Jack & Jill Politics

I'm really over this Michael Jackson talk. Is it possible to create a separate thread so that those who want to mourn him, can, and the rest of the people who came to read and discuss politics can bypass all that.

i found this comment on balloonjuice.com on a post about the media coverage of MJ death. I know some people have been complaining about the amount of coverage, this comment attempts to address this, and I think it does so very well.

media coverage of MJ death

Brachiator




James Joyner thinks the coverage of MJ’s death is over the top, and I completely agree. I will, however, note that while the MJ coverage is over the top, it still pales in comparison to the three day self-absorbed wankfest that followed Tim Russert’s death.

I guess the reference to Russert confirms that the blogosphere is its own kind of Village. While NBC and some newspapers covered Russert, it didn’t have anywhere near the world-wide impact of Jackson’s death.

I mean, people were noting how they got a copy of Thriller when they were kids and wore it out. I don’t recall reading many talking about how they got a video of a Russert MTP episode and watched it all day and night for weeks.

And while I see that many people have some kind of magical internal grief monitor by which they calibrate appropriate levels of grief that other people should feel or express, you really should keep this narcissistic shit to yourselves.

As I walked along the streets of Southern California yesterday, I was struck by the number of foreign language newspapers that had MJ on the front page. And noodling a bit at work, I was struck by this photo montage from the Daily Mail (Shocked fans gathered around the world to mourn Michael Jackson).

On the way home, I was listening to LA Times reporter and talk show host Patt Morrison on public radio, asking for listener reaction to Jackson’s death. One woman, originally from Saudi Arabia, spoke about hearing MJ on pirate radio broadcasts and how his music was connected with her dreams of wanting something more in her life than was laid out for her by her society. Another listener, from Romania, spoke about being able to see Jackson during one of his world tours, noting how the concert was attached to his memories of unshackling from totalitarianism.

A music industry executive noted how Jackson’s albums Off the Wall and especially Thriller broke big worldwide, where the past model was for even the most well-known artist to break big in the US and maybe the UK, and then gradually roll out in other countries. The Wiki notes of Thriller:


Following the release of the album’s first single “The Girl Is Mine”, some observers assumed Thriller would only be a minor hit record. With the release of the second single “Billie Jean”, the album topped the charts in many countries. At its peak, the album was selling a million copies a week worldwide. In just over a year, Thriller became—and currently remains—the best-selling album of all time.

But again I note that Jackson, musically and culturally speaking, had been a part of people’s lives since first burst onto the scene with the Jackson 5. Many people grew up along with him.

ricky —Name one musical contribution Jackson made that has lasted beyond the MTV playlist change.

I don’t know. In my little universe, any time corporate racism is blasted is a good day. Before MJ, the assumption was that white people might explode—just freaking blow up in their living rooms—if they saw black performers showing up on their teevees.

burnspbesq—Coltrane died at age 39. That was a tragedy, and an incalcuable loss.

This is a pointless game of one-upsmanship. You might as well say something like “Franz Schubert died at age31. That was a tragedy, and an incalculable loss.”

More real is the tangible impact that a musician or performer has on those who listen to their work, or who have had the pleasure of actually seeing them perform at their creative peak. Their effect on people’s eyes, ears and hearts is so great that they can barely believe it when the artist dies, and perhaps explains why some semi-seriously (and others with an obsessive weirdness) maintain that Elvis is still alive. And it certainly explains this often noted reaction to the death of jazz musician—yes, Wile E. Quixote—jazz musician Charlie Parker:

Shortly after Parker died, graffiti began appearing around New York with the words ‘Bird Lives.’

One of my favorite actors, Harry Lennix, got married.

Djena Graves and Harry Lennix III

Published: June 26, 2009

Djena Nichole Graves and Harry Joseph Lennix III were married Saturday. The Rev. Earl McClellan, a nondenominational Christian minister, officiated at the Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Austin, Tex.

Mrs. Lennix, 35, is the director of business development at ICV Capital Partners, an investment management company in New York. She is on the board of the Girls Educational and Mentoring Services, a New York advocacy and support group for sexually exploited girls and women, and the Harlem Success Academy, a charter school. She graduated from Florida A&M University and received an M.B.A. from New York University.

She is a daughter of Barbara H. Graves of Missouri City, Tex., and Eric R. Graves Sr. of Austin. Her father, who is retired, worked in Houston as the senior vice president of corporate communications for a print and television subsidiary of Loomis Publishing Services, which publishes periodicals and produces videos for the energy industry. Her mother retired as a neurosurgical operating room nurse at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital in Houston. She is a stepdaughter of Patricia F. Graves.

Mr. Lennix, 44, is a television, film and theater actor. He currently has a principal role on “Dollhouse,” a Fox television series. In 2007, Mr. Lennix made his Broadway debut in August Wilson’s “Radio Golf.” He is a trustee of the Robey Theater Company in Los Angeles. He graduated from Northwestern.

He is a son of Lillian C. Lennix of Chicago and the late Mr. Lennix Jr. His father was a machinist at Taylor Forge & Pipe Works in Chicago.

The couple met through a friend after Ms. Graves attended a performance of “Radio Golf.”

A version of this article appeared in print on June 28, 2009, on page ST14 of the New York edition.


http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/28/fashion/weddi...

