I got my final grades from UCD, and a couple ticked me off—lower than I thought. No big deal really, but annoying. So, I sign on to Yahoo! And this headline broke my mood:
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Rapper Slick Rick Fighting Deportation
By LARRY McSHANE, Associated Press Writer
NEW YORK - Sitting in a Florida jail cell, fighting his deportation, Ricky "Slick Rick" Walters counts the days. He ran out of fingers a long time ago. The Hip-Hop Hall of Fame inductee is into his 17th month behind bars, with no end in sight despite extensive legal efforts and appeals from friends like comedian Chris Rock (news), actor Will Smith (news) and the Rev. Jesse Jackson (news - web sites).
"It's the same old, same old," the voice behind the classic hit "La-Di-Da-Di" said by phone from a federal detention facility in Bradenton, Fla. "Wake up, eat breakfast. Do a little exercise, try to keep yourself together. Call your wife.
"Stay positive."
It's tough in the face of endless negativity. Since his June 2002 jailing, Walters has awaited word on whether he can return to his home and two sons in the Bronx — or if he'll face deportation to his birthplace of England. He sees his wife, Mandy, just once a month.
Walters' supporters have called for the rap star's release pending resolution of his case. Others believe he is an undeserving victim of the government's post-Sept. 11 immigration crackdown.
"Of course that factored in," said hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons, whose Def Jam record label released Waters' classic album "The Adventures of Slick Rick" in 1988. "Fear and anger are the motivating forces in the government campaign against immigrants' right."
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What? Post-9-11 immigration crackdown???? This is obviously how conspiracy theories gain credence. Let us all remember, this is the man that gave us “Teenage Love”. First, I think, “Slick Rick deported?” To where? Then I find out he’s British? And then, Russell Simmons talking about immigrants’ rights? Life is absolutely, positively, crazy. Slick Rick is BRITISH??? Maybe this ordeal will get him knighted and he can be Sir Slick Rick (or would that cause some confusion with Mix-a-Lot, and is he British too?).
In other news, is anyone else annoyed by the VH-1 80’s Flashback show where people obviously too young to remember the ‘80s are commenting on the decade? Obviously, Mandy Moore and John Mayer got hand me down My Little Ponys and Trapper Keepers. If you were not at least 8-10 years of age in 1985, I don’t want to hear from you. So there.
Slick Rick? Deported?
I want my gossip! - 2005-08-17
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hell hath no fury like a awriting workshop - 2005-08-01
My Love Don't Cost a Thing - 2005-07-14
Kiss My Grits! - 2005-07-06
