ob'nox'ious (adj.) In your face, thought-provoking expression that is undeniable; a person, object, or topic so objectionably hot that it must be called out or examined through popular eyes; a captivating description that always verifies the true essence of style, class, and intelligence. OBNOXIOUS 11 | 18 | 2007 William G. McCray, III - MrMcCray@Obnoxious.tv Video Archive | Column Archive | Photo Gallery | www.myspace.com/obnoxious2 This week my column is brought to you by Obnoxious Mobile.  You got it!  You can not join my exclusive list of VIP members and get hot exclusive information immediately as it goes down.  If you love the column and think it is hot then you have not seen anything yet.  All you have to do is text the word OBNOXIOUS to 50555 do it right now!  Well, over 50,000 individuals converged on the city of Memphis for the 100th Annual Holy Convocation.  Often referred to as Saints, Members of the Church Of God In Christ took planes, trains, automobiles, and even the bus to get to their Jerusalem, otherwise known as Memphis, Tennessee, COGIC world headquarters.  Having just buried the Bishop Gilbert E. Patterson, it was with great anticipation the saints gathered for a great meeting.  The Annual Convocation was overshadowed by the talks of a special election to be held at the closing of the exciting week of services.  The world’s fastest growing denomination met under the leadership of the new presiding bishop, Charles Edward Blake.  As early as the Saturday prior to the opening service on the following Tuesday individuals began to assemble for the week long services.  Temple of Deliverance Church of God in Christ was packed with many wonderers of how well Supt. Milton Hawkins, nephew of the late Bishop Patterson, was operating in his new post to find him doing a fine job.  It was not until Tuesday Morning all of the national leaders of COGIC assembled at Mason Temple and marched to Cook Convention Center to opening service.  Convocation had officially opened and Cook Convention Center was almost at seating capacity on the first night of service.  A sea of hats, rhinestones, custom suits, and fur is a must have apparel for the week.  If you are not fashionable then clearly you are not COGIC.  UPS boxes flooded the hotels packed with the wardrobes for the week long stay.  Yet the rumbles of great unrest in the church due to division and politics unfolded.  Families and friends found themselves divided on one issue—who would be the bishop? As the week progressed chess moves began to be played and it was clear that it would be a dirty fight for the seat of Presiding Bishop.  Blake officiated over the week of services and the man that seemed to be most qualified for the job was met with great opposition.  Threats of a lawsuit to even fellow member of the General Board, participated in letter writing campaigns to attack Blake.  One of the greatest attacks on Bishop Blake was and article that appeared in the “Memphis Flayer” that dropped on Thursday during the week of the convocation.  A well written piece addressing the history of the church and the passing of Bishop Patterson seemed to have been written in a manner to cast Bishop Blake in a negative light.  Even a former employee of Bishop Blake’s, Todd Talbott makes a number of negative remarks about the bishop.  However, it was not until that Friday that the boxing gloves came off with the meeting of the Pastors and Elders, the largest voting members of the church.  While the chairman, Elder Derrick Hutchins was up making his remarks on whom the men should support in walked Bishop Chandler David Ownes, the former presiding bishop that was unseated by Bishop Patterson.  The tension was so think you could cut it with a knife due to Hutchins being removed from a church during Bishop Owens tenure as presiding bishop.  Bishop Blake was already seated and did not seem to be moved by the in coming of Bishop Owens.  Hutchins was very respectful to Owens and even allowed him an opportunity to address the Pastors and Elders.  In a clever manner Owens stated that he would not dare say anything political in that setting, but addressed the men and said that he shared in the success of Bishop Blake’s Ministry.  Friday night and Saturday had to be where some of the largest endorsements were made openly by program participants.  Even Dr. Oliver Haney, from Atlanta, Georgia, made it clear to the national church that he was a staunch Blake supporter.  Although, he did not have the awards made in time for legacy members of the church, but he did take his moments at the mic to endorse Bishop Blake.  It was horrible that the widow of Bishop Patterson nor Bishop Blake were able to receive their stained glass honor during the service.  Haney dropped the ball miserably before the entire church.  Most years everyone takes Saturday night off and do not go to church to make it on time for the Official Day Service, but not this year.  Elder Derrick Hutchins, a known preacher, was the speaker for the night.  The Fed Ex Forum was packed on a Saturday Night, which was most unusual.  However, everyone wanted to hear what Hutchins had to say.  As if  that was not enough drama, Bishop Owens was the presided on the same night.  Official Day Service was wonderful from start to finish and Bishop Blake’s message was awesome as he profoundly gave the history of the church and inspired the members.  Another feather in Bishop Blake’s hat was for the first time in history the service was aired live on The Word Network.  Additionally, a live message from President Bush aired during the service.  