Bob Johnson... Go Sit Down Somewhere and Count Your Billions - Bob Johnson Attacks Congressman for Telling the Truth

I know some of y'all feel as if I pick on THAT NETWORK, but believe you me, I would nothing more than to ignore them, but they keep doing STUPID STUFF. Bob Johnson, Multimedia crack dealer himself just can't sit back and count the billions. Johnson, who apparently was too busy to attend the hearings last week had the AUDACITY to try to cry racism when Congressman Markey gave a pretty accurate description of BET. All the Congressman said was :

He was encouraged by BET’s new shows, but said, “Frankly, it has a long way to go to make up for much of its previous programming.” SOURCE

Now Bob Johnson, who we already know is a control freak, responded with a disproportionate response filled with foolishness. It is hard to fake moral indignation when everybody knows that you are IMMORAL

“Your unjustified and ill-informed attack on BET’s programming . . . suggests you know what is best for Black people, and in this case what Black people want to or need to see,” Johnson wrote in the letter, according to Broadcast & Cable Magazine. “And (it) is also a vivid example of why we need to keep the government out of free and creative expression.”

Um isn't Bob Johnson describing BET's executive leadership? Aren't they the ones that ignore the pleas of Black people as a matter of course and determine what Black people want or need to see? When has BET EVER been interested in what we NEED to see? Isn't Bob Johnson's letter a vivid example of why he needs to keep counting his billions and buying up losing sports franchises. Oh but Bobby J didn't stop there, he decided to go all BLACK POWER on Markey:

BET founder Robert Johnson, who fired off a terse letter to Markey’s office, hammering the congressman’s criticism as rooted in “liberal white paternalism.”

Okay folks, I just need to you jot a quick e-mail to basically say: Bob Johnson is wrong and Markey is right. Because Bob is trying to all of a sudden be DOWN for the cause running around calling people "white liberal paternalists"Nah, that would be YOU Bob Johnson!

You can call Markey's Washington, DC office at 202.225.2836 or email

Now the hearings were a complete dog and pony show, BET had NOTHING to worry about coming out of those hearings, but Bobby J is such a megalomaniac, that he couldn't stomach a scintilla of forgotten criticism ( I mean when David Banner is on tape acting a FOOL, who cares what Markey said?). He could have just kept counting his billions instead of writing letter, nobody would have even paid attention to, but NO, he has to keep fighting to stay relevant. Don't you have another "Who's Your Caddy to Produce?"

Seriously, don't let Johnson pull this foolishness, take three minutes to drop Congressman Markey an email or call to just respectfully disagree with Bob. I will be reading my letter to Congressman Markey on the WAOD Podcast this Thursday at 8:00PM CST. Oh it's another classic in the making.

Why can't BET just ACT RIGHT for like a month or something?

Hat Tip to Essential Presence

Read the original article in the industry-friendly Broadcasting and Cable.

Friday Week in Review: Congressional Hearings, Nailah Franklin, Megan Williams, Return of the Podcast and Search Panelists and Contributors,

We began the week cramped in the middle seat of a Frontier Airlines flight bound for DC trapped behind a woman with three kids all under the age of four years-old and a seat mate that was obsessed with picking his nose (It really happened), but it was all worth it to be in the room for the dog and pony show that were the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Sub Committee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection hearing called "From Imus to Industry." I asked "who is looking out for Megan Williams in West Virginia?" I gave an update on the foolishness in Dunbar Village. We ended the week talking about Nailah Franklin. The AP reported that her body had been recovered. They apparently were premature ( DOLTS). BringNailahFranklinHome.com is asking folks to keep looking.

Liveblogging Lunacy in the People's House

I live blogged the shenanigans from inauspicious beginning to bitter end. There were three panels, Panel One, Entertainment Executives. Panel Two, Levell Crump's Pain, and Panel Three was the panel that they finally let the people affected get a word in edgewise. You can watch all of Panel Two (Master P, David Banner/Levell Crump, Prognostitute-in-Cheif- Michael Eric Dyson). You can listen to our commentary by going to the Black Women's Roundtable.

Return of the Black Women's Roundtable, Thursdays at 8PM CST

The Black Women's Roundtable is back every Thursday at 8PM CST. On our first show back from a two-month hiatus, we were graced with the presence of SheCodes, who rode the train down to meet me at the hearings. We dished all the behind the scenes foolishness that went on in the hearing room and out in the hall. You won't see this kind of commentary on CSPAN and we have context the Associated Press was too lazy to bother with. You can listen to the archived show from Thursday by clicking on the player at the top of the page or going to the podcast homepage and clicking on the archives.

