Kings Retire Webber's Number!

Former NBA star Chris Webber had his jersey retired by the team where he had his most success the Sacramento Kings last night at the Arco Arena in Sacramento. Webber was flanked by former teammates Vlade Divac, Mateen Cleaves and Doug Christie as they celebrated his 6 1/2 seasons with the team. Webber never brought the team a championship, but he did help provide the franchise with is longest run of sustained success. C-Webb will probably never be a Hall of Famer, and never fully lived up to his vast potential because of injuries, but he gave the fans of Sactown memories that will last forever. Thanks to the Sacramento Bee for the link.

End Of Rent For Katrina Victims!

The Times-Picayune reports that nearly 15,000 New Orleans area residents who were displaced by Hurricane Katrina will lose a rent subsidy provided by The federal Disaster Housing Assistance Program, known as DHAP. The program was discontinued by federal officials on President Bush's last day. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La is pushing for a one year extension of the program and recently wrote to President Barack Obama: "It would be remiss of the federal government to infuse hundreds of billions of dollars into the economy . . . while we terminate a program housing more than 30,000 people in a region struggling to restore its affordable housing stock."

Surely a few million dollars can be found to assist residents that were displaced by the worst hurricane in recent memory.

Job Losses In Philly!

Yesterday, it was announced that the nation lost an additional 598,000 jobs. The losses are coming from all sectors, and hitting hard amongst all demographic areas. The Philadelphia Inquirer profiles the economic impact of job losses in Philadelphia. John Hobbs, 57 recently lost his manufacturing job, and is debating how to cover his health insurance of $800 on an unemployment check of $241 a week. Deborah Jackson-Smith went from 3 part time jobs to none, and is trying to save her home from foreclosure.

Well I guess help is on the way with an agreement being reached on a ridiculously sounding $827 billion stimulus package. By contrast, 16 years ago, then President Bill Clinton's stimulus package was $35 billion. Now, that's super inflation! I sure hope that our elected officials with whom we've put our trust in know what they're doing, and that Hobbs and Jackson-Smith both benefit from the future stimuli coming from our government.

"Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story"

Cable channel TNT will debut the movie "Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story" tomorrow night profiling the life of neurosurgeon Ben Carson. Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr. portrays Carson, and Kimberly Elise portrays Carson's mother in the movie. The Baltimore Sun conducts an interview with Carson and Gooding Jr. about the making of the movie. This film should be a must see movie for all black males as Carson overcame all of the odds to become a world renowned surgeon.

What Black History Month Means?

La Shawn Barber is a conservative blogger who was profiled in the Los Angeles Times regarding Black History Month. This is what Barber had to say to the paper:

"Somewhere along the way, liberals came to treat diversity as a god, bowing down before it at the altar in worship. It's become this all-consuming and exalted thing, one that trumps fairness and equal treatment. To liberals, the idea of diversity is superficial. They're obsessed with making sure enough people of this skin color are represented or a certain number of people of that cultural background are recognized. In fact, colleges and universities across the country openly discriminate under so-called affirmative action policies in order to collect more brown faces on campus for the sake of skin deep-only diversity.There is nothing wrong with encouraging people to recognize and appreciate different backgrounds and cultures. But when people focus on nothing else but those differences, it divides us. Race relations will not improve in this country unless people learn to see what unites us, not what separates us."

I'm not sure I totally agree with Barber, but I always respect different opinions. La Shawn Barber's Corner is the name of her blog.

Singles Ladies - Spoof - (President Barack Obama)

Iman Crosson has received over 3 million hits on You Tube for this spoof of Beyonce's "Single Ladies" while impersonating President Barack Obama. He's even being profiled on "Entertainment Tonight." Crosson is an Ohio native and former waiter who was looking for a way to kick start his acting career. Looks like he may have accomplished his goal.

Crime Does Pay!

The Detroit Free Press reports that newly released former mayor Kwame Kilpatrick boarded a privately chartered jet to meet his family in the Ft. Worth, Texas suburb known as Southlake. Kilpatrick, who just about ran the city of Detroit into the ground moves into a 2,800 rented house in the community with the following demographics when compared to Detroit:

• From 2005 to 2007, Southlake had an average median household income of $172,945. Detroit's average median household income was $29,109.
• The median value of owner-occupied homes in Southlake was $425,500. Detroit's median value was $89,500.
• Southlake was 74% white and 12% black. Detroit was 10% white and about 83% black.

The last time I checked, Kwame owes the city $1 million, and he's walking out of jail with Willie Gary and flying on chartered jets. I can't wait to see what Chistine Beatty has waiting for her when she leaves jail.

It's All About The Money!

President Barack Obama's campaign manager David Plouffe has snagged a seven-figure book deal about the experiences of running the most successful presidential campaign in history. "The Audacity to Win: The Inside Story and Lessons of Barack Obama's Historic Victory" will be published by Viking next fall. I guess it's never too early to start cashing in on success, and in the end it really is all about the money.

Second-Grade Boys Passing Around Heroin At Philly School!

5 second-grade boys were passing around what they thought was candy during gym class yesterday when the gym teacher noticed the mischief, and confiscated the would be candy which was later discovered to be heroin according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. Wow!

Cali Community College Campuses Strained!

The trickle down effect of the faltering economy is affecting every sector of our country. Downsizing and cutbacks have an immediate strain, and now the Los Angeles Times reports that 2 year Community Colleges in California are being pushed to the brink because enrollment is increasing due to the economic downturn. The resulting impact of the overcrowding is that many students are unable to take required classes, and earn resulting credits necessary to transfer to a 4 year school. African Americans and Latinos make up the majority of the students at the 2 year campuses.

When The Lights Go Off!

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federal program set up to assist low income families with their energy bills in this tough economy. Most people in Florida apparently aren't familiar with the program since only 20 percent of the people eligible get help from the program. The Miami Herald reports on many low income families in the Miami area failing to pay electric bills and being faced with having to pay large deposits or placing payments on auto pay in order to have their service restored by the Florida Power & Light Co.

Hopefully residents in need will utilize the programs that are available for assistance. Living a week without power as Tyletha Wright did with her 3 children is a tough, and apparently unnecessary situation.

Kobe Goes For 61!

Kobe Bean Bryant had another record night last night as he set a Madison Square Garden building record scoring 61 points as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the New York Knicks 126-117. With the Lakers losing center Andrew Bynum for up to 3 month with a leg injury, Kobe appears to be back in super scorer mode.

When "No Snitching" Turns To Fear!

The Detroit Free Press reports that 19 year-old Ashley Taylor lived in fear for 2 years after agreeing to testify as a witness in her boss Milt Goodson's 2006 slaying. The refuge of college couldn't even save the young Taylor from the shooter's family showing up at her school and offering her $1,000 in hush money. Thankfully Ashley Taylor's testimony put the shooter away until 2026, and the killer's mother and uncle are also serving time.

Ashley Taylor did the right thing by testifying, and showed her inner strength by not succumbing to the pressure of outside influences.

Jennifer's Return!

Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson returned yesterday from months of isolation after her family tragedy to give a rousing rendition of the National Anthem prior to yesterday's Super Bowl game between the Arizona Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers. Congrats to the Steelers and head coach Mike Tomlin for the victory, and Welcome Back Ms. Hudson.

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.