I am a HGTV junkie and I could hardly wait until tonight's finale of Season 2 of Design Star. My favorite designer, Kim Myles, was declared the winner. Since I'd only voted one day, I was afraid other Kim fans were as negligent as me.

Watching the season recap and interaction between contestants was great. Bad boy Robb tried to clear his name but far too much damage had already been done for that to happen. I was also glad to see Will and Sparkle Josh. I hope both of those guys get a show on HGTV. Will's personality makes him a winner and Sparkle Josh, well, he's just so sparkly, I love him.

Kim and Todd were both awarded vehicles and Will and Lisa were each awarded a $5,000 Discover gift card. Not bad. I can hardly wait for Kim's show to air in the Spring; I know she'll be great, she's such a natural.

Congratulations, Kim!

The plot thickens somewhat as the war for the Black vote is in full effect in the Clinton and Obama camps. Basketball legend and businessman Earvin 'Magic" Johnson has thrown his support behind Hillary with a fundraiser on her behalf. Several Hollywood heavyweights were expected to attend.

Some folks have spun the battle for the Black vote into a possible gender issue with Black women supporting Obama and Black men supporting Clinton. Time does not permit me to go there with that position right now but I will address that in another post.

I didn't believe the e-mail I read indicating the conviction of the Jena 6 had been overturned. I want to be excited because people around the world let their voices be heard via blogs, petitions and letters to the media and Louisiana governor, Kathleen Blanco.

I want to be excited but I celebrated when Genarlow Wilson's conviction was overturned. That celebration was short-lived because it was overruled and he remains in jail. Will the justice system change its mind again this time?

Well, it's likely there are far too many eyes on this situation for the Louisiana justice system not to let these young men go. Prayerfully protesters will continue their convergence on the small town until the Jena 6 are actually released and their records clear from any possibility of incarceration.

Appeals court overturns 'Jena 6' conviction

By Howard Witt | Tribune senior correspondent

8:35 PM CDT, September 14, 2007

HOUSTON - With the prospect of a major national civil rights protest looming next week in the central Louisiana town of Jena, a state appeals court on Friday abruptly vacated the felony conviction of a black teenager accused of beating a white student in a case fraught with racial tensions.

Louisiana's Third Circuit Court of Appeals, acting on an emergency defense appeal, reversed the aggravated second-degree battery conviction of Mychal Bell, 17, ruling that the youth had been tried improperly as an adult in a case that has raised allegations of unequal justice in the small, mostly white town.

Last week, the trial court judge who presided over Bell's trial in June, LaSalle Parish District Judge J.P. Mauffray, vacated a conspiracy conviction against the youth for the same reason, but inexplicably let the more serious battery conviction stand. Now the local district attorney, Reed Walters, must decide whether to refile the entire case in juvenile court. [MORE]

Mattel's problems are as bad as I thought…

Brazil Suspends Mattel's Licenses to Import Toys (Update3)

By Guillermo Parra-Bernal and Heather Burke

Sept. 12 (Bloomberg) -- Brazil suspended licenses held by Mattel Inc., the world's largest toymaker, to import its goods into the country after a recall of more than 21 million Chinese- made toys that began last month.

Some licenses were revoked on Aug. 17, according to a statement posted last night on the Web site of the Development, Trade and Industry Ministry. The permits can only be renewed after Mattel has assured local authorities and consumers that all technical and safety standards have been met.

``The objective of this is to avert that defective toys, all those that appear in the company's global recall list, enter Brazilian soil,'' the ministry said.

Mattel's recalls of toys with lead paint or magnets that may become detached and swallowed by children have occurred heading into the fourth-quarter holiday season, which last year accounted for more than one-third of annual revenue. Chief Executive Officer Robert Eckert is testifying today at a U.S. Senate hearing on toy safety.

Forty-four percent of Mattel's revenue comes from outside the U.S., Chief Financial Officer Kevin Farr said in a Sept. 10 presentation. Brazil is probably Mattel's second-largest market in Latin America after Mexico, according to Sean McGowan, an analyst at Wedbush Morgan Securities in New York. [MORE]

Today's Affirmation:

We are peacemakers, one in the love of God. With hearts united, we establish harmony and peace in our lives and in the world.

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I didn't watch the VMAs but it must have been rather boring since the only portion that's really getting airplay or comment is Britney Spears' horrendous opening act performance. Let me tell you, I feel so bad for her. She was so not ready for that performance that MTV really should have pulled her. I don't enjoy watching train wrecks or car crashes but apparently so many people do.

Kanye West threw a temper tantrum after the show. Initially, I thought he was just being spoiled and egotistical but he made some very valid points about exploitation and the entertainment industry.

Britney Spears' performance was definitely a reminder of how cruel the game is. Not only was her performance horrible but she looked horrible from costume to hair. What was most disturbing was her lack of confidence. It showed in her eyes. That young woman is in pain. Even if she's made a gazillion dollars, and more than a few mistakes, watching her tank like that is not enjoyable. Somebody or a few somebodies in her camp need to be fired for letting her humiliate herself like that.

Comedian Sarah Silverman's routine only added to the sacrificial nature of the evening. To crack on Britney is one thing but to bring her kids in the act and refer to them as "mistakes" crosses the line.

I am not a Britney Spears fan but I do give her credit for being an excellent performer. Prayerfully she'll bounce back from this although many in the media have already buried her career. Perhaps, her VMA performance is watch Britney Spears needs to force her to make a choice --- get out of the entertainment game or work like hell to stage an awesome comeback.

Although Britney is an adult, it's time for those who really love her to intervene. Britney can come back from this. As much as Americans love watching train wrecks and car crashes, they also love comebacks. Please let the real Britney come back.

Today's Affirmation:

From the love of God in our hearts, we understand one another.

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Today's Affirmation:

We are blessing the worldin our own unique ways.

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Last month, FedEx Express, the overnight delivery unit of FedEx Corp., agreed to a $55 million settlement in a discrimination lawsuit filed by Black and Latino employees in the western United States. For article on lawsuit, click here. If you want to read the technical legal stuff, click here.

After all is said and done, on average, the more than 22,000 FedEx employees may receive a couple of thousand dollars each. The lawyers already get $15 million plus administrative costs. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't refuse a couple of thousand dollars but there's definitely something wrong with that picture.

Today's Affirmation:

A river of peace flows deep and strong throughout the world.

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