X Factor / Ex-Factor!!

     Have you been watching that "American Idol" ripoff/ train wreck, "X Factor"? It's got Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, L.A. Reid, and Pussycat Doll, Nicole Scherzinger. It is so much like American Idol, with the exception that people over 30 can compete and it's not Coke, but Pepsi that sponsores it. They also have a group category which Idol never had. Both shows started as British creations, which is really becoming a trend lately. Stealing from them to Americanize here. "All In The Family", "Sanford and Son", and "Three's Company" being the rare excellent exceptions. My main gripe that I have with the show is not so much the judges, who are beyond judgeing on musical talent. Paula's singing style has always been nasally and she's judging someone on their pitch?! L.A. Reid was once the head of LaFace, who's major artists such as TLC and Toni Braxton, had to file bankruptcy at one time. Nicole was a member of a group called Pussycats Dolls who were basically pin up barbie dolls with mediorce singing voices and talent to match. The only one with no real singing or musical aspirations is Simon. I like Simon. At least with him you get what you get, an arrogant snobby asshole!! Nothing more, nothing less!
          My major gripe is the fact that contestant come on that show and others, hoping that they are the one and that they will be picked amonst the 1000s that the show sees and hears. The prize for this show is a 5 million dollar contract. Pretty impressive. However, the show puts the contests through the ringer to get that prize. First Hollywood week or Boot Camp. Then they weed those out in the second and third week of try outs, still weeding it down from 1000s to 100s to 50 to 30 to 16 to finally the magic number: 12. This show basically steals American Idol's platform. The main concern is that these poor hopefuls have to go through weeks and weeks and weeks of either being cut out or having to prove themselves each week as to no be cut out. I understand you have to prove yourself in order to make it in the buisiness. However, you see the joy in thier faces when they have made it through, only weeks later to be disappointed when they don't take that next step. My God: Welcome to show biz!! Anyway, I feel really bad for those who want that dream so badly. They want that chance to let the world hear them sing and reach that plateau of fame and fortune. However, week after agonizing week after grueling week, you are never safe. You are always one step from out the door. You can never relax. Those future singing stars watching at home should really take stock of that. Do you really want it that badly that week after week, you rely on four people to tell you whether you're good enough or not? Also, once you finally make it to that final journey and succeed on the show, is fame and fortune really awaiting you? My compassion goes out to those under 16 and over 30. Either this something they really want or this is all they have left. That is sad!! It's even sadder when their dreams are dashed by an early rejection. Is fame really all the important to you that you would sell your soul on national television just for the devil to rip it out a few weeks later with a bad audition?

Broken Promises of 2012!!

Next year is an election year and of course, all the politicians are in full swing promising what they'll do differentlyfor voters. Whether it the economy, immigration, Medicare, Social Security, building bridges or helping create job, politicians running for president cannot make those promises! CANNOT!! It is up to Congress to make those changes. The president has no real power to change anything and voters should know that. The House of Representatives and the Senate make all those decisions and the President has to beg them to help him. Because they control the money. Most times, Congress will fight a President on what promises he or she puts forth. Especially if you are a Democratic facing a Republican Congress and vice verse. Presidential hopeful need to be more honest with voters and tell them that he or she will do what Congress will allow.

Plan 999 or Plan 666?

Herman Cain, front runner for the Republican party, could very well be the most dangerous man in politics today. His 999 plan is truly a horror story unfolded. While watching MSNBC's "Lawrence O'Donnell Show", Mr. O'Donnell gave veiwers a sneak peak at Mr. Cain's 999 plan. Mr. Cain's plan outlines a 9% tax increase in three categories:  a 9 percent income tax, a 9 percent business transactions tax and a 9 percent federal sales tax. Which is a bad idea for the poor and working class. Currently poor and working class pay 7% in taxes while their employers match that. Then it gets worse! Mr. Cain wants to do away with Medicare and Social Security and have the state, city or church foot the bill. Meaning for those who depend on those benefits  would have to rely on the state, which is underfunded; the city, which is also underfunded and your local church. His solution to anyone on social security is to just go to your local church every month and ask for a handout. Excuse me?! Yeah, right!!He also suggests that anyone on welfare should stop receiving benefits and just go door to door asking for help. Is he serious?! I was completely riveted to my seat listening and reading excerpts from Cain's plan. It was truly a frightening segment. While I am all for welfare reform and putting money back into the state, Mr. Cain's  plan is a truly harmful one. Also, upon furthered investigation I found out that the former CEO of Godfather's Pizza has no real political background. Yet he is leading in the polls and is the Republican front runner. Is this the best they can come up with? To me, I feel that this basically nothing more than a desperate plea of "Hey, Democrats, you have your black man and now we have one too" kind of mentality. It's sick and wrong! Sadly, the Republican really have no one to challenge the current president. However, Mr. Cain is really not a good political match. While I admire his accomplishments as a successful black entrepreneur, I cannot support or stand by him in a political field. He would truly turn America into a third world country!!

Absolute Anthony: GOD or GREEED?!

Absolute Anthony: GOD or GREEED?!: Recently, a relative called me with a concern. She seemed upset and concerned that her pastor, who preached at a central California church, ...

GOD or GREEED?!

Recently, a relative called me with a concern. She seemed upset and concerned that her pastor, who preached at a central California church, was going to be moving to a church in Los Angeles. I asked her why and she said his reason was because of more money. She explained to me that he was actually doing quite financially well in central California and couldn't understand why his move was based on strictly monetary reasons. We talked for a good while and I tried to give her words of comfort and advice.
     Now, the question. Was the pastor there for his church or there until a better offer came along; and how was his congregation able to rationalize and understand that? This is a man who's members believed in him and trusted him for spiritual guidance and uplifting sermons. Now, it seems he was for sale after all. Sad to say. Let's cut right to the chase! Deep down, we are all human ruled by human nature. Bottom line!!
      I tried to explain to her the meaning of church. Church is a place where people go to share with others the joy and many blessings that God gives their lives on a daily basis. However, church can't save you!! Also, a man can't save you. That is what that pastor was, a man. Too many times, we as a society put men of the faith on a pedestal too much and we have to learn to mentally separate that fact. Whether it's the ministers that solicited the prostitutes or catholic priests that molested little boys, they are men. They have faults and flaws like the rest of us do. We have to find our own path with God and stay strong in our spiritual beliefs. The pastor just proved my point that he is a man who did what any other man would do. He took a better offer. However, he left his flock knowing he could be bought!!

The Madness Of Mencia!!

I absolutely loved the Carlos Mencia concert at Eagle Mountain casino last Saturday. He had me rolling the whole night. Despite his incredibly dramatic weight loss and three lame comics that came before him, he gave one hell of a show. Carlos is one of those comedians who tells it like it is and tells the truth. Whether talking about Americans being whiny crybabies or Mexicans who love Mexico but would never want to go back there; Carlos opened your eyes and made you say, "Yeah, that is true!" He even insulted Europeans, Asians and Africans. No topic was off limits. He shared his molestation with humor, his father's losing his thumb and his crude sexual appetite with humor and his upbringing in the streets of East L.A. Despite all the laughs, Carlos always let you know that he is a comedian and not to being taken seriously. He is a clown who performed in a tent; the arena being tent shaped. Bottom line, Carlos is a class act, a class clown act!! Great show, Mencia!!