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February 2009

First Lady Michelle Obama Looks Fabulous: Deal with it!

Michelle-obama-white-house-portrait

 

It’s such a shame that media air time has been wasted on the First Lady’s penchant for sleeveless ensembles. Some feel that the sleeveless look is too casual, and I understand that. There are others who think it’s no big deal.

The First Lady has awesome arms and legs. Actually, she has the total package so let’s just admire her for practicing proper nutrition and exercise rather than the foolishness about her arms on display.

I definitely prefer First Lady Obama’s arms to the overdeveloped arms of Madonna. When all is said and done, please, mainstream media, give us real news and not this fluff.

 

 

© 2009, Vanessa: Unplugged!,

www.vanessabyers.net

 

 

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Rupert Murdoch's Apology

OK, media mogul Rupert Murdoch apologized for the New York Post chimpanzee editorial cartoon. Since Murdoch is infamously known for NOT apologizing and NOT succumbing to external pressure, the apology is a major coup.

I respect Murdoch for making the public apology but some civil rights activists are still keeping the pressure on Murdoch and the New York Post. 

You see, the Murdoch apology, when finally made, was several days late. It would have been more effective and better received had he apologized right away. Instead, the insulting comments by Post editor Col Allan fueled the protest fire while Murdoch did nothing to stop it.

Speaking of Allan, if Murdoch really wanted to make a statement about racial sensitivity, he’d fire Allan with the quickness but he hasn't.

Since the Murdoch apology came days after the Post’s media drubbing and their parent company’s stock dropped, perhaps the apology was empty and only driven by economics.

 

© 2009, Vanessa: Unplugged!, www.vanessabyers.net

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New York Post Chimpanzee Editorial Cartoon: Still Looking for the Humor

Sharpton-lee The furor over the New York Post chimpanzee editorial cartoon is far from over for me. You see, I was immediately angered by it for several reasons; its racist connotation being one of them.

I observed executives from the Post attempt to deflect the backlash from the cartoon to protest leader, Rev. Al Sharpton. I don’t always agree with the Reverend but that was just wrong on their part. I also heard their so-called apology and learned of the company’s internal turmoil because of the cartoon.

I tried to understand the perspective of folks, even blacks, who thought the cartoon wasn’t as bad as the publicity that exploded around it. I still wasn’t able to make that stretch. I really tired objectivity but it is what it is.

You know, even if you don’t think the cartoon was racist, there was no humor to be made of a woman tragically disfigured by a chimpanzee and the death of that chimpanzee. There was no humor in two police officers shooting an animal. Was the animal a representation of President Obama? Perhaps it was supposed represent Nancy Pelosi or even Congress. It's just wrong.

There have been calls for the firing of the Post’s editor. I support that unequivocally. I also support the demand for a real public apology from the New York Post.

It was pointed out that President Obama and New York Gov. Paterson did not make a big deal of the situation. Gov. Paterson accepted the Post’s apology. Well, my response to that is, “Did you expect them to go Eric Holder and say what they really feel? I think not.”

This situation could be over quickly. The Post’s lame attempt at an apology is far more acquiescence than they’ve offered in the past. I do hope the NAACP and other civil rights organizations will not cave under the pressure.

Rev. Sharpton’s spotlight on the media influence is an issue that definitely deserves more coverage but by which media outlet since he owns so many.

Nypostchimpcartoon

 

© 2009, Vanessa: Unplugged!, www.vanessabyers.net

Vote for this blog for Best Political Blog and for Best Blog Design in the 2009 Bloggers Choice Awards.

      


Burris Media Blackout Too Late

Sen. Roland Burris has not spoken to the media beyond greetings and acknowledgments the last couple of days. Too bad he didn't use that strategy a couple of weeks ago.

Calls for his resignation continue.


Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T


Wall Street CEOs Should Meet Leonard Abess Jr.

It's hard to believe there is a generous banker in the United States since many have chosen to be greedy scumbags while others lose their jobs and literally their lives. Enter one Leonard Abess Jr. from Miami. The guy is blessed and a blessing. Read and enjoy!


Posted on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2009


 

Miami banker gives $60 million of his own to employees
By MARTHA BRANNIGAN


Lots of bosses say they value their employees. Some even mean it.

And then there's Leonard Abess Jr.

After selling a majority stake in Miami-based City National Bancshares last November, all he did was take $60 million of the proceeds -- $60 million out of his own pocket -- and hand it to his tellers, bookkeepers, clerks, everyone on the payroll. All 399 workers on the staff received bonuses, and he even tracked down 72 former employees so they could share in the windfall.


