Herbie Felton for Detroit.

Feds: Conyers deserves 'substantial' prison term

2010-03-09T10:15:00.000-08:00

DETROIT (AP)

Federal prosecutors say a judge should consider other acts of alleged corruption when he sentences former Detroit City Councilwoman Monica Conyers.

Conyers returns to court Wednesday for her sentence for conspiring to take bribes for a sludge contract.

The U.S. attorney's office says Conyers should also be punished for alleged schemes aired during the recent trial of ex-aide Sam Riddle. It ended in a mistrial.

The government says that would boost Conyers' sentencing guidelines to 46 months to 57 months in prison. In a court document unsealed Monday, prosecutors say she deserves a "substantial sentence."

Lap dances and VIP rooms out at Detroit executive clubs

2010-02-24T15:25:00.000-08:00

DETROIT (Tell Us Det) - Tuesday, the Detroit City Council passed new executive club regulations that ban lap dances and VIP rooms and require licensing for dancers.

Church groups opposing the clubs were unhappy that the council failed to ban alcohol sales or require dancers to use pasties to cover their nipples.

Clearly disappointed in not getting all the restrictions they sought, religious coalition leader Rev. Marvin Winans said, “Detroit deserves better, and we’re going to give them better.” Winans also pledged to continue the fight against strip clubs.

Executive club association spokesman Larry Kaplan said the clubs will try to live with the rules. He said, "We're glad it's over."

Tuesday's vote came a day after an overflow crowd spilled out of the 550-seat city council auditorium for a public hearing on strip clubs. Most speakers called for tougher rules, with some defending the clubs.

The council voted 6-3 for the new rules. It unanimously approved zoning restrictions on where clubs can open.

From http://www.tellusdetroit.com/

Jackets for Jobs celebrates 10 years of service at Red Carpet Gala

2010-02-23T11:41:00.000-08:00

Philanthropist/activist Malaak Compton-Rock is keynote speaker

Detroit, MI - Jackets for Jobs, Inc. will commemorate its 10th year of providing services in the Greater Detroit area at its Red Carpet Gala on March 25, 2010. The gala will be held at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, located at 315 E. Warren St., in Detroit, and will begin at 6:30 p.m. The theme is “10 years, 10,000 clients, 1 suit at a time.”

Philanthropist/activist Malaak Compton-Rock (wife of comedian Chris Rock) will keynote the event. She is an avid public speaker who lectures on topics pertaining to philanthropic giving, finding balance in life, raising giving children in a global world, and successfully blending a family and a professional life. On April 6, 2010, Comptom-Rock’s first book, "If It Takes A Village, Build One: How I Found Meaning Through a Life of Service and 100+ Ways You Can Too," will be released.

"The services that we provide are my gifts I give back to God,” explains Alison Vaughn, founder and CEO of Jackets for Jobs. “Celebrating 10 years of service and having provided 10,000 business suits to people in the community confirms my purpose and inspires me to do more in the years to come.

”The City of Detroit, Council President Charles Pugh will serve as master of ceremony. Musical entertainment will be provided by the acclaimed jazz flutist Alexander Zonjic.

All proceeds from the event will benefit Jackets for Jobs to help continue its mission of empowerment to economically disadvantaged individuals. Strolling dinner and free valet parking are included with ticket purchases. The public must call 313-579-9160 to purchase tickets: $75 for general admission; $125 for VIP, which includes a meet and greet pre-event reception, reserved seating and a commemorative souvenir.

Since opening the doors in 2000, Jacket for Jobs has assisted over 10,000 individuals, and has been recognized by Donald Trump, "The “View" (ABC), "Today Show" (NBC), Oprah's O Magazine, as well as numerous Michigan magazines and newspapers.

Vaughn started the organization after losing her sister to cancer and discovering that her sister was on welfare. Vaughn wanted to do something to help others who were on welfare and had a desire to gain employment. She has a Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University and is a graduate of The Women's Campaign School at Yale University, sponsored by Yale Law School. She is active with the NAACP and was a candidate for the 2006 Michigan State Senate.

Jackets for Jobs, Inc., a Michigan WORKS! Affiliate, is a 501.c.3 non-profit organization that provides career skills training, employment etiquette and professional clothing to economically disadvantaged individuals seeking employment in the Metropolitan Detroit Area.

For more information, please visit www.jacketsforjobs.org or email avaughn@jacketsforjobs.org

http://www.tellusdetroit.com/

Detroit City Council faces heat from all sides of Strip Club ordinance issue

2010-02-23T11:29:00.000-08:00

DETROIT (Tell Us Det) - For over two hours City Council members discussed controversial proposals during a public hearing that would change how strip clubs operate in Detroit.

The Monday afternoon hearing at City Hall drew supporters and foes of the changes.

Hundreds of people filled the 13th floor of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Building auditorium to voice there opinion during the public hearing.

The overflow had to remain in the hallway that leads to the room which holds a capacity of 550 persons.

Council was faced to face with ministers, church goers and community activist that want tougher laws regulating the strip clubs.

They are demanding that dancers wear opaque pasties.

Pointing out the hypocrisy in the room, a dancer from the All Stars Strip Club, drew applause when she said she recognized many of her patrons in the anti-strip club crowd.

Efforts to reign in adult entertainment go back to 1982 when zoning and licensing ordinances were imposed on some 95 cabarets, as they were known then.

Since then the numbers of strips clubs has declined to 42 with only 33 actively doing business according to Dennis Mazurek, assistant counsel for the city's Law Department.

The strip club debate will be on the docket of the Detroit City Council Tuesday when a vote is expected on whether to pass both a zoning ordinance and an alcohol licensing restriction.

Council members are considering banning the sale of alcohol and requiring dancers to wear pasties over the nipples.

A federal judge in 2007 struck down Detroit's regulations on where strip clubs could open and ordered them rewritten.Some council members also support banning lap dances and VIP rooms in the 30 or so clubs.

Religious and neighborhood groups say strip clubs reduce property values and increase crime.Strip-club owners have promised a costly legal fight.

From http://www.tellusdetroit.com/city-gov/council/strip-club-022210.html

Packed house expected today as Detroit City Council holds hearing on strip clubs

2010-02-22T09:49:00.000-08:00

DETROIT (AP) -- City Council members will discuss during a public hearing controversial proposals that would change how strip clubs operate in Detroit.The Monday afternoon hearing at City Hall is expected to draw supporters and foes of the changes.Council members are considering banning the sale of alcohol and requiring dancers to wear pasties over the nipples. A federal judge in 2007 struck down Detroit's regulations on where strip clubs could open and ordered them rewritten.Some council members also support banning lap dances and VIP rooms in the 30 or so clubs.Religious and neighborhood groups say strip clubs reduce property values and increase crime.Strip-club owners have promised a costly legal fight.

From: www.tellusdetroit.com

Sam Riddle case: Racist or Justice.

2010-02-18T19:04:00.000-08:00

I’m going to let you have the “Hang the Black man” quote and the “Your “KARMA” will stay with you until you have paid for it.” I’m going in a different direction.

The mistrial of Sam Riddle’s case is not the end of this saga, nor should it be. The government will retry this case, as they should until we reach a verdict. I’m talking about civil liberties and how they apply to ‘some’ of us, and not ‘all’ of us.

I recall early in this trail that Judge Avern Cohn told Sam Riddle not to Twitter or Facebook (at least about the case) and Sam stood his ground and stood on the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States saying ‘If I can’t Twitter and Facebook than what’s next?” I agreed with Sam on issue, but what about the jury? Can they Facebook, can they Twitter, can they talk to the media and give them inside information? I think not! Double standard for everyone except the accused. A juror is not suppose to asked any questions during the trial (let along Facebook), but has this practice been put into use during this trial? I say not.

The lone juror has had the spotlight shine on her like a beacon in the midnight sky shining like the Sun, but has the truth come out. Only by me and one other (a Facebook friend), all other media has put this story on the back burner and there it will stay unless people like me start telling people like you. People who want to know the truth about the double standard we have to live with. The two sets of rules we live by. These are the messages that were sent out by Jury Foreman Matt Lefevre on Facebook.

Matt Lefevre: "day 4 of jury duty hell tom at 8am downtown detroit." 1/12/10 at 10:15pm

Matt Lefevre: "dear jury duty staff i just wanted to tell u how much i hate you for wasting my time by making me wake u...p at 6am everyday to drive in god awful traffic down to our lovely city of detroit and then sit here and stare at the wall for hours and hours and then send me home."

Jury Foreman Matt Lefevre on Facebook: "The system failed today, I will say 11 of us gave it our all for over a month and its a sad day that justice was not served." Minutes after the verdict.

Does this sound like justice? The judge and media came down hard on Sam Riddle for his Facebook and Twitter, but not Matt Lefevre. He can Facebook, talk to ‘God knows who’ about whatever comes to his hard head. Jury tampering has been spoke of but aimed at the wrong person. Don’t point your finger at Angela Woods, point your middle finger at Matt Lefevre, the jury tamping king. (Yeah I said it, so what.) Let the facts come out and the chips fall where they may.

My two Cents, and wroth every penny.

James Tate on the Herbie Felton Show.

2010-02-16T18:20:00.000-08:00

Detroit City Councilman James Tate’s primary focus for the citizens of Detroit is to reduce crime and increase safety, combat neighborhood blight, demand government accountability, and improve city services. Join Councilman Tate and I as we discuss the state of Detroit and what can be done to right the ship, and what has he done thus far as our newly elected councilman. Listen and call in and ask the councilman questions. On Saturday Feb. 20, 2010 at 10a.m.

www.blogtalkradio.com/herbiefeltonshow

Dr. John Telford on The Herbie Felton Show

2010-02-04T18:56:00.000-08:00

Don't miss Dr. John Telford on The Herbie Felton Show Feb 6 at 10am on blog talk radio.

