Jill Scott In A Good Place

Singer Jill Scott confirmed last week that she is pregnant and due April 25th. She's also celebrating starring in the HBO series "The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency," which debuts on March 29th. Scott, 36, who's engaged to drummer Lil' John Roberts is basking in the glow of her pregnancy, and excited to become a mom for the first time. Thanks to the Philadelphia Daily News for the link.

52 Year-Old Son's Need For Drug Money Made Him Kill Mom

Louse DeClues, 73, had survived hypertension, breast cancer and diabetes. She couldn't survive her son, Tony's desire for drug money has she succumbed to multiple stab wounds and asphyxiation at the hands of her son on Saturday. Tony has confessed to the murder of his mother. NOLA.com provides the grisly details of another sad commentary on our society.

Chicago Music And Obama

President-elect Barack Obama expanded on Sam Cooke's hit "A Change Is Gonna Come" during his Grant Park Acceptance Speech. Although Cooke was taken away from us at the young age of 33, his impact on black music will last forever. The Chicago-Sun-Times writes about the origin of Chicago R&B music and it's link to Obama from Same Cooke, The Staple Singers, Curtis Mayfield and the legendary Jerry Butler who is now 69 years-old and a Cook County Commissioner. Butler even advised the president-elect on a few occasions.

Women loved Same Cooke, and Mavis Staples says that Obama has Sam Cooke's walk which I assume is also making women swoon. Good article on some of the legends of R&B music and the link to our soon to be president.

Obama's Love Of The Blackberry

While the iPhone is the the rage of the smartphone market, President-elect Barack Obama may be the iPhone's chief rival, the Blackberry's biggest endorser according to the New York Daily News. Obama recently told CNBC and the New York Times "I'm still clinging to my Blackberry. They're going to have to pry it out of my hands." The Daily News has prepared a series of ads that could be used with Obama as the primary Blackberry endorser.

Another Black Mayor In Trouble With The Law!

Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon was indicted on 12 counts of felony theft, perjury, fraud and misconduct in office yesterday after a lengthy investigation. Dixon who has actually been a very effective mayor has vowed of course to fight the charges. The Baltimore Sun reports that the investigation stems from at least $15,348 in gifts Dixon allegedly received from her former boyfriend, prominent city developer Ronald H. Lipscomb, while she was City Council president. She also is accused of using as much as $3,400 in gift cards, some donated to her office for distribution to "needy families," to purchase Best Buys electronics and other items for herself and her staff.

Dixon appears to have garnered a lot of goodwill from within the city. The possibility of an indictment has been hanging over her for a while, and she's she managed to reduce the city's homicide rate to a 20 year low during her tenure. The real problem that Dixon is facing is that if she's found guilty of just the felony theft charges she faces 15 years in prison. This can't be a favorable prospect for the 55 year-old mother of 2.

Unemployment and Underemployed Rate Is Really 13.5%

The December Unemployment Numbers were released yesterday indicating that the economy shed another 524,000 jobs during the month of December according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. The resulting unemployment rate is 7.2%, while the combined unemployment and underemployment rate is a staggering 13.5%. Among sectors, education/health and government are the only sectors that are adding jobs.

Surprise! Gang Related Shooting At Chicago High School Basketball Game

The Chicago Sun-Times reports on the shooting outside Dunbar Vocational Career Academy after a high school basketball game last night. 5 teenage boys were wounded, and a young female was trampled in the melee that followed after shots were fired. Police believe that the shooting was gang related, as 7 ambulances and 200 police officers arrived at the scene. Just another senseless shooting in one of our major cities.

"Round Mounds" Blood Alcohol Level .149

The legal limit for alcohol consumption in Arizona is .08, Charles Barley's blood alcohol level registered .149 after his recent arrest. According to ESPN.com, Charles will be taking a leave of absence from his TNT gig, after it's been confirmed that he was legally drunk. Charles Barkley is one of the few athletes who has gained more fame in retirement, hopefully he'll get the help that he needs to prevent him from blowing up his career.

Already In Charge But Facing Obstacles!

Our president-elect is 11 days away from being sworn in as the President of the United States, but he's effectively now the president in the "dire times" as he continues to refer to our present economic situation. Yesterday he gave a speech touting his stimulus package that will cost close to a trillion dollars. The Philadelphia Daily News reports on the fact that Obama is already in charge, and highlights of the spending would go towards doubling "in three years the use of alternative energy like solar and wind power with a high-tech grid to deliver it; a slew of so-called "green collar" jobs making government buildings and private homes more energy-efficient; a high-tech medical database; and the overhaul of roads and bridges."

Within the package Obama is also promoting $300 billion in tax cuts for individuals and businesses, which is bringing criticism from Democratic Senators according to Fox News. Obama will have to satisfy lawmakers on the left and right to get his plan through the House. Yesterday's speech was important, because Obama is using the goodwill that he has from the election to elicit support from regular everyday people, which is politically savvy.

