The I Have A Dream Speech

I penned this article nearly 4 years ago and with everything that is going on politically in our Country today, I thought it might be time to re-publish this. I am in a somewhat unique position of being a Black Conservative. (which is hopefully becoming less unique by the day) As a black man my beliefs are not popular with that of my family or a lot of other people of color. But I’m not concerned with popularity or political affiliation.

Luckily, I’m not alone in my convictions. One guy who understands what I feel is Alfonzo Rachel. This morning Alfonzo posted this on his Facebook page:

Who made it legal for women like Rosa Parks to have to give up her seat for white people? Democrats. Who was bombing black churches? Democrats? Who imposed segregation? Democrats. Who was hosing blacks, and releasing dogs on them? Democrats. Who arrested MLK? Democrats. MLK Was fighting the institutionalized bigotry of DEMOCRATS. But nah, the idea of him being a republican is just ridiculous. Happy birthday Dr. King.

I just believe that we have strayed as a Country, and our current leadership is to blame. Yes, I think we do indeed need to restore Honor in this Country. Listen…simply take a moment and listen to the message that Martin Luther King Jr delivered. You know what? I wonder..I just wonder, how many people who invoke MLK’s name have ever really listened to this speech.

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Someone else who is shouldering the burden of being a Black Conservative is Stacy Washington…a.k.a. Stacy on the Right!

I’m happy that social media is now providing a platform for those of us Black Conservatives who have not been able to be heard in the past.

I originally wrote this article after a speaking engagement in Atlanta four years ago. And something I saw that day, struck me to my core.

As I was riding to the airport I watched people move about. I wondered if those I had met over the weekend and those I had come in contact with, while I was eating dinner, in the seminar, or at the airport , knew of the significance of the day.

I felt somewhat ashamed, because I, a 47 year old black man, (now 51) had also forgotten. As the taxi sped past Auburn Ave. without much fanfare, it did not even come to mind where I was.

More importantly, as I continued my ride, I did not even realize what it meant to me, my family and millions of others like me.

On January 15, 1929, a son was born to the Reverend and Mrs. Martin Luther King, Sr., in an upstairs bedroom of 501 Auburn Avenue, in Atlanta, Georgia. Today, we as Americans, honor Dr. King.

A child who grew up to be the single most important figure in the civil rights movement. A child that would grow up and become a man influenced by Ghandi, a child who grew up to be a man who in 1964 received the honor of being bestowed the Nobel Peace Price for his efforts to end segregation and racial discrimination. Martin Luther King Jr. was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal.

It is a testament to the greatness of Martin Luther King Jr. that nearly every major city in the U.S. has a street or school named after him. It is a measure of how sorely his achievements are misunderstood that most of them are located in black neighborhoods. As real estate professionals, we should be collectively ashamed, White, Black and Hispanic, that this is the case.

Four decades after this man of greatness died trying to bridge the gaps of inequality in our society, 40 years after an assassin gunned down a man who stood for opportunity and perseverance, we see a new Jim Crow emerging, and not from who the media wants you to believe.

Jim Crow was the name of the racial caste system which operated primarily, but not exclusively, in Southern and border states between 1877 and the mid-1960s. Jim Crow was more than a series of rigid anti-Black laws. It was a way of life. Under Jim Crow, African-Americans were relegated to the status of second class citizens.

Blacks were regarded as not having the capacity to think like whites, be as smart as whites, or even partake of the same simple joys of life as whites.

Now here we stand 40 years after Dr. King was killed, we have activists telling the world, openly pandering to the media, that blacks again were preyed upon and that they did not know anything about the loans they had taken out. This sub-prime crisis must be someone else’s fault. There was no accountability, they were hoodwinked, bamboozled, unaware that Plymouth Rock had again landed upon them as another civil rights activist had lamented, Malcom X.

We’re told that those who do better than others must give their hard earned rewards to others because they just can’t seem to get a leg up. We’re told that no one can find a job in 100 weeks. We’re told that food stamps is a benefit and that getting free entitlements is the cure for all of society’s ills.

It is absurd, insulting and a denigration to the memory of Dr. King for minorities in this Country to be asking, I mean demanding, and supporting this indoctrination. It is absolutely ludicrous for minorities in this country to be blaming their economic insufficiencies on others.

Dr. King died opening the doors of opportunity for Blacks and others to even be able to move into their own homes. It is an absolute travesty to support an outcry, political or otherwise, wherein blame is placed upon someone else for one’s inability to maintain the agreement and promise they had made.

A mortgage in essence is security for a promise to pay back the money, the opportunity someone gave you to allow you to enjoy and become part of an American Dream. Now, that you can not afford to pay what you agreed to, you are relying on some form of New Millennium Jim Crow by saying you did not know what you were doing.

Are you kidding me? Is that how you want to be portrayed? Is that what legacy you believe Dr. King left behind for you? Do you really want the world that killed Dr. King, that assailed this man to believe that you so lacked the intelligence and ability to comprehend what you were signing that it again is the white man’s fault? Is that what you really want the world to believe?

I for one think that the New Jim Crow is more dangerous than its predecessor. The doors of opportunity have been blown wide open for years, I can eat anywhere, I can live anywhere. This is what Dr. King afforded me. This is what I will celebrate tomorrow.

In Dr. King’s famous “I Have A Dream” speech, there is a line above all that describes what is going on in this country.

In arguably one of the greatest speeches ever spoken, Dr. King uttered these words:

” I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

A powerful line in an awe-inspiring speech. For those unfortunate and feeling oppressed, for those without jobs and seemingly without hope… let us not blame the troubles on others. Stand up and take accountability. Admit your wrongs, pay your note or move on. Exercise your ability to decide. An ability that many fought aggressively for. Understand that you do live in a nation where you can indeed be judged by your character and not by your skin color.

While there is definitely racial inequality in certain aspects of our society, a mortgage is given based upon your ability to re-pay, your credit, and your word. To me that is the ultimate judge of character over color. Seize the opportunity not to regress but to progress.

There is nothing wrong in admitting error. There is nothing wrong in admitting failure. There is however, everything wrong with admitting that you were the object of some scheme to prey upon you. It’s an excuse and it will indeed cause the doors of opportunity to be much harder to open for those behind you.

I can truly say that I have made some wrong decisions in my life and I have made some right decisions in my life, but I have been afforded the right, and opportunity to make, those decisions on my own accord.

That’s what today means to me. It means that we have been given the opportunity to be held accountable for our mistakes, while concurrently maintaining the right to actually make them.

Another line from the March on Washington speech is equally as compelling:

“And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.”

I sincerely believe that to be as Dr. King dreamed, in a time where we would be as a people truly free at last, we need to be able to openly account for our errors to enable us to enjoy our successes.

With that I can say Thank you Dr. King, and loudly state” I have overcome!”

Social Media Doesn’t Work For Realtors? Really? That’s A Crock! [Video]

I keep hearing from Realtors that social media doesn’t work for them. I have even read where some prominent real estate bloggers say that social media isn’t a must have. But the problem is it seems that no one is training Realtors how to properly utilize social media for their benefit.

