Rev. Al Sharpton Takes Media To Task About Michael Jackson, Ends Up Saving A Soul!

(Terrence, right, with CA Assemblyman Mike Davis)

FIRST AME CHURCH CELEBRATES CHANGE, ONE MAN IN THE MIRROR AT A TIME

Driving up from San Diego, Terrence was a tall, lean, young black man with God on his mind. He couldn't have a picked a better morning. It was a beautiful communion Sunday at First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Los Angeles, California.

As the city awakened after joining with the rest of the country celebrating barbeque, family, freedom and fireworks - all the typical things associated with the 4th of July - now was the time for a different type of commemoration.

This day was particularly special to Terrence and others as they began the official mourning, and for throngs of fans a deeper level of grieving, over the still incalculable loss of music icon Michael Jackson.


Before the 10:00 AM service, it was agreed that the controversial political and civil rights social activist Reverend Al Sharpton would say a few words on Michael Jackson’s behalf. Sharpton met with First AME Pastor John Hunter, First Lady Denise Hunter, and a host of recognized community leaders in the criminal justice, legal, political, and ecumenical arenas.

While this was unfolding, a cacophony of mainstream media outlets descended south of Interstate 10 tasked with ferreting out any additional information about the legendary talent who, even in death, has seen renewed appreciation for his extraordinary talent.

Since word spread of Jackson’s death, radio airplay for songs including “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,” Pretty Young Thing” and “Remember The Time” has increased by a staggering 1,735%.

Sales of his solo albums “Thriller” and “Off The Wall” are up an unprecedented 4,000-percent, from 10,000 copies sold the week before his death to 422,000 sold for the week that ended June 28, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

And he has caused over 1 million people across the globe to salivate over the improbable chance that they, straight from the pages of Willie Wonka and The Chocolate Factory, will be so lucky as to witness a special memorial tribute at the fortress-like Staples Center, a mere four miles away from the sanctuary that just the week prior LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa chose to be sworn into his second term in office.

The purpose of Al Sharpton’s visit to the oldest black church in the Southland was to announce the commencement of a “Love Vigil” Tuesday July 7.

This would not only take place at Staples, the adjacent Nokia Theatre and First AME, but the goal was that it would spread to countless venues around the world.

In addition, efforts had already begun to have a national day of honor along with a postage stamp to recognize the King of Pop’s significant contributions to the arts.

Not that Terrence was necessary consumed by these things taking place. Wearing a simple t-shirt, black jeans and black tennis shoes, he listened as Pastor Walt “Baby” Love schooled those in attendance about Michael Jackson’s classic “Man in The Mirror” song, played during a three minute video tribute that paid homage to the award winning entertainer’s incredible journey.

Pastor Love revealed how the acclaimed gospel family “The Winans” had actually sung back-up on the track, and that noted gospel singer Pastor Andre Crouch had arranged the song that continues to give special meaning to so many.

But then the conversation at the pulpit quickly turned to more somber news, including the murder of famed former NFL Quarterback Steve McNair, along with the heart-wrenching details of a congregation member who lost four family relatives in a fatal car accident.

Before audience members could completely absorb these tragedies, uplifting news came in the form of the FAME Assistance Program gearing up to host an inaugural, full-day school initiative over the summer for 100 kids in response to the Los Angeles Unified School District’s canceling of a majority of course studies due to massive cuts in education that continue to wreak havoc on California.

Palpable among Angelenos, the frustration over the state’s continued loss of millions of dollars while lawmakers in Sacramento try to resolve a bleak situation did not deter Terrence and others who sat in their pews and received the message being delivered by Al Sharpton.

In fact many shouted Amen as the Harlem-based pastor, never at a loss for words, thanked God for another day before describing how he first met Michael Jackson when he was only thirteen in 1969. He answered critics by detailing the numerous times he had stood by the Jackson Family before chastising the despicable way the media who, according to Sharpton, was attempting to destroy, degrade, denigrate and undermine a man who has broke every record in the history books. Or as he further noted, a genius that had to “deal with a freakish situation” in life.

By not showing the proper deference and respect for a struggling African American working family from Gary, Indiana who saw their dreams materialize, who proved to be a powerful symbol in the face of racism and discrimination, who have given so much to the world, Sharpton warned that this double standard playing out, through comparisons to the passing of Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley, had clear racial undertones.

