MY LATEST BLOG POSTINGS!

PIC OF THE DAY

4.30.2008

THEY'RE SO SELFISH

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McCAIN TRIES TO KEEP IT CLEAN


McCain said that the ads in NC picturing Rev. Wright next to Obama were wrong. He better watch it. Remember your base, Johnny. They like their white with a little anger down that way. McCain says N.C. Republicans out of touch over ad Markets Markets News Reuters

DNC to John McCain: North Carolina ad tests leadership : Los Angeles Times
CNN Political Ticker: All politics, all the time Blog Archive - McCain: Obama and Wright do not share views

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ENTERTAINMENT POST


So now I guess have 2 generations of teen mothers is a comedy?
Hollywood Reporter:'Bad Mother,' 'Crusoe' get leads
Andpop.com: Alicia Silverstone Making TV Comeback
Alicia Silverstone Is a 'Bad Mother' - 'Clueless' star joins ABC pilot, NBC casts its 'Crusoe' - Zap2it

I hate women that are ten years older than me and just have a baby still looking better than me!


We all enjoyed Stuff White People Like . Now enjoy Stuff Educated Black People Like. It's hilarious.

OMG! A season of 24 without any black main characters? This is the link to a cast picture for Day 7. ImageShack - Hosting :: final242008grouplyb5f10jf7.jpg. They better have some brothers or sisters come in during the season. 24 has been one of the few dramas that had meaty, leading roles for black characters whether they be presidents, villains, CTU agents or other assorted crazies doomed to death. Tony is back from the dead as a bad guy and we'll be getting a sneak preview this fall, the episodes that were taped for January. Can't wait.


BET is trying to step up its game with some new programming. I'm very, very psyched about the Marvel Comic "Panther" series. BET cages 'Black Panther' - Variety. Marvel Comics has signed a deal to turn one of its superheroes, the Black Panther, into a primetime animated series for BET, starting early next year. BET made the announcement at its upfront presentation in New York as the highlight of a batch of new series being readied for the 2008-09 season, under the supervision of Reginald Hudlin, president of entertainment for BET. In addition to “The Black Panther,” BET singled out “Brutha,” a docu-reality series featuring producer Jermaine Dupri and focusing on five brothers in a singing group “who learn just what it takes to navigate the treacherous terrain of the music industry.”

Last week we heard that the black hottie on CSI The Original was leaving the show and this morning we find out he was arrested for drug possession. Now, the sister from CSI: Miami, which is by far the best of the franchise, is leaving her show. Ausiello Scoop: Khandi Alexander is Leaving CSI: Miami
Tom Cruise's soon-to-be-hottie son is going to the big screen like his dad. He'll be playing a young Will Smith in one of Will's upcoming movies. The Cruise's & Smiths are good friends. Connor is 13. Connor Cruise Is Making His Big Screen Debut - People.com
One of them got married. Usmagazine.com Sister, Sister Star Tia Mowry Gets Hitched

And she got separated. Such are the perils of marrying a gay man. Usmagazine.com Star Jones Files for Divorce: "Star Jones has filed for divorce from her husband of three-and-a-half years, Al Reynolds, Entertainment Tonight reports. She filed March 26 in New York Supreme Court in Manhattan, according to ET."

I stopped watching ER about 5 years ago, but they've always had a good, diverse cast. This is a big win for them. Angela Bassett in at 'ER' "Angela Bassett will join the cast of the Emmy-winning medical drama as a regular next season. In her first full-time series gig, Bassett will play a tough attending with a troubled past who's coming back to Chicago after a few years in Indonesia doing tsunami relief. Her arrival in the second episode next season promises to shake County General's ER to the core."

John Edwards was great on The Colbert Report week before last. Check it out.







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ADVICE FOR OBAMA


I've been out with finals since last Wednesday, so most of this foolishness has gone without my notice, but I am aware that Rev. Wright is on a self-important tour with the added effect of hurting Senator Obama. Shameful. Roland Martin has some suggestions on how Obama can maintain his cred or get it back. Commentary: How Obama can get beyond Rev. Wright - CNN.com
Obama has denounced Rev. Wright; now must go on vigorous offensive
Obama must say he is running for president, not Wright
He must drive home issues like jobs, college costs, threats to Roe v Wade
Remind blue-collar, rural voters a McCain vote hurts their economic interests"


More on the issue:
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I'M OUT

4.22.2008


Hey all. I'm taking time off to study for finals next week, so I'll be very infrequent and might even go missing for a while. See you next week.


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BLACK HISTORY WEEKLY UPDATE


April 20 - In 1866 Fisk University in Nashville, TN opened

April 21 - In 1565 Black explorers with came to St. Augustine, FL with Menendez

April 22 - In 1970, Student protest at Yale support Black Panthers

April 24 - In 1950, the first black student entered the University of North Carolina

April 25 - In 1917, Ella Fitzgerald was born
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PIC OF THE DAY

CAMPING ON THE LAKE

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FINALLY


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STOP LOSS INCREASING


DOD data: More forced to stay in Army - USATODAY.com "The Army has accelerated its policy of involuntary extensions of duty to bolster its troop levels, despite Defense Secretary Robert Gates' order last year to limit it, Pentagon records show.


Gates directed the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the service secretaries to minimize mandatory tour extensions, known as 'stop loss,' in January 2007. By May, the number of soldiers affected by the policy had dropped to a three-year low of 8,540.


Since then, the number of soldiers forced to remain in the Army rose 43% to 12,235 in March. The reliance on stop loss has increased as the military has sent more troops to Iraq and extended tours to 15 months to support an escalation in U.S. forces ordered by President Bush. The increase last month was driven by the need to send more National Guard soldiers to Iraq."
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CHEROKEE FUNDING WITHHOLD

I'm still very angry at the Cherokee nation for this. TheHill.com - Frank sides with CBC, holds fast on Cherokee funding "Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) has threatened to block housing legislation for Native Americans if the final bill does not include a funding ban against the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma .

Frank shares a concern first raised by the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), whose members have proposed several measures to punish the tribe for changing its constitution last year to exclude the Freedmen — a group of largely black Americans who are descendants of freed slaves once owned by tribe members — from its ranks."
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PENTAGON 9/11 MEMORIAL

4.21.2008


Just in case you didn't know the Pentagon Memorial is still underway and the design is actually amazing. It has height ranges of all the victims. The youngest victim was 3 years old and the oldest was 71. What's even more interesting is the way their names are placed on the memorial. If you view a name that faces outward it means they were in the plane and if you view a name that faces inward it means they were in the building. It's a very sad, but beautiful memorial. It should be completed in September. If you can, please donate.
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ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION UPDATE


Money.cnn.com: How illegal immigration is dividing a town's business owners "Three years ago Celeste Martiniano Martinez, a Portuguese-American immigrant, sank her life's savings into opening this restaurant in downtown Riverside, N.J. Business was booming until the Riverside Township Committee unanimously passed the Illegal Immigration Relief Act, which made hiring or renting property to an illegal immigrant punishable by a $2,000 fine and jail time. Since then, immigrants have fled Riverside in droves, and now there are more chickens turning on Martinez's rotisserie than customers sitting at her tables."
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wltx.com Sheriffs Back Three Jails for Illegal Immigrants "South Carolina sheriffs back a plan to build three regional prisons in the state to hold illegal immigrants as they await deportation. Several sheriffs tell The Myrtle Beach Sun News that the plan would remove the inmates from overcrowded county jails, where they take up valuable space as they await officials to transfer them to the closest federal immigration court in Atlanta."
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50 percent of LA workforce are immigrants - UPI.com "Los Angeles is at the leading edge of a U.S. demographic trend, with half of its workforce immigrants, many of them unskilled and speaking little English. As baby boomers retire, the same pattern will emerge across the country, the Los Angeles Times reported Sunday. Demographers estimate that by 2025 most of the growth in the workforce will be from immigrants."
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A New View of Vacant Houses - washingtonpost.com "When Chris Pannell walks down the Prince William County street she has called home for all of her 39 years, she's dismayed by what she sees -- vacant houses -- and delighted by what she says she doesn't see -- illegal immigrants."
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CAMPAIGN 2008 POST


McCain offered up his taxes, but not his wifes. I think that 'common man' thing won't work as well as soon as everyone realizes that's she's a loaded heiress. FT.com / In depth - McCain faces accusations of hypocrisy
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My Way News - Obama reports $51M to start April; McCain raised $15M "Barack Obama began the month of April with a 5-1 cash advantage over a debt-saddled Hillary Rodham Clinton, setting the stage for his lopsided spending in the crucial primary state of Pennsylvania.

