The Williams sisters takes a win in the French Open

The top-seeded Williams sisters, Venus and Serena beat Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium and Tamarine Tanasugarn of Thailand 6-0, 6-1 in 1st round of French Open.

Serena Williams wins her 1st round singles at the French Open.

Ex-Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick goes straight to prison

The Judge David Groner appeared to not be happy with the terms of Former Detrroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's rehabilitation. The judge ruled that Kilpatrick was in violation of his probation and has handed out a prison sentence from 18 months to 5 years.

African-American Award Winning U.S. Navy Veteran suggest new technology for the Oil Spill

Tony Watson, a 31-year U.S. Navy veteran and 1988 winner of the Black Engineer of the Year Government Award says that stopping the flow of oil can be fixed immediately by new technology ready for immediate deployment.

Venus Williams dresses up French Open with a win

Venus Williams wins her French Open matchafter "13 previous French Open appearances, she reached the semifinals only once - in 2002, when she lost to her sister in the final. Venus advanced beyond the third round only once in the past five years."

Williams spiced it up by dressing in a red and black corset tennis outfit. Leave it to the Williams sisters to bring glamor and style to the tennis court.

Can't stop smiling, this outfit was better than Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction. UPDATE: Pics of Venus courtesy of Zimbio

Mark Souder Republicans Contenders Lines UP

It is official, there will be more than enough republicans contenders to plea for Indiana 3rd district vacated House of Representative seat by the resignation of Congressperson Mark Souder. There is the car dealer Bob Thomas, who lost to Souder doing the primary earlier this month. Than there is Randy Borror, who believes he should be chosen because he is a loyal Republican. That's what Borror, the man said, "I'm a loyal Republican,” Borror said in a new report.

But
Fort Wayne City Councilwoman ELizabeth Brown, after losing a Fort Wayne Community School Board seat jump back into the City Council race and handily won herself a seat. The fact that Brown was new in town did not stop the republicans from voting for her to take the city council at large seat in 2007. But, I don't think Brown is interested in Washington. I believe Brown is aiming for a name recognition strategy among voters. The Republicans are just twirling Brown's hat toward the other candidates. Brown seems more poaitioned for battling in the home front for the local party, married to Dr. Stephen E. Brown and mother of seven children. Perhaps, Brown is gunning for Mayor in Allen County.

Republican women running for political office tend to stay local. It was a woman however, Democrat Jill Long Thompson who took the seat once held by Vice-President Dan Quayle in a special election back in 1989. Therefore, I wouldn't count Kendallville Mayor Suzanne Handshoe as a serious contender, either. The two women may be the republican ploy to attract women voters from the popular Democrat Dr. Tom Hayhurst. It was the local physician who gave Souder a run for his money, during a 1996 Congressional race. Hayhurst is expected to pull a closer race this time out.

So, this could explain the endless parade of Republicans names coming from the Republican camp. Some of these folks have money to spend that the Republicans would love for them to spend campaigning for name recognition. While other contenders won‘t have a chance at the seat, but it could encourage the base to get the votes out against the Democrats. If Republicans have more than one candidate to vote for than perhaps they won't be tempted to vote for the good doctor Hayhurst. Other republicans who are expressing an interest in Souder’s seat from various areas within the third district:

State Senator Marlin Stutzman. State Senator Marlin Stutzman who lost a senatorial race against Dan Coats,(Stutzman is favored as the candidate to beat in the selection for the replacement for Souder), Phil Troyer, is another person who ran against Souder in May during the primary. Allen County Superior Court Judge Dan Heath, South Bend Congressman Chris Chicola and State Representative Matt Bell are some other names flowing about for selection for the 3rd district seat.

If Governor Mitch Daniels holds out for the special election to be held during the November Election, these folks will get plenty of free campaign time. The Democrats sole candidate Hayhurst name would get lost in this maze of names.

What say you?

What is wrong with History in Texas?

Have you heard about what's going on here in Texas? History is being rewritten. And not in a good way.The state of Texas sets national standards for school textbooks -- and on Friday, the State Board of Education is casting its vote on updated social studies and history textbooks.

Those books are changing the record on slavery, celebrating the Confederacy and shedding a positive light on Jim Crow laws. And the Texas NAACP has spent the past several months fighting back. We've written thousands of emails, placed hundreds of calls, and people are starting to notice.I'm writing because we need your help. No matter the result of tomorrow's vote, make sure these bad ideas don't spread into your state. Sign the Not in My State Pledge:http://action.naacp.org/NotInMyState

The civil rights era was, and remains, one of the most significant and defining moments in U.S. history. Its leaders were true patriots -- fighting against oppression and for equality.

But if the proposed textbook changes happen, our children won't learn about them. They won't learn about brave men like Sam McCollough, who gave his life for Texas independence. And they won't learn that Texas seceded from the Union to fight for the Confederacy in the Civil War.

Rewriting history in the name of national pride isn't patriotic. It's ignorant.

Make it known throughout your state that if Texas textbook standards pass, they won't be coming into your classrooms.

Sign the Not in My State Pledge to stop history from being rewritten:http://action.naacp.org/NotInMyStateAmerican history -- the good, the bad and the ugly -- is what makes our country what it is today. A reminder of that past helps ensure a better future for all of us.Thank you for speaking out

Gary Bledsoe
Texas President
NAACP

P.S. To find out the voting results and watch an interview with NAACP President, Benjamin

Dr. John Crawford should replace Congressman Mark Souder

The republicans are coming out of the woodworks to replace Congressman Mark Souder. Souder has offered up his resignation ending his term in Congress. The list of potential contenders is growing, Randy Borror, Marlin Stutzman, Phil Troyer, David Long, Bob Thomas.

It is alleged that Thomas and Stutzman are responsible for the leak of Souder's affair causing him to give up his seat. But what is stranger than Souder's having an affair is the fact that woman in the affair contributed to Souder's campaign while her husband contributed toward a campaign by Stutzman.

It's got me scratching my head. Once the rumors starts it's hard to shake, so Stutzman and Thomas are out. So, I suggest the Republican go with someone with a presence..the one and only Dr. John Crawford. Talk about timing, just on Monday, the good doctor runs an ad requesting the opinion of voters on whether or not he should run for local office.

Who knew that something bigger was in the making?

Did Indiana Mike Pence Know about Indiana Congressman Mark Souder's Affair?

It was Indiana Mike Pence who reported Mark Souder's Affair to the House Ethic Committee.

Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN), the No. 3 Republican in the House and an Indiana colleague of Rep. Mark Souder (R-IN), informed the ethics committee that Souder was having an affair with a staffer after Souder informed him of the matter on Sunday, a Pence spokesman said today.

It's not clear why Pence went to the ethics committee about the affair.

CongressPerson Pence according to his official website was "elected to Congress in November 2000." More from the website, "Mike Pence was born in Columbus, Indiana, graduated from Hanover College in 1981 and earned his Doctorate in Jurisprudence from Indiana University School of Law in 1986." More from the website, "[h]e was.. awarded the Friend of the Family Award by the Indiana Family Institute, and the Distinguished Christian Statesmanship Award by the Center for Christian Statesmanship. In addition, he was recognized by the Inland Press Association for his work in advocating for the Freedom of Information Act, or federal media shield law."


It sounds more like the leak of Souder's affair was unstoppable and thus Pence stepped in to prevent an investigation. An investigation that might have involved finding how just who and how many in the Republican party knew about the affair but said nothing. More than likely Renee Howell was the trooper who sent Pence to the ethic committee. The sex scandal could no longer be contained to just a simple incident in the State Park.

Mark Souder cheating is not personal it is a character problem

Angry White Boy suggeston his blog that he could have broken the Mark Souder sex scandal story. Instead Indiana 3rd District Congressman disclosed in a resignation statement about an affair with a staffer. I believe AWB stated he didn't want to hurt Souder. Really, this is the same blogger who suggest that Angry White Boy is not about race. Really. It sounds goods, but it is what it is.

This is about Souder responsibility toward his worker, staffer, and voters. Does anyone see inappropriate behavior? Oh, it is not Tiger Woods, so these folks can't see it. This is not simply about an affair. Unlike Woods' cheating this borders on sexual harassment in the workplace. Of course in the prepared statement Souder made it clear it was mutual, "I sinned against God, my wife and my family by having a mutual relationship with a part-time member of my staff." This discloser had to come from Souder, because it could possibility cost Souder more than his embarrassment and his job.

So, insiders like blogger AWB was not about to blow the whistle on one of their own. This story was going to the ethic committee and that is why Souder came forward and not the insiders.

Souder was not ashamed that he was having affair! Souder was trying to control the media version of his affair with a married woman. It was not with a young gullible female staffer, but with a 45 year old married woman. It goes to the knowledge that both parties broke their religious commitment to the institution of marriage. Did Jackson have the power to say no? We have to wait until Mrs. Tracey Jackson speak to say one way or the other.

Souder blames the affair on isolation. on the all consuming aspect of the job and on Washington willingness to air his dirty laundry. "In the poisonous environment of Washington, D.C., any personal failing is seized upon, often twisted, for political gain." And to prove he is the do gooder and upstanding family man, states, "I am resigning rather than put my family through that painful, drawn-out process." Allen County insiders knew as AWB suggested on his posting about not breaking the story, loyalty to lies of the party ruled the day.

Loyalty to the party is these insiders issue in in the face of lying to the voters, not to his family. Forget that Souder proposed to represent a pious devotion to marriage, abstinence and family values. This republican philosophy claim to high level of family accountability is why the insiders could have blogged about the Souder's down fall. They chose not to in order to hide the fact that politics is not about openness to the voters but how much insiders believe their voters are dumb as a rock so only feed them information they want to hear.

So that is what Jackson and Souder did on her radio spot, WFCV, a local religious radio station better known as Fort Wayne Christian Voice. Conrolling of media information to the public. Therefore, it should not come as a surprise to read, Allen County Republican chair, Steven Shine, Republican journalist Kevin Leninger, and the Republican blogger Dan Turkette labels the Souder saga a personal issue. Well the minority leader thought it was an issue of the highest ethical standards.

It seems the nine lives of Souder is over. But, Democrat Tom Hayhurst will have to balance this local party not the personal failing of Souder.

Indiana 3rd District Congressperson Mark Souder Resigns

Mark Souder has resigned his seat as representative for the United States 3rd district in Northeast Indiana. Although, his win against newcomer Bob Thomas, another Republican, Souder will not represent his party on the ballot. The voters will have to now wait for Governor Mitch Daniels to call for a special election for Souder's replacement.




With the eight time winner of the United States House of Representative seat, Souder, out of the way, Democrat Tom Hayhurst, a former Fort Wayne city councilman may be the person to beat in the upcoming election. Hayhurst in 2006 lost to Souder while getting over 46% of the votes.


TPM

After 50 years-A dream fulfilled

Two of the Alabama State University nine and the president of the university spoke with Phillips about being expelled after staging a sit-in in protest of segregated dining facilities at Montgomery County Courthouse and about receiving their degree after 50 years!!!!



credit CNN Newsroom/Kyra Phillips

Third Woman for the United States Supreme Court but no African-American Women Nominated for the Supreme Court

MEDIA ADVISORY
For Immediate Release

May 10, 2010
Contact: Edrea Davis
818.613.9521/770.961.6200
edmedia@dogonvillage.com





The Black Women's Roundtable Statement on President Obama's nomination of Solicitor General Elena Kagan for US Supreme Court
Washington, DC - The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation's Black Women's Roundtable (BWR) issued the following statement about President Barack Obama's nomination of Solicitor General Elena Kagan to succeed retiring Justice John Paul Stevens:



As women leaders, we greatly respect Solicitor General Kagan's intellectual capabilities and highly accomplished record in the Administration and academia. Nonetheless, Justice Stevens distinguished himself on the Supreme Court as a leader in protecting and defending civil rights. We look forward to learning more about the Solicitor General's record as it relates to civil and women's rights issues.



The Black Women's Roundtable supports efforts to maintain a proper balance on the Supreme Court that protect the interests of all while simultaneously ensuring the Court is finally representative of all Americans in this society. Needless to say, we are disconcerted by the perceived lack of real consideration of any of the extremely qualified African American women as potential nominees.



As we have throughout history, African American women played a significant role in the 2008 election because we were especially aware of the impact this presidency would have for generations to come. As the late Dr. Dorothy I. Height, founding board member of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation and co-convener of BWR, stated in our previous meeting with the Administration, we believe it is time for African American women to be represented in all sectors of government - including the Supreme Court of the United States, which in its 221 year history has not had a Black woman nominated to serve on our highest court in the land.



The Black Women's Roundtable network comprises an intergenerational membership of Black women civic leaders of international, national, regional and state-based organizations and institutions that works collectively to advance policies and strategic initiatives that help to improve the lives of underserved women and girls. BWR members work in a wide range of social justice, civic, corporate, labor, academic, women and youth organizations.

Saving neighborhoods-protecting families

The perception of who lives on the southside pervent many professionals from investing there. But some professionals who grew up on the southside return to explore their children to a family legacy. The Journal-Gazette shares the story of one such family.

To Jordan Lebamoff, living in his house at 205 E. Packard Ave. on Fort Wayne’s south side is like living in two worlds – or, maybe, make that three.

Last hired..April Unemployment bad news for African-American women

In April, the number of unemployed persons was 15.3 million, and the unemployment rate edged up to 9.9 percent. The rate had been 9.7 percent for the first 3 months of this year. Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rate for whites (9.0 percent) edged up in April,while the rates for adult men (10.1 percent), adult women (8.2 percent), teenagers (25.4 percent), blacks (16.5 percent), and Hispanics (12.5 percent) showed little or no change.

African-Americans overall rate of unemployment appears to remain steady, when in fact African-Americans women are beginning to lose their jobs. African-Americans women went from 12.4% in March to 13.7% in April ( when seasonally adjusted). African-Americans unemployment for women increase of 1.3% is much higher than raced white women unemployment. Raced white women loss of employment came in at 7.3% in April a mere .10% less than the month of March, 2010. increase is only .10% It is clear who is getting booted from mainstream America workforce.

This is bad news for the black family when many African-American women head single parent households.

Braiding? Not without a license

It seems that Illinois perm queens are up in arms about the braiding immigrants.

The United African Organization approached Burns to push for a hair-braiding license as shops owned by African women, many of them recent immigrants, were being raided and shut down by the professional regulation department.

With over 63,000 licensed cosmetogolists, non licensed hair stylist such as braiders are cutting into their profit. Some of these perm experts want these braiders to take classes and earn a license. The cost could run up to at least $15,000, to do what many learned to do at the knee of their mothers.

Illinois requires hair braiders to get a cosmetology degree _ which can take 1,500 hours and cost $15,000 _ and then apply for a license, just like people who give haircuts, manicures and facials. Proponents say the rules are needed to protect consumers if they develop problems such as hair loss or have service complaints.

Is it really about hair loss or service complaints. Chris Rock's documentary Good Hair points out the money spent by African-Americans to have luxurious thick and long hair, even if it's not their own.

Chris Rock called it the $9 billion dollar business of doing black hair. As Rock learned the chemical processing of black hair is about chemicals on ones scalp, many women are opting for weaves, which only requires braiding and a little sewing. This removes the need for perming and the 2week touch ups by the perm queens. This battle between nature hair stylists and perm queens is being played out between them but now various states have gotten involved.

The States are in need of some new revenue stream, that licensing braiders could produce.

Fort Wayne Tower Financial Corp Losses Millions

$4.1 million gone for Tower's last's year second quarter report. From the article it sounds like Tower's funding the business world businesses.

According to Securities and Exchange Commission documents, the bank’s lending is strongly concentrated in the areas of commercial and commercial real-estate, which accounted for 73 percent of its loans at the end of last year. Home mortgages made up 16 percent of its loans, and the smaller, shorter-term consumer loans were just 11percent of its loans.

And are these folks on the board of directors,

Tower has also launched a new marketing campaign that highlights the company’s directors. Cahill called the local business leaders an asset to the bank. They include Keith Busse, CEO of Steel Dynamics Inc.; Scott Glaze, CEO of Fort Wayne Metals; Chuck Surack, CEO of Sweetwater Sound Inc.; and Jerry Henry, CEO of Midwest Pipe & Steel Corp

.
If so would this not be a conflict of interest, self-deal or a lack of fidiciary duty?

Antioch Tennessee-Lisa gaunichaux

My oldest daughter lives in Tennessee. While I was traveling to Naples, Italy, I had my cellphone off while she was weathering a rain storm. She was blessed, while others lost lives. We talked on webcam, but on both my daughter and granddaughter face was a sadness. Pray for them and send them your words of encouragement.



She tells me these two pictures are around the corner from her home. See the rest of the pictures here.

Kevin Howell..the Allen County Black Republican

Kevin Howell will finally appear on the Republican ticket. I believe this is Howell first win. Howell will run against Democrat Ist District County Council member Maye Johnson
.



Darren Vogt was successful against a Rousseau. How about them apples.


Richard Stevenson win over Phil Marx, even Marx concedes that this was a Stevenson win for Wayne Township Trustee.

Allen County Election Result for 2010

Well, David Roach will be on the ticket for Sheriff of Allen County. If the tea baggers are really about change, we could see Sheriff Roach in our community real soon.

I am not a firm believer that Allen County Election is on the up and up. I am not referring to David Roach but the numbers that uncontested Republicans continue to pull in. For example can someone explain to me how national known Dan Coats pulls in only 16,000 votes and locally Stacey O'Day can pull in 23,000 votes?

Hopeful President Barack Obama will just as curious as me, especially after he lost in Allen County during his last election. I am just saying, President Obama you need to do some investigating. Remember those absentee signature by the Republican office worker, Douglas Foy? I do.

Nine Lives: Indiana Congressman Mark Souder Wins Again

Seasoned Congressman Mark Souder wins his bid to run again for Indiana third district Congressional seat. Souder win his ninth appearance on the ballot. Although, 51% of his constituents collectively voted against Souder for republicans Bob Thomas, Phil Troyer and Greg Dickman. Thomas the most successful of the challengers lost to Souder 49% victory.

Democrat Thomas Hayhurst will join Souder on the ticket to run for the third distirct. This will be Hayhurst second run again Souder for the seat. This run will be difficult for Hayhurst. With the return of former Indiana Senator Dan Coats to run for the senate, Republicans will turn out to offer their support. This can only benefit Souder campaign. Souder on several occassions served as an aide to Coats.