There goes the neighborhood

To understand what is so inherently wrong with the way Banks are foreclosing on PPL is captured in this short segment of the piece. It's a "scorched earth" approach in a situation where BOTH sides contributed to the situation, and BOTH are being hurt by the collateral damage. But on the 'Avg Joe' level it's more severe, because unemployment/welfare is a far cry from a bailout package, that keeps BIG business SOLVENT/PROFITABLE. It's like comparing being rescued by an ocean liner, to someone hanging on to a life saver.

The banks are proceeding with foreclosures, instead of modifying these loans. I understand, business is business, but after foreclosing and plummeting the value of the surrounding homes (collateral damage) they aren't even maintaining the homes, they just abandon them. Then vagrants come in and gut the home of all it's valuables, further devastating the value of surrounding homes.

The City has resorted to demolishing the homes in order to prevent neighborhoods from becoming unattractive, spending millions in tax dollars in the process. IJS.. Wouldn't it be BETTER for America to keep those PPL in their homes? Isn't it BETTER for the community? Isn't it BETTER for the Banks to recover 50-75% of that mortgage, instead of losing the property all together? Isn't it better for the community to have tax property contributors, as opposed to Section 8 housing? That's the 'dog eat dog' approach I have with our current state of business as usual.

This approach will wind up destroying otherwise stable households. And it makes NO sense at all. Like they said in the video, it was the borrowers, the Banks, the politicians, the appraisers everyone who contributed to the culture of "Greed", that was made possible by deregulating or a lack thereof. Capitalism isn't the culprit, a manipulation of the rules, exacerbated by GREED is. It's a 'Race to the BOTTOM' that will eventually CONSUME "US" ALL...







Source: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7392084n&tag=cbsnewsMainColumnArea.2

KOBE vs Ben.. Double Standard or Different Circumstances? What do you think?

I have an ongoing debate with several friends of mine. They claim Kobe was tried in the court of public opinion, and lost his endorsements, "primarily" due to the fact he cheated on his wife. I seem to recall SEVERAL media outlets painting him as a proverbial sexual deviate, typical urban athlete turned millionaire, rapist, and Sodomite, that only cared about ingratiating/pleasuring himself.

In the forum of "morality", while cheating on your wife is without question more serious than indiscriminately having sex (as a single man). They were both "ACCUSED" of a "CRIME"........ And that was the basis of Kobe's ridicule. No one gave a DAMN about his wife, or the fact he was married. Take a look at the articles below, NOT ONE OF THEM mention infidelity as a basis for their criticism. Not saying they didn't exist. I'm just saying, that was not the focal point of the criticism he received, the loss of endorsements, or the fallout that ensued.

Is ESPN trying to preserve its relationship with Roethlisberger?
Posted by Mike Florio on July 21, 2009 12:38 PM ET

The current lead item on Deadspin focuses in part on ESPN's decision not to mention the case, but it's still not clear why. We've been trying to get an explanation directly from Bristol, but to no avail.


REMEMBER KOBE WAS ARRESTED BASED ON AN ALLEGATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The primary criticism was NOT based on him "cheating on his wife".

Sheriff sticks to his guns on Kobe. A day after the Kobe Bryant rape case collapsed, the lawman who made the controversial decision to arrest him a year ago insisted he has no regrets and said he would do it all again.


What If Kobe Bryant Has Been Falsely Accused?
Why the Law of Acquaintance and Date Rape Should Seriously Penalize False Reports
By JONNA M. SPILBOR
Monday, Aug. 11, 2003

This phenomenon of "conviction before trial" is especially acute in Bryant's case. One of his current sponsors, Nutella, has already pulled out because of the present allegations. Will Nutella re-sign him to an endorsement contract if he is ultimately acquitted? It's doubtful - and in any case, Bryant's pride may counsel him not to accept

Meanwhile, it's become clear that the prosecutors are going after Bryant with a vengeance. Eagle County District Attorney Mark Hurlbert asked for an additional $105,000 from the state budget to cover anticipated expenses in this matter. The budget Commissioner not only granted his wish, but went further, allotting him $150,000 dollars, nearly a third more than requested, so he would have a "buffer."

