May 19, 2013

Tuesday Afternoon Thread: Salute to Motown

March 12, 2013 by 182 Comments

All week we’re strolling through Hitsville, USA….ENJOY!

Marvin Gaye – I Heard It Through The Grapevine (Live at Montreaux)

Jr Walker & The All Stars – Shotgun

The Jackson 5 – I Want You Back

The Temptations – Ain’t Too Proud To Beg

Four Tops – Baby I Need Your Lovin

Smokey Robinson & The Miracles – Ooo Baby Baby

Filed Under: Open Thread Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
  • rikyrah

    did you know that they’re doing Motown, the musical?

    • Miranda

      Yep, I wanna go – the cast seems awesome.

      http://www.motownthemusical.com/

    • Aquagranny911

      This will be totally excellent! I wish I could go but I will probably have to wait for the movie version.

    • isonprize

      If this is done well, it should be on Broadway for a LOOOONNNG time and spawn knock-offs all over the place.

      JerseyBoys – the story of the Four Seasons and MammaMia! – using the hits of ABBA had me singing from start to finish.

      And, of course, since Motown has an unending wealth of good music, the only way this fails is if the production values suck. And since Berry Gordy is involved, THAT ain’t gonna happen.

  • Miranda

    OMG…………………………..and its not a joke__________________

    Mosheh Oinounou‏@Mosheh
    Dennis Rodman set to hit St Peters Sq Wednesday in a “makeshift Popemobile” to campaign for Cardinal from Ghana

    • jds09

      I think we’re seeing another Charlie Sheen type meltdown. I want to cover my eyes.

    • Aquagranny911

      Muerta___________________________________________

      Is he on drugs or does he need drugs?

      • conlakappa

        I think attention is his greatest drug. And a helluva one at that.

    • Alma98

      For AG lol!

      • Aquagranny911

        LMAO! Sorry, that is probably cruel but if he doesn’t want people to laugh then he should stay home.

    • MsKitty

      Hold up though. If he’s crying broke on child support, how can he afford to jet around the world?

      • AxelFoley

        Hmmm…

  • GreenLadyHere

    Sepia– — -OMWord. Apologies. Couldn’t log in ’cause of POOR RECEPTION.- –

    - – - -ONLY 5????- – - -LOL
    - – - -The 5 Worst Things About The House GOP’s New Budget- – –

    - – - – –Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) released the third iteration of the GOP budget on Tuesday morning. The document achieves balance in 10 years by maintaining the high revenue levels and health care savings that Republicans have vociferously opposed and slashing the health and safety net programs that middle and lower income Americans rely on. Top-income earners and corporations, meanwhile, would benefit from huge tax breaks.

    Here are the five worst things about Ryan’s budget:

    1. GIVES HUGE TAX CUTS TO THE RICH AND CORPORATIONS: Ryan’s plan would reduce both top income and corporate tax rates to 25 percent, resulting in trillions of dollars in tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations. The government would lose roughly $7 trillion in revenues compared to Ryan’s projections, and while he plans to close loopholes to pay for the cuts, he has in the past failed to specify which loopholes he would close, and raising enough revenue from the elimination of tax expenditures would prove politically difficult, if not impossible. Ryan would also convert the corporate tax code to an “international” plan, resulting in an even bigger giveaway to American companies that are already paying historically low tax rates.

    2. FORCES SENIORS TO PAY MORE FOR HEALTH CARE:

    - – -3. JEOPARDIZES MEDICAID:

    - – -4. REPEALS HEALTH COVERAGE FROM 30 MILLION AMERICANS: The budget repeals the Affordable Care Act’s requirement to purchase health insurance coverage, the establishment of health insurance exchanges, the provision of subsidies for lower-income Americans, the expansion of the Medicaid program, and tax credits for small businesses that provide insurance coverage. As a result, more than 30 million Americans would lose coverage and the budget would eliminate the new law’s consumer protections, which have already benefited tens of millions of Americans.

    - — 5. CUTS FOOD STAMPS:

    - — -THIS- – -EVIL/VILE- — -RACIST – -ELITIST- – -B**TURD!!!- —

    - – - – -Annnnnd- – - -He’s NOT- – -soooooo “smart”!!!!- – - -NOT!! – —

  • Aquagranny911

    LOL! My Sis has “I heard it through the grape vine” as a ring tone on her cell phone. Just loving the music this week, Gracias! I even tried out a few dance moves, much better now than when I tried last week but still not up to my best.

  • Miranda

    How Americans were swindled by the hidden cost of the Iraq war
    By Michael Boyle, The Guardian
    Tuesday, March 12, 2013 1:42 EDT

    George Bush sold the war as quick and cheap; it was long and costly. Even now, the US is paying billions to private contractors

    When the US invaded Iraq in March 2003, the Bush administration estimated that it would cost $50-60bn to overthrow Saddam Hussein and establish a functioning government. This estimate was catastrophically wrong: the war in Iraq has cost $823.2bn between 2003 and 2011. Some estimates suggesting that it may eventually cost as much as $3.7tn when factoring in the long-term costs of caring for the wounded and the families of those killed.

    The most striking fact about the cost of the war in Iraq has been the extent to which it has been kept “off the books” of the government’s ledgers and hidden from the American people. This was done by design. A fundamental assumption of the Bush administration’s approach to the war was that it was only politically sustainable if it was portrayed as near-costless to the American public and to key constituencies in Washington. The dirty little secret of the Iraq war – one that both Bush and the war hawks in the Democratic party knew, but would never admit – was that the American people would only support a war to get rid of Saddam Hussein if they could be assured that they would pay almost nothing for it.

    more here
    http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/03/12/how-americans-were-swindled-by-the-hidden-cost-of-the-iraq-war/#.UT9Lo4n3kq0.twitter

    • Guns3000

      No disrespect to the people that died at Benghazi but if the Repubs had pay attention to Iraq as much as they paid to Benghazi we wouldn’t have been in that quagmire.

  • MsKitty

    Okay, bar room argument time…

    Who had the better version of “Grapevine?” Marvin Gaye or Gladys Knight & the Pips?

    I have to go with Gladys and the fellas. They were in serious church mode with the vocals, and with the drummer driving things in the background…oh yeah, you can’t touch that.

    • Ebogan63

      That’s the version I grew up with, the Gladys and the Pips version, Marvin’s a very close second.

    • Daltex82

      I’m going with Marvin Gaye’s version with Gladys and the Pips a really close 2nd and an honorable mention to Roger/Zapp.

    • Aquagranny911

      My vote: Gladys & the Pips but I do like Marvin Gaye, too. It’s a tough call for me.