Dr. John Telford the author of ‘A life on the Run, seeking and safeguarding social justice’ will join me as we discuss the social disservice being done to Detroit Public School children and intercity children across America. If have children in the public school system, you will not want to miss this special show.

Dr. John Telford will pull no punches when telling his often scandalous, sometimes humorous, yet poignant and inspiring life story. He is ‘White man’ who has fought on behave of the African American student with his passion for education and social justice.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/herbiefeltonshow

JAMIE SCOTT TAKEN BACK TO PRISON!

2010-01-23T20:58:00.000-08:00

January 23, 2010, 6 hours ago noreply@blogger.com (Evelyn Rasco)

SICKENING ROLLER-COASTER RIDE FOR JAMIE SCOTT!!

Mrs. Rasco was informed at 6:00 a.m. that Jamie Scott was returned to the prison infirmary after having been told that her body was full of toxins and that the medication she had been receiving at the prison contributed to the condition she is in today! In typical sadistic fashion, the prison told Jamie that they are not paying for her to have a special diet and that they will be moving her back to the horrible, leaky and moldy building where she was living. As if all of that wasn't bad enough, she was further informed that she will be taken to a trailer to receive dialysis instead of the hospital!

While Atty Jaribu Hill is working on legal support for Jamie, we MUST continue to advocate for her. Mrs. Rasco wants us to flood the governor's office as he has released inmates in the past who have been convicted of far worse crimes than which Jamie and Gladys are accused. Mississippi is also making deep budget cuts which have included discussions around the release of inmates, and there is no reason on this earth why Jamie Scott should continue to be locked down in her serious medical condition, it is cruel, inhumane, and DEADLY, she has many aggravating conditions, is severely depressed, and there must be COMPASSION!

If you work in the medical field please make that known when calling/writing so that it can be made plain that there are medical professionals aware of this prison's culpability in this previously healthy young woman's deterioration into such a serious condition, which they continue to downplay to this very moment!

We also continue to feel strongly that if we could put the light of mainstream media on this case that it would make a huge difference. PLEASE include calls and e-mails to the media. If you're from overseas, please make sure that they know that fact.

Thanks again to you all, we have an enormous fight on our hands and we need all of the help we can get! We know that they expect us to give up, but we must push even harder!
----------------------

JAMIE SCOTT, #19197, IS SUFFERING CRUEL AND INHUMAN PUNISHMENT!

BE DIRECT BUT PLEASE BE COURTEOUS

Governor Haley Barbour
P.O. Box 139
Jackson, Mississippi 39205
1-877-405-0733 or 601-359-3150
Fax: 601-359-3741
(If you reach VM leave msgs, faxes, and please send letters)

(FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ANY AND ALL MAJOR MEDIA YOU HAVE INFORMATION FOR, DON'T BE LIMITED BY THESE LISTINGS AT ALL!)

CLICK FOR MEDIA/POLITICAL CONTACT LIST

Herbie Felton on Blog Talk Radio.

2010-01-22T21:03:00.000-08:00

This is an article in which I appeared on January 5th, read and enjoy and listen to The Herbie Felton Show on Saturday’s at 10a.m.

Here’s to the New YearJanuary 5th, 2010
Posted by Hilary Leewong.

As we have successfully wrapped up 2009 and 2010 begins…

Special thanks to the BlogTalkRadio hosts who wrote in with their favorite moments of 2009.

MarQ of Somewhere in Vegas loved interviewing country music star Crystal Gayle, pop legend Eddie Money, comedian and TV host Wayne Brady, and star of Robot Chicken, Seth Green.

Simon of Tomorrow Will be Televised interviewed the minds behind some of the hottest shows on television, including Dancing With The Stars executive producer Conrad Green , Glee co-creator/executive producer Ian Brennan , Law & Order executive producer Rene Balcer , Law & Order: SVU executive producer and creator Neal Baer , and Project Runway executive producer Jane Cha .

Dr. Blogstein’s favorite show was with Full House veterans Candace Cameron Bure and Dave Coulier.

Betty Jo Tucker of Movie Addict Headquarters loved interviewing film legend Debbie Reynolds.
Herbie Felton loved starting his own show, and Judy Joy Jones loves doing her show and chatting and working with the other members of the BlogTalkRadio family.

Here’s to a great 2010!

BREAKING NEWS!!! Senator Hansen Clarke will not seek Governor’s seat.

2010-01-15T08:40:00.000-08:00

Senator Hansen Clarke will not pursue the Governor's seat this November. In a statement released today he said “I deeply appreciate your support and have arrived at this decision only after a great deal of thoughtful consideration.”

Senator Clarke also said in the statement that he will still “work on cutting insurance costs, creating and saving jobs, helping families, and generating sustainable economic growth in our state.”

This leaves the field for the Democratic Party wide open for such maybe candidates as Andy Dillon, Denise Ilitch, and Alma Wheeler Smith just to name a few. With Mike Cox still in the Republican lead for the nomination this race is getting heated with only one player actually in the game (As far as I know Mike Cox is the only actual candidate).

Now the questions will be. Who will be the Democratic Party candidate for Michigan Governor for 2010? VOTE Michigan, you get what you VOTE for.

Council President hires stepmother.

2010-01-13T19:35:00.000-08:00

Council President Pugh hires his step mother to a job at city hall. Charles Pugh revealed Wednesday afternoon that he has hired his stepmother, Sonya Pugh, to a $32,000 a year job as an aide.

"My decision to have Ms. Pugh serve in my office was based on her years of experience in customer service and her compassion for the people of Detroit," said Pugh in a statement.

How will this hire sit with voters of Detroit? “Its friends and family all over again. What do you expect? After all, he did support Kwame Kilpatrick.” said one Detroit voter.

Charles Pugh was raised by his Grandmother after his mother was killed and his father committed suicide. Hiring family is not new to city hall as both Kwame Kilpatrick and Monica Conyers has done this.

Workshop on Jobs and Full Employment

2010-01-11T18:45:00.000-08:00

Saturday, February 20, 2010
9:30am to 12:30pm
Registration at 9:00am
Teamsters Hall 2700 Trumbull, Detroit

Unemployment vs. Job Opportunities in the U.S., Michigan, the Detroit area, and in the 14th Congressional District

Congressman John Conyers, Jr.
And Panel on Jobs and Full Employment

Part ONE-The jobs crisis in February, 2010
v The current unemployment and recession
v Some of the factors that brought this about:
Working wage inequality, de-industrialization, reckless financial gambling: real estate & Wall Street globalization of jobs, problems of the auto industry
v History of past U.S. government actions to promote full employment
OPEN DISCUSSION

Part TWO-Steps to create full employment with good jobs
v Revised Humphrey Hawkins Bill- FULL EMPLOYMENT
v Bill to share jobs through reduced work week, with wages steady
v What needs to be done now
OPEN DISCUSSION

Especially invited: Precinct Delegates and Members of the 14th District Democratic Party

There is no admission charge

DETROIT: CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION REQUESTED FOR ELECTIONS VIOLATIONS

2010-01-08T18:38:00.000-08:00

Let's watch Detroit carefully, because today's request to prosecute election violations may help with a rotten elections culture elsewhere in the USA.

Ex-candidate Tom Barrow has filed a formal request for investigation along with stunning documentation of chain of custody breach in the recent Detroit mayoral election. Black Box Voting has been in close contact with Barrow, and we will be reviewing additional documents related to this case. The allegations are fascinating.

Detroit citizens executed watchdog actions brilliantly. One of my favorite tactics: They piled leaves in front of the back door, and went out to check frequently to see if anyone was sneaking in and out. The leaves showed that someone had entered through the back door. A security guard confessed to letting strangers in to the security area.

There's more ... in fact, the full complaint and its accompanying Exhibit provides a pretty good primer for citizens and candidates who want to watchdog elections. But first, a word about how widespread this culture of violating chain of custody has become.

Story is from http://www.blackboxvoting.org/

Information you can use.

2010-01-08T16:55:00.000-08:00

The Detroit Charter Commission is now listed on the City of Detroit's web site under 'Departments'. Here is a link:

www.ci.detroit.mi.us/DepartmentsandAgencies/CityCharterCommission/tabid/2936/Default.aspx.

Also, you may contact members (individually or collectively) at the following email addresses:

Freman Hendrix (chairperson)

HendrixF@detroitmi.gov

Jenice C. Mitchell Ford (Vice-Chairperson)

MitchellfordJ@detroitmi.gov

Cara Blount

BlountC@detroitmi.gov

Ken Coleman

ColemanK2@detroitmi.gov

Reginald Davis

DavisRR@detroitmi.gov

Ken Harris

HarrisK@detroitmi.gov

Teola P. Hunter

HunterT@detroitmi.gov

John Johnson

ohnsonJ2@detroitmi.gov

Rose Mary C. Robinson

RobinsonRM@detroitmi.gov

New council face tough issues.

2010-01-04T12:55:00.000-08:00

The first meeting of the new city council is tomorrow, will the new council live up to expectations or will the realities of the cities deficiencies be too much for the newcomers to conquer. This is going to be a wearisome time for most of new council members for whom people are expecting them too to keep their campaign promises amid of a $300 million defect. Among some of the problems will be a proposal to borrow $250 million, a crack down on strip clubs (Which the old council simply refused to vote on) and overturn the sale of Camp Brighton that is under federal scrutiny.

The budget is priority number one. A city with very little money to operate will not operate for long. New revenue sources will have to be investigated; James Tate said that he like to see naming rights go to some of Detroit owned landmarks for instant revenue generation. While others said we should after back fines and taxes for the revenue.

2010 is a new year with a new challenge, are we up to the challenge, will the new council be up for the challenge?

Public swearing ceremony is on Friday Jan 8th. After that, their off too the races. Who will shine and who will collapse? Can the new council work as a group, or will it be the old against the new? Only time will tell.

You get what you VOTE for. VOTE Detroit.

Jackie Curry Dies.

2009-12-27T17:46:00.000-08:00

DETROIT -- Police said, Former Detroit City Clerk Jackie Currie was found dead in her home Sunday.
Investigators said Currie died of natural causes.

Passengers help foil attack on Detroit-bound plane

2009-12-26T09:26:00.000-08:00

Saturday, December 26, 2009
ROMULUS, Mich. (AP) — An attempted terrorist attack on a Christmas Day flight began with a pop and a puff of smoke — sending passengers scrambling to subdue a Nigerian man who claimed to be acting on orders from al-Qaida to blow up the airliner, officials and travelers said.
The commotion began as Northwest Airlines Flight 253, carrying 278 passengers and 11 crew members from Amsterdam, prepared to land in Detroit just before noon Friday. Travelers said they smelled smoke, saw a glow, and heard what sounded like firecrackers. At least one person climbed over others and jumped on the man, who officials say was trying to ignite an explosive device.
"It sounded like a firecracker in a pillowcase," said Peter Smith, a passenger from the Netherlands. "First there was a pop, and then (there) was smoke."
Smith said one passenger, sitting opposite the man, climbed over passengers, went across the aisle and tried to restrain the man. The heroic passenger appeared to have been burned.
Afterward, the suspect was taken to a front-row seat with his pants cut off and his legs burned. Multiple law enforcement officials also said the man appeared badly burned on his legs, indicating the explosive was strapped there. The components were apparently mixed in-flight and included a powdery substance, multiple law enforcement and counterterrorism officials said.
The White House said it believed it was an attempted act of terrorism and stricter security measures were quickly imposed on airline travel. Dutch anti-terrorism authorities said the U.S. has asked all airlines to take extra precautions on flights worldwide that are bound for the United States.
The incident was reminiscent of Richard Reid, who tried to destroy a trans-Atlantic flight in 2001 with explosives hidden in his shoes, but was subdued by other passengers.
Multiple law enforcement officials identified the suspect in Friday's attempted attack as Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab. He was described as Nigerian.
One law enforcement official said the man claimed to have been instructed by al-Qaida to detonate the plane over U.S. soil, but other law enforcement officials cautioned that such claims could not be verified immediately, and said the man may have been acting independently — inspired but not specifically trained or ordered by terror groups.
All the officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation was continuing.
Intelligence and anti-terrorism officials in Yemen said they were investigating claims by the suspect that he picked up the explosive device and instructions on how to use it in that country. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak to the media.
The man was being questioned Friday evening. An intelligence official said he was being held and treated in an Ann Arbor, Mich., hospital. The hospital said one passenger from the flight was taken to the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor, but referred all inquiries to the FBI.
Melinda Dennis, who was seated in the front row of the plane, said the man involved was brought to the front row and seated near her. She said his legs appeared to be badly burned and his pants were cut off. She said he was taken off the plane handcuffed to a stretcher.
One law enforcement official, also speaking on condition of anonymity, said Mutallab's name had surfaced earlier on at least one U.S. intelligence database, but he was not on a watch list or a no-fly list.
The suspect boarded in Nigeria and went through Amsterdam en route to Detroit, Rep. Peter King, the ranking GOP member of the House Homeland Security Committee, told CNN. A spokeswoman for police at the Schiphol airport in Amsterdam declined comment about the case or about security procedures at the airport for Flight 253.
Dutch airline KLM says the connection in Amsterdam from Lagos, Nigeria, to Detroit involves a change in carrier and a change in aircraft.
Schiphol airport, one of Europe's busiest with a heavy load of transit passengers from Africa and Asia to North America, strictly enforces European security regulations including only allowing small amounts of liquid in hand luggage that must be placed inside clear plastic bags.
A spokesman for the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Akin Olukunle, said all passengers and their luggage are screened before boarding international flights. He also said the airport in Lagos cleared a U.S. Transportation Security Administration audit in November.
"We had a pass mark," Olukunle said. "We actually are up to standards in all senses."
Nigeria's information minister, Dora Akunyili, condemned the attempted bombing. She said the government has opened its own investigation into the suspect and will work with U.S. authorities.
"We state very clearly that as a nation we abhor all forms of violence," Akunyili said in a statement issued Saturday.
London's Metropolitan Police also was working with U.S. officials, said a spokeswoman who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with department policy. A search was under way Saturday at an apartment building where Mutallab is said to have lived in a posh West London neighborhood.
University College London issued a statement saying a student named Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab studied mechanical engineering there between September 2005 and June 2008. But the college said it wasn't certain the student was the same person who was on the plane.
Delta Air Lines Inc., which acquired Northwest last year, said a passenger caused a disturbance, was subdued, and the crew requested that law enforcement officials meet the flight.
Passenger Syed Jafri, a U.S. citizen who had flown from the United Arab Emirates, said the incident occurred during the plane's descent. Jafri said he was seated three rows behind the passenger and said he saw a glow, and noticed a smoke smell. Then, he said, "a young man behind me jumped on him."
"Next thing you know, there was a lot of panic," he said.
Federal officials said there would be heightened security for both domestic and international flights at airports across the country, but the intensified levels would likely be "layered," differing from location to location depending on alerts, security concerns and other factors.
Passengers can expect to see heightened screening, more bomb-sniffing dog and officer units and behavioral-detection specialists at some airports, but there will also be unspecified less visible precautions as well, officials said.
Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., the chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, said in a statement he would hold hearings in January to look into the incident and related security issues.
The FBI and the Homeland Security Department issued an intelligence note on Nov. 20 about the threat picture for the holiday season, which was obtained by The Associated Press. At the time, officials said they had no specific information about attack plans by al-Qaida or other terrorist groups.
President Barack Obama was notified of the incident and discussed it with security officials, the White House said. Officials said he is monitoring the situation and receiving regular updates from his vacation spot in Hawaii.
___
Associated Press Writers Lara Jakes in Baghdad, Iraq, Jon Gambrell in Lagos, Nigeria, Arthur Max in Amsterdam, Jennifer Quinn in London, Ahmed al-Haj in Yemen, and Larry Margasak and Devlin Barrett in Washington contributed to this report.