I thought the Lennix was older than that for some reason and I certainly thought that he was married. I enjoy the roles I have seen him play, but I know very little about him and now I find I almost know nothing about him. Thanks for the link.

A compilation of Michael moonwalking, and generally being his Bad! dancin' self.

Moonwalking

I really appreciated Don Lemon's Man-in-the-Mirror CNN Special. Lemon was being respectful, and objectively matter-of-fact. He was thorough without resorting to (degenerating into) name-calling.

Lemon deserves consideration from other networks...ABC are you listening?

I'm tired of complaining about the Maureen Orffs, Mike Taibbis, Savannah Guthries and Jill Tubmans. I want to celebrate Michael Jackson.

Biography also did a really good one. It was nice hearing from people who actually KNEW Michael Jackson.

Even in death, MJ is once again bringin it:

http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/michael-jac...

Geraldo is bringing it tonight! "what if there's more to that death than accident?"
Why is Debbie now bringing up the fact that the kids aren't Mike's biological children? Messy be-atch! Is she trying to get some money for the sperm donor or her ex-lover and herself? So take Mike's legally adopted kids back to herself & the biological sperm donor/lover and demand that Mike's estate take care of them. Hell-to-the-naw!

It's going to be Obama's fault that the kids aren't Michaels. Give 'em back to Debbie and let Katherine keep all the money from Neverland.

If they do that she won't want them. I think that maybe the nanny who has taken care of them all these years would probably be the better one to have them. Since Michael kept them away from his family they don't really know them and they don't know the gold digger who is the biological mother; at least they could continue their life with someone they know well and it would be less traumatic for them. Mrs Jackson certainly isn't well enough to care for them. This will be a real problem for those children; but I certainly don't think they should be given to the biological mother. She sold them to Michael twice and it seems the courts would take that into consideration.

Ramone Bain being interviewed by Geraldo on Faux News Now

"It was Michael's personality to be very innocent"

2600 Acre Neverland Ranch to be Restored by Colony Capital LLC. Vacation to Neverland coming soon. Look this good news just enshrined Mike to Martyrdom. He will be a Saint before Mother Teresa!

Here is the link to Chairman, Thomas J. Barrack's message about Michael Jackson's death:

http://www.colonyinc.com/chairmanscornerblog_ju...
Yahooooooooooooo!

there's talk of the company trying to convince his family to have him buried there and use the huge revenue stream that a graceland style attraction would undoubtedly generate to settle his estate etc. i get it, and i'm sure it could be a great place, but there's also something incredibly sad and disturbing about it all, and i almost hope they don't.
the man himself said that after the trial and having investigators comb through the place, that it felt violated and that's why he didn't go back and live there; the man deserves some peace in death and perhaps that's really not the best place for him to get it, for once he deserves to not be used in service of yet another spectacle. i just hope that in everything that happens from here on out, someone is actually thinking about what michael would've wanted; god knows not enough people did that when he was alive.

Sucks. Colony Capital LLC bought the loan. this means they own it lock stock and barrel except for personal possesssions.
While alive there was probalbly an attempt to regain control. Dead, w/ minor children and a drawnout probate situation unless there is a WILL(get one everybody) they will make every stinking dime for a while. though they will need licensing rights to his image. But that will be abused unless the legal end is rock solid.

Didn't the news hint that there is a will? I know there are provisions made that should the guy of the Beetles be the longest liver that the remains of the Beetle Song book should be turned back to him as he stopped speaking to Michael over the purchase.

Color Online Quiz: Lit & Women's Studies. Win free book
http://coloronline.blogspot.com/2009/06/color-o...

Looking to connect with black book bloggers. If you review or regularly feature lit on your site, please drop your link.

June 27, 2009, 7:33 pm
UrbanEye Video Remix: ‘Thriller’ Anniversary
By Melena Ryzik


To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the “Thriller” video in 2008, the Tribeca Film Festival threw a party on the waterfront in Lower Manhattan and UrbanEye was there. The video’s director, John Landis; its assistant choreographer, Vincent Paterson; and a few Jackson impersonators turned up as hundreds of fans watched the video and did their version of the “Thriller” dance, menacing hands and all.

And on Saturday in Times Square, a “Thriller” flash mob convened:

Video

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/27/ur...

June 27, 2009, 1:00 pm
Sunday Breakfast Menu, June 28
By Janie Lorber

For a brief moment this week, Washington eyes — so focused on Tehran— turned to another international city, Buenos Aires.

Republicans suffered another blow this week when South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford admitted to an extramarital affair after disappearing from his state for several days in a bizarre episode for his state and his career. His confession and multiple apologies occurred just a week after Senator John Ensign, a Republican from Nevada who had also been moving into a more high-profile role among national G.O.P. leaders, publicly acknowledged his own indiscretions with a former campaign staff member.

Fallout from the twin disclosures likely will be part of the Sunday chatter, especially with Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour appearing on CBS’ “Face the Nation.” Mr. Barbour took over the helm of the Republican Governors Association last week when Mr. Sanford stepped down from the post, and has been traveling through New Hampshire and Iowa — always two early states in the presidential election cycles — in recent days.

Of course, the eking out of successful climate change legislation by House Democrats late Friday may also be part of the domestic discussion. As well as the continuing health care debate, anniversaries in the Iraq war, Iran’s situation and well, a multitude of pressing issues facing lawmakers and the White House.