    • lamh36

      baby, Ms Gladys and “Grapevine” are my fav, cause I can see it more as a woman’s song.

      But can we please just discuss “I Really Gotta use my imagination”? Bah-bay, when we get to the lyric ‘darkness all around me…blocking out the sun…”. my hands go up and you’d think I was in a music video or on stage….lol

    • isonprize

      I’m going with Marvin’s version. Marvin has raw soul and emotion in pretty much every song he ever sang. Something about a man singing those words…

      Here’s a version with just Marvin on the vocal track. No back-up musicians or singers. And absolutely no auto-tune. Wow!!

      Just listen. It takes about 20 seconds for him to come in.

      http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3pbr3_marvin-gaye-i-heard-it-through-the_music#.UT-14FeNAWI

      • AxelFoley

        Yassss.

      • nellcote

        AWESOME!!! Thanks for posting that!

    • GreenLadyHere

      HEEY MsKitty. ***BIG HUG*** :>) – –

      –***RAISIN’ my hand*** — -LOL —

      —-IMMA VOTE 4 – –THIS VERSION! :>) — –LOL—

      Annnd – —I’ll need some – –WHERE -I’m goin’. – - ->”BAD CHAIR” LOL– -

      — — THANKS 4 da -bar room argument time… —:>)-FUN. .
      —-Good 2 C U – -MsKitty. :>) – - – -

      • Aquagranny911

        ROTFLMAO!!! I forgot this ad! No “Bad Chair” for you! This was a great share! ♥ ♥ ♥

        • GreenLadyHere

          HEEY Aquagranny911♥. ***BIG HUG*** :>)

          – –LOL- — Oooo-kaaay!! :>) LOL — -

          —A CONTINUIN’ PRAYERS 4 U♥/DAUGHTER♥/FAMILY♥ – AMEN. :>)

          Good 2 C U – -AG. :>)

          • Aquagranny911

            ♥ Beautiful song & thank you for this share. HUGS & more ♥

    • rikyrah

      MArvin

    • AxelFoley

      Cain’t nobody top Marvin’s version, no disrespect to Ms. Gladys and the fellas.

  • Aquagranny911

    I can’t help myself. Here’s a little grief song for the “Way We Were” to whine about the new Disqus format that will be gobbling this site manana….

    I’m an old biddy who does like some things “the way they were.” I’ve had enough challenges in my life recently.

    End of whine…& I really do like this song….

    • Alma98

      I love this song and the movie AG!

  • Miranda

    REPORT: Koch Brothers Looking To Purchase Several Major American Newspapers

    Right-wing funders and business industrialists David and Charles Koch may purchase the Tribune Company newspapers, which include the Chicago Tribune, Baltimore Sun, and the Los Angeles Times. The brothers are “interested in the clout they could gain through the Times’ editorial pages,” the Hollywood Reporter notes. Responding to the report, a spokesperson for Koch told the website that the brothers are “constantly exploring profitable opportunities in many industries and sectors”:

    more here
    http://thinkprogress.org/media/2013/03/12/1708561/report-koch-brothers-looking-to-purchase-several-major-american-newspapers/

    • Aquagranny911

      I’m sure they are, goatfigging caca suckers! We really need to get our media back before it’s too figging late, if that isn’t so already.

    • aleth

      The manifesto coming into fruition…

    • Alma98

      Doesn’t surprise me one bit, they really want to rule the world. This isn’t about profits it’s about controlling what people think.

  • GreenLadyHere
    • Aquagranny911

      “Dancing in the street”….DANG! Now I do got to move it! I love that song! HUGS!!!! ♥

      • GreenLadyHere

        ***fist bump*** — –LOL – — -BUT — -take it easy. :>) — -***HUGS*** :>) —

  • lamh36

    Remember when Gladys Knight was on A Different World? Gladys Knight in concert in on my bucket list!

    • conlakappa

      One of the concerts from my childhood: Gladys Knight and the Pips. It was an awesome show.

  • lamh36

    WTF!!! Good Times???? Ok, let’s cast the players: who should would you choose to play: Michaeal, Thelma, Walona, Florida, James, JJ and Keith?

    http://www.essence.com/2013/03/12/good-times-headed-silver-screen

    • GOVCHRIS1988

      Oh Lord Jesus NO!

      • Miranda

        Exactly my sentiment.

    • Town

      Hmm, Good Times the movie…

      Florida: Viola Davis

      James: Terry Crews

      JJ: ?

      Thelma: ?

      Michael: The boy who played Chris Rock’s brother in Everybody Hates Chris

      Walona: Janet Jackson

      Bookman: Anthony Anderson

      Keith: Walter from the Real Housewives

    • http://pragmaticobotsunite.blogspot.com/ Sepia

      Oh, hail to the naw!!

    • Alma98

    • http://twitter.com/#!/JamilaJP QOakaJP

      Wait…so the #GoodTimesTheMovie twitter hashtag wasn’t a joke?!

    • rikyrah

      hell to the naw

    • AxelFoley

      Is this real life?

  • lamh36

    Speaking of the “grapevine”. I’ll admit, that the video with Gladys and the Pips is what sold me on this version…lol.

    I’m falling for that high ponytail Gladys is wering…lol

    • isonprize

      Okay on the high ponytail, but that plaid jacket, tho.

      Woooh, LAWD!! No, ma’am.

    • rikyrah

      MArvin all the way with Grapevine

  • lamh36

    So the Gladys vs Marvin question downthread got me to thinking about other songs that were hits for multiple artist. I’m particularly interested in songs that are not obvious ones where one is way better than the other (i.e. I Will Alwasys Love You)

    So ya’ll know how I do…lol.

    So here we go…lol

    Trisha Yearwood vs Leann Rimes – How Do I Live Without You. This one is hard. It’s basically the difference between a grown woman talking about the love of her life, and a teenage girl talking about a crush. I’ll admit that when I was younger, I woulda went straight for Leann, now as a grown woman, I’m all about Trisha!

    Trisha – http://youtu.be/RFnD3uwKHag

    Leann – http://youtu.be/90e8ryPDKWo

  • goldenstar

    Well, well, well. He got kicked to the curb so he went a huntin’ for some others and this is what he found. Oh, funded by Nationwide, another exemplary financial institution.

    During the 2012 presidential election, Latinos helped to raise more than $32 million to help re-elect Barack Obama . Now, as the immigration debate unfolds in Washington, PBS broadcaster Tavis Smiley , in partnership with The William C. Velasquez Institute, is gathering the nation’s top Latinos for a national conversation on the challenges and opportunities facing the 50-million-strong community.