At Bryant's hearing, 75 news organizations and more than 300 media employees stumbled over each other to get a scoop. When the trial heats up, they'll be out in even bigger force. And they will again take their cue from the tabloids, elevating into hard news any kinky kink·y

**** Some may accredit the hype surrounding Kobe to his Global celebrity status, but Ben is a 2 time SuperBowl champion, and his case was reduced to a relative footnote. ****

But one thing has been reasonably clear from the get-go: The prosecution never had a strong case. It was riddled with inconsistencies and evidence that challenged the accuser’s story. It was highly unlikely that 35-year-old District Attorney Mark Hurlbert and his equally youthful staff could have convinced a jury of Bryant’s guilt, even if the young woman had not decided at the last minute that she didn’t want to proceed with the case.

Some other sources see the gamesmanship of the Bryant prosecution as proof a prosecutor succumbed to the allure of convicting a public figure at the expense of common sense. The GJ Sentinel, in Colorado, takes the person who made the decision to indict Bryant to task.


It's convenient that you guys say it was about infidelity now, but at the time, infidelity was NOT the bone of contention. Did Guiliani not cheat on his wife? Gov. Mark Sandford? Sen. Edwards? Brad Pitt? John (from John & Kate + 8}? Sen. Foley? How many prominent members of society get outed for cheating on their wives and they go on with their lives as if it's just a bump in the road? They face ridicule, but they are seldom "arrested" on hearsay, or frivolous accusations. Compelling evidence MUST be presented.

Black ppl have long been victims of GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT. The difference here is how the media and law view the "allegations". With Kobe they went hard body immediately. All they needed was proof he had sex, all the "facts" would get sorted out, AFTER THE FACT.

Meanwhile, minorities get crucified the "INSTANCE" a rape allegation is made. I am clear headed on this one guys, and I know, cause I had a family member experience this kind of scrutiny as the result of a false allegation. He too was arrested and was tried in the court of public opinion, until he was able to prove his innocence in a court of law. Only difference is, he wasn't famous, so he didn't lose any endorsements. At the end of the day, both Ben and Kobe are both role models, and the reaction to the allegation should have been the same.



WHAT DO YOU THINK?????????????????

RE: WHY RELATIONSHIPS FAIL

The reasons relationships fail are primarily due to a LACK of sacrifice, understanding, and compromise, {{{PERIOD}}}. You and I often go back and forth over this issue, but I believe, for all intents and purposes, that we are on the same track. We just define the consequences differently.


When a relationship is new, there are temptations, fear, and doubt, but we "willfully" overcome those hurdles because we are "interested" in the person, and we're willing to sacrifice, understand, and compromise in order to move the relationship forward.


But you know how the saying goes, "Familiarity breeds contempt", that doesn't apply just to relationships; it applies to all aspects of our social welfare. When we get "comfortable" it is usually accompanied by a "lack of appreciation/understanding" which ultimately leads to a lack of both sacrifice and compromise.


Do your own inquiry, and try to determine at what point past relationships failed. I guarantee either you or your partner began to play the power struggle, began thinking selfishly, communication broke down, or, ALL OF THE ABOVE, in some form or fashion.


I'm not saying the "Devil" doesn't exist, but sometimes his "existence", relative to our problems, are a matter of perception and/or your willingness to accept things you cannot change and/or your willingness to compromise {negotiate} with the one you love in order to move the relationship forward.


Sounds like I'm simplifying the issue? Try to incorporate those 3 principles, the next time you're at odds with anyone you’re close to or intimate with. You'll gain a whole new appreciation for the difficulty of the situation once you're in the heat of the moment.


Many of us are not "inherently Evil", and we all basically want the same things out of a relationship LOVE-Security-Success, but we should never lose sight of SACRIFICE UNDERSTANDING & COMPROMISE. In good times it's easy to roll with the punches, but when the ish hits the fan, that's when your "True Character" and the "True Barometer" of your affection is DEFINED.

To each his own.........


Sincerely,
Blaq Ops
www.blaqops.blogspot.com
www.themachinenetwork.com
FACEBOOK/ MYSPACE/ & TWITTER

GENDER WARS.... THE SAGA CONTINUES

WHAT DO YOU THINK??

Please leave {MATURE} comments if you feel strongly about the subject.

I debate my peoples on this issue all the time. The women are often stuck in some type of chivalrous fantasy, unconvinced, or in denial, but as time passes by the facts/statistics are undeniable. The women of today are not like Grandma, or even Moms for that matter. Ladies, the ERA movement has worked so well, it is OFFICIALLY a level playing field now. So act accordingly.

