Padres Baseball Star Milton Bradley Is Out: Did This Black Man Get A Raw Deal Or Is He Just Another Whining Brother?

By Jayar Jackson

Milton Bradley of the San Diego Padres will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL. With one week left in the season and San Diego in a close playoff race against the Philadelphia Phillies, this couldn’t have come at a worse time. Baseball is a risky sport sometimes, with all the sliding into bases, balls flying at players’ heads, and outfielders colliding with the wall or each other.

Bradley was involved in one such collision in the Padres’ 7-3 loss to the Colorado Rockies on Sunday, but his season ending injury came after he safely made it to 1st base in the 8th inning.

While jawing back and forth with first base umpire Mike Winters, Bradley decided to call time and get into the face of Winters, like most baseball managers do to prove a point. The commissioner's office said Monday it is investigating whether the volatile Bradley was baited by Winters.

Their confrontation actually began in the 5th inning when Bradley struck out, watching a pitch. Home plate umpire Brian Runge asked Bradley if he had flipped his bat in the ump's direction after taking the called third strike to end the inning. Runge indicated that the first base ump told him that Bradley had, which he disputed. Bradley has gotten in trouble for this very same offense in 2003 with another umpire, so these actions seemed to be in his blood.

Upon comfortably arriving at 1st base with both of his knee ligaments intact 3 innings later, he asked Winters if he told Runge he threw his bat. Padres’ first base coach said that Winters used profanity towards Bradley right before the blowup that could not be printed.

"You guys couldn't print it,” the manager told reporters in San Francisco. “In this situation, it escalated to a point where some things shouldn't have been said. I didn't hear what Mike said. My understanding is ... they were profane.”

During the scuffle and attempts to restrain the outfielder with a reputation for completely losing his temper, Bud Black, his own manager, accidentally wrestled his knee into the very uncomfortable position that tore the ligament in question. Black said, "He's a very strong guy. My thought was, 'I've got to do everything I can to keep Milton away from any confrontation because if he gets suspended it's going to cost us games.” Ironically, his motivation behind getting involved caused Bradley to not get suspended, but miss the end of the season anyway.

Taking Bradley’s history for losing his cool into consideration, this apparent lack of professionalism from the umpire may go unpunished. While some players get a bad reputation for their temper while in the heat of competition, it’s even more essential for the umpires to be held to a higher standard in determining the outcome of games.

Needless to say, Bradley was not happy with the way the ordeal turned out calling Winters’ actions “the most unprofessional and most ridiculous thing I've ever seen.” “It's terrible. And now, because of him, my knee's hurt,” Bradley said Sunday. “If this costs me my season because of that, he needs to be reprimanded. I'm taking some action. I'm not going to stand pat and accept this.”

White House 2008: Desperate To Stay Relevant, John Edwards Believes He's The Answer To The Black Man's Woes

John Edwards Predicts Doom for African American Males
Obama Seeks Support Quoting Bill Clinton
Many Hurdles, Few Choices for Elderly Katrina Survivors
A Little-Known Fact: Houston is the Blues Capital
Bynum, Granted Restraining Order, Seeks Financial Support
30yrs Later, Marley's 'Exodus' Returns
Business Booming in South Africa's Soweto
African Americans Find Their Roots in Brazil
Boxer Shane Mosley Allegedly Used Steroids
Thousands in Africa Wait for Aid Amid Catastrophic Floods
16 Years Later, Clarence Thomas Fires Back at Anita Hill

Once Again, White Models Are the New White in Milan

Black America Urged to Confront Its Secret Pain: Depression

Blige Feeling 'Just Fine' on New Single

Rutgers Professor Under Fire After 'Racist' Comments

G-Unit Associates Arrested in Blood Gang Sweep

Tavis Smiley Reaches Out to 'Talented Tenth' at A&T

BET Founder Robert Johnson Blasts Markey Over Criticisms

Coltrane Book is Brilliant, Economical

Folks Who Get It: Lupe Fiasco Flips The Script On "Dumb It Down"

With hip hop and rap sales flatlinging faster than Bill O'Reilly's African American cable viewing audience, it is so refreshing to hear new beats from an artist that understands that there's a fine line between using offensive language, and incorporating it in a song while staying true to the message.

That said, meet Lupe Fiasco:

This Black man clearly understands how to play the game 2.0 style. We like. What say you?

The Late Great Phyllis Hyman: Some Divas Live On Eternally!

The tragic life of singer Phyllis Hyman is the subject of a new biography: Strength of a Woman: The Phyllis Hyman Story, written by music journalist Jason A. Michael.

Despite the release of eight albums and a Tony nomination for her star turn in Sophisticated Ladies during her 20 year career, the talented acclaimed singer always struggled with depression, drugs, alcoholism, weight issues, and, a complicated and fluid sexuality.

Although responsible for two gold records, her music rarely charted. Take this hit "Living All Alone, for example:

"She was always on the cusp of that major hit," the author tells EUR. "I think that folks had a hard time knowing what to do with her. But for those in the know, there was no one like her."

HOT LATINA SHAKIRA AND THAT GIVING FEELIN

Move over Angelina, Shakira's a serial do-gooder!

Her hips don't lie and neither does her wallet! Shapely Colombian pop singer Shakira dug deep in her foundation's bank account and donated $45 million to charity on Friday. The sexy singer announced the donation during Friday's Clinton Global Initiative meeting.

Forty million will go to Nicaragua and Peru to address recent natural disasters there, and an additional $5 million will go to educational projects benefiting children across Latin America. No stranger to philanthropy, Shakira is also the co-founder of the Latin America for Solidarity Foundation, which helps impoverished communities across Latin America.

If you have ever traveled to Central and South America you would know that the impact of this gift (used correctly) converted to their dollars is like running the Florida state budget for two years.

Beyonce: Too Bootylicious for Kuala Lumpur

Knowles Loves To Do Her Thang, But She Ain't Tryin To Get Caned!

"Crazy in Love" singer Beyonce had to cancel a November 1 concert in Kuala Lumpur after Muslim groups protested. The concert was canceled because the promoter -- Pineapple Concerts -- failed to secure a license. Insider sources claim, however, that the promoter purposely chose not to apply for a license because Beyonce refused to comply with the strict dress regulations required to perform in the country. Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage rules state that female performers must show no skin from the tops of their chests to their knees, reports Us. What fun is that?

