Clearing up confusion

• If you grow up in Hawaii , raised by your grandparents, you're 'exotic, different.'
• Grow up in Alaska eating mooseburgers, a quintessential American story.
• If your name is Barack you're a radical, unpatriotic Muslim.
• Name your kids Willow , Trig and Track, you're a maverick.
• Graduate from Harvard law School and you are unstable.
• Attend 5 different small colleges before graduating, you're well grounded.
• If you spend 3 years as a brilliant community organizer, become the first black President of the Harvard Law Review, create a voter registration drive that registers 150,000 new voters, spend 12 years as a Constitutional Law professor, spend 8 years as a State Senator representing a district with over 750,000 people, become chairman of the state Senate's Health and Human Services committee, spend 4 years in the United States Senate representing a state of 13 million people while sponsoring 131 bills and serving on the Foreign Affairs, Environment and Public Works and Veteran's Affairs committees, you don't have any real leadership experience.
• If your total resume is: local weather girl, 4 years on the city council and 6 years as the mayor of a town with less than 7,000 people, 20 months as the governor of a state with only 650,000 people, then you're qualified to become the country's second highest ranking executive.
• If you have been married to the same woman for 19 years while raising 2 beautiful daughters, all within Protestant churches, you're not a real Christian.
• If you cheated on your first wife with a rich heiress, and left your disfigured wife and married the heiress the next month, you're a Christian.
• If you teach responsible, age appropriate sex education, including the proper use of birth control, you are eroding the fiber of society.
• If, while governor, you staunchly advocate abstinence only, with no other option in sex education in your state's school system while your unwed teen daughter ends up pregnant, you're very responsible.
• If your wife is a Harvard graduate lawyer who gave up a position in a prestigious law firm to work for the betterment of her inner city community, then gave that up to raise a family, your family's values don't represent America 's.
• If you're husband is nicknamed 'First Dude', with at least one DWI conviction and no college education, who didn't register to vote until age 25 and once was a member of a group that advocated the secession of Alaska from the USA, your family is extremely admirable.

Sarah Palin on ABC with Charles Gibson

SNL spoof on Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin

What every woman should know about IBC.

Sculptor Tina Allen dies at 58 in Los Angeles

September 12, 2008

AP

- Sculptor Tina Allen, who depicted such figures as Martin Luther King Jr. and Fredrick Douglas in her works, has died. She was 58.

Allen died Tuesday at a Los Angeles hospital from complications of a heart attack, said her ex-husband, Roger Allen.

Among her bronze sculptures are George Washington Carver in the St. Louis Botanical Garden; Douglas in the African American Museum in Birmingham, Ala.; Sojourner Truth in Battle Creek, Mich.; and King in Las Vegas.

Allen may be best known for her 13-foot statue of “Roots” author Alex Haley located in Haley’s hometown of Knoxville, Tenn.

Allen was born in December 1949 in New York. Her father was jazz musician Gordon “Specs” Powell. When she was 11 years old, she worked with renowned sculptor William Zorach. She graduated from the University of South Alabama and later continued her education at the Pratt Institute in New York and the University of Venice in Italy.

She is survived by her mother, Rosecleer Powell; her three children, Koryan Allen, Josephine Allen and Tara Allen; and two grandchildren.

A memorial service is scheduled for next month in Los Angeles.

Sarah Palin on CBS with Katie Couric

Part 1



Part 2

The Daily Show: Sarah Palin Gender Card

September 3, 2008

Smokey Robinson on Def Poetry Jam

Lose your house, lose your vote

By Eartha Jane Melzer 9/10/08 6:42 AM

Michigan Republicans plan to foreclose African-American voters

The chairman of the Republican Party in Macomb County, Michigan, a key swing county in a key swing state, is planning to use a list of foreclosed homes to block people from voting in the upcoming election as part of the state GOP’s effort to challenge some voters on Election Day.

“We will have a list of foreclosed homes and will make sure people aren’t voting from those addresses,” party chairman James Carabelli told Michigan Messenger in a telephone interview earlier this week. He said the local party wanted to make sure that proper electoral procedures were followed.

State election rules allow parties to assign “election challengers” to polls to monitor the election. In addition to observing the poll workers, these volunteers can challenge the eligibility of any voter provided they “have a good reason to believe” that the person is not eligible to vote. One allowable reason is that the person is not a “true resident of the city or township.”

The Michigan Republicans’ planned use of foreclosure lists is apparently an attempt to challenge ineligible voters as not being “true residents.”
One expert questioned the legality of the tactic.

“You can’t challenge people without a factual basis for doing so,” said J. Gerald Hebert, a former voting rights litigator for the U.S. Justice Department who now runs the Campaign Legal Center, a Washington D.C.-based public-interest law firm. “I don’t think a foreclosure notice is sufficient basis for a challenge, because people often remain in their homes after foreclosure begins and sometimes are able to negotiate and refinance.”

As for the practice of challenging the right to vote of foreclosed property owners, Hebert called it, “mean-spirited.”

GOP ties to state’s largest foreclosure law firm

The Macomb GOP’s plans are another indication of how John McCain’s campaign stands to benefit from the burgeoning number of foreclosures in the state. McCain’s regional headquarters are housed in the office building of foreclosure specialists Trott & Trott. The firm’s founder, David A. Trott, has raised between $100,000 and $250,000 for the Republican nominee.

The Macomb County party’s plans to challenge voters who have defaulted on their house payments is likely to disproportionately affect African-Americans who are overwhelmingly Democratic voters. More than 60 percent of all sub-prime loans — the most likely kind of loan to go into default — were made to African-Americans in Michigan, according to a report issued last year by the state’s Department of Labor and Economic Growth.

Challenges to would-be voters

Statewide, the Republican Party is gearing up for a comprehensive voter challenge campaign, according to Denise Graves, party chair for Republicans in Genessee County, which encompasses Flint. The party is creating a spreadsheet of election challenger volunteers and expects to coordinate a training with the regional McCain campaign, Graves said in an interview with Michigan Messenger.
Whether the Republicans will challenge voters with foreclosed homes elsewhere in the state is not known.

Kelly Harrigan, deputy director of the GOP’s voter programs, confirmed that she is coordinating the group’s “election integrity” program. Harrigan said the effort includes putting in place a legal team, as well as training election challengers. She said the challenges to voters were procedural rather than personal. She referred inquiries about the vote challenge program to communications director Bill Nowling, who promised information but did not return calls.

Party chairman Carabelli said that the Republican Party is training election challengers to “make sure that [voters] are who they say who they are.”
When asked for further details on how Republicans are compiling challenge lists, he said, “I would rather not tell you all the things we are doing.”

Vote suppression: Not an isolated effort

Carabelli is not the only Republican Party official to suggest the targeting of foreclosed voters. In Ohio, Doug Preisse, director of elections in Franklin County (around the city of Columbus) and the chair of the local GOP, told The Columbus Dispatch that he has not ruled out challenging voters before the election due to foreclosure-related address issues.

Hebert, the voting-rights lawyer, sees a connection between Priesse’s remarks and Carabelli’s plans.

“At a minimum what you are seeing is a fairly comprehensive effort by the Republican Party, a systematic broad-based effort to put up obstacles for people to vote,” he said. “Nobody is contending that these people are not legally registered to vote.

“When you are comprehensively challenging people to vote,” Hebert went on, “your goals are two-fold: One is you are trying to knock people out from casting ballots; the other is to create a slowdown that will discourage others,” who see a long line and realize they can’t afford to stay and wait.

Challenging all voters registered to foreclosed homes could disrupt some polling places, especially in the Detroit metropolitan area. According to the real estate Web site RealtyTrac, one in every 176 households in Wayne County, metropolitan Detroit, received a foreclosure filing during the month of July. In Macomb County, the figure was one household in every 285, meaning that 1,834 homeowners received the bad news in just one month. The Macomb County foreclosure rate puts it in the top three percent of all U.S. counties in the number of distressed homeowners.

Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Kent and Genessee counties were — in that order — the counties with the most homeowners facing foreclosure, according to RealtyTrac. As of July, there were more than 62,000 foreclosure filings in the entire state.

