In a Dec 16, 2008 press release, seeking to reassure investors, Fred Joseph, North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) president and Colorado Securities Commissioner, says, "While the vast majority of investment services providers are honest professionals, the potential for fraud should concern us all."

Many investors have a sense of invulnerability, that loosing money happens to someone else and not to them, says John Gannon, senior vice president, Investor Education, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and because of embarrassment, many do not report that they have been scammed.

Investors should recognize, he says, and defend against the undue influence of persuasion tactics which involve promises on guaranteeing returns on investments, such as in Madoff's case, where from year to year, he consistently delivered positive returns, and which should be a red flag. Two other fallacies, he says, as influencers are: the social consensus or peer pressure, such as the country club or community, where if everyone seems to be profiting, then the stock is doing okay; and the "pump and dump," or scarcity or urgency types.

The collapse of a stock market bubble in 1929 triggered the chain of events that led to depression. When stock prices fell in October 1929, investors, financial institutions and banks were caught overextended. The fall in stock prices produced a financial panic that bankrupted many. To repair damaged balance sheets, surviving banks and financiers dramatically reduced lending. The result was a long and steep decline in economic activity.

The 1920s stock market bubble hid serious structural problems in the underlying economy. The same is true for the real estate bubble in the 2000s.

Vintage Books

Unless the government's investment in banks comes with effective government oversight, the real problem is that banks will continue to have too much autonomy rather than too little.

As part of the federal government's financial bailout plan outlined over the past few days, President Bush and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson joined an international effort to help troubled banks by buying stock in them. Their hope is that the government's investment will get the banks to lend more money. It would also assure bankers that the loans they give each other are safe (banks actually lend each other money on a regular basis). 

Then money will start flowing again between banks and to businesses that right now can't get the credit they routinely depend upon. If the plan succeeds, when the economy finally improves and the stock market goes back up, the government could sell its bank stock and probably make a profit for taxpayers.

Later in her career, she took it upon herself to fly to Washington DC, where she was reported as making the First Lady of the United States, Lady Bird Johnson, cry. For many years after, Ms. Kitt believed that she was blacklisted because of this act. The CIA developed a file on Ms. Eartha. She was later forced to live in Europe for the next 6 years.

In the 70's, disco was born and Ms. Kitt recorded a smash gay club hit, "Where Is My Man" of which the album, "I Love Man" was released. She was a favorite on the club scene and on the International circuit. Later she appeared in such movies as "Boomerang" where she called Eddie Murphy character, "Markus", in a way that was sexual and inviting.

It wasn't until she was sent to live with her aunt in New York City, did she receive some kind of love. Her aunt encouraged her to pursue the performing arts but the relationship wasn't the best, Eartha left her aunt's home, returned to reconcile, only having to leave again.

When Eartha was 16, just by chance, she run into a young lady who was attending the Katherine Durham Dance School. The stranger told Eartha that she should try out, audition. Well she did and she won a scholarship. The dance school, introduced the "diva in waiting", to a bigger world. She was able to dream and was able to make her dreams come true. In 1950, she starred on Broadway, in an Orson Wells production, "Helen of Troy".

Ms. Kitt was married briefly, and this relationship produced one child, Kitt McDonald, in 1961. In later years Kitt was her mother's manager. In 1997 gave a benefit performance in South Carolina, and created the "Eartha Kitt Performing Arts Scholarship" for dance.

Throughout her lifetime, there was this confusion of race. She didn't feel that she belonged. First the rejection from her mother, her family, some of the ills of the Black American race problems from within and the shame of society's demons on race. But Ms. Eartha Kitt was able to live her life her own way. Many times she would state that she was American Indian, other times, half white, half black but no matter the race, she was an asset, a pioneer, a hero and legend.

On her fan club website, there's a thank you note: "It is with much sadness that we confirm that Eartha has left us. Our heartfelt sadness to her daughter, Kitt, Jason and Rachel (Jason and Rachel must be her grandchildren). I always said Eartha would perform until she died, for aside from family , it was her love for her fans that came next in her heart. The past several years Eartha closed her shows with "Here's To Life". In closing for now, I would like to say, "Eartha Here's to Life, here's to love, here's to you." Love your adoring fans.

We at GBMNews, say thank you Ms. Eartha for sharing your life with us. We will always love you and miss you. Rest in peace.

