March 30, 2007

Friday is LADIES NIGHT at Biochemical Slang


It's Friday. You KNOW you ain't got ish to do. You got some money in your pocket (those few extra pennies earn ed you the beer-to-champale upgrade) and your lady is coming over. You've thought of EVERYTHING. You've already put the CHAMPALE on ice. You've aleady lit the incense and those candles she bought for you. You've cleaned the bathroom and made your bed. You've already ordered the pizza, just the way SHE likes it.

Ballin' on a budget is keepin' it real. Ballin' on a budget is ALL WE KNOW. Ballin' on a blogger salary IS ballin' on a budget.

Your cypher is almost complete. Unfortunately, she HATES all that damn rap music you own, with all that dirty talk. Can you remember back to those good ol' days? BIOCHEMICAL SLANG has got that FIRE for your STEREO. Thank me on Monday.

Bobby Byrd - I'm Not to Blame
The Ohio Players - Heaven Must Be Like This
Quincy Jones - Body Heat
Johnny "Guitar" Watson - Superman Lover
The Whatnauts - Girls
Willie Hutch - I Choose You
Sugar Minott - Save Your Love For Me
The Sylvers - Let It Be Me
Donald Byrd - I Love the Girl
Ike & Tina Turner - Baby Get It On

If you're ridin' solo this Friday night, don't fret. There's always the best-selling ale in the world, BALLANTINE. 99 cents will buy you 22 ounces of I-don't-give-an-eff. $2.25 will buy you 40 ounces (YOU do the Bodega Math.) of I-don't-give-an-eff-about-no-got-damn-cupid!

There's always NEXT FRIDAY.

March 29, 2007

Straight Outta Congress, A Crazy Mutha Named MC Rove


It's nearly impossible to describe what happened at the Radio and Television Correspondent's Dinner last night. Karl Rove transformed into "MC Rove" and showed the world that he truly does understand the intricacies of Black culture. How did he express these feelings? Song and dance, of course. According to Rove's rap and dance, race relations are doing just fine in America. If you don't believe MC Rove, just ask the token Black guy dancing in the background. He can also tell you how in-sync the Bush administration is with today's "urban youth."

THE ROVE RAP

Now listen up suckers
Don't get the jitters
But MC Rove tears the heads off critters.

That's true, it's cruel to see
But he's gonna be about animal cruelty.
He's a man, he's a treasure trove.
Tell me what is your name?
I'm MC Rove.

That's right he can't be beat,
Because he so white from his head to his feet.
But he will rap it when you give him a chance
Look at him move doing a rappin' dance.

That's true, he's a dancing resident
He is the side-kick to the president.
Tell me what is your name?
MC Rove.

That's true he's crossing his arms,
He rapping and a chilling and showing his charm.
He will do it without fail,
Get out his gun cuz he's shooting quail.

That man will never stop
Look at him jumping up and down,
Ready to hop.

He's got so much to prove,
Tell me you never knew that this man could move.
Doing the dance,
The Karl Rove dance.

Dancing and talking, dancing and talking (repeat)
You were such a helpful treasure trove
Tell me what is your name?
MC Rove.

See him later hanging in the cove
Tell me what is your name?
MC Rove.


If you haven't thrown up in your mouth, you can check the video of MC Rove in concert (via THE RAP UP).