Then, host Bob Schieffer turns to Iran and North Korea with Susan Rice, ambassador to the United Nations.

President Obama’s top strategist, David Axelrod, goes for a double, appearing on ABC’s “This Week” and NBC’s “Meet the Press.” NBC’s host David Gregory also talks with Mitt Romney, former Massachusetts governor and 2008 Republican presidential contender, who has been viewed — even more so in this last week — as one of the last candidates standing for 2012.

On CNN’s “State of the Union” John King talks with Gen. Ray Odierno, who replaced Gen. David Petraeus as the top commander in Iraq in September 2008. Then, it’s energy and the economy with Tim Pawlenty, governor of Minnesota and T. Boone Pickens, the oil tycoon turned wind energy enthusiast.

Tony Blair, former Prime Minister of Britain, is on Fareed Zakaria’s show, “GPS,” also on CNN.

“Fox New Sunday” starts off on domestic policy with Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and the Senate Republican leader, Mitch McConnell, of Kentucky. Then, Chris Wallace turns to Iraq in General Odierno’s second interview of the morning.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/27/s...

Wow...anyone remember The Jackson Variety Show?? With special guest Redd Foxx! LOL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdXrEqHJrPk

The end of this clip is great because all of the Jackson children performed at the same time. Rebbie, LaToya and Janet joined all the boys!!

And you know Redd Foxx had to tone it down for TV. His real routines were too, too nasty for TV! LOLOL


Who thinks young Janet looks like Sasha Obama? (Yeah, I'm being silly.....)

Hell, I can't believe half the stuff that made it to Sanford & Son!! LOL

Coming up next on Fox News, Greta VanSustern to give update on status of Neverland Ranch. Also, how the hell did Faux News find out what drugs Mike had in his system?

Oh they are probably lying or made up something since that is usually what their news is made of. I wouldn't believe anything they say unless I was there and saw it myself.

Roger Friedman.

He's done the best Michael Jackson stuff - on a serious tip - I've never seen his stuff be proven wrong. Whatever source he has in the Jackson camp, it's bonafide.

The Times of London is owned by a crazy right wing fanatic named Rupert Murdoch. As a rule he leaves the editorials and reporting to those smarter than him. He never forgets however there is that upper class group of twits whom thought Hitler should have won and that he should be a member.
to prove his bona fides he publishes garbage like this, usually personal attacks on First Lady Michelle Obama like this
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_...

A Man Whose Talents Far Outweighed His Eccentricities
By Liz Kelly
Saturday, June 27, 2009

A funny sort of thing happened Thursday when word of Michael Jackson's death started to sink into our cultural psyche: We weren't sure how to react.
While it's true that scores of Jackson fans gathered outside UCLA Medical Center, where the pop star had been rushed by paramedics, and that the news propelled sales of Jackson's songs on Amazon.com, many of us hesitated. Reminiscences of Jackson's infectious hits were tempered by the ugly reality of multiple charges of child molestation, the man's seeming inability to cope with the world, and his outre habits (children draped in veils, packing his onetime mansion Neverland with a village-worth of hideous life-size dolls.)

The memory of Michael Jackson, King of Pop, was threatened by "Wacko Jacko," increasingly reclusive and derided freakazoid.
But is it possible to honor one while continuing to back away from the other? To reconcile the very real disdain for the man while at the same time recognizing his music as every bit worthy of praise?
And by admitting that we appreciate the art of someone we find morally objectionable, are we selling out our own ethics?
Michael Jackson isn't the first person to inspire these questions. Commenting about classical musicians who were openly anti-Semitic or aligned themselves with Germany's Nazi regime, retired music critic Dimitri Drobatschewsky wrote:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/ar...

Last thing. The dinner table discussion above included talk about the children leaving me w/ these questions?
Are any of the children Michael's and Debbie Rowe's, i.e his sperm her egg(s)
Is Blanket his sperm and another woman or what?
It was seriously argued none of the childen are his biologically in any way.

Yeah, you gotta figure it's going to come up. DNA tests for the kids, while it may seem harsh, would be the only way to be clear about paternity. Of course, if he legally adopted them, then the questions ought to go away.

Also, Debbie Rowe signed away legal rights, correct? But if they are biologically hers and not his, then she probably doesn't have a claim. But if he adopted them, and they are biologically hers, there's the lawsuit, right there...

Whewww, I feel sorry for them already...

From outward appearances I would strongly agree. If any money comes up, the sperm donor will claim parental rights.

Fox News, who is the only one doing live reporting right now, just said that rumor is, Mike's body will lay in state in L.A. at the Staples Center Monday and Tuesday.

6/26/2009
Clarence Thomas Wants to Yank on Pubescent Panties:

There's porn websites devoted to what Savana Redding experienced when she was a 13-year old at Safford Middle School in Arizona. Yep, child molesters unwilling to make the commitment, you can read stories and see fantasy photos and videos (using adults as children) where some poor girl is accused of having drugs or a weapon on her and is forced to strip in front of school officials.

http://rudepundit.blogspot.com/

The Rude Pundit is ALL THAT AND A BAG OF DORITOS! NACHO CHEESE! LOVE HIM!

Damnnn! Talk about the 80's - all that and a bag of Doritos. Nacho Cheeze or otherwise.

:0)))

Slam Dunk!

