His name is Edgar Hernandez, and he lives in a La Gloria, Mexico, a village of 3,000 people. Officials have confirmed that his was the first known case of Swine Flu. Edgar's town is near a massive pig farm operated by U.S. food giant Smithfield Foods and his mother believes that is how Edgar contracted the virus. 30% of the town has now been infected with the virus.
Smithfield Foods claims it has tested its pigs and has not found any sign of the virus. Residents of the community claim Smithfield does not properly handle waste and that mishandling contaminates the air and water. Read more here.
Wouldn't it be something if the cause of what may become a global pandemic resulted from the actions of a U.S. company ??
The World Health Organization says at least 105 cases have been confirmed worldwide including 64 in the U.S., 26 in Mexico, six in Canada, three in New Zealand, and two each in Spain, The UK, & Israel. To date, the Swine Flu is responsible for seven deaths.
By now we've all seen the Heineken commercial where the woman is showing her friends her massive walk-in closet. The screams of the exuberant ladies are soon overshadowed by the squeals of the men in the next room who are enthralled at the husband's walk in refrigerator stocked with beers..
LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers have spoofed that commercial for the playoffs, substituting beers for new sneakers for the whole team:
Not to be outdone, the New Orleans Hornets have spoofed the Cash 4 Gold commercials for their series with the Denver Nuggets. My personal favorite Cash 4 Gold commercial is the one featuring Ed McMahon & MC Hammer...
Seeing as how New Orleans got handled last night and lost by 58 pts,maybe they should have saved their TV antics for after the season. The commercial is pretty funny though. Enjoy.
Thanks to my buddy Menotti who works down in the financial district for this video. I just wanted to put this up for everyone who doesn't live near NYC.
The edginess associated with low-flying planes over Manhattan is still very real, and was demonstrated yesterday.
People evacuated buildings, flooded 911 with calls, and for a brief period were unsure of what they were witnessing. This video has an eerily similar feel to videos I've seen from 9/11...people frantically running out of buildings and looking up in the sky.
Party foul on Dept. of Defense for all of the unnecessary commotion for the sake of a few photos.
Susan Boyle captivated audiences last week when she stunned judges on Britain's version of American Idol last week with her stirring rendition of 'I Dreamed a Dream' from Les Miserables. Everyone who was present that night has minimal expectations from the 47 year old spinster from Scotland, but she raised the bar as soon as she belted her first note:
Boyle was back in the news this week following a $50 makeover where she plucked her eyebrows, colored her hair, and upgraded her wardrobe. Seen here, wearing a leather jacket & Burberry scarf, Boyle looks like a completely different woman than the one who graced the stage last week.
Make no mistake about it though. Although the looks have changed, the angelic voice is still the same, and more importantly...the swag levels are higher than ever.
Susan Boyle is proof that you should never judge a book by its cover, and despite what others think about you, if you are confident in yourself and your abilities then the sky is the limit. Now that's what I call swagger.
Larry Summers, Director of President Obama's National Economic Council in a meeting today with other members of the president's economic team and representatives from major credit card companies.
Summers is known to host midnight conference calls about the economic crisis...I guess all the after hours work caught up to him today.
"His reputation is expanding faster than the universe. He once had an awkward moment just to see how it feels. He lives vicariously through himself. He is the most interesting man in the world..."
I've been a fan of Dos Equis ever since Spring Break '07 in Cancun, and this new campaign is absolutely genius. More so than just TV spots, the 'Most Interesting' campaign also features a Cirque de Soleil meets Ripley's Believe it or Not meets cabaret type show called, you guessed it...'The Most Interesting Show in the World.' There's also a bunch of funny/interesting stuff on the website.
In case you haven't caught any of the spots on TV yet, here's my personal favorite.
The Most Interesting Man in the World on pick up lines:
"...There's a time and a place for them. The time is never. You can figure out the place on your own. Stay thirsty my friends."
Asher Roth dropped his debut LP 'Asleep in the Bread Aisle' on Monday 4/20. Usually albums are released on Tuesday's, but being the bonafide stoner (his first mixtape was called 'The Greenhouse Effect' and his website is the TheDailyKush.com) that he is, Roth definitely catered to his fan base with Monday's release.
