Obama's Weekly Address: Averting a Government Shutdown and Expanding Access to Affordable Healthcare

In this week's address, President Obama says that on October 1, a big part of the Affordable Care Act will go live and give uninsured Americans the chance to buy the same quality, affordable health care as everyone else. It is also the day when some Republicans in Congress might shut down the government just because they don't like the law. The President urged Congress to both pass a budget by Monday and raise the nation's debt ceiling so that we can keep growing the economy.



I think that the Republican Party is out-of-control and I don't doubt that they will shut down the government because they don't have a clue how to govern. What do you think?

VIDEO: Review of 2013 BDPA Technology Conference

35th Annual BDPA Technology Conference was held in Washington DC on August 14-17, 2013. The event marked the largest gathering of IT professionals of color in the nation ... and also included over 50 major corporate sponsors. The 4-day event included an awards gala, career fair, corporate hospitality receptions, IT Showcase, live entertainment, plenary sessions,workshops and a youth technology camp. This video gives a glimpse of the people and activity from this annual conference!



BDPA exists to advance the careers of African Americans in the IT industry from the classroom to the boardroom. There are 46 local BDPA chapters located around the nation. Visit http://www.bdpa.org or call (301) 584-3135 to ask questions or discuss further.

Video Credit: Sharrarne Morton (Morton Media) and Steve McMillan (Cape Fear Productions).

Good News Tuesday: Carson Huey-You

Child prodigy, Carson Huey-You, just started his freshman year at Texas Christian University, and he is the youngest person ever to attend the private university in Fort Worth. Carson was in high school at the age of 5, he was reading chapter books at age 2 and could multiply and divide a year later.

Carson scored a 1770 on his SAT, was co-valedictorian of his high school senior class and speaks Mandarin Chinese.

Today Carson is 11 years old and taking a full college load, including physics, calculus, history and religion. His mother, Claretta, is attending classes with him.



Carson’s feet barely touched the ground when he played Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" on the piano during his admissions interview.

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This blog will continue to seek out Good News stories about people of African descent and share them with you each Tuesday. We need to tell the positive and upbeat information about OURstory. We can't depend on others to do it for us. Please pass along any Good News story that comes your way. In the case of bloggers ... we want you to join our Good News parade every Tuesday.

Don't Let Your Teen's Future Go Up In Smoke

I notice that the laws and restrictions on the use of marijuana have been going away in many places around the country. I don't sense much happening with those types of laws here in Ohio. I have two teenagers ... so I'm glad. Personally, I don't think that marijuana and teens are a good mix -- especially when it comes to learning and academic success.

We know that all young people face challenges as they grow and mature and that the dangers and temptations of drugs are all around. We also know that as a parent or someone who cares about young people, you want the very best for them; you want them to do even better than you did and lead productive lives.

While overall drug use among teens continues to drop, there are still too many brilliant young people whose potential is ruined. Don't let drugs destroy their chance of going to college or landing a good career.

• A teenage marijuana user's odds of dropping out are more than twice that of a non-user. [SOURCE]
• The short-term effects of marijuana use can include impaired memory and ability to learn.

Parents and family are still the most important influence in young peoples' lives so keep the lines of communication open, set a clear, 'no marijuana' rule, stay involved, and continue to discuss the dangers and consequences of drug use. You make a difference. Knowing that education is the key to a better tomorrow, you have the power to protect their potential and help lead them on the road to success.

Village Tip: Improve Your Credit Score

Many villagers have no idea what their credit score is. A credit score is a number that is used to predict how likely you are to pay back a loan. Your credit score starts with the information about you from your credit report. A mathematical formula – called a scoring model – is then used to create your credit score.

You can get a free copy of your credit report at www.AnnualCreditReport.com. The information in your credit report influences your credit score. Unlike your credit report, which you can get at no cost to you, you usually have to pay for your credit score. There are certain instances in which you are entitled to your credit score for free, for example if you are denied a loan on the basis of your credit score.

