I'M FROM LOUISIANA SO I LIKE THE SWAMP!

GETTING TO KNOW TEXAS!




Here are some random shots from the swamps of Texas. Are you a fan of the swamps. It's the Louisianian in me that's pulled to the soggy ground and hanging moss!

IT WAS A GOOD FRIDAY ON THE PIERCE ELEVATED!

WOW, WHAT HAPPENED HERE?



It was an ugly accident that caused major delays on 45 north and southbound (Pierce Elevated) in the downtown area Friday evening. Apparently, there was a car crash that left the wreckage in the inbound and outbound lanes. I was delayed about 15 minutes by those who just had to see it. I had no choice but to pull out my camera and get some shots!

REGINA WOOLFOLK IS NOW IN CHARGE OF HPD'S MEDIA RELATIONS!

MORE THAN 20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN COMMUNICATIONS!

The Houston Police Department’s Media Relations Office welcomes three new members to its staff, including a new leader.

Mrs. Regina Woolfolk is the new Deputy Director of the office. She began her duties on March 23rd. Regina comes to HPD with 20 years of community/public relations experience with the Houston Housing Authority, the Houston Texans, and KTRK-TV Channel 13. She also served as a news reporter at MAJIC 102 FM.

Two new public information officers have been added to the mix. They are Kese Smith and Jodi Silva. Mr. Smith recently served the past eight years as assistant news director at KIAH-TV 39 News and Mrs. Silva transferred within the HPD from her recent duties as a PIO for the HPD Neighborhood Protection Corps.

The HPD Media Relations Office PIO staff is now comprised of the following personnel:

Regina Woolfolk, Deputy Director
Kevin Gallier, Lieutenant
John Chomiak, Sergeant
John Cannon, PIO
Victor Senties, PIO
Kese Smith, PIO
Jodi Silva, PIO

BILL FINALLY GETS WHAT HE WANTS!

IT'S BEEN A YEAR IN THE MAKING!



The Insite was there as Mayor Bill White was given a pleasant surprise by his communications director Frank Michel.  He finally got pictures in the lobby of the third floor of City Hall just outside the Mayor's office.  White says he's been asking for some pictures reflecting the people of the city for the last year.  The walls have been empty through previous administrations.  After an exhaustive search Frank Michel and the staff came up with these stills from a local photographer.  The pictures show Houston firefighters and a little boy from the community among other things.  Mayor White smiled from ear to ear when Michel asked him to step out of his press conference room to see the surprise in the lobby.  Hey Mayor, I'm glad you finally got what you've been asking for!

HOUSTON'S HOUSING DIRECTOR SAID THIS PLACE WAS SCREWED WHEN HE GOT THERE!

DO YOU WANT COCAINE ON YOUR PIZZA ALONG WITH PEPPERONI?

THE THINGS YOU CAN BUY AND GO TO PRISON FOR IN NEW YORK!

New York Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent-In-Charge John P. Gilbride and Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan today announced yesterday's arrest of six people in connection with a wiretap investigation into a cocaine ring operating out of a popular pizza parlor in the Bronx. Nine kilograms of cocaine, four weapons and approximately $20,000 were seized during five search warrant operations. Three of the ring's customers were previously charged during the investigation.

DEA Special Agent-In-Charge John P. Gilbride stated, "Using their pizza shop as a front for drug trafficking, the dough that this organization made was not from the sale of pizza but rather illegal narcotics. Through concentrated law enforcement efforts this organization's brick ovens have been shut down."

During the ten-month investigation, agents identified Benigno Burgos, manager of John's Pizza at 1788 Westchester Avenue in the Bronx, and Victor Gomez, his partner in the drug business, as the leaders of a cocaine distribution enterprise. Other members of the drug operation, who doubled as delivery men and workers for the pizzeria, prepared narcotics orders, met with narcotics customers, and replenished the cocaine supply kept inside the pizza parlor.

