Essay 804

Business as usual in a MultiCultClassics Monologue…

• In 1998 Robert Greene (pictured above) wrote “The 48 Laws of Power” — a best-selling business book featuring anecdotes and insights culled from figures like Casanova, Machiavelli, Chairman Mao and more. Over the years, Greene’s work has been embraced by the hip-hop world, and Greene is even slated to team up with 50 Cent on another business book. The working title is probably “Which Motherfucker Moved My Cheese?” The Los Angeles Times wrote about it all — click on the essay title above to check it out.

• Two rounds of firings have happened at Vibe magazine, courtesy of new CEO Eric Gertler. The actions have been swift and allegedly brutal, as some ex-staffers were denied the chance to even say good-bye. “We all understand business is business, but morally and ethically, you can’t [dismiss people so callously],” said one source. “It’s totally whack.” Yo, looks like folks need to read “The 48 Laws of Power.”

• Mickey D’s is yanking the new Hot ‘n Spicy McChicken sandwich, citing lackluster interest. Guess it wasn’t so hot after all.

• The celebrations in Italy over its World Cup victory have included ugly racial incidents. Swastikas were painted in Rome’s ancient Jewish ghetto, and a former government minister remarked the French soccer team was made up of “Negroes, communists and Moslems.” Given the continued nastiness attached to the soccer tournament, maybe officials should rename it “World Crap.”

• A new study showed Blacks and Latinos in L.A. are more likely to be searched during traffic stops. However, researchers are still attempting to determine why the numbers skew differently for minorities. “If we had cameras in our cars we’d know a lot more about what happens on these stops,” Commissioner Shelley Freeman said. “So I hope we will get cameras in our cars someday.” Sounds like the makings of a new reality TV series.

• The family of slain rapper Notorious B.I.G. asked a judge to expand their wrongful-death lawsuit against L.A. A 94-page motion included charges that there’s a pattern linking cops to crimes involving rappers. Maybe rappers need to install cameras in their cars too.