Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was taken into custody minutes ago by the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department to spend the next 120 days in the Wayne County Jail.

After two hours of legal wrangling on the parts of the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office and the defense team of Kwame Kilpatrick, Judge David Groner imposed the plea agreement, that at times, was hotly contested. At the beginning of the sentencing hearing, Kilpatrick could be seen in the courtroom shaking his head in objection to the very charges that he plead to. That is not surprising given that since 2002, Kwame Kilpatrick has thumbed his nose at the judicial system, the media and Detroit citizens in general. If he did not agree with the obstruction of justice counts, why did he plead out to them?

Kwame Kilpatrick is an arrogant and blatant liar. How he had the audacity to act as if he is an innocent man and a victim in this nightmare is beyond me. But I can truthfully say that there is absolutely nothing remorseful about him and if he had the chance to do it all again, there is no doubt in my mind that he would do it with few revisions. Judge Groner made it clear that there would be not be an early release for Kilpatrick and that a five year probation and one million dollar restitution would be enforced.

The really interesting part of this whole sentencing hearing came at the end. Judge Groner stated that the seven political funds that Kwame Kilpatrick has, which of course Kwame denies, can not be used for the personal benefit of Kilpatrick or his family. This is funny because Kwame’s lawyers started scrambling then! More than likely the Kilpatrick legal team were promised monies from these fund raising accounts. Also, Carlita and Kilpatrick’s children have to survive while he is in jail. Let’s not forget that Kwame Kilpatrick has promised a “come back.” So, I am sure some of that money was ear-marked for that purpose. But whatever the case, Kwame Kilpatrick has cost the citizens of Detroit double digit figures in the millions because of his affair with former chief of staff Christine Beatty and subsequent cover-up.

This saga has yet to conclude. In January, 2009, Christine Beatty’s trial begins. Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has promised that she will bring all the co-conspirators in this case to accountability. That is a good thing. But accountability and jail time does not mean remorse. Judge Groner mentioned this very point in his comments to Kwame Kilpatrick. Yet, can you not agree that this type of rogue politician has become the rule instead of the exception? Thug politicking and perverse corruption on the part of elected officials regularly make the headlines. While these experience the ‘good life’ in their political webs of moral degradation, you can be sure that the trip down the slippery slope of justice into a jail cell is not too far behind.

Mourners from across the country converged on Greater Grace Temple in Detroit Monday to say their final goodbyes and pay their respects to Four Tops lead singer Levi Stubbs. Stubbs, 72, died in his sleep Friday, October 17, 2008.

The church was packed with Motown celebrities, city dignitaries, friends and Detroiters alike who came together to remember the life and legacy of Levi Stubbs. Motown founder Berry Gordy, Jr. reminisced that Stubbs “made us walk in his shoes, felt what he felt and loved what he loved. He not only sang the song, he was the song.”

Smokey Robinson eulogized Levi Stubbs this way:

“He will always be here. You’re going to turn on the radio and hear him tomorrow. He made his mark on the world. All of the world, you’ll be able to hear Levi Stubbs forever!”

Duke Fakir, the last remaining original group member, gave those in attendence heart-warming expressions of love for his friend and then emotionally moved, thanked “each and every one of you out there, for anyone who ever did anything for the Tops.”

Levi Stubbs leaves a wife, Clineice, of 48 years, five children, eleven grandchildren and ten great-grand children.

This article was taken from the Associated Press Wire:

CHICAGO (AP) — A top FBI official said Monday that a body found in an SUV is believed to be that of Jennifer Hudson’s missing 7-year-old nephew, the focus of a desperate search since the Oscar winner’s mother and brother were found shot to death in their home three days earlier.

While the body has not been positively identified, FBI Deputy Director John S. Pistole said authorities believe it to be that of Julian King, who also lived in the home.

Chicago police said the body of a black male child was found shortly after 7 a.m. in the rear seat of an SUV. An autopsy was planned for Tuesday.

The SUV was found parked on the street in a neighborhood of brownstone homes and apartment buildings, and matched the one sought in an Amber Alert issued after Hudson’s mother and brother were found slain Friday, police Cmdr. Wayne Gulliford said.

In Washington, Pistole said at a news conference on child exploitation that authorities found a body “who we believe to be the missing victim in Chicago, the nephew of Jennifer Hudson. We are working with Chicago police to get a positive identification of the victim.”

Hudson had offered $100,000 Sunday for information leading to Julian’s safe return. He is the son of Jennifer Hudson’s sister, Julia Hudson. Telephone and e-mail messages left Monday for Hudson’s publicist, who had been releasing statements on behalf of the family, were not answered.

