Black Man in America

Black Man In America Podcast!

2024-08-04T21:06:00.000-04:00

"Black Man in America" is a bold and unfiltered podcast hosted by OG FOXXIE that dives deep into the political, social, and economic issues affecting the Black community and beyond.

Sonya Massey Killing

2024-08-04T21:00:00.001-04:00

A parent's worst fear!

Sonya Massey’s mother called 911 to report her daughter having a mental breakdown a day before Massey, 36, was fatally shot inside of her home by an Illinois deputy, according to emergency call audio released this week.

“She has been having a mental breakdown, which is something new to me,” Donna Massey, her mother, can be heard saying on the call. “She is not a danger to herself, she is not a danger to me. But when she gets upset, then she thinks everyone is after her, like paranoid or schizophrenic.”

An Illinois sheriff whose former deputy fatally shot Sonya Massey last month inside her Springfield home told CBS News Thursday that not only had the deputy received training, but he had specifically received extra training to learn how to avoid the use of unwarranted lethal force.

"This was a rogue individual that acted outside the scope of his authority," Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell said of his former Deputy Sean Grayson. "He's been arrested, and he will pay the price."

Trump wants to give rogue cops, like Sean Grayson, immunity. This part of his horrible Project 2025 manifesto!

Terrance Fox 2015 false Arrest

2024-06-22T07:40:00.000-04:00

In 2015 a black man, Terrance D. Fox of Shannon St., Schenectady, NY, was falsely arrested.

Mr. Fox was notified by Twitter that his account, with 100,000 followers, was hacked by a Russian group, and a police bait picture was uploaded onto it. The account was taken down by Twitter.

The photo was sent to the authorities. This caused a police swat team to raid Mr. Fox's home.

As the police searched his home and computer, for incriminating evidence, Mr. Fox was wrongfully detained, and sat at the station waiting.

Upon completion of the search, he was informed that nothing incriminating was found.

An officer then scrolled through an IPad and uploaded a picture of a police female pretending to be underage(bait picture), saying she was 14 years old.

The officer falsely charged Mr. Fox with possessing and uploading this picture onto his Twitter account.

Judge set bail at $25,000, which Mr. Fox refused to pay, and was sent to county jail until next court appearance, 3 days later.

When Mr. Fox returned, the judge released Mr. Fox on his own recognizance.

After months of court appearances, the D.A. finally dropped the charges and completely expunged without restrictions.

Mr. Fox was a victim of internet/computer swatting and should have never been arrested.

The Disgracing Of The Black Man

2015-01-04T00:23:00.000-05:00

Bill Cosby is the latest victim of Black disgrace. Throughout history the Black man has been depicted and stereotyped, as a sexual animal. He is now being depicted as the stereotypical Black man, a sex craved wild animal. The people who have come to love him, many white, have now turned their backs on him. There is no support, despite the fact that all allegations against him are purely hearsay, and technically without merit. There's no Reverend Al, there's no Jessie Jackson, and King family reps speaking in support of this man. He has represented the Black race in the highest of regards, but yet it seems that Blacks are allowing this 21st century lynching to continue. Blacks should boycott all tv stations that have prematurely pulled his programs, because we all are innocent until proven guilty. The public prosecution of Mr. Cosby, must stop and stop now. By allowing tv stations to yank programing that portrays the Black family in the proper manner, is an injustice. All the tapes of a beautifully craft family sit-com, must be destroyed, this persecution of Mr. Crosby is another example that we as Americans are still are racially divided, quick to disgrace Black icons on a continual basis. Michael Jackson, pedophile, now Bill Cosby, rapist. Two men who haven given more back to their people, and others, but are stripped of their status, and stature, and dignity. Where are the black leaders when these men are unfairly prosecuted and persecuted? One has already died due to the undue stress the false accusations had on him, suffering from post traumatic stress, which would not allow him to sleep at night, and needed the heaviest of drug to do the job. Blacks should rally around this man. He has done so much for the Black community, other stars have to come in support of him, because he will always be the first Black man that paved the way for their success. He was doing something right. Black comedians should cease in making jokes about him.

