4 Reasons Why BOFA's Ken Lewis Was Replaced

Earlier this week the Bank of America Shareholders and Board of Directors voted to strip Ken Lewis of his dual role as Chairman and CEO.

For the moment Lewis will remain in his position as CEO however he lost his Chairman authority to highly qualified, well-respected, Educator and Chicago resident, Dr. Walter Massey (an African-American).

I'm sure this move didn't really take anyone by surprise, in all honesty I don't quite understand why it took so long.

Although many of Lewis' Charlotte, NC supporters were maybe sad to him relieved of his Chairman post, the end result is that this decision may in fact perhaps help save BOFA from an untimely demise like that of his former competitor, Wachovia Corp.

Other than his poor decision to purchase the "Merrill Lynch mess", here are four reasons why former North Carolina Banking Industry "Superstar" was almost thrown completely out of BOFA on his head.

Let these four reasons set a precedent of what NOT to do as the Chairman or CEO of any company.

1) Ken Lewis had become extremely arrogant and too big for his britches.

Its one thing to accept Bail Out money and conduct bad business at the expense of Taxpayers, its another thing to appear entitled by continuing to do as you please without accountability.

To make matters worse, he PO'd Congresswoman Maxine Waters during his testimony before the Congressional Finance Committee in February, regarding the use of TARP funds.

Why?

Lewis appeared too snooty and out of touch with the "little people". He also cut off Congresswoman Waters as she was questioning all eight "Captains of the Universe" on how foolishly they spent valuable Taxpayer money. For Shame!

No one messes with Maxine long known to be an Advocate of the "common people", like that.


2) Lewis, a born and bred Southerner, often appeared as though he had a thing against the Northern-based Wall Street Banking crowd. You know that old "Civil War/ Union vs. Confederacy grudge".

Bless his dear heart, he really believed that hype about Charlotte, NC being the "Wall Street of the South".

The reality is that unless the entire New York City-based Wall Street burns to the ground, it will ALWAYS rule the National Banking Industry in some way even if the Government does intervenes.


3) He did the unthinkable and fired Merrill Lynch's John Thain, who was a Wall Street favorite.

Did Lewis really think he was going to get away with that? Not on your life! That Wall Street crowd is as tight as the Legal and Medical communities.

4) Instead of being a real leader by taking full responsibility for not having used good fiscal oversight prior to purchasing Merrill Lynch, as a means of saving his behind he tried to lie that the Feds forced him into that terrible deal.

Come on Ken, how could the Feds have forced you into that stupid deal?

Did you really think we were going to fall for such malarkey?

Oh well in the event he's kicked out any time soon, at least he has tons of money sitting somewhere to help cushion the fall.


Congresswoman Maxine Waters grills the Banking CEOs. Check out Lewis' sarcastic responses to her questions.




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Sources: Huffington Post, TIME, Charlotte Observer, WSJ online, CNN.Money, Reuters, MSNBC, Forbes, Wikipedia, Bizjournal, Seattle Times, Blogging Stocks, LA Times, C-Span, Google Maps, Youtube

Joe Biden Educates The World On Containing H1N1 Flu Pandemic....You Gotta Love Him

During an interview with Today Show's Matt Lauer "Dr. Joe Biden" educates the world on how to best contain the H1N1 Flu Pandemic.



Afterward White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs tactfully and ever so politely interprets what "Dr. Joe" really meant to say.



Sources: Today Show, Whitehouse.gov, Huffington Post, MSNBC, Youtube

President Obama Reflects On His First 100 Days/ Discusses H1N1 Flu Pandemic Alert (Live Media Coverage)

"We are off to a good start, but it is just a start." "I am proud of what we have achieved, but I am not content. I am pleased with our progress, but I am not satisfied."



Sources: Whitehouse.gov, MSNBC, Change.gov, Youtube

WHO's Dr. Chan Raises H1N1 Flu Pandemic to Phase 5! (Live News Conference)

This afternoon Dr. Chan of the World Health Organization, announced during a live news conference from Geneva, Switzerland, that the H1N1 Swine Flu Virus has reached Phase 5 Pandemic level.

To date there have been more than 100 confirmed cases in the U.S., including the death of an infant in Texas.

Phases 1 - 3 Animal Infections

Phase 4 Animal to Human Infections

Phases 5 - 6 Human to Human Infections



Sources: MSNBC, TIME, Youtube

5 Reasons Why Sen. Arlen Specter Abandoned His Sinking G.O.P. Ship

April 28, 2009, a day millions of U.S. voters will never forget as news of long time Republican Senator Arlen Specter's (PA) switch to President Obama's Democratic Party, rocked the Political world.

Along with Minnesota's Senate pick Al Franken's win (again), Specter's move will possibly give President Obama's Administration the filibuster-proof power it needs to continue carrying out his agenda for CHANGE.

Pursuant to hearing of this low-blow defection from the G.O.P., I can just imagine RNC Chairman Michael Steele's feelings of possible panic at this moment.