Studies show that the average person could save about $80 a year on interest by raising their credit score by just 30 points. Here are some ways to improve your credit score:

1. Pay more than the minimum payment so your balance doesn't build up.
2. Pay bills on time. If you have been late, paying on time for six to nine months can raise your score. One way to make sure your payments are on time is to set up automatic payments, or set up electronic reminders.
3. Don't borrow the maximum on any one card, even if there is a low-interest offer. If you ave card with $10,000 in available credit, don't owe more than $6,000. Credit scoring models look at how close you are to being 'maxed out', so try to keep your balances low in proportion to your overall credit limit.
4. Don't open two or three new cards within a couple of months. This will lower your score.
5. A long credit history will help your score. Credit scores are based on experience over time. The more experience you have with getting credit and paying your bills on time, the more information there is to determine whether you are a good credit risk.

A credit score of 730 or more will get you favorable rates on credit cards, auto loans and mortgages.

Broke-A$$ Brotha Tip #5: Retirement Planning and Investing

It is never too late to begin a program of retirement planning and investing. It would be better if you started sooner ... but, today is the first day of the rest of the life for any Broke-A$$ Brotha (or Sista)!   This blog likes to share tips with y'all about ways to increase revenue and decrease expenses ... we call them Broke-A$$ Brotha Tips.

Part of how Broke-A$$ Brothas get broke is procrastination. There is still time for you to make a commitment to a program of retirement planning and investing to plan for your future ... and the future of your progeny.

1. Commit to saving for retirement. - Just hoping that you'll have enough money for retirement is not a smart strategy. Social Security alone won't cut it It's wiser to take control of retirement planning yourself by investing in company 401(k) plans and IRA accounts. Also, make a plan to save on a regular basis, whether you start with $50 a month or $5,000 a year.
2. Create and adhere to a financial plan. - Having a plan enables you to how you can help your family in the fugure. For example, opening and contributing to a college saving fund gives you a sense of relief. There are many people who earn good income but don't think ahead for college education until the children are ready for college. President Obama wants to reduce the cost of college education ... but, we need to do our part.
3. Don't waste your money. - You want to grow your money not throw your money away. Don't depend on winning the lottery as an investment or retirement fund. Look to investment vehicles such as stocks, bonds and mutual funds. Real estate is also a definite idea for you to consider.

How are you doing with your retirement planning? Investments? How about your savings plan ... do you save a regular amount each month? Being Broke-A$$ ain't something any of us want. Use these tips to jump start your commitment to financial empowerment.

Gates Millennium Scholars Program

Every year, the Gates Millennium Scholars Program selects 1,000 talented minority students to receive a good-through-graduation scholarship to use at any college or university of their choice. The program provides scholars with personal and professional development through our leadership programs along with academic support throughout their college career.

Administered by the United Negro College Fund, the program was initially funded by a $1 billion grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Since 1999, it has funded the education of more than 16,000 students, awarding them more than $614 million dollars to pay for tuition, fees, books and housing.

The program aims to reduce financial barriers for African American and other students of color with high academic and leadership promise who have significant financial need; increase the representation of these target groups in the disciplines of computer science, education, engineering, library science, mathematics, public health and the sciences, where these groups are severely underrepresented; develop a diversified cadre of future leaders for America by facilitating successful completion of bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees; and provide seamless support from undergraduate through doctoral programs, for students selected as Gates Millennium Scholars entering target disciplines.

The deadline for submission is January 15, 2014.

Click here to learn more about the 2014 Gates Millennium Scholars program.

Obama's Weekly Address: Commemorating Labor Day

President Obama discusses Labor Day and reflects on the contributions of the working men and women in our country. The President says that by recommitting ourselves to the values of working Americans and coming together with common purpose, we can ensure that everyone who works hard has a chance to get ahead.



The Electronic Village joins our president in wishing a blessed Labor Day to all those who read our blog!