In the past 10 months, the Burgos' organization received multiple separate deliveries of cocaine, ranging from 200 grams to more than 10 kilograms apiece. From the pizzeria and at least four stash houses within walking distance, the group prepared, sold and distributed ounces, kilogram and multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine to dealers in the New York metropolitan area and Connecticut.

Three customers of the cocaine ring were previously arrested during the investigation. On October 9, 2008, DEA agents recovered half a kilogram of cocaine in the Bronx and arrested Confesor Delrio and Rafael Chevalier. Noel Farrow was arrested on November 25, 2008 in the Bronx and DEA agents recovered one kilogram of cocaine and approximately $50,000. Delrio and Chevalier were indicted by the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor on top narcotics felonies. Farrow has felony narcotics charges pending in Criminal Court.

Five search warrant operations were conducted yesterday at various locations in the Bronx including, John's Pizza; Burgos' residence at 1317 Taylor Avenue, 2 nd Floor where nine kilograms of cocaine were seized hidden under a child's mattress; Montana's residence at 1661 Union Port Road, 2 nd Floor; 1842 Cross Bronx Expressway, Apt 1A where three guns were recovered; and 1250 Beach Avenue, 2 nd Floor where one gun, U.S. currency and drug paraphernalia was recovered. Burgos was arrested at John's Pizza where agents recovered a wrapper from a kilogram of cocaine and a small quantity of packaged cocaine. In addition to the nine kilograms of cocaine and the four weapons, U.S. currency was also recovered.

Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan said: "It must be alarming to find out that your neighborhood pizza parlor is a haven for a wholesale cocaine operation. Out of state "take out" customers went to the pizza parlor to pick up their orders, often using pizza boxes to conceal the $32,000 to $42,000 worth of cocaine they had just purchased. Other customers received their narcotics delivered to pre-arranged locations in the Bronx."

FORMER TEXAS TROOPER INDICTED FOR SHAKING DOWN HISPANIC DRIVERS!

MICHAEL ANTHONY HIGGINS INDICTED!

Acting Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Loretta King and Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas Tim Johnson today announced the arrest of a former trooper with the Texas Department of Public Safety who is charged with depriving multiple Latino motorists of their civil rights. According to the four count indictment returned by a federal Grand Jury in Corpus Christi, Texas, on April 8, 2009, Michael Anthony Higgins violated federal law by willfully stealing money from Latino motorists that he had stopped on the highway while working as a trooper.

"The brave work of our nation’s law enforcement officers must always be guided by adherence to the laws they are sworn to uphold," said Loretta King, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. "The Civil Rights Division will vigorously investigate and prosecute allegations where a law enforcement officer may have violated the rights of an individual."

"Whenever a law enforcement officer uses his or her position to violate the rights of a victim, quick action will be taken by this office," said Tim Johnson, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas. "When there are vulnerable victims as in this case, we will advocate for the strictest punishment allowed by law."

If convicted, Higgins faces a maximum sentence of up to four years in prison, restitution and a $400,000 fine. An indictment is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case was investigated by the FBI, the Texas Rangers and Officers of the Texas Department of Public Safety. The case is being prosecuted by Ruben Perez of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas and Jim Felte from the Civil Rights Division.

THE INSITE IS JOINING THE MARINES - NOT!

IS THIS A WASTE OF YOUR FEDERAL TAX DOLLARS?

When I arrived home on Thursday I wondered who sent me a package through Fedex.  I opened it and was shocked to find a recruitment letter from the US Marines.  I'm wondering why in the world would the Marines send me a recruitment letter.  Don't they know how old I am?  Don't they know I couldn't even pull the trigger of a fake gun last year in a sheriff's department simulation?  I truly think it's a waste of federal dollars to blindly send out recruitment letters and paraphernalia.  I also wondered just how much are they paying Fedex for all of these next day deliveries for people like me who are either too old or just not interested in joining the Marines.  Uncle Sam really needs to check his mailing list instead of wasting federal dollars like this.  If you were young enough would you join the US Marines?  The Insite would like to hear from you!

MADEA IS MAKING TYLER PERRY A FORTUNE!

WHAT A BOX OFFICE GROSS OFF A SMALL FILM!

