Paying for your Pay Check: Prepaid cards-Caution!

Some consumers have embraced the prepaid card as an alternative to traditional bank accounts and credit cards. Some have bad credit and can’t get a credit card or open a bank account.  Some are trying to avoid credit card debt and bank fees. But, Consumer Reports recently outlined the dangers of prepaid cards and revealed that the industry is largely unregulated and devoid of the usual protections.

The report cited a variety of hidden fees and a lack of basic safeguards that expose consumers to risks that could leave them financially devastated. Twenty six prepaid cards were reviewed and ranked on hidden fees. The best ranked prepaid card was Bluebird (American Express) with no monthly fee and no activation fee.American Express for Target ranked worst. Some prepaid cards lacked transparency about their policies and services, had ongoing monthly fees, and lacked protection against fraud or bank failure. Many included high fees for “inappropriate” reasons such as not using the card, needing a replacement card and even for calling customer service. 

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Seeing Double: Twins-Co-Valedictorians Achieve Success

 

Kristie and Kirstie Bronner, Class of 2013, have always done everything together — from dressing alike in elementary school to double dating in high school. On May 19, the music majors from Atlanta graduated from Spelman College as co-valedictorians with perfect 4.0 GPAs.

 “I definitely do not feel like I came to school perfect,” said Kirstie. “I always felt like a 4.0 student was a genius, and I didn’t think that I was a genius. I still don’t think I’m a genius. I’m a person who prays hard and works hard. That’s it.”

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Message to Zimmerman: Black Like Me

In case you missed it, Jonathan Capehart shared a letter to George Zimmerman from a Facebook post from Alex Fraser. Jonathan said he heard about the letter when Steve Harvey read it on his show and he wrote a column in the Washington Post about it.

Here's Alex Fraser's "Message to Zimmerman":

Dear George Zimmerman,

For the rest of your life you are now going to feel what its like to be a black man in America.

You will feel people stare at you. Judging you for what you think are unfair reasons. You will lose out on getting jobs for something you feel is outside of your control. You will believe yourself to be an upstanding citizen and wonder why people choose to not see that.

People will cross the street when they see you coming. They will call you hurtful names. It will drive you so insane some days that you’ll want to scream at the top of your lungs. But you will have to wake up the next day, put on firm look and push through life.

I bet you never thought that by shooting a black male you’d end up inheriting all of his struggles.

Enjoy your “freedom.”

Sincerely,

A black male who could’ve been Trayvon Martin

You also can read the Facebook post and comments with the link on Jonathan Capehart's column.

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Meet Morehouse Medical School's New President

Macon, Georgia native Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice has made history. The natural born leader has been appointed the new president of Morehouse School of Medicine – the nation’s first African-American woman to lead a free-standing medical school.

 When you consider the under-representation of black women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, Montgomery’s selection is a remarkable accomplishment. Only 16% of the nation's medical schools is lead by a female dean. Dr. Rice will become the first African American woman to lead a free standing medical school in the U.S.

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The Man at the Door: Lee Daniels' The Butler

 

"Lee Daniels' The Butler" tells the story of a White House butler who served eight American presidents over three decades. The film traces the dramatic changes that swept American society during this time, from the civil rights movement to Vietnam and beyond, and how those changes affected this man’s life and his family.

 

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New Year-A Day Too Late: Fruitvale Station

Writer/Director Ryan Coogle's debut film "Fruitvale Station" hits the theatres on Friday, July 26, 2013. The film's Producer is Academy Award Winner Forest Whitaker. It's the true story of Oscar Grant III, a 22-year-old Bay Area resident, as he crosses paths with his friends, enemies,family and strangers on the last day of 2008, his last day of life. Oscar Grant is a father, brother, lover, and son who resolves "to be better" in each of these roles in the coming year.

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Reviving "Inspector Morse" Mysteries: Meet "Endeavour"

"Inspector Morse" is one of the most popular PBS Masterpiece Mysteries and after years of reruns, a new series, "Endeavour", introduces a young, 20 something Morse to his devoted fans. The new mystery series, a prequel to the long running adaptation of Colin Dexter's Inspector Morse novels, premiered on July 1.

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Wisconsin Man Guilty of Killing Teen Neighbor

A Milwaukee man knew exactly what he was doing when he accused his teenage neighbor of burglary and then fired a bullet into the boy's chest, jurors decided Friday. The verdict essentially guarantees that 76-year-old John Henry Spooner will die behind bars.