Undeterred, he preached about how these global vigils would deal with the message, while the media would be reduced to dealing with the mess.

But it was Reverend Sharpton’s statements about praising God through trials, tribulations and suffering, no matter what a person is going through, that clearly resonated with the congregation and elicited the longest standing ovations among the many.

After the church erupted in a crescendo of praise and Sharpton turned to take his seat on the pulpit, Pastor John made a call to anyone in the sanctuary who was ready to surrender their life to a Higher Power.

From nowhere, Terrence emerged. The toothy young man from San Diego rose from where he had been stationed, made his way to the altar, and accepted God in his life.

Of course for many, this was all overshadowed by the press conference that immediately followed. Here is where a long row of cameras rolled, shutters flickered, and questions were lobbed with ferocity about the details surrounding the actual funeral for Michael Jackson, the current status of his three small children, and musings over whether if more diversity was seen in the mainstream media, would that cause the tone to be less jarring and astringent.

Those questions would linger. But for one person who decided to follow Michael Jackson’s call to take a look at them self, it was a service like no other.

I’m starting with the man in the mirror
I’m asking him to change his ways.
And no message would have been any clearer
If you want to make the world a better place,
Take a look at yourself and make that… CHANGE!

July 5, 2009

By Kevin Ross, President & CEO 3BAAS Media Group

Things In Oakland Tense After BART Officer's Killing of Black Man

Officer In Oakland Shooting Quits/ Rioting Follows Anger

Democratic Opposition to Seating Burris Cracks
Black Support for Prop. 8 Called Exaggeration
Michael Vick Wants to Sell Georgia Home at Auction
Richard Parsons May Be Considered for Commerce Secretary
Obama's Wheels: Secret Service to Unveil New Presidential Limo

Jennifer Hudson Will Not Sing for Obama Inauguration
Obama's Kenyan Stepgrandmother to Attend Ball
Hughes Brothers' Pimp Drama Under Fire by City of Oakland
Congressional Black Caucus Assesses Its Role
Black Men Helped Shape Washington D.C.
Blacks Lead Both Houses in Colorado, a First for Nation

DNC CONVENTION DOESN'T GIVE A DAMN AS DEATH TOLL RISES IN IRAN AND AFGHANISTAN: STARTING THE WEEK WITH THE PROPER PERSPECTIVE

THIS WEEK, THE PENTAGON RELEASED THE NAMES OF 12 SOLDIERS KILLED IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN:

Marine LCpl Jacob J Toves, 27, of Grover Beach, CA
Marine Cpl Anthony G Mihalo, 23, of Naperville, IL
Marine LCpl Juan Lopez-Castaneda, 19, of Mesa, AZ
Army SSG Kristopher D Rodgers, 29, of Sturgis, MI
Army PVT Janelle F King, 23, of Merced, CA
Army 1LT Donald C Carwile, 29, of Oxford, MS
Army PFC Paul E Conlon Jr, 21, of Somerville, MA
Army PFC Jonathon L Luscher, 20, of Scranton, PA
Marine LCpl Travis M Stottlemyer, 20, of Hatfield, PA
Marine Sgt Nickolas Lee Hopper, 27, of Montrose, IL
Army SFC George Stanciel, 40, of Greenwood, MS
Army SFC David J Todd Jr, 36, of Marrero, LA

In the midst of DNC Commmittee meetings, brokering, posturing, eating, drinking and back slapping...let's remember those families listed above who really aren't thinking about "history". There is nothing more important than their story. Pray for them in their sacrifice.

SHOCKING!!! Black Ohio Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones Dies Just Days Before The Dem's National Convention

Tragic news that has stunned the nation. Hillary Clinton's staunchest political supporter Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones was pronounced dead on Wednesday after having a brain hemmorage.

A Cleveland Clinic official says Tubbs Jones died at 6:12 p.m. Wednesday after suffering a brain hemorrhage caused by an aneurysm that burst and left her with limited brain function.

The first black woman to represent Ohio in Congress and a strong critic of the Iraq war, Tubbs Jones suffered the hemorrhage while driving her car in her east side district Tuesday evening.

