The Love I Lost.....I remember losing my innocence

The Love I lost....

You have to give it up to Gina Bianchini CEO and co-founder of the Ning social networks. I contacted her about an interview....I just wanted to speak with a person with that type of progressive thinking. I'm addicted...I'm on four Ning's sites!!! I was introduced to social networks in 2005 with Myspace...(it was a bitch figuring out those HTML codes)...the Ning format gives it a more personal feel. While on the Curie site (My unofficial high school alumni site) I get very nostalgic. One of the things that I remember the most is when I I lost my innocence. I was so green when I got to Curie...at the age of thirteen I had an enormous amount of admiration for the ladies...I wanted to do things like give them flowers...some real romantic shit. On a side note..... when I think about I was very color struck....I had to have someone as close as I could get to Lisa Bonet.....(that's another posting.....) I knew nobody when I got to Curie......didn't have much either....my freshman year the fam was going through hard times.....my gear had no sex appeal.....which left me with only my personality....so I used the hell out of it.

In life I have had the opportunity to date some very interesting girls/women. More then one of them could have been the one. I have to admit....I didn't have a clue on how to love.....I though I did.....I was ignorant when it came to understanding emotions. As a child.... I didn't listen or no one told me how to love a Black Woman. Coming up I never knew a man in my life that was faithful...let me rephrase that....coming up it appeared to be cool to be less then faith in a relationship. I learned at an early age that a lady always makes a man appear a little bit fresher.......so many times I used the ladies just for that......and don't even talk about sex....I never considered the emotions that came alone with it....the ladies feelings.....and at times my feelings got caught up.

I have two sons and a daughter....and I explained to them what wasn't explained to me. Unconditional love is very precious and should be cherished...it is also something that you work at annually. Sex comes with huge responsibility....You must consider your spirit, health, and sanity.... and for the person your involved with you have do the same. True love doesn't come by often....so when you find it...do right by it......So for the Love I Lost....maybe I can make it right by teaching my children the right way to love....by doing that just maybe I might right my wrong in the universe of that crazy thing called love.

Rollie
48Bars.com

Lt. Gov Pat Quinn Gets Promoted

So the 60 yr old former Lt. Governor Pat Quinn gets the nod yesterday with a unanimous 59-0 vote from the Senate. Today the new Illinois Governor had his first full day of work. He of course promises reform under his term which to me is easier said than done. In these corrupted times -politically and economically he faces many challenges. One of the biggest challenges on his "to do list" will have to be the state of Illinois deficit which is in excess of $3 billion.

RNC elects its first African-American leader

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Michael Steele, a former Maryland lieutenant governor, was elected chairman of the Republican National Committee on Friday.

Steele, the first African-American to hold the post, defeated South Carolina GOP Chairman Katon Dawson, 91-77, in the final round of voting among the RNC's 168 members. Only 86 votes were needed.

"This is our opportunity. I cannot do this by myself," he told the crowd at the annual RNC meeting Friday. "God bless you, and God bless our party. ... It's going to be a new day."

Steele also told his fellow party members that it will be a "great honor to spar" with President Obama.

For the duration of his campaign, Steele fought perceptions that he was too moderate to lead the party because of his blue-state roots and his former membership in the Republican Leadership Council, a group that sought to curb the influence of social conservatives in the party.

cnn.com

GOP fights to keep Gregg in the Senate

By Manu Raju & Jonathan Martin

Republicans in Washington and New Hampshire are mounting a full-court press to keep Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.) in the Senate and out of the Obama administration, aides and senators said Friday.

But if he does take the commerce secretary job, they want a commitment that New Hampshire’s Democratic governor will appoint a Republican senator so the party holds at least 41 seats, the minimum needed to sustain filibusters. No such commitments have been made, even as Granite State Republican sources tell Politico they are worried Gregg will take the Cabinet job if offered it by Obama.

“I think it would be a loss to the Senate of a great mind and somebody who I think we need a lot as we chart our way through economic challenge,” Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, told Politico on Friday.

politico.com

FBI: Burgeoning gangs behind up to 80% of U.S. crime

By Kevin Johnson, USA TODAY

Criminal gangs in the USA have swelled to an estimated 1 million members responsible for up to 80% of crimes in communities across the nation, according to a gang threat assessment compiled by federal officials.

The major findings in a report by the Justice Department's National Gang Intelligence Center, which has not been publicly released, conclude gangs are the "primary retail-level distributors of most illicit drugs" and several are "capable" of competing with major U.S.-based Mexican drug-trafficking organizations.