The same jury decided two days earlier that Spooner was guilty of first-degree intentional homicide in the death of 13-year-old Darius Simmons in May 2012. The trial then shifted into a second phase in which jurors were asked to determine whether Spooner was mentally ill at the moment he pulled the trigger.

It took the jury less than 30 minutes to agree he was sane and in control of his actions at the time of the shooting.

The boy's mother, Patricia Larry, declined to speak with reporters after the trial but thanked God, the prosecutor and the community. Her son had died in her arms.

"Justice was served," she said.

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Sen. Rand Paul and the "Southern Avenger"

 

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul says he’s standing by longtime aide Jack Hunter whom he appointed as his Media Director.

 

“Sen. Paul holds his staff to a standard that includes treating every individual with equal protection and respect, without exception,” spokeswoman Moira Bagley said in a statement.

 

Jack Hunter has for years been a provocative talk radio host who called himself the “Southern Avenger.” Before that, he was a member of the League of the South, a group that advocates Southern secession.

For years, Hunter wore a Mexican wrestling mask made out of the Confederate flag. “The whole idea of the Southern Avenger was to be an anonymous superhero,” he explained in a 2011 article in the Charleston City Paper, where he writes a column. Hunter ditched the mask in 2007, when he moved from being a guest on a local music station to talk radio.

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State Prison Phone Companies Charge Outrageous Rates and Give Jails Kickbacks

A recent article by Andrew Kaufman in the International Business Times reports that Telephone companies are operating unfair monopolies in state prisons, charging inmates exorbitant prices of more than $1-per-minute calls and giving kickbacks to the jails, according to a report released in June.

Researchers at the Prison Policy Initiative found that prison phone companies offer kickbacks of up to 84 percent of revenue to the prisons, and generate even more revenue by offering bad service, according the report, entitled “Please Deposit All Of Your Money.”

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Mass Incarceration: "The New Jim Crow"

In her new book "The New Jim Crow", Michelle Alexander argues vigorously and persuasively that "[w]e have not ended racial caste in America; we have merely redesigned it." Jim Crow and legal racial segregation has been replaced by mass incarceration as "a system of social control". She reviews American racial history from the colonies to the Clinton administration, delineating its transformation into the "war on drugs.

She offers an acute analysis of the effect of this mass incarceration upon former inmates "who will be discriminated against, legally, for the rest of their lives, denied employment, housing, education, and public benefits." Most provocatively, she reveals how both the move toward colorblindness and affirmative action may blur our vision of injustice: "most Americans know and don't know the truth about mass incarceration"—but her carefully researched, deeply engaging, and thoroughly readable book should change that.

Michelle currently holds a joint appointment at the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity and the Moritz College of Law at Ohio State University. Michelle served for several years as director of the Racial Justice Project at the ACLU of Northern California, and subsequently directed the Civil Rights Clinics at Stanford Law School, where she was an associate professor. She is a former law clerk of Justice Harry Blackmun of the U. S. Supreme Court.

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Lessons From the Zimmerman Verdict

The killing of Trayvon Martin and the subsequent verdict of not guilty has thrown the nation into turmoil. We, the American public, must learn from this tragic situation and take action to ensure changes in our laws and in the public understanding of our racial views, assumptions and beliefs.

Last year in New York City, police stopped 532,911 citizens under their current policy of stop and frisk. Of those stopped, 9.7% were white and 90.3 were non-white. Only 6% of the stops resulted in arrest. Some Americans see nothing wrong with this situation, but many Americans protest these stops as a violation of those citizen's civil rights. Many see Zimmerman's action on the night he killed Trayvon Martin as racial profiling similar to that occurring in New York City.

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"Border Surge": Boon For Defense Contractors

The border security plan the Senate approved last week includes unusual language mandating the purchase of specific models of helicopters and radar equipment for deployment along the U.S.-Mexican border, providing a potential windfall worth tens of millions of dollars to top defense contractors.

The legislation would require the U.S. Border Patrol to acquire, among other items, six Northrop Grumman airborne radar systems that cost $9.3 million each, 15 Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopters that average more than $17 million apiece, and eight light enforcement helicopters made by American Eurocopter that sell for about $3 million each. The legislation also calls for 17 UH-1N helicopters made by Bell Helicopter, an older model that the company no longer manufactures.

The Black Hawk helicopters required under the plan include five of the latest high-tech models with digital cockpits. As for the American Eurocopter aircraft, the patrol would be required to add eight AS-350 models to the 85 it already has in its fleet.

