IT'S ON TO GAME 7 AND HOW SWEET IT IS!

THE INSITE TAKES YOU TO THE FLOOR OF THE TOYOTA CENTER!














The Insite was once again on the floor of the Toyota Center as thousands of Rockets fans electrified the arena.  They were there to see their team claim game #6.  That happened with the Rockets stomping the Los Angeles Lakers 95 to 80.  Aaron Brooks and Luis Scola scored a combined 50 points despite a young man by the name of Kobe Bryant.  That means it's on to Los Angeles on Sunday.  Meanwhile, before the game, I was very busy on the floor snapping photos of some famous faces.  On that list: Yolanda Adams, Rusty Hardin, Boris Miles, Jermaine Dupri, Brandi Garcia, and many others.  I think I must have snapped over 500 pictures but I can only post a fragment of that.  Enjoy and I'll see you for game #7 because I believe.  What about you?

SOME HOUSTON FIREFIGHTERS ARE TIRED OF ALL THESE BLACK AND MINORITY GROUPS: THEY'RE CAUGHT ON TAPE!

TWO CITY OF HEMPSTEAD OFFICIALS ENTER GUILTY PLEAS!

THE LATEST ON LARRY WILSON AND PARIS KINCADE!

Former City of Hempstead Mayor Pro-Tem Larry Wilson and City Alderman Paris Kincade have both pleaded guilty to accepting bribes in exchange for their vote and support resulting in the awarding of city contracts, acting United States Attorney Tim Johnson announced today. Both men pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit federal programs fraud before the Honorable Judge Keith P. Ellison.

Wilson, 42, who entered a his guilty plea on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2009, and Kincade, 53, who pleaded guilty today, admitted to soliciting and accepting bribe money or kickbacks from a local contractor in exchange for obtaining approved vendor status resulting in the awarding of city contracts.

Beginning in December 2006, Wilson who was the Mayor Pro-Tem and a City Alderman of the City of Hempstead, and Kincade, a City Alderman, conspired to use their official positions with the City of Hempstead to commit federal programs fraud. They corruptly solicited and accepted monies from a contractor, intending to be influenced and rewarded in connection with the eventual award of city contracts. Wilson accepted a $10,000 bribe and Kincade accepted a $3,000 bribe connected to demolition contracts valued at $19,650. Wilson and a cooperating witness discussed potential contracts worth more than $160,000. Both men accepted the bribes in return for their vote and assistance to approve vendor status of the cooperating witness in the City of Hempstead which led to four contracts for demolition. Wilson was captured on tape explaining how the cooperating witness could inflate city contracts stating "It take[s] you $10,000 to tear that down. You tell me it'll take you 15." Kincade was captured on tape telling the cooperating witness, "You know you got me and you know you got Wilson."

The City of Hempstead is located approximately 50 miles west of Houston in Waller County.

A conviction for conspiring to violate federal programs fraud carries a penalty of imprisonment of not more than five years and/or a fine not to exceed $250,000. Both men remain on bond pending sentencing. Wilson will be sentenced May 14, 2009, at 10:30 a.m. and Kincade will be sentenced on May 20, 2009, at 10:30 a.m.

The charges are the result of an investigation conducted by special agents of the Houston FBI. Assistant United States Attorney Michael Wright prosecuted the case.

WILLIE D ARRESTED FOR ALLEGED APPLE IPHONE SCAM!

THE CHARGES ARE LAID OUT BY THE FEDS!

William James Dennis, aka Willie D, was arrested last night on charges of wire fraud, acting United States Attorney Tim Johnson announced today.

A sealed criminal complaint charging Dennis, 42, a rap music recording artist, with wire fraud stemming from his purported sales of Apple iPhones through a company known as Texas One Wireless was unsealed following Dennis' arrest last night by FBI agents at Bush International Airport. Dennis was returning from an overseas trip. Dennis is expected to appear before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Houston later today at which time the United States expects to seek Dennis' continued detention in federal custody without bond pending further criminal proceedings.

According to allegations in the criminal complaint, beginning in September 2008, Dennis, posing as an electronics salesman, used eBay to establish his credibility with international buyers. Once a buyer showed interest, Dennis allegedly directed them outside of eBay to conduct sales via e-mail. Numerous foreign individuals placed orders with Dennis for iPhones and other electronics. Dennis required payment to be electronically transferred to his bank account and once the transaction was confirmed, Dennis would send tracking numbers for packages that were never shipped. When the buyers complained about not receiving their purchases, Dennis allegedly claimed he had filed a complaint with the U.S. Postal Service or hired carrier and that he could not refund their money until he knew where his goods were. Eventually, Dennis would cease communication with the victimized parties. The investigation leading to the filing of federal charges was initiated when a purchaser who did not receive merchandise nor a refund contacted law enforcement authorities.

Wire fraud carries a maximum punishment, upon conviction, of 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. The period of incarceration can be followed by up to five years of supervised release and restitution to the victims may also be ordered.

