Keepingitreal

iphone blog buzz 07.31.09

The police officer at the center of a national dispute over race and law enforcement says a much-anticipated meeting at the White House was productive and all parties are looking forward, reports the Associated Press. Michael Jackson's 79-year-old mother Katherine will receive full custody of his three children per a deal that was reached on Thursday, her lawyer announced. Michael Vick says he is getting close to signing with an NFL team but had no other details for reporters following a bankruptcy hearing in Virginia, according to the Associated Press.A battle over music royalties has pitted members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) against the owners of black radio stations, sparking a rare public fight between African-American powerbrokers that could work against lawmakers used to easy reelection, reports The Hill.Damn! He went there. He really went there! Eminem has just released a track called The Warning, completely eviscerating Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon. He claims to have naked pictures of Mimi, which he threatens to release, and he calls Nick the F word, amongst other things. meone get me a cage right now. I love love love Shakira's dance moves in the video for She Wolf. I just don't understand why she had to ruin her sexy new look with that little number and hairdo in the end.HBO scores the highest among 15 networks for its representation of gay characters last season, according to a report by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. In its third annual Network Responsibility Index, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against...Eminem has released a new diss song targeting both Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon which appears to be his response to the singer's "Obsessed" music video. Released Thursday (July 30) evening, Em's song landed online and was reportedly recorded over a Dr. Dre beat.President Obama on Thursday announced 16 "agents of change" as recipients of the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom, America's highest civilan honor. The list included several black pioneers, from the Rev. Dr. Joseph Lowery to actor Sidney Poitier. It also included South African Bishop Desmond Tutu. Also receiving awards were several women and openly gay pioneers. For the first time ever, the White House recognized former San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk and former tennis star Billie Jean King, both openly gay. The president also recognized Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, and Mary Robinson, the first female president of Ireland. SOURCE:THE DAILY VOICE

Concert Review: Grace Jones; Of Montreal; Dengue Fever

Excerpt from Variety.com ~ Underneath the headdresses and oversized outfits, floating above rhythms from 30-year-old dance floors and Jamaican nightclubs, a commanding Grace Jones provided a finely tuned display of humanity in a 75-minute set Sunday, her first U.S. show as part of the tour in support of "Hurricane."Colorful, precise in the execution and entertaining, the return of Jones -- it was her first L.A. appearance in more than 20 years, following the release last year of her first album in 19 -- was warm and uplifting, a tribute to the substance New album "Hurricane" supplied the first two numbers: the autobiographical "This Is Life" and "Williams' Blood." She delivered both with a command and intensity not fully realized on the album. The former's talk-sung lecture on taking control enhanced the resilience of the tune; the latter number provided a reminder that Jones was an innocent at one time. By following the rookies with the classic "My Jamaican Guy," Jones proffered the idea that the dance music filter she created 30 years ago remains operational and fulfilling -- there is more to this artist than shock value and dance beats. Technology advances, social mores evolve, and an already sensual voice gets huskier, but the framework remains unchanged even as newer, non-Jamaican artists become her collaborators, among them Brian Eno and the team of Wendy and Lisa. CONTINUE READING...

‘Clunkers’ Auto Rebate Plan So Popular That It’s Broke

WASHINGTON — New-car shoppers appear to have already snapped up all the $1 billion that Congress appropriated for the “cash for clunkers” program, leading the Transportation Department to tell auto dealers Thursday night to stop offering the rebates.But a White House official said the program had not been suspended, creating confusion about its status. The program offers $3,500 to $4,500 for people who trade in an old car for a new one with higher fuel economy. In a statement issued Thursday evening, Robert Gibbs, the White House press secretary, said: “We are working tonight to assess the situation facing what is obviously an incredibly popular program. Auto dealers and consumers should have confidence that all valid CARS transactions that have taken place to date will be honored.” The program, formally known as the Car Allowance Rebate System, was scheduled to be offered until Nov. 1, or as long as the money was available. But the program was so successful that it has exhausted all the money allocated within the first week. Dealers have submitted applications on behalf of consumers seeking rebates on about a quarter-million vehicles. The National Automobile Dealers Association surveyed its members in recent days and warned the Transportation Department on Thursday that it had a very large backlog of applications, said Bailey Wood, a spokesman for the association. Late in the day, the group said the Transportation Department had responded by telling it to stop taking applications at midnight. The government and the dealers were concerned that buyers would close trade-in deals to buy new cars assuming they had a big rebate coming only to discover later that money was not available. CONTINUE READING...

