) to those young ladies for calling them "nappy-headed hos". The women I watched at the press conference- courtesy of ABC News- are intelligent; bright. Extremely smart. And probably could outshoot, outplay, and outdefend Don Imus any day, any time, any place.
Don Imus, in addition to apologizing to the team, must turn in his resignation- effective immediately- to MSNBC and CBS Radio. He must take time off from radio, think about why his actions brought him to the point he is now, and if he ever decides to return to radio, he could return a better person.
But until he can prove to America that he's no insensitive shock jock, Imus must leave the airwaves. And stay off. Click here for the video from ABC News, http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=3028005
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
I'm watching the Rutgers womens' basketball team right now, conducting a press conference, and now that I've heard from the other side, and how those comments hurt those young women- many of them black- I believe that Don Imus must resign, or get fired over his comments.
While I still believe that his comments were in bad taste, and not so much a racial or sexist knock, what the 'I-man' -as his fans call him- said was deplorable. Was uncalled for, and for that, he must get the ax.
On NBC's Today, Imus said that he's a "good person who said a bad thing." Okay, so he's a good person. Adolf Hitler was a bad person who thought he was doing a good thing when he exterminated six million Jews. Point is that neither action- Imus' comments or Hitler's genocidal tendencies- are excusable.
In the nearly 40 years that Imus has been on air, he has made insensitive comments toward blacks, women, and others. Sure, he calls it comedy, but at what cost? Misogyny; homophobia, perhaps. Of course, racial politics play a big part in this as well. It shows that even though we as a nation have come far in healing race relations, we still have much more work to do.
Imus owes the Rutgers womens' basketball team a big apology- and I mean practically begging, on his knees (if that what it takes) to those young ladies for calling them "nappy-headed hos". The women I watched at the press conference- courtesy of ABC News- are intelligent; bright. Extremely smart. And probably could outshoot, outplay, and outdefend Don Imus any day, any time, any place.
Don Imus, in addition to apologizing to the team, must turn in his resignation- effective immediately- to MSNBC and CBS Radio. He must take time off from radio, think about why his actions brought him to the point he is now, and if he ever decides to return to radio, he could return a better person.
But until he can prove to America that he's no insensitive shock jock, Imus must leave the airwaves. And stay off. Click here for the video from ABC News, http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=3028005
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
Monday, April 09, 2007
Much Ado About Butkus: The Fuss Over Don Imus' "Nappy Headed Hos" Comment
Last week, MSNBC and talk radio legend Don Imus made a comment about the Rutgers womens' basketball team. He referred to them as "nappy-headed hos". Everyone from the NAACP to NOW (National Organization for Women) are now calling for his ouster. MSNBC- which airs his show live every morning- along with CBS Radio have suspended Imus for two weeks under pressure, and now his job is on the line.
Many call the 'nappy-headed hos' comment racist. Me? Honestly, I really don't see what the big fuss is over it. I mean, if he had referred to them as, say, "them nigger bitches, or those no-playing coons", that might raise my ire a bit. But "nappy-headed hos"? I just don't see why anyone should really be offended about this. Sure, it was kind of insulting as a kid- after all, who wanted to be running around with naps in your hair? But if anything, I think Imus used bad taste when he said this, and never intended for the comment to be racial in nature. I think that these same folks- in particularly the black community- should just laugh at the comment and say, "Imus, you're a damn fool," and just let it go.
But instead, if one little hair falls out of place in the African-American community (in which I'm a part of) -and I'm talking figuratively here- a good number of us start crying foul or worse, racism. It's as if we black folks enjoy playing victim.
I'm sorry, kids, but this African-American blogger isn't one of those who cries racism everytime I hear a nigger spewed out of someone's mouth. (If it moves to physical fisticuffs, however, I'll just have to take the person out...no ifs, ands, or buttafuocos about it...). Sure, there's a bit of racism on the planet, but people, just get past it. Hold your heads up high, and live your lives. After all, you don't see too many white people cry racism everytime they hear a honky or cracker coming out of some black or Latino person's mouth, do you?
Stop playing victim, peeps.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
Many call the 'nappy-headed hos' comment racist. Me? Honestly, I really don't see what the big fuss is over it. I mean, if he had referred to them as, say, "them nigger bitches, or those no-playing coons", that might raise my ire a bit. But "nappy-headed hos"? I just don't see why anyone should really be offended about this. Sure, it was kind of insulting as a kid- after all, who wanted to be running around with naps in your hair? But if anything, I think Imus used bad taste when he said this, and never intended for the comment to be racial in nature. I think that these same folks- in particularly the black community- should just laugh at the comment and say, "Imus, you're a damn fool," and just let it go.
But instead, if one little hair falls out of place in the African-American community (in which I'm a part of) -and I'm talking figuratively here- a good number of us start crying foul or worse, racism. It's as if we black folks enjoy playing victim.
I'm sorry, kids, but this African-American blogger isn't one of those who cries racism everytime I hear a nigger spewed out of someone's mouth. (If it moves to physical fisticuffs, however, I'll just have to take the person out...no ifs, ands, or buttafuocos about it...). Sure, there's a bit of racism on the planet, but people, just get past it. Hold your heads up high, and live your lives. After all, you don't see too many white people cry racism everytime they hear a honky or cracker coming out of some black or Latino person's mouth, do you?
Stop playing victim, peeps.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Why Couldn't She Just Come Out as a Lesbian?
He met his victims at the mall. He convinced a family to let him stay.He was a seventeen year old boy.
Except he was actually a 'she'. And she isn't 17.
In Everett, Washington- just north of Seattle- 30-year-old Lorelei Josephine Corpuz was arrested Sunday for molesting a 14-year-old girl, and this arrest has everyone involved stunned. They still refer to Corpuz as a 'he', probably because they're having trouble absorbing the news that the person they knew as an orphaned boy was missing...um, how must I put this...let's just say that Corpuz probably wore a strap-on just to fool her victims.
The charges Corpuz face are rape of a child in the third degree, and is currently being held on a $150,000 bond at the Snohomish County jail in Everett.
Click on the title for the full details from Seattle's KOMO 4 News.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
Except he was actually a 'she'. And she isn't 17.
In Everett, Washington- just north of Seattle- 30-year-old Lorelei Josephine Corpuz was arrested Sunday for molesting a 14-year-old girl, and this arrest has everyone involved stunned. They still refer to Corpuz as a 'he', probably because they're having trouble absorbing the news that the person they knew as an orphaned boy was missing...um, how must I put this...let's just say that Corpuz probably wore a strap-on just to fool her victims.
The charges Corpuz face are rape of a child in the third degree, and is currently being held on a $150,000 bond at the Snohomish County jail in Everett.
Click on the title for the full details from Seattle's KOMO 4 News.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
The Newest NRA Training Tape
Caught on tape, is a father showing his two-year son how to hold an AK-47.
In Gretna, Louisiana- across the mississippi River from the New Orleans city center in neighboring Jefferson Parish- a man hands the assault rifle to his diaper-clad two year old son, telling the boy that he's buying the rifle for him. The father shows the boy how to hold, load, and operate the weapon.
Dan Reese, owner of BJ's pawn shop, became irate, and took the weapon away from the father, who got upset with Reese.
Jefferson Parish Sheriff Harry Lee said, however, that no laws were broken, although he was concerned.
Think the NRA will start using this tape for training kids how to use weapons? Sounds like a great idea, if you ask me.
But seriously, you have to think about this a bit. Louisiana- as are many Southern states- is a gun-lovin' (and tobacco-chewing) state. NRA territory, to be honest. Teaching a kid how to use a gun is not uncommon. Although the father, in my opinion, probably used bad taste by parading in the store, I see nothing wrong, or unusual, about what he did.
Just do that parading at home next time, dad.
Click on the title for the news report from New Orleans' WDSU NewsChannel 6.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
In Gretna, Louisiana- across the mississippi River from the New Orleans city center in neighboring Jefferson Parish- a man hands the assault rifle to his diaper-clad two year old son, telling the boy that he's buying the rifle for him. The father shows the boy how to hold, load, and operate the weapon.
Dan Reese, owner of BJ's pawn shop, became irate, and took the weapon away from the father, who got upset with Reese.
Jefferson Parish Sheriff Harry Lee said, however, that no laws were broken, although he was concerned.
Think the NRA will start using this tape for training kids how to use weapons? Sounds like a great idea, if you ask me.
But seriously, you have to think about this a bit. Louisiana- as are many Southern states- is a gun-lovin' (and tobacco-chewing) state. NRA territory, to be honest. Teaching a kid how to use a gun is not uncommon. Although the father, in my opinion, probably used bad taste by parading in the store, I see nothing wrong, or unusual, about what he did.
Just do that parading at home next time, dad.
Click on the title for the news report from New Orleans' WDSU NewsChannel 6.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
Eddie Robinson IS Grambling- And So Much More!
As I look at the tributes pouring in from around the country, one thing stands out. The respect that Eddie Robinson carried and gave. The hard work ethic instilled in him. The intense love he had for his team, and more important, that 74-year love affair with the girl he met in high school- Doris, whom he would be married to in 1941. Behind a good man, they say, is a good woman. And there's no doubt in my mind that Doris was his rock, as he was hers as well. If there's any example of how a marriage should be, just look to the Eddie and Doris Robinsons, and to another extent, the Ruby Dees and Ossie Davises (we lost Ossie last year). Their marriages worked because they lived as a team. One for the other, giving and receiving love unselfishly.
But going back to Coach Rob, he didn't look at his accomplishments as something that should be relegated to just black history. Oh, he has a place in that as well, but he didn't look at his accomplishments as 'just black'. He looked at his accomplishments as something good for all of humankind. White, black, Latino, Asian. The entire world. He felt that he had to give something back, for he was given a unique talent- in this case coaching. And the lessons he gave back could apply to all of us. The lessons that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to, if you just work at it. You do things because you love to- after all, even after he was pressured to retire in the 1990s, he saw it like this, "You can have my coaching job, when you could pry it from my cold dead hands" (to paraphrase the 'Gun from my cold dead hands' quote). Even when his last year of coaching was filled with scandal, Coach Rob still held his head high, and he left the same way he came in. Regardless of what the papers and historians say, he left with dignity in 1997.
Not even the scourge of Alzheimer's would diminish his twinkle. His son, Eddie Robinson, Jr. would show him the tapes of his father's games. As I watched this footage from New Orleans' WWL-TV, Coach Rob would smile, as if he would say, "Those were the days. It's been a very fun ride, indeed."
Now the legend has left for the great football field in the sky. God needed an extra coach on April 3, 2007, and Eddie Gay Robinson, Sr. had answered the call. But on his way to heaven, he looked down on the Earth, smiled at the legacy he left behind. And then ascended on to his heavenly reward.
To his widow, Doris, we thank you for sharing him for so many years. I feel your loss- I found it very difficult not to shed tears as you lost the greatest love and best friend, other than God, of course. To the children, Eddie, Jr. and Lilian, you had the best father any child could have. The lessons you've learned, I'm sure, you've passed on to your children and grandchildren, and to the great-grandchildren as well.
It would not surprise me at all that the students of Grambling State University will return from spring break with heavy hearts, as the school has lost its' biggest booster. They definitely owe a debt of gratitude and thanks to Coach Rob, for it was he who practically put the school on the map. It is hoped that the coaching he taught his players will rub off on the student body as a whole.