OK Fess up. It's been 24 hours.
Just came back from dinner w/ the family and sister in law. After about 45 minutes of discusssing Michael, the jokes started flying based on song titles. Someone one said something down and Beat it was the reply.
How long did it take you and what was the best you heard/cracked?

I havent heard jokes, but about 2 hours ago, I just saw someone BUST THEIR AZZ trying to do that gangsta lean like MJ in Smooth Criminal...it was hilarious! I hope the guy didn't separate his shoulder but damn it was funny!

Ya'll know the one...at the 7:14 mark!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex30DYwQlHU

I haven't heard any jokes yet, but I found this from HuffPo...

Steve Martin: My Attempt at Moonwalking

With the correction that it was "Motown 25" and not the Grammy's, Steve is giving props to Michael. Watch the whole YouTube video and check out the 'musical guest artists!' Mike influenced a lot of people...

The jokes won't come from the outside but from among your friends.

Ruth Madoff Cedes Claim To Bernie's Assets

Ruth Madoff, the wife of one of the most reviled swindlers in history, has agreed to give up her potential claim to more than $80 million worth of assets, keeping just $2.5 million in cash in an agreement reached with federal prosecutors.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/27/ruth-m...

Umm... maybe she'll eat now that she's been granted a couple million dollars.

That's one anorexic looking chic.

And I ain't mad at Janet for going to Mike's house and packing up. Next Wednesday is the 1st and we ain't got no more money to pay that high azz rent. Word is "the Jacksons could at least wait until after the funeral to start scavenging Michael's stuff." They don't understand, this is about THE RENT! Janet told Katherine, "I'll go pack it up Momma and bring back Blanket's truck too". But you know that had to be hard for Janet. Where has she been for the last year anyway?

Where did you read/see this? I totally agree, I have had to go over to help pack up a cousin's home before to spare my aunt the pain and its not "scavenging"..its what families DO. I really can't stand the media cold sores who would dare to question a sister going to help pack up her deceased brother's home.

24/7 News! Janet rolled up into Mike's place, driving herself girl, with a fleet of moving vans following her. You know how we do, schedule the funeral two weeks out so Bubba 'nem can get off work to come. In the meantime, we got to get the money together and tie up the loose ends 'fo the funeral. Get our hair did.

I know this may not be the right time to say this, but Janet has long since been the only one out of all of 'em who ever had any sense. Fo' real. So it doesn't surprise me that Janet would be the practical one, to clear out the house before the vultures get there.

Don't forget about Rebie, she had sense not to get involved in all that mess and she had a pretty good voice. She married herself a responsible husband had her kids and one of them has the Jackson talent for music. I have always like Rebie, what little was known of her.

I'm right there with you on that one. I know it was rumored that Janet and JD had broken up, I bet my LAST dollar he is right there with her right now.

I agree, that's what drives me crazy when I hear people talk about 'those crazy Jacksons' or 'that whole family is nuts!' You got 9 kids- Michael, LaToya and Jermaine are the only ones you heard anything questionable about. The worst thing you can say about Janet is she got married twice without telling anybody. Can you blame her? The media is quick to celebrate marriage but even quicker to start break-up rumours.

The WGN channel is playing Charlie's Angels episodes.

I confess, I wanted to be Kelly.

I was Sabrina.

I was Sabrina, but I had that Farrah Flip..LOL

I was Bosley....

LOL! "Hello Angels"

LOL

Dr. Conrad Murray, Jackson's Doctor, Hires A Lawyer
del.ico.us ShareThisGILLIAN FLACCUS | June 27, 2009 07:19 PM EST

LOS ANGELES — Elvis had one. So did Anna Nicole Smith and Marilyn Monroe. They are the doctors who cater to celebrities, dispensing powerful painkillers and sedatives to some of Hollywood's best-known entertainers.

Now, as police investigate Michael Jackson's sudden death, questions are swirling around the King of Pop's personal cardiologist and his actions in the superstar's final days.

Dr. Conrad Murray reportedly was with Jackson when he stopped breathing Thursday and performed CPR until paramedics arrived. An ambulance crew worked on Jackson at his home for 42 minutes before rushing him to UCLA Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

The cardiologist has hired a Houston-based law firm and on Saturday, an attorney there said he was cooperating.

"Dr. Murray has never left L.A. since Mr. Jackson's death, and he remains there. Investigators have indicated Dr. Murray is considered a witness and is not in any way a target of any kind," William M. Stradley told The Associated Press. He said his colleague was meeting with investigators on Saturday.

Also on Saturday, the Rev. Jesse Jackson said the singer's family wants a private autopsy because of unanswered questions about how he died and about Murray.

And Jackson's longtime friend Deepak Chopra said he's been concerned since 2005 that physicians were overmedicating the singer.

The suspicions of Jackson's friends and family fit into a long-standing pattern of celebrity doctors becoming entangled in death investigations involving prescription drugs.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/27/dr-con...

This dude done f'ed up royally. The difference with Elvis, Anna Nicole and Marilyn was that their immediate family members were all passed away or virtually helpless (Anna Nicole) in getting through the circle that surrounded their loved one...not so with Michael. Oh hell naw, the Jacksons not gone stop. They will not rest and they have the pull and resources to find out exactly what happened.