Willie D was the lead member of a Houston rap group known as the Geto Boys. Between 1989 and 1996, the group recorded a number of hit songs and had some albums that reached gold and or platinum status. In early 2005, the Geto Boys released a reunion album that was written and produced by Dennis. Dennis founded Relentless Music Ventures in 2006 and signed other groups.

The charges against Dennis are the result of an investigation conducted by the Houston Division of the FBI. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sherri L. Zack.

A MIDNIGHT MURDER IN HARRIS COUNTY!

AN ARGUMENT TURNS DEADLY!

On May 14^th, 2009 at 12:05 a.m. Harris County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Units responded to an “In Progress’ call at 2802 Heather Knoll. The caller advised her boyfriend had got into an argument with their neighbor. The caller advised the neighbor stabbed her boyfriend.

 

When deputies arrived, they discovered the victim Bryant Doran dead in the front yard of 2802 Heather Knoll.  The suspect, Joshua Trull was located by Sheriff’s Patrol Deputies in the area of the murder.

 

 Sheriff’s Office Homicide Investigators were called to the scene and conducted the investigation.  The investigation revealed Trull and Doran got into an argument because Trull was smoking crack cocaine.  Doran took Trull’s crack pipe and broke it to prevent Trull from smoking the cocaine.  Trull returned to his home which is next to Doran’s residence and retrieved two knives, a small steak knife and a large butcher knife.  Trull returned to Doran’s residence  stabbing Doran one time, killing him. 

 

Both knives were found by Sheriff's Office Patrol Deputies.

 

Joshua Trull was charged with Murder.

JOIN FOX 26 NEWS IN KATY TONIGHT!

BE THERE AS FOX 26 LISTENS!

We all know that Houston is the 4th largest city in the United States. According to estimates by the U.S. Census, the greater Houston area is home to almost 6 million people. But Houston is so much more than just numbers and the communities that lay outside and among the sprawling city limits have a significant impact on this city and its growth.

FOX 26 is beginning a new initiative called FOX 26 LISTENS. It's all about our communities, our neighbors who are separated by city limits signs and yet a part of Houston all the same.

We'll be coming to your towns to learn about the issues that are important in your area, the concerns of the community and what can be done to help. We'll also be showcasing the people and the locations that make your town special and a great place to live.

We're starting with Katy, over the next week you'll see stories highlighting different features of the Katy area and on May 14th FOX 26 LISTENS will host a town hall meeting for Katy area residents to talk with their community leaders about the issues that are important to them.

Some of the distinguished Greater Katy community leaders on that panel include:

- Mayor Don Elder, City of Katy  - Alton Frailey, KISD Superintendent  - Chief Bill Hastings, Katy Police  - Frank Lombard, Katy Economic Development Council  - Johnny Nelson, Katy City Administrator  - Pastor Watkins, PowerHouse Christian Center  - Ann Hodge, Katy Chamber of Commerce  - Jennifer Archer, Parks and Recreation Director

Katy resident and FOX 26 News anchor Tom Zizka will be there and we invite other Katy residents to join us at the Powerhouse Christian Center at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 14 to share your views about your town.

You can also watch the meeting live and chat at www.MyFoxHoustonLIVE.com .

The Powerhouse Christian Center is located at 1818 Katyland Drive.

A GIFT TO REPORTERS OUT THERE: THANKS GOVERNOR PERRY!

SOME SIGNIFICANT PROTECTION FOR JOURNALISTS!

Gov. Rick Perry announced Wednesday that he signed legislation protecting journalists from having to reveal certain confidential sources in court.

The shield law, known as the Free Flow of Information Act, grants a qualified privilege to journalists so they can protect their sources and in many cases not have to testify or produce notes and tapes in court gathered while acting as a journalist. News industry and open government advocates fought for the law for several legislative sessions.

Thirty-six states and the District of Columbia had some form of shield law. Texas becomes the 37th state.

Supporters of the measure say it will encourage whistleblowers to come forward and reveal government corruption, public safety hazards and corporate malfeasance because they will know their identity can be protected.

"It's an important day for Texas," said Fred Hartman, chairman of the Texas Daily Newspaper Association/Texas Press Association legislative advisory committee. "It's a law that will benefit all Texans, all of our citizens."

The law takes effect immediately.

The House and Senate overwhelmingly approved the bill, sending it on to Perry for his decision.

"This was a complex issue that required thoughtful consideration, and I am pleased that lawmakers were able to strike a balance between protecting the rights of the people and the press," Perry said in his announcement. The Republican governor praised Democratic Sen. Rodney Ellis of Houston and Democratic Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer of San Antonio, sponsors of the bill.

Ellis called it a historic day. Texas "finally stood behind the principle that the press plays a vitally important role in our democracy and must be protected from government intimidation," he said.

For a long time, prosecutors opposed the law, saying it would prevent them from gathering evidence in criminal cases. But in a marathon meeting earlier this spring they reached a compromise with news industry and open government advocates.

Under the new law, there are exceptions to the journalist privilege.

