Sweet Honey in the Rock is an internationally renowned all-woman, African-American a cappella ensemble. They are an American Grammy Award-winning (and many times nominated) troupe who express their history as women of color through song, while entertaining their audience. They have together worked from four women to the difficult five-part harmony with a sixth member translating with sign language. Although the members have changed over 3 decades, they continue to sing and have helped to produce several children’s records as well as those intended for adults.
Teena Marie, an award-winning singer-songwriter known for her R&B performances, has died, her manager said.
Grand Jury Weighs Whether There Was Conspiracy To Kill George Tiller
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/26/george-tiller-case_n_801321.html#comments
More than 18 months after a Wichita abortion doctor was gunned down in his church, a federal investigation into a possible conspiracy continues in Kansas City.
Jesse Jackson Jr. Discusses ‘Personal Shortcomings’
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/26/jesse-jackson-jr-discusse_n_801298.html#comments
CHICAGO — U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., who has largely avoided the public eye of late, said in a rare interview Saturday that he is a public servant, not a perfect one, and didn’t rule out a future run at higher office.
Jackson, who has been dogged by links to the corruption case against former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and questions about his own relationship with a female “social acquaintance,” told The Associated Press that he continually struggles with his “personal shortcomings.”
That includes mending his family relationships over the “immensely personal matter” of the female acquaintance and assessing his political ambitions, which once included Chicago mayor or U.S. senator.
“Every one of us has erred in their personal lives and while I don’t claim to be a perfect servant, I’m a public servant,” Jackson told the AP. “Often times we carry with us the burdens of our personal shortcomings even as we struggle to articulate and clarify a message that helps other people. That what I dedicated my life to.”
The congressman spoke to the AP after delivering a rousing Christmas message to hundreds of detainees at Cook County Boot Camp along with his father, the Rev. Jesse Jackson. It was an unusual public appearance for the congressman.
Myspace Graphics, Kwanzaa Graphics at WishAFriend.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa is a weeklong celebration held in the United States honoring universal African-American heritage and culture, observed from December 26 to January 1 each year. It features activities such as lighting a candle holder with seven candles[1] and culminates in a feast and gift giving. It was created by Maulana Karenga and was first celebrated in 1966 – 1967.
Happy Kwanzaa!
Lawmakers seek cash during key votes
By Carol D. Leonnig and T.W. Farnam
Washington Post Staff Writers
Sunday, December 26, 2010; 12:00 AM
Numerous times this year, members of Congress have held fundraisers and collected big checks while they are taking critical steps to write new laws, despite warnings that such actions could create ethics problems. The campaign donations often came from contributors with major stakes riding on the lawmakers’ actions.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/25/AR2010122502236.html
Obama Returns to End-of-Life Plan That Caused Stir
By ROBERT PEAR
Published: December 25, 2010
WASHINGTON — When a proposal to encourage end-of-life planning touched off a political storm over “death panels,” Democrats dropped it from legislation to overhaul the health care system. But the Obama administration will achieve the same goal by regulation, starting Jan. 1.
Under the new policy, outlined in a Medicare regulation, the government will pay doctors who advise patients on options for end-of-life care, which may include advance directives to forgo aggressive life-sustaining treatment.
Congressional supporters of the new policy, though pleased, have kept quiet. They fear provoking another furor like the one in 2009 when Republicans seized on the idea of end-of-life counseling to argue that the Democrats’ bill would allow the government to cut off care for the critically ill.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/26/us/politics/26death.html?_r=1
Sotomayor, Kagan shift Supreme Court debates to the left
By David G. Savage, Washington Bureau
December 26, 2010
Reporting from Washington — For most of the last two decades, Supreme Court conservatives led by Justice Antonin Scalia dominated the debates during oral arguments. They greeted advocates for liberal causes with sharp and sometimes caustic questions, putting them on the defensive from the opening minute.
But the tenor of the debate has changed in recent months, now that President Obama’s two appointees to the court, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, have joined the fray and reenergized the liberal wing.
Gone are the mismatches where the Scalia wing overshadowed reserved and soft-spoken liberals like now-retired Justices David H. Souter and John Paul Stevens. Instead, the liberals often take the lead and press attorneys defending the states or corporations.
“They’re clearly on a roll,” said Washington attorney Lisa S. Blatt, who has argued regularly before the high court. “They are engaged and really active. It just feels like a different place.”
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-court-arguments-20101226,0,2050179.story?om_rid=DRaeQf&om_mid=_BNF12JB8WrYBeV
Happy Sunday, Everybody! Hope y’all enjoyed your Christmans with family & friends:-)
Morning Ametia & 3 Chics!
Happy Sunday! SG2 is tired this morning. Christmas was wonderful. I had a great time with the family. Hope you all had a great time as well.
We had a delightful time. Plenty of snow, fire, and hot drinks. See you in a few hours! We’re heading home.
Be careful and drive safely.