Be A Guest on the Black Women's Roundtable

Speaking of the Black Women's Roundtable, we're looking for regular panelists for the show so if you have a Thursday available and want to weigh in on whatever we are talking about, jot over an email to whataboutourdaughters at gmail dot com. Place "PANELIST" as the first word in the subject line. I am looking for permanent panelists as well as folks to pop in on occasion.

Openings for Guest Contributors

We are opening up some new slots for guest contributors. My original guest contributors have been made moderators. They will still chime in, but they have their own blogs which keep them extremely busy and everyday i get more and more requests to cover new foolishness popping off in the Universe and there just isn't enough moi to go around. I am looking for people to cover the following stories; Megan Williams and Crimes against Black women. You will need to be BRIEF (250 words or less). Which should not be a problem because one of the neat things about blogging is that you link to source material so you just need to give the readers an idea of what is going on and provide a link where they can find more information. Also, you can't be boring. If people wanted dull, dry and unbiased, they wouldn't come to this blog. We will accept cross posts.

Wagging Finger of Shame Nominations and Voting

We're also accepting nominations for a weekly "WAOD Wagging Finger of Shame Award." Send in your nomination via e-mail put " NOMINATION" as the first word in your subject line. Nominations are due each week by Wednesday. Voting will take place on Thursday, and the winners will be announced on Fridays.

Blogging While Brown Registration Begins

If you love reading blogs or if you are a person of color that blogs, come on down to Atlanta for a Blogoshpere Family Reunion for Black and Brown bloggers and their readers. Blogging While Brown, the first international conference for bloggers of color will take place in Atlanta, Georgia, July 25-27, 2008. Early registration is now open. Learn more at Blogging While Brown.

We're talking about Nailah Franklin, Dunbar Village, Megan Williams, and the Congressional Hearings tonight at 8PM CST- Listen Live or Call In

Tonight on the WAOD podcast, we'll be talking about Nailah Franklin, Dunbar Village, Megan Williams, and the Congressional hearings on Tuesday.

You can listen live via the internet by going to The Black Women's Roundtable Page. You can participate by calling in to 646-478-4750.

Archives of the show will be available on I-tunes and the podcast homepage.

Or just click this button at show time:

You Tube Clips of Congressional Hearing on the Degradation of Black Women -"Levell Crump's PAIN"- RETURN OF THE PODCAST!

The Black Women's Roundtable, the WAOD Podcast returns Thursday night at 8:00PM CST. We'll be talking about all of the Congressional Hearing and the behind the scenes foolishness. You can call in to participate at (646) 478-4750.

Someone has gone and put almost all of Panel Two, which is the panel with Levell Crump aka David Banner, Percy Miller aka Master P, and Michael Eric Dyson aka Hip Hop's Prognostitute-in Chief, on YouTube. You can follow along with my live blogging here.

Part 1 of 9 Part 2 of 9 Part 3 of 9Part 4 of 9Part 5 of 9 Part 7 of 98 of 99 of 9

Congressional Hearing Live Blogging Recaps Now Labeled- Podcast is Coming Back!

To read all the liveblogging posts on the House Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection Subcommittee hearing" From Imus to Industry" today, click on the Live Blogging in the index in the sidebar.

To those bloggers who want to link to just one post, I have labeled all of my live blogging from the hearing under the Label: Live Blogging. Click here to get the link that will pull up all of my posts. Since this is just an administrative post, I have disabled comments. Please comment on the hearings in the actual live blogging posts.

If you have specific questions about the hearing, put them in the comments and I will address them on the Black Women's Roundtable. You heard it right, the Black Women's Roundtable is coming back! Thursdays at 8:00PM. You won't believe how many people e-mail me about the show. I actually used to look forward to the podcast the most back in the day, but I stopped it when folks made it no fun at all. I am think I am ready to dive in again.

Looking for panelists for this Thursday at 8:00 PM CST. I am praying SheCodes can be on because the two of us together will be a HOOT! We had fun.

P.S. Yes, David Banner is just as looney in person as he was on the video and yes, his suit was too tight. But he gives to charity so that makes it all okay! Another behind the scenes perspective, David Banner's testimony send Blackberries CRAZY. Half the room was like WTH? I was giving play by play and had everybody around me rolling. Just imagine THIS BLOG, LIVE!