BIOCHEMICAL SLANG BONUS: Check out these choice quotes from the ruler of this rap ish G DUBBZ:
  • I'd like to thank Senator Webb for providing security.
  • Well, where should I start? A year ago, my approval rating was in the 30s, my nominee for the Supreme Court had just withdrawn, and my Vice President had shot someone. Ahhh, those were the good old days.
  • Sorry the Vice President couldn't be here. He's had a rough few weeks. To be honest, his feelings are kind of hurt. He said he was going on vacation to Afghanistan, where people like him.
  • I have 664 days left in the White House. So technically, I'm a temporary guest worker.
  • Considering what's next -- President Clinton, of course, wrote a very successful presidential memoir, with 10,000 pages or something. I'm thinking of something really fun and creative for mine -- you know, maybe a pop-up book. I'm considering a number of titles -- Which do you like? "How W Got His Groove Back." "Who Moved My Presidency?" Or, "Tuesdays With Cheney"?
  • People Magazine recently had a photo of the Senator [Obama] there on the beach in Hawaii, his sleek, hairless pecs glistening in the surf.
  • I have to admit we really blew the way we let those attorneys go.
The truth hurts. The truth hurts so bad it makes you wanna laugh. It'll make you laugh so hard, you'll have no idea you're crying.

Slip My Aide a .44 And He Got in the Back Door


James Brown - Caught With A Bag/Gimme Some More
Sam Cooke - Nobody Knows You When You're Down & Out
Positive K - Friends
O.C. - War Games

Politicians love to blame rap music and rappers for the ills of society. Violence, misogyny, and misplaced priorities? Blame it on those damn rappers and their bling. That doesn't mean that politicians won't borrow techniques that have been honed and perfected by the rappers.

Weed carrying. It's not just for rappers anymore. Just ask Senator Jim Webb and his self-professed "friend" and aide Phillip Thompson. It turns out that even though it's legal to pack a firearm (with a concealed weapon permit) in Virginia, you can't just walk into an airport or the capitol building with a 9 milli.

Enter the weed carrier. Phillip Thompson decided to hold the heat.

Enter Russell Senate Office Building security. Phillip Thompson was arrested for carrying a pistol without a license and possessing an unregistered firearm and unregistered ammunition. Just an innocent mixup, right? Surely, Senator Jim Webb will clear his friend's name, right? “To our knowledge, this incident was an oversight by the senator’s aide,” said Jim Webb spokeswoman, Jessica Smith. “Phillip Thompson is a former marine, a long-term friend and trusted employee of the senator. We are still awaiting facts.” Jim Webb added, "
I have never carried a gun in the Capitol complex and I did not give the gun to Phillip Thompson."

Surely, Jim Webb won't use the arrest of his aide and friend to further his own pro-gun agenda, right? Surely, others come before self, right? “If you look at the number of people who are defending the president and other members of the executive branch, there is not that kind of protection available to people in the legislative branch. We are required to defend ourselves, and I choose to do so.”

Damn. The rap game needs to start charging. Without even asking, Washington DC has already stolen weed carriers from rap music. Now, they want to use the downfall of their weed carriers to further their own agenda?

Anything for record sales. Anything for votes. It IS bigger than Hip-Hop.

March 26, 2007

Not In MY Backyard


Ini Kamoze - World-A-Music
Bushwick Bill - Letter from KKK
Willie D - Put the F**kin' Gun Away
Stop the Violence All-Stars - Self-Destruction

There's a war goin' on outside. And it's closer than you think.

``I got...the cutest little Smith & Wesson, snub-nose .38 you ever saw. I've never been more confident.''

``Things are way worse than they used to be. You have to do something to protect yourself.''

``But it's not much safer at home. The police chased a guy through my yard one time with their guns out.''

"People are in fear of their lives. They're looking for ways to feel safe again."

Are we in the streets of Iraq? The slums of Haiti? The starved chaos of Darfur? The heroine-tinged back alleys of Afghanistan?

Nah. These are the mean streets of New Orleans. Newly crowned the murder capital of the United States, NOLA has counted more than 37 homicides this year, a rate of 96/100,000. To add to this chilling statistic, the number of permits to carry concealed weapons has approximately doubled since Katrina.

Recently, t
he federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms conducted a "time to crime" study, asking the question, "What is the interval between the legal purchase of a firearm and its seizure for a crime investigation?" The national average is five years. NOLA's average? 6 months.

With murders, gun purchases, and concealed weapon permits on the RISE, is there anything, other than bodies, falling in NOLA? The NOLA school district's standardized test scores.

