Healthier Eating:Paula Deen and Me

Paula Deen was widely criticized earlier this year when she revealed that she has type 2 diabetes  and had been diagnosed with the disease three years earlier. After her announcement, she landed an endorsement deal for a diabetes drug, so there was backlash about her motivation for speaking out in the first place. In addition, her sons Bobby and Jamie both got cooking shows presenting healthier food offerings vs their Mom's high calorie fare.

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Forbes Names 100 Most Powerful Celebrities

If you were asked to name the five or ten most powerful celebrities, who would make your list? Also, it would be interesting to see what criteria you'd use to make your choices.

Forbes has been publishing the list annually since 1999 and recently announced its choices for the 2012 Celebrity 100 list. Feedback is pouring in with questions, comments, and opinions on the ranking, but for better or worse, Forbes is unwavering in its choices.

Forbes staffer Dorothy Pomerantz spend most of the year compiling data for Forbes lists. She quickly points out the variety of professions included in the Celebrity 100 and the key factors used to make the selections:

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Rappers, Hip Hop and Politics: Election 2012

Did you know that June is Black Music Month? Well, I thought it might be a good time to look at some strange bedfellows: rappers, hip hop, and politics. Every one remembers the jaw dropping moment when Kanye West declared George Bush doesn't like Black people. But, do we take notice of the continuous interplay of hip hop stars, rappers and the political process?

Some notables come to the forefront in support of current political candidates of both parties. Jay-Z, Russel Simmons, P. Diddy, And Will.I.Am supported Barack Obama for president in 2008 and support his reelection in 2012. Common, Nas, and Chuck D have spoken out in support of Obama, also. Naturally, the President has been attacked by Fox News and other right wing media accusing him of glorifying their lyrics of drugs, sex, and violence. Jay-Z has been particularly in the fore front supporting Obama's stance on the tax code and on gay marriage.

While the President's support and connection to hip hop and rappers might be a political liability for him, Republican politician are enclosed in a protective bubble against their supporters in the industry. Rapper KRS-One supports Ron Paul, has toured with him and appeared in the media in support of Paul. It appears that Ron Paul's racist history documented through his newsletters and his connection to white supremacists don't disturb KRS-One. Prodigy is another rapper supporting Ron Paul. Both rappers are caught up in what they call "The Obama Deception", a New World Order conspiracy theory, as reported in the Grio.

That leaves Mitt Romney, the Republican Nominee for President and his supporter Kid Rock, who responded when Romney sought him out at a political rally. Kid Rock put aside his persona rapping about "sex, drugs, and pimping women", replacing it with a more acceptable, sterile image as a  country rock star wrapped in the confederate flag. Before a packed crowd of more than 1000 supporters, Romney accepted the endorsement of Kid Rock at the Royal Oak Music Theater. Kid Rock and band then performed his anthem "Born Free," which has become the Romney campaign theme. Kid Rock joins country singers Ted Nugent, Waylon Jennings and Trace Adkins in support of Romney.

As an industry, Hip Hop and Rap have become powerful financial and media resources with the ability to influence the main stream political process.

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Will Romney Win the White Working Class Vote?

What's up with the white working class vote? It was for him, his wife, and his family that New Deal Democrats taxed the rich, invented Social Security and supported militant labor unions. Now, seeing the Democrats as pro black and poor, white non-college educated voters are a mainstay for the Republican coalition.

Many people don’t understand how the white working class can support a Republican party which clearly favors the rich and would continue to vote against their own interest. But, that depends on how you define their interest. Anti-abortion and anti-gay religious beliefs coupled with NRA gun-toting sentiments may well see this group waiting for economic interest to “trickle down” to them while “getting their country back” with a white guy in the White House.

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Malia Obama Gets Cell Phone:Teens and Smart Phones

Breaking news-Malia Obama gets a cell phone. Well, compared to some of the silly political stories that are considered news-worthy, why not take a constructive look at the First Teen Malia and check out the nation's teens and smart phones.

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Meet Ron Christie: Republican Strategist and Apologist

There are some folks that never cease to amaze me and Ron Christie is one of those mind boggling people. Christie, the Black Republican apologist and strategist is forever trying to convince us that White right-wing reactionary Republicans like Sarah Palin, Dick Cheney and Russ Limbaugh always mean just the opposite or something other than what they've stated or written or that they are badly misquoted, misunderstood, or misinterpreted. He sees history quite differently than I remember it, especially the Bush II White House years.