The End Of Pacman

Pro athletes are fortunate to live their dreams by playing a sport and being paid millions of dollars to do it. Many athletes don't know how fortunate they are, and can't overcome the ghetto mentality that takes over their brains and makes them do many crazy acts due to their entitlement complex.

Adam "Pacman" Jones was released from the Dallas Cowboys yesterday, probably ending his career as a professional football player. The Dallas Morning News reports on the release, which likely stemmed from an ESPN report that Pacman played a role in a shooting outside an Atlanta strip club in 2007. Pacman's list of transgressions are too numerous to name, and caused him to be suspended by the league for the entire 2007 season. I hope all of the dumb acts and millions of dollars lost were worth it to Mr. Jones.

Obama Looking To End Burris Mess

The Chicago Tribune reports that President-elect Barack Obama urged Senate leaders to seat Roland Burris in his now vacant Illinois Senate Seat if he had legal standing to assume the position. Burris met with Senate leaders yesterday clearing the way for him to be seated probably in a few weeks. Obama is trying to limit as many distractions as possible, and it appears that Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has outsmarted everyone, and Burris will benefit from his political savvy.

Christine Goes To Jail!

Well I guess we can officially put a fork in the Detroit Text Messaging Scandal since Christine Beatty was hauled off to jail yesterday to serve potentially a 4 month sentence. Beatty and former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick are now both in jail serving time for lying under oath. Beatty , who is a mother of two daughters has incurred more than $726,000 in legal fees according to the Detroit Free Press.

This probably turned out the best it could for Ms. Beatty under the circumstances. I guess she'll have time to pen her memoir and contact Oprah's representatives over the next 4 months.

The Burris Circus!

The Roland "Would Be Illinois Senator" Burris circus continued yesterday on Capital Hill as Burris who was appointed to President-elect Barack Obama's now vacant Senate Seat by embattled Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, was barred from the Senate floor because his appointment has not been signed off on by Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White. Throwing a wrench in this drama is that Sen. Diane Feinstein is now urging the Senate to seat Burris according to the Chicago Tribune.

Since there are no African Americans in the Senate, how long will it be before the NAACP jumps on the Burris bandwagon, urging him to be seated. Blagojevich has really played the race pawn in this circus, and Burris is agreeing to go along for the ride.

Trillion-Dollar Deficits

President-elect Barack Obama has spent the past 2 days meeting with his economic advisers discussing what ails the U.S. economy. Obama has honestly assessed the situation and informed us that we will be running trillion-dollar deficits over the next few years. The recession is and will continue to take it's toll on unemployment benefits, welfare programs, corporate profits and investment income. The New York Times reports rather pessimistically on the ability of Obama to keep some of his campaign promises. Specifically, we're probably not going to have a health care plan any time soon.

Did Obama Ignore Richardson's Previous Dealings?

MotherJones.com reports that the Obama Transition team should've been aware of New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson's dubious dealings prior to nominating him for the post of Commerce Secretary. Richardson is presently involved in a potential pay for play scandal, and apparently has had other potential shady dealings.

Perhaps the vetting process wasn't as thorough as possible, but once the Obama Team caught wind of potential problems, they probably told Richardson to remove his name from consideration so that they could cut their losses.

The Obama's Girls First Day At Their New School

Malia and Sasha Obama began their first at the exclusive Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C. yesterday. The daughters of our president-elect began their new day with Secret Service protection and photographers watching their every step. The young daughters of Barack and Michelle Obama now begin to live in the fishbowl of politics and celebrity. Hopefully they'll stay grounded and true to their parent's foundation.

Preparing For A New Job!

The Chicago Tribune reports on our president-elect being choked up about leaving the city that led to his miraculous rise to the presidency. The Obama's are headed to Washington, D.C. early so that their daughters can enroll in school. Now the real work will begin for the president-elect, and he now has to nominate a new Commerce Secretary with New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson removing his name from nomination amid another potential pay for play scandal.

Moving On Without Obama and Wright

During the darkest days of the presidential election, Rev. Otis Moss III contemplated leaving Trinity United Church of Christ amid the furor created by former member, now President-elect Barack Obama. During the height of the controversy fueled by the sermons of former leader Rev. Jeremiah Wright the church banned recorders from the church and increased security to the tune of $40,000 a week. The Chicago Tribune reports on the church moving forward in a new year comfortable that a former member will become President of the United States in about 2 weeks.

While Moss struggled with leading the church out of it's turmoil, with his leadership being questioned, hopefully he's emerged as a stronger spiritual leader with his faith renewed that every bad situation does pass in time.

Jemele Tells Us The Good, The Bad, And Ugly About Her Father

Jemele Hill is one of the few prominent black female sports writers in our country, and she presently writes for ESPN.com. In her most recent article Hill writes about her father Jerel Brickerson who will be retiring soon due to a severe back condition.