"A rising number of U.S.-based gangs are seemingly intent on developing working relationships" with U.S. and foreign drug-trafficking organizations and other criminal groups to "gain direct access to foreign sources of illicit drugs," the report concludes.

The gang population estimate is up 200,000 since 2005.

Bruce Ferrell, chairman of the Midwest Gang Investigators Association, whose group monitors gang activity in 10 states, says the number of gang members may be even higher than the report's estimate.

usatoday.com

Developing Story: Illinois lawmakers oust Gov. Rod Blagojevich

CHICAGO, Illinois (CNN) -- The Illinois Senate on Thursday voted unanimously to remove impeached Gov. Rod Blagojevich from office. Blagojevich was arrested on federal corruption charges in December. Federal authorities allege, among other things, that he was trying to sell or trade the Senate seat that became vacant after Barack Obama was elected president.
After the governor's arrest, the state House voted overwhelmingly to impeach him. The Senate vote was 59-0.
Moments after removing him from office, the Illinois Senate also voted unanimously to prevent Blagojevich from ever holding political office in the state again.
cnn.com

'Notorious' Writer Attached To Run-DMC Flick

Author: Slava Kuperstein

, screenwriter for Notorious, the Notorious B.I.G. biopic, will be adding another Hip Hop movie to his resume.

The writer is attached to adapt Bill Adler's Tougher Than Leather: The Rise of Run-DMC -- The Authorized Biography, reports HollywoodReporter.com.

The movie will be made on DJ Classicz, the urban division of Davis Entertainment.

"It's an extraordinary rags-to-riches journey that I'm eager to bring to the screen," sauid Dallas Jackson, president of DJ Classicz. "And I'm hoping to have Run, DMC and Russell Simmons' involvement. This will be a big movie about the 1980s Hip Hop movement that took over the world."

Coker recently signed on to write the Imagine/Universal project "Lowriders."

Young Jeezy Responds To Bill O'Reilly, Declines Invite To Appear On His Show

Words by Miles Bennett

If you haven't heard yet, Young Jeezy's most recent single, "My President," got a lot of attention, especially from Fox News' republican news host Bill O'Reilly, who called the rapper's track "offensive" and was filled with "hate."

During a recent broadcast Bill's show, "The O'Reilly Factor," the news host "invited" Jeezy to appear on his show, while a guest commentator called Jeezy "Young Emphysema." Contrary to reports, the Atlanta rapper has not accepted his invitation.

However, Jeezy hasn't taken the comments from O'Reilly lightly, addressing him via a new verse on the "My President (Remix)" featuring Jay-Z. The rapper explained that he "had to say what's on my mind like Oprah," according to MTV.

"Bill O'Reilly, eat a d***, nice try / You're really being a racist a**hole in a nice tie / And tell Dennis Miller his show suck anyway, and I'd rather watch Jimmy Kimmel any day," Jeezy raps on the new verse.

ballerstatus.com

Breaking News: Blagojevich says he has done nothing wrong

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois (CNN) -- Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich appeared before state senators Thursday for the first time during his impeachment trial, saying he has done "absolutely nothing wrong."

He said there's been a "rush to judgment and an evisceration of presumption of innocence."

The governor said the prosecution has not proven the allegations, which are based on a criminal complaint released by federal authorities in December, when he was arrested on federal corruption charges.

"How can you throw a governor out of office on a criminal complaint, and you haven't been able to show or prove any criminal activity?" he asked.

"How can you throw a governor out of office who is clamoring and begging and pleading with you to give him a chance to bring witnesses in, to prove his innocence, to do more than just ask for a presumption of innocence?"

Because Blagojevich, a Democrat, is giving a closing argument, not testimony, senators will not be able to question him, and he will not be cross-examined by the prosecutor for the House of Representatives, which impeached the governor in a nearly unanimous vote.

cnn.com

Breaking News: House Passes Obama's Stimulus Plan

The Democratic-controlled House approved $819 billion in spending increases and tax cuts at the heart of President Barack Obama's economic recovery program Wednesday evening, despite Republicans' charges that the bill is wasteful. "We don't have a moment to spare," Obama said in the East Room of the White House just hours before the House roll call was to be taken. Obama said he and the business leaders agreed that there's still time to turn the economy around. Obama publicly acknowledged skepticism about "the size and scale" of the plan. Republicans insisted Wednesday that their own plan, focusing on tax relief, would create twice as many new jobs -- 6.2 million -- as the plan Obama is pushing, while costing about half as much. House Minority Leader John Boehner said Republicans remain "disappointed" in the stimulus plan coming to a vote. He said it includes a "lot of wasteful spending that won't create jobs." He said the GOP plan for "fast-acting tax relief" would "create jobs and preserve jobs in America."Obama's package includes about $550 billion in spending and roughly $275 billion in tax cuts. Democrats have deleted $20 million for renovating the National Mall after Republicans criticized it as wasteful.

clickorlando.com

Obama to Host White House Happy Hour

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama has invited Republican and Democratic lawmakers for drinks at the White House as they consider his economic recovery bill that still faces opposition.

