A few days ago, the Prime Minister of Australia officially announced that the country was denying Snoop Dogg a visa into the country on “character grounds.” Snoop, who was set to present at an MTV awards show, was denied based on his recent criminal conviction as well as reasons that were not on the public record.

Although I’m not building any picket signs for this cause, I strongly oppose the country’s decision to deny Snoop entry into the country. First of all, Snoop is not a real threat to the Australian people nor is he likely to commit a crime while there. His recent drug conviction, while problematic, was for marijuana transportation, which doesn’t suggest that he is going to be involved in any drug deals while there. (The gun charge came when police searched his home at a later time). The fact that he received probation and community service demonstrates how seriously the courts took the crime.
More importantly, Australia has consistently admitted celebrity criminals, particularly rock stars and actors, into the country with little consideration for past deeds. Do you really think that Nicole Richie would be denied access into the country based on character concerns? Just like when the country blocked Holocaust denier David Irving, this has more to do with publicity and politics than concern for the public good.

Has the Pharmaceutical Industry Bought Off Congress? Check the Facts and Judge for Yourself
By Judge Greg Mathis 

Prescription drug prices have increased and, not surprisingly, so has the amount of money the pharmaceutical industry spends making sure lawmakers vote down legislation that may negatively affect the industry’s profits. The pharmaceutical industry spent $155 million dollars lobbying the federal government from 2005 to June 2006 — a record for the industry. Drug makers benefited tremendously from the investment: The pharmaceutical industry has been able to defeat every major bill that threatened its bottom line.

Drug companies also put money directly into the pockets of lawmakers, contributing more than $19 million to candidates in the 2006 congressional elections. Most of the contributions went to Republican candidates. The industry’s reach doesn’t end there: Fees paid by drug makers make up more than half the budget of the Food and Drug Administration centers that assess new drugs. Drug makers also utilize the persuasive powers of more than 1,000 lobbyists to influence lawmakers’ decision making.

For the rest of the story, click here. 

April is financial literacy month. Numerous financial-planning Web sites and groups have sprung up to cater to higher-income women but advisers and advocates for lower-income women’s retirement planning say they have the field to themselves.

Money Advice Runs Low for Minority Women
By Sandra Guy 

Vickie Elisa vividly recalls living in her car for a week and a half after she lost her apartment 25 years ago to overwhelming credit-card debt. A friend took her in, and Elisa got back on her feet in a big way.

Elisa, 48, is now the board president of Mothers’ Voices of Georgia, a nonprofit organization in Atlanta that helps low-income women become financially empowered to better deal with health and lifestyle issues. A single mother, she owns property in Florida and South Carolina, a house in Georgia worth $350,000, and has accumulated $65,000 in retirement funds and an annuity. But she knows she is an exception.

“Half of minority women older than 65 in the United States are living in poverty,” Elisa said. “Those are my aunts, who at age 75 had to go to work at Wal-Mart because they didn’t have enough money in retirement to live in dignity.”

Elisa and her ex-husband accumulated $30,000 in debt after a year and a half of marriage. Even though he generated most of the debt he refused to pay it off. After the couple divorced, Elisa, a public health consultant, worked one full-time and two part-time jobs for five years to repay the debt and restore her credit rating.

At the time, she had no idea that she could have split the debt with her husband during the divorce proceedings.

“That was huge mistake No. 1,” she said.

Around nine years ago, Elisa attended a workshop about retirement and economic issues led by Cindy Hounsell, president of WISER, the Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement, based in Washington, D.C. (Hounsell was named a Women’s eNews 21 Leader for the 21st Century in 2006.)

For the rest of the story, click here. 

Just in case you are one of those people who really believes that I Love New York was about Tiffany Patterson’s search for love, here’s another casting call. Maybe someone from the Barbershop can slip in and be a mole?!?!?!?!?!?!

I LOVE NEW YORK SEASON 2 Now Casting

Description:

CASTING 2ND SEASON OF I LOVE NEW YORK

HEY MY FELLOW SEXY SINGLE MEN. YES IT’S OFFICIAL I’M CASTING SEASON 2 OF “I LOVE NEW YORK”. I’M CASTING ALL TYPES AND ETHNIC BACKGROUNDS. MY BREAKDOWN IS THIS AND PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT UNLESS YOU FIT THE BREAKDOWN AND FOLLOW SUBMISSION GUIDELINES.

STRAIGHT MEN AGES-21 TO 36
ALL RACES:
EXTREME PERSONALITIES: