Happy Inauguration Day

T u e s d a y , J a n u a r y 2 0 , 2 0 0 9

You did it. Each and every one of you, you really did it. Every one of you who voted for Barack Obama are responsible for this and everything like it.

This.

This is the change you can believe in. And don't think this is it, either. With the security of Barack being in office, there's much more to come. Greater numbers and greater productions runs. Hell, here at the B.O.P. bullpen we argued over having a 'Dem is Fire' tab or a 'Dem is Obama'. So every time you feel alive when you think about change. Think about what you've done. Think about the Obama tees that are now going to be Obama brands. Do you feel the sadness? I feel it. It's not going to leave either. You can believe in that.



I'm glad I only voted for Rudy. I like a good train wreck.

--Ira

Streetwear Grading System: Obama Tees

S a t u r d a y , S e p t e m b e r 2 0 , 2 0 0 8

Now that the dust has settled on the presidential election and Barack Obama's Vince Carter-like ascent over the Frederic Weis that is John McCain, we'd like to bring you back to earth from all that "hope" nonsense we've heard spewed about.

Enter Streetwear Grading System: Obama Edition.

Generally, We like to keep it to a one brand maximum, but just about every one of you streetwear brands out there are trying your hardest to bring him down with you.

'Old Man' by DISRPT

Ok, you've taken a recent movie poster and barely changed it, I thought that was pretty streetwear. But then I got thinking (via Google), John McCain's face is where Javier Bardems was...John McCain is a psychopathic killer willing to stop at nothing to hunt down Barack and eventually pound an air thing into his head?!? That's NOT streetwear. And that makes Obama the poor disenfranchised soul who stole money without thinking about the repercussions. Way to reinforce sterotypes DISRPT.

Lack of creativity:9
Gaudiness: 7
Cost effectiveness:7
Reappropriation: 9
Overall streetwear scale grade: 8.0/10

'Balling with Barack '08' by Akomplice

I know, I know at first you think pretty cool, it's Punahou's team but Baracks got an MS painted crown on! BUT WAIT! Kanye and Jigga just made the squad! Yes my friends, streetwears holy trinity has made their first appearance together on a tee!!! Sadly, Beanie Siegel will continue to swing JV this year...

Lack of creativity:9.5
Gaudiness:8
Cost effectiveness:9
Reappropriation: 9
Overall streetwear scale grade: 8.875/10

'Obama V. Machine' by Hoodman

This is call out to everyone of us out there. He can't do it alone, I know it really resonates when the president-elect is being blasted to death with a laser from the capitol. And look! His papers marked "Change" and "Hope" are falling to the ground. This is a catastrophe! I just noticed this is reappropriation of an X-men cover, way to equate african Americans with mutants Eddie Huang's "Hood Man".

Lack of creativity:8
Gaudiness:9
Cost effectiveness:8
Reappropriation: 9
Overall streetwear scale grade: 8.5/10

'Obama is McFly' by Sons of Liberty

This is streetwear. If you're one of the many Google searchers who find your way here by looking for porn (no Oregon Theater directions here SAD FACE), take only this away from your trip: this is what streetwear is about. Iconic movie. CHECK (double points for Back to the Future!). Barack Obama. CHECK. Gaudy wording. CHECK. Reappropriation. CHECK.

Lack of creativity:10
Gaudiness:9
Cost effectiveness:8
Reappropriation: 10
Overall streetwear scale grade: 9.25/10 (THE HIGHEST GRADE EVER ACHIEVED IN THE SGS! For that you get a link Sons of Liberty)

--Ira

Change, yes I can

Barack Obama unveiled his newest logo on Friday. In true streetwear form it was a parody of the presidential seal that included his motto loosely translated into Latin and also keenly included his website address...no Myspace, though. :(

















Like all good streetwear logos it got rid of the old slogan and added a self aggrandizing one, this time "Obama for America." Personally, it's not the best I've seen, so as luck would have it spokesmen from the Obama campaign have been calling it a "silly mistake" and also saying it was simply a one-off that they hadn't planned on using again.

When delving into the realm of streetwear it is important to NEVER waver on your own designs. Just say you're paying homage and that it will help the larger entity, too.

--Ira

Source: Sydney morning herald

The time for throwbacks is now.

Just when you thought Obama streetwear was the it thing, the new black goes and gets itself usurped by streetwear's big brother: The Throwback Jersey.












Dazzle mesh and what looks to be screenprint (though they claim it's hand stitched...) can be had for only 59.99. Now you too can relive the glory of Punahou's 7th man through a low quality highly innacurate replica.

Personally I'm waiting for Obama sailing jackets to come out. Sailing jackets kill throwbacks and streetwear combined.

--Ira

Source: Fear the Beard

I wanna Ball in the White House

This is a great year for Ball. All around I am currently very pleased with the state of the union of my favorite game "Basketball." There are so many reasons that this year has the possibility of being the best recent year of basketball in my life.

First off, the hometeam finally decided to play as a team and work hard . . . although they did not make the playoffs I think most will agree that this past season was the best season for the Trailblazers since the Sabonis Years and maybe even better (sorry Ira).

Overall the NBA season was the best I can remember in recent years with some awesome highlights; the regular season race in the western conference, superman and the dunk contest, and although they lost last night (they will close it out Tomorrow in 6) the best team in the NBA the Celtics actually being the best team in the NBA.

About the only thing I could still ask for from Basketball would be some post season summer coverage to help the boring wait till next Season go faster, which is guaranteed to come via the '08 Olympic Summer games.

Just when I think basketball could not give me more . . .


This was on last night after game 5 of the NBA finals. I hope many Americans stayed around to see this. In my opinion a Basketball court in the White House is the best reason to actually Vote for a President I can remember. While it may not seem politically important it is all the reason I need to have my vote swayed from the Republican Party.


I have never really wanted to meet any of the past or current presidents during my lifetime. . .
However, now I can’t think of a bigger wish than running full court with the president on my squad in the White House!


What are some of your favorite basketball moments of this great year!

- Cam



P.S. Thanks basketball for those 2-3 dunks the other day . . . it's always good to feel like you are 17 again!