With a small budget of only $17 million dollars Tyler Perry's latest movie appears to be a hit.  Madea Goes to Jail was released in February and has grossed more than $90 million dollars to date and counting.  It is by far Perry's most successful movie yet.  Here's a look at how he's been doing at the box office. Also, have you seen any of his movies yet and what do you think of the character Madea?

Directorships

Released	Movie Name	1st weekend	Total Gross
9/12/2008	The Family That Preys	$17,381,218	$37,105,289
2009	I Can Do Bad All By Myself		Unknown
2/20/2009	Madea Goes To Jail	$41,030,947	$90,032,433
3/21/2008	Meet the Browns	$20,082,809	$41,975,388
10/12/2007	Why Did I Get Married?	$21,353,789	$55,204,525
2/14/2007	Daddy's Little Girls	$11,210,754	$31,366,978
2/24/2006	Madea's Family Reunion	$30,030,661	$63,257,940
		Total Grosses	$318,942,553
		Average Gross	$53,157,092
	Average Opening Weekend

SHOULD THE STATE LAWMAKER RESIGN FOR HER COMMENTS?

BROWN: ASIANS SHOULD JUST CHANGE THEIR NAMES!

Answering a swarm of phone calls during a brief break on the House floor, Rep. Betty Brown , R-Terrell, kept telling reporters she was misunderstood.

"I never meant they should change their names," said Rep. Brown.

Brown is answering tough questions after an exchange between herself and Ramey Ko, a man who testified against the Voter ID bill before the House Elections committee.

Ko told lawmakers that Asian-Americans that live in states that required a photo ID at the polls were being denied the right to vote because the name on their identification card and the name on the voter rolls sometimes did not match.

"Chinese, Japanese and Korean names are not written with the English alphabet and frequently have multiple parts," said Ko. "When they transliterate these names, there are frequently inconsistencies."

Apparently, not fully understanding the problem, Brown offered up a suggestion that inspired gasps throughout the hearing room.

"Well, rather than everyone here having to learn Chinese, as I understand, it's a rather difficult language," said Brown. "Do you think it would behoove you and your citizens to adopt a name that we could deal with more readily here?"

When Ko told her how changing names is actually the problem instead of the solution, Brown tried to explain the reasoning behind her suggestion.

"This is something that would make it a lot easier both for you and poll workers if there was some name you could adopt just for these identification purposes that would be easier for Americans to deal with," said Brown.

Ko was actually not surprised by the remarks.

"It just shows the stereotypes Asians face as a relatively small and new ethnic minority in the United States," said Ko.

INSITE / FOX 26 NEWS EXCLUSIVE: MAJOR PROBLEMS AT THE CITY'S HOUSING DEPARTMENT!

MAYOR BILL WHITE RESPONDS TO FEDERAL AUDIT OF HOUSING DEPARTMENT!

WE DID NOTHING WRONG!

We just received the report and are working on a more detailed response. What we see at this early stage in reviewing the audit is many things that we don't agree with and believe that rather than being substantive HUD either lacks the right information or doesn't have it in the bureaucratic format they want. For example, they say we're overbuilding in Sunnyside, one of Houston's long underserved neighborhoods where we are concentrating a lot of housing efforts now to have a real positive impact. People in Houston know what the reality is. By many measure's, such as home repairs and down-payment assistance for first-time homebuyers, we're having record productivity in housing services.

- Frank Michel 

Spokesperson, City of Houston

CONGRATULATIONS TO FOX 26 REPORTER GREG GROOGAN!

MORE THAN 90 JOURNALISM AWARDS AND COUNTING!

Congratulation goes out to FOX 26 reporter Greg Groogan. He is the winner of the very prestigious Edward R. Murrow regional award for feature reporting. Groogan is known as one of the best writers and reporters in the television news business. I once asked the multi-Emmy award winning reporter how many trophies did he have at home for reporting and he said more than 90. Those awards just keep coming for the Texas native. Now, he will make room on his mantel for one more that carries the weight of a broadcasting legend. Way to go Greg!

