BackFlash Video Thursday

This is late, but I finally found this video. It's the Pointer Sisters with, "He So Shy"

Judd Gregg Withdraws Secretary of Commerce Nom

When it get hot...folks leave.
The next person to withdraw from Obama's posse, is Judd Gregg.

Here is his statement below

I want to thank the President for nominating me to serve in his Cabinet as Secretary of Commerce. This was a great honor, and I had felt that I could bring some views and ideas that would assist him in governing during this difficult time. I especially admire his willingness to reach across the aisle.


However, it has become apparent during this process that this will not work for me as I have found that on issues such as the stimulus package and the Census there are irresolvable conflicts for me. Prior to accepting this post, we had discussed these and other potential differences, but unfortunately we did not adequately focus on these concerns. We are functioning from a different set of views on many critical items of policy.

Obviously the President requires a team that is fully supportive of all his initiatives.

I greatly admire President Obama and know our country will benefit from his leadership, but at this time I must withdraw my name from consideration for this position.

As we move forward, I expect there will be many issues and initiatives where I can and will work to assure the success of the President's proposals. This will certainly be a goal of mine.

Kathy and I also want to specifically thank Governor Lynch and Bonnie Newman for their friendship and assistance during this period. In addition we wish to thank all the people, especially in New Hampshire, who have been so kind and generous in their supportive comments.

As a further matter of clarification, nothing about the vetting process played any role in this decision. I will continue to represent the people of New Hampshire in the United States Senate.

Japan Loves Obama so much that...

What kind of MESS is this?

I attended, Knocking Down the Door: Black LGBT Images in Media

Last night, I attended, “Knocking Down the Door: Black LGBT Images in Media,” hosted by GLAAD and the National Black Justice Coalition. The event discussed the images of Black LGBT people in movies and television. The conversation moved through issues of out and closeted actors, lack of support from the LGBT community, and the messages the characters send.

The panel was consisted of
Willis Edwards, National Board of Directors, NAACP; Vice Chair of the NAACP Image Awards
Deondray Gossett, Writer/Producer/Director, "The DL Chronicles"
Maurice Jamal, Writer/Producer/Director, "Dirty Laundry," "The Ski Trip"
Quincy LeNear, Writer/Producer/Director, "The DL Chronicles"
Marcellas Reynolds, TV Host/Correspondent, E! Networks
Sonja Sohn, Actor, "The Wire"
J. Karen Thomas, Actor; Founding Member SAG LGBT Actors Committee

Each of them provided their opinions on the reasons why Black LGBT are not visible, as well as the struggles to present non-stereotypical characters.

I was happy that the discussion moved to the importance of the visibility of Black LGBT characters. It was mentioned that the lack of LGBT characters of color makes it hard for Black communities to accept or to understand gay culture. I totally agree with that, in some ways we don't exist to many in the Black community or it's not talked about. Still to this day, I will hear that being gay is a 'White' thing. By increasing our visibility, we can make this a 'People' thing regardless of race.

It is definitely important to reflect the real faces of the LGBT community. I can't help but to think if there were more LGBT characters of color on TV, Prop 8 may not have passed. This may be wishful thinking on my part, but it's something I truly believe.

So here are some of the points I was feeling last night:

• More visibility of LGBT characters of color
• More execs should be open and willing to put more diverse LGBT characters on TV and film
• More diverse types of LGBT characters of color
  
• More lead roles for LGBT characters of color
  

In all, it was a great discussion. We needed more time, but we got into some good stuff. We should have more discussions about the diversity of our LGBT community. It's time for a change.

The Anniversary of Lawrence King's Death

Today is the anniversary of the death of Lawrence King. He was the young kid that was killed by a classmate, because he was gay.

If you are not aware of his story, please google his name. In so many ways, we were Lawrence. His story embodied many of our experiences as we were growing up, coming into our own.

I wish his family strength as the case continues and another day passes without him.

He is greatly missed.

Folks who live in Glass Houses, T.D. Jakes

Well this is a soooo ironic. T. D. Jakes, the mega preacher just got a reality check. His son, Jermaine Jakes, was arrested and charged with indecent exposure.

He was caught by 2 undercover cops at Keist Park in Dallas. According to their report, Jermaine approached the cops and began jackin' it while making eye contact with them. Then, they bagged him.



Faith Johnson, an attorney for Jermaine Jakes, said this:

"We are aware of potential allegations involving Jermaine Jakes and are undertaking our own investigation of these allegations at this time. Given an apparent government investigation, we have no further comment at this time."