When a man assaults a woman {i.e. C Breezy} he is automatically labeled public enemy number one. Although we hold an unflattering share of the blame in the "PAST", nowadays men can find themselves caught up in some shit, without a window to throw it out of {{{{EZ}}}}}.

At what point would this dude's retaliation be justified? After she ripped open an artery? Shot him? Cut his penis off? FWYH, if that was me, I'm going to jail!!!!!

Like I was telling my girl the other day, I am so glad women are not stronger than men, because A LOT of men would be getting pounded out on the regular, I assure you. Psycho women nowadays are often calculating, manipulative, conniving, and grimy. They say make better choices, but you seldom know what you’re dealing with until you been with someone for a while, or live with them.

I know, I know….... They always say "Just leave her", or, "bounce until she cools off", but anyone that has ever been in a passionate/drama filled/up and down relationship knows it is seldom that easy to just walk away.

I take no pleasure in being vindicated; I only want us to have an OPEN and HONEST discussion. I know men are stronger, but that's irrelevant. Whether or not I am stronger than a particular Man, Woman, or Child, I feel EVERY individual should RESPECT themselves, and if someone assaults you, {{{{REGARDLESS}}}}, you are within your right to defend yourself.

We could break up afterwards, but in the "heat" of the moment I'm serving up two piece sandwiches. You may say I'm wrong, but if you don't want to get punched in the mouth, KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF, PERIOD!!!!. It's really quite simple.

Sincerely,
Blaq Ops 2009
www.themachinenetwork.com
FACEBOOK MYSPACE & TWITTER

Both men and women CAN be abusive, although we paved the way, you ladies are making up ground QUICKLY!!!



***************
http://www.thisis50.com/pr..ofiles/blog/show?id=784568..%3ABlogPost%3A15309360

Sara Stokes was arrested earlier last week for stabbing her husband three times as her children watched. The police have reported that she and her husband Tony were arguing and she slipped and fell and began stabbing her husband:

The former singer from Diddy’s MTV reality show “Making the Band 2″ has once again made the cut — but cops say this time Sara Stokes was using a knife … to stab her own husband.

We know what you’re thinking, “someone must’ve beat the crap out of this woman” — but according to cops, it was the exact opposite.

This bloody mug shot was taken after Stokes was arrested for domestic violence August 2 at their home in Moreno Valley, CA.

According to law enforcement sources, Sara stormed out of the house after arguing with husband Tony — she tripped, fell down and accused him of doing it.

We’re told Sara — who hurt her head in the fall — grabbed a knife and stabbed Tony in the arm — while their 3 kids watched.

Paramedics and cops came and Stokes was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon and domestic violence. The D.A. is deciding whether to charge her.

Sara’s lawyer, Eric Kayira, tells us, “Sara and Tony have a very passionate and loving relationship that on August 2, while having an evening of fun, she slipped and fell, hitting her head heavily on the ground and somehow in the process of helping her Tony got injured.”

I remember she was head over heels for him on the second season of Making The Band

TRUE BLOOD {Diplomacy & Intelligence} over BULLETS

I took a few days in between hearing about the release of Laura Ling and Euna Lee, because I was waiting to hear from the Right Wing.  Maybe we should send a Box Set of the True Blood series to every Napoleon complex, Birther, and self serving Radical Extremist for a bit of enlightenment. Perhaps it could permeate the titanium armored ignorance/rhetoric that has been deeply embedded into their souls/psyches.     

.. ..

Needless to say, 5 days after Fmr. President Clinton’s successful trip, I’m still waiting….   Besides some garbage about U.S. “apologizing” to the North Koreans, this story has been reduced to a relative footnote, just like Tehran, but make no mistake about it, the Administrations approach to these separate, but equally volatile issues was handled quietly, sophisticated, and above all else, diplomatically. 

.. ..

....North Korea.... doesn’t think we’re weak as a result of the negotiations.  This act of diplomacy will not prompt them to ratchet up their nuclear program, or launch preemptive strikes against the West.  On the contrary, maybe we will FINALLY, after 60 years of senseless political posturing, engage in civil and sensible dialogue.  While we’re at it, let’s lift the embargos on ....Cuba.... too. 

.. ..