Tubbs Jones, a African-American Democrat who has represented Ohio’s 11th District since 1999 is the chairwoman of the House’s ethics committee, suffered the aneurysm Tuesday night while driving near her hometown of Cleveland. Her current condition is being listed as "critical."

Obviously looking forward to celebrating her 59th birthday on Sept. 10, Tubbs Jones is still scheduled to attend the Democratic National Convention next week in Denver as a superdelegate.

“Tuesday’s condition followed a full day of activity, including planning for an upcoming forum on electoral reform, scheduled for September 4, 2008 at Cleveland State University,” according to a statement released earlier Wednesday from her office. She was admitted to Huron Hospital.

Tubbs Jones was among the five black members who claimed committee chairmanships when the Democrats ascended to the majority in 2007.

We here at 3BAAS Media Group extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Congresswoman Tubbs-Jones.

Source

OLYMPIC RESULTS VS. FALLEN SOLDIERS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN: STARTING THE WEEK WITH THE PROPER PERSPECTIVE: 8-18-2008

THIS WEEK, THE PENTAGON RELEASED THE NAMES OF 9 SOLDIERS KILLED IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN: THEIR FAMILIES ARE FINDING IT HARD TO FOCUS ON THE BEIJING OLYMPICS.
HOW ABOUT YOU?

Navy PO2 Anthony M Carbullido, 25, of Agat, GU
Army SGT Jose E Ulloa, 23, of New York, NY
Army SGT Kenneth B Gibson, 25, of Christiansburg, VA
Army PFC John A Mattox, 23, of Daingerfield, TX
Marine Cpl Adam T McKiski, 21, of Cherry Valley, IL
Marine Cpl Stewart S Trejo, 25, of Whitefish, MT
Marine Sgt Michael H Ferschke Jr, 22, of Maryville, TN
Army CPL James M Hale, 23, of Naperville, IL
Marine PFC Daniel A C McGuire, 19, of Mashpee, MA

SOME OF US WISH THE ATHLETES WOULD JUST SAY "HELLO" TO TO THE TROOPS, WE AT HOME HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN THEIR SACRIFICE.

Hollywood Mourns Bernie Mac, Children of Isaac Hayes Discuss Their Father on Blogtalkradio

As the family of Oscar-winning singer/songwriter Isaac Hayes prepare to officially say goodbye to the man affectionately known as "Black Moses", 1000's gathered at the House of Hope in Chicago for Bernie Mac's memorial service. Details after the jump.

Bernie Mac's Recent Jet Cover

Here's Isaac With His New Wife and Youngest Child

Recently, Isaac Hayes III and Heather Hayes came on The Kevin Ross Show to share memories and mourn the loss of their father. Services for Isaac Hayes are scheduled tomorrow in Memphis.

Bernie’s fellow King of Comedy and very good friend Steve Harvey arrived with his wife Marjorie.

Bernie's TV family Dee Dee Davis, Camille Winbush, Jeremy Suarez and Kellita Smith came as a group.

Some fans slept outside overnight in hopes of securing a seat inside the House of Hope church on the city's South Side, the Chicago Tribune reports.

In an emotional service, photos from the comedian's career were shown on projectors and the White Sox organization presented Mac's widow Rhonda with a No. 1 jersey bearing his name, the paper reports.

Comedian George Wallace

Rev. Jesse Jackson and Chris Rock

King of Comedy's Cedric the Entertainer and Steve Harvey

Samuel L. Jackson and wife Latoya

Fly Jock Tom Joyner and Don Cheadle

During the service, Mayor Richard Daley remembered Mac as someone with "a heart and passion." Daley, who met with Mac a few weeks ago, added: "He knew the street, he knew the people, and that's why he was a king of comedy. He wanted to do something personally to get children away from the life of violence. . . . He never lost his soul in Chicago."

Mac, who suffered from the autoimmune disease sarcoidosis, passed away last Saturday from complications relating to pneumonia.

Of their final exchange a day before his death, Rhonda told PEOPLE: "I said, 'Hey Bernard. How are you?' and I kissed his forehead. He shrugged his shoulders, like 'I'm tired' and I said, 'I know you're tired.' Later on that night, it took a turn for the worse."