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The Elephant in the Room: Mitt Romney's Religion

The Mormon Temple
Salt Lake City, Utah, ca. 1880-1900

Two widely accepted facts about Mitt Romney is that he is a family man and an avid supporter of the LDS church. While the GOP says it has decided not to include Rev. Jeremiah Wright in the Election 2012 dialogue, another point of apparent agreement is a hands-off policy on discussing Romney's Mormonism. We may not be talking about it, but Romney's religion is an elephant in the room.

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"Keep Your Eye On The Grand Old Flag"

The flag for any country is a source of pride and inspiration for the people. It deserves a certain amount of respect. The Flag Code is a guideline for proper flag etiquette. There are no real penalties for disregarding the Flag Code; it is all a matter of respect.

The following flag etiquette guidelines are common to most countries, however, some are only applicable to the United States:

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Greek Words You Should Know

Along with Latin, Greek is probably the language that most influenced other languages around the world. Many English words derive directly from Greek ones, and knowing their origin and meaning is important.

Take a look at 12 Greek words that are commonly used in our society. The next time you hear someone saying “Kudos to you,” you will know where it comes from.

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On the Record: Meet the “Kitchen Diva!”

Animated, sassy, and charming are word often used to describe Angela Shelf Madearis, aka “the Kitchen Diva!”

I was first introduced to Angela on an episode of Throw down with Bobby Flay. Iron Chef Bobby Flay challenged “the Kitchen Diva!” to a competition featuring Jerk Chicken. Friendly barbs and lots of trash talking peppered the conversation as Bobby and Angela prepared their dishes. The close contest ended with a victory for Angela, cloaked in her red boa while she jovially consoled Bobby on his loss.

During the show, I learned that Angela engaged in a number of diverse projects, i.e., writing cookbooks and children’s books while hosting radio and television shows. I decided to learn more about this dynamic personality. Let’s get to know Angela “On the Record”.

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Healthy Living: Heartburn Prevention Tips

Heartburn is a burning pain or discomfort that may move from your stomach to your abdomen or chest, or even up into your throat. Heartburn is one of the most common medical conditions in the world. Recent studies have shown that about 70 million people are affected by the condition within the United States of America alone. Some of the more common symptoms are a burning sensation within the chest area, a sour or bitter taste in the mouth, chronic coughing or even some amount of respiratory discomfort that may lead to wheezing. In the event that the cases of heartburn are very regular and you experience heartburn pain in the chest area, you may want to get yourself checked by a doctor.

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Using the "N" Word: Is It Ever O.K.?

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow has come under attack for using the N-word when referring to a photo of two of her African American friends Jay-Z and Beyonce.

People are confused about the etiquette of using the "N" word.

The author of the article gave this advice: There's one simple rule. If you are not African American there is no instance for using the word that is not going to be taken offensively."

I'd love to hear your comments.

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Tarnished Tiaras:Failed Beauty Queens

Meet the new Miss America 2012, Olivia Culpo , formerly Miss Rhode Island. Congratulations!

The road to the top is long and hard, but most would say it's worth the struggle. But, what happens when you achieve your goal and suddenly you see your dreams slip right out of your hands?

Pageants are full of drama - but for some the fairytale doesn't begin until the crown has been handed over. We all know the Vanessa Williams story and how she lost her title as Miss America 1983. Take a look at three beauty queens who sizzled on the runway, only to lose the crown they'd won and face scandal blasted across the media.

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"Loose Lips Sink Ships": Clinton, Booker, et al

Bill Clinton

Another Democrat bites the "Bain Capital" strategy dust, appearing to put personal interest before political alignment.

First, there was the so called Cory Booker "Gaffe" calling the campaign strategy "nauseating" which lead the GOP to offer "I Stand With Cory". Of course, Booker did a fast shuffle, called clarifying his comments, and vowed his support for President Obama. The score was three to one with the three being supposed Democratic supporters Cory Book, Harold Ford, Jr. and Gov. Ed Rendell folding against President Obama.

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Billion Dollar Babies Club - Part 2

To date, twelve blockbuster have grossed over one billion dollars at the world wide box office. In Billion Dollar Babies Part One, the first eight movies were detailed. Here are the three new entries to this magical list of top-grossing movies.

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