Financial reports filed Sunday by the Democratic presidential candidates with the Federal Election Commission show Clinton had $10.3 million in debts at the start of the month and only about $9 million cash on hand for the primaries. Obama reported having $42 million for the primary."

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My Way News - Obama greeted by largest crowd of his campaign "Barack Obama was greeted by the largest crowd of his campaign Friday night in Philadelphia. Some 35,000 people jammed into Independence Park to see the Democratic presidential candidate, four days before this state's crucial April 22 primary. Frank Friel, director of security at the Independence Visitor Center, made the official estimate. The crowd exceed the 30,000 who greeted Obama and Oprah Winfrey in December in Columbia, S.C."
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Obama's secret weapon: the media - Politico.com "Hillary Rodham Clinton and her aides have been complaining for months about imbalance in news coverage. For the most part, the reaction to her from the political-media commentariat has been: Stop whining. That’s still a good response now that it is Obama partisans — some of whom are showing up in distressingly inappropriate places — who are doing the whining. The shower of indignation on Charlie Gibson and George Stephanopoulos over the last few days is the clearest evidence yet that the Clintonites are fundamentally correct in their complaint that she has been flying throughout this campaign into a headwind of media favoritism for Obama."
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LOCAL NEWS OF INTEREST

WASHINGTON, D.C.
Burglaries Have Surged 21 Percent - washingtonpost.com: "Burglaries are on the rise in the District, with police blaming the souring economy as a contributing factor in a 21 percent increase in break-ins over the same period last year."

VIRGINIA
Alexandria Tax Plan Targets Payday Loans - washingtonpost.com: "Alexandria is proposing to impose a steep new tax on payday lenders operating within the city, but the industry is vowing to fight the measure. Under a plan proposed by City Council member Justin Wilson, the city would use the money to offer consumer education services to low-income people who are taking out the high-interest, short-term loans."
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PIC OF THE DAY

DUBAI - 14 YEARS APART
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ENTERTAINMENT POST

4.18.2008

Alicia Keys has already said her quote about rap, "There's another side to Alicia Keys: conspiracy theorist. The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter tells Blender magazine: "'Gangsta rap' was a ploy to convince black people to kill each other. 'Gangsta rap' didn't exist." was taken out of context. My Way News - Keys Talks About Her Conspiracy Theories
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I'm posting this only because the title Stereohyped gave it is hilarious! Get This M-Fing Interracial Couple Out of My M-Fing Neighborhood! You guessed right, Samuel Jackson is in yet another movie. This one stars Kerry Washington, who I love. From the trailer it appears that she moves in next door to him with her white husband. Jackson doesn't like the "white" part and starts to harass them. Things get out of hand, but they can't do anything because Jackson is also a cop.
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One of the hottest dudes on TV is leaving his show. Too bad. His character has really slipped of recent, but he was the only black guy on the show. Now the only hot one is the Japanese guy in the lab. Ausiello Scoop: Gary Dourdan Leaving CSI! - Ausiello Report TVGuide.com
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The black girl that has gotten the farthest on The Bachelor was booted this week.

The Bachelor says "Bye Bye, black girl!". Hmm, I wonder if her lasting this long has anything to do the Bachelor being from Europe and not America.
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I think Deion Sanders was a great player and very entertaining, but post-playing, he's just annoying, tacky & loud to me. He's a showboater, narcissistic and loves attention. He reminds me of a TV preacher that just loves speaking about Jesus and that's about where it ends. I guess if he was normal, he wouldn't get a reality TV show. At least his wife is pretty. What Else Is There for Deion Sanders to Do? Reality TV - New York Times. I don't like reality TV. It's so fake. However, I do like shows featuring real black families. So we had Run's House and now this one. The Food Network also has a black family show which is really cute.
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LOCAL NEWS OF INTEREST

EVERYWHERE BY WAY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
Stereohyped talks about how a New Hampshire trial for a brother led to a study that reveals that bias is particularly strong against the guilt of black men in court. She ask the question, Can A Black Man Get A Fair Trial In A State Like New Hampshire? Harvard professor Mahzarin Banaji, who created a popular computerized test that measures implicit racial bias, says probably not. Banaji is a witness in the pre-trial hearing of Michael Addison, a black New Hampshire man charged with capital murder for the shooting death of a white police officer. Of the thousands of people across the country who have taken her test, 88 percent of whites show bias against blacks. In New Hampshire, the statistics show a slightly higher bias. Addison’s lawyers brought Banaji in to testify because they say it’s impossible for their client to get a fair trial in a majority-white state like New Hampshire. Based on her findings, Banaji, who says this is the first trial for which she has felt comfortable testifying, agrees.

WASHINGTON, D.C.
My heart is broken. The D.C. Madame was convicted and this trial ends with a whimper. Woman convicted of running Washington prostitution service

LOUISIANA
I would initially say that murder is not unusual punishment for rape, but rape of a child is another thing. I read this story and I think this guy can't go soon enough. That baby was 8 years old. Rape a child, pay with your life, Louisiana argues - CNN.com

CALIFORNIA
Even though there are a lot of blacks & Hispanics in California, there are not a lot of of black & Hispanic doctors. This is a sad thing and can have several implications since some minorities, especially older ones are more comfortable with doctors of their own race. Minority doctors in short supply in state "A new study on physicians in California shows a glaring gap between the number of doctors of color compared with the state's ethnically diverse population, especially among African Americans and Latinos.

At the same time, the state has a disproportionate number of Asian and white doctors, according to the UCSF study, which focuses on doctor ethnicity and language fluency.
It found that out of nearly 62,000 practicing doctors in California, only 5 percent are Latino even though Latinos comprise a third of the state's total population.

Only 3 percent of doctors in California are black, compared with 7 percent of the state's overall black population. While Latinos and African Americans make up about 40 percent of the state's residents, fewer than 10 percent of California's doctors are black or Latino."

MICHIGAN
Kwame Kilpatrick got dissed at a recent city council meeting where he was supposed to speak, but the council voted not to even allow him to speak. Oh yeah, and there appears to be a member of the council wearing a tiara because it was her birthday. And yes, you would be right in thinking that she voted in favor of hearing Kwame talk.
Council rebukes mayor, refuses to hear his budget proposal Freep.com Detroit Free Press
Kwame Kilpatrick Tries To Hold On To Last Shred Of Dignity, Fails / Stereohyped

Also, brother says that the city will fall into "chaos" if he resigns. Really?
Kilpatrick: Leaving office would be 'chaos' for Metro Detroit
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JOHNSON STRIKES AGAIN


So I should pretty much create a "Ho, sit down!" series on Politopics and devote it exclusively to BET's Bob Johnson. Yes, he vomitted out another racial blast at Obama. Charlotte Observer - Johnson cites race in Obama's surge. He said that Geraldine Ferraro was right when she said that Obama was "lucky" because he was black and otherwise he wouldn't be where he was. Johnson is a black man and he knows that there is no such thing as being "lucky" to be a black man, especially not one with a Muslim name that rhymes with a terrorist and a middle name that rhymes with a brutal dictator.
Johnson has worked hard for everything he has and it took a while to get to $3 billion, but then took a few months to lose half of that in a divorce. Maybe he's jealous that Obama vaulted to the top so quickly. Regardless, it's not because he's back. American culture is full of "overnight" successes. By overnight I mean they've been working forever, but no one saw or cared so it seems like they just got lucky. This is so of people of all races and both sexes.
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PIC OF THE DAY

POPE WEARS RED PUMPS
(they're actually kind of cute)
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OBAMA CONTINUES TO GAIN

I'm thinking two things about this article about the AP/Yahoo poll. Political Pulse Ongoing Nomination Fight Hurting Clinton More Than Obama. It calls the fact that a majority of Democrats now feel that Obama has a better chance of beating McCain is a "dramatic reversal." I thought he was always the favorite there, at least before Rev. Wright came along. I guess the term "clear majority" means it used to be close and now isn't. The tracking poll says it was 63% to 14% in November 2007 in favor of Hills. Now it's 56% to 43% in favor of Barry.
Also, I agree with the idea that taking Obama out of that "I don't know him" category does better things for him than Hillary. His campaign has clearly stumbled in the last couple of months, but nothing compared to the internal misfits of the Clinton campaign and this poll shows that the longer this goes on, the worse it is for her. Yes, now that people "know him" some of it isn't good, but it is better than having no idea.
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WAR & MENTAL HEALTH


Nearly 1 in 5 troops has mental problems after war service - Yahoo! News "Roughly one in every five U.S. troops who have survived the bombs and other dangers of Iraq and Afghanistan now suffers from major depression or post-traumatic stress, an independent study said Thursday. It estimated the toll at 300,000 or more.

