Fresh Roundtable

Rippa: He’s gonna surrender? Really? Hell I thought he was gonna make an appearance on the Jackson reality show on A&E. But in all seriousness, this situation has gone on for too long and if I were him I would just go on the run just to make it interesting. Yep, I see a white Bronco police chase in this dudes future. I don’t know if it qualifies as an “honest mistake”. It’s not like he was well equipped or in the best setting (i.e. a hospital) to administer those drugs anyway. You can’t just give a guy a shot and then go back to playing Playstation III and expect everything to be OK.

Sable: Bottom line: I think involuntary manslaughter is fair in this case- has nothing to do with whether I like MJ or not.  He administered the drugs in reckless fashion, he should be held accountable for that.

2) An estimated $400 billion will be dispersed around the country based on the 2010 Census results. The government hopes that some of this money will go to improve third-world-country like conditions of the “colonias” around the US/Mexico border. But many residents, in the United States illegally, fear being deported if they participate in the census. Is this a legitimate concern? The census director says it is not. But should the government use the census to identify and deport illegal immigrants?

AB: I understand the fear/concern of those here illegally, but let’s keep it one hunned: as long as there’s a dollar to be made off their cheap labor, there will never be comprehensive immigration reform. Don’t underestimate just how much this inexpensive, non-union labor had to do with the real estate boom of the 2000′s. If you could pay a union crane operator $55/hr with full benefits, or an undocumented, but equally skilled worker just $17/hr without any benefits, which would you choose? This ability to keep costs low and get things built is the engine that runs the US economy. Any politician saying he’s going to deport these folks is just doing populist posturing. If it were that simple, we would have dedicated resources and done it a long time ago. So, rest easy, illegals. You’re cheap labor, and cheap labor never goes out of style.

Luvvie: I give the census the side-eye. Their motives may not be pure. And no, I don’t think the gubment should use the census to send folks back home. Underhanded and counterproductive.

Q: Let’s be real, folks hide from the Cenus people like they hide from Jehovah Witnesses. I was watching CNN earlier and they mentioned that the Government has the right to fine you up to $5,000 for NOT filling out your Cenus form. Right. The Cenus represents one thing to folks (of color), “the man.” And no one trusts “the man.” For the folks living in third-world-country like conditions of the “colonias” they definitely don’t trust “the man” and to them, answering questions and talking to them will end their time in the US, even if their status isn’t illegal. This will be an uphill battle.

Rippa Everybody is afraid of the police. I know cats around my way who say they’re not filling out any information in the 2010 Census because their baby mommas would be able to catch up to them and put the child support man on them. It’s understandable that undocumented immigrants would be leary. Forget the Census, deportations have been up drastically under the Obama administration since May 2009. As for using the Census to identify undocumented workers? Why do that and further criminalize people and not do anything to the corporations and companies who hire them. What needs to happen is comprehensive immigration reform. Studies have shown that it would have a positive impact of $1.6 Trillion on the economy in the next 10yrs. Deportation in that way is unrealistic and costly.

Sable: Illegal Immigration is a problem for the US, whether we like to say it is or not.  We’re an “all-inclusive” country- but only if you get in legally.  The costs of undocumented residents is huge (just in public edu alone) and the rest of us pay for that- literally.  It’s a no brainer that the census be used to determine who is in the US- legally or otherwise.  I’m a strong advocate for a full census count, that means everybody is counted, no matter what.  If undocumented residents are found via the count process, they should be deported.

3) The Defense Department has announced a plan to end discrimination against gay American service members. Defense Secretary Robert Gates told the panel that he “fully supports” President Obama’s decision to work with Congress to end the policy. What do you think? Should Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell be repealed?

AB: I don’t like equating gay right s to the civil rights movement, but there are some parallels. Reality is, there’s not much of a remaining stigma about being gay, not when a large city like Houston has a lesbian mayor, and the Obama administration includes a transgender person. It’s time to do away with this archaic “unwritten rule”. Some folks will not like it, but, well, some folks didn’t like it when Blacks were given the right to vote. The country survived, and is better off as a result. This is no different.

Luvvie: Yes, it should! be repealed! LET THE GAYS BE GREAT! Why does what someone do in their boudoir matter in the trenches? It doesn’t. Don’t ask don’t tell is archaic as hell and like all foolish traditions and laws, it needs to be done off with.

Q: First of all, nothing about Robert Gates’ body language during his testimony on Capitol Hill said that he “fully supports” President Obama’s plan but he’s being a good foot solider and going along for the ride. Sidebar: Is it just me or does Robert Gates’ always look like he has a runny nose?! Why is his nose always read. No seriously, what’s that about?! I digress … what “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” always said to me was separate but equal, and let’s not even open that can of worms. Repeal that act and while we’re at it give the Gays the opportunity to marry too. Why? Because equality is important, for EVERYONE. So many folks just don’t want to think of homosexuals as equals and in the case of the military, it would be hard for some to handle that homosexuals have been serving and protecting our country and may continue to openly. It’s the world we live in. Deal. And then get over it.

Rippa: It should have been repealed YESTERDAY. And the truth is, Barack Obama by executive order can do something about it but he hasn’t. There should have been a moratorium on the policy considering that we’re currently at war on two fronts. People in the LGBT community live under the umbrella of the constitution as does everybody else in the country.

