-The entire world has lost a great singer when "Mama Africa" died this week. Miriam Makeba died at a concert in Italy. She was in the forefront in the fight against Apartheid and was banned from her home in South Africa from 1959 to 1990. She performed for President John Kennedy, sang with Harry Belafonte, inspired Paul Simon and was the first African to win a Grammy. All of Africa is in mourning for this singing giant. In the late 1960's I was fortunate enough to see her in concert with Belafonte and believe me she was one of the all time greats.

-Well, we have seen maps and we have seen charts but over and over again, I am asked 'how did the white vote go?' Well MSNBC's "First Read" finally had an easy break down on that boring question. You can start whistling "Dixie" because in thirteen states Obama received less than 35% of the vote. Nine of the thirteen were in the Confederacy with Alabama (10%), Mississippi (11%) and Louisiana (14%) delivering the lowest 'white vote' in America. On the other hand, Obama won the 'white vote' in eighteen states.

-Some people just can't bring themselves to leave the 50's. That is the only reason I can assume why this talk of Marxism has surfaced again. Georgia Republican Congressman Paul Broun says that Obama will establish a Marxist dictatorship with a national police force out combing the streets to get the 'good people'. It's amazing to me that such wantonly ignorant people can get elected in America.

-Ok, ok, my friends, I am going to take advantage of you and print a personal plea. Come on down next Monday (November 17) for the first New York reading of Dennis Bailey's and my play called "Jacob's Ladder". The reading starts at 8:00PM at the 92nd Street Y in Tribeca at 200 Hudson Street in Manhattan. Admission is $12 and you can get tickets by calling (212) 601-1000. Playbill has a wonderful story about the cast for the reading and just click here to read it. Judith Light wrote about the Los Angeles reading,

"I had the pleasure of doing a reading of Jacob's Ladder and just loved it. The play brings home the struggle with ones identity and of being of service to a greater good. Jacob's new job in the Roosevelt White House put him at the center of the question of what to about the Concentration Camps. Rarely has a play captured the battle to embrace who we are and in that process make the right decision."

-Come on gang, I know we all are angry but do you really believe boycotting the "Sundance Film Festival" because it is located in Utah will bring us closer to marriage equality? I think that is a bit of a stretch. Bob Redford is probably about all we've got on our side there. Let's not lose him!

-Hey this election might not be over! Obama has closed to less than 5,000 votes to McCain in Missouri with a number of ballots to be counted. What a nice end to a near perfect Presidential campaign if we carried the "Show Me" state.

-According to Real Clear Politics Scorecard, it appears that Pennsylvania voters are not huge Chris Matthews fans. The MSNBC "Hardball" host, who has put out feelers to run for the senate, loses to incumbent Republican Senator Arlen Specter 40% to 27%. Although being at only 40% for Specter this close to the 2010 race isn't exactly good news for the veteran senator. Wonder how Senator Hillary Clinton would vote if she could vote in Pennsylvania?

-it appears that the Democratic Party wants Joe Lieberman to continue to be part of their team in the United States Senate. For me personally, I have only two words for Independent Senator Joe Lieberman ....Bye Bye.

-The wonderful and talented District Attorney of San Francisco, Kamala Harris, is running for Attorney General of California in 2010. This brilliant woman has endless potential and is one of the bright young stars of the Democratic Party.

-As the rage and anger continue against the passage of Proposition 8, it would be sad not to celebrate that Connecticut will be starting marriage equality in the next couple of days. The wise voters turned down a "Constitutional Convention" which would have overturned the courts decision. Marriage Equality is here to stay in Connecticut.

-Where is the name of California Congresswoman Jane Harmon on the list for Secretary of Defense? Obama could go down in history by appointing the first woman to hold that post. There is no one more knowledgeable on military matters than she. She has championed the service members and their needs and was the sponsor of the bill that allowed HIV positive service members stay in the military. Obama would be missing the perfect choice for Defense if she isn't being considered!

-Could be some real interesting games being played with Senate seats if John Kerry gets Secretary of State. We already have seats opening in Illinois and Delaware. The Massachusetts opening would be really fun to watch. Congressman Ed Markey has wanted to be in the Senate for years. Congressman Barney Frank would love to be the first openly gay Senator but does the incredible power he has as Banking Chairman make him want to stay in the House? Governor Patrick could have his hands full with some pretty large egos with this vacancy if it happens!

What a better way to end this week's column than with a 1967 video of Miriam Makeba singing her all time great hit "Pata, Pata".