Who knows what his family dynamics were, and I know his siblings all had their own lives to lead, but I wish that one of them could have always been with him pretty much 24/7...he had leeches attached to him throughout his life, and in many ways seemed naive.

This dude is so screwed. He'll be known forever more as the guy who killed Michael Jackson.

Yep, stick a fork in Doc; He's so DONE.

Damn, one of my friends said earlier "dude you killed The King of Pop, you might as well have given yourself a shot of demerol too."

Majorly fucked up. He's a damn Cardiologist for jake's sake.

On that 911 call the operator had to tell this fool to move MJ to a hard surface to perform CPR. That's nursing 101! SMFH.

Dr. Dea...I mean Dr. Murray was pumping him full of Demerol. That's some killer narcotic right there.

MJ was supposed to get taken out of that house by the coroner, he was long gone by the time that doctor called - he was doing "clean up" to cover himself...he is so done....he is WELL done..crisp..burnt. He can cancel Xmas, he is THAT done.

The doctor that VanSustren interviewed a bit ago stated that even with the mix of drugs that Mike reportedly had in his sytem, it would take hours for them to actually kill him. Uh, oh?

Now where the hell was Dr. Murray when he was supposed to be keeping an eye on the King of ALL music. Maybe the same place he went the night of Mike's death. Creeping?

Stick a fork in Doc Murray; HE.IS.DONE.

I agree...I do think there is much more to come out in this situation. A part of this puzzle is missing.

The alarm on my tinfoil hat has been going off nonstop since I read the transcript of the 911 call. What if the doctor WASN'T the one who actually administered the Demerol shot? If the doctor there when the paramedics arrived, when did he disappear? Why wasn't he asked to accompany his famous patient to the hospital? How COULD he just slip away and not be located for almost 3 days?

Something about this seems totally out of place. I gotta hear his side of the story.

Murray went to the hospital with them in the ambulance making sure they keep beating on this dead man's chest. He had to ensure he didn't get stuck with signing the death certificate of the King of All Music. He disappeared from the hospital.

Miranda, I ain't mad at the Jacksons for getting a 2nd autopsy. Who wants to wait 6-8 weeks to get an answer. That's not our people, we want to know who what where and why NOW. So, the coroner is not the only one who can tell us. Dr. Perper drug that out with Anna Nicole and he knew the whole time what drugs were in her system. The difference hear is that WE are not Anna Nicole no Elvis. The Jacksons want answers now so they can jack that corporate doctor up before he gets his story tight. Mike is not here to tell his side of the story. Dr. Murray hired 2 weeks ago by the Tour's insurance company and my son come up dead, ANSWER ME, NOW.

The Jacksons would be thought nuts if they didn't request that second autopsy.

Michael Jackson's doctor:
http://www.alternativehealthjournal.com/article...

Looking for summer reading for pre/teens? Check out Jacqueline Woodson at Color Online

http://coloronline.blogspot.com/2009/06/jaqueli...

thanks for this.

Got Poetry? Check "Camden, New Jersey" by Kate Rushin at Color Online
http://coloronline.blogspot.com/2009/06/camden-...

Today's Conversation You're So Lame Award of Shame:
Trashing MJ & Republican Foolishness

http://tinyurl.com/nkq3sz

rikyrah: ONE MO':

Conyers says little about wife’s legal troubles

On the day City Councilwoman Monica Conyers stepped into a federal courtroom at home in Detroit to plead guilty to bribery, her husband was at home in Washington. Several of Rep. John Conyers’ colleagues in the U.S. House said they weren’t aware his wife could soon wind up spending five years in prison.

Rather than take the easy shot, the top Republican on the House ethics committee declined to comment. Rep. Jerrold Nadler, a New York Democrat and a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, said “it shouldn’t have any impact at all” on John Conyers’ work in the House.

A few thousand dollars in bribes — including one accepted outside a Detroit fast-food restaurant named Mr. Fish — have all but ended the short political career of Monica Conyers. They haven’t made so much as a dent in the decades-long political career of John Conyers, a reserved yet adamant advocate for Detroit and Michigan who appears almost indifferent to the corruption scandal at home.

“My inclination is that John Conyers’ constituency is extremely independent of hers,” Wayne State University political science professor Lyke Thompson said. “He has worked long and hard to build up his own electoral base. … He is well-known for his accomplishments in Washington.”

It’s in Washington where the 80-year-old Conyers spends most of his time, apart from the wife who was born in 1964 — the same year he was first elected to the House. He’s rarely seen with Monica Conyers and the couple’s two sons, and has said little about the scandal that had swirled for more than year around his politically ambitious bride.

On Friday, as his wife was in a courtroom pleading guilty to a single count of conspiracy to commit bribery, Conyers declined to answer a reporter’s questions as he walked to the House floor for a vote. “I have no comment whatever,” he said.

“This has been a trying time for the Conyers family and, with hope and prayer, they will make it through this as a family,” the Congressman’s office said in a statement minutes after Monica Conyers entered her plea. “Public officials must expect to be held to the highest ethical and legal standards. With this in mind, Mr. Conyers wants to work towards helping his family and city recover from this serious matter.”

Prosecutors said Friday that Monica Conyers accepted two payments in late 2007 to support a city contract that would pay $47 million to Texas-based Synagro Technologies to recycle wastewater sludge and build a modern incinerator in Detroit. The council voted 5-4 to approve the deal, with Conyers supplying the decisive vote.

