New Dating Seminars Target Teen Violence (NPR)

New Dating Seminars Target Teen Violence : NPR

I guess they start even younger that Chris Brown and Rhianna. According to this report, 1 out of every 10 teens are in some way hitting or beating on their girlfriend or boyfriend.
There's lots to point to as the cause: violent music and video games, a society that accepts and promotes violence and the lack of positive instruction in the home; and while there are many causes, it seems only a handful of middle public schools are offering this curriculum, one that may go a far way in quelling this senseless violence.
And to think, this plan got its start in Canada.

Coroner rules Jackson’s death a homicide (MSNBC)

Dr. Conrad Murray is in serious trouble.
That his offices were raided should have tipped him off, but now that the coroner has issued the official cause of Michael Jackson's death to be a homicide, there can only be a matter of time before criminal charges are brought against Murray.
And just what the hell is Propofol anyway?
I headed over to Wiki to check it out. Seems Propofol is a hypnotic, and apparently has something to do with the liver and blood flow. (Wiki even went as far as to include the MJ controversy, even stating that the drug has been deemed responsible for the star's death. Whoa.)

Coroner rules Jackson’s death a homicide - Michael Jackson- msnbc.com

Michael Jackson, Woodstock Spark Surge In Music Memorabilia - TIME

I never did understand the phenomenon of people buying up the memorabilia of deceased stars. I mean, it's one thing to auction off the actual "Glittering Glove" that MJ wore, but isn't it something different to auction off the mass-created jackets, hats, records?
But on the other hand, when my days are over, hopefully my then-classic clips will be worth money.
Okay, maybe not, but this Time article does take a good look at the fandom of dead people.

Michael Jackson, Woodstock Spark Surge In Music Memorabilia - TIME

Q-Tip Knocks Mayor Bloomberg On Twitter, Calls Out To New York Jews

Thanks Twitter, you too an diss your elected official in the span of 140 characters.
In a move I'm not to sure has a reason, legendary rapper ("legendary" used only out of respect), Q-Tip decides to call out New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg while calling on New York's Jewish population to turn their backs on one of their own. I just don't see what Q-Tip is trying to accomplish, especially using Twitter as an outlet. But who knows, maybe Q-Tip has railed against Bloomberg for quite some time, and this is just another vehicle for Q-Tip to get his thoughts out.
But to me, it smacks of foolishness to do it that way. I mean, who is going to really take Q-Tip's Twitter note seriously? I'd think if he really wanted to go there, Q-Tip could get equal time on one of the many televised PA outlets in New York City.
And, speaking for all true old-school hip-hop fans, it says here that Q-Tip should shoot an angry Twit to the advisors that suggested he dismantle A Tribe Called Quest. Bad move, homeboy.

Q-Tip Knocks Mayor Bloomberg On Twitter, Calls Out To New York Jews:

Godfather: Michael Jackson Asked Me For Sperm Because He Couldn't Have Sex With Women

Leave it the The Huffington Post to bring us the next sad chapter in the profiteering of Michael Jackson's death. Now Lester, godpappy to MJ's kids, now claims it is from his loins that Paris, and maybe his siblings, sprouted.
Even if true, it shows bad taste to speak on this, especially in front on Matt Lauer's rapt audience. but when has decency ever come in to play in regards to MJ's passing?
Nonetheless, here is the HP story in all its glory.

Godfather: Michael Jackson Asked Me For Sperm Because He Couldn't Have Sex With Women (VIDEO)

‘Black man did it’ hoax sparks outrage -msnbc.com

‘Black man did it’ hoax sparks outrage - Race & ethnicity- msnbc.com

Someone needs to give Jesse Washington some sort of Stand-Up Journalist award for being one of the few journalist to burn Bonnie Sweeten on her racist ploy.
Sure, sure, I've heard Oprah had something to say about it, but it says here that she should tend to her African village first.
The local television media, after blaring about "two gun-toting, car-jacking, kidnapping black men," all to fall deafly silent when the facts came out (way to go, Fox Philly. Bang up job right there.)
The hoax is alive and well folks. Now what are we going to do about it?