Oprah is Mama Big Bucks Among Celebs

The Queen of all Media, Oprah Winfrey, topped Forbes' "Celebrity 100 Power List" -- for the second time. The talk show host earned an estimated $260 million in the last year.Jerry Seinfeld was ranked second, but didn't even come close. The neurotic comedian made a paltry $60 million -- hardly in Oprah's league. Are you still feeling Oprah?

Gorgeous Blond Aussie Catches Oprah's Eye

BUT DAMN #239 REAL ESTATE & MONEY: SAVING EVEN WITH A BIG MORTGAGE

My husband and I were so good with our money.

We had a vision to buy a home.

BUT DAMN ...

This big Mortgage and "extra stuff" for the house has us broke!

When we closed on a new house in January, we had zero credit card debt, but have now racked up $15,000.

"My husband said last night if we had to buy air, we would both be dead. We barely make enough to get by. Only by the grace of God and he's probably tired of us too. Every time I get to a $500 balance in my emergency fund, I have an emergency. We're putting our foot down. We are coming out of this debt!"

One suggestion is to always continue saving even if it's just putting a few dollars away. Save while you work to pay down the debt. In the meantime, work on that budget. Bankrate's "Secrets to creating a budget" advises some steps, such as prioritizing your spending, tracking spending for a month and putting savings on autopilot.

Another of our reader suggest utilizing the following method to stay on top of his/her bills:

"Use one credit card for every purchase and pay your credit card in full each month. Open a free checking account and pay your routine monthly bills via online banking. At the end of the year you should be able to account for almost all of the money you spent. It works."

Another reader wrote in and suggested preparing a personal list of "Revelations" that basically are personal admissions as to where you've spent your money. The reader's "Revelations" included: "purchasing a tool you really didn't need but it was so cool, you knew you would use it one day (yea, right)," and frequently eating out or having pizza and Chinese food deliveries.
What has been the best way you have controlled your spending? Share it with us!

Nod to Brigitte Yuille for assistance on this article.

BYNUM, WHITE & BROKEN MARRIAGES: THE PUBLIC PAIN OF A PASTOR'S DIVORCE

Below is one of the best articles I've seen written about the painful implications regarding the pain of divorce among pastor.---Sister Content Woman

This summer, two prominent preaching duos filed for divorce, stunning the evangelic community. Nationally acclaimed TV evangelist Paula White and her husband, Randy White, announced to their congregation last month their plans to split after nearly 18 years of marriage. The Whites are the founders of Without Walls International Church in Tampa, Fla., one of the nation's largest and fastest-growing churches. Paula White is also an author and appears regularly on "The Tyra Banks Show" as a life coach. The Whites' news came on the heels of famed African-American TV evangelist Juanita Bynum Weeks' own decision to file for divorce from her husband, Pentecostal preacher Bishop Thomas W. Weeks III, after he allegedly attacked her in an Atlanta hotel parking lot.

Weeks is the pastor of Global Destiny Ministries in Duluth, Ga. The couple married in 2002 and co-founded the church in 2006, where Bynum was the "first lady." She is a gospel singer and author. Together the couple wrote the marriage guide Teach Me How to Love You: The Beginnings.No one is immune to divorce, not even pastors, who devote their lives to God and are often the source of wisdom and comfort for couples going through marital strife. Newsweek reports that the divorce rate among pastors is about 50 percent, no better than the national average. The reason most cited for pulpit breakups is the demands of ministry.

For both the Whites and the Weeks, their ministries involved consistent travel and constant commitment to the congregation, which tends to leave little room to build personal relationships. Another reason is evangelic congregations seeking a pastor often prefer married to single candidates, which results in some ministers entering into the marriage commitment prematurely. For clergy, divorce is a dual tragedy affecting both their personal and professional lives. A minister undergoing divorce must contend with divided and disillusioned children, church members, communities and, for prominent pastors, the general public.

Paula White said she knows her followers are disappointed given that evangelical Christians hold marriage as a sacred institution and a cornerstone of a godly life. Randy White acknowledged the couple's announcement would let a lot of people down and predicted that the attendance of the 23,000-member church where the two served as co-pastors "will take a hit."Divorce can also jeopardize a pastor's job. Some denominations, such as the Assemblies of God Pentecostal Church, require that the minister provide just cause for the divorce "before ministerial credentials can continue."

Keith Madsen, in his book Fallen Images: Experiencing Divorce in the Ministry, gives his opinion for such widespread condemnation: "One view is that a minister cannot show any major flaw or failure. The minister has to project the image of a person who has been strong enough to resist the evil with which others struggle."This expectation of perfection is unrealistic and pastors who attempt to portray such an image cause serious damage to the church congregation and the community of faith in their times of personal crisis. The Apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 3:10, "There is no one righteous, not even one."As the White and Weeks families each go through divorce, it is important to remember that their crisis, whether justifiable or not, is no less painful.*

Courtesy of the Salt Lake Tribune By Corey J. Hodges

Since When Did Fox News Analyst Juan Williams Become A "Happy Negro?"

Fox's Bill O'Clueless Has Brothers Waging War On Each Other Instead Of The Idiot Who Put His Foot In His Own Mouth.

While our sistah here at Three Brothers has much love for Dr. Boyce Watkins, I don't know if I can co-sign on brotherman dissing Juan "Eyes On The Prize" Williams.

Boyce went on CNN recently to discuss the Bill O'Reilly's "Black Folks at Sylvia's Restaurant are just like other folks" remarks. Remarks that have caused all kinds of Internet buzz on blogs referring to O'Reilly as being everything from a prophet, to a double-neck White boy who's long overdue for a beatdown.

While it's clear O'Reilly is a talented journalist adept at being a media provocateur simply to keep those big checks coming in, he's either stunningly misinformed, brilliant, or just an unadulterated asshole. Maybe it's all the above.

Juan, however, is a stellar cat who totally gets it. Just listen to him on this clip:

Boyce, I think you owe this Black man an apology -- big time. While I'm good with you making your mark and laying it down on CNN, I hate to see us go for the jugular with each other when we're all trying to end up in the same place. There are too many other folks who deserve that "Happy Negro" label. Based on what I've personally seen and heard when it comes to Juan Williams, he ain't the one!

