Model found dead

 

The body of Katoucha Niane, one of the first African women to attain international stardom as a model and a vocal opponent of female genital mutilation, was found in the Seine River, police said Friday.

Known simply as Katoucha, the former top model for Yves Saint Laurent and other top designers was found Thursday near the Garigliano bridge in Paris, judicial police in Paris said.

An autopsy showed no signs of foul play, pointing to the possibility that the 47-year-old may have fallen accidentally into the river, they said.

She had been missing since January and was last seen returning home from a party. She lived in a houseboat near Paris' Alexandre III bridge, and her handbag was later found on the boat.

Read the rest here.

Who should answer the phone?

Democrat Barack Obama accused his rival Hillary Rodham Clinton on Friday of trying to "scare up votes" with a television ad showing sleeping children and asking who would be more qualified to answer a national security emergency call at 3 a.m.

"We've seen these ads before," the Illinois senator said while campaigning in Texas. "They're the kind that play on peoples' fears to scare up votes. Well, it won't work this time. Because the question is not about picking up the phone. The question is: What kind of judgment will you make when you answer?"

Personally, I want Hillary to answer the phone...but that's just me.

Limbaugh tells Republicans to vote for Hillary

It may be sound unbelievable, but conservative Rush Limbaugh is urging Republicans to cross party lines this Tuesday in primaries in Ohio and Texas and vote for Hillary Clinton.

During his No. 1 rated radio show and on his Web site, www.rushlimbaugh.com, the former Clinton archenemy has told listeners to “pimp themselves” for just one day vote by voting for Hillary to keep the Democratic Party “at war with itself.”

Citing a story in a Texas newspaper headlined “Many Republicans to Vote for Obama," Limbaugh told listeners this week: “I understand I've got a big challenge here to try to get Republicans to change their minds on this and vote for Hillary to keep her in the race, to keep that party at war with itself . . .

“It's clear that Republicans in Texas have been listening to this program where we have advised Republicans to pimp themselves for a day and go vote in the Democrat primary . . . I just think, at this stage, the longer Hillary can stay in this, the better for us.”

Limbaugh said he wants to see Hillary and Barack Obama continue battling, noting that the battle will end if Hillary is vanquished and Obama can focus completely on presumptive GOP nominee John McCain.

“I know I'm fighting an uphill battle . . . vote for Hillary to keep this campaign going, this 'uncivil war,'” Rush said.

“Remember what this is, this is about us winning. You have to understand, it's not about Hillary winning; It's about us winning. It's about our party winning. It's about those people losing. They've got some problems in the Democratic Party. It's not all sweetness and light over there . . .

“If Hillary loses this thing, all of that's going to come to a screeching halt. We want all the disruption in that party as possible. It's about us winning.”

Sherraye Speaks: Excellence is the key

Today, the Honorable Judge Nikki Clark, Circuit Judge in the Second Judicial Circuit here in Tallahassee, Florida, spoke to a group of students at the FSU College of Law. She was dynamic! She was articulate, poised, personable, confident and she was practical. She gave us all some very practical advice. I want to share some of that advice with you.

First, she told us all to be the best lawyers we could be. She told us to represent our profession well. Preparation, she said, was key. So many attorneys go into court unprepared, barely knowing their case, don't know the rules of evidence...

She said some other things but the main thing that stuck with me is that she encouraged us to carry ourselves in the spirit of excellence. That advice can be applied to any area of life. No matter what you set your hand to do, you should always walk in the spirit of excellence.

Now, that I am writing this post, I wish I had taken notes because she said so many good things.

Thank you, Judge Clark, for your wisdom and your time.

Member of the Florida Legislature wants confederate tag

A Panhandle legislator with a proud disdain for political correctness and no fear of bucking Gov. Charlie Crist or the state Republican Party wants Florida to issue license tags honoring "Confederate Heritage" -- complete with images of Dixie flags and buttons from Rebel uniforms.

"It’s a part of our history, whether we like it or not," Rep. Don Brown, R-DeFuniak Springs, said in an interview. "I appreciate the heritage and the good things that people feel about our past."

No comment.

Boy gets beating for not making all A's

An Atlanta couple pleaded guilty Monday to beating their son after he didn't receive all A's on his report card.

The boy's father, Jean Pierre Marshall, 42, and stepmother, Courtney Marshall, 26, were convicted on one count of first degree cruelty to children and one count of misdemeanor battery, the Fulton County district attorney's office said. He was sentenced to one year in prison and 10 years probation; his wife received five years of probation.

