You Dolts

C'mon people - if you can't get behind your own party's nominee in a historical election - just switch on over to the other side.

From Some Hill Dems won't endorse Obama:

A spokesman for Rep. Tim Mahoney (D-Fla.) told Politico on Thursday that Mahoney will remain neutral. So will Rep. Jim Marshall, a Democrat in a conservative Georgia district. Marshall didn’t endorse Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) in 2004, and he won’t endorse anyone this year, either. "Jim, as a rule, doesn’t get involved in other people’s campaigns," said spokesman Doug Moore.

Louisiana Democratic Rep. Charlie Melancon has yet to endorse Obama. Until Thursday, neither had newly elected Louisiana Rep. Don Cazayoux. "Since coming to office, it has been Rep. Cazayoux’s position to let the presidential primary process play out, which it has," said Cazayoux spokesman Lewis Lowe. "Now that Sen. Obama is the presumptive nominee, Rep. Cazayoux looks forward to working with him to improve the economy and increase access to quality health care for all Americans."

Newsbytes

Some news from around the way:

U.S. Widens Princeton Bias Probe

Princeton University said the Education Department broadened its investigation of possible discrimination against Asian-American applicants.

In 2006, federal officials began investigating a claim from a student that Princeton rejected him because of his race and national origin. The student, 19-year-old Jian Li, initially enrolled at Yale University and is now at Harvard. Princeton says it didn't discriminate against Mr. Li.

History in the making in Eastern District of New York

It has been a long American journey for George Matsumoto, from Japanese Internment Camp Three in Arizona during World War II to Room 226 in the Dirksen Senate Office Building here yesterday.

But Matsumoto seemed to take satisfaction in where that journey has taken him and his family after he watched Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) chair a brief hearing here that virtually assures Senate confirmation of his daughter Kiyo Ann Matsumoto as a lifetime U.S. District Judge in Brooklyn.

Report Takes Aim at "Model Minority Stereotype of Asian-American Students says NYT

The report quotes the opening to W. E. B. Du Bois’s 1903 classic "The Souls of Black Folk" — "How does it feel to be a problem?" — and says that for Asian-Americans, seen as the "good minority that seeks advancement through quiet diligence in study and work and by not making waves," the question is, "How does it feel to be a solution?"

That question, too, is problematic, the report said, because it diverts attention from systemic failings of K-to-12 schools, shifting responsibility for educational success to individual students. In addition, it said, lumping together all Asian groups masks the poverty and academic difficulties of some subgroups.

A Good Day for Priscilla Ahn

Very few Asian American women foray into Pop Music - let alone making big in the world of music. This time around, singer and songwriter Priscilla Ahn has made the break-through.

Lost For Words: Zhang Ziyi Goes Hugh Grant And I'll Be There To Watch It

I can't help it I'm drawn to these types of movies.

Sure, you can say I have no taste and depending when you call me on it I might actually agree - especially if this was the only type of movie I actually liked, but since it's not - I can just chalk it up to loving different genres of film.

And since - don't we all need a little romantic comedy in our lives? Don't we all love Zhang Ziyi? And Hugh Grant too (for the most part)?

Exactly. It's like a match made in heaven.

Kind of.

For the most part.

You know what I mean.

Reasons why I'm going to see it when it comes out - which is a ways away since the news is that it'll be shooting in September:

1. Zhang Ziyi
2. Hugh Grant
3. Romantic Comedy
4. My Wife Is A Gangster 3 (you can figure out that one yourself)
5. Curiosity in seeing if an aging Grant will actually be convincing in sweeping a too-good-for-him Zhang off her feet even in make-believe land.
6. If that cheeky girl from Love Actually can play opposite Hugh, why shouldn't Zhang get a crack at him?

I was going to do a list to ten, but really - that's all I could come up with.

* H/T channelAPA *

Earned: Michelle Wie Qualifies For US Women's Open

The Examiner

After a sixth-place finish at the Ladies German Open last week, Michelle Wie is looking on target to be playing some of her best golf in recent months, qualifying for the US Women's Open yesterday:

Michelle Wie, who withdrew from last year's US Women's Open, will give it another go after qualifying for the championship on Monday.

Wie fired a four-under-par 137 during a sectional qualifying event o clinch a spot in the tournament at Interlachen in Minnesota later this month.

The 18-year-old Wie finished one shot behind Kelli Kuehne in the event, in which each participant played 18 holes at both the Woodmont Country Club and Manor Country Club.

