Welcome Back With Conditions Michael Vick!

Michael Vick was officially reinstated back into the NFL by Commissioner Roger Goodell. The reinstatement, while conditional, does give the former Atlanta Falcons quarterback an opportunity to resume his professional football career after serving a 23 month stint in prison on federal dog fighting charges.

Former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy will serve as a mentor to Vick, which I'm sure gave Goodell some confidence that Vick has a chance to successfully transition back into the league. Vick's activities will be monitored closely, so any transgressions, even minor ones will be reviewed. Here's hoping Vick is picked up by a team, and at least has an opportunity to play again, and earn a living.

Text Messages With Kwame Took Down Detroit Police Monitor!

The Detroit Free Press reports that local FBI agents uncovered text messages between former police monitor Sheryl Robinson Wood and former Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick that led to her resignation last week. The text messages revealed "meetings of a personal nature" in different cities from 2003 until 2005. The messages do not indicate that a romantic relationship was taking place, but that it was a personal relationship.

While Kwame appears to have landed on his feet in a suburb out of Dallas, he's managed to derail the career of another female companion.

Michael Jackson Continues To Captivate Even In Death!

The New York Daily News reports on the continued public fascination with Michael Jackson, and the many rumors that have surfaced since his death on June 25th. Largely by his own doing Michael Jackson had become an aging star, who no longer was really interested in performing or making records it seems. An opportunity to replenish his financial empire returned him back into the public consciousness, and probably due to the pressure not to disappoint led to his death. Now, of course, everyone has an opinion on everything Michael Jackson. It can't be the fact that his estate will probably make his heirs hundreds of millions of dollars that is driving all of the attention.

Probable Jail Time For Plaxico Burress!

It looks like going to a club in New York and accidentally shooting himself in the leg is going to lead to jail time for NFL player Plaxico Burress according to the New York Post. Prosecutors have been pushing for a 2 year jail term, while Burress is willing to serve a 1 year term. Either way, it looks like a bad decision will cost Burress time in jail, and the loss of millions of dollars.

Forrest Shot In Back After Shots Fired!

The Atlanta Journal Constitution provides additional details regarding the killing of boxer Vernon Forrest on Saturday night. Forrest apparently was adding air to a tire on his Jaguar when he was robbed at gunpoint. Apparently armed, Forrest chased the robber, and shots were exchanged. Giving up chase and walking back towards his car, Forrest was then shot in the back 7 to 8 times. Forrest's 11 year-old godson was with him, but had walked into the gas station to use the bathroom and buy snacks.

It's easy now to say that Forrest may still be with us if he hadn't tried to chase down his attackers. While that may be true, and we'll never know, gun violence continues to riddle the black community. Forrest leaves behind a 12 year-old son Vernon Jr..

Officers Verison of The Louis Gates Arrest!

The Washington Post reports of Officer James Crowley's version of the arrest last week of Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates:

Sgt. James Crowley said Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. was combative from the moment the officer arrived at his house last week to respond to a call about a possible burglary. As the confrontation escalated, Crowley said he warned Gates that he risked arrest.

"The second warning was with me holding a set of handcuffs in my hands -- something I really didn't want to do," Crowley said in a radio interview. "The professor at any time could have resolved the issue by quieting down and/or going back inside his house."

This story has taken the nation by storm concerning the issue of racial profiling. Obviously Dr. Gates was agitated about being at his home and approached by a police officer. By contrast, the officer could have been following proper protocol. Unfortunately for both, "cooler heads didn't prevail."

Vick To Be Suspended 4 Games!

If media reports are accurate, former Atlanta Falcons quarterback will receive a conditional reinstatement from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, with a 4 game suspension at the beginning of the season if Vick is able to sign with a team. With the suspension, however, Vick will be allowed to attend training camp and play in pre-season games.

Most media reports are also stating that no team in the league has indicated a desire to sign Vick, so if this doesn't change, Vick's return to the league will not happen this year.

Who Really Has Obama's Ear!