On A Sad Note, Body Of Chicago Native Nailah Franklin Is Found

A body found Thursday near a suburban Chicago forest preserve is that of Nailah Franklin, a 28-year-old pharmaceutical sales representative missing for more than a week.

Nailah Franklin's uncle, Jon Merrill, and family friend and spokesman, Andrew Holmes, told WFLD-TV that authorities have confirmed the body is Franklin's.

Franklin's family gathered Thursday near where Calumet City Police Chief Russell Larson said officers discovered a woman's unclothed body. Chicago Police spokeswoman Monique Bond said the body was discovered about 4:46 a.m. Franklin's car had been found Friday night near an abandoned building in nearby Hammond, Ind. She recently had filed a police report about threatening phone calls she received from a man she dated briefly. Chicago police on Monday said they had interviewed someone Franklin dated, but have not named a suspect in her disappearance.

The sales representative for Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly was reported missing Sept. 19 after she didn't show up for a work meeting. Since then, family members and volunteers have papered the city with fliers and taken out a newspaper ad seeking the public's help. The family also has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to her whereabouts.

Source

Our Online Show "OBJECTION!" Tackles The Legal Issues In The Michael Vick And Senator Larry Craig Cases

Could Things Get Any Worse For This Black Man???

Now that Michael Vick has tested positive for marijuana, U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson has placed special conditions on Vick's release, including restricting him to his home between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. with electronic monitoring and ordering him to submit to random drug testing.

The urine sample was submitted Sept. 13, according to a document by a federal probation officer that was filed in U.S. District Court on Wednesday.

Vick, who has admitted bankrolling a dogfighting operation on property he owns in Surry County in his written federal plea, is scheduled for sentencing Dec. 10. He faces up to five years in prison. Here at Three Brothers, we talk about the Vick case with legal experts Kevin Ross and Shawn Chapman Holley:

On Tuesday, Vick also was indicted on state charges of beating or killing or causing dogs to fight other dogs and engaging in or promoting dogfighting. Each felony is punishable by up to five years in prison.

The 27-year-old former Virginia Tech star was placed under pretrial release supervision by U.S. Magistrate Dennis Dohnal in July. The restrictions included refraining from use or unlawful possession of narcotic drugs or other controlled substances. The current orders now require Vick to participate in inpatient or outpatient substance therapy and mental health counseling, if the pretrial services officer or supervising officer deem it appropriate. Vick must pay for the treatment.

In January, Vick was cleared by police of any wrongdoing after his water bottle was seized by security at Miami International Airport. Police said it smelled of marijuana and had a hidden compartment that contained a "small amount of dark particulate."

The federal dogfighting case began in late April when authorities conducting a drug investigation of Vick's cousin raided the property and seized dozens of dogs, most of them pit bulls, and equipment commonly associated with dogfighting. Vick has admitted helping kill six to eight dogs, among other things. His three co-defendants also have pleaded guilty. One of them, Quanis Phillips, failed a drug test and was ordered jailed after his plea.

The Votes Are In: It's Time Fox News' Bill O'Reilly Gets The CBS Dan Rather Treatment

Bill O'Blivious

By Jayar Jackson

Conservative Fox News channel host and talk radio show host Bill O’Reilly illustrated some widespread racial ignorance regarding Black Americans and their lifestyle on his September 19 radio show. While discussing a recent and apparently inaugural trip to for dinner at Sylvia’s with Rev. Al Sharpton, O’Reilly shared with his audience surprising facts about the Black-run restaurant being like any other one in White neighborhoods. Listen to his outrageous conversation here.

While the media giant claimed no racial intent in his revelations about Black Americans, his unawareness to the fact that Black people are “normal” was blisteringly clear. The way he proudly asserted that Black people are BEGINNING to move forward in this country, owning businesses and not embodying the slow, lazy, illiterate and dumb stereotypes, showed that he felt he had stumbled upon some information unbeknownst to the world. Being the roving reporter that he is, O’Reilly felt the need to deliver this breaking news of responsible and cheerful Black life that so many others in this country just don’t see.

While the media giant claimed no racial intent in his revelations about Black Americans, his unawareness to the fact that Black people are “normal” was blisteringly clear. The way he proudly asserted that Black people are BEGINNING to move forward in this country, owning businesses and not embodying the slow, lazy, illiterate and dumb stereotypes, showed that he felt he had stumbled upon some information unbeknownst to the world. Being the roving reporter that he is, O’Reilly felt the need to deliver this breaking news of responsible and cheerful Black life that so many others in this country just don’t see.

Although these comments that border on insanity were delivered on national airwaves across the country, it’s not an Imus or racist moment, just a revealing one. I cannot conclusively say that Bill O’Reilly’s brain dives into hate or belief that the color of one’s skin determines success in life, and that his is superior. I also cannot say that he doesn’t believe this either, as these eye-opening experiences to common Black life exposed just how detached he is from it.

It is obvious that he definitely has sweepingly preconceived ideas about Black Americans; that a majority chooses to live a sub-par life due to a failure to use their own brains, and that civilized behavior is only prevalent in White culture. His use of the terms “respectful” in describing how Black people responded to him and “I couldn’t get over the fact” give you an idea about what he previously thought about Black culture.

Instead of racism, what we’re dealing with here is O’Reilly’s incomprehension of certain parts of the world around him. Sadly, he is not alone in these beliefs, but this ignorance doesn’t automatically make those that think like O’Reilly racist. We as humans generally have a fear of the unknown. This fear can lead certain people to the hate and revulsion that is racism, though. Like my boy Yoda from Star Wars so eloquently said, “Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.” Just ask the Jena 6.

Jena 6's Mychal Bell Is No Saint By Any Means, But His Release From Jail Is A Step In The Right Direction

Jailed Jena 6 Defendant Bell Released on Bail
Usher Launches His & Hers Fragrances
Census: More Young Black Men in College than in Prison
Top Republicans Scolded for Skipping Black Debate
Jamie Foxx Criticizes Bush, Supports Obama
Jury Picked for Florida Boot Camp Trial
Bishop: HIV-Infected Condoms Sent to Kill Africans
NAACP Outraged Over 30-Year Sentence for Bad Checks
Vivica A. Fox Pleads Not Guilty to DUI
The New Affirmative Action
Poll: O.J. Simpson Divides Whites, Blacks

Mind On My Money #237: Bank Fees On the Rise!