Back in March 2007, the Marshalls' son, 13-year-old Jacob, asked his teacher, Sabrina Golphin, to revise his report card. She refused and Jacob threatened to kill himself, Golphin said during Monday's sentencing hearing. Jacob was shaking and "almost hysterical," she said. He told her he was afraid to go home because he didn't get all A's.

When the teacher wouldn't change his grades, Jacob altered his report card himself, and when his parents discovered the deception they beat him with a belt and their fists, the district attorney's office said. One of the father's punches caused Jacob to lose consciousness, authorities testified.

He fled the house after his beating, returning to Price Middle School — where he was a student — barefoot and in torn clothes. The Marshalls were arrested soon after.

"A parent has a right to discipline a child, in fact, he has an obligation to do so," said Superior Court Judge Michael D . Johnson. "But clearly this went well beyond that which is appropriate."

The child now lives with his biological mother in Wisconsin.

This one made me cry.  Nasty bastards.  It absolutely breaks my heart to hear about children being abused and mistreated.  Just crazy.

Farrakhan...thanks, but no thanks

In his first major public address since a cancer crisis, Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan said Sunday that presidential candidate Barack Obama is the "hope of the entire world" that the U.S. will change for the better.

The 74-year-old Farrakhan, addressing an estimated crowd of 20,000 people at the annual Saviours' Day celebration, never outrightly endorsed Obama but spent most of the nearly two-hour speech praising the Illinois senator.

"This young man is the hope of the entire world that America will change and be made better," he said. "This young man is capturing audiences of black and brown and red and yellow. If you look at Barack Obama's audiences and look at the effect of his words, those people are being transformed."

Farrakhan compared Obama to the religion's founder, Fard Muhammad, who also had a white mother and black father.

"A black man with a white mother became a savior to us," he told the crowd of mostly followers. "A black man with a white mother could turn out to be one who can lift America from her fall."

Here's the rest: http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/farrakhan_saviours_day/2008/02/24/75173.html?s=al&promo_code=45CE-1

I love Louis Farrakhan. I do. But the worst thing he can do to Barack is openly support him. Remember that Jesse Jackson fiasco?

Mainstream America does not like Farrakhan and mainstream Americans are needed to win the general election

I know you mean well, Minister, but if you want Barack to win, support him in secret. Love you. :-)

Still standing by her man

Hillary Rodham Clinton strongly defended her husband's record on civil rights Saturday at a forum in which she acknowledged "painful moments" in a presidential contest pitting the first woman candidate against a pioneering black contender.

At the annual State of the Black Union conference hosted by PBS's Tavis Smiley, Clinton pushed back hard on the notion that Bill Clinton had inflamed racial tensions while campaigning for her in the run-up to South Carolina's primary last month.

The former president _ once so popular among black voters he was dubbed the first black president by novelist Toni Morrison _ harshly criticized Obama in South Carolina, producing a backlash among blacks that helped lead to his wife's crushing defeat there.

After that primary, the former president angered many by suggesting Obama had won the state simply because he was a black candidate campaigning in a state with a large number of black voters. Since then, Clinton has badly lost the black vote to Obama in every primary or caucus _ including Louisiana's earlier this month.

You know, I hate to say this, but if Hillary loses the nomination I blame Bill. He said some things that really ticked me off and as the article articulates, other Black folks were mad too.

I still like ol' Hill' though.

And I know a lot of people jumped on Tavis's case about the whole Obama thing, but I am really offended that he didn't show up to the State of the Black Union conference and I am on Tavis's side. I think Barack got a little beside himself on this one, but that's just my opinion.

Read the rest here

Michelle explains herself

Michelle Obama says she’s always been proud of her country, but for the first time she’s “seeing people rolling up their sleeves in a way that I haven’t seen.”

She had told an audience in Milwaukee that, “For the first time in my adult life, I am really proud of my country. Not just because Barack is doing well, but I think people are hungry for change.”

A number of commentators jumped on the remark and Cindy McCain, wife of Republican presidential candidate John McCain, sought to capitalize on it, saying “I have, and always will be, proud of my country.”

My response:

Shut up, Cindy McCain. You sound like an idiot. Were you proud of your country when four little black girls were killed in a church bomb?

Were you proud of your country when Black Wall Street was burned to the ground and hundreds of innocent people were killed?

Were you proud of your country when Emmitt Till was killed or when the teenagers were bitten by dogs and had water hoses turned on them?

If so, then I question your patriotism as well as your sanity you stupid, heffa.

Rollin' my eyes.

