Yeah and--So What!

Amnesty International Report Finds Appalling U.S. Death Rate for Women Having Babies

2010-03-12T12:21:00.002-06:00

Systemic Failures and Shocking Disparities in Maternal Health Care System

New York Is 47th Among All States in Maternal Mortality; 40 Percent of Women Live in a Medically Underserved Areas

NEW YORK, March 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Amnesty International calls today on President Obama to establish an office of maternal health to lead government effort to reduce appalling U.S. death rate for women having babies. This announcement follows the release of a new report on maternal health nationwide.
Amnesty International revealed that flaws and shocking disparities in maternal health care that the government is ignoring lead to two to three women dying daily in the United States from pregnancy-related complications, with half of these deaths believed preventable, according to the Centers for Disease Control. A state-by-state examination shows that New York is 47th on a maternal mortality ranking, with 16 deaths per 100,000 live births. National Women's Law Center, National Report Card on Women's Health, Maternal Mortality Rate Table; available at http://hrc.nwlc.org/Status-Indicators/Key-Conditions/Maternal-Mortality-Rate.a spx.

The new Amnesty International report, Deadly Delivery: The Maternal Health Care Crisis in the USA, also reveals that severe pregnancy-related complications that nearly cause death -- known as "near misses" -- are rising at an alarming rate, increasing by 25 percent since 1998; currently nearly 34,000 women annually experience a "near miss" during delivery. With a lifetime risk of maternal deaths that is greater than in 40 other countries, including virtually all of the industrialized countries, the United States has failed to reverse the two-decade upward trend in preventable maternal deaths, despite pledges to do so.

The report cited numerous causes for the crisis and offers lengthy recommendations on improving maternal health care.

Inadequate prenatal care is cited as a contributing factor in the crisis; women who do not get prenatal care are three to four times more likely to die than women who do. In New York, one in six women (15 percent) receive delayed or no prenatal care. The number rises to one in five women (19.1 percent) among women of color.

Obstacles to care are widespread: the most obvious being that across the United States nearly 13 million women of reproductive age (15 to 44), or one in five, have no health insurance. In New York, nearly 15.1 percent are uninsured; among women of color the number of uninsured climbs to 21.2 percent. The state's Medicaid eligibility level for working parents is also low, $26,400. Lack of access to health care centers and providers is a problem nationwide, the report found; in New York 40 percent of women live in medically underserved areas.

"It is inexcusable that the United States is facing a crisis in maternal health care," said Josh Rubenstein, Northeast Regional Director for Amnesty International USA. "Pregnancy and childbirth are not new or rare diseases; they are exceedingly common medical events that impact every family in the nation. The maternal health crisis should be addressed as a matter of national urgency and political unity to better the health and dignity of all Americans."

Maternal health is a human right for every woman in the United States, regardless of race or income. Yet, the United States lacks a systematic, robust government response to this critical problem. Amnesty International is urging President Obama to work with Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to establish, and seek Congressional funding, for a single office responsible for ensuring that all women receive quality maternal health care. An Office of Maternal Health would lead government action to reduce the soaring pregnancy-related complications and maternal deaths nationwide.

Additionally, Amnesty International calls for vigorous enforcement of federal non-discrimination laws and an increase in support for Federally Qualified Health Centers by 2011 to expand the number of women who can access affordable maternal health care.

"This country's extraordinary record of medical advancement makes its haphazard approach to maternal care all the more scandalous and disgraceful," said Larry Cox, executive director of Amnesty International USA. "Mothers die not because the United States can't provide good care, but because it lacks the political will to make sure good care is available to all women."

Amnesty International's analysis shows that health care reform before Congress does not address the crisis of maternal health care.

"Reform is primarily focused on health care coverage and reducing health care costs, and even optimistic estimates predict that any proposal on the table will still leave millions without access to affordable care," said Rachel Ward, one of the authors of the Deadly Delivery report. "Furthermore, it does not address discrimination, systemic failures and government accountability documented in Amnesty International's report."

Rapid and comprehensive federal leadership is required, as the report found numerous systemic failures, including the following:

-- Burdensome bureaucratic procedures in Medicaid enrollment
substantially delay access to vital prenatal care for pregnant women
seeking government-funded care. Twenty-one states do not offer
"presumptive eligibility" which allows pregnant women to temporarily
access medical care while their permanent application for Medicaid is
pending. Women who do not receive any prenatal care are three to four
times more likely to die than women who do.
-- The number of deaths is significantly understated because there are no
federal requirements to report maternal deaths or complications and
data collection at the state level is insufficient.
-- Oversight and accountability is lacking. 29 states and the District of
Columbia have no maternal death review process at all.

Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with more than 2.2 million supporters, activists and volunteers in more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied.

For more information or to take action, please visit: www.amnestyusa.org\deadlydelivery

An "ugly" win but a(n) Olympic) win nonetheless: Shani Davis Medals Gold Again

2010-02-18T09:07:00.001-06:00

I said something really dumb to a friend the other day.
I was describing the young woman, Hannah Kearney, who won the freestyle moguls--the one where they jump twice and hockey stop style ski down the hilly slope--and how much air she got and how great I felt just watching her go so high. It was very graceful.Anyway, my friend asked were there any blacks in the winter olympics games and I said no. We both remembered there was a black speed skater but I, full of puffery, demanded she believe that he was no longer competing. I was wrong.
Of course my friend gave up on the argument because I am incorrigible and also because she was right.
Not only is Shani Davis competing but he has metaled gold already!
Dan Wetzel of Yahoo! Sports writes that Davis repeated his Turin win in the 1,000 meter. Wetzel sorta kinda indicated that Davis barely won and really worked to get there. However, the last time I checked, an Olympic gold medal was still an Olympic gold medal. Why diminish that earning? Also, Wetzel didn't write very much about Davis except that he won ugly. Well, the rest of America congratulates you, Shani Davis and enjoy the winner's circle. Please continue to win gold.
Uh Oh! This just in courtesy of Google Search...
Well, it seems Adam Thompson, of the Wall Street Journal cares a little bit more about our gold metal Olympic athletes. (Thanks Google Search Engine)
Thompson writes that Davis is the first Olympic speed skater to win the event twice and the first U.S. speed skater to defend a gold medal title. Hmmmm. Newsworthy stuff.
Also, note that Davis hails from the Chicagoland area and since his Turin win, is the first Black to ever to earn a Winter Olympic gold medal in an individual sport. Double Hmmmmm.

Gas Station Divas-The First Part

2010-02-15T11:50:00.003-06:00

Gas Station Divas

By the People: The Election of Barack Obama

2010-02-03T22:45:00.001-06:00

I watched them write the speeches, I heard them flesh out the words. I relived every moment of that magnanimous night–that time we as Americans made our voices heard. Then they flashed a photo of the 44th President of the United States: Barack Obama.
You must see, "By the People: The Election of Barack Obama." I will remind you of why you vote. I got my copy from Netflix–no late fees involved–however, I will purchase a copy to have permanently.
I never want to forget the campaign. I cried and relived every moment. We have to remember as a nation, as a supporter, as voters, who we voted for and why. Don't believe the spin on the nightly news. It is not always true.
I entered the campaign after the Iowa win. Up until that point, I thought Barack Obama would follow in the footsteps of the Rev. Jesse Jackson and rack up some votes and yet again prove a point but not win the presidency. I didn't know Barack Obama then and was prepared to vote for Hillary Clinton. At best, I would have voted for John Edwards. I just didn't know any better and that is so sad. Then, during my nightly routine, I saw him during the Iowa Caucus victory speech and then I believed.
I saw that he thought as I thought, he believed as I believed. He had my voice and he has carried it to the highest seat in our nation. He was me and so I voted for myself. I never in my life thought I would hear someone echo my thoughts about my country and society the way our president did as he campaigned. I was astonished but I knew if I voted for Barack, then I would be voting for myself. This DVD helped me relive all of that. Don't miss it! Get it today.

"We Don't Quit"–State of the Union Address Highlights Increased American Exports, Jobs

2010-01-28T14:16:00.003-06:00

Order your "I Don't Quit" t-shirt here!
"We don't quit. I don't quit. We are Americans. We are resilient."
Not only was President Barack Obama's January 12 State of the
Union Address peppered with good, usable sound bites, it held simplified
concepts anyone listening could grasp.

Contrasting some of his speeches that contain high-level
conceptual ideas–that the average I-didn't-take-Poli-sci citizen
may miss–the address highlighted what the president campaigned
on and reminded the base and those who voted for him, why they
put him in office in the first place.

Sticking to a Budget
Congress passed the PayGo or Pay-as-you-go law Thursday January 28, the president announced during a Tampa speech, that will help cut the deficit. Instead of living on extensions of credit, the country will now roll back to having honest accounting in place. In other words, using only cash
on hand for project funding will restore America to 1990s
surpluses.

The president also said he will enact reforms and new initiatives
to defend the middle class -- to create millions of new jobs,
support small businesses, and drive up wages; to invest in the
education of our children and the clean energy technology that
must power our future; and to protect the economy from reckless
Wall Street abuses.

"That is why I called for a robust jobs bill without delay. It's
why I proposed a small businesses tax credit, new investments in
infrastructure, and pushed for climate legislation to create a
clean energy economy."

"It's why we're taking on big banks, reforming Wall Street,
revitalizing our education system, increasing transparency -- and
finishing the job on health insurance reform."

Order your "I Don't Quit" t-shirt here!

The president also said change is never easy.
"Change on the scale we seek does not come easily. But I will
never accept second place for the United States of America," he
told the American people.
He went on to say that he is not disconnected from the American
public and that he recognizes the struggles and anxieties that
plague people.

"That's why I ran for president. I read it in letters each night.
I've witness this for years. I have spent my adult life (fighting
for people.)" he said.

Students will get to pay only 10 percent of their salaries to student loan debt each month and the debt will be forgiven after 20 years. Student loan debt forgiveness occur after 10 years if the student works for the government.

President Obama explained and drew parallels between his campaign
promises, his agenda and what he is now doing.
Concentrating on offshore drilling, clean coal technology, a clean
energy economy and exporting more American goods will help create
more jobs and keep America a global leader, he said.
Order your "I Don't Quit" t-shirt here!

People Believe What They See on TV

2010-01-21T06:02:00.002-06:00

If the news prognosticators, political commentators like the president, then they will say favorable things about him. Keep in mind that many of them are more likely to earn over $250,000 per year than the audience they address each day.
So goes what we are hearing on the tele about the president. Most of it is just reading from a teleprompter and all opinions have an agreed upon right-slant tone.
I don't really know where anyone gets their opinions these days but no one in Massachusetts speaks for me. They are no longer Democratic in my opinion because they put a Republican in the U.S. Senate to represent them. It is as if the majority of the people there have changed their mind about the POTUS. They are speaking for themselves, not the real Democrats, like the Kennedy family. I do not understand what they are doing or why a Kennedy does not have that Senate seat. They have given so much for the American people to have basic human rights.
If the people of Massachusetts people are upset about joblessness, then get angry with the North America Free Trade Agreement. While I understand protectionism is out of style these days, NAFTA is a boon for Big Business not so much for the People. American companies are making more money because of NAFTA but the American people are suffering.
Why can't Corporate America hire more people since, at least in theory, they are making more profit?
Why? If I own a profitable company and I don't have to hire, why would I? That is an extra yacht for me or a longer European vacation, etc. What incentive does a company have to hire American, rebuild in America, stay in America?
When will we start looking at some of the existing laws that have been passed in the last 20 years and get all Teaparty-ish about that? Or how about that the unspoken deal between the financial district and the American people that they would loan money to the average person at a higher interest rate so that they could purchase a home? It used to be that not everyone could qualify for a mortgage or a credit card. Remember those days? There would be some who gloated about how nice their wardrobe was or how beautiful their home was and how not everyone could have the things that they have. And how having those things made them better people.(Capitalism and Classicism seem to go hand-in-hand) Then all of a sudden, college students were getting credit on signature! Anyone could have it for a price--now that is Capitalism. Now things have swung back to where they were previously–high credit score determines what you can borrow from banks. We have lost many beloved, long-standing businesses. Good American businesses and good American jobs. This happened way before Barack Obama became president.
What if all of those mortgage backed securities had worked out for everyone? What if no one was late on their mortgage? WE would not be having this conversation right now and quite possibly, Barack Obama would not be our president. Anger at the Establishment swept him into office and it looks as if that same anger is chipping away at a portionof his base of supporters now that Massachusetts has found its Great White Hope.
Every morning, I hear negative chatter about how the POTUS is doing and it all sounds like a personal problem these people have with him. Most of it is hypocritical cross-talk directed from some lofty position above. An above $250,000 per year position. Keep that in mind as you listen to what comes down to sour grapes.

The President's Health Care Bill

2010-01-15T09:36:00.000-06:00

Once the healthcare bill passes, no longer will Americans fear losing their health coverage if they want to make a move or lose their job.
Everyone will always have access to health benefits. This is a new way of thinking for all of us. Keeping a job just to have benefits will not exist. This will allow more upward mobility in our population. This is only my opinion.

Elite Advantage Card for Steppers

2010-01-05T09:11:00.001-06:00

The Elite Advantage Card is here, and trust me, the picture does it no justice. The card is made with a metallic silver background, silver frosted tip VIP numbers (like those on a credit card ... you can't see this feature on the picture), and a signature strip on the back for personalization. The design features the Chicago skyline in the background, paying homage to Steppin's roots, but the network is Nationwide. ChiStepper will work daily to expand our Elite Advantage Card offerings and make the card more attractive to both national and local audiences.

The purpose of the card is to offer the Steppin' Community exclusive discounts and access to services that they'd most likely have to pay full price for. Now when you go to a Workshop, Private Steppers Lesson, Steppers Party, or even a local business, you can flash your Elite Advantage Card and receive a discount or related Special Offer. ChiStepper will also hold raffles and giveaways which will only be available to Elite Advantage Card holders.

We've launched with a solid list of participants offering a variety of discounts, including: Charnice Simmons, Dre & Company, Keith Hubbard, Sunshine Haywood, and Tyk Myn, businesses like Jackson Hewitt Tax Services, and parties like Ken Bedford's Afterwork Networking and Steppers Affair, The Majestic Gents, DeJa Vu and the Sam Chatman, ChiStepper.com, and Dre & Company Capricorn Ball. Speaking of the Capricorn Ball, the first 10 people to purchase the card GET IN FREE! ChiStepper also has verbal commitments from VIP Productions, Lady Margaret, and others who are still creating their promotions!

The Card costs $25, but that's a small price if you consider the savings, exclusive access, and prize participation activities that you'll benefit from for an entire year. That's right, the Card doesn't expire until December 31st, 2010. To purchase the card and see all of the promotions, CLICK HERE or www.chistepper.com/elitecard check out the main navigation link titled "Elite Advantage Card" above, and make sure to check out the drop down menu where the various promotional categories are hosted.

If you're a promoter, instructor, or business owner in any state and you'd like to participate, email ChiStepper@yahoo.com to request a brief enrollment form where you can create a promotion. It's totally free to enroll and offer a promotion. Steppers, check the lists daily to see the new additions. If there is a certain discount category and/or group that you'd like to participate, let us know and we'll go after them.
Be part of the Elite Club and don't forgot, the first 10 purchases will get FREE ADMISSION to the Sam Chatman, ChiStepper.com, and Dre & Company Capricorn Ball at the MultiMillion dollar establishment, Alhambra Palace. That's a $15 savings for a $25 card ... can you beat that? Purchase the card by CLICKING HERE.

President Obama's town hall question-of-the-year

2009-10-15T16:19:00.003-05:00

The question of the year was asked by a little boy during a Louisiana town hall meeting. He asked the president, " Why do people hate you so much?"
The president seemed shocked. I was shocked but blessed by the truth that can touch children. Out of the mouths of babes, huh?
The president told him he was not hated and that he got a lot of votes.
Adults have to tell children that. But don't think for one moment that we all weren't waiting to hear the answer. Adults are too ashamed to ask such simple questions.
But why would a fourth grade boy think that people hate the president? I wonder where he got that idea? Anyone?

Obama says he'll accept Nobel as 'call to action' - Yahoo! News

2009-10-09T14:04:00.000-05:00

Obama says he'll accept Nobel as a call to action - Yahoo! News
I am glad the president won the Nobel prize. It was pleasant news to me this morning. Then again, I am not a hate-filled shrew with an axe to grind.

Race and the Office of the President: Democracy in Action Seems to Include Racist Thinking | Suite101.com

2009-09-09T13:41:00.000-05:00

Race and the Office of the President: Democracy in Action Seems to Include Racist Thinking | Suite101.com

Race and the Office of the President

2009-09-07T12:37:00.003-05:00

When the Presidential election was called in President Barack Obama's favor last year, one group of cable news anchors and pundints expressed open shock and surprise on air. They turned to the nearest black man, who was a pundit as well and asked him something to the effect of "Now what?" The black man of course had a perplexed look on his face because he didn't immedeately understand why he was on the hot seat.

He told them an approximate of, the country would be run businesses-as-usual just like every other day in America. The only difference would be that the President is now black instead of white.

The fact that the nearest liberal black man was asked for further instructions on what next to do just because America had just elected its first black President was outlandish but emensly entertaining to watch because it seemed to be genuine emotion.

However, it is questionalble if everything is being conducted business-as-usual since the election in this country. Blacks thought that there would be some miracle sea change in public perception of blacks and that their social status would rise and everyone who wanted a job would automatically get one--right away. Whites thought that peace would blanket the earth and we would all finally get along. Or did they?

Not every white voted for President Obama in the presidential election however almost every black did.

"The Catfight" (jeeze)

2009-09-03T07:25:00.004-05:00

When the announcement of Diane Sawyer to anchor the ABC Evening News reached the morning re-hash, I actually heard the word, "catfight" slide out of the mouth of a man who supposedly was important enough to speak for all of media. I believe he said, "all of media loves a catfight." or something equally as illiterate. (Even if he was only repeating what he heard elsewhere)
Still? Are we still on the women as journalists thing? After maligning Katie Couric for weeks on end, now they start Diane Sawyers hard earned climb to the top off with the phrase, "a catfight". Well understand that just last week, they stopped slapping women in the newsroom on the ass and calling them honey.
Okay, no they didn't. And they still have to get coffee for the boss in between writin' articles about food and kids and housework.

Don't Give Up on Addiction Recovery: Hundreds of Events Planned Nationwide to Celebrate Recovery Month | Suite101.com

2009-09-01T12:00:00.000-05:00

Don't Give Up on Addiction Recovery: Hundreds of Events Planned Nationwide to Celebrate Recovery Month | Suite101.com

U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy dies - Yahoo! News

2009-08-26T02:00:00.000-05:00

U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy dies - Yahoo! News

Buy the book! Buy the book Eighteen Months and Short Stories, Real Life today!

I'm with the President, not Stupidly

2009-07-28T08:01:00.004-05:00

It is stupid not to use one's skill set to defuse or de-escalate a situation. That is what police officers do all day long all over the country-- correctly. However, when they do not do that, situations, misunderstandings and arrests occur.
Ask any police officer if they are anxious to fill out unecessary paperwork for a battle of egos. The answer is no. However, instead of throwing cold water on the hot tempered Harvard Law professor, the veteran officer joined in the ego struggle and hauled the man down to the station only to see him released later.
The police officer did this because he could and because he wanted to prove a point and teach the Harvard Law professor a lesson.
A lesson in what? Intolerance? Acting stupidly?
We don't even have to look at race. We can just look at basic facts: A Harvard Law professor and a seasoned veteran law enforcement professional could not come to terms, work out a simple misunderstanding or find a solution on their own.
The officer's solution was to assert his authority to arrest. The professor's solution was to cry foul and reportedly yell and scream. I cannot see if he had stood silent except for yes sir answers to questions that he would have been placed under arrest.
The situation will be made worse if that is the case.
However, if these two intellegent men cannot come to a reasonable agreement, then how can the general population of morons that comprise the rest of the world be expected to do better? I'm no professor nor veteran cop. I have a big mouth and an attitude problem when provoked. Don't ask me to understand s*it else.
So when the President says the officer acted "stupidly", understand he is referring to the basics in law enforcement that were ignored--de-escalating situations and soothing flared tempers. Police are taught conflict resolution but it is useless or stupid if it is not practiced.
It is also stupid to yell at a cop. He could arrest or shoot you.
And that is my explination of "stupidly."

Michael Jackson had something for everyone--no need to blame Jamie

2009-07-08T11:09:00.000-05:00

Well, I went to the Jamie Foxx web site and there is a virtual race war-of-words going on there. Some are accusing Mr. Foxx of being a racist after viewing the Black Entertainment Television Awards Show last week.
If any of you watched Michael Jackson’s memorial on Monday and heard Al Sharpton entire speech, then maybe you will get the hint that Mr. Jackson was indeed a black man. Don’t blame Jamie Foxx for that, for he too is a black man. There are some things relatable across the races and some things relatable to the races. Mike’s last CD was a testament to the love he felt for his community. His entire music catalog is a testament to how he loved music and his fans.
Invincible was played at every stepper’s set for years and still got some play before he died just because it was gooooood! We like and appreciate that Mike, so thanks. We liked all of his songs but some of those syncopated beats scream foot work and some scream other dance moves--stuff I‘m too old to do. We all like some things more than others. That is just the way people are made up. No one calls Foxx a racist when he is hosting the Country Music Awards. He is just as funny and shocking as ever. So I think the rub in all of this is that Foxx reminded folk that Michael Jackson was a black man.
Some of his fans do not want to take this fact into consideration. He was everything but to them. The truth is that he was a little black boy from Gary, Indiana--which is 85 percent African American--who grew up in Los Angles using his talent to his advantage. Was he more than just a black man? Yes, just as all black men are more than just a black man and just like all white men are more than just white men,
et cetera. We are all more than just our race. However, it seems being black sticks under the craw of many. I don’t know why but it just seems to make a difference. As assimilated as we are, it should not be but it is and it takes a great effort on a black person’s part to downplay anything that gets in the way of acceptance. Mike proved that. As blacks we are still making and counting firsts. Mike proved that too.
Let us not find a blame in all of this surrounding MJ’s death but take entertainment at face value and not make it a political action committee. If you want to fight for rights or anything else good that helps the human race, President Obama has several very fine outfits people can join.

P.S. Ladies no one will care if you work, are on government assistance, have had children out-of-wedlock or whatever. Those things are your personal choices and do not give nor take away your right to speak out. So please stop prefacing comments with ”I am a single mother…” No one cares and we are not giving out awards for choosing to birth and/or raise children. We used to but not anymore because everybody’s doing it.

Flag Day has roots in Chicago (and it's m daughter's birthday- 6/14) - Chicago Breaking News

2009-06-14T10:32:00.000-05:00

Flag Day has roots in Chicago - Chicago Breaking NewsI
I'm posting this story because Flag Day is he day my sweet Lauren was born.

Say a prayer for Steven Johns today and stop glorifying racist nobodies

2009-06-11T07:39:00.003-05:00

If I have to hear one more news item about this white racist fuck who shot a black security guard, I will scream.
Memorials to the slain officer have been few. What about his family? Why do we glorify racist hate and violence on the news as if this old fart-who will rot the rest of his miserable life away in a hole-is a fn hero?
And I had the nerve to hear a news report that many war veterans are upset that a black man was elected president. (I heard it on CNN)
Blacks have to develop their own communication vehicle and start caring about their own community before we can be accepted into the Circle of Life. Only a few of us have made it so far.
Whites won't hire blacks hardly at all because they certainly cannot send their children to a black community for a damn job--one as good as they could give their children.
I know many whites wonder why blacks won't do more, care more for themselves and stop trying to force whites to accept us and include us. I wonder that too and I don't know.
When black college students graduate, do they get jobs at black corporations and newspapers?
Mostly, that is not the case and I am struggling to understand why.
Now I am not saying that the races should be separate. It's just that I cannot help but to notice how different groups of people react to news about events that happen in their community and it is shocking to me.
Say a prayer today for the slain officer, Stephen Johns and his family. He had a son and a job and lots of people who loved him in his life and I am sure they are hurting right now.

MTT Special Education/Autism Software Wins Two Awards

2009-06-01T10:05:00.001-05:00

SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio--ComputEd Gazette and the Association for Educational Publishers (AEP), two organizations respected for their highly competitive awards programs, recently honored VizZle(TM), a web-based software for educators from Monarch Teaching Technologies, Inc. (MTT) with awards for MTT's autism/special education software.

"The special education field desperately needs viable, cost-controlled solutions to optimize a school's ability to serve children with special needs like autism," said Terry Murphy, CEO of MTT. "Now more than ever as public schools try to qualify their spending under federal stimulus funding guidelines."

VizZle both earned the Teacher Tools/Special Education Website accolade and received the distinction of a standout review for its autism and special education software by the ComputEd staff writers (http://www.computedgazette.com/page8.html ).

AEP sponsors one of the educational publishing industry's largest and longest-running competitions, the prestigious Golden Lamp Awards. The AEP describes Golden Lamp Finalists as "...defined by their superior use of content, design, and fulfillment of the product's educational mission. Four finalists are chosen in each entry category, representing 16 of the year's most elite educational products." VizZle was named as a finalist in the Technology Innovations category, which is considered an award in and of itself. The final winners will be announced in June (http://www.aepweb.org/awards/index.htm )

VizZle is a proprietary, web-based software as service providing educators and parents with convenient, easy-to-use tools to create or modify customized interactive visuals-based educational materials for autism and special education. For more information, visit http://www.monarchtt.com/.

GARY ATTORNEY DRAFTS ORDINANCE BANNING LOW-SLUNG PANTS

2009-05-24T08:54:00.002-05:00

GARY-Attorney Tony Walker implored the Gary Common Council to ban
the wearing of low-slung pants modeled after prison inmates.In an open
letter to the Council, Attorney Walker argues that the prion dress style does
economic harm to the City of Gary by lowering property values and
deterring commerce and business investment. Attorney Walker defines this
dress style as "blight" and compares to the aesthetic of Gary's dilapidated
physical structures. The proposed ordinance would make it an infraction to
wear pants below the waist line punishable by up to a $100 fine and/or
community service. Violators would be issued a summons appear in
Gary City Court but would not be eligible for arrest based upon the violation.