The aforementioned problems cannot just be conveniently filed away as post-hurricane clusterfuckery.

This ain't OVER THERE. We have our own war, right here, in our backyard. You may not live in Philly, but it's OUR backyard. You may not live in Oakland, but it's OUR backyard. Cincinatti may be hours from YOUR home, but it's OUR backyard.

March 25, 2007

Sometimes I Feel Like...The NYPD is WATCHING Me


Rockwell - Somebody's Watching Me
MC5 - Motor City is Burning

Further adding to their stellar reputation, the NY Times uncovered evidence that the NYPD sent officers to infiltrate organizations that were planning on protesting during the Republican National Convention of 2004. Far from terrorist cells, the NYPD went as far as Europe and Albuquerque. Far from terrorist training camps, the NYPD infiltrated church groups, antiwar groups, and people who were openly against the death penalty.

These are YOUR taxpayer dollars at work. If you live in the FIVE BOROUGHS, those are also YOUR CITY TAXES at work. Do you feel safe, already?!?

“Activists are showing a well-organized network made up of anti-Bush sentiment; the mixing of music and political rhetoric indicates sophisticated organizing skills with a specific agenda,” said the NYPD report, dated Oct. 9th, 2003. “Police departments in above listed areas have been contacted regarding this event.”

The mixing of music and political rhetoric indicates sophisticated organizing skills? WTF? I wish I was making this up. Maybe this is why we haven't found Osama. Maybe this is why we hit Iraq instead of Afghanistan.

Have our overzealous methods turned against us? Biochemical Slang wants to know, "Are we living in a police state?"

March 23, 2007

Killing US Softly With His WOK


Willie Bobo - Fried Neckbones and Some Homefries
Goodie Mob - Soul Food
Kenny Burrell - Chitlins Con Carne
Horace Andy - Eating Mess
World Famous Upsetters - Cabbage Greens
L. Anderson - Neck Bones and Hot Sauce
Them Prodigals - Cake Time

We all know Chinese take-out isn't good for you. But did you know it was THAT BAD for you? The Center for Science in the Public Interest recently released a study of the nutritional contents of the typical chinese take-out cuisine. Healthy options? Not so much.

Here's what a CSPI nutritionist had to say: “My basic advice to diners is this: Stick with the veggie-rich and stir-fried shrimp or chicken dishes, steer clear of the entrées that are basically deep-fried meat or chicken in sauce, and don’t waste your calories on greasy noodles and fried rice.”

I'm sure your kids are salivating. Who goes to the Chinese take-out for vegetables?


The chicken wings and fried rice combo is that ish when you're searching for a lunch special and your moms only gave you 3 dollars. They'll cut your wings for you. They'll squirt hot sauce and barbeque sauce on your wings. All that for $2.75. God bless America. As a bonus, you'll get enough salt for two days. If you grab a couple Yi-Pin soy sauces, you'll get four days worth of salt. In my book, that's an effin' BARGAIN.

YOU do the math.

You have a QUARTER leftover for dessert. You'll need to find the nearest bodega. Don't fret, you've got CHOICES. You can go for the nickel Swedish fish (five of 'em). Or, you can get one QUARTER water (yes, it's a dessert). Or, you can get one Lil Debbie oatmeal cream pie. If you skip school on Monday and Friday, you can have a different dessert for every school lunch!

It doesn't end there. The Chinese take-out offers even more bargains for your kids. You can always go for the $1.25 large fries. If they squirt enough FREE ketchup on it, you got your vegetables too. Free ketchup and $1.75 in your pockets. Life is good.

This is America, we have the freedom to make our own choices. With your extra change do you go for the 50 cent honey-bun or splurge on the 2-cookies-for-99-cents?

March 21, 2007

Hip-Hop is Rock 'n' Roll. Rock 'n' Roll is Hip-Hop.


