The worst of 2005

Now that we have reached the end of 2005, there will be some "Worst of" lists for the year. And I thought that I would do the same. And the list may change before January 1, 2006. So if you read this before then, please check back to see if I have edited or added anything to the list.

For me my personal worst of 2005:

The Spectacle that was the funeral services for the great Rosa Parks.

Mrs. Rosa Parks died in Detroit. Her body was flown like a trophy around the country, to Montgomery, Washington DC and back to Detroit to lie in state in each city. Thousands had the chance to walk past her coffin and pay their respects. And she definitely deserved some respect. I feel anyone from the civil rights movement deserves honor. But what happened to Mrs. Parks was a marathon of grandstanding that was insulting.

My main complaint is the day long funeral service held in Detroit. This was the grand finale after the world tour. They shipped Mrs. Parks around to put her on display for the people and at the grand celebration of her life. It seemed that anyone who had a pulse and held political office got their chance to "be seen" at the funeral of Mrs. Rosa Parks.

Guest speakers (or should I say performers) included The Mayor, The Governor, The city council member, the state Senator, The Mayor's mama, and The United States Senator. No, not the senator from Michigan where Rosa Parks lived. Not the senator from Alabama where Rosa Parks is originally from. But the senator from New York...Hillary Rodham Clinton! And there were people from one association to another, or a relative of someone from one association to another. Or a relative of a relative of whoever. There were probably more speakers in line for the microphone at the funeral than there were people who walked past Rosa Park's casket while she was lying in state.

A common thread among the speakers: They never met Rosa Parks! They did not know Rosa Parks. They only heard about her. Well guess what, I did not personally know Rosa Parks either. I only have heard about her. And I heard a little more from family who happen to be from Montgomery and lived there during the civil rights movement. If only I held political office, I too could have spoken at the funeral of Rosa Parks. I wouldn't have much to say just like those who did speak, but I could repeat everything we already knew with a personal twist. Just like those who spoke at the funeral.

One thing I learned from the funeral marathon of Rosa Parks is that it must be a rule when you get to the microphone at the funeral of someone important in society that you have to acknowledge EVERY person involved in the church, the family, and significant politicians in attendance by saying each of their names before you get to the gist of your meaningless speech. You also have to give a lengthy introduction of the next speaker. And not to be outdone by any guest speaker is every member of the clergy who spoke. When a Black member of the clergy speaks, expect to sit a while. The Reverend train included Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton as well as clergy from Mrs. Parks own church. And one minister had the nerve to remind the guest speakers that "Time is of the essence". He says this in the FOURTH hour of the service....ONE hour after the time that the service was expected to end and THREE hours before it was actually over.

My question after spending a day watching this funeral marathon on TV was where the hell were all of these people in Mrs. Parks later years? Like when she faced eviction as her rent was behind. Why are all of these millionaire preachers and politicians getting "photo ops" at the funeral of a woman who was never as wealthy but did more with one event than these bigshots could do in a lifetime?

There was nothing wrong with having a memorial service for Rosa Parks. But there was everything wrong with the FUNERAL they had for Rosa Parks. I think they used her and I am ashamed of my country for allowing it. But sadly it is all forgotten now. About as fast as those politicians forgot about Mrs. Parks....as they walked away from that podium.


The rest of The WORST of 2005 (In no specific order)

The Miami Dolphins: It has been over 30 years since my hometown football team has won a Super Bowl. Why, because we get these "star" players who belong in a toilet bowl. For years we had the overrated and highly ego(ed) Dan Marino. And this year we had to deal with an idiot (who is too sickening to even mention his name!) who quit the NFL to go "find himself" or to get high or something. (He had to be "on something") And then the team accepts him back later in the season and we still have nothing to show for it. And as a lifelong "Dolfan" I remain dedicated but I am fed up at the same time. We need a winning team in South Florida with real players who are serious about getting the job done.

Monday Night Football: The 2005 season is the final season of the traditional "Monday Night Football" telecasts on ABC. Starting in 2006, "MNF" will be seen on ESPN only if you have cable or satellite TV. After 35 years on ABC and "free" TV, it just won't be the same.

Hurricanes: Proving in 2005 that they are nothing to play with. Hopefully people will take the Hurricane season of 2005 into consideration and prepare themselves for ANY possible emergency.

Hurricane Aftermath: There's a lot of complaining about government response and services provided after a hurricane disaster. Even months after the tragic storms of 2005 people are still complaining. But many people are also not doing much to help themselves. These are the same people who were not prepared for the storm or any other emergency. You can't expect others to give you everything. YOU have to be able to take care of yourself and your family. It is called self-responsibility! And what I have seen in 2005 is that so many people neglect their responsibility and expect someone else to be responsible for their problems. Sorry, but I have my own problems to deal with. I can't always afford to deal with your problems too.

And some did help themselves: Sadly, some did "help themselves" after the hurricanes of 2005. Among the images of the storms aftermath we saw people looting stores in the damaged areas. Many tried to legimize looting as a way for survival in after the storm. People needing to feed their families and such. I say BS!

If you were prepared for an emergency and lived on a budget you would not need to STEAL food for your family. If you were prepared for an emergency and lived on a budget, you may have been able to leave the area when the warnings were issued when you knew that you were facing danger.

The truth is most looters see an emergency as the perfect opportunity to take whatever they want. To create lawlessness when law enforcement officials are weakened and overwhelmed in an emergency. They did this with Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Hurricane Andrew in 1992, the urban riots of Los Angeles and Miami and the New York City electrical blackout of 1977 just to name a few examples. These are thugs and other low life types taking an opportunity to kick their fellow man when the community is down and un-prepared. And they shamefully believe that there was nothing wrong with this. They even believe that they were "owed" the very things that they stole. To me, when I see looting, I see madness and sadness as deep as the deaths that occurred within the same emergency. Not only have people lost lives, but people lost their minds as well.
My career move: I only include this as the worst of 2005 because of the financial mess that has resulted from my quitting my job in 2005. Overall, I am still glad I left.
My sorry ass brother: I'll be nice and not say his name, but family members will know exactly who I am talking about. This brother really showed us just how trifling he really is YET he is too stupid to realize it.


The religious @#$%! : 2005 has proved that the religious community is more hyprocritical than ever. If their really is a god, then please teach these co-called followers to accept ALL of their neighbors.

Politicians: These idiots who run the United States of America would make any worst of list. You name them, Republicans AND Democrats alike. If you have an open mind and think clearly then you would see that neither political party is working in the best interest of anyone.
They are all liars who will say anything to get your vote. And like good little slaves, you follow the "Massa's" orders by only voting for these two political parties.

People, please get off of the Democratic AND Republican political party plantation!


Reality TV: I think this whole genre' has become a cesspool of television confusion. It started with a NON MUSIC show on MUSIC TELEVISION, aka "MTV" way back in the early 1990's. And now includes a so-called talent show and countless shows where you eat anything disgusting, go camping, get locked inside a glass house for a day, wife swapping, or just acting like an ass in front of the cameras. And you gullible couch potatoes are hooked on this mess.

There is not a damn thing "real" about "The Real World", it is nothing but a youthful fashion show. Put a bunch of pretty kids into a circus mansion, let them get naked but you'll blur the screen so that we don't really see them naked BUT you don't blur the screen when one of those brats vomits? You can't show their bare ass but you let us see the disgusting results of their having drank too much booze the night before? And why bleep out the "bad" words? Why waste the time in the editing room. We already know what they are saying.

American Idol: Which is more disgusting? The drunk girl vomiting on "The Real World" or the whole American Idol craze? I think it is a cookie toss up.

Add to the stomach churning ANY washed up or wanabe celebrity who has a TV camera "documenting" their bullshit lives. Paris and Nicole, Bobby and Whitney, Bobby and Whitney (I had to say that twice!), Nick and Jessica (will they merge their show with Divorce Court?), The Osborne circus, Bonaduce, Brady, and Flava Flav!

Actually, that the girl vomiting on camera for The Real World may be more interesting than watching Flava Flav. One can result in the other. Or vise versa.