OK, I’ve been way out of the loop. My computer’s hard drive crashed and burned, along with all my information (back up in the “cloud”, but buying another computer and trying to restore everything has been all-consuming). I haven’t blogged for a long time, not even since the big game. I am thrilled we are going to the Superbowl, and never thought I’d see it. If you read the previous post, I was a little ahead of the game in dissing the almighty NFL–as they tried to lay claim to “Who Dat?”

Bad, BAD PR move. The Jazz Fest tried that tactic over a decade ago, and it didn’t work.

Anyway, the Best of The Beat was a great success again this year; everyone had a fantastic time; the musicians and music businesses felt honored. So we did our job. And everyone had a really good time. Would like your suggestions for next year, if you please. Keep in mind that the whole shebang is financed by OffBeat and our sponsors. Question: if you’ve been to Best of The Beat over the years, do you prefer the House of Blues or the other venues we’ve used?

And here’s what really stimulated me to my daily rant: How is it that the “ministers” in New Orleans have any credibility when they endorse a candidate? How can they endorse a political candidate? In fact, how can they have anything whatsoever to do with politics and still maintain their non-profit status? Isn’t that illegal? Am I missing something here? A lot of political candidates tout the fact (most recently John Georges’ campaign) that they’re endorsed by a bunch of ministers? Frankly, I personally believe that this is a racist tool to entice black voters. I hate this crap. I know I’m idealist and naive, but I’m still waiting for this city to judge its leaders on their merit, and concern for the community, as well as their performance, not the color of their skin or how much money they have in their campaign chest.