A blog maintained by Jamie Triplin--An ethnically diverse woman who has a passion for bringing difficult societal issues to the forefront. She prides herself in the fact that her life experiences have taught her to see things from all perspectives--skin color, religion, socio-economic status, sexual orientation and other labels do not stop her from treating people from all walks of life with equal respect and civility. Jamie hates the attempts to force herself to fit inside a box labeled by society; especially after years of herself being forced to check the "white," "black," or "other" box on applications and tests. Can we just check "human"? Jamie is currently a communications consultant with a knack for diversity and race relations.
On the stand, Dr. Bao changed his testimony about key statements he'd made and said he'd changed his mind about Martin only being alive for as many as three minutes after the shooting.
"I believe he was alive one to 10 minutes after he was shot. His heart was beating until there was no blood left," Bao said.
Dr. Bao is dropping another bombshell -- his attorney is preparing a $100 million lawsuit.
Through his high-profile attorney, he claims the medical examiner, state attorney's office, and Sanford Police Department were all biased against Martin.
"He says their general attitude was that he got what he deserved," Attorney Willie Gary told Channel 9.
Aldi becomes the latest supermarket in the United Kingdom to withdraw beef products that contained between 30% to 100% horsemeat. The UK Food Standards Agency will meet with the environment secretary Saturday to discuss the horsemeat scandal.
Aldi is also a top 25 U.S. food retailer with more than 1,100 stores in 31 states serving 20 million customers each month. The first Aldi store was opened in the District of Columbia in November 2011 through the efforts of former Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas, Jr. and Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells. Its sister company, Trader Joe's, has grown very popular throughout the Washington Metropolitan region.
No comments have been made by Aldi representatives as to how the overseas horsemeat scandal affects its stores in the United States. However, on Aug. 2, 2013, Aldi announced it voluntarily recalled approximately 3,200 pounds of ground beef in cooperation with National Beef Packing Company.
Sybrina Fulton--mother of Trayvon Martin--discussed what she misses the most about her son. "I looked forward to knowing what he looked like as an adult," she said. "I hoped to visit his wife and kids. Watch [Trayvon] grow from a baby to a productive adult."
An interracial married couple says they were attacked outside a bar in Queens early Saturday, and that their attackers used racial and homophobic slurs.
The restaurant owner claims it is not true “On Saturday 8/17 an unfortunate incident occurred around the corner of SHI Restaurant. The James-Vogel’s were attacked in an alleged “hate crime”. It is being reported that we at SHI denied them help. We vehemently deny these allegations because it is simply untrue.We were not aware of the incident until it was over. In any event we were informed the Police were called and on their way. Neither Billie or Jacob Vogel was turned away. As a business serving Long Island City and beyond, we have a very diverse clientele and are very invloved in the community. We strongly condemn discrimination in all forms and under no circumstances would we turn away anyone who needed help for whatever reason. Our sympathies go out to the james-Vogels and we sincerely hope they recover both physically and emotionally from this devastating incident,” a statement posted on the restaurant’s website reads.
After 42 years together comedy legend Lily Tomlin and her partner, writer Jane Wagner, may finally say, “I do,” Tomlin told EOnline’s Marc Malkin.
"We're thinking maybe we'll get married,” Tomlin told E. This June the Supreme Court ruled the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional and overturned California’s antigay legislation Prop 8, paving the way for same-sex couples to marry in California and for those married in states where its legal to gain access to federal rights.
"You didn't think that would happen," Tomlin said. She added,"You don't really need to get married, but marriage is awfully nice. Everybody I know who got married, they say it really makes a difference. They feel very very happy about it."
Harriet Tubman does not have "direct descendants" as Russell Simmons claims, BUT her Great Grand Niece is not one bit happy about his debauchery. Uncle Rush, make sure you speak to all the family and not just two that you feel will appease you. Shame!
"Dear all: I spoke to Ms. Bryant on August 18, 2013 about our mutual feelings of disgust, anger, and sadness over the recent release of Russell Simmons's Harriet Tubman sex tape video. We are both concerned about the fact that this false
I'm sorry, but Uncle Rush, you should have known better to begin with. You may claim that you are not receiving funds from your attempt to create these miniseries, etc. BUT, I, along with many others are no fool. You are a great businessman and you know that this is part of your new brand and other ventures. Pull the wool over someone else and get a new PR agent.
Jackson County Circuit judge fires 34-year court veteran for good deed
A Kansas City man freed from prison three decades after being wrongfully convicted of rape considers Sharon Snyder his “angel” for giving him a public document that showed him how to properly seek DNA tests. A Jackson County Circuit judge considers the 34-year court employee an insubordinate for offering legal advice and being too chatty about courthouse matters.
Sharon Snyder, a 70-year-old great-grandmother who was fired nine months before she was scheduled to retire, sees herself somewhere in the middle and insists she would provide the same help if she had a chance to do it again.
Sharon Snyder, a 70-year-old great-grandmother who was fired nine months before she was scheduled to retire, sees herself somewhere in the middle and insists she would provide the same help if she had a chance to do it again.