Sable: Yes. Don’t Ask Don’t Tell should be done away with. However, that won’t end discrimination against gays in the military.  Discrimination from 1 person to another is a personal choice- and people have a lot of growing to do when it comes to their attitudes towards gays.

4) Beyoncé set a new Grammy record. The superstar singer collected six trophies on Sunday night, the most ever to a woman. Is she truly the greatest or severely overrated?

AB: She’s both extremely talented and extremely well-marketed. Whether you like her music or not, you can’t deny the woman’s work ethic and dedication to her craft. As far as “greatest ever”, nah, it’s just a reflection of the playlist-driven times, and a lack of equal competition. Let’s not get carried away.

Luvvie: I like to roast Queen Yawnce as much as the next hater. However, even I must say that the chick is fierce. What she lacks in her own actual hair, she makes up in pure performance skills. I REALLY liked “I am… Sasha fierce.” Couple of tracks go hard. HOWEVER, is she the greatest? Greatest what? Onesie-wearer? Maybe. Hehe, I keed. I don’t think she’s greatest singer or greatest performer. But she IS great.

Q: I may have to plead the fifth on all Beyonce related questions for fear that her stans will knock down my door and drag me through the streets and burn my throat chop hand in effigy. Here’s the thing about Beyonce though, she has a complete package and that makes her marketable but nothing alone makes her great. Her dancing, good. But if she was just a dancer, she’d be sub par. Her singing, alright. If she was just a sanger, she’d be sub par. Her acting, well … that just all together sucks and if she wasn’t a multi-platinum sanger, she’d NEVER get any of her acting roles. Hey, at the end of the day she’s on the arm of the past-president of the illuminati and so she’s going to get hers [LOL]. She might be a little overrated. *glances at attorney* Okay, I’ve said too much [LOL].

Rippa: “Who gives a f*ck about a Goddamned Grammy.” – Chuck D (Don’t Believe The Hype)…NEXT!

Sable: Welp, since I’ve already been pegged by many FXP readers as a “hater” of Queen ‘Yonce, I’ll stay true to my opinion.  Ahem: Severely, painfully, obviously overrated.

5) Matthew Knowles reportedly fathered a recently delivered daughter with his mistress Alexsandra Wright. Will she be the next Beyonce, Solange, or something in between? If he ever has a son, how will he turn out?

AB: Uhhhhh, correct me if I’m wrong, but has Solange made a record that didn’t go triple aluminum yet? It’s clear that one member of that family is talented, and one only. Unless this baby somehow got some of Mama Tina’s DNA, there’s no reason to expect another Beyonce.

Luvvie: First of all, Mama Celestine probably doesn’t wan’t that child to be great. She will NOT let no un-Knowles child be a superstar. See: Kelly Rowland’s career being limited to Europe. I’m just saying. But Matthew may try to get the child a career. Look out for a baby mixtape soon.

Q: What’s the next Solange? Irrelevant? Ok, maybe.

Rippa: I’m surprised Solange hasn’t killed herself just yet on the strength of being the ugly little sister of Beyonce. Hell, the new baby will not be the next Beyonce, ever! You wanna know why? Because Jay-Z won’t let it happen. But something in me tells me that if Beyonce’s daddy had a son he would grow up to be a gay rapper. I got two words for you: Single Ladies. Nuff said.

Sable: I don’t care.  You coulda asked something about Haiti here- shame on you.  Next question.

FXP In the Fire: Recently a 9 year old girl gave birth to a baby in China, and an 11 year old here in the US had a baby reportedly fathered by her step-father. Your 10 year old son comes to you and tells you his girlfriend is having a baby… what do you do?

AB: Send him down South to live with his Grandma, like they used to ostracize pregnant girls back in the day.

Luvvie: I’d *WALL SLIDE* right into a FAINT. Then I’d ask the Lord where I went wrong as a parent. Then I’d write a sad opus. After all the theatrics and drama, I’d rinse and repeat. THEN after I got it out my system, I’d go to the girlfriend’s parents and we’ll talk about it. Oh, I forgot the part where I’d give my son a backhand so strong, my hand print would be permanently tattooed on his face.

Q: I’d kill ‘em dead *Miss Sophia voice* Really, kids are growing up waaaaaaay too fast. It’s scary. I feel like you have to head this off at the pass and have the conversation with your children before you have to sit down to this kind of news. Kids need to be kids again.

Rippa: Be sure to establish paternity, and make that lil’ Negro get a job. No seriously, what more can I do than wonder where the hell was I when this happened. I have four daughters and I can guarantee you that I’d like to think that I’ll be as vigilant as a parent with my son as I am with my daughters. If it turns out that the kid isn’t his? Then I’ll be sure that until he’s 18yrs old he has to ask me for his penis everytime he has to pee.

Sable: I can’t even pretend to give a hypothetical answer to this one.  First, my son, who is almost ten, would never come home and say such a thing, because he would never DO such a thing.  Let’s also remember, we’re not talking about little boys as daddies, we’re talking about little girls, raped and sexually seduced, left to give birth and suffer the psychological, social and physical ramifications by older men who are nothing short of pedophiles.  Apples and Oranges.

That wraps up this week’s roundtable. Let us know what YOU think about these topics in the comment section. If you’re interested in being on a future Fresh Roundtable, contact Sean.Walton@thefreshxpress.com.