Joe Rozell, director of elections for Oakland County in suburban Detroit, acknowledged that challenges such as those described by Carabelli are allowed by law but said they have the potential to create long lines and disrupt the voting process. With 890,000 potential voters closely divided between Democratic and Republican, Oakland County is a key swing county of this swing state.
According to voter challenge directives handed down by Republican Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, voter challenges need only be “based on information obtained through a reliable source or means.”

“But poll workers are not allowed to ask the reason” for the challenges, Rozell said. In other words, Republican vote challengers are free to use foreclosure lists as a basis for disqualifying otherwise eligible voters.

David Lagstein, head organizer with the Michigan Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN), described the plans of the Macomb GOP as “crazy.”

“You would think they would think, ‘This is going to look too heartless,’” said Lagstein, whose group has registered 200,000 new voters statewide this year and also runs a foreclosure avoidance program. “The Republican-led state Senate has not moved on the anti-predatory lending bill for over a year and yet [Republicans] have time to prey on those who have fallen victim to foreclosure to suppress the vote.”

Keynote address for DISD

Excellent keynote address for Dallas Independent School District.
http://www.dallasisd.org/keynote.htm

Michelle Obama on Ellen. September 8, 2008.

celebrity report....9-8-08

Singer Natalie Cole is determined to promote her new album, Still Unforgettable, despite her failing health. Cole, 58, is suffering from Hepatitis C. Hepatitis causes extreme fatigue and exhaustion. Cole is undergoing chemo, but it leaves her weak. She is now forced to use an oxygen tank to help her with her breathing. Cole has gone against doctors orders. They have begged her to postpone her promo schedule, but she won't do it. The chemo has already started to make her lose her hair. Cole says she doesn't care. She just slaps a wig on and keeps on going. Her appearance in recent TV shows has left people in shock. Her friends think she should take off the rest of the year to rest then resume her career.

Their wedding was huge….the talk of the town, but the divorce…… very quiet. It is officially over between Star Jones and Al Reynolds. They have quietly settled out of court and have moved on with their lives. Jones is currently dating a handsome New York chef. Friends say she is very happy with her new man.

Mariah Carey is shaking up her management team. Carey is not happy with the buzz her career is getting, and she is replacing longtime manger Benny Medina. Carey feels she can do a better job herself. Medina's past clients included Jennifer Lopez, Tyra Banks and Usher. Medina has been losing clients left and right, and now Carey wants him out. Since marrying Nick Cannon, there has no buzz or excitement surrounding Carey. Despite the stories of her bossing him around, this marriage has been a press snooze. Will Carey do a better job herself? She is known for being wacky despite her great voice. And, what does the future hold for Medina, who can't seem to hold on to his clients? Just a few weeks ago, Usher dumped Medina to go back to his mother, who is now managing her son's career.

What has happened to young Pop Singer Ciara, and why is she posing naked? Ciara has come a long way from dating Bow Wow. Check her out naked on the new issue of Vibe magazine. She's promoting a new album, and her new straight to video movie Mama I want to sing is coming out early next year.

Halle Berry is lashing out at media reports that she bleached the skin of her baby daughter. How could people be so cruel as to spread outrageous lies? Little Nahla's skin has not been bleached. Berry has had enough of the mean-spirited attacks on her family, and she is not going to sit back quietly and take it. Berry was one of the few Hollywood celebrities who didn't cash in on her baby and make lots of money. She even took a lot of flak for it, and she was accused of hiding her baby. Berry started taking her baby out in public a month ago.

Toni Braxton's family is not happy with the fact that she is appearing on the reality show Dancing With The Stars. Braxton has been battling a heart condition that forced her to cancel her Las Vegas nightclub show. By going through a rigorous schedule and dancing on the show, her family feels she is putting her life in danger. Braxton doesn't feel this way, and she says she'll be ready when the show kicks off a new season on the 22nd.

Usher and his wife Tameka Foster are expecting baby number two. There have been rumors of trouble in the marriage, but Usher and his wife are still going strong. Tameka may not get along with his mother, but that is not going to stop her from popping out those babies with Usher. Foster realizes she needs to stake her claim and give him as many babies as she can. This will be her fifth child. Her son with Usher was born last year.

Speaking of babies, Supermodel Naomi Campbell is ready to procreate. Campbell is ready to be a mom. She recently admitted to having fertility problems, but she underwent surgery this past spring to correct the problem. Now, she says she is ready for motherhood.

Director Spike Lee is determined to do a movie about the life of "Mr. Dynamite" James Brown. Lee says if the project happens, he wants Wesley Snipes to star as the Godfather Of Soul. He says Snipes is the only actor who could pull off this role. Lee has been busy with two documentaries. One is about Michael Jordan and the other is on Kobe Bryant. He's also reteaming with Denzel Washington and Clive Owen for a sequel to the hit film Inside Man. Lee's latest movie, Miracle At St. Anna with Derek Luke, Michael Ealy, Laz Alonso and Kerry Washington, opens in theatres on September 26th.

Quincy Jones is gearing up to release The Complete Quincy Jones: My Journey And Passions. The 75-year old music giant is set to release this book on October 28th. Clint Eastwood is doing the foreword for the book, and Dr. Maya Angelou is doing the introduction. Jones is not slowing down. He is also opening a restaurant in Las Vegas.

Morgan Freeman and Barbara Streisand are among the honorees for the Kennedy Center Honors.

Will Whitney Houston make it into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame? She has been placed in the nominations along with The Red Hot Chili Peppers.

It's all about Patti! Patti LaBelle is coming out with her third cookbook, and this one will be promoting her line of natural products. Patti is also hard at work on the LaBelle reunion. Sarah Dash, Nona Hendryx and Patti are reteaming as LaBelle with the new CD called Back To Now. The new CD features production from Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff and Lenny Kravitz. In more Patti news, Anita Baker, Jennifer Hudson, Dionne Warwick, Yolanda Adams and Fantasia will all be on hand for an all-star salute to the Philly Diva. Patti is being honored at the United Negro College Fund's Evening Of Stars. The program will air in January.

Marion Jones is out of jail. The former Olympic darling recently finished up a six-month jail sentence. Jones lied to prosecutors about her steroid use. She lost everything: her gold medals, her reputation, and her mother's home. Jones is married and the mother of two young children. Sources say she will try to pick up the pieces of her life by writing a book about her experiences and why she lied about her steroid use.

More troubles for former child star Gary Coleman. Coleman was involved in an incident where a 24-year old man was hit by Coleman's car. The young man was treated for minor injuries. Sources say the two were arguing at a bowling alley, and Coleman accidentally hit the guy when he was backing out of a parking lot.

I had a chance to talk to Singer Kenny Lattimore when he was in town recently for the Rhythm And Blues Awards. His new CD, Timeless, is out in stores now. On this album, he told me that he pays tribute to many of his musical heroes. Kenny also said he's making the transition back to being a solo performer after two albums with his wife, Singer Chante Moore. They're making their marriage and family work with both of them having new solo projects. Chante's latest CD, Love the Woman, features the hit It Ain't Supposed To Be This Way.

Cedric The Entertainer is headed to Broadway. The stage play American Buffalo, about small time crooks, also stars John Leguizamo. American Buffalo opens on November 17th.

Get ready for another Tyler Perry TV show. We've seen the play Meet The Browns and the movie version with Angela Bassett. Now get ready for the new TBS TV version. Meet The Browns, the TV show, debuts in January 2009 and will star David Mann as "Mr. Brown." Speaking of Tyler, his new movie, The Family That Preys, is set to open in theatres September 12th. The movie stars Alfre Woodard, Kathy Bates, Sanaa Lathan, Robin Givens, Taraji P. Henson, Rockmond Dunbar, Cole Hauser and Tyler Perry.

As the NBC drama ER enters its 15th and final season, look for some changes. Angela Bassett is joining the cast along with her husband, Actor Courtney B. Vance.

I Want To Take You Higher, The Life And Times Of Sly Stone is title of the new book about the famed musician coming out in October.

Sanford & Son, the popular 70's show, is coming out on DVD. The complete series, 17 discs containing all six seasons, comes out on October 28th. The late Comedian Redd Foxx starred as the grouchy junkman and Demond Wilson played his long-suffering son, Lamont.

Oprah Winfrey may make a surprise appearance at The Emmys. Word has it she'll open the show September 21st.

Singer Al Jarreau is hard at work on a new Christmas CD, which is coming out this fall.

