Twista gettin' dissta in the T.U.C.

[Ben E Lou]

I made reference to this in Buc's thread, but thought it might deserve its own. I find the whole thing pretty comical, fyi...


Subject: Urgent: Tucker nightclub could affect you



Warning: this email contains some offensive language<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

URGENT MESSAGE REGARDING YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD!!!<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

Dear fellow Tucker residents:

<o:p> </o:p>

For the past several years there has been much work done on the revitalization of the Tucker community. Many people are working very hard to make Tucker a warm, safe, and friendly community. As the community works to create this identity, we have a new neighbor that might go against what we wish to accomplish.

<o:p> </o:p>

A new nightclub, Caliente, has opened in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Tucker</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Town</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> shopping center. It is located at <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">3965 Lawrenceville Hwy.</st1:address></st1:Street> It is the small strip center located on Law. Hwy between <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Brockett Road</st1:address></st1:Street> and <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Fellowship Rd.</st1:address></st1:Street> (across the street from the Krystal restaurant). It is on the right hand side of the center and is signified with a simple red “C” on the outside.

<o:p> </o:p>

Caliente has been opened for approximately four weeks. Saturday night, November 12, the club brought loud speakers out into the parking lot and blared music out into the street and adjoining neighborhood. Police were called and they eventually turned the music off.

<o:p> </o:p>

On their website, Caliente promotes themselves as ATL’s hottest new joint, with private VIP rooms (which means you can get a full size bed). They make reference to the fact that in Buckhead, the bars close at 2:30 by saying, “Caliente can stay open longer and gives patrons the inviting feeling of not being rushed into partying” and that they are “open til 6 AM.” As is well documented, more crime occurs during these late night hours, which is why the City of <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Atlanta</st1:place></st1:City> passed an ordinance to close bars at 2:30. Who is Caliente trying to lure in by their advertising of late night hours?

<o:p> </o:p>

Calinete is a bar that is catering to the hip hop and rap crowd. There is much evidence to support the association between hip hop/rap and violence. Open you local paper almost any day of the week and you can find a story related to hip/hop/rap artists and violence. It is of great concern that this new establishment is bringing musical acts to the Tucker area that promote violence and killing. For example, on December 3, 2005, Caliente will host the artist known as Twista. Twista is self described as “hard core rap” and “gangsta rap”. Twista has a number of songs promoting violence including: “mob up”, “mobstability”, “party hoes”, “smoke wit you”, and “motive 4 murder”. Some lyrics to Twista’s songs have been included so that you may understand the hatred and violence this rapper condones. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

It is the desire of concerned citizens to address the following:

<o:p> </o:p>



Does the owner of Caliente have all necessary permits to run a dance club/ bar/ nightclub in this shopping center?
What is the zoning of this shopping center?
There is a church in this same shopping center. Is the sale of alcohol in close proximity to this church a code violation?
What are the approved hours of operation for this establishment? Can it stay open until 6:00AM?
Can the owner of Caliente have live music in this club?
If he is going to have admitted thugs and gangsters who promote killing at his club, can we ask for an increased police presence at this location during these performances?
<o:p> </o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

What can you do to help? Please contact members of local Tucker associations and let them know you are opposed to this club. Specifically, let them know that we do not want “Twista” performing in our neighborhood on December 3, 2005. Be sure to contact the police and let them know that if “Twista” performs, we want them present that night.

<o:p> </o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

Elaine Boyer (county commissioner)- 404-371-2844 [email protected] ([email protected])

<o:p> </o:p>

Connie Stokes (county commissioner) 404-371-3053 [email protected] ([email protected])

<o:p> </o:p>

Officer Sheppard (code violations) 404-417-1253

<o:p> </o:p>

Major Maddox- Tucker precinct commander (Dekalb police)- 678-937-5301

<o:p> </o:p>

Tucker Civic Association www.tuckercivic.org (http://www.tuckercivic.org/)

<o:p> </o:p>

Charles Watson- [email protected] ([email protected])

<o:p> </o:p>

In addition, send the attached letter (twista letter.doc) to both the owner of Caliente and the Tucker police department. You may print and deliver to the club (address above) or email it to the club operations manager, Joseph London at [email protected] ([email protected]). If you can not attach it, simply cut and paste it in the body of your email and send it to the above email address. Do not mail it to the address as that is only the shopping center address and they may not receive it. You may simply stop by and put it on the door.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

To mail to Tucker police, print and send to: (can not find an email)<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

Major Maddox<o:p></o:p>

<st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">4451 Lawrenceville Hwy.</st1:address></st1:Street><o:p></o:p>

Tucker, GA 30084<o:p> </o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>



TWISTA LYRICS
"No Remorse"
(feat. Mayze, Malif, Link, Turtle, Liffy Stokes)

[Liffy Stokes]
I hang wit pullers of automatic triggers and gold diggers
My mob's full of go getters
Go live or die by the cold niggas
Wit drama bringers ear ringers and pistol slingers with itchy fingers
Getting high on inhaling nigga smoke that lingers
Buck wild hostile we verbal barrels threw nostrils
My hollow point apostles turn living flesh into fossils
It's through gospel niggas will wet it vick Malif'll shred it
Beef on these streets only gets the best of you if you let it


Well it's that Westside nigga from K-Town always gonna stay down
Lay pounds on the table, smoking while watchin cable
I'm able to lick the shot from the porch of my block
And when the gun spray stops there's no information for cops
Nigga I'm heartless some say I role wit the forces of darkness
But the closest I burned to death is the reason that I spark this (Spark this what)
Dramafied premeditated homicide that coincides with the day you die
Cause G, I'm about to let it ride


Petty niggas down when the bullets fly,
no remorse your fuckin wit a mobsta
For fuckin wit a mobta
If you got your shit right then run and hide,
cause I got a slip quick clip on the side
For fuckin wit a mobsta

Fuck the car jack we do a body snatch
Tie niggas up in the trunk wit them rats like a mac for owning scratch
SpeedKnot's unstoppable muderin as many niggas as possible
Makin heaven a hospital, and where I'm from it's highly probable
In a Benny reefa roller street patroller stackin clips for lethal loadin
In the city where secrecy's golden
Live or die in the Chi, we kill demeanors wit inferred beamers
Death is the sinner
whether the Reaper awaits your fate with your soul on his finger


