The Bishop Eddie Long Lawsuits

Is Bishop Eddie Long hiding something? Cancelling all of those interviews sure gives off that impression.His sexuality is only of importance to me because he has presented himself as being anti-gay.If these allegations are true,Bishop Eddie Long is a real big hypocrite.Did you see those photos of him in a skin-tight muscle shirt & bicycle shorts? They lend credence to the allegations of sexual coercion that were brought forth in those lawsuits.

Here's more from Rod 2.0:Beta;

"The hits keep coming for Eddie Long, the suburban Atlanta-based anti-gay mega-church pastor hit with three lawsuits from young men alleging sexual coercion. As the third lawsuit was announced last night, "Pastors with iPhones" photos were released, showing Long modeling lycra muscle tees and apparently sent to select young men in his congregation.

The embattled pastor canceled a proposed press conference and radio interviews this morning, reports the Journal Constitution.

The syndicated radio show, heard locally on Kiss 104.1, had issued a press release saying the leader of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church would discuss the allegations on-air. However, the show's Roland Martin, who was scheduled to interview Long., said on his Twitter account early Thursday that "the lawyers have made the decision that due to the third lawsuit that Bishop not to do interviews tomorrow." Craig Gillen, an attorney for Long, was interviewed on the radio program instead. Gillen said there was "miscommunication" about a press conference today, and that there would not be one . On Wednesday a Long representative issued a release to media members that a press conference would be held Thursday.

In the latest suit filed Wednesday evening, Jamal Parris, a 23-year-old a former member of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, claims Long coerced him into sexual acts and encouraged Parris to call him “Daddy”.

In two other suits filed Tuesday, Anthony Flagg and Maurice Robinson claimed Long "coerced" them and numerous young male church members "into engaging in sexual acts and relationships for his own personal sexual gratification." The suits allege Long used church funds to give them cash, gifts and cars."(END OF EXCERPT)Read the rest here.

Whoopi Goldberg Comments On Her Mother's Death

I'm not a big fan of Whoopi Goldberg.I usually cringe when she speaks because I abhor her opinion on subjects like the Roman Polanski child molestation case.In most cases,Whoopi Goldberg has trouble expressing herself in an eloquent fashion.

But,she sure chose the right words to relay her grief over her mother's death on the "The View" today.Her view of the death of her mother is one that many share.

She said that she wonders who will love her the way that her mother did.Although my mother is still alive,I felt that way when my grandmother died.She was the person that I was closest to.I knew that she loved me unconditionally.

When it came to the rest of my family,I just wasn't convinced that they could give me that same type of love.There had been too many conflicts between us in the past.Even though I still had my parents & sister,I felt so alone.It was a miserable feeling.

But,the death of my grandmother actually brought most of the family together.I get along much better with my parents now.In addition to that,I met my husband right before she died.He proved that he could stick with me through thick & thin during my difficult time of grief.

One year after she died,I had my first child.A beautiful son to love & care for.The end of one life spurred the beginning of another.My whole life changed at that point.

In addition to a gorgeous son,I have a beautiful daughter.After the death of the one person who I thought life would be incomplete without,I have actually found that my life is more complete now than ever.My husband & I have built a spectacular family together.And my parents have been a great support system for me as well.

Unfortunately,my sister & I have drifted pretty far apart.We used to be like Siamese twins.Although we still get along,we are not as close as we used to be.The death of my grandmother took a toll on my family as a whole.It helped to mend some family relationships while distancing others.

Fortunately for me,I have found the answer to the question that Whoopi posed to herself.I know that above everyone else my children love me unconditionally.They have supplemented the love of my grandmother.I hope that the same will be true for Whoopi Goldberg.

Will Israel & Palestine Really Agree To A Two-State Solution?

Will there finally be peace in at least a part of the Middle East? Can Israelis & Palestinians really agree to a two-state solution? These are the questions that many are pondering tonight.At this very moment,I am watching Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu talk about how time is running out for this two-state solution.He says that he "envisions a future of everlasting peace for all of mankind." I share that same dream of Utopia.If we find some peace in the Middle East,the world will be a slightly better place.And being instrumental in achieving a two-state solution would help the Obama administration out tremendously.

Here's more from CNN:

"In advance of direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians on Thursday, President Barack Obama said Wednesday evening that "this moment of opportunity may not soon come again."

"The hard work is only beginning--neither success nor failure is inevitable," Obama said in remarks from the White House Rose Garden. "But this much we know: If we do not make the attempt, then failure is guaranteed."

With the U.S. war in Iraq drawing to a close, the Middle East moved front and center for administration officials Wednesday as President Barack Obama held a series of high-stakes meetings with Israeli and Arab leaders.

Obama huddled behind closed doors at the White House with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Jordan's King Abdullah II and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

On Wednesday night, Obama called the talks "very productive."

But he also pointed to challenges ahead. "We are under no illusions," he said. "Passions run deep... there's a reason that the two-state solution has eluded previous generations --- this is extraordinarily complex and extraordinarily difficult."

"But," he continued, "we know that the status quo is unsustainable."

Obama and Netanyahu met first on Wednesday, briefly addressing reporters to condemn, in Obama's words, the "senseless slaughter" of two men and two women Tuesday near the West Bank city of Hebron.

"Terrorists ... are purposely trying to undermine these talks," Obama said earlier Wednesday. "The message should go out (that this attack) is not going to stop" the United States from backing Israel and the peace process."(END OF EXCERPT)Read more here.