THIS IS A TOSS-UP: SHOULD WE REFER TO THOMAS WEEKS AS BISHOP, OR MIKE TYSON???

"Enough" Starring Jennifer Lopez as Evangelist Juanita Bynum Is Where This Conversation Needs To Go!

The Continuing Battle Of Juanita Bynum & Thomas Weeks III Delivers A Punch To The Pulpit

Yesterday in the Courier-Journal of Louisville, Kentucky, columnist Bettye Baye' writes an insightful perspective on the larger issue of domestic violence and other glossed-over realities within the church as it relates to the latest developments of prophetess Bynum and Bishop Weeks III.

Here is an excerpt:
The beautiful bride of such recent memory was reportedly choked, kicked and stomped by Bishop Weeks, from whom she already was estranged, in the parking lot of a hotel near the Atlanta airport. A meeting reputedly intended to see whether the marriage could be patched up clearly went badly. A bellhop who saw the incident pulled Weeks off his wife.

The bishop, charged with aggravated assault, spent six hours in the Fulton County Jail before being released on $40,000 bond. If his wife sees the case through, she may deliver her greatest service and sermon to female followers.

Estimates are that anywhere from 950,000 to 3 million women are physically abused each day in America by so-called intimate partners. A 1998 survey found that nearly one-third of American women claimed to have been physically or sexually abused by an intimate partner sometime in their lives.

"It's happening in every ZIP code and every area code," said Denise Vazquez Troutman, president and CEO of the Center for Women and Families. The Center, which opened Kentucky's first domestic violence shelter for women in 1977, today has a 24-hour hot line and eight regional locations.

"Faith leaders," Troutman said, "must speak out against domestic violence," and should institute protocols within their own institutions that support victims and that support domestic violence shelters -- for example, by publishing hot line numbers and information about services for victims in bulletins and newsletters, and placing domestic violence literature in heavily traveled areas.

The aim, Troutman said, is "to create a faith community environment in which domestic violence isn't tolerated."

Ah, but there's the rub, according to...

Keep reading>>>

Sen. Craig Resigns, Sen. Warner Retires, And Snow Is Out: White Republicans Are Dropping Like Flies!

This is not a good time to be a Republican folks. More and more, I'm thinking I may have to switch back to being a Democrat! It's a scary thought!!!

These good 'ole boys are taking my party in a whole different direction with an endless parade of mis-steps and foul-ups. Idaho Sen. Larry Craig is the latest at bat, announcing that he will in fact resign from the Senate Saturday after pressure from fellow Republicans to step down after an arrest in a men's room sex sting.

Craig decided to resign with plans to make the announcement in Boise on Saturday, his spokesman, Dan Whiting said, but he would not say whether the three-term senator planned to step down. Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter, however, appeared to have settled on a successor: Lt. Gov. Jim Risch, according to several Republicans familiar with internal deliberations.

Senator John W. Warner of Virginia, one of the Republican Party’s most influential figures on military issues and an increasingly critical voice on the course of the war in Iraq, also announced earlier today that he will not run for re-election next year.

As reported by the New York Times, Warner said he had had “a magnificent and very rewarding career,” but that he had decided it was time to step aside rather than seek a sixth term. Virginia's former democratic Governor Mark Warner is likely to snap this seat up in 08, potentially leaving the conservative state with no GOP Senate presence in DC.

Tony Snow, whose face became familiar to millions of television viewers as well as the Washington press corps in his two years as chief White House spokesman, plans to leave his post on Sept. 14. The official reason is mo' money, mo' money, mo' money. I still can't help but think it has something to do with his courageous battle with cancer.

“I sadly accepted his desire to leave the White House,” President Bush said in the briefing room where Mr. Snow has presided since the spring of 2006. “It’s been a joy to watch him spar with you.”

New Blog Focuses On Sistahs Who Absolutely Love Purses

Introducing Designs To Infinity

No More London, No More France, You Could Get Fined With Those Down-Low Pants!

Momma always told you “pull your pants up, you look like a bum. So you pull up your oversized Girbauds and walk out the door, letting them drop stylishly back into place just under your butt.

Those were the good old days, but now in some cities in America, Momma could be down the street, ready to get on your back about those pants again. Well, not Momma, but Sergeant Friday might soon be on the case.