Am I Not Human? Emmett Till (1941-1955)

Emmitt Till was murdered on this day in 1955. Till was a 14-year-old African American boy who was beaten and shot to death by two white men. These men then threw the Till's mutilated body into the Tallahatchie River near Money, Mississippi. Young Till was killed for talking to and perhaps whistling at a white woman at a Mississippi grocery store. Later that year, Roy Bryant, whose wife Carolyn was the white woman at the store, and his half brother, J. W. Milam, were tried for Till's murder and acquitted by a jury of 12 white men.

In March, 2007, the FBI released a summary of its 8000 page report of its investigation of the murder of Emmett Till. This report also includes the 354 page transcript of the 1955 murder trial of J. W. Milam and Roy Bryant.

This gruesome photo of Emmett Till helped spark the civil rights movement. It demonstrated the brutality of southern violence towards African Americans, and created outrage across the nation. Emmett's mother, Mamie, insisted at his funeral that he be given an open-casket, so others could see what they had done to her boy.

The truth of what happened that night became public knowledge several months after the trial. William Bradford Huie, an Alabama journalist in Mississippi to report on the aftermath of the case, offered Bryant and Milam money to tell their story. Since the two could no longer be prosecuted for a crime of which they had already been acquitted, they gladly told for a fee of how they had beaten and killed young Till. Huie reported what the killers told him in Look magazine. Now publicly exposed as murderers, Bryant and Milam were ostracized by the community, and both moved elsewhere within a year. Emmett Till in death became a martyr for the civil rights movement, a symbol of the racial hatred African Americans had yet to overcome.

America has moved quantum leaps in terms of both civil and human rights since 1955. African Americans are no longer murdered for giving wolf whistles to white women. However, our gains are not guaranteed. All Americans need to be vigilant in protecting our national commitment to equality for all. All it will take for evil to prevail is for good people to do nothing.

Roots of Humanity feels that each of us can fight against human rights abuses in the world. We simply need to do something. Protest. Meditate. Pray. In the case of bloggers ... we want you to blog on the 27th of each month. Just share information on behalf of our human siblings in all suffering areas who are either barred from communication by their governments, or lacking in technology to ask: Am I Not Human?

Related articles

• Family of Emmett Till Discusses Zimmerman Verdict: 'Hard to Say That We've Moved Anywhere From 50 Years Ago'
• Money 1955: The Emmett Till Murder Trial - trailer by Rob Underhill
• Sumner facing tragic legacy of the Till case

Obama's Weekly Address: 'Making Higher Education More Affordable for the Middle Class'

In his weekly address, President Obama notes that while college education has never been more important, it has also never been more expensive -- which is why he proposed major new reforms this week to make college more affordable for middle class families and those fighting to get into the middle class.



College is expensive. I appreciate President Obama for bringing this issue into the public discussion. I wish that Congress would participate in this discussion.

Online Petition: Call on Federal Government to Regulate Tasers

Morgan Brown is an activist who wants to eliminate taser-related deaths in America. He recently created an online petition to 'Call on Federal Government to Regulate Stun Guns'. The petition reads as follows:

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Although it might be true that neither bullets or gunpowder are used in the deployment of Tasers or other stun guns, and even when the intention of the shooter is not to seriously maim or kill, nonetheless, these weapons are still deployed much like firearms and other lethal weapons in use by police and civilians, firing projectiles and also, no matter what the purported causes given whenever serious bodily injury or deaths occur after their use, these weapons employ enough energy with which to be lethal; either that or serious bodily injury or death can result afterwards, whether from the impact of a fall or other circumstance involved. This can particularly be the case when these weapons are used on certain populations who are at greater risk of serious bodily injury or even death.

It is deeply disturbing about how, more often than not, these weapons are deployed on unarmed citizens and most especially on people with disabilities, people living homeless, young children, senior citizens and so on, including when these individuals have not been a danger to others or themselves.

In fact, it has been the case that these weapons are being used for matters of mere non-compliance as well as convenience and, sometimes -- particularly when used in 'drive stun' mode -- apparently even to inflict pain as a means of torture.

It is obvious that this is a matter sorely in need of proper governmental intervention, oversight, regulation and enforcement.

