As is being discussed with particular vigor and vehemence on this post (see comments), I am as down on (not “with”) thug culture as most anyone, but who says hip-hop is all about thuggery? Check out hot crunkster David Banner and his stance on education: Highly acclaimed Mississippi hip-hop artist …

This sounds like a great summertime thang: The annual Westchester Reggaefest 2004 concert will celebrate their seventh anniversary on June 13, 2004. Prroduced and hosted by linkup Media, (parent company of Linkup Radio 93.5FM and Plush TV NY), the event returns to the Westchester County Center, located at 198 Central …

I love the band name “Sonic Youth” because these guys are older than I am so maybe I can be “Scribe Youth,” or something, into my dotage. Anyway, the Youth are coming back with Sonic Nurse (“to my head, to my head, rock and roll nurse going to my head”) …

I am not sure why the Damra case isn’t a bigger story outside of Cleveland, but the feds sure are interested in this formerly respected imam of the largest mosque in Ohio. If you are not familiar with his case, here is some background from the Cleveland Plain Dealer, which …

On the one hand this is ridiculous, on the other if the guy had won then I would have been happy to start charging $5K every time I suffer offense at the hands (or whatever body part) of the media: A judge didn’t buy a Farmington lawyer’s claim that CBS …

The Milken Institute ranks the states according to its technology and science index: The 2004 State Technology and Science Index encapsulates each state’s comprehensive inventory of technology and science assets that can be leveraged to promote economic development. The Index provides states with a benchmark, monitors their technology progress and …

As Simon and the other Brits pronounce it. From a career standpoint it didn’t much matter who won Idol last night – Clay has fared much better by NOT winning last year, he was permanently cast in the underdog role, his fanbase was energized – but from an aesthetic standpoint, …

And how it relates shock jocks, satellite video, driving 1,000 miles to Florida with little kids, and other picaresque ramblings.

tummy trouble

Charges against Richard “Butch” Simmons have been dropped: Simmons, the outlandish 55-year-old known for his exercise videos, was accused of slapping a 6-foot-2, 250-pound ultimate cage fighter, reportedly in retaliation for a sarcastic remark. The fellow passenger recognized Simmons in March at Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International Airport as they were …