White House aides say about two dozen key members of Congress were invited to the Executive Mansion Wednesday evening. The guest list includes six House Democrats, six House Republicans and five senators from each party. One day after President Obama visited Capitol Hill, he is returning the favor by being host to about two dozen Democrats and Republicans on his turf. The event, scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m., is the first-of-a-kind gathering in the new administration and the latest sign that Mr. Obama is attempting to build relationships with Congress.

The bipartisan affair is set to come shortly after the House considers the president's economic stimulus bill. The roll call vote could make for some interesting conversation, particularly if the bulk of Republicans oppose the proposal as planned.

The reception will take place in the Red, Blue and Green rooms of the executive mansion.

thehuffingtonpost.com

U.S. retrieves MP3 player with military files

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - A New Zealand man who bought a second-hand MP3 player that contained U.S. military files on personnel who served in Afghanistan and Iraq handed it over to U.S. officials on Wednesday, New Zealand media reported.

Chris Ogle, 29, bought the $10 MP3 at a thrift shop in Oklahoma but when he plugged it in discovered it contained 60 U.S. military files, said New Zealand television program One News which broke the story.

The files contained the names and personal details of American soldiers, including ones who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as information about equipment deployed to bases and a mission briefing, said One News.
reuters.com

CIA Station Chief in Algeria Accused of Rapes

By BRIAN ROSS, KATE McCARTHY, and ANGELA M. HILL

The CIA's station chief at its sensitive post in Algeria is under investigation by the U.S. Justice Department for allegedly raping at least two Muslim women who claim he laced their drinks with a knock-out drug, U.S. law enforcement sources tell ABC News.

Officials say the 41-year old CIA officer, a convert to Islam, was ordered home by the U.S. Ambassador, David Pearce, in October after the women came forward with their rape allegations in September.
abcnews.go.com

Recession for Some Depression for Others: With No Job and 5 kids, 'Better To End Our Lives,' man wrote

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- It was described as one of the most grisly scenes Los Angeles police had ever encountered: the bodies of five small children and their parents, all shot to death, in two upstairs rooms of the family's home.

"The reaction on their faces was not a pretty sight," neighbor Jasmine Gomez told CNN. "There was an officer who came out of the house throwing up."

But even more incomprehensible to some was the story that emerged after the bodies were found Tuesday: A father who, after he and his wife were fired from their jobs, killed all six family members before turning the gun on himself.

In a letter faxed to Los Angeles television station KABC before his suicide, Ervin Antonio Lupoe blamed his former employer for the deaths, detailing his grievance against Kaiser Permanente's West Los Angeles Medical Center, where he and his wife Ana had worked as technicians.

cnn.com

Bailout Recipients Hosted Call To Defeat Key Labor Bill

Three days after receiving $25 billion in federal bailout funds, Bank of America Corp. hosted a conference call with conservative activists and business officials to organize opposition to the U.S. labor community's top legislative priority.

Participants on the October 17 call -- including at least one representative from another bailout recipient, AIG -- were urged to persuade their clients to send "large contributions" to groups working against the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), as well as to vulnerable Senate Republicans, who could help block passage of the bill.

Bernie Marcus, the charismatic co-founder of Home Depot, led the call along with Rick Berman, an aggressive EFCA opponent and founder of the Center for Union Facts. Over the course of an hour, the two framed the legislation as an existential threat to American capitalism, or worse.

thehuffingtonpost.com

Limbaugh ...U Just Wait...The "MANIFESTO" is coming

Okay..... so this "MAAARK" has been using his "right-winged" hate filled -racially charged -bogus ass radio station to inform his listeners of the hopes of failure he wishes upon my President. President Obama fired back urging top Republican leaders to stop listening and/or buying into Limbaugh's BS if they want to get along with Democrats and our new administration.

Just look at this dude...... if I looked like this.... I venture to say that I would be mad too and pick a race of people (who obviously look waaay more appealing -to attack with nonsense and rhetoric.

Hmmmmmn?? I can't wait to hit this -"u know what?".... along w/ Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck with the "MANIFESTO" which will be comprised by Rollie and myself at a later date....