Singer Robin Thicke is set to release his new CD, Something Else, on September 30th. The CD features the hit single 'Magic.'

The 5th Annual VH1 Hip Hop Honors takes place in October. Actor Comedian Katt Williams is hosting.

The Late Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes make their final screen appearance in the movie Soul Men. Soul Men opens in theatres on November 7th and also stars Samuel L Jackson.

Upcoming TV and Film Events:

A new best of compilation featuring the music of Tina Turner is coming out. Look for 'Tina' on September 30th.

WHAT'S THE UNDERGROUND BUZZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Her daughter is one of the richest celebrities in the world. Maybe that's why she doesn't like to pay her bills.

This Singer could care less about his family. He is very jealous of his brothers and sisters. At a recent event honoring his family, he refused to show up. Instead he stayed hidden with his rich girlfriend who pays all his child support bills. The family event went well and no one missed the jealous brother.

Watch Them Dogs - by Rev. B.W. Smith

Part 1



Part 2



Part 3

Does affirmative action help or hurt African American law students?

UCLA professor wants to use California bar exam data to evaluate the effects of affirmative action. His past research has drawn controversy, and state bar officials say they won't hand over the data.

By Carol J. Williams, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer September 8, 2008

In his 19 years as a law professor at UCLA, Richard Sander has pondered a nagging question: Does affirmative action help or hinder African Americans who want to become lawyers?Two years ago, he published research suggesting that racial preferences at law firms might be responsible for black lawyers' high rate of attrition and difficulty making partner. He hypothesized that in the interest of promoting diversity, law firms sometimes hired black lawyers who were underqualified, and that when there was a "credentials gap" between black and white lawyers at a firm, black lawyers often were less likely to advance and more likely to leave the firm.

The research stirred debate throughout the legal community, and Sander said he was surprised at the vehemence with which people attacked his motives. A former Volunteers in Service to America participant, fair-housing activist and campaigner for Chicago's first black mayor, Sander, who is white, insisted he was simply trying to examine an important question.

Now the professor has waded into another controversy. Sander says his goal this time is to examine whether law schools set up many affirmative action beneficiaries for failure by admitting them into rigorous academic environments in which they are ill-prepared to compete. He proposes to study almost 30 years of data on State Bar of California exam-takers. In the end, he hopes to explain why, as reported in a Law School Admissions Council study in the 1990s, blacks are four times as likely as whites to fail the bar exam on the first try.

The state bar has refused to facilitate his probe. Citing privacy concerns, the bar has denied him access to detailed demographic data collected from exam-takers since 1972.

Many lawyers, scholars and diversity advocates have applauded the bar's action.

His conclusions in the earlier study and a paper he wrote for the North Carolina Law Review in June 2006 "essentially argued that law firms should not hire black graduates," said Deborah Waire Post, a Harvard Law School graduate, professor at New York's Touro Law Center and co-president of the Society of American Law Teachers.

"What this suggests is that Richard Sander is not studying affirmative action or diversity policies, he is marshaling evidence to show that blacks do not belong in elite schools or elite firms," Post said.

She likened Sander's academic assessments of affirmative action to "the late 19th and early 20th century when this country was beset by 'scholars' and 'scientists' who constructed theories of racial inferiority to justify the subordination of African Americans."

From a tidy campus office crammed with the output of academia, Sander defends his proposed project as necessary to show that admissions and hiring preferences "hurt the very people they were intended to help."

He and fellow doubters of the efficacy of affirmative action last month asked the California Supreme Court to compel the state bar to turn over what Sander describes as "the perfect database." The bar records, which include age, race, gender, academic records and bar scores, nicely divide the data before and after Proposition 209, the 1996 ballot initiative that prohibited state universities from considering race, ethnicity, gender or national origin in admissions.

Among those hoping to probe the bar data with Sander is Doug Williams, an associate professor of economics at Sewanee University of the South in Tennessee. He defends the project as necessary to test a "reasonable hypothesis" as to why there are racial gaps in law school graduation rates and bar passage.

Peter Scheer, executive director of the California First Amendment Coalition, joined Sander in his lawsuit against the California bar on grounds that the lawyer-licensing institution is a publicly funded government agency whose records should be open to scrutiny by legitimate researchers.

Scheer suspects the bar's resistance is driven by fear of controversy and bureaucratic inertia.

"We see our job as getting the data and giving it to both sides" of the debate over the value and efficacy of affirmative action, Scheer said. "Politics should not block otherwise valid, even if controversial, academic research."

Nevertheless, he sees validity in the bar's concerns about confidentiality.

"They do need to be made comfortable, to be sure that the data is released in a way that makes it virtually impossible to link any information in it to any particular people," he said.

Holly J. Fujie, incoming president of the state bar, said Sander was denied access to the data because it had been solicited from bar exam-takers with assurances that it would be used only by the bar for purposes of ensuring the test's fairness.

Bar officials also harbor doubts that all study subjects could remain anonymous even if their names are excised. One woman who spoke against the research project at a bar hearing on the appeal pointed out that she was the only African American woman in her law school class at UCLA, so it would be obvious she was the subject of any study conclusions referring to that demographic.

The Society of American Law Teachers' bar exam analyst, Andi Curcio, criticized Sander's planned study for putting more value on first-time bar passage than it deserves.

"The bar exam as presently constituted is not a good measure of whether somebody is a competent lawyer," said Curcio, a law professor at Georgia State University. "It fails to account for a multitude of skills lawyers need, starting with the ability to actually research the law."

Rather than devoting resources to studying affirmative action's influences on a dubious test of legal scholarship, academicians should be working to create a more effective instrument than the multiple-choice bar exam for evaluating lawyers and their ability to practice, she said.

"Studying statistics tells you what, but not how or why," said Veta Richardson, executive director of the Minority Corporate Counsel Assn. If the purpose of Sander's research "is to take people and categorize them and point fingers and say affirmative action works for this one but not that one, I don't see any good purpose served."

Flawed as it may be, affirmative action has brought desirable results in diversifying the legal community, Richardson argues. Minorities and women now account for about 25% of Fortune 500 general counsel, a five-fold increase in the 11 years since the association was founded to expand the hiring, retention and promotion opportunities for minority attorneys.

The storm of controversy aside, Sander says his "mismatch theory" about the disparate fate of law school students admitted with racial preferences needs to be studied so that more effective programs can be developed to ensure minorities graduate from the law schools to which they are admitted, are adequately prepared for the bar and will make partner apace with their generational colleagues in law firms.

Those goals are being impeded, he said, by the reluctance of bar data guardians to address a taboo subject.

"Affirmative action is the third rail, and there's just not the interest there to study it," Sander said. "I certainly underestimated the degree to which there exists such a strong affirmative action orthodoxy."

carol.williams@latimes.com

How Do You Develop Self-Control?

by Rick Warren

God does not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)

*** *** *** ***

Successful people have one obvious trait in common: personal discipline. They are willing to do things that average people are unwilling to do.

It’s my observation that successful people express their self-discipline in six ways:

Successful people master their moods. They live by their commitments, not their emotions. They do the right thing, even when they don’t feel like it. “A person without self-control is as defenseless as a city with broken-down walls” (Proverbs 25:28 NLT).

Successful people watch their words. They put their minds in gear before opening their mouths: “Those who control their tongue will have a long life . . .” (Proverbs 13:3 NLT).

Successful people restrain their reactions. How much can you take before you lose your cool? “People with good sense restrain their anger; they earn esteem by overlooking wrongs” (Proverbs 19:11 NLT).

Successful people stick to their schedule. If you don’t determine how you will spend your time, you can be sure that others will decide for you! “So be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days” (Ephesians 5:15-16 NLT).

Successful people manage their money. They learn to live on less than what they make, and they invest the difference. The value of a budget is that it tells your money where you want it to go rather than wondering where it went: “The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get” (Proverbs 21:20 NLT).

Successful people maintain their health. That way they can accomplish more and enjoy their achievements: “Control your body and live in holiness . . .” (1 Thessalonians 4:4 NLT).

Now, where do you need to develop self-control?

The disciplines you establish today will determine your success tomorrow. But it takes more than just willpower for lasting self-control. It takes a power greater than yourself. Think about this promise from the Bible: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7 NLT).

