Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Bsi 2,050.35 +7.43 +.36%

The scuttlebutt may be that important civil rights  and discrimination protections were lost when the Supreme Court overturned a lower court decision regarding Hartford fire fighters.

"The city rejected the test results solely because the higher scoring candidates were white," wrote Justice Anthony Kennedy for the majority. "Fear of litigation alone cannot justify an employer's reliance on race to the detriment of individuals who passed the examinations and qualified for promotions."

And while we appreciate the minority view...

"Relying so heavily on pencil-and-paper exams to select firefighters is a dubious practice,"

A city just simply can't promote equality when test results are thrown out preemptively -- regardless of how much we dislike some of the lengths to which certain justices went to play the "white victim" card.

I can't believe I agree with Clarence Thomas... I feel sick.

BUY

Michael Jackson

Tops on iTunes and, as a New York Times article points out, fully embraced and mourned by the black community that has at times been on the fence about the King of Pop.  Michael Jackson's tragic death has already lead to an afterlife.

SELL

Brandon Jennings

Ricky Rubio, The New York Knicks, Chris Duhon... none are spared when Jennings starts to talk.  And while it's refreshing to see a young player refuse to kowtow at the alter of David Stern's authority, Jennings better be really good really fast or he's going to look very, very silly.

Not that it's hard to look silly when you have such a ridiculous tattoo.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Bsi 2,112.64 +17.54 +.83%

That the Voting Rights Act lives to see another day pushes the Index higher.

BUY

Chris Brown

A cynical recommendation, certainly.  But with his slap on the wrist probation sentence and the news that the singer has Keri Hilson signed up to collaborate on his new album the inevitable CB reclamation is up and underway.

Don't get too close, girl...

SELL

Clarence Thomas

Let's see... the SCOTUS upholds the constitutionality of the Voting Rights Act 8-1.  Who dissents?  You guessed it.

As wrongheaded a decision as it is, we also have to admit... it's kinda gangsta.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Bsi 2,159.89 -21.83 -1%

The choice as head of the Republican party comes off as a cynical playing of identity politics, sending the Index lower for the first time in nearly three weeks.

"See, we've got one too."

Of course, what do we expect from people who brought us him...

and her.

BUY

Black History Month

At its best, a celebration of the historical relevance of the black contribution to this country.

SELL

Black History Month

...And, at its worst, an excuse to re-air Puffy's "Raisin in the Sun".

Please, please, please people... read something -- anything -- by Lorraine Hansbury OTHER than "Raisin in the Sun".  She really was a brilliant writer and "Raisin" doesn't quite give you the full picture.

Friday, December 5, 2008

Bsi 1,774.59 +11.74 +.66%

The market takes a turn for the positive after a week of minor losses.

WINNERS

Lil Wayne (LILW) 16.28 +2.59 +15.91%

It's been a banner year for one of hip-hop's hardest workers.  First "Tha Carter III" goes platinum in a week and now he's picked up eight Grammy nominations.

 

Looks like he's gonna get another use outta that tuxedo.

We wonder how he'll celebrate when he wins...

Just stirring the pot... all in good fun, folks.

LOSERS

Clarence Thomas (JCT) .35 -.42 -54.55%

Analysts here didn't think this Supreme Court justice could get more bankrupt, but now comes word that Thomas is asking his fellow justices to consider a case that challenges Barack Obama's citizenship.

Leave it to this notoriously silent bootlicker to pick this moment to speak his conscience.  There are no words.