Talking Heads - Once in a Lifetime
The Clash - Rock the Casbah
The Police - Roxanne
The Police - Message in a Bottle
AC/DC - Back in Black
Graham Nash - Chicago
The Who - Eminence Front

Little Boy Blues - Dream Weaver/Seed of Love
Eric Clapton - I Shot the Sheriff
The Stooges - Dirt
Steely Dan - Peg
Blood, Sweat & Tears - 40,000 Headmen
Hall & Oates - Method of Modern Love
Hall & Oates - I Can't Go For That (No Can Do)

Biochemical Slang wants you to know that DONNY HATHAWAY had it right when he said, "EVERYTHING IS EVERYTHING."

We here at Biochemical Slang are often misconstrued as conspiracy theorists. Don't get it twisted. It's hard out there for a truth seeker. We made a prediction after the induction of Grandmaster Flash into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame: With rap music sales in a record slump, did the TI's decide to let a rap group into the hall of fame to boost rap's credibility as an artform?

Eff the critics. Hip-hop doesn't need approval from anyone, outside the FANS of the music.

Quadruple eff the TI's. After counting the final votes, it turns out that Grandmaster Flash was beaten by the British group The Dave Clark Five.

It turns out that Rolling Stone publisher and chairman of the Rock 'n' Roll Foundation, Jann Wenner, decided to ignore the actual votes and help the TI's with their dwindling investments in black culture rap music: "Jann went back to a previous ballot instead of taking the final vote as the last word," the source continued. "He used a technicality about the day votes were due in. In reality, The Dave Clark Five got six more votes than Grandmaster Flash. But he felt we couldn't go another year without a rap act."


Quintuple eff the TI's. Hip-hop didn't need an induction to be rock 'n' roll. Hip-hop IS rock 'n' roll. Hip-hop didn't need an induction to be considered an artform. Hip-hop didn't need anybody's sympathy. Talib Kweli had this to say to Jann Wenner:

Hip-hop is big business like Con Edison or Medicine
But f**k it, they gonna let us in, or else we rush the door
I got to many reasons, save your 'whys' and 'what fors.'

March 19, 2007

Maps are for Imperialists


Geto Boys - The World is a Ghetto
War - The World is a Ghetto
Thanks to Junichi from POPLICKS for puttin' Biochemical Slang on to Worldmapper.

WORLDMAPPER realizes that the world doesn't need more maps that merely tell us where to go. We've got GPS. Plus, we all know most boundaries found on maps are nothing more than post-imperialism carving. Just ask Africa. Just ask Southeast Asia. Just ask Central and South America.

WORLDMAPPER has re-sized the world map, relative to the subject of interest. Boundaries don't define who you are. What you do within those boundaries defines who you are. How you spend your capital within those boundaries defines who you are. Wanna talk prisoners? America easily takes the cake.

Wanna talk military spending? America keeps growing and growing. Do YOU feel safer now?

Public education spending? Once again, USA is number one. How are YOUR kids sizing up, relative to the children of China and India?

How about a RETURN on our public education spending? Not so much. Unless you talk to the parents of China and India. They seem to be making a RETURN on their investment.

Again, we may be the NUMBER ONE spender in public health dollars.

Unfortunately, that doesn't mean you'll get a bed in the emergency room when you REALLY NEED ONE.

Eff it. At least we have our alcohol and cigarettes. Reality is best served chilled, not stirred.

March 16, 2007

Charles Wright Reads the News and Makes a Prediction


  • NYPD detectives miraculously "discover" a mystery witness in the Sean Bell shooting. This coincidentally occurs during the grand jury's did-the-cops-break-the-law deliberation.
  • Valerie Plame testified in an investigation regarding the "leak" of the classified identity of a CIA operative. Did the Bush administration mishandle this highly sensitive information? Hmmmmm.
  • Would the White House fire eight prosecutors, simply because they were not aligned with the Bush administration?
  • Was Lt. Gen. Kevin C. Kiley, the Army surgeon general, ousted, merely to serve as the scapegoat in the Walter Reed fiasco? Or is this just the tip of the iceberg?
Charles Wright had this to say: ONE LIE LEADS TO ANOTHER.