Roth's flow reminds me of (not at all because he's white) Eminem, but with much more positive upbeat themes. Regardless, the album is hot. If you haven't heard it yet, you can check it out below.
Asher was in Syracuse this past weekend and blessed the undergrads at my alma mater with a performance at the Westcott Community Center. Shouts out to my man Yosh up at SU who captured this footage from inside the show.
Just came across this video. It's a moment frozen in time...and it appears as if a gang of villains dressed as clowns are blowing up a hospital or something. Kind of reminds me of a combination of two scenes from the Dark Knight; where the Joker robs the bank in the opening scene with the other clowns, and the scene when he blows up the hospital later. There's a twist at the end of the video so make sure you watch the entire thing. It's pretty cool.
Enjoy. Click the 'HQ' button for the Hi-Res version:
Over the last few weeks, piracy off the coast of Somalia has been receiving a tremendous amount of coverage worldwide following the attack on the Maersk Alabama and subsequent hostage situation that ensued with its captain, Richard Phillips.
While piracy occurs worldwide, the lion's share of pirate attacks have occurred off the coast of Somalia. Somalia has not had a functioning government since 1991, and the waters off its coast are notoriously some of the most lawless in the world. In addition to not having a functioning govt., Somalia sits next to one of the busiest shipping routes in the world as ships from the Middle East and Asia sail past towards the Suez Canal en route to Europe & the western hemisphere.
Piracy in the region is not a new occurrence, as Somalians originally began attacking commercial fishing vessels that were illegally exploiting the country's abundant tuna population 10-15 years ago. The pirates kicked it up a notch last year though, attacking more than 120 ships and netting more than $150 million in ransom...or booty I guess we can call it. Get your money up Jack Sparrow. In November 2008, Somali pirates seized the Sirius Star, a Saudi oil Supertanker the size of an aircraft carrier carrying over $100 million of crude oil. The pirates were paid $3 million in ransom, divided it amongst themselves and left the boat.
Equipped with fast-moving boats, guns, grenade launchers, and grappling hooks, these dudes speed up to the much slower vessels, hop on board and hold everyone hostage until the money arrives. Pretty ballsy. They even target yachts and smaller vessels, which is the case of the French yacht Tanit that was attacked last week.
The situation involving the Maersk Alabama was the first attack of its kind on an American ship. Navy seals had to be parachuted in to the location, and snipers took out the 3 pirates who were holding Captain Phillips hostage on speedboat.
Many thought the use of sniper fire to eliminate the pirates would send a strong message and deter them from future attacks... The Somalians said F!&K THAT! and attacked another U.S. vessel, the Liberty Sun on Monday. While the grenade launchers and guns damaged the ship, pirates were not able to board. Here's the catch though...the USS Bainbridge, the same Navy destroyer that was sent to help rescue Captain Phillips and bring him to safety was sent to rescue the Liberty Sun with Captain Phillips still on board! Wow.
It is apparent that more than one warship and a handful of snipers will be needed to deter the Somali pirates from their objectives. With more than a decade of experience and a hefty sum of money to purchase weapons and other resources, Somali pirates do not appear to be backing down. The African waterfront could become our country's next foreign theatre. President Obama has already vowed to take a more active approach in confronting the issue. I have no idea how and if this situation will end, but one thing is certain...the Somali pirates have swag for days. YARRR!!!
HAHAHA. This is is hilarious. Following her very public split with girlfriend Samantha Ronson, Lindsay Lohan appeared on the cover of US Weekly, and did an interview with the mag to spill the beans on the rocky relationship.
The newly single Lohan has decided to poke fun at the situation and did a fake e-Harmony profile for
Bruce Pearl, the animated head coach of the Tennessee men's basketball team has done it again. Another shirtless appearance that has made national TV.
The University of Tennessee recently held an awards ceremony called The Volscars. Half Grammy's half, Oscars, The Volscars recognizes the accomplishments of student athletes at the university.
Being the showman that he is, Bruce Pearl graced the stage to do a shirtless rap to the beat of 'Put On' by Young Jeezy. Equipped with shades, gold chain, a tie, and a jacket that resembles the checkered end zone at Neyland Stadium, Pearl rocked the house and stole the show by most accounts.
