LeBron Not Obama Is Proof Anything Is Possible!

Yes, he's been blessed to be 6 ft. 9 in. and weigh 260 lbs., but LeBron Raymone James was born to a single mother in Akron, Ohio and could have made all of the bad decisions that youngsters make while navigating his way through sports at a young age. He made all the right decisions, and yesterday the work paid off with him being chosen the Most Valuable Player of the NBA.

All you need to know about LeBron is that he chose to receive the award at his high school, St. Vincent-St. Mary, and requested that only faculty and students be admitted to the festivities. This article from the Cleveland Plain Dealer shows how LeBron really hasn't forgotten the people who helped him get to where he is today. Just a brief section of the article below:

As Barbara Wood listened Monday, the school's librarian remembered how a young James would walk into the library and sit on her desk to talk. They'd Google his name on the computer, how there were only a few mentions at first -- then thousands.

She thought of how she corrected his grammar: "There is no such thing as fiddy cent. It's fifty cents ... with an S. It's more than one S."

She fought back the tears as he spoke with such poise, usually keeping the syntax and sentence structure together.

"He didn't have it easy growing up," said Wood. "But he wanted a better life for himself and his family."

James stops by the school a few times each year, "just him, not with his entourage," said Allison. He still wanders into the library and sits on Wood's desk. He also visits Beth Harmon, an English teacher for the last 11 years at the school.

"I had him as a freshman and sophomore, he was a solid B student," she said. "He was a pleasure to have in class, punctual and polite. As a senior, he'd come to my room and grab some of the candy on my desk. I used him to help me grade papers. We stay in touch, we text 2-3 times a week, and he always answers quickly."

After winning the Olympic gold medal, he brought it to the school on Maple Street to show the teachers and some students. He comes in private, not wanting the media or anyone outside of the Irish family to know he's there.

While our president, Barack Obama is inspirational for what he's accomplished, LeBron James was the product of a broken family, teenage mother and didn't waste the talent that he was given. All of us have talents that are never developed, thus we become disillusioned and despondent because of the pressures of our environments. Youngsters, please look at what Mr. James has been able to accomplish and say "Yes I Can!" Take the beauty of learning seriously and develop your God given talents to the fullest. Riches and money shouldn't be the goal, but simply doing in life what makes you fulfilled.

NAACP 54th Annual Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner!

The NAACP held it's 54th annual Fight For Fund Dinner yesterday in Detroit. Rev. Jesse Jackson was the keynote speaker, and Rev. Al Sharpton an Aretha Franklin were among the honorees. Jackson stated the following during his speech:

"One hundred years later, we're free, but we're not equal," "The banks are too big to fail; the neighborhoods are too small to matter. Don't be silent."

It's hard to believe that Rev. Jackson has essentially become irrelevant in our community. I guess when you become a millionaire on the backs of your people, becoming irrelevant is just reward.

James Stewart: Motocross Champion!

James Stewart is 23 years old, and escapes the public consciousness even though he is the premier motocross rider in our country. Like Tiger Woods, his father introduced him to the sport at an early age, and he's taken his talents to unsurpassed heights. Stewart won the 2009 Supercross Championship this past Friday. His website can be accessed here.

John F. Thomas, 72 Tied To Los Angeles Serial Killings!

John F. Thomas, 72 could be the most prolific killer in the history of Los Angeles. Presently linked to 2 killings, when all of the investigations are concluded, Thomas could be linked to over 30 killings according to the Los Angeles Times. Glad it didn't take too long to find Mr. Thomas since the alleged killings took place over decades.

Kid Cudi!

Being a lover of music sometimes puts you in touch with songs which are just very infectious. Kin Cudi has delivered one of those songs with his single "Day 'N' Niight" which sits at #3 on the Billboard 100 charts. A Kanye West protege, Cudi's cd will be released in August. He's also a burgeoning actor, appearing in a Mark Wahlberg-produced show for HBO called "How to Make It in America."

A Diverse Mr. Timberlake!

Justin Timberlake continues to diversify his business portfolio in a manner that brings very little attention to himself. Timberlake already has a clothing line (William Rast) and restaurant (Southern Hospitality), now he's rolling out a tequila called 901 according to the New York Daily News, which is getting favorable reviews. Justin's business acumen is rivaling his singing talent.

Gotta Love K.G.'s Intensity!

A picture is worth a thousand words, and even though Kevin Garnett isn't able to play in this year's playoffs due to injury, it hasn't taken away his intensity. Last night Garnett was all over the Chicago Bulls' guard Ben Gordon during last night's overtime victory by the Boston Celtics.

Arlen's Defection!