Eric Garner

2014-12-06T12:27:00.001-05:00

Eric Garner is just another case where police go too far, when dealing with Blacks. Throughout the video, we never see the police have him "assume the position" in an attempt to search him for any illegal contraband. What we do see, is the police immediately attempt to arrest him upon their approach. Despite Mr. Garners denials that he is doing anything wrong, we never hear the police issue him his Miranda right to remain silent. The police know that people will attempt to resist arrest in many cases, but never do we hear of any White individuals being killed as a result of their resistance. The choke hold applied to him was banned, and should have never been applied on him, because that hold has killed before!! This is just another case where officers become extremely frightened, despite all their training, when approaching Black males!! This case definitely should have went to trial, there is definitely probable cause for these officers to be tried!!

The Demise Of The Black Quarterbacks

2014-12-03T06:55:00.001-05:00

The quarterback position is relied primarily of on him being protected by mostly very large country White boys. When the black quarterback has Swagg and gets too full of himself, this gives these large country boys reason to rebel against the superstar. The linemen lose their tenacity to fight for and protect that Superstar. As a result the Black quarterback endears punishment beyond belief. It started with Mike Vick, then progressed to Cam Newton, now upon RG3. Many others have busted right out of the gate, with no respect from the country boys from day one. Remember that Peyton Manning and Tom Brady all have Country boys who are willing to go to battle to protect them. It can't be believed that these country boys will become other than football players just doing their jobs collecting a check, to become gladiators for the Black quarterback with Swagg!!The idea is repulsive to the country White boy!!

FERGUSON!!

2014-12-01T19:02:00.001-05:00

Outrage that we witnessed in Ferguson, Missouri, was triggered mainly by the young people there. They are facing the reality that their lives are worthless. With black on black crime at its highest in many communities, the killing of young blacks by police is the final straw, they can be killed by the bad guys and the good guys!! But, as these events continue to happen, the reaction to these events hasn't progressed through the years. As long as blacks loot and burn their own communities, the decision to exonerate police for these killings will continue to happen!! Protesters must take their anger to those who caused it, and go into those communities to express their displeasure. If the perpetrator's communities are filled with tear gas and other military tactics that may be used to incite the crowed, then these people will think twice about reaching decisions in these matters , they will know what could happen to their communities!!

Hillary Clinton's Downfall

2014-01-06T15:29:00.002-05:00

The Benghazi fiasco will be Ms. Clinton's Waterloo. As we seen with the debates during the last race, this issue was critical to President Obama's victory. Had he not been able to get passed that question, with help from moderator, it would have been all over. Ms. Clinton on the other hand was directly involve in the fiasco, which will allow the republicans to label her soft on foreign policy. This will cause many white males to steer clear of her. The NRA of course will make it difficult for her to sustain any sort of momentum on gun control, seems they win again. Finally, she did have a health scare that could easily return in the future, so her health will be an issue in the race, not trying to wish anything bad on her, but this is an issue to be considered.

Post President Obama

2014-01-04T11:10:00.000-05:00

Will black people be willing to stand in long lines & fight voter denying tactics, to vote for Hillary Clinton? My answer is no, and that's going to be Mrs. Clinton's downfall . The percentage of blacks going to the polls will decrease significantly enough that the republican candidate will have the opportunity to steal the election. Latinos on the other hand will come out in numbers to support Ms. Clinton as long as she has a solid immigration plan in place, and that be her signature signing in her 1st term.

The Lesson Of Trayvon Martin

2012-03-27T18:21:00.000-04:00

Trayvon died because he wasn't armed for if he felt threaten by Mr. Zimmerman, he had the right to shoot him as Mr. Zimmerman did to him, base on a southern law. People in the north became outraged when they found out that no one had been arrested for the shooting that had occurred a month earlier. Northerners don't understand this concept because it is illegal to kill a person on the streets, and if someone does kill a person they are arrested. In the north a person can only kill another person if that person has broken into their home, that's the only scenario. As a result of what happened to Trayvon, Northerners immediately viewed the actions of Mr. Zimmerman and the lack of police action as an act of racism. For a month no one in the south had expressed any concern over this, but when the news made its way to the north, there was a huge outcry and a swell of public support to seek justice for Trayvon. This resulted in many Northerners heading to the south to protest and voice their outrage. Southerners became upset that these Northerners had come to the south to express their anger, because to them this was normal and no one was complaining. Whatever Mr. Zimmerman told police was sufficient, in spite of evidence to the contrary. The enraged Northerners began to hold hoodie rallies throughout the country, angering the south. Just like with Rodney King, racial tension began to spread throughout the country. Soon there were reports that Trayvon was some sort of thug who's killing was justified by Mr. Zimmerman. People started coming out in support of Mr. Zimmerman, who it appeared wanted to be a police officer himself, and became the head of the neighborhood watch. He was hoping to score some brownie points with the community and police force. Northerners were introduced to the law that justified Mr. Zimmerman killing Trayvon, a stand your ground law, and that was why Mr. Zimmerman had not been arrested. This further angered the Northerners for no one had ever heard of such a law there. Soon there were request to have this law repealed to prevent this from ever happening again. Once again the Southerners riled against such a notion and tried to justify the laws existence. The lesson that one can gain from this tragic event is that young black teens in the south must arm themselves, as long as this law exist, to be on a fair playing field. If not, Mr. Zimmerman has made it clear that these kids are fair game.

Oprah Receives DVF Award

2012-03-11T12:31:00.000-04:00

The DVF awards honor women who are courageous and fight for justice. Oprah Winfrey accepted a "Lifetime Leadership" honor at the third annual DVF awards. She was embraced by longtime friend Diane von Furstenberg as she took to the stage. "She is the most formidable person I have ever met in my life," the designer and humanitarian said of Winfrey at the event, held Friday night at the United Nations. "What is extraordinary about Oprah is that she has done so much and yet she is still a little girl. She is still very pure and you can make her cry and laugh so quickly." Winfrey was expected to talk about her career, but instead used the majority of her time to praise another honoree, Jaycee Dugard, who was abducted when she was 11 years old and held in captivity for 18 years by Phillip and Nancy Garrido. She was raped and gave birth to two children before she was eventually rescued. Her captors were convicted. "I wanted to have the opportunity to meet her and to tell her how much her story and her life meant to me," she explained. "I said to Diane, 'I know Diane Sawyer should be the one to introduce her, but would you please let me do it.'" Winfrey went on to thank Sawyer, who was also in attendance, and praised the television special she did with Dugard. "Jaycee Dugard, I am so proud of you, your courage, your ability to press onward toward the future and toward a more victorious life for yourself and for using your courage your strength and your power to show the world that you care," Winfrey said.

Obama Sent Troops To Eliminate Kony

2012-03-11T03:20:00.000-04:00

Invisible Children's new campaign comes five months after President Barack Obama sent 100 U.S. forces to help regional governments eliminate Kony and his lieutenants. American troops are now stationed in Uganda, the Central African Republic, the Congo, and South Sudan, countries where Kony's men operate. Ugandan officials say that, with the help of U.S. troops, the hunt for LRA leaders has intensified in recent months. Asked what the chances were of eliminating the LRA, Rear Adm. Brian L. Losey, the top U.S. special operations commander for Africa, told journalists last month: "I don't see failure." Kony is now thought to be hiding in the Central African Republic, where he fled before an aerial assault on his forested base in Congo in 2008. Ugandan officials say the LRA with some 200 core fighters at most is weakened and is merely trying to survive. Ogenga Latigo, a politician from northern Uganda who previously led the opposition in Uganda's Parliament, said Invisible Children's perspective was too narrow to be allowed to define the popular understanding of an insurgency that displaced millions and in which thousands were killed or abducted. "Theirs is a narrow perspective," he said of Invisible Children's work. "They just want the war to end so that children can go back home. That's all." Latigo said that the Ugandan government, by failing to deploy enough soldiers to prevent the LRA from abducting children over the years, had been partly responsible for the rebel group's success as a recruiter of children. "Our position was clear. We told the government, 'There are not enough soldiers,'" he said. Maria Burnett, a researcher on Uganda for Human Rights Watch, said the video has helped draw attention to an issue the rights group has long been working on. "We hope it will be helpful," she said. "What it leads to remains to be seen, but the goal to bring pressure on key leaders, to protect civilians and to apprehend LRA leadership is important, absolutely."

