Katie Couric Takes Lil Wayne Bowling For Pre-Grammy Special!

The The Times-Picayune reports that Katie Couric interviews rap superstar Lil Wayne by taking him bowling for a Pre-Grammy telecast, which is scheduled to air on Wednesday, February 4th. Lil Wayne is schedule to perform the song "Tie My Hands" during the telecast, and tells Couric the following regarding his marijuana use:

"I will stand up for marijuana any day...I'm a rapper," he said. "That's who I am, Miss Katie, and I am a gangster and I do what I want. And I love to smoke. And I smoke."

Whether you like him, or not, Lil Wayne's honesty has to be respected.

Tomlin's Unusual Road To Glory!

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin could become the second African American head coach to win the Super Bowl, and the youngest at 36 years of age if the Steelers defeat the Arizona Cardinals tomorrow.

In 1996 Tomlin was considering attending law school when Rip Scherer caught up with him at a coaching convention. Scherer offered Tomlin a job on his staff at Memphis University, at told Tomlin, that with hard work he'd be an NFL head coach by the time he is 35. Tomlin not only became a head coach at 34, but he's exceeded all expectations with his team on the verge of it's 6th Super Bowl victory. Tomlin is a testament to what we all can accomplish through hard work and perseverance. Thanks to the Memphis Commercial Appeal for the article.

Are We Changing For The Worse?

President Barack Obama's stimulus package has been in the news all week, and gradually parts of the package are surfacing that are causing alarm amongst the regular folk. The New York Post is reporting that as part of the stimulus package the Welfare Act of 1996 would be amended:

The very heart of the widely applauded Welfare Reform Act of 1996 is a cap on the amount of federal cash that can be sent to states each year for welfare payments.
But, thanks to the simple phrase slipped into the legislation, the new "stimulus" bill abolishes the limits on the amount of federal money for the so-called Emergency Fund, which ships welfare cash to states.
"Out of any money in the Treasury of the United States not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated such sums as are necessary for payment to the Emergency Fund," Democrats wrote in Section 2101 on Page 354 of the $819 billion bill. In other words, the only limit on welfare payments would be the Treasury itself.
"This re-establishes the welfare state and creates dependency all over the place," said one startled budget analyst after reading the line.

Hopefully our new President isn't giving away the entire store in this stimulus package. Although some form of welfare is necessary, a return to an open checkbook doesn't sound like it would be good incentive to get people off their butts and willing to work.

Serena Returns To #1!

Serena Williams returned to her rightful place as the #1 women's tennis player today with a straight set victory over Dinara Safina at the Australian Open. It was her 10th Grand Slam tournament victory. The day before, Serena and her big sister Venus won the doubles championship. Continued congratulations to the Sisters for their continued display of excellence as role models and tennis players.

Michael Steele Elected Republican National Committee Chairman!

Former Maryland Lt. Governor Michael Steele was elected as the first African American Republican National Committee Chairman yesterday. Steele vows to bring the GOP party back from the doldrums after losing control of Congress and now having a Democratic President in Barack Obama. Although Steele considers himself a moderate conservative, he was very critical of our new President during the elections. If the Republican party really wants to become inclusive, the old rhetoric simply will not do.

"Blago" Couldn't Survive!

Now former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich made the rounds on the talk show circuit early this week, essentially ignoring his Impeachment Trial. Well yesterday Blagojevich was ousted as governor in a resounding 59-0 vote, becoming the first Illinois Governor to be removed from office by impeachment. I guess "Blago" can prepare for his next career as a talk show host and book author. He better hurry, because he's still facing federal charges. He was adamant to the end, and when he was asked by the Chicago Sun-Times if he was sorry, "Blagojevich answered, "Sorry for what?" Wow, talk about being contrite.

New York City Budget To Possibly Cut 15,000 Educators!

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg will introduce his new budget for the city, and according to the New York Daily News the new budget will include possibly reducing the number of educators in the city by 15,000. The total number of city workers possibly losing their jobs could total 23,000 as the city is facing a $4 billion budget shortfall. A shrinking tax base is contributing heavily to city's all over the country facing similar circumstances.

Possible James Brown Estate Settlement Today!

The "Godfather of Soul" James Brown has been deceased for over 2 years, but legal wrangling has prevented his estate from being settled. The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that a South Carolina Judge may be issuing a settlement as early as today that would divide Brown's estate amongst his living heirs, and a living trust that would used to educate his grandchildren and needy children in Georgia and South Carolina. If the estate is finally settled, maybe the "Godfather of Soul" can now rest in peace.

Kilpatrick Possibly Headed To Texas!

The Detroit Free Press reports that former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has been granted permission to travel to Texas to interview for a prospective job. Kilpatrick has been given a 5 day window to take care of his business, and the court's reasoning is that Kilpatrick still is required to pay back $1 million in restitution, and at present he's paid $27,500 of the outstanding tab.

10 Month-Old Baby Girl Was Curry's!

The tragedy that unfolded last weekend for Eddy Curry's 3 year-old son was unfathomable, having possibly witnessed the slaying of your mother and young sister. The Chicago-Sun Times now reports that the 10 month-old baby girl named Ava was also Curry's according to confidential court documents. Nova Henry, and her daughter were shot and killed last Saturday. An attorney who represented Henry in her paternity case against Curry has been questioned as they reportedly had a personal relationship. It seems like young lives have less and less value these days.