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Honoring Trayvon Martin: Do All You Can

President Obama weighed in on the George Zimmerman verdict on Sunday, calling on Americans to “respect the call for calm reflection from two parents who lost their young son.”
Zimmerman was acquitted Saturday on second degree murder and manslaughter charges in the shooting death of  17-year-old Trayvon Martin.

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Foyle's War Returns to MASTERPIECE MYSTERY!

I was delighted to learn that Foyle's War is returning to MASTERPIECE MYSTERY! Three new episodes of the popular detective series will air on PBS in the summer of 2013.

 

The British detective drama television series,created by screenwriter and author Anthony Horowitz, was originally set during and shortly after World War II. In Season 8, "World War II may be over, but Christopher Foyle's war against injustice and wrongdoing rages on," says MASTERPIECE executive producer Rebecca Eaton. "His very loyal American fans will be thrilled."

 

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CA Inmates Illegally Sterilized

The Center for Investigative Reporting reports its findings that doctors under contract with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation illegally sterilized nearly 150 female inmates from 2006 to 2010 without required state approvals. At least 148 women received tubal ligations in violation of prison rules during those five years – and there are perhaps 100 more dating back to the late 1990s, according to state documents and interviews.

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Beauty Tips: Add The "Extras" To Your Makeup Kit

Okay, so you've gone through the mounds of makeup in your bathroom, your makeup bag and your purse. You've covered the basics, discarded out of date products and you're ready for the next step. Still feeling as if somethings missing? Time to explore the "extras", those little things that give you added oomph. Take a look at these possibilities:

EXFOLIATE
If you're dealing with dry patches or clogged pores, you might need to exfoliate to help slough away dead skin cells. Don't exfoliate more than once a week, though. Use a gentle scrub that contains microbeads on your face. Try a sugar or salt formula for your body.
Great Bargains: Bath and Body Works has a Lemon & Orange Moisture Rich Body Scrub for about $15.

TINTED MOISTURIZER OR FOUNDATION
Concealer goes a long way toward evening out your complexion, but for a flawless finish, you'll want a tinted moisturizer (for sheer coverage) or foundation (if your skin has areas of blotchiness or discoloration). The right color disappears into your skin with one swipe-even before blending.
Great Bargains: Target has Sonia Kashuk Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 for about $13: Sephora Perfecting Tinted moisturizer is about $21 (try sephora.com).

EYE CREAM
Experts say eye creams can be tricky, so look for a formula that addresses your primary undereye concern. Caffeine helps reduce puffiness; niacin amide and retinol smooth fine lines.The best treatment for pigment related dark circles is sunscreen. Use an eye cream that contains a physical sunblock (like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide), which is potentially less irritating than one containing a chemical block (like avobenzone).
Great Bargains: Philosophy Eye Hope Advanced Anti-Aging Eye Cream for about $48 at Sephora: ROC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream-about $22 at drugstores.


EYELINER
While curling your lashes and using mascara will make you more bright-eyed, adding eyeliner emphasizes your eye color. Pencils are the most foolproof, and dark brown is the most universally flattering shade. Once you try the basic dark brown eyeliner, don't be afraid to experiment.
Great Bargains: Avon Glimmersticks Diamond Eye liner in Brown Sugar-$6 at avon.com; MAC Eye Kohl in Teddy ($14.50 at maccosmetics.com)

BRONZER
Try a bronzer, it adds warmth to your skin and creates a flattering contrast with your eyes.  Apply it after blush, dusting the temples, cheekbones, and tip of the chin. Powder formulas are easier to use than gels and sprays. never go more than two shades darker than your complexion
Great Bargains: Physicians Formula Healthy Wear SPF-50 Pressed Bronzer (about $15 in drugstores)

DEEP CONDITIONER
A deep-conditioning treatment contains higher concentrations of moisturizer than most regular conditioners and seals the shaft of each strand to leave your hair healthy and beautiful. Use once a week, but only on the ends if you have fine hair.
Great Bargains: Nexxus Humectress Hydrating Treatment at drugstores for about $15.