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I’m not talking about tweeting out every listing or filling up Facebook feeds with property postings from Postlets. I’m talking about nurturing clients in “barbershop fashion”. It seems that Realtors, despite being in the people business, don’t know how to relate to people in social media except in trying to get them to buy something.

That kind of activity is sure to bring on failure. So is social media the problem or an agent’s lack of proficiency?

Over the next few days we are relaunching this site. After a lot of deliberation and discussions with many people in the “biz”, we are changing our format.

We will be focusing our content on the world of Social Media. We will scour the web and bring you the bes tinformation on Social Media and we’ll tell you how it affects you as a business owner, brand and consumer.

We’ll be covering everything from the impact of Social Media in entertainment to tips and tutorials on how to improve your business with Social Media.

So please bear with us. We should have everything transitioned over the next few days.

Newt Gingrich Presidential Senior Campaign Staff 2012 Team Resigns

Newt Gingrich, presidential candidate for 2012 race, has to contend with the fact that his senior staff have resigned. The presidential hopeful may have to bow out, as there is no-one in charge of his campaign.

Gingrich is one of the front-runners in the GOP to run for the nomination. This news may put the kibosh on his campaign.

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Gingrich is on vacation at the moment in the Caribbean with his family, and the press are awaiting news regarding this new development. From what we’ve heard, Gingrich’s staff couldn’t agree on the direction that the candidate was to be heading.

The fact that the entire campaign staff quit en masse has tongues wagging in DC. Will he have to step down, now that there are no people to help in this very important campaign? Speculation on this story has gone viral.

Gingrich aides ‘quit 2012 team’ Several senior aides have reisgned from the presidential campaign team of Republican former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, US media report. The news will hit Mr Gingrich’s hopes of being the Republican nominee to challenge Barack Obama in 2012. …

Gingrich’s campaign manager, other aides resign Republican presidential hopeful, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, third from left, with Callista Gingrich, fourth from left, tour C&M Machine Products in Hudson, NH, Wednesday, June 8, 2011. …

Key Gingrich aides resign Newt Gingrich’s campaign manager and numerous other key aides have resigned together, a strong blow to his hopes for the Republican presidential nomination. Ginrgrich press spokesman Rick Tyler told The Associated Press that he’s …

Get Involved Now | Newt Gingrich 2012 Your support is our momentum for winning the future together with the right policies and right results. Join Newt Gingrich’s 2012 campaign for president.

Newt Gingrich – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Newton Leroy “Newt” Gingrich is an American politician who served as the 58th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 1995 to 1999. …

GOP Donors Deserting Newt Gingrich Newt Gingrich’s catastrophic first week as an official Republican primary candidate may knock him out of the race before it …

Zenyatta Loses The Breeder’s Cup Classic And Fails To Go Undefeated [Video]

Zenyatta started off dead last and stayed last almost the entire race and nearly pulled it out with an unbelievable finish but she ran out of room. If there were 50 more yards…maybe 50 more feet, she would have won the race.

But it wasn’t to be. She simply had too much ground to cover and could not take over Blame, the winning horse. Blame simply did not yield and won by half a head.

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Her loss today taints an otherwise unbelievable career but she went out in style and I don’t feel this loss takes anything away from her.

She showed that she was indeed something special. So Zenyatta rides out at 19-1. Nothing for her or her team to be ashamed about. She’s still a legend.

Goldikova wins BC Mile for 3rd year in row Head declined to speculate on who is horse racing’s leading lady, calling it unfair to compare Goldikova to Zenyatta. They usually run on different surfaces … 

Zenyatta primed for date with destiny Kentucky Derby Update LOUISVILLE (Reuters) – Undefeated Zenyatta is in great shape and primed for her date with destiny in Saturday’s $ 5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic, … 

Zenyatta falls short in quest for perfection Horse Race Update Zenyatta came within a head of finishing a perfect career. Horse racing’s biggest star closed from dead last on Saturday, only for Blame to hold off the … 

Zenyatta looks to cement legacy in Classic Horse Race Headlines Zenyatta runs during a practice session for the Breeder’s Cup horse race at Churchill Downs Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010, in Louisville, Ky. … 

Zenyatta Loses Breeders’ Cup, Denied 20th Win Horse Race News Zenyatta came within a head of finishing a perfect career. Blame went to the front in the middle of the stretch, then fought off another spectacular bid … 

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Johannes Mehserle Will Be Sentenced Today, Will Riots Come To Los Angeles?

With Johannes Mehserle being sentenced very soon, it seems that some citizens are readying themselves for rioting in Los Angeles. The anger is palpable there, with many people showing their frustration by holding up signs, and demonstrating in favor of a stiff sentance for former BART police officer Johannes Mehserle.

With the tension in the air in Los Angeles, the fact that this is a divided city is becoming more obvious. The racially-charged trial was controversial in the fact that it was white police officer, Mehserle, 28,  shooting a young black man, Oscar Grant III.

He was fatally shot on the Fruitvale BART platform by Mehserle. There have been over 1000 letters that have urged the judge to give Mehserle prison time.

The Los Angeles Superior Court Judge to make the sentence is Robert Perry, and he did state today that he was upset with the way both camp’s attempts to get their point across has been executed.

In a statement, Perry says “It’s troubling to this court that the community is … polarized and that is a tragedy is this case.

What troubled me is that this comes from an individual who identifies herself as a school principal,” referring to one of Grant’s supporters who is a school principal who said Mehserle should get the maximum sentence because he committed murder.

The denizens of Los Angeles are preparing for a riot, because the sentance may be very light, according to some, who see this as a cold-blooded murder. Perry said he has “serious concerns” about the gun-enhancement charge.

Without it, Mehserle would face the maximum of six years. The former Bay Area Rapid Transit police officer is said to be calm,  awaiting the sentencing with family and supporters.

No decision yet in Mehserle sentencing In this Jan 14, 2009 file photo, former Bay Area Rapid Transit police officer Johannes Mehserle, appears in the East Fork Justice …

Judge in Oscar Grant case received letters demanding maximum penalty Johannes Mehserle, 28, who is white, was convicted July 8 of involuntary manslaughter for the shooting death of Oscar Grant, who was black, on Oakland’s …

LA judge: 1000 letters urge prison for ex-officer Superior Court Judge Robert Perry read some of the letters in a packed courtroom where he was considering a request for a new trial for Johannes Mehserle. …

Oakland prepares for possible Mehserle protests major demonstrations following Friday’s sentencing of former Bay Area Rapid Transit police officer Johannes Mehserle at a Los Angeles County courthouse. …

DC-Area Marine Corps Museum Gunman Asked By FBI To Turn Himself In [Video]

In an interesting turn of events, the FBI is asking the Marine Museum gunman to turn himself in so that he will not continue as he has for a full four nights in a month.

The gunman is unknown, however the FBI has a profile of him, saying that they do not believe that he will hurt anyone, at least that is not his intention. Being that there have been no injuries or deaths, this would seem plausible.

All of the shootings have been noctornal, and none of the artifacts at the museum have been damaged. It seems that the gunman is taking potshots at the building for some unknown reason.