City Councils in several southern cities have voted for creating an ordinance to ban sagging pants that expose underwear and skin. Two cities that have approved this are Shreveport and Alexandria, Louisiana. In Alexandria, violators showing more 3 inches of booty could be fined $25 to $200 and ordered to perform community service and counseling. "I'm tired (of) looking at behinds," said Councilwoman Joyce Bowman, in Shreveport's 4-3 majority Tuesday.

The idea to outlaw this trend has also reached cities as large as Atlanta, where the debate has heated up. Critics have said that Atlanta's measure is a form of racial profiling that would allow police to target some young black males who wear their pants below the belt line. Similar initiatives in other states have spurred complaints from civil liberties groups.

It’s been known that this style of sagging has been prevalent in the Black community for years. Young Black men have been hearing, “pull your pants up, tie your shoes, turn your hat around” from their mothers and grandmothers forever. Some of my favorites were, “Who’s gonna respect you if all they can see is your ass?

And while watching COPS, “Look at him; trying to run away, he can’t get away from the police running in those pants down around his ankles.” So despite the possibility that these new laws could give some police officers one more thing to bother a young Black man about, the sponsors of the proposals are older Black people fed up with the unsightly appearance.

Although the older citizens of these cities have good intentions in mind, the fact is that no one should be able to make others wear their clothes the way they want them to. Indecent exposure is one thing, but disagreement with this sloppy style is another that deals strictly with opinion. The attention of our law enforcement should be focused on real issues that actually affect our communities, like theft, shootings, and drug dealing.

This isn’t the Red Carpet in L.A., and I don’t see Joan Rivers anywhere, so the fine people of Louisiana should let the fashion police do their job on E! If you don’t like the look, then look away, all it takes is a simple twist of the neck.

Now that sagging has been forbidden, I’m proposing that the opposing “Waistline up to your chest” look be next on the chopping block. It makes me shudder every time I have to wonder exactly where someone’s waist really is.

Keep talking, it’s the only way they’ll ever hear you.--JJJ

LOOKS LIKE FOOT TAPPING WHITE REPUBLICAN SENATOR LARRY CRAIG IS OUTTA THERE!

Conservative Idaho Senator Craig Going Down

Venus Williams Inks New Clothing Deal
Documents Reveal FBI Spying on Coretta Scott King
Some Blacks Give Nod to XM and Sirius Satellite Merger
Bob Marley Family Says to Sue Universal, Verizon
Organization Encourages Blacks to Pursue MBAs
Ruff Ryder Co-CEO Indicted for Cocaine Distribution
Blacks Remained at Economic Rock Bottom Last Year
Usher and Tameka to Have Wedding Ceremony

NFL Speed Demon "Lamborghini" Lance Briggs Tries To Do A Nick Hogan, With Similar Results!

Why Are So Many Athletes And The Folks Running The Game Losing Their Swagger?

Chicago Bears linebacker and pro bowler Lance Briggs had some esssplanin’ to do Tuesday after crashing his new, $350,000 Lamborghini Murcielago. Illinois police found the abandoned vehicle, which had hit a light pole and a concrete bridge support, alongside the Edens Expressway on the city's North Side around 3:15 a.m.

Why Does Nick Hogan Insist On Repeatedly Being Fast & Furious?

After the crash, Briggs fled the scene, calling a tow truck and the police a few times which eventually ended up in multiple conflicting stories.

"When it happened, the first thing I did was, obviously, I panicked," Briggs said. "I didn't want there to be a big scene there. And so I left the scene. When I left, I called the tow truck. I also was startled, and I called to report that my car was stolen. Within probably 10 minutes, I called back and accepted responsibility for what I did because it was ridiculous in the first place."

This panic over the possibility of a big scene occurring there was a bit too little, too late. Briggs hoped against hope that a few drivers wouldn’t notice an extremely expensive and rare car sitting on top of a bridge support, wrapped around a light pole, as long as a 240 pound Black man wasn’t standing next to the carnage.

Naturally, everyone has to wonder if he was drinking, was on drugs, or was racing the vehicle that was built for speed. These details will probably never be known, but that doesn’t stop suspension-happy fans and observers from asking why the Bears or the NFL hasn’t acted on this bizarre story with some arbitrary banning for Briggs. He was already charged with leaving the scene of an accident, a misdemeanor, and was given traffic citations for failure to give immediate notice of an accident and improper lane usage, when he met with police on Monday afternoon.