Chicago police have characterized the killings as “domestic related” and have been questioning William Balfour, who is the estranged husband of Julia Hudson and is being held in state custody on a parole violation. Balfour is not the boy’s father and has not been charged in the slayings.

Balfour, 27, was taken into custody Friday by Chicago police for questioning in the killings. On Sunday, he was transferred to the Illinois Department of Corrections “based on his active parole violation unrelated to this investigation.”

Records from the Corrections Department show Balfour is on parole and spent nearly seven years in prison for attempted murder, vehicular hijacking and possessing a stolen vehicle.

Balfour’s mother, Michele Balfour, has said Hudson’s mother kicked Balfour out of the family home last winter. She denied her son had anything to do with the killings.

Corrections spokeswoman Januari Smith said Balfour would probably remain in state custody until the Illinois Prisoner Review Board looked at his case. She would not say where Balfour was being held, and it was unclear whether Balfour had an attorney.

Hudson, who won an Academy Award in 2007 for her role in “Dreamgirls,” was in Chicago during the weekend. The medical examiner’s office confirmed Hudson, 27, identified the bodies of her mother, Darnell Donerson, 57, and 29-year-old brother, Jason Hudson. The deaths were ruled homicides.

Neighbors and well-wishers brought stuffed animals and other items to a makeshift memorial outside Donerson’s two-story white clapboard home as news of Monday’s discovery spread.

“Everybody knows Jennifer Hudson, but I would be here even if it was little Suzy on the corner,” said Tacara Juarez, 26, who doesn’t know the family but lives in the neighborhood.

On Sunday, Hudson appealed to the public for help, offering the reward and asking any information be given to Chicago police.

“Jennifer and her family appreciate the enormous amount of love, support and prayers they have received while she and her family try to cope with this tragedy and continue the search for Julian,” said a statement from her publicist.

Former New York Knicks coach Isaiah Thomas was rushed from his home early Friday after his wife, Lynn, placed a 911 call upon learning that Thomas had ingested ten Lunesta sleeping pills. Now from this point on, the story becomes confusing and muffled.

Isaiah Thomas, upon being reached for comment by reporters, lied and claimed that it was his seventeen year old daughter who had to be rushed to hospital instead of him. Thomas alleged that his daughter had been “down” and was dealing with “some issues.” But he denied that she tried to commit suicide and suffered an overdose of sleeping pills.

However, Harrison officials tell a different story. It was Thomas that was rushed from his home around midnight Friday to the nearest hospital for an apparent overdose of Lunesta. A police escort returned with Thomas to his estate after he was released from the hospital. So, why the poor cover-up?

It is common knowledge that since a jury ruled in favor of Anucha Browne Sanders’ sexual harassment lawsuit against Thomas and Madison Square Garden in 2007 and awarded her $11.6M, which Madison Square Garden was ordered to pay, things have not gone well in Isaiah’s world. In April of this year, Thomas was fired form his position as coach of the Knicks organization. He has since been employed by the Knicks in a nameless position and has been barred from having any type of communication with the Knicks team.

With an awful NBA coaching record and the loss of a multimillion dollar sexual harassment case, it is no wonder that Isaiah Thomas is feeling the pinch of depression. It is universally understood. The fall-out from the case and the info that exploded in the court room must have cast a humongous shadow on Thomas twenty-plus marriage to his wife, Lynn. The stress and anguish from not being on the  basketball court amongst familiar surroundings and the roar of a crowd must be over-whelming.

Isaiah Thomas might have been a horrible coach, but he was one of the best basketball players that the NBA produced. What happened Friday should be acknowledged for what it was: a cry for help. Perhaps those within Thomas’ circle will coin it what it is and help this man get the help that he needs. Isaiah Thomas may believe that his world and his life are over. But, just because the world of the NBA has closed its’ doors, does not mean that there aren’t other doors wide open with more opportunities. These may have nothing to do with basketball or the NBA. However, that is okay. It has to be.

Isaiah Thomas has got to stand up and show all of his fans and supporters that he may be down, but never out. It’s time for Thomas to stop wallowing in his pain and get back out in the midst of things. Move back to Michigan. Detroit. Indiana. The places that are dear to him. His own Tara. Tomorrows are more than just another sad bunch of unlivable days!

The mother and brother of Academy-Award winning actress Jennifer Hudson were found dead in their south side Chicago home late Friday afternoon. A family member reportedly entered the home around 3pm to discover Darnell Donerson, 57, shot to death lying on her living room floor. Jason Hudson, 29, was found dead in a bedroom. According to police, the homicides appear to be the product of a domestic dispute.

