Friday, June 25, 2010

Elin Getting $750 Million!

Reports are circulating that Tiger Woods and his wife Elin are close to signing divorce papers with Elin walking away with $750 million. All I can say is Wow! If she's truly walking away with that much loot, then Tiger is worth far more than the $1 billion that's been estimated.

Michael Jackson's Death, 1 Year Later!

Everyone remembers where they were when news spread that Michael Jackson died one year ago today. One year later, tribute and specials will abound in the name of the pop icon. The sad part of the story is that everyone who can is still trying to make money in the name of Michael Jackson. The money that is being generated through Jackson's estate is all legitimate money authorized in the name of the his estate's executors, however, the unauthorized documentaries, and lawsuits scream of exploitation which is not any different from when Jackson was living. I even understand the family continuing to make accusations against Dr. Conrad Murray, but the legal system will handle Murray in due time.

Today is a day to simply celebrate the greatness that was Michael Jackson's talent.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Kwame Kilpatrick Indicted on 19 Counts By Feds Including Tax Evasion!

The bad news continues for former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, as yesterday he was indicted on 19 counts of fraud and tax evasion for allegedly using money from his non profit organization the Kilpatrick Civic Fund for personal expenses including golf lessons to college tuition for relatives. Kilpatrick is accused by prosecutors of not reporting $640,000 in taxable income while mayor if Detroit.

These indictments could keep Kilpatrick, who is already serving jail time for the issues related to the text messaging scandal in jail for a very very long time. The Detroit Free Press reports all of the sordid details of the indictments for a man who essentially has lost everything because of the enticements of power.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Does McChrystal Have To Go?

President Obama now has to deal with another public relations and administration nightmare after his top commander in Afghanistan Army General Stanley McChrystal made disparaging comments in a Rolling Stones Magazine article about the president and his staff including V.P. Joe Biden. McChrystal is scheduled to meet with the president today to discuss the situation and reports are that he's already offered his resignation. McChrystal aide, Duncan Boothby has already resigned over the furor as he's the one who apparently arranged the article.

The war in Afghanistan has been plagued with problems, but President Obama may not have a choice but to fire McChrystal simply for insubordination. If he doesn't fire him, he will look weak, but that could come at a cost if the person replacing McChrystal doesn't have success in Afghanistan.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Why Do Cities Try To Minimize Murder Rates?

I find it amazing that after the city of Baltimore just finished a weekend rash of shootings, with 3 dead and 8 injured that the Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III understandably has asked for calm within the city, but to rationalize that murder rates are down and that's a reason for celebration is ridiculous. The Baltimore Sun reports that homicides are down 14 percent from previous year levels, and that the city has been aggressive with removing illegal guns off of the streets, but one murder is just one murder too many, and justifying a result with statistics is a weak way to justify effective leadership. .

Monday, June 21, 2010

Will Rahm Be Gone By The End of The Year?

There is heavy speculation that White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel may be gone by the end of the year according to the Telegraph.co.uk. Factors that may lead to Emanuel's exit range from conflicting styles with President Obama's inner circle, to running for mayor if his home town in Chicago. If Emanuel does exit, the president will have concluded the usual growing pains of a first term administration. The wear and tear of the job is wearing on President Obama, but if he can get through this year without any additional hiccups, things should begin to smooth out for him.