As many or more report possible brain injuries from explosions or other head wounds, said the study, the first major survey from outside the government. Only about half of those with mental health problems have sought treatment. Even fewer of those with head injuries have seen doctors."
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ODDS & ENDS

4.17.2008


According to this world population clock, World POPClock Projection, at some point during the month of May, the world's population will reach 6,666,666,666. Watch out.
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Single parenting and out of wedlock births do more than just create more obstacles to a kid's success. They take money out of your pocket. This lifestyle choice is pretty expensive, even for those who don't choose it. Study: Single parents cost taxpayers $112 billion - CNN.com
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This is just pretty awesome. Man (Re)Builds Mexican Island Paradise on 250,000 Recycled Floating Bottles » ecoble
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Quite a few states are eager to get started executing again. At least they aren't asking to go back to the electric chair. High court clears way to restart lethal injections - USATODAY.com
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ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION UPDATE


Legal Immigrants, Until They Sought Citizenship - New York Times. The Servanos are among a growing group of legal immigrants who reach for the prize and permanence of citizenship, only to run afoul of highly technical immigration statutes that carry the severe penalty of expulsion from the country. For the Servanos, the problem has been a legal hitch involving their marital status when they came from the Philippines some 25 years ago.
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The Associated Press: Phoenix Mayor Asks FBI to Check Sheriff The mayor wants the FBI to investigate whether the local county sheriff has violated any civil rights laws with his recent high-profile crackdowns on illegal immigrants. The "saturation patrols" have drawn protests from civil rights and immigrant-rights advocates, but they have drawn support from backers of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and from people who believe the government hasn't done enough against illegal immigration.
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The federal government's crackdown on factories employing illegal immigrants is triggering a backlash among local officials including Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who says the federal raids could damage his region's economy.
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Immigration agents detain hundreds at poultry plants - CNN.comU.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, along with the U.S. Department of Justice and an array of other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, raided chicken-processing plants in Texas, Florida, Tennessee, Arkansas and West Virginia, authorities said.
The sweeps were carried out against "foreign nationals ... who are suspected of committing identity theft and other criminal violations in order to obtain their jobs," according to ICE.
Pilgrim's Pride said about 400 non-management employees were detained.
The Pittsburgh, Texas-based company said it is accused of no wrongdoing in connection with the raids. It and the immigration-enforcement agency said Pilgrim's Pride "cooperated fully" with federal authorities.
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Some people are having a problem with local cops doing the work of ICE. New Jersey’s Immigration Crackdown - New York Times. Illegal immigration is inherently a matter for the federal government, but local police forces are increasingly conducting their own crackdowns. The police in some New Jersey towns have been aggressively looking for immigration violations and, predictably, it has been leading to abuses. The state should scale back police involvement in immigration enforcement.
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BLACK HISTORY WEEKLY UPDATE


April 13 - In 1964 Sidney Poitier won an Academy Award for "Best Actor."

April 14 - In 1775, the 1st Abolitionist Society organized in Philadelphia.

April 16 - In 1862, slavery was abolished in D.C.

April 17 - In 1758, Francis Williams, the 1st black college graduate, wrote a book of poems in Latin.

April 18 - In 1818, Indians & Blacks defeated in the battle of Sewanee

April 19 - In 1775, black & white minutemen fought together at Lexigton & Concord
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VIDEO OF THE DAY

WORLD'S CUTEST BOOKEND

See more funny videos at CollegeHumor
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OBAMA POST


There is a lot of foolishness out there. Here is some of it.

David Brooks thought that Obama wasted everyone's time with his latest economic speech becuase it wasn't focused on what technology is doing to our culture. A Speech About Nothing - New York Times. Barack Obama delivered a speech in Pittsburgh on Monday on the economic stresses facing American workers. In the speech, he devoted one clause in one sentence to the single biggest factor affecting the workplace: technological change. He then devoted 45 sentences to one of the least important: trade deals.

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Bob Herbert gives his take on Obama's bitter comment and it does offer a little perspective. I think its still making too much of a small thing, but this 24-hour news cycle demands constant controversy. Some Perspective on ‘Bitter’ - New York TimesBut there is something perverse in the effort to portray Senator Obama — who has tried hard to promote a message of unity and healing — as some kind of divisive figure. He has spoken with great insight and empathy, most notably in his race speech in Philadelphia, about the anxiety and frustration of middle- and working-class Americans.
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Here is the clip of Michelle Obama's appearance on Colbert. He was his usual trouble-making hilarious self and she picked up on the sense of humor. According to the comments at Digg, she's officially a FLILF. Digg - Michelle Obama on The Colbert Report
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A Congressman in Kentucky said the following when referring to Senator Obama
"That boy’s finger does not need to be on the button.” Needless to say, a few people took issue. He has apologized of course, but this jackass is on my list now.
Davis Didn’t Mean To Impugn That Boy’s Integrity / Stereohyped
The Enquirer - Davis sorry for 'boy' remark

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Why son't ESPN talk to Barry? They just cancelled on him again! Barack Obama is game, ESPN isn't. It's not the first time the sports network has canceled an appearance by the Democratic front-runner. Griped one source, "They landed the hottest politician in 50 years, and they couldn't even see the interview through? This is insanity." It's of interest that ESPN president George Bodenheimer has supported Republican Sen. John McCain's presidential bid with a donation of $1,000.
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PIC OF THE DAY

IF WOMEN RULED THE WORLD
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PA DEBATE


No, I didn't watch it. Look, we all have to have priorities and I really need to empty out some of my DVR because it has more than 60 hours on it and it won't record anything else until I get rid of some stuff. It certainly isn't as if I'm still debating who I want to vote for.

Based on the reviews, Obama was on the defensive and some say it was his worst debate performance ever, but polls are saying most people think he won the debate. Whatever. PA is coming up soon and if he can keep that lead under 10 points, he won in a way, especially after these last two really bad months for him.

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ALL MIXED UP

4.16.2008


I've mentioned before that I have nieces & nephews who are biracial. They are my sister's children with a white father. Both their families are proud of their heritage in this country and the country of their ancestors. For these kids, they don't feel a need to pick one or the other. They don't accept that everyone tells them they are black. It used to be that they had no choice; at least not outside their home or family. But these days, there are so many biracial children, especially in the Chicago suburbs where they live that they are able to be "biracial" and associate with whatever aspects of either culture they want to. Who Are We? New Dialogue on Mixed Race - New York Times

Older people get very uncomfortable with this because we're so focused on race that we just refuse to accept that this is possible. These kids have friend who are half white/black, Asian/black, Asian/white, Hispanic/black, etc. My niece's current "boyfriend" is half black & half Jewish, so there is a mixture of religions as well. They have kids who are black & brown but have white parents. Mixture is the norm for them and it will only increase as America gets browner and browner. When they reach an age where they take over as definers of American culture, the rest of us are going to be the ones who get weird looks when we call them black or white or whatever.

For these kids, Obama's candidacy takes on a whole different meaning. This is a man who identifies with black because, as with the rest of his generation, there was never a choice and accepting both was too far beyond the prejudices of black & white Americans. But when you look at the TIME article on his mother and read about his grandparents, you can't ignore it (although I'm sure many will try to) that this man is just as white as he is black. That makes a lot of people uncomfortable, but it is reality. My niece said, "He's one of us."
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McCAIN POST

I didn't see McCain at the NAA conference. I was out "hosting" some members very late and decided to skip it. I heard he got a very big applause, especially when he expressed his support of the Shield law which is very important to us media folks. Very. Those who were there said he was very relaxed.


