Macchaito's & Morning Papers: LATE LATE Edition

So today's my birthday....and it also happened to be one of THE most hectic days at work for me!

However, the show MUST go on...and because I am the self-proclaimed "QUEEN OF MULTI-TASKING" I know the news is late BUT I can't neglect my readers! So let's get to it folks!

When life gives you lemons make: Michael Steele. LOL! This guy is SUCH a colossal JOKE! *Pause Police*

Charges have now been dropped on Henry Louis Gates, Jr. I'm STILL in shock. This is the man who host African American Lives on PBS. The series overview for anyone who isn't familiar:

From PBS.com

Building on the widespread acclaim of African American Lives (2006) and Oprah's Roots (2007), AFRICAN AMERICAN LIVES 2 again journeys deep into ancestry of an all-new group of remarkable individuals, offering an in-depth look at the African-American experience and race relations throughout U.S. history. Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. returns as series host, guiding genealogical investigations down through the 20th century, Reconstruction, slavery and early U.S. history, and presenting cutting-edge genetic analysis that locates participants' ancestors in Africa, Europe and America. Joining Professor Gates in the new broadcast are poet Maya Angelou, author Bliss Broyard, actor Don Cheadle, actor Morgan Freeman, theologian Peter Gomes, publisher Linda Johnson Rice, athlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee, radio personality Tom Joyner, comedian Chris Rock, music legend Tina Turner, and college administrator Kathleen Henderson, who was selected from more than 2,000 applicants to have her family history researched and DNA tested alongside the series' well-known guests.

If you haven't seen it you're missing out on a treat. At any event it appears that Mr. Gates will be back his normal life after this unfortunate and confusing situation.

Cathy Hughes is PISSED! Good and pissed...and she's upset for good reason. On her "Reality Radio" series she addresses the H.R. 848 Bill.

For anyone not familiar with HR 848 www.govtrack.us wrote this summary:

2/4/2009--Introduced.

Performance Rights Act - Amends federal copyright law to: (1) grant performers of sound recordings equal rights to compensation from terrestrial broadcasters; (2) establish a flat annual fee in lieu of payment of royalties for individual terrestrial broadcast stations with gross revenues of less than $1.25 million and for noncommercial, public broadcast stations; (3) grant an exemption from royalty payments for broadcasts of religious services and for incidental uses of musical sound recordings; and (4) grant terrestrial broadcast stations that make limited feature uses of sound recordings a per program license option.

Prohibits taking into account license fees payable for public performance via digital audio transmission of sound recordings in any proceeding to set or adjust the license fees for the purpose of reducing or adversely affecting such license fees. (Current law prohibits taking those fees into account in such a proceeding without referencing the purpose.)

Prohibits anything in this Act from adversely affecting the public performance rights or royalties payable to songwriters or copyright owners of musical works.

Prohibits taking into account the rates established by the Copyright Royalty Judges in any proceeding to reduce or adversely affect the license fees payable for public performances by terrestrial broadcast stations. Requires that such license fees for the public performance of musical works be independent of license fees paid for the public performance of sound recordings.

Revises provisions relating to proceeds from the licensing of transmissions.

The FULL Bill can be read here

PRESIDENT OBAMA'S NAACP Speech (VIDEO): "Your Destiny Is In Your Hands...No Excuses"

From Huffington Post:

NEW YORK - President Barack Obama on Thursday traced his historic rise to power to the vigor and valor of black civil rights leaders, telling the NAACP that the sacrifice of others "began the journey that has led me here." The nation's first black president bluntly warned, though, that racial barriers persist.

"Make no mistake: The pain of discrimination is still felt in America," the president said in honoring the organization's 100th convention.

White House aides said the President had been working on the speech for two weeks. Obama urged African-Americans to be realistic about some of the difficulties they may face, but to remember that "your destiny is in your hands."

"We've got to say to our children, Yes, if you're African American, the odds of growing up amid crime and gangs are higher. Yes, if you live in a poor neighborhood, you will face challenges that someone in a wealthy suburb does not have to face. That's not a reason to get bad grades, that's not a reason to cut class, that's not a reason to give up on your education and drop out of school," he said. "No one has written your destiny for you. Your destiny is in your hands - and don't you forget that."

"No excuses. No excuses," Obama added, verging off his prepared remarks. "You get that education. All those hardships will just make you stronger, better able to compete. Yes, we can"

Watch the complete speech:

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Painting himself as the beneficiary of the NAACP's work, Obama cited historical figures from W.E.B. DuBois to Thurgood Marshall to explain how the path to the presidency was cleared by visionaries.