A grandson living in the home of Darnell Donerson was apparently missing from the scene and authorities immediately issued an Amber Alert for seven year old Julian King.  William Balfour, 27, who resided in the home with Donerson and Hudson, is also missing. Balfour, currently on parole, spent seven years in prison for attempted murder, vehicular hijacking and possession of a stolen vehicle.

Jennifer Hudson’s publicist released this statement:

We can confirm that there is an ongoing investigation concerning the deaths of Jennifer Hudson’s mother, Darnell Donerson, and her brother, Jason Hudson,” Hudson’s personal publicist, Lisa Kasteler, said in a statement. “No further comment will be made and the family has asked that their privacy be respected at this difficult time.”

Jennifer Hudson, who won an Academy Award in 2007 for best supporting actress in the movie ”Dreamgirls,” has the #1 Billboard Hot R & B/Hip Hop spot this week with her debut song, “Spotlight.” Hudson also starred in the blockbuster of the summer, “Sex and the City.” She is one of the co-stars in the newly released movie “Secret Life Of Bees.”

In his acceptance speech for the Democratic nomination, Presidential hopeful Barack Obama  revealed his plan of action if he should win the presidency in November. Obama’s plan touched on every aspect of American living from universal health care, tax relief for middle class and lower income families, the education of school age children and the pursuit of a college education for young adults, the “responsible” ending on the so-called ‘war on terror’ and the supplemental support to returning troops. Obama’s plan also sets out to eliminate America’s dependence on foreign oil in ten years and he hopes to explore alternative means of energy for American consumption.

But since that acceptance speech, things have changed. The economic crisis forced the U.S. federal government to step in with a $850B bailout plan. This bailout or rescue plan that essentially gives a free pass to the crooks on Wall Street and greedy mortgage and bank lenders, will more than likely become a albatross around the necks of generations of Americans.

The question is, if Barack Obama is elected to become President in November and January 21, 2009 begins his first day on the job, what campaign promise will he ax first? Realistically speaking, all of this double talk about not increasing taxes on both sides of the campaign trail is misleading. Taxes will spike and taxes disguised as those pesky hidden fees will become more plentiful. How else will the the two current wars in Afghanistan and Iraq be financed at a $10B a day?

The funding of these two wars will make it fundamentally impossible for Obama to establish his health care program. It would be great to increase the wages of teachers and infuse money into the “No Child Left Behind Act.” But that can not happen without the flow of cash. All of this campaign talk about spreading the wealth and growing the wealth is nothing but code wording for more taxation.

Neither one of the Presidential candidates will be able to fulfill their campaign promises because even they know that talk is cheap, but action takes bucks! McCain and Obama know that the ‘war on terror’ is the gaping hole that sucks the money right out of any reasonable budget. But because this ‘war on terror’ was ill-advised and full of incomplete and unreasonable exit strategies, Americans are going to have to suffer the ‘taxing’ consequences by emptying out their wallets and their bank accounts.

Maybe some straight talk from both candidates on what they could realistically do for Americans as opposed to issuing fantastical whimsical ideals that Disney manufactures every day is not a half bad suggestion. Deep down, we all like to escape and dream up a life that makes sense. We all like to taste the cake frosting from time to time. But the frosting is not the cake. Telling the truth is not something that politicians necessarily like to do.

So, perhaps Obama should keep the promises to a minimum and re-access what theoretical policies are feasibly capable of being implemented. That would surely make him ‘fundamentally different’ from his opponent.

When the whisper of the news that Levi Stubbs, the formidable lead baritone of the legendary Four Tops, had died at his home in Detroit early Friday, no one really wanted to confirm it. It has never been a secret that Levi Stubbs suffered a debilitating stroke in 2000 that left him virtually impaired and ill. His retirement from the legendary group he helped found later in the year caused a rumble. The word was that Stubbs would be replaced. This rumour, which swept through the streets of Detroit like crack rock, let the remaining Tops know that replacing Levi Stubbs would not be an option. Funny. They listened the concerns of their fans and Detroiters by issuing a statement acknowledging that the silky-gruff pleading voice of Levi Stubbs COULD not be replaced.

From time to time, the Tops were graced by Stubbs presence at an event or two. Here and there. But we knew that Levi Stubbs was in poor health and we accepted his legacy to Motown, to Detroit and to the world. It was okay to say goodbye to a man that sung his natural heart out on stage. He had entertained us for over thirty years. Now, it was our turn to show him how much we loved him. The Tops legacy must continue despite our selfishness. The Tops did just that. They continued making music and thrilling audiences all over the the planet.

