Comedy superstar Bill Cosby (net worth: $540 million) used a speech at an NAACP event on Monday to rail against poor black individuals.

"The lower economic people are not holding up their end in this deal. These people are not parenting. They are buying things for kids -- $500 sneakers for what? I can't even talk the way these people talk: `Why you ain't,' 'Where you is' . . . You can't be a doctor with that kind of crap coming out of your mouth!"

Another affront to the legacy of civil rights, the 'Cos points out, is the outrage that follows the killing of unarmed black thieves.

"These are not political criminals. These are people going around stealing Coca-Cola,'' he explained. 'People getting shot in the back of the head over a piece of pound cake and then we run out and we are outraged, saying, `The cops shouldn't have shot him.' What the hell was he doing with the pound cake in his hand?''

Yeah -- if you steal pound cake, you should be shot dead. Duh! Of course, if they were stealing Pepsi, that would be one thing -- but Coca-Cola? Shoot him! And don't even think about touching those Jell-O Pudding Pops! Or that Kodak film!

So to recap: Saying "Filth flarn filth" = bad. Shooting unarmed black men who are stealing pound cake = good.

Understandably, some black leaders took umbrage with Cosby's remarks; but some people believe his words to be "long overdue".


Hassle the Hoff

Speaking of African-American celebrities I have respected for years but who appear to have lost their minds -- Ice-T has agreed to produce David Hasselhoff's rap album. I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried.

The rapper - real name Tracey Morrow - told The Sun: "The man is a legend, we are going to show a whole new side of him. He's gonna come out as Hassle the Hoff. The Hoff will surprise people with his rap skills and humour."

What is there to say? Tell 'em, Cube.

You was hardcore hip-hop
Now look at yourself, boy you done flip-flopped
Giving our music away to the mainstream
Don't you know they ain't down with the team

Of course, this is the same man who starred in Anaconda and Dangerous Ground, so let's consider the source (and his latest low-quality albums).

Random

Here's a good story from the Sacramento Bee about a US soldier who is troubled by his role in the Iraq carnage. VFP reprazent yo!

How should a Buddhist react to Bush? An interesting perspective from AlterNet. Thanks for the link, DLF.

Shocking! Cheating is on the rise in California schools, concurrent with tough new high-stakes standardized testing. (TPCQ: "But there's no connection. And you'd be a fool and a Communist to make one.")

TimeWaster™

Never post your picture on the Internet.

Today I'm listening to: EatStatic! (Where you have to hunt for sound clips -- literally.)