March 14, 2007

Pimpin' All Over the Latin World


The Honey Drippers - Impeach The President
Billy Baron - Communications Is Where It's At
Bushwick Bill - Mr. President

G DUBBZ has spent the last week spreading the gospel of democracy in the Latin Americas. In the words of DUBBZ, "I want to talk about another important priority for our country, and that is helping our neighbors to the south of us build a better and productive life."

Translation: We desperately NEED the Hispanic vote.

Peep this DUBBZ classic: "Yet, despite the advances, tens of millions in our hemisphere remain stuck in poverty, and shut off from the promises of the new century. My message to those trabajadores y campesinos is, you have a friend in the United States of America. We care about your plight."

Riiiiiiiiiiight. Translation: I wasn't kidding. We really need votes from you people.

During the past week, G DUBBZ spent time in Brazil, Uruguay, Columbia, Guatemala, and Mexico. Let's check in on G DUBBZ's kick-the-truth-to-the-young-Latin-youth tour.

Did the people of Brazil welcome the spreader of democracy, freedom, and rising GDPs? Not so much.

Did the folks of Uruguay relate to G DUBBZ we-doubled-our-aid-to-you-people rhetoric? Not so much.

Did the Columbians believe G DUBBZ's "our nation has a vital interest in helping the young democracies in our neighborhood succeed" schtick? Not so much.

What about Guatemala and Mexico. Surely, G DUBBZ found some love there. "If people can come into our country, for example, on a temporary basis to work, doing jobs Americans aren't doing, they won't have to sneak across the border." Surely, the you-can-come-here-as-long-as-you-do-the-nig***-jobs argument worked? Not so much.

G DUBBZ come home! We got nothin' but love for ya here.

Just make sure you stay far, far away from the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

You should also try to avoid New Orleans, Mississippi, Alabama, and Texas. You know, all the states that were hit by Hurricane FEMA. More than the weather, it's the aftermath that STILL HURTS.

You should probably also watch your back. Even your BOYS may decide to carry weed for someone else.

Eff it, G DUBBZ. There's always the cocaina.

March 13, 2007

“The shot heard ’round the world was fired from the South Bronx.”


Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five - The Message
Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five - The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel
Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five - Rap City Freestyle (courtesy of On Smash)

Hip-Hop is Rock and Roll. Rock and Roll is Hip-Hop.

If you needed the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five to prove that fact, you need to OPEN YOUR EARS and EYES. Everything is everything. Congrats to the whole crew. Biochemical Slang would also like to take this opportunity to shout out Rock 'n' Roll Nigg** Number One, Patti Smith.

Biochemical Slang Conspiracy Theory Alert - With rap music sales in a record slump, did the TI's decide to let a rap group into the hall of fame to boost rap's credibility as an artform?

With Hip-Hop becoming 3 minute up-close-and-personal-with-Robin-Leech made-for-BET jingles, Biochemical Slang wants to know: Where is TODAY'S MESSAGE?

March 11, 2007

Trailers? FEMA's Got It For CHEAP.


Showbiz and A.G. - Fat Pockets
Donny Hathaway - The Slums
Max Roach - The Profit

Your tax dollars were used to buy 145,000 mobile homes after Katrina hit NOLA. That was a 2.7 BILLION dollar bill. With Katrina slowly becoming a memory in the back of America's mind, FEMA has to unload 41,000 UNUSED trailers. Yeah, brand-spankin' new. You can get a deal: you'll pay 40 cents for every dollar those sucker tax-payers spent. Also, keep in mind that 900 million dollars worth of RV's were bought by FEMA, only to be stored because the homes were not meant for "storm zones."