In fact word on the street is that the G.O.P. is actually kind of PO'd at Steele right about now. So angry they want to take away his control of the RNC's purse strings as a means of embarrassing him until he steps down.

Many Republicans are feigning shock about about Specter's decision to leave. Many of them are complaining and whining. Why? Let's face it the G.O.P.'s loss is the Democrats' Giant gain right?

Instead of the G.O.P. becoming angry it really needs to re-evaluate itself and if need be, make changes. Specter's defection is a clear sign that something isn't working within the Republican Party. (Denial is not a river in Egypt.)

However one still has to speculate and perhaps consider why such a seasoned, well-respected Republican (formerly Republican that is) Pennsylvania Senator with more than 20 years in office, would make such a breathtaking move right before the 2010 elections?

Here are the five most obvious reasons.

1) Due to Senator Specter's past voting record, his Republican Party constituency was waning anyway.

Had he remained a member of the right, its doubtful he would've even been re-elected for another term.


2) This move is proof he endorses President Obama's policies (at least most of them) and appreciates the good job he's doing in running our country.


3) He realized the G.O.P. can no longer keep its base satisfied or recruit new members with its current Staunch, Narrow-minded, out-of-touch, somewhat racist, Conservative, Southern-centered, "Party of No" agenda and remain effective in the future political arena.

This type of thinking among them which promotes Exclusion as opposed to the Dems Inclusion, is no doubt the reason why they have in fact earned the negative moniker "Party of No".


4) Specter realizes that the G.O.P. in its current state (unless it chooses to become a more Centrist, more Moderate party) is a dying, soon to be non-existent political movement.

Since they often crave the limelight and need to remain popular in order to continue reaching their constituency base, what Politician in his or her right mind wants to remain part of a dying party?


5) Although he might not want to admit it publicly, Senator Specter is actually ashamed of the G.O.P.'s stingy, stuffy, cold appearance.

Considering Senator Specter's successful 29-year run with the Republicans, why is he now seemingly ashamed of being associated with them?

Other than being labeled as "The Party of No" and Media coverage of those conservative-based "Tax Day Tea Parties" which made embarrassing headlines two weeks ago, the Republican Party is the political party which:

a) Endorsed many of former President Bush's ineffective policies.

Although I must admit he did keep us safe from further terror attacks during his presidency.

b) Ran our nation's Economy into the ground while becoming Wealthy on the backs of Low-Income African-Americans and Illegal Immigrants.

c) Voted to give Banks like BOFA and Citibank $700 Billion dollars in Bail-out money with absolutely NO Accountability.

d) Voted yes to allow the practice of excessive Torture on Prisoners of War. This was an absolute violation of the Geneva Conventions Treaty but in their quest for Power and Revenge, I guess the G.O.P. forgot about that important Foreign Policy contract.

e) Voted yes to Re-Segregating Public Schools, which then created an entire network of Failing school districts like the one currently existing in Charlotte, NC

This practice has crippled our nation and made us less competitive in comparison to countries like China and Japan.

f) Voted yes for allowing Banks to finance Sub prime Home Loans and other types of Mortgages they knew Buyers wouldn't be able to repay, thus creating a snowball effect of Toxic Mortgages and Homelessness.

g) Voted No to Clean Energy and less dependence on Foreign Oil

h) Voted No to Green Jobs

i) Voted No to cross country High Speed Light Rail

j) Voted No to President Obama's Economic Stimulus Bill (Specter voted Yes)

k) Voted No to including Flu Preparedness Funding in President Obama's Economic Stimulus Bill

l) Refused to help properly secure the borders thereby assisting Immigrants to enter our Country illegally, so that Big Businesses could continue hiring them to work for low, low wages.

m) Authorized and encourage the U.S. Attorney General's office and District Attorneys nationwide to place trumped up charges, especially as it relates to illegal drugs on African-American and Hispanic citizens thereby sentencing thousands of them to prison for 20+ years or more.

n) Voted Yes to billions in Tax Cuts which ONLY benefited the Wealthy and eventually caused Wall Street to crash.

o) Voted No to Abortion and most other methods of Family Planning funding, yet when Low-Income Teens or Young Women begin to birth baby after baby after baby and couldn't properly take care for those children, Republicans then Voted No to extra Funding for Child Care assistance, Pre-Kindergarten programs, Health Care, Adoption Assistance, etc.,

p) Voted Yes to allowing Banks and Sallie Mae for providing Billions in High-Interest Loans to College Students.

Afterward the same Republican-controlled Congress allowed Bush's Administration to hire private Debt Collectors, for the sole purpose of harassing those students to begin repaying those loans less than a year after they graduated.

Hopefully I've provided more than enough reasons as to why Senator Specter decided to change his Political citizenship. Now let's go somewhere and celebrate this victory along with President Obama!

Senator Arlen Specter of PA explains during a Press Conference why he switched parties.