For instance, news reporters must identify a confidential source in a criminal case if the journalist observed the person committing a felony, if the source confessed to committing a felony or if there is probable cause to believe the source committed a felony and the prosecutor has exhausted all efforts to obtain the identity.

Working out an agreement with the district attorneys association and passing the bill early in the legislative session were key to achieving the new law, said Laura Prather, president of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. She said advocates spent past sessions laying groundwork and educating the public, providing momentum going into the 2009 session.

"This will create a system in which people who know about wrongdoing will feel comfortable coming forward and reporting that wrongdoing, and it will benefit all Texans," said Prather, an Austin-based media attorney. "It has been a tremendously long process. We've learned a lot on the way."

IT WAS ALL ABOUT PRAYER AT THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT!

A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR THOSE WHO WATCH OVER YOU!

Houston Police Chief Harold Hurtt and members of the Houston Police Department joined religious leaders this morning for a special “Day of Prayer” service in front of HPD Headquarters at 1200 Travis.

“Today was a special day and I’m sure all of our officers will benefit from the prayers heard today and the prayers from Houstonians every day,” Chief Hurtt said.  “We have such an awesome responsibility, in that we affect so many lives with the decisions that we make, and it is only with God’s guidance that we are able to do that correctly.”

The officers and religious leaders asked all to pray for those in law enforcement and for: Courage, Officer Safety, Protection, the Ability to Make Sound Decisions, Family Unity, Integrity, Peace, Compassion, Leadership, Community Support, Injured Officers and Families of Slain Officers.

The service was part of an observance of National Police Week dedicated to remembering officers who have given their lives in the line of duty to help make our lives safer.

INTRODUCING THE OFFICERS OF THE YEAR!

THEY WILL BE HONORED FOR THEIR HARD WORK SERVING THE COMMUNITY!

At 7 p.m. Thursday, May 14, three Houston police officers will be recognized as “Officer of the Year” at the 55^th Annual Heroes Awards Banquet hosted by The 100 Club.

The banquet will be held at the Hilton Houston Post Oak Hotel at 2001 Post Oak Blvd., in the first floor ballroom.  A reception prior to the ceremony begins at 6 p.m. 

HPD Senior Police Officer Heraclio Chavez and Officers Pamela Slater and Christopher Zamora will be among many law enforcement officers receiving awards.  Senior Officer Chavez was sworn in as an officer in March 1986 and is assigned to the Homicide Division.  Officer Slater, sworn in in August 1992, is assigned to the North Patrol Division and Officer Zamora, sworn in in July 2006, is assigned to the Central Patrol Division.  

RIKKI GILLUM IS FIGHTING FOR THE RIGHTS OF GRANDPARENTS!

DO YOU THINK GRANDPARENTS SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO FILE LAWSUITS TO GET THEIR GRANDCHILDREN?

Rikki Gillum says she is the new face of the changing American family. She's raising her two grandchildren.

"I'm a 40-something-year-old grandmother, so I'm relatively young as a grandparent, and I certainly didn't see this phase of my life being as it is."

Gillum's two daughters became pregnant in college. She stepped in and cared for the children while her daughters continued their education. But now Gillum is concerned about other Texas grandparents out there. She says they could soon be shut out.

Here's the issue: currently, the state statute makes it easy for grandparents to gain permanent custody of their grandkids. But Texas House Bill 2084 currently being debated would strike that rule, leaving grandparents with little or no rights. Gillum thinks the statute shouldn’t change.

But state representative Phil King says grandparents have become too powerful and some are abusive with the law. That's why he's wants to end their right to sue for custody or visitation with House Bill 2084.

Sarah James is a new parent. She feels allowing grandparents to take a child isn’t fair without solid evidence of an unfit parent.

"They should have to prove that there is neglect going on in the home."

House Bill 2084 is out of the committee and waiting on action by the legislature. In addition to King the bill is being supported by home school parents in Texas.

More about her organization: http://grandecoalition.ning.com/

BUREAUCRATIC RED TAPE EXTREME: WOULD YOU WAIT 29 MINUTES TO TALK WITH THE EEOC?

SACRIFICIAL ENTERTAINMENT IS ON THE AIR!

FINANCIAL PAIN BEHIND THE JOKES AND LAUGHS!


We all know just how financially difficult the year 2009 has been.  Cursed by a cataclysmic economic downturn many American owned businesses are struggling to survive.  

But if you turn on 97.9 The Box all you'll hear are upbeat on air personalities.  You'd think the economy was doing great. The disc jockeys and personalities have one goal in mind, to keep you listening and laughing.  Behind all the smiling faces and jokes is serious pain.  Stressful pain felt by the employees of Houston's #1 hip hop radio station.  

The Insite had a chance to sit down with Box morning guy Madd Hatta.  He says no one is interested in what goes on behind the scenes but I beg to differ.  What goes on behind the scenes at the radio station is what I call sacrificial entertainment.  More than 100 employees of the radio station have endured tremendous sacrifices to keep their listeners entertained.  

