Why John Wall Spurned The Carolina Schools!

I found this interesting article from the Charlotte Observer regarding Kentucky guard John Wall, and why he decided to leave the Tar Heel state and attend Kentucky to play for John Calipari. Wall is widely considered to be the best college player in the country and expected to be the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft this year. The primary reason that Wall gave for playing for Calipari is the success that he's had with recent NBA first rounders Derrick Rose and Tyreke Evans. Calipari has a history of leaving colleges before the NCAA comes lurking with violations, so I wouldn't be surprised what we may learn once Wall leaves school. He's obviously a great talent who may lead Kentucky to a national championship as a freshman. On first look he appears to have as much raw talent as any guard playing in the NBA right now.

Kwame Must Pay Detroit $320K In 90 Days!

Yesterday a judge ordered former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrack to pay $320,000 within 90 days or risk being returned to jail for failing to honor his restitution payments in a timely manner while apparently living a lavish lifestyle with his family in a Dallas suburb. Kilpatrick, who had a 5 year period to repay $1 million, also had that term reduced to 4 years. Kilpatrick was accompanied by high powered attorney Willie Gary at yesterday's proceedings, but obviously Gary's presence didn't help his cause. Kilpatrick is finally being treated like a regular person instead of a superstar politician. The Detroit Free Press provides additional details on the proceedings.

Waka Flocka Flame Shot In Suburban Atlanta!

Violence appears never to be far away from performers in the hip-hop community. Atlanta area rapper Waka Flocka Flame was shot yesterday while washing his car at a College Park, GA car wash. The apparent motive for the shooting was robbery, with the alleged assailant still at large. Atlanta area DJ Greg Street told the Atlanta Journal Constitution that the rapper is going to be fine. Hopefully this brush with violence will not be a regular occurrence for Waka Flocka Flame.

Is Barack Obama Already At A Crossroads?

Today is a critical day in the President Barack Obama as Republican Scott Brown battles Democrat Martha Coakley for the Senate seat held by the late Ted Kennedy. If polls are an indication, Brown is poised to beat Coakley and become the first Republican to hold the seat in decades. A Republican victory would essentially derail President Obama's health care bill, and become a referendum on Obama's policies on health care and the economy. If Republicans do win the seat our President's administration will indeed be at a crossroads.

Big Boi Helping To Raise Money For Haiti!

Outkast member Big Boi is the latest celebrity to hold a fund-raiser for Haiti relief. Big Boi held a fund-raiser in Atlanta last night to benefit the earthquake victims. It commendable to see that celebrities are using their influence to help the less fortunate.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day - 2010

We celebrate what would've been Martin Luther King Jr.'s 81st birthday today (actual birthday was Friday, January 15th) with programs all over the country to recognize the great civil rights leader. Surely King would be ecstatic that we have our first African American President in Barack Obama, but conversely King surely would be saddened by the continued impoverished plight of many African Americans.

In many ways we continue to be our worst enemies, by not taking advantage of educational opportunities and succumbing to the lure of drugs and crime. We continue to have an underclass that will continue for generations unless a stronger fortitude can be found by our people. The progress that has been made by African Americans has been monumental, but the surviving underclass places a massive blight on any positive accomplishments.

Congrats To Mo'Nique!

Congratulations to comedian/actress Mo'Nique for her win in the Best Supporting Actress category last night at the Golden Globes Awards. Mo'Nique won for her haunting portrayal of an impoverished mother in the movie "Precious." This win bodes well for Mo'Nique's chances for a possible Oscar nomination and win.