Embedded video from <a href="http://www.cnn.com/video" mce_href="http://www.cnn.com/video">CNN Video</a> Thursday's Bloggers Bunch on CNN was interesting to say the least.  One of the bloggers on the show was Lurita Doan of EyesOnGov.com.  Lurita went out of her way to criticize the President, and Black folks seemingly, during our discussion of race.  I wanted to follow up to a couple of her points during the show, but I had no such luck.  I like it better when there are three guests on instead of four because we get a little more time to establish our points.  Let me know what you think.

On Monday afternoon I made a snap decision, as I'm known to sometimes do.  Heading south out of downtown, I thought it would be cool to take my son to Celebration Station in Mesquite, so we headed East on Interstate 30.  I set the budget at...well cheap, and figured we'd get in and out pretty quick.  But a funny thing (not so funny in hindsight) happened on our way there. As we started getting closer to Jim Miller Road, I noticed Dallas County Constables parked at the off ramps and standing outside of their cars.  When I looked up and saw helicopters, I started putting two and two together and figured there must be a chase in progress. It was about that time that I started hearing a police siren.  Looking in my rearview mirror, I saw that it wasn't a law enforcement vehicle approaching from behind, but a grey colored Nissan that was followed by a lone squad car.  I really didn't have much time to react as I drove in one of the center lanes, but both vehicles passed us to the right. "They didn't seem to be going very fast for a chase," I told my son, as I estimated ...

Dallas residents who need assistance with their utility bills and live in a 752xx Zip Code may contact the Martin Luther King Social Services program.  Residents in need may receive up to $600 towards their bill. Individuals may call 214-670-8416 to make an appointment on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays starting at 9 a.m.  The Social Services Program Staff will take calls until slots are filled for the day.  Those over 60 years of age may also call on Tuesdays (9AM). The Martin Luther King Center is located at 2922 Martin Luther King Blvd.  Residents  in other parts of the City of Dallas, or hose in need of help with utilities and/or food can call the city's Community Help Line - 211. Please share this information with anyone who may be helped by this service.

There was little change in unemployment for the month of June, which went up to 9.5% from 9.4% in May. But 467,000 more jobs were lost during this period, up from 322,000 in May. In all, there are now 14.7 million unemployed Americans, an increase of 7.2 million since the start of the recession (Dec. 2007). The unemployment rate for African-Americans was 14.7% last month compared to 12.2% for Hispanics and 8.7% for whites. The African-American unemployment rate is down for the second straight month after reaching 15% in April. Unemployment for Black men is at 16.4%, down from a high of 17.2% in April. Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, June 2009 7.6 8.1 8.5 8.9 9.4 9.5 This does not include 2.2 million people who were marginally attached to the labor force last month. And of that number 793,000 are considered "discouraged workers", because they are not currently looking for work because they believe there are no jobs available. The other 1.4 million had not searched for work in the previous 4 weeks. Could Black men be the first to start steering out of the recession? From the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Award winning journalist Howard Witt announced that he has left the Chicago Tribune.  Witt came to national prominence for his reporting of race related stories in Paris, Texas and Jena, Louisiana in 2007. The Pulitzer Prize nominated Witt says that he is moving in a new direction.  "After a quarter-century run at the Chicago Tribune as a reporter, correspondent and editor," Witt says, "I recently left the paper to take up a new challenge as the Senior Managing Editor at Stars and Stripes, the editorially-independent newspaper serving America’s military men and women and their families overseas." I have developed a good working relationship with Mr. Witt over the years after he became one of the first newspaper reporters to bring national attention to African-American activism online.  My family and I even met Howard out for dinner last fall.   His reporting of ShaQuanda Cotton and the Jena 6 made the entire media industry reevaluate the way they were covering people of color.  He maintained a relationship with the black blogosphere after those stories, a lesson that black media members and outlets could learn from. I'm sure Howard will do well in his future endeavors.  I pray that all goes well for he and his family in ...

I met Ryan Grim online back in 2007 when he was with Politico and have kept in touch with him over the years.  I was excited to learn about his new book that I'm hoping to get my hands sometime soon.  It's titled This is Your Country on Drugs.  I hope to get an interview with Ryan after I read through his book, but until then, I'll post a few of excepts that appeared at The Root. In the summer of 1996, the San Jose Mercury News broke the story of the connection between L.A. crack dealers and the U.S. funded Nicaraguan Contras. More than a month later, the Washington Post weighed in with a five-story, roughly 10,000-word broadside that ripped the series apart, debunking its central tenets and wondering aloud what it is about black people that makes them so paranoid.   The Post’s editorial board explained that “the shock of the story for many was not simply the sheer monstrousness of the idea of an official agency contributing to a modern-day plague—and to a plague targeted on blacks. The shock was the credibility the story seems to have generated when it reached some parts of the black community.”But it wasn’t their fault they were so gullible, the Postassured in ...