New York Black Teen Arrests

2012-02-22T18:25:00.000-05:00

Cops arrested 279 students, about five a day in 55 days of classes. They also issued 532 summons to students for offenses ranging from assault to loitering. nine a day. 94% of the students arrested were black or Hispanic, and 75% were male. “Children are being sent to the precinct instead of the principal’s office for misbehaving.” Black students were almost six times more likely to be arrested than white students. “These policies are putting young men in the pipeline to prison rather than the road to success,” according to the data, said NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman. The New York Civil Liberties Union said the arrests are “unfair” and introduce minority children into the criminal justice system unnecessarily. The kids attended high school or middle school and were age 15 or older. The numbers cover Oct. 1 to Dec. 30, 2011, and were released by the police to comply with a city law enacted last year. School arrest data released by the NYCLU in November showed that about one student was arrested per day on average last summer, when far fewer kids were attending school. Department of Education officials declined to comment on the data. Police officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Whitney Houston Dead

2012-02-12T01:55:00.000-05:00

Whitney Houston died Saturday. She was 48. Houston's body was found by her aunt, Mary Jones, who attempted to revive the star with CPR. Jones had prepared her niece's outfit for the evening and laid out her dress on the bed before leaving the singer's hotel room for around 30 minutes. When Jones returned, Houston did not emerge from the bathroom -- so she entered the room and found her famous niece in the tub. Beverly Hills police Lt. Mark Rosen told reporters outside the Beverly Hilton that Houston was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m. in her room on the fourth floor of the hotel. Her body remained there and Beverly Hills detectives were investigating. "There were no obvious signs of any criminal intent," Rosen said. Houston's publicist, Kristen Foster, said the cause of death was unknown. Rosen said police received a 911 call from hotel security about Houston at 3:43 p.m. Saturday. Paramedics who were already at the hotel because of a Grammy party unsuccessfully tried to resuscitate the singer, he said. Her longtime mentor Clive Davis was to hold his annual concert and dinner Saturday at the same hotel where her body was found, and a representative of the show said it would proceed. Houston was supposed to appear at the gala, and Davis had told The Associated Press that she would perhaps perform, "It's her favorite night of the year, who knows by the end of the evening," he said. Houston had been at rehearsals for the show Thursday, coaching singers Brandy and Monica, according to a person who was at the event but was not authorized to speak publicly about it. The person said Houston looked disheveled, was sweating profusely and liquor and cigarettes could be smelled on her breath. The singer's official autopsy results have not yet been released, and several reports stating that she drowned were not confirmed by the coroner's office -- which said it may take up to eight weeks for the official cause of death to be released. "There will be no cause of death at this time, as it is awaiting toxicology," Los Angeles deputy coroner Ed Winter said Sunday at a news conference. "I know there were reports of did she drown or was it an overdose, but I will not be commenting on that." The prescription drugs Xanax, Lorazepam and Valium were found in her suite, Room 434, at the posh Beverly Hilton, one report said. Two days ago, she performed at a pre-Grammy party with singer Kelly Price. Singer Kenny Lattimore hosted the event, and said Houston sang the gospel classic "Jesus Loves Me" with Price, her voice registering softly, not with the same power it had at its height. Lattimore said Houston was gregarious and was in a good mood, surrounded by friends and family, including daughter Bobbi Kristina. "She just seemed like she was having a great night that night," said Lattimore, who said he was in shock over her death. Aretha Franklin, her godmother, also said she was stunned. "I just can't talk about it now," Franklin said in a short statement. "It's so stunning and unbelievable. I couldn't believe what I was reading coming across the TV screen." The Rev. Al Sharpton said he would call for a national prayer Sunday morning during a service at Second Baptist Church in Los Angeles. "The morning of the Grammys, the world should pause and pray for the memory of a gifted songbird," Sharpton said in a statement. She had the perfect voice and the perfect image: a gorgeous singer who had sex appeal but was never overtly sexual, who maintained perfect poise. She influenced a generation of younger singers, from Christina Aguilera to Mariah Carey, who when she first came out sounded so much like Houston that many thought it was Houston. Houston first started singing in the church as a child. In her teens, she sang backup for Chaka Khan, Jermaine Jackson and others, in addition to modeling. It was around that time when music mogul Clive Davis first heard Houston perform. "The time that I first saw her singing in her mother's act in a club, it was such a stunning impact," Davis told Good Morning America. "To hear this young girl breathe such fire into this song. I mean, it really sent the proverbial tingles up my spine," he added. Houston made her album debut in 1985 with "Whitney Houston," which sold millions and spawned hit after hit. "Saving All My Love for You" brought her her first Grammy, for best female pop vocal. "How Will I Know," ''You Give Good Love" and "The Greatest Love of All" also became hit singles. Another multiplatinum album, "Whitney," came out in 1987 and included hits like "Where Do Broken Hearts Go" and "I Wanna Dance With Somebody." Houston would go to rehab twice before she would declare herself drug-free to Winfrey in 2009. But in the interim, there were missed concert dates, a stop at an airport due to drugs, and public meltdowns. Houston was to make her return to film in the remake of the classic movie "Sparkle." Filming on the movie, which stars former "American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks, recently wrapped.