Robert Nelson, 49, was convicted in 1984 of a Kansas City rape that he insisted he didn’t commit and sentenced to 50 years for forcible rape, five years for forcible sodomy and 15 years for first-degree robbery. The judge ordered the sentence to start after he finished serving time for robbery convictions in two unrelated cases prior to the rape conviction. Those sentences ended in 2006.Those sentences ended in 2006.
In August 2009, Nelson filed a motion seeking DNA testing that had not been available at his trial 25 years earlier, but Jackson County Circuit Judge David Byrn denied the request. Two years later Nelson asked the judge to reconsider, but again Byrn rejected the motion because it fell short of what was required under the statute Nelson had cited.
Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2013/07/28/4373583/jackson-county-circuit-judge-fires.html#storylink=cpy
Muslim-American groups are pushing to block the potential nomination of Raymond Kelly for secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Kelly, who serves as the New York City police commissioner.
The Muslim groups contend that Kelly oversaw a spying initiative that targeted Muslim people specifically for their religion, Religion News Service reports.
They also allege that he participated in an anti-Islamic film, as well as approved a report on terrorism that associated everyday activities, such as quitting smoking, with signs of future terrorist activity. Other suspicious signs included growing out a beard, fasting and praying.
Glenn Katon, legislative director for Muslim Advocates, told RNS that he believes that Kelly has “a proven record of violating American citizens’ rights,” and has written a letter on behalf of his organization.
It's important to note that Banksreceives none of this money. He served five years in prison and another five years on probation as a result of the original verdict, and was released only in 2012 when Banks taped her admitting that the accusation was false.
"The court recognizes that our school district was a victim in this case," schoolSuperintendent Christopher J. Steinhausertold the Press-Telegram. "This judgment demonstrates that when people attempt to defraud our school system, they will feel the full force of the law."
It is also possible that Gibson could face fraud charges, depending upon the court's opinion as to whether her 2012 recanting constitutes an admission of fraud. If the original accusation is the basis for such a charge, the three-year statute of limitations for fraud charges to be brought would void any such action.
Banks was a high school football star who had received a scholarship offer from USC and had made a verbal commitment to the school. After he was freed from prison, he reunited with Pete Carroll, who offered him that scholarship and had moved on to theSeattle Seahawks, for a tryoutin June of 2012. He wasn't quite ready for prime time just yet, but he looked amazingly close for a guy who never played college football and had little time to prepare himself for the challenges of the NFL.
"I don't want nobody to take it easy on me out here," he said. "I know I have a lot of work to do and if that's what's required, then definitely give it to me. I'm ready for it. I've heard of his coaching style. It wasn't until that day of the tryout that I was on the way up here with one of the scouting coaches and he was like, 'I want to let you know, coach Norton — he's no joke.' But you know what? I like that intensity. I like that style of coaching. If it's not right, tell me it's not right. And if it needs fixing, tell me it needs fixing and let's fix it together. We'll get it done. I appreciate it."
Banks didn't make the team, but he got back to work, and made the Atlanta Falcons' roster in April of 2013. When that triumph was announced, Banks recalled some of the feelings he went through while in prison.
Forget the money, liars deserve time for time. Just my opinion.
Where the heck have I been? This is the same man bragging that he married an asian woman. SMH!
According to the divorce decree, Howard got to keep both of their homes located in Pennsylvania and every single one of his 25 bank accounts.
The couple owned a pricey 2011 Range Rover…and Ghent also has to hand its keys over to her ex-hubby.
The 35-year-old ex-missus does however get to keep her bicycle.
Well alrighty now!
The couple also agreed to spousal support for Ghent over the next three years to the tune of $5,800 a month, which is mere a drop in the bucket for the A-list actor.
The couple’s divorce war wasfodder for news outlets everywhere. There were such nasty accusations as Ghent allegedly giving Howard pet names like “N-word monkey.”
The Oscar-nominated performer and Ghent have no children together, and according to Howard, Ghent said that she “did not want any N-word children from him” because she never wanted to marry a “N-word” in the first place.
American student Gabrielle Turnquest was called to the Bar of England and Wales after passing her exams at just 18.
The average lawyer undertakes the Bar Professional Training Course when they are 27.
However, the young high-flyer will not go on to work in the UK as she wants to return to her native America to qualify as a lawyer there.
But her success means she is also called to the Bahamas Bar, the country of her parents, and she hopes to work there.
Gabrielle took the course, at the University of Law, along with her sister Kandi, who also passed her exams but at the ripe old age of 22.
The teenager, who is originally from Windermere, Florida, hopes eventually to be a fashion law specialist.
She said: “I am honoured to be the youngest person to pass the Bar exams but, really, I was not aware at the time what the average age was.
“I didn’t fully realise the impact of it.”
Gabrielle has already made history at her previous university, Liberty University in Virginia, where she was the youngest person to finish an undergraduate degree there, in psychology, at the age of 16.
The Daily Mail interviewed Johnny Depp, and buried at the bottom of the article was the revelation that Depp plans to spend millions of his own money to return the land, Wounded Knee, in South Dakota, to Native Americans. The site, the scene of an 1890 massacre, is up for sale for $3.9 million.