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Sources: Whitehouse.gov, Huffington Post, MSNBC, Washington Post, Washington Times, NY Daily News, Politico, The Hill, ABC Newsblogs, nbcdfw.com, RNC, specter.senate.gov, Youtube, Google Maps

All Women Rock....A Series On Unique Women...Part III....Chaka Khan

Songbird Yvette Marie Stevens aka Chaka Khan, is the third unique woman highlighted in our "All Women Rock" series.

With her funky style, roof bustin' pipes, wild hair, ruby painted lips, hit after hit record....she is undeniably, the one and only Chaka Khan!!

Like Michelle Obama, Chaka also hails from Chicago's South side.

Unlike Michelle who paved her way to success with Education, Chaka took a different path to fame and fortune via the world of Fine Arts.

Proving herself to be a musical prodigy while still a young girl, by the age of 11 little Yvette had formed her first group called "The Crystalettes".

During her high school years, she toured with Motown's Mary Well after joining the Afro-Arts Theater.

Later she decided to change her name to Chaka while working as a volunteer for the Black Panthers Free Children's Breakfast program in Chicago.

Chaka performed with two additional music groups before joining up with Kevin Murphy and Andre Fischer to form the band Rufus. Her last name changed to Khan after she married guitarist Hassan Khan.

1973 was an amazing year for Chaka in that she gave birth to her first child, daughter Milini and debuted her first album with Rufus.

The rest as they say "is history".

As a lead singer for Rufus, Chaka performed showcased her jazzy style of singing with such hits "Sweet Thing", "Tell Me Something Good", "Better Days", "Do You Love What You Feel?", "Hollywood", "Once You Get Started", "Everlasting Love", etc., and helped the band to earn Eight Platinum albums.

She gave birth to her second child, a son named Damien in 1976.

In 1978, she briefly broke away from the Rufus signature sound, by recording her own solo album Chaka, and releasing the hit "I'm Every Woman".

Chaka's next album produced another hit "What Cha' Gonna Do For Me", which went Gold.

A string of additional hits followed: a rendition of Michael Jackson's "Got To Be There", "Ain't Nobody", "I Feel For You", "I'll Be Good To You" a duet with the late, great Ray Charles, etc.,

In 1999 also recorded the theme song for the Children's program "Reading Rainbow".

Chaka who has previously been invited to perform at both Democrat and Republican national conventions, expressed her political affiliation as being more "Democratic-minded".

On December 3, 2004, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate degree from the Berklee College of Music.

In 2006 through prayer and a Mother's Love, Chaka helped her son Damien win an acquittal by a Los Angeles jury for the accidental shooting death of 17-year-old Chris Bailey.

Chaka active in the Autism community due to several family members affected by the disease, now resides in London, England.

She of course also remains active and forever popular in the Entertainment Industry.

To Chaka a 35-year Singing Sensation, who's won eight Grammy awards and has touched so many lives with her presence, You Rock!!

Chaka performing "I'm Every Woman" with the band Rufus. circa 1982



Chaka performing her hit "What Cha' Gonna Do For Me" with the band Rufus. circa 1982



Chaka performing "Ain't Nobody". circa 1980's




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Sources: Wikipedia, MSNBC, ABC News, ChakaKhan.com, Berklee College of Music, Flickr, Dwight McCann, Youtube, Google Maps

All Women Rock! - A Series on Unique Women...Part II....Bea Arthur R.I.P.

Who can forget Bea Arthur's unique, sarcastic, gravely sounding voice? Somehow we all just knew that when she opened her mouth, we had a tongue lashing coming to us.

The voice of logic that was obviously her trademark. The voice suddenly silenced last Saturday due to Cancer.

In the 70's my mother looked forward to watching "Maude" (her favorite TV show during that time) each week.

Maude represented a strong woman who stood up without fear of repercussion for whatever issue she believed in. Better yet Bea was Maude!

Due to the era in which she grew up and by not wanting to appear confrontational, my mother was often either afraid or too self-conscious about speaking up. Thus Maude became her female hero.

In "Golden Girls" Bea played the role of sensible, serious "Dorothy". Dorothy who was her mother's semi-caretaker.

Again my mother identified with Bea (somewhat), in that she too was my grandmother's caretaker.

Bea Arthur (real name Bernice Frankel) from NYC, a Champion for Women's Rights, dead at 86. Gone but never, ever to be forgotten.

Even though I was a child when Maude was a hit sitcom, that voice will resonate in my memory through out eternity.

Perhaps one day I'll finally get to meet Bea just to say thanks for helping my mother become a stronger woman, even if only in her mind.

Bea Arthur, R.I.P. my sister.

In the episode of "Maude" below, Bea discusses the issue of choosing to have an Abortion with her sitcom husband, Walter and daughter, Carol. Including such a topic in the show's script was a real milestone for television in the 1970's.



Sources: MSNBC, LA Times, Museum of Broadcast Communications, Wikipedia, Flickr, Youtube

All Women Rock! - A Series on Unique Women... Part I...First Lady Michelle Obama

Welcome to my "All Women Rock!" series.