However, all the news isn't good.
McCain Supporter Obviously a Racist / Stereohyped
John McCain’s Avoiding Blacks Like The Plague / Stereohyped
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ODDS & ENDS & RACE

Michelle Obama should have been part of the crew filming this Katrina Documentary. It won a prize at Sundance, but the studios don't want it. Presumably its because its all black people and they wanted to see more whites. Not Enough White People In Prize-Winning Katrina Documentary? / Stereohyped
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There is a new ethnic search engine out there called RushmoreDrive.com which says it will help you discover "more." What do you think? Stereohyped has a sample of comparison searches and the results are different. Have You Been Waiting For An Ethnic Search Engine? / Stereohyped
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Some people just need to...I don't even know what to say. They just need to...you know. Michelle Malkin » NAACP celebrates the freedom to shout “God damn America”
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CLINTON POST


I did go to the Hillary luncheon. Of all three candidates, I only got to see the one I know I'm not voting for. Whatever. It was free food & cheesecake. She did a good job as usual, but was very subdued. She only got applause when she mentioned support for the Shield law. I took some pictures and might post them later if I have time.

I like how she was recently booed at a campaign event for taking another dig at Obama. They're sick of this. I thought it was very interesting that, during this entire speech, she didn't mention McCain or Obama. She focused all her attacks on President Bush.







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PIC OF THE DAY

NEW & OLD EGYPT
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OBAMA POST


And no, I didn't get to see Obama either. I'm going to study law this summer in Europe and I had to go to an orientation meeting at the same time he spoke. I was bummed, but that was okay. I saw him in Vegas at NABJ and I saw him in Chicago a couple of years ago. The crowd wasn't as enthusiastic as with McCain, but it was more packed. They sold tickets out, but made more tables available later. The old "Obama bin Ladin" thing is just ridiculous and I'm not even interested in talking about it.

Presidential electioneering up close - Times-Standard Online
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I'M OUT!

4.14.2008


Hey all. I'm in the district all day at a conference. I'll be seeing McCain speak in about an hour and Obama speak at lunch. Clinton is speaking tomorrow. I won't be posting until Wednesday.

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ENTERTAINMENT POST

4.11.2008

Check it out. It looks like Shaq and his wife showed up at the Ali party this past weekend together and looked all loved up. I wonder if someone is rethinking the divorce? Bossip » Getting That Old Thing Back---------------------
Ebony's "Power 150" list is coming out Monday as part of the May issue and many of the familiar names are on there. Below is a snippet of the list but there are...well, obviously 150. While entertainment is the largest list, as usual, business, politics & law are the real "power" lists.

POLITICS AND LAW - Everyone in Congress, every Mayor and Deval Patrick of MA and David Paterson of NY. Stereohyped.com points out that Detroit's mayor is noticeably absent.

PUBLIC SERVICE - Interesting gathering on this list, including Bill Cosby and Al Sharpton. Okay.

BUSINESS - More celebrities on this list but for a good reason - they're running stuff. Lots of black CEOs including The Man, Ken Chenault at AMEX and John Thompson still holding it down at Symantec.
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Is it true that marriages where the woman is a lot more attractive than the man are more successful? Why Beautiful Women Marry Less Attractive Men - Yahoo! News. And the real question is are we supposed to believe it is just a coincidence that this article comes out the week after Beyonce & Shawn Carter get married? . Yeah, right. Shawn did well. He got a beautiful woman worth millions who is ambitious and seems very devoted to him. I wish them all the happiness in the world and pray the babies look like Bey.
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PIC OF THE DAY

Here is what gets me. Lisa Bonet is a pretty woman and Jason Momoa is wicked hot, but they both choose to look like homeless people. Why? Why are celebrities always doing this? Because they can?At least the baby is cute.
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OBAMA LOVES THE LADIES

Obama is quietly stealing the ladies away from Hillary and this commercial, currently running in PA and NC has the women in his life telling other women why they should vote for him. His wife, daughters, nana and sister are in it. He looks very presidential. Obama Brings Out, Goes For The Ladies / Stereohyped


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BLACK HISTORY WEEKLY UPDATE


April 6 - In 1909 Matthew Henson reached the North Pole. In 1931, the Scottsbor Boys went on trial.

April 7 - In 1712, 9 whites were killed in a slave revolt in NY City

April 8 - In 1974, Hank Aaron set a new home record

April 9 - In 1866, the Civil Rights Bill passed over a presidential veto. In 1898, Paul Robeson was born.

April 10 - In 1833, Ira Aldridge won critical acclaim for his role in Othello

April 11 - In 1947, Jackie Robinson played in his 1st game

April 12 - In 1787, a Free African Society was organized. In 1861 Confederate attack on Fort Sumter opened Civil War.
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THE EDUCATION OVERHAUL IS UNDERWAY


While some are not so crazy about the new D.C. Chief of Police, I have high hopes for the D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee. She seems like she is serious and ready to get down to business. Fenty's hope is that they can turn the D.C. School system into a model for public schools all over the country. That's a lot of work. 700 Teachers Are Offered Buyout - washingtonpost.com "D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee said yesterday that the school system will offer buyouts to as many as 700 teachers nearing retirement or working at 50 schools slated either for closure or an academic overhaul. In introducing the program, called the Teacher Transition Award, city and school leaders said they recognize the widespread uncertainty expressed by many teachers over what likely will be a tumultuous new school year. In the fall, Rhee plans to close 23 schools and reorganize 27 others where students have repeatedly lagged on the system's standardized tests, two initiatives that are expected to displace numerous teachers."
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D.C. MADAME UPDATE

Remember our favorite D.C. Hooker story from 2007? Well it's back and wants our attention. The trial of the D.C. Madame is on and I would have to say the sordid highlight was a 63 year old woman talking about how she was an "employee" when she was 51. Still getting it done at 51? Good for her. Milbank's story is about how the women who worked for her are getting humiliated and exposed, clients like Senator David Vitter looks like he's going to get by without even a slap of the wrist. Dana Milbank - The D.C. Madam Case, All Sordid Out - washingtonpost.com
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I.D. THEFT & TAXES


As identity theft continues to grow at alarming rates, so do problems with fraudulent filing with the IRS. Identity thieves tax the system - USATODAY.com "Federal Trade Commission complaints involving tax returns linked to identity theft rose to 20,782 in 2007, up 158% since 2003. Similar complaints to the IRS Taxpayer Advocate jumped to 3,327 in federal fiscal year 2007, up 644% in three years."
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OBAMA'S MAMA


I couldn't help it. Sorry. The TIME cover of the week is about the Senator from Illinois' mother. The cover picture of her holding him up is cute. The Story of Barack Obama's Mother - TIME. The story talks about her as a woman sort of before her time. The writer also suggest that Barack didn't like so much that his mother moved around so often and believes this is why he sought stability in his home life and didn't have Michelle & the girls move to D.C. He also credits her independence as a reason why he sought out a strong, accomplished woman like Michelle.


A friend of mine says this is interestingly timed and believes it is a part of a desire to remind white America that he is also one of them. That's way too cynical to me. His American story is quite unique and I considering he's so new on the national scene, people are eager to know more about him personally. When Clinton was running for POTUS in 1992, there were dozens of stories about his hillbilly mama and his upbringing. He did not come from the stuff that people would think could make a President and that made him more interesting.
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NAACP PROBES DISPARATE SENTENCING

4.10.2008


Does the NAACP have a case here? They are protesting the sentences of four bank robbers because the white female robbers got much shorter sentences than their black male partners. Sounds SUSPECT to me. Maybe the men were being punished for also being with white women? Looking at the situation, this is probably not the case. It looks like they were charged in accordance to their role in the crime and prior history. NAACP wants probe into bandit sentences - Yahoo! News


Last month, Cobb County Superior Court Judge Mary Staley sentenced 20-year-old Heather Johnston to 10 years probation after she pleaded guilty to a charge of theft by taking in the 2007 heist. The judge gave 19-year-old Ashley Miller two years in jail and eight years probation. Both women are white. Michael Chastang, 28, was sentenced to 10 years for being the mastermind of the robbery, and bank teller Bennie Allen III, 23, who pleaded guilty, was sentenced to five years. Both men are black. Chastang also is serving 15 years on unrelated drug-trafficking charges and Allen was on probation for a drug conviction.
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PIC OF THE DAY

Dreams Of Falling
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PLACING BLAME IN HIP HOP


This will be interesting. Who will the media hogs support? They'll likely stay silent because all the characters here are black and they're only interested when it has an interracial theme. I have compassion for this kid and he has a right to sue the people who attacked him and if50 Cent was somehow involved, him as well. Unless they were employees of Universal, I'm not sure how they can go after the company for his attack. Maybe for influencing gangster lifestyle in general, but not for his individual attack. Can you make a case for that? I would love for people to be able to go after the record companies in addition to the rappers.