He was released after posting $100 bond and is scheduled to appear Oct. 4 in court.
The bottom line is that Briggs finally did come out and take responsibility for the accident and will face the legal consequences that he should. Every time an NFL player does something that doesn’t agree with 100% of the population, a witch hunt sparks people’s need to see him lose his opportunity to do his job, which is completely unrelated to the incident.

The rules and punishments of the league are placed there for reasons, mostly to protect the perceived infallible integrity of sports, which then gets sullied by the most obvious people involved in the game.

As long as the commissioners of the major sports keep their attention on actual violations instead of the fear of public scrutiny targeted at the faces of the game, these players won’t have a fear of breathing and the fly-by-night populace opinion won’t get a sense of unwarranted control over their fate.

If NFL commissioner Roger Goodell runs the league in constant fear of the image its players could portray, he’ll overlook the real scandals that actually ruin their good name. Just ask David Stern.

Keep talking, it’s the only way they’ll ever hear you.--JJJ

Today, It's All About Katrina, Jena 6, And The Bobby Brown/Whitney Houston Custody Battle Trainwreck

Bush: 'Better Days' Ahead Two Years After Katrina
CNN, Spike Lee Give Camcorders to Kids Post-Katrina
Response to Hurricane Katrina Draws Fire
As La. Rebuilds, Many Think the Nation No Longer Cares

Video: The Jena 6 Need Your Help Sign Petition
School Bans 'Free the Jena 6' T-shirts

Brothers Indicted in Assault of Two Black Teens in Oregon
Study Shows Blacks Die Earlier than Any Other Group

Whitney Houston Bobby Brown Custody Battle

HP's Newest Commercial Featuring Serena Williams
New Miss Black T.E.E.N. La. Crowned
Keyshia Cole Sets Mark & New Record

Bishop Thomas Weeks Is Not Turning Down Any Money In His Assault Case Against Juanita Bynum

Overheard In The Church Parking Lot

A crusty old man recently walked into Bishop Thomas Weeks' church and said to the secretary, "I would like to join this damn church." The astonished woman replies, "I beg your pardon, sir. I must have misunderstood you. What did you say?"

"Listen up, damn it. I said I want to join this damn church!"

"I'm very sorry sir, but that kind of language is not tolerated in this church."

The secretary leaves her desk and goes into Bishop Week's study to inform him of her situation. Bishop Weeks agrees that the secretary does not have to listen to that foul language. They both return to her office and the bishop asks the old geezer, "Sir, what seems to be the problem here?"

"There is no damn problem" the man says. "I just won $200 million bucks in the damn lottery and I want to join this damn church to get rid of some of this damn money."

"I see," said Bishop Weeks. "And is this bitch giving you a hard time?

El DeBarge Gets Three Hots And A Cot For Domestic Violence Arrest, Remains Jailed On Drug Charges

El Debarge of the famous R&B musical family clan "Debarge" is not quite feeling the rhythm of the night as he continues to sit in Los Angeles County's Men's Central Jail.
The biracial Gemini got popped on domestic violence charges Sunday in Lancaster, a lower end suburban community northeast of LA.

Vibe's "Rise and Fall of The Debarge Family"

Debarge, who made light-skinned, 'good-hair' pretty boys all the rage back in the day, remains on lockdown because he still has several outstanding warrants ranging from drugs to vandalism to driving with a suspended license.

The District Attorney's office has indicated that they will not proceed with the domestic violence charges due to insufficient evidence against the 46-year-old 80's crooner.

BREAKING: El DeBarge Turns Out The 2010 BET Awards

Obviously unable to post bail, El -- whose real name is Eldra, will stay behind bars until he sees the judge on the warrants scattered in various courts throughout the county.

And according to his booking information, the former brother-in-law to Janet Jackson may be hitting more than his partner.

(Janet and James DeBarge, before the annulment when they eloped in '84)

At 5'9 and 130 pounds, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that rehab is clearly in this brother's fortune.

Bloggers who obviously know nothing about LA have been suggesting that El has been hooking for crack on "Sunset Strip".

News flash folks: women line Sunset Boulevard, men occupy Santa Monica Boulevard that goes through West Hollywood. With El fathering 10 KIDS (no, that's not a typo), he was probably on Santa Monica -- unless he's posing as a tranny!

UPDATE: CHICO DEBARGE GETS ARRESTED!

Rhymes With Snitch first broke the news of Debarge's unfortunate arrest.