The FBI already linked a previous October shooting at the museum in Virginia to two other area shootings, one at a Marine Corps recruiting station in a different Virginia suburb and the other at the Pentagon.

“We appreciate that he is struggling right now,” FBI spokeswoman Katherine Schweit said Friday. “This guy hasn’t hurt anybody. We don’t think he wants to. We’re hoping that he’ll turn himself in.”

Authorities have yet to identify any suspects in the shootings and no one has been injured in any of the attacks.

Pentagon officials said on Thursday that extra police officers will be on duty for the Marine Corps Marathon.

Prince William County Police Department, the Quantico Marine Corps base military police and the FBI are investigating to see if the same weapon was used in the most recent shooting.

The latest shots were fired overnight at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Va. — the second time the facility has been targeted in a month.

The shooting occurred just hours after the FBI linked a shooting that took place overnight Monday at a Marine recruiting center in Chantilly, Va., with a previous shooting at the Marine Corps museum and another at the Pentagon.

FBI Assistant Director John Perren said the overnight shooting bears the hallmarks of the others, but said authorities need to conduct forensic tests to see if they are connected.

Museum staff came into work Friday morning and found new bullet holes.

DC-area gunman may have grievance against Marines The shooting is the second time someone has fired at the museum. Bullet holes were first found there Oct. 17. Two days later, shots were fired into two …

Fourth shooting in Va targeting military facilities Authorities announced on Friday that they believe the shooter who fired on the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Va. …

US officials probe US military building shootings, say gunman may oppose … They said Friday the gunman who fired at a Marine Corps museum and is believed to be responsible for three similar incidents may have a grievance against …

Another Shooting: Marine Corps National Museum, FBI Appeal Forensics tests have linked the previous shooting at Marine Corps National Museum with a recent shooting at the Pentagon. To date three shootings at US …

Developing: Another shooting at Marine Corps museum Oct, 2010 in public policy More shots were fired overnight at the National Museum of Marine Corps in Virginia in the latest of a series of three recent …

Prince William County, Va., police officers Prince William County, Va., police officers guard the entrance to the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Va., Friday, Oct. 29, 2009. …

DC-area gunman may have grievance against Marines A gunman who fired shots at a Washington-area Marine Corps museum and is believed to be responsible for three similar incidents may …

13 People Murdered By Gunmen In Tijuana Mexico Rehab [Picture]

The senseless killings are continuing in Mexico, last night 13 young people were slaughtered in a drug rehab establishment in Tijuana.

The continuous wholesale slaughter of innocent civilians leave the citizens of Mexico wondering just who is running the country. And who is protecting them, for it is looking like there is no-one that can make them feel safe.

The tourist industry is all but dead in Mexico as the world watches the country go through a bloody, gruesome phase.

The drug cartels have created so much fear and seem to have no fear of retribution as they rampage the country.

Mexican police say gunmen have shot and killed at least 13 recovering addicts at a drug rehabilitation center. The killings happened late Sunday in Tijuana, near the U.S. border. The motive for the attack was not immediately clear.

Mexican security forces have been engaged in a brutal struggle against the country’s violent drug cartels since President Felipe Calderon took office in 2006. Nearly 30,000 people have been killed since the campaign began.

At least 13 people were killed late Sunday when gunmen burst into a drug rehab centre in Tijuana and began firing on recovering addicts — the latest victims in a bloody drug war that has killed thousands of Mexicans.

Survivors say a gang of men told dozens of recovering drug addicts to lie on the floor and then sprayed them with gunfire.

One witness said people were watching a movie at the centre when the gunmen attacked.

Police have said nothing about a motive for the massacre, but drug rehab centres in other cities have often been attacked by gangs looking to target rival gang members.

The killings put new pressure on President Felipe Calderon, who faces criticism across Mexico that his war against the cartels in Ciudad Juarez has failed.

Gunmen Kill Addicts At Mexico Rehab Centre Tijuana, according to Mexican police. Police say an armed gang burst into the privately run centre, killing 13 people in an execution-style shooting. …

Murders cast doubt on war against cartels And at Tijuana across the border from San Diego, California, suspected drug gang hitmen shot dead 13 people at a drug rehab clinic yesterday, …

Witness: attack at Mexico rehab center kills 13 TIJUANA, Mexico — A client at a drug rehab center in the Mexican border city of Tijuana said Monday that a gang of armed men burst into the building and …

Gunmen Kill Addicts At Mexico Rehab Centre Tijuana, according to Mexican police. Police say an armed gang burst into the privately run centre, killing 13 people in an execution-style shooting. …

Murders cast doubt on war against cartels And at Tijuana across the border from San Diego, California, suspected drug gang hitmen shot dead 13 people at a drug rehab clinic yesterday, …

Witness: attack at Mexico rehab center kills 13 TIJUANA, Mexico — A client at a drug rehab center in the Mexican border city of Tijuana said Monday that a gang of armed men burst into the building and …

T.J. Lavin In Critical Condition Following BMX Accident

T.J. Lavin is in critical condition in an induced coma after a horrific accident on Thursday evening.

The BMX star and host of MTV’s The Challenge crashed his bike during the Dew Tour event in Las Vegas last night and was rushed to the hospital. He is experiencing brain swelling and has been placed in a medically induced coma.

T.J Lavin went off of a dirt ramp as he was attempting a very difficult stunt and went airborne landing extremely hard.

He seemed to have lost control in mid-air during the ride and fell what appeared to be 20 feet or more in the accident.

Apparently brain swelling has reduced today but T. J. Lavin remains in critical condition.

BMX star TJ Lavin critically injured in Dew Tour prelims BMX star TJ Lavin remains hospitalized in critical condition with head injuries in Las Vegas after a violent crash Thursday night in qualifying during a Dew … 

T.J Lavin comatose following BMX accident TJ Lavin BMX star/MTV personality remains in a medically induced coma following a BMX crash Thursday night in Las Vegas Nevada. During a competition jump at … 

MTV star TJ Lavin in coma after gruesome BMX bike crash TJ Lavin, a BMX rider and host of MTV’s The Challenge, is in critical but stable condition after being put into a medically-induced coma following a … 

MTV’s “The Challenge” Star and Host TJ Lavin in Coma After Crash at Dew Tour … st of MTV’s The Challenge and BMX star TJ Lavin is in critical condition after a crash while performing on the “Dew Tour” in Las Vegas. … 

TJ Lavin Critical After Bike Crash MTV’s “Challenge” reality competition Host and BMX biker TJ Lavin is in critical condition after a failed bike stunt on Thursday night at the Dew Tour Event …

Mexican Investigator in Hartley Case Found Decapitated [Video]

Mexican Investigator in Hartley Case Found Decapitated, Rolando Flores was lead investigator in Hartley case. His head has been delivered to the Mexican military. Flores had been working the Hartley case in Mexico, and was the lead investigator in the border city of Ciudad Miguel Aleman.

His head was delivered to the Mexican military in an obvious attempt to frighten off the rest of the investigators in the case.

Flores was investigating the Hartley murder, where it was claimed by Tiffany Hartley that her husband David, was slain in a jet-ski trip on Lake Falcon near the city of Zapata, Mexico.