    “‘LATINO NATION: Beyond The Numbers’” will mark the first time that such a diverse and representative group of Latinos discusses its broad agenda on a national stage,” said Antonio Gonzalez , president of The William C. Velasquez Institute (WCVI). “Too often, our 50-million-strong community is viewed simply and narrowly by America. ‘LATINO NATION’ will reveal the depth and richness of our issues, thoughts and culture.”

    http://tinyurl.com/a2gljw3

    • http://pragmaticobotsunite.blogspot.com/ Sepia

      LOL! This fool is relentless! Now he’s trying to drag the Latino community into his PBO Hatefest and just in time for the 2014 mid-term elections, with the possibility of Texas turning BLUE! This mofo is NOT slick!

      I see Eva Longoria will be participating. She’s been a big PBO supporter. Does she know about Tavis’ hatred for PBO? Perhaps the Twitter Warriors should inform her?

      • Aquagranny911

        I would hope so & I’m thinking that Eva may be there to keep it real.

    • Miranda

      Lawd……smDh…..this n******* here….this n*******

    • trose1

      smdh

    • Aquagranny911

      Is it okay to like…SCREAM…

      Tavis, leave my people alone! I will be so very happy to “converse” your very ass off any time you want to visit my neighborhood. I’ll even drag you into my casa, feed you cake & coffee & give you mano a mano of the issues we find important.

      • Town

        LOL @ “Tavis leave my people alone!”

    • Alma98

      HAHAHAHAHAHA! I can’t help it lmao he’s like the energizer bunny. He’s going after errrybody trying to make that paper. Who’s next?

    • GN

      Buyer beware, brown fam!

    • edp4bho

      Plan B. If the blacks don’t bite, go after the browns. Gotta keep that hustle going cause he’s fading into oblivion. POUS (the U is for ugly). And I was doing so good keeping my pressure down and avoiding the negative. Dang !

    • AxelFoley

      This nigga will not quit with his hate. It’d be funny if it weren’t so sad.

  • lamh36

    Marvin vs Diana Ross – Aint No Mountain High Enough

    No contest, the original is the best, IMHO=, but they don’t call Ms Ross “The Boss” for nothing. That beginning “Ah, ah, ah, ah…oooh, oooh…” opening gets me everytime.

    Marvin & Terri – http://youtu.be/Xz-UvQYAmbg

    Diana Ross – http://youtu.be/uD99c3otHDA

    • isonprize

      It’s almost funny to see Diana Ross without her “BIG HAIR”

      (and, looking at you, JLo, you ain’t the first to show some of your goodies, but Miss Ross is so much classier here…)

      • QOakaJP

        Re: Diana’s hair, that reminds me of something funny. The first time I saw “The Wiz” on tv, I was about 4 or 5. This was in the 80′s so I was used to seeing Diana Ross with the huge hair. So I see her with that short-cropped afro, and I asked my mom, “What happened to her hair?!” She replied, “It’s a wig.” So I was stuck there wondering how exactly she was able to fit all her luxurious, big hair under that tiny afro wig… That’s kid logic for you. I also was trying to comprehend the science that would allow Michael Jackson to be sawed in half without being injured.

    • Aquagranny911

      This is really a hard one & I have to vote for both. I so love Diana Ross but the Marvin & Terri version is great too.

    • GreenLadyHere

      HEEY lamh36. ***BIG HUG*** :>)

      —- IK, — -IMMMA STAY with –MARVIN/TAMMY. – –I JUS’ LUVED their –HARMONY annnd PASSION. :>) — -

      Thanks. :>) PRAYERS 4 your MOM. :>) — -Good 2 C U. :>) – -

    • rikyrah

      Marvin and Terri

  • lamh36

    Chaka vs Whitney – I’m Every Woman. I admit, I love both, but Whitney’s versions holds a special place in my heart.

    chaka – http://youtu.be/HOAMl2f8uRs

    whitney – http://www.metacafe.com/watch/sy-26823680001/whitney_houston_im_every_woman_official_music_video/

    • Aquagranny911

      Whitney…just love her!

    • rikyrah

      Whitney

  • lamh36

    Prince (feat Rosie Gaines) vs Sinead O’Connor – Nothing Compares 2 U

    I love Prince, and I love the soul Rosie Gaines puts behind it, but IDK, I’m still more keen on the Sinead version. Having said that, the version I have on my Ipod right now is the Prince version, ’cause I got all Prince’s songs on there…lol.

    Prince – http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xknlg9_prince-nothing-compares-2-u_music#.UT-1ABxJOeY

    Sinead – http://youtu.be/iUiTQvT0W_0

    ETA: Changed my mind after seeing this live video. I love Prince’s version. Prince is singing the hell out of the song

    • crazycanuck

      Loved Sinead before she went crazy lol, but it’s PRINCE all the way.

    • isonprize

      okay, lamh, Glad to see that you came to your senses. LOLOLOL

      STOP PLAYING.

      Prince.

  • http://pragmaticobotsunite.blogspot.com/ Sepia

    Presidential Swag…

    petesouza ‏@petesouza
    Photo of POTUS waiting out a downpour today pic.twitter.com/5lkzziouPZ

    • crazycanuck

      testing

    • GreenLadyHere

      Sepiaaaaaaaaaaa – — -WHEW LAWD! – — -

      – - – -***REACHIN’ – —

      – – —- ————– – -4 – —MY

      ———————– —————–OXYGEN

      — ——– ——- – — – —— ——– —————–MASK!— -

      ———- – - – — —– – - – - — – - – — – — – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – –2 –L8*** LOL

    • conlakappa

      ZOMG, hands in his pockets: who does he think he is, JFK?!!!

      • nellcote

        Are you a poli-sci major? You make connections (JFK!) from out of left field that just crack me up. :)

        • conlakappa

          Ha! Nope. Just lived in D.C. and surrounding area long enough to speak allegedly liberal media. You know, like them saying that the First Lady was trying to mimic Jackie Kennedy, someone whose husband was in office before Michelle Obama was born.

  • Camille

    I hate to say this because he’s bound to swing back to his crazy, but every so often, Chris Matthews gets it right.

    He is absolutely spot on about Paul Ryan and the media attempt to crown him smart and something of a budget guru when he is anything but.

    Paul Ryan and his unearned reputation and respect has to be the biggest swindle pulled in D.C in a long time.

    The guy is a big zero and how he’s managed to amass any credibility without actually having anything to stand behind, is bizarre. Even Sarah Palin puts him to shame.