In a nod to my favorite magazine (Men's Health) Jason Johnson gives us 5 easy tips for healthier living. BY JASON JOHNSON Living a healthier nutritional lifestyle is all about making gradual changes to your diet and making the right choices. Here are 5 quick and simple health tips you've heard before, but are worth reading again. 1. CHOOSE THIS: Turkey bacon or Canadian bacon NOT THAT: bacon 2. CHOOSE THIS: Fish, turkey or chicken NOT THAT: Red Meat 3. CHOOSE THIS: When preparing food, always opt for steamed, grilled, broiled or baked NOT THAT: fried 4. CHOOSE THIS: Whole grain pasta and brown rice NOT THAT: White or processed 5. CHOOSE THIS: Low-fat or non-fat salad dressings NOT THAT: Creamy salad dressings Until next time. Stay healthy and stay active, Jason M. Johnson, ACE-CPT JMJ Fitness www.jmjfitness.com

The North Central Texas Council of Governments Transportation Department has released a Master Plan Initiative regarding development in Southern Dallas County.  This is not the same thing as the Master Plan that Dallas County Commissioners were attempting to institute some months back.  Below is a statement by The Allen Group, one of the main developers in Southern Dallas' Inland Port.   The Allen Group has been asked to provide its position statement concerning the NCTCOG’S CONCEPT of a new S. Dallas County Master Planning Initiative as set forth in the NCTCOG’s PowerPoint Presentation below.   North Central Texas Council of Governments PowerPoint Presentation. The Allen Group SUPPORTS THE NCTCOG’S CONCEPT of the new S. Dallas County Master Planning Initiative as follows:       Consistent with the NCTCOG’s PowerPoint Presentation below, TAG’s position is that the Planning Initiative should: focus solely upon roads, water, sewer, and storm water;   be coordinated and directed by  representatives of ALL of the entities with land use development authority, and who have land impacted by the Plan, on all oversight committees or similar bodies that will make decisions that will impact the cities and/or land within their jurisdictions;   include, without change, previously adopted comprehensive plans whether initiated by Cities or landowners, developers, business owners, etc. ...

By Genma Holmes of Genma Speaks Watching movies and barbecuing is how my family spends most Sunday afternoons. This past Sunday, I broke a cardinal rule and watched the BET Awards for the first time. My kids convinced me that it would be great since it was billed as a tribute to Michael Jackson and his humanitarian endeavors. However, the show that was promoted was not the show I watched. The BET Awards was a chaotic three hour black-a-thon fiasco. How things begin is an indication of where things will end. Watching CNN’s anchorman Don Lemon giving shouts out on the red carpet was the start of the calamity that went downhill fast. To add to the circus atmosphere that was forming outside, Joe Jackson, MJ’s father and belt wielding former manager, was on the red carpet promoting his new record label. Huh? I know grief is expressed in different ways but this was a drastic departure from tears and sadness that is normally shown. He sounded more like an old school promoter for Denise LaSalle than a father who had lost a son two days prior. But what do I know. I never watched the show and I did not know if this ...

BY KRISTIN OF BECAUSE I SAID SO The Supreme Court has decided to reverse a decision made by the U.S. Court of Appeals which included Judge Sonia Sotomayor. I have yet to read the entire ruling but I find myself wondering about the ramifications the ruling will have on the New Haven community. It is my understanding that New Haven is predominately a minority community and will now be served by few minorities in positions of authority. I know of many people who came from areas where authority figures did not look like them. I know first hand how feelings of mistrust will pervade the neighborhood and do very little to bridge a widening gulf. After reading the original ruling I agreed with the ruling in which Judge Areterton arrived. I can say with all honesty I am happy the New Haven 20 will receive the promotions they deserve. I will also say I am very apprehensive about the future of affirmative action. It is my personal belief that though we have come along way affirmative action is very much needed to ensure a diverse environment,especially on college campuses. For many minorities affirmative action is our Legacy admission. It will be interseting to ...