Hey comic fans, what a week... I want to take a bit of a departure from the usual subject matter this week, and talk about something that's really affecting me...

I'd like to preface this week's column by saying that I've never used the opportunity given to me by the folks here at Buzzscope to express my political beliefs or opinions because I feel it's a bit inappropriate...

I wish Kanye West had shown NBC the same respect.

Hurricane Katrina has caused so much damage and cost so many people not only their homes, but in some cases, their lives. Sitting here in beautiful, sunny, Southern California on the patio of my beach house, this seems kinda hard to fathom, but nonetheless, the images captured on the news and in various publications have really struck me.

It's truly unbelievable that in the wake of such a disaster, that the national guard or other branches of the military have not had more of a presence... I can't help but think that if this was happening in some third world country, or perhaps in a country where our government had something to benefit from it's participation, that more immediate and timely action would have certainly taken place.

Now, like I said above; I don't want to turn this column into a politically-biased rant, but I think what I'm saying is pretty damn obvious... At least it was to Kanye West, who undoubtedly got a little overzealous in his statements the other night. (Click here to download PCS' video clip of Kanye's comments).

I literally could not believe what was coming out of this man's mouth. He seemed so flustered and so confused, that even if people actually agreed with his opinions, he didn't afford them that opportunity because of the nature in which he presented his views...

First of all, this guy is an entertainer. He has more than ample opportunity to express his political views, or any views he likes, through his music. Instead, Mr. West chose to make a political statement, and an ignorant one at that, in a broadcast that was meant to make the world aware of what has transpired in New Orleans and the surrounding area, in the hopes of raising money to help the unfortunate people who have lost so much.

To say what he said in the context he did was grossly inappropriate and classless, I don't care how much "bling" or what overpriced, designer gear he was wearing. Class isn't something you buy, it's something you earn and quantify by your actions. I can only imagine what was going through poor Mike Myers' head as he was standing next to this inarticulate, confused man as he so cantankerously disregarded the script and chose to tarnish the entire broadcast by such inane and inappropriate comments.

Mind you, like every American, Mr. West is most certainly entitled to expressing his opinions, but there's a proper time and place for such things. Where and when he choose to make his comments is what upsets me more than what he actually said, even though I might not wholeheartedly agree with him. I think he needs to reflect on what he said and look at the fact that maybe, just maybe, if the guy they showed on the news was running out of that store with a loaf of bread or a bottle of water, instead of a plasma screen TV, he wouldn't have been called a looter...

To attempt to turn a benefit concert for disaster relief into a farce, by pulling the race card as he did, was so disgusting to me, that it actually turned my stomach. In times of crisis such as these, it's of the utmost importance to remember that the human race is the only race it's about. Black and white, people in our own country are suffering, and dying...

These people and their loved ones desperately need our help... Please, call the Red Cross, or go to their website and donate as much as you can. No contribution is too little, or too much.

Till next time, peace, love, and an endless river of chocolate...

SC

Disclaimer: The views expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the site.