Sam Riddle: Is he spinning out of control?

2009-12-23T12:03:00.000-08:00

3 November 2009, it is the night of the most historic elections in Detroit’s history and there in the lobby of the Double Tree Hotel was Sam Riddle. I walked over to him put out my hand and said “Hello, do you think you can recognize me?”

He looked and said “Give me a hint.”

“Facebook.” I said.

“Oh yeah! You’re Herbie, nice to meet you. I read your stuff and I like it, you tell the truth. Are you going to run again?”

“ I don’t know?” I said unsurely. “Maybe.”

“You should, because people need to hear what you have to say. Although; I only agree with you 30% of the time.” He said jokingly “You should run again. Let me give you some advice. Use the media, if people don’t know what you stand for, they won’t give a damn. You could be right about many things, but if no one hears you, who cares.”

More was exchanged, but I’ll stop the story here. The advice was good, so good that I took it to heart and when I heard about an opportunity to host my own internet radio show, I jumped at the chance.

I meet Sam Riddle for only a short time, but he gave me sometime timeless, advice. The Sam Riddle I meet was in control, at that time, and seemed happy (Even with everything that was going on in his life.). He has said that he was scared. “If you have the People of the United States of America after you, you’ll be scared too.” Maybe the pressure was just too much for him too handle. Being indicted with too separate felony cases, his battle with alcohol, and being told not to talk on Facebook and Twitter (The judge said he could use the latter, but do not talk about the case. Which he didn’t in great detail.), Sam fought this order in the court of public opinion as a Constitutional issue. Which leads to my question? What was Sam thinking? Was Sam drinking again? Could all of this have been too much for Sam too handle? Could this have been avoided?

It all came to ahead when he was arrested Monday for allegedly pointing a loaded gun at his ‘live-in’ girlfriend, Mary Waters, after she caught him with other woman. Just hours before posting and interacting with his Facebook friends, he could have never imagined what would come next. Jailed, standing mute to the charges, spending the night in a cold jail with Christmas just around the corner. Not the way he planned his day, I’m sure.

I don’t want to sound like a Sam apologetics’, but does this sound like the Sam we think we know? Allegedly taking and or arranging bribes is one thing, but allegedly holding a gun up to someone is totally different. One is a white color crime of corruption, the other, a blue color crime of passion. If this is true, then his crimes are escalating and I’m afraid of what could be next. Mr. Riddle has a lot of soul searching to do in the coming months. With now three separate cases against him the pressure will only become greater and the mountain harder to climb.

If and when he gets out of jail and goes back on Facebook, he will find on his page that many people are both for and against him. Many send their love and prayers, while others send their hatred and detestation for him. No matter how you feel about the man or his actions, one thing is for sure. Sam Riddle needs help.

That’s my two cents, what’s your?

Mary Waters press release from Dec. 23, 2009 ‘Mary Waters Sets Record Straight’ http://www.thestreet.com/story/10652052/1/mary-waters-sets-record-straight.html

Will The Charter Commission look at term limits?

2009-12-16T21:21:00.000-08:00

The nine member charter commission will hear from the community about a great number of issues, and the one issue that I will bring up is that of term limits. Term limits is a 50-50 issue, either you like it or you do not. There is no right answer to this question, but for me there is only one clear cut answer. YES!!!

Term limits have not served our State Representatives very well, due in part that they have only Two year terms and can sever a maximum of six years. One year their doing/learning their jobs, by year two they are on the campaign trial. This cycle repeats itself every two years or until their voted out. The Mayor, City Clerk, and City Council all serve four year terms. This I believe is a very different horse of a whole different color. I understand your argument of “We can just vote them out.” but do we vote them out? History tells us that we do not simply vote them out. In this election two incumbents were voted out, one other was kicked out of office after pledging guilty to a felony bribery charge, while two others decided not to run at all. After all the smoke was cleared, 5 new council members filled the shoes of the 3 vacant slots, while the other two seats were voted out. Read the last sentence again and tell me is this change. I think not. We gain 5 new council members but only 2 were voted out, one in the primary and the other in the general. When was the last time a city council incumbent was voted out? I didn’t look this information up so if you know the answer please forward the answer to me, and bravo for your political awareness. I am willing to bet however that it was not in the last Twenty years. Read the last sentence again, not in the last twenty years. Where were you twenty years ago? If I’m wrong again please drop me a line.

Now let us move on to the office of Mayor, when was the last time a Mayor was voted out of office? I’m willing to bet not in the last Forty years. Read the last sentence again, not in the last forty years. Again, if I’m wrong please drop me a line. How many of you think that Mayor Coleman Young stayed in office just a little too long? How many of you would have voted for Dennis Archer for a third term? What about a fourth? How many of you would have voted for Kwame Kilpatrick for a third term if he had not gone to jail? What about a fourth and so on? No matter how badly these public officials perform, or how many times they lie to us, we vote them all back in. Are we afraid of change? How do we change the mind set of a community that is afraid to vote for someone other than an incumbent? We can’t, and that is my final answer.

What about the office of City Clerk? In the last election ‘city clerk for life’ Jackie Curry actually lost to new comer Janice Winfrey. Other than the last election, when was the last time a city clerk was voted out? I don’t know the answer to this off hand either, but was it in the 16 years? If you know the answer to this, again drop me a line.

I know what you’re saying. “He should have looked this up before writing his blog.” Well I didn’t because I don’t need to. I know we don’t vote incumbents out, they just fade away. Or run for another office, or get haul away in handcuffs, but we don’t vote them out. With this last election being the exception and not the rule, this has to change.

Incumbents get lazy, complacent, and bored and this we don’t need. What we need is someone who will work in the interest of the people, and not in the interest of themselves. We need someone who will work assiduously for not only our city but their city as well. Complacence with ones self will no longer be tolerated, boredom will no longer be tolerated, and laziness will certainly no longer be tolerated, not by me or anyone else who loves this city. I like our new council, if you think about it; it is truly a new council. All but one of the new council has four years or less in office. When was the last time that happen? I don’t know the answer to the… you know the rest.

Seriously, we need term limits in this city. We deserve fresh minds with fresh ideals. I believe we are moving in this direction because 168 candidates for city council have told us so. Some of them were not qualified for the office, but they were willing to try. Some couldn’t get their campaigns off the ground, but they were willing to try. Some had the heart and desire but didn’t have the wherewithal to continue, but they were all willing to try. These 168 candidates were all willing to turn this city around, away from the corruption and futile leadership that we have endured for so many years now. Only 5 made the final cut, but they all made a difference.
I was just looking at a Facebook post and it goes perfectly with my story.

"A politician in power tends to remain in power." -- Neal Boortz's "First Rule of Political Dynamics"

People are resisted to change; when they stay in office too long we have nothing but contempt towards our chosen leaders, the very people we voted for just a mere 16 years ago. We now can’t wait for them to leave. If there hadn’t been so many great candidates in the last election, Alberta Tinsley-Talabi would have made it for her 5th term in office (that’s 20 years folks).

If you haven’t done what you needed to do in 12 years, then you need to leave. What difference would 4 more years make if you hadn’t done it in the last 12? Don’t be fooled any longer by their speeches, by their past accomplishments (Or a lack there of), and don’t let them dazzle you with their B.S. any longer. Enough is enough; it is time to take charge. Come with me to the charter commission meetings and tell them we want terms limits for the Mayor (2 terms, 8 years), City Clerk (3 terms, 12 years), and City Council ( 3 terms, 12 years).