  • lamh36

    JHol vs JHud – And I Am Telling You…

    this one still starts a fight between ole skool and new skool cats. JHud may have the Oscar, but JHol gets it for the stage acting alone and for actually holding that note, which JHud still don’t do.

    JHol vs JHud – And I Am Telling You…

    JHol – http://youtu.be/rtnKI3ztz9w

    JHud -http://youtu.be/QsiSRSgqE4E

    • conlakappa

      JHol, but boy does she have an unhealthy fixation with “her” part. I think I literally felt pain watching her talk about it on CBS Sunday Morning a few years back. Woman unhinged.

  • lamh36

    Elvis vs UB40 – Can’t Help Falling In Love

    Ok, this one here just shows my age. I’m not an Elvis fan. Besides, I love the “carribean” flavor of UB40. I just love the tempo better.

    UB40 – http://youtu.be/Ajp0Uaw4rqo

    Elvis – http://youtu.be/5V430M59Yn8

    • QOakaJP

      I’m a fan of UB40. If they did a traveling tour with Ace of Base, I’d buy a ticket today. :)

    • Aquagranny911

      For me it is Elvis for this song. From my youth, I slow danced to this & it was so romantic…uumm…

    • rikyrah

      Elvis

  • http://pragmaticobotsunite.blogspot.com/ Sepia

    Dems stay losing….

    From HuffPo. I’m not linking because the article contains graphic pictures.

    Democrats Confront Obama On Drone Policy During Closed-Door Gathering With Senators

    …Senate Democrats were largely absent from Paul’s filibuster last week. But on Monday, a group of progressive Senate Democrats pressed Obama on the issue. Details of the exchange so far are scarce.

    “There was an exchange, but I don’t want to get into the specifics,” said Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.).

    “Basically, the president said that they’re doing everything they can to comply with the law and to give information to members of the Intelligence Committee,” said Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), who paused for a long moment before answering. “And he said they would continue on that path.”

    A source in the meeting said one question was posed by Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), a member of the Committee on Intelligence. A spokesperson for Rockefeller didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

    • Ebogan63

      Again, PBO wants these assholes to do something about the AUMF that gives the authority for drones, NOT grandstand about it! That is why DOJ leaked the memo in the first fucking place!!!

      • crazycanuck

        I’m sure they knew about drones before.

        • GN

          Sure did, and issues with warantless wiretapping and numerous other issues.

    • GN

      Just watching this bull with amusement…as Ebogan says, don’t talk about it, be about it. Overturn the AUMF (which would actually be a very positive development). That would make too much sense though.

    • Miranda

      SMH….idiots

    • jziglar

      The funny thing is none of these people talked about drones prior to Obama and they existed then. Now we’re supposed to be so concerned about them.

      If they want to change things then pass laws to take away what they passed after 9/11. We as a country have more important issues to deal with and the American people don’t give a damn about drones.

      • nathkatun7

        EXACTLY! Absolutely spot-on, jziglar. These senators are mistaking the loudmouths in the media to be representatives of the majority of us who voted for President Obama. I think it’s time for us to remind them by vigorously rejecting their imbecile attacks on President Obama.

        What I want to know from the critics of drones is: What are your alternative strategies for fighting people intent on inflicting terror and mayhem on innocent Americans and innocent bon-Americans in the world? Do these idiots, including members of Congress, not know that President Obama would be blamed if terrorists attacked and killed Americans any where in the world? Have these so called Democrats/Progressives not paid attention to how Republicans, aided and men abetted by the corporate (mainstream) media, have been attacking President Obama and his administration for Benghazi?

    • jziglar

      Also when are these idiots going to allow President Obama to close Guantanamo since they are so concerned about doing the “right” thing ?

      Stop the grandstanding and doing your freaking job.

    • morphus

      Congress is notorious for “leaks” why share the time of day with them?

  • lamh36

    here is another song that might show ur age. I’m young, but I prefer the original version. Besides, if ya know anything about me, then I had a big Lionel Richie phase back in da day…lol. I performed to “Running With The Night” for my high school PE dance semester…lol. Luther of course melts like butta! But the voice on Ms Ross, da boss..wooh!

    LIonel & Ms Ross vs Luther and Ms Mariah – Endless Love

    Richie & Ross – http://youtu.be/Ewf0TnM4eKo

    Vandross & Carey – http://youtu.be/Nu9RVPTpDyA

    • GreenLadyHere

      Oooooooo —-lamh36. — – -THIS is tuff. :>) —BUT IMMA go with – - – - — LIONEL RICHIE/Ms. ROSS – –”DA BOSS” – - – - – — -

      I Have a leanin 4 the COMMODORES. :>)– -

    • Town

      Lionel & the Boss Miss Ross, hands down.

    • rikyrah

      Lionel and Ms. Ross..

      I’m still pissed that it lost to ‘ Bette Davis Eyes’ at the Grammys that year

    • AxelFoley

      Oh, Lionel and Diana own this.

  • edp4bho

    Hey all. Miranda, thanks for featuring my teen years. Numbers 2, 4, 5, and 6- wasn’t a party without these four. On Ooh Baby Baby, if the boy wasn’t cute, I sat that one out (my we are fickle when we’re young). On 2 and 4, we jammed to the cha-cha and shotgun, twine and cool jerk. Good times, happy times.

  • lamh36

    this one is a good one. Dionne Warwick’s version has a little place in my heart ’cause it’s my fav scene in My Best Friends Wedding. But the version I have on my Ipod is the Queen of Soul all the way. I’ve got her greatest hits. Plus ya gotta love the Queen in all her afro-wearing glory…lol.

    The Queen of Soul vs Ms Dionne Warkwick – Say A Little Prayer.

    Da Queen – http://youtu.be/STKkWj2WpWM

    Dionne – http://youtu.be/kafVkPxjLYg

    • Aquagranny911

      Dang! You are roasting me here! I have like every album Dionne ever did but Aretha is so boss of this song.

      • conlakappa

        My mother loved both women so I heard both versions as a little kid [and she regaled me in recounting the concerts]. To me, they are indistinguishable in my memories.

    • rikyrah

      Ms. Aretha

  • Miranda

    Oh great……Emoprogs are in full histrionics mode. SMH…..un-freaking-believable how stupid these people are. Ed Shultz is pulling his 2010 stunts – only know this because the TV was already on the channel when I walked in the door and I saw the first 10 minutes…then I had to turn that mess off…over to Fraiser on The Hallmark Channel.

    • trose1

      I would have swore Paul Ryan came out with his “budget” that basically says bye SS medicare etc.
      Ed Shultz and good ole (not a Democrat) Bernie Sanders are screaming about PBO gutting SS and medicare.
      Did I miss something?

