Having just celebrated a birthday, I can only confirm that though I wouldn’t want to be in my 20’s for all the money in the world, getting older isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. Well for people like me anyway, it isn’t. People who have fun adding items to their “To-Do” lists while [...]

Everyone is a teacher. Never has this adage been truer than this week, for me at least. My teachers in recent days have been Jack Layton & Steve Jobs. Layton, a Canadian politician and chief of the official opposition, passed away a few days ago after a ferocious battle against cancer. Then yesterday, Apple’s architect [...]

I wanted to write something deep and meaningful on this one-year anniversary.  But the images of despair I see in the media drown my words. I’m still heartbroken with a sense of powerlessness. I’m in dismay at the millions of dollars that have been sent by generous citizens of the world and that have yet [...]

I was never a particular big fan of former Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi.  I didn’t dislike her but I didn’t look up to her like I do a Kamala Harris or a Hillary Clinton.  Then, she lost her position at the last mid-term elections and I saw her for who she was: a [...]

The title should be bestowed on the Haitian Citizen. For sentimental reasons, of course, but also because I don’t remember a community not at war, being put through the ringer so much in such a short time. The Haitian Citizen has been failed by Mother Nature, by science and by Human kind camouflaged in greedy political administrators and yet, he is still standing.

Martelly is close to the people. He looks people in the eyes, asks for their first name & actually remembers the names once the cameras stop rolling. Bachelet & him have that in common.

On the morning of September 11th 2001, I was living my 4th year in Miami and I was on the phone with my travel agent, booking a last minute trip for the next day to Port-au-Prince on American Airlines. Once confirmed on the flight, I left my apartment & drove to my office with the [...]

Photo by AfricaHit.com What does it take to run a country? A Grammy? A mobile-phone commercial? The ability to create incredible guitar riffs? If so then all these rumors about Wyclef Jean running for President of Haïti may not be that crazy. Already fuelling debates online, on talk radio & at social gatherings, the news [...]

All day today, pundits and tank thinkers were trying to interpret Michael Bloomberg’s latest move. Having just left the Republican Party to become an Independent, the move is seen as a prelude to Bloomberg announcing his run at the U.S. Presidency. Bloomberg, the current Mayor of New York has proven to be a smart politician, [...]

Last week, former U.S. veep Al Gore received the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. An Oscar nomination, a Golden Globe, a walk on La Croisette, Leo Di Caprio on his speed dial: Al Gore has made it. For many years, he was associated with stiffness and having a wife who didn’t enjoy Prince’s Purple Rain but [...]

The problem with Republicans is that they don’t know where to shoot from. Watching them awkwardly try to bash Judge Sonia Sotomayor is simply embarrassing. You may not agree with her on everything, but we must all agree that she knows the law. While her 2001 remark (“I would hope that a wise Latina woman [...]

It’s quite obvious how much I follow, love and analyze Pop Culture. Its dirty secret is that it has too often harboured & rewarded mediocrity. But mostly, it was camouflaged clowns, mascots-like characters that if nothing else, entertained us with their lack of any intellectual merit. Right away, names like Kato Kaelin, Larry Birkhead, Joe [...]

I’ve before voiced my opinion on Katie Couric. Despite my unfavourable words towards the overpaid anchorwoman, I had begun to root for her again following her Tour de force during the Sarah Palin interview. A Tour de force not because the interview was so spectacular but simply because Couric kept a straight face while conducting [...]

Dear Jenna, Dear Barbara, In theory, your letter was an endearing idea. The fact you made it public pans it for what it is: a PR trick and, the way you compared your father to President Obama is simply tasteless. You are not your father nor are you his mistakes. Still, unless you are willing [...]

In these unpeaceful times, not only in Gaza but also in the forgotten Congo and in all the other conflicts you don’t see on your 6’oclock newscasts, little makes sense. One would think it’s the first time we’ve forgone harmony for the sake of bullies. But it really isn’t. The first video is of Oliver [...]

Last week, CNN anchor Campbell Brown, deplore remarks made by Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell. In front of an open mic (Geez, will they ever learn?), Governor Rendell said the following about the next (if confirmed) Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano: “Janet’s perfect for that job. Because for that job, you have to have no life. [...]

Call it the after-Obama effect but I expected more from Canadian politics. In the midst of Quebec’s provincial elections to name our next Premier, I find myself bored to tears. There is no passion, only old bickering about important issues. Quebec’s low voter turnout can be explained by two things: first, we are spoiled silly. [...]

Get ready. The Sarah Palin media tour has started. The Fox network yesterday, the Today show and NBC this week. She’s not clearing up things: she’s auditioning. The fact Sarah Palin is thinking of running for President in 2012 – although her right – makes me miss Ross Perot. And as a sidebar, Chris Matthews [...]

I have been asking for Elizabeth Hasselbeck’s quick dismissal from The View for quite some time but in reality, she’s provided me with much content for this blog thus perhaps she should go on as the resident idiot. Last weekend, Hasselbeck travelled with Governor Palin in Florida, to rally the troops. Regardless of one’s political [...]

I would think, in a time of global turmoil, that CNN would embrace its original mission statement to bring hard but comprehensive news to TV viewers across the world. Helas, I am wrong, Kings-of-comedy dead wrong. As of last Saturday, comedian D.L. Hughley has his own show in primetime on CNN. Somewhere, Aaron Brown is [...]

By no stretch of the imagination am I a fan in any way, shape or form of Sarah Palin. Still, I find ridiculous all the media brouhaha over her $150 000 shopping spree. Who cares? That’s RNC money. I can already imagine the headlines and comments had Governor Palin not undergone her much needed makeover. [...]

The much anticipated Vice-Presidential debate is now over. Pundits and Monday-morning quarterbacks have overanalyzed it to death when in fact, the Debate boils down to this: . Governor Palin can retain information even if clearly, she doesn’t understand it; . Governor Palin cannot, like W, pronounce the word “nuclear” and I can’t help but wonder [...]

Republicans were so quick to call Barack Obama an elitist. Had they bothered to look up the definition and the application of the word, they would see that today, in the wake of the bailout’s failure, the word applies to them. Instead of vulgarizing what the $700 billion would actually do and deciding to forgo [...]

On Wednesday night, ABC will air in-depth profiles of Senators Obama & McCain. The by-line to the TV commercial is “Only in America”. It’s a fitting by-line as both Presidential candidates have often stated that only in America would their ascension and pretention to the Oval Office could happen. They are indeed impressive ascensions but [...]

In Beverly Hills last night, the great Barbra Streisand and the even greater Steven Spielberg respectively hosted Obama events at $2800 and $28500, a plate. The major faux-pas is that Senator Obama attended them. In the wake of financial crumbles, mortgage nightmares and major job cuts, the last image Middle America needs to see is [...]

I would like to thank the former female Hillary supporters who now support the McCain-Palin ticket. You’ve eradicated all the progress made by women in the last century.  May your husbands club you in the head tonight and drag you back to your caves.

By choosing Sarah Palin as his Veep pick, McCain made us think about what is acceptable and what isn’t. If you take Palin and study her to the 2nd, 3rd and 4th degree, obviously, the thought of having her as a Vice-President is preposterous. But the average Joe in Middle America doesn’t think that far. [...]

First, the expectations were too high. It’s the Democratic National Convention, not the parting of the seas. What is scary about the Conventions (both the current Democratic one and the upcoming Republican one) is that we’ll judge both the candidates on matters which will be irrelevant to how they could perform in the White House [...]

When she learned of President Musharraf’s resignation, U.S. Secretary of State Condeleeza Rice praised him for his strides and efforts against terrorism. I beg your pardon, Condi? Are you serious? Perhaps Ms. Rice needs to be reminded that President Musharraf took over power in a coup which is the most blatant disregard for Democracy. And [...]

Worse than John McCain’s vulgar recent political ad are media outlets reporting Paris Hilton’s response. What’s next? Media outlets reporting on the candidates’ shoes? Oh, wait … never mind.

I know, he won’t. No need to send me your recommendations for medication. I’m not that delusional. But still, I can’t help but add my opinion to the already too loud chorus of suggestions for the Senator’s Vice-Presidential choice. Facts & Suggestions: 1. It must be a woman. First, because it’s time. Second, there is [...]

The problem about Jesse isn’t that he suggested that he would cut Senator Obama’s nuts off, as it was a private comment erroneously made public. The problem is that once again, Jesse Jackson has fed his irrelevance. Barack Obama doesn’t talk down to Black people. Instead, just like Bill Cosby before him, he cautions the [...]

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has confirmed he will not attend the Opening Ceremonies at next month’s Beijing Olympics. If your athletes are going and China is one of your trade partners, what are you trying to prove? You’re still a pussy but on top of that, now you’re rude.

On May 9th, an American soldier in Iraq used the Quran as target during a bullet-practice round. Although the media have reported on this incendiary act, I find it hasn’t been given enough attention. This news needs to be the headline today, tomorrow and everyday until the President of the United States apologizes for the [...]

Like 20 000 people who have left messages on ABC.com’s message board, I was outraged by Wednesday’s Debate (and I use the word “debate” very loosely). So I will not talk about the bias-bashing toward Senator Obama but I will say this: having George Stephanopoulos as one of the moderators was an insult to anybody [...]

Many many times I’ve written of my complete disdain for Elizabeth Hasselbeck. The View co-host is vulgarly offensive with her blind neo-conservatism that is neither based on knowledge nor experience. She prays to a God named George W. Bush and like a religious fanatic, never questions his writings. But, this is a democracy and she [...]

I write this post with angst and sadness and took days before posting it. Forty years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated. Since then, his dream has not been fulfilled and I dare say that the Civil Movement has today very little to boast. Since Dr. King’s death, neither the Movement nor the Black [...]

Fidel has stepped down and despite the media fanfare and its over-analysis of this historical move, it is not there that the power lays. The next step is in the hands of the Cuban Diaspora, located primarily in Miami. The Nostalgics and Exiled have been roaring for 49 years. And so I’m watching this Diaspora, [...]

It’s Tuesday and apparently, it will be Super. Today, 22 states will create trends and possibly forecast the Presidential outcome. My previous oscillation between Clinton and Obama has dissipated. I’m hypnotized by three words that also happen to be a good mantra to adopt: Yes, We Can. And even if your vote – imaginary or [...]

There have always been inequalities and it’s a safe bet to say there always will be. Inequalities in opportunities, in wealth distribution, in looks, brains and in priorities. The latter is the most difficult to digest as it’s not based on DNA lottery or geography but rather most often on ignorance. Case in point: I [...]

Never have the words of Martin Luther King been so primordial. Never have we needed them more as guidance. I really wish both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama would stop using their names and their so-called achievements in the same breath as Dr. King’s. It’s insulting and inaccurate. We all need the guidance and should [...]

I finally took the time to watch Spike Lee’s “When the Levees Broke”. The documentary chronicles Hurricane Katrina: before, during and after. After watching almost three hours of gut wrenching footage, I realized the before, the during and the after were equally catastrophic. The way the levees were inadequately built. Condeleeza Reese’ insulting laissez-faire reaction. [...]

When I first saw the footage of a teary-eyed Hillary Clinton I knew her opponents would use it as ammunition against her. Most media who showed the clip reminded viewers that a campaign is much like an Olympic event where you give blood, sweat and tears and where often fatigue takes over resilience and ambition. [...]

I think my reticence’ origin was fear. Fear that outsiders would kill the dream I dared dreaming. From the very beginning, my imaginary vote went to Barack Obama. Over the past months I had doubts and thought Hillary’s speech was at times, more convincing. But I realized that speech was fed by lobbyists and interests [...]

Pakistan’s loudest voice for democracy was silenced yesterday. Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in a scenario that must have played in her head, a million times. I remember as a young loud mouth, being in awe of her election at the tender age of 35. Simply historic. Madame Bhutto had hundreds of millions of dollars in [...]

When a picture of Hillary Rodham Clinton emerged a few days ago, it sparked a plethora of comments, most unflattering. The first to throw a stone was conservative and Hillary-hater, Rush Limbaugh. I think unattractive people living in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. As for all the unpleasant comments on Hillary’s picture, I think it’s [...]

U.S Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee mat not have the glam & glitz nor the celebrity endorsements (Chuck Norris is not a celebrity) but what he lacks in Hollywood and foreign affairs quotient, he makes up for in pure guts (which may also be camouflaged naïveté.). His latest ad campaign is simple but I predict he [...]

Oprah, Obama and now Will Smith? In what promises to be a celebrity-filled bandwagon, Will Smith announced yesterday that he would lend his support to the Barack Obama campaign. How that would help, I’m not sure and I worry about a candidate who could actually benefit from a Will Smith endorsement. Madonna has now joined [...]

A reader has asked me to comment on the Ingrid Bétancourt ordeal. I have limited knowledge of Columbian politics. However, from where I’m standing, Ingrid Bétancourt is a survivor. 5 years in captivity cannot be easy and must be even harder when you have two children at home, pining for your return. Here’s where once [...]

The end of the year has many traditions: Christmas, Hanukah and the Barbara Walters special. Her famed “The 10 Most Fascinating People” is for TV freaks like me, a must. I was however skeptical of the list when in a trailer for the show, I saw Imus was part of the list. Imus? He certainly [...]

Barbra Streisand is endorsing Hillary and Oprah is getting on the Obama campaign bus.Celebrities have the right to voice their political preferences even if they would be much more helpful fighting concrete social issues such as the pitiful state of education in poorer neighbourhoods but that might not be glamorous enough. Many pundits have condemned [...]

I’m not a big-action film type of girl. I don’t fancy weight lifters either. I do however marvel at Arnold Schwarzenegger. Today, Arnold turns 50. With all he has accomplished in such a short time, 50 is really nothing. To say Schwarzenegger is the American Dream on steroids is an understatement. He made a seemingly [...]

Here’s a wise piece of advice to Michelle Obama: stick to the Law (which you are exceptional at) and leave the sound bites to your husband, Barack. While speaking to a reporter, Michelle Obama blamed the hesitant Black vote for her husband on an inferiority complex Blacks have which leads them to believe others are [...]

It’s Remembrance Day. A day, to be thankful that soldiers fought, in the name of democracy and freedom. But that was then. It’s difficult to explain why troops are in Afghanistan and not Darfur. Difficult to explain why we’re trying to restore democracy in Iraq and not in Burma. On this day when we must [...]

Leave it to 60 minutes to rekindle my obsession for Men in French politics. Last night, France’s new President Nicolas Sarkozy showed the American public what the fuss has been all about. Brash, direct and un-cookie-cuttered-like, Sarko refused to dance to Lesley Stahl`s beat. Despite his cult-like love for all-things Americana, Sarko refused to answer [...]

Not so long ago, women were confronted with black & white choices. Love or security? Career or baby? Full or half-cup cut? Now, it doesn’t have to be one or the other. It’s not about having it all, it’s about having choices. With time, barriers have broken down and a woman’s impact has far surpassed [...]

Watching 60 minutes on Sunday night, I was reacquainted with Bruce Springsteen. Reacquainted not because I had forgotten about him but in the current midst of hailed talentless artists, I had lost touch with the essence of Springsteen. With the soul of a working man and the naivety of a hometown boy, Bruce Springsteen is [...]

Despite the roars, the nasty editorials and the fervent demonstrators, Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad landed in New York City where before his scheduled address at the United Nations, he was to speak at Columbia University. And speak, he did. Spitting out a slew of rhetoric that only confirmed his reputation as a crazed man, Mahmoud [...]

In 1990, nestled in a sheltered private catholic school, I was shaken by Spike Lee. The movie “Do the Right Thing” had just be released, and its soundtrack, led by powerful Public Enemy tracks, exposed me to a world I didn’t really knew existed. Under the tartan uniform and behind the awkward braces, I was [...]

A few readers have asked me where I stood on the Jena 6 incident.I refuse to blog about it as it is a deep sociological issue which I am far from being qualified to correctly analyze although it’s clear to see that it is yet another creepy example of what happens when ignorance rules. The [...]

Today, my heart goes to New Yorkers. You are survivors, you are leaders and you are New York. I pray for those who are different and I pray for minorities hoping one day, you don’t feel as such and those epithets will mean nothing.I pray that we all learn tolerance and reject hate. I look [...]

I’m sick to my stomach. Although I’ve already posted my view on the Michael Vick affair, the matter has only gotten worse since that post (see July 18th Post). Yes, Michael Vick was barbaric and despicable but the plausible sentence of over a year in jail and a possible lifetime ban from the NFL is [...]

A couple of weeks ago, famed malletier Louis Vuitton unveiled its new brilliant advertisement campaign, starring various pop cultural figures. Amongst the Catherine Deneuves and André Agassis of this world, an unlikely pinup: Mikhail Gorbachev. What is extraordinary with this Louis Vuitton shot is that it forces us to look at this towering historical figure [...]

The hype has started. The commercials are rolling. The countdown is on. The 2008 Beijing Olympics are a year away. I applaud and marveled at China’s economic progressive domination but the buck stops there. The country is still one of the most oppressive regimes on Planet Earth and holding the Olympic Games there will only [...]

The U.S. Presidential race has brought out the worse in pundits and in tank thinkers. Candidates have been rattled over their pocket books, their Rolodex, their spouses and their cleavage? In a desperate attempt to mince Hillary Clinton’s judgement, Washington Post writer Robin Givhan pointed out to Mrs. Clinton cleavage. Givhan writes: “She was talking [...]

I love Barack Obama. Way before mainstream media got on the Barack bandwagon; I had been impressed by his frank views, notably in an interview with Tavis Smiley. That was before the famous speech at the Democratic convention in 2004 and before he reached Rock Star status. Besides evident intellectual prowess, Barack Obama has grasp [...]

Michael Moore is fat and not-fashionable. Perhaps in this look-obsessed society, this is why we tend to see him as a marginal standing on a soap box. But, whether we like it or not, he delivers the bitter bill we fight to not swallow. On CNN last night, the filmmaker blasted my beloved Wolf Blitzer [...]

Since my blogging hiatus of over a week, Canada has celebrated two national holidays: La Fête Nationale in Québec and Canada Day, a week later all over the country. These staples of the Maple Leaf’s calendar should be used to examine one’s identity. I will forever be grateful to my parents for having chosen Canada [...]

All day today, pundits and tank thinkers were trying to interpret Michael Bloomberg’s latest move. Having just left the Republican Party to become an Independent, the move is seen as a prelude to Bloomberg announcing his run at the U.S. Presidency. Bloomberg, the current Mayor of New York has proven to be a smart politician, [...]

After a meeting with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, France’s newly elected President Nicolas Sarkozy appeared to be slightly inebriated at a G8 briefing. I love it. Cheers!

After 8 years, Dr. Jack Kevorkian was released from jail where he was cowardly sent for medically assisting in the death of an ALS stricken man who had seek Dr. Kevorkian’s intervention. Jack Kevorkian’s imprisonment was unjust. The man dubbed Dr. Death did nothing but pull the plug on misery, pain and suffering of this [...]

One might be blinded by the flashbulbs and all around fabulousness of La Croisette in Cannes but when Brad and Angelina came out to play with the other stars in the South of France, there was for me at least, more that met the eye. The golden , at the glitzy Film Festival to promote [...]

I recently joined the group “Save Foie Gras” on Facebook.com in retaliation to the protest I recently was exposed to in New York. Many restaurants in the Big Apple have joined the Chorus of their French, British, Chicagoans (to name a few) counterparts in banning foie gras from their menu. Why, oh why would they [...]

This week, American Idol presented “Idol gives back”: a star-packed extravaganza with montage-galore footing of Simon & co. touring impoverished areas of Africa, Los Angeles & New Orleans. The intent, we’re to understand, was to raise funds for various caritative initiatives. Excuse my skepticism despite the reported 30 million dollars raised. It’s difficult to criticize [...]

Where is Charlton Heston? Curled up in a corner in the fetal position, I hope. He and the rest of the NRA fanatics should all be in hiding today, reflecting about their barbaric position on the right to bare arms. The safe haven that was once school is no longer. Will we get to a [...]

Wooohooo! Rejoice people: Paul Wolfowitz’ days at the World Bank are numbered. I was flabbergasted to learn of his appointment to the post of World Bank President. How can this bully, this opportunist, this Bush BFF be leader of the Organization that has the power to make a difference in such trivial issue as Third [...]

It’s been tough past months for anyone who’s little bit different. So much madness & too much hatred. Oversees, yes but right here as well. For too long, we’ve tolerated garbage in government, in Courthouses, in policies, on TV, in the charts and behind the mic. This weekend, fill that hole in our collective soul [...]

While reading my New York Times yesterday, I fell upon an article entitled: “To Close Gaps, Schools Focus on Black Boys” (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/09/nyregion/09school.html) The article spotlighted a mentoring program implemented in a northern Westchester County. The program pairs young Black students to Black teachers for continued guidance, extra help with homework and inspiration. So far, so [...]

Cash registers are closed. The numbers are in. In this year’s first quarter, Senator Barack Obama has raised 25 million dollars for his Presidential campaign, breathing down Senator Rodham-Clinton’s neck. The fact Barack Obama raised only one million less that Rodham-Clinton means one thing: there is no clear front runner in Camp Democratic Party. I’m [...]

Today, the province of Québec is holding an election to name its new Prime Minister. For the first time in years, the election is a hot 3-way race with the leading parties heading in different political spectrums. But this post is not to convince you on which box to check: it’s actually to remind you [...]

French President Jacques Chirac has just announced he will not be seeking a third mandate as France’s Head Honcho thus turning an important page of the country’s history. I remember falling for Chirac as I had previously fallen for predecessors Valéry Giscard D’Estaing and François Mitterrand. Jacques Chirac, a stylish and smart debonair brought flair [...]