How much serious bodily injury or how many more deaths are necessary in order to finally have something meaningful and real happen in order to change how and when Tasers and other stun guns are used?

Is it not time to call on the federal government to govern and regulate the law enforcement and civilian use of Tasers or other stun guns, just as they do with the law enforcement and civilian use of firearms and other lethal weapons?

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Tasers kill. That is why I signed a petition to President Barack Obama and U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (Vermont), which reads:

"The undersigned petitioners call on the Government of the United States to govern and regulate the law enforcement and civilian use of Tasers as well as other stun guns in the exact same manner it governs and regulates the law enforcement and civilian use of firearms and other lethal weapons."

Villagers, if you agree with the above petition language, please sign onto this petition calling on President Obama and the U.S. Congress to take action: http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/call-on-federal-government

Taser Death: Michael Ruiz (Phoenix AZ)

Michael Ruiz

It happened again! Michael Ruiz, an unarmed 44-year old man, may have needed help ... he didn't need to be electrocuted by these unidentified Phoenix police officers. What was their hurry? Were they missing a meal at the local doughnut shop?

Video taken by witnesses show 44-year-old Michael Angel Ruiz on the roof of his apartment building and police trying to talk the man down. Police then used a taser to kill him.

Ruiz jumped down from the roof and was quickly surrounded by police — who carried him down the stairs in handcuffs. Video shows his unsupported head hitting the stairs repeatedly on the way down.




Police are much too quick to use 50,000 volts of electricity from their taser guns to try to solve situations like this. Why would you tase an unarmed man on a roof? What is the rush?  Michael Ruiz will never see his two children again ... and that simply is wrong!

Wordless Wednesday: 1941 Kansas City Monarchs

SOURCE - Pinterest: 'Baseball Field of Dreams'

Say It Plain: Shirley Chisolm (1924-2005)

"I was the first American citizen to be elected to Congress in spite of the double drawbacks of being female and having skin darkened by melanin. When you put it that way, it sounds like a foolish reason for fame. In a just and free society it would be foolish. That I am a national figure because I was the first person in 192 years to be at once a congressman, black and a woman proves, I think, that our society is not yet either just or free." ~~ Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm

Wordless Wednesday: Barack Obama, Harvard Law School (1990)

Obasi Davis: Young, Gifted, Black and Oakland's Youth Poet Laureate

Earlier this summer, this blog introduced many of you to an aspiring young spoken word artist named Obasi Davis.  Obasi continues to share his passion for the spoken word with others in the community as evidenced in this interview conducted by the Oakland Public Library.


Oakland Poetry Finalist 2013 - Obasi Davis from Oakland Public Library on Vimeo.
The Post News Group recently shared some new and exciting news about young squire Davis!

Obasi Davis

The Oakland Public Library has selected 17-year-old Obasi Davis as the new Youth Poet Laureate for the City of Oakland.

Davis emerged as the best of eight talented finalists in a competition that began in April with a highly competitive process juried by accomplished authors, educators and community leaders.

Born and raised in Oakland, Davis is a founding member of the heralded poetry ensemble Young, Gifted and Black. A t student of prose and poetry since age 12, he has dedicated himself to his craft in workshops, at open mics and on stage at some of the nation’s largest performance venues.

Davis has shown leadership as a member of Spokes, Youth Speaks’ teen advisory board and production training program. Earlier this year, he represented the Bay Area as a member of its delegation to the Brave New Voices international Teen Poetry Slam and Festival.

California Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera, a judge in the competition, calls Davis “a rare master of the out-breath, “born into consciousness, singing. With the humanity-voice of Gwendolyn Brooks, the long-jeweled line of Ginsberg and his own Obasi magic, here stands a giant poet in the making – for the people of Oakland and the world.”

Judge Raphael Cohen, a poet and local publisher, immediately recognized Davis as a frontrunner. “He bravely engages the painful puzzles of young adulthood in an era that alternately derides or dismisses young people’s experiences, turning inward to explore his, and our, capacity for truth-telling and change-making. Expertly balancing a focused rage with an irrepressible tenderness, Davis is certain to inspire and activate a new generation of leaders through both the written and spoken word.”

