Good Job

Those of you that posted on the blog this semester offered some excellent and thought provoking commentary. Good Job!

Supreme Court Rejects Appeal Over Obama’s Citizenship

Barack Obama'a citizenship is being questioned. A man from New Jersey is basing this question of his eligibilty of presidency upon the fact that he was born to a father from Kenya and mother who is a US citizen. It has also been said that he is not a "natural-born" citizen because he had dual nationality at birth.


State officials in Hawaii have declared that Obama was born there August 1961. However, this is being questioned because these officials will not submit a birth certificate. Although, in Hawaii only the family is allowed to see that sort of document, people still think they have a right to see his personal information.


Overall, I think that this is ridiculous. I honestly feel fooled to believe that the tactics would stop coming towards Obama. To say that he is not a citizen of the USA is just wrong. If he knew he was not a citizen, why would he go on about the election. I am sure he is smart enough to know that he will get caught.


What are your intakes on this situation? Do you think this is fair or just wrong?

Governor Rod Blagojevich gets arrested

Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested on corruption charges and was released on a bail of $ 4,500 after appearing in court on Tuesday afternoon. The former governor of Illinois Blagojevich was accused of attempting to sell the Illinois senate seat vacated by president- elect Barack Obama. The governor was charged with conspiracy to commit mail, wire fraud and solicitation of bribery. His arrest resulted from what he the governor has said in wiretaps from phones at his home and campaign headquarters according to investigators. Gov. Blagojevich was under investigation for about three years before this incident due to his hiring of irregularities. Although in this case Barack Obama is getting a lot of attention there is no evidence of Obama, or his associates talking with the governor about the senate seat. In this particular situation we will just have to wait to see what happens next until then Rod Blagojevich is still the governor and he can still appoint Obama's replacement.

Scandal threatens to dog Obama

President-elect Barack Obama hasn't even stepped into office and already a scandal — not of his own making — is threatening to dog him.

Obama isn't accused of anything. But the fact that Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, a fellow Democrat, has been charged with trying to sell Obama's now-vacant Senate post gives political opponents an opening to criticize him. A slew of questions remain. The investigation is still under way. And the ultimate impact on Obama is far from certain.

He pointedly distanced himself from the case Tuesday, saying, "I had no contact with the governor or his office, and so I was not aware of what was happening" concerning any possible dealing about Blagojevich's appointment of a successor.

In an interview published in the Chicago Tribune and the Los Angeles Times on Wednesday, Obama reiterated that point, saying: "I have not discussed the Senate seat with the governor at any time."

But Obama wouldn't answer a question on whether he was aware of any conversations between the governor and his top aides, including incoming White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel. "It's an ongoing investigation," Obama said. "I think it would be inappropriate for me to ... remark on the situation beyond the facts that I know."

O.J. Simpson could get 6 years, 18 years -- or life

LAS VEGAS, Nevada (CNN) -- Former football great O.J. Simpson, convicted of armed robbery and kidnapping, deserves leniency in sentencing as he is a first-time offender who showed no criminal intent, his attorney says in court papers.
Attorney Gabriel Grasso argued that Simpson should receive the minimum sentence, six years.
Grasso acknowledged in court papers, "Clearly Simpson was not using good judgment" during a 2007 hotel room confrontation over sports memorabilia.
Simpson could receive a maximum life sentence from Judge Jackie Glass on Friday. A pre-sentencing report recommended an 18-year sentence.
On October 3, a jury convicted Simpson, 61, and co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart of 12 charges, including conspiracy to commit a crime, robbery, assault and kidnapping with a deadly weapon. Watch Stewart talk about the night they were arrested »
Their convictions stem from a September 13, 2007, fracas at the Palace Station Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Prosecutors alleged that Simpson led a group of men who used threats, guns and force to take sports memorabilia from dealers Bruce Fromong and Al Beardsley.
Simpson said he was attempting to recover items that belonged to him.
Four men charged with Simpson cut deals with the prosecution and testified against him. One testified that Simpson asked him to bring a gun to the encounter.
"These were not crimes committed on strangers, but were acts stemming from prior relationships with the individuals in the room at the Palace Station," Grasso wrote in the memorandum.
"There was overwhelming evidence at trial that Simpson's intent was to recover property that was his and only his," the lawyer argued. "The trial testimony showed Simpson's intent was to return anything that did not belong to him. This intention can be heard throughout the recordings of the Palace Station incident."
He added, "However, there is nothing in the record to show that Simpson evinced a criminal mind or showed the requisite criminal intent." Because of that and other factors, Grasso wrote, Simpson's sentence should fall on the low end of the minimum sentencing range.
In a sentencing brief for Stewart, 54, defense attorney E. Brent Byron said his client also should be sentenced to six years, noting he "did not kill anyone, nor did he bind or gag anyone." He had no weapon and "no witness testified that Mr. Stewart knew that weapons were going to be used," the brief said.
Both sentencing memorandums note that one of the victims, Beardsley, did not even want the case prosecuted.
Attorneys for both Simpson and Stewart have filed motions seeking a new trial.
Simpson's lawyers cite seven reasons why a new trial should be granted in their brief, including that he was denied a fair hearing when two African-Americans were dismissed from the potential jury pool. An all-white jury convicted the men.