FYI, did you know 'Debarge' the group was discovered by Jermaine Jackson, and their brother was one of the founding members of the music group 'Switch'?

Remember the jam "There'll Never Be" (Listen) / (Listen)

And finally, Mama DeBarge is writing a tell-all. Can't wait!

Juanita Bynum Had Visions Of The Devil Trying to Claim Her Marriage To Bishop Thomas Weeks: Is That Who Beat Her?

Quickie: Wayne Brady Has A Daddy Moment!

Is anyone watching his new gig, "Don't Forget The Lyrics?"

Black Female Artists In The News: Toni's Cancer Scare, Foxy's Still On Lockdown, & Solange Get's Paid

Toni Braxton Dispels Breast Cancer Rumors
'Biggest Diamond Ever' is Found in South Africa

Ceremony to Unveil Mandela Statue in UK

Foxy Brown Remains in Jail, Judge Denies Early Exit
Cities Join Jesse Jackson in Protesting Gun Violence
Kwame Kilpatrick Aide: No Romance with the Mayor

Solange Signs Publishing Deal with EMI

Bo Diddley Suffers Heart Attack

Vick Cancels Interview on Tom Joyner Radio Show

On The 2nd Anniversay Of Katrina, Black Folks Are Still Dealing With All Kinds Of Vermin... Including Ray Nagin

The deplorable conditions in New Orleans are the single most visible symbol of the state of Black people in this country. While the weapons of mass distraction countinue to take the form of whether a Idaho US Senator Larry Craig is gay, did Owen Wilson's alleged drug use contribute to his suicide attempt, or is Miss Teen South Carolina Lauren Caitlin Upton ever going to live down her youtube blond moment, we better pay close attention to this, family.

Seriously, we are in crisis. Read on:

On the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, anger over the stalled rebuilding was palpable throughout a city where the mourning for the dead and feeling of loss for flooded homes, schools, snow cone stands, old-time hairstylists and hardware stores doesn’t seem to subside.

Katrina's Wrath Impacts 2008 White House Race

Blacks Say They’re Left Out of Katrina Work

Hurricane Katrina made landfall south of New Orleans at 6:10 a.m. Aug. 29, 2005, as a strong Category 3 hurricane that flooded 80 percent of the city and killed more than 1,600 people in Louisiana and Mississippi. It was the worst natural disaster in the history of the United States.

New Orleans Poor Are Ignored, Thanks Ray Nagin

Governor Blanco Refuses To Accept Blame For Deaths

On Wednesday, protesters planned to march from the obliterated Lower 9th Ward to Congo Square, a venerable spot where slaves were able to celebrate their culture. Accompanied by brass bands and wielding megaphones, they will again try to spread their message that the government has failed to help people return.

Folks Are Mourning, And Their Angry, Sad

Bush Taken To Task For Katrina

"People are angry and they want to send a message to politicians that they want them to do more and do it faster,’’ said the Rev. Marshall Truehill, a Baptist pastor and community activist. ‘‘Nobody’s going to be partying.’’

At Charity Hospital, a 21-story limestone hospital adorned with allegorical reliefs, public officials will attend a somber groundbreaking for a victims’ memorial and mausoleum that will house the remains of more than 100 victims who have still not been identified.

‘‘It’s an emotional time. You re-live what happened and you remember how scattered everyone is now. There are relationships now that are completely over,’’ said Robert Smallwood, a New Orleans writer. ‘‘The city has been dying this slow death. In New Orleans, you can’t escape it. It’s bad news everyday.’’

Churches will hold memorial services, including one at the historic St. Louis Cathedral on Jackson Square, and ring bells in honor of the victims.

A candlelight vigil is scheduled in Jackson Square at dusk, right around the time the French Quarter may start getting tipsy with street parties and anniversary revelers, as happened last year.

Several presidential contenders, including Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, have visited in recent days. Meanwhile, an international people’s tribunal has been convened to take testimony from victims.

The tribunal is being spearheaded by legal activists trying to build a case under international law accusing the United States of human rights abuses during and after Katrina.

Local Texas Town Wants All Black Male Students In The Front Row: Got A Problem With That?

Assistant Principal Elvena Colbert sent out an e-mail stating that all underperforming students would now be required to sit on the front row in classrooms.

Works for us!

But Colbert didn't quite phrase it that way. She specified that those required were only the Black male students.

We still don't see the problem!