Bounced-check fees and ATM surcharges for all checking account types have reached new highs -- again. Meanwhile, fees and balance requirements for interest and noninterest checking accounts continue to move in opposite directions, with those for interest accounts ratcheting higher while noninterest account costs move lower still.

There is some good news in the area of online checking accounts. Those are the key findings in the Fall 2007 Bankrate.com Checking Account Pricing Study. Bankrate's Fall 2007 Checking Study findings:

• Bounced check fees hit new high
• ATM surcharges keep going up
• Big difference between interest and noninterest
• Balance requirements on interest accounts up 25 percent
• You can save with noninterest accounts
• Banks keep ATM fees low for own customers
• You can take steps to avoid fees

Bankrate.com surveyed one interest and one noninterest checking account at the largest banks and thrifts in each of 25 large markets to find the latest trends on checking account and ATM fees. The offerings of 249 institutions were surveyed, with 247 interest accounts and 226 noninterest accounts in the survey. Bankrate.com also looked at the checking accounts of 16 Internet banks to see how those offerings stack up against their brick-and-mortar counterparts.

Nod to Greg McBride, CFA • Bankrate.com

Biracial Pregnant Beauty Halle Berry Has A White Mother, So Why Are Racist Threats Being Directed Towards Her Kid???

Halle Berry Receives Racist Threats to Unborn Baby

Book Review of Steffans' Vixen Diaries
High Court to Hear Voter ID Arguments
'Jena 6' Teen's Case to Be Heard in Juvenile Court

Zimbabwe's President Slams Bush 'Hypocrisy' on Human Rights

Black History Museum Opens Online
'Automobile University' Aims to Build Black Management
Beijing Police Round Up and Beat African Expats

Ohio High School Honored for African American Male Success

Tyler Perry's Property Dispute Creates Drama
African Flood Appeal Falls on Deaf Ears
Usher Reveals He and Wife are Expecting a Boy

BARRY BONDS' BALL #756 AND BUD SELIGS' NAME, BOTH WITH AN ASTRISK (*)

No farewell tour planned. No playoff/post season appearance, No World Series ring, No offers to play next year. But all is not lost Barry because some people, well one person is going through a lot to let you know how he really feels about you. Case in point ...

Fashion designer Marc Ecko, made a successful auction bid of $752,467 earlier this month for your record breaking ball #756.

He revealed Wednesday morning on NBC's "Today" show that more than 10 million votes were counted on his Web site and "Brand It" (with an asterisk) was the clear winner with nearly half the vote over "Bestow It" and "Banish It" (because of Bonds performance-enhancing drugs scandal), and then send it to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Ecko said that the marking of the ball will show future generations that we thought "this was a shrouded chapter of baseball history that wasn't necessarily the clearest it could be." But here is the kicker ... Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown Ohio, says it will accept the ball, with the asterisk stamped on it!

Who's to blame? Barry, Marc Eco, Idiots in Cooperstown, The anti-fans who voted this way ...

I say it is Bud Selig*, Major League Baseball Commissioner. It was he who accepted ramped steroid use in baseball to build it back up after the baseball strike. (Remember the much touted McGuire vs. Sosa home run race?)

Selig* is the one who refused to stop the speculation, of how he himself felt about Barry and the home run record and attending the record breaking hit. Selig* has not spoke out against the asterisk on the ball. Commissioner Selig*, people are laughing but not at Barry. They are laughing at Major League Baseball.

So in the end when "your" picture goes up in Cooperstown an asterisk should go next to your picture. Because the most embarrassing time in all of baseball is under your watch.

U.S. SENATE OK'S WAR AGAINST IRAN, TROOP MOVEMENT IMMINENT!

The Senate approved a resolution on Wednesday urging the Bush administration to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a foreign terrorist organization, and lawmakers briefly set aside partisan differences to approve a measure calling for stepped-up diplomacy to forge a political solution in Iraq.

Since last month, the White House has been weighing whether to declare the Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist group or to take a narrower step focusing on only the Guard’s elite Quds Force. Either approach would signal a more confrontational posture by declaring a part of the Iranian military a terrorist operation.

So we should not be surprised when President Bush, in months to come, decides, "You just can't talk to bullies. They only understand one thing." and he then sends U.S. troops in to eradicate this terrorist group and oops ... we forgot to tell you that this guard is also stationed outside the the Iranian presidents home.

Think this might get the people of Iran just a little mad?? Is this action a blueprint for WAR with Iran? What do you think. Checkout DAVID M. HERSZENHORN for blow by blow of the full Senate vote.

TELEVISIONS' UGLY BETTY GETS UNIQUE WITH MO' NIQUE

Mo'Nique, host of "Mo'Nique's F.A.T. Chance," is set to appear on "Ugly Betty." The actress will play the character L'Amanda, the weekend receptionist/security guard at Mode magazine's office.

Just another good reason to watch a great show!

Iran's Ahmadinejad at Columbia University; Announces Candidacy for US Presidency

We may have lost something in the translation, but that is what it sounded like, two days ago as Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad accepted invitations by the United Nations and New York's Columbia University. The Ahmadinejad we knew previously to this visit was a radical, out of control persecutor of the U.S. our leadership and our way of life ... So who is this smooth, "fair and balanced", politico who actually showed up? Checkout this Q & A from Columbia U and decide for yourself.

Micheal Vick Is Not A Happy Pup: After Losing That $130 Million, He Now Faces State Charges, Loan Defaults & A Weed Possession Offense!

Just when you think you can't grow any more; just when you think you've found your flow, someone calls you up and asks you to talk and write about the very thing you hope to avoid. This is the position I find myself in today.Just like people admitted they didn't know who Juanita Bynum was, I didn't know who Michael Vick was. Nor did I care to know. Nothing personal. I just have never been a big football fan - despite having spent four years at the University of Michigan. I am sure that this is identified as a sin somewhere in the good book.

Today, I gave my take on the latest concerning Michael Vick and his recent indictment by a grand jury in Virginia on state charges relating to a dogfighting ring operated on a property owned by the quarterback in rural Surry County. Why, oh, why are we still talking about this? Now, I didn't get too much into this the first go around like the brothers on this site when Vick was originally brought up on federal charges on which he is scheduled to be sentenced on December 10th after pleading guilty last month in federal court to his involvement dogfighting.

However, unless you were dead, you couldn't help but get wind of it every 5 seconds on some news channel. I am saddened and angry by this whole emphasis and focus on Vick for a number of reasons. Among them is that this just represents another Black man who seems like he can barely stay on top of the mountain long enough before he is somehow knocked off. At 27 years old and a $130 million NFL contract in tow, Mr. Vick had it made. Now fighting dogs has put him in the dog house.

There are those who want to blame hip hop for the glorification of dogfighting as part of hip hop culture that contributed to Vick being in the situation that he's in. I would have to disagree on this one. First, it was the glorification of the exploitation of Black women in music videos and now it's dogs. It's fair to say it certainly hasn't been a good year for hip hop. However, I am not sure if I would pin this whole dogfighting thing on hip hop. My research shows that dogfighting actually goes as far back to the 18th century during the Roman empire and during Elizabethan times in England. Black folks didn't create dogfighting. In fact...

Read more from our sistah on MICHAEL VICK, HIP HOP AND JUNK YARD DOGS >>>

MISTRIAL! Phil Spector Gets Off And Here's The Real Reason Why The Jury Hung!

"At this time, I will find that the jury is unable to arrive at a verdict and declare a mistrial in this matter."

And with those words, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler concluded -- for now -- the case against the crazy-looking, legendary White music producer known as much for his scary hair as being the hitmaker behind folks like Tina Turner.

Spector, 67, was accused of shooting 40-year-old actress Lana Clarkson through the mouth in the foyer of his Alhambra mansion at about 5 a.m. Feb. 3, 2003, after a night of drinking. His defense maintains she shot herself, either by accident or on purpose, with his snub-nosed .38-caliber Colt Cobra.

Weeks ago uber-lawyer Shawn Chapman Holley, of OJ Simpson, Geronimo Pratt, and Nicole Richie fame, maintained that the defense could successfully pull this theory off. Here's what she said:

The nine-man, three-woman jury who deliberated for a total of more than 45 hours over twelve days since September 10th, told the judge they were hopelessly deadlock. One of the jurors later indicated that the holdouts were arguing over whether Clarkson was suicidal, and clearly was persuaded by defense attorney when he said the entire jury would have liked to see a psychological profile of Clarkson. Clearly there was a belief that she was off her rocker.

The arrogant bald-headed judge, who admittedly screwed the jury instructions and is now getting death threats online, announced the mistrial at about 1:50 p.m. and by 2:17p.m., Spector and his wife were eastbound on the Santa Monica Freeway headed home in a sleek black Mercedes. Within two hours, defeated prosecutors were back in the game saying hold up partney, we are going to retry this bad boy.

The next hearing on the matter is set at 10 a.m. Oct. 3. Spector remains free on 1 million dollar bail.

Folks Who Don't Get It: Fox News Bill O'Reilly Expected A Beatdown In Harlem, The Idiot!

Quiet Dinner At Sylvia's Famed Eatery Surprises Bill O'Reilly /Audio

Newt Gingrich: Skipping Smiley's GOP Black Forum a Mistake

Chaka Khan's First Album in a Decade

'Jena 6' Parents Take Plea to Capitol Hill

Jay-Z Bids for New Rocawear Arena

Cosby, Morehouse Chief: Parenting is the Answer

Little Rock Nine Marks Integration Anniversary

House Panel Debates Hip-Hop Lyrics

New Survey Picks Africa's Best, Worst- Governed Nations

Jamaica-US Security Partnership Will Continue, Says PM

4 Charged with Hate Crime in Student's Beating

MIND ON MY MONEY #236: FREEZING MY CREDIT AGAINST FRAUD

The subject is credit fraud; people looking at my stuff when I don't want them too. To be sure, if I am looking to buy a car or purchase a new crib I want all the right people to have access to my credit report and get me the loans I need.

But what about the woman who use to own my house. Just recently I opened bills addressed to her, and she hasn't lived here in two years. What got my attention was two "new account" cell phone bills from two different carriers, when I remember she never had a cell phone during my purchase transaction. Shortly after this we started getting "new" credit card accounts opened in her name but with our address. When the $3,000 bill for a new Dell Computer arrived with a different delivery address than ours, I knew something was up. I contacted the Fraud Unit at the US Post Office.

But what else can we do? Well, the latest is to FREEZE YOURSELF. Beginning Oct. 15, TransUnion, one of the three major credit reporting agencies, will allow consumers in all 50 states to freeze their credit files. A second agency, Equifax, promised it will make a similar move soon and Experian is looking into it.

Consumers in all 50 states already have the right to place a fraud alert, regardless of whether they are victims of ID theft. The fraud alert lasts for 90 days and alerts new creditors and other businesses checking the credit worthiness of an applicant that the consumer may be a victim of fraud.

While the fraud alert merely asks the lender to take additional precautions, a credit or security freeze prevents third parties from receiving a copy of the consumer's credit report or credit score, making businesses less likely to grant credit or services to the applicant. Only businesses with a permissible purpose, or for whom the consumer lifts the freeze, may obtain the consumer's credit information.

"(The) credit freeze is part of a trend of giving individuals more control over their consumer reports. This control is necessary because credit grantors do not screen applications for fraud carefully enough to stop identity theft," says Chris Jay Hoofnagle, senior staff attorney to the Samuelson Law, Technology & Public Policy Clinic and senior fellow to the Berkeley Center for Law and Technology at the University of California-Berkeley.

Those who wish to freeze their credit report can do so by mailing a freeze request to TransUnion. They will receive a PIN that they can use to lift the freeze temporarily by either writing or calling. Consumers also can remove the freeze permanently, but must do so in writing. The credit freeze will remain in effect until removed by the consumer.

With Justin Tryon On The Field, Arizona State's Football Games Just Got More Interesting!

Is It Too Late For Me To Transfer, I Want To Be A Sun Devil!

California native Justin Tryon is a new addition to the Sun Devil's track team, but a star player on the football team making a lot of noise on and off the field. Last Saturday, Mr. Arizona State helped lead the Sun Devils in their 44-32 victory over Oregon State with a forty-four yard interception run.