      • nathkatun7

        Bernie Sanders represents one of the smallest states in the Union with a population less than 600,000. President Obama is trying to govern a country with over 300 million people, about half of them who regard themselves as Conservatives. Let me brunt, the only state that Bernie Sanders is able to win a Senate seat is Vermont! I doubt Sanders can win any where in the United States. So, Instead of Bernie Sanders and Ed Shultz embarking on trying to convert half of the country that still subscribes to the right wing ideology, they’ve chosen to elevate their attacks on a President who shares most their agenda, but is realistic enough to try to find away of advancing their agenda in a country that’s deeply divided, ideological.

        I am personally tired of the BS from the, holier than thou, so called progressives.This includes white progressives, like Ed. Shultz, David Sirota and Bernie Sanders; and Black progressives like Van Jones and some members of CBC.

        • nellcote

          As long as Sanders votes AGAINST closing Gitmo, he has nothing to add to the conversation.

  • lamh36

    Alright, this one is a triple decker. I like all these songs for different reasons. I always give the edge to the original in cases like this, but the other two versions came at two different times in my musical evolution…lol.

    Roberta Flack vs Al B Sure vs The Fugees – Killing Me Softly

    Roberta – http://youtu.be/O1eOsMc2Fgg

    Al B – http://youtu.be/GqYZO_mdZ38

    Fugees – http://youtu.be/jX4qkQmT22g

    • Aquagranny911

      Roberta Flack, no contest for me.

      • conlakappa

        Exactly. You felt the angst.

    • rikyrah

      Flack all the way

  • GreenLadyHere

    miranda – - – -Watchin’ REP. – — Maxine – —”DA WIG” – - -on The Ed show – —

    She’s – -GOIN’ IN ON — –Lyin’ryan’s —so-called –budget!—- —

    She —did say that the –”KREW of BLATANT KRITICS”– — sent a – –strong message to MR. PRESIDENT — – -2 not give in on the – -”big 3″.—- ***tsk**** – — -***eye roll*** —-

    WHERE they been – —WHEN “bills” R NEEDED! —humph! – — –

    —–SHE/THEY — – -can – - – -MISS ME – –with their – –”johnny-come-LATE!” – —

    BRAVADO!!– – –geesh!! – - -

    P.S. – — -Looks like she had her –”face –touched up”.- — Hmmm. . . LOL —

    • Freder421

      hell that mug needed it.

      • GreenLadyHere

        HEEY Freder421. – - – -***BIG HUG*** – –

        – - – -LOL — – Seeeeee – - – - -LOL – –Her “HAIR” –looked NEW — ALSO – - -2 – — -annnnd – —PLUS! :>) – –

        Good 2 C U :>) – -

  • lamh36

    Bill Withers vs Club Noveau – Lean On Me

    this one should be easy, but I am actually conflicted. The original version is so intimate and personal and hits ya right in ur soul. Even when the song picks up the tempo, it still gets ya in the gut. The Club Nouveau version hits ya in ur feet and picks ya up instantly. It’s amazing how the change in tempo can affect the way you feel about songs. I refuse to choose on this one.

    Bill Withers – http://youtu.be/2Wpof8s5ZTg

    Club Noveau – http://youtu.be/xXIrVsrz1Nc

    • Aquagranny911

      I’m totally old school…Bill Withers.

  • lamh36

    Four Tops vs Whitney Houston – I Believe in You and Me

    this is one is another where I like both versions. Even though the words are the same, it’s like one is from a man’s perspective and the other from a woman’s, just cause the voices are different. If I had to choose, I’d go with the Four Tops, cause it’s the version that I would rather hear as a wedding song.

    Four Tops – http://youtu.be/GXsIwM2Bymo

    Whitney – http://youtu.be/FQGt6VNm_iQ

  • http://pragmaticobotsunite.blogspot.com/ Sepia

    WH to the CBC: “Slow your roll and have a seat”

    WHITE HOUSE: OBAMA COMMITTED TO DIVERSE CABINET
    By DARLENE SUPERVILLE
    — Mar. 12 7:08 PM EDT

    …White House spokesman Jay Carney commented in response to a letter to the president from Ohio Rep. Marcia Fudge, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, in which she expressed concern that an African-American was not among the new members of Obama’s Cabinet.

    …Carney said Tuesday that Obama is “deeply committed” to having a diverse Cabinet because he believes it makes for better decision-making. He encouraged critics to “assess the diversity of (Obama’s) appointments once they’ve all been made.”

    “There are obviously still appointments the president will be making,” Carney said. “The president is committed to diversity. He believes that having a diverse Cabinet and a diverse set of advisers enhances the decision-making and deliberation process for him and for any president.”

    MORE: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/white-house-obama-committed-diverse-cabinet

    • conlakappa

      I would not have dignified their outrage with a response.

    • Guns3000

      They only sent that letter for show anyway. Do they really believe the WH is not committed to diversity? A lot of qualified candidates don’t want to go through the confirmation process anyway. Why do you think most of his appointees are already working in the government? It’s because they have already been screened.

    • AxelFoley

      Did these sorry ass niggas have a problem with Bush and Clinton’s cabinets?

      Not good enough that PBO has the most diverse Cabinet in history. No, he’s gotta put in who they want him to.

      I woulda told the CBC to kiss my black ass twice. Two times for diversity.

      • nathkatun7

        Do these CBC members not realize that having a Black President and a Black Attorney General is really a big deal? So they want to play games. O.K. lets’s play games: Name me one administration, before President Obama, that had a Black President and a Black Attorney General! Please don’t give me all the BS about Abraham Lincoln being black. If Abe Lincoln was black he would not have been so anti-black. And, Abe Lincoln did not appoint a single black person to his cabinet. If you don’t believe me about Abe Lincoln being anti-blacks, go read Lerone Bennett’s marvelous book titled “Forced into Glory….”

        • nellcote

          So Lincoln was Black AND Gay?

  • Miranda

    The Endless Drone of Sirota and Greenwald
    By Chez Pazienza · March 12,2013

    This has been alluded to a couple of times here over the past two days, mostly by the always thoughtful and analytical Bob Cesca, but as usual I’ll be the one to dispense with all the pleasantries and just come right out and say it: Fuck Glenn Greenwald and David Sirota. Fuck them because their opinions don’t deserve to be taken the least bit seriously. more here: http://thedailybanter.com/2013/03/the-endless-drone-of-sirota-and-greenwald/

    • Alma98

      AMEN!

    • Worldwatcher7

      I almost choked when I saw Sirota’s mug on Martin Bashir today. I wanted to say, “Eww, Martin, you know better than to play around with that thing! Now go wash your hands.”

      • goldenstar

        I know! I was absolutely stunned to see that guy on the show.

    • nathkatun7

      Bravo, Miranda! Sometimes you have to speak TRUTH and let the chips fall where they may. By the way, David Sirota reminds me of the populist Tom Watson who became a rabid segregationist at the turn of the nineteenth century. I don’t recall Glenn Greenwald and David Sirota going after Bill Clinton, who not only starved Iraqis, but routinely bombed the hell out of them, even before “Dubya” came to power.

    • nellcote

      The Endless Drone of Sirota and Greenwald
      ===
      LOVE that headline!

  • lamh36

    Oooh, the very best in British blue-eyed soul vs The Love Orchestra…damn, damn damn. Love Lisa S, but I’m giving this one to Barry White. No contest, I don’t even play an instrument, but even I appreciate the bad assness of Barry White’s Love Orchestra.

    Barry White vs Lisa Stansfield – Never, Never Gonna Give You Up.

    Barry White – http://youtu.be/v4_M5PcJQmU

    Lisa S – http://youtu.be/H9cW2IZtgos

    • isonprize

      Barry was the MAN!

  • GreenLadyHere

    miranda – —-Ooooo-Kaaaay – –IMMA – –START givin’ a –”SHOUT OUT” – –2 the – —CALIFORNIA RAISINS.- – — -WHO DID —”MOTOWN” — – – -LOL – - -

    - – - -☻Meet the Raisins- Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours - – Woo! Hoo! – -

    — –☻YOU CAN`T HURRY LOVE,CALIFORNIA RAISINS – - -***dancin’*** :>)

    — – -☻California Raisins Commercial featuring Michael Jackson- – -[RIHEP -- MJ♥] — – -

    – - — MORE L8R – —:>) _ – -

    • Aquagranny911

      LOL!!!

  • GN

    I’m not the biggest fan of this author, but when she’s right, she’s right.

    White People Make Up 42% of the Poor, But Take in Whopping 69% of Government Benefits

    If you pay any attention to right wing media, then you know that folks on the right are obsessed with unraveling the safety net, mostlyfood stamps because they believe that the safety net benefits mostly black and brown people:

    *All of the candidates delighted in calling President Obama the food stamp president during the 2012 campaign.

    *Also during the campaign, Rick Santorum said “I don’t want to make black people’s lives better by giving them other people’s money.”

    *Newt Gingrich famously added, “I will tell black people to demand paychecks instead of food stamps.”

    …

    The Economix blog at the New York Times reported the following in February of last year:

    Another finding of the study is that the distribution of benefits no longer aligns with the demography of poverty. African-Americans, who make up 22 percent of the poor, receive 14 percent of government benefits, close to their 12 percent population share.

    White non-Hispanics, who make up 42 percent of the poor, receive 69 percent of government benefits – again, much closer to their 64 percent population share.

    Read that again. It says blacks comprise 22 percent of the poor, but blacks only take in 14 percent of government benefits. Conversely, whites make up 42 percent of the poor , but take in a disproportionate 69 percent of government benefits.

    If Republicans cut these programs, as part of the sequester or any other backdoor maneuver, their issue will be with their own base, not blacks. Although, I’m not yet convinced that some white right wingers wouldn’t starve themselves if it meant robbing a black or brown person of a spoonful of broth.

    http://www.yourblackworld.net/2013/03/black-news/white-people-make-up-42-of-the-poor-but-take-in-whopping-69-of-government-benefits/

    • jds09

      Thank you for this! I bookmarked this bad boy and printed it out for future use. This is a meme killer.

      • GN

        This is a meme killer.

        Thank you jds! It should be, it really should. Mittens etc. are prancing about acting as if black people traded votes to get gifts. Please, we don’t even get *our fair share* whatsoever nor do we get due thanks for trying to keep retrograde asshats out of the WH which benefits the whole country. Really tired of seeing black people beaten down by these politicians.

        • nathkatun7

          “Really tired of seeing black people beaten down by these politicians.”

          I am with you GN! But I am also very tired of white leftists attacking President Obama by falsely accusing him of wanting to do away with safety nets, while they totally silent about the reality that the majority of white people, benefiting from these programs, overwhelmingly supported the Republicans in 2012.

    • Worldwatcher7

      Very interesting, thanks for the link. But I found that “Your Black World” site almost unreadable. Too many ads and other distracting things happening. Thank goodness there’s a link on the page for the NYT blog that is the source material for the article.

      • GN

        Yes, readers be cautioned: this information is interesting and I have to acknowledge the origin, but there’s some foolishness at that site too.

    • conlakappa

      But they deserve it!!!

      • GN

        “Keep your gubmint hands off my medicare!” Time for this farce to be over. Who are the real resource drains here…

    • nathkatun7

      “Although, I’m not yet convinced that some white right wingers wouldn’t starve themselves if it meant robbing a black or brown person of a spoonful of broth.”

      You know, GN, belief in white supremacy has historically trumped economic self-interests of a great many poor whites. I think this is still the case today, especially in the South. For example: some of the poorest white people are in West Virginia, Kentucky and Oklahoma. Yet in both 2008 and 2012, white people in those states voted overwhelmingly for Republican candidates who are anti-poor people and anti-working class interests.

      • morphus

        I recall reading a recent NY Times article about health care spending in the U.S. and citizens quality of life which casually noted increased poor whites premature deaths. Its a known known that the white female is the number one recipient of health care dollars. IF there’s anyone who is the target of GOP death panels when reducing access to health care its likely the white female who will feel the impact more than any other demographic.

  • lamh36

    Final song grouping of the night. This one will probably come down to an age thing too, but damn if I don’t love the Aaliyah version better. Maybe ’cause I heard it as a young woman and it just seemed like a young girls song. But the Isleys version is of course “grown and sexy” at it’s best. So either versions are must haves.

    Isley Brothers vs Aaliyah – At Your Best (You Are Loved)

    Isleys – http://youtu.be/BVJzPiJufkY

    Aaliyah – http://youtu.be/5i0XGs39BrQ

    • Town

      I like the Aaliyah version…her airy & whispery voice works well with this song.

      • lamh36

        It really does. It just seems like a song meant for a woman. but ya know the Isleys putting it down

  • lamh36

    Alright. No more music groupings ya’ll. I need to go to bed early tonight and I can’t go to bed without watching the New Edition soul story on VH1Soul.