I'll go back and fix the typos in my previous posts later. I was on a tear.

Post Hearings Reflections - Congress States Definitively "Black Women, Y'all are on Your Own!"

Whew, well this day is over. If you thought the hearings were long tedious and boring, you were wrong. What happened on camera was nothing like the circus off camera. Like caribou locking antlers in a battle of a territory, we watched the melodrama of the Black Elite Establishment play out in front of our eyes. It would make you laugh, make you cry, make you want to see it again and again.

Debra Lee's House Party

Apparently Debra Lee is in some distress that Pastor Coates has decided to throw a party outside of her house on the weekends. Debbie confronted Dr. E. Faye Williams of the National Congress of Black Women during one of our breaks to say that she was disappointed in Dr. Williams for participating in the protest outside Debbie's house. Debbie mentioned her concern for the safety of her child(ren). Apparently during one of the Saturdays, Debbie was actually at home. Debbie felt betrayed because BET had started a dialog and Debra Lee reminded Dr. Williams that she had donated money to Dr. William's organization. Also apparently BET has dispatched spies to the local congregations to report back on what the preachers are saying about BET from the pulpit. Sounds like some J Edgar Hoover type foolishness, but I take it as a sign of weakness.

Debbie Lee

It is always nice to put a human face with the person you call the devil on occasion. She didn't have horns.I am going to have to stop doing that. She's delusional, not demonic. (I THINK). She appeared friendly to everybody that walked up to her. I didn't bother, I just would have gotten her Stepford Wife "We're BALANCED" response.

I decided to introduce myself to Dr. E. Faye Williams since she was standing next to pastor Coates at the end of the hearings... Debbie, you ain't the only one Dr. Williams HATES BWAHAHAHA. Maybe Debra Lee and I need to start a "People E. Faye Williams Can't Stand" Support Group. We have a "history" But y'all would have been so proud of me. Y'all really would have. I didn't want to cut up in front of Pastor Coates so I let it ride. I'm still defrosting from the glare. Brrrr

Congressional Black Caucus Week

Every single Black person I met asked me if i was staying for CBC week. I was like "Um NO." Y'all have fun though. Apparently CBC week is like NBA All Star Weekend for Hill-a-holics. I don't ever want to become one

Protesters Outside
Pastor Coates did have about 10 protesters outside the Rayburn Blgd. My friend says that one man was saying that he wasn't a "pimp."

LESSONS LEARNED

The main lesson is the one I pointed out at the beginning of this blog. The negative depiction of Black women is not a matter for Capitol Hill, it is a matter for the capital markets. Its not abotu free speech, but the free market. Its not a constitutional issue, but a customer service issue.

WE DON"T NEED CONGRESS! Yes, the FCC needs to regulate what is within it's jurisdiction and yes, we need cable choice, but we have to at least TRY to remove the financial incentives to package and sell the dehumanization of Black women for profit.

The only answer is for Black women to STOP FUNDING AND ENGAGING IN FOOLISHNESS! Cut off the flow of our money both directly and indirectly. I'll tell you how in Defunding the War on Black Women, out November 1, 2007

Viacom's CEO basically said he didn't give a flip.

Representation of Women at the Hearings.

All the women were on the final panel for several reasons. First, all the CEOs of the media conglomerates are men. On the second panel, Congressman Rush, said they tried to get a female artist to counteract David Banner's foolishness. He said they could not find one.So the only women to speak all day IN FRONT OF A NEARLY EMPTY ROOM and completely empty podium, the only Congressman that heard was Rush. But they actually had some of the best information for us.

Archived Hearings

Someone said the archive of the hearing should be up soon. I'll look

Thanks!

EVERYBODY was so nice to me all day long ( Except Dr. Williams, but she has "issues"). I really had a good time. I want to thank SheCodes for coming down. We had our own little section of the hearing room all day. She was working the room. I stuck to my little corner.Lots of folk apparently read this blog.

Rush is the only Congressman left to ask questions of Panel 3

This should have so been reversed. This panel should have gone first.

Rush is talking out both of the sides of his mouth. He was preening and fawning over the entertainment execs and now he is oozing with empathy for Black women in front of the ONLY PANEL WITH WOMEN on it. Why didn't he ask the Execs this question?

"slippery slope" *drink*
Dr. Z. - Vicarious thrills? Rush asks Dr. Z to explain. Dr. Z says black folks define what it means to be cool for Whit folks.

