Today is the day for the big announcement from LeBron James.

This is the summer time. The Congress is still out on the 4th of July recess, so there isn't a lot of Washington news. The Russian spies seemed not to have been all that effective as spies, so they have limited appeal, and there is a deal to send them home in a swap for one of our spies the Russian have, for the minnows our side caught of theirs. The weather in the East continues to be so darn unpleasant, but how many things can you say about the heat. BP is being BP, and people are tired of talking about BP and not cussing. And so what is left? Lindsay Lohan? LeBron is a better story. Why? Because the hype is better. The drama is better. No Sturm und Drang. And a whole big network, ESPN, is behind him. And he has a mystery going. Which NBA team will get his services?

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At two hours in duration Do the Right Thing could have very well focused on that pizza shop and the folks attempting to boycott it for entire feature. Luckily, director Spike Lee was smart enough to write in a bevy of supplemental plot points and characters to occupy some of the time. The film still would have benefited from a bit of editing – Lee really likes long musical numbers.

In mentioning music, Radio Rahemm, as played by Bill Nunn, while not a huge role ostensibly functions as the catalyst for the film’s conclusion.

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Show business! Sports is show business. LeBron James is the hottest person in show biz this hot summer. Tonight, Thursday, on ESPN, at 9 p.m., Eastern, Mr James is scheduled to announce the name of the lucky NBA team that for zillions of duckets will be blessed with his services. Yes, America, Mr. LeBron James will announced his free agency decision. A word to President Obama, if you want the attention of the American people, cool it on your day job and get on the professional basketball court. Challenge Kobe to a few baskets, but LeBron, right now is a little too hot. You may fade in the light of his sun. Who wouldn't? Who else could demand a full hour of national television time to announce where he's going to work?

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Coming after what basically viewers and critics agreed to be Spike Lee’s masterpiece, Mo’ Better Blues seems to have met with a good deal of problematic discourse at the time of its release.

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Hip hop is as American as what? Baseball. Hip hop is universal as music is universal. Hip-hop dancing -- break dancing and hip hop culture are -- have gone around the world.

In Seoul, South Korea, hip hop teams from around the world squared off / battled it out for the championship. See the video.

Why is this significant? Does the world need more competition? Let's not focus on the competition, others might, but that is not my focus. It is the celebration of music and dance that moves me to make this post. The world gets smaller. Young people see what other young people do, and if it looks like fun, they do it too. Cultures come together, whether it's is baseball, or music and dance. If people are having fun, if people are happy, if what people do is cool, then it is cool. And a little breakdancing in Seoul, is good for the world's soul.

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Hot dogs -- Eating hot dogs on the 4th of July -- what is more American than that? Competition is what America is about every day.

The former hot dog speed-eating champion of the world, Takeru Kobayashi, was he hot dogging it on the 4th of July? Or was he barking like a lonesome dog who has lost his bone? He is Japanese, but was he being as American as one can get, standing on principles on the 4th of July?

The gentleman was arrested at an event that he once dominated. He was the six-time champion. The event -- the speed hot dog eating competition on the 4th of July at Coney Island, New York City, USA. He did not compete this year, because of a contract dispute. At the end of the competition, right after the winner was announced, Mr Kobayashi tried to get on the stage to make a statement, and was dragged off to the slammer. See the video.

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Part Two of our interview with Persephonie Studies owner, Cassandra Bazos.

Do you get more excited about the design or technical aspects of jewelry art?

To be honest I get really excited about both.  It’s great when I get a new idea, it just bugs me until I get a chance to put it on paper.  Then there’s the excitement of building a new piece just for the person who’s going to come a long and buy it and cherish it for a long time to come.  I love being an artist because it allows me to make people feel happy about what they wear and give as gifts to others.

Can you name another jewelry designer whose work you admire?


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So 4th of July will be the topic of discussion across the country this week- not what it means, but what you are doing to celebrate, what kind of fireworks you’ll be watching, and what kind of cookout you’ll be attending. Sunday the 4th of July will be a day of relaxation and beer drinking, a day of fireworks and baseball, and hopefully a world cup game. What it will not be is a day when people really reflect o n what the 4th of July means. I do that, and there are a few things that strike me as rather strange or questionable about this venerated holiday.

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..Q.  What is Cliff Lee's trade value this July?  Is it really only one high-quality prospect and a few fillers?

A.  This is the kind of thing that jemanji used to win closets full of baseball caps wagering on.  ;- )  If that's the early line, gimme the OVER, with gusto. 

Here's a different article that, um, pegs the value of a sizzling-hot rental player at four, not one, high-quality prospects.  It's not back-of-the-envelope math; it's a review of this trade:

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