The Insite has learned the workers at the Box have taken pay cuts.  Some of their hours have been scaled back.  Others are working an additional day like Hatta.  

Sitting behind his brown tinted sunglasses he says it's what they have to do to survive in the tough economic climate.  The Box is owned by Radio One.  It's a company that has over 60 radio stations around the country and as a result of the economy many of their properties are struggling.  Hatta is quite aware of the that.  The morning show personality knows if there aren't sacrifices his show and the jobs of others could disappear.  

Hatta says he and many of the staffers decided to accept the cuts and make the adjustments to stop the hemorrhaging.  He says lots of people were being laid off by the company.  A trend many media outlets and broadcast properties are experiencing.  

So, the next time you tune into the Box remember the sacrifice those on air personalities are making to keep you smiling on your way to work!

THE PARTY KING AT THE CONCERT WITH DRAKE!

YOU GET A FRONT ROW SEAT ON THE INSITE!














By: Kalele 'Party King' Thumbutu - Friday night Jas Prince aka Young CEO presented the Canadian phenom known as Drake to the city of Houston. Drake is a solo artist (rapper, singer, actor) that has worked with a long list of artists including Bun B, Lil Wayne, Dr. Dre, and Robin Thicke to name a few and the Canadian artist is currently working on his highly anticipated debut album that is set to be released in 2010. Young CEO introduced the Canadian artist to a sold out concert venue held at Warehouse Live (813 St. Emanuel). While Drake headlined the show, the crowd was delighted by the line up that included Go DJ Mr. Rogers and home grown artists such as MTV's making of the band Anzeo, Coline, IB3, and So Real Dance Crew from Televisions Americas Best Dance Crew fame. The Dallas rapper Lil Twist on Lil Wayne's Young Money label also took the stage to open up for Drake. The show that Young CEO was full of excitement and surprises including a performance from the legendary Bun B! The Party King was thoroughly impressed by the event that was put together by Jas Prince and can't wait to see what's next for Young CEO. Yeeeeeee!!!!

Photos by Kalele Thumbutu/

If you'd like the Party King to capture the moment at your event make sure you contact him by email for availability and rates!

Contact Information: 

dreadedgold@yahoo.com

ALPHA PHI ALPHA INVITES YOU TO THE TOURNAMENT!

CLICK TO ENLARGE TO READ ALL THE DETAILS!

BLACK RADIO IS ON HER BACK AND CONGRESSWOMAN SHEILA JACKSON LEE IS NO WHERE TO BE FOUND!

CSI TV STAR QUIETLY DROPS INTO HOUSTON WHILE WE WEREN'T LOOKING!

THE BOOK SIGNING!


On Tuesday, May 12th Hill Harper from the TV series CSI:NY was in Houston at the Shrine of the Black Madonna for a book signing for his latest work, Letters to a Young Sister.  Hill was recently inducted into the illustrious ranks of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Trevor G. Piper, MCD
{Manifest & Make It Happen}

Photos by:  JP Dewberry of SoViLive.com

SOURCE: PELOSI KNEW ABOUT WATERBOARDING!

SHOULD SHE FACE SANCTIONS IF THIS IS TRUE?

A source close to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi now confirms that Pelosi was told in February 2003 by her intelligence aide, Michael Sheehy, that waterboarding was actually used on CIA detainee Abu Zubaydah.

This appears to contradict Pelosi's account that she was never told waterboarding actually happened, only that the administration was considering using it.

Sheehy attended a briefing in which waterboarding was discussed in February 2003, with Rep. Jane Harman, D-California, who took over Pelosi's spot as the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee.

This source says Pelosi didn't object when she learned that waterboarding was being used because she had not been personally briefed about it -- only her aide had been told.

The source said Pelosi supported a letter that Harman sent to the administration at the time raising concerns. The source asked not to be identified because of the sensitive nature of matters discussed in classified intelligence briefings.

Pelosi admits attending one briefing in September 2002, but at a news conference last month, she was adamant that she did not know waterboarding was used.

THE PARTY KING AND HIS FAVORITE ARTIST SNOOP DOGG!

THE BIG CONCERT PICS FROM THE HOUSE OF BLUES!

Photos by Kalele Thumbutu/

If you'd like the Party King to capture the moment at your event make sure you contact him by email for availability and rates!

Contact Information: 

dreadedgold@yahoo.com

NO SMOKING WITHIN 100 MILES OF TEXAS!

IS THIS WHAT TEXAS NEEDS?

A statewide ban on smoking in public places in Texas, including bars and restaurants, is moving closer to a Senate vote.

The Senate Health and Human Services Committee approved the ban on a 5-3 vote Monday, sending it to the full Senate for consideration. The panel made a few key changes, exempting cigar bars and outdoor patios at restaurants and bars. It also excludes nursing homes.

Supporters, including the Lance Armstrong Foundation and the American Cancer Society, say a ban is needed to protect public health from secondhand smoke. Opponents call it an infringement on civil liberties and property rights.

According to the Smoke-Free Texas coalition, secondhand smoke kills 53,000 nonsmoking Americans every year and is a known cause of lung cancer, heart disease, low birth weight and chronic lung ailments.

Two dozen states have already enacted some smoke-free laws and about 14 others are considering them, the coalition says. Dozens of Texas cities already have local ordinances limiting smoking in public, but several efforts at a statewide crackdown have failed in recent years.

I SURVIVED KATRINA AND ALL I GOT WAS THIS LOUSY TREE AT DISCOVERY GREEN!

IS THIS FOR THE SURVIVORS OF THE STORM, THE STORM OR SOMEONE NAMED KATRINA?

I thought this was interesting.  I was at Discovery Green in downtown Houston Tuesday when I noticed a tree.  There was a engraved stone at the bottom.  It was a tree dedicated to Hurricane Katrina.  I guess it was actually dedicated to the hurricane survivors.  I'm sure it's not dedicated to the actual storm that wiped out a city.  Then again it could be dedicated to a lady named Katrina I'm not familiar with.  I'm just sure many hurricane survivors haven't seen it or are excited about it.  Are you?

GUESS WHO'S THE STATE LEGISLATOR OF THE MONTH?

AND SHE'S FROM HOUSTON, TEXAS!

The Texas Municipal League and its 1,101 member cities today announced that Representative Carol Alvarado has been named its Legislator-of-the-Month for April 2009. 

 

Representative Alvarado was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2008 after serving on the Houston City Council from 2002-2007. She currently serves on the very important House Land and Resource Management Committee and the House Urban Affairs Committee.

 

Representative Alvarado served as President of the Texas Municipal League from 2006-2007. She understands local government issues and has been a tireless advocate on behalf of cities during committee meetings and House floor debates.

THEY'RE PROTESTING CONGRESSMAN GENE GREEN!

HERE'S THE PRESS RELEASE SENT TO LOCAL NEWS MEDIA WHICH READS LIKE A PERSONAL EMAIL!

Representatives from a number of Houston organizations held a press conference and rally near Congressman Gene Green's east Houston office today, after being prevented from holding a press conference on the property where his office is.

The group at the press conference included religious, community, educational, and labor leaders, teachers and students, environmentalists, scientists, health professionals, and small business owners.

Following the event, one of the attendees tried to deliver a letter to Rep. Green's office stating her concerns, but was prevented from even going up to the office by the building security guard.

See the whole story, with photo, on the Houston Indymedia Center web site at http://houston.indymedia.org/news/2009/05/67303.php

Thanks to Colleen for sending me the photo, that C. Lee took with her camera (thanks, C. Lee, too).  There were also some other folks there, who apparently did not want to be in the photo.

After the press conference, several people commented that someone should run against Gene Green next year.  Who lives in his district and is interested?  (I'm in another district.)

Just to let you know what a few determined people can do, even without much money -- About 15-20 years ago, a friend ran against Rep. Mike Andrews when he kept snubbing the group we had, about an environmental issue.  My friend ran a shoestring campaign, spending less than $5000, but got over 25% of the vote in the Dem. primary.  That apparently scared Andrews quite a bit, and he completely reversed himself and helped us get much of what we wanted.  We could do the same thing with Green, too, if he keeps voting the way his big business supporters want.  But maybe with some encouragement and lots of phone calls from all of you, we won't have to do that.

Bill Crosier

SUGAR LAND VOTED ONE OF THE BEST TOWNS TO LIVE IN!

DO YOU LIVE THERE AND AGREE WITH THIS ASSESSMENT?

Sugar Land is among 25 American towns included on Forbes’ list of Top Towns to Live Well. Forbes says cities on the list “boast cultural amenities, pro-business environments, highly educated workforces and enviable salaries.”

Sugar Land received high scores for a competitive cost of living where a six figure salary goes far and statistics showing the City has $132 of venture capital per capita.  The City’s patents per capita were the highest in the southwest area.

According to Forbes, data comes from ZoomProspector.com, a San Francisco-based consulting firm specializing in corporate relocation. It evaluated areas of the country with less than 100,000 people – small towns with the amenities of big cities.

Characteristics like the number of museums, parks, bars and restaurants, and cultural institutions per capita were considered, as were factors indicative of a favorable business environment. These include patents, venture capital funding, sole-proprietorships, start-ups and small businesses per capita.

A sampling of cities joining Sugar Land on the list included Boulder, Colo., Sante Fe, NM, Columbia, MD, and Fairfax, Va.   They were all recognized as places with strong environments for start-ups and better suited than other cities to recover from economic downtimes.

GRANDPARENTS COULD HAVE LESS RIGHTS IF A NEW TEXAS BILL PASSES!

CLEMENS STILL SAYS HE DIDN'T USE STEROIDS!

DO YOU BELIEVE HIM OR IS HE WASTING HIS BREATH WITH THE DENIAL?

Roger Clemens broke his silence Tuesday, again denying that former personal trainer Brian McNamee injected him with performance-enhancing drugs in his first public comments in
more than a year.