The more I accept God’s control over my life, the more self-control he gives me!

© 2008 Purpose Driven Life. All rights reserved.

The Daily Show: Jones - John McCain's Big Acceptance Speech

celebrity report.......8-2-08

Bobby Brown is proving there is life after Whitney Houston. Brown has been dating his manager, Alicia Etheridge, for the past two years, and he says he is ready to make her his wife. Brown says he's in love and this time, he wants things to work out. Etheridge has been by his side during his run-ins with the law, his mild heart attack and his attempts to revive his career. No wedding date, but Brown says he wants it to happen soon.

Al Who? Star Jones has moved on. Yes! Star has a new man. Star was photographed making out with a handsome older guy at the recent U.S. Open. Star knew all eyes were on her, so she went in for the kill. They were tongue kissing in full view! She was so in control her wig didn't even blow in the breeze…. Go Star! She is determined to put her fiasco marriage behind her and find a new love. This new guy may be the one. His name is Herb Wilson, and he is a hotel chef. Star has been friends with him for years. Friends of Star say he is everything Al isn't: a hardworking man who doesn't like the spotlight. Ouch!

LL Cool J will be joining Janet Jackson on her fall tour. Look for the two at a city near you. In the meantime, LL Cool J's new kids clothing line is debuting at Sears this weekend.

Ruben Studdard has paid his taxes. Last week, Big Rube made headlines when it was revealed he owed the I.R.S. $200,000 from his American Idol winnings. Now that Studdard has paid up, he is ready to get back to work. He is doing the stage musical Ain't Misbehavin', based on the life of Fats Waller with Idol alums Trenyce and Frenchie Davis. He is also working on a new album with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.

Michael Jackson celebrated his 50th birthday quietly. Even though he's layin' low, he still loves lots of attention. There's a wild rumor going around claiming he's dating Pamela Anderson. Don't believe the hype! We know what she likes, and Michael is not going to give it to her. They both love publicity so they will enjoy the ride. There's also buzz about him appearing on the MTV Video Music Awards as a surprise guest. Michael needs to do something. He has no record label, no new album out and no tour plans. He owes his brothers a ton of money, so he stays away from his family. He is also homeschooling his three kids. Prince and Madonna both turned 50 this year. They are still touring and making money while Michael seems to be off in his own world.

Oprah is kicking off her 23rd season in an Olympic-sized way. Her season premiere is Monday, September 8th with Michael Phelps, his eight gold medals and 150 other Olympians. The welcome home will take place at the Chicago stadium which is hoping to host the Olympics in 2016.

O.J. Simpson had to find out the hard way: Don't Make A Black Woman Mad. Simpson, 61, had an altercation with his oldest daughter, Arnelle, 39, a couple of weeks ago that left him with a bashed head. Arnelle got fed up with her dad's drunk girlfriend. The girlfriend is a 32-year old alcoholic who loves taking Simpson's money. One night, Arnelle had had enough. Her dad's girlfriend is obviously using him for his money so she continued to get drunk. Arnelle spoke up about it, and her dad told her to shut up. Arnelle couldn't believe her ears. Why would her dad put this woman before her? Why does this woman get his money while her mother has to make ends meet by working at Wal-Mart. Arnelle went off on her dad, and she pushed him down. Well, she pushed him so hard, he fell back and cut open the back of his head. O.J. had to hospitalized, and he has been told to stay away from his oldest daughter.

Oscar Winner Cuba Gooding, Jr. will be starring in the TV movie Gifted Hands. The movie is about famed Neurologist Doctor Ben Carson. The movie will air next year.

Pepa is ready to tell all. Sandi "Pepa" Denton from Salt-N-Pepa is writing her autobiography. Pepa used to be married to Rapper Treach (Anthony Criss) from Naughty By Nature. Pepa says Treach used to beat her, and has never apologized for abusing her. They have a daughter. Pepa says despite their problems, he is a great father to their daughter. Pepa also talks about "Play" (Christopher Martin) from Kid 'N Play. Pepa says he used to tease her, and she beat him up. The mother of two will also detail her rocky relationships and her rise to fame with Salt N Pepa.

Will we ever see Singer Robin Thicke on the cover of Vibe magazine? In a recent interview, Thicke says despite his popularity on urban radio, the magazine won't grant him a cover issue. He says it's because he's white. He says he was turned down when his management requested a cover issue. Danyel Smith is the editor-in-chief of Vibe magazine and says this isn't so. She says they have a high level of respect for Thicke and his music, but if he checks Vibe's history, he'll see that white artists, while few, have graced the cover.

Golf Sensation Tiger Woods is expanding his family with his wife Elin. They already have a daughter Sam, who's one, and next year, they will be welcoming baby number 2.

Usher wants the ladies to check him. He's currently planning a fifteen city ladies only tour. Usher's mom wanted to come up with a way to get the buzz back on Usher, so she decided to go old school style. Back in the day, Teddy Pendergrass was known for his ladies only shows, and now Usher is using the same concept. No word yet on which lucky cities will be tour stops.

Ne-Yo has his money. A year ago, he was unceremoniously dumped from R Kelly's tour. Kelly claimed contracts weren't properly signed, but he was just jealous of the attention that Ne-Yo was getting. In a fit of jealousy, Kelly kicked him off their tour without warning, and Ne-Yo sued. A judge recently awarded him $700,000. Ne-Yo's new CD, The Year Of The Gentlemen, is coming out September 16th.

Cedric The Entertainer is headed to Broadway. The stage play American Buffalo, about small time crooks, also stars John Leguizamo. American Buffalo opens on November 17th.

Get ready for another Tyler Perry TV show. We've seen the play Meet The Browns and the movie version with Angela Bassett. Now get ready for the new TBS TV version. Meet The Browns, the TV show, debuts in January 2009 and will star David Mann as "Mr. Brown." Speaking of Tyler, his new movie, The Family That Preys, is set to open in theatres September 12th. The movie stars Alfre Woodard, Kathy Bates, Sanaa Lathan, Robin Givens, Taraji P. Henson, Rockmond Dunbar, Cole Hauser and Tyler Perry.

Singer Kenny Lattimore is coming out with a new album. The CD, Timeless, is due out on September 9th.

As the NBC drama ER enters its 15th and final season, look for some changes. Angela Bassett is joining the cast along with her husband, Actor Courtney B. Vance.

I Want To Take You Higher, The Life And Times Of Sly Stone is title of the new book about the famed musician coming out in October.

Poet and Author Dr. Maya Angelou is going to be honored along with TV Producer Norman Lear at the 2008 Annual Marian Anderson Awards. The ceremony honoring them is taking place November 17th at the Kimmel Center. Lear is best known for the TV classics All In The Family, Sanford & Son, The Jeffersons, Good Times and Maude. The award is named after the famed Contralto Marian Anderson, a Philadelphia native. Past honorees include Sidney Poitier, Richard Gere, Elizabeth Taylor, Gregory Peck, Oprah Winfrey and Harry Belafonte. Dr. Angelou and Lear go back a ways back. The doctor is godmother to Lear's youngest children.

The LaBelle reunion is set for October 21st with their new CD Back To Now. Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash are back together after 30 years. The new CD features production from Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff and Lenny Kravitz. Speaking of LaBelle, Anita Baker, Jennifer Hudson, Dionne Warwick, Yolanda Adams and Fantasia will all be on hand for the all-star salute to Patti LaBelle. LaBelle is being honored at the United Negro College Fund's Evening Of Stars. The program will air in January.

Sanford & Son, the popular 70's show, is coming out on DVD. The complete series, 17 discs containing all six seasons, comes out on October 28th. The late Comedian Redd Foxx starred as the grouchy junkman and Demond Wilson played his long-suffering son, Lamont.

Oprah Winfrey may make a surprise appearance at The Emmys. Word has it she'll open the show September 21st.

Singer Al Jarreau is hard at work on a new Christmas CD, which is coming out this fall.
Singer Robin Thicke is set to release his new CD, Something Else, in September. The CD features the hit single 'Magic.'

The 5th Annual VH1 Hip Hop Honors takes place in October.

Upcoming TV and Film Events:
A new best of compilation featuring the music of Tina Turner is coming out. Look for 'Tina' on September 30th.