Rolando Flores was working the case and had disappeared a week ago, when the gruesome act was discovered, it was the work of the Mexican drug cartels.

The Mexican government claims that the murder of Flores had nothing to do with the Hartley investigation, and that they were continuing to follow leads.

This would not be the first time that a Mexican official has been slain. There have been a slew of horrific murders, torsos of bodies found, mass murders, beheadings, the list just goes on with the atrocities the Mexican drug cartels have inflicted upon the citizens of the border states, as well as officials, mayors, and tourists.

Officials said the head was delivered in the vicinity of Miguel Aleman, Mexico, which is directly across the border from Roma.

The area is known to be under control of the Zeta drug cartel, which fiercely protects the remotely populated ranchland lining the border, as well as the Mexican side of the vast Falcon Lake reservoir.

In a telephone interview, Young said the family felt the cartels were trying to scare search teams away.

“I just think they’re trying to send a statement that they don’t want us there,” she said. “We haven’t really proccessed what that means”.

Hartley has been missing since Sept. 30, when he and his wife took their personal watercraft into Mexican waters to photograph a partially submerged town.

Texas state Rep. Aaron Pena, a Democrat who has followed the case, was the first to report the grisly development via Twitter early Tuesday afternoon.

The account was later confirmed by authorities on both sides of the Texas-Mexico border, including Ruben Rios, a spokesman for the prosecutor’s office in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas, and the sheriffs of both Zapata and Webb counties in South Texas.

Zapata County Sheriff Sigifredo Gonzalez said he got word of the discovery while meeting with Hartley’s family in McAllen, Texas.

“We got word that the decapitated head of one of the investigators of the case had been delivered to Army headquarters or an Army office in Miguel Aleman,” he told KGBT-TV.

U.S. investigators have been hampered by an inability to cross the border. Mexican investigators have meanwhile expressed fears of searching in turf controlled by Zeta drug operatives, who have a reputation of being ruthless assassins.

U.S.authorities, however, are worried that the beheading of Flores will cause Mexican police to back off the murder investigation.

Ruben Rios, a spokesman for the Tamaulipas state prosecutor’s office has confirmed that Rolando Flores has been killed. Flores was the head of state investigators in the border city of Ciudad Miguel Aleman. He was killed while in Nueva Ciudad Guerrero, the closest town to where Hartley was allegedly gunned down.

Aaron Pena, Texas state Representative, reported on his twitter page that Flores’ severed head was delivered to the Mexican military.

It has been a long, hard road for Tiffany Hartley since September 30, 2010 when she returned from a jet-ski trip on Lake Falcon near Zapata,Texas and reported that her husband, David Michael Hartley, had been shot by pirates. Lake Falcon straddles the U.S.-Mexican border.

At first Texas had trouble getting help from the Mexican government to help find Hartley’s body and investigate the case. Then there were accusations and suspicions that Tiffany Hartley had made the whole thing up. Now, the lead investigator in the case has been murdered.

Flores had been investigating American tourist David Hartley’s disappearance. According to Hartley’s wife Tiffany, she and her husband were attacked by pirates on Falcon Lake. She said that her husband was shot in the head. She attempted to pull his body onto her jet ski, but was threatened by what she reported to be about eight men. She was unable to get his body and fled back to the U.S. side of the lake for help.

It is presumed that David Michael Hartley was killed and his body fell into the lake.

The death of Flores is fueling speculation that the gunmen who attacked David and Tiffany Hartley were connected to the drug cartels.

Mexican authorities say that the murder of Roland Flores is not related to the investigation of the disappearance of David Hartley. However, U.S. authorities say that the search for Hartley’s body has been hampered because of threats of violence from drug gangs that control most of that area.

Flores would not be the first official to be murdered while investigating a case having to do with the drug cartels. On the other hand, it has become hauntingly common for government officials to be murdered in Mexico, especially in the towns bordering the United States as drug lords fight for control of the drug routes into the United States.

At this point we don’t know if Commander Rolando Flores was killed because he was the investigator in the David Hartley case or if he was murdered and decapitated because he was a Mexican official who had run afoul of the drug cartels.

Sheriff says Mexican investigator was decapitated Hartley was shot and presumably fell into the lake. Tiffany Hartley said she tried to retrieve her husband’s body and his Jet Ski but the pirates continued … 

Rolando Flores, Sheriff says Mexican Investigator was Decapitated Hartley was shot and presumably fell into the lake. Tiffany Hartley said she tried to retrieve her husband’s body and his Jet Ski but the pirates continued … 

Investigator’s head sent to Mexican authorities Flores was one of several investigators on scene at Falcon Lake after Tiffany Hartley told police her husband, David Michael Hatley, had been killed there … 

Mexican police chief investigating missing man killed Mr. Hartley’s wife, Tiffany, said she and her husband were crossing the lake on jet skis when they were attacked and shot at by pirates from a speedboat. 

Falcon Lake investigator’s decapitated head turned over to Mexico Army American Citizen David Hartley was attacked by Mexican drug cartel pirates on Falcon Lake. David and Tiffany Hartley were riding jet skis in the lake on the …

Head of Mexican agent in Falcon Lake Murder sent in suitcase to Mexican Army On September 30th US law officials sat up and listened intensely to Tiffany Hartley’s – David’s wife –horrifying account of how her husband was murdered … 

Mexican Official Investigating Shooting Is Decapitated artley was jet skiing with his wife on Falcon Lake, which straddles the Texas-Mexico border. Tiffany Hartley said they were ambushed by armed men in .. 

Severed head of investigator in Jet Ski murder sent to military Hartley and his wife Tiffany were jet skiing on Falcon Lake, which is on the US-Mexico border. Tiffany Hartley got away. US officials have said threats from …

Drilling Rig Reaches Trapped Chilean Miners Leading To Rescue

A drilling rig punched through to the underground purgatory where 33 miners have been trapped for 66 agonizing days under the Chilean desert, raising cheers, tears and hopes on Saturday.

The poor miners have been without fresh air, families praying for their retrieval at all night vigils.

It could be as early as tomorrow when the miners could begin to be rescued. The hopes are high with family members and the world is watching and wishing them well.

As with any rescue operation, things must go slowly, so as not to injure the miners. It may take quite a while to achieve this rescue, but the thirty-three miners are willing to wait a bit more.

Rescuers in Chile today completed lining a segment of shaft through which the 33 trapped miners will be winched, raising hopes that the extractions will begin tomorrow.

Engineers worked through the night to lay 96 meters of sheet metal at the top of a 622-meter tunnel, finishing at 3am local time, prompting cheers and shouts of “Viva Chile”. Test runs of the rescue capsule, dubbed the phoenix, are expected to start today.

The mining minister, Laurence Golborne, said that if tests went well the miners could start being hauled out one by one tomorrow evening, 68 days after the collapse of part of the gold and copper mine in the lunar-type landscape of the Atacama desert.

President Sebastian Pinera is due to visit the site tomorrow, possibly accompanied by his Bolivian counterpart, Evo Morales, who has requested attendance because one of “los 33″ is Bolivian.