Still not convinced he's the man? There's the photo at the top that was taken at a UT women's basketball game that Pearl attended, where he served as the 'V' in 'GO VOLS' with five other students in the student section.
How many coaches can you think of in the country that are as fun-loving as Bruce Pearl? I can't imagine Bill Belichick freestyling, or Coach K going shirtless. I think Bruce just might be the coolest coach in America.
John Madden announced his retirement today after a long, successful career in football. Hired at the age of 32, Madden became the NFL's youngest head coach. In his 8 seasons, Madden and the Raiders went 103-32-7 (best winning percentage in NFL history), and defeated the Minnesota Vikings 32-14 in Super Bowl XI.
After leaving the Raiders, Madden stepped into the announce booth where his success continued, winning 16 Emmy's for his work.
The Madden video game franchise has also been a hit, selling over 65 million copies on a host of video game consoles. I've been playing Madden since Sega Genesis days...
I had the pleasure of working with John last season as a production associate for Sunday Night Football, a season that culminated in a last minute victory by the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII. Some say that game was the best Super Bowl in NFL history.
He's a great guy, with a wealth of football knowledge. It will be hard to watch football and not hear his voice. Congratulations John on all of your accomplishments.
You might want to go in to your local pizza joint instead of getting it delivered after you read this.
Two Domino's employees have been fired, arrested, and face felony charges after they published a video of themselves violating all sorts of health codes. In the video, a gentleman puts cheese in his nose, sneezes on a sandwich, farts on a piece of salami, and throws a booger in there as well before heating the sandwich and sending it off to be delivered. The employees claim the food was not delivered and it was just a stunt, but that does not get them off the hook for attempting to distribute tainted food. See the video for yourself. I have to warn you, it's pretty disgusting.
In a totally separate incident, a worker at a Cici's pizza was photographed washing dishes outdoors and scrubbing them with a rag he placed on the ground. News story below.
Moral of the story, don't get delivery unless you really have to and inspect your food before you chow down. I don't even want to think about how often things like this happen. These losers just managed to get caught.
Atlanta has been a hotbed for up and coming musicians for quite a while now. Outkast & Jermaine Dupri were among the first wave of musicians to garner national attention for Atlanta's music scene. Artists like T.I., Ludacris, & Young Jeezy have elevated the A to bonafide music mecca status.
The 808 Experiment is an undertaking started by a few of my friends Blake '808 Blake' German & Kyle '7King' King. The duo together goes by the name of SMKA, and they teamed up with some of Atlanta's hottest independent, up and coming artists to give the streets 'The 808 Experiment.' An eclectic mix of beats, vocals, and rhymes, The 808 Experiment (download album here) is a great listening experience for anyone who appreciates good music, southern rap, and quality production.
The video for the first single was just completed and I wanted to share it with you. The single called 'Caddy's' features A-Town rappers Gripplyaz, Young Trimm & A. Leon Craft. I would have been at the video shoot if I still lived in Atlanta. Shouts out to Motion Family and my boy David KA as well. The Motion fam did a fantastic job with the video.
Bo Obama was introduced to the world on Tuesday as he and the first family paraded around the South Lawn of the White House for press cameras. Virtually overnight, the 6 month-old Portuguese water dog has been propelled into the media spotlight that comes with living in the White House. In honor of Bo's arrival, I have put together a list of my 5 favorite celebrity dogs since 1985:
#5: Clifford the Big Red dog
Let's be honest...childhood wouldn't have been the same without this guy and his antics. Plain and simple. Clifford was, and continues to be a timeless staple of children's literature. For that, he gets a spot on the list.
#4: The Beast from Sandlot
One of my favorite characters from one of my favorite movies of all time. 'The Beast' as he was known by the youngsters was a ferocious looking mastiff who lived just beyond the left field fence at the Sandlot. The Beast becomes the focal point on the movie when an autographed Babe Ruth baseball gets hit over the fence and into his domain. The boys from the Sandlot spend the better part of the movie trying to get the beloved baseball back while avoiding certain death by The Beast. We later learn the dogs name is Hercules, and his owner is none other than James Earl Jones. Awesome.