In the end I think a court will find that it was the parents of those kids who are responsible for promoting a lifestyle to their children or combating the lifestyle promoted outside of their home, not 50 Cent and Universal. 50 Cent and Universal sued for pushing gangsta life Reuters "Hip hop mogul 50 Cent, Universal Music Group and several of its record labels were sued on Wednesday for promoting a 'gangsta lifestyle' by a 14-year-old boy who says friends of the rapper assaulted him. The lawsuit filed by James Rosemond and his mother, Cynthia Reed, says Universal Music Group -- owned by Vivendi SA -- and its labels Interscope Records, G-Unit Records and Shady Records, bear responsibility for the assault because they encourage artists to pursue violent, criminal lifestyles."
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CAMPAIGN '08

More pressure for Condi to run with McCain. I still think its a bad idea. CNN Political Ticker: All politics, all the time - Blogs from CNN.com "In a new poll conducted by Marist College and WNBC, a McCain-Rice ticket would beat a ticket that includes both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in New York — a state that reliably votes for the Democratic candidate. (In 2004, John Kerry beat President Bush there by nearly 20 points. In 2000, the margin between Al Gore and Bush was an even higher 25 points.)"


While he shows ambivalence about who he will select, it seems more and more clear to me that General Powell will vote for Obama even if he won't formerly endorse him. ABC News: Powell Praises Obama, Fears Afghanistan 'More Difficult' Than Iraq "'I'm looking at all three candidates,' Powell said in an exclusive interview with Diane Sawyer for Thursday's 'Good Morning America' on ABC. 'I know them all very, very well. I consider myself a friend of each and every one of them. And I have not decided who I will vote for yet.'"

Also, he cautions us about the situation in Afghanistan, the war that most Americans agreed with, which is getting worse and could end up being more of a problem than Iraq.
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LOCAL NEWS OF INTEREST

TEXAS
This is horrifying story and its only one of many religious sects started by complete psycho pedophiles. Thank goodness for Sarah, who was strong and smart enough to know this is wrong even after having been brainwashed that it was right for 16 years. There was a bed in the temple. What a monster. Affidavit: Teen bride identifies suspect as 'spiritual' husband - CNN.com


VIRGINIA
This is an interesting article on behaviors in students based on race. You can see why some are upset over it, but if the analytics are pure, is it the study they should be mad at. Behavioral Study on Students Stirs Debate - washingtonpost.com "For public schools in the No Child Left Behind era, it has become routine to analyze test scores and other academic indicators by race and ethnicity. But the Fairfax County School Board, to promote character education, has discovered the pitfalls of applying the same analytical techniques to measures of student behavior, especially when the findings imply disparities in behavior among racial, ethnic and other groups."
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OHIO
I know this man is a coward and his whole letter plan of a attack is totally weak, but I had to share this story because of his choice of the word "affiliate." For some reason that just cracked me up. Seriously though, you probably don't want to send death threats to a Supreme Court Justice. Ohio man accused of threatening Clarence Thomas, other black men - USATODAY.com
An Ohio man was charged yesterday with threatening a Supreme Court justice and other well-known "African-American males known to affiliate with white females," according to the Justice Department.
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CURRENT ECONOMIC APOCALYPSE UPDATE


Although I can barely count past single digits, my economic prediction is that this recession will hit harder than expected. I'm not sure about a depression, but it will get worse than it is now. And when it is over, the class divide will be larger than it is now. As you can see from this article, the current gap is widening and much of it is because the middle class if shifting in two directions. Money.cnn.com: Harder to handle widening income gap in recession - Apr. 9, 2008
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SWWNBN SHARES SOME CRAZY

4.09.2008


She Who Will Not Be Named has vomited up a little more crazy on Obama, comparing him to the man who started a world war and killed millions of people. She also says that we should be as weary of DREAMS FROM MY FATHER as we we should have been of MEIN KAMPH. Sounds about right. She also said that Clinton would torture people, I guess anybody, which I'm assuming would make SWWNBN like her even more. Ann Coulter Compares Obama To Hitler, Says Clinton Would Enjoy Torturing People / Stereohyped

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PIC OF THE DAY

Race Relations - Can't We All Just Get Along?
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LOCAL HAPPENINGS


MARYLAND
Many people were unaware of the toll Katrina took on house pets in 2005. Hundreds died because they were left behind and even more were never claimed again. The housing crisis in MD is less serious, but pets are also suffering as a result. Losing a Best Friend Along With the House - washingtonpost.com "The families started coming in during the winter, parents and kids gathered in the cramped lobby of the Montgomery County Humane Society shelter to hand over their pets. It's a largely hidden consequence of the housing meltdown: a spike in the number of animals being turned in or abandoned as families are forced from their homes."

WASHINGTON, D.C.
Good Looking Out D.C. D.C. police set to monitor 5,000 cameras - The Washington Times "D.C. officials are giving police access to more than 5,000 closed-circuit TV cameras citywide that monitor traffic, schools and public housing — a move that will give the District one of the largest surveillance networks in the country. 'The primary benefit of what we're doing is for public health and safety,' said Darrell Darnell, director of the city's Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, who announced the initiative along with Mayor Adrian M. Fenty yesterday."


TEXAS
More lawsuits over reverse racial discrimination in college admissions. Last I checked in a state as big as Texas, top 12% wasn't a guarantee of anything. Racial admissions criteria: Suing in Texas.Project director Edward Blum, an activist against race preferences in Houston before he moved to Washington, D.C., said Fisher, who is white, will graduate in the top 12 percent of her class next month but learned in late March that she was not accepted at UT-Austin.
The lawsuit doesn't challenge the top 10 percent law, which guarantees admission to those who finish in the top 10 percent of a Texas high school's graduating class. Instead, it contends that UT-Austin unlawfully uses racial and ethnic criteria to select other students. White Sugar Land teen sues UT over admissions rule Chron.com - Houston Chronicle
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OLYMPIC PROTEST


I love freedom of speech. While some say that the games shouldn't be made political, they must forget that politics is has been a part of the Olympic stage forever. This is a primary opportunity to bring attention to the human rights issues of the Chinese people and especially of Tibet. Although I don't advocate a violent protest or disruption of the actual competitions, I am glad to see the protests. It matters.

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LISTEN TO THIS GUY


AMEX CEO, Ken Chenault (with wife Kathryn & some other people here) gives his take on the credit crisis and a few other topics. Whatever he is saying, trust me when I tell you that you want to listen to him. CEO Forum: AmEx chief talks about credit's future - USATODAY.com. AMEX is pretty awesome. It has maintained its brand as a higher level of credit companies and done well with it. However, the article mentions that AMEX is at risk if things continue to get worse, which I think all the economist have said it will. How will he handle it? Will they call for his head? Although AMEX's Board doesn't allow him to advocate for a candidate, Mitt Romney is a friend of his from their days together at Harvard Law & Bain and he contributed to both Obama & Hillary's campaign.
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YOUR TAX DOLLARS


Government Credit Card Misuse Found - New York Times "Federal employees charged millions of dollars for Internet dating, tailor-made suits, lingerie, lavish dinners and other questionable expenses to their government credit cards over 15 months, Congressional auditors say."



