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In today’s world when we hear most of our African-American youth share their career dreams, I’ve seen more than a few adults roll their eyes or shake their heads when the child states aspirations along the lines of becoming a professional athlete, dancer, rapper, singer, Oprah, or essentially anything that would put them in the spotlight instead of “having to work hard.”

In the past few weeks I met a young man who is a musician, but is probably working just as hard enough not harder to live his dream as those of us punching a clock on weekdays.

Darnell Levine (www.darnelllevine.com) is a name that’s probably unfamiliar to most but once you hear his sound and see his dedication to his craft for lack of better terms, you get “it.” Darnell is a singer/songwriter who excels in the jazz and pop genres and some might say comedy as well. He’s released two solo albums, and his current CD “Journal Entries” is available on amazon.com.

This summer he is trying to make (are you listening Magic Johnson) history by becoming the first artist to ever tour exclusively at Starbucks. He’s named his mission “The Darnell Levine Summer Music Tour Experience Exclusively at Starbucks” and so far, he’s hit several cities around the southwest side of the United States including Lexington, KY, Cincinnati, OH, Nashville and he has one more week of touring.

Darnell is responsible for booking the locations, mapping routes, looking for sponsors, maintaining his website, creating design elements for the website, selling merchandise—and really, need I go on?

As everyone knows the rising economic costs have been hard on most, so can you imagine what it’s like for a (young) musician funding this tour exclusively on tips and merchandise sales because he’s following his heart and a lesson we all learned as a child, “finish what you start.”

So, while some of the children today just may be looking for the easy way out and the quickest way to the red carpet, maybe a few of them will be like Darnell Levine and try to make history as they pursue their dreams.

- L.C. Butler

Since the Obama camp hasn’t called me for my recommendation yet, I’m going to put it out there anyway. Obama needs a little help because he is inexperienced in foreign affairs and military operations, so who better to assist him in running the country than Retired General Colin Powell.

His crediatials are so deep that people once wanted him to run for President. Remember…I thought so.

In case you forgot:
*He is an American statesman and retired General in the United States Army.
*He was the 65th United States Secretary of State (2001-2005), serving under President George W. Bush. (the first African American appointed to that position.)
*As a General in the United States Army, Powell also served as National Security Advisor (1987–1989) and as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1989–1993), holding the latter position during the Gulf War.

After leaving his position as Secretary of State in the Bush administration and looking back on his decision to become an author and consultant, it’s obvious he has the foresight of Nostrodamus and the intuition of Spider-Man.

That keen instinct could help us domestically and internationally becuase it appears that the current administration hasn’t found a way to learn from a pattern of poor descisions. In order to prevent the country from continuing on this path, I recommend that Obama select Colin Powell as his running mate.

Now back to reality. The most obvious reason that won’t happen is because some Americans aren’t willing to vote for the most qualified Presidential candidate because he’s Black. I believe you can increase that number by 50% if their was an All-Black ticket. We can’t ignore ignorance, therefore we must acknowledge that some citizens will vote based on color, not creditials, but they also have a right to choose based on whatever criteria works for them.

I have heard some female supporters say they will cross party lines and vote for Repubican nominee John McCain because they felt Hillary was mistreated and not shown the respect she deserves ( Note to Hillary supporters: As my mother would say,” you have to give respect to get respect”. Karma is a bitch!). Be careful what you ask for because if Mrs. McCain is an indication of the future of women, please see The Stepford Wives. (I never met the woman but thought she was in the movie.)

Well if they are willing to cross party lines and vote for McCain, I wonder how many republicans would vote for Obama-Powell since Colin Powell is a Republican?

Damn! Another reason why this won’t work. If not VP, definately a Cabinet member or key advisor… It’s probalby easier to cross racial lines than party lines.

After Rev. Wright’s recent comments, FoxNews tried to get Father Pfleger ,a Roman Catholic priest and social activist in Chicago, Illinois to flip on him. Father pfleger recently invited Rev. Wright to visit his church to show him some love and support.

Don’t let the clean cut Catholic face fool ya! Father Pfleger tears this young reporter a new one when he begins talking out the side of his neck about Rev. Wright, Min. Farrakhan, Dr. King and Sen. Obama. Take a few minutes and check out this brilliant act of verbal self defense…

PART 1

You want more…

PART 2

Looks like they won’t be interviewing the Father anytime soon.

You might find this interesting - click here to answer 10 questions and find out which presidential candidate is most similar to you! You might be suprised.

My cousin sent me this and I have to let you know that I’m feeling it. If you feel it too, let the world know on Super Tuesday.