-Stay Tuned Again!!!
Adero Dawson

Prsident Obama on Arab network/New York City fears/Blagojevich tapes/Baron Davis' Documentary

President Obama chooses Arab network for first TV interview...
New York City fears return to 1970s..
FBI agent verifies Blagojevich tapes
Sneak Preview Of Baron Davis' Documentary 'Crips & Bloods: Made In America'

What's with the Depressed Kanye???

Notorius Ink
chillyo.com
I like the happy Kanye better.....

Senate passes bill to delay digital TV switch

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Senate passed a bill on Monday to delay the nationwide switch to digital TV signals, giving consumers nearly four more months to prepare.

The transition date would move to June 12 from February 17 under the bill that was fueled by worries that viewers are not technically ready for the congressionally-mandated switch-over.

It also would allow consumers with expired coupons, available from the government to offset the cost of a $40 converter box, to request new coupons. The government ran out of coupons earlier this month, and about 2.5 million Americans are on a waiting list for them.

I finally got my coupons.....

Final week of January 2009: 68,000 jobs lost

click on picture to enlarge

48Bars Psychedelic Trip Concert Series

,ADERO

LOCK & Lady Luck

QUELLE

BENNY FRANK

MOGIE

More pics from the 48Bars Psychedelic Trip Concert Series....we will be bringing you updates as to tha time and specific location of our next show........

Blagojevich makes TV rounds as impeachment trial set to begin

Impeachment proceedings against Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich are scheduled to begin Monday in the state Senate, but the embattled governor is expected to skip the trial and instead appear on several television programs.

Blagojevich is facing federal corruption allegations, including trying to trade or sell the Senate seat that became vacant after Barack Obama was elected president.

The second-term Democratic governor has denied wrongdoing.

In his first live prime-time interview, Blagojevich will appear Monday on CNN's "Larry King Live."

He spoke with ABC's "Good Morning America" on Monday morning and was scheduled to appear with his wife later Monday on ABC's "The View."

On "Good Morning America," Blagojevich said he considered appointing Oprah Winfrey as Obama's Senate replacement.

cnn.com

48Bars: "your political & hip hop news " Weekend Report

President Takes On Rush Limbaugh in New Media War
Jay-Z Talks "Blueprint 3"
Little-known congresswoman picked for Clinton seat...
D'Angelo Plotting Collaboration With Prince For Comeback Album
Obama lifts restrictions on abortion funding...
Feds allow first test of human stem cell therapy...
Former Bad Boy Rapper Accuses Diddy Of Shady Business Practices
Feds allow first test of human stem cell therapy...

BREAKING: Bush Pardons Osama bin Laden

WASHINGTON, DC: In a stunning late-hour development, President George W. Bush has granted Osama bin Laden a pardon for the murder of more than 2,700 Americans in the fall of 2001.

"This kinda came out of nowhere," said a White House aide who requested anonymity. "I wouldn't have put bin Laden on the short list myself. On the other hand, maybe this is the president's way of finding closure. Because ... y'know ... he wasn't actually able to kill bin Laden, or capture him, or even keep him from making all those (expletive) videos. I mean, jeez, let's face it: Osama bin Laden is basically a one-man Netflix of cave movies."

The aide paused, then went on to say, "Can you believe this dude (Bush) was actually president for eight (expletive) years? What were we thinking? Seriously, what the (expletive) were we thinking?"

The aide began weeping quietly. "May God have mercy on me for my role in the unfathomable travesty that was the Bush administration. "Conservative columnist William Kristol insisted the pardon made sense. "George W. Bush is a brilliant strategist. I'm sure he has a good reason for this pardon. I'll figure it out." Kristol sucked his thumb for a few minutes, lost in thought. He was then distracted by a brightly colored piece of string.A passerby, told of the bin Laden pardon, offered a possible explanation: "Maybe Bush is trying to smoke him out. Wasn't that the plan?"

huffingtonpost.com

A Shout Out to Khari Stallworth and Negitive Image

A special shout out to my big cuzo... who is actually more like my big brother... that's right he's my blood -Khari "D House" Stallworth. So, real quick.... before I jump into what it is that my cuzo does professionally, I would just like to take a moment to share a milestone memory. It is one of the main reasons why I became immersed in music (not just hip hop).


Okay ...so the year was like 83' or 84', I was maybe 10 or 11 yrs old. My cousin Khari was already a young teen and just copped (2) turntables and a mixer. Now at the time "hip hop" as a force in music wasn't achieved yet. A few joints was poppin off like Sugar Hill's "Rapper's Delight", Kurtis Blow's "The Breaks", Rappin Duke's "Da Ha Da Ha", and maybe Run DMC's "Rock Box or King of Rock". During that time an on the rise form of music that was very popular and prevalent at that time was House Muzik! Now for me House Music was nothing more than 70's disco favorites my mother would play in the crib on weekends while cleaning. Khari introduced me to the cornerstone of all parties and hip hop- and all music on a whole - "tha DJ". He was the first kat that instructed me how to blend 2 records playing together simultaneously. I was amazed by his skill level and he showed me the ins and outs to proper DJayin etiquette. Well, soon after I copped my own tables and mixer ....the rest is ..well almost was history!? Ya boy actually started rhyming soon after a short-lived "House DJayin" mini career and was whisked away by the phenomena that is "HIP HOP" -forever impacting ya boy's life!

Aiight... so boom that's my moment. Now I would like to shift the focus back to cuzo and what it is that he does for a living. Khari Stallworth, a Chicago native currently resides in California just outside of LA. He is first and foremost an exceptional photographer with an extensive portfolio, he is also a talented screen writer and film maker. Khari also heads his very own photo/film company known as "NEGITIVE IMAGE". Khari's resume' is extensive as it is official, he continues to add to it every chance he gets. From his humble beginnings working as a gofer on "EXTRA" to being one of the paparazzi for Hollywood's elite. He is finally where I feel he wants to be, doing recent work on various film editing jobs for such movies as "The Hulk" and "Iron Man" and is ultimately on his way up the film industry ladder.

So ....if you need a photographer or need to turn your film ideas into a script, if you need video or film editing.... please contact my cuzo Khari Stallworth-

negitiveimage@gmail.com
http://www.myspace.com/negitiveimage

Love u my dude,
Adero

First Exexcutive Orders

In efforts to move and move quickly just as he suggested he would, President Obama made some executive decisions and signed his first executive orders today. One of them being a direct order to close the U.S. Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility in Cuba within one year. This order also prohibits the C.I.A. from using this facility. There is said to be an estimated 245 detainees there. Decisions as to where these prisoners will be sent once closed will be determined in the coming weeks. Another order was that the U.S. will no longer torture held captives as a form of interrogation.

-A. Dawson

48Bars Presents... "LSD-BRIMSTONE'S PSYCHEDELIC TRIP" Concert Series Jump Off

Wuddup wit it "yung world"? This momentous and very historic week will be one that will resonate in people's minds forever! This being the case, my partners and I made the conscious decision that we would get involved and make this week memorable for us as well.

On Sunday... Jan 18 - which just so happened to be tha homie Rollie's born day (seen here-in tha middle of Adero & Mogie), we jumped off our very own "Psychedelic Trip" concert series. The location in which our event was held was tha "East Atlanta Icehouse" located in the East Atlanta Village neighborhood off of Flat Shoals SE. Formerly known to many as tha "Echo Lounge", tha spot has been revamped and now the entire venue looks quite fresh.

48Bars Psychedelic Trip Concert Series was formulated by Rollie and I to serve as a platform to exercise and showcase our musical talents and tha talents of other up and coming talented young artists in our circuit who are on tha same grind. Our set-up includes a full "live" band (LSD / Brimstone), an illmatic turn-tablist (DJ Incogneedle), an array of female vocalists (Lady Luck, Charlie Rose, Darlin Nikki), MC's (Central Division), spoken word artist (Infinity) and of course tha rockers/entertainers (Lock, Adero & Mogie).... and that's just our camp!

Our goal is to hold session at least once a month and attract any and everybody who enjoys exceptional new music and live performances. So tune in as we will be bringing you updates as to tha time and specific location of our next show. The jump off was definitely a success... I mean we had a blast! Big Ups to whole staff over there @ Icehouse... they really took care of us. Shout out to Ghani Guatama for letting 48Bars sponsor the show.. we had a ball!

I will be posting live footage from this show very soon in order for people to get a glimpse of the atmosphere from the inside.















Stay Tuned Again....
Adero Dawson

Washington: Grambling State University Performes at Inaugural Parade on Tuesday

WASHINGTON — After more than 50 hours of travel, logging 1,132 miles on four buses, 201 members of the famed, high-stepping Grambling State University Tiger Marching Band played the gig of a lifetime Tuesday.

The band, which hails from a historically black college in northern Louisiana, was one of 94 groups to play in Barack Obama's Inaugural Parade on Tuesday.

By Emily Bazar, USA TODAY

President Obama Wears Bullet-Resistant Suit at Inaugural

By Jose Fermoso

Barack Obama had more than the Presidential 'beast' limo taking care of his safety yesterday.

According to some reports, he wore a suit made by a clothier specializing in bullet-resistant clothing during the inauguration ceremonies.

While no one from the U.S. Secret Service have yet to mention any details about the garment's structure, some are speculating it may have come from the line by Colombian designer Miguel Caballero. As we noted last year, Caballero is well known for his super tough but flexible and business appropriate clothing (see pic at right), such as the $7,500 polo shirt that can stop a shot from a 9-mm revolver.
blog.wired.com

Stop payment on the bailout

Dear Rollie,

You recently signed a petition on Care2.com supporting the Employee Free Choice Act - thank for you joining our important campaign to bring Change that Works to America's working families. Below is an important message about our campaign.

When taxpayers gave Bank of America a $25 billion bailout, the country's largest bank was supposed to use the funds to help jumpstart the economy.

Bank of America instead misspent the money on foreign investments, executive salaries, and corporate jets. To top it off, Bank of America double-dipped, taking more money from our cash-strapped states by not paying for their workers' healthcare.

But now, the Wall Street Journal reports that Bank of America wants "billions" more in bailout funds.

Well, enough is enough. It's time for Bank of America to either use its bailout to help the economy and its workers - or give back the bailout.

Watch this video and then sign our petition demanding Bank of America help its workers with the bailout:

Click to watch the video

Click here to watch and sign: http://freechoice.seiu.org/page/s/bankofamerica

What can Bank of America do? To start, it can provide health care for its 247,000 workers using the money it spent last year on executive salaries and bonuses.

We're also asking that Bank of America:

* Keep over 12,000 troubled borrowers in their homes with executive bonus money
* End the practice of unilaterally changing credit cardholder agreements.
* Sign new leases with renters who live in buildings that are being foreclosed upon

These are common-sense ideas that will help hundreds of thousands of working people get by in these tough times. Watch our video about Bank of America and join the call for bailout accountability:

http://freechoice.seiu.org/page/s/bankofamerica

Bank of America has $25 billion of our money - funds from the government of the United States - but so far has not done its part to get the economy going again. And if the company can't do that, it's time to stop payment on the bailout

Radio industry giant Clear Channel cuts 1,850 jobs, or 9 percent of work force

The parent of Clear Channel Communications Inc. told workers on Tuesday that it is cutting 1,850 jobs as the nation's largest owner of radio stations grapples with the economic meltdown.

The cuts represent about 9 percent of the company's total work force and affect staff throughout the company, in radio, outdoor advertising and corporate offices.

In a company-wide email, Chief Executive Mark Mays told employees that the company is facing an "unprecedented time of distress." He also said, though, that "Everyone in our investor group, on the board, and in the executive leadership team remains bullish about the long-term growth prospects for Clear Channel."

The advertising market has been soft, especially for radio stations.

finance.yahoo.com

A Change is Coming: The Source Pulls 'Booty Ads' From Its Pages

Words by Allen Starbury

The Source magazine announced this week that they will no longer allow lewd products to run ads in their pages any longer.

Despite a recession and those types of ads filling half of the magazine's pages, publisher Londell McMillan said he won't run any more "booty ads," pornographic websites or escort services.

With the hip-hop industry being the target of media and activist groups for misogynist lyrics and images of scantily clad women for years, the mag feels its time to make a stand.

"It's time the hip-hop industry stop advertising junk and be more responsible about what we sell to our readers," said McMillan. "The Source has been much more selective about what we put in our magazine and created higher standards since we've changed ownership. We owe it to our readers and the parents who don't want their children reading about the latest porn sites and seeing booty ads in the back of the magazine."
ballerstatus.com

Kobe Bryant Signs Multi-Million Dollar Deal To Blog

NBA star Kobe Bryant has reportedly signed a multi-million dollar deal with Chinese web company Sina.com, where he will blog several times a week.

According to NBC Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Lakers star player will get his own website portal where he will blog and provide exclusive web content to Sina.com, such as interviews, pictures and video of the ball player. However, there is a $49.95 subscription fee just to get access.

Bryant's agent, Rob Pelinka, explained why his client chose to sign with the company.

ballerstatus.com

Breaking News: Obama Sworn In as President

Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States at 12:05 p.m. ET Tuesday. President Obama was sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts. Moments earlier, Joe Biden took the oath as Vice President. An estimated 2 million people have gathered in Washington to watch the event.

cnn.com

Inauguration: Schedule and details

Tuesday, Jan.20, 2009 is Inauguration Day, including the swearing-in ceremony, a parade and countless inaugural balls.

Swearing-in ceremony festivities commence at 10:00 a.m. EST, 7:00 a.m. PST.