“She’s going to have to resign immediately, or (as) soon as she is sentenced,” Wayne State University law professor Peter Henning said. “She will be out of office within two months. This is just blatant bribery, the perception that someone on the Detroit City Council can be bought.”

Prosecutors have taken care to say John Conyers knew nothing about the bribery, and there are no signs it will affect his standing among voters who have sent him back to Congress every two years with at least 82 percent of the ballot since he was first elected.

A former aide in Conyers’ House office, Monica Esters married her boss in 1990. The couple has two sons: the eldest carries his father’s name and is a student at the University of Georgia. The younger son, Carl, attends the prestigious Cranbrook school in suburban Detroit.

She was a political rookie who largely campaigned on her husband’s name in 2005 when she won election to the nine-member council, and her four years in office have been defined by petty squabbling and name-calling. During a public hearing last year, she drew headlines for calling Council President Ken Cockrel Jr. “Shrek” — a reference to the green movie ogre.

“Is the city going to get competent elected officials or people with a name?” Henning said. “The name Conyers has been very powerful. Will this be a turning point for the city? It’s going to be up for the voters to decide.”

The nearly yearlong perjury investigation followed a text-messaging sex scandal involving ex-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and his former chief of staff, a draining collection of City Hall wrongdoing in a city struggling with high unemployment, rampant home foreclosures and an unforgiving economy.

“It is unfortunate that our city must, again, endure another set of unethical circumstances surrounding elected officials,” Mayor Dave Bing said in a statement. “This is further evidence of the need for and respect of strong ethical standards. However, we must stay focused on the job at hand — rebuilding and moving Detroit forward.”

COREY WILLIAMS and JEFF KAROUB, AP

BETCHA he's gonna BACK OFF PRESIDENT OBAMA - - - 4 a hot/New York minute! :>)

How old is Monica Conyers??

Miranda: I 'on't know! :>) Parker 404 seems to B in the "ballpark." I've looked at several "BIOS" --without AGES!.

+ Monica Conyers is Congressman John Conyers Wife

Meet Monica Conyers, Detroit City Councilwoman and Congressman John Conyers’ wife. She’s also facing federal corruption charges. Read about it below, read her biography and see photos and a some videos of some of her misbehavior.
Monica Conyers 1

Monica Conyers is nothing if not entertaining. Unfortunately as the Detroit City Council President Pro-Tempore and Congressman John Conyers wife, she wields a certain amount of power. She has a long history of being difficult. She’s the only Detroit City Council member to vote to keep Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick in office, for instance. She has been known to threaten people with guns and get into shouting matches at city council meetings. You can enjoy some of her antics by viewing the videos below.

She is currently under indictment on corruption charges. She has ‘received a pre-indictment letter from federal authorities who have given her until the end of today to reach a plea deal or they will proceed with possible criminal charges against her.’ She’s resisting the plea deal and instead, went on her weekly Detroit television show and told Detroit citizens that they’d better pray for her and pray for her NOW, or else.

“I just want to say that first and foremost publicly that I am a child of God,” she said. “And that all these things that are going on right now that I believe in my heart that God will deliver me from them. And so I say to all of the people out there if you’re not praying for me, then you’re just adding to the problem. And I would just respectfully ask that you keep your comments to yourselves and if you’re going to speak about someone, speak the truth. If you don’t have the truth to say, then keep your comments to yourself. You can’t comment on me, my husband or my family because you don’t know us. And for those of you who do know us, you know how to speak appropriately about us. And so I just say for all of you who have kept me in your prayers, who continue to lift me up in Jesus’ name every day, I just want to say thank you.”

As if Detroit doesn’t have enough problems already. Classy lady.

Monica Conyers Biography

Monica Conyers received her Bachelors degree from Bennett College with a major in Secondary Education and Political Science. Her Masters Degree is in Public Administration from Central Michigan University. She earned a Juris Doctor from the Univeristy of District of Columbia School of Law. She is a member of Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Order of the Easter Star and is on the Board of Directors of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. She is co-chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus Spouse’s Association.

Conyers served as an Intern in the Lyndon B. Johnson administration. She worked for 16 years in the Detroit Public School system as a teacher and administrator. She has been a member of the Detroit City Council and current serves as the Council President Pro Tempore.

As a child, Conyers worked as a papergirl, helping to support her family of seven. She has been married to U.S. Representative John Conyers for 17 years. They are the parents of two sons. John Conyers III is a student at the University of Georgia. Their other son, Carl, lives in Detroit.

There are PICS & VIDEOS in this article.

NO AGE! :>) :>)

She's YOUNGER than him! WE KNOW! :>)

About 44, 45

Too old to be this damn stupid.

Hey GLH! *hugs* How are you doing? Miss you around these parts! Could've used some of your peace these past couple of days.

I hope you're following doctor's orders young lady! *hands on hips, tapping toe* :-)

Sepia: HEEEEEEEY! :>) ***BIG HUGS*** back at-choo! :>)
I did a little postin' on Friday Evening! :>)
I HADTA B with my JJP Fam at "THIS TIME!" Sooooo S-A-D!!! :>(

YES! I'm followin' "doctor's orders" - - STRICTLY! :>)

Additionally, I've been "challenged" with some family care-takin' and needin' 2 work a little.