WOULD YOU PAY YOUR KIDS $4,000 TEXTING BILL?

HOUSTON'S KING OF PUBLIC RELATIONS!

FRED KING DROPS BY THE INSITE AND HE'S NOT MISSING THAT NEWS DEADLINE THING AT ALL!

Fred King has more than 20 years in the news business. Back in the mid 1990's he decided to step on the other side of the fence. The current spokesperson for the Harris County Tax Assessor's office started out as a news reporter at the Houston Post. After working 70 hours a week and covering such beats as police and the prison system King decided to make a move. His first venture away from the news business landed him as a newsletter creator. King says he couldn't survive on that so he went back to the newspaper. He later decided to work at the Houston Police Department where he served as the department's mouthpiece. But HPD couldn't hold the newsman who was used of meeting the deadline. King slid over to the other end of downtown and put in nearly a decade at the Harris County Clerk's Office. But we all know elections have a way of shaking up things so that prompted King to find a new home this year under then Tax Assessor Paul Bettencourt. However, Bettencourt decided to leave the public service arena and King was under a new boss. His name is Leo Vasquez. I asked King if he missed the deadlines of the news business and he told me what do I think now that he's at the age of 63. I guess not. Hey Mr. King, thanks for dropping by the Insite!

INSITE PICTURE OF THE DAY: THE INSITE!

HOW MANY SELF PORTRAITS DO YOU HAVE?

Have you ever taken a picture of yourself. Not just a picture of yourself but one in the restroom at your job? I just couldn't resist with spare time on my hands!

JE'CARYOU JOHNSON'S NEW PLAY LOVE OVERBOARD IS FLOATING INTO HOUSTON!

THE BOAT WILL BE DOCKING SOON IN H-TOWN!

Just wanted to let the Insite readers know about good friend Je'Caryous Johnson's new play headed to Houston in May. Love Overboard has a lot of star power with actors such as Miguel Nunez, Carl Payne, Keke Wyatt, and Avant to name a few. I hear the play is amazing so make sure you check it out when it docks in H-Town!

LINK FOR TICKET INFORMATION: www.imreadyproductions.com

THIS TIME A CATTLE INVESTMENT CHEME BUSTED UP IN TEXAS!

A PYRAMID BUILT WITH COWS!

Oscar Black, 58, of Weatherford, Texas, who owned and operated OB Cattle, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sam A. Lindsay to 75 months in prison and ordered to pay $9,669,697.49 in restitution, announced acting U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks of the Northern District of Texas. Black pled guilty in May 2008 to an Information charging one count of mail fraud. Judge Lindsay ordered that Black surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on May 19, 2009.

According to documents filed in Court, Black offered investment opportunities to his acquaintances and guaranteed investors a 12% annual rate of return. Initially, Black deposited investors’ money into a bank account, but he eventually discovered that he couldn’t deliver the guaranteed rate of return without placing investors’ money in riskier ventures.
Black began using investors’ money to pay expenses and provide capital for OB Cattle. Initially, he was able to meet his obligations to investors with profits from OB Cattle, but eventually OB
Cattle began losing money and he wasn’t able to satisfy his financial obligations to investors. He knew if he advised his investors that they were losing money, they wouldn’t invest any more money with him and would withdraw their funds. So, to discourage them, Black falsely represented to them that their investments had appreciated, when in fact, he had used their money to pay expenses for his depreciating cattle business, OB Cattle. To further his scheme,
Black even fraudulently mailed investors fictitious monthly account statements that falsely represented that their investments were appreciating. All of Black’s false promises, representations and omissions were intended to deceive investors so that he could keep their money and to use it to pay his business expenses.

Mr. Jacks praised the investigative efforts of the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay S. Weimer prosecuted the case.

THE AWARD WINNING HISD SCHOOL BOARD!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE EDUCATION LEADERS IN OUR COMMUNITY!

