Republican Michael Steele Apparently Likes to Get Freaky

The Daily Caller's Jonathan Strong has basically won the morning with a story about RNC Chairman Michael Steele's lavish lifestyle on the road. Strong reports that Steele "once raised the possibility of using party money to buy a private jet for his travel," and has run up some substantial tabs at some of our nation's nicest hotels. But if you ask me, he sort of buried the lede... probably strategically! Because look what awaits you in paragraph six:

Once on the ground, FEC filings suggest, Steele travels in style. A February RNC trip to California, for example, included a $9,099 stop at the Beverly Hills Hotel, $6,596 dropped at the nearby Four Seasons, and $1,620.71 spent [update: the amount is actually $1,946.25] at Voyeur West Hollywood, a bondage-themed nightclub featuring topless women dancers imitating lesbian sex.

Oh, wow, awesome. Note that Strong's done his due diligence on the amount spent. As of this writing, Voyeur's website is not loading, probably because every single staff member of the Democratic National Committee is currently on the site, looking for images of Steele in the champagne room. But check out some of the Yelp testimonials:

Click to read

Tiger Woods To Hold Press Conference at The Masters

Dr. Boyce Watkins

Golfing superstar Tiger Woods plans to speak to reporters at the Masters. This will be the first time Woods has taken on the broader media since his scandal in November, 2009 that earned him world-wide and unwanted attention. The press conference will be at 2 p.m. on Monday, April 5, according to a tentative interview schedule issued by Augusta National.
Typically, only moderately newsworthy golfers hold press conferences on Mondays. Woods would be the exception to the rule, possibly generating enough media attention to undermine the NCAA championship game, to be held later on that evening. This would also be an excellent way to maximize ratings for the Masters tournament to begin later during the week.
"Our focus that Monday will be on crowning the next national champion," NCAA spokesman Erik Christianson said.
Golfing legend Arnold Palmer argues that Woods should be more open with reporters.

Click to read

Dr. Boyce: Tiger Makes His First TV Appearance

Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University

Tiger Woods chose ESPN and the Golf Channel as the venues for his first interviews, since his sex scandal began four months ago. He gave the interviews with the requirement that they be only five minutes long.
"If you limit it to five minutes, when you account for structure, there's not much time to get into anything, which is probably best," said Syracuse University professor and pop culture expert Robert Thompson.
Woods had to be careful to ensure that the interviews were done in a such a way that they did not overshadow the PGA event being played this weekend. Woods has been able to transcend the game of golf in ways that no player in history has been able to accomplish. His presence (or lack thereof) can make or break a golf tournament's financial outcome.
"We really had two main things that were most important," said an ESPN spokesman. "No. 1, no restrictions on questions, and No. 2, we chose the interviewer."

 

Click to Read

McDonald's Ads Called Racist - Do you Agree?

From Dr. Boyce Watkins: CNN just called me for an appearance on American Morning.  They wanted to know if I think that these McDonald's ads are racist.   Please watch them and tell me what you think:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YRcBTq6T4A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBq7Ver15IA

Black Entertainment News - 3/15/10

• 

  Ray Charles musical heading for Broadway

  By theGrio

  12:41 PM on 03/12/2010

  NEW YORK (AP) - A musical celebrating Ray Charles is headed for Broadway later this year...

  > READ MORE

• 

  Prison shouldn't be a publicity stunt for Lil Wayne

  By Christopher Chambers

  8:22 AM on 03/12/2010

  OPINION - If Lil Wayne regards his cell as an extension of his studio or his label's offices, he will suffer...

  > READ MORE

• 

  DMX back in jail for alleged probation violation

  By theGrio

  9:08 AM on 03/10/2010

  PHOENIX (AP) - Authorities in Arizona say rapper DMX has been arrested for allegedly violating his probation by using drugs...