Rescuers said they would today resume drilling a separate shaft as a back-up plan in case of problems with the first one, which will oblige the capsule to twist up to a dozen times through curves of 28-inch diameter.

Video inspection showed the hole’s lower walls to be firm and smooth rock, obviating the need to line them, which would have taken days and risked blockages.

The health minister, Jaime Manalich, said that at least two rescuers, including a paramedic, would be winched down to prepare the men for a fraught, claustrophobic journey which could take 10 to 40 minutes.

Authorities wanted the most stable miners to go up first, he said. “They have to be psychologically mature, have a great deal of mining experience and be able to handle a quick training on how to use the harness and oxygen mask in the Phoenix capsule.”

A few had volunteered to go up first and several expressed a desire to go last in “a completely admirable show of solidarity”, said the minister. One motive to be last, however, is a guaranteed place in the Guinness World Records for the longest time a miner has ever been trapped underground. Given the complexities of the current situation, it is a record that many expect to be insurmountable.

They will be given green waterproof suits designed to let their skin breathe as they ascend, and at the top will receive a pair of Oakley Radar sunglasses to shield them from direct sunlight before beginning a 48-hour evaluation of their physical and mental health.

AP Top News at 1:35 pm EDT SAN JOSE MINE, Chile — Rescuers on Monday reinforced the hole drilled to bring 33 trapped miners to safety and then successfully lowered a rescue capsule …

Chile to start freeing miners on Tuesday night One of the 33 miners is a Bolivian national, and Bolivian President Evo Morales has vowed to visit the mine for his rescue. “It will be a true rebirth, …

KMPH Fox 26 Central San Joaquin Valley News Source in Fresno, California … engineer leading Chilean rescue efforts says his team has successfully tested a rescue capsule nearly all the way down to where the miners are trapped. …

Test shows Chile mine rescue shaft works SAN JOSE MINE, Chile – Rescuers on Monday reinforced the hole drilled to bring 33 trapped miners to safety and then successfully lowered a rescue capsule …

Test of rescue capsule goes smoothly in Chile mine shaft JOSE MINE, Chile _ Rescuers on Monday reinforced the hole drilled to bring 33 trapped miners to safety and then successfully lowered a rescue capsule …

Operation to rescue Chile miners nears final stage The operation to bring 33 Chilean miners trapped underground for more than two months back to the surface neared its final stage on Monday as engineers …

Trapped Chilean miners: rescue teams hope to start evacuation by … Giant drill less than 40m from miners – but health minister says engineers must decide whether to reinforce shaft before continuing.

Trapped Chilean miners: rescue drill reaches their refuge at last … But days of checks and further work needed to ensure shaft can safely carry …

Trapped Chile Miner Rescue Could Start Wednesday : Discovery News Rapid progress is expected after a 622-meter shaft is drilled into the miners‘ emergency shelter.

Chile miners: Rescue of Chile’s trapped miners draws nearer … Rescuers with a powerful drill broke through to the underground area where 33 miners in Chile have been stranded since Aug.

Latin King Goonies Attack And Torture Gay Man

The tough guys in a gang called the Latin Goonies attacked, tortured and carries out a heinous crime on a gang memeber recruit that they believed to be gay.

Members of a Bronx gang who allegedly beat and tortured a new recruit they thought was gay along with two other men in separate attacks early this week are claiming that the gang’s leader threatened them into participating in the assaults.

Police told the New York Daily News that several members of the gang, known as the Latin King Goonies, claimed that the gang’s leader, Ildefonso (Cheto) Mendez, orchestrated the assault and told them that they would be slashed and beaten as well if they did not participate.

Eight members of the gang are being held on charges of burglary, robbery, assault, menacing, unlawful imprisonment and criminal sex acts, which are being added as a hate crime, police said. One suspect, Rudy Vargas-Perez, 22, is also being sought in the incident.

The alleged attacks came amid heightened attention nationwide to anti-gay bullying after a string of suicides last month were attributed to harassment they had suffered.

New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said the first of the alleged assaults occurred at about 3:30 a.m. Sunday in the Morris Heights section of the Bronx.

In the first incident, gang members allegedly forced a 17-year-old potential recruit for the street gang to an empty apartment in the Bronx that they used for parties and sex, Kelly said.

“He was thrown into a wall, made to strip naked, hit in the head with a beer can, cut with a box cutter and sodomized with the wooden handle of a plunger,” the commissioner said.

The alleged attackers, apparently angry he was gay, yelled anti-gay insults and questioned him about his contact with a 30-year-old man, according to police.

The teen was eventually released by the attackers and instructed not to tell anyone, police said. He then walked to a hospital where he was treated, but he reported that his injuries were from a robbery, according to police.

The gang members then attacked another 17-year-old also thought to have had a relationship with the 30-year-old and then the older man as well, police said. They allegedly lured both to the same apartment with a story that there was a party there.

The second teen was allegedly assaulted at about 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, according to police.

When the 30-year-old arrived about an hour later, the nine gang members allegedly stripped him to his underwear and tied him to a chair opposite the other teen, who they forced to burn the man with cigarettes, police said.

They allegedly beat the 30-year-old, forced him to drink 10 cans of the malt beverage Four Loko that he had brought with him, and sodomized him with a small baseball bat, according to police.

“These suspects employed terrible wolf-pack odds of nine-against-one, odds which revealed them as predators whose crimes were as cowardly as they were despicable,” Kelly said.

“This was not part of an initiation,” he added. “This was a reaction to the fact that they had engaged in homosexual activity.”

Anti-gay torture allegations stun neighbours in NYC police said the nine members of a gang that called itself the Latin King Goonies heard a rumour that one of their new recruits, a 17-year-old, was gay, …

8 Suspects in Anti-Gay Torture Case Due in Court Sunday Police say the nine members of the Latin King Goonies gang went on a rampage after hearing a rumor that one of their new recruits, a 17-year-old, was gay. … 

Anti-Gay Torture Suspects Face Arraignment Police say the nine members of the Latin King Goonies gang went on a rampage after hearing a rumor that one of their new recruits, a 17-year-old, was gay. …

Travel Alert Issued For U.S. Travelers To Europe Beginning To Affect Tourism [Video]

Since there has been a travel alert issued for U.S. travelers to Europe is beginning to affect tourism in France, England, and Germany. But the countries are most definitely in tune with the State Department’s caution to traveling.

And the State Department has made it abundantly clear that the alert does not by any means to alter your travel in the European countries. They are telling citizens to be aware of their surroundings, to be alert to any conditions that may seem suspicious, or any activity around them.

American travelers are indeed being targeted, along with Western-style resorts and hotels.

In a response to threats of terrorist attacks in Europe, the State Department issued a “travel alert” Sunday cautioning U.S. travelers of potential dangers there, while Britain raised its threat level for Germany and France to “high.” The threat level for Britain already had been raised to “severe.”

The announcements follow what U.S. officials said was an assessment of information that Al-Qaida appeared to be plotting attacks on European cities.

The U.S. alert did not identify any particular countries and did not urge Americans to avoid particular venues. It was a step below a formal “travel warning,” a designation telling U.S. citizens to avoid traveling to particular places.