This week at its 69th annual conference in San Diego, the National School Board Association presented the Magna Award to HISD trustees Manuel Rodriguez, Carol Mims Galloway, Harvin Moore and HISD Chief Academic Officer Karen Garza. The board was recognized for the district’s innovative ASPIRE Educational-Improvement Model. The district was selected as a first place winner in the American School Board Journal’s 15th annual Magna Awards program.



Trustee Rodriguez said, “It was a great honor to receive this prestigious award on behalf of the Board of Education and it will be my distinct pleasure to present it to the rest of the board on Thursday.” That presentation will occur during the Board’s regular monthly meeting on April 9 which begins at 5:00 p.m. in the board auditorium of the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th, 77092)



ASPIRE (Accelerating Student Progress, Increasing Results and Expectations) connects all of HISD's educational-improvement initiatives and encompasses new technology, training, and communication vehicles. It encourages ongoing teacher and school collaboration to address challenges and share best practices, and recognizes and celebrates the many highly effective teachers producing students who achieve and make progress at the highest levels.



HISD was one of 15 school districts across the nation to win the prestigious 2009 American School Board Journal’s Magna Award. The district also won a first place Magna Award in 2007 for the Board of Education's innovative and effective Community Builders Program.



The Magna Awards recognize districts across the country for outstanding programs that advance student learning and encourage community involvement in schools. This year’s three grand prize, 15 first place, and 15 honorable mention winners were selected based on three enrollment categories: less than 5,000 students, 5,000 to 20,000, and 20,000 and above.

FREE SUMMER MEALS FOR CHILDREN BEGIN JUNE 1!

KEEP THAT KID FROM GOING HUNGRY!

The Houston Parks and Recreation Department sponsors the FREE Summer Food Program for youth aged 1 to 18. The program begins June 1 and runs through school vacation at more than 400 sites, including Houston Parks and Recreation Department community centers, area churches, apartment complexes, learning centers and non-profit groups. No registration is required. Lunch is served at 11:00 a.m., with a healthy snack at 3:00 p.m. For the closest site, call (713) 676-6832 or 2-1-1 and provide your zip code.

ARTEE JONES' OPINION ON THE CITY OF HOUSTON!

MINORITY AND WOMEN INCLUSION: CLOSED IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON!

As I sit here drinking ice tea and lemonade at the Redstone Golf Club for the 2009 Shell Houston Open, it occurred to me that a recent action by Mayor Bill White and the Houston City Council could have significantly impacted the ability of my business to maintain the same level of success currently being enjoyed, appreciated and shared by many.

Since 2000, the Millennium Communications Group has been providing innovative and impacting communications programs and services for small, medium and large-sized businesses, not-for-profit organizations and many others. As a Houston-based company, we take great pride in serving the business and communications needs of numerous well-known and respected women and minority-owned businesses.

In a 10-3 vote, the City of Houston under the leadership of term-limited Mayor Bill White and a majority of the Houston City Council eliminated the current subcontracting goal of 3 percent for women-owned businesses as a result of a federal lawsuit settlement.

The federal lawsuit brought on by Robert Kossman, a business owner of a seed and sod company, alleges that the city’s affirmative action program known as the Minority/Women/Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program (MWDBE), discriminated against him because he is white.

Approved by a previous City Council for the purpose of equalizing opportunities for minority, women, and disadvantaged business owners competing for city contracts, the (MWDBE) program is intended to help remove the glass ceiling for minorities and women-owned businesses while placing a premium on the goods and services provided by these businesses to the City of Houston.

In December 1998, when City Council passed Ordinance 98-1213, which implemented a graduation program and included businesses owned by persons with disabilities, many municipalities and business owners from around the country heralded Houston and its political leadership as trailblazing and forward-thinking, and as a national model for cooperation, equality and opportunity for women and minority-owned businesses.

Today, many believe this drastic shift in policy has all but gutted the program and will have an adverse impact on the abilities of women-owned businesses, and to some extent minority owned businesses, to compete for city contracts for which they are qualified.

As of right now, the goal for minority-owned businesses will stay at 14 percent. Interestingly enough, it is a goal and not a quota -- companies must document a good-faith effort that they tried to hire women and minority-owned subcontractors on a project, but it's not strictly required nor enforced by the City.

