Rick James Runs for City Council: Local Politician Unknowingly Funky, Freaky

  • Thread starter Thread starter TheStatutoryApe
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Local
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The thread discusses the campaign of a local politician named Rick James in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, who shares a name with the famous singer. The conversation touches on the implications of his name recognition, public reactions, and the challenges he faces during his campaign, including sign theft and public mockery. The scope includes social commentary and humorous observations related to the intersection of politics and pop culture.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that Rick James could leverage his notoriety to campaign against drugs and violence, referencing the singer's troubled past.
  • Others express skepticism about his ability to change his public image, implying he may need to alter his demeanor first.
  • Humor is prevalent, with participants sharing reactions to the public's playful engagement with the campaign, such as children shouting phrases associated with the singer.
  • A participant expresses interest in acquiring campaign posters, indicating a desire to engage further with the campaign's cultural phenomenon.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on how Rick James should handle his campaign challenges, with some proposing strategies while others question his approach and public persona. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the effectiveness of leveraging his name recognition.

Contextual Notes

The conversation reflects a blend of political commentary and pop culture references, with no clear resolution on the implications of Rick James's name recognition for his campaign.

TheStatutoryApe
Messages
301
Reaction score
3
Out There
Fox News

Local Politician Unknowingly Funky, Freaky
Monday, April 11, 2005

A Mississippi political hopeful is discovering the downside of name recognition.

Rick James is the name of both a Hattiesburg City Council candidate and the flamboyant singer of the 1981 hit "Super Freak," who died last August just as he was poised to make a comeback.

The self-described "king of punk funk," jailed later in his career for drug abuse and violence against women, is the subject of a recurring skit on the Comedy Central cable-TV hit "Chappelle's Show," in which host Dave Chappelle, dressed as the singer, acts bizarrely and randomly shouts out "I'm Rick James, b*tch!"

According to the New York Post, people in Hattiesburg have been stealing "Vote Rick James" signs at such a rate that the aspiring city councilman's wife has asked Comedy Central for compensation.

"We would appreciate a small campaign donation for more signs, as we are working-class people and financing this campaign out of our own pockets," wrote Diane James to the cable channel. "Each time a sign is stolen, it costs us $4.75!"

The Mississippi Rick James ran in 2003 for the state house but apparently had no trouble from sign-stealers then.

"Every time a 'Rick James' piece runs on your show, we stand to lose dozens of signs overnight, which end up decorating people's front yards and dorm rooms," Diane James added, not specifying whether the relocated placards remained in the relevant electoral district.

Not only are the signs costing a bundle, says Mrs. Rick James, but there's a degree of public humiliation involved.

"Young children on bikes scream, 'I'm Rick James, b*tch!' as we drive by in our car with our 'Rick James' car signs," she states. "People even drive by our home and scream, 'Super Freak.'"

According to the Post, Comedy Central has not yet responded to James' letter.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,153135,00.html
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7477836/
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
Maybe he could use the notoriety to campaign against drugs and violence?
 
I think he would have to stop being a stick in the mud first.
 
TheStatutoryApe said:
I think he would have to stop being a stick in the mud first.
Yeh, and his wife, otherwise known as the Rick James, b*tch.
 
hahaha rofl they had a story on this tonight on the daily show
 
I now want one of the posters ...I wonder if there on E-Bay yet?