Nigga you can't retreat
When the Mobstaz greet you with bullets like Robert De Niro on Heat
And makin killin look sweet
See a nigga like Mayze break the safety I hold the clip 'till infinite
To show your definite when I make you cry blood like I broke your virginity
Shit my Mobstaz is straight cheat vs. killers for cash
Quick to stick your ass and flash this 3-80 and rainbow macs
And now you thinking of bringin that bull shit in this direction
Just cause you rap a lot don't mean you can't get a lethal injection<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

If it's static, one of my niggas gon' get two niggas
Two of my niggas gon' get four niggas
Four of my niggas gon' get more niggas
That's more triggers meaning more killers
You muthafuckas better mob


It's a static, it's automatic, so grab the automatics
And pumps and pull the triggers and make some niggas look acrobatic
I was cold but frantic, the foes have panicked
They got bloods blew out their dome, bet the bullets run rapid
I kept bustin' for the love of hustlin' squeezin' my wesson
Ruger, gang (?) maneuvers, niggas wanna be bruisers but I'm a shooter
Fuck the squad, because when it's said and done
Liffy Stokes will do some poppin’

Nigga the devil's knockin' at your fuckin' door
With some hot ones and toe
And ready to hit 'em with nothin' less than four
Nigga let me go, I'm 'bout to pop this bitch
You know you know the lick, art of the mobsta click
Fuck the argument, mob elite's runnin' up apartments
Kickin' in doors pistol whippin' hoes be heartless
Searches as the bullets marches between your arches
Make one call and wait and reload the cartridge

You can't even mess with a mobsta, nigga, is you sick in the head
I torture that ass and have you overdosing on lead
Or maybe I just leave you cut up, drippin' and dead
With your crew skippin' town scared, my lead gon' lead their ass red
Don't get misled, don't mistake me for somebody but a soldier
The elite niggas got more death than AIDS and ebola
Getting old and colder
I be quick to (?) start uppin' but that chip off your muthafuckin' shoulder

It really don't matter if that nigga pack a glock or a gauge
'Cause whatever the fuck Mayz blaze gon' make him see his last day
Takin' 'em out, my life and makin' sure his cast stays<o:p></o:p>

Jack 'em for his last days, that's how livin' fast pay
Nigga, you know the word on the street
It's the mobsta elite that's servin' the streets to the rockin' these beats
You better have a nice way to greet us than rolling with your guys
And you could still die in a multiple homicide


This could get pretty fun when all is said and done. ;)
<o:p></o:p>

[Karlifornia]

TWISTA LYRICS
"No Remorse"
(feat. Mayze, Malif, Link, Turtle, Liffy Stokes)

[Liffy Stokes]
I hang wit pullers of automatic triggers and gold diggers
My mob's full of go getters
Go live or die by the cold niggas
Wit drama bringers ear ringers and pistol slingers with itchy fingers
Getting high on inhaling nigga smoke that lingers
Buck wild hostile we verbal barrels threw nostrils
My hollow point apostles turn living flesh into fossils
It's through gospel niggas will wet it vick Malif'll shred it
Beef on these streets only gets the best of you if you let it


Well it's that Westside nigga from K-Town always gonna stay down
Lay pounds on the table, smoking while watchin cable
I'm able to lick the shot from the porch of my block
And when the gun spray stops there's no information for cops
Nigga I'm heartless some say I role wit the forces of darkness
But the closest I burned to death is the reason that I spark this (Spark this what)
Dramafied premeditated homicide that coincides with the day you die
Cause G, I'm about to let it ride


Petty niggas down when the bullets fly,
no remorse your fuckin wit a mobsta
For fuckin wit a mobta
If you got your shit right then run and hide,
cause I got a slip quick clip on the side
For fuckin wit a mobsta

Fuck the car jack we do a body snatch
Tie niggas up in the trunk wit them rats like a mac for owning scratch
SpeedKnot's unstoppable muderin as many niggas as possible
Makin heaven a hospital, and where I'm from it's highly probable
In a Benny reefa roller street patroller stackin clips for lethal loadin
In the city where secrecy's golden
Live or die in the Chi, we kill demeanors wit inferred beamers
Death is the sinner
whether the Reaper awaits your fate with your soul on his finger


Nigga you can't retreat
When the Mobstaz greet you with bullets like Robert De Niro on Heat
And makin killin look sweet
See a nigga like Mayze break the safety I hold the clip 'till infinite
To show your definite when I make you cry blood like I broke your virginity
Shit my Mobstaz is straight cheat vs. killers for cash
Quick to stick your ass and flash this 3-80 and rainbow macs
And now you thinking of bringin that bull shit in this direction
Just cause you rap a lot don't mean you can't get a lethal injection>>

> >

If it's static, one of my niggas gon' get two niggas
Two of my niggas gon' get four niggas
Four of my niggas gon' get more niggas
That's more triggers meaning more killers
You muthafuckas better mob


It's a static, it's automatic, so grab the automatics
And pumps and pull the triggers and make some niggas look acrobatic
I was cold but frantic, the foes have panicked
They got bloods blew out their dome, bet the bullets run rapid
I kept bustin' for the love of hustlin' squeezin' my wesson
Ruger, gang (?) maneuvers, niggas wanna be bruisers but I'm a shooter
Fuck the squad, because when it's said and done
Liffy Stokes will do some poppin’

Nigga the devil's knockin' at your fuckin' door
With some hot ones and toe
And ready to hit 'em with nothin' less than four
Nigga let me go, I'm 'bout to pop this bitch
You know you know the lick, art of the mobsta click
Fuck the argument, mob elite's runnin' up apartments
Kickin' in doors pistol whippin' hoes be heartless
Searches as the bullets marches between your arches
Make one call and wait and reload the cartridge