Egyptian Cuts Off His Own Penis After He Was Refused Permission To Marry Girl From Lower-Class Family

Egyptian Cuts Off His Own Penis After He Was Refused Permission To Marry Girl From Lower-Class Family

Must've been love at first slice.
How else does one explain a man cutting off his, well, manhood, all for the sake of love unrealized? Pardon the pun, but it takes some balls to pull off such a stunt.
And I'm not to familiar with Egyptian class system, but this seems a bit drastic for this era. And now the unnamed man will have to go through life with a fake organ or some other mode of urinating. Something tells me he'll regret this rash slice-and-dice when he comes to in the hospital. Yikes.

Charges Against 'New Black Panthers' Dropped by Obama Justice Dept. - Political News - FOXNews.com

Charges Against 'New Black Panthers' Dropped by Obama Justice Dept. - Political News - FOXNews.com

I happen to know New Black Panther member Minister King Samir Shabazz. I've known him for years, actually, dating all the way back to my days of covering hip-hop and he was a member of outspoken crew Kudat'ta.
And even then, I can say Shabazz had extreme views of race and what's right and wrong, and it hardly shocked me when he got embroiled in this most recent election-day flap. I'm not even shocked that the federal charges came as Bush the II was heading off-throne. I'm much more shocked that Obama's legal wing overturned the decision. I wonder what promted Obama & Co. to even bother with the case to begin with?
As soon as I see Samir again, I'll surely ask him.

Sweeten wasn't so Smart after all.

Bonnie Sweeten is no Susan Smart.
Smart was a trend-setter of sorts when she blamed two black men for carjacking and the drowning deaths of her children. Likewise, Sweeten claimed two black men carjacked her and stuffed her and her daughter in the truck of their criminally confiscated whip.
The criminalization and character assassination of black men continues, and one can only imagine the number of black men who 'fit the description' that were harassed over Sweeten's claim.
To investigator's credit, though, they were able to see right through Sweeten's half-assed claims. Maybe because her story had too many timeline holes, or perhaps because the crime, as it were, didn't fit the M.O. of crimes committed by young black men (as a former newsman, I just thought there was no way two black men are going to leave their own flashy truck to carjack a white woman and her daughter, only to stuff them in a truck and drive around Philly. Call me racist, but that just didn't even sound right. But I digress).
Or, perhaps, the real reason is that it is becoming so passe' to blame black men for crimes, that investigators don't even blink an eye at the assertion. I happen to think that investigators just found her story to be utterly absurd, right from the beginning.
(However, black men being falsely accused has occurred before. And then there's the case of Carlos Cruz and the murder of his girlfriend, Chelsea M. Frazier.)
Blend it all together, and you get a woman, Sweeten, who didn't even bother to do a little homework on her crime. Maybe in her own twisted, racist mind, black men commit those type of crimes. I just pray that no black men were made to suffer due to the false claims of Sweeten and others of her ilk.
Also, when the story and accompanying Amber Alert went out, broadcast newscasters were quick to mention it was two black men. None of the stations I have watched had said anything about the racist claims, as if they themselves didn't just utter the same. I wished one of newscaster would have said how wrong it was for Sweeten to blame black men for the crime. Just sayin'.
But maybe I'm asking too much out of society and the media?

Former Baseball Star Wille Aikens Testifies Before Congress on Crack Cocaine Disparity

Former Baseball Star Wille Aikens Testifies Before Congress on Crack Cocaine Disparity

Most people (who are not baseball fans and certainly not Philadelphia Phillies fans) will not know who Willie Aikens is (in fact, I had to look him up myself).
Seems Aikens was a better-than-average player, who banged home the winning run in Game Three of the 1980 World Series. That is an important footnote to Phillies fans, as Aikens was playing for the Kansas City Royals, the team the Phillies beat for the 1980 World Series title.
But that's merely the professional athletic background of Aikens. Like many athletes - and non-atheletes alike - of the era, Aikens fell victim to a cocaine addiction, one which quite possibly derailed his Hall of Fame chances. But he did spend almost two decades behind bars, a victim of the since-revised cocaine/crack ratio sentencing of the era.
And it must be a bit odd for Aikens to be invited to speak before congress on the matter. I wonder if he was invited during his sentence?