The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Season 2: Party Planning Blow Up

Ricky Berens Suffers Wardrobe Malfunction at World Championships, Splits Open Swimsuit

Olympic gold medalist Ricky Berens had to swim with his ass exposed to the World Championships audience after the back of his suit split. He was swimming the 4×100 freestyle relay, bent over to stretch, and ripped his suit wide open seconds before his turn to swim. Berens was also a gold medalist in the same event last year in Beijing. Luckily, he put his head down and the US still qualified for finals (and won the event).

Today's Papers: Fear Factor: Health Care Edition

The New York Times and Wall Street Journal's world-wide newsbox lead with new polls that show the American public is growing increasingly concerned that an overhaul of health care would have a negative impact in their own lives. The NYT highlights that the percentage of Americans who describe health care costs as a threat to the economy has gone down in the past month, suggesting that the public isn't buying one of President Obama's central arguments for the plan. The WSJ points out that last month respondents were evenly divided on the merits of the overhaul but now support has declined, particularly among those who are already insured. The Washington Post leads with, and the Los Angeles Times off-leads, House Democrats reaching an agreement with conservative members of their party that could help health care legislation pass the energy and commerce committee. The agreement seeks to cut more than $100 billion from the bill and would maintain the government-run insurance plan but change the way it operates.

The LAT leads with word that the military is shifting some of its Predator drone aircraft away from hunting al-Qaida operatives toward tracking the Taliban and aiding the general war effort in Afghanistan. The scarce drones are one of the military's "most precious intelligence assets," and the increased focus on the Taliban shows how U.S. officials now believe that the best way to beat al-Qaida is stabilizing Afghanistan and Pakistan rather than hunting down individuals, although that will also continue. So more drones will be operated by conventional forces in Afghanistan and focus on tracking movements in insurgent strongholds. "We have been overly counter-terrorism-focused and not counter-insurgency-focused," said one U.S. official. USA Today leads with a look at how more Americans are failing to pay their property taxes amid the recession, meaning that many who might have survived the foreclosure wave could eventually lose their homes to tax seizures. There's no national figure, but many localities have reported a sharp increase in the number of businesses and homeowners who aren't paying their tax bills at a time when local governments are already strapped for cash.

MP3: Fortilive - "Trunk Pop Music" & !llmind Slum Village Remix

The Songs:  The Official !llmind Remix Album is chock full of new re-workings by some of the biggest names in hip-hop. Put together by producer !llmind, the album is highlighted by a remix of the classic Slum Village track "Look of Love." !llmind takes the old school, laid back flow of the Slum Village crew and makes it sound dark and sinuous, "Slum Village was the group that I listened to when I was introduced to Dilla's music," says !llmind, "their style is very distinct, and vocally they act as if their rhymes are 'instruments' complementing the beats. I thought it would be fun to re-create that feeling with my own twist." Break beats and eerie, staccato keys make the track crawl along at a sly pace, and soon enough it has an entirely new feel.  !llmind's group, Fortilive, is featured at the end of the album with four exclusive tracks. Joining !llmind in Fortilive are emcees Mushmouf and Slo-Mo, and both make their presence known on the track "Trunk Pop Music" with intense, in-your-face verses. With !llmind's super-heavy, organ-filled beat, the entire track bumps perfectly for your enormous car stereo. In fact, when the chorus comes around with a funky bass sample you're pretty sure that your bumper is going to fall off before your trunk pops. Listen to this track and just try to not nod your head. Look for more exclusive Fortilive tracks and !llmind remixes on The Official !llmind Remix Album, out on MYX Music Label.