Chris Brown Stays On Probation

2012-02-09T19:06:00.001-05:00

Superior Court Judge George Lomeli agreed with prosecutors that despite Chris Brown's high marks so far, he should continue to report to a probation officer in his home state of Virginia. Chris did not appear for a brief hearing during which his attorney asked that Brown's term on supervised probation be ended because of his good behavior. Attorney Mark Geragos' request came after Brown's probation officer wrote in a report that the singer has been truthful with officers, passed all required drug tests and "has made great strides" while under probation supervision. He has completed half of the six months' worth of roadside cleanup, graffiti removal and other manual labor that he was ordered to do after pleading guilty to attacking Rihanna. The favorable probation report was written three years to the day after the attack, which left Rihanna bloody, bruised and unable to perform at the Grammys. Brown was ordered to serve five years on probation. Lomeli said he didn't think it was unreasonable for Brown to remain under supervision until he completes more of his community service hours. Brown has completed anger management and domestic violence counseling, and last year another judge relaxed a restraining order that had prohibited Brown and Rihanna from contacting each other or getting too close at music industry events. The judge scheduled another progress hearing for July 10. Brown is in the midst of a comeback, with the singer set to perform at the Grammy Awards on Sunday night. His multi-hit album, "F.A.M.E. (Forgiving All My Enemies) was a top seller and he is nominated for three Grammys, including best R&B album.

50 Cent Helps With Hunger In Africa

2012-02-09T16:34:00.000-05:00

50 Cent flew to Dolo, Somalia, to see firsthand the effects of hunger in Somalia and Kenya, on Wednesday. World Food Program said the rapper, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, has committed to provide 1 billion meals for the hungry, and is donating to WFP 10 cents from every sale of a new energy drink called Street King that he is promoting. Tens of thousands of women and children have fled there over the last year to flee a devastating famine that killed tens of thousands of people across Somalia. The U.N. last week declared an end to Somalia's six-month famine, though it said tens of thousands of people still need food aid to survive. The British government estimates that between 50,000 and 100,000 people died from the famine's effects.

Suge Knight Arrested

2012-02-09T15:35:00.001-05:00

Suge Knight was arrested in Las Vegas on a traffic warrant and misdemeanor drug charges. Knight was accused of making an unsafe lane change and possession of less than one ounce (28 grams) of a controlled substance and released from jail without bail. He's due March 12 in Las Vegas Municipal Court. Officer Laura Meltzer says the 46-year-old former Death Row Records executive was stopped driving a black Bentley with California plates on Wednesday.

Don Cornelius Dead

2012-02-02T12:44:00.000-05:00

Don Cornelius, the creator of ‘Soul Train,’ was found dead, by a relative at his Mulholland Drive home Wednesday. He was rushed to Cedars Sinai Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, according to law enforcement sources. Though law enforcement sources believe Cornelius killed himself, they said it would take days to fully investigate, including interviewing friends and family and examining evidence in his home. Sources close to the investigation said they were looking at several possible triggers, including Cornelius' health and his financial situation. But they emphasized they had not made any determinations. Cornelius had undergone brain surgery in the 1980s and was quoted in newspapers at the time as saying he didn't feel quite the same afterward. With his first wife, Delores, Cornelius had two sons, Anthony and Raymond. His second marriage, to Russian model Viktoria Chapman, ended in divorce after he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor spousal battery in 2009. He had alluded to health problems in divorce papers. Fans, friends and co-workers were quick to release statements and emotional memories of the TV legend. Aretha Franklin, Rev. Jesse Jackson and Quincy Jones were a few who expressed their deep sadness, the Associated Press reports. “I am shocked and deeply saddened at the sudden passing of my friend, colleague, and business partner Don Cornelius,” Quincy Jones said. “Don was a visionary pioneer and a giant in our business. Before MTV there was ‘Soul Train,’ that will be the great legacy of Don Cornelius. “His contributions to television, music and our culture as a whole will never be matched,” he said. “My heart goes out to Don’s family and loved ones.” According to The Times' Hollywood Walk of Fame database, Cornelius’ “Soul Train” became the longest-running, first-run nationally syndicated show in television history, bringing African American music and style to the world for 35 years. Inspired by “American Bandstand,” Cornelius devised a similar program spotlighting soul music and introduced it on the Chicago UHF station WCIU in 1970. It was syndicated in 1971, and Cornelius soon moved the production to Hollywood. Cornelius was the deep-voiced host, and in addition to major black artists, the show also attracted such R&B-leaning rock performers as David Bowie and Robert Palmer. Don was 75 years old.

