Iowa Republican Senator: Urban Crimes Reminds Me Of Black Killing Blacks!

Republican senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa runs his mouth! He doesn't look at urban gun crime as a problem! 

Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is a conservative Republican. He's not as nutty as his governor Republican Terry Branstad or Congressman Steve King (R-Iowa), but Grassley is one with them!

In Grassley's warped mind, the notion of bringing up gun control when incidents involving firearms reached an all time high this month alone is an assault on the Second Amendment.

Soledad O'Brien debates Grassley.

Tell me, Republicans how many of your freedoms were lost under President Barack Obama?

How many amendments are in the U.S. Constitution?

Grassley with a majority of Republicans are going against the president's proposals to stop gun violence.

An overwhelming majority of Americans would like to see strict background checks and ways to prevent those with mental issues to own firearms.

But that's tone deaf to the Republicans, the National Rifle Association and those in the conservative media.

The nation's oldest cable network CNN is going through a major shakeup! This will soon put Soledad O'Brien on the sidelines. With Jeff Zucker at the helm of CNN, the network will go through a major overhaul of reporters, media personalities and network programming.

In the meantime, Soledad continues to bring the facts to the table and have Republicans and their conservative allies screaming!

Soledad reads from the Centers for Disease Controls report that links youth culture and gun violence and the Iowa senator didn't want none of that.

Also in mention to Hadiya Pendleton's tragic murder this week, Soledad mentions the issue about gun violence in Chicago.

Grassley stated: “Well, I think that’s the place in our society where you would study the issue of black violence on blacks.”

Now again, we got to look at how WHITE CONSERVATIVE MEN think!

They think with this macho bravado of how the United States is always "leading the world!"

They consider themselves the vocal opposition to gun control, Obamacare, immigration, gay rights, urban revival, women's rights, and climate change. Things that paint them more like a bunch of idiots and bigots instead of serious people.

Most of these recent violent incidents happened because of *gasp* WHITE MEN!

They use this phony patriotism to harbor single minded issues like the unanimous support of Israel. They'll go totally batshit over a critic of the Jewish nation, but in turn attack the president! They never think that attacking President Barack Obama is anti-American. This constant hate of Blacks, Latinos and Muslims led to multiple incidents that involved young men and women being killed by WHITE CONSERVATIVE men.

This incident in Chicago as well as many urban communities across the nation are looked upon the conservative media as "failed Democrat policies and President Barack Obama's sons and daughters!"

Instead of pointing out the issues with gun violence they'll scapegoat this as "black on black violence" or the faults of the entertainment industry (i.e. video games, rap music and movies). Stuff they've seen on the late local news.

Sure enough if this incident made it to the suburban school, church or business, then you'll hear non-stop coverage on the major news networks with each political agitator pointing fingers at one another.

(NOTE: Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) is retiring and it's going to be a competitive senate race in 2014).

Wrong Way Shoot 'Em Up!

Georgia man was shot and killed by the owner. Rodgrio Diaz turning into the shooter's driveway. The owner rushed up towards him and shot him. The shooter was released on bond. Tensions could ensue!

Shooting in the defense of property or a mistaken identity?

This is what suspected shooter 69-year old Phillip Sailors did to 22-year old Rodrigo Abad Diaz who pulled up into his driveway. The man was apparently on a failed GPS system made a turn into the driveway of Sailors and the man killed him after a brief confrontation.

What amazes me is that the Sailors didn't wait a second to shoot Rodrgio! Even though Rodrgio apologized and pulled away from the property.

The man thought he was being burglarized. Instead of calling the police, Sailors rushed for the firearm. NBC Latino reports that the shooting suspect release on bond could trigger racial tensions.

Since Rodrgio was driving around with his girlfriend and two friends when he pulled into a driveway, thinking they had arrived at another friend’s house, it was considered a mistaken identity! But instead he pulled into the driveway of Phillip Sailors, who thought his home was being robbed, his lawyer says.

Sailors then shot Diaz, according to the police report, citing what Sailors told officers at the scene. Diaz later died while in the intensive care unit.

“Basically, what happened is they were looking for one of my brother’s girlfriend’s friends,” says his brother David E. Diaz-Valencia, 23. “The guy came outside and my brother’s girlfriend said he was screaming, ‘Get off my property!’ and he shot into the air. My brother was backing out fast because he was scared and he rolled down the window to say he was sorry and he was not doing anything wrong. Then the guy shot him in his head.”

Phillip Sailors was arrested in a tragic shooting.

When officers arrived, Angie Rebolledo, Diaz’s girlfriend, had blood on her jeans, both arms and both hands as she was attempting to get a response from him and screamed frantically that her boyfriend had been shot, according to police.

Police arrested Sailors, of Lilburn, Georgia, who was booked into the Gwinnett County jail Sunday afternoon and charged with murder, according to the police report.

“At this point we have established probable cause to charge Mr. Sailors and when the investigation is complete, we will turn over the case file to the Gwinnett County District Attorneys Officer for processing,” Lilburn police Chief Bruce Hedley told NBC Latino. “To preserve the integrity of the case, I will not be releasing further information concerning this incident.”

Sailors’ lawyer says his client is a Vietnam veteran with no prior criminal history and thought he and his wife were about to be victims of a home invasion. “You have to understand this is a 69-year-old man who is a military veteran who has been honorably discharged,” Michael Puglise says. “He dedicated his life to community service, specifically the Christian Lay Ministry in Latin America.”

The bond decision was signed off on by Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter, who defended the bond and said he did not put any consideration into whether Sailors’ release could inflame tensions after Diaz’s death.

“The purpose of a bond is to prevent a defendant from committing another offense or to prevent him from fleeing,” he says. “This is a 69-year-old man with no prior criminal record and I don’t think he’s a flight risk.

We confiscated his firearms, he’s supposed to turn in any firearms, and I don’t think there’s a likelihood that he’s going to commit another crime so I don’t want to commit jail space housing him.”

Diaz-Valencia says the funeral mass will be at 8 p.m on Thursday.

“We appreciate all of the support,” he said, adding that he and his family were on their way to pick up his brother’s ashes.

Diaz’s family thanked the public for its support on the website for their company J & D Cargo Express, where it posted the funeral memorial prayer card for Thursday’s mass.

“We give thanks to God for every single day, minute and second that we spent together,” the prayer card reads in part. “Today we give him to God with the profound hope of being reunited one day in a better world, free of pain.”

“This has been so hard on the community,” brother Diaz-Valencia says. “But we appreciate all of the support. I know everyone is talking about gun control — I’m not against guns — but people have to know how to use them.”

The family takes some comfort in the fact that while Diaz is gone, he may still save the life of others.

All of his organs were donated before he was cremated.

We here at Journal de la Reyna send our condolences Rodrigo Abad Diaz.

Nothin' CHI: Teen Killed Performed At Obama Inauguration Event!

Tragic shootings happen often in Chicago. This month closes out with 42 murders. The most murders in less than one month. Rahm Emmanuel better do something about this or he'll lose his mayoral position.

One in particular touched the nation and the White House. A young teenager who was a honor student was killed near the president's neighborhood.

Hadiya Pendleton was 15 years old when she had an opportunity to shine in the world. She had the honor to be a performer in the school marching band at the president's inauguration. A week later, the young girl was shot in the back. She died of her injuries.

This shooting went viral. The conservative media was of course spinning their racist word salad about the Black on Black crime epidemic while also defending White men owning firearms.

The liberal media was also in the spin cycle saying that this incident, the shootings in Phoenix and Midland City, Alabama were signs of a growing epidemic of gun violence. Former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, a victim of a near fatal shooting and former gun rights advocate wants Congress to pass reasonable gun control measures. Wayne LaPierre and the National Rifle Association are tone deaf to even the possibility of gun control. They slam the gun control measures sponsored by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-California) as imperfect and not a way to solve violence in the country.