Federal employees used government credit cards to pay for lingerie, gambling, iPods, Internet dating services, and a $13,000 steak-and-liquor dinner, according to a new audit from the GAO, which found widespread abuses in a purchasing program meant to improve bureaucratic efficiency.
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ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION UPDATE


How's that Border Wall Coming? Immigration, Outsourced - New York Times "Not content to botch immigration policy all by itself, Congress has handed large parts of the job to others to mishandle. It gave the homeland security czar the czarist powers to overturn any law and ignore any court to seal the border. Now Michael Chertoff is clear-cutting a forest of regulations to wall out Mexico by the end of the year. And through the program known as 287(g), his agency is parceling out duties to a growing number of local police and sheriff’s departments, raising an army of junior deputies in the war on illegal immigrants."


Another ICE raid in Loudon County. This is of interest to me because I love the Lansdowne Resort. The brunch is awesome and the golf course is pretty good. 59 Immigrant Hotel Workers Arrested in Raid - washingtonpost.com "Federal immigration officials said they arrested 59 foreign-born workers in a raid yesterday at the Lansdowne Resort in Loudoun County. The officials said the detainees, all from Latin America, were suspected of having used fraudulent or stolen documents to obtain jobs at the hotel and golf resort."
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HERE IS YOUR INVOICE, IRAQ


Remember when Paul Wolfowitz said the war in Iraq would pay for itself in oil? Yeah, me too. Now, the Dems want to see if it can at least pay for the rest. Good luck. We should have done this 5 years ago. My Way News - Democrats Want Iraqis to Use Oil Surplus "Democrats plan to push legislation this spring that would force the Iraqi government to spend its own surplus in oil revenues to rebuild the country, sparing U.S. dollars.
The legislation follows a recommendation by Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, that the Bush administration halt troop withdrawals in July. Petraeus on Wednesday was wrapping up two days of congressional testimony in which he has said security gains in the war zone are too fragile to promise further drawdowns."
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UNREST RETURNS TO KENYA


What happens in Kenya matters throughout all of Africa. It is supposed to be a beacon of what Africa can be. If Kenya doesn't work, then Africa doesn't have much of a chance, does it? Unrest in Kenya as Peace Plan Falters - New York Times "Riots erupted in Kenya on Tuesday as opposition leaders announced that they were suspending talks with the government over a stalled power sharing agreement. According to witnesses, dozens of young men stormed into the streets of Kibera, a sprawling slum in the capital, Nairobi, lighting bonfires, ripping up railroad tracks and throwing rocks at police officers in a scene reminiscent of the violence that convulsed Kenya in the wake of the Dec. 27 election."
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WHAT IS RIGHT WITH BLACK MARRIAGE

4.08.2008


After getting tired of hearing all the news about the sad state of black marriage in the inner cities of America, some folks at Louisiana State decided to talk about what is good about black marriage, using 30 successful couples living in inner city conditions. There are lessons to be learned in this study for those of us planning to get married and even you guys that have already tied that knot. Hat Tip: Stereohyped.



Four key themes rose out of the interviews:
1. Challenges to African American Marriages
Approximately one-half of African Americans – and 24 out of the 30 interviewed couples – live in inner-city neighborhoods typified by poverty, deficient schools, unemployment, street violence and high levels of stress. It is difficult to get married and stay married in such an environment.

2. Overcoming External Challenges to Marriage
Due to their stability, these marriages serve as a primary source of support for those around them. “Knocks of need,” or calls for financial, emotional and social support, come to these couples in a seemingly disproportionate amount. The couples’ household incomes weren’t high by national standards but they typically had more liquid assets than their neighbors – at least until they shared.


3. Resolving Intramarital Conflict
Like all relationships across racial and economic boundaries, each couple reported arguments, disagreements and generally being “different” from one another, but they found ways to work through their conflicts.


4. Unity and the Importance of Being Equally “Yoked”
90 percent of the couples interviewed were actively religious in the same church. Only three of the couples did not regularly attend church, instead choosing to spend Sundays home together. However, the single common factor found was that every couple was in agreement about their religious views, whatever they might be. The couples referred to this as being “equally yoked.”

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ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION UPDATE


Some problems are arising under Prince William's County new crackdown on illegal immigration. I certainly hope they can work this out because I think this will be a good model for other counties to follow in helping their states deport illegal criminals. Detainee Program Strains Va. Jail - washingtonpost.com: "A highly touted partnership between the Prince William County jail and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is showing signs of strain, as crowding at the facility has hit an all-time high and federal agents are taking weeks -- not the agreed-upon 72 hours -- to pick up illegal immigrant suspects, jail officials said."
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Homeland Security Chief, Michael Chertoff, says that there should be no law that interferes with securing our nation's border, but some groups are challenging that assertion in court. Challenges Arise to Border Fence Project - New York Times "Last week, Mr. Chertoff issued waivers suspending more than 30 laws he said could interfere with “the expeditious construction of barriers” in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas. The list included laws protecting the environment, endangered species, migratory birds, the bald eagle, antiquities, farms, deserts, forests, Native American graves and religious freedom."
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LOCAL NEWS OF INTEREST


LOUISIANA
The housing crisis is hitting the gulf coast homeowners who had been given a longer grace period on their mortgages (or lowered payments) so they can put their money into rebuilding their homes. But those grace periods have ended and a lot of homeowners can't afford it and will likely lose their houses.
Katrina victims face foreclosure - USATODAY.com "Homeowners trying to rebuild from the floods of 2005 are increasingly facing a new adversary: foreclosures. As housing repair bills mount, so does the pressure to make their primary housing payments. Foreclosures have hit nearly every pocket of the U.S. hard, so mortgage problems are everywhere. But they've hit particularly hard here because so many Gulf Coast residents have set aside so much of their incomes and financial aid for repairs made necessary after Hurricane Katrina."


KANSAS
Over at The Moderate Voice, Holly In Cincinnati updates us on those crazy, devil people and their God Hates Gays church that terrorizes the families of dead soldiers. They could lose their property. God is good. Couldn't Happen to Nicer Folks.
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COMIC OF THE DAY

Something Atheists & Christians Can Agree On

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THE TROOPS SPEAK


Something that I'm not used to hearing is the troops in Iraq telling the news who they plan to vote for. ABC News: Whom Are Our Troops Endorsing? Though the military is not supposed to engage in partisan political activity, these soldiers spoke out about their personal endorsements, and their opinions are likely to matter. In 2004, 73 percent of the U.S. military voted for a presidential candidate, and officials believe it may be even higher this time around.
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GOT MLK?

Jon Stewart does an awesome take on how the presidential candidates exploited the anniversary of MLK's assassination. The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Hilarious.

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WAIT....WHAT?

4.07.2008


Swedish company, Absolut, wants us all to drink to Mexico reconquering the entire U.S. Southwest? What did they think American response would be? We'll see if Mexico can make up for the lost U.S. sales. I wonder if they were wondering the same thing when they issued an apology. Los Angeles Times : Mexico reconquers California? Absolut drinks to that!




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AFRICA MAKING MONEY


Bloomberg.com: African Economies May Grow on Average 6.2% in 2008, Report Says "African economies are expected to grow by an average of 6.2 percent in 2008, up from 5.8 percent last year, in spite of a slowing world economy, according to a new report from the United Nations and the African Union.

High prices for commodities such as oil, minerals and coffee are fueling Africa's growth, which has also been boosted by increased private capital flows, debt relief, and improving economic management, said the report, which was jointly issued yesterday by the AU and the UN's Economic Commission for Africa in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa."
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BLACK BUSINESS POST


When BET Founder Bob Johnson isn't calling Obama a drug addict, he is actually share some useful and valuable insight to young, black entrepreneurs. Minority markets remain untapped, BET founder says Charlottesville Daily Progress "The secret of Johnson’s success, he said, was that he was the first minority entrepreneur to offer an emerging technology to minority consumers. Young minority businesspeople, he said, ought to find an unexplored niche and become known as the “first mover.”

“Everybody remembers that Jackie Robinson was the first black baseball player,” he said. “Nobody remembers the second.”

If a minority entrepreneur gains this “notoriety” and a reputation for success, he said, opportunities will roll in for years to come.

