Gary Coleman Has Died!

This is very sad news,indeed.The very troubled actor,Gary Coleman has died at the age of 42.The "Different Strokes" star suffered an intracranial hemorrhage after a fall at his home.So far,his wife is not commenting on what happened.I hope that Gary Coleman will finally be able to rest peacefully.

Alicia Keys Really Is Pregnant!

I thought it was just speculation,but apparently I was wrong.Alicia Keys really is pregnant.Her baby will not only know how to bang out some "Keys" on the piano.That child is going to be making some "Swizz Beats" as well.Even though she snared him while he was still married,I believe that these two are in perfect harmony.Both of their names denote the fact that they are musicians.I wonder what they will name their child.

Rapper 50 Cent Really Does Look Sick!

Rapper 50 Cent lost over 50 pounds for a role in a movie that he authored. And he looks very,very sickly. He is portraying a cancer victim & I guess he really submerged himself into his latest role. In "Things Fall Apart",I hope his acting skills matches the physical effort that he has obviously put into this part. Because, thus far, 50 cent has not shown himself to be a great thespian thus far. If there was an Oscar for extreme effort,he would definitely get the nomination. Dude really looks terrible.And,yes,he does looks like DMX.

But, DMX may even look better than 50 Cent right now. Who ever thought that would happen?

Here's more from Celebrity Smack:

"50 Cent’s weight loss total = a whopping 54 pounds! He went from 214 to 160 pounds. How did he do it you ask? He went on a strictly liquid diet and walked on a treadmill for 3-hours a day, for more than 2 months.

Wow, just wow. 50 doesn’t even look like the same guy since losing all that weight! Bitches everywhere are going to be hitting up the liquids and treadmill walking, heh.

In the movie, Things Fall Apart, 50 plays a football player who gets diagnosed with cancer.

In the pic above I think 50 Cent looks a bit like DMX, no?"(END OF EXCERPT) Read more here.

Christopher "Dudus" Coke's Extradition Causes A State Of Emergency In Jamaica!

The U.S. wants Jamaican don,Christopher "Dudus" Coke. Now that Prime Minister Bruce Golding has agreed to extradite Coke,all hell has broken loose on the streets of Kingston. Supporters of Dudus are literally fighting to keep that from happening. It's really going down in Kingston town.

Here's more from The Jamaica Gleaner:

"Coke, according to key police sources, manages a network of criminal associates across the island, the Caribbean, North America and the United Kingdom.

Dudus is benefactor to many persons who depend on him to send their children to school, buy food and, most important, settle disputes beyond Jamaican borders.

But the United States authorities say a big portion of the wealth Dudus spends so freely comes from the illegal drug trade, while

many of the guns on the streets of Jamaica are brought here through his criminal network.

"Dudus runs the most sophisticated drug ring in Jamaica," a senior cop told The Sunday Gleaner, although he could offer no explanation as to why local police had not arrested and charged him in connection with any major crime.

"Dem man deh big and have links on both sides of the political fence, even though you know him support the JLP (Jamaica Labour Party)," said a rookie cop who entered the force with the bright idea that he could be the one to arrest and prosecute some of the island's crime kingpins.

"The senior man them already tell me say some man bigger than me, so all if me see Dudus with a spliff (ganja cigarette), me fi just mek him gwaan," added the rookie.

power of the man

That is an indication of the power of the man, and if there was any lingering questions about the reach of Dudus - who is wanted in the United States to answer gun and drug charges - those should have disappeared in the past few days.

The extradition request for Dudus is threatening to put an end to the political life of a prime minister, has already caused the resignation of a government senator, and has led to questions about the credibility of an administration that came to power with great expectations less than three years ago.

In addition, it has reduced commerce in downtown Kingston to a fraction of its regular performance, forced the army to call out the National Reserve, and caused the police to engage in planning an information strategy that has never before been seen by or commandeered the full attention of the entire nation.