Yesterday Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter defected from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party altering the landscape of national and state politics. Specter's move was largely done for political survival as he was facing the political fight of his life with U.S. Rep Pat Toomey and stands a better chance of of winning a sixth term as a Democrat. The Republicans will fume over Specter's move and Democrats will rejoice, but Arlen simply said "I want my job." Simply can't hate Specter for wanting to survive, and completely forgetting about the people who voted for him. Politics is a dirty, nasty game.

Obama's Liberal Arrogance?

I always try to look at two sides of every opinion, and it's interesting that Jonah Goldberg writes in the Los Angeles Times that President Barack Obama's liberal arrogance will be his undoing. He closes the article with the following:

On social issues such as abortion and embryonic stem cell research, Obama has proved to be, if anything, more of a left-wing culture warrior than Bush was a right-wing one. All the while, Obama transmogrifies his principled opponents into straw-man ideologues while preening about his own humble pragmatism. For him, bipartisanship is defined as shutting up and getting in line.

I'm not arguing that conservatives are poised to make some miraculous comeback. They're not. But American politics didn't come to an end with Obama's election, and nothing in politics breeds corrective antibodies more quickly than overreaching arrogance. And by that measure, Obama's first 100 days have been a huge down payment on the inevitable correction to come.


President Obama's arrogance got him elected. Whether it will be his ultimate undoing, only time will tell. There's no doubt that his style is clearly "get in line and follow me" and if you can't go along with the program I have very little use for you. At the end of the day, that's politics as usual, and he's not different than any other politician, good or bad.

How Will It End?

Peter Vecsey's take on the embattled Jayson Williams who was hospitalized yesterday after he was taken to St. Vincent's Hospital after he went into a suicidal rage at a New York hotel. Jayson Williams obviously has a ton of demons that he's trying to overcome. This story probably will not end well.

Beyonce' Can Sing!

Beyonce', who is riding high after her new film "Obsessed" blew away the box office this weekend to the tune of $28.5 million was the butt of a practical joke last week when Matthew Zeghibe a Connecticut college student altered her vocals recorded from a "Today Show" appearance. Howard Stern took the performance as legit, along with countless other media people. When you're at the top, folks always want to knock you down, but Beyonce' is only doing what she was born to do, sing her behind off.

The Real Kobe!

Spike Lee has produce a documentary on basketball superstar Kobe Bryant titled "Kobe: Doin' Work" which will debut on ESPN on May 16th. However Kobe apparently put Spike through a few changes before agreeing to be filmed according to Page 6:

But suddenly Bryant said he wouldn't cooperate unless he was granted creative control, sources said. Lee tried several times to call Bryant, who wouldn't accept his calls. So Lee, at the suggestion of ESPN broadcaster Stephen A. Smith, drove to Bryant's house in a gated community, where Bryant refused to see him, sources said.

"It went so far that Lee had a last-minute plan to substitute Spurs star Tim Duncan for Kobe and make the whole documentary about Duncan," said our source.

But Kobe and Spike somehow worked it out, and Lee is being a good soldier promoting the Kobe picture, which screened Saturday night at the Tribeca Film Festival.

"Spike Lee completely yielded," said one insider. "And at the start of the film, when Kobe arrives at the Staples Center and sees Spike with the camera, he gives him a big smile and thumbs up, showing he knows he won the battle."

The documentary is supposed to be exemplary, and shows Bryant in a very favorable light, but if this story is true, Kobe really does believe his hype and is a true diva.

Tony Dungy To Visit Vick In Prison!

Former NFL coach Tony Dungy will be visiting Michael Vick in prison on May 5th in an effort to give Vick some constructive life lessons as he prepares to leave prison, and enter home confinement as early as May 21st according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. It's no secret that Vick is trying to get back into the NFL. Having Dungy as a supporter will not hurt, I just hope Vick doesn't let his new supporters down as he did Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank.

79% Approval Rating!

First Lady Michelle Obama's approval rating is 79% compared to her husband's approval rating of 64%. Granted her husband has a few more duties to concern himself with, but Mrs. Obama is conducting herself with grace and class, while making all of us proud.

Philly Fires 5 Police Officers, 3 For Racial Slurs!

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey has fired 5 police officers, 3 for using racial slurs and 2 for misconduct. Officer William Thrasher, who was the target of an article published in a Temple University newspaper in which he referred to black people as 'animals", was one of the officers fired. That article is listed here and pretty damning. Kudos to Mr. Ramsey for doing the right thing.

I Still Have Something Left Joe Dumars!

Chauncey Billups is quietly giving Detroit Pistons head Joe Dumars the middle finger by proving that he has plenty left in the gas tank. He's torched the reigning best point guard in basketball Chris Paul while leading the Denver Nuggets to a 2-0 series lead over the New Orleans Hornets. Chauncey is proving that talent and effort trump what anyone thinks about you, and he's also proving perhaps that Allen Iverson has been a fraud all of these years.