It deeply saddened me to hear those whispers of the death Levi Stubbs. He was a legend in Detroit and we loved him. When Motown left Detroit in the late sixties, early seventies, anda lot of key acts followed Berry Gordy to California, The Tops stayed in Detroit. My dad lived right around the corner from Renaldo “Obie” Benson. I ended of moving directly across the street from Abdul “Duke” Fakir. These men, The Tops, had extraordinary fame and money (maybe I should pass on that because we all know that Motown gave its’ artist the rawist of raw deals) but they chose to stay in the city that they grew up in. The Tops lived in Detroit. Raised their children in Detroit. Partied in Detroit. Yes, there are some stories about how The Tops partied, too!

No one bothered them. We loved them. But Detroiters gave them their peace and respect. I remember when Duke Fakir opened a restaurant in Downtown Detroit on the Lansdown. A floating boat/club/restaurant. My best friend’s brother worked on it when Duke took over. We were mad excited! Yeah, we were teenagers, but the legend of The Tops transcends age. One particular night, after begging and pleading, my best friend’s brother slipped us onto the boat. Being seventeen and ga-ga over DeBarge, Prince and New Edition, didn’t stop us from hoping that we could touch Motown magic!

My girlfriend and I ate and danced, had a great time! As we waited for my girlfriend’s brother to finish his shift (he had a car and we had bussed it), The Tops strolled in with their wives. Instead of walking right past us, like we were just a couple of kids, they stopped and engaged us in conversation. LOL! The conversation centered around how hold were we and why weren’t we at home in bed! But that was still cool! We had a whole conversation with the legendary Tops! Our parents would be excited if we could have told them!

I met The Tops again at the annual Motown Museum fundraiser. I was an adult and a journalist covering the event. Levi Stubbs and The Tops, as usual, sprinkled on me that Motown nostalgia. They gave me a great interview and even invited me to join them at their table! The class of these guys! What a evening! I will never forget it!

Now, only one original Top remain. Duke. Obie and Lawrence passed in 1997 and 2005 respectively. I am at a loss for words. I am hurting and I know that Detroiters are greatly mourning the passing of Levi Stubbs. We loved all of The Tops. Their music spoke to a city in crisis that refused to let it get them down. I vaguely remember when “Still Waters” was released. I was seven. My dad loved that song. He played it often along with The Tempts.

Yeah. The Tops and The Tempts. That’s what we Detroiters called our most beloved Motown groups. Levi Stubbs, a legend. A class act. Can you hear “Stiil Waters” in your ear? I can.

Levi Stubbs, dead at 72. We’re going to miss him. But his music will live forever!

ACORN, a grassroots organization, is making headlines for voters registration fraud. As always, an organization that has helped thousands for the better good, has hit a snag and is being exploited for a political cause.

But to all those who had never heard of or had to use the services of ACORN, what does the acronym stand for?

ACORN is short for The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now. Being that it is a “community organization” and we know how Gov. Palin feels about those, it is no wonder that ACORN would be thrown into the campaign to blindside Americans.

I and many, many others have used the services of ACORN and are grateful that they speak up for those who are ignored and forgotten. Regardless of what is going on right now, ACORN reps are still helping low income people to find housing, fight their slumlords, fill out job applications, get food and medical assistance, childcare, etc.

And when the election season is over and a new President sworn in, ACORN will still serve urban communities and citizens in need. In a few months, America will forget about ACORN and the low income to zero income folks they help.

ACORN has been in the news these past days because of voters registration fraud. Meaning? There were some dishonest employees of ACORN who took advantage of their employer and decided to get a check for zero work. That is unfortunate. But this type of dishonesty goes further than ACORN. When was the last time you left work early but your check read different? When was the last time you arrived to work late and you didn’t acknowledge it on your time slip?

ACORN has helped thousands upon thousands of low income families for almost forty years with housing, rent, food, jobs and landlord disputes. However, this election is not about Joe Barely Making It, or Single Mom With Five Kids And Three Jobs To Equal One.

ACORN helps the forgotten class of Americans. Now, the organization that helps these people is getting a raw deal itself for campaign brownie points. If you have no clue as to what ACORN IS and what it is ALL ABOUT because you are a Soccer Mom or Middle Class Joe Six Pack or even Joe the Plummer, who makes $45,000 as an unlicensed working plummer, then the below info is for you.