Rest In Peace Bernie Mac, And Keep Heaven Smiling

FALLEN SOLDIERS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN: STARTING THE WEEK WITH THE PROPER PERSPECTIVE: 8-11-2008

THIS WEEK, THE PENTAGON RELEASED THE NAMES OF 16 SOLDIERS KILLED IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN:

Army SGT Errol M James, 29, of St Croix, VI
Army SPC Ronald A Schmidt, 18, of Newton, KS
Army PVT Timothy J Hutton, 21, of Dillon, MT
Marine Capt Garrett T Lawton, 31, of Charleston, WV
Army SGT Gary M Henry, 34, of Indianapolis, IN
Army SPC Jonathan D Menke, 22, of Madison, IN
Army SGT Jaime Gonzalez, Jr, 40, of Austin, TX
Army SSG Brian K Miller, 37, of Pendleton, IN
Army SGT Ryan P Baumann, 24, of Great Mills, MD
Army PFC Jennifer L Cole, 34, of American Canyon, CA
Army SPC Andre D Mitchell, 25, of Elmont, NY
Army PFC David J Badie, 23, of Rockford, IL
Army 2LT Michael R Girdano, 23, of Pennsylvania
Army SPC William J Mulvihill, 20, of Leavenworth, KS
Army PVT Jair De Jesus Garcia, 29, of Chatsworth, CA
Army SPC Kevin R Dickson, 21, of Steelville, MO

In the midst of Olympic glory let's not forget there is a war going on and anyone of the above mention soldiers families would much rather be in Beijing than where they are right now feeling what they are feeling. Thank you for your sacrifice.

FALLEN SOLDIERS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN: STARTING THE WEEK WITH THE PROPER PERSPECTIVE: 7-29-2008

THIS WEEK, THE PENTAGON RELEASED THE NAMES OF 23 SOLDIERS KILLED IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN: THEIR FAMILIES DON'T CARE ABOUT THE SURGE, AND 16 MONTHS IS TOO LATE FOR THEIR LOVED ONES TO COME HOME.

Army SGT Brian S Leon Guerrero, 34, of Hagatna, Guam
Army SGT Samson A Mora, 28, of Dededo, Guam
Army MSG Mitchell W Young, 39, of Jonesboro, Ga.
Army 1LT Jonathan P Brostrom, 24, of Hawaii
Army SGT Israel Garcia, 24, of Long Beach, Calif.
Army CPL Jonathan R Ayers, 24, of Snellville, Ga.
Army CPL Jason M Bogar, 25, of Seattle
Army CPL Jason D Hovater, 24, of Clinton, Tenn.
Army CPL Matthew B Phillips, 27, of Jasper, Ga.
Army CPL Pruitt A Rainey, 22, of Haw River, N.C.
Army CPL Gunnar W Zwilling, 20, of Florissant, Mo.
Army PFC Sergio S Abad, 21, of Morganfield, Ky.
Army SSG Jeremy D Vrooman, 28, of Sioux Falls, S.D.
Army SSG David W Textor, 27, of Roanoke, Va.
Marine LCpl Jeffery S Stevenson, 20, of Newton, N.J.
Air Force TSgt Jackie L Larsen, 37, of Tacoma, Wa.
Marine 1st Lt Jason D Mann, 29, of Woodlynne, N.J.
Army PFC Willington M Rhoads, 23, of Las Vegas
Navy PO3 Daniel R Verbeke, 25, of Exton, Pa.
Marine SSgt Danny P Dupre, 28, of Lockport, La.
Army 1LT Nick A Dewhirst, 25, of Onalaska, Wis.
Marine PFC Ivan I Wilson, 22, of Clearlake, Calif.

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Boy Left in Hot Car on Mom's Wedding Day Dies

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. --(AP) -- West Palm Beach authorities say a mother on her wedding day left her 4-year-old son waiting in a hot car. The boy later died at a hospital.

Officials say the boy may have been in the car for more than two hours. Temperatures outside had reached 90 degrees.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said Sunday that 29-year-old Mirland Baptiste may not have known the boy was in the car.

She dropped off other children at a relative's house Saturday before going to the nail salon.

She was supposed to get married later that day. Instead, the family mourned the boy's death at the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

For more information, visit the Associated Press.

Dead Black Woman's Body Cut Open, Mystery Newborn Found!!!

Bizarre Case Focuses on Andrea Curry-Demus

An autopsy on a woman's body found in an apartment linked to a mystery newborn baby found that the African American woman was partially eviscerated and her uterus was cut open, authorities said Saturday.

The body was found Friday in an apartment of another woman who showed up at a hospital with a newborn she falsely claimed was hers.

Investigators were trying to determine the woman's identity, how she died and whether she was the mother of the baby that Andrea Curry-Demus allegedly told police she bought for $1,000.

The victim appeared to have been dead for about two days before she was found, Allegheny County Medical Examiner Karl Williams said in a statement.

The woman's hands and feet were bound with duct tape, and her face was covered with a plastic material that had also been secured with duct tape. A placenta was recovered at the apartment.
Curry-Demus, 38, of Wilkinsburg, showed up at West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh on Thursday with a newborn whose umbilical cord was still attached, police said. Tests later proved she was not the mother — despite her claims to the contrary, police said.

BREAKING!!! Prosecutors Seeking Homicide Charges

Curry-Demus had previously been accused with child endangerment and dealing in infant children, remaining incarcerated until she posted a $10,000 bond and underwent a psychiatric exam.

The jail wouldn't say whether Curry-Demus had an attorney, and a message left for an attorney who has previously represented her was not immediately returned.

The woman's body was found Friday after reporters called authorities about a foul odor coming from inside Curry-Demus' apartment. Police had been at the building Thursday night, but did not enter that apartment, Wilkinsburg Police Chief Ophelia Coleman said.

A relative of Curry-Demus had led them to another apartment, she said. Source

FALLEN SOLDIERS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN: STARTING THE WEEK WITH THE PROPER PERSPECTIVE: 6-30-2008

THIS WEEK, THE PENTAGON RELEASED THE NAMES OF 20 SOLDIERS KILLED IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN:

Navy HN Dustin Kelby Burnett, 19, of Fort Mohave, AZ
Army CWO Robert C Hammett, 39, of Tucson, AZ
Army MAJ Dwayne M Kelley, 48, of Willingboro, NJ
Army SGT Alejandro A Dominguez, 24, of San Diego, CA
Army SPC Joel A Taylor, 20, of Pinetown, NC
Army PFC James M Yohn, 25, of Highspire, PA
Army SPC Joshua L Plocica, 20, of Clarksville, TN
Army PFC Bryan M Thomas, 22, of Lake Charles, LA
Marine SSgt Christopher D Strickland, 25, of Labelle, FL
Army SPC Ryan J Connolly, 24, of Vacaville, CA
Army CPT Gregory T Dalessio, 30, of Cherry Hill, NJ
Army LTC James J Walton, 41, of Rockville, MD
Army SPC Anthony L Mangano, 36, of Greenlawn, NY
Army SGT Nelson D Rodriguez Ramirez, 22, of Revere, MA
Army SGT Andrew Seabrooks, 36, of Queens, NY
Army SSG Du Hai Tran, 30, of Reseda, CA
Marine Sgt Matthew E Mendoza, 24, of San Antonio, TX
Marine Lt Col Max A Galeai, 42, of Pago Pago, AS
Marine Capt Philip J Dykeman, 38, of Brockport, NY
Marine Cpl Marcus W Preudhomme, 23, of North Miami Beach, FL

Politicians tell us, "the War is going well. The 'push' is working. Things are so much better."

But this matters not to these heroes and their families.

We are silent and grateful for your sacrifice.

R.I.P. George Carlin 1937-2008

We've lost the legendary George Carlin folks. The 71 year-old bald, bearded comedian famous for provocative routines about drugs, dirty words and the demise of humanity, died of heart failure at a Los Angeles-area hospital on Sunday.

Carlin, who had a history of heart and drug-dependency problems, was most widely known for his routine called "Seven Words You Can Never Say On Television." A regulatory battle over a radio broadcast of the performance ultimately reached the U.S. Supreme Court.

In the 1978 case, Federal Communications Commission vs. Pacifica Foundation, the top U.S. court ruled that the words cited in Carlin's routine were indecent, and that the government's broadcast regulator could ban them from being aired at times when children might be listening.

The Grammy-winning Carlin remained an active presence on the comedy circuit. Carlin was scheduled to receive the John F. Kennedy Center's prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in November and his publicist said Carlin performed in Las Vegas this month.

His comedic sensibility revolved around a central theme: humanity is a cursed, doomed species.

Carlin wrote three best-selling books, won four Grammy Awards, recorded 22 comedy albums, headlined 14 HBO television specials, and hosted hundreds of variety shows. One was the first episode of "Saturday Night Live" in 1975, when he was high on cocaine.

Drug addiction plagued him for much of his life, beginning with marijuana experimentation as a teen, graduating to cocaine in the 1970s, and then to prescription painkillers and wine. During the cocaine years, Carlin ignored his finances and ended up owing about $3 million in back taxes. In 2004, he entered a Los Angeles rehab clinic for his alcohol and Vicodin abuse.

George Dennis Carlin was born on May 12, 1937, in New York City. After a brief, troubled stint in the U.S. Air Force, he started honing his comic act, developing such characters as Al Sleet, a "hippie-dippie weatherman."

Carlin told Playboy that his sensibilities developed in the 1950s, "when comedy stopped being safe ... (and) became about saying no to authority." He cited such influences as Lenny Bruce, Mort Sahl, Dick Gregory and Bob Newhart.

Carlin is survived by his second wife Sally Wade; daughter Kelly Carlin McCall; and brother Patrick. His first wife, Brenda, died of cancer in 1997. Reuters

FALLEN SOLDIERS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN: STARTING THE WEEK WITH THE PROPER PERSPECTIVE: 6-16-2008

THIS WEEK, THE PENTAGON RELEASED THE NAMES OF FIVE SOLDIERS KILLED IN IRAQ.

Army SFC David R Hurst, 31, of Fort Sill, OK
Army SPC Thomas F Duncan, III, 21, of Rowlett, TX
Army SSG Tyler E Pickett, 28, of Saratoga, WY
Army SGT Steve A McCoy, 23, of Moultrie, GA
Army SGT John D Aragon, 22, of Antioch, CA

AS THE WAR CONTINUES SO DO OUR PRAYERS

Agony, Pain, Grief as Tornado Kills 4 Boy Scouts

The loss of a life is hard to accept especially a young life taken unexpectedly. Such is the case as frightened Boy Scouts huddled in a shelter as a tornado tore through their western Iowa campground, killing four people and injuring 48 others who had little warning of the approaching twister.

Tornadoes also raked Kansas on Wednesday, killing at least two people, destroying much of the small town of Chapman and causing extensive damage on the Kansas State University campus.

Iowa rescue workers cut through downed branches and dug through debris amid rain and lightning Wednesday night to reach the camp where the 93 boys, ages 13 to 18, and 25 staff members were attending a week long leadership training camp.

The tornado killed three 13-year-olds and one 14-year-old, said Lloyd Roitstein, an executive with the Mid America Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He did not release the names of the victims.

Roitstein said a tornado siren went off at the camp, but the scouts had already taken cover before the siren sounded.

The boys had been in two groups when the storm hit the Little Sioux Scout Ranch in the remote Loess Hills. One group managed to take shelter, while the other was out hiking.

At least 42 of the injured remained hospitalized Thursday morning, with everything from cuts and bruises to major head trauma, said Gene Meyer, Iowa's public safety commissioner. At least four of the injured were airlifted from the camp, he said, refusing to elaborate on their conditions or identify the dead.

Read the rest of this story at BALTIMORESUN.COM

FALLEN SOLDIERS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN: STARTING THE WEEK WITH THE PROPER PERSPECTIVE: 5-18-2008

IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS, THE PENTAGON RELEASED THE NAMES OF 8 SOLDIERS KILLED IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN:

Army SGT Isaac Palomarez, 26, of Loveland, CO
Army SPC Mary J Jaenichen, 20, of Temecula, CA
Army PFC Ara T Deysie, 18, of Parker, AZ
Army SGT Joseph A Ford, 23, of Knox, IN
Army PVT Matthew W Brown, 20, of Zelienople, PA
Army CPL Jessica A Ellis, 24, of Bend, OR
Army SSG Victor M Cota, 33, of Tucson, AZ
Army SGT John K Daggett, 21, of Phoenix, AZA famed

We are Humbled, Grateful And Continue To Pray For Your Families.

FALLEN SOLDIERS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN: STARTING THE WEEK WITH THE PROPER PERSPECTIVE: 5-11-2008

IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS, THE PENTAGON RELEASED THE NAMES OF 43 SOLDIERS KILLED IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN:

Click Below To Read All The Names And Please Pray For Their Families.

Army CPL David P McCormick, 26, of Fresno, TX
Air Force SrA Jonathan A V Yelner, 24, of Lafayette, CA
Army SFC David L McDowell, 30, of Ramona, CA
Army PFC Adam L Marion, 26, of Mount Airy, NC
Army SGT Marcus C Mathes, 26, of Zephyrhills, FL
Army SGT Mark A Stone, 22, of Buchanan Dam, TX
Army SSG Clay A Craig, 22, of Mesquite, TX
Marine Sgt Merlin German, 22 of Manhattan, NY
Army SSG Bryan E Bolander, 26, of Bakersfield, CA
Army CPT Andrew R Pearson, 32, of Billings, MT
Army SPC Ronald J Tucker, 21, of Fountain, CO
Army SSG Chad A Caldwell, 24, of Spokane, WA
Army SFC Lawrence D Ezell, 30, of Portland, TX
Army SPC Jeffrey F Nichols, 21, of Granite Shoals, TX
Army PVT Corey L Hicks, 22, of Glendale, AZ
Army SPC Jeremy R Gullett, 22, of Greenup, KY
Army SSG Kevin C Roberts, 25, of Farmington, NM
Marine LCpl Casey L Casanova, 22, of McComb, MS
Marine Cpl Miguel A Guzman, 21, of Norwalk, CA
Marine LCpl James F Kimple, 21, of Carroll, OH
Marine Sgt Glen E Martinez, 31, of Boulder, CO
Army SGT Jerry L DeLoach, 45, of Jackson, GA
Army SPC Alex D Gonzalez, 21, of Mission, TX
Army PFC Aaron J Ward, 19, of San Jacinto, CA

ALMOST 500,000 DEAD IN MYANMAR AND NO AID IN SIGHT???

Last week's cyclone in Myanmar is expected to leave 100,000 dead in it's wake and could go as high as half-million. Now comes word that the U.N. is suspending aid supplies after the military government seized the food and equipment it had already sent into the country.

The top of a small temple sticking out of a flooded field near Yangon, the main city in Myanmar.

In the statement, the government said it would distribute international relief supplies itself. Myanmar said it had turned back one relief flight because, in addition to disaster relief supplies, it carried disaster assessment experts and an unauthorized media group.

"Myanmar is not in a position to receive rescue and information teams from foreign countries at the moment," the statement, from the Foreign Ministry, said. “But at present Myanmar is giving priority to receiving relief aid and distributing them to the storm-hit regions with its own resources."

The first of two major international aid shipments arrived Thursday by aircraft from the United Nations World Food Program, carrying high energy biscuits, water containers, food and plastic sheets.

But two of four United Nations experts who flew in on Friday were turned back at the airport for unknown reasons, said John Holmes, a relief coordinator for the United Nations.

Altogether, by one count, 11 chartered planes with relief supplies have landed in Myanmar, a tiny amount for a disaster that the United Nations said has affected 1.5 million people.

By the government’s official count, 22,500 people have died, but Shari Villarosa, the top American diplomat in Myanmar, said the number could reach 100,000 if help was not prompt and the humanitarian situation worsened.

One United Nations official said he had never seen delays like this before in delivering relief supplies and aid officials. In Indonesia after the tsunami in 2004, he said, an air bridge of daily flights was established within 48 hours.

"The frustration caused by what appears to be a paperwork delay is unprecedented in modern humanitarian relief efforts," said the official, Paul Risley, a spokesman for the United Nations World Food Program, in Bangkok. "It’s astonishing."

He said his agency alone had submitted 10 visa applications for relief workers but that none had been approved before consulates shut down for the weekend.

"We strongly urge the government of Myanmar to process these visa applications as quickly as possible, including working over the weekend," he said.
In New York, United Nations officials all but demanded Thursday that the government open its doors.

In Geneva on Friday, a United Nations spokeswoman said the United Nations was putting together an urgent appeal for funding that would cover its relief efforts in Myanmar over the next six months.[NY Times]

BREAKING NEWS: HORRIBLE PLANE CRASH IN CONGO NEIGHBORHOOD LEAVES AT LEAST 75 CONFIRMED DEAD!