Full of life.

Hadiya's death also atones to a growing problem in Chicago, Illinois. Gang violence. They city is swamped with gangs and these individuals are committing an act of domestic terrorism. Last year the city closed out with over 500 murders, a record year after years of steady decline. The Chicago Tribune reports that at a White House press briefing Wednesday, Obama spokesman Jay Carney was asked about Hadiya's death. "It's a terrible tragedy any time a young person is struck down with so much of their life ahead of them, and we see it far too often," he said.

Hadiya's slaying also came up in an interview Obama did with Telemundo. The president was asked whether the example of Chicago, with strict gun control laws, gave credence to the National Rifle Association's position that more gun laws don't necessary mean less gun violence.

"Well, the problem is that a huge proportion of those guns come in from outside Chicago," Obama said. The president said it was true that creating a "bunch of pockets of gun laws" without a unified, integrated system of background checks makes it harder for a single community to protect itself from gun violence.

Police announced an $11,000 reward for information leading to the killer's capture and conviction during a Wednesday afternoon news conference at the North Kenwood park where Hadiya was shot.

"I want this closed now," said police Supt. Garry McCarthy, who was among the police chiefs in Washington on Monday to meet with Obama on gun control. "I don't want to wait."

Hadiya was the 42nd homicide victim this year in Chicago, where killings last year climbed above 500. Mayor Rahm Emanuel spoke with Hadiya's mother Wednesday morning and later, at an unrelated news conference, said the teenager represented "what is best in our city."

"A child going to school, who takes a final exam, who had just been to inaugural," said Emanuel, looking down at the podium for several seconds to collect himself before continuing. "And I think if anybody has any information, you are not a snitch, you're a citizen. You're a good citizen in good standing if you help."

Hadiya's father, Nathaniel Pendleton, pleaded for someone to step forward and bring the 15-year-old's killer to justice.

"She was destined for great things," he said.

Hadiya was a majorette with the band at King, one of the city's elite selective-enrollment schools. She dreamed of going to Northwestern University and talked about becoming a pharmacist or a journalist, maybe a lawyer.

She had just finished her final exams at King, where she was a sophomore, and was hanging out with friends from the school's volleyball team Tuesday afternoon in a park in the 4400 block of South Oakenwald Avenue. The group sought shelter from a rainstorm under a canopy at the park about 2:20 p.m. when a gunman jumped a fence, ran toward them and opened fire, police said.

As the teens scattered, Hadiya and two teenage boys were shot. Hadiya was hit in the back and pronounced dead at Comer Children's Hospital less than an hour after the shooting. The wounds suffered by the boys were not life-threatening.


McCarthy stressed that neither Hadiya nor anyone in the group she was with were involved with gangs. But it appears the gunman mistook the students for members of a rival gang, he said.

"This guy, whoever he was, the gunman … you took the light of my life," Hadiya's father said. "Just look at yourself and just know that you took a bright person, an innocent person, a non-violent person."

No bullet casings were found by investigators at the crime scene, leading them to believe that Hadiya may have been shot with a revolver, according to McCarthy. While it took a while to gather witnesses, McCarthy said police were making "a lot of progress."

At King on Wednesday, classmates created a memorial at Hadiya's locker with pictures, teddy bears and balloons, said Jayla Rufus, 16, a junior who also traveled to D.C. with the King band. "A lot of people are saying, 'Why Hadiya? Why did it have to be her?'" Rufus said.

During the band's three-day trip to Washington, the students visited the Washington Monument and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, Rufus said. Hadiya and the majorettes performed with the band in the Presidential Inauguration Heritage Festival.

The school won multiple awards while at the competition, including a first place honor for the band's auxiliary team that included the majorettes, according to Benjamin Washington, the school's director of bands.

Washington said Hadiya was a dedicated and enthusiastic member of the squad. She competed with nearly 100 students during her freshman year to land one of 12 spots.

"She was one of our bright, shining stars," Washington said. "She had a very outgoing personality, always eager to perform."

King's principal, Shontae Higginbottom, said Hadiya was "a wonderful student."

"She was well-loved by her friends, well-adored by her teachers," Higginbottom said. "We are going to miss her. Our hearts are so heavy."

Relatives of the girl said she was in an anti-gang violence video while she was attending the Carter G. Woodson Elementary School.

 "So many children are out there in gangs and it is your job as students to say no to gangs and yes to a great future," Hadiya says in the 54-second clip.

At Hadiya's Bronzeville home Wednesday, family and friends gathered to grieve and share stories about the boisterous teen they said had a quirky sense of humor.

Hadiya's little brother, Nathaniel Pendleton Jr., 10, recalled how his big sister would often greet him with a few gentle slaps on his cheeks whenever she came home from school.

"She said it was with love," he said.

"It's very painful to see your big sister get slaughtered," the soft-spoken boy said, tearing up as he went through photos of Hadiya on his phone.

Hadiya's aunt, Kimiko Pettis, laughed when talking about her niece, recalling how on Tuesday, the day she was shot, the teen put on makeup and what she declared was a "fabulous outfit" before school.

"She popped out of the bathroom saying, 'I'm ready!'" Pettis said, demonstrating how Hadiya threw her arms in air.

Pettis said her niece loved bands like Coldplay and Maroon 5. "You could not find any urban music on her phone," Pettis said with a laugh.

Because Hadiya was interested in so many things, her family said they were encouraging her to pursue a possible double major when she went to college.

"There were a lot of good opportunities that were coming her way. She was just taking them all," said LaKeisha Stewart, 37, Hadiya's godmother. "She was the kid who you had to say, 'Slow down, you can't do everything.'"

While in Washington for the inauguration, Hadiya sent her godparents a text and a photo of her and her teammates in the capital, Stewart said.

In the photo, Hadiya stands tall in her majorette's uniform, hands at her hips, face lifted in a wide smile.

The Chicago Tribune reporters Katherine Skiba, Christi Parsons, John Byrne, Carlos Sadovi and Cynthia Dizikes contributed to this story.

The problem continues and yet we allow it. The nation should do something about gun violence. With the president being reelected, many conservative White males are grabbing guns up! They are embolden by the angry voices of the NRA, talk radio, Fox News, the blogs. These individuals think they'll lose their Second Amendment rights by a semi-automatic gun ban. These individuals are the reasons for mental health checks.

Practically anyone who joins a gang has a group think mentality to be loved or wanted. That's a mental issue as well. I mean how many young teenagers wanted to be a part of something?

These children are inspired by video games, hip-hop music, rock music, magazines, talk radio and may have family members who own firearms. It's among the things that could inspire violence.

While the NRA is quick to blame the entertainment industry, they're not blameless. Over 1,000 shootings happen in the weeks after their press conference. There's a "survivalist" holding a child hostage as of today!

They've allowed Ted Nugent to say offensive themes about the president. They've released an online shooting game. The NRA have ran a political ad that slams the president and it went after his children Malia and Sasha. Last month's press conference held by Wayne LaPierre and David Keene didn't change the subject. It only made it worse.

Conservative agitators rush to defend the NRA. The conservative agitators want this issue to become another political landmine for the potential to help Republicans take back the U.S. Senate. The president has warned that if nothing is done, more lives may be lost. And the next story that's going to be covered will deal with the Midland City, Alabama incident.

I've said it many times and I stand by what I said!

GUN RIGHTS FOR WHITE MALES! GUN CONTROL FOR BLACKS, LATINOS AND MUSLIMS!

Whenever a tragedy happens in the suburbs, many Americans want serious talk about gun control. But in our urban areas, it's just another topic on the late local news.

Every live is valued. Whether it's our friend or enemy. We must figure out how to bring together reasonable ideas to resolve conflict.

I own a firearm and I at least know that I'm not going to use for the purposes of crime.

We here at Journal de la Reyna send our condolences to the family of Hadiya Pendleton.

NFL Player Pisses Off The LGBT Community!

I only do the ladies! - Chris Culliver.
The NFL corner back comes under fire when he spoke out against gay players in the NFL. The player apologized for his comments.

The NFC champions the San Francisco 49ers are going through a damage control by one of its players.

San Francisco is the hub of LGBT activism. The city represents the nation's growing Asian population and is the largest city with members of the LGBT community.

The 49ers play against AFC champions Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII at New Orleans Mercedez-Benz Superdome. The SuperBowl is one of the world's largest television events. Over 180 million people will watch the Super Bowl on CBS this Sunday.

Chris Culliver has put his team in a negative light! He was interviewed on sports radio and made the statement that "gays aren't welcomed to the [NFL]!"

Culliver, in a radio interview with Artie Lange, said he has no desire to have a gay teammate. In a Super Bowl week that has been dominated for the first time by stories about deer-antler spray, Culliver became the first player in Super Bowl history to use the forum to make anti-gay comments.

“I don’t do the guys. I don’t do that,” Culliver said. “We don’t have any gays on the team. They gotta get up outta here if they do. Can’t be with that sweet stuff.”

Culliver’s comments were made Tuesday and began circulating Wednesday. That prompted the 49ers to issue a statement distancing themselves from Culliver.

“The San Francisco 49ers reject the comments that were made (Tuesday), and have addressed the matter with Chris,” the statement said. “There is no place for discrimination within our organization at any level. We have and always will proudly support the LGBT community.”

Culliver, a third-round pick in 2011 from South Carolina, said if a player is gay, he should not go public with it. “Yeah, come out 10 years later after that,” he said.

No active NFL player has ever come out and said he was gay, likely fearing the backlash from teammates in the locker room. Culliver’s small-minded approach won’t go over well in San Francisco, which has a large gay community.

Later Wednesday after the comments circulated, Culliver offered a bizarre, half-hearted apology distributed by the 49ers.

“The derogatory comments I made yesterday were a reflection of thoughts in my head, but they are not how I feel,” Culliver said in the statement. “It has taken me seeing them in print to realize that they are hurtful and ugly. Those discriminating feelings are truly not in my heart. Further, I apologize to those who I have hurt and offended, and I pledge to learn and grow from this experience.”

This controversy spins into the LGBT being outraged over the death of Tyler Clementi, the Rutgers University student who jumped off the George Washington Bridge.

Clementi was secretly filmed having sex with another man by roommate Dharun Ravi and Molly Wei. Ravi broadcast the encounter on the internet. It drove Clementi to killing himself.

Now the LGBT community is fighting against bigotry. Last year they've taken on former presidential candidate Rick Santorum, Chick-Fil-A, outed Arizona sheriff Paul Babeu and other bigots.

Although it's becoming more acceptable for those in the LGBT community some in the Black community are more conservative on gay rights. Hip-Hop music, Black athletes and even some Black politicians still have trouble accepting same sex couples. However there's cracks in the bubble. President Barack Obama came in defense of gay marriage last year. Blacks slightly oppose gay marriage.

I support equal rights for all Americans, straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered.

I tolerate all races, gender, sexuality, nationality, religion, economic and sometimes political standings.

The reason for sometimes political standings is mainly because I've gotten tired of conservatives masquerading patriotism under the guise of bigotry and hate.

MA Gov. Deval Patrick Picks Mo Cowan To Replace John Kerry!

Senator Mo Cowan (D-Massachusetts)

There will be two Black members of the United States Senate.

The confirmation of John Kerry as Secretary of State leaves a U.S. Senate without a member.

Massachusetts governor Deval Partick, names a replacement. The governor picked his chief of staff, William "Mo" Cowan to replace Kerry until a special election is held. The last Black senator who represented Massachusetts was Edward Brooke, a Black Republican.

This will give the U.S. Senate two Black senators. A first in history that there's more than one Black member of the U.S. Senate. He is 43 years old and resides in Stoughton, Massachusetts with his wife and has two sons.

Neither Scott or Cowan were elected to serve. The last Black senator elected to office was Barack Obama who later would become the current President Of The United States. The Illinois governor at the time Rod Blagojevich selected former attorney general Roland Burris as his replacement. Burris retired from the senate and the seat went to Mark Kirk, an Illinois U.S. Representative.

Last year, Jim DeMint resigned two years into his term to be the president of The Heritage Foundation and South Carolina governor Nikki Haley selected Tim Scott, a U.S. Representative to replace him. Scott was sworn in this month. He is the only Black Republican. For at least four weeks, Scott was the only Black senator.

Upon being sworn in, Cowan will become the eighth African-American United States Senator and the second from Massachusetts after Edward Brooke. He will also be one of two African-American Senators in the 113th Congress, along with Republican South Carolina Senator Tim Scott.

Current members of the 113th Congress who were sworn in as replacements included:

Senator Dean Heller (R-Nevada)
Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colorado)
Senator Kristen Gillibrand (D-New York)
Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii)
Senator Lisa Murkowski (I/R-Alaska)
Senator Bob Menendez (D-New Jersey)
Senator Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi)

Deval Patrick the first Black governor of Massachusetts had picked replacement members of the U.S. Senate. When liberal icon Ted Kennedy passed away, the governor selected Paul Kirk as the replacement.

Republican Scott Brown a state senator from Massachusetts who allied by the Tea Party won the seat and continued the remaining term. He was defeated by consumer advocate Elizabeth Warren.

Brown is signalling that he may run again!

Scott is also signalling he'll run in the U.S. Midterms through a special election in 2014. Scott and Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) will be up in a likely hold for Republicans.

The Huffington Post reports that Cowan will continue the legacy of Massachusetts longest serving senator.

He said there would be "no daylight" between him and Kerry on policy. When asked about the looming sequester, he said the "best-case scenario" was a "balanced approach" of spending cuts and tax increases. "I don't think anyone believes it's in the best interest to do straight across-the-board cuts," he said.

Patrick has consistently said that the pick to succeed Kerry should not run in the general election slated for June 25. Cowan embraced the temporary appointment Wednesday, repeating over and over that his stint would be short. Asked about his political future, he said, "I am not running for office; I am not a candidate in the future."

The late Senator Ted Kennedy requested in a letter written before his death that the interim pick to replace him not run in the general election, a principle that Patrick honored after Kennedy died by picking Kennedy's longtime chief of staff, Paul Kirk.

Former Representative Barney Frank was the only person to publicly campaign for the interim appointment, announcing his desire to fill the seat on MSNBC and doing subsequent interviews about it. Frank endorsed Representative Ed Markey (D-Massachusetts) as the preferred candidate for the U.S. Midterm elections.

Frank praised Cowan in a brief statement Wednesday. "I know Mr. Cowan is committed to working hard and in a socially fair and economically efficient manner toward solving pending budget issues," he said. “I now look forward to working for the election of Ed Markey to continue this work, and to providing President Obama the support he deserves in carrying out the mandate he received in November." A Frank representative did not respond to interview requests from The Huffington Post.

The only announced candidate for the general election is Markey, who has received a flood of endorsements from Democrats -- including Kerry -- and has a $3.1 million war chest. Representative Stephen Lynch (D-Massachusetts) is expected to announce his bid Thursday for the seat. Lynch holds more conservative positions than Markey; he opposes abortion rights and voted against President Barack Obama's health care law.

If Cowan changes his mind and decides he'll seek a full term as a senator, he will compete in a three way Democratic race for the primary nomination against both Massachusetts Democratic Representatives Markey and Lynch.

Bullets Fly At Rozay!

Rick Ross and Lil' Wayne. Rick Ross was in Florida when a gunman shot at his vehicle. The rapper survives. The rapper is working on protecting his family from threats from The Gangster Disciples, a violent street gang that commits acts of domestic terrorism.

The Maybach Music Mafia boss was shot at and nearly killed.

I guess he's no longer a phony "gangsta rapper!"

Seriously, gun violence is on the rise and even in entertainment, rappers aren't immune to the violence.

Rick Ross appears under Def Jam Records. He is affiliated with Maybach Music Group and Slip-N-Slide Records. His real name is William Leonard Roberts, Jr.  He also uses the Teflon Don and Rozay moniker. 

Last year the rapper pissed off the Gangster Disciples. There is a target hit for the rapper. Rick Ross is now looking to keep him and his family safe. He's hiring security to protect him and his family.

CNN reports that "Teflon Don" rapper Rick Ross crashed his silver Rolls Royce into an apartment building after he heard gunfire along a Fort Lauderdale, Florida, street Monday morning, police said.

"The driver of the Rolls Royce attempted to drive away from the direction of the shots being fired and lost control of the vehicle, striking a nearby apartment building," Fort Lauderdale Police Detective DeAnna Garcia said.

Ross and a female passenger were not hurt by the wreck or the gunshots, Garcia said.

"The suspects fled from the area prior to police arrival," she said.

The incident, however, called attention to threats against the artist's life made in a street gang's videos and posted online in recent months.

"We're pulling up on you," a man who identified himself as a member of the Gangster Disciples warned in one of the videos. "Whatever city, whatever state, the pressure on."

Several videos purporting to be from Gangster Disciple members in several states -- including Georgia, North Carolina and Florida -- appeared on YouTube late last year demanding that Ross pay a fee to them for his use of the Star of David, which they claim as a gang symbol, and a reference to one of their founders in his music and marketing.

"You got to cut the check," one video said. "Tell your boss man he got to get that check, or all you in trouble."

"We need that cash right now," another said.

Ross, 37, whose albums include "Teflon Don" in 2010 and "Deeper Than Rap" a year earlier, told south Florida radio station 99 Jamz last month that he was not intimidated by the threats.

"Ain't never no checks getting cut," he said. "I don't play those games. I consider that extortion."

Is Nas hip-hop's finest MC?

Ross did cancel his North Carolina shows last month just days after a video appeared online threatening his life if he performed there.

"Never was it due to any threats," he told the radio station. Instead, he canceled because "the promoter wasn't really handling his business."

Ross wanted to make certain that listeners understood he was not frightened. "Don't ever get it twisted, Ricky Ross is the boss," he said.

The death threats are not the only challenge to Ross. A former drug lord and gang leader is suing in a Los Angeles court, accusing him of stealing his name and reputation.

"The reality is I want justice done," the original Ross wrote in an e-mail to CNN. "I know that he took his name and image from my life and believe he is unfairly profiting off my story."

Ricky "Freeway" Ross was serving a prison sentence a decade ago when rapper William Roberts, who previously worked as a Florida correctional officer, adopted "Rick Ross" as his stage name, according to the lawsuit.

"This rapper and his labels clearly knew of my name and story, and have tried to suck out the lifeblood without license," the former drug lord said. "I have my own use for my intellectual property and did not need this confusion created."

More recently, the rapper has been using the name "Ricky Rozay."

The rapper and his record label have not responded to CNN's request for comment.

Despite the death threats and legal issues, his music is doing well. Ross is nominated for a best rap album Grammy for his latest release, "God Forgives, I Don't."

The rapper's antics have consequences. Last year he got into it with Young Jeezy at the BET Awards. 

Rap music is under fire post Sandy Hook. Rappers like Rick Ross, Snoop Dogg, Lil' Wayne, Game, Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj and 50 Cent are usually under fire for embracing the gun culture. 

CNN Cleans House!

Jeff Zucker is cleaning house over at CNN headquarters. The nation's first cable news network is trailing behind the partisan rancor of MSNBC and Fox News.

It's up to Zucker to save the network from demise.

American cable news has gotten too controversial. If you're not shouting at one another or making an enemy out of the opposition, you're not getting the ratings.

Soledad O'Brien loses her morning spot. Erin Burnett will take the helm of the morning.

Jeff Zucker brought on Jake Tapper and Chris Coumo. They both bounced off ABC to join CNN.

Jeff Zucker is cleaning house.

The married political couple Mary Matalin and James Carville are sent their walking papers. They've been longtime fixtures since the days of CNN's old show Crossfire.

Conservative blogger and founder of RedState Erick Erickson is gone. He's has no immediate plans to run for the seat of retiring Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-Georgia). He may join Fox News.

The old fixtures Wolf Blitzer, Anderson Cooper, Howard Kurtz and Candy Crowley are still up in the air.

The Daily Beast reports the huge shakeup.

Zucker launched his makeover Tuesday by announcing the imminent arrival of ABC News anchor Chris Cuomo to take over the troubled 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. slot currently occupied by Soledad O’Brien. According to network sources, Cuomo, who was said to be unhappy at ABC’s 20/20 since being passed over in 2009 for the top job at Good Morning America, will be joined in the morning by the current anchor of CNN’s Erin Burnett OutFront, leaving a hole for Zucker to fill at 7 p.m.

CNN veteran O’Brien’s fate is up in the air, though it’s probable she’ll receive a plum assignment. “Soledad is very important to the network and we are discussing various options with her,” a CNN spokeswoman said in a terse statement.

That sort of decisive leadership is exactly what Zucker was hired to bring by Time Warner chief executive Jeffrey Bewkes, who lured the former chairman of NBC Universal from his perch running Katie Couric’s syndicated daytime show.

The 47-year-old Zucker started his first official day of work at CNN Jan. 21 by kibitzing in the Washington control room of the outlet’s live presidential inaugural coverage. He was, by most accounts, on his best behavior, mostly observing instead of ordering camera shots punctuated by shouted obscenities—his M.O. two decades ago when he was the precocious, wildly successful executive producer of NBC’s Today program.

Gone from the network they've called home, Republican Mary Matalin and Democrat James Carville. They've been a married political couple and two longtime fixtures on CNN.

The previous week at a town meeting in New York for 600 CNN employees, Zucker made it clear that one of his top priorities would be trying to fix the cable outlet’s troubled morning program, and Tuesday, he was as good as his word. Among other programming changes, former ABC White House correspondent Jake Tapper is expected to anchor the 4 p.m. slot, appropriating an hour from The Situation Room's Wolf Blitzer, and former ESPN personality Rachel Nichols will preside over a weekend sports show.

Meanwhile, attendees of Tuesday’s regular 10 a.m. news meeting on the fifth floor of the Time Warner Center found the bald-pated Zucker sitting in the captain’s chair normally occupied by CNN Managing Editor Mark Whitaker, who’d announced his resignation a couple of hours earlier.

Soledad O'Brien loses morning show.

“We have a new leader with his own forceful ideas about where to take CNN’s reporting, programming, and brand,” Whitaker wrote in a lengthy memo explaining his departure, which he and Zucker have been discussing for the past few weeks. “For him to succeed, I believe he deserves his own team and management structure and the freedom to communicate one clear vision to the staff.”

Whitaker, a former editor of Newsweek, had been part of a management triumvirate that included CNN/US President Ken Jautz, based in New York and in charge of programming, and CNN International’s Atlanta-based vice president Tony Maddox, who runs news operations. The arrangement, by many accounts, fostered conflict and confusion, with no clear lines of authority—a problem immediately solved by Zucker’s decision to run the 10 a.m. meeting for the foreseeable future. More executive departures and arrivals are in the offing, CNN insiders predicted, and Zucker will likely recruit such longtime loyalists as Michael Bass, a member of Team Zucker at NBC and currently co-executive producer of Katie.