“We’re getting calls because we have the brand of being first,” Johnson said, referring to a firm he co-founded that owns 114 hotels in urban areas. “We’re out there. We’re first. We’re known as value-adders.”"
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BLACK RADIO


With a black(ish) man running for President - for real this time, black radio is taking advantage of the opportunity to broaden its reach and raise its profile. How Black Radio Found Its Voice - TIME "'For the first time the candidates are using black radio in a significant way — they used to make their black radio rounds during the week leading up to the November election and that was it,' says Joyner, a 36-year radio veteran. 'The only time that ever came close was when Jesse [Jackson] ran in 1984. This election is forcing the candidates to reach out to the black community and talk about issues that matter to us. We hope that this continues with future elections.'"
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PIC OF THE DAY

BEHIND YOU!
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POTUS CANDIDATES UPDATE


WRAL News Poll: Obama Has Double Digit Lead in N.C. :: WRAL.com "Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama has a commanding lead over Hillary Rodham Clinton in North Carolina, but he might face greater difficulties than she against likely Republican nominee John McCain in the general election."
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It's all tied at 45% in PA. American Research Group "Barack Obama leads Hillary Clinton 53% to 36% among men (46% of likely Democratic primary voters). Among women, Clinton leads 52% to 39%. Clinton leads 52% to 36% among white voters (80% of likely Democratic primary voters). Obama leads 89% to 9% among African American voters (16% of likely Democratic primary voters)."
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More rumors that McCain is planning to pick Condi as his VP. I don't believe it for a second, because she has made it clear she doesn't want to do this. Second, with the country's opinion of the Bush administration where it is now, McCain would be better off not holding on to any of those relics. Political Radar: Dan Senor: Condoleezza Rice Is Pursuing the VP Spot

And BTW, Oliver Stone has picked Thandie Newton to play Condi in his movie, "W." Uhm....okay. I get it. Because they look so much alike. Why would he pick someone so much younger with no possible resemblance? I assume since its Stone, he wanted to go the sexy route to further some illicit affair conspiracy type of thing. If so, I will watch it. If its going to be the truth, then I won't waste my time. Thandie Newton, Ioan Gruffudd cast in 'W'
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After the whole Bosnia thing, you'd think Clinton would vet her stories better. This isn't her fault. She was told the story as opposed to mis-remembering it, but still doesn't look good. Ohio Hospital Contests a Story Clinton Tells - New York Times "“We implore the Clinton campaign to immediately desist from repeating this story,” said Rick Castrop, chief executive officer of the O’Bleness Health System. Linda M. Weiss, a spokeswoman for the not-for-profit hospital, said the Clinton campaign had never contacted the hospital to check the accuracy of the story, which Mrs. Clinton had first heard from a Meigs County, Ohio, sheriff’s deputy in late February."
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Why is that the American people already know what Greenspan & Bernanke seem too timid to admit. Greenspan continues to say we need a negative in growth, not just a slowing or stall. He also endorsed John McCain for POTUS. More than 50 percent chance of U.S. recession: Greenspan - Yahoo! News

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McCain says that despite all this escalating violence in Iraq, we are going in the right direction. McCain: Iraq no longer abyss of defeat - Yahoo! News "Disregarding a serious flare-up of violence, Republican presidential candidate John McCain says the United States is 'no longer staring into the abyss of defeat' in Iraq, opening a campaign week that will draw him and his Democratic opponents back to Washington to question commanding Gen. David Petraeus about the conduct of the unpopular war."
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A lot of people in the Clinton camp are happy to hear this. They didn't like him before he became a pain in the neck for the campaign. Top Clinton Aide Leaving His Post Under Pressure - New York Times "Mark Penn, the pollster who has advised Bill and Hillary Clinton since 1996, stepped down under pressure on Sunday as the chief political strategist for Mrs. Clinton’s struggling presidential campaign after his private business arrangements again clashed with her campaign positions."
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WHO IS BUYING AMERICA SERIES

What happens when foreign companies buy American factories? They all shut down and ship the jobs out of the country, right? Well no, some do and some don't and this is another aspect to the changing economy across the country, but especially so in Michigan. Some factories end up decimated and others thrive. When Foreigners Buy Factories: 2 Towns, 2 Outcomes - New York Times "Foreign capital is putting more American businesses in the control of major enterprises based in Europe or Asia. It is also creating jobs, some of them in emerging areas like alternative energy, where prospects for expansion may be greatest. And it is aiding the growth of American exports, a source of vigor in an economy hobbled by a collapsing housing market."
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POLITICAL ODDS & ENDS

4.04.2008

While some politicians spend thousands of dollars on prostitutes, their spouses or relegated to discount whores. What a double standard. Unfair. Nation Of Cheapskates: Thrifty Senator's Husband Only Spends $150 On Prostitute!

According to the most popular drug addict radio host in America, if you are a woman and you like Hillary, it's because you've killed a baby at least twice. I guess if you're a man and you like her, you're gay? Don't get mad at me. I'm just trying to stay consistent with his crazy. Rush Limbaugh: Women Love Hillary Because They've "Had Two Or Three Abortions"

This is not in the U.S., but I thought it would be entertaining to see how Londoner's react to finding out their mayor is totally ghetto. He has 3 kids by 5 different women. Mayor Of Sex: London's Mayor Announces He Has Five Children
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PIC OF THE DAY


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OBAMA IS BROKE?

Obama is slipping folks. In February he raised $55 million. In March he only raised $40 million. What a loser. Obama's fundraising outpaces Clinton's - Yahoo! News

Quarterly Fundraising Totals: Broke Loser Obama Raises Only $40 Million In March

To make matters worse, he has been smoking since he promised he'd quit. Between this and the bowling thing, I just can't condone further supporting of this candidate. He Cheats With His Human Foibles: Barack Obama Has Smoked Some More Cigarettes!
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FOR THE LAZY PEOPLE

For us lazy people, this is a God-send. Inventions: Selfy the Easy Bed Makes Itself for You .
Now the bed doesn't look comfortable, but what is more important is that I don't have to spend the 1 minute it takes for me to tidy it up in the morning. However, like most cool inventions, this bed looks like it could kill you by either smothering or choking.
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STUFF I READ TODAY

4.03.2008

The people at Dubai are not going to take well to this. Mile High: 5250-Foot Tower Will Make Burj Dubai Look Like Pencil. Honestly guys, no matter what you do, you can't reach God. Give it up.

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Google had a bit of a time on The Hill not long ago. While discussing immigration worker issues, a rep said that the company had many black employees. This set off a lot of "I hate Google because they won't hire me" blogs who said there are no black people there in professional positions and most of the Black Googler Network events have more whites than blacks at them.

Well, here is proof that they have at least one black professional. I love Google. Maybe I have more faith in them than I should. Politics: Google hires black lobbyist to appease black Congress members
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Facing South wants us to remember that this talk about a recession is really only for white America because blacks in America are always in a recession. Agree? I have a lot of problems with the phrase "forced to tolerate." What does that mean? Facing South: Black America is in a permanent recession In the best of times, many African American communities are forced to tolerate levels of unemployment unseen in most white communities. The 2001 recession pushed the white annual unemployment rate up from a low of 3.5% in 2000 to a high of 5.2% in 2003. During the same period, the black unemployment rate shot up from 7.6% to 10.8%.
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POTUS CANDIDATE LOVE LETTERS


This is a funny little bit on the escalation of animosity between two of the most civil presidential candidates this country has had since...I can remember. In this situation, I have to blame Obama for causing this mess. He got ugly right away. Obama-McCain Letters: From Hope To Hatred - Political Machine

Here are the first two exchanges:

Dear Senator Obama,Congratulations on your election. I hope we can work together on campaign-finance reform and other pressing bipartisan issues, my friend.

Warmly,John McCain

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Dear Senator McCain,Thanks for your kind note. I look forward to working with you in leading the country to a new future. Also, "hope" is my word.