The “REAL” Joe Jackson Exclusive Interview

Forever Michael Week on TV ONE continues with new never-before-seen interviews with Joe Jackson. Check out these clips of Joe talking about the Jackson legacy, Michael's other son Omer Bhatti, and more.

BREAKING NEWS: Michael Jackson’s father, Joe Jackson, sits down with TV One for a revealing and heartbreaking interview where he breaks the silence and reveals a Jackson family secret that fans have been hungry for. Joe also opens up emotionally about Michael’s death and what he sees as the legacy of the Jackson name.

Learn even MORE about Michael Jackson during our Forever Michael Week with special airings of The Michael Jackson Story and the 30th Anniversary Celebration concert — tune in tonight at 9pm(ET). Also, YOU can build the MJ Memorial

right here.

MP3: Deep Rooted - "From the Heart" (feat. Blu)

The Song:  San Diego based hip-hop group Deep Rooted returns with the track "From the Heart" off their recent, self-titled release. The group of producer Mr. Brady, rapper Johaz, vocalist Just Brea, and DJ Artistic blend a nu-soul feel with hip-hop production to forge a unique sound. In "From the Heart" the beat is straight-ahead, but synth riffs make the time go by in the most soulful way. Meanwhile, singer Just Brea helps create an old school hook that is too in the pocket to not bop your head to. Guest artist, and rising hip-hop star Blu comes in for a verse and his flow mixes right into the Deep Rooted recipe. Look for the self-titled D.E.E.P. R.O.O.T.E.D. out online and in stores everywhere via Clear Label Records (run by Tajai of Souls of Mischief & Hieroglyphics fame). In 2004 former Battle-Axe recording artist Mr. Brady and one of San Diego’s most seasoned rap artists Johaz came together to form the group Deep Rooted. Under their indie label Openmyndz Entertainment, Deep Rooted began to blend their favorite hip-hop with a new style of "feel good music". Shortly thereafter, the group added soulful singer Just Brea, whose vocals brought the group to a whole new level. The group expanded again when DJ Artistic and Urban Dynamics dancers CeSee and Boosblak were welcomed aboard. By this time, Deep Rooted was beginning to find their sound and make their mark. Along with performing at the Vans Warped Tour and Urban Network conference, Deep Rooted has been on stage to open for some of the best acts in hip-hop, including Public Enemy, The Roots, Common, KRS- ONE, Lupe Fiasco, X Clan, Wu Tang Clan, Kurtis Blow, and The Boot Camp Click. The group’s music is also featured on the X Box and Play Station video games NBA 2K6 and NBA 2K7, as well as the commercials for the game. After independently releasing their first two albums, A New Beginning and A Second Coming, Deep Rooted has moved to Hieroglyphics/Souls of Mischief member Tajai's Clear Label Records. Their first release on Clear Label Records, the self-titled Deep Rooted is available now everywhere.http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=301141814&s=143441

Today's Papers: Light at the End of Housing Slump?

The New York Times leads, while the Wall Street Journal and USA Today go high, with new data that suggest there might be a light at the end of the tunnel for the housing market. Eight cities saw increases in real estate prices in May, and an index that tracks home prices in 20 metropolitan areas increased 0.5 percent in May from April. When adjusted for seasonal factors, the index was "virtually flat," rather than down. These surprisingly strong numbers joined a slew of other indicators that have also shown positive signs in recent months and raised hopes that the housing market has hit bottom. The WSJ leads its worldwide newsbox with the Senate Judiciary Committee voting 13-6 to send Sonia Sotomayor's Supreme Court nomination to the full Senate. Only one Republican, Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, voted for the nomination.