If you disagree with terms limits I invite you to comment.

Remember, you get what you VOTE for, VOTE Detroit!

Fanchon Stinger V.S. Rayford Jackson?

2009-12-04T09:29:00.000-08:00

We heard both sides of the story Fanchon Stinger the successful, beautiful former anchor woman at Fox 2 Detroit. Rayford Jackson, the successful business man who wanted to bring Detroit back though development. We heard both sides of this terrific story, now it is time for the truth. What is the truth.

Was R. Jackson the woman beater that F. Stinger makes him out to be? Was F. Stinger a home wreaker and personal bank to R. Jackson? Only those two know the answers to these questions in earnest.

I have some questions that I would like answered. Why was F. Stinger fired from her job just by the mere mention of her name on a news report by fellow employee Scott Lewis? Why is on one going after this convicted felon who cheated on his wife and 4 children?

R. Jackson will say nothing to the F.B.I., not ever to reduce his sentence, but when F. Stinger opens her mouth he is ready to talk. He called FOX 2 to tell his story, Fox 2 didn’t call him. Most people in Detroit is on this mans side, but he is the one who bribed a city council person. He is the one that is going to the penitentiary for 5 years, not Fanchon Stinger. Ms. Stinger is being painted as a lair (which she could very be a lair.) about being abused. He could have abused her but she didn’t have a black eye, she showed up for work everyday looking beautiful as ever. So who do we believe?

Do we believe the convicted felon, or do we believe the pretty face. I’ll leave that judgment up to you. They are both lying and both are telling the truth, the truth is somewhere in the middle.

P.S. Answer me this.

Why is Kwame Kilpatrick and Christine Beatty any different than Rayford Jackson and Fanchon Stinger? Both men cheated on their wives and four children, if anything I have more respect for K.K. because he is still married and admits that he still cares for Christine. Rayford threw Fanchon under the bus in his FOX 2 interview. Women, in general, felt more compassion for Christine than they do for Fanchon. When it came to Christine, women said “A women will do anything for love, she fell in love with Kwame.” When it comes to Fanchon, “She is a lying h%$ who is trying to play the sympathy card.” You can’t it both ways, they are either home wreakers or they are both victims. Which is it? There is more to this story than we know, than will we ever know? I say we should threw them all under the bus.

Swearing-in set for new city council president

2009-12-03T12:11:00.000-08:00

Associated Press - December 3, 2009 4:04 AM ET

DETROIT (AP) - Charles Pugh's swearing-in ceremony as Detroit City Council president will be held Thursday at the Election Commission.

City Clerk Janice Winfrey will administer the oath of office to Pugh, who received the most votes in the Nov. 3 general election.

The former television news anchor and reporter is 1 of 5 newcomers to the nine-member council. He calls the ceremony "a monumental moment" in his life and a "blessing." Pugh is Detroit's first openly gay council member.

The new council will be inaugurated Jan. 5, before its first meeting of 2010.

Pugh says in a release that his top priorities as council president include setting higher standards of conduct.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Spend Thankgiving with Herbie. CHEAP!!!

2009-11-23T16:53:00.000-08:00

I’m free this holiday, so if anyone is looking for the cousin you love to avoid and never invite to the family functions, then I’m your man. You can rent me out for only $1000 an hour, cheap if you consider the fact that I go home and will never be heard from again. Try that with a real relative. Just call me Uncle Joe twice removed on your Mother-in-law side, the crazy side. Just feed me a few family facts; so I’ll know what I’m talking about when I say “Hi” to Aunt Millie, Uncle Chuck, or Grandpa Ebenezer.

I love dogs, but will bite them back. I love Cats, over corn in a nice raspberry sauce. I will play with the kids, like little Johnny, the one who pee’s in his pants every time he gets dressed up. Little baby Kim, the one who never brushes her teeth, and the rest of the brat pack.

I’ll watch football with your sister’s boyfriend while her ‘has-been’ is having dinner with his girlfriend. I’ll even come over late, leave early, and I won’t miss the toilet (I hope).

So; if you have an extra seat and plate, give me a call. 313-555-herb (4372).

P.S. Pic of Santa after a B&E. Look at the fat boy GO!!!

The Herbie Felton Show?

2009-11-22T08:55:00.000-08:00

Coming in 2010 Herbie is getting his own talk show on Blog Talk Radio.

v Interviews with Detroit’s movers and shakers
v Information you can use
v Call in and talk about anything Detroit
v National news and what affects you
v Facebook interaction and much more.

Who would you like to hear on the show?

Your comments are always welcome.

Detroit City Council passes Bing plan; four members attend their last meeting | detnews.com | The Detroit News

2009-11-21T11:48:00.000-08:00

Detroit City Council passes Bing plan; four members attend their last meeting detnews.com The Detroit News