If that were not enough, the spin-off from the extradition request has led the US to issue a travel alert for Jamaica, caused Britain and Canada to issue travel advisories for their nationals, and has the international media flooding Jamaica with calls for information.

While widespread rumour has it that CIA operatives have flooded Jamaica on account of the Coke issue, The Sunday Gleaner can confirm that international law-enforcement agencies and national-security partners have been keeping a close watch on the Dudus drama.

outside plea?

The Member of Parliament for West Kingston - the home base of Dudus - Prime Minister Bruce Golding, has appealed to the residents of Tivoli Gardens to remain calm and allow the extradition request to go through the courts.

However, the appeal, delivered from the Office of the Prime Minister on Friday, sounded more like an outsider pleading for cooperation rather than the man in charge of the constituency.

Of note, Golding did not say to the residents, 'Remove the many fortified blockades that you have erected!, an order that if issued by Dudus, would take place in minutes.

Hundreds of residents of West Kingston took to the streets last week to voice their support for Dudus and, while some joined the crowd out of fear that they would be targeted if they did not participate, many were out because of a genuine love for the 'President'.

"After God, then Dudus," read one placard. "Jesus died for us so we will die for Dudus," read another, and these were not idle sentiments.

The police are hoping that lawyers representing Coke will convince him to turn himself in and if that does not work, the security forces are adamant that they will arrest him. But as that drama plays out, an entire nation holds its collective breath as one man holds a country hostage."(END OF EXCERPT) Read the rest here.

Another "Real Housewives" Marriage Disintegrates!

Eric Snow has filed for divorce from his wife,Deshawn Snow. She used to be on the "Real Housewives of Atlanta."

Now,when the countess from "Real Housewives of New York" got dumped by her count,it was no surprise because her husband was hardly ever home anyway. But, Eric Snow seemed to dote on his big spending wife.

I guess I should have known that he would grow tired of Deshawn Snow's lust for lavishness. Although she seemed nice on the surface,Deshawn Snow was truly shallow. There seemed to be no depth to her at all.That's probably why people found her to be so boring to watch.

Here's more from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

"Former NBA player Eric Snow has filed for divorce from his wife DeShawn Graves Snow, a former star of "The Real Housewives of Atlanta."

Eric Snow filed divorce papers in Fulton County Superior Court on Wednesday. The two have been married for 12 years but are currently separated. They live in Alpharetta.

There is "no hope of reconciliation," the court papers state.

In the documents, Eric Snow has requested that he and DeShawn Snow have joint custody of their three children, Eric Javon Snow; Darius Michael Snow; and Jarren Christopher Snow.

On her website, DeShawn Snow refers to Eric Snow as her college sweetheart. She also lists attending a National Basketball Wives Association and All-star Gospel Brunch event during NBA All-star weekend in Dallas in February.

Eric Snow was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in 1995. He played for several teams, including the Cleveland Cavaliers. He is now an analyst for NBA-TV.

The first season of RHOA started with Eric Snow as one of the captains of the Cavaliers and DeShawn Snow as an extremely active Atlanta socialite, sitting on the board of three different charities and running her own non-profit that focused on improving self-esteem in teenage girls.

She hosted two charity benefits -- one in front of RHOA cameras -- to little success.

After being criticized for failing to get in the middle of the show's dramatic muck, she was replaced by Kandi Burruss for the second season."(END OF EXCERPT) Read more here.

"The Wanda Sykes Show" Has Been Canceled

Well,I am sorry to see Wanda Sykes lose her gig on Fox. There just aren't enough blacks on television & her show's cancellation only adds to that fact. To tell the truth,I never liked her brand of comedy.I used to see her do skits on "The Chris Rock Show"& she was alright. But not good enough for me to tune in to "The Wanda Sykes Show."

But since her popularity is so high,I'm sure she'll turn up elsewhere.