Hip hop creating demand. Which Hip Hop is fulfilling. A vicious cycle according to Dr. Z.

Dr. Williams - All groups need to work together? Well what if the other members of the groups are dysfunctional. Finally points out that Rush pushed female witnesses to the last. She is calling out the fact that these entertainment companies gave Congressmen and women donations. How much did Butterfield get?

Lisa - Talking about the fact that stations have double digit numbers in the 12 to 17 year-olds, but never talk about them. Pointing out that record companies choose to support those artists that they want. 18 Million dollars in a marketing budget can do wonders. Also correlates videos appearing on MTV and BET with radio airplay and Billboard Charts.

Lisa- Artists don't need radio to sell. Scarface went gold and platinum without radio back in the days before the internet. Artists don't make money on radio.

Dr Dill just hit it out of the park. She pointed out the lunacy of David Banner whining about being in pain, and marginalizing another group ( THAT WOULD BE US!)

Panel Three FINALLY Starts - They Should Have Gone First

The hearing room is now empty. Congressmen and women are gone. Most of the audience that was packed in is gone when perhaps this is the panel most of these folks should have made sure they listened to.

My blood sugar is low. I haven't eaten since 8:00 this morning. They have to go vote in a few minutes so perhaps I can get a bite.

We took about a half hour break so that they could vote. It looks like the hearing is about to begin again. I was light headed, but I got to scarf down a boxed lunch from the canteen. Did you know that they do not pay taxes in the House?

WE'RE reconvening now. Hearing room even less populated. Only Congressman Rush is present and his Counsel. The visual is quite sad

Dr Rozjecki (sp) - Good information, but his tone is so monotonous and it is making me sleeping. No Congressmen present except for Rush.


Dr. E. Faye Williams - Notes that everybody has basically left. Putting everybody on notice. SheCodes is over here Amening over here. She should have gone first.

Backtracking... David Banner was holding court in the hall for some cameras. When I came back from the vending machine, a group of sisters had him corralled while his boys were tugging on him trying to get him out of there. SheCodes confronted him. We'll have her on the podcast when we get the chance.

Dr. E. Faye Williams - Brings up "Read a Book!" She's actually good. Brings up Anton Mohammed being shut out of the hearing. Who the heck is Anton Mohammed? I had never heard of him until today is this an East coast thing?

Lisa _ I spoke with her earlier. She's cool people. Focusing on a lack of diversity in concentrated media companies.

Written Statements- I just walked to pick up everybody's statements.

Lisa Continued - Hitting it out of the ballpark. Bringing up Payola.
Lisa- BET's largest audience segment is 12 to 17. I told y'all.

Dr. Dill - Oh awesome point about the fact that violent lyrics make boys and girls out to be enemies.

Panel Two - David Banner College Graduate? Couldn't tell - Calls Hip Hop "Horror Music"

Lord have mercy. He's reading for goodness sakes and having issues.

David Banner defends the "N" Word. Wonders why Steven King and Stephen Spielberg get a pass wants Hip Hop to be considered "Horror Music" Oh lord he is going after Homeland Security now. *rambling mess ensues*

David Banner's mama showed up and and applauded at the end of his opening statement.

Master P decides to go forward without a script. He wants to "speak from his heart." Bad decision, but good for moi. MP says "I was once part of the problem" ummm train wrecky Goodness . Says "I was only in it for the money." Thanks for being honest.

MASTER P proposes starting Hip Hop union. "Most of these guys are in it for the money." Honesty again.

Michael Eric Dyson - Hip Hop's apologist and prognostitute in chief is is rare form. does this man breathe. "I don't want to quarantine the rage." I mean really its like machine gun fire.

Some rowdy woman, David Banner's Mama, keeps screaming out as if we in church. She is the only one clapping.

Congressman Rush once again to be "clear" because he hasn't said this 15,000 times before today wants to be "clear" that he is not indicting Hip Hop. Now he is listing a laundry list of all the noble characteristic of Hip Hop. Yes. Yes. It has made about 200 Black folks rich at the expense of millions. Yes Congressman Rush, noble indeed.

UPDATE 12:41CST
Rush " I got RAGE...I still Have deep seated RAGE.. How is that RAGE channeled?"

Update 12:51 David Banner talking crazy - He says don't judge him by his job, it is separate. *at which point I turn to yet another one of my new friends and ask "Isn't the job you are willing to do in order to make a living a reflection of your character. Didn't Nazi officers try this after WWII?"* David banner is running off all the reporters. They came for crazy and he gave it to them.