Now in its second year, the Youth Poet Laureate competition was staged by Oakland Public Library’s Teen Services Department, in partnership with Youth Speaks, ProArts Gallery, Oakland School for the Arts and more than a dozen community partners.

As the winner, Davis will receive a $5,000 scholarship and the opportunity to officially represent the Oakland community through poetry, media, and public appearances.

Too often we are bombarded with negative news about young Black men in our community. Today we are proud of a young Black man who is developing his craft in a positive and future-oriented manner. Please share some Village-love with Obasi Davis!

Obama's Address: 'A Better Bargain for Responsible, Middle Class Homeowners'

In this week’s address, President Obama says that the housing market is starting to heal, and now it’s time to build on that progress by creating a better bargain for responsible, middle class homeowners. The President announced steps he will take to strengthen the housing market, and now Congress must act to help make home ownership a source of pride and middle class security for generations to come.



Do you ... or anyone you know ... plan to take advantage of these programs to encourage home ownership?

Who Murdered Bijan Shoushtari?

18-year old Bijan Shoushtari was a young man with a future.  I guess that all families feel that way about their children, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews or cousins.  But, you could sense something just a little special ... a little blessed ... a little hopeful ... if you ever spent time with Bijan. From church elders, to his kindergarten teacher, to former teammates at Hamilton High; all paint a picture of a young man who had promise and deep ties to the community.

He died this week.  18-years old.  And he went out with some friends less than a week ago ... and now he no longer walks the earth.  The police have no idea who did this evil deed.  Maybe you can help?!?

I write this blog from the greater Cincinnati area. I don't live in Los Angeles any longer. However, I know that many who read this blog do live in Los Angeles ... so it is on that infinitesimal chance that those who read my blog may know something that I post this video report from a local newscast in the area.

Bijan Shoushtari deserved better than this. Anyone with information is urged to call the Los Angeles Police Department.  If you don't have information or if you don't live in Southern California ... maybe the thing you can do is hug your child ... or call your parents ... or write your nephew ... or visit that relative who lives nearby.  Yesterday is gone.  Tomorrow is not promised to any of us.  Do something about your love and your family Today.

Wordless Wednesday: Rest In Peace, Bijan Shoushtari (1994-2013)

Pray First, Aim High and Stay Focused

There once was a man who had nothing for his family to eat. He had an old shotgun and three bullets. So, he decided that he would go out and kill something for dinner.

As he went down the road, he saw a rabbit and he shot at the rabbit and missed it. Then he saw a squirrel and fired a shot at the squirrel and missed it.

As he went further, he saw a wild turkey in the tree and he had only one bullet, but a voice came to him and said, "Pray first, aim high and stay focused."

However, at the same time, he saw a deer which was a better kill. He brought the gun down and aimed at the deer. But, then he saw a rattlesnake between his legs about to bite him. He naturally brought the gun down further to shoot the rattlesnake.

Still, the voice said again to him, "I said 'Pray, aim high and stay focused."

So, the man decided to listen to the voice. He prayed, then aimed the gun high up in the tree and shot the wild turkey.

The bullet bounced off the turkey and killed the deer. The handle fell off the gun and hit the snake in the head and killed it. And, when the gun had gone off, it knocked him into a pond.

When he stood to look around, he had fish in all his pockets, a dead deer and turkey to eat. The snake (Satan) was dead simply because the man listened to God.

Bottom line: Pray first before you do anything, aim and shoot high in your goals, and stay focused on God.

Obama's Weekly Address: 'Securing a Better Bargain for the Middle Class'

In this week's address, President Obama tells the American people that his plan for creating a better bargain for the middle class builds on the progress we've made, fighting our way back from the worst economic recession of our lifetimes.

Black Unemployment Drops to 12.6% in July 2013

The United States added 162,000 jobs in July 2013 - making it 41 consecutive months of private sector job growth - and unemployment rate dropped to 7.4 percent.  You can click here to check out the unemployment rate in your state.