But, Ima MAKE IT!! :>) God is GOOD!! :>) I will B here so much LESS!
BUT- - -I must do what has been "assigned" 2 me. Annnnnnnd, I WILL. :>)

THANK YOU 4 YOUR PRAYERS & SUPPORT! LUV YA! :>) :>)

Sanford's trade mission to Argentina contradicted U.S. policy

WASHINGTON — When South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford added a stop in Argentina to his trade mission to Brazil last June, the side trip should've raised eyebrows because he was undertaking a trade mission that the U.S. government was unwilling to make.

Although Sanford described the visit in a statement Thursday as "an entirely professional and appropriate business development trip," Argentina has been a financial pariah since it defaulted on its international debt after its decade-long effort to peg its currency to the U.S. dollar collapsed in late 2001. Argentina effectively told its creditors it was their fault that they'd lent to the nation and declined to pay or restructure much of its foreign debt.

Sanford said Thursday that he'd repay South Carolina taxpayers for the $8,000 cost of his trip to Argentina.

The Commerce Department halted high-level trade missions to Argentina after Argentina reneged on its debts. A Commerce Department official, speaking on the condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to discuss the matter publicly, confirmed that Sanford's visit contradicted federal policy.

While he was in Argentina, Sanford met a former Argentine vice president whose administration had a falling out with Bush administration and had drawn close to Venezuela, a Cuba ally and a U.S. foe.

Sanford, not the U.S. Commerce Department, contacted the U.S. Embassy for quick help in setting up meetings with Argentine officials as he was modifying his trip to Brazil. Sanford was able to meet with Daniel Scioli, the governor of the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina's manufacturing and agriculture base.

Scioli (pronounced she-OH-lee) was vice president until 2007, and he used that post to win election as governor of the country's most important province. He's a former offshore powerboat racer who lost his right arm in a boating accident.

A Spanish-language press release, dated June 26, 2008, and still on the Web site of the U.S. Embassy in Argentina, said that Sanford and Scioli "shared ideas and opinions about how to expand commercial exchange and investment in their districts."

Argentina didn't agree to pay its debt to the Paris Club, made up of the 19 richest nations that provide loans to developing countries, until last September. In a Sept. 2 statement, the State Department called Argentina's willingness to repay "an important first step" toward creating opportunities for investors to return to Argentina.

It's not clear how Sanford, whose state generates 1.5 percent of all U.S. exports, arranged a meeting with the governor of Argentina's most important agricultural state. A Scioli aide declined comment, saying the Argentine governor's team didn't want to deal with a distraction with imminent provincial elections in Argentina.

Sanford's office wasn't answering calls from reporters on Thursday.

Sanford's tearful news conference on Wednesday suggests that trade wasn't the opportunity the South Carolina government sought in Argentina. Sanford has said the business trip was a legitimate effort to boost farm interests, but U.S. farmers are among those most hurt by Argentina's refusal to pay off its debts.

A group called the American Task Force Argentina continues to press for resolution. Among members it lists on its Web site are farm groups such as the American Corn Growers Association, the Independent Cattleman's Association of Texas and the Cattle Producers of Washington.

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/227/story/70798.html

Sanford's trade mission to Argentina contradicted U.S. policy


Oh.....so its against US policy to go "get some" and call it a trade mission?

Translation: Sanford was talking trade to provide a cover story for his trysts.

From Booker Rising:

Um, Y'all Might Wanna Change That Name.... I knew that they had signed the deal - Booker Rising reported on it days ago - but I didn't know the new venture's name. Russia’s Gazprom has signed a $2.5 billion deal with the state-operated Nigerian National Petroleum Company, and the new 50-50 venture is called NiGaz. Yes, you read right, NiGaz....the same as a not-uncommon spelling of the N-word.

Chris Arps, a black conservative Republican, writes over on Facebook: "I can't even make this up! NIGAZ???? I hope the 'i' is a long 'i'".

Tim Worstall, a British-born freelance journalist, writes: "Would you call a company 'Nigaz'? Probably not actually, no, given the way that the word is likely to be pronounced, you'd shy away from using that as your company name. More especially, you probably wouldn't use the name 'Nigaz' if your company were to be based in Nigeria (where there is, indeed, a large Hip Hop musical scene and a keen awareness of US slang). But that is indeed just what Gazprom, the Russian oil and gas giant, has done.....You have to think that brand consultants are in rather short supply in the Russian oil and gas business really."


http://www.bookerrising.net/2009/06/um-yall-mig...

This is a mickey ficking joke, right?

STOP.PLAYIN'. Just.stop.

Not playing. This is the truth.

Is there a 'behind the scenes' documentary of Michael at work in the studio writing, recording or arranging?

Still in production trying to figure out how to make millions out of it. I say put it in the movie theaters worldwide. Hold on, you'll get a shot to PAY to see it.

Ahmadenijad needs to worry about what his own people are saying instead of instigating and agitating Obama. His worry about the wrong thing is supposed to keep him viable? Sheesh.

Where is "The Wiz"?? What is wrong with BET and TV One??

probably some royalty or rights arguments... You know how people get when folks die...

Miranda: Here's a little REMEMBRANCE:

+ The WIZ! "Ease on Down" Celebrating 30 Years of Movie Magic!

+ the wiz [1:13 MIN.]

