From the Dallas South Newswire STATEMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ON PASSAGE OF THE FAIR SENTENCING ACT “I congratulate the House of Representatives on today’s passage of the Fair Sentencing Act. The bill greatly reduces the unwarranted disparity in sentences for crack and powder cocaine offenses, and will go a long way toward ensuring that our sentencing laws are tough, consistent, and fair. “By sending the bill to the President, the House has taken an important step toward more just sentencing policies while enhancing the ability of law enforcement officials to protect our communities from violent and dangerous drug traffickers. “This day was long in coming, and I want to express my appreciation to the members of the House and Senate who worked tirelessly to bring about this result. Particular thanks are due to Majority Whip Clyburn, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Conyers and Crime Subcommittee Chairman Scott, and to the bipartisan leadership of the Senate Judiciary Committee, including Chairman Leahy, Ranking Member Sessions and Senators Durbin and Graham. “I join them in celebrating this achievement, and look forward to working with them to implement the new law.”

Why is it always Paris Texas? Officer was suspended two days (two days?) for this incident.

Is Ludacris the leader we've been looking for? Chris Bridges a.k.a Ludacris is offering a refreshing image for an art form that has seemed to lose its way over the last decade.  This past weekend he made the circuit, promoting his foundation and asking for a new look at philanthropic leadership.  This 4 1/2 minute video is worth the time. Good Look Luda.

Thought I'd share a few excerpts from a post on the Top 10 most stolen cars: 1. Cadillac Escalade ESV: Twenty inches longer than the base model Escalade, it makes an attractive target, not just for the visibility, but for the standard features. It comes with many high-ticket items such as a DVD navigation system and Bose surround sound. The best DIY way to keep it safe? Park it in a locked garage. If the garage is full, find another place for your stuff. If you don’t have a garage, how can you afford a $65,000 car? 4. Dodge Charger: According to a Fox affiliate in Detroit, Chrysler products are so easy to steal, even a child can do it. Requiring only a screwdriver, a brick, and minimal force, thieves regularly steal and use these vehicles simply for transportation. The Detroit PD recommends etching your VIN on key areas of the vehicle to deter thieves. The entire video can be seen here. 7. Dodge Magnum: Also easy stealing, this wagon trim vehicle actually boasts an impressive engine that is attractive to joy riders. The newer models come with Sentry keys, making it difficult to start the car without one. Owners of older models ...

FORT WORTH, Texas – American Airlines announced today it is launching a first-of-its-kind social networking site, BlackAtlas.comSM, which combines the best features of a travel site with the power of social networking to create a dynamic online community for travelers to share experiences unique to the black community. User content will be anchored by travel video blogs and commentaries from author, filmmaker, television producer and world traveler, Nelson George, who will serve as the BlackAtlas.com travel expert at large. Unique travel content for the site is currently being collected at BlackAtlas.com. The site is scheduled to fully launch later this month. “I love to experience new cities, new food and meet new people. I love the thrill of discovering black culture everywhere, and so many African Americans feel the same way I do,” said Nelson George. “I want to entice more people to hit the road by giving them a different, and hopefully fresh, angle on travel through BlackAtlas.com.” Through blogs and discussion boards, users will be able to share travel stories, videos and photos and provide travel tips. They will also be able to rate or make recommendations of popular destinations and businesses, connect with other travelers with similar interests, answer questions ...

PRESS RELEASE U.S. Department of Justice to Release Study on Children's Exposure to Violence; U.S. Department of Education to Provide $500,000 Grant to Help Fenger Community Attorney General Eric Holder and Education Secretary Arne Duncan today joined with Chicago city officials to call for a national conversation on values to address youth violence in the wake of the fatal beating of a Chicago high school student.  The announcement followed meetings with City officials, community leaders, students, and parents. “Youth violence isn’t a Chicago problem, any more than it is a black problem or a white problem. It’s something that affects communities big and small, and people of all races and colors. Today is the beginning of what will be a sustained, national effort on behalf of this entire administration to address youth violence and to make our streets safe for everyone,” Holder said. “Chicago will not be defined by this incident but rather by our response to it – so we came here today to join with you and with communities all across America – to call for a national conversation on values. It’s a conversation that must happen every place in America where violence, intolerance, and discrimination exists,” Duncan said. Today’s meeting continues President Obama’s ...

A Statement from RNC Chairman Michael Steele “Today the Republican National Committee remembers the 2,740 Americans who died in the terrorist attacks on America eight years ago. We share in the grief still felt by families and friends who lost loved ones. Yet like all Americans, we are strengthened knowing that even in the tragedy of 9/11, the character of America was visible to all the world through the courage and compassion demonstrated by first responders and those who lost their lives. We also proudly salute the hundreds of thousands of American service men and women who continue to fight the war on terror on far-away battlefields. Because of their sacrifice, we continue to live in freedom. And America remains a beacon of hope and opportunity to the world.”

Dallas County Young Democrats (DCYD) and Dallas Stonewall Young Democrats (DSYD) Host Barbecue for National Day of Service Dallas (September 10) --- The Dallas County Young Democrats and Dallas Stonewall Young Democrats are honoring service men and women with the "Serving Those Who Serve Us" Barbecue, this upcoming Friday at the Thurgood Marshall Recreation Center. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. The Dallas County Young Democrats and Dallas Stonewall Young Democrats are partnering together to answer President Obama's call to service by honoring our service men and women on Sept. 11, the National Day of Service and Remembrance. President Obama started a national service initiative called "United We Serve”, this past June, aimed at encouraging Americans to volunteer to bring a greater level of visibility and responsibility for key social concerns. The intiative ends on Sept. 11 with a day of service. When: Sept. 11 (Friday), 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm Where: Thurgood Marshall Recreation Center 5150 Mark Trail Way, Dallas, TX 75232-1809 What: Food, games for all ages, prizes, fire truck tours, and more… Admission is free to all firefighters, police officers, military personnel, reservists and the families of our first responders. A minimum donation of $5 is ...

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the U.S. unemployment rate was virtually unchanged for the second straight month, down .1% from June to July.  The 9.4% unemployment rate fir July is identical to May, but another 247,000 jobs were lost during this period. The African-American unemployment rate declined for the third time in as many months, dropping to 14.5% from 14.7% in June.  The unemployment rate for African-Americans reached 15% in April. Black males saw a .6% drop in unemployment to 15.8% and down from 17.2% in April. Click here for the employment situation summary by the Labor Statistics Bureau.

Here is a statement released by Charles Olgletree who has been retained by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. after he was arrested at his Cambridge Massachusettes home. This information was posted at theroot.com and distributed. Statement on Behalf of Henry Louis Gates, Jr. -- by Charles Ogletree This brief statement is being submitted on behalf of my client, friend, and colleague, Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. This is a statement concerning the arrest of Professor Gates. On July 16th, 2009, Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr., 58, the Alphonse Fletcher University Professor of Harvard University, was headed from Logan airport to his home [in] Cambridge after spending a week in China, where he was filming his new PBS documentary entitled “Faces of America”. Professor Gates was driven to his home by a driver for a local car company. Professor Gates attempted to enter his front door, but the door was damaged. Professor Gates then entered his rear door with his key, turned off his alarm, and again attempted to open the front door. With the help of his driver they were able to force the front door open, and then the driver carried Professor Gates’s luggage into his home. Professor Gates immediately ...