Highlights include:
• Invocation: Dr. Rick Warren
• Musical Selection: Aretha Franklin
• Vice President-elect Joseph R. Biden will be sworn into office
• Musical Selection: John Williams with Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma , Gabriela Montero and Anthony McGill
• President-elect Barack H. Obama will take the Oath of Office, using President Lincoln’s Inaugural Bible
• Inaugural Address
• President Obama escorts outgoing President George W. Bush to a departure ceremony
• Poem: Elizabeth Alexander
• Benediction: The Reverend Dr. Joseph E. Lowery
• The National Anthem: The United States Navy Band "Sea Chanters"

The 56th Inaugural Parade begins around 2:30 p.m. EST, making its way from the Capitol to the White House.

The "Neighborhood Inaugural Ball," hosted by President Obama begins at 7:00 p.m. EST and will be broadcast on ABC. The Presidential Inaugural Committee site casts it as "the premier event of the night" with performances by Stevie Wonder, Beyonce and others.

Gautama Live with Akil of J5 Feb 7th

29th Poor People's Day @ The Georgia State Capitol

GA-HUNGERCOALITION.ORG

Ms. Dia interviewed Tarrey Torae & J Ivy on WRFG

Last nite I kicked it in the studio of WRFG Atlanta with Ms. Dia, Tarrey Torae and J Ivy. Some of the highlights of the interview were the premiere of Tarrey Torae's "Get Some"...a soulful tune that put you in the mind set of the 70's. Also J Ivy spoke about how he gave John Legend his name and how he got put on the"Never Let You Down" track with Kanye and Jay Z. Come meet Tarrey and J for a "Meet and Greet" at my Birthday celebration at Me'lange Friday January 16th 2009.

Will Smith: 2nd African American United States President???

Hollywood film star Will Smith has staked his claim to play Barack Obama in a movie about his rise to become US President and America’s first black leader.

Battle Brewing Over Holder's Clinton-Era Decisions

Despite strong bipartisan support from the legal and law enforcement community, U.S. attorney general nominee Eric Holder can expect some roughing up Thursday when his confirmation hearing opens before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Ranking Republican Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania has promised to quiz Holder about his role in decisions made by the Clinton Justice Department during the four years he was deputy attorney general — from President Clinton's last-minute pardon of fugitive financier Marc Rich, to clemency and sentence reductions granted to members of a violent Puerto Rican nationalist group.

But committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, a Democrat from Vermont, has launched a full-court press to beat back criticism of President-elect Barack Obama's choice to be the nation's top law enforcement official.

by Liz Halloran

read more: npr.org

Jimi James to Perform at the American Music Inaugural Ball January 20th in Washington DC

JIMI JAMES

A shout out to: DRES Tha BEATnik

When I arrived to Atlanta I had no idea what to expect. I knew the Chicago hip hop scene.... when I lived in Dallas I used to hang out in Deep Ellum, (a renovated -warehouse district located east of downtown). This is where a few hip hop spots were located..one of the most notable was the Gypsy Tea Room. I can still remember the moment I decided to move Atlanta. It was after driving 12 hours dolo from Dallas to the "A"....on I-20 East..... right around the Six Flags exit. I was coming over a hill & the first thing I saw was the skyline of downtown Atlanta. I began searching for a radio station........I caught 89.3FM .... around 3' in the morn....it was a hip hop show...it all appeared right!

Once I got here I asked my partner.... Adero....where were the hip hop spots??? He replied...Apache Cafe and MJQ's. What did they have in Common???? DRES Tha Beatnik....I remember when I first saw DRES perform...he rocked to house....doing his old school hip hop renditions via Beat Boxing...how old school was this dude???? I was impressed...I was inspired. About a year later I began managing -tha mighty "Central Division"...the "Central" had pretty much performed at all the opened mics including FFX on Sunday nites at the Apache. But the pinnacle of underground hip hop was "Mic Club" Tuesdays at Apache Cafe hosted by DRES tha BEATnik of 4KingsEnt.

I would wait before approaching DRES....I would go speak to him after his core audience had dispersed....I would ask DRES what was the science to getting the "Central" to be a headliner? I knew that he really didn't know us from "Adam" but I had to figure this guy out -u know get an angle.....

-His behavior was pretty much industry standard....standoffish....arrogant....nonchalant....he would reply do you have a press kit??? Two weeks later I would see him at the Masquerade... I would hand him the press kit....and wait...and wait....and wait...

One day Adero called me and was like..."let's go to 89.3FM" to debut his new single "C.H.I.C.A.G.O." After the song aired DRES called the station while we were still doing our interview- and booked the "Central" for a feature show @ Apache! Since that very first show.. we've rocked the Mic Club four or five times in a three year span.