 


 


Burris Damage Control Ineffective [VIDEO]

Senator Roland Burris, Junior Senator for the State of Illinois, the man who literally went on a media tour after his appointment to the seat by then embattled Gov. Rod Blagojevich, would have respective public officials and the American public to believe that he is not guilty of perjury after revelation of Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s brother seeking Burris’ assistance in fundraising for the governor. I know that is a long sentence but this is a weird situation.

Senator Burris and his legal counsel were not prepared for the questions from the media at yesterday's press conference. There was stammering, stumbling, and obvious defensiveness. Not a good look.

If anyone didn’t think Burris was tainted by Rod Blagojevich before, they sure think it now.

 

 

© 2009, Vanessa: Unplugged!, www.vanessabyers.net

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Peanuts: Eat at Your Own Risk

Peanut-caution Boiled peanuts, roasted peanuts, peanut butter on saltine crackers, peanut butter cookies, and frozen Snickers bar: those are just a few ways I used to enjoy eating peanuts but not anymore.

Thanks to Peanut Corporation of America and the salmonella found in their products, it will be a long time before I eat peanut butter again. The conditions described in the plant were criminal. The company’s leaders should be jailed; no question about it.

Peanut Corporation owner Stewart Parnell, repeatedly invoked his right not to incriminate himself when questioned by the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee. In spite of the 600 people sickened and possible nine deaths linked to the salmonella contamination, Parnell defiantly refused to answer any questions; that’s unconscionable.

The sad reality is that Peanut Corp represents such a small percentage of the peanut industry. Their misdeeds has jeopardized an entire industry. As a consumer, there is nothing that leads me to believe that the conditions at Peanut Corp are different than other peanut processing plants. Perhaps the stimulus plan includes funding for more inspectors of our food supply. It may be time for meto seriously consider growing my own food.

Until this peanut situation is resolved to the satisfaction of the American people or is no longer highlighted in the media and the American people forget, the peanut industry will suffer. What's next?

 

Photo:  Bill Kennedy/The Plain Dealer

© 2009, Vanessa: Unplugged!, www.vanessabyers.net

Vote for this blog for Best Political Blog and for Best Blog Design in the 2009 Bloggers Choice Awards.

           


The Union of Two Addictions: TwitterBerry for BlackBerry

Post-menu

I downloaded TwitterBerry, a Twitter application for BlackBerry, to my BB Bold and I love it. I can read and send tweets without using the browser which is slower.

TwitterBerry is a third-party application made by Orangatame Software. It took a couple of minutes to check the app’s features via its menu; it’s very user friendly. The app’s affect on the battery life of my BB is a concern but I don’t think it would diminish my delight in the product.

If you're a BlackBerry user on Twitter then you want TwitterBerry. Try it out and let me know what you think.

Download TwitterBerry from your BlackBerry. Visit http://orangatame.com/ota/twitterberry/ on your BlackBerry.

 
 

© 2009, Vanessa: Unplugged!, www.vanessabyers.net

Vote for this blog for Best Political Blog and for Best Blog Design in the 2009 Bloggers Choice Awards.

           


Karl Rove on Twitter? What has the world come to?


Roland Burris: Lies the Senator Told Us

You know I hate to say I told you so but the fawning over Roland Burris and whether a black person should be appointed to the seat is tarnished by the revelation that he failed to disclose that he had been asked to raise funds for Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich by the governor’s brother, Robert.

This situation is really messed up but I’m not totally surprised by the revelation. Burris could have saved himself from adding to the Blago taint but he didn’t. The lame excuse about not having the “opportunity” to disclose the request for money is just way too lame and insulting. Roland Burris is a smart man; his attempt to get ahead of this mess and clean it up is too little too late.

To make matters worse for the Democrats, the Illinois GOP is looking into an investigation of Burris for perjury. In the court of public opinion, the GOP may very well get that support.

Burris has been in politics or government far too long far this foolishness. Senator Burris should resign (but he won't) and Gov. Quinn should appoint U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. to the senate seat. Jackson should be appointed and not because he's black but because he would be a great representative for the people of Illinois.

The Rod Blagojevich circus continues. Oh yeah, I told you so.

 

More details from The Chicago Tribune

I Love Blogging!   

 

© 2009, Vanessa: Unplugged!, www.vanessabyers.net

Vote for this blog for Best Political Blog and for Best Blog Design in the 2009 Bloggers Choice Awards.