I've read this column by ESPN's Gene Wojciechowski (go to it here at http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=wojchiechowski_gene&id=2825782&sportCat=ncf ). He's right when he says that we must not get a case of 'self-imposed Alzheimer's when it comes to rememebering Coach Rob. A bowl game- or even the Bayou Classic game, the Southern University/Grambling State matchup played annually at the Louisana Superdome in New Orleans- must be named or renamed for the titan who put Grambling State where it is today. To do something less would surely disrespect the memory and legacy of Eddie Gay Robinson, Sr.
Shreveport's KTBS 3 did a tribute to him. You can go there by clicking on the title.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
But going back to Coach Rob, he didn't look at his accomplishments as something that should be relegated to just black history. Oh, he has a place in that as well, but he didn't look at his accomplishments as 'just black'. He looked at his accomplishments as something good for all of humankind. White, black, Latino, Asian. The entire world. He felt that he had to give something back, for he was given a unique talent- in this case coaching. And the lessons he gave back could apply to all of us. The lessons that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to, if you just work at it. You do things because you love to- after all, even after he was pressured to retire in the 1990s, he saw it like this, "You can have my coaching job, when you could pry it from my cold dead hands" (to paraphrase the 'Gun from my cold dead hands' quote). Even when his last year of coaching was filled with scandal, Coach Rob still held his head high, and he left the same way he came in. Regardless of what the papers and historians say, he left with dignity in 1997.
Not even the scourge of Alzheimer's would diminish his twinkle. His son, Eddie Robinson, Jr. would show him the tapes of his father's games. As I watched this footage from New Orleans' WWL-TV, Coach Rob would smile, as if he would say, "Those were the days. It's been a very fun ride, indeed."
Now the legend has left for the great football field in the sky. God needed an extra coach on April 3, 2007, and Eddie Gay Robinson, Sr. had answered the call. But on his way to heaven, he looked down on the Earth, smiled at the legacy he left behind. And then ascended on to his heavenly reward.
To his widow, Doris, we thank you for sharing him for so many years. I feel your loss- I found it very difficult not to shed tears as you lost the greatest love and best friend, other than God, of course. To the children, Eddie, Jr. and Lilian, you had the best father any child could have. The lessons you've learned, I'm sure, you've passed on to your children and grandchildren, and to the great-grandchildren as well.
It would not surprise me at all that the students of Grambling State University will return from spring break with heavy hearts, as the school has lost its' biggest booster. They definitely owe a debt of gratitude and thanks to Coach Rob, for it was he who practically put the school on the map. It is hoped that the coaching he taught his players will rub off on the student body as a whole.
I've read this column by ESPN's Gene Wojciechowski (go to it here at http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=wojchiechowski_gene&id=2825782&sportCat=ncf ). He's right when he says that we must not get a case of 'self-imposed Alzheimer's when it comes to rememebering Coach Rob. A bowl game- or even the Bayou Classic game, the Southern University/Grambling State matchup played annually at the Louisana Superdome in New Orleans- must be named or renamed for the titan who put Grambling State where it is today. To do something less would surely disrespect the memory and legacy of Eddie Gay Robinson, Sr.
Shreveport's KTBS 3 did a tribute to him. You can go there by clicking on the title.
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Here's To You, Coach Robinson
He coached a small black college out of a small town in Louisiana. That college has turned out many a NFL star, and his coaching career spanned 57 years. His record was 408 wins, 165 losses, and 15 ties. His career spanned also 11 US presidencies, several wars- from World War II to the conflict in Eastern Europe. And until recently, he was the winningest football coach in college football.
Eddie Gay Robinson began coaching in 1941 at Grambling State, which was at the time called Louisiana Negro and Industrial Institute (the school itself was founded 106 years ago as the Colored Industrial and Agricultural School). That same year, he married his high school sweetheart, Doris, who survives him. During World War II, the football program was put on hold, so Robinson coached at Grambling High. He brought the school a state championship.
When he resumed coaching at Grambling State, the school received national notoriety when running back Paul "Tank" Younger signed with the LA Rams, and became the first black player to enter the NFL. Over the years, NFL scouts would go to Grambling- southeast of Shreveport- to recruit players.