DRES tha BEATnik..."is a hip hop fixture in the city of Atlanta". He is a representative of that "constant" real hip hop music and atmosphere. If you wanted to get put on via underground hip hop in the ATL...you gotta get at DRES! He carries that hip hop vibe with him...from MJQ's on Friday nites, to Apache, to Masquerade...or wherever he may be hosting a show. When I go to MJQ's on a Friday nite after a stressful week...I walk down the dark tunnel filled with cigarette smoke...grab me a pint of New Castle and a shot of jagermeister from the bar ...I look to the DJ Booth...I see DRES with the Mic....he sees me and gives me a nod....I know hip hop is still alive.

RZA Talks Isaac Hayes, Afro Samurai and more

Author: Jake Paine

Friday, RZA [click to read] exclusively spoke about to HipHopDX about his first venture of 2009. On January 27, RZA will release the second volume soundtrack to Afro Samurai, the series. With numerous projects on film and song coming from the franchise, RZA explained, "I didn't know it was going to be as big as it [is]. When I met the team of people that was working on Afro Samurai, I had a real good feeling about it. That's why I joined the team."

The Wu-Tang Clan frontman, who began his career releasing 1991's Ooh I Love You Rakeem on Tommy Boy Records, explained how these opportunities help the veteran revisit his roots. "I feel like Afro Samurai represented Hip Hop. Instead of me having him start where Hip Hop is now, I wanted him to be a cat that grows [with Hip Hop]. On the first [soundtrack], if you notice, I brought in Big Daddy Kane [click to read] to do a song, and Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest. Before I got to Hip Hop, those brothers were Hip Hop, very inspirational."

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Hardline demonstrators burn posters of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama

Hardline demonstrators burn posters of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama, during a demonstration in support of the people of Gaza, in front of the Swiss Embassy in Tehran January 13, 2009. REUTERS/Stringer (IRAN)

Kanye West Gives a Sneak Peak of his Louis Vuitton Sneakers

Kanye West Gives a Sneak Peak of his Louis Vuitton Sneakers

Hit the Road Jack| Bush to give farewell address Thursday night

WASHINGTON (AP) - The White House says President George W. Bush will deliver a farewell address to the nation on Thursday night.

White House press secretary Dana Perino says Bush's prime-time address from the ornate East Room of the White House will be delivered in prime time. The specific time has not been set.

Perino said the speech is not going to be a "swan song" about Bush's administration, but rather one that looks forward and shows graciousness to President-elect Barack Obama.

Ossama hair salon changes name to Obama

I used to stay across from this spot in Hyde Park on 51st Street......(Chicago)

CHICAGO (AP) - Thanks to a well-placed letter B, things are looking up for the Chicago hair salon formerly known as Ossama's. Owner Mike Elsheikh said he's already seen business improve in the two weeks since he unveiled the name change from Ossama's Hair Design to Obama's Hair Design.

Elsheikh was a stylist at the salon when business plummeted 50 percent after the 2001 terror attacks carried out by Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida.

He eventually bought the business and licensed the new name during the presidential campaign just in case President-elect Barack Obama won.

He said old customers have stopped by to give their approval of the new name, and passers-by have been snapping photos of the new neon sign.

He hasn't heard from Obama, but he doesn't expect him to object.

Obama asks Congress to delay digital TV switch

President-elect Barack Obama today asked Congress to delay next month’s planned switch to all-digital broadcast television, warning that the TVs of millions of Americans could lose their pictures because of major problems in the government's preparations.

In a letter to Congressional leaders (PDF), John Podesta, co-chairman of Obama’s presidential transition team, urged that the Feb. 17 conversion date be extended. A major reason was the announcement this week by the Commerce Department that it had run out of money for a government program to provide $40 coupons for low-cost converter boxes to allow older TVs to receive the new digital signal. But Podesta also cited problems with the government’s effort to educate the public about the switch and help prepare people, particularly the elderly, poor and those living in rural areas.
latimesblogs.latimes.com

Autobiography of Malcolm X

The "Autobiography of Malcolm X" is the Book that changed my life! What sparked an interest in the life of Malcolm, was Run DMC's.... "You know I'm proud to be black y'all"..... "You read about Malcolm X - in the history text".... "Like Malcolm X said I won't turn the right cheek".......It was like 1987..... way before the days of Google....I wanted to know more so I purchased the book. All I know it that after reading the book at the tender age of 14...I began to view myself, others, and the world around in a new light. As a shorty.... Dr. King got all the juice.....they never really spoke on Malcolm. So I took the initiative to find out more. I think it was Malcolm that said "there is a differences between education and indoctrination".....if that's true I would venture to say that a self education is incomparable.