BBC NEWS | Europe | Spain's blogger granny dies at 97

BBC NEWS | Europe | Spain's blogger granny dies at 97: ""

Well, Maria Amelia Lopez certainly has me, and probably the entire blogosphere, beat with her claim of being the World's Oldest Blogger.
This is a testament to the shrinking digital divide and the ease-of-use of computers meeting at an apex. How else can one explain that Ms. Lopez was able to blog at such a late age? It's also amazing that she became a celebrity or sorts. Good for her. And even better, by all accounts, she never morphed from blogger to media whore.
Rest in Peace, Bloggin' Granny - One of The Best to Ever Do It!

Mississippi City Known for Klan Killings Elects Its First Black Mayor - NYTimes.com

Mississippi City Known for Klan Killings Elects Its First Black Mayor - NYTimes.com: ""

Okay, I might've misjudged the so-called "Obama Effect," but I have to admit, I didn't see this one coming.
While fighting the urge to compare this to the Apple Halo Effect, something must be said for this seismic shift in the Southern political paradigm.
Perhaps its generations of guilt, and perhaps James A. Young was just the stronger candidate.
On another note, it amazes me that there isn't a republican challenger in South Philly (get it? South...Philly?), considering its long history as a hotbed for racial violence and political hijinks.
At any rate, it's wonderful that Philly, MS, elected Young. Here's hoping Young lives up to the hype.

"It's Election Day!!" So sayeth Bill the Butcher.

Remember that classic scene in "Gangs of New York" when Bill the Butcher is forcibly rounding up the even lesser fortunate residents to vote for Tammany's ticket? That scene comes to my mind as I think of today's elections in Philadelphia.
Several judges are up for re-election, but the juiciest race is for District Attorney, a job Lynne Abraham has held for nearly two decades.
In fact, there's a whole slate of Democrats all moist over the chance to replace Lynne.
She's rubbed raw just about every segment of Philly's citizenry and organizations (such as minor beefs with the Philadelphia Police Department and certain advocacy groups), but, having spent time with her in a professional setting, I can see that she truly does care about victims of crime.
I'm sure the gig has worn her out over the years.
And there seems to be brisk competition for Lynne's vacated spot. I know most care about the violence and making a difference, but it would seem to me that becoming D.A. is a truly thankless gig. Just sayin'. Lynne looks like the years have been rough, and I'm sure she thought about things outside of the being Philly's top law enforcement official (it ain't Police Commissioner Ramsey. Please.), ever since her husband, Frank Ford, passed away earlier this year.
But whomever the new District Attorney is, please, do not utter the words, "Stop and Frisk."

This Is The Remix.

Gone is the blog, "From The Desk of Damon C. Williams." Gone, because, well, it was simply time to move on and create a more welcoming, laid back blog, both for myself and the few visitors that come through.
And frankly, it's been six months since my run at the Philadelphia Daily News ended, and my old blog mainly referred to the work I did in my capacity as a journalist.
I can tell you I'm relieved to have relieved my former editors of of the duties of editing my work!
And while the old blog has been whacked, its replacement promises a more laid-back approach while offering a peep into the more creative, diabolical mind of mine.
So, enjoy your stay - or else!

A list Philly didn't make.

Philadelphia has been listed as the fattest city and even dissed by New Orleans Ray Nagin, who infamously said that Philadelphia was dirtier than New Orleans - in the wake of the city opening its arms to Hurricane Katrina refugees. (Personally, I'm still sore about that.)
But here's a list Philadelphia should be proud it didn't make.
Forbes.com has released its "Worst Cities to Look for Jobs" rundown. And while some of the cities that made the list aren't shocking, giving the regional economies of the area (Detroit was the worst city for employment, which isn't a shock, given the collapse of the auto industry and the massive loss of jobs it created.)
It is a bit telling that many cities in Florida and California made the list.
But all is not rosy for Philadelphia and the northeast.
Forbes also released the accompanying list of "Best Cities for Jobs" list, and unfortunately, Philadelphia didn't make that list. Portland, Oklahoma City, Raleigh, NC and Salt Lake City, Utah were a few to make that list. So does this mean Philly is an average city with an average economy? I'll take that over being the dirtiest or fattest any day.