UPDATE 12:51 Master P plugs Lil Mario's show on Nickelodeon.

UPDATE 12:55 Dyson- has been sent to translate whatever in the hell Master P or David Banner just said. Congressperson literally says "Perhaps you can explain whatever in the heck they just said" Michael Dyson promotes his latest book. What is this hearing QVC?
Dyson defends N word because MLK used the N word. Wonderful logic.

Update 12:58 CST Stearns asks a very good question. Have industry execs asked you to alter your lyrics? David banner is proud that he has a "potty mouth." They are going overboard. Hysterical to hear the ranking member interact with "Mr. Crump" over and over again.

Stearns is keeping them on task. or at least trying.

Master P is incoherent. Somebody please tell me what the hell this man is saying.
Stearns keeps trying to keep them on task.

David Banner says execs don't have a problem with the degrading lyrics directed towards Black women, but apparently they censor lyrics about politics.

Stearns - Just said "Tupac Shakur"

UPDATE 1:10PM- David Banner says "Sh!t, N#^%er and B#&^ch" - Says he was "depressed". his parents "made me feel beautiful" Congresswoman asked if David Banner thinks "B%$#ch!" is a sign of camaraderie. The question was supposed to be HOW DOES THIS MAKE BLACK WOMEN FEEL. Since David Banner/ Levell Crump is so self centered, he thought she was asking about how HE FELT. Idiot! Everybody is looking at each other mouths open (SMH)

Congresswoman just gave up on David Banner and trying to see if he feels women's pain. David Banner too self absorbed to answer. "me me me!"

Dyson dodges question as well. Calls people ""Ecclesiastical Ho or Ecclesiastical B1^%ch!" "Women use the word B!*@#ch." I really don't like this man. He is basically saying you can direct hatred towards Black women as long as you have a good enough excuse and also if someone else hated on them, it is okay for you to hate on them and then he basically says it is Black women's fault that we are called B%^@ch because some women use the phrase. Brilliant! And what school mailed him his Ph.D.?

1:15 Congresswoman says she would be interested in hearing from some women. The room erupted in applause.

1:18David Banner is pouting, Congressman calls him on it.
GOnzales says Hip Hop glamorize lifestyles that Hip Hop artists condemn.
Doesn't see a solution in Hip Hop.
" Describing present state of affairs" not solutions. Calls David Banner on his crap. Is this entertainment? "We're all over the map"

1:21David Banner- Getting Belligerent "Y'all don't listen to our music." Gives God credit for his record deal. God says "It wasn't me!"( Satan pouting once again for not getting a shout out)

1:22 David Banner Giving up money is like "treason to America." Audience begins to help David Banner complete his sentences.

David Banner arguing with Congressman Gonzales. - Congressman Gonzales is clearly reading What About Our Daughters? He just said David banner is all about "me me me!"


1:29 Shelia Jackson Lee comes back from lunch. Playing on her Blackberry. She ain't asked nary question and is in and out.

1:30 - Let me apologize to Master P. I underestimated this man. He is actually coherent and passionate. Dr. Dyson, are you listening? Dyson is such a prognostitute.

1:32 David Banner - Nobody talks to us! Every thing we do is always our faults. *continues to whine like a 3 year old. This is the House of Representatives not Toys R' Us*

1:34 Dr. Dyson gives us a laundry list of everybody that ever uttered a curse word. "All art should not make you feel good"

1:41 DAVID BANNER GOES BATSHYT CRAZY! Congress man beet red serves the crazy back. David Banner just arguing and yelling like a tiny tot. This is embarrassing.

Go Congressman Marky for not letting David Banner off the hook. Could you get better? David Banner says "I guess I could" BUT I AIN'T! *ignorance personified*

VIACOM CONTROLS WITNESS LIST! WAOD SCOOP!

I was wondering why folks were passing out fliers up in here. Apparently when Viacom found out that the Real Hip Hop Network was going to testify, they said they were not going to show up. You heard it here FIRST!

Panel Two - David Banner, Michael Eric Dyson and Master P

David banner looks like that guy from Saturday Night Live , Tracey something(Tracey Morgan). His suit is too tight. David Banner is the Republican Witness. How did that happen?