You can't even mess with a mobsta, nigga, is you sick in the head
I torture that ass and have you overdosing on lead
Or maybe I just leave you cut up, drippin' and dead
With your crew skippin' town scared, my lead gon' lead their ass red
Don't get misled, don't mistake me for somebody but a soldier
The elite niggas got more death than AIDS and ebola
Getting old and colder
I be quick to (?) start uppin' but that chip off your muthafuckin' shoulder

It really don't matter if that nigga pack a glock or a gauge
'Cause whatever the fuck Mayz blaze gon' make him see his last day
Takin' 'em out, my life and makin' sure his cast stays>>

Jack 'em for his last days, that's how livin' fast pay
Nigga, you know the word on the street
It's the mobsta elite that's servin' the streets to the rockin' these beats
You better have a nice way to greet us than rolling with your guys
And you could still die in a multiple homicide

<o:p></o:p>

Some generations get J.S. Bach, some generations get Robert Johnson, our generation gets this

[sachmo71]

Find the loophole, drive out the undesireables. I'm going to stock up on torches if they can't find one.

[JonInMiddleGA]

There's quite a bit of "well DUH" in that email.

Highlights included:
Who is Caliente trying to lure in by their advertising of late night hours?
Gosh, I'm stumped.

Be sure to contact the police and let them know that if “Twista” performs, we want them present that night.
I'd say that's a pretty safe bet, at least at some point in the evening.

Their best shot is probably the zoning angle, although the church restriction in the County ordinance is pretty limited as far as I can tell:
(2) Any distilled spirits in or within two hundred (200) yards of any church or within two hundred (200) yards of any school building, school grounds, educational facility or college campus.

200 yards is shorter than most of the restrictions I've seen over the years AND this doesn't appear to apply to beer, only to liquor.

[VPI97]

I am so going to that show.

[kcchief19]

Open you local paper almost any day of the week and you can find a story related to hip/hop/rap artists and violence. You have to love when that card gets played. The world would be a much better place if Neil Diamond concerts ended in gunfire at least once in a while.

This is going to get a lot funnier before it's over. You can just tell. It's got that feeling.

On the other hand, it's a good thing Twista is successful at the gangsta rap, because with that attitude they'll never get a job writing for Hallmark.

[stevew]

With Twista, you get twice the amount of gang-bang inspired lyrics and cursing in half of the time!

(in case anyone doesnt know, he has rapid fire delivery)

[Ben E Lou]

Oh...I left this part off...

November 13, 2005










Dear Caliente owner/ DeKalb County Police:




We, your neighbors and citizens of the Tucker community, are opposed to the live performance of the artist “Twista” on December 3, 2005. We oppose having this artist play in our community due to his open and acknowledged alignment with violence. We do not wish to have any musical artist play at your club who promotes violence through their lyrics.







Signed: __________________________________________,

concerned Tucker citizen

[Antmeister]

Interesting.....
Have you checked out the site. Looks like a club that caters to people 21+. Didn't see anything about the VIP beds, but there isn't a load of information on the site.

I can't believe you have that kind of club in Tucker. I thought clubs like that were reserved for the larger cities. It looks cool to me. In fact I see they are having some type of birthday bash for DeAngelo Hall. Warrick Dunn, Michael Vick, Usher and others are going to attend this party on the 18th.

Lucky bastard.

As far as the Twista thing, I am not sure it is going to have much of an effect on the outcome. The club doesn't cater to minors (but if sneak some in, the city could always bust them for that like they do in any ohter city) and unless there have already been some reported incidents of violence, there won't be much of a leg for them to stand on. However I do understand the community's concerns for what a person represents. I just hope they have this effort with any musician regardless of the genre.

Caliente ATL (http://www.calienteatl.com/)

[chinaski]

"Twista" is so far from being 'gangsta rap', its not even remotely close. The guy is known for rapping really fast, so fast you cant understand how stupid his lyrics are in the first place. He also appears at shitty little rap clubs.... in strip malls. Wouldnt it be more logical to boycot all the stores all throughout Tucker that actually sell "gangsta rap"? Maybe that idea isnt stupid enough for them?

[JonInMiddleGA]

I just hope they have this effort with any musician regardless of the genre.

Let's just say that I don't picture Marilyn Manson finding a club gig in Tucker soon. Decatur maybe, but not Tucker ;)

(For the few who know the areas, my doubts are related to there being no suitable venue for M.M. that I'm aware of in Tucker, not anything demographic).

I can't believe you have that kind of club in Tucker.
Meanwhile ... Ant, this is geography thing or how-Atlanta-geography-works thing. Unlike many large cities, Atlanta's core downtown area isn't exactly the most happening part of the metro. I'd say there's actually more "stuff" going on the in the suburbs & exurbs than there is in what most people would think of as "downtown Atlanta". Anything within at least 30 minutes of downtown is pretty much considered "Atlanta" for the purposes of bar concerts & such. And that's true for any music genre (other than dance/rave type stuff maybe), there's country bar equivalents to this one equally far out, rock bar equivalents, etc.

[JonInMiddleGA]

"Twista" is so far from being 'gangsta rap', its not even remotely close.

Unless you're working from a style standpoint that "gangsta" is not only content related but also delivery related, you're going to have to break this one way down to my level -- how does "not gangsta rap" reconcile with the proffered lyrics?

[kcchief19]

Wouldnt it be more logical to boycot all the stores all throughout Tucker that actually sell "gangsta rap"? Maybe that idea isnt stupid enough for them? It has always been my experience when people blame the actions of some individuals on the music they choose to listen, logic is rarely involved.

[chinaski]

Unless you're working from a style standpoint that "gangsta" is not only content related but also delivery related, you're going to have to break this one way down to my level -- how does "not gangsta rap" reconcile with the proffered lyrics?Youre right, its all from a style standpoint imo. I fully see how this group that is trying to stop him from performing considers him "gangsta rap", but hes really just not. This guy just says the same shit every other dumbass top40 rapper says..."guns, hoes, money". I consider his "lyrics" to be total (c)rap, its beyond embarrassing. I dont know how anyone can listen to this shit and actually think they have some form of rap appreciation.

[stevew]

this type of stuff will just turn Twista into an Overnight Celebrity.