Rev. Brad Braxton's New Salary Under Fire!

Rev. Brad Braxton's new compensation package of $600,000 is being questioned by members of his new church, Manhattan's Riverside Church according to the New York Daily News. Braxton's salary doubles his predecessor's salary and has drawn the ire of parishioners who question the prudence of the package in these economic times, causing them to file suit in Manhattan court. The package includes the following:

$250,000 in salary.
$11,500 monthly housing allowance.
Private school tuition for his child.
A full-time maid.
Entertainment, travel and "professional development" allowances.
Pension and life insurance benefits.
An equity allowance for Braxton to save up to buy a home.
On top of that, Braxton immediately hired a new second in command at more than $300,000 a year.

This court hearing should be interesting. I wonder if Rev. Braxton will intervene and perhaps lessen the package to keep everyone happy.

Donna Dunnings "Shocked" By Cousin Firing Her!

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Donna Dunnings was "shocked" when her cousin Cook County Board President Todd Stroger, fired her from her $175,000 job as chief financial officer for the county. Stroger felt that Dunnings was a liability after bailing out former secretary Tony Cole on 2 occasions from jail, and once placing $4,000 on a credit card to post bail. Both Dunnings and Cole deny a personal relationship, but Cole who used to play college basketball at the University of Georgia was somehow promoted to a $61,000 human resource position, but was later fired for not disclosing a past criminal record.

Dunnings is a single mother, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, and soon will be responsible for paying $1,517-a-month for COBRA coverage without a steady paycheck. This story appears to be sordid behind the scenes. I sure hope Dunnings isn't taking the fall for someone else.

Rihanna Linked To Lakers' Andrew Bynum!

Rihanna was seen dining with Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum last week at Mastro’s Steakhouse in Beverly Hills. Bynum at this point is playing coy regarding whether there is a "love connection" which is probably the smart thing to do.

Eminem's "Relapse"

The album cover for Eminem's new cd "Relapse" has been released. Ever the controversial one, Eminem is apparently reflective about his past battles with prescription drugs according to the Detroit Free Press. The wording at the bottom of the cover is as follows:

On the bottom right-hand corner of the image is a parental advisory sticker, a frequent sight on the covers of albums with profane material. On the bottom left-hand corner is a prescription-inspired tag “RELAPSE” with a backwards “E” at the end and an “X” under the “R” for a drug-related “RX.”

Other language on the image:
“Mathers, Marshall – 8 Mile Road, Detroit. Take 1 tablet(s) one time(s) daily at 3 a.m.”
“Refills: 05-19-09” — which is the album’s release date.
And, of course, “Prescribed by Dr. Dre” — Eminem’s executive producer.

Eminem's been away awhile. Looking forward to the May 19th release date.

Surviving Pirate Being Arraigned Today!

Abduhl Wali-i-Musi, the remaining surviving pirate who helped hijack the Maersk Alabama arrived in New York yesterday, and is scheduled to be arraigned today. He was actually smiling at reporters, which is interesting. His mother insists that he is 16 years-old, and is requesting that President Barack Obama pardon her son. Wali-i-Musi could face life in prison if convicted.

Tiger Equates Barkley's Golf Swing To A "Speech Impediment"!

While doing the promotional rounds for his golf tournament AT&T National yesterday, Tiger Woods was asked about his friend Charles Barkley's golf swing. Woods said the swing was "like a speech impediment" which is probably pretty accurate if you've ever seen Barkley swing a golf club. Woods' coach Hank Haney is presently working with Barkley on his swing and even showing it to millions on a Golf Channel show. Good luck to Charles on the swing.

Lynn Nottage Wins 2009 Pulitzer For "Ruined"!

Congratulations to Lynn Nottage for winning a 2009 Pulitzer for "Ruined" which chronicles young women who have been raped and brutalized, casualties of the decades-long war in the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo. Thanks to the Los Angeles Times for the article.

Mary J. Blige and Big Boi Helping With Foreclosures!

Mary J. Blige and Big Boi assisted with the "Bringing Hope Tour" as they sat in on a workshop intended to assist people facing foreclosure in Atlanta. A good gesture by the two superstars, as foreclosures are very prevalent in our community. The phone number to call is 888-995-HOPE for anyone needing assistance. Thanks to the Atlanta Journal Constitution for the article.

Former NBA Player Kenny Anderson Wants Another Chance!

Former NBA player Kenny Anderson admits that he's made mistakes in his personal life, but he longs for a job at coaching basketball at some level. Kenny has fathered 7 children by 5 different women, and has been slapped with a palimony suit by another woman, but wants to be forgiven by potential employers for his transgressions and given an opportunity to display his coaching talents. Presently working with high school players and giving motivational speeches, Kenny should eventually be given a chance to prove his worth to someone. Thanks to the New York Daily News for the article.