The olive branch extended by Mayor White and City Council to women-owned businesses is that they can now apply for subcontracting work under the small business category which is expanding from 5 to 8 percent under the terms of the settlement.

According to City Attorney Arturo Michel, “The settlement would create an interim program, and the city would conduct a new ‘disparity study’ to see which minorities and genders are having trouble getting city contracts. Then, the city will use the data to redesign the program for the long term.”

That being the case, the question becomes who will underwrite the expenses associated with conducting an exhaustive disparity study, and why in these tough economic times would we allocate much needed funds and resources to engage a process for which we already know the answer?

If the purpose and intent of the program was to equalize opportunities for women and minority-owned businesses competing for city contracts, why would our elected leaders, who we assume are operating with sound, reasoned judgment vote to eliminate a program that is and has been responsible for job creation, an increased tax base, charitable contributions and many other areas worthy of recognition?

The United States Small Business Administration estimates that America's 9.1 million women-owned businesses employ 27.5 million people and contribute $3.6 trillion to the economy - yet women still continue to face unique obstacles in the world of business.

With this vote, Mayor White and City Council, with seven (7) women represented, all but displayed a ‘closed for business sign’ for prospective women-owned businesses wanting to provide goods and services to the City of Houston.

In an election cycle where we are expecting our elected leaders to be doing more than ever to help level the playing field, I am hopeful this new crop of candidates slated for elected office can help restore the confidence and unwavering desires of women and minority-owned businesses in pursuit of the American dream. Now back to my ice tea and lemonade, and some premier golf at Redstone Golf Club.

Artee T. Jones

Principal Managing Consultant

Millennium Communications Group

TEXAS JOURNALIST GETS VIP STATUS!

PICK UP YOUR COPY TODAY!

Congratulations to Texas journalist Michelle McCalope. She's highlighted in the magazine that based out of Beaumont where Michelle also worked as a television reporter. She now has her own public relations firm. If you see the magazine on the news stand make sure you pick it up and read about Ms. McCalope!

Note: Click to enlarge and read!

ARE YOU ONE OF THOSE TEXANS FOR KAY!

A NOTE FROM THE WOMAN WHO WANTS TO BE GOVERNOR!

TexansForKay.com Site Launch

Friend,

I'm proud to announce the official launch of our new website! We have redesigned TexansforKay.com with you in mind. Your feedback, energy and participation in my campaign is not only crucial to our success but also valued by my team and me.

Our party is built on positive, conservative leadership, which keeps government small, taxes low and opportunity available for all Texans to roll up their sleeves and prosper. Over the coming months I will be having a conversation with Texans across this state about my vision for a better Texas.

We are so excited to harness the power of the web and also tools like Twitter, You Tube and Facebook to communicate with you and get your thoughts on my plans to strengthen the economy, improve our schools, healthcare and transportation. Social networking is such a powerful communications medium and our campaign will make sure to try to reach you by utilizing these new tools.

Please make sure to join our "Kay Network" to get up to date news and have the opportunity to make a difference in 2010. Also if you are on Facebook please "friend" me on our new Facebook page. And watch for our daily updates on Twitter too.

See you on the trail!

Kay Bailey Hutchison

ARE YOU ON FACEBOOK AND WHO DO YOU KNOW?

HAVE YOU ACTUALLY RUN INTO ANY OF YOUR FACEBOOK FRIENDS YOU MET THROUGH THE SOCIAL SITE?

I joined FACEBOOK because someone else told me it was a good idea. I did it. I thought I'd get about 50 Facebook friends and that'd be it. Only a few months in I'm at nearly 1,000 Facebook friends. When I joined the site I thought I'd never really become friends with strangers on the internet or get to meet any of them. It was actually a little creepy to me. I was wrong. I actually meet a lot of Facebook friends and I recognize them from their photos. I think this is where Facebook differs from Mysapce. Myspace seems almost impersonable and more of a promotional tool. Facebook seems more natural or at least I think so. The question I have for you: Has Facebook actually given you an avenue to meet new friends in person and do you consider it a good social tool on the internet? The Insite would like to hear your opinion on this!