You read it here at GBMNews.com

Eartha Kitt: "Where's my man"

NYC Channel 1 Obituary

But I have to ask, did we forget to go into the Black and Latino communities to campaign? I remember seeing more campaigning in Beverly Hills than Crenshaw. And there wasn't a lot education about Prop 8 in the hood, except from the churches, and we saw how that went.

So I'll stop there, because there are several reason why this happen. And think we need to have a minute to really look into other possibilities instead of looking at the easy ones.

     Debra Wilson

Organized by Angel Brown, executive producer and programmer, QBC; and Kawana Bullock, QBC co-founder, the two panelists, Kenyon Farrow and D.J. Baker discussed with the audience what happened to Proposition 8 in California

Farrow, an organizer, communications strategist, and writer on HIV/AIDS issues, prisons, and homophobia, in his opening remarks explained what Proposition 8 and it's ramifications for Black LBGT in New York. He said that while he didn't want to talk about the people who supported Prop 8, he said that after the elections an examination of the exit polls showed that 70 percent of Californians voted in favor of the bill, but that later reports revealed that the number of people who supported the bill, about 50 percent, was more in line with those in other states.

In May 2005 the County Coroner determined that Majorie’s 3 year old daughter. Eliza Jane Scovill, died of AIDS-related pneumonia. In the following year the court decided not to file criminal charges against Maggorie and her husband for not having their two children tested for the HIV virus.

This woman’s (Maggorie) way of thinking is just one example how many people view the HIV virus. Many people that have a HIV denialist way of thinking contact me on Justin’s HIV Journal on youtube.com. They often tell me that I’m poisoning myself because I take HIV medications. A lot of them eat foods and take vitamins which to them is an alternate way of treated their HIV, but changing your diet isn’t enough.

 My video comments

Eugene Howell, an ADODI faciliator, said that his organization, like many of those presenting the celebration contributed time to planning and financial support. In the past, he said, while the celebration was mainly heterosexual, it is now more applicable to the LGBT community.

This choice was a wise choice for Obama. I hate that through all of this hype, we barely hear about the Rev. let alone the accomplishments Lowery has achieved. I only hope to do as a fourth of what he's done in my lifetime. So please everyone, look at Joseph Lowery as the balance to Rick Warren. Let his message, his work, and his purpose speak loudly that night and hopefully beyond.

Established to help level the playing field for children, the Foundation has spent almost two decades funding pediatric research and raising awareness about children's fight against HIV/AIDS. Thanks to this research and awareness, as well as the advent of combination antiretroviral therapy, many children born infected with HIV/AIDS now have the opportunity to grow up healthy. For children in resource-poor countries, however, long-term survival is still a dream.

Also we donated over 8 big garbage bags full of toys for Toy for Tots. The objectives of Toys for Tots are to help needy children throughout the United States experience the joy of Christmas; to play an active role in the development of one of our nation's most valuable natural resources - our children; to unite all members of local communities in a common cause for three months each year during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign; and to contribute to better communities in the future.

I hope everyone got what they wanted this Christmas. Remember there are people that are infected with HIV/AIDS on the street. Lend your hand and help them. We must do what we can to help them as much as we can. Whether it be a blanket or some food we have to take care of each. Now is the time, and not later.

OH YEAH MY BIRTHDAY WAS ON THE 27TH of DECEMBER, I'M 29 AND LOVING IT!!!!

I've always enjoyed the party scene of The Nutcracker from the perspective of the audience as well as that of a performer. One would think that with so much happening on stage all of the subtle comedic moments would be lost. Not one giggling moment was missed by any of those who joined me in the audience. I must especially mention the performance of Jim Yount (Drosselmeyer) who gave a fresh perspective to the mysterious character. Also, Garrett Marks stole the show in every scene in which he appeared as well as Chris Petrie who played a parent in the opening and party scenes. Without a doubt, "Snow" and "Waltz of the Flowers" were executed beautifully by the ladies and gentlemen of Ballet South, but it would not be right if I did not mention the extreme cuteness of the Bon Bons Girls, Bailey Marks (Mother Ginger), and the Cherubs.

This was an evening of wonderful performances by Ballet South. I recommend taking the family out to see The Nutcracker or any other holiday show in your area this or any other year. When I say "family" that includes nieces, nephews, and cousins. This show is fun for everyone and not only enriches your life with the experience of live entertainment and culture, but also creates memories that will last for a lifetime.