Meanwhile, CNN’s relationship with political contributor Erick Erickson, the major domo of the right wing Red State blog, has also ended; he's jumping to Fox News. Zucker also said goodbye after 11 years to James Carville and Mary Matalin.

“It makes perfect sense to me,” said Carville, who, in a friendly phone conversation 10 days ago with Zucker, was told that CNN’s pundits will be on-camera in studios in Washington and New York instead of from remote locations like Carville and Matalin’s  New Orleans. “It’s kind of the Fox Five model," Carville said, noting that he is plenty busy with speeches and international and corporate consulting. "I’m not surprised he wants to bring in his own people. I think he has every right to.”

Some years ago, Jeff Zucker became a controversial figure in the comedy feud between Conan O'Brien and Jay Leno. When Jay Leno "retired" from The Tonight Show, Conan O'Brien became the new host. But when ratings started to sink, Zucker demanded that Jay Leno to return back to the show. That caused a major feud between O'Brien and Leno. The Tonight Show went back to Leno and O'Brien went to TBS to host his show on weeknights.

O'Brien got the support of David Letterman and Jimmy Kimmel. Letterman and Kimmel continue a longstanding feud with Leno. It spawns back to when Johnny Carson retirement and NBC pushing Leno over Letterman. Letterman was hoping he'll host The Tonight Show but was passed over. Letterman left for CBS to host The Late Show. Jimmy Kimmel went on to host his show around the time at 11:35pm to compete with Letterman and Leno after his ratings improved.

Rush Limbaugh: Obama Wants To Shut Me And Fox News Down!

The big voice on the right vows to take on President Barack Obama.

Of course, it's a badge of honor for conservative agitator Rush Limbaugh to be name-dropped by the Democratic president Barack Obama. I like many others tune in the day after the election to hear the Republicans sorrow! Most Americans tune in to the Rush Limbaugh, Fox News for news and entertainment and heaping dose of crap spewed from them.

Many liberals wanted to hear these bitter ass losers in the media. They want to hear the conservatives cry their butts off about how it's "all the media's fault" for the president winning. You listen to the conservative agitators scream to their audience that the Americans are too stupid to see that "Obama is a SOCIALIST, COMMIE, MUSLIM, BIG GUBMINT, FOOD STAMP GIVING, WELFARE DRIVEN, NIGGER"!

Republicans are soul searching and some are blaming their loss on Rush Limbaugh, The Drudge Report, Fox News and each other. The conservatives overreach continues with Republican governors trying to rig the electoral college with "winner take all" districts. That means that if a Republican wins the district overwhelmingly, the area goes to the Republican presidential nominee. This is still a controversial issue among voting rights advocates.

The conservative media itself continues to rake in millions off of profit rage!

Who's benefits from the feud? Likely Rush Limbaugh because he's going to take the criticism as a badge of honor. 

Ever since the president swore the oath of office in 2009, the Republicans taken their news and information from the likes of Rush Limbaugh and Fox News.

Many Republicans were convinced that President Barack Obama was doomed and the Republicans were back in business. That didn't turn out this way!

Conservative agitators Bay Buchanan and Neal Boortz retired. They swore they'll never do political analysis again! Karl Rove, Dick Morris and Sarah Palin were fixtures on Fox News. Roger Ailes was so frustrated with the election loss, he severed ties with the former Alaskan governor Sarah Palin and is planning on letting Dick Morris go. Morris became infamous for his "Romney wins in a landslide" remark. Karl Rove is barely booked on the programs now.

Rush Limbaugh was hit hard last year. After he took shots at women's right advocate Sandra Fluke, the conservative agitator lost a large chunk of national sponsors. And now that he's rebounding sort of!

With the reelection of President Barack Obama, Limbaugh is concerned.

The president plans on going aggressive on his political foes. The Organizing For America is the beginning of the president's efforts to encourage active participation on getting his agenda proposals passed.

Getting immigration reform and a ban on semi-automatic weapons are two top priorities of the president.

Painting the Republicans as extremists seems to be working.

So far the further to the right Republicans go, many will tune them out!

Mediaite got today's portion of The Rush Limbaugh Show. Rush Limbaugh responds to the president:

The most controversial statement about Limbaugh:

“If a Republican member of Congress is not punished on Fox News or by Rush Limbaugh for working with a Democrat on a bill of common interest, then you’ll see more of them doing it,” 

Ohio Players Frontman Sugarfoot Passes Away!

The Funk Legend passes away. The Ohio Players leader LeRoy "Sugarfoot" Bonner passes away!

The funk era with its bouncy beats and catchy hooks bore the hip-hop nation.

Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians created a rhythmic, danceable new form of music through a mixture of soul music, jazz, and R&B. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground. Funk songs are often based on an extended vamp on a single chord, distinguishing it from R&B and soul songs, which are centered on chord progressions.

Like much African-inspired music, funk typically consists of a complex groove with rhythm instruments such as electric guitar, electric bass, Hammond organ, and drums playing interlocking rhythms. Funk bands sometimes have a horn section of several saxophones, trumpets, and in some cases, a trombone, which plays rhythmic "hits".

Many of the most famous bands in the genre also played disco and soul extensively. Funk samples have been used extensively in genres including hip hop, house music, and drum and bass. It is also the main influence of go-go, a subgenre associated with funk

You can credit funk music for the rise of the West Coast gangsta music. Rappers Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Eazy E, Bone Thugs 'N Harmony, The D.O.C., DJ Quik, The Dogg Pound, Warren G and Nate Dogg came from the era of g-funk.

G-Funk (which uses funk with an artificially altered tempo) incorporates multi-layered and melodic synthesizers, slow hypnotic grooves, a deep bass, background female vocals, the extensive sampling of P-Funk tunes, and a high-pitched portamento saw wave synthesizer lead. The lyrical content depended on the artist and could consist of sex, drugs, violence, and women, but also of love for a city, love for friends and relaxing words. There was also a slurred “lazy” way of rapping in order to clarify words and stay in rhythmic cadence.

LeRoy "Sugarfoot" Bonner, the lead singer The Ohio Players passed away on Sunday.

The Ohio Players were credited for the hit singles: Love Rollercoaster, Fire, The Funky Worm, Skin Tight and I Want To Be Free.

The Ohio Players formed in 1959. They were known as The Ohio Untouchables. The Ohio Players made rust city Dayton, Ohio the place "Where funk was born!"

The Dayton Daily News reports that members of the singer's family reported the news and fans are sending their condolences to the funk legend.

“He was a great person with a lot of wisdom not just in music, but in life,” said Keith Harrison of the bands FAZE-O and the Dazz Band.

Bonner, 69, who helped make Dayton the Land of Funk, died Saturday following a battle with cancer in Trotwood, according to an “Official Family Announcement  posted Sunday on his Facebook page. Bonner, whose career spanned 56 years, died just shy of his 70th birthday, according to the post. “While his family, friends, colleagues, and fans mourn his passing they celebrate fondly his memory, music and legacy,” the posting stated.

The Ohio Players helped build the funk!

The Hamilton native was the lead singer and guitarist of the Ohio Players since he joined the band in 1971.

Harrison said he received word of Bonner’s passing from Marshall “Rock” Jones and another Ohio Players band member.

“He was an extraordinary person,” Harrison said of Bonner.

Dayton musician Ronald Frost, a friend of Bonner’s, said that Bonner will be remembered for his kindness and heart.

“He was one of the nicest people I have ever met,” Frost said.

Frost’s father, keyboardist Ronald Nooks , is also a member of the Ohio Players.

“He was a good friend of my dad’s,” Frost said.

Based in Dayton, the Ohio Players rocketed onto the international stage in the 1970s with string of funk hits, including “Fire,” “Skin Tight” and “Love Rollercoaster.”

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

LAPD Investigate Fight Between Chris Brown And Frank Ocean!

Washed up singer Chris Brown is under investigation for a fight in a studio parking lot that involved him and rapper Frank Ocean.

Just like Rihanna, her on and off boyfriend, washed up pop singer Chris Brown can't keep his dumb ass out of trouble. This morning I check the Huffington Post, and yet again I see his silly ass mug once again in the news.

For the simple fact that Breezy and Ri Ri both appearing in the news for all the wrong reasons, I am starting to wonder if limelight will ever fade for these two!

Apparently the singer got into a huge fight and it involved rapper/singer Frank Ocean. Ocean is a member of the hip-hop collective Odd Future. Last year the rapper came out as bisexual.

Authorities are investigating allegations that Grammy-winning singer Chris Brown assaulted a man in a West Hollywood parking lot.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department says deputies responded to a report Sunday night of six men fighting.

Witnesses told deputies that the brief fight was over a parking space.

The department says the "altercation allegedly led to Chris Brown punching the victim."

Grammy nominated singer/rapper Frank Ocean got into a fight with Chris Brown. LAPD investigating the incident.

The "victim" wasn't identified but the celebrity website TMZ, which first reported the incident outside a recording studio, says the fight also involved Frank Ocean, a nominee in the upcoming Grammy Awards. He later tweeted that he "got jumped by (Brown) and a couple guys" and suffered a finger cut.

The department says it will contact Brown later.

Brown's attack on singer Rihanna on the eve of the 2009 Grammy awards overshadowed the show. He was injured in a June 2012 brawl with members of hip-hop star Drake's entourage at a New York nightclub.

Brown is currently on a five year probation. Why would he violate this now?

Ocean was pulled over in Los Angeles last month. He was accused of driving while under the influence of marijuana.

Rihanna was spotted in Hawaii with a blunt and a middle finger to those who caught her.

Chris Brown appears under RCA Records.

Frank Ocean appears under Def Jam Records and Odd Future Music.

Rihanna appears under Island Def Jam Records.

Obama: [GOP] Really Need To Drop Rush Limbaugh And Fox News!

President Barack Obama aims at Fox News and Rush Limbaugh.

President Barack Obama plans an aggressive agenda. The president is aiming at two old foes that seem to keep his name in the negative light. In a interview with The New Republic, the president lets the publication know that he's no fan of these two and warns the Republicans to drop them fast!

Fox News and conservative agitator Rush Limbaugh finally pissed off President Barack Obama. The first four years were devoted to trashing him and his administration. The conservative leaning network plays favorites to Republicans and not so nice to Democrats.

President Barack Obama feels now rejuvenated and willing to taking on adversaries in the media. The conservative media was disasterous for the Republicans, the National Rifle Association, FreedomWorks, CrossroadsGPS and other organizations that swore a swift defeat of an embattled president. President Barack Obama outmatched the Republicans and now has them painted as extremists.

Rush Limbaugh is going to respond to the president's criticism after The New Republic interview.

They're going through some deep soul-searching.

Chris Hughes, the co-founder of Facebook and an outspoken advocate for LGBT rights, owns The New Republic. He was a coordinator for the president's reelection campaign.

Hughes owns the liberal news magazine and revamped its image. The president's interview signals a rebirth of the once struggling organization. This article will go viral soon. It will also merit swift responses from Rush Limbaugh, Fox News and their supporters.

Believe me, it's like the 2009 issue all over again!

The president ate with Republicans and stated to some congressional members that "You can't just listen to Rush Limbaugh and get things done!"

Before the president took his first oath of office, Rush Limbaugh offered some not so nice compliments to him! He stated that he "hopes Obama fails". That became the rally cry among the Republicans and their conservative allies.

The New Republic has released the article. Some of the most important pieces of the article include his criticism of Fox News and Limbaugh. The part that got the most attention:

I think if you talk privately to Democrats and Republicans, particularly those who have been around for a while, they long for the days when they could socialize and introduce bipartisan legislation and feel productive. So I don't think the issue is whether or not there are people of goodwill in either party that want to get something done. I think what we really have to do is change some of the incentive structures so that people feel liberated to pursue some common ground.

One of the biggest factors is going to be how the media shapes debates. If a Republican member of Congress is not punished on Fox News or by Rush Limbaugh for working with a Democrat on a bill of common interest, then you'll see more of them doing it.

I think [House Speaker] John Boehner (R-Ohio) genuinely wanted to get a deal done, but it was hard to do in part because his caucus is more conservative probably than most Republican leaders are, and partly because he is vulnerable to attack for compromising Republican principles and working with Obama.

[L]et me be clear. There's not a — there's no equivalence there. In fact, that's one of the biggest problems we've got in how folks report about Washington right now, because I think journalists rightly value the appearance of impartiality and objectivity. And so the default position for reporting is to say, "A plague on both their houses." On almost every issue, it's, "Well, Democrats and Republicans can't agree"—as opposed to looking at why is it that they can't agree. Who exactly is preventing us from agreeing?

The president also sets the record straight on issues that most conservatives seem to ignore! In the interview, the president urges the public to demand their elected leaders to pass comprehensive immigration reform and a ban on assault weapons. The president knocks the NRA for their ad on him and his children. He also shared to The New Republic that he's a shooter too!

[When I am at Camp David] oftentimes [I've invited] guests of mine to go up there. And I have a profound respect for the traditions of hunting that trace back in this country for generations. And I think those who dismiss that out of hand make a big mistake.

Part of being able to move this forward is understanding the reality of guns in urban areas are very different from the realities of guns in rural areas. And if you grew up and your dad gave you a hunting rifle when you were ten, and you went out and spent the day with him and your uncles, and that became part of your family's traditions, you can see why you'd be pretty protective of that. 

So it's trying to bridge those gaps that I think is going to be part of the biggest task over the next several months. And that means that advocates of gun control have to do a little more listening than they do sometimes.

The very mention of Rush Limbaugh will have him in a giddy. The fact that he's mention gives him a badge of honor. Because the president mentions him, the conservative agitator will brag that he's getting under the president's skin.

The president's far left agenda spells trouble for Americans! - Bill O'Reilly.

The president clearly wants to fight against Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Fox News, The Drudge Report and the NRA! He's grown tired of the divisive bullcrap spewed by the likes of these people.

I am all for taking them down hard!

Let's root for President Barack Obama to take these extremist on!

The fight didn't end on election day! It ends when you see Rush Limbaugh, Fox News and their conservative allies tone down or get shut down!

NOTE: These individuals are entitled to their opinions and the like. But due to the recent violent incidents that happen during the first term, I seriously think that there will more mass shootings inspired by the angry rhetoric of talk radio, Fox News, the conservative blogs and White supremacists websites. And yes, some crazy WHITE EXTREMIST will carry out an act of terror in the name of politics or religion.

Paul Ryan Can't Keep His Trap Shut!

Former vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan continues to say some pretty dumb shit!

"[I believe that] more people depend on government!" Says the former vice president, Congressman Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin).

So if you're still waiting on federal assistance of Hurricane Sandy relief, federal aid for college, or subsidies for agricultural disaster, don't look at the Republican Party as the saviors of your ills.

The former vice presidential nominee was the running mate of the perennial loser Mitt Romney.

Romney and Ryan both got their clocks clean President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.

In his first interview since fading into irrelevance, the Wisconsin congressman outlines his party's plan for dealing with the looming sequester and how to win back voters.

The Washington Post reports that Ryan was among the attendees at President Obama’s second inauguration Monday, which would have been his swearing-in as vice president had he and perennial loser Mitt Romney prevailed in November.

