By Allen G. Breed
Associate Press
updated 11:47 a.m. CT, Sun., Aug. 31, 2008
On an overcast spring morning in southeast Georgia, Sonny Graham drank some coffee and headed out the door for another day in the family landscaping business and to take his 9-year-old stepson to the dentist. But Graham made a detour to the backyard shed that he’d built.
There, the 69-year-old picked up the 12-gauge Remington shotgun he’d taken on so many quail- and dove-hunting trips, pointed the muzzle at the right side of his throat and pulled the trigger.
It was April Fool’s Day, almost exactly 13 years since another man’s suicide gave Graham a second chance at life
That man was Terry Cottle. When he ended his life, Graham got his heart.
But it was not just an organ that connected Graham and the 33-year-old donor. Nearly a decade after the transplant, Graham married Cottle’s young widow.
And now Graham had made her a widow again.
As word of his death spread, the Internet lit up with the story of the heart that had been twice silenced by suicide — and the woman who’d lost the same heart twice. Reporters and bloggers waxed on about “cellular memory” and whether the organ somehow held a “suicide gene.”
Nonsense, thought Cottle’s sister. The brain is where the conscience resides, where love and loss are felt; the heart is just a pump.
As far as she was concerned, Graham’s death was less about her brother’s heart than about Cheryl — the woman with whom both men had chosen to share it.
Click here to read the rest of the story.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Kwame Kilpatrick to plead guilty and leave office
Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is believed to have reached a plea deal. He will admit guilt, resign, pay restitution, and more.
Click here to read the article.
Barack Obama's Missed Opportunity
During Barack Obama's historic acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention in Denver last week, he missed an opportunity to acknowledge the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by failing to invoke King's name in his speech. It would seem that he left that up to the white speakers: Hilary Clinton, Bill Clinton, and Joe Biden.
Dr. Cornel West and Dr. Julianne Malveuax suggests that Senator Obama missed a golden opportunity to link the past with the present, but instead chose to distant himself from history by targeting white centrists.
Do you think Senator Obama's speech "appealed to the white center"? Did he fail to "connect historically" with Blacks as suggested by West and Malveuax?
Take a listen and tell me what you think.
Dr. Cornel West and Dr. Julianne Malveuax suggests that Senator Obama missed a golden opportunity to link the past with the present, but instead chose to distant himself from history by targeting white centrists.
Do you think Senator Obama's speech "appealed to the white center"? Did he fail to "connect historically" with Blacks as suggested by West and Malveuax?
Take a listen and tell me what you think.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
While You Were Sleeping . . .
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Jodeci's Back . . . or Not
It's reunion time! And like most reunions, whether it's family or band mates, you know somebody's going to show their azz. You can almost always bet that somebody will show up drunk, high as a kite, ready to rumble, or looking and acting like a prima donna. Either way, you know you're in for an interesting time.
Well, from the looks of this video I think JoJo from the famed 90's group, Jodeci, showed his azz big time. He collapses midway through the performance. I hope he's okay. All jesting aside, I hope he's now clean and sober.
Check this out.
Well, from the looks of this video I think JoJo from the famed 90's group, Jodeci, showed his azz big time. He collapses midway through the performance. I hope he's okay. All jesting aside, I hope he's now clean and sober.
Check this out.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Word Association
Man-eater
Cougar
Youth
Maturity
Seasoned
Fries
Hamburger
Ketchup
Gaining ground
Losing ground
Meal Ticket
Hot Item
Wassup
What's Down
Never Give Up
Pressing Forward
Cougar
Youth
Maturity
Seasoned
Fries
Hamburger
Ketchup
Gaining ground
Losing ground
Meal Ticket
Hot Item
Wassup
What's Down
Never Give Up
Pressing Forward
Friday, August 15, 2008
Enough Already!
Dear Honorable Kwame Kilpatrick:
The great citizens of the city of Detroit deserve better!
Do the right thing and resign today. How much more embarrassment and dishonor will you heap upon the taxpayers? This great city -- which struggles each day to find a new identity in the wake of a dying automotive industry -- loses its respectability each day that you're in office. Formerly a mecca for attracting large companies, the cityscape now serves as a backdrop and sad reminder of a once prosperous metropolis. Oddly enough, somehow it seems to now serve as a metaphor for your life today. Do the honorable thing, Mr. Mayor. Resign.
We had such high hopes for you when you rode into the city as Detroit's youngest mayor. With your beautiful wife by your side and a family name rooted in Detroit politics, the city of Detroit welcomed you as the big, strong, handsome former football captain of Florida A&M University. Armed with a law degree from Detroit College of Law and a resume befitting a black urban political professional, for many of us you represented a new Detroit.