The seven-time Cy Young Award winner was interviewed by phone on ESPN Radio's "Mike & Mike in the Morning." He said he chose to speak out Tuesday because it was the official release date of a book about his alleged drug use.

"He's never injected me with HGH or steroids," Clemens said of McNamee, who told baseball investigator George Mitchell he had injected Clemens with drugs.

"American Icon: The Fall of Roger Clemens and the Rise of Steroids in America's Pastime," by four New York Daily News reporters, recaps previous reports in the newspaper. It had been available to reviewers and had excerpts published before Tuesday.

MISS CALIFORNIA GETS TO KEEP HER CROWN!

DO YOU AGREE WITH THE DONALD'S DECISION OR YOU JUST DON'T CARE?

Donald Trump has said Miss California USA, Carrie Prejean, (pray-ZHAHN'), can retain her crown. Trump, who owns the Miss USA pageant, made the announcement Tuesday at Trump Tower in New York City. The 21-year-old Prejean failed to reveal before last month's
Miss USA pageant that she had posed in her underwear as a teenager. Trump says the pageant has determined the photos are "fine."

DID WANDA SYKES GO TOO FAR WITH RUSH?

SYKES: RUSH WANTS THE COUNTRY TO FAIL, I HOPE HIS KIDNEYS FAIL!

Comedian Wanda Sykes pulled no punches as she skewered conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh at the  White House Correspondents' Dinner -- but her morbid cracks set some guests' cringe-meters off the charts. 

Sykes accused Limbaugh of treason, compared him to Usama bin Laden and wished for his physical collapse as she roasted the favorite target of liberals Saturday night at the Washington Hilton.

"Rush Limbaugh said he hopes this administration fails, so you're saying, 'I hope America fails,' you're like, 'I don't care about people losing their homes, their jobs, our soldiers in Iraq.' He just wants the country to fail. To me, that's treason," Sykes said. 

"He's not saying anything differently than what Usama bin Laden is saying," she continued, before addressing the guest of honor, President Obama. "You know, you might want to look into this, sir, because I think maybe Rush Limbaugh was the 20th hijacker. But he was just so strung out on OxyContin he missed his flight." 

The crowd groaned, Obama smiled and Sykes may have noticed a little discomfort in the room.

"Too much?" she asked. 

But then she piled it on: 

"Rush Limbaugh, 'I hope the country fails' -- I hope his kidneys fail, how about that? ... He needs a good waterboarding, that's what he needs." 

Obama joined the crowd in laughing at the crack about Limbaugh's "kidneys."  

But White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs suggested Monday that Sykes' bit was considered in poor taste. 

"I don't know how guests get booked," Gibbs told reporters. "I haven't talked to the president (about it), but my guess is there are a lot of topics that are better left for serious reflection, rather than comedy -- I think there's no doubt that 9/11 is part of that."

After the appearance, conservatives bellowed that Sykes was way over the line. "Mean-spirited," "hateful" and "disgusting" were just a few of the words used by conservative bloggers and commentators to describe the performance. 

"This woman comes up and says, 'I hope Rush Limbaugh dies,' and everybody giggles," said Tim Graham, director of media analysis with the Media Research Center. 

National Review columnist Jonah Goldberg called it "particularly awful." 

Sykes' publicist was not immediately available for comment.

Some critics said there was a double standard employed for conservative and liberal jokesters, pointing out that golf announcer David Feherty apologized over the weekend for his column in which he joked about U.S. troops wanting to kill House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. 

Feherty's line drew heavy attention from the liberal group Media Matters and earned him a "worst person in the world" dubbing by MSNBC's Keith Olbermann. 

Graham said the relatively low-key coverage of Sykes' joke in mainstream media underscores the "slanted take on what's hateful and what's not." 

"When a conservative says it, it's an utter outrage. And when a liberal says it, it's a knee-slapper," he said. 

An editor with Britain's Daily Telegraph who was at the dinner wrote that liberals will give Sykes a pass, since her target was a right-wing talk show host. And he marveled at Obama's response. 

"That's way, way beyond reasoned debate or comedy and Obama's reaction to it was astonishing," wrote Toby Harnden. "Imagine if a comedian 'joked' that Obama was a terrorist who was guilty of treason and should be tortured and allowed to die. There would justifiably be an outcry."

THE CONTROVERSIAL WANDA SYKES ROUTINE!

JUDGE SAMUEL KENT IS GOING TO PRISON FOR NEARLY 3 YEARS!

IS HE GETTING ENOUGH TIME BEHIND BARS?

U.S. District Judge Samuel B. Kent was sentenced today to 33 months in prison for obstruction of justice related to an investigation of a judicial misconduct complaint filed against him, Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer and Andrew R. Bland III, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Houston office announced. 

Kent, 59, a district judge in the Southern District of Texas, pleaded guilty to obstructing a special investigative committee of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit during an investigation of a judicial misconduct complaint filed against him.  Kent was sentenced in federal court in Houston by Senior U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson for the Northern District of Florida, who was sitting by designation in the Southern District of Texas. 