Ryan, who chairs the House Budget Committee and is the face of the GOP’s efforts to reform Social Security and Medicare, has responded to Obama’s comments on entitlement programs in his inaugural address. Ryan told radio host Laura Ingraham on Tuesday that Obama mischaracterized Republicans’ positions with his reference to a “nation of takers.”

On Wednesday, Ryan told reporters the GOP would insist on spending cuts to control the budget this year.
Ryan has given several taped interviews in Wisconsin since the election. “Meet the Press” said Ryan will weigh in on upcoming budget battles and assess the future of the Republican party in his interview with Gregory.

“I think the sequester is going to happen,” Ryan said on NBC News’s “Meet The Press.”

The sequester — which is the roughly $1.2 trillion worth of automatic spending cuts set to soon hit the Pentagon and other government agencies if lawmakers don’t act — is likely to happen, Ryan said, because of opposition from Democrats to Republican proposals for replacement cuts.

“We think these sequesters will happen because the Democrats have opposed our efforts to replace those cuts with others and they've offered no alternatives,” Ryan said.

Ryan also echoed other GOP leaders as he took a stern posture against Democratic calls to discuss the need for new revenue in the nation’s budget, arguing that the matter was addressed in the recent deal to avert the “fiscal cliff,” which raised tax rates for the wealthiest Americans.

“Well, we already offered that back in the fiscal cliff negotiations. The point is, though, the president got his additional revenues. So that’s behind us,” Ryan said.

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Obama Bucked By Federal Court On Appointments!

President Barack Obama renominates Richard Cordray as the Consumer Protection Board chief!

With the Republican minority putting legal limbo on the nominations of appointees to the president's cabinet, he made a couple of recess appointments. The federal courts concluded that the president's usage of recess appointments has come under fire.

The U.S. Federal Appeals Court in the District of Columbia ruled against the president on his recess appointments. They found the appointments were unconstitutional.

The Labor Relations Board was filled last year after the president made a recess appointment when the senate wasn't in session. But due to the fact that Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) trying to keep the senate running even during holidays, the president overstepped his bounds as an executive leader. According to the court, aided by a complaint from the Landmark Legal Foundation, a conservative front group sponsored by controversial talk radio agitator Mark Levin, they've managed to get a victory against the Consumer Protection Agency.

His shadow group battles the public sector unions and labor rights groups. Landmark co-sponsored with the National Right To Work Legal Foundation to protest the president's appointments. Noel Canning v. NLRB ruled in their favor. The White House will appeal this decision and it will fast track for the U.S. Supreme Court.

The brief was filed for four workers who are receiving free legal assistance from National Right to Work Foundation staff attorneys in cases pending before the Board.

Mark Mix, President of the National Right to Work Foundation, issued the following statement in light of the court's decision:

"Today, the court agreed with Foundation attorneys: Barack Obama's so-called recess appointments to the National Labor Relations Board clearly violate the U.S. Constitution. Because the U.S. Senate was not in recess the President could not make the appointments to the NLRB without Senate confirmation.

"As a result, the Board has lacked a quorum since January 3, 2012, and under a U.S. Supreme Court precedent established in 2010, the court's ruling invalidates the Board's biased and decidedly pro-Big Labor rulings since that time. The court's decision in Noel Canning is a victory for independent-minded workers who have received unjust treatment at the hands of the pro-Big Labor NLRB and will hopefully serve as a persuasive example to other federal courts deciding on the validity of Obama's purported recess appointments."

This battle is far from over! The president and his legal team will take this to the Supreme Court.

The ruling also raises questions about the recess appointment of former Ohio attorney general Richard Cordray to head the fledgling Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and about the actions taken by the agency during his tenure, including major new rules governing the mortgage industry. Obama named Cordray at the same time as the NLRB nominees, and his appointment is the subject of a separate lawsuit in D.C. federal court.

The White House criticized the court ruling. “The decision is novel and unprecedented, and it contradicts 150 years of practice by Democratic and Republican administrations,” White House press secretary Jay Carney told reporters Friday. “We respectfully but strongly disagree with the ruling.”

Presidents from both parties have made hundreds of recess appointments when the Senate has failed to act on nominations. Ronald Reagan holds the record with 243. Obama’s predecessor, George W. Bush, made 105, and it was during his term that Senate Democrats began holding pro-forma sessions, some lasting less than a minute, when the Senate went on break. They contended that that kept the Senate in session and did not allow Bush to make recess appointments.

Republicans took up the practice when Obama was elected. But Obama decided to challenge it in January 2012, when the Senate was on a 20-day holiday but holding pro-forma sessions every three business days to block presidential action.

Ye, Without Sin!

North Carolina politicians are proposing a ban on lottery sales to people who receive public assistance.

Don't you love it when Republicans say that the BIG BAD GOVERNMENT meddles in your life?

Yet these are the very same Republicans who want to meddle in the affairs of those who they claim to be "gubmint leeches". Republicans want to meddle in a minority voting precinct. They want to meddle between women's legs. And they want to push Christianity among those who don't follow. They want to meddle in a same sex couple's bedroom. These people want to see you piss in a cup to get unemployment, food and housing assistance if you lost your home in a natural disaster.

Another old, fat, ignorant, Republican who's out of touch with the rest of reality. Meet North Carolina's Paul Stam! Stam is the guy who wants to stop welfare recipients from playing the lottery! 

Yet these people continue to elect those who benefit from being "entitled" to punish the poor and needy!

This is the ongoing culture war in the United States. It's sponsored by the corporations that pollute our air, ground and water. It's sponsored by the religious leaders who chastise you for being a single parent, the family who is poor or the even that guy who's gay! It's sponsored by the media who allows the daily rambles of talk radio and online blogs to be divisive and downright racist towards fellow Americans. It's sponsored by the entitled who believe that the best way to help the poor is to drive them even poorer and help them wipe each other out with drugs, disease and gun violence.

They can't stand a Black president!

They can't stand a reasonable solution to curbing gun violence in America!

White conservatives spend most of their time collecting welfare, disability, social security and privileges based solely on race, economic and political standings as well. 

Most White conservative males are obsessed with firearms and kill in the name of a religion. 

When White conservative males see Blacks, Hispanics/Latinos, or even Muslims with firearms, welfare, a better job, or even running for politics: These people scream at the top of their lungs about how it's our faults for most of America's problems! They want control over us, but never control over them!

Mediaite has the goods on the next idiotic move by the culture warriors. A bill being introduced will ban any citizen in the state who receives financial assistance from playing the state lottery.

It was sponsored by North Carolina politician by Paul Stam.

Guess what party he represents?

Let's Play!

Raleigh-Durham’s ABC affiliate WTVD-TV is reporting that lawmakers in that state are proposing legislation that would bar people on welfare or in bankruptcy from purchasing lottery tickets.

As reporter Anna Laurel explains, “the lawmaker drafting this legislation told us today that the vendor selling the lottery ticket would be penalized if they know the person is on welfare or in bankruptcy, which has some questioning if this law really solves any problems.”

“We’re giving them welfare to help them live, and yet by selling them a ticket, we’re taking away their money that is there to provide them the barest of necessities.”

But as the Raleigh news team discovered, local lottery vendors have serious concerns. One clerk was quoted as saying, “I don't feel comfortable to ask my customers what their financial status is… it’s not my business.”

Meanwhile, North Carolina’s NAACP president Reverend William Barber said that while his organization doesn't “agree with the lottery to start with” he would prefer to have State representative Stam focus on larger issues “Rather than Mr. Stam having a side argument, ask him to stop blocking labor rights for poor people and working people. Ask him to have a real conversation about real wage.”

So once again, here's your government intervening in your lives. You don't want this right?

Republican Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal is right on one thing! The Republican Party has to stop being the "stupid" party! But this message continues to fall on deaf ears!
____________________________ 

A little factoid for those who aren't familiar with the Mega Millions and Powerball.

Did you know that the largest jackpot ever to be recorded came in April 2012 when Mega Millions had a jackpot for $657 million? It was won in three states and became one of the world's biggest jackpots, ever!

Mega Millions is a multi-state lottery that is played in 41 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The game cost $1 per unit. Add the Megaplier to the prize and you could multiply your winnings. The minimum amount of the prize is $12 million. The prize does rise upon no winners. Sometimes it will stay the same depending on lottery turnout. When the jackpot cross over $200 million, the prize will increase without notice.

Powerball last year broke a record too! It had a record jackpot of $594 million. It was won in three states!

Powerball is a multi-state lottery that is played in 41 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The game cost $2 per unit. Add the PowerPlay and you will have a set increase in your earnings. The minimum amount of the prize is $40 million. The prize does rise upon no winners. Sometimes it will stay the same depending on lottery turnout. When the jackpot cross over $175 million, the prize will increase without notice.

These tickets cannot be cancelled.

The times of a Mega Millions drawing comes at 10:59 pm EST (Tuesday and Friday).

The times of a Powerball drawing comes at 10:59 pm EST (Wednesday and Saturday).

Caribou Buh-Bye!

Former Alaskan governor and conservative agitator Sarah Palin has ended her dealings with Fox News. The conservative leaning network was hoping the former vice presidential nominee would run for president.

It didn't turn out that way. The Republicans were hoping for a miracle in the winds, but sadly they've gotten the perennial loser Mitt Romney as their nominee. The conservative media was hopelessly defending such a moron.

Sarah Palin, husband Todd, her daughter Bristol and her baby daddy Levi Johnston made the news rounds for the last few years.

Todd Palin was trying to build a name for himself. The former first dude endorsed Newt Gingrich in the presidential elections and was hoping that he would get some name recognition.

Bristol Palin became famous for being pregnant during the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election. She gave birth to her son. Bristol became a spokesperson for teenage abstinence. She eventually landed on ABC's Dancing With The Stars. She competed with celebrities such as Kristie Alley, Apolo Anton Ohno, Kyle Massey, David Hasselhoff and Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino.

The father, Levi Johnston became a cultural figure for all proud rednecks! He gotten tired of the Palin family and decided to ditch them. He went on to somewhat "endorse" Barack Obama for president. He also broken up with Bristol. He went on to having another child with younger woman and married her last year.

Sarah Palin was close friends with Sean Hannity, Greta Van Susteren, Glenn Beck, reality star Kate Gosselin, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (R-Minnesota) and John Ziegler.

I guess she and Roger Ailes aren't friends anymore. To make it clear, Roger Ailes wanted to hire on Palin solely to groom her for a potential run for president. When she declined to run, the network was deflated of a viable candidate. Palin announced on conservative agitator Mark Levin's radio show to declare that she's not running for president, angering Roger Ailes.

The New York Magazine reports that Ailes was so frustrated he almost wanted to fire her on the spot. He later would tell the New York press that the former governor "had no chance" of becoming a president.

The Fox News chief wasn't angry about the decision itself. Rather, he was livid that Palin made the October 5 announcement on Mark Levin's conservative talk-radio program, robbing Fox News of an exclusive and a possible ratings bonanza. Fox was relegated to getting a follow-up interview with Palin on Greta Van Susteren's 10 p.m. show, after the news of Palin's decision had been drowned out by Steve Jobs's death.

After the announcement, he called Fox's executive vice-president Bill Shine into a meeting. Shine is the network's principal point of contact with Palin. Ailes told him she had made a big mistake. "I paid her for two years to make this announcement on my network," Ailes pointedly told Shine. Sources described the episode on condition of anonymity, given the sensitivity of the relationships.

Palin is said to have made her announcement on Levin's show because she's been upset that Fox News has given a platform to Karl Rove, one of her principal critics. "She isn't happy with Karl," one Palin adviser told me. "From day one, he hasn't been very nice." Levin had become Palin's biggest booster in the conservative commentariat, and Palin is known for rewarding loyalists, and punishing her detractors.

Roger Ailes had put his chips on seeing President Barack Obama being defeated. It didn't turn out that way. He fired Sarah Palin from Fox News. He's looking forward to firing Dick Morris. Karl Rove was rehired to Fox News this year. Rove is given limited speaking time on Fox News, though.

Shine was deputized to handle the matter. He spoke with Palin's agent, Bob Barnett, and told him that Ailes was furious with Palin's move and that she was at risk of being "benched." Fox still had to pay her, but they didn't have to give her airtime. Barnett spoke with Palin and told her about the problem. After she apologized, he called Shine back and told him that Palin recognized the misstep.

But tensions between Palin and Fox haven't subsided. Ailes, who told Newsweek that he hired Palin when she was "hot," clearly hoped she would boost ratings. But beyond her prime-time commentary, Palin hasn't turned into the television asset Ailes had hoped. Palin's contract is up in 2013 and it's became clear that the current fracas will mean the end of her future on Fox News. Part of her appeal as a pundit was that every appearance on the network was turbocharged by the "will-she-or-won't-she run" speculation. She's now given up that chip to play.

But Palin knows that she still has value as a gatekeeper to her grassroots base. A Palin adviser told me that she is planning to make an endorsement for a candidate in 2012. Palin, being Palin, is keeping it tightly held. "I have an idea of who it is," the adviser said, "but I'm not telling." What's clear is that Palin would be smart to make that announcement on Fox News.

Conservative agitator John Ziegler was Sarah Palin's closest friends and defenders. He went out of his way to help her. Ziegler was disappointed in the former governor. He made a controversial film in 2009 called Media Malpractice: How Obama Won The Election? The film claimed that supporters of the president were not informed and blinded by the "liberal media" bias against Senator John McCain (R-Arizona). McCain ran failed presidential campaign. Mitt Romney would later find himself as a failed presidential candidate.

Even her biggest defender John Ziegler turned sour on her. He wrote on The Huffington Post complaining about the former governor bubble bust. Ziegler complain that ever since her resignation, Palin has pretended to be a Tea Party Republican, endorsed three losing senate candidates in very winnable races, done a cheesy reality show, joined a partisan network, pretended to run for president for attention, and endorsed the corrupt Newt Gingrich for president as well as the absurd concept of a brokered convention.

He added that in a remotely rationally world, she has disqualified herself from ever holding legitimate elected office again. She is no longer a legitimate political figure. She is just a politically based and self-interested entertainer like Ann Coulter, Rush Limbaugh and Bill Maher.

Unfortunately, far too few of my fellow conservatives seem to want to understand this obvious reality. Roger Ailes isn't always right, be he sure is here. Palin's Today Show stint made it clear that her Fox days may be numbered. Palin strayed away from Fox News numerous times. She appeared on NBC's Today show to compete with the rising Good Morning America. GMA was trying to muscle in Today's ratings when they've reintroduced Katie Couric on the program. NBC fired back with Sarah Palin being a feature on the network.

Ailes was so mad, he considered pulling her off the air entirely until her $1 million annual contract expires in 2013.

The Tea Party lost its queen.

I guess this time it's true. After three years as a paid contributor for the channel, FNC and the former Republican vice presidential nominee have decided to cut ties.

A source close to Palin told Real Clear Politics that it was [Roger Ailes'] the governor's decision not to renew their contract.

The Tea Party Queen is now joining perennial losers Mitt Romney, Ron Paul, Newt Gingrich, Herman Cain, and birther queen Orly Taitz as washed up politicians.

I guess Palin could blame President Barack Obama for all her failures. After all, they ran on this game until he won reelection.

The best of Sarah Palin will be explained in this video.