Here's more from Deadline:

"I hear Fox is canceling The Wanda Sykes Show after one season. The late-night talk show started off strong but tumbled in the ratings as the season went on and fell below the performance of predecessor Mad TV in the Saturday 11 PM hour."(END OF EXCERPT) Read the rest here.

Arizona Passes A Law That Bans Ethnic Studies Classes!

Have you heard about Arizona's latest law? Well,they are now concerned about ethnic studies being a part of their curriculum.They claim that these type of classes"promote resentment"of other racial groups.It seems peculiar that most Arizonians don't believe that their new immigration law"promotes resentment"of other racial groups.

Here's more from the L.A Times:

"A bill that aims to ban ethnic studies in Arizona schools was signed into law Tuesday by Gov. Jan Brewer, cheering critics who called such classes divisive and alarming others who said it's yet another law targeting Latinos in the state.

The move comes less than 20 days after Brewer signed a controversial immigration bill that has caused widespread protests against the state. The governor's press office did not return requests for comment Tuesday evening.

HB 2281 bans schools from teaching classes that are designed for students of a particular ethnic group, promote resentment or advocate ethnic solidarity over treating pupils as individuals. The bill also bans classes that promote the overthrow of the U.S. government.

The bill was written to target the Chicano, or Mexican American, studies program in the Tucson school system, said state Supt. of Public Instruction Tom Horne."(END OF EXCERPT) Read more here.

State Supt. of Public Instruction Tom Horne was on CNN tonight defending this bill that Gov. Jan Brewer signed into law.He was debating Dr. Michael Eric Dyson,a professor of sociology that specializes in ethnic studies.During the debate,Tom Horne said:

"Don't divide kids by race. Don't propagandize kids that they are oppressed & that they have no future & that they should be angry at this country. Teach them that this is the land of opportunity where if they work hard they can achieve their dreams.And teach them American history."

Well, Mr. Horne, I agree that we should teach kids American history. Not just European history throughout an entire textbook that purports to teach American history.There would be absolutely no need for ethnic studies classes if folks like Tom Horne weren't so interested in selling the American dream.American history textbooks are filled with partial history & propaganda.

Tom Horne wants to teach people how they should view America presently.I thought history was about everything that transpired in the past.Even the parts of history that you would like to stay buried should be studied.In Tom Horne's opinion,ethnic studies must be suppressed because they shed light on oppression.

Even though I tried so hard to fight oppression,somehow I have been the victim of racial oppression all too often.But,I guess you would have to get in my skin to even comprehend the dilemma I've been in.It' s easy as hell to ignore oppression when you have never been oppressed yourself.I wish that Tom Horne had it right on Anderson Cooper 360 tonight.

Unfortunately,Michael Dyson was the bearer of the awful truth.The American government has historically divided people by race.I guess Tom Horne wants me to forget all about the oppressed people that make up my familial history & focus my attention on the American dream that was denied to them & their kind for oh so long.

Well,it ain't happening Mr. Horne. Whether or not schools offer ethnic studies to my kids or not,I will teach them the dark,oppressive side of American history that my ancestors were a part of. Unlike you,I can't just focus on the myth that if you work hard you can have whatever you want in America.

Barbara Ehrenreich knows. Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America is a book written by her.Even if you get rid of ethnic studies, people will still learn about oppression from books like hers.Ehrenreich's book has been studied on college campuses across the country.

It is a part of everyday life & this book points that out. It's hard for all races to achieve the American dream.But,it's even harder for black folks. That's the cold,hard truth that Tom Horne is afraid that ethnic studies classes will bring to light. He doesn't want the oppressed to realize their condition.

The CVS Manager That Killed A Shoplifter Ought To Be Charged With Murder!

A CVS manager that killed a 35 year old unemployed barber over toothpaste & crayons should have at least been charged with manslaughter.After all,his death was ruled a homicide by the Cook County medical examiner's office.Despite that fact,the Chicago police have decided not to file any charges against that CVS employee.This just proves that some people really do get away with murder.