Principal James Broussard later sent out an e-mail urging staff to disregard the one distributed by Colbert. Broussard's e-mail explained that the intent was to identify students who received low Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills scores.

Then, teachers would have those students sit toward the front of the class or change the seating chart so they could be more easily engaged in classroom discussions, said Willis Mackey, Beaumont assistant superintendent.

"People want to beat (students) down and talk down at them," he said. "We need to have the ones who are not successful and put them on the front row. Kids who are not excelling need special attention. ... Why are we letting kids sit on the back row and fall asleep or look out the window?"

He said it is not a black and white issue but one about economically disadvantaged students.

No, it's definitely a Black issue. It's a lack of male role model issue, a celebrating of all things gangsta issue, a unwillingness to stop dancing around this crisis and call it out issue!

Many of our Black boys are the most unmotivated, unfocused, underachieving, disrespectful, disruptive and disdained students in the classroom. Nationwide! And this comes from Black teachers!

With data consistently showing these boys performing poorly, what do you do when only 50 percent of these young brothers pass state assessments in math and science?

Mackey, who visits Ozen, Texas about four times a week and sees how teachers are trying to come up with inventive ways to encourage students, urged members of the group to identify low-performing students and mentor them throughout the year.

"They (the young men) need to sit in front of the classroom and not in the back dozing off. ... There is no intent of anybody for all the black kids to go to the front or black males to go to the front." He added members of the group want the low-performing students to be more aggressive about their education by paying attention in class and not "pass notes" or "goof off."

Roberto Flores, League of United Latin American Citizens, said on the outset it seemed to forget other groups but that once he understood the goal was to encourage low-performing students it made sense.

"I think everything got lost in interpretation," Flores said, adding he understands how some students want to just skate by in school.

Source

Bea Arthur, Betty White & Rue Mcclanahan Are Hosting The New Season Of ABC'S 'The View"

Other than Elisabeth Hasslebeck, the tenderoni's on this once-heraled daytime talkfest are starting to... well, ripen. Barbara Walters and Joy Behar are the only original ones left standing.

The new 'View' photo featuring Whoopi is ________ (fill in the black)

NO SEX IN THE CITY #11 - I LEFT LA WITH MY COUSIN, I CAME BACK WITH A BEST FRIEND

The Ojai Chronicles Day 3 (Day 2) (Day 1)

By Cousin Kim

Surprising myself after a night of wine and cheese on a lactose intolerant stomach, I awoke in time to join the 7am brisk walk. Once again I duck-walked along the residential street of Ojai with other Oaks guests. This time we took a different route, which afforded us the opportunity to see the house of "the duck lady" or what one walker described as "a cute idea that got way out of hand."

The front yard was littered with every kind of duck imaginable -- from stuffed animals to ceramic specimens; even the mailbox had yellow ducks painted on it!

Our guide informed us that "the duck lady" had applied for a business license recently to which one walker drably replied, "she probably plans to sell all that crap."

Upon my returning, I met up with Cousin Jana in our room where she'd just exited the shower. The divorced mom of four little ones was watching the film 'A Time to Kill'. Although she left for breakfast, I got so sucked into the movie that I decided to skip the 9:15 am stretch class. Jana's idea of relaxation finally took hold of me as well.

After Jana finished breakfast and the movie concluded, we decided to walk through Ojai's Farmers Market before heading back to LA. We stopped briefly at the lavender table to smell the sachets as we discovered that lavender is a favorite scent for both of us.

We salivated to the smells of homemade tamales, cookies, and pies but did not give into temptation. Our last stop was a feature of the market I'd never seen before--a booth with bowls and kitchen utensils made from very strong bamboo.

Deciding not to transport any fresh fruits and vegetables for our ninety mile drive home, we headed back to the Oaks to settle our bill. We said goodbye to the wonderful staff and I headed out to warm up the car while Jana purchased some agave nectar from the gift shop.

As we rode highway 33 heading toward home, I felt a sense of remorse pulling at my heart. "Ojai is a hard place to leave", I confided to my girl. Jana thanked me for driving her up there and promised to do more activities next time. I contemplated how at 36 and 40 years old we are no longer kids, but we will always be connected by our childhood experiences. The weekend gave me a chance to get to know my "little cousin" as the wonderful, strong, beautiful Black woman she has grown to be.

For that, I am eternally grateful to my magical home away from home Ojai, California.