Cruiser Customizing

2009-04-23T10:19:00.003-05:00

A motorcycle community is a group of people with like minded interests as it pertains to motorcycles and riding.
I have run across all types of motorcycle groups--Jewish in Florida, female groups in Indiana, cop groups, classic biker, preps, crotch rocket enthusiasts, professionals, etc. If you can name the interest, I could probably find you a motorcycle group. So if you like to ride why not go to a groovy motorcycle community named Cruiser Customizing.
Cruiser Customizing employees are also passionate bikers and the site has a ton of links related to maintaining your bike right and a community of enthusiasts that you can connect to and maybe get in on some new places to ride.
They push safety first and show you ways to be the safest, best rider you can be.

Breakfast

2009-04-23T10:13:00.002-05:00

Breakfast was great this morning. I love breakfast because it is the most important meal of the day. Breakfast with meat is the best. I like sausage for breakfast. I usually prepare turkey bacon, sometimes grits with cheese, eggs, oatmeal topped off with orange juice or cranberry juice.
Do you think my kids appreciate all of the work I put into breakfast? Yeah,they'd say something if I didn't prepare it!
With all of that I usually just have time for coffee. I take my coffee with a bit of sugar and cream. Okay lots of cream and sugar. I'm trying to get off sugar.

KANYE WEST FLOWS ON FAM GUY SPIN-OFF

2009-04-20T17:19:00.001-05:00

Academy Award Nominee Taraji P. Henson (“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”) Also Guest-Voices

International hip-hop superstar and 12-time Grammy Award winner Kanye West and Academy Award nominee Taraji P. Henson get animated when they lend their voices to THE CLEVELAND SHOW, the highly anticipated FAMILY GUY spin-off set to debut this fall on FOX. West will appear as KENNY WEST, an all-around cool kid and the archenemy of CLEVELAND JR. (Kevin Michael Richardson), and the two will engage in a “rap battle” for the affection of high school hottie CHANEL (Henson).

THE CLEVELAND SHOW is a new animated series that follows everyone’s favorite soft-spoken neighbor CLEVELAND BROWN (Mike Henry) to his hometown in Virginia, as he settles down with his high school sweetheart, DONNA (Sanaa Lathan); her unruly kids; and his own 14-year-old son, Cleveland Jr. (Richardson). Once in Virginia, Cleveland has a few surprises in store for him, including ROBERTA (Reagan Gomez-Preston), a rebellious new stepdaughter; RALLO (Henry), a 5-year-old stepson who loves the ladies; and a collection of neighbors that includes a loudmouth redneck, LESTER (Richardson); a hipster wanna-be, HOLT (guest voice Jason Sudeikis); and a pious pair of talking bears, TIM (Seth MacFarlane) and his wife ARIANNA (guest voice Arianna Huffington).

Kanye West’s fourth consecutive chart-topping album, “808s & Heartbreak,” was released in November 2008 and has sold over 1.5 million copies to date. He has received numerous accolades for his latest album, and his hit single “Heartless” has been at the top of the charts for 16 weeks and counting.

Taraji P. Henson earned an Academy Award nomination in 2009 for her supporting role opposite Brad Pitt in the critically acclaimed film “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” Henson has appeared in “Hustle & Flow” with Terrence Howard and “Talk to Me” opposite Don Cheadle. Her upcoming films include “Hurricane Season” opposite Forest Whitaker, “Once Fallen” with Ed Harris and Tyler Perry’s “I Can Do Bad All By Myself.” Her television credits include “Boston Legal” and “Eli Stone.”

THE CLEVELAND SHOW is a 20th Century Fox Television production. Seth MacFarlane, Rich Appel and Mike Henry are executive producers and co-creators of the series.

NBC Parks & Recreation Starring Amy Pohler

2009-04-10T14:12:00.001-05:00

Very Funny!