Viacom CEO says Rev. Coates is "Harassing Debra Lee at her Home"

Viacom's CEO just defended Debbie Lee's honor. "harassing one of my executives at her home" in referring to Pastor Coates and Enough and Enough. Well good. At least we know he is aware of the protests. MORE! MORE!

A big protest is breaking out right outside the hearing room. All the reporters are stampeding out to go check it out. Somebody said it was advocates for the disabled.

Rep Gonzales is bringing the heat. "We're kidding ourselves!" Go get 'em Texas holding it down.

Weiner, once again is demonstrating that he listens to Hip Hop. If this man name drops one more Hip Hop artist... We get it, you have an intern who helped you memorize all those names. Now ask a question or something.

SheCodes is having a fit. I'm glad she came. She's more radical than I am. Fun Times Fun Times!

Rep. Weiner- Will not be quiet. Now they are trying to blame the internet. His time is expired because he talked for his entire allotment.

WHY is this sister Congresswoman sitting up on the podium waving a church fan? I mean like a big ole Dollar General straw fan. She came in late so I don't know her name yet, but WHY did she pull out a big ole fan waving like she up in a hot church?

OH today's theme is that it is the Internet's fault.

OH OH. the audience is waking up folks are getting rowdy! Alfred Liggins wants to create a new school curriculum. Why doesn't Radio One make a huge donation to get things started? *crickets chirping*

Viacom is very proud of funding "Hot Ghetto Mess".

PANEL #1 is DONE!

Celebrity Sightings at Break AND We finally get to the QUESTIONS! _ Its getting hot in here! FINALLY

AT BREAK

They have four floor votes going on so we're at break.
I met Pastor Coates and Lisa Faeger (sp)of Industry Ears.

Debra Lee- Really a lot older in person. She's had a hard life. She seems really nervous. SheCodes went up to her and said she seemed frightened.

Dick Gregory - Looks exactly the same in person.

Saw Maxine Waters in the hall, she's shorter than I thought, but she was SHARP.

Michael Eric Dyson is giving an interview in front of me - Short

Alfred Liggins - Slow and disinterested ( What is the name of that disorder Bill Gate's has? Ausberger Syndrome?)- will not raise his head from his Blackberry, poor thing, but I asked him when the hell we are going to get to download TV One programming on I-tunes. He blew me off and said he would pass that on to "his people". He was nice about it though and then he went back to texting like a 17 year old .- Somebody said his Mama Kathy was around here somewhere.

Ben Chavis - OLD(er) than I thought

Shelia Jackson Lee just rolled through here.

Bobby Rush is throwing a party, his interns are papering the dayum room. I just came back to me seat and there was a flier laying on the laptop. Be gone pests! These dadgum party invitations are everywhere. Is this the "People's Business?"

SheCodes talked to Debra Lee. Debra Lee volunteered to participate in a forum SheCodes wants to hold. We're holding our breath wondering if Debbie Lee will show up. Perhaps we should have a special edition of the Black Women's Roundtable.

****HEARING RESUMES***
Here we go. Of course Rush starts with quoting Russell Simmons.

Is somebody going to ask a hard question? Rush's opening question was a bunch of foolishness.

Ranking Republican member (Stearns) - confronting head of Universal Music with 50 Cent and Cam'ron lyrics. Go get em! I guess the Republicans didn't get the memo. THAT'S what Viacom gets for not throwing them a reception tonight as part of CBC week. The ranking member is taking it to them. This is what I sat cramped in an airline seat to see. I am loving this!

Congressman Butterfield(NC) is Enraptured with Viacom - just gushing. Viacom CEO says he doesn't actually keep up with that what they put on the air. Viacom CEO is satisfied with his standards. Salutes Warner Music for the work that they do? Who the hell is this Congressman. He has to be a member of the CBC.

Shelly Blackburn says - wants them to respond to written questions. "Choices have consequences" Blackburn just asked them how much of their operating budgets do they spend on combating the the social ills that these artists are talking about.

WASSUP to the House staffers reading this blog. Yeah, I see y'all watching :) Come over and say hey!

Congressman Gonzalez is bringing the heat- Calling BS on the First Amendment and censorship arguments! Yeah yeah. We just spent TWO hours saying there isn't a dayum thing Congress can do, but what about corporate values and corporate responsibility? Do the companies have any?