TEETH-WHITENING STRIPS
A White smile isn't just youthful, it brightens up your whole face. you don't need to drop hundreds of dollars to whiten your smile. New York dentist Jeff Golub-Evans says "drugstore whitening strips get your teeth almost as white as a treatment at a dentist's office. You must use them religiously for a couple of weeks." Here's a quick test to find out if you're a good candidate. Hold a piece of white paper up to your teeth. if they look yellowish, they'll lighten pretty easily. If they're gray-tinged, you have more than surface stains and strips won't do much for you.
Great Bargains: Rembrandt Whitening Strips- about $24 at drugstores; Listerine Whitening Quick Dissolving Strips-about $15 at drugstores.

Try something new and get a new lease on life. Don't be afraid to experiment. Call a few of your closest girlfriends and make it a party (light snacks only, every one's on a diet). Most of all, have fun!

 

 

RELATED ARTICLE:

 

The Bare Necessities: Your Basic Makeup Kit, The Emerald Quill, June 2013

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The Tale of Three Popes: Pope Francis To Canonize New Saints

Pope Francis I

Pope Francis on Friday cleared two of the 20th century's most influential popes to become saints, approving a miracle needed to canonize Pope John Paul II and waiving Vatican rules to honor Pope John XXIII.

In a major demonstration of his papal authority, Francis decided that John XXIII could be declared a saint even though the Vatican hasn't confirmed a second miracle attributed to his intercession. The Vatican said Francis had the power to dispense with such requirements and proceed with only one confirmed miracle to his name.

 

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Scam Alert: Ways to Foil ID Thieves

Last year, as many as 16 million households fell victim to identify theft. Don't join them this year. Fear of identity theft has spawned an entire industry offering protection against this fraud. But, there are a number of things you can do yourself. Here are some tips on reducing your risk:

Get off mailing lists for preapproved credit card offers, a gold mine for identity thieves. Call 888-567-8688 or visit optoutprescreen.com. Stop other junk mail at dmachoice.org (mailed requests cost $1).

Enroll in free alerts from your bank and credit card users to flag unusual activity on accounts.

Ask your credit card providers to issue you new "smart cards" with safer EMV chip technology. if they're unavailable, request replacement plastic with your photograph.

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Violence Against Women Abounds World Wide

Rapper and actor 50 Cent has been charged with attacking his ex-girlfriend and trashing her Los Angeles condo. During an argument, the woman told police, Jackson began destroying her property before she locked herself into her bedroom. The woman who had a baby with him said Jackson kicked open the bedroom door and kicked her, causing injury.

Police said they estimated about $7,100 in damage to the woman’s home.

The 37-year-old “In da Club” singer, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, was charged with domestic violence and four counts of vandalism in papers filed Monday. If convicted, he faces up to five years in jail and $46,000 in fines.

The rapper has referenced drug dealing and violence in many songs and is known for having survived nine gunshots in an attempted assassination.

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Kerry Washington Weds NFL Player

What a banner year for actress Kerry Washington. She snagged two NAACP Awards for her role as Olivia Pope in her television series "Scandal" and for her outstanding performance in Quentin Tarantino's film "Django" and the Best Actress trophy at the BET Awards. But those honors pale by comparison to her latest honor which "put a ring on it".

Kerry (36) wed San Francisco 49ers cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha (31) in a secret ceremony on June 24 in Hailey, Idaho. The couple tied the knot in a ceremony officiated by the groom's sister, Minister Chisaraokwu Asomugha. Close friend and family, including Kerry's parents Earl and Valerie, joined in wishing the happy couple success in their marriage. The couple have been dating since the summer of 2012.

E! News was the first to confirm the marriage after a story appeared on sports gossip site TerezOwens. Asomugha, a four times All-Pro, played with the Oakland Raiders and Philadelphia Eagles before signing with the  San Francisco 49ers this offseason.

What's next for sexy feminist Kerry Washington? She will grace the August cover of Vanity Fair, becoming the first Black woman to do so since Beyonce snagged the cover in 2005. Kerry is the only Black actress to appear on the cover alone.  In the Vanity Fair interview, Kerry speaks to why she believes that she has broken through a heavily guarded color barrier. "The fact that white women can see this woman (her character Olivia Pope in "Scandal") as an aspirational character is revolutionary." Women all over the world come up to Kerry and say they "want to be Olivia Pope", even in South Africa where the show is called "The Fixer".  All the world loves a winner, Black or white.

Best wishes and much happiness to the couple and continued success to actress Kerry Washington and NFL player Nnamdi Asomugha.

Related Articles:

On the Record: Actress-Activist Kerry Washington, The Emerald Quill, 2/11/13

Scandal's Olivia Pope: Master or Slave?, The Emerald Quill, 5/1/12

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