Your Friend,Barack Obama
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PIC OF THE DAY

The Most Beauty Is Found In The Simplest Things

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GRADUATION CRISIS


We all heard about how horrible the graduation rates are overall yesterday when the most recent report came out, but especially for our inner cities. It's worse than I believe most of us thought. U.S. Orders Consistency On Graduation Rates - washingtonpost.com. Everybody has to work harder at forcing education on the top of the list of their governors & representatives in Congress for their state. We will all pay the price in the future if we don't this tide. No matter what other issue you deem as most important, it is still affected by education. And parents need to work harder on their kid's homework with them. Even when we got past the young age where they would help us with our homework, Daddy would always ask us if we did all our homework, but Mommy would make us show it to her. Are parents still doing this?
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LOCALS NEWS OF INTEREST

4.02.2008

MARYLAND

Maryland is another state in the quest to bailout homeowners and many states are planning to follow their lead. Sweeping Bills Passed To Help Homeowners - washingtonpost.com "Components of Gov. Martin O'Malley's legislation package cleared the Democratic-controlled General Assembly yesterday, and other bills advancing in it were widely expected to pass as soon as this morning. O'Malley (D) could sign some of the bills into law this afternoon, and the emergency measures would take effect immediately. The bills include making the most egregious mortgage schemes subject to criminal prosecution, extending the foreclosure timetable from 15 to 150 days and prohibiting prepayment penalties and transactions in which homeowners are tricked into signing over their houses to third parties."


CALIFORNIA
There aren't a lot of black people in San Fran and maybe its because they're all dying. At least the city is acknowledging that 70% of deaths being attributed to such a small percentage of the population is a problem and something needs to be done. 2008 is becoming a very deadly year for black men in The City - Examiner.com Of the 22 homicide victims this year, 15, or 70 percent, were black men and one black woman, according to the MOCJ.
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ALL KINDS OF STUFF

The thunderous applause at the return of Rev. Wright. What if a white preacher had been taped blaming blacks for HIV and returned to his church to a thunderous applause? Hmmm .'Deafening' applause for Rev. Wright as he returns to Chicago church - USATODAY.com ------------------
This is your money people. Not one system or three or four. 95! GAO Blasts Weapons Budget - washingtonpost.com


The GAO found that 95 major systems have exceeded their original budgets by a total of $295 billion, bringing their total cost to $1.6 trillion, and are delivered almost two years late on average. In addition, none of the systems that the GAO looked at had met all of the standards for best management practices during their development stages.
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Things are getting close in PA. Wouldn't it be heaven if he won? Take that Hills! I doubt he will, but if these polls hold, he'll be close enough to minimize her victory. Rasmussen Reports™: Pennsylvania Democrat Presidential Primary

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in Pennsylvania shows Clinton leading Barack Obama by just five percentage points, 47% to 42%. For Clinton, that five-point edge is down from a ten-point lead a week ago, a thirteen-point lead in mid-March and a fifteen-point advantage in early March.

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Ward Connelly is continuing his efforts, which were successful in Michigan, to get rid of Affirmative Action. Affirmative Action Foes Push Ballot Initiatives - washingtonpost.com Foes of affirmative action, which is meant to address current and historical inequities, delivered 128,744 signatures to Colorado authorities earlier this month. Similar organizations in Arizona, Missouri, Oklahoma and Nebraska are circulating petitions as civil rights groups and educators are mobilizing to defeat the measures.
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More arguments on how integration was probably worse for blacks than previously taught. Everyone wants to reflect on the races being next to each other, but if you are in a system where one race has an advantage, what is the benefit to the other race in just being around them?
How integration led to the decline of black-owned businesses - Charleston City Paper
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PIC OF THE DAY

MORE FOOD ART



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LOCAL ISSUES OF INTEREST

MASSACHUSETTS
I would sue him for this return B.S., but I have a hard time feeling sorry for people who buy his books in the first place. wbztv.com - I-Team: Feds Investigate Infomercial King "And when Janis tried to take advantage of the 30-day money back guarantee, she got another surprise. 'They said to me, 'You're over your thirty days'. So I said no, I just got this book on December 24th and they said it goes by the date it's shipped and it was shipped November 27th.'"

GEORGIA
"An Atlanta, Georgia, judge who ordered white lawyers out of his courtroom so he could lecture African-American defendants called that decision a 'mistake' Tuesday night." You think? Judge admits mistake in kicking whites out of court - CNN.com

FLORIDA
More slavery apologies. Fun...fun...fun...The demand for reparations will be following shortly. Florida Legislature Apologizes for State’s History of Slavery - New York Times

VIRGINIA
Ouch! Loudoun Approves Jump in Tax Rate - washingtonpost.com "The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, struggling with a sudden downturn in the housing market and a population that grows ever larger, approved a 19 percent increase in the property tax rate yesterday that will send the average bill soaring by more than $300 this year."
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PRISON POST


Prisons in America are a big, big business. Is it a good thing that corporations are taking over control from the government? Does this bode well for certain races of prisoners than others? And how exactly can prison be considered slavery when you have to commit crime to get there and for slavery you only had to exist?
SignOnSanDiego.com -- Company wants to build a mega-prison in county
America’s New Slavery: Black Men in Prison
The prison industry in the United States: big business or a new form of slavery?
Schumer wants to boost black men's job readiness - democratandchronicle.com
GoErie.com: Pew Center study on black prisoners demands Obama's special touch
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BLACK HISTORY WEEKLY UPDATE

March 30 - In 1870, the 15th Amendment was ratified.

March 31 - In 1797, Famous black Britain, Olaudah Equiano, died without seeing Africa again. In 1878, Jack Johnson was born.

April 1 - In 1950, Charles Drew, developer of blood plasma, died.

April 3 - In 1950, Carter G. Woodson dies.

April 4 - In 1968 MLK was assassinated in Memphis. In 1928, Maya Angelou was born.

April 5 - In 1856, Booker T. Washington was born a slave in Virginia.
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CURRENT ECONOMIC APOCALYPSE

It seems odd to me that some are still resisting the R-word. For many of us, we're more concerned about the D-word. With food stamp usage at an all time high and foreclosures basically shutting down entire cities, what difference does it make that the Dow went up 400? Wall Street Shows Optimism That Crisis Is Fading - New York Times. It's already down today because the Fed finally admitted that we will likely have a negative growth quarter soon.

Mortgage defaults force Denver exodus - USATODAY.com "Foreclosures are ripping through the rows of new homes in the flatlands where Denver turns to prairie. Every week, 10 more families here need to find someplace else to live."
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Survey of managers shows jobs picture isn't exactly rosy - USATODAY.com "In another sign of a stagnant economy, relatively few companies have plans to hire more workers over the next three months, according to a survey of employers released Wednesday."
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Could an economic lesson from Sweden work in the U.S.? - USATODAY.com As U.S. officials hunt for solutions to what many economists are calling the most serious financial crisis since the Depression, they might draw lessons from another painful and costly banking emergency.
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ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION UPDATE


This editorial, A Foolish Immigration Purge - New York Times, says that Bush's decision to purge American companies of its illegal workers is really going to hurt our nation's economy in an already hard time. This process sounds totally fair to me as long as the government can sufficiently fix any problems for legal workers within 90 days.

"That would be the effect of its decision to press ahead with a bad idea: to force businesses to fire employees whose names don’t match the Social Security database. The purge is part of a campaign — along with scattershot workplace raids and the partial border fence — to make a show of tackling the broken immigration system.

The plan rests on the assumption that people with Social Security glitches are illegal immigrants using fake identities. Companies that receive “no match” letters warning of database discrepancies are given 90 days to clear them up. After that, they must fire the affected workers or face stiff penalties."
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Purging our prisons of criminal illegal immigrants and deporting them to their home countries (which is all those on both sides can agree on) can save states a lot of money, but it can also cost a lot to identify them and deport them.

Deporting some immigrant inmates a big break for states - USATODAY.com "Programs in New York and Arizona aimed at cutting the prison sentences of certain immigrant inmates so they can be deported faster have federal officials urging other states to adopt similar policies. Officials in the two states say they have saved millions by turning over for early deportation some non-violent immigrant criminals who have served at least half of their sentences. Eligible inmates include both legal immigrants who committed certain crimes and illegal immigrants."

304,000 Inmates Eligible for Deportation, Official Says - New York Times "The head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Julie L. Myers, said the annual number of deportable immigrant inmates was expected to vary from 300,000 to 455,000, or 10 percent of the overall inmate population, for the next few years. Ms. Myers estimated that it would cost at least $2 billion a year to find all those immigrants and deport them."
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