That drug store manager was overzealous in trying to capture a thief.And he ought to pay for what he did.I have worked in retail for years.And one thing that I learned is that you should never attempt to apprehend a fleeing suspect.Whatever they took isn't worth taking their lives or having yours taken from you.

Here's more on this story from Chicago Breaking News Center:

"The conduct of the drug store manager involved in the death of a suspected shoplifter is under investigation by his employer and he will not be allowed to return to work until that probe is complete, the company said today.

"We are investigating this unfortunate incident and are fully cooperating with police," CVS spokesman Michael DeAngelis said in an e-mail in which he acknowledged the company investigation.

DeAngelis refused to discuss company policy regarding employee handling of suspected shoplifters and if the store manager violated those guidelines. The store manager, reached by the Tribune at his west suburban home, declined to comment.

Chicago police earlier said no charges would be filed against the employee who on Saturday put a chokehold on Anthony Kyser, 35, whose death was ruled a homicide by the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Meanwhile, the former wife of the shoplifting suspect questioned this morning why he had to die over a minor offense.

Ann Marie Balboa, who in September divorced Kyser, her husband of 5½ years, described him as good-hearted and credited him for helping raise her three boys.

Although Kyser had a criminal past, she said, two things surprised her about the chain of events that led to his death on Saturday morning: The fact that, Chicago police say, he stole toothpaste and crayons from a CVS pharmacy, and was killed by an employee from there when he did so.

She disagreed with the decision not to pursue charges against the store manager. Police said Kyser's death was accidental.

"How's it accidental?" Balboa said. "You're choking the [expletive] out of somebody. He [the employee] should be fired. He should be facing criminal charges. You don't take someone's life over toothpaste."

Authorities said Kyser was shoplifting from the CVS Pharmacy in the 2600 block of South Pulaski Road just before 11 a.m. Saturday. He was chased out of the store and ran into an alley next to the building. Kyser fell unconscious during a struggle with the employee of the pharmacy, officials said.

Chicago Police Lt. Maureen Biggane, a police spokeswoman, said officers responded to calls of a battery in progress. She said an off-duty Cook County sheriff's correctional officer was on the scene, called 911 and remained there until an ambulance arrived.

When Chicago police arrived to the scene, Biggane said, Kyser was unresponsive.

Kyser, whose last known address was in the 1400 block of South Hamlin Avenue, was taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:38 a.m.

Biggane could not say why Kyser's death was determined to be accidental. A spokesman for the Cook County state's attorney's office, which determines whether charges should be filed in a criminal investigation, said the office this afternoon has not been asked by Chicago police to review the case.

Balboa said she had also heard reports that more than one person may have been involved in Kyser's death. "When you're choking someone, you have to be really, really strong," she said, adding that when Kyser died, one of her sons said to her, "Mom, pops was strong. Mom, it had to be more than one person."

Balboa said she used to work in a retail store and said employees aren't supposed to chase shoplifters out of the store.

"You risk your life on the line," she said. "You don't go chasing the thief because you don't know what (weapons) they had."(END OF EXCERPT)Read the rest here.

The Exquisite Lena Horne Has Passed At 92!

Oh,I knew it was "Stormy Weather" on Mother's Day for a reason.A whirlwind of beauty & talent named Lena Horne has gone to that "Cabin The Sky." She was 92.

Lena Horne was an all-around entertainer.She could sing,act,& dance.And she had brains to go along with her creative attributes.Ms. Horne worked with Eleanor Roosevelt to pass anti-lynching laws.She did more than give back to her community.Lena Horne was a civil rights activist who used her celebrity to affect real change in America.She worked tirelessly against racial discrimination.

Lena Horne opened the door for other African-Americans in so many different areas.She will never be forgotten.Here's more from The Washington Post:

"Lena Horne, 92, an electrifying performer who shattered racial boundaries by changing the way Hollywood presented black women and who enjoyed a six-decade singing career on stage, television and in films, died Sunday at New York-Presbyterian Hospital.