Wayne Brady will be one of the hosts for the Rhythm And Blues Foundation's Pioneer Awards. Dionne Warwick, Bonnie Raitt and The Iceman Jerry Butler are also serving as hosts. The Rhythm And Blues Foundation's 20th Annual Pioneer Awards are taking place September 9th at The Kimmel Center. Honorees include Chaka Khan, Teena Marie, Bill Withers, Kool and The Gang, The Whispers, The Funk Brothers, The Late Singer Donny Hathaway, and legendary Stax Records Chief and Co-Owner Al Bell. For more info call 215-893-1999 or go to Rhythmblues.org

WHAT'S THE UNDERGROUND BUZZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This Superstar's wife is going to have to act fast. His momma is back in charge and has made it clear there is no room for her in his career.

He's married a superstar. Now he has to make sure she doesn't cheat on him and leave him in the cold.

Westmoreland calls Obama ‘uppity'

By Mike Soraghan
Posted: 09/04/08 03:07 PM [ET]

Georgia Republican Rep. Lynn Westmoreland used the racially-tinged term "uppity" to describe Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama Thursday. Westmoreland was discussing vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin's speech with reporters outside the House chamber and was asked to compare her with Michelle Obama.

"Just from what little I’ve seen of her and Mr. Obama, Sen. Obama, they're a member of an elitist-class individual that thinks that they're uppity," Westmoreland said.Asked to clarify that he used the word “uppity,” Westmoreland said, “Uppity, yeah.”Other Democrats have charged that the Republican campaign to paint the Illinois senator as an “elitist” is racially charged, and accused them of using code words for “uppity” without using the word itself.In August, Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-Nev.) told reporters, “When I hear the word ‘elitist’ linked with Barack Obama, to me, that is a code word for 'uppity.' I find it extremely offensive and John McCain should know better.”Political consultant David Gergen, who has worked in both Republican and Democratic White Houses, said on ABC’s "This Week" that “As a native of the south, I can tell you, when you see this Charlton Heston ad, 'The One,' that's code for, 'He's uppity, he ought to stay in his place.' Everybody gets that who is from a Southern background.”The Obama campaign, asked about the quote, did not note any racial context.“Sounds like Rep.

Westmoreland should be careful throwing stones from his candidate's eight glass houses,” said Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor.Campaigning against the first black major-party nominee has already created some problems for Republicans.Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) said that Obama's middle name – Hussein – is relevant to the public discourse surrounding his candidacy, saying in March that if Obama were elected, "Then the radical Islamists, the al Qaeda, the radical Islamists and their supporters, will be dancing in the streets in greater numbers than they did on Sept. 11 because they will declare victory in this War on Terror."At an April 12 event in his district, Kentucky Rep. Geoff Davis (R) said of Obama: “I’m going to tell you something: That boy’s finger does not need to be on the button. He could not make a decision in that simulation that related to a nuclear threat to this country.”Davis sent a letter of apology to Obama in which he described his remark as a “poor choice of words.”Westmoreland originally supported former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for the Republican presidential nomination. He now supports McCain, but missed an August fundraiser for the nominee because he was vacationing with his family.

Attacks, praise stretch truth at GOP convention

By JIM KUHNHENN, Associated Press Writer Wed Sep 3, 11:48 PM ET

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and her Republican supporters held back little Wednesday as they issued dismissive attacks on Barack Obama and flattering praise on her credentials to be vice president. In some cases, the reproach and the praise stretched the truth.

PALIN: "I have protected the taxpayers by vetoing wasteful spending ... and championed reform to end the abuses of earmark spending by Congress. I told the Congress 'thanks but no thanks' for that Bridge to Nowhere."

THE FACTS: As mayor of Wasilla, Palin hired a lobbyist and traveled to Washington annually to support earmarks for the town totaling $27 million. In her two years as governor, Alaska has requested nearly $750 million in special federal spending, by far the largest per-capita request in the nation. While Palin notes she rejected plans to build a $398 million bridge from Ketchikan to an island with 50 residents and an airport, that opposition came only after the plan was ridiculed nationally as a "bridge to nowhere."

PALIN: "There is much to like and admire about our opponent. But listening to him speak, it's easy to forget that this is a man who has authored two memoirs but not a single major law or reform — not even in the state senate."

THE FACTS: Compared to McCain and his two decades in the Senate, Obama does have a more meager record. But he has worked with Republicans to pass legislation that expanded efforts to intercept illegal shipments of weapons of mass destruction and to help destroy conventional weapons stockpiles. The legislation became law last year. To demean that accomplishment would be to also demean the work of Republican Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana, a respected foreign policy voice in the Senate. In Illinois, he was the leader on two big, contentious measures in Illinois: studying racial profiling by police and requiring recordings of interrogations in potential death penalty cases. He also successfully co-sponsored major ethics reform legislation.

PALIN: "The Democratic nominee for president supports plans to raise income taxes, raise payroll taxes, raise investment income taxes, raise the death tax, raise business taxes, and increase the tax burden on the American people by hundreds of billions of dollars."

THE FACTS: The Tax Policy Center, a think tank run jointly by the Brookings Institution and the Urban Institute, concluded that Obama's plan would increase after-tax income for middle-income taxpayers by about 5 percent by 2012, or nearly $2,200 annually. McCain's plan, which cuts taxes across all income levels, would raise after tax-income for middle-income taxpayers by 3 percent, the center concluded.

Obama would provide $80 billion in tax breaks, mainly for poor workers and the elderly, including tripling the Earned Income Tax Credit for minimum-wage workers and higher credits for larger families.

He also would raise income taxes, capital gains and dividend taxes on the wealthiest. He would raise payroll taxes on taxpayers with incomes above $250,000, and he would raise corporate taxes. Small businesses that make more than $250,000 a year would see taxes rise.

MCCAIN: "She's been governor of our largest state, in charge of 20 percent of America's energy supply ... She's responsible for 20 percent of the nation's energy supply. I'm entertained by the comparison and I hope we can keep making that comparison that running a political campaign is somehow comparable to being the executive of the largest state in America," he said in an interview with ABC News' Charles Gibson.

THE FACTS: McCain's phrasing exaggerates both claims. Palin is governor of a state that ranks second nationally in crude oil production, but she's no more "responsible" for that resource than President Bush was when he was governor of Texas, another oil-producing state. In fact, her primary power is the ability to tax oil, which she did in concert with the Alaska Legislature. And where Alaska is the largest state in America, McCain could as easily have called it the 47th largest state — by population.

MCCAIN: "She's the commander of the Alaska National Guard. ... She has been in charge, and she has had national security as one of her primary responsibilities," he said on ABC.

THE FACTS: While governors are in charge of their state guard units, that authority ends whenever those units are called to actual military service. When guard units are deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, for example, they assume those duties under "federal status," which means they report to the Defense Department, not their governors. Alaska's national guard units have a total of about 4,200 personnel, among the smallest of state guard organizations.

FORMER ARKANSAS GOV. MIKE HUCKABEE: Palin "got more votes running for mayor of Wasilla, Alaska than Joe Biden got running for president of the United States."

THE FACTS: A whopper. Palin got 616 votes in the 1996 mayor's election, and got 909 in her 1999 re-election race, for a total of 1,525. Biden dropped out of the race after the Iowa caucuses, but he still got 76,165 votes in 23 states and the District of Columbia where he was on the ballot during the 2008 presidential primaries.

FORMER MASSACHUSETTS GOV. MITT ROMNEY: "We need change, all right — change from a liberal Washington to a conservative Washington! We have a prescription for every American who wants change in Washington — throw out the big-government liberals, and elect John McCain and Sarah Palin."

THE FACTS: A Back-to-the-Future moment. George W. Bush, a conservative Republican, has been president for nearly eight years. And until last year, Republicans controlled Congress. Only since January 2007 have Democrats have been in charge of the House and Senate.

___

Associated Press Writer Jim Drinkard in Washington contributed to this report.

DETROIT MAYOR OFFERS TO LEAVE OFFICE: Kilpatrick also says he'll pay fine and perform community service in exchange for zero jail time.

(September 2, 2008)

*The Detroit News is reporting that Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is offering to plead guilty to one or two felonies, leave office, pay a fine and restitution and perform community service – all on the condition that he does not go to jail, a source close to his legal team said Sunday.
Frustrated by what they consider stubbornness by Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy in ongoing plea talks, the mayor's lawyers have offered to bring in facilitators -- perhaps a judge or well-respected legal figure -- to review the offer, the source said.
The hope is to persuade Worthy that the deal is "politically palatable" and similar to penalties anyone facing similar felonies would receive, the source said.
Worthy has consistently maintained Kilpatrick must do jail time. Last week, talks broke down when she suggested he serve four to six months as part of the deal that would resolve eight felonies stemming from the text-message scandal that erupted in January.
Kilpatrick, who spent one day in jail in early August, is willing to leave office but remains adamant that he doesn't want to serve more time, sources close to him said. He faces felonies that are punishable by 15 years in prison.

Unsatisfying Relationships

Some people stay in unsatisfying relationships just to be able to say they stayed. At times we stay simply because we are tired of walking away. Or we may stay for the "bragging rights," to be able to say, "I did my best! I tried really hard! I gave all I had to give!" Or we may stay hoping against hope that things will get better, that we will one day get what we believe we have given. Sometimes we stay just to prove we can stay. The question is, what are you really proving?

As children, we learn how to take a spanking. We learn how to run. How to hide. How to duck, dodge, and cover the various parts of our bodies to avoid the pain of a spanking. If we are lucky, we eventually master just what to do and how to do it to lessen the blows. The question is, what do you say about yourself when you show that you know how to take a beating?

In relationships, it is quite possible to stay long after it is healthy or wise to do so. But you can only duck and dodge for so long. You can only take so much. You can only master what you know is coming, which leaves you completely unprepared for new developments. To stay for the sake of staying could hurt you or get you hurt. Beyond the physical, mental, and emotional pain, there is damage that is done to your spirit. When that damage happens, there is no way to duck, run or hide from the pain.

In the past, you may have considered yourself brave for staying in a relationship or other situation because you knew how to stay. Starting today, be devoted to evaluating why you stay, what you must do to stay and whether or not staying is causing you spiritual pain.

celebrity report.......8-25-08

We Are Not Doing Drugs! We Don't Even Know How To Spell Cocaine! Well, maybe they know how to spell crack because something strange is going on with the Hailey Brothers (K-Ci and JoJo). At a recent show in Australia, the brothers were performing and JoJo passed out while K-Ci kept on singing like nothing ever happened. In a statement, the Hailey Brothers blamed his passing out on the flight. Then they claimed it was an epileptic fit. I say rehab immediately before someone dies.

The American Idol shakeup is the talk of the town. Another female judge is being added to the mix, and Paula Abdul is not happy. Songwriter Kara Dioguardi will be joining Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul for the 8th season of American Idol. Are the producers tired of the bizarre antics of Abdul? For the past few seasons, her weird behavior has been the elephant in the room. Is she drinking? Is she on drugs? Why is she acting crazy and out of it? In a statement, a very unhappy Abdul pointed out she is concerned about the audience and acceptance, and only time will tell if the audience accepts a new judge.

Ruben Studdard is having tax problems. The velvet teddy bear owes the I.R.S. over $200,000. He owes state and federal taxes and now has several property liens against him. In 2003, when he became the American Idol, he won a million dollars. What has happened to his money? Studdard recently got married, and sources say his wife is in shock. She can't believe they are starting off their marriage life in financial turmoil. Mrs. Studdard wants to start a family. She even had Ruben losing weight. But, what will they do now? Studdard is working on a musical based on the life of Fats Waller and a new CD with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.

The O'Neal reunion has hit a speed bump. Damn those jump offs!!!! No sooner do Shaq and Shaunie call off their divorce when a hoochie from the past comes forward to spoil the party. An Atlanta rapper has taken out a restraining order against Shaquille O'Neal. She claims once she broke off the affair this summer, he started stalking her and playing on her phone. She claims he would breathe heavy on the phone and email her threatening messages. The woman in question, Alexis Miller, is no stranger to restraining orders. She had one taken out against her last year from a woman who claimed that Miller was stalking her. A few years ago, Miller had another restraining order placed on a man she was seeing. Shaq has to face a judge next week to answer this charge of stalking. Is Miller just a woman scorned because Shaq decided to go back to his wife? Hmmmmmmm!!

Oscar Winner Morgan Freeman is finding out the hard way you don't mess with your wife's friend. Freeman stands to lose half of his estimated $80 million fortune because of his scandalous affair. Freeman is 71. His wife Myra is 64, and the jump off is 60. So who is this woman? She is a southern belle who was friends with Freeman's wife. She then went behind Mrs. Freeman's back and moved in on her husband. This is going to cost him big time in the end. Was this new girlfriend worth it? Meanwhile, the 48-year old woman that was in the car crash with him was just someone he picked up that night. Viagra must be making Freeman crazy.

Mel B is ready to get married again. The Spice Girl is going to renew vows with her hubby Stephan Belafonte. She is getting paid $400,000 by OK magazine to renew her vows. The ceremony is taking place in an Egyptian palace.

Everybody is buzzing about Faith Evans explosive new book. In the book, Keep The Faith, the singer talks about getting multiple abortions, dealing with an abusive boyfriend when she was in her teens and her stormy marriage Rapper The Notorious B.I.G. Evans thought nothing of beating up his girlfriends, including Rapper Lil' Kim. Evans also describes the start of her music career. She was a backup singer for Al B. Sure making $2,000 a week.

Cedric The Entertainer is headed to Broadway. The stage play American Buffalo, about small time crooks, also stars John Leguizamo. American Buffalo opens on November 17th.

Toni Braxton is determined to prove that she is not sickly. She will be competing on the new season of Dancing With The Stars, and she says she doesn't want to be treated differently. Earlier this year, Braxton had to abandon her Las Vegas show because of a heart condition. The new season of Dancing With The Stars kicks off September 22nd. Other contestants include Football Player Warren Sapp, Soap Star Susan Lucci and Socialite Kim Kardashian.

Happy birthday to the King Of Pop Michael Jackson. Michael turns 50 this week. How will the King Of Pop celebrate? He is expected to celebrate quietly. His family wanted to join him but he owes his brothers money, thousands of dollars, so don't look for a Jackson family reunion for his birthday.

Congrats to Reverend Run and his wife Justine. Their new book take back your family is number 15 on the New York Times Best Sellers List. The Simmons and their children star on the MTV reality show Run's House. The book is a great book for parents with its advice.

James Brown, Jr. is really a Brown. The money is about to be handed out regarding the James Brown Estate. Junior is the son of Brown's companion Tomi Rae Hynie, and now all the children can claim their share of the money.

Meanwhile, the Estate of Isaac Hayes is in question. He lost the rights to his music in the 70's. The big question now is what is going to happen to his young wife. Hayes was 65 at the time of his death. He left behind a 25-year old wife and two-year old son. This is in addition to his 11 other children and three ex-wives. What does the future hold for his young wife, and will she get a share of the Hayes estate.

Get ready for another Tyler Perry TV show. We've seen the play Meet The Browns and the movie version with Angela Bassett. Now get ready for the new TBS TV version. Meet The Browns, the TV show, debuts in January 2009 and will star David Mann as "Mr. Brown." Speaking of Tyler, his new movie, The Family That Preys, is set to open in theatres September 12th. The movie stars Alfre Woodard, Kathy Bates, Sanaa Lathan, Robin Givens, Taraji P. Henson, Rockmond Dunbar, Cole Hauser and Tyler Perry.

Is Oprah Winfrey tired of being a cover girl for her O Magazine. With sales and circulation down due to the economy, The Mighty O is considering stepping down as the main cover girl. O Magazine has been around since 2000. I can't imagine Oprah not being the cover girl.

After a six year absence, Maxwell is coming back and going on tour.

Regina King will be cast in the new NBC drama LAPD. King, best known for her roles in Poetic Justice, Jerry Maguire and as "Brenda" on 227, was recently seen on the FOX drama 24.

Whatever happened to Singer/Songwriter Siedah Garrett? She is best known for singing with Michael Jackson on the song I Just Can't Stop Loving You. She had the 80's dance hit Do You Want To Right Now, and she just won a Grammy for the song Love You I Do. Jennifer Hudson sang this song on the Dreamgirls soundtrack. She also sang Don't Look Any Further with Dennis Edwards. Well, Garrett is making her mark with her new line of luxury handbags. Siedah Garrett Designs is a favorite among Angela Bassett, Oprah Winfrey and Mariah Carey.