+ You cant Win [NO video] SORRY.

+ Michael Jackson Deep Voice [Very SHORT]

+ The Wiz trailer

HOW 'BOUT THIS? :>)
+ can you feel a brand new day? :>)

I'LL TH'OW THESE IN: :>) 30th ANNIVERSARY of MICHAEL JACKSON

+ Michael Jackson 30th anniversary part 1

+ Michael Jackson 30th anniversary concert part 2

+ Michael Jackson 30th anniversary pt.3


LONG LIVE "THE KING!! 4-EVER IN OUR HEARTS!! :>)

ENJOY!!!! :>)

Thanks GLH!! I found "You can't Win"!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YrinCQOxB0

I can't believe BET and TV One aren't showing The Wiz over and over this weekend!!!!! GAWD I can't stand these sorry azz program directors and execs and these networks OR on black radio right now. It makes no damn sense for me to hear ANYTHING on V103, 104.1, 107.5 or 107.9 in Atlanta other than Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five!!! There are enough recordings from Michael alone or with his brothers that I wouldn't have to hear a repeated song for 4 days!!!!!!!!! This shit is ridiculous!!!

LOL! I brought the last DVD of the Whiz at Blockbuster today. The store in my hood ordered 300 Friday,and had them shipped overnight.

HA! The Wal-mart closest to me had out the whole display of The Jackson 5 Ultimate Collection and Michael's Greatest Hits...LOL, had to get'em!! They didn't have The Wiz though :(

Where is the Jackson Family Reunion?

It will be on later on TVOne - The Jacksons Mini-series. It was on at Noon today, and will be re-run later on tonight.

Somebody's getting an email from me over this obvious slight at not showing "The Wiz"....hell, as often as TBS and TNT show "The Wizard of Oz" I shouldn't even HAVE to complain about friggin BET and TV One not showing The Wiz at least twice a year! DAMN!!! What kind of foolishness IS THIS??

BWA HA HA! Girl you Jonesing big time for some Wiz. We got to get you a fix soon.

What's up with these stations? They're slow on the draw.

Chile! I didn't know that my girlfriend who has the DVD, is out of town this weekend!!! Dont you know I had assumed I'd be going over to her place to watch it?!? And now she's in DC and amother girlfriend is like "what is WE GONE DO??!!"

Orrrr - the library.

the library??

(scratches head......)

huh...the library......ok....how wrong am I that I dont even know where the closest library IS to me right now? hmmm, I'm sure there's one in downtown somewhere....gee Wordsmith..the library...that's so 80s! lol!

So 80's!?!! Fits right in with Michael!

Ohhh....I kid the 80's.

Miranda - no ONE thinks of the library. I constantly get things there. Yep, we have 3 copies, 1 is in.

FYI - (for no freakin' reason) The city just finished a branch library up the road from $4 million - Golden LEED - green - library. I'm psyched.

Hey....and you can even look it up online to see if the DVD is in!! Who knew?!?!

(its just a damn shame that I'd forgotten all about the library!)

LOL! hang in ther, Miranda. I spent the afternoon with the group of teen
girls that I mentor.

They were more than ready to talk about Michael Jackson, and so I lead a
forum and they went at it for 2 and half hours.

I marvel at and am always enlighten by awareness. They can see through the
media hyperbole. T

These teens have seen and been through alot. They know the price one can
pay for harnessing the power of creativity, and they also know they can
choose different paths.


We listened to his music and capped the day off by watching the Wiz. It was
a grand day!

Spirit, THANK YOU for doing your thang with these girls. Oh how I wish more folks would do this with more teens, both boys and girls.

We would have better relationships with our young'ns if we did this more often.

THANK YOU!!!!

WalMart is on point! Or try a local store (if there are any left...)

No, that REAL reunion that they filmed with the actual Jackson Family a while back.

Oh, that was last night. I'm watching my Tivo of it right now - the 30th Anniversary Celebration of Michael Jackson in entertainment. Watching this crowd go crazy while singing these songs - it brought tears to my eyes.

The crowd was...the world...Black, White, Asian, Latino, Old, Young, just singing along.

I know!!

According to bloomberg Michael Jackson gave(sold) Sony an option to buy his half of the Sony ATV partnership that holds the publishing rights to the Beatles catalogue in 2006. This allowed Jackson to deal w/ $300 million in loans.

I would love to know what the option looks like because a date is involved. Sony is going to go to mattresses like the mob to keep this option alive if Michael Jackson's affairs are not in order. Even the excercise was will be contested because of the current value of the partnership. If Jackson's publishing rights are in it, it will be worth serious money based on his catalogue alone.

While this fight is going on, the children and the wife will be "depending on the charity of others". That will be down right ugly.

Moral of this story is get a will and a living will for hospitalization. The latter is even more important IMO because disspating assets to keep my sorry ass alive in a hopital is a fate worse than death.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087...

Good article, RobM. It mentions that Warner Bros. owns the publishing rights to MJ's music. I wonder why he never sought to buy them?

Here's another article about Sony/ATV: http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssConsumerElec...

RobM: HEEEY! :>)

My CHECKBOOK has been "JACKED" since I haven't been able to post. :>) :>)

But, I "channel U" erry-once-in-a- while, annnnd it straightens up!! :>) :>)

THANKS!! LUV YA! :>)