Just like the Iranian election fiasco.  The best thing we could have EVER done was extricate ourselves from the conversation.  Why inflame an already volatile situation with “empty” or “provocative” rhetoric, which would have done nothing but justify every Middle Eastern Radical/Extremists perception of the West.  Not much in the headlines now about this story either.

.. ..

It would have been disingenuous, lest we forget about our own voting fraud (er fiasco) just a few years back.

.. ..

I only wish every single Extremist around the globe (particularly those under 40) could watch the entire True Blood series.  It is refreshing to see the message of TOLERANCE delivered so cleverly on a prime time platform.  Last night’s episode epitomizes the strength that is displayed when someone (something) so supremely powerful and formidable uses diplomacy instead of bullets to settle a dispute. 

.. ..

It displayed how much character it takes to utilize this approach, and how it can even make some of your most loyal subjects conspire against you….   But guess what, if they are treasonous, envious, conniving, or power hungry opportunists, it’s better you get rid of them sooner rather than later anyway. 

.. ..

When a powerful entity (i.e. Godrick) governs in a compassionate but firm manner it only makes it stronger.  Had we taken this approach to ....Iraq...., our unemployment numbers are probably halved right now, or better.  WE WILL NEVER LIBERATE THE MIDDLE EAST WITH BULLETS. Many people in that region have been suffering longer than most of us have been alive.  Death is often a welcomed consequence. 

.. ..

I’m not saying we should not retaliate with every single weapon in the arsenal {{{IF WE ARE ATTACKED DIRECTLY BY A NATION/COUNTRY}}}, but many more lives and resources will be saved if we just learned to dispute our differences diplomatically.  Not only does it make you stronger, but it also gives you an unquestioned upper hand if the need for force ever arises.  

I continue to HOPE we will evolve as Global Citizens and not as adversaries, driven by some ideologues thirst for power, hatred or insecurity.  Our collective futures may very well depend on it.  When will we learn, only the “people” suffer when we relent to fear and demagoguery.  FWYH, it takes far more strength and character to govern justly, especially when you are “CLEARY” stronger than your adversary.  The masses got it twisted.  WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!!!!!!

.. ..

 

.. ..

Sincerely,

BLAQ OPS 2009

www.blaqops.blogspot.com

www.themachinenetwork.com

FACEBOOK & TWITTER

OPEN LTR: THE BIGGEST FORM OF RACISM/HATRED IS INBRED & SELF INFLICTED.........

Much was made about the Harvard professor who was arrested in his own home last week, but incidents like the Vernon Forrest tradgedy infuriates me more than any racist, cowardly, ignorant bastard could, EVER!!!

I'm by no means excusing or belittling the acts of racism/prejudice that ALL people from various backgrounds/races/creeds/sexual orientation/etc are subjected to, but particularly when it comes to the plight of Black People...... All too often, WE ARE OUR OWN WORST ENEMY!!!

Why do we continuously betray, rob, steal from, and kill each other for insignificant gains?? Why do we find it so easy to accost, and hate on each other, very often, without "legitimate" provocation. I'm all for getting "GULLY" when it's warranted, but to do this to a member of the Black Community who was actually "trying" to do the right thing is INEXCUSEBLE, and should be punishable by DEATH if they have unmitigated PROOF, once the perpetrators are caught.

We could use vile remarks to castigate those in power, those who use that power/badge irresponsibly, or those who fan the flames of Hatred with ignorant rhetoric/laws/policies, but if we continue to DESTROY each other simultaneously, as we do all around the world, the UNEQUIVOCAL culprit is "US". There's no way we would be subjected to this level of abuse if we didn't routinely commit some of the most vile acts against ourselves. This goes all the way back to the motherland.

This level of IGNORANCE should be unilaterally DENOUNCED by the Black community. We should no longer provide safe haven {i.e. Stop Snitching}, or compassion when these so called "Thugs/Gangstas" senselessly take ANYONE'S life, but especially, one of our own. We should react with the same type of passion, and relentless protest/vigilance, as when a caucasian person is the defendant. Not taking action is the greatest form of cowardice. I would shoot ppl like this myself if I had a licensed gun, and I wouldn't feel one OUNCE of remorse either.

I don't care what "THEY" say, if you know someone, or witness someone who knocks an old lady down and takes off with her purse, or senselessly rapes, assaults, shoots, or KILLS someone {{without provocation}} turn their FN asses in ASAP!!!!!!!!! We need to take back our communities and ensure it is safe for a Black person to be prosperous and walk amongst his/her own people without CONSTANTLY being a target.

It is far more cowardly to protect the lives, act on behalf of, or pretend to uphold some type of CODE when it comes to these punk ass n!&&@$ {That's right I said it, call them what they are, it's justified in this instance},

We'll never totally eradicate IGNORANCE or VIOLENCE, but we can set a tone of INTOLERANCE for this type of BS.... We should POLICE ourselves so that the "man" does not have the opportunity to intervene and dictate how we should remedy the problems in our households/communities.

Hasn't 400 years of blood sweat and tears taught a thing? IDGAF!!!!! I truly despise/hate people that commit these types of crimes, ESPECIALLY, when it's Black on Black. If you're really a thug, go rob a bank, or a brinks truck. While I don't condone that behavior either, without a doubt it's far more lucrative, but it takes wayyy more BALLS, risk to your freedom and your LIFE, to do that.

I will speak out against this type of ignorance WHENEVER I get the chance. I am confident I am in the right of way. In this instance, no weapon formed against me shall prosper, I am not AFRAID, and I am willing to die for what I believe in.

THE INSANITY HAS TO STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TAKE BACK OUR STREETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!..!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sincerely,
Blaq Ops



Vernon Forrest One of True Good Guys

Posted Jul 26, 2009 11:01PM By Kevin Blackistone (RSS feed)

Filed Under: Boxing
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Vernon ForrestThe truth is that, often times, those of us in this business find ourselves struggling to say only good things about a recently deceased personality whose acts in life demanded that we make him or her known to the public. With Vernon Forrest, it seemed to be the opposite.

It is not manufactured hyperbole for the purpose of being polite that you are hearing and reading such wonderful things about Forrest, a three-time boxing champ who we learned Sunday was fatally shot Saturday night in a carjacking attempt in Atlanta. A more famous Atlanta fighter, Evander Holyfield, may be most well-known as the Real Deal, but there was absolutely nothing phony about the good guy who was Forrest. As HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg, whose network carried many of Forrest's bouts, told the Associated Press on Sunday of Forrest: "He was one of the most gracious and charitable fighters in boxing and he will be missed by the entire boxing community and all of his friends at HBO."

Forrest will be missed most, however, by people beyond the ring -- people who need people, as the old Barbra Streisand song goes.

Forrest told this story any time he was asked. It goes that he was hanging out at the home of a friend who worked with the psychologically and emotionally challenged. (How novel is that? He wasn't hanging out at the strip club or dogfighting ring.) He watched one of those in his friend's stead, an autistic child, who Forrest said struggled for an hour to tie his shoes.

Forrest said he became so frustrated watching the child fight to do something most of us take for granted that he could no longer take it for granted. His friend refused to help the child because the friend hoped the child would break through alone. The child's battle broke Forrest, however, and Forrest eventually helped the child tie his shoes. Then Forrest set out to help others with similar struggles.

"If you sit there and watch a person take about an hour to tie his shoestrings, then you realize that whatever problems you got ain't that significant," Forrest recounted to the New York Times in August 2006 before a match against Ike Quartey. "A light just turned on in my head."

Deaths in Sports

Jae C. Hong, AP
Vernon Forrest, July 25: The 38-year-old Forrest, left, during a 2008 fight against Sergio Mora, was shot and killed in an apparent robbery, according to Atlanta police. Click through to see recent deaths in the world of sports.

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Deaths in Sports

Vernon Forrest, July 25: The 38-year-old Forrest, left, during a 2008 fight against Sergio Mora, was shot and killed in an apparent robbery, according to Atlanta police. Click through to see recent deaths in the world of sports.

Jae C. Hong, AP

Marco Antonio Nazareth, July 22: The 23-year-old boxer dies four days after suffering a brain hemorrhage in a technical knockout loss to Omar Chavez.

Martin Venegas, Mexsport

Ed Rudolph, July 19: The former national speedskating champion, pictured here in 1961, was killed in a crash when the driver of a GMC Suburban swerved to avoid a deer and collided with his Acura.

AP

Sue Burns, July 19: A part owner of the San Francisco Giants and devoted philanthropist, Burns died of complications from lung cancer.