[tucker342]

this type of stuff will just turn Twista into an Overnight Celebrity.
Nice!:D

Twista is actually one of my favorite rappers. If those people actually listened to Twista rap, they would quickly realize that they can't understand a word he's saying. Twista raps sooooooooooo fast that if you don't listen to him much, it is impossible to understand what he's saying.

Obviously you can pick and choose which lyrics to look at:

Hope
VERSE 1 (Twista)
I wish the way I was living could stop, serving rocks,
Knowing the cops is hot when I’m on the block, And I
Wish my brother woulda made bail,
So I won’t have to travel 6 hours to see him in jail, And I
Wish that my grandmother wasn’t sick,
Or that we would just come up on some stacks and hit a lick, And I (I wish)
Wish my homies wouldn’t have to suffer,
When the streets get the upper had on us and we lose a brother, And I
Wish I could go deep in a zone,
And lift the spirits of the world with the words with in this song, And I (I wish)
Wish I could teach a could teach a soul to fly,
Take away the pain out cha hands and help you hold them hi, And I
Wish God never gave the men power
To be able to hurt the people inside the Twin Towers, And I (I wish)
Wish God woulda turned they hearts righteous,
When they started to take innocent lives and become snipers, But uh
We will never break, though they devistate, we shall motivate,
And we gotta pray, all we got is faith.
Instead of thinking about who gonna die to day,
The Lord is gonna help you feel better, so you ain’t gotta cry today.
Sit at the light so long,
And then we gotta move straight forward, cuz we fight so strong,
So when right go wrong,
Just say a little prayer, get ya money man, life go on!!!
Let’s HOPE!

CHORUS (Cee-Lo)
Cuz I’m hopeful, yes I am, hopeful for today,
Take this music and use it
Let it take you away,
And be hopeful (hopeful) and he’ll make a way
I know it ain’t easy but that’s okay.
Let’s be hopeful!

VERSE 2 (Twista)
I wish that you could show some love,
Instead of hatin so much when you see some other people commin up (I wish)
I wish I could teach the world to sing,
Watch the music and have ‘em trippin of the joy I bring, (shiit)
I wish that we could hold hands,
Listen instead of dissin lessons from a grown man, And I (I wish)
Wish the families that lack, but got love, get some stacks
Brand new shack and a lack that’s on dubs, And I
Wish we could keep achieving wonders,
See the vision of the world through the eyes of Stevie Wonder, (you feel me) (I wish)
And I hope all the kids eat,
And don’t nobody in my family see six feet, (ya dig)
I hope them mothers stain’ strong,
You can make it whether you wit him or your mans gone, And I (I wish)
Wish I could give every celly some commissary,
And the po po bring the heat on them priest like they did R. Kelly, And I
Wish that DOC could scream again
And bullets could reverse so Pac and Biggie breath again, (shit) (I wish)
Then one day they could speak again,
I wish that we only saw good news every time we look at CNN,
I wish that enemies could talk,
And that super homie Christopher Reeves could still walk, (I wish)
I wish that we could walk a path, stay doin the right thing
Hustle hard so the kids maintain up in the game,
Let’s HOPE

CHORUS

VERSE 3 (Twista)
Wish the earth wasn’t so apocalyptic,
I try to spread my message to the world the best way I can give it,
We can make it always so optimistic,
If you don’t listen gotta live my life the best way I can live it,
I pray for justice when we go to court,
Wish it was all good so the country wouldn’t have to go to war,
Why can’t we kick it and just get em on,
And in the famous words of Mr. King “Why can’t we all just get along”,
Or we can find a better way to shop and please, And I
Hope we find a better way to cop a keys, And I
Wish everybody would just stop and freeze,
And ask way are we fulfillin these downfalls and prophecies,
You can be wrong if it’s you doubting,
With the faith of a mustard seed you can move mountains,
And only the heavenly father and ease the hurt,
Just let it go and keep prayin on your knees in church!!
And let’s HOPE

CHORUS(x3)

Doesn't seem very violent to me, in fact it seems like Twista sends a very positive message;)

[tucker342]

dola-
I usually don't like rappers who just rap about the usual guns, hoes etc..., I like my rappers to sort of be story tellers, Ice Cube is the best example I can think of, his songs may have violence in them but there is almost always a message or lesson in every single one.
Twista is an exception for me cause I just love the way he raps, he just blows me away with his flow. First time I heard Twista since his Tung Twista days was on the song DO U? by DO OR DIE ft. Twista. Twista has one verse in that song and when I looked at the lyrics of his verse it wasn't anything special, just a normal rap about hoes and drugs. When I listened to him rap it though it was incredible, he just completely blew me away with his delivery.

[Ben E Lou]

this type of stuff will just turn Twista into an Overnight Celebrity....which is precisely why I find it humorous. I know some of the "concerned citizens" well, and their hearts are certainly in the right place. However, their methodology on this one is wayyyyyy off. E-mails bring petitions. Petitions lead to protests. Protests lead to news cameras. News cameras lead to better exposure for Twista. "Say what you want, just spell my name right..."

[INDalltheway]

OK, OK.. I have to butt in. Twista played in CRAWFORDSVILLE, IN. May I repeat CRAWFORDSVILLE, IN. This is a town of 20,000 and is very conservative. There were no opposers of the concert. The only way the concert will affect you is if you are at it or close to it. Stay away, let people have their fun. Also there weren't any violent crimes related to the concert reported in our newspaper the day after the concert.. People are funny.

[cthomer5000]

http://idata.over-blog.com/0/11/07/91/mtv-twista1-5b1-5d.jpg.

[Neon_Chaos]

Nice!:D

Twista is actually one of my favorite rappers. If those people actually listened to Twista rap, they would quickly realize that they can't understand a word he's saying. Twista raps sooooooooooo fast that if you don't listen to him much, it is impossible to understand what he's saying.