She birdied three of her final four holes at Woodmont to finish at 1-under 70 before carding a 3-under 67 at the Manor.

Read the full article from the AFP here and check out more coverage from the links below:

• Wie gains entry to women's Open
  
• Wie sizzles in Open qualifier
  
• Wie, Okino, Kim earn Open invites

And just in case you were wondering as well - yes - she does seem to be dating NBA bound baller Robin Lopez.

Can you say power couple in a few years?

Reframe: Giving More Life To Films

So I was reading an article out in the NY Times this morning about a new clearing house for films that don't have a long shelf-life or aren't as commercial as say a Hollywood blockbuster, and it sounds like it could be cool service if they can get the number of films they want up and running and available on the Web for streaming.

I went onto the site to check out and see if they had any Asian & Asian American filmmakers on their list and while I didn't scrape through all of them I did see a few by Jessica Yu (Protagonist, In the Realms of the Unreal), Jiang Xiao, Yang Zhang, Edward Yang, and others.

Here's a quick clip from the article:

The nonprofit Tribeca Film Institute in New York is joining Amazon.com to create a digital marketplace for films and videos that have been stuck in archives with limited circulation or have been otherwise unavailable through conventional retail and Web outlets [...]

"We’re hoping to get that stuff off the shelf and into people’s hands," Brian Newman, the institute’s chief executive, said in a telephone interview.

The approximately 500 works initially available range from the works of the filmmaker Sally Potter, beginning with her 1979 short “Thriller,” to collections of little-known documentaries from various archives. Some of those will be available to purchase only on DVD, because rights are controlled by commercial distributors. But the service aims to provide about 10,000 works over the next year or so and expects to make as many as possible accessible on the Web.

Go the Reframe site here.

Timothy DeLaGhetto: Musician, Sex Advisor, Vlogger

Who: 20 something Timothy DeLaGhetto aka Traphik

What: Musician, Advice Giver, Vlogger, Comedian, Personality, Sex Expert (?)

Why: 1,177,623 channel views, 24,920 subscribers, #33 most subscribed of all time, and because it's kind of like watching a train wreck - except it's somehow entertaining - and herpes is nothing to laugh about.

Where: YouTube Channel, MySpace

Just Saw: The Best of Slant Vol 1 - Asian American Short Films

Back out in late February I made a post on The Best of Slant Volume 1 - Asian American Short Films - a cool looking DVD comp from films that played at the The Slant Film Festival - and just sitting down to see it a few hours ago, I wanted to make sure to post up on it again, because it's definitely worth a look if you haven't already caught it.

With eight shorts ranging from fun loving animations to weird pie makers to some introspective pieces (albeit without the humdrum historian in the background) here's a quick list of my top four from the 1 hour DVD in no particular order:

1. How to Make Kimchi According to My Kun-Uma: The funniest parts from this is how the filmmaker keeps on getting trashed in Korean and tells everyone he's not filming things even though he is.

2. How to do the Asian Squat: Shot like an education film from the 50's it shows the history of the Asian Squat - laugh out loud funny.

3. Slip of the Tongue: Just a cool flick that fused spoken word with great images.

4. Maritess vs the Superfriends: You really can't go wrong lampooning the Superfriends - and having the voice over from a live audience was a great idea.

While you might have seen a couple of the shorts from other festivals or in other media, there's probably something you haven't seen - but even if you have, it's just a nice DVD to add to your collection - so definitely get on out and either pick it up for purchase or rent it down at your local or online DVD shop.

Outstanding 50 Asian Americans In Business Awards

About a week ago the ceremony for the Outstanding 50 Asian Americans In Business Awards was held, and they now have the complete list of awardees up which you can view at their site. Here's a bio on one of the awardees, Neeta Bhasin:

Neeta Bhasin is the President/CEO of ASB Communications, a full service multicultural communications agency dedicated to the ethnic markets, especially the South Asian (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal) and Middle Eastern markets, in North America. Ms. Bhasin not only knows the areas of community concentration but also possesses insight on the psychology of this vibrant, affluent, evolved and phenomenally growing ethnic group in the USA. ASB has more than 100 consultants and executives nationwide. Ms. Bhasin hosts a live show on ITV, a New York/New Jersey channel dedicated to the South Asian diasporas. She has been invited as a guest lecturer at NYU, St. John's University and many other prestigious public forums to share her insights of the South Asian market in the US. She was also recognized and awarded by the Census Board for her contribution in making Census 2000 a success. Ms. Bhasin was commended by New York City for her outstanding service to the South Asian community.

You're Asian And You Just Don't Know It

Leon Powe: 21 points, 2 rebounds, 15 minutes.

Jeannie Mai: More Character Fantasy Than You Can Shake A Stick At

A while back I had checked out this Fresh Off The Box interview with Jeannie Mai and was kind of stoked because I always thought she was great in Stir TV, so it was cool to see her move on to different projects like USA Network's Character Fantasy.

At the same time I don't watch USA Network a lot so I never really caught her in it - until this weekend when I happened to be catching a little of the movie Unbreakable - and I was thinking "I bet if I wanted to watch some past episodes someone probably has posted them on YouTube."

And I was right - in fact - someone just over the last three weeks has seemed to make it a mission to put a ton of Mai's Character Fantasy episodes (which run about 5 minutes a piece) up for anyone that missed them.

Pretty cool.

Check out the vids by following this link and also view an episode below:

Wheesung: We're not Crazy

Here's a cool video clip from Wheesung with D.O. called "We're Not Crazy".

More Bad Beef

Who knew things could get so heated over some cute albeit maybe angry cows?

Dozens were injured in the largest protest yet over an agreement to resume U.S. beef imports to South Korea, according to authorities and media reports Saturday.

A crowd estimated by police at 65,000 demonstrated in central Seoul on Friday night. Some marched on a road leading to the presidential Blue House but were blocked by a barricade of police buses.

Riot police later clashed with demonstrators who tried to march to the presidential office through a back alley.

About 25 riot police were hospitalized and protesters smashed the windows of four of the buses, said an officer at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. The officer declined to give his name, citing office policy.

Read more down at the AP.

Cracked Up Amy Winehouse Gets Racist

Dear Amy:

I can't believe I actually got sucked into your music for a while like the rest of the population who held you up as a soulful singer. Sure, maybe I have an excuse because of that 2007 SXSW performance, but I still can't help and feel shamed, because I pride myself on being able to spot a racist from a mile away - and somehow I missed you.

While I could go into it more, like how you especially seem to really like pissing all over me and my Asian people, there's really not much left to say except that I hope you find your way to the bottom where you deserve.

From News Of The World:

In a sequence shot around May 2007—weeks after the couple eloped to wed in Miami—they are in a dingy crack den with Delboy-style bamboo patterned wallpaper.

Amy, 24, and a pal called Sarah giggle as they sing a string of racist lines set to the tune of kiddies' favourite ‘Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes'.

Blake pretends NOT to record the unfolding events and eggs them on, saying: "Can we have a singsong of it?"

Sarah is at first reluctant but soon warms to the action as Amy enthusiastically sings:

"Blacks, Pakis, Gooks and Nips, Gooks and Nips!

"And deaf and dumb and blind and gay!"
She repeats the first line over again and on the word "Nips" Amy pulls her eyes into slits then pushes her boobs up in a gesture to her nipples.

View Amy's racist new single here and here.

Race Roundup

East Texas Dragging Death Remembered 10 Years Later (FOX)

National tributes are scheduled to take place to remember the life of James Byrd Jr., who was dragged to death from a truck in 1998 by three racist Caucasian men in the small east Texas town of Jasper.

U.N. Official: Mixed Racism Picture in U.S (NPR)

Barack Obama's presidential candidacy is evidence that the United States has made significant strides in race relations, according to Doudou Diene, a U.N. official who reports on contemporary forms of racism. But Diene tells Scott Simon that the resegregation of American cities and the poor state of public education remain key areas of concern.

The Civil Rights Movement Needs to Overcome Its Fears (Washington Post)

For some civil rights loyalists, myself very much included, it's hard not to feel a spine-tingling thrill. But for a surprising number of others, the overwhelming feeling last week was apprehension. "I knew the real war was on," one friend told me. "Obama had crossed the point of no return. It was like when Jackie Robinson finally made it to the major leagues. . . . Now the gloves would come off, and failure [in November], I knew, would feel like we all had lost it -- all of black America."

Racism not dead, but socioeconomics is bigger issue (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Condoleezza Rice has more in common with Carly Fiorina, former CEO of Hewlett-Packard, than she has with a never-married mother of several living in the 'hood. Colin Powell would be more comfortable associating with other high-achieving public figures, regardless of race, than with the average black high school dropout.

Don't Duck Racism (WTVH)

Hundreds of people were at the Inner Harbor in Syracuse Saturday to bring attention to the problem of racism. Syracuse and Onondaga County leaders declared today "Don't Duck Racism" Day on the 6th annual Duck Race to End Racism.