I found this great article from the New York Times that profiles the fact that Valerie Jarrett and Michelle Obama are the two major influences for our President. Below is a snippet:

Rick Wade, a senior adviser, Stacey Brayboy, the state campaign manager, and Anton Gunn, the state political director, took turns beseeching their boss. The gala, they told Obama, would be attended by more than 2,000 college-educated African-American women, a constituent group that was originally skeptical of the candidate’s “blackness” and that the campaign worked tirelessly to wrest from Hillary Clinton. State luminaries like Representative James Clyburn — himself an undeclared black voter — would be expecting him. They would be in and out in five minutes.

Obama’s irritation grew. “Man, it’s late, I’m tired,” he snapped. “I’m not going to any sorority event.”

The three staff members knew what their only option was at this point. “If you want him to do something,” Gunn would later tell me, “there are two people he’s not going to say no to: Valerie Jarrett and Michelle Obama.”

At the day’s penultimate event, a rally in Columbia, Gunn, Brayboy and Wade pleaded their case to Jarrett, the Obamas’ longtime friend and consigliere. When they were finished, Jarrett told them, “We can make that happen,” as Gunn would recall it. Jarrett informed Michelle of the situation, and when the candidate stepped offstage from the rally, Obama’s wife told him he had one last stop to make before they called it a night.

“I told Anton I’m not going to any Pink Ice Ball!” Obama barked.

Then Jarrett glided over to the fuming candidate. Her voice was very quiet and very direct.
“Barack,” she said, “you want to win, don’t you?”

Scowling, Obama affirmed that he did.

“Well, then. You need to go to Pink Ice.”

“And he shuts up,” Gunn recalls, “and gets on the bus.”

It looks like we know who steadies President Obama. He didn't get to become President of the United States by not being confident. I'm glad he has at least two people that can keep him focused.

Roethlisberger Attorney Denies Rape Allegation!

The New York Post reports on the still developing Ben Roethlisberger rape allegation by Nevada hotel worker Andrea McNulty, which allegedly occurred in a Lake Tahoe penthouse suite last year. The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback's attorney David Cornwell vehemently denies the accusation on behalf of his client. McNulty has filed a civil suit against Roethlisbereger, but didn't report the incident to police. She did report the incident to to her employers who she says encouraged her to be quiet. She describes what happened below:

McNulty said the incident occurred when she had been working as a concierge during a celebrity golf tournament Roethlisberger attended with other athletes, including Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley, last July.

At around 10 p.m. on July 11, 2008, Roethlisberger returned to his room with a woman who left about 20 minutes later, the suit said.

He then came to the concierge desk and asked for help with his television. McNulty agreed to go herself. After finding that the television seemed to be working fine, she tried to leave, but Roethlisberger blocked her way and started kissing her, the suit said.

"Ms. McNulty feared that since he was a football player, he could or would physically harm her if she attempted to fight him," the suit said.

After telling Roethlisberger to stop, she claims, he pushed her onto the bed and pulled her underwear off.

"Please don't," she said she told him. "I'm not on any type of birth control."
"Don't worry. I will pull out," she said he replied.

When he finished, she went into the bathroom to compose herself, but as she left, she claimed Roethlisberger began acting nervously.

"There are cameras in this room, aren't there?" the suit quotes him as saying.
"Yes, there are cameras everywhere," she replied.

"If anyone asks you, you fixed my television," Roethlisberger is quoted as saying. "You fixed my television! Now go!"

On the surface this is a he said/she said situation. However when Kobe Bryant went through a similar allegation years ago, it was national news.

Charlie Murphy Writing His Autobiography!

The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that comedian Charlie Murphy will be penning his autobiography titled "The Making of a Stand-up Guy" from Simon & Schuster this fall. Good to see how Charlie has risen out of the shadows of his famous brother Eddie, and established a very viable career.

Black Philly Officers Want Ban of Domelights.com

Black Philadelphia Police Officers are calling for an immediate ban of the website Domelights.com because of the racial rants being displayed allegedly by white police officers while at work according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. The Guardian Civic league has sued the Police Department, the site, and it's founder in federal court charging that the site contains racist material. The site was started by "McQ" who is active duty sergeant Sgt. Fred McQuiggan. Looking at the site I found the following post:

Do you know why most fallen officers are white? They are the first to show.. there not the lazy ones ...God bless the fallen

All I can say about this site is that it will surely bring solidarity to a police force trying to fight crime in one of the toughest city's in the country. I would think that anyone making posts on city computers should face disciplinary action. Interesting that the mayor and police chief in Philly are both black.