Obviously you can pick and choose which lyrics to look at:

Hope
VERSE 1 (Twista)
I wish the way I was living could stop, serving rocks,
Knowing the cops is hot when I’m on the block, And I
Wish my brother woulda made bail,
So I won’t have to travel 6 hours to see him in jail, And I
Wish that my grandmother wasn’t sick,
Or that we would just come up on some stacks and hit a lick, And I (I wish)
Wish my homies wouldn’t have to suffer,
When the streets get the upper had on us and we lose a brother, And I
Wish I could go deep in a zone,
And lift the spirits of the world with the words with in this song, And I (I wish)
Wish I could teach a could teach a soul to fly,
Take away the pain out cha hands and help you hold them hi, And I
Wish God never gave the men power
To be able to hurt the people inside the Twin Towers, And I (I wish)
Wish God woulda turned they hearts righteous,
When they started to take innocent lives and become snipers, But uh
We will never break, though they devistate, we shall motivate,
And we gotta pray, all we got is faith.
Instead of thinking about who gonna die to day,
The Lord is gonna help you feel better, so you ain’t gotta cry today.
Sit at the light so long,
And then we gotta move straight forward, cuz we fight so strong,
So when right go wrong,
Just say a little prayer, get ya money man, life go on!!!
Let’s HOPE!

CHORUS (Cee-Lo)
Cuz I’m hopeful, yes I am, hopeful for today,
Take this music and use it
Let it take you away,
And be hopeful (hopeful) and he’ll make a way
I know it ain’t easy but that’s okay.
Let’s be hopeful!

VERSE 2 (Twista)
I wish that you could show some love,
Instead of hatin so much when you see some other people commin up (I wish)
I wish I could teach the world to sing,
Watch the music and have ‘em trippin of the joy I bring, (shiit)
I wish that we could hold hands,
Listen instead of dissin lessons from a grown man, And I (I wish)
Wish the families that lack, but got love, get some stacks
Brand new shack and a lack that’s on dubs, And I
Wish we could keep achieving wonders,
See the vision of the world through the eyes of Stevie Wonder, (you feel me) (I wish)
And I hope all the kids eat,
And don’t nobody in my family see six feet, (ya dig)
I hope them mothers stain’ strong,
You can make it whether you wit him or your mans gone, And I (I wish)
Wish I could give every celly some commissary,
And the po po bring the heat on them priest like they did R. Kelly, And I
Wish that DOC could scream again
And bullets could reverse so Pac and Biggie breath again, (shit) (I wish)
Then one day they could speak again,
I wish that we only saw good news every time we look at CNN,
I wish that enemies could talk,
And that super homie Christopher Reeves could still walk, (I wish)
I wish that we could walk a path, stay doin the right thing
Hustle hard so the kids maintain up in the game,
Let’s HOPE

CHORUS

VERSE 3 (Twista)
Wish the earth wasn’t so apocalyptic,
I try to spread my message to the world the best way I can give it,
We can make it always so optimistic,
If you don’t listen gotta live my life the best way I can live it,
I pray for justice when we go to court,
Wish it was all good so the country wouldn’t have to go to war,
Why can’t we kick it and just get em on,
And in the famous words of Mr. King “Why can’t we all just get along”,
Or we can find a better way to shop and please, And I
Hope we find a better way to cop a keys, And I
Wish everybody would just stop and freeze,
And ask way are we fulfillin these downfalls and prophecies,
You can be wrong if it’s you doubting,
With the faith of a mustard seed you can move mountains,
And only the heavenly father and ease the hurt,
Just let it go and keep prayin on your knees in church!!
And let’s HOPE

CHORUS(x3)

Doesn't seem very violent to me, in fact it seems like Twista sends a very positive message;)

I love that song, and in fact, it was used as the theme song to the very inspirational based-on-real-life movie: Coach Carter.

[wade moore]

The funniest part of the story for me...

Them calling it "Krystal restaurant"... Like it's a Ruth Chris's or something...

[thrym]

And you have to wonder, would these people have been any happier if the place had been called "Gilley's" or "BJ's Starstudded Honkytonk" or "Bob's Country Bunker"?

I don't have an answer...but my guess is no. Angry yes, outraged, maybe...willing to burn the place down, no, though, if it were a Rhode Island metal club, that could be accomplished in other ways.

[Ben E Lou]

And you have to wonder, would these people have been any happier if the place had been called "Gilley's" or "BJ's Starstudded Honkytonk" or "Bob's Country Bunker"?

I don't have an answer...but my guess is no. Angry yes, outraged, maybe...willing to burn the place down, no, though, if it were a Rhode Island metal club, that could be accomplished in other ways.I love how people try to imply that anything like this in the South is a racial issue. :rolleyes:

[thrym]

I wasn't implying ANYTHING...I am in the south and if ANY club moved in next to my neighbors that WASN'T a country & western club(or a bass pro shop) they would scream...a country club would be tolorated was all I was saying!

Why is the race thing the FIRST thing thought of...

[Ben E Lou]

I wasn't implying ANYTHING...I am in the south and if ANY club moved in next to my neighbors that WASN'T a country & western club(or a bass pro shop) they would scream...This is DeKalb County, not central Arkansas, my friend. A hip-hop club has quite a bit more chance of making it here than a c&w club or a bass pro shop. The person who sent the e-mail to me was a black parent, fyi.

[thrym]

I guess my only response then is to bow-down and say you're right...I'm wrong...sorry.

Out

[Toddzilla]

And you have to wonder, would these people have been any happier if the place had been called "Gilley's" or "BJ's Starstudded Honkytonk" or "Bob's Country Bunker"?
Bob's Country Bunker == Comedy GOLD!

[JonInMiddleGA]

I wasn't implying ANYTHING...I am in the south and if ANY club moved in next to my neighbors that WASN'T a country & western club(or a bass pro shop) they would scream...a country club would be tolorated was all I was saying!

See, right there is what's throwing you off track -- Atlanta (and the metro area) is most decidedly not Southern, hasn't been for years. It's not referred to as "the occupied city of Atlanta" without reason.

[Neon_Chaos]

ATL, Long Beach to 'Cada! We've been doin' this fo' years fo' you paper haters!