It's a five part series which focuses on several well-known Women, who contributed to society in such an amazing way, they made all other Human Beings re-evaluate their purpose for remaining on this planet.

Women. We're not a second class or left over species.

We not just here for Sex or Pro-creation, although without us no one or nothing would exist.

We embrace Wisdom.

We encourage. We educate. We think. We nurture. We love. We play. We cry. We wipe away tears. We are uniquely beautiful in our way. We plan. We invent. We build.
We invoke CHANGE.

We are Awesome and don't you forget it!

We are Kindred Sisters who rule the World! (Well...at least I'm pretty darn sure we could do a much better job as it relates to Global Leadership.)

So the next time you catch your: BFF, Mother, grandmother, aunt, niece, granddaughter, female neighbor, female doctor, female boss, female co-worker, daughter, yourself or any female member of the Human race doing something extraordinary or brave, give honor to them with this statement: "Your a Woman Who Rocks"!

Our new First Lady Michelle Obama will be highlighted in part I.

Words alone will not allow me to pay homage to this wonderful person.

Thus I've embedded a video biography below of Michelle's rewarding life, narrated by her mother Marian Robinson.

Its obvious she was God's divine choice of a wife for a young man who would become leader of the free world one day. President Barack Obama.

All hail to the queen.

The little girl from Chicago's South side has proven to all Women regardless of your ethnicity, background or age, that with a good Education, healthy self-esteem and hard work any woman with a dream can become Cinderella.

As Fantasia sang to us on "American Idol" several years ago, "if you believe anything is possible".

Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama "your every woman" and you rock!




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Sources: Whitehouse.gov, ABC News, Ladies Clothing08, Weblogs.cltv, Weblogs.amny, American Idol, Youtube, Google Maps

UC Merced Film Project Wins Michelle Obama's Heart....She Agrees to Speak At Commencement Ceremony

After hearing about all that Swine Flu virus stuff lately, here's a little something to brighten one's day.

Using little more than Enthusiasm, Creativity, $1,000. and Hope, UC Merced a California school with approximately 2,700 students, won the heart of First Lady Michelle Obama as she agreed to speak at the school's commencement ceremony scheduled for May 16.

In March some of the students created a film titled "We Believe in Michelle Obama", inviting Mrs. Obama to be the guest speaker at their commencement ceremony.

This sincere show of ingenuity clearly moved the Obamas and the rest as they say "is history".

More than 25,000 attendees are expected to arrive at the event to hear and see the First Lady, whose popularity has eclipsed that of her famous husband.

News of Michelle Obama's appearance is causing an unusual level of excitement among the students. According to UC Merced spokesperson Patti Waid Istas, "Suddenly, everybody's ready to graduate".

Merced City officials were so pleased to hear of her expected arrival they will sponsor a two-day festival in her honor on May 15, one day before the school's commencement.

To this I say Congrats!

Check out the cool, student produced film used to invite the First Lady to the school's commencement ceremony.




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Sources: Fresnobee. SFGate.com, The Hill, UC Merced, Youtube, Google Maps

Janet Napolitano and Robert Gibbs Declares H1N1 Swine Flu Public Health Emergency!

This latest turn of events helps to prove the focus of a post I published yesterday titled, "Could H1N1 Swine Flu Actually Be Biological Warfare Attack?"

With 20+ confirmed cases within the U.S. and possibly more to come, today the Obama Administration basically confirmed an epidemic during a Press Conference on the situation.

This afternoon Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Homeland Security, Dr. Richard Besser, Acting Chief of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Robert Gibbs, White House Press Secretary announced that the White House has declared an H1N1 Swine Flu Public Health Emergency for the United States.

In fact Dr. Besser clearly stated, "We're going to see more severe disease in this country".

Janet Napolitano further commented, "We should think of this as a declaration of Emergency Preparedness."

"Really that's what we're doing right now. We're preparing in an environment where we really don't know ultimately what the size of seriousness of this outbreak is going to be."

Even though all three members of Prez. Obama's cabinet speaking at today's press conference wanted the American people to feel safe by assuring us the White House is doing all it can to reduce spread of the virus, it was obvious they looked worried.

12 million doses of the drug Tamiflu is being freed up and made available for immediate distribution. States that have reported confirmed cases of the Flu (California, Texas, New York, Ohio and Kansas), will be given first priority.

What's that you say?

Texas Governor Rick Perry, "the Secession Guy" is willing to accept help from Obama's administration for his constituents during this outbreak?

Yeah I knew he was just talk.

In the mean time stay away from Pork and if possible try to limit any travel outside of the U.S.

This current Public Health Emergency is one of the reasons why its so important for the Obama Administration to put their Health Care Reform agenda into action and why the Department of Homeland Security should continue to diligently protect our borders. Including use of the new "Secure Communities" program.

CDC: http://www.cdc.gov

Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Homeland Security, Dr. Richard Besser, Acting Chief of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Robert Gibbs, White House Press Secretary declare H1N1 Swine Flu Public Health Emergency.



Sources: Whitehouse.gov, Huffington Post, CNN, CDC, Health Reform.gov, Youtube

In New Weekly Address Prez. Obama Calls For Even More Fiscal Responsibility

"To help build a new foundation for the 21st century, we need to reform our government so that it is more efficient, more transparent, and more creative."



Sources: Whitehouse.gov, Youtube

287(g) Is Being Replaced By ICE's "Secure Communities" Program...287(g) In High Heels??

If you recall I published two posts last week entitled "Ruthless Gangs are taking over North Carolina" and "Forbes Ranks Charlotte 14Th Most Dangerous U.S. City".

Those stories explain how Gang activity often related to the Illegal Immigrant population (not always but frequently enough), has negatively impacted American communities.

Previously the only Federal resource available to assist local Law Enforcement agencies with Illegal Immigration regulation was the controversial 287(g) program.

287(g) established in 1996, is a component of the Federal ICE (United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement) department. ICE falls under the umbrella of Homeland Security currently managed by Janet Napolitano.

The mission of ICE is to protect National Security by enforcing our nation's Customs and Immigration laws.

287(g)'s initial purpose 287(g) was to equip and authorize state and local law enforcement agencies with the legal tools necessary to perform similar duties of Federal Immigration Law Enforcement. In other words assist the "Immigration Feds" with doing their jobs.

Well now due to abuse of the program's mission, 287(g) has come under fire from the ACLU and many Latino/ Hispanic organizations who claim that 287(g) was in fact being used by Racist Sheriff and Police Departments nationwide to deport Latinos/Hispanics who only committed Minor Offenses.

The ACLU and Latino/Hispanic organizations had good reason to be concerned. Why?

The Bush Administration while pre-occupied with the "War on Terror", failed to properly regulate the Dept of Homeland Security. That failure then created a myriad of other problems, which resulted in more complaints of abuse.

Several years ago there was a best-selling Children's book authored by Laura Joffe Numeroff. It was titled "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie". The moral of that story was if you give a mouse a cookie, he's going to eat it, which can then set off a snowball effect for other related problems. What else can you expect from a mouse right?

This same concept can also be applied to a bunch of Hick, Trigger Happy Law Enforcement officials just itching to practice Racial Profiling in the name of "Illegal Immigration Enforcement".

Of course you had Hispanics and Latinos being deported for Minor Criminal Offenses or DWL (Driving while Latino)!

For example: Getting a Speeding Ticket. What did you think those kind of Officers and Deputies were going to do?

This situation is no different than how the Black Community has been treated for decades in this country.

Whenever the Feds authorize State and Local Law Enforcement agencies without proper regulation to practice Enforcement, you will always have a few nuts (Police Officers, Sheriffs, Deputies, etc.,) with the propensity to demonstrate how much they hate Blacks or Hispanics, to show their true colors.

On the other hand, when investigating such claims one still has to do their homework.

While its true there were some Latino/Hispanic residents arrested in the U.S. and deported due to having only committed Minor Criminal Offenses, upon completion of an International Criminal background check conducted by ICE personnel, it was later discovered that many of them were also wanted by Law Enforcement officials in their native countries for having committed more serious crimes. For example: Murder, Manslaughter, Human and Drug Trafficking, Robbery, etc.,

In defense of the U.S. Deportation Policies, if those same people were in the United States LEGALLY or in possession of VISAs, they would not have been deported right?

So you have to consider both sides of the scale when listening to such claims.

Nevertheless, obviously the Federal Government received enough negative reports about 287(g) because now another program is being rolled out called "Secure Communities".

(Sidebar: Imagine that! The Black Community has been speaking out about Racial Profiling for years but neither the Federal Government nor state/local Law Enforcement agencies have ever listened to us.)

Secure Communities is supposed to be provide more comprehensive Illegal Immigration with a broader range of Federal Regulation, to ensure that state and local enforcement agencies are not abusing the purpose of the program's mission while identifying the most Violent Illegal Immigrant criminals.

However the Latino/Hispanic community isn't buying it. They basically see Secure Communities as a dressed up version of 287(g) wearing high heels.

The Latino/Hispanic population is fearful that Secure Communities will just give state and local Law Enforcement officers more motive to target their ethnic group.

To that I say welcome to the club hombre!

By the same token this extra Illegal Immigration Regulation should encourage those residents living here unlawfully to step up and begin the process of becoming LEGAL citizens.

People living here ILLEGALLY can't expect to have their cake and eat it too!

If your tired of being Tasered often for NO apparent reason other than just because of your physical appearance, STOP complaining and go down to your nearest Immigration office to find out how to begin the U.S. Citizenship process. (You can also call them @1-800-375-5283)

And....STOP committing Violent Crimes or participating in Gang activity!

In the mean time AFTER you've taken that FIRST step, if you strongly believe the Cops or Sheriff Deputies in your region are using you as their latest poster child for Racial Profiling seminars, THEN and only then do you contact the ACLU regarding filing a Violation of Human Rights Lawsuit.

As it relates to the "Secure Communities" program, I won't judge a book by its cover unless the content inside doesn't match up with the title and proves itself to be a fraud.



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Sources: Charlotte Observer, White House.gov, ICE.gov, DHS.gov, US Immigration Support, NAACP, Field Negro, Hispanic News, ACLU, Amazon.com, Wikipedia, Forbes, Flickr, Google Maps

TIME Photo Gallery of Prez. Obama's First 100 Days

TIME.com has recently published an interactive photo gallery chronicling President Obama's first 100 days in the Oval office.

From day one to day 100, you'll be able to see the highlights of our nation's first African-American President in action.

The link to TIME's Photo Gallery is here.

Sources: Time

Swine Flu Awareness Widgets

If you have a site or a blog and you really want to help educate your readers about this new strain of the Swine Flu virus, no worries the United States Dept of Health & Human Services and Center for Disease & Control has designed a widget for such use.

The widget (shown above) is colorful, provides a graphic with links to Swine Flu information and can be easily removed at a later date.

You can embed it by copying the code from this HHS.gov link.

I'm sure your readers will thank you later.

Sources: HHS.gov, CDC

Could H1N1 Swine Flu Virus Actually Be Biological Warfare Attack??

With news of a dangerous strain of the Swine Flu virus which has already killed 68 people and infected more than 1,000 causing widespread panic, one wonders if this is the result of regular Human illness or another Terrorist attack?

After two more cases of the virus thought to have been transmitted from Mexico, were recently confirmed in Kansas, samples of the H1N1 strain are now being tested by Center for Disease Control personnel.

The CDC is familiar with the H3N2 Swine Flu virus, but unfamiliar with the H1N1 Swine Flu virus strain currently circulating.

By definition the Swine Flu is a strain of the Human Flu virus mixed with Pig and Bird genes.

It can be treated with vaccines however for new strains such as H1N1, the development of an effective vaccine could possibly take months.

Cause for panic surrounding the outbreak is due to how quickly the flu is spreading. The epidemic is spreading so fast CDC officials have admitted its too late for U.S. Medical officials to control it.

The most vulnerable victims of H1N1 are young children and the elderly.

Mexican Government officials are cooperating with White House officials who at the moment are closely monitoring the spread, in efforts to help save lives.

To assist Mexican citizens officials have set up a Hotline, shut down all public events including Tourist attractions and closed schools.

In addition Mexican soldiers and Health Workers are passing out face masks.

Margaret Chan of the World Health Organization, states "the outbreak of the never-before-seen virus has “pandemic potential”, but she said it is still too early to tell if it would become a pandemic".

In 1918 a Spanish Flu strain spread killing more than 40 million people worldwide.

If this type of epidemic doesn't motivate Congress to please immediately begin reforming the American Health Care System, then what?

SYMPTOMS:

Fever, cough and sore throat, though some of the U.S. victims who recovered also experienced vomiting and diarrhea.

One has to wonder where did this unfamiliar strain originate from and how did it spread so rapidly? Could this latest Health Scare give rise for concern regarding another possible Terrorist attack in the form of Biological Warfare?

Let's hope not.



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Sources: TIME, MSNBC, Politico, Washington Post, Reuters, Huffington Post, Google Maps

Condi Rice Takes the Fall for Bush Administration Torture

Earlier this week as the White House and Congress agreed to release CIA documents regarding Torture techniques used in Iraq on Prisoners of War during the Bush Administration's reign, new revelations have surfaced which places a significant amount of the blame on former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice.

Senate documents some more than 126 pages long, reveal that in July 2002 Condi who was at the time our country's National Security Advisor, authorized CIA Intelligence officials and the U.S. Military to execute severe methods of Interrogation techniques for the purpose of obtaining information about Al-Qaeda Terrorist groups.

According to those Congressional documents, Condi gave the "OK" to former CIA Director George Tenent from former President George W. Bush for the use of Torture, not excluding "Waterboarding", during Interrogations. Such acts violated the Geneva Conventions Treaty which prohibits such use, even on Prisoners of War.

These latest reports are in contrast to what Dr. Rice stated during her testimony to Congressional members of the Senate Armed Services Committee last Fall.

When previously questioned by Armed Services Committee members about her role in the execution of Torture techniques used by CIA Intelligence and U.S. Military personnel, Rice's explanation was that she only sat in on discussions regarding the use of Torture.

So it looks as if Condi is taking the fall for "Dubya" on this issue.

If Condi did in fact lie for former President Bush about such a critical issue the sixty billion question is why? Why would she risk ruining her excellent reputation to protect this man?

Inquiring minds would like to know.

Condolezza Rice used to be one of my heroes but not anymore unless....