Ms. Horne, considered one of the most beautiful women in the world, came to the attention of Hollywood in 1942. She was the first black woman to sign a meaningful long-term contract with a major studio, a contract that said she would never have to play a maid.

"What people tend not to fully comprehend today is what Lena Horne did to transform the image of the African American woman in Hollywood," said Donald Bogle, a film historian.

"Movies are a powerful medium and always depicted African American women before Lena Horne as hefty, mammy-like maids who were ditzy and giggling," Bogle said. "Lena Horne becomes the first one the studios begin to look at differently. . . . Really just by being there, being composed and onscreen with her dignity intact paved the way for a new day" for black actresses.

He said Ms. Horne's influence was apparent within a few years of her leaving Hollywood, starting with actress Dorothy Dandridge's movie work in the 1950s. Later, Halle Berry, who won the 2001 best actress Oscar for "Monster's Ball," called Ms. Horne an inspiration."(END OF EXCERPT)Read the rest here.

Is Lawrence Taylor A Rapist?

Is Lawrence Taylor a rapist? Apparently, New York police have reason to believe that the NFL legend is because they arrested him for rape.And the victim was a 15 yr. old girl.How revolting is that! At 51,Lawrence Taylor could be that girl's grandfather.

Here's more from ESPN:

"Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor was arrested early Thursday after being accused of raping a 15-year-old girl at a Montebello, N.Y., hotel, police said.

Taylor, who has a history of drug abuse and runs-in with the law, is being charged with third-degree rape, which involves having intercourse with a minor, authorities said.

The 51-year-old former New York Giants linebacker was taken into custody by Ramapo, N.Y., police and was being held in the town jail. His arraignment is scheduled for Thursday afternoon. Additional information will be provided at a news conference.

Taylor, who starred for the Giants for 13 seasons, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999. Last November he was charged in Florida with leaving the scene of an accident."(END OF ARTICLE)Read more here.

Five White Students Got Sent Home For Wearing The American Flag Today!

Why pick Cinco de Mayo to display American patriotism? That's the question that was on a lot of Latinos minds when they learned about the t-shirt incident in Morgan Hill,California.Five white students decided to wear t-shirts that had the American flag emblazoned on it.They knew that today is Cinco de Mayo.

Isn't that kind of disrespectful? But,the boys claim that they didn't mean anything by it.Really?!!I think that this whole display was sparked by all of the furor that has been caused by Arizona's new immigration law.

Here's more on this story from Gilroy Dispatch:

"More than 100 students were spotted wearing red, white and green as they were leaving school. Some had the Mexican flag painted on their faces or on their arms.

Nothing in Live Oak's dress code policy addresses what transpired Wednesday, but it does state that "the school has the right to request that any student dressing inappropriately for school will change into other clothes, be sent home to change, and/or be subject to disciplinary action."

One Mexican-American student, freshman Laura Ponce, had a Mexican flag painted on her face and chest, peaking out of her low-cut shirt. She did it because, "it's our day, the only day we can show our spirit." A school administrator took away the Mexican flag she was carrying as she was waiting to go home. Ponce said: "not cool."

"There was a lot of drama going on today," Ponce said. Some were saying "Mexico sucks" while Mexican-American students responded in their second language.

"Some were yelling Spanish to us," Maciel said, who is half-Hispanic. "I couldn't understand it, but it sounded bad."

Some Mexican-American students said that their flags were taken away or asked to be put away, but none were sent home for wearing red, white and green. Since Boden would not comment, it's uncertain if any other students were sent home for what they were wearing on Cinco de Mayo.

Live Oak High School even hosted a group of professional baile folklorico dancers, who waved flags and played traditional music from Mexico.

"It's sad it's come to this," Fagerstrom said. "But we stand behind their patriotic nature and the boys expressing their individuality."

The boys wrote a two-paragraph statement that they each signed detailing their support for American patriotism and that they felt disrespected and discriminated against when their First Amendment rights were discarded Wednesday at school."(END OF EXCERPT)Read the entire article here.

Joy Behar Had The Most Introspective "View" On Abortion! Whoopi Goldberg Did Not!

There was a very intense debate over abortion between the ladies of "The View" today.It sprung from the new Oklahoma anti-abortion law that has been temporarily blocked.This state law mandates that women see the baby that they want to abort in an ultrasound & that they have the fetus described to them in detail.Needless to say,this is a very controversial law.

Now,I really agree with Joy Behar's comments on this issue.She refuted Whoopi Goldberg's ridiculous assertion that every woman takes abortion seriously.Joy told Whoopi that some women don't think twice before they make the decision to abort a fetus.Unfortunately,I have known a few women who seem to think that having an abortion is just another form of birth control.

These women didn't even want to take preventative measures,like using a condom.Instead,they would rather have 13 abortions than prevent the pregnancy in the first place.And I'm not over exaggerating,either.I really do know women who have had that many abortions!!!

I think that the Oklahoma law is over the top.It should only be applied if a woman has had more than one abortion.Then,she should be required to have a ultrasound & learn more about the fetuses that she keeps aborting.After having one botched abortion,I can honestly say that I will never have another one.

It turned out to be more than just a difficult decision for me.That experience was deeply traumatic because the fetus didn't die the first time.I was in excruciating pain when they had to vacuum that same fetus out of me less than a week after the first procedure.

And this was all done at a legitimate abortion clinic that Kaiser Hospital referred me to.It was not a back alley abortion.But,it sure felt like one.I suffered tremendously after having only one abortion.Even though that happened to me,I believe that women should have the right to choose when it comes to their body.Everybody has the right to make good or bad decisions in life.Life is about learning lessons from the choices that we make.

I have gone to a First Choice clinic before.They provide the same services that this new Oklahoma abortion law requires.Whoopi Goldberg seems to think that being educated about the fetus before you abort it will be traumatizing.Well,for me,it was not.What happened after I got the abortion caused great turmoil in my life.

This faith based non-profit organization even offers post abortion support & referrals.They give you all the ammunition you need to make a decision one way or another.If a woman is persuaded by all that she learns not to have an abortion,what's wrong with that? Every possible avenue that is out there should be presented to a woman who is contemplating what to do with an unwanted pregnancy.That is my view on abortion.

I Don't Believe The Rumors About President Obama Cheating On His Wife!

Anybody who would cheat on Michelle Obama is nuts!She's the whole package.I mean,you can't get much better than a brainy beauty with a banging body that hardly looks a day over 30.Nonetheless,the National Enquirer has put out a story that claims President Obama had an affair with a woman named Vera Baker ,who is his former campaign aide.

Since they were on the money about the John Edwards affair,some folks have given credence to this story from the gossip rag.But,I am not buying it.I believe that the Obamas are a shining example of what the perfect family is.And that really pisses some people off.So,they spend every waking moment trying to discredit their loving union.These baseless rumors are representative of that sad fact.That's my take on this latest piece of hearsay.

Here's the National Enquirer story:

"UPDATED: Reports out of Washington, DC: PRESIDENT OBAMA in a shocking cheating scandal after being caught in a Washington, D.C. Hotel with a former campaign aide.

A confidential investigation has learned that Obama first became close to gorgeous 35 year-old VERA BAKER in 2004 when she worked tirelessly to get him elected to the US Senate, raising millions in campaign contributions.

Now, the investigators are searching for a hotel surveillance videotape.

While Baker has insisted in the past that "nothing happened" between them, reports reveal that top anti-Obama operatives are offering more than $1 million to witnesses to reveal what they know about the alleged hush-hush affair."(END OF EXCERPT)Read more here.