It was not just your typical greetings from a politician, but Bush was well informed on the history and spiritual beliefs of the COGIC.  Many of the leaders of the church eyes began to water out of love and pride for their church.  One person that wanted their name withheld shared with me it was special to hear those words come from the President Bush.   If you never had been to a COCIC service those two and half hours was the perfect display of the COGIC experience.  Without a doubt the best COGIC had to offer stepped to the mic during the national meeting and they brought there A-game are the following: Bishop Frank White, Bishop Bobby Henderson, Dr. Otis Lockett, Bishop Earl Wright, who passed the mic to his wife Mother Robin Wright, Bishop Felton Smith, Bishop Sedgwick Daniels, Dr. Robert Michael Franklin, President of Morehouse College, Supt. Derrick Hutchins, Bishop J. Delano Ellis, and Bishop Blake.  However it was clear that Blake had the seat of presiding bishop wrapped up in his special meeting on that Saturday prior to is message on that Sunday.  In Memphis Symphony Hall Blake addressed all the men of the church that were eligible to vote.  In a clever manner he only delivered his resume to the men during the meeting.  It is a well known fact that Bishop Blake pastor’s the largest church in the denomination and has the largest jurisdiction, which is also the largest finical contributor to the national organization.  In closing he stated if you want to know the real measure of a man, follow him home.  Ironically on the night following the Holy Communion service the war broke out.  As all voting delegates fought to get into the doors of Temple of Deliverance for what might as well had been the show down.  No time to be cordial anymore it was time to fight if you wanted to lead the church and it was also a time for Blake to strategically make is position as leader clear.  In that one night if he had made on false move, one fumble, or one slight error he could have lost.  Many did not want the vote to take place and even a motion was on the floor to not have an election, but Bishop Blake said to protect the office and to not allow it to ever be said that he was forced upon the church herequested the motion to be withdrawn and for the people to decide who they would want to be their leader.  During the general assemblyonly delegates were allowed in the meeting to hear speeches from the four bishops running for the Office of Presiding Bishop:  Charles E. Blake, Chandler D. Ownes, J. Neaul Hayes, Roy L. H. Winbush.  Rumors had gone out all over the country that Bishop Winbush was on house arrest and he used his time to address the lie that had been told on him and in closing he withdrew from the race to keep peace. It was not really clear what Bishop Hayes was trying to say and it did not seem to be clear to him either.  After rambling about his being a son of the church is said, “Let me tell you all how I met my wife.”  Many people commented on how said it was to see Bishop Hayes lose focus in front of the entire voting body of the church.  Now at about 10:30 p.m. the final votes were counted.  Winbush 37 votes (although he had withdrew his name), Haynes 241 votes, Owens 482 votes, the former presiding bishop, who was unseated by Bishop Patterson in 2000, and Blake 2,986 votes.  The audience went wild.  Finally Bishop J. O. Patterson Jr., Chairman of the General Assembly and the first African American Mayor of the City of Memphis, regained order and called Bishop Blake to the podium for him to sate his appointments for his first and second assistant.  P.A. Brooks was made the First Assistant Presiding Bishop and Jerry Macklin was made the Second Assistant Presiding Bishop.  Blake has been no stranger to fighting for what his position.  It was a three long years in a court battle for him to get the then small church he currently pastor’s--and even now to have been attacked in very possible way, but come out a winner.  Capital Hill has nothing on the politics that goes on in the Grand Old Church Of God In Christ.    R. Kelly strikes again…Rumors have been flying about R. Kelly and his former publicist daughter.  Regina and George Daniels refuse to comment.  However, the rumors just keep coming surrounding R. Kelly and the daughter of Regina Daniels, the singer’s longtime publicist who suddenly and mysteriously quit her post saying only that a line had been crossed.  According to rumors, Daniels abruptly left the job because Kelly slept with her daughter, who is said to be 19-years-old.  A photo of Kelly embracing the girl surfaced as well.  Regina Daniels refused to comment on the photo, or further explain her reasons for leaving her position.  “Unless you’re calling to see how I’m doing, I’m still not going to comment on R. Kelly.  I’ve said all I have to say,” Daniels told reporters.  She also said that if her husband, veteran music retailer George Daniels, wants to comment, reporters could talk to him.  However, when George Daniels was reached he also had no comment, but he did add:  “Bottom line is R. Kelly crossed a certain line with me and my wife that you shouldn’t cross.  I respect his talent.  You can’t deny he’s a talented person.  But beyond that, everything else is just gone.”  Daniels also affirmed that Kelly “never put his hand on Regina or anything like that.  When he was asked about the photos of Kelly and his daughter is stated that he was aware, but had no comment.  