U.S. officials emphasized that Americans should not alter any travel plans because of the alert. “We are not, repeat not, advising Americans not to go to Europe,” said Patrick Kennedy, the undersecretary of state for management. “We’re not saying don’t visit major tourist attractions or historic sites or monuments.” He suggested that U.S. citizens register with embassies abroad, avoid civil disturbances and not discuss travel plans with others.

European authorities fell in line with the United States in urging increased caution. They have been warning for the past three weeks that the danger of a terrorist attack in Europe has been higher than usual, but they issued no specific information on what new intelligence has led them to ratchet up the alert level.

“We are in contact with our American partners, and we are watching the situation,” said a statement in Brussels from Cecilia Malmstrom, the European Union’s commissioner for domestic affairs.

In its announcement, the State Department said, “Current information suggests that Al-Qaida and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks.” It also said some European governments were warning of “heightened threat conditions.”

Osama bin Laden Tape Surfaces

A more caring almost philanthropic Osama has released yet another tape from deep inside some cave somewhere. If it is indeed Osama bin Laden on the tape.

In this new tape, Osama bin Laden sought to drum up support by taking advantage of Pakistan’s flood tragedy with a new audiotape released Friday criticizing Muslim governments for their slow response and calling for the creation of a new relief body to aid Muslims

A U.S.-based terrorism monitoring group says a new audiotape allegedly featuring the voice of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden has surfaced on the Internet and addresses the recent flooding in Pakistan.

The 11-minute tape, posted on militant websites Friday, focuses on relief efforts and what can be done to prevent future natural disasters.

The SITE Intelligence Group says the message is heard in a video featuring a photograph of bin Laden superimposed over images of aid distribution.

In the recording, bin Laden reportedly calls for the creation of a relief group to study Muslim regions located near rivers and low-lying areas. He also calls for a greater investment in agriculture.

There has been no independent verification of the tape’s authenticity.

More than 1,700 people have died in the flooding in Pakistan, with hundreds of thousands of others displaced.

The last bin Laden address to be released was a threat to kill any American captured by al-Qaida if the United States executes Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. That tape surfaced in March.

Osama bin Laden’s whereabouts have remained a mystery since the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001. The United States has offered a $25 million reward for information leading to his capture.

Bin Laden Evidence Allowed At Emb. Bomber’s Trial NEW YORK (AP) – A judge will allow New York jurors to see Osama bin Laden’s directives that his followers kill Americans. A Manhattan trial is supposed to … 

Bin Laden Evidence Allowed At Detainee’s NYC Trial NEW YORK (AP) ― A New York City judge will allow jurors to see Osama bin Laden’s directives that his followers kill Americans. Trial is supposed to start … 

Bin Laden uses Pakistani floods to drum up support This image from video provided by the SITE Intelligence Group shows the still picture of Osama bin Ladenshown on the video released on jihadist forums on … 

Bin Laden wil hulp voor moslims De leider van het islamitische terreurnetwerk Al-Qaida, Osama bin Laden, heeft in een nieuwe audioboodschap opgeroepen tot de oprichting van een …

Ecuador Coup Attempt

There is some serious political unrest going on in the world. Today there was a coup attempt in Ecuador.

President Rafael Correa is led away wearing a gas mask after tear gas is fired by protesters in Quito, Ecuador (30 September 2010) Mr Correa was forced to flee a protest at a barracks when tear gas was fired by angry troops

A state of emergency has been declared in Ecuador after President Rafael Correa accused the opposition and security forces of a coup attempt.

Mr Correa was earlier forced to flee a protest in the capital, Quito, after tear gas was fired. Troops took over the main airport, forcing it to close.

Unrest was reported in several towns, as Peru closed its border with Ecuador.

The protesters are angry at a new law passed on Wednesday that ends bonuses and other benefits for public servants.

On Thursday morning, members of the armed forces and police angry at the austerity measures occupied several barracks and set up road blocks across Ecuador to demand they be abandoned by the government.

Television stations showed images of police setting tires on fire in the streets of Quito, Guayaquil and other cities. The National Assembly building was also occupied.

In a speech to soldiers from Quito’s main barracks, President Correa said: “If you want to kill the president, here he is. Kill him, if you want to. Kill him if you are brave enough.

“If you want to seize the barracks, if you want to leave citizens undefended, if you want to betray the mission of the police force, go ahead. But this government will do what has to be done. This president will not take a step back.”

However, Mr Correa was forced to flee the barracks wearing a gas mask shortly afterwards when tear gas was fired by the protesters.

Police protest on the streets of Quito Ecuador has a history of political instability

The president was later treated for the effects of the gas at a police hospital, from where he told local media that he had been “attacked”.

“They threw tear gas at us. One exploded near my face. It stunned me and my wife for a few seconds, probably minutes,” he said. “I had to put on a gas mask and some cowards took it off me so I would suffocate. I mean they shot at the president – it’s incredible – our security forces, our national police.”

Quotes Gen Luis Ernesto Gonzalez Villarreal Chief of Armed Forces Joint Command “We live in a state which is governed by laws, and we are subordinate to the highest authority which is the president of the republic. It is a coup attempt led by the opposition and certain sections of the armed forces and the police,” he added. “Whatever happens to me I want to express my love for my family and my homeland.”

“We live in a state which is governed by laws, and we are subordinate to the highest authority which is the president of the republic,” he said. “We will take whatever appropriate action the government decides on.”

Meanwhile, about 300 air force personnel and soldiers took control of the runway at Quito’s Mariscal Sucre International Airport, causing flights to be grounded. The protesters carried signs demanding the government give more respect to the military over benefits, witnesses told the Reuters news agency.

The US embassy said Guayaquil’s airport was also closed and warned US citizens to “stay in their homes or current location, if safe”.

Despite the unrest, the head of Armed Forces Joint Command, Gen Luis Ernesto Gonzalez Villarreal, said the troops remained loyal.

The country’s central bank chief, Diego Borja, meanwhile urged its citizens not to withdraw money from the country’s banks amid reports of looting. Many schools and business were also closed because of the unrest.

One BBC News website reader in Guayaquil said three of the city’s banks had been robbed, and described Ecuador as a “disaster zone”.

“We don’t know what will happen,” he said. “There are no law enforcement agencies working. You can’t go out in the streets.”

Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez appealed to the people of South America to defend his fellow leader, while Peruvian President Alan Garcia ordered his nation’s border with Ecuador closed until Mr Correa’s “democratic authority” was re-established.

The US state department said it was “closely monitoring” the situation.

Members of Mr Correa’s left-wing party have threatened to block proposals to shrink the country’s bureaucracy, prompting him to consider disbanding Congress and ruling by decree until new elections. Such a move would have to be approved by the Constitutional Court.

Ecuador has a history of political instability. Protests toppled three presidents during economic turmoil in the decade before Mr Correa, a 47-year-old US-trained economist, took power in 2007.