    “Is this the endddddddddddddddddd!
    Mama told me one day it was gonna happen
    But she never told me when.
    She told me it would happen when I was much older.
    Wish it would’ve happened then…
    Is this the enddddddddddddd!
    I wanna know, I wanna know, I wanna know, is this the end girl.
    Is this the endddddddddddddd!”

  • GreenLadyHere

    mirabda – - —Posted THIS yesterday – –BUT I don’t think that the —”COVER” – –was in the article. – - -:>) – - – -HERE IT IS! – –

    – –3 WORDS: – - -FAB – U – -LOUS!!- — WE R PROUD of U Ms Tina.♥ :>) – -

    – - – - -Tina Turner Graces the Cover of Vogue Germany’s April Issue – — – - “U! — -GO! – - -GUUURRRLLL!” – –:>) – -

    - —–Tina Turner – Proud Mary – — -Woo! Hoo! :>) – -

  • GN

    @bpicampus
    .@BlackCanseco Upper middle class white male @davidsirota calls black female veteran @goldietaylor “privileged elite.” #OkayThen

    ******
    David Sirota can have the seat of seats.

    • nathkatun7

      We really need to go back and read the history of the Progressive movement. White progressives/liberals, like David Sirota, are behaving like their predecessors who launched the early 20th Century Progressive movement.

  • GreenLadyHere

    miranda – — – -WHA” – - – - -There aren’t ENUFF – – -RIGHT LEANIN’ MSM - –who R—ANTI-MR. PRESIDENT????_ – – — geesh!! – -

    — –REPORT: Koch Brothers Looking To Purchase Several Major American Newspapers– -

    - ——-Right-wing funders and business industrialists David and Charles Koch may purchase the Tribune Company newspapers, which include the Chicago Tribune, Baltimore Sun, and the Los Angeles Times. The brothers are “interested in the clout they could gain through the Times’ editorial pages,” the Hollywood Reporter notes. Responding to the report, a spokesperson for Koch told the website that the brothers are “constantly exploring profitable opportunities in many industries and sectors”: – –
    ENUFF!!!!! — – -

    - – - – -TRANSLATION: — – - -WE FAILED at MAKIN’ HIM A ONE TERM PRESIDENT! – –BUT WE GON TRYTA —MESS UP HIS NEXT 4 YEARS!!

    – - – — -BUT – — -WE BELIEVE — — NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST – ME/HIM — -SHALL PROSPER! —IT WON’T WORK!! — -AMEN. – –

  • rikyrah

    Real Husbands of Hollywood – hilarious

  • GreenLadyHere

    — – –HEREEEEERE’s MR. PRESIDENT – - -Movin’ FORWARD – - — ->

    - – - — – Pres. Obama Meets with Senate Democrats on Capitol Hill– -:>) — – -

    — – — – -Tuesday, March 12, 2013

    – -Pres. Obama begins three days of discussions with members of Congress, as he travels to Capitol Hill to visit with Senate Democrats at their weekly party luncheon. The President will continue his Capitol Hill meetings on Wednesday, meeting with the House GOP and on Thursday with Republican Senators and House Democrats. – - – - -

    - — – - -LEADERSHIP!! :>) — THANK U SIR. :>) – —BLESS U♥ — -

  • Elie

    Please guys be cautious of your support of the Obama Foodorama blog. There’s very good reason to view the blog owner and her more than occasional choice of sly, useless and unflattering content with much suspicion. For instance, her decision to cover the hijack of the First Lady’s twitter event yesterday from her suspiciously right-wing perspective was very disconcerting. And this is not the first time she’s promoted right-wing talking points and the inherent hostile intent against the President and First Lady on the sly. This is supposed to be a “food blog” but she uses it extensively to stalk and periodically taunt. She even uses an old photo of the President and First Lady posted by the twitter right-wingers to mock Mrs Obama, as the photo of choice for her post.
    She is a registered Republican and from the looks of it has stayed decent only because she has the hots for Sam Kass the assistant WH chef and personal chef to the President and First lady.

    • Alma98

      I’ve never visited the site and I don’t intend to.

    • Aquagranny911

      Thanks for the heads up. I’ve only been to that site once, maybe twice. I didn’t care for it so I never went back. I can get better info on food, recipes & the White House gardens on other sites.

      Sure will not give the site any more clicks, now you brought this to our attention.

    • GreenLadyHere

      HEEY Elie. ***BIG — THANK U – – -HUG*** :>)

      — -Guess my – -”Spidey Senses” —KEPT me from THERE. – - -LOL – –I Kept sayin — -2-morrow. :>) – — -Annnnnd –IT NEVA CAME. :>) –

      Soooo —NOW – –IT NEVA WILL. – - -LOL – -

      - — -Hmmm. . . – –She is a registered Republican and from the looks of it has stayed decent only because she has the hots for Sam Kass the assistant WH chef and personal chef to the President and First lady. – –RE-THUCKERS!!! – - –geesh! — -

      – — Good 2 C U – -Elie :>) – - -

    • conlakappa

      Aw, should I drop by just to casually mention to her that I talked to Sam Kass as he handed out White House cookies at the end of a tour?

  • GreenLadyHere

    —-A BLACK HISTORY MOMENT – — -FEB. 12 – - -:>)- -

    —– – -Happy 80th Birthday To Civil Rights Activist, Former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young – - -

    - — ——Andrew Young (pictured throughout) has not been in public office since 1990, but his contributions as a politician to the Civil Rights Movement and his service as an elected official have catapulted him to legendary status. Even after a failed gubernatorial bid, Young has gone on to do amazing work as a private citizen. Today, NewsOne celebrates another milestone of Young as he reaches the rich age of 80 today.
    – — – SNIP – - – -
    – - – - -Young’s path to becoming the pastor of Bethany Congregational Church in Thomasville, Ga., in 1955 also placed him squarely in the mix of the burgeoning fight for equal rights. Although the times were turbulent, Young organized voting registration drives and other activities centered on civil rights despite the obstacles faced.– – -
    - – —-SNIP- – - -
    – - — -Young was the first African American since Reconstruction to be elected to Congress from Georgia.
    Young was joined by Texas congresswoman Barbara Jordan as the first Blacks from the South to be elected to Congress in the 20th Century.
    – — SNIP- –
    – - -Young returned to Atlanta and was later elected mayor in 1981 over Maynard Jackson. It marked the first time in history a Black mayor would pass the reigns to another person of color.

    – — – –In 1994, President Bill Clinton and South African President Nelson Mandela appointed Young as the chairman of the Southern Africa Enterprise Development Fund.
    THERE IS MORE.