  > READ MORE

• 

  McNabb, T.O. teaming up again - for TV show

  By theGrio

  1:54 PM on 03/09/2010

  PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Donovan McNabb will be throwing passes to Terrell Owens again...

  > READ MORE

• 

  D'Angelo accused of soliciting sex in NYC

  By theGrio

  2:29 PM on 03/08/2010

  NEW YORK (AP) - Authorities say D'Angelo was caught in New York City trying to pay $40 for sex with an undercover cop posing as a prostitute...

  > READ MORE

Jay-Z Gets Criticism for Stadium

by Dr. Boyce Watkins

I curiously watched the press conference held last week to celebrate the New Jersey Nets (well, not quite New Jersey anymore) stadium set to be built in Brooklyn. A group of investors, led by Bruce Ratner, were joined by many prominent New York public figures to celebrate the ground-breaking of one of the highest impact economic endeavors in the history of Brooklyn. Jay-Z is part of the group of investors who bought the Nets, so of course he attended the ceremony.

The excitement of bringing a professional sports team to a city is overwhelming. Teams can bring out a sense of community spirit and unity which ultimately helps provide a little meaning in a complex world. Cities compete to bring teams to their town because the fans want them. Cities give teams extensive tax subsidies and even offer to use eminent domain to take property away from residents who are not willing to sell their homes in order to have the stadium built. Sounds terrible, doesn't it? Well, sometimes it can be.

Click to read

News: Golfer Ernie Els is Glad that Tiger Woods is Gone

 

MIAMI - There was a time in his career when Ernie Els seemed to be finishing second to Tiger Woods at every major.

Maybe that's why the Big Easy seems to be peaking again. He could have a chance to get even.

"I think it's a good opportunity for a lot of players to basically try and strike now," Els said Friday after a bogey-free round of 66 on the Blue Monster moved him into a one-shot lead in the CA Championship at Doral.

He didn't say why. He didn't have to. With Woods' extended absence, there's no telling what kind of game the world's No. 1 player will bring to the majors and whether he might go another year without winning one.

The door is open and Els is feeling it.

"I feel that the golf courses we are playing this year in majors, I love them," Els said. "I've done well at Pebble (Beach - U.S. Open). I've done well at St. Andrews (British Open) and I did well at Whistling Straits (PGA). I feel if I have my game there, I could have a good chance."

Chance was on his side Friday.

Click to read

Your Black News: Shaq's Divorce Finalized and More

Shaq and His Wife Reach Divorce Settlement

• TMZ is reporting that Shaquille O'neal and his estranged wife, Shaunie have reached a divorce ... Read More
• By Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD on Mar 11th 2010 4:21PM | Comments (0)

Jamie Jungers Wins Howard Stern's Tiger Woods Beauty Pageant

• One of Tiger Woods' mistresses, Jamie Jungers, was the winner of a peculiar beauty contest the ... Read More
• By Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD on Mar 10th 2010 11:05PM | Comments (0)

Allen Iverson's Life is Reportedly Falling Apart

• Several sources in the NBA are stating that basketball star Allen Iverson is having serious ... Read More
• By Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD on Mar 9th 2010 12:57PM | Comments (11)

Tiger Woods Reportedly Preparing for a Comeback

• It looks like Tiger Woods may be back on the golf course sooner than most of his critics expect. ... Read More
• By Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD on Mar 8th 2010 12:25PM | Comments (19)

Republican Tom Delay Says People Want to be Jobless

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University

If I were President Barack Obama, I would be break dancing in the Oval Office. Former Republican House Majority Leader Tom Delay applauded the actions of his Republican colleague Jim Bunning, who chose to block the extension of unemployment benefits for millions of Americans. In his comments, Delay effectively argued that Americans want to be unemployed, because having unemployment benefits gives them no incentive to go out and look for a job.
Yes, I was stunned to hear these words. But then again, perhaps Delay has decided to officially marginalize himself and say all the things he wanted to say when he actually had a position of relevance within the federal government. Instead, he has allowed us to peek in to the minds of his colleagues, who are probably thinking the same way. Here are Delay's words based on his interview with Candy Crowley:

Click to read

The Latest in Black Voices - 3/7/10

Does the Film Precious Promote Stereotypes? Yes, It Probably Does

• I went to see the film "Precious" with a tremendous amount of anxiety. I'd heard the film received ... Read More
• By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Mar 7th 2010 8:21AM | Comments (22)

NFL Player Myron Rolle Told He's Too Smart to Play in the League

• You would think that Myron Rolle, the NFL super-stud who also happens to be a Rhodes Scholar, would ... Read More
• By Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD on Mar 7th 2010 6:56AM | Comments (5)

Alluring Eyes: Oscars 2010 Beauty Preview

• The red carpet is the perfect place to debut an eye-popping beauty statement. Gabourey Sidibe loves ... Read More
• By Qianna Smith on Mar 6th 2010 6:27PM | Comments (3)

'Precious' Wins Big At Independent Spirit Awards

• The Lee Daniels-directed drama 'Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire' was the big winner ... Read More
• By Karu F. Daniels on Mar 6th 2010 5:05PM | Comments (4)

Beyonce In Brooklyn - Bringing Beauty to the Thorough Borough

• The one and the only Beyoncé continue to use her brand to do some good – for others. On ... Read More
• By Karu F. Daniels on Mar 6th 2010 11:11AM | Comments (0)

Black Professor Becomes Major Media Entrepreneur

• If you are a black scholar in America, then you probably know about the work of Dr. Lee Jones. Dr. ... Read More
• By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Mar 6th 2010 7:23AM | Comments (6)

A Look Back At The 2010 10 Best Picture Nominees

• With 10 films nominated this year for Best Picture, and 'Avatar,' and 'The Hurt Locker' leading ... Read More
• By Wilson Morales on Mar 6th 2010 12:21AM | Comments (4)

Six Degrees of Lee Daniels

• With only five films to his credit, producer-director Lee Daniels is already a visionary icon: He's ... Read More
• By Wilson Morales on Mar 5th 2010 11:11PM | Comments (3)

Behind the Seams: Designer LaQuan Smith

• Call him fashion's "Cinderella." LaQuan Smith, 21, has gone from intern to buzz-worthy designer ... Read More
• By Zandile Blay on Mar 5th 2010 6:34PM | Comments (0)

Red Carpet Predictions: Mo'Nique and Gabourey Sidibe on Oscar Night

• Black Hollywood seems to be in familiar territory this awards season with two surprisingly talented ... Read More
• By Qianna Smith on Mar 5th 2010 5:06PM | Comments (19)

Three Ways to Save More Money By Getting Paid to Save

• Everyone wants to save more money. Yet many cash-strapped people feel like they "can't afford" to ... Read More
• By Lynnette Khalfani-Cox on Mar 5th 2010 4:20PM | Comments (0)

'Brooklyn's Finest' Film Review

• Just about every dramatic cop film, from 'Serpico' to 'Magnum Force' to 'Cop Land,' involves ... Read More
• By Wilson Morales on Mar 5th 2010 4:00PM | Comments (0)

Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield III: Senior Citizen Fight of the Century?

• There was a lot of controversy surrounding the last couple of times Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield ... Read More
• By Quibian Salazar-Moreno on Mar 5th 2010 3:36PM | Comments (3)

'Jean-Michel Basquiat - The Radiant Child'

• Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat is known for being as enigmatic and complex as he was talented. ... Read More
• By BVX Staff on Mar 5th 2010 3:13PM | Comments (0)

Secret Millionaire Donates Her Fortune: More on Grace Groner

• Grace Groner lived as a secret millionaire in a modest, sparsely-furnished one-bedroom house. When ... Read More
• By Alexis Stodghill on Mar 5th 2010 3:08PM | Comments (5)

He's Too Smart for the NFL?

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Your Black World

 

You would think that Myron Rolle, the NFL super-stud who also happens to be a Rhodes Scholar, would be the kind of man who makes us proud. You would expect that his status as being the man who represents the future of the black athlete in America would make the NFL happy to have him on the roster of one of their teams. Not only is Rolle brilliant, but he is also tough as nails and fast as lightning. The man has the whole package.
But at least according to some NFL coaches, Rolle may not be committed enough to be a part of their league.
"We'll have to find out how committed he is," an NFC assistant coach said, repeating the sentiment of five other NFL officials who said the same thing.

Click to read

Dr. Boyce: Is the FAMU Sex Tape Even Real?

Read more about DR. BOYCE: The FAMU Sex Tape May Be A Big Ol’ Lie

TAGS: FAMU, HBCUs, sex scandals

 

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Black News: Tiger’s Caddy is Mad at Him

 

by Dr. Boyce Watkins 

Tiger Woods' caddie, Steve Williams, told "60 Minutes" that he knew nothing about Tiger's extramarital affairs and was angry with him about the scandal. He also said that he was bitter about the reaction that the media had toward Tiger.
"It's been the most difficult time of my life, no two ways about it, because every single person believed that I should know or did know or had something to do with it," Williams said. "I knew nothing, that's my answer. I don't have to clarify or extend that answer, I knew nothing."
Williams, who is from New Zealand, has been Tiger's caddie for the past 11 years. He said that he would have said something to the public if he'd known about Tiger's behavior.
"If the shoe was on someone else, I would say the same thing. It would be very difficult as a caddie not to know but I'm 100 percent telling you, I did not know, and that's that," he said. "I'm a straight-up sort of person. If I had known something was going on, the whistle would have been blown."
While Williams expressed his disappointment with Tiger, he said that he didn't feel that it was his job to berate him.

Click to read.

Teachers Suspended for Black History Month Celebration

Three teachers at a South Los Angeles elementary school have been suspended for allegedly encouraging students to celebrate O.J. Simpson, Dennis Rodman and RuPaul during Black History Month, officials said Wednesday.

Children at Wadsworth Avenue Elementary School were carrying pictures of the men at a parade Friday on the school playground, said Los Angeles Unified School District spokeswoman Gayle Pollard-Terry.

 

Click to read.

 

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The Latest in Black Celebrity Gossip – 3/4/10

Was Ciara Mistaken For A Stripper?

NYC Courthouse Still Closed, Weezy Sentencing Delayed Again

Guru Issues Statement About Heart Attack

Regina King Excited & Frustrated About Return Of The Boondocks

Lil Wayne Performs At Jay-Z Concert For Last Night Of Freedom

St. Louis Rapper J-Kwon Is Missing

BP Member Spotlight: Paper Dolls Radio

Khia Says Trina Got That "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle"

Sources: Jackson Kids Tried Stunning Blanket

Allen Iverson Out For Rest Of Season

Arsonist Who Burned Gamble & Huff Studio Gets Bail Reduced

Jamie Foxx: "I Like ‘Em Thick In The Waist & Cute In The Face"

Rihanna Is Being Sued By Her Personal Trainer

Mo'Nique's Secret To A Happy Marriage? An Open One

Naomi Campbell Wanted For Allegedly Beating Up Her Driver

NAACP Image Award Trends: Blacks, Nudes + Plum Shadow

Alleged Famu Sex Tape Causes a Stir

Famu students in a sex tape?  Perhaps they should give their students more homework?  Well, the sex tape is the rumor these days, but we don’t know if it’s true or not.  Here’s the link.

 

 

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Black Politics: NY Gov David Paterson Accused of Ethics Violations

The state Commission on Public Integrity charged Gov. David A. Paterson on Wednesday with violating state ethics laws when he secured free tickets to the opening game of the World Series from the Yankees last fall for himself and others. The announcement came as the governor, already mired in scandal, met with his cabinet and insisted he would stay in office.

In addition to violating the state’s ban on gifts to public officials, the commission found that Mr. Paterson falsely testified under oath that he had intended to pay for the tickets for his son and his son’s friend. The commission determined that Mr. Paterson had never intended to pay for the tickets and only did so after inquiries from the media, after which he submitted a backdated check as payment.

The commission had referred the case to the Albany County District Attorney, P. David Soares, as well as Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo, for further investigation. Mr. Cuomo is already investigating Mr. Paterson’s role in allegedly trying to suppress a domestic-violence case involving a close aide, David Johnson.

Mr. Johnson also attended the Yankees game in question and was involved in soliciting the tickets from Yankees officials. The tickets, with a face value of $425 each, seated them a few rows behind home plate.

Click to read.

 

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Meet the Smartest Kids in England

 

Paula and Peter Imafidon are just like any other nine-year-olds. They love laughing, playing on the computer, fighting with each other. What sets these twins apart from their peers, though, is that they are, hands down, prodigies, who are about to enter high school and make British history as the youngest to do so.

Click to read.

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Your Black News: OJ Simpson Back in the Limelight

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, AOL Black Voices 

Remember the suit that OJ Simpson wore when he was acquitted of murder in 1995? I'm sure you do. The images of OJ breathing a sigh of relief after his acquittal were viewed all around the world. You probably remember exactly what you were doing at that precise moment, similar to the 911 attacks. Well, the Smithsonian Institute has announced that they do not want OJ's suit, claiming that it is "inappropriate for their collection."

The announcement came after a 13-year legal fight over what to do with the suit. Since that time, it has been in the possession of Simpson's former sports agent, Mike Gilbert. Fred Goldman, father of one of the men Simpson was accused of killing, has been fighting for the suit since the 1990s. Simpson told authorities that the suit was stolen from him.

The suit was also part of the reason that Simpson is in prison right now. OJ was arrested and convicted for an incident in which he robbed men in Las Vegas in order to reclaim memorabilia that he believed to be stolen. He'd been told that the suit was among the list of things being offered for sale.

The Smithsonian used these words on its website:

 

Click to read.

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Your News: Regina King Talks Boondocks

While promoting her upcoming comedy 'Our Family Wedding,' actress Regina Kingcouldn't contain her excitement for the return of the hit Cartoon Network series 'The Boondocks.'

She also talked about her frustration too.

After a more than two-year hiatus, post-production is underway for the third season of the beloved show, which should be airing in coming months.
Although the Cartoon Network has yet to send out an official announcement confirming a premiere date for the new season, 'Bonndocks' creator Aaron McGrudersaid via his social networking site that it should air March 28. The news coincides with his previous Twitter message on Christmas Day, in which he wrote, "Finally got an airdate for Season 3. Not sure if I'm allowed to put it out yet, so I'll just say you got about three months."

King, who voices two of the show's lead characters, brothers Huey and Riley Freeman, has been a little peeved about how the show's producers are handling the long-awaited return.

"I am so happy that it is coming back," King told BV Newswire, but added, "I wish there was some Web site that people could send [a message] to Sony [Television Entertainment] ... and say 'What are you doing?'" she charged.

"'Boondocks could be so bigger than what it is," the former '227' actress furthered. "If I had the money to buy 'The Boondocks' off Sony, I would because all of you would be wearing 'Boondocks' T-shirts and there would be Huey and Riley dolls. I would capitalize off of that, and I would be a very rich woman."

King cited Sony's lack of experience with animation as a reason for the show's delay and its failure to capitalize on 'Boondocks' merchandise.

The 38-year-old 'Ray' actress says her work on the show, based on McGruder's popular comic strip of the same name, is her most popular to date.

"Actually more than any other project that I have done, that's the one that I get asked about the most," King revealed. "For a show to take two and half year hiatuses and people still want it to come back, that's big," she said.

Click to read.