Wait a second, you may be asking yourself: What about those tornadoes that left many homeless? "While FEMA has 8,420 brand new, fully furnished, never-used mobile homes in a cow pasture in Hope, Arkansas, they refuse to provide the people from Desha, Back Gate and Dumas counties with help. This is crazy," said Mike Ross, a Arkansas representative, "If this is the new and improved FEMA, I don't want any part of it."

Exactly.

Wait a second. Where are FEMA's PRIORITIES, you ask? Here's what Michael A. Molino, president of the Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association, had to say: "As you can imagine, a public auction of so many vehicles could devastate the market for travel trailers."

Wait a second. What about our brothers and sisters who need a ROOF over their head? What about their kids? What about their homework? FEMA spokeperson Deborah Wing said that FEMA is working with the RV Association "so we do not flood the market or harm business." I'm sure that she meant to use the word FLOOD figuratively. You gotta love the fact that the mobile-housing market takes priority over PEOPLE.

What about the NOLA housing market? An anonymous trailer park tenant had this to say: "People say we shouldn't still be living in a FEMA park. But take a look at the rents people have to pay in New Orleans now -- who can afford that?" FEMA spokesperson Deborah wing had nothing to say.

Ron Harrell, a FEMA trailer park tenant, put it best: "WE CALL IT HURRICANE FEMA."

March 09, 2007

Like Butter Played Toast...


Isley Brothers - Between the Sheets
DeBarge - Stay With Me
Mtume - Juicy Fruit
Sylvia Striplin - You Can't Turn Me Away
KC & the Sunshine Band - I Get Lifted
Mick Boogie & Terry Urban - Unbelievable: A Tribute To Biggie Smalls (courtesy of Rizoh at THE RAP UP)

It's been TEN YEARS and most of us still face the EVERYDAY STRUGGLE. Pay some RESPECT by celebrating life. Today. Right now.

Yeah, THE WORLD IS FILLED...with obstacles.....with locked doors. No problem, just KICK IN THE DOOR.
The SKY'S THE LIMIT.

March 08, 2007

It depends on what the meaning of the word "PROGRESS" is.


Queen Latifah - Evil That Men Do
Res - They Say Vision
Beanie Sigel - Man's World
Helene Smith - Got To Be A Man

It has been 42 years and a day since our fellow citizens took it upon themselves to CHANGE their world. One step at a time, they took their baton blows and tear gas, as they crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge, on their way to Montgomery, hoping to find salvation for a country that desperately needed it.

Fast forward to the year 2007. The remaking of Hairspray marks a pivotal moment in American cinema and, perhaps, American culture. No longer is the Black man the only person allowed to fulfill the role of the man-in-a-lady-suit. No longer is the Black man the only person eligible to be emasculated on screen. No longer is the image of a Black man dressed up as a woman only available to Black men. This is the YEAR 2007, people.

John Travolta, the pioneer, has opened up numerous avenues for White actors across the country. If a roll involves dressing up a man as a woman (preferably in a fat suit), no longer do we read "whites need not apply" on the job notices. We have come a long way since those dark times. Hollywood, once again, has helped the American public see the light. Hollywood is so far ahead of its time. When a fat suit, wig, jewelry, and makeup are necessary for your role, don't let your race hold you back. On-screen emasculation is no longer Black-only. Line up Whitey, there's money to be made!

March 07, 2007

You've Come A Long Way, Baby


Prince Buster - Wreck a Pum Pum
Prince Buster - Wreck a BUDDY (ft. the Sexy Girls)

Don't write Prince Buster's Wreck a Pum Pum off as yet another example of the patriarchal world in which we live in, until you listen to the second track. Prince Buster's gotta have it. But, don't forget about his backup singers. They gotta have it too! This was a call-and-response record (No Scott Storch. No Cam'Ron. No 50. No Timbaland).


This is the 2-double-0-7. We ALL gotta have it.

Happy Women's History Month!