    ——— -Andrew Young:Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Assassination – -

    – - —- -HAPPY BIRTHDAY – - -WITH THANKS – - -MAYOR [Former] ANDREW YOUNG♥- – -BLESS U♥ — AMEN. :>) – -

  • GreenLadyHere

    miranda – — –A MOTOWN TRIBUTE —FROM -

    ——-The – -CALIFORNIA RAISINS — – Woo! Hoo! :>) – —

    —–The California Raisins – Ain’t Too Proud to Beg – -LOL – —-

    — –***RAISIN da roof*** :>) –

    • Aquagranny911

      HUGS!!! You are so on a roll tonight with the “Raisins” I love it! ♥

      • GreenLadyHere

        LOL – - –Aquagranny♥. – - – -***HUGS** – —

        I’m trynta post as many as I can. — -LOOK-OUT!! :>) – —

  • GreenLadyHere

    —A BLACK HISTORY MOMENT –2.0 –:>) – -

    – - -116 Years Ago Today: Historically Black College Langston University was Founded — :>)
    – - —Langston University was founded in Langston, Oklahoma, on March 12, 1897. It is Oklahoma’s only historically Black college or university. Because African-Americans were not allowed to attend colleges and universities in the state, the Black settlers of Langston raised the money to build an instruction where their children could learn and grow.—

    — Originally founded as the Colored Agricultural and Normal University, the school operated with the mission to instruct both male and female students in the fields of agriculture, mechanics and industrial arts. On September 3, 1898, the school officially opened in a Presbyterian church in with an enrollment of 41 students. Today, Langston University boasts an undergraduate enrollment of 2,379 students.

    — —-Langston University 01/19/2013 - – -

    – - -CONGRATULATIONS – —WISHING U MANY MORE YEARS of SUCCESS. :>)— – -:>) – - -

    P.>S. —- -ANY POU FAM♥ – –ATTENDEES? – –:>) – -

  • Admiral_Komack

    Dumbass!

    Posted at 04:06 PM ET, 03/12/2013

    NAACP chief slams Solicitor General

    By Al Kamen and Emily Heil

    The grilled shrimp appetizer had just arrived at the 128th annual press-pols Gridiron dinner Saturday night when NAACP President Benjamin Jealous fell into conversation with a fellow white-tied dinner guest about the Supreme Court’s recent argument over the Voting Rights Act.

    The distinguished-looking gentleman told Jealous he thought the NAACP Legal Defense Fund lawyer, Debo P. Adegbile, had done a fine job arguing that the law needed to be continued.

    Sure, but what happened to the solicitor general? Jealous wondered aloud, he was just awful.

    Well, I am the solicitor general, Donald Verrilli Jr. replied.

    An apparently mortified Jealous apologized profusely and excused himself from the table for what seemed to folks at the table an awfully long time, returning just about when the famous Gridiron petits fours arrived with coffee.

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/in-the-loop/post/naacp-chief-slams-solicitor-general/2013/03/12/1bec82ac-8b40-11e2-b63f-f53fb9f2fcb4_blog.html

    • Miranda

      He is so dumb.

      • http://pragmaticobotsunite.blogspot.com/ Sepia

        He really is. He needs to step down.

    • GOVCHRIS1988

      That man REALLY needs to go. I mean, ever since he’s been at the helm, its just been embarrassing.

    • Town

      The grilled shrimp appetizer had just arrived at the 128th annual press-pols Gridiron dinner Saturday night

      ——————

      The jokes, they write themselves…

  • GreenLadyHere

    –MR. PRESIDENT addresses the -”alleged hacking” – –

    – — Obama on hacking of personal data: ‘It is a big problem’- – - –

    – – – -President Obama wouldn’t confirm Tuesday whether hackers had accessed his wife’s credit records, but did acknowledge that online tampering is a serious problem.

    “I’m not confirming that that’s what happened,” he told ABC News hours after federal investigators began probing an alleged hacking that may have compromised credit reports of first lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and other high-profile government officials — plus some big-name celebrities.

    – - –”We should not be surprised that if you’ve got hackers who want to dig in and devote a lot of resources, that they can access peoples’ private information,” he said. “It is a big problem.”- — -

    – –He added: “You’ve got websites out there right now that sell peoples’ credit cards that have been stolen.” — – –

    - – —- –SOMEBODY – - -BETTA- – — –WATCH IT!! – - – - –geesh! —

    • morphus

      YESTERDAY the GOP House passed a bill easing data privacy rules for banks AS IF the Patriot Act didn’t already give banks enough access to our private data. The proverbial privacy horse is already out the barn door. Congress passing laws subjecting everyone to the prying eyes of the financial sectors is where there should be cause of concern. The financial sector which gathers enough information about you to alert department stores when you enter the mall and allows the stores to track you in the mall shows that this country is already at the point of no return. When you enter some department stores they read the balance on your credit card to give salespersons information who to target for sales pitch. Black boxes in your car allows insurance companies to track you and sell info about your driving pattern. Walmart and other stores leave active Radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags on products you buy and then take home. The tires on your car have RFIDs.

      The Patriot Act gave vendors and business greater access to customer information. In turn, same vendors such as credit card companies, banks, mortgage companies, telecoms, etc. SELLS customer info. Behemoths like CHOICE collects consumer info across ALL sectors to use for government background checks. CHOICE then resell its information to smaller unscrupulous background check vendors. There’s no need for hacking. Hacking is a red herring to manufacturer consent to give companies greater access to your personal information to catch the HACKER bogey man they created.

      If you look back to the beginning when surge in identity thefts started, the source of the stolen credit card information was the credit card companies. Advertising campaigns blaming restaurant waitress and waiters for identity theft convinced the public that the credit card companies, banks, and the financial sector general wasn’t the true culprits.

      • http://pragmaticobotsunite.blogspot.com/ Sepia

        Black boxes in your car allows insurance companies to track you and sell info about your driving pattern and location. Walmart and other stores leave active Radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags on products you buy that tracks you to your house. The tires on your car have RFIDs.

        WHAT???

        • morphus

          Yep, drivers unknowingly have driven with black boxes in their cars for DECADES. Have you seen the Progressive car insurance commercial where they’re offering rewards when customers use their SnapshotSM device? When enough sheep give Progressive permission it follows that soon this will become an industry norm.

          Also, used car dealers are leading the way by turning off your car if a car payment is late.

          • Town

            This is true. Many used car dealerships put devices on your car that if you’re late with that payment, they shut your car all the way down.

  • GreenLadyHere