The Real Reason Diana Ross Didn't Attend Michael's Memorial Service!

The New York Daily News reports the real reason that Diana Ross didn't attend Michael Jackson's Memorial Service:

Diana Ross said she stayed away from Michael Jackson memorial service because she was "trying to find closure." But one insider claims it was also because she and Michael's mother, Katherine, don't get along. "Katherine resents that Diana became a kind of surrogate mother to Michael," claims a source. "And she's not thrilled that Michael named Diana as the backup guardian of his children." A Jackson rep declined to comment, but Ross' spokesman called the theory "ridiculous. Ms. Ross has deep love for the Jackson family.

Even in death, Michael can't rest peacefully.

Some Dems Jittery About Obama!

The lack of a definite impact on the economy after 6 months is causing some concern amongst Democrats regarding President Barack Obama's performance according to the New York Daily News. While our president has had some slippage in the polls, he still has resounding support overall. Obama has tied himself to health care reform, and is determined to get reform passed by any means possible. If and when health care reform is passed, here's hoping that it benefits everyone, and that we can easily fund it as a country.

Mr. President Can We Hear Something New!

President Barack Obama spoke at a NAACP dinner last night to help the organization celebrate 100 years of service. I didn't hear the speech, but from I've read our president is saying the same things about education is the key to success, etc.. Nothing new to report on that front I see from our first black president. I guess President Obama hasn't realized that the plight of black people hasn't really changed a whole lot since the death of Martin Luther King Jr.. While we have more of us ascending into the middle class, we still have a huge underclass of our people that are simply struggling to make it on a day to day basis.

It's interesting to follow Roland Martin and Al Sharpton on Twitter and hear them tweet about the millionaire that they just happened to see, and how cool it is. Now, I've never knocked any one's hustle, and I absolutely respect Martin and Sharpton, but I wonder if any of the money raised last night will ever make it to the "hood" of New York. Bottom line, when in the last few years and months we've had Michael Jackson, Steve McNair, Michael Vick, Donte Stallworth an Antoine Walker, all millionaires squander lives and careers due to lack of personal responsibility, people just lose their minds for whatever reason.

If our president would make all schools equal, our black kids in impoverished areas, may have a shot. However, I know that having Universal Health Care is much more important than black people having access to an equal education.

Michael Jackson Ha Sold 9 Million Records Since His Death!

Michael Jackson had sold 9 million records since his death according to the Los Angeles Times. This is a fitting tribute to the greatness of Jackson. His music will always be timeless.

Steve McNair Left No Will!

The Tennessean reports that recently slain ex-football star Steve McNair did not leave a will, and his widow Mechelle has filed an emergency petition in a Nashville court declaring that he left no will and asking that she be allowed to oversee his estate. The judge granted the request, and Mrs. McNair has 60 days to file an inventory of McNair's estate. She listed herself and her 2 sons as heirs, however McNair has 2 sons from a previous relationship. Without a will the settlement of McNair's estate could get interesting.

Is Antoine Walker's $100 Million Missing!

Antoine Walker made nearly $100 million during his NBA career, but now he finds himself facing an arrest warrant in Las Vegas for writing bad checks to casinos in the city. Walker is on the hook for $822,500 plus $82,550 in fines to 3 casinos. Walker wrote 10 checks totaling $1 million from an account with insufficient funds to the casinos.

The Boston Globe reports on Walker's woes. I guess Walker didn't check the account balances that day, because how do you write $1 million in checks knowing the money isn't in the account. Sounds like Gamblers Anonymous needs to be called.

Lamar Odom Playing Poker With Jerry Buss!

The Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss instructed the team to withdraw their $9 million a year offer to Lamar Odom because Odom and his agent never responded to the offer according to the Los Angeles Times. Odom has been seeking a deal at $10 million a year for 5 years, and the Lakers has been offering a deal maxing out at 4 years. Buss has now instructed the team that any future offers to Odom will be at a lower amount.