The Washington Post leads with an overview of where health-care legislation stands. The Senate Finance Committee is expected to finish negotiations in the next few days and vote on a plan before the recess that begins Aug. 7. Assuming the group of six bipartisan senators who are negotiating in the committee can agree on a plan, it'll likely end up abandoning many of President Obama's priorities. And while it may anger most Democrats, it could also make it more difficult for Republicans to resist. USAT leads with campaign-finance records showing that the lawmakers who are leading the fight against allowing generic drugs to compete sooner with expensive biotechnology drugs list pharmaceutical companies as one of their biggest contributors. President Obama has proposed that drug companies should have 7 years of exclusive rights, but several lawmakers are pushing for 12 years. Cutting the period of exclusivity could save the government billions of dollars in health care costs. The Los Angeles Times leads with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger finally signing a budget to close California's huge deficit, but not before using his line-item veto power to cut $500 million more that will affect children's healthcare, AIDS treatment and prevention programs, and the elderly, to name a few programs. Democrats expressed anger over the move, but Schwarzenegger said he had no choice because lawmakers failed to completely close the budget deficit.

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The Insider on TV: Tonight

Watch "The Insider" on TV tonight to see Tito Jackson on the record about his brother Michael's alleged drug problem. Hear about their last conversation -- and why he wishes he could have said goodbye differently. Plus, Tito speaks out about Michael's alleged love child. See the interview that will have everyone talking -- watch "The Insider" on TV tonight! [Read full story on The Insider]

Tax credits improving for college students

While filing your taxes is the last thing you want to think of as the remaining free days of summer tick away, now is a good time to remind your college student to start saving book receipts and keep track of other college expenses before they start spending. As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, more parents and students will qualify for the tax credit called the American Opportunity Credit for tax years 2009 and 2010, and their tax credits will increase from $1,800 under the Hope Credit, to $2,500 under the new plan. "It is a very valuable benefit. It is really about putting more money in your pocket," said Bob Meighan, vice president of tax software giant TurboTax. While the American Opportunity Credit is an extension and expansion of the Hope Credit, some taxpayers may need tax software to determine if other deductions or credits, such as the Lifelong Learning Credit, are better for them and "give the biggest bang for the buck," Meighan said. Basically, anyone paying $4,000 or more a year for college qualifies for the maximum American Opportunity annual benefit of $2,500 per student. "This presumably opens the door for kids who wouldn't be able to afford it," he said. The new credit adds books and required course materials to the list of qualifying expenses, as well as tuition and fees, and allows the credit to be claimed for four post-secondary education years instead of two. The full credit is for individuals with modified adjusted gross incomes of $80,000 or less, or $160,000 or less more married couples filing a joint return, according to the IRS. Partial credit is given to single filers making $80,000 to $90,000, and married couples making $160,000 to $180,000. The tax break is also partially refundable, allowing lower income families with little or no tax liability to claim some of the credit. CONTINUE READING..

The premiere of Real Housewives of ATL 2 is this Thursday and of course Sheree is already bringing the drama!