Open-Mic: Racism in Hockey (Bleacher Report)

His name is Willy O'Ree.

On January 18th, 2008, the Boston Bruins held a ceremony at the TD Bank North Garden to honor the 50th anniversary of his NHL debut as the first black man to play in the League.

However, the history between Black players and the sport of Hockey hasn't always been bright.

Seven dead and multiple people injured in Tokyo stabbing rampage

Talk about messed up - I just can't understand people who decide to take out their hatred with life on innocent people:

A man who police said "was tired of life" drove into a crowd of pedestrians Sunday and then went on a stabbing rampage in Tokyo's premier electronics and video game district, killing seven people and wounding 10, authorities said.

The deadly lunchtime assault happened in Akihabara district after the attacker drove a rented two-ton truck into a crowd, running over three people, public broadcaster NHK quoted an unidentified witness as saying.

News reports said the man jumped out of the truck and began stabbing the people he'd knocked down, then turned on horrified onlookers. The attacker grunted and roared as he slashed and stabbed at his victims on a street crowded with Sunday shoppers, reports said.

More news on the tragedy:

• Japanese man kills seven in Tokyo stabbing rampage
  
• Man stabs shoppers in Tokyo street, killing seven
  
• Tokyo man goes on stabbing spree
  

Ubuntu is the new Zen

I have to admit that while I'm all about the Big Three (and some guys named Rondo, Sam, P.J., and Kendrick among others), I also have another reason for rooting for the Celtics: Doc Rivers can become the first black head coach to win an NBA championship since K.C. Jones did it in 1986 (and 1984 too), coincidentally with the Boston Celtics as well - and while some of you might think it's a non-issue no matter what color you may be - to me it's significant - not just seeing more black head coaches in the NBA than in another Major League sport (which is significant in itself), but seeing a black head coach who's been vital in making the biggest turnaround in NBA league history go to the Finals and then win it all; because I never got to see K.C. Jones or Bill Russell do it.

I never got to know it in that way, and I want too.

I want to see Ubuntu become the new Zen.

Note To Music Companies

Just an idea - but I think it would work - and don't worry - you don't have to give me credit for it, but you certainly could (cause I'm like that).

If you truly want to make more money - and what music company doesn't - and have music reach a broader audience - especially Asian tunage here in the U.S. - just do what film companies have been doing for years now, except do it with music videos:

Add subtitles.

I mean there's so much incredible Asian music out there but it can't reach a worldwide audience in the way that it truly could because of simple language barriers.

But we love visuals. We love stories. We love music.

Just take any great foreign film that's won an Oscar and it's proof enough that even if people don't know the spoken language, as long as it has subtitles - they'll watch it.

Especially on DVD.

Think about a great compilation of Asian music videos with subtitles - stuff like Koda Kumi's Hot Stuff (one of my favorite vids by her) - or artists like Foxxi misQ, BoA, Utada, Lee Hyolee (Lee Hyori), Dragon Ash, Asian Kung-Fu Generation, Chae Yeon ---- it just gives that much more of an incentive to actually buy an artist's work while also expanding their audience.

Really - it's a no-brainer.

Checkmate

Desi Media Networks & DNOAX

Got some info sent to me about Desi Media Networks, an independent hip hop record label, and DNOAX, a hip hop/rap group which has more than 20 members - sounds pretty cool.

Check out Desi Media Networks here and DNOAX at MySpace.

Vietnam, Past and Present

This sounds pretty cool. Check it out:

Six Vietnamese artists will leave Vietnam for Denmark on June 6 to participate in the "Vietnam, Past and Present" show in Copenhagen as part of Deputy PM Nguyen Sinh Hung’s official visit to Denmark from June 9-16.

"Vietnam, Past and Present" is an outdoor show that will be held from 3-7pm at the Nytorv Square in Copenhagen, organised by the Vietnam-Denmark Cultural Development and Exchange Foundation and the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry. The show was developed based on Vietnamese folk music like Cheo (traditional operetta), Xam (beggar’s songs), Quan ho (Love duet) and Cai luong (southern folk opera) and performed in World Music style.

Vietnamese folk music will be mixed with modern music to create a special kind of art.

"The show is a meeting between Vietnamese folk songs and modern western music, between traditional and electronic musical instruments to meet the strict requirements of European audiences. Through the show, European audiences will learn about a traditional, renovated and integrated Vietnam," said musician Quoc Trung, the show’s art director.

Read more down at VietNamNet.