NFL Baller Travis Henry Ain't Trying To Pay For His Kids, He's Too Busy Polishing His Bling

Broncos running back Travis Henry (pictured at a charity event fronting that caring athlete hustle) can't seem to find his way to the mailbox to drop off some child support to his 9 baby mama’s.

According to court records, the judge called the Black man on his triffling disposition, writing that Henry displayed “bad judgment in his spending habits,” dropping $100,000 for a car and $146,000 for jewelry. Henry fell behind on support payments for onechild. Threatened with jail, he borrowed $9,800 from his former team, the Tennessee Titans, to pay the bill, according to court records.

..The Broncos signed Henry to a five-year, $22.5-million contract in March with $12 million in guaranteed.

“People can judge me all they want,” Henry told the Denver Post. “But only God can judge me. “A lot of stuff that’s been put out there isn’t true, but I’m not going to get into that right now,” Henry said. “The important thing is I want to take care of my kids really and truly. It’s all good.”

Brother, it's time to "Man-up!" Come on, are you really trying to go out like this?

Source

White GOP Men Keep Getting Caught With Their Pants Down: Is Gay The New Black?

United States Senator Larry Craig (R-Idaho) was arrested in June at a Minnesota airport by a plainclothes police officer in a men's public restroom.

On Aug. 8, the married, 62-year-old politician pled guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct in the Hennepin County District Court. He paid more than $500 in fines and fees, and a 10-day jail sentence was stayed. He also was given one year of probation.

I AM NOT GAY AND NOW, I WANT TO CHANGE MY PLEA!

No longer associated with Mitt Romney's presidential aspirations as a result of this incident, Senator Craig is now claiming that this is all a big misunderstanding and perhaps he should have not entered into a plea deal.

Sound familiar? A day after four of Sen. John McCain's top political strategists stepped down, the Arizona Republican's presidential campaign was dealt another setback when Congressman Bob Allen, co-chair of his Florida campaign, was arrested for allegedly offering an undercover male police officer $20 to engage in a sex act.

Florida State Rep. Bob Allen faces charges of solicitation for prostitution after he was arrested in a Titusville city park that had been under surveillance, police said.

Claiming that he helped build the park and he was just there looking around, Allen initially indicated that this was "a very big misunderstanding." He would later blame Black folks for his predicament. "Those strapping buck negroes made me do it out of fear!"

Earlier that same week, U.S. Senator David Vitter, the southern regional chairman for Rudy Giuliani's presidential campaign, was linked to the so-called DC Madam's escort service.

Full story

The list goes on. Young Republican National Federation Chair Glenn Murphy is under investigation for criminal deviate behavior. "It was totally consensual. The dude begged me to perform oral sex in his sleep! What about Pastor Ted Haggard: I like meth, massages, and male prostitutes, but not gay sex with male prostitutes on meth after massages!

Let's not forget Paul Barnes: I prayed to God to cure me and he never answered my prayers! Or Mark Foley: I was molested by a priest! So now I just want to be of comfort to congressional pages!

Venus & Serena Williams Lead An All-Star Black Women's Tribute To Tennis Icon Althea Gibson

Black Women Unite for Althea Gibson
John Singleton Cleared in Fatal Accident
Mandela Urges Britain's Black Leaders to Help Empower

Afeni Shakur's Life Story Comes to the Big Screen
Seattle's African American Academy Gets One More Try

New Research Links Black Suicides and Religion

Allen Iverson's Stepdad Indicted on Fed Drug Charges
Mounting Racial Tensions 'Resegregating' America
Remembering the 'Black ABCs'

Why Sexy, Blond White Women Are Angry: Miss Teen South Carolina Is Making Them Look Dumb, Imagine That!

Introducing brain surgeon in training Lauren Caitlin Upton, candidate For Miss Teen USA. You know actor Mario Lopez, playing the emcee role, was busting a gut inside.

Miss Teen Colorado Hilary Carol Cruz ultimately won. Upton, surprisingly, finished third. (FYI - when in doubt, the answer is always "world peace." Miss Congeniality starring Sandra Bullock, HELLO!)

Now, for the million dollar question, WHERE WERE THE SISTAHS???

Teen Choice Winner Sean Kingston Likes 'Beautiful Girls', And We Agree!

This is what the next wave of music looks like family:
Sean Kingston's taking the beat to another level. With rap and hip hop music sales in the toilet, this is long overdue!

Keep your eye on this 17-year-old Jamaican-American.