The roster is long, and illustrious- Willie Davis; James Harris; Doug Williams, Willie Brown; and many others. In all, over 200 who played under Robinson went on to play in the NFL, CFL (Canadian Football League), and the now-defunct USFL.
Coach Robinson retired after the 1997 season, where he had two straight losing seasons, and was in the beginning stages of Alzheimer's Disease. But to many, he was- and will always be affectionately- known as 'Coach Robinson'.
Eddie Robinson died Tuesday night, at 88. In addition to being survived by Doris, he is also survived by son Eddie Robinson, Jr; daughter Lilian Rose Robinson; five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
ESPN has a moving tribute to him. Go to this link: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2825016, and watch the video.
In many ways, Robinson defined what college football coaching should be- a compassionate, yet hard driving job. Where men are truly made. Coach Robinson never talked down to his men. He never let his fame get to him, and he made sure that his players knew that they had responsibilities- on and off the field- to be the best they can be.
May the current coach, Rod Broadway, continue Coach Robinson's legacy, and keep the Grambling State Tigers an illustrious and high respected team, bringing Grambling State University the respect that it so richly deserves.
Coach Robinson, you have fought the hard fight. You came out on top in everything you put your hand on. You are very much loved, and very muour players ch respected. Most of all, you are what college football should be- a game that brings out the best in those who play the game. You taught your players that the game is more than just what is played on the football field. You taught them about life, and responsibility. About their place in the world. You taught your players- and us all- how to be better than ourselves. For this, we so gratefully thank you.
Take your rest, Coach. You will be sorely missed, but your spirit will always be in our hearts.
Grambling Tigers/YouTube/ABC Sports
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
Eddie Gay Robinson began coaching in 1941 at Grambling State, which was at the time called Louisiana Negro and Industrial Institute (the school itself was founded 106 years ago as the Colored Industrial and Agricultural School). That same year, he married his high school sweetheart, Doris, who survives him. During World War II, the football program was put on hold, so Robinson coached at Grambling High. He brought the school a state championship.
When he resumed coaching at Grambling State, the school received national notoriety when running back Paul "Tank" Younger signed with the LA Rams, and became the first black player to enter the NFL. Over the years, NFL scouts would go to Grambling- southeast of Shreveport- to recruit players.
The roster is long, and illustrious- Willie Davis; James Harris; Doug Williams, Willie Brown; and many others. In all, over 200 who played under Robinson went on to play in the NFL, CFL (Canadian Football League), and the now-defunct USFL.
Coach Robinson retired after the 1997 season, where he had two straight losing seasons, and was in the beginning stages of Alzheimer's Disease. But to many, he was- and will always be affectionately- known as 'Coach Robinson'.
Eddie Robinson died Tuesday night, at 88. In addition to being survived by Doris, he is also survived by son Eddie Robinson, Jr; daughter Lilian Rose Robinson; five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
ESPN has a moving tribute to him. Go to this link: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2825016, and watch the video.
In many ways, Robinson defined what college football coaching should be- a compassionate, yet hard driving job. Where men are truly made. Coach Robinson never talked down to his men. He never let his fame get to him, and he made sure that his players knew that they had responsibilities- on and off the field- to be the best they can be.
May the current coach, Rod Broadway, continue Coach Robinson's legacy, and keep the Grambling State Tigers an illustrious and high respected team, bringing Grambling State University the respect that it so richly deserves.
Coach Robinson, you have fought the hard fight. You came out on top in everything you put your hand on. You are very much loved, and very muour players ch respected. Most of all, you are what college football should be- a game that brings out the best in those who play the game. You taught your players that the game is more than just what is played on the football field. You taught them about life, and responsibility. About their place in the world. You taught your players- and us all- how to be better than ourselves. For this, we so gratefully thank you.
Take your rest, Coach. You will be sorely missed, but your spirit will always be in our hearts.
Grambling Tigers/YouTube/ABC Sports
Copyright 2007, by Darren W. Alexander. All Rights Reserved.
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