C.J.'s Corner... aka my take on what's going on.

First off, if this blog bites it's not my fault....

Like Roland Burris, I've been too busy chiseling all of my greatest accomplishments in granite, for my temple....I mean....mausoleum, to focus on writing.

“So I see your Schwartz is as big as mine.” …

If nothing else, you have to give Roland Burris credit for being well prepared, for everything. In fact, he's already prepared for the afterlife. Much like an ancient Egyptian Pharaoh, Burris has erected a massive granite monument to himself that will one day serve as his tomb. Looming over the rest of the grave sites at Chicago's Oakwood Cemetery, Burris'...mausoleum...has many of the same features as the Great Pyramid in Giza. There are urns and hieroglyphics....no wait...that's just his resume chiseled into the granite. That's right! The man has actually chiseled his resume into the granite! Beneath the word "TRAIL BLAZER" Burris has listed many of the great accomplishments in his life, including the fact that he was the first non-CPA to be on the board of the Illinois CPA Society. Who knew:)

More from Newsday.com -

The tomb is a monument to the ambition - some say egotism - that led him to accept what many regard as a tainted prize: an appointment to the Senate from scandal-ridden Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

"Roland wants an office. It's another thing to chisel on his Ramses II pyramid," said Judy Baar Topinka, a former Illinois state treasurer and Republican candidate for governor. She added: "His ego is huge."

The 71-year-old Burris accepted the appointment with no publicly expressed reservations, despite charges that Blagojevich tried to sell the seat. And Burris fought for the seat after Senate Democrats vowed not to allow him to take office. On Wednesday, the Senate leadership backed down, and it appears likely Burris will be seated, though he obviously would not be Illinois' first black Senator.

Suspiciously missing however, are the exact dates that he supposedly led Portland's NBA franchise to glory. Clyde "The Glide" Drexler was unavailable for comment.

"Only one man would dare give me the raspberry.....LONE STAR!"

U.S. Representative Artur Davis (D) Birmingham, has caused a stir among some of his fellow congressman by refusing to side with them on the issue of Roland Burris' appointment to the Senate.

This from AL.com -

Davis, D-Birmingham, did not participate when the Congressional Black Caucus voted to back Burris' cause, and he did not sign a caucus letter arguing that Burris' appointment, despite the taint of corruption, should be honored.
"I choose not to associate myself with any argument from some quarters that Burris' race or the desire for diversity entitles him to be seated, and I cannot join any suggestion that those who oppose Burris are racially motivated," Davis said in a written statement explaining his decision not to sign the CBC letter.

The controversy "should not be treated as an occasion for racial solidarity," he said. Davis' history with the black caucus is not without tension. Several of its veteran members campaigned aggressively against Davis when he challenged their colleague, then-U.S. Rep. Earl Hilliard, in 2002. Davis won the seat after a fierce campaign divided older and younger generations of black voters, and his voting record in Congress has been more moderate than many in the caucus.

Davis, who would like to be elected Alabama's first black governor in 2010, said the election of the first black president should end attempts to "inject race into arguments where it doesn't belong."

Here Here! I applaud Davis for taking such a stance and for displaying the courage of his conviction. It would have been easy for Davis to remain silent and simply rubber stamp the CBC letter, however he chose to make a stand and to voice an opinion that will no doubt be unpopular with organizations such as the NAACP. Too many times has the "race card" been injected into disagreements or controversies simply as a way to gain an advantage by attracting negative press for the opposition. It's time for this tactic to end, and Davis obviously understands that. While I have never met Rep. Davis personally, he certainly has my respect.

"On this ship you are to refer to me as "idiot" not "you captain!" I mean.....You know what I mean..."

Speaking of the NAACP and things that people need to let go of, why does EVERYTHING have to remind them of slavery? Alabama NAACP President Edward Vaughan of Dothan, has irked many (including me) with his recent comments that Mobile's Azalea Trail Maids should not be allowed to march in Barack Obama's inaugural parade. His rationale? The Trail Maids' and their dresses remind him of slavery and will surely make Alabama the "laughing stock" of the parade. He suggested that the marching band from Alabama State University would have been a better choice. No offense to ASU or the Marching Hornets, but this is a presidential appearance! How would having half naked majorettes doing the humpty hump on the streets of our nation's capitol be a better choice?

Now I have had the pleasure of knowing several Trail Maids in my life (hopefully some of them are reading this blog now), and I can't think of a better organization out there to represent Alabama on a national scale then them. These young ladies are the epitome of style, grace and southern charm. They are intelligent, vibrant individuals who have proudly served as Mobile's ambassadors for the last 60 years. To associate them with slavery is an insult to the organization and indeed an insult to all Mobilians. The Trail Maids are an integrated organization, the makeup of this year’s group includes eight black members, two maids of Indian descent, one Asian and 39 whites. Oh, did I mention that Obama's parade committee chose them for this honor?

Mobile County Commissioner Steve Nodine has sent Vaughan a letter demanding an apology for the statements. Even Mobile Mayor Sam Jones has gotten into the act releasing this statement:

"The Azalea Trail Girls represent the beauty of Mobile. After all, we are the Azalea city. We are extremely proud of their participation in President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration and can think of no better group that represents the character and diversity of our city to showcase at this historic event. As it relates to diversity, we would compare Mobile with any city in the state of Alabama. We are a diverse city representing people from all segments and walks of life. These girls epitomize that, and they are excellent ambassadors for Mobile."

So why is Vaughan trying to make this a race issue? Because he can't let go of history and move forward. Like most of his colleagues in the NAACP, Vaughan is attempting to justify the continued existence of the NAACP itself by trying to point out racial "injustices" where they simply don't exist. Look, the Civil War happened, get over it. Slavery happened, get over it. This is the 21st century; quit stirring up 19th century arguments that serve absolutely no place in the advancement of the ENTIRE human race. If the NAACP can't find something else to hang its collective hat on, then maybe it's time for another antique to be relegated to the history books.


My Shameless Gimmick Item ...

The top three Overrated/Underrated aspects of the world...or at least my world.

1) Overrated: chisels Underrated: sonic screwdrivers
2) Overrated: NAACP Underrated: NAGOI - The National Association of "Get Over It!"
3) Overrated: The BCS Underrated: What happens when you let college football players loose on Bourbon Street....sorry Nick!


Finally, I'm sorry this blog was bollux, but it wasn’t my fault …

Shaquille O'Neal visited me last week, and now all the Q's are missing from my scrabble set.