#3: Brian from Family Guy
How often do you see a two-legged beagle as intelligent, articulate and witty as Brian?? Exactly. His cynicism and humor make him one of my favorite characters on the show and one of my favorite dogs since '85.
#2: Baxter from Anchorman
Ron Burgundy loved him. He can eat an entire wheel of cheese, wears a retainer at night for dental aesthetics, and he speaks Spanish. He even made it back to Ron Burgundy after being punted off of a bridge by Jack Black. Extremely talented, loyal and adorable, Baxter gets the #2 spot.
#1 Uga V
From 1990-99 Uga V patrolled the sidelines at home games for the University of Georgia. The bulldogs have had mascots on the sidelines since 1956, but none were more highly regarded as Uga V. In 1996, Uga V forever ingrained himself in sports lore when he attacked a football player from Auburn who got too close during a game (UGA won the game in 4 OT's). He was named the top mascot in the country by Sports Illustrated in 1998 and appeared on the cover. As if those credentials weren't strong enough, Uga V also made a small cameo in the Clint Eastwood film 'Midnight Garden of Good & Evil'.
To further cement his legacy, Uga V also fathered the most accomplished mascot in UGA history. Between 1999-2008, Uga VI had a record of 87-27, 2 SEC Championships, 2 Sugar Bowl victories, and over 20 wins vs. ranked opponents. Not bad.
The next time you watch a UGA football game look out for Uga VII, UGA's newest mascot.
What do you think about the list? Who should have been included? Who on my list shouldn't be there? Any and all thoughts are welcomed.
Burger King has some really funny people working on its TV ads.
I'm sure by now, you all have seen at least one BK video featuring the King rapping, dancing, and/or singing about the tasty flame-broiled goodness that is Burger King.
Not sure if you caught the most recent on-air campaign. BK is doing a spoof of Sir Mix-a-Lot's 'Baby Got Back' song to market its Spongebob Squarepants themed kids meals. One of the most classic booty appreciation jams from the 90's is making a comeback to appeal to young children who watch Spongebob and love BK's kids meals.
Now I don't know how effective this will be, seeing as how anyone watching Spongebob these days probably is too young to remember Baby Got Back, but damn it's funny. If only the food were as tasty as the commercials are funny.
There are :30 versions on air, but at BDumasonline.com we bring the heat....The full 2 minute music video is below. Enjoy! As usual click the 'HQ' button in the lower right corner for the Hi-res version. Remember, this is a commercial for the BK kid's meal...
Happy Friday. First of all, let me apologize for not putting anything new up in a few days. I am home in Atlanta right now enjoying some much needed R&R with family and friends. The weather is beautiful, and I haven't been online as much...That being said...
This weeks episode of South Park has been making quite a stir. Kanye West is the victim for the entire episode because he's the only person who doesn't catch a joke Cartman and Jimmy come up with. The joke takes the nation by storm. Leno, Jimmy Kimmel, Conan etc. all use the joke on their shows. Cartman and Jimmy appear on Ellen to talk about the joke and how fantastic it is. Without giving away too much, let's just say the joke involves 'fishsticks.'
West, who's known to have a short temper (see post on LAX paparazzi incident) did not take offense to the beating he took, even acknowledging that he was OK with it on his blog.
If you haven't seen it yet, the entire episode is below. Enjoy.
Not since the first Bush administration in 1991 have members of the media been allowed to photograph the arrival of fallen U.S. service members. Today, Sgt. Philllip Myers was the first soldier killed overseas to be photographed as his coffin was ceremoniously carried off an Air Force transport plane in Dover, Delaware.
Video of Sgt. Myers' arrival.
Today's events are a result of a shift in Pentagon policy, introduced by Defense Secretary Robert Gates. In February, Gates ordered a change in the policy that would allow media access to homecoming ceremonies with the consent of that soldiers family.