MJ's Kids Immortalize Him

2012-01-26T12:26:00.003-05:00

Michael Jackson's three children use their father's shoes and a sequined glove to make handprint and footprint impressions, and their hand prints in the concrete in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre. A promotion for Cirque du Soleil's "Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour," which makes its Los Angeles debut Friday night. The children attended the Canadian premiere of the raveling Cirque du Soleil show with their grandmother in October. The "Immortal" show is touring the United States and Canada through this year before taking up residency in Las Vegas. Katherine Jackson was joined by sons Tito, and Jackie Jackson. The celebrity guest list includes Smokey Robinson, Chris Tucker, members of the cast of "Glee," and Quincy Jones, Justin Bieber, and teen boy band Mindless Behavior. Legends who left their handprints and footprints in Grauman's concrete courtyard on Hollywood Boulevard include Fred Astaire, Elizabeth Taylor, Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe, Sidney Poitier, Clark Gable and Mary Pickford. The tradition started in 1928, a year after the historic theater opened. Michael Jackson's Hollywood Walk of Fame star is on the sidewalk in front of the theater.

Halle Berry's Nanny Request Denied

2012-01-26T05:04:00.001-05:00

A judge on Tuesday denied a nanny's request for a restraining order against Halle Berry's baby daddy, Gabriel Aubry, and today the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services paid Berry a visit. Berry and Aubry were both in court yesterday for an emergency hearing regarding Aubry's alleged behavior around their daughter's nanny, who claimed that he was verbally aggressive and had "violently pushed her" last week. In response to a report that police interviewed Berry about the nanny's allegations, the LAPD tells us, "We cannot reveal information about an ongoing investigation in which the victim has confidentiality and the suspect has not been arrested." The Department of Children and Family Services is legally prohibited from commenting on such cases or identifying the people involved, but a rep for the department's public affairs office told E! News that "all necessary steps are taken" when they receive a call about possible child endangerment or abuse.

NY Officer Violates Civil Rights

2012-01-25T15:20:00.000-05:00

Michael Daragjati, an eight-year veteran of the New York Police Department, pleads guilty to federal charges that he violated an African-American man's civil rights by arresting him on false charges, Tuesday. He was later heard using a racial slur to brag about the arrest by investigators who were recording him. Daragjati, who had been suspended without pay, was fired from the force, authorities said. He agreed not to oppose his termination and agreed never to seek work in law enforcement again. He faces a potential sentence of a year in jail and a $100,000 fine; a sentencing hearing has not been set. Daragjati stopped and frisked the man in New York City's Staten Island borough in April, and the man complained about his treatment after he was found not to be carrying any weapons or contraband, according to a criminal complaint filed in federal court in Brooklyn. Daragjati responded by arresting him and filing a report falsely claiming the man resisted arrest by flailing his arms and kicking, the complaint said. Loretta Lynch, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said in a statement that Daragjati "criminally abused the immense authority and public trust conferred on him by his status as a police officer." "Hiding behind his badge, he subjected his victims to false arrest, imprisonment and threats of violence," she said.

Newt Gingrich And Freddie Mac

2012-01-24T02:28:00.002-05:00

Newt Gingrich arranged the release of a contract Monday night showing the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. paid his consulting firm a $25,000 monthly retainer fee in 2006, for a total of $300,000. The agreement calls for "consulting and related services" but makes no mention of lobbying. Mitt Romney says, "This contract proves you were not a historian. You were a consultant," Romney said. "And you were hired by the chief lobbyist of Freddie Mac." Gingrich replied, "Gov. Romney has done consulting work for years," the former House speaker said. "I've never suggested his consulting work was lobbying." Romney has been ramping up criticism for not making the details public sooner. Gingrich said it wasn't only up to him because he no longer controls the firm named in the contract and confidentiality clauses were at play. Gingrich has said previously that firms he ran received about $1.6 million from Freddie Mac for consulting services over several years, and he personally pocketed $35,000 a year. Gingrich was hired again in 2006 by the company's new chief political executive Hollis McLoughlin — he still works there — to speak and write on the benefits of Freddie Mac. He was paid $300,000 for 2006, and received some additional money in 2007. Only the contract covering 2006 was released. He was employed by the political arm of the company for approximately $1.7 million for the sole purpose of convincing fellow Republicans that Freddie Mac was a force for good in America. The person who provided the information on Gingrich's employment pointed to the open-ended nature of the 2006 contract that was released Monday. Gingrich spokesman R.C. Hammond said there are no plans for additional disclosures.

Mitt Romney's Tax Return

2012-01-24T01:14:00.001-05:00

Mitt Romney disclosed income of $21.7 million in 2010 and $20.9 million last year mostly all of it profits, dividends or interest from investments. None from wages, the primary source of income for most Americans. Instead, Romney and his wife, Ann, collected millions in capital gains from a profusion of investments, as well as stock dividends and interest payments. The couple gave away $7 million in charitable contributions over the past two years, including at least $4.1 million to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For 2011, Romney estimates that he will pay about $3.2 million, for an effective rate of 15.4 percent. “You’ll see my income, how much taxes I’ve paid, how much I’ve paid to charity,” Romney said at a debate Monday night in Tampa. “I pay all the taxes that are legally required and not a dollar more. I don’t think you want someone as the candidate for president who pays more taxes than he owes.” The Romney campaign planned to publicly release the tax documents Tuesday morning but gave a preview late Monday night to The Washington Post.

Seal Speaks

2012-01-23T23:03:00.000-05:00

Seal says he believes the pair can avoid a messy breakup. "In terms of our love and respect for each other, it hasn't changed at all," he says in an interview airing Friday on Tavis Smiley on PBS. "And I think that when two people feel that way about each other, it is easy – it is easier to make that transition." "are our first priority" and that the pair can still remain friends "especially when there are other things to take into consideration like family." "What one has to do in this situation is remain civil and to retain one's dignity and to be professional and to understand that we are not the only people on this planet that go through this," he says. "It is just unfortunately a chapter of life." On The Ellen DeGeneres Show, he explained why he was still wearing his wedding ring. It?s just pretty much a token of how I feel about this woman," he says on the show airing Wednesday. "We have eight years, eight wonderful years together. Just because we have decided to separate doesn?t necessarily mean you take off your ring and you?re no longer connected to that person. We will be connected in many ways 'til the rest of our lives." whether he'll wear the ring for the rest of his life, he says, "Who knows?" "But right now it feels really comfortable on my hand so I have no intentions of taking it off anytime soon," he says. The separation, left him and Klum just as "shocked" as everybody. But he says the pair found that "you just grow apart after awhile." "It's a shame," he says. "To say that neither of us were grieving would be an out-and-out lie."

John Levy First Black Manager Dies

2012-01-23T21:42:00.002-05:00

John Levy, the first prominent African-American personal manager in the jazz or pop music field, whose clients included Nancy Wilson and Ramsey Lewis, has died at age 99. Devra Hall Levy posted on his website that her husband died in his sleep at his home in Altadena, California, less than three months before his 100th birthday. In 1950s, he became Shearing's full-time manager and later went on to form his own management agency, John Levy Enterprises, Inc. Levy's client roster over the years included more than 85 artists, including Wilson, Lewis, Nat and Cannonball Adderley, Betty Carter, Roberta Flack, Herbie Hancock, Shirley Horn, Freddie Hubbard, Ahmad Jamal and Abbey Lincoln as well as comedian Arsenio Hall. In 2006, the National Endowment for the Arts recognized Levy as a Jazz Master, the nation's highest jazz honor.