There are about 11.5 million unemployed people in the country - and our nation's unemployment metrics.  There isn't a reason for ticker-tape parade with these numbers ... but, they do show that the economy is continuing to trend in a positive direction.

The numbers in the Black community are bad!

The unemployment rate in the Black community dropped in July 2013 to 12.6%. This compares to previous months:

• Jun 2013 - 13.7%
• May 2013 - 13.5%
• Apr 2013 - 13.2%
• Mar 2013 - 13.3%
• Jun 2012 - 14.4%

The unemployment rate for Black teenagers (age 16-19) is horrific - 41.6%. I guess I have more appreciation for my 16-year old daughter being able to find summer employment over the past few months!

The Labor Department said private companies accounted for virtually the entire 162,000 increase in jobs last month. Employment rose in retail trade, food services and drinking places, financial activities, and wholesale trade. The increase in jobs for July 2013 is below the 189,000 average sustained in the previous 12 months.

What is your opinion of the unemployment data that was released today?

Wordless Wednesday: Hey Barack ... Are You Ready for Some Football?

Taser Death: Deomain Hayman (Wilmington, DE)

It happened again! This time an unarmed and frightened 28-year old Deomain Hayman died shortly after being tased twice by unidentified Wilmington (DE) police officers.

Police said Hayman led police on a high-speed chase about 8:10 p.m. on Sunday, July 21, when they tried to pull over the minivan that he was driving for a registration violation. Police abandoned the chase, but officers were later flagged down by witnesses who saw the van about a mile away.

The police say that Hayman became combative and police deployed Tasers. Here is where the story gets a little cloudy. The police say that the taser guns both malfunctioned. They won't say what the malfunction was ... just that the 50,000 volts of electricity unleashed by the two unidentified police officers didn't do their jobs.

And yet this unarmed man ... guilty of avoiding a traffic stop ... is dead.

It took four officers and several sets of handcuffs to take Hayman into custody. Police say that he was placed in a seated position on the ground. Minutes later, he had trouble breathing and appeared to go into cardiac arrest.

Officers removed his handcuffs, started cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, and applied a defibrillator, according to police spokesman, but could not revive Hayman, who was rushed to Wilmington Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

We will see if the clouds can part and clarity be declared on this death. What we know for sure is than an unarmed man is dead ... and tasers were used. When will police stop reaching for their taser guns when a little commonsense and patience might do the trick?

Taser Death: John Wrana (Park Forest, IL)

It happened again! Unidentified Park Forest (IL) police officers couldn't handle the disrespect that they received from an angry 95-year old John Wrana at Victory Centre, a senior living community -- so they killed him.  

Yep, you read me right ... the guy was 95-years old! Older than your grandparents. Heck, he is probably older than your great-grandparents would be if they were still living. What was the punishment for disrespecting the police? They electrocuted him to death with their taser guns ... and then for good measure fired some bean bags into the elderly man.

John Wrana was ornery. Most 95-year old folks are ornery. He was being 'involuntarily' committed for medical treatment by the Victory Centre staff. The private ambulance firm that was onsite called 911 to get assistance from the police with a "combative" resident.

When police arrived, the man was threatening staff and paramedics with a metal cane and a 2-foot metal shoehorn, according to a police press release. Police demanded that he drop the cane and shoehorn, but he did not comply and then picked up a "12-inch butcher type kitchen knife." So, if the press release is to be believed, Wrana, had three (3) weapons in this two hands -- cane, shoehorn and a "butcher" kitchen knife (what the hell is a "butcher" kitchen knife)? Sound credible to you?

Unidentified police officers continued to command the man to surrender and follow their orders. They felt disrespected when he didn't comply immediately. Eventually the police pulled out their taser guns ... pointed the 50,000 volts of electricity at the 95-year old man ... and shot. That wasn't enough. The police then fired bean bag rounds at the man to get him to drop the knife and surrender. He did so and was taken into custody. Shortly, thereafter Wrana was declared dead by the local hospital staff.