The Ugly is that Jemele was robbed of time with her father due to his heroin addiction, and honestly explains that she was angry for a long time, but accepted his flaws, and moved on to developing a relationship with him.

The Bad is that Jerel Brickerson was a decent hockey player as young teenager in Detroit, but urban decay took it's toll and robbed him of opportunities that are provided to youngsters who live in more affluent areas. Brickerson subsequently fell victim to the lure of the streets, a lure that left him unfit to be a father to daughter.

The Good is that Jerel Brickerson has been clean and sober for 23 years, which means that he began turning his life around at age 40. He managed to obtain a master's degree and give back by counseling other addicts.

Jerel Brickerson retires from his job as a bartender at Joe Louis Arena's Olympia Club after 20 years, having reclaimed his life, and overcoming drug addiction. He's obviously made his daughter very proud for allowing her to reclaim a relationship with dad.

Coulter Criticizes Michelle Obama's Style

Conservative talk maven Ann Coulter has a new book out next week titled "Guilty: Liberal 'Victims' and their Assault on America." The New York Daily News reports that Coulter essentially calls the incoming first lady a fake Jackie Kennedy Onassis and labels her a media saint with the following quote:

"Her obvious imitation of Jackie O's style - the flipped-under hair, the sleeveless A-line dresses, the short strands of fake pearls - would have been laughable if done by anyone other than a media-designated saint."

Most conservative talk show hosts have been pretty mild during the presidential transition. I'm sure that's all going to change in just over two weeks.

Andre Young Jr. Died Of Heroin Overdose

Andre Young Jr., son of legendary hip-hop producer died n August of a overdose of heroine and morphine according to the Los Angeles Coroner's office. Young Jr. was only 20 years old and was found by his mother after spending an evening out with friends.

Continued prayers go out to the family.

Black Killings: A Spiritual Sickness?

Jarvis DeBerry has written a very poignant and "on the mark" article in NOLA.com titled "Killings A Sign of Spiritual Illness." In the article DeBerry quotes the late Ralph Wiley who wrote the following in his 1991 essay "Who Black People Don't Like."

"Murder is the acid test of dislike. Black people pass with flying colors. Black people will kill each other rather quickly, and over the most simple things. The things are so inconsequential to a life that you know black people aren't really killing themselves over these things. They're killing themselves because they don't like each other."

DeBerry's article specifically targets the increased murder rate among black male teenagers, and the general lack of respect for the life of a black male teenager. We've known for years, that the life of a black male is substantially devalued in our community. While we tend to put pressure on police forces around the country to control crime, the real issue is that black males are killing themselves, and ultimately that's not a decision that the police can control. Individual responsibility would solve a lot of problems of the teenage black male.

Will Voting Record Cost Bing Chance To Be Detroit Mayor?

Former N.B.A. basketball star turned Detroit businessman Dave Bing is running for a chance to be the next mayor of Detroit. His past voting record is now coming under scrutiny from the other candidates according to the Detroit Free Press. Election records show that contrary to the other mayoral candidates that Bing has primarily voted only in the November elections.

I'm not sure if Bing is qualified to be the mayor of Detroit, but should his voting record be held against him if he can indeed change the fortunes of a city in need of strong leadership. A successful businessman in the city, Bing has proven track record of being successful in most of his endeavors.

Houston Area Shooting Prompts Cries Of Racism

A false stolen vehicle report almost led to tragedy in the Houston area early Wednesday morning. The HoustonChron.com is reporting that 23 year-old Robert Tolan was the victim of racial profiling when he was shot by police early Wednesday morning. Tolan is the son of former Major League Baseball Player Bobby Tolan. Police stopped the younger Tolan and his cousin as they were exiting a 2004 Nissan Xterra and ordered them to the ground outside of his parents home. When Tolan's parents attempted to intervene, a police officer shoved Tolan's mother against a wall, Robert Tolan raised up in an apparent attempt to assist his mother when the police officer fired three shots with one of the shots hitting the 23 year-old. Tolan's injuries are not life threatening.

The officer involved in the shooting, Sgt. Jeff Cotton, has been placed on administrative leave, pending the results of an investigation. Neither Tolan or his cousin had a weapon on them, and since the police were acting on false information, the two young men were stopped without any true cause. I'm not sure the area police department can talk their way out of this one.

Charles Trying To Get Sexy With DUI Arrest

Charles Barkley, former N.B.A. star and present TNT commentator was looking awfully sweaty in his mug shot following his arrest for suspicion of DUI. The New York Daily News reports that Barkley was seen partying with Michael Strahan and actor Jaleeel White prior to his arrest, and he admitted that he was driving to pick up a woman for a sex act prior to his arrest.

Barkley is paid millions for his honest opinions of subjects ranging from sports to racial issues. I can't wait to hear his take on his recent arrest.