As a young and vibrant do-gooder with a heart for children, your record as a state representative proved that you had political chops. Ten years ago you helped develop the $675 million Clean Michigan Initiative. You managed to designate more than half of the funds to Detroit; both Michigan's largest city and the one most in need. And you weren't shy about helping to secure millions of dollars to fight lead poisoning in the city. At the time, more child-related lead poisoning cases were reported in Detroit then throughout the rest of the state combined.
Thirty-one years old when elected mayor of Detroit, you were the first youngest mayor of Detroit and second youngest mayor of any U.S city. You were just twenty-six years old when elected to the Michigan House of Representatives, and later served as the leader of the Democratic Caucus.The first African American to hold a leadership position in the Michigan Legislator.
And like so many young, political proteges, your career in politics was boundless. You even spoke briefly at the 2004 Democratic convention just like my former congressman, Harold Ford, Jr. (D-TN), who was touted as a future presidential running mate. But also like so many young -- and old -- politicians, once elected the bloom is off the rose. During your first term, Mr. Mayor, you seemed to use the city coffer as your own personal bank account, racking up more than $200,000 on a city-issued credit card for travel, meals, and entertainment. Jet setting from city to city, hobnobbing with the rich and famous, and often seen getting your groove on at celebrity hosted events, all while the taxpayers picked up the bill.
Now in your second term, you're still acting up. With a steadily declining approval rate, did you really think that you could continue your shenanigans and the people would turn a blind eye? Come on. Get real. And did you really think you could end a veteran police officer's career with a few "choice words", have an affair with your long-time friend, lover, and former chief of staff, lie under oath about it, and get away with it? Your poor behavior and misconduct has cost the city over $8 million.
I won't even dwell on your recent foolish behavior: assaulting a police officer, witness tampering, and disrespecting the court. And you have the nerve to want to attend the Democratic National Convention. Get real. As if the Democrats need another side show! We already have The Hillary Show. No More Drama.
Enough is enough, already! Please stop the madness.
Kwame, please do the honorable thing and a step down now. Let the good citizens of Detroit heal and move forward. You have become a distraction and an embarrassment to the city and most definitely for your family. If you won't think about the citizens of Detroit, at least think about how this is affecting your wife and children. What a legacy to leave.
It's time to get off the train, Mr. Mayor. Your ride is up.
Sincerely,
Literate Muse
A Very Disgusted Detroit Sympathizer
The great citizens of the city of Detroit deserve better!
Do the right thing and resign today. How much more embarrassment and dishonor will you heap upon the taxpayers? This great city -- which struggles each day to find a new identity in the wake of a dying automotive industry -- loses its respectability each day that you're in office. Formerly a mecca for attracting large companies, the cityscape now serves as a backdrop and sad reminder of a once prosperous metropolis. Oddly enough, somehow it seems to now serve as a metaphor for your life today. Do the honorable thing, Mr. Mayor. Resign.
We had such high hopes for you when you rode into the city as Detroit's youngest mayor. With your beautiful wife by your side and a family name rooted in Detroit politics, the city of Detroit welcomed you as the big, strong, handsome former football captain of Florida A&M University. Armed with a law degree from Detroit College of Law and a resume befitting a black urban political professional, for many of us you represented a new Detroit.
As a young and vibrant do-gooder with a heart for children, your record as a state representative proved that you had political chops. Ten years ago you helped develop the $675 million Clean Michigan Initiative. You managed to designate more than half of the funds to Detroit; both Michigan's largest city and the one most in need. And you weren't shy about helping to secure millions of dollars to fight lead poisoning in the city. At the time, more child-related lead poisoning cases were reported in Detroit then throughout the rest of the state combined.
Thirty-one years old when elected mayor of Detroit, you were the first youngest mayor of Detroit and second youngest mayor of any U.S city. You were just twenty-six years old when elected to the Michigan House of Representatives, and later served as the leader of the Democratic Caucus.The first African American to hold a leadership position in the Michigan Legislator.
And like so many young, political proteges, your career in politics was boundless. You even spoke briefly at the 2004 Democratic convention just like my former congressman, Harold Ford, Jr. (D-TN), who was touted as a future presidential running mate. But also like so many young -- and old -- politicians, once elected the bloom is off the rose. During your first term, Mr. Mayor, you seemed to use the city coffer as your own personal bank account, racking up more than $200,000 on a city-issued credit card for travel, meals, and entertainment. Jet setting from city to city, hobnobbing with the rich and famous, and often seen getting your groove on at celebrity hosted events, all while the taxpayers picked up the bill.
Now in your second term, you're still acting up. With a steadily declining approval rate, did you really think that you could continue your shenanigans and the people would turn a blind eye? Come on. Get real. And did you really think you could end a veteran police officer's career with a few "choice words", have an affair with your long-time friend, lover, and former chief of staff, lie under oath about it, and get away with it? Your poor behavior and misconduct has cost the city over $8 million.
I won't even dwell on your recent foolish behavior: assaulting a police officer, witness tampering, and disrespecting the court. And you have the nerve to want to attend the Democratic National Convention. Get real. As if the Democrats need another side show! We already have The Hillary Show. No More Drama.
Enough is enough, already! Please stop the madness.
Kwame, please do the honorable thing and a step down now. Let the good citizens of Detroit heal and move forward. You have become a distraction and an embarrassment to the city and most definitely for your family. If you won't think about the citizens of Detroit, at least think about how this is affecting your wife and children. What a legacy to leave.
It's time to get off the train, Mr. Mayor. Your ride is up.
Sincerely,
Literate Muse
A Very Disgusted Detroit Sympathizer
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Soul Singer and American Icon Isaac Hayes dies at age 65
The legendary soul singer, Isaac Hayes, Jr., who began life in a tenement in Covington, Tennessee but later went on to win an Oscar and multiple Grammys, died suddenly today at his home near Memphis, Tenn.
Best known for the theme song from the 1971 movie Shaft, Hayes started his music career as an untrained musician. He wanted to become a doctor until he realized his musical talents during a ninth-grade talent show. As he developed as a musician so did his rich, baritone voice. His trademark sound and look (bald head and gold chains) was captured on his hit album "Hot Buttered Soul", which later became the name of his radio program during his stint as a radio personality.
Hayes was a gifted singer and songwriter. He penned memorable songs for notable singers, like "Hold On, I'm Comin'" for Same & Dave.
Hayes, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, was pronounced dead at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis in Memphis, Tenn., after collapsing Sunday afternoon near a treadmill in his home nearby.
This weekend has been simply awful. We've lost two iconic personalities -- Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes -- in less than 48 hours. Both men were still quite young and had so much to offer. Now we'll never hear the new comedy routine Bernie was working on. And we'll never know the genius of another Isaac Hayes.
When I first moved to Memphis, I had the great pleasure of meeting Mr. Hayes. He was very gracious and personable, and reminded me much of my own Dad. His sense of humor was off the chain and he couldn't resist looking at a pretty woman, at least that's what he said when a friend snapped our picture -- just me and Black Moses.
I will always cherish that photograph.
As my thoughts and prayers turn to his family, and Bernie Mac's family, I am comforted by knowing that the time these two genuine spirits spent here on earth is forever memorialized on wax, television, videos, Cd's, film, and in our hearts.
R.I.P.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Comedian and Actor Bernie Mac Dies at age 50
The lovable and very funny comedian, Bernie Mac, who won a Peabody for his hit television comedy, The Bernie Mac Show, died Saturday at age 50.
"Actor/comedian Bernie Mac passed away this morning from complications due to pneumonia in a Chicago area hospital," his publicist, Danica Smith, said in a statement from Los Angeles.
She said no other details were available and asked that his family's privacy be respected.
The comedian suffered from sarcoidosis, an inflammatory lung disease that produces tiny lumps of cells in the body's organs, but had said the condition went into remission in 2005. He recently was hospitalized and treated for pneumonia, which his publicist said was not related to the disease.
"Actor/comedian Bernie Mac passed away this morning from complications due to pneumonia in a Chicago area hospital," his publicist, Danica Smith, said in a statement from Los Angeles.
She said no other details were available and asked that his family's privacy be respected.
The comedian suffered from sarcoidosis, an inflammatory lung disease that produces tiny lumps of cells in the body's organs, but had said the condition went into remission in 2005. He recently was hospitalized and treated for pneumonia, which his publicist said was not related to the disease.
Mac was one of the original Kings of Comedy and brought a unique brand of humor to his comedy. His humor was bold and straight in your face and he didn't mince his words. He rarely apologized for saying what he meant. Mac said what he meant and he meant what he said. And if you didn't like cussing and fussing then you probably wouldn't have liked Bernie Mac's humor.
He reminded me of comedians Redd Foxx, Robin Harris, and Richard Pryor.
R.I.P. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)