As reported, Regina Daniels released the following statement earlier announcing her resignation. “Friends and Colleagues—after careful consideration and counsel, I have decided to formally announce my resignation as publicist for R&B artist, R. Kelly.  My resignation was effective August 28, 2007.  Throughout the course of my 25 years as a publicist, I have prided myself on loyalty, respect, and professionalism.  It saddens me that I was not always shown those same courtesies during my 14 year tenure as Mr. Kelly’s publicist.  Thought I have a great appreciation for Mr. Kelly as an artist, there are some lines that I should never be crossed professionally or personally.  Mr. Kelly crossed a line that forever altered the scope of our relationship.  For this reason I made the decision to resign.  My husband, music retailer George Daniels, has also disassociated himself from Mr. Kelly. Well, it is clear that Robert has done something serious to get Regina to drop him as a client.  Only God knows how much of his dirty baggage she has covered up over the past 14 years.  But like the old saying goes if you know someone is a snake before you pick them up, you cannot be surprised when they bit you.  The irony is that Regina mostly knows first hand that R. Kelly had a thing for young girls and because he was her client she probably did all she could to over it up and spin stories in the media to project him in the most positive light that she could—until now.  It is fine for someone to do drugs until they rob you to get their high.  It was ok for R. Kelly to use and abuse everyone else’s young girls, but now he is a bad guy because possibly violated or took advantage of her daughter.  When is R. Kelly going to jail or going to be forced to get some help for his pedophile type of behavior.  Drug Dealers and Killers Strike Again...Killer O.J. Simpson and two co-defendants will have to stand trial in Las Vegas on charges stemming from the armed robbery of his own memorabilia from two collectors.  Clark County District Court Judge Jackie Glass set an April 7 trial date for Simpson, Clarence Stewart and Charles Ehrlich on 12 counts of conspiracy, kidnapping, robbery, and burglary stemming from September 13 incident.  The ex NFL giant, who was acquitted for double murder in 1995, also entered a not guilty plea to the charges during the brief hearing in Las Vegas, a court spokesman said.  Steward and Ehrlich also pleased not guilty.  Killer Simpson is accused of leading a group of men into a room at the Palace Station Hotel and Casino and taking his own memorabilia from two collectors, Alfred Beardsley and Bruce Fomong, at gunpoint.  Simpson’s defense team denies the charges, arguing that he never brandished a weapon and went to the hotel room only to retrieve his own stolen property.  Clearly O.J. is a killer and got off at the hand of a brilliant attorney, the late Johnny Cochran, but now he might finally pay for his barbaric criminal behavior after all.    Are you ready for this…Rapper Bryan “Birdman” Williams was among 16 people charged with possession of marijuana after the RV they were riding in was pulled over by police for making and improper lane change.  Kingsport Police Captain Tim Horne said he stopped the vehicle after seeing it force a tractor trailer into the emergency lane on Interstate 81.  Horne said he could smell marijuana from inside the rented RV and located about a pound of marijuana in a trash can in the kitchenette after obtaining consent to search the vehicle.  Williams, 38, his wife Brittany, 18, and his brother, Ronald Williams, 43, were each charged with possession of more than ½ ounce of marijuana as were 13 other, several of whom are also affiliated with the rap industry and Cash Money Records, which was founded by Bryan and Ronald Williams.  Among those arrested were road manager Shahid Muhammad, 40, Cash Money Records promoter Casey Collins, 42, and music promoter Ovide Antoine, 32, of Miami, Florida.  All 16 spent a night in jail.  The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is assisting in the investigation because an assault rifle, a handgun and a magazine for a .45-caliber handgun were found on the RV, according to Horne.  However, no weapons charges have been filed.  The group said they were traveling form New Orleans to New York for a BET Network shoot, Horne said. Well, Oprah Winfrey did it.  She decided to go public with her support of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama even after knowing it could possibly ruin her career.    I still have not been convinced that Barack is the man for the job and personally I think his running is an old fashion political tactic to divide and conquer.  African Americans and others will be divided and mostly likely knock Hilary out and Barack get the nomination and then loose to a Republican during the actual race.  Oprah is backing a man that did not have enough heart to tell the world on her show that he was going to run for president.  The Queen of Talk told the New York Daily News, “I thought, What is the cost to me for doing it?  Am I going to lose viewers?  I made the decision that I have the right to do it as and American citizen.  But I will not use my platform.  I can use my own personal voice.  I know him well enough to believe in his moral authority.  And that is the number one reason why I am supporting him.”  Oprah pumped life back into Obama’s campaign when she joined him in several key early voting states—including New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Iowa.  