DOES IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE IF WHITE ATTORNEYS SAY IT?

HE WAS SHOT BECAUSE HE WAS DRIVING WHILE BLACK IN BELLAIRE!

I've noticed the comments on here involving the Robbie Tolan case.  He was shot last year by Bellaire police officer Sgt. Jeff Cotton who has since been indicted.  But the comments on here are divided down racial lines.  Whites tend to say the shooting had nothing to do with race.  Some have gone so far as to say because Tolan is what some call a lighter skinned Black the officer likely couldn't tell his race at night.  At the other end of the spectrum are Blacks.  They say race had everything to do with this shooting.  So, The Insite wondered if it made a difference that two White attorneys said they believed it was racism.  Tolan is represented by Geoffrey Berg and George Gibson.  The attorneys made comments during a Monday press conference that alleged racde had everything to do with the shooting.  Here are some of their quotes: it was an attempt to kill Robbie Tolan and one of the lawyers said Tolan was shot because he was driving while Black.  Does it make a difference if White attorneys say it's racism?  The Insite would like to hear your opinion on this issue!

INSITE PICTURE OF THE DAY: IT'S WINDY OUT HERE!

IS MY HAIR OK?

The Insite picture of the day goes to this shot.  It's FOX 26 reporter Kristine Galvan fighting the wind.  As many of you know Monday was not a good hair day for ladies outside.  It was cold and the wind was blowing.  Galvan experienced that as she fought to get her noon live shot on the air.  Hey Kristine, next time where one of those hair nets or jheri curl bags to keep your hair from moving. It works for the Insite's afro!

THEY TARGETED HISPANICS WITH THIS DEVICE BUT WHO WOULD FALL FOR IT?

DO YOU HAVE THIS DEVICE ON YOUR CAR?
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has obtained a temporary restraining order that shut down a California company’s efforts to market a “cheap gas” product. According to the state’s lawsuit, the defendants’unlawful televised marketing campaign targeted Hispanic customers.

Media Dime Marketing LLC and its co-owners, Wendy Diaz and Hilda Mejia, are not registered to conduct business in the state of Texas. Yet they purchased advertising time and aired Spanish infomercials in the Dallas and Houston media markets. Court documents filed by the state indicate that the defendants marketed a fraudulent product called “cheap gas,” which they claimed would save customers money on fuel. The magnetic device, also advertised as an “MPG Device,” costs $169 for one item and $229 for two.

The defendants’ advertisements assured customers that the product, which is essentially a small magnetic clip encased in soft foam and fastened to an under-the-hood fuel line, is scientifically proven to increase fuel efficiency and therefore save customers money. They claimed a “magnetic resonance” process occurred while gasoline flowed through the fuel lines past the magnetic field, purportedly “making the gasoline more efficient.” The defendants also advertised that the product protects the environment by reducing “90 percent of the toxic gas emissions.” Advertisements also claimed that the product increased vehicles’ engine lives by 30 percent.

According to Dr. Ronald Matthews of the University of Texas School of Engineering, an expert retained by the Office of the Attorney General, there is no scientific basis for the defendants’ claims. Both the expert’s study and previous academic studies indicate that gasoline is not affected by a magnetic field. As a result, the studies concluded, the defendants’ device does not increase fuel efficiency.

The defendants also falsely claim that the MPG Device was installed on all 2007 and 2008 Kia Spectra and Ford Focus vehicles.

Citing the defendants’ false and unlawful claims about their product, the Attorney General charged the defendants with violating the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act. The state’s enforcement action seeks civil penalties of up to $20,000 per violation of this law. Because the defendants transacted business in Texas without a certificate of authority from the Secretary of State, the state’s enforcement action seeks unpaid franchise taxes that would have accrued if the defendants were properly registered.

THE MUGSHOT HAS BEEN RELEASED!

RELEASED ON $20,000 BOND!