Senate Panel Endorses Sotomayor in 13-6 Vote

WASHINGTON — The Senate Judiciary Committee voted, 13 to 6, on Tuesday to endorse the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor, easing her path to likely confirmation as the first Hispanic member of the tribunals expected, all 12 Democrats on the judiciary panel voted for Judge Sotomayor, after praising her intellect, character and inspiring personal history. But among the seven Republicans on the committee, only Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina voted in favor.  The committee action sends the nomination to the full Senate, where her confirmation by a comfortable margin seems to be assured. Some committee members who are far apart on the political spectrum agreed on one thing: In recent years, Supreme Court nominees have embraced the strategy of saying as little as possible about their views on issues, so as not to antagonize the senators. In casting his vote, Senator Patrick J. Leahy, the Vermont Democrat who heads the committee, said that when he was a trial lawyer, he always hoped to be in front of a judge who would “make up his or her mind based on the law, not on who the litigants are.” “And having reviewed her record, I know that Judge Sonia Sotomayor has been that kind of judge,” Mr. Leahy said. “I have every confidence that she’ll be that kind of justice.” Republican critics of the judge expressed displeasure with her rulings as a member of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, as well as with some of her public comments. The rulings and comments show that she is a judge who is too “activist” and liberal and has too little commitment to the rights of gun owners, the critics complained. Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama, the committee’s leading Republican, said just before the vote that he was compelled to oppose the nomination because in some important cases the judge’s decisions were “unacceptably short” and showed a “liberal, pro-government ideology against the individuals asserting their constitutional rights.” Senator Charles E. Schumer, Democrat of New York, said Mr. Sessions’ questioning of the nominee had been “sharp but fair.” Still, Mr. Schumer said, he was perplexed that anyone could accuse the nominee of being a liberal activist, since an examination of her record shows her to be a moderate. SOURCE: NYTIMES.COM

Concert Review: Ledisi, Eric Benet, Mint Condition at the Fox Theatre Oakland

OAKLAND, CA. FOX THEATER ~ Ledisi was great however the bass and the music blaring over the overhead speakers overshadowed her vocals. The sound from the speakers was ear shattering I would have liked to be able to hear her amazing vocals without the stadium sound. She did sing, "Goin' Thru Changes" a tune from her upcoming album. Her scatting made me think of Ella Fitzgerald, of which her style of singing has been affectionately, compared to Ella in some music circles. She plugged the new release of her upcoming album. The crowd was very enthusiastic about her performance and it was well received. Mint Condition was the next act, they performed all their old hits, same situation regarding the sound, could not really discern whether the lead singer was really singing. They plugged their myspace page etc. Most of the songs performed were from previous albums from years past. Once into their set the lead singer did an abbreviated version of some scatting. The crowd really got into an updated version of "You Really Send Me Swinging," which was everybody's hit back in the day!  As with Ledisi, their set would have been much more enjoyable, with less stadium sound and more concentration on the vocals. Overall, Mint Condition gave an average performance. At one point, the tempo was lowered, briefly and the vocals were much better. The audience, really got into one of their mid tempo old school ballads. As they transitioned into their final song for their set, and performed "Breakin' My Heart Pretty Brown Eyes." I could not understand a word the lead vocalist, was saying, due to the extremely loud guitar cords and acoustical effects. At one point I felt like I was at a rock concert watching a rock band, it all seemed a little out of sorts. We were sitting in the orchestra row,[row Q, seat 18, 19] with a great vantage point of the stage, however it seemed our and other seats were placed in the aisle at the last minute,to maximize the number of seats sold, based upon the cost of the tickets, we were really excited about our seats, however we were definitely disappointed to find out we were going to be sitting in High-Back bar chairs, the whole evening.[definitely didn't do my back any good].

During, the intermission we decided to take a tour of the renovated Fox-theater, there were service bars everywhere, and the alcohol was flowing. In the Den-at-the-fox you could purchase hot-dogs, and all sorts of finger foods. We decided to purchase drinks, and were not sure If would could use plastic, as we maneuvered our way through the crowd, we caught a glimpse of the visa logo strategically placed on each bar corner, indicating they were sponsors, so we decided to utilize our visa card for our purchase, and to our dismay there was a $20.00 minimum if you wanted to purchase drinks with your credit card or debit card. So we proceeded to the ATM, located in the lobby, and was further shocked to find out there was a $4.00 ATM fee assessed to your withdrawal, so we passed on that!

The set for Eric Benet was flawless and as always he was in good form, voice was crisp. At first I wasn't too sure, when he came out with a blazer, white pants and tie, he did not have any background singers, just a guitarist, drummer, and electric piano player.  As always the women were very much engaged with his set as he sang his songs and worked the audience.  He sang a medley of songs from his 4th studio album, entitled "Love and Life." and the ladies went wild when he sang "Chocolate Legs", as he engaged the audience very effectively even more so with his rhythmic body moves while performing "Spanish Fly."

After asking the audience who in the audience were true Eric Benet fans? Mr. Benet did what he does best, he performed.  Songs from "True to Myself" really got the crowd engaged in a sing along. Mr. Benet ended his set with a extended version of Georgie Porgie,  and the audience went wild, and started dancing in the aisles. - RF

Where Are the Black Bachelor(ettes)?

By: Rachel Skerritt ~ This season of ABC’s reality show The Bachelorette is coming to a close. I would like to thank you for the hours of entertainment you’ve provided over 13 seasons of The Bachelor plus five seasons of The Bachelorette: the overuse of the word “amazing,” the overly tearful women (and men) and the repeated stating of the obvious: “This is your final rose tonight.” As if we can’t see that there’s just one flower sitting on the tray.

The fact that I can count on a good love story with every episode (even though the couple inevitably breaks up before getting down the aisle) keeps me coming back for more. However, I must bring this matter to your attention: In the entire history of the show, there has never been a bachelor or bachelorette of color. Don’t you think it’s time for someone with brown skin to be calling the shots at your rose ceremonies?

Why is it that if an African American wants to humiliate him- or herself on national TV in search of a mate, the only options are I Love New York or For the Love of Ray J? Are we not suitable for major networks? Yes, you do occasionally allow one black contestant on the show at a time, only for that person to be eliminated by the second episode. But if we don’t have a shot at the ring, don’t bother inviting us. Really. It’s like starting a new NFL franchise and telling the team that it will never be eligible to play in the Super Bowl.

You may be wondering why the couples who get together on your show rarely work out in the long term. Well, you’re not exactly picking folks who are feeling tons of urgency to find a spouse. According to a study by the Washington Post, black women are the least likely group in American society to get married (45 percent of us have never been married, compared with 23 percent of white women). So wouldn’t it make sense to cast someone from the group who could most use the assistance? Instead, you picked Deanna, one of the most recent bachelorettes. At 26, she claimed that she couldn’t wait to settle down and raise a family. Seriously? She’s 26. You couldn’t have been that shocked when she chose the professional snowboarder—and then dumped him as soon as the show wrapped.

This season, we’ve watched Jillian keep around a contestant who was on the show to promote his country music album while in the meantime she let go of every guy who expressed an interest in marriage.

I’ll bet some of your concern is that you might lose viewers if you had a black star. But take a lesson from Bravo’s The Real Housewives series. When the show moved from Orange County to Atlanta, its ratings went through the roof. Diversifying your cast of characters would only increase your audience. The dialogue would be more substantive, the family visits more interesting and the stakes much higher. If you don’t start getting creative come season 19, your final rose might turn up sooner than you think. SOURCE: THE ROOTS.COM