        On Aug. 28, 2008, a grand jury in the Southern District of Texas indicted Kent, who was at that time a sitting U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Texas, on two counts of abusive sexual contact and one count of attempted aggravated sexual abuse for his alleged assaults in 2003 and 2007 on an employee of the Office of the Clerk of Court identified as Person A.  On Jan. 6, 2009, the grand jury returned a superseding indictment against Kent.  The superseding indictment incorporated the original charges and added three counts: one count each of abusive sexual contact and aggravated sexual abuse, based on Kent’s alleged repeated assaults on another U.S. District Court employee identified as Person B, and one count of obstruction of justice, based upon his obstruction of the Fifth Circuit’s investigation into a misconduct complaint filed by Person A.

        On Feb. 23, 2009, Kent pleaded guilty to obstructing the judicial misconduct investigation into his sexual assaults.  As part of his plea, Kent admitted that in both 2003 and 2007, he engaged in non-consensual sexual contact with Person A without her permission.  He also admitted that he engaged in non-consensual contact from 2004 through at least 2005 with Person B without her permission.  When Person A filed a misconduct complaint against him, the Fifth Circuit appointed a committee to investigate whether Kent had engaged in unwanted sexual contact with Person A and individuals other than Person A.  Kent admitted that when he appeared before the committee in June 2007, he falsely testified about his conduct with Person B.

Kent was also ordered to pay a $1,000 fine as well as restitution of $3,300 to Person A and $3,250 to Person B.  Kent was ordered to surrender on June 15, 2009.

        The case was prosecuted by Senior Deputy Chief for Litigation Peter J. Ainsworth and Trial Attorneys John P. Pearson and AnnaLou T. Tirol of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity, which is headed by Section Chief William M. Welch II.  The case was investigated by the FBI.

FORMER NEWS 24 (HOUSTON) JOURNALIST TO BE FREED FROM IRAN!

DO YOU REMEMBER ROXANA FROM HER HOUSTON DAYS?

Iran has released imprisoned Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi, her lawyer said Monday.

Attorney Abdolsamad Khorramshahi said a prison official told him shortly before 6 p.m. Monday (9:30 a.m. ET) that Saberi had been freed. She did not go out the main gate, where reporters and others waited to see her.

Earlier, her father, Reza Saberi, said her release was imminent, and that he had signed paperwork. "We are very happy with the news," he told CNN. "We were hoping for it."
Iran's state-run news agency IRNA, citing a judiciary spokesman, reported that the verdict against Roxana Saberi was "reversed in the appeal court and she is to be freed."

Saberi, 32, was convicted last month on espionage charges in a one-day trial that was closed to the public. She was sentenced to eight years in prison. She denies the charges.

POLICE WEEK: FBI RELEASE THAT LATEST ON COPS KILLED AROUND THE NATION!

HOW DOES THIS YEAR COMPARE TO THE LAST?

The FBI today released preliminary statistics indicating that 41 of our nation’s law enforcement officers were feloniously killed in the line of duty in 2008. By region, 20 of the victim officers were killed in the South, nine in the Midwest, nine in the West, and three in the Northeast. The number of officers feloniously killed was 17 fewer than in 2007.

Of these felonious deaths, 10 occurred during arrest situations, eight officers were killed during traffic pursuits/stops, seven during tactical situations, six while investigating suspicious persons/circumstances, six were as a result of ambush situations, two officers were performing investigative activities, one was responding to a disturbance call, and one was handling, transporting, or had custody of a prisoner.

Firearms were the weapons most often used in these slayings. Of the 35 officers killed with firearms, 25 were killed with handguns, five with rifles, four with shotguns, and one officer was murdered with an unknown type of firearm. Four officers were killed by vehicles, and two officers died from injuries as a result of a bomb.

At the time of their deaths, 30 of the law enforcement officers were wearing body armor. Ten officers fired their weapons, and four of the officers attempted to fire their weapons. Six officers had their weapon stolen, and four officers were killed with their own weapons.

The 41 law enforcement officers were killed in 38 separate incidents. All 38 incidents have been cleared by arrest or exceptional means.

The number of officers killed in accidents also dropped from the previous year as 67 officers were accidentally killed in 67 separate incidents while performing their duties in 2008. This represents 16 fewer officers killed in accidents than in 2007.

THE REPUBLICANS ARE DUMPING ON COLIN POWELL!

POWELL SAYS THE PARTY SHOULD CHANGE WHILE THE FORMER VICE PRESIDENTS SAYS I DIDN'T KNOW YOU WERE STILL A REPUBLICAN!

Dick Cheney made clear Sunday he'd rather follow firebrand broadcaster Rush Limbaugh than former Joint Chiefs chairman Colin Powell into political battle over the future of the Republican Party.

Even as Cheney embraced efforts to expand the party by ex-Govs. Jeb Bush of Florida and Mitt Romney of Massachusetts and the House's No. 2 Republican, Virginia Rep. Eric Cantor, the former vice president appeared to write his one-time colleague Powell out of the GOP.