I've always enjoyed the party scene of The Nutcracker from the perspective of the audience as well as that of a performer. One would think that with so much happening on stage all of the subtle comedic moments would be lost. Not one giggling moment was missed by any of those who joined me in the audience. I must especially mention the performance of Jim Yount (Drosselmeyer) who gave a fresh perspective to the mysterious character. Also, Garrett Marks stole the show in every scene in which he appeared as well as Chris Petrie who played a parent in the opening and party scenes. Without a doubt, "Snow" and "Waltz of the Flowers" were executed beautifully by the ladies and gentlemen of Ballet South, but it would not be right if I did not mention the extreme cuteness of the Bon Bons Girls, Bailey Marks (Mother Ginger), and the Cherubs.

This was an evening of wonderful performances by Ballet South. I recommend taking the family out to see The Nutcracker or any other holiday show in your area this or any other year. When I say "family" that includes nieces, nephews, and cousins. This show is fun for everyone and not only enriches your life with the experience of live entertainment and culture, but also creates memories that will last for a lifetime.

Victimisation by white racism and police brutality are areas of solidarity. And yet many African-Americans feel that Africans generally are not concerned with race enough. This is the case because of vastly different historical experiences.

Among African-Americans many give race 60 per cent relevance to their lives while Africans give it only 35 per cent relevance. This difference in racial preoccupation can be a cause of stress.

The majority of Africans (or American-Africans) and African-Americans are in support of affirmative action. This is an area of solidarity. But who precisely gets the jobs or the educational opportunities created by affirmative action?

In reality the greatest beneficiaries are probably white women, but there is sometimes rivalry between African-Americans and American-Africans over jobs, business opportunities, and other scarce resources. This area of professional and occupational competition can be a source of stress. Intellectual jobs are prone to this kind of rivalry.

The international community has worked hard to resolve the conflicts among the various parties: the sovereign states of Rwanda and Congo as well as the assorted militias and private armies that are sponsored by these two governments and by opportunistic local warlords. But despite the deployment of 17,000 United Nations peacekeepers, and many efforts at mediation with constructive American support, the situation appears intractable.

The failure of international diplomacy is related to the economic roots of the problem, which began with the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. Until the economic conundrum is addressed, there is little prospect for a solution.

The genocidal war between the majority Hutu and the minority Tutsi in Rwanda spilled into Congo, and the eastern part of that vast country has been unstable ever since. When Tutsi rebel forces took power in Rwanda in June 1994, more than a million Hutu fled to Congo, where they settled into refugee camps on the Rwandan border.

After two years of cross-border raids from the refugee camps by exiled Hutu soldiers who had participated in the genocide, the Rwandan Army attacked and destroyed the camps, with the quiet but unambiguous approval of the United States in the absence of another solution to the violence. Most of the Hutu refugees returned to Rwanda, but about 100,000 of them, along with the exiled Hutu soldiers, moved westward as a disciplined group into Congo’s interior.

The Rwandan Army pursued the escaping Hutu and caught up with them near the city of Kisangani at the headwaters of the Congo River. The refugees were massacred, but the former Hutu soldiers escaped to neighboring countries.

The move against the refugee camps was the first step in a well-planned action by Rwanda in 1996 and 1997 to overwhelm the weak Congolese Army and, with the help of the Congolese opposition, overthrow the 30-year dictatorship of Mobutu Sese Seko. With logistical support from Uganda and Angola, the military action succeeded in less than three months. A new government in Congo was installed under President Laurent Kabila, an exile handpicked by the Rwandans.

And from 1996 to today, the Tutsi-led Rwandan government has been in effective control of Congo’s eastern provinces of North and South Kivu. This control has been maintained through intermittent military occupation and the presence of Congolese militias financed and trained by the Rwandan Army.

As compensation, Ngugi received 10 acres of land about 100 miles away, but residents there, from a different tribe, always resented his presence. During the election turmoil late last year and early this year that grabbed headlines worldwide, his house and business were burned down.

"Now I have to restart with nothing," he said.

As this East African nation struggles with food shortages, a sluggish economy and wounds from post-election violence, there's a growing consensus that one issue rests at the heart of Kenya's woes.

It's the land, stupid.

All across Africa, battles over land continue to simmer, largely a fallout of European colonialism. During most of Africa's history, sparse population and tribal traditions meant land was plentiful and disputes were rare. Colonialists introduced alien concepts such as borders and private ownership. Since independence began to sweep the continent 50 years ago, fledgling African governments have struggled to unwind injustices, sometimes with disastrous results. The Zimbabwean economy was devastated by President Robert Mugabe's campaign to seize and redistribute land owned by white farmers.