What is the justification for electrocuting a 95-year old man? Are the Lake Forest police truly that inept that they can't subdue a man born in 1918 without killing him?

Obama's Weekly Address: 'A Better Bargain for the Middle Class'

In this week’s address, President Obama tells the American people about his speech at Knox College on Wednesday, where he discussed the cornerstones of what it means to be middle class, including having a good job, a home that is your own, quality education, a secure retirement, and affordable health care.

Watch this week's Weekly Address.

Taser Death: Dainell Simmons (Suffolk County, NY)

It happened again. This time an autistic 29-year old Dainell Simmons was in need of help. The folks at the group home where he lived called 911 to seek assistance. Three unidentified Suffolk County police officers arrived. The officers initially were able to calm Simmons after they were summoned to the Maryhaven Center of Hope facility, a tidy, two-story house with brown shingles and black and white trim in Middle Island. [SOURCE]

But when they told Simmons they were taking him to a hospital for a psychiatric evaluation, he began kicking and punching them ... and within minutes one officer began to pepper spray the mentally-ill man, while the other two police officers unleashed their taser guns on Mr. Simmons. He was tased at least twice by the officers.

Simmons became unresponsive. He was transported to John T. Mather Memorial Hospital, where he died.

The police told reporters that Simmons was acting "violent and uncontrollably" and that the decision to use a Taser appeared appropriate under the circumstances. Of course, that is usually how the police try to justify the unjustifiable. There were multiple police officers at the scene. Mr. Simmons was unarmed and he was autistic. Perhaps there are better ways to handle the situation then to pump 50,000 volts of electricity into his body on multiple occasions?

Designed by Cross-Eyed Architect....

...or the results of a strong tornado! What say u?

Unique Building * Hang Nga Guesthouse or Crazy House (Vietnam)

I've never traveled to another continent. I'm not proud of it ... it just turned out that way. If I were to travel to Vietnam ... it is likely I would find my way to the city of Da Lat. Folks say that Da Lat is a very romantic city with mountains and pleasant weather.

One of the sights to see in Da Lat is the Hang Nga Guesthouse and Gallery ... or 'Crazy House' as it is known by the Vietnamese.


The base of the house is an actual tree. Apparently, the architect is a woman (Hang Nga) whose father (Truong Chinh) used to be president of Viet Nam. The house is unique with its 'Jungle Book' theme. For example, many of the steps are designed to look like tree stumps. There are also several rooms (like the one in the photo below) with animal themes.

I wonder if either of the Obama daughters will grow up to be architects?

Xerox Technical Minority Scholarship

The Xerox Technical Minority Scholarship Program is designed to help cultivate minority students for potential recruitment in the field of technology. The scholarship amount award depends on the student's tuition balance, academic excellence and classification.

Applicants must be academic high-achievers with a GPA average of 3.0 or better and must be US citizens or visa-holding Permanent Residents of African American, Asian, Pacific Island, Native American, Native Alaskan, or Hispanic descent. The scholarship is not available to spouses and children of Xerox employees.

Applicants must also be enrolled as a full time undergraduate or graduate student in any of the following technical fields: Chemistry, Computing & Software Systems, Information Management, Material Science, Printing Management Science, Laser Optics, Physics, Material Science, and all forms of Engineering - including Software Engineering.

The deadline for this scholarship is usually in SEPTEMBER of each year, and the award amount is usually $1,000 - $10,000.

For more details, visit www.xerox.com/jobs/minority-scholarships/enus.html

VIDEO: The People Want Mandela

Nic Hofmeyr dug this one out of the archives, and remastered it from two damaged tapes. `THE PEOPLE WANT MANDELA' was a song that came from an initiative by the South African Musicians Alliance to celebrate the release of Nelson Mandela in 1990.



Written by Jennifer Ferguson, Rashid Lanie, Victor Ntoni and Ray Phiri, the song was recorded by some of the top South African artistes and musicians of the time.