Check out more pictures of the 5'10, 180 pound rising star, as well as the other brothers on the track squad over at No Cream, No Sugar.

Stylish Ladies Love Cool James, Aka Rapper/Actor Todd Smith!

Sexy Men and Fashion, I'm In Heaven

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week officially wrapped some time ago but the memories are eternal. One of the highlights was the appearance of über-gorgeous James Todd Smith III (aka LL Cool J) front and center at several leading shows. The rapper slash actor adds a new hyphen to his skill set—designer—after launching his own Todd Smith brand of upmarket street wear. Here Mr. Smith checks out the John Varvatos show. Read more LL Cool J Does Fashion Week

It's Great That Whoopi & Sherri Are Kicking Butt Over At The View, But Where The Hell Is Nailah Franklin?

Hunt Intensifies for Missing Nailah Franklin
Whoopi-Led View Soars Past Rosie's Ratings Last Year
Coast Guard Increases Training After Noose Incidents
Mike Tyson Pleads Guilty in Drugs, Driving Case

Security Increased Jena 6 Families /Video
CBC Members Tout New Power at Annual Conference
Nigerian Film DVDs Fly Off the Shelves in South Florida
Black Women Seek a Role in Philosophy

HBO Presents 'Little Rock Central: 50 Years Later'
Clinton's First South Carolina Radio Ad Targets Black Women
HBCUs Figure in Obama's Campaign Strategy
Student Arrested in Delaware College Shooting

GENERAL MOTORS STRIKE, BLACK WORKERS TAKE HIKE

(Undercover Brother and His Cadillac in Detroit's better days)

DETROIT - If the United Auto Workers strike against General Motors Corp. lasts longer than a week or two, it could cost GM billions of dollars and stop the momentum the company was building with some of its new models, according to several industry analysts. Which means Black folks in Detroit are going to have a rough winter. Because things in Motown are already tight.

A strike of two weeks or less would not hurt GM's cash position and would actually improve its inventory situation, Lehman Brothers analyst Brian Johnson said Monday in a note to investors. But a longer strike would be harmful, causing GM to burn up $8.1 billion in the first month and $7.2 billion in the second month, assuming the company can't produce vehicles in Mexico or Canada, Johnson wrote.

Initially, the strike wouldn't have much impact on consumers because GM has so much inventory, the analysts say. The company had just under 950,000 vehicles in stock at the end of August, about 35,000 less than at the same time last year. But Tom Libby, senior director of industry analysis for J.D. Power and Associates, said even a short strike could hurt GM because its new crossover vehicles — the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook — are selling well and in short supply. "The momentum they've established for those products would be interrupted if there's a supply interruption," Libby said.

GM had about a 65-day supply of cars and trucks as September began, versus a 71-day supply at the same time last year, said Paul Taylor, chief economist for the National Automobile Dealers Association. The Enclave, he said, is at a tight 24-day supply. It was unclear what would happen to vehicles that were en route to dealers. The Teamsters transportation union said its 10,000 automotive transport members would not cross UAW picket lines.

The strike will cost GM about 12,200 vehicles per day, according to the auto forecasting firm CSM Worldwide of Northville. If the walkout goes beyond 36 hours, CSM expects vehicle production in Canada to be affected because of a lack of U.S.-built engines and transmissions.

The strike began at 11 a.m. EDT Monday when 73,000 UAW members at about 80 GM facilities in the U.S. walked off their jobs. Talks resumed a short time later as sign-carrying picketers marched outside plant gates, but weary bargainers stopped to rest around 8 p.m. Negotiators were to return Tuesday morning for their 22nd straight day of bargaining. Union President Ron Gettelfinger said the company wouldn't budge on guarantees.

Nod to Tom Krisher for his help on this one.

SINGER JAMES BROWN'S MESSY LIFE, EVEN AFTER DEATH

Court-appointed special administrators have told a South Carolina judge that a former trustee of the late James Brown's finances may have misappropriated up to $7 million, according to the Associated Press.
In court yesterday, the judge allowed the late soul singer's heirs to pursue those claims and also ordered the trustee, David Cannon, to pay back $370,000 in addition to the $350,000 the man paid last month.

The court also allowed the attorney generals for South Carolina and Georgia to advocate for needy children who are supposed to benefit from a charity Brown had established, the "I Feel Good" trust.

Sonny Jones, a South Carolina assistant attorney general, announced: "We want to make sure that any money that is supposed to go to that trust will go to that trust and be properly administered."

According to the AP, the judge did not hear a motion from a Houston woman (who says she is Brown's daughter) requesting that all of Brown's children who are named in Brown's will take a paternity test.

LaRHONDA LAPETIT says she has taken a paternity test that proves she is Brown's child.

Who Needs Angelina Jolie When You've Got Rihanna And Naomi Campbell?

Black women, we owe you a serious apology!

I don't know what my fellow brother was smoking when he posted the picture of Angelina Jolie
but I'm sure his Black queen will get to the bottom of this (smile).

Personally, these sistahs are much more to my liking, despite one being crazy and the other a little on the young side.
Oh well, you can't have it all. Right Naomi and Rihanna?

Aside from the crazy outfits, which one would you want to hook-up with?

TRACY MORGAN: ANOTHER BLACK MAN GETTING FIRED OFF A HIT TV SHOW!

Last week Black actor, Tracy Morgan of the hit television show “30 ROCK” admitted in court to consuming alcohol on August 4 -- a violation of his probation stemming from a DUI conviction. As a result, Morgan was ordered to wear the SCRAM device an additional 80 days and complete 10 AA meetings by October 23.

If he violates his probation again, Los Angeles City Attorney spokesman Frank Mateljan says Morgan would go to County Jail for 30 days. Morgan violated his probation in Los Angeles when he was arrested for D.U.I. on November 28 of last year in New York.

So after all this trouble and countless warnings, where was Tracy just this last Friday night? … well not home, safe and sober with his wife. Noooo, my man Tracy “I can get my life together” Morgan, was hanging out at a Hollywood club, called Opera. His eyes glossed over like a Diabetic in a candy store.