Many believe the ban was instituted following a PR blunder by George H.W. Bush in 1989. In a press conference following the U.S. victory ousting Manuel Noreaga in Panama, Bush happily addressed the media. News outlets nationwide broadcasted the press conference simultaneously with the arrival of caskets at Dover, Delaware. The result was the perception that the President seemed to be making light of the situation, as images of the arrival of men and women killed in combat were being shown.
Check out this piece CNN did on the debacle in 1989 and some of the arguments for and against showing these types of images:
What do you think? A picture is worth a thousand words... Should images like these be shown or not? Such images sparked protests and fiery debates during the Vietnam War. In 2004, a military contractor was fired after her photo of flag-draped coffins appeared in the Seattle Times. Critics say that media coverage is only used to politicize the war, while proponents claim the images humanize the war and its costs.
Sgt. Myers was awarded a Bronze Star in March, 2008 for his service in Iraq. A roadside bomb claimed Sgt. Myers' life on Saturday, April 4 in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan.
This week saw a tremendous dichotomy for women worldwide. In Afghanistan, women's rights have seemingly taken a substantial blow as Hamid Karzai and the Afghani government passed a law that makes it legal for a Shiite husband to rape his wife. According to reports, Karzai passed the law to "bolster re-election prospects," as Shiite Muslims constitute 20% of the Afghan population.
Contrast that with the massive media coverage Michelle Obama has received during the Obama's trip overseas this week. President Obama is at the G-20 Summit negotiating the financial crisis, gathering allies for the fight against terror, changing the way the rest of the world views and responds to America, and mediating disputes between leaders of other nations...that's a lot to get done in a week in your first 4 months on the job..
All of that has seemingly taken a backseat to Michelle, her wardrobe, and the way she and other female heads of state have reacted to one another. From the time she stepped off Air Force One in London, the press has been raving about what Michelle Obama has been wearing. First there was the Michael Kors dress she wore as the Obama's left the White House, and the Jason Wu dress she wore when they arrived. J.Crew loves her, because everything she wears sells out instantly, and the cardigan/skirt combination she donned earlier this week was no different. The company's stock is up↑10.6% as well, and I'm sure she had something to do with it.
The much anticipated meeting between Michelle and the Queen of England did not disappoint either, as much was made of the embrace the two shared. It is considered a political faux-pas to make contact with the Queen, but by all accounts, the Queen put her arm around Michelle first and Michelle reciprocated. SWAG incarnate.
The icing on the proverbial cake occurred today when Michelle Obama faced off against Carla Bruni, France's fashionable first lady. Even Bruni, an ex-supermodel, was slain by the fashion beast that Michelle Obama has become. Bruni's Dior dress did not receive nearly the same high marks as Obama's outfit from the fashion experts who care about such things.
What a week for Michelle Obama. Holding her own with the Prime Minister of England's wife, schmoozing with the Queen of England, standing next to Carla Bruni of France and making the world forget who used to be a supermodel. All of this while hubby is off trying to rally the troops at the G-20 Summit.
Barack Obama is living the dream right now. Every man to some degree wants what he has; a great job and a beautiful woman by his side. Yes, things at home and abroad are less than ideal, but every man wants to be with a woman that has traits like Michelle Obama. To say she has beauty and brains is an understatement. As President of the United States every move is scrutinized, especially when in front of the world at a summit such as the G-20. The photo-ops and discussions that have taken place at the conference are back page events compared to the photo-ops and discussions that the first ladies have had, largely because of Michelle Obama's impact and presence. Congratulations Michelle Obama for continuing to redefine what it means to be a 21st century woman. Your swag is contagious, not only in America, but around the world.
Tomorrow marks the 41st anniversary of the assassination of one of the world's most influential leaders. On April 4, 1968, a bullet from a high-powered rifle ended Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's life on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis. Official reports claimed that James Earl Ray was the lone culprit, while many close to Dr. King and present at the motel that they believe Ray conspired with others to commit the crime.
Life Magazine has just released photos taken by one of its photographers, Henry Groskinsky, who was in Alabama the day of the murder and rushed to the scene as soon as he heard the news. These photos are not of the immediate moments following the assassination, but a few hours after the commotion had ceased and the magnitude of the day's events began to sink in..
By his own admission, Groskinsky was surprised at the access he was allowed by King's associates as he documented one of the most tragic days in 20th century American history. Photo gallery below. To see full-sized images and captions, click on the 'just released photos' link above.
Senator John McCain is leading the charge to get President Obama to pardon boxing legend Jack Johnson. Sen. McCain appeared with members of Johnson's family and documentarian Ken Burns yesterday to unveil a resolution that calls for a presidential pardon for the former heavyweight champion.
Before Floyd Mayweather, before Tyson, Holyfield, Foreman, Fraiser, Ali and Joe Louis, there was Jack Johnson. Johnson had a larger-than-life persona, and was ahead of his time. Born in Galveston, Texas in 1878, Johnson grew up in the Jim Crown South and reached his professional peak during one of the most turbulent times in American history.
Between 1912 and 1920, the U.S. Constitution was amended four times, more than any other 8 year stretch U.S. history. Such amendments included creation of federal income tax, women's voting rights, and Prohibition; pretty drastic changes to the landscape. Jack Johnson battled racism and hatred inside and outside of the ring his entire career. Many of his white counterparts refused to fight him A. for fear they might lose, and B. because mixed race fights were illegal in the South.
Johnson became the first African-American heavyweight champion in 1908 after defeating Tommy Burns in a 14 round bout, in front of 20,000 people in Sydney Australia. Almost immediately, a cry came out from whites to find a "Great White Hope," a white boxer who could challenge and take the title from Johnson. Johnson fought in a series of exhibition bouts against hyped up "Great White Hopes," but a serous contender did not step up until 1910. That year, former heavyweight champion Jim Jeffries, a retired boxer for five years dusted off his gloves and stepped up to challenge Johnson in what has been called The "Fight of the Century."
The fight took place in front of 22,000 people on July 4, 1910 in Reno, Nevada. Think about that for a minute. Independence Day 1910, and a black man as the champion is about to fight the "Great White Hope." Despite the fact that he held the title, Johnson was an underdog by many accounts. The fight, which was broadcast nationwide on the radio had stirred racial tensions, and after knocking Jeffries down twice in 15 rounds, the fight was called and Johnson was delcared the winner. Johnson earned $225,000 for the win, a hefty amount by 1910 standards. Race riots ensued around the nation, and when all the fighting ended 23 blacks and 2 whites had died. Filmmakers documented the fight and produced a widely distributed feature film. As a result, Congress banned films of prizefights from 1912-1940 to prevent images like those of Johnson defeating Jeffries from being seen by a large audience.
"Fight of the Century" Johnson v. Jeffries July 4, 1910
When it became obvious that Johnson could not be easily defeated in the ring, efforts were made to defeat him outside of it. Johnson's larger-than-life persona caused him to defy conventional wisdom and mock the social norms of the day. Johnson regularly dated and married white women. Following the suicide of his first wife, Johnson married Lucille Cameron on Decmeber 4, 1912. Cameron was a prostitute, and news of the marriage infuriated many people. The government sought to convict Johnson for violating the Mann Act, which banned interstate transport of females for 'immoral' purposes. To avoid prosecution, Johnson and Cameron fled to France where they lived for seven years until Johnson came back to the states to serve his one year jail sentence. For a long time, Jack Johnson's conviction has been viewed as a racially motivated message from the government to black men regarding their relationships with white women. It is that one year sentence that Senator McCain and others are trying to get pardoned.
Johnson & wife Lucille Cameron
As I sad before, Jack Johnson was a larger-than-life character. He battled opponents, racial prejudices, and social norms inside and outside of the ring, most times emerging triumphantly. His contributions and sacrifices, while incendiary at times, paved the way for the boxing legends to achieve unimaginable successes in the decades following the early 1900's when Johnson fought. America would not see another African American compete for the heavyweight title again until Joe Louis did in 1937.
The quest for a presidential pardon for Jack Johnson began in 2004, and was revived again in 2008 when resolutions were given to the Bush administration but never voted on. Posthumous presidential pardons are rare, and there have only been two in the last 10 years. If President Obama pardons Jack Johnson, the first African American President would pardon the first African American heavyweight champion. What a difference 100 years makes...
Below is a small feature ESPN did on Jack Johnson's life.
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