Sorry "Uncle Larry".

"tons o' guns everybody's getting strapped tons o' guns got to watch the way you act tons o' guns real easy to get tons o' guns bringing nothing but death" ~Gang Starr~

There is nothing nice about the Nicetown section of Philadelphia. Seems like something is always jumping off down there. Monday night something jumped off in Nicetown that should give us all cause for pause.

I bet Uncle Larry never expected to die at the hands of a young man who looks like him after serving honorably to protect his country. But, sadly, he did. And the senseless and heinous nature of the crime and its aftermath is mind boggling.

"Nicetown, Lawrence Bennett was known as "Uncle Larry," a friendly, 68-year-old military veteran who complemented his monthly Social Security checks by doing handyman work for neighbors, usually offering up jokes as he worked.

'He was always making you smile,' said neighbor Jermaine Gindraw, 39. 'He was a good dude.' Monday night, police were still searching for 17-year-old Tyrone Roberson, who they say shot Bennett to death after he had cleaned up the yard of the house in which the young man allegedly was living."

Honestly, the kids here in Philly can get a gun easier than they can get a PlayStation, and it's ugly out here. Spend one day with me in one of our criminal court rooms and I guarantee you that you will go home and hug your kids. This crime was senseless and horrific. But what happened after, in my opinion, was almost as bad.

"Police remained at the scene of the shooting as evening fell, after a group of the suspected gunman's relatives and friends had attacked and beaten a group of neighbors angry over Bennett's killing...One woman, who told reporters she had witnessed the shooting, was pinned against a car and punched in the face repeatedly...... "It's very brazen," Capt. James Clark, of the police Homicide Unit, said of the shooting. "To do this in broad daylight, to shoot an unarmed 68-year-old man - we want to get this person off the streets as soon as possible."

I know that had to be a misprint. The little thug's family and friends put a beat down on outraged citizens after their man popped some old guy's top. Wow! "City of brotherly love" my ass.

I bet the killer's father knows where he is...wait, did I say father? I am sorry, what was I thinking? I am sure the sperm donor is long gone. [PSA ANNOUNCEMENT: To the father of Tyrone Roberson, if you are reading this and I am mistaken about you, please reach out to me so that I can correct my delineation of your character on my blog. Hurry, I can only hold my breath for so long. ]

"Neighbors said the youth was living at the house with his mother and grandmother, and that Roberson's mother ran up to the scene moments after the shooter fired his gun.
'She screamed, 'Oh, no,' said a witness. 'Then he ran off down the street and she ran after him.' Police who searched the house described it as a "flophouse," with mattresses strewed about and raw sewage in the basement...'You could smell the weed as you walked in," said an officer."'

Yeah, that's the ticket. I bet the little [alleged] killer was the man of the house. Nice of Mom to go running after the the little shooter. I wonder if she caught him?

OK, here comes the part where we humanize the victim.

"Bennett lived by himself in a small apartment around the corner. His landlord, Keith Jackson, a SEPTA bus driver, did not charge him any rent. 'He was fixing the place up for me, putting in new walls and Sheetrock, so I didn't charge him anything,' said Jackson, who stopped by the apartment in the hours after the shooting. 'He was like family to me.'

Bennett's apartment was sparse but clean. A cantaloupe sat on the counter, with a knife next to it. A container of chicken-liver salad and an onion were the main things in the refrigerator. His bed was made. Bennett had attended the University of the Arts and the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, said his sister Sylvia Traylor, who came to the apartment to collect her brother's belongings.

He served in the Air Force and was a successful car salesman at a now defunct dealership on Broad Street, she said.

For years, Bennett lived in a home on a nearby street with his wife and stepson, Traylor said. But they divorced and the son no longer lives in the neighborhood, she said.
'I have to go call his son,' she said, crying." [Article]

Don't cry Ms. Traylor. Save your tears. You are going to need them for the next victim.

Before I go, I would like to correct something I stated in my post last night: I wrongly implied that there were no people of color on the current Supreme Court. Well, I was wrong. There is currently one person of color on the court. My apologies to Judge Sotomayor.

Elena Kagan, come on down!

Congrats Elena Kagan. Looks like his O ness did you a solid by getting you a lifetime appointment to the most powerful court in the land. Nice.

I could say so much about this pick, but I will leave it alone. (For now) Ms. Kagan certainly has all the right credentials: Princeton. Harvard. You can't get much better than that in the academic department. Still, the liberals are nervous about her. And the wingnuts, of course, believe that O picked her because she is a secret Socialist, just like him.

Some folks are already whining that she has no judicial experience, but then some of our best supremes never had judicial experience. So that's a none issue as far as I am concerned. Personally, it would have been nice if O had put a person of color on the court. (Hey, we could use one. Lord knows we don't have any now.) But, at the end of the day, it's O's call. Besides, the person's color, gender, or religious affiliation- or lack of it- isn't as important to me as how they are going to rule on the important issues of the day.

Of course the rethugs are already getting ready for a fight. It must have been tough for them. Kagan never wrote judicial opinions so there is no paper trail for them to go over to try and find any got ya notes in her writings.

Hmmm what's a good republican operative to do? There must be something they can get her on.........Wait, I think they have something. Something that will really fire up their base and the teabag folks:

"So, did everyone think that the Elena Kagan nomination was going to be easy? Ha, no.
Right out of the gate, the Republican National Committee -- you know, that organization headed by Michael Steele, who recently opined that the GOP had not "done a very good job" giving African-Americans a reason to vote Republican -- has released a statement slagging Kagan for her tribute to... uhm -- Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American to serve on the Supreme Court. Smooth move!

In its first memo to reporters since Kagan's nomination to the high court became public, the Republican National Committee highlighted Kagan's tribute to Marshall in a 1993 law review article published shortly after his death.

Kagan quoted from a speech Marshall gave in 1987 in which he said the Constitution as originally conceived and drafted was "defective." She quoted him as saying the Supreme Court's mission was to "show a special solicitude for the despised and the disadvantaged."
The Sotomayor confirmation process, I think, firmly established how various factions feel about empathizing with the "despised and disadvantaged." Now, the RNC wants to know, "Does Kagan Still View Constitution 'As Originally Drafted And Conceived' As 'Defective'?......"

Oh yeah, that's right, Kagan clerked for Thurgood Marshall. Yep, they have her ass now. [Article]

A conservative writer almost had me. Almost.

So Matt Towery over at Newsmax is feeling Michelle Obama these days. Could it be? Is it possible for the kid to read an article from a conservative writer and agree with him or her? Hmmm, let me see:

"In early March, the head of the Tennessee and greater Nashville hospitality associations sent an e-mail to a dozen or so people that compared first lady Michelle Obama to a chimpanzee. As word leaked of this offensive humor, pressure built and the man responsible was soon fired. To those who oppose the current healthcare proposal, the massive spending, and the endless barrage of new ways for government to invade our wallets and private lives, here is a message: Don't attack a good first lady. In late 2008, I wrote a column praising Laura Bush. It brought me a totally unexpected personal note of thanks from then-President Bush. I'm not holding my breath on getting the same kind of response from this president.

But no matter.I think it's important to take the opportunity brought about by this incident surrounding Michelle Obama to make three important points.

First, this stuff is more widespread than just one guy doing it in one state. They are more than offensive and inappropriate. They also do practical harm by painting all those who oppose the most liberal administration since Franklin Roosevelt as racist Neanderthals. That's the last possible image Obama's political opponents and detractors should be sending, especially right now, with so many key issues hanging in the balance.

Second, I must admit that I've been pleasantly surprised at the first lady's disciplined willingness to avoid playing political games most of the time. Michelle Obama is a bright and accomplished woman. When the president was sworn in, I felt sure she was going to be a sort of surrogate vice president, much as Hillary Clinton was. Mostly that hasn't happened. Yes, she recently asked food manufacturers to speed up production of healthy food for kids, but that's hardly a radical cause. And she delivered the message as a request and not an ultimatum.

She has her causes, but we see little evidence of Michelle Obama with her sleeves rolled up, burning the midnight oil with her own staff to, for example, get a massive healthcare bill passed. The first lady is also proving to be an exemplary model parent. It's plain that she's actively involved in the lives of her two daughters. The commitment that she and President Obama are demonstrating toward having a normal family life surely should be gaining the positive notice of the African-American community. By the admission of many of its top leaders and officials, this is a demographic that has suffered a decrease in the number of traditional families. Far too many young black women are left with children, but with no father in sight. "

Ok, so far so good, right? But then Matt went and disappointed me by writing the following:

"Third and finally, there is the risk we could face when Barack Obama is up for re-election in about two-and-a-half years. Recent articles have been published in which some blacks have criticized the president for not doing enough to ease their financial pain.

Several surveys, particularly in hard-hit Southern states with heavy African-American populations, indicate that the blacks there are experiencing some heartburn with the president.

And what if he were to be defeated? What would be the reaction of the African-American community the day after the election? There's no reason to presume it would be anything but tranquil, as it is in America following any Election Day.

Unless, that is, Obama's possible defeat followed a perceived pattern of those who oppose his policies indulging in racist hijinks such as comparing the president or his wife to a chimp. My guess is that such ugliness might then lead to a post-election situation that could tear the nation apart."

Huh? "Tear the nation apart"? What are you trying to say, Matt? That black folks would somehow act in an uncivil and barbarous manner if his O ness lost the next election? Come on Matt; that is an ignorant and narrow minded thing to say. Besides, everyone knows that us black folks here in A-merry-ca are having too much fun -just being A-merry-cans- to even care who wins the next election. [Article]

Digging up the past.

Let's talk about our founding fathers, shall we? These are men that A-merry-cans are proud of, and no doubt should be. They all signed on to the Declaration Of Independence from Britain, they crafted The Constitution, and, as history tells us, they were instrumental in taking us through the early stages of our republic.

Now I live in Philadelphia, and our tourist trade is damn near built around the founding fathers.

For instance; if you know anything about Philly, you know that it's all things Ben Franklin in our little neck of the woods. We have the Ben Franklin House, the Ben Franklin Bridge, the Ben Franklin Parkway, and so on. You can't drive two blocks in this city without seeing something having do do with Ben.

Also, if you visit our fine city you can see the Liberty Bell, Constitution Hall, (the home of The Declaration Of Independence) Independence Hall, Congress Hall (the old US Capital), and The US Mint where we get our money on. There are lots of other historical sites to see as well, but you get the picture, you can really learn your A-merry-can history by just taking a walking tour of Philadelphia. The place is replete with it.

Of course, George Washington, like Benjamin Franklin, was one of A-merry-ca's founding fathers. He was our first president and he led us to war against those damn "Red Coats".

Now here in Philadelphia the national park folks have something honoring George as well. It's yet another tourist attraction in our wonderful city for patriotic A-merry-cans to come and see from all across our great country. It's called the President's House, and thanks to an archaeological dig in 2007 we know exactly where it was located. Now our city is trying to find a way to commemorate this great finding.

But wait, apparently our first president had some slave issues.... and, well, it's a little embarrassing.

"Under a hot July sun, droplets of water drawn from the Nile soothed baked Philadelphia clay at the bottom of a great pit at Sixth and Market Streets - a blessing for the earth and for the dead. River water was followed by ancient Nile sand, glistening grains of the African continent trickling down onto the hard New World.

The libation yesterday was part of a ceremony marking the formal close of the President's House excavation, an archaeological undertaking that captured the public imagination and wouldn't let go.

For four months, archaeologists sifted through Independence Mall soil, uncovering evidence of the home where slave-owning George Washington and antislavery John Adams lived and launched American democracy in the 1790s and where Washington held nine Africans in bondage.

Archaeologists uncovered the rear foundation of the house in early May, about a month after the dig began. Then, in quick succession, remnants of a great bow window Washington installed, the kitchen where his slaves toiled, and an underground passage used by slaves and servants were also discovered.

More than 300,000 visitors watched the process from a public viewing platform and discussed the now-visible relationship between freedom and slavery at the heart of the nation's founding.

The site will now be temporarily re-covered with earth to protect the resources while the city, the National Park Service, and the public try to determine what the next step will be."

Oh my! Slaves in the basement? Hmmmm, what's a city and a park service to do? Maybe they can incorporate some kind of tribute to the slaves to appease you Negroes.

Yeah, that's the ticket. If they don't I am sure that some of you rowdy Negroes will act up. Yep, you started already. Or if that doesn't work, I guess the powers that be could hold public meetings so that you can air out your grievances.

"At a raucous and sometimes profane public meeting Friday night, critics denounced plans for the President's House memorial under construction on Independence Mall.
City and project officials, who had not conducted a session to update the public on the oft-delayed project for almost three years, sought to present a newly revised interpretive plan for the site where George Washington and John Adams conducted their presidencies and Washington held at least nine enslaved Africans.

But before Emanuel Kelly, principal of Kelly/Maiello Architects & Planners, designers of the memorial at Sixth and Market Streets, could discuss the status of construction, he was interrupted by a chorus of loud complaints over the use of a white-owned general contractor at the site, and a torrent of criticism over the site's overall presentation of the black experience.

'George Washington broke the law, he broke the law!" shouted Sacaree Rhodes, a community activist involved in the project for almost 10 years. "Where is the rape? Where is the brutality? I am a black woman! You will not do this. You will tell the truth.'

That opened a floodgate of shouts from several of the roughly 75 people at the meeting at the Convention Center. "

Oh lawd! Some of you Negroes, I swear. We sure could use some of our founding fathers around here now. They knew just how to keep you Negroes in check.

When love hurts.

No racism chasing for me tonight (although I could). Nope, tonight I want to talk about men who can't stand rejection.

The latest type of this individual comes from the University of Virginia. His name is George Huguely, and it seems that like OJ before him, he couldn't deal with hearing those two little words: it's over. And so now, like OJ (and yes, for all of you who are still in denial; OJ did kill Nicole), this lacrosse player-What is it with these lacrosse players?- has allegedly killed his former girlfriend.

Ahhh, some men and rejection. All I had to do was google" man kills ex girlfriend", and I came up with this and this and this and this and this and....well, you get the picture. All of those links are to not so famous cases. But every now and then we get an OJ or a case like the one going on down in Virginia ,which, sadly, brings the reality of this phenomenon home.

And fellows, let's be real with each other; at some point in our dating lives we have all been on the other side of the dumping, and it hurt. But we all moved on didn't we? And when we started dating the new girlfriend we wondered what all the fuss was about. Sadly, some dudes aren't wired that way. Whether it's ego, or some sick form of neurosis, breaking up is not only hard to do, but it could be fatal with one of these types of cats.

Ladies I wish I could tell you what to look for to help you spot the next OJ or George, but I have no idea. The guy might seem quite normal and charming, you decide to swing an episode or two with him, and when you decide to move on, he decides to go all male Glenn Close on you. Hey, I guess in a way it's a crap shoot. So my best advise to you ladies is to let him down easy. And if it seems like he is still not taking it too well watch your back. Just remember, you can't be too careful.

The links I gave you were to cases that ended in the most tragic ways imaginable. Unfortunately there are thousands of cases every day ( I know, I see some of them) that are more than likely going to end up that way as well.

*THE NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE.

.........George.

***There was a story here, but I removed it because the subject of the story reached out to me and asked me to.****

.........

 

A "teabagger" by any other name.

I am always reading, which is why, no matter what, I always find stuff to write about.

Today I came across an article written by Jennifer Harper in the Washington Times, and while reading it I came across the following:

" The term "tea-bagger" is like uttering the "n" word, some say. Though he aspires to promote civility, evidence has surfaced that President Obama has added "tea-bagger" to his public lexicon, though it's considered a cheap and tawdry insult by "tea party" activists. Watchdogs at Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) barked when they saw the proof, tucked in a sneak peak of Newsweek columnist Jonathan Alter's new book, "The Promise: President Obama, Year One," to be released May 18. Indeed, it appears the president joined certain partisan critics and the liberal media, and took the tea-bag plunge.

"This remark is the equivalent of using the 'n' word. It shows contempt for middle America, expressed knowingly, contemptuously, on purpose, and with a smirk. It is indefensible to use this word. The president knows what it means, and his people know what it means. The public thought we reached a new low of incivility during the Clinton administration. Well, the Obama administration has just outdone them," ATR president Grover Norquist tells Inside the Beltway. " [Article]

Stunning! The fact that Mr. Norquist has joined the chorus of those who choose to refuse to try and understand the seriousness of maybe not the word itself, but certainly the legacy that comes along with it.

I have news for Mr. Norquist: he has delusions of grandeur if he thinks that the "teabagger" movement represents "middle America". What it represents is a bunch of political operatives who are masquerading as independents. And some- not all- can't stand the fact that this particular man occupies the people's house. If they represent "middle America" well then A-merry-ca is in big trouble.

So his O ness refers to these wingnut hacks as "tea-baggers", what's the big deal? Have you heard how they refer to him, lately? The term tea-bagger is quite mild in comparison. So chill out Grover, this is politics. I have to co-sign with Jason Linkins when he writes the following:

"But is it the equivalent of the "n" word? Uhm... you'll notice that nobody shorthands it, "the 't' word," don't you? That should tell you something. On the spectrum of insult, "teabagger" seems to me to be the equivalent of "moonbat" or "wingnut," which are also popular shorthand insults embraced by political factions who use them as shibboleths -- a tidy signifier of groupwide self-satisfaction."

Maybe we should start shortening the "t" word. Naaaaw, they would just find something else to cry about.

Hey, that ain't Chase Utley.

Looks like philly sports made the national news again, for, as usual, all the wrong reasons. Here in town all the talk is about the young man who must have had one too many and decided that he wanted to live out his life long fantasy and play ball with the Phillies. Bad move. Philly's finest tasered his ass and now we are back in the news with another black eye. Here in Philly folks seems to be split down the middle: "Serves him right" some are saying. "He got just what he deserved." Some, on the other hand, are saying that the po po should have shown more restraint.

Of course this taser stuff is nothing new. Afrospear bloggers have been crying foul about the po po and their taser tactics for some time now. And, as is always the case, it takes some suburban kid getting his ass shocked by the po po for some people to get up in arms about the po po going high tech. For the record, I thought that the po po over- reacted, that kid did not present a threat to anybody. But maybe next time his ass will think twice before he starts pretending that the Phillies signed him to a major league contract.

And finally, at least that kid is still alive to consider his silly actions. Unfortunately for Howard Williams, he is not. An off duty Philadelphia police officer is facing murder charges for allegedly shooting the young man execution style after a domestic dispute.

"The fatal shooting of Howard Williams, 22, happened about 6:30 p.m. on a crowded South Philly block where at least 50 people were engaged in "an all-out water fight" with squirt guns, hoses and balloons, Shanae Williams said.

Gary, 26, and his girlfriend had driven to Hoffman Street near 19th to pick up the 8-year-old son he and Shanae Williams share custody of, she said.
Their car windows were down and Gary's girlfriend became enraged when Williams' niece sprayed her with water, Williams said.

An argument ensued between the women and then between Gary and Howard Williams, according to witnesses.

Gary then went to his car, grabbed a handgun and shot Howard Williams in the neck at point-blank range, Shanae Williams said.

Howard Williams' brother, Antwion "Demetrius" Strickland, 19, said he went to run to his fallen brother's side, but Gary stood over Williams' convulsing body and fired four more shots into his chest.

"When I seen the blood just squirting up in the air, I knew it was serious" Strickland said.
Shanae Williams said Gary then grabbed their son, threw him in the car, locked the doors and put a gun in her face before he sped away." [Article]

Oh well, one more to add to the murder count. Maybe Philly's finest should only be allowed to pack tasers while they are off duty as well.

SLUT!

Mrs. Field and I are always throwing around different places where would consider living out the rest of our days. Jamaica: Bermuda: The Virgin Islands: South Louisiana: Florida: And on and on it goes. One of the places that Mrs. Field always mentions is the Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia. She always wanted to build one of those log homes right smack in the middle of that area. Well I have news for Mrs. Field: It ain't happening. I wish I would move to a state that elects people like Ken Cuccinelli to public office.

Just because he couldn't control his sexual urges whenever he walked into the office and saw the state seal, this clown actually ordered his staff to cover up the Roman goddess. (See what you started, Janet?)

"Virginia's attorney general Ken Cuccinelli is hard at work on the important issues of the day -- like making sure the Roman goddess depicted on his state's official seal isn't exposing herself.

The current seal shows "Virtus, the goddess of virtue, dressed as a warrior," with her foot resting "on the chest of the figure of tyranny, who is lying on the ground." She is holding a spear and her left breast is exposed.

Or at least it was exposed. At a recent meeting, Cuccinelli provided pins to his staff with a new seal on which "Virtus' bosom is covered by an armored breastplate," the Virginian-Pilot reported. These new pins were not paid for by taxpayer dollars, Cuccinelli's office insisted.
The original state seal was designed by George Wythe, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and was first adopted in 1776, according to a Virginia state website. But so much for that.

"When you ask to be ridiculed, it usually happens. And it will happen here, nationally," University of Virginia political scientist Larry Sabato told the Pilot. "This is classical art, for goodness' sake."

And indeed, the mockery has already begun. "I'm outraged -- no longer can the Virginia state seal be the centerfold of the state seal magazine," leading Virginia blogger Ben Tribbett joked to HuffPost." [Article with pictures of Ken's seal. ]

OK we can all laugh about it now. But this is a serious matter. This is what happens when you put wingnuts who want to stamp their brand of morality on the rest of us in high places. I keep telling you people, A-merry-ca is looking more and more like a theocracy every day. What's next, we can't buy alcohol on Sundays? Oh wait; we can't buy alcohol on Sundays here in Pistolvania. And, I suspect, many other places as well.

Oh well, looks like Mrs. Field will have to forget that log home. I never really liked them that much anyway.

And finally, I have two more stories tonight from the Huff Po. Tell me which one you think is more likely true.

The teabagger folks says that there is no place in their movement for racist behavior. And,

a man in China died after a giant eel was inserted in his rectum by some of his friends as a joke.

If you picked the eel story you are not alone.

If it can happen there it can happen anywhere.

I see where someone tried to get all Middle Eastern in Times Square over the weekend. But thanks to the grumpy brother who sells t-shirts and and one of New York's finest a potential disaster was avoided.

Now that blue Pathfinder is getting as much shine as a white Ford Bronco did a few years ago. Memo to al-Qaeda or domestic terrorist: the next time you want to set off a car bomb why not plant the bomb in a brand new Audi R-8 or a similar car? That way your car won't attract the wrong kind of attention just sitting there. The most that will happen is one of New York's finest will write a parking ticket and just keep moving. No one will believe that someone would plant a car bomb in a brand new Audi R-8. Of course if you have a piece of shit Nissan just sitting there you are going to attract the wrong kind of attention. The po po is going to wonder what it's doing there and the next thing you know you will have the bomb squad all over your hooptie. Hey, at least it wasn't a Toyota. --As if they can use more bad publicity-- I can hear the jokes now: Did you hear the one about the terrorist who tried to blow up Times Square with a bomb in his Toyota? Insert your punchline about the brakes here:_________.

They are saying that the perp is a white male in his forties. (Does everyone know where Glenn Beck was Saturday night?) Hmmm, maybe it's not al-Qaeda after all. Unless they are recruiting A-merry-can men to go along with the women now. But we just don't know yet. Of course one wingnut politician is saying that it was possible Muslim extremist with cartoon issues. Nice.

Thank goodness that this bomb maker wasn't that very good a it. Which leaves me to believe that it's not, as some in law enforcement have speculated, some kind of sophisticated international terrorist plot. But rather it might have been some nut job who just happens to like right wing talk radio, or who just happens to hate America and the west. A group in Pakistan is claiming responsibility, but then I hear that this group always claims responsibility for every bad thing that happens here in A-merry-ca. (I think they said that they created American Idol.)

I hope the catch this person and soon. There were lots of cameras in the area so it shouldn't be that hard.

Just be vigilant people. The next time you are chilling in your favorite town just watch out for the hooptie illegally parked with the expired tags. It could save your life.

Rules to live by when you order the fight.

I am on my way to my boys crib in South Jersey. He is ordering the Mayweather Mosley fight and having a few folks over.

That's all good as far as I am concerned, and I am hoping this experience is better than similar ones that I have had in the past with such gatherings. There are some rules that everyone who hosts a fight party should live by:

First, always tell folks up front what the cost is (if any) to chip in for the fight. And, conversely, if you are a guest you should offer to pay something whether the hosts asks you or not. Of course there are exceptions to this rule. I remember a few years back going to the home of the son of a very wealthy and powerful pol here in Philly to watch a fight. The kid had more money in his bank account than the GDP of most Third World countries, lived in Villanova- down the street from Eagle's coach, Andy Reid, no less- and yet when we all sat down to watch the fight he sprung the I am going to need a few dollars from each of you, rap. Obviously not all hosts are created equal, so you could forgive the guests for not offering to chip in with a scenario like that one.

Second, always make sure your cable bill is current and paid before you invite folks to watch a fight. I have never been to one of these, but I have heard stories where folks were getting ready to watch a fight and the host couldn't produce because....well, you know how some of you are, you like to pay your bills at the last minute.

Third, never invite guests with conflicts to the fight party. For instance, your boy is happily married now and you invite him and his wife to your fight party along with one of his exes. Not cool. Just too much going on if you get my drift. If the wife doesn't know the ex, the ex can make it very uncomfortable for your guest the entire night. If the wife does know the ex. your guest might not even get to watch the fight because of an early exit.

Finally, don't go to the fight party empty handed. Bring something to the party. Food. Beer. Anything. I won't be drinking-Hey it's South Jersey- I have represented too many folks with DUI cases, so I know better. But I will be bringing something for the folks who will.

So enjoy the fight folks, I am calling it for "pretty boy" by a unanimous decision.