Tragedy Strikes Again In The Diaspora

The Democratic Republic of Congo, formerly Zaire, has a dismal aviation record. There have been at least 24 plane crashes since last year -- nearly half of them involving Antonovs -- according to Aviation Safety Network. Ten of the crashes since October 4, 2006, have resulted in 61 deaths. Now, we have a new horror to contend with.

A plane crashed Tuesday in a northeastern province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, killing 78 people on board, a foreign ministry spokesman said.

The Hewa Bora Airways flight was heading from the eastern city of Goma to the capital, Kinshasa, when it crashed in North Kivu province near the Rwandan border, spokesman Antoine Ghonda said. Hewa Bora Airways is based in Kinshasa.

At least 30 people were killed last Thursday after a plane crashed in a poor, crowded suburb of Kinshasa right after takeoff, according to a Congolese Ministry of Information official.

All 22 on board the plane -- 16 passengers and six crew -- were killed, as well as up to eight people on the ground, according to Jean-Pierre Eale, an aide to the Democratic Republic of Congo's information minister.

However, U.N. peacekeeping spokesman Michel Bonnardeaux, citing police reports, said 25 people were killed and two aboard the plane survived -- a mechanic and a flight attendant who was in critical condition, The Associated Press reported.

The Antonov-26 crashed into at least one house near a crowded marketplace in the country's capital, Kinshasa, Congolese officials said.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said one of the plane's propellers broke off during takeoff and one of its wings was sheared off as it hit a bank of trees.

Several witnesses said the aircraft appeared to be missing a propeller before it crashed. "The plane clipped several treetops and hit the roofs of three houses, crashing onto its back with its tires in the air," Japhet Kiwa, who lives a few miles away from the airport.

The plane took off from Kinshasa International Airport, also known as N'Djili International Airport , near the Angolan border.

A few minutes after takeoff, the plane experienced problems and began dumping fuel before establishing radio contact with the airport's tower, Eale said. Just as it radioed the tower, the plane crashed into the suburb of Masina, he said. [CNN]

FALLEN SOLDIERS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN: STARTING THE WEEK WITH THE PROPER PERSPECTIVE: 4-06-2008

THIS WEEK, THE PENTAGON RELEASED THE NAMES OF 10 SOLDIERS KILLED IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN:

Marine Maj William G Hall, 38 of Seattle, WA
Army SGT Jevon K Jordan, 32, of Norfolk, VA
Army SGT Dayne D Dhanoolal, 26, of Brooklyn, NY
Air Force SSgt Travis L Griffin, 28, of Dover, DE
Army SPC Charles A Jankowski, 24, of Panama City, FL
Army SPC Durrell L Bennett, 22, of Spanaway, WA
Army PFC Patrick J Miller, 23, of New Port Richey, FL
Army SGT Terrell W Gilmore, 38, of Baton Rouge, LA
Army CPL Steven I Candelo, 20, of Houston, TX
Army SGT Nicholas A Robertson, 27, of Old Town, ME

Politicians tell us the War is going well. The "push" is working. Things are so much better. But this matters not to these heroes and their families. We are silent and grateful for your sacrifice.

FALLEN SOLDIERS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN: STARTING THE WEEK WITH THE PROPER PERSPECTIVE: 3-31-2008

THIS WEEK, THE PENTAGON RELEASED THE NAMES OF 14 SOLDIERS KILLED IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN:

Air Force TSgt William H Jefferson Jr, 34, of Norfolk, VA
Army PFC Tyler J Smith, 22, of Bethel, ME
Army PFC Antione V Robinson, 20, of Detroit, MI
Army SGT Thomas C Ray II, 40, of Weaverville, NC
Army SGT David S Stelmat, 27, of Littleton, NH
Army SGT David B Williams, 26, of Tarboro, NC
Army SSG William R Neil Jr, 38, of Holmdel, NJ
Army PVT George Delgado, 21, of Palmdale, CA
Army SSG Christopher M Hake, 26, of Enid, OK
Army PFC Andrew J Habsieger, 22, of Festus, MO
Army SPC Jose A Rubio Hernandez, 24, of Mission, TX
Army SSG Joseph D Gamboa, 34, of Yigo, GU
Army SPC Gregory B Rundell, 21, of Ramsey, MN
Army SPC Joshua A Molina, 20, of Houston, TX