Obama's remarks, steeped in his personal biography as the son of a white mother from Kansas and black father from Kenya, challenged the audience -- those in the room and those beyond -- to take greater responsibility for their own future. He told parents to take a more active role and residents to pay better attention to their schools.

Rousing up a friendly crowd, Obama made his first speech so directly linked with race since he took office; the White House says he worked on it for about two weeks. Implicit in his appearance: He is seeking the backing of the powerful NAACP and its members for his ambitious domestic agenda.

The president said that in the current down economy, blacks are suffering high unemployment and are afflicted with more diseases but are less likely to own health insurance. He said that the African-American child is about five times as likely as a white child to be sent to jail.

Obama touted education as essential to improving the lives of all children. He said the state of schools is an American problem, not an African-American one.

"You know what I'm talking about. There's a reason the story of the civil rights movement was written in our schools. There's a reason Thurgood Marshall took up the cause of Linda Brown. There's a reason the Little Rock Nine defied a governor and a mob," Obama said. "It's because there is no stronger weapon against inequality and no better path to opportunity than an education that can unlock a child's God-given potential."

"We have to say to our children, `Yes, if you're African-American, the odds of growing up amid crime and gangs are higher. Yes, if you live in a poor neighborhood, you will face challenges that someone in a wealthy suburb does not,'" Obama said, returning to his tough-love message familiar from his two-year presidential campaign.

"But that's not a reason to get bad grades, that's not a reason to cut class, that's not a reason to give up on your education and drop out of school," he said. "No one has written your destiny for you. Your destiny is in your hands and don't you forget that."

Obama expanded his message of equal rights beyond the black communities. He said many Americans still face discrimination.

Racism, he said, is felt "by African-American women paid less for doing the same work as colleagues of a different color and gender. By Latinos made to feel unwelcome in their own country. By Muslim Americans viewed with suspicion for simply kneeling down to pray. By our gay brothers and sisters, still taunted, still attacked, still denied their rights."

Obama also pressed for NAACP members to encourage their young people to find new role models beyond sports or music.

"I want them aspiring to be scientists and engineers, doctors and teachers, not just ballers and rappers," Obama said. "I want them aspiring to be a Supreme Court justice. I want them aspiring to be president of the United States."

To bolster his argument that it's within their reach, he cited his own biography, growing up with a single mother.

"I don't come from a lot of wealth. I got into my share of trouble as a kid. My life could easily have taken a turn for the worse. But that mother of mine gave me love; she pushed me, and cared about my education; she took no lip and taught me right from wrong," Obama said. "Because of her, I had a chance to make the most of my abilities. I had the chance to make the most of my opportunities. I had the chance to make the most of life."

Source: The Huffington Post

Macchiato's & Morning Papers

Michael's Jackson death is being investigated by the LAPD as a homicide according to TMZ.

The NY Post is reporting that Debbie Rowe has decided to drop the custody battle and is reportedly being paid 4 million dollars for these efforts. *Blank stare*

However, People Magazine is reporting that Rowe's lawyers are denying that a settlement agreement has been reached. I'm so sick of this ugliness!

Unemployment numbers are not being accurately reported as they don't include people with part time jobs who are still in search of full-time jobs.

With soaring unemployment numbers and foreclosures at an all time high...many are wondering what the Obama administration is waiting for. I love President O but I'm wondering too...

Ok so this is all kinds true...and I'm glad someone decided to point it out. I've tripped over things and run into people while texting, emailing and TWEETING, lol!

Huge Shark Washes up on Long Island Shore...and I am FREAKED OUT! That thing is HUGE!

Controversial report suggests that prenuptial cohabiting can spoil marriage. I know I'm gonna hear from both sides on this one. Since I don't have any experience from either side I'm gonna let those who do take this one.

The NYT's thinks that the new Harry Potter movie has alot of "Hormones & Rage".

CNN's Black America Screening Tour 2009

I just got my hands on this piece of information:

From CNN.com:

Last year, CNN took a hard look at the myths, the facts, the stereotypes and the realities of being black in America. The response to our documentaries was overwhelming and created a dialogue across the country.

We listened and what we heard sent us down a whole new path of reporting. Viewers wanted to know what was being done to solve some of the most pressing problems facing Black America.

This July, CNN continues its investigation with "Black in America 2." You'll meet people who are using ground-breaking solutions to transform the black experience and turn pain into progress.

So the full list of dates for many cities have already passed. Sorry folks! However, tonight in DC (I'll be attending for information purposes only) CNN will be screening individuals for the second series in the Black in America Documentary. I honestly wasn't fan of the first one but far be in from to with hold information as it is passed along to me.