Singer Kenny Lattimore is coming out with a new album. The CD, Timeless, is due out on September 9th.

As the NBC drama ER enters its 15th and final season, look for some changes. Angela Bassett is joining the cast along with her husband, Actor Courtney B. Vance.

LL Cool J is getting ready to unveil his new children's clothing line. The line debuts September 7th at Sears department stores.

Will Downing is scheduled to appear on The Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon. Downing has been battling a form of MS and is still recovering. He will appear live via remote from New York. Downing says he learned a lot during his recovery, and he wants to be able to say thanks to those who helped him. The telethon airs Labor Day weekend Sunday, August 31st.

I Want To Take You Higher, The Life And Times Of Sly Stone is title of the new book about the famed musician coming out in October.

Poet and Author Dr. Maya Angelou is going to be honored along with TV Producer Norman Lear at the 2008 Annual Marian Anderson Awards. Lear is best known for the TV classics All In The Family, Sanford & Son, The Jeffersons, Good Times and Maude. The award is named after the famed Contralto Marian Anderson. Past honorees include Sidney Poitier, Richard Gere, Elizabeth Taylor, Gregory Peck, Oprah Winfrey and Harry Belafonte. Dr. Angelou and Lear go back a ways back. The doctor is godmother to Lear's youngest children.

The LaBelle reunion is set for October 21st with their new CD Back To Now. Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash are back together after 30 years. The new CD features production from Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff and Lenny Kravitz. Speaking of LaBelle, Anita Baker, Jennifer Hudson, Dionne Warwick, Yolanda Adams and Fantasia will all be on hand for the all-star salute to Patti LaBelle. LaBelle is being honored at the United Negro College Fund's Evening Of Stars. The program will air in January.

Sanford & Son, the popular 70's show, is coming out on DVD. The complete series, 17 discs containing all six seasons, comes out on October 28th. The late Comedian Redd Foxx starred as the grouchy junkman and Demond Wilson played his long-suffering son, Lamont.

Oprah Winfrey may make a surprise appearance at The Emmys. Word has it she'll open the show September 21st.

Singer Al Jarreau is hard at work on a new Christmas CD, which is coming out this fall.

Singer Robin Thicke is set to release his new CD, Something Else, in September. The CD features the hit single 'Magic.'

The 5th Annual VH1 Hip Hop Honors takes place in October.

Upcoming TV and Film Events:

A new best of compilation featuring the music of Tina Turner is coming out. Look for 'Tina' on September 30th.

WHAT'S THE UNDERGROUND BUZZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This Actress/Rapper is ready to be a mom. If and when she adopts, will she reveal her true lifestyle?

Jump offs beware!!! This sports wife is never leaving her husband. She doesn't care if he cheats as long as he stays with her and pays the bills. Nothing will make her lose her man!

Life is Now

No matter how much joy you've known, there is always more joy to be experienced. Each moment brings new possibilities for adding richness to life.

The best days of your life are never behind you, unless you choose to see them as such. For no matter how life has been, there will always be opportunities to experience more goodness.

Everything you know about has already happened, so it can be very easy to view life as nothing more than what is receding into the past. Yet life is infinitely more, because life is now.

By all means, hold firmly to the goodness you've already known and carry it forever in your heart. At the same time, open yourself fully to the positive possibilities that are yours right now.

Now is the moment to live. Now is the time for all that can be.

The sun is just now rising on the bright golden possibilities of this day. Life's great and beautiful promise is now.

3 Detectives Acquitted in Bell Shooting

By MICHAEL WILSON

Published: April 26, 2008

Three detectives were found not guilty Friday on all charges in the shooting death of Sean Bell, who died in a hail of 50 police bullets outside a club in Jamaica, Queens, in November 2006. The verdict prompted calls for calm from the mayor, angry promises of protests by those speaking for the Bell family and expressions of relief by the detectives.

Chang W. Lee/The New York Times

The detectives who were acquitted, Gescard F. Isnora, left, Marc Cooper and Michael Oliver, with Michael J. Palladino, president of the Detectives’ Endowment Association, at the union’s headquarters on Friday.

Todd Heisler/The New York Times

The Rev. Al Sharpton, left, and Valerie and William Bell, Sean Bell’s parents, leaving the courthouse after the verdict.

Detective Michael Oliver, who fired 31 bullets the night of the shooting and faced manslaughter charges, said Justice Arthur J. Cooperman had made a “fair and just decision.”

Justice Cooperman delivered the verdict in State Supreme Court at 9 a.m. Describing the evidence, he said it was reasonable for the detectives to fear that someone in the crowd that night carried a gun. He added that many of the prosecution’s witnesses, including Mr. Bell’s friends and the two wounded victims, were simply not believable. “At times, the testimony of those witnesses just didn’t make sense,” the judge said.

Several supporters of Mr. Bell stormed out of the courtroom, and a few small scuffles followed outside the courthouse. By midafternoon, there were no suggestions of any broader unrest around the city. Mr. Bell’s family and fiancée left without making any comments and drove to visit his grave at the Nassau Knolls Cemetery and Memorial Park in Port Washington.

The verdict comes 17 months to the day since the Nov. 25, 2006, shooting of Mr. Bell, 23, and his friends, Joseph Guzman and Trent Benefield, outside the Club Kalua in Jamaica, Queens, hours before Mr. Bell was to be married.

It was delivered in a packed courtroom. Mr. Bell’s family sat silently as Justice Cooperman spoke from the bench. Behind them, a woman was heard to ask, “Did he just say, ‘Not guilty?’ ” Detective Oliver and the two other defendants, Detectives Gescard F. Isnora and Marc Cooper, were escorted out a side doorway as court adjourned.

The acquittals do not necessarily mean the officers’ legal battles are over. Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly said the three men could still face disciplinary action from the Police Department, but that he had been asked to wait on any internal measures until the United States attorney’s office determines whether or not it would pursue federal charges against them.

The seven-week trial, which ended on April 14, was heard by Justice Cooperman after the defendants waived their right to a jury, a strategy some lawyers called risky at the time. But it clearly paid off.

Before rendering his verdict, Justice Cooperman ran through a narrative of the chilly November evening when Mr. Bell died, and concluded “the police response with respect to each defendant was not found to be criminal.”

“The people have not proved beyond a reasonable doubt” that each defendant was not justified in shooting, the judge said, quickly adding that the men were not guilty of all of the eight counts, five felonies and three misdemeanors against them.

Roughly 30 court officers stood by, around the courtroom and in the aisles. At one point as he read, Justice Cooperman paused to insist that a crying baby be taken from the courtroom. Immediately a young woman who appeared to be among the Bell contingent got up and left with a baby.

The Rev. Al Sharpton accompanied Bell family members to the cemetery, and said later that they will join him on Saturday at a rally protesting the verdict. He said he had spoken to the governor and the mayor, and that he believed a federal civil rights prosecution of the officers would be appropriate.

“This verdict is one round down, but the fight is far from over,” Mr. Sharpton said.

He promised protests “to demonstrate to the federal government that New Yorkers will not take this abortion of justice lying down.” He even raised the possibility of taking protests directly to Justice Cooperman’s home.

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg called for calm. “There are no winners in a trial like this,” he said. “An innocent man lost his life, a bride lost her groom, two daughters lost their father and a mother and a father lost their son.”

The mayor continued: “Judge Cooperman’s responsibility, however, was to decide the case based on the evidence presented in the courtroom. America is a nation of laws, and though not everyone will agree with the verdicts and opinions issued by the courts, we accept their authority.”

He added: “There will be opportunities for peaceful dissent and potentially for further legal recourse — those are the rights we enjoy in a democratic nation. We don’t expect violence or law-breaking, nor is there any place for it.”

Brendan McDermid/Reuters

The crowd gathered at the Queens Criminal Court building reacted to the verdict in the Sean Bell shooting trial.

Gescard F. Isnora, left, Michael Oliver and Marc Cooper, the defendants in the case.

A subdued Queens district attorney, Richard A. Brown, whose office prosecuted the case, said at a news conference: “Judge Cooperman discharged his responsibilities fairly and conscientiously under the law. I accept his verdict, and I urge all fair-minded individuals in this city to do the same.”

Commissioner Kelly, speaking in Brooklyn, would not comment on the verdict itself. But he did say that while there were no reports of unrest in response to the acquittals, the Police Department was ready should it occur.

“We have prepared, we have done some drills and some practice with appropriate units and personnel if there is any violence, but again, we don’t anticipate violence,” Mr. Kelly said. “There have been no problems. Obviously there will be some people who are disappointed with the verdict. We understand that.”

Detectives Isnora and Oliver had faced the most charges: first- and second-degree manslaughter, with a possible sentence of 25 years in prison; felony assault, first and second degree; and a misdemeanor, reckless endangerment, with a possible one-year sentence. Detective Oliver also faced a second count of first-degree assault. Detective Cooper was charged only with two counts of reckless endangerment.

All three of the detectives, none of whom took the stand during the trial, spoke at the offices of their union on Friday afternoon. “I’ve just started my life back,” Detective Cooper said.

During the 26 days of testimony, the prosecution sought to show, with an array of 50 witnesses, that the shooting was the act of a frightened group of disorganized police officers who began their shift that night hoping to arrest a prostitute or two and, in suspecting Mr. Bell and his friends of possessing a gun, quickly got in over their heads.

“We ask police to risk their lives to protect ours,” said an assistant district attorney, Charles A. Testagrossa, in his closing arguments. “Not to risk our lives to protect their own.”

The defense, through weeks of often heated cross-examinations, their own witnesses and the words of the detectives themselves, portrayed the shooting as the tragic end to a nonetheless justified confrontation, with Detective Isnora having what it called solid reasons to believe he was the only thing standing between Mr. Bell’s car and a drive-by shooting around the corner.

Several witnesses testified that they heard talk of guns in an argument between Mr. Bell and a stranger, Fabio Coicou, outside Kalua, an argument, the defense claimed, that was fueled by bravado and Mr. Bell’s intoxicated state. Defense lawyers pointed their fingers at Mr. Guzman, who, they said, in shouting for Mr. Bell to drive away when Detective Isnora approached, may have instigated his death.

Detective Isnora told grand jurors last year that he clipped his badge to his collar and drew his gun, shouting, “Police! Don’t move!” as he approached Mr. Bell’s Nissan Altima.

Other witnesses, mostly friends of Mr. Bell, said they never heard shouts of “Police!” Mr. Guzman and Mr. Benefield testified that they had no idea that Detective Isnora was a police officer when he walked up with his gun drawn.

Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones Remembered by Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Fmr. President Bill Clinton with establishment of a Scholarship Fund

As a tribute and perpetual remembrance of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, who died suddenly on August 20, 2008, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Former President Bill Clinton have established a scholarship with The Delta Foundation, the charitable entity of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Congresswoman Tubbs Jones’ death was caused by a ruptured brain aneurysm.

A five-term democrat who represented Ohio’s 11th Congressional District, the Congresswoman was a dear friend to the Clinton family and staunch supporter of Sen. Clinton in her recent campaign for the U.S. presidency. During the August 2008 Democratic National Convention, Sen. Clinton announced the establishment of the scholarship fund in honor of Congresswoman Tubbs Jones, the first African American woman to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio.

In a statement posted on Sen. Clinton’s senatorial website, the Clinton Family expressed: “Stephanie’s friendship meant the world to us, a friendship that deepened through every trial and challenge. We could always count on her to be a shoulder on which to lean, an ear to bend, a voice to reassure. Over the course of many years, with many ups and many downs, Stephanie was right by our side--- unwavering, indefatigable.”

Dr. Alison J. Harmon, president of The Delta Foundation, extends sincere appreciation to the Clintons for engaging the Foundation, to honor Congresswoman Tubbs Jones, a public servant who is most deserving. At the 2008 “Delta Days in the Nation’s Capital” political awareness event held in February, The Delta Foundation honored Tubbs Jones for her exceptional leadership as a representative in the U.S. House of Representatives. Tubbs Jones, a Delta since 1982 and member of the Greater Cleveland Alumnae Chapter, was also a long time supporter of The Delta Foundation.

Dr. Harmon encourages others-- Delta members, friends, colleagues, and constituents to recognize the life, leadership and legacy of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones by making a donation to the newly established scholarship fund.

Click on the link stephanietubbsjones.deltafoundation.net to make your contribution online.

Johnny Wright, Hairstylist of MIchelle Obama

Get ready to know the name Johnny Wright. A stylist at Frederic Fekkai, he's worked with famous beauties such as Anita Baker, Vivica A. Fox, Vanessa Williams, Selita Ebanks — and one very high-profile client, Michelle Obama. I'll share some of his easy hair tips later this week, but for now, read on to find out what's behind Michelle's style.

How did you start working with Michelle Obama?
It kind of happened on a whim, and I’ve been doing her hair now for a year. My agent out in New York booked me for her Ebony magazine shoot, and she liked it so much that she had her people book me. I actually just got a call today from her saying I’m booked with her for August a whole week — I’m going to do her hair in Denver.

Denver! Denver is important.
You know, I was very nervous with that particular booking. I was highly screened before I was even allowed to walk into her room — and I totally understand that. Whatever it took for me to be booked with her, she is a very normal person. She has two young children, and I think that her staying normal keeps them normal too. It’s just great working with her. She’s never picky; she never asks me for things I probably can’t do. She’s very understanding.

For the rest of the interview, plus a few tips on recreating Michelle's hairstyle at home, read more.

I met Senator Obama a few years ago and he was down-to-earth as well.
You know, I’ve been doing hair since I was 12 years old and I never thought that I would be in that type of world. Before this, I didn’t do anything about politics. I look at it as a blessing, because I pay attention much more now. I feel like I’m much more educated on how things go just from being with her and following the campaign.

Do you have any tips for recreating her signature hairstyle at home?
It’s pretty simple. The foundation of any hairstyle is the cut. That’s one thing we focus on doing very well here at Fekkai. With that, I am able to switch the hair into like maybe two, three different looks. We try not to give her too many different variations. People want to see her with the same style, especially when it comes to politics; there’s a lot of scrutiny when you’re in that arena.

I say go back to basics and just keep it simple. Sometimes I flat-iron her hair under, or I use a ceramic curling iron to flip it out at the ends a little bit. With a flat iron she’s going to be able to lock the moisture in the hair. Because she has to get her hair done so often, the flat iron is probably the best tool for her. For an updo, I might do some cascading curls according to how formal the event she’s attending is, but mostly I give her a clean sweep up.

Also, to keep her hair moisturized, I use the Shea Butter conditioner from Fekkai and Glossing Cream. It really keeps the hair moisturized. And Fekkai Coiff Anti-Frizz creme is excellent for that. It's probably one of my favorite products.

Dr. Dre's 20-Year-Old Son, Andre Young Jr., Found Dead

Cause of death is yet to be determined.

By Chris Harris, with additional reporting by Shaheem Reid

Andre Romelle Young Jr., the son of rapper and pioneering hip-hop producer Dr. Dre, was found dead in his Woodland Hills, California, home Saturday morning, according to Dre's representative. He was 20 years old.

An autopsy was conducted on Young's body Monday, but a cause of death has not yet been determined, pending the results of a toxicology report, a representative for the Los Angeles County Coroner's office told MTV News. The coroner's rep confirmed that an Andre Romelle Young Jr. passed away Saturday, but was uncertain if he was Dre's son; Dre's rep confirmed that information Tuesday (August 26).

Young was discovered in his bed at around 10:30 a.m. Saturday by his mother, who attempted to rouse him, the coroner's spokesperson said. Young was unresponsive, so she called paramedics, who responded to the scene. After their efforts to revive him failed, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to the coroner's spokesperson, Young had spent the previous evening with friends. His mother told police that he'd returned home Saturday at around 5:30 a.m., and that she'd heard him in his bedroom. Police said they did not suspect foul play.

A spokesperson for Dr. Dre issued the following statement Tuesday on the rapper's behalf: "Dr. Dre is mourning the loss of his son Andre Young Jr. Please respect his family's grief and privacy at this time."

An outpouring of support flooded Dr. Dre's MySpace page in the wake of his son's passing, with fans offering their condolences and wishing the family strength. "Our prayers are with you and your family," wrote one fan.