I personally believe although O.J. was completely wrong for what he did, the only reason he was sentenced so harshly is because of who he is and what he has done in the past. Many people feel O.J. got away with murder (literally) so this was the courts way of making sense of what they felt they could not prove him guilty of in the pass.

Stephen Smith on Black Athletes

I agree with Stephen A Smith black athletes need to wake up and realize that just because they have millions of dollars, does not mean they can get away with anything. There was no reason to bring a gun to the club, there is no reason for a athlete to spit in a girl's face. It is sad to see black athletes act a fool even though we have a black president trying to change the stereotype.

Advertising...Does it display Negative Stereotypes?

Continuing with today’s discussion in class on advertising stereotypes, I wanted to mention a cover on Vogue that developed alot of controversy over the summer.

This image of basketball player LeBron James with model Gisele Bundchen developed much controversy. Critics felt that it was perpetuating racial stereotypes. Many have referred to this cover in relation to King Kong, because LeBron poses in a gorilla-like manner, as he dribbles a ball with supermodel Gisele in the other hand relating to the damsel in distress. A Magazine Analyst, Samir Husni feels that the photo was done deliberately and considering Vogues history when they publish the magazine there is always a lot of thought put into it. This in fact related LeBron it to King Kong showing that black men always want white women. On the contrary LeBron James was comfortable with the cover and said that he receives both positive and negative publicity and who cares what people have to say.

Two readers commented in USA Today saying

One said:
“This cover is very hurtful to the white basketball players. It screams that only blacks can play basketball, be successful and that white women would choose a black man over successful white man. I am boycotting Vogue from now on.”

Another reader said:“He’s a basketball player who is known for his abilities…what kind of face should he be making? He is in his element, whether black, white, or purple, he IS a basketball player. It’s not like they took just some tall black guy and made him wear a basketball uniform and have a blonde jumping up and down for him. Sheesh. People need to seriously get over themselves and stop taking things so seriously.”

My personal opinion:
I remember when I saw this magazine at Publix a store in Atlanta Georgia and a white woman said isn’t this true, I’m not to sure what she was implying, but I was very offended by the cover as a young African American woman, and didn't not particularly like the portrayal of our black men, which showed similar characteristics of a Gorilla. Whether Vogue did it deliberately or not, there are always two sides of the spectrum that the mass media should take into mind when delivering to the public, of course this is never an easy task. I just thought it was interesting to post, especially in relation to our class discussion.

Too many blacks on Grand The Jury?!

According to CNN 18 year old Paul Schlesselman and 20 year old Daniel Cowart were "accused of planning to kill more than 100 African-Americans ending with Obama (who was running for president at the time). However the men believe their "indictment should be thrown out because there were too many African-Americans on the grand jury." According to CNN "Cowart's defense attorney claims, in a motion to dismiss the indictment against him, that of the 23 grand jurors who indicted Cowart on November 5, 21 were African-American and two were white."

Daniel Cowart's Defense Attorney Joe Byrd wants the court to "investigate whether the failure to ask jurors whether they could be impartial resulted in his receiving an impartial jury." He made a motion to ask the court to "appoint a commissioner to interview each of the grand jurors to see if there was any partiality or prejudice on their part"

I apologize in advance for this however the Defense Attorney has a point; under the law everyone is entitled to a fair trial. Yes, what the two men were going to do is horrible and wrong however, the Defense Attorney has the right to ask for a fair trial. These men should be punished and Im sure no matter who they put on the Jury they will be found guilty and put in jail for a very long time.