Video: DJ Premier & Lil' Fame (of M.O.P.) Speak on Blaq Poet & Tha Blaqprint

The Video: This recently released piece of footage focuses on M.O.P. emcee Lil' Fame, as DJ Premier and Fame speak about their work on "Rap Addiction" from Blaq Poet's latest album, Tha Blaqprint. From Premier getting Fame involved in "Rap Addiction," to the way Fame laid down his verse, to the M.OP. member's admiration for Blaq Poet, this video gives much of the back story to one the fan favorite tracks featured on Blaq Poet's recently released, highly acclaimed album. Tha Blaqprint is now available in stores and online everywhere.  http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=318075864&s=143441  Like what you hear? Keep up with Blaq Poet and other artists like Freddie Foxxx, Ill Bill, and Black Milk on the Fat Beats Blog where you can learn about upcoming performances, releases, and in-store appearances. Blaq Poet, a Queensbridge, NY native, first made a name for himself in 1987, entering his name into the legendary battle of Queens vs. The Bronx with his song "Beat You Down," a scathing attack on KRS-One. Later, honoring a dead friend and namesake, he formed the hardcore rap group Screwball, comprised of other QB spitters Hostyle, Solo, and Poet’s cousin KL. Elsewhere, he appeared on the anthemic LP Nas Presents Queensbridge’s Finest, alongside Jungle and Cormega on “Straight Outta Q.B.” Blaq Poet’s refusal to dilute his subject matter or soften his cadence attracted the interest of rap’s most legendary producer, DJ Premier. Preemo, along with fellow luminaries Pete Rock and Marley Marl, laced Screwball’s Y2K album with Poet’s beloved boom-bap. A second album, Loyalty, would follow the next year, thereafter the Screwed Up compilation in 2004. Premier also lent his sonic signature to Poet’s 2006 solid solo debut, Rewind: Deja Screw. Preemo then inked Blaq Poet to his own Year Round Records label. Blaq Poet's new album, Tha Blaqprint, is available everywhere now from Year Round Records via Fat Beats Distribution.

Listen as Friends, Fans & Fellow Authors Pay Tribute To E. Lynn Harris

On SUNDAY, JULY 26, 2009 @ Conversations LIVE! Radio hosted a special presentation: C. A. Webb Presents "A Tribute To Author E. Lynn Harris". ( Listen to the podcast by visiting http://tobtr.com/s/621800.) Conversations LIVE! Radio took a look at his life as an author and activist with those whom he affected along the way. Among the guests for the hour were bestselling authors Tony Lindsay (CHASIN' IT), DaPharoah69 (seen above with Harris/ THE KING OF EROTICA), Latrese Carter (LIAR, LIAR), N'Tyse (MY SECRETS, YOUR LIES) and James Earl Hardy (B-BOY BLUES). Webb also shares statements by Sherrie Shepherd (co-host of The View), Bestselling authors Marita Golden (IT'S ALL LOVE) and Cheryl Robinson (SWEET GEORGIA BROWN) as well as Patricia D. Woods of Books2Mention Magazine. (see below)

MARITA GOLDEN, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF IT'S ALL LOVE: "I will always remember E. Lynn's generous spirit. He gave of his time, his talent and his treasure in support of emerging writers consistently throughout his life and career, He was a board member of the Hurston/Wright Foundation and was a spirited champion of the work and mission of the foundation in creating opportunities for Black writers. He gave generously to the foundation and created opportunities for others to do the same through parties he hosted. I will miss his sense of humor, his entertaining stories and the inspiring way he lived his life."

SHERRIE SHEPHERD, CO-HOST OF THE VIEW: "I am sad that he (E. Lynn Harris) passed. I wish he and his family peace."

CHERYL ROBINSON, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF SWEET GEORGIA BROWN: "I cried when I heard the news and as I am writing my thoughts I am still crying because he was and will continue to be my inspiration. When times got tough in this business, he was one of the authors I looked toward, someone I admired for all that he achieved and all that he gave back. I am deeply saddened by his passing. He will be greatly missed. A man who gave so much to so many, even to those he had never met personally. He made an indelible mark in the literary world by being the first to write about black gay men living an "invisible life". And he did so in a way that not only entertained but also enlightened women to a lifestyle that we knew very little of. E. Lynn Harris opened our eyes and gave us a look inside. He will continue to live on in my heart and my mind and legions of new fans will continue to experience him through the vast body of work that he has left behind. E. Lynn Harris was a truly kind and caring person who made a mark in this world. My prayers are with his family during this difficult time."

