Why Doesn't Charlie Do The Right Thing!

Rep. Charlie Rangel was charged with serious ethics violations yesterday. The exact violations were not disclosed, but seem to be related to Rangel not reporting and paying taxes on rental income on a property in the Dominican Republic among other violations according to the New York Post. The trial begins on Thursday, and Rangel allegedly has paid out $1.7 million in attorney fees to defend himself. Rangel should do everyone a favor and just resign his position. The country doesn't need this unnecessary spectacle.

Shirley Sherrod Offered Job Back!

Shirley Sherrod continued to make news yesterday in a good way, when USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and White House spokesman Robert Gibbs apologized for the rush to judgement that took place when she was asked to resign Monday because of a speech that she gave months ago that gave a hint of possible racist views. The segment of the speech, which was brilliantly edited was telling a story of her ultimately assisting a Georgia family in keeping their farm and preventing them from going into bankruptcy.

Sherrod, who was also offered a new job, has been vindicated but has not decided if she should accept the job offer. This whole story should be a case study on racism, politics and the media in our country. The rush to judgement on a assumed racist statement before knowing the facts is ridiculous. The political slant with the White House's involvement is still unknown, and the media's dictating of forced resignation is comical. It's amazing that the White House doesn't have a backbone. Being the first black president doesn't mean a thing if you don't stand for something.

Shirley Sherrod is to be commended for not backing down and calling out everyone involved to save her good name including the White House.

Did The White House Force Shirley Sherrod Out?

Shirley Sherrod, a federal agriculture official states that she was forced by the White House to resign her position after video surfaced of a speech she gave to the NAACP stating that she didn't give her full support to a white couple she was assisting to save their farm from forclosure. The initial video, which was heavily edited didn't allow her to tell the entire story that she ultimately helped the couple save their farm. The couple, Eloise and Roger Spooner state that Sherrod kept them out of bankruptcy and is a friend for life according to a story in the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

Obviously there can't be double standards when it comes to race based remarks by public officials. However, if the White House forced the resignation of Ms. Sherrod, it may have been a bit hasty. Sherrod is obviously not going away quietly as she was on CNN aggressively defending herself yesterday. In her defense, the NAACP which initially chastised the remarks, backed off and apologized to Sherrod after viewing the entire speech. Perhaps Sherrod ultimately would've lost her job, but she never had a chance to defend herself, which just doesn't seem fair.

Brooklyn Bloodshed!

The New York Post reports on 3 people shot dead in a 24 period in Brooklyn, including 15 year-old Tyquan Jamison who was shot in the chest by a bullet intended for his friend. Jamison was shot at 3:30 a.m. so the first question has to be why is a 15 year-old doing out at 3:30 in the morning. This whole story about the 3 people murdered in what has been 6 shootings total is a complete tragedy, but unfortunately a sign of the times.

The-Dream's Drama!

Reports surfaced last week that music producer The-Dream and his wife Christina Milian's marriage was on the rocks after pictures hit the net with him in the Caribbean with another woman. The-Dream took too his personal website to address the rumors, stating:

"I've cried about this for months, after interviews, after prayer and I've tried to take my own life at a point because of the failure that was looming."

The-Dream, who is one of the hottest producers in the business, is at a crossroads as a solo artist as his latest solo effort "Love King" has tanked. Hopefully he can regain some normalcy in his personal life.