Sergeant Jeff Cotton is out on bond.  As many of you know he was booked after a criminal indictment was handed down by a grand jury on Monday against the Bellaire Police officer.  He's accused of shooting Robbie Tolan on New Year's Eve.  Tolan was down on the ground in his parents yard after Cotton and another officer pulled him over for allegedly driving a stolen car. The vehicle was not stolen and Tolen's attorneys say he was shot because he was driving while Black.  Cotton was released on a $20,000 bond and is relieved of duty from his job with pay until the criminal trial is concluded!

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN WRITE?

Is there a Book in you? Then make plans to attend…

“Everything you need to know to get your book
published and promoted”

Workshop...presented by national bestselling authors

ReShonda Tate Billingsley and Pat Tucker

Whether you want to write a book but don’t know where to start, have a finished manuscript in hand, or have already self-published and need to know where to go next, this workshop is for you. Topics will include the benefits of mainstream publishing versus self-publishing; If your idea is marketable; Getting your book in the right hands (agents, editors, and readers); Common mistakes beginning writers make; What to do after you’ve written the book; Getting your book into the stores; And much, much more!

Come armed with questions and plenty of paper…and get ready to leave well on your way to realizing your publishing dreams!

Kross the Marketplace Meeting Room

3710 Travis

(Across the street from The Breakfast Klub)

Houston, TX ~ Sat., April 18 ~ 10 am—1pm

Cost: $45-pre-registration; $55 at the door

Pre-register by sending an email to pgpublicity@aol.com

Learn more about the presenters at:

www.reshondatatebillingsley.com www.ptuckeronline.com

IS IT A GOOD IDEA OR A BAD IDEA TO SHOW THE BODIES OF SOLDIERS RETURNING IN COFFINS?

THE BAN HAS BEEN LIFTED!

Recently reinstated media coverage won't change the dignity of the "welcome home" slain U.S. soldiers receive at Dover Air Force Base, honor guard members say.

The Obama administration this year moved to rescind an 18-year-old ban on news coverage of ceremonies performed at the Delaware air base when the bodies of fallen service members are returned to the United States, if family members agree to allow it.

Sunday's arrival of a flag-draped casket bearing the body of Air Force Staff Sgt. Phillip A. Myers, 30, of Hopewell, Va., killed Saturday in Afghanistan, was broadcast to a worldwide audience and featured the silent presence of members of the Army's Old Guard, who performed the "dignified transfer" of Myers' body, The Washington Post reported.

The media coverage "won't change anything we do," Old Guard member Spec. Johnny Bowers, 26, told the Post.

"It doesn't matter what the conditions are like -- cold, wet, sunny," added Sgt. James Rhett. "They're a fallen soldier and they deserve the highest respect and honor we can give."

Myers died in an explosion of a makeshift bomb. Air Force officials said he was attached to the 48th Civil Engineer Squadron posted in Britain.

FOX 26 TEAM COVERAGE OF TOLAN SHOOTING WITH INSITE AS THE SECOND REPORT!

OFFICER INDICTED IN THE TOLAN SHOOTING CASE!

HE WILL FACE A CRIMINAL TRIAL AS A RESULT OF HIS ALLEGED ACTIONS!

The Insite has learned Bellaire Police officer Sgt. Jeff Cotton has been indicted in the shooting of Robbie Tolan. As you remember it was earlier this year when Tolan was gunned down by a Bellaire Police officer who pulled him over and claimed he was driving a stolen vehicle. A Harris County grand jury returned an aggravated assault indictment against Cotton this morning. More details to come!

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU LET YOUR TIES GET INTO THE DIRTY CLOTHES HAMPER!

LET'S HELP THE INSITE RAISE ENOUGH MONEY TO REPLACE THEM!


Ruined. Two of my good Ralph Lauren ties have been destroyed. Just like I destroyed my cell phone by mistakenly washing it, I did the same to my ties. At my house I have a going to the dry cleaners hamper and a washing hamper. The ties ended up in the wrong one. Here's the result. Two perfectly good ties destroyed. It's time the Insite takes up a collection to get new ones. Are you willing to help out on my charity effort?