Chavez Condemns ‘Coup Attempt’ On Ecuador’s Correa Venezuela President Hugo Chavez on Thursday condemned a “coup attempt” on Ecuador President …

Weg für Karstadt-Übernahme nun wohl frei State of emergency declared in Ecuador. President Correa accuses opposition of pushing for a coup. Police have occupied Congress building and troops taken …

EU-Finanzminister einigen sich auf regelmäßige Veröffentlichung von Banken … State of emergency declared in Ecuador. President Correa accuses opposition of pushing for a coup. Police have occupied Congress building and troops taken …

Oil nears $80 on US jobless data, Ecuador unrest-UPDATE 8 President Rafael Correa, who accused rivals of seeking to stage a coup, said he had been injured by protesters in a skirmish. …

Protesting police throw Ecuador into chaos There were no reports of serious violence against the government, but Correa called the unrest “an attempted coup by the opposition,” speaking by telephone …

ABD’DEN İRAN PETROL ŞİRKETİNE YAPTIRIM KARARI State of emergency declared in Ecuador. President Correa accuses opposition of pushing for a coup. Police have occupied Congress building and troops taken …

BEŞİKTAŞ, AVRUPA’DA YENİLMEZLİĞİNİ SÜRDÜRÜYOR State of emergency declared in Ecuador. President Correa accuses opposition of pushing for a coup. Police have occupied Congress building and troops taken …

George Blanda Dead: Hall Of Fame NFL Legend Dies At 83

George Blanda could probably still have been the quarterback for the Oakland Raiders. He had a remarkable career that spanned nearly 3 decades. He played professional football for an unbelievable 26 years. He died at the age of 83.

The Raiders confirmed the death Monday and issued a statement saying “we are deeply saddened by the passing of the great George Blanda. George was a brave Raider and a close personal friend of Raiders owner Al Davis.”

Blanda was nearly 49 years old when he retired. He walked away from the game just a month shy of his 49th birthday. He had played longer than anyone else in pro football history.

He spent 10 seasons with the Chicago Bears, part of one with the Baltimore Colts, seven with the Houston Oilers and his final nine with the Raiders.

He scored 2,002 points in his career, a pro football record at the time of his retirement, kicking 335 field goals and 943 extra points, running for nine touchdowns and throwing for 236 more.

But it was a five-game stretch for Oakland in 1970 that is the lasting imprint from his career. As a 43-year-old, Blanda led the Raiders to four wins and one tie with late touchdown passes or field goals.

Later that season, he became the oldest quarterback to play in a championship game, throwing two touchdown passes and kicking a field goal in Oakland’s 27-17 loss to Baltimore in the AFC title game. His performance that season earned him The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year.

Blanda joined the Oilers of the new American Football League in 1960 and played 16 seasons before hanging it up for good following the 1975 campaign. He led the Oilers to the first two AFL titles, beating the Chargers for the championship following the 1960 and ’61 seasons.

He nearly won a third straight title when he led the Oilers back from a 17-0 halftime deficit to the Dallas Texans in the 1962 title game before losing in double overtime.

“George Blanda will always be remembered as a legend of our game,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement, “including his amazing career longevity of 26 seasons in four different decades. George’s multi-talented flair for the dramatic highlighted the excitement of pro football during an important period of growth for our sport.”

Blanda began his memorable run in 1970 by throwing three touchdown passes in place of an injured Daryle Lamonica in a 31-14 win over Pittsburgh on Oct. 25. The following week he kicked a 48-yard field goal in the final seconds to give the Raiders a 17-17 tie against Kansas City.

Blanda was just getting started. He threw a tying touchdown pass with 1:34 remaining and then kicked the game-winning 52-yard field goal in the final seconds the following week in a 23-20 win over Cleveland.

He followed that with a 20-yard TD pass to Fred Biletnikoff in place of Lamonica in a 24-19 victory over Denver the next week, then kicked a 16-yard field goal in the closing seconds to beat San Diego 20-17 on Nov. 22.

“The game that I remember the most was playing against Cleveland in 1970,” he once said. “We were down 20-13 and I came in and we got a touchdown and then we got a field goal in the last three seconds.”

Blanda entered the NFL out of Kentucky as a 12th-round pick (119th overall) of the Chicago Bears in 1949. He spent most of the next decade with the Bears, leaving to play one game for the Colts in 1950. After winning the Bears starting job in 1953, Blanda promptly lost it the following season because of injury. His playing time at quarterback quickly diminished and he retired in 1959 at age 31 when Chicago planned to make him a full-time kicker. It was a short-lived break because he then joined the AFL’s Oilers the nest season.

Blanda was one of the new league’s many prolific passers, throwing for 19,149 yards and 165 touchdowns in seven seasons for the Oilers. He was the AFL Player of the Year in 1961, holds AFL single-game passing record of 464 yards on Oct. 29, 1961, against Buffalo, and was chosen the league’s all-time kicker.

“We did all the strategy right on the field,” he once said. “Today, the coaches call all the plays, so all the quarterbacks have to do is perform. They are more or less programmed.”

The Oilers thought he was at the end of his career in 1967, but the Raiders picked him up as a backup quarterback and kicker and he lasted nine more seasons.

Blanda threw for 26,920 yards in his career and held the pro football record with 277 interceptions until Brett Favre passed him in 2007. He retired with the most points in history before the total was topped by several players in recent years.

“It certainly doesn’t bother me,” Blanda said about losing the scoring record. “The one record I was happy to get rid of was the one for the most interceptions, when Brett Favre got that one.”

Raiders Hall of Fame QB George Blanda dies at 83 George Blanda, who played longer than anyone in pro football history and racked up the most points in a career that spanned four decades, mostly with the …

George Blanda dies George Blanda, the Hall of Fame quarterback and kicker who played professional football until age 48, has died, the Oakland Raiders announced Monday. … 

George Blanda was one of a kind Not old George. He wanted nothing to do with his record being broken. He was pretty salty about it. As Ditka said Monday, Blanda was ultra competitive even … 

Raiders Hall of Fame QB George Blanda dies at 83 15, 1970 file photo shows Kicker George Blanda quarterback of the Oakland Raiders. The Oakland Raiders say Hall of Fame quarterback George Blanda has died, … 

Raiders’ Hall of Fame quarterback/kicker George Blanda dies at age 83 AP | 15 minutes ago in Sports George Blanda, who played longer than anyone in pro football history and racked up the most points in a career that spanned … 

Oakland Raiders Hall of Fame quarterback George Blanda dies at 83 AP George Blanda, Hall of Fame quarterback who played for the Oakland Raiders, dies on Monday. ALAMEDA, Calif. – George Blanda, the seemingly ageless Hall …

David Hasselhoff Gets The Boot From Dancing With The Stars

First let me apologize for filing this under “Breaking News”…I’m a bit embarrassed but I received like 50 emails and tweets…so I felt compelled to get off the couch and post this for those out there who have no life…and obviously lack a cable connection.

In any event, DWTS is in full swing now in season 11 (oMG..11 seasons??? Help!!) and tonight the Hoff was asked to leave his dancing shoes behind. Too bad they didn’t ask him to leave his singing behind as well. Spare us..please…but then again I hear he’s big in Japan!