Washington DC: CNN Black in America 2 Screening
July 14, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Location: The Heritage Center at the United States Navy Memorial
701 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20004
Host: Roland Martin
Click here to RSVP

Atlanta, GA: CNN Black in America 2 Screening
July 16, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Location: The Carter Center
453 Freedom Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30307
Host: Fredericka Whitfield
Click here to RSVP



Los Angeles, LA: CNN Black in America 2 Screening
July 20th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Location: California African American Musuem
600 State Drive - Exposition Park
Los Angeles, CA 90037
Host: T.J. Holmes
Click here to RSVP

For complete list of tour dates click here.

SOTOMAYOR'S CONFIRMATION HEARING LIVE

Judge Sonia Sotomayor appears for the second day before the Senate Judiciary Committee for her Supreme Court confirmation hearing. Latest updates are below.

WATCH LIVE VIDEO:

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Courtesy of MSNBC.com

The "I Can See Russia From My House!" Resignation

In the midst of the nation's Independence Day celebrations, Alaska Governor (and former Vice Presidential candidate) Sarah Palin resigned. While her announcement shocked absolutely everyone but her, I can't necessarily say anyone was exactly rushing to not accept it. Some Republicans probably even breathed a sigh of relief. But what exactly does this mean for the future of Palin and the GOP?

Palin was first introduced to the nation as John McCain's running mate in their failed November 2008 bid for the White House. McCain's declaration of someone who was completely off the political radar turned heads, caused mouths to drop and incited some of the most aggressive press I had seen since Obama initially announced his candidacy. Everyone scrambled to see who this woman was, what she stood for and most importantly, why in the world did McCain choose this nobody? Her introductory speech was at the GOP convention and I myself was blown away by her "take no prisoners" approach - I mean for someone with absolutely no experience, she came out swinging, coming directly at the Democrats and their failure to reach out and appeal to Conservative America. She was sassy, seemingly sophisticated and a "breath of fresh air", providing a quick boost to McCain's quickly faltering campaign.

Fast forward to November '08 - after a series of disastrous interviews, including the infamous Katie Couric sit-down where she couldn't even name her favorite book, the McCain-Palin express crashed expectedly. However, while he seemed to be reaping all of the finger pointing, she emerged a superstar, still glossy even though appeared to be very superficial. The GOP deemed her a favorite for the 2012 race and everyone anxiously awaited what she would do next. Go on Oprah? Go hunting? Host her own talk show? Write her own memoirs? Try another tell-all interview?

Fast forward to July '09 and Palin's bombshell resignation, citing her decision is in the best interest of Alaskans. So because she's embroiled in several ethics lawsuits, she didn't want to spend the taxpayers money on propaganda and "sexist" legalities....hmmmm.....

From the beginning, I have known this woman is one who is very calculating - her ditzy, "I can see Russia from my house" persona may indeed be an act....because she's smarter than we all think she is. I mean, really, when was the last time a major political figure announced their resignation from their very own lawn? There was no elaborate press conference, no well-polished rhetoric that seemingly wreaked of political nothingness; this lady plays by her own rules! While her resignation seemingly knocks her out of contention for the 2012 race, you have to ask....Who else does the GOP have? Most - if not all - of the top contenders have found themselves awash in extramarital scandals that are a definite "no no" in GOP world. And despite the fact that her family has gotten hit by a couple of bad jokes (Letterman!) and everything from her lack of experience to her wardrobe has been ridiculed, she has still remained a viable contender. So what if she didn't complete her full term as Governor? This was the woman the party chose as their second in command pick after barely 2 years in office...and she's in charge of Alaska, for heaven's sake! If it didn't matter then, will it really matter now? I mean, she's happily married with children, knows how to raise money, can work a crowd and knows exactly how to manipulate the media to make headlines (even if it is because she didn't know Africa was a continent). This woman is intelligent and I believe her political roadmap is pretty much laid out in her mind. With some polish and a great spin doctor (paging Karl Rove), she could definitely become the new face of the Republican party. She's not afraid to speak out against a wildly popular President, she's not afraid to acknowledge that she's an "Everywoman", and she definitely isn't afraid to acknowledge that she doesn't know everything there is to know. That was her formula for success initially....and she's everywhere - newsstands, cable news, network news, Internet gossip....and where exactly is McCain? Somewhere in Arizona, probably upset that he created this new megastar who essentially cost him the election while establishing herself as a new political icon. While to some this may come as an unwelcome shock, she is the new breed of politician - all glitz and no substance, well dressed but not well versed, eager but not experienced.

Believe me, folks...this is far from over....we have not seen the last of Ms. Palin.