A Presidential Press Conference In Color

Presidential press conferences can even news junkies. Listening to so-called leaders blathering on can become tiresome and tedious. So, this journalism addict found new ways to entertain myself. Waiting for UPI's Helen Thomas to ask a question was one way.

My life so far has included watching the press conference of U.S. Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. The emergence of Thomas always insured that the conference wouldn't be boring. I still remember when she literally chased Reagan from the East Room. He couldn't hide from Thomas, so the Gipper ran.

However, Thomas didn't need to spice up President Barack Obama's first presidential press conference. Whether you agree with Obama, the press conference was good television. The 44th president didn't pull any punches. Obama kept it real. And he didn't hide behind a press secretary.

With that said, turning the press corps into a bunch of students was interesting. Presidential press conferences aren't supposed to be that orderly. I kept wondering if I was watching a political science telecourse. Then, I noticed something. The professor was black (well, biracial actually). It's about time we had some color in the White House.

Triumph over tragedy...for a moment

Sharing her feelings of gratitude was hard for Jennifer Hudson. Well, it was difficult until she started singing. Then, the words came easily and beautifully. As she belted out "You Pulled Me Through," Hudson's screamed thank you. Emotion enveloped everyone in the Staples Center, when she took the stage at the 51st annual Grammy Awards.

Her powerful voice showed its massive range. Ironically, everyone seemed to know it wasn't for show. Hudson was expressing gratefulness in the only way she knew how. Seeing seemingly jaded performers humbled was fascinating. Under the pall of Hudson's immense tragedy, they realized celebrity isn't everything...if only for a moment.

The Grammy winner's Super Bowl performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner" offered a similar scene. As she lip-synced (at the request of Super Bowl producers), Hudson's emotion was evident in her recorded rendition. As she poured her soul into the patriotic tune, it sent one message. Thank you.

Being grateful and humble just makes the fabulous Miss Hudson that much more wonderful.