PATRICIA D. WOODS, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF BOOKS2MENTION MAGAZINE: "My deepest condolences goes out to E. Lynn Harris' family, friends and fans. We have lost a dynamic storyteller who possessed an uncanny ability to craft novels that literally pulled readers into the intriguing world of characters that were interesting and witty, told with humor and candor, seasoned with just the right amount of unexpected twists and turns. Delivered with that sensational style that is without a doubt E. Lynn Harris' exclusive signature.
"The first novel that I read by E. Lynn was Just As I Am. I was so profoundly touched by this body of work that I read the book four times.
"Since then, I have read and made it my business to stay abreast with all of his work. We will indeed all miss him and with out a doubt take comfort from the amazing stories that he crafted, for he has indelibly made a mark in the literary world and in the lives of all who had the opportunity to read, gain knowledge and inspiration through his masterful ability to open our eyes and truly try to see life from a different perspective.
"Thank You E. Lynn Harris for the incredible journey. Rest In Peace."

Conversations LIVE! Radio thanks all of those who joined the discussion via chat and listened online. The impact of E. Lynn Harris will continue to be felt and enjoyed through those he touched with his gift, and the dialogues he encouraged will have a lasting effect on us all.

Missed other discussions on Conversations LIVE! Radio? Visit http://www.conversationsliveradio.com.

Today's Papers: Pelosi: Health Bill "Will Win"

The New York Times, Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal's world-wide newsbox all lead with the health-care debate as Democratic leaders push to make progress on legislation before lawmakers leave Washington for the August recess. The NYT takes a look at the health insurance mandate and whether the subsidies currently in discussion would really be enough to help families with modest incomes obtain coverage. Those who could show financial hardship would be exempted from the requirement to carry insurance, but that could translate into a substantial number of people remaining unisnsured. The WP highlights House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's optimism that, despite the intraparty squabbling, the House will approve health care legislation, though she refused to commit to a timetable. The WSJ takes a look at the so-called Blue Dog Democrats, who continue to raise objections to the health legislation as one of its leaders said he doesn't expect the House will vote on a bill before Labor Day.

USA Today leads with news that the U.S. Agency for International Development has suspended a program to provide jobs to Iraqis due to evidence of fraud. The $644-million Community Stabilization Program has received much praise since it was launched in 2006, but there are claims that millions of dollars might have gone to insurgents and corrupt leaders as well as nonexistent projects. The Los Angeles Times leads locally but goes high with Sarah Palin officially stepping down as Alaska governor yesterday and handing power over to Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell. Standing with her husband and two of their daughters, Palin criticized those who questioned her decision to step down 18 months before the end of her term. "It should be so obvious to you," she said. "It is because I love Alaska this much, sir, that I feel that it is my duty to avoid the unproductive, typical politics-as-usual lame-duck session in one's last year in office."

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Jackson Assets Draw the Gaze of Wall Street

As the world sorts through the pieces of Michael Jackson’s life one month after his death, so, too, does Wall Street.

A handful of major financial firms have made inquiries into buying the Jackson estate’s 50 percent share of Sony/ATV Music Publishing, the company that controls most of the Beatles song catalog, according to people briefed on the matter. Among them are Colony Capital, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, Plainfield Asset Management and the media mogul Haim Saban, these people said.

Sony/ATV is by far the most valuable asset in Mr. Jackson’s estate, and his 50 percent stake could be worth as much a $500 million. Mr. Jackson bought the majority of the Beatles catalog in 1985 for $47.5 million, after an informal chat with Paul McCartney about the wisdom of buying song catalogs.

Since then, Sony/ATV — formed from a 1995 partnership with Sony — has bought up the rights to thousands of songs from artists, including Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Beck and Taylor Swift. In recent years, it made a big push into TV production, helping to balance out its radio business.

“Sony/ATV’s really started to gain greater value in recent years,” said Barry Massarsky, a music industry consultant who has done work for Sony/ATV and its rivals. “I’m very bullish on its prospects.”

John G. Branca, the entertainment lawyer who structured Mr. Jackson’s initial purchase of the Beatles catalog and is now one of two executors of his estate, declined to comment by e-mail on Sunday, saying only that the Jackson stake in Sony/ATV “is not for sale.” SOURCE:NYTIMES.COM