He's hot!

MICHAEL VICK OFFICIALLY PLEADS GUILTY, LETS JESUS TAKE THE WHEEL

Black Falcon's Quaterback Claws His Way Toward Redemption

"Guilty," Michael Vick responded to U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson in a low, almost inaudible voice, his hands clasped behind his back. His only sign of emotion came afterward, when he hugged a woman in the front row, later identified by his attorneys as his fiancee. Vick quietly wiped away a tear.

Yes, Michael Vick is a convicted felon now folks, formally pleading to heinous federal dogfighting charges Monday morning. Clocking in at exactly 18 minutes, the pro-baller admitted that he supplied most of the gambling money for fights on his southeastern Virginia property and endorsed the killing of poorly performing dogs.

Not that PETA won't still go for the jugular, but Vick must live out this dramatic fall for one of the NFL's marquee players.

And it sounds like he's found religion in the process. "Dog fighting is a terrible thing, but I found Jesus and have asked for forgiveness. I am turning my life over to God," the athlete stated at a news conference that was chalked full of contrition and humility. "I will redeem myself, I have to."

Judge Hudson set Vick's sentencing for Dec. 10 on the single federal conspiracy charge but repeatedly reminded him that he is not bound by the prison sentence of 12 to 18 months that prosecutors and Vick's attorneys are recommending. "The bottom line is that if I decide you deserve five years and give you five years, you can't appeal it," the judge said. "Do you understand? You're taking your chances here. . . . You have to live with whatever decision I make."

UPDATES AND VIDEO

U.S. Attorney Chuck Rosenberg said in a statement this morning that federal sentencing guidelines had appeared to call for a prison term of up to six months and that a first-time offender like Vick normally might not have received any jail time. Prosecutors insisted that the sentencing range be adjusted upward to 12-18 months, and Vick's attorneys agreed. "It is highly unusual for a defendant to agree to recommend a sentence above the advisory guideline range,'' Rosenberg said.

An attorney for Vick, William R. (Billy) Martin, said afterward the hearing that "we hope Judge Hudson will see the real Mike Vick. What you've seen is something . . . an aberration. We think Judge Hudson will get [the sentence] right.''

Vick said he blamed no one else for his situation and apologized to the public, his football teammates and to "all the kids out there for my immature acts." "I made a mistake in using bad judgment and making bad decisions," he said.

His court appearance was again greeted by deranged animal rights protesters, but the atmosphere outside the courthouse was nothing like the circus it was at his first court appearance. One sign read "Prosecute all dog fighters, justice for all victims." Another represented a different take: "Hang in there Mike," it read.

On Friday, Vick was suspended indefinitely by the league, he has lost endorsement deals from athletic equipment companies, and he will face efforts by the Falcons to recoup upwards of 40 million dollars in signing bonuses. Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank accepted Vick's apology and indicated that it was "sincere and heartfelt."

Paula White, Juanita Bynum And The Hypocrisy Faithful Black Women Face In the Church Pews

THE REAL TRUTH BEHIND THE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP CRISIS

Why are so many, particularly women, taking this news concerning the dissolving marriages of female televangelists Juanita Bynum and Paula White so hard?

The issues surrounding these two women of God are far beyond just them, their spouses or their respective ministries. It is forcing people in the "Body of Christ" to examine some real issues that have gone unchecked in the church for far too long.

For those of you who know nothing about me, I use to work for a mega church about 9 years ago. What I saw and experienced shocked me "on the regular" - to coin an urban phrase.

From a professional and career standpoint, my experience in working for this church was one of the best experiences and career milestones of my life. Upon first working there, I saw the opportunity as a blessing. I loved working for my pastor; a humble, smart man who clearly was spiritually driven to serve as a way of being in God's will and following God's calling for his life. While not a perfect man, he most certainly was a good man with a heart for people.

However, working for the church and my pastor also meant working for congregants and the community. This part of my job at times was like working in hell.

Mind you, I will be the first to take full responsibility for the role I played in my being emotionally hurt and feeling spiritually defeated that led to my eventual departure from attending Sunday service regularly. As it is often said, if I knew better, I would do better.

I was 29-years old when I first starting working at the church and so incredibly naive to the infrastructure and unspoken rules for being part of inner workings of a large, sophisticated ministry. The church does so many incredible things for the community and I have no problem defending the value of service it has been and continues to be for the people - both members and non-members alike.