March 06, 2007

Hillary Asks Us ALL: "Am I Black Enough For YOU?"


Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway - Be Real Black For Me
InI - Fakin' Jax
MC Lyte - 10% Dis
James Brown - I Got a Bag of My Own

With Black people's votes becoming a hot commodity, the presidential hopefuls decided to tackle the issues facing the Black community. They discussed the prison industrial complex, the improvement of the public school system, the encouragement of property ownership, and the benefit of reading.

Ummmmm. Not so much.

Rather, the presidential hopefuls decided to stage two competing celebrate-Selma-by-voting-for-ME speeches. The personal highlight was Hillary's interpretation and interpolation of James Cleveland's freedom hymn:
"I don't feel no ways tired/I come too far from where I started from/Nobody told me that the road would be easy/I don't believe he brought me this far to leave me."

Yeah. Now imagine Hillary saying that with an accent. Yes, that's what it sounded like. Not for nothin', Obama had to ebonify his vernacular a bit too.

If degrees of Blackness are an issue up for discussion and debate, HILLARY wants her piece of that pie as well. She loves God. She's got Sharpton on her side. She's even got Timbaland ridin' with her. She's married to the "first black president of the United States." Biochemical Slang wants to know: Is Hillary blacker than Obama?

March 05, 2007

New Orleans Kids Experiencing a Record Number of JOB EDUCATIONAL PHOTO Opportunities


The Rance Allen Group - Talk That TALK Part 1
The Rance Allen Group - Talk That TALK Part 2

After not even mentioning the word "Katrina" even ONCE during his State of the Union Address, G DUBBZ graced New Orleans with his presence, yet again. Among others, he visited students at a CHARTER school and the New Orleans ARCHBISHOP. Appealing to the Religious Right and the "privatization" of public schools, via charter schools, are NOT the problems facing NOLA. They are the issues Bush is pushing as a pawn of the Republican machine. The oil from this machine, apparently, is provided by the sweat and suffering of the Katrina victims.

Of course, money is NOT the root of the problem, but the GREEN leaves get the most attention, even as the roots below insidiously ROT: "And to the extent we can help, we'll help. I told the people that I would work with the Congress to write a $110 billion check -- the people of Louisiana and Mississippi, and that check has been written. And now it's incumbent upon us to get the money into people's hands. Sometimes it's hard to see progress when you're living close to the scene. I guess the New Orleans Saints football team represents to me what's happening in this part of the state -- a resurgence, there's a renewal."

Money ain't a thing, G DUBBZ.

Crime and safety, two primary concerns of the people that actually live in NOLA, were not mentioned once during G DUBBZ's brief stop there. According to Mary Beth Romig, spokewoman for the New Orleans' Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau, "Once again it's a situation where violent crimes are taking place in inner-city neighborhoods and traditional hot spots."

Translation: Ain't a damn thing changed: let the darkies kill each other.

Crime is so bad, Tracy McGrady had this to say when he found out that next year's All-Star game may be held in NOLA: "If I don't feel that I'm going to be safe, if I am on that team, I will look into probably not even going." Damn. Even ball-players are runnin' for the hills. And they have security guards.

27 people have been murdered in NOLA, since January 1st, 2007. NOLA Police Superintendent Warren Riley may be on to something: "For us to correct this, we have to look at the root of the problem. The root of the problem is our education system."

When the children of NOLA witnessed, first hand, their government's lack of response, they were taught a grim lesson: you ain't ish. You're just a cog in the system. You're just a baton in a never-ending race: you'll be used and passed on.

The kids will now become part of the system’s educational baton race. They will be passed on, from grade to grade, from teacher to teacher. They’re YOUR problem now. Passed on. Passed on and dumped on graduation day. There will be one more generation sitting at the finish line, not realizing they have just started the REAL RAT RACE. There will be one more generation with nowhere to go, with nothin’ in their pockets but frustration, anger, and hate.