Kenya suffered a similar colonial legacy, but has taken a different route. As is the case in many African nations, more than half of Kenya's land is owned by a minority of its richest families, including some white foreigners. But unlike Zimbabwe and South Africa, where the struggle has pitted whites against blacks, the land here is owned mostly by Kenyan politicians who have grabbed millions of prime agricultural acres in questionable real estate deals over the last 45 years.

"This is really an issue between us as Kenyans," said Paul Ndungu, head of a landmark 2004 report that investigated more than 40 years of land fraud. "It's Kenyan versus Kenyan."

Tribal clashes that killed more than 1,000 people after the disputed presidential election last December, were rooted largely in historic disputes over land. As Kenya struggles to feed its people, vast swaths of its most productive terrain sit idle and underutilized -- and the land grievances remain unresolved.

"Peace, tranquillity and stability in Kenya is predicated on sorting out this land issue," said Odenda Lumumba, head of the Kenya Land Alliance, a land-reform advocacy group.

Newly installed Lands Minister James Orengo, a former student activist who was once jailed for aiding a 1982 coup attempt, has vowed to take on Kenya's rich and powerful with a progressive new land policy.

Performers from several African countries, such as Nigeria, Burundi, Senegal and Tanzania, will participate in this year's festivities, adding extra spice and excitement.

This vibrant annual event will start at 2pm on Wednesday, 31 December at Berea Park, in Berea, and at Pieter Roos Park, in Parktown. The two groups will meet on Kotze Street, in Hillbrow, and proceed in a single procession to Newtown.

The carnival, which is themed Nyakaza-Joburg unplugged, will travel along Empire Road, Claim Street, Catherine Avenue, O'Reilly Road Joubert Street, De Korte Street, Bertha Street, Nelson Mandela Bridge, Jeppe Street and Miriam Makeba Street.

About 20 000 participants, including various carnival troupes, choirs, bands, clowns, stilt walkers and drummers, are expected to take part.

Communities from all over the city have taken part in carnival camps in the run-up to the main event, during which budding artists were trained in various carnival-related arts, equipping them with skills that could eventually earn them a living.

According to Steven Sack, the city's director of arts, culture and heritage services, the carnival will give people in the inner city an opportunity to engage in a free, safe and constructive activity on New Year's Eve.

"The carnival atmosphere captures Joburg's unique urban flavour. It is always a joyous and uplifting experience that symbolises the melting pot of cultures making this edgy, world-class African city," Mr Sack said.

Once at Mary Fitzgerald Square, in Newtown, there will be a concert from 6pm to 2am, featuring acts such Freshlyground, KB, Wonderboom and MXO.

"No alcohol, weapons or fireworks will be allowed, and the police and emergency services will be on hand to ensure that the evening's festivities run smoothly," he said.

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These include "Black Search," which brings up results tailored to what its backers assume are African-American interests; "Black News Ticker," which does more of the same; and "Blackbird TV," which is "the best of Black video on the Web."

"We believe that the Blackbird application can make it easier to find African American related content on the Internet and to interact with other members of the African American community online by sharing stories, news, comments and videos via Blackbird," reads a press release posted by 40A, the somewhat mysterious firm behind the browser, on the CrunchBase Web site.

Reaction from black bloggers, tech writers and commenters has been, shall we say, a bit mixed.

"Wait, why do I need a special Web browser?" asked Gizmodo writer Adrian Covert. "Last time I checked, I don't physically browse the Internet any different than anyone else."

"The way this browser is marketed, the language, and the very idea that Black people somehow need a different piece of software to deal with the Internet all rubs me the wrong way," wrote K.T. Bradford of Laptop magazine.

The BlackWeb 2.0 blog was more supportive.

"There is a Black culture and a Black Experience, and this naturally translates online and into any other medium since we are all a part of the human race," regular poster "Markus" wrote. "In 2008 it is not wrong to want to identify with your culture regardless of what that culture may be or how you choose to identify with it."

But the angriest reaction came from a commenter on Gizmodo who calls himself "Cordfucious the Ubuntu Walker."

"I am offended at this," he posted. "As a Black man in this country I don't need a browser to help my kids find culturally relevant material... it's the damn WORLD WIDE WEB... not the Black Web, or White Web or Yellow Web. ... It's s--- like this that burns me up. I need to tell my wife (who is Hispanic) that the[y] need the BlackBean browser for the Hispanic community."

http://www.blackbirdhome.com/

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