“It’s been a great ride,” he said before taking another spin around the parquet. “I feel bad for Kym because she worked so hard to try and get me where I was going. I’m just so proud that my daughters are here and got to see me go this far. So, it’s great.”

Poor Kym Johnson, the Hoff’s partner, she really drew the short straw on this one didn’t she?

First he’s unceremoniously bounced from America’s Got Talent, and now he’s the first to go off of Dancing With The Stars. Do ya think his career is at a low point or what?

Hasselhoff’s first dance on Monday’s show, a stiff cha cha, landed him in the bottom initially with only 15 points.

On Tuesday’s elimination show, the former Baywatch star was joined in the bottom by Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino and Kurt Warner.

Both stars were deemed safe due to their combined scores – made up by judges’ points and viewers’ votes – leaving only Hasselhoff and Massey up for elimination.

If there is any reason to watch this show it’s to hope dearly that the 15 minute ticker runs out on the friggin Situation. How bad must the Hoff feel to be beat by somebody nicknamed after stomach muscles?

Oh well, I’m sure there’s more to come next week!

Spoiler Alert! ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Eliminates First Duo ”Dancing with the Stars” said “see ya” to this season’s first duo, one of Tuesday evening’s bottom 2: David Hasselhoff and Kym Johnson, or Kyle Massey and … 

Dancing With the Stars Results: Who Was First to Go? Instead, David Hasselhoff was hassled out of the ballroom, the rug ripped right out from under him after cutting only one rug. “It’s been a great ride,” the … 

Spoiler Alert! ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Eliminates First Duo ”Dancing with the Stars” said “see ya” to this season’s first duo, one of Tuesday evening’s bottom 2: David Hasselhoff and Kym Johnson, or Kyle Massey and … 

Hoff the show: David Hasselhoff leaves ‘Dancing’ AP He was king of the beach on “Baywatch,” but David Hasselhoff didn’t fare so well on “Dancing With the Stars.” The 58-year-old entertainer was the first …

Fire Under Bridge Between NYC And Bronx Halts Train Service (Video)

There may have been some sort of transformer fire under the 138th Street bridge along the Hudson River that goes between Manhattan and the Bronx. There are already 135 thousand commuters that are taking the subway and other means of transportation to get home.

Transportation officials from Metro-North confirmed the fire is indeed under the lift bridge, and unfortunately it carries many thousands not only in their cars, but also in trains. There are alternate routes to the Bronx, and tonight many commuters will be forced to take them, if the fire is not under control at rush hour.

The Metro-North train service has been suspended at 11:45 AM, and there is no word as to when exactly the service will continue.

A thick plume of smoke rose from the Harlem River bridge connecting Manhattan and the Bronx at 138th Street, suspending service on the Metro-North railroad that serves commuters north of the city.

No injuries have been reported.

Fire under bridge halts some suburban NYC train September 20, 2010 NEW YORK — A smoky fire beneath a New York City railroad bridge has forced the stoppage of some commuter rail service in and out of …

 Fire under bridge halts some suburban NYC trains Comments A smoky fire beneath a New York City railroad bridge has forced the stoppage of some …

BP Says Gulf Oil Leak Permanently Sealed, [Live video Feed] Oil Spill Disaster Over Saturday

The head honchos over at British Petroleum have made an announcement today citing the cessation of any more oil into the Gulf of Mexico. The final seal is set for Saturday, the 17th. The oil has been gushing into the delicate eco-sphere of the Gulf since April 20, 2010.

Every day the oil was pumping it’s poisonous sludge into the water, the people of the Gulf states have been in an uproar over the seemingly uncaring BP corporate executives spokespersons, and our own government’s slow response.

In New Orleans, where the slick was felt the most in its wetlands, the damage is beyond repair, say many of the residents who have felt the enormous effects of the spill.

Story continues below…

Their livelihood has been curtailed by the giant oil plumes, killing off many fisheries, and the shell fish industry has been dealt a severe blow as well. The folks who make their living off of the Gulf have yet to be compensated completely, as it will be difficult to determine just how much it has affected them and their future.

The well at the heart of the largest oil spill in U.S. history should be completely sealed Saturday, BP said Friday.

The company stopped oil from gushing into the Gulf of Mexico on July 15, but it and federal government have planned one final step to ensure that the well is sealed once and for all: They plan to pump cement into a bottom portion of the well.

Earlier, BP completed work on a relief well that put it in a position to permanently seal the damaged well, the government’s commander in charge of overseeing response to the spill said.

“Through a combination of sensors embedded in the drilling equipment and sophisticated instrumentation … BP engineers and the federal science team have concluded that the Development Driller III relief well has intersected the Macondo well,” said Thad Allen, the appointed national incident commander, in a statement released late Thursday.

The relief well was started about 100 feet from the original well and intersects with it about 18,000 feet under the surface of the Gulf.

Oil gushed from the ruptured well after the Deepwater Horizon rig exploded April 20, leaving 11 workers dead.

The government estimates some 4.9 million barrels (206 million gallons) of oil gushed into the Gulf, 800,000 barrels (33.6 million gallons) of which was captured by surface ships. A cement plug was installed at the top of the well on July 15.

BP: Expects Macondo Well To Be Completely Sealed Saturday crude into the US Gulf of Mexico, the largest accidental marine oil spill ever. The oil stopped leaking when BP put a sealing cap on top of it in July, …

BP begins pumping cement into ruptured Gulf well in “bottom kill” operation British oil giant BP on Friday began pumping cement into its damaged well in the Gulf of Mexico to seal the undersea gusher for good. …

BP: Expects Macondo Well To Be Completely Sealed Saturday crude into the US Gulf of Mexico, the largest accidental marine oil spill ever. The oil stopped leaking when BP put a sealing cap on top of it in July, …

Cement starts flowing to plug BP well for good Oil giant BP says crews have begun pumping cement to permanently seal the company’s blown-out well in the Gulf of Mexico. …

Gulf oil well on verge of being plugged for good The April 20 blast sank the Deepwater Horizon rig and triggered the spill that eventually spewed 206 million gallons of oil from the well. BP PLC (BP. …

Christine O’Donnell For Senate Doesn’t Sound Good To All Republicans

Although Christine O’Donnell won the Republican Primary for the State of Delaware, not all GOP members are celebrating tonight.

Political wizard, Karl Rove let lose with some commentary that sent shock waves across the wires when he openly questioned whether Christine O’Donnell is a bona fide candidate.

O’Donnell, the upstart tea party candidate unexpectedly won Tuesday’s Republican Senate primary election in Delaware.

The controversy started over on Fox News right after the results were known. Karl Rove, speaking with Sean Hannity, said that O’Donnell did not represent the conservative characteristics of “rectitude and truthfulness and sincerity.”

Huh? What’s up with that?

Well it seems that Rove, along with others are being real petty. Asking questions about her character like why she took so long to pay off her college loans. Seriously? Really?

That’s really sad. Check out the video cut and let me know what you think.

Here’s how Michelle Malkin weighed in on this.

Sarah Palin urging unity among Republicans Palin also cheered Tuesday’s political upsets by candidates affiliated with the tea party movement, including Christine O’Donnell’s surprise win in Delaware …

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