So we are putting in our prediction now that Tracy will become another Black statistic. File him under... "Lucky Black actors who are too stupid to know they got a good thing and are fired from a hit television show." Isaiah Washington you got company.

ANGELINA JOLIE

Do I really need to say anything.

Jena 6, Republicans And The Race For The White House: Now That's A Mouthful!

GOP's Fred Thompson Knows "Nothing" About The Jena 6
Why Jesse Jackson Is Calling Bush On The Jena Case
Bush Has No Love For Obama, Put's Money On Hillary
Activists Gather for Discussions on Black Power
Lasting Legacy: 50th Anniversary of the Little Rock Nine
Naomi Campbell Still Has What It Takes
Woman Wants Share of James Brown Estate
Halle Berry Already Hooked on More Kids
Tuskegee Airman Tireless in Telling Black Heroes' Tale
Sharpton on Delaware State University Shooting
US Donates 96 Million Dollars to Ethiopia
Wesley Snipes Vows to Challenge $1.7M Court Order
BET to Air 'Hip-Hop vs. America'

FALLEN SOLDIERS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN: STARTING THE WEEK WITH THE PROPER PERSPECTIVE: 9-24-2007

THIS WEEK THE PENTAGON HAS RELEASED THE NAMES OF 19 SOLDIERS AND MARINES KILLED IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN:

Army SGT John Mele, 25, of Bunnell, FL
Marine Cpl Terrence P Allen, 21, of Pennsauken, NJ
Army SSG Terry D Wagoner, 28, of Piedmont, SC
Army CPL Todd A Motley, 23, of Clare, MI
Army CPL Jonathan Rivadeneira, 22, of Jackson Heights, NY
Army PFC Christopher M McCloud, 24, of Malakoff, TX
Army SSG Michael L Townes, 29, of Las Vegas, NV
Army SPC Brandon T Thorsen, 22, of Trenton, FL
Army SPC Matthew J Emerson, 20, of Grandview, WA
Army SPC Joseph N Landry III, 23, of Pensacola, FL
Army SPC Nicholas P Olson, 22, of Novato, CA
Army SPC Donald E Valentine III, 21, of Orange Park, FL
Army SPC Aaron J Walker, 23, of Harker Heights, TX
Army PFC Christian M Neff, 19, of Lima, OH
Army SGT Edmund J Jeffers, 23, of Daleville, AL
Army CPL Graham M McMahon, 22, of Corvallis, OR
Army PFC Luigi Marciante Jr, 25, of Elizabeth, NJ
Army SPC John J Young, 24, of Savannah, GA
Army CPT Dr Roselle M Hoffmaster, 32, of Cleveland, OH

WE THANK YOU, WE THANK YOUR FAMILIES

Jena 6: A New "Digital Rights Movement" Has Arrived And Black Internet Bloggers Are Leading It, Without Permission!

Although I missed the 10 o'clock service this morning and all the talk in church parking lots nationwide about the Jena 6 protest rally and march, I have a testimonial to share with the congregation.

From this day forward, I will stop checking out television programs that REFUSE to feature me as the lead but rather as the best friend. Enough of the fashion industry telling my women that if you're Britney Spears' size or bigger, you're a fat pig. And I think I'm going to have to pass on watching those Sunday morning political shows that parade an endless cadre of "insightful" White male experts who espoused their views on politics, power and pop culture like it's the gospel.

Instead, I've decided to immerse myself even deeper into the global conversation about things I'm passionate about. Why? Because I am no longer willing to be relegated to the proverbial back seat of the bus, waiting for some heralded news source to publish my unrecognizable edited perspective when it conveniently fits neatly within their pre-designed margininal discussions on issues that speak to me on the regular.

When the Los Angeles Times ran an editorial in Friday's paper on the huge march in Jena, Louisiana on Thursday, so many others like us here at Three Brothers and A Sister were all probably saying the exact same thing initially, "Maybe they are finally starting to get it?!?" And then we woke up!

The "they" are mainstream media who blindly continue on each day with this "business as usual" arrogance despite the explosion of smart, articulate, insightful wordsmiths writing their asses off in ways and numbers that would make W.E.B. Dubois proud. We are accountants, lawyers, actors, engineers, stay-at-home soccer moms, high-school drop-outs, marketing executives with MBA's and elected officials, all bound together by a clear understanding of who we are and where we come from. To break it down even further, we are every advertisers dream. We are the folks who buy the brand name peanut butter and laundry detergent, who spend money on pimped-out Lincoln Navigators, who will travel to Florida and cruise to Jamaica with fly-jock Tom Joyner, and who will pay that 22% interest rate on our almost maxed out credit card just to ensure our kids get that IPod and PlayStation 3 for Christmas.

We are "The Black Bloggers", and the days of being the spook who merely sits by the door are ovah!!!

While Jena, Louisiana has been portrayed by big-city reporters as a place caught in a time warp, many Black folks online understand that the situation there is much more nuanced. African Americans, who make up about 12 - 15% of the town's population of 3,000, live in their own neighborhood, are buried in their own cemetery and reportedly can't even get their hair cut at the local White barbershop.

Online KKK Group Give Out Home Addresses Of Jena 6 Kids Over The Internet

However, a large number of White residents, including current District Attorney Reed Walters, find accusations of racism and inequality bewildering. As the LA Times indicated, "To them, Jena is just a pleasant, friendly place to live and work. They say everything would be fine if all the media and outside protesters -- agitators, they would have been called in a not-so-bygone day -- would just clear out and leave them alone.The reality is probably somewhere in between. Jena is no Selma; the uneven treatment accorded to Black and White students by school officials and local prosecutors isn't nearly as overt as the discrimination that racked the South decades ago, when racism was enforced by law as well as custom."

The Times opinion piece continues, "But Jena became a stewpot of racial tension starting a little more than a year ago, after black high school students sat under a tree that had long been an exclusive gathering spot for whites. Three nooses were found hanging from the branches the following day. The school's principal wanted to expel the three white students responsible, but the school board ruled the incident a prank and suspended them for just three days."