“It’s very sacred ground and many atrocities were committed against the Sioux there. And in the 1970s there was a stand-off between the Feds (Federal government) and the people who should own that land. This historical land is so important to the Sioux culture and all I want to do is buy it and give it back. Why doesn’t the government do that?”
America has the most heavily armed citizens in the world, and when you look at the numbers you begin to understand their citizens are packing some serious heat. Since its conception, the Second Amendment — guaranteeing the “right to bear arms” — has been a controversial clause. It was invoked in a time when America was still a relatively new country, and there was still much lawlessness throughout its lands that required such a mandate… and the Wild Wild West was still to be won.
Gun ownership in the United States remains prolific compared to the rest of the world, but with the continued misuse of firearms by “looney tunes” from Colorado to Wisconsin, the debate over gun rights protection versus gun control has grown more divisive than ever before.
“There are 88.8 firearms per 100 people, which means the U.S. has the highest gun ownership rate in the world. In fact, it’s nearly 40 percent higher than Yemen, the country with the second highest gun ownership rate (54.8 firearms per 100 people).”
Over the last few years, trends have shown an evenly divided public with slightly more Americans now favoring the right to own firearms, as opposed to those who support controlled gun ownership. The thing is, one rifle isn’t the standard for gun owners anymore – 62% of Americans have more than one gun in their home or on their property.
On Thursday night, North Carolina passed sweeping restrictive voting laws in the wake of the Supreme Court’s Voting Rights Act decision.
On Thursday, North Carolina legislators passed a revised voter ID bill, supported by Republicans who control the state Legislature, that would will place sweeping new restrictions on when, where, and how citizens can vote.
Because of past evidence of discrimination against African-Americans, North Carolina was among the states previously required by Section 5 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act to get federal approval before voting changes could be put into place. The Supreme Court struck down a key provision of the Act in June, and North Carolina lawmakers immediately started measures to tighten rules for voter identification and voting times.
Republicans claim that the restrictions in House Bill 589, named “VIVA,” are necessary to combat “rampant” and “undetected” voter fraud. “People need to have confidence in the fact that everyone only votes once, and that their vote matters, and establish integrity in the electoral process,” state Sen. Bob Rucho told the Associated Press. “I would hope we can pass this bill and re-establish a level of integrity and confidence in the electoral system.”
Democrats and voting rights groups argued that there is little evidence of such widespread voter fraud. The North Carolina Board of Elections reports that only 121 alleged cases of voter fraud were reported during the 2012 general election — approximately 0.00174% of the 6.9 million votes cast.
“House Bill 589 attacks democracy at its core,” the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina said in a statement. “It is clearly designed to make it more difficult for thousands of eligible voters to register and cast a ballot… In a session marked by attacks on North Carolinians’ most basic liberties, H.B. 589 is one of the most shameful and severe.”
The Republican-dominated House approved the measure late Thursday night. It passed the state’s Senate a day earlier.
These are some of the many changes that will be put into place when North Carolinians head to the polls:
1. The early voting period will be shortened by a week, from 17 days to 10. Same-day registration during the early voting period will be eliminated.
Image by Mike Spencer / AP
2. Straight-party ticket voting will be eliminated.
Image by Sara D. Davis / Getty Images
3. Political party chairpersons will be allowed to designate up to 12 poll “observers” to monitor polling locations in order to ferret out voter fraud. Democracy North Carolina refers to these observers as “vigilantes.”
Image by Travis Long / AP
4. Sixteen- and 17-year-olds will no longer be allowed to pre-register to vote.
Image by Gerry Broome / AP
5. College and local government IDs will not longer be acceptable forms of identification to vote.
Image by CHRIS KEANE / Reuters
6. Out-of-precinct voting will no longer be allowed.
Image by CHRIS KEANE / Reuters
7. New restrictions will make it much more difficult to set up satellite polling stations, which will make it harder for elderly and disabled North Carolinians to vote.
Image by Sara D. Davis / Getty Images
A county board of elections by unanimous vote may, upon approval of a request submitted in writing to the State Board of Elections, establish a plan whereby elderly or disabled voters in a precinct may vote at designated sites within the precinct other than the regular voting place for that precinct. Any approval under this section is only effective for one year and shall be annually reviewed for extension.
Source: PART 26. STANDARDIZE SATELLITE POLLING PLACE APPROVAL SECTION 26.1. / via: pulse.ncpolicywatch.org
8. Voter registration drives in which those collecting new registrations are paid will be banned.
Image by Shawn Rocco / AP
G.S. 163-274(a) is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
For any person to be compensated based on the number of forms submitted for assisting persons in registering to vote unless that person is conducting voter registration for a governmental agency as required by this Chapter or by federal law.”
Source: PART 14. COMPENSATION FOR VOTER REGISTRATION LIMITED / via: pulse.ncpolicywatch.org
9. Counties will no longer be able to extend voting hours due to long lines or other extraordinary circumstances.