Asked about recent verbal broadsides between Limbaugh and Powell, Cheney said, "If I had to choose in terms of being a Republican, I'd go with Rush Limbaugh. My take on it was Colin had already left the party. I didn't know he was still a Republican."

Powell, who was secretary of state under President George W. Bush and held the nation's top military post under President George H.W. Bush, endorsed Democrat Barack Obama for president last year. Nonetheless, since the election he has described himself as a Republican and a right-of-center conservative, though "not as right as others would like."

Cheney, citing Powell's backing of Obama over Republican nominee John McCain, said, "I assumed that that is some indication of his loyalty and his interests."

Cheney's remarks on CBS' "Face the Nation" were the latest step in his slow-motion estrangement from Powell since the two worked closely together to manage the Persian Gulf war in 1991 — Powell as the Army general who was chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Cheney as defense secretary for the elder Bush.

Under the younger Bush, Powell initially backed action against Iraq's Saddam Hussein and delivered a famous U.N. speech laying out the U.S. case. But Powell and Cheney increasingly parted ways over the Bush administration's policies on the war and terrorism, with Cheney usually prevailing. Powell left the administration after Bush's first term.

Wading into the debate over the GOP's future, Cheney called efforts by George W. Bush's brother Jeb, along with Cantor and Romney, as "a good thing to do," but set a limit on how far the party should go.

FUN, FUN, FUN, AND MORE FUN!

IF YOU PICK ONLY ONE MOVIE THIS SUMMER TO SEE LET IT BE THIS ONE!

If you haven't had a chance to go see the new Star Trek movie then you're missing out.  I saw it this weekend and it's unbelievable.  Even those who are not Star Trek fans will truly enjoy it. It's a cliffhanger along with action, adventure and a lot of sci fi.  The virtual unknown crop of young actors they picked to play pop culture legends are awsome in their roles.  There are also some surprise appearances I did not expect.  If you ever take my suggestion to go see one movie this summer let Star Trek be that film.  I give it 6 out of 5 stars!

BOX OFFICE BUSINESS:

Paramount Pictures' "Star Trek" grossed over $76 million in its domestic box office debut, including $4 million in Thursday night shows. JJ Abrams' reboot of the classic sci-fi franchise came in on the upper end of expectations, and all but guarantees that the studio will pursue a next installment.

GAME 4 IS A WRAP FOR THE ROCKETS!

DO YOU THINK WE CAN GO ALL THE WAY?

With Yao Ming out, the Houston Rockets had no chance to beat the Los Angeles Lakers . Right?

Wrong.

Aaron Brooks scored a career-high 34, Shane Battier sank five 3-pointers and added 23 and the Rockets beat the Lakers 99-87 on Sunday to even their Western Conference semifinal at two games apiece.

''I think everyone but us got the memo that we weren't supposed to show up today without Yao,'' Battier said.

Luis Scola had 11 points and 14 rebounds as the Rockets got exactly the team effort they needed after Yao broke his left foot in the Lakers' win in Game 3.

Game 5 is Tuesday night in Los Angeles, and anyone who thought the Rockets were finished without their best player only needed to watch the first quarter on Sunday, when Houston built a 29-16 lead.

The Rockets never trailed and led by as many as 29 before the Lakers made the score respectable toward the end.

DO YOU THINK WALMART HAS CELL PHONE BLOCKERS?

THE WALMART CONSPIRACY: BELIEVE IT OR NOT!

It may just be me but everytime I go into Walmart I can't seem to get a cell phone signal. Maybe it's the huge warehouse metal type building but my cell still works in a highrise or in the underground tunnel in Houston.  Why not at Walmart?  My mind has been working over time with conspiracy theories on this one.  I think Walmart may intentionally block cell phone cars for those wives who may have to call their husband for an expensive purchase approval.  If they can't get a call out then the wife just goes ahead and makes the big purchase.  Or it could be vice versa.  Another theory is to keep shoppers focused on the store and not pesky cell phone calls.  What do you think?  Can you get a call out of Walmart?  

Note: I have to go to the outdoor garden center to get calls at my local Walmarts!

POSTAGE STAMPS GO UP MONDAY!

DO YOU STILL USE THE POSTAL SERVICE?

Unless you've got a stash of Forever Stamps sitting around, it might be time for a trip to the post office. The price of mailing a letter jumps 2 cents Monday.

First-class mail will now cost 44 cents for the first ounce. Large envelopes cost twice that, 88 cents. Mailing a postcard will cost 28 cents.

The Postal Service said the price increase, announced in February, is necessary because of rising production costs.

Under law, the price of stamps is not allowed to rise faster than the U.S. consumer price index, which measures inflation.

Forever Stamps allow customers to effectively circumvent price hikes.

Sold for the rate of a first-class stamp, they can be used at any time for a one-ounce letter. The Post Office says it has sold billions since introducing the stamps two years ago.