However, like most adults who find themselves attending a formal worship service on a regular basis, I chose my church based on a deep spiritual need. I sought the essence of who God really was. I wanted to know deep spiritual truths in addition to the purpose of my life as intended by God. For awhile, I found that for where I was on my spiritual journey in life, that this particular church served its purpose.

Yet, in time, I began to recognize some very disturbing social trends within the church that caused me to pause, that left me confused and made it more difficult to reconcile within my heart and spirit and justify my existence within a formal worship environment.

Comprised of mostly women, the church - especially the Black church - can be a very difficult place to grow spiritually and survive emotionally and psychologically. Once I had the opportunity to serve as an employee, I can still recall all the joy I had.

However, many women didn't like seeing such joy. So many were mean, vindictive and jealous and I...

You can't stop now>>>

Nick Cannon Hosted Teen Choice Awards, But Black Celebs & High School Musical Stole The Show

Teens 'Wild Out' Over Black Stars Will Smith, Tyra Banks, and Akon

Forget Sophia Bush, John Travolta or High School Musical's Zac Efron, how did American Idol's Sanjaya win Best Male Reality/Variety Star at last night's 2007 Teen Choice Awards?

We'll let you answer that, but we here at 3BAAS wanted to let you know that Black folks were representing among the 30 awards given during the two hour broadcast in La-La land

**HERE ARE THE COMPLETE LIST OF AWARD WINNERS

Choice Movie: Drama - The Pursuit of Happyness/ Actor: Drama - Will Smith

Choice Movie Actress: Drama - Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls)

Choice Movie: Chemistry - Will Smith and Jaden Smith (The Pursuit of Happyness)

Choice TV: Movie - High School Musical 2

Choice TV Show: Drama - Grey's Anatomy

Choice TV: Reality/Variety Show - American Idol/ Male Reality/Variety Star - Sanjaya

Choice TV: Personality - Tyra Banks (America's Next Top Model, The Tyra Banks Show)

Choice TV: Villain -Vanessa Williams (Wilhelmina Slater) - Ugly Betty

Choice Music: Rap Artist - Timbaland/ Rap/Hip-Hop Track - The Way I Are - Timbaland (Feat. Keri Hilson and D.O.E.)

Choice Music: R&B Artist - Rihanna

Choice Music: R&B Track - Beautiful Girls - Sean Kingston

Choice Music: Breakout Artist - Male - Akon

Choice Male Athlete - Tiger Woods (Golf)

Want more details? You know we got you covered!

Did Cool White Actor Owen Wilson Try To Take His Own Life?

All That Glitters In Hollywood Family Ain't Gold

There are now confirmed reports that actor Owen Wilson swallowed a massive number of pills before trying to slit his wrists in an apparent suicide attempt.

The "Wedding Crashers" star is currently hospitalized in a Santa Monica Hospital in stable condition.

3-Day Drug Binge Of Crystal Meth And Hillibilly Heroin?

A source who is purportedly close to Owen Wilson acknowledged this devastating information to the syndicated entertainment show "Extra."

The unnamed source told "Extra" that Wilson has been depressed for the last few months, but insisted it is not over a broken relationship with blond actress Kate Hudson. The source also said that Wilson's brother, fellow actor Luke Wilson, found him and that Wilson's family and friends are shocked.

Wilson, 38, had been taken to the hospital but didn't say why. TMZ published a statement from the Santa Monica Police Department: "On Sunday, Aug. 26, 2007, at 12:10 p.m., officers from the Santa Monica Police Department responded to a medical assistance call from the Santa Monica Fire Department at the 900 block of 23rd Street. The person was transported to a local hospital where they are being treated."

According to "Entertainment Tonight," Wilson was later brought to the Beverly Hills' Cedars-Sinai Hospital where he detoxed. Anonymous sources said Wilson suffered from dehydration. The show also reported that brother Luke Wilson was spotted leaving Cedars-Sinai on Sunday night with their brother, Andrew. People magazine said Owen's parents also visited.

Wilson, who recently broke up with actress Kate Hudson, was nominated for an Oscar for "The Royal Tenebaums" screenplay. He has starred in many box-office blockbusters such as "Zoolander" with Ben Stiller and the thriller "Behind Enemy Lines" with Gene Hackman.

Most recently, he starred in "Night at the Museum," with Stiller and is slated to star in the film adaptation of the book "Marley and Me."

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