Barack playing Ball

Barack Obama had a stressful week before the election day. His stress reliever, playing ball with his close friends and high school teammates.



Check out the behind the back move by OBama

Bush Welcomes Obama

President George Bush and first lady Laura Bush have welcomed the first African American President-elect Barack Obama and incoming first lady Michelle Obama into their future home. Though non of us have experienced it, we can only imagine the different emotions Obama is experiencing. CNN notes this meeting as an historic formality. Bush and Obama discussed many issues that our country is facing. According to CNN, though Obama frequently campaigned against what he referred to as Bush's "failed policies" Bush has vowed to do everything he can possibly do to make sure that the tranisition is a smooth one. Obama told reporters that he was gratified by the invitation to meet with the president and his wife, and he was sure that besides taking a tour of the White House they would have substantive conversation between himself and the president. Bush said that when he called President-elect Obama to congratulate him on this historic victory he said that Obama could count on him and he would be completely cooperative as he made this transition to the White House. Many have said that President Bush is trying to get on good terms with the public, which is why he continuously mentions that Obama has his full support and cooperation. With or without Bush's support and cooperation Obama will figure out how to deal with this transition, besides he has a powerful black woman beside him and many who support him everystep of the way.

Barack Obama elected PRESIDENT...

Novemeber 4, 2008 was a very historic moment for African Americans. Barack Obama was elected President of the United States of America, Obama being the first African American elected president, brings about change for the many African Americans in the U.S. I am a proud African American because blacks have come a long way for example slavery, in which we were able to over come and still progress. Barack being elected shows African Americans that you can do anything in life, but you will work for it. Many people feel after hearing who won the elections, they are able to do what ever they want but not looking at it from a certain perspective, realizing that Barack worked for his position in the election of 2008. Obama is going to stand by his word and bring about change. He's going to best African American president as long as he has the people behind him, he is untouchable.

Barack Obama 2008 Election Speech Elected 44th Presdient:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVlfbZftoU8

ELECTION DAY!

As we all know, today is November 4th 2008. This is said to be the day to make history! It is up to us to go out and voice our opinion by VOTING for the best candidate. The lines for these polls are wrapped around corners which shows that there are people taking their time to go out and vote! With the shocking death of Obama's grandmother we can only pray for him and wish the best on his part. I have faith in Obama and believe that he will be our next president. This is a historic election that will definately have an impact on everyone's life regardless of the outcome. What is your opinion of this election, now that it has come down to the final day?


BARACK THE VOTE!

Obamas shocking endorsement

General Colin Powell goes against his party and gives endorsements for Obama's campaign.

Although gen. Powell is a republican he has made the descision to elect Sen. Obama for president. Powell and Mccain have been long time friends for over two decades but the two share different views in politics. Powell believes Obama is ready to lead the nation and that he has a steady approach to problem solving. On the other hand he disagrees with McCains choice in vice president and on his views. Powell took a stand and went against his party for what he believes is right. You to can make a change by voting on tuesday Nov. 4th 2008. OBAMA

Order of Posts

Week Numbers correspond with the syllabus. Unfortunately to avoid having to make posts during finals week, group one starts this week. Any questions or problems email me: ms.cavaliere@yahoo.com


Group One: (Week 9 + Week 13)
Jessica Taylor
Nikia Montgomery
Justin Persaud
Lincoln Ricketts Jr.
Jennifer Garraod
Jessica McNeil
Alexis Lopez

Group Two: (Week 10 + Week 14)
Kelly McIntya
Rasheed Obdusan
Lizette Nateva
Karina Cabreja
Ishaan Bilah
Terrell Blackwood
Mike Saint-Jules

Group Three: (Week 11 + Week 15)
Tyresa Sellers
Alandria Powell
Pamela Robinson
Monique Leyden
Edmund Easton
Fabienne Bernard
Tiffany Johnson

Group Four: (Week 12 + Week 16)
Gabryelle McKeney
Shaquenda Peay
Edina P. Dow
Sara Cavaliere