Donald Miralle, Getty Images

Arturo Gatti, July 11: The former junior welterweight champion was found dead in a hotel room at the age of 37. Gatti, known for his legendary bouts that electrified fans, participated in Ring Magazine's 'Fight of the Year' a total of four times.

Frank Franklin II, AP

Rene Capo, July 7: A two-time judo Olympian, Capo also played college football at the University of Minnesota. He was 48.

Lou DiGesare / realjudo.net

Mathieu Montcourt, July 7: The French tennis player was found dead by his girlfriend outside his apartment.

Lionel Bonaventure, AFP / Getty Images

Lou Creekmur, July 5: The Hall of Fame lineman was known for his tenacious style of play and starred on three Detroit Lions championship teams.

AP

Steve McNair, July 4: A fan favorite during his 13 years in the NFL, McNair was found dead in a Nashville condo, the victim of a gunshot wound to the head.

Gail Burton, AP

Alexis Arguello, July 1: The former boxing champion, pictured here in 1986, was one of the best junior lightweights to step in the ring.

Allsport / Getty Images


It was the mid-'90s when Forrest had his epiphany. He was closing in on 20 professional fights without a loss but didn't have much bank or accolades to show for it. A native of Augusta, Ga., Forrest had planned to jumpstart his pro career in 1992 like Oscar De La Hoya with an Olympic gold medal from the Barcelona Games, but he was easily upset in his opening match and said afterward that he'd been stricken with food poisoning.

Nonetheless, Forrest scrapped together around $80,000 with some other easily touched people, like his hip-hop video friend Ki Toy Johnson, and formed a company called Destiny's Child Inc. Their idea: to provide long-term care to people like the autistic child whose shoestrings he helped tie.

Forrest, who studied business administration at Northern Michigan University, and his partners purchased a suburban Atlanta home in 1996 and retrofitted it for the demands of their business. Destiny's Child, which took in patients from institutions or families that were no longer able to care for them, didn't get any cheaper to finance than it was to start up. This was healthcare, after all, the very industry President Obama and many others are saying is too costly to meet the needs of everyone who should have it and, as a result, needs to be reformed. Forrest was experiencing all of that.

Forrest's payroll grew to include as many as 25 caregivers, coordinators, and administrative staff. There was a $5 million insurance policy as protection against malpractice that he had to pick up. And in 2000, the state of Georgia requested that Forrest's company take in 17 patients who were enrolled in a competing firm that folded. Forrest couldn't say no to the extra patients anymore than he could sit idly by as that autistic kid fought to tie his shoes.

It didn't matter that the increased patient load nearly bankrupted Destiny's Child.

The story continues that, with Forrest at the helm, Destiny's Child picked up the clothing and medical cost for the new patients. Forrest was said to have financed the entire $100,000 rescue operation. It would be six more months before Medicaid payments kicked in.

"One of the things that I always wanted to do is help people out," Forrest told Black Enterprise magazine in March 2003. "But I didn't want to do something cosmetic. I want to know what I do is going to make a difference in somebody's life."

"I didn't want to do something cosmetic. I want to know what I do is going to make a difference in somebody's life."
-- Vernon Forrest By 2003, Black Enterprise stated that Forrest's altruistic venture had 30 patients and generated just over $1 million in annual revenues that were derived mostly from Medicaid reimbursements.

"Our objective as a whole is to make sure nobody is abused or mistreated, and so we try to do right by the people we have there," Forrest told the magazine.

Forrest was standing out in the ring by then, too. He was 35-0 at the end of 2002 after beating Shane Mosley in back-to-back fights to win and retain the World Boxing Council's welterweight title. He was Ring magazine's Fighter of the Year.

That proved to be Forrest's zenith in the ring. He lost for the first time in 2003, twice to Ricardo Mayorga. After battling his way back to a light middleweight title in 2007, he lost it to a star from the boxing reality show The Contender, Sergio Mora, in 2008. He got the belt back in a rematch.

But ultimately Forrest will not be remembered by what he did as a prizefighter. He'll be recalled for what he did as a fighter for people not as fortunate as he was.

Vernon Forrest didn't just sound like one of the good guys in the sport of boxing. He sounded like one of the good guys in sports, period.

Tags: vernon+forrest

WHY DO THE MORALLY CONTEMPT CONTINUALLY TRY TO DICTATE OUR MORAL COMPASS???

Last week I had to apologize to Perez Hilton. After sympathizing with the Miss CA contestant, I had to eat crow once I learned that she was promoting the Gay Marriage Ban Lobby.

I came to her defense because I felt she was being persecuted for her “personal beliefs”, but it’s painfully evident Mr. Hilton is far more familiar with posers than I gave him credit for.

Everyone is entitled to their “personal preferences”, and I think she had every right to answer the question truthfully, instead of giving a politically correct answer. That being said, her decision to stop others from marrying, in her effort to “Protect The Institution of Marriage” is laughable, at best, especially when you consider the Institution of Marriage can only be protected by the “individuals” that make the commitment to be faithful and support one another, in good times, but especially, when things get rocky, not an Organization, the Government, friends, family, or otherwise.

Initially, my sympathy stemmed from “my personal preference”, which is in line with the contestant, but that being said, I don’t think ANYONE has a right to DICTATE who can and cannot marry.

Marriages are destroyed by many factors, primarily, finances, infidelity, incompatibility, and, A LACK of TRUST ~ COMMUNICATION ~ UNDERSTANDING & COMPROMISE. If two people make the decision to commit to one another, who am I to tell them different?

Married couples, and those who profess to “Protect the Institution” need to concentrate on being a better mate to their partner, and letting their actions serve as an example for those who may choose to take that leap of faith. When about 50% of marriages are ending in divorce, it is all too obvious that the heterosexual community has a plethora of work to do, before they can claim the high moral ground in this argument.

As clandestine as it may seem, isn’t it ironic that a week after she made her “true” intentions known to the world, on prime time television nevertheless, that same medium exposed her risqué photo shoot. Supposedly, she was only 17 when the photographs were taken, and although there is NOT one among us who is without sin, or devoid of past transgressions, it speaks volumes as to how the morally contempt, continue to try to DICTATE our moral compass. Posing for nude pics past/present/future, infidelity, and destructive behavior has probably destroyed many more relationships than the gay community can ever hope to match.

Again, don’t throw stones when you live in a glass house, and if you want to make the world a better place, start in your own backyard. God knows the hearts of every SINGLE one of us. We will be judged accordingly, INDIVIDUALLY. What you do in the dark will come to the light, eventually......


Written by:
Blaq Ops
www.blaqops.blogspot.com
www.themachinenetwork.com



Miss California Defends Leaked Photo
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(May 5) - Miss California USA says a revealing photo of herself appearing on the Web is "quite appropriate" for a model, and she has accused the gossip site that posted it of trying to belittle her Christian beliefs.
"I am a Christian, and I am a model," Carrie Prejean said in a statement. "Models pose for pictures, including lingerie and swimwear photos. Recently, photos taken of me as a teenager have been released surreptitiously to a tabloid Web site that openly mocks me for my Christian faith."

Gossip Web site TheDirty.com posted a photo of Miss California USA, Carrie Prejean, wearing only pink panties. The runner-up in April's Miss USA pageant, whose answer to a question about same-sex marriage was highly publicized, said Tuesday the photo was a modeling shot and the site was mocking "my Christian faith." Prejean, now 21, said the photo was taken when she was 17.

A photo of Prejean wearing only pink panties with her back turned to the camera appeared Monday on the gossip blog TheDirty.com. The site claimed it had six pictures of the beauty queen, but one had been posted.

"I can assure you they were quite inappropriate, and certainly not photos befitting a beauty queen," Alicia Jacobs, a judge at the April 19 Miss USA pageant and a reporter for an NBC affiliate, told NBC News.
Prejean, 21, also said in her statement that attacks on her and others who "speak in defense of traditional marriage" are intolerant and offensive.
The Miss USA runner-up garnered more media attention than the winner of the pageant for her response to a question about legalizing same-sex marriage and the dispute with openly-gay judge Perez Hilton that followed it.
Her response may have cost her the title, which went to Miss North Carolina.
During the interview portion of the competition, Hilton, a celebrity blogger, asked Prejean about her views on legalizing same-sex marriage.


“I think it’s great that Americans are able to choose one or the other. We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage,” Prejean answered. “And you know what? I think in my country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there, but that’s how I was raised.”

Hilton apparently did take offense and lambasted Prejean on his blog and in the media, suggesting her response may have cost her the crown.

Prejean has been outspoken in defending her answer.

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2009-05-05 08:54:56