Viacom uses Hearings to Promote BET Show "HIp Hop Versus America"

SHAMELESS Plug. Viacom is the Devil. Shameless. They made us sit through a commercial of BET in the House of the People! Bought and paid for. Shecodes is having a fit next to me. Why didn't Viacom show a clip from 106 and Park? Why didn't they show "A Bay Bay"

Shecodes says she wants to go talk to Debra Lee. I told her they gone tackle her behind being all bold and whatnot. I'm not claiming her if she gets dragged up outta here!

Blogger Eddie Griffin and Afrospear Get a Shout out in the hearing! - EDDIES's Statement in Full( BELOW)

YAY Eddie! Congressman Burgess read your e-mail in the hearing room.

I got a copy of Eddie's email yesterday. I will post it later! Thanks Congressman Burgess for giving a shout out to the Afrospear!

The revolution will not be televised, it will be blogged! It is packed to the gills up in this hearing room.

Prepared Statement by Eddie Griffin, Afrosphere Bloggers Association (ABA):

Addressees:

Philippe Dauman, Viacom

Doug Morris, Universal Music Group

Edgar Bronfman Jr., Warner Music Group:

Dear Mr. Media Executives:

It is becoming increasingly more evident that your thoughts are not our thoughts and neither your ways our ways. Nevertheless, we have been tolerant not to abridge your free speech or freedom of artistic expression, except to insist protecting our children from pornographic obscenities. In light to the continual misogyny of African-American women, however, we must say that you have exceeded our tolerance by this concerted encroachment upon our sense of public decency.

Who is a whore and who is a bitch? Is it not the African-American women featured in your television programming, in musical rap videos, and on movie silver-screen… half-naked, provocative, lewd, vulgar, sensual and devilishly sexy? Shame on you!

And, who are these “ugly nappy-headed ‘hoes” of which you speak?

Shame on you, again! There is only so much that we, African-Americans (and other Americans), can take.

In the past, you have portrayed our people as stupid buffoons and minstrel coons, created like courtyard jesters, for the sake of your private pleasure, clowns made for humiliation. We are always made sport of. And, by degrading and humiliating our women, you seem all the more satisfied.

The media has become a play toy to you for mass brainwashing, cloning sick and perverse minds into the image of your own. Through mass psychology via television, radio, and music industry, you have made us a joke to ourselves, as you feed the public-at- large with intoxicating daily doses of sex mania.

Is it no wonder that black women are raped and abused like dogs in such record numbers? No wonder you call her a “bitch”. How can you wash your hand of the blood of the crime when, in fact, it is a Frankenstein of your own making?

Time out for our pleading for more decency and uplifting programming, lest we be further accused of Puritanism. Rather, we endorse the mission of Association of National Advertisers’ Family Friendly Programming Forum to implement more “family friendly programming”. And, we will use our collective powers to negatively impact the profitability of those companies who cross the line.

Gentlemen, assuming that none of you are God, you must be made accountability to the public and brought back to the realization your social responsibility in shaping the minds and values of our youth.

Y'all send Representative Pitts a thank you letter. He is the first one to point out that what people see hear and observe affects how they and others behave.

Congressman Markey calls out Isiah Thomas at 10:00

Congresswoman Bono up now.

Heck we are over an hour in and the congresspeople are STILL talking. Couldn't they all just STIPULATE that they A) aren't in favor of Censorship and B) Folks can get a V-chip.

I am going to start a drinking game for each time they say "slippery slope" or "censorship".

Thank God SheCodes is here. She is doing call and response over here.

The Real Hip Hop Network is handing out a statement in the hearing room RHN.tv

FINALLY VIACOM IS ON 11:09

I'm in the hearing room by the skin of my teeth

We were in line since 8:00 but barely got into the hearing room because Viacom brought about 50 lobbyists and the entertainment companies brought HUGE groups of people with them. ONLY 25 people in the line that had been there since 8:00AM got in. The room was already filled when we got in.

Apparently WE ended up in the section reserved for the press so this female staffer in a black suit and a green silk shirt keeps giving us the STANK eye and I keep giving it back!

Rush just finished his opening statement apologizing profusely for being forced to have these hearings and reintegrating that he is a FAN OF HIP HOP.

Debra Lee is in here. I could smell the scent of sulfur when I got in here.

UPDATE: Rep Shakowwsky is the first to actually mention women, Black women in particular. SHE DOES NOT BELIEVE IN CENSORSHIP ( neither do I) She has said this about four times. So has everybody else. We get it..Y'all don't want to be here.

WAOD Live Blogging From Imus to Industry Hearings in Washington,DC- Witness List Up(SMH) _ Rev. Al Gotta be MAD!