Prior to the O-Factor, Obama did not have a snowball’s chance in hell of getting this far and even Lady O could not change the minds of black minister in South Carolina from officially endorsing Hillary Clinton.  The clergy said they were drawn to the New York senator for her views on health care, jobs, and other issues, said a state representative who helped organize the endorsements.  “They felt this was the best candidate addressing their concerns,” and state Rep. Harold Mitchell, a Democrat for the state’s northern region.  Hillary has already served as president for two terms so why not put her back in office.  However, it was surprising that Oprah chose the brother over her white sister.  It is over for Ricky just that fast.  An injury sidelines returning Miami running back after only one game.  If you blinked you missed Ricky Williams’ return to the NFL.  The Miami Dolphins running back will miss the rest of the season after suffering a torn chest muscle Monday night in a muddy loss to Pittsburgh.  Williams had just returned to the gridiron following a year and a half suspension for this latest violation of the NFL drug policy.  He managed to carry the ball 6 times for 15 yards before the injury took him out.  “It is sad given how hopeful Ricky had been about his return to football and given that amount of effort Ricky had put into his rehabilitation,” said Williams’ agent, Leigh Steinberg.  “But he’s optimistic and hopeful for the future.”  Steinberg said Ricky’s arm will be in a sling from four to six weeks and the rehab will take five months.  Williams was injured in the second quarter of a Monday night game when he fumbled.  After being tackled, he was accidentally stepped on while his chest-down on the ground.  Williams left the game, returned briefly and departed for good after one more carry. According to my “Street Committee”…Thanks to all my Obnoxious eyes and ears all over the country you just never know what we will learn from the large number of you that share what you have seen and heard while working, out on the town, and documentation for what is going down.  So let me get started, many of you know that former VJ from BET “The Basement” host Big Tigger has been going around promoting HIV Awareness and sage sex.  Well a female reader has shared with me that he is a big hypocrite and here is her e-mail to me: “Obnoxious I am sure you are aware that Tigger is the spokesperson for AIDS in the Washington, DC area.  For over a year now he has thrown fundraising events, parties, and just recently a Motorcycle event called “HIV Ride for Life.”  Well, for the past few days he has been on the radio saying how disappointed he is in the Washington, DC area due to DC having the highest rate of AIDS cases.  He then goes on to say African Americans need to stop being so stupid and just put a condom on and so on.  Well let me tell you about Tigger.  He does not use condoms or shall I say he did not use them with me Obnoxious.  I hooked up with him a few months ago and I don’t want to go into detail because he may figure out who I am and I do not want any drama.  But anyway, we hooked up and one thing leas to another and we had sex, but Tigger did not use a condom.  As a matter of Fact after the 4play he just went right inside of me before I could stop him.  When I told him no he said it feels better without one.” Her e-mail went on in far more detail than I can share with you, but needless to say after some effort he put it on and then removed it during their encounter.  Tigger does not seem to like to live up to his paid promotion of safe sex.  Well, the cat is finally out of the bag that Lil Wayne and Lauren London were and item.  Now it seems that London’s ex-boyfriend who sheds some further light on the Wayne-Lauren romance.  Here is what his e-mail has to say: “I was shocked when I read that Lauren is back with Wayne!  Yeah, I said BACK.  Let me put you on.  Wayne was Lauren’s FIRST (I’m sure you know what that means) back in like 2000.  How do I know?  Cause I’m Lauren’s ex.  They had matching tats and all that.  Last summer Wayne was on the cover of The Source and if you find that cover look at this right forearm, it said “Lauren”.  It’s covered up now.  She also has his name on the lower back, it’s now covered up too.  I have nothing negative to say about Baby Girl, she’s a beautiful inside and out.  I just find it strange that they’re back together after what she told me about dude!  But that is another story!” I have done my home work and according to photos he was right about that tattoo.  I did reply to his e-mail and asked him to share with me some of the information Lauren told him about Lil’ Wayne, but I have yet to receive a reply.  For a very long time I have been hearing whispers that Sean “Diddy” Combs had been getting extremely close to Making The Band 4 constant Donnie Klang.  But now sources close to Diddy have told me the Hip Hop Mogul has requested that the 22 year old man move into his Manhattan home.  According to the insider Diddy wants to take Donnie under his wing—he thinks Donnie has a big future ahead of him and that is why he wants him near him.  This is not so unorthodox for Diddy to have close friends, people his mentoring, and employees live with him.  As you may recall Mase when he was about the same age and new to the rap game, lived with P. Diddy, R&B superstar Usher lived with him for a period of time when he was about 16 years-old for about 6 months.  I guess it is not so unusual for him to want someone that he would like to invest in future to be near him at all times.   You have officially been choked by the bowtie!