Political Punch

I am reposting this from Political Punch:

"Speaking in Milwaukee, Wisconsin today, would-be First Lady Michelle Obama said, 'for the first time in my adult life I am proud of my country because it feels like hope is finally making a comeback.'
Then in Madison, she said, 'For the first time in my adult lifetime, I'm really proud of my country, and not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change.'
(Watch the video of this second comment HERE.)
Some conservatives out there (HERE for instance) seem to find Mrs. Obama's quote offensive, wondering why a 44 year old woman never felt proud before today.
Asked for a response to the remark, Obama campaign spox Bill Burton said, “Of course Michelle is proud of her country, which is why she and Barack talk constantly about how their story wouldn’t be possible in any other nation on Earth. What she meant is that she’s really proud at this moment because for the first time in a long time, thousands of Americans who’ve never participated in politics before are coming out in record numbers to build a grassroots movement for change.'

What do you think?
-- jt

What in the heck was Michelle thinking? Now, one thing she better learn and learn quickly is that you can't say everything you are thinking. That is a conversation she should have in her living room or at sorority meeting. You can't say something like that, no matter how innocent the comment, when your husband is running for President. Dang Michelle. Think next time.

That being said, I don't think it's as bad as people are trying to make it out to be. She does, however, need to clarify her comments and quick.

Democrats for Education Reform? OMG!!!

I tell ya, this internet thing is alright.

So, I was reading through some blogs today and came across this website. You should check it out for yourself, but here's a statement that I like:

"A first-rate system of public education is the cornerstone of a prosperous, free and just society, yet millions of American children today – particularly low-income and children of color - are trapped in persistently failing schools that are part of deeply dysfunctional school systems. These systems, once viewed romantically as avenues of opportunity for all, have become captive to powerful, entrenched interests that too often put the demands of adults before the educational needs of children. This perverse hierarchy of priorities is political, and thus requires a political response."

They are saying some good stuff. I particularly like one of the statements about how teacher's unions undermine charter schools. I hate the NEA and their cohorts. They make me sick. They don't care anything about children. And they really don't do a whole lot for teachers. Make me sick.

Obama continues to chip away at Clinton's base

Hillary must win Ohio and Texas or it's a wrap for her.

Sen. Barack Obama continued his winning streak since Super Tuesday two weeks ago, picking up his ninth and tenth states in a row -- Wisconsin and Hawaii.

But as significant as Obama's accelerating momentum is how he is increasingly swaying voters that Clinton could count on at the beginning of February.

While Obama has been solidifying his base of younger, college-educated, higher-paid voters, he has steadily been chipping away Clinton's base of blue-collar, older, working-class voters.

On Tuesday, Obama captured 53 percent of Wisconsin's white voters compared to 41 percent of those voting on Super Tuesday. He won 48 percent of women in Wisconsin compared to 41 percent on Super Tuesday.

My response:

I stand by my earlier posts in which I stated I am supporting Hillary. She has been around longer, she has been committed to civil rights issues, and she and Bill have been in our corner. But if Barack wins the nomination, I won't be mad - at all. Shoot, I'm even thinking of switching back to the Dixiecrats - I mean Democrats.

Rickards receives gun threat

Security will be heightened at Rickards High School after a text message warning students not to go to school today was brought to the attention of law enforcement.
No student was named in the message, but it said someone was going to “shoot up the place,” according to John Hunkiar, director of safety and security for Leon County Schools.

Lawd have mercy.  I'm praying right now.

Hillary's plan

Hillary's economic blueprint is available here.

I like it.

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Hillary in trouble

Even longtime Clinton ally James Carville is acknowledging that Hillary is in trouble, saying that if she loses the March 4 primary in either Texas or Ohio, her campaign is doomed.

Read the rest.

McCain, don't start none... won't be none

Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama, moving into front-runner status following a week of eight straight wins, is facing a new rival, exchanging fire with John McCain, the presumptive GOP nominee.

He says Obama doesn't have any specifics when it comes to the war in Iraq. I guess saying we could be in Iraq for another 100 years is pretty specific huh?

I am a Republican. Y'all know that. But I can't stand McCain so I'm switching sides this season. I'm going to the D side whether the nominee is Hillary or Barack. Either way the Republicans lose. Either way.

Yeah, I said it...and what?

I am so sick of Aretha Franklin's whining, complaining, twelve sandwich eatin' behind. Apparently, she's ticked off because Beyonce introduced Tina Turner as the Queen during their Grammy performance together.

Clearly offended, Aretha Franklin says in a statement, "I am not sure of whose toes I may have stepped on or whose ego I may have bruised between the Grammy writers and Beyoncé, however I dismissed it as a cheap shot for controversy. In addition to that, I thank the Grammys and the voting academy for my 20th Grammy and love to Beyoncé anyway."

This isn't the first time that Aretha has displayed her stankitudeness. In an interview with Sister 2 Sister Magazine, she showed her behind then. The interviewer asked her if she was doing a song with Fantasia. She replied, "Fantasia is doing a song with me. She hasn't been around long enough for me to do a song with her." Heffa, please!

Note, to Re Re Franklin: If you want others to give you R-E-S-P-E-C-T, how 'bout giving R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Stop acting like a pissy little baby all the durn time and enjoy the life God blessed you with. Stop trying to throw salt in other people's game and encourage the young artists who are coming out now just like somebody had to encourage you. I'm sick of you...yeah I said it.

Superdelegates save Clinton...for now

A string of recent victories and endorsements from key party insiders have Democratic presidential hopefuls Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton running neck-and-neck in the increasingly important battle for delegates.

Clinton holds a narrow 27-delegate lead over Obama, 1,148 to 1,121, down from her lead of more than 100 delegates a month ago, according to CNN's estimate.

One good turn deserves another says UGA grads...good for them

On Monday, GOP lawmakers announced a rare, united House-Senate effort to force the state of Florida to lower its barriers to specialty car tags that honor University of Georgia alumni. Otherwise, the Georgia legislators said, they will discontinue the Gator-oriented tags just won from the state Department of Revenue by an Atlanta group of University of Florida grads.

Um huh...that's right.  If Gators go Georgia then Dawgs should go to Florida.  It's only right.

I like my Sundays dry

Two-thirds of Georgians who answered a recent poll said they want the right to vote on allowing stores to sell beer, wine and booze on Sunday.

I say heck no. If you wanna get drunk on Sunday buy your booze on Saturday night like you've been doing.

Read it here

Barack picks up two more states

CNN projects that Sen. Barack Obama will win the Democratic caucuses in Washington state and Nebraska.

I don't know y'all. I think Hillary is in trouble.

Read the rest here.

Gator tag coming to Georgia...dang!

Look out, Bulldog Nation. Gator plates are coming to a street near you.

The toothy, green menace known as the University of Florida mascot will soon be mugging on vanity license tags across Georgia. A thousand of the school's local alumni are about to receive their token bit of bravado from the Department of Motor Vehicles.

One member of the UGA Class of '53 had this to say, "I think we should be finding ways to beautify our highways instead," he offered. "We don't usually put road kill on our tags."

ROFLLLL. That was funny. I just want to know how Georgians can allow this travesty to happen? Imma need y'all to step up your game. Don't let those dang gay-tors take over in Georgia too...dang!

Employees Strip Searched at Krystals

A federal agency has sued the former owner of a Krystal restaurant in North Georgia on behalf of three black employees who said they were strip-searched after a white co-worker's cash register was found to be short $100.

The male worker was allegedly ordered to remove all his clothes in the back of the store while the general manager watched. The two female workers were taken to the bathroom and told to strip down to their underwear, the lawsuit alleged.

And to add insult to injury, the three workers were fired when they complained shortly after the incident, which allegedly took place at the Krystal restaurant in Winder, then owned by New Capital Dimensions.

The white employee was not searched. The money was never found.

They betta than me because I wouldn't have stripped for 'em. Freaky behinds. They just wanted to sneak a peak. And the white girl had money missing from her register before so her sticky fingered behind probably took that money. Dang I need to hurry up and pass the bar!

Victory for Vick...finally

Michael Vick can keep all but $3.75 million of the nearly $20 million in bonus money he received from the Atlanta Falcons following a ruling Monday by a federal judge. The Falcons sought to recover the bonuses after Vick pleaded guilty to federal charges in a dogfighting operation. The bonuses were paid from 2004-07.

They wouldn't have gotten the money back anyway so the Falcons need to take that $3.75 million and sit down somewhere.

Obama wins Georgia

CNN projects that Obama will win Georgia's Democratic primary. I'm still supporting Hillary but I am so proud of Obama. So proud!

Black Wall Street destroyed

I've heard about Black Wall Street before and this documentary gives a lotof information. Apparently, a book is about to be written on the subject as well. Take the time to look at this video serie3s and learn something about American History. It might make you mad or even ashamed but it's worth knowing.

Yes, we can, Barack!

Will.I.Am made a Barack inspired video. Check it out. I think it's hot!