Well folks, despite a certain airline's best attempt to kill me with an embolism by forcing its passengers to sit in an awkward position on account that the space under their seats to store your purse is remarkably small, sleeping on an air mattress while continuing to recover from the world' most painful chair massage ( It was on Saturday, I'm still sore), I will be there today for these hearings.

From Imus to Industry: The Business of Stereotypes and Degrading Images
Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection Hearing
10:00 a.m.(EASTERN STANDARD TIME)in room 2123 Rayburn House Office Building
Witness List
Connect to the Video Webcast (100 kbps)

Witness List

When I was at 40,000 feet stuck in the middle seat for three hours( six hours total of flight./airport time), trying to forgive a rude flight attendant because as a personal policy, I don't fly angry, the Universe worked on me. I didn't want my last thought on earth to be "this airline sucks," right before a sudden loss of cabin pressure, or a flock of birds flying into the engine, or a rat gnawing at some electrical wiring. Clearly I was being tested yesterday in preparation for today, so I am going to do my level best to give the folks the benefit of the doubt, plus, I am almost certain that due to my legs almost being folded under me for 3 hours, I developed a blood clot that is going to break off and kill me instantly, the moment someone raises my blood pressure, I am going to be extra special zen-like today. Nothing like the possibility of sudden death to keep you mellow....but I digress.

So what esteemed panel has Congressman Rush's office assembled?

Well there will be THREE PANELS the first one is the one I flew out here for, the folks that really control the industry:

PANEL ONE
( Because these folks are too busy to sit around all day)

Phillipe Dauman, CEO of Viacom
Edgar Brofman, Jr, CEO, Warner Music Group
Doug Morris, Universal Music Group ( Does he know his employees stay on this blog?)
Strauss Zelnick, Chair of Take Two Interactive Software
Alfrd Liggins, CEO Radio One ( I know y'all are enraptured with TV ONE, but Radio One is a whole other can of worms) This man is Miss Hughes' son. ( Man tell your Mama to but TV One on I-tunes!)

PANEL TWO
( Because these folks careers are basically over)

Master P and Levell Crump( Open mind. Must. Keep. An. Open. Mind.(repeat))

Y'all know Rev. Al is TICKED that his arch nemesis, David Banner is speaking before Congress. Read "Al Sharpton and David Banner in a Cage Match:Who Wins?"

PANEL THREE
( Please let two of these people be from my generation)

Not that having a Ph.D. is a bad thing, but did the whole dayum panel against the foolishness have to be made up of academics? Some, yes, but all? Hip Hop's representatives are likely to provide a treasure trove of foolishness to document, but this last group is probably going to be all coherent and what not. What happened to Andrea Boudreaux, that Spelman college Student who started the letter writing camp Sharpley Whiting? Well maybe they will be riveting. I am just concerned that once again, it will appear that this is generational warfare when a bunch of the opposition to the Hip Hop Industrial complex is coming from members of the Hip Hop generation.(Keep.An. Open.Mind)

Tracy Sharpley-Whiting, Ph.D.
Faye Williams, Ph.D.
Karen Dill, Ph.D.
Lisa Fager, Industry Ears ( Yeah! No Ph.D.)
Andrew Rojecki, Ph.D.

I am familiar with about three of these folks so maybe they will be as riveting as Master P and David Banner.

Okay kiddies, moi has to go get ready to brave DC traffic. I'll be posting throughout the day as my internet connection permits. Be good, the guest moderators should be popping in periodically to moderate the comments.

9:10 EST UPDATE: Whew! Moi made it, but just barely. First my DC "local" who knew where the Rayburn bldg was, well she DIDN'T! So we ended up in traffic for forever and I still ended up walking about FIVE blocks ( the horror!) in platform shoes with a goldfish swimming on the bottom. I forgot that they call it THE HILL for a reason. They OUGHT to call it THE MOUNTAIN!

Shecodes is here and the signal is strong. We are at th front of the line. Gotta preserve this laptop battery! Lata.
FROM EARLIER IN THE DAY

Folks the list of witnesses is up for who is going to testify today. OH I can see this is going to be just a lovely lovely day already. Scroll down to the posts. You will be able to watch or listen to the hearings via the internet. I haven't found this listed on C-Span. OH YEAH, and immediately following the hearings, Viacom will be plying African American members of Congress with Drank and Vittles at a reception. Ain't representative Democracy wonderful?p>