[Ben E Lou]

See, right there is what's throwing you off track -- Atlanta (and the metro area) is most decidedly not Southern, hasn't been for years. It's not referred to as "the occupied city of Atlanta" without reason.In Tucker, it is, and it isn't, at the same time. There are things about this community that are decidedly Southern, but other things that definitely feel like the occupying forces are advancing from all directions on Lavista, Chamblee-Tucker and Lawrencville Highway. Ultimately, Tucker, despite being 20-25 minutes from downtown, still operates like a small Southern town in many, many ways--a small town, however, with a decent-sized black middle and upper-middle class, and with a decent number of Emory-attitude people that don't fit the vibe one bit.

EDIT: As isn't surprising per the other discussion, the black middle/upper-middle class folks that have moved here in the last 20ish years are fitting in far better than do the Emory-attitude white folks. There's this one guy in particular I'm thinking of. He's a very liberal Catholic labor lawyer and his wife doesn't have his last name. Black and white folks who often scratch their heads at some of the things that come out of his mouth. ;)

[JonInMiddleGA]

... and with a decent number of Emory-attitude people that don't fit the vibe one bit.

You mean the San Francisco Southern Annex?
Or maybe Seattle Southern Annex?

Of all the places I've been in my life,there's probably none where I'm more out of place than the occasional visit to Decatur.

[Ben E Lou]

Of all the places I've been in my life,there's probably none where I'm more out of place than the occasional visit to Decatur.Uh, ditto. Those people are ridiculous. I was one of three finalists once at the Open Mic Shootout at Eddie's Attic, and I'm convinced that the primary reason was because I was black.There were probably 6-8 acts that night that I thought were better than me musically. I do have a strong stage presence...but still.

[Ben E Lou]

Of all the places I've been in my life,there's probably none where I'm more out of place than the occasional visit to Decatur.On second thought, apparently you haven't been to Little Five Points before, huh? (Of course, it IS quite close to Decatur, too. :D)

[JonInMiddleGA]

On second thought, apparently you haven't been to Little Five Points before, huh? (Of course, it IS quite close to Decatur, too. :D)

Nah, I'm actually more comfortable at L5P than Decatur (or at least I was before my age made me conspicuous in L5P). If I had to pick one, I'd say the denizens of Decatur are the more narrow-minded of the two groups.

[Ben E Lou]

If I had to pick one, I'd say the denizens of Decatur are the more narrow-minded of the two groups.Hmmmmm...on the whole, I can't really argue with you on that one.

[albionmoonlight]

Emory fits into a strange area. Or rather, it does not fit into a strange area, which is a big problem.

We're considered too Nuevo-Rich and too provincial to really run with the big dogs on the national academic scale. We only started becoming a "national university" in the early 80s when we got all that Coke money, and we have spent that time trying to figure out how to run with the Dukes, Johns Hopkins, and Harvards of the world. Before then, we were a decidedly local school. We even started in Oxford, GA--not Atlanta.

At the same time, we are considered too national to be accepted as a local school by the locals. A LOT of our students come from Long Island, which does not play well in Atlanta. And, like most private top-25 schools, we have a LOT of spoiled rich kids going there. I don't think that rich Long Islanders play well anywhere other than Long Island.

Because we are not sure what our identity is, and because we have no major sports teams around which to rally, school spirit is a huge problem. The administration is aware of the problem(s), but has learned that you can't really buy school spirt, no matter how much Coke stock appreciates.

All that said, it was a pretty fun four years, even if I am still not quite sure what kind of school I attended.

[Ben E Lou]

Emory fits into a strange area. Or rather, it does not fit into a strange area, which is a big problem.

We're considered too Nuevo-Rich and too provincial to really run with the big dogs on the national academic scale. We only started becoming a "national university" in the early 80s when we got all that Coke money, and we have spent that time trying to figure out how to run with the Dukes, Johns Hopkins, and Harvards of the world. Before then, we were a decidedly local school. We even started in Oxford, GA--not Atlanta.

At the same time, we are considered too national to be accepted as a local school by the locals. A LOT of our students come from Long Island, which does not play well in Atlanta. And, like most private top-25 schools, we have a LOT of spoiled rich kids going there. I don't think that rich Long Islanders play well anywhere other than Long Island.

Because we are not sure what our identity is, and because we have no major sports teams around which to rally, school spirit is a huge problem. The administration is aware of the problem(s), but has learned that you can't really buy school spirt, no matter how much Coke stock appreciates.

All that said, it was a pretty fun four years, even if I am still not quite sure what kind of school I attended.When did you attend there? It seems to have changed a good bit in the last 10-12 years...

[albionmoonlight]

When did you attend there? It seems to have changed a good bit in the last 10-12 years...
94-98.

[albionmoonlight]

dola--

What is your impression of Emory now/then, etc. None of my friends still in ATL really have much to do with it. I keep in touch with a professor from there, but his perspective is obviously different than the student/community perspective.

[Ben E Lou]

dola--

What is your impression of Emory now/then, etc. None of my friends still in ATL really have much to do with it. I keep in touch with a professor from there, but his perspective is obviously different than the student/community perspective.You were there at what I would perceive as the middle of the "shift" into become pretty strongly liberal and specifically anti-Christian, and fewer and fewer folks who are serious about faith started attending there. In the fall of '94, we had around 20 freshmen express interest in being leaders with us, without putting up any signs around campus. Now, we're lucky to get more than 4 or 5, even with putting signs up around campus. The students I knew during that time frame (most of whom were from the South) who went there definitely commented on the increasing NY/NJ vibe. The impression I had earlier from friends at my high school who went there and when I checked it out (graduated HS in '87), was more of a "balanced" feel. My impression is that the balance has shifted pretty drastically.

I spoke a few times to a graduate class at Candler when they were discussing evangelism. The prof, a friend of mine, warned me that most of the faculty and students had some serious reservations against evangelism, and I would basically be facing a hostile or semi-hostile crowd, and I definitely sensed that vibe.

On a side note, we had several volunteers who went there who are right around your age and a little older. Did ya know any of these folks?