Your our investigation? Girl, please...He's Caught! Stop playing and deal. This is God's plan, you can't mess with that, Faith.

For more, here is the affidavit

"Detective, X a fellow peace officer of the City of Dallas, Dallas County, Texas, who personally participated in the investigation of this alleged offense, providing this information affiant believes to be credible.

NARRATIVE:

On January 3, 2009, at about 10:10pm, Detectives X, and X, of the Dallas Police Department Vice Unit, were working in an undercover capacity at 2106 W. Kiest Blvd in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas.

Detectives X, and X were conducting an investigation regarding citizen complaints of sexual activity occurring at Kiest Park located at 2106 W. Kiest Blvd. Detectives X and X both parked their vehicles in the parking lot on the east side of the park. Detectives X and X observed suspect Jakes and several other unknown males park their vehicles in the parking lot. Detective X observed suspect Jakes enter the wooded area. Suspect Jakes remained in the wooded area for several minutes.

Detective X and Detective X entered the wooded area. Suspect Jakes walked directly over to where Detective X was, and stood next to Detective X with his penis exposed through his unzipped pants.

Suspect Jakes then began to masturbate his erect penis whi his left hand for several seconds while making eye contact with Detective X. After Detective X made a case, Detective X who was standing nearby in view, was signaled that a case had been made. Suspect Jakes masturbated his erect penis in order to gratify himself and Detective X.

Suspect Jakes made no attempt to conceal his erect penis from Detective X, or any other person who might be offended by his actons. There were people walking and jogging at the park on the jogging trail next to the wooded area during the time of this offense. Detectives X and X both identified themselves as Dallas Police Officers. Detectives X and X followed suspect Jakes to his vehicle where a valid Texas Drivers License was obtained for positive identification.

Suspect Jakes was photographed and released pending an at large case filing for Indecent exposure.

Suspect Jakes committed the offense of indecent exposure by exposing his erect penis in a public place with his intent to gratify or arouse the sexual desire of himself. Suspect Jakes was reckless about whether another was present who would be offended or alarmed by his actions. This offense occured in Dallas, Dallas county Texas."

Happy Birthday, NAACP!

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People turns 100 today. It's been a journey with this group and I hope they continue the great work.

Thank You, NAACP

New Inglourious Basterds Trailer

Phelps did nothing Wrong... however, 19,065 folks did

Total South Carolina Drug Law Arrests by Age, Race, Sex and Charge (2006)

Age/Charge	Total Number	Total Percent	White Male	Black Male	Other Male	White Female	Black Female	Other Female
TOTAL, ALL AGES	38,035	100.0	12,768	17,585	174	4,381	2,548	39
SIMPLE POSSESSION	27,723	72.9	10,302	12,441	131	3,156	1,666	27
Opiates/Heroin	610	1.6	318	100	3	163	25	1
Cocaine	2,283	6.0	813	1,100	14	255	98	3
Crack Cocaine	4,457	11.7	856	2,703	5	535	352	6
Marijuana	19,065	50.1	7,534	8,398	105	1,839	1,172	17
Hallucinogens	97	0.3	57	24	1	11	4	0
Other Drugs	1,211	3.2	724	116	3	353	15	0
SALE/MANUFACTURE	6,906	18.2	1,386	3,961	35	508	470	6
Opiates/Heroin	187	0.5	65	58	1	56	6	1
Cocaine	876	2.3	249	513	9	61	44	0
Crack Cocaine	2,415	6.3	173	1,920	7	99	215	1
Marijuana	1,876	4.9	516	1,086	7	124	141	2
Hallucinogens	28	0.1	14	10	1	1	2	0
Other Drugs	984	2.6	369	374	10	167	62	2
DRUG EQUIPMENT / PARAPHERNALIA	3,406	9.0	1,080	1,183	8	717	412	6

Source: South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Crime in South Carolina 2006.

I don't feel sorry for Michael Phelps. He got caught, it's illegal, it's the law. However, he's sad and folks are outraged that he's being 'targeted'.

But I want people to look at the non-celeb-Olympic winners who also "did nothing wrong" in South Carolina. They get charged with possession and they don't have media attention to spin their stories. When they get charged, they can lose their jobs or the opportunity to get jobs. Phelps ain't suffering, so let's stop pretending he is. I'm not blogging about weed rights, I'm talking about this view of Phelps being a victim.

So you are going to fight the power, start with the non-millionaires who can't afford a way out and don't have a voice...or a gold medal.

via Jossip

Julio! Obama's Joe the Plumber

I love this kid!!

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy