HIP-HOP HURRIZIZZLE

Political correctness reached an all-time high July 9, when it was reported that some prominent African-American lawmakers, among them Rep. Sheila Jackson (D--Texas), complained that none of the National Weather Service's names for tropical storms and hurricanes were distinctly African-American in origin. "Although Spanish and French names are included in this year’s lineup, among them Juan and Claudette, which struck Texas last week, popular African American names, like Keisha, Jamal and Deshawn, are nowhere to be found," stated The Hill, a congressional newspaper that provides extensive coverage of Capitol Hill.

First of all, this blog strongly feels that NO ONE should be burdened with the indignity of a name like "Deshawn," whether the unfortunate soul is black, white, Hispanic or a vast band of circulating squalls and thunderstorms. Second of all, why would black people want destructive natural phenomena named after them? No one who receives a visit from a hurricane equates the name of the storm with anything positive. Thirdly, why are lawmakers focusing on such insignificant issues in the wake of a slouching economy and a slew of serious domestic concerns?