That decision has had terrible consequences. People of both races have committed violent acts in the year since, but the harshest legal penalties seem to have been reserved for Blacks. White youths struck a Black student with bottles at a party; only one was charged, with simple battery. The next day, a White man brandished a shotgun at a group of Black youths, who wrestled the gun away from him. The gunman wasn't charged, but the boys were charged with theft for taking his gun. Finally, six Black youths viciously beat a White student outside the school gym, apparently over the White guy making incendiary comments after being warned to "shut his mothafuckin' mouth." Some were initially charged with attempted murder, although the victim was well enough to attend a school ceremony that evening.

And that's what set this off in the Black blogosphere.

Although charges against most of the "Jena 6" have rightfully been reduced, former athlete Mychal Bell remains in custody -- even after an appellate court threw out the adult conviction, ruling that the young man (with prior offenses and who reportedly is currently on probation) must be tried as a juvenile. A request to free Bell or set bail was denied, delivering yet another setback to this emotional case.

For those who don't have a clue why bloggers of color are so focused on spreading the word about the Jena 6, the answer is really not that complicated. Real of otherwise, people perceived that there was a miscarriage of justice that the big networks and large cable outlets simply treated as just another story in their daily news cycle. Only now are journalists beginning to fully grasp the tremendous power African Americans writers and storytellers yield. It's not about Al Sharpton. It's not about Jesse Jackson. It's not about Black Entertainment Television, TV One or local Black newspapers. This is civil activism gone digital, forging fertile new ground with an unapologetic swagger.

And now that this dormant, sleeping giant has awakened, Thursday's rally should mark the start of some long-overdue soul-searching and political housecleaning in other "Jena" cities across the country. Whether we're taking about the Newark college student murders, the Dunbar Village horror, or something as silly as Patti Labelle on YouTube going off on a brother invited on stage at her concert, Black folks have found their own 24-hour source for news, information and entertainment. To hell with CBS. MSNBC, don't trip!

So put on your seat belts television programmers, commercial syndicators, cable executives and most importantly, advertisers targeting "ethnic consumers." Folks , it's getting ready to be a bumpy ride!

And the church said, "Amen!"

Patti Labelle Ain't Havin It: Embarasses Black Man On Stage, Big Time!

We love us some Patti Labelle. She's right up there in our book with Chaka Khan, and Gladys Knight (seen here with Ms. Patti at the NAACP Image Awards earlier this year.)

That said, we want your opinion on whether the diva with the incredible pipes may have gone too far with this concert paying brother (allegedly at the event with a White female companion) who joined her on stage by invitation. Check it out:

Did this Black man deserve the verbal public beatdown he received for making what was clearly a joke onstage. What say you?

Black Firefighter Tennie Pierce Got Fed Some Dog Food, Now LA Taxpayers Must Bark Up $1.43 Million Milkbones!

L.A. Observed, L.A. Weekly and the Los Angeles Times are all reporting, as Mad Professah noted earlier this week, that the City of Los Angeles has settled the racial discrimination "dog food eating" lawsuit of African American firefighter Tennie Pierce for $1.43 million. As the Weekly noted, the actual cost to city taxpayers is actually more than the original $2.7 million settlement vetoed by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa in November 2006, because the City Attorney's office has already spent $1.35 million preparing to defend the city against the Pierce lawsuit.

Mayor Villaraigosa's statement on the settlement agreement in the case of Tennie Pierce v. City of Los Angeles: “Today’s agreement is the best possible outcome for the taxpayers. It reduces the original settlement by nearly half, while protecting Angelenos from further liability.”

Although the Times pointed out the Fire Department has paid out $13.5 million in legal payouts over the past fiscal year, the settlement is paltry compared to the $6.2 million awarded in July to black lesbian Brenda Lee. However as part of the settlement Pierce will be eligible for his 20-year pension valued at over $1 million. This is good news for newly installed Fire Chief Douglas Barry, the first African American to ever serve in this position who has promised to clean house over what continues to be a problem when it comes to racial equality if LA's firehouses.

Props to Mad Professah on this one!

Rihanna Is Not Only Fine And Talented, But This Caribbean Sistah Is Getting Paid -- Big Time!

Rihanna Among Four Richest Teens

FBI Investigating Web Site with Supposed Jena 6 Addresses

Sheriff: Dogs Buried at DMX Home Wounded

Black Newspapers Offer a Needed Voice

President Mugabe: Zimbabwe Won’t Collapse

Officials: Delaware University Shooting Not Gang-Related

Kenya Movie Industry Flourishes

Black Men Take Time to Listen to Their Younger Counterparts

Strange Text Sheds New Light on the True Roots of Abolition

Smokey Robinson Gets College Fund Honor

JUANITA BYNUM, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE'S POSTER CHILD?

On the cover of the New York Times, Juanita Bynum shares her lessons with regards to her latest issues. So much for the 8 weeks of silence. See an excerpt below:

ATLANTA — The attack in a hotel parking lot last month was remarkable not only because the victim, Juanita Bynum, is the most prominent black female television evangelist in the country who pals with Oprah, is admired by Aretha, and who recently signed on to campaign for Obama, it was shocking to legions of women who had latched onto her message of chastity and self-respect. That message was one, according in Bynum, that would bring true love as opposed to a spouse who would choke, stomp and kick you to the curb. Literally! The episode between this woman of faith and her estranged husband Bishop Thomas Weeks III has led to debate about domestic violence and how churches, particularly black churches, respond to it.

Juanita Bynum on Star Jones' Court TV show

But it has also raised questions about the trajectory of Ms. Bynum’s career as a woman who called herself a prophetess, and while condemning promiscuity spoke openly about her lust and longing, in what has been called one of the most significant contemporary American sermons.Her struggle struck a chord in many Black communities, where marriage rates are notoriously low, and it seemed to culminate in the form of an earthly reward: a televised, million-dollar 2003 wedding to a fellow Pentecostal preacher, followed by what seemed to be a model marriage.

Since the attack, Bynum, 48, has tried to reinvent herself once more, announcing that she is “the new face of domestic violence.” But Tom Joyner, the syndicated radio talk show host, did not let her off the hook so easily: “If you’re a prophet,” Mr. Joyner asked, “didn’t you see this coming?”

In a telephone interview, Ms. Bynum said the public had overly romanticized the union. “What happened to me was reality,” she said. “I made a right decision that went bad. If you choose a Cadillac, if two years later someone runs into you and tears it up, it wasn’t a bad decision to buy the car.”

Is Bynum exploiting this situation for another agenda?