Dawn Simonds (from Florida)
Kelly Johnson (from TN)
Travis Wade (Columbus, GA)
Dres Rivera (ditto)
Annelise Thornton (TX)
Amelia Harris (TN)
Tisha Bai (can't remember where)
Marnie Morales (KS)
Jenny Rybolt (KS)
Tom Larson (NC--a little older, was in med school at the time)
Melanie Thomas (Dalton, GA)
Drew Waller (VA)

[albionmoonlight]

The name Jenny Rybolt rings a strong bell, but I cannot place a face.

Melanie Thomas I knew from the Emory Scholar's program. I didn't know her well, but I remember liking her a lot. Very funny and down to Earth. Very cute in a girl next door sort of way, too.

As to your broader points, that does not surprise me. As I noted above, Emory is desperate to raise its standing in the larger academic community. And the main way to do that it to recruit the big name trendy faculty from around the country. Unfortunately, what is hot and trendy in academia right now is to be anti-religious. Christianity is seen as an outmoded and oppressive way of thinking.

Mrs. A runs into this a lot in graduate school. It is hard to be vocal as a woman of strong Christian faith in a modern graduate school. She even had one professor who rolled his eyes when he saw her wearing a cross.

What is interesting is that most of our church friends come from her graduate program. So the people of faith are in the program. They just leave that at the door of the academy. Which is a shame because it would add a lot to the discussion.

It does make sense, I think, to look critically at religion. For generations, religion was misused to justify racism, sexism, etc. And religious fundamentalism does conflict, at least superficially, with the overall academic mission, which does not allow for the uncritical acceptance of any doctrine--religious or otherwise.

The pendulum, however, has swung way too far in the (for lack of a better term) anti-religious direction. People of faith cannot feel free to speak freely in the academic classroom; they are subject to the same form of censorship that the academy claims to abhor. Indeed, I see the P.C. left and the fundamentalist right as two sides of the same coin. Both have adopted an ideology that they no longer question. And they spend most of their energy trying to humiliate, censor, and belittle anyone or anything that challenges or questions that ideology. Trying to keep evangelism off campus is, to me, just like trying to keep evolution out of the science classroom.

And both are harmful to the free spread of ideas as we try to learn about ourselves and make a better world. Religious understanding could benefit from the rigorous self-examination that academia provides, and the academy could benefit from opening itself to understanding and appreciating the primary force that motivates the majority of human beings alive and attempts to understand the transcendent world around us.

To get back on point, I also think that it is easier for academics to accept (for lack of a better term) mainstream religions. Methodists, Episcopalians, etc. I think that it is harder for them to accept evangelism. Remember, it is about not challenging their worldview. Methodists keep quiet.

It's a shame that Emory has gone in that direction, and it is a shame that it is filling up with the NY/NJ crowd. That was certainly the aspect of it that I did not like as much.

(FWIW, I was in the Catholic students group on campus, so I did not have much sense of the religious state of things outside of that).

[flere-imsaho]

This is probably a chicken-and-egg argument, but I'd say one reason academics have become more defensive about religion is due to the anti-intellectual meme that's been spread by the Right since at least the early 90s.

[Noop]

Wow the racial undertones.

[Buzzbee]

What is pretty funny to me is that Emory has very heavy Methodist roots and is still affiliated with the Methodist church. I certainly wouldn't refer to Emory as a Methodist University, but there are certainly ties.

Also, one of my very good friends attended Emory in the late 80's early 90's and even then there was a large number of 'rich New York jews' to the point that it was a fairly common joke around campus.

[Honolulu_Blue]

The name Jenny Rybolt rings a strong bell, but I cannot place a face.

Melanie Thomas I knew from the Emory Scholar's program. I didn't know her well, but I remember liking her a lot. Very funny and down to Earth. Very cute in a girl next door sort of way, too.

As to your broader points, that does not surprise me. As I noted above, Emory is desperate to raise its standing in the larger academic community. And the main way to do that it to recruit the big name trendy faculty from around the country. Unfortunately, what is hot and trendy in academia right now is to be anti-religious. Christianity is seen as an outmoded and oppressive way of thinking.

Mrs. A runs into this a lot in graduate school. It is hard to be vocal as a woman of strong Christian faith in a modern graduate school. She even had one professor who rolled his eyes when he saw her wearing a cross.

What is interesting is that most of our church friends come from her graduate program. So the people of faith are in the program. They just leave that at the door of the academy. Which is a shame because it would add a lot to the discussion.

It does make sense, I think, to look critically at religion. For generations, religion was misused to justify racism, sexism, etc. And religious fundamentalism does conflict, at least superficially, with the overall academic mission, which does not allow for the uncritical acceptance of any doctrine--religious or otherwise.

The pendulum, however, has swung way too far in the (for lack of a better term) anti-religious direction. People of faith cannot feel free to speak freely in the academic classroom; they are subject to the same form of censorship that the academy claims to abhor. Indeed, I see the P.C. left and the fundamentalist right as two sides of the same coin. Both have adopted an ideology that they no longer question. And they spend most of their energy trying to humiliate, censor, and belittle anyone or anything that challenges or questions that ideology. Trying to keep evangelism off campus is, to me, just like trying to keep evolution out of the science classroom.

And both are harmful to the free spread of ideas as we try to learn about ourselves and make a better world. Religious understanding could benefit from the rigorous self-examination that academia provides, and the academy could benefit from opening itself to understanding and appreciating the primary force that motivates the majority of human beings alive and attempts to understand the transcendent world around us.

To get back on point, I also think that it is easier for academics to accept (for lack of a better term) mainstream religions. Methodists, Episcopalians, etc. I think that it is harder for them to accept evangelism. Remember, it is about not challenging their worldview. Methodists keep quiet.

It's a shame that Emory has gone in that direction, and it is a shame that it is filling up with the NY/NJ crowd. That was certainly the aspect of it that I did not like as much.

(FWIW, I was in the Catholic students group on campus, so I did not have much sense of the religious state of things outside of that).
While I disagree with some of what's said above, do I agree with the basic idea that "the [extreme] P.C. left and the fundamentalist right as two sides of the same coin."

I remember back 1992 when I attended an 3-day orientation program at the University of Michigan. Part of the program involved a few hour sort "culturual integration" program. The first part of it just talked about the ethnic and cultural diversity of the school, which was fine. During the second part we broke down into smaller groups that were led by two or three students (sophomores, I think). They asked questions like: "Say you were assigned a roommate and that roommate was gay. How would you feel?" They then made the in-coming folks sit on end of the classroom or the other, depending on how comfortable or uncomfortable they would be with the situation. The students would then jump down the throat and birate anyone who was "uncomfortable" with the situation. It was horrible. I mean, some these kids admitted that they had never known a gay person or perhaps didn't know any black people. I understand what program was trying to accomplish it just did it in a very, very poor way. Well, at least the group that I was with did.

I think it's appauling that anyone would roll their eyes just because Mrs. A was wearing a cross. There's really no place anywhere for that, much less a graduate program. Religious views shouldn't be censored at all at college.

I totally agree with Albion's notion that "religious understanding could benefit from the rigorous self-examination that academia provides, and the academy could benefit from opening itself to understanding and appreciating the primary force that motivates the majority of human beings alive and attempts to understand the transcendent world around us." Closing religion out of a debate or discussion is very short-sighted and close minded. That said, if you open the debate/discussion to include religion, religious folks are going to have to expect their beliefs to be challenged by the rigorous self-examination that academia provides and do so without crying foul and squealing about the "anti-religious" academia and Christian persecution.

In sum, I think censoring religion from academia is harmful and very bad idea. Having it open to honest, rigorous debate/discussion, however, can be very useful and beneficial for all involved, believers and non-believers. As my personal example above during my orientation, I think there is a right way and wrong way to go about. Just jumping down people's throats and belittling their ideas/faith is not fruitful, but honest, intellectual debate certainly can be.

[stevew]

...which is precisely why I find it humorous. I know some of the "concerned citizens" well, and their hearts are certainly in the right place. However, their methodology on this one is wayyyyyy off. E-mails bring petitions. Petitions lead to protests. Protests lead to news cameras. News cameras lead to better exposure for Twista. "Say what you want, just spell my name right..."
Twista's "breakthru solo hit" was called "Overnight Celebrity" or "Celebrity Overnight".....hence my reference to that.

[Ben E Lou]

November 18, 2005




To the Citizens, Dekalb Police Department and Businesses of the Tucker
Community:

We, the management of Caliente, would like to address misinformation
that is being distributed about our establishment. We are operating a
nightclub at our location that caters to a diverse audience that does
not target "thugs and gangstas." Our goal is to provide an
entertainment venue that includes dance music and crossover artists
(such as Twista) for a diverse audience.

We would like to clarify the facts that we feel have been
misrepresented to you by one of the members of the community:

1) We have obtained all necessary permits and licenses to operate our
nightclub.

2) While we are open until 6:00 a.m. on weekends, we cannot and do not
sell
Alcohol after hours prescribed by local and state authorities;

3) We do not place loud speakers in our parking lot. The incident in
question
occurred shortly after our opening when a local radio station as part of
its promotion placed speakers in our parking lot;

4) We do not have "private VIP rooms" but do have VIP areas that are
set-aside in the club for our patrons. These are not separate "rooms"
within our establishment but merely areas that are cordoned off to
restrict access for private parties and groups. All activities in these
areas are clearly visible from the rest of the establishment;

5) We provide ample security in and around our establishment including
use of a number of off duty police officers to insure the safety of our
patrons as well as our neighbors in the community;

6) We do not cater to the "hip hop and rap crowd"; we provide dance
music which includes crossover artists that are popular with a large,
diverse audience.


In closing, it is our goal to provide a safe, clean entertainment venue
that will enrich the community. While we recognize that our
establishment may not appeal to everyone in the community, we believe
that we can peacefully co-exist if given the opportunity. We invite you
to visit our website (http://www.calienteatl.com ("")) and our establishment
in order to see that we are not running an establishment that is a
threat to the community.

Best Regards,


Joseph London
Management of Caliente

That room with a bed in it on their web site sure LOOKED private to me. :p

[Ksyrup]

That room with a bed in it on their web site sure LOOKED private to me. :p
[/color][/size][/font]
That's so they can sell the room to people who want to have sex AND sell "peepshow" tickets to the rest of the patrons.

[Antmeister]

That room with a bed in it on their web site sure LOOKED private to me. :p
[/color][/size][/font]

uhhhh...it's not a bed....it's a backless sofa...yeah that's it....lol.

[JonInMiddleGA]

That room with a bed in it on their web site sure LOOKED private to me. :p
[/color][/size][/font]

You have got to be shittin' me.
(off to check website)

Sonuva ... well, you weren't kidding.

[Ben E Lou]

UPDATE:

I just received this e-mail. Caliente is reachin' out to the community. ;)

=============================================================
Tucker Community Open House / Holiday Party
Tuesday, December 27, 7:30pm~10/11pm
=============================================================

You are invited to attend an open-house/holiday-party being held for the
Tucker Community at the Caliente on Tuesday, December 27, 7:30pm~10pm.
The Caliente is a new dance club that opened in Tucker about 6 weeks
ago; and several local residents have expressed concern regarding
late-night hours, loud music, unruly crowds, etc. This is a chance for
you to see the club up close, meet with the owner (Joseph London), and
get answers to whatever questions you may have. Refreshments will be
served and there will also be music -- so bring your dancing shoes. If
you live or work in Tucker, or have any other reason to care about what
types of businesses are located in downtown Tucker, you are invited and
encouraged to attend. In addition to being an opportunity to learn more
about this new business it should be a fun social event as well.

PLEASE RSVP to <http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formtype=address&country=US&popflag=0&address=3965+Lawrenceville+Highway&city=tucker&state=ga ("][email protected][/url]> and tell us:
* the Number of People in your party
* the Type of Music you would like to have played.

The Caliente is located in the Tucker Town Center shopping center,
across from the Krystal restaurant, on the south side of Lawrenceville
Highway halfway between Main Street and Brockett Road:
3965 Lawrenceville Highway
Tucker, GA 30084
770-934-2975
Map:
[url=")

=============================================================