Pennsylvania Leads In Black Homicides!

The nonprofit Violence Policy Center has concluded it's study on black homicides, and Pennsylvania led the way with 37 homicides per 100,000 black residents in 2006. Michigan was second and Indiana was third. PA has finished 1st twice in the 3 years that the study has been conducted. The data was compiled with information received from the FBI.

GOP Not Receptive To Current Stimulus Package!

Politico.com reports that President Barack Obama's stimulus package as presently constituted will not pass the mustard with congressional Republicans. The President met with GOP leaders yesterday in an effort to gain support, but it appears that there's still plenty of compromise that will be needed to pass the package. Our President's political savvy gets it's first test, and it'll be interesting to see if can close the deal and bring the compromise that he promised while campaigning.

Oprah Amused By Blago Senate Talk!

Soon to be departed Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich announced yesterday during his talk show rounds that he considered Oprah Winfrey for the Senate Seat left vacant by President Barack Obama. The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Winfrey called into her BFF Gayle King's Sirius radio show and the two had the following exchange:

"I think that's amusing," Winfrey said. "So I guess you're under consideration, but nobody tells you you're under consideration."

"Yep," King said. "That's how it goes."

Winfrey said she was "absolutely not" interested, questioning how she could fit official government duties in with "my day job, my mid-day job, my night job, my radio job, my magazine job."

"I think I could be a senator," she said. "I'm just not interested. I think I could be a senator, too."

Winfrey said she was meditating, "watching the sun take its place over the horizon, over the lake" when King called.

Had she instead been exercising on the treadmill, watching "Good Morning America," as is her typical morning routine, she said, "I probably would have fallen off the treadmill. I'm pretty amused by the whole thing."

Blagojevich is obviously positioning himself for life after being governor. I wonder if he'll get a call from Oprah to be on her show.

Kwame Kilpatrick Looking To Leave Detroit For Job Opportunities!

The Deroit Free Press reports that former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has filed a motion with Wayne County Circuit Court Judge David Groner requesting permission to travel outside of the state to possibly pursue job opportunities once he's released from jail, which could be as early as next week.

It will be interesting to see where Kilpatrick lands, once he's free. It's appears that he's not willing to remain in Detroit to feel the wrath of the city that he once governed.

Arson In Coatesville, PA!

Coatesville, PA is a small town of 11,000 outside of Philadelphia. "Rip" Hamilton of the N.BA. Detroit Pistons grew up in the small town, and returns every summer to give back to his community. The small town unfortunately is now gaining national attention because an alleged arsonist is apparently out to destroy blocks of homes in the city. Saturday night brought the 14th incidence of arson to the city, and the fire destroyed 15 homes. May of the residents in the homes were renters who are without Renters Insurance, and the Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the other 13 incidents are presently unsolved.

If the perpetrator is found, the sentenced faced is life for the fires.

Is His 15 Minutes Almost Up?

New York Governor David Paterson has been facing countless criticism for his handling of filling Hilary Clinton's Senate seat in New York. Caroline Kennedy had been seen as the front runner until she abruptly removed her name from consideration for "personal reasons." Gov. Paterson's error appears to have been not controlling his sources who essentially trashed Kennedy for no apparent reason. Mike Lupica of the New York Daily News writes that Paterson is out of his weight class in managing the state that is looking at a $15.4 billion budget deficit.

Paterson definitely made some missteps in finally choosing Kirsten Gillibrand for the Senate seat. Criticizing a member of political royalty is not a good move if one is looking to get re-elected.

Rush Limbaugh's Response to President Obama!

Rush Limbaugh has responded to President Barack Obama's comment to Republican leaders that they can't listen to him and expect to get things done in Washington. He told Byron York of the The National Review the following:

There are two things going on here. One prong of the Great Unifier's plan is to isolate elected Republicans from their voters and supporters by making the argument about me and not about his plan. He is hoping that these Republicans will also publicly denounce me and thus marginalize me. And who knows? Are ideological and philosophical ties enough to keep the GOP loyal to their voters? Meanwhile, the effort to foist all blame for this mess on the private sector continues unabated when most of the blame for this current debacle can be laid at the feet of the Congress and a couple of former presidents. And there is a strategic reason for this.

Hopefully our president will not get into a verbal sparring match with Mr. Limbaugh, as this is his impetus to push his message. Getting down and dirty hasn't been President Obama's style, especially through the media, hopefully it won't be now. He has to be aware that every word he speaks will more than likely hit the print media in some manner.

More Violence: Mother of Eddy Curry's Child Slain In Chicago!

The New York Daily News reports that the mother of New York Knicks center Eddy Curry's 3 year-old son was slain in Chicago, while the 3 year-old watched. Also slain was the boy's 9-month old sister. The alleged killer was a known acquaintance to 24 year-old Nova Henry.

One The Worst Shootings In Miami History!

Police were still searching for the gunman who wounded 9 people and killed 2 teenage boys in Miami. As 50 people gathered around a street craps game, the gunman allegedly pulled out an AK-47 and began his barrage. The shooting is being described as a weekend bloodbath in Liberty City, and all of the variables that are killing our people are in play here: poverty, guns, lack of jobs, eduction,black on black crime, and the no snitching rule. The Miami Herald reports on what resident reported as being "A War Zone."