Hopefully Odom is saving his money well. With revenues shrinking, teams are offering lower dollars, and playing hardball with fringe players such as Odom, who plays when he wants to play.

Michael Jackson The Cash Cow!

Just as he was probably used for money as he was living, people associated with Michael Jackson are making the rounds cashing in on his death. The New York Post reports that Debbie Rowe, the mother of Jackson's 2 older children has agreed to give up parental rights for $4 million. In addition, the 5 remaining brothers had an agreement with A&E in which they would have pocketed between $200,000 and $300,000 prior to Jackson's death for a reality show promoting a reunion tour. With Jackson now deceased, that figure has grown to $10 million and $20 million.

I wouldn't call any of this blood money, but I can understand why if true, Jackson was so untrusting. He obviously lived a very lonely life at times, knowing that people only had an interest in him for his money. Money truly doesn't buy happiness.

The Jackson 3?

Joe Jackson is reportedly trying to scheme his way to putting Michael Jackson's 3 children together as the "Jackson 3" and putting them on tour according to FoxNews. Joe needs to head back to Las Vegas and sit down. He's now bordering on the ridiculous.

Gun Battle Erupts Outside Baby Shower For Wife of "The Wire" Actor

The New York Daily News reports that gun fire erupted outside of a baby shower for the wife of actor Jamie Hector who played the notorious Marlo Stanfield on the HBO series "The Wire". Nearly 50 bullets were unloaded, with one teen killed and 2 people wounded. Hector was inside the building at the time. It's very scary when are starts imitating life for anyone.

Steve McNair Memorialized!

The Tennessean reports on Steve McNair's Memorial Service held yesterday in in Nashville, TN. McNair's wife and 2 youngest sons were amongst the mourners. Bishop Joseph Walker III, pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church eulogized McNair and didn't shy away from the circumstances of McNair's death, telling the mourners:

Walker related the New Testament account of an adulterous woman whom religious leaders brought to Jesus, suggesting she be stoned for her sins. Jesus replied, "Ye without sin, cast the first stone."

"And I have come to declare from the youngest to the oldest in America and over this world, it's time to have a stone dropping service," Walker nearly shouted to rousing applause. " … Next time you write about Steve McNair, drop your stone. Next time you text somebody, drop your stone. The next time you Twitter, drop your stone."

Here's saying a special prayer for McNair's wife and sons. As salacious as the circumstances of McNair's death are, the bottom line is that he's no longer here for his family, and they will need plenty of prayers and support to move on with their lives.

Rape Reported At Home Of Harry Douglas!

The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that a rape has been reported at the home of Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Harry Douglas. Police say that Douglas is not a suspect, but the alleged assault did take place at his home, which could still place some liability on him from the victim. Below is allegedly what transpired:

The woman, who is in her 20s, called police about 5 a.m. Thursday.

She said she went to a party at Douglas’ home on Wednesday night. She got tired and fell asleep in one of the bedrooms. “She was then awoken by a male who was sexually assaulting her,” the police press release stated. “The victim fled the scene to another location where she called 911 to report what had just happened.”

The woman gave investigators the name of a possible suspect.

When investigators arrived at Douglas’ house, he told them the man they were looking for had left. The crime scene unit processed the scene for evidence.

Douglas needs to be more careful regarding who he lets in his home in the future. He's only 24, so hopefully this incident will be a learning experience for him.

Mariah Apologizes!

To say that Mariah Carey was pitchy while performing "I'll Be There" during Michael Jackson's Memorial Service would be an understatement. The New York Daily News reports that being overcome with emotion was the cause of the awful performance according to Carey. Mariah has been perpetrating as a singer for the last 10 years, unfortunately for her she simply can't hit the notes anymore. That's not a bad thing if she realizes it, and makes adjustments, otherwise her live performances will continue to be haunting to the ears.

A Send Off Fit For A King!

Michael Jackson was memorialized yesterday a the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The service was truly a celebration of Jackson's momentous but sometimes turbulent life. The really sad thing is that Jackson children won't have the benefit of growing up with their father, and as "different" as Michael Jackson appeared sometimes, especially in his later years, his children at least on the surface appear to be well adjusted. Sleep well Michael.