She steps forth to refute these accusations regarding her character as it relates to Bush Administration Torture.

In the meantime I wonder if "Dubya" is going to come to her defense.

Hmmmmm

Stay tuned.

Kieth Olbermann and MSNBC proved that Condi Rice lied when she said the Bush administration did all it could to stop Osama bin Laden's terrorist plots prior to 9/11.




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Sources: Telegraph.co.uk, Reuters, Daily Kos, Huffington Post, NY Times, Timesonline, MSNBC, Yahoo News, Youtube, Google Maps

Forbes Ranks Charlotte 14th Most Dangerous U.S. City!....Charlotte's Black Community Needs To Do Better!

Just in from Forbes.com, Charlotte, NC ("Queen City of the Carolinas") has been ranked one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. Number 14Th to be exact!

For anyone who dares to doubt this information, Forbes gathered the data for their reporting from the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigations). The FBI provided Forbes with national crime statistics from the year 2008.

The metropolitan cities considered for this story all scored BIG on Crime in these four categories:

1) Murder/ Non-Negligent Manslaughter

2) Forcible Rape

3) Robbery

4) Aggravated Assault

Charlotte is listed as one of our nation's most dangerous cities?? OMG! How can this be?

Wait a minute!

Doesn't Charlotte have a New, Big City Police Chief now (former DC resident Chief Rodney Monroe)?

In fact wasn't he hired just last year?

So....what's the problem?

I don't wish to point fingers but....

Could it be that Charlotte's "chickens have come home to roost" as it relates to Gang Activity and Illegal Immigration?

Could it also be that since Charlotte's Black Community has failed to show proper guidance to their Youth, especially the Low-Income Youth now they are out of control?

(Didn't Mayor Pat McCrory (R) warn everyone this was going to happen?)

Instead of Charlotte's Black Community running to the Media with rumors of Mayor McCrory being a "Closet Racist", perhaps they should have been listening to him and coming up with a plan to help the Black & Hispanic Youth. (Denial is not a river in Egypt.)

Moving forward, what about the Charlotte City Council and Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Commissioners both controlled by the North Carolina's Corrupt Democratic Party?

Is it possible some of that corruption somehow trickled its way down to Queen Charlotte's resident namesake?

Oh well no use crying over spilled milk.

Here are a few suggestions regarding cleaning up this mess. Please take heed so that going forward no publication or website will have to ever publish such negative news about Charlotte, NC again.

A) Stop all the division and lay aside all egos! Both the Republicans and Democrats need to begin working together. This includes accepting each party's differences for the common good of the Charlotte community.

In order to get Charlotte off of the "FBI's Most Dangerous Cities list", its going to take a Bi-Partisan effort.


B) Create Jobs and offer more Job Training. Real JOBS! NOT just jobs paying $8.00 or $9.00 an hour. Who can make it in Charlotte on those wages?

Governor Bev Perdue's $2 Million dollar investment to Charlotte for Job Training, is a good start but there is NO way $2 Million dollars will be able to meet all the needs of city with a population of more than 1 Million citizens, hit so hard by the failing Banking Industry.

She is going to have to come up with more than $2 Million dollars to help put Charlotteans back to work.


C) The Black community's "Leaders" need to stop Bickering and Fighting over titles and positions.

Sidebar: While we're on the subject, why is it that before every major political election the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Black Political Caucus members tend to behave like immature children?

For all of their Academic and Professional Achievements, why can't the Caucus members demonstrate examples of Dignity, Poise, Respect, Leadership and Wisdom for Charlotte's Minority Youth?

I don't understand why you all just can't get along? What's up with all the "isms" and "schisms"? Your Well-Educated, Gainfully Employed, Semi-Wealthy, Residing in Nice Homes, etc., so what's the problem?

Why can't you all learn to respect one another's differences?

Can the newly appointed President of the organization Gloria Rembert, explain why the Black Political Caucus hasn't been more effective in helping to foster Equality, Fairness, Unity, Cultural Understanding, Positive Racial Relations, etc., between Charlotte's Black community and the rest of Charlotte's population? Inquiring local minds would like to know.

To the Caucus Leaders here's an idea to help resolve the situation, with only 150 Black Political Caucus members in a city with more than 1 million citizens perhaps the organization should just disband.

Charlotte doesn't have an NAACP Chapter anymore, so why do we still need a Black Political Caucus?

Especially when the Caucus members aren't doing anything but bickering, arguing over money, causing division and electing new "Leaders" every year anyway.

I mean come on, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Black Political Caucus doesn't even have a website. Your not even on Twitter for Heavens Sake. How embarrassing!

Yes I'm a proud registered Democrat but let's be honest shall we?

Neither the Republican Party or the G.O.P. is destroying Charlotte's Black Community. Charlotte's Black Leaders are!

Our Minority Children and Youth deserve better. Much better.


D) Both the City and County needs to partner with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public School District. In addition assist the district with helping Parents, especially the Low-Income parents to become more involved in their child(ren)'s Education.

Several years ago while employed at one of Charlotte's Elementary schools as an Instructional Teacher Assistant, I recall Mayor Pat McCrory taking time from his busy schedule to come and read to a group of third grade students on Volunteer Day. That's an example of someone who cares.

I also recall Charlotte City Councilman John Lassiter working tirelessly on the CMS School board for 11 years, to ensure that Charlotte's Public School students both Black and White, would receive an Equal Education.

Since his departure along with former Chairman Aurthur Griffin, Charlotte's Public Schools have become Re-Segregated and are going downhill.

Why don't we as a community raise the Educational bar for Charlotte's students by geting rid of and Closing ALL the Failing Public and Charter Schools where 95 to 100% of the student population are Poor, Minority students?

Then work together on a New, Strategic Educational plan to Re-Integrate Charlotte's Public Schools?

This focus should be implemented immediately even it means electing a whole New School Board and hiring a New Superintendent.

Throwing kids in jail with Adults is NOT going to solve the problem or reduce crime.

We as a community MUST begin investing in the lives of our Children and Youth, regardless what side of the tracks they hail from. (Hint, Hint to the Charlotte Black Community)


E) To help reduce Recidivism or Repeat Offenders, instead of trying to create "Trumped Up Charges" against them or use Entrapment to send them off to Prison for life, why not partner with Charlotte Churches and Cities like D.C. with effective Ex-Offender programs, to get these folk job training, G.E.D.s, housing, medical care, HIV/ AIDS testing & treatment, Substance abuse treatment, Mental Health treatment, Birth Control/ Family Planning, enrolled in President Obama's Americorps Volunteer programs, etc.,

Wouldn't that be a lot less expensive then spending hundreds of millions of Taxpayer dollars to house them in Prison cells for say 20 to 50 years?? After all they are still Human Beings. Aren't they?


F) City and County officials need to ensure that ALL of Charlotte's neighborhoods are being treated equally. This includes Sidewalks, Public Safety, Cleanliness, Affordable Housing but NO large concentrations of Public Housing residents in one community, Good Schools, Modern Mass Public Transportation, Recreation for Children and Youth, Economic Development, etc.,

For example in my community (a Multi-Cultural, working class neighborhood), the Charlotte Police Dept. often React instead of working the residents in that region to be Proactive.

We can barely get them to come out and Patrol "certain" communities.

The only time we really see them is when they are arresting someone or handing out Traffic Tickets. This appears to be commonplace within communities where the majority of the residents are Black and Hispanic.

In comparison.....

To communities where the majority of the residents are Caucasian, Wealthy, Semi-Wealthy or all three. In those neighborhoods the Police are often Friendly and they actually patrol the premises while interacting with the residents, versus pulling out a Taser gun or handcuffs to arrest a citizen.

I don't personally know Chief Rodney Monroe, thus it would be unfair to imply his department is behaving this way with his permission.

However since he is the Chief, he will bear the blame for the conduct of his Officers, both positive and negative.


G) As the city continues to grow offer more Uptown activities and allow the Businesses Uptown to remain open longer. At least until 5:00 am in the morning.

Tourists don't want to spend money or remain in a dead city.

I believe its called Urban Planning & Development.


H) Assign at least two Police Officers on the Lynx Light Rail daily and at least one Officer on Mass Transit buses (CATS) that service communities with a lot of Crime. Once again this should be done daily.

If Chief Monroe needs more Officers, than perhaps he should seek funding from President Obama's COPS program.


I) Continue to control the Illegal Immigration problem but do so without practicing Racial Profiling.

Reduce Gang Activity by deporting Illegal Gang members and reach out to Charlotte's Black and Hispanic Youth. Help get these kids into Colleges or Trade Schools instead of just wanting to throw them in jail.

In addition (as I mentioned above) help get them enrolled in President Obama's National Service program. Expand the Big Brothers and Big Sisters programs. Allow Zoning for more After School and Summer Camp programs.

To the Charlotte-Mecklenburg DSS officials STOP allowing and encouraging Charlotte's Teenage girls to have baby after baby, etc.,

And.....make those Deadbeat dads pay Child Support!


J) Develop a Charlotte Teen Entrepreneurial program. I'm serious!

You can't expect these kids to change without someone helping to give them a Hope and a Future. Something better than what they see daily in their regular environments.


K) Last but not least, create more Affordable Housing and do something (MORE) about helping get Charlotte's Homeless citizens off the streets.

This does NOT mean locking these people up or placing them in Mental Health Institutions unless they have committed a Real crime or are actually in need of Mental Health treatment. Just like Ex-Offenders, Homeless people are still Human Beings made in God's image.

Now let's get moving and create the CHANGE we wish to see!



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Sources: Forbes, Charlotte Observer, Newsobserver, Washington Post, Wikipedia, Acorreia.net, Charmeck.org, North Carolina Dept of Health and Human Services, Big Brothers and Sisters, votelassiter.com, WCNC, CMS