You can locate more about ACORN at www.acorn.org:

ACORN is the nation’s largest grassroots community organization of low- and moderate-income people with over 400,000 member families organized into more than 1,200 neighborhood chapters in 110 cities across the country.  Since 1970, ACORN has been building community organizations that are committed to social and economic justice, and won victories on thousands of issues of concern to our members, through direct action, negotiation, legislative advocacy and voter participation.  ACORN helps those who have historically been locked out become powerful players in our democratic system.

The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) aims to organize a majority consituency of low- to moderate-income people across the United States.  The members of ACORN take on issues of relevance to their communities, whether those issues are discrimination, affordable housing, a quality education, or better public services.  ACORN believes that low- to moderate-income people are the best advocates for their communities, and so ACORN’s low- to moderate-income members act as leaders, spokespeople, and decision-makers within the organization.

1970 – Wade Rathke begins organizing in Arkansas to unite welfare recipients and working people for shared needs and rights; forms ACORN (Arkansas Community Organizations for Reform Now)

1971 – ACORN leaders organize “Save the City” campaign in Little Rock, establishing ACORN as a force in Arkansas politics. ACORN establishes six regional offices in the state around issues of concern to rural and small town Arkansans, begins to tackle statewide issues

1972 – ACORN’s “Save the City Rally” in Little Rock marks first entrance into electoral politics

1974 – In Pulaski County, 250 ACORN members run for office, 195 win seats

1975 – ACORN expands to Texas and South Dakota; first associate Executive Board and first president (Steve McDonald) elected to handle issues of larger scope

1978 – First national convention, of 1,000 members in Memphis, marks beginning of multi-state campaigns

1978-1980 – Participation in 1980 presidential campaign leads entry into national politics

1980 – ACORN is in 20 states, having added at least 3 states each year since

1982 – ACORN reaches 30,000 member families

1980s – Reagan years very trying for low-income communities and organizing. ACORN launches squatting campaign to get low- and moderate-income people into vacant houses and fix them up, with neighborhood approval. Fifteen thousand ACORN members and allies establish “Reagan Ranches” in over 35 cities, building tent cities to symbolize the homelessness Reagan’s policies created. ACORN develops and strengthens ACORN Political Action Committees (APACs) and legislative office.

1985 – ACORN grows to 27 states, including significant chapters in New York, Washington, D.C., and Chicago

1990 – ACORN has more than 70,000 members in 28 states

1994 – ACORN participation has helped Project Vote register 147,000 voters in Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey and Pennsylvania

2000 – ACORN is 125,000 members strong. ACORN registers 100,000 new voters nationwide.

2004 – Now 720 full-time staff working for ACORN and sister organizations, up from 490 just a year before. ACORN organized in 80 cities (up from 60 at the end of 2003) in 31 states. ACORN also expands internationally, with ACORN Canada opening its first offices in Toronto and Vancouver and ACORN Peru opening an office in Lima.

2005 – ACORN now includes chapters in over 100 U.S. cities in 37 states and in Canada, Peru and Mexico

2006 – More than 350,000 member families organized in over 110 cities in 40 states; added Argentina

2007 – ACORN organizes in India

An official statement from ACORN:

Maude Hurd, ACORN’s National President, issued the following statement in response to Senator McCain’s attack:

With the last and final Presidential debate in the can, it is apparent that according to the latest CNN gallop polls, Sen. Barack Obama is leading among independent voters and the like. Obama has been leading Sen. John McCain by as much as six points in the weeks leading up to the Wednesday’s debate and after. But what does this mean?

The final Presidential debate showcased a more aggressively animate Sen. John McCain. That was a relief! The placid and flat-lined behavior McCain exhibited in the last two debates were definitely unacceptable and bothersome. However, the animated version of John McCain attempted to continue to sow the seeds of doubt about the judgement and character of Obama by playing connect the dots with Bill Ayers and ACORN. This strategy, risky at best, was a defining moment for McCain. It would have worked if Americans did not already have prior knowledge of the preemptive strike that McCain planned to remove the blaring spotlight from his and the GOP’s economic nightmare of worthless policies, and shift the focus to Barack Obama’s business relationships of yester years. Really, it could have worked. But the $850B bailout happened first.

Therefore, despite a great debate appearance, McCain failed at the task at hand. Instead of pointing fingers and attacking haphazardly in the attempt to make Obama look shadier than Rev. Jesse Jackson, McCain raised serious questions about his own character. Even though McCain said that he is “not George Bush,” it is evident that he does subscribe to the Bush Doctrine, voting a whopping 94 times for Bush inspired policies. John McCain likes to say that he at times has voted independent of his party. That he is different. Well, the debate proved that to be untrue. When it comes to covering over misdeeds and mistakes caused by lapses in judgement, McCain stands squarely with Bush. Deflections of truth and preemptive strikes are tools that John McCain and President Bush use with precision and pleasure.

The funny thing about the whole matter is that the American public are already hip to what is really going down!

A Letter From The Editor:

It is quite disheartening to turn on the television these days. The misleading campaign ads, the squabbling between political commentators and Lou Dobbs’ gradual ‘washing that gray right outta his hair,’ makes for some pretty uncomfortable TV viewing.

I have begun to experience migraines again. It is so difficult as a journalist to stay fair, accurate and impartial. At times, the lines become blurred. But I take my cues from the great Barbara Walters and my personal favorite, CNN’s Anderson Cooper. These two bring both sides of the coin without swearing an allegiance. I marvel at that. It is remarkable to stay cool and calm while the country is virtually on fire about one thing or another. Like Obama. See, just could not resist! lol!

But seriously, I suppose that the emotions of everyone in America right about now are stretched to the limit. Not only are Americans stressed by all of this ‘hating’ going on, we have to contend with milk being almost $4 a gallon. Cereal just as expensive. Gas, don’t even think about it! 750,000 people have lost their jobs this year. Automotive plants are getting ready to close their doors. Thousands more will be on the unemployment lines come 2009. Folks are losing everything dear to them.

When all of these real life issues are so much more important to the average American, it makes you wonder how a campaign strategist could advice a presidential candidate to become downright vicious and rabid towards his opponent? Over something so intolerable as distorting the truth about a candidate’s former business associate? Or the witch hunt concerning the rantings of an overzealous former pastor? Or the criminal activities of a former friend named Keating?

Now, the McCain camp are asking Americans “Who REALLY is Barak Obama?” Shouldn’t the question be who are EITHER of these two men, whom were remarkably respected individuals 18 months ago. As of today, it is hard to tell just which is which. So unfortunate, isn’t it?

Here is the latest pres statement sent to my email from the Obama campaign regarding the ‘not so dynamic duo’ of McCain / Palin and their pitbull antics this afternoon:

“It’s now clear that John McCain would rather launch angry, personal attacks than talk about the economy or defend his risky bailout scheme that hands over billions in taxpayer dollars to the same irresponsible Wall Street banks and lenders that got us into this mess – a scheme that guarantees taxpayers will lose money.  While Barack Obama ensured that the rescue plan that passed Congress protects taxpayers and homeowners, John McCain’s scheme has been panned by experts and observers from across the political spectrum,” said Obama campaign spokesman Tommy Vietor.

 In the famous words of Hip Hop royalty, RUN-DMC (circa 1982):

“Wars going on across the seas / street soldiers killing the elderly / whatever happened to unity / it’s like that / AND THAT’S THE WAY IT IS!”

It is simply amazing the lengths folks will go to cover their own behinds! I truly have not seen this much fumbling and blustering since the 2000-2001 season of the Detroit Lions. Okay. The 1997-2007 seasons. The Detroit Lions have McCain and Palin beat, but you get the idea.

With the bottom of the economy seriously disintegrating rapidly, the ‘not so dynamic duo’ of Sen. John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin are scrambling to keep afloat in a race that has Sen. Barack Obama in a national lead. In order to deflect the glaring attention placed upon the Republican Party regarding the hard to swallow $700…no, $850B “rescue bailout” to the crooks and swindlers on Wall Street, McCain insiders openly admit that the smut and lies portion of the campaign has begun. As Gov. Palin said Monday, the “heels are on and the gloves are off!” The “fear and smear campaign” is what McCain insiders are quoted telling the “Washington Post.” Should we all be frightened?

Gov. Sarah Palin told a rally of supporters that Obama “began his politcal career in the living room of a known domestic terrorist.” She also said that Obama is “palling around with a domestic terrorist.” This ‘terrorist’ is Bill Ayers, former radical and member of the 1960’s anti-war group, “Weather Underground.” This radical leftist organization was against the Vietnam War and subscribed to whatever means possible to make that stand known. The Weather Underground are responsible for the bombing of the New York City Police Headquarters(1970), the U.S Capital Bldg.(1971) and the Pentagon(1972).

Ayers, now a respectable university professor, wrote about his association with the Weather Underground in a memoir, “Fugitive Days,” in September 2001. The New York Times article that Gov. Palin has been waving around like a flag, erroneously stated that Ayers felt “no regret setting bombs” and that he “feels we didn’t do enough.” Ayers then wrote a scathing response to the article in which he accused the writer of the New York Times article of “deliberate distortion.” The actual context was that Ayers felt that his efforts to stop the U.S in  Vietnam were not enough.

Flash forward to Chicago 1995. The Chicago Annenberg Project was awarded a grant for $49.2M. The Project need someone dedicated and trustworthy to oversee the distribution of these funds. Barack Obama was selected for this post. Bill Ayers was on the board of this group. As a community organizer for anti-poverty in Chicago, Obama sat on this charity board alongside Ayers. In all, both attended twelve board meetings. Neither one has claimed a friendship.

So, is it accurate to state that Obama was “palling around with a known terrorist?” No. Why? It doesn’t make sense. I once served on a board that organized middle school parents to participate in Saturday academic activities. One of my fellow board members was an exotic dancer. A stripper. Does my association with this person while carrying out board business mean that I am a “stripper?” Because I showed up for the parent meetings on Saturday, like the stripper and everybody else, does this make me a “stripper” too? Or a believer in the stripper philosophy of ‘get money?’

How about this: one year, my neighborhood got together and held a block party. Everyone in the neighborhood came out. Senior citizens, children, the neighborhood drunk, the easy girl, married couples and the round the way drug dealer. Does the fact that we all ate and laughed and had a good time mean that we approve of the girl who is an easy lay, that we support our friendly neighborhood drunk in his endeavors, and that we are in love with the dopeman?

Hardly. This block gathering happened once a year and the purpose of it was to unite the neighborhood and make it a better place. But have Gov. Palin tell it, we “were palling around,” instead of working for the greater good of the neighborhood. If the McCain campaign could describe that day, they would probably say that all of us were partying and getting drunk and high with the crack dealer “in his living room.” This would include the senior citizens that attended, too!

It is just too ridiculous and way too pathetic to watch the McCain / Palin campaign scramble to get votes. McCain once said that he would run a clean, moral campaign. I guess he added the fine print to that quote that flashed quickly before we could read it with a microscope. I hate to only think what the McCain /Palin ‘not so dynamic duo’ come out with next.

O.J. Simpson was found guilty on all twelve counts of conspiracy, kidnapping and armed robbery early Saturday morning in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Co-defendent Clarence Steward was also found guilty of all charges.

O.J. Simpson faces life in prison.

President Bush signed the $700B ‘bailout’ bill Friday into law. This law will provide the needed cushion to Wall Street big wigs when the big “boom” in the economy finally explodes. However, the “Joe Six Pack’s” of this country are unaware of the true dollars and cents that their great-grandchildren will have to pay when the Piper known as Uncle Sam comes ‘a callin’.

The House passed a $700B fictitious bill that is full of padding. How is it fictitious? The bill is not for $700B. The bill, which has now been signed into a law, is really a staggering $810. The extra $110B price tag comes from the so-called ‘pork spending’ that is attached to the law.

$192 million goes towards slashing import taxes on rum from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

$100 million goes to automobile speed track owners.

$3.3B is ear-marked for those who don’t pay state income taxes.

$10 million is directed to bike commuters.

$2 million goes to manufacturers of wooden arrows for children.

So, lets stop calling this a $700B ‘bailout.’ What it really is is a $3 trillion dollar ‘raping and fleecing’ of “Joe Six Pack.” Why $3 trillion dollars? Well, Americans have to figure in the War on Terror that is being fought in Afghanistan and Iraq. Coupled with the true price tag of this so-called ‘bailout’ of the now adjusted rate of $810B, the average American is going to be stuck with the price tag from the wars.

“Joe Six Pack” is going to find, within years to come, that the six pack of beer will cost considerably more than it does now. With this padding, “Joe Six Pack” may not be able to afford a bottle of beer!

No one thought that Alaskan Governor and VP candidate Sarah Palin could pull it off. Some political pundits proclaimed her failure and ineptness before the scheduled debate even took place. However, Palin’s worst critics had to admit at 11:02pm Tuesday that their rush to judgement was premature at best.

The first and only Vice Presidential Debate of the 2008 election season was interesting to watch and the two candidates held their own throughout the entire ninety minutes of the debate. PBS political commentator and journalist Gwen Ifill accomplished what any moderator in her shoes would have done. She moderated a smooth discussion of the issues without prejudice towards either candidate. The fast-talking political commentators and GOP supporters who were basically calling for the blood of Ifill because of the book she is working on concentrates of the trek that African Americans have made in U.S. government, which includes the first African American to be taken seriously in the quest for the White House, Barack Obama.

How it is that this book came to light, which wasn’t a secret from jump, is totally suspect. Both campaigns were well-aware of Gwen Ifill’s book and neither had a reported problem with that fact. Unfortunately, instead of being respected for the remarkable journalist that she is, Gwen Ifill’s reputation and integrity as a well-respected journalist had to be slandered. This was all in preparation for the supposed failure of Gov. Palin if she choked, crashed and burned. The scapegoat would be Ifill and not Palin’s retention capacity. The truth of the matter is that those within the GOP weren’t certain or confident how Palin would fare.

However we know that Gov. Sarah Palin didn’t choke, she may have stumbled, but she did not choke. Well, what was the average American thinking while the VP Debate rolled forward? Perhaps this:

9:02pm: After Gwen Ifill introduces the VP candidates, they shake hands and Gov. Palin asks Sen. Biden if she can call him “Joe.” Are they friends now? Is she being funny? This is war, not a celebrity meet and greet.

9:05pm: Right out the gate, here Palin comes with that Soccer Mom stuff. Is she going to beat us over the heads with this ideology? No new material? She looks kinda nervous and robotic as she looks into the camera. Hopefully this won’t last the entire 90 mts.

9:07pm: Sen. Biden looks ready to do his thing. He seems relaxed. But he has an old ham at this.

9:08pm: Cool to see the candidates look and engage one another. Not like the Presidential Debates. McCain refused to eye-ball Obama. Somebody got the memo.

9:10pm: Now it’s ‘Hockey Mom.’ ‘Hockey Moms’ unite? Sarah, cool it with that. It’s getting kinda old.

9:11pm: Do we Americans not think that McCain is a great guy? Biden come with something else. I thought you were on the Obama ticket. Oh, cameraman, please stop panning from the top and back of Biden’s head. The front view is the better view. I’m sure Biden would agree.

9:13pm: Yeah, it is true that Obama voted to raise taxes on Americans 94 times. How else is the War on Terror going to be funded? That’s 10B a day!

9:14pm: Do we really care about what Sarah Palin did as mayor? What can she do as VP? That is the question.

9:18pm: $5000 health care credit through income taxes. What is five grand really going to do for middle and low income families? Emergency visits alone can cost $1500 or more. Not good enough, Palin.

9:21pm: Nice comeback Biden! Yeah, that McCain / Palin health care credit IS the ULTIMATE ‘bridge to nowhere.’ Funny!

9:29pm: Back on energy, Palin? OK. You are an energy maverick. Biden gave you that. Are you going to bang this over our heads along with the ’soccer mom’ stuff too?

9:30pm: That’s a switch. All this ranting about taxes and tax breaks that Palin has been doing and NOW she wants to say it’s NOT about tax breaks and etc.? She’s the one doing the attacking! How else would we know that Obama voted for tax hikes for the average citizen and breaks for oil companies?

9:35pm: OK. Biden, you’re not a good liar. Looks like you said SOMETHING about ‘clean/dirty coal.’ It’s written all over your face.

9:36pm: Uh Oh! Same sex topic. Now I just know that the true colors of both parties is going to shine! lol!

9:40pm: Democrats and Republicans against redefining ‘marriage’ to include homosexuals. Big surprise! NOT! Biden is for ‘gay rights.’ I’m not sure where Palin and McCain stand on that issue. Palin’s answer was confusing.

10:13pm: Biden trying to explain why her voted for the War. Instead of explaining, ’cause it sounds like an excuse, just admit you were wrong and leave it at that. Finger-pointing looks like back-tracking to a lot of folks.

10:05pm: Divesting in the Sudan? YOU GO, GIRL! Palin looking pretty good there. You know we Black folk love that word: D-I-V-E-S-T-I-N-G!

10:07PM: Palin stumbles. Started responding in her own words, but ended up reciting some McCain and winning wars mumble jumble. I thought McCain was in the Vietnam Conflict. No one won that but the U.S.S.R.

10:16pm: We must be getting to the end of this debate because the catch phrases have begun. ‘Change’ used three times in one sentence by Biden.

10:17pm: OK. Biden just didn’t say that Dick Cheney is the most dangerous VP in U.S history on national tv? WOW!

10:18pm: How can you be tied into the heartland if you don’t read newspapers and periodicals about the heartland? Sarah, say “TIME” next time someone asks you what you read. Commit to something.

10:21pm: Biden breaks down. Emotional moment.

10:22pm: Catch phrase: ‘Maverick.’ Twice in one sentence. Four in three. Palin

10:23pm: Biden: “John McCain is not a maverick!.” Six times.

10:28pm: How do you lower taxes, Sarah, with a 10B a day war going on?

10:29pm: